OK, I may not be much interested in an online Elder Scrolls game, but YOU might be. So, here you go – a fine nine-plus minute look at the upcoming MMO that shows off its excellent visuals and yes, actual gameplay for the first time. That said, IF I were going to be jumping back into the MMO space, it’s now a toss up between this game, RIFT and Guild Wars 2. But of course, a nice new gaming PC and an even better online connection are needed… as is a working time machine, as I already have WAY too many games to play that aren’t online time-sinks…
Having seen and played a bit of this a few months back solo and co-op, I can safely say that it’s one of the better player-friendly games I can recall. You have a few different ways (all up to you) to get through the levels and while a second player does make things more fun, even in solo play you have enough freedom to have fun getting from point A to point B. November 18th, folks – I need to decide which version I want, as I was leaning towards the PS3 one for its Move support initially, but the Wii U version is tempting me with that shiny new (and innovative) GamePad.
This latest in-progress video shows the team at Larian is toiling away merrily on their new baby and at this point we can leave then alone because everything is looking great. Still, I think the developer should consider getting all the Divinity games out on PSN or XBLA at some point in the future because all are worth playing if you happen to be a RPG fan or happen to like well-written stories that have a decent amount of humor sprinkled throughout (sort of like that perfect raisin bagel). Granted, that would take a lot of time, a lot more money and perhaps a studio stepping in to help out with the crazy porting process. Nevertheless, I think it’s worth all that effort at the end of the day because MORE people would be playing these great games.
I still have Divine Divinity installed on my PC here and every time I see a new update from Larian, I have the urge to play it. I think it would be mighty fine If I could indeed play it on my Vita or PS3 or 360 (perhaps with a few Trophies/Achievements HD tweaks for those who crave that stuff). Hey, I’d even accept a Wii U version of any of the games as Nintendo’s new console can run them just fine if you go by specs alone. OK, let me stop procrastinating and get back to some reviews…
Hokay – it was raining earlier and now it’s snowing a bit. So far, it’s warm enough that that now snowing snow that’s blowing sideways won’t stick, but the wind is kicking up a little, so the temperature will drop. Looks like I’m inside for the day and it’s a good thing I have games to finish…
Back in a bit. If I’m not sitting in the dark, I may even post a review or two.
Ah, Konami… how you tempt me so. Castlevania looks so lovely on the 3DS and I know core fans of the long-running franchise will be pleased as punch that the handheld is getting a great-looking game. Of course, unless both Lords of Shadow games come to a Nintendo home console (I’d say the Wii U can handle them just fine), those users aren’t getting the whole story. And THAT, ladies and gents is exactly why I’m platform agnostic.
So yeah, 360 owners are first on the block to brag about getting Dragonborn before everyone else, but I’d bet PC fans of Bethsoft’s RPG are going to be smiling even more broadly because they get to mod that content even more. As for poor PS3 users, wellllll… I’m one of them, so all I can do is hope to hell SOMEONE fixes that version up right so it can actually get new content instead of being a bit too buggy to play after a ton of hours are sunk into the otherwise excellent experience. It’s the one thing that kept me from going through the game a second time (and many from getting through it once). Ah well… in a perfect world, I suppose. Or a spiffy Game of the Year Edition that SHOULD come out with all the DLC on a disc (right? Right.)…
As I noted last week, D3 is bringing out the Sandlot-developed action game sooner than later and at a very good price point at that. While it’s a premium price point, that $39.95 is actually an incredbly GREAT deal for this one, as you’re getting online play for up to four, all new weapons, dozens of hours of play (and even more replay value if you become a hardcore EDF fanatic) and yes, Pale Wing to play around with for the first time in the US. Anyway, go buy a Vita if you don’t own one yet – it’s been a good few months for Sony’s handheld and there’s a lot more to come. Hmmm. I suppose I should ask D3 about a digital release for those of you who prefer downloading everything, but let me finish doing my happy dance around the room that we’re actually getting this one localized first…
Yeah, yeah – I’ll get back to updates after the election is final. I still don’t know why this stupid country can’t postpone it for a short while so people who’ve been displaced by the crazy weather can go vote and come home to a place with lights and food, but ah well. Anyway, a few other things are going down around here, but we’ll see where they lead, bot good, not so hot, and interesting. Back in a bit. If Deadpool wins, I’ll probably jump out a window or something. But probably not – I’ve got WAY too many games to catch up on!
Even though the RPG Maker software has evolved over time, many XP, VX and VX Ace games I play leave me cold when it comes to the stock RTP visuals. Sure, the character line art and sprites are much more slick and detailed than the ones found in RPG Maker 2000 and 2003, but there’s often a really generic, SUPER clean look to these games that makes me want to skip them in favor of something a bit more… classic. On the other hand, a bit of custom fiddling and good writing has made many XP and above games truly wonderful, memorable games to play (Garden, Aetherion, Manifest, Exit Fate, Last Scenario and so forth and so on), which brings me to The Cartographer. Here’s a game that works wonderfully thanks to blending a great story, excellent use of music and some fine mapping work by developer Avedan that altogether make for a short but sweet RPG worth your time.
The game tells the tale of a young innkeeper named Rueben who finds himself thrust into the role of hero as he takes on his late father’s former position as Dragon Slayer. Toss in a Alina, a beautiful black mage (introduced in a musically flawless manner) Rueben falls head over heels for and Arcturus, an adventurer who needs the assistance of a Dragon Slayer (not an innkeeper) to complete a certain task, and it’s off to the races. While the game can be beaten in about five or so hours, it’s definitely something you’ll remember and probably go back to for the scriptwriting, humor and very likable characters. As for the mapping here, if you play a lot of RPG Maker games, you know that straight RTP maps tend to look very much alike game to game. Avedan has literally done some corner-cutting here, making maps that are far less blocky and almost organic in some spots. Of course, new players won’t notice this at all, but folks who play or make games using the software will find a lot to like here.
One cool thing about the game is all the work can be taken apart to see how it was done, enabling other users of VX to perhaps make maps just like (or better than) the ones here. Anyway, go check this one out and get ready to do a lot of smiling as soon as you start playing as there’s a lot here to love. There’s supposed to be a sequel in the works, but I’ll report more on that in the future once I get through the pile of games I have here…
With all the big games hitting this month for other consoles, it’s actually going to be Nintendo’s big Wii U launch that will probably be key to a huge part of this year’s holiday sales successes or failures. The system has a number of solid-looking launch titles from first and third parties with more on the way in enough different genres that almost all bases are covered. Granted, there are a few things that could spoil Nintendo’s financial fun from idiot speculators dooming the console prematurely to families simply not having more money to spend of a new system this holiday season in favor of buying cheaper Wii games or even another console. I know for a fact that NO ONE with half a brain will be buying a tablet or other device OVER a console, despite the fever dreams of those in the mobile industry sitting on the cheap games bubble about to burst and take a lot of them down to reality sooner than later. People want dedicated consoles because they want to play games that aren’t all short bits of pay to play addiction or clear clones of other successful casual games. That and hell, Mario isn’t coming to iOS or Android any time soon and Nintendo has him and a few other classic characters you won’t see anywhere else but on a Nintendo system (which is how fans prefer it). As always, we shall see what’s what soon enough – I think the console will indeed do well, but Nintendo needs to get people used to paying a premium for a replacement controller (the one thing that will make some rethink a Wii U purchase down the road)…
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 