A (Mostly) Gaming and Film Blog

I love all things gaming and all things movies. Combining the two into a review blog seemed like a good idea! Enjoy - Toby.

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Reports tell a conflicting story regarding the existence of The Last of Us 2

While California-based studio Naughty Dog are currently working on Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, rumours have already been circulating about what’s next for the developer, with actors from The Last of Us, Naughty Dog’s last game, giving conflicting statements on a potential sequel already being in the works.

Speaking at a Metrocon panel earlier this month, Nolan North -- known for his roles as Nathan Drake in the Uncharted series and David in The Last of Us -- seemingly confirmed that a sequel is already in the works. After being questioned on whether he’d be working on any more projects with Naughty Dog after Uncharted 4, he responded: “For now I know they’re doing Last of Us 2, but my character in Last of Us kind of met an untimely demise.”

Additionally, at least one character artist at Secret Six, a studio that creates outsourced art for video games, happens to list The Last of Us 2 as a current project. Secret Six also worked on art for the original game as well.

Troy Baker, who plays one of the game’s lead characters, however denied any knowledge of a potential sequel and its existence at this moment in time: “I don’t know if we’re gonna do another one or not. If we do, then I trust Neil [Druckmann, Creative Director] and Bruce [Straley, Game Director] and everyone at Naughty Dog to tell a story that needs to be told.”

The statements tell a conflicting story, yet considering the game’s success both critically and commercially, a sequel would certainly make sense.

Earlier this year in an interview with Game Informer, Bruce Straley and Neil Druckmann reiterated that they have brainstormed ideas for a potential sequel to The Last of Us as well as other new games, but a sequel is still “a big if.” Straley also confirmed that all other projects and ideas have been “put on ice” as the team focus all of their attention on finishing Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, which is scheduled to release in Autumn 2016 exclusively on PlayStation 4.

The Last of Us launched in June 2013 exclusively on PlayStation 3 and received over 200 game of the year nominations. Just a year later The Last of Us Remastered, a remastering of the original game that bundles together all of the extra downloadable content, was released on PlayStation 4. To date, the PlayStation 3 version of The Last of Us has sold over six million copies worldwide, and that’s not even taking into account the sales of the remastered version on PlayStation 4. 

While The Last of Us 2 may not be coming soon or coming at all for that matter, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the series return at some point in the future, given the success of the first game.

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My Top 5 Most Anticipated Games Coming Out In 2014

To round off my series of features on my most anticipated games coming out for each platform - I’m going to end with a top 5 list of games that I’m incredibly excited for come 2014. Here they are - and I really appreciate you checking out these articles. It’s been great interacting with the comments and I hope that you’ll continue to follow my blog over the course of 2014 and the future! 

5. The Last Of Us: Left Behind

The Last of Us was my game of the year this year. By far one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had in a game - ever. Finding out more about Ellie and her friendship with Riley is going to be an emotional and tense experience. A lot of us will know the outcome - but like I wrote before, it’s about how we get there and the things we find along the way that define Ellie as the character she becomes. This DLC prequel is going to be a day-one digital purchase for me - and I’m incredibly excited to see how it pans out. 

4. Watch_Dogs

This is going to be one of the biggest games to hit next year. A game that was supposed to usher in a new breed of gameplay and experience. Sadly, its delay didn’t help anyone but I’m hopeful that it was for technical reasons and the studio have made Watch_Dogs a better game because of it. Playing as Aiden Pearce is going to be a blast - and the variety of options presented to tackle a situation will be refreshing. The ability to hack everything is going to play a pivotal part in Watch_Dogs and I’m very keen to see how it plays out and if everything Ubisoft has told us comes through. Needless to say, this will be a massive game and will most likely set off into a franchise with movie rights already confirmed. Lets hope Ubisoft have fixed any issues present and have polished the game to a tee - as it will be one I’ll be netting many hours in if so. 

3. Destiny

A massive move for Bungie - Destiny looks set to change the very landscape we know as an MMO game. With various planets to explore, many creatures to kill and with the aid of our friends (or maybe just you...) - Destiny is looking to be one of the biggest games of 2014. Bungie as a studio have a huge reputation after the success of the Halo series and hopefully they can pull off Destiny and bring in an even bigger audience, now with the Playstation nation joining the party. I’m keen to see much more footage on Destiny prior to its release on the 9th of September next year as I’m sure it’s going to be a blast.

2. inFamous: Second Son

I’m an incredibly massive fan of the inFamous series and Second Son is looking to be the first major “killer app” for the Playstation 4. Second Son takes place in Seattle, a few years after the events of the good ending from inFamous 2. Cole is gone, and Delsin is the new protagonist in the series. He’s an arrogant character, and one that will surely have a fair share of enemies. Whats unique about Second Son is Delsin can develop new abilities - he’s not just restricted to one. This adds a new dynamic to the game and will make for some interesting gameplay throughout the single-player story. inFamous: Second Son is going to be a great game, I’m sure of it. I have the utmost confidence in Sucker Punch to produce quality like they have time and time again. The game is only a few months away and competes with Xbox One exclusive Titanfall, which releases on the 11th of March. It’ll be an interesting month for both Sony and Microsoft as their two huge “killer apps” face off. All I know is that March is going to be a great month for gamers!

1. The Walking Dead: Season Two

Season One of Telltales The Walking Dead won many gamers hearts - mine included. Season Two has just begun and it’s looking as amazing as ever. Playing as Clementine is going to be an emotional experience, and the story is going to be one Walking Dead fans should not miss. With Episode Two slated for release within the next few months, all I can hope for is that Telltale keep up their incredible quality of story-telling and produce another emotional, incredible season of The Walking Dead. I’ve written a review on Episode One of Season Two, so be sure to check that out soon (it'll be posted in a day or two). 

Honorable Mentions:

Mario Kart 8

Super Smash Bros Wii U/3DS

Tom Clancy’s The Division

Titanfall

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

So there are my top 5 most anticipated games coming out next year on all platforms. What are yours? Thanks again for reading - and Happy New Year! Bring on 2014.

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Most Anticipated Next-Generation Multi-platform Games Coming Out In 2014

While both the Xbox One and Playstation 4 have some great exclusives hitting shelves next year, the multi-platform games are going to be just as good with some huge sequels  coming out next year as well as some brand new IP’s that could launch off into massive franchises. Here are my most anticipated next-generation multi-platform games coming out in 2014.

Watch_Dogs

Originally a launch title for both of the new consoles - Watch_Dogs was delayed a month before each released to the dismay of many gamers, myself included. This was the title that would really bring in the “next-gen” feeling and having it delayed put pressure on the other games and exclusives to really up there game and push for a next-generation experience. Nevertheless, Watch_Dogs will be releasing next year and will be a day one buy for me. The idea of hacking anything and everything is great and the blurring of the lines between single-player and multi-player gaming is admirable work. Ubisoft have a potentially massive franchise here - lets hope the delay has been to iron out some of the problems and make the game that much better. 

Releasing: Q1/2 2014

Check out the trailer here.

Dying Light

As I lined up at one of the E3 Expo booths to play Dying Light, all I could think about was how cool an idea it is to blend the mold of Dead Island with Mirrors Edge. In many ways it’s genius and should hopefully make for an awesome game. I also think the day zombies vs night zombies is an interesting way to diversify the game and make it more interesting and frantic. All of the footage I’ve seen on Dying Light has been quite impressive and I’m very excited to pick it up and put some hours into it. Hopefully the story is great and the gameplay is as good, if not better as it was when I got my hands on it. 

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the trailer here.

Destiny

Destiny is a game I simply can’t wait for. I’m a massive fan of Bungie and will support anything they attempt. I’ve pre-ordered it and will be jumping into the beta sometime next year on the PS4. I’ll be putting all my thoughts up on the beta on this blog and also on Made For Gaming, so be sure to check that out! For those of you who don’t know - Destiny is a MMO of sorts sporting an impressively large world (or galaxy) full of danger. I’m sure I’m going to spend a lot of time playing it and uncovering everything it has to offer. Playing with or without friends, Destiny is looking incredibly good as both a stand alone, single-player experience and/or a strong multiplayer experience. Depending on which option you choose will most likely change the way you experience games.

Releasing: 9th September 2014

Check out the gameplay trailer here.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher games have always been very polished, incredibly good affairs. When The Witcher 3 was announced, many gamers were excited. It’s looking very impressive and the graphics are some of the best I’ve ever seen. I have a feeling the story will be as good as ever and the gameplay will be as enjoyable as ever. This is a game I’ve been looking forward to since its announcement and I’m hoping that it will live up to the incredibly high expectations set after both predecessors were so good. 

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the trailer here.

Tom Clancy’s The Division

One of the surprises of E3 was the announcement of The Division. An online-only game that focuses on teamwork, strategy and the ability to co-operate under pressure. While the graphics look phenomenal thanks to the new engine built for the game - the idea behind the game seems unique and something only a next-generation console could handle. This is going to be one of the biggest games to come out next year by a mile, and hopefully it will live up to its incredibly high expectations. Tom Clancy games have always been very good - but The Division looks to blow everything else before it out of the water. 

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the incredible Snowdrop Engine trailer here.

So there are my most anticipated next-gen games coming out next year - what are yours? Have I missed any that you are keen to get into? Let me know in the comments below and as always - thanks for reading! 

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Most Anticipated Playstation 4 Games Coming Out In 2014

With the Playstation 4 outselling the Xbox One this holiday period - will its games stack up to those of the Xbox come next year? While there is certainly room for argument on the matter I think the Playstation 4’s exclusives coming out next year are going to rival those of the Xbox One. Here are my most anticipated Playstation 4 games coming out in 2014.

inFamous: Second Son

The inFamous games are some of my favorite games ever made. They’re a ton of fun mixed with a wonderful story. While we wont be joining Cole because of the “good ending” (no spoilers here!) We will be joining a new character, Delsin Rowe. A more arrogant, self proclaimed anti-hero - Delsin looks set to be one of the most unique characters in the series. Whats one of the more intriguing parts of Second Son is no doubt the range of powers Delsin can use as he progresses through the game. Variety is going to be an integral part to Second Son and I’m adamant this is going to be the first “killer” game for PS4.

Releasing: March 21, 2014

Check out the trailer here.

#Driveclub

Sony’s first party delay - #Driveclub looks set to be the direct competitor to Xbox One’s Forza 5. #Driveclub is focusing on interactivity between friends on PS4. You will always be racing to beat a score set by one of your friends and that brings in a dynamic that I haven’t really experienced thoroughly in a racing game before. When I played the alpha demo at this years E3 Expo, it asked me to take a photo of myself. Being the person I am, I squinted and put out a peace sign. I confirmed my photo and was determined to beat some records on the track. Needless to say, whoever played that specific demo after me would have had a lovely surprise. Awesome.

Releasing: Q1 2014

Check out the trailer here.

Daylight

Coming to both PS4 and PC next year, Daylight looks set to usher back in a bunch of terrifying horror games. With no weapon and only a flashlight/compass equipped (it’s actually your phone) - your task is to get out of the building. Each play session lasts between 30 minutes to an hour and every time you play again everything is different. This is what is going to keep gamers like myself coming back to Daylight and I can’t wait to turn all the lights off and get this game started. Bring on the scares.

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the trailer here.

Outlast

Another PS4/PC game, Outlast looks terrifying. Already released on PC, the game is based on a journalist who enters a mental asylum aiming to find the truth. Again, you have no weapon throughout the game and your only equipped item is your camera. You have to consistently scout for batteries all while fending off the scares. I’ve seen some great videos on Outlast and I’m truly excited to play it. It’s just one of those games for me that I can hold off for and when it does release, I’ll be getting it day one.

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the trailer here.

The Order: 1886

Ready At Dawn studios are best known for their work on the God Of War PSP games. To take on a game like The Order: 1886 is a huge step up for them but I’m sure they will pull it off. Both Ghost of Sparta and Chains of Olympus were excellent God of War games and if those are anything to go by - The Order: 1886 will be excellent. The sheer amount of detail put into the game is astounding. The Victorian setting is jaw dropping and the story elements look very good. I’m extremely excited for this game and am adamant it will be a massive hit.

Releasing: Q3/4 2014

Check out the trailer here.

So there are my most anticipated PS4 games that’ll be coming out in 2014. What were yours? Have I missed any that you are excited for? Let me know in the comments section below and as always, thanks for reading.

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Most Anticipated Xbox One Games Coming Out In 2014

The Xbox One will begin its first full year with some massive titles hitting throughout the course of 2014. There are also some brand new exclusive IP’s launching next year that should give some great variety to Microsofts Xbox One console and a reason for gamers to pick up the system. Here are my most anticipated Xbox One games that are launching next year.

Project Spark

A “do whatever the hell you want” game of sorts. Project Spark reminds me a little bit of LittleBigPlanet but just expanded in a huge way. Watching how tablet integration works with the game itself at E3 was entertaining and the possibilities of the game look endless. I will definitely be picking this game up when it releases and it shouldn’t be one to look over. If the team gets it right, Project Spark will be a massive hit across all ages. With community interaction the major factor to the games success - Project Spark must look at everything and continually add new content to the game. I’m sure the developers are aware of this and will do just that. Project Spark will be the first DIY sandbox game to hit next-generation consoles and I’m hopeful it will live up to its potential.

Check out the trailer here.

Releasing: TBA 2014

Sunset Overdrive

A surprise in many gamers and journalists eyes across the world. Insomniac Games, best known for their work on the Spyro and Ratchet and Clank games have joined up with Microsoft to make an exclusive online-only game that is said to “change all the time”. Whether or not the game will adhere to this promise remains to be seen but from early footage of the game it looks promising. I’m still hoping Insomniac brings out some new content on PS4 but I am happy for them to be diving out and exploring the other options on offer. Sunset Overdrive looks like an interesting game, and if it lives up to its potential it’ll be a ton of fun. 

Check out the reveal trailer here.

Releasing: TBA 2014

Titanfall

By far one of the biggest announcements in recent E3 history, Titanfall has a huge amount of hype and I’m hoping it lives up to that. Having looked at a lot of gameplay and trailers on Titanfall, things are looking very good. What is being described as a hybrid of Call of Duty and Mech Warrior is giving chills down many a-gamers spine. An all-online multiplayer experience, Titanfall looks to deliver a campaign like no other. With missions being given at the beginning of matches and depending on whether you and your buddies can complete the objective completely depends on the way the campaign progresses. It’s an awesome way to experiment with the blurring of the lines between what we know as single-player and multi-player experiences and if done correctly, Titanfall will be a huge hit. A CoD killer perhaps, but we will have to wait and see.

Check out the gameplay trailer here.

Releasing: March 11th, 2014

Halo

I was surprised by the announcement of Halo at Microsofts E3 conference this year, but what better way to say “come and buy an Xbox One” than to announce a new Halo game. While it’s still not confirmed whether or not this will be coming out in 2014 (I know it was said it was but who knows at the moment) it will be a huge feat for Microsoft as many gamers have a fond love for Halo and will buy an Xbox One just because of it. Halo (5) has had a various amount of rumors circling around as of late regarding if it will be an actual linear action-adventure game like its predecessors or if 343 will take a different route and make an RPG Halo game. That remains to be seen and we will no doubt see much more on Halo in the coming months. I’m extremely excited for it, linear game or not. 

Check out the reveal trailer here.

Releasing: TBA 2014

So there are my most anticipated Xbox One games that’ll be coming out next year. What are yours? Have I missed any that you’re excited for? Let me know in the comments below and as always, thanks for reading!

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My Top 5 Movies of The Year

2013 has been an excellent year for movies (or film, however you’d like to call it). It’s seen many highs and lows but I feel as though the highs have outweighed the lows a lot more than normal and I can only hope this continues in 2014 with some big movies already announced for release within the next year. Here are my top 5 movies of the year.

5. Pacific Rim

Robots fighting Aliens. Need I say more? Seriously, I went into Pacific Rim with an open mind that had not seen any trailers. Needless to say my mind was blown from the beginning sequence to the time the credits started rolling (and after the small credits scene too). Directed by none other than Guillermo del Toro, Pacific Rim is an awesome work of art. It has created a universe that I’ve never really seen before (and by that I mean done well before) and plays with the idea of Aliens and what they could do to the world and our lack of defenses against them. Yes, it’s very much an action-packed film with a small package story but what it has it does very well. Every actor and actress puts out a great performance and Ron Perlman managed to get some serious chuckles out of me throughout. It’s an awesome film that has a sequel already in development. If you haven’t seen it yet, I suggest you go and pick up a blu-ray copy as you won’t regret it.

4. American Hustle

A star studded cast, an awesome plot and a great director combine to make American Hustle one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. Every actor and actress puts in a ballsy, entertaining performance and adds to the quality plot of the movie as it develops over the 2 hour duration. I particularly loved the performances from Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper. They can really rock that 70’s style. Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams were very good as always and Jeremy Renner was also very good. Before I saw the film I had high hopes and my expectations were met if not exceeded. A wonderful way to spend two hours. 

3. Prisoners

This movie took me by surprise. I went with a group of friends to see it and I was blown away. Exceptional performances from Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal really sold it while the performance from Paul Dano stole the show. Prisoners was full of twists and turns and made for very good viewing. The films dark tone never lets up and plays with your emotions like puppet work for nearly the whole time. The final twist is one that will stay with me for a long time. Be warned that there are very graphic scenes in this film, but all are necessary for the film to progress its realistic story. Kudos to director Denis Villeneuve for pulling out some of the best performances I’ve ever seen from Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal. 

2. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

I’m a huge fan of The Hunger Games books and enjoyed the first movie. While it didn’t live up to the expectations I had placed on it from the book, it certainly was a great film that still evoked some solid emotions out of me. Along comes Catching Fire and wow did it knock the ball out of the park. Director Francis Lawrence took an incredible amount of detail from the book and put it on the silver screen and for that I commend him. It really does show and it is a great homage to the people who’ve read the books to see some of the little things coming to life before our eyes (especially the sugar cubes scene... Seriously!) Catching Fire has been heralded by some critics as a “rinse and repeat” movie and all I have to say to them is read the book. While the formula has not changed so much from the original book, the themes tend to darken and Catching FIre plays an integral part in the development of Katniss as a person and the uprising that is about to begin against the Capitol. I cannot wait for Mockingjay Part 1.

1. Gravity

It really couldn’t be anything else. I went into Gravity with high expectations but came out of the theatre with expectations exceeded. Alfonso Cuaron has created a masterpiece and pulled out what is no doubt the best performance Sandra Bullock has ever done. George Clooney is also exceptional but again, Bullock definitely deserves the praise. Everything from the sound effects, to the soundtrack, to the shots are all expertly done and showcase the brilliance of Alfonso Cuaron and the crew. Watching Gravity in 3D was the best decision I could have made as it only made the movie that much better. Gravity, in my opinion, is by far the best movie to come out this year and I hope that it receives the awards it deserves. 

So there are my favorite movies of the year. What were yours? Be sure to leave a comment and thanks for reading! 

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Most Anticipated Wii U Games Coming Out In 2014

The third part of my most anticipated list is here and it solely focuses on Nintendo’s Wii U system. It looks like 2014 is going to be a great year for the Wii U with some excellent exclusives hitting throughout the year. Here are my most anticipated Wii U games of 2014!

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

  Announced at Nintendo Direct at E3 2013, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is looking at being one of the heavy hitters for Nintendo throughout the beginning of 2014. Slated for a February release after being delayed twice, it looks set to compete with the likes of Thief, Titanfall, Metal Gear Solid V and inFamous: Second Son. While none of the aforementioned games will be hitting Wii U, it’s definitely something to think about given the current sales numbers given by both Microsoft and Sony on their new consoles. None-the-less, Donkey Kong Country has been a huge franchise and one Nintendo has cherished and cared for over the many years it’s been around. I remember playing the old Donkey Kong Country games back when I was very young and I’m extremely excited to see how this one goes. It’s being developed by Retro Studios and Monster Games and includes four playable characters. Those being Donkey Kong, Diddie Kong, Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong. Each character has a set of unique abilities that impact the way you play. One of the new features introduced into Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is the Kong-POW meter, which when used, dispatches any enemy currently on screen. With only two months to go until this title hits store shelves, it’s safe to say it’s going to be a huge start to 2014 for Nintendo.

Releasing: February 13th (JP), 21st (NA/EU)

Check out the trailer here.

  Mario Kart 8

  The days of Mario Kart 64 have long gone. Fond memories are still here with me to this day and when Mario Kart 8 was announced I thought to myself what a no-brainer it is. Nintendo’s flagship racing franchise hits Wii U sometime in 2014 and will no doubt be another heavy hitter. Game number eleven overall for the Mario Kart franchise, Nintendo are looking to introduce a ton of new features into the title while also bringing back the great features that made Mario Kart 7 so wonderful such as anti-gravity sections, bikes, gliders and underwater driving. The customization options that made Mario Kart 7 great are back too with an even deeper customization system. I’m truly excited for this title and am keen to see how it goes. It’s currently being developed by Nintendo EAD and will of course be published by Nintendo. I can safely assume that this will a system seller.

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the trailer here.

  Bayonetta 2

One of the biggest surprises over the last few years was the announcement of Bayonetta 2 as a Wii U exclusive. The original was released on Xbox 360 and PS3 back in early 2010 and had mostly positive reviews. I definitely enjoyed the game and did not mind when Platinum Games said they had no plans to make a sequel. Three years later and Bayonetta 2 for Wii U might be one of the biggest games to hit the console yet and could be a system seller for some who want to jump in on some Bayonetta action. The game is being directed by Yusuke Hashimoto and produced by Atsushi Inaba and will be releasing sometime in 2014. Multiplayer has been announced while optional touch-based controls have also been confirmed. Hopefully there will be more information on the game during E3 2014.

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the trailer here.

  Super Smash Bros. Wii U

  It would not be right to not mention perhaps the biggest Wii U title to hit next year. One of the biggest titles to ever hit Nintendo’s various systems and a sleeper hit throughout various console generations, Super Smash Bros. looks set to be the definitive system seller for the Wii U. Featuring exclusive stages only for Wii U hopefully will be enough to convince gamers to buy both versions for portable and living room action. The game is being directed by Masahiro Sakurai and Yoshito Higuchi and will be in HD on the Wii U version as expected and will have black outlining on the 3DS version. Link has recently been announced as a playable character in both versions which is another great move. I’m incredibly excited to see how Super Smash Bros. goes on both platforms and will definitely be looking forward to seeing some more footage in the near future.

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the trailer here.

  What are your most anticipated Wii U games coming out next year? Let me know in the comments below!

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Killzone: Shadow Fall Review

 Developer: Guerrilla Games

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Genre: First Person Shooter

Platform: PS4

  The battle with Helghan has been raging for quite some time now. The Killzone series has seen six games unleashed since the original was released in late 2004 for the Playstation 2. Killzone: Shadow Fall is what most would note as the 4th “big” installment in the series. It’s a launch game for Sony’s new bad-boy the Playstation 4 and is the only first party exclusive-FPS to come on launch day from either of the next-generation consoles. After some massive delays occurred throughout the bottom end of 2013, Killzone: Shadow Fall began to feel some serious weight on its shoulders. With only Knack and Killzone as Sony’s first-party exclusives coming out on day one for the PS4, is it worth it?

Shadow Fall takes place 30 years after the events of Killzone 3. Helghan has been forced to relocate due to the decimation of their home planet and because of this they now reside on Vekta. There has been a wall built to separate both Vekta and Helghan and as you’d imagine, tension begins to creep in as time goes by. The game begins in 2370 for a short period of time and introduces a couple of characters that will play significant roles throughout the campaigns eight-hour duration. After the quick introduction it’s 2390 and you’re a Shadow Marshall by the name of Lucas Kellan. Tensions are running high between New Vekta and New Helghan and your priority is to stop the escalation of a new war. The setting of the game is good. There is always a question present in your mind of what will happen between the two factions and how every mission you go on will affect the outcome.

Graphically, Killzone: Shadow Fall is incredible. Running at a wonderful 1080p at 30fps throughout the single player and 60fps on multiplayer, it’s clear to see that Guerrilla have put a lot of effort into making the game look and feel great on the PS4. I’d go as far to say that it’s the best looking next-generation game out currently. The color scheme throughout Shadow Fall is different to what previous Killzone iterations have had. The use of colors such as blue and green are very apparent here, while the greys and browns of old are more sporadic. The cityscape of New Vekta is astonishing and showcases these colors to a tee. However, New Helghan is the opposite, going back to the aforementioned color palette of grey and brown. It’s a stark contrast that adds to the overall feel of the game and it’s one that showcases the despair and unforgiving nature that New Helghan possesses. This theme runs throughout the campaign and both settings give distinct feels. New Vekta has a sense of peace and the colors represent that whereas New Helghan is full of tension and despair. It’s through this contrast that makes Shadow Falls chapters so intriguing to participate in.

Killzone games have always been challenging and Shadow Fall is no different from its predecessors. Helghast troops make use of cover wisely and later on in the game when shielded Helghast troops arrive things become even more challenging. It’s something that can be frustrating for some but is enjoyable for others. I for one love a challenge and playing through the campaign on normal difficulty was enough for me to keep the threat of rage quitting due to the challenging A.I. at bay.

Some moments in the campaign tend to get slightly flustered and dying is a main course throughout. However, like previous Killzone games you do have the chance to be revived by your Owl Drone if you have an adrenaline pack. Once revived, you will go into a slo-mo type scenario to either take out those pesky Helghast soldiers that took you out or run for the hills. It’s a good idea that is utilized well and has saved me from looking at a game over screen more than once. Adrenaline packs can also be used during the course of the game at your leisure when you feel it’s time to get your “Max Payne” on.

The Owl Drone itself is a wonderful companion. You usually will not have any allies with you throughout the campaign and it acts as just that. You can swipe the touchpad up, down, left or right to engage a specific function for the Owl to do and use the L1 button to command it to do that action. I found the shield to be the most helpful as I do go guns-blazing at the worst of times and the Owl takes quite a beating before it needs to recharge. 

While the technical components of Killzone: Shadow Fall are all very well done, the story as a whole is not. It’s in fact a bit of a shambles, which is sad given the potential that the game had. It started off well, and I became involved in the games characters and setting from the beginning but over the course of the eight-hour campaign I lost interest due to poor voice performances and the overall story arc. Again, it’s a shame that Guerrilla didn’t make more of an effort to convey a good story but with the non-stop action and beautiful environments, it can be forgiven

Another let down is the anti-gravity sections throughout the campaign. There are only three but each are the low-points of Shadow Fall. They feel flimsy and tacked on and took away from the overall experience. One particular section involved escorting one of the characters I had been sent to retrieve from one area to another whilst groups of drones came at me from different angles. While this sounds fine, the clunky controls did not help and keeping track of two to three things at once seemed too difficult. I’d constantly have to check for their spawn points (I did this section about five or six times) so I could take them out before too many had gathered and killed me. It’s things like these that faltered my experience with Shadow Fall and I feel the campaign could have done without them.

The strong point of Killzone: Shadow Fall is the multiplayer. The Warzones system is great and works very well. The direct connection between community and developers is an admiral feat and something that other games within the FPS genre should seriously consider. All weapons are unlocked from the beginning and you rank up through challenges you complete. You can also unlock attachments such as scopes for your weapons as you use them throughout and each challenge is fun and not extremely difficult to get into. While the multiplayer will be a grind for some if they were looking at getting a platinum trophy, they should at least have a good time with the first 10 or so hours as it is an incredibly enjoyable experience. However, there is a significant problem with spawn killing at the moment that needs to be addressed. While I wasn’t on the receiving end of it that much, it still falters the experience for the team that are having it done to them and will eventually push them away from the game. Another problem I have is just that, there are next to no players online. The most I have seen on a single Warzone (that being Team Deathmatch) was 823 currently playing. Comparing that to something like Call of Duty: Ghosts Team Deathmatch which would most likely have 3000+ playing just goes to show how dire the multiplayer is at the moment. It’s a shame as Guerrilla have promised extra map packs but without players online it will die out very quickly. Hopefully players will start jumping into Shadow Falls multiplayer, as it is a wonderful, unique experience. 

Overall, Killzone: Shadow Fall is a great game. There’s nothing special about it, but it’s much better than the Average Joe launch game. It has a slightly cluttered, yet beautiful campaign and the multiplayer is a load of fun. It’s a great launch title that should get quite a bit of attention from me over the holiday period. If you’re looking for an FPS that is more challenging and visually stunning than the other next-gen FPS’ available right now, Killzone: Shadow Fall is your game.  

  Pros

+ Visually Stunning

+ Gun Variety

+ Intelligent A.I.

+ Challenging Gameplay

+ Owl Tech Is Awesome

+ Great Multiplayer

  Cons

- Mindless Story

- Anti-Gravity Sections Are A Shambles

- Spawn Camping

    Rating: 7.5/10

[ireviewgamesandstuff-blog]

Most Anticipated Handheld Games Coming Out In 2014

I previously listed my most anticipated games coming out on the current-generation of consoles yesterday and today it’s the second iteration with my most anticipated games to release on the handheld consoles during 2014. 

Nintendo 3DS

Mighty No. 9

While this is a game that’ll be hitting many different platforms, I feel as though it’ll be perfect for the 3DS. The added 3D support will give it a small edge over the other platforms but it obviously won’t be too much. The base game itself should be a great one and I’m very excited to see how it’ll go after it’s massive success with its kick-starter campaign (in case you didn’t know, it raised a little over 3.8 million US dollars). Created by none other than the original man who worked on the Mega Man games himself, Keiji Inafune, Mighty No. 9 looks like it’ll be an amazing, fast-paced game that gives us all some serious enjoyment. Not to mention the developers of the game are nearly all veteran Mega Man developers; Mighty No. 9 has serious potential and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the kick-starter trailer here.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe

Nintendo has always never let up with their first party releases and it looks like Kirby: Triple Deluxe will be yet another wonderful iteration of first party goodness from Nintendo. Releasing on the 11th of January in Japan, Kirby: Triple Deluxe is the 14th Kirby game in the series and is a 2.5D platformer mostly in the vein of it’s Wii iteration. The physics and graphics featured in the game will most likely come from the aforementioned iteration as well, however, knowing Nintendo they will definitely add some cool new elements into the fray and make things incredibly enjoyable once again. 

Releasing: 11th January, 2014 (JP), TBA 2014 (Other Territories)

Watch the new gameplay trailer here.

Yoshi’s New Island

Another first party title from Nintendo, Yoshi’s New Island looks to continue the success the previous entries have received and expand even more. Obviously it’ll be in the same essence and style as it’s predecessors and I can’t complain about that. Both games were a lot of fun and I’m very keen to see how it goes when it releases next year. On a side note as well, both this and Kirby: Triple Deluxe were announced at Nintendo Direct at E3 this year, here’s hoping for some more great announcements next year at E3!

Releasing: Spring (EU/US), Summer (JP), Autumn (AU) 2014

Watch the new teaser trailer here.

Playstation Vita

Minecraft

I remember watching my first video about Minecraft back in 2010. One of my favorite Youtubers, Seananners, was playing it and going through all of the basics. It’s kind of lifted from there and here we are with a PS Vita iteration of Minecraft inbound. I used to play the game quite religiously when I bought it three days after seeing that original video. I think it was back in Alpha then and seeing how far it’s come and how popular it is now is incredible. For something so simple to gain so much universal appraisal is a testament to the whole team at Mojang and Notch of course for doing something different. It’s also inspired games such as Terraria (which has now hit the Vita!) and Starbound and I have to be incredibly thankful for that. Needless to say this is a title that will sell many, many digital copies when it hits PS Vita next year as it’s the perfect game to play on the go. 

Releasing: Summer, 2014

Check out the article on the PS4/Xbox One/Vita release here.

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster

It wouldn’t be a most anticipated list without the mentioning of this. Many gamers have been looking forward to the FF X/X-2 remaster for quite some time and when it was announced that it’d be hitting both Vita and PS3 I was incredibly impressed. An incredible Final Fantasy game on Vita? Sold instantly. While the Vita isn’t lacking great RPG games, nothing can come close to Final Fantasy. What is one important thing to note about this remaster is that Square Enix’s 1st production team is working on this port which gives me a lot of hope that it won’t be very buggy come launch day. Say goodbye to my social life when this hits.

Releasing: March 18th (NA), March 21st (EU)

Check out the newest trailer here.

Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty

I fondly remember playing the classic Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee back when I was a kid. I actually to this day question how I managed to get through some of the puzzles I did back then. Needless to say, I was jumping for joy when this ‘remaster’ of sorts was announced at Gamescom. Currently being developed by Just Add Water and (will be) published by Oddworld Inhabitants, Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty is going to be a wonderful trip back into the Oddworld universe and experience everything it has to offer with a few new twists. 

Releasing: Spring 2014

Check out the trailer here.

Borderlands 2

Much hasn’t been said since Borderlands 2 was announced on Vita back at Gamescom. Not to the point of getting worried, but I’d love to hear some more about it. Even if it was just a ‘we’re up to this’. Never the less, Borderlands 2 on the Vita will be massive. It’s hugely popular now and being able to play it on trips etc is going to be an experience that many people will fork out money for. I’m hoping that the game will include some DLC if not all of it, but I’m assuming that’s unlikely due to card size restraints. Here’s to hoping we hear more about Borderlands 2 on Vita soon!

Releasing: TBA 2014

Read the latest article surrounding Borderlands 2 here.

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number

I’m a huge fan of Hotline Miami. When I was doing Let’s Plays on Youtube I elected to try out the original for one of my first sets of Let’s Play videos. When I fired that game up and started playing, boy did I know I’d struck gold. Hotline Miami was an incredible game. It’s still one of the highest ranked games on Vita (via Metacritic) and clearly that is a testament to how god damn awesome this game is. I have the game on both Vita and PC and while the Vita’s controls don’t quite match up to the quick-witted nature of the PC's mouse/keyboard combo it’s still a great way to enjoy one of the best games Vita has to offer at the moment. The game takes place before AND after the events of the original and is being developed by Dennaton Games and will be published by Devolver Digital. Not giving any spoilers away here but the ‘official’ ending is Jacket’s interpretation and that’s what the game will go from. 

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the trailer here.

God of War Collection

Rounding out the list is the God Of War Collection. I’m excited for this to hit Vita as I sadly missed both 1 & 2 as I was an Xbox kid at that point. I never bothered to get the collection on my PS3 so when it does release on Vita I will have some incentive to try it out. I loved God of War 3 and releasing the collection on Vita will be a great move for Sony as it’ll grab the attention of people like me who haven’t played the originals and would love to jump in and try them out while on long trips to who knows where. 

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the (unofficial) trailer here.

So there you have it, my most anticipated handheld games coming in 2014. What were yours? Be sure to check out my next part to this series of articles which will be my most anticipated games coming out on the Wii U. I’ll be posting that up within the next few days.

Until then, happy holidays!

[ireviewgamesandstuff-blog]

Most Anticipated Current-Generation Games Coming Out In 2014

2014 is only a few days away and it’s time to look at my most anticipated games for the current generation of consoles coming our way next year. 

I’ve decided to not include any of the games that will be on next-generation consoles but instead have looked into games that you can only play on the current consoles or PC. 

South Park: The Stick of Truth

For a game that has been delayed multiple times, recent footage of South Park: The Stick of Truth gives me confidence that the delays have given it time to become a incredibly polished, enjoyable experience. I didn’t personally believe this to be a game that would be of any interest to me until I started to see some new footage of it. I casually wiped it away as I honestly thought it was going to be another tower defense game like the former few games. Weirdly enough, the first time I heard a good mention of the game was at the Australian EB Games Expo this year. There was a booth set up for it that displayed some sort of trailer and you’d line up, go in, see it and come out. While waiting in line to play Dying Light I overheard a few people behind me saying how cool it looked. After that I decided to go and check out some scarce footage and low-and-behold, it looks great. The latest trailer setting the date back to March 4th made it seem like the delay will be worth it. For a game that I initially tossed away as a ‘meh’ title, it’s definitely starting to show some great potential and I’m incredibly keen to play it when it does release in March. I also heard that the Australian Classification Board has refused to rate the game and as such the developers have had to re-do some of the mini-games. This board is starting to really get on my nerves, especially when an R18+ rating has only just been introduced. Shame.

Releasing: March 4th/6th/7th, 2014

Check out the trailer here.

Dark Souls 2

The ‘Souls’ franchise has been a knock-out hit to hardcore gamers across the globe. It’s unforgiving and not for the rage quitters out there. Being honest, I have not played the previous ‘Souls’ games as I feel I could not bear the torment they would inevitably throw at me so I’ve resorted to watching let’s play’s on Youtube. This will most likely be how I’ll handle my Dark Souls 2 experience as well but I’m very excited to see how it turns out. From Software have proven themselves as good developers and a March 11th release date is not that far away. Having no direct connection to the original Dark Souls and directed by Tomohiro Shibuya and Yui Tanimara, who are in fact, not the original director(s) of Dark Souls, might play an intriguing role in how the game is received by critics and fans alike. All I can predict is that this game is going to be unforgiving, rage-inducing and a lot of fun (to watch, of course). 

Releasing: March 11th/13th/14th, 2014

Check out the trailer here.

The Wolf Among Us: Season 1

While Episode 1 of The Wolf Among Us is already here, the other four episodes aren’t and so I’m putting this in my most anticipated list. I’m a huge fan of the Fables universe and the introductory episode was nothing short of amazing. Telltale have a lot on their plate for 2014 and I’m certainly excited to see how this series progresses. I am, however, hoping that they can start shifting into gear and release an episode every month instead of leaving the fans in the dark with no new information regarding Episode 2’s release. Telltale love to drop the information on their series a week or two before it actually comes out to the public so here’s hoping we hear something sooner rather than later. I’m keen to become Bigby Wolf once again.

Releasing: Q1 2014

Check out the trailer here.

Check out the preview for Episode 2 here.

Tales From The Borderlands

When this was announced at VGX a couple of weeks ago, I was taken aback. I’m a big fan of the Borderlands universe, like Fables, and have huge expectations for this series. Doing a Borderlands game that isn’t, well, Borderlands is risky but I’m sure Telltale can pull it off given their track record of late. You may be wondering why I’ve included this in the Current-Gen list instead of Next-Gen and that’s due to the fact it’s most likely already been developed and working on those consoles instead of the Next-Gen ones. I might even take a dig and assume that Tales From The Borderlands will be the last Telltale game on Current-Gen and their Game of Thrones series will be the first to hit Next-Gen. None-the-less, I am excited to see how this series will play out and am intrigued to see how Telltale approach the narrative.

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the trailer here.

The Walking Dead: Season 2

Another Telltale game. They just keep coming. However, The Walking Dead was an absolutely huge success last year and won Game Of The Year on many different sites and magazines around the world. The narrative was exceptional, the consequences felt very harsh and while the ending remained the same - it was all about how you, the player, got there. I have huge expectations for this season of The Walking Dead and playing as Clementine is going to be an incredible experience. As you can probably tell, I haven’t played the first episode of this season yet but I will very soon and a review will be posted when all is said and done. The narrative and character development in The Walking Dead remains the most important feature and I hope Telltale can deliver once again. I recently heard that there will be five seasons of The Walking Dead game, so here’s to hoping every season is as good as, if not better, than the last.

Releasing: Q1/2 2014 

Check out the trailer here.

The Last of Us: Left Behind

This might not count in many peoples eyes as a ‘game’ of sorts. It’s the single-player DLC many gamers have been craving for quite some time. Announced last month at the Playstation 4 launch event in New York, The Last of Us: Left Behind is a prologue of the game itself and follows Ellie and her friend Riley’s journey throughout a world consumed by death. Expect heart felt moments, expect a lot of story and less killing and expect some great dialogue. While you may know what happens at the end of this certain frame of the story (via reading the comics/finishing the game), it’s all about the journey and how you got there. I am incredibly excited to play this DLC and am very keen to jump back into the world of The Last of Us. 

Releasing: TBA 2014

Check out the reveal trailer here.

What are your most anticipated Current-Gen games coming out next year? Let me know in the comments section below, and again, thank you very much for taking the time to read this! Much more coming very soon.

[ireviewgamesandstuff-blog]

Game of The Year 2013 (Top 5 List)

Its been a wonderful year for gamers. A year that’s seen the release of the two new big consoles that will dominate living rooms for the next 5 - 8 years, a year that’s seen a single video game break multiple Guinness world records, a year that has wowed us with brand new original IP’s and a staggering amount of HD remixes, reboots of old beloved franchises and an incredible surge in wonderful indie titles. 

I’ve played through many games this year. Some great, some not so great. I’ve only posted a few reviews on this blog so far, but none-the-less I want to become a much more active reviewer and as such decided to release my top five favorite games of the year.

I’ll admit now, I have not played any Nintendo games this year and because of this they have not been included in the list. But big props to Nintendo for releasing some incredible games this year (Zelda, Mario and Pokemon most importantly).

5. Grand Theft Auto V

Adequately numbered, GTA V did everything I wanted it to. As I waited on that fateful Monday night awaiting the 12:00am stroke to signify the 17th of September, 2013 I thought to myself how far GTA has come since it’s original beginning over 20 years ago. For something that started as a birds-eye view 2D game, it’s surely come a long way. Rockstar North again blew the roof off with GTA V though, after multiple delays and a lot of waiting; the game finally hit and it was a wonderful game. While it is definitely more of the same, it’s exactly what I wanted it to be; fun. 

4. Beyond: Two Souls

I’m a huge fan of Heavy Rain. I decided to finally jump into it at the start of this year when I bought a PS3 again and it was one of the best choices I’ve made over the last few years. Ironically enough, the game was all about choices and it deserves the love it has. Along came Cage’s next work, Beyond: Two Souls. Emotionally engaging in a game can be quite hard for me sometimes but it didn’t take long for me to start caring about everything this game threw at me. It’s emotional, it’s unforgiving and most importantly, it tells a great story. This pick might give me some flack and hate as the game did review poorly on some sites - but honestly I think it’s a wonderful game and an incredible entry into the catalogue of swan-song games for the PS3 as the PS4 slowly takes its place.

3. Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag

I’m a huge fan of the Assassins Creed universe, but was majorly disappointed in Assassins Creed 3. When I heard initially that the next installment was based on the golden age of piracy I was taken aback and somewhat doubtful that the team could pull something so significant off. I was proven wrong, and I’m damn glad I was. I held out on buying AC for the current gen consoles so I could fully experience the 1080p goodness that came with the PS4 and I’m glad I waited. It’s been a wonderful experience and a game I’m going to sink many hours into over the holiday period.

2. Bioshock Infinite

Irrational Games’ masterpiece. I’m an incredibly huge fan of the Bioshock games and the unique setting they’ve crafted over the three entries. I was not expecting that Infinite would be better than the previous two games however. It took me a little while to get the game as I was busy with other things at the time it released but when I did eventually get it ($44 at JB-Hifi may I add) I was incredibly surprised by how great the game really is. I guess it’s silly of me to say, given Irrational Games are a great studio and the previous Bioshock games were both incredible but the sheer scope of Infinite blew me away. I loved the setting, I loved Booker & Elizabeth and the ending had my jaw on the floor as the credits rolled. To this day I still listen to the soundtrack from Infinite, and reminisce on how incredible the song ‘Will The Circle Be Unbroken’ truly is. 

1. The Last Of Us

After I played Naughty Dogs masterpiece, I knew nothing could trump it. I’m a huge fan of Naughty Dogs work but nothing prepared me for The Last Of Us. I can specifically remember waiting for the download to finally begin (digitally purchased it) and I ended up waiting until around 4am before I could actually play the game but as soon as it started I knew I was in for something special. This game is a pure masterpiece. It deserves every single award it gets. I was completely engrossed in the universe, the characters and the story presented and cannot wait for the single-player DLC to hit next year. Joel and Ellie are among the best characters I’ve ever followed on a video-game and Naughty Dog have again outdone themselves. Sequel or no sequel, this game will go down in history as one of the best ever made.

[ireviewgamesandstuff-blog]

Killzone: Mercenary Review

Developer: Guerrilla Cambridge

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Genre: First Person Shooter

Platform: Playstation Vita

A Blast From Start To Finish

Killzone: Mercenary is a great game. Plain and simple. Developed by Guerrilla Cambridge, it’s an exciting look into (hopefully) what the future holds for Sony’s now two-year-old handheld, the Playstation Vita.

Killzone: Mercenary takes place between the original Killzone and Killzone 2. You play as Arran Danner, a mercenary hired by the ISA to complete various missions that usually involve large explosions, lots of killing and a hell of a lot of brutal melee kills. It’s a simple, yet intriguing way of looking at the Killzone universe and the war between Helghan and Vekta. Not giving too much away, but as a hired mercenary, you’re always in it for the money at the end of the day and when one thing leads to another; you, the player, begin to question what the cost of war really has come down to and if the ISA are stepping too far into uncharted and un-welcomed territory. 

From start to finish, the game never lets up and is truly a joy to play through. Although I finished the game at around the 3 hour mark, I’m destined to jump back into it on Veteran difficulty and complete the three different sets of contracts. It’s because of this and the ‘points/money’ system that makes Killzone: Mercenary an addictive affair. Through the money you earn you can choose to purchase different equipment and gear to help aid your progress throughout the games nine explosion-filled missions. You deal with a mysterious organization known as Blackjack and it’s through this seemingly non-existent connection that story elements begin to converge. There’s a wealth of weapons and equipment to choose from and I constantly caught myself wanting to try out new things and jump away from my ‘comfort’ weapon and this element is vital to Killzone: Mercenary’s replay value.

The enemy AI in Killzone: Mercenary is also quite good. While it isn’t anywhere near as difficult as previous Killzone iterations (and Killzone: Shadow Fall for that matter), it still packs a hard enough punch to have you taking cover often and Veteran difficulty to provide a solid enough challenge. Things become slightly more interesting when vehicles are introduced too. While they are no where near as significant as the Helghan ground troops, it’s nice to have them come through every now and then as they add a nice new dynamic and often stopped the game from becoming stale in some of the horde-like sequences.

As a Vita title, Killzone has some elements of touch control and they are utilized incredibly well. I thought they’d feel gimmicky but both the brutal melee swipes and the hacking of consoles feel natural and fluid, especially when there is so much else going on around you. One thing that I did find somewhat bothersome but not enough to tamper with my experience was the frame-rate drops that occurred when a lot of Helghan troops came onto screen or a set-piece was going down. Again, not something that is a game-breaker, but more-so something that reminds you that you’re playing this game on a handheld and not a console.

The multiplayer component of Killzone: Mercenary is fun and well-paced like the other Killzone entries and offers a nice change to the constraints of the linear single-player story. 

There are a variety of maps to choose from in Killzone: Mercenary’s multiplayer. With a recent update adding even more maps to the fray it’s become quite clear that Mercenary’s multiplayer component is something Guerrilla Cambridge have put time and effort into and that has definitely paid off. It’s one of the best experiences I’ve had on a multiplayer FPS and what consistently keeps amazing me is it is all running on the Vita.

A game like this is a showcase of what the Vita can truly do. It’s a game that sets itself a side as one of the ‘must-have’ games on Vita, something only few games like Persona 4, Tearaway and Uncharted: Golden Abyss have managed to do. While you’re not going to put hundreds of hours into Killzone: Mercenary, you’re going to get enough replay value that keeps you going for at least 15 - 20 hours. The genius idea of implementing three different styles of contracts to complete the nine story-oriented missions make for a fun way to experience those missions you initially blazed through previously in different ways. If you’re a fan of the multiplayer side of things (which you should at least check out) then the time spent playing this game is probably going to clock up even higher. 

Killzone: Mercenary is a great game. Despite it’s short campaign, it holds true to the Killzone formula and offers a wonderful experience on the Vita. It also is a great showcase of the Vita’s power and hopefully this will be the beginning of great, console quality games on the platform. Guerrilla Cambridge has done a wonderful job on Killzone: Mercenary and I’m incredibly glad I bought it. It’s definitely going to be a great game to play on long train rides and tiresome bus trips. 

Pros

+ Fun story

+ Looks incredible

+ Replay value is great

+ Intelligent AI

+ Excellent use of the touch screen

+ Great multiplayer

+ Contracts

Cons

- A lot easier than other Killzones

- Short story (3 - 5 hours)

- Frame-rate issues

Overall: 9/10

[ireviewgamesandstuff-blog]

Call of Duty: Ghosts Next-Gen Review

Developer: Infinity Ward

Publisher: Activision

Writer: Stephen Gaghan

Genre: Military First-Person Shooter

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One

Call of Duty Again Falls Into Its Safe Zone

Not many games can be spoken about around the living room with instant recognition, however, Call of Duty definitely falls into this category. For better or for worse, it’s a house-hold name that many gamers have spent countless hours on ranking up all whilst calling each others mums fat. It’s a series that has gone through different changes and many different timelines, however, it’s still suffering from the same old problems that occurred back in the days of the original Modern Warfare.

Call of Duty: Ghosts is a game that I bought for the multiplayer, so I could play with friends and have an enjoyable (if not, rage inducing) time. It stays true to that claim but in ways that feels too safe than anything else. It’s a series that needs reinvigoration and something new that totally blows peoples minds. Sadly enough, I don’t see that coming while the copies keep flying off the shelves every November. 

Due to the lack of FPS games at launch for the Xbox One, the options are pretty dire. Call of Duty: Ghosts or Battlefield 4. As many of you know right now, Battlefield 4 is having many problems across all platforms and that was the reason I chose Call of Duty this time around. Needless to say I will be picking up Battlefield when the problems start going away. I’ve played every Call of Duty game from 3 onwards. Modern Warfare still remains my favorite, but that was released back in 2007. For a game to be running off the same engine used by that in 2013 AND on a next-gen console is not good enough from a developer standpoint (and as a matter of fact, a consumer standpoint too).

The story of Call of Duty: Ghosts in nothing particularly special. It has it’s moments of course, but still nothing that completely dazzles me in the form of character development or plot twists. In fact, one thing that struck me the most was one of the later levels looking identical to Battlefield 4’s presentation at E3. Weird. However, the lack of substance to a sub-par six-hour campaign is again a disappointing way to spend your time and if you must do it, be aware that there is nothing new here. You’ve seen it all before. To Call of Duty’s credit however, I did enjoy the space and underwater missions. It’s always nice to have some diversity in a campaign full of bullets flying. 

The mainstay of Call of Duty, as has been for the last 6 years, is of course the multiplayer. Overall, it is well utilized in some ways and not in others. I have a major problem with most of the level designs and hope that they address these problems in the next few map packs to at least add some fair-ness to the overall play. The class system is nice and isn’t too hard to come to grips with, although I didn’t know I was playing as a girl until I heard my character, Alex, start screaming when she was hit by the thousands of bullets coming my way. Maybe my fault however. Again, you’re going to have your up and down moments in the multiplayer and the 10 classes are a cool way of getting rid of the need to prestige just one character 10 times. 

Rivaling Zombie’s on Treyarch’s CoD games, Extinction is a welcome addition to the Ghosts fray. I’ve played a few matches and enjoy the way the point system is allocated and just overall the way it plays. It’s a nice touch to a game that often has me questioning why I bought it on next-gen in the first place.

Call of Duty: Ghosts is a game that suffers from 2007-lag. It’s way behind graphically and story-wise. It better amp up its game for next year or else it might start becoming a literal ghost as Titanfall looks to take over the playing field for Xbox and PC users. Here’s to hoping with the dawn of the next-gen systems Treyarch and Infinity Ward start pushing a stale franchise in the right direction instead of taking one step forward and two steps back.

5/10

[ireviewgamesandstuff-blog]

The Wolf Among Us - Episode 1 Mini-Review

Developed & Published By: Telltale Games

Written By: Pierre Shorette

Genre: Graphic Adventure

Platforms: PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PS3, PS Vita, iOS

Telltale Have Again Struck The Ball Out Of The Park

When it was announced that Telltale would be working on a game that is based on the beloved Fables comics I was somewhat skeptical. Yes, The Walking Dead had been with us for a while now and I absolutely loved it - but I’m sure a lot of people could be forgiven to assume that it might have been a one hit wonder. It might sound silly now as I write this, but I was one of those people. The Walking Dead was an incredible game that played at my heart strings throughout the duration of the 5-episode season. However, I’m not incredibly familiar with the Fables universe and The Wolf Among Us was somewhat daunting to me due to that. Would they be able to introduce the characters in a way that connects with the player quickly? Would it be something that you had to read prior material to understand? These kind of questions lurked in the back of my head as I slowly confirmed the download on my PSN account. However, after completing the first episode I can happily confirm that all of those questions were answered for and lead to an invigorating introduction into the world of Fables.

You play the role of Bigby Wolf (also known to many as the Big Bad Wolf) - who is the local sheriff in Fabletown, New York. He makes sure things are going to plan and mischief isn’t happening. At this time, the characters (Fables) are living within the same realm/area as the humans and as such they are not their original form; merely human representations of them. 

I’m not going to go into absolute detail for the episode as I’m here to review the gameplay and the story, both of which are trademarks of Telltale. The same gameplay that we’ve come to know in The Walking Dead is here with a few new twists (for example, you have to swipe down or left/right with the thumb-stick's during a quick-time event) and this makes for a more enjoyable and interactive experience. The four selections for different dialogue options are back and ready to make you worry about what your going to say next too, and like The Walking Dead, you really have to plan what you’re going to say next - or else you may pay the consequences. 

The character development in just this episode alone is fantastic. I connected with each character very quickly after their initial introduction and the dialogue shared between each is wonderfully written and well delivered. Overall, you’re going to have a great time meeting the wacky and wonderful characters throughout the episode. 

Of course a game is not going to be good without a good story, and this is clearly where The Wolf Among Us places all of it’s cards. The story is easily understandable and easy to follow. It’s again all about the choices you make and how each choice makes a difference. Telltale have again made a wonderful story that had me interested right from the beginning. 

Telltale should be proud of their efforts with the first episode of The Wolf Among Us. It, like The Walking Dead thrives on a well written and well thought out story and again knocks the ball out of the park. I’m writing this two months after Episode 1’s release in eagerness for Episode 2 to hit. Be sure to come back when it does to get the full low down on what Episode 2 - Smoke & Mirrors is all about and my impressions of it.

9/10

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Gravity Review

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Writers: Alfonso Cuaron, Jonas Cuaron

Stars: George Clooney, Sandra Bullock

A Remarkable Feat

I admit, it’s taken me a while to see Gravity. A lot of my friends had seen it before me and raved on about how great it really was however I had other things to do at that point and couldn't find the time to see it. When I did eventually see it (last Friday) – I was absolutely glad I did.

I saw Gravity straight after coming out of the cinema from Thor: The Dark World (review is below) and I am happy I saw it after that as it enhanced the experience that much more. Gravity is a film that breathes freshness in an industry full of remakes and superhero flicks. While I can’t say remakes or superhero flicks are bad, it is incredible to finally come across something that has truly taken my breath away. Gone are the over the top dramatic fighting scenes I’m so used to and in comes scenes that had me feeling tense, worried about the characters and caring for every word they said. It’s a true testament to both George Clooney and Sandra Bullock’s acting talents to carry a film for 90 minutes. They both have great chemistry with each other and I’m definitely going to highlight Clooney for his exceptional acting and unique charisma that I thoroughly enjoyed throughout his screen time. I also want to highlight Bullock’s performance as well, she very much comes out as a secondary (character) at the beginning but quickly establishes herself as the main character in the film and it makes you want to see what happens with her next and how they manage to get through this catastrophe. Both actors have obviously put a lot of time into preparing for their roles and it comes out on the screen wonderfully – I’d just like to note that when I heard Bullock was in Gravity I was a somewhat doubtful of her ability but after seeing the film twice I am completely obligated to pull back that doubt and throw it in the fire. She was marvelous in every way.

When looking at Gravity from a 2D vs. 3D standpoint, I insist you see this film in 3D. Finally, a film uses 3D in an engaging way. Not only does the setting stand out, but it’s the little things that really pop in 3D and as such makes the film that much better. I feel as though watching the 2D version of Gravity is wasting your money. Experience the way it is meant to be experienced and buy a ticket for a 3D screening. You won't regret it.

Plot-wise, Gravity is somewhat basic but at the same time it is great. It’s minimal, but it’s enough to have the film go in a certain direction that the audience can always follow and understand. I enjoyed the fact they kept it minimal as it gave both Clooney and Bullock’s characters the chance to express what they feel in an intriguing way and even talk about life on earth at some points which established a unique connection with us as the audience. The dialogue is very well written and you will definitely want to hear every line of it as it plays a substantial part in the development of each character. There are some nice light-hearted tones to the films script as well that help give you the chance to accept these characters and care for them, which was vitally important in my personal opinion.

Onto the other parts of the film, the soundtrack and sound design itself was absolutely phenomenal. You’re going to want to hope the cinema has cranked the volume up a notch to fully experience the way each sound coincides with each other. Some tones create a strong tension that can be felt very quickly, while other sounds really push the emotional barrier. This unique combination helps the film showcase its diversity and expertly written sequences in a way that keeps your eyes glued on the screen. It’s an incredible feat that not many films have done for me.

Gravity is a film that pulls you in, throws you around and spits you out. It’s an absolutely incredible ride and one that I'm going to love watching again and again. Everyone involved with the making of the film deserves a round of applause, as I’m quite certain this film is the best of the year, if not the last few years. It’s a unique, wonderful; beautiful film that I haven’t experienced before and a film that will live with me for a long time to come.

  9.5/10 

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Thor: The Dark World Review

Director: Alan Taylor

Writers: Christopher Yost, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Don Payne, Robert Rodat

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgard

A Step In The Wrong Direction

I'll admit. I'm not a massive fan of the Thor films and comics. I am however, a massive fan of Marvel as a universe and the recent uprising of superhero movies gave me confidence that this would be a film that could take me by surprise. Sadly, that isn't the case.

Chris Hemsworth has an alright performance throughout. It's nothing special to note however. Natalie Portman was under utilised as she is a massive talent in the industry and it's disappointing to see her acting the way she was. Very much made out to be the over-the-heels lover, her dialogue was bland and frustrating to watch. There's only so much one can take of a lovey-dovey girl with no substance. What also bugs me about her character is the way she causes the Dark Elves to "rise again". It seemed like a poor way to initiate the main conflict in an already dreary movie. Kat Dennings was at her lowest in this movie. I could not stand a word of dialogue she said which is sad, as I'm a huge fan of her previous work. She seemed like she was made to be the 'mild comic relief' throughout and it just seemed unnecessary to the story. Tom Hiddleston was the high point of the film, offering occasional smirks and witty dialogue that suited his character to a tee. I enjoyed the Thor/Loki sub-plot and the constant back and forth between the two was entertaining to watch, however, it's a shame that the film as a whole does not live up to what it should. 

While Thor: The Dark World had potential to be a success as the new wave of Phase 2 Marvel movies roll out, it shoots its foot multiple times with mostly silly dialogue, glaring continuity issues and boring performances from actors and actresses we've come to expect much more of. 

Rating: 5/10