May 12, 2015

Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate Sure Looks Pretty

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Les Major

I’m going to let you in on a secret. I don’t play open world games for the amazing stories or any of that. Usually I’ll just plunk myself down and wander the landscape in free play. After all, many artists lovingly crafted a world to be explored, who am I to deny their vision? So I wander, taking in all that is around me. Oculus Rift is going to feel like Sword Art Online to me.

Anyway! Back on topic. Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate has a fantastic Victorian London landscape to explore. Just from the trailers released today it’s clear this is going to be a pretty world to explore. Sure, some of the other characters may shake their fingers at me and look on questioningly, but lets be honest here. Anyone using an Animus would be doing the same thing! Whoa, look at all the pretty architecture!

Are there new things? You bet there are! From a zipline tool that can get you on top of buildings much faster to actually being able to drive carriages it looks like there will be some new ways to play.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the latest Assassin’s Creed!

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Caffeine Crowdfunder Could Do With Some Love

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Les Major

Speaking of crowdfunding, there’s a space adventure out there that could use some love. Even if you can only afford to donate the price of a good cup of java. Caffeine sees you wakening on a mining ship with no knowledge of who you are, or any memory at all. You’re a young boy, which explains the low view point. That’s it.

The demo released so far shows various rooms around the ship and features some sticky notes and at least one audio log that I could find. It’s well done and with the Unreal 4 engine being used you can easily get lost staring at the pretty textures along the way. Or at least I do. Pretty space walls… Ahem.

Caffeine creator Dylan Browne is currently seeking small funds via IndieGoGo for new development hardware. The demo itself is even on Steam if you want to give it a whirl yourself.

Take a look and consider supporting Dylan Browne’s vision over on the games latest IndieGoGo crowdfunding page.

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The Star Studded Cast Of The New King’s Quest

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Les Major

We knew King’s Quest was going to be a great adventure back into the world many of us old school PC gamers know and love, but todays development diary shows us an amazing cast of incredible actors lending their talents to the game! Right from the start, we’re introduced to the elder version of King Gram, voiced by… Christopher Lloyd! Doc Brown himself! The man I’d love to hire for my own productions if I had the choice! That’s just the start too!

King’s Quest was exciting before, but now it feels like a new high budget animated release. In general, the new Sierra has always said they’d support indie developers in making new games. Between Geometry Wars 3 and King’s Quest, Sierra has become a huge beacon of light for bringing talented developers even further.

Here is the press release highlighting the other stars that will bring King’s Quest to life:

Playing the young Sir Graham, Josh Keaton is a TV, video game and film actor who starred as Peter Parker in the critically acclaimed The Spectacular Spider-Man animated TV series and Valerian Mengsk in the StarCraft II series.

Playing King Graham’s inquisitive granddaughter, Gwendolyn, Maggie Elizabeth Jones is an up-and-coming young actress best-known for her work in We Bought a Zoo and TV’s Ben and Kate.

They will be joined by a thrilling vocal cast that includes Wallace Shawn (The Princess Bride, Toy Story), Tom Kenny (Adventure Time, SpongeBob SquarePants) and Zelda Williams (The Legend of Korra) along with Michael Benyaer, Loretta Devine, Gideon Emery, Jean Gilpin, Michael Gough, Andy Pessoa, Kevin Michael Richardson, Kath Soucie, Fred Tatasciore, Richard White and Michael-Leon Wooley.

The new King’s Quest unfolds as an aged King Graham looks back on his greatest journeys with his granddaughter, sharing the untold tales of his youth for players to experience firsthand. The game will feature the same exciting blend of exploration, puzzles and wit fans of the series grew up with.

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Interview With Craig Howard On Geometry Wars 3

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Les Major

Geometry Wars 3 is great! Lucid Games not only made a fantastic next chapter but even added to it recently with a free upgrade that made the game more accessible and added 40 new adventure mode levels. FORTY NEW LEVELS! FOR FREE! The best part about that is, as basic as that may sound, each level in Geometry Wars 3 plays like it’s own gameplay mode. Giving you a stage, main theme, and unique general setup to each. That’s on top of all the levels already included in the game. Craig Howard of Lucid Games joined Darkain Arts Gamers for an interview. Here’s what we discussed.Read More

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Amiibo Tap Isn’t Just A Time Limited Demo Player

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Les Major

When I first heard about Amiibo Tap, I kind of glazed over it. Basically it sounded like I could play a time limited trial of a classic NES or SNES game. Of course we’ve been there and done that with other releases. We’re gaming press of course though, so we took a look to see what this new release was and were quite surprised!

At first, the software sounds pretty bland.
• Dozens of games and scenes to discover
• Each amiibo figure unlocks a random game to sample included in this software’s selection of titles

But then you get to this part…
• Each game contains multiple scenes that last for three minutes

Wait, what? So what do you get, World 1-1 and World 1-2 of Super Mario Bros? Surprisingly no, you get quite a great selection of highlights! I’ve only tried Super Metroid so far but that title is actually a collection of boss fights and a run through Tourian to battle some Metroids themselves. It seems to run on software similar to our very much loved NES Remix series. Letting you play these classics in a bordered window with a countdown timer showing your three minutes remaining.

To switch scenes, you just tap your Amiibo to the Wii-U GamePad and zip, you’re off to the next one in like. Super Metroid contained something like eight scenes too! So if you’re not a hardcore collector and have actually removed your Amiibo from their packaging, it’s worthwhile to download Amiibo Tap and give it a go! After all, Amiibo Tap is free! It’s more than just a demo player, it’s a neat nostalgia trip.

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I’m Not Alone In Wanting A New 2D Metroid-vania

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Les Major

Koji Igarashi won a victory for all gamers who have wanted more 2D Castlevania RPG styled action. In a stunning victory, his Kickstarter has almost generated a million dollars more than requested. It’s clear that gamers have been eager to play more of Iga’s creations.

It’s wonderful that we’re getting a new Igavania as it’s being cutely called, but the way is certainly disheartening. Instead of the big exciting climax Castlevania was building to, we’ve had to go around copyright and support a new franchise in Bloodstained. Don’t get me wrong I’m sure Bloodstained will be fantastic and I’ll love it! The more of these games the better!

I’m just sad we’ll never get that final climax in a 2D Castlevania game. It felt like Castlevania was potentially leading up to a gripping ending with a final battle of all time which would occur in the year 2000. Thoughts of series favorites rushing through stages designed to look like modern day cities infused with the castle itself in a bustling city were something I’d eagerly anticipated. Whether that was the actual direct is up for speculation but instead we’ll need to move on. Much like Mega Man fans have had to besides enjoying the adventures from Archie Comics.

Hopefully we won’t need to worry about more titles going this way in the future. Classic franchises shouldn’t be forgotten. It actually makes one wonder just how many games are out there that fans would clamor for a sequel to. Personally, besides Castlevania being top on my list and Bloodstained being a dream come true, I’d love to see a new Doki Doki Panic / Super Mario Bros 2 USA game. With the success stories on Kickstarter lately, it makes me think that I’m not alone in many of my ideas either.

While we’re on the topic, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Nintendo to release a new Super Metroid styled game. Just look at the success of this Kickstarter alone which focuses on Metroid like exploration.

Congratulations Koji Igarashi! You and those who work with you have given us some of the best entertainment we could have asked for. We’re eager to welcome Bloodstained with open arms and continue our adventures in your new world.

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