If you happen to own a copy of Dragon’s Crown, our review of which can be found here, then you may have noticed that both versions of the game now have a new patch waiting to be downloaded. Rather than simply fix bugs and tweak some of Dragon’s Crown‘s gameplay, Atlus USA has also added a few new features to the game. The full list of changes can be found below:
[Bug Fixes]
Stabilized network connectivity during online gameplay.
[New Features]
Hidden items can now be uncovered by simply moving the finger cursor over their location.
The item hotkeys can now also be accessed by holding the L1 Button (PS3)/L Button (PSVita).
Dagger and Bomb items can now be thrown diagonally by pressing Up on the Left Stick + Triangle button.
An option to fix all items at once in your bags has been added to Morgan’s item shop.
In the Options Menu, you can now select the area you wish to be matched in for online play.
[Feature modifications]
Arrow drops will increase according to how many Elf characters are in the party.
The visibility of inventory Runes while the player is near the bottom of the screen has been improved.
Other tuning and minor improvements to various gameplay elements were made.
Also to help out those who are trying to reach the pinnacle of power, the company has also released suggested skills for each class:
Join Capsule Computers editor Joe Morgan as he recaps all of the video game, anime, movie, and manga reviews for the week of August 11 – August 17, 2013. This feature is intended as a way to give you, our readers, a quick recap of every game we’ve reviewed on the site each week. The goal is to let you get the review information you want in five minutes or less.
As you may know, the first ever Japan Expo USA kicked off today and we now have some of the first announcements from the event have been made. Yen Press held their panel today and during the panel the company announced that they have acquired the license to release Reki Kawahara’s Sword Art Online and Accel World light novel series in North America.
Besides these light novels, the company also said that the manga arcs for Sword Art Online Aincrad and Sword Art Online Fairy Dance will also be released as well as the Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story manga series. Currently the first volume for each of these light novels and manga are currently planned for release sometime early in 2014.
Rockstar Games have updated theirGrand Theft Auto V Travelogue, showcasing three new areas of recreational activity for GTAV fans to explore in Los Santos and Blaine County, before the game is released next month on Xbox 360 and PS3.
The beautiful West Coast destination offers:
Exclusive Country Clubs: Los Santos Golf Club provides members with an exclusive V.I.P experience; where custom and formality are prioritised, women are carefully selected and you can privately tee off with the privileged and pompous.
Local Artisans: join the customer wall of shame at the local tattoo parlours, Ink Inc or Blazing Tattoo, and let one of the talented and highly-trained artists help you make a decision that will last forever.
Serenity & Wellness: visit the Master Private Yoga Instructor, Fabien LaRouche to practice deeply spiritual poses that you can contort your body into; including the Downward Facing Camel, Punching Starfish and Lucky Triangle.
Trevor: Cut Here
Before Grand Theft Auto V‘s release September 17, go to the official GTAV website for further updates on the travelogue and official artwork for Grand Theft Auto Online and Trevor: Cut Here.
Check out the Grand Theft Auto V screenshots in the gallery below and let us know what you think of the upcoming game in the comments section below.
Incipio’s DualPro iPhone 5 Case is a plastic hard shell case with a silicone core. It is available in a large variety of colour combinations, from the plain black on black to the eye catching Cherry Blossom Pink on Charcoal Gray.
The release of the iPhone 5 has brought a change in Incipio’s packaging. Gone are the slightly dangerous clear plastic box in favour of a package design that is best described as a plastic sardine can. The edges in the new packaging are duller and allow easier access to the contents. A sticker is cut and the plastic cover can be removed like a pull tab tin can lid. The case is securely attached to the box which require a good bit of force to “pop” out. As a person who has been cut several times, including one unpleasant incident that drew blood, with previous packaging, I thoroughly approve of the new packaging.
Inside the package is the case and the usual Incipio pack-ins. Along with the case, the DualPro contains a cheap screen protector, a microfiber cleaning cloth, and an application card. The screen protector is the crystal clear type and works well considering it is a freebie.
The case itself is a two piece case. The bottom-most piece is a silicone sleeve that fits around the iPhone 5 and a rigid polycarbonate piece that Incipio calls “Plextonium” that fits over the sleeve. Installation is a simple affair. Simply slip the silicone piece over the phone, line up one of the long edges of the phone to the plastic piece, and snap the polycarbonate piece over the silicone. The silicone has indents and a small rectangular Incipio logo that will ensure the plastic cover sits correctly. The silicone is stiff enough that there is few problems with the plastic shell pinching the silicone against the phone. The core also has enough give that the fit is well balanced. The core will not look baggy like a teenager wearing his father’s suit to his first interview or too tight like an overstuffed sausage.
Removing the case is just as easy. Pulling on the edge of the plastic piece out and away from the phone will cause the plastic piece to pop off. It takes a reasonable amount of force to remove and is practically impossible to remove without intentional effort.
The silicone core provides drop protection for the phone. It is thick enough to survive drops that would result from every day use. The silicone layer in the corners are a little thin compared to the top and bottom edges. The plastic frame envelopes most of the case, leaving thicker silicone for the top, bottom, and a small portion of the side. This allows access for the Lightning port, speakers, headphone port, mute switch, and all of the buttons. The case is very friendly for those who like to rest their phone face down on tables. Not only is there a generous lip on the case, the silicone actually extends to the front of the phone. The coverage reaches the proximity sensor and the home button respectively. The screen will rest about a millimeter from the surface of the table when placed screen down.
The plastic frame is coated in a rubbery material. It provides a little extra grip in the hand but is still slick enough to slide into a pocket without snagging. The silicone is of high quality as it has maintained its shape and a reasonably slick surface that does collect pocket lint like cheaper quality materials.
Nice sized ridges are cut out in the silicone to represent the volume and sleep buttons. I found it extremely easy to manipulate the buttons by feel when my phone was in a pocket or a bag. The cut out for the mute switch is generous which allows even a thumb to flick the switch. The headphone port has a healthy sized cut out that will accept many different cable sizes. Because Incipio’s silicone material has some stretch to it, even the my thickest cables designed for home entertainment systems could just barely squeeze its way through the provided hole. With that cable, the core did push the cable back out a little, but it was still able to make a clean connection. The largest headphone cable should have no problem with the Incipio DualPro case.
The camera hole is a large and generous sized cut out in the back of the case. My test unit is a neon yellow silicone core with a gray plastic frame which initially made me worry that it would potentially lead to problems with the flash. However, the silicone hole is cut larger than the plastic frame’s hole and ringed with a matte black plastic which results in no problems with case related flash glare.
In terms of thickness, the Incipio DualPro is an average sized case. The case is pretty light at 1.1 ounces which is a very usable weight for every day purposes. It adds 5.1mm of depth to the iPhone 5. In hand, it felt about as thick as an iPhone 4 with a slim case. Although it may not fit in the front pocket of your favourite tight skinny jeans, it will fit in the front pocket of most pants. The rubbery matte finish on the plastic shell is a pleasure to hold. It feels silky soft without being slippery. It is actually a bit addictive to touch.
The Incipio DualPro iPhone 5 case is an excellent general purpose case. The case is available in a plethora of colour options that will suit everyone’s fashion style. Priced at $29.99, the DualPro is definitely on the higher price range. However, the quality of materials is high. The silicone core performs well with none of the problems associated with cheaper materials, like the inability to hold its shape, excessive stretching, and stickiness. Plus, Incipio throws in a screen protector to provide all round protection for the device. The case feels great in the hands and can withstand a few mild bumps and drops. The DualPro is highly recommended for any iPhone 5 owner needing a little extra protection.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Anuman Interactive’s adventure game label, Microïds, have saved their last announcement at Gamescom to reveal their development of Dracula 5: The Blood Legacy. The last episode of one of the most successful adventurous and supernatural sagas, concludes Ellen Cross’s journey to resolve the series of mysterious paintings explored in Dracula 4: The Shadow of the Dragon.
Franck Berrois, Product Manager for “Dracula 5: The Blood Legacy” says “we are delighted to be able to reveal the outcome of Ellen Cross’ investigation that began in “Dracula 4“. Players eager for explanations will still have to wait a bit more but will soon get all the answers to the mysteries on hold”.
Dracula 5: The Blood Legacy takes players on a journey around the world, with original and varied puzzle games and encounters with characters whose motivations are ambiguous. Dracula 5 will be released in the fourth quarter of 2013 on PC, Mac, iOS and Android.
Check out the official website here for more information and don’t miss out on Anuman’s booth A023e-Hall 4.2 at Gamescom!
At GamesCom 2013, Square Enix released three new screenshots and a walkthrough video for their hotly anticipated director’s cut version of critically acclaimed action game Deus Ex: Human Revolution.
As you can see, the screenshots highlight the game’s updated Wii U, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One visuals which bring the game into the next generation graphically. They also showcase how the game utilizes each consoles tablet features, using the Wii U Gamepad, the PS Vita and the Mirosoft SmartGlass to great effect.
You can check out the walkthrough video from the event below. It showcases the FEMA Camp level and how it plays out in the director’s cut version which includes a revised Barret boss fight. The game is slated for a release at some point in 2013, however no solid date has been given since the title was delayed. Stay tuned for information as it comes to light.
Gameloft’snewest title in the Asphalt series of arcade racers hit iTunes today. Asphalt 8: Airborne‘s most notable new feature is the physics engine that will allow players to send their car flying through the air while executing death defying tricks in licensed luxury cars.
The game has a roster of 47 vehicles, 80% of them new to the series and all of them sporting a realistic damage system. Players can participate in eight different seasons across 180 events. Those looking to challenge other drivers can take it online in nine player races. The game also features asynchronous multiplayer for those looking to challenge friends living in different time zones.
Asphalt 8: Airborne is available on iTunes for $0.99.
Might and Delight’s unique title Shelter, available on Steam, is a game with an interesting concept; players are tasked with the role of a mother badger protecting her young. While this may seem like a simple concept at first, the game quickly reveals that there is more to this challenge than meets the eye.
Story
This game lacks traditional storyline which forced the developers to make the title driven more by concept than story as you traverse the games’ large wooded areas. Instead of a weaving story, the game unfolds its various features and hazards. The role of antagonist is played by the game world the developers have created, filled with challenges that drive you to see whats around the next corner. The lack of a set storyline may put off some gamers, but given the idea behind the game forcing some sort of story would have taken away from the overall experience they were trying to achieve.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Shelter is one of the things that the developers hoped to set their title apart from the rest of the Steam crowd, and for the most part they succeed immensely. You start off with four lively badger cubs in your den, but there is a fifth one that is extremely pale and laying on the ground. This is how the game introduces one of its main play mechanics; the act of gathering food to keep the young ones alive. You pluck a vegetable from the ground of your den and feed it to the sickly cub to get the game started. This is followed by small tutorials as you approach gameplay elements while the game walks you through these initial encounters. After the tutorial, you become quickly aware one one fact; the game lacks a HUD. Instead, the game gives you visual cues as to the hunger levels of the cubs through their fur color, the lighter the coloring the closer to starving the cub is. This seems like an easy task until you realize that there isn’t enough food to forage in order to keep all of them at optimum hunger levels. This is where the game sets up another challenge by adding a sneaking element to the hunting.
There are larger animals in the game, such as foxes, that will feed multiple cubs. This is easier said than done however, as the foxes will not let you catch them and require a stealthy approach as you stalk them through the bushes. There several challenges presented in each level other than the feeding and hunting however, as the environment itself will provide dangers to your cubs.
One of the ever-present enemies in the game comes in the form of a large bird stalking you from the skies which requires you to pull some Solid Snake style moves to keep your brood safe. One level puts you leading the brood through a night in the forest with strange noises permeating from the surroundings. Sudden sounds will cause the cubs to run through the darkness in fear and leaving the surrounding cone of light around the mother signifying the only safe area. If the cubs get too far away then they will be eaten by unseen creatures with no trace left.
As interesting and difficult as these bumps in the road can be, they may also be the game’s saving grace. These distractions are unfortunately too few and far between to keep the game from feeling like a digital walk in the woods. Except for the various challenges featured in each level (forest fire, giant eagle, etc.), there is a lot of repetition involved with playing. Every level is generally the same exercise of find food, dodge various obstacles, then follow the trail to the end of the level and then repeat. The game’s interesting concept, while creative and intriguing, is not enough to keep gamers sucked into the action. While gamers are rewarded for sticking out through the adventure, the initial experience may turn them off before they can get to the juicy bits which is a shame for such an original idea.
Visuals/Audio
One area where the game really shines though is its interesting take on the game’s environments. Shelter’s graphics have an almost cartoon vibe to it, calling back memories of the Katamari Damacy series of games except mixed with an oil painting. The world never seems to lose its charm as just looking around at the forest can become a little distracting compared to the levels’ actual goals. The developers also have done well with the incidental music they have put in it. Present but never overbearing, sparse but not boring the game’s music fits perfectly at just about every turn.
Having a sound reminiscent of modern day jazz, the music is used in lieu of an HUD in some areas such as the strummed chord when the cubs eat to the building swell of intensity as you’re stalked by a giant eagle as you run for your life with sparse drumming builds into a full band as it closes in. The ambient sounds used to bring the woods to life is on par with the music however, as they work as a team.The forest sounds keep the world lively while there is no music playing and vice versa making for an aural delight almost the whole time. Without a doubt the music and sound effects in this title is one of the ways the developers have really stood out.
Overall
Shelter is a game marching to the beat of its own drum and it marches confidently. Although it has some shining moments in gameplay, the repetition of the core mechanic may keep some gamers from the treat in the center. This is partly made up for by the great combination of ambient sounds and the perfect use of minimalist incidental music that makes the environment great along with the colorful and vibrant forest to traverse. If only the gameplay kept you hooked long enough to really experience what the developers wanted you to.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
It has been a long time coming, but finally the latest instalment in Tom Clancy‘s award winning Splinter Cell franchise has landed on shelves in the UK. Splinter Cell: Blacklist is the sixth chapter in the Splinter Cell story. It tells the story of Agent Sam Fisher as he tries to take down a terrorist organisation who are executing a series of attacks on the USA nicknamed The Blacklist.
This exciting new instalment sees a fresh actor taking on the role of Sam Fisher as he creeps, slides, and crawls his way through the shadows into one of his darkest missions to date. Bringing back such popular game modes as Spies vs Mercs as well as a revamped co-op mode, Black List promises to be one of the last great gaming experiences of a dying console generation.
Published and developed by Ubisoft, Splinter Cell Blacklist is now available to purchase on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PC in the UK.
As you may know, the first ever Japan Expo USA 
