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Monster Hunter: World PlayStation 4 Beta and Horizon Zero Dawn DLC Announced

Jamie Laike Tsui
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Monster Hunter: World PlayStation 4 Beta and Horizon Zero Dawn DLC Announced

Capcom made an appearance at the PlayStation Conference at Paris Games Week to reveal a trailer and new details about Monster Hunter: World on PlayStation 4. First a beta will run exclusively for PlayStation Plus members from December 9-12. The beta will consist of two quests to hunt the Great Jagras and Anjanath in the Ancient Forest. The third quest will send players into the deserts of Wildspire Waste to battle Barroth.

Monster Hunter: World will be releasing a PlayStation 4 exclusive DLC called “Horizon Zero Dawn” that will give owners access to Aloy from the game Horizon Zero Dawn along with Aloy’s bow and armour. Additionally, the DLC adds a machine themed Palico armour to complete the look. It appears that the DLC may be free to all owners, as the Monster Hunter: World community will need to accomplish a world event that revolves around turning in material to the Smithy before the content is unlocked for all. Capcom has promised to release more information about the DLC as the game’s launch date draws near.

Finally, Capcom released a new trailer that features the Rotton Veil zone and a bit of the “Horizon Zero Dawn” content. The Rotton Veil is a rocky zone with lots of dank caves and moss. The zone is dangerous to all but a few of its native inhabitants, as large parts of the area is smothered in a toxic mist. The Radobaan is the apex predator of the zone, with its fast speed and heavily armoured body creating a challenge for even the most seasoned hunter.

https://youtu.be/egc-jeRJnn4

Monster Hunter: World is set to launch on PlayStation 4 on January 26, 2018. A PC version is planned, but no launch date has been set.

Spelunky 2 Annonced at Paris Games Week

Jamie Laike Tsui
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Spelunky 2 Annonced at Paris Games Week

Spelunky, the challenging platformer that earned a cult following of speed runners and controller-throwing masochists is getting a sequel. Announced at the PlayStation conference at Paris Games Week 2017, Spelunky 2 stars the daughter of the original spelunker on her own journey in the shifting ruins. While the launch trailer implies the game will be a PlayStation exclusive, Spelunky 2 will first launch on PlayStation 4 and Steam. Derek Yu, the head of Mossmouth, confirmed the details on Twitter.

Details are extremely thin about the game. We know Mossmouth is working with BlitWorks on the game, a company specializing in publishing and porting titles, which means Switch and Xbox One ports are probably being handled by BlitWorks. No word on release date for Spelunky 2, so in the mean time keep practicing speed running on classic Spelunky.

Forza Motorsport 7 Review

Travis Bruno
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Forza Motorsport 7 Review

Forza Motorsport 7

Developer: Turn 10 Studios
Publisher: Microsoft
Platforms: PC, Xbox One (Reviewed)
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $59.99 USD – Available Here $99.95 AUD – Available Here

Overview

Through the years many racing games have vied for the attention of various fans and many have aimed at either targeting the arcade racing fan while others aim for the realistic group. A number of entries have managed to find a satisfying balance but few have managed to do so as well as the Forza series has. With the Forza Horizon branch offering open world exploration and plenty of unique events, the classic Forza Motorsport continues to focus on track racing and with Forza Motorsport 7 this experience is one that racing fans of all kinds can embrace.

Gameplay

In many ways Forza Motorsport 7 offers one of the most varied and refined driving systems that players can look for in games. Not only are there enough assists and difficulty settings to make the game as easy or hard as you wish but the wide array of vehicle types all handle uniquely. With numerous tracks spread across the globe ranging from simple to complex in design, players will have a vast array of elements to choose from whenever they decide to race. This includes race modes such as drag racing, drifting, and more accompanying the standard circuit racing and the, mostly introductory, element of the Forza Driver’s Cup career mode.

This mode serves as an introduction to the various race types, including some fun gimmick events and one on one races, as well as the way that weather can play a role in the way that cars handle since a newly refined weather mechanic will also play a role in how races can play out. Players even have the option of modifying most elements of their car in an attempt to tune it to either fit weather conditions or to fit their racing style, though it is worth noting that you can simply go with pre-fit models if you simply want to enjoy a racing game without delving into gearing, tire pressure, alignment, etc.

Alongside this comes with a handy rewind feature that can allow players to try taking on a turn in a different fashion. Of course this remains a simple option that will keep new players happy while more hardcore fans of the racing genre can simply ignore this option. That being said, with the way the Drivatars can often end up racing incredibly aggressive this feature is far more useful than one would think. It is worth noting that if you are concerned about these features playing into the game’s online mode then you shouldn’t worry as these rewinds are disabled and various matchmaking features help keep things feeling fair.

One of Forza Motorsport’s biggest selling points happens to be the astonishing array of vehicles that players can take to the track and Forza Motorsport 7 has gone above and beyond in this regard. While a few brands such as Toyota appear absent this time around outside of a few cars, they have been replaced with a number of other vehicles including those from the Porsche assembly line. Thanks to the wide array of manufacturers Turn 10 is in talks with the developer has not only managed to gather over seven hundred different cars for players to drive with, but the variety on display here will leave many motorheads salivating.

There are of course vehicles that one would expect with high speed racing games but there are so many different types of cars, many of which you would never expect since a few of them happen to be really outside of the box picks, that you can partake in any type of race that you feel like. It is worth noting that some of these hundreds of cars are pre-customized doubles called “Forza Edition” vehicles but even with these doubled up cars there is so much to see and collect here that you’ll be glad that the game allows you to take and swap between vehicles before a race starts while you wait for the track to load in during some unfortunately long load times.

It is worth noting that thanks to the way that credits are handled and the new “Car Collector” tiers that players may feel a bit limited at times. This is thanks to the fact that cars are now arranged in tiers that require players to level up their collection of vehicles to unlock. This isn’t too much of an issue as it is incredibly easy to gather enough vehicles to rank yourself up to a higher tier but this also means you may have some favorite cars locked away despite having enough credits to buy it.

These credits also come into play when it comes with the loot box system that has been implemented into Forza Motorsport 7. Loot boxes are priced at different tiers and will provide the player with a wide variety of items ranging from cars, driver outfits, mod cards, and more. These driver outfits are fairly simple in form and do nothing to the game besides give players a chance to customize how their driver looks in the car or standing on the winner’s platform at the end of a racing series while mods play a bigger role. These mods reward players for completing certain tasks in a race or racing without various assists with increased credit gain or other bonuses.

While this can be useful in the long run once you’ve purchased the cars you like outright, these loot boxes do tend to be failures more often than not since the cars that they drop are often far lower in value than the actual box, leaving players dissatisfied if they spend plenty of credits and get nothing useful in return. This gambling element really doesn’t damage the game as a whole but it does disappoint more often than not.

Visuals & Audio

With such a massive amount of cars available in the garage players will be delighted to hear that Turn 10 has not cut any corners when it comes to making sure nearly every element of these cars looks as authentic as possible. When racing using the interior view players will even see how various smaller pieces of the car will begin to vibrate a bit when racing at high speeds. In fact, thanks to the previously mentioned dynamic weather system players will see a race beginning with overcast skies only for it to start pouring rain a few laps into a race, where the wipers will turn on to help clear your vision from the interior view or collect on an outside camera. There is even something of a day and night cycle where it is possible for a race to begin in darkness and end once the sun has risen. It is worth noting there is even a “dash” cam view that moves the camera up a bit further while still keeping the player’s view inside of the car only removing the wheel and other gauges from view.

The same attention to detail comes in the form of how amazing each of these cars sound in this game. While some of the smaller elements of a car may not be handled perfectly here, as the aforementioned weather affects don’t really make the vehicle sound any different, players will be pleased with the growl of the engines and overall feeling of each vehicle.

Overall

Forza Motorsport 7 continues to demonstrate just how great of a handle Turn 10 has on the racing genre. With hundreds of cars replicated in beautiful fashion this game is a treat for both the eyes and the ears for car lovers. The amount of variety on display here, both in cars and race tracks, will leave players with something new to experience for a very long time especially once you begin to take your skills online. Sure there are some small nagging issues and the loot boxes are a troubling addition but Forza Motorsport 7 is a must have for any fan of the racing genre, whether they are a hardcore player or even someone who simply enjoys racing for the fun of it.

Mary Skelter: Nightmares Review

Travis Bruno
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Mary Skelter: Nightmares Review

Mary Skelter: Nightmares

Developer: Compile Heart
Publisher: Idea Factory International
Platform: PS Vita
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $39.99 – Available Here

Overview

The fairy tales that many of us grew up with throughout the years have been told in many forms, ranging from child friendly to even more twisted than the originals. Both Western and Japanese developers have had their fair share of these stories and Mary Skelter: Nightmares happens to pull slightly from these fairy tales while also delivering its own take on the first person dungeon crawler. Is this combination one worth picking up?

Story

Many years prior to the start of the game a mysterious event created a living breathing prison that engulfed an entire city and sank it into the abyss. The residents of this city now found themselves inside of what would eventually be called the Jail, a living dungeon that is capable of consuming both living and unloving material to further its growth. To make matters worse, this Jail became home to terrifying Marchens, demonic beings that used to be animals and humans before succumbing to the Jail.

The story begins with two teenagers named Jack and Alice who have just undergone their latest bout of torture at the hands of the Marchens though much to their surprise this would be the last time they would have to endure such a hardship. A girl calling herself Red Riding Hood manages to free Alice, Jack, and other prisoners in their block from the Marchens and informs the pair that Alice has the same capabilities that Red does, the ability to become a Blood Maiden.

Once free Alice and Jack are led by Red to the current bastion of humanity inside the Jail where an organization called Dawn is seeking out a way to escape from Jail. With the Blood Maidens being the only ones capable of actually harming the Marchens Alice, Red, and others like them will lead the charge but Jack happens to be a bit more than your standard male tag along. Instead Jack happens to have the ability to calm the tainted blood of the Blood Maidens, preventing them from being overwhelmed with the corruption that comes with their powers, allowing them to avoid entering Blood Skelter, a state that guarantees a maiden’s death and death to all those around her.

The story for Mary Skelter: Nightmares may take a bit of time to pick up the pace but players will quickly find themselves getting into the swing of things and working to advance the story to see what will happen next, though be prepared for plenty of downtime in-between large events and don’t expect an exceptionally well written plot here either. Players will eventually find their party expanded with characters such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and many more as the roster grows, allowing players for more freedom when it comes to creating a party and more interactions with the cast.

Many of these interactions can be found through side activities that help expand the personalities of the girls when Jack visits them in their rooms and gives them various gifts to raise their affection levels. These may seem rather superficial in nature though actually raising a girl’s affection to the max is rather easy but it does help give the story a little extra meaning and players a chance to interact with their favorite girls.

It is also worth noting that thanks to Jack’s personality and eagerness to protect those precious to him and make use of his abilities in combat even though he is far weaker than the rest of the group, allows him to be handled far better than your average male lead who tends to be inserted into these types of games.

Gameplay

Mary Skelter: Nightmares’ basic elements are fairly straightforward when it comes to traversing the dungeons that make up the Jail. Players will explore through first person while uncovering more of the map as they travel along, finding treasure chests, gathering points, and avoiding various traps along the way. There are a few little tidbits here and there such as portals to teleport you through areas, chains to cross that involve a balancing game, and even a desire system that gives the player the ability to satisfy the dungeon’s three needs through combat and exploration. When one of these gauges is filled a simple roulette appears to give the player a bonus of sorts, all while taking part in combat against numerous Marchens.

One place that the game does differ quite a bit comes in the form of Nightmares. These Nightmare creatures can appear at any time while you are exploring a dungeon and will hunt your party down until you manage to get far enough away. Attempting to fight the Nightmare is impossible until a certain requirement in a dungeon is met and until this is done, players can only stall these Nightmares by damaging limbs that will recover very quickly. Failing to escape will lead to constant damage to the party, even more so if you happen to be in combat against smaller enemy types.

Once you do find yourself in combat players will find a decent amount of mechanics to mess around with. First we have Jack who cannot attack enemies directly but does have the ability to use an item, gather blood, purify one of the girls, attempt to run from combat, or protect a specific girl from one hit of damage. Managing Jack’s blood gauge as well as his life can be a bit tricky as his ability to take a hit for one of the blood maidens tends to leave him stunned for a few turns, but this can also be a major turning point that allows one of your party to avoid a killing blow.

As for the standard party the blood maidens can dish out standard attacks while also performing devastating skills that can target an enemy’s elemental weakness, buff party members or debuff the enemy, as well as heal your team. Whenever an enemy is overkilled or hit with their weakness a spray of Marchen blood will splatter across the area and land on the blood maidens, allowing them to fill up a blood meter. When this blood meter is filled the girls can enter a Massacre state that gives them an all-around boost to their stats, a special skill that can be used, and even some health and SP regeneration, though if you do not wish to enter this state it is also possible for one girl to “lick” the blood off of one of the other blood maidens in the party, healing the licking girl and providing a buff while decreasing the blood gauge of the licked girl.

While the Massacre state can prove to be a powerful tool, it is also another element that players will need to keep an eye on. As the blood maidens fight they will be corrupted and if they happen to reach a critical state, as shown by their blood gauge growing darker as it fills, they will enter Blood Skelter mode, triggering a transformation where their clothing is reduced and they go on a rampage attacking friend and foe alike. It is possible for Jack to purify a blood maiden from this state though it does require a massive amount of blood to do so and can quickly lead to a game over if it occurs at a bad time.

It is also worth noting that players will need to keep an eye on their saves in this title as it is entirely possible to go for quite some time without saving. This is due to saving being only available at specific spots, though this tends to be avoided most of the time thanks to special skills unique to each blood maiden. While most girls have abilities to damage parts of the Jail to reveal hidden paths Alice is capable of creating a “rabbit hole” that not only allows for teleportation back to the main hub where you can purchase and sell items as well as upgrade weaponry and armor through crystals dropped by Marchens, but also save at any time. This is a highly useful skill but it does mean that if Alice is not in your party, either due to story reasons or wanting to use other blood maidens, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your status to avoid losing progress.

It is interesting to note that there is a touch mini-game that is also included in Mary Skelter: Nightmares though it is kept to a minimum if you happen to not prefer fan-service. This mini-game makes use of Jack’s ability to purify the blood maidens while also providing stat boosts. The fan service is kept to a fairly small level here as the blood maidens are still covered up quite a bit during the rubbing game, especially compared to other games that feature such a touching type of mechanic.

Visuals & Audio

One of the best elements in Mary Skelter: Nightmares happens to be the way that the game’s aesthetic is handled. The darker and more twisted nature of the dungeons players explore inside of the Jail and the designs of the enemies that you encounter, especially the incredibly creepy Nightmares, are outstanding. Along those same lines the character designs are highly detailed, with girls even getting special outfits when swapping between jobs and the fan service level is balanced nicely here, with the most revealing elements tending to be the most dangerous for the player at the same time.

This game does feature an English dub for those who want to play with that option and thankfully the English cast does do an exceptional job here with their roles. That being said there are a number of unvoiced lines though this does appear to be similar to the Japanese counterpart. The soundtrack for the game also features a great selection of tracks that work quite well, with the dungeon themes standing out as being perfect when accompanied with their creepy visual design.

Overall

Mary Skelter: Nightmares brings just enough to the table in the way of different mechanics to make it a dungeon crawler worth checking out, especially with the designs of the Jail and although the story may not really hold up too well, the character interactions do tend to be quite enjoyable. With solid combat mechanics forming the foundation, Mary Skelter: Nightmares comes together to be an enjoyable dungeon crawler with a bit of a darker theme to it that will please fans looking for something a bit different but still familiar.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War Review

Jamie Laike Tsui
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Middle-Earth: Shadow of War Review

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War Review

Developer: Monolith Productions
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows (Reviewed)
Release Date: 10 October 2017
Price: $59.99 USD – Available Here / $89.95 AUD (Windows), $99.95 AUD (Consoles) – Available Here

Video Review

Overview

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War continues the adventures of Talion the Ranger and Celebrimbor the jewelcrafter. With Sauron marching upon Menis Ethil, Talion and Celebrimbor must find unlikely allies to build an army to defeat Sauron. The sequel builds on Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor to include a follower system that intertwines with the series’ signature Nemesis system and a larger world to explore.

Story

The Middle-Earth series is set in between the events of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. In Shadow of War, Talion gives up the Ring of Power to the spider queen Shelob in exchange for Celebrimbor’s safety. Without the ring, Talion and Celebrimbor must use the Palantir to find Sauron’s weakness in hopes of defeating Sauron once and for all. The Palantir is under the protection of the Gondorians at Minas Ithil. With Sauron’s forces attacking the gates of Minas Ithil, Talion and Celebrimbor are in a race against time if they ever hope to destroy Sauron.

The writing in Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is enjoyable. The dialogue is sharp. The game’s serious tone is well balanced with lots of comic relief. I like the fact the writers pay tribute to Tolkien’s work by going beyond the usual prose and trying their hand at poetry. While the quality of writing will probably never match Tolkien himself, the writers of Shadow of War do an admirable job of channeling his style. The writing is probably at its best during the more lighthearted moments. While, Talion is a generally likeable character, Celebrimbor sometimes feels like a one-dimensional nag. On the other hand, the writers have clearly saved the best lines for the comic relief characters like Bruz the Chopper. Without spoiling too much of the plot, I looked forward to these characters’ appearances as I would often find myself laughing out loud.

Gameplay

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is a hybrid of open-world action, stealth, and RPG. Talion has several skill trees, each providing new abilities for a different aspect of gameplay. Shadow of Mordor’s Rune system has been replaced with a more traditional system using equipment with gem sockets for modifiers. Rare gear and above will have an unlock challenge that will unlock an effect for that item for a nominal fee of in-game currency called Mirian. These effects are similar to runes in Shadow of Mordor and provide things like stat bonuses or add a status effect. In addition to the unlock challenges, equipment can be socketed with one of three gem types that gives a flat effect depending on the type of equipment socketed. Gems and Mirian can be looted from the many treasure carrying orcs in-game. The deeper RPG mechanic suits Shadow of War well as the more complex loot system gives players more incentive to chase down captains, who drive the game’s signature Nemesis system.

The Nemesis system has been expanded in Shadow of War to include the followers and conquests. Each captain has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses that must be factored into all contact, whether Talion is doing the dirty work himself or a follower is sent in his place. Recruited captains can be assigned to work their way up the ranks of Sauron’s army as a traitor or serve as the player’s bodyguard. Followers can be summoned to assist in battle or may randomly step in and save Talion’s life by killing off an enemy attempting to execute Talion. Of course, Monolith has added new reasons for captains to ambush Talion, including followers who have decided that it’s time to make a power grab and kill the boss. The conquest system starts in act 2, allowing players to use their recruited orcs to attack Sauron’s strongholds. The stronghold missions are a more chaotic version of the usual stronghold captain assassination missions as players also need to worry about keeping their own captains alive. The additions to the Nemesis system are the logical next steps and work out very well. The opportunity for emergent storylines and serious grudges make for some entertaining gameplay.

Shadow of War’s combat is stellar. Players have plenty of options for dominating the battlefield, whether being the stealthy assassin, the rampaging cavalry, the acrobatic archer, or just the wild berserker hacking off orc limbs. The controls are not too complex, but the game emphasizes well rounded skills for success. Mechanics like captains becoming immune to any special skill the player relies on too heavily and allowing players to block two incoming attacks at the same time forces players to be flexible. The game’s combat is tightly executed and can easily cater to all types of players.

The controls for Shadow of War are excellent. The responsive controls are a major reason why combat feels silky smooth. The movement system is fantastic and feels fluid. While Shadow of War is probably best enjoyed with a controller, the keyboard and mouse controls will serve PC gamers just fine.

Debate about Middle-Earth: Shadow of War’s microtransactions has raged for months already and for good reason. Most gamers are hostile to the idea of a single players game with microtransaction based loot boxes. It is best to tackle the issue in two levels. First is the principle of having microtransactions in a single player game in the first place. On one hand, having such a system for a single player game incentivizes developers to create grind-heavy mechanics that encourages players to buy loot boxes and stretch out thin content. On the other hand, the age of that first generation of gamers who grew up playing video games is creeping ever higher. Many of us now jam in our video game time in between work and familial responsibilities. Time is now more precious than money and loot boxes are a way to skip quickly through the story. At the end of the end of the day, my stance on microtransaction is a little more nuanced than a hard line in the sand. Video game development isn’t cheap, and time is becoming more precious as the responsibilities of life mount. I think there is room for microtransactions to exist in games, but it must be done in a way that does not punish gamers who opt out.

So instead, I prefer to look at the matter on a case by case basis. First off, Shadow of War allows players to opt out of the agreement in the beginning of the game and play offline. Next, Shadow of War has two currencies, an in-game currency used for things like equipment upgrades, reinforcements for the army, and standard quality loot boxes. The premium currency must be purchased with real money or earned by completing in-game challenges. Premium currency loot boxes guarantee a certain number of items at a minimum rarity. Additionally, boosters are also available to purchase for bonus XP gain. I generally find the loot boxes to be rather balanced. There are a lot of opportunities for players to get good gear by simply playing the game. In my testing, almost all my best gear came from going on vendetta missions against captains that had killed me or sending epic quality enemy captains with death threats to ensure the best possible loot table. All legendary quality equipment can be earned by completing an in-game task. The orcs are similarly balanced. Since all orcs have strengths and weaknesses no matter the rarity, it is still possible to land a rare orc that just has terrible stats. Players also have plenty of opportunity to earn more loot boxes by participating in the multiplayer raids and vendettas. More important than Shadow of War’s loot tables is how the game’s mechanics are balanced considering the use of loot boxes. I think Shadow of War is probably one of the easier games to integrate loot boxes into because of the Nemesis system. A large part of the game is the emergent stories that develop from long term nemesis. Much like Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, players do need to go hunting for captains to really appreciate the nemesis system in Shadow of War, which inherently is a bit of a grind and suits the game’s microtransaction system well. However, there is still room for improvement. Knowing that the game has a bit of a grind to it, I would have liked to see more story missions to balance things out. While Shadow of War isn’t the perfect example of microtransactions done right, it is still one of the better examples.

Visuals

Graphically, Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is an iterative update to Shadow of Mordor. Shadow of War retains the realistic style of the previous game. Since Shadow of War encompasses more territory, the game has a chance to showcase a larger variety of environments. Along with the change of scenery comes the different orc clans, each with their own style of dress. The orcs aren’t the only one with an equipment makeover. The introduction of the more traditional equipment system will change Talion’s look in-game. There are some gorgeous pieces in the game, but it’s a shame that Talion will magically switch to his default equipment during cut scenes. Much like the rest of the game, Shadow of War’s art style is a continuation of Shadow of Mordor with positive changes across the board.

Audio

The audio experience in Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is superb. The voice acting is excellent, as expected from an AAA title. I am impressed with the consistency of the quality. There are a lot of orc captains in the game with their own lines, and they all are voiced by talented actors. The sound effects are spot on. The game’s soundtrack is fantastic. Shadow of Mordor left big shoes to fill for the sequel. Composer Garry Schyman and Nathan Grigg returned to compose the latest title, and the pair do a fantastic job scoring the game. The soundtrack is subtle enough to pair well with stealthy moments, yet is able to pivot quickly and evoke the same sort of epic feeling that made The Lord of the Rings movie scores so memorable. The movies and Shadow of Mordor left a high bar for later additions to Tolkien’s franchise, and Shadow of War rises to the challenge do deliver an excellent audio experience.

Overall

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is a worthy sequel to Shadow of Mordor. While the game is not a ground-breaking title like its predecessor, Shadow of War feels like a tightly executed evolution. The improvements to the Nemesis system is excellent and the combat is fantastic. The audio/visual experience is really a modernized version of Shadow of Mordor, which is not a bad thing at all. The decision to include microtransactions in a single player game is understandably contentious. Whether microtransactions in a single player, AAA title is a good or bad thing can be debated until the end of time. While Shadow of War’s implementation of microtransaction isn’t perfect, it is one of the better examples. Unless you have serious issues with the game on principle, Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is a solid open-world title that deserves to be in every gamer’s library.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Batman: The Enemy Within – The Pact Review

Travis Bruno
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Batman: The Enemy Within – The Pact Review

Batman: The Enemy Within – The Pact

Developer: Telltale Games
Publisher: Telltale Games
Platforms: Xbox One (Reviewed), PlayStation 4, PC
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $4.99 – Available Here

Overview

After delivering a first season that blew expectations out of the water fans of Telltale Games’ Batman series had some high expectations for the second season and after the first episode it is easy to see that the writers haven’t lost their touch. By introducing a new villain and numerous twists that very few could have seen coming in the first episode, Telltale is back with Batman: The Enemy Within – The Pact. Does the series continue to move along at an intriguing pace?

Story

It is worth noting that while this review will not go into major detail about plot points that are revealed in this episode, certain details about the first episode, The Enigma, will be discussed from this point on. As such, those who have yet to begin this series should do so before continuing on to avoid spoiling major events.

After leaving players with a major surprise at the end of The Engima, not only were we left with a storyline that felt like it had already wrapped up major details in only one episode but also one with numerous ways it could branch off as secrets regarding the rest of Riddler’s gang abounded and Batman’s tenuous relationship with The Agency had come to a head when it was revealed that Batman’s biggest secret was already sitting in Waller’s hands.

The episode begins immediately after Waller reveals her leverage and it doesn’t take long before the action picks up as explosions rip through Gotham. Not one to sit on his laurels even after seeing a villain die before his eyes, Batman encounters Bane and his gang robbing an armory. One would believe that Batman is far from a slouch but even he isn’t prepared for what Bane can wield and despite his best attempts, the Bat fails to stop Bane and is left beaten. This leads to an interesting new direction that we have yet to really see, even in a game that gives both Bruce Wayne and Batman equal billing.

Thanks to being mostly beaten down, Bruce opts to go undercover as his normal persona. With the help of John we find Bruce interacting with numerous villains as he tries to pass himself off as a rich man looking for a little excitement and perhaps a new form of power while also trying to mitigate as much damage to the city as possible. This creates a unique dynamic where Bruce must do what he can to not only prove his loyalty to these villains but also not cross the line that he has always held fast to, even if we are left with even more questions once the episode comes to a close.

Not only is the handling of Bruce done in a fascinating fashion here, as players must attempt to juggle as many relationships as possible while trying to keep everyone happy if they want to remain a member of the group, but even with the Agency and Gotham PD at one another’s throats we find Batman’s loyalties tested in ways we have never seen before. Add to that the interesting dynamic of having Harley Quinn be the object of fascination for John rather than the way things usually role and we have an intriguing storyline that manages to test Batman’s morals and move the story along at a satisfying pace.

Gameplay

It is worth noting that thanks to most of this episode involving dialogue the actual puzzle elements are a bit low in this episode. Even the combat serves as bookends to this episode as we see the initial Bane confrontation begin the episode and a later battle featuring Bruce serving as part of the conclusion. That being said, there is still plenty to walk around and examine during exploration sequences, including a few funny tidbits that you can find here and there.

There are certain choices that the player can make however that gives them different options during later scenes though. This means that while your choices here may not play a major role yet, depending on how you’ve talked with these villains and the actions you’ve taken we might see some interesting dynamics in the future.

Visuals & Audio

This episode introduces a handful of new characters to the series and it is rather interesting to see how Telltale Games has chosen to design their versions of Harley Quinn, Bane, and a certain someone else. Bane stands out the most by returning more to his roots rather than trying to mimic his most recent cinematic appearance while Harley is handled in a satisfying manner that bridges the gap between her classic look and newer designs.

The voice work for these new characters is also handled quite well with Bane and Harley both sounding similar to their previous appearances, although Bane may be a bit more eloquent than some might expect and the third member of their gang is also handled incredibly well while the returning cast continues to handle their characters in satisfying fashion.

Overall

Continuing on a story that, for the most part, wrapped itself up in a single episode might have seemed like a difficult task at first but not only has Telltale managed to continue in successful fashion they’ve also provided a unique spin on things by making our encounters with the villains be one that is almost entirely Bruce Wayne focused. Although the puzzles are still lacking this episode gives players a fresh take on familiar characters and plenty of important interactions that leaves Bruce’s future wide open.

 

WWE 2K18 Review

Dustin Spencer
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WWE 2K18 Review

WWE 2K18

Developer: Yukes
Publisher: 2K Games
Platforms: Playstation 4 (Reviewed), Switch, Xbox One,
Release Date: October 13, 2017
Price: $59.99 USD – Available Here $99.95 AUD – Available Here

Overview

Once upon a time, wrestling fans had a smorgasbord when it came to getting their favorite event in the digital world. That was once upon a time, though. Ever since this generation of consoles began (2K15 being the first I am referring to), the entire franchise that used to be the centerpiece video game experience for the genre has turned into a lonely wreck, filled with glitches, bugs, and a sloppy system – hidden away with clever marketing and a top notch roster. That may sound harsh, but for a fan that has been around for every high and low, I know what kind of product that this company is capable of. Being the only published WWE series left, 2K have a lot to live up to, and the past few years have left me looking for past alternatives to get my wrestling video game fix.

Prior to its release, I was not even thinking about WWE 2K18. How do you care about something that has burnt you so many times before? With the last decent outing being back on a previous generation (2K14), I did not even go into this experience with even an ounce of excitement. Funny how optimism keeps us coming back, though.

Story

Well, I guess since we have a story section in our general template for every title, I can use that opportunity to speak about MyCareer mode, which has returned with some new updates. Players take their creation into this mode and have to work their way up as either a Company Man or a Fan Favorite. Yes, it isn’t flashy, but in my opinion, more effort was put in to make the player feel better connected with the WWE Universe right off the bat, with more interaction with the current roster.

Players can also now roam the backstage area, where they are able to make allies and enemies through small conversations with WWE Superstars backstage. Think WWE: Smackdown Just Bring It. It is the same kind of system, but without much depth to it. While it certainly is nice to roam the backstage area, a lot of Superstars do not even have voice acting or any actual effort put into making their interaction meaningful. That may have been fine in 2001, but in 2017, it is definitely something that feels rushed and more like an afterthought. The matches themselves in this mode are fine, but objectives you must complete before moving on drag down MyCareer, as it is nearly impossible to achieve victory when broken AI stands in your way from standard objectives. I will touch more on the AI in a moment, but due to the core system’s longstanding shortcomings, the amount of entertainment a player will be able to get out of it honestly comes down to their patience and luck.

Road to Glory is a bit of an extension to MyCareer, but takes your MyPlayer online, where they will be able to compete with other players, and attempt to make it into a Pay-Per-View while fighting for upgrades amongst others. This mode is a great idea, and something that with a bit more polish and attention could lead into something far greater, potentially even worthy of its own single release. Remember that WWE MMO that was cancelled? I kind of expected it to be sort of like this.

Gameplay

Now we can speak about the core game, as in my opinion – if the matches are not at least fun, the game can fall apart (see last year). Luckily, there is something different about the matches themselves this year that at least makes exhibition mode fun to play. The first new addition is a brand new physics system that allows players to carry opponents through special maneuvers in order to throw an opponent out of the ring or into an object. Most (not all, however) moves work again when it comes to smashing an opponent against an object. I know, a lot of past games had this feature, but the last few have excluded the ability to properly interact with weapons, so seeing the feature back is a pleasant sight. It still is not perfect as a lot of moves do not have proper connection animations with anything that should – but the train is at least back on the tracks.

Going back to the whole “power moves” thing, again, this is a feature we first saw in the 2007 installment, and while it is a bit annoying to have to praise older additions, these moves make Royal Rumbles a blast to play and make TLC matches far more satisfying. A lot of the mini-games incorporated now seem to feel slightly improved. Eliminations in an over-the-top scenario have a lot more variety than a simple mash fest, and grabbing a briefcase is also a bit more polished this time around. That said, kicking out of pins and escaping from submissions still feels broken. It is like there is still a slight input lag, making online timing a very difficult obstacle to look past.

Speaking of glitches, there are still a ton of glitches in the game. I am all for the funny, graphical glitch. I got to see HBK walk around with a table or stairs spin on the rope. That, while broken can be humorous. I am not a fan of showing a friend the game, doing a tag, and having the AI takeover his place mid-match, ruining the entire experience for both of us. Matches can finally hold eight people in the ring at once, and let me tell you – this is not a polished addition. The slowdown is drastic during any bout, and the general AI just seems to get confused after a while of how to finish the match properly. I really think a of my experience fighting the computers in normal bouts were fine. However, there is still a lot of work to do for this AI to feel anything like the real product – or even close to other, more focused experiences that have come before this.

Finally, customization is at an all-time high. Superstars can don attires to almost anything you can dream up, and despite a few odd glitches, utilizing this tool is rather simple even with the mass amount of options present. It is like this game is finally starting to take form of a vision, and as a whole, I am pleased, but I still question so many things that went into this release as there is so many hiccups that are yet to receive treatment. Another big worry I have is that this title seems to be groomed around the DLC that has been available to purchase, such as the accelerator and the season pass. There just seems to be more you can’t do out of the box than ever before, as that invisible gate holds strong.

Visuals and Audio

Visually, a lot of WWE 2K18 is impressive. Most models look fine, and the arenas look great. However, there are new facial animations that seem to act up. Sasha Banks now looks like she is drinking from a straw at various points and Edge appears to be a man in cosplay. Creation is still difficult due to our wrestlers animating during prep, and a lot of animations in ring are just….wrong. Sure, this is the best looking wrestling game in existence, but when you have no competition in that area, why not take more time to coat things with polish.

The soundtrack, selected by The Rock, will be a nice thing to turn off as it is just terrible. That said, you have that choice, and honestly – a lot of attention went into sound. We now have more Superstars who have voiced grunts and screams, adding a ton of depth to the experience. The entrances are great and even though the time clock keeps some included themes out of current affairs, I was very pleased to see the song list selected for generic customization options for my own little creations.

Overall

WWE 2K18 is a step up from last year by a mile. Sure, there are glitches, frustrations, and a ton of bullshit that simply should not be in a “AAA” title with such a budget, but I can see the stitching this year. I can see an effort made to actually begin fixing the problems as for the first time in a few years, I had a ton of fun playing a lot of matches on the card. Wrestling fans are passionate, and at the end of the day – all we want is a fun game so we can live out our favorite hobby. That is why I am so critical, but even the most lax will have a time getting past so many shortcomings that this series seems to trudge in. It is just a slight sigh of relief that at least this particular package works properly this time around – even if the cracks are still dripping with glue.

Video Game Adaptation of Card Game Munchkin Coming in 2018

Jamie Laike Tsui
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Video Game Adaptation of Card Game Munchkin Coming in 2018

Steve Jackson Games and Asmodee Digital announced today that the long running card game Munchkin will get a licensed video game adaptation in 2018. Asmodee Digital (Pathfinder Adventures) has not released too many details about their plans for the IP, including which platforms will be supported. I would guess that the most likely route Asmodee Digital will take is to create a game with the base deck and release the many themed Munchkin decks as DLC. This would allow Asmodee Digital to stay true with the Munchkin rules that allow for different theme decks to be mixed together.

Munchkin is a fast paced role playing card game where players take on the roll of a power gaming munchkin. Players work together to gear up and tackle monsters, then backstab each other at the most inopportune times in hopes of victory. First published in 2001, the Munchkin now has over 30 variants and countless expansion decks.

Fortnite Fortnitemares Halloween Event and Battle Royale Update Launched

Jamie Laike Tsui
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Fortnite Fortnitemares Halloween Event and Battle Royale Update Launched

Epic is gearing up for Halloween with a ghoulish update for Fortnite. The “Save the World” PVE mode has a new Halloween themed zone called Hexsylvania to explore. Hexsylvania has a brand new story arc along with plenty of spooky items and enemies. One of the new weapons is a rocket launcher firing rockets tipped with a jack ‘o lantern.

The PVP Battle Royale mode is also getting some love in the new update. The update puts greater focus on general improvements to the game, such as leaderboards, character progression, and quality of life enhancements.

Fortnite is in paid early access for the “Save the World” PVE mode. The PVE mode is set to go free to play in 2018.The Battle Royale PVP mode is available now for free.

New ‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance’ Video Explores Sophisticated Combat System

Philip Federico
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New ‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance’ Video Explores Sophisticated Combat System

Pre-Order Available on Consoles and PC

Larkspur, Calif. – Oct. 26th, 2017 –  Warhorse Studios and Deep Silver today revealed unseen details of the combat system for the upcoming medieval roleplaying game Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which will launch on Feb. 13th, 2018 for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One the all in one entertainment system from Microsoft, and PC via Steam. Alongside the release of the new developer video, digital pre-orders are now available for PlayStation®4 and Xbox One as well as digitally for PC via Steam.

Creative Director Daniel Vávra and his team offer insight on Kingdom Come: Deliverance’s combat system in the new video and explain the variety of weapons, attacks, counters and moves available during the game’s intense fights. Challenging you to chain up combo attacks, exploit opponent weaknesses and always aim for the right target zone, medieval martial arts have never been displayed this realistically in a video game without losing the fun-to-play factor.

Kingdom Come Deliverance is available for digital pre-order on consoles and Steam. An exclusive armor set and new treasure maps are included for all digital pre-order packages on Steam, PlayStation®4 and Xbox One.

Steam page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/379430/Kingdom_Come_Deliverance/

Visit us at Paris Games Week

Fans attending Paris Games Week next week will have a chance to play Kingdom Come: Deliverance at the Koch Media booth in Hall 1, Booth A026. For the first time, the public audience will be able to go hands-on with a new quest.

About Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a story-driven open-world RPG which immerses you in an epic adventure in the Holy Roman Empire. Avenge your parents’ death as you battle invading forces, go on game-changing quests, and make influential choices. Explore majestic castles, deep forests, thriving villages and countless other realistic settings in medieval Bohemia.

Massive realistic open world: Majestic castles, vast fields, all rendered in stunning high-end graphics.
Non-linear story: Solve quests in multiple ways, then face the consequences of your decisions.
Challenging combat: Distance, stealth, or melee. Choose your weapons and execute dozens of unique combos in battles that are as thrilling as they are merciless.
Character development: Choose your equipment, improve your skills, and earn new perks.
Dynamic world: Your actions influence the reactions of the people around you. Fight, steal, seduce, threaten, persuade, or bribe. It’s all up to you.
Historical accuracy: Meet real historical characters and experience the genuine look and feel of medieval Bohemia.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance Key Facts

Title:                          Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Platform:                    PlayStation®4, Xbox One, PC
Developer:                 Warhorse Studios
Co-Publishers:          Deep Silver, Warhorse Studios
Release Date:            Tuesday, Feb. 13th, 2018 (worldwide)
Age Ratings:             ESRB M
Genre:                        RPG
Price:                         $59.99
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About Warhorse Studios

Warhorse Studios is a young independent game developer studio from the Czech Republic, Prague. It was founded by Daniel Vávra, creator of Mafia and Mafia 2, and Martin Klíma, formerly of ALTAR (Original War, UFO:* trilogy). The studio contains a mix of experienced game industry veterans, with dozens games published and millions of copies sold, and young guns from all around the world.

In January 2014, Warhorse launched a Kickstarter campaign for a realistic medieval RPG game called Kingdom Come: Deliverance. It ended up being the third most successful project, according to the number of backers, in 2014. With an initial goal of £300,000, we finally gathered over £1.1M. Warhorse Studios was also named among the World‘s TOP10 Most Innovative Companies on Kickstarter of 2015 by Fast Company. 

About Deep Silver

Deep Silver develops and distributes interactive games for all platforms. The Deep Silver label means to captivate all gamers who have a passion for thrilling gameplay in exciting game worlds. Deep Silver works with its partners to achieve a maximum of success while maintaining the highest possible quality, always focusing on what the customer desires.

Deep Silver has published more than 200 games since 2003, including its own brands like the open world extravaganza Saints Row, the zombie action franchise Dead Island, and the grim post-apocalyptic future of the Metro series. Upcoming highlights from Deep Silver include Dead Island 2 and Agents of MAYHEM. Deep Silver also owns the development studios Deep Silver Dambuster Studios in Nottingham, UK; Deep Silver Fishlabs in Hamburg, Germany, and Deep Silver Volition based in Champaign, IL, USA. For more information please visit www.deepsilver.comAll product titles, publisher names, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks, registered trademarks and/or copyright material of the respective owners. All rights reserved.

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