Friday, July 13, 2012

New Games

New Games


Indie Game: The Movie is half price right now

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 04:00 PM PDT

Indie Game: The Movie is half price right now screenshot

After what felt like a hundred different screenings, all of which I manged to somehow miss, Indie Game: The Movie finally became available digitally last month. It was an emotional, compelling, and even motivating look at what life can be like for creative people who wholly invest themselves in their work.

For a limited time, you can grab the documentary for a very reasonable $4.99 either directly as a stream or download, or on Steam. I'm hardly alone in thinking it's worth viewing; even now, the movie is sitting at a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.

If you managed to catch Indie Game: The Movie already, let this be a reminder to watch it again with Team Meat's commentary. The film takes on a completely different, often hilarious tone.

Spartacus Legends trailer has big chaps and decapitation

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 03:30 PM PDT

Spartacus Legends trailer has big chaps and decapitation  screenshot

So it looks like Ubisoft are bringing the brutal, violent, character-driven, ahistorical drama Spartacus to the realm of gaming. I'm actually a bit of a Spartacus fan, though my interest in the show waned with the loss of the always brilliant John Hannah. Beneath the tits and violence there are some cracking characters and lots of typically Roman intrigue. Unfortunately, it looks like Spartacus Legends will just be focusing on the violence. Awful, jerky, dated violence.

The announcement trailer liberally uses clips from the show for good reason, the game looks pretty terrible. Looks can be deceiving however, as I suppose it might be at least a little bit fun to make a custom gladiator and beat up that smug Gaul, Crixus. There's offline and online multiplayer, leaderboards, a variety of skills and, as one would expect, plenty of weapons. If you've got an uncontrollable desire to play a gladiatorial combat game, then this is certainly a gladiatorial combat game...

It's out near the beginning of 2013. You'll just have to wait and see if you want to know what it's coming out on, as platforms are yet to be announced. 

Worms Revolution: Think I'll go eat worms

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 02:30 PM PDT

Worms Revolution: Think I'll go eat worms screenshot

When I'm digging holes in my garden for completely normal and not in the least bit criminal reasons, I often see worms. They are always wearing the latest fashions and spouting hilarious quips. It makes gardening a delight. Team 17 wants to emphasize these creatures' characters even more than in the previous Worms games. Senior producer Kelvin Aston explains exactly how they have gone about doing that in Worms Revolution.

Instead of all worms being equal, this time they are split into four classes. The soldier is the base class and will be easily recognizable to anyone who has played a Worms title before. The scout is fast, agile and very small, able to dig tunnels no other classes can enter, and he's also really good at looking after your dog. The scientist is a support class and provides health upgrades for his squad, while also being a master of sentry guns. Finally, there's the heavy. He's the tough guy, able to take a beating as well as dishing them out. To balance out his strength he's incredibly slow and can't jump very well. He's almost too heavy for the jet pack.

Worms like to stand out in a crowd, so Team 17 has provided them with lots of incidental customization. It won't alter the gameplay, but it will make things a lot more amusing. There's a huge amount of hats, wigs, glasses, trinkets. Want to have a Lady Gaga worm who also likes football? No problem. On top of that, more voices and phrases have been added. Hopefully that should ensure you don't get driven insane by your little warriors spouting the same lines over and over again.

It looks like the game is shaping up nicely, and I honestly can't wait to check it out. In the mean time you can get a chuckle out of the video and keep waiting.  

Weekend PC download deals: Introversion, Ubisoft, THQ

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 02:00 PM PDT

Weekend PC download deals: Introversion, Ubisoft, THQ screenshot

You don't need me to tell you the Steam summer sale is on, so you all know the drill; check out the daily deals and avoid buying things until the last day to maximize your savings. If you want a tip on today's deals, then my two picks are Max Payne 3 at 50% off and The Binding of Issac at 75% off. 

GOG.com has two sales running over the weekend; first up are Ubisoft strategy and sim titles that are half price, including the likes of Settlers 2, Battle Isle, and IL-2 Sturmovik 1946. Also reduced over the weekend are titles from indie developer Introversion such as Darwinia and DEFCON as well as the rather good point-and-click adventure title Gemini Rue.

Looking over at GamersGate, the space strategy of the Sword of the Stars franchise is cut in price by 75% on the main game and all its expansions. Elsewhere, you can get a THQ action pack featuring five games including Metro 2033 and Darksiders for $14.99. You'll also get $5 credit towards a future THQ title, such as Darksiders 2 or South Park: The Stick of Truth. Over here in the UK, you can get the wonderful Bully: Scholarship Edition for just £3.50. As always, you guys find a good weekend PC game deal, post it in the comments; it's much appreciated.

SDCC: Watch this heated cinematic from The Last of Us

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:55 PM PDT

SDCC: Watch this heated cinematic from The Last of Us screenshot

While there's still plenty of Joel and Ellie in this new footage of The Last of Us from San Diego Comic-Con, Naughty Dog has unveiled a new character for the game, Bill.

Played by actor W. Earl Brown, Bill thankfully doesn't take too long to take off his mask. It seems he has some history with Joel, though this is only a brief snippet that smartly doesn't reveal any more than it ought to; just enough to grab our attention.

On the one hand, this was a great human moment, but I'm also strangely anxious to see more of the infected. At least we got to hear one of them.

SDCC: Taking on Metal Gear Ray in Metal Gear Rising

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:48 PM PDT

SDCC: Taking on Metal Gear Ray in Metal Gear Rising screenshot

Konami gave the press a nice surprise here at Comic-Con by showing us some new content from Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. It was a very early, pre-alpha look at the boss fight against Metal Gear Ray that we got teased with at the end of the E3 demo. While this will be a pretty major boss fight in the final game, what we got to see was a quick version of the battle.

The point was to show off just how grand these fights can be like, and it was pretty impressive. Ray is jumping around the map, using his shoulder mounted guns to attack. Raiden has to get in close, and slice up the armor around Ray's feet in order to weaken his defenses while also avoiding Ray's stomping attacks.

Once weak enough, the battle plays out similar to what we saw in that heavy metal trailer. Raiden blocks Ray's giant sword attack, then picks up Ray, tosses him up in the air, and then jumps up after him to finish him up for good with some well placed slices. Parts of this sequence is QTE based, requiring the player to pull off some timed button presses to pull off.

And that was it. See, told you it was a quick look. Interestingly, Raiden was wearing an outfit similar to the one from Metal Gear Solid 4 in this demo. He was even sporting the Solid Eye. Raiden's character will be evolving throughout the story, and he later gets the badass armor we've seen him in. Konami told me the team is also experimenting with whether Raiden will have the precession slow-mo sword attack ability from the start or if it's something he eventually gains too.

As for the picture of Raiden with a sombrero, it was simply a treat for all the Latin America fans as Kojima was over in the country recently showing off the game. Plus, parts of Revengeance takes place in Mexico. I'm kind of hoping you can dress Raiden up in all sorts of silly little outfits now.

SDCC: Zone of the Enders HD is simply gorgeous

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:45 PM PDT

SDCC: Zone of the Enders HD is simply gorgeous  screenshot

I screamed for joy the day Konami finally announced an HD re-release of the Zone of the Enders games. I love anything with mechs, and nothing even comes close to the fast paced nature of ZoE. Konami is showing it off at San Diego Comic-Con where I went hands-on, and both games look fantastic in HD. 

The only downside to the collection is that the CG sequences in the first ZoE look horrible as it's simply been upscaled. The visuals don't stand the test of time, but that only applies to the movie sequences. ZoE: The 2nd Runner, however, won't suffer the same issue as it uses anime visuals which still look great.

Of course, what really matters is the actual gameplay visuals, and they just shine. The textures on Jehuty and enemy units are so smooth and sleek, plus the HD effect adds a lot to the lights and bright colors throughout the game.

Screenshots like these don't do the collection justice. As far as I'm concerned, Zone of the Enders fans won't be disappointed.

SDCC: Nintendo 3DS XL be poppin' and lockin'

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:31 PM PDT

SDCC: Nintendo 3DS XL be poppin' and lockin' screenshot

We poked at and fumbled around with Nintendo's shiny new 3DS XL at their showcase here at San Diego Comic-Con this morning and got to see how it features more locking and snapping than any other portable before it. 

The screen of the XL has three very distinct stop points when opened. There's a mostly straight up 'L' shape, an optimal tilted back position, and a full-open position. These positions have a very defined snap, which has the screen stopping tightly in its preset places -- no wobble. I wonder why there's one more snap position now, though.

Speaking of things snapping into place, the 3D slider also has a new off position that also comes with a defined snap. The 3D slider still lets you set your preferred level of 3D effect, but beyond its lowest level, the effect can now be fully switched off with a new notched setting. No more accidentally pushing on 3D. Oh, and the annoying backlit 3D indicator is now gone.

Overall, I'm impressed with the 3DS XL. It feels great in the hands, the new screens are huge, and the 3D is somehow easier on the eyes. 

SDCC: D-Arts Sigma and Terry Bogard figures are so ace

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:30 PM PDT

SDCC: D-Arts Sigma and Terry Bogard figures are so ace screenshot

Bandai's D-Arts figures are the shizz, especially if you've got a thing for Mega Man X characters. At SDCC, Bandai's US distributor Bluefin has been showing off some possible new models for the X line, headlined by none other than Sigma. In addition to the Big Bad himself, there's a black armor variant of Zero as well as a ride armor for the recently released Vile.

Outside the X line, we've got a pimpin' Terry Bogard of King of Fighters fame. Maybe it's a hint of things to come and we'll see a whole bunch of SNK fighters marching through.

I've got my wallet half open already. How about you guys?

SDCC 2012: Tamashii Nations/Bluefin - D-Arts [Tomopop]

Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo

SDCC: First Fortnite details revealed at Epic Games panel

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:16 PM PDT

SDCC: First Fortnite details revealed at Epic Games panel screenshot

Epic Games' new game, Fortnite, has been under wraps since last year's VGA Awards -- just long enough to forget it was a thing. But they finally gave it a full reveal in a panel at San Diego Comic-Con this week, and we have all the details for you.

Producer Tanya Jessen, Lead artist Pete Ellis and design director Cliff Bleszinski joined moderator Jessaca Chobot to give us a really detailed look at what they've been working on since the announcement. 

Epic calls Fortnite a cooperative sandbox survival game. You might have heard that it's something like Minecraft, and it does have some similarities, though you won't find any blocky trees or animals here. You will work with friends to scavenge the environment, and then use your findings to build forts. Later, you'll work together to defend them at nite, when the forces of darkness usually show up. 

Fortnite was designed to be played with friends. Everything from building to fighting can be done with your best buds, and what's nice is that there's something there for everyone to enjoy. Jessen said that different personality types playing together was one of their inspirations for Fortnite, and they've worked it out so that you can invite players of all natures and skill levels to join in the fun. For example, nesting types can stay back in the base and build things while more aggressive types can hunt, or fans of exploring can go scavenge supplies.

Some early prototypes of one weapon, a crossbow, were shown off at the panel. In its default form, the bow shoots a simple dart. Upgraded, we saw it shoot three darts at once, taking out three baddies. An electrical upgrade added a shocking stun to the shots, freezing enemies up to be attacked by another player. Finally, a tightrope shot added a rope to be used for platforming purposes. They say that they're still working out how items will be upgraded, and that these examples are just some of the ideas they've had along those lines. 

One of Fortnite's enemy types, the troll, was detailed. This little bastard hides in shadows, can run up walls, move through walls, and easily get right into the action, throwing a wrench in what you're trying to accomplish or defend. The troll's ability to portal through solid objects makes it particularly troublesome. Worse, it also steals items, though it cannot move through portals when carrying a stolen item. 

Footage of scavenging and editing was shared with the attendees of the panel. A tree came down with three axe swipes, giving the player wood supplies. Once proper resources are gathered, building happens quickly. In this example, a house frame went up in a matter of seconds. We saw that the player had to defend the unfinished house frame at night, and that they didn't do a very good job -- three small trolls took it down quickly. 

A more in-depth example of editing and building structures showed the players work about five days into playing. Upgraded skills brought about better wood and newer home structures, like stairs and windows. We saw a fast-forwarded clip of Fortnite's grid-based editing system, which had arches, balconies and roofing plopping out of thin air instantly -- very cool. A final example showed the supposed result of much more play: a massive castle that seemed like no trolls could ever take it down.

The panel was used to reveal that Fortnite would be the first game to use Epic's new Unreal Engine 4. Some slideshows shared images of a cartoony yet highly detailed world, and art director Pete Ellis promised lighting effects, more colors, higher detail and animated skies with realistic day-to-night transitions. 

It was also revealed here that Fortnite would be a PC exclusive. 

The panelists made it clear that Fortnite is still a work in progress, and that they're currently deep into the process of figuring the details out. Bleszinski said that they wanted to make a game for gamers, and thanked attendees for showing up to support an original game in a market where numbered sequels are the norm.

Photo Photo Photo

The DTOID Show: Borderlands, Assassin's Creed, & Fortnite

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:15 PM PDT

The DTOID Show: Borderlands, Assassin's Creed, & Fortnite screenshot


As it is a Friday, The Destructoid Show was live this afternoon, and in case you missed it, here's a recording. For you to watch. With your eyeballs. Your gross, slimy eyeballs. Ewwww.

It was just announced that Assassin's Creed III will have a co-op mode called "wolf pack," and Ubisoft also released their Boston gameplay demo from E3. David Cage and Ellen Page's Beyond: Two Souls is got shown off plenty at Comic-Con, and it sounds pretty cool, in spite of panel-moderator Greg Miller dorking it up with his lame dumbness. Injustice: Gods Among Us has a new trailer that shows off Nightwing and Cyborg. The Steam summer sale has begun, which is the worst thing to happen to everyone's wallet since the last summer sale.

In the second half of the show, we talk about how Epic Games has revealed that their upcoming adorable zombie tower defense game Fortnite is A) running Unreal Engine 4, and B) going to be a PC exclusive. Jeez, it's been a while since Epic released one of those.

Finally, Tara gives her impressions of Borderlands 2, as well as answered some of your questions. She put up a video here, which you should also go check out.

New Revengeance screenshots are strangely horrible

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:00 PM PDT

New Revengeance screenshots are strangely horrible screenshot

So, we've seen a lot of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance in the past. That's why these new screenshots Konami sent our way come as a surprise (not the good kind, either). It's like waking up Christmas morning and opening up a giant present that ends up being a box full of underwear and socks. This was that kind of surprise.

These screen grabs are full of muddy textures, an enemy clipping through a box, suspiciously boring environments, and a couple things we've seen a few times now. We know how awesome Revengeance looks. I mean, what happened here, Konami? There had to be some sort of mix-up, because these just can't be the images that were intended to be released.

I can't be the only one to notice this, right?

Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo

SDCC: Taking on Kirby's Dream Collection challenge mode

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 12:45 PM PDT

SDCC: Taking on Kirby's Dream Collection challenge mode screenshot

Kirby's Dream Collection is a bundle of some of the best Kirby games ever for the Wii in celebration of the 20th anniversary. Just the fact it contains Kirby's Super Star is enough for me, and the added bonus of the Kirby soundtrack CD is like icing on the cake.

If that's not enough, Nintendo is throwing in a new challenge mode to give something new to longtime fans of the series.

I only played through the first world of the challenge mode where I had to go through three levels. Each level is based on specific powers, the first focusing on the sword ability, the second on the parasol, and the last on the electric ability. The levels are themed so that they make full use of the specific power, like the parasol stage featuring plenty of areas with gusty winds.

The objective is to complete the level before the time runs out, all while collecting coins and killing everything you can. You will be awarded a gold, silver, or bronze medal based on how fast you can complete the level and on how many points you can get. Getting hurt will also subtract points from your overall score, so blindly rushing through a stage simply won't cut it.

Once all three stages are cleared, regardless of whatever medal you earn, the boss stage will open which will pit you in a race against a character named Magolor. He's a cheating, flying wizard and will summon enemies and obstruct your path throughout the race. You're given a choice of which ability you want to equip before the race begins too, based on the powers you used in the previous levels.

It's similar to Gourmet Race from Super Star, but nowhere near as fast paced. Winning the race will unlock the next world, where you'll focus on beating more levels each themed on different abilities.

Pretty simple, but that's what makes Kirby so special. They're all simple, enjoyable games for all types of players, but there's some depth there to please people looking for a little challenge too. The visuals and gameplay style of the challenge mode are very similar to Kirby's Return to Dreamland too, for those wondering.

Honestly, just the fact that I can play Megaton Punch all over again is enough for me. Everything else is just sweet, sweet dessert.

Here come the fanboys! Link vs. Cloud in a Death Battle

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 12:30 PM PDT

Here come the fanboys! Link vs. Cloud in a Death Battle screenshot

Uh oh.

The latest episode of ScrewAttack's dream fight series, Death Battle, has just been uploaded. Today's combatants are Link from the Zelda series and Cloud from Final Fantasy VII. It's all in good fun, but given the participants this time around... well... I don't expect it to end well.

FFVII can be a touchy subject, God damn.

DEATH BATTLE! - Link VS Cloud [ScrewAttack]

The Network Roundup: SDCC envy

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 12:15 PM PDT

The Network Roundup: SDCC envy screenshot

Well, here I am dealing with stacks of budget reports and other boring nonsense, while my co-workers across the network descend on San Diego Comic-con and other exciting gatherings. It's a pretty exciting time to be glued to your computer, waiting for tantalizing bits of entertainment news. However, I'd like to point out that I'm staring at a stormy midwest sky as I write this, only imagining exciting SDCC hijinks. I guess I'll have to just turn on some Tu-Pac and pretend I'm walking the mean streets of Cali.

Our best and brightest were on the scene, giving us first hand updates and news. Destructoid had SDCC on lockdown, with plenty of galleries and gaming news. At Japanator we've been still decompressing from Japan Expo, and updated a couple exciting musical treats for all you Japanese music fans. At Flixist, Alec and the team have been raging film festival style, and have the eagerly awaited, Ace Attorney review. The Tomopop crew was also on the scene in San Diego, telling the future of lovely toys to come. Any readers out and about at conventions this weekend?

Japanator

Flixist

Tomopop

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...