GTA Online‘s ‘The Business Update’ – that we just recently shared details of – is now live! All you need to do to acquire the update is connect online, load GTA V on your PS3 or Xbox 360, and you’ll automatically be prompted to initiate the download. Xbox 360 owners will have to download an additional compatibility pack. After doing so, visit the in-game store from the pause menu and finish the download from there.
To go along with all the prior-listed additions included, Rockstar has also added 14 new jobs to GTA Online, the majority of which are inspired by the previously referred to content. All up, there are four new Land Races designed specifically for the Sports and Super class cars, and you can also take the new Vestra airplane on a tour of the Los Santos skies via four new Air Races. Vehicle Deathmatches have been added as well, featuring the Buzzard and Rhino Tank. Plus (there’ just more and more!), a new Last Team Standing in Little Seoul, a 2 team Capture at Los Santos City Hall and a new Survival around the Maze Bank Tower can also be played. Aside from the add-ons, numerous fixes were made that address various exploits and stability issues. And finally, the ability to disable slipstreaming in races and add Barber Shop and Tattoo Parlour locations to the Quick GPS is now possible. Check out the full list of changes here.
Overview
Introduced to the world in 1989, the Strider franchise has lain dormant since 2000. Now, Capcom and Double Helix are aiming to breathe new life into a series fans have swooned more than a decade for. How does the newest title hold up? Does it successfully defend its title or has Hiryu failed his mission?
Story
In the year 2048, a secret organization of hi-tech ninjas known as “Striders” exists. Specializing in smuggling, kidnapping, assassination, and other sorts of wetwork, they’re called upon for only the most crucial of missions. Hiryu, the foremost strider, is given the task of traveling to Kazakh City to eliminate a mysterious dictator known as the “Grandmaster.” Dropped in without the necessary tools and knowledge to complete his task, he must travel through Kazakh City, building his arsenal and dismantling the Grandmaster’s organization before eliminating the evil ruler.
Gameplay
Fans of the classic “Metroid-vania” style games will quickly know the style of game they’re in for. With a meager offering of tools at his disposal, our hero, Hiryu, will have to work through the soviet-inspired Kazakh City, defeating enemies and unlocking new abilities. Many of the new abilities he unlocks will grant him access to areas he couldn’t previously explore.
Strider does a fantastic job doling out abilities and upgrades at a pace that keeps things fresh without ever feeling overwhelming. When the game starts, Hiryu will have the ability to run, jump, climb, and slash his way through the world. With each boss the strider is able to defeat, he’ll unlock a new ability, which he absorbs through his “Cypher”, a plasma sword with a tonfa-like handle.
On top of the basic form of Cypher, Strider Hiryu can unlock alternate forms of the blade to help with both combat and world exploration. He can also employ the use of throwing knives known as kunai, which allow him to take out enemies from a distance or unlock doors. Many of his other upgrades will grant new ways to explore the world from sliding and double-jumping to the use of propulsion rings that zip him around like Sonic the Hedgehog. It continues to keep that new feeling intact, continually broadening exploration and combat options.
Strider also does an excellent job encouraging you to explore the world. As you travel through Kazakh City, you may notice various paths or nooks you haven’t yet uncovered. Let me encourage you to take the scenic detour and go see what’s there. It may be nothing, but it could result in some pretty cool swag as well. There are quite a few hidden collectibles and upgrades smattered throughout the Kazakh City. These can range from character art or costumes to upgrades for your kunai and more. Trucking straight from Point A to Point B without stopping to smell the roses would only be to your detriment.
I found the world design in Strider to be both expansive and fun to explore. There are lots of doors and pathways to take on your quest, many of which can lead to sweet loot. The game also presents an excellent sense of verticality, ensuring you feel free to climb and dive instead of simply running through the game. There are also some really cool fast travel options you can unlock, like riding on the wings of a hawk or the back of a panther.
Enemies in Strider are fairly standard fare. There are soviet androids with guns, soviet androids with shields, and a host of automated robots and sentry guns. Strider also offers a pretty large variety of bosses to fight. These range from gorillas and dragons to various human guardians in the city. The level of challenge varies from battle to battle, with several offering a good fight. Unfortunately, many feel like they simply come down to mashing the attack button as fast as possible before dodging and doing it again. When the variety is there, the boss fights are a lot of fun.
Visuals & Audio Strider is a great looking game. Everything is alive with bright, vibrant colors. Hiryu and the enemy bosses do a particularly great job of standing out from the hordes of enemies you’ll face. On top of character design, the animation is smooth as a baby’s bottom, offering an excellently responsive game even amidst chaotic on-screen action. Strider is both eye-catching and entertaining, keeping your eyes dancing throughout the game.
Strider‘s soundtrack is great, setting the pacing for your job in Kazakh City. The sound effects are also sharp and spot-on, drawing you deeper into the game. The voiceover work feels middling, however, bringing some cheap Saturday morning cartoon kitsch to an otherwise fantastic experience.
Overall Strider is a great game that offers eye-catching visuals, big bosses with attitude, and a large world to explore. The combat feels fluid and responsive, the steady stream of upgrades grants a fantastic sense of progression, and the bevy of hidden content will keep you busy as you explore Kazakh City. Folks with no love for “metroid-vania” styled games may not enjoy this, but everyone else will be glad they picked up their Cypher.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
PLAYSTATION®4 (PS4™) SALES SURPASS 6.0 MILLION UNITS WORLDWIDE IN LESS THAN 4 MONTHS SINCE LAUNCH,RAPIDLY POPULARIZES A NEW WAY TO ENJOY SOCIAL INTERACTION THROUGH GAMING
PS4 Software Sales Reach 13.7 Million,
Users Fully Embrace the World of PS4,
and Demonstrates Further Enhancement of the Network Service’s Ecosystem
With 100 Million Shares Captured, More than 56 Million Spectate Sessions and
a Dramatic Increase of PlayStation®Plus Subscriptions
Tokyo, March 4, 2014 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that the PlayStation®4 (PS4™) computer entertainment system has cumulatively sold through more than 6.0 million units*1 globally as of March 2, 2014 (JST). This also includes the 370,000 units sold through in Japan since its launch on February 22.
PS4 software sales also remain strong with more than 13.7 million*2 copies sold in retail stores worldwide and through digital downloads on PlayStation®Store as of March 2, 2014 (JST). Over 30 exciting titles*3 are available from SCE Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) and the industry’s best software developers and publishers, including the independent development community. This incredible line-up reflects the strong support for PS4 among developers and publishers, and has led the platform’s accelerated momentum and expansion. A few of the top selling titles included KILLZONE SHADOW FALL (SCE WWS), which has already sold over 2.1 million units worldwide, KNACK (SCE WWS), Call of Duty: Ghosts (Activision), FIFA14 (Electronic Arts), Battlefield 4 (Electronic Arts), and Assassin’s Creed: IV Black Flag (Ubisoft Entertainment). Titles developed by the independent development community such as Contrast (Complusion Gams), Warframe (Digital Extremes) and Don’t Starve: Console Edition (Klei Entertainment), have also been highly acclaimed by gamers.
Japanese gamers are enjoying the latest installments of popular franchises, such as DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition (Tecmo Koei Games Co., Ltd), FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn (SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD) and Ryu-ga-gotoku Ishin! (SEGA Corporation).
The PS4 system’s games portfolio will continue to expand with highly anticipated titles such as METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES (Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.), KINGDOM HEARTS III (SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD), Destiny (Activision), Watch_Dogs™ (Ubisoft Entertainment), The Witness (Thekla, Inc.), #DRIVECLUB (SCE WWS), inFAMOUS Second Son™ (SCE WWS) and The Order 1886 (SCE WWS).
Many users have been taking advantage of the features and benefits of the PlayStation®Plus (PS Plus) membership service since the PS4 launch. In addition to existing members, more than half of PS4 owners are enjoying the benefits of PS Plus, demonstrating the explosive growth of the membership service. Subscribers have access to a wide variety of features such as exclusive game discounts, cloud game saves and “Instant Game Collection,” which allows members to play full versions of popular titles from third party developers and publishers, as well as from SCE WWS, at no extra cost. PS4 owners have also been enjoying services such as online multiplayer and automatic patch downloads and installations.
Furthermore, users are also engaging with the world of PlayStation® through PlayStation®App, which has been installed more than 3.6 million times as of March 2. PlayStation App can be downloaded onto iPhones or Android OS smartphones and tablets, allowing users to purchase content over PlayStation Store and exchange messages with friends via PSNSM.
Gamers continue to take advantage of the PS4 system’s deep social features to share experiences with friends around the world. More than 100 million shares*4 have been captured via the “SHARE” button on the Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK®4) and more than 3.6 million gameplay broadcasts*5 have been streamed from PS4 systems via video streaming platforms, Twitch and Ustream. The gameplay broadcasts generated more than 56 million spectate sessions*6. PS4 owners are connecting with millions of gamers around the globe, and are not only enjoying conventional gameplay, but are also immersing themselves in more dynamic, interactive entertainment experiences only possible on PlayStation.
“I am absolutely delighted that PS4 is off to such a great start in Japan,” said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “The responses we have received for the PS4 system’s integrated social capabilities have been phenomenal, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that gamers are utilizing these unique features to engage, share, play and connect with users around the world. SCE will continue to expand the world of PlayStation by growing its library of breakthrough games and bringing more innovative features and services only possible on PS4.”
The PS4 system is currently available in 57 countries worldwide.
Fun, Sun, and City Building Games come to iPhone with Sunshine Bay City building games get luxurious in Game Insight’s Sunshine Bay for iPhone
Moscow and San Francisco – March 4, 2014 Game Insight, a world-leading developer and publisher of mobile and social games, is happy to announce that a brilliant new chapter in city building games, Sunshine Bay, has officially launched for iPhone as of Tuesday, 4 March.
Previously released for iPad, as well as on Facebook and other social networks, Sunshine Bay makes players into virtual resort moguls. Players start the game with the beginnings of a luxurious coastal resort that can be built into a thriving tourist spot. As part of their journey to create the ultimate coastal getaway, players will build sumptuous hotels, world-famous restaurants, and an adjoining harbor for a full fleet of yachts and cruise liners to ferry guests to their destinations.
In Sunshine Bay, players will construct a massive guest resort, and manage every aspect of their growing empire. Players will also tackle hundreds of intriguing quests that will help them grow their holdings and unlock new tech, new yachts, and fun new entertainment options for their guests. Players will also meet a full cast of unforgettable characters and solve the mystery of the bay itself.
Download Sunshine Bay for iPhone now and experience city building games in a whole new way!
About Game Insight Founded in 2010, Game Insight is a global-facing developer and publisher of varied, user-focused, and free-to-play games for all major mobile and social platforms, including iOS, Android, Facebook, and Web. We are a team of more than 800 passionate game developers who actually play games ourselves. Our internal network consists of 15 different studios that constantly create and update high- quality games, many of which have already become #1 top-grossing hits in mobile application stores and on social networks around the world, which has led Game Insight to build a global audience of more than 150 million users. Visit http://www.game-insight.com/ for more info.
Magic: The Gathering Intro Decks aren’t designed to win tournaments, or be unbeatable in any of the game’s formats. Their primary purpose is to provide a pre-made deck that new players can pick up and play, secondary to this is that they typically introduce and make use of the new rules implemented in the set they are from. In this way Intro Decks provide a great first stop for anyone jumping into Magic: The Gathering.
NOTE: Since Intro Decks are made for newer Magic: The Gathering players, I wrote the review to reflect that, and used some terminology that only Magic players will understand. This review was constructed using the Death’s Beginning Intro Deck, alongside a Fat Pack of Magic The Gathering: Born of the Gods. Suggestions on how to improve the deck revolve around the Born of the Gods set.
Intro Decks are the first stop for players looking to get into Magic: The Gathering. They introduce new concepts, new mechanics and all in a way that makes the game seem approachable despite its complexities. While many Intro Decks like to delve into the mechanics that were introduced in their particular set, Death’s Beginning ops to go a different way. Instead, it is an intro to one of Magic’s most powerful and complex strategy styles – self-milling.
Discarding your own cards willingly seems to the newer player as a bad decision, after all cards are the lifeblood of the game. Death’s Beginning however shows that this strategy is not only a viable option when it comes to the game, but also very powerful. There are a lot of cards in Death’s Beginning that grow stronger depending on how many cards you have in your graveyard, but before we get to them lets take a look at the focus card in the deck – Eater of Hope
Now I will admit – I don’t like this card. 7 Mana for a 6/5 flier is decent, but his abilities are just not costed well enough. He would have a home at a deck that produces tokens, but other than that he is just a big flier… Well except of course unless you want there to be creatures in your own graveyard. The fact that he can put your own dudes into the graveyard can be a real boon, especially if you combine it with the deck’s other rare card; Nighthowler.
Coming to us from the Theros set, Nighthowler is one of the more interesting Bestow creatures. Either he, or the creature he is bestowed upon will get +X/+X where X is the number of creatures in all graveyards. So here we have a reason to put your own guys there. If you have a guy like Satyr Wayfinder who has already served his usefulness on the battlefield, then getting him into the graveyard could give you that little bit extra power to swing in big, and after all that is what this deck is all about.
So we know that you want stuff in your own graveyard, but lets take a look at some of the cards that will put them there
While there are a few more cards in the deck to fill up your graveyard, these will be your main go-to’s. With 2 of each of these cards in the deck, you wont be running short of ways to empty your library and power up your creatures.
Now, while Nighthowler gets a massive boost from the creatures in graveyards, he isn’t the only one. Here are a few more of the creatures that turn from imposing threats to giant monstrosities if you have enough dead creatures;
Nemesis of Mortals is one of my favourite cards from the whole Theros Block to date – a 6 mana 5/5 is not the most aggressively costed creature, but the fact that he costs 1 less to play for each creature in your graveyard is insane. You can drop him for a little as 2 mana, and make him monstrous for as little as 2 more if the conditions are right. Not only that, but Graverobber Spider can be pumped up depending on the number of creatures in your graveyard – talk about heavy hitters.
Lastly, the deck also has a fair few answers for just in case something goes terribly wrong and you need your creatures back from the graveyard; March of the Returned, Rescue from the Underworld and Pharika’s Mender.
These cards can, and likely will absolutely turn the tide for you in this type of deck. Return from the Underworld is especially good for bringing your bigger creatures onto the field for a lot cheaper, while Pharika’s Mender and March of the Returned can bring out some of your guys that have accidentally been destroyed by your opponent or sent to the graveyard by mistake.
So while this deck is by no means competitive, it does a great job of introducing new players to one of the more obscure and difficult strategies in the game. I personally love that it does this, as it will teach players that emptying your own library into the graveyard can have its benefits. If you wanted to make the deck a little bit stronger, then I would suggest adding in Champion of Stray Souls, which although expensive allows you to swap out creatures on the field for those in your graveyard. All in all however, for an intro deck, Death’s Beginning really shines.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Yes guys this is no joke… despite the game being about goat simulation and having a release date of April 1st. If you have ever dreamed of living out the carefree life of a goat who loves to chase people down with axes, jump through windows and chew on couches than the game you have been waiting for is finally here. Goat Simulator was inspired by old-school skating games (somehow) but instead of a skater, you’re a goat, and the goat doesn’t skate, he destroys people’s homes. The physics of this game is where all the fun lies as the goat can charge tables, perform backflips and 360’s and survive jumps off buildings.
Coming to Steam for PC with full support for Steam Workshop, players will be able to make their own goats, missions, levels and more. If you’re up for a laugh, check out the trailer of the game below and if you’re really keen, make your way over to the official website where you can pre-order the game for $9.99 USD.
The new Xbox One is incompatible with the Xbox 360 headsets. Thus, Turtle Beach released the new Ear Force XO series of headsets, which are compatible with Microsoft’s new console. Today, Turtle Beach shipped out the headsets to stores across Australia in preparation for the March 7th release date.
The Ear Force XO Seven features wireless connectivity to the Xbox One, support for Xbox One chat, separate volume controls for chat and game, swappable speaker plates, 50mm Neodymium drivers, memory foam cushions, removable microphone, and compatibility with mobile phones with a special breakaway cable. They will cost $229.95 AUD.
The Ear Force XO Four is a wireless headset that supports fold flat ear cups, a removable microphone for mobile gaming, 50mm Neodymium drivers, separate volume controls for game and chat, and support for Xbox One chat. The headset will cost $149.95. Both the Ear Force XO Seven and Ear Force XO Four headsets will be available on Australian shelves on March 7th, just in time for Titanfall.
DC Entertainment and Warner Bros Entertainment recently announced their new and upcoming title Batman: Arkham Knight will be available worldwide this year. The developers, Rocksteady Studios, will be finalizing their Batman series with this title after their past award-winning games, including Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City.
The game will feature plenty of villains that players will be able to recognize, like Two Face, Penguin, Scarecrow, and Harley Quinn. Players will also be able to drive the Batmobile, the first time the vehicle’s been playable in the series. The game will be made exclusively for the PS4, the Xbox One, and the PC. Check out the trailer below and make sure to share it with your friends. For more information, here is their site.
New Screenshot Gallery Released for Stronghold Crusader 2
London, UK– 4th March 2014 – Firefly Studios has just released a new screenshot gallery for Stronghold Crusader 2, giving players their first look at the game’s Crusader single player story campaign. Tornados, boats and burning farmlands will all feature in the “Lionheart” campaign, which chronicles the Crusader forces’ invasion of the holy lands, setting up the plot for the second Arabic campaign. The new screenshots can be found on the Firefly press page via the link below:
Firefly talk about the campaign in more detail on the game’s official website:
“Although announcing the title of the Crusader campaign drops fairly bit hint (!) about which characters will be making their return in Crusader 2, we enjoy teasing things as much as the next developer. As a team we are looking forward to players experiencing the Crusader campaign, although we fully expect the skilled Stronghold community to blast through it on the road to online domination. The game’s single player campaigns are really stepping stones to high level skirmish play and multiplayer, but we wanted to make sure we included them in the game at launch.
In the days of Early Access and open betas it is tempting to add large features via post-release updates. With Crusader 2 we will continue to support the game after launch, as we have always done with the Stronghold series, however we wanted the game to feel complete as soon as it is made available. Fans of the first game have been waiting almost 12 years now for their chance to return to Crusader, so the least we can do is include everything they expect from the game at launch.”
Firefly Studios is an independent PC game developer specialising in real-time strategy and MMO titles. Formed in 1999 by Simon Bradbury and Eric Ouellette, the company has brought to market a number of high profile and commercially successful strategy games, including the Stronghold series with lifetime sales of over six million. Firefly has offices in the UK and US. For more information please visit their website at www.fireflyworlds.com or follow @fireflyworlds on Twitter.
SteamWorld Dig hits PlayStation 4/Vita in America on March 18, and Europe on March 19.
— Press release — Gothenburg, Sweden. March 4, 2014
Dear friend-in-games, it’s us again!
Finally we can reveal the dates for our much-anticipated release of SteamWorld Dig for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. SteamWorld Dig will be released on March 18 in America (SCEA) and March 19 in the EU (SCEE). The list price is $9,99 (US) and 8,99€ (EU), but will be available at a 20% discount to PlayStation Plus members for the first week. Starting on the launch date, the game will also feature in Sony’s Spring Fever promotion on PSN.
SteamWorld Dig will be available in a slew of strange, wonderful languages and will also be cross-buy, which is nice: buy the game on either platform, and get it for free on the other as well. It will run at a smooth 60 fps in native resolutions on PS4 and Vita.
Hearing us rant about the incredible reception for the 3DS and Steam versions – or how SteamWorld Dig became a multiple GOTY nominee and winner – can get tiresome and braggish. Therefore, listen instead to some feedback on the news that SteamWorld Dig is coming to PSN. We announced this through the official PlayStation.Blog a few weeks ago:
– “Can’t wait to buy this game it looks Great!”
– “This is perhaps some of THE BEST news I’ve heard in a long time!!! Saying this game will be perfect on the Vita is the understatement of the century!!”
– “Picked this up on PC over the holiday and played the hell out of it. Looking forward to playing it again and collecting trophies!”
– “YES! Awesome! Thanks so much for bringing to the Sony ecosystem!”
…and of course, there’s always one of these guys around:
– “How the heck is indie games fun? They all suck!”
Branded as a “platform mining adventure” in a steampunk/Western setting, SteamWorld Dig lets players take the role of Eastwood-esque robot protagonist Rusty in order to save a mining town in need. The plot thickens as he digs deeper into an underground full of treasure and terrors…
If you want to exercise your exclusive rights as a games journo, that is, review SteamWorld Dig and unearth the secrets yourself, please reply to this mail and ask for a review code. Also, we would love to meet you and talk about the future at GDC: we’ve got amazing things in the works.
See you in the mines – and hopefully in San Francisco as well! 😀
Image & Form is a Swedish game developer based in rainy, windy Gothenburg. SteamWorld Dig is the most recent game in the SteamWorld series, and is a nominee and winner of numerous Game of the Year awards. Image & Form’s biggest success prior to SteamWorld Dig is the acclaimed iOS/Android real-time strategy game Anthill.
