By now I am sure that most Batman fans are safely in media and internet lock-down until Friday, in case they read a spoiler. Although, before you go into self imposed blackout, you should really check out this re-cut version of the Dark Knight Rise trailer using footage from both of Rocksteady's awesome Batman games.
Someone over at CVG has too much time on their hands, and thank god he has.
Well, that's it... now go into lock-down before you find out the Catwoman is Bruce Wayne's sister.
Dammit!
Showing posts with label arkham city. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arkham city. Show all posts
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Friday, 20 April 2012
Batman Arkham City - Harley's getting a new toy!
Earlier this month, details leaked out that there was going to be more DLC for our game of the year 2011, Batman: Arkham City.
The DLC is said to include Harley Quinn and Robin as playable characters in an expansion of the events after the main Arkham City storyline. New Trophies and Achievements have also been listed on the internet, suggesting that this could quite a meaty expansion.
Lost Property - No crimefighter should be without this
Breaking and Entering - Find a way into the secret base
How's It Hanging? - Clean up the Dry Docks
The Last Laugh - The joke's on who?
Frequent Flyer - Zip Kick 3 different thugs
Battering Ram - Shield Bash 5 different thugs
Snap To It - Snap Flash an unarmed thug, an armed thug, an environmental object and a Titan
Bomb Squad - Defuse all bombs in 3 minutes or less
A Few New Tricks - Use 5 different Quickfire gadgets in one fight as Robin in Harley Quinn's Revenge
Party's Over - Destroy all Harley Balloons
Well, today Rocksteady have posted this single image on their Facebook and Twitter feeds. Simply called Harley Silo Hammer.
The DLC is said to include Harley Quinn and Robin as playable characters in an expansion of the events after the main Arkham City storyline. New Trophies and Achievements have also been listed on the internet, suggesting that this could quite a meaty expansion.
Lost Property - No crimefighter should be without this
Breaking and Entering - Find a way into the secret base
How's It Hanging? - Clean up the Dry Docks
The Last Laugh - The joke's on who?
Frequent Flyer - Zip Kick 3 different thugs
Battering Ram - Shield Bash 5 different thugs
Snap To It - Snap Flash an unarmed thug, an armed thug, an environmental object and a Titan
Bomb Squad - Defuse all bombs in 3 minutes or less
A Few New Tricks - Use 5 different Quickfire gadgets in one fight as Robin in Harley Quinn's Revenge
Party's Over - Destroy all Harley Balloons
Well, today Rocksteady have posted this single image on their Facebook and Twitter feeds. Simply called Harley Silo Hammer.
Looks like everyone's favourite bad girl is about to have a very good time!
Now, where is that Arkham City coming to PS Vita announcement! Come on!
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Batman Arkham City - Challenge Map Pack and more
The Arkham City - Challenge map pack has been released today containing the incredible Joker's Carnival map. The amazing "weakest link" inspired beat down bonanza, that I played earlier in the year at the Rocksteady Community event. This map alone is worth the price of the pack alone. Also, though you also have access to the VIP Iceburg lounge map from the collectors edition and a brand new map, The Batcave. Xbox 360 users can get the pack from here...
Also today, as a thank you to the fans of Arkham City. You can also get a brand new Batman skin based on Batman Incorporated, for FREE!
Also today, as a thank you to the fans of Arkham City. You can also get a brand new Batman skin based on Batman Incorporated, for FREE!
Monday, 31 October 2011
Batman: Arkham City - Review
In 2009, Rocksteady Games gave us Arkham Asylum. It was the first decent stab at a Batman game ever and it was the first chance gamers had to actually be Batman. Any previous attempts to capture the dark knight had focused solely on the caped crusader's fighting prowess. This usually ended up in sub par beat em ups and rubbish tie ins of poor movies (Batman Forever).
Arkham Asylum not only gave Batman the combat skills, but also the stealth and detective skills that were missing from other takes of the Bat.
Fast Forward to 2011, present day and Rocksteady have released the sequel, Arkham City. Arkham City takes place two years after the Asylum incident. The warden of Arkham is now the Mayor of Gotham. His first act of office was to turn the slums of Gotham into a massive city prison, housing both the inmates from asylum and Blackgate Prison. In charge of this chaos, Hugo Strange, a man with a dark past and a secret. With his Tyger Security force guarding the perimeter wall, no one gets in or out unless Strange wants it.
So sets the scene for one the biggest games of the year and easily a contender for my personal game of the year. Rocksteady have really upped their game for this title. Batman now can glide through the sky, dive bombing down onto unsuspecting thugs below. He can also grapple from rooftop to rooftop with more ease than Spider-man. Traversing the city is incredible. It was the one thing missing from the previous game and its addition completes the experience. This isn't a beat em up, adventure game, third person puzzler. It's a Bruce Wayne simulator!
Freeflow combat is back again. This system made a reflex challenged, no coordination monkey like me, look pretty cool in a fight. This time the animations are beyond incredible. There is a new multiple counter system in place, so that you can counter two or three thugs at a time. Gadgets are now easily accessed in combat, from batarangs to explosive gel. The blending system is the real star, making for fights with ten or twenty goons, some of them very stunning sequences not only in gaming, but films also.
Bat has access to lots of new gadgets, some of them enhancements from the previous game. The one I have a soft spot for is the simple smoke pellet. To be able to drop smoke into a crowd, glide in, take down as many hoods as you can and then grapple out to leave one terrified thug as the smoke clears is pure Batman.
The improvements don't stop there, but not for our hero's best interest. Thugs now have access to thermal imaging googles, so that they can see you hiding in the shadows above them. They have jamming packs to prevent you from using your detective mode. Once panicked though, armed thugs will start shooting out of the vantage points to prevent you from attacking from above. All of these additions improve the stealth sections of the game and provide a new challenge for the player.
In Arkham City, the Cryptograph scanner returns and has seen changes to the way it is used. These changes are subtle and don't really change this aspect of the game as it already worked so well. Detective mode is also back and has seen an overhaul, not only in what it can do, but additionally, in the way it can be used. Some people have commented in the past that there wasn't an incentive to set it off in the first game. This has been taken into consideration for this game. When in detective mode, it is now a lot harder to see the environment around you. The people show up clearly, but the buildings and alleys are blurred out. Plus as this is an open world game, you lose all of the navigation display, making it impossible to get to waypoints on the map (shown as Batsignals, Cool!).
The Rogue's gallery has increased and most of Batman'greatest adversaries are present in the city. Joker and Harley Quinn are there, but Mr J. has hit upon hard times since his massive Titan overdose at the end of the last game. Joining him in the never ending turf war in the city prison is Two-Face, Penguin and Poison Ivy. Also, Mr. Freeze, Bane, Zsazz, Killer Croc, Deadshot and Solomon Grundy are but a few of the others who pop in up in some capacity. The Riddler returns and is seeking revenge for Batman solving his Asylum. Riddler has taken several hostages and placed them in the middle of lethal traps. The only way to save the hostages is for Batman to solve the challenges left all over the city.
The main story can be interrupted with a number of side missions. A pay phone rings and if you find the phone, you end up talking to Zsazz who threatens to murder one of the political prisoners if you don't track him down in time. There are also Augmented Reality challenges that take the form of Pilotwings-esque flight challenges. So there is definitely plenty of things to occupy the Caped Crusaders time in the city.
The game looks gorgeous, with the true star of the game being Arkham City itself. Each section of the city shows elements of the villain in charge. Ivy's buildings are covered in her vines, whilst Jokers has turned a steel mill into a twisted carnival funhouse. In the midst of all this, the events take place during a cold winter in Gotham. Snow falls through the sky constantly adding such an amazing atmosphere to the world.
I cannot write this review without mentioning the superb work of the voice cast. Another fantastic performance from Mark Hamill as The Joker. Kevin Conroy is the definitive Batman and Nolan North moves away from Mr Drake and voiced The Penguin with a cockney menace.
Challenge maps return, this time with more options built into them. Additional characters Catwoman and Robin also have their own objectives and stealth maps. Nightwing has been announced for release too and there maybe also be more characters coming? (please?)
To put it simply, this is the best Batman game ever made. In fact, it is the best super hero game ever made. It sure was worth the wait, and here's hoping a third title will start development soon.
Verdict: 10 out of 10 (My Game of the Year)
Arkham Asylum not only gave Batman the combat skills, but also the stealth and detective skills that were missing from other takes of the Bat.
So sets the scene for one the biggest games of the year and easily a contender for my personal game of the year. Rocksteady have really upped their game for this title. Batman now can glide through the sky, dive bombing down onto unsuspecting thugs below. He can also grapple from rooftop to rooftop with more ease than Spider-man. Traversing the city is incredible. It was the one thing missing from the previous game and its addition completes the experience. This isn't a beat em up, adventure game, third person puzzler. It's a Bruce Wayne simulator!
Freeflow combat is back again. This system made a reflex challenged, no coordination monkey like me, look pretty cool in a fight. This time the animations are beyond incredible. There is a new multiple counter system in place, so that you can counter two or three thugs at a time. Gadgets are now easily accessed in combat, from batarangs to explosive gel. The blending system is the real star, making for fights with ten or twenty goons, some of them very stunning sequences not only in gaming, but films also.
Bat has access to lots of new gadgets, some of them enhancements from the previous game. The one I have a soft spot for is the simple smoke pellet. To be able to drop smoke into a crowd, glide in, take down as many hoods as you can and then grapple out to leave one terrified thug as the smoke clears is pure Batman.
The improvements don't stop there, but not for our hero's best interest. Thugs now have access to thermal imaging googles, so that they can see you hiding in the shadows above them. They have jamming packs to prevent you from using your detective mode. Once panicked though, armed thugs will start shooting out of the vantage points to prevent you from attacking from above. All of these additions improve the stealth sections of the game and provide a new challenge for the player.
In Arkham City, the Cryptograph scanner returns and has seen changes to the way it is used. These changes are subtle and don't really change this aspect of the game as it already worked so well. Detective mode is also back and has seen an overhaul, not only in what it can do, but additionally, in the way it can be used. Some people have commented in the past that there wasn't an incentive to set it off in the first game. This has been taken into consideration for this game. When in detective mode, it is now a lot harder to see the environment around you. The people show up clearly, but the buildings and alleys are blurred out. Plus as this is an open world game, you lose all of the navigation display, making it impossible to get to waypoints on the map (shown as Batsignals, Cool!).
The Rogue's gallery has increased and most of Batman'greatest adversaries are present in the city. Joker and Harley Quinn are there, but Mr J. has hit upon hard times since his massive Titan overdose at the end of the last game. Joining him in the never ending turf war in the city prison is Two-Face, Penguin and Poison Ivy. Also, Mr. Freeze, Bane, Zsazz, Killer Croc, Deadshot and Solomon Grundy are but a few of the others who pop in up in some capacity. The Riddler returns and is seeking revenge for Batman solving his Asylum. Riddler has taken several hostages and placed them in the middle of lethal traps. The only way to save the hostages is for Batman to solve the challenges left all over the city.
The main story can be interrupted with a number of side missions. A pay phone rings and if you find the phone, you end up talking to Zsazz who threatens to murder one of the political prisoners if you don't track him down in time. There are also Augmented Reality challenges that take the form of Pilotwings-esque flight challenges. So there is definitely plenty of things to occupy the Caped Crusaders time in the city.
The game looks gorgeous, with the true star of the game being Arkham City itself. Each section of the city shows elements of the villain in charge. Ivy's buildings are covered in her vines, whilst Jokers has turned a steel mill into a twisted carnival funhouse. In the midst of all this, the events take place during a cold winter in Gotham. Snow falls through the sky constantly adding such an amazing atmosphere to the world.
I cannot write this review without mentioning the superb work of the voice cast. Another fantastic performance from Mark Hamill as The Joker. Kevin Conroy is the definitive Batman and Nolan North moves away from Mr Drake and voiced The Penguin with a cockney menace.
Challenge maps return, this time with more options built into them. Additional characters Catwoman and Robin also have their own objectives and stealth maps. Nightwing has been announced for release too and there maybe also be more characters coming? (please?)
To put it simply, this is the best Batman game ever made. In fact, it is the best super hero game ever made. It sure was worth the wait, and here's hoping a third title will start development soon.
Verdict: 10 out of 10 (My Game of the Year)
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Batman: Arkham City - Nightwing is coming
Rocksteady announced yesterday the first piece of DLC for Arkham City. The Nightwing pack is out November 1st (next tuesday) and looks like all kinds of kick ass awesome. Here is the proof!
Nightwing is of course Dick Grayson, the original Robin. All grown up and out on his own, he may also have the coolest Super-Hero outfit ever.
So, there is another reason to stop me from finishing the Arkham City review. Its coming... sometime...well, before Christmas.
Nightwing is of course Dick Grayson, the original Robin. All grown up and out on his own, he may also have the coolest Super-Hero outfit ever.
So, there is another reason to stop me from finishing the Arkham City review. Its coming... sometime...well, before Christmas.
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Arkham City / Rocksteady Community Event
Anyway.. I had given up hope until, late Monday afternoon a tweet arrived saying "@Technoslash WINNER! please dm us your email address". Within seconds I had replied to the message, arranged time off and phoned Two Little Gamers HQ to inform them of my good luck.
So I set off this morning on the train to London. This gave me the first ever chance to play on my 3DS on the commute in. Results: Do not play Fifa 12 in 3D whilst standing on a moving train - It really screws your head.
Anyway I got off the train and took a quick walk down to Warner Bros HQ. to join the other lucky BatFans (sorry) and Sarah, the community manager for Rocksteady (and she of 62-hit combo fame from EG Expo).
The good news from the off was that there were cupcakes... and a bar!
Once we all took our seats in the screening room, where Arkham City was playing on a very large cinema screen, we were treated to an introduction to the Jokers Carnival map (only available at present at Tescos). We were going to be competing on this map for serious swag later on!
The premise of the map is that the Joker is throwing endless waves of thugs for you to pummel. The thugs get harder and stronger as you progress. To add a little more spice to the mix, you also only get two minutes to pummel them. The only way to increase your time is to gather points via your Freeflow combo, which builds up to 5 levels. By banking at the right time, you can get a score bonus and time added back onto the countdown timer.
So, basically, this challenge map is the ass kicking equivalent of The Weakest Link. I did suggest to Rocksteady that they should approach the BBC to see if Anne Robinson would be up for this. Here's hoping!
After this taster, we went straight into a meeting of the staff members of Rocksteady who explained why they were there and their role in the studio and development process. Next, straight into really great and indepth Q&A sessions with the various departments. It truly was a fantastic insight into the whole development process. It was really great to see that after 4 years of working on Batman games, they were all so passionate about what they were doing and still psyched to be playing the fruits of their labour.
Also on offer outside of the screening room was the Cupcakes I mentioned before and Vodka flavored Ice lollies. This is where I realised that I had made a mistake... I had to go to work afterwards and couldn't sample all of the ice lollies. However, several demo rigs had been set-up so that we could get to grips with the Joker map and also get some time to chat to the developers, so I ignored the Vodka lollies and concentrated on geeking out on the demo rigs.
Practice makes perfect right?... wrong! My practice session saw me getting consistently worse. The chances of me getting up in front of a small cinema of gaming super heroes was looking less and less likely. Thankfully though I took comfort from the stories from Higgins, one of Rocksteady's internal QA testers. He was only able to score over a million on the Joker map once out of every five goes and his high score was only FOUR MILLION! Gulp!
Before the big competition commenced, there was an awesome Q and A session on the opening sequence for Arkham City and the process of creating the flow of it and also some of things I had missed first time around, like this guy watching from the rooftops as you enter Arkham City.
Finally though, the time came to fight it out for the three Collectors Editions for the three highest scores. After the initial few people had more than proved themselves, I actually took to the stage and selected Robin and gave it a go. I got around 11,500 before Robin croaked and I got some swag for my effort - The Arkham City soundtrack. I knew some of the bands on it as well!, so I must still be cool and down with the kids!!
All in all, a great day, great people and a great community! Huge thanks to @rocksteadygames and @rikkusarah for organising such a fantastic event and I look forward to the event for Batman: Arkham ???
Friday, 21 October 2011
HAPPY ARKHAM CITY DAY!!!
Its Finally here... the big BAT-DAY!
So, while I sit here trying to pretend to do work whilst waiting for lunch, so I can pick up my pre-order.
Here's possibly the best videogame commercial ever. (sorry EVAR!)
So, while I sit here trying to pretend to do work whilst waiting for lunch, so I can pick up my pre-order.
Here's possibly the best videogame commercial ever. (sorry EVAR!)
Friday, 14 October 2011
This time next week...
I cannot wait! Unfortunately due to the piracy community gameplay videos of the finished game are up on youtube. Due to my lack of will power I have watched the opening 20 minutes of the game. No spoilers here, but if you thought the opening to Arkham Asylum was good, this one will blow you away!
Roll on the 21st!
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
The Eurogamer Expo 2011 - Better Than Halo?
As I explained in earlier post I haven't been to any kind of computer related show or expo for over 15 years. That last show kind of resembled this...
A Computer boot sale cleverly disguised as a Consumer show. Mind you I made a killing on 3.5" Floppies that day!
Since then (thankfully), the cool brigade got into gaming and made our crummy shows of the past turn into razzmatazz entertainment Mecca's (not bingo). A place to see and play the newest games months before release. A place where game developers interact with the muggles.
Now as a Father and happily married man nearing 35...alright 38! I am expected to partake in middle class social rituals including dinner parties and such. At these events I can guarantee that I can kill the conversation between the other guys at the event by mentioning gaming. It's quite a talent, but not a very useful one. To be in a large building filled with gamers was a beautiful thing for me. It was like the mothership had come for me.
The show was incredible, I didn't play nearly enough games. but I spent the whole day wandering from stand to stand, whilst frantically trying to keep my 3DS from going into social meltdown. 47 street pass hits in one day! That's the Puzzle Quest done as well.
What about the games though? The big attractions were Batman: Arkham City, The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, Star Wars: The Old Republic and Battlefield 3 Vs Modern Warfare 3. I didn't play any of these games as I am not great at queuing.
The first game I did get a chance to play was Tintin on the PS3. I think this was the hidden gem of the whole show. Beautiful animation and art work keeps the game very faithful to the original comic books. Plus I have secretly always wanted to smack snooty butlers with a beach ball!
Dark Souls and Rage are going head to head next week. Whilst Rage looked incredible on the consoles, I can't help but get the feeling its all a bit Borderlands. Plus the post apocalyptic / Mad Max thing doesn't really grab me. Rage will have to go on the Christmas List of games.
Dark Souls (the spiritual successor to the PS3 exclusive Demon Souls) though is right down my street. I had sit down with it and it was not only gorgeous to look at the gameplay is right on the button. I died quickly though... twice. Walking around the demo pods, it was incredible to see how the character on each one has developed over the course of the demo. Different armours and weapons give different fighting styles.
I am sure this game is going to make me swear like a sailor and in months time I made of changed my tune about it. Right now though, this game looks amazing.
The Nintendo 3DS bandwagon was at full speed. On offer was Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, Kid Icarus, Driver: Renegade, Metal Gear Solid 3D and Resident Evil Revelations. Mario Kart 7 is exactly what you would expect from the latest in the series. The game looks better than the Wii version and it is nice and quick. The 3D seemed to be toned back again, similar to Starfox. The gameplay was fast and smooth, so I think that's why the 3D is dialled down.
Mario 3D was good and I think the final game will be pretty much an insta-buy. I only played one demo level and liked the way the level changed the perspective as it went along. I felt a little disappointed with the game, but that is because I really want to see a sequel to Super Mario Sunshine on the 3DS.
Metal Gear Solid 3D was confusing and difficult to get grips with. Using the face buttons as a wannabe second stick never worked on the PSP and it doesn't work here. Here's hoping that Nintendo's circle pad add on will be supported by MGS 3D as it really needs it.
The jewel in the 3DS crown has to be Resident Evil: Revelations. The game is gorgeous, the 3D incredible and its a great return to the more traditional Resident Evil game after the action based 4 and 5. I managed to play a demo where someone had already killed most of the monsters, so I had to let Jill die to start again, which lead to her having her face sucked off by a large Sea Urchin-Zombie/Man. The new sea urchin based monsters are gross and the animations are really disgusting. Lots of the old Resident Evil scares are back. Monsters jumping out of locked closets when you go back into a room. Someone next to me actually let out a little scream whilst playing the demo (it wasn't me!).
Now I didn't actually play either Modern Warfare 3 or Battlefield 3, but from what I saw running on the consoles, Battlefield 3 is looking the better game. The Frostbite 2 engine is really shining here the demo single player level on offer on the show floor was fantastic. A quiet start and then all hell breaks loose and at no point does it lose its cinematic quality. I am sure that I am biased towards BF3, but it offers so much more than MW3. Vehicles, destructible environments and one of the most impressive visuals and lighting of this generation. A look at the PC version however, takes it into next generation territory.
Before I mention Forza 4, look at this...
That's a photo I took of someone playing the demo. I have not enhanced the photo at all that is straight off the screen. It looks so damn real! Forza 4 is just that, its Forza 3 but more real. The cars look stunning and the track detail has seen a overhaul. Far too many people using assisted braking though!
Batman: Arkham City was the game of the show. The demo was incredible. The Developer session with Rocksteady was fantastic and a great taster for the retail release on 21st Oct. Everything that made Arkham Asylum such a fantastic game is back and tweaked that little bit more. Free flow combat is now able to utilise the gadgets to a greater degree. Watching Rocksteady's community manager dishing out a beating to 4 waves of thugs as Catwoman was a great demonstration of the combat. Apart from the 62 hit free flow combo (WOW!). Catwoman was also easily able to utilise her whip and other gadgets to change the combat to her advantage.
The open world nature of the game has enhanced the sensation of feeling like Batman. Gliding across the section of Gotham you are now able to use the zip line during flight to grab on to buildings and objects. Rocksteady have taken a new approach with the Riddler challenges and turned them into something out of Saw. This is an inspired move as it makes perfect sense that the Riddler is very much like Jigsaw from those movies. Game of the year? I certainly hope so.
Eurogamer Expo was fantastic and a great day out for a gaming Dad. Definitely going next year twice... once for me and once for the little gamers. A big thanks to everyone at Eurogamer and everyone involved.
Definitely better than Halo. 9/10
A Computer boot sale cleverly disguised as a Consumer show. Mind you I made a killing on 3.5" Floppies that day!
Since then (thankfully), the cool brigade got into gaming and made our crummy shows of the past turn into razzmatazz entertainment Mecca's (not bingo). A place to see and play the newest games months before release. A place where game developers interact with the muggles.
Now as a Father and happily married man nearing 35...alright 38! I am expected to partake in middle class social rituals including dinner parties and such. At these events I can guarantee that I can kill the conversation between the other guys at the event by mentioning gaming. It's quite a talent, but not a very useful one. To be in a large building filled with gamers was a beautiful thing for me. It was like the mothership had come for me.
The show was incredible, I didn't play nearly enough games. but I spent the whole day wandering from stand to stand, whilst frantically trying to keep my 3DS from going into social meltdown. 47 street pass hits in one day! That's the Puzzle Quest done as well.
What about the games though? The big attractions were Batman: Arkham City, The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, Star Wars: The Old Republic and Battlefield 3 Vs Modern Warfare 3. I didn't play any of these games as I am not great at queuing.
The first game I did get a chance to play was Tintin on the PS3. I think this was the hidden gem of the whole show. Beautiful animation and art work keeps the game very faithful to the original comic books. Plus I have secretly always wanted to smack snooty butlers with a beach ball!
Dark Souls and Rage are going head to head next week. Whilst Rage looked incredible on the consoles, I can't help but get the feeling its all a bit Borderlands. Plus the post apocalyptic / Mad Max thing doesn't really grab me. Rage will have to go on the Christmas List of games.
Dark Souls (the spiritual successor to the PS3 exclusive Demon Souls) though is right down my street. I had sit down with it and it was not only gorgeous to look at the gameplay is right on the button. I died quickly though... twice. Walking around the demo pods, it was incredible to see how the character on each one has developed over the course of the demo. Different armours and weapons give different fighting styles.
I am sure this game is going to make me swear like a sailor and in months time I made of changed my tune about it. Right now though, this game looks amazing.
The Nintendo 3DS bandwagon was at full speed. On offer was Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, Kid Icarus, Driver: Renegade, Metal Gear Solid 3D and Resident Evil Revelations. Mario Kart 7 is exactly what you would expect from the latest in the series. The game looks better than the Wii version and it is nice and quick. The 3D seemed to be toned back again, similar to Starfox. The gameplay was fast and smooth, so I think that's why the 3D is dialled down.
Mario 3D was good and I think the final game will be pretty much an insta-buy. I only played one demo level and liked the way the level changed the perspective as it went along. I felt a little disappointed with the game, but that is because I really want to see a sequel to Super Mario Sunshine on the 3DS.
Metal Gear Solid 3D was confusing and difficult to get grips with. Using the face buttons as a wannabe second stick never worked on the PSP and it doesn't work here. Here's hoping that Nintendo's circle pad add on will be supported by MGS 3D as it really needs it.
The jewel in the 3DS crown has to be Resident Evil: Revelations. The game is gorgeous, the 3D incredible and its a great return to the more traditional Resident Evil game after the action based 4 and 5. I managed to play a demo where someone had already killed most of the monsters, so I had to let Jill die to start again, which lead to her having her face sucked off by a large Sea Urchin-Zombie/Man. The new sea urchin based monsters are gross and the animations are really disgusting. Lots of the old Resident Evil scares are back. Monsters jumping out of locked closets when you go back into a room. Someone next to me actually let out a little scream whilst playing the demo (it wasn't me!).
Now I didn't actually play either Modern Warfare 3 or Battlefield 3, but from what I saw running on the consoles, Battlefield 3 is looking the better game. The Frostbite 2 engine is really shining here the demo single player level on offer on the show floor was fantastic. A quiet start and then all hell breaks loose and at no point does it lose its cinematic quality. I am sure that I am biased towards BF3, but it offers so much more than MW3. Vehicles, destructible environments and one of the most impressive visuals and lighting of this generation. A look at the PC version however, takes it into next generation territory.
Before I mention Forza 4, look at this...
That's a photo I took of someone playing the demo. I have not enhanced the photo at all that is straight off the screen. It looks so damn real! Forza 4 is just that, its Forza 3 but more real. The cars look stunning and the track detail has seen a overhaul. Far too many people using assisted braking though!
Batman: Arkham City was the game of the show. The demo was incredible. The Developer session with Rocksteady was fantastic and a great taster for the retail release on 21st Oct. Everything that made Arkham Asylum such a fantastic game is back and tweaked that little bit more. Free flow combat is now able to utilise the gadgets to a greater degree. Watching Rocksteady's community manager dishing out a beating to 4 waves of thugs as Catwoman was a great demonstration of the combat. Apart from the 62 hit free flow combo (WOW!). Catwoman was also easily able to utilise her whip and other gadgets to change the combat to her advantage.The open world nature of the game has enhanced the sensation of feeling like Batman. Gliding across the section of Gotham you are now able to use the zip line during flight to grab on to buildings and objects. Rocksteady have taken a new approach with the Riddler challenges and turned them into something out of Saw. This is an inspired move as it makes perfect sense that the Riddler is very much like Jigsaw from those movies. Game of the year? I certainly hope so.
Eurogamer Expo was fantastic and a great day out for a gaming Dad. Definitely going next year twice... once for me and once for the little gamers. A big thanks to everyone at Eurogamer and everyone involved.
Definitely better than Halo. 9/10
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Eurogamer Expo
I am going to the Eurogamer Expo on Sunday. I genuinely very excited about attending. Not only do I hope to boost my Street Pass hits finally, but also because it is the first computer show I have been to in almost twenty years. I believe the last time I went to such an event it was a PC show, where I saw Wing Commander III running for the first time and I got a MB hard drive for the bargain price of £160.
By the looks of the set-up photos and the map I saw on twitter. I think I am in for a big surprise on Sunday. It all looks very cool and modern and classy. That last show I went to (which actually was at Earl's Court) was more akin to flea market for PC components.
So what I am looking forward to on Sunday...
Batman: Arkham City - The chance to get my hands on the caped one is reason enough for me to go.
Assassins Creed: Revelations - Another dose of Ezio always goes down well.
Battlefield 3 - Waiting to see what this plays like on the Xbox. Hoping for great things.
Binary Domain - Really want a look at this new title for next year.
Dark Souls - Want to see if this is my cup of tea or not. Hoping it is, as it is in a couple of weeks.
Forza 4 - Just because I want to play a game with Jeremy Clarkson in! (really!)
Nintendo 3DS Line Up - To see if I have wasted my money or not.
Skyrim - To try and get excited about it.
Also, to hang out with a crowd of gamers and hopefully make some new pals! Any other Daddy gamers going? if you are I will see you there.
By the looks of the set-up photos and the map I saw on twitter. I think I am in for a big surprise on Sunday. It all looks very cool and modern and classy. That last show I went to (which actually was at Earl's Court) was more akin to flea market for PC components.
So what I am looking forward to on Sunday...
Batman: Arkham City - The chance to get my hands on the caped one is reason enough for me to go.
Assassins Creed: Revelations - Another dose of Ezio always goes down well.
Battlefield 3 - Waiting to see what this plays like on the Xbox. Hoping for great things.
Binary Domain - Really want a look at this new title for next year.
Dark Souls - Want to see if this is my cup of tea or not. Hoping it is, as it is in a couple of weeks.
Forza 4 - Just because I want to play a game with Jeremy Clarkson in! (really!)
Nintendo 3DS Line Up - To see if I have wasted my money or not.
Skyrim - To try and get excited about it.
Also, to hang out with a crowd of gamers and hopefully make some new pals! Any other Daddy gamers going? if you are I will see you there.
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