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Velocity Ultra Review

December 30, 2013

Velocity Ultra
Developer: Curve Studios, FuturLab
Publisher: Curve Studios
Platform: PS Vita, Windows (Reviewed)
Release Date: 12 December 2013
Price: $9.99 USD – Available Here (Windows)

Overview

Velocity Ultra is a shoot ‘em up puzzler by Curve Studios (Stealth Inc.) and FuturLab (Coconut Dodge). Players will fly a Quarp Jet capable of teleporting around in space as they rescue stranded crew members, fight their way through dangerous enemies, and solve devious puzzles. The game is currently comprised of fifty levels.

Story

Players take on the role of the lead test pilot for the new Quarp Jet sent out on a rescue mission to save a nation’s stranded people after the death of the star Vilio knocks out all the electronics in Toron in a mighty electromagnetic blast. The pilot must now race against a quickly collapsing star and fight through opportunistic enemies seeking to profit from the misery.

The story is told through small comic based cut-scene between levels. I did not find the story particularly gripping or interesting. The plot mostly gave a vague reason on why the pilot was out rescuing people and why the Quarp Jet received upgrades, but the plot quickly faded into the background once the game started.

Gameplay

Although people would be forgiven for assuming Velocity Ultra is just another shoot ‘em up based on the screenshots, Velocity Ultra is actually much slower paced versus classic examples of the genre like Ikaruga and 1942. The slower pace allows players a chance to react to the puzzle aspects of the game. The Quarp Jet is capable of two types of teleportation, a short ranged teleport around the screen and a longer ranged teleport to bases dropped by the jet at an earlier time. The short ranged teleportation will be used to reach normally inaccessible areas while the long ranged teleportation device is used to solve the many puzzles littered throughout the game. Often times, the puzzles involve hitting a variety of colour coded switches in numerical order in order to unlock areas defended by a laser shield. Players are ranked based on how quickly they can plough through the level and how many stranded people they can rescue.

Currently there are fifty levels in Velocity Ultra. The levels break down into a couple mission types, “Search + Rescue,” “Hostile Forces,” “Critical Urgency,” and some combination of the three. “Search + Rescue” is the standard mission type that will have players teleporting around to solve puzzles as they collect survivors. “Hostile Forces” will pit the Quarp Jet’s weapons against enemies while “Critical Urgency” will give players an extremely small amount of time to navigate to the end of the map. The puzzles are not too challenging, the main difficulty comes in doing them quickly with the fewest teleports required. The game takes the learning curve very slow, not introducing the long range teleports until almost half way into the game. I enjoyed the mix of puzzle and shoot ‘em up gameplay, though I found the “Critical Urgency” levels to be the weakest. The game is at its best when navigating puzzles while fighting oncoming enemies.

Velocity Ultra is best enjoyed with a controller. The mouse and keyboard will work just fine, though the controller allows for more precise flying while the mouse and keyboard allows for more precise teleporting. I found the short range teleporting felt a bit awkward in the beginning. It took quite a bit of time to get used to, especially with the controller. The teleportation crosshair shoots out from the ship, which was a bit of a shock as I found myself naturally expecting the crosshair to appear from the centre of the screen.

Visuals

Velocity Ultra’s graphics is a nice blend of retro styling with modern high resolution graphics. Fans of shoot ‘em ups will be right at home with the sci-fi top down graphics. The comics that serve to forward the story in Velocity Ultra are lovely to look at and are frankly, much more interesting than the actual plot itself.

Audio

The audio in Velocity Ultra are much like the graphics as they are heavily inspired by retro arcade and shoot ‘em up tracks. They are not chiptunes and 8-bit sound effects by any means, but those of us who grew up on titles like 1942 will feel right at home playing Velocity Ultra. My biggest complaint is the soundtrack is a little thin. There are only a small handful of tracks and I would have appreciated a greater variety of music.

Overall

Velocity Ultra is an interesting game. It is the antithesis of the classic fast paced shoot ‘em up, opting for a more thoughtful pace. The game has a great modernized retro arcade feel. However, the story feels a bit like wallpaper than a gripping plot. At $9.99, the game has good replay value for those competitive spirits who desire their names on the tops of leader boards. Those who are looking to play the game once may find Velocity Ultra a bit on the short side. It is definitely worth a try for shoot ‘em up fans looking for a new take on the genre.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Fast Fin Review

Matthew Vella

December 29, 2013

Fast Fin Review
Publisher: Nurogames
Developer: Nurogames
Platforms: iPhone (reviewed), iPad
Release Date: 18/12/2013
Price: $1.99 (Available Here)

Overview

Honestly it’s starting to feel like exactly 50% of the app store is nothing but endless runner-type games these days, which can be both a gift and a curse for developers. On one hand competition is fierce and a game can be easily lost within an endless sea of titles that play very similarly, but on the other hand this encourages creativity and innovation in order to stand out. While this has led to some awesome games that involve a lot of creativity, most end up as terrible cash-ins or not even worth your time. Think I was just cramming in a lot of links into that sentence? Those are just some of the examples of endless runner titles I’ve reviewed this year I can remember off the top of my head. That doesn’t count many others, regardless of how terrible or successful they may be throughout 2013, and don’t get me started on that awful Iron Man 3 cash-in despite what other people may think. Now don’t get me wrong I love these type of games, Temple Run 2 was my favourite mobile game of 2012, and Jetpack Joyride was easily one of my favourites in 2011. What I’m getting at is to stand out of the crowd in this genre you need to be filled with creativity and character, both of which Fast Fin is seriously lacking.

Gameplay

If you’ve played a side-scrolling endless runner you’ll know exactly what you’re in for. Players control a character who is constantly moving forward and you must dodge obstacles along the way while collecting collectables and powers ups which can also be upgraded in the store in between levels. If you’re lacking in funds, you can gain more currency through challenges and in-app purchases as well. In the case of Fast Fin, you control a fish as it swims through the ocean, if you’re too slow you’ll be killed by toxic waste. The trick for controls here is that besides always moving forward our fishy protagonist is always moving upwards, so by tapping on the screen he’ll move downwards. Both a story mode which contains nine stages and also a survival mode are present, as well as daily rewards for playing, and that pretty much sums up the entire game. There’s no core gimmick or attempt to make the gameplay any different from other titles, and there isn’t really any challenge until the later levels. While the generic core gameplay elements are there and solid, there isn’t any fun to be found as the developer hasn’t even attempted to do much to keep players interested. Honestly the only real positive things I can say about it is that the game hasn’t crashed on me or showed any signs of bugs.

Audio & Visual

Visuals are yet another missed opportunity as ocean life looks incredibly lifeless. Animations usually involve little to no movement and rely on mostly static images. The toxic waste that is chasing you is static along with a toxic barrel which is also still, and schools of fish in the background are motionless as well. If it wasn’t for the protagonist being a fish and a few reminders here-and-there, you wouldn’t even know this game takes place in the ocean. Colours are vibrant and character design is ok, but none of that really matters when everything sits so perfectly still. If I was playing this on a Gameboy Colour it’d be acceptable, but on an iPhone 5 it feels like a joke. What good is Retina Display if the pictures barely move? Furthermore audio is also a disappointment, with generic trumpet music on an annoying loop that doesn’t even seem to match the mood of the game. It sounds like the atmosphere for a marching band in a parade, not like a fish swimming away for it’s life and trying to save it’s missing eggs. It appears Nurogames have decided to go for the bare minimum once again.

Overall

Fast Fin feels like a rushed title that has had little-to-no effort put into it. The game is solid but lacks any form of originality or creativity, as if the developer has purposely tried to make the most generic endless runner possible. Animations are almost non-existent and gameplay is incredibly basic. What’s upsetting is that Nurogames seem like they have the potential to develop some quality titles but with this one it’s like they didn’t even want to try. Better luck next time guys.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Just Cause 2: Multiplayer Wins 2013 Mod of the Year

Amelia Craigie

December 29, 2013

The year is coming to an end, so lets look at the highlights of 2013 before we jump in to the 2014 gaming world. The Mod DB’s 2013 Mod of the Year has been chosen by 141,000 players casting their votes online. Gamers chose the mod that best transformed already amazing games into something different, quirky and better. This year it is hard to deny the universal praise for the multiplayer addition to the action-adventure game Just Cause 2.

The final top 10 winners are as follows, but check out the full results on the Mod DB website:

10. Skyrim: Wyrmstooth
9. Fallout: Project Brazil
8. A Clash of Kings
7. Crusader Kings 2: Thrones
6. Underhell
5. Project Reality: Battlefield 2
4. Brutal Doom
3. Rise of the Reds
2. No More Room in Hell
1. Just Cause 2: Multiplayer

Kakei no Alice Manga Set to Launch in January

Kane Bugeja

December 29, 2013

Kakei no Alice Manga Set to Launch in January

Kakei-no-Alice-01 — **Family reunions can be murder**

Manga creator Kaori Yuki’s newest project, entitled Kakei no Alice, is set to launch in the March issue of Kodansha‘s ARIA magazine. That being said, the issue itself will actually be released by the manga provider on January 28th, so not too long of a wait.

The manga focuses on a high school girl named Stella, who was born into the wealthy Kuonji family. Each month, the family holds a little event known as the Tea Party. However, this time, things play out a little differently. Everything changes when somebody reveals the true purpose behind the gathering of the Kuonji siblings: “Starting now, everyone will kill each other. The person left alive will become the head of the family.”

Stay tuned as more information on this series, and its interesting take on family reunions, is revealed. Stella’s killing game begins.

First Black Bullet Anime Promo Streamed

Kane Bugeja

December 29, 2013

Black-Bullet-01 — **The ammunition of resistance**

The official site for the new Kinema Citrus anime adaptation of Shiden Kanzaki’s Black Bullet manga has begun streaming its first promotional video for the series, set to air in April 2014.

Black Bullet revolves around the high-schooler Rentarō, a young man with the mysterious ability to fight against the Gastrea, a race of viral parasites. The story describes Rentarō’s actions in a not too distant future, in an age where humans must fight to survive.

Cast:
Yuukai Kaji as Rentaro Satomi
Rina Hidaka as Enju Aihara
Rikiya Koyama as Kagetane Hiruko
Aoi Yuki ad Kohina Hiruko
Yui Horie as Kisara Tendo
Yuko Kaida as Sumire Muruto
Tomoyo Kurosawa as Tina Sprout
Aki Toyosaki as Seitenshi

Staff:
Director: Masayuki Kojima (Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, The Piano Forest)
Scripts: Tatsuhiko Urahata (Saki Episode of Side A, Cardfight!! Vanguard)
Character Designer: Chiho Umishima
Music Composer: Shiro Sagisu (Bleach, Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Sound Director: Yo Yamada (The Garden of Words, Penguindrum)

For even more information on the series, visit the official site. Check out the promo video below and, while you’re at it, take a look at the newly released images of the main cast. Eradicate the virus.

Kick(starter) It Up a Notch with Kung Fury

James Mapley

December 29, 2013

Let me tell you a story. A story in which a renegade cop hacks his way back through time to defeat kung-fu Hitler. A story featuring the hero fighting alongside Thor while riding a dinosaur and kicking an army of evil Nazi soldiers into a new millennia. No, I am not high, nor am I pitching you my latest terrible Back to the Future fan fiction. I am letting you in on what looks like hands down the greatest movie of all time, Kung Fury.

Set firmly in the foundations of 80’s cop movies, Kung Fury is a crazy, retro patchwork of madness, sewn by the mad hivemind that is Swedish studio, Laser Unicorns. Having just reached its funding goal of $200,000 on Kickstarter after just 24 hours, which is incredibly impressive I might add, Kung Fury is due to simultaneously blow the minds of everyone on Earth in November 2014.

You have just under a month to empty your bank accounts into this movie’s Kickstarter and secure some of the awesome and surprisingly reasonably priced tier rewards so make sure to head over to their Kickstarter, or check out their Facebook for more behind the scenes photos. Click on the trailer below to see the madness for yourself!

Microsoft Releases Three Classic Games for Windows Phones

Chris Chu

December 29, 2013

If you’ve ever enjoyed games like Microsoft Minesweeper, Microsoft Solitaire, or Microsoft Mahjong, you’re in luck. Microsoft has just announced that the three classic PC games will be available for free on the Windows store on all Window 8 platforms.

The games have been redesigned to appeal to the users of these new generation devices. If you acquire these games on Xbox One or 360, you’ll have the ability to complete achievements, play with your friends, and access your own personal stats for each of these games. You’ll also be able to pause and resume your games on a dime.

Make sure you check the games out and rekindle that past love for these great time-killers.

CC Guide for Gamers on New Year’s Eve 2013

Vicky Martin

December 28, 2013

CC Guide for Gamers on New Year’s Eve 2013

As the end of 2013 is soon approaching, it is of great importance that gamers plan ahead for the New Year’s Eve celebration. Capsule Computers have constructed a resourceful guide for ending this year in-game.

Console Wars: It is important for players to choose consoles suited to their gaming preferences, rather than deciding on new consoles based on overall ratings and success. That being said, next-gen consoles (Wii U, Xbox One, PS4) are not the only options for gamers to end this year with. Don’t forget about the long-standing consoles (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and even the Gamecube), that redefine the importance of childhood for players.

GOTY: Based on the Game of the Year Nominees, there have been a vast range of exceptional games that have made 2013 a memorable year. Be proud to remember the most highly anticipated title, The Last of Us, the remarkable expansion of Pokémon X & Y and many more exclusive games this year. Before 2014, players should challenge themselves to complete one of the nominated games from each category.

Single vs. Multiplayer: Usually the game determines whether players can switch between solo and companion mode. For New Year’s Eve, players are advised to change their style of gameplay (if their games permits it) to explore all components of the endless gaming world.

Take on the challenges in the CC Guide for NYE and to all fellow gamers, have an amazing new year!

Ace of Diamond Episode 11 Impressions

Luke Halliday

December 28, 2013

Ace of Diamond
Episode 11 – Chris to the Field

I don’t think there is any question about it anymore. With this episode, Ace of Diamond may very well have just become the best sports anime of 2013. It is almost too good to believe. How is it that a sports anime can be so real and down to earth yet all the while reach out of this world heights? This is one hell of a roller coaster ride of an anime and it is undoubtedly a different breed of a sports anime. What we are witnessing here is something truly special, unfortunately something this great is still criminally overlooked by the anime community at large.

This is the episode that the entire series has been building to. Every plot point, every character note, it all has been heading to this fateful moment, the moment when Chris gets called onto the field. That’s right, much like I speculated last week, Chris was allowed to play and on top of that he even got to form one hell of a battery with his student Eijun. It is stuff like this that made many sports anime fans fall in love with the genre. The moment of triumph against all odds, the turning of the tides, a comeback of epic proportions.

After floundering for a number of pitches, Eijun’s new technique clearly still needs some honing. Regardless of that, he has come quite far in such a short time, so much so that even Coach Kataoka takes notice. Eijun is turning heads one way or another and despite not getting a single strike out, its clear that he is being noticed. Its not until Coach Kataoka makes a fateful decision to switch out Ono in place of Chris. Quickly Chris turns the entire game around with a game plan that can only be described as the work of an ace. At heart, Chris is a true ace and within minutes unites the entire team under his battery with Eijun.

Having turned the tides of the match all the while allowing each and every player the chance to show their stuff, Ace of Diamond leaves us hanging at a critical moment in the game. The boys at Seidou are mounting their comeback, but the question still looms overhead, is Chris’ injury healed or not? I’m not sure how much his injury will come into play as the game progresses, but I get the sense that things won’t go so smoothly. The game hinges on the fundamental chemistry between Eijun and Chris but the wild card of Chris’ injury still remains. Whether or not it even comes into play is anyone’s guess.

Ultimately this was the episode that solidified what I’ve believed for quite some time now. Ace of Diamond is an incredible anime series. It is character driven which is in and of itself is rare in the sports genre. Rather than focusing on game after game, we see the inner working of this team and their dynamics as players and people. This isn’t just about winning or losing, this is about these character’s hopes, dreams and passions.

That is what really sets Ace of Diamond apart, it is all about the characters and it has more than its fair share of memorable ones. It goes without saying that Chris is one of the best characters in anime this year. His story arc and growth as a character has been beautiful to say the very least. In fact he is such a well-developed character that one could imagine a spin-off based on the character. That is how important the story of Chris has become to Ace of Diamond and how pivotal his connection with Eijun is.

Ace of Diamond just gets better and better with each passing week. The journey we have taken with these characters has been a memorable one and it is one that I don’t want to be over. Here’s hoping this one ends up being more than 1 cour long.

Check out more Ace of Diamond impressions HERE.

Ufotable’s Fate/stay night Anime Trailer Revealed

Sergei Lazarev

December 28, 2013

Anime studio ufotable has finally shared a glimpse of its upcoming adaptation of popular visual novel Fate/stay night via a 3-minute trailer, showing off brand new animation and a remix of Shirou Emiya’s theme music. Be sure to see it below.

The trailer features plenty of footage from the prequel, Fate/Zero, as a build-up to the continuation that stars Kiritsugu Emiya’s adopted child as the hero. Several scenes from the opening of the recent PS Vita port Fate/stay night Realta Nua are reused before we finally see some original animation for the new sequel.

Fate/stay night was originally animated by Studio DEEN and later received an anime movie adaptation titled Unlimited Blade Works. It is widely hoped that the new version by ufotable will adapt the Heaven’s Feel route of the original visual novel.

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