11 years ago
Smite preview part 2: The do’s and don’ts
Days 3-7
Now that I’ve finally unlocked Conquest mode in Smite, I don’t see myself leaving anytime soon, regardless of the other modes that I’m sure I will be unlocked in the near future. Conquest is a tried and true MOBA map, and it feels great running around it from one point to another, and the controls are great and customizable to the point where there’s something for everybody. As a result, everything simply flows together and just work. I was curious how Hi-Rez would solve the problem of not being able to move the camera off the controlled immortal, as can be done in other MOBAs. The studio worked around this by giving all allies and enemies in vision a faint outline with a health bar on the field, making them easy to see. The only crucial thing to take away from what I just said is that everything works how one would expect on a PC, which is all anyone is really asking for.
Anyway, remember how I pretty much only played Ymir in Arena? Well, by day three I had discovered playing Ymir in the support position, and I fell in love with him all over again. The little bit of skill I had built up on Ymir from Arena definitely gave me a leg up over players trying new champions. I’m fortunate to have discovered an immortal that I can thoroughly enjoy so early on. I was setting up kill after kill for the carry, a support’s job, and being able to actively see a player snowball their advantage into something massive is a beautiful sight to behold. But after close to a week of playing Conquest, I’ve begun to notice some trends in most players that are easily fixable and would improve everyone’s play. Granted, some of the following do’s and don’ts apply to more than just Smite, but that doesn’t lessen their value here in the slightest.
11 years ago
Adr1ft confirmed for September release amid trailer leak
Yesterday a leaked trailer for developer Three One Zero’s Adr1ft hit the internet and showed a September release window. Today, publisher 505 Games confirmed that the “first-person experience” title will release in September, months ahead of the virtual reality headsets it will eventually be supporting.
Shortly after the trailer, hit the internet, Three One Zero confirmed its validity on Twitter. “Our #ADR1FT #E3 trailer has leaked. We made it with Blur. 100% game assets.”
Adr1ft will release simultaneously on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Steam in September, with virtual reality versions coming once headsets begin hitting the marketplace in 2016. Though 505’s press release does not mention any headsets by name, Three One Zero tweeted last week that it had taken possession of a Valve HTC Vive, and the game has previously been playable at conventions on the Oculus Rift. Likely of more interest to Xbox gamers, is that creator Adam Orth told XBLA Fans at PAX East in March that Adr1ft would be coming to all headsets, which would seemingly include the Microsoft Hololens.
Hit the jump to see the trailer, which shows the game’s protagonist struggling to avoid large debris while floating through Earth’s orbit.
11 years ago
Sparkle Unleashed review (Xbox One)
Sparkle Unleashed was developed and published by 10tons on Xbox One. It was released on June 3, 2015 for $7.99. A copy was provided by 10tons for review purposes.
In a competitive market with many games vying for consumer purchase, I can’t find a single major fault to Sparkle Unleashed. Every feature is well-crafted, and there isn’t a wasted step in its motion. The graphics are aesthetically pleasing, and the music reminds me that a magical world can exist right at home. So can I cut this review short and recommend you buy it right now? Not quite.
Sparkle Unleashed is a puzzle game in which the player shoots colored balls into matching, moving colored balls to remove them from the play area. The balls on the field are constantly moving forward and will try to reach an end (that varies per level) to cause the player to lose. Some level layouts will feature multiple tracks from which moving balls may appear. As you complete levels, you’ll eventually reach scripted locations that allow you to choose to upgrade power-ups. It’s a simple but solid system that invites players to keep, well, playing.
11 years ago
Xbox One gets permanent price drop and new 1TB model
Effective immediately, the standard 500 GB Xbox One has been given a price drop to $349 USD, Microsoft announced today. Would-be Xbox owners who still want to pay the original price, however, will again get that option when Microsoft releases a new 1 TB model of its games console for $399 on June 16 in the United States and later this month in additional “select markets.”
On top of more storage space, the new SKU will also feature a matte black finish, a USB 3.0 drive and the oft-rumored new Xbox One game controller. This new controller features retooled bumpers, the ability to receive wireless firmware updates and a new 3.5 mm headset jack that will allow gamers to plug headphones directly into their controllers.
The new console will come bundled with Halo: The Master Chief Collection for a limited time in select regions.
With the new Xbox gamepad in hand, gamers will be able to adjust headset volume, mic monitoring and in-game voice and game audio balance through the Xbox One’s Settings menu. Microsoft also said that headset audio quality will be improved and the max volume level will be increased. All previously released controller accessories will function with the new pad, including the Stereo Headset Adapter, which puts headset audio controls at players’ fingertips.
11 years ago
Mega Coin Squad review (Xbox One)
Mega Coin Squad was developed by Big Pixel Studios and published by Adult Swim Games on Xbox One. It was released on May 20, 2015 for $14.99. A copy was provided by Big Pixel Studios for review purposes.
You know you’re playing a special game when you are actually standing up out of your seat and cursing out loud at the creature that just killed you, but you can’t wait to hit continue and try again. Mega Coin Squad made me do that — a lot.
Big Pixel Studios’ platformer distills everything you like about platformers down to the bare essentials. You run and jump, you shoot, you dash, you collect coins and you die. A lot. And it’s also a lot of fun.
11 years ago
Microsoft to make Xbox presentation at E3 PC Gaming Show
XBLA Fans may not seem the proper venue for a bit of PC gaming news, but Microsoft has given us reason to talk about that other platform it’s known for. And it’s probably going to give us even more reasons to do so at this year’s E3.
Most Xbox fans are already aware that Microsoft is set to make its annual E3 media briefing on Monday, June 15 at 9:30 AM PDT, during which time the console holder will show off its console gaming plans for the second half of 2015 and beyond. But that won’t be the only media briefing Microsoft will take part in this E3. Microsoft will also make an appearance at the first ever PC Gaming Show, which starts on Tuesday, June 16 at 5 PM EST.
Microsoft has joined chip maker AMD in co-sponsoring the event being put on by the folks over at PC Gamer. Xbox head honcho Phil Spencer will be joined by some game developers to share Microsoft’s plans for spelling Xbox as Windows 10.
11 years ago
Playdead’s Inside delayed
Inside, the much-anticipated Limbo follow-up from developer Playdead, has officially been delayed. Originally announced at E3 2014 and slated for release in early 2015, the game’s launch has now been pushed …
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11 years ago
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime preview: It’s written in the stars
A good co-op game is hard to come by. Even harder to come by, is one that requires a level of communication so demanding that you feel like you’re actually experiencing a game with the other person instead of just playing your own games side by side.
Asteroid Base’s Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is trying to achieve just that, while also trying to complement each player’s gaming style, their strengths and weaknesses.
Inspired by the scene in Star Wars in which Han and Luke are climbing ladders and shooting TIE fighters in the Millennium Falcon, Lovers is a game that demands communication.
11 years ago
Spy Chameleon review (Xbox One)
Spy Chameleon was developed and published by Unfinished Pixel on Xbox One. It was released on May 21, 2015 for $4.99. A copy was provided for review purposes.
If you would have asked me what kind of game I wanted to play before Spy Chameleon was on my radar, my answer would not have included a chameleon stealth game. So when Unfinished Pixel’s game was announced, it was with a raised eyebrow that I mused, “What is this nonsense?” and expected the worst when it came time to review. To my surprise, Spy Chameleon is unexpectedly fun and well designed (barring moments of chagrin while streaming on the XBLA Fans Twitch channel). I’ll venture to say the game will be underrated; many have been quick to dismiss the title without giving it an opportunity to prove its worth. The stealth genre isn’t for everyone.
Spy Chameleon has the player controlling a chameleon through many levels in the name of completing objectives. Naturally, those objectives don’t factor into the gameplay and are simply excuses to play. Every 15 levels a specific objective ends. Each series introduces more environmental hazards that threaten the safety of the protagonist. Fear not, though, the chameleon has an ability to change into four different colors to blend into the environment and avoid detection. Armed with this talent, the player sets forth to survive another day in the world of corporate espionage. (Note that all of my following comments are tailored to gameplay on hard difficulty; normal difficulty has slower-moving light beams, which makes it feel like a different experience.)
11 years ago
The Swapper review (Xbox One)
The Swapper was developed by Facepalm Games and published by Curve Digital on Xbox One. It will release on June 5, 2015 for $14.99. A copy was provided by Curve Digital for review purposes.
What do you do when one person isn’t enough for the job? Create clones, of course! The Swapper is a story-driven puzzle-platformer experience featuring a protagonist’s desperate attempt to survive a derelict space station. Things aren’t what they appear to be, and the player is drawn farther into the rabbit hole while collecting strange orbs to power up portions of the station. What is going on? What happened here? Where is everyone? And who is that talking? Players will be engrossed by an indirect narrative while attempting to solve the mysteries of space station Theseus. This is definitely an out-of-body experience.