E3 kicked off today with the first of this years majour Press conferences. Microsoft took the stage with some key announcements that could get even the most hardcore of gamers jumping out of their seats.
So without further a-do, here is the lowdown:
Continue reading ‘Microsoft E3 Conference’
The debate that has been plaguing FPS fans for what seems like centuries are First Person Shooters better on the PC or on a Console? The hardcore FPS fans out there sware by the PC, saying that using the mouse is faster and more accurate. Where console gamers like the fact that FPS games simulate shooters more by actually using your trigger finger and shooting down PC fans when they point out you can change the controller sensitivity.
The Worlds Most Awesome Gaming Keyboard......Apparently
Continue reading ‘Taking A Look Back: What Is The Best Platform For Shooters?’
While I’ll easily admit that I love the idea of the Xbox Live Arcade allowing smaller developers to create unique and imaginative games at a smaller price point, allowing for a fun diversion to the monopoly of AAA games out there, it’s a lot harder for me to admit that I’ve not used the service to truly enjoy some of those titles. I’m still yet to delve into Limbo or many of the other great games out there, but there’s an upcoming game available soon that may change that and highlight how great the service can be for creativity and some of the more imaginative games out there. I present to you ilomilo.
Continue reading ‘ilomilo Preview’
We live in a wonderful world. A world where technology is bringing people closer together than at any other time in our history. Gamers from the US can play against those in Japan and China, and even Welsh players can be heard. However, all is not well in this 21st century world. Apart from economic stagnation, the cold war in Korea warming up, Russia as a mafia state and the possibility of Sarah Palin being president, there is the trouble of how we play games together. I’m talking about XBox LIVE, or to put it another way, those who have it and those that don’t.
Continue reading ‘XBox LIVE: A Rant.’
Dynasty Warriors, like Marmite, is often met with a bit of a love/hate attitude. On its surface, the series appears to be a simple matter of hacking down hundreds of enemies at a time - and in a way, it sort of is. However, below the surface, I have grown to love a game that tells a colourful re-invisioning of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ancient tales of the struggle for supremacy over China. The real beauty of Dynasty Warriors, in my eyes, comes in with aiding your allies and helping them with their tactics. Sure, you can run all the way to the enemy general and attempt to kill them alone (not recommended), or you could try to win the battle by lowering the enemy’s morale, taking out vital strategic points, and bringing your army to their door. Covering some of the most memorable battles in the legends, no-one manages to pull off ancient war games quite like Koei. While some argue that they simply re-release the same game multiple times - take a look at sport games and the like. The format is there, and it’s good – but of course we always want to see the latest version with the best graphics, and the newest engine. And of course a ton of new characters, DW’s roster being famous for their huge numbers.
It’s been a little while since I last wrote about Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, but I’ve been closely keeping track of the news, so now I can present you something a little more substantial. So what’s the latest news?
Continue reading ‘Marvel vs Capcom 3 news, release date announced!’
The epic clash between the Belmont Clan and Dracula is amongst my favourite plotlines in gaming. It’s not complicated, it doesn’t pretend to be more than it is – at its very core, Castlevania is about the struggle between light and dark, good and evil, with plenty of monsters to slay along the way. Given that the name ‘Castlevania’ itself refers to Dracula’s castle, Lords of Shadow isn’t really about the castle at all. Being a reboot for the series, you can probably understand why I was initially a little wary about the game - it’s always a little difficult to accept that the creators want to work with a blank slate, cutting off all of the previous titles in canon. However, since Castlevania has a rather simple overall plot, it’s not a huge change – a few plot points are a little different, but since most Castlevania titles feature new heroes and plotlines I didn’t feel as though the series had been completely altered for a new audience – in short, it still feels like Castlevania, even with the new gameplay style.
Continue reading ‘Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Full Review’
Ever since the release of the PSP there have been all sorts of rumors buzzing around that Microsoft would eventually create a hand-held Xbox system for the gaming world to enjoy. At games-com, our prayers have been answered…well…sort of.
Continue reading ‘Xbox LIVE Mobile’
Assassin’s Creed II was a hugely enjoyable game for me – one of the best sandbox style titles I’ve played. Unlike it’s predecessor, the game was chock full of things to do and places to see – taking the original concept and melding it into something vastly more exciting. Truth be told, I’ve still yet to get the DLC, since I’d long since stopped playing since it’s release – but I could quite happily say I was satisfied with my purchase and even managed to get my first Platinum Trophy by tracking down every last feather in the beautiful Italian regions of Venice, Florence and Tuscany. It’s rare I say that a sequel surpasses a predecessor in every way – but this time I think they managed it.
The upcoming release of Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood this November did get me wondering what exactly we should expect. Firstly – the game is not deemed a true numbered “sequel”, secondly - it’s only been a year since the release of Assassin’s Creed II, as opposed to the two-year gap between the first two titles, and thirdly - I haven’t noticed nearly as much advertising for the latest installment. It’s perhaps because they’ve simply decided to follow the plot of the same character that they have made these choices (akin to Final Fantasy X-2), but the reluctance to number the title does make me wonder if the game will feel more like an expansion than a true sequel. So what do we know? I’m here to tell you what I can.
Continue reading ‘Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood’
Often when playing a game you’ll find that you’ve played something in a similar vein – while the actual engine, plot and characters may change the general ideas are the same – be it a hack n slash, a racing game or a shooter. However, once in a while a developer – in this case 505 Games – tries to create something unique that hasn’t been done so many times before. Obviously this can be a risk – as you can’t guarantee what people will think. Taking such a chance, 505 Games brings us a new experience, in the form of Naughty Bear. Continue reading ‘Naughty Bear’
