Mick
Kristin Kill
It’s only after playing Atlus’ Game of Thrones, that I have conceded to the fan-griping about the sequels to Dragon Age and Mass Effect…it seems like almost all developers seem to have shelved the “strategy” from the battles, and shifted it more into hack n’ slash territory. Sure, there’s strategy in knowing that you should use electrical attacks against metallic enemies, or fire against ice-based foes, but overall, most role playing games (RPGs) have become more like Zelda than Final Fantasy.
In fact, if you entered the “Action RPG” world of Mass Effect or Dragon Age in their second incarnations, tread carefully with Game of Thrones. It too bills itself as an “Action RPG”, but has a structure closer linked to tabletop RPGs, than the other action-heavy “RPGs” out right now. And that’s a fine thing!
That’s not to say there isn’t action–no, there’s TONS of that–it just plays more like a classic PC RPG. If you happen to be one of those who loved the combat system of Dragon Age: Origins (or tabletop dice combat), you’ll feel right at home with Game of Thrones.
ALL great stories start with the murder of a King!
The storyline of Game of Thrones exists somewhere between the first book and the first season of the HBO series: not in terms of chronology, but in terms of ethos. During it’s 25-30 hour campaign, you’ll walk in the boots of both Mors Westford, an esteemed member of the Night’s Watch, and Alester Sarwyck, a former nobleman and current priest of R’hllor (“…for the night is dark and full of terrors…”). Both storylines are brand new, but will have you encountering major characters from both the book and the show.
Honestly, the storyline is the game’s biggest strength: it’s meant to work within the Song of Ice and Fire canon (and was approved by George R. R. Martin). More than that, it’s unflinching: one of the first campaigns has you hunting down one of your Night’s Watch brothers who has raped and beaten a boy to death. Don’t fret: they don’t actually show the act, but you’re hunting a rapist all the same. And let’s face it: it’s really easy to want to hunt someone down if they’re a sex offender that preys on children.
This scowling hulk is Mors..."You know what he needs? A Carpathian kitten..."
When you start each of their campaigns (which ultimately trade off after each chapter, not unlike the books), you have the option to choose from three distinct combat styles, the standard suite (strength, endurance, etc.) and you’ll kickstart your skill tree. But then it does something a little different: it gives you the chance to further customize your character with “character traits” with a one to four rating…with a catch. Just like tabletop RPGs, any additional strength bonus must be matched with a corresponding weakness. For example, want to be a “natural leader” (+4 points)? You’ll have to pick up clumsiness ( -2 points) and gout ( -2 points)…or any other combination of weaknesses adding up to four. Want to max out your additional bonuses? You’ll have to pick up every weakness. It’s a fairly novel system to console/PC RPGs that tabletop RPG gamers have been suffering for years…and I think it’s a helluva concept. At the very least, it helps to flesh out your character a little bit more–to personalize him more, instead of just sticking you with a cookie-cutter (anti) hero.
Kristin Kill
After reaching the millionth download via i0s, The Game Bakers have seen fit to release their “super casual RPG” Squids on to PC for $6.99!
Squids blends real-time strategy elements with cartoony, squidly goodness! You’ll defend your terrain against the encroaching crabs and shrimp by flinging yourself at them, in a decidedly billiards-like way.
Over time, you’ll need to master your timing, angles and environment to come out on top!
Visit the Game Bakers site for more information, and to purchase!
>Kristin Kill
Kristin Kill
Fear not, PlayStation lovers! The wildly successful, “must have download” Rock of Ages rolls over to the PSN, with a sexy new selection of content just for you PS3 owners, all at the “balls out” price of $9.99!
New additions include:
- “obstacle course” mode, with head-to-head action (or head-to-AI action) race over a random course
- “war” mode”, with a suite of unlocked weaponry and defenses
- added “explosive” elements
- updated visuals and gameplay elements
- and a suite of new boulder skins to increase envy in your opponents
Rock of Ages blends ”castle defense”-style action with historically stylized art, spread out over five distinct periods.
For more information, visit the Rock of Ages website.
>Kristin Kill
Set to release later this year, Transformers: Prime is being produced EXCLUSIVELY for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii. For more information, visit TransformersPrimeTheGame.com
>Kristin Kill
Kristin Kill
The second of the COD:MW3 DLC packs is set to release May 22, and will feature new multiplayer/survival mode maps, new Spec-Ops missions and will premier the Face Off maps.
Face-Off maps, as seen in the intro, are designed to inject new intensity into multiplayer N00B killing by giving you smaller 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 maps. All in all, there will be three new multiplayer maps, two new Face Off maps and two Spec-Ops missions.
If you’re not an Elite member, the pack will set you back 1200 points.
But what if you’re not ready to drop the cash on the new pack? Activision has you covered: they’re releasing two FREE Face Off map packs on May 16th.
So blow the dust off your MW3 case, soldier! You’ve been called back to duty!
>Kristin Kill
Mick
…you have to commit to a $15/month, 2-year Xbox Live subscription. So how are your math skills?
A “standard” 4gb, Kinect-enabled Xbox 360 will set you back $299 (250gb “holiday bundle” is $278), and a Xbox Live card will cost you $49 (x2 = $98). Total? $397 for the 4gb ($456 for the 250gb)
Now, if you buy the LIMITED AVAILABILITY 4gb Xbox 360 for $99 (and the $15/month), it’ll put you just under $36o…which means you’re gonna pay ~$37 more in the long run.
Before you get up in arms, consider that some people can’t afford to throw down $400 at one time, so it’s almost equivalent to buying it on a credit card and paying interest.
But be warned: 4gb of memory won’t last you long…and that’s exactly what they’re banking on. Next, you’ll have to plunk down money for a new HD ($109.99 via Amazon) and a second controller ($36.99 via Amazon).
So just be warned: unless you plan on playing 4 (or under) Kinect-only games, you’ll be stuck forking over more money.
>Mick
Mick
Prototype 2 tells the ambitious story of an infected antagonist, limited by the shackles of servitude who tries desperately to HOLY SHIT! I CAN THROW A CAR AT THIS GUY’S FACE!
OhhhhhHHHHH! IT JUST EXPLODED!!!!
Honestly, you can put the concept of Prototype 2 into any “official” description: good vs. evil, (better than) average Joe vs. demi-god, the Monster vs. Dr. Frankenstein…
Oh man, I just remembered a point where I chained a dive into THREE helicoptors, and WATCHED ‘EM ALL CRASH AROUND ME!!
Is my “oh look a bird” description heavy-handed? Possibly. But it’s the truth. What should ultimately be one of the coolest “good vs. evil” storylines often gets muddled by the thing that makes Prototype 2 (and its predecessor) such a blast to play: that you can do almost anything.
"I believe I can soarrrrr! See me running, through that open dooooor..."
Remember when you first played Grand Theft Auto III? Sure, you had a mission, but at some point, you’d just steal the best car, plow through a buncha pedestrians, then finagle yourself on to a rooftop and take potshots at cops until you got a 4 star rating. Of course, after getting annihilated by the cops, you either resume your mission…or forget the game entirely. But Radical zeroed in on the “run around and wreck shit” mindset with Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction (on the original Xbox) and perfected the formula with Prototype. And let’s be honest: I think any gamer that’s played a sandbox-style action game has been guilty of the “rampage” mindset a time or two.
Hell, some games even REWARD you for it!
But I’m getting off topic: if you loved Prototype (and I did)…then you’ll love Prototype 2. And if you’ve never played, well…
