Category Archives: GAMING

GAMING

Dragon Age: Inquisition Review – An Engrossing Adventure Through Thedas

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BioWare’s fantasy themed RPG series Dragon Age has garnered love and appreciation from its ardent followers. The mature plot threads, interesting characters and mix of strategic/action oriented combat have made the predecessor and its sequel huge hits. The newest entry in the series, Dragon Age: Inquisition, not only offers a satisfying mix of both games but it also offers up a new take on an already viable franchise.

Dragon Age: Inquisition places you in the boots of a character who has some connection to The Fade, a green portal in the sky that transports harmful demons into the world of Thedas. After discovering you connection to this chaos and your ability to close widespread rifts, you take on the role of the Inquisitor. This all-important leader position tasks you with spreading your armies influence, gaining followers along the way, dealing with opposers and finding a way to close The Fade once and for all. Thedas is packed with interesting individuals who all have their own missions and desires, which impact your campaign through the use of the immersive conversation system. Getting to know your party members and conversing with normal townsfolk for side missions is an engaging affair that never falters. Your role as the Inquisitor is important and reflected well throughout the lengthy main story.

Dragon Age Inquisition

The visuals themselves are expectedly gorgeous. You’ll take your party on expeditions within lush green forests, dark caverns and other types of familiar locales associated with the Dragon Age universe. The enemy design shines as well, as you’ll contend with hideous abominations that hop out of rifts across the many areas you embark upon. Along with the amazing visuals comes the great voice acting work provided for you and the rest of the game’s important individuals. Your decision making process and long-winded conversations have more of an impact due to the wide range of emotions each character exhibits. When you go for a dialogue option that’s less than nice, the response you’ll get will be sure to hit you harder than expected. The presence of past decisions made from past Dragon Age games also lends more importance to your current journey in Thedas.

Dragon Age Inquisition

As the Inquisitor, you’re tasked with entering huge areas and aiding the denizens there by completing an important mission that will impact your crusade. The huge offering of quests seen in each section of the game is staggering. You can aid the food gathering efforts of a village, take down a group of rogues near an important overpass, fight alongside a mysterious and hopefully future party member, close random rifts, and more. There is so much to do and see. Each side mission is filled with surprisingly important effects that impact your influence over the land. It feels good to take part in seemingly small-time missions and find out they’re outcome is more important by the end of them.

Dragon Age Inquisition

Dragon Age: Inquisition‘s combat is a perfect mix of the two previous games. You have the option to run head first into battle and actively participate in mowing down the opposition, or you can set up your party members’ actions through the press of a button with an overhead strategic setup. Both methods work well, but the sometimes unruly camera dampers the battle setups a bit. It has a hard time targeting enemies from afar and at different elevations, which sometimes kills the element of surprise before engaging enemies. This issue isn’t too much of a problem during the fun and chaotic co-op battles, which sees you and three other human players go crazy on the battlefield. Along with the battle camera problems are a few instances of game crashing and bugs rearing heir ugly head as well.

Dragon Age Inquisition

Even with those apparent technical issues, Dragon Age: Inquisition is still a finely crafted RPG. Each and every move you make as the Inquisitor has a huge impact on the world you’re trying to save and the incredible trek through Thedas makes you care about each and every person you come across. The open-ended mission structure, vast landscapes, wonderful visual and audio and immersive battles make this an RPG worth getting addicted to.

Images: BioWare, Electronic Arts

GAMING

Bloodborne: Sony Pushed Release Date Back

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Arguably Sony’s biggest exclusive IP slated to hit the PS4 in 2015, Bloodborne has been raking in excitement and anticipation the last few months, but Wednesday, developer From Software announced that the upcoming action RPG will be pushed over a month from its original February 6, 2015 release date to March 24.

From Software will use the additional seven weeks to push the game even harder, and producer Masaaki Yamagiwa promises that the final product will benefit from the feedback of their alpha gameplay experiment that took place in October:

Dear community,
It is with regret that I must inform you that Bloodborne will be slightly delayed.
While development continues unabated, we would like our team to deliver the best possible final experience. We were gratified by the feedback and data we received from those who participated in our limited Alpha test. The extra production time will also allow us to better integrate these learnings.
Bloodborne is now set to launch in North America exclusively on PS4 on March 24th, 2015.
Please look forward to some exciting Bloodborne news in early December. Thank you very much for your continued support.

It seems to us that reception to the alpha was generally positive, with Demon’s/Dark Souls vets praising the new setting of Yarnham and some of the IP’s newest refinements to the combat system. We were not able to take part in the alpha, but the footage we’ve seen of the demo shows a very polished-looking game – Even in this early stage, the game looks like it performs better than all three Souls games, which, despite glowing reviews, are burdened with frame rate issues of varying proportions.

Our guess is that From Software is focusing this extra time on Bloodborne‘s online gameplay, which is still relatively under wraps. Alpha testers got to test out co-op, which operates seemingly exactly the same as it does in the Dark Souls series, but player-vs-player combat was noticeably absent from the demo. The online aspect of Bloodborne‘s sister titles is one of their most unique elements, and veterans of the previous games will certainly want to dive headlong into PVP once the game hits store shelves. Network issues and online balancing is a nefarious thing to calibrate, and usually doesn’t get tweaked and perfected until launch (and these days, frequently not until after then), so it would make sense that From Software’s looking at user data from the alpha to tighten their infrastructure before launch.

All signs point to Bloodborne being a major success for the PS4, and both Sony and From Software are going to do everything in their power to make sure the game is as good as possible. If that takes seven extra weeks of development, so be it – Yarnham is still one of the most enticing new worlds to explore (and die in) in the coming year.

Bloodborne launches March 24, 2015 on PS4.

Images: From Software

GAMING

Summer Camp: An Upcoming Video Game Ode to Slasher Flicks

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The survival horror genre has suffered a few setbacks over the years (we’re looking at you, Resident Evil 6), but a few dedicated video game developers have remedied that issue. Gamers have been provided with a bunch of awesome games that bring the fear back into the experience, such as Alien: Isolation and The Evil Within. Summer Camp, an upcoming video game ode to the slasher flicks of old, is looking to continue the resurgence of the survival horror genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P878Ub564eA

The developers behind this third-person adventure, Gun Media, are currently hard at work at putting the final touches on this throwback to films such as Friday the 13th and Halloween. In a really cool nod to those films, special effects legend Tom Savini and Friday the 13th composer Harry Manfredini are working on this production! The overall premise of Summer Camp sees you play as a summer camp counselor who tries to survive the wrath of a murderer until dawn. You’ll have to work alongside other human players as you try to avoid getting cut down in the dark wilderness. You even get the option to take on the role of the dreaded killer!

Summer Camp

The game’s official website listed a few more details on what gamers should come to expect from Summer Camp:

Mirroring Camp Crystal Lake from the Friday the 13th series, players will try to survive in a camp ground setting. Complete with a lake, cabins, and crazed killer who won’t stop until you die a gruesome death.The entire focus of Summer Camp is multiplayer. It will support 6-8 players in a large, arena style map. Remember, don’t go into the woods, alone. Ever.Every aspect of Summer Camp is ripped straight from the VHS era. The visual treatment to the world mimics the artifacts found on VHS tapes of the ’80s. The tracking button helps.

Summer Camp

Several video game developer luminaries have attached their name to this project – Wes Keltner, Tom Savini, Randy Greenback, Ronnie Hobbs and Harry Manfredini. Summer Camp doesn’t have a solid release date as of this writing, but you can expect to see it launch on the Xbox One, PS4 and Steam PC gaming platforms.

Oh, and check out the cool tagline for this game – Your sleeping bag…will be your body bag! We could totally see that on some retro video tape of some forgotten slasher flick from the ’90s.

Images: Summer Camp (official website), Gun Media

GAMING

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham – The Many Costumes of The Dark Knight

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Traveller’s Tales has done an awesome job combining well-known properties with that famous brand of yellow building blocks. You can’t deny the fun factor and replay value that comes from the vast collection of LEGO video games developed by the studio. Gamers young and old have ventured into the LEGO-ized universes of franchises such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Marvel Super Heroes and more.

The next LEGO game launching in 2014 is going to focus once again on Gotham City’s finest protector and several other famous faces from the DC Universe. LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham will have hundreds of playable heroes and villains, most likely. But The Dark Knight himself will be featured prominently in the game as he’ll be sporting a bunch of different costumes.

Check out our little gallery below to see a collection of Batman’s coolest looks from the upcoming release of LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham!

Bat Suit

LEGO Batman 3

This ultimate super hero ensemble features a weighted cape and a cowl outfitted with night-vision technology and communications arrays. The utility belt also contains an arsenal of crime-fighting gear, including various types of offensive Batarangs.

Bruce Wayne

LEGO Batman 3

Keeping your super hero identity a mystery requires the need for the perfect alias (and alternate wardrobe). Bruce Wayne is just the man for the job.

Sonar Suit

LEGO Batman 3

The sonic pulse emitted through Batman’s sonar suit ensures nothing will get in his way of saving the galaxy!

Space Suit

LEGO Batman 3

Batman’s space suit is equipped with a jet pack for nimble space flight and hard-to-reach areas. Nothing’s out of reach when the Dark Knight dons this guise!

Electricity Suit

 LEGO Batman 3

With immunity to electricity, this suit gives Batman the ultimate defense. Need a charge? Simply take it to the closest electric current and give your crime fighting a jolt!

Scuba Suit

LEGO Batman 3

A scuba suit in space? Batman always comes prepared. Equipped with built in swimming and diving capabilities, this suit is the perfect companion when things start getting a little wet!

Sensor Suit

LEGO Batman 3

Complete with stealth mode and X-ray vision, Batman’s sensor suit will show you the way when the path is unclear!

Arctic Suit

 LEGO Batman 3

Those pesky villains are sure to stop, or should we say freeze, when Batman dons his arctic suit with Freeze Gun accessory.

Power Suit

LEGO Batman 3

Giving Batman the power of super strength and explosive rockets, this armor allows our Caped Crusader to take care of anything that gets in his way.

’66 Batman Suit

LEGO Batman 3

Celebrating Batman’s 75th anniversary wouldn’t be complete without 1966 Batman. Voiced by the legendary Adam West, LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham gives players a blast from the past with the game’s 60s mode.

 

Images: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Traveller’s Tales

GAMING

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Review – The Future of War is Awesome

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Call of Duty fans have been taken on a wild ride through different game developers visions of warfare. The popular first-person shooter series hit a serious plateau during its Modern Warfare phase, which was followed by a dose of WWII scenarios and Black Ops campaigns. With the 2014 iteration of this annual shooter comes a welcome deviation from the well-worn formula. Sledgehammer Games has managed to throw on a fresh coat of paint and a whole bunch of Exoskeleton suits into the newest COD: Advanced Warfare.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare takes games onto one of the best single-player campaign rides ever produced. As a member of the Marines, you and your closest friend embark upon a routine mission. However, your loyal ally loses his life in an explosive manner that’s shocking to witness. After grieving over a fellow fallen soldier, the father of your now deceased friend welcomes you to this all-too powerful Private Military Company – Atlas. The bossman at the middle of it all (which is performed by the always awesome Kevin Spacey) gives you access to futuristic gear and powerful allies as you’re sent to take down terrorist threats and protect the freedom of the U.S.

Call of Duty Advanced Warfare

The character interactions within the single-player campaign are decent enough, but you won’t find yourself getting emotionally invested in anyone. The acting here is on par with that of your typical military thriller film, which means you’ll hear all manners of passionate screaming and patriotic speeches. Thankfully, the amazing visuals make your jump boosting allies and charismatic boss look…well, amazing. You’ll be in awe during each level due to the insane set piece moments (the explosion of a power plant is visually mind-blowing) and applaud the impressive audio throughout. The current-gen version of this COD sports the visuals needed to back such a multi-billion dollar series.

Advanced Warfare’s single-player campaign ranks among the best in the entire series. The presence of  Exoskeleton suits and its accompanying abilities given to you during each mission keeps things fresh. Boosting over obstacles, slowing down time to line up shots and even climbing up the sides of walls are just a few of the cool new action you can perform. One minute you’ll be riding on hover bikes while being chased by a helicopter and the next minute you’ll be stealthily picking off terrorists. Getting the chance to use your upgrade points to make your Exo suit and abilities even stronger is welcome. While the story itself is somewhat predictable and unmemorable, the missions themselves are all fun in their own way.

Call of Duty Advanced Warfare

Once you’ve gotten through the amazing single-player campaign, you’ll most certainly make your way to Call of Duty’s tried and true multiplayer modes. The familiar modes are still present. The new “Pick 13” system (a slight change up from Black Ops 2’s “Pick 10” system) gives you the option to choose from a huge variety of customization options. It’s nice to see the game give not-so-great players the chance to be on equal footing with veteran players with this system. New players who aren’t capable of nabbing those scorestreaks can opt to attach more weapon customizations of exo suit abilities instead. The “Pick 13” system makes character customization more of a joy this time around.

The multiplayer modes still offer players a fast and fluid set of games fans have enjoyed for years. The addition of exoskeleton suits, smart grenades and other types of futuristic gear makes everything feel just a little differently. Matches now seem to fall into soldiers jumping all over the place and staying mobile to stay ahead of the other soldiers. The co-op survival mode is just as fun, thanks to its unpredictable enemy setups and all-around addictive team play. That being said, this is still a Call of Duty game so you’ll know what to expect here. The feel of the game isn’t dramatically different from its predecessors, so fans looking to come back to the series might not get too attached once again.

Call of Duty Advanced Warfare

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is an excellent addition to a well-worn series. The incredible single player campaign, Exoskeleton abilities and always solid gunplay are all here. The plot itself is your typical Hollywood warfare material and the game itself still hangs onto a formula that’s hitting a state of staleness. All in all though, Advanced Warfare still does enough to change up the formula and give longtime fans a new take on war.

 Images: Activision, Sledgehammer Games

GAMING

Lords of the Fallen Review: A Sleeper Hit with Dark Souls Qualities

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You’d be forgiven for not having a clue about this game.

Bandai Namco published this dark action/adventure romp in conjunction with Deck13 Interactive/CI Games and released it amongst the flood of blockbuster fall/holiday games. Lords of the Fallen manages to adopt several of the best qualities of Dark Souls while giving non-veterans of that series a much easier experience to get attached to.

Lords of the Fallen’s world is special due to one rule – the sins of humanity are never forgiven. You take on the role of a beefy convict turned warrior Harkyn, who sports the entirety of his sins on his face as permanent tattoos. Harkyn is released from his prison stay and is thrust into a world overrun by demonic hordes. The rules of the world are looking for a way to wipe all humanity of their ill wills, and this may lead to Harkyn’s sins being cleansed. Before that may occur, you’re given the task of redemption through the massacring of Rhogar’s invading demons. The plot trappings here are bland and unmemorable at best. The NPC’s you encounter do provide you with some important choices along your journey, but the overall story will do nothing to interest you much.

Lords of the Fallen

The entertainment value and replay value is derived from Lords of the Fallen’s hard but none too punishing gameplay. Dark Souls fans will find the overall working of this game very familiar – you’ll create a class focused version of your character, move throughout a dangerous world filled with threatening enemies, go to war with gigantic bosses and build up your warrior along the way. You’ll have the option to run around as a sneaky rouge, magical cleric and tank of a warrior. You’ll have access to a number of different magical abilities that give you plenty of options for 1st time playthroughs and New Game + replays. There’s a lot of fun to be had when deciding how to equip Harkyn from the start.

The socket customization system offers another dose of fun character tinkling that adds more to the battle mechanic. You’ll earn a number of runes that add all types of status ailments to your attacks. Having the chance to poison a particularly tough boss in battle or getting some magic resistance points for your shield are just some of the great options offered to you. The process of finding even better gear and items comes in the form of the cool dark world that’s accessed by killing a powerful entity that gives you entrance to it. The risk and reward of Dark Souls is instantly felt here as you look to avoid hard-to-see beasts and pick up rare treasure. These worlds are fun to delve into, but they will inspire fear into you as you trudge through it every time.

Lords of the Fallen

The huge swath of enemies you encounter here look much thicker and evoke a much more uninviting look than some of Dark Souls’ creatures. As you venture through several hub worlds, you’ll encounter dangerous enemies that provide a big challenge. The checkpoint system is a lot more prominent around each corner, so Lords of the Fallen isn’t as hard as its clear inspiration. Gamers who have been scared away by Dark Souls difficulty will find this game to be much more approachable. The graphics here are dark and dank, the characters themselves sport a more bulked up look and the environments harken back to the medieval ages of lore.  Everything looks great and sounds even more menacing at higher volumes.

There are a few issues that keeps Lords of the Fallen from topping the Souls games. The hit detection can be off at times, the enemy variety here is lacking and some of the characters you run into don’t have much of anything to say. There aren’t that many classes to choose from and not having the choice to use your entirely custom made avatar may be a bit of a big issue for longtime Souls fans.

Lords of the Fallen

Nevertheless, Lords of the Fallen is a dark horse contender for action/adventure game of the year. It’s faults are visible, but its much more inviting gameplay, interesting customization systems, darker next-gen sheen, haunting soundtrack and memorable game world mechanics make this game stand out on its own.

Images: Bandai Namco Games