Yearly Archives: 2013

Mech Warrior Online Update Brings Misery to the Battlefield

MechWarrior Online Misery Reveal

Today pilots across the Inner Sphere can add “Misery” to their list of weapons in their arsenals as Piranha Games and Infinite Game Publishing announce the long-awaited 85-ton Stalker Mech, Misery, now available in the Mech Lab for MechWarrior Online. Sporting top speeds of 48.6 kph and armed with four medium lasers, a Gauss rifle, a large laser and an SRM-6, this is what Misery truly looks like. Additionally this gigantic update brings pilots the chance to nab the new Jenner Champion Trial Mech as well as the hugely anticipated option to customize the color of all Hero Mechs – get all of the goods in the Mech Lab and start customizing now!

Also available in this latest update is the unique totally badass Buccaneer Premium Pattern. This pattern’s art direction was described by its artist as, “Some crazy, bearded, malnourished man with missing teeth going to work with a paint roller in the ‘Mech hanger while indulging in questionable substances. This mech painting bender happened after the force he was attached to made off with thirty tons of potatoes, women’s shoes, and stereo equipment from the last backwater planet they raided.”

And for those more communication-inclined, the Buccaneer Premium Pattern presents enemies with a taunting message that changes with each Mech type. It’s like wearing your heart middle finger on your sleeve, and shows enemies that you mean business to totally wipe them off the map forever.

Proving again that enough is never enough, Piranha Games has also released an additional four new trial Mechs and three new cockpit items to start May off on the right foot: Trial Mechs include the Jenner JR7-F(C), the Hunchback HBK-4G, the JagerMech JM6-S and the Highlander HGN-732 – all of which can be taken out for a spin now in MechWarrior Online by fans eager to test out new options. To add to the personalization of the cockpit, statues for the Dragon, Awesome and Cicada are also now up for grabs!

MWO Misery Patch Update Notes

The latest update also comes with some performance fixes and enhancements, of which the full list can be found here: http://mwomercs.com/.

Wargaming Reveals New Sneak Peak of World of Warships

World of Warships Sneak Peak E3

Wargaming loves pushing the boundaries of what’s expected in the military sim genre. And from the looks of a new set of images and renders from World of Warships, that legacy isn’t slowing down any time soon. Check out our image gallery for the full set of newly released images! And keep an eye out as we’ve booked the first appointment at E3 to go hands-on with Warships and will bring our impressions to you asap come June 11th!

Soldier Front 2 Set to Deliver Cutting-Edge Competition

Soldier Front 2

 

It takes expert skill, strong teamwork, and lots of headshots to make it to the top! Aeria Games, a leading global publisher of free-to-play online games, promises all that and more from Soldier Front 2. The company’s new first-person shooter (FPS), currently in development, offers a highly competitive scene that fans of the genre will be sure to love.

 

Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch are at the forefront of the plentiful modes in the game, providing an environment in which skill and experience reign supreme. To add variance to the gameplay, several other team modes with additional objectives are also in the mix. Seizure, Sabotage, and Escape modes pit an offensive team going after key targets against the defensive team tasked with eliminating them first.

 

Soldier Front 2

 

Soldier Front 2 also features maps tailored specifically to the different modes. While a handful of maps are shared between some modes, every mode comes with a selection of maps that can only be chosen for that mode alone. This allows for map layouts, spawn points, and attack routes that maximize the strategic possibilities for every individual mode.

 

To spur on competition between organized teams, Soldier Front 2 utilizes a detailed clan ranking system as well as a competitive channel dedicated to players looking for ranked matches appropriate for their skill level. Aeria Games also plans to support organized leagues and tournaments once the game launches.

GMOD Kickstarter Brings Modding to the Mainstream Gamer

Olympus Games announced this week the launch of a new Kickstarter campaign to help fund the development of its upcoming mod management platform, GMOD®. Built on powerful new technology, GMOD streamlines the modding experience for hardcore and casual PC gamers, delivering an intuitive platform where mods “just work”. Leveraging this simple and flexible interface, the GMOD team aims to open up the world of modding to mainstream gamers everywhere.

Supporters can learn more about GMOD or help fund the project at the official Kickstarter: http://kck.st/Y0oLhC

“Modding has always been a very important part of PC gaming, but there’s a reason why it has failed to reach mainstream gamers – it’s rarely a simple process,” said Skylar Kreisher, CEO of Olympus Games. “Our goal is to make mods so easy to find, play and share, that anyone can become part of the modding community. It’s time for a new generation to re-discover their favorite games with innovative modded content.”

Overview Tutorial

The GMOD client is a mod management platform that’s designed to enable gamers to use mods faster, safer and easier than ever before. Users can quickly install new mods with its drag-and-drop interface, enable and disable mods with just one click, and most importantly, never deal with unzipping, directory-diving, copy-paste-overwrite or mod-based reinstalls ever again.

GMOD is pushing the modding scene forward by building a holistic solution where players can use mods from any source or community, discover and share new mods with friends and promote the hardworking mod developers that make it all possible. It’s a robust platform that, with fan support, will continue to thrive and improve, eventually incorporate everyone’s favorite games and mods.

For more information about GMOD and Olympic Games:

Visit Kickstarter: http://kck.st/Y0oLhC

Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/gmodsocial

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GMod

Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/gmod

OnRPG Shotgun News 5/7: Guild Wars 2 and City of Steam

By Shannon Doyle (Leliah), OnRPG News Wench

 

Guild Wars 2 Announces The Secret of Southsun

GW2Southsun

Refugees driven from their lands by the conflict with the Molten Alliance have found themselves on the island of Southsun Cove. But this tropical paradise isn’t without faults. From aggressive wildlife to refugees near the stage of rioting its up to players and Lionguard Inspector Kiel to discover what is going on. All of this starts May 16th in Guild Wars 2.

 

City of Steam Beta Weekend Incoming

This weekend marks the first weekend of the full fledged beta. Three classes and four races will be available from the start with more added over time. New events have been added along with wilderness levels, and jumping jetpacks. This is along with a new PVP system and so much more. Be on the lookout later in the week for an interview with the developers right here on OnRPG.

Roccat Kave: Is 5.1 Surround Sound Needed?

By Mohammad Abubakr, OnRPG Journalist

A typical gaming headset comes with two speakers, one for each ear, a microphone and usually offers inline volume control. This has changed over the years as we see more and more headsets with additional speakers. However, the question remains whether these surround sound headsets are required or will a stereo headset be enough? Read on to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of a 5.1 surround sound headset.

The Roccat Kave comes in a clean all black design with blue LEDs on the remote and microphone. It is one of the better looking headsets and is not lacking in the visual appeal department. The size is easily adjustable and is marked, allowing for precise adjustment and ability to maintain symmetry.

Before purchasing this headset, please ensure that your sound card supports 5.1 audio. A dedicated sound card is recommended for the best experience.

Unlike stereo headsets, the Roccat Kave requires three 3.5mm audio connections, one 3.5mm microphone connection and one USB connection. This will most likely mean you will not be able to connect the headset using the front ports but this is not a problem due to the very long cable.

Along the cable there is a full sized remote control allowing users to manually adjust volume for all the speakers (centre, front, rear, and subwoofer), mute microphone and change between movie and game sound profiles. I absolutely love this remote control. It sits on your desk without sliding off while you move around and pull the wire due to the rubber feet and with a rotating wheel it is very easy to change the volume. One improvement that could be added in the future is better indication when the sound is muted. Currently the LED flashes for a few seconds but after that it returns to normal.

 

By far the best headset remote I have ever used.

It  features 3 speakers in each ear cup making a total of six speakers. With these speakers you get centre, front and rear audio along with a subwoofer.  The sound quality is amazing both for games and movies. With so many speakers the headset is very loud, I tend to use it at 4-6% volume at all times and even then it is difficult to hear anything in the real world due to the external noise cancelling ear cups.

The most noticeable improvement over my stereo headset is the vibrations due to the subwoofer. This makes games sound amazing and grenade kills feel even more amazing.

However, with so many speakers the headset is very heavy. After wearing the headset for more than two hours the top of your head begins to hurt and requires you to move the headset. This is not ideal for gamers that spend the majority of their day on the computer or game in long sessions. Due to the loudness of the headset, it is possible to use them as speakers by raising the volume and setting them on the table. This is not a good sign as that is not how the headset was intended to be used.

 

Feature Overview

Roccat does advertise the headset as being designed to equally distribute the weight to perfectly fit your head but my head still begins to hurt during gaming sessions longer than two hours. Initially my thought was that this was due to not being used to the headset but even after using the headset for over a month, this issue still occurs. I believe this is due to the headband having very thin and hard pads.

On the bright side, the ear cups are very comfortable. Some headsets that I have used in the past tend to be uncomfortable and feel too tight after hours of gaming. This was not a problem with the Roccat Kave. They feel great and block all external noise immersing the player into the game’s world.

The ear cups also fold, allowing for easy transportation. However, I would not recommend this headset to those that will be carrying it around.

The microphone has great quality and is Teamspeak certified. You will never have to worry about the other party not understanding your speech. A good microphone is to be expected from all headsets at this price point but Roccat takes it even further. The microphone is removable, meaning that if it is not needed, simply pull it off and keep it elsewhere. It easily comes off and goes back on but still does not feel like it will fall off. Additionally, the microphone has an LED which lights up if the microphone is muted. Never again will you feel like a fool talking to yourself.

Over the past month, I have tried the 5.1 surround sound in many genres of games. For RTS style games such as Starcraft II and Dota 2, you do see a difference with the sound having depth but it has no impact on your gameplay. In MMORPGs you feel more immersed in the world due to the surround sound and the external noise cancelling but once again, there is no impact on your gameplay. FPS games are the focus of this headset and the surround sound does impact your gameplay. Alongside sounding amazing as seen in all other genres, the surround sound gives you a slight edge to locating your enemies.

 

Definitely one of the better looking headsets.

You can pinpoint the exact location of your enemies based on sounds from gunshots and even footsteps. With the traditional stereo headsets you can still listen to find your enemies but with two additional speakers for each ear, you will know their exact location.

However, this edge will not make much of a difference unless you are the best of the best. This is similar to other small things such as tread swapping in Dota 2 or race selection in World of Warcraft. They will definitely help you but it will not matter unless you are playing at the highest level. Do not expect your rankings to skyrocket by simply picking up this headset.

Watching movies with this headset is amazing. It sounds just like you are at the theatre or sitting in the middle of a surround sound setup in your living room. If you are looking for enjoyable experiences in movies, I would definitely recommend picking up the Roccat Kave.

In conclusion, the Roccat Kave is a very well built headset that sounds amazing. However, due to its weight it becomes uncomfortable after long play sessions. The surround sound is only worth the extra cost for first person shooters and movies although the Roccat Kave is not much more expensive than a traditional headset. If you are a casual gamer that plays in short sessions, the Roccat Kave is a great choice however if you like to play in long sessions, I would look elsewhere. If future versions improve upon the weight and strain they put on the top of your head, I would highly recommend this headset for its build quality and sound. Currently I am not willing to sacrifice comfort for superior sound quality.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is an action game similar in style to many top down dungeon crawlers such as Diablo III. Players can experience Lara Croft as never before, in single player and co-op functions, as they unravel the mysteries of the Mirror of Smoke. With a variety of traps, puzzles, and exploration, the game feels like a Tomb Raider title, brought to a new direction.

Lost Saga Returns – An Updated Look at the Classic Brawler

By Darren Henderson (DizzyPW), OnRPG Editor-in-Chief

 Lost Saga Update Review

There’s no question that fans of Lost Saga were in a sore spot when OGPlanet closed the doors earlier this year. I personally felt out of sorts as I’m a big fan of Elsword and the Smash Bros series and long had considered jumping into Lost Saga as the ideal combination of the two and, outside of playing private Mugen servers, was the only type of F2P online fighting game offering gameplay in this fashion. Thankfully WeMade has arrived to save the day with a relaunch, offering a start from scratch opportunity for those who have never played to jump in on the same level as the veterans of OGPlanet’s version. Or so it seems on the surface.

 

Lost Saga New Player

The Learning Curve

As a new player to the game, I found myself entirely lost when I was thrown into a few matches against the devs and PR crew to fight it out. If you go in with standard MMORPG control schematics in mind, you’ll probably find yourself staring at the game’s stylized movie mode (right mouse click) while the enemy smashes you apart with dramatic flair. Lost Saga is probably 1 of a handful of titles I’ve seen in the F2P online market in which I was glad to have a USB controller because it was far superior to my keyboard. Thankfully when the servers went live to the public and I started my own account, I was greeted by an extensive tutorial to ease me into the game.

 Lost Saga Individual Training

While most tutorials are optional and only require your attention to grab a few freebie rewards, I can’t imagine comprehending Lost Saga without theirs. Not only do they explain every tiny bit from comboing to modes to match finding, they even offer individual (and perfectly localized) hero tutorials to explain to a novice the proper timing and order to set up combos with your character. After playing around with the fire mage, storm trooper, and shadow assassin (Beginner preset builds that I’ll explain more about soon), I jumped into the game’s Crusade mode to test my skill with the bots.

 Skeleton MiniBoss

I knew I was in over my head when even the boss bot on the 10th floor tore me up. Lost Saga seems simple to jump into with limited controls, yet there is just so much to master here that it rivals and even surpasses some arcade fighting title. I soon found myself getting smashed repeatedly in PvP battles while in awe at how bad I was at this game. I had to be missing something…

 

Lost Saga Hero Purchase

Character Purchasing and the RPG Element

As I sunk a few more hours into the game I began to understand that my account’s ranking system was more than just a sign of prestige and warning to lesser players, but actually a requirement for unlocking more advanced heroes in the hero shop. The hero shop lets you purchase these presets for Lost Saga’s currency or the cash shop currency (WP). The unfortunate difference is that the two tiers of in-game currency offer 2 hour and 10 hour unlocks, while WP offers 30 hours and permanent unlocks. The prices are not cheap either but new players will receive quests to try out various heroes as they are unlocked that essentially results in you making an extra 3,000 GP for purchasing 2 hour trials of these starter heroes.

 Lost Saga Filler 1

Whether permanent or temporary, you’ll gain experience for taking these characters into any mode at all. This experience can be spent to up individual stats that vary in impact depending on the character in a system that instantly made me think empire builder tech/building upgrades. That’ll be 20 minutes to up your strength and 2 exp points…. Or instant gratification if you’re willing to spend some GP! And while I was glad this at least wasn’t a cash shop item, the writing was on the wall that probably only someone who was cash shopping elsewhere would have the spare GP to ever spend on an instant skill upgrade. This cash shop was starting to become a nuisance, though not yet a deal breaker.

 

Lost Saga Cash Shop

Paying for Sex in Lost Saga

Now that I have your attention, let’s focus on the actual shop beyond just character purchasing. The organization of the shop hasn’t changed much from OGPlanet’s model in 2009, which makes sense as it feels like a hybrid point in history between the rise of the F2P Asian MMORPGs charging cash for power, and the post-League of Legends model where cosmetics make up 70-90% of all cash shop purchases.

 Lost Saga Paying For Sex

In the case of Lost Saga, nearly everything is available if you’re willing to grind it out and spend excess in-game currency on it, but I question the choice of what they made WP only. For instance if you want to play a female character, sorry ladies but you’re going to have to pony up some cash. Want one of the licensed heroes from King of Fighters or any other upcoming partnerships WeMade signs?

If Iori is any sign of things to come, that’ll cost you as well. But before I call them out on this, I have to say that they pushed the intrusiveness to the point where a few players might be turned off initially, but those that get hooked on the game are likely going to eventually want one of these cash shop only items (or permanent characters, or that new hair style that just came out but you’re all out of in-game currency etc) and spend enough to make up for the initial players turned away by it. It isn’t as bad as it sounds and believe me I’ve dealt with far more greedy business models than this before.

 Continue to Combat and Modes