GTA V is nearly a week from release after six long years of production and the budget for the heavily anticipated title has recently been revealed. Coming in at a huge $265,000,000 US dollars (that’s alot of zeros), Grand Theft Auto V obliterates anything that has come before in terms of production cost and has a budget more inline with a Hollywood Blockbuster rather than a game. This total includes the total cost of developing, producing and marketing the popular title. Although this may seem like a massive amount to break even on, Rockstar and Take Two Interactive are poised to easily recouperate their losses, with over 2.1 million pre-orders placed for the game in the USA alone. Worldwide, the game will easily make over one billion dollars before the year is out.
To put the budget in perspective, GTA IV had a budget of around $100 million. A game such as Uncharted 3 had only a $25 million dollar budget. EA’s Star Wars: The Old Republic was the former record holder, with a budget of about $200 million. In the film industry, the most expensive film to ever be produced is Pirates of the Carribean: At World’s End (the final installment in the original Pirates of the Carribean trilogy), which finished up costing a whopping $300 million dollars to produce. While GTA V fails to take down the Disney movie, it beats every other film ever created in terms of budget. That is one impressive feat.
These inflated budgets are becoming a greater trend for large game companies as they strive to constantly push the boundaries and create bigger and better experiences for the players. Have you got your copy of GTA V pre-ordered? Let us know your hype level for one of the biggest releases in gaming history as we near the September 17 release date. If you somehow haven’t seen the official trailer for the game, you can check it out here.
The lovely ladies of Season One are back and better than ever!
Not much has really surfaced for the second season of Valvrave The Liberator, what you’re about to see is some awesome-looking pictures of the cast in the second season but apart from that we really haven’t got much at all, which is fine essentially because it’s only about a month until we actually get to see the series again. If you haven’t seen the series I highly suggest you go and catch up on it now before the second season begins because when it does a lot of people will be talking about it and you don’t want to miss out on that. Not one bit.
There’s a real focus on the female characters in this sneak peak.
Straight away we can assume that a sense of true government and stability will be developed by the time we’re introduced back into the story, you can see that strictly through the costuming and, in fact, that’s about all we’ve gotten. I’m hoping that the series evolves from just being a “segregated school” to and actual form of government and I think that’s what is going to happen. I highly doubt there will be any elongated time skip between seasons, I don’t think that will fit very well. It can really go a few different ways; there could be a small time skip and the audience will be told what happened in that time through flashbacks, we could see the development of the characters first-hand instead of through memories, it could honestly just begin right where it left off and blow our minds like the last season did, there are so many ways it could happen, such is Anime.
Straight out of a magazine but at least we have it.
Fact is; none of us will have to speculate for very long because, come October, we’ll be engulfed in the awesome power that is Valvrave The Liberator which has actually just been licensed by Aniplex. It made a very big impression during the run of it’s first season so I have no doubt in my mind that it will be making the same, if not bigger, impression this time around. Speculate with us, hit the comments section below and let us all know what YOU think is going to happen in Season Two of Valvrave The Liberator, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Over the weekend Capcom, at their “Monster Hunter 4 Direct” presentation, announced that the Monster Hunter franchise will be crossing over with two big titles from Nintendo for DLC in the latest iteration of the franchise; Monster Hunter 4. With the release of the newest game, players can download extra content that mixes Mario, The Legend of Zelda and Monster Hunter all into one! The first piece of DLC will be skins for the “Felyne” characters in the game, if you haven’t played the game; they’re like little familiars that follow you around and help in battle. The Felyne characters will be dressed as Mario and Luigi and will cary around massive hammers, very reminiscent of the older Mario titles. This particular DLC will be available in Japan through the “7Spot WiFi Service”, players will unlock the collaboration quest through going to their local 7-Eleven store, the quest will later be released online. The video from the conference referring to this part of the DLC is below:
The second piece of DLC, and by far what I’m most excited about, is the Monster Hunter X Legend of Zelda DLC. Not only will you be able to dress head-to-toe in true Link style but you’ll also be given a customizable Master Sword and Hylian Shield as your weapon. It’s not just those either, a bow, a boomerang and a musical instrument of your choice similar to those in the Legend of Zelda games will also be available for you to use. It’s quite exciting and you can use these new items in any way you please, having the costume on does not mean you HAVE to use the Legend of Zelda weapons and vice versa. No actually information on how to get the DLC has surfaced as of yet but once it does you can be sure we’ll be updating this article. The video from the conference referring to this part of the DLC is below:
The game will allow for up to four players to simultaneously play like in the games that came before it, the games will be directed and produced by the same people who did the previous titles and Manga creator, Hiro Mashima of Fairy Tail fame, has said to have designed a full-body outfit that will serve as armour and a special weapon, both of which will feature in Monster Hunter 4. Although there is no release date for the West as of yet, we do know that it will be Shipped around Japan for the 3DS on the coming Saturday, the game will go for about US$60 and it seems as though there will be a release of “Special Packs” which will go for approximately US$265 and will come with both the game and a Limited Edition 3DS XL, there will be two different designs for the console. Keep your eyes on the site for any and all news and information to be released in the coming months.
Total War: Rome II Developer:Creative Assembly Publisher:SEGA Platforms: PC (Reviewed) Release Date: September 3, 2013 Price: $59.99 – Available Here
Overview
The Total War franchise has been delivering solid historical strategy games since the original Shogun: Total War was released back in 2000. Epic historical campaigns have been fought from feudal Japan to the Medieval period to the times of the Industrial Revolution and Napoleon’s Battle of Waterloo. One of, if not the, most popular games in the franchise gave players control of Rome, the nation that formed the cornerstone of how society operates today.
With several games in the franchise getting sequels, fans have been clamoring for a return to Italy. How does the newest entry in the Total War franchise stand up? Is it a victory for the Empire or a dark stain on the name? Let’s find out.
Gameplay
The Total War games have been around long enough now that most fans of the strategy genre have probably had at least a little exposure to their playstyle. Even so, Rome II brings some new things to the series while keeping everything manageable for the novices and newcomers alike.
For the folks that are completely new to the franchise, Rome II has multiple ways you can go about playing it. In truth, it can behave as both a real-time strategy game such as Starcraft or as a turn-based world conquering game like Civilization V. Fans who want the overall experience can choose to enjoy both sides of the game together.
If you want the entire gamut of what Rome II has to offer the player, you’ll want to start a campaign. When you do, you’ll choose from one of eight playable factions: Roman Republic, Carthage, Macedon, Egypt, and more, with the potential of more as DLC or expansion factions in the future. Each has its own unique play styles, rival factions, political intrigues, military struggles, and more that will provide tension both from outside as well as within. This provides players with a great variety in what they can experience from one faction to the next.
Each turn, players will have to manage every aspect of running their empire. This includes everything from ordering the construction of buildings in each city to researching new technologies that benefit both the military and civilian sectors of society. You’ll also have to go back and forth with the rulers of other nations to handle war declarations and peace treaties, raise and reinforce your armies, and more. It can grow to feel a bit overwhelming at times, but you set the pace of the campaign so you never feel rushed to move on.
In Rome II, managing your army alone is a substantial undertaking. You’ll have to choose someone to lead each army. Do they belong to a house you’re rivals with or will they serve your interests? How much prowess do they have as a troop commander? What traits do they exhibit? Once you’ve chosen the force’s leader, you’ll be able to begin recruiting different troops to bolster your ranks. You can then choose how to place them in the world. Are they attacking? Defending a mountain pass? Will they set up a defensive position or plan to ambush your enemies on the road? There’s a tremendous amount of work that goes into putting your forces together, but seeing all of the planning and hard work pay off grants a wonderful sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that ensures you’ll want to keep track of every squad.
Arguably one of the most important aspects of any strategy game is the combat. Rome II delivers on this in spades. It’s quickly clear that the development team has gone to great lengths to make combat as intense and tactical as possible. Before battle, you can arrange your squads in whatever formation you see fit. Assigning squads to hotkey groups (as is standard practice for real-time strategy games) allows for quick access in the heat of combat. You have to be careful how you group and order your troops, though. Mixing foot soldiers with mounted units could lead to disaster if you aren’t paying attention.
Each unit has its own strengths, purposes, and viable tactics. For example, horseback units are great at running down enemies on foot, so you could place them at the top of a hill, out of the foe’s line of sight. This would allow you to bring them in behind to flank the unsuspecting army charging the hill. This is just one example of how proper planning and thought can bring swift victory or crushing defeat. It really gives you the sense that you’re there in the third century, racking your brain to decide the most effective path to victory.
Veterans of the series will notice several improvements to the combat in Rome II. An updated “true line-of-sight” mechanic utilizes terrain to block line of sight, allowing you to more effectively maneuver and flank your enemies. Naval combat can now take place alongside land battles, and the combat is more varied and dynamic, giving you better control of your vessels and the troops that man them. One of the most significant changes, though, is the fact that individual troops have their own health and can be attacked by multiple units at once. It makes the combat feel realistic and, by virtue of nature, more entertaining.
One of the most disappointing aspects of Rome II is the vast array of bugs and other issues being reported. Even though my machine easily met all of the recommended specs, I had to spend a considerable amount of time tweaking my graphic options to get a consistent frame rate. The forums are also rife with folks experiencing AI and networking problems. It’s worth noting, though, that the development team is taking an aggressive stance with patch development, working to correct the issues so many are experiencing.
Visuals & Audio Rome II is a fantastic looking game. The sheer scale of combat alone will leave you picking your jaw up off the floor. For the machines that can handle beefing up the settings, a truly beautiful game is there to enjoy. Even if you can’t ramp up the visual settings, the game is impressive to see. The variety of units, ships, and locations is staggering, constantly giving you something new and interesting. The intuitive UI and camera control are also great, letting you take in the whole battle or zoom in to see a single troop’s perspective on the fly.
Rome II has solid audio design. It works to deliver an immersive experience, bringing you into the setting with epic music tracks, clashing of swords, shouts of battle, and more.
Overall
Overall, Total War: Rome II is a great game. The gameplay offers a great variety of both real-time and turn-based options. The combat is immersive and intensely tactical while the campaign offers you the chance for something totally different yet equally as strategic. The game also looks great and sounds good. There is a lot here for fans of both the franchise and genre. All of the bugs in the game right now hamper the experience, but once they’re squashed Rome II will keep would-be Caesars conquest for years to come.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Now with the date for Xbox One release announced, the world is on the edge of their seats waiting to see what the gaming industry has in store for us. Tens of thousands of us have already rushed out to pre-order Xbox One and PS4 consoles, and traditionally Sony and Microsoft are still pitched up against one another.
Although, you would think that the two rival companies would have the odds against them, as gamers tend to have divided loyalties to consoles as well as the fact that they are launching the consoles so close to each other. However, it seems that despite the cheap mobile games, better free-to-plays and perfectly fine predecessors, the gaming culture is growing enough to create what seems to be the biggest console launch in history.
At the moment, reports show that PS4 pre-orders alone have already outstripped launch sales of the PS3. This I already learned first-hand today when I went to pre-order the PS4, as EB Games then JB Hi-fi told me that I couldn’t get my console. After a chat with a couple of guys that work at game stores in Sydney, it appears that here in Australia, the PS4 was all snatched up from the get go. There are also reports of stores selling out on Xbox One orders; the plan to throw in the EA Sports Fifa 14 game certainly helps them. Now, it appears that the PS4 is the current race leader, (as a PS follower, YAY!) but it is still too early to tell who will get the gold.
It is hard to tell how successful this all will become with varying predictions, but from what I have seen and heard, this is certainly on its way to being the largest console season in history. The better graphics, more complicated AI and physics, bigger worlds, and all the other goodies promise coupled with the larger than ever gaming culture are all obvious signs that success is undeniable.
There has been some seemingly bad news such as an announcement of Microsoft executive, Yusuf Mehdi, claiming that Microsoft’s strategy is to break even or perhaps make a small profit on sales of its Xbox One console, but then make money selling games and other services that comes with the Xbox console. However, this is not as bad as most have interpreted it; I would like to remind you what Sony did with their PS2. They sold their product with the price lower than the product costs, and this ended being a good move for them as they gained a good marketing share and considerable profits came from the games.
But whether you are a hardcore gamer with their name on the order list, an occasional gamer, a social/family gamer or pretty much anyone for that matter, be prepared for a new world of Interactive Entertainment. And also a reminder to Aussies, don’t forget that you can try out the new consoles at the big EB Games Expo in Sydney in early October.
In my time here, I have sort of carved out a niche for myself; mostly dealing with family-friendly games and books, so every once in a while it is an absolute treat to get to read something that makes my spine shiver and my skin crawl. Changing Ways: Book 1, by the incredibly talented Justin Randall not only accomplishes that desire I (and a lot of other people) have to be terrified, mortified and absolutely gripped, but does so with such intensity that it is impossible to put down. The tragic tale of Dave Barrot and his wife and daughter are expertly told with a story that will have you glued to the page, and artwork that deserves to be hung in a museum somewhere.
Story
Changing Ways follows the story of Dave Barrot, his wife Lucy and their daughter Jessie. The book opens with a great atmospheric scene where Dave is narrating that he hardly ever sleeps, and when he does he has nightmares. Immediately the tone of the book is set, and we as readers can get a sense of this troubled individual. It isn’t until much later in the book that we find out what has been the cause of Dave’s restless nights, but when we do, certain occurrences through the story begin to make a whole lot more sense.
Dave and his daughter have been collecting insects that each have a strange red mark on their body, and we soon find out that Dave himself has a similar mark carved into his chest (That is kind of a spoiler, but it is on the front cover of the book so i’m not giving away too much here). Without much explanation as to what these marking are or where they come from, the people of the little town of Grey Oaks start acting strange. Neighbours are becoming violent and cannibalistic, while the Barrots discover they have superpowers.
When a neighbor’s dog, marked with another strange red symbol bursts through the window and savagely threatens his family, Dave holds it off until its owner shows up. Unfortuntately he too is marked, and the altercation quickly becomes lethal. With his family’s safety being his top priority, Dave rushes them out of town to a little hotel, hoping that will be the end of the craziness for the night. Sadly, it is only the beginning.
The story takes place over one incredibly bad night for the Barrots, and occasionally jumps back a few hours to show what was happening to a particular character at a particular point in time. In this way, the book feels like it is telling two intertwined stories, each with their own protagonist; Dave and Lucy, and each tied together by their daughter Jessie.
Changing Ways was a book I had to read twice, for two very important yet vastly different reasons. Firstly, since the story jumps around a bit and it can be a bit difficult to keep track of when and where certain events are happening, secondly and more importantly the book is just that good that I needed to go back immediately after I finished it and read it once more. The second reading adds a bit of clarity to the story, and you can scan through and find a few hidden nuances that you might have missed the first time.
Artwork
Simply put, the artwork in this book is phenomenal. The way that Randall has drawn his world is so unique, so lifelike and so gorgeous to look at, even in its most tense moments. It is the kind of work that you wouldn’t be surprised to see hanging in an exhibit somewhere. The characters all look like photographs were taken, and then edited through Photoshop. Randall has managed to capture life and realism in his characters.
I think almost everyone at some stage in their lives was afraid of the dark, even if it was just for one night after watching a particularly scary film, or for a few months of a childhood. There is something about being unable to see everything that is happening around us that makes our mind race with possibilities, many of which are good. It is this sense of inbuilt fear and the ability for our minds to race uncontrollably that makes Changing Ways’ art style work so well.
Many of the panels in Changing Ways are set in high-shadow areas, or at the very least have large segments darkened out so that you can’t see what’s around every corner. Your mind is constantly racing about the things you can’t see to the point that it absolutely sucks you in. The use of rain throughout the book also accomplish this, as it obscures things in a different manner.
Overall
Changing Ways is visceral, raw, emotional and impossible to put down. As your mind fills in the blanks that were intentionally left in the artwork, and the story unfolds over this dark and scary night for the Barrots, you will be hooked. By the end of book 1, the story of Dave Barrot is far from over, and readers will be absolutely dying to read more. With its dark and dare I say frightening art style, and its short, sweet bursts of dialogue, fans of the horror and thriller genres, or those just looking for a book that is impossible to put down, will have no excuse to not pick up this must-read.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Coming off an incredibly strong first volume, the creative team of Tom Taylor and James Brouwer are back again with The Deep‘s second volume: The Vanishing Island. It was almost impossible to improve on the original, but these guys managed to do it. The artwork and writing retains all of the charm and originality from the original, while some slight refinements make the book feel like the real beginning to a series that will last a very long time.
Story
The Nekton family are back, and after their discovery at the end of volume 1, they are traveling the seas once again, hoping to find more clues to unravel the mystery (I can’t tell you the mystery without spoiling the ending of Volume 1… So check out Here Be Dragons to discover the mystery for yourself). While traveling along, they are contacted by the governor of a small island in the middle of the ocean. The governor has a unique situation on his hands; a GIANT tidal wave, enough to wipe out his tiny island and all of its inhabitants was headed straight for them, but instead of being wiped out, the small landmass and all of its residents remain untouched. Never ones to turn down a mystery, the Nektons set sail once again.
Joining the Nektons this time is an elderly gentleman by the name of Nereus, a man who seems to know the answers to the secrets of the world, but instead of just telling our favourite sea-bearing family, is coaching them to discover them for themselves. He has also taken up the hobby of trying to freak out Fontaine as much as possible, much to the rest of the family’s humor (although, an old man on a submarine freaking out a teenage girl is kind of a scary thought).
The story follows a lot of the same structure and pacing of the original; The Nektons are contacted about a mysterious event, they head to the location, find something amiss, investigate further, trouble ensues, and their family bonds get them through. The structure works wonders for the book, and is told at a great pace for everyone.
One of the problems I mentioned in the beginning was that the plot device in the climactic moment felt kind of predictable, this time it is far less so. Readers who are constantly analysing the book may be able to pick up on it rather quickly, but for the rest it should serve as an enjoyable surprise. The twist also allows for some incredible imagery, and imagination as you can just picture what the family, and especially Ant is thinking as it unfolds.
In the previous book we were also introduced to Trish, the reporter with an axe to grind against the Nektons (especially Kaiko) While her appearance in Vol 1 was minor at best, her absence here was noticeable. Here’s to hoping that she will become a recurring character and constant thorn in the sides of the Nektons as they unravel the mysteries of the ocean.
Once again the characters are all extremely well written, and everyone gets their chance to shine. Will solves the mystery, Kaiko saves an island of people and Nereus’ goofy exterior freaks people out. However the best part of the book is definitely Ant and Fontaine’s ‘spelunking’ of the floating island, and the touching moment that occurs between the two. It serves as a great lesson to anyone that family, and siblings will always be there for you, even if they are annoying (and want you to kiss a fish… no that isn’t a metaphor).
Even though this is the second volume in the series, you don’t need to have read Here Be Dragons to enjoy The Vanishing Island (although it helps). After having read both, I kind of feel that Vol 1 was an introduction to the characters and their adventures, while vol 2 really kicks off the story in a big way.
Artwork
Much like the first volume, the artwork here is an absolute dream to see. Characters and backgrounds are again clearly drawn, with enough detail to really make them come alive, but not so much that it becomes burdensome. The artwork even feels slightly more refined from the original, with some character designs and appearances being really sharp and clear.
Special mention needs to go to the lighting and shadows of this issue, which are simply spectacular. The faint aura of a glowstick in an otherwise pitch-black cave is portrayed impeccably in this book, as is the small impurities and other floating debris you find in the water. This issue definitely goes to show that you can have a cartoony-simplistic approach to a book, while maintaining a feel of realism.
Overall
The Deep: The Vanishing Island is another fantastic installment in The Deep series. Its characters are some of the best in comics right now, and even though it is targeted towards children, I can’t help but find myself dying of anticipation for Volume 3. The unique story, likeable characters and artwork that leaps off the page, The Vanishing Island is a worthwhile book on its own, and a fantastic installment to a series that hopefully continues to grow.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Not too long ago when people heard the phrase “Comics,” they immediately thought of Batman, Superman, Spider-Man or any of the other members of the Pantheon of heroes created by Marvel and DC. Now however, much like the video game industry, the tides are starting to turn for comic books, with indie publishers starting to steal the spotlight away from the heavy hitters. The Deep: Here Be Dragons from the talented team of Tom Taylor and James Brouwer is a clear example of why that is. Featuring a story aimed at children, but accessible for all ages and artwork that fits the tone of the book perfectly, and a cast of characters that above all else are just plain likable, revolves in a book that is a worthy addition to any comic fan’s collection.
Story
The Deep follows the exploits of the Nekton family. The Nektons are just like every other family, with one notable exception; they live on a submarine. The latest in a line of sea-faring explorers, the Nektons believe that the mysteries the ocean holds are more numerous and exciting than anything on land or space, and whenever they hear of something that piques their interest, they plug in the coordinates and set sail.
The family consists of four members:Will, the enthusiastic, history-buff patriarch of the family, Kaiko, his loving wife who has a tendency for being an absolute badass, Fontaine, the teenage daughter of the family who comes included with her typical teenage traits, and lastly Antaeus, the youngest son who is full of life, energy and the same obsession for knowledge as his father. Oh, and I can’t forget Antaeus’ pet fish; Jeffery, who alone is responsible for a lot of the book’s laughs.
The characters are all incredibly well written, with unique personalities that compliment each other, even when they are bickering like any family. The lynchpin of the whole book is definitely Antaeus, whose zest for life and youthful imagination make him the center of attention, even when he isn’t on the page.
Even the book’s minor characters are well written, none the least of which is Trish, the somewhat unscrupulous journalist. It is made abundantly clear that prior to the events of the book, Trish has crossed paths with the Nektons, and not in the best of circumstances. Trish feels like she is being built up as a rival for Kaiko, who immediately announces her displeasure at seeing the overbearing reporter (followed by an incredibly cool series of panels that feel like they would be right at home in an action film).
The story revolves around the Nektons and their search for a mysterious “Dragon” that has been sighted destroying ships off the coast of Greenland. As they delve beneath the surface, they discover more about this mysterious ‘dragon’ and where it lives. The plot device used during the book’s climactic will for many older readers feel hackney and slightly cliche, but this is excusable as you can easily see why a child reading the book would be ecstatic. If there is one real flaw with the story (and the book as a whole) it is that the conclusion feels a little too coincidental and easy.
Artwork
Artist James Brouwer’s unique style feels like it was absolutely destined to be part of a book like this. Featuring a design style that is deceptively detailed. Characters are all simply drawn and coloured, with enough detail to make the characters and settings leap off the page, while not going overboard and distracting the reader. The characters all have exhaggerated features that are simply hilarious to look at, and kids of all ages will laugh themselves silly over Jeffery the Fish and his deadpan expressions (you know… cause he’s a fish).
The Deep is one of those comic books that isn’t dialogue-heavy, and instead relies a lot on the visuals to move the story along. This makes it great for kids as there are no massive chunks of wrtiting to bog them down, and allows the story to flow and keep its pace. Since the visuals are what pushes the story along it is great to see them being so clean and nice to look at. More than anything, the visuals look like they belong in a Saturday morning cartoon. It isn’t hard to imagine that the Nekton family will fit in perfectly alongside Spongebob, Ben 10 and other kids favourite animated series.
There is only a small problem I had with the visuals, and that is during the book’s climactic moment, it is a little difficult to discern what has actually happened. This is largely in part due to the artistic choice of not properly showing the “Dragon.” It is a minor problem and your brain allows you to (for the most part) fill in what happened, but none the less I found myself looking at a few pages for far longer than I should have, trying to figure out exactly what it was that transpired.
Overall
The Deep: Here Be Dragons is an example of why the tides are turning for the comic book industry, and why indie developers are beginning to steal the spotlight from the big companies like Marvel and DC. With a great story, fantastic characters, and an art style that leaps off the page and comes to light, it is no wonder why this book is being picked up for an animated series next year. It is a worthy read for anyone who enjoys comic book, or simply a good story, and I can’t wait for there to be more.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 Developer:Tecmo Koei Publisher:Namco Bandai Platform: Playstation 3 (Reviewed), PS Vita Release Date: August 30, 2013 Price:$69.99 – Available Here
Overview
The words ‘One Piece‘ mean many things to anime fans, for some it means adventure, for others it means the thrill of the fight, for some it is the type of swimsuit they would like to see Nami or Robin wear. But regardless of what comes to mind when hearing those words, One Piece is undoubtedly a phenomenon. The series has millions of fans across the globe and with the immense success of last year’s One Piece: Pirate Warriors, it was only a matter of time that we would set sail once more.
While One Piece: Pirate Warriors was a reflective look back on this legendary series, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 is a delightful romp that sets out to deliver dream match after dream match and situations that One Piece fans could only dream of. If the original Pirate Warriors was a trip down memory lane, Pirate Warriors 2 is a journey into dreams. It is wish fulfillment at its finest and it is damn fun for it. This is truly the game that One Piece fans dreams are made of.
Gameplay
The task ahead of Pirate Warriors 2 was not an easy one. It had to top the wildly fun original game, all the while staying true to what made that game so good.
What Tecmo Koei have done with Pirate Warriors 2 is quite simply genius, by focusing in on the best element of the original game, they have created a streamlined experience that is every bit as addictive as it is consistently fun. That element is none other than the game’s battle mechanics, which place you in chaotic playgrounds to unleash mayhem as your favourite One Piece characters.
While the original game had platforming elements that broke up the battles, Pirate Warriors 2 is all about the fight, doing away completely with the platforming and QTE portions of the original. Not only does Pirate Warriors 2 give you more playable characters than the first game it ups the ante by turning the combat up to 11.
Hundreds of enemies can appear on screen at times and you will find yourself encountering characters from the anime that will either work with you or against you. There is a sense of chaos to the game that is hard not to be swept up in. When you have a horde of 100 enemies clashing with your own army of pirates as well as your favourite One Piece characters, it is just about every One Piece fan’s dream.
The amount of playable characters is impressive in and of itself, each of whom has their own unique play-style. With the inclusion of ‘Haki’ attacks, the combat becomes deeper and more extravagant than ever before, with special abilities being able to decimate countless hordes at a time. It is all so very simple, yet so very much fun, it might as well be the trademark of the ‘Warriors’ games at this point.
The game is set out in several different modes, Pirate’s Log (main story), Crew Episodes (side stories), Online mode and Challenge mode. Each mode is wildly fun in its own right, but the real star of the show here is the Pirate’s Log mode. This is where you will unlock the majority of your characters and content as well as level them up and increase their stats. On top of that, the effects all carry over between modes, including online play. The main story is quite long weighing in at anywhere between 25-30 hours in length.
Online play is interesting that it allows you to play co-operatively with another player to take on missions and levels from the Pirate’s Log. You can even send out an SOS to other players online to help you through a particularly tough level. It is a nice touch that adds a sense of community to the game. Playing co-operatively, be it online or offline, can prove to be a lot of fun. The chaos on screen is certainly immense but it never feels overwhelming, even with a additional player on board. The benefits of playing together is that you can tackle several objectives at once as well as work together on patrolling for loot.
What makes this game well and truly superior to the original game however isn’t the fact that it is a more focused game, but the fact that it is a game that caters to a wider audience. If you have never played a One Piece game or seen the anime series, you will have no issues what so ever with enjoying the game. It is a game to be enjoyed by anyone.
Visuals and Audio
Colourful, fluid, appealing, captivating and fun. These are all words that describe the aesthetics of One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2. Tecmo Koei have covered a broad spectrum artistically in their effort to recreate to rich and vibrant world of One Piece. Bursting with life and flavour at every corner, Pirate Warriors 2 is a delight to watch. The world is accurately portrayed and affectionately so. It is easy to be absorbed in the unforgettable world of One Piece and fall in love with its colouful cast of characters and the aesthetic design is definitely a big part of that.
The game’s soundtrack oozes style and captures the sense of adventure that One Piece embodies so very well. It is high octane, pulse pounding and exhilerating, a truly brilliant composition that adds greatly to the action on screen. Pirate Warriors 2 much like the first game also features Japanese language audio only, which isn’t any major problem if you don’t mind reading a few subtitles here and there. The voice cast is of course brilliant in their roles and bring each character to life in their own individual ways.
Overall One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 is the game that One Piece fans have always dreamed of. It improves on the original game in just about every single way, but what makes this game so very good is that it is a truly fun game that both caters to the hardcore One Piece fans as well as opening itself up to be enjoyed by those new to the series. That is the mark of a great game after all, one that can be enjoyed by not just some, but by all. This is one game not to miss out on. One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 set sails for new horizons and strikes gold.
Today a new trailer was released for Nippon Ichi Software’s Battle Princess of Arcadias which is set to be released as a PS3 exclusive in Japan on September 26th. While we’ve seen a fair bit of gameplay thanks to the extended debut trailer released a few weeks ago, this latest trailer highlights the game’s combat system.
The video can be seen below and as for the game itself, there currently have been no announcements made concerning Battle Princess of Arcadias’ release in the West by NIS America, though with TGS coming up, perhaps we’ll be more about this title sooner rather than later.
At the moment, reports show that PS4 pre-orders alone have already outstripped launch sales of the PS3. This I already learned first-hand today when I went to pre-order the PS4, as EB Games then JB Hi-fi told me that I couldn’t get my console. After a chat with a couple of guys that work at game stores in Sydney, it appears that here in Australia, the PS4 was all snatched up from the get go. There are also reports of stores selling out on Xbox One orders; the plan to throw in the 
