Yearly Archives: 2013

Carnage Racing: How About Some Carnage in Your Pocket?

by Ojojo

When it comes to combat racing games, the more explosions it has the better. That is why I’d say that the kart game that’s close to my heart (that’s very explosive and not “kid friendly” at least in “theme”) would be Crash Team Racing back in the PS1.

Carnage Racing

I mentioned CTR in that this is the first game that popped into mind when I played through Jagex’ version of a kart game, Carnage Racing.
Gameplay

As the game suggests, Carnage Racing is all about explosions, high octane races and well… destruction in racing proportions.

Carnage Racing

Gameplay is simple, you control your car via the gyroscope. The game doesn’t require you to press on the gas pedal since your car runs automatically. The controls however are dedicated to the time warp and the weapon systems that you’d be using as you pass through maps in-game.
The game also has weapons in stock. You can run through balls of light on the maps that provides you with speed boosts, weapons and the like that will help you gain the unfair advantage during matches.

 

Paygate

While Carnage Racing is a free to download game, there is a paygate system in place where you have to purchase the “full” version of the game just to be able to upgrade some integral car parts that will allow you to race toe to toe with the AI and other players.

Carnage Racing

Now, maybe you’re wondering why I’ve put this earlier in the review? Since the paygate is enforced on many of the game’s features, you won’t expect to have a “complete” game once you download CR.

Carnage Racing

The Customization, Upgrading, and Paygate

Typical to any racing game out there, Carnage Racing allows you to choose the cars you can have and even edit the color and other designs found on your car. CR doesn’t have a robust car editing system though, so don’t expect to get a very customized looking cart.

 

Carnage Racing
Also, you can upgrade your car’s inherent stats through the game’s upgrade system. However, this is where the scope of the game’s paygate system comes in. You won’t be able to upgrade past the first level of your car unless you pay for the full version of the game.

 

That’s right, a lot of the things you can normally do on other racing games are locked out which terribly sucks since you may expect that Jagex would go with the usual freemium income model.

 

Racing Others

Thankfully, the paygate system doesn’t directly interfere with the game’s online multiplayer system. But it is indirectly felt as those who paid for the full game get to have their cars upgraded, while those who haven’t would have just wished they haven’t bothered playing online… at all.

 

So if you don’t want to be frustrated, or want to even spend a dime on the game, online multiplayer is not for you.

 

Time Warp

If there is one thing that is exclusive to Carnage Racing, it’s the Time Warp system. This serves as the game’s speed boost mechanic but instead of getting a speed boost, your car is immediately teleported to the end part of the portal that you can enter, or you have your car’s look turn into this freakishly psychedelic hue which practically is useless if you fail to get into a portal (which can close in almost an instant).

Carnage Racing

 

The time warp mechanic gives the game the nice “risk” factor in races because the portals come and go – at one glance you’ll see the portal open, and then with just a blink of an eye the portal suddenly disappears. Which, if you happen to experience it yourself, would mean that you’d be kissing the wall in just a few moments?

Final Verdict: Fair

Carnage Racing is a game that’s truly enjoyable to play; that is, if it runs smoothly. Ever since I started playing the game using my iPad 2 (with updated iOS7) the game bogs down a lot. I’ve tried closing all open apps, and even clearing my memory, but the game just hangs, especially when I activate the Time Warp feature. It was only when I shifted to another device that I was able to play the game smoothly.

 

Carnage Racing

 

If the game blurb says it can run using an iPad 2, I just hope they meant that I can play it like any other player.

 

The game revels at mindless explosions and fast paced racing, just like any kart game out there. I actually missed playing games like this (no, Mario Kart doesn’t count) and it was a great that Jagex was able to bring that racing combat feel into the mobile platform.

 

As for my other concerns, the biggest after the slowdown is the game’s paygate system. I personally would’ve wanted the game either be released as a premium game instead of what it is now. I do get what they are trying to do here, but seeing that the game runs this way, I will be at least one not wanting to spend a dime for Carnage Racing.

 

So all in all, I must say that Carnage Racing is a pretty split decision for me. On one end, the game’s slowdown and lag issues with my actual device forced me to borrow from a friend to review the game. On the other, once the game doesn’t bog down, you have a terribly fun, explosive filled, time warping racer that can kindle both the mischievous and the competitive side of your persona.

 

So, in the end, I’d say, try the game. Since the free version feels like it’s made as the game’s demo anyway, you might as well try it right?

Dogs of War Steam Key Giveaway

OnRPG has partnered with Cyanide Studios to give out Steam keys for their intense new strategy title, Dogs of War!

DogsOfWarKeyGiveaway

Dogs of War Online is an online strategy game inspired by an extension of the figures game Confrontation. The player has to spend army points to compose his graded mercenaries groups, with the units of his choice. Then he can send them to mission or try to beat his opponents in tactical arena battles, with a turned based mode. Every battle gives the guild master some resource points to evolve his units, but also brings serious and sometimes fatal wounds to the participating soldiers.


To Redeem your Key:

  • Grab your key and visit HERE to read on how to redeem your Steam key!

Strategoria

Strategoria is a browser-based strategy game, designed in the tradition of classic strategy games like Age of Empires and Total War. Military tactics and kingdom construction are married together, as how you choose to build your kingdom will affect the effectiveness of attacking and defending units. Resources may be gathered limitedly, bargained with, or taken forcefully from neighbors. Join in alliances and protect your kingdom in two game modes and over fifteen units.

Ærena: Clash of Champions Early Access

By Jordan Hall (ApocaRUFF)

 

Ærena: Clash of Champions is an up-and-coming turn-based multiplayer game being brought to us by Cliffhanger Productions. It features a tactical, turn-based style of play in which two players pit their ship and crew against each other in battle. The game has a very unique “Ætherpunk” setting which is quite similar to the popular steampunk and dieselpunk genres. All combined, this should make for a strategy intensive, yet fun gameplay experience. The game is currently available for early purchase via the Steam Early Access program, but will be free-to-play at launch.

 

The Graphics and Backstory

Ærena: Clash of Champions has a very nice art-style and the backstory appeals to me a lot. I’ve always been a fan of the various ‘punk’ genres – steam, diesel, cyber, etc… And the so-called Æther punk in this game is no exception. I found myself pleased with the art direction the developers chose to go with too. The art fit the setting of the game perfectly, something that is hard to achieve. And I’ve got to say, the newsreel style introduction to the game you get was spectacular and had me hooked right away.

Clash of Champions Preview Opening

The game board and models themselves were well done and I can’t think of anything to complain about. Textures were of a high quality, too. That, mixed with the music, made for a very intense and immersing experience. You can see the dedication of the art team very clearly while playing. The only thing I would want changed is perhaps some larger maps for the battles as what is available in the Early Access feels a bit cramped at times, but then again I’m not sure how well that would work out with the type of gameplay that is offered.

 

Clash of Champions Preview Graphics

Interacting with the Game

Almost everything is controlled by the mouse. I was a bit confused about how to play, but I suspect that won’t be a problem once the game is released and a full tutorial is implemented. After doing a bit of reading on the website/forums for the game I was able to figure it out. I didn’t notice any clunkyness with the UI, which is great as this is an area that most games tend to suffer with. All-in-all, so far I have found interacting with the game a smooth experience; all that’s missing is an in-depth tutorial – but that will come as development comes further along.

 

Getting into the Game

Before I talk anymore, I want to stress that the game is still in development and I am currently only playing an early preview of the finished product. You can play this as well via the Steam Early Access program, but you will have to pay to participate (a requirement by Steam). Once the game is finished, and all features have been implemented, the game will be free-to-play and will offer a free rotation of ‘champions’ similar to games like League of Legends. You’ll be able to purchase the ships and champions that you like the most to be able to continue using them even after they’re off rotation, and that’s how most of the income from the game will be made.

Clash of Champions Preview Champ Select

Gameplay is pretty simple to learn, but I imagine it will be hard to master. Currently, the only game mode is a 2v2 match where you fight head on against AI or another player. The end goal is to damage your opponent’s ship enough to cause it to sink. You’ll start out be selecting your ship and your crew of champions. Each champ has his own stats and abilities, so as more are added to the game, more strategies and tactics will be involved. Personally, I found the gameplay to be similar to chess in a few ways but at the same time it was a lot more exciting due to the wonderful animations and graphics.

Clash of Champions Preview Attacking

Each match is played in turns. Unlike other similar turn-based titles, you won’t be moving all your units in a single turn. Rather, you will move one unit, then your opponent will get to move a unit, and so on. It’s possible to move and attack in the same turn and this is where the game reminds me of chess in some aspects. Units have a range they can move each turn and each of its attacks have certain restrictions. For example, if you have a rifle-wielding unit, they might have a powerful attack that can only be fired in a straight line in front of the unit, while a melee unit might be able to attack anything within a tile in any direction.

Clash of Champions Preview Combat

As I said, you’ll build a crew of champions (either from the library of champs you have unlocked or from the free rotation). At the start of the game, you’ll pick three of these to be put on the board. As the game progresses, you’ll lose some champs and then they’ll be replaced by a new one from your pool of available champs that you selected before the match. You can also choose some special bonuses before the match, too. These can be used during the game to give you a bit of an advantage. It’s almost like a TCG in this regard, as you build a crew for your ship from your available champs before going into a match, bolstering them with these special effect shells, similar to how you would build a deck.

Clash of Champions Preview Champ Placement

There are obstacles and bonuses on the board. Some tiles will heal your champs, while others will increase the Æther you gather. There are also impassable pillars that you can use for cover, and tiles that have negative effects on you. When you first start out you probably won’t make as much use of these pillars as you should, but as you progress in your understanding of the game you’ll find that they’ll often be important for your strategy to win. The diversity of the champions, the special effect shells, and the stuff present on the game board all make for a game where planning and strategy are king – something that a lot of games tend to avoid nowadays as they try to appeal to everyone and their grandmother.

 

Current State: Good

Ærena: Clash of Champions is shaping up to be quite a fun game. It’s got the strategy that all turn-based games have but is still quite exciting thanks to its pleasant graphics and animations. I’ve come to enjoy the setting of the Ætherpunk universe, too. Thankfully, the game is easy to pick-up, so you won’t have to spend hours reading up on everything to be able to enjoy it. If you’re looking for a new turn-based game that isn’t hard to get into, yet has room for planning and strategy, I’d say keep a close eye on Ærena: Clash of Champions.

Trick and Loot in The Mighty Quest For Epic Loot’s Halloween Open House

The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot

 

Today, Ubisoft announced a new Open House event for The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot. Starting now and running until November 4, anyone can join in the quest to loot, slash and hack their way to fame and fortune in Opulencia. The Open House allows anyone that signs up a chance to get a sneak preview of The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot while the game is still in closed beta.

Halloween themes and costumes are now available for a limited time and spooky Halloween themed castles have been created for players to test their skills. New customization options for players include a glowing pumpkin head, bat winged headgear and fun costumes to dress your looters in. The exclusive Bat Wings will be granted to every player joining the Haunted Open House!

Players will be challenged by the Mage, The Earl of Evilosity, to complete a series of activities to bring mayhem and spread evil through the kingdom of Opulencia. Successful players shall be rewarded with more swag!

Players can sign up or sign in with their existing Uplay account at www.themightyquest.com and will be granted immediate access during the event.

RIFT Now Available Free on Steam

RIFT

RIFT is now available on Steam, Valve Software’s world-class PC games digital store.

Steam gamers can now create their ideal avatar with the deep Ascended Class System and battle through the planes alongside their friends – with no subscription requirement to gain access to the game and its 16 major updates, including raids and dungeons, massive battles across three continents, new content from the Storm Legion expansion, unique housing Dimensions, and much more.

“Steam has been an amazing partner for Trion,” said Scott Hartsman, CEO of Trion Worlds. “When we first launched RIFT, Steam’s dedicated community of gamers helped bring our vision of a dynamic, exciting world to life. We’re thrilled to now bring the free version of the game to the largest network of PC gamers online.”

In addition to the industry-leading, free experience Trion Worlds has also launched three special editions filled with perks and credits to give players a head start as they head into Telara: the RIFT Ascended Edition, the RIFT Patron Edition and the RIFT Ultimate Hardcore Patron Edition.

For more information, please visit here or join the RIFT Steam Community.

Monster Mayhem Spooks Gamigo’s Haunted Halloween

Fiesta Undead Shuffle

Something wicked this way comes to Gamigo’s portfolio of free-to-play MMORPGs. Tis spooky time in Fiesta and King of Kings III, and the Game Masters have been busy brewing up epic fun.

Check out Fiesta’s thrilling Halloween Trailer packed with bat-astic, bone-tingling adventures. Play as your favorite monsters! Dance till dawn with your ghoulish friends! Preview the Halloween Challenge Dungeon!

The following is the guide to portal activities, try them if you dare!

FIESTA ONLINE

Monster Candies – Trick or Treating has never been this wild! Collect all the sinister sweets you can find and TRANSFORM INTO YOUR FAVORITE MONSTER! Run amok as the all powerful Helga and Malephar, chase friends down as King Crab, live it up as Lava Vivi, and bring on hellfire as Flame Devil Honeying. You’re damned anyway, might as well be as bad as you can get.

Halloween Challenge Dungeon – The colorful anime fantasy world of Isya takes on a dark tone as fiery pumpkins dot the night sky and evil characters lurk in the shadows. Seek out special NPCs for spooktacular quests and goodies, and enter the Halloween Challenge Dungeon to battle diabolical mobs, monsters, ghosts and SLIME! Treasure awaits those who manage their way through the perilous terrain.

Hunt the Headless – Once a great warrior, now an outlaw consumed by demonic forces, the Headless is on the loose, haunting the good citizens of Roumen. In a colossal event that summons brave fighters from across the land, Fiesta GMs lead an all-out attack on his hideouts. Defeat everything he throws at you, solve his dastardly riddles, farm the treacherous coffin-laden territory, and win witchy prizes.

Fiesta Monsters

Wicked Costumes & Lucky Box – Dress up and dance the night away. Sick weapons skins, Halloween houses, and chilling costumes are sure to delight. Freak your friends out with Monster Hat, the first item ever to make your head disappear! Impress with the Black Cat Mask! Then try to win a harrowing mount and other creepy items with the Halloween Lucky Box.

Spoooky Stories – With all this action brewing, you know you’ve got a hair-raising story or two in you. Submit your tales of horror and use the secret words to win a shadowy pair of Dizzy Glasses.

Pumpkin Carving & Cookie Baking – Pumpkin House has arrived to help you carve supercool design into your pumpkins, and Delicious Cupcake House will help you bake the cookies and cakes of your dreams. Post screens of your masterpieces in the forums for a chance to win strange and shocking prizes.

 

Gamigo Halloween

KING OF KINGS

Haunted Map – Chaos runs rampant with clan warfare as you build guild cities, fight massive-scale PvP battles, and lead your legions to victory to become the King of Kings. During All Hallows Eve, be sure to meet up with your guild in the main town under the Jack-O-Lantern trees for some insane lollipop action.

Trick or Treat – Everywhere you look, there are Halloween gifts for the taking. Speak to the Super Tight Mummy for hourly buffs and transformations.

Creepy Costumes – Hankering for an Axe in the Head? Wanting to squash it like a Pumpkin Head? Look no further, the new store arrivals got you covered.

For event details, click here for Fiesta, and click here for King of Kings.