A playable demonstration of the Wii U’s capabilities in motion, Battle Me, has recently been demoed at E3 by both MasterAbbott and Wolf (Phil and Travis – Lucky so-and-so’s). The game itself features players with Wii remotes who must navigate using the television to engage and take down the player playing as the UFO on the Wii U tablet. While watching the video, you will notice that the UFO can be controlled via motion control on the tablet.
Also, to quote Phil in his sexy glasses –
Battle Mii station which allowed three players to play at the same time. Two players controlled Samus Aran bodied Mii’s that also had the ability to roll up into a ball like Samus. These two players use the Wii remotes and are tasked with shooting down the space ship which is being controlled by the third player with the Wii U controller. The Wii U controller holder must defeat the two players on the ground to win and can control their space ship by tilting the Wii U controller one way or another, you are able to shoot with the triggers on the back. The tilting controls felt a bit difficult to use unfortunately and we spent a lot of time nose diving into the ground but thankfully there is a bit of time in the beginning to help accustom yourself with the gyroscope experience before the match begins.
Check out the embedded video below. After this pic of the Greg Grunberg from heroes having a go at the game.
At Capcom’s booth tour we were given the chance to get our hands on Dragon’s Dogma on the Xbox 360 for the first time since the game had been announced. The title allowed me to select either a prequel level where we would have played as a warrior class, or a level where we would be fighting against a giant griffon in mid air. Needless to say, I chose to battle against the griffin.
For the fight with the griffin I was given the Strider class to play as. This class is a bow wielding class that can use various bow and arrow abilities as well as use two daggers to deal fast damage at a distance. The rest of my party consisted of a fighter and a mage that provided both healing and various buffs to our weapons including the spell that was most important for this battle, the spell that imbued our weapons with fire magic.
First off the Striders abilities with the bow were quite impressive, with two abilities shown off called Strong Pull which allowed the player to charge an arrow over a short period that will cause extra damage when it hits the target. The other ability allowed the player to arc an arrow attack into the air that would then hail down as multiple arrows to strike at foes on the ground. The strider is also quite capable as a close range fighter as he wielded both of his daggers with ease. Though the most important aspect of this fight was the bow and arrow.
Our fight began with a small group of goblins on the ground while the griffin circled above us menacingly, these goblins were easy to dispatch and I noticed that my teammates were saying various things such as, “This body will be great bait.” This means that it could be used to draw the griffin onto the ground so we could attack it easier. Whenever one of my party members would speak about something important that I should do, the camera focused on them in an effort to emphasize that I should listen to them.
Unfortunately the zooming animation for the characters wasn’t fully finished yet so the timing was off most of the time and would simply leave me guessing as to what I should do with what they were telling me. Of course team work is the best way to take down an enemy of such size, and the best way to bring down a griffin is to burn its wings.
I could command my teammates with the D-pad saying either Go, Help or Come to me which would allow some minor management of my party members at the time, and the best way that you could work together with your mage was requesting him to help you. He would then buff my arrows with fire magic, which when shot at the wings of the griffin caused them to catch fire and force the beast to the ground in an impressively visual crash. Once upon the ground the griffin was still a force to be reckoned with, but it also allowed me to take advantage of the grab mechanic, which allowed me to grab onto the leg and the head of the griffin when it was upon the ground and climb up along its body, allowing me to deal heavy damage to it without it being able to throw me off.
There is a fatigue meter of sorts which shows how long you will be able to stay hanging onto the griffin. This meter is displayed under the health bar at the moment and when empty, my strider would let go of the griffin and breath heavily for a few moments before I could move him again. After a short time the griffin would be able to fly again, but could be taken down easily again with team work. The combat for Dragon’s Dogma is both impressive and easy to understand, which is saying a lot considering there is still half a year left before the end of 2011. Visually the game is a treat as the griffin was as large as a mid-boss creature should be and the hilly field that we fought upon was nicely detailed. Dragon’s Dogma will be released sometime early in 2012 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Razer is super excited about the next big MMO in the gaming world, The Old Republic. As a result, a slew of gaming accessories for the game are being exclusively produced for the game. A mouse and keyboard are both slated to be created, as well as a headset and more.
The really cool innovation, a first in the gaming world, that is present in the keyboard is an “LCD panel with a row of adaptive tactile keys above that can cycle through skills, hotkeys and macros with matching graphics from the game for maximum competitive efficiency.”
All the accessories can be customized to show your allegiance to either the Republic or Empire.
“We expect nothing but the best gaming equipment to complement our major entertainment franchises,” said Patrick J. O’Brien, Vice President of EA Entertainment, Electronic Arts. “Razer’s excellent track record in producing phenomenal gaming peripherals makes them the best partner brand to deliver on our high level expectations.”
“By working closely with EA, Razer is providing an avenue for the major game publisher to use their software and our hardware to create synergy, giving gamers an exciting and unparalleled gaming experience unattainable elsewhere,” added Min-Liang Tan, CEO and Creative Director, Razer. “We are challenging ourselves to create peripherals that add a level of immersion to video game titles that we are deeply passionate about.”
Sega announced that Virtua Tennis 4 is coming to the PSV. With the advanced features of the Vita, there are also some interesting features that can be incorporated into the game. For example, the camera can be used to customize the characters, and there is a “special Touch Versus Match which allows two players to battle on the same PlayStation Vita.”
22 tennis stars will be in the game, the world tour map and online mode will be fully supported and touch and regular controls are supported.
“We are delighted to announce Virtua Tennis 4 and confirm the development of four further titles for the PlayStation Vita, illustrating our strong support and excitement for the new platform,” said Mike Hayes, CEO of SEGA Europe and SEGA of America. “Our line-up features all new adventures for some of our most loved SEGA IP, in addition to extremely innovative and purpose built new IP – all taking full advantage of the unique gameplay opportunities provided by the PlayStation Vita.”
“With Virtua Tennis 4 on PlayStation Vita the team have embraced many of the features that the new hardware is capable of, including the high-definition graphics, Touch Panel control, network functionality, motion sensing system and the camera”, commented Gary Knight, Senior Vice President of Marketing at SEGA Europe and SEGA of America. “The way the team have been able to implement this brings the Virtua Tennis series to a whole new level on PlayStation Vita.”
Four unannounced titles for the new console are also coming.
During our tour of EA’s quite large booth at E3 earlier today we were able to gain access to view some of the first gameplay footage ever shown to the media outside of established trailers for the title. We were taken into one of the most impressive rooms I have seen so far at E3 and were shown a fifteen minute gameplay segment that was played by one of the game’s lead developers.
The game will place players in control of a hero that has been revived from the well of souls and it is the first time that such an event had ever occurred in the history of the world. Because of the playable character’s revival, they no longer have a destiny , which not only provides the player with a completely blank slate to create a fighter of their own choosing but unique powers that deal with destiny itself.
Players will be able to completely customize their character from four different races and play as either a male or female character. The customization system looks more in-depth than previous Mass Effect titles and rivals what we have seen in Oblivion with various customization options at the time.
After showing off the customization options we were presented with the combat system. The developers reminded us that the game may play in real time and look like an action game on the surface, but it is anything but. All attacks can be performed with two attack buttons and there are no special button combinations to perform elaborate attacks, instead the game will focus on the players ability to create a well-rounded character and adapt themselves to any situation.
One thing that was a bit discouraging however was the fact that certain enemies can be finished off with a quick time events. This is something that we have seen often in the God of War series of games and considering the fact that 38 Studios and Big Head Games want to step away from the action game stigma, taking players out of the experience in an RPG and having them watch a kill is something that should be fixed up.
The player also has the ability to bend fate to his will. Because he has no destiny of his own he is able to bend the world around him and can slow down time after filling a certain meter by killing enemies. This time slow down also affects the character, but not as much as the monsters, allowing the player to deal heavy damage in a short period of time with little risk to themselves.
The sneaking, pickpocketing and stealth system was shown off slightly, as we saw that a player adept at sneaking can disarm traps and collect the pieces for themselves as well as sneak up on unaware enemies and finish them off quietly. A meter above the enemies head will let the player know how close they are to becoming aware to them, but it doesn’t seem like it will be very difficult to sneak around, as the developer picked a human enemy’s pocket before killing him. The % chance to steal an item without alerting the owner is shown next to every item you can steal, which will certainly be helpful in the long run.
The loot system in Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is going to be something that any RPG fan should love. All enemies, including dead allies, can be looted in the game. There will be five different pieces of equipment that the player can wear at any time, with some items creating a set and providing additional stat bonuses.
Something that was interesting to see was the dialogue system for Kingdoms, as it likens itself towards Oblivion by providing a list of dialogue to choose from. The dialogue that will further the quest will have a symbol next to it that shows it will continue the story. Any other dialogue choice will let the player learn more about the current situation or learn more about the game’s lore system which is a nice touch. Creating a world as interesting as Amalur and not allowing players to learn more about the backstory around them would have been a waste and it is good to see that Kingdoms of Amalur will not be making that mistake.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a very surprising title in my opinion. Not much has been shown for the title despite being announced quite some time ago. The game looks to be a mixture of Mass Effect gameplay with Oblivion style character creation and dialogue system. I’d have to say that Kingdoms was the biggest surprise of E3 so far for myself and that I am certainly looking forward to hearing more about the title and playing it when it releases sometime in 2012.
There are a select few games coming out for Xbox 360 Kinect that have everybody (I mean everybody!) excited. The Gunstringer is one of those games. Featuring a zombie cowboy as a puppet out for revenge of all things, this is sure to be a classic game. Being developed by Twisted Pixel, there is a now a new trailer for the game that was shown off at E3 2011.
Should we all be excited about this sickeningly sweet game? What other games coming for the Xbox 360 Kinect are you excited about? Let us know!
Twisted Pixel is also developing a sequel to ‘Splosion Man.
Konami’s Neverdead was available right there on the floor to play but we had the ability to skip these lines and get hands on with the title right away. Neverdead is a title that has players take the role of Bryce Boltzman a man cursed with immortality. Some people may find immortality a blessing, and Bryce takes advantage of his immortality in more ways than one the demo we played.
We joined Bryce and his human mortal partner Arcadia as they were approaching a building only to come under attack by an enemy that they call Puppies. These puppies were small round creatures with wide mouths that ran along the ground like dogs, but looked nothing like them. Thus we were thrown right into the combat of Neverdead which allows players to either take on enemies at a distance or up close and personal.
Bryce can use two separate guns at once and if standing still can pinpoint his fire on one spot and finish off enemies quickly under a barrage of gunfire, while they can also switch to their “Butterfly Sword” similar to a butterfly knife but much larger. The sword is controlled by locking onto an enemy and swinging the sword in any direction with the use of the right analog stick. While players can choose their own fighting style most of the time, some enemies are immune to gunfire and must be taken on with the sword.
Being immortal has its perks of course, like the fact that having your arms bit off or your leg ripped off are nothing but mere flesh wounds. Too bad the Black Knight couldn’t have that ability huh? Occasionally when Bryce is damaged, or if interacting with something in the environment, he will lose parts of his body. These body parts can be recovered by performing a dodge roll over them and they will automatically attach back on.
Bryce can remove his own limbs if he so chooses. As they said in the game “Puppies like to play fetch” meaning that you can tear off your own arm and toss it over the puppies, making them turn towards it. You can then detonate your unattached limb like it was a grenade and kill the puppies near it. You have the ability to do this with any body part you lose. This means that a full dismemberment can cause devastation to your foes, which in one case helped clear out an entire room of foes thanks to the spread of the limbs.
If you think that exploding your body parts is a bad thing, don’t worry. By pressing the right analog stick Bryce will be able to regrow any body parts that he is missing; this includes his entire body if he is simply a head rolling around on the ground. Now while Bryce is immortal, Arcadia isn’t.
Arcadia was knocked down during a cutscene in the game which introduced the revive mechanic and one of the way that players can lose the game. If they do not revive Arcadia before her picture goes entirely red she will die, causing a Game Over screen to appear. We were assured however that Arcadia’s AI is well made and that she can hold her own, which is true because after the scripted event where she was taken down, she never had to be revived throughout the demo. Reviving Arcadia is a simple affair that only takes one second of standing near her and pressing X.
The other way to lose the game that we were shown was to have your head eaten by a certain enemy. We had to solve a certain puzzle by ripping off Bryce’s head and tossing it in a fountain, forcing it to shoot into a locked building. Here we were introduced to an enemy that can suck in Bryce’s head, causing it to be digested forever, effectively causing a Game Over. Bryce isn’t completely defenseless as a head, as he can build up speed and ram into these smaller enemies and defeat them with a few bashes. Bryce can then regrow his whole body back and return to his immortal state.
Neverdead’s combat is extremely fast paced and responsive. Using the sword was a bit difficult at first as it isn’t able to be swung at every angle that the right analog stick will allow but it is more than effective enough to dispatch your foes. The invulnerability of Bryce is an interesting thing to experience firsthand, especially when the destructible environment is crashing all around you, tearing off your limbs as you grow them back and continue the fight. Neverdead will be released in the Fall of this year for both the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. This hands-on was on the Xbox 360 version of the title.
Exploring vast frontiers of possible innovation, the new Star Trek game had some pretty prominent coverage at E3 2011. You’ll play as Kirk and/or Spock in a action/adventure coop game stopping a “legendary enemy race bent on conquering the galaxy.”
The game will be playable on the Xbox 360, PC and PS3. On Playstation 3, there will be some exclusive DLC, as well as a Playstation Move Phaser attachment.
“Sony’s Move technology and built-in online community make for an unparalleled platform to bring the Trek gaming experience to life,” said John Kavanagh, Senior Vice President, Paramount Digital Entertainment. “Players will be fully immersed in the co-op action with an authentic Phaser Move controller in hand, and PS3 players will have the first chance to dive in to the adventure with Sony exclusive DLC before the full retail game comes out.”
Take a look at the new trailer below.
“Most teaser trailers feature zero gameplay, but we’re proud to introduce Star Trek to the world with a first look made up entirely of pre-Alpha gameplay to show how great the game looks even though it is more than a year off,” said Tom Lesinski, President Paramount Digital Entertainment. “The level of quality and authenticity to the new Star Trek (2009) universe is a testament to talent of the team and the strong collaboration between Digital Extremes and the filmmakers.”
The E3 trailer for Bodycount has arrived in one piece – that is until it blows it into a thousand pieces with some of its very own heavy artillery.
Bodycount is about the gun experience and the impact you have on the environment around you as you shred it to pieces. There’s a big focus on a destructible environment, with nearly everything being broken up and damaged by the spray from your weapon. In Bodycount you’ll be unleashing destruction on the unsuspecting Militia, Military, and the new agency in town, the Target, but only time will tell who they are and what they stand for.
Until some of the story behind it is revealed, check out the trailer below to keep yourself out of trouble:
Well it’s about time! Finally the official trailer for ‘Hitman: Absolution’ has been released by IO Interactive. Fans have been waiting very patiently for this next instalment in the Hitman series. Hitman: Absolution follows assassin, Agent 47 on his most dangerous contract to date with himself trapped in the mitts of a twisted conspiracy.
Going by the trailer and screenshots, this game looks amazing. Powered by IO Interactive’s Glacier 2 engine, the game pushes some very fancy graphics and technology to support its cinematic story, art direction and game design. The trailer itself shows of some possible new gameplay features, Agent 47 appears to use objects and his surrounding environment to take down his enemies.
Hitman: Absolution is set to be released on to Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC in 2012
