Lighting Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Comic-con 2013 trailer

A new trailer for Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII was released in this year's San Diego Comic Con. It is said that the trailer focuses on the characters and the battle system, but it didn't look that way to me.  Have a look, and you'll probably see what I mean. 

All I see is a big emphasis on Lightning's many costumes. Granted, changing Lightning's looks on the fly is part of the battle system, but I can't help but remember that god awful Final Fantasy sequel that shouldn't have happened.

Still interested in the Final Fantasy XIII series? I've given it two tries and I'm not sold yet if I want to see the "end" of it all.

Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII is set for a February 2014 release for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Everything you need to know about Evo 2013

The best fighting game players in the world went head-to-head last weekend at this year's Evo Championship Series in Las Vegas to see who among them are the best in their respected fighting game. The tournament is over and we have our champions, together with new announcements to get players and fans excited for the future. It was one hell of a tournament, and it seems like it just gets bigger and bigger each year. Here's a quick recap of everything you need to know during Evo 2013.

This Evo was huge. Tons of players all around  the world showed up and we had a good variety of fighting games in the event this year. Injustice, Super Smash Bros, Skull Girls, Evo has offically become the place to be in order to fight against the best in fighting games.

But enough of that, to the results!

The Results

Super Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition v2012 

1. DM|Xian (Gen) 2. MCZ|Tokido (Akuma) 3. Infiltration (Akuma, Hakan)

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3

1. EMP|Flocker (Zero, Vergil, Hawkeye) 2. EG|Justin Wong (Wolverine, Storm, Akuma | Others) 3. Angelic (Wolverine, Dormammu, Shuma-Gorath)

Injustice: Gods Among Us

1. EMP|KDZ (Superman) 2. Crazy DJT 88 (Green Lantern, Doomsday) 3. AGE|NYChrisG (Green Arrow, Black Adam)

Super Smash Bros. Melee

1. Mango (Fox, Falco) 2. Wobblez (Ice Climbers) 3. CT|Hungrybox (Jigglypuff)

King of Fighters 13 

1. AS|Reynald (EX Kyo, Benimaru, Kim | Others) 2. Hee San Woo (Ryo, Takuma, Kim | Others) 3. CafeID|MadKOF (King, Shen, Kim | Others)

Street Fighter X Tekken v2013 

1. Infiltration (Jin, Alisa) 2. EG|Justin Wong (Hwoarang, Chun-Li) 3. MOV (Law, Nina | Law, Cammy)

Mortal Kombat

1. Crazy DJT 88 (Cyrax) 2. EMP|REO (Kabal) 3. My God 88 (Sonya Blade, Liu Kang)

Persona 4: Arena

1. Yume (Aigis) 2. LordKnight (Mitsuru) 3. BananaKen (Shadow Labrys)

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 

1. CafeID|Knee (Lars, Devil Jin | Bruce, Devil Jin) 2. Eightarc|Bronson Tran (Ogre, Jinpachi) 3. AGE|Stringbean (Alisa, Bob)

Skullgirls 

1. Duckator (Valentine, Filia, Double) 2. Severin (Parasoul, Filia, Double) 3. Chilldog (Cerebrella, Peacock, Filia)

Detailed information on the tournament and it's results can be found at Shoryuken.

This event is no joke anymore. If you have time, go watch the top 8 matches of either Marvel vs Capcom 3, King of Fighters, or Street Fighter. You will feels the intensity and emotions the fighting game community brings to these events. Whether you are unfamiliar or not, the matches are so entertaining and you can't help but give respect for all the players competing. They are really talented in their craft.

The Big Reveals

Evo is so big now, that game developers actually consider this event as an opportunity to reveal exciting news to the community. And since every gamer that loves fighting games is tuned in, it makes perfect sense really.

 Injustice: Gods Among Us - Martian Manhunter DLC reveal

During the final day, NetherRealms revealed a new DLC character that everybody was hoping to be included in the playable roster. Martian Manhunter is revealed with a trailer. To spice up the first look at the Martian in action, he fights against a new skin for Green Lantern, which I'm sure a lot of comic book fans would appreciate.

Ultra Street Fighter 4 announced 

Don't think Street Fighter 4 is close to dead, it's far from it. Capcom just announced a new upgrade for their highly successful fighting game released in 2009. Ultra Street Fighter 4 will include six new stages, new costumes, a rebalance of previous characters, and five new characters, with one 'mystery' character that has yet to be announced. Capcom stated that this character will be new to Street Fighter, but not new in Capcom. The revealed four though is - Rolento, Posion, Hugo, and Elena. Nothing new, but good additions nevertheless.

If you want to watch or replay the whole last day, you can check Evo2013's twitch.tv archives.

Recent Buys: Episode 25 - Absence of Injustice Arrow: Komplete Edition

I haven't done one of these in a while mainly due to personal financials but here we have another episode of Recent Buys. Grabbed myself 2nd hand copies of Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition and Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice, both for PS3. Thanks to South Rage Manila for hooking me up with those games. I also mention what game has currently been eating up a lot of my time and that is Super Robot Wars Z2 Hakai-hen (Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen z Hakai-hen) on the PSP.

When I recorded this, I just received my DLC code for the Arrow skin in Injustice: Gods Among Us from the show Arrow. The costume looks cool but I'm a little disappointed that Stephen Amell's voice is only used for the entrance, win and clash quotes while all the grunts are still generic Green Arrow voice clips.

Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus officially announced by Insomniac Games

Insomniac Games has finally revealed a new Ratchet and Clank game that's coming later this year for the PlayStation 3. Do we want another Ratchet & Clank game? Not too sure, but them going back to the game's original formula plus a reduced prices doesn't sound too bad.

With a new Ratchet & Clank game, comes new weapons and abilities. Weapons and gadgets include the Winterizer, Nightmare Box, Repulsor, Vortex Grenade, Grav Tether, Fusion Grenade and Nether Blades. Clank will get new abilities allowing him to alter gravity and manipulate objects to help solve puzzles in the game.

An announcement trailer was also released together with the reveal. Check the trailer below, because I'm not sure if it's just me but I think I saw some Portal 2 gameplay concepts in there.

Announcement trailer

But I think the best part of this reveal is that the new platformer will start at a generous price of $30, IGN reports. Kind of makes sense since I have a feeling this will land during the holidays, which means it will be in the middle of the next-gen console war.

[Source: PlayStation Blog US]

Finally, a Grand Theft Auto V gameplay trailer

Since the reveal of Grand Theft Auto V, we've haven't seen any kind of gameplay. We were given the look of the new city, the things we can do, the character's we'll meet and play as. Now, the circle is complete. Feast your eyes on the first gameplay trailer for GTA V.

When they revealed that GTA V had three protagonist and can be switch at anytime, I didn't think it would be used in this manner. Switching from character to character during intense moments is pretty interesting since you get to be involved in the most exciting parts of the mission.

Everything else shown? Like, the things you can do in your free time? Well, we're quite familiar with that thanks to past GTA games.

Multiplayer was also teased at the end of the trailer showing that there are have a lot to show. Looks like it's going to be chaotic for sure.

Grand Theft Auto V will be released worldwide September 17 on PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.