So Skyrim has been out for a few days now, and I’m sure many of you have been leveling up and fighting off the most devious of foes without problem. Giants however are on a completely different level. A new video surfaced recently showing a guard picking a fight with one of these large and powerful beasts, and the end result is just….well, you have to see it for yourself.
To Bethesda, I don’t know if this is a glitch or intentional, but please, do not remove this now legendary feature, as this could very well take the Elder Scrolls series to the next dimension (literally). Watch the clip below…now.
November 13th has been long awaited by 3DS owners everywhere, as that date would mark the debut of Nintendo’s #1 mascot on the platform. The 13th has finally arrived and Super Mario 3D Land is now out wherever games are sold, so all of you Tanooki lovers and Goomba fanboys can now start stampeding retailers everywhere to snag a copy.
As most of you know, this title has been in development for two years and lets players explore 16 worlds in a classic sidescrolling 2.5D environment. Yes, this is Mario back in his true form, and we can all thank the Star Spirits that the 3DS finally has it’s original Super Mario game. To those who now own this title, what do you think of it so far? How is that Tanooki Suit? Leave your comments down below.
Uncharted 3 Drake’s Deception Developer: Naughty Dog Publisher: Sony Platform:Playstation 3 Release Date: November 03, 2011 Price: $51.99 – Available here
Overview: What Uncharted 3 Drake’s Deception requires little of is an introduction. In its first day of global sales 3.8 million copies of the title went home with PS3 gamers, a figure that took Uncharted 2 Amongst Thieves over a year to pass.
Being one of the biggest sellers of the year within 24 hours of release is a massive achievement for developer’s Naughty Dog, who have taken the already excellent Uncharted formula and made it bigger and better than ever before.
As strong as the story and it’s execution are, there are still some gameplay flaws that hold it back. It is tempting to completely disregard them in the face of the spectacular set pieces and well woven characters, but this is a game nonetheless, and it needs to hold up that end of the ‘cinematic experience’ too.
Story:
The story behind Uncharted 3 will be incredibly familiar to anyone who has played the series before. There are some artifacts (Sir Francis Drake’s ring, finally playing a major part) that lead to some tombs that lead to some more artifacts that eventually lead to a long forgotten city.There are puzzles to be solved and ancient scripts to be deciphered, the results of which are quickly handed over to a crew of bad guys who always show up just when all the hard work is done. Throw in a bit of the supernatural and the Uncharted plot formula is complete.
There are no surprises in the bare bones of the plot, but it’s the execution and the story’s seamless interaction with the gameplay that really impress.
Drake’s Deception dips into the past in more ways than one, jumping back in time to explore the personal history between Nate, Sully, and villain of the piece Katherine Marlowe.
Seeing the origin of the Sully-Drake partnership after two games and four years is a smart move. The dynamic between the two has always been a highlight of the series, and it gets an increasing amount of attention throughout Deception – whether it’s in the usual form of withering banter or a more sincere emotional moment.The opening chapters give a real sense of scale to the relationship – these guys have been through a hell of a lot together, and it’s not just what we’ve seen on screen. It all serves to keep the game anchored to a human core, and is very revealing both for Drake as a character and the players- Sully is just as integral to the series as Drake himself.
Moving back to present day, Katherine Marlowe is still chasing the artifact that Drake snatched from under her nose so long ago, and is tricked into revealing her stubborn intentions by an elaborate ploy concocted by Drake and Sully. So begins a globe trotting race that takes in Syria, France, Yemen, London and more, as both sides work to uncover the secrets behind the ring and the hidden voyage of the man who first wore it.
Marlowe is an excellent if underused villain. Sophisticated and smart, she’s known Nate since the incident in Columbia, and is unafraid to use some psychological mind games to her advantage. She’s not a physical force to be dealt with however, and that role is neatly filled by right hand man Talbot, who lacks any real character of his own (other than being villainous and English) but has all the real impact on the plot. It’s a shame that Marlowe doesn’t get a bit more screentime, as she exudes some genuine menace in the few scenes she has. There is a brief mention of her being the head of an age old secret society, but her motivations are never really explored. Uncharted is and always has been a game about the good guys, and thankfully they are as entertaining and likeable as ever.
Chloe and Sully return early on, accompanied by newcomer Charlie ‘not quite Jason Statham‘ Cutter.The character could easily have fallen into the cheeky Londoner stereotype, but is genuinely funny and surprisingly capable. Likeable from the off he’s a great addition to a group of already strong characters – he probably has the best one liners in the entire game.
Chloe and Sully are not the only familiar faces, and Elena’s return will no doubt cause some ripples amongst fans. She brings a more serious emotional side to the story, and provides Drake with some much needed food for thought. Deception certainly takes its leading man to darker places than ever before, and weaves Nate’s growing unease with his identity into a few superb sequences.
Whilst there are a couple of chapters that feel a bit forced- some pirates show up out of nowhere and feel very much like an excuse for some water based set pieces – the story as an experience is incredible. Despite the formulaic feel to the basics there are still surprises to be had and jaws to be dropped, and it’s a credit to the writers that throughout so much chaos the characters are still such a draw in themselves.
Visuals: The best game I have ever had the pleasure to look at – it’s that simple. Uncharted 3 is vibrant, exquisitely detailed and beautifully shot. Naughty Dog undoubtedly know how to build a cinematic sequence, with a foray in the desert and a sinking ship particular stand outs. That the cinematography of a game can be a talking point at all is a credit to the developer’s and to the progress of the industry – video games can be art.
There’s a certain vibrancy to the colours and intensity to the lighting that gives everything a sense of life, and every location has it’s own unique feel – whether it’s a street market in Yemen or a seedy London pub. Every minute detail of the characters is there to see, from the creeping wrinkles around Nate’s eyes to the stitching on his forever half tucked shirt. Every new environment brings with it a moment just to look around and appreciate it, and there are small touches in the midst of all the huge obstacles and chaos that bring the characters to life.
Uncharted 3 is a game that can quite happily be watched as well as played, and Deception certainly feels like the most cinematic entry in the series. When Hollywood gets around to this video game adaptation they are going to have trouble topping the original!
Audio:
Series composer Greg Edmonson returns with a fully orchestrated soundtrack that will undoubtedly pick up as many awards as its predecessors -from the second you hit the title screen the music in Uncharted 3 is wonderful. Nate’s theme returns once more and has never sounded better – it is the perfect iconic track for the series. As a soundtrack Uncharted 3 could sit quite happily amongst those of Hollywood films, and I found myself coming to a halt to listen to it just as often as I did to appreciate the visuals.
Every action beat sounds superb and the voice acting is as enjoyable and authentic as ever. Newcomers Graham McTavish (Cutter) and Rosalind Ayres (Marlowe) add to the already excellent cast, fleshing out brand new characters in only a few lines.
And it’s not just the quality of the individual elements that stands out, it’s their use. Everything is brought together exceptionally well to bring a truly cinematic feel to the game, and Naughty Dog have avoided cluttering the title by knowing what elements are necessary and when.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 Developer: Konami Publisher: Konami Platforms: PSP (reviewed), Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC, PS2, Wii Release Date: Out Now Price: $19.99 (PURCHASE HERE)
Overview
Pro Evolution Soccer has always been the closest rival to the juggernaut football series that is known as the FIFA series, published by Electronic Arts. Of course, it does have its on following, a strong one at that. This year, Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 offers something for those wanting the portable version so that they may play on the go. I wouldn’t call it a stripped down port, though, as it does have a life of its own using the staples of the series. Excellent game modes and decent gameplay shine from the mediocre visuals and poor track selection, save a fair few. So, how does it shape up?
Gameplay
In recent years, Konami has been trying to deliver an in-depth experience for Pro Evolution fans. In this game, there are tactical actions the player can take that are used in real life, like a focus on counter attacking or focusing the attack down one wing. Although there is depth within the game, it becomes a chore to activate that depth. Take shooting for example. More often than not, I only relied on pressing circle (it’s initially square, but from being exposed to FIFA for so long, I decided to change the controls). That becomes a problem because, since the power bar becomes a bit unforgiving, the shot would be executed with too much power. It isn’t satisfying to see the shot go wide or high. At the end of the day, it becomes a skeleton of a game in terms of gameplay, but it can still be satisfying. What does make a great game are the player’s team mates and the opposition. The AI is near perfect as the players act out their roles on the pitch. If the player takes too long, they will be shut down. The better, more top rated players will show why they are the best of the best. Team members will always help the player in both attack and defense. Along with the challenge it imposes (dependent on the difficulty level), the AI will always be fair and realistic.
There is one thing about the gameplay I am happy about, it is the plethora of game modes that are available for the player to go through. First off, I shall talk about the gem of the modes: the UEFA Champions League. For those who don’t follow the round ball game, the UEFA Champions League is the premium club competition of Europe, showcasing the best of the best from the top leagues of the continent. Konami snapped up the official license of the tournament and they did not waste it. Not only the tournament is in a separate mode, it has been incorporated into the Master League and Be A Legend. The tournament is exactly what the official tournament is and does incorporate most of the teams of the 2011-12 tournament (except three of the English clubs). However, the PSP version does not include the UEFA Europa League, the secondary UEFA club competition.
The UEFA Champions League isn’t the only club competition that is included in Pro Evolution Soccer 2012. Also included is the Copa Santander Libertadores, South America’s premium club competition. Unlike the Champions League, the Copa Santander Libertadores lacks a presence in any other game modes other than the tournament. All of the teams for the more current season are there, but they suffer a problem. They do not appear outside of the game mode. So, for example, one can not pit Flamengio of Brazil against Manchester United. If the teams of the Champions League can appear in other game modes, why not the Copa teams?
There are other game modes outside of the two club competitions. The more stronger ones have to be Master League and Be A Legend. In Master League, the player takes control of a club (existing or created) and tries to take them to the top. It is similar to the manager aspect of FIFA’s Career Mode where, as manager, the player will scout players, be active in the transfer market and tweak the team to their liking so that they may reach the top of the mountain, acclimating to a Champions League tournament win, as the player will choose which of the five European leagues they will try to conquer. It is a great game mode as, although not in depth as a manager simulator, still offers the basics of becoming a manager, still allowing that experience.
Be A Legend becomes more personal as it focuses on one player, usually a created player. Here, it is the player’s goal to reach the top of professional football, becoming the world’s best player. In this mode, the player can sign for different clubs, take on a mentor to boost stats and turn it around on the pitch. Even though it is personal, it still is restrictive as the player is in the shoes of a footballer, thus having no real power. Having said that, the fact that you can be substituted, unlike FIFA’s Career Mode, is definitely a plus.
There are others modes, like League and Cup modes, where the player controls one team and just goes through one league or cup competition without the hassles of the Master League mode and Training mode, which is self explanatory. An Edit mode also appears, which allows team changes, create a footballer, changing the name of the stadium and even changing the name of a competition. Overall, there is a bit of depth in the gameplay, but it seems it isn’t there due to the fact this is a scaled down port of the console versions. The plethora of game modes is definitely a positive and their use, especially the Champions League, is very well done. Master League and Be A Legend are also worth checking out.
Visual/Audio
Considering that the PSP isn’t the most powerful machine out there, one shouldn’t expect eye-popping visuals. Actually they look very mediocre. The players are a far cry from their actual appearances (save for a few of the bigger stars of the game). The stadiums look good though, especially during the Champions League games, where they get the look and feel of a Champions League game right. Animations don’t look natural. In fact, they are quite robotic, especially when shots are taken. What would be interesting to note is that the game does allow the player to choose what animations they would like with any player, both real and created.
Don’t get me started on the music. Alright, some of the tracks are fine, mostly the more instrumental ones, but some of them are downright awful. The different mixes of the Champions League are also great, all evoking the meaning of the tournament, which is the best of the best all trying to get the most prestigious prize on the club scene. Thankfully, there is a playlist, where one can shut the music off if it is not what they enjoy. One can select what game modes and instances during the game they would like to hear the music. There is also an option to load their own tracks from the Memory Stick onto the playlist. The commentary on this version of the game doesn’t flow. It feels like a broken record, skipping beats within the game. It sounds disjointed and it doesn’t give the play justice.
Overall
Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 is a great football title on the go. Expect a fair and realistic AI and a great depth in gameplay, somewhat restrictive due to the controls of the PSP. Also expect a plethora of game modes, with the Champions League, Master League and Be A Legend the cream of the crop, despite lacking a few of the modes of the console version. Although it has somewhat mediocre visuals and a poor selection of music, Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 should be in one’s PSP collection, even if said person plans to buy the console version.
With only a few days until the gates of Jurassic Park re-open, Telltale have revealed some of the locations players will visit off the beaten track in the new game.
In the original movie, a lot more of the park’s facilities were hinted at or discussed beyond those visited by Alan Grant and his party as they toured – and later escaped from – the island.
The Marine Facility accommodates prehistoric creatures of the sea, including the huge aquatic carnivore, Mosasaur. Visitors would be able to view the creatures from the supposed safety of a large underwater rotunda, but my guess is that the player will not have it so easy.
Jurassic Park was intended as a family amusement park, and as if looking at dinosaurs long extinct wasn’t enough, John Hammond has also built some more traditional theme park rides. The Bone Shaker Roller Coaster will apparently play an important role in the survivors’ escape.
Isla Nublar, the island housing Jurassic Park, is volcanic in nature, and the park’s engineers tapped into this endless power source to generate enough electricity to satiate the park’s power-hungry facilities. It appears players will pass through and likely attempt to turn some or all of the power back on. Somehow.
Out in the wilderness, away from the prying eyes of head company InGen, is the lab of Dr Sorkin. After InGen expressed disapproval, Hammond moved her out to a secluded lab where she would be free to continue whatever experiments she was conducting. No word yet on what those experiments might be, but players will likely find out. The hard way.
While the characters of the film arrive on Isla Nublar via helicopter, the park was built to allow charter and cruise ships as a primary method of arrival for the masses. Dennis Nedry, who was stealing dinosaur embryos for a rival company, was headed for the docks before his death in that Jeep. As the player character and their allies are technically trespassing on the island, they’ll have to be sneaking around, and the deserted North Docks will likely be their main entry point.
Players will be taking Telltale’s extended tour of Jurassic Park this week, and so will we. Keep an eye out for our review soon.
Com2uS continues in its pedigree of launching content for iOS devices with the new platformer, Chocohero, available now.
The game puts you in the shoes of Chipster as you tilt your iPhone to send him rolling through levels so that he can destroy the enemies of Smoresdom and and free the Chocobits! Various items and upgrades allow for smoother level clearing and more powerful rolls, which in turn grow the length of Chipster’s cape. The longer it is, the more powerful he is.
The game is just 99 cents on the App Store if you want to check it out.
For limited time only, summoners will be able to purchase three champions for nearly 80 percent off!
The Triple Threat Pack includes the following:
Miss Fortune – A beautiful yet deadly duel wielding sea maiden.
Katarina – Unyielding combatant that relies on mobility.
Xin Zhao – A mix of martial arts and a sharp spear can send foes running back to their turrets.
The Triple Threat Pack is available for purchase until midnight of November 14. Whether you are a newcomer to League of Legends or a lasting veteran, this buy could bolster your ranks of playable champions. Be fast to catch the wicked sale price of only 625 Riot Points (normally 2,925).
All you have to do is jump on your summoner account and check the “Bundles” section in the marketplace to see the Triple Threat offer.
Say what you want about the 3DS’ rocky start, but Nintendo have now managed to turn around sales and have recently reported that 1.65 Million units have sold since launching earlier in the year. Those numbers are certainly great to see considering all of the doom and gloom that have been surrounding Nintendo for the past few months.
“With a massive lineup of software on the way and the first-year sales record of Nintendo DS in its sights, Nintendo 3DS enters its first holiday season with a full head of steam,” said Nintendo America marketing boss Scott Moffitt.
Now it’s just a waiting game as in just a few months, we will finally see just how successful the 3DS truly was in 2011 and with Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 right around the corner, things are looking good for Nintendo at the moment.
While there may be plenty of anime still expecting to be released this year, it is always good to know what type of anime we can expect to see in North America when 2012 rolls around. Sentai Filmworks has revealed what titles they plan on releasing during February of 2012 and most of them are ones we have come to expect.
The first release in February is Xam’d Lost Memories Complete Collection which will contain an English dub and is set for release on February 7th on both Blu-ray and DVD. The week after that the company will be releasing Hell Girl: Three Vessels Complete Collection. This is the third season of the Hell Girl series and will be available on DVD with only English subtitles.
After that however we have the release of the Broken Blade Complete Collection on February 21st. This release will have an English dub and is also being released on DVD and Blu-ray. Finally we have one of Sentai Filmworks most recent acquisitons, A-channel. The series will be released on Febraury 28th receiving only English subtitles much to the disappointment of some.
When the whole world is infested with zombies only a few people will be left alive to try and survive all of the zombies trying to eat them. Well, one of them isn’t even a human to begin with if you catch my drift. First we have Jack, who is a gamer that has a variety of experience in the video game world that should translate well into zombie killing.
Besides him we have Rachel, Brian the scientist and Luxo, and a Rastafarian Alien or perhaps just a random kid who loves his alien costume. These four characters will each have a unique personality as you can see here and have their own special weapons. If you feel like learning more about his personality you can read the character Jack’s Facebook or blog to learn more about what he’s thinking lately. Let’s just say he’s a Skyrim fan.
