Do you think your skills as a video game programmer could tackle the next generation? Well if so then perhaps this news may be more than just interesting for you. For everyone else however, it seems that Bethesda Game Studios is looking to the future as they are now hiring for “Future Generation Console Programmer” positions.
These jobs are described as something that will have workers working on “an unannounced game on future-generation consoles.” Unfortunately the listing didn’t go into any more detail than that, besides listing a number of requirements such as the fact that need experience programming for PS3 and Xbox, and DirectX 11 experience is “a plus.” Seems Bethesda is ready for a PS4 and Xbox 720 already.
Despite Square Enix being very quiet about their upcoming 3DS RPG Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, so quiet in fact they have yet to say whether or not they will be bringing the title to North America, a new Japanese trailer has surfaced for the game.
This trailer focuses heavily on showing off the exquisite artwork that players will see in the game as they explore many unique locations. Besides that there are also a few tidbits of gameplay footage sprinkled throughout the video as well so best keep your eye out for that. A demo will be available on the Japanese e-Shop on February 29th, but unless you have a Japanese Nintendo 3DS this is unfortunately unreachable for you. Perhaps we can expect an announcement from Square Enix in North America sometime soon?
European PlayStation Vita owners will find that they have a little freebie available to them on the PlayStation Network. In an effort to perhaps test out the system’s video capabilities, the company is providing a free episode of South Park.
The episode is Season 12’s premier episode, Tonsil Trouble featuring all of the cast you know and love. The offer is currently only available for those in Europe, or with European PSN accounts and the version of the episode is only the SD version as the HD version still costs £1.99. Still a very nice bonus… perhaps North American Vita owners will see something similar to this shortly?
Shortly after it was revealed that Nintendo would be releasing their first ever direct sequels to a Pokemon game, Nintendo of America announced today that they are planning on releasing Pokemon Black Version 2 and Pokemon White Version 2 this fall season in North America.
Unfortunately Nintendo of America did not go into detail about either title, besides that they will be released on the Nintendo DS, not the Nintendo 3DS despite fans wanting such an updated version. It looks like Nintendo is already preparing to have a hit holiday season in 2012, as all the people who’ve played the original Pokemon White and Black will likely be looking to pick these up to complete their collection. Gotta catch them all right?
Project Draco has been a title that has been in development for quite some time. Despite being very anticipated by Kinect owners everywhere, the Japanese developed Kinect game hasn’t seen much progress over the years, but it seems that the release of said title is growing closer. Famitsu reports that Project Draco is now named “Crimson Dragon” and is still set to be launched sometime this year.
The game itself will allow players to control their dragon through the use of the Kinect as they play through an on-rails shooter that will be similar to Panzer Dragoon in many ways. Maybe this will be the title to finally dust off your Kinect and give it some use again.
Gotham City Impostors Publisher: WB Games, Inc. Developer: Monolith Productions, Inc. Platforms: XBLA (reviewed), PSN, PC Release Date: February 8, 2012 Price: 1200 MSP – Available Here
Overview
Once again The Cape Crusader receives attention in the spotlight, but we aren’t prepared for this rendition. Gotham City Impostors puts everyday people with limited expenses into a heroic Batman suit or villainous Joker outfit. With a small budget our impostors can only afford guns and home-brewed gadgets to unleash devastation on each other.
Watching the original animated Batman series provided the morality necessary for me to forgive my rivals for any wrongdoings. However, you are not Batman in this game – morality can be thrown out the window. So my initial thought going into the game was: “Batman with a gun? Yeah, I can roll with that!”
Gameplay
Beginning the journey as an impostor starts off with a tutorial of how to use weapons as well as unique gadgets. Any gamer that has played a first person shooter will be easily accustomed to the basic movement and aiming controls. Most weapons can be fired automatically by pressing the right trigger while others may require a timed shot. The Freezer is one such weapon that depends on how long it is charged. Charging this weapon provides a higher chance to freeze a target solid.
After the weapons section, players encounter the next round of training involving home-brewed gadgetry. Glider rigs, roller skates, grapple guns, and jumping springs are among the few items at an impostor’s disposal. Each gadget is tested, so players can identify what gadgets will fit their build of character. After testing the mobility items, you get to test out support items like pipe bombs. Did I mention this game is not rated E?
Developing your secret identity is no small task. A player may carry with them a readied weapon, back-up weapon, support item, and gadget item to use in gameplay. Presented with weapons like rifles, light machine guns, and heavy weapons, it may be tough to choose what weapon suits you. Interesting enough all weapons are locked and can only be unlocked by a gaining a weapon unlock through leveling. Use the weapon unlocks wisely as they are not offered frequently. Choosing the wrong weapon will not be entirely detrimental because default identities are available to use at every death screen – “press (Y) to choose new loadout”. Leveling up will also allow for creating separate loadouts which hold multiple custom identities not unlike weapon loadouts for Modern Warfare 3.
In part of identifying yourself, you will eventually be able to unlock character builds that will determine the following attributes: health, speed, and melee. A speedy character will have a high speed attribute while having low health and melee, but a mighty build will focus on melee and health while movement is very sluggish. A speedy sniper may not be a practical choice if you’re planning on making a camp.
Additional to weapons and gadgets, players can unlock perks to help them passively in combat. Listed as Fun Fact #1 and Fun Fact #2, two passives can be chosen and be used at all times. A great combination of perks could be used to create the ultimate tank machine. By choosing the mighty build, we will be concentrating on health and melee damage. Adding Fun Fact #1 “Horse Healthy” will provide extra base health, and choosing Fun Fact #2 “Bulletproof” will reduce damage from bullets. All together this secret identity will be hard to bring down and can serve as a target for enemy confrontations.
Not holding much variety in game types, this particular game is also not bolstering the same population as Modern Warfare 3. However, there are three different online modes (Team Deathmatch, Fumigation, Psych Warfare) as well as a single player challenge mode. Team Deathmatch is by far the most popular mode by offering a simple mission to kill the enemy Bats or Jokerz. In Fumigation you are directed to capture certain locations on a map that emit toxic fumes. By controlling a majority of fume boxes, your team will begin to emit deadly fumes that will set out to kill all opponents. Psych Warfare works more like “capture the flag”. Players will be instructed to capture a battery and insert it into a propaganda machine. If left unattended, the opposing team will run around with arms flailing crazy for easy pickings. Don’t let the arms fool you though; they can still kill you.
Challenge mode offers a series of tests through the five available maps. With three sections for each map, the tests are separated in to categories of beginner, intermediate, and expert. Concentrating on mobility around the map using gadgets, challenge mode will actually help you familiarize with the maps. Identifying vents and mini trampolines is essential for gliding as well as finding ramps for roller skates. Both can be useful in avoiding and reaching enemy targets quickly. You may even gain experience by completing challenges in a timely manner.
Most Xbox Live Arcade titles do not require players to stay online to play the game. Gotham City Impostors does require a player to stay online even at the main menu. If you planned on knocking down a few challenge missions while offline, it is not possible. Seeing how it is strictly a multiplayer title, this aspect is acceptable.
As with most online matchmaking formats, connectivity becomes a major issue for gameplay. Having a poor connection will not offer a palatable experience. I was able to test the game in a fast internet setting as well as a shared connection. I went from enjoying the game will little interruption to a glitchy mess – as to be expected. If you are not confident in your internet connection, you shouldn’t have purchased a FPS game in the first place.
Visual
Environments and characters emphasize the craziness of that is Gotham City Impostors. Bats and Jokerz alike running around in cloth-less costumes with garbage can shields should emanate more than just interesting comments. With visual customizations being purchasable commodity, players can gain points to spend by battling or simply buy suits with Microsoft Points. The more interesting costumes can be extremely revealing but also cost the most. Wearing only underwear may cost you upwards of 3,000 in-game credits. I suppose being killed by a near naked impostor would be somewhat detrimental to your existing FPS gaming pride.
One of the more interesting places to do battle, a carnival is host to a clown themed amusement park. Offering plenty of nooks and crannies to hide behind, the map projects itself as a madhouse for slaughter. Grappling guns provide further discomfort from ground dwelling shooters as plenty of buildings add a canopy above to shoot at prey below. I do not hold much love for clowns, so don’t be surprised when you see a Batman impostor shooting random clown objects.
Audio
One of the small annoyances of the game is the countdown timer during the challenge missions. While it is completely important to have such a device, replaying missions less than a minute in length becomes slightly tiresome. Sound effects can be turned off, but let’s not ruin the rest of the game just for a meaningful buzzer. Additionally, the buzzer sounds off at each medal placing letting players know what medal they can potentially gain during that round. No buzzes means a gold medal packed with some nice experience points.
Background music is oddly motivational capturing the building dynamics found in well-known Batman scores. I mostly noticed this sensation during my free-roaming experience in the solo challenge arenas. As I was gliding around discovering vantage points to gain a gold medal, I couldn’t help but feel empowered by the music. I felt like I was truly imitating my childhood hero – I AM BATMAN!
While the music can be heard clearly in challenge modes, Team Deathmatch drains out any background noise and in its place is a slew of gunfire. Sound effects reign supreme during online play and take priority as action surrounds your character. Effects in some instances will provide a warning that an object will be coming your way or present a package obvious death. Sorry, there is hardly any reaction time when an opponent throws an impact grenade at your position.
Overall
Using a grappling hook to narrow the space between two opponents is a rarity in first person shooters. As a completely innovation Batman title, the game clearly provides an exciting factor that is even new to DC fans. While the content is not overly extensive, the customization of characters has a long lasting impression.
Gotham City Impostors provides a multiplayer shooter experience with several sides of crazy. Never has there been a game where people could play dress-up as Batman or The Joker and deliver as much damage as this game dishes out. Being one of the only games a player can run around in a speedo with roller skates, this might just be the next game for you.
Its befitting that the most bad ass character in video gaming has access to some bad ass weapons and from what Rockstar have revealed lately, Max wont be lacking in the armoury department. Already showcased in a previous trailer has been the 608 Bull revolver which packs quite a punch, and now courtesy of another teaser, we are introduced to the Mini-30 rifle, effective at both short and long range, with a 20 round capacity, accurate over 100m range. The Mini-30 is made to last, is lightweight and comes fully equipped with a scope to make quick work of Max’s enemies.
Also check out the new screenshots showcasing 360 degree renders of Max’s new weapons and its individually modelled components and parts.
Scarygirl
Publisher: Square Enix Developer: Tik Games Platform: Xbox Live Arcade (Reviewed), Playstation Network Release Date: 1/24/2012 Price: 800 MS Points, $9.99 PSN
Scarygirl is a simple-looking sidescrolling platformer that seems to be very derivative of other titles with similar artworks. The game seems to have a very interesting way of playing that is both unique and reminiscent of earlier platformer style games from the past.
Story
The story of Scarygirl follows the story of a girl who lives with this giant octopus dude. During her stay with the octopus, the Tree of Knowledge is threatened and it’s up to Scarygirl to go on a quest to save this tree. The story doesn’t deviate from this path too much, as is par with this kind of genre, and as such is a much more focused game.
Throughout the story, you will meet a few interesting looking creatures that will sell you things or try to kill you, in fact, nearly everything in this story is directly related to the gameplay in some manner. And really for a game of this size, the story should only be relevant to the gameplay. You can not expect a platformer to have 50 hour epic plugged into it’s bowels, just the same as you wouldn’t expect a 50 hour RPG to have no story at all.
I think that this game was adapted from a comic-book and a series of toys, which would explain the amount of quirk found throughout the story. All the characters, even if they’re completely gameplay orientated in some way, have this unique and charming look and feel to them which helps feed the feeling of the game in its unique art-style that is reminiscent of other works that are similar in this kind of style. Stuff like Tim Burton movies and the like.
Gameplay
Scarygirl is like playing Earthworm Jim, in that it’s a sidescroller, you can helicopter around and you use a whip-like weapon to defeat enemies. What I liked about this kind of gameplay is that it lent itself well to the kind of game that this was. For instance, being able to maneuvre around the screen and having the ability to use my whip to fling from platform to tree to platform was kind of fun.
Much like any platforming title, each level gets sequentially harder as you go, and you will encounter a multitude of different enemies on any given level. While there is a variety of ways to kill them, and some are needed to be killed in a certain way, I didn’t find it too difficult to work out the strategies of each monster type, but then again, I don’t think any of the monsters were designed with video games in mind.
One cool mechanic in the game is when you fill up your rage meter. Filling up this gauge will allow you to transform into a much more Scary Girl that has the power to decimate large waves of foes and the like with ease.
From a gameplay perspective, Scarygirl is a lot of fun to play and as such, should be picked up by gamers looking for a fun platforming adventure.
Visuals
Visually, Scarygirl has a fairly stylised look and feel to it. If you were to imagine something similar to Tim Burton’s works, you would be very close to the visual style of Scarygirl. And while I did have some minor gripes with the games graphical presentation, the game functioned as intended in the art department.
Now then my first gripe – Everything in this game looks like it was upscaled, rather than downscaled. What I mean is that the models and textures look like they were made for 720p in mind and were made at that level, rather than being made at much higher levels and scaled downwards. This gives everything this grainy look when displaying on a 1080p display, rather than a clear and pristine look that most other titles have.
There was also an issue of what looked to be the copying and pasting of an asset from a completely unrelated game. Not that I’m saying it was, the effect most definitely is very much suited to the game and it is very highly probable that this is a very similar effect. But still, I can’t help but shake the feeling that this was reproduced from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.
Other than that, the game has amazing visuals that suit the games gameplay and story completely.
Audio
Scarygirls soundtrack is very creepy, while also being very catchy. The background atmosphere is enhanced by the music and the ambiance playing throughout each level. Not only is there decent background audio, but there is also a plethora of sound effects and sound-bytes for characters speech.
The voice acting is a pretty decent part of this game. It won’t turn you off the title, but it will also not be winning any awards either.
Overall
Scarygirl is one of the most stylish games I’ve played on the XBLA since Shank 2. Fans of the Tim Burton visual style and/or of the already existing Scarygirl merchandise will most definitely fall in love with this title. As a game, it definitely stands-up for itself and is something that can be played by almost anyone. So if you’re looking for a game that can be played quickly and has a decent art-style, Scarygirl is the game for you.
Rising Star Games has announced that the latest game in their popular match-3 ‘Cradle of…’ series will be arriving on the 9th March, 2012. Jewel Master: Cradle of Persia will bring more match-3 puzzling exclusively to Nintendo DS, with key features including:
-7 historical epochs
-Conquer your way through over 100 levels
-Build 20 masterpieces of Ancient Persia
-Free the Genie from Aladdin’s lamp
-Unlock the wonders of Persepolis and become Caliph of Persia
“Cradle of Persia perfectly shows the evolution of the ‘Cradle of’ series by pushing the boundaries of match-3 gaming with more intertwining challenges and puzzles”, says Martin Defries, managing director, Rising Star Games. “We’re delighted to continue releasing this ever popular series and expect the fan-base to grow ever more.
The Testament Of Sherlock Holmes got a little more mysterious as Focus Home have unveiled some more exclusive screenshots of their upcoming puzzle investigative thriller, soon to hit the PC, PS3 and XBox 360 platforms. The title is being developed by Frogwares and features the famous detective in scenarios that will test his every skill. As more and more bodies are being found around the city of London, Sherlock must continue his investigations while maintaining his distance from the watchful eye of Scotland Yard, hell bent on his arrest. Even as evidence surmounts, suggesting his involvement in many of the cases, Holmes must be unwaivered in his investigations to clear his name and bring the killer to justice. With so few people to trust will Holmes still keep the faith of his most trusted friend Dr. Watson or does even he think the great Sherlock has something hes not telling us. Keep tuned for more Testament Of Sherlock news and enjoy the new screenshots showing off some more locations from the adventure.
