MH: Hello there g1s. Guess what, we're reaching the end of the year. We all survived the Apocalypse. HUZZAH! *Editor's note: Twitter's dignity did not* That's good, because 2013 promises to be a interesting year for games. After a two month delay (one because of too many games, the other because of too little) the Previews are back. This time with my co-host, Gear12. Say hello.

G: Hello again internet. Blimey it's been a while hasn't it?

MH: Pretty much. It looks like 2013 will be off to a pretty good start. Sure, we're only talking about 3 games, but these games are fairly large and interesting. Plus, we got to play 2 of them. So Gear, you ready?

G: Locked and loaded and ready to roll.

Anarchy Reigns

Platform: Xbox 360, PS3

Release Date: January 8 (NA), 11 (EU)

MH: Platinum Games remains one of the best studios in Japan. They are the phoenix that rose from the ashes of Clover Studios and have never looked back. Releasing games like MadWorld, Bayonetta, and Vanquish. While another of their games may be more in the spotlight, we shouldn't forget about this absolutely bonkers looking game.

G: It's really cool that it's got not only returning characters from MadWorld in it but also a heaping helping of new characters as well. Bayonetta is also a DLC character, and Steve Blum is one of the voice actors because he's in everything.

MH: Well he was Jack in MadWorld, so that makes a lot of sense. It’s definitely hard to describe this game. I think the best way would be an online MadWorld, only with less blood, more color, and several tons of crazy. Yes, this game is an online multiplayer action game. Sounds good to me.

G: Something that I'm wondering, but is not mentioned in the Wikipedia article is whether the game will have cross-platform play. If it does, that would just be the coolest thing ever. I can totally see a game this insane-looking catching on. If nothing else, it looks crazy fun.

MH: I very much doubt it, since I there’s a better chance of the apocalypse happening (that’s still a thing, right?) than Microsoft and Sony working together for cross-platform play, and I don't think it’s coming to Vita. Either way, while I'm looking forward to it, it’s still my least anticipated game from Platinum Games. While it sounds amazing, I can't bring myself to be very excited for this. Still, the game looks good, and that's eventually what matters

MH: So Anarchy Reigns does look really good. As far as I can tell, the art style is colorful and expressive and it's got a great-sized character list. Also it has a cybernetic ninja named Zero. Considering I don't own any console that can play it, I'm not too excited for it, but I am curious to see how well this game does.

MadHero’s Hype Level: 5/10 Chainsaw Thumb to the side

Gear’s Hype level: 6/10 Chainsaw arm slightly revved

DmC

Release Date: January 15 (NA, EU for Xbox and PS3), 25 (worldwide PC)

Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PC

MH: Oh boy, this is a big one. Ever since the game was first announced at TGS, the fanboys have been all over it. And by over it, I mean sending death threats to the developers. Its a ballsy move for Capcom to reboot the franchise like that, and some fans still need convincing. After having played the demo, I think I am

G: It's certainly been the victim of some, in my opinion, undeserved controversy. We've discussed it before, so I'm going to sort of reiterate what I've already said. The gameplay is great. It's fast, fun and super responsive. It allows you to combo different weapons and powers into an explosion of violence and gorgeous graphical effects. The environment changes around you as you progress through the level, and the platforming is a bit clunky but overall responsive.

MH: I think it can't really be judged until the whole game is played. Dante does indeed come off as somewhat of a prick, but Ninja Theory has proven with Heavenly Sword and especially Enslaved that they know their way around a story. The game felt very responsive, and in my mind, kind of like a more open Devil may Cry, which I enjoy a lot more than "here are all the enemies, kill them to progress to the next room full of enemies."

G: I'm personally really excited for this game. It looks like it has a really interesting story and I've made extensively clear that the gameplay, as far as I've played, is good. While I do agree that Dante could be a little less of a prick, but it wouldn't be the first protagonist in a game who isn't the greatest guy. If all else fails, it has a level that parodies Fox News, so I'm excited.

MH: The game looks good. Like I said, I trust Ninja Theory, and while I think that they could've eased the fanbase a little more (I mean, it’s a pretty radical change), at its core, it’s still Devil May Cry. Some people will no doubt continue to rag on this game, but from what I've played of the demo, I think fans got nothing to worry about. It’s looking good, and you should be looking forward to it.

MadHero’s Hype Level: 7/10 A rebooted Thumbs Up

Gear’s Hype Level: 8/10 A thumb up Fox News' butt

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

Release Date: January 22nd (NA), 25th (EU)

Platform: PS3

MH: Level 5 has already build tons of street cred thanks to their work in the Professor Layton franchise. Others also know that they're experts in making RPGs, having made the recent Dragon Quest games, Dark Cloud, and Inazuma Eleven. Now, they're partnering with Studio Ghibli, the grandmasters of anime. This can only turn out to be a match made in heaven.

G: Since the last time we discussed Ni No Kuni I've had more exposure to the works of Studio Ghibli. The more I learn about this game the more I get excited for it. It looks absolutely gorgeous, and hot diggedy damn does Studio Ghibli know how to tell a good story. Combine this with the awesomeness of Level 5 and you've pretty much got the perfect formula for a great RPG. My only qualm with it is the cancelled DS translation. The book that they were gonna include with that was an awesome idea.

MH: Well we actually got to play it, and the results were... well, kind of mixed. I liked the look, and I'm digging the story (which, like most Ghibli films, are about childhood and maturity), but the battle system could've used some work. If you played White Knight Chronicles, it kind of feels like that, only faster (which is a good thing). It still felt a little slow though

G: Regardless of the combat, which I agree was a bit lackluster, I think that the story will more than make up for that.

MH: We'll see, gameplay should always come before the story in my opinion. I can however, agree that this game is looking pretty darn sweet. If you like Studio Ghibli and RPGs, this is indeed a match made in Heaven. Hopefully, something wonderful will come out of it

Gear’s Hype level: 9/10 An extremely well-animated childlike thumb up

MadHero’s Hype Level: 8/10

MH: Annnnddd that's it. Yep, only 3 games ago. I know, its sad that its already done, but trust me, I'll be back next month, and there will hopefully be more games to talk about (looking at Wikipedia, there will be). Thank you Gear for doing this with me, and I hope we were able to get you excited for some games. Adieu!

G: February is going to be an awesome month for games, but let's not forget good old January and some of it's gems. Thank you for having me again Madhero, it's been a pleasure. See you later Screwattack!

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