Console Game Spotlight – June 2013
Playstation 3 Exclusive
Playstation 3 owners are going to be treated to the exclusive action-adventure survival horror game produced by the one and only naughty dog. The developers acclaim from the Uncharted series has struck a long last impression with gamers are Nathan Drake’s charismatic charm blended in naturally with the realistic visuals and solid mechanics.
The Last of Us marks the inception of a whole new franchise, you’ll take the role as protaganist Joel in this adrenaline fuelled experience as you protect fellow survivor Ellie through a terrifying aftermath of a fungal/viral outbreak. Many influences have encapsulated the theme for this game from the Walking Dead comics to the film I Am Legend.
Naughty Dogs upcoming release has been met with outstanding awards and promising comments that could make a major splash in the video game industry. A recent remark has indicated that the online multiplayer alone has raised the bar to a whole new level. This third person adventure will trigger your paternal instincts and tug at your emotions as you strive to survive in a world where the infected victims are not the only ones that are going to threaten yours and Ellies survival.
Multi-Platform (Xbox 360, PS3 & PC)
Another third person game that’ll force gamers to discover a whole unique meaning to the term “crazy”. Deadpool fans are going to be chomping at the bit to get their hands on this wild card video game and get hyperthetically hurled into the demented world of Wade Wilson at gun point. For anyone who is unfamiliar with this Marvel creation please note that insane doesn’t quite define the character.
This dual gun & blade wielding mercenary with a mouth has to be the loose cannon in comic books today. As an anti hero you can only expect carnage to be around the corner. If you think a love to extract violence isn’t concerning enough, how does a health renegarating mutant that hears voices in his head sound?
High Moon Studios have already been praised in high regard from the demo alone and earned a “Best of Show” award at Gamescom 2012. The original writer (Daniel Way and voice actor (Nolan North) are involved in this project and all sources indicate the Deadpool game will give justice to the comic book experience.
A statement issued by High Moon Studios as to why they chose to produce this game were responded with claims that Deadpool himself held the team at gun point and demanded that an awesome game was to be produced in his image. I’ll need to confirm that to be 100% true as I hear my front door knocking and the window has been tapped twice by a lethally sharp katana. I hope he’ll stick to breaking the fourth wall and not into my house. HELP!!!
Wii U Exclusive
Nintendo are flaunting out Mario’s alter ego to bring Wii U gamers 16 minigames that are going to incorperate the use of the Wii U gamepad. This exclusive title has already seen a March release over in Japan, now the rest of the world can get their hands on it late next month. Some of these minigames are designed to support five players and by all accounts do not even require the use of additional Wii remotes. How that works I do not know?!
Not exactly the biggest excitement thrilling product to be brought to the public this year however the Wii U desperately requires new additions to join it’s video game library. Another title like Nintendo Land won’t be an unwelcomed addition as it can further demonstrate the innovative Gamepads capabilities.
Xbox 360 Exclusive
Become the ultimate killing machine and vampire stealth action game that includes roleplaying game element into the mix. A thrilling story awaits that is casted in blood and shadows. Improve your character to uncover a harsh world where the hunter can instantly become the hunted.
A potential upcoming rival to the Assassin Creed games may finally be upon us. Details surrounding “Dark” are pretty much leaving us consumers in the dark. Were either going to be left wishing to sink our teeth into a sequel or the only Xbox exclusive next month may hemirage a interest with a lackluster display.
Multi-Platform (Xbox 360, PS3 & PC)
Remember Me? How could we forget?!
The marketing surrounding Capcoms contribution to the June line-up bases Paris in the year 2084 where tax has hopefully been reduced by that time. Combining exploration, platforming, stealth, and melee combat; Remember Me varies it’s approach to compliment a key mechanic which serves as the games main selling point.
Players are going to be given the power to delve into peoples memories and rearrange thought. Being able to enter, jumble, replace and steal memory sounds complex to execute. The story behind such an intricate concept? It wouldn’t be France if it didn’t include some form of a revolution!
The main character Nilin occupation has been described as a memory hunter who works for a small rebel movement that aims to take down a mega corperation who has produced brain implants to take control over the masses. Side effects have transformed citizens into mutants and turned Paris into an environment where not even the underground sewers provide refuge.
People believe these impants are to only upload there thoughts, they’ve got no idea that the problem awaiting them is almost as bad as social median in the reality. Only joking. Sort of….
There have it folks 5 console games to look out for this coming June!
To submit any feedback, suggestions or to ask any questions please email dbarker89@hotmail.co.uk, alternatively you can message “Marvel of Man” on Xbox Live.
Wolfenstein New Order !!!
Some new titles are beyond the effort to sell. Some are sold before they even start warming up their army of talent. Many readers were not even born before the first incarnations of this title came out. Every age group will agree when it is reborn we will all have to look to see the freak show come to town. http://www.wolfenstein.com/ http://bethsoft.com/en-us
Iron Man 3 Billion Dollars Made Worldwide!!
(Read only if you have seen the movie .. or dont care if I spoil it.) Iron man three is a man loves his machine wipe the slate clean story. It’s not a date movie like the last two unless your girlfriend is a gearhead.In the end we are left with a cloaked seeker that becomes a villain .The final dark secret of the Manderin is that he stole the seed of his power and hes mad at Tony Stark for brushing him off.It is a fun movie with cute snappy dialog but it fell into the trap of not giving any depth to the original Mandirin. The last time they turned an epic story arc and character into a brain fart was X men Last Stand with the Dark Phoenix Saga ( Jean Grey) .. http://marvel.com/universe/Phoenix_(Jean_Grey) .. Elements of the screen story can be profound and bring in the almighty dollar but the interactive universe is lost. Take a look at the original Marvel Universe Mandirin.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandarin_(comics) In our story we have the actor with rings that are never used ( read mandirin origin to discover rings are the core of the villains power) .When we discover that the face of this god of evil is a stoner reading a script and the true tower of power is a nerd rage bomb harvesting victims we give up on the rings being a part of the story at all. Consider the source and understand that the creators of comic story into movies don’t give a damn about the depth of mythology. Explore the big picture in the graphic interconnected garden that made the monster . Iron Man Universe Page http://marvel.com/universe/Iron_man .This could be the end because Robert Downey Jr. said his contract is over and he is jobless. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/paltrow-won-iron-man-4-article-1.1327285 Of course you must consider Iron Man has made almost a Billion dollars (global) at the box office at the time of this blog and the beast is always hungry. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=ironman3.htm
Less Graphics & More Substance
As we approach the next phase in gaming we must always acknowledge the common hindrance that clings onto this entertainment industry like bone riddling disease. Multiple screen shots have exploded online detailing the upcoming graphics are about to completely blow our expectations out of the water. Gloss & polish set to become the latest eye candy to players.
With this crazy year ahead I find myself very cautiously optimistic about the direction enhanced visuals are going to take us. Today’s consoles are about to be pushed back to secondary position behind their soon to be successors, it’s doesn’t seem that anyone is addressing the key issue to the decline in game sales now do they? No matter how much a developer invests in presentation it will not matter a dime if it lacks interest and substance. A movie with incredible effects is joyful to see however these only serve as momentary fluxes in dopamine. To lack emotional attachment means I simply do not care what the hell I’m playing. When that’s the case a game will not last the test of time.
The problem of graphics taking priority over the quality in writing does typically occur within game franchises. Sequels do tend to lack imagination most the time and often enough drag the core story far away from logic as humanly possible. You will find developers that do this correctly but others cannot resist cashing easy money by flaunting their previous success to draw you into buying a half baked experience. Declining sales are all about interest, nothing more nothing less. How a person feels after playing a game has to be the ultimate decision maker. If you anger your fan base you’ll have to withstand the wrath of many frustrated hard working people who will be less inclined to give you their business.
With some games I do question whether they actually test them. We do regularly see bugs crawl out the woodwork on new releases that are later patch; does anyone test the emotional hooks that are crucial to a story? There are horribly executed stories out there that I’d be embarrassed to use. Games these days are hyped to be a Hollywood blockbuster, that’s more a reason to invest time into crafting brain tingling substance. Maybe it’s age striking me down but dialogue, character chemistry, voice acting, storyline and the overall writing mean a huge deal too me. Yes video games are fundamentally about the gameplay itself; do not overlook the fact that nearly all the highest regarded and greatest games in history are accompanied by a memorable story. A few of those you’ll find now show outdated graphics and are still strongly recommended for you to enjoy!
It’s astonishing when you think about titles such as Resident Evil 6 featuring immense effects & explosions and doesn’t get the respect that “The Walking Dead” Game by Telltale has been hailed. Compare the two, which one paints the future direction you’d like the video game industry to take?
In my opinion watching a car blow up as I walk passed it, adds to the atmosphere but flops because nothing grips you in. On the “Walking Dead” side of things building a paternal relationship with a young girl is absolute genius due to every action matters, you’re protecting her and changes that unfold demand your immediate attention regardless how big or small they seem. Your choices invest and dictate the interaction between the main character and this young girl. Decisions are followed with consequences that you are forced to answer for in more ways than one. If a fly were to fall on her head the game prepares you to want to swat it out of existence. This gives purpose and that makes the story special in its own right.
Capcoms Resident Evil sequels no longer appeal to me; the creative director himself stated that the stories involved are purely based on different scenarios that happen. There is no rhyme or reason to them. I begin to question what use Resident Evil has nowadays. Don’t get me wrong its not all bad, there doesn’t seem a point to write something that evidently won’t effect future sequels. In a franchise that brings plenty of sequels, surely it would be meaningful to make everything interconnect?
Plus being a hardcore gamer I wish they’d replace current enemies with the original zombies. I preferred it with good ol fashioned zombies
To submit any feedback, suggestions or to ask any questions please email dbarker89@hotmail.co.uk, alternatively you can message “Marvel of Man” on Xbox Live.
New League of Legends map released the Howling Abyss.
There is a new map for League of Legends, and it is called the Howling Abyss. The Howling abyss is a frozen bridge that stands over a giant chasm and acts as the location for Aram. Aram stands for all random all middle, what that means is you get a random champion and have to fight on a single lane. Other game play elements that set this mode apart are healing buffs throughout the map and limited base services. Limited base services means that after you leave the base you will not be able to buy items and your base will not heal you. On Aram you will be fighting on a single lane with no neutral zone therefore making the game a continual team fight where kills are easier to get. The game mode is very fun and any fan of League of Legends should try it.
With the howling abyss riot is a new champion Lissandra the Ice Witch. Lissandra is best explained by her Champion Spotlight below.
For more information on League of Legends visit Here
SEGA set to rise again?!
Sega once upon a time reined over the video game industry with its main success in the Genesis (aka the Megadrive), a system that beat Nintendo in a tough battle and only by a small margin. During the early 90’s Sega suffered a bitter disappointment as they lost that momentum with the Saturn, this change in the landscape paved the way for Sony’s Playstation to take the lead. When all seemed lost Sega finally launched another console that looked to the company’s salvation.
Mijn eigen Sega DreamCast. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Sega Dreamcast captivated audiences with its use of innovation that simply bled future potential. Gamers were treated to a whole new experience that featured a number of immense titles that even made gaming history such as the Shenmue series. To this day the Dreamcast is regarded by some as the greatest console ever released. Ever!
Everything seemed perfect until the Dreamcast suffered a severe blow when the Playstation 2 launched along with the DVD format, this too many players dismay spelt the end of Sega as a hardware developer. When the Dreamcast died, so did a lot of magic in video games.
Since the Dreamcasts demise people have circulated plenty rumours surrounding Sega decided to rejoin the console race. It is a fact that Sega continue to develop hardware but those machines so far have been exclusively for arcade use.
In 2013 another huge change in the video game industry is about too take place with the Wii U already released and the new PS4 & Xbox 720 waiting to emerge out of the shadows. Three next generation consoles are about to wage war with the consumer money being split three ways; can any party truly gain a foothold?
The problem with Nintendo is that the Wii-U was released to early and without the essential follow up to distract players the best they can away from the competition.
The problem with Microsoft & Sony is that their current generation machines remain highly relevant and boast realistic graphics already; it will be difficult to convince people to cough up a lot of cash away for initially small improvements. I believe all or most launched titles are going too made available to the Xbox 360 & PS3 anyway, so why spend hundreds straight away to play them?
The current game industry is lost with impulsive decision making that can set the stage to have Sega rejoin the race.. With all the current rumours floating around I do put faith that there is something definitely in the works. In my opinion a former console giant would be foolish to miss arguably the biggest opportunity to powerfully impact the industry.
When the next generation sales war is in full swing all parties are destined to suffer backlash, it’s inevitable. Nintendo is anticipated to be hit the hardest yet I wouldn’t count them out the equation. I see Microsoft & Sony projects being supported mainly by profits through the 360 & PS3, rather than from the get go.
The next Xbox & Playstation I predict will stumble, I look forward to seeing them in action but financially consumers have their hands tied. A logical thinking person will not take indulgence over practicality. As for the Wii U; Nintendo have already fallen short of expected sales. Customers already own competent that have years many years potential still ahead. Keeping up with the fashion trend isn’t practical and purchasing it to be one step in front technology wise will not carry the next gen hardware to a long lasting height.
Sega owns the high ground with enough experience to take advantage; they can witness the competitor’s battle for control while displaying each others weak points. All Sega needs to do is sit back, learn and design a next gen console of it’s own that answers for all their mistakes. I’d personally wait between 18-24 months into the next gen race to introduce it publicly.
Let’s consider the exclusive franchises that would accompany the next Sega home console, in their repertoire there are many stand out titles. With the right marketing there could easily be a buzz generated from a new Sega Rally, Yakuza & a possible Shenmue 3 to really stir up some attention.
The biggest enemy Sega would need to deal with is actually themselves. Competition is one thing and inconsistency with quality is another. In one respect Sega can deliver an amazing product such as the Yakuza series, on the other hand they release the unsubstantial garbage such as Aliens Colonial Marines.
With the Sega Dreamcast the consumer trust was elevated to almost holy ground, the execution has caused an impression that’s preserved the fans enthusiasm throughout more than a decade! If Sega allows the big three to collide and release their own product at the right moment; we may once again see a major shift in the video game landscape.
Three next generation systems is a crowd, four would make things just plain interesting!
To submit any feedback, suggestions or to ask any questions please email dbarker89@hotmail.co.uk
Wii U – to be or not to be?
The Nintendo WII U console launched last November with seemingly a full head of stuff, with a competent launch title list and innovative gamepad screen everything meshed when introducing the next generation console.
Due to sales not meeting Nintendo’s expectations we’ve noticed the decline in the systems momentum. At a time where the WII U should be pushed there doesn’t appear to be any forward planning. With the new consoles being released by Microsoft & Sony, surely the market is very much open to capitalize on the months leading to their releases.
The way the WII U is being sold pretty much says that it’s “just another video game machine”, nothing validates that it’s next generation here today! The next Xbox has rumours that are sketchy to say the least which are proving to be a concern with potential consumers. Sony boasts positive news with the PS4 that arguably place their machine into the best predicament this fall.
Recently the gaming community discovered that the WII U has decided not to attend the E3 conference in favour of releasing it’s own news through videos leading up to E3 and through events hosted by Nintendo. That has been stated to be a smart move; I on the other hand completely disagree
Wii U Controller (Photo credit: ze_bear)
The here & now is where Nintendo has to stir the most excitement with gamers, pulling away from E3 can be classed as experimental but extremely counter productive in my eyes. Not only will they need news that warrant viral attention, you would need to develop a campaign to ensure the messages are sent clear to players across the globe.
Don’t get me wrong pulling away from E3 could prove beneficial, on the other hand this year Nintendo can’t really afford to gamble. I personally own a WII U, this console I’ll regard as very entertaining. My biggest criticism unfortunately surrounds the fact there doesn’t feel like there’s any follow up.
Sure there are games that reflect the WII U’s potential; the majority of them however are launch titles. There are major future releases scheduled next year, nothing is clear in 2013. As a consumer I want to be informed that investing in this product was rightfully justified, I can’t help shake the impression that even Nintendo are holding the same mentality in waiting to see what Microsoft and Sony unveil.
Where I’m coming from? Nintendo shouldn’t rest on it’s laurels, the original Wii system sold like hot cakes because the way it was marketed. The original Wii actually opened up the game industry more thanks to the family friendly image.
There are families that want consoles suitable for all to enjoy and healthy, the Wii fell into each household very comfortably. An opportunity to make money came about and Nintendo seized it! The new Wii is here and can anybody offer a clear answer as to what’s going on?
Perhaps I am reading too much into this, would you agree that things are awfully quiet? A stir will emanate from the public witnessing the new Xbox & Playstation 4 hardware being demonstrated. In the background the Wii U can either watch in a position of strength or weakness. Which will it be?
On a closing note: I am happy to hear any feedback and answer any questions to be addressed with future articles. If you would like to write in please email dbarker89@hotmail.co.uk
Oblivion 2013
Oblivion is the incompatible partner love story within a science fiction context. The story creeps along with odd details that mean more later. I loved the industrial wasteand factory contrast against the fall of modern civilization. The soundtrack and the feel of the movie was close to Tron legacy. It left me with a few questions in the end but I would give it a four out of five star rating because the sets and the wide open landscape blend with a handful of characters that remind me of a modern western. Now on to the nitty gritty spoiler rant. The attack drones that he must inspect and service seem a little hungry to kill at first giving you the first clues that he is expendable. Despite the library scene I kept feeling that the enemy all along was human. In fact I was fooled into thinking the alien invasion was a myth to make him shut up and work. The film was a little long but it needed to draw you into deeper realms of the pocket of survivors. Which brings me to my final point The trailer makes the mistake of making it obvious that the lost tribe following him since the library scene is human because Morgan Freeman is wearing the same costume. By the way the best Incompatible love story in science fiction history is the remake of Total Recall with Kate beckinsale and Jessica Biel. Movie main site.. http://www.oblivionmovie.com/
The main site for Total Recall. http://www.welcometorecall.com/
StarDrive Ship Design Tutorial
I am playing a new game called Stardrive. It’s available now on steam if your interested. Anyway it’s a complex game and needless to say it will take me awhile to get a hold on it. I will be sharing useful information about Stardrive as I find it the internet. The first thing I need to know is how to make a star ship. I found this tutorial on youtube and the poster HarkAMoose did a fine job.
IllumiRoom Concept
Every once in a while a new gizmo is invented for gaming that is pretty neat. IllumiRoom is one of these gizmos that has me interested. Sure the details are not out but the concept is interesting. Check out the tech video and see what you think.
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/illumiroom/
