Yearly Archives: 2018

Stellaris Expansion Launches Destructive Weapons at All Planets Today

Paradox Interactive is proud to start leaving planets as smoldering tombs today with the expansion for Stellaris, entitled “Apocalypse”. It adds a terrifying armada of features centered around warfare and destruction into the game, is available for a suggested retail price of 19.99. Stellaris: Apocalypse redefines stellar warfare for all players with a host of new offensive and defensive options, alongside a few non-violent new features for those poor, unsuspecting empires not currently at war. Alongside a host of free improvements to Stellaris, the new Apocalypse DLC includes:

  • That’s No Moon, neither is That One, That One Might be a Moon, Wait, No: Keep the local systems in line with fear of the new “Colossus” planet-killer weapon – a technological terror that eliminates entire worlds from the universe
  • All Your Base Are Belong to You: New enormous “Titan” capital ships can lead your fleets to conquest, offering tremendous bonuses to the vessels under their command. Meanwhile, fortify key systems with massive orbital installations and secure your homeworld as an impenetrable bastion among the stars.
  • Pirates of the Constellation: Watch out for Marauders – space nomads who raid settled empires and carve out their lives on the fringe of civilization. Hire them as mercenaries in your own conflicts, but take care that they don’t unify and trigger a new crisis!
  • Some Non-Violent Features: New Ascension Perks and Civics are added in the expansion, along with new Unity Ambitions that provide new ways to spend Unity and customize your development

Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition Demo Arrives February 26th

FFXV PC Port News

Starting on February 26th, fans of Final Fantasy XV will be able to explore all of Chapter 1, getting access to the tutorial and opening quests of the epic adventure in Eos.  This free demo will be available ahead of the game’s release on Steam, Origin, and Windows 10. Players who pre-purchase/purchase Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition also receives exclusive in-game items and bonuses, which can be found here.

FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION features:

  • Expanded Map: Insomnia City Ruins – all-new side quests and enemies such as Cerberus and Omega will be available through the expanded map of the Crown City of Insomnia. Players can also take on a battle with the Rulers of Yore.
  • A fully-controllable Royal Vessel boat, expanding the world of Eos and allowing players to explore the area between Cape Caem and Altissia. Players will also be able to fish aboard the vessel and discover new fish and recipes.
  • A new accessory that can activate the new action “Armiger Unleashed” – players will be able to unleash powerful attacks while the Armiger is summoned. After collecting all of the royal arms, players will be able to find an accessory in an unidentified part of the world, enabling access to Armiger Unleashed.
  • A new first-person camera mode, allowing players to experience the game from Noctis’ perspective.
  • More than a dozen pieces of downloadable content including weapons, Regalia car skins and item sets.
  • All current season pass content including: EPISODE GLADIOLUS, EPISODE PROMPTO, MULTIPLAYER EXPANSION: COMRADES and EPISODE IGNIS.
  • Archive – players can review the “Cosmogony” stories scattered throughout the FINAL FANTASY XV world. Additional local myths and legends will also be placed in various new locations. Through them, players will be able to obtain more information about the world.
  • Quest to obtain and strengthen Regalia Type-D.

Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition supports Native 4k/8k resolutions with HDR10 and Dolby ATMOS, along with ongoing mod support. Below are the specs for Minimum/Recommended/ and 4kHDR for PC players:

Minimum Specs Recommended Specs 4K HDR Specs
OS Windows® 7 SP1/ Windows® 8.1 / Windows® 10 64-bit Windows® 7 SP1/ Windows® 8.1 / Windows® 10 64-bit Windows® 10 64-bit Fall Creators update
CPU Intel® Core™ i5-2500(3.3GHz and above)
AMD FX™-6100 (3.3GHz and above)
Intel® Core™ i7-3770(3.4GHz and above)
AMD FX™-8350(4.0 GHz and above)
Intel® Core™ i7-7700 (3.6GHz and above)
AMD Ryzen™ 5 1600X (3.6GHz and above)
Graphics Card NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 760
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050
AMD Radeon™ R9 280
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 6 GB VRAM
Radeon™ RX 480
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1080 Ti
Main Memory 8GB 16GB 16GB
Screen Resolution 720p 1080p 4K HDR (2160p)
Hard Disc Free Space on SSD OVER 100GB OVER 155G

Tower of Time

Tower of Time is a real-time tactics RPG featuring a narrative told over beautiful animated illustrations and engaging voice over. Enjoy the best of difficult challenges, smart A.I., randomly generated loot, character progression, quests, secrets, puzzles, adventure, and more! Available for Windows.

Features:

Quilt of Dreams: Journey through a world filled with quality graphics, handcrafted levels, and 4 distinctly unique themes.

Tree of Knowledge: Build your heroes as you see fit with 7 diverse class trees and 8 upgradeable skills.

On the Clock: Slow or pause time dynamically in combat to give yourself time to formulate and execute strategic maneuvers.

Secret of Mana PS4 Review

by Jason Parker (Ragachak)

Secret of Mana - Outside of Potos

It all starts here.

Ask virtually anyone who is a fan of retro/classic RPGs, and 9 out of 10 times you’ll see Secret of Mana somewhere in the top ten. It’s a true classic and was the first action RPG to utilize multiplayer (two players, three with a multi-tap). The Boy (Randi), the Girl (Primm), and the Sprite (Popoi) go on an adventure after fate left the Sword of Mana in Randi’s unwilling hands. It’s a fairly linear RPG, but has a story and a look that was incredibly unique at the time. Brightly colored visually, and scored by Hiroki Kikuta, this was an RPG that just did not quit. Over the last year, there was actually two Secret of Mana remakes, one that did not come to America in the form of the Seiken Densetsu collection for the Switch, and this particular remaster for PS4/Vita/Steam/PC.

Secret of Mana - Palette Swap

The original did not have alternate costumes like this.

I hesitate to call this a remake. Typically, a remake fixes things that are wrong, changes the outdated and outmoded for something that makes more sense for a modern audience. While I love this game and even love this particular version of the game, there are some glaring, even horrific issues with the game that ought to be addressed. I’m not even talking about the lack of online multiplayer (but seriously, how was that not the very first thing that was discussed when this game was pitched?), but there are some pretty outstanding bugs, glitches, and obscenely frustrating gameplay choices.

But before I get into that, let’s talk about the actual game. Secret of Mana is a three-player action-RPG, where you have a unique wheel of options, where you swap out your weapons, set your friends actions, cast spells, use items, et cetera. You level up your weapons via “Orbs” gained from bosses (and secret rare drops at the end of the game), and you power up your Magic by attuning to the various Mana Seeds, one for each elemental force in the world –  Undine, Gnome, Luna, Shade, and so forth. Using them (attacking and casting) increases their power and level, up to the cap of that weapons orbs/that magic’s levels.

Secret of Mana - Santa

An evil Empire, and Santa.

There’s a mysterious, powerful Empire that is trying to resurrect the Mana Fortress, a weapon of untold power and danger, to put themselves in charge of the world. So this boy, Randi, winds up the protagonist and will do his best to set things right again. Cast out from his tiny village, he sets out with no plan, no goal, just a rusty sword and a heart full of sadness. It has all the makings of an excellent story! But why are there such weird issues with the game? Secret of Mana has always been a hard game, that’s not a question I have. Spikey Tiger is the first real boss of the game and was casting horrific flame magic and kicking people’s asses even back then. However, he felt very easy, as did most of the “hard” fights.

Secret of Mana - Spring Beak

Even Axe Beak was no challenge to my superior strength. But Chobin Hood…

The Werewolves were a pushover, Axe Beak was stomped out, even Kilroy was outrageously easy. But you know what aren’t? Virtually every enemy with the exception of the Potos/Pandora encounters (Rabites, Lullabuds, Mushbooms). I almost wiped and got a game over from one or two Chobin Hoods (little jerks with bows), just obliterating Primm and Popoi with obscene damage. Then there was the next difficulty spike on the Upper Land, the large groups of enemies killing everyone over and over until I could get the hang of things. So, the difficulty is there still, but in different places. The spike of difficulty rises and falls in strange ways, but the game is still a lot of fun. It just meant leveling in different places and finding other ways to gain levels in safer places.

Secret of Mana - Outline

This was one of the weirder choices: I could see my outline, but not enemy outlines. Maybe a bug.

Combat is pretty simple: you swing/dash, and your meter charges to 100%. The higher the percentage, the better chance of hitting/dealing good damage. If you have over one orb, you can hold the attack button and it will charge slowly and do a crazy, cool attack when you release it. However, it will slow you down immensely and in almost every case, this is not worth doing. To find your weapons and spells, you use the “Ring System”, which was a unique way to organize all of your stats/skills. While it does not memorize where you were on each ring (each character has their own), you can set two abilities as saved, bound to L1/R2. They could also add L2/R2, but I’ll take this. While I’m bummed it did not save my locations on the rings quite as well, it didn’t bother me enough to make a stink about it. The “AI Grid” is also gone, and is simplified into helping the PC character, or only attacking when he does. I miss the Grid, which was a chessboard with positions that corresponded to aggressive/defensive/passive AI. This is another thing, that while it’s fine, it’s a really peculiar choice.

Secret of Mana - Fire Gigas.

Get dunked, Fire Gigas!

The biggest problem for me is that the game feels rushed. There are tons of glitches and bugs all throughout the game that either did not get caught or were outright ignored. There are moments when your attack simply doesn’t register with an enemy or the many cases of lag/frame issues. When in Pure Land, I had an issue in the cave between Upper Land/Matango, where the enemies would be hit, and pause in mid-air, before flying across the screen, and I wasn’t even casting spells to warrant any kind of lag of issue. This happened in a few areas, too, so it wasn’t really just an “Upper Land” issue. Other common bugs were found in Gaia’s Navel. If a character was casting a spell and I left them around a rock/off the screen, they were gone until I reset the game. If I tried to tab over to pick them (left and right on the D-Pad) I’d get a black screen until I tabbed back over. These are issues that likely could have been avoided. It’s also given random crashes/error messages like if I try to leave a screen with a disabling ability (confusion), it had a high crash rate in particular. These are things that likely could be addressed with an update, but I think a little more care in the testing department could have fixed this.

 

Secret of Mana - Defeat Tropicallo

A Legend in the Making: Great (3/5)

Despite its many faults, I still love this version of Secret of Mana. It just has so many problems that could have been, and should be, addressed. I stand by the belief that the game needs online multiplayer, but I did not mark that against it. Some have said that the graphics feel lifeless and the soundtrack was bland, but I don’t really agree with that either. You do have the option to listen to the original soundtrack if that’s what you like. I do enjoy the new graphics, even if the original art was just fine and beautiful the way it was. The move to a more 3D graphical style is fine and doesn’t bother me, but I can see why some have argued against it. Visual updates are part of a remaster. There is one change I adore, and that’s being able to increase the amount of each item you can carry. Originally you get four items of each type and that’s it. But that makes some of the dungeons nearly impossible, only having Four Candies, Chocolates, Faerie Walnuts, Cup of Wishes, et cetera. Now you can set it up to 24, which is such a wonderful change. This is still a very solid game and I think it’s enjoyable, but the hit detection, frame skips and some of the difficult choices really slow this down from being a Game of the Year contender in my eyes. If it receives a patch and update that clears up some of these problems, I’d be a lot happier with it. As it stands, they hold it back from being a “great” remaster, to simply being a “good” remaster.

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus Announced

Hail the Omnissiah! The Adeptus Mechanicus are making their video game debut in Kasedo Games’ Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus, coming to PC, Mac & Linux later on in the year. Control an array of Adeptus Mechanicus forces on a tactical quest to salve ancient technologies from the tombs of planet Silva Tenebris. As the Magos Dominus Faustinius of Mars, your decisions will shape the missions ahead and will have far-reaching consequences for not just you, but your minions. In the game, you will overcome the weakness of the flesh by replacing your troops’ human limbs with bionics and mechandrites which will give tactical advantages as the game goes on.

When Kasedo Games approached us with their exciting and original vision centering on the Adeptus Mechanicus race, the idea stood out as something we wanted to get behind.” Said Jon Gillard, Head of Licensing at Games Workshop. “Twinned with their clear knowledge of the 40K universe and passion for creating a game that fits the faction perfectly, we were more than happy to work together.”

Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemist And The Mysterious Paintings Coming in March

The all-new Ambition Journal was revealed today for Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemist And the Mysterious Paintings today, alongside other additions to the series’ staple synthesis gameplay. Due out on March 27th, 2018 for the Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC via Steam, the twin alchemists Lydie and Suelle will journey across magnificent landscapes within mysterious paintings in their quest to become the greatest alchemists of all. To help the pair reach their joint goal of running the best atelier, Suelle creates the Ambitions Journal where she tracks everything they need to accomplish along the way. The ambitions listed in their journal contain tasks related to the key pillars of the Atelier series: alchemy, synthesis, battle, and character relations.

A whole host of resources will be needed for the twins to create useful items, and synthesis is a necessity to perfect their craft. The Synthesis system has been tweaked with the addition of Enhancing Agents, making the learning process easier for aspiring/new alchemists. This will attach effects onto the synthesized items and depending on which is used, will change the synthesis panel in unique ways.

Shining Resonance Refrain Heads West This Summer

Liberate the soul of the dragon within you this summer, as a remaster of the original Shining Resonance hits shelves! Shining Resonance Refrain will arrive this summer on Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. Originally only released in Japan, it features dual audio (English/Japanese) voices, and contains all of the original DLC, now included in the base “Original Mode”. It also includes a “Refrain mode” which unlocks the IMperial Princess Excella and Dragonslayer Jinas as party members for a brand new experience. It’s recommended you play this second to avoid spoilers for the Original Mode!

Featuring real-time action, it’s important to utilize each party members unique abilities while also deepening a relationship with them. Through events and dates, you’ll get to know party members to unlock their full potential on the battlefield. Depending on the bonds of your team, “Resonance” may occur, providing an all-new level of support, which can lead to outstanding victories. Dragoneers wield Armonics, ancient weapon-instruments, in order to perform mystical and powerful Rune Songs. Once you build enough BPM (Battle Performance Mana), your party will be able to perform a session through the B.A.N.D. system. Depending on which song you play and which character you set at the center, your party will be able to indulge in various beneficial effects. Certain characters may even perform the song in a special costume!

There is also the Draconic Launch edition for PS4/XB1/Switch in a collectible metal slipcase, featuring the artwork for Excella, Sonia, and Kirika.

My 1980s Dashboard Review: An ‘Awesome’ Automobile

by Jason Parker (Ragachak)

My 1980s Dashboard - Desert

All it’s missing is 3D Mode, to be honest.

So this is a fun, but worthwhile review right out of the box. As a child of the 80s (Dec. 1981!) arcades were a magical thing, blossoming into their own identity. They were everywhere, and full of bright colors and wonderful audio. From the chomping of Pac-Man to the exploding ships of Galaga, there were so many things to experience for the first time. But you know what games always had the coolest, stand-out cabinets? Racing games. No matter how bad I was at them, they looked so damn cool! And today’s review takes me back in time to those good ol’ days, but this time, I actually completed the game! I got through all 15 stages, and while I did terribly, I still got there, and that’s what counts. Today, I am reviewing ‘My 1980s Dashboard’. Now, I know what you’re thinking: What a weird, awful title! It sounds like a standard Steam asset flip!

My 1980s Dashboard - Snow

So many scenic areas, with so much lovely music.

That’s where you’d be wrong, kiddo. Dashboard is something wonderful and special. It’s 15 stages of racing fun, with a very decidedly 1980s racing palette/aesthetic. You play as the racer, in a very familiar-seeming car. It’s a very cool car, a radical racer if you will. If you thought for even a minute I wouldn’t work that in, you would be wrong, quite wrong. There are 15 stages, where you dodge and weave around traffic, going up to 240 KMH, trying to get to the end of the race before you run out of fuel. However, the fuel keeps ticking down no matter if you’re stopped or going. It’s a car, and it is still on, you guys. Consider it a timer, and it only jumps serious numbers if you hit another car, or go off the road, then a chunk of the fuel disappears. I kind of wish that number didn’t feel so serious, because a few collisions and you’re not going to finish a race. The game has multiple endings though, which are entirely based on your score, so getting to the end faster with fewer collisions (none is the ideal number) will get you much better endings.

My 1980s Dashboard - Clutter

This isn’t the worst by half. I was too busy racing to take dangerous screenshots.

I love this though, it’s very relaxing until the traffic really starts to clutter. You cannot (or should not) just keep the hammer down and accelerate the whole time. You control it with either WASD or the direction pad, whichever you prefer, but if I’m being honest, I’d love to play this with a steering wheel for PC. I don’t really know if you can, but as I don’t have one, I can’t test it. W or the Up Key will accelerate you, and hitting left/right while on a turn will likely give you a deep screech as your tires struggle against the pavement, at least while still holding accelerate. For the most part, the cars on the road are pretty passive, like the sedans/station wagons will typically just stay in place and move forward, but in the early races, watch out for the white sports cars. They will dodge and weave through traffic, and will not hesitate to hit you to get ahead. In the later races, the dark blue sports cars will also do this, and occasionally the yellow cars. It’s only really horrifying when the cars are all cluttered together because it will likely result in a hit. Being hit by a car or the side of the road will decelerate you immediately, down to 20 KMH or less.

My 1980s Dashboard - Struggle

Getting caught here might mean the end of a race.

However, the other cars don’t have to worry about this. In fact, it seems like they get even faster! This is frustrating but not when I consider this is how the games back then worked, and this is a loving tribute to 80s racing games, after all. There are weather patterns, but they don’t really seem to affect the gameplay, they’re just nice to see. Each race has a different pattern, but you can’t see the track ahead and just have to guess. They aren’t random, so simply racing the same one a few times (which is bound to happen) will give you ideas on what to expect. It’s important to know when to slow down and when to speed back up, and for the most part, when cars leave your screen, they’re gone forever. Well, that is until about the halfway point (stage 6 or so), if you hit a car after passing someone, there’s a chance those cars behind you will suddenly be there again, and I’ve had moments where I hit a car, slowed to a crawl, and as soon as I sped back up, a white sports car would zoom out of nowhere and hit me, putting me back at 0 KMH. My goodness did that make my blood boil! Not at the game, but at myself for being so damn reckless. That would have been another quarter, back in the day!

Outstanding Outrunner: 4/5:

My 1980s Dashboard - End

I’m so bad, but this is so good.

This is a two-dollar game, and it has all of this. It’s a wonderful tribute to the racing games of old. The controls are incredibly tight, and with practice you and weave through traffic with the best of them. The only serious issue I had was the occasional freeze/frame skip, but they did not happen all that often. The chiptune music is lovely and relaxing, though you can turn the sound/music off if that’s what you want. And it’s a racing game with alternate endings, so it even has replay value. Go back and play again to try and get a better score! It’s 100% worth it! There’s also the “retro”/dashboard mode, where the screen is smaller, but you see a steering wheel/gearshift, all that cool stuff you’d see in a sit-down arcade cabinet. They recently added the full-screen traditional mode, which is what I prefer, but the retro mode is also pretty damn awesome, just to do from time to time. In many Steam games, you get what you pay for. But with Dashboard, you get so much more. If you’re like me, love retro games, enjoy the challenge of a good race, and want to take a trip back in time, look no further than My 1980s Dashboard. It was a genuinely fun time that I do not regret. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of nostalgia.

A code was given to review this game.