The Call of Duty: Heroes 2.0 update introduces new Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 heroes and environments, along with a new killstreak feature.
Monthly Archives: November 2015
Medieval Engineers Update 02.042 Overview
Medieval Engineers update 02.042 introduces character crafting, along with changes to respawn carts. Full notes are available here.
Clandestine: Hacking like it’s 1996
By Jason Parker (Ragachak) & Colton Leighton (ColtronXL)
I was not entirely sure what I was getting into when I began working on Clandestine. It takes a great deal to frustrate me, much less make me foam at the mouth, but Clandestine succeeded in such a great fashion. Here is a game that has the amazing ability to make me furious. The title is unique on the market; it takes place in 1996 in a post Cold-War era. and you play as a hacker and spy team. There is the option to play solo (controlling both), or duo (requiring a friend to play with you), and the pair must work together perfectly in order to succeed. Fear not, there is a tutorial! But the tutorial glitched on me in Co-Op mode in such a way that we had to reset live on stream something like four or five times simply to get logged in to a modem. We had to skip the tutorial altogether, though it did appear to work in solo mode. Can you play as Katya Kozlova and/or Martin Symborski, and uncover the sources of leaks of security across Europe and North America? All told, the story is interesting, and the between mission dialogue is pretty good, as are the choices you get to make.
. . . Personally, I couldn’t do it. The combined efforts of me and ColtronXL were able to complete a stage or so, but it took far longer than it had any reason to. I don’t think I’ve had to start at that many checkpoints since Resident Evil 4. This is a trip back to the days of hardcore stealth; more hardcore than Metal Gear Solid, more challenging than Thief. One thing this game is missing? A UI that makes bloody sense. Some tooltips would be fantastic. The spy UI is pretty sparse, which in a way is good, but I had no idea what was really going on. Sure, you can adjust the various difficulties (Combat, Hacking, Spying) on their own, but where’s the fun in that? Do it at the default level and tear your hair out a little. Clandestine’s definitely a niche’ title, it won’t be fun for everyone. I personally don’t have as much fun playing the spy because I suck at stealth. I tried to do it “my way”: grab someone’s pistol and murder everyone in my way with bullets. Guns have very low amounts of ammo, ammo repositories are pretty sparse, and after shooting a man four times in the crotch or face, he did not appear to be all that impressed. That. . . and now four of his buddies are here, shooting me while I try to uncrouch.
As a spy, you don’t have a lot going on other than creeping around. If you are seen or heard by a guard, consider that your end, unless you’re close enough for a stealth takedown/kill. You have to consider how you deal with each enemy too: If you kill too many (as I did), and are spotted? The guards are going to try MUCH HARDER to kill you, whereas if they are unconscious, maybe they’ll just help their friends up and go back to guarding. You can occasionally find a gun somewhere, but other than that, your tools of the trade are very simple. Pagers, modems, things like that. It is definitely rooted in the era of the 90s. At least the hacker isn’t someone you have to worry about dying, because he doesn’t seem to move. Your movement/crouching movement are all as close to silent as you can get. You can run, sure, but it will almost positively attract the attention of everyone within the city limits. The Spy can’t do it alone though; it will take the Hacker sneaking its way across the network of the places you infiltrate, which means this game could definitely use in-game voice/text chat. It doesn’t appear to have these things, but they’d sure help. Sure, Steam has it, but I feel like at least an in-game text feature would help enormously. The action portions of the game though are infuriating. Combat is not the best part of this game, not by a long shot; but you have to fight. I find myself not wasting my time with a gun, because a gun means I’m going back to a checkpoint soon.
Colton adds his experience:
Playing as the hacker was quite the unique experience. When the game begins you’re greeted with four separate screens which can be viewed in a window-style grid or maximized individually for precision work. The mission, as the hacker, is to guide your spy to mission objectives (which they cannot see and do not have any in-world indication of) verbally and to interact with electronic devices in the environment to aid them. This includes, but isn’t limited to, hacking security keypads, hijacking cameras, interfacing with remote terminals to obtain access codes and email records, and screaming at your computer monitor like some kind of mental patient. It’s all fun and games (literally) until you’re knee deep in the tutorial level and suddenly the buttons no longer function as advertised. One moment you’re stealing someone’s AIM messenger log and the next you’re considering replacing your install of the game with an actual AIM installation because it might be more stable. Not to take anything away from the core concept on offer here because it actually is a fun game when it works, but having to place that quantifier on the end really illustrates the nature of the experience. When it works the game is a ruthlessly challenging co-op experience that requires intense planning, critical thinking skills, and pin-point-precise execution. I found myself calling out enemy locations and marking them on Jason’s screen and taking down firewalls left and right and it certainly did feel like we were in a James Bond-esque film which was mind-blowingly fun although the difficulty curve is a little steep. When it doesn’t, however, it’s a mess of unresponsive keys, character models clipping through impassable terrain, and game-crashing body snatching chairs. In a nutshell, especially from the hacker perspective, that’s the game’s biggest drawback. It’s massively ambitious but the “when it works” modifier makes it a lot like trying to convince your friend that if he wants to revolutionize the world with a massage-chair-toilet (as he should) he should probably figure out which end of a toilet his ass goes on first.
Connecting. . .: 3/5 (Good)
Clandestine is unique, even among stealth games. Do I think it’s bad? Absolutely not. But after hours of streaming it with a co-op partner who is my best friend? It still needs a bit of polish to me. The codes for doors don’t change, and so that’s good at least; but there are glaring issues that need to be addressed. I’d enter a room with someone sitting in it, the door making an incredibly loud noise. He doesn’t even care – unless I move within his line of sight, that is. Trying to take a man down, I wound up glitched into his chair, unable to move, progress or do anything other than fume [not so] silently. But when everything is going right and two people can work together? The game is insanely fun. Frustrating when being caught out, but immensely gratifying to get successful missions going. I don’t enjoy the solo mode though, not even a little. Having to juggle both things at once (Hacking and Spying) made me want to throw my computer out of a window. A bit more polish on some of the gameplay would go a long way but it’s still a lot of fun.
Controls: 2/5
Pros: Having two different sets of controls isn’t all that bad. Having a unique series of motions to go through on each character keeps it fresh, even in solo mode.
Cons: Incredibly clunky/awkward movement. Would often get caught out because of the awkward control setup. Combat was frustrating and virtually pointless.
Mechanics: 4/5
Pros: The nature of being sneaky and stealthy are very apparent. You have to plan and be incredibly careful no matter which role you’re taking.
Cons: I couldn’t count the number of times when we had to start over or wait because the Network Admin was “too aggressive” as soon as we began hacking.
Spy vs. Hacker: 3/5
Pros: Both are completely different in every way. You can really get immersed in the styles of each character.
Cons: Doing both at once is a nightmare. Not having a trusted friend to play this with can be stress-inducing instead of fun and exciting.
Final Fantasy XI Releases Last Major Update
Commemorating 14 years of continuous service, SQUARE ENIX® today released the final large-scale version update for Final Fantasy® XI. The last chapter of the Rhapsodies of Vana’diel® storyline shifts the stage to the new area of Reisenjima, where players will battle for the future of Vana’diel®.
As part of this auspicious occasion, all previous Final Fantasy XI players with inactive service accounts as of October 23, can play the final chapter for free, starting November 13, running through November 24. If any past players are missing the latest expansions or add-on content, they can easily reignite their adventures by taking advantage of max discounts for the downloadable version of the Final Fantasy XI: Ultimate Collection Seekers Edition – an all-in-one package containing every expansion from Rise of the Zilart® to the latest Seekers of Adoulin®.
Finally, as the Rhapsodies of Vana’diel story arrives at its conclusion, art director Yusuke Naora (Final Fantasy XV, Final Fantasy Type-0®) has created a final commemorative illustration, available here.
Promotional Discounts
The digital download version of the Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin expansion pack and Final Fantasy XI: Ultimate Collection Seekers Edition will be offered at discounted prices from Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at 12:00 a.m. PST to Monday, November 30, 2015, at the same hour.
The Ultimate Collection Seekers Edition is an all-in-one package containing every expansion from Rise of the Zilart to the latest Seekers of Adoulin.
- “Seekers of Adoulin” Expansion Pack (digital download) Now $4.99 (originally $9.99)
- Final Fantasy XI: Ultimate Collection Seekers Edition (digital download) Now $9.99 (originally $39.99)
- World Transfer Service Now $9.00 (originally $18.00)
Details can be found at: http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/vanaproj/detail/discount.html
Free Login Period – Return Home to Vana’diel Campaign
Players who have previously subscribed to Final Fantasy XI will automatically have their accounts reactivated and will be able to play free of charge during the campaign period. To be eligible, players’ PlayOnline account must be inactive, as well as transferred to the Square Enix Account system. The campaign runs from Friday, November 13, 2015 at 12:00 a.m. PST to Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at the same hour. Players are invited to enjoy the final chapter of the Rhapsodies of Vana’diel scenario.
Details on the Return Home to Vana’diel Campaign can be found at: http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/vanaproj/wcb/index.html .
Final Fantasy XIV Patch 3.1 Offers New Heavensward Chapter
Following the release of Final Fantasy® XIV: Heavensward®, Square Enix today launches Patch 3.1, As Goes Light, So Goes Darkness. This update continues the main story, following the nation of Ishgard in the wake of the Warrior of Light’s return from Azys Lla. It also offers exciting new gameplay content, including:
- Void Ark: The new 24-player alliance raid invites adventures to do battle on a haunted vessel while unraveling the mystery surrounding it
- Exploratory Missions: Embark on missions that task adventurers to explore far-off islands by way of airship and battle monsters in an open field, allowing them to unearth rare gear and items
- Lord of Verminion: A brand-new real-time strategy attraction at the Manderville Gold Saucer where players can use their minions to battle it out against other players, or take on challenges against boss minions
- Two high-level dungeons: Saint Mocianne’s Arboretum and Pharos Sirius (Hard)
- Vanu Vanu beast tribe quests offer insight into the lives of the Zundu tribe and feature a new “quest sync” system to offer rewards and challenges equivalent to the player level at which they are accepted
- The Minstrel’s Ballad: Thordan’s Reign: Face off against Thordan and his twelve knights once more in this enhanced-difficulty version of the battle, offering players a greater challenge
- The ability to fly will be granted to a number of existing ground mounts, including Magitek armor
- New hairstyles, and much more.
The full Patch 3.1 notes can be found here.
Additionally, in celebration of the final chapter to the Rhapsodies of Vana’diel storyline in Final Fantasy XI, which also released today, Iroha, the star of the recent Rhapsodies of Vana’diel® storyline, will be visiting Final Fantasy XIV in a special collaboration event from November 11 through December 31. Adventurers will be able to participate in event quests to obtain exclusive in-game items, including Iroha’s outfit. More details on the collaboration can be found here.
Webzen Announces Open Beta Date for ELOA
Webzen, a global developer and publisher of free-to-play games, announced today that the open beta for its upcoming triple-action hack ‘n’ slash MMORPG, ELOA: Elite Lord of Alliance, will start on the 17th of November.
ELOA is an anime-inspired triple-action hack ‘n’ slash MMORPG, with familiar action RPG controls and an isometric view of the character. Players can choose between one of 5 playable classes among 4 races, with each class having access to 3 combat stances. ELOA’s unique gameplay revolves around tactically switching between the three stances mid-combat, with each stance offering a different play-style and purpose. ELOA is set in a vibrant, open world full of PvP battles, quests & dungeon raids. It comes with an instance party finder system, and features an extensive pet & costume system to suit all players.
The open beta will introduce players to the adventure through the vast world of ELOA. Set in a continent called Epheia, players of ELOA will take on the roles of warriors in the middle of the War of the Titan Clan Invasion. Each player can join the Alliance of one of the races that exist in the continent, the Kartu, Liru, Sapiens and Naru. Through this fierce battle and growth, players will be reborn as a legendary “Elite Lord”, and finally awaken their real power. The game will also include the story of the Elite Lord. After becoming an Elite Lord, players will fight with new enemies and guide Epheia towards peace and stability.
Starting today, players can now pre-download the open beta client for ELOA, before the open beta test begins on November 17th. Interested players with a Webzen account can download the game client on the official ELOA website. Players are also encouraged to visit the official forum to leave feedback and report any bugs they may encounter.
Soldiers Inc. Alien vs. Predator Event Teaser
Plarium introduces the 90-day Soldiers Inc. Alien vs. Predator event, a special campaign with 13 new units, 24 new missions, and more. The event ends on February 9, 2016.
Devilian Developer’s Diary: Embrace the Darkness
The Devilian developers talk about the key features and atmosphere of the MMO ARPG.
Marvel Contest of Champions 5.0 Update Overview
A trio of videos explains three major changes in the Marvel Contest of Champions 5.0 update: Act 4 Rebellion, 5-Star Champions, and new Summoner masteries.







