Monthly Archives: September 2016

Clean’Em Up

Clean’Em Up is a free-to-play 2D top-down shooter developed by Amidos for PC and is available for download on Steam. In Clean’Em Up a computer has been hacked and is under attack from various kinds of viruses and other digital threats that could compromise the entire system. Files are being infected and spreading the virus at an alarming rate, and even Sectors are taking damage. Only the Security Army and its team of antivirus can save the computer.

Features:

Upgradeable Antivirus: Blast down every little thing trying to compromise your computer’s security with your upgradeable virus that can be outfitted with different guns, bodies, and abilities.

Bosses: Stronger, more dangerous viruses will pose an even larger threat to your computer’s security. Waste no time in exterminating them.

Upgradeable Weapons: Weapons themselves can be upgraded and help your antivirus survive the different kinds of waves of viruses assaulting your computer.

Titanfall Frontline

Titanfall Frontline is a free-to-play 2D collectible card game being developed by Particle City for iOS and Android. Titanfall Frontline is the first mobile take on the Titanfall series and will allow players to assume the role of brigade commanders, facing off against other online players in head-to-head battles. Titans, Pilots, burn cards, and more will all become part of your grand strategy to take over the Frontline and discover new areas within the Titanfall universe.

Features:

Real-time Battles: Titanfall Frontline combines combat like that of Hearthstone within a real-time system, unlike most mobile card battling games.

Card Combinations: Combine your Titans and Pilots in battle to create unstoppable forces, or split them up so your Titan can cover your Pilot while he takes on his own targets.

Multiplayer Battles: Go head-to-head against other brigade commanders and climb through the leaderboards.

Titanfall Universe: Explore new areas of the Titanfall Universe throughout the campaign and learn more than you could have ever imagined!

Guilds: Join up with a guild or create your own where players can team up to take on missions or trade tips with each other.

Cloud Pirates

The world of Sarnaut has been split by a cataclysm and now consists of islands drifting through astral space. After airships were invented to enable travel from island to island, treasure hunters soon followed. Calling themselves Cloud Pirates, these bandits of the air will plunder everything and anything that could yield them a profit. Ruling the skies and securing loot won’t come easily though! Dodging enemy volleys and executing daring maneuvers is all a walk in the park in the daily life of an airship captain. Ready your customizable airship, take to the skies, eliminate all those who oppose, and plunder all the loot you could possibly imagine in Cloud Pirates.

Features:

Customizable Ship: Customize your ship’s weaponry, abilities, appearance, and even crew to turn it into the exact kind of machine you know it can be.

Squadrons: Form squadrons with other players so you can take down groups of foes and capture their territories.

Varying Playstyles: Set your ship up so you can pick off enemies with your massive firepower, or rush headlong into battle with your goliath of a ship.

Lords of New York

Lords of New York is a 1920s poker RPG developed by Lunchtime Studios for PC, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices where players can play as a mobster named Vince who is trying to win the biggest underground poker competition in New York. Being in the mafia is all about extending your own influence, and winning something this large is exactly what could do that for Vince. Will he walk the path of the straight and narrow, or will he veer off and compromise his morality by cheating for advantages in his card games? The choice is yours!

Features:

Cheating: If you feel so inclined then you can cheat your way to victory by spiking players’ drinks, showing tells, poisoning your opponents and more!

Card Combinations: Combine your Titans and Pilots in battle to create unstoppable forces, or split them up so your Titan can cover your Pilot while he takes on his own targets.

Item Management: Items can be bought or sold and will allow you to specialize your playstyle either defensively or aggressively, but you might have to sacrifice your morality to obtain some of them.

AdventureQuest 3D Beta Preview & Tour

By Jaime Skelton (MissyS), Senior Editor

There’s nothing like revisiting an old game to make you feel your age, and this past Friday, I had the glorious chance to remember the “good old days” of AdventureQuest. No, not AQWorlds, I’m talking the very original AdventureQuest web game that appeared on the Internet in 2002. Now that alone might not make me very old, except I was already an adult in 2002, not a junior-high slacker. What I did for fun on the internet back in those days is a completely different story.

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Thankfully I could leave my nostalgia filter at home, because it wasn’t AdventureQuest itself I was visiting. Instead, I went on tour with the one-and-only Artix (Adam Bohn) of AdventureQuest 3D. AQ3D is (and isn’t) a reimagining of the browser-game of yesterday, with new social gaming and MMO features thrown in. If you’re yawning at that idea, you haven’t followed Artix Entertainment closely, for the studio’s gaming development and design is as eccentric and energetic as its creator. AQ3D is not your old-school MMO.

Let’s get started with the news up front, the stuff the fans out there are already chomping to read. First of all, open beta is coming this October. Yes, in the tradition of AQ and AQWorlds, AQ3D will be opening its doors to the public sometime in the month of spoopy memes and pumpkin spice. That open beta will include all launch platforms – PC and Mac (on Steam), Android, and Apple iOS. No one gets left out.

And that’s a good thing, because October also means Mogloween. Not only does that mean a host of themed events (now in 3D!), it means the appearance of the badass Pumpkinlord Armor (seriously, just look at it:)

AQ3D Pumpkinlord Armor– along with a haunted house, a new area, and the great GORDTHULU. I heard something about Nick Cage coming to reprise his role as Ghost Rider too, or was that “I hope he doesn’t sue?”. Either way best not to think about it, Nick Cage memes might push the terror of Mogloween too far.

Our tour also included the brand new ShadowSkull Tower, a menacing haven full of the undead. This dungeon encounter is split into a series of ‘rooms,’ each randomly picked from a selection of floors made (yes, just like some dungeons in other Artix games). These rooms may also include puzzles for players to solve to continue to the next area. The boss, too, has some variations available, though I won’t spoil more. This gives areas enough variety to not be exactly the same every time they’re run, while having the hand-crafted development of a traditional RPG.

AQ3D ShadowSkull Tower

Here’s more of what you can expect in the first weeks of Open Beta, including the DragonSlayer Armor!:

 


Now, for the uninitiated, let’s get back to the basics of AdventureQuest 3D. If you’ve ever played AdventureQuest or AdventureQuest Worlds, the setting is already familiar. From BattleOn to favorite characters (and enemies), AQ3D is, well, as its name implies. As I looked around BattleOn, I felt both wistful and disoriented. The town is excellent recreated (as it should be in the hands of its own creator), but for veterans like myself the mere idea of the world being more life-like is a bit like discovering the earth isn’t flat after all. But even if you’re feeling your age in gaming years, you can enjoy new features in the new BattleOn, including an Animal Crossing style Museum and a stage for special guests ala AQWorlds.

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While BattleOn may not be split into multiple screens, each area of the world is its own little zone. Yes, this means that AQ3D isn’t one big seamless open world. It also means that the game content can be downloaded (streamed) “on demand,” only loading and saving area files once a player makes their first visit. This is a smart use of the streaming technology, especially once you consider mobile players being included in the same cross-platform world.

Indeed, mobile users have been thought of every step along the way. Artix is forward thinking, aiming to embrace mobile gaming as part of AQ3D’s core design. This can be seen not only in a clean, multi-platform AI, but also in the summoning system. This lets any player share a quick, randomly generated code (like “blue65”) which, when used, will let any other player go directly to their location. No need to wait on flight paths, or figure out how to get to the dungeon your friend’s stuck in – just put in the word and presto. This idea’s pretty edgy for an MMO, where tradition states everyone takes the long way, yet sensible for a mobile game where players may not have the time to run halfway around the world to spend time with their friends. There will also be scaling, which means no one gets left out. The traditional leveling experience still exists, but players will free of some of the restrictions that are barriers to having fun.

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Speaking of barriers, how about the one that stands between solo players who look wistfully at the dungeons surrounded by unfamiliar faces? Yes, that one will also be crushed down some, making dungeons more available to smaller parties including lone wanderers, while offering full parties an additional difficulty should they be up for the challenge. Players will also enjoy getting to use the gear they want through a fusion system that will transfer stats to the desired piece of gear. Forget clunky wardrobes!

While there’s still a war raging over “how many puns is too mulch?”, AdventureQuest 3D remains distinctly Artix Entertainment’s child. Just as much love has gone into AQ3D as AdventureQuest, which has even made Frogzards look cooler. There are dozens of classes on the way (we’ve been told the goal is to have 60 ready by launch), each with their own set of skills and story. And Artix is still developing “in the moment,” taking each day and week as it comes. The constant attention to community, to story, and to improvisation remains reliable even years later as AQ3D prepares to hit open beta.

Ready to play? We have early access codes available, including another limited run of our unique and in-demand OnRPG/MMOHuts Capes! The capes are gone, but we have awesome Warbrand Chests with four exclusive items! Hit the giveaway and get in before they’re gone.

 

 

Heroes of the Storm: Alarak & Braxis Holdout Update Review

By Mohammad Abubakr

Blizzard’s Heroes of the Storm brings in elements from all the games we love: Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo. There are multiple heroes available for players from each game such as Kerrigan from Starcraft, Li Li from Warcraft, and Li-Ming from Diablo. However, not all games have equal representation when it comes to the game’s battlegrounds (maps). The latest patch introduces us to a new Protoss hero, Alarak, and a new battleground set in the Starcraft universe! Read on to learn more about Blizzard’s latest big update.

Lately Blizzard has been on fire with the great new World of Warcraft expansion and welcome changes seen in Overwatch’s competitive game mode. They are not looking to stop this streak just yet as their latest patch to Heroes of the Storm is a big one. It is not unusual to see small patches with simple (but appreciated) bug fixes but a patch containing both a hero and a battleground is something special.

Alarak, Highlord of the Tal’darim, is a melee assassin hero from the StarCraft universe. “Not all heroes are born of altruism… some, like Alarak, simply desire vengeance. As the new Highlord of the Tal’darim, Alarak leads his people to a destiny free of the corrupt influence of the fallen xel’naga, Amon.” His skillset revolves around manipulating the enemy’s position and punishing enemies who are out of position.


Overview of Alarak

His first ability, Discord Strike (Q) damages and silences all enemies in an area. This is a close ranged ability which is a bit hard to hit due to its delay but if you are able to land it, you will deal a ton of damage. In order to make it easier to hit heroes, Telekinesis (W) can be used to push yourself and enemies at the targeted point towards the targeted direction. This ability is great when it comes to both initiating and repositioning (fleeing…). Alarak’s third ability, Lightning Surge, damages the target enemy and all enemies in between while additionally healing Alarak for a percentage of the damage dealt to heroes.

Like most heroes, Alarak features two heroic abilities. However, unlike other heroes, Alarak may pick up both options by level 20! You have the choice between Deadly Charge and Counter-Strike. Deadly Charge charges towards the selected direction, dealing damage to all enemies in the path. The longer you charge this ability, the further you will charge. Deadly Charge is a great ability if you’re doing well early on and want to secure more kills. However, if you’re playing a more defensive game or against heroes with predictable attacks, Counter-Strike is the way to go. Alarak charges for 1s, becoming invulnerable and sending back a shockwave dealing massive damage if he is attacked during this time. Counter-Strike works great against heroes such as Li-Ming where her projectile attacks become easy targets for Counter-Strike.

All of these abilities, and his normal attacks, deal double damage to enemy heroes with Sadism (passive). All in all, these abilities make Alarak a great assassin able to take down enemy heroes but he lacks any wave/camp clear. These abilities can also be improved through various talents which all have their tradeoffs. Alarak’s talent tree offers talents which improve certain areas of his arsenal while hurting others. Depending on the game, and your play style, different talents increasing and decreasing the strength of various abilities are preferred.


The latest pre-match mini game features thieving SCVs

Alarak has the potential to be a very strong melee assassin but he takes a lot of practice and skill to play. Like most melee assassins, if you are caught out of position, you are dead. It is essential that Telekinesis is used both offensively and defensively. However, his mobility is not as strong as other heroes such as Illidan or Lunara. If you are careful about your positioning and keep an eye out for enemies out of position (which you can cause by using Telekinesis), Alarak can be a very strong melee assassin.


Alarak hurts

Continuing on with the theme of additions from the StarCraft universe, the latest battleground, Braxis Holdout, is the first StarCraft themed map. This is a 2 lane map with a Zerg and Terran theme and is always action-packed. The Dominion’s experiments allow the Terran to unleash swarms of Zerg as weapons. In order to do so, both teams work towards capturing and holding two beacons. While both beacons are in your control, your team’s holding cells are filled with Zerg units. Once either cell is full, both are released down a single lane, mowing down everything (including heroes) in their path.

Holding on to both beacons can be quite tricky, a well balanced approach at both attacking and defending is required. If the entire team moves as one to capture one beacon, the second is left open for the taking. This causes multiple split up fights and since the beacons remain until either cell is full, the game is always full of action. Initially I thought it was very hard to hold both beacons until your holding cells are full. However, once you do take control of both beacons, the holding cells fill up quite quickly. Of course, the fuller cell will be strong: just like all other battlegrounds, teams fight to make the most of the map’s objective rewards.


Li-Ming is an easy Counter-Strike target

In StarCraft II, my favourite race to play is the Zerg. Their small and fast units are great and while they are weak alone, the swarm is very powerful. The same applies in Braxis Holdout. If you fill up your holding cell to a high percentage, it will unleash a large swarm of Zerg units at your enemies. Unfortunately, these units are not completely like those in StarCraft. I mean, flying units take damage from melee heroes! Oh well, I guess flying units being invincible against melee heroes wouldn’t be very balanced in Heroes of the Storm.

Heroes who are able to setup base at the objectives can be very strong on this map. Heroes such as Zagara or Gazlowe may be strong additions to your roster. As always, whether a hero is strong or not depends on the other heroes in the game. Once your team is able to fill up (or fail to) your holding cell, you have the choice of either pushing with your Zerg swarm or defending against the enemy’s. Like with most things in MOBA/ARTS games, what you should do depends on how the game is going. If your swarm is much larger, a single hero may be enough to clear out the enemy swarm while the rest of the team pushes in with your swarm. On the other hand, if you are in danger of losing your entire base, forget about pushing and fend off the enemy swarm. These situational strategies and decisions are what make HoTS so much fun; no two games are ever the same! The addition of new battleground adds to this idea even more.

Conclusion: A content packed update

The latest patch introduced a lot of welcome changes and additions to the game. It is great to see another hero being added to the game but we are already used to the monthly hero addition. It’s not like DOTA 2 where a hero addition is seen as a massive update as it only happens once a year… That is not to say that Alarak is not a welcome addition to the game. The more hero choice there is available for players, the more complex and interesting the game becomes.

The addition of Braxis Holdout adds a lot of value to the game. A battleground is something that can bring a lot of replay value to the game. For example, take a look at games like DOTA 2 or even real life soccer: a single layout leads to (almost) limitless replay value. With the already large pool of battlegrounds in the game, there is not much you can’t do in HoTS.

I’m looking forward to seeing the strategies players develop for both Alarak and Braxis Holdout. A game like HoTS gives the reins to the players; it is up to them to decide what works and what does not. As Braxis Holdout and Alarak are slowly introduced into competitive play, the meta is bound to change.

Great job Blizzard! I’m looking forward to another StarCraft II map, maybe one where my favourite race is not being experimented on by Terrans?

 

There’s only a few hours to enter our Heroes of the Storm Machines of War Bundle Raffle! Make sure to post your entry for your chance to win one of these $90 bundles that include Alarak, skins, mounts & more.

League of Legends: Mechs vs. Minions boardgame

2016-09-19 16_36_14-Mechs vs Minions_ Game Overview - YouTube

In case you haven’t heard, Riot Games is going to be producing a board game next month! It’s apparently been worked on for several years as a “labor of love”. It’s called Mechs vs. Minions, and I have to say, I’m a little unsure of how I feel. No matter what you think of League, the fact that the game causes incredibly hurt feelings, saltiness and rage in almost all corners of the community. I make it a point to not play with most of my personal friends so I don’t wind up messing up and making someone upset or vice versa [though I don’t really rage so much]. But the missions that come with Mechs vs. Minions will likely take as much time as your average League game [60-90 minutes] and it comes with ten of them. Four characters out of the entire lineup will be represented: Corki, Tristana, Heimerdinger, Ziggs. So far, I’m not hooked. My dislike of the Yordle group are pretty legendary.

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I do think it’s a cool idea, and they’re keeping a lot about the game secret other than it has interesting missions and the characters pilot mechs while fighting waves of enemies. But no Rumble? Come on now. But I have to say, 75 bucks for a game that’s mostly secret kind of worries me. Once the secret stuff is spoiled, is there going to be replay value? That’s another major concern I have. Features of the game will unlock as you play, but it is not confirmed if it will require spending RP to do so. That takes me back to the “replay” question. Once that’s spoiled, how am I going to have fun again unless they release expansions for it which will no doubt. . . cost more money. I wonder if it will be like the WoW Raid sets where a player runs other players through it. That could create some replay if you run new people through it every time.

The end of day, what do I think? I’d rather them create more digital content, rather than a board game. I think it’s a cool idea, but that asking price makes me a bit leery, despite how much money I’ve spent on a free game. I’m not convinced yet, guys. Will it come with digital content too? Are we going to get new skins hidden in this if we buy the game?  What do you guys think?