YARS posted on May 19, 2012 14:46
High flyin', tendril throwin', enemy slicin', whip wieldin' muthaf***a
Prototype 2, where do we begin? In an age where open world gaming has really developed into a powerful beast, Radical Entertainment have decided to take a step back, reign in the breadth of other titles, and create an open world action game with a much narrower focus. And in doing so, other studios should take note: sometimes, it's not about the size or depth of your world, but what you decide to do in it.
Prototype 2 takes a mild deviation from standard sequel practice, by casting the protagonist of the original, Alex Mercer, as the enemy, and you as Sgt James Heller, who suffered a tragedy at the hands of Mercer and wants revenge. The change in character doesn't mean the actual game is any different, however: the start of the game results in Mercer infecting Heller, and a similar pattern of superhuman development takes place. Over the course of the game, Heller unlocks skills such as flight, super speed, and some wicked weaponry. Yes, you too will be able to slice, dice and tentacle-ise your opponents with a wide array of attacks, starting with the simple (yet oh-so-fun) ability to absorb and mimic your enemies.
A quick word on controls the simple pad layout is slightly customisable, and combo chains are wrought by alternately slapping and holding the key that corresponds to the move i question. It doesn't take long to pick up on what to do, and pretty quickly you'll be tearing about the boroughs of New York, laying waste to all you see with gleeful abandon, dropping F-bombs at every opportunity. The audio is little more than alright in Prototype 2, with genero-tunes that are quickly ignored, then massively overplayed by the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and visceral noises - for a game riddles with organic messiness, there's certainly no shortage of medical-bay ripping, rending and fisty-slappy schlock. Voicework is hammy and overblown, yet matches the overall feel of the game, meaning all the combat has a slightly silly sheen, as if the whole title is moicking itself with gleeful abandon.
Visuals are a mixed bag: it evokes a slightly comic-book feel, but really looks a little dated, with rough edges and slightly flatter textures than would have been nice. The character models are thin on the ground too, with only a few enemy variations as the game progresses meaning you'll be seeing a lot of the same faces as you progress. Buildings and environments are suitably grey, brown and flat for the most part, although the final third zone really ups the ante by tearing the cityscape to shreds and going totally apocalyptic to boot.
there's something about being elbow deep in enemies, throwing your weight around and making a mess that doesn't seem to get old
The basic gameplay is simple go to point X, tear everything in sight to shreds, rinse, repeat. Few missions really deviate from this, as although the principals behind your mission motives vary (save this person, destroy that experiment, track down some scientists, etc.) every mission sooner or later descends into chaos and destruction. Luckily, Radical knew that the only way around the monotony was to ramp it to excess, and P2 certainly has no qualms about painting the scenery in blood and guts.
And I mean, literally looking around after any fight tends to be an exercise in biology, and blood, muscle, mutated parts, limbs and general viscera are everywhere. You'll fight soldiers, mutants, giant tentacles and more, and although attack patterns vary from battle to battle, the basic idea of making a terrible nuisance of yourself cannot be understated. And a good thing too, as in terms of powers and abilities, you start overpowered and simply ramp up from there.
Beginning with some very nifty claws, Heller's rage is channelled through his need to behave like a puppy in a loo paper factory, and completing story missions and side quests unlock upgrades within several classes, as well as a plethora of new moves. You'll soon have a mental set of whippy tentacles, which can be used to create a black hole effect in enemies, or a spinning, scythe-like blade for decimating waves of soldiers in a flashing, cyclonic tornado of death. Failing that, you can simply pick enemies up and absorb them for health or skills. The absorption can also be used for a bit of stealthy sneaking about too, although don't rely on it, as it never takes too long before alarms sound and you'll be forced into heavy combat again.
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There's a lot to fault about Prototype, and its repetitive nature and shallow gameplay don't really offer much variance there's some collection side quests to be completed which add maybe a couple of hours to proceedings, but in truth, it's one long fight, move, fight, move, hide, fight, move sequence from beginning to end. And yet, it's utterly engaging there's something about being elbow deep in enemies, throwing your weight around and making a mess that doesn't seem to get old, and the meathead nature of the gameplay is strongly complimented by the presentation. And in a world of sandbox gaming which seems to get more serious with every GTA, it makes a nice second alternative to the OTT proceedings of Saints Row. And if nothing else, rent it for weekend, get some beers in, and simply enjoy tooling about a blood soaked landscape being a bit of a dick to everyone you meet.
The Good: Inventively violent; limited array of enemy types used to good effect; engaging, yet very OTT, storyline; addictive, destructive and a lot of fun
The Bad: Very samey; not a very deep environment; doesn't take itself seriously; limited replay; not a lot to do outside of the main missions
YARS posted on May 18, 2012 15:41
I have been waiting for this one. Oh and it's free! Tighten up that straitjacket, because players are about to have some INSANELY good times in Arkham Asylum, the new FREE map for Gotham City Impostors available now in the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace and PlayStation®Network. It will be available for Windows PC in the near future.
Gotham City Impostors is a download only title that is available for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 and Windows PC. The latest updates and news can be found at www.GothamCityImpostors.com.
Gotham City Impostors is an original first-person shooter where up to 12 players battle for control of an unhinged Gotham City overrun by impostors inspired by the DC Comics characters Batman and The Joker. Players can engage in deliriously fast paced, uniquely vertical, and completely unconventional urban warfare where progress supports leveling up and access to a mind-boggling array of customization options. Fans can unlock new Bats or Jokerz Impostor costumes and build their own specific load-out from a huge assortment of traditional and homebrew weaponry, equipment, and perks. Gadgets such as the Glider Rig, Grappling Hook, and Spring Boots give gamers unprecedented mobility options, while support items like the Bear Trap, Boomerang, and Body Armor open up new tactical options. The game features maps and modes inspired by DC Comics’ Batman license.
Keywords: map, gotham, city, asylum, arkham
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YARS posted on May 18, 2012 09:05
Today CCP Games is proud to announce that players can register for beta access to its upcoming free-to-play first person shooter, DUST 514, set to launch later this year exclusively on PlayStation® 3. The registration page is now live and players can register at http://www.dust514.com/beta.
DUST 514 is one of the most anticipated titles of 2012, and CCP is ready to accept sign ups from fans and gamers eagerly awaiting their chance to try out the revolutionary shooter. If accepted, beta registrants will be notified with an email invitation and instructions on how to access the beta. Thousands of players have already been able to experience DUST 514 during its closed beta, and CCP is beginning to let limited numbers of players join the action. Select players from CCP’s MMO EVE Online will gain entry into the DUST 514 beta this week, as well as all those who attended the EVE Fanfest convention in Iceland this past March. The beta will continue to expand throughout the summer, and CCP will discuss more details at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
DUST 514 brings intense infantry combat, large scale warfare and rich character advancement to the PlayStation®3 in a system-exclusive free-to-play persistent shooter set in, and integrated with, the massive universe of EVE Online. Wage war in the next generation of first person shooters, where your next victory could prove the crushing blow to a galactic empire of thousands of online gamers.
DUST 514 is set to launch in 2012, exclusively on PlayStation3. For more information visit www.dust514.com and follow DUST 514 on Facebook and Twitter (@dust514).
Keywords: dust, beta, taking, applications, players
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YARS posted on May 17, 2012 10:59
Prepare for some rather chaotic star wars
In space, no one can here you scream is a well known catchphrase that the creators of
Starhawk never even heard. In space, tons of psychopaths are happy to hear you howl in pain from being laden with bullets, whimper as vehicles with Megatron capabilities fly through your face and breath an unexpected last breath as buildings land on your head. The universe has got a whole lot deadlier, and it seems that the Earth's population is out to kill you in some of the most ridiculous ways possible.
Spiritual successor to
WarHawk,
Starhawk loosely follows the exploits of Emmett Graves, a mercenary caught in the midst of a universe clawing over corpses for a universal fuel known as 'Rift Energy'. A highly prized resource on one side of the coin, a devilish disease that turns humans into twisted beings known as 'Outcasts' on the other, Emmett's near-fatal encounter with an over dose of the twisted energy nearly pushed him over the edge. The plot tries to connect you with the tortured protagonist, however all you really need to know is he seems to have one of the most awesome jobs in the galaxy; shooting scum and building highly fortified compounds in a blink of an eye.
The story is a nice change of pace from the standard 'Take over the world' fare sci-fi usually forces us to fight through, but it's quickly forgettable. Emmett isn't a dislikeable character and comic inspired cut-scenes document events well, it's just that the plot never really finds a dramatic spark. An optimist would say the 5 hour single-player campaign is a comprehensive tutorial rather than a rather puny mode lacking in content. It's certainly a good introduction to the laws of
Starhawk, but after even a quick dabble against the Earth in online battles soon proves that this game was made to be played with others.
When chucked into battle, you're forced to get gung-ho as if it's second nature to any third protagonist, and you're usually cast onto barren wastelands that span what seems like miles. Due to the bare nature of the battlefields however, you're not encouraged to storm into areas on foot, leaving headquarters desolate for ages. The real trick up your sleeve is
Starhawk's 'Build 'N' Battle' system, a feature 'Lego' really need to implement in future for lazy kids. Pretty much anywhere, at any time, you can call in air support to drop an entire fortification on your position. Need a quick sniping solution? Instantly place a sniping tower at your feet. Need transportation to the enemy base? Set up a garage in seconds. Persistent enemy giving you grief? Call in a landing pad...to land on them.
A respectable new take on third-person shooters
The emphasis on construction based improvisation means that each match tests both conventional player skill and how well they adapt to an ever changing map. It quickly tips your conventional multi-player logic on its head when you're arsenal doesn't consist of insane weapons, but structures and some rather devious tactics that can alter the battle rapidly.
As online fights can host up to 32 players, there's always a miniature battlefield forming either on land or in the air, and your ability to cater battlefields to your liking means you're always near an invitation to battle. Bring a gun to a robot/aircraft fight however, and things usually end pretty poorly, forcing you to leave behind nothing but a Darwin award. Gather enough energy, however, and you can afford your own terrain tearing jeep or even better, robot come aircraft transformers known as Hawks.
There's a supreme sense of childish joy each and every time your walking tank transforms into a fighter jet. Flying controls are smooth, but you really have to amass a large amount of players in a dogfight to truly appreciate the use of all the power ups your vehicle can obtain. With a lack of players taking you on, the simplicity of the aerial based gameplay takes hold, and it's the only factor that can really ever so slightly bother you. The combat doesn't exactly wow, the RTS elements are extremely basic, and if any factor was left to stand alone then it would quiver and tremble like a deer caught in combine harvester headlights. Together however, they blend brilliantly well to present a blisteringly well balanced game of brains and brawn that doesn't let-up.
The ever changing war-zones are ridiculously bewildering to newcomers, but that's also part of their charm. Forcing you to think outside the box with the arsenals available, some may find the test of improvisational skills. The single player teaches you the basics of the game, but the A.I. is no where as devious as other players can be, and another reason why you won't return to single player in a hurry. As there are no in-game commands, it really is advisable that you enter the universe with a microphone handy. Those who wish to boss others around without one can play in split-screen, but the need to converse with team-mates isn't just for tactical purposes, but to learn how you can utilise the 'Build 'n' Battle' system in your favour. The sheer chaos of the battlefield generates this survival of the fittest attitude, and working with others quickly teaches you this. Stumble in on your own however, and it can take a while to really use such tactics to your advantage. It's still enjoyable to learn that you can set-up tactical forts and smash someone to pieces simply by aiming a respawn pod at them, it's just a slower and occasionally disjointed process.
A enigmatic third person shooter and RTS hybrid,
Starhawk may seem light on content, but there's hours of multi-player madness to take advantage of here. It's a shame that the defence focused campaign is as thin as the o-zone layer, as there are plenty of set pieces that would relish in taking advantage of the frenzied tactics you can implement online, but it's all the more reason to get hooked into the vastly layered multi-player modes. A respectable new take on third-person shooters, those who are looking for a fresh online battlefield to rule over and challenge more muscles than the trigger finger should definitely declare war on
Starhawk.
The Good: Engrossing and chaotic multi-player, Tons of unlockables for those who end up starting a career online, Pleasantly mixes both third person shooter and RTS mechanics well
The Bad: Incredibly basic campaign, Newcomers to online are forced to learn the underhanded tactics by themselves for a long time