tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53128849017628316412024-02-20T19:59:42.919-08:00Vg BastardryVG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-16778953231654060512014-09-03T15:47:00.000-07:002014-09-03T15:58:13.797-07:00"Waiting on Destiny..." pt. 2 - CounterSpy<span style="font-size: small;">Our <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=destiny&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21">Destiny</a> is close... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8snTMyN7nr0KukmHAw6Ul3XtSu6NFzAtjqNDdHpGOgSNzmqvsf3lSvI2Ic2BFYDHdSomMsa2Rp-O6HvfwuDkiVFp1BRM9Bp3w8Ekff28nZno8jXoOHv8Ipp2ehmrnNYdgiOolppqpYY/s1600/Destiny+Banner+Style.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8snTMyN7nr0KukmHAw6Ul3XtSu6NFzAtjqNDdHpGOgSNzmqvsf3lSvI2Ic2BFYDHdSomMsa2Rp-O6HvfwuDkiVFp1BRM9Bp3w8Ekff28nZno8jXoOHv8Ipp2ehmrnNYdgiOolppqpYY/s1600/Destiny+Banner+Style.jpg" height="187" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Many
have been counting the days, and we're down to four... and a bit. And
as you can read or have read in <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/09/waiting-on-destiny-pt-1-trials-fusion.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> of this two-parter mini-series, with the impending arrival of something much anticipated, I always have that Jones for something, anything, to play, but am reluctant to invest too much in a bigger game. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">In Part 1, I subtly recommended <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=trials%20fusion&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Trials Fusion</a> to pass the time (besides doing something really worthwhile with your life, but who DOES that anyway?) until Destiny arrives on Tuesday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Today, here's another little Gem to ease your minds and itch those fingers, a Playstation Exclusive, Indie Cold-War Stealth-Action game named: </span><br />
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<a href="http://uk.playstation.com/counterspy/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">CounterSpy</span></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGxzqbqW6XHdvVp5vYCi530rQLObNj9wDN-V8gXf4O64ifkApvXVbqi-oLiUxFHIy0P0hnGQxdI11C2R6dNj7aZnPZj9TxYFccS8s-EVIAHhRwErgyGk0Zr5s3xJ-ArvZoCD9rQNJYnY/s1600/CS8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGxzqbqW6XHdvVp5vYCi530rQLObNj9wDN-V8gXf4O64ifkApvXVbqi-oLiUxFHIy0P0hnGQxdI11C2R6dNj7aZnPZj9TxYFccS8s-EVIAHhRwErgyGk0Zr5s3xJ-ArvZoCD9rQNJYnY/s1600/CS8.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The first thing you will notice, is the art - because calling it an "art-style" would simply not do it justice. It's something between Spy vs. Spy and Cold-War Comic Books, and it's just stunning, both in its execution and its inherent, tongue-in-cheek character.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Granted, the Cold War was not necessarily a "funny" time - although in hind sight, the enormity of this most boastful of conflicts could seem a bit ridiculous. It's no coincidence that the biggest single thing that stopped the two nuclear superpowers from annihilating each other (and the world) was called "MAD": Mutually Assured Destruction. Gotta love those acronyms, you really do...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnjdGil6olqgAp9kXXEX6TeBI5FWacS0Lq5yIfLCkRiwUlyh6aGhRqVjyxG2CDNQB7aNxm1J-ezCxVbXOSz-kwr73mebGHQcjog4l2mkVQYO44B9lTlSQKlgITDDlCU4OX046QKecTqw/s1600/CS9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnjdGil6olqgAp9kXXEX6TeBI5FWacS0Lq5yIfLCkRiwUlyh6aGhRqVjyxG2CDNQB7aNxm1J-ezCxVbXOSz-kwr73mebGHQcjog4l2mkVQYO44B9lTlSQKlgITDDlCU4OX046QKecTqw/s1600/CS9.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">CounterSpy's Setup is not too historical. CounterSpy is meant to be fun, and does not take itself too seriously - but in its setup, it already makes a fair bit of a statement. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">As an agent of C.O.U.N.T.E.R., you work against BOTH superpowers, the Imperialist Aggressors and the Socialist Aggressors, who plan to launch a nuclear strike at the Moon (You know, where that Wizard came from...). It's quite refreshing to have you NOT fight the "Red Menace" for a change - or at least, not exclusively. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Being with COUNTER, you are tasked with infiltrating Military Bases on both sides and recover secret plans to stop the impending doom of mankind. Because if the Moon goes "Boom"... yes, you get it: Doom. Helping you in that endeavor is, once you've unlocked the respective blueprints found on missions, a healthy mix of Weapons (Stealthy and Not-so-Stealthy), Boost-Formulas you can buy for one mission, and the most deadly weapon of all! No, it's not that Barbara-Streisand-Mech from Southpark, and Michael Bolton has nothing to do with it. It's your MIND!</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=520968951380943" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">At it's heart, CounterSpy is a 2D Stealth-Action Game, but it comes with a 3D twist: Once you get into specific Cover, things turn 3D, and previously unreachable enemies become members of an animated shooting gallery. Don't let yourself be fooled, though, this does not turn CounterSpy into a 3D Third-Person-Shooter. It's more of a "Puzzler", in that aspect. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZRsWunEIjulXgrKKHS1S38IWYeo370E6S4PRcMVVCLh7VmuiN055WDcFPk05oLkAnK8Ls36Xh_S1YEu-mEZq_BgHGlhoBMnmq2aic-c1frh6_gmV0TcyCAqjgo2QvU_I2vLwlPpEap0/s1600/CS2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZRsWunEIjulXgrKKHS1S38IWYeo370E6S4PRcMVVCLh7VmuiN055WDcFPk05oLkAnK8Ls36Xh_S1YEu-mEZq_BgHGlhoBMnmq2aic-c1frh6_gmV0TcyCAqjgo2QvU_I2vLwlPpEap0/s1600/CS2.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Since you cannot change the camera when in cover, and enemies you can't see or shoot can most definitely can and will shoot you, each encounter has to be approached with a bit more tactic than you might think, choosing when and where to go into cover, or use the wider, yet flatter, view of two dimensions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here you will also encounter what might be perceived as one of the game's short-comings, but most of that stems from what we, the players, are used to expect when "going into cover". CounterSpy simply is not, and once you understand its quite unique boundaries, you'll have a lot of fun experimenting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Stealth is recommended (tip from the Devs: Holding the Roll Button will automatically snap you into cover when you get close enough, for quick and sneaky Stealthiness), and if that is not to your liking, a fast dispatch of alerted enemies will do you good. Because DefCon is rising (that's like "Winter is coming", only Cold-War-ish). Once you get detected or killed, DefCon rises </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> in different ways</span>(actually it goes down, with 0 being the maximum DefCon; hey, I didn't invent that system, blame the Imperialists!), and once it hits zero, you'll only have a limited time to reach the end of the level and stop the rockets' launch. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMLdcEbFHUTCrsEgI5a6ZbQM1KTojkXi4yyOx4RkSpGek-TRaBae2ydX1piN5hrFBv-pRLfWqg4oa9vzBfgNeSeG1iY7Hk61KLN0Beg98JpQQvX0NAQ1F0aAT8Knlgj8TbeUL5Nhl0L8/s1600/CS6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMLdcEbFHUTCrsEgI5a6ZbQM1KTojkXi4yyOx4RkSpGek-TRaBae2ydX1piN5hrFBv-pRLfWqg4oa9vzBfgNeSeG1iY7Hk61KLN0Beg98JpQQvX0NAQ1F0aAT8Knlgj8TbeUL5Nhl0L8/s1600/CS6.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The DefCon level is also persistent between missions for each side, and since the final mission will play out where the highest (numerically lowest) DefCon level is, you should do what you can to keep it low (i.e. high. Dammit!). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">One way to lower it, and another lovely comedic nugget, is to subdue an Officer instead of shooting him. Because, as every enlisted Soldier knows, officers are cowards, and without backup will quickly surrender in the face of adversity. And thus lower your DefCon Level by One.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Speaking of levels, the missions are randomly generated from existing "building blocks". Which means that you might see the many different rooms on each side of the Iron Curtain several times during a playthrough, but no mission will ever be the same - which is good for people that want to play again and again, but bad for those that want to perfect "runs" or something.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFOO6mLmDQJRJB3t9aW8XcGHi3NZ8PB_9PqPrmDhzNciSx5qrkSG6IP9Hgcz6QcR49YY1DJHbQfrNNhRpH-i4FxslhuydwSMOMgwIxz7NSL3GlhkaGyl4SMSaWvZpiA8Tcg5kvRHZyj0/s1600/CS3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFOO6mLmDQJRJB3t9aW8XcGHi3NZ8PB_9PqPrmDhzNciSx5qrkSG6IP9Hgcz6QcR49YY1DJHbQfrNNhRpH-i4FxslhuydwSMOMgwIxz7NSL3GlhkaGyl4SMSaWvZpiA8Tcg5kvRHZyj0/s1600/CS3.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">If you do like to beat other people's scores, the game gives you challenges from friends or others, score challenges you need to beat. If you do, you can find your beaten buddy in the guise of a deceased rival Agent somewhere in the next level for a big cash boost. And make no mistake. You might set out with the noble goal of saving humanity from its own folly, but everything, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Weapons, Ammo and Formulas, everything</span> needs cash. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">In the following gameplay, I have tried to show as many aspects of the game as possible, going stealthy, semi-stealthy, failed-stealthy and loud. Yes, that was on purpose. I speaketh the Truth!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">As much fun as it is, CounterSpy is not without its issues. Some smaller bugs, like wrong animations, enemies that see through walls or seemingly cheap "You could not help but be detected just by entering the room" moments, can be seen in the vid above, but my personal biggest gripe, are the loading times on the PS Vita (and, from what I read around the net, on the PS3, too). Because those are excessive. Like 60 seconds for a mission.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisK6MsLq2-bSRHHf9gSiu4JlsdlQKj0nTvFrWKUVTqCqf6DJvC3ToryRoWSYT6EtjDrxB11YqW_pMTq2BrBO774eh-n__YOjAmTrg_8zREOtKThbrdOKq-w6-FE6tUstBwG_M8hi2L09E/s1600/CS4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisK6MsLq2-bSRHHf9gSiu4JlsdlQKj0nTvFrWKUVTqCqf6DJvC3ToryRoWSYT6EtjDrxB11YqW_pMTq2BrBO774eh-n__YOjAmTrg_8zREOtKThbrdOKq-w6-FE6tUstBwG_M8hi2L09E/s1600/CS4.png" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">That said, it still looks awesome on the Vita, and even better on the PS4, something the videos do not adequately capture (as I don't have a PS3, I cannot judge on that). The gameplay is fun and diverse, often challenging, and only sometimes (mostly due to little bugs) a bit frustrating. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">With Cross-Buy on all three Sony Platforms (PS3, PS Vita and PS4), as well as networked cross-saves, the small-budget price and bite-sized missions of CounterSpy do make a great distraction from waiting on your... Destiny. Whatever it may be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">For a look at the skillful and stylish Moto-Cross Simulation "Trials Fusion" check out Part 1 of this mini-series <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/09/waiting-on-destiny-pt-1-trials-fusion.html" target="_blank">Here</a>. (There. At the "Here". It's a Link. Just trust me.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I hoped you enjoyed what you read, and watching my
(potentially embarrassing) gameplay (as always, please watch in HD). And if
you want to show your support, why not use one of the links to </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span> before you want to buy anything there? I'd sure appreciate it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">... Or, I guess, you could tell me how awesome this was in a comment, but... well. You know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=playstation&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Playstation </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Xbox&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PC%20games&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PC Gaming</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&docId=1000784673&linkCode=ur2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(All content property of its respective owners)</span></span>VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-82423319590667907292014-09-03T11:06:00.001-07:002014-09-03T15:50:31.260-07:00"Waiting on Destiny..." pt. 1 - Trials Fusion<span style="font-size: small;">It's less than a week now, that Bungie's ultra-hyped <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=destiny&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21">Destiny </a>will arrive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8snTMyN7nr0KukmHAw6Ul3XtSu6NFzAtjqNDdHpGOgSNzmqvsf3lSvI2Ic2BFYDHdSomMsa2Rp-O6HvfwuDkiVFp1BRM9Bp3w8Ekff28nZno8jXoOHv8Ipp2ehmrnNYdgiOolppqpYY/s1600/Destiny+Banner+Style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8snTMyN7nr0KukmHAw6Ul3XtSu6NFzAtjqNDdHpGOgSNzmqvsf3lSvI2Ic2BFYDHdSomMsa2Rp-O6HvfwuDkiVFp1BRM9Bp3w8Ekff28nZno8jXoOHv8Ipp2ehmrnNYdgiOolppqpYY/s1600/Destiny+Banner+Style.jpg" height="187" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Many have been counting the days, and we're down to five... and a bit. And maybe it's just me, but those last few days before an eagerly awaited release are the absolute hardest to wait through (there's a small phonetic pun here nobody will appreciate, but I know it and I am awesome). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">So... what do you do? I mean, apart from work, taking care of the family, your pets (animal or otherwise), cleaning up your room or flat, or generally doing something useful with your life instead of wasting it on video games... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">What do you do? Yes, you could explore Destiny's Planets with that cute little, Google Maps powered <a href="http://www.destinyplanetview.com/" target="_blank">Destiny Planet View</a> (which always manages to crash my Firefox, but runs fine on Chrome, for some reason), but... what do you PLAY?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEifQNj2J19xoKtiMd3Uq7fxBdTkJPBJMz5D7tWi8ujVEvKthMm1QI0OKlHJ9e3sGDNx6vwdfzNGH-tBjgFyi-76pOjeHaRS6Y1UVZi4HKV-aecx-L1hJsz4b6aTQzL9UiAsACuVvOCE/s1600/diablo+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEifQNj2J19xoKtiMd3Uq7fxBdTkJPBJMz5D7tWi8ujVEvKthMm1QI0OKlHJ9e3sGDNx6vwdfzNGH-tBjgFyi-76pOjeHaRS6Y1UVZi4HKV-aecx-L1hJsz4b6aTQzL9UiAsACuVvOCE/s1600/diablo+3.jpeg" height="180" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">A looming big release might have your fingers itching, but do you really want to invest in another big game (I'm looking at you, "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=diablo%203%20reaper%20of%20souls&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Diablo 3 - Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition</a>" )? Despite the fact, that you might either leave a quite expensive game to collect dust on your shelf when your Destiny arrives, or become so engrossed in it, that in four weeks you'll wake up in the morning, thinking about your new legendary dagger and those Greater Rifts, and wondering if you ever even get to get on with your Destiny...? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">So, I have a two suggestions, one right Here, the second right <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/09/waiting-on-destiny-pt-2-counterspy.html" target="_blank">There </a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank"></a>(via the link): two smaller games, at first glance shorter games, with less of a price tag, but just as much potential to keep your mind off of those insufferably long, final days until your Guardian can... save humanity. Or something. Definitely something noble and worthwhile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzoXwbEVwdsfdih8q2B41TWuSXnszpHP3yCFA17OFZ7cIEWEYy3MLJF4VWmhR4_4nUj9le60UDUfAF9xZ-slWXnLqa5-GFnV86wS0sHIM1BoRavgyoNHM-uOOT9NCHTrYBNsqw7T1014/s1600/trials+fusion+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzoXwbEVwdsfdih8q2B41TWuSXnszpHP3yCFA17OFZ7cIEWEYy3MLJF4VWmhR4_4nUj9le60UDUfAF9xZ-slWXnLqa5-GFnV86wS0sHIM1BoRavgyoNHM-uOOT9NCHTrYBNsqw7T1014/s1600/trials+fusion+2.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=trials%20fusion&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Trials Fusion</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">People familiar with the Trials series will know what I mean, when I say that rarely has there been a game that could be as skillfully gratifying - and frustrating - as Trials. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJzajREpd-cJW_AsLmMs9YLmudaxM8gpTBJ3bSd6bnfbFLYR32zdZ-ny2dPgTyv34YqUbBGjOVNEH0B3b1F26rr9siRa-ZX6TVzGNL0RxbRfNqZGezomHdyqA9fp9gTvMZl51qOq2kkI/s1600/trials+real+life+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJzajREpd-cJW_AsLmMs9YLmudaxM8gpTBJ3bSd6bnfbFLYR32zdZ-ny2dPgTyv34YqUbBGjOVNEH0B3b1F26rr9siRa-ZX6TVzGNL0RxbRfNqZGezomHdyqA9fp9gTvMZl51qOq2kkI/s1600/trials+real+life+2.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">What is Trails? Originating in real life, Trials are ridiculously strange and difficult obstacle courses to be traversed with your bike - be that mountain or motocross - by equally ridiculously skilled drivers. Seriously, seeing some of these people blithely violate all common laws of physics is a rare treat.
The Trials-series brought that treat to the gaming world, and it has been going strong ever since. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The latest iteration, Trials Fusion, also made its way onto next-gen consoles, and the upgraded graphics and smooth frame rates are a joy - even when its possibly surprising learning curve and difficulty might leave you a bit frustrated, mostly right at the start, and towards the end.
Trials starts relatively easy, more as a flowing racing game of motocross, and once you get a hang of the controls (which is not as easy as it might seem, but it's really worth it to grit it out), and how leaning and landing correctly are really essential, you will be gleefully racing to beat your friends' scores in no time, or compete in online Tournaments that task you with finishing three courses in a row as quickly and cleanly as you can. </span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=506342446176927" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Trials does get progressively more difficult, however, until a point may arrive (it did for me at the second "Extreme Difficulty" track), where after fruitless 30 minutes and 250 hopeless retries, you start thinking about visiting something "extreme" on the people that made these tracks, and, despite the frustration, still managed to make you want to try again.
Because eventually you will get to tracks so cunningly difficult, you will have to bring all your skills, learn some new ones, and just hope you'll get to the end - which is an achievement by itself, and rarely have I felt more satisfied than when finally finishing a course I never thought I possibly could. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The tracks are also not as obvious as a first time run might make them look - there's lots of hidden paths, hidden features, bonus levels and other stuff to find. To spice things up, tracks also come with specific challenges, and those are mostly not of the "easy" variety. But, just as the game itself, once you go for one, you will feel a very strong need to finish it - no matter how impossible your success might seem, or how embarrassing reaching it might have been.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5qPLdTnRjKlixlNywcBoPqJfvM9yc-SsoFMS-a-w066Iyl2ahaOQxVBWMEvmfIp7fjONz_pxLA7CPnSljnQKmqTSy0B9yZfD2fvVeVp7YIWH4R7PxzgleOmrVqm2Be64uA1s6xhUPT4/s1600/trials+fusion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5qPLdTnRjKlixlNywcBoPqJfvM9yc-SsoFMS-a-w066Iyl2ahaOQxVBWMEvmfIp7fjONz_pxLA7CPnSljnQKmqTSy0B9yZfD2fvVeVp7YIWH4R7PxzgleOmrVqm2Be64uA1s6xhUPT4/s1600/trials+fusion.jpg" height="173" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Trials Fusion also introduced aerial acrobatics, but to be quite honest, those tracks are far less intriguing than the general Trials tracks - of which there are quite a lot, both from the game, the two-of-six DLCs that have already been released (and those are a good reason to get back on your bike for all you veterans), and the by now over 20.000 user-generated tracks made with Fusion's Track Editor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">All in all, Trials Fusion, with it's Season Pass, is not only a refreshingly welcome change of pace from shooting things (although it should be mentioned, that at the end of each track, the rider is subjected to a crash and/or horrible death), but also a great investment for some short-lived fun that may just take over your life. Until your "Destiny" hits, that is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Yet, I would be amiss in not issuing a few warnings: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXZwmreRxpSppIIQvgPI9Wlymu9t8woYNfDUaVdgarEgcrzMvfPtmtLlJl6cs1c5PSW9fcygfvjMG0EGHMkeCOqasjmytmJVlkSubGaGNWNa9qbAl89-04CUYjV26KlJT_HdCqXKppQ4/s1600/trials+season.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXZwmreRxpSppIIQvgPI9Wlymu9t8woYNfDUaVdgarEgcrzMvfPtmtLlJl6cs1c5PSW9fcygfvjMG0EGHMkeCOqasjmytmJVlkSubGaGNWNa9qbAl89-04CUYjV26KlJT_HdCqXKppQ4/s1600/trials+season.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">First, since every DLC comes with new elements for the track editor, to be able to play those tracks, you need the DLC. Like, BUY the DLC, which is not the nice way to go about these things.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Second, and this can be a bummer, Fusion is not only a game you will not quite enjoy as you'd might think playing it on your PS Vita via Remote Play (no analog triggers), but touching the front touch-screen in anyway whatsoever will restart the whole track. It's an issue that has been lamented since Fusion's launch in February 2014, but it's still present - and breathtakingly annoying.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Third, unless you're really into beating your friends' scores and times, I would advise you to turn off their ghost images in the options menu. Otherwise you might find yourself constantly pressured by little icons on the screen showing you how much better your buddies where, and possibly miss out on much of the fun that comes from simply enjoying the intricately crafted tracks and their many hidden features. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And finally... not even mentioning the most horrible Title Song, ever ("Welcome to the Future! Man! Machine! The Future!"), this is one game, where you might want to play your own music, too. Unless you have a PS4, that is... (Shame on you, Sony! Shame on you!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">For a look at stylish Cold-War Stealth-Action Game "CounterSpy", visit the second part of this mini-series right <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/09/waiting-on-destiny-pt-2-counterspy.html" target="_blank">Here</a>! (No, you click on the "Here". The one right there...) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I hoped you enjoyed what you read, and watching my (mostly embarrassing) gameplay (as always, please watch in HD). And if you want to show your support, why not use one of the links to </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span> before you want to buy anything there? I'd sure appreciate it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">... Or, I guess, you could tell me how awesome this was in a comment, but... well. You know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=playstation&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Playstation </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Xbox&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PC%20games&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PC Gaming</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&docId=1000784673&linkCode=ur2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(All content property of its respective owners)</span> </span>VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-36526688224014628732014-07-03T15:22:00.003-07:002014-07-03T16:59:39.488-07:00The Road to Destiny... Pt.4: The Crucible - PvP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1VqbHOoE2XUoGfRKYDwATQ1aqyPxEsreJKHGYgSdDOrXGqlZrmeCRY4EI_wFI-R4W3WyJ6-xQqEl8Q4418SEWsnWeDLpI1769a9B1XwE1zqcvzF5KF82IpWZGuF6XRxvKs4O_I7JuWg/s1600/Destiny1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1VqbHOoE2XUoGfRKYDwATQ1aqyPxEsreJKHGYgSdDOrXGqlZrmeCRY4EI_wFI-R4W3WyJ6-xQqEl8Q4418SEWsnWeDLpI1769a9B1XwE1zqcvzF5KF82IpWZGuF6XRxvKs4O_I7JuWg/s1600/Destiny1.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Future. Touched by the Light of The Traveler, we have braved the Stars. But an ancient Darkness is coming to end us all...</span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=destiny&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Destiny</a>...The Place you will come to Rule. And Own. But not Teabag.</div>
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The Beta is near, and after showing you some of the Alpha's Solo and Co-Op Activities in <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/07/the-road-to-destiny-pt3-things-to-do.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, let's take a look at the Competitive Multiplayer: <br />
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<u>"<b>The Crucible</b>": It's Player-versus-Player Warfare</u> - Train for the "Fight for the Light" by shooting <b>other </b>people that Fight for the Light. It totally makes sense.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS2extoPqSSF_u9FAWgR51VDu3Wt78wbhVXVzkcW-jXpQhKXGrEgkzJKoDy0wuzIkCWg7SLeX3AIB_b44XGZ1HzyRH4E8wgcYERlBYpX5fb1HUXCP-dODqVJ3mEkKR12xIzbqX8dcwRM/s1600/des_nav+control.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS2extoPqSSF_u9FAWgR51VDu3Wt78wbhVXVzkcW-jXpQhKXGrEgkzJKoDy0wuzIkCWg7SLeX3AIB_b44XGZ1HzyRH4E8wgcYERlBYpX5fb1HUXCP-dODqVJ3mEkKR12xIzbqX8dcwRM/s1600/des_nav+control.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>Then again, PvP never had to make sense. It's about the friendly, competitive challenge that engaging another human-controlled player inevitably comes with. It's definitely not about owning people, or tea-bagging them into rage-quitting. Thing to note here: No corpses in Destiny - No Tea-Bagging. All that's left after a kill is a lone Ghost, one of each Guardians' floating robotic helpers - you might even be able to get revived, although that never happened in the Alpha to my knowledge.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcLqBbXBJAQAM0J1_seAFrvaaaQAV46syCHOH8V_zMX7zfQQCAbeuJdPcSV25SS_V0dZ-yO4TzLAnjC8RGOOzGDesoOqGusPgm-LLTbUljnTwqPI_PgTKvDjiVCdF5xb3dT6UlN_SGGs/s1600/des_armor_statboost1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcLqBbXBJAQAM0J1_seAFrvaaaQAV46syCHOH8V_zMX7zfQQCAbeuJdPcSV25SS_V0dZ-yO4TzLAnjC8RGOOzGDesoOqGusPgm-LLTbUljnTwqPI_PgTKvDjiVCdF5xb3dT6UlN_SGGs/s1600/des_armor_statboost1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Yes, you play with your own Guardian, with your own weapons, your own gear. No more Red vs. Blue. You also have access to your full inventory, and can change gear, weapons and even class ability upgrades at any time during the match. But don't you worry about high-level players having access to much better gear. Destiny is not Battlefield, after all. "Level Advantages (like higher Damage or better Protection from high Level Gear are) Disabled".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmc4uDDNpTh47pfMrH_eoaML8of_wrkNMYWwVW6xF2dTmbD4U093C0M9x2VoNnD4fRORFI5-mneGqI6l9j9NMi8cwDZmkEP_xxxtgH4vDQydDYAXKiYoSoKIzJy6we2k5kEgkjei8-bQ/s1600/des_MP_Earth.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmc4uDDNpTh47pfMrH_eoaML8of_wrkNMYWwVW6xF2dTmbD4U093C0M9x2VoNnD4fRORFI5-mneGqI6l9j9NMi8cwDZmkEP_xxxtgH4vDQydDYAXKiYoSoKIzJy6we2k5kEgkjei8-bQ/s1600/des_MP_Earth.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>In short, this means, that in The Crucible, a level 20 gun will do the same basic damage as a level 1 gun, while level 1 Head Armor will offer the same protection as its level 20 counterpart. It's a very nice way to level the playing field, while still retaining your individual play-style preferences.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmei-6UwhGsjp6BK33NLeeXf-25m_Xyq1jfJ3DCF1NkLPeqdthkq2JsFtlpdCYlGAulNLqmypgctsqVGQJUY1owKv9PFCGFs3k4BStdS4GzKEZY4I9yQfC1b0n1zREtmO7B_erJjsW2Nc/s1600/des_armor_upgrade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmei-6UwhGsjp6BK33NLeeXf-25m_Xyq1jfJ3DCF1NkLPeqdthkq2JsFtlpdCYlGAulNLqmypgctsqVGQJUY1owKv9PFCGFs3k4BStdS4GzKEZY4I9yQfC1b0n1zREtmO7B_erJjsW2Nc/s1600/des_armor_upgrade.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>Now, there <b>are </b>small
differences, since the bonus stats of Uncommon and Rarer Gear are
still in effect, and weapon upgrades, like scopes, that are unlocked by
using a single weapon quite a lot, can give the more experienced player
slight advantages. But if there's one thing Bungie is good at, it's
matchmaking - something we've had to experience in the steep decline of
match-making from Halo Reach (Bungie) to Halo 4 (343 Studios) - so the
chances of level 20s battling level 5s are pretty slim.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyk11V7TI5jnU2Bfk8UVD5hDFXpR2IDyQzSpUxA2lBbI_H6BVEAr2_HT_rAHxuOLv4BXk8CVMXqDjXBSUtgQT4bWrS7WVdmlGDRlojeMzW37IA_JGaykjUEOVH-XAxHe6pYKNtqxkvfA/s1600/Des_MP_Earth_Control.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyk11V7TI5jnU2Bfk8UVD5hDFXpR2IDyQzSpUxA2lBbI_H6BVEAr2_HT_rAHxuOLv4BXk8CVMXqDjXBSUtgQT4bWrS7WVdmlGDRlojeMzW37IA_JGaykjUEOVH-XAxHe6pYKNtqxkvfA/s1600/Des_MP_Earth_Control.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>As to what game modes will be available, the Alpha only had one ("Control" certain static areas on the map and kill enemies for points), but teased with icons of at least 5 more. One can safely assume that the (sad) staple of FPS Player-vs-Player "Team Deathmatch" will be present. Possibly there might be a "Free-for-All" Everyone kills Everyone game mode, as well. Hell, if Halo is any indication, two of the other icons may even just be "Big Team" Versions of Control and TDM, increasing the usual 6v6 into 12v12. </div>
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Something I am personally hoping for, is a mode that combines different game modes, like Killzone's Warzones or Ghost Recon Future Soldier's Conflict. Control was a lot of fun, but I like variety <b>plus</b> fun even better.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl9eYvxtcKZhanKoeKx8li-5onKN0aj3oCgdoFkGthIEgXvLSRDUE-ZErUp-gLj2kd6ePDS_DTLZ5TJHs2-wXie7MSSsL-WCOQ6f-ZmKCYaxnfoWTSs6yrpsF8Uj3i6vTQ8ONBiIfGUw/s1600/des_MP_Moon.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl9eYvxtcKZhanKoeKx8li-5onKN0aj3oCgdoFkGthIEgXvLSRDUE-ZErUp-gLj2kd6ePDS_DTLZ5TJHs2-wXie7MSSsL-WCOQ6f-ZmKCYaxnfoWTSs6yrpsF8Uj3i6vTQ8ONBiIfGUw/s1600/des_MP_Moon.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>The two Maps in the Alpha were called "Rust Lands" - a relatively small, no-vehicle map in a dilapidated industry/warehouse area on Earth - and "First Light" - a bigger map, with both spawning offensive vehicles and use of your own speed bike, plus several threatening turrets on the Moon's surface.<br />
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The gameplay on each map differed accordingly, but take a look for yourself in the video montages below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7L6AGygOVH86iv6DJLL4HOpYdG25XmAEe7eQ_fHo28d6XpGkPo_WOcPn1PENh4dK07awVLq_EuxYfpiBaL-RX0eLsiLMj23zt4-rUCBWcra5JwsgyTGyXZBZE4QXI1J2XPmAx50n7cE/s1600/Titan_Crucible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7L6AGygOVH86iv6DJLL4HOpYdG25XmAEe7eQ_fHo28d6XpGkPo_WOcPn1PENh4dK07awVLq_EuxYfpiBaL-RX0eLsiLMj23zt4-rUCBWcra5JwsgyTGyXZBZE4QXI1J2XPmAx50n7cE/s1600/Titan_Crucible.jpg" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCYEqMbazSruubQMd1eYi1FyxOQTf-geKEKqSxkkFqJS38a_t8HIgzypPKnKftOMG5skN_cVzwR0DNl2xkJAW7ALHV3mw50kB0JKOi-uiGTUJ7lpOixMF3g3nfrlQTa42Py9i8hyphenhypheni0Hs/s1600/Warlock_Crucible.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>And before anyone worries, I am, at best, mediocre in PvP, yet I never
really felt helpless, nor frustrated. And best of all: (almost) no more
Bunny-Hopping. If you ever played Halo games, you will be familiar with
the concept of simply hopping everywhere. Thankfully, with the new
double jump feature, that was almost completely absent from MP. In the
20 or so matches I played, I saw a single guy hopping up and down behind
some cover.<br />
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And there you have it. All the things you could do... in the ALPHA. Yes, all caps. It deserves it. There were full Xbox 360 and PS3 games that had less content (Homefront, anyone?). If the Alpha is just a part of what the full game will have to offer, I honestly cannot wait for September.<br />
So... you know. Wake me up, when September comes...<br />
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Seriously, though, Destiny is shaping up very nicely, indeed. If you get a chance to pre-order, see for yourself in the upcoming Beta, starting July 17th on PS3 and PS4, and the end of July on Xbox One, Xbox 360. <br />
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This marks the end of my four-part Destiny Blog Series. If you missed one, click the following links to get touched by the Light (ooohhh, that sounds dirty!):<br />
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<a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/06/the-road-to-destiny-pt-1-destiny-ps4.html">Part 1: Destiny - First Look Alpha Impressions</a><br />
<a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/07/the-road-to-destiny-pt2-who-you-are-and.html">Part 2: Destiny - Who you are and where you gather...</a><br />
<a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/07/the-road-to-destiny-pt3-things-to-do.html">Part 3: Destiny - Things to do, Things to Kill...</a><br />
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For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=playstation&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Playstation </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Xbox&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PC%20games&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PC Gaming</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&docId=1000784673&linkCode=ur2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...
VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-13465830258931041042014-07-03T15:11:00.005-07:002014-07-03T15:24:05.866-07:00The Road to Destiny... Pt.3: Things to do, Things to kill...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1VqbHOoE2XUoGfRKYDwATQ1aqyPxEsreJKHGYgSdDOrXGqlZrmeCRY4EI_wFI-R4W3WyJ6-xQqEl8Q4418SEWsnWeDLpI1769a9B1XwE1zqcvzF5KF82IpWZGuF6XRxvKs4O_I7JuWg/s1600/Destiny1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1VqbHOoE2XUoGfRKYDwATQ1aqyPxEsreJKHGYgSdDOrXGqlZrmeCRY4EI_wFI-R4W3WyJ6-xQqEl8Q4418SEWsnWeDLpI1769a9B1XwE1zqcvzF5KF82IpWZGuF6XRxvKs4O_I7JuWg/s1600/Destiny1.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Future. Touched by the Light of The Traveler, we have braved the Stars. But an ancient Darkness is coming to end us all...</span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=destiny&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Destiny</a>...The Place you will come back to. Again and again. Because (possibly), there's just so much to do.</div>
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With the setup, races and the social hub explained in <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/07/the-road-to-destiny-pt2-who-you-are-and.html" target="_blank">my previous post</a>, let's look at some of Destiny's
activities showcased in the Alpha (apparently that's what you call game modes or missions, now,
because we're not playing video games, oh no, we're "engaging in social
activities").<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9AwPTYKejHIiw5uf28Tcq1vZ6IzOHpMsqXoutZnREXPQuckn3TI6aL7nHidGf5We6-oCW-saMwfGaECOIaHMKquo9bMPHdi7iaEx6Irs79132-0I0D-JqkJWN3DMDZF9qlKG_VTJM-E/s1600/des_gunplay.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9AwPTYKejHIiw5uf28Tcq1vZ6IzOHpMsqXoutZnREXPQuckn3TI6aL7nHidGf5We6-oCW-saMwfGaECOIaHMKquo9bMPHdi7iaEx6Irs79132-0I0D-JqkJWN3DMDZF9qlKG_VTJM-E/s1600/des_gunplay.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>And
"engaging" surely is the word, since most of what you do is about
either "engaging" other characters (violently), or preparing to engage
other characters (violently). Oh, yes, you can also chat and dance and
mess around, buy stuff and upgrade stuff, but Destiny is a First Person
Shooter - so saying it's mostly about shooting things, albeit in a very
"social" spirit, is nothing to be ashamed of. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2v4-7bVfHVPU_rxn-cr7tI_2Dfeh5wR7N_j21TScF_MX8ngQ-Ga6dT-PuHHCe0asMzS_E9EpINkbUQ3_VyuiEqolThhl_eJyNBfBjnpBwCYUorUTYGmvfYJeVGnQ_W3ToX7SRTWHmYY/s1600/Des_Orbit_Launch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2v4-7bVfHVPU_rxn-cr7tI_2Dfeh5wR7N_j21TScF_MX8ngQ-Ga6dT-PuHHCe0asMzS_E9EpINkbUQ3_VyuiEqolThhl_eJyNBfBjnpBwCYUorUTYGmvfYJeVGnQ_W3ToX7SRTWHmYY/s1600/Des_Orbit_Launch.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>Now, as I said in "<a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/07/the-road-to-destiny-pt2-who-you-are-and.html" target="_blank">that other post</a>", you launch your "activities" from orbit. the Leader triggered his exit into Orbit, you automatically came along. The Alpha featured Four, Three "Campaign" Activities for Solo and Co-Op Play, and The Crucible, Destinies Player vs. Player Action (the latter of which will not be included here, but be looked at in the next post, specifically):<br />
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<u>"<b>The Dark Within</b>" - Story Mission</u>: Find out what the Fallen are hiding at Skywatch, part of the old Russian Cosmodrome. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroEnUFF7iB4qiFUYbtwdmI0Eo9pqr1-JEq7LeDfSdth1UE9dUGZziGZRF-ekgnSD8ZvH7k2HK53DOqU_gl3xdQeFu7jnktVjJxdCdUX-YMalQ1ugClFethRSc2vjbJNibUB0R1jBJpkY/s1600/desnav_earth_story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroEnUFF7iB4qiFUYbtwdmI0Eo9pqr1-JEq7LeDfSdth1UE9dUGZziGZRF-ekgnSD8ZvH7k2HK53DOqU_gl3xdQeFu7jnktVjJxdCdUX-YMalQ1ugClFethRSc2vjbJNibUB0R1jBJpkY/s1600/desnav_earth_story.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>A pretty straight-forward Mission of "Go, Look, Kill" from early in the game. Fun, but nothing special. Good, creepy atmosphere, though. Playable with up to three players.</div>
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<u>"<b>The Devil's Lair</b>" - Strike Mission</u>: Deep within the Cosmodrome, a powerful evil Servitor is up to equally evil Shenanigans. Go and stab the evil Cyclops in its eye! (creative license, people!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoaou6MGnluHiD5QORfxWLMe0csHrcgGF5HABpTXfXozm99Ek8BL3Pcvs7mH45EtQ7FT33Ox1zHkribVZ8WrNui6UMa7EbhLUOsHOJ25zOz8SwLPfZGv2lMDoWx3sU5eKSdd2YsFkRb8/s1600/desnav_earth_strike.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoaou6MGnluHiD5QORfxWLMe0csHrcgGF5HABpTXfXozm99Ek8BL3Pcvs7mH45EtQ7FT33Ox1zHkribVZ8WrNui6UMa7EbhLUOsHOJ25zOz8SwLPfZGv2lMDoWx3sU5eKSdd2YsFkRb8/s1600/desnav_earth_strike.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>A Co-Op Side-Mission (Strike) that is so much better than the Story Mission, simply because it's bigger, longer and features three nice set-piece encounters: a "Survive the Enemy Waves" and two nice boss fights. Recommended to be played with the maximum three players, unless you're hopelessly overlevelled for it. </div>
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Now, both of the Alpha's Mission Types, Story Missions and Strike Missions (and, I guess, the "Raid" Missions not present in the Alpha, all of which can be replayed) featured two Difficulties: Base and Legend. Legend (possibly an allusion to Halo's "Legendary" difficulty, who knows?) ramps up enemy level, HP, armor and damage (all of which was already said by "ramps up enemy level").<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6s1WXT2-vE2V81d_cS3cxDH-AUK5xAjezGLRuOhjfE0fgW-oSU_uEy4gwtBovf9XqulorxdmmVVhzxH9mCWnsHeD_50-1CJmeOa0PmmwyoMqslh6iGa-3U2lAR3z1ILAALTNj1GQmcs/s1600/des_story_base.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6s1WXT2-vE2V81d_cS3cxDH-AUK5xAjezGLRuOhjfE0fgW-oSU_uEy4gwtBovf9XqulorxdmmVVhzxH9mCWnsHeD_50-1CJmeOa0PmmwyoMqslh6iGa-3U2lAR3z1ILAALTNj1GQmcs/s1600/des_story_base.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>The game even tries to show you if you are prepared for it, by giving you "effectiveness percentages" of your currently equipped gear.<br />
It's as confusing as it sounds - until you understand that the game is not lowering (red) or raising (green) your gear effectiveness by the stated percentage, just that it's better or worse than what the game deems necessary for the challenge. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXzHsUL4G7p5pvDfDdCrSO6uZZeGHuQfPamgcnj0hyphenhypheno0scfeiYFQCLLVs5-0l_uQC4ydlYA4Xyb__ffAiustRCJzbKwUXjTyZ-OzdmS0BlQxfk_2hVuOtNcx2BOfGIc_lePhSSmxFyig/s1600/des_story_legend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXzHsUL4G7p5pvDfDdCrSO6uZZeGHuQfPamgcnj0hyphenhypheno0scfeiYFQCLLVs5-0l_uQC4ydlYA4Xyb__ffAiustRCJzbKwUXjTyZ-OzdmS0BlQxfk_2hVuOtNcx2BOfGIc_lePhSSmxFyig/s1600/des_story_legend.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
To illustrate, playing the Story Mission on Base with my low-level starting character, I didn't die once. Playing it again on Legend (which switched the Mission Level from 3 to 6) with a slightly better character, I died a lot - and felt like I was not doing much damage, to boot.</div>
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<u>"<b>Explore the Cosmodrome</b>":</u> Take a look around, see what you can find and/or kill. This time, nobody will tell you where to go.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jcXHhEWqmL2tMIwKN6iofKxvkg0wPRZc7x9qiSem8f4DaBmA_4pk5ARzy_tTpogOU8y00fBamTHk7Z-q9p_-qsbxRB4db-jZNUkRD-tzHZLRKs-zHqhCD-xMAj88WQkry55QU2KWumY/s1600/des_nav_earth_explore.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jcXHhEWqmL2tMIwKN6iofKxvkg0wPRZc7x9qiSem8f4DaBmA_4pk5ARzy_tTpogOU8y00fBamTHk7Z-q9p_-qsbxRB4db-jZNUkRD-tzHZLRKs-zHqhCD-xMAj88WQkry55QU2KWumY/s1600/des_nav_earth_explore.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>Well, until you accept one of the myriad (and, to be cruelly honest, for the most part dreadfully boring and monotonous) Patrol Missions you can find in the wild via Beacons, that tell you to "Go and kill" or "Go and Look". Bungie did state on their website, however, that the Alpha featured content they would never let the game ship with, so I dearly hope for better and more diverse Patrol Mission in the full game (or even already in the Beta).<br />
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Here's some non-commentary footage to give you a bit of the sense and scope of the Alpha's Free Roam Exploration: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDyGWpHDedmy6NUCyJk42hyqSVuf2QMUwHRbBfv3swJfPaUZH9qqI3Vuf65LWjqAgXVcLzF1zbzow6p-fdzpEyJT2AYnlf13WvP5NtVUg39KZXa-5l-v6aQSvTy8UKC6TimgMKCGhdWA/s1600/des_earth_explore_speeder.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDyGWpHDedmy6NUCyJk42hyqSVuf2QMUwHRbBfv3swJfPaUZH9qqI3Vuf65LWjqAgXVcLzF1zbzow6p-fdzpEyJT2AYnlf13WvP5NtVUg39KZXa-5l-v6aQSvTy8UKC6TimgMKCGhdWA/s1600/des_earth_explore_speeder.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Basically, you run or speed-bike around the huge (HUGE) Cosmodrome area (I'd say about a good two to three times as big as the bigger areas in Borderlands 2 - and that's just the part of the area you had access to), kill the constantly respawning enemies, look for loot in little nooks, crannies and caves, take a few Patrol Missions, and maybe get lucky and trigger a Public Event. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlW7Y7X0eSDnyNznxYjKoyB9RaKG3_lt6odhgGZiRQeXIiCDmyalm_GwoT4Sc6dhSSFxus08y-xi41OqzXW3Yv2s6T-7mT1t8kL_munNFm67xC_36pmM-4CTHYqKDr3Pj3BDxqHrrkC8/s1600/des_earth_event4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlW7Y7X0eSDnyNznxYjKoyB9RaKG3_lt6odhgGZiRQeXIiCDmyalm_GwoT4Sc6dhSSFxus08y-xi41OqzXW3Yv2s6T-7mT1t8kL_munNFm67xC_36pmM-4CTHYqKDr3Pj3BDxqHrrkC8/s1600/des_earth_event4.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>Public Events, as the name suggests, are public... well, events. Mini-Boss fights, Defend-and-Survive Missions, stuff like that. They're not easy, especially with a lower level, but the rewards are big, too. You even get some (considerably smaller) reward, for just competing. And, presumably, anyone in the area can join in - should it happen in their instance of the game. Exploration will already invariably have you meeting strangers in "your" game world, other players that do other stuff. You can help them, join up with them, or just ignore them - the choice is yours (but remember those Orbs of Light!).<br />
Together we guard against the Darkness!<br />
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Well, that's the things you could do in the Alpha by yourself or in cooperation with others. In my next post, I will look at The Crucible PvP - and all the things you can do UNTO others :)<br />
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For Part 4 of my Destiny Blog-Series, click here: <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/07/the-road-to-destiny-pt4-crucible-pvp.html">Destiny - The Crucible PvP</a><br />
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For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=playstation&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Playstation </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Xbox&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PC%20games&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PC Gaming</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&docId=1000784673&linkCode=ur2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...
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VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-1274183996275835652014-07-03T11:04:00.000-07:002014-07-03T15:19:44.511-07:00The Road to Destiny... Pt.2: Who you are and where you gather...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1VqbHOoE2XUoGfRKYDwATQ1aqyPxEsreJKHGYgSdDOrXGqlZrmeCRY4EI_wFI-R4W3WyJ6-xQqEl8Q4418SEWsnWeDLpI1769a9B1XwE1zqcvzF5KF82IpWZGuF6XRxvKs4O_I7JuWg/s1600/Destiny1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1VqbHOoE2XUoGfRKYDwATQ1aqyPxEsreJKHGYgSdDOrXGqlZrmeCRY4EI_wFI-R4W3WyJ6-xQqEl8Q4418SEWsnWeDLpI1769a9B1XwE1zqcvzF5KF82IpWZGuF6XRxvKs4O_I7JuWg/s1600/Destiny1.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Future. Touched by the Light of The Traveler, we have braved the Stars. But an ancient Darkness is coming to end us all...</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=destiny&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Destiny</a>...The Place you will end up. Whoever you are... </div>
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With more and more info constantly dropping on Destiny (<a href="http://www.bungie.net/7_Bungie-Weekly-Update---06272014/en/News/News?aid=11607" target="_blank">like the Trophy/Achievement list</a>), and the Beta, only two weeks away (on Playstation, a bit longer sadly on Xbox), expected to present many more people with a bigger part of the game, let's take another look at what the Alpha already showed us. And let us being with the setup, and the social stuff:</div>
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<b><u>The Races and Classes:</u></b></div>
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Destiny features three Races:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2DqL_RsQ3hIoLSKxz00099fV41YyEd7-z9m5q0zplMh2I1UJ8GW_EdZw1V44dLV97ebfABGzqrmBtGj1D4jVbr0-Eziu7zp-WbeEFBhiTvXa-xdCExj6l9Q4YDi0f2vgmZTqU6L9gJY/s1600/des_char_human.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2DqL_RsQ3hIoLSKxz00099fV41YyEd7-z9m5q0zplMh2I1UJ8GW_EdZw1V44dLV97ebfABGzqrmBtGj1D4jVbr0-Eziu7zp-WbeEFBhiTvXa-xdCExj6l9Q4YDi0f2vgmZTqU6L9gJY/s1600/des_char_human.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
Human, Awoken (who may or may not be Alien-Human-Hybrids) and Exos (who may be Sentient Robots or things wearing a robot-like Exo-Skeleton that makes them look like Sentient Robots).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaZ5eyao733QkAUEAvWvwzmpXJC9Ci6o_DTJrcj-GCBP9uVDSk5YdFUsrpu_dhYhgzZ2ZH2LVFpdmmAaqbaYKlbP2h24wM-7VbBRs4xzh15sJYQU7b32ISYvQ05iMJ4od5QcZPxHQYls/s1600/des_char_awoken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaZ5eyao733QkAUEAvWvwzmpXJC9Ci6o_DTJrcj-GCBP9uVDSk5YdFUsrpu_dhYhgzZ2ZH2LVFpdmmAaqbaYKlbP2h24wM-7VbBRs4xzh15sJYQU7b32ISYvQ05iMJ4od5QcZPxHQYls/s1600/des_char_awoken.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
Both genders are featured for each race, but the races, and their numerous customization features themselves, are only cosmetic in nature - and differ in their dance moves. Those features are quite extensive, with different faces, hair, colors for everything, and even the, almost obligatory by now, Face Paint. Or Tattoos. Or maybe the Exos have Etchings. Or something.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PvC5QTWA3dQviMQK1yknTNSbib6JjVJhx7O5mHkWSs-xq4P1bVqw8vP_FtdCigpWark5wsSaIgTbV5b_4ZNMoVKt3Us-m33q8Q2jyM9jDFdGw1Arn-VVIWcw5rVgoSxQFZbz61b-HQw/s1600/des_char_exo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PvC5QTWA3dQviMQK1yknTNSbib6JjVJhx7O5mHkWSs-xq4P1bVqw8vP_FtdCigpWark5wsSaIgTbV5b_4ZNMoVKt3Us-m33q8Q2jyM9jDFdGw1Arn-VVIWcw5rVgoSxQFZbz61b-HQw/s1600/des_char_exo3.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>It's not as deep as other games', bu it is still quite fun to create your character. And the chances that you will see someone running the exact same face are really not that high. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOtUCjCh4WD4KFuLLJujjs3V1NC6mdWxS0F_IFcqrlK6WR1JiRN2GTx4gTWrJfXJ0BTLwoZCLJQpvvDyFhOi1gAsB6QaV-8Uf9ycFobT_2S2Smpj7Duuw8QwmKliHbFqFU_bXEb7al6Y/s1600/des_melee_warl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOtUCjCh4WD4KFuLLJujjs3V1NC6mdWxS0F_IFcqrlK6WR1JiRN2GTx4gTWrJfXJ0BTLwoZCLJQpvvDyFhOi1gAsB6QaV-8Uf9ycFobT_2S2Smpj7Duuw8QwmKliHbFqFU_bXEb7al6Y/s1600/des_melee_warl.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
The Three Classes, on the other hand, that's where the RPG elements come in. Each Class has different abilities (double-jumps, melee attacks, grenades and "super powers") and different basic stats: The Titan has more armor, but is slower, the Hunter has less armor, but moves faster, while the Warlock can recover from injuries much quicker.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtglA0irXdOwlS6slMui_F3I9dGFNYzxBYH8yoYimOHRVT57oWV2HkNetQUDXlSFAlg8DmAtC5hZeExoy75NgnipOKDLDmsMkwNK0LFrUQ0diMwfLUelNosdr_m207ai0PYpSdO99xZOo/s1600/20140623180404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtglA0irXdOwlS6slMui_F3I9dGFNYzxBYH8yoYimOHRVT57oWV2HkNetQUDXlSFAlg8DmAtC5hZeExoy75NgnipOKDLDmsMkwNK0LFrUQ0diMwfLUelNosdr_m207ai0PYpSdO99xZOo/s1600/20140623180404.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>Each Class has its own Ability tree, with additional abilities and ability upgrades to unlock, and it works (or worked in the alpha) by leveling up, then using the ability to upgrade it. Upgrades were not of the passive, permanent variety, though. To explain, once you gain the ability to double-jump, you will eventually unlock three different upgrades (more distance, more speed, more control in the air, etc) but only one upgrade could be applied at a time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTtceQPEsW-S39XvvwuxPxAq_m_cr3BfysrB8bfGdPyxaMeBVpl50XWwX9FVGP1720BlHlQ3Mf90majhUpH_3_HlLXCKGqupEdW9bbVliAtS-S-71GeH5yL0IPJ2qPiXdPCPSmHCfh_I/s1600/des_super_warl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTtceQPEsW-S39XvvwuxPxAq_m_cr3BfysrB8bfGdPyxaMeBVpl50XWwX9FVGP1720BlHlQ3Mf90majhUpH_3_HlLXCKGqupEdW9bbVliAtS-S-71GeH5yL0IPJ2qPiXdPCPSmHCfh_I/s1600/des_super_warl.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>The most "interesting" ability are of course the "Super Powers" - Supers, in short. Once you unlock it, you charge the ability by killing enemies or just waiting for a long time (in the Campaign), or generally earning points (in "The Crucible" Multiplayer). But since Destiny is all about working together with your fellow Guardians, those life forms touched by "The Light" and chosen to fight against "The Dark" (yeah, it`s quite original) in a semi-Utopian Future, there is one more way to quickly charge your Super: Wait for someone else to use his and be effective with it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGo9xsQgVVutHHNFzb55ry8ZM-LUrr7y5SCfFMcMED5B808VzlVFrw28EwboL1TyF4TFfDoOVE9b9b9pf-Q3d7Vx-NPJo67Z1rzPGSID7pathjWuBXayx6boXQiUUrlrN-GZ2a85WsDI/s1600/Des_GG5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGo9xsQgVVutHHNFzb55ry8ZM-LUrr7y5SCfFMcMED5B808VzlVFrw28EwboL1TyF4TFfDoOVE9b9b9pf-Q3d7Vx-NPJo67Z1rzPGSID7pathjWuBXayx6boXQiUUrlrN-GZ2a85WsDI/s1600/Des_GG5.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>Every time you successfully end an enemy's existence with your super, you will generate "Orbs of Light". These pick-ups are not for you, but for every other Guardian on your team (which are all Guardians during the Campaign, but only your, well, team, in The Crucible). It's a small, but very clever way to encourage sticking and playing together.</div>
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When you are "Super Charged" - little, cute side note: the Super Charge Bar turns yellow, when filled; and so does your PS4 controller's LED light - each class can unleash it's own special brand of "Super". There are actually two different Supers per class, but in the Alpha you only had access to the first due to the Level Cap.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdLizk-cg6CeZY3Kq40gmvcWRmS-9zOxO4_r3bo4aGuuVHeuZf05W2Hz3A99mAJPrFSkpXGYTxmi6xTe0JFA0AKUyM4dBKKQVywLJhc8le-yUXZf6NJ4-CQDuDxdZwtfz3uulktKhQ2k/s1600/des_titan_super3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdLizk-cg6CeZY3Kq40gmvcWRmS-9zOxO4_r3bo4aGuuVHeuZf05W2Hz3A99mAJPrFSkpXGYTxmi6xTe0JFA0AKUyM4dBKKQVywLJhc8le-yUXZf6NJ4-CQDuDxdZwtfz3uulktKhQ2k/s1600/des_titan_super3.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>The Titan's Super "Fist of Havoc" has him slamming down his fists in good old "Hulk SMASH!" style to obliterate anything around him. His second Super, not unlockable for the Alpha, will see him create a bubble shield around him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXc4Y20QZ1VM4hoJ8fJ0Vh1Rmi2Pqz4Mn99pav0QN4FxBKjm0561hDfOT1YlnPkUxQQ15e5CU2mXNEcD0OYPl3pjjqwV9S-TITcYy2f0t3u4Sf5ldSCBgKKUPVT8X4LCqu7KUX1Y8CCFM/s1600/des_earth_event8_super.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXc4Y20QZ1VM4hoJ8fJ0Vh1Rmi2Pqz4Mn99pav0QN4FxBKjm0561hDfOT1YlnPkUxQQ15e5CU2mXNEcD0OYPl3pjjqwV9S-TITcYy2f0t3u4Sf5ldSCBgKKUPVT8X4LCqu7KUX1Y8CCFM/s1600/des_earth_event8_super.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>The Warlock's "Nova Blast" sees him jumping into the air, then firing an arcing"artillery" shot at what he's aiming at, similarly obliterating anything around the point of impact. The second Super, which we didn't see, "boosts the effectiveness of all his abilities" by infusing your Warlock with the Power of The Light. Whatever that means.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1EITVELQXGaSokthFdda7ZRQptqL2ewc6__vNoM_fOKKAsurBZhzBkDbKZa8_00cVDWhPzvxWgZp63fnYaWVEicvUSqCTPjWg5OHyxRoScOHZ_uSgn_kaBB8EQ88l9aQZDjiL3221P8/s1600/Des_GG3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1EITVELQXGaSokthFdda7ZRQptqL2ewc6__vNoM_fOKKAsurBZhzBkDbKZa8_00cVDWhPzvxWgZp63fnYaWVEicvUSqCTPjWg5OHyxRoScOHZ_uSgn_kaBB8EQ88l9aQZDjiL3221P8/s1600/Des_GG3.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>The Hunter's "Golden Gun" is a bit more difficult to use, but it offers you three extremely powerful shots from a Golden Handgun - powerful enough, to kill any enemy in Multiplayer with one shot. The Hunter's second Super, "Bladedancer" seems to also infuse him with light, but that light allows you to run around really fast and stab people to death. </div>
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And I will unashamedly admit, that I very much dread this one, because it so eerily reminds me of "Marathon-Lightweight-Commando with the Tactical Knife", the most annoying thing to ever come out of Call of Duty.</div>
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Some might already have seen this vid in <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/06/the-road-to-destiny-pt-1-destiny-ps4.html" target="_blank">my first Destiny Alpha post</a>, but it shows the three classes and races in Campaign Action (albeit only the female of each, but they are known to be the more deadly, anyway):</div>
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<u><b>The Tower:</b></u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Kxn-PCPzhVNKg1SDRdZbRBGvB3o4pz-xT7phyiCePpsDBIc0lNhPDqIehU6p9P0KzzVmy2KkbAAtYKVdiHX05AOOKjlJT-KsWvMQZyzxfdzW368QXcqvrZXQRIgTndRwR1_I9zt1-Yg/s1600/Des_tower_map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Kxn-PCPzhVNKg1SDRdZbRBGvB3o4pz-xT7phyiCePpsDBIc0lNhPDqIehU6p9P0KzzVmy2KkbAAtYKVdiHX05AOOKjlJT-KsWvMQZyzxfdzW368QXcqvrZXQRIgTndRwR1_I9zt1-Yg/s1600/Des_tower_map.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
The Social Center or "Hub" is called "<b>The Tower</b>". And lo and behold, there is a tower at its center. The Tower is where you go to purchase weapons and new gear, decode "Engrams" (i.e. Blueprints) for weapons and new gear you looted from fallen enemies, upgrade your jump ship, your speeder bike, and much more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJ6__4oTAChbTRhPM-mYNZgbL5dqRYWcKWHnwZznLJX77Ga_Dh6B8mu8GNXbvrM5nPsGlkUStmKpEbtyftpXpZNnM7fYspwZMhlIpeXwDNAG9wpDSlrnD9cFzyAlRTWhApGXjHN5HnWo/s1600/des_armor_statboost1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJ6__4oTAChbTRhPM-mYNZgbL5dqRYWcKWHnwZznLJX77Ga_Dh6B8mu8GNXbvrM5nPsGlkUStmKpEbtyftpXpZNnM7fYspwZMhlIpeXwDNAG9wpDSlrnD9cFzyAlRTWhApGXjHN5HnWo/s1600/des_armor_statboost1.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a>Gear and weapons, as you might expect, will play a central role. The better the gear, the better the... well, gear, but better gear also comes with bonus perks, like faster reloads, more ammo, or quicker recharge of your abilities. The Tower also features a Vault, through which you can share your equipment between characters - and thankfully, it has 20 slots each for Armor, Weapons and Resources. Take that, Clap-Trap Vault. Presumably, you will also get missions here (more than just the "Do this and get stuff for it"-Bounties), enroll in a faction for PvP for more access to different gear, get mail (whatever that means), and possibly even more stuff. Or just... well, you know. Be social. (And please excuse the commentary.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoxCdbETN8fNomRb37Gb9l5R1LL5JGa9LE59ev2MRoCagApBL-J8aVEp7WwA_dvEbUliBmuIDhW7V7vDVoChG3TYc1vr1RA9jRPio4m-j4Mz3xvn_m8VhkntQXthgzO2Fnhvk7MLUb34/s1600/destiny_alpha_tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoxCdbETN8fNomRb37Gb9l5R1LL5JGa9LE59ev2MRoCagApBL-J8aVEp7WwA_dvEbUliBmuIDhW7V7vDVoChG3TYc1vr1RA9jRPio4m-j4Mz3xvn_m8VhkntQXthgzO2Fnhvk7MLUb34/s1600/destiny_alpha_tower.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a>The social aspects still seemed a bit stunted, with emotes and chatting with strangers apparently the only option you had, but the Alpha really only showed a small part of what we expect to see and have available for us in the full game. And let's be honest, that whole social MMO thing is still pretty new on consoles. Console players lack the ease of impersonal communication a keyboard provides - and who wants to start chatting with some squeaky 10-year old, by mistake?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2v4-7bVfHVPU_rxn-cr7tI_2Dfeh5wR7N_j21TScF_MX8ngQ-Ga6dT-PuHHCe0asMzS_E9EpINkbUQ3_VyuiEqolThhl_eJyNBfBjnpBwCYUorUTYGmvfYJeVGnQ_W3ToX7SRTWHmYY/s1600/Des_Orbit_Launch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2v4-7bVfHVPU_rxn-cr7tI_2Dfeh5wR7N_j21TScF_MX8ngQ-Ga6dT-PuHHCe0asMzS_E9EpINkbUQ3_VyuiEqolThhl_eJyNBfBjnpBwCYUorUTYGmvfYJeVGnQ_W3ToX7SRTWHmYY/s1600/Des_Orbit_Launch.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a>One thing you couldn't do from the tower was launch a mission. Which was weird, and, coupled with the pretty long load times, a bit aggravating. No, to launch a mission - sorry, an "activity", you had to go into Orbit. At least, if you had joined a "Fireteam" (.i.e. Party), once the Leader triggered his exit into Orbit, you automatically came along.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv83on6Dh6WN-EhqQFyR_9WNaTR7MT6ofFHzFA4-1JvkiNmjU6PUYxnqkoWefR3zp0AeA2_Eu-zeMEUoNnKW3Pakb34Vj3w-H_WYUDVw7pWwsvWWVFkdxJmNGhH5GshYJNWaiGBIYhAE/s1600/Des_Nav_Earth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>From Orbit, in your nifty Jump Ship, you could launch your activities - or first gather friends, and then launch your activities.<br />
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On which I will expand (copiously) in the next posts :) </div>
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For Part 3 of my Destiny Blog Series, click here: <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/07/the-road-to-destiny-pt3-things-to-do.html">Destiny - Things to do, Things to Kill...</a><br />
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For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=playstation&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Playstation </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Xbox&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PC%20games&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PC Gaming</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&docId=1000784673&linkCode=ur2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere... VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-89748561886765775562014-06-16T17:57:00.001-07:002014-07-03T16:53:50.983-07:00The Road to Destiny... Pt. 1 (Destiny PS4 Alpha Impressions)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXI_s34iVtRLTzjY_uGUqU7ZRCjH30nhkfesXx0tfS50jiN8icYVDZloNEUQgF4oMZpD17ghQ4Hot51k8Yhr72CL-xCp0rNyDFRbGp4tcG2c_NINzIWCz0TwqZwza845P7d2s5wWEyCqY/s1600/Destiny1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXI_s34iVtRLTzjY_uGUqU7ZRCjH30nhkfesXx0tfS50jiN8icYVDZloNEUQgF4oMZpD17ghQ4Hot51k8Yhr72CL-xCp0rNyDFRbGp4tcG2c_NINzIWCz0TwqZwza845P7d2s5wWEyCqY/s1600/Destiny1.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Future. Touched by the Light of The Traveler, we have braved the Stars. But an ancient Darkness is coming to end us all...</span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=destiny&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Destiny</a>... The Place where it will all end. Or, maybe, all begin? Who knows?<br />
<br />
I do. At least, I had a chance to see (my) Destiny in... I'm hesitant to say "in its full glory", because this was supposed to be an Alpha Test. But truth be told, that Alpha looked more polished, played far better and was a lot more stable than some "finished versions" of certain Battlefield games of a certain Franchise I will not mention here.<br />
Bummer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SGVASdaiVs0kNGzTOsg1Uk-UZrnFAwl4f-5-gJmkYTLRi3K_pF-C6Gw6asNbnfX0zZPCq8ddS7NEjzqrzOHS7qSjmB-uX329V4bYSfc8duM5eAQQHB-3xUVlLxTL4gcZQRmGdLJT9pI/s1600/Destiny_Alpha_Romantic8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SGVASdaiVs0kNGzTOsg1Uk-UZrnFAwl4f-5-gJmkYTLRi3K_pF-C6Gw6asNbnfX0zZPCq8ddS7NEjzqrzOHS7qSjmB-uX329V4bYSfc8duM5eAQQHB-3xUVlLxTL4gcZQRmGdLJT9pI/s1600/Destiny_Alpha_Romantic8.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
To illustrate that point, during my... I'd say good 15+ hours of the Destiny - First Look Alpha, in Single Player, Co-Op and Competitive Multiplayer, 15+ hours in which I raised all three possible characters/classes to the Alpha Level Cap (of 8), explored every part of the Alpha Campaign Map, and participated in every activity and mission the Alpha had to offer, I disconnected once (ONCE!), couldn't log in three times, and was victim of a single obvious bug, where I repeatedly found myself in a completely empty Social Hub usually teeming with other players.<br />
Let me reiterate. One Disconnect. About 10 Minutes of not being able to log-in (which means I couldn't play). One Obvious Bug.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElU14GKgB9Z708i3LjwKB68xw2SyWjtYtfgy82Udo10tBQHcpd2hfjrxsz9SjpmUIMfvrKPI2kD_P8zxZM0kNPlrvIXxmVyXEGVtiZmcLPjhYmVxn3DFGYUHmolXcK0ildMZb4BDDVD4/s1600/destiny_alpha_dance3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElU14GKgB9Z708i3LjwKB68xw2SyWjtYtfgy82Udo10tBQHcpd2hfjrxsz9SjpmUIMfvrKPI2kD_P8zxZM0kNPlrvIXxmVyXEGVtiZmcLPjhYmVxn3DFGYUHmolXcK0ildMZb4BDDVD4/s1600/destiny_alpha_dance3.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Of course, I only saw a fraction of Destiny's full content in the Alpha, and it was a part of the game we had seen footage from for quite some time, so it stands to reason, that this was a quite polished tidbit I could test. And it played like a dream:<br />
<br />
Solo-Missions and Exploring in a huge area, in which you could just run into other random players, potentially having the joy of triggering a public event - a mini-mission with often surprising difficulty, but grand rewards.<br />
A full Co-Op Mission with diverse and fun engagements, featuring two good boss-fights.<br />
Two PvP Maps for "The Crucible", playing a venerable "Capture and Control" game-type, in a PvP Suite that already seems more polished and balanced than many other shooters were at release.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3VyBRQpuXlxYQ9DYCvKGO6thYer4lGEHUoN5GtarMAdbddaYOSfr_8yoWGJVEO4IlGiexPLtAXVL7vZnWE5Y2jt0GB2tR0716pVkky8djSksk44l6ihn3pMgW7rezZQyS8E2-LCCarE/s1600/destiny_alpha_sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3VyBRQpuXlxYQ9DYCvKGO6thYer4lGEHUoN5GtarMAdbddaYOSfr_8yoWGJVEO4IlGiexPLtAXVL7vZnWE5Y2jt0GB2tR0716pVkky8djSksk44l6ihn3pMgW7rezZQyS8E2-LCCarE/s1600/destiny_alpha_sunrise.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
And it really played amazingly well. And it looked amazingly... amazing. <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2014-destiny-alpha-tech-analysis" target="_blank">Digital Foundry took a look</a>, and the Alpha ran at a solid 30 FPS in 1080p - and <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-06-09-destinys-xbox-one-resolution-raised-after-kinect-gpu-reserve-removal" target="_blank">Xbox One owners rejoice</a>, that same is the very possible performance you will get to enjoy, too. At the cost of any Kinect features, but still, I'd say it's a win. Final PS4 numbers for the full game are not yet known, by the way.<br />
<br />
Destiny's release is less than three months away, and if this is the state of the Alpha, I can see great things for the coming Beta in July, and even greater things for the full release on September 9th.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KASBXWWheUqk3mzTdPbkiyIBiYGvsg9RWXV4sttra7FmbLwVSIldi5GYuzm5xTUZqcBHPSJPERfE4o5pPSJoalsxgIk8SRlvYDnnNRcwMzTjeTXYNT-0GngoCwQiWeuloaT_BZqnScw/s1600/Destiny_Alpha_Romantic10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MO76cS71f_05Jcs8c5iMzwI-80fsb6BKImdNlBjrq5ins-1zMihZozzXG1yyDcEvQbQr39uFWjSPDMB329l_GEIzZh_tKGzQTxRYNAGE0H5RLmUoW8GquIKA-A3cTiVs0esbYquKneo/s1600/Destiny_Alpha_Romantic11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MO76cS71f_05Jcs8c5iMzwI-80fsb6BKImdNlBjrq5ins-1zMihZozzXG1yyDcEvQbQr39uFWjSPDMB329l_GEIzZh_tKGzQTxRYNAGE0H5RLmUoW8GquIKA-A3cTiVs0esbYquKneo/s1600/Destiny_Alpha_Romantic11.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Destiny doesn't reinvent the wheel. It's not terribly or outrageously inventive, like for example Okami, Shadow of the Colossus or Little Big Planet were. It's a Sci-Fi Shooter from the guys that brought you <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Halo&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Halo</a> 1-3, plus ODST and Reach. That heritage is very evident - some might say too evident. If you played Halo you will find yourself instantly on very familiar ground with Destiny. You will also, obviously, see parallels to Borderlands.<br />
<br />
So what's so special about <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=destiny&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Destiny</a>?<br />
Everything.<br />
No, it's not (yet) perfect. Yes, everything it does has (kinda) been done before.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3PqV2y_l275b6Fere5S1MW64DLrhX0UshGvyyA8pUqn4mcv5rZx0nWrmCewJSiu1SGKYPcWl8958m7LnVBM4Q6wPiDBz86Fs2y0bLaAqU2sLsB-iOPHKdpBOV3Kl3AopNGMbCa2I23A/s1600/Destiny_Alpha_Companions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3PqV2y_l275b6Fere5S1MW64DLrhX0UshGvyyA8pUqn4mcv5rZx0nWrmCewJSiu1SGKYPcWl8958m7LnVBM4Q6wPiDBz86Fs2y0bLaAqU2sLsB-iOPHKdpBOV3Kl3AopNGMbCa2I23A/s1600/Destiny_Alpha_Companions.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>But never has "Everything" looked and worked this good.<br />
And in an Alpha, to boot.<br />
<br />
In the last week(s) - hey, I do have a life - I have taken the time and now posted
several more posts about many if not all aspects of the Alpha, look at the different Classes, the "Alpha
Campaign", Co-Op, PvP
Multiplayer and other stuff.<br />
With quite a lot of direct gameplay
footage, so scroll down below for Part 2 :)<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, you had enough of pretty pictures and want so see some Action? You wanna take a look for yourself? <br />
Well, here you go (but please look in HD)!<br />
<br />
Spotlighting the 3 Different Classes with Action from the Alpha's Open World, on good Old Earthen Russia:<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=475120589299113" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<br />
For Part 2 of my Destiny Blog Series, click here: <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/07/the-road-to-destiny-pt2-who-you-are-and.html" target="">Destiny - Who you are and where you gather...</a><br />
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<br />
For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=playstation&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Playstation </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Xbox&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PC%20games&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PC Gaming</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&docId=1000784673&linkCode=ur2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere... VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-67020293012622552432014-06-10T10:27:00.000-07:002014-06-10T12:39:33.327-07:00E3 2014 - Sony, don't get cocky...These are my impressions of Sony's E3 Press Conference, and as the title may suggest, I was generally stunned, sometimes amazed, but a little let down, too.<br />
<br />
But first, here it is, in its fully glory:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ozo1EYAjkNM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>The games:</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=destiny&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><b>Destiny</b></a>: Casting Peter "Game of Throne's Tyrion" Dinklage as a really, really small one-eyed robot companion might not be entirely PC, but it's fun! And Destiny itself keeps looking better and better. Granted, it looks very much like Halo in a different dress with some cooler Powers, but still. Very Good. As it should. Release is only a few months away, with the Beta starting next month - and, as was announced, a 3-Day Alpha coming to PS4 this week (to register for a chance to join, go <a href="http://playstation.greatnessawaits.com/destiny.html" target="_blank">here</a>). Playstation will get some exclusive content, including one full co-op mission, and a new PS4 Destiny Bundle will feature a WHITE PS4. Yay?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BT9DURG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BT9DURG&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><b>The Order 1886</b></a>: Not so much action, but much more gloom in this gameplay snippet of the upcoming 3rd Person "Victorian Steampunk meets Werewolves" shooter. And... well, while it looks really nice - and gloomy - the gameplay doesn't wow me. At all. Too much control taken from the player, and put together with earlier gameplay footage, I get a feeling of it being a very narrow, almost on-rails experience. It's too early to tell, yes, but the high hopes I had, have died a quick ugly death.<br />
PS4 Exclusive, for Life!<br />
<br />
<b>Entwined</b>: A fish may love a bird, but where would they built a house together. No, not the edge of the river. On Playstation. As somewhat of a closet romantic, the game's premise (fish, bird, love) was instantly appealing. Controlling two different characters with each stick was intriguing. The mesmerizing graphics alluring. The price point, at 10 US Dollars (and it's available NOW), convincing. Of course, it might turn out to be ridiculously bad, but it looks nice enough to set itself apart from the "usual PS4 indie fare".<br />
Might be exclusive, but it will come on PS3 and Vita, too. <br />
<br />
<b>Infamous - First Light</b>: Stand-Alone DLC, basically small games in themselves you don't need the big game for, are starting to become something of a trend. And it's a pretty smart way to give people a teaser of what the "mother-ship" (the big, full game) might play like. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=infamous%20second%20son&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Infamous - Second Son</a> is the next game getting a stand-alone expansion, telling, presumably, the story of one of Second Son's NPCs. You don't need Second Son to play it, but if you do, you get some "additional content" - which could mean anything, really.<br />
It's coming this summer, and will be showcased at E3 in the coming days. All only on PS4.<br />
<br />
<b>Little Big Planet 3</b>: 4 player co-op (Yay!). New companions with new abilities. Cute, funny and endearing, a world to play and build in and get lost. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=little%20big%20planet%203&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">LBP </a>seems to never put a foot wrong, right down to the adorable lisp of the presenter. And know what else? LBP3 will be able to play ever single LBP level made by the community with LBP 1 and 2 - on the PS4, with enhanced graphics.<br />
It's so damn cute, it's hard to not like. I will try, but I will fail.<br />
PS only.<br />
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<b>Bloodborne</b>: The game most may know as Working Title: "Project Beast", coming from the creator of Demon Souls and Dark Souls. Which makes it pretty damned hard, not to get excited. Really, really excited. You don`t see much in the CG trailer, but it looks dark, foreboding, dangerous. I'm so happy.<br />
Coming to PS4, possibly only PS4.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=far%20cry%204&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Far Cry 4</a></b>: Looks gorgeous. Grappling Hook? Insta-win. The wing-suit? So much better than the sparsely doled-out hang-gliders of FC3. Co-op? Well, it's there, even if it might not be 4-Player (what a novelty), but it looks fun...ctional. You can never be sure about the actual fun. What does sound awesome is that on PS3 and PS4 you can (allegedly) invite players to join you, even if they DON'T own the game! Now, where was I? Right. Attack Elephants? Well, kinda. FC3 was great, but had its fair share of frustrations, most due to the lack of options moving around. FC4 seems to have learned from that. New moves (hijacking vehicles via takedowns), new location (gorgeous Himalayas) and hopefully even more diverse missions, and I'm loving this game already. <br />
Coming this Holiday on consoles and PC near you.<br />
<br />
<b>Dead Island 2</b>: Sequel to the surprise hit of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=dead%20island%20&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Dead Island</a> (Duh!), it was shown off in a small trailer. Funny, but who knows? Dead Island was First Person Zombie Survival with a focus on Melee Combat, and I wasn't too interested in it. Which kinda goes for this one, too.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=battlefield%20hardline&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Battlefield Hardline</a></b>: Cops vs. Robbers, Battlefield Style. Leaked a few weeks ago, then presented at the EA press conference, including a closed Beta exclusively for PC and PS4 starting RIGHT NOW (well, yesterday, but back then it broke PSN for an hour, or so), I don't really know what to make of it. Car chases around a City, changing venues, different cars. It looks fast paced, but that might not be a good thing. But it could be fun. I got me a Beta Code, and I will report.<br />
Coming Later this year, to all consoles.<br />
<br />
<b>Magicka 2</b>: Coming to PS4. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0055BZAKE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B0055BZAKE&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Magicka </a>was, apparently, an up-to 4-player co-op, fantasy RPG. With wizards wielding laser staffs, or something. Apparently it was also pretty challenging, yet funny. Done by the people that will bring us Helldivers soon, Magicka 2 looked very enticing.<br />
Coming. Sometime. Somewhere.<br />
<br />
<b>Grim Fandango Remastered</b>: Coming to PS4 and PS Vita, one of the most iconic and wonderful Adventures ever made, is getting the re-vamp treatment, exclusively on PS consoles. If you're old enough to remember Monkey Island and other Lucas Arts greats, you will already be salivating uncontrollably. Truth be told, right there, I loved Sony to bits.<br />
Coming.<br />
<br />
<b>AB-ZU</b>: I want it. From the Journey Creator, under the sea. Beautiful, eery, fascinating. Words fail a bit. I'm totally stunned.<br />
<br />
<b>No Man's Sky</b>: And I'm floored. Infinite, procedurally generated planets in a possibly "infinite" universe. Exploration. Space Combat. FPS-Combat. Colors. Seamless transition between ground exploration, space exploration and ground again. Walk around, jump into your Space Ship, fly off to another planet, walk around again. No loading screens. Floored.<br />
If you loved Star Trek, and you kinda missed the planet exploration from Mass Effect 1 in the later games, it's hard not to get excited.<br />
This seems to be a Timed Exclusive on Sony's Platforms, coming... well, not soon enough. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Mortal Kombat X</b>: Gruesome, maybe too gruesome, but if you like the 2D side-scrolling beat-em ups, this one looks pretty, pretty deep, and pretty... well, gruesome.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=batman%20arkham%20knight&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Batman - Arkham Night</a>:</b>
Finally, some gameplay. And Oh. My. God. Huge City, lots of
verticality. The Batmobile - 'Nuff Said! It's simply amazing. Looks,
gameplay, everything I was hoping for. Of course it got delayed until
2015, but still.<br />
PS4 will also get some exclusive content, here.<br />
<br />
Then we had a few more Trailers, one for <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00I9WWBBW/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00I9WWBBW&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><b>The Last of Us - Remastered</b></a> (nice, not in the least, because apparently the Last of Us Zombie enemies will make an appearance in the <b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=diablo%203%20ultimate&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Diablo III Ultimate Evil</a></b> Editions on PS4 and PS3), and one for <b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=metal%20gear%205&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Metal Gear Solid 5</a> </b>(that scene where he rubs ashes from an urn on his face made me cringe - how melodramatic can it be before it gets unintentionally funny?), then one for Suda 51's <b>Let it Die</b>.<br />
<br />
And there was that announcement about <b>GTA V on Next-Gen Consoles </b>and PC, but seriously, who cares? ;) Note of interest,<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=gta%20V&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"> current-gen GTA V</a> players can import their online stats from PS3 AND Xbox 360 to the PS 4 Version. Nice.<br />
<br />
<b>The Indie-Games</b>: Now, as much as I like Indie Games, I've
really had my fill, since PS4 barely has anything BUT Indie Games. So I
really don't care, especially about all the Pixel Graphics stuff. I
don't see the appeal. There was one that looked at least decent, Talos
Something, but apart from that, enough with the Indies, already.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Free to Play</b>: I hate it. It's rarely if ever done right. Even
Warframe, which is great fun and is finally now turning into the game it
was supposed to be, does milk you for money in the most unexpected and
frustrating places. I don't know why they thought this was a good idea
to push this a something big, but that was huge let-down for me. Don't
get me wrong, Planetside 2 might turn out great, but I was sorely
missing one sentence here: "Free to play - but NOT pay to win!" <br />
<br />
And at some point it was mentioned that the PS Vita has over 100 games in development. Some are Free to Play. Most might be indies. Yay...<br />
<br />
<br />
And then there was other stuff. Something. I don't know. Why? Because as Europeans, all that PS Now and PS TV makes us do is get angry at being left out. Again. As always. Second-class citizen, complaining here. But if you care:<br />
<br />
<b>PS Now </b>is switching from Closed to Open Beta on PS4 on July 31. US and Canada. Play streamed Playstation games on your PS4, and soon on your PS3, Vita and select Sony TVs. There`s talk about rental prices going from 3-20 dollars, as well as subscription models.<br />
<br />
And if you buy a<b> PS TV</b> for 99 $ US, you can just plug that into your TV, get a DS3 (PS3) controller, and use PS Now. At least, that's how I understood it.<br />
<br />
Again, I might be a bit biased, but since I cannot take advantage of any of that in the foreseeable future, I don't much care.<br />
<br />
<br />
Last year, Microsoft was all about Media, this year it was all about games. So, I guess Sony had to pick up the Media stuff, and they ended that with announcing that one of the best ever graphical novels, Brian Michael Bendis's "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=powers%20bendis&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><b>Powers</b></a>"<b> </b>will be realized by Sony into a live action TV series, green-lit for two seasons, and available for PS Plus members for free. In the US. Somehow I doubt Europe will get any of that. I'm a huge fan of Powers, and with BMB on as executive producer, well, I have extremely high hopes.<br />
<br />
And that was it. Or was it<b>?</b> Oh, right, there was this itty-bitty trailer for <b>Uncharted 4</b>. You saw it. Drake gets up, walks away, some voice over dialog. Nothing special. Until you realize that this was NOT pre-rendered footage, but captured from the IN-GAME engine. Which means, that as amazing as that looked (and it did looks amazing), that`s how the characters will look while PLAYING the game. It's going to be 1080p, aiming at 60 FPS. Looking like that.<br />
<br />
Think about that. Then smile.<br />
<br />
<br />
For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=playstation&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Playstation </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Xbox&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PC%20games&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PC Gaming</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&docId=1000784673&linkCode=ur2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere... VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-13434085968302453702014-06-09T17:13:00.000-07:002014-06-10T10:29:38.079-07:00E3 2014 - Microsoft on a timed exclusive...Here it is, the full Conference, for those that still haven't seen it:<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XsV4E0JUlsw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
And I'd say... okay. Good. -ish. Some was a bit meh.<br />
<br />
All in all, Microsoft definitely delivered on one thing - it really was all about the games. Now, the games themselves, well, there were some gems, some things I found personally a bit disappointing, one in particular that positively surprised me, and some stuff I have no use for.<br />
<br />
One recurring theme, kept popping up, though: Timed Exclusives. Microsoft seemed to have dug pretty deep into its pockets to get timed exclusives for a lot of 3rd Party Game DLCs, as well as one Multiplayer-Beta (eVolve, that one is). Most interesting might be that two games from Ubisoft, a studio that traditionally has always had a very loving relationship towards the Playstation consoles, a part of that roster of "I get it before you do because my X-1 is amazing" list. And yes, this really is all about the money. You can say all you want that "Ubi finally realized what the better platform is", but the only reason you give timed exclusives is because someone pays you a ridiculous amount of money for it.<br />
<br />
Okay! Games:<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&field-keywords=advanced%20warfare&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=advanced%2Cvideogames%2C280&tag=vgbastardry-21&url=search-alias%3Dvideogames" target="_blank">Call of Duty - Advanced Warfare</a></b><img alt="" border="0" class="exqikobmjsauksmervvn vnsbwyabckcxyywkfkru" height="1" src="https://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=vgbastardry-21&l=ur2&o=2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />: Looks pretty enough, like a cross between (the best Halo campaign ever) Halo - ODST and the non-Titan part of Titanfall. "Boosters" they called them, mini-jet packs that seem to allow you very quick vertical or lateral movement.<br />
This is my one positive surprise really, as I had abandoned CoD with MW2, but the boosters seem to give the SP campaign a bit more flexibility, movement-wise. On the other hand, if you found the Halo Bunny-Hopping annoying, well, this might take that annoyance to a whole new level.<br />
But it looks good, new, fresh (if any CoD game can be called "fresh"), and one can only hope that it will give you more open environments to take advantage of the new movement options.<br />
MS will have timed exclusive on new DLC.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Forza%20Horizon%202&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Forza Horizon 2</a></b>: I kinda missed that. I really don't care for driving games, so I went and made myself something to eat. There was something about seamless multiplayer, open-world Drivatars, but it's cars, so... no, thank you.<br />
MS Exclusive Title. I think.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=assassin%20creed%20unity&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Assassin's Creed Unity</a></b>: 4-Player co-op. However that will work in an open world when traversing the city. Or maybe it's just during "missions", which are then area-restricted. Looks gorgeous. French Revolution, Heads on Pikes. And the movement. Dear God, the fluidity of dropping down over ledges... beautiful. The gameplay looked nice, but it was all very rush-rush. Oh, and Ubisoft finally listened to me, and made a "sneak-posture" for sneaking around. Apparently the days of "Walk Slowly" and completely upright when sneaking up on someone are finally in the past. Took them long enough.<br />
Another MS DLC timed exclusive.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=evolve&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">EVolve</a></b>: The people that brought you Left 4 Dead made a Multiplayer only game - and a very asymmetric MP experience at that. It's the title I see the absolute most grief-potential this year. 4 people vs. 1 monster. And as soon as people get their hands on it, they will spend days looking for unfair exploits and glitches, ruining it for everyone else. Mark my words. I hope I'm wrong.<br />
MS not only gets all the DLC first, but also an exclusive MP Beta, presumably quite soon.<br />
<br />
<b>Super Ultra Bla Bla Bla <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CM1KYQU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00CM1KYQU&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Dead Rising 3 </a>DLC</b>: 4 player co-op, all previous Dead Rising Heroes, and pretty much everything Capcom ever made in the last 31 years, comes as crazy DLC to Dead Rising 3. And it's available now. As in NOW! It's an incredible fan-service, so let's hope people will appreciate it. Knowing that 80% of gamers are too young to even remember Street Fighter II, who knows...<br />
Since it's for DR3, it's, of course an MS X-1 exclusiv, and, for now, Download Only. <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00D78265E/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00D78265E&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Fable Legends</a></b>: 4 player co-op. Dungeon Crawling. Annoying Dialog, Fable style. Plus, 1 guy can be the bad guy, in a "Tower-Defense" Dungeon Master kind of way. And while it looks quite fun, like 3D Diablo, I will admit, the banter did get annoying.<br />
X-1 exclusive.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CM1KXTI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00CM1KXTI&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Sunset Overdrive</a></b>: No 4-player co-op. Which seems to make it the exception on this day. Funny Trailer, but for me the biggest disappointment. While the movement and environmental traversal seemed okay (if not as exhilarating as you'd think it should be), the gun-play was bland, slow and simply average. It's very colorful, but so are crayons, and children still make horrible pictures with them on your bedroom wall-paper.<br />
X1 exclusive. <br />
<br />
<b>Halo Masterchief Edition</b>: Halo 1-4, remastered, one box, one disc, 4000 Gamer Points on X-1. Yay! Seriously, I thought Halo 3 was good, Halo 4 was bad-ish, and I never really played the others. So what? The best Halo games I played are those not in the box: ODST and Reach. Those had 4-player co-op, by the way. I don't care about Halo as much as the next guy. I don't. It's not worth killing for.<br />
X-1 exclusive, obviously, also including the Halo TV Series, but possibly more interesting: over 100 MP maps, and it's all on dedicated servers.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=dragon%20age%20inquisition&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Dragon Age Inquisition</a></b>: You didn't see much, just a short trailer. And, of course, the almost mandatory "X-1 gets it first". DLC, that is. One thing that you did notice: It's not visually stunning. Even if it's in-game engine footage, some of it, especially trees in the distance, looked pretty... ordinary. It most definitely did not looks as amazing as...<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=the%20witcher%203&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=the%20witcher%203&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">The Witcher 3 - Wild Hunt</a></b>: Wow. Skyrim with mythological monsters and a deeper fighting system. And it looks... just... jaw-droppingly good. And fun. And there's sex.There totally was Sex in the latest trailer. So, I really can't wait for this one. A huge open world, beautifully realized, with adult themes that don't try - they just are.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=rise%20of%20tomb%20raider&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Rise of the Tomb Raider</a></b>: The Second game in the TR Reboot. They showed a trailer. There might have been exclusivity with something, I don't know. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=tomb%20raider%20definitive&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">The TR Reboot was a great game, the Definitive Edition on next-gen just beautiful.</a> I wasn't much about archeology or riddles (those it had were almost annoyingly simple environmental... not really puzzles, but... annoyances), and it was sorely lacking in intellectually challenges - so more of that would make this one really Rise to the occasion.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=the%20division&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">The Division</a></b>: If you don't know about it, what are you doing here? One of the most anticipated new IPs in the last few years, we now saw one further bit of Gameplay - which looked like the old gameplay. From last year. And, to my eternal chagrin, they had these "totally scripted and acted-out but trying to sound natural" voice-overs from the "players". Seriously, Ubisoft, stop that. People don`t talk or act like that when gaming online. Not in the least. That said, I still want it, very much so...<br />
<br />
<b>Inside </b>- The new game from the creators of Limbo. And it looks like... Limbo. In color. And an industrial wasteland-slash-1984-slash-Brave New World-slash-Zombie vibe. It's still 2D, and it's still a bit creepy, and it looks like fun, but... just not something spectacularly new.<br />
<br />
And then there was <b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CM1KY2E/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00CM1KY2E&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Project: Spark</a></b>, the "make your own game" game, lots of indie-titles, a few teasers for games we don`t know anything about (Phantom Dust and Scalebound will be X-1 exclusives) - and then came the Crackdown.<br />
<br />
No, really, <b>Crackdown 3</b>, which is actually just called Crackdown. MS exclusive. 4-player co-op. New Studio, but the creative director from the first game. The second sucked bad. They took out manual aim and scoping - even for sniper rifles. The argument was, and I'm not kidding here: "If you could already choose a body part to aim at with pin-point accuracy, why would you want to aim manually through a scope?"<br />
<br />
And that was it. Oh, no wait, there was some dancing stuff, too. Nevermind. Well, it was better than last year. It was friendlier, not as arrogant and more fun. And it was about the games. And it did show that a lot of established cross-platform IPs will give stuff earlier to Xbox this time around. But, then again, what's the point of getting it early on one platform? I mean, it's not like that many people will train on new MP maps on one platform, and then play against people on the other platform. I mean, who in their right mind would do that?<br />
<br />
And the one word you didn't hear: <b>Kinect</b>!<br />
<br />
<br />
For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=playstation&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Playstation </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Xbox&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PC%20games&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PC Gaming</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&docId=1000784673&linkCode=ur2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere... <br />
<br />
<br />VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-25118853061702515362014-06-02T14:27:00.004-07:002014-06-02T14:27:46.202-07:00The Truth (about Watch Dogs` online issues) is out there...<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=watchdogs&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><u><b>Watch_Dogs</b></u></a>.<br />
<br />
Boy, we were hot for that one. Turns out, it's not all it was supposed to be (as some recently surfaced screenshots showing what was intended for next-gen consoles before they had to downgrade the graphics), but it's still a great game. If you can play it...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEj9MuyaYxAJAlDL391bbu40cFccf8lqHp1defSic6tvvipT-18AuNcRpOmy9UZ0sPPaQqoJOxt5RbjwYXgsbExoLayDu8A_oO9GfCdmxTk5gPH6UsKyjaRL9aseQGCaXAdx_MA71dBa8/s1600/WatchDogsuPlay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEj9MuyaYxAJAlDL391bbu40cFccf8lqHp1defSic6tvvipT-18AuNcRpOmy9UZ0sPPaQqoJOxt5RbjwYXgsbExoLayDu8A_oO9GfCdmxTk5gPH6UsKyjaRL9aseQGCaXAdx_MA71dBa8/s1600/WatchDogsuPlay.jpg" height="129" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxtGWVQLnICLKr5CDlvtXVNFK7PF4PCgqmLgo1TRonSo-dxMwYp0O5kLPWQmIbz29DO8iZqPnYhPFJVT7uAYgXkcgDJBxCreydeEbH-OjhWfWIGtlx_QR5nxNB8Fp8PXWafhs7mgbzds/s1600/ubisoft-twitter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Now, we all know how, let's call it "unfortunate" the days around the
WatchDogs launch were when it came to online connectivity. UPlay was
down, taking part of Xbox Live with it, and pretty much stopping a lot
of people from enjoying parts or even the whole game.<br />
<br />
What you don't know, is the reason. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxtGWVQLnICLKr5CDlvtXVNFK7PF4PCgqmLgo1TRonSo-dxMwYp0O5kLPWQmIbz29DO8iZqPnYhPFJVT7uAYgXkcgDJBxCreydeEbH-OjhWfWIGtlx_QR5nxNB8Fp8PXWafhs7mgbzds/s1600/ubisoft-twitter.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxtGWVQLnICLKr5CDlvtXVNFK7PF4PCgqmLgo1TRonSo-dxMwYp0O5kLPWQmIbz29DO8iZqPnYhPFJVT7uAYgXkcgDJBxCreydeEbH-OjhWfWIGtlx_QR5nxNB8Fp8PXWafhs7mgbzds/s1600/ubisoft-twitter.png" height="55" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
So... prepare for "Da Truth!" (from a certain point of view ;)<br />
<br />
As an unnamed (that means anonymous) source confirmed to me when we met
yesterday at the Playboy Mansion, Ubisoft and UPlay had come under cyber
attack - from Hackers. Right on the day Ubisoft launched a massive game
about hacking. Who would've thought? <br />
<br />
The way he put it, "On May 27th, a day which will live in infamy, the
United Studios of Ubisoft were suddenly and deliberately attacked by douche-bags. Little, 20-40 year old virginal douche-bags that launched a DOS
(that's Denial of Service) attack on the Ubisoft and Uplay servers from
about a million basements in their mothers' homes. The kind of <b>Douche-Bags</b>
that think 'hymen' is what they say to their only friends after donning
their headsets!" <br />
He was obviously upset. <br />
<br />
"Uhm, aren't you describing pretty much all of your programmers and most of your employees?", I wondered. <br />
He chose to ignore me.<br />
<br />
"And why?" he asked. "Just because they <b>can</b>?! Just because they need to
flaunt their superior intellect in the face of the three people in this
company that make enough money to buy ourselves pretty much everything <b>
they </b>only know from internet porn? Do they think that makes a man <b>
happy</b>?! And when did porn ever do anything good?!"<br />
<br />
"Well, there was that one time, at band camp-" I began, but speaking to him when he was like that was a losing proposition.<br /><br />
"So, they're smart! So what?! Didn't stop the ice hockey team from
dunking their heads in toilets, now, did it?! So, yes, let them be proud
of their win! <b>Hoo-Fucking-Ray</b> for them! They bloodied our nose, but that
won't happen again. We`re alert now. We're paying attention. And when
they come at us again, we'll <b>sniff 'em out</b> and <b>tear 'em apart</b> like...
like..." and there he faltered, then looked at me for help.<br />
<br />
I said "Uhm... like uhm, cameras? With... laser-... uhm -teeth? ... that can... sniff?"<br />
<br />
"Exactly", he said. "Just like that! D-bags won't even Know what hit 'em... (we should make a game about that... yeah...)".<br />
<br />
"Look, man" I said. "Maybe it was more of a... I don't know, an <b>
acknowledgement</b>. Like, some friendly hazing. I mean, these people are
crazy smart. (and I`m pretty sure that whole virginal thing isn't really
true anymore and you just said that because you're kinda angry).
They're smart. And they know it. But they're kinda secretive, too. <b>You
</b>threw 'em into the spotlight. Which, in itself is quite a compliment for
them. '<i>Look, Ma! All those years I spent in the basement on my
computer? It's gonna make me a superhero!</i>' But that's the <b>thing</b>, man.
They're not superheroes. They're <b>Anti-Heroes</b>. So, they couldn't just
come out and say 'Well done!'. These guys are creative, unconventional.
(Although, admittedly, being a hacker and then hacking the game servers
for a game about hacking so the people playing the game could, in fact, <b>not
</b>go out and hack other people may not be that ingenious - unless the
utter simplicity <b>Is</b> the genius. You never know. There`s a lot of pretty
funky mold in those basements...) But still. They could've just '<b>given
you props by busting your chops</b>', man. Or something."<br />
<br />
"Who the hell are you, now?!" He was looking at me. "Jay Fucking Z?"<br />
<br />
"That- that's <b>all </b>you took from that? Fine. I'm just <b>sayin'</b>, man. Don't
take it so hard. It's not like it... <b>ruined </b>your whole life, is it?"<br />
Wrong thing to say.<br />
<br />
"What?!" he screamed. "Didn't <b>ruin</b>-? People were <b>unhappy</b>. <b>The Customers</b>
were unhappy. They had paid for a game experience like no other and we
couldn't <b>deliver</b>. They don't care whose fault it was! You know why?
Because it's <b>not Their job,</b> it's <b>Ours</b>! And in their eyes <b>we failed</b>! We
failed! We went out and built and bought new servers, and we made sure
UPlay could handle <b>twice </b>as many people, <b>twice </b>the people that even <b>Have
</b>UPlay accounts, and then we even rented <b>additional </b>servers just for the
launch week to double <b>That</b>! <b>Redundancy in Depth</b>! And all of that turned
to <b>Shit</b>. <b>Not</b> because of the hackers. Because of <b>us</b>. Because when we
were contacted, <b>I refused </b>to take pictures of myself with a shoe on my
head and post them online. (The USU doesn't negotiate with terrorists,
cyber or otherwise.) And it was <b>my pride</b> that led to our fall, to our
epic fail. We failed the customers. <b>I </b>failed the customers. My life is
forfeit. My life is worthless, without meaning. It's dark and drab and
cold and lonely and-" He stopped, stiffened, then looked down towards
his bellybutton, seeming just a tad bit peeved. "<b>Easy </b>with the teeth
down there, you two."<br />
<br />
And I said, "Yves", I said. "<b>Priorities</b>..."<br />
<br />
<br />
DISCLAIMER: <br />
None of this ever happened. Nobody is supposed to feel insulted by any of this. It's supposed to make you laugh. <br />
I don't condone any illegal actions, nor will I admit to a certain
admiration of people that are able to do such illegal actions. I plead
the Fifth. <br />
I don't condone any demeaning actions, either. <b>Bullies blow</b>. <br />
The people and places mentioned in or alluded to in this short work of
utter fiction are not real, and do not refer or allude to real places or
people. No,<b> there is no Playboy Mansion </b>- that`s just a myth, a magical
place fathers tell their sons about to make them do their chores,
because if they work real hard and get real rich, they may one day be
invited there. <br />
Perceived similarities to reality are nothing but your own dirty thoughts. <br />
Also, this story is not even mine. I was just holding it for a friend - whose name I can't seem to remember. <br />
Now, mom's got my dinner ready, and tonight me and the boys have a big
raid planned in the Rift. Yes, me and the <b>boys</b>. Plural. <b>Of Course </b>we
don't allow girls in our clan. If I learned anything in my 34 years,
it's that girls are like, not real. Or at least, really not like the I like ones on
the internet...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=watchdogs&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><u><b>Watch_Dogs</b></u></a> is available on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. A Wii-U version will (maybe) come later.<br />
<br />
For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=playstation&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Playstation </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Xbox&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PC%20games&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PC Gaming</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&docId=1000784673&linkCode=ur2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...<br />
<br />
Show some love, this one is funny...<br />
<br />VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-29783475562858902092014-05-11T07:18:00.002-07:002014-05-13T08:12:46.144-07:00Watch out! The Dogs are coming... (Watch_Dogs)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=watchdogs&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=watchdogs&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vj8rknVOrji6uQNxxxhLvXq1x2nhKCqyiCG0F_FZuVbJggnAYqXyuoDunZCZ-smFUJ5uPqEmAHQlOu1cNPnOrZP88MH1H910Sb2HZRCCW_9w2mVIW4mtyIOWHT_jyZWJrAIcTV3-Lew/s1600/WatchDogs-preview-1.jpg" height="172" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5-27-2014</td></tr>
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<br />
So, maybe that Title was a bit... iffy, but it got you reading, so there's that.<br />
(Updated to include the MP modes, I missed. Thanks Tetsou88 from the Ubi-Forums)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=watchdogs&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><u><b>Watch_Dogs</b></u></a>. What a ride it has been, and the game's not even out yet. From "awesome next-gen launch title" to "delayed, with major graphics downgrade" to "5-27-2014, and no, those graphics are just fine", Watch_Dogs has created quite the online hype - and not exclusively in a good way.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-fjffoy1eMHpw7mcbNHTtznjg5HN54kxBUlJg1RuRn22wdk3oqW8oJ6GtvmuFNCAr8yoOOmN2L383FNHcEB2LbwT_iDr9MXkang_UjYsyt30n66dzThOiKZ_15T4xKrLIw6CpuCJOPw/s1600/watch-dogs-bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-fjffoy1eMHpw7mcbNHTtznjg5HN54kxBUlJg1RuRn22wdk3oqW8oJ6GtvmuFNCAr8yoOOmN2L383FNHcEB2LbwT_iDr9MXkang_UjYsyt30n66dzThOiKZ_15T4xKrLIw6CpuCJOPw/s1600/watch-dogs-bridge.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michigan Avenue Bridge in Watch_Dogs</td></tr>
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But that's all water under the Michigan Avenue Bridge, now (that's a Chicago reference with digital proof, by the way), with the game being released in a bit more than two weeks.<br />
<br />
<br />
And it's shaping up quite nicely, if the following "lore" and gameplay (single player, side activities and 1v1 multiplayer) vid is any indication (the longer gameplay walkthrough starts at 14:30, but it's all worth watching):<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/CWQNbRyKppA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />
Well. That does look nice. So what did we see here?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP7WiotyxEg6xxZE0-4SVCRIqc_pCmFYG5lh2MQrEoPE0HHD3aYPAMoaviDsAjlGMLLIm2NV4g5XtIWCHvvkCDvYAr2HSXytLKfwniC2cQmxTuNrOHzjvrFAFd8BXhuNIbrgWOMRNA2s/s1600/WD+porn.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP7WiotyxEg6xxZE0-4SVCRIqc_pCmFYG5lh2MQrEoPE0HHD3aYPAMoaviDsAjlGMLLIm2NV4g5XtIWCHvvkCDvYAr2HSXytLKfwniC2cQmxTuNrOHzjvrFAFd8BXhuNIbrgWOMRNA2s/s1600/WD+porn.png" height="105" width="200" /></a></div>
I mean, apart from the whole "the internet knows your porn-consumption", "<b>everything is connected</b>" conspiracy... well, we can't really call that a theory anymore, can we? It is true, the internet knows, and thus people know. One of the the questions Watch_Dogs poses to the player, is what do you do with that? Knowledge is power, and with great power comes great... fun. I guess.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj1DRRMzdB1zstO_Q5I5l41owQOsFTtrisc7YI7T9EuEyTprXDpoo25JfNDnrjE5V3GOYeZS24Gddkl8bQP7BoyPAEO5VEyoBy7XLw9eYqggmEVBL3GmwnvzVGwWijPHuAjLaniRgsLM/s1600/WD+movement.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj1DRRMzdB1zstO_Q5I5l41owQOsFTtrisc7YI7T9EuEyTprXDpoo25JfNDnrjE5V3GOYeZS24Gddkl8bQP7BoyPAEO5VEyoBy7XLw9eYqggmEVBL3GmwnvzVGwWijPHuAjLaniRgsLM/s1600/WD+movement.png" height="167" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nimble little minx</td></tr>
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What we see seems <b>very akin to what I'd imagine Assassin's Creed: Modern Online Warfare might look like</b>, albeit with less climbing and more cars. <b>Plus: Jedi Smartphone Tricks</b>. The movement does seem quite similar, even a bit more energetic, yet not as vertical as what the Creeds offered, but hey: did I mention cars? Doing "something" to regional enemy "outposts" to "unlock" the area, also seems familiar. But WD comes with a cover mechanic and a "sneaky-stance", the second of which I am still waiting for in the Creed series, so hello obvious evolution.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CMK39cYXnYmyFqfxTOT040dW0BkiSfZP6p3Ro7qE_QqSZ_eyKBD4BsNhe7a9OVoQKMw4UdPMKMByl91M14Dcx9fffWZ2pg0fhQnaOKnPWvWnOanl1qY3epkVF8RmOcXPl0B1wN7JdwM/s1600/WD+ctOS.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CMK39cYXnYmyFqfxTOT040dW0BkiSfZP6p3Ro7qE_QqSZ_eyKBD4BsNhe7a9OVoQKMw4UdPMKMByl91M14Dcx9fffWZ2pg0fhQnaOKnPWvWnOanl1qY3epkVF8RmOcXPl0B1wN7JdwM/s1600/WD+ctOS.png" height="167" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I do need some kind of connection...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All in all, <b>Watch_Dogs' Chicago, controlled by ctOS</b> (ctOS is Chicago's Central Operating System, a Computer in control of a city's interconnected electrical systems), looks and feels quite enticing - and exciting: An open, living city (confirmed via tweet: without loading screens), criminals and damsels in distress, a legally misunderstood hero, and, with access to ctOS, lots of possibilities to interact with that world.<br />
There's a very deep and socially aware storyline somewhere, too, I'm sure, but the joy of open world games always lay (for me anyway) in doing exactly the opposite of what the story wanted me to do, and see how it holds up, once the open world is supposed to "stand on its own."<br />
<br />
<b>But let's look at some details, especially from the longer gameplay walkthrough:</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKYQneUOXHGRGepDH7JDxYwj2xZdW8zyYBQXK8lq_MhpuW6XuHMkCNIG3j8wR5is6QZCkRzvhcBOJmNOkd8hEQhG5l1_9YuI_7dpP905YtIuVKNX8DzoQv3ocEvR_cWCnc76udZYpLAg/s1600/WD+Guns.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKYQneUOXHGRGepDH7JDxYwj2xZdW8zyYBQXK8lq_MhpuW6XuHMkCNIG3j8wR5is6QZCkRzvhcBOJmNOkd8hEQhG5l1_9YuI_7dpP905YtIuVKNX8DzoQv3ocEvR_cWCnc76udZYpLAg/s1600/WD+Guns.png" height="168" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is there a waiting period for the military grade stuff?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>First off, guns.</b> Quite a good amount, too, including a .50 cal Sniper Rifle. It remains to be seen if WD will actually accommodate long-range enthusiasts in any meaningful way (i.e. 100+ meters), something nobody seems to have asked or commented on, yet (aside from Ubisoft's own game description, touting "long-range sniping" as one way for the player to tackle enemies), but we can hope. Unless the Rifle is just a token offering to check all the "weapons needed in video game" boxes, and I haven't really seen anything confirming that the player could get to the roof of some of these skyscrapers, but at least head shots seem to equal One-Hit-Kills even with handguns, (and you can blow out tires on moving cars, which is very awesome) so, yes. Hope. And not just for the sniping, but combat in general. Unless you prefer the sneaky way. Which is cool, too.<br />
Anyway, there`s lots of different guns, that, hopefully (there is that "h"-word, again), have their own unique characteristics and handling.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeceSwSdsLe_6Idi_bh-enZZjiMJ6lTm2-z6ZrjXpEzBqbq47hzbjn8_mQ_KOOGA9-miopWErxCPbq9fzuw8rM-WkuA7wtApz-dGixRnLTZsJ_g9JFwU4AP1-Ud4bAcbbrBbLOvhGcu-o/s1600/WD+combat2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeceSwSdsLe_6Idi_bh-enZZjiMJ6lTm2-z6ZrjXpEzBqbq47hzbjn8_mQ_KOOGA9-miopWErxCPbq9fzuw8rM-WkuA7wtApz-dGixRnLTZsJ_g9JFwU4AP1-Ud4bAcbbrBbLOvhGcu-o/s1600/WD+combat2.png" height="167" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Focus on the Head</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And judging from the shown <b>combat, with cover-shooting, and the ubiquitous bullet-time slo-mo </b>(something not only restricted to shooting, mind you), it's good to know that gun-play will be a viable option, especially when combined with the hacking and distracting seen in the video while infiltrating the ctOS Control Center.<br />
<br />
It looks like a lot of fun, playing with, and then killing the AI - something I have learned to really enjoy in my time playing games, from the over-the-top skill-kill-setups of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=bulletstorm&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><b>Bulletstorm</b></a>, to the fiendishly gruesome and creative options of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=dishonored&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><b>Dishonored</b></a>.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJ6vOzFml6OOY3RbPHPJ_I3w5NO3D83ICFm1TXVzVPcOpunPXGIe1GbOkGwUKBWm6E0U6-XBatnvLdauRLskjFpgAvYzsmMxcne-VWb8vzpamWbfLHtASd-GSgt5QP2rN0NdqXJREMSY/s1600/WD+overload.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJ6vOzFml6OOY3RbPHPJ_I3w5NO3D83ICFm1TXVzVPcOpunPXGIe1GbOkGwUKBWm6E0U6-XBatnvLdauRLskjFpgAvYzsmMxcne-VWb8vzpamWbfLHtASd-GSgt5QP2rN0NdqXJREMSY/s1600/WD+overload.png" height="165" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, up on the Wall. It's Electro!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Manipulating good AI is always a joy</b>, and something WB Creative Director Jonathan Morin said in an early April interview, about how enemy NPCs in WD will not automatically associate something going wrong around them with a hidden perpetrator and start looking (or even worse, know who and where that person is), makes me hope that what happens in the video around 18:15 (IED explodes, takes out guard, and apparently right after the other guards shoot at the player's location) is a glitch or from old code. And according to (not only) the "ctOS Report", the options are indeed many:<br />
<b>Traffic Lights, Street Lights, Bridges, Steam Pipes, Fuse Boxes, Road Blockers, Cameras, Stuff that Moves... Trains... and, possibly, More Stuff.</b> Cellphones, maybe.<br />
It's a playground, for sure, and it will be very interesting to see, how diverse that will really "play out". Will players really experiment and enjoy the options, or will you soon fall into a trot of "run, shoot, disable, steam pipe, boom, repeat"?<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9siWWySmR9o4YoGukse1rtDbJiWjVwmXQ4CWPRz_S_5d7886oHJCozp9vDXgLal8B9bDcpQg1UTDLRaTQF9GE3j-wrqXSQfCpUay0BdVk9hNveMFP3S2tEmKwWgIRj_bIMhjNlCrdSw/s1600/WD+Skilltree.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9siWWySmR9o4YoGukse1rtDbJiWjVwmXQ4CWPRz_S_5d7886oHJCozp9vDXgLal8B9bDcpQg1UTDLRaTQF9GE3j-wrqXSQfCpUay0BdVk9hNveMFP3S2tEmKwWgIRj_bIMhjNlCrdSw/s1600/WD+Skilltree.png" height="165" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choices, choices...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Undoubtedly, the developers put a lot of thought into their vision of Chicago, but to really make people enjoy and employ the variety of options, each must be effective in their own way - and not just one way. I imagine foot chases might get pretty stale, if all you really do is wait for your prey to run past a conveniently placed fuse box. Hacking, as other gameplay aspects, like Combat, will feature upgrades and a skill tree, although not that much is known about it. There will be an upgrade to completely plunge virtual Chicago into a black-out, though. Which sounds like fun, if a bit drastic.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYanhm1dNxSstR6VlE2CW4ph4Uvjo0yCtciQQZlWazLLbMaMOOH1f8vfMedBMWorHCURfwc1RE4suVEAaMixJHTHt_2ntHxvBO8qU7JpD0GLq8dk-1XAr6EvAN2HFfHybyL5BUC0XL1I/s1600/WD+Potential3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYanhm1dNxSstR6VlE2CW4ph4Uvjo0yCtciQQZlWazLLbMaMOOH1f8vfMedBMWorHCURfwc1RE4suVEAaMixJHTHt_2ntHxvBO8qU7JpD0GLq8dk-1XAr6EvAN2HFfHybyL5BUC0XL1I/s1600/WD+Potential3.png" height="168" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let me put that necklace on...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On to the <b>systemically generated "side-missions" of a "potential crime"</b> - something that just happens, something that is not even a mission per-se, something you can actually choose to engage in or just walk by, should your conscience allow it. Fans of the TV show "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&field-keywords=person%20of%20interest&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=person%2Cinstant-video%2C208&tag=vgbastardry-21&url=search-alias%3Daps" target="_blank"><b>Person of Interest</b></a>" will be familiar with the concept of a computer program using electronic surveillance to predict crimes. In WD's Chicago, ctOS, the City's Master Control Program, does just that, and with the player's access to ctOS, he can choose to follow potential victims, then intervene once these potentials turn into a "<b>Crime in Progress</b>".<br />
I remember that term from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=arkham%20origins&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><b>Batman: Arkham Origins</b></a>, specifically from trying to get these annoying challenges done and waiting at certain locations for the always similar "random crime" to occur. WD seems to go for a different approach, something seemingly less predictable in form and outcome, yet it's still unclear how varied those events will be (the two shown in the video look depressingly similar, not in the least for once more portraying the stereotype of the victimized female), or how exactly player actions will have an impact: Can you hack someone's bank account (on a side note: Morin confirmed via twitter, that you can hack multiple bank accounts and only have to go to an ATM once to collect your loot) and send them on a desperate crime spree, then swoop in to save the day? Wouldn't that be something?<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_whDXryPYIRLlhXWCxin4lcefDEux1NruLoTK-NaRD-fUEQ3bpq-LdYWpyLzRj_3LGP3ESXhrv0mAo6RD-ASvobBFkbhnPlUjBXZTvRATouYKLRBs4DnSGEnLvRG6XzqfP_r1JnTNLIY/s1600/WD+Public+Perception.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_whDXryPYIRLlhXWCxin4lcefDEux1NruLoTK-NaRD-fUEQ3bpq-LdYWpyLzRj_3LGP3ESXhrv0mAo6RD-ASvobBFkbhnPlUjBXZTvRATouYKLRBs4DnSGEnLvRG6XzqfP_r1JnTNLIY/s1600/WD+Public+Perception.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just like you saw on the telly!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Public actions will influence how the city and its inhabitants will regard you and react to you</b>, from helping you out (possibly via a shop discount) to calling the police on you, but how much personal influence can you really exert on the individual? <br />
But if what is claimed in the vid turns out to be true, and the criminals once you're in pursuit actually do act unpredictably, these events should at least be an enjoyable distraction - for the first 50 times or so. There's always a potential pit-fall with these kinds of semi-random "Help Me! Help Me!" events, especially for those closet heroes among us.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg621OkLHipuPhHLTyAIj-ZU6kF-WKhvf2vmSjo1eCwsS8DcskoXReuCYLAZaMjrKPqqDQPu0dmaEihsOrWKV2NtyrTx_Aqrzr7sqK-DApwjU9dzecqfUSnL5vqyj4Zx-pbrfVCYF6lLsU/s1600/WD+Potential4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg621OkLHipuPhHLTyAIj-ZU6kF-WKhvf2vmSjo1eCwsS8DcskoXReuCYLAZaMjrKPqqDQPu0dmaEihsOrWKV2NtyrTx_Aqrzr7sqK-DApwjU9dzecqfUSnL5vqyj4Zx-pbrfVCYF6lLsU/s1600/WD+Potential4.png" height="167" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crime stopped. Literally.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Because how can you walk away once you get a number- I mean, the name of a potential victim? And when does NOT walking away, over and over and over, become tedious? Will you be able to simply traverse the city, without having to rescue kittens at every corner?<br />
We'll have to wait and see, but I am (once more) hopeful, that with WD's generally more gray moral approach, they won't constantly pressure the hero types into saving their fellow citizen from durance vile.<br />
<br />
<br />
Finally, then, to the <b><u>Multiplayer</u></b>, only one of (EDIT:) <b>six modes</b> was portrayed in the first vid, so let's take a look at another video, previewing three of the different MP modes (Ubisoft confirmed again that Multiplayer is completely optional and can be turned off completely):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/gBiD2TgFdus?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Now, that does not look half bad. And it's apparently seamlessly integrated into the game, with the matchmaking for the 4v4 working in the background while you play, the match starting when everyone is ready. And yes, just to say it again, there are <b>NO MAP RESTRICTIONS for the MP</b> modes. The whole city is open. This is confirmed. Twitter. Tell your friends.<br />
<br />
Let's look at the modes seen here:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBYbkgTh3vuS6v__js1lwZ_3F9ZzRjVRZLlknmXULlz6ywBgC2RsYFpTm89jVLSPWnFVnJFqApeZDJVFXh5LkrMX3vnNgcTYUgEynAqzZnkWFiWxE_fNZlKbzbsU6B7k4ntf_N6uOam4/s1600/WD+Hack1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBYbkgTh3vuS6v__js1lwZ_3F9ZzRjVRZLlknmXULlz6ywBgC2RsYFpTm89jVLSPWnFVnJFqApeZDJVFXh5LkrMX3vnNgcTYUgEynAqzZnkWFiWxE_fNZlKbzbsU6B7k4ntf_N6uOam4/s1600/WD+Hack1.png" height="164" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who are you? Who, Who? Who, Who?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>Online Hacking Contracts</b></u> (1v1), is more of a <b>deadly hide and seek</b>, something that the Profiler in your smartphone does not make very easy for the hacker. In both videos, the hacker does not get very far into his hack before being detected and forced to flee, but apparently "Mission Success" is a pretty pliable term here, and rewards are awarded even for partial hacks - as long as you get away alive.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Z-PLNoDCDrW3U2-N070z9USuubqWQr3OT7OQmwLSQy0XsH-JvjjmhuYxzpqNoFEHvU-Gu7HQYXPqYUbXgNNSGA_oJVZP5uf4mzvxefE43RSUA0GPr1LFZWF8-2k9F3RdXF83Ixa89qU/s1600/WD+Hack4_retal.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Z-PLNoDCDrW3U2-N070z9USuubqWQr3OT7OQmwLSQy0XsH-JvjjmhuYxzpqNoFEHvU-Gu7HQYXPqYUbXgNNSGA_oJVZP5uf4mzvxefE43RSUA0GPr1LFZWF8-2k9F3RdXF83Ixa89qU/s1600/WD+Hack4_retal.png" height="168" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We don't get fooled, again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Speaking of which, Hacker Spared" does sound so much better than "I let the Bastard got away!" But... did he? As seen in the first vid, if someone tried to hack you, you hack 'em right back! Yes. Retaliation, a founding principle of every modern society - and PvP video games.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsRbHot18X7cdqqxbuWoLhyFjXotiQRxfVGCy8NMxbbnU1OVgcNI3mQxEY-b9yPHqoBhXMHmkEWbZejeOnnU1pxL1rEqeU6uZl6p9jrVI71_8deUBJeuThQ0M5D_LP6A5h3QfATJgwDg/s1600/WD+Hack7_retal_killed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsRbHot18X7cdqqxbuWoLhyFjXotiQRxfVGCy8NMxbbnU1OVgcNI3mQxEY-b9yPHqoBhXMHmkEWbZejeOnnU1pxL1rEqeU6uZl6p9jrVI71_8deUBJeuThQ0M5D_LP6A5h3QfATJgwDg/s1600/WD+Hack7_retal_killed.png" height="161" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teenage Wasteland!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Funnily enough, if you let the hacker escape alive, you, as the hacked, are rewarded a Mission Success. But if you as the hacker kill the intended hacked, you fail. At least that's what the red writing indicates to me. I guess that makes sense, but it's still weird.<br />
<br />
As I was alerted to by my (one) avid reader(s), there is another, less dangerous variant of the Online Contracts, that simply involves tailing the main character unnoticed. It gives less Notoriety (i.e. XP), but the hacked will not be alerted that he is hacked, and it's thus less likely to end in potential bloodshed. Not that it will be easy to inconspicuously tail another player should he choose to race recklessly through the city, mind you.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Competitive Decryption Combat </b></u>(4v4, only available on Next Gen Consoles and PC), looks like even more fun, and quite diverse fun, at that.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguShvSRiL7_w_Kjbz_nRFsbS0fV5kQPSXVDYmhIzHV8V_8myIDFHNuwhhmYUWaCH3NeuNw5c7k1DL6KX3IHZwgfKom3hZadXFg-EN7dD0bxUuAC6xeQAHWe5zi3GYPNIQBfAEifDwhMUI/s1600/WD+Decrypt1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguShvSRiL7_w_Kjbz_nRFsbS0fV5kQPSXVDYmhIzHV8V_8myIDFHNuwhhmYUWaCH3NeuNw5c7k1DL6KX3IHZwgfKom3hZadXFg-EN7dD0bxUuAC6xeQAHWe5zi3GYPNIQBfAEifDwhMUI/s1600/WD+Decrypt1.png" height="168" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get the file...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With two teams of... hackers (apparently, you will always look like the main character in your game, but look like someone else in other people's games - but you CAN make it so you'll always look like the same someone else), well, <b>two teams of hackers fighting for a file, that you have to first hold, then decrypt</b>.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTtJcXniI0uQ9lG1YK44boDBcHwIbY30cq5CLRk4YSaSnMQIcGheaL-krsXNAPgX_nX3ZRe1WXWw5sc-Su0uWTtAt2y9EdJaXq3FY5gXZgkoky1uOeZzYl1QrP9pQ3B3XbwlsrqUfQDc/s1600/WD+Decrypt2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTtJcXniI0uQ9lG1YK44boDBcHwIbY30cq5CLRk4YSaSnMQIcGheaL-krsXNAPgX_nX3ZRe1WXWw5sc-Su0uWTtAt2y9EdJaXq3FY5gXZgkoky1uOeZzYl1QrP9pQ3B3XbwlsrqUfQDc/s1600/WD+Decrypt2.png" height="165" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...get away...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's an interesting <b>mix of Capture the Flag, Hold the Flag and Don't let the Baddies get close to the Flag</b>. The file is acquired by downloading it to your smartphone, and can be stolen by downloading it from the enemy's smartphone once you get in range - and stay in range (and alive) for long enough to steal it. If the file carrier dies, the file is free to be grabbed anyone, and from there it's a matter of keeping the file and decrypting it, i.e. keeping the enemy away from it.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenRfsXZkEM-E5oRybNAECF94gWze3L9TlnSAS6ucsnJNrIdOyv1rA7BjTKWzeAluWTeeEvqI3aNo6_pqEOj_8RiFGu8exTUscaepZ9rSOo3_861AqMiOrbDYp5MlAys6fw39cvHP3o_s/s1600/WD+Decrypt3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenRfsXZkEM-E5oRybNAECF94gWze3L9TlnSAS6ucsnJNrIdOyv1rA7BjTKWzeAluWTeeEvqI3aNo6_pqEOj_8RiFGu8exTUscaepZ9rSOo3_861AqMiOrbDYp5MlAys6fw39cvHP3o_s/s1600/WD+Decrypt3.png" height="168" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...win?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are obviously different ways to do that, but <b>with all of WD's Chicago as your map, you can take the whole match on the road</b>, try to flee your pursuers and keep the file out of their hands during decryption. Decryption as seems to be a lengthy process, even if proximity to your team members will speed up the process. If the enemy gets close enough to try and steal it, the decryption halts until you get out of their range.<br />
<br />
It's still unclear how the respawn system works, or if a partly decrypted file, once lost, then recovered, will have to be decrypted from scratch, but the enormous round time (<b>28 minutes for a 4v4 match</b>) seems to be designed to allow for lengthy back and forth exchanges.<br />
<br />
And then, there's the <u><b>ctOS Mobile Companion App</b></u>, allowing people on their mobile devices to challenge players in the game to a checkpoint race-course through the city. Sounds simple enough, but where`s the "versus" aspect?<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYsFwQDrTzPGkQWc1t7uHjvwi4yKoz3Q_uNJgNRPK3RJFTg-Ba5aTeAna7XCkPEa4jLgJRR8qn0on-lm8pd3Igf4zp5gqxi8r8f57qM-s_UoQYDuoMpGu2QrdiYddgJC-SC1yWPsAWjQ/s1600/WD+Companion+App1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYsFwQDrTzPGkQWc1t7uHjvwi4yKoz3Q_uNJgNRPK3RJFTg-Ba5aTeAna7XCkPEa4jLgJRR8qn0on-lm8pd3Igf4zp5gqxi8r8f57qM-s_UoQYDuoMpGu2QrdiYddgJC-SC1yWPsAWjQ/s1600/WD+Companion+App1.png" height="165" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reach out, touch me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, should the player accept the challenge, for the duration of the race, the person on the Mobile App gains control of ctOS, i.e.<b> all those hacks you could use while driving to stop pursuers will now be used against you</b>, from road blockers to steam pipes to traffic lights. Additionally, the person that holds control over Chicago in the palm of their hands (not my words), can set the police on your trail, and keep track of you with a helicopter and its spotlight.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxHVvEtbNXtBbtMHGkarEO9qri57cyXGaTPIqEqTDpdL1Vq8s4jG0N_QSNVMqoom189SHLk2goJCrz5T3ZsEOaGKP9rEAcbl5owXxyIS8YdJZd7B8QERofcM5Vk_z3ohtGk9fXb-kNuM/s1600/WD+Companion+App2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxHVvEtbNXtBbtMHGkarEO9qri57cyXGaTPIqEqTDpdL1Vq8s4jG0N_QSNVMqoom189SHLk2goJCrz5T3ZsEOaGKP9rEAcbl5owXxyIS8YdJZd7B8QERofcM5Vk_z3ohtGk9fXb-kNuM/s1600/WD+Companion+App2.png" height="168" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impending BOOM!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the short gameplay shown, it seems that <b>the ctOS Mobile App functions akin to a very simple Real-Time-Strategy game</b>, with limited resources (police cars, hacks etc.), so a bit of tactical thinking and quick reactions will definitely be a plus.<br />
The player in the game tries to reach the end of the course before time runs out or he is stopped, while the mobile player (obviously) tries to prevent that - and can actually gloat over his victory (or lament his loss) through <b>an instant message system from mobile app to game</b>. A feature that most definitely won't be abused by the chronically immature. In any way. Ever.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2XGpS73ZiRYeCZI9kx-kRaYo5DHaK_9YP7i34A_niQ8_1FQeJH4ZymiQzoAneb7bRroh1t434TVjXRorjYv8Uw805muUff94MSjoRyfC00y5ALtqLSmsOBTz_K4AyvRCTmh8L9Tv5XQ/s1600/WD+Companion+App3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2XGpS73ZiRYeCZI9kx-kRaYo5DHaK_9YP7i34A_niQ8_1FQeJH4ZymiQzoAneb7bRroh1t434TVjXRorjYv8Uw805muUff94MSjoRyfC00y5ALtqLSmsOBTz_K4AyvRCTmh8L9Tv5XQ/s1600/WD+Companion+App3.png" height="165" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goddammit you ****-ing ****-tard on ****!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But <b>the app is free</b>, is not region restricted (you can challenge people around the world, but with the inevitable lag that will incur, you might not want to), <b>and you don`t even have to own the game</b>. Which makes this, after <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00EJRFJJM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00EJRFJJM&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><b>Splinter Cell: Blacklist Spiderbot</b></a>, another potentially very enjoyable mobile game Ubisoft releases for free to everyone. Which I kinda like.<br />
<br />
<b>Playing any of these modes will net you experience you can then use to upgrade your character</b>, underlining the seamless nature of WD even more (although it's not known if playing on the Mobile App will translate to XP for your game character, or be used to upgrade your mobile app playing abilities).<br />
<br />
As I said, I was told by my rabid fan base, that <b>I had missed two MP game modes - but I actually missed three</b>. The first, <b>Tailing</b>, I already mentioned. The second and third are still somewhat shrouded in mystery, but here's what I could find out:<br />
<b>Free Roam</b> (only available on Next-Gen and PC) allows <b>up to 8 players to team up and just roam the city</b> to have some fun.<br />
UPDATE: <a href="https://twitter.com/Design_Cave" target="_blank">Creative Director J.Morin went on twitter again</a> to give some new info on Free Roam:<br />
"Free roam is a bonus way for players to go in the entire city without
any activity and define together what to do. You can flag who is
friend/enemy with others and then its up to players to define the rest.
It is not a controlled experience."<br />
Might that mean, <b>players could possibly create their own Multiplayer Modes</b>, albeit in (for now, at least) private lobbies? And what about a DLC "Free Roam Mission Editor", where you could use existing "missions" or objectives from the Single Player, from ctOs Control Centers to Side Mission Objectives, and play those out in PvP versions? I don't know, but it would be pretty cool...<br />
<br />
And there will be a <b>Race-Mode</b>, letting you <b>participate in car-races</b> against other players on predetermined tracks, UPDATE: which has been confirmed to be on all platforms, current-gen consoles included.<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, that was quite a lot to see, a lot to know, and a LOT to do. We may only have been given a small (and somewhat repetitive) glimpse of Watch_Dogs here, but it does seem to come with a quite staggering amount of content - and that`s without even mentioning the main story missions, something that Ubisoft usually does quite good, but <b>just free-roaming Chicago, online or not, might be gratifying enough on its own</b>.<br />
<br />
I mean, aside from the usual mini-games like poker and whatnot, there's also this whole other game-inside-the-game, the
<b><u>Digital Trips</u></b>. Using some kind of <b>Cyber Drug</b>, the player enters an
altered state of mind, an altered state of Chicago. Three different
trips are known, <b><u>Spider Tank</u></b>, <u><b>Madness </b></u>and <u><b>Conspiracy</b></u>.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5at0EUG4FA1xxwEIKqxsII6adx82_YvIPYc5cfxIGaEcgmJD6uDumLPmA7PGvjUxUHdUw1gmT_HBUEeXZ0b-WfGmxF2FhPGuyT5cg4Mu8evtrRYMwkfS5VU5Vz6Ww9shVJjBEzbeMcg/s1600/WD+Spider+Tank.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5at0EUG4FA1xxwEIKqxsII6adx82_YvIPYc5cfxIGaEcgmJD6uDumLPmA7PGvjUxUHdUw1gmT_HBUEeXZ0b-WfGmxF2FhPGuyT5cg4Mu8evtrRYMwkfS5VU5Vz6Ww9shVJjBEzbeMcg/s1600/WD+Spider+Tank.png" height="157" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Words :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b>Spider Tank</b></u> has you killing and destroying stuff in a tank that... well, looks like a spider, a mechanical Spider of Death, with Gatling-Guns and Rocket Pods. Destruction earns points, and points earn Spider Tank Upgrades.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Madness </b></u>is a Game Mode reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto, but with Demons, as you are supposed to take an armored car into the streets - and into as many "demons" as you can. Again, upgrades are available through playing the mode.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd8HhXwAU2ion_RIKSk77zKFuNYeaR_wT51t-f__ad25aLI5Cfs1LMfjvXIzVec9u9m-ryyL43Dz_0MHf_XKf7aYm7cdygfSZirQSX9P-WDmhW9uwe7Ph4Teixdrh3UUskozm7rRoleU/s1600/WD+cyber+zombies.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd8HhXwAU2ion_RIKSk77zKFuNYeaR_wT51t-f__ad25aLI5Cfs1LMfjvXIzVec9u9m-ryyL43Dz_0MHf_XKf7aYm7cdygfSZirQSX9P-WDmhW9uwe7Ph4Teixdrh3UUskozm7rRoleU/s1600/WD+cyber+zombies.png" height="169" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come with me if you want to live</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>Conspiracy</u></b>, then, appears to be a cyber-zombie hunt in the streets of Chicago. Imagine you're Kyle Reese, it's 2014 and hundreds of T-800s have infested Chicago, but only you can see them. You're Rowdy Roddy Piper, They Live as cyborgs and not aliens, and your special glasses are just an eye-patch. Not that I don't have had enough of zombies, but the trailer from the season pass is definitely intriguing.<br />
<br />
Which is leading, quite nicely, to the already announced <b><u>Season Pass</u></b> and its contents. Only two Digital Trips (that we know of), will be part of the vanilla game, with <b>Conspiracy being DLC</b>, and part of the Season Pass Bundle. It's a mixed blessing, those season passes, especially if, like this one, <b>part of its contents are cosmetic in nature</b>. Like, costumes and stuff. There's also a <b>single player campaign with a different playable character</b> included, as well as some <b>more missions</b> for the regular character, plus a <b>Chicago Cosa Nostra Pack</b> including a vintage Tommy Gun, but chances are, the savings of the Season Pass compared to the regular purchases will have Season Passers end up getting the costumes for free. Yay. But take a look for yourself, here`s the preview:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3VAM6njTlJs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
And before I go, a few more little tidbits of info (mostly from twitter and on via youtube): <br />
<br />
The seamless online play will be available on all consoles, but only 1v1 Hacking and Tailing (and Racing (UPDATE: confirmed on all platforms), and probably Mobile App vs. Player) will be present on the Current Gen Consoles - no Free Roam or Decryption for Xbox 360 and PS3.<br />
<br />
The Xbox 360 version will come on two disks, one being a mandatory 7.5 GB installation disk. <br />
<br />
You cannot choose the weather in Watch_Dogs, but you can determine time of day by sleeping as long as you want.<br />
<br />
Poker and other "Social Mini Games" are actually not. Social. No online for the mini-games. Bad Call, that one.<br />
<br />
The Focus Ability in Multiplayer sessions will not slow-down time (Duh!), but still give you helping hints.<br />
<br />
Cops will arrest you if you don't resist and are not "Wanted: Dead or Alive".<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/BestofVideoGames" target="_blank">Open World Games</a> has made an "informed guesstimate" of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUp-2EdzeeYwdecqMoXmHIQw&v=V5Sd9M3AiBs" target="_blank">Watch_Dogs' map size compared to GTA 5`s map size</a>, and WD comes up with about half of the whole of GTA 5, but most, if not all of it, city, as opposed to GTA 5's rolling hills and stuff. The way to this comparison included a digital mock-up of a part (20%) of the printed map of WD's Chicago included (I think) in some editions of the game, resizing it to fit with GTA 5's map, and then putting it five times on top of that.<br />
Here's the result:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwsfpFUhoT7SnqeCTi1ErJ73-kPe-d0n7aeYS3bJRJC1OZG5ZgDmhQMfisQwEICJEY7fylZ_CBrNe-wrKslHmSe6FVgzbdduA6k8kh0UbHptc5gp0BZX8nD1lL9H0RTFL2g4JCHOS5ys/s1600/WD+GTA+Map+Comp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwsfpFUhoT7SnqeCTi1ErJ73-kPe-d0n7aeYS3bJRJC1OZG5ZgDmhQMfisQwEICJEY7fylZ_CBrNe-wrKslHmSe6FVgzbdduA6k8kh0UbHptc5gp0BZX8nD1lL9H0RTFL2g4JCHOS5ys/s1600/WD+GTA+Map+Comp.png" height="320" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"It might not look big, but it will FEEL big", he said...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=watchdogs&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"><u><b>Watch_Dogs</b></u></a> will release on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One on May 27th 2014. A Wii-U version will (maybe) come later.<br />
<br />
For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=playstation&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Playstation </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Xbox&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PC%20games&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PC Gaming</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&docId=1000784673&linkCode=ur2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...<br />
<br />
Show some love, this one was a lot of work...<br />
<br />VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-62180433095757138362014-05-09T12:15:00.001-07:002014-05-11T06:51:55.286-07:00In case you were wondering, where I've been...No? Well, bad luck, then.<br />
<br />
My PC had died. It just... stopped working at very odd times, and it got increasingly bad, to the point where I compulsively quick-saved after every single sentence I wrote. The damn thing just shut down, no signal coming, no power to the peripherals, but the blue glowy power light on the tower never went out. It was very weird. And annoying.<br />
<br />
At the end of my personal, yet considerable, wits, I employed the help of a PC-Doctor. Who kept the thing for a week, then told me he has no idea why it happens. Then went on to tell me I just might have to do a full re-install of Windows 7, including a full wipe of the Hard Drives. Just to be sure.<br />
<br />
I will spare you the details of losing pretty much all of my por-... all of my stuff, but there's only so much a 500 GB external hard drive will hold, so choices had to be made, sacrifices to be... sacrificed. Yeah. That's what I meant to write. Anyway, fresh from the install, two hours in, the same thing happened. And I was miffed. Call in to the Doc, who then tells me, that it now can only be on of two things: The CPU or the Motherboard. For the non-nerds, the CPU is the the Central Processing Unit, the thingy that does pretty all of the computer work. It sits, nestled in a motherly embrace, on the Motherboard, which is like the land and infrastructure on which you build that house they call a "Computer". He also mentioned, in a "on a side note" kinda way, that those were the two things he did not check when he did his check, ergo, there the fault must be.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately for me, that meant buying new stuff, namely, a new CPU and/or Motherboard, which considering the age of my CPU pretty much took the "or" from the equation, faulty processor or not. The kind of motherboards that would support it, went out of production years ago. Very fleeting business, that is.<br />
I did some research online - by which I mean, I checked on <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Desktop%20PC&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">amazon </a>for do-it-yourself build your own PC kits - but... well, I know what most of the stuff means, but I also know that I don't need most of the newer stuff. I don't want to play games on that thing, I just need a working "typewriter" with good web-functionality - most everything else, that's what my <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PS4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PlayStation is 4</a> (Ha! Get it?), and, recently, once more my trusty <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Xbox&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox 360</a> (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Dark%20souls%202&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Dark Souls II</a>, people!). Plus, I wanted someone, whom I could call upon in my hours of need, someone, who would not live in India, but kinda closer to home. Close enough to come buy and fix stuff. <br />
<br />
So again I called my trusty PC-Doc, and told him what I wanted: Take my old one, use what you still can use, and put in new, and more importantly cheap, stuff until it works. And so they did. One day later, it came to my door, I paid for it, plugged it in, and was just in the middle of setting things up... and the same damn thing happened again.<br />
<br />
In the end, what might have happened was this: A power surge damaged my old PC, either both the power supply and the Motherboard, or the hinky power supply eventually hinkied-up the MB, who can tell? When the first new MotherBoard was installed with a new CPU, the hinky power supply damaged that board, too, which in turn fired the CPU. Thinking it was just an odd coincide, they put in another CPU, test-drove it, and it fizzled again. Only THEN did they consider a faulty Motherboard, and the possible reasons said MB might have begotten these faults.<br />
The final tally amounted to three CPUs (two fried), two Motherboards (one hinky) and one new power-supply. None of which I had to pay, since I never had gotten a working product, but it took quite some time. Plus a new graphics card - for which I DID have to pay - because the on-board GFX did not support audio output via DVI-HDMI, and since my TV is my monitor, that was pretty much not acceptable.<br />
<br />
Over one full month of computerlessness. My Smartphone did get a healthy workout in that time, believe you me.<br />
<br />
And, believe it or not, that was only the smallest of four pretty devastating things to happen to me in the last six weeks. Yeah. The smallest, the most insignificant. But you don't care, so I won't bore you.<br />
<br />
Next up: Watch_Dogs :)<br />
<br />
For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=xbox%20one&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox One</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, they did help me through this. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...
VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-6398172216391462562014-03-17T10:18:00.000-07:002014-03-17T10:18:17.812-07:00Updates, Release Dates, and a date that will live in infamy... (Warframe, Watch_Dogs, inFamous 2nd Son)Another busy two weeks in video-game world, some of which I already hinted at, and will now wrap up next to some not-so-new news: <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2013/12/warframe-christmas-present.html" target="_blank">Warframe </a></span>on PS4 got an update. I mentioned that, somewhere. Now, with Warframe, Updates are always a bit of a celebration, since the already intolerable community, as behooves a game community, always wants everything, right now, and then a lot more of that. And Warframe has that little problem of its PC version getting more frequent updates, and those a lot sooner. Nobody cares why, but they bitch like there's no tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfY_cj_g07jy9Mm0Qy2uPdwsj1BQU5x_l7qHm3LDAhcOIGPB0DHXdJ8zo2FuBevF4bLoLzWoSHc8K12HbTdsZRyCgErVC03Mp2w6puaGmOhChtbi9v7M3GOfRCrpDUPvb0Isc6TK9fFo/s1600/Warframe_PS4update12_website.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfY_cj_g07jy9Mm0Qy2uPdwsj1BQU5x_l7qHm3LDAhcOIGPB0DHXdJ8zo2FuBevF4bLoLzWoSHc8K12HbTdsZRyCgErVC03Mp2w6puaGmOhChtbi9v7M3GOfRCrpDUPvb0Isc6TK9fFo/s1600/Warframe_PS4update12_website.jpg" height="149" width="320" /></a></div>
Okay. <a href="https://warframe.com/news/update-12-zephyr-rises-0" target="_blank">Update 12</a>. Updates on Warframe usually bring content. New Frames, new Weapons, new game modes, and maybe a new event. This one had it all, but that's not really the point. <b>My </b>point. You can read all about what it brought on the official release notes of the update <a href="https://forums.warframe.com/index.php?/topic/188649-update-12-zephyr-rises/#entry2197620" target="_blank">here</a>. The subtle changes are the stars here. And those stars are shiny. When Warframe debuted on the PS4, it was fun. Complicated, buggy and pretty weird, yes, but fun. It wasn't pretty, though.<br />
Now, it <b>is</b>. Digital Extremes have added a lot of polish in this latest update, textures, effects, even new animations. Along with a revamped HUD (I still have to get used to), something akin a game manual that is actually <b>in </b>the game, hugely improved resource management and mod-"crafting" system, it's an overall improvement in User Convenience that is quite astonishing, really. And very welcome. Sure, there are still some frame-rate dips, but less so than you might expect with dialed up graphics. <b>That </b>did introduce an almost constant but mostly negligible screen tearing issue, though.<br />
<br />
But even with those issues, it's a tremendous update to push Warframe out of its obvious Beta state on PS4 and into a game that could very well tide you over until <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=destiny&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Destiny </a>arrives.<br />
<br />
Look and See (but make sure to click the HD button on the bottom right):<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=421939864617186" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Next up, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=watch%20dogs&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Watch_Dogs</a>. As in, yes, it's coming. There is a Date! Do you remember Watch_Dogs? That game where Smartphones take over the world? Well, Chicago, but still. A man and his Phone fighting injustice. With a lot of hacking, some guns, a baton, cars and streetlights. It was supposed to release even before the next-gen launch, but delayed, until some days ago, indefinitely. Now, the wait is... not over, exactly, but the end is in sight: May 27th 2014. In that respect, as a little reminder, here`s the recent story trailer to freshen up your Watch_Dogs frenzy: <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NuAbH8Z8iwk?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Now, you <b>noticed</b>, didn't you? The graphics? Kinda... meh. And not really as "Wow" as last year`s E3 gameplay demos. As it happens, you're not the only one. The internet, especially neogaf, went completely bonkers - that`s a British medical term for shit-fuck-crazy, by the way. "Downgraded graphics" was the phrase of the day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNdRAd_YF5J_0hDS-Cx-zntA_qRqO9k-90UuF3zXUbBIBBmDEx0c0a3LNvV5vc_Fi_F8q37YW0ViMsbGlFgVOWeh7Wo77yPyxRgZhjzqQvvlvXQiZwNHZCjYEmgAJTgw9oR3rf8or3bk/s1600/watch-dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNdRAd_YF5J_0hDS-Cx-zntA_qRqO9k-90UuF3zXUbBIBBmDEx0c0a3LNvV5vc_Fi_F8q37YW0ViMsbGlFgVOWeh7Wo77yPyxRgZhjzqQvvlvXQiZwNHZCjYEmgAJTgw9oR3rf8or3bk/s1600/watch-dogs.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Maybe in response, maybe in expectation, there was a Live Stream Interview Q&A with the devs on Twitch two days later, on March 7th. Which, unsurprisingly, was instantly audio- and chat-hacked. The first 30 seconds of sound were looped, combined with the audio of a, presumably Canadian since French, Volkswagen commercial, and hundreds of "people" asked in the chat what Ubisoft's problems with Transvestite Girls is.<br />
<br />
The chat-free and clean-audio version you can watch <a href="http://www.twitch.tv/ubisoft/b/509039542" target="_blank">here in full</a> (be warned, though, there's no gameplay beyond what can be seen in trailer above; but you will notice how they start over), but to sum it up, this is what happened during the delay (or not):<br />
<ul>
<li>The graphics have not changed or suffered. The story trailer was simply to show the story, not the graphics. However that makes sense.</li>
<li>The systemic environment got an overhaul to really get working as flawless as possible. Watch_Dogs boasts a complete systemic environment, where everything you do effects the world around you, and those effects ripple through the complete game world.</li>
<li>Hacking on the move and targeting got an overhaul, to make it easier and more intuitive to interact with your environment even in high-pressure situations.</li>
<li>There was no additional content added during the delay - except maybe a few costumes and little animations. The main objective for Ubisoft Montreal was to make the experience they promised.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Some more interesting points:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgP2-hpblIvmJOVJa1k9y-JlkXijyJZWTaPF51rGSImjd7ULuuh58omUQptzeRj1oO329lXB-ZFxbhYJmkEPxM0EPpG8hOzWmHW0DA7VDMENedPg6HFHGy09_7sC8E9QKomDYA9I603Kk/s1600/watch_dogs_ss9_99866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgP2-hpblIvmJOVJa1k9y-JlkXijyJZWTaPF51rGSImjd7ULuuh58omUQptzeRj1oO329lXB-ZFxbhYJmkEPxM0EPpG8hOzWmHW0DA7VDMENedPg6HFHGy09_7sC8E9QKomDYA9I603Kk/s1600/watch_dogs_ss9_99866.jpg" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>The Multiplayer, where people can enter your game to hack-steal some data from you, is not about killing each other. It's about observation, hacking, hide-and-seek and escape.</li>
<li>You can play completely offline if the "I think someone's watching me" Multiplayer is too much for you.</li>
<li>The windy city has weather that people, objects and the player character will react to naturally and coherently.</li>
<li>That Canadian chief designer sure is a kidder.</li>
<li>You cannot make friends with crowd NPCs - or do some sexting (that`s hot-and-heavy texting, you know). You can use hacked personal info to distract enemies with inappropriate messages, though.</li>
<li>It will release on May 27th, for all major platforms. That's not the Wii-U.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnikwhBW5C6eyfpeyY1Nh2VnnkPTlt7T-CO0Shb8gAUvBWMf3unSbi0cjVhHDsWS3mYB3hBPFM65Asz01bnkBVUm08_tea1x6VZCqaFiL365GTBqzk0oKKqAT23DcV4taDVHJLc8ilMU/s1600/inFamousSS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnikwhBW5C6eyfpeyY1Nh2VnnkPTlt7T-CO0Shb8gAUvBWMf3unSbi0cjVhHDsWS3mYB3hBPFM65Asz01bnkBVUm08_tea1x6VZCqaFiL365GTBqzk0oKKqAT23DcV4taDVHJLc8ilMU/s1600/inFamousSS.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And,</span> lastly, with the impending release of the highly anticipated <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=inFamous&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">inFamous: Second Son</a>, IGN had a 3 hour live-stream with gameplay from the game. And there's really no need for words with three hours of the game present. Well, okay.<br />
The Dude runs weird. And the guy playing is not that good. But overall, it looks amazing. The in-game Seattle looks huge, and the claim is, as always in inFamous games, that everything you see you can reach, climb and jump down from.<br />
<br />
But enough words, for now. Here's where the video does the talking (and the people talking on the video).<br />
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<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YbnH2Y-q1BA?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
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<br />
For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=xbox%20one&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox One</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...
VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-17269394515620676802014-03-14T06:55:00.000-07:002014-03-14T06:55:42.930-07:00Zombies... again? Yes, but Interactive!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgFoo6ABUnVynbgqWy9KiHxRbEOYFWe86XT_dTuU-hTD0dRJBYJ2p4nqkX9sRUGhyphenhyphen5suSGZFlNXrNJyr5xNnm3ucNq6RuhgL-KN0I_J9XDlHyLcqX247kPx0UWkIHxduKiXM7Q1-9cdk/s1600/dead-nation-apocalypse-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgFoo6ABUnVynbgqWy9KiHxRbEOYFWe86XT_dTuU-hTD0dRJBYJ2p4nqkX9sRUGhyphenhyphen5suSGZFlNXrNJyr5xNnm3ucNq6RuhgL-KN0I_J9XDlHyLcqX247kPx0UWkIHxduKiXM7Q1-9cdk/s1600/dead-nation-apocalypse-logo.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zombies! Yay!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As my last post hinted at, there's a new Zombie Game out for PS4: <a href="http://www.deadnation.net/" target="_blank">Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition</a>, a revamped version of the PS3 game from 2010, including that game's DLC. Which makes it the Apocalypse Edition. Obviously.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfoookjXUhptkCbD7OcBEXeSp0MEUUWcYUF3I6WFFJ2SnMRUf5b5adrd3OIbuoNHsX1Tc7J0nzH88quRe6F4BNSy56ADoosJBpSaGgq2tDEAeBQbLSpgHgmildsGVx-budKE9UY9UrcI/s1600/1942.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfoookjXUhptkCbD7OcBEXeSp0MEUUWcYUF3I6WFFJ2SnMRUf5b5adrd3OIbuoNHsX1Tc7J0nzH88quRe6F4BNSy56ADoosJBpSaGgq2tDEAeBQbLSpgHgmildsGVx-budKE9UY9UrcI/s1600/1942.png" height="200" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1942 - in 1985</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finnish Developer <a href="https://www.housemarque.com/" target="_blank">Housemarque </a>might be best known among the PS4 crowd for PS4 Launch-Title <a href="http://uk.playstation.com/resogun/" target="_blank">Resogun</a>, an apparently very addictive game I completely failed to understand. I played Resogun once, kept throwing the to-be-rescued humans to their death, and moved on to something else. Maybe it's because I am old enough to have actually played Space Invaders and 1942 at the Italian Arcades I spent most of my time in during our family holidays, but I don't see the novelty.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLver_q6v6t-y4YQIAQP-6jN-DIjURRFyonk6bhrreQHZa0B48-cQ2GERITP-FUGfVDiiF9V5z05YnPYoS1pCis-S2oeUibT1oRsEmiiD_YcOUCNyTZ0b00fbaHsLGuxlWsZM5T3_Nlzk/s1600/SpaceInvaders-090910_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLver_q6v6t-y4YQIAQP-6jN-DIjURRFyonk6bhrreQHZa0B48-cQ2GERITP-FUGfVDiiF9V5z05YnPYoS1pCis-S2oeUibT1oRsEmiiD_YcOUCNyTZ0b00fbaHsLGuxlWsZM5T3_Nlzk/s1600/SpaceInvaders-090910_01.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the beginning...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It's possible Resogun might grow on me, but it's just as possible I had already outgrown it.<br />
<br />
Anyway, Dead Nation is a completely different animal - because: Zombies! God, I am tired of Zombies. I had had my fill shortly before all the hype began back in... 2002 or something. I will even come right out and say I don't like the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=walking%20dead&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Walking Dead TV series</a>. Sure, when there's zombies it's fun, but all that soap-opera drama? No way, Jose!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjgoA-LyYo9hp-jPIwNL9DYqd8hmk_g-kpXJIbQKBbv_0gjE7a6E9wFjtpzREMkUhCZWbkYhn7D-LJ79JXNk-H1tuJLjv_L3kyGavYyPDb5gd_6YfZ93_j3m-880ewlvHfEhqNdLZxvI/s1600/DeadNHorde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjgoA-LyYo9hp-jPIwNL9DYqd8hmk_g-kpXJIbQKBbv_0gjE7a6E9wFjtpzREMkUhCZWbkYhn7D-LJ79JXNk-H1tuJLjv_L3kyGavYyPDb5gd_6YfZ93_j3m-880ewlvHfEhqNdLZxvI/s1600/DeadNHorde.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Dead Nation, however is fun. It's one of those "isometric camera" games, which is not quite top-down, but more of an "elevated, yet slightly drunk, observer that occasionally hangs his head and nods off" camera. And while everything that happens on screen is a bit smallish, it looks and works quite well.<br />
You move with one stick, you aim with the other. You shoot, throw grenades and flares and stuff, open boxes and trunks of cars for money to buy stuff - including that throwable stuff, but mostly weapons and upgrades. Oh, and you kill a lot of zombies. With guns, grenades, beating their brains in or using the environment. Shoot a car, it will explode. Shoot a car with a car alarm, and it will first attracts zombies, <b>then </b>explode. And since the main goal - besides killing zombies and surviving - is to get as many points as possible for life-changing bragging rights, you'll soon start to try and set-up combos, whether lining zombies up for a "charged, and thus capable of multiple head-shots" Rifle shot, or luring a pack of zombies into a car-alarm bomb. Of course, there's a risk to that, as every time you take damage, it will lower your Combo-Counter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RApQ9pogZcB5WhVaEwXq5Fh0Yuf4oHZn_lj-T0zQx9yohztfAniqp7lo50f6SAIvQArJcIcZvRrbd_76X9jB1Lhek9U83JGAcFshK-_djJuWXTOp9qOHAI_9zFSzngolESfYZd6L2Bk/s1600/deadNElec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSreCchHAtn0Xr7tX7dAkj3m3wupkCqjjsqy-Hovb42ue_dZLiJaYuS1x4eOJFKutPGfjMvbDsYvTpqYCl42mPdD0Z_jikaDM7boBMKzhVt6mWglaDpZVZajX8Z5gVwDULNe2xM8eATwQ/s1600/DeadNCarBoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSreCchHAtn0Xr7tX7dAkj3m3wupkCqjjsqy-Hovb42ue_dZLiJaYuS1x4eOJFKutPGfjMvbDsYvTpqYCl42mPdD0Z_jikaDM7boBMKzhVt6mWglaDpZVZajX8Z5gVwDULNe2xM8eATwQ/s1600/DeadNCarBoom.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
And so quickly do you have the recipe for an addictive experience. Add in Leaderboards, A Friend-Challenge Menu, Two-Player Online and Offline Co-Op, several game modes and difficulties, a good variety of weapons and armor pieces, sterling graphics and lots of zombie-killing-fun (that`s a lot off add-ins), and you already have an entertaining, albeit somewhat repetitive, way to kill some time, alone or with a buddy.<br />
<br />
But, hark. There's more.<br />
Watching other people play videogames has, apparently, become a legitimate pastime some time ago - when I wasn`t looking. And I don't mean joining a buddy on the couch to give completely obvious and excruciatingly annoying commentary to his gameplay, hoping against hope that you will annoy him enough to let you play. No, for the pathological online, there's whole gaming streaming services, like Twitch.tv. It's a novel concept for me, and I don't claim to understand - or see the appeal. But lots of people do. Enough for a gaming streaming service to exist, at least.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RApQ9pogZcB5WhVaEwXq5Fh0Yuf4oHZn_lj-T0zQx9yohztfAniqp7lo50f6SAIvQArJcIcZvRrbd_76X9jB1Lhek9U83JGAcFshK-_djJuWXTOp9qOHAI_9zFSzngolESfYZd6L2Bk/s1600/deadNElec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RApQ9pogZcB5WhVaEwXq5Fh0Yuf4oHZn_lj-T0zQx9yohztfAniqp7lo50f6SAIvQArJcIcZvRrbd_76X9jB1Lhek9U83JGAcFshK-_djJuWXTOp9qOHAI_9zFSzngolESfYZd6L2Bk/s1600/deadNElec.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a>Streaming games is a concept that both next-gen consoles readily embraced. And the PS Companion App even updated to feature a browser for PS4 games being streamed right at any moment.<br />
<br />
But Dead Nation: AE pushes that concept a bit further. If you stream your gameplay live on Twitch, playing the "Broadcast +" game mode, your viewers, via twitch chat, can actively alter your game. There are over 30 different "votable" effects on your gameplay, and viewers get a choice of two at a time, one positive, one negative.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJh6ac3YHCQ_GznEjdNaXIW7eZguWGpkVlqQw83CDnI_HzdrBYir6OfNG1G7fh5GsdS2EdJpQGjaDHnMDoWRtIOBUqpmfvDPT4yYDM0rahAWQldWBU2RZEAXTL521fgVsHAlSTJAONUiI/s1600/DeadNFlame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJh6ac3YHCQ_GznEjdNaXIW7eZguWGpkVlqQw83CDnI_HzdrBYir6OfNG1G7fh5GsdS2EdJpQGjaDHnMDoWRtIOBUqpmfvDPT4yYDM0rahAWQldWBU2RZEAXTL521fgVsHAlSTJAONUiI/s1600/DeadNFlame.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Of course, with all the jerks you inevitably encounter on the world-wide-web, getting something positive is rather... rare, I would say. Then again, the viewers that voted for horrible things to happen to you will make a named appearance as a zombie in the game soon thereafter, and if there ever was a perfect opportunity for a flamethrower Zom-B-Q... Oh, didn't I mention that? Yes. There`s a flamethrower :)<br />
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Now, if all that still didn't get you hot and bothered, that's cool. But since it's free with PS+, and as PS4 owners pretty much all have PS+ to play online, well, what would be the harm in downloading and trying it? Look, I even made a video of the first mission, just for you:<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=421932967951209" width="560"></iframe><br />
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For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=xbox%20one&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox One</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...
VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-12065173395674084492014-03-11T09:26:00.003-07:002014-03-11T09:26:44.850-07:00Thievery, Zombies, and a shiny (but sinister) Future...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oOWccc5gdPcYRTEjnheq_PMUvoynpBn0bKrvxA2n6ayZtAMKT7-xgb_FO1xQgNnusH_J4rQvwtHe8vAkaTuzaYClD8M7fBEM4EJeJ4ON3CD7hQHZY59qejUiyUJHDFR0nyHgKW7B8xo/s1600/PS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oOWccc5gdPcYRTEjnheq_PMUvoynpBn0bKrvxA2n6ayZtAMKT7-xgb_FO1xQgNnusH_J4rQvwtHe8vAkaTuzaYClD8M7fBEM4EJeJ4ON3CD7hQHZY59qejUiyUJHDFR0nyHgKW7B8xo/s1600/PS4.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where stuff happens!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's been an interesting, and very enjoyable, two weeks on PS4. The long hoped-for <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=thief&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Thief </a>Remake made it's debut (on PC, PS4 and Xbox One), then F2P title <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2013/12/warframe-christmas-present.html" target="_blank">Warframe </a>drastically improved its look with new PS4 Update 12.0, and just a few days ago, addictive, top-down Zombie-Shoot-Fest <a href="http://www.deadnation.net/" target="_blank">Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition</a> made its way into everyone's PS Plus Instant Game Library - for free. Plus, other stuff.<br />
<br />
And yes, the order of the Headline is intentionally chronologically incorrect - it's for dramatic purposes. And attention. Definitely attention. In fact, the whole headline is incorrect, as I will only be looking at Thief this time around.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYAuaJF1V_AfPByp4gT3uNFcEU5l45VV-8gcHCEkl92HIha6ofSbaXVN-pn81k2xGcFoULWqrf5qLVdtTYoZPlWWbKMkt7b7yyAGGWRH67sihf4EmBqUSwnm-otO0EjVOdaXRPMkukvM/s1600/Thiefa.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYAuaJF1V_AfPByp4gT3uNFcEU5l45VV-8gcHCEkl92HIha6ofSbaXVN-pn81k2xGcFoULWqrf5qLVdtTYoZPlWWbKMkt7b7yyAGGWRH67sihf4EmBqUSwnm-otO0EjVOdaXRPMkukvM/s1600/Thiefa.png" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
So, let's start with <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=thief&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Thief</a>. Which, due to its extremely ambiguous title (Thief), was apparently expected to be an action title. At least, that's what it seems like, reading some of these reviews. "The combat is clunky, and facing more than one opponent becomes quite difficult," or some such could be read all over the net. And while this is, at least partly, quite accurate, there is a distinction between a Thief and an Assassin. Starting with the name. Obviously. One is supposed to be sneaky. The other, efficiently lethal, with "sneaky" being mostly optional.<br />
<br />
And just to get it out of the way, yes, Thief looks and feels a lot like <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=dishonored&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Dishonored</a>. Prettier, and maybe a bit more shallow, but there are differences. Efficient Lethality being one of them.<br />
The settings of Thief and Dishonored <b>are </b>quite similar: 18th Century Steam Punk World, a sinister Ruler, a plague in the streets, and a dark, brooding protagonist. In the case of Thief, that man is Garret, Master Thief with memory issues, inadvertently becoming the linchpin in an ever revolving, and very sinister, conspiracy. There's stealth and sneaking, ranged combat and Melees, story missions and side missions, and lots of places you never need to go to finish the game, but would be amiss to not visit at least once.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0lnZPesI6vhbYZdDOx2WKaKx9o6P4cEZpJNa2wYBjTeKTS6AT2YqsOLlGkHek-Ym7tw8SZphhdXCJOqn2CUJ-hFDBPvOMkNajz7p42a_gAdn91TYZUlckhuTag01cAgFAh5NN0xHggw/s1600/thiefps4-spot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0lnZPesI6vhbYZdDOx2WKaKx9o6P4cEZpJNa2wYBjTeKTS6AT2YqsOLlGkHek-Ym7tw8SZphhdXCJOqn2CUJ-hFDBPvOMkNajz7p42a_gAdn91TYZUlckhuTag01cAgFAh5NN0xHggw/s1600/thiefps4-spot1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
What's different is, Garret is not a killer. "Steel and Thieves don't mix well", he says. "Are you going to use those shadows?", he asks. Despite the misleading, action-heavy title (Thief), the game tries very early on to impart to you a certain attitude, which can be summed up by: "If you have to hit, hit quietly." Yes, that <b>does </b>sum it up, you nay-sayers. It's one of those "reading between the lines" things.<br />
"<b>If </b>you have to" implies it's not strictly necessary, but an option. "<b>Quietly</b>" intimates that big and raucous bar-brawl melees might not be in your own best interest. Because you're a Thief. It's like a common theme throughout the game (that game being named Thief). And thieving is what it does best. No, not that kind. Fine, it might "borrow" from Dishonored, but Dishonored in turn "borrowed" a lot from the original Thief games, which makes it a bit confounding to ascertain exactly who the egg and who the chicken is, here.<br />
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The Stealth mechanics are solid, the movement fluid, the thievery often exhilarating. The enemy AI is mostly competent, but, sadly, still pretty confined in their ways. What combat there is, is a bit repetitive, but it works well enough for something that is clearly meant to be avoided.<br />
"Repetitive" is a thing with Thief, though, but in a slightly weird way. Weird, in that part of the things you do over and over again are great and a lot of fun, while it is the movement through the city from one objective to another, that can definitely become a bit tedious after the 10th time. And the fact, that apparently every small path between crates or something else you can squeeze through has one support beam you have to move out of the way by tapping a button, is quite annoying, at least to me.<br />
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And yet, that beam is preferable to the unfortunate prevalence of loading screens when moving between areas of the City. It's not as bad as Dishonored, but it's close. The loaded areas are bigger in Thief, and feel a lot more... well, alive, for the most part, but with this generation of consoles being the "next-generation" after all, it's not something you'd expect from a game of only 21 GB.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CTebAR01UwdW-IIoonDD4ECaBbw4M7PV6n9jWK3PBGDq1tO_3NiYrWjv15PNq5kawB_uHvlWM2R1ZhX-4IJsJ9J4pPQ-btMG2htKNoNhDHYJOUIY-WjldaEm5yUsQM_Q7BF_rwLpsug/s1600/thief_loot.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CTebAR01UwdW-IIoonDD4ECaBbw4M7PV6n9jWK3PBGDq1tO_3NiYrWjv15PNq5kawB_uHvlWM2R1ZhX-4IJsJ9J4pPQ-btMG2htKNoNhDHYJOUIY-WjldaEm5yUsQM_Q7BF_rwLpsug/s1600/thief_loot.png" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
Especially looking at the not so much jaw-dropping visuals. Thief really shines when it's dark and gloomy (Ha!), with ominous and coherent lighting, but up close things get clunky. Then there's the lack of really interactive objects. While some bottles can be picked up, and some more glass wares destroyed by arrows (sadly, excluding windows of any kind), the majority are indestructible and/or immovable filler material.<br />
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Some things you think you should be able to climb you simply can't, and the wonderful rope arrow needs a very special kind of crossbeam to work.<br />
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And then there are the bugs. Nothing world changing or game-breaking (yet), but they are a bit annoying at times, mostly because they do rip you out of the immersion that is so essential to enjoying the game.<br />
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Thief is not the prettiest or the biggest or the most unrestricted "mini-sandbox" game, ever. But what it is, is a very immersive, and very gratifying, First-Person Stealth experience. It lives from exploration and experimentation, with an addictive sense of discovery - and the Thieving is simply exciting. Finding a hidden trigger in a bookshelf or behind the frame of a painting, in the few more seconds that the guards are distracted by the now dark and damp fireplace you just shot a water arrow into, is quite a blast, really.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZopRioCgEYgvZJwsijzaa7tEbGhJ4F42hw9wv5ES6vgGon-t55ctPt5lXexka379i8saIWe-maxs7HqN4NS3o9rgfefD3VTM39HTXGu1K4jM1Cc1wlQ8131DVd7C1XxfMn0WG-IGLw8/s1600/thief_loot_better.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZopRioCgEYgvZJwsijzaa7tEbGhJ4F42hw9wv5ES6vgGon-t55ctPt5lXexka379i8saIWe-maxs7HqN4NS3o9rgfefD3VTM39HTXGu1K4jM1Cc1wlQ8131DVd7C1XxfMn0WG-IGLw8/s1600/thief_loot_better.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Not to mention the superpowers. Yes, there are powers, like a sort of "Important-Stuff Vision", additional eyeball zoom, quicker lock-picking and slo-mo targeting, but I never played with any of that.<br />
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Which brings us, neatly, but by total accident, really, to the wonder of custom difficulty. There are a lot of options, from the above mentioned eschewing of your Focus-Powers to Alerts or Damage causing instant Game Over to no checkpoint saves to no aiming reticule to... oh, well, you get the point. If you want the challenge, try experimenting, but be warned: Those options can only be set and changed when starting a new game, and finding out after 15 hours that you cannot work without knowing where exactly your bow is aimed, is a bit of a drag.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI1g1I6yaekL5rtGAx4VfNntrQ2aid5BezEKJECIKurACZFvtSm46pwZHjCfjOSOgWj3lcv4sen69DnBqUWTsG0XToKbrXZMDn2kdL9mfyV8BEDhwioGftZOei1TxlNntL7PFwCulV3o/s1600/thief_arrow.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI1g1I6yaekL5rtGAx4VfNntrQ2aid5BezEKJECIKurACZFvtSm46pwZHjCfjOSOgWj3lcv4sen69DnBqUWTsG0XToKbrXZMDn2kdL9mfyV8BEDhwioGftZOei1TxlNntL7PFwCulV3o/s1600/thief_arrow.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a>The way I play it? Master Difficulty, No Focus Powers, Damage results in Game Over, Only Specialty Arrows. And, as a further tip for the immersively interested, I turned off the interaction prompts in the graphics menu. It makes looking for and finding hidden switches a lot more gratifying, if there's no huge "Over Here" button prompt once you get close to anything. Not using the Mini-Map (you can switch that on and off with a simple D-Pad Down press), is another thing to add to the feeling of genuine exploration. Just don't expect to find everything on every mission, though. Even feeling like you had a complete and proper look around will most likely net you only half the special collectibles hidden in safes and chests around the game world. But don't be disappointed - be encouraged to know, that there is still so much more to discover.<br />
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Discovery is the word, really. I'm about 30 hours into the game, and I have just about finished a bit <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijshcR8gSxSxcwO4fDHds0oc67P8UVp_AllKF8az-_8jir3-iwmmROWWPIRq-XCWVd8GnMGrM-GfSdwtev7ig4zOUA-usjjjGjIXZBL8yipOGalzle8SvyYe9lXBsnvOhQNebTriXgA0s/s1600/thiefstealthknock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijshcR8gSxSxcwO4fDHds0oc67P8UVp_AllKF8az-_8jir3-iwmmROWWPIRq-XCWVd8GnMGrM-GfSdwtev7ig4zOUA-usjjjGjIXZBL8yipOGalzle8SvyYe9lXBsnvOhQNebTriXgA0s/s1600/thiefstealthknock.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
less than half the story missions. I did a lot of stealing and exploration though, about 10 small and three bigger side missions, and playing with my constraints, necessarily adds definitive (but forced) replay value - since I'm also going for a "no man or animal touched" and "no alarms or detections" playthrough. And once that is done, there's the Challenge mode (I never played), which will probably get some DLC maps, to chase high-scores by chain-stealing or finding hidden stuff, real quick like. As I said, 30 hours, about half the game. But then again, my first Dishonored playthrough took over 55 hours, so if that`s your kind of thing, you will know what I mean.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=dishonored&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Dishonored </a>was an amazing game. Thief is not quite up there when it comes to deep and varied gameplay, but is undoubtedly the superior stealth experience. The higher the challenge, and the smaller the help you accept from the game, the more wonderful the experience.<br />
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Don't expect a First Person Assassin's Creed. Don't expect Dishonored 2. Don't expect medieval Splinter Cell or Hitman: Absolution. Your job is to steal - and that's best kept in the shadows.<br />
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Know your role, and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=thief&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Thief </a>won't pick your pocket. And while the console versions are not really a "steal", it's still well worth to rob your piggy-bank.<br />
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So, I was forcing it a bit, there. I got excited.<br />
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But, here's some gameplay, for those still interested:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=422730074538165" width="560"></iframe><br />
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And, as you can see: First, it's dark. Maybe too dark, and I don't know why, really. Second, turning off the Interaction Prompts and Loot Glint in the Options/Graphics menu turns "walking quickly around, looking for prompts" into "searching slowly and thoroughly for whatever you can find or interact with". It's a completely different experience, and, if I may say so, a better experience.<br />
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For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=xbox%20one&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox One</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...
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VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-86346259166531779572014-02-26T04:18:00.001-08:002014-03-09T11:20:03.081-07:00Operation Metro 2014 - A study in AWFUL...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2MHKTwevlXLyFuN6Gw8Q1zX9ur__muzJ_9XXOyumpIMUN5ofNquYfzi8GoF1UweqFmB_nHwpFPZexgQr7avVobrrW2YeDXTYW-7RQQ5muSHeHM8sBpDpQoZGn4y19asgrGxVlSqU8BU/s1600/BF4_SecondAssault_Front_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2MHKTwevlXLyFuN6Gw8Q1zX9ur__muzJ_9XXOyumpIMUN5ofNquYfzi8GoF1UweqFmB_nHwpFPZexgQr7avVobrrW2YeDXTYW-7RQQ5muSHeHM8sBpDpQoZGn4y19asgrGxVlSqU8BU/s1600/BF4_SecondAssault_Front_1.png" height="320" width="233" /></a></div>
Second Assault, the second DLC expansion and, previously, timed <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=xbox%20one&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox-One</a> exclusive for <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=battlefield%204&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Battlefield 4</a>, has hit all Premium players' platforms on February 18th, and will be available for everyone else to buy on the... 4th of March (February is iffy when it comes to counting days). "Finally!" or "Sadly...", well, that depends on your personal preference. I know what mine is, though (and I will be dropping subtle hints from now on out).<br />
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Second Assault, or "Second <b>Insult</b>", as I like to think of it, is probably one of the "cheapest" map packs I can remember. Featuring four (allegedly) re-imagined "Fan-Favorite Maps" from the abysmal Battlefield 3, they're really not new at all. And there really is nothing much new about any of the maps. As such, DICE did not really have to put much work or effort into it, and they <b>really </b>didn't.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_2j0yhEhXwJtN7hYcnRRM0rxBGfHRnnNzHNef_LJdZ-5TsQNWANvbSCD4AVNDm4PR_Mvk5-Q7F0VqKyGtEVN_cUtEzZy5KNp4PAmFRr_9HEcYD27f0EZnLDuRTjYUf0C1_63M5TwxsM/s1600/BF4-Second-Assault-Firestorm-Heli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_2j0yhEhXwJtN7hYcnRRM0rxBGfHRnnNzHNef_LJdZ-5TsQNWANvbSCD4AVNDm4PR_Mvk5-Q7F0VqKyGtEVN_cUtEzZy5KNp4PAmFRr_9HEcYD27f0EZnLDuRTjYUf0C1_63M5TwxsM/s1600/BF4-Second-Assault-Firestorm-Heli.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>So, Firestorm 2014 has some more destruction - no, wait, "Levolution", they call that - to, mostly, make fires.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDaXoKd9i6JSB5rfOqQdsKvyZW579miQBv6oINnfdgnsnfeGyIve6yw8uH9DCahKeJY_DsOP6AycjoQD1-ObRX9I_Q7bdS92aRtxicDyWMZLvxq9P0VDkq4aaQdeIishpyLN9elG6RhM/s1600/BF4-Second-Assault-DPVs-On-Oman_WM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDaXoKd9i6JSB5rfOqQdsKvyZW579miQBv6oINnfdgnsnfeGyIve6yw8uH9DCahKeJY_DsOP6AycjoQD1-ObRX9I_Q7bdS92aRtxicDyWMZLvxq9P0VDkq4aaQdeIishpyLN9elG6RhM/s1600/BF4-Second-Assault-DPVs-On-Oman_WM.png" height="112" width="200" /></a><br />
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So, Gulf of Oman, the remake of the remake originally from BF2, has a sandstorm to blind and annoy you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpS2WOyKGyiY6G73SB5xFj7REnsA2SkqJK_g8YkUyxf-R0hlECFpiAGpTM7B2Jj6reasmg8VjpwdkdrZEeP_R7whDwq1p0id2BD6Nbyb-r3NlFgYD4SUu9YyJAgMszRQ8gtyZZsUDDBk/s1600/BF4-Second-Assault---Caspian-Border.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpS2WOyKGyiY6G73SB5xFj7REnsA2SkqJK_g8YkUyxf-R0hlECFpiAGpTM7B2Jj6reasmg8VjpwdkdrZEeP_R7whDwq1p0id2BD6Nbyb-r3NlFgYD4SUu9YyJAgMszRQ8gtyZZsUDDBk/s1600/BF4-Second-Assault---Caspian-Border.jpg" height="111" width="200" /></a></div>
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So, Caspian Border has a tunnel, a wall, and the huge tower can be blown apart - and is hands down the best map of this debacle, not in the least because 64 players make it finally feel not completely deserted.<br />
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So the grass, once lit-up, burns away - in those two maps, where there is grass, anyway. Big deal. <br />
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But the one that undoubtedly stands out is "Operation Metro 2014".<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFFrPYr8exl4pYAonO1wPWNZg-dSiPS-XL5DkG4KBhctma37HLydcJLit-HFd3JRe609RXN9yZ9TwLjwl4W0eWXqplpj9-wYVYjf-fy6c-pg98ZRqIBrZvXsV7oy1VaPf0CylY4VxEf0/s1600/battlefield-4-operation-metro-steam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFFrPYr8exl4pYAonO1wPWNZg-dSiPS-XL5DkG4KBhctma37HLydcJLit-HFd3JRe609RXN9yZ9TwLjwl4W0eWXqplpj9-wYVYjf-fy6c-pg98ZRqIBrZvXsV7oy1VaPf0CylY4VxEf0/s1600/battlefield-4-operation-metro-steam.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a>Hailed and celebrated by Battlefield players all over the world as "the worst BF map, ever", and welcomed as "exciting, new and tactical" by the pre-pubescent "Call of Duty"-Crowd, the Original Operation Metro was bad. It was small, cramped, with no destructible environs, and so blithely linear, so painfully lacking in flanking routes, that it was nothing but a repetitive, one-way meat grinder. There just had to be something wrong with a map, if the Rush map was bigger than the Conquest Map. That was Battlefield 3. And it was horrible. But, to my profound shock, it's even worse in BF4.<br />
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Now, with BF4 and 64-player Conquest, everyone, including me, expected some big changes to the map, and the previews did look somewhat encouraging. You could see walls coming down, and the ceiling collapsing, and you thought "Oh my, I can't wait to see what else they changed, and use these new features to get outside the metro for some flank and maneuver warfare!" Because there just had to be a way now to flank into the back of an enemy entrenched in the center of the map around capture point B - like the outside area in the, comparatively amazingly open, BF4 map Operation Locker. For that matter, with 64 players, they would have to open up the whole map and add at least two additional capture points, not just the inside areas and that little square outside near the Russian Spawn. Right? Right?<br />
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Sadly, that was not the case. The Conquest map size, despite playing with almost three times as many people, is the exact same as before. The number of capture points? The same as before. The ways to maneuver behind an entrenched enemy? The same as before (meaning: none).<br />
Yes, there have been a few "additions", although those quotation marks indicate, that "additions" is quite relative:<br />
You can bring down a good number of ceilings throughout the level (once) to try and kill people beneath it. Of course, nothing stops the enemy from eliminating those dangers safely before you can even get there and try to use them to your advantage.<br />
And there are two, presumably valid, new "flanking" routes, a very narrow hallway and some elevators, but all those really do is... well, nothing, except give you new places to run to to die.<br />
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As in BF3's Metro, the main objective is to "run-like-fuck to Capture Point B" and try to hold it. And since there are only three points and no way at all to get around Point B to the points on the other side, Point B wins the match. The problems with this are many and, to me at least, mysterious - as in "Why the Fuck were they allowed to be there?!"<br />
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And I do have Video Proof: <br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=415596511918188" width="500"></iframe><br />
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And now, that you have seen the problems, it's time to read about them:<br />
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Problem number 1: The Russians win. Why? It's pretty simple, really. The Russian team can reach point B quicker than the US team.<br />
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Problem 2: The Russians win. Why? Because not only can they reach B faster, but, to reach B from their side, the US team must fight <b>up </b>through five extremely narrow bottlenecks without any cover at all: two bands of narrow escalators, two very narrow elevators, one stairwell and that one new hallway. And despite this being a video-game, moving and fighting uphill is <b>always </b>harder than standing at the top of the hill and throwing down grenades.<br />
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Problem 3: The Russians win. Why? Because even if the US team should manage to get a foothold upstairs at the front of B, through the elevators or the first set of escalators, they are stuck, in a pretty small area, behind another set of choke points - completely vulnerable from at least two sides.<br />
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Problem 4: The Russians win. Why? Because grenades and bullets trump smoke and mirrors. With the choke points being so narrow and predictable (since severely limited), tossing some smoke to obscure your approach or a flashbang to stun entrenched enemies does not really help. 32 grenades do not care if they see you or not. Bullets from a Light Machine Gun pointed at a doorway, or down a hallway, do not care if you are obscured by smoke.<br />
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Problem 5: The Russians win. Why? While the same map in BF3 was horribly lame, at least it wasn't predetermined to be this one sided - for the simple reason that you only fought against 12 players. You could push through 12 players, even 12 decent players. In BF4, there's 32 enemy players doing nothing but throwing or shooting grenades downhill, or waiting for the elevators to open or someone to run around a corner up a one-man wide hallway, and start shooting fish in a barrel. Oh, sure, it might just be possible to push through with an organized team of 20, or even 10 people, but it's very, very easy for even for 32 monkeys to stand somewhere and throw grenades.<br />
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So, in the end, 9 times out of... well, 9, the Russians win. It's not a fight, it's a slaughter, with one side helplessly running up a hill of death.<br />
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Now, some might say it's easy to recapture a Russian-held Bravo with the US team:<br />
"You just need to coordinate the team, get some smoke, some incendiary grenades, 10 of those MP-APS systems at the bottom of the stairs, a group of supports with the Airburst to keep the enemy in cover, then you feint to the right, throw some smoke, then all 32 people throw grenades up the stairs and rush the center, through smoke, with incendiaries securing the flank, and yes, the first few rows will get mowed down something fierce, but if everyone just pushes, it can be done!"<br />
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To which the Russian Team responds:<br />
"You. Throw Granada. Down there. Then do again."<br />
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Whether or not it's even possible to get 32 video game players to do something together in a coordinated way, is another thing entirely. And I've heard of people using Skype to circumvent the (still embarrassing) 8 people party limit on PS4, and try to get whole teams together. But the fact that one team pretty much has to mount a complicated, coordinated attack, while all the other team has to do is spam grenades and shoot at huge targets piling out of very small doors, should speak for itself.<br />
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Operation Metro 2014 is an insult, and in its Conquest Large 64-Player iteration by far the worst multiplayer map ever conceived. And what's worse, people will still love it...<br />
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For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=xbox%20one&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox One</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...
VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-53625748363346739932014-02-07T12:45:00.000-08:002014-03-09T11:20:22.568-07:00the SH!T that HAPPENS (right about now...)So, now that <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2013/12/warframe-christmas-present.html" target="_blank">Warframe </a>on PS4 is finally starting to make sense to me - and others, I might add - it only makes sense to leave the Frames alone for a while. And that has absolutely nothing to do with my monumental lack of coverage concerning the first ever PS4 Community Event, the Cicero Crisis. It was pretty fun, though. Sorry you missed it :)<br />
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Anyway, let's take a look around at other stuff happening in the world of gaming. Not all the stuff, but at least the stuff that caught my interest.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NyvoV5JokMNCdg0x-BAn-JvlD497eO_sx86rSANehFvZ1EA0k5NTtRnLpJ08PbUwZP4ZyBmSl71P2BHGGDJkO8_1gIROnIbGiMSe287g2FzmjYcb8CxnX7OZLy0NnnXJr-4J7ORN4vQ/s1600/BF4_player_appreciation_month-promo_640x360.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NyvoV5JokMNCdg0x-BAn-JvlD497eO_sx86rSANehFvZ1EA0k5NTtRnLpJ08PbUwZP4ZyBmSl71P2BHGGDJkO8_1gIROnIbGiMSe287g2FzmjYcb8CxnX7OZLy0NnnXJr-4J7ORN4vQ/s1600/BF4_player_appreciation_month-promo_640x360.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Where to start? The Battlefield. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Battlefield%204&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Battlefield 4</a> has had its share of issues - on all of the five platforms it has released on, a feat, that has sadly been buried under, might in fact be partly responsible for, said issues. As is a universal custom among the universally malcontent gaming customer, people have been clamoring for some "free stuff to compensate us for yadda, yadda, bla". Which, with EA as a publisher, was like asking the proverbial Wall to just go away where our head is going to go through. Then EA actually does give people stuff for free, and makes me look like an idiot.<br />
Yes, I speaketh the truth: <br />
<a href="http://blogs.battlefield.com/2014/01/bf4-player-appreciation-month/" target="_blank">BF4 Player Appreciation Month</a> is in full effect, and giving you muchos freebies.<br />
Every weekday, a log-in will net you a Bronze Battlepack, every Saturday and Sunday, there'll be a Silver Battlepack waiting for you. Those packs contain everything from XP Boosts to Cammo to Weapon Attachments, and are, as such, pretty nice. You could earn those simply by playing, but still. Nice, DICE.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_x7cFD1ZU9MSYbLWfivSump9oUQdfCR-M3FaxJh9ypL7CLw0T8de6W0SqJUJMDd-CshpnpHgFz24wZDX9Ue8sWUOBftFJX3Bl4AiyX8kAdZQ30vuTgrfkyrrh-1FlXZA5VPfTxQITQg/s1600/dr_FanCelebration_1L-6401.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_x7cFD1ZU9MSYbLWfivSump9oUQdfCR-M3FaxJh9ypL7CLw0T8de6W0SqJUJMDd-CshpnpHgFz24wZDX9Ue8sWUOBftFJX3Bl4AiyX8kAdZQ30vuTgrfkyrrh-1FlXZA5VPfTxQITQg/s1600/dr_FanCelebration_1L-6401.png" height="160" width="320" /></a>More free access to equipment can be gotten by two upcoming Unlock Shortcuts, completely - and voluntarily - unlocking all grenades and handguns (of the main game, not the extensions). It's a shortcut, yes, but you don't have to, if your ego won't let you. It's mostly for newcomers and absentees, and I do welcome it.<br />
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Finally, a series of community events (everyone, do this so often in that time), will get everyone Golden Battlepacks, those with the rarest free stuff to be had. The first event, 10.000.000 Dog Tags in 6 days across all platforms, is running right now, so go ahead and stab someone. <br />
They also promise more interaction between devs and the community, but I will believe that when... well, never. Gonna happen. Oh, you can also download <a href="https://soundcloud.com/battlefield_official/tracks" target="_blank">BF4 Ringtones</a> for your phone. And one has to wonder, which part of its customer base a "Mature" rated game wants to appreciate that way...<br />
Anyway, it's not free Premium or something, but it's nice to be told you're appreciated. And apparently, what we get is the measure of appreciation we deserve. Or do we?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe8FJmyw5DGxutzRurj5TedKcQ2cQiMAGDwNGljrnTpAe0FA1FA3AHI_RZb4LEV-e8ABwZmNCdyOa3Yy2PmWw2Q7waWx5vuVadnL3lr0HxlRSa0bv02EuiR1lPLRv38FrV0MaM0sCVFk/s1600/thief-4-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe8FJmyw5DGxutzRurj5TedKcQ2cQiMAGDwNGljrnTpAe0FA1FA3AHI_RZb4LEV-e8ABwZmNCdyOa3Yy2PmWw2Q7waWx5vuVadnL3lr0HxlRSa0bv02EuiR1lPLRv38FrV0MaM0sCVFk/s1600/thief-4-logo.png" height="179" width="320" /></a>Moving on, February 25th/28th (US/EU respectively) marks the release of one of early next-gen's most anticipated titles: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Thief&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Thief</a>. The "reboot" of one of gaming's most popular niche-game series was quite a long time coming, but it has recently "gone gold", so, for better or worse, it's almost upon us. Eidos Montreal, acclaimed creators of "Deus Ex - Human Revolution", recently showed off a new, six-minute "Thief 101" trailer - offering a quite compelling look into the world and the ways of the Master Thief.<br />
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Now, the younger crowd will undoubtedly have one question burning in their minds: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Dishonored%20game%20of%20the%20year&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Dishonored</a>, much? It's a valid argument, as so many aspects of Thief seems to resemble Arkane Studio's epic journey of dishonor, dark magic and retribution. People familiar with the original Thief series probably said the exact same thing about Dishonored copying Thief, but to be brutally honest, Thief 2014 coming pretty close on the heels of Dishonored, makes the resemblance a lot more... promising.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLwUMoUEm4n1NJ1Mt94ukXzTKJiNUmb4AzngPt0s_Nt_aiyTqVKUz9vPta_byWiacv-pPlflA6ssC3BjzGwPk_kcFBR0nE32sijR0tQOPWifyWbj7C9jGmH0KmA7Cw50b_jOuyUFsr84/s1600/thief.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLwUMoUEm4n1NJ1Mt94ukXzTKJiNUmb4AzngPt0s_Nt_aiyTqVKUz9vPta_byWiacv-pPlflA6ssC3BjzGwPk_kcFBR0nE32sijR0tQOPWifyWbj7C9jGmH0KmA7Cw50b_jOuyUFsr84/s1600/thief.bmp" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
Yes. I don't care if it's Dishonored 2.0. I loved the heck out of Dishonored, and from what I can tell, Thief looks very similar - but spectacularly, breathtakingly better from a graphics standpoint. On the other hand, Dishonored probably did have the advantage in cool abilities and nasty gadgets. Stopping time, then leaving a spring razor mine amidst a group of enemies, and vanish again never got old. Thief seems to try and be more grounded in "reality" - whatever that means in video games, anyway. There are the so-called Focus Abilities, but you will have the option (as you did in Dishonored) to forgo the use of most, if not all of them, completely. There is no denying, though, that it looks simply gorgeous, and if the game play can be held to the same high standards of its predecessors (literal and spiritual), Thief looks like pretty much everything fans of stealth-games were hoping for.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDez3liCwAfkq7lscsz-JYYnRhfTyVaxI4qWBdFgxAiDq26KvCD3jcPu4emyb-wuD1Q7L8-s2HbH4ehMtyYjm3A_czKk4x5SWMxHkVy0uBpheUHw-eELQupu-lqgnIJXbCJkdaruynig8/s1600/Middle-Earth-Shadow-Of-Mordor-2014-Game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDez3liCwAfkq7lscsz-JYYnRhfTyVaxI4qWBdFgxAiDq26KvCD3jcPu4emyb-wuD1Q7L8-s2HbH4ehMtyYjm3A_czKk4x5SWMxHkVy0uBpheUHw-eELQupu-lqgnIJXbCJkdaruynig8/s1600/Middle-Earth-Shadow-Of-Mordor-2014-Game.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a>Finally, there will be a new Lord of the Rings Game. Yay. More Legos. Well, no, not really, this one looks like "Assassin's Creed - Batman in Mordor", or something to that effect. Actually, a former Ubisoft developer literally accused WB Games and Monolith Studio of copy-pasting code from Assassin's Creed 2 into their open-world adventure set behind the enemy lines in Mordor, right between <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=The%20Hobbit&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">the Hobbit</a> and the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=lord%20of%20the%20rings&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Lord of the Rings</a>. <a href="https://www.shadowofmordor.com/" target="_blank">Middle Earth - Shadow of Mordor</a> teases hope of a game truly deserving the LotR label, with an allegedly open world, various ways to deal with your missions, wraith-like superpowers and a procedural enemy development via the "Nemesis System". <br />
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And, yes, okay, we might see where that AC2 comparison came from. I mean, seriously, why would you have these ropes between houses? AC2 was a great game, but Shadow of Mordor already has it beat. Why? You can sneak. If there was one thing I absolutely hated in all <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20target=%22_blank%22%20href=%22http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Assassin%27s%20Creed&linkCode=ur2&tag=vgbastardry-21%22%3E" target="_blank">Assassin's Creed</a> games, it was the inability to sneak. And no, "Fast Walk" is NOT sneaking! Same goes for the legendary <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=batman%20arkham&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Batman: Arkham</a> Franchise, whose quick combat and detective vision obviously had some impact on SoM's developers.<br />
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There are most definitely worse games to be "inspired" by, and let's be honest, when I wrote "Assassin's Creed - Batman in Mordor" who here did not have his heart skip a beat with excitement? The nemesis system, procedurally created enemies that change in every playthrough according to player choices, might the one piece of innovation, to set Shadow of Mordor apart from its spiritual ancestors. It is a very promising premise, but we will have to wait until the end of 2014 to see if the game will live up to it. For now, what seems to be known, is that enemies will indeed be different from game to game, but there is no information on how varied your choices to deal with them are, or if they are simply differently garbed place holders for the exact same missions, the only differences being cosmetic.<br />
Further, it seems that Half-Ranger, Half-Wraith hybrid and hero Talion (oh, did I forget to mention that to the continuity and LotR Canon enthusiasts?), can instantly switch between his two existences, only use his bow in "Wraith Mode", can scale and jump and run like Altair and Ezio, can do stealth kills from both the back and the front and, sadly, seems to be employing Quick Time Events during boss fights.<br />
Well, we can hope. I do. And if you want to learn more, feel free to join the <a href="http://shadowofmordor.wikia.com/wiki/Shadow_of_Mordor_Wikia" target="_blank">SoM community</a>.<br />
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For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...
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<br />VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-43601392375309197922014-01-20T13:55:00.001-08:002014-03-09T11:20:39.137-07:00Warframe on PS4 - Once more into the (Orokin) Void...<a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2013/12/warframe-christmas-present.html" target="_blank">Warframe</a>, <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2013/12/warframe-more-info-more-gameplay.html" target="_blank">Warframe</a>, <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/01/warframe-on-ps4-survival.html" target="_blank">Warframe</a>, it's <b>still </b>all about <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/01/warframe-im-ninja-you-cant-see-me-you.html" target="_blank">Warframe </a>(click the Links, for more Warframe). And it might be, until something better comes along, that does even <b>less </b>to explain itself to the people playing it...<br />
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If you're new to Warframe, I'd suggest starting with the links above - in order - or your in for major SPOILERS!! Also, you won't understand much of what I'm about to divulge.<br />
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The Void. The Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the Tenno, faceless (since helmet-wearing) Sci-Fi Ninjas, on a quest for even more loot. And special loot it is. Prime, even. No, seriously, outside of the Login-Lottery, the Void is the only place you can, if the random reward generators are equally willing, earn your Warframe Prime Gear - special, and mostly better versions of the weapons you love to kill with.<br />
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When logging in, and looking at the update screen, did you ever wonder where that damn newspaper/newsletter for the Prime Gear is? You know, "The Void Today"? I sure did.<br />
So, I'm not that smart. I play video games all day, what do you expect?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fZtu3HWg6spPWOIaP1nwOora3KxS6BUnlFjAtI95iLCbaxe21G0Ema30zye5mbUHE3607i2TdhH-G54ajJgKR8wlClWVVPjppacoAAJctgglS6wxx6Tkx5qsZ9pSieRVqhJ4nqvcPVg/s1600/Void.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fZtu3HWg6spPWOIaP1nwOora3KxS6BUnlFjAtI95iLCbaxe21G0Ema30zye5mbUHE3607i2TdhH-G54ajJgKR8wlClWVVPjppacoAAJctgglS6wxx6Tkx5qsZ9pSieRVqhJ4nqvcPVg/s1600/Void.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
The Void (and in my defense, that "Today" with that capital "T" is quite misleading) is a place outside of what we, the Tenno, consider our space. The Orokin, these mysterious beings of ancient mystery, made it - well, them, actually. They had a lot of spare time and Forma on their hands.<br />
Orokin Towers are big and filled with treasure. And, as with all treasure, many have tried to win it, and it has destroyed them all. Corrupted them. So, don't feel bad about killing everything inside those towers. The enemies you encounter, from all three different ilks (Grinneer, Cropus and the Infested), are only puppets of the Orokin, and we all know what to do with puppets, right? No, not the anatomically correct life-sized ones, I paid good money for...<br />
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Anyway.<br />
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How do you get to the Void? You need a key (obviously). Keys to the Void can be gained, as pretty much everything, through the Login-Lottery; but mostly you'll earn them from Tier 3 rewards of <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/01/warframe-on-ps4-survival.html" target="_blank">Survival Missions</a>. Survive the onslaught for long enough, and 2 out of 3 times, every 15 minutes will net you an Orokin Key. Keys have different Ranks (I-III equaling enemy levels of 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40, and, of course, better loot), and come in the well-known shades of different missions. There's Survival, there's Exterminate, there's Capture (how I hate those...), and all the others - just with a touch or Orokin.<br />
The Keys you can find in your "Key Menu" (obviously). Interesting Fact, though, as opposed to the Clan Dojo Key, only the host needs an Orokin Key, and can invite up to three friends or somethings to join him: 4 people only need one Key. Even better, if you fail, disconnect or abort, the Key is not used up. As you can see, though, I don't have any friends, so I had to do this "Rank I Orokin Exterminate all by my lonesome. Hence, the length...<br />
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There's dangers in these Towers. All kinds. Corrupted, yes, but still enemies, no matter how nice they all play with each other. (Mind out of the gutter, people!) Corpus have Shields, Grinner have Armor, and the Infested burn-a-lot. So remember, when loading up for the Void, bring weapons to fight a versatile tide (bring killing stuff with at least Impact, Puncture and Slash Damage).<br />
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The enemies you can see are only part of the danger, though. Hidden pressure plates activate deadly traps, and while those spinning laser cubes might look like nothing at all, they burn you bad and quick, and you won't want to have to dodge one during a firefight. You <b>might </b>want to activate one, then shoot out the top to stop it from spinning and create a deadly barrier between you and your enemies, though. When those traps try to trap you is often quite predictably: Secret Treasure Room? Trap! There are a few strewn throughout the regular environment without obvious bait (including the freeze-you-into-slo-mo strips of decorative ice), but those are pretty rare.<br />
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And in that regard, at least, going solo is not a bad thing. You can take your time, especially in Exterminate Missions. Nobody runs away, so you don't have to run - period. Except for those huge empty rooms. And to cover. And... well, you know. And did you notice those pop-up covers in the environment? Very handy, those.<br />
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Void Missions not only give you rare materials like Gallium and Control Modules, Prime Gear Components or Blueprints, you might also find special mods - the Corrupted kind (obviously). In theory, Corrupted mods have two effects, just like Nightmare Mods, but only one of the Corrupted Effects is beneficial. You might get an increase in Power... uhm, Power, but get a reduction in Power Range, and so forth. Still, they do stack with similar mods to increase certain effects even more, so the trade-off might be worth it.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Sadly, as I now know, regular Orokin Missions (started by keys you get ready to use) do not get you Corrupted Mods. The Corrupted Mods are rewards for getting access to an Orokin Vault on an Orokin Derelict and extracting an Orokin Artifact. Which requires a special needs-to-be-crafted Key (for which you need all those Nav-Coordinates you find) to enter the Derelict, and another, even more special key to open the vault. Weird. But more on that, when I know more on that.</span><br />
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When you're done with the Void, you extract - and might get something special - most likely one Prime Gear Thingee. Sadly it seems, that to complete a Prime set, you have to do different missions (always playing Exterminate will likely net you more duplicates of the same Prime Thingee than a complementary part), and even different Mission (Key) Ranks to assemble something Prime.<br />
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And that's it. The Void (halfway) explained. Yearning to try? Warframe is free on PC and PS4. Well, it's Free-2-Play, so you can pay for instant access to better stuff.<br />
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For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-17404666045883222962014-01-15T12:16:00.000-08:002014-03-09T11:20:56.683-07:00Warframe - I'm Ninja (you can't see me, you can't hit me, I murder you)<span style="font-size: large;">... or, "The Bow, the Knives and the Sword" </span><br />
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<a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2013/12/warframe-christmas-present.html" target="_blank">Warframe</a>, <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2013/12/warframe-more-info-more-gameplay.html" target="_blank">Warframe</a>, it's all about <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2014/01/warframe-on-ps4-survival.html" target="_blank">Warframe</a> (click the Links, for more Warframe). So, what? I do like it. It's fun, it's free, and it's a lot deeper and more versatile than you might think. Different weapons, different Frames, and different approaches, can turn Warframe into a totally different game.<br />
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Case in point (if that is the expression, which I am totally unsure of), Warframe has a Stealth System. Yes, you, Tenno Space Ninja, can actually be really, really sneaky. Be sneaky enough, and you can finish whole missions without setting off an alarm. Why would you want to? Well, if you, like me, enjoy a good sneak, stealth kills, sniping silently from the shadows, why would you not?<br />
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Warframe does throw you in at the deep end, and especially playing with randoms mostly lacks the necessary coordination to go about things sneakily - which invariable leads to running around really quick and competing for who can shoot more things dead. But once you get along with the game, Sneaky Gameplay - and Open Combat with Sneaky Gameplay Weapons - can be an amazingly gratifying change of pace.<br />
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You can go solo, at your own pace, you can explore, collect resources, and all that, level up the "slower" weapons, farm bosses - all the while trying to hide and only be seen, if ever, far too late. If you have buddies that are willing, you can have even more sneaky fun. And the game? Plays completely different. So if you ever feel like you're getting tired of the gung-ho, run and shoot Warframe, give the slower pace a chance.<br />
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The Stealth System is surprisingly robust. Note though, that stealth requires not being engaged by a mindless Infestation. Infestation does not work with stealth. At all. I think. Anyway, every Corpus or Grineer mission, every location you first infiltrate unseen. Some missions do require you to make yourself known, but the majority does not. You can decide when to reveal your presence, or to reveal it at all.<br />
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Unaltered Enemies will follow their regular patrol patterns, and not that attentively. Hiding, crouched, in a dark corner at a right angle to a patrolling enemy walking past will not get you caught. (Once you run headlong into patrolling enemies because you didn't check your corners, they will see you and shoot at you, however, as the video above shows quite impressively.)<br />
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Being crouched does make you harder to spot, but it is not a requirement for the one stealth aspect most that played the game, specifically those that chose Loki as the "Free Starter Frame", will be familiar with: The Melee Stealth-Kill. Sneak, Run even Slide up behind an unaware enemy, and you get a free shot. On anything that offers "shots". Robotic Walkers do not. Don't try. Any melee strike is silent, the stealth kills silent and deadly. But they do not guarantee a kill, unless you do enough damage. Not so important early on, but on higher levels it will be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3ZMwVfQioSKTdF6QjIabZTTJl77t_cedRhR4_x0s-aFPCY1wRge0ArXWMYYpBKVc21AYNqgJJietiVwYfhqoL-t0IQeR0n4JyZKxoY1mQF-pg17FylHTwNDxfT7zb29z6mkG5wdsYX0/s1600/Screenshot+2014-01-15+19.54.12.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3ZMwVfQioSKTdF6QjIabZTTJl77t_cedRhR4_x0s-aFPCY1wRge0ArXWMYYpBKVc21AYNqgJJietiVwYfhqoL-t0IQeR0n4JyZKxoY1mQF-pg17FylHTwNDxfT7zb29z6mkG5wdsYX0/s1600/Screenshot+2014-01-15+19.54.12.png" height="180" width="320" /></a>Another way to kill silently, and the way to go unless you really, really like endless "sneak behind the one lone guy" missions, are silent ranged weapons. There are several options, from the throw-able melee weapons Glaive and Kestrel, to the Ninja Secondaries Kunai and Hikou, to the Bows. There are mods that can basically put a silencer on many others, but I've never seen one, so I run with the Paris bow and the Kunai throwing knives, both with high Puncture Damage against the armored Grineer. Enemies will react to missed arrows, killed enemies within their sightline, and, well, you. So try to go for the last one in line if you can, then work your way forward. You know, that scene in movies, where the three-man enemy patrol gets slowly decimated, until the leader says something, waits for a reply, then turns to find out he's all alone? That's what you're going for.<br />
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Should you, like I do quite frequently, mess up and get into a firefight, all (stealth) is not lost. Things only get irreversibly hot, once an alarm has been sounded. Enemies will very often run towards the next control console instead of shooting at you to raise one, so if you manage to kill them all before the alarm goes off, you will still be undetected. Enemies in nearby rooms, near enough to have heard the gunfire, might come to investigate, or take cover and wait for things to happen, but, being sneaky, you can still go on sneakily. Once you get far enough away from the point of disturbance, enemies will be completely oblivious, and on goes the sneakyness.<br />
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Until you really mess up, get caught between rooms so both people in front and behind you are running towards alarms, and once the sirens wail, all out war happens. That's when you get things like lock-downs (which is not a bad thing in certain situations, since if you cannot get out, no new enemies can get in), too. Any kind of alarm goes off, and all enemies in the whole level will be alerted to your presence, location and general dislike of their endeavors. Alert enemies are aggressive, vigilant and generally almost superhuman in their knowledge of where you are - or will appear.<br />
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Now, if the alarms are blaring, stealth goes out the window. There's no point to it anymore. Oh, sure, you can still try and flank enemies, or get behind them, and Loki's Invisibility is still very handy, but at the very least melee stealth kills are off the table. You don't even get the prompt anymore. So don't crouch-walk around with the alarms on, all it will do is make you an easier target. Enemies will track you down, and attack relentlessly, so the gloves come off. Now, if you're thinking "never bringing a knife to a gun fight - or a bow, for that matter" - I say to you: Bad Ninja! Look at that Green Hooded Arrow guy.<br />
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Granted, the bow requires a bit of skill, skill that I do lack most of the time, but once you get used to the travel time, the slight arc of the arrow, the relatively long wait between "shoot, reload and charge", and haven't thrown your controller into the TV in frustration, the bow is very cool. The Kunai knives might be even cooler, especially in close quarters, although I'm even worse with them than with the bow. They fire and reload pretty fast, though, so I can deal. And, as opposed to the bow, you will rarely run out of secondary ammunition. The bow's arrows come from the Sniper Ammo pool, and those are the rarest ammo drops in the game. Thus, I run with the Arrow Ammo Mutation, converting every unused ammo of any other kind into at least one arrow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTpK-9Hwgd_xDpcPTO4WndRu_7cMUEaHhH4my3m5QpaHq-0w6_uMj8uUR2u-zO8FMJNr1rw1WBKFKs5VvMQHXOg1veooIytREIQ1J3BAezmQ_mltrBpd5WiJhUkeWsSMozqGmC564nAY/s1600/Screenshot+2014-01-15+20.56.45.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTpK-9Hwgd_xDpcPTO4WndRu_7cMUEaHhH4my3m5QpaHq-0w6_uMj8uUR2u-zO8FMJNr1rw1WBKFKs5VvMQHXOg1veooIytREIQ1J3BAezmQ_mltrBpd5WiJhUkeWsSMozqGmC564nAY/s1600/Screenshot+2014-01-15+20.56.45.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't see me. I hit you.</td></tr>
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In open combat, it's the bow for the distance, the throwing knives for close range, and the sword (swords/daggers/club/axe/axes/boomerang) when things get personal. Charge attacks, and of course the Loki-Invisibility melee attacks with the inherent critical multiplier, can make short work of most enemies, even with mid-level weapons. And while that might not be immediately apparent in the boss-fight in the vid above, that dude has an insanely quick shield recharge, and I had not really brought any Impact or Electrical Weapons, so I had to "chip away", as they say. I did get the finisher in with the bow, though. Of which I am moderately proud. And so are my parents. Yours will be, too. Trust me.<br />
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When Councillor Hek was done in, and the reinforcements laid to rest, violently, all that was left was escape. Just me. And my bow. Her name's Paris. And did I mention, she can shoot through several people in one go? <br />
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And those that might ask themselves, why did I have to write all that, and not include some witty commentary on the videos? I did. I really did.<br />
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I just didn't turn on the darn microphone...<br />
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For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...<br />
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<br />VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-37376785910489861562014-01-02T16:18:00.000-08:002014-03-09T11:21:10.278-07:00WARFRAME on PS4 - Survival<span style="font-size: x-small;">(For an intro into Warframe, Tutorial Videos and Gameplay, check out these two posts: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2013/12/warframe-christmas-present.html" target="_blank">Warframe - a Christmas Present </a>and <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2013/12/warframe-more-info-more-gameplay.html" target="_blank">Warframe - More Info, More Gameplay</a>) </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-zDa3jtibQpAS08fTThn57xPEchk8ClBOU3b98DkSROnAm8D3dRmNoIBWyrXSK4jMIhXImckX0hje3DZoRQ9R82x0UwmQ8ELmD9yYK7CPtuMRY-97Var55VryborfmSgKaLIF5DNfZA/s1600/Defense.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-zDa3jtibQpAS08fTThn57xPEchk8ClBOU3b98DkSROnAm8D3dRmNoIBWyrXSK4jMIhXImckX0hje3DZoRQ9R82x0UwmQ8ELmD9yYK7CPtuMRY-97Var55VryborfmSgKaLIF5DNfZA/s320/Defense.png" height="180" width="320" /></a>Warframe, the very nice F2P-Title available on the PS4 and PC is built around what is called a "tile set". Basically, these are different building blocks that can be mixed and matched to create ever different levels - albeit with the same parts. There are seven relatively unique tile sets, and while you'll often come across familiar areas during your missions, the game keeps it fresh by randomly changing the arrangement - and it's actually quite easy to get lost, because you <b>thought </b>you knew the way.<br />
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What's more, Warframe has different types of missions, and in this post, I will take a look at one that, as is my experience playing with randoms, seems to be a bit misunderstood:<br />
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SURVIVAL<br />
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Logic would dictate, that you'll try to keep your Tenno-ish Deeds unknown for as long as possible when engaging in a mission. An alerted enemy is a tougher enemy, and all that. Not so in Survival. Your goal is to <b>draw </b>attention, specifically away from another Tenno Operative doing sneaky things somewhere just out of sight. The longer you manage to do that, the more sneaky stuff your operative will get done, of course, but that part is admittedly kind-of omitted by the game.<br />
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Your Survival is measured in five minute segments, with a five minute minimum to successfully finish the mission, and every additional five minutes netting you increasingly rare rewards. The timer starts after you, hesitantly but intentionally, trigger the alarm, and the enemy will do its very evil best to kill you. Your Goal: Survival! (So, yeah, that was kinda obvious, but I couldn't resist.)<br />
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Which sounds not that hard, given that the tile sets come with many handy bottlenecks, where one could set up and dig in. Which is why, simply out of spite, the evil enemy turns off all life support systems. (How do you know they're the evil enemy, by the way? Shutting off life support even for their own guys in order to get to you is a very clear indicator. It's a check mark. A pillar of Evil Enemy-ness.)<br />
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With time, quite literally, running out, Lotus, that Cyber-Honey with the Helmet on, manages to teleport life support capsules into your vicinity. For some reason, though, she cannot teleport them all to the same place, but the game did need a reason to keep you on the move, and this one is not as bad as some I've seen.<br />
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So what you do, is you run around the level, trying to stay alive against endless waves of increasingly evil enemies, while finding and then activating life support capsules. Life support is constantly draining, and it is in your best interest to keep it above zero. It <b>is </b>called life support. Every capsule you activate increases the life support running time by 20-30% , but the hordes of enemies can get pretty distracting, so don't just start looking for the capsules once you start taking constant damage because there's no more air.<br />
Because once it's gone, your mission is over. Capsules - and the smaller, dropped-by-enemies personal life support modules that regain everyone 4% when picked up - will stop working, your shields and health will drain, until you have only 5 health points left, but even those will go away after five minutes of vacuum (which is quite impressive, really).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6WK3ElQCvIKawLRfnAZDDs53V3v68vQGVHidXQHBMC1e2NbDsXbS6okJhytdECFRn0Ha3m7ZheihcDZ3Utf7AFnJAU3BKtoI819XLreNQWi7IHrDiHsUNiH80sIig91SwCFVmQuWP6A/s1600/survival+frost.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6WK3ElQCvIKawLRfnAZDDs53V3v68vQGVHidXQHBMC1e2NbDsXbS6okJhytdECFRn0Ha3m7ZheihcDZ3Utf7AFnJAU3BKtoI819XLreNQWi7IHrDiHsUNiH80sIig91SwCFVmQuWP6A/s320/survival+frost.png" height="302" width="320" /></a></div>
On the other hand, don't activate a capsule until life support has drained to around 70% - anything added to over 100% will be lost, and you might come to regret those lost seconds of precious oxygen. Capsule drops will become less and less frequent the longer the mission continues, so you need to find a balance between keeping it up and not wasting any.<br />
<br />
After five minutes of running and killing and killing and killing, your extraction becomes available. You'll still have to reach it, but it will be there waiting for you, which apparently seems to be the General Call to Flee for many of the newer players. Granted, once you hear "Extraction", people unaware of Survival's possibly endless mission length, could be forgiven for heeding the siren call of freedom - especially if you managed to net a nice mod for your collection. If you die and fail the mission, everything you picked up (except for the things you "picked up" in way of experience) will be lost, and the way to the Extraction Point will be filled with enemies.<br />
In Survival, enemies will follow you and appear where you are, even if you don't do anything but stand around the extraction pods, waiting for your teammates to do all the heavy lifting and get you some more XP and Survival Rewards.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pfO0o2e36KakLZOIZYqELWUwc26bbfZPyxvDyJ4ovyPqdKOu5Txl6-ksVDslU3446qzqKYyx2ZuY5k7o_9SHlrJCnrxCU7NCN2s2uN4JtebuZjsvHyWsimbgnTn_qOyk10DvUPSeJEM/s1600/survival+solo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pfO0o2e36KakLZOIZYqELWUwc26bbfZPyxvDyJ4ovyPqdKOu5Txl6-ksVDslU3446qzqKYyx2ZuY5k7o_9SHlrJCnrxCU7NCN2s2uN4JtebuZjsvHyWsimbgnTn_qOyk10DvUPSeJEM/s320/survival+solo.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>But still, there's really no reason except "I really need to use the bathroom, RIGHT NOW!" for a team of three or four Tenno to not remain, and last until minute ten. After ten, things might get tricky for newer or lower level players, but for the love of Pete, don't start a 60-second Extraction Timer with at least half of the team waiting near the pods at 8:50 min. Just don't. <b>Do </b>remember, however, that once you decide to bail out, there might be tight hallways teeming with enemies between you and a successful mission. If you get downed, you can be revived or revive yourself (eventually), and if just one of you makes it out alive, it's all good. But if at any given time all players are down, the mission fails and all those nice rewards are gone, gone, gone.<br />
<br />
Wow. That was a lot of reading, and in these literally challenged times, too. So, here is a complete Survival Mission in two videos, going strong until minute 20. This is also the "easiest" Survival Mission, but by the end, the enemies are pretty damn tough.<br />
<br />
That's me with three Randoms, playing a Level 20 Loki Warframe, toting the Braton Rifle, Sicarus Pistol and the Orthos Heavy Melee weapon. Notable Mods are an Aura Energy Recharge (with a raise in Warframe Mod Energy), a 45% increase in Shield Recharge, 120% Extra Health, and the 30% increased Maximum Rifle Ammo.<br />
And yes, I am that bad. Also, I was not really used to the heavy weapon with its long strike animations, so you'll see me hitting air quite a lot after I actually had wanted to stop striking anything quite some time before...<br />
<br />
<u><b>Warframe on PS4 - Survival Mission Gameplay pt. 1 and 2</b></u><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=385944831550023" width="500"></iframe><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=385738588237314" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-19474976401383332732013-12-31T04:33:00.001-08:002014-03-09T11:21:25.006-07:00Warframe - More info, more gameplaySo, as you know, I have been looking into <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2013/12/warframe-christmas-present.html" target="_blank">Warframe</a>, lately, and the more I play, the more I enjoy it.<br />
<br />
And yet, the more I play, the more I learn, the more I want to share.<br />
<br />
As I previously stated, Loki is not my first choice for a starter frame, nor is it my opinion that it's necessarily a bad frame. It's actually quite good, especially when playing with a diverse team, and, once you progress farther into the game Loki can become quite essential - or at least very helpful. Thus it was assured to me by the Warframe Community, and their arguments do have merit.<br />
<br />
As you've previously seen some Gameplay with Loki, and since I actually did want to try another frame, I bought a bit of platinum, and got me a Volt. Now, Volt, is a different animal. Volt is offensive and not in the least bit stealthy like Loki. And at least during the first 20 missions, he is quite deadly.<br />
<br />
This is some gameplay from an Alert Mission, which is a special randomly occurring event mission, only available for a short time (mostly for 30 or 45 minutes):<br />
<br />
<b><u>WARFRAME PS4 - Alert Mission Mobile Defense</u></b><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=383024598508713" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
Now, as you can see, Volt can keep his own in this fight, featuring good crowd control and decent defensive abilities. And it is and plays completely different to Loki. Volt is slower, and has no deception or stealth abilities at all. But it is quite fun to play, as you can probably understand. Granted, Volt is especially effective against the synthetic and shielded Corpus enemies, but there's also a Mag Frame in there, that does quite well, too. <br />
<br />
Which is something that makes Warframe pretty attractive. Every Frame is almost a completely new game. Mag and Excalibur are two of the more offensive and more immediately gratifying choices for starters, but they are also much easier to come by through the game than Loki. So, ultimately, your choice of initial frame greatly depends on whether or not you plan to spend any money on Warframe. As a US PS-Plus member, you actually get more options, since US PS-Plus nets you a Starter Package with some Mods, an XP and Credit Bonus for three days, 50.000 in game credits (enough to buy two decent weapons, like the Braton AR) and, most importantly, 100 Platinum - enough to buy a second Warframe (either Loki, Excalibur or Volt are available for 75 Plat).<br />
<br />
Another thing to think about, is the number of equipment slots you have available. When you start, it's only two Warframe slots and 8 weapon slots. And slots you can only get through Platinum. But there are two ways: Either buy slots separately through your Arsenal-Inventory screen, or buy a weapon or Warframe with Platinum.<br />
Because if you buy with Platinum, you not only get the instant access, but it also comes with a Slot for it, and the weapon or Warframe is "supercharged". Meaning that you have twice the Mod energy available than usual. Mods can only be equipped if you have enough energy, and you get energy by leveling up your weapon or frame. With a "Supercharge" through the Orokin Power Source included in every Platinum purchase (it's already installed, too), you get double the Mod Energy for your level: so a level 10 Frame gets 20 instead of just 10 Mod Energy.<br />
Yes, all of the frames and weapons (even the slightly different Prime Frames and Prime Weapons, although that will require some work) can be gotten through playing the game, and no matter which region you are, you will get some Free Platinum to buy slots, but comparing what you get for the Platinum Purchase (not to mention the free game you get to play), investing a bit might actually be worth it.<br />
<br />
Finally, here's some more gameplay, this one sadly with a few bugs showing up, something you will still encounter every once in a while. It's the full first Boss Mission, in a four-man-team, me playing with Volt, so... SPOILER ALERT.<br />
<br />
<u><b>WARFRAME PS4 - Captain Vor Assassination</b></u><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=383030545174785" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">NEW Videos:</span></b><br />
<br />
Now we take a look at a little bit of Defense, a Horde-Style, "Survive the Waves and Protect the Thing!" Mission Type.<br />
<br />
<u><b>WARFRAME PS4 - Defense vs. Grineer</b></u><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=384792851665221" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
Here's some Mobile Defense Gameplay against "The Infested", monster from the deep, spacey beyond... (or maybe they're Mutants. They could be mutants...)<br />
<br />
<u><b>WARFRAME PS4 -Mobile Defense vs. Infested</b></u><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=384864718324701" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
Finally, some more Mobile Defense against the humanoid Grineer, two parts, one whole Mission, lots of hectic crazy:<br />
<br />
<u><b>WARFRAME PS4 - Mobile Defense Special Alert Mission vs. Grinner</b></u><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=384871354990704" width="500"></iframe><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=385304381614068" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
There might be more to come...<br />
<br />
<br />
For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere... VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-71695563536430746382013-12-25T13:47:00.000-08:002014-03-09T11:21:45.183-07:00Warframe - A Christmas Present...It's Christmas! So, merry, merry, and all that.<br />
<br />
Seriously, though. Merry Christmas to all that celebrate, and Happy Holidays to all, like me, that simply enjoy a few free days. I'm trying to be nice here, don't spoil it...<br />
<br />
Anyway, since it's Christmas, I thought I'd bring you a little present. Thus, let me introduce you to...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://warframe.com/" target="_blank"><b><u>WARFRAME</u></b></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGuMLARfqK67avamPxr7lELzM6kqCzVQWuyP2zX88xWE2qC1cRY680dIbyFu4N8QoNFCHGvNAEgmuy9jCVzzrdYuRFdYUpuLld2_pEEhf0u05Doy6uZqlRWlhhszLb8jd606EaF9dKFs/s1600/warframe-PS4-06_06-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGuMLARfqK67avamPxr7lELzM6kqCzVQWuyP2zX88xWE2qC1cRY680dIbyFu4N8QoNFCHGvNAEgmuy9jCVzzrdYuRFdYUpuLld2_pEEhf0u05Doy6uZqlRWlhhszLb8jd606EaF9dKFs/s320/warframe-PS4-06_06-2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Fine, okay, I didn't make it. But it's free, so it counts as a present. Because I said so. <br />
<br />
Warframe is a Free-to-Play, Sci-Fi Co-Op Heavy 3rd-Person Shooter, and it's available on <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PS4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4 </a>to EVERYONE. Yes, no PS-Plus needed. Interested? You should be. Read on and watch the vids to get set with all of the info you need to start out. Because, while Warframe is quite a good game, it sadly does almost nothing to explain how things work. I will try to change that, but, as I've been told, I am not always right. I'm sure that violates a law of nature somewhere, but it is the truth. There's also still stuff I don't know or haven`t seen yet, but since this article is mainly to provide people with a place to put their feet and not be swept away, it should suffice. If you want, head over to the <a href="http://warframe.wikia.com/wiki/WARFRAME_Wiki" target="_blank">Warframe Wiki</a>, but be warned, the Wiki is mostly for the PC version, which is usually a bit ahead of the PS4 when it comes to fixes, events, balancing and stats. Finally, this is my personal impression and my personal opinion. Nothing more. Maybe, arguably, significantly less, but it is what it is.<br />
<br />
<b><u>What's it about?</u></b><br />
I'm not quite sure. You play as a Tenno, which I guess means "Space Ninja" in a language yet to be made. Your goal is to fight back against Evil. Space Evil. Ninja-Style. It all happens in our familiar solar system, but presumably far, far into the future. You shoot and kill baddies. What more do you need to know? Also, there's an in-game codex with lots of answers, if you really want to know...<br />
The Tenno-You wears a Warframe, an exoskeleton. It looks pretty sleek. It also has powers.<br />
<br />
There are many different Warframes with many different abilities (four to each) available, but you only get one of three for free. You can choose which at the end of the tutorial mission, so choose wisely. Actually, choose either Excalibur or Mag. Probably Mag. Loki might sound cool, but where almost every other Warframe has a devastating Area of Effect Attack, killing lots of enemies, Loki's "Ultimate" makes all the guns in his vicinity jam. Yeah.<br />
Don't get me wrong. As I have been told by more experienced members of the Warframe Community, Loki is amazing, especially when complementing a steady crew, and even more so in the later, harder missions, but I did choose him, and I mostly felt like that guy that always comes late to the party. So, I'd advise you to choose either Mag - because it is the most expensive to buy if you <b>don't </b>choose it for free - or Excalibur, which is apparently the hardest of the three to get through the game without paying. Of course, all of this becomes moot, if you don't mind spending a few bucks, and in that regard, Loki, Excalibur and Volt are the three cheapest to get.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDVGsiOgjEmdrIArCITUfwcFOHTabuLu5_yoxWdFyHcTp0BchIObNU7NlhBywbfanWi_arr1BaWr5ysgcofuwveK-xJYVytMGIX4fZlEy0ITWfFNhFuORYXMjVJCM_0O7e0FfM7zmwgg/s1600/warframe_preview_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDVGsiOgjEmdrIArCITUfwcFOHTabuLu5_yoxWdFyHcTp0BchIObNU7NlhBywbfanWi_arr1BaWr5ysgcofuwveK-xJYVytMGIX4fZlEy0ITWfFNhFuORYXMjVJCM_0O7e0FfM7zmwgg/s320/warframe_preview_01.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Three Choices - well, actually, Volt has been Replaced by Mag, so...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><u>How does it play?</u></b><br />
Well. It's a 3rd-Person Shooter. It comes with a primary weapon (mostly a Rifle), a secondary weapon (mostly a pistol) and a melee weapon (you start with a sword). You can aim-down-the-sights, you can jump, dodge, crouch, sprint, slide, grab ledges, wall run and do some nice combo moves. You can use your Warframe powers.<br />
Every Planet of the System has missions, and missions range from Killing all Enemies in a certain level, to assassinating a Boss.<br />
It's best to be played with up to three friends, since the missions, even early on, can get pretty hard. If you want to see some Solo Gameplay, scroll down to the last three videos for a taste of gameplay with horrible commentary. By me.<br />
<br />
<b><u>What's the Premium/Paying Aspect?</u></b><br />
It`s not that bad, actually. You can buy Platinum with real money, and use that Platinum to buy new weapons, Warframes, a Robo-Buddy called a Sentinel, new Skins and Resources. You can speed up the building time for stuff that you will eventually build with resources. You can do a lot. And I won't lie to you, it's not cheap. Then again, there are people that threw hundreds of dollars into that Simpsons Build-a-City F2P mobile game, so the audience is there I guess. When you start you get a small amount of Platinum for free (more if you're a US PS+ member), but, sadly, not enough to really buy something good. It's a free taste, and it's useful especially early on for some small stuff, like weapon slots.<br />
BUT, you can get pretty much all of the stuff you can buy by simply playing the game. It will take a while, though. To build stuff, you need blueprints and resources and credits. All of those can be earned and bought without ever spending a dime. But it <b>will </b>take some time to get them. Well, quite a lot of time. Yes, it's a grind, quite literally, but if you have a few friends to play with, it's a FUN-grind. No, I'm serious. This is not a pay-to-win game, but the incentives to buy with Platinum (a free equipment slot and a supercharge to your purchase) are there - and for such a fun game, the devs <b>do </b>deserve something, right?<br />
<br />
<b><u>How do you get to kill stuff?</u></b><br />
Anxious, are we?
Alright. First, you download Warframe, then go through the update
process. As with many F2P games, content is constantly added, so there
are mandatory updates.<br />
Then you play the tutorial, choose your
Warframe (don't choose Loki unless you're planning on running with a crew, did your Warframe research far beyond what this article provides, plan on playing Warframe for quite some time and really like being stealthy with a rather steeper and less immediately rewarding learning curve), and then you can go on missions. There's only one mission on
one Planet available at the start, so once you enter the Main Menu and
select "Play", you choose Mercury, Mission 1 and you can start.<br />
<br />
There are a few things to be looked at before, though: <br />
<br />
First,
default setup is to automatically look online for people to play with.
You can change that in the lobby by pressing "Triangle" and selecting
options from open matchmaking to playing solo. Enemy Strength scales
with player numbers, so if you have friends to play with, set your
Online Connectability to Private or Invite Only. Having buddies is not
only good for fun, buddies can also revive you if you die. If there`s
people with you, once your health reaches zero, you bleed out. During
bleed-out, your buddies can revive you, while you can still use your
pistol to keep the baddies of their backs.<br />
If they don't make it,
well, you can revive yourself. You get 4 free revives a day, reset at
0:00 GMT, but if you run out, you can spend a small amount of Platinum
to recharge. Since you have a bit of free Platinum already, it's not
that big of a deal at first. But it's good to know, especially since if
you die and forfeit the mission, you ONLY get experience. Resources,
Weapon and Warframe Mods, anything else you picked up will be gone.<br />
<br />
Second,
there are a few options you might want to look at: Specifically the
control options, for inverted y-axis for camera movement (if you're so
inclined), and something very, very useful for pulling off advanced
wall-running maneuvers. The Video later on will show this more clearly,
but in short, if you like to be able to aim while wall running, you need
to set "Hold Jump/X to wall run" to OFF.<br />
One more option of
interest is the Maximum Ping for open matchmaking. We all hate laggers,
and setting this option to a lower value than the default 300ms will
alleviate that somewhat. But it will also limit your matchmaking pool,
so be aware.<br />
And lastly, the way to activate your powers: either via the touchpad - which requires a certain dexterity if you want to keep moving and aiming while swiping in a direction; or via the D-Pad and then activate it with L1. Both have disadvantages, but you'll have to try them for a bit to really see what they are. Okay, fine, the touchpad can sometimes choose the wrong power to go off, and it's kinda hard to swipe with your index fingers, while the D-Pad and L1 option makes it really hard to slide and adjust your aim. But that's just me.<br />
<br />
<u><b>What now?</b></u><br />
<br />
Now that you've been through a mission or two, it's time to look a bit more closely at what this game and its features have to offer. But don't worry, enough with the reading, here come my personal intro videos, with horrible commentary. By Me.<br />
<br />
First off, is a look into the menus, the Arsenal where you choose your loadouts and the markets:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>WARFRAME - AN INTRO VIDEO - THINGS TO KNOW - The Menus and Stuff </u></b><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=379867205491119" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
Second, here's a look at the Play Screen, the Mission Selection, Mission Types and the different Resources of different Planets:<br />
<br />
<b><u>WARFRAME - MORE THINGS TO KNOW - Missions and Resources</u></b><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=379868598824313" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
Finally, here's a how-to on doing some of the more Advanced Moves in Warframe. This is especially useful, since the game does nothing to explain all those. This is also where the option change concerning wall-running comes into play.<br />
<br />
<b><u>WARFRAME - MORE THINGS TO KNOW - Advanced Maneuvers</u></b><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=379812208829952" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b><u>A few Tips: </u></b><br />
<br />
Of course, this is not all, and there's still so much I don't know about. Like Clan stuff, the Clan Dojo (where you can apparently spar against other clan members, and even do some research for new weapons). Or the freshly introduced Conclave system, allowing you to fight 1v1 or 2v2 PVP. Mod Fusion and Mod Transmutation. Maximization, special builds for special missions. And more.<br />
Still, I know more than SOMEone, so let me leave you with a few tips:<br />
<br />
If you like Warframe, log in every single day. EVERY single day, even if all you do is log-in. Why? Because every day you log in, you enter the log-in-lottery. And the more consecutive days you log in, the better the prices get. I once got a Weapon Blueprint for logging in the fourth consecutive day. It's free stuff for a log in. Just do it.<br />
<br />
Buy the Blueprints for Team Heal and Team Ammo, and if you can, build a few and carry them around with you on missions. You equip stuff like that in your Arsenal/Gear by selecting an empty slot and choosing the item you want. You use it by holding "down" on the D-Pad, selecting it with the Right Stick and pressing X.<br />
<br />
Buy a Codex Scanner from the Market/Gear and scan enemies for some free XP and info on their abilities, resistances, and possible drops, to be perused in the Codex. You need to equip the scanner in the Arsenal, then use it as you use all gear, and scan enemies during missions (for all the info you need to scan the same enemy type multiple times). When used, the scanner is held instead of a weapon, so you aim with L2 and scan with R2 - but you also need to press "Triangle" to change back to a weapon that can actually shoot. The Scanner not only scans, but it also shows you un-scanned enemies and un-scanned storage containers through walls!<br />
<br />
Don't play a Rescue Mission Solo unless it's really far below your current level, or you really, really know what you're doing. Also, don't try a Capture Mission Solo with a slow Warframe. Just trust me on this.<br />
<br />
Invest some Money in Platinum. Support the people who made this. I'm not talking about hundreds of dollars, but you get a great game to play with friends. And it's Christmas. Let's show some love.<br />
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<b><u>WARFRAME GAMEPLAY - with horrible commentary. By Me.</u></b><br />
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This is a three-parter of me playing a Solo Capture Mission. It should give you an idea of what to expect. Of course, this is just me playing an early mission Solo. Things get exponentially crazier the more you progress and the more people are involved.<br />
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Part 1<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=379877628823410" width="500"></iframe>
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Part 2<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=380030855474754" width="500"></iframe><br />
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Part 3<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=379905458820627" width="500"></iframe>
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Enjoy! And for more info and more gameplay of Warframe, visit: <a href="http://vgbastard.blogspot.de/2013/12/warframe-more-info-more-gameplay.html">Warframe - More info, more Gameplay</a> - Yeah. Subtle, I know.<br />
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For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere... VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-6903694855985261202013-12-09T09:29:00.000-08:002014-03-09T11:22:08.256-07:00Tom Clancy's "The Division" shows off Snowdrop EngineIt's been a while since E3, yet most gamers will still remember their first, and unanimously amazing, impression of Ubisoft Massive's <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=the%20division&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Tom Clancy's The Division</a>. Set in a not so distant future, this 3rd-Person Urban Warfare Online RPG invites you to explore a desolate New York City, ravaged by a deadly virus. And from what we've seen so far, it does look amazing.<br />
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If you haven't had a chance to see the official game-play reveal from E3, or just want to see it again and start pining for its release in "late 2014", here it is:<br />
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The game-play looked great, the second-screen application revolutionary, the graphics stunning - and yet, it was the closing of a car door - at 3:35 min - that was heard around the world. It showed an attention to detail as real as any game I ever hoped to play.<br />
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And most if not all of that, is possible through the newly developed, "tru-next-gen" Snowdrop Engine. Yesterday, Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment showcased the beautiful Snowdrop Engine and its applications in this video featurette:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='500' height='350' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/dbjfIpf1tNs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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It still looks amazing. Lighting, Particle Effects, Dynamic Textures, detailed environmental reactions to, well, bullets, this is what most of us expected from the next-gen. And hopefully, it will only get better from here on out.<br />
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Personally, I am very, very excited for <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=the%20division&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">The Division</a>, maybe even more than for Bungie's <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=destiny&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Destiny</a>.<br />
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For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere... <br />
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<br />VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-12746308316761323572013-12-08T06:49:00.000-08:002013-12-10T08:39:23.045-08:00The Call of the Battlefield... 4 - with Gameplay Vids<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKbkfNwlwwJTDD0c0NDX-MOSyRSU4EE5BFPn2M0a_JZRTaga_ALpi79Ok4bQ6HX03WVxpPQOsQClr4MMQ6AIM5YOQlKzcir9GzlhsSS-kNbMGhXfZ_bpn9BH_hUE24j4msHhzXsNiD1o/s1600/bf4.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKbkfNwlwwJTDD0c0NDX-MOSyRSU4EE5BFPn2M0a_JZRTaga_ALpi79Ok4bQ6HX03WVxpPQOsQClr4MMQ6AIM5YOQlKzcir9GzlhsSS-kNbMGhXfZ_bpn9BH_hUE24j4msHhzXsNiD1o/s1600/bf4.jpg" height="147" width="200" /></a>Battlefield - especially <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=battlefield%203&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Battlefield 3</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=battlefield%204&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Battlefield 4</a> - has become such a huge event-franchise, that some people - me included - have had a hard time lately remembering why we left Call of Duty in the first place. There's no denying that back in the days of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=battlefield%20bad%20company&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Bad Company and Bad Company 2</a>, Battlefield was a completely different animal.<br />
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From the charismatic and enjoyable single-player campaign (where Bad Company 1's many open sandbox levels clearly outshone BC2's more linear approach), to the almost legendary multiplayer maps (where it was the BC2 maps that undoubtedly had found the perfect balance between open, vehicle-dominated spaces, and tight, sub-urban infantry warfare). To this day, the amount of environmental destructibility in BC2 multiplayer, and all the different tactical approaches it offered, has never been matched. Oh, and did I mention that new maps came for free back then?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjYZlRXMItZ7OJZjqrsAD17hHHHKUqqanaJs20ZNfC7jyGOZrIGRH2i0VnMBNxA2I9njYbeHkJQuN-zQkdutwNm3LCXojcQPl4yljIlfac53YW8ug4g192rjKMPBbW9G_E4aioPe5ROM/s1600/badcompany2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjYZlRXMItZ7OJZjqrsAD17hHHHKUqqanaJs20ZNfC7jyGOZrIGRH2i0VnMBNxA2I9njYbeHkJQuN-zQkdutwNm3LCXojcQPl4yljIlfac53YW8ug4g192rjKMPBbW9G_E4aioPe5ROM/s1600/badcompany2-3.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a><br />
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Thinking back to those days, it does seem weird, how Battlefield 3 could have turned out so horrible. As a good friend of mine once said, "It plays like CoD, but it looks like Shit!" Maps like Seine Crossing, Operation Metro or Grand Bazaar seemed taken straight out of Modern Warfare 3 - albeit with a less intricate map design and hugely inferior graphics. Battlefield Premium introduced a "Pay-for-Maps" approach - that I detest, but understand - and the beginnings of a class-divide between regular and premium players through early map access and exclusive servers . Funny thing in BF3, the much-maligned "Close Quarters"-Expansion was almost enough to balance the scales, as most BF veterans were scratching their heads as to why exactly they paid, in advance, for something nobody wanted: the most blithe and obvious attempt to lure Call of Duty Players onto another Battlefield.<br />
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Now, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=battlefield%204&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">BF4 </a>is here, and I'm afraid it's once more a lot more like BF3 than Bad Company 2. There are a few great, open maps, with destructible environments reminiscent of Arica Harbor, or Heavy Metal, but there`s also... well, it's called "Operation Locker", but it's really "Operation Metro" in some kind of high-up in the mountains detention facility. And playing it with 64 people on Conquest Large is just a sad, sad, joke. And the real "Operation Metro" will actually make an appearance as part of the (timed Xbox One Exclusive) Expansion "Second Assault", a map pack consisting of BF3 remakes, along with "Gulf of Oman", "Operation Firestorm" and "Caspian Border". Apparently, those were all "fan favorites" - but there is hope that the new "Levolution" and increased destructibility might bring some fresh air into those subway tunnels, but looking at the almost non-existent environmental destruction of "Operation Locker", hopes are not that high.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XPW5CVDs01FshQjAgaUExhkfdC3chTKuipx1Mjm2XTLSp0_L7o0NCBrFDtGqP_gilmZFyxr0TIBkKVUOCZXlxcwu6IdCR2UkXcXuJfcJgnKuHU92aubeBToPDzcsf8eGWWybjePTpAo/s1600/oplocker2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XPW5CVDs01FshQjAgaUExhkfdC3chTKuipx1Mjm2XTLSp0_L7o0NCBrFDtGqP_gilmZFyxr0TIBkKVUOCZXlxcwu6IdCR2UkXcXuJfcJgnKuHU92aubeBToPDzcsf8eGWWybjePTpAo/s1600/oplocker2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Why would DICE include these maps? Well, on one hand, of course, it's about preserving the player base from BF3, many of which hailed from Call of Duty and do expect tight-spaced, twitch-based infantry game-play. Then there's always the attempt to convert even more of the CoD crowd with small, simple, linear maps. Personally, I think their strategy is even bigger than that, as the only way to NOT have to suffer through the occasional CoD-like maps is to rent your own server and choose your own maps, as the official servers all have the same playlists. Basically, they make you hate something so much that you'll pay extra to get around it. It works, too. After only two matches on Operation Locker I was willing to pay anything (reasonable) to never have to play it again.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6If8lEWJxCAXI9tZo4YiQzVXdho1pS5xdxxDZ2z5mA3Yz69Z2YwGsPF8x0-z7ZTvR2bFkFekQ8SjXv7LXR25nL__7r4THztBTgnsO7PxCyVxNR7WWDff_hqlf3ShyphenhyphenODM7QWSlMAUvSRs/s1600/bf4-ps4-error.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6If8lEWJxCAXI9tZo4YiQzVXdho1pS5xdxxDZ2z5mA3Yz69Z2YwGsPF8x0-z7ZTvR2bFkFekQ8SjXv7LXR25nL__7r4THztBTgnsO7PxCyVxNR7WWDff_hqlf3ShyphenhyphenODM7QWSlMAUvSRs/s1600/bf4-ps4-error.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a><br />
Sadly, those are not the only problems, as the game's launch has been plagued by an almost ridiculous amount of bugs, from constant crashes to one bullet doing twice the damage. And launching a game on five different platforms is only a partial excuse. At least <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/4/5175588/ea-halts-battlefield-4-expansions" target="_blank">DICE has now halted development on all their other titles and BF4 expansions until the bugs are gone</a>. Which might take a while.<br />
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Still, it has its moments, and on the good maps, when it works it's fun. As such, I have included here some game play taken via the PS4's share function. The Clips don't look as good as the real thing - and I don't play as well as I'd like to - but it's a lot better than BF3. So don't judge. But you may laugh...<br />
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Also, I will keep adding more gameplay vids here, so visit back to laugh some more!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=373278252816681" width="500"></iframe><br />VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-72654730821544468212013-12-01T15:40:00.001-08:002013-12-08T06:53:50.771-08:00The Long Road to... my Next Generation ConsoleThe Road so Far:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivonP9FsIQMr39dm0LVToNrFpHoPvZlr4Vy1NgzO3N0q0csiGOhPonLn6m0oVgnZkrH3xFzhIJgkSSu6eL3Pnke7RSB36gKqxGVRNFqkBwvKoRc6_w4KuWmThyphenhyphenW5GHpTn3gPHxj2R9fX0/s1600/supernatural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivonP9FsIQMr39dm0LVToNrFpHoPvZlr4Vy1NgzO3N0q0csiGOhPonLn6m0oVgnZkrH3xFzhIJgkSSu6eL3Pnke7RSB36gKqxGVRNFqkBwvKoRc6_w4KuWmThyphenhyphenW5GHpTn3gPHxj2R9fX0/s1600/supernatural.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sammy, we need a new console.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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"Carry on my Wayward Son! There'll be peace when you are done."<br />
"You know: Wasting time, playing games: the family business!"<br />
And so on and so forth...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrijv6c4sFQ1bg9xrKc3mjyAot4_9QRWcAU7Ldw2FVoRSQ4hzztpIsgqa9AN4VIiUr7BJqbrwHG0SeyVflMXEv1OYJPldKXkTKR_uyRievfn-Tl4WwrIFQU51Y6MB89CuOvhBZ4MBDHq0/s1600/colecovision.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrijv6c4sFQ1bg9xrKc3mjyAot4_9QRWcAU7Ldw2FVoRSQ4hzztpIsgqa9AN4VIiUr7BJqbrwHG0SeyVflMXEv1OYJPldKXkTKR_uyRievfn-Tl4WwrIFQU51Y6MB89CuOvhBZ4MBDHq0/s1600/colecovision.jpg" height="96" width="200" /></a>I came a long way. From my Coleco Vision and Zaxxxon 3D, to an NES, a Gameboy, a Playstation, a PS2, PSP up to the Xbox 360 - with a few bouts of PC gaming in between, it's been a long road to this next generation of consoles for our hero (that's me).<br />
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And it ended, for now, not as I expected on the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BE4OUBG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BE4OUBG&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox One</a>, but on the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BE4HOIM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BE4HOIM&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Playstation 4</a>. Yes. After almost 7 years of Xbox 360, I made the jump. My reasons are many and mysterious, and yet, I actually was set on the Xbox One until about four days before the release date. I had both pre-ordered since they were available, so I did have the choice, but damn me, if that choice wasn't hard.<br />
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For a long, long time, long before the Xbox One and PS4 reveals, Xbox was my first choice, simply out of convenience. I've been there, done that, know my way around, and have found lots of friends. Some of those I actually like.<br />
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On the other hand, I've had my problems with Xbox and Xbox Live, most specifically because of their many regional restrictions. As a humble, and thoroughly annoyed citizen of the Kingdom of Censorship (that's Germany), not only do games often get, you guessed it, censored (or not released at all), but more horrible is without a doubt, that a lot of games (Digital Game on Demand Downloads and Disc Versions) and DLCs, are NOT in English.<br />
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Seriously, you'd think in this age of the global village, the dominant gaming language (outside of Asian RPGs) would be a mandatory feature. Germany doesn't think so. Companies like Bethesda and Square Enix are infamous for only featuring German, French and maybe Spanish on German retailer sold discs. When it comes to digital downloads of games or DLC on Xbox Live, those same companies, in collusion with Microsoft, very often restrict users of German Xbox Live accounts to German versions said content. Famous examples of great games totally ruined by Bad German Dubbing: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=halo%20xbox%20360&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Halo 3/ODST/Reach/4</a>, Crysis 2, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=elder%20scrolls%20oblivion%20skyrim&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion and Skyrim</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=dishonored&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Dishonored</a>, Tomb Raider (Reboot), Sleeping Dogs, Fable 3, and the list goes on.<br />
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Why is that horrible? Well, if you've ever heard the abysmal German voice "acting", or had to suffer through "translations" that didn't even make sense, whether content-wise or grammatically, you'd know.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfFi8uUG4Uv2IORjlNYgMzgHvNh1xpfploWG7-a7sObkN1MRBTmdU4jRtE0cs7PmNTANh3aI9aV7yTAqW1G2ocTMaW5hXHvCdNE2Fxb3i9bFvKsmHp8CHWKQu5dLmKhTpIQ7J9bYZ4iA/s1600/Crysis2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfFi8uUG4Uv2IORjlNYgMzgHvNh1xpfploWG7-a7sObkN1MRBTmdU4jRtE0cs7PmNTANh3aI9aV7yTAqW1G2ocTMaW5hXHvCdNE2Fxb3i9bFvKsmHp8CHWKQu5dLmKhTpIQ7J9bYZ4iA/s1600/Crysis2_1.jpg" height="35" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crysis 2: While the left is perfectly fine, the right is a word-by-word translation of "Most Lethal" that does NOT make any sense in German.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, while the English versions of games can often boast famous actors performing scripts by experienced writers, the Germans have to make do with third string voice "actors" going off translations that make Google Translate look like... well, the Translator. It's why I constantly have to import my games from the UK - which means I mostly get them <b>after </b>the weekend on which it was supposed to be released.<br />
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But I digress. As I said, I was set on the next-gen Xbox, right until that big reveal to introduce the Multi-Media Device called Xbox One. It wasn`t just a video game console, it was supposed to be the "One Box to Rule them All" in your living room. TV, Skype, Internet... And I couldn't care less. I don't watch much TV, and if I watch movies, the English original has become mandatory, something German TV doesn't do. And I already have my PC hooked up to my living room TV. I wanted to play games. But, as good old (and since encouraged to leave) Xbox CEO Don Mattrick said back then, E3 will be where the games are at, and there would be amazing games, in full HD, as behooves a next-gen console.<br />
<br />
Truth be told, I hadn't even bothered with the PS4 reveal, so set was I on Xbox, and so disappointed was I, when the hoped-for good news at E3 went sour:<br />
Xbox One games cannot be sold used, discs are basically installation vectors, and yet, the games will still be much more expensive than equivalent PC games via services like Steam or Origin, after which that policy of "Usage Licenses for Games" was obviously designed.<br />
Xbox One needs to be connected to the internet once every 24 hours so validate these licenses, and if you cannot do that, it turns into a very nice bookend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83sQGA5r1vDz_C3G9V3V3_0PuleG82hyphenhyphensVqGE_JPY_uOaLkHxa5HHtb5WSfvGxdKl-NCyIxkAYcB1DUwdKE1d31Ng1TkQbGfpq75qfseHDrWnZ5CrgqAFdb1-JX9OTPuaOC6HP2EuUTI/s1600/PeterSchaar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83sQGA5r1vDz_C3G9V3V3_0PuleG82hyphenhyphensVqGE_JPY_uOaLkHxa5HHtb5WSfvGxdKl-NCyIxkAYcB1DUwdKE1d31Ng1TkQbGfpq75qfseHDrWnZ5CrgqAFdb1-JX9OTPuaOC6HP2EuUTI/s1600/PeterSchaar.jpg" height="111" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"By the balls, they have us!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kinect 2.0 is mandatory and required to even use the console - if it breaks or you unplug that <br />
"High-Tech Surveillance Equipment" (as German politicians have named it), there`s that bookend again.<br />
Giving a game to friend... I don't even want to think about that.<br />
<br />
<br />
It was as if Xbox One had thought about all the things that'd piss me, personally, off, and then made those things their policy. Sony only needed to show up, then. And show up they did. Who does not fondly remember the "Instructional Videos" Sony did on giving a PS4 game to a friend?<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kWSIFh8ICaA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Sony's PS4 came with a lot of power - for gaming, and not much else.<br />
And in the following months, I became a strong PS4 supporter.<br />
<br />
The "Xbox One-80 Day" did change that a bit. No more licenses, no more internet checks, used games work like always, and while Kinect was still in the box, you didn`t need it to operate the X1. Don Mattrick left Xbox, shortly thereafter, and it has been hinted that he was encouraged to do so. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFTGnDBXVy2LPvqtaJte93P6v85jZDFhRtPSbB_apOb2hHhZAHxnSprB_JLxMhoe2emQe_lVwadnW1Xq5eKVBSSZXES1PMQlGyPslgJEgc5WS5E-u9IURqzgNDuNH93PwXDp0altalR0/s1600/xboxcloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFTGnDBXVy2LPvqtaJte93P6v85jZDFhRtPSbB_apOb2hHhZAHxnSprB_JLxMhoe2emQe_lVwadnW1Xq5eKVBSSZXES1PMQlGyPslgJEgc5WS5E-u9IURqzgNDuNH93PwXDp0altalR0/s1600/xboxcloud.jpg" height="113" width="200" /></a>And then there was "The Power of the Cloud", but I admit I was always more intrigued by Microsoft's promise of Dedicated Servers for every single MP game through that cloud. I have seen many a great game die because of bad online connections and lag - Crysis 2, Crysis 3, Ghost Recon Future Soldier and, lately, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=splinter%20cell%20blacklist&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Splinter Cell: Blacklist</a> come to mind - so the availability of those 300.000 Azure servers being used to get rid of transatlantic lobbies with Australians, Americans and Europeans and a Brazlian with a dial-up connection as the host was very intriguing.<br />
<br />
And, looking at the game presentations from E3, especially Titanfall and Ryse, the 10% processing power that the X1 always keeps away from games for their Multi-Media Features, did not seem to matter much. Both games were shown in full 1080p and 60FPs, and they did look beautiful.<br />
<br />
When I then heard about the pseudo-dedicated servers <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BF6D53C/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BF6D53C&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Killzone Shadowfall</a> would get (namely none - the game logic will still be host/client Peer-2-Peer, just like pretty much all current-gen games do it already), and that despite Sony's promise of all First-Party titles getting Dedicated Servers, I slowly began drifting again.<br />
I like killing people. Online. In games. And there`s nothing more frustrating, than seeing bad connections or shoddy netcoding not live up to any game's promise of allowing you to do that killing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBMquiUCw60fuj_1oxDyXhY8KxYuwAG3cQGEdhbyFrWc9d4ngJu1jn9SW_DlDgHIA7Cxc3tpNYC55i75nNayeuwuuoS6rhI9d9UPFtxvGYmvEvyRg6vGMhrCqivK7DFQCWJWObVBbycM/s1600/xbox+live.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBMquiUCw60fuj_1oxDyXhY8KxYuwAG3cQGEdhbyFrWc9d4ngJu1jn9SW_DlDgHIA7Cxc3tpNYC55i75nNayeuwuuoS6rhI9d9UPFtxvGYmvEvyRg6vGMhrCqivK7DFQCWJWObVBbycM/s1600/xbox+live.jpg" height="121" width="200" /></a>So, I thought, the games look great, and they'll all have dedicated servers, even the small niche games that I seem to find so appealing, and I already have an Xbox Live account paid up until next year, do I really want to make that jump into the unknown?<br />
I've heard a few scary stories about the Playstation Network, and Sony's apparent lack of concern when it comes to keeping it functioning. Xbox Live has been very dependable for quite a long time, and they surely have the experience when it comes to providing good online features, while the PSN, especially as a now paid-for subscription, seems to be still in its baby shoes.<br />
Should I go with what I know, and know that it will (mostly) work, or go with what I tend to think of as the better console and the better approach to gaming in general? No matter how tempting an offer of unlimited dedicated servers might be, I still had a bad taste in my mouth from what Xbox had tried to force on gamers, their approach to Indie-Developers and their lack of focus on games. Actually, their 180 turnaround left me respecting them even less. If they really believed that their vision was the future, they should've stuck to their guns and ride out the storm... or something.<br />
<br />
Once more, I was undecided, and the more I thought about it, the more I had to admit, that I don't know much at all about the PSN. I had heard that there's no regional IP filtering, that all games and DLC are region free, and making an account that was not afflicted by Germany isn't a big problem, but that was the PS3. There was no telling if that would still apply to the PS4. And I am notoriously lazy. The thought of having to get familiar with all the intricacies of a new platform, a new service were daunting. More and more I was swinging back to the Xbox One, and the bigger price tag, useless features and the Spy-Toy be damned.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5fUJz96b76kW2MMaS5htNzjmC3osKTRF_oSivtj1R7G_GD3cqMNMpBvXrzD5UdoqW4CcCOvkb33GbxS9SW4DO5Of9v0S1ceGebeJ-QMUcBltDvOmrCiU-uj_mVuGtLbsxdQ1NVEZjuE/s1600/bf4ps4vx1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5fUJz96b76kW2MMaS5htNzjmC3osKTRF_oSivtj1R7G_GD3cqMNMpBvXrzD5UdoqW4CcCOvkb33GbxS9SW4DO5Of9v0S1ceGebeJ-QMUcBltDvOmrCiU-uj_mVuGtLbsxdQ1NVEZjuE/s1600/bf4ps4vx1.jpg" /></a></div>
And it stayed that way, until Resolution Gate arrived. Only a few weeks before the launch, some very worrisome news broke about the Xbox One: most launch games would not run in 1080p. Or at 60FPS. Some will even run in only 720p at 30 frames per second. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=assassin%20creed%204&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Assassin`s Creed 4</a>? 720p at 30FPS. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=COD%20Ghosts&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">COD Ghosts</a>? 720p at 60FPS. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BM2LRXO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BM2LRXO&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Ryse</a>? 900p at 30FPS. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Battlefield%204&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Battlefield 4</a>? 720p at 60FPS. Only <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BM2LQB2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BM2LQB2&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Forza 5</a> would run in 1080p and 60FPS, but as a racing game, the computational demands to the hardware are a lot lower than shooters, for example. It was not at all what next-gen gamers were expecting, especially since Sony had no issues confirming that all of those games (not the Xbox exclusive Ryse, of course) except BF4 would run in 1080p. It also stood in stark contrast to the full HD E3 presentations. Which then, of course, were called into question, and, as it turned out, rightfully so. Apparently, most if not all of those presentations had not been running on Xbox One Software Developer Kits - but on High-End Windows 7 PCs.<br />
<br />
The reason for this discrepancy is the apparently quite complicated structure of the Xbox One, most likely the memory configuration, that for now has developers a bit stumped when it comes to optimization. While most developers talked about how easy and straightforward it was to design and program for the PS4, more and more were now saying that it was quite the opposite wit the Xbox One. And again it seems like Sony and Microsoft have switched places with this next-gen, as the PS3 had very similar issues with its complicated structure, especially when it comes to cross-platform games.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, maybe those things were to be expected for a console still in its infancy. Developers soon learned to use the PS3 pretty well, after all, and rumors had it, that the Xbox SDKs were pretty late in getting to the developers - about six months later than Sony's did. Launch games might not be up to snuff, but surely the second wave would bring us full HD gaming as expected.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3OONCA7iK-lO5dnyl0ja1JCHnaiHHt9Bv0CPQow1C4e5yqvRj4GG4T3SeTodrPDwr72bM8RCmjZD7IeAepWuwjKCpsytEX5poBbnTUfBaeuE9KPQDmXim4-B5A34yaivnp2blleg-KI/s1600/titanfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3OONCA7iK-lO5dnyl0ja1JCHnaiHHt9Bv0CPQow1C4e5yqvRj4GG4T3SeTodrPDwr72bM8RCmjZD7IeAepWuwjKCpsytEX5poBbnTUfBaeuE9KPQDmXim4-B5A34yaivnp2blleg-KI/s1600/titanfall.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>Yet, when Infinity Ward Executive Producer Mark Rubin was asked about why "Call of Duty Ghosts" did not run in 1080p on Xbox One, and talked a bit about the complicatio<span id="goog_1039508291"></span><span id="goog_1039508292"></span>ns developers are facing with the unfamiliar and convoluted console architecture, he inadvertently mentioned that other developers have made a similar decision: Lower the Graphics and Keep the High Frame Rate. He even mentioned that Xbox One exclusive and, arguably, the winner of E3, <a href="http://www.spawnfirst.com/news/mark-rubins-slip-titanfall-runs-720p/" target="_blank">Titanfall, is set to be released in 720p as well</a>. And Titanfall is not due to be release until Spring 2014, a definitive second wave release, by which time late SDKs won't count as an excuse anymore. And a little more research found me an article, that eagerly expected Bungie game Destiny shows significantly less graphical quality in its Alpha Version on Xbox One than PS4.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQidMwWMWz4YemC6Ba21B9LgfykMm7r1x1FpYEwLOZ3wnhYcmyYwb75bjWFBebOTNi12uw1YqIVqLd95eY7cEQfh9jWxhyphenhyphenTDOv84VDZ41-jApkRICBEnZCTAFTA-43A1Jbo2gHk6E-6Q/s1600/shadowcolossus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQidMwWMWz4YemC6Ba21B9LgfykMm7r1x1FpYEwLOZ3wnhYcmyYwb75bjWFBebOTNi12uw1YqIVqLd95eY7cEQfh9jWxhyphenhyphenTDOv84VDZ41-jApkRICBEnZCTAFTA-43A1Jbo2gHk6E-6Q/s1600/shadowcolossus.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best. Game. Ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Shadows loomed over my gaming future, and for a few days I thought about just forgetting about the next generation, get a PS3 and play all those exclusives I missed out on.<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=god%20of%20war&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank"> God of War</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=uncharted&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Uncharted</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=infamous%20ps&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">inFamous </a>- not to mention the HD Remake of my personal "Best Game Ever", <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004T8C19W/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B004T8C19W&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Shadow of the Colossus</a>. Since it was clear by now, that neither console would feature backwards compatibility, that option became increasingly attractive. But damn it, I wanted that next gen to start right now. I didn't want to be left out, and I had already looked too much into the next-gen games to let go of it, now.<br />
<br />
And now, PS4 looked pretty sexy again. Still, the promise of dedicated servers held sway. But... Well. But. What about that promise? Was it still valid? It wasn't like MS had never before pulled back on promises. So I went ahead and did some research, and... it wasn't good. From "Dedicated Servers for every single game" it went to "Free Dedicated Servers are available for every developer who chooses to use them" to "Easily affordable Dedicated Servers" - although that last might not be accurate anymore. And then a good friend working in the business told me, that not every developer will even make use of those "free" dedicated servers - and that he fully expects that most next-gen games on all platforms will get dedicated servers anyway, once the next-gen comes fully into its stride.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhja3wjyRIVXHgOtWqNiaRBTH43gDrQPK3VqELEP9QslXZG5NfqrQB7kAe1Uq_XXdNJu16uR_uYhbMzy1cc1aejnJpcc6yaAh1nSeVt_JKy4vx7rw1RPDSA3MEEAXAvNSU9kxBNpjj_m3M/s1600/division.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhja3wjyRIVXHgOtWqNiaRBTH43gDrQPK3VqELEP9QslXZG5NfqrQB7kAe1Uq_XXdNJu16uR_uYhbMzy1cc1aejnJpcc6yaAh1nSeVt_JKy4vx7rw1RPDSA3MEEAXAvNSU9kxBNpjj_m3M/s1600/division.jpg" /></a>More and more confusion. And no more guaranteed dedicated servers for Xbox One. And the big upcoming games I'm most looking forward to might not even be affected. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Destiny&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Destiny </a>will have a combination of dedicated servers and Peer-2-Peer on both platforms. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=The%20Division&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">The Division</a> will have dedicated servers on every platform. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=Thief&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Thief </a>won't need dedicated servers for what I fully expect to be a single player-focused game. What was left was to look at the Exclusives, and truth be told, none of the Xbox exclusives made me want to stick with what I now conceived to be the weaker gaming console.<br />
I don't like racing games in general, and naming a revolutionary online component "Drivatar" actually made me hate <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BM2LQB2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BM2LQB2&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Forza 5</a> for no reason.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CM1KYQU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00CM1KYQU&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Dead Rising 3</a> might look like fun, but apparently it's mostly fun if you don't play the story.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BM2LRXO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BM2LRXO&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Ryse </a>is forever locked in my head as a failed Quick-Time-Event, and Crytek have long lost my appreciation as a studio.<br />
Finally, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00D781WO0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00D781WO0&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Titanfall</a>. It did look pretty crazy in the presentations. But the finished game apparently won`t even look as good, and with an online-only title, what happens if you don't like the online game play? No matter how great it might look, these are the people that committed Modern Warfare 2, including Marathon-Lightweight-Commando. And I'm not one for the COD-twitch play style - I'm old, and lonely. I don't need 10year-olds to go crazy on me with their dreadfully good reflexes.<br />
<br />
So, the Xbox exclusives wouldn't win me over, what about the PS4?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1teKemmq-ScWDFRaoP3y4WjWaxp2ja3EnibwweejYnpEhyphenhyphenL27ik8Ntr-sNFGEFj1mQnm308LbtZFHoN_QuyceBK2Hdys8z0VntnA-uJrMoVG9FBKjIdQOS7eEMYMmhTTAP02GfAk_8p8/s1600/killzone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1teKemmq-ScWDFRaoP3y4WjWaxp2ja3EnibwweejYnpEhyphenhyphenL27ik8Ntr-sNFGEFj1mQnm308LbtZFHoN_QuyceBK2Hdys8z0VntnA-uJrMoVG9FBKjIdQOS7eEMYMmhTTAP02GfAk_8p8/s1600/killzone.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BF6D53C/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BF6D53C&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Killzone Shadowfall</a> does look nice, and I loved the old Killzone games on PS2. I had also heard great things about the KZ Multiplayer - and yet, the reviews were not really great.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BT9DURG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BT9DURG&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">The Order 1886</a> had werewolves. I don't know if that's a good thing.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BF6D53M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BF6D53M&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">inFamous: Second Son</a> looks nice, but as I never played an inFamous game, looks can be deceiving.<br />
And apart from those, there are a few Indie Titles, but that seems to be it. No matter what you want to say about the Xbox One, they do have the more interesting exclusives. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuszLcoDtMGv8V1e2DAAEeoZflfXdxMN8eN5pnm9-TtuFnoYi9JyU411aL3NUwOMdwgmALLlP4U2XgJKmYizQv4zAK5dmgoRhAesAP60xMjAtCiQzC_RnKJLSz72rPXO4Fvlngt7O-u-M/s1600/order.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuszLcoDtMGv8V1e2DAAEeoZflfXdxMN8eN5pnm9-TtuFnoYi9JyU411aL3NUwOMdwgmALLlP4U2XgJKmYizQv4zAK5dmgoRhAesAP60xMjAtCiQzC_RnKJLSz72rPXO4Fvlngt7O-u-M/s1600/order.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>The inability to decide was pretty painful at the time, and the Xbox One release date was coming very, very close, now. So I finally succumbed to taking an in-depth look at the Playstation Network - and Playstation Plus, the paid subscription. I still had an old PSN ID, registered in the UK from back in my PlayStation Portable days, and it seemed to be still active, so at least my usual Gamer Handle would be there for me - and, hopefully, my language concerns wouldn't be an issue. Until I found out, that for paying for stuff, you need a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account registered in your account's country. Thankfully, you can load your PSN wallet with <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=psn&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">pre-paid cards</a>, get subscriptions through the same kind of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=psn&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">vouchers</a>, and both are easy to buy online from wherever you are. It might not be as convenient as entering your credit card info once and never be bothered again, but it was something I had lived with on Xbox Live for a long time, and, as such, definitely doable.<br />
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More interesting, though, was <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=PS%20Plus&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS Plus</a>, now a necessity for playing online multiplayer on PS4. You get discounts, sure. But you also get your Instant Game Collection, which means access to a selection of free games as long as you remain a Plus member, with new games permanently added each month, and different additional games offered for download for a certain time. And not just 5 year old games nobody wanted to buy, or little Indie Titles nobody wanted, period. It leaves the still relatively fresh "Games with Gold" initiative from rival Microsoft pretty far behind - even more so, since the PS Plus Instant Game Collection will include PS4 titles, while "Games with Gold" is not planned to extend from Xbox 360 to Xbox One. Additionally, if the master account on a PS4 has PS Plus, all other accounts get the same benefits, including use of the Instant Game Collection and Online Multiplayer. It's something Xbox One does as well, though, but again, they have no free games.<br />
<br />
By then, I was pretty sure that I didn't really want the Xbox One, anymore, so I cancelled my pre-order three days before release. It was harder than you might think, and I instantly regretted it. I regretted it even more when I had to watch all of my Xbox Live buddies upgrade on launch day and play their Xbox One and rave about it. But I had decided, and I wanted to be steadfast in my decision. No Xbox One for me. But did I want a PS4? Did I really? My Xbox still had a few good games to happen to it, Dark Souls 2 first and foremost, and the PS3 has some great games I never played for a lot less money. I could get a PS3, PS Plus, and be busy for months if not years with all the free games and exclusive franchises.<br />
<br />
In the end, I wanted my next generation now. And I don't regret it. Of course, the beginning was tumultuous, as PSN broke down on the European Launch, and for a few hard hours I wished I had not bought a 400€ bookend. The next day got even worse, when I thought that PSN had swallowed about 40€ of vouchers. But they sorted it out, and one day after launch, at least my experience was fully satisfactory. And I already have two free games for PS Plus.<br />
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Not everything is perfect, though. My old Xbox 360 Surround Sound Gaming Headset is not really working with the controller, so I have to use the horrible PS4 ear-bud and mic that came in the box beneath my headset's ear cups to chat and hear chat. The DS4 is a great controller, but after being used to the Xbox 360 controller for so long, I still need to retrain my brain and my hands.<br />
<br />
<br />
But I am happy. I feel like I made the right decision. I wanted a gaming console, and that`s what the PS4 is. It's fast, the games look great, and - initial problems aside - the PSN seems to work fine. I even managed to share a video online, and it was almost ridiculously easy. Granted, the PS4 shares videos on facebook and not youtube, but since google wants youtube to be the new facebook, I guess it's fair enough.<br />
<br />
So, if you're still unsure about what system you might get, maybe this will be helpful to you. If you already have your next-gen system, feel free to laugh at my odyssey. Whatever your decision, I really hope you like it.<br />
<br />
Whether it's <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BE4HOIM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BE4HOIM&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4 </a>or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BE4OUBG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00BE4OUBG&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox One</a>, there's really no "right" or "wrong" here - only "right or wrong for you".<br />
<br />
<br />VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312884901762831641.post-28752910793400571662013-09-16T17:13:00.002-07:002014-03-09T11:23:30.719-07:00Splinter Cell - FanFiction: The Day they took Sam's Voice away...<br />
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About Three Months before the Blacklist began... <br />
<br />
He was supposed to be out. After what happened in Washington, he had more than earned an out. He was supposed to be gone, retired, away. He was supposed to be with his daughter.Washington, the attack, Grim's team of "Replacement Sams", he was supposed to be done with it. But "it" wasn't done with him, it seemed.<br />
<br />
And so here he was, hanging from a pipe in a shadowy corner near the ceiling of a formerly abandoned warehouse, and his left leg just started to cramp up on him. Crap. He really was getting too old for this shit.<br />
<br />
It had been one these terrible coincidences usually reserved for video game tie-in novels. An overheard conversation, some suspicious behavior, and suddenly all of Sam's instincts had screamed for him to do something - and so he did. A part of him had been glad to know he hadn't lost his edge. That same part was cowering in shame ever since he had realized that his suspected terrorist plot was nothing more than a small local drug-lab. And although he would never admit it, he was eternally grateful to Grim for not mentioning it, or bailing out on the "mission".<br />
<br />
He had contacted Grim - albeit with some reservations - shortly after spotting the "Cell". Their behavior had indicated that something was about to happen, and Sam had forced himself to swallow his pride, and called the woman who had been his friend and handler, who had probably more than once saved his life on a mission with crucial Intel. The last time they saw each other she had shot him. (Granted, she'd had good reasons. And a few days before he had slapped her around a bit, but she had asked for that. Literally.) Still, now he didn't know <i>what </i>she was to him.<br />
<br />
Grim, on the other hand, was as professional as always, and more than willing to use Sam once more if it helped prevent a terrorist attack.<br />
"Sam, is there a problem?" she'd said when she picked up. She hadn't even asked who it was.<br />
<i>Hey Grim. Nice to hear your voice, too. How have you been? Faked someone's daughter's death, lately? </i>But who was he kidding. He wouldn't say that. She knew what it would take for him to call her, and time might be of the essence.<br />
"Hey Grim. Nice to hear your voice, too. How have you been? Faked someone's daughter's death, lately?" he said. Well, what do you know? Old dog, new tricks.<br />
"Sam. Is there a problem?" Grim's voice was almost as cold as before, albeit with a hint of annoyance. Sam took a completely childish amount of satisfaction from that.<br />
After he had filled her in, she said: "I can have a Satellite with IR on your location in 30 minutes, a SWAT Team in 35, but from what you have told me, I recommend you go in now."<br />
"I'm not armed." Sam said. <br />
"You have your left arm, and your right arm. I believe you are "armed" enough."<br />
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."<br />
Silence. Then: <br />
"I will stay with you on comms and provide Intel support."<br />
<br />
And so she had, trying to get a make on Sam's terrorists, then, when Sam had tracked them to their hideout, providing him with a blue-print layout of the warehouse on his phone and several different paths of entry (a fire escape, a drainage pipe, a window, and he was in). All the while she had been her usual, professional self, even when "terrorism" was revealed to be "small-time meth-cooking" (she did cancel the Infra-Red satellite request, however). It had been Kobin who first named her to Sam as the "Ice Queen", and it might have been one of the most astute things that despicable little creep had ever said.<br />
<br />
Thinking of the man who had bragged about killing Sam's daughter, even if just for show, made Sam want to hurt things. "People-Things". And almost as if on cue, one of the drug dealers, a kid no older than 25, a <i>baby</i>, really (my God, had he grown old) went into the corner to take a leak. Sam's corner. The guy was going to regret that.<br />
<br />
"Baby" was dressed in baggy pants, a hoodie, and the obligatory "gangsta"-accessory of a shiny, new Glock in his waistband. What had initially confused Sam into thinking "terrorists" was that Baby, as well as his three Compadres ("Uno", "Dos" and "Tres", each right now "cooking" at one of the three stations in the center of the room with those ridiculous gas-masks on), had a decidedly Middle-Eastern look about them. From the way they talked, though - "Bitch"-this, "Fuck"-that, and all - they were at least second or third generation Americans. As if further support of that theory had been necessary, Baby steadfastly refused to stop texting on his Smart-Phone while "doing his business" one-handed.<br />
<br />
Ignoring the cramp in his leg, Sam carefully reversed his position on the pipe - head down, now, with his back to the pipe - then slowly inched towards his unsuspecting prey. It put tremendous pressure on his legs and thighs, but it left his arms free, so he ignored the discomfort. He was going to be sore in any way. He also was definitely out of shape, and that fact irked him to no end.<br />
Closer and closer he got, the shadows masking his dark form from a few casual glances, until Baby happened to look straight up - and straight at him. Sam let go with his legs, sliding down fast the final two yards, then clamped down hard, stopping with Baby`s head within easy reach. A hard punch behind Baby's right ear, and the drug dealer's legs gave out. Releasing and then pushing off with his own legs, Sam somersaulted silently to the ground, managing to catch both Baby and his cellphone before either could crash to the floor and give away his presence. Baby opened his eyes, stunned, but still conscious. Tough little bastard. Sam hit him again, ending consciousness and breaking Baby's nose in the process. He deserved it. Sam had gotten pee on his boots.<br />
For a few seconds he waited, tense, ready to spring into action, Baby's Glock now in his hands. They might be kids, but they had guns, and if they left him no other option he would put them out. But nothing happened. His little takedown drew no reaction. He had to smile. He still had it.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, there <i>was </i>something happening, a commotion near the cooking stations, where Uno, Dos and Tres had been busy making new product in the wide-open center of the warehouse. A few frantic shouts, then even more frantic footsteps. Had Sam been detected after all? But no, the steps were running away from him, towards the main entrance, and no sooner had he thought that, than he heard the doors banging open.<br />
"Sam, what's going on?" There was an edge of concern in Grim's voice now. Who knew she cared?<br />
"Something spooked them," Sam growled, speaking for the first time since he had entered the place. "Three of them are running, I-"<br />
Then he spotted it: a broken flask, an overturned Bunsen-burner, bubbling chemicals - and running, panicking Meth-Cookers. He turned, grabbed Baby's limp body and made for the nearest window.<br />
"It's going to bl-"<br />
Some immeasurable force hit him from behind, lifted him up off his feet. The world, or maybe a window, burst into a million pieces. Someone was pouring fire down his throat and his lungs.<br />
Then there was darkness.<br />
<br />
There were voices down in that darkness. Faces. The Dead. Men he'd killed, and others whose deaths he couldn't prevent. Doug Shetland, a man who used to be his friend, whom Sam had shot on a rooftop long ago. John Hodge, Killed In Action at Sam's side. Lambert... Lambert, the one who hurt and had hurt him the most. Sarah. Grim. People he didn't know.<br />
<br />
Stop. No. Sarah wasn't dead. Nor Grim. What was this? Light. People. People talking.<br />
He tried to focus.<br />
Grim talking. A male voice, a strange voice, answering.<br />
<br />
"... was some scarring to... Well, you'll see. We did what we could."<br />
More light, darkness fading. Words he understood, but their meaning didn't register.<br />
"Scarring? What kind of scarring?" Grim's voice again, real concern there. Concern about what?<br />
Then the words did register. Concern about him. And Sam clawed at the darkness, willing his eyes to open, fearing what he might see.<br />
"He's waking up. He's waking up."<br />
It was Grim, her face close to his. Her skin so soft, her hair shiny red silk, and her, so cold, so pretty, a diamond in ice. Okay. That was not right. He had to stop that crap, right now. He blinked, hard, took a ragged breath. It hurt, and he welcomed the pain, the focus it brought. They must have pumped him full of drugs and pain-killers. He had to watch his mouth.<br />
"Sam? Sam!" Grim was talking to him again, her lips moving, those lips, and Goddammit! he had to focus! He fixed his eyes on her. He tried to nod. It didn't work.<br />
"You`re in a
hospital. The Meth-Lab exploded. Do you remember?"<br />
A flash of light, flying through the air, hitting something hard, flames. He wasn't sure he remembered, wasn't sure he wanted to, but his body sure as hell did.<br />
"You dragged out that kid and you've been caught in the blast. You've been
in and out of it for a few days now, but the doctor says you'll be fine." More concern, now, in her voice, on her face, and it was contagious.<br />
"But... the, the... Okay, just... the Doctor's going to remove the
bandages from your face, now. Okay?"<br />
Sam tried the nod again, and this time he actually managed to move his head. It hurt, but it helped wake him up, feeling returning to his limbs. An explosion. He'd been caught in an explosion. Hesitantly, he started moving fingers, toes, arms and legs, indescribably relieved to feel everything there and responding.<br />
A new face stepped into view, a man in a lab coat, spectacles, a bow tie.<br />
"Please, do not move now." the Doctor said.<br />
Slowly, carefully, as if at any moment he expected to find pieces of flesh falling off, the Doctor peeled off the bandages. Sam's eyes were fixed on Grim the whole time. Her face would tell him how bad it was. There was hope. Then concern. Then something he never hoped to see in her face, to see in any woman's face: barely concealed horror.<br />
Sam tried to talk, take the initiative, anything to stop feeling this helpless, but his throat felt like it had been strewn with rusty, old razor-blades. The doctor reached out and gave him a small plastic beaker of water, the kind old people use. Sam could barely hold it with both hands. But the cool liquid felt like rain on desert sand, and for a second there, he was in bliss.<br />
Then Grim started talking, calm, composed Grim, talking to him soothingly. He had never been more scared in his life.<br />
"Sam, I- I`m sorry, it's... " She sighed, struggling with or for the words. "I won't lie to you,
Sam. It's- it's bad. Your face, it's... it's just like before."<br />
And then she smirked. Grim. A crack in the ice. And Sam decided right then that he might actually grow to like her again. He didn't relish that he had to get blown up for it to happen, but "every silver lining", and so on.<br />
Another snicker, this one louder and less cordial, drew Sam's attention. The man, the <i>kid</i>, stood in a corner, casually leaning against the wall, but his attitude pretty much owned the whole damn hospital. Black, military bearing, late 20s, early 30s, fit. The way he carried himself tried to scream "lethality", but Sam could take him, he knew that. And as soon as he remembered how to move his legs, he would go over there and wipe that smile off his face. Any time, now. Oh, who was he kidding?<br />
Sam grunted wryly, fighting hard not to laugh himself - he knew well that laughing always hurt. He tried talking again, and although still rough, he managed to bring out a few words.<br />
"Yeah, yeah, make fun of the injured-"<br />
Then he stopped. Something was wrong. Very, very wrong. Grim was staring at him. She had heard it, too. <br />
"What the hell is wrong with my voice?!" His voice. Was this <i>his </i>voice?<br />
Grim's concern suddenly seemed very real.<br />
"What the hell is wrong with his voice?! Doc?"<br />
Sam's eyes fixed on the Doctor, as the man took a tentative step forward, cleared his throat, suddenly somewhat nervous. Sam's eyes will do that. <br />
"Well, both the ventricular and aryepiglottic folds were-" he started.<br />
Grim's face showed slight annoyance
at the Doctor's use of medical jargon, but she remained quiet. Sam on the other hand, turned one rough word into a threat.<br />
"Doc."<br />
The Doctor sighed heavily. "You... practically inhaled burning liquid. Which, as most doctors will tell you, is `bad´". He did those air-quotes with his hands when he said "Bad". Sam hated people who did the air-quotes.<br />
"Doc." A death-threat, now. Violent and slow.<br />
Fidgeting, the Doctor started talking, trying to sound indignant, but with more than just a little bit of "apologetic" and "please don't kill me" in his voice. "You burnt your vocal chords. As I said, there was some scarring. We had to... improvise. "<br />
<i>Improvise</i>. "You changed my voice?!" Of course they had, he could hear it well enough.<br />
"We... <i>saved </i>your voice."<br />
Sam felt like hurting things, again. <br />
"You changed my voice." Not a question, now.<br />
"We did what we-"<br />
"You 'Michael Long'-ed my voice!" Sam growled, the anger immediately silencing the blabbering doctor. The anger felt familiar, and now Sam was most definitely awake.<br />
"What with the who, now?" It was the black kid, still trying - and failing - to sound cool and aloof.<br />
Before Sam could vent a bit of his anger at the kid, the Doctor once more tried to defend something he should by any right be proud of having achieved in the first place. "We-"<br />
But Grim laid a hand on his arm, silencing him just as effectively, but a lot more gently, than Sam had. Then she looked at Sam, and he saw something else in her face he didn't like: compassion.<br />
"Sam," she said. "It's... it's not that bad." And yet her voice made it sound pretty damn bad, indeed. "We... we can get used to it... " A pause. Then, quieter, "Eventually..."<br />
"You 'Michael Long'-ed my voice..." that strange voice said again, and it took him a moment to realize it was his voice, his voice like a stranger in his head.<br />
"Who's 'Michael Long'?", the black kid asked. My God, how young <i>was </i>he? <i>Who </i>was he to even be in here?<br />
"Oh, you know." said the voice that might be Sam. "Michael Long, Michael Knight, The Foundation for-" The look that kid gave him then, between confused and amused, fired Sam's anger up again. "Goddammit. Hasselhoff!"<br />
The black kid turned to the Doctor, speaking quietly, but intentionally loud enough for Sam to hear.<br />
"Doc, did he get hit on the head really hard?"<br />
"Oh, shut up." Sam tried to growl, but his voice didn't seem to work that way anymore. It sounded really... young. "And stop making me feel old."<br />
"I don't see
how I can..." That grin again. Oh, how Sam wanted to wipe it off the kid's face with something heavy. "I mean, that actually is one of those rare things that are
literally biologically impossible." <br />
The fact the kid was even here, meant he was in Grim's confidence. He was <i>important </i>enough to be here. And Sam figured he owed Grim both for the extraction and the medical care. She`d probably even foot the bill. He considered being grateful and diplomatic for almost a full second. For Sam, that was a very long time.<br />
"Listen up, <i>kiddo</i>-", he said, and the way he said that last word immediately made the little guy square up and bristle. Sam smiled.<br />
Then the Doctor stepped in, and Sam had to respect the man's courage to put himself between two so obviously dangerous men. Or maybe he was just stupid. With smart people, that's hard to tell, sometimes.<br />
"Alright." the Doctor said, regaining a little authority. "The patient needs rest."<br />
Sam didn't think so. "The <i>patient </i>needs a blunt object to teach today's youth an object lesson in respect." he growled, and was inwardly glad that despite the higher pitch, it sounded menacing enough. He hoped.<br />
The Kid of course, didn't back down, either. "Who are you again?" he asked, taunting Sam. "Your face is familiar, but the voice is all wrong..." <br />
"That's enough, both of you!" And there she was again, the Ice Queen, asserting <i>her </i>authority. "Sam, you do need rest. Briggs? You <i>will </i>shut up. Doc?" she said, turning to the Doctor. "Take good care of him." Sam had a few choice words on his lips about who'd need taking care, but bit them back when she added: "He's still needed." Yes, he might really start to like her again.<br />
She squeezed Sam's hand, with a smile, then she and the Kid - Briggs, his name was Briggs, Sam had to remember that. Grim and Briggs left, and then the Doctor began talking about treatment options and rehab, but Sam wasn't listening. He suddenly felt very tired.<br />
<br />
He was getting old. He knew it would happen, had thought he would welcome it happening. He thought he had wanted to be out, but if he was honest with himself, retirement was driving him crazy. There was nothing in the world like being out there on the razor's edge between life and death. And if there`s one thing he had learned on that latest "mission", it was that he missed the weight of his tri-focals on his head. The real ones. Not that Sonar-Thing.<br />
But was he still sharp enough? It wasn't like he had just put up a stellar performance. After all, here he was, an old man in a hospital bed. Or was he? He wasn't <i>that </i>old. Harrison Ford had made that horrible Indiana Jones 4 (that scene with the fridge really didn't make any sense), and he was what, then? 66? And let's not forget Sean Connery ("My right thumb. Left one's much too powerful for you." Classic.)<br />
Maybe he <i>could </i>shape up again. Maybe hit up Victor for a job. Maybe do some consulting. Maybe... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB__9XrIaeqMaf0HwNnYiXjbk45MgpZMVwF1qbEKiG1USLmEM_jKFkmZcAbh83xmCysDh_7F2OpySuKxD3KS1hSDScGP5zub2KvlpjHMrAvxgV7H1nsTbjTwhWEvI1OkU8dsD4Mi_wvw/s1600/SplinterCellBlacklist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB__9XrIaeqMaf0HwNnYiXjbk45MgpZMVwF1qbEKiG1USLmEM_jKFkmZcAbh83xmCysDh_7F2OpySuKxD3KS1hSDScGP5zub2KvlpjHMrAvxgV7H1nsTbjTwhWEvI1OkU8dsD4Mi_wvw/s1600/SplinterCellBlacklist.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></div>
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This short story is fan-fiction. It was written for fun and enjoyment, and, as such, is not exactly part of the official "Canon". To find out what happens next, go play <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=splinter%20cell%20blacklist&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21">Splinter Cell: Blacklist</a>. <br />
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All Characters and Trademarks are owned by their respective owners.<br />
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For all your <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=ps4&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">PS4</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&index=aps&keywords=xbox%20one&linkCode=as2&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Xbox One</a> needs, especially the European needs, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=as_li_qf_br_sr_il_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&node=300703&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - best deals in Europe (mostly). For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shop-Instant-Video/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&linkCode=ur2&node=3280627031&tag=vgbastardry-21" target="_blank">TV or Movie Streaming</a> needs, as well. Yes, I do buy there myself. Exclusively. Unless I find a better deal, elsewhere...
VG Bastardryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00814255938521220730noreply@blogger.com0