In Part 1, we discussed the world of “BioShock Infinite” and gameplay. In Part 2 we will go deeper into the atmosphere of Columbia.

A highlight of the gameplay is the use of Columbia’s Sky-Line. The Sky-Line is the rail in which the city uses to transport goods throughout the city. Booker can use a Sky-Hook to get around the city as well as be used as a melee weapon that can snap enemies’ necks, cut them open or decapitate them. Enemies can also be pounced upon from the Sky-Line, which is pretty intense. Riding the Sky-Line is just as intense an experience; it feels as though you are on a roller coaster.

The enemies you will encounter throughout “BioShock Infinite” are varied, but not as iconic as the enemies of the first “BioShock.” There are the basic enemies which consist of the men and women on both sides of Comstock’s army and the Vox Populi that use guns, cannons and flying ships. However, the Heavy Hitters are the boss-like enemies that Irrational Games and Ken Levine have spoken at length about in several videos while “BioShock Infinite” was still in development. They have changed immensely from their initial debuts, but their impact to the gameplay was severely over-stated.

In addition, the fabled 1999 mode that was spoken so highly of is simply just a mode more difficult than the hard difficulty. The enemies are exactly the same except that they do more damage and when you die, the game takes away even more money from you. If you do not have enough money to regenerate, then it is game over.

Visually “BioShock Infinite” is gorgeous. The detail that was placed into every part of Columbia is immense. When looking from the city, you can see off into the horizon and it feels crisp, clean and fresh. This almost serene picture is juxtaposed against the crumbling society of Columbia, which makes it all the more eerie. Try having Booker stand still for a minute and during that time, you will see the city drift up and down almost as if it is breathing.

Elizabeth, Booker, Comstock, Daisy Fitzroy and the scientist behind why Columbia floats, Lutece, have their own backstories for you to discover. The story line is one of the greatest stories of the video game scene today and is something that will require much thought after being completed. Numerous gaming sites have had discussions as to what the ending means for the characters and the debate that has come out of “BioShock Infinite” alone make it worth playing. Each player can walk away with a different interpretation and are willing to share that perception with other people.

Gary Schyman has returned to score “BioShock Infinite.” His talents were used in both “BioShock” one and two and are crucial to the atmosphere of Columbia. The soundtrack of “BioShock Infinite” was given within the premium edition as well as the Ultimate Songbird Edition, but unfortunately according to Irrational Games’ “BioShock Infinite” frequently asked questions, they “currently have no plans to sell the soundtrack.” The score evokes emotion in tense places where appropriate, while not being overbearing. Moreover, the score does inject a sense of  danger in combat situations that only add to the urgency of Booker’s situation to the gameplay.

Altogether, “BioShock Infinite” delivers an experience unlike any other game currently on the market. It does not take the player as a fool, it will not spoon feed you any answers. You will have to pay attention to every detail found within the game in order to truly grasp the meaning behind the incredible ending. This may mean that “BioShock Infinite” will be a miss for gamers that typically are not familiar with the franchise. This is not a game for players who just want to whizz by Voxophones and environmental queues.

Rating – 5/5: If you put in the hours, “BioShock” is an extremely rewarding game with an intriguing story that will stick with you for a long time even after you have finished it. It will make you want to discuss it and understand it. “BioShock Infinite” is not just a game, it is an experience. For this complete package and long lasting impact with a lot of depth, “BioShock Infinite” deserves the praise and accolades.

Image credit: Bioshockinfinite.com

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“Dishonored” is back with its latest storyline-expanding DLC pack: “The Knife of Dunwall.” The story has you in the role of Daud, the master assassin that murdered the Empress in the main story. However, it seems as though even after making a career of mindlessly assassinating people, Daud actually feels remorse after killing the Empress. The Outsider appears to Daud and tells him that his “story is coming to an end.” The Outsider tells Daud to seek out a person named Delilah.

As Daud, the player is given unique abilities such as the ability to summon assassins to aid him in combat and to imbue his comrades with his abilities. A familiar power, Blink, is still available but very much improved. You can now freeze time at the very top of a jump and plant your next move within that time. Rat Swarm and Possession are not part of Daud’s repertoire, but he makes up for this by having unique weapons such as the Chokedust, which, when thrown, explodes into a cloud of poison which chokes the enemy and allows you to either take the offensive or disappear into hiding. As the leader of the assassins, Daud also has the choice of buying information from informants such as safe codes, whale oil tanks, or even bone charms.

Even though it is only three levels long, The Knife of Dunwall does give the player valuable insight into a very intriguing character. We did not get to uncover much about him during the main story, so it is interesting to hear his thoughts about certain events and how he works as the leader of his band of assassins. In addition, the horrific practices of the whaling industry are shown, which is as interesting as it is repulsive. Enemies within the whaling factory are armed with immense flesh rending saws which can shoot metal at long range.

Each level has multiple ways of tackling it, in true “Dishonored” fashion. Multiple routes provide you with ways of completing a level with low chaos or high chaos. Being an assassin, it may not seem to make sense to leave everyone alive but in order to remain undetected low chaos is essential.

“The Knife of Dunwall” is part one of Daud’s story, and yet it feels like an unfinished game. The DLC is more of “Dishonored’s” great gameplay but the story is mediocre. The end of this episode delivers a watered down twist that is obvious from the beginning.

Rating- 3.8 out of 5 . If anything you should buy this DLC if you crave more “Dishonored” gameplay featuring Daud, wish to know more about the horrific whaling industry or just to see a little more of the enigmatic Outsider. If “The Knife of Dunwall” had been released as a whole, it might have felt more satisfying to play and spend money on. Part two of the DLC (“The Brigmore Witches”) has yet to receive a release date or price. “The Knife of Dunwall” is available on Steam ($9.99 USD), PlayStation 3 ($9.99 USD) and Xbox 360 (800 Microsoft Points).

Image credit: Dishonored via Facebook

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“BioShock Infinite” has delivered. After five years of speculation and doubt surrounding the project, the game has surpassed the expectations set for it. Irrational Games, 2k games and creative director Ken Levine have given gamers an ambitious labor of love and thought that has brought the “BioShock” franchise out of the stagnation of limbo and into paradise. Gamers, in Ken Levine we trust.

With that said, the story of “BioShock Infinite” begins simply. Booker Dewitt has problems. An ex-Pinkerton agent with nothing left to hang onto has received a last chance to clear his debt. The task is stated in simple terms:  “Bring us the girl and wipe away the debt.”

However, this is no easy task. The girl, Elizabeth, is kept hidden away in a literal city in the sky, Columbia. Booker must get to Columbia and get Elizabeth to New York unharmed. Booker must also bypass the conflict between Comstock and the Vox Populi. The Vox’s leader, Daisy Fitzroy, aims to change the hierarchy of Columbia and will do anything to make sure Comstock falls.

The world of Columbia is bright and spacious for a city that’s floating in the air. The people of Columbia are set in their nationalistic, religious and racist ideals. They follow their leader, Zachary Comstock, with unwavering devotion even among the trouble that’s brewing with the Vox Populi. All over Columbia there are propaganda ads that let you know how the citizens are to feel about the Vox Populi among other racially charged messages.

Gameplay wise, “BioShock Infinite” delivers more of the same to players who are familiar with the franchise. The Vigors (super powers) are on Booker’s left while the guns are on his right. You switch between each or focus on one over the other depending on your playing style. You can upgrade both guns and Vigors through vending machines.

And while the Vigors are inventive and include some new twists on old favorites, such as electro bolt and incinerate, but are lacking in relation to the plot. In the first “BioShock,” the Plasmids (powers) were involved in Rapture’s evolving genetics race and the citizens purchased them to protect themselves during the war. In Columbia there is no real explanation as to why Vigors are needed by anyone. They’re more of a novelty to Columbians, with only the Vox or the Founders consuming them.

The gameplay of “BioShock Infinite” sets itself apart from its previous iterations through Elizabeth. She gives you anything that you need to assist you in the heat of combat. Too focused on fighting with a group of enemies that your Salts (a liquid that allows you to use Vigors) become dangerously low? Elizabeth will throw a bottle your way. Get yourself backed into a corner with low health? No problem, Elizabeth will throw you some health. She will even find you ammo for the gun you are currently employing.

Elizabeth’s powers are an asset to Booker as well from an offensive standpoint. She can bring objects through Tears (doors through time and space) whether they be a turret, cover or a weapon to aid in combat. With Elizabeth at your side, you are almost invincible.

Outside of combat, the game play is evident to a “BioShock” fan. Get ready to root through tons of desks, trashcans, crates, boxes, and corners. Elizabeth is vital to searching for items such as ammo, health, Salts and most importantly Voxophones (diaries of the citizens). Moreover, Elizabeth’s perk is that she can lock pick doors for you. She will point out lock picks in the environment as well as Voxophones. She will even give you money when she finds it, which is immensely helpful if you want to upgrade your weapons and Vigors.

The downside of Elizabeth scavenging with you is that she will point out objects in the environment which will glow briefly. If you do not look immediately, the glow will disappear and you will miss out on whatever she found. Also, you can only hold thirty lock picks at a time, but Elizabeth will still point them out to you even though you cannot pick up anymore.

In Part 2, we will delve more into the gameplay and the atmosphere of “Bioshock Infinite.”

Image credit: Bioshockinfinity.com

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Wei Shen has been through so much since the “Sleeping Dogs” main story ended. Wei has battled the undead in order to save his girlfriend in the Nightmare in North Point downloadable content (DLC) and has been in a major martial arts tournament in the Zodiac Tournament DLC but the player has never really seen Wei Shen take responsibility for his undercover exploits, until now.

In the latest DLC, The Year of the Snake, Shen’s bosses are very upset at all the property damage and casualties that were caused during his time working undercover and demote him to a regular officer. Here, Shen must follow orders, help citizens and even give out traffic tickets. While amusing to see Shen’s aggravation at being demoted, is the DLC worth the money and more importantly the time?

The Year of the Snake is the first of the DLC packs to actually promise to follow Wei Shen after the initial story, unlike Nightmare in North Point which could have easily taken place in the middle of the main story. This story begins before the Chinese New Year and Shen has been called to investigate some strange happenings going on around Hong Kong. Several bombings have been taking place and it is up to Shen to find out who is behind it and why, before the New Year.

The Year of the Snake contains roughly six missions along with new collectibles, trophies/achievements and weapons. For each mission accomplished, the clothes, weapons or vehicles that are unlocked may be used within the main story. As Wei Shen must settle down as a regular cop, so too must the player. You cannot simply beat down assailants as an officer, but you can tase them or beat them with a baton before arresting them. Moreover, if a riot starts Wei Shen can tear gas the entire crowd to gain back control. These weapons provide a new experience to an already great game.

Despite becoming an officer in Hong Kong and having the ability to tase criminals, there really is not much else to this DLC. Seeing Wei Shen punished for his handling of his undercover work was satisfying but that is all there is to it. As a final ending for the “Sleeping Dogs” main story, it is lacking but then again the main story’s ending was very anticlimactic as well, so you get what you pay for. There aren’t any twist ending or surprises, just Wei Shen dealing with being demoted.

Rating – 4/5: The Year of the Snake is a short but sweet DLC which provides a realistic consequence for Shen’s actions during the main story and gives the player a new angle to play from after tormenting Hong Kong as a gangster. This DLC is worth the money for the liberties one can take as a cop, however in the end, you will want to go back to being undercover because being a member of the Triad is still much more fun. The Year of the Snake is available for the PlayStation 3 ($6.99 USD), Xbox 360 (560 Microsoft Points) and Steam ($6.99 USD).

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With the holidays just around the corner – or passing for those who celebrate Chanukah – everyone is trying to find that perfect gift. However, if that perfect gift is a video game, it may be a little difficult to determine just which game from 2012 or 2011 to choose. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Assassin’s Creed III are great choices, but also rather expensive. Instead, here are some games in the $30 to $50 range that are definitely worth having.

Sleeping Dogs is a game that is available for PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. In this gritty drama the player is Wei Shen, an undercover cop in Hong Kong, who is trying to take down a gang known as the Triads from the inside. However, in order to gain trust and climb his way up the Triad ranks, Wei Shen must take part in their criminal activities. Throughout the game the player is able to explore the city of Hong Kong both on foot and through driving vehicles. Sleeping Dogs got an average 9.2 rating out of 10 on Gamestop’s website.

Resident Evil 6 is the latest incarnation of the zombie-ridden video game series and can be purchased for PC, Xbox 360 or Playstation 3. Several things have been changed since the previous games. There are several new characters, four new ones in total, with two recurring characters: Leon S. Kennedy and Chris Redfield. Additionally, the location and scale of the game has changed. Now, instead of being limited to one location the gameplay is global, taking the players to North America, Europe, and China.

Resident Evil 6 has great co-op opportunities – just as Resident Evil 5 did – so that two players can play together both online and offline. This feature is a definite benefit since the zombies are now more agile and able to use weapons, making them even more of a threat. Additionally, mutant creatures will be formed by the outbreak of the C-virus, creating more unpredictability. Ultimately, the game has gotten bad reviews but there are many new features and it is the next part of the franchise.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is also the most recent game in its franchise, but it has gotten excellent reviews ever since its release in 2011. This incarnation is set 200 years after Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and much has changed in the world of Tamriel, both in the story and in game play. Skyrim has a new combat system, new graphics, and a whole open world to explore. The player can also affect the direction of the story; if the player kills an important character that character’s family will try to hunt him or her down, giving the world a very realistic spin. Playing Skyrim is like having another life in a magical world. Skyrim can be purchased from Gamestop, pre-owned for the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360.

Another fantastic game that some players may have regrettably missed is Batman: Arkham City. This game is available on PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 and has gotten incredible reviews. Similar to Skyrim, this latest Batman video game allows the player to explore an entire city while also fighting several different enemies such as the Joker, the Riddler, and Harley Quinn. The gaming world in Arkham city is five times the size of the previous gaming world in Batman: Arkham Asylum. With a 10 out of 10 from ‘Game Informer’ and a 9.4 out of 10 from GameStop customers, this game is a can’t miss for any gamer.

The last game that was particularly noteworthy for the 2011 to 2012 year is Rayman Origins. This game is a great platformer for kids and adults with incredible graphics and sound integrated into the game play. For example, for some of the levels the characters jump off of musical instruments, creating their own music as they jump their way through the world. The game is available for almost every system including Playstation 3, the PS Vita, PC, and Nintendo 3DS.

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Franklin, U.S.A. — Nissan GT Academy is back for a second season, seeking to determine which of America’s best Gran Turismo video gamers has what it takes to become a professional racing driver.

Nissan North America, in collaboration with Sony Computer Entertainment America and Polyphony Digital, is announcing the first of six episodes to air on SPIKE TV beginning Thursday, November 1 at11:30 p.m. Eastern/10.30 p.m. Central. The remaining episodes will air at the same time each Thursday night and will be available on the Nissan YouTube channel the following Monday. GT Academy will also be screened on MTV2, one week after the original airdate on SPIKE TV. For a preview, visit the GT Academyweb site.

In July, after three months of online competition, the top 32 out of 400,000 registered Gran Turismo online gamers, met at Comic-Con in San Diego to determine the 16 finalists for GT Academy. Over two days of virtual racing competition on identical gaming sleds, the fastest 16 were invited to the legendary Silverstone Racing complex in England to begin an intense boot camp that combined physical and psychological challenges in addition to on-track driving in a variety of performance vehicles.

The six-week GT Academy television series, hosted by ex-NFL player, Dhani Jones, will capture every challenge and all of the human drama of a very intense week. At the end of each episode, competitors’ performances are evaluated and critiqued by pro racers Danny Sullivan, Maryeve Dufault and Boris Said. Those who don’t make the cut go home. One winner emerges and remains in the U.K. to undergo intensive professional racing training that will qualify them to earn their international competition license.

“GT Academy is a program that we are really pleased to be a part of. It reinforces our values of excitement, innovation and performance above all else, while giving 16 people the opportunity to fulfill their dreams – and for one of them to potentially change their lives for good,” said Jon Brancheau, VP Marketing, Nissan North America.

A new addition for season two is a second-screen experience, Pit Pass , which puts the viewer at the center of the action, making them feel more like a participant than a spectator. Building on the concept of “Victory Is Anyone’s,” viewers can visit GTAcademy.us via their smartphone or tablet devices while watching the show and enjoy access to exclusive segment-specific content while the show is playing on SPIKE TV, all via the browser and without needing to download an app.

Each episode will have unique companion content, including video, interactive maps, polls, tutorials and fun facts, to drive deeper viewer engagement and inspire social media sharing. In addition, using Facebook Connect, the fan becomes the hero, enjoying the ability to create his/her own custom, adrenaline-charged GT Academy hot lap video, as well as immersing themselves in a rich, panoramic first person experience on the GT Academy website, optimized for the iPad and iPhone gyroscope technology.

The GT Academy concept has already proven successful. Both European and North American GT Academy competitions have produced race winners and top qualifiers in professional racing programs around the world. Europe’s GT Academy Season One winner Lucas Ordonez won the P2 Class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2011 in a Nissan-powered prototype, while a team of four GT Academy winners placed third-in-class in January at the 24 Hours of Dubai in a race-prepared Nissan 370Z.

Image Courtesy of  GT Academy (North America)

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London, UK –– Annelid aficionados Team 17 and Mastertronic announced on July 17 their barmy bunker of banana bombs and bazookas, Worms Collection, will be wriggling its way into stores on August 31 for the Xbox 360 and September 7 for the Playstation 3.

Worms Collection is the definitive gathering of everyone’s favourite garden-dwelling grenadiers. Consisting of Worms, Worms 2: Armageddon and Worms: Ultimate Mayhem, Worms Collection spans over fifteen years of classic carnage-filled gaming, wrapped up in a mystery crate and sealed with a loving poke!

• Worms

The classic 2D strategy game that started it all, Worms is here in all its HD glory! Worms is an addictive mix of strategy and arcade-action that, while simple and easy to understand, contains real depth and massive replay-ability. Featuring endless fun with offline and online turn-based play for up to four players, this is golden-age gaming at its comically violent best!

• Worms 2: Armageddon

Pushing the cartoon carnage into overdrive, Worms 2: Armageddon comes with stunning new visuals and an arsenal of apocalyptic arms. Introducing Super Sheep, Napalm Strikes, Earthquakes and the legendary Concrete Donkey, Worms 2: Armageddon is an exercise in extreme execution. Including five expansions previously sold separately, this is a can of worms you’ll never want to close!

• Worms: Ultimate Mayhem

Worms: Ultimate Mayhem is a souped-up, re-vamped, high definition re-imagining of Worms 3D and Worms 4: Mayhem, bringing both games together in one incredibly over-stuffed, over-the-top package. Including all of the content from the original games, Worms: Ultimate Mayhem also brings a whole host of anarchic additions – more single player missions, more puzzles, more customization, more worms!

For more information on Worms Collection head to www.wormscollectiongame.com

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11 bit studios, developer of the award-winning Anomaly Warzone Earth, is ready to unleashed a barrage of game announcements on the world today. The company unveils its full Gamescom lineup, and in the process announces three upcoming mobile games that will join “Anomaly Warzone Earth” for PlayStation3 at the 11 bit studios booth.

The three games, “Funky Smugglers“, “Sleepwalker’s Journey” and “Anomaly Korea” are all set for release on iOS and Android in the coming months, and this is the first time we’ve talked about any of them.

For the first screenshots of all three games, along with the first (ridiculously groovy) trailer for “Funky Smugglers”, head to http://www.gamescom2012.11bitstudios.com. We’ll have more news and media very soon.

Here’s a little bit about each one:

• Anomaly Korea

Thrilling portable strategy is back with a new campaign in Korea! Packed with fierce battles, an engaging story, a tactical map for battle planning your approach, new units, new player powers, and an even more frantic race to build up a new battlefield against the oncoming alien hordes, this is tower defense turned on its head – again! http://anomalykorea.com

• Funky Smugglers

Check out the funky intro trailer at http://www.gamescom2012.11bitstudios.com!

Report for duty as the grooviest airport security officer in the world. Keep passengers safe as you use your X-Ray scanner to strip all sorts of wacky contraband including plungers, spiders and more from an array of over-the-top smugglers. Get funky with the hot, 70s-inspired soundtrack as you enjoy the game by yourself or in exciting multiplayer battles. http://funkysmugglers.com

• Sleepwalker’s Journey

Meet drowsy Moonboy. Blown out of bed by a big lunar sneeze, he sleepwalks through dreams. Moonboy needs your help to reach his bed. Guide him safely through various traps, clear obstructions from his path, and shift his surroundings to create a safe passage to the cozy bed. Solve environment puzzles in a fantasy world, find multiple pathways through the game, and collect stars and crescents to experience the beauty of Sleepwalker’s Journey fairytale atmosphere.

You are Moonboy’s only guardian, and your imagination is the key that shapes the dream, as you lead the boy to his beloved bed. You are the dream creator. http://sleepwalkersjourney.com

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Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH is continuing its celebration of 25 years of its seminal Metal Gear series, with the creation of a dedicated online hub where fans can keep abreast of the various events and releases tied in to this special anniversary.

Konami has created a new portal – http://www.konami-europe.net/MG25th – which will be regularly updated with news and events surrounding the 25thanniversary. Series creator Hideo Kojima has already announced a free update for his PlayStation3 epic, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, which adds 34 Trophies to the classic title, and Mr Kojima is also mid-way through a busy year of touring the globe to discuss the success of the popular series, which has sold more than 31 million copies worldwide up to December 2011.

All news of Mr Kojima’s movements and announcements will be released via the new site, and it will today reveal that the classic Metal Gear Solid title is now available for two weeks for just 4.99 Euro/£3.99 – a reduction of 50%, and allowing fans of the series to experience the ground-breaking PlayStation title that saw the series move into the 3D realm. Konami is also launching a dedicated Twitter feed to keep fans abreast of events, and can be found at @MG25th on Twitter.

For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/mgs.

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After the disappointment of Final Fantasy XIII and XIV, fans of the series have a new reason to look forward to future installments of the series. GameMaster UK reported earlier this week that a source has given them new information about Final Fantasy XV. Although the magazine was wrong initially about Final Fantasy XV’s unveiling, they insist that this time their information is the real deal.

Most notably, the source claims that this installment has been in production for over four years, including the concept planning and pre-production stages, and that it entered full production in January 2010. This was a month after the Japanese release of Final Fantasy XIII. Since then, a team of two hundred people has been hard at work developing the game. The game’s director, Hiroyuki Ito, also directed Final Fantasy VI, IX, and XII, some of the most acclaimed titles in the series.

The title is slated to be released on all major current platforms, although it is unclear if this includes the Wii. Previous current generation Final Fantasy games, like XIII and XIV, have been only been released for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.

The game itself will be very different from XIII, moving away from familiar linear format and instead opting for an open world, reminiscent of the sprawling game environments in XII. The battle system will also be an evolution of XII’s. Now, though, players can target different body parts of the enemy, much like the Squaresoft classic Vagrant Story.

Fans of Western-style role playing games (WRPGs) will also enjoy it. Yoichi Wada, the president of Square Enix, has a vision of the game including more content than Elder Scrolls: Skyrim. Those still not excited will be pleased to know he also thinks the game could be more a bigger critical and commercial success than Final Fantasy VII.

As for cities (for the most part absent in XIII), they made the cut, and purportedly rival Assassin Creed’s enormous cities. It is not clear, however, if they will be continuous, sprawling environments or like XII’s: lots of small, divided sections that together make huge game areas.

Overall, the rumored XV sounds a lot like XII, what with its massive areas, only less linear. There would also definitely be plenty of guilds providing side quests, much like Elder Scrolls Travels games.

Is this all just wishful thinking, or could the next Final Fantasy really turn out like this?

If this source has his or her information in order, this game could be just what Square Enix needs. Many complained of XIII’s linearity, and, including spin-offs and side games, Final Fantasy XIV is the lowest rated Final Fantasy game on the game review aggregate site Gamerankings. Final Fantasy XV could not only remedy this recent drop in quality, but also bring in new fans due to its open world.

On the other hand, it addresses so many issues that previous games in the series have been criticized for that it could just be a fan’s wishful thinking. If it does turn out to be a hoax, hopefully it will at least gain enough attention to make Square Enix make a few changes to its flagship series.

More information is available here at Gameranx.

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Unlike their competitors, Sony wasted no time getting to the most important topic for any gamer during its E3 presentation: games. Unfortunately, not all of the games shown were to everyones liking.

Beyond: Two Souls, developed by Quantic Dreams, the makers of Heavy Rain, was announced at the beginning of the show. Much like Heavy Rain, story and cinematic seem to play a large role in the game and follows the protagonist, Judie Holmes, over the course of her life.

Sony fans itching for some Super Smash Bros. are fortunately in luck; PlayStation All-Star Battle Royale aims to fill that niche. Battles are based around getting points, which players can obtain through defeating others and special moves. Big Daddy from Bioshock was confirmed as a playable character; other 3rd party characters may be included.

Sony also touched on their online service, PlayStation Network (PSN), revealing that over 200 games are due for release on the service within the next 12 months, including titles like The Unfinished Swan PSN and PS1 titles available online are also headed toward the Vita.  Fans can look forward to PS1 classics like Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy 7.

In addition, PlayStation Plus members can also expect to get great deals on content and online games, a smart move that will hopefully get more people to sign up for the service.

A Call of Duty game is in development for the Vita, along with the upcoming Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation (AC). Liberation is the first Assassin’s Creed game to feature a female assassin as the lead, has touch screen capabilities, and was built ground up for the Vita. There are also extras that can be unlocked when the game is linked up to Assassin’s Creed 3 on PlayStation 3. The games will give Vita owners something to look forward to in the coming months.

The latest flagship game in the AC series will have an emphasis on water, with controlling ships on the high seas as an important part of the game. A special and realistic weather system will also be in place in the game. Both Assassin’s Creed games will take place in America during revolutionary times.

Far Cry 3 multiplayer was also shown. The mode will include 4-player co-op and feature missions made specifically for multiplayer. Looking a little rough at this time, the game still has a ways to go in development, but looks to be a fun experience.

Sony, however, went wrong announcing Wonder Book: Book of Spells. Utilizing the PlayStation Move, players can cast spells and embark on quests in a Harry Potter themed world. The game is, however, nothing like the games fans were expecting and is more reminiscent of a point-and-click game meant for children. Many fans voiced their disapproval of the software and the lengthy amount of time devoted to it. 

Toward the end of the conference, a trailer for the new God of War game, subtitled “Ascension,” was shown. Fans of the series will be delighted to know that the game looks to follow its predecessor’s closely in terms of game-play and gore. A multiplayer mode will be included, up to 8 players can join in games of competitive team play where players will battle for control of the map. A release date of March 12, 2013 has been announced.

Sony closed its show with The Last of Us. Created by developer Naughty Dog, responsible for successful franchises like Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter and the Uncharted series, the trailer for the game was by far the highlight of Sony’s conference. It features two characters, the ruthless Joel and the young but wise Ellie, trying to survive in a zombie infested post-apocalyptic world. While the concept might seem overdone, Naughty Dog breathes fresh life into the wasteland with fast and action-packed game-play.

While Sony had some high points and some low points, many fans overall were disappointed. Many games they expected to be shown or announced were not touched upon, such as Kingdom Hearts 3. Other than The Last of Us, there were no big surprises, and many hated Wonder Book: Book of Spells. Luckily for Sony, The Last of Us was enough not to alienate fans, but they definitely will not attract any newcomers with the show.

Image Courtesy of  PlayStation.Blog.Europe

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Those fearing vampires will now forever be associated with the awful “Twilight” brand name are in for a treat. Konami announced at E3 they are working on two new Castlevania games: Mirror of Fate and Lords of Shadow 2. Both are set after the events of Castlevania: Lords of Shadows, released in 2010 on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles. Taking place in 11^th century medieval Europe with a plot concerned with the beginning of the Belmont/Dracula feud, Lords of Shadow served as a reboot to the series featuring the new character Gabriel Belmont.

Originally revealed by Nintendo Power a few days before E3, Mirror of Fate is being developed for the 3DS by MercurySteam, the studio that made Lords of Shadow. Set 25 years after Lords of Shadow, the plot follows Trevor Belmont as he tries to discover what happened to his father, Gabriel Belmont. Trevor, however, is far from being the only playable character. Simon Belmont, Alucard and one other yet to be revealed character will all be controllable, with the player switching between characters in predetermined areas in the game.

Interestingly, many of these characters have already appeared in the franchise, although under different circumstances. Trevor Belmont was the main character of Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse on the Nintendo Entertainment System and also featured in Castlevania: Curse of Darkness on the Playstation 2 and Xbox, both of which were set in the late 15^th century. Simon Belmont is probably the most famous of all Belmonts, having been in several Castlevania games, including the first two, and was born in 1667. Alucard, the son of Dracula, has also been playable in several games, with his most noteworthy appearances being in Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse alongside Simon, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

It is unclear whether these characters in Mirror of Fate are meant to represent the characters listed above in an alternate universe, or are simply completely different people. Perhaps Konami is trying to ease fans into this reboot by including familiar characters.

Also uncertain is the style of the game: although it is known the game will be set in 2D, it is not known if it will feature different levels, as was the case of Lords of Shadow, or just have one big playing area, with certain areas requiring special abilities for access. Previous games that have fallen into the latter category have been nicknamed “Metroidvania” for their gameplay reminiscent of Metroid. Since Symphony of the Night, all major 2D Castlevania games have been this way.  However, with the reboot and a different story may come a different style of gameplay.

Mirror of Fate is meant as a prequel to Lords of Shadow 2, setting up the events for its console counterpart, and is due for release this fall.

Although details are scarce about Lords of Shadow 2, some elements of the plot were revealed. The game will star Gabriel Belmont, now a vampire, as he deals with a new threat in addition to his former family hunting him down. The debut trailer showed Alucard, although at this time it is unknown whether or not he will be a playable character.

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While most fighting games consist of one-on-one matches, health bars and have simple 2D stages for arenas, Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros series does things a bit differently. First appearing on the Nintendo 64 as a slow paced fighting game, its sequels, Melee and Brawl, have increased both the speed of the gameplay and the roster, bringing it from 12 to 35. Up to four characters can duke it out at once, with interactive stages and items, like laser swords and the now iconic sandbag, that can easily change the course of the match. Some do not even consider the series to be a fighting game. Truly, it is one of a kind…

…Until now. Sony recently announced PlayStation All-stars Battle Royale for the PlayStation 3 and Vita, the company’s answer to Nintendo’s acclaimed series. Much like Super Smash Bros, Battle Royale will feature some of Sony’s most well known and console exclusive  characters, including Nathan Drake, Fat Princess, Kratos and PaRappa the Rapper. Big Daddy from Bioshock fame will also appear as a playable character, opening the possibility for other third-party characters to join the mix.

Stages will be more similar to Super Smash Bros than other fighting games. Platforms, conveyor belts and other obstacles will be incorporated, making stages very hectic. Items will also appear on stages, which players can readily use by hitting the R1 button.

Despite all these similarities, though, Sony insists that their game is fundamentally different than Nintendo’s. In the game, players deal out damage to earn power points, which can be saved and then used for devastating super moves. These moves are the only way to defeat other players and earn points, and are thus performing them is the object of the game. The one with the most points at the end of the round is the winner.

Sony’s argument for originality, however, has convinced very few. Many still claim the game is a Super Smash Bros clone and some doubt Sony characters are iconic enough to warrant such a game.

While the way characters are eliminated may be different, pretty much everything else is the same. In the God of War stage shown at E3, Hades is present in the background and occasionally performs an area attack on the stage, similar to Kraid and Arwings in Metroid and Star Fox stages in Super Smash Bros. Super moves themselves are similar to “Final Smash” moves from Super Smash Bros Brawl, which are powerful, character-specific moves that almost ensure the elimination of other players. One difference, though, is that Final Smashes can only be activated by breaking a “Smash Ball” item, which appear and float around stages for a brief amount of time.

At this time, other game modes in PlayStation All-Star Battle Royale, such as a single player mode, have yet to be revealed. However, considering the direction the multiplayer mode is being taken, it is likely that a single-player mode would be reminiscent of the “classic” and “adventure” modes in Super Smash Bros.

In classic mode, players battle against computer controlled characters with mini-games occasionally thrown in, much like in a typical “arcade” mode, while adventure mode focuses more on special stages like mazes where the goal is not to defeat other characters but to reach the end of the stage. Players of Brawl will remember the epic Subspace emissary, an expanded and juiced up version of “adventure” mode complete with its own storyline that takes around a whopping 10 hours to complete.

Although PlayStation All-Star Battle Royale is undeniably and unabashedly a clone of Super Smash Bros, gamers should not automatically turn a blind eye to it. It still will probably be a fun game, and, if nothing else, will tide over hardcore Super Smash Bros players until the next one releases.

PlayStation All-Star Battle Royale is due for launch this fall, just in time for the holidays.

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Foster City, U.S.A. – Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) announced on May 22th 2012 the North American launch of Sorcery, exclusively for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system.

Developed by The Workshop, in collaboration with Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) Santa Monica Studio, Sorcery puts the power in the players’ hands using the PlayStation Move motion controller to conjure and command powerful magic as they brave the dark world of the Faerie Kingdoms. On their journey, players will encounter a multitude of enemies, solve ingenious puzzles, learn powerful spells, and craft strange potions immersing them in a unique fantasy adventure like never before.

“Sorcery has remained one of the most eagerly anticipated titles for PlayStation 3 since it was first announced and we’re thrilled to offer this unique title to gamers everywhere today,” said Guy Longworth, Senior Vice President, PlayStation Brand Marketing, SCEA. “Built from the ground up with PlayStation Move in mind from the beginning, Sorcery takes full advantage of our motion controller’s precision to provide a compelling gaming experience that is sure to capture the imaginations of players of all ages.”

The Sorcery feature set begins with the PlayStation Move motion controller, which players use as a magic wand to cast extraordinary spells, brew enchanted elixirs, solve clever puzzles, and defeat the forces of darkness.

The gesture-based casting system allows users to chain together basic spells into powerful combinations—freeze and shatter enemies, electrocute them with lightning called down from the heavens, or incinerate them in a lethal firestorm. Players can also collect magic items, learn new spells, and concoct upgrade potions to turn their humble apprentice into an unstoppable magic force.

In the Sorcery world, the Nightmare Queen has broken the ancient pact with mankind and threatens to cover the land in eternal night. As a young sorcerer’s apprentice, it is up to the player to master the arcane arts and fight back the foul creatures of this magical realm. You play as Finn, the teenage apprentice of an older wizard named Dash.

Finn has a great deal of promise as a sorcerer, but he’s impatient and undisciplined. Dash’s careful and studious approach to magic has left Finn tired and desperate for more advanced real spell-casting. As the story begins, Erline (Dash’s talking cat) taunts Finn into traveling with her to the land of the dead. She expects him to flee in fear when he sees his first ghost, but instead Finn discovers what he’s always suspected—he’s a natural-born spell caster.

As Finn, players can explore five unique realms, each with their own enemies and challenges. Descend into the Kingdom of The Dead to battle the Banshee and the Restless Dead warriors, venture into the Endless Stair where vicious bogeys are wreaking havoc, brave the Faerie Forest, raid the Slumbering Palace to free Lord Fey, the Faerie King, and much more.

Sorcery is a single-player action adventure experience that has an ESRB rating of “E10+” for Everyone 10 and older. It requires the PlayStation Move motion controller and PlayStation Eye camera, along with the PlayStation Move navigation controller or DUALSOCK 3 or SIXAXIS wireless controller. For more information about the ESRB, visit. For more information about Sorcery, visit.

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April is not looking like a great month for console gaming with only a few big releases, such as ‘I Am Alive,’ which will finally make its way to the PSN, and the popular rail-shooter, ‘The House of the Dead 4′ will also come out this April for PlayStation3. The last really significant title is the sequel to the mindless bloodbath ‘Prototype’, called ‘Prototype 2′ (‘Prototype 2′ is for PlayStation3, X Box 360 and PC).

‘The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings-Enhanced Edition’ makes its debut on X Box 360, so if you did not pick it up for the PC, you will have a chance to try it for Xbox. The PC also gets the ‘Enhanced Edition’ this month.

PC users will get to try out the free-to-play shooters ‘Blacklight: Retribution’ and ‘Tribes: Ascend’. Those who own a PlayStation Vita and not a PS3 and also happen to love ‘Disgaea’, can pick up ‘Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention’ which is the lone release for the handheld for this month. Owners of the 3DS can look forward to a few B-list handheld titles, and that’s about it.

Unless you plan on going down Nostalgia Road or Vintage Avenue, most gamers will be sticking to their current favorite titles, such as ‘Modern Warfare 3′, ‘Battlefield 3′, ‘World of Warcraft’, ‘Star Wars: The Old Republic’ and ‘League of Legends’. Hopefully the releases for May will be much better than the ones for April, but until then, you will have to make the best of the short list of titles that are available this month.

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Asura’s Wrath may not be the best game you’ll ever play, it certainly won’t be the longest game you’ll play, and it definitely isn’t the most interactive game you’ll play. But it is still worth a play. After hearing the things I’ve already said about the game, you may be asking “Why?” and I don’t think you are crazy to wonder that.

So let me explain. Simply put, the game offers a fun and unique experience unlike any other. In all actuality, Asura’s Wrath is closer to an interactive anime as opposed to an action game, like God of War III.  In fact, I think Dragon Ball Z deserves a place amongst contemporaries just as much as the God of War games.

Asura’s Wrath’s roots as an anime can be seen in the game’s presentation. One thing that the game does to mimic the anime experience is present itself as episodic content, rather than one continuous story. The episodes are even broken up with little manga like segments and a “On the next episode of…” type of transition.  Don’t forget the over-the-top action in both the gameplay and cut scenes, which are a staple of almost every anime.

Then there is the ridiculous, but entertaining storyline which may seem like your cliché tale of betrayal and revenge. Still, it has its own unique flair that separates it from all the other, more mundane plotlines. After all, where else are you going to take on a giant Buddha in space? So now you have a chance to enjoy a piece of visual media that combines all of your favorite aspects of anime/manga, and video games,  in one tight, concise package.

While bursting at the seams with action, the parts where you are actually fully in control seem few and far between the segments of cinematic storytelling and Quick Time Events. Not to mention, the action is quite shallow. Your main source of damage output is the Light attack combo, which involves pressing square with the occasional triangle, which unleashes a heavy attack that changes based on context.

There are also cool counter attacks that change based on which faceless grunt’s skull you are bashing in at that particular moment. Bosses don’t have health bars, which makes these potentially epic duels reminiscent of your favorite anime’s battles. They are little more than a vehicle to get to the next cut scene. You just fill up your “burst” meter by bashing everyone’s face in, and when it’s full, you “burst” into yet another QTE that will shove you along to the next part of the story.

5. Presentation

Asura’s Wrath’s style is by far one of its best traits. The game is also certainly beautiful to look at, and it is both very, very unique and very, very odd. Not to mention it is also incredibly and unashamedly over-the-top.

4. Graphics

Everything looks good and is complemented by a unique art style.

3. Sound

Asura’s Wrath’s music is fantastic and does a great deal in sucking you into the action. The voice actors also do a pretty good job of delivering their lines and making them feel authentic.

2. Gameplay

Think of God of War III. Now think of God of War III with less complex actions and more QTE. Now you have Asura’s Wrath: satisfying gameplay with no “wow factor,” and a heck of a lot of interactive cut scenes. This applies to at least the first two-thirds of the game. The final third takes a page from Panzer Dragoon’s playbook, and turns into a similarly styled shooter.

1. Lasting Appeal

Let’s be honest here, single-player games almost always offer less value than games with multiplayer, and the divide is even greater when the single-player experience only lasts 6 hours. Asura’s Wrath isn’t quite justifiable with its $60 price tag, so either find a friend or two to split the bill with, rent it or wait until it is less than $40 is my personal recommendation.

Final Score: 3.5/5

This game is a great game, but it simply has a hard time justifying you spending your hard earned dollars on it. So while I do think it is worth a play, I think it isn’t worth it at this time. I am also to inclined to note that if you aren’t in it for the spectacle and are more concerned about the gameplay, then chances are that at the very least you will be a little disappointed.

Image Courtesy of    https://www.facebook.com/asuraswrath

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March has a lot of huge video game releases, namely Mass Effect 3, MLB 12: The Show, Street Fighter X Tekken, Ninja Gaiden 3, Mario Party 9, and Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. There are also a few releases that will not make a huge splash, but will be eagerly received by fans of their respective series.

Examples are Silent Hill HD Collection, The Sims 3 Plus Showtime, FIFA Street, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations, Silent Hill: Downpour, Tales of Graces f, Yakuza: Dead Souls, Rayman 3 HD & Warriors Orochi 3. There are also some big digital release-only games that gamers should look for, such as I Am Alive (which is XBLA only for now, but there will be a PSN release later) and Journey, a PSN exclusive. If you want to check out the full list of March releases look no further than the list below.

Note: These are North American release dates ONLY, so if you live outside of North America you will have to double check as the release date may be different in your region.

CONSOLE AND PC

1-Mar

• Deep Black: Reloaded – PC
• Vessel – PC

6-Mar

• Major League Baseball 2K12 – PS3, 360, Wii, PC
• Mass Effect 3 – PS3, 360, PC
• miCoach – PS3, 360
• MLB 12: The Show – PS3
• MLB 2K12/NBA 2K12 Combo Pack – 360
• Silent Hill HD Collection – PS3, 360
• Street Fighter X Tekken – PS3, 360
• Top Gun: Hard Lock – PS3, 360, PC
• Ridge Racer Unbounded – PC
• The Sims 3 Plus Showtime – PC
• XCOM – PC

7-Mar

• I Am Alive – 360

11-Mar

• Mario Party 9 – Wii

13-Mar

• FIFA Street – PS3, 360
• Journey – PS3
• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations – PS3, 360
• Shoot Many Robots – PS3
• Silent Hill: Downpour – PS3, 360
• Tales of Graces f – PS3
• Yakuza: Dead Souls – PS3
• Warp – PC
• Sledge Hammer – 360

14-Mar

• Warp – PS3
• Shoot Many Robots – 360

20-Mar

• Armored Core V – PS3, 360
• Ninja Gaiden 3 – PS3, 360
• Rayman 3 HD – PS3
• Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City – PS3, 360
• Warriors Orochi 3 – PS3, 360
• Kinect Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure – 360

21-Mar

• Rayman 3 HD – 360

23-Mar

• The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav – PC
• Total War: Shogun 2 – Fall of the Samurai – PC

27-Mar

• Combat Wings: The Great Battles of WWII – PS3, 360
• Ridge Racer Unbounded – PS3, 360
• Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends – PS3, 360
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 – PS3, 360
• Capcom Digital Collection – 360

29-Mar

• Rayman Origins – PC

31-Mar

• Birds of Steel – PS3, 360
• Blades of Time – PS3, 360
• Sorcery – PS3

HANDHELDS

6-Mar

• CRUSH3D – 3DS
• NCIS 3D – 3DS
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 – PSV
• MLB 12: The Show – PSV
• Unit 13 – PSV

7-Mar

• 50 Classic Games – 3DS

13-Mar

• Planet Crashers 3D – 3DS
• Supremacy MMA: Unrestricted – PSV

20-Mar

• Rayman Origins – 3DS
• Ridge Racer – PSV

23-Mar

• Kid Icarus: Uprising – 3DS

27-Mar

• Alien Chaos 3D – 3DS
• Boulder Dash-XL 3D – 3DS
• Funky Barn 3D – 3DS
• Reality Fighters – PSV
• Silent Hill: Book of Memories – PSV

31-Mar

• Deer Drive Legends 3D – 3DS

Image Courtesy of    http://teamninja-studio.com

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An e-mail sent out by Sony has confirmed that all “PlayStation Network accounts” will be renamed to “Sony Entertainment Network account” or “SEN account.” However Sony assures users that it is simply a name change and a part of their effort to establish a single, unified platform where users can get video game, movie and music content all in one place.

The email also explains some of the changes that  that will be made to the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy:

• New terms for parents of minor, subaccount holders regarding the limitations of chat parental controls. Your reacceptance of the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy affirms your consent to the sharing of your child’s data that may occur if your child utilizes certain communication functionalities on PlayStation devices such as PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita systems.
• New terms that explain the location-based services offered through the PlayStation Vita system. For parents of minor, subaccount holders your reacceptance of the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy affirms your consent to your subaccount holder’s user of these services on the PlayStation Vita system.
• A description of our “What’s New” section, which provides topical information about our services and advertisements.
• Information about pre-ordering content.
• The name of your “PlayStation Network account” is changing to a “Sony Entertainment Network account.”

Dear (User)

On February 8, 2012, your “PlayStation®Network account” will be renamed a “Sony Entertainment Network account” or a “SEN account” in conjunction with Sony Computer Entertainment’s PlayStation®3 system software and PlayStation®Vita system software updates. (Note, this change will not be applied to the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system at this time.)

For general purposes, this account change is a change in name only. Your username or password will not change, nor are we asking you to change them. In accordance with this transition, some necessary naming changes will be made to the TOS and Privacy Policy.

This transition is based on Sony’s goal to enhance its unique digital entertainment offering. As a series of these activities Sony started last September, PlayStation®Network will be aligned with “Sony Entertainment Network.” This helps us get closer to our goal of establishing a global comprehensive network platform of services across games, movies, music and more, all accessible from one convenient account.

Thank you for your continued loyalty and support during this transition.

Sincerely,
The Sony Entertainment Network Team

Barone Firenze / Shutterstock.com

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Warriors Orochi 3 is a hack and slash video game developed by Tecmo Koei and Omega Force for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. It is part of the Warriors Orochi series, which is a crossover between two of Koei’s most popular series, Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors.

It is set in a fictional universe where the Serpent King Orochi creates a time rift in time and space and creates a new universe where characters based on real warriors from the Three Kingdoms era of China and the Warring States period of Japan (which are over a 1,000 years apart from each other) are brought together. Orochi wants to test the strength of the warriors of these two eras. Warriors Orochi 3 is a direct sequel to Warriors Orochi 2. The game was released in Japan on December 22, 2011.

Tecmo Koei America and Europe have recently confirmed that Warriors Orochi 3 will be getting a North American and European release, which will be a relief to fans who were let down when Warriors Orochi Z didn’t make it overseas. The game will be released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on March 20th, 2012 for North America and March 30th, 2012 for Europe.

For the first time in the history of the Warriors franchise’s history, the North American version will not have English voices and will in fact only have Japanese voices with English subtitles. While this may make some fans more hesitant to buy, it was most likely done in order to cut costs as there are around 130 characters and a lot of voice work. On a more positive note, now that Tecmo Koei no longer have to cast and record English voices, it should significantly hasten the  localization of the game.

The game features three new characters:

• Kaguya (Technique): Comes from The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, a 10th century Japanese folklore.
• Shuten Doji (Womder): Based off a gigantic ruler of the Oni.
• Ne Zha (Speed): Based off of a Taoist protection deity.
• Susanoo (Power): Based off of the Shinto god of the sea and storms. According to Japanese mythology he slayed the eight-headed serpent Orochi.

In addition to the new characters from Japanese and Chinese mythology, the game will also feature special guests characters:

• Ryu Hayabusa (Power): The main character of Tecmo’s Ninja Gaiden series.
• Joan of Arc (Wonder): One of the main characters from Koei’s Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War, loosely based off of the historical figure Joan of Arc
• Achilles (Power): One of the playable characters in Koei’s Warriors: Legends of Troy, based off of the hero from Greek mythology.
• Ayane (Speed): From Tecmo’s Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden series
• Nemea (Technique):  Koei’s Trinity: Souls of Zill O’ll

The game promises fans great hack and slash gameplay along with new and improved features such as:

• Bonds System: The forming and strengthening of relationships between all of the different playable characters that have in  game benefits, such as more in-game dialogue and more powerful musou attacks.
• Musou Battlefields: A battlefield editor that allows players to edit any stage they have cleared in either Story or Free mode to create their own battlefields.
• Online Play: Two players can now play together online in Story Mode and Free Mode. You can either recruit a partner to help clear a stage you’ve already completed or respond to a recruitment request from another player.
• New Character Development: Your officers now have a special skill that they increase in proficiency of as they defeat more and more enemies.
• Weapon Fusion: Weapons become stronger with use and now you can fuse two weapons together to create a single, more powerful weapon. Weapon Fusion also allows for the transferring or strengthening of attributes.

For more information head over to the official site at http://www.tecmokoeiamerica.com/orochi3/ for the United States or http://warriorsorochi.co.uk/3/ for the United Kingdom.

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Turtle Beach, the market-leading pioneers of the console gaming headset category, recently announced the introduction of the feature-packed Ear Force XP400 and XP300 premium wireless gaming headsets. Optimized for wireless game audio and chat on Xbox 360 (and also compatible with PlayStation 3), these headsets provide new levels of convenience and versatility while delivering the renowned game audio performance synonymous with Turtle Beach.

The new XP400 and XP300 headsets bring the wireless Bluetooth chat of the acclaimed XP500 headset to more affordable price points, while adding the ease of rechargeable batteries and new 5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi RF wireless technology that virtually eliminates interference with wireless networks in the home.

The XP400 and XP 300 can be seen along with the full offering of Turtle Beach products at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 1 – Booth #21327, during the International Consumer Electronics Show from January 10 to 13, 2012.

The Ear Force XP400 and XP300 introduce premium features that once again push the limits of gaming headset technology. With the exclusive introduction of groundbreaking 2.4/5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi technology, these new headsets avoid the crowded 2.4GHz band used by wireless networks, phones and other devices in the home to deliver interference-free game audio.

By automatically switching between the 2.4 and 5.0 GHz bands and working within the Wi-Fi specification, the XP400/XP300 headsets navigate around other radio signals and coexist within the same spectrum as wireless networks to deliver optimum signal performance.

“Interference from common 2.4 GHz wireless devices like game consoles, routers, telephones and other gadgets is now a thing of the past with these new headsets,” said Michael Arzt, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Turtle Beach. “Not only have we jumped to the 5GHz spectrum, completely avoiding the crowded 2.4GHz band, we’ve also adopted the Wi-Fi specification so our headsets can coexist within the wireless-LAN spectrum rather than search for free space around LAN signals.

Adding dual-pairing Bluetooth chat from the XP500 and a rechargeable battery makes these headsets perfect for Xbox 360 owners, who want premium performance and convenience.” Equally noteworthy, the Ear Force XP400 also introduces Turtle Beach’s new post-processing system for Dolby Surround Sound, with fully adjustable speaker angles that enable a user to change the positions of the virtual 5.1 speakers by selecting between six different speaker angle settings to optimize the surround sound effect.

Now even more gamers can hear subtle directional details on the battlefield with 360 degree accuracy, from enemy footsteps to weapon reloads. The Ear Force XP300 includes the same 2.4/5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi game audio, Bluetooth chat and rechargeable battery at a lower price. XP300 owners can upgrade to the same Dolby Surround Sound technology of the XP400 by adding the new Ear Force DSS2 Dolby Surround Sound Processor, also introduced at CES.

Ear Force XP400 Wireless Dolby Surround Sound Gaming Headset
Key Details:

• Dolby Surround Sound: Immersive 360 degree audio lets you pinpoint the direction of every sound
• Adjustable Surround Sound Angles: Alter the positioning of the surround sound angles for the best audio experience for every gamer
• 2.4/5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi Wireless Digital Game Sound: Uncompressed digital RF audio signal delivers CD-quality sound by auto-selecting the optimum frequency in the 2.4GHz/5GHz spectrums.
• Wi-Fi Friendly: Easily coexists with wireless networks and Wi-Fi devices
• Dual-Pairing Bluetooth: Chat wirelessly on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and answer mobile phone calls while gaming
• Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery: Provides up to 15 hours of uninterrupted gameplay and can be recharged while gaming
• Equalizer (EQ) Presets: Multiple EQ presets include the bass, treble and midrange boost combinations
• Blast Limiter: Reduces the effect of loud game sounds so you can turn up softer sounds.
• Digital Optical Connection: Delivers the highest quality of digital surround sound
• Digital pass-through: Connect your home theater to the XP400 optical connection to hear the sound on both the headset and external 5.1 speakers.
• Analog input: Connect a TV or other analog stereo source to the transmitter to hear it processed with virtual surround sound.
• Dynamic Chat Boost: Chat volume automatically increases as the game volume gets louder
• Variable Microphone Monitor: Hear your voice in the headset while speaking and adjust the level.
• MSRP: $219.95
• Available: Q1 2012

Ear Force XP300 Wireless Amplified Stereo Gaming Headset
Key Details:

• 2.4/5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi Wireless Digital Game Sound: Uncompressed digital RF audio signal delivers CD-quality sound by auto-selecting the optimum frequency in the 2.4GHz/5GHz spectrums.
• Wi-Fi Friendly: Easily coexists with wireless networks and Wi-Fi devices
• Dual-Pairing Bluetooth: Chat wirelessly on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and answer mobile phone calls while gaming
• Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery: Provides up to 15 hours of uninterrupted gameplay and can be recharged while gaming
• Equalizer (EQ) Presets: Multiple EQ presets include the bass and treble boost combinations
• Sound Field Expander Presets: Boosts the level of sounds on the left and right sides while lowering sounds in the center.
• Dynamic Chat Boost: Chat volume automatically increases as the game volume gets louder
• Variable Microphone Monitor: Hear your voice in the headset while speaking and adjust the level.
• Auxiliary Input: Listen to your favorite songs while gaming by attaching an MP3 player to the XP300 transmitter along with the game audio.
• MSRP: $ 169.95
• Available: Q1 2012

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Sony Computer Entertainment America have announced The Last of Us, a new franchise created exclusively for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. Developed by Naughty Dog, the creators of the highly acclaimed and best-selling UNCHARTED series, The Last of Us was unveiled in a world premiere trailer at the Spike TV 2011 Video Game Award Show.

The Last of Us is a genre-defining experience that blends survival and action elements to tell a character driven story about a population decimated by a modern plague. Abandoned cities are being reclaimed by nature, and the remaining survivors are killing each other for food, weapons, and whatever they can get their hands on.

Joel, a ruthless survivor, and Ellie, a brave young teenage girl who is wise beyond her years, must work together to survive their journey across what remains of the United States.

“We are excited to finally unveil The Last of Us, a project the team has been working hard on for some time,” said Evan Wells, co-president of Naughty Dog. “Naughty Dog’s mission is to change the way people experience videogames. We are confident The Last of Us will take a leap forward in cinematic gaming and storytelling, providing gamers with an experience unlike anything else in the industry.”

The Last of Us is developed by some of the industry’s most talented game designers including Bruce Straley, game director, and Neil Druckmann, creative director. Naughty Dog advanced to the forefront of the videogame industry in 1996 with the successful introduction of Crash Bandicoot on the original PlayStation system.

The developer extended the franchise with Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped and Crash Team Racing, selling 22 million copies worldwide and led to Naughty Dog being the most successful video game developer in the United States for that console generation.

The team then created the Jak and Daxter franchise including Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, Jak II, Jak 3 and Jak X: Combat Racing.  All four titles are “Greatest Hits” for the PlayStation 2 system.

In 2007, the team released UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune and followed with UNCHARTED2: Among Thieves and the recent November launch of UNCHARTED 3: Drake’s Deception. Having currently sold over 13 million units worldwide, the UNCHARTED franchise represents some of the most impressive graphics and sound and processing capabilities found on the PS3 system.

The article Sony Announces ‘The Last of Us’ For PlayStation 3 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

With the mass popularity of smartphone devices, nowadays, there is an ever increasing amount of the population with near-constant access to a very powerful, highly refined piece of technology. It’s not as if the basic idea behind the communication aspect of cell-phones is evolving much. People are simply finding more and more that having a powerful device with them at all times can be quite convenient.

Especially, it turns out, for the sake of mobile gaming, a relatively recent statistic published at Flurry.com (a mobile application marketing and analytics company) has revealed.

Revealed in the same blog entry is the fact that there are an estimated 250 million iOS and Android devices around the world, compared “to the 180 million Wiis, Xbox 360s and PlayStation 3s currently on the market.” Given this sort of information, what does this say about who “gamer” is now personified by? To have access to a seemingly endless number of games, one no longer needs to purchase a dedicated gaming machine (e.g. Xbox 360, Wii, Playstation 3, etc.).

Gaming is now a secondary function to a device that many individuals in the Western world clarify as a necessity. Yet, as Flurry.com’s study has shown, people are using their smartphones more and more frequently to game, with as many as 37% of the apps launched by smartphone users being games.

John Carmack, a long-time veteran of game development, recently stated that he believes smartphone devices will soon be “more powerful than the current-gen consoles.” At that point, when games like the ones we now play on consoles can be played on a phone, how will one distinguish “gamer” as a hobby? You may have heard some disambiguation with terms like “hardcore gamer” and “casual gamer” being thrown around, with the latter having a greater inclination toward mobile gaming. But these are also misleading.

What isn’t “casual” about only spending three or four hours a week playing games on an Xbox 360, and what isn’t “hardcore” about those who check up on their iPhones every ten minutes to play a few minutes of a game they’re currently invested in?

Perhaps the next few years will manage to distinguish these two very different types of enthusiasts, as differences in hardware become reduced on the respective gaming platforms, and the decision of gaming software becomes the clarifying criteria.

The article Mobile Gaming: Confounding the Gamer Title appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.