So, this week, for the second episode of Honesty Box I’ve turned my attention to Sleeping Dogs; Square Enix‘s much loved Free-Roam ActionRPG set in a fictional rendition of present day Hong Kong.
Expect more of the same in terms of what occurred in last week’s episode but with the introduction of choice game play footage. Topics discussed include the random variety of invisible walls, car doors, basic physics, self-loathing and carjacking like a gent.
Next week I’ll be exploring Max Payne 3, which should be interesting as I’ve already had a great deal of fun amassing in-game footage…
With the Tour de France just around the corner to begin on June 29th, now is the perfect time for developer Cyanide Studio and publisher Focus Home Interactive to release their annual Pro Cycling Manager. This year’s game, Pro Cycling Manager 2013 – Tour de France 100th Edition, pays homage to the famed race as it celebrates its 100th running since it began 110 years ago.
In addition to Pro Cycling Manager 2013 releasing onto PC today, the console version, Tour de France 100th Edition, is also releasing today for Xbox 360 and PS3 at European retail stores and download for PSN around the world (US PSN on July 2nd). A launch trailer has also been released to show off the cyclists in action at several of the different locations during the Tour de France, such as the Alpes d’Huez and Champs-Elysées at night.
Players can watch it for themselves by checking out the launch trailer embedded below or find more information from the official website that launched last month. Those wanting to check out the console version can find it at Europe retailers, while those wanting to play the PC version can also find it download it from the Official Site or Steam.
LEGO Legends of Chima: Laval’s Journey marks the first game for the new original IP from longtime LEGO game developers Traveller’s Tales Games (TT Games) and publisher Warner Bros. While a much larger entry into the Legends of Chima is still in the works with the online game, which just announced its beta, Laval’s Journey gives the first glimpse of the world of Chima and the animal tribes therein.
Releasing soon onto PS Vita and Nintendo 3DS, players can get a jump on what to expect in Laval’s Journey with the launch trailer that was also released that explains just who Laval is and why he’s on his journey. The game will also include more than 60 characters and while not as big as some LEGO games is still a whole lot to choose from, especially as a new IP.
Those wanting to watch the launch trailer for LEGO Legends of Chima: Laval’s Journey can find it embedded below, while those wanting to get their hands on the game can find it in stores when it releases June 21st in Europe. Though a Nintendo DS version will also be coming in Fall.
While having given Early Access to those who had pre-purchased the game, the day has come when developer Frogwares and publisher Focus Home Interactive threaten the sanity of PC gamers everywhere with the full release of Magrunner: Dark Pulse. What better way to show off their madness inducing puzzle game than with a trailer to set the stage for all the horrors within.
The trailer introduces Magrunner‘s setting of 2048, and Dax and 6 other contenders task of navigating a complex filled with tests requiring the use of a mag-glove to complete. But, what starts off as a challenging mental endeavor of solving puzzles quickly turns into a challenging mental endeavor to maintain their sanity as the world of Cthulhu floods out and overtakes the complex.
The launch trailer can be viewed embedded below, while Magrunner: Dark Pulse itself will be releasing a little later today for PC from their Official Site, Steam, GOG, and more digital retailers. PC gamers can set out to face Cthulhu today, but those wanting the Xbox 360 or PS3 version will have to wait until September.
Magic 2014 is said to be a great way for new players to learn how to play Magic, whilst still including more advanced game modes and options for experienced players. The game will also feature a range of new playable Slivers along with a new game mode entitled Sealed Play, which allows players to open booster packs and build decks to play against AI and other players. Depending on what platform the game is purchased on, players will be able to redeem their code on the Wizards of the Coast website and then head into their local store to receive a Magic 2014 – Duels of the PlaneswalkersPromotional Booster Pack featuring an alternate-art premium promo card.
For more information, visit the official site. Ignite Your Spark and join The Gathering.
Perfect World Entertainment, the team behind Neverwinter and Star Trek Online have today released the update to their latest MMO; Perfect World International (PWI). The update, titled PWI: Rising Call is now live for all players.
The update adds a huge amount of content to this free-to-play game, such as; improved server-wide PVP, revamped high-level dungeons and new items and methods to boost player powers and abilities. According to PWI Product Manager Tony Liu;
Our Nation Wars [PVP] system has been incredibly popular among our mid to high level players, and we’re thrilled to be expanding it with new battlefields and new combat systems. We’ve got a big update for one of our most popular classes, the Venomancer, the master of battle pets, as well as new quests, gear, fashion, mounts, pets, and more! We’re bringing another level of fun and intensity for our players, and we can’t wait to see how Rising Call will further engage our players.
This update also provides a fantastic opportunity for new players to jump on-board. If you want to give PWI a shot, then head over to the official website here and get to playing (and don’t worry, it is a free-to-play MMO). If you are already a PWI player, let us know in the comments below what this update means for you, and don’t forget; for all the PWI news be sure to stay tuned to Capsule Computers.
A trailer was recently released for the game along with a confirmed release in September. Now, in this new video, we are given a considerable look at the in-game action and gameplay. Jones speaks about the Vita-specific mechanics and design aspects and how the team has made them intuitive, not invasive or gimmicky. At its core, it’s a solid twin-stick shooter. Personally, I feel like the screen is cluttered with the many large HUD elements, especially the over-sized compass/map. You can view the interview embedded below.
One of the RND 2 winning entries: “Leaving Toki Tori behind” by Pagantipaco
After an awesome 2nd Round – where Two Tribes could not just pick one winner, but two – Round 3 has now begun.
Jump on your Wii U and express your love for Toki Tori through your Gamepad drawing skills. The theme for this week is “Draw how Toki Tori spends a free day off”. Click here to read the contest rules and learn how to enter. The winner for this third round will be announced on June 27th.
For those unaware, the winners of the drawing contest will have their drawing immortalized in Toki Tori 2. The game is currently available on the Nintendo eShop and will be released for PC on Steam on July 2nd.
The content will be narrative-driven, expanding upon the declassified origin story of the clandestine XCOM organisation. Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K, stated;
We take great pride in our track record of providing high-quality post-release content for our games. We will continue to expand the XCOM universe by telling original stories set in the paranoia-drenched Cold War era of The Bureau.
2K Marin Development Director Morgan Gray added;
The alternate 1962 universe that we’ve created for The Bureau is vast and there are many more stories to tell about the early days of XCOM. We’re excited that our stories will provide a new perspective on the war effort, much like how our critically acclaimed Minvera’s Den DLC for BioShock 2 allowed us to present a unique perspective of Rapture.
In regards to pre-order bonuses, consumers who pre-order the game from participating retailers will receive the side-mission “Codebreakers” and the exclusive “Light Plasma Pistol” for in-game use. The mission asks players to bring a silent, top secret government communications facility responsible for intercepting and decoding the enemy’s transmissions back online. The gun is less bulky than its Outsider predecessor, and fires condensed bolts of plasma, boasting a vastly improved rate-of-fire.
Join the conversation on Twitter using #EraseTheTruth, check out a trailer on the “Battle Focus” mechanic embedded directly below, and click here for a better look at gameplay in general.
Gravi is a 2d puzzle platformer starring the little blue ball of energy named Gravi. The game features forty levels across four chapters, with each chapter ending with a boss fight against Gravi’s arch nemesis, Anti Gravi.
Story
There is no story in Gravi. There is no explanation on why Gravi and Anti Gravi seem locked in eternal battle or why Gravi is attempting to escape the factory like setting of destruction. Gamers will simply have to just go with it.
Gameplay
Although Gravi is in 3D and has several areas where it looks like there is some level of 3d movement similar to what is found in the Little Big Planet series, Gravi is strictly a 2d puzzle platformer. Our little blue ball of energy can move forward and backwards while using two different abilities. His main skill is to fling a grappling hook that will slingshot Gravi towards the point of impact. The second ability throws out an orb of energy that will shrink Gravi down, allowing him to squeeze into tight spaces that would otherwise be off limits. Blocking Gravi’s way is a variety of traps and hazards including electrified floors, jets of flame, and spikes. The player has an unlimited amount of lives to conquer each level. Levels are ranked based on how long it takes to beat a level, how many times Gravi died, and if the player was able to find the green collectable hidden in each level.
Gravi’s controls are good for the most parts. Gravi’s sling shot has a limited range and fires in an arc, similar to a grenade launcher. The launcher is accurate, but still requires a great deal of player skill to perfectly slingshot through small spaces lined with spikes. Gravi’s gameplay leans heavily on the game’s physics engine. It is possible to nudge Gravi in a direction while he is falling or airborne, but it takes a high level of skill to land Gravi accurately. The movement behaves as expected until Gravi hits the ground. The player can move backwards and forwards, but it feels more like pushing the ball back and forth with a certain level of uncontrollability as Gravi will continue in the direction for a short time after the player lets go of the movement key. Considering the tight spaces Gravi operates in, this inevitably leads to a lot of unnecessary and frustrating deaths as Gravi accidentally rolls over spikes and other dangers.
Hashbang Games advertises Gravi as a test of player’s tolerance for pain, and they aren’t joking. The difficulty level in Gravi ranges from challenging enough to be interesting to hair pulling levels of difficulty. The green collectable found in every level further raises the difficulty to sometimes fiendish levels. Gravi is sure to challenge the most experienced gamer. The level designs are excellent, although there are definitely parts of the game where trying to guide Gravi through an obstacle is as difficult as threading a camel through an eye of a needle. As frustratingly difficult as some of the puzzles are, there is a masochistic satisfaction when player’s manage to perfectly slingshot Gravi through a difficult passage and finally hit the next checkpoint.
A small change I would like to see added in a future patch is a short explanation during the first boss fight against Anti Gravi. Upon encountering him for the first time, I was completely bewildered and rather confused on what I was supposed to do. It took several deaths before I realized I was supposed to dodge Anti Gravi and move on to the end of the level.
Visuals
Gravi’s 3d graphics is solid, but unfortunately will not blow any socks off either. The colour palette is a bit limited as the levels are grey with some tint based on the chapter. A variety of pipes and fans do provide a little bit of variety in the unused areas of the screen. Traps and other important details in the level are visually distinct compared to the rest of the level, allowing for easy and quick identification for speed runs. The menus are a little ugly, but since they are rarely used, it does not detract too much from the game. Gravi allows players to tweak the resolution, choose between four graphic quality levels, and choose between windowed and full screen mode.
Audio
Gravi has a seven track electronic soundtrack that is set to a pulsing machine sound that makes Gravi’s claustrophobic levels feel like an active factory. I thoroughly enjoyed the soundtrack. The tracks transitioned into one another smoothly. The game is a little light on sound effects, as the sound effects seem limited to the menu sounds and the sounds of the traps.
Overall
Gravi is an excellent debut from Hashbang Games. It is a fiendishly difficult puzzle platformer that will test the agility of gamer’s fingers. The game sports an excellent soundtrack and really interesting level design. The controls are excellent for the most part and the graphics are solid. At $9.99, is a solid purchase for those who love platformers or action based puzzle games.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
