EA Mobile has released the latest installment in the Sims series for iOS, The Sims Medieval. The Sims Medieval is a markedly different type of Sims app, allowing players to create their own hero, guild and fight their way through the medieval life. You can play mini games, go on quests, and choose a range of new avatars to play as. As always, you get to shape who your Sim is, you can make them anyone from a dungeon master, serf, jester or even a good old vampire.
With advanced graphics, combat and weapon capability and a great reimagining of the Sims – Medieval stylin’! – The Sims Medieval looks like an epic installment to the Sims series. Definitely one to pick up and install on your iPhone for hours of portable fun.
Keep an eye out on the site for a review!
The Sims Medieval is available now for iPhone, iTouch and iPad on iTunes for $5.49 – HERE
As if you didn’t already have enough reason to pre-order Super Mario 3D Land, Gamestop are looking to further sweeten the deal. Anyone who puts down a payment ahead of the November 13th release date will receive a Tanooki Mario keychain as a bonus.
Pictured above, this little Mario is quite the character as he is shown sticking his little tail out as if he were ready to smash through a block or goomba at a moments notice. Keychain or not though, Super Mario 3D Land is looking to be the first original blockbuster for the platform, and there is no doubt that all eyes will be on how well it performs this November.
Game Name:Thor: God of Thunder Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS (Reviewed), Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii Publisher(s):Sega, Developer(s): Red Fly Studios Genre(s): Action Release Date: September 13, 2011 (US) September 9, 2011 (EU) Price: $29.99 BUY NOW!
Earlier this year, Sega released Thor: God of Thunder on four different platforms (the Nintendo Wii, DS, Xbox 360, and PS3). A few months have passed since those releases and while he is a little late, Thor is back yet again and now in full 3D on the Nintendo 3DS. Baring the same plot and cast of characters, you would think this would be just a quick cash-in on Nintendo’s latest technology. That is where you would be wrong though, as I found this godly romp to be one that was enjoyable and solid throughout most of the experience. So what makes this title stand above it’s console brethren? Here is my review for Thor: God of Thunder for the Nintendo 3DS.
Story
I would imagine by now, most of you would know what to expect as far as a plot goes with Thor. Players take the role as the thunder god himself and have to save Asgard while seeking vengeance against enemies from the popular Marvel comic series. Yes, it’s the typical narrative you would expect, but told in a somewhat different perspective from the other versions of the game. Oddly enough however, I felt this version did a better job at pulling the player through the game as everything feels much more organized and a bit easier to follow overall.
Back when I played the Xbox 360 version of Thor, one of my biggest complaints was that the pacing felt so off that it was hard to actually enjoy the story. This title however fixes those gripes and uses comic-book style cutscenes to not only to give off an interesting plot, but also to provide a bit of fan service to those who remember the god of thunder before his days as a cinema star. Voice acting and small cutscenes are also present, but thankfully both of these elements compliment the overall narrative and make this trek through the Norse worlds much more exciting this time around.
Gameplay
It’s always astonishing how much a simple platform change can improve gameplay mechanics, but in Thor’s case, the 3DS feels like his one true home. Players control Thor by using the slide-pad and control attacks with a combination of the face buttons and the touchscreen. This may sound like a large task at first, but the whole scheme is honestly well organized which makes the game much easier to just pick up and play. Thor is indeed a bit of a beat-em-up action title, but it also has quite a bit of platforming mixed in as well. Thankfully, our hero can jump like a true god and effectively land on whatever platform is ahead without much problem thanks to the responsiveness of the slide-pad.
Much like the other installments of Thor, the 3DS version includes enemies ranging in size and type. As always, our hero is readily equipped with his trusty Mjolnir to smash through all foes at will. This hammer attack is usually effective for close combat, but Thor can also spin it above his head with the tap of a shoulder button and lunge it at an enemy without missing a beat via a homing method. Yes, it’s just a hammer attack, but I found it to be quite satisfying for the most part as it actually felt useful this time around. New attacks can also be learned over time that allow the player to perform specific techniques based on button combination. While this bit of depth was nice to see, most attacks still felt the same as no matter which way the hammer hits the enemy, it still does about the same amount of damage. As you may have guessed, this bash and go style of combat can lose it’s luster later on, but there is still other tricks up our hero’s sleeve to at least attempt to keep the combat fresh.
As the player progresses, several powers become available at your disposal. Collecting upgrades enables these elemental based powers to be used, letting Thor shock all enemies on the field with bolts of lightning or spin out a strong tornado that will whip through foes blocking your path. Many other powers also come into play as well, so throughout the game there is always incentive to carry on just to see what new tricks this god can learn. Runes also come into play and provide boosts to powers and defense once a certain number is collected. It’s not the most complex upgrading system by any means, but I felt like the vast number of techniques available definitely helped myself better feel like the powerful persona I was portraying. Combos are equally as important, as a meter will go up upon each consecutive hit which eventually enables a much greater special attack to then be executed. As deep as this whole system is, it can still be a bit repetitive as the game progresses.
The main objective in each area is usually to fight off a set of enemies, move forward via platforming, and then run into a boss at the end before moving on. Bosses are fun to fight for the most part, but sometimes the quick time events provided can feel more of the same as it usually requires the same button combination to defeat the larger enemies, no matter what their race. I do have to give it to Red Fly for offering some new mechanics other than the “smash and go” battle system though. At times, Thor will be forced to move to a new area and the player will have to fire projectiles at enemies while flying into the new setting. These moments are rather short when they occur and don’t happen frequently, but this add-in definitely worked well and was one of the places Thor shined the brightest.
Thanks to it’s genre and working combat, most players should have no problem saving Asgard more than once as everything stays solid throughout. You can definitely see a bit of other games sprinkled in like God of War or Devil May Cry, but that really isn’t a problem as that formula works and honestly, most decent action games have followed the same formula. While not entirely original, Thor: God of Thunder is at least enjoyable and controls well up until the mighty final boss.
Graphics/Audio
Other than first party titles, I think Thor may be one of the strongest games visually on the 3DS at the moment. Each model is smooth and appears polished and the 3D function compliments the action well without blurring or ghosting. I wasn’t a total fan of the environments though, as compared to the detailed characters they can fall flat with their rather plain textures. I also noticed some minor glitches such as our hero passing through walls and enemies portraying bizarre animations at times. Little touches though like the comic-book inspired images and fonts can however make this title feel straight out of the Marvel Universe, which is definitely more than I can say about the next-gen cousins released earlier this year that bare the same name.
Thor also has a nice little score packed in, with tunes that compliment the action and assist in making bigger battles more exciting. I doubt the soundtrack will drop many jaws, but it at least fits into the Norse setting and gives players a reason to keep those speakers up. The same voice cast from the movie such as Chris Hemsworth also do well at reprising their roles and make each character feel true to their persona. Another one of my complaints with the Xbox 360 version of the game was sound effects. The 3DS version though fixes that problem for the most part though with each hit of the Mjolnir and every bolt of lighting sounding crushing and ultimately satisfying.
Overall
If Thor for the 3DS could be described in one word, it would be “surprising”. There isn’t anything too groundbreaking, but Red Fly at least delivered a polished combat system that is fun to use and the third-person perspective has never looked better with the God of Thunder. Yes, there is still a bit of monotony along the way, but if anyone wants to truly take on the role of Thor himself, there is no better way to do it than in this portable version. Unfortunately, I feel like the delay of release may make this game go unnoticed as Thor’s moment has now passed in the mainstream. Those who happen to see it on the shelf though and crave for a decent action romp that gives off plenty of that Marvel atmosphere should definitely consider giving this god another go.
November’s going to be a big month in the gaming world, too big even (from the perspective of my bank account and productivity levels!). Assassin’s Creed Revelations, Modern Warfare 3, Skyrim – that’s a lot of hours lost right there. But the November game that I’m actually most excited about is… Rayman Origins. Sure I know the rest will be fantastic titles, but there hasn’t been a side scrolling Rayman game in fifteen years.
Rayman Origin’s takes the series back to it’s roots, and the new ‘Around the World’ trailer from Ubisoft looks very promising indeed. The style is spot on for an HD Rayman world, and with 60 levels on offer there’s going to be a lot of it to explore. The range of gameplay looks amazing: underwater levels, mosquito riding, fire dodging, pirates, snowy mountains, giant mutant chickens, dragons, and of course, granny zombies playing horshoes with skulls.
As the dust settles on the Playstation Vita launch details, some interesting facts have surfaced from Sony. Sony Computer Entertainment president Hiroshi Kawano was talking to Weekly Famitsu and revealed that the Playstation Vita did in fact had another release date before December 17th was settled on. What was this date? December 3.
Kawano did provide a reason why the original release date was pushed back. Kawano and Sony in general wanted to make sure that there was enough stock for the launch. The first 500,000 will include 100 hours of free 3G coverage from NTT DoCoMo and expects those units to sell very quickly. Kawano revealed that DoCoMo was chosen due to the stability of their network.
The SCE president also reiterated that the Vita is a dedicated gaming machine first, not a smartphone. This is obviously a reiteration of the fact that the Vita is not in competition with that market.
Castlevania makes a return with Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, out now on the Playstation Network. The game is the brainchild of the legendary producer, Koji Igarashi, who includes several Castlevania titles, including Symphony of the Night, on his impressive resume. Players will control several famed characters from the series with six player multiplayer available. Konami also announced that the PSN release will include the ‘Beauty, Desire, Situation Dire’ Map pack, which includes the Pyramid of Ruin level, as well as additional characters Julius Belmont and Yoko Belnades.
Here is what Konami had to say about the release:
Castlevania Harmony of Despair features the classic renowned fast paced, 2D side-scrolling action the series is known for, as vampire hunters from throughout the series come together to return Dracula to his eternal slumber. Joining forces with friends, up to 6 players can explore massive levels inspired by the worlds of Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin and Order of Ecclesia via online co-op play.
With a combo attack system that allows players to unleash devastating attacks and fight the forces of darkness, Castlevania Harmony of Despair also enables gamers to discover hidden locations, special items, and equipment to help in their quest. Fearless players can also engage in competitive Survival Mode with friends, while the best players on the leaderboard can upload replay data and share their information. Featuring detailed 2D art and follow-up downloadable content for new characters and levels, Castlevania Harmony of Despair unleashes an unforgettable Castlevania experience for PlayStation fans.
For those of you who haven’t played the first Darkness game or don’t know what the Darkness is, Digital Extremes have released a new trailer for their upcoming game ‘The Darkness II’ that asks the question just “what is the darkness?”.
This new trailer for the upcoming sequel to the 2007 video game The Darkness, show new character Johnny Powell recapping the events of the first game and explaining the current situation Jackie Estacado that finds himself in right now.
For a visual standpoint, the trailer shows off a few moments from the first game but in the form of comic book-esq cutscenes which alludes to the overall visuals of The Darkness II, one that is aiming for a cel-shaded look and feel rather than the gritty realism of the first game.
Look out for The Darkness II on February 7th 2012 for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC
Konami have just released PES 2012 in the Americas for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and up and coming Brazilian starlet Neymar as the cover stars.
“With every edition of Pro Evolution Soccer, we set out to provide an unparalleled gameplay experience,” said Shinji Hirano, President of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 keeps to our long-standing tradition of giving users the intensity of real-life soccer with cutting-edge graphics and controls.”
This year’s PES goes further in giving total control to gamers, offering numerous gameplay additions and enhancements. A key development this year is the Active AI system, which places a lot of pressure on teammates to work together and make sure they hold their line defensively. Attacking wise, AI controlled teammates will make dummy runs, draw defenders and give players many more options to start an attacking movement.
The release of PES 2012 has undoubtedly kicked off the comparisons with it’s competitor FIFA 12, which was released yesterday across America and has set the bar pretty high for Konami. It’s going to be very interesting to see how the two compare, and also see who gets to take home the proverbial cup this year for football gaming.
For the first time ever, the FIFA series will be available for download on the Mac operating system thanks to the use of TransGaming’s Cider enablement product. It allows for a quick and cost effective conversion to Mac format, something which TransGaming’s Cider has excelled at.
“TransGaming’s unique Cider technology is the right enabler for us to bring a rich FIFA Soccer experience to fans all over the world,” said Kaz Makita, Vice President and Executive Producer with EA SPORTS. “We’re excited about bringing the world’s most popular sports video game to gamers on the Mac platform for the first time.”
The game is being made available for download via various EA Sports supported outlets, including TransGaming’s own distribution site GameTreeMac.com, and did I mention it’s available right now?
FIFA 12 comes out tomorrow in Australia for 360, PC and PS3, and the 30th for European gamers.
Trigun: Badlands Rumble Studio: MADHOUSE Publishing & Localization: FUNimation Release Date: September 27, 2011 Price:$34.98 Blu-ray, $29.98 DVD (Reviewed)
Overview:
It has been many years since the humanoid typhoon, Vash the Stampede arrived in North America. The original series was first created by MADHOUSE in Japan back in 1998 and was brought over to our shores a few years later in 2003. The original series ran for twenty six episodes and most who have watched it should know about the rather definitive ending to the series. So imagine the surprise of many anime viewers when they heard that a new movie was being released for Trigun. Named Trigun: Badlands Rumble the hour and a half movie has been completely translated and released, so how does it stack up?
Story:
The planet of Gunsmoke is a harsh one, most of the world is a barren desert full of strange creatures and humans make a living wherever they possibly can and establish small towns. Gunsmoke is a lawless planet; one full of outlaws, bounty hunters, crooked politicians and more. But there is one man who stands above the rest, with a 60 billion double dollar bounty upon his head, and that man’s name is Vash the Stampede.
As far as anyone who truly knows who Vash is however, he is far less of a stampede and much more like a comedic pacifist, usually more eager to hit on women, get drunk or chow down on the closest donut. But his pacifist lifestyle hasn’t always created the best outcome for him, especially twenty years ago when Vash was caught up a bank robbery by the notorious criminal Gasback.
After saving Gasback’s life during a betrayal in the robbery, twenty years have passed and Gasback had not learned his lesson. Instead he now seeks a personal vendetta against those his former partners that betrayed him, especially since they are now rich and prosperous in various positions. The bounty for Gasback has risen to quite an impressive amount and every bounty hunter has begun gathering at the rumored city for his next robbery in an attempt to claim this bounty.
While this attracts not only bounty hunters of all shapes and sizes it also attracts Vash, who happens to cross paths with a fiery redhead named Amelia. Is Amelia just like any of the other bounty hunters, or does she seek Gasback for a reason much deeper than her pockets? With tensions on the rise and itchy trigger fingers waiting for the arrival of Gasback, what will happen to our happy-go-lucky pacifist?
Now it is worth mentioning that the story is actually canon and is set to take place shortly after Vash meets Wolfwood in the anime series. That being said this means that Badlands Rumble is no form of continuation, but an extended piece of the anime to help bring Vash back into our minds and hearts one more time.
Despite this, Trigun: Badlands Rumble doesn’t step too far out of its boundaries here with its storyline. The main focus of the story is obviously the internal struggle taking place for Amelia and her mysterious need for vengeance against the man named Gasback, but there is a whole lot of padding to the storyline, so much so that the hour and a half movie feels like it was extremely stretched at places and padded out in many others.
All of the main characters from the story return, meaning viewers will not only see Vash but also Milly, Meryl and Wolfwood. Unfortunately these characters are given pretty much no actual plot driven rolls. Mostly these characters are in there to throw in plenty of anime series references with Meryl becoming angry and flustered whenever she has to deal with Vash, a black cat in an area or Wolfwood calling Vash Needle Noggin. In fact none of the characters really help drive the plot alone as things usually just seem to unfold at a rather expected pace, with the first two thirds of the movie being mostly build up with the final third being all about the action and gunplay that we expect from Trigun.
That being said, Vash is back with all of his strange wonders. Not only does his pacifist-where-possible lifestyle throw a twist to any altercation that he is in but his presence is always felt in every scene. Whether he is flirting with Amelia, crying over the last donut or just getting drunk with the guys he is the complete lovable moron fans will remember. That is of course until things get serious, betraying the idiocy he had shown previously which has always been one of the most interesting 180 degree turns in personality.
Artwork:
It is easy to see that there was a much larger budget available to the studio when they were working on Badlands Rumble. There is a huge amount of detail paid to practically everything on screen at a time and the quality of the overall picture is superb. Everyone’s favorite returning characters look the same and the show does have the standard deformation whenever something exceptionally comedic takes place.
There are plenty of bounty hunters to be seen and if you thought you would be seeing generic looking guys all the time, you better think again. Nearly every bounty hunter that is milling about the town or fighting has a completely different look and some of them are quite outlandish, especially when their weaponry is thrown into the mix. This creates an amazing visual as you place these characters against an already amazing backdrop. In fact the action with all of these characters is perhaps the best you can find, whether it be the giant showdown or an earlier bar brawl full of refreshing character designs, even for those who are barely seen for a few seconds.
Audio:
Now FUNimation may have opened up a can of worms when they announced that there would only be one character who would be retaining his previous voice actor from the original series. Of course that character would be the main man himself Vash, but all of the side characters would be replaced with new voice actors/actresses. But there is no reason to fret because these new voice artists are dead on when it comes to replicating the original voices. Vash’s voice actor slips back into his role perfectly and the new cast does everything to mimic the previous down to the letter.
Also something that Trigun is known for is its background music. The background music for the movie returns and many fans will remember hearing many of these themes from the past show and hearing them on the DVD format is just amazing. Viewers will likely end up with chills after hearing some of the themes again made with modern quality.
Extras:
Now Trigun: Badlands Rumble comes with quite a plethora of bonuses. So many in fact that the movie comes on one disc, with a whole separate disc for special features alone. These features range from interviews with the cast and crew, promo material from Japan and plenty of other content which is all subbed for viewers. The bonus content may not be very attractive at first but the amount is quite impressive at least.
Overall:
Trigun: Badlands Rumble is true to the Trigun name and the new voice cast does wonders for the source material. However, despite the new story and the focus on two new characters, there really doesn’t feel like anything was really shown here. The movie feels extremely padded with extra unnecessary content that ends up making the movie feel like nothing more than an extended anime episode.
Sure there are plenty of Vash central comedic points and there is a relatively decent amount of action at the end but many watching the movie will feel a bit let down that in the end nothing was developed for the characters. Sure this is a great movie for those who just can’t wait to see Vash one last time, but the long wait with little actual deliverance makes for a poor showing.
