Tribal Wars 2: Cross-Platform Gameplay and going Native for Mobile
InnoGames elaborates on development; game reaches 100.000 pre-registrations for beta
Hamburg, January 16, 2014. Today InnoGames released additional information on its strategy online game Tribal Wars 2, describing the technical basis of the company’s first native cross-platform game. The browser component is a combination of the Open Source-framework AngularJS, created by Google, and Javascript Canvas. Mobile access will be granted via native Apps – those use additional COCOS2D frameworks on iOS and Java as well as Libgdx on Android. All mobile versions will be optimized for touchscreen-use on numerous devices. 100.000 players already pre-registered for the upcoming closed beta phase.
Unlike its browser-based predecessor, which added crossplay via iOS- and Android-Apps later, Tribal Wars 2 was planned to take full advantage of cross-platform possibilities. Therefore the game had to be streamlined on browser, tablets and smartphones in terms of technical basis and gameplay. “Our goal was to make all parts of gameplay feel and interact with the players the best way possible – on all platforms. At the same time, the performance had to meet our standards,” says Marc Kamps, Producer of Tribal Wars 2. “We experimented with multiplatform-solutions like HTML 5, but in the end, going native allowed us to take full advantage of the mobile devices’ processing power and touchscreen displays.” Kamps adds.
Players can already pre-register for the game’s beta on www.tribalwars2.com. Tribal Wars 2 sports state-of-the-art graphics and will later be released as cross-platform for Android, iOS and all browsers. Therefore, players can set up one account for all platforms and play from whichever combination of devices they choose. In the recently released announcement video, members of the team and InnoGames co-founder Hendrik Klindworth, are describing their visions for the game and upcoming features.
In Tribal Wars 2, players find themselves as leader of a small village in the midst of a medieval world. Tasked with growing and expanding their empire within a war-torn landscape, they have to fight in order to survive. The MMO’s focus is real-time strategic battles with and against other players. Tribal Wars 2 will be released as cross-platform game for Android, iOS and all browsers. Therefore, players can set up one account for all platforms and play from whichever combination of devices they choose.
Tribal Wars was developed as a hobby project in 2003 by the three founders of InnoGames, Hendrik Klindworth, Eike Klindworth and Michael Zillmer. Today, Tribal Wars has more than 50 million registered players and recently celebrated its tenth birthday with a big in-game event and a video saying thank you.
With more than 110 million registered players, InnoGames is one of the world’s leading developers and providers of online games. Next to Tribal Wars, the Hamburg-based company has scored major successes with games such as Forge of Empires and Grepolis.
This is the end. The end of the world. The end of Lightning’s story arc. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII releases on February 13, and signals the closing of a chapter in the long-standing series. We went hands-on with a full build (not the finished build) of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 title, getting in over 90 minutes of playtime, as part of a Square Enix Showcase. Unfortunately, there is much we are not allowed to discuss or mention, so we apologise in advance if you’re looking for very specific plot details. Then again, you shouldn’t want that spoiled, should you?
As alluded to in the title, Lightning makes a triumphant re-emergence since her “demotion” in Final Fantasy XIII-2, not only as a primary character in the plot, but the player character. In this(effectively) third act of her story, Lightning is tasked with something oh so minor… saving the world, and on a timer no less. No biggie, right? What’s great about the limited time in which she has to achieve this is it’s not just a plot device, but a gameplay mechanic. A countdown is visible on screen at all times, with a clock present to its right. The clock itself has added purpose, as certain missions place a time-of-day requirement on you, and many gateways to further areas on the map only unlock during a specified window. Not every quest is mandatory, but they all eat up valuable time, so it’s up to you how you want to tackle the game and where you want to dedicate your time and effort. If you feel like you can accomplish everything in a swift manner, then you can attempt that completionist goal. There is just so much to do, however, that I’m not sure that’s even possible.
I’ve gotten ahead of myself a little here. The game starts off with an encounter that re-introduces a familiar face – Snow Villers. Fans would know that the death of Serah, his fiancée and Lightning’s sister, had a very powerful impact on him, with Yoshinori Kitase having previously described him as “struggling with all his might to keep himself from falling apart from the sadness of losing Serah.” Without overstepping boundaries, its clear given their dynamic as complete foils of each other, that the two individuals may not continue to see eye-to-eye on everything. The opening sequence also introduces the mysterious Lumina – a near-splitting image of Serah, but that’s about all you know about her from the get-go. Amongst the literal Chaos – unleashed in the previous title – the player is walked through combat tutorials against an Anubys that emerges from the substance.
The combat system keeps the Active Time Battle (ATB) elements, with some additional tweaks and extra layers. The ATB gauge works much in the same way, but now garbs change the the face of the battlefield. Yes, reminiscent of the “dresssphere” of Final Fantasy X-2. Lightning can equip up to three different ‘schemata’, which can be quite deeply customised. They are built off the base of an alternate garb, with each having their usual slots for a melee attack, magical attack, guard and a fourth ability. However, you can assign one to be your dedicated mage-like schema, focusing solely on high magical attack, defence, etc. What determines these distinctions are the properties and specialities of the chosen garbs, weapons, shield, accessories, adornments and abilities. When in-combat, the player can press the corresponding button for the desired ability, or hold it down for a prolonged use, which drains the ATB gauge, or meter, continuously. Once your meter is empty, you can switch to one of your other schemata with ‘R1’ or ‘L1’. Whilst using another schema, the meter of the previously equipped schema refills over a matter of seconds.
You should never be left powerless, however that doesn’t mean every battle will be a cakewalk. If the enemy you are currently facing is weak against sword strikes, for instance, and your melee-geared schema runs out of ATB meter due to overuse, then you’re obviously going to be less effective, take longer and have a generally tougher fight with a differently customised schema. Monsters make their presence known across the land, so you can avoid confrontations if you see fit. Initiating the combat with ‘R1’ – which acts as an early strike – takes off 10% of the enemy’s health before the battle even begins. Catch them off guard and that bonus increases to 25%. Repeatedly hitting an enemy with their weakness will eventually ‘stagger’ them – a feature that is well known to experienced players. Once that occurs, their statistics are updated and can be brought up during the fight by pulling ‘R2’. This screen will show you stagger conditions (once met), which attacks they are immune to and more. The only way for this information to be learnt is for the player to first try it out.
Potions and other items can be used at any time by pressing ‘start’ and choosing one of the six that Lightning can carry at any given time. When there are multiple enemies on screen at once, the player can shift between them with the D-Pad. Sometimes, whichever enemy you are not locked onto will creep out of view of the camera, but camera angles can also be cycled through at a moment’s notice (and you’ll also do well to read audio cues). ‘Energy Points’ – equivalent to ‘Technical Points’ from Final Fantasy XIII – are gained by defeating enemies and allow for ‘EP Abilities’ to be executed in and out of battle, which can be accessed by pulling ‘L2’. As an example, the ‘Escape’ EP Ability lets you do just that against a hard opponent. The catch in this case is that every tie it is used, you lose one hour of precious time. It’s the only one with a negative feedback loop though, partly because it’s also the only ‘free’ EP Ability, costing zero Energy Points.
The final piece of the combat puzzle is Overclock, which is directly tied to your EP. Activating this special ability slows down time as you are enabled to bombard your practically stasis-bound opponents with relentless fury. Rewards for being victorious are much the same as most previous entries in the series, comprising of Gil and another item, the type of which depends on the identity of the monster. It’s important to note that, unlike the prior two games, your health bar does not automatically regenerate once the battle is won. Merchants and healers are your friends, remember that. With that covered, plot-wise, I can’t be detailed in what I divulge past a particularly early section. Lightning is brought back up to The Ark – a zone where time stands still and our heroine can check-in throughout her journey with Hope Estheim, who serves as her operator in a way. The Saviour of souls can’t be expected to do everything on her own, after all. From here, players can also replay big battles (and presumably boss battles).
Before progressing, the duo engage in an aggravatingly circular conversation in which Lightning exclaims, in as many words, “So this is what I must do…” at least three times. It also reflects the problem with FF games – the dialogue and action are rarely balanced well. When you enter into a conversation or trigger a cutscene, expect to be there for quite a while, with nothing to do but feverishly skip lines or play with the camera. I was pleased to teleport out of there as fast as possible, through the Ark Portal, and enter Luxerion – a main location in Nova Chrysalia. But that’s all I can tell you… I’m sorry! I wish I could say more, but I’m sworn to secrecy. The upside is, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XII is merely a month away, so you won’t have to wait long to dive in yourself. We also checked out the Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster. Stay tuned to Capsule Computers for future FF coverage, and our reviews closer to launch.
Overview From rags to ditches, from bar stools to bar floors, from sex and drugs to violence and love – Shameless is about as dark as family comedies get and it is all the more awesome for it. It is a series that takes all the things wrong with the world and strips it back to the core humanity underneath it all. Who would’ve thought an alcoholic deadbeat father who’d trick his own child into believe he had cancer just to reap the benefits would actually have some shades of goodness inside of him. It is that core humanity that makes Shameless resonate so strongly with audiences of all races, colours, classes and creeds. Beneath it all this series is about one thing; family.
Story Season 3 of Shameless turns things up a notch from previous seasons getting more raunchier and more darker than we have ever seen in this series. Of course all of that is underscored by some genuinely funny comedy that ultimately keeps the series grounded. But it is of course the dramatics that take center stage here in Shameless season 3, whether it be the Jimmy storyline or the rise and fall of Frank Gallagher, things are tense in this season.
Of particular interest is the Jimmy situation. It quickly comes to light that Jimmy has got himself deeply involved in the worst kind of trouble and must now live a sham of a life in a fake marriage with his life now at stake. The problem that has always plagued Jimmy from day dot is that he has an attraction to danger, something bad has always enticed him and perhaps you could make an argument that his interest in Fiona has been based upon the same desire.
Over the course of this season the Fiona/Jimmy relationship becomes deeply strained and things become even further confused when more elements are added to the equation. This relationship has been the core of many of the story arcs in Shameless to date, but there is a sense that this may just be the last goodbye for these two, especially when you consider the depressingly dark turn of events for Jimmy at the end of this season.
It must be said that this could quite easily be the best season of Shameless to date. All the machinations that have been moving since the very first episode come to a head in this season, with a lot o the long-running story-lines reaching some pretty hard conclusions. Miraculously however this season is not the end. It leaves viewers on a pretty huge cliffhanger but there is undoubtedly a sense of closure to many of the ongoing storylines. This is a closing of a chapter for Shameless and it is that cumulative feel that makes this season so very compelling.
Each member of the cast is given a great opportunity to shine here with the best writing in the series to date. Every character is given a central role in one of the major storylines and each play out with deft pacing and wit. Shameless has always been quite good but with this season it becomes plain brilliant. This is Shameless at its absolute best. Showtime’s remake of the UK original has really set itself apart from its predecessor with its own distinct style and direction. This was the season that Shameless broke that glass ceiling and became something truly special.
Visuals and Audio The derelict streets of poor-mans Chicago is quite the setting for a TV series and it is one that Shameless uses to the fullest. The dingy back alleys and the overlooking railway that serves as backdrop for much of the series gives a real sense of place to Shameless. The city of Chicago at times feels like a character in and of itself. The wild antics that take place on these streets is unforgettable and a lot of that has to do with the aesthetic the city provides the show with.
As for the soundtrack, Shameless implements a great musical arrangement composing of some plucky rock tracks and some fist in the air punk rock tunes. It is the perfect blend for a series like this that revels so greatly in the rage of the little guy. The shouting and roaring guitar riffs are exactly the right tone for this show.
Extras Warner Bros have done a great job with this release for Shameless season 3. This release comes bundled with every episode of season 3 across 3 discs. On top of that there is an incredible amount of special features and bonus content including 6 featurettes an some awesome unaired scenes. It is one hell of a jam-packed DVD release and well worth the price of admission.
Overall Shameless season 3 takes the series to new heights. Not only is the drama more tense and emotional than ever but the comedy is at its all time best. Shameless gets smarter with each passing episode and it is all underscored by some genuine human emotion. The reason why Shameless works on so many levels is that it focuses on human emotion at its most raw. The things that make us all human, flaws and all, that is why it doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, the story of the dysfunctional Gallagher family is one that connects us all.
Warner Bros release of the 3rd season is an admirable effort that is more than worth the price tag for fans of the series. If you’re looking to collect the series, then this is definitely one to add to your collection. Shameless season 3 is an achievement for this dark comedy and the one that takes the giant leap from being a pretty good TV series to being a great one. Showtime have a hit on their hands and the 3rd season is the best one yet. Shameless is just plain addictive fun. While the Gallagher’s may be living crappily ever after, it is shameless entertainment at its finest.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Valve, the incredibly successful company behind first-person shooterLeft 4 Dead and Steam, of course, recently announced that they would be coming out with custom hardware that are currently known as “Steam Machines.” Along with the computer hardware itself, Valve also unveiled the Steam Controller. Now it appears that controller has an updated design, as you can see in the picture above.
Steam Dev Days is currently going on and, apparently, Valve is still rolling out new prototypes for their planned hardware. The original prototype, which shipped with the Steam Machine beta, featured a four quadrant touch pad and A, B, X, and Y buttons. As some developers have started to leak to social media, however, it appears the new controller has done away with the three buttons below the touchpad.
The original Steam Controller design
According to reports from conference attendees, the new prototype is currently on-hand and playable in some form. Valve plans to release the Steam Controller sometime this summer as the new Steam Machines make their way to the public as well.
Today Tecmo Koei has released some new English screenshots for Atelier Escha & Logy: Alechemists of the Dusk Sky and boy are there a lot of them. We have put forty of the screenshots below but if you want to check out all one hundred and sixty eight images available you can head over to the official Atelier Facebook Page.
Currently Tecmo Koei is planning on releasing the PS3 exclusive Atelier Escha & Logy: Alechemists of the Dusk Sky in North America on March 11th while gamers in Europe will get it a few days earlier on March 7th.
Overview Title Bout Championship Boxing was an original title released in 2008. Out Of The Park Development has since moved their focus onto their other games, mainly their baseball management simulation. After being sold to P.I.S.D. Ltd., Title Bout Championship Boxing 2013 is now fully available on the PC, Mac, Linux, and mobile platforms. The game doesn’t boast insane graphics or state-of-the-art controls and mechanics, but it does hit the spot for all you boxing aficionado’s who would like to recreate the greatest boxing fights in history or to see what would happen if you could let your favorite boxers duke it out with other boxers during their prime.
Gameplay The game does not disappoint on its boxing knowledge and content. Right off the bat, you are given the options to several different game modes and options. The game revolves around setting up situations and match-ups to see how certain boxers do against others. There’s no face punching or button mashing in TBCB. Instead, players will watch their boxers engage in a fight while watching from the sidelines as you read about anything from who took a punch and how the crowd is reacting to the boxers. There are over 6,000 different boxers to choose from, and each one of them have their own biographies, unique stats, and photos to accompany it. You can find any boxer on it, regardless of whether they were one of the more popular boxers or one of the lesser known ones. The game includes a huge variety of names of boxers, but that’s not all. The name of referees, announcers, ring girls, and judges were also included and can be chosen during certain games.
The game really goes into creating an immersive experience for its player. While it may be daunting to get started with the game, it makes more sense once you get used to the style of the game and what the objective is for. The possibilities in the game are endless and it is sure to provide boxing fans and simulation game enthusiasts hours of fun as they try to mix and match certain boxers to see what will happen. Ever wanted to see what a Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao fight would look like? Well now it’s possible thanks for TBCB. The simulation aspects of the game is possibly one of its best features, with the other being its huge variety of boxers, refs, judges, and ring girls to choose from. I found myself at the edge of my seat as I watched two boxers that I had chosen at random duke it out in the ring. The crowd has an effect on the character, and if they start cheering for one, it’s noticeable on how they fight.
One of my personal quips is that the game is way too difficult for new players who are unfamiliar with boxing. The game doesn’t properly explain everything and it may leave some bad taste in your mouth after you’ve tried it. For example, the referees and judges have their own personal rating and scores, but how does that correlate with the match? Without a tutorial that introduces the different aspects of the game, I found myself floundering around the menus and options, searching for a clue that would explain to me what I was doing. The game is focused on hardcore boxing lovers, people who understand the huge amounts of information being placed in front of them. I personally have never been a huge boxing fan, and it took me a while to really understand what I was doing and why I was doing it. With so much information all packed into the simulation game, some of which may seem a little confusing at first to people who do not understand boxing, the game may seem a little frustrating at first. Veterans of the Title Bout Championship Boxing 2.5 version will have no problem acclimating themselves to this newer game, but for new users who want to set up fights between legendary boxers, you might have some difficulty.
Visuals and Audio The visuals of the game is nothing to go crazy about. The menu pages looks like you’re entering a gym as you select your game file. You’ll then be taken to a locker room setting where you’re given your different options for game modes. The look is hugely improved from the older version of TBCB. During fights, the boxers on your screen will always be the generic fighters, regardless of what boxer you choose. Occasionally, they’ll make moves or jab at their opponent, a feature that helps keep you engaged while you’re paying close attention to what’s happening.
Where TBCB really shines is in its audio. The sounds of punches being thrown and the crowd cheering at all the right moments really create a feeling like you’re at a boxing ring. Every time a boxer lands a good punch, the crowd cheers and you can feel the fight get more intense. The audio really brings the game together and helps draw attention away from certain downfalls of the title.
Overall Title Bout Championship Boxing 2013 is an interesting simulation game that provides just about everything a boxing enthusiast needs to create the boxing match of his or her dream. While the simulation aspects of the game were great, it misses its mark on user-friendliness. The game has great replay value for its price ($19.99 for two game codes), and is well worth taking a look at. For players unfamiliar with boxing, don’t be put off with the games steep learning curve. It takes a little time to get used to the game and find all the nooks and crannies, but it does become a great little game to play once you figure it all out.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Capsule Computers and Groupees are teaming up once again to release a new indie bundle. For a minimum purchase of $1.00, buyers can snag a copy of the following games:
For a minimum purchase of $4.00, buyers will also receive:
Ravensword: Shadowlands by Crescent Moon Games
Storm over the Pacific by Wastelands Interactive
A.R.E.S.: Extinction Agenda by Extend Interactive
Haegemonia Gold by Digital Reality
The games come as a variety of Steam keys, DRM-free downloads, and Desura keys. As bundles are sold, special bonuses including more games will be unlocked. The first bonus is already available for all buyers, Rise of the Ravager. Purchase your copy of the Capsule Computers Groupees Indie Bundle 3 here!
Overview The unknown, the mysteries, the unproven – these are the things that get busted in the wonderful world of Mythbusters. These curious blokes and one lovely lady, set out to bust the world’s greatest myths and of course blow things up if they have the chance. That is where the appeal of Mythbusters lies, in the questions we all want answered, the mysteries we want solved. That is the hook that has taken Mythbusters through 8 seasons, if there is a myth to be busted, these guys are ready and willing. So now in its eighth season, how does it weigh in? Are the myths still as intriguing? Does bustin’ still make you feel good? Yes it does.
Story After 8 seasons many TV programs would be running on fumes, the hook that brought them to the game would no doubt be strained and tired, worn after seasons of episodes filled with creative content. But in the case of Mythbusters things just keep on getting better.
They keep on finding more and more insane myths to bust and more creative ways to go about them. Who would’ve thought that they could still be so good after so long? Well the Mythbusters are that damn good and this season may just be the best yet.
With a plethora of intriguing myths to be busted in this season there are some real stand-out episodes. Namely the Breaking Bad special and the Deadliest Catch special. More so the Breaking Bad special which follows the Mythbusters crew as they try to prove or disprove some of the series most mind boggling moments.
In particular they tackle the ‘This is not meth’ scene and the acid bathtub scene. If you’re a fan of Breaking Bad you’d likely recall both scenes quite well and would be interested to see them play out in a real-life platform. Mythbusters does just that in what is perhaps one of their best episodes to date. The episode even features special guests Aaron Paul and Vince Gilligan of Breaking Bad fame.
All around this is a great season of Mythbusters, in fact it features several of the series greatest episodes to date. It bares repeating that this is a simply phenomenal effort on the part of the entire Mythbusters team. To still be able to crank out such creative content after 8 seasons is truly impressive.
Whether it be the Breaking Bad episode, the Halloween special or even the crazy Deadliest Catch episode, this is one hell of a season of Mythbusters. There is so much variety on show here, it is utterly astonishing how much one episode can vary from the next but still feel so inter-connected. It is one of Mythbusters finest qualities. It is like a chameleon in many ways, each episode is highly distinct and each myth unique and intriguing in its own ways. That is what makes this show so interesting, you never know what myth they will solve next.
This is a great pick-up for any Mythbusters fan. Beyond Entertainment’s release covers 5 discs of episodes from the 8th season including episode 200 of the series. If you’re a Mythbusters fan this is a must-have, this is one of the best seasons of the series to date and is a real highlight of what this series is all about and what it can achieve at its best. It is compelling, engaging and involving television that will no doubt have you hooked from start to finish.
Visuals and Audio As far as visuals go, Mythbusters has a very traditional variety doco style to it. Its a fun little style of cinematography that works great with the style of program that Mythbusters is. The setting for the show can vary quite often depending upon the episode, however most of the myths they solve are performed on site at the Mythbusters studio, which by and large just looks like a grungy warehouse at times. It gives Mythbusters a nitty gritty feel that does actually work really well in the shows favour.
The soundtrack for the series is great to say the least. It features the classic Sharp Dressed Man as the unforgettable theme song of the series and a plethora of other incidental tracks that carry the action on screen from scene to scene. It all works quite well and rounds out a great quality production through and through.
Extras In terms of extras, Beyond Entertainment have actually included several bonus features in this very special collection of the 8th season of Mythbusters. Not only does it feature 15 episodes of the season, it also features some great extra scenes and even some after show specials to add to the content of the episodes. All of this spans across 5 discs of content, making for what is one of Beyond Entertainment’s best releases to date.
Overall What Mythbusters accomplishes with this phenomenal 8th season of television is incredible. It is almost unheard of for a series to remain so fresh and captivating after so long on the air. Yet somehow, someway, Mythbusters does just that. In fact it has gotten even better. The scale of the myths is bigger, the way they solve them has become even more creative and the show has become all the more fun because of it.
This release is jam-packed with content including some awesome special features that will undoubtedly delight Mythbusters fans. This is a superb release of a superb season of television and an absolute must-have for die-hard Mythbusters fans. If you’re new to the series this is also a great starting point, the myths featured here are very interesting, with no dull episode in sight. This is the epitome of what Mythbusters accomplishes as a TV series and if you’re looking for a spot of fun, why not get down to bustin’ with the guys who do it best. Mythbusters season 8 is must-see TV.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
John Travolta spotted auditioning for the latest Alien movie
Space☆Dandy Episode 2 – The Search for the Phantom Space Ramen, Baby
Oh boy, what a week of anime it has been. Last week, I was adamant that Space Dandy would be the anime that blew us all away this winter season, but now that the competition has had a chance to reveal itself, I could find myself eating my words very soon. Every single one of my winter picks had a fantastic first episode, even No-Rin which was an anime that I had hoped would be good rather than basing that assumption on any solid knowledge. Undoubtedly, Space Dandy’s first episode was a sight to behold as well, but with its lack of direction and reliance on pure charm instead of substance it could be not long until Space Dandy begins to slip off of the radar. So, the question on everybody’s lips is, did Space Dandy’s second episode make enough of a splash to keep it in our sights?
Wait… So you’re telling me those are real?
On paper, if I were to tell you that I was underwhelmed by this episode, you would say I was crazy. On the hunt for an alien worth a hefty bounty, Space Dandy and his crew scoured the universe in search of a fabled bowl of ramen whose taste was out of this dimension. After evading the constant attacks by soldiers of the Gogol Empire, they eventually found the ramen they were looking for. Where did it come from I hear you ask? The Ramen Dimension… Just take a second to soak that in… A dimension literally made of ramen, found at the end of a wormhole in the back of a dirty restaurant floating in the middle of space. Only in Space Dandy.
The Ramen Nebula, a hungry student’s paradise
Ordinarily, that sort of unpredictable, wacky escapade would have me rolling with laughter, but disappointingly not a lot of the jokes landed in this episode. Not only that, but unlike the first episode, I went into this one expecting a pretty radical level of obscenity which dulled the sheen that made episode 1 so special. That is not to say that this episode was not as charming as before if anything the extra screentime given to characters we had only briefly examined before improved the overall feel of the episode, but I worry that there is only so far this anime can go riding on madness alone. Much like I get bored of anime that thrive off of moe with no plot, I can see myself becoming tired of this formula pretty quickly if it doesn’t offer me some sort of substance soon.
Selfies – Given new life after the great duckface rebellion 2133
Of the jokes that did land though, I found their use of modern day social satire in a futuristic setting extremely intelligent and well observed. I loved how Space Dandy and his crew kept getting caught by the Gogol Empire because Meow kept tweeting their location and not realising that one of his followers was Dr Gel’s assistant. Even in the future it seems that you can’t go two seconds without seeing somebody posting a low angle shot of their latest delicious meal on Instagram. Of course, the stupidity didn’t stop there as we found out that The Gogol Empire were using ‘Galaxy Street View’ to try and locate a single man. Well, that’s the price you pay for hiring a gorilla as the general of your army I suppose. Wait a second… Google… Gogol… Street View… Is the Gogol Empire meant to be Google in the future? If so, then who are The Jaicro Empire meant to be? Microsoft? Let’s hope we find out soon or else my conspiracy theories will just sounds like the ramblings of a mad man.
After defeating The Powerpuff Girls, Mojo Jojo struck gold in the top hat industry
The jury is still out about whether Space Dandy will be the holy saviour of anime that people were hyping it to be. I believe that it has the potential to become something of a classic, but thus far we’re already starting to see cracks appearing. The formula of an action-heavy slice of life style anime in space is something new that I’m not entirely sure I’m comfortable with yet and I can already feel my interest fading which is something that needs to be addressed in the next couple of episodes. I want to know more about why Space Dandy is being chased by the Gogol Empire, who Scarlet is, who Space Dandy is, and most importantly, why this jumpsuit wearing idiot is the key to the universe? All things considered, episode 2 was a shaky second episode at best. For the sake of the anime that I embraced with such excitement, I hope that episode 3 rekindles the fire that episode 1 left in my heart. Until then.
NA NA NA NAAA, you got a ramen!
Space Dandy is simulcasting in both subbed and dubbed formats and can be found airing on Adult Swim’s Toonami block or streaming on FUNimation in the US. UK viewers can catch it streaming on Wakanimand Australian viewers can catch it streaming on Madman with new episodes – both subbed and dubbed – up on the Madman Screening Room each Monday, at 1am AEDT.
For more impressions of winter’s best and worst, head over to our Anime Impressions page.
Across Age 2 Developer: FDG Entertainment GmbH & Co.KG Publisher:FDG Entertainment Platforms: iOS (iPhone/iPad) – Reviewed on iPhone Release Date: 16th January 2014 Price: $4.49 – Available Here
Overview Look, I’m just going to come right out and say it, time travel is a dangerous game. Bad guys love to use it as a way to get the most out of their lives of evil and extend their dastardly ways. That being said, good guys generally make the quantum leap themselves and wind up saving the days. So when the land is destined to descend into an eventual hell, the future must seek aid from the past, which is technically the present…Oh boy.
What time is it? Perilous Time Quest Time!
Story Having previously defeated the evil Ardeal and subsequently saving the entirety of history, Ales and Ceska have returned to their regular, less dramatic lives. However, after returning from a voyage, Ales learns that Ceska has gone missing after going to inspect a mysterious pillar of light that appeared close to the castle. Naturally he runs to her aid and thus begins the next quest to save the land in perpetuity.
In a not too distant future, a tyrannical King has taken the throne and condemned his citizens to lives of fear and servitude. As with every evil force, a Rebllion sprang forth to contest them. Knowing that there was no way to defeat the powerful King, Rebel solder Lily decides to travel back in time and challenge a younger, hopefully weaker, version of the ruler. Barelling through the tunnels of time, she finds herself face to face with our brave heroes, who themselves have already begun fighting monsters who have mysteriously appeared the land. However, it would seem that Ales and Ceska have an interesting connection to the events of the future and so, with the help of Lily, they must themselves leap forward in time and attempt to put right that which has gone wrong.
Naturally as a plot focused on two different timelines, events in game will occur in tandem. Alternating between the past/present and future/present, Ales and allies must brave the perils of their respective worlds. As they explore the land as it will be, twists and turns aplenty reveal the truth and force our heroes to shift focus from one enemy to another. Apparently with history changed, evil still remains…in the future. Either way as the characters relationships shift, they learn to ultimately trust each other’s judgement and clear a few misconceptions that they bared. Characters pasts are also slowly revealed, shedding some light on their actions and providing a glimpse into their psyche.
An evil yet to rise
Gameplay Just as its predecessor, Across Age 2 plays like and old school 16-bit JRPG. With its top down view and segmented landscapes, you’ll be able to jump right into the action without having to learn an overly complex control system. The game utilises simple touch controls, a joystick button for movement, a singular attack button, not too complicated. The early stages of the game also includes timely tutorials for the basic game elements, just in case you’ve forgotten, or never played the first game. That being said, the controls can be a bit finicky at times. In the midst of combat, it can be difficult to correctly orient yourself, leading to a number of missed attacks and uneccessary damage. Due to the joysticks close proximity to the left character tile, it is also entirely possible to accidentally change characters. Luckily, there is an option to move the joystick up or down the left of the screen, alleviating this problem should you have it.
As the game focuses on the next arc of Ales and Ceska’s lives, Across Age 2 features a two person team system. At any point during play, you are able to switch control between both characters, making use of their unique skills. As the classic swordsman, Ales possess a number of powerful, but ultimately close range, attack. Ceska serves opposite, in that her magical attacks possess an incredible range but lack in stopping power. She is also granted a wide variety of spells, each carrying a different elemental property. Whilst these are inherently effective, they are also utilitarian in nature. Unlocked over the course of the game, her new skills coincidentally allow her and Ales to proceed past an obstacle that was blocking them just moments prior. Talk about lucky. When physical objects, such as ledges and gaps, block the heroes path, Ales is able to lift his partner and throw her. Performing such a task will separate the team dynamic and force control of Ceska, who will operate independently from Ales until the two physically cross paths once more.
Those are some powerful candles
The combat system of game is also connected to the teamwork mentality of the heroes. As with any game, monsters possess their own strengths and weaknesses. Boiled down to the basics, the creatures of Across Age are generally able to resist either Ales’ sword or Ceska’s magic. As such, you will need to constantly alternate between them, lest you find yourself in a slow, drawn out fight. The creatures themselves also follow a similar division of skills, being either a magic caster or physical attacker, so pay attention to their range. When the fighting escalates, the game also has a propensity to lag slightly, generally when a number of enemies die or attacks fly in rapid succession. While not a major problem, it can be slightly annoying when being swarmed.
As an RPG, the one of the core features of the game is improving your character. As you defeat the monsters that roam the land, you will receive experience that is helpfully divided between both members of the team, complimenting the previously mentioned “switch out” nature of the combat. Tap into your inner treasure hunter and open every chest you stumble across, netting yourself some sweet gear in the process. Naturally, as you progress through the game, the gear will steadily become better, allowing you to cast aside all of your old possessions…or pawn it all for cash. Ah, the journey of a hero.
But no matter what you do, just don’t forget to manually save your progress, lest you meet with the greatest horror of RPGs: lost data. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Ever the perceptive champion
Visuals As previously mentioned, the game fashions itself after some of the classic RPGs and opts for a 16-bit style. This serves to add a little retro flare to the game, harking back to days gone by. Kind of appropriate for a game centralised around time travel. The game itself is also not visually busy, with even multiple monsters appearing relatively spaced apart, serving to give it a very “clean” look.
When the inevitable dialogue sequences occur, the textboxes are accompanied by anime style stills of each character, if their important enough to deserve one that is. Again a classic RPG element, its inclusion definitely serves to keep interest in the events that transpire and break up the visuals. In a similar vein, certain crucial plot moments will also receive their very own cutscene. As opposed to full blown animation, these scenes comprise of stills that express key moments, such as the majesty of teleportation. Once again, this serves to provide interesting new visuals and prevent a lack of interest, and acting as something to look forward to, as the gameplay hours wear on.
Hint Hint
Audio Probably the most surprising element of the game is just how awesome the music is. Rather unexpectedly, the game employs an electric guitar for a major portion of its soundtrack. Appearing during the more intense moments, such as combat, it adds an element of intensity to the gameplay by breaking up the usual music. When not engaged in life or death battle, the game opts for the more traditional adventurer tunes, produced by flutes and pianos. Those typical upbeat sounds that just make you want to explore the world and become stronger. Speaking of which, you’ll also become very familiar with a particular musical cue that plays each time a chest is opened. The sound will come to mean good things for you, heralding bountiful discoveries such as swords, armour and accessories…or an apple. Which is still pretty good, I guess.
The introductory sequence, which serves as a recap of the previous game’s events, is also fully voiced. Though the voices cease after this, it provides an element of depth to the game, showing that the characters are complete in their own right and have voices of their own, even if we don’t get the chance to hear them.
Honestly, is the map necessary?
Overall Across Age 2 is a very solid RPG experience. One of the surprisingly in depth experiences on the iOS, the game is, in essence, a role playing game at its core. Devoid of the flashy visuals and sounds of current titles, it instead opts for the old school simplicity of 16-bit, something it does well. The games inclusion of a vibration feature was also rather cool, adding yet another element of depth to the experience. Though the controls can sometimes be a tad difficult to utilise, these problems may be alleviated by the use of the iPad’s larger screen or the iOS 7 controller, with which the game is compatible. Overall, Across Age 2 is an awesome RPG experience that any fan of the genre, and iOS titles, should play. In a world of complex plots and high tech visuals, sometimes its nice to have a break and go back to the core elements that make a game fun. Like searching for treasure chests. It’s the simple things in life.
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