At this point, I'm tempted to write off every Japanese development studio as the epitome of grace and humility -- a status certainly better than the "Yo, I make games, dawg!" attitude of some American gamesmiths.

Video Blips:

• Soul Calibur 5's development team gives us a tantalizing glimpse into their exciting world of staring at computer screens. Kudos to whoever spruced up the office with the hot pink Pac-Man ghost.

Continue after the break for The Secret World's morose coastline, Dead Block's combination of blue-collar humor and zombies galore, and the high-def rehash of Shadow of the Colossus.

• Shadowy organizations and conspiracy theories aren't complete without a creepy rural coastline in The Secret World. I hope a possible quest involves seeking the stolen "Dump Bodies Here" signpost.

• A construction worker, traffic warden, and portly boy scout get a little MacGyver against a zombie outbreak in Dead Block. Looks like someone's deadset on earning that "frying pan pimp" merit badge.

• Relive Wander's battles against 13 lumbering giants in the high-definition revamp of Shadow of the Colossus. Everything looks prettier now, but that still doesn't make the game's slurring language understandable.