A former therapist fascinated by psychosis, Harleen Quinzel’s love for madness drove her mad with love. Now she is called Harley Quinn, and as of November 18, she will be the newest addition to the Infinite Crisis roster of Champions. Check out her awesome profile video here:
Infinite Crisis is an upcoming multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) set in the legendary DC Multiverse and in development by Turbine.
When Harley Quinn’s fascination with The Joker transformed into adoration, she went from being his therapist to being his accomplice. Several years of The Joker’s vicious love drew out her inner madness until she felt she was finally her “true self.” Yet in time, Harley grew tired of The Joker’s abuse and left him to become an almost equally notorious criminal. No matter what, though, Harley’s will always have a soft spot for her “Puddin’.”
A gifted gymnast with increased strength and agility, Harley supports with humorous heals and damages with deadly peels.
Check out the new Champion profile video via the link and embed code below, along with the accompanying key art.
A leaked image from next weeks issue of Weekly Shonen Jump has been making the rounds today. The image seemingly confirms the return of the long running and long-time hiatus-prone mangaHunter x Hunter.
The image which you can see below announces the return of the Hunter x Hunter manga this December, which will coincide with the release of the second anime film Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission.
It is unknown as of writing how legitimate this leak is, but in the past leaks such as this have proven themselves to be true. However it is unknown whether this will be a return of the serialized story or a special tie-in chapter to the second film like we saw last year for the first film.
Stay tuned for further information on the return of Hunter x Hunter as it comes to light.
What happens when you are outnumbered and outgunned? Let’s face it, your world comes crashing down. In Activision‘s Call of Duty: Ghosts you encounter a storyline of mass devastation as your world has indeed been altered by a catastrophic event. Become one of Earth’s elite squadron soldiers known as the “Ghosts” to take coveted soil back from its capturer. The retaliation begins on November 5th. You may be Earth’s last chance… Will you succeed against such odds?
Take a look at the gameplay launch trailer below and impart us with your thoughts of the next Call of Duty installment. Infinity Ward might remind you to keep your space mask on.
Final Exam is finally releasing for PC and PSN in North America today with the European PSN version on its way tomorrow and finally to XBLA on Friday. With all of this releasing going on and on its way, Focus Home Interactive and Mighty Rocket Studio have put out another trailer just for launch.
This Final Exam trailer is of course another romp in the ridiculous action players will be able to expect in the game, showing off several of the special abilities that the characters will be able to earn throughout the game. While it may have started out as a reboot of Obscure, the new direction and title seem to be working out quite well.
Those wanting to see all the melee smashing and bullet spraying action the launch trailer for themselves can find it embedded below. Final Exam is now available for PC from Steam and on US PSN, with EU PSN and XBLA still on their way for this week.
WORK YOUR BODY, ROCK YOUR WORLD WITH ZUMBA® FITNESS WORLD PARTY, AVAILABLE NOW ON KINECT FOR XBOX 360, Wii U AND Wii
Xbox One Version to Release November 22nd
EDISON, N.J., November 5th, 2013 –Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), publisher of the Zumba® Fitness video game franchise that has sold more than nine million copies worldwide, announced today the release of Zumba® Fitness World Party on Kinect for Xbox 360, Wii™ U and Wii™. The game will also be available November 22nd as part of the day-one launch lineup for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft.
“Bringing World Party to market is a tremendous achievement for our team,” said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco Entertainment. “We are incredibly proud of the new visual style, engaging global content and depth of play that this experience offers. What’s more, World Party is more than just a fun interactive game; it’s a tool that will help players reach their personal fitness goals, complete with a robust video reward system that keeps them motivated along the way.”
To complement the launch, Majesco Entertainment revealed the Zumba® Fitness World Party television spot airing this month (click to watch or download), and noted that playable demos for Kinect for Xbox 360 and Xbox One will be available for download soon from the Xbox Live online entertainment network from Microsoft. Fans will also benefit from new items in the Zumba® wear Avatar Collection now available on Xbox Live.
Zumba® Fitness World Party invites you to escape on a global fitness journey to exotic locations including Hawaii, Brazil and India—set to 40+ new high-energy routines and more than 30 international dance styles. Players can immerse themselves in an exhilarating at-home workout packed with fitness features to maximize results, while jamming out to a world-class soundtrack highlighted by Lady Gaga, Pitbull, Marc Anthony, Daddy Yankee and Zumba originals. Additional new features include the World Tour mode and an incredible visual presentation that parallels a real-life experience on location alongside Zumba’s celebrity instructors.
“World Party unites the player with the global community of dance through an interactive journey that delivers explosive physical and emotional benefits,” said Joan Blackwood, Chief Marketing Officer, Zumba Fitness. “We have created a game that explores different dance cultures from around the world for a truly remarkable Zumba experience for fans everywhere.”
Developed by Zoë Mode, Zumba® Fitness World Party is rated E for Everyone and is available now on Kinect for Xbox 360 and Wii™ at $39.99 SRP, and Wii™ U at $49.99 SRP. The Xbox One version will release on November 22nd at $49.99 SRP. To watch the launch trailer and find out more, please visit the official site at zumbafitnessgame.com. Press assets are available for download here.
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ABOUT MAJESCO ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY
Majesco Entertainment Company is a provider of video games for the mass market. Building on more than 20 years of operating history, the company is focused on developing and publishing a wide range of casual and family oriented video games on all leading console and handheld platforms as well as mobile devices. Product highlights include Zumba® Fitness and Cooking Mama™. Majesco is headquartered in Edison, NJ, and the company’s shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol: COOL. More info can be found online at majescoent.com or on Twitter at twitter.com/majesco.
ABOUT ZUMBA® FITNESS, LLC
Zumba Fitness is a global lifestyle brand that fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an exhilarating dance-party workout. Known as the ultimate “fitness-party”, Zumba® classes blend upbeat world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography, for an effective, total-body workout. Founded in 2001, the company is the largest branded fitness program in the world – reporting more than 15 million weekly participants, in over 200,000 locations across more than 180 countries. In addition to its original Zumba® program, the company also offers a variety of specialty classes, including: Zumba® Step; Zumba Gold® (active older adults); Aqua Zumba®; Zumba® Kids/Zumba® Kids Jr. (ages 4-11); and Zumbini™ (ages 0-3). The Zumba® fitness lifestyle is rounded out by the company’s many consumer product offerings, including DVD sets, music collections, multi-seasonal apparel and footwear, video games and Fitness-Concert™ events. For more information about Zumba Fitness programs and products, or to find a live class, visit zumba.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter.
PARIS, France—November 5, 2013—BlizzCon® 2013, Blizzard Entertainment’s two-day gaming festival, makes a long-awaited return on Friday, November 8, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. The sold-out show celebrates all things geek, featuring sneak peeks at what’s going on behind the scenes at Blizzard Entertainment.
This year’s BlizzCon includes discussion panels with Blizzard developers; community cosplayers; and Duncan Jones, director of the upcoming Warcraft® film. Also taking place are the StarCraft® II World Championship Series Global Final and World of Warcraft® Arena Invitational, in which top pro gamers from around the world will be competing for cash prizes and ultimate glory. Jay Mohr is back this year to host the ever-popular community contests, and SoCal punk legends Blink-182 will be performing an epic rock concert to wrap up the show on Saturday night.
BlizzCon tickets once again sold out in seconds, but anyone can still attend the event from the comfort of their home with the BlizzCon Virtual Ticket. Viewers will receive over 60 hours of live HD coverage of the event (including Blink’s sure-to-be-wild performance) across five channels over the Internet. Virtual Ticket holders will also receive all the BlizzCon-exclusive in-game goodies:
World of Warcraft in-game pet—the valiant Murkalot
To-be-revealed Hearthstone™: Heroes of Warcraft™ card
BlizzCon-themed “Mark of Death” Diablo® III banner
“Tearin’ Stitches” StarCraft II portrait and Stitches’ Hook decal
In addition, the BlizzCon opening ceremony and eSports tournaments will be streamed free online at www.blizzcon.com. More info on the Virtual Ticket can be found at www.blizzcon.com/virtual-ticket.
“We can’t wait to get back to BlizzCon and share details about our latest games with our most passionate players,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “It’s going to be a truly unforgettable weekend.”
BlizzCons of years past have featured an array of exciting panels, unveilings, and entertainment, including the world debuts of the latest World of Warcraft content, the first-ever public hands-on with StarCraft II and Diablo III, and epic rock performances by Foo Fighters and Tenacious D.
BlizzCon would not be possible without the enthusiasm of Blizzard Entertainment gamers around the world and the generous support of the event’s partners, who provide demo-station hardware, peripherals, and more. This year’s sponsors are Intel, NVIDIA, Sony Computer Entertainment, DIRECTV, SteelSeries, GIGABYTE, Rosewill, and EVGA.
Anyone attending BlizzCon who’s looking to join the ranks at Blizzard should bring their resumes, portfolios, or business cards. The Blizzard recruiting team will be on hand to review materials and discuss any job-related questions. More information on available Blizzard career opportunities can be found at http://jobs.blizzard.com, LinkedIn Blizzard Careers, and http://twitter.com/@blizzardcareers.
About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft® and the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes sixteen #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards*. The company’s online-gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.
*Based on internal company records and reports from key distribution partners.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about BlizzCon and the BlizzCon Virtual Ticket, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations
Thor: The Dark World is the title character’s second solo film. The role is staunchly reprised by Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who is also once again joined by the returning Natalie Portman as astrophysicist and love interest Jane Foster, and Tom Hiddleston as his half-brother and God of Mischief, Loki, among others. A dormant threat in Malekith the Accursed (Christopher Eccleston) has awakened, set on plunging all nine worlds into darkness using the Aether, as it once was before the creation of light. Thor: The Dark World is as close to a space opera as we’ve seen so far, likening itself – at times – more to Star Wars than any prior entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Story
Said to be older than the universe itself, the Dark Elves thrived in utter nothingness before creation and the birth of light. Seeking to restore existence to its originally empty state, Malekith – the ruler of the Dark Elves – vowed to control a mysterious forced called the Aether in his quest to transform all he saw into dark matter. Eons ago, the Asgardians waged war with the race, attempting to prevent this very cataclysmic event. Bor, father of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), successfully led his army in vanquishing the enhanced, “Kursed” warriors, and containing the Aether in a stone column. Malekith, however, fled with his lieutenant Algrim (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), unbeknownst to the victorious Asgardian king.
In the current day, Loki is brought before Odin in shackles, sentenced to imprisonment for his actions on Earth. Thor, meanwhile, is battling the Marauders on Vanaheim, alongside lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander), Volstagg (Ray Stevenson), Fandral (now played by Zachary Levi) and native Hogun (Tadanobu Asano). After the destruction of the bifrost, the nine realms fell into disarray, and so order needed to be restored. Jane Foster, understandably, had no knowledge of this, harboring resentment of the thunder God for not abiding by his promise to return to her until two years later… when she disappears from Heimdall’s view after researching a physics anomaly and unknowingly entering through a portal to the exact location of the long-hidden Aether.
Curious to a fault, Foster gets too close, resulting in the Aether transferring itself from its stone entrapment to her body. She awakens back on Earth to find a worried Thor. Taking her back to Asgard in order to discover what coursed through her veins proved to be a huge error, with Malekith breaking out of status and being led directly to the Asgard like a missile to a homing beacon. The strange happenings revolving around the random rifts found on Earth are determined to be caused by the ‘convergence’ – the perfect alignment of the nine realms which occurs every 5000 years. This is a condition needed to be met in order for Malekith to spread the Aether throughout the universe and usher in a new dark age.
Without spoilers, a powerful plot point gives Loki specific motivation for revenge against the Dark Elves, and it just so happens that Thor would give him that opportunity, as Loki’s unique knowledge of a secret pathway deems his assistance necessary. Loki’s screen-time is filled with hilarious banter and self-aware comedy. References to events from the past are heavy, and in one particularly humorous scene, the mischievous one uses his trickery to present himself in the facade of a familiarly patriotic hero whilst conversing with his brother. Aside from Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) and Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) back on Midgard, Loki is the comedic relief, but that doesn’t mean that he is afraid to get physical either.
Of note, there is a swerve… or two… or three, that keeps the audience guessing and reinforces the expectation that, just when you thought you had Loki figured out, he will deceive you. He is always unpredictable and the best foil for the character of Thor. In regards to flaws in the story, there are some gaping ones if you care to acknowledge them. Why Loki is the singular soul with knowledge of a precise portal, which only appears every 5000 years (an Asgardian’s lifespan) is hard to understand. And speaking of unbelievable, [SPOILER ALERT] how a man-made piece of equipment that looks like a pogo-stick with wires, and its function based upon theoretical, unproven science, can move and trigger portals is beyond me. Add to this that said random, invisible portals tend to conveniently lead wherever characters need/want to go, and you may just be pulling your hair out in frustration. Hopefully you have the capability to ignore such questions and enjoy the proceedings.
Visuals & Audio
Mostly due to repeated visits to Svartalfheim, Thor: The Dark World is a much darker film than its predecessor. The Dark Elf home world lives up to its inhabitants’ namesake, with little light shining through the thick, ever-present clouds. The landscape is barren, reflecting the race’s innate nihilism. Jotunheim – another radically different realm – is briefly revisited amongst the chaos of the convergence, with its icy guise immediately recognisable from the first film. On the rare occasion, green screen compositing is sub-par. In particular, whilst standing in front of the Asgardian throne in the (near) final scene, there is a distinct inconsistency with the lighting of Thor against the 100% computer generated backdrop, giving that obvious rim-light effect whereby we can instantaneously differentiate between real-life and CGI elements.
Thankfully, the above is only painfully noticeable in that single scene, but it draws you out of the experience nonetheless. Otherwise, Asgard is stunningly represented, much like in the first movie. Thor: The Dark World is the most visually spectacular film in the Marvel catalogue to date, not only because of this fact, but also the breathtakingly well-designed and well-shot action sequences from Director Alan Taylor. In the audio department, composer Brian Tyler provides another serviceable, yet unexceptional score. And strengthening the aforementioned comparisons to Star Wars are the sound effects utilised in representing the Asgardian/Dark Elven weapon fire and aircrafts. They often sounded so similar that they could have been ripped from the franchise and transplanted without any alteration, and few would be able to tell the difference.
Overall
Thor: The Dark World is wholly entertaining… once you shut off the entire left hemisphere of your brain. Sometimes, that’s difficult to do. For others, it’s the easiest thing in the world. After all, we shouldn’t approach film-watching as work, but an escape; a piece of entertainment that allows us to indulge in fantasy. Personally, I struggle to find that balance between being analytical and completely suspensory of disbelief. If you’re the latter type of viewer, you should love Thor: The Dark World. It has heart, features good action sequences and will keep you laughing (somewhat surprisingly) throughout. If you’re the former, you’ll also be laughing… but for a different reason.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
What exactly is the Call of Duty Time you ask? Well it is now the time in which Call of Duty: Ghosts is released as the game is now available for Call of Duty maniacs. To go along with this amazing release of this phenomenal game from the incredible video-game publisher Activision, an infographic has been released that details the history of ‘Call of Duty Time’.
Want to know all the intriguing statistics behind the wild world of Call of Duty and ‘Call of Duty Time’? Well just take a gander at the image below which features all the interesting information on these topics. Call of Duty: Ghosts is available now on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
Bigger, Bolder, Better. Those three words definitely define Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag as it takes the Assassin’s Creed franchise’s first major steps off the mainland, and sails out to the seven seas. Combining elements of traditional Assassin’s Creed stealth gameplay with the loud and aggressive pirate lifestyle was no easy feat, but Ubisoft have managed to pull it off. The game offers players the freedom to play how they want and to make their own fun through the variety of side-missions, collectibles and other goals to accomplish. This gameplay freedom, combined with an unrivaled visual beauty and audio that really captures the pirate lifestyle results in Black Flag being the best game in the franchise by far.
Story
Taking place prior to the events of Assassin’s Creed III, we are placed in the role of Edward Kenway (father of the Templar Haytham Kenway, and grandfather to the protagonist of Assassin’s Creed III; Connor Kenway), a young pirate who becomes entangled in a life or death struggle against an a member of the Assassin Order. After learning that the Assassin was part of a Templar plot that could result in fortunes unforetold, Edward is ready for treasure and ready for adventure.
A great facet to this game is how Edward grows as a character. Older Assassin’s Creed games would have the protagonist remain largely the same throughout. Most of Ezio’s character development happened in-between games, while Connor remained a stoic brat for the entirety of his story. Edward however starts off as a brash pirate captain with the clear goal of amassing a fortune enough for him to buy some land and a little bit of respect back home. Through his travels he will don the stolen robes of an assassin, fall into a Templar meeting, and realise that there is more to life than being happy at the expense of others.
While it delves into some serious topics, Assassin’s Creed IV is an overall more lighthearted and fun story than its predecessors. Pirates work surprisingly well with the themes and motifs that the Assassin’s Creed franchise has been built on, namely the Assassin Order’s goal of freedom for all. This lofty and happy vibe to the gameis in no small part due to Captain Kenway himself, who is witty, charismatic and a downright smart-ass at times. He is a much happier character than we have come to see from the series recently. Not only is he light hearted and a bit of a jokester, he is also incredibly likeable and downright relatable at times, not only in his demeanor but in his dreams and goals in life.
We also can’t forget that the Assassin’s Creed series is constantly filled with cameos and appearances from famous historical figures, and Black Flag is no exception. Aside from Blackbeard himself; Edward Thatch, we also get to meet other famous sea dogs like Calico Jack, Mary Read and Anne Bonny.
Gameplay
Assassin’s Creed IV had a difficult road to travel – combining the elements that have defined Assassin’s Creed with a new, nautical setting. Prior to playing Black Flag, I was concerned that this was going to be difficult to tackle and that we would simply end up with Pirate’s Creed. However, from the moment I picked up the controller and entered the game, I happily realised that this was far from true.
At this point in its life, the Assassin’s Creed has definitely defined itself. The slow, methodical and precise gameplay makes the series what it is (for better or worse) and taking it out, or changing it too wildly will result in a game that just shares a name. Luckily, all of the typical Assassin’s Creed gameplay mechanic that players know and love have made it into Black Flag, and are still very much the focus. This slow gameplay approach can make it difficult to play Assassin’s Creed for marathon sessions, but is a staple of the series and is still incredibly fun.
For the crux of the game you play as Edward, (and only Edward), who already has the skills to be a top assassin, but lacks the knowledgeof what being an assassin truly means (largely because he ISN’T an assassin when the game begins). This is one of the game’s strengths. In the last game, you were treated to a lengthy (and I do mean lengthy) tutorial sequence featuring Haytham Kenway, before ever getting to play as Connor (and then doing a lot more tutorial). Black Flag instead throws you straight into the role of Edward, and provides you with hints and on-screen prompts to help you along your way. The tutorial sections for new skills as you unlock them are integrated into the story near seamlessly, that it doesn’t feel like you are being guided at all.
The game is split so that you will roughly spend most of your time on-land completing storyline missions, while the seas are for travel and side-quest stuff. The story missions follow the same style as the previous games; having you either hunt down a particular person, sneaking up on unsuspecting soldiers, or eavesdropping on conversations. Combat on land has also remain largely unchanged, however the way in which Edward fights really changes up the flow and pace of the game. Unlike previous protagonists, Edward’s standard arsenal includes two swords, his wrist blades, and more guns than you could count. His attacking style is much more brutal and a lot less elegant, which helps define him as a pirate.
While you are out at sea, there are a thousand and one different things you can do. The ocean really is your playground and much like a pirate, you are free to travel it as you see fit. The game’s massive map means that you will often be sailing towards your next main plot quest, only to find a small island worth investigating. Some islands are populated, and have more treasure to discover and villainous types to kill, while others are smaller and may only have one or two collectables for you. These collectibles come in the form of Animus Fragments, Treasure, Mayan Stones, and a few other secrets that I wont spoil for you here. The game is filled with Assassin’s Contracts, which can shake up the game. You are told to sail to a particular island, and find a Templar commander, and ending him quickly. These let you use all of the tricks in your assassin’s arsenal, and are a great way of earning money.
There are also sections of the ocean filled with aquatic creatures to hunt. Everything from great white sharks to the elusive white whales are available, and hunting them will give you certain bonuses (like the ability to craft new items and clothing). Some animals are easier to hunt than others, with the White Whale providing the toughest challenge (despite its difficulty, there is just something inherently cool about gabbing a spear and going all Captain Ahab on the creature). If hunting isn’t your style, then you are also able to dive to the depths in search of lost treasure. This ability isn’t unlocked until later in the game, but is a lot of fun, and the underwater sections are a sight to behold.
The sea-faring sections of the game are some of the most fun you will have with a controller in your hand to date. A lot of the mechanics have been taken from Assassin’s Creed III, and improved on substantially. Your ship is bigger, and you are tasked with keeping it maintained, as well as upgrading its look and combat efficiency. As a pirate captain you are constantly on the look out for new crew members, which become vital during your naval battles. You gain crew either by paying them, or by rescuing wayward pirates who are in trouble.
Sea combat has undergone a substantial upgrade from ACIII, not only in the way you do battle, but in the end result. Firstly, the weapons have all been made more fluid to access, with each camera direction giving you access to a different weapon. Facing forwards will give you the Chain-Shot designed to take out enemy masts. Facing backwards brings up your fire barrels, which serve as floating mines, and aiming port or starboard brings up your broadside cannons, which do the most damage to your enemies. The game also has a swivel gun that is firable whenever the enemy’s ship has an exposed weak point, and a new weapon; mortar, which help you rain down on distant ships. It is up to you to drive your ship in and around opposing vessels, to use the best weapons for the job.
Following tiring battles, you can either sink ships to the briny deep, or board them. Boarding them takes longer and there is a risk of losing crew members, but the rewards are usually worth the risk. More salvage, and the chance to repair your ship, lower your wanted meter, or recruit another vessel into your fleet are well worth the extra trouble that boarding an enemy can be.
There are also the sections of the game set during the present day. Here you will play in a first-person setting, acting as a new employee for Abstergo Entertainment. You are in charge of playing through the Animus memories of Edward Kenway to determine the most fun and exciting memories that players of future Abstergo games will enjoy. There is a lot of tongue in cheek humor here, and a lot of real-world easter eggs, such as the memo that details how Ubisoft and Abstergo teamed up to release Assassin’s Creed: Liberation. Overall, these sections aren’t necessary to the gameplay, and most of them have you performing small hacking minigames to get access to files. These files to give players a clue as to where the series is going from here. Since this is Abstergo, players will know that there is a more sinister plot involved, and the files you unlock through these present-day sections tell the story of just what that devious plot is.
Multiplayer is also back, and follows the same formula as pervious entries in the series. It does away with the traditional deathmatch style of competitive multiplayer, in favour of a stealth based cat and mouse game, where you have to lure your opponent into thinking you are a normal NPC on the map before making your kill. The ability to customise your character and their skills as you improve is nothing new, but it allows you to really branch out and create the multiplayer character you want to make. While it isn’t a game-changer, its inclusion is always welcome, and is a fun alternative to the rest of the multiplayer games out there.
Visuals
There is no other way to describe Assassin’s Creed IV than to call it beautiful. On the brink of the new console generation, Black Flag really shows how far we have come in seven years of gaming. The thing that will capture most people’s eyes first, is the clarity and picturesque appearance of the water in-game. The water, especially the shallower areas are by far the best looking water sections I have ever seen in a video game. The crystal blue shallows of the tropical islands fill you with the desire to just stop, stare and wish you were on a holiday to some tropical beach somewhere so that you can just stare at water like this for hours on end. However, it isn’t just the shallow water that stands out in Black Flag. The dark and murky depths are really well defined too, although sometimes the jump from shallow to deep is sometimes really jarring, especially if you are looking down on the ocean floors as your ship crosses over.
The rest of the game is similarly beautiful, and really captures the feel of the Caribbean seas during the 1700s. Ships all look fantastic, and the locations all look stunning. Everything from the trees to the rocks and the differences in the houses really makes Black Flag come alive. It is definitely the best looking Assassin’s Creed game, and as I said above, the best looking game I have ever seen, which makes it a fitting bridge to cross over console generations.
Audio
When dealing with the ocean, it is the subtle sound effects that can make or break your immersion, and luckily Assassin’s Creed IV really captures them perfectly. Black Flag is a game that you can just listen to. The sounds are all magnificently done, and really add to the whole theme and feel of the game. I think it is safe to say that at one point or another, everyone has imagined being a pirate. The freedom, the gently rolling waves, wind through your hair and the sounds of a crew singing a sea chanty all make the dream seem glorious. Well Black Flag has got you covered there. Simply standing on your ship, listening to the gentle wind blow against your sails while your crew whistle and sing really makes you feel like a pirate captain.
The voices of the characters are all incredibly well done too, with the voice actors giving their all. Matt Ryan (Of Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior fame) in his first video game appearance leads the cast of stellar voice actors, and really brings life to Captain Edward Kenway. His voice manages to convey that brash, cocky persona that Edward needed, and he is a lot of the reason that the character is so charismatic and charming. The rest of the crew all exceptionally voice their respective characters, including Nolan North, who is in not only every main-series Assassin’s Creed game, but just about every game of the generation.
If there is any fault to be had with the audio, it is that at times it can grow incredibly repetitive. There was a section of the game, where I was sailing the seas instead of heading to my next destination. Whenever I would fast travel, load a save, or have my ship be brutally torn asunder by an opposing fortress, I would be treated to the same page of dialogue about heading to meet Master Kidd and collecting treasures for the crew along the way. It was fine the first time, and the second time, but every time after that it really started to become tiresome.
Overall
Taking to the seas was a bold move for a franchise so heavily rooted on land, but it has paid off spectacularly. Black Flag is the biggest, boldest and best game of its genre. The combination of traditional Assassin’s Creed mechanics, with an updated sea-faring system really makes for a game that is as wild and varied as the lifestyle it aims to emulate. While the game’s slow, methodical pace makes it difficult to play long marathon sessions, it is still an outstanding experience, and with its visual beauty, and subtle audio nuances that really capture the pirate lifestyle, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is a near-flawless package, and is the strongest and most enjoyable entry in the series to date.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse: Episode One to release December 4th 2013
Cliffhanger ending to Revolution’s greatest adventure – will be concluded January 2014
Revolution Software has today confirmed that Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse will release worldwide for PC on December 4th. In addition, the developer has revealed that this Broken Sword adventure will, unlike any before, run over two thrilling episodes, concluding in January 2014.
The game set crowdfunding records for a UK-developed game back in September 2012, when it raised $850,000 from 15,000 backers on Kickstarter. Those that pledged to receive a PC, Mac or Linux copy of the game will get each episode as it become available.
The first episode will debut on PC / Mac / Linux through Steam, GOG.com, and Revolution’s own website store on December 4th, with a PlayStation Vita version to follow later in the month. The concluding episode of the game will be published on PC in January 2014. iOS and Android versions will follow shortly after each PC episode.
“Whilst this is very much a classic BrokenSword game in terms of production values and sense of adventure, we’re really breaking new ground with The Serpent’s Curse,” says Charles Cecil, Founder & CEO, Revolution Software. “The success of our Kickstarter appeal has allowed us to be hugely ambitious – each episode is a full sized game in its own right. So we will be publishing two action-packed adventures in close succession. The response to those that have seen the game so far has been hugely positive – some suggesting that this is the best Broken Sword yet.”
When a mysterious painting is stolen during an armed raid on a Paris gallery, George Stobbart and Nico Collard are thrown, seemingly by chance, into the investigation together. From Paris to London and beyond, the trail becomes a race against time as dark forces from Europe’s turbulent past are woken from their slumber. Broken Swordcharacters old and new are encountered – but who can George and Nico trust? The journey they are on reveals a conspiracy as old as the written word, whose ancient heresies will cause innocent blood to spill once more…
A classic point and click that feels utterly contemporary, Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse has re-united key members from the Broken Sword team, with layout artists from studios such as Disney, Aardman, and Universal who have created sumptuous, classically drawn backgrounds. The rich, lavish HD art, evolves the art-style so loved in the previousBroken Sword games.
Episode 1 will be released on December 4th for PC, priced £9.99 per episode / £14.99 if both episodes are bought together. Price and release dates for other formats to be confirmed.
Broken Sword 5: the Serpent´s Curse – The Adventure Continues
About Broken Sword 5: the Serpent´s Curse
Paris in the spring. Shots ring out from a gallery… A robbery – a murder – and the beginning of another epic, original Broken Sword adventure.
An adventure that will hurl intrepid lawyer George Stobbart and sassy journalist Nico Collard onto the trail of a murderous conspiracy forged in the cauldron of war-torn Europe. A conspiracy whose roots lie in mysteries older than the written word.
Armed only with logic, integrity and a wry sense of humour – can George and Nico outwit evil forces both ancient and modern and save mankind from disaster? From a Curse forged by the Devil himself?
Broken Sword is one of the world´s best loved adventure series, having been played by over 10 million players and earned exceptional reviews (including a Metacritic score of 91% for Broken Sword – Director’s Cut – iPhone). Broken Sword 5 – the Serpent’s Cursebuilds on this rich heritage.
About Revolution
Founded in 1990, Revolution is a world-leading developer / publisher of narrative-driven adventure computer games, with titles such as the Broken Sword series, which has earned over $100 million at retail, Beneath a Steel Sky and numerous major licenses. The company is a pioneer of digital self-publishing, and in 2011 ‘Broken Sword’ went to #1 on the Apple App store in every major European territory, achieved 5 million downloads, and was one of the world’s top 10 most Tweeted keywords.
