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AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable C875 Review

Nathan Farrugia
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AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable C875 Review

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AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable C875

Manufacturer: AVerMedia
Compatibility: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Consoles with a Component Cable Connection
Price:  $199 AU Find a Dealer Here

The Live Gamer Portable (referred to from now on as the LGP) is AVerMedia’s latest entry into the game footage capture market. It is designed to record footage from a PC, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U but will also work with any type of component connection which means it will be compatible with some of the older consoles such as the Wii and Gamecube, however you will not be able to record anything that use only the old yellow, white and red composite cables to connect to a TV.

The LGP can record in up to 1080p at 60 Mbps, which in plain english means very high quality, high definition video. A big feature of the LGP is the ability to record straight to an SD card without the need for a PC, which is rare among capture devices. AVerMedia continues to support the device with new firmware and drivers and a recent firmware update has enabled recording to the SD card in 1080p. Buyers should be aware that only an SD card of Speed Class 10 is able to be used with this feature, so you should factor in the extra cost of a new SD card if you are considering purchasing the LGP. I didn’t have access to a Class 10 SD card at the time of this review so I can’t say too much about the straight to SD card functionality, but from the manuals it seems very simple to do and I would recommend it as the way to go when recording from a PS3, but this will be touched on later.

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Let’s start with what’s in the box and the device itself. The contents of the box feature a large assortment of cables and some other goodies, including:

  • Live Gamer Portable recording unit.
  • Quick Installation Guide
  • HDMI Cable
  • Component Video/Stero Audio Dongle Cable
  • Mini USB Cable (which is the sole way of powering the device)
  • 3.5 mm Audio Cable
  • PS3 Cable
  • Protective Bag
  • 3 Month Complimentry Trial to XSplit, which allows you to live stream your recorded footage.

The device itself is small, stylish and durable. Truly representative of the name portable, the device is light and about the size of an iPhone 5. All the functonality and inputs and outputs are clear and obvious to the user. The cables are all of a decent length and appear very durable while the included protective bag is made of a nice soft suede like material which will protect your LGP from the elements while you are carrying it around. In terms of system requirements nothing special is required. The LGP ran perfectly on my very basic non-gaming laptop and I saw no performance issues at all. Windows 7/8 are required and Apple fans will be disapointed to learn that the LGP is incompatible with MAC’s.

My first twenty minutes or so trying to set up the device to record my Playstation 3 was rather frustrating. While the manual describes how to connect the device to the PS3 which is simple enough, it doesn’t explain the settings that you have to change. It wasn’t until I went to download the firmware update and latest drivers (which took about 20 minutes along with downloading and installing the latest RECorder software) that a note was present that contained a link to a YouTube video that explained the connection process step by step. These instructions were clear and easy to follow but needless to say the PS3 connection guide should have been easier to find.

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If you are planning to switch alot between recording your PS3 (I can’t speak for the other consoles) through the LGP to a laptop and just playing through a standard HDMI connection, be prepared for alot of fussing around with cables and settings. The picture quality on the television became saturated with brighter colours and lost some sharpness when played through the LGP connection, but it wasn’t too large of a change and the picture quality showing the recording on the computer seemed unaffected, so the lower picture quality shouldn’t carry over to your recordings.

All that being said, once you get it up and running the simplicity and functionality of the LGP begins to shine through. Recording is as simple as pressing the ‘hot button’ on top of the device. No software needs to be open but you can have the RECentral software open to see the recording and adjust settings. Stopping a recording is just as easy with just another tap of the button. The light atop the LGP let’s you know the status of the device and this works great for somethings but not for others. An example of when this works is how the light stays one colour when in standby but then will pulse red when recording, letting you know all is going well. An example of when this isn’t so great is when theres an error, as I encountered when first trying to record straight to an SD card. I was then aware there was an error, but was not sure how to handle it as I didn’t know what the error was. The device could of been telling me there was an error with me using the wrong SD card or perhaps there was something wrong with my setup which was also the case.

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The picture quality the LGP can record in is really stunning and doesn’t disapoint. The good thing about reviewing a device like this is that I can easily let the picture quality talk for itself. The above picture of Tekken Revolution was taken using the LGP’s frame catpure and you can also view the videos below to get a feel for the quality I am talking about. Both videos were recorded in 720p however the first video featuring footage from The Last Of Us was captured with a tiny 0.3 mbps where as the second video was taken with 12 mbps. As you can see 0.3 mbps is far from the best quality, especially with alot of movement on screen, but still manages to provide a good picture and is still a decent option if you are low on storage space. This six minute video weighs in at a mere 48 MB. The video is better viewed in HD, so click here to view the below video on YouTube if you wish.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/K4nvjY3PGcQ?vq=hd720

In comparison, the second video below recorded at 12mbps provides a very clear picture, but the file size comes in at 143 MB for a video that has a duration of only 1:40. Again, the difference is more visible in HD, click here to view the below video on YouTube and set the quality to 720p to see what I’m talking about. The LGP can record in even better quality with the best settings being 30 frames, 60 mbps and full 1080p (you can get 60 frames by turning the resolution down to 1280 x 800 or lower), however you could imagine the file size being rather large. The great thing is the RECentral software tied in with the LGP gives the user a myriad of options so that they can adjust the balance of quality and file size to suit their needs.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/VQ3Qo8xcBrA?vq=hd720

In terms of audio, the LGP can capture source audio from the HDMI (as the above videos demonstrate), AV in cables, or from another audio source that you can connect through the 3.5mm audio cable. I also had the option to use my laptop’s included microphone to record my voice. For those that like to record live commentary, you can record the commentary audio to a seperate mp3 file, leaving your source audio intact. As you can tell from the two demonstration videos, the audio comes in crisp, clear and without delay, regardless of the video quality settings you have set.

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The RECentral software that is tied in with the LGP looks neat, is easy to use and includes several different options to match up with the users skill level. I am a true novice at recording gameplay footage, however was easily able to use RECentral to change options such as file type, the destination folder, video quality and more. The newbie mode takes care of the options for you and simply let’s you detect which source the video is coming from, however even as a rookie, I didn’t have any trouble using the pro menu options. One thing I found strange was that only the amateur option gives you a preview of what the video quality will look like, I found this feature handy but wasn’t a fan of how the amatuer settings were represented so tended to stick towards the pro menu. It would of been nice to see that preview be distributed across all the skill level options. For those that like to stream live directly through sites like Twitch, you can also do that through the RECentral software as well as utilise the TimeShift function which allows you to go back and start recording from previously buffered footage. It should be noted that RECentral does lack any kind of video editing utilities, so you will need to utilise a seperate program for your editing needs.

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In conclusion, when you get the Live Gamer Portable up and running after a rather tedious setup process, you will be very pleased with it’s performance and capabilities. All the functions are there for both a total rookie and an experienced game footage capturer to record the videos they want, how they want. The portability aspect and compatibility with a range of devices with different connections is a plus, as is the rather unique straight to SD card record mode. At a respectable price, I would definitely recommend the AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable to those with the correct hardware looking to get into the gameplay recording scene or those looking to upgrade from an older capture device.

7-5-capsules-out-of-10

Get Familiar with ArmA 3’s Helicopters in New Video

Jamie Laike Tsui
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Bohemia Interactive and Andrew Gluck AKA Dslyexci from ShackTactical returns with another Community Guide video for ArmA 3. After covering infantry combat, multiplayer team work, the alpha to beta status changes, Gluck is ready to teach players how to tackle one of the most challenging vehicle in ArmA 3.

The helicopter is a beast of a machine to fly, the pilot needing to manage the pitch, the rudders, and the basic weapon systems. For those looking to learn how to fly, the Community Guide: Helicopters video is a great starting point.

ArmA 3 is the latest iteration of the realistic combat simulator series. The new game is currently in beta, and is available as an early access game from Steam and Bohemia Interactive.

The Uncanny Valley: What is a Gamer?

Alexis Ayala
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The Uncanny Valley: What is a Gamer?

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It used to be that a gamer was easy to define, you had a console that played games or built a PC rig and that was that. Today we play games in web browsers, on our phones, even our user interfaces are becoming increasingly “gameified”. We’ve arrived at a point where what you would traditionally define as a gamer has become a grey area. This episode we tackle this very question.

Sometimes it’s hard to describe things. You have a clear idea of what it is in your head and the moment you try and put words to it everything fumbles out of your mouth and it sounds like nonsense. This is not what our show is about. What it is about… is, well it’s about a lot of things. It’s about life, it’s about love, it’s about you.

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The Uncanny Valley is a documentary styled show that tells stories about people who love things not because they’re cool; but for the pure sake of loving them. It’s about that time you camped out in the rain for first screening tickets to Star Wars; but it’s not about Star Wars. It’s about all those hours spent putting together and crafting the perfect costume for that cosplay convention; but it’s not about anime. It’s even about how you took first place in that Starcraft competition; but it’s not about video games.

This is a show about the people who never let that childlike love of things escape.

Be sure to also check out both Episode 1 and Episode 2 of The Uncanny Valley below.

Episode One : The Uncanny Valley: 48 Hours

Episode Two : The Uncanny Valley: The Undead

Episode Three can be viewed below along with our special B-Sides on What is a Gamer. Be sure to also visit the official Uncanny Valley Facebook page HERE for more information and details for season two of the series.

The Uncanny Valley: What Is A Gamer?

B-Sides – What Is A Gamer?

CC Comic Zone – Character Spotlight – Luther Strode

Frank Inglese
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CC Comic Zone – Character Spotlight – Luther Strode

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Here we are, back for another week with CC Comic Zone! Once again I am Frank Inlgese and this week I’m going to go for something a little different. The past two weeks I’ve spoken about Relatable Protagonists and Older Characters in Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels but this time around I’ve decided to try something new by doing something I’m going to call: CC Comic Zone – Character Spotlight. Character Spotlight will have me talking about some of my favourite characters in illustrated media and it will also be used as a way to introduce you to characters you may not know yet that I continue to reference throughout CC Comic Zone. The first CC Comic Zone – Character Spotlight will be on Luther Strode, the titular character from both The Strange Talent of Luther Strode and The Legend of Luther Strode which are some of the most action-packed titles I’ve ever seen. Let’s begin shall we?

 

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Luther Strode was a normal high school kid, he loves his mum, he loves his friends and he has a crush on a cute, punk-ish girl named Petra but Mr. Strode also gets the crud kicked out of him daily by a meat-head named Paul. That’s a fairly standard existence for a lanky, nerd like Luther Strode, it’s also what makes him a really good main character. I’ll explain that soon enough. Eventually Luther decides that “enough is enough”, he needs to find a way to stop this from happening, it’s ruining his life and he just can’t stand it, well Luther happens to find an advertisement in a crummy magazine, an advertisement for something called “The Hercules Method”. “The Hercules Method” boasted that it was a fast way to become strong both physically and spiritually, it’s a training regimen for your entire being and to Luther it was his last chance at stopping this problem once and for all, even if it is a long shot.

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He begins training, he follows the steps and in no more than a week or so he has changed drastically, he’s no longer this string-bean of a man, he no longer has the muscle density of linguine, he’s a hulking mass of pure muscle. This is where the problems start for Luther Strode. He goes to school and shows Paul who the big dog is by breaking his jaw with a single punch but over the next few days some weird things begin happening, he breaks into a hallucination where he kills Paul, his best friend Pete and basically everybody standing around him, lucky it was just a hallucination but it was just too real for Luther to handle, he doesn’t know what to think and he definitely doesn’t know what to do about this new found “talent”.

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Let me just say that the story gets extremely epic and extremely gruesome as it continues, I’m not going to spoil anything for you, this is just an introduction after all. I think I like the character of Luther Strode so much because he was a normal guy who had real-life problems. Not only was he dealing with school and being attacked by bullies but he also had his Mum to think about who, before the series had started, was attacked by his father who continuously beat her. The fact that, once you dig a little bit deeper, Luther didn’t just want to become strong for himself but for his Mother is such a great thing for a character to have, especially a character like him that, by the end of the first book, is nothing but a bloodthirsty, killing machine that has been thrown into the world of carnage.

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You tend to forget Luther’s origins by the time you’ve finished the book because this second “person” really takes the spotlight and you go to your friends and say something like “Jeez, Luther absolutely destroyed those guys” and you forget that Luther, essentially, was like us. He’s also one of the greatest Anti-Heroes that I’ve ever seen, honestly, I believe he is. He doesn’t just KILL any antagonists, he turns them into a piles of dead flesh and pools of stale blood. He destroys anything in his way but I don’t believe he’s ever killed an innocent person. Luther seems to take down lower thugs the same way he takes down powerful enemies which shows that he has not one shred of restraint, as long as he knows they’ve done wrong he kills them without a second thought. It seems like Strode has two modes: Kill and Not Kill. There is no grey area for Mr. Luther Strode.

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Strode’s transition from The Strange Talent of Luther Strode (First storyline) to The Legend of Luther Strode (Second storyline) is one that doesn’t seem drastic but it really is. It’s five years after the first story which means five years of more blood and carnage. Luther doesn’t seem to “turn off” in The Legend Of Luther Strode, he’s always on guard, he’s always ready for a fight and you know what’s funny? He still has the heart of his high school sweetheart Petra. Despite the events of both stories she still wants to be with him, or at least, be around him because, unlike the audience, she remembers Luther as he used to be and not so much as he is now.

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That’s why I think Luther Strode is an outstanding character and the star of some outstanding comics. Now that you’ve seen my view of Luther Strode let me know what you think of him after reading this, hit up the comments section below because I’d love to hear your thoughts on Luther Strode and on anything to do with CC Comic Zone. The Strange Talent of Luther Strode and The Legend of Luther Strode are both created by the extremely talented Justin Jordan, Tradd Moore and Felipe Sobreiro. Did I get you interested in Luther Strode at all? Check out the Official Website here if I did and stay tuned for the next CC Comic Zone.

Upside Down Review

Vicky Martin
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Upside-Down-Boxart
Upside Down
Studio: Kinology/Studio 37
Publisher: Madman
Format: DVD (Reviewed), Blu-Ray
Release Date: 17th July, 2013
Price: $29.95 – Available Here

Overview

Juan Solanas’ film, ‘Upside Down’ presents to the audience a double gravity world that explores the extent to which lovers, Adam and Eden, can emerge together after every force of separation. The concept of love being stronger than gravity is impossible to imagine, however there exists a power to combine both realms and reunite the opposing universes. The question now is whether Adam and Eden can break the law of physics and finally be with each other.

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Story

The film begins with Adam Kirk’s (Jim Sturgess) voiceover explaining this mystifying universe; “You see I come from that very mysterious and unique place, where we are the only known solar system with double gravity and in our world it is possible to fall up and rise down. There are three basic laws of double gravity; every single object is pulled by the world that it comes from, an objects weight can be offset using inverse matter from the opposite world, after a few hours of contact, matter and contact with inverse matter burns”.

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Adam Kirk and Eden Moore (Kirsten Dunst) aren’t the average Romeo and Juliet; yet resemble the first man and woman from the religious myth to be together -only problem is that their love is forbidden by the gravitational force of their worlds. Up top is for the wealthy and prosperous and down below is where the disadvantaged are dependent on up top’s inverse matter. Despite the predicament, Adam and Eden form a magical relationship in their early teenage years, finding each other at the edge of the snowy, Sage Mountains. When hunters and boarder patrol dogs discover the two together, a terrible incident occurs that leaves both of them in the dark for ten years.

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As a man who believes in anti-gravity, Adam works on a formula for rejuvenating ageing skin and decides to take on a new job opportunity at Transworld, the divider building between worlds, after he finds out that Eden is an employee there. However, there are no love stories without complications and for Adam, he must not only reconnect their former relationship, but risk his life in changing worlds to see Eden and break new ground with a formula that will revolutionise both worlds, so they can finally be together. The one criticism within the film, would be the questionable sequences involving Adam’s invincibility, when it came to dodging bullets and falling from great heights.

Visuals

The fascinating universe is breathtaking and expressed with such unbelievable visuals, that the audience finds themselves realistically in both an up and down world. To direct such a film and shoot a double gravity world would seem beyond absurd and too complex; however Juan Solanas and his production team were able to successfully flip and mirror the rotation between the two gravities. For example, the transitional scene in the upper world, in which Adam swims to the middle of the ocean and removes his inverse matter to be lifted upside down in the sky towards the ocean in his world, is magnificently captured. Drawn from Montreal, the unique solar system encompasses a parallel visual experience for the audience to admire up from below or down from above. Without the set design, visual effects and cinematographic frames, the audience would not be able to truly appreciate this ambitious project and beautifully constructed film.

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Audio

Benoit Charest composed the soaring and inspirational music that drifts between worlds and changes of gravity within the film. The music is touching and creates a sense of longing to join the universes together and in the process reunite Adam and Eden. There was a wide range of soft and thrilling music within the film from theatrical orchestra pieces throughout the ballroom scenes and off-beat sounds in running scenes across worlds.

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Extras

Upside Down DVD contains a variety of additional bonus material; including a behind the scenes featurette with the production crew, extended interviews on different aspects of the film with Kirsten Dunst, Jim Sturgess and Alex McDowell, the theatrical trailer of the film and MADMAN propaganda.

The main featurette is behind the scenes, which gives the audience exclusive insights into the remarkable project produced in Montreal. One of the producers, Anton Soumache sums up the filming experience by saying, “It’s been a beautiful, long adventure, three and a half years from concept to shoot in 55 days”. Guest appearance from other production members include cinematographer, Pierre Gill and visual effects supervisor, Francois Dumoulin and production designer, Alex McDowell, as well as the main cast and director.

Overall

Upside Down is an amazing romantic and fantasy film, that would suit anyone who is interested in an abstract and visually incredible graphics. The magic realism and metaphorical elements enhances ‘Upside Down’, providing the audience an entirely different universe to cater for a new type of gravity-love story. Perhaps love is stronger than gravity, but that all depends on what you believe.

7-5-capsules-out-of-10

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Bros Review

Luke Halliday
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Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Bros
Developer: Alpha Dream
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: July 13, 2013
Price: $39.99 – Available Here 

Overview
It was 10 years ago that the Mario and Luigi RPG series began. Not only that but it was 30 years ago that Luigi made his debut in Mario Bros, originally conceived simply to be a ‘Player 2’ character. He was a simple recolour of his brother Mario back then and was not even given a name until years later. Over the years, Luigi developed into his own distinct personality, the lovable goof that never could step out of his brother’s shadow. Luigi had often played second fiddle to Mario. He was the sidekick, the ‘Player 2’, the other brother, sure Luigi’s Mansion let him be the focus but it was Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga that put him on the same playing field as his brother. Mario wasn’t the lone star of that game, Luigi shared that spotlight and in Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Bros he steals it. 2013 is the Year of Luigi and this is the game Luigi fans have dreamed of.

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Story
Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Bros is undoubtedly the best story told in the Mario and Luigi RPG series, if not in the entire Mario series in general. The plot focuses on a trip to a resort island called Pi’illo Island, one thing leads to another and just about everything that could go wrong does go wrong. The focus quickly shifts to an ancient power of the Pi’illo people – the ability to travel into the Dream World. Soon Mario and Luigi find themselves swept up in a quest to free the Pi’illo people from their literal nightmares all the while trying to save Peach from yet another kidnapping, this time by the hand of the dastardly Antasma.

The concept of the Dream World is an interesting one at that, but what Dream Team Bros does that makes it so special is place you inside the head of Luigi. His dreams and imagination are simply wonderful, but it is the depths of his mind that really strikes home just who Luigi is as a character. In a memorable part of the game, Mario must venture deep within the Dream World to a place that echoes Luigi’s subconscious thoughts and feelings. There is a surprisingly touching sequence in which Luigi’s thoughts fly across the screen in a rather psychedelic dream state. All his thoughts are of his brother Mario. The thing that makes this sequence so touching is the way it illuminates Luigi’s importance to Mario. He says things like, “I’ll follow my brother and be there for him, now and always”, “I must protect my brother” and “My bro rocks!”. It is clear that Luigi loves his brother, but feels a sense of responsibility for him, desiring to protect him above all else. He is the rock that keeps Mario grounded.

Obviously this is the most introspective Mario game to date and one that takes a look at what defines these two brothers and their connection to one another. The Mario and Luigi RPG series has been known for its complex and colourful story-telling but none have hit the emotional notes that this one does. The bonds between these two brothers are unbreakable. They truly are a dream team.

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Gameplay
Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Bros features an incredible story, the best the series has seen thus far, but it also features the best gameplay seen in the Mario and Luigi RPG series as well. It takes the formula that is now tried and true and polishes it to perfection all the while introducing some new elements that bring the series to the 3DS with an impact.

The game plays essentially the same as previous installment in the Mario and Luigi RPG series, Mario’s actions are controlled with the A button and Luigi’s actions are controlled with the B button. The game mixes role-playing game elements with platforming and puzzle elements, a winning formula that the series has now perfected in Dream Team Bros. In combat many of the brothers attacks, counters and dodging relies of reflexes and timing much like a platforming game. There is of course a lot of jumping involved as is the norm for Mario and Luigi. What is really interesting with this game is its two worlds system.

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As previously mentioned, Dream Team Bros features a Dream World alongside the Normal World. The Dream World is set apart from the Normal World primarily by the fact that it is a two dimensional side-scrolling world with a heavy emphasis on platforming and puzzle-solving. In the Dream World, battles are still possible but are very different to the battles seen in the Normal World. In the Dream World, Luigi fuses with Mario and makes ‘Luiginary Attacks’ possible, some of which are utterly wild to say the least such as one that sees Mario rolling a giant ball of Luigis that he can hurl at enemies. Not only that but in the overworld you can transform Luigi with his imagination into all manner of things in order to assist with your platforming. It is all part of the puzzle solving.

The differences between both worlds make for an everchanging gameplay experience, the Normal World is more traditionally RPG in design whereas the Dream World is a psychedelic ride that mashes up genres in a way best described as chaotically delightful. Going between both worlds is somewhat addictive and ensures that there is never a dull moment for players.

What really lies at the core of Dream Team Bros though is an immensely fun game. It is an RPG game that is quite easy to pick up and enjoy no matter your level of skill with the genre or games in general. That accessibility is all part of the magic of Mario and Luigi RPG games, they are fun for everyone.

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Visuals and Audio
Aesthetically Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Bros is a gorgeous game. Alpha Dream have taken the tailor-made style of the Mario and Luigi RPG series to new heights with this game. Utilizing both pixel art and 3D graphics, they have struck the perfect balance here, not going too far either way, instead balancing perfectly in between both extremes. It is colourful and adventurous in all the right ways. The visuals are not only incredibly well detailed but also quite daring. Alpha Deam have tried some new things here and they have got the balance just right, something that is well deserving of praise.

The soundtrack for Dream Team Bros sees series veteran Yoko Shimomura return to compose what is an incredible array of tunes that back the action on screen with ease. Shimomura knows just the right notes to hit here, with the incidental music covering the plucky vibes of Pi’illo Island to the dark grungy tones of intense combat. It is a great soundtrack from top to bottom and one that serves the game well.

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Overall
What we have here is the game Luigi has always deserved. Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Bros is an excellent game all around that showcases the incredible world of Mario that Nintendo has spent decades crafting. It is a world that is ever expanding, with each new adventure Mario sets out on. While the sun may rise again and Luigi may fall back into Mario’s shadow once more, Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Bros shows that he is every bit as important, not just to Mario, not just to Nintendo, but to us.

It seems fitting that on the Year of Luigi we get what may very well be the best Mario RPG to date. Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Bros is a must-play game for the 3DS. It just doesn’t get any better than this. Dream Team Bros is quite simply a dream come true.

10-0-capsules-out-of-10

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Arkham Origins Beta Keys Going Out

Andrew Day
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A few days ago, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment announced that the upcoming Batman: Arkham Origins will feature a unique multiplayer mode. Since then, unsuspecting WBID (Warner Bros ID) members have found waiting for them an invite for the upcoming beta.

Wait, what!? We didn’t even know there WAS a beta. Warner Bros pulled the wool over our eyes this time. According to the emails that were sent out, the beta will run from August 7th – 14th and will include the whole multiplayer experience. Yes, that means if you were lucky enough get an invite, you will get to play as the Dynamic Duo, AND members of Bane’s and Joker’s gang way before anyone else.

Some people have been suspicious of the beta invites, as there was never a sign-up process, and also no rhyme or reason as to who got picked. To clear up any confusion, the official Arkham Origins Twitter Account posted

So there you have it. Arkham Origins is not only the first Arkham game to be getting multiplayer, but also a beta. Did you get an invite? Are you excited for this multiplayer, or do you just wish it would remain a single-player experience? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to stay tuned to Capsule Computers for all the Arkham Origins news as it becomes available.

Ethan: Meteor Hunter Preview

Jamie Laike Tsui
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Ethan: Meteor Hunter is the French indie studio Seaven Studio’s first game. The studio is comprised of seven developers who worked at Hydravision Entertainment before the company went under in September 2012. The team decided to continue working together and save a project they were working on. They cobbled together their life savings and went indie to bring Ethan: Meteor Hunter to market.

Ethan: Meteor Hunter is a side scrolling puzzle platformer. The title character is Ethan, a mouse who has gained mysterious telekinetic powers after a meteor crash lands in the world and shatters into thousands of pieces. He is now on an epic journey to gather up all the fallen pieces that will take him across three different worlds  The game is currently in alpha status, with a slated release for a summer 2013 release.

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The puzzle platforming gameplay in Ethan: Meteor Hunter is pretty classic stuff, with a big twist. With the help of a special power up, Ethan can temporarily stop time and rearrange blocks in the level, allowing him to reach places previously inaccessible. The levels are full of dangerous traps that will introduce Ethan to an early demise in a variety of grisly manners. Upon dying, players will be sent back to the last checkpoint to start again. The checkpoint system works well, providing those who may not be very skilled at platformers a chance to enjoy the game.

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The controls in Ethan: Meteor Hunter are a little confusing at this point. Although they work well, the tutorial is labelled for the Xbox 360 controller. Those using mouse and keyboard to control the game will have to figure out the equivalent key presses at the start of the tutorial with the help of the bind keys menu.

The Alpha Demo is exactly that at the moment. Only a small portion of the levels are currently available. A short, barebones tutorial and how to play section is all that is available. There is no way to save the game progress, so experiment away! Those terrible scores you posted on the last run will disappear when the game is closed. There are some gameplay elements that are completely self-explanatory, but others really need a small tutorial in the final version of the game. A good example are the red platforms that crumbled after a few moments and the sticky glue found on some surfaces that allows Ethan to jump from wall to wall.

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The levels starts out rather easy, but the difficulty level suddenly ramps up to extremely high once timed based pressures like saw blades begin mercilessly chasing Ethan. Some serious difficulty changes will need to be made to help lower skilled players to enjoy the game. Those who find the levels too easy can provide themselves with a greater challenge by collecting all the meteor pieces in each level in the fastest time possible. There are some incredibly devious placements that will require either doubling back and sacrificing some time or the perfect jump.

There are some great ideas in Ethan: Meteor Hunter. The puzzles on the range from simply creating a platform for Ethan to leap onto, to more complex ones requiring the player to route power from one point to another with metal blocks, while using nonconductive wooden blocks to prop up the metal ones. There is even a shoot’em up level where Ethan rides a small rocket ship and must dodge a variety of bombs and balls of laser fired at him. Ethan’s ship is armed with a small gun that can destroy incoming mines. I would have liked to see this gun autofire, as parts of the level resulted in me mashing the space key like it was going out of style. Seaven Studio has some interesting ideas to ensure that Ethan: Meteor Hunter is anything but a generic puzzle platformer.

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Ethan: Meteor Hunter is presented as a 3d side scrolling platformer. Everything but the static backgrounds are three dimensional. The art style is cartoony, reminding me of the early days of computer animated films. The visuals are crisp and the visual presentation of important gameplay elements are easy to understand. I do hope the current static 2d backgrounds are temporary, as some of them are a little pixelated.

The sound effects are decent, though the default volume seems to cause the music to drown out the much softer sound effects right now. The music is a little on the dark side, feeling perfect for the darker themed levels, but hopefully there are some lighter tunes for the lighter areas in the full release.

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Ethan: Meteor Hunter has some great potential to be a great platformer that takes the traditional puzzle platformer and gives it a good twist. Even in its early state, Ethan: Meteor Hunter shows it has the stuff to be a unique game that platformer fans will love. The game is currently available as a free Alpha Demo at the Steam Greenlight page.

Laike’s PC Download Deals 8/3/2013

Jamie Laike Tsui
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This edition’s best deal goes to Amazon’s Bioshock Triple Pack. The bundle contains all three Bioshock games, each a fantastic title on its own right. For those who don’t own Bioshock Infinite, it is available alone for 50% off. Alternatively, Bioshock 1 & 2 can be purchased together for $5.00. Oddly enough, Bioshock and Bioshock 2 are $10.00 each alone, so buyers are better off buying the dual pack and sharing their spare copy. Check out our Bioshock Infinite review if you need help deciding if the game is worth a purchase.

 

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GMG is running yet another 20% off coupon this week, remember to try GMG20-4B9NY-L4FEN on your order to save a little extra cash.

 

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InFlux Now Available

Jamie Laike Tsui
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InFlux, one of the winners of the PAX Aus Indie Showcase, has finally been released. The puzzler stars a little metal ball wandering around a beautiful and lush island full of mysterious glass houses to explore. Once inside the house, the player will be transported into a colourful alternate world where gravity seems to shift and the outside world fades. Here, players will need to navigate through the puzzles and return to the island.

InFlux is available for $9.99 at the official Influx website. The game runs on Windows as a DRM-free download and Impromptu Games is running a Steam Greenlight campaign. A Mac compatible version is currently being tested and will be released shortly.

 

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