Monthly Archives: December 2014

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Review

Remko Molenaar (Proxzor)

 

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Yet another year has passed by and we are already in the last quarter of 2014. And this also means that we will have another Call of Duty awaiting us. And we can rejoice that this mass produced product is sporting a new coat of paint and plenty of extra gadgets to spice up the norm this time. It was made by a completely different studio, packing a brand new engine, and offering a futuristic timeline. So this raises the question, is this Call of Duty, or an experimental new design packed under a brand that can move boxes? Keep reading to find out what I thought of the new game in the series featuring Kevin Spacey!

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No more Captain Price or Captain Soap, for the modern warfare fans I honestly don’t think we will ever see these two heroes again. Instead Activision went big by creating a character based off Kevin Spacey, infamous for his recent roll in House of Cards. If you’re a fan of him there, you will immediately get into the groove of his Call of Duty persona. Combined with modern graphical feats, this is a living character that can truly get the player invested in the story.

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I have to admit something, and I consider myself endangered species for this. I love the single player stories in every Call of Duty and never want to miss one. Except for Call of Duty Ghosts, we don’t talk about that game; let’s just agree it never existed. Unfortunately the last few games in the Call of Duty series only had a short single player, and the good old times of having more than two digits in total hours for a shooter is gone.

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But despite this, the single player usually feels like this sweet roller coaster ride. It might be short, but you’re always in for a heck of a ride. A Call of Duty game should build the atmosphere that you’re the star of a war movie, and the spotlight on the battle is all about you and your actions. Obviously there is not a lot I want to spoil about the Advanced War single player, but even if you’re a multiplayer junkie, you should give it a try. Trust me. It is one of those stories you will remember for the rest of your life with acting that puts the past games in the franchise to shame.

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Now let’s dive into the multiplayer and general gameplay. With the new introduction of the Exo-Suit, a suit that makes you able to jump higher, and boost yourself in various directions, the game play is comparable to Titanfall. Funny enough Titanfall is made by the crew who were responsible for the first Call of Duty games at Infinity Ward. Beyond the iconic suit, you can expect futuristic weaponry as well, such as heat seeking grenades. All the crazy new changes combine to make for a believable setting, pulling you into a wild fast future. In the Multiplayer you will create your own persona, this persona starts at rank 1, and you can level it up to 50. After this they offer the prestige route, allowing the crazy people to go through the whole experience again up to 15 times. I honestly don’t see the joy in this as it took me long enough to unlock most of the weapons, so why would I willingly wipe my account? Anyway, it’s time to touch on the key differences between this game and its predecessors.

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The Exo-Suit gives this Call of Duty a completely new experience, the game is no longer only fought out on the ground, and bunny hopping got to a whole new level. No building is too low for the player, you can get almost everywhere now, and in some urban environments the battles are actually fought on the rooftops. The weapons are a little different as well, and even though they can be compared to guns from this time, there are also lasers and grenade crossbows to shake up the typical weapon sets. And even though there is a lot of diversity among the weapons, I have to admit I think it is a bit strange with how they work. Right now people feel tougher than normal, and on average can take 3 bullets and keep coming at you. There’s a clear design decision here to improve gameplay by drawing out gun fights to feel more epic. But that design gets disconnected once you upgrade to the more advanced weapons like lasers that kill fast, efficiently, and without a need to reload. The tech gap is jarring. Nonetheless, the weapons are a lot of fun, and my friends did plenty of specific weapon only matches to avoid imbalances. A crossbow grenade battle can lead to an amazing drinking game for certain.

Since you have your own Persona, and female characters are now present, the hunt for customizing clothing is on. Unlocking outfits to fit your style is endlessly addicting, and can lure you into hours of multiplayer action. Weapon skins are present as well, switching up the functionality of your preferred armament to help surprise practiced foes. Improved firing rate and increased damage are only the tip of the iceberg of what can be found. Serious clans in Call of Duty should enjoy the hunt to create the ultimate balanced teams with weapon skins that complement each other’s role in the team.

 

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Conclusion: Excellent

Call of Duty is back! The last few games in this series were different, and most people didn’t enjoy the direction the game was heading in. But it is safe to say Activision brought back the recipe for success for the best-selling First Person Shooter of all time. But there is one thing I do have to criticize, and I’m not sure if it is me getting older, but the new pace of the game is insanely fast. It is absolutely chaotic in multiplayer with people coming at you from every angle and platform. With sliding, boosting, and running it feels like I need to be cranked up on coke to not miss a single thing. I wouldn’t mind a little slower pace, but at least it punishes the campers that sit in a corner waiting for free points.

Graphics: 5/5

Control: 5/5

Features: 5/5

Customization: 5/5

Community: 3/5 (it’s a call of duty, what do you expect :p)

Blackwake

Blackwake is an indie naval first person shooter. With a development team of only two creators, Blackwake focuses on team-based tactics and fast-paced combat. Players can take many roles aboard a ship as they battle for survival and supremacy.

Features:

Melee & ranged weapon combat : Battle with an assortment of 18th century firearms, each with their own strengths and flaws of the era.

Team-based sailing: Play on a team where captain and crew must work together to stay afloat, managing guns, tactics and more. While the game does not force any roles and players are free to perform any task, a well organized and coordinated team will be able to conquer the seas more effectively.

Objective based game modes: Enjoy modes that focus on various objectives and even scenarios, such as assaulting and defending trade ships, capture the treasure, and domination.

Varied weather & environments: Each match on the open ocean randomizes the weather and time of day. From the calm seas of day to the chaotic storms at night where timing is everything. Rock cliffs, ice bergs and sandbars, you can expect to get a lot of variety every time you play.

Perfect World Celebrates the Holidays

Perfect World Holidays

Every holiday season, many of Perfect World Entertainment’s games are transformed with glittery festive treatments. This year’s invitation for all the seasonal in-game events is now available!

 

  • Star Trek Online – Running from December 4 through January 15, the Star Trek Online Winter Festival sees Q return once more for a holiday event full of tricks and festivities! Joining the ravenous animated Snowmen, a town of Gingerbread people, ice skating, and a race with various winter-themed aliens is a pie eating contest with Neelix. Collect new holiday-themed ornaments for Winter Coats, Snow Weapons, the Klingon Plasma Bat’leth and more! More details can be found here: http://www.arcgames.com/en/games/star-trek-online/news/detail/9007533
  • Neverwinter – From December 18 through January 8, Neverwinter’s Winter Festival brings back the popular monster battles on ice, stat-boosting stargazing, ice fishing, and sled racing. This year’s event brings new rewards including an Ice Sprite companion, a Winter Wolf companion, and the free Starlight Parcel given out every day, which can surprise with a limited-edition seasonal companion! More details can be found here later this month: http://www.arcgames.com/en/games/neverwinter/news
  • Swordsman – Joe Chen is in need this holiday season! Starting December 18, help her out to earn festive fashions and an adorable Reindeer pet. More details can be found here later this month: http://www.arcgames.com/en/games/swordsman/news
  • Perfect World International – For 2014, players are invited to take part in new community events, such as new PvP battles with PWI community managers, art contests, Photoshop Battles, and even a “Make a Wish” event where players can wish for an item and the most compelling writers receive their in-game Holiday gift! More details can be found here later this month: http://www.arcgames.com/en/games/pwi/news
  • Forsaken World – Christmas trees and boughs of holly are hung up with care in Forsaken World! Players are invited to head over to Winter Heights to start their magical journey to find presents placed under Christmas trees scattered around the world. More details can be found here later this month: http://www.arcgames.com/en/games/forsaken-world/news
  • Champions Online – The Attack of Misfit Toys returns for 2014! For the month of December, enjoy fan-favorite content, including free gifts, a special five-man instance against Black Harlequin’s toys, and an open-world fight against the rampaging robot teddy bear, Clarence. More details can be found here: http://www.arcgames.com/en/games/champions-online/news/detail/9006783-black-harlequin-and-holiday-event-return%21

 

Warmest wishes for a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from the Perfect World Entertainment team!

Base Busters

Base Busters is a mobile strategy game developed by Nexon Mobile. Leave a path of destruction in your wake! Lead your convoy of tanks into battle and engage in explosive combat.

Features:

DESTROY: Command your tank army in Base Busters and crush your enemies, watching them fall one by one, as you blast your way through several intense missions. Launch missiles, mines, and streaks of lightning to deal massive amounts of damage on the battlefield.

ALLIES: Team up with your friends and fight in epic skirmishes where you attack and take down larger foes. Your allies can also call upon you to aid them in battle.

UPGRADE: Enjoy the spoils of war by upgrading your arsenal. Fuse tanks together to boost your stats and firepower, or evolve them to assemble an impressive display of military might.

DOMINATE: Obliterate the rival competition by demolishing their base, and have both of your tank fleets battle head-to-head. Earn the most medals through continuous domination and earn your rightful place at the top of the leaderboards.

Square Enix Announces Heavenstrike Rivals

Heavenstrike Rivals Key Art

Embark on an epic adventure with Square Enix®’s Heavenstrike Rivals TM, launching globally this winter for free on iOS and Android. A tactical RPG, Heavenstrike Rivals features a battle system designed especially for mobile devices that’s easy to learn but with deep strategic possibilities, quick-entry player-vs-player combat, and hundreds of unique characters to collect, grow and evolve.

Developed as a brand new IP for mobile platforms, Square Enix has worked with UK based developers Mediatonic LTD (Amateur Surgeon) to create the game and bring the world to life. The project has had a collaborative approach, with Japan-based Yumriu Corporation supporting development and, keeping it in the Square Enix family, the game also features characters designed by Ryoma Ito (Final Fantasy® Tactics Advance) and music by Ryo Yamazaki (Final Fantasy XIV).

Heavenstrike Rivals Screen

Heavenstrike Rivals is set in the once prosperous aerial kingdom of Lunnain tattered by the Fallen – a vicious group of nightmarish monsters seeking only the complete destruction of the kingdom. Following these ruthless attacks, the people of Lunnain have come together to repel the Fallen and strike back at the heavens.

Built specifically for mobile devices, Heavenstrike Rivals lets players engage in simple and deep tactical combat with more than two hundred characters, as they travel across Lunnain to save the legendary Seven Sisters. Players can also compete with others across the world and take part in regular events and weekend Arena competitions to earn epic rewards.

Heavenstrike Rivals beta launched in Canada and Australia; it will release globally this winter for free (with in-app purchases) on iOS and Android devices.

Webzen brings English Flyff to Europe

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WEBZEN, a global developer and publisher of free-to-play games, is delighted to announce that the manga-style MMORPG Flyff will open its first English server in Europe on the 2nd of December.

Currently published in American, German and French territories, Flyff is now opening the doors of Clockworks, the new server based in Frankfurt and targeted at English speakers across Europe. It will be the occasion for players to join the new server and enjoy a better gaming experience in the European timeframe. Clockworks is also special as it is the first European server to host the version Flyff Gold! Furthermore, the new habitants of Madrigal won’t be on their own, as they will share the website and forum of the Flyff American community and join the discussion.

In order to give players a head-start for the celebrations, the pre-download client for the Clockwork server is already available on the Flyff Official Website at http://en.flyff.webzen.com/Gameguide/GameDownLoad/ although the server will be open from the 2nd of December.

To celebrate the server’s birth, amazing in-game events will be organized by the Flyff Team along with an Experience boost weekend which should give a good start for the new habitants of Madrigal!

Infographic: The Evolution of Warframe

Warframe is celebrating the holiday season by looking back at its evolution since the game’s launch on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

It began as ‘Project Lotus’ in February 2012 and has since become one of the top Free-to-Play titles on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

Over the past two years, Warframe has continued to expand, change and attract new audiences. New levels, gameplay, weapons, Warframes, tilesets, player ships, pets, bosses and so much more have brought exciting life to this ever-evolving game. From one environment to 10, eight Warframes to 21 and eight Mission types to 17, Warframe hasn’t stopped growing – and there’s no end in sight! Check out the game’s continuing evolution in the infographic below.

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