G’day Everyone !! MasterAbbott and the rest of the Staff here at Capsule Computers would like to welcome you to the NEW AND IMPROVED Capsule Computers website !! Codename : “Project Abbott“
A lot of work and effort has gone into bringing you an improved and hopefully easier to use gaming website, where you can enjoy reading up on all the latest in the world of video games, anime, and even tech gadgetry.
The new website will continue to grow and evolve with every passing day. We’ll make sure everything runs smoothly, if you have any questions don’t hesistate to drop us an email at [email protected]
Quite a lot has changed but don’t let it phase you. The crew here at Capsule Computers will continue to bring you the latest and greatest, news, reviews, interviews rumors, previews and anything else we can and have done in the past in the world of video games straight to you.
Let’s continue to grow our community right here on the site, also on Twitter, in the Forums, and even on FACEBOOK !!
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Thank you once again. We all hope you like the new site.
MasterAbbott & The Capsule Computers Crew
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p.s : Stay tuned for some PRIZES & GIVE AWAYS to Celebrate !! 🙂
MasterAbbott has gone into his office to meditate and when he emerges he will get to work on fixing up this website. Not that it needs fixing, but you know the saying “If it isn’t broken, make it better!”. That isn’t the saying? Oh well.
Anyway, the site will be down for about 24 hours starting at some point tomorrow, Saturday May 1st. Once the site is back online, I hope to see everyone’s virtual faces back here and discussing the news and reviews we supply for you guys. In the mean time spend time with your family or playing games or whatever you do when you aren’t on our site.
Left 4 Dead “The Passing” DLC Publisher: EA Developer: Valve Platforms: Xbox 360 Release Date: April 22nd, 2010
Overview
“The Passing” DLC is the first expansion for the Zombie Survival FPS Left 4 Dead 2. With it comes many extras, new achievements, and even more avatar awards. A new campaign with 3 levels in it is the main focus of the DLC and it borrows key elements from the other campaigns. A mutations mode is also added that supplies a new gameplay experience on a weekly basis. All of the extra stuff for a low price of 560MSP.
The Campaign takes place in wet Georgia town and borrows a lot of the best aspects from other campaigns. The entire campaign is dark and rainy like Heavy Rain, it has Dead Center’s scavenger finale, and the Parish’s sewer slog. While The Passing incorporates all of these elements and in itself is very fun, it doesn’t present anything new to the formula. Even the common uncommon isn’t anything special; it is a zombified survivor who instead of attacking you, runs away. The zombie survivor does drop useful items if you manage to catch him, and it mixes up the gameplay a bit. When you encounter one, you can either stick with the group and lose the items, or break off and chase him down.
Additional Weapons
The DLC adds 2 new weapons to the game. The M60 which has a huge clip size but no reload, once you run out of bullets you are out. The M60 causes serious damage to zombies but has the tendency to eat up bullets making you rely on your secondary weapon shortly after using it. The decision comes when you decide to either pick up the gun and have an east time killing a bunch of zombies, or stick with your primary and have a slightly weaker gun but for a longer time period.
The second weapon is a golf club, the golf club is just like any other melee weapon. There is no clear difference but it looks like a golf club and has an achievement for knocking off 18 zombie heads with it. 18 holes in golf, 18 heads, achievement called “FORE!”; get it?
Mutations
Mutations is the new game mode that is updated on a weekly basis. This mode tons of replay value to the game. An extra blog section is also added to further explain the mutation when it is released every week. Valve tweaks certain game types to bring a fun experience on a weekly basis. The initial mutation was Realism Versus, and while I can’t judge on one mutation solely, I found it very fun. Playing as the survivor has a much harder time surviving, while playing as the infected is much more satisfying when you know that the person you just smoked won’t be found for a while due to the realism mode being on. Mutations are planned to change on a weekly basis, so something new will be present every week for you to play. This adds tons of replay value, and there will be a vote for the most popular mutations and they will be recycled back into the mix.
Achievements
10 more achievements have been added and they follow suit with the kind of achievements you would expect from a Left 4 Dead game. There are the basic weapon usage, zombie killing, and campaign beating achievements. All of them can be acquired with friends and without much hassle. Overall the achievements connected to the DLC are pretty easy and may only require time, except the mutations one you will have to wait 6 weeks for.
“The Passing” DLC also has 2 avatar awards: A hat and a gnome prop. Both a decently easy, but the gnome will take 6 weeks to get since currently it only records every unique mutation game.
“The Passing” hat – play any mode on a “The Passing” level.
“The Passing” gnome – play 6 mutations.
The Achievement List is:
TORCH BEARER – 20 – Survive The Passing Campaign.
WEDDING CRASHER – 30 – As the Charger, grab a Survivor and crash them through 8 chairs at the wedding.
TIL IT GOES CLICK – 20 – Using the M60, kill 25 infected without letting go of the trigger.
GRAVE ROBBER – 25 – Collect 10 items dropped by a Fallen Survivor.
MUTANT OVERLORD – 30 – Play 6 Mutations.
FORE! – 25 – Knock off the heads of 18 infected with the golf club.
KILLING ‘EM SWIFTLY TO THIS SONG – 20 – Play the new Midnight Riders song on a jukebox.
KITE LIKE A MAN – 30 – Kill a Tank only with damage from the original Survivors.
CACHE GRAB – 20 – Open 5 foot lockers.
PORT OF SCAVENGE – 30 – Play 5 full games of Scavenge on The Port.
Verdict
The Left 4 Dead 2 “The Passing” DLC is a great addition to the game. Although the campaign chapter is disappointing the extra additions make up for it, including the mutations game mode. The DLC is very good at a 560MSP price tag, but the mutations game mode makes the price look even better. Though the campaign is nothing new and a bit short it is still a welcome addition to the story line. The meeting of the original survivors on the other hand was a huge disappointment and seemed pointless. I didn’t even run into the dead survivor until I replayed the level a second time.
Below is a press release detailing some pre-order bonus infortmation for the upcoming “Clash of the Titans” title. I’m not much for Movie based games, but it is being release a few months after the movie. Also, “Clash of the Titans” was originally a book right? So, it could be different. We’ll have to keep an eye on this one.
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Leading video games publisher NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced today a pre-order campaign for Clash of the Titans. Based on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ feature film “Clash of the Titans”, the game goes beyond the movie to offer a robust action adventure complete with additional content and symbolic mythical creatures. As a GameStop exclusive, customers who pre-order the game will have access to two downloadable packs containing bonus Sub Weapons and missions that extend as well as enrich their gameplay experience. Developed by Game Republic and licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Clash of the Titans will be released throughout North America on July 27, 2010 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.
The “Bird in Hand” quest pack will challenge players to slay the giant-winged Cockatrice at the Mount of Idols. Be victorious and the new “Wing of Icarus” Sub Weapon will be at a player’s disposal to unleash an unforgiving tornado attack. In the “Songs of Enchantment” quest pack, the mysterious Succubus and beautiful Siren await. However, players must battle through an army of skeletons to get to these beautiful, but deadly enemies. Defeat them and be awarded the “Orpheus” Sub Weapon that summons thunder and damages nearby enemies.
In Clash of the Titans, the battle for dominance between the human race and powerful gods is about to begin. Traveling through vast landscapes from the highest mountains to the abandoned corridors of a lost temple, players will embody Perseus’ adventure from the film and take on original new bosses in the game’s Quest mode. Players can use over 80 customizable Sub Weapons as they journey solo or with a friend to complete missions and slay a roster of more than 80 different enemies including legendary villains Medusa and the sea monster known as the Kraken.
Prince of Persia games are now including magic. The latest dev diary from Ubisoft shows some off, because time control is just not enough for people these days.
So many racing games out there, and every single one of them has you destroying the cars in some fashion. Enjoy the video, Test Drive Unlimited 2 is schedules for release August 2010.
Title: Battle of the Elements Genre:Puzzle Platform:iPhone/iPod Touch (Reviewed) Developer/Publisher:UnderCoders Price:$2.99 –Buy Now!
Overview:
Wind, Earth, Fire, and Water. These four elements govern our way of life and make the world as it is today. What if we could master these elements and turn them against foes? In Battle For The Elements for the iPhone you will be able to.
Story:
There are six different selectable characters to choose from and each has their own unique story. Though each story revolves around hatred for the human race and what they have done to their species.
Whether it be the direct murder for food, or the loss of their homes due to the ever growing human population, the animals in which you play are out for one of two things. Either revenge to make their species safe again, or to restore the balance which has been broken in the world.
As you begin the story, the game tells you a small bit of the character’s backstory, and there is no mention of the story throughout the game. Only the ending is told after you reach the end of the game. As it stands the storyline is pretty weak, but passable for a puzzle game. If anything it is great to see that they actually incorporated a coherent storyline to go along with the elements.
Graphics:
As you play through the game, your characters are animals which have both human reactions and human clothing. The characters are drawn in a cartoonish childish style, however this does not take away from the game and their overdone reactions are great for comedic relief when you are either winning or losing.
The backgrounds are unique for each character you play against, and on a full storyline you will see each of the backgrounds available for offer. The backgrounds are themed for the nation that the character comes from and don’t take away from anything, but don’t offer much either.
Gameplay:
There are three variations of gameplay offered by Battle of the Elements. There is the marathon mode which is a race against the descending elemental blocks. You can continue endlessly until the blocks reach the bottom line. There is also another variation called Mission Mode. Which offers forty different puzzles that must be eliminated completely to be completed.
Then there is the final mode, story mode. As I said before story mode involves six different characters, and there are a total of six battles you will fight as you continue on your story. Against the five other characters, a mysterious reflection of yourself, and finally a mystery boss to receive the elements and change the world in your favor.
The gameplay is simple, but complicated. Thankfully there is a tutorial offered right at the beginning of the game, and is recommended to be taken. The tutorial explains all the bits and pieces of the game that are necessary to win. Without the tutorial the game would be much more difficult and harder to manage.
There are four different elements, each with their own color and symbol. Blue is a water droplet, purple is a wind current, red is a burning flame, and green is an earth leaf. Unlike other puzzle games of this type, there is no bonus for matching colors together. Instead you must take one of each of these colors to have any effect.
At the bottom of the screen is a snake, and you must slide your finger down, and the snake will take the bottom most block of element into itself. Sliding your finger back up will force the snake to spit the element back out into its current column. Unfortunately due to the fact that the game is entirely focused on dragging controls, there are some recognition problems which force the snake to pick unwanted blocks from unwanted columns.
The true way to beat the game is to take each of one element, forming a super element that will take the same color of the first element in your combination. Meaning if the snake consumes a blue water, red fire, purple wind, and green earth; a blue water super element would be formed. This element can then destroy any block of the same color it is touching, and any block that is touching that block of the same color causing a chain reaction of destroyed elements. There is also a special kind of ice block that has no element, but takes the element of any super element thrown against it or near the destruction.
The first person to have their elemental blocks breach the breaking point, loses. The winner then will advance on to the next stage and closer to finding the true elements and their location.
Overall:
The gameplay is quite enjoyable if not difficult to master at first. Once you learn how to play it, it is a great little puzzler and the marathon mode offers plenty of quick enjoyabilitiy. The tutorial is a great help, though unfortunately due to the learning curve there may be a lot of people who will find it difficult at first and may not attempt to do better.
I give Battle of the Elements for the iPhone/iTouch
Today Activision has released the full website for the next game in the Call of Duty line-up; Call of Duty: Black Ops. This one is being developed by the people who brought you Call of Duty: World at War. The exact release date at the moment is currently Nov. 9 2010.
Mark Lamia, Studio Head for Treyarch has said:
“We can’t wait for our community to experience Call of Duty: Black Ops. We have focused our entire studio on this game, with dedicated multiplayer, single-player and co-op teams creating the most intense, gripping and riveting experience possible for our fans on all fronts.”
There has been no official announcement of what the game will involve or what time period it shall take place in. There are rumors that Black Ops will take place anywhere from Cuba to Vietnam, this information is from GAME, though it is tentative at best.
Though Treyarch is no Infinity Ward, I can’t wait for another installment of the Call of Duty franchise, and if it truly does end up taking place in Vietnam, it’ll be interesting to see their take on the jungle warfare and the psychological damages that have occurred from it.
Watch, Enter and WIN !! Just by taking part and following Capcom’s Lost Planet 2 Social Networks !!
Capcom have provided us with a three part exclusive, never-before-seen “Cinematic Selects” series highlighting Lost Planet 2 gameplay. This is ultra cool and also very limited to certain sites.
Check out the Episode 1 below then make your way over to all three Lost Planet social community locations and enter to win great prizes !!
After Burner ClimaxPublisher: SEGA Developer: SEGA Platforms: Xbox 360 (Reviewed), PlayStation 3 Release Date: April 21st, 2010
Overview:
If you have ever been in an arcade you may have seen an After Burner arcade cabinet set up somewhere. If you’ve been in one recently you may even have seen After Burner Climax in an extremely complicated and fancy set up. Now though you no longer need the arcade, as it is in your own personal console. Pilot your jet to take on countless enemies with enough ammunition to make the world burn.
Story:
Unfortunately the story is never truly explained for the game, though there is a small cutscene in the beginning which tells you what is happening as your jet is scrambled for takeoff. The story is just the setting of the game however and does not play any part at all. The story is if anything the weakest since there practically is none besides a terrorist with nuclear weapons.
The game is broken up into thirteen stages that each last about thirty to fifty seconds each. Occasionally one will contain a special objective during the stage that should be completed. They are not necessary but will help you advance to secret stages and to a special ending.
Unfortunately the game can be completed in under 6 minutes if your plane is at full thrust the entire time, 10 minutes normally. This can lead to many quick playthroughs and may leave some people wanting more.
Graphics & Design:
The graphics are a definite high point in this arcade game. After Burner Climax places you within an extremely large variety of environments which are crisp and bright. Some are designed to be completely wide open allowing any type of maneuver imaginable, while others will force the ship into precise movements or otherwise be plastered along the cliff face.
Each level has its own feel of vastness as the jet zips by at a few hundred miles an hour, deserts stir up dust as you fly over them, cities shine below in the night, and the water of the ocean keeps yourself amazed as you battle countless other planes.
The three jets in which you fly, the F/A-18E Super Hornet, F-15E Strike Eagle, and the F-14D Super Tomacat, come with four different paint variations and each one is unique, barring the low visibility paint which looks the same no matter which ship you use. Enemy ships are always visible and range from tiny stealth fighters to gigantic bombers.
The levels are masked with clouds during the brief loading time between areas, and sometimes is blended so well that you will think that barely anything has happened. Smoke billows out of the backs of missiles and damaged ships. Quite honestly the game is picturesque in appearance.
Gameplay:
As far as complicated gameplay goes, this game is not complicated in the slightest. First of all the game is set up in a complete linear rail. The camera follows behind your jet always and goes insane when doing a barrel roll, there are branching paths that you can choose to follow, however these never change and always consist of the same situation.
Now to the fun part, your weaponry. You only have two weapons at your disposal, a machine gun and missiles, lots and lots of missiles. The machine gun is the standard weapon of your arsenal and your primary source of attack. The targeting reticle is quite small and as you “paint” the targets they will start to be hit with your machine gun fire. The machine guns are not strong and the sound for them is very soft, you will barely hear them over the rest of the game.
When they are “painted” with the reticle, they are also locked on with your missiles. Machine guns may be the primary weapon, but they are far from the best weapon. Missiles target and destroy any enemy that is locked on, and you have literally an endless supply of missiles. While you shoot them your missile bay slowly empties, however as you continue flying your missiles restock continuously. They are a bit overpowered to be honest, but they help balance out the games weak machine guns.
Now, unique to After Burner Climax, there is the Climax mode, which slows down time, provides you with infinite missile shots, and increases the reticle size by 10x. This provides some excellent timed assaults upon a whole screenful of enemies. The targeting itself is sometimes hard to control and the bar in which Climax mode is controlled fills overtime.
The plane flies like a dream, you have your standard flight controls where everything is inversed though this can be changed. Plus by moving the plane quickly from one side to another can cause it to do a barrel roll and avoid dangerous missiles that may have hit it otherwise.
There are two modes that you can play, you have your standard time attack mode which you have infinite amount of lives and the game is set up in the same manner as the original arcade game. Once you reach the end of the game your score is uploaded to the leader boards simple as that. There are medals that are awarded for playing this mode, but they have no real meaning other than an avatar award when you obtain every medal.
Then there is Arcade mode, which provides you the true arcade experience. Beginning with three lives and three credits you take off in hopes of saving your nation from nuclear threat. This is all good and all but sometimes you may find yourself overwhelmed early on and fall victim to the onslaught of enemies.
This is easily remedied however, as there are special Ex options which are unlocked throughout gameplay. These options increase the enjoyment of the game immensely. They may be looked down upon by the hardcore players, but for those looking for a fun time these are definitely the best thing in the game. There are options for unlimited Climax bar, unlimited missiles, more credits and more lives. There is even a god mode type option which can be unlocked with enough conditions met. These conditions are nothing horrendous and are shown immediately when looking through the ex options.
Overall:
After Burner Climax is pure fun, no matter how you look at it the game is great. The fast paced shooting and dodging keeps the adrenaline flowing. Though the game is not without it’s faults. Due to the fact that it is a port of the Arcade version of the game, it is quite short and offers very little course changing which changes the gameplay little. Some people may find the game lacking in terms of replayability due to this fact.
