E3 2012: Darksiders II hands-on

Death is a bad ass. Sure War was a bad ass as well, but this is a new kind of bad ass. A much more nimble bad ass that relies on quick attacks and dodges. But this wasn't the highlight of what was shown off during our Darksiders II hands-on. Oh no, it wasn't the fact that we got to take on a War doppelganger. It was loot. Yes! Loot!

During our demo, we got to play the very beginning of Darksiders II, which eased us into the story, that will run parallel to the first Darksiders, and War's journey of redemption. Death believes his brother is innocent, but rather than taking the higher road, Death goes through any measures possible to exonerate his brother.

But the loot! Yes, you'll battle tons of enemies as Death with his quick and nimble dual scythes that can connect at will, but the best part is that you'll be picking up tons of loot. From gloves, bracers, chest pieces and even weapons, you'll be picking up and equipping pieces of loot that also change Death's appearance. For those that love loot, this newly revealed feature is amazing.

The game's interface easily lets you compare what you're currently wearing with what's lying on the floor. The stats that are better will either shine green if they're better, red if they're worse, or white if they're the same. This system keeps you in the game, without needing to go into your inventory to check whether the gloves you just picked up provide more protection than the ones you're rocking at the moment.

You're even able to pick up various weaponry that will then be assigned as your Y or Triangle button, letting you unleash very stylish combos. There are also various weapon classes ranging from extremely slow but powerful hammers and axes, or fast but weaker weapons like daggers.

We did inquire about the game's length and were assured that the regular game will feature about 20-25 hours worth of gameplay just for the story alone, but nearly double that amount if you're a completionist.

We were also told that the game's environment is way more expansive than in Darksiders, which means you'll have even more to explore this time around.

We loved what we saw today, and even though it was just the beginning sequence to the game, it was as action packed as ever, and we cannot wait to get our hands on Death's adventure later this year.

E3 2012: Dead Space 3 preview

EA’s Visceral Games is at it again with Dead Space 3.  I had the privilege to watch the demo today at E3.  In the third game of the series they are promising it will have more enemies, more weapons, and more bosses.  We can also expect to see Isaac in deep space and planet side.  The devs also assured us that this installment of Dead Space will answer fan questions about the nature of the necromorphs and the marker.

The demo started with Isaac hanging upside down after crash landing on an icy planet.  Our hero is instantly back into action fighting both necromorphs and a brand new enemy – humans.  Unitology soldiers have taken up arms to try to stop Isaac.  Fighting against humans means new types of gameplay elements for Dead Space players.  From what I saw, there will be cover, rolling, and new and improved AI.  If you’re asking yourself if Isaac will be able to use his kinetic powers to throw back grenades at enemies, you better believe he can.  The disturbing part about all this is that if the necromorphs take over a gun wielding enemy… you got yourself a sloppy gun wielding necromorph on your hands.   

Dead Space 3 will also come with a co-op function.  Not only that, but co-op works as a drop in/ drop out as well.  This wasn’t working during the demonstration, but I did see that the invite option is right in the menu during game play.  The other player takes the role of John Carver.  When playing single player, you don’t have to worry about that NPC tagging along though – DP3 will keep the single player gameplay the same as people who love the series know and love.

As someone who has loved the past Dead Space games, I have to say the graphics and the little story I’ve seen looks exciting.  The action is intense, the human combat is unlike other third person shooters, the AI is exciting, there are plenty of interactive cut scenes, and the game is chalk full of bosses. 

My concern form the demo, is that the game might be taking on too much of an action role however.  While action isn’t bad, Dead Space has thrived as a horror game.  Necromorphs will continue to jump out, be large, disgusting, and terrifying, but I can see that fighting Unitology soldiers and the constant action take away the horror and overall environment of the game.  I have tons of hope for Dead Space 3, I just don’t want to see the series getting away from its roots.

E3 2012: End of Nations preview

With over three years of development, Trion has been working diligently on End of Nations.  This free to play game will bridge the Real Time Strategy genre with the MMO genre.  While keeping elements from classic RTS game modes, such as 1v1’s, 2v2’s, and so on… End of Nations can have up to 56 players in one match – 28v28.  When not playing against players, you can play vs AI and cooperatively with friends as well. This game wants to bring massive scale combat to your PC.

End of Nations will run on persistent servers.  You’ll be able to log in and out whenever and hop right back into what you were doing.  Currently there are two playable factions with plans to introduce many more in the future.  One faction is known as the Liberation Front.  This faction reminds me of the Command and Conquer’s GDI faction.  They have the big tanks and the big weapons.  The other faction, the Shadow Revolution, user the faster, stealth, hit and run tactics; similar to the NOD.  These two factions fight each other and the common enemy known as the Order of Nations.

The MMO aspect of the game comes in with your commanders.  These hero type troops have special abilities, unique combat vehicles, and gain experience.  This experience allows them to gain levels which allow them to put points in talent trees.  These trees allow more offensive game play, more defensive game play, and even allow you to take a more supportive role.  While you can have multiple commanders, only one can be on the battlefield at a time.

When you start, you will have a few premade companies to choose though but you can also create and customize your own.  When I say customize I do mean customize.  You can pick what commander to use, what units are in your company, the paint job of your units (bacon is an option), what support buildings you can have, and what abilities your commander can use.  Once you get more familiar, you can really make your companies exactly how you want them.

The gameplay works like an RTS without building management.  There are buildings that preexist which can be upgraded to allow better troops to constantly join the battlefield, but you don’t manage them.  In the game mode that was demoed to me, the player had to take two victory points to lower the enemy’s shield around their base and then crush them.  Say you win but three of your units get destroyed, after the battle they come back.  If you lose and all your units are destroyed, you get them all back at the end.  There are more rewards in winning than losing of course, but the game is very forgiving for losing with no major penalties. 

On the server you’re on, there is a meta game where your faction is battling the other for world dominance.  Every few weeks or months, one faction will win then reset.  There are rewards to all of those who participate; more to the winners.  The game has a few non-conventional RTS modes, such as capture the flag.  The devs are going to watch which games work and which are more popular to see where they should put their future time.  In End of Nations, the community will have a lot of sway.

As I said previously, this game will take on the free to play model and include micro-transactions.  Before you cringe, real money can never give you an advantage over your opponent.  The only aspects of the game that be bought with real money that can’t be bought with in game money are cosmetic things; the developers don’t won’t those dishing out money into the game to run around invincible.  On a personal note, I went from knowing nothing about this game to being highly excited for it.  I won’t have too much longer to wait.  I definitely recommend checking this game out, it’s free after all.

Wii U GamePad weighs ‘about one pound’

Heading into E3, there were a lot of questions surrounding Nintendo’s Wii U console and their tablet controller, now officially named “Wii U GamePad”.

Earlier in the week, Nintendo revealed the GamePad’s features and functionality which includes a touch screen, NFC  reader/writer, a TV control button, and much more. What we really wanted to know, however, couldn’t be answered watching the Nintendo press briefing.

How much does this giant Wii U GamePad weight and how does it feel in your hands?  After getting some hands-on time with it at Nintendo’s E3 booth, I am happy to report that the Wii U GamePad is incredibly light.  In fact, according to a Nintendo representative, it weighs “about one pound”.

I know it’s easy to hear “one pound” and think that’s heavy, but it’s actually really light and, despite its rectangular shape, quite comfortable in your hands.  The buttons aren’t awkward to press and the back of the GamePad is shaped to rest comfortably in your hands (well, mine at least).  Others, of course, may disagree, but I find the Wii U GamePad to be surprisingly lightweight and comfortable.

Sony aiming to sell 10 million PlayStation Vitas

Despite the current sales of the PlayStation Vita, Sony plans on selling 10 million units by March of 2013 says SCE CEO Andrew House in an interview with Rueters at E3.“The end-of-year holiday season is extremely important for handheld game consoles,” said House explaining how they would reach the sale of 10 million units.
The top titles being released for the PS Vita are Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation and Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified. As for any other titles that Sony is banking on to get them to 10 million by the end of the year fiscal year, we haven't really seen much. The E3 press conference spent little time on the Vita, focusing more on the PlayStation 3 titles like Beyond: Two Souls and The Last of Us. Although, House did say that they were going to 'strengthen' the online services of the Vita by adding Youtube and Hulu apps. In conjunction with the Holiday sales Sony believes that the release of the new white PS Vita model will help raise the sales.

Unfortunately, when asked about the next generation of the PlayStation House wouldn't budge.