Eugen Systems, creators of strategy game RUSE, are busy working away on a new game called Wargame: European Escalation and have now presented the official website of the game. To celebrate the opening of the website, they have also unveiled new images for the strategy game.
It will be a real-time strategy game like RUSE, with the developers clearly sticking to their strenghts, and from the screen it’s looking good for wannabe war generals. The official website will be full of information about the game set to release later this year on PC – check it out here: Visit the official website
For someone who has never been good at real-life bowling, I always delight in bowling game apps that allow me to pretend like I can actually get numerous strikes in a row. So when I saw this combined with the arcade-fighting juggernaut Tekken I knew it was definitely worth a go.
Gameplay
There are two different games, the standard bowling video game and the puzzle mode. The standard mode has the basic mechanics of most bowling games – you move where your character is placed, adjust your aim and finally the power of the throw. You can play either one or two-player in standard mode, which gives it more value as one-player gets old quickly.
Puzzle mode adds something to an app that would have been left wanton. It has a series of puzzles in which you have to knock down all the pins with a given amount of bowling balls. It ranges in difficulty, with some puzzles requiring a few tries and others being painfully easy. The method of bowling changes with puzzle mode, in which you select where to send the ball on a radar display. It simplifies the method so that the necessary curving shots aren’t as much of a pain.
There are three playable characters that all have different power and range. Xiaoyu – as the female – has the least power but the biggest range and easier accuracy with a slow moving marker. At the other end of the spectrum, Panda has almost no range and a huge amount of power, playing with him feels like playing with the bumpers up because he still manages to knock out half the pins even if you aim at the very edge of his range. In the middle of those two, Jin has a balance of both aspects although this seems to just make him the most difficult character because he doesn’t have the ‘bumper effect’ of Panda, or the easy accuracy of Xiaoyu.
The issue I have with this app is that it seems to grant you strikes at random, some shots will be dead on and miss a few pins, others will be off and manage to knock down all the pins. The game seems to possess its own version of physics that favours people who are just slightly off in their aim.
In puzzle mode the radar-system requires some getting used to because the logical placement of a ball on the radar doesn’t always translate as well in practice. The most difficult part of the puzzle levels wasn’t the logic behind them but just managing to put those shots into practice. It involves a frustrating trial-and-error when it comes to certain puzzles and adjustments done millimetre by millimetre until hitting the sweet spot.
Audio
The soundtrack is like gym workout music on crack and doesn’t match the pace of the game at all; it revs you up for an exciting action-packed event that never happens. The characters grunt like tennis players when they take their shot, except for Panda who growls (which Tekken seems to think is what pandas do).
When you go through the menu there’s a whole range of hitting noises to accompany your selections, I guess because they thought they should at least bring the allusion of fighting to the game by inserting a few spare fighting sound effects anywhere they could. And just in case you miss hitting a pin the game won’t let you forget it because the music will cut to a comical ‘wah wahh’ to assure you that you did, in fact, fail.
Visual
The graphics are surprisingly good. The characters are recognisable, the environment has been given a decent amount of attention and almost a scary amount of time has been spent on the detail of Jin’s back muscles. Overall, the graphics are superior to most available on the iOS.
Every so often you are reminded of the fact that this is based off an arcade fighting game when you bowl a strike or finish a puzzle level and there is a short animation. Not a spare, a strike. Apparently spares aren’t worth the extra animation.
Conclusion
This has a little more weight to it than most bowling apps, but its relevance to Tekken is questionable. It was probably made to incite some Tekken nostalgia, which probably would have been more effective if more than three characters had been included. It’s the sort of game that you go into not expecting much and it fulfils that while also surpassing it to a degree. However, it is free and does make for a good time waster while on public transport as long as you aren’t too vocal about your frustration with just missing that last pin on a puzzle level. Just make sure to play it on silent.
Microsoft’s “Summer of Arcade” is in full swing, and one of the most anticipated games from the selection this year has been without a doubt the artsy Metroidvania title, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet. In this title, the player must explore a beautiful landscape as a lone flying saucer, solving mind-bending puzzles and taking down a large variety of enemies along the way. This little alien controlled ship is also beaming with many useful gadgets, which all play a pivotal part in the gameplay. So how well does this little game live up to it’s hype? Here is my review for Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet for the Xbox Live Arcade.
Story
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet doesn’t really have too much of a story, but there still is enough substance understand your mission on this journey. The game starts out with a brief cutscene with an alien who watches his home planet become swept in a mass darkness. Unable to just stand around and watch this destruction happen, he quickly boards his small flying saucer and returns to fight this evil before it gets too out of control. Aside from a few brief cutscenes throughout the game, we really don’t get to know much of our brave little protagonist. With that said, I still found the main character’s small backstory to play well with the theme of the game, as the veil of mystery surrounding this little alien is just as mysterious as the stunning world you are to explore.
Even though there was no dialogue or a true personality for our little friend in his small flying saucer, I still understood his motives as Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet lets the atmosphere tell the story and succeeds in doing so exceptionally well. Much like Metroid (in which this game borrows a lot from), the sense of being alone is felt throughout the whole experience and the mystery of what lies ahead keeps the player immersed for the entire ride. It’s not exactly an original formula for a plot, but I felt it still complimented the exploration element of the game and made me want to progress further, searching every nook and cranny of each area in the process.
Gameplay
As I mentioned, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet borrows a lot from Metroid, as the core gameplay style is based on exploration and backtracking. Using the little spaceship provided, the main objective of each stage is to find a path to the next area and simply move on while destroying any enemies that get in the way. Due to how large the map is and the vast amount of twisted paths one could take, it is easy to get lost in all of the madness, but thankfully at the press of a button one can instantly be pointed into the direction they need to go with a full stage view of the entire level at hand.
Controlling your ship is quite simple, as players can easily move around with the left analog and utilize any tools or weaponry with a combination of the right stick and the trigger buttons. Starting out, your ship has a lone scan utility that gives hints on how to overcome an obstacle or barrier. As you progress however, you quickly get new several new tools that act as forms offense, defense and interactivity. Players are eventually equipped with the likes a ray gun, missiles, a mechanical claw, and a buzzsaw, just to name a few.
While exploration is the main ingredient of the gameplay, this tool set is the most important and is also what sets the game apart from other titles of the same genre. As you would expect, the ray gun can take out several enemies that block your path, but other items in this spaceship’s arsenal have more than one use. The most prominent is the claw, which can be used to pick up rocks, items, or anything else you can grasp with it’s tiny pincher. Sometimes the game will need you to carry an item from point A to point B to unlock a certain corridor or activate a switch of sorts, but the claw can also be used to grasp onto the environment when a strong wind or current is sweeping your small ship away. The buzzsaw is a very strong tool that can take out certain enemies or dig a path to a new part of the level. I think that is one things enjoyed most throughout the game, as each time you get a new upgrade, it is both rewarding and exciting to see all of the things your new attachment can do.
Of course these tools and attachments wouldn’t be necessary if you couldn’t put them to good use, so thankfully a vast amount of puzzles can be found within each level that allow for just that. The puzzles within ITSP are usually environmental, where you must utilize a tool to overcome an obstacle or open up a new path. For instance, if a few pebbles are blocking the way, you can use the claw to quickly fling the stones to the side or use the buzzsaw to plow right through. Samus would also be jealous of the missile mechanic within this title, as the “missile switches” are usually tucked away in a narrow and twisted path. Since missiles are self-guided, the player must use full concentration to hit the said target with the right stick alone, which offers a refreshing challenge and a fulfilling pay-off everytime.
Puzzles are not all about hitting switches and opening new paths though, as certain enemies require much more thought than simply firing a few shots to a weak point to actually defeat. For example, one boss has weak points that are covered with a swarm of insect-like creatures. To overcome this, the player must get an orb, light it with an aura that projects from the walls of the level and lure the insects away. Clever mechanics like this are found throughout the entirety of Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, which puts more of an emphasis on planning and strategy before the typical running and gunning.
Whether you are someone who is keen on exploration or a full blown completionist, the large amount of collectibles, hidden upgrades, and secrets beg for multiple playthroughs and with such a beautiful world to traverse, it shouldn’t be too hard for any gamer to quickly be sucked back in to this shadowy world all over again. A co-operative multi-player mode by the name of “Lantern Run” also offers a nice change of pace where players must protect lanterns from a large foe for as long as possible. It isn’t too substantial, but this mode does allow for that viewer that may be in awe of the experience to get in on the action right along side the player for some quick fun.
Graphics/Audio
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet features 2D visuals crafted by animator Michel Gagne and his hard work shows with every enemy and new environment you encounter. Each area features a somewhat different theme of sorts which provides a bright and colorful backdrop. When the shadowy figures are moving in the foreground, the combination of the black and pastel color is truly an amazing sight that is like sweet, blissful candy for the eyes.
The animation is in my opinion what truly made the visuals pop, as while you are exploring, the well-detailed environment is alive with constant movement. With nearly every aspect of each level being interactive, I spent a good time just taking my claw and literally picking at the stage’s uniquely designed fauna with new animations unfolding before my eyes. Enemies and even your dimly lit spaceship all compliment this art style, adding more depth to the overall atmosphere of the game.
While there is some impressive music to be found in cutscenes, the actual game possesses no soundtrack whatsoever. I guess this was done to help give off the feeling of loneliness to the game, but I couldn’t help but think how far a small and graceful track would have gone to add in some emotion to the experience. The ambient sounds of enemies and the world itself make up for this somewhat though. Your ship sounds as a small flying saucer should, and the sounds coming from the environment provide a nice ambient feel that tie well into the strong visuals.
Overall
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet lives up to it’s name in every single way. Players get to explore a rich environment that is simply breathtaking. To add to this, the puzzles found within are all very clever and unique to their own, giving a large variety to the gameplay and letting players conduct different strategies to overcome obstacles. A lot of the ideas may be a bit borrowed, but I honestly want to say that in many cases, this game reinvents those concepts with it’s intuitive design and mechanics. If you plan on picking up any “Summer of Arcade” game this year, mark Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet high on the list as it is one title that goes above and beyond to capture the player’s full attention from beginning to end.
The Humble Indie Bundle was already and obscene deal with a pay whatever the hell you want for it system. Now, if you pay more than the average price (it’s been floating around $5.00) for Humble Indie Bundle 3, you get the Humble Indie Bundle 2 for free! You can direct download or get Steam or Desura Keys. Not only that but you still get to play Minecraft for free until the deal wears out. So really, you’re getting like 11.5 games, and get the opportunity to support not only the indie game scene, but charity too! I know, I know, it’s too much for you to handle. So open your wallets and shell out some dough by heading over to the Humble Indie Bundle website and contribute to your community.
Being a massive fan of the last title in the Forza franchise from Turn 10 studios, I am excited to report on any news or development on Forza 4, set for release in Australia on October 13th and already looking breathtakingly majestic in scenery and graphics capabilities. In this trailer, Turn 10 are giving a behind the scenes look into the making of one of the more elegant tracks in the game, set within the Swiss Bernese Alps. After exhausting themselves taking uncountable numbers of reference photos and video footage, Brian Ekberg and fellow track artists knew the Alps was something special and would be the perfect location. Ekberg elaborates on the subject, explaining the differences between creating a fictional track such as the Swiss Alps as opposed to the Top Gear test track. Fictional tracks, he explains allow the developers to really show off and utilise the power of Forza 4’s graphics engine.
The artists travelled along the chosen track routes to get a good feel for the track with the aim of producing the “ultimate driving road, full of raw speed, lots of elevation changes and plenty of “wow” moments”. Judging by the screenshots I dont think there should be too many issues on that front. Any real fans should aleady have this on pre-order to ensure themselves the Limited Collectors Edition and to receive the “launch bonus’ car pack, as supplies are not going to last too long.
Madman has released huge news regarding the upcoming anime LAST EXILE – Fam, The Silver Wing. A series which is set to begin airing in Japan later this year.
Today Madman has announced that in conjunction with Studio Gonzo, they will be holding the Australian premiere of LAST EXILE – Fam, The Silver Wing at the Manifest Convention later this month on the 26th. What makes this such big news is that this premiere will be over 1 month before it even hits Japanese screens.
This is an absolutely huge announcement for Australian anime fans as it shows how far the industry in Australia has progressed. To think that Australia would be the place to hold a premiere of a yet to be released in Japan title of this high calibre, is mind boggling.
Madman’s Tim Anderson had the following to say regarding this announcement:
“Madman Entertainment are extremely proud to be working with Gonzo and Manifest to be bringing Australian fans such a rare opportunity to see a brand new anime show, especially of such a high calibre, before it even airs in Japan”
To be apart of Australian anime industry history, make sure you find your way to Manifest 2011 on the 26th of August. This is definitely something you do not want to miss out on.
Alongside this huge announcement, Madman announced they had licensed the series for distribution throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Leave a comment below letting us know what you think of this huge announcement.
What do you get when you cross one of the best selling PC titles of all time ‘The Sims’ with Facebook, the world’s largest social networking site? The Sims Social is the latest spin off from EA games’ highly successful video game franchise The Sims with The Sims Social free to play on Facebook. While the game was announced at this year’s E3, details on what the game will actually encompass have only just been revealed by the game’s producers in a new producer interview video today. The video revels some detail on the core gameplay, features and of cause the game’s Facebook integration and interactivity.
According to The Sims Social Facebook page, the online casual game is set to go live ‘Soon’.
With so many games out there, sometimes it’s hard to know which to play first. Luckily for you, though, the crew here at Capsule have played our fair share of games and are here to help you. For the next few weeks, we’ll be rolling out the list of 100 games you must play before you die. Whether it be for the graphics, story, narrative, or the impact that specific game had on the overall industry or players, these 100 games should be put on every gamer’s list.
NB: The games mentioned are not in a specific rank. Every title is randomly selected.
Spyro: Year of the Dragon (or Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon/Spyro 3 as it is sometimes known) was the third iteration in a wonderful new series which followed the adventures of a young purple dragon, and rested alongside Crash Bandicoot as top platformer on a Sony system. It was one of the first games I owned for my PlayStation and going back to play the others before it, you realise it had built on the lessons learnt in previous games to make the perfect Spyro.
Spyro: Year of the Dragon was just so well designed, seeing you traverse numerous themed worlds collecting baby dragon eggs which had fallen into the evil clutches of the Rhinos in order to save the dragon population from extinction. But as well as this wonderful system which had you completing each challenge or finding secret locations to add another egg to your tally, you had gems to collect in each level: it was a completionists dream, and rather than feeling like a drag, collecting all collectibles brought with it a sense of achievement due to the way each zone was broken down into its own dragon eggs and gems.
The magic of Spyro: Year of the Dragon was lost when Spyro made the jump to next gen in Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly, and the series hasn’t been half as good since. Do yourself a favour if you want to see Spyro in top form and whip out one of the PS1 classics.
Without a doubt one of the greatest games of all time, Half Life 2, takes everything that worked with Half Life 1 and gave it a shot of adrenaline. Valve has created a game that legitimately earns the title of an epic game. Everything about this game is epic, whether it be the grand story, the interlinking stories of all the characters, the epic journey through-out one of the most memorable video game worlds ever created, Half Life 2 from start to finish is a master class in what video games can truly be if given nothing but good old fashioned love and care. If you have never played Half Life 2, make sure you do before you bite the dust, because after all, the right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.
Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus, the follow-up to Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysey, like many (initial) sequels in the world of games is the true gem of the series. Lorne Lanning, the director, designer, writer and voice actor is a true auteur of the gaming world. The Oddworld series of games were designed to combine storytelling, animation and interactivity in ways that he thought weren’t apparent in the industry at the time. Creating a 2D game during a time when 3D games were new and ruling the roost while 2D was considered a faux pas took a lot of balls, but Lanning stated that he didn’t want to sacrifice how he envisioned the games to look by creating them in 3D. If you’ve taken a look at some titles from that era I’d say he was on to something. Abe’s Exoddus is just as powerful and beautiful of a game today as it was when it was first released over a decade ago. The story picks up where Abe’s Oddysey left off as Abe continues his quest to save his fellow Mudokon’s from being enslaved by big industry. You do this by communicating to them and giving directions while you make a path that’s safe for them to travel through and exit via portals. Story is a big part of the Oddworld games as it’s clearly making stands talking about consumerism, work ethics and industry destroying culture.
Oddworld received numerous awards regarding it’s art direction and in-game cinematics, which were run in indie film festivals. Regarding game design it was also ahead of it’s time by having no heads up display and directed the player through tutorials that were embedded in the environment, never breaking you from the game. Abe’s Exoddus is a bonafide classic that anyone would be unfortunate to miss. It’s an evergreen title that has aged beautifully and I implore anyone to check it out. You won’t regret it.
4. The Sims
Platform: PC Genre: Life simulation Release date: 2000 Nominated by: Mike Irving
It seems that everyone played The Sims at some point in their gaming life, and everyone did so differently. Don’t be put off by the fact that it’s essentially just a life simulator, it’s a fantastic example of emergent gameplay. Players create a person or family and lead them through all the important and mundane moments of their existence. Help them find a career and love, manage finances and friendships, raise children or crops. Or don’t. Make them sit on the couch all day eating chips and watching TV, until all their furniture is repossessed and their kids are taken by welfare.
The game not only catered for but encouraged varied play styles, and people found a lot of reasons to play. Some liked to re-create themselves and their family and try to help them succeed. Some liked to completely mess up a family with bad choices. Others preferred an architecture focus, building and decorating houses, without caring who lived in them.
Personally, I played for the game’s capacity for creating stories. I used the in-game ability to organise screenshots into a photo album to create detailed family histories. I was so into it that soon my friends would actually check in to see what had happened to my Sims since the last time they were over, and I would flick through the album and explain the details of who was sleeping with who, who had died, had kids, all that soap opera stuff.
Few games had the simplicity and scope of The Sims, or the universal appeal, which all probably account for its success. Even my Dad, who has pretty much never played a game before or since, got into it for a while – until I bricked his Sim up in the wall and let him starve to death. Don’t judge me, ’twas the style at the time.
5. Angry Birds
Platform: Pretty much everything these days, but mostly iPhone and Android! Genre: Puzzle Release date: 2009 Nominated by: Matt Vella
Bro, it’s Angry Birds! Angry Birds is the Pacman of the 21st century, and it’s a sin to own a smartphone that doesn’t have Angry Birds on it. Not owning a golden egg should be punishable by death, whether you are a casual gamer OR a hardcore gamer! While most home console games you may enjoy for a few months then move on to only online play, if that, Angry Birds stays with you for life. This title has got about a bazillion-gillian people addicted, thanks to it’s 30 second level game play, so you can grab a quick game while your doing a variety of things, such as:
-Waiting for a YouTube video to load
-While you’re on the bus, train or in traffic lights
-While you’re cooking a pizza
-While you’re waiting in line to use the bathroom
-While you’re in the line at Maccas
-While you’re being yelled at by your boss for playing Angry Birds at work
-While you’re making out with your girlfriend/boyfriend/Angry Birds plush toy, whatever!
-While you’re being dumped by your girlfriend/boyfriend/Angry Birds plush toy for ignoring them all the time cause you won’t stop playing Angry Birds…
Seriously, the possibilities are endless!
6. Demon Souls
Platform: Playstation 3 Genre: Action/RPG Release date: 2009 Nominated by: Kelly Teng
Those who complain about how games are getting so easy that even a monkey can play it…you obviously haven’t played Demon Souls. Dubbed as one of the most difficult games out there, Demon Souls took the basic elements of an action-RPG and turned it on its own head: while normally, death in a video-game means little in terms of consequences, Demon Souls had a very realistic take on the matter. Each death impacts your character’s health and you lose all the souls you’ve collected. If you win your battle and return to your bloodstain where you died, you can regain your souls; otherwise they are gone forever…and that’s just one aspect of gameplay.
Demon Souls is a title that begs to be played and requires a different style of thinking and gameplay to many other titles. For that reason alone, it’s definitely worth giving it a shot.
7. Tony Hawk Pro Skater
Platform: PS1 Genre: Sport Release date: 1999 Nominated by: Darren Resnekov
When Tony Hawk Pro Skater was released on PSOne 12 years ago, it blew our minds and finally gave skaters the first chance to really have their sport represented by a console onscreen. I remember playing for eons, mastering backflips and special tricks not listed in the manual. Featuring the likes of Tony Hawk, Rune Glifberg and Bob Burnquist, skaters and gamers rejoiced alike. Remembering this was 1999, this game had everything from the ability to mod your character out in ridiculous outfits that became a trademark of the game to near impossible tricks and missions.
While the environments weren’t as expansive as todays open sandbox style of play, it’s important for gamers today to see the roots and development of the titles they take for granted. These games took years of development to perfect, and didnt just appear in the form we currently enjoy them. Tony Hawk has a special place for me, which is why I chose it to be on the list. I have fond memories of my youth, sitting around inebriated, spending hours grinding my way through the various cities. Even though it pales graphically and creatively by todays standards, I remember it providing much more entertainment and satisfaction than I get from many modern day titles. It was simple in design but groundbreaking for the industry, paving the way for many successful franchises – including Shaun White Snowboarding, as well as Matt Hoffman’s BMX series.
8. Neverwinter Nights
Platform: PC Genre: RPG Release date: 2002 Nominated by: Phil Federico (or MasterAbbott, as you may know him)
Never Winter Nights was the first Dungeons and Dragons game that introduced me to the Monk class, a class that in my opinion if played correctly can be one of the most power characters in D&D. I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing story for NWN and was quite sad once I had finished it – my monk totally destroyed the end boss with ease. But that was only the beginning, because at the time NWN had a huge online community. I don’t quite remember how I found it but stumbled across a NWN online persistent world by the name of Melnibone (similar to World of Warcraft). This online world is where my first MMO RPG experience began.
Incorporating the rules and gameplay of NWN the dungeon master of Melnibone created a living and breathing world much harder than the single player experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. It took the experience of playing D&D online to a whole new level with hard-core rules and roleplaying (each player’s character on the server had to sleep, eat and also role play in character or would suffer XP penalties). The AI were beefed up and very intelligent, higher level quests were hard as hell and couldn’t be done on your own no matter strong you were. In true D&D style, teaming up with other players and creating a party was the only way to achieve your goals and completing your quests. Just like what WoW has done to millions of gamers worldwide, NWN consumed my life. I was online and playing for most of the day, going to sleep for a few hours and then jumping back on to continue my quest to be the best possible character on the server, which I successfully achieved. MasterAbbott (yes, now you all know where the name came from) was the highest ranked Monk on the server after year or so of hard-core gaming.
NWN online was where the fun really happened, unfortunately the online community died out as soon as Blizzard’s World Of Warcraft was launched as everyone jumped ship to play that instead. But for me I still believe that NWN was far more enjoyable because of the true D&D gameplay, which still to this day no other game has fully been able to emulate (especially when playing as a Monk). If you’re a D&D fan this game is a must and worthy to be in the Capsule Computers top 100 must play titles.
To many children, Lego building blocks are the pinnacle of toy creation. They can be used to build anything from their imagination and they can, in the case of something like Star Wars Lego sets, let them relive their favorite films. For me, (who still has some cherished Lego sets that will never leave my closet) it was an amazing experience to actually see Lego figures, buildings and other creations come to life in the Lego Star Wars video games. It not only combined my favorite two hobbies at the time –Lego and Star Wars– but it also created some of the most enduring video game memories I will ever have. These blocky video games bring out the best in Lego and the best in Star Wars: quirky, imaginative worlds full of adventure.
10. Metroid Prime
Platform: Nintendo GameCube/Nintendo Wii Genre: First-person action-adventure Release date: 2003 (GC) and 2009 (Wii) Nominated by: Luke Halliday
Nintendo had reached a point during the GameCube era where they decided that, instead of pushing a new innovation onto the console, they would strip it all back and focus solely on innovation with their games. One of the offspring of this idea was the revival of the Metroid series, Metroid Prime. Nintendo took a huge risk with Prime: they took what was once a side-scrolling shooter and transformed it into a first-person, atmospheric masterpiece. Metroid had finally leapt into the third dimension and it was a raw, moody, visceral and lonely experience – but that is what makes this game so damn good. They took the Metroid formula of exploration, set it in a vast 3D world and left you alone – alone to explore the world. That isolation is what makes Metroid Prime a true gaming experience: exploring this massive world with quiet solitude, Nintendo is practically begging you to use your mind. Whenever a game can invoke thought as much as this game can, that is undoubtedly something that warrants a playthrough before kicking the bucket.
A little something for all you Sims fans out there. EA have announced the impending release of a brand new digital world for download via the Sims 3 store. Titled Hidden Springs, the new world is jammed packed with new locations, Sims characters and items and will be available for your enjoyment from August 25th via Simpoints purchase. Hidden Springs is a spiritual journey for your Sim, a soul cleansing, luxurious get away complete with all of lifes creature comforts.
In what sounds lke a social elite club for the rich and famous, Hidden Springs offers your Sim a delectable lakefront view, spas and ski lodges or bush retreats and Museums of magic and supernatural for the more outdoorsy or cultured types. Mingle with the socially elite at the Redwood Heights luxury lodge and rise to their level of sofistication and status. Relax in the waters of the Crystal Solarium before letting your hair down at the Fairyfolk Park, and enjoy everything Hidden Springs has to offer. If none of these tickles your fancy, why not try the Silver Zephyr Health Spa famous for its world reknowned techniques in health and beauty.
With all Sims comes a little magic, always expect the unexpected as you explore these new environments, learning more of the curious magic that lies deep within Hidden Springs as you progress through its landscape.
Back when Blades of Time was announced many people, including myself, were thinking that the game would be a sequel to X-Blades. This was due to the fact that both games featured the same main character named Ayumi who had a relatively similar appearance and the game was from the same developer. That won’t be the case apparently because a Konami representative told Siliconera that both Konami and Gaijin Entertainment, developer of the title, figured it would be best to drop the anime look that Ayumi had in X-Blades and update her weapons.
In Blades of Time, Ayumi will be using a sword and a rifle separately and is also a treasure hunter. In X-Blades Ayumi used gunswords (guns with swords attached similar to FF8) and was after certain powerful artifacts. This means that although some things have been tweaked a little, and a major graphical overhaul, it may still feel similar to X-Blades. The title will allow players to create something called a “time rewind clone” which will perform the last actions you did, meaning you can use your cloned form to deal out double the damage to an enemy or a boss or solve a puzzle that would usually involve two people. The game will be released some time early in 2012 and will be available on both the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.
