Gameplay

Maybe you're new to Skylanders. Maybe you've been living under a rock for the past few years. This seemingly simple game and it's charming and irresistible set of figurines have taken the world by.. force. (First and last horrible pun, I promise.) While you may have been basking in the digital glow of the previous entries over the past few years, some have been anxiously awaiting this latest entry complete with a JUMP button! While first two entries never had a jump button, it feels oh so good to have it in the game now. Not only have controls been refined and tightened up, the overall feel and flow of the game is much more fluid. Apart from having a huge selection of normal Skylanders to choose from, you have the Giants and the new Swap characters. All of them are an absolute blast and as skeptical as I was heading into this third entry, I came away with a huge smile on my face. This is a game that the kiddies, their aunts, uncles and parents can enjoy as well. Co-op was a definite must and while arena battles are fun, the single player campaign took the prize as most fun. This isn't just a quick cash in, this is amazingly well improved entry in an already great series. Swap on!

The graphics are Swap-O-Licious in the latest entry of the series.

Graphics and Sound

Once again, while the previous entries of the Skylanders looked good enough in their own right depending on which system you were playing them on, the crew of Swap Force never looked better. Textures are sharper, models are more detailed, effects are actually gorgeous but overall, all vsync issues are gone and the world just looks and feels more alive. Also, for some reason, being able to jump just adds a lot to the environments and worlds of our fabled heroes and heroines. While some areas of the previous games looked downright drab, most of the varied worlds of this game look anywhere from great to absolutely gorgeous. Props to the developers and artists for upping the ante and not just cashing in.

Along with the visual portion of the game, the audio portion is near perfect. A lot of the same voice actors return but they sound like they have fit into their roles a lot more natural and dialogue isn't as stuttered as previous outtings. In fact, the dialogue and quips are hilarious and fiitting like a time warp back to Saturday Morning Cartoons we all grew up with and love (and miss) so dearly. From the music to the sound effects to the dialogue, this is a stellar audio package that is also an improvement from the earlier games.

Oh yeah! You done been swapped!

Fun

I had a lot of fun with both Skylanders and Giants, honestly I did. With Swap Force, I had an absolute blast. While the other games felt like a fresh and unique experience but a tad on the safe and boxed in side, Swap bursts out of the mold and into new light. With a huge case of characters both old and new, there is never a dull moment and whether you a pro gamer or just a beginner, there is something for everyone in this world on a disc. While your pocketbook may be hurting after collecting every figure you can get your hand on, your eyes, mind and heart will be content knowing that the wizards behind this series can keep pulling it off and making you very, very happy. For more info, check out the full product page HERE

How do you like that old, random mishmash of PC titles above us? Ahhh.. the memories of yesteryear. Well, nevermind that. Today we are here to feature some new and upcoming titles on or coming to a PC near year. There has never been a more exciting time to dive into the world of PC gaming whether you are diehard that upgrades their machine every two months or someone stuck with an older PC, there are tons of options. Behold..

SNOW

A snowboarding game built with the latest Crysis engine?! Yes please! Winter sports fans and sports game nuts, rejoice. Coming the lovely peaks of Sweden, Poppermost Productions is bringing a stunning, skiing and snowboarding that features a free, open world experience that has to be seen to be believed. Featuring stunning graphics and effects, with some sweet shredding, this game has our blood pumping. The best part? It's available on Steam Early Access and you can check it out HERE. Be sure to check out the trailer below as well.

GoD Factory: Wingmen

Sometimes, games have strange titles. Other times, games have strange titles with random capital letters as well. Most of those games sucks. GoD Factory doesn't. In fact, it's an amazing title that features a ton of ship tweaking, building and most important of all, fighting. It is a gorgeous game that deserves your time and attention if you are even remotely interested in space, space combat or anything sci fi. The best news? It just got Greenlit on Steam! So check out the trailer below and then go over to the page HERE. Spaceward Ho!

Final Exam

Coolest logo ever? I think so. Are you ready to kick some monster booty with some of the coolest, yet toughest characters ever? Well, fear not little gaming minions, Final Exam is coming November 5th. Hope you've studied up bashing, trashing, burning and maiming every monster in site. This game features a ton of cool weapons, combo moves and powerups that makes it rise and shine above most 2.5D brawlers out there. The graphics are sweet, the sound is awesome and the character design, smooth. Check out the Steam page HERE and once again, the trailer needs to be beheld. ENJOY!

The Beginning

Clear back in September of 1993, the world of games changed forever when the wizards at Cyan unleashed a unique and revolutionary juggernaut that captured the hearts and minds of many; Myst was the title. Not only did the game feature stunning pre-rendered graphics but integrated Quicktime video and some of the best (still) ambient sounds and music ever. Brother Rand and Robyn Miller went from a team who had worked on smaller exploratory titles to instant success. I have fond memories myself of seeing and hearing Myst on a friend's 486 computer, I was instantly hooked. While I sucked at the puzzles, the graphics, sound and music have stuck with me ever since. What is your favorite Myst memory? Let us know in the comments section below.

Myst was released for almost every system under the sun in the mid 90's, including the Phillips CDI. You owned a CDI, right? Right?!

Kickstarter and Looking Forward

This week here at Digital Hippos, to celebrate the new Cyan Kickstarter for Obduction, we are taking a look backwards, a look at Cyan today and a look forward into the exciting new projects that lay in store for all of us gamers. To start out, be sure to check out the current releases of Myst Masterpiece Edition on both Steam and GOG. They are the definitive version of the classic that will run on modern computers and operating systems. Dive in again or for the first time, to be enchanted by this detailed and amazing world created by Cyan. Tomorrow we'll be taking a look at the sweet little title realMyst for those who want a little 3D accelation in their Myst. Share you stories and comments in the section below and watch for more Myst action coming soon!

Where it All Began..

Remember when CD-ROMs where a fandangled new technology that not only looked cool but could hold THOUSANDS of books, or an entire (gasp!) encylopedia?! Clear back in early 1993, Rob Landeros and crew unleased The 7th Guest onto the world. Like many PC games of the early and mid 1990s, I have extremely fond memories of loading up that 2x speed CD-ROM, cranking those cheap PC speakers but sitting back in geekish awe at what was taking place before me. A game with rendered graphics AND full motion video mixed?! What is this new devilry? Any way, the rest is history and sadly, the FMV scene pretty much died out. Well, it's 2013 and retro gaming plus Kickstarter is in full effect. In celebration of the newly announced Kickstarter for The 7th Guest 3: The Collector, we are taking a look back and a look forward. The original title, The 7th Guest is now available on Steam HERE!

Ah.. the scene where it all began.Now, I want this in full HD people. Let's make this Kickstarter happen!

Where it Went..

Following the huge success that The 7th Guest was, the wizards at Trilobyte quickly started up many their next product, The 11th Hour, the sequel to the first blockbuster hit. Graphics were improved, full motion video was higher resolution and production values went way up. Despite the improved technology, the sequel was much darker and more mature than the first title. Either way, Trilobyte soon began to crumble from within and FMV's days were numbered. Regardless, the team at Trilobyte had accomplished much and The 11th Hour is a testament to the true innovations that were so vibrant the 90s. These games had a major influence on not only other devs at the time but many that are grown and making games now. Luckily, The 11th Hour is available again on Steam HERE.

I want to see scantily cl.. I want to see this game in HD folks. Let's do it!

Where it's Going

Despite all the fond memories, handheld remakes and ports, and thanks to Kickstarter and other crowd funding sites, many classic games are getting sequels or spinoffs. The world of Tex Murphy gets Tesla Effect next year, fans of Myst are current supporting Cyan's Obduction and now is your chance to make The 7th Guest 3: The Collector, happen. Check out the video below and if you want to support the hard working folks at Trilobyte, be sure to save some cash by picking of the combo bundle of both 7th and 11th on Steam HERE and head to the main Kickstarter page by clicking on THIS BAD BOY!

Gameplay

Ahhh... Lords of Shadow one our favorite games to hit the PC in some time. I still long for a mix of art, danger and absolute stellar technical presentation. Despite a few camera niggles, I absolutely love that game. While anxiously in wait for the upcoming sequel, I finally got to quench my thirst for whipnasty goodness with Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate HD. Wow, that is a mouthful of a title but this XBLA/PSN title is something you'll want to sink your teeth into. Without spoiling the story, let's just say the Gabriel and the entire Belmont family have some skeletons in their closet, big time. The game is loaded with story following Lords of Shadow and there is a whole plethora of lore to be had. That being said, get ready for some extremely lengthy and frequent load times that get overwhelming sometimes. To the gameplay, you'll be whipping, crushing and slashing the throats of baddies by the dozen. While the level design is quite good, some of the combat doesn't feel as satisfying as LoS but it also is meant to be more of a quick, arcadey feel and in that sense, it succeeds fully. If you need to get your Castlevania fix while you wait for the sequel (which looks absolutely stunning by the way), you can't go wrong with Mirror. 

Come to me Alucard.. come to me.

Graphics and Sound

It's no secret that the wizards at Mercury Steam know how to make some amazing graphics. Not only do they range artisically from a gothed out NiN video but they can also make beautiful and enchanting forests and towns. Technically as well, the eye candy is constant and quite amazing that they pulled it off in such a small download. The same goes for Mirror of Fate HD; there is plenty to look at and drool over. While some combat animations are a bit on the dumpy side, overall, the look and feel of the game is on par with previous LoS outings and that is definitely a good thing. Werewolves are messed up, hairy beasts (inlaws anyone?) and architecture and textures can be quite detailed for a downloadable title. Overall, this is an incredible 2.5d production that just gets me more and more excited for LoS 2. Props to Konami and Mercury Steam for another amazing piece of art!

Audio wise, Mirror of Fate HD is also a stunner. Not surprisingly really as orchestral music is perfectly laid over a mix of wonderful sound effects and fantastic voice acting. Audiovisual wise, I believe that the folks at Mercury Steam are some of the most talented folks in the business. They can weave a magical tale through sight and sound, whether subtle or in your face violent. It's a tough balance to acheive but once again, it's almost perfect in this case.

"What's wrong Timmy?""Lords of Shadow 2 isn't coming til February!"

Fun

With a few minor loading and gameplay complaints but amazing audiovisual presentation, the real question comes down to this: Is Mirror of Fate HD any fun? Well, if you like or LOVE anything Castlevania, have no fear, this game has something for you. Whether you consider yourself a rabid fan or a newcomer to the series, chances are, you will have a good time. Is the game perfect? Far from it. Does it provide a ton of content and entertainment for a fair price? Definitely. Also, you get to experience some of the finest artists in the business artistically, technically and in audio as well. Lords of Shadow 2 will soon be upon us but in the mean time, it's time to pick up this little gem available on XBLA or PSN now!

Gameplay

I remember the first time booting of the Call of Duty demo, which at the time, was a PC exclusive. I was blown away by the realistic sounds and heart pounding World War II action. Over the years, things have changed quite a bit. After being stuck in the WWII era for awhile, now most modern shooters are stuck in.. modern combat. While it was cool with COD4, the whole premise is really starting to wear out its welcome. Regardless, today we are checking out the latest entry in the series, Ghosts. I have to admit, I got pretty excited watching the trailers for both single player and multiplayer components. Let's start with the single player and say that is the definition of a Michael Bay video game. Is that a bad thing? Not really if you are into popcorn flicks. The intro is absolutely stellar and I say, had me sucked right in. There is a certain sequence in space that is probably the best part of the entire game, apart from the dog moments. I will not give it away but let's just say the whole story starts out with a bang. Either way, you've seen this all and played it all before but this time around, the single player is better than the multiplayer.

The latest Beverly Hills 90210 episode is action packed.

Speaking of multiplayer, that really is the heart of soul of most modern shooters, right? Well, apart from several crashes to desktop, a few hard lockups and many issues, the multiplayer is a mess on PC to say the least. Apart from the technical issues, the actual gameplay feels old, stale and most weapons are so overpowered, there isn't much skill involved. It feels more like who can shoot someone in the back first or catch someone off guard. While previous entries in the series had pros and cons, it was really hard to find many pros in the multiplayer section on PC. Despite some improvements in kill streaks, etc, the online component definitely needs some work and STAT! Is this the worst shooter ever? No, but it certainly has no character. It feels like a cash in and that is a bummer because the series has so much potential. We came in with an open mind and came out disappointed.

Graphics and Sound

While the gameplay is definitely a mixed bag, the graphics overall are quite good. The intro in the single player has some truly amazing moments that looked fantastic, as long as the game didn't crash. While console gamers are arguing over 720p vs 1080p on next gen systems, the PC version at 1440p is truly stunning at times (See screenshot below for an example). That being said, while the single player has some gorgeous moments, the multiplayers maps have a drab, "been there, done that" type of feel. Also, what's even more strange, the game ran quite choppy at times on our i5 Haswell with a GTX 780! Apart from that, is a strange 6 gig RAM minimum which is absolutely insane as there are a plenty of other PC games out there that look way better with smaller system requirements. The nail in the coffin is the absence of a FOV slider. The FOV is extremely low and it makes a lot of gamers, including myself sick. A mixed bag indeed.

While console gamers argue over 720p vs 1080p, we'll just sit back and enjoy 1440p..

The audio portion of Ghosts is for the most part, solid and well done. The music is once again mixed with subtle pieces but mostly bombastic, popcorn movie orchestral numbers. The voice acting is well done while the sound effects range from stellar to meh. The guns have a weak, tinny sound for the most part for a quite a while now so don't expect much difference, especially in multiplayer. Overall though, the audio is a strong point of this game if anything. This is big production audio but it doesn't mean its the best.

Fun

Well, as you can see, this review is quite tough to write and score because it's such a mixed bag. Is the game any fun? Well, depends, does it even run on your PC? It's not like it's a groundbreaking title that requires a top of the line PC to enjoy but it just seems unfinished. Usually, I gloss over the single player campaigns in these type of shooters but in this game, it's actually one of the better moments, especially the intro. If you LOVE Call of Duty, I am sure you have already purchased the game but for those on the fence, I would say, wait for a patch or two. If you are burnt out on the series, this game will not pull you back in or make you a believer again. As I mentioned before, this series needs a major reboot. Whether it be WWII, Vietnam or futuristic, there needs to be a new graphics engine, sounds and premise. If you like the same ol thing, sure, pick this up, otherwise, skip it.

Gameplay

This whole month has been full of feelings of nostalgia for me. Not only have some classic PC games been announced on Kickstarter, but I have looked back on some of my favorite series on PC and reflected back on old times, both good and bad. While some may think sounds stupid for PC games, some of the most fun I've ever had is with Call of Duty and especially Battlefield at large LAN parties over the past 10 years. While there has been some missteps along the way, loading up Battlefield 4 on my PC was like experiencing the series for the first time. The levels are massive, the scale is awe-inspiring and the gameplay just feels right. Not only that but the audiovisual presentation is jaw dropping. More on that later. Back to the gameplay, while I enjoyed Battlefield 3 something just felt off, especially the classes. Well, I am happy to say that the classes feel just right again and Recon has C4 again. W00t! Not only are the classes back in order but Commander Mode is back and all the stats, website integration and server browser are actually wonderful. Single player is groundbreaking by any means but it's still gorgeous, fun and has some amazing setpieces. I really enjoyed the added touch of getting points while going through single player. It is subtle but makes a big difference in wanting to accomplish a goal, even if it is mowing down endless baddies.

Who let dogs out?! Whoop. Whoop. Whoop.

While the single player portion of the game is good, the multiplayer is why you are actually buying the game? Right? Well, regardless, it shines in every way possible. From the awesome browser based (!) launcher, you have a huge array of options not only in checking out stats but also tweaking your loadout while the level loads. Maps still take a long time to load, even on beefy systems with SSD drives but the scale in the MP levels is so huge on PC, one can't complain too much. While not perfect in balance, the online portion feels extremely polished. I got those old nostalgic feelings back while launching from an aircraft carrier, hanging out of aircraft and C4ing everything in sight. This is Battlefield at it's finest and you shouldn't miss it!

Graphics and Sound

Ahhh... the debate of graphics, resolutions and what system looks best is a very hot topic right now. While all these console gamers argue over their systems and defend 720p vs 1080p, we laugh and crank up the settings on our 1440p rig. Not only does Battlefield 4 include every graphics option under the sun, including FOV, sub/super rendering, anti aliasing, HUD scale and much more, it runs like a dream. I am absolutely stunned at how this game looks and runs despite all that is going on at a given time. Whether it's dark, dank corridors or large tropical storms, the Frostbite 3 engine is a tech marvel. It isn't just all eye candy either as the graphics actually add to the experience instead of just looking purty. You can dive under water, get caught up in the storm or get trapped under destructible buildings. Overall, this is an artistic and technical masterpiece. 

720p whaaaa? Argue away console monkeys, PC is where its at.

Just when you thought something couldn't be anymore impressive, BF4 ups the ante in the audio arena as well. Props to DICE for cutting a lot of the jarring profanity that was constantly yelled out in the MP portion of the game, even if the SP portion is still loaded with it. Gotta be "realistic" right? Either way, voice acting is solid but the sound effects steal the show. The whole series has been on top when it comes to this but BF4 feels sonically, like it's just right as well. Ambient sounds are subtle but detailed, gunfire cracks and booms when necessary, C4 explosions are deep and powerful; all is beautiful is a world of chaos. Props to DICE for really shining in this arena and doing a stellar job at keeping us on our toes when deep in battle.

Fun

Well, it's no mystery by now that I absolutely love Battlefield 4. I have become quite the skeptical gamer and when I saw early videos of the game, I thought, "Ahh well, more of the same." That couldn't be further from the truth. This entry in the series feels better than ever and is a blast to play. Whether playing solo or with a huge group of friends, this game is a riot. Even better, get a five man squad going and really bust out the teamwork. This is a solid value and even though not lightyears beyond Battlefield 4 in terms of revolutionary gameplay, graphics, etc, it just feels right this time. That is a huge compliment for a series that was starting to get a little stale. Well, I am pleased to say that Battlefield is back in full force and if you own a PC, you need to buy it. Stat solider!

realMyst

Myst Week here at Digital Hippos continues with the Obduction Kickstarter nearing its goal, we wanted to take a look back at realMyst and a look forward to realMyst Masterpiece Edition. That's right, we've had hands on with the beta of the game and.. well, you'll have to keep reading. I remember stumbling on realMyst on the Internet a few years back. I didn't even know it existed! How could I miss a 3d remake of the classic that I had oh so many fond memories of?! Well, I instantly bought the game and after some quick troubleshooting, I was instantly sucked into the world of Myst once again. Now, surprisingly, this game has been out for awhile so although it is a big jump in graphics, it still doesn't compare to anything released today. That being said, it is available on Steam and runs on all modern systems. If you are looking for an excuse to revisit, this is it. realMyst is available on Steam, GOG and on the Apple App Store.

It's time.. for you to buy realMyst. /bad puns off

realMyst Masterpiece Edition

Well, I have spent several hours with the latest beta build of realMyst Masterpiece Edition. I must say, it looks stunning. Take realMyst and add some gorgeous modern effects and a few surprises, and you get the MP edition. Sadly, I was not allowed to post any screenshots or video but stay tuned for more details and hopefully a preview including video and more technical details on this little incoming gem. Myst fans will go nuts over this new version, that, I can guarantee..

Gameplay

So you want to be an adventurer 'eh? Well, now you can search for lost treasure, blast Nazis (Yay!) and other baddies whilst solving puzzles in ancient lands. When I first saw the press releases and previews for Deadfall Adventures, I was instantly hooked. I am a huge Indiana Jones fans and anything of this old school adventure type gets my heart pumping and my nerd blood a flowin'. Well, I can gladly say that this is a fun if flawed little title from the folks at Nordic Games and The Farm 51. It's extremely ambitious with a load of multiplayer modes, maps and content. Also, the single player campaign ranges from the scorching Sahara sands to the Arctic and many other locations in between. The gun and core gameplay, including puzzles is a mixed bag (Sorry, I'll be using this term a lot in this review) that range from mindless fun to just poor. The dynamite scenes are so laughable, I just grin.. but it gets old quick. Some of the pistols are fun to play but nothing ground breaking. Multiplayer is a mix of the classic modes we all grew up but there was hardly any players on the servers during review. Overall, this is a simple, quirky yet enjoyable adventure that you can waste a few lazy afternoons on.

"No means no, Quartermain or not!"

Graphics and Sound

As you can see from the various screenshots scattered throughout this review and the gallery as well, there are some fine looking moments to be had in the game. From dry, dusty deserts to creepy old tombs and the baddies that inhabit them, technically and artisically, this is a fine looking title. I definitely enjoyed the locales and moody atmosphere the most while some textures were so bad upclose, they looked a few generations old. Also, effects range from gorgeous to laughable, just like most of the game. As you can tell by now, this is a tough review to write and score because for every gorgeous moment, there is an ugly one right around the corner. That being said, the PC version definitely has higher resolutions, FOV settings and a plethora of sliders to play with. There is a strange coat of blurriness that I noticed even with the settings maxed out and anti aliasing turned off. Overall, a nice graphical package that won't offend the eye too much.

Audio wise, we get even more of a mixed bag here with Deadfall. There are some bombastic music numbers and also some subtle melodies that are all quite good. Sound effects range from glorious to passable. The biggest issue is with the completely uneven voice acting, especially from some of the main characters. I chuckled at a few lines but groaned and so many more. Long gone are the days were you have a big release like this that has such mixed quality in voice acting. That extra budget is worth it when it comes to voice actors. Overall though, this is a good audio package mixed with some poor elements.

"Twas the night before multiplayer and all through the server, not a creature was stirring, not even one player."

Fun

Enough chat, let's talk turkey. Is this game any fun? It is, in the crazy serial of old with a lot of camp mixed with a dashes of superstition and paranormal activity. Is it a perfect game? Not even close. Does it warrant a play through? Sure! I did have some fun and couldn't help but to like and admire the big ambitions the team involved have when making this game. I just wished there was a little bit more of modern gunplay (cover mayhaps?) or other tweaks that could really make the game shine. Either way, this is something unique in an ocean of clones and unoriginality. Take up your pistols, dyanmite and journals; let's take an adventure around the world! /cheesy voice off

Gameplay

Ahhh.. the memories of grand adventures, managing parties and battling baddies! Right? Right?! Well, I am sad to say, I missed the release of this game as I was off doing this thing called "Real Life" and getting married. Wait, I've never played this critical acclaimed series?! How dare you call yourself a gamer?! Relax. My gaming world was reduced next to nothing during the period of 1999-2001 so here I am today. Luckily, good things come to those who wait. Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition is upon us thanks to the good peeps at Overhaul Games and boy was it worth the wait. As a newcomer, mayhaps I can shed a different opinion on a game who others know all too well. First off, I was completely lost at the beginning of the game. Honestly, I wondered what the devil was going on. No tutorial? No help. Yes! This game harkens back to a much cooler time in PC gaming where you actually to FIGURE STUFF OUT ON YOUR OWN. You can die quickly in this game. You can die often. Your choices matter. It's the ultimate sandbox before sandbox games even existing. After getting used to all the icons, spells, etc, I was hooked. And you will be too, if you enjoy anything even remotely RPGish. The gameplay is solid, polished and there are a ton of options to choose from in this huge adventure. Newcomers, veterans of the series and anyone reading this article, BUY THIS GAME. It's just that simple. The characters are deep and interesting, the combat is tough but rewarding and the world is vast and alive with details. They don't make 'em like they used to..

Graphics and Sound

So how do you score or analyze a game from the year 2000 in the year 2013? Well, I can say this, between the windowed, the full screen and all the scaling options, there is a plenty of ways to enjoy BGII: Enhanced. Honestly, these graphics aren't going to blow anyone away but I guarantee you will be impressed by the blood, sweat and tears put into the detail of this huge world. There are some pretty cool effects too, even by today's standard. I played both full screen at 2650x1440 and windowed at 1024x768. I must say that the windowed effect worked better for me, and also added to that old school flavor of the game. The nice thing too, you can even stretch that ol' winder and make it whatever size your want. Overall, this is a beautiful game in a nostalgic and detailed sort of way. Props to Overhaul for so many wonderful UI and graphical options!

The audio portion of the game holds up extremely well. The music is stunning even by today's standard in a soundtrack by Michael Hoenig of the Tangerine Dream fame. I had never heard the music before and oh how my ears loved it! The voiceovers are also stunning as each personality in the game delivers solid performances that really add to the world. Sound effects pop, sizzle and burn there way into your heart and mind. Sound dramatic? Well, it's just that good. Now I am definitely beginning to see why this game garnered to many awards and fans all these years later.

Fun

All this is fine and dandy but is the game any fun? Well duh, of course it is! This isn't for the Call of Duty crowd that wants quick, mindless action. As I mentioned, this is a game of patience, organization and exploration. It reminds me of a heavy RPG version of Dark Souls where you can die easily but it's oh so rewarding when you defeat a baddy or find new loot. This isn't an easy or small game, it's immense and the learning curve can be as well. That being said, I always was entertained, always anxious to see what lie beyond the next door, town or encounter with danger. In a world full of cookie cutter, yearly releases, this game stands out and also stands the test of time. You can pick it up the game up today on Beamdog or Steam. Go get 'em Tiger!

"Let the battle begin...."

What can I say, Blizzard has done it again.  I have never been a fan of card games, but Hearthstone has changed my way of thinking about them.  It's a fun, fast paced game that kept me on my toes throughout each match!  It's simple to understand for someone who has never played the card game, like me, yet it's challenging enough to keep the interest of someone who is very familiar with the original game as well.  The battles are challenging and fun, and kept me guessing as to which card I'd get, and hoping that it was one that I needed.  I even found myself talking to my deck as if it were real!

"Who do I feel like being today...

The characters in the game will be very familiar to anyone who has played World of Warcraft, as are the spells that you can play with your cards.  You can choose to play whichever class you want, or play them all like I did!  It was fun for me to play each class to see how much fun they could each be and to see just how different they are, which I wasn't expecting to happen with just a deck of cards.  I have played just about every class you can play in World of Warcraft, so I was excited to see that each class was so similar in Hearthstone.  I loved to see each of the different cards, and I couldn't help but laugh at what the cards would say as they were played.  Even the murlocs bring their trademark "grrrrblings" to the table!  The backgrounds are fun and they introduce you to the different areas of the World of Warcraft.  One game I was in Stormwind with the Alliance, and the next I was in Orgimar with the Horde or Pandaria with the Pandaren.

The graphics of the game are incredible, with each card and background featuring amazing detail, and they really brought the game to life.  There were so many fun animations, which really brought the action into the game, making it more than just a simple card game.  One thing that I learned, you definitely have to keep the sound on when you are playing!  The sounds added so much to each card, it was like they were all alive.  I laughed with the gnomes, and cowered at the orcs.  

At the end of each match, I would either hang my head in shame, or cheer at my victory, then start all over again.

"Job's done"

The Game

Rewind a year and half ago. A Kickstarter revolution was taking place. For us PC gamers, some of most beloved games, designers and projects were coming to life via the incredibly effective crowd sourcing campaigns. Tim Schafer and Co, Jane Jensen, the folks between Titan Quest and many more had held incredibly successful runs and our dreams were coming true. After many long years, the team behind Mean Streets, Martian Memorandum, Under and a Killing Moon and more, decide it was their turn to see if a Tex Ressurection was in order. Under the moniker of Project Fedora, the campain was launched. I remember interviewing Chris Jones aka Tex Murphy, the head of Big Finish Games at the beginning of the Kickstarter campaign. Chris was driven but seemingly, a little anxious to see how it would all work out. Still there was an extremely happy ending with Fedora not only being funded but exceeding the goal by over $100,000. That seems so long ago.. 

Me on Christmas 1990. Bart Simpson? Check. BB Gun? Check. Access Games? Double Check!

Fast forward to November 2013 to where I had the amazing opportunity to visit the peeps at BFG and see how our Tex adventure is shaping up. To sum it up, I was excited before, now, I am extremely stoked. Not only are the environments, atmosphere, sound and video production of the game all coming together, I was proud to hear Chris Jones confirm that the scope of Tesla is bigger and better than they'd ever imagined at the beginning of the Kickstarter campaign! Another refreshing item was Chris admitting that they are not the biggest game studio, with the biggest budgets, with the latest First Person Shooter but that they didn't need to be. They know their audience, they know their fans and boy does it show. The game while not finished, is looking extremely promising so without further delay, let's dive in. A reminder that the screenshots and video is PRE-ALPHA and is material that was kindly approved by the BFG team for this article. Please understand that this is rough footage and will most likely change before release.

"We aren't Call of Duty or Assassin's Creed
but we don't need to be!" - Chris Jones

Tex playing Tex. Mind = blown.

The Graphics and Sound

When you think Kickstarted games, you most likely aren't thinking mind blowing, polygon pushing blockbusters but guess what, that is not what we are expecting either. What IS amazing though is that the game and its environments are shaping up to be moody, gorgeously lit and highly detailed locations that are going to be stunning in their own right. The art and technical balance I have seen from Doug Vandegrift aka Rook and team is absolutely stellar, especially on the limited budget at hand. From dark, dank basements to soft, drifiting snowflakes falling around a streetlight, what I saw was beautiful. Most gameplay and environments are being built in the Unity engine and what this small team has pulled off is nothing short of astounding. 

Don't let him fool you. Rook and his team of crackpot artists are some of the coolest, most friendly peeps I have met.

Another crucial piece of the Tex Murphy legacy is the advent of Full Motion Video and all that it brought to the table in video games in the 90s. I am sure we all have some amazing (and wincing) memories from The 7th Guest, Sewer Shark, Under a Killing Moon and more but the talent at BFG and Adrian Carr have always been amazing and groundbreaking at what they do. I am glad to say that the video footage I saw is some of the best I have seen to date. Honestly, I had high expectations but what BFG, Mr. Carr and newcomer but longtime fan, Mat Van Rhoon have accomplished so far is nothing short of incredible. I got to see all the layers, paths, blood, geek sweat and tears nets you and in this case, you should be excited..

The Hype

Well, as you can tell, I have recently gone from anticipation to full out geek chills on getting my hands on the final version of Tex's latest adventure. Apart from being long overdue, it's been excited to see how FMV games are evolving and see what potential they hold for not only series veterans but newcomers to the genre as well. According to BFG, the game is still on track for the first half of 2014 but no firm release date has been set. Now, for what you've all been waiting for, I've compiled some new content in the raw, uninterrupted footage below.The Big Finish Team was extremely patient and kind to let us post these clips. Please excuse the rough cuts but I wanted everyone to see and hear what goes on at Big Finish in a simple, organic way without bombastic music and me annoyingly narrating the footage, so, you can appreciate this amazing title a little better and the team behind it. 2014 can not come soon enough!

Another reminder, this is PRE-ALPHA footage that does not represent the final product. Either way, Enjoy:

In case you missed it, this is the official Salt Lake Comic Con Trailer:

Gameplay

I have to be honest, when I saw the first images and video for Contrast, I was extremely stoked. In a world full of mindless first person shooters, cookie cutter franchises and outright boring entries in gaming, this look unique, fresh and right up my artistic loving alley. Wow, that sounded disturbing. Well, I am happy to report that the game succeeds in all those fronts. It's unique. It's gorgeous in both audio and visual departments. That being said, does it really deliver in the gameplay department? In short, not really. For all that it does right, Contrast starts to feel extremely clunky in some platforming aspects. It almost feels like a kickback to the N64 days but not in a good way. Without spoiling the extremely intriguing intro, you get a great taste of light and shadow that plays a huge part in not only the story, level design and platforming aspects, but the main focus of progressing throughout the game. The story and characters are well developed but I can't say the same for the gameplay as a whole. It's a short but sweet affair but overall, a seemingly missed opportunity.

Lady Gaga's Mother 1971

Graphics and Sound

Very rarely does a title come together in both an artistic and technical areas that form an almost perfect vision of "video games are art" quality. Contrast does exceed in both areas quite often mixing dark, brooding atmospheres with whimsical dashes of color. The entire story and graphical look of the game reflect and play off of each other. For each light hearted and moment of joy, there is a suffocating and heavy area that reflect a mature storyline. The game never really gets too dark but it is heavy but well done in a lot of ways. There are some lighted moments, like the bicycle in the beginning that is both eerie and beautiful all at once. There are plenty of graphical settings but it's disappointed to not see in an game anti aliasing feature from a game that would definitely benefit. This is a gorgeous game but inside and out. Enjoy.

The audio portion of the game matches the visuals. It's dark, it's beautiful, it's a sulty jazz tune and a brooding film noir myster all at the same time. Just sit and listen to the title track on the main menu. I did on both my 5.1 system and headphones and it's absolutely gorgeous. The sound effects are servicable but the voice acting as a whole is extremely polished and well done, especially for a title of this price. 

Pirates?! Nope. Sorry, it's just you fixing rides.

Fun

Hmmm.. this is a tough one. Is Constrast any fun to play? Sure, it's uniqueness makes it fun. Is it something you want to drop all other gaming tidbits to do so? Not really. It's at a great price on Steam so at least it's fair but in a crowded world of gaming choices, it's greatest strength is its artistic flair in both video and audio. I enjoyed the beginning of the game especially but by the end, I just wanted to see the story and not really go through the platforming bits anymore. If you want something unique and are tired of cookie cutter games, at least Constrast will offer something new and bold. Worth your time but there are better games out there.

Gameplay

Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior is a DLC add on to Chivalry: Medieval Warfare from Torn Banner studios. For those unfamiliar with the first game, (Medieval Warfare has its roots as a Half Live 2 Mod, Age of Chivalry) it is a first-person fighting game using primarily melee weapons, set in medieval times, you could be one of several combatants and duke it out old school (really old school). Deadliest Warrior takes what was learned in the first two games and throws in a dash of pirates, a pinch of Vikings, a few ninjas and samurai for good measure and finally top it off some Spartan warriors. What you are left with is a super entertaining game that should put a smile on even the most jaded gamer.
Each group of fighters have their own unique fighting style, from the brutal Vikings to the quick, lightly armored ninjas. You will be primarily going hand to hand against your foe, although many of the groups have projectile or throwing weapons that can increase your options as you choose your load out. I won't go into each class in detail, but no matter your preferred play style you will be able to find someone who . As you play with each faction you level up and unlock more weapons and other unlockables. While I myself became partial to the Samurai class, I found myself still jumping from group to group just to try all the options that were available. Combat felt pretty good, and it can be fairly deep. You can run headlong into battle and swing your sword until you are exhausted but chances are you will die and injure one of your own teammates in the process, which is not a strategy if you want to defeat your enemies and win the match. There is a nice stamina system that you have to watch as you battle and each swing of your weapon or block from your shield is at a cost of energy. This makes you take more thoughtful approach to attacks and it feels nice to go the rounds with someone exchanging blows until one of you emerges victorious. At times for me, it felt as if the controls were a little rough and didn’t feel like it was as smooth and flowing as I would have liked.

Graphics and Sound

While noting in Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior is particularly great looking, nothing is bad either. Environments were nice and varied with each group getting their own arena to battle it out in. The great thing about this game is the mixture of warriors, and the different environments emphasizes that and looks nice while doing it. You may see a knight atop a hill of treasure in a hidden tropical bay, or you may come across a samurai in a frozen Viking village. Each area has its own look and feel and add some nice diversity. Textures and lighting never got in the way of enjoying the game. The music does an fine job getting you in the mood for the ensuing chaos although nothing is very memorable about it. The sound effects do add quite a bit to the experience, from satisfying thuds when blocking or the clanks and clangs of steel on steel action. The battle cries of the different groups as they charge the battle field sound great and help convey the epic scale of the battles containing some of histories greatest warriors.

Fun

What can you say about a game where a pirate and a knight can gang up on a Spartan or a samurai. Once you get used to the controls and fighting tactics, Deadliest Warrior can be a blast to play. There is definitely something unique about being a pirate and facing down a horde of ninjas that few games can replicate. The game modes can get a little repetitive as it is pretty much a team death match type of game, but having so many class options helps make up for it and keeps you from getting bored.

• COLOR
  white
• WEARING STYLE
  Headband
• IMPEDANCE
  Headphones: 50 Ω
• CONNECTOR
  2 x 3.5 mm for desktop/laptop
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE (MICROPHONE)
  Microphone: 50-16,000Hz
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE (HEADPHONES)
  Headphone: 15-28,000 Hz
• SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL (SPL)
  Headphone: 116dB
• EAR COUPLING
  Headphones: around-the-ear, open acoustic design
• CABLE LENGTH
  3 m
• WEIGHT
  300 g
• PICK-UP PATTERN
  Microphone: Noise Cancelling
• SENSITIVITY
  Microphone: -38 dBV at 94 dBSPL

Packaging and Design

I have to admit, when I got these, I giggled like a school girl.  I saw the box and got so excited because of how cool they look! The packaging is simple, yet durable, so you know that the headset is protected.  Once you pull off the well-designed sleeve and open up the box....ouila!  There's the headset, nestled safely in the box.  I'm not too big of a fan of white headphones, but with the black and red on them, they are definitely very stylish.  Once you pull them out, you will be amazed at how light they are, which is a very nice quality in a headset, at least for me.  I hate feeling like my head is being flattened by my headset.  Makes it very hard to concentrate on whatever bad guy I may be after at the moment!

The headset itself is very comfortable.  The ear pads are large, so they easily fit over your ears, and have a lot of cushion, which makes them very comfortable to wear, and also helps to keep the outside sound out.  The ear pads are also very breathable, so your head isn't going to feel like it's been in a sauna after 10 minutes of wearing the headset.  The headband is also very cushioned, which adds to the overall comfort.  The headband did start off a little narrow, so it was a bit tight, but after breaking them in, they were perfect!  

One bonus feature of this headset is the placement of the volume control, which is easy to reach and doesn't require you to take your eyes off your screen.  Since it is placed right on the outside of the ear piece, you won't have to go searching for it, because it will always be right where you need it.  The biggest plus that I discovered was the simple way to mute the mic.  Just raise up the boom, and nobody will hear you screaming at the zombie who just snuck up behind you, or cast a spell while you were silenced.  That, my friends, is one of the best advantages of this headset.

This headset is also very easy to set up.  Both the mic and the audio plugs are color coded and labeled, so you will know exactly which port each one goes into.  No drivers or other installations necessary.

My little baby is all tucked into bed..

Performance

What can I say....the sound is amazing!  I used the headset for four different games, as well as videos and music.  The sound quality was the best that I have ever experienced.  In one game, I could hear every twig that snapped, and every echo of footsteps behind me.  I literally felt like I was right there in the game.  The sound quality is definitely better than I expected.  The bass is just subtle enough that is doesn't overpower every other sound, but very impressive.  The rest of the audio tones were right on, and crystal clear!  I was in gaming bliss.

After I got a chance to test out the mic, I was very impressed.  People could actually hear me, and understand me!  None of this "walking through a windtunnel" type mic or "stop busting my eardrums" that I'm accustomed to hearing.  Downside?  Now they will actually expect me to talk.

Gorgeous.

Value

In my opinion, this headset is definitely worth the cost.  They are a very high quality product, and I would honestly expect the price tag to be a bit higher for the quality that they are.

Gameplay

Let's face it, MMORPGs are almost a dime a dozen now. They range anywhere from absolutely laughable affairs to extremely polished and engaging experiences. Myself, being a former and recovering addict from everything including World of Warcraft to EVE Online and Guild Wars 2, I honestly am a bit worn out of the whole concept. That being said, I was pretty stoked to jump into the latest press build of The Elder Scrolls Online. So, I grabbed some Oreos, jumped onto my nerd throne and after a 20+ gig download, I jumped in.. 

I had absolutely zero issues logging in or staying connected to the PTR server (Press beta FTW!) throughout my various gaming sessions. I loved the character creator and immediately created Pyra, the black lipped Breton Sorcerer. That's right, black lipstick. Bam! Anywho, the beginning island was wrought with beauty, danger and exciting battles. I won't ruin it but a side quest about a pansy warrior and a big snake was a highlight. Overall, combat was a blast as I mixed magic with sword and one handers. Everything is really starting to come together and even though the first person view still feels wonky (Can we get a FOV slider... please?) everything else in 3d person was a riot.

Combat feels refined and smooth. Crafting and gathering are interesting and complex. The story is engaging. Exploration is there even though we wish there were random caves and loot a la Skyrim. It's a minor niggle for MMORPGs but it would be awesome. Overall, we came away pleased to the very last minute the server shutdown. Gameplay wise, this game is shaping up ever so nicely.

Greetings from The Elder Scrolls Online! (Shoddy attempt at  recreating a postcard)

Graphics and Sound

Now, let's just go ahead and admit that most MMORPGs just are not graphical powerhouses. Some have tried and failed hard *cough*AION*cough* with advanced graphics engines but either the performance was so clunky and/or the art style was just horrid. I am pleased to say that The Elder Scrolls Online not only succeeds in the technical and artistic departments, it's absolutely gorgeous in some areas and Daddy (that's me) is very hard to impress these days. If you don't believe me, check out the screenshots in our gallery and the video gameplay below.

Excuse #567,941 to show a screenshot of The Elder Scrolls Online.

Every shot was taken straight from the game and have not been touched up in any way, shape or form. The day and night cycles are impressive and every little detail from ripples in the water, to crashing thunderstorms to striking spell effects are fantastic. I maxed out all settings on our beasty gaming rig and it was quite the load but for the most part, everything performed like a champ. So far, this game presents a stunning acheivement in the world of graphics for MMORPGs and stands above its peers. I can't wait to explore the rest of this world..

Think the graphics are impressive? The audio portion meets and sometimes exceeds the graphical aspect. Sounds range from subtle rain storms that soothe to crashing, pounding and crackle of spells, axes and swords and shields. The music feels just right in the world of Elder Scrolls and never was instrusive or annoying. In fact, I kept turning up the music as I rolled through the countryside bashing goblin faces in. Ah, bliss. 

"Do you believe in magic in a young girls heart?" Wow, now that was some serious cheese.

Fun

When it comes to previewing and reviewing games, it's both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you have to wade through mountains of both tedious and mediocre games which is just the nature of the business. Still, some games make me want to punch cats. On the other hand, sometime find hidden gems, experience awesome blockbusters and sometimes you come away totally and completely impressed. The latter is the definitely the case considering my time with The Elder Scrolls Online. Honestly, I haven't even scratched the surface of this game but had an absolute blast in my attempt to do so. While most MMORPGs are going for microtransaction and some in wonky free to play attempts, I am extremely interested to see how ESO does in this regard. That being said, it's so blasted impressive, I know that myself and many others will be there on day one and stick around for a long, long time. Awesome gameplay and combat? Check. Deep crafting system? Yep. Stellar graphics, sound and music. Uh uh. This looks like the complete package folks but most important of all, IT'S FUN.

If you have been around as long as I have you’ve probably wondered why aren't things as cool as they used to be. From music to movies everything seems to have lost some magic. Even video games seem to have lost the shiny glow of brilliant newness. It used to be a grand adventure playing a video game, way better than playing in the park or reading a boring book. What is a person to do in times like this, what will come of the children? Am I putting too much ham on this sandwich(probably). Fret not my friends for the fine folks at Basilisk Games have come to save the day. Their classic rpg style games trilogy Eschalon, which has just released it’s latest iteration Book 3, may just be what you’re looking for.

Story

So there I was chilling in a decent enough chamber getting ready to destroy this pretty cool gemstones I had. When out of nowhere some gnarly faced little dude, calling himself “The One”, appears and demands I give him my awesome stones. Well I looked the weirdo dead in the eye and, using my best Charlton Heston, said you can have it when you pry it from my cold dead hand. Well ugly didn’t care to negotiate further and pulled out some shiney want and fired an energy beam at me. It looked like it would kill me, but it didn’t hit me it hit my precious stone. There was a flash of light a rush of air and when I came too I was laying in some sort of swamp with nothing but one of my beautiful gemstones and my incredible skills.

The game’s story itself seems somewhat safe, there are three things I need to get. There is a bad guy looking for them too. I need to find them or the bad guy will and do something undoubtedly horrible with them. The exaggerated fetch ques is probably the most overplayed plot device in literary history. Revenge however, while also overplayed, is something that always gets my blood boiling. The antagonist kills someone special to our hero, or tries to kill the hero him/herself and boom now it’s time to take the gloves off. Well that’s just unacceptable Mr. Badguy, prepare to suffer.

Graphics and Sound

When it comes to old school games like Eschalon: Book 3 there are certain expectation regarding graphics and sound. We are not expecting fancy 3d models and performance demanding anti-aliasing. For the most part the only flashy in the graphics department should be the spell casting animation. I expected the game to bear resemblance to the early Diablo and Fallout games, yes I played both of those and I’m still alive to talk about it. It is on those expectation that this game doesn’t disappoint. On a bright sunny day outside the colors are crisp and brilliant, when you’re in a dank and depressing dungeon the colors are earthy and cold. And spell casting shines prettily as it should. Unfortunately, screen resolution is locked at 1024x768, a rather popular resolution for the age of the game engine, which can become awkward for us fullscreen gamers with widescreen monitors. There is, handily, a help guide in the manual to overcome the stretching, but it seems in our time such efforts would be unnecessary.

The creaking of old trees swaying in the breeze, the squish of wet moss covered ground, the croaking of hidden frogs, I must be in a swamp. Sound in a game can be just as damaging to a game as a glitchy interface, or jumpy graphics, there are two main aspects to look at. Music which sets atmosphere and sound effects which relate to character interaction with the world.

Music can either be a distraction that needs to be turned off or pleasant white noise with rambunctious undertones that pop up to remind the player ‘I’m still here’. In Eschalon the music hit just the right notes, it escalated during battle and calmed during less exciting times. What I didn’t find was myself doing was searching for a way to shut if off.

The sound effects of this game stand up from foot step flawlessly transition from cobblestone to grass, to crickets who stop chirping on sunrise. Atmospheric and elegant they punctuate the essence of every situation. Whether you're enjoying the sunny day with the chirping birds or running for your life from the swarm of flesh hungry killer bees, the sound effects will be there helping you feel the moment.

Gameplay

Does anybody remember pen and paper games? Some of you probably still have a group of friend who gather regularly to don the hats and imagine far away realms of fantasy. For those looking for something requiring less human interaction this game bares many of the hallmarks of a great pen and paper.

The character creation screen is mild throw back to Dungeons and Dragons, as well as a handily put together invitation to understanding many of the game mechanics. Starting with you basics, Gender, Race, and Alignment, followed with an ample list of learnable skill and what character sheet would be complete without a rolled out section of player stats. Conveniently the games outlines the various stats and skill and how they interact with game play. Unlike newer games, there are no preset builds to dumb down the experience, one must be thoughtful and cautious assemble their character, keeping in mind preferred play style.

When you do enter the fray the game is heavily burdened by interfacing leaving only a portion of the screen for the hero and gamefield, reinforcing the old school feel, but reminding you of that stubborn resolution issue. Controlling is unpleasant with the mouse being primary movement option, and the keypad setup for a secondary movement command. I would have preferred a “WASD” control option, or at least an opportunity to remap the keys myself, but sadly no love for keyboard movement controls.

Now is the part where we split the hardcore from the casual gamer. This game is difficult, and rightly so it is designed to be unforgiving. From severely crippling disease to bothersome hunger and thirst gauges. Eschalon: Book 3 doesn’t pull its punches. There is no Auto-Save function to save you from losing hour long play sessions, and monsters aren't weaklings who jump on your sword. This game is cruel mistress, both enticing and painful with enjoyable and frustrating moments. Like wanting to pet the 700lb tiger at the zoo, and keep your hand at the same time.

Genres, a convenient way to separate and sort out large collections of work, for the gaming industry there used to convey to the consumer what kind of entertainment is to be expected from a game.  Whether you're running around shooting “stuff”, building armies, flying airplanes, or simply matching colored shapes.  Experienced gamers have used genres to determine the likability of games.

For many game companies handcuffing your creative process to a single genre is unacceptable, and could lead to poor results. If a developer could improve a game by simply adding a few RPG elements to a shooter, or making combat in an adventure game feel more action oriented, then why not.  Genre mixing is out there and touting some great successes, like the venerable Portal series, while others maybe not so famous(Cough*Typing of the Dead*).

Mind Over Matter Studios, the dev team behind Spellforce 2: Faith and Destiny has released another genre defying title, Spellforce 2: Demons of the Past.  Can this be the game that introduces Roleplayer to Real Time Strategy, of vice versa, or will it fall by the wayside.

Story

Once upon a time there was an evil evil guy, who only want to destroy everything.  Something that bother me is the antagonist that wants total destruction of everything, no more life, no plants, no buildings, no cows, or McDonald’s. He just raises all the dead and mops the planet. What’s this guy gonna do if he wins, open up a retirement community for his now retired zombie army?

Enter Zazhut, leader of an army of evil demons, got locked away so long ago nobody know anything about him, how he got out, or how to put him back. And boy is he upset about something, must be that eons long cramp he’s had in his leg. So he gathers up the “Nameless”, cause coming up with names can be difficult sometimes, and begins purging Eo.

Fortunately a hero arises, that’s you, with nothing better to do than save the world… again.  So what makes you so awesome, you’re a shaikan, not a regular human your ancestors made a pact with a dragon and now you are a great commander and warrior, convenient. You and your less than super friends set out on a campaign to save humanity.

Graphics and Sound

At first pass one might be quick to conclude that the modeling and textures of this game are somewhat antiquated for the time that it was released, I know I did. With rather interesting results I discovered what clicking my middle mouse button did, which was to switch my view from an overhead RTS camera, to an over the shoulder RPG camera. And what a difference that makes, not that it changed anything, just moved everything into a different perspective. This allowed me to enjoy the role playing moments more distinctly than before.  While the game was still far from prettiest of the year, it seemed a little less grimy.

Sound works for what is required, sword clashing, spell casting, um menu interaction. The only off putting moments came when listening to the background music. In a time where music is tailored to the action of the characters, or situation on is found in, I’m surprised to find a game with a simple looped track. Amorphic music would be fine, but this music clearly had an upswing that reminded me of battle music. For the first few time I found myself looking around the map for attacking enemies to defend against, but to no avail, I was stuck wondering about trying to ignore the odd problem.

Gameplay

Real Time Strategy is about managing resources, building armies and overcoming enemy forces with superior strategy. Spellforce does this with all the flair and glitz of a fireworks show in the middle of the day. They have units, building, and resource gathering, all the hallmarks of a standard RTS, without any flash or pizzaz to help it stand out. Basic units from the beginning with tougher units on the higher tiers of development, and upgrades along the way. This portion of the games almost relies on the role playing elements to save it from mediocrity, leaving a feeling of being tacked on just to attract a different demographic of players.

When role playing the best success can be found in believing one controls the character in every aspect, not just where you go and what attack you use. The more choices the better, from dress to speech, everything is important, going as far as to create a backstory. The more a developer has to sacrifice to fit the game  the harder sell to role players it’s going to be. This game makes some substantial sacrifices and holds few precious benefits. Character creation is a process that for a serious gamer can take hours to perfect, not here, here you get Name,Sex, and smattering of nearly identical faces. Dialog options, here are your options, shut up and listen to the adults talk or, or press spacebar to skip.  

On the bright side, there are three skill trees, you get to populate with points gained on levels, to help you better effect your chosen game play style. Abilities are gain as you spend points in skill trees that help your character fight, though targeting can be tricky when surrounded by an army of fiends. And loot will occasionally drop for uncommon enemies that might be useful, and armor choices to alter the appearance of your avatar, restoring some semblance of player control.

Gameplay

So.. you want to be a vampire eh? Well, fear not, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 is upon us! My excitement was almost uncontainable whilst downloading from Steam (Hurry gigabit Internets!) and even more so as I saw this gorgeous game running on my rig. While not doubt beautiful, I had to wonder about the gameplay and game as a whole. The story continues right were it left off and the first 30 minutes is stunning to say the least. I was floored but the graphics, voice acting and solid gameplay. Then, as time went on, things slowly, then more quickly, just started to fall apart. The game feels extremely disjointed after the amazing intro. It's hard to explain but it's almost as if the design team just fell apart in the middle of development. Either way, there is plenty of solid action, cool bosses mixed in with design frustration. Gone are the epic jungles, forests and rivers of the original title and now it is a mixed bag of horrible cityscapes and ancient flashbacks... Instead, why is everyone in this game either a jerk, scumbag or just plain unlikable? Despite many improvements, I had many more head scratching moments.

Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode, Age 65.

Graphics and Sound

If there one (or two) major redeeming factors of LOS2, it's the mind boggling graphics, crisp sound and lush music that is present here. I took well over 240 screenshots while playing this game, that is how amazing it all looks. With an improved camera system, this sequel really let's you get right in the middle of the action. Even though the environments are limited, all of them are breathtaking. Not only that, this game pretty much ran 100+ FPS the entire time on our Qnix gaming monitor. It's dark, beautiful but the special effects are some of the best I have ever seen. This engine could absolutely be used in so many other titles but who knows if that will ever happen..

Graphics not your cup of tea? Well, never fear, an amazing voice cast is here along some gorgeous melodies and disgusting (in a good way!) sound effects. The music is probably some of the best I have heard in a very long while. I just wish the game was as good as the artistry on display here. Either way, this is a game to crank up your resolution, blast your sound and enjoy some eye and ear candy. Be sure to check out our 1440p gallery and full res video below if you don't believe me.

I bow before you artists of Mercury Steam!

Fun

After all is said any done, is this game fun and really worth your gaming dollar? It depends. If you want more along the lines of the first game, you will be sorely dissapointed. If you want a leaner, meaner, bloodier and less brains a la Devil May Cry, this is definitely up your alley. For me, I found the disjointed story and gameplay elements from stealth to button mashing to puzzle solving to be poor at best. For every amazing moment, there were 10 WTF moments. The action is solid, the graphics and sound are GORGEOUS but other than that, I felt like my gaming joy had been sucked out by the end..

c