There seems to be a growing number of New Zealand game developers. Scraps is a potential new game that may materialize from the creative minds of New Zealand game creator, Moment Studio. Intended for the PC, Mac and Linux, the game is based on a simple and fun activity – designing and controlling a machine on wheels to battle and dominate other combat vehicles. It has already launched on Kickstarter for crowd-funding and is looking to raise $23,000NZD.
Moment Studio is actually the efforts of a solo developer Bill Borman, who has been spent a good full year developing this game. The vehicle building aspect of the game is said to be “pretty much solid” with an early builder demo already available for download, although multiplayer gameplay is still several months away. Scraps is going to offer an alpha release of the game, not to give gamers a taste test so to speak, but to make use of a promise by Kickstarter to contribute about $20NZD for every copy of the Alpha released, which when ready in mid-2014 will offer multiplayer melee gameplay and a basic set of vehicle parts. An alpha purchase also means more game content, such as car parts, chassis types and additional game modes.
One of the UK’s biggest and most well respected publishers – System 3 are releasing their latest game, Putty Squad onto the PS4. Putty Squad was originally an Amiga game in 1992 that has been remade and making the rounds on other consoles. Today however marks the game’s jump into the next-generation starting with the PS4.
To mark the jump to next-gen, System 3 have created a nice little launch trailer that goes over the origin of the series since it first launched all those years ago. Check out the trailer below, and head over the PSN if you want to download this classic game. As always, be sure to stay tuned to Capsule Computers for all the Putty Squad news as it becomes available.
Lightmare Studios is excited to reveal that their animated trading card game, Infinity Wars, will be coming to Steam Early Access with a new drafting format from December 13-15. During this period, all pre-existing and new players who sign-up for the Beta, are invited to join Infinity Wars with a free access code.
The Rift Run (Drafting), featured in the preview below, will be the first of many evolving and exciting features within Infinity Wars; offering players a new level of competition for digital trading card games (dTCGs) on PC, Mac and Linux. By joining the Beta community, players can get a head start in forging their empire, alliances and reaping all the benefits, including holiday giveaways that come entering Steam Early Access.
In addition, Teremus (community manager) will be streaming developer play and Q&A sessions on Twitch T.V.for all participants to be a part of Infinity Wars development during the event.
Don’t forget to sign-up for the Beta on the official Infinity Wars website herebefore next weekend!
National Rugby League legend Scott Prince has launched National Dads & Daughters Day to celebrate the release of DreamWorks Animation’s The Croods on DVD and Blu-ray on December 4.
To launch the day, Prince hosted a fun picnic in Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter, which was attended by many, including some of Scott’s NRL friends, one of which being Matt Cooper (pictured above). Also a children’s author and devoted father of two girls, Prince has compiled a list of parenting tips for all Dads out there to heed in order to build a stronger bond with their daughters. You can download them in PDF format here. Prince doesn’t mean to insult fathers of the world, but notes that dads often spend more time with their sons than daughters; “perhaps they think that they have more in common with their boys, or maybe they’re just a bit intimidated by ‘girls stuff’”.
Prince said of his involvement with the event and initiative;
The relationship with her dad is one of the most important in a little girl’s life. A National Dads & Daughters Day is a wonderful idea, because it will focus us blokes on what really matters. I’m looking forward to hosting The Croodilicious Dads & Daughters Picnic at Heritage Park, but this is intended to be a national day and we’re asking dads all over to Australia to make that extra special effort on Saturday November 30th.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle has hit Japan in a big way and Japanese audiences have been loving every moment of it since it’s release a month or so ago, us in the West sat back in jealousy and envy until the day we heard news of the games localisation around Europe and in North America.
Ever since then CyberConnect2 and Namco Bandai have been working hard to give us all as much JJBA love as posible and even though we’ve seen most of it because of the Japanese release we’re all still getting real excited over the whole thing. This time around we’ve been given a whole bunch of art assets and high quality screenshots from the game that are focused on the 4th Chapter of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure franchise; Diamond Is Unbreakable.
The Official Synopsis of the storyline is as follows:
This chapter focuses on Josuke Higashikata, who is visibly related to Joseph Joestar. Through this new adventure of the Joestar descendants, we discover a new powerful Artifact, “The Bow and Arrow”, that causes people to develop their Stand!Josuke and his gang discover that Dio wasn’t completely eradicated, as his cells are still alive within Nijimura brothers’ corpses. All these adventures will take Josuke, Rohan, Joseph and their friends on a fighting rollercoaster where their enemy is Kira.
Thanks to Namco Bandai, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle is set to hit the shores of Australia and New Zealand in 2014 on the PlayStation 3, there’s no specific date yet but I’m sure we’ll be hearing some awesome news about it once we ring in the new year. For everyone out there who doesn’t have this game you’re in luck because the images I mentioned earlier have been made into a gallery below for everyone to see. Check out these fantastic images and don’t forget to hit up our comments section to let us know what you think about the game. Keep your regents strong and your coats long because a fight is brewing with JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle!
Our planet has known a great and dangerous enemy. In 2017 we encountered an alien life force that was set to destroy everything on our planet. The Earth Defense Force (EDF) engaged this threat and persevered by destroying the insect alien race maintaining peace throughout the past years. However, I am here to inform you that our win that day was only the beginning of the conflict. We have sufficient evidence that our foes did not truly perish in that war years ago. Citizens of Earth, it is time again to join forces and combat against the alien race!
Earth Defense Force 2025 will be made available by D3 Publisher for Microsoft Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in February 2014. Check out the trailer below and let us know your thoughts on these giant insects.
“I am rubber and you are fat, don’t you dare touch my hat!”
One Piece: Romance Dawn has only just been released around Europe and Namco Bandai games have decided to celebrate this occasion by releasing a brand-new trailer for the game. It’s called the “Memories” trailer and works as a quick look/revision over the entire “One Piece Sea Survival: Super Rookies Saga” which begins at the “Romance Dawn Arc” and goes all the way up until the “Post-War Arc”. The game does NOT continue onto the “Final Sea: The New World Saga” which covers the Crew’s adventure after the timeskip but there is so much content in the game that you’ll be entertained for hours and hours on end.
You can head down below to our Featured Video Section now to see the new trailer and for all you Americans out there don’t be too jealous because the game hits your shores on the 11th of February next year (2014), you’ll just have to wait a little longer but hopefully it’ll make you enjoy it even more. For us here in Aus and around Europe; One Piece: Romance Dawn is available on the 3DS in all good game stores now.
Can you believe 2014 is only a month away and with that comes a brand new selection of incredible Anime one of which just so happens to be Space Dandy? The answer is: “Of course I can believe it!” and today Toonami is helping you believe even more by releasing a brand-new teaser trailer for the upcoming Shinichiro Watanabe series Space Dandy. The action, sci-fi, comedy which was recently licensed by Madman, is fast approaching and the entire Anime community is excited for it to crash land here on Earth!
As I just mentioned; Adult Swim’s Toonami has only just begun streaming the new teaser trailer and the Anime is looking great! We’re seeing more aliens, more characters and more Dandy alongside the comedy and action of it all. You can see the Second Space Dandy Teaser Trailer below in our featured video section but don’t take off just yet because along with the trailers release comes some new information about character that will be appearing in the show:
– Dr. Geru and Bee –
Dr. Geru is a gorilla-like humanoid being who is said to be a great scientist and is to be voiced by Unshou Ishizuka. Although it is yet to be fully explained to the audience so far, Dr. Geru is in pursuit of Dandy while he’s on his adventures through space. The cucumber-like man is Dr. Geru’s trusted assistant, Bee, who is to be voiced by Kosuke Hatakeyama. Bee is a humanoid creature from the planet Pylori and, despite his appearance, he is a creature extremely similar to that of a human and not at all an ingredient in a garden salad. I think it’s safe to say that these two men will be seen a great deal throughout the series, at least, I hope we’ll be seeing them a lot.
– Scarlett and Honey –
The two lovely ladies above are Inspector Scarlett and the beautiful waitress Honey. Scarlett, who is to be voiced by Houko Kuwashima, is an inspector at the “Space Alien Registration Center” the place Dandy and all alien hunters to go register brand-new species of aliens that have just been discovered. The blonde bombshell to the right of her is Honey. Honey is a waitress at Dandy’s favourite establishment “Boobies” which is not to be mistaken with the real-life restaurant “Hooters”. Much like Dr. Geru and Bee, we can all assume that Dandy and his small crew will be coming into contact with these two beauties a fair amount.
Now head down to the Featured Video Section so that you can finally watch the new Space Dandy Teaser Trailer and don’t forget to head below that to the comments section, we want to know what you’re thinking about this new series and you can show us your excitement (or lack thereof) right down there. See you, space…dandy.
Hajime No Ippo – Rising Episode 9 – A Savage Scenario
Continue directly from what has been happening in the last few episodes of Hajime No Ippo – Rising the team are still trying to evolve the “Dempsey Roll” into something that can overcome Ryuuhei’s threats and, once again, allow Ippo to defend his title against an opponent that swears he can crush the technique. Vorg, who we saw in Episode 8, is still hanging around the Makunouchi household as he trains his days away, he’s attempting be one completely ready for his trip to America where he will begin rising the ranks of the boxing world.
He trains to the pint of exhaustion yet cannot seem to outdo Ippo despite them being on equal grounds the last time they were together, it doesn’t get him down entirely though, not until he is presented with the task of being the man to crush Ippo’s “Dempsey Roll”. The other gym junkies feel as though Vorg is the best candidate to beat down Ippo and force him into evolving his technique, they give him notes on what needs to be done and he heads back to training but he’s soon running out of time, his trip to America comes up fast.
By the time I finished the episode I realised that it is my favourite one from the series so far, despite the lack of any official match the animation was forced to rise to an incredible level to simply show the bout between Vorg and Ippo. The two fighters got into the ring for what was meant to be a quick and easy match but as soon as it had started the team knew that these two men were out for blood.
For the most part, Vorg was getting pummelled but he did hit back at Ippo with some serious force, the time came for Ippo to step into a rhythm and set up his “Dempsey Roll”, Vorg was full of fear at first but the small shred of confidence he had in him pushed him through to the “win”. Ippo began the technique and was laying into Vorg with everything he had, this went on for a bit until Vorg realised that, within a couple more hits, his guard will break and Ippo will absolutely decimate him. Knowing this Vorg put the plan into action, between beats he jumped back away from Ippo knowing that he cannot stop his motions without hurting himself and therefore stunning him.
Ippo, not being able to stop, leans in to reach for Vorg while still in the “Dempsey Roll”, Vorg throws a counter that lands a hit on Ippo’s face which not only knocked him out but proved that the “Dempsey Roll” is beatable with nothing but a single punch. I’ll skip ahead a little bit to when Ippo regains consciousness, he almost immediately begins training now that he knows he’s easily beaten. Coach gives him a little talk but doens’t entirely open up to what Ippo must do to win, the only thing he can think of is for Ippo to quickly change up his rhythm mid roll and take the opponent by surprise, though doing this will put a great deal of strain on his entire lower body and will, eventually, push him into an extremely early retirement from the sport.
Ippo continues to train as Vorg begins his leave for America, I found these last two scenes to really define the characters and to really define what the series is all about too. Vorg departs from the Makunouchi household, he says his farewell to Mrs. Makunouchi and the memories of his departed mother come rushing back to him.
He says something in Russian that we’re not alerted to straight away and asks her to repeat it back to him, he leaves and the audience is left in a bit of a daze until the next scene where he reveals what he said: “I pray for your success, my son” is what he asked her to say to him with his response being “Thank you, mother”, it was a touching moment for Volg and the audience that really put across the type of person he really is.
Ippo on the other hand continues to train while continuing to doubt himself and the “Dempsey Roll”, he thinks and thinks but can’t seem to get exactly what it is he needs to do until he stops, breaks into a “Dempsey Roll” and realises exactly what the Couch had been thinking of the whole time. Ippo switches up his rhythm part way through the roll and a sharp pain shoots through his lower body, it stiffens him up and forces him to realise exactly what he has to do and exactly what he cannot afford to do. Like I’ve been saying each week; I cannot wait for this match, the lead up is incredibly intense and I can’t imagine the fight itself to be any less intense. Check out more Hajime No Ippo – Rising Impressions HERE.
Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition Publisher:Beamdog Developer:Overhaul Games Platforms:PC (reviewed), Mac Release Date: November 15, 2013 Price: $24.99 – Steam; $24.95 – Beamdog
Overview
Thirteen years have passed, and now Overhaul Games has re-launched Baldur’s Gate II as an enhanced edition for modern systems. Once hailed the greatest RPG of its time, Baldur’s Gate II: Shadow of Amn had garnered the attention of many D&D and role playing fans everywhere. But does the enhanced edition measure up to the thirteen year old legend?
Story – *No spoilers*
When the title was first release the story was one of the many aspects that made the Baldur’s Gate franchise popular. You first created and defined the hero of the game which provided endless amounts of replayability. Once the game began you could decide who you wanted in your party to further customize your playing experience as those characters provide side quests to pursue. In essence you built your version of the story while playing around the main storyline being any facet of good or evil.
In the enhanced edition, more side stories have been added to give not only the old timers but also new players more options for party members. Spawning from the original Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition, three “new” party members return with additional quests to undertake. Neera (wild mage), Rasaad (monk), and Dorn (blackguard). The newest addition lies in a rogue-like figure named Hexxat whose appearance at first is not what it seems. Adding any of these four characters to your party will result in newly created content in enhanced editions of both Shadows of Amn and Throne of Bhaal.
Also, the re-launch includes a new arena experience with The Black Pits II: Gladiators of Thay. If you recall from the original Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition, The Black Pits was an add-on that involved personally creating a party that became captured by a twisted arena master named Baeloth. After defeating many of his monstrosities for his audience’s viewing pleasure, the adventuring party rose up against Baeloth and his minions to attain freedom. The deeds from the first adventure have not been forgotten, and another insane entertainer (Dennaton) decides your adventuring band requires servitude once again. Only this time there is a interesting twist to who is actually pulling the strings…
Gameplay
Those who remember the 2000 version of Baldur’s Gate II: Shadow of Amn will recognize that the gameplay has not changed. This was a crucial factor for Overhaul Games as they wanted to leave the gameplay alone and focus on revisiting visual content as well as additional storyline moments. By leaving the foundation for a legendary game alone, Overhaul Games truly listened to the public in bringing back an epic role playing game.
As mentioned previously, The Black Pit II: Gladiators of Thay introduces a separate extension to the title that involves an unique flavor of pre-existing gameplay. Instead of adventuring all over Faerûn to lay waste mercenary bands or slaying outer planar creatures, an evil magic wielder named Dennaton has conveniently brought them all to you in a single arena. The rules are simple: you fight and win many riches OR die.
Overhaul Games has said most of the included updates have been completed in the background which involve bugs and glitches in the original title. While this may be true to a certain extent, glitches and storyline mishaps still occur in this enhanced edition. A noticeable glitch that may be all too common – though not terribly distracting – is the “loading/reloading” of a level. The glitch presents itself as a short preview of the loading environment then quickly black screens and shows the updated environment. This does not hamper the gameplay experience and is only a minor annoyance.
A storyline mishap can be noticed with our new character Hexxat. Though this isn’t a true bug as it is fixable, our new character must have a certain item in her inventory before leaving Dragomir’s Tomb. The fix is simple as you can re-enter the tomb and speak to her about the misplaced item. As this instance is well documented, I would assume Overhaul Games will implement a more permanent solution in their next update.
Audio/Visual
All previous audio works have been maintained to ensure that the original title was preserved, but additional content has been overseen and created by Sam Hulick who is well-known for his work on Mass Effect. Overhaul Games did exceptionally well in choosing Sam to embed his musical talents as the new content can be felt rather than heard. Take a listen to the snippet in the link for “Storming the Silver Heaven“.
User interface has been dramatically overhauled which provides a crisper look to the title. Whether you are navigating through the game options or accessing individual character sheets, you can notice that the interface has been revisited and cleaned very up well. Resolution played a major factor into the interface remodeling and can be noticed in the screens above.
A smaller visual victory can be attributed to character portraits developed by artist Keiren Yanner. This pack provides six male/female portraits that can be used for your Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition experience. However, you are able to upload your own portraits into the game title which belittles the addition of added portraits. For those that aren’t as manipulative these portraits are great as they come pre-loaded.
Overall
Whether you are craving the nostalgia from the original series or a new face to the revived titles, Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition has the content for gamers to delve hours upon hours into. While some may argue that mods along with the previous version will suit your needs at a cheaper price, the continual updates and additions are worth the price. Begin your journey as the the child of Bhaal and forge your own destiny!
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