Hydravision, a French independent studio, is releasing Dungeon Twister this summer/winter in the USA, Europe, and Australia for the Playstation 3 through the Playstation Store. Dungeon Twister is based on the pooular board game of the same name. Players will control a group of eight adventurers with the objective to escape the dungeon or slay all of the enemies residing in the dungeon. These characters are Troll, Wall-walker, Thief, Warrior, Goblin, Cleric, Wizard, and Mekanork. In addition to that, players will have to content with a moving board.
Players will have the chance to play against players around the world in addition to a single player mode. There could be a chance to have a game with the current world champion of the board game or the board game creator himself. Check out the first trailer of the game below, along with a collection of screenshots.
Diablo 3 Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment Developer: Blizzard Entertainment Platforms: PC Release Date: May 15, 2012 Price: $59.99 – Standard Edition; $175.00 – Collector’s Edition
Overview
The very first time I gazed upon a Diablo game was when I found out my older brother gave the original Diablo to a cousin. While my brother was playing Starcraft and Warcraft II from the Battlechest, I made an effort to go to my cousin’s house just to get my hands on Diablo. Excitement burned through my veins as I delved deeper into the dungeons not knowing what foes I might meet. Embracing Hell for the first time was exhilarating, knowing well I might die at the hands of Diablo himself.
After several years of anticipation, Diablo II and its expansion reached the shelves of stores worldwide. A mad frenzy began as gamers clashed to attain copies of this sequel phenomenon. This time the story was richer, and I wasn’t focused on traversing deeper into a single labyrinth. Additionally, new character classes joined the fray making the gameplay even more diversified.
Now Diablo III has attained its own light. While I was downloading the digital copy, I felt the anticipation and love that its predecessors instilled years ago. Diablo is back, and my life is for the taking.
Story
First time players joining the campaign against Hell will find the story is fairly easy to follow. Cinematic videos as well as dialogue between characters will help explain the world of Sanctuary. Having experienced the predecessors quite extensively, the knowledge veterans bring with them will provide a finer grasp of the storyline and help identify special characters/items.
Your character begins in the settlement of New Tristram which resembles a dark village with little hope surviving the coming evil. After meeting up with Leah, Deckard Cain’s niece, you will embark on a journey to save her lost uncle. The cathedral in Old Tristram holds the secret to the fallen star – that you experience in the opening cinematic – and Deckard Cain’s frail state. Defeating the evil creatures that have spawned from the emanating star, you find that the source of all the trouble is human. Your next quest is to restore this man’s memory, and find out the warning he has forgotten.
With the story progressing, more characters appear in the storyline and allow the player to develop a relationship with them. Similar to the mercenaries used in Diablo II, three companions become available that can assist a player through his/her journey. Unlike its predecessor, these companions develop their own story that can be learned by talking in town.
I felt intrinsically more vested into the storyline than anything else during the course of the game. There was a continual need to complete the game, thus the story would be fulfilled. Like reading a great book, Diablo III is hard to put down. But when you do, you’ll want to pick it back up.
Gameplay
The biggest difference in gameplay from old generation to new lies in the distribution of abilities to specific keys. This drastic change affects gameplay in several formats: ability combinations, reduced weapon use, and no skill tree. Let’s first discuss the absence of a skill tree. Players can no longer spend points into a discipline to attain higher level spells while sacrificing other disciplines. Diablo III allows players to inherit all potential abilities while governing where abilities can be accessed.
While players can inherit multitudes of abilities, they can also create ability combinations by alternating left mouse (primary) and right mouse (secondary) clicks with numbered key skills. For instance, a wizard could cast “Ice Armor” and “Diamond Skin” from the number keys and utilize “Spectral Blades” as a primary skill. This combination would allow the wizard to be invulnerable for a few seconds, potentially freeze attackers, and cause splash damage to immediate vicinity targets. This combination will not burn out a wizard’s arcane supply because primary skills have 0 arcane cost.
Ability combinations are extremely important, yet they draw from basic forms of attacking. For example wizards can use their primary abilities to no end. Therefore, a wizard could technically go through the entire game without using an equipped weapon by solely relying on primary spells when arcane power is limited. In fact wizards can only utilize an equipped weapon by first draining their arcane pool and continuing to use the right mouse. This can be a mild sore on a veteran player that loves to use a heavily gem studded weapon.
As players increase their level, every aspect of the increased level is done automatically. Sadly, base stats such as Strength and Dexterity cannot be upgraded unless acquired through item bonuses. This greatly reduces the player’s input in customized builds like sword mages. Mentioned previously players inherit all abilities upon reaching a certain level. In addition to attaining abilities, players can also acquire runes to customize the spell with characteristics. As an example, a monk character just attained a new rune for her “Lashing Tail Kick” secondary ability at level 7. Adding the rune will add a percent of weapon damage as fire and cause the enemy to be knocked back as well as change the name to “Vulture Claw Kick”.
Creatures that populate the environments should always keep you on your toes. Champion creatures often colored in blue (regular), yellow (rare), or purple (unique) hues will make your life a living hell – well its where they were spawned. Among the most annoying are creatures that are able to teleport. Nothing is more irritable than delivering a final blow when the creature disappears and is replaced by one of its brethren.
Types of potions has changed a great deal since the first coming of Diablo. Before the latest rendition, health and mana potions were available to refill each pool. While health has maintained consistency – for the most part – mana has been altered distinctly for each class. Each character is able to generate or restore their “mana” through abilities or active waiting. Barbarians have primary skills that generate “Fury” and can use secondary skills at the cost of it. Wizards have arcane power that is quickly regenerated and have skills that require none at all. Demon Hunters offer a unique blend of two separate pools for ability usage (Hatred and Discipline). These practitioners of stealth can generate “Hatred” easily building up for heavy hitting abilities. However, once death is drawing near, demon hunters must rely on a slow renewable resource “Discipline” for an escape route.
One section I would like to briefly touch base on is the crafting system. Haedrig the Blacksmith and Covetous the Jeweler will both join your caravan from Act II onwards and provide decent items depending on the amount of training they receive. Spending gold on your artisans will allow them to craft greater items such as rare yellow weapons and purer gems. Gems are straight forward as lesser gems great larger ones with better traits. Covetous can also remove gems from an item scathing both in the process. Haedrig is a bit more risky as the rare items randomly generate traits. Sometimes you will get that healthy +50 Strength bonus and other times its +10% to picking up gold radius.
Joining private or public games can provide further enjoyment to the Diablo III experience. Once you have joined a public or friend’s game, you will be prompt that the strength of hell’s minions has grown. I will give a fair warning for those adventurers that like to wander off – DON’T! I will guarantee a cluster of imps might not impress you, but they have potential when you are alone. Create a hardcore character, and we shall see who travels alone.
Hardcore games offer even more excitement. Blizzard prompts players making sure they would like to create hardcore characters – it is that intense. Blizzard will hold no responsibility if your hardcore character dies while you are at work and your younger sibling accidentally jumps on your hardcore character and kills it off. Every kill and every boss defeated in hardcore becomes that much sweeter because you truly could die forever. Carry some extra health potions and make sure your buddy is a monk for healing.
The downfalls of the game surround the incomplete or unfinished promises that Blizzard made for the release of Diablo III. The auction house at this time is not completed for real money transactions. However, the auction house is currently working for gold to item trades. PvP battles are still in the running and haven’t been established as of yet either. If there is one thing that I have learned about Blizzard games, it is that people will wait – patient or not – for updates and expansions. I remain excited for these future additions to come and remain hopeful that the game can only benefit from them.
Incase took two of their most popular products for the iPad and fused them together to create the Canvas Maki Jacket. They took the easy foldability of the Maki sleeve and added the traditional Book Jacket design to attach the iPad to the case. The Canvas Maki Jacked is manufactured with a durable cotton canvas to give the case a great texture and look. The cover can be rolled up into a stand with three different angles, a hands free viewing angle and two different working angle that is typing friendly. The flap of the Canvas Maki Jacket is secured by an elastic band. The case is available in black/grey and moss green/grey and costs $39.95 from Incase’s website.
Prepare to get your face kicked in with awesome! Indie Face Kick Bundle is the latest addition to an amazing month for indie game fans looking for a good deal. The Indie Face Kick Bundle boasts five never seen in a bundle before games and the début of Tompi Jones. Indie Face Kick follows the usual pay what you want scheme set out by Humble Bundle. Buyers name their own price and take home Tompi Jones, an old school platformer in 3d; Arkhelom 3D, a 3d shoot em up game; and Alien Hallway, a top down shooter. In addition, buyers will receive three full music albums with their purchase. Pay more than the current minimum of five dollars and take home the jaw dropping FPS Depth Hunter and the fresh off the press sequel to Alien Shooter 2: Reloaded, Alien Shooter 2 Conscription. Pay more than $15 for the bundle and your name will be added to the credits for Tompi Jones. The top donor for the Indie Face Kick bundle will be able to name either a level or a boss in Tompi Jones and get 10 additional copies of the game to share with their friends.
Com2us released their latest game Phoenix Nest for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. In a twist on traditional defence games, Phoenix Nest will test players abilities to touch, draw, and tilt their way to succces. Mama Phoenix is one pissed off bird and will do anything to defend her nest against the 18 types of enemies featured in the game. Players will draw out a path of destruction for Mama Phoenix and use touch and tilt to adjust their strategy mid flight. The game boasts a story mode with 100 stages and five evil bosses and an endless mode. To help you conquer the increasingly difficult enemies is a small RPG element that allows players to help Mama Phoenix grow and expand her arsenal with devastating skill spirits and items.
DiRT Showdown boosted into stores across the UK today, alongside a hard-hitting launch trailer. The launch video showcases the maximum-impact racing, bone-rattling destruction game modes, freestyle Hoonigan events and multiplayer party games set to take centre stage on DiRT Showdown’s World tour of motorised mayhem. From Miami to LA and San Francisco to Yokohama, the trailer features drivers taking down their rivals, boosting to overtake, hitting jumps and performing stunts as they go for the win across DiRT Showdown’s range of game modes.
Despite hitting mainland Europe on 24th May, a day earlier than in the UK, the game has yet to collide with the rest of the world. Expect a release everywhere else on 12th June, after a rescheduling due to a busy release window towards the end of May.
IO Interactive released their new behind the scenes video, taking players into the studio for Hitman Sniper Challenge. Several developers star in the video to discuss the creation of the game. Lots of concept art and early footage of Hitman Sniper Challenge is shown off. The devs also get a chance to show off some of their favourite parts of the Hitman Sniper Challenge. Anyone curious about the development of a video game or Hitman fan will really appreciate this video.
Hitman Sniper Challenge is available as a pre-order bonus for Hitman: Absolution from Gamestop in the US. Check out our preview here.
Moonraker is an iconic film of the Bond franchise and Jaws is one of the best known villains in Bond films. Thanks to this popularity, Activision and Eurocom have announced Moonraker as the first movie based mission of 007 Legends. Players will stealthily infiltrate Hugo Drax’s space port and get a chance to go toe to toe with Jaws in the upcoming game 007 legends. 007 Legends is an original storyline featuring six classic Bond films to provide a wide range of scenarios and experiences for players. Armed with cutting edge spy gadgets, a dizzying array of weapons, and fast vehicles, players will get their chance to live out their secret agent fantasies.
007 Legends will be available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC on October 19, 2012.
Aria the Animation Studio:Hal Film Maker Publisher: Siren Visual Release Date: 19/04/2012 Price:$49.95Available Here
Overview:
Aria the Animation is a short and sweet series taking place in a distant future on planet called Aqua, with the main focus being on the lives of gondoliers who live in the city of Neo-Venezia. This three disc collection released by Siren Visual contains all 13 episodes of the first season spread across two discs, with the third disc containing a host of extras. The DVD release only contains the original Japanese voice dub with English subtitles, and like with most releases by Siren Visual, an English dub of Aria the Animation will arrive on a later date.
Story:
Aria tells the story about a young woman named Akari, who migrates from her home planet, Manhome, in order to live in Aqua and work in the city of Neo-Venezia. Now the interesting thing here is that Neo-Venezia is based on the city of Venice in Italy, and shares the same style of architecture, history, and culture. Taking place in a distance future, Neo-Venezia has fairly advanced technology, but even so the inhabitants still enjoy a simple and traditional lifestyle, as they still go about collecting firewood for winter, cooking meals the good old fashioned way, and appreciating the technology-free lifestyle of the generations before.
Aria arrives in this new planet in hopes to have a career as a gondolier, and joins the Aria Company, one of the major water-guide companies operating in the city. Much like the city of Venice that it’s based on, gondolas are a popular means of transportation and a big tourist attraction even in the presence of flying motorbikes. It’s a very unique and interesting setting, but for the most part you forget about the sci-fi futuristic element of the show as it’s very much a slice of life anime taking place in an alternate post-modern version of Venice.
Aria the Animation is just this very sweet and adorable series, full of positive vibes and uplifting themes. The anime is just filled with examples of pure human kindness and beauty, and as such will give you a welcome break from anime that explore darker themes…or even reality for that matter. It portrays a world where kindness is encouraged and acknowledged. As such, it’s a show that is quite suitable for children as the themes are very simplistic and sweet in nature, usually giving some lesson in kindness and good deeds.
On the note of it being suitable for children, the show can be a bit childish at times, in a way that you see characters that are well into their teenage and adult life, acting like absolute children. This one episode has a right-handed 14 year old girl pondering over the usefulness of her left hand, and the entire episode pretty much focuses on that plot, by the end of which she is able to realise that her left hand is in fact useful and important. This is the type of subject matter you would expect from a preschool television show.
That aside, it’s still a pleasant viewing experience. The characters are cute and humourous, and there is a fair bit of character development within the 13 episodes and each episode explores a unique theme. One of the more likeable characters in the show is an overweight cat named President Aria, who is actually quite smart and brings in much of the comic relief, the little bloke even takes the spotlight in some episodes, which are pretty fun to watch.
The short-length of the season is put to good use, and it all ends on a satisfying and reflective note, giving it appropriate closure. It’s fun for what it is, and what’s really nice is that it does not overdo the positive happy energy, as instead it does it in a very subtle and pleasant manner.
Visuals and Audio:
Aria the Animation is a nice looking show, the character designs are fairly generic but still pretty charming, and in particular President Aria has a very likeable and memorable design. The set pieces and backgrounds look pretty nice, but what’s really good about the visuals is the use of soft and bright colours to create a relaxing atmosphere.
The music is pretty much the icing on the cake, and really complements the general demeanor of the show. The soundtrack is characterised by soft and beautiful acoustic guitars, and does a very nice job of capturing the feel of being in Venice. The opening and ending theme songs feature some very soothing and beautiful vocals, and what’s cool about the opening is that it features new animation in every episode.
Extras:
Disc 3 of the DVD set comes with a nice collection of extras. It contains lengthy interviews with the Japanese voice cast of the show. Another cool extra is a short film highlighting the trip that the creators of the anime took to Venice, Italy, in order to research set pieces to be used in the anime. Finally, there are usual trailers and the clean opening/ending sequences.
Overall:
Aria the Animation is a very simple and charming show, it’s a very subtle and laidback viewing experience that takes place in a rather beautiful and inspiring recreation of one the most popular tourist destinations in the world today. An anime about gondoliers may not sound like something that could work very well, but Aria the Animation pulls it off nicely, that too in a futuristic sci-fi setting. That said, the actual execution isn’t too different from your typical slice of life anime, and the themes present can come across as a bit too childish and happy go lucky. At the end of the day, Aria the Animation is a solid show for what it is.
Bioware’s Mass Effect 3 is getting some more free downloadable content in the form of the new Rebellion DLC Pack. This pack adds new maps, new weapons and new playable characters for its multiplayer component, and best of all it’s completely free to download.
Joining the fight against the Reapers online is the new Quarian Engineer and Infiltrator, Vorcha Soldier and Sentinel, Ex-Cerberus Adept and Vanguard. The Rebellion DLC Pack also introduces new in-missions and gives players an extra gear slot.
Mass Effect 3 Rebellion DLC pack is set to be released on Playstation Network, Xbox Live and PC on May 29 in North America and May 30 on PSN in Europe.
