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Toast Time Review

February 10, 2014

Toast Time
Developer: Force Of Habit
Publisher: Force Of Habit
Platforms: iPhone, iPad (Reviewed), iPod Touch, Android
Release Date: 6th February 2014
Price: $2.99 – Available Here

Overview

“Toast Time”…a game where you’re put in control of a piece of toast, a happy little slice of bread that has been cooked to perfection, a tasty little treat for young and for old. Our hero is called TERRY which stands for; Toast-ejecting Recoil and Reload System, and he’s what stands between us and the hostile invaders coming for us. All I can say about “Toast Time” at this point in time is that it is one of the quirkiest little mobile games I’ve played in a very long time and, for me; quirk is king. It’s a nice little game that doesn’t ask too much of the person playing it but gives back a great deal of enjoyment, the way mobile games are supposed to be!

Gameplay

It’s quite hard to place “Toast Time” under one particular genre because it mixes a great deal of them yet only fits loosely into them so, yeah, it’s quite a hard one to pin down. It’s an arena shooter that isn’t quite an arena shooter, it’s a tower defence game that isn’t quite a tower defence game. It’s sugar, beans and cream all mixed together to create one tasty cup of coffee. Basically you tap to do pretty much everything, everything being pretty much just “shoot”. Shooting sends TERRY flying in the opposite direction which sometimes can make killing an enemy quite difficult but it just works as being part of the fun.

The tower defence aspect of it is that there is an actual literal times somewhere on the stage, it both counts down and works as the item you have to defend. Shoot the enemies and don’t let them get to the timer, that is basically all “Toast Time” is and it works so damn well. The quirkiness just oozes out of this game like uncooked egg in some French toast; you equip yourself with different types of ammunition throughout the game, from baguette lasers to bagel scatterguns you get them all and each one of them is bread-based so the humour never really stops. There’s actually a fair bit to do in this game, there are a bunch of equipables to make your TERRY look what you consider to be cool and even other game modes to keep you occupied though I found that I didn’t really stray from the main game type, it was enjoyable enough to keep me there so that’s where I stayed but I did try the other ones out for the sake of this review and it was a nice little change of pace.

Visuals

The game had an overall old-school vibe mixed with the aesthetics of a virtual pet from the 90s. The game was made up entirely of pixel-like blocks that gave it the old look and just added to the already high level of quirkiness. Don’t be angry at me for using “quirkiness” a lot because it is going to happen regardless. I absolutely love games that are made up entirely of pixel-art, there’s something about it that sends a jolt into my brain and makes me nostalgic and I don’t think I’m the only one. It’s also great for visuals to match the vibe that the gameplay gives off, too many times have I seen a great looking game that just falls flat when it actually has to be played.

The colouring system works great too and it’s not because there are plenty of them or that they’re vibrant, it’s that it gives a nice feeling while playing through a level. The colour of the levels change depending on what the environment is like; during the first set of levels you’re on what looks to be a farm and the colour is a light blue, during the second set of levels you’re in what looks to be Egypt (because of the pyramids) and the colour is a light orange. Sometimes I think the saying “less is more” may actually be true and in this case, yes, it’s absolutely true.

Audio

The music within “Toast Time” is probably exactly what you are expecting it to be at this point in time; entirely chiptune and much like the visuals of the game it fits in perfectly. You cannot have such an old-school-looking game without having an old-school soundtrack to back it up, it would be ungodly. Luckily “Toast Time” did everything right. For the most part the music is pretty joyful, it’s chirpy and positive though so is the game, no surprises there. All the sound effects are great too, I really can’t single any out because you’re hearing so many things at the same time but, in general, the game just sounds great.

Overall

Look let’s be entirely honest here; the game is in absolutely no way groundbreaking, if anything it’s a massive step back in time rather than a couple steps forward, that doesn’t mean it is bad though because it is absolutely perfect for mobile gaming and for a majority of mobile gamers. It is pretty much perfect for what it is. You don’t expect much from it but what it gives you is enough for a giggle and enough for you to be able to sit there and play the game at least for a while. It looks good, it sounds good and it plays good, it hit positive on three counts and there’s no way I can discredit any aspect of the game simply because it is “basic”. Let’s make a toast…to “Toast Time”! Well done, old chap!

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

The Elder Scrolls Online Preview

Joe Morgan

February 10, 2014

Ah, Tamriel. Lands rich with lush, vibrant flora, diverse, deadly fauna, and a wide range of sentient races, each with their own worldviews and problems. From heavily populated metropolises to dark, ancient dungeons and beyond, through tales of heroism and intrigue, the world of The Elder Scrolls has long captured the imagination of fans.

In recent years, those fans, many of whom have poured hundreds of hours over multiple games into Bethesda’s fantasy universe, have begun to question whether a multiplayer mod could be released for the enormous single-player games. Bethesda’s answer was The Elder Scrolls Online, an MMORPG set in Tamriel. I recently had an opportunity to take part in the game’s Beta. Here are my impressions.

Character creation in the Beta combines elements of both traditional Elder Scrolls and modernized MMO character creation, leaning more to the latter. You choose one of the traditional 9 races, each of which belong to one of three factions. After that, you pick one of four classes: the tank-like Dragonknight, the arcane Sorcerer, the sneaky, cunning Nightblade, and the noble Templar. Having only four classes feels somewhat underwhelming compared to its contemporaries, but players will find that classes feel more open than other similar titles. Be sure to check out our preview footage below this article to see it in action.

The story will take you from the prison of the dead to Stros M’Kai, where you’ll meet a group of companions. From there, you’ll travel the world, dealing with your own journey as well as the tasks you take on from people of Tamriel. Thus far, the storytelling is well done and the voice acting top-notch, helping to bring a sense of vitality to the world.

Combat is, undoubtedly, one of the largest aspects of The Elder Scrolls Online. Like its contemporaries, you will learn class-based skills as you level up. These are accessed via the hotbar. Unlike other MMOs, though, fans of the franchise should feel at home swinging their maces, staves, and blades in real-time. Lost with this entry are the directional swings from the single-player entries, but you can left-click to swing, hold to perform a charged attack, right-click to block, and double-tap a direction to dodge. It helps give the MMO a feeling of dynamism in combat.

As you complete quests, take out enemies, and level up, you’ll earn two forms of reward. You’ll get points to spend upgrading your character’s health, stamina, or magic, and you’ll get skill points. Within the skill menu, you’ll work up through three trees, each with a different focus. For example, the Templar has a combat-focused tree, a spellcasting tree, and a healing tree. When you unlock a skill, you level up that individual skill as you play, eventually earning the right to further refine it’s effects. Each tree also has an “ultimate” skill you can use to great effect, albeit much less frequently than normal moves. If you would rather place your skill points elsewhere, though, you can upgrade your armor proficiencies, racial abilities, combat style (two-handed weapons, dual wielding, weapon-and-shield, etc.) and more. It’s fun and rewarding to see your skill trees progress, but it still feels like skill progression lacks a true sense of satisfaction.

Questing in ESO feels like standard fare for RPGs. You’ll talk to someone, get a task, then go carry out that task. To its benefit, though, ESO rarely has you doing the boilerplate “kill X of these” quests to earn your reward. They tend to be well-written, with fun or interesting stories accompanying them. Have you ever seen an Orc beg you for help because he’s afraid to slay a beast but his mother wants him to become a notable warrior? They’re well entertaining beyond the quest rewards, and that’s largely due to Bethesda’s attention to narrative. They also make navigating to quest objectives a little easier, with the compass telling you if it’s on a different floor than you. Early impressions for those interested in story content bode well for the final release when it hits store shelves.

Fans of the franchise will feel right at home with the exploration mechanics in ESO. Like the single-player entries before it, the world of Tamriel is filled with wondrous sights to stumble upon, many of which may contain hidden treasure or an interesting bit of sidestory. As you wander around the map, nearby sites will show up on your compass. Finding them will mark them on the map so they’re easier to track down later should the need arise. Players will also notice that many of the world’s containers (boxes, crates, backpacks, etc.) are searchable, allowing you to enter an area and go buck-wild on Dwemer jars, just like you could in the good old days. New to ESO, however, are items known as “skyshards.” These are hidden throughout the world, and ever 3 you find will grant you a permanent skillpoint, adding even more incentive to scour Tamriel.

The Elder Scrolls Online is a beautiful game, hands-down. When you travel around the world and look at everything, it’s easy to see fantastic attention to visual detail is being placed on the game. Everything from house spiders to characters and gear to the cityscapes are well laid out and visually pleasing. Dungeons feel dark and dank and jungles feel vibrant and alive. It will be interesting to see what more they can churn out before retail.

The sound design in the early build I played already has more polish than most of the other games on the market. With involvement from composer Jeremy Soule, the soundtrack is set up to bring a wonderful sense of atmosphere and emotion. The voice acting, mentioned earlier, feels sincere and well-delivered, delivering a sense of weight to even the most piddling sidequest.

As good as the preview build looks, there are a few things that may concern long-time fans of the series. ESO is an Elder Scrolls game built on an MMO framework – not the reverse fans have wanted for so long. Character classes are built on archetypes, which is more rigid than Elder Scrolls games tend to be. Inventory is based on a limited number of spaces instead of weight. You also can’t manage personal inventory while in a loot screen. Some things can easily be fixed before or shortly after launch.

Overall, The Elder Scrolls Online has had a solid first showing. Fans of the franchise looking to play in Tamriel with friends should definitely keep their eyes peeled for this game. If it stays the course, it will deliver excellent narrative, compelling voice work, and a beautiful, intriguing world to explore. Hard-line fans of the single-player games may not be happy with all of the changes, but it’s ultimately poised to deliver what fans have been asking for – an Elder Scrolls experience with an online framework.

For screenshots taken from our time with the early build, be sure to check out our gallery below. You can also check out video footage of the game below this article. Be sure to come back to CapsuleComputers for all your Elder Scrolls Online news!

J-Stars Victory Vs. – Brand-New Game Trailer Released

Frank Inglese

February 10, 2014

Oh we love the days where some “J-Stars Victory Vs.” news come knocking at our door and it just so happens that today we’ve been gifted with a brand-new trailer that not only shows the game and its character in action but it also goes for four minutes which is just fantastic, no thirty second video today! Namco Bandai Games just started streaming the video, it shows a bunch of the previously announced characters as well as some of the newly announced ones like Kenshiro and Raoh from “Fist Of The North Star“.

This video will deffinitely get Shonen Jump fans excited, it showcases some incredible-looking fights between our heroes and their enemies like Goku/Vegeta Vs Frieza, Luffy Vs Akainu, Naruto/Sasuke Vs Madara, and so many more. “J-Stars Victory Vs.” is looking better day by day and us here at Capsule Computers cannot be more excited for it! Head down to our featured video section below to give the video a watch and let us know who else you’re hoping to see join the roster in the coming weeks.

Btooom! Review

Frank Inglese

February 10, 2014

Btooom!
Studio: Madhouse
Publisher: Hanabee
Format: DVD (Reviewed), Blu-Ray
Release Date: 5th February 2014
Price: $59.99 – Available Here

Overview

Mixing genres can get hard for developers nowadays. People seem to be demanding more out of pop culture products (and products in general) which means they don’t just want the cliché action story or a silly romantic tale. Mixing genres isn’t a new concept in any way but it is something that I believe has not been entirely mastered and, while some do it extremely well, others find it hard to walk the fine line between two styles of storytelling.

“Btooom!” is an Anime that possesses both action and romance which is a combination of genres I find odd but also one that watching “Btooom!” helped me, somewhat, come to terms with. It’s not your average love story but nor is it your average action one, it lies somewhere in between the two and I can see why fans around the world love it.

Story

“Btooom!” is a warfare-based video game that exists within the story of…”Btooom!”. It’s a console game that has taken the world by storm and, although not everyone plays it like in Animes such as “Sword Art Online”, but it has enough of a fanbase to be considered one of the biggest games worldwide. Ryouta Sakamoto is a real loser and the story’s main protagonist. How unfortunate. He’s a 22 year old man that lives at home and is unemployed, that’s not what makes him the loser though, what makes him a loser is that he spends all day in the dark playing “Btooom!”, he’s never had a job and he mistreats his mother in a way that you can’t really look past.

He’s a grade-a loser but he think he is pretty awesome since he is ranked extremely high worldwide in “Btooom!”. One day our fearless hero wakes up on what seems like a deserted island. With his backpack to one side of him and a sling of bombs to the otherside of him, he soon realises that he is in some deep trouble. After being attacked by a “crazed” man using bombs, Sakamoto confirms his theory that this is an island where I grave game is taking place and that game just happens to be almost like “Btooom!”. Now begins what will be the most terrifying time of his life but it seems as though his years of playing “Btooom!” are going to come in handy out there on the island.

Let’s be honest here, this type of thing has been done before; some young gamer gets forced into a situation that brings his favourite game into reality. It’s been done time and time again but the fact is…there’s no problem with that, it’s how it is executed that counts in the end and I feel as though the storyline of “Btooom!” has been executed properly. I wish I could say the same about it’s characters though. There’s none of this “virtual reality” stuff going down in “Btooom!”, these people are brought to a deserted island and THAT is where the game goes down.

What I enjoyed the most about the setup is that not everyone on the island were players of the game, I believe there was actually only three of them, the others just had to learn what has to be done to win and how to go about it, others just could not grasp what was happening and were quickly disposed of. The characters though…let’s just say most of them were not written well, including the main ones that took up most of the screentime. There were inconsistencies in a great deal of characters, they would almost forget what just happened or make silly comments that really pushed me away from the series. Things like Sakamoto realising and confirming that he has timed explosives but questioning why they didn’t explode straight away once he threw them.

I appreciate the “real” themes that made up some of what the characters are in regards to their personality but, at times, I felt it became a bit too much and was played on well beyond its acceptable limit. Dark themes like rape were present a great deal of the time and a particular character continuously came into contact with these disgusting male characters, she was constantly on the verge of…you know what, and I felt that they could have toned it down a bit.

I understand it wanted to be, for lack of a better word, “real” and the story itself was quite hellish but it just wasn’t necessary. That is what I felt. Character interactions were bland and they bored me most of the time. You could absolutely avert your gaze or focus on other things while watching this series and still pretty much understand what was going down. The good thing about “Btooom!” that somewhat makes up for everything it lacks is that it has great pacing. Within 12 episodes they did a great deal and told one heck of a story. Yes, some things were skimmed over but really it was still done well. I’ll give “Btooom!” credit for that!

Visuals

“Btooom!” is a hard Anime to pin down when it comes to its visual style. It doesn’t necessarily have a style of its own, it looks a great deal like a lot of Anime out there so I can’t exactly give it any points for style alone. The characters looked quite real but, in true Anime style, still disproportional in certain ways. What it did nicely was environmental shots, they looked absolutely incredible because they had a lot to work with. This wasn’t an Anime set in a normal city, it was set on a seemingly tropical island. There were beaches and forests and lakes for these people to swim in and bathe in, if folks weren’t dying left right and centre this place would be a paradise! Unfortunately they all are.

I’ll also give props to the animation within “Btooom!”, it’s an action series but action scenes are few and far between so it’s not often you get to see some all out slaying, when you do though…it’s some damn good stuff! Unfortunately it being on a DVD didn’t do as much justice to the actual animation, I don’t often notice this but it seemed grainy and often rough when kicking into adrenalin-fueled scenes. I’ve never seen something like that on a Blu-Ray but I often notice it when watching high-quality Anime on DVDs. If I’m to recommend anything it would be to watch this one on Blu-Ray just to see how good the animation can get. It can sometimes look sloppy but it has been over a year since this series was made and released so it does have time against it. Try to not let that get to you.

Audio

I’m so very divided on the audio aspect of “Btooom!”. It has a brilliant soundtrack but a terrible voice cast so you can see why I’m so torn. Musically this series absolutely rocked the house. It blended so many different genres and used them accordingly to get some incredible results. At times it was almost like watching something like “Cowboy Bebop”, the music was jazzy and a little bit funky but constantly changed between heavy rock and orchestral numbers and it all really tied situations together.

I always like a nice soundtrack and I have to say I took a fair bit away from this one. Unfortunately the voice acting was not as good as the music. A lot of the actors and actresses fell flat and made the characters come across quite silly, I suppose I can’t put all the blame on them because the dialogue that was written for them was sub-par to say the least. Most characters were extremely anoying and even the characters that weren’t annoying were just unnecessarily arrogant-sounding. Sometimes these characters’ tones would not exactly match up to situations and it really hits hard especially when you’re meant to be watching such a crazy event unfold.

Extras

There really wasn’t much to see here. It basically had the usual Anime extras. Things like clean opening and closing sequences came as extras, alongside trailers and whatnot. There were a couple “Btooom!” digests on the disc which pretty much recapped what was going on within the series as well as gave info on characters that you probably didn’t already know. The given info isn’t entirely interesting though, it basically outlines characters and gives you information that you probably don’t even care about like blood type and body dimensions. It was a nice touch but it really added nothing though it still gets points for being around.

Overall

“Btooom!” is a good little Anime that does a lot right but it also does a few things wrong. Not every Anime can be perfect, not every Anime can even get close to being perfect and that includes this one, the good thing is that “Btooom!” also doesn’t get close to being terrible so I would still consider it a great series that many people would enjoy but, as the CC Review Guidelines say; “A fine product that would be best suited to a preferred audience. There may be a few flaws, but most will find the offerings provided enjoyable enough to warrant a purchase.”, I don’t often quote the guidelines but I feel as though they perfectly represent my thoughts on this series.

Romance and action together in one place can be a hard thing for people to grasp but I still feel as though “Btooom!” blends them well…even if the characters can’t really have any bearable conversation. It’s a good series but I suggest you all do a little research before jumping into it, either way I think a lot of people will find something great to take away from this series.

Nobunagun Episode 6 Impressions

Kane Bugeja

February 10, 2014

Nobunagun-Episode-6-01 — **Never fear, the First Platoon is here!**

Nobunagun
Gun No. 6: Monster Meat

With last episode’s glimpse into the world of the Second Platoon, it’s time to shift perspective and take a look into some different members of DOGOO. Namely the First Platoon. Numbering only three E-Gene Holders, this elite squad is assigned a transport mission of presumably high priority. But as we all know is the case with anime, no mission ever goes smoothly from the get go…

It would seem that Sio just can’t avoid spotlight, as the episode begins with the First Platoon mulling over the ramifications of a new recruit. Apparently Geronimo, assumed leader and “Princess” of the First, believes the Second to be nothing more than a bunch of wimps and this new recruit to be rather lackluster. Though this could just be arrogance and bravado talking, it may hint at some truly amazing escapades that have occurred off screen. Maybe the fights we’ve seen thus far aren’t the greatest threats humanity has faced? Either way, it’s still rude. That being said, not everybody in the First Platoon has it out for Nobunagun, in fact quite the opposite. That’s right, time to throw another name into the relationship equation because Gaudi’s got the hots for Sio, a fact that is topic of ridicule for the less than polite Cyx. Poor Gaudi, saddled with two women who seem to mess with him for fun, in playful way of course, though it’s still kinda mean.

Nobunagun-Episode-6-02 — **Now there’s a face you can trust**

After their mission goes south in a big way, we get to see the First Platoon in action. In far more extreme conditions than usual, Geronimo and Cyx decide to take the smart option and contact HQ. But in these hazardous temperatures, trekking 3km is no easy feat. What’s that? Cyx can turn into a snow mobile? Well isn’t that a convenient, yet still oddly specific power to possess. Anywho, once at their destination we meet Gonda, a scientist spending his days alone doing sciency stuff. Now, if you recall the opening sequence of the episode, the sudden disappearance of his co-workers may come as a shock…as it rightly should. Gonda is just a little bit confused…and a lot violent. After taking a joke just a little bit to seriously, he snapped and decided that living wasn’t something his companions should do anymore. These events set this episode apart from those previously, as it is the first time we’ve witnessed a human enemy. Though still connected to the Evolutionary threat, albeit in a strange way, we’ve never seen how E-Gene holders handle such an opponent. Apparently they don’t. Whether a rule or personal code, Geronimo forbids the use of AU Weapons on anything other than monsters. In addition to being overkill in its purest form, crossing that line would definitely put DOGOO in a different light. Gonda’s slip into insanity also expresses a much darker side of the Evolutionary threat. I mean, how would you react to seeing one of those creatures, let alone thinking that you ate one?

Nobunagun-Episode-6-03 — **Some people just can’t take a joke**

Over the course of their stay at the Suspicious Inn, Geronimo’s blase attitude is revealed to be a cover for her sharp mind. While Cyx is still holding out hope for a less blizzardy tomorrow, Geronimo has already pieced together the clues and determined the danger of the situation. This lends credence to her confidence in the First Platoon, as well as showcasing that even front line DOGOO soldiers can be perceptive outside of battle.

Throughout the episode, we also learn more about each characters individual quirks and skills. Though the youngest, Gaudi is shown to have a powerful AU Weapon that he utilises rather creatively. He also apparently has a fantastic sense of smell. Do you know what explosives smell like? I sure as heck don’t. Cyx’s odd weapon on the other hand is shown to serve as transport for Geronimo, though hopefully this is not the sole function of her power. Shown briefly at the conclusion of the fight with the escaped Evolutionary Threat, Geronimo’s weapon is shown to possess incredible offensive power. We also briefly see that, much like Sio, Geronimo’s personality shifts in the midst of battle. Unlike her usual collected self, she lets out a few battle cries when attacking, not to mention her glowing red eyes and crazy smile. Looks like the mental rush can affect anyone.

So there we have it folks, the first chapter in the story of the First Platoon. Just a little bit different than the Second don’t you think? That being said, there’s still quite a collection of personalities in this elite division, so I’m sure they’ll mix nicely should the divisions ever cross. Should that come to pass, I’m sure that the already chaotic mess of love interests will get even more convoluted. I wonder how Sio will react if she finds Gaudi’s new prized possession…

Check out more Nobunagun Impressions HERE.

Prototype Space Dandy Figure Announced/Revealed At “WonFest 2014”

Frank Inglese

February 10, 2014

Prototype Space Dandy Figure Announced/Revealed At “WonFest 2014”

"Making Figurines...the dandy way!" — **“Making Figurines…the dandy way!”**

If you’re a fan of Anime but not a fan of “Space Dandy” than I just don’t know what to say to you…clearly you’re not living the dandy way but I guess that’s fine for now, eventually we’ll all be living the dandy way! The series has been out for over a month at this point in time and with only five episodes in I don’t think anyone really expected for there to be any merchandise revealed or announced but as it turns out, us who thought that were entirely wrong.

The Winter Wonder Festival in Tokyo or “Winter WonFest” is on right now and it has revealed to us an upcoming Space Dandy figurine that, while not shown to be entirely complete, is still looking dandy as heck! The 1/8 scale “Dandy” by companies “MegaHouse” and “Aquamarine” has him in a pretty “chill” pose with what looks like a telescoping baton in hand or I guess it could be some cheap, Dandy-esque, lightsaber rip-off but for now I think we’ll stick with “telescoping baton”.

Although not shown at all, it was also announced that Dandy’s right-hand-bot will be getting its very own figure. Yes, “QT” will be getting some of the spotlight too and I’m sure it wont be too long until we’re looking at a Meow figure to complete the “trifecta”. Both “Dandy” and “QT” figures are set to be released within the year so expect to see more images soon. It’s always good to see some merchandise come from Watanabe projects and we hope to see more Space Dandy stuff in the future. See you, Space Dandy.

“Retro City Rampage: DX” 3DS Game Trailer Released

Frank Inglese

February 10, 2014

“Retro City Rampage: DX” 3DS Game Trailer Released

Retro-City-Rampage-DX-Trailer-Screenshot-01 — **“The mayhem, it’s so…cute?”**

Here we go, retro freaks! Finally “Retro City Rampage: DX” has made its way over to the Nintendo 3DS and it couldn’t be more comfortable there. The game has previously been released on other platforms like the PC and the Xbox Live Arcade (Read our review here) for a while at this point in time but it has just made its way onto one of the biggest handheld devices of our generation and THAT is where it will cause some serious mayhem! The action-adventure title that throws back massively to the corny 80s and 90s, developed and published by Vblank Entertainment, is actually a little bit different this time around – it seems to have been updated for the 3DS system and…well…it just keeps getting better.

It is little things like touch controls and mini-maps that round this game out nicely and, although it wont seems like too much is added, I feel like just enough has been implemented to get gamers excited to pick this game up once again but this time on a new console. The trailer can be seen below in our featured video section and it should explain everything in more detail so check it out and, if you’re interested, head on over to the Nintendo 3DS eShop to pick up “Retro City Rampage: DX” for $10. Unfortunetely this all only applies to our North American friends, Europe will get its release in 10 days on the 20th of February but that’s not TOO far away so stay excited!

Keiji Inafune Tests Out His Upcoming Game “Mighty No.9”

Frank Inglese

February 10, 2014

Keiji Inafune Tests Out His Upcoming Game “Mighty No.9”

Any good Megaman fan would be aware that the father of the blue bomber himself, Keiji Inafune, has been working on another title for quite some time that is very similar to Megaman but with a modern twist. This game is called “Mighty No.9” and it quickly became one of the many extremely popular and anticipated Kickstarter campaigns to back. Now that the campaign has come to a close with great success, the completely funded “Mighty No.” has begun its full production and we’ll hopefully be seeing it sometime within a year or two. This action/platformer is looking better and better each and everytime we get a little more of a glimpse at it and us here at Capsule Computers cannot wait to get our hands on such a seemingly incredible title.

mighty-no-9-kickstarter-01 — **“This is all like some sort of awesome deja vu…”**

Hopefully. The nice folks over at “Comcept”, the company owned by Keiji Inafune who are also developing the game, have just released a short video that features Mr. Inafune himself testing out the game. Though it only goes for about a minute and you don’t exactly get to see the screen up close, it is good for a watch and is still able to show us just how good this game is going to be. “Mighty No.9” is set for a release on all the major consoles: PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, so nobody can complain that they will be missing out on one heck of a good game.

Head down to the featured video section below to give the video a look and let us know what you think of it in the comments section just under that!

Modern Command Review

Andrew Day

February 9, 2014

Modern Command
Developer: Level Eight
Publisher: Chillingo
Platforms: iPhone (Reviewed), iPad
Release Date: Out Now
Price: FREE – Available Here

Overview

The tower defense genre has been around for a fair while now, and it has found itself at home on the mobile platform. Modern Command is the latest of these games, and while it doesn’t do anything to overly shake up the genre it does present a well-designed and crafted game. It suffers from its share of problems, but many of these are due to the insane amount of adds through the app, and the fact that it really wants you to dip into its in-app purchases.

Gameplay

Modern Command is a nice and simple tower defense game. You will be deployed to various mission sites, where the task it to defend your base from incurring forces. Unlike most other tower defense styled games where you place additional weapons in the path of the oncoming wave, in Modern Command you do all of your attacking from your base.

You will have a selection of weapons for each missions, starting at one and then unlocking and purchasing more until you can have four equipped at any given time. The mission at hand will determine which weapons you take with you. To fire your weapons you first select them from the side of your screen and then tap where you want them to launch. Weapons have different speeds at which they travel, so you have to aim ahead of your enemies in order to maximise the damage.

The enemies travel along pre-designated paths, which initially seems like it would make the game easy, and this is true for earlier levels. However when you reach the mid to late game stages, paths intersect and cross over one another so it can be difficult to tell where the troops will head. This makes you think on your feet and plan accordingly.

There is one part about Modern Command that is hard to overlook and that is the fact that it is absolutely littered with adds. During one short 5-mission session I encountered adds for Clash of Clans, Pixel People, Dungeon Keeper and another game that I didn’t recognise. Literally every time you go back to the main menu there is a bubble with a new game add sitting in the lower corner, and despite the fact that they sit in the bottom corner the adds are still incredibly intrusive.

Visuals & Audio

Tower defense games typically occupy a gaming space where visuals aren’t too important. They aren’t too important because players will spend more time planning their attacks rather than observing the scenery. To this end many games will skimp a bit on the background visuals, but Modern Command actually has some impressive scenery for players to enjoy.

No matter how far or close you zoom into the screen, the backgrounds all pop and retain an incredible amount of detail. Individual trees and plants can be seen from various angles and they all look really good. The same can be said for the enemy units and their vehicles. The way that your weapons interact with the landscape and the enemies is equally nice to look at, with cars flipping when they are hit by rockets and trees collapsing under a nearby explosion. It is the little things like these that add up to a really well presented game.

The audio is just as well done. It is hard to speak specifics about the type of music used, but it absolutely fits the genre and the tone of the game. It is also highly reminiscent of older video game music. Anybody who grew up playing shooters on the SNES will feel right at home with the game’s soundtrack. The in-game sound effects are just as great to listen to and while they may not be the most realistic sounding, the sound of a video game rocket hurtling through the air still sounds awesome.

Overall

I am typically not a big fan of tower defense games, and while Modern Command doesn’t exactly do too much to shake up the genre in any real way it is still a fun experience. A lot of this fun comes from the fact that it is well presented, intuitive with little to no lag in the controls. Having to think ahead of where your enemies could be keeps you on your toes and has you planning your moves well in advance. If the game does suffer from any downsides it is the fact that it is rife with intrusive adds and that in-app purchases are still alive and well.

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