Just when you thought we had nothing else to talk about from the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo…

The GameOn team is back with more great content from this year’s Calgary Expo. We’ve got a few more interviews and some random fun events to share with you.

Let’s keep this party going… Today, GameOn Host Jeff Johnson speaks with Mark Meer, the voice of Commander Shepard from Mass Effect.

Mark compares improv to video game voiceovers and talks about his new theatric project, Legend Has It, a show that puts YOU into the role of the hero!

And no, Jeff Johnson does not get punched like a certain reporter throughout the course of the interview.

“I Should Go.”

Be sure to check out the GameNTrain YouTube channel every day for new and exciting content from the Calgary Expo.

Special thanks to Canadian band Thwomp for their live rendition of the GameOn intro. To check out Thwomp in action, go to their website, http://thwomp.net/.

A big thank you to the staff and volunteers at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo for your support over this three day event! To find out more about the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, check out http://www.calgaryexpo.com/.

And if you like what you are hearing, be sure to subscribe to the GameOnGNT YouTube channel for all of our past content!

The post GameOn Presents… Mark Meer appeared first on GameNTrain.

Hi folks! Welcome to our newest weekly feature
FEMALE GAMER OF THE WEEK!!!

I hope you all have had a fabulous week! The Female Gamer of the Week article will be highlighting one female per week, obviously You will see a mini-interview and photo, along with ways to game with, or keep in touch with, said gamers!

Our Female Gamer of the Week for this week, is:

~Sarah The Rebel~

1. Name
SarahTheRebel

2. A little bit about her
I’m a public relations specialist in the gaming industry. I also maintain a website, NerdyButFlirty.com and write for RealOtakuGamer.com as well. In my spare time, I volunteer for WIGI (women in games international) and hang out with my cats.

3. How long has she been gaming? 
I’ve been gaming since I was six, when I managed to convince my grandfather to buy this beaten up NES we found at the flea market. We only had one game for it: Duck Hunt/Super Mario Bros. The next year, I met my best friend, Christie, who had an SNES, and we’d mostly play that addictive Aladdin game. From then on, I was hooked!

4. What type of gaming does she do?
I used to only play RPGs, fighters and platformers, but recently I’ve moved on to mostly playing shooters and RPGs. I still prefer RPGs, but playing with friends is really fun, and shooters are almost the only good game genre for that. Which is stupid, because playing an RPG with your friends would be the most awesome thing ever.

5. GamerTags
krazipanther on psn and sarah the rebel on 360. Also sarahtherebel on steam.

6. Game Currently Playing
I’m currently playing Dragon’s Dogma Dark Arisen and Dead Space 3

7. Her favorite all-time game and why
I am TERRIBLE with picking a favorite game. I have one in each genre. I loved Legend of Dragoon growing up because it became my first real addiction. Grinding was fun to me! And Rose became one of my favorite female characters because she was so strong and tough. My other favorites are Okami, Dragon Age, Mass Effect 2, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and Borderlands.

8. Game she is looking forward to the most
I wouldn’t exactly say I’m looking forward to Dragon Age 3, but I am impatiently awaiting its arrival. BioWare created such an amazing world with Dragon Age and the comics, but then created one of the worst games ever with Dragon Age 2. So I’m worried and aprehensive, but I want them to succeed again so bad!

9. Twitter or Facebook
twitter.com/sarahtherebel and facebook.com/nerdybutflirty

Well that’s it! Check her out, and come back next week for another Female Gamer of the Week!

xoxo Erin 

The post Female Gamer of the Week appeared first on GameNTrain.

No matter which way you look at it, Sony’s announcement for the PS4 was impressive. The technology they showed, most of the games they promoted and everything they said made sense. For numerous months, several rumours have been circling the internet regarding what we can expect from the next-generation Xbox. With under a week to go until Microsoft can counteract what Sony has already put on the table, here are some of the things I believe that will be announced on May 21st.

For years, the name Xbox 720 has been applied to the next Xbox as it was seen by many as the next step after the Xbox 360. As time has gone on many other names have been cropping up like newly-built homes on an empty plot of land. New names seemed to be appearing on a daily basis around the internet and social media. Some of these names weren’t created off the top of some random blogger’s head; some were suggested after Microsoft code-named some of their projects.

As well as the 720, Xbox Durango and Xbox Infinity are among those rumours which are more believable than others. With recent developments upon the impending reveal of the next-gen Xbox, I believe that the next Xbox will be called the ‘Xbox Infinity’. I don’t think ‘Xbox Durango’ is a bad name but I do feel that ‘Infinity’ gives the console great meaning and it leaves an impression that it will be the best console that Microsoft can make at this time. The tagline revealed recently ‘Infinite entertainment. Infinite possibilities’ backs this theory up that it will be called the ‘Infinity’.

One concern that I do have in regards to this tagline is the ‘entertainment’ part. We have heard so much in the current generation that it appears that games have taken a backseat to apps, movies, TV shows and music and it comes as no surprise that these will be a key feature next-gen as well. I use my Xbox 360 to play games almost every time but I do dabble in YouTube, BBC iPlayer and use the DVD player from time-to-time. It’s no doubt that these features have their uses but I’m sure the new Xbox console will come under scrutiny for the same problem yet again.

When it comes to the Xbox taking on the Playstation, many will look at the technical specifications and make their decision from the specs rather than the games on offer. It has already been said that the specifications of the PS4 are similar to that of, “a low-end CPU and a low- to mid – range GPU side,” as said by Nvidia’s Tony Tamasi. As PC gaming continues to gather further momentum, it is vital that both the PS4 and Xbox Infinity are at the highest spec which they possibly could be. There is no point in having hardware which finds itself dated in 5 years or so when you can upgrade a PC at any time. Whenever you see rumours of the specifications of the Xbox Infinity, it seems that the Xbox is more concerned with running smoothly when it comes to entertainment as a whole instead of being mainly designed for gaming. This could be the Xbox Infinity’s downfall as the PS4 will, more than likely, offer the same services as the Infinity but may be more designed for gaming than the Xbox. I really hope I am wrong with this prediction but I believe that for solely gaming purposes, the PS4 will be far superior and the Xbox will attract fans of the living room that only use their console as an entertainment outlet and not too often for games.

As well as the technical information being a key factor, many will buy a certain console based on the launch-titles. The launch titles for the previous Xbox and Xbox 360 included Halo: Combat Evolved, Project Gotham Racing, Jet Set Radio Future, Project Gotham Racing 3 and Condemned: Criminal Origins which have all been successful, some more than others, to a certain extent. Now that Microsoft has established some strong exclusive franchises such as Halo, Gears of War and Forza Motorsport.

Also to be revealed at the event this Tuesday will be trailers and possible gameplay of the next game in the Call of Duty franchise, Ghosts. I predict that the announcement of Ghosts will coincide with the Xbox Infinity being given the exclusive first-access to the DLC map packs that will no doubt be involved in the latest game of the record-breaking series. I believe it is possible that there will be a Forza Motorsport game as well as a few Kinect 2.0 games but no major games that will define the console. We have yet to hear any rumours in regards to games for the Infinity but I’m sure we will hear some come Tuesday.

One of the things that let the PS4 reveal down was that the console wasn’t shown at all. The controller was shown and a lot of information has been released on the controller since the reveal but there has been no images revealed of the console as of yet. I think that Microsoft will show the Xbox Infinity console and this will ‘get one over’, as it were, on Sony for their lack of a console. For a few years, several designs have been designed and will more than likely all be false.

On top of the hardware and games being revealed, I am hoping that Microsoft will reveal a different strategy to the online functions. To the best out of your Xbox 360, you had to buy an annual subscription or monthly subscription when you could have nearly the same service for free on the PS3. Playstation have already put Xbox in their place twice this generation with their free online multiplayer and also the Playstation Plus feature which has been a revelation to many. While there has been no indication of what is in the pipeline for the online functions, the bar has been raised by the PS3 and the Xbox Infinity will have to step up in order to avoid another embarrassment by Sony.

While nothing has been confirmed besides that there will be some sort of reveal on 21st May from Microsoft in regards to the Xbox and Call of Duty Ghosts, it should prove to be an exciting time in the gaming community. With the PS4 having had a promising unveiling, the Xbox Infinity will have to have the grand opening we have all been craving since the #XboxReveal event was revealed. I, like many others, am waiting to see what Microsoft has up its sleeve so that I can decide which console out of the PS4 and Xbox Infinity I will buy first. As soon as the conference on Tuesday is over with Microsoft’s future will have been determined as the community makes up its own mind.

@SimonMarshall6

The post Simon Says: My Predictions for the Xbox Reveal appeared first on GameNTrain.

Electronic Arts, EA, suspends implementation plans of “online passes” for the future, by mean to say, the system forces you to enter a code, included with the game, to activate its functions and online gaming services and requires from second-hand buyers a payment to unlock those same services.

“We left the online pass. Neither of our new games include it,” said John Reseburg, director of corporate communications of EA, who admits that “many players have not responded” to the proposal and therefore they decide to abandon this practice.

Since its introduction in 2010, the online pass has generated too much controversy among users, initially conceived as a measure to get an extra benefit from second-hand sales. Electronic Arts is the first company to announce that they are giving up this policy.

Although EA had announced it would not take his Frostbite engine 3 to Wii U. The news are that they are not developing any games for the console is a surprise. This can be a blow to fans of the console, especially now that Nintendo does not give a greater insight into upcoming games that will be launched in the future, and after canceling their annual presentation at E3. At the same time, EA announced that it will make a mobile version of its Frostbite engine.

Source:[PCGamer, VG247]

The post EA Abandoned The Policy Of The Online Pass Plus No More Games For Wii U appeared first on GameNTrain.

When I see one of these lists (because these lists are Legion), it is bound to be full of niche but beloved roleplaying games like Valkyria Chronicles or Atelier or Tales of Something or Lost Odyssey. I’m sorry, but I fail to understand how selling two million copies or having an 86/100 on Metacritic classifies your game as “Underrated”. Hey, I love The Last Story and Blue Dragon just as much as the next guy, but those games aren’t underrated in the least. This is a list of truly underrated roleplaying games, games that you were told to skip, games you were told are horrible dreck. If the game sold more than a million, I’m disqualifying it. If the game has a rating of 80 or higher on Metacritic, I’m also disqualifying it. Let’s dig into the mud, ladies and gentlemen. Here are the hidden gems you were told to ignore:

Courtesy of Youtuber DestinStrider

Resonance of Fate
Available on PS3 and 360
Metacritic: 74/100 Sales: 0.93 million

Coming in just below our 1 million sales cut-off point, Resonance of Fate has a weird title and an even weirder quest structure. There’s an overworld map to explore, but the majority of portions are locked away on a hex grid which are slowly unblocked as you acquire hexes through battle. The battling system itself is everything that Final Fantasy XIII should have been (ironic, since Resonance of Fate launched just one week after FFXIII). You direct all three of your characters in quasi-real-time-action battles using pistols, grenades, and sub-machine guns. Did I mention the setting is a blend of steampunk and science fiction? The battle system has to be seen to be believed, but in addition to combat, there is a wealth of sidequests, hidden abilities, secret weapons, and even New Game+ to tantalize the devoted player. For audiophiles out there, the music was done by some of the same folks who composed for Golden Sun, Valkyrie Profile, Gravity Rush, numerous Tales of… games, and even Dark Souls.

What killed it: the game launched next to – arguably – the biggest Japanese RPG of our generation, Final Fantasy XIII, so you’ll excuse the fact that the game didn’t receive very much attention. The storyline was the game’s weakest point. It isn’t well structured and it ends without much fanfare or excitement. Not that it really matters, because people realized (a bit too late) that FFXIII‘s storyline was also quite horrible.

Why it’s worth a chance: Resonance of Fate is worth a try just to see the combat, and the depth of customization is enjoyable in its own right. Imagine creating a pistol with twelve scopes, three magazine clips, six barrels, and two laser-dot pointers. Yeah, you can do that.

The Last Remnant
Available on Xbox 360 and PC
Metacritic: 66/100 Sales: 0.65 million

There’s a strong chance that you do not have what it takes to play The Last Remnant. If I was to sum the game up in a catchy back-of-the-box quip, it would be this: “The Dwarf Fortress of Japanese RPGs”. The depth of this game is beyond staggering. By most estimates, players who simply plow through the story while picking up sidequests as they go are only going to see 1/4th of the content in The Last Remnant. There are dozens and dozens of mutually-exclusive sidequests, and most of them are only available during certain portions of the storyline. The customization is where things go from complicated to insane. You will have 15+ active party members to manage throughout the game, each with their own weapons, skill trees, and strengths. Instead of controlling each and every unit, you put characters into formations and then utilize those formations in battle. Each character contributes something unique and important to any given formation, and there is a lot of tweaking to do if you hope to be successful. On top of all that, there are experience bars not just for each character, but also for each character’s weapon skills, each character’s class, each character’s specialization, and each weapon’s techniques. Here’s the rub: these are invisible. Oh, sure, you can see skills once you’ve unlocked them, but your experience level and your path on the massive skill tree is impossible to determine unless you have the wiki handy. It certainly isn’t a game for everyone.

What killed it: the complexity, cluttered HUD, and poorly-explained mechanics are a big reason why this one did so poorly. Most people didn’t realize that it is actually a very bad thing to grind in this game since enemies scale with you and you can end up screwing yourself later in the game. Careful planning and a meticulous attention to detail are required, but most people just wanted to tap the A button and watch the battle animations. This game suffers from a lot of technical flaws, although the PC version fixes most of them one way or another.

Why it’s worth a chance: The Last Remnant is one of the most in-depth and content-rich RPGs of this past decade. The single-player takes around 70 hours to beat, and if you want to explore everything it will take you upwards of 120 hours…per playthrough. Even with a guide, there are tons of branching paths, and it is impossible to see everything the game offers with just one play. You need to study the game if you want to succeed, and spending extra time looking up various topics on the wiki is invaluable if not required. If you enjoy extreme detail and a great amount of replayability, this game has it. Just don’t expect the game to hold your hand at all.

Baten Kaitos Origins
Available on Gamecube
Metacritic: 75/100 Sales: 0.1 million

Following their release of Xenoblade Chronicles, Monolith Soft became a household name for every RPG fan. However, Xenoblade was not their first entry into the genre. They made two RPGs for the Nintendo Gamecube, Baten Kaitos and Baten Kaitos Origins. The history of Baten Kaitos Origins is all too common: it launched the same year as the Gamecube’s successor, the Wii, and therefore was buried in the past. The gameplay centers around your deck of Magnus cards. Instead of equipping individual swords, skills, or armors, you craft your own deck and draw a hand of cards to use in battle. Players can build any number of decks and switch between them when not engaged in combat. It might seem odd for an RPG to use a fictional card game as its driving mechanic, but it works remarkably well, and at the very least, it’s genuinely unique compared to what else is available in RPGs these days. While the storyline is nothing phenomenal, it is a fun romp and is chock-full of memorable soundtracks. The pre-rendered backgrounds are still beautiful by today’s standards and harken back to the PS1 era of roleplaying games.

What killed it: It was the sequel to a niche RPG on the Gamecube, a system not known for its RPGs in the first place. It also launched when the Xbox 360 had been out for a year and when hype for the Wii was reaching critical mass.

Why it’s worth a chance: Like several of the other RPGs on this list, the combat system is intriguing. If you enjoyed Xenoblade Chronicles and you’re curious about what sort of other games Monolith developed, Baten Kaitos Origins is a great place to start. Plus, those pre-rendered environments are stunning to behold.

Shin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor Overclocked
Available on DS (original release) and 3DS
Metacritic: 78/100 Sales: 0.45 million

The original Devil Survivor did fairly well for itself on the DS, but for some reason Overclocked got a much lower rating, despite the fact that it has a lot of added content plus full voice acting. I’m cheating a bit here since Devil Survivor on the DS has an above-80 score, but Overclocked is the superior version anyway, and what’s the point of rules if you can’t break them? Devil Survivor is to Shin Megami Tensei what Final Fantasy Tactics was to the Final Fantasy series. It’s a grid-based strategy RPG with a great deal of replayability. And please don’t let the presence of these angsty teenage cartoon characters mislead you: the plot of this game is one of the best in the franchise. Most RPGs are satisfied to give you one good ending, a not-so-good ending, and sometimes a True ending depending on your performance during the game, but Devil Survivor Overclocked goes above and beyond the norm. There are 5 distinct routes in the storyline, three of which have an 8th Day Epilogue. And of those Epilogues, two of them have two different routes. As if that wasn’t enough, you can start a New Game+ after you beat the main game. It doesn’t hurt that the combat is fun, too.

What killed it: Devil Survivor Overclocked is recently released. Of all the games on this list, it’s the one with the best chance or gaining popularity as time goes on. However, the Devil Survivor games have always been looked down on by many Shin Megami Tensei fans for one reason or another, so this spin-off series is not likely gain the notoriety of other SMT titles like Persona.

Why it’s worth a chance: I don’t know about you, but I love strategy RPGs. I also love the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. Slapping those two together is a match made in heaven. The combat is deep enough to keep veteran strategists entertained, and the storyline will not disappoint those with a soft spot for the bizarre and supernatural.

Dokapon Kingdom
Available on PS2 and Wii
Metacritic: 73/100 Sales: 0.24 million

Calling Dokapon Kingdom “Mario Party meets RPG” is quick and easy, and it wouldn’t be entirely wrong, either. However, labeling it as such might make people think the game doesn’t stand on its own merits. Dokapon Kingdom is a fun single-player game and an absolutely evil multiplayer game. On the back of the box ATLUS says “grab your soon-to-be-ex-friends” and they weren’t joking. This is the sort of game that should not be played in the company of people who take things too seriously or who insist on winning no matter what. When you aren’t battling each other and stealing one another’s precious items, you can send assassins and monsters and even take over a rival’s city. All of the normal trappings of an RPG are here. You get gold. You level up. You learn special skills and spells. You increase your stats. You can even change your character class, which is pretty neat. While it may appear like Mario Party at first glance, the core gameplay is more like Fortune Street or Monopoly where you build up an empire of cities and gather taxes from them. The Story Mode takes place across multiple maps, usually requiring many hours and multiple play sessions to complete (don’t worry; you can save your progress at any time). These Story Mode campaigns can be played solo or multiplayer. There is an option for a quicker battle mode with a much smaller map, but unlike Mario Party, players can jump in and jump out whenever they like, which avoids that all-too-familiar feeling of being stuck in a session of Mario Party that is lasting way too long.

What killed it: plain and simple, the choice of platform killed it. Dokapon Kingdom might have done very well on PSN or Xbox Live, especially if it added online support, but on the Wii – where third party games are largely ignored both by the press and by gamers – the game had no hope of flourishing. Reviewers didn’t really seem to “get” the game, either.

Why it’s worth a chance: The Wii has no shortage of party games, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a boardgame/RPG/multiplayer game like Dokapon Kingdom on any platform. There’s an unexpected amount of depth in this game, and despite its childish appearance and rudimentary menus and mechanics, it ends up being a very fun game with the right group of friends.

Courtesy of Youtuber Darkbeatdk

Arc Rise Fantasia
Available on Wii
Metacritic: 64/100 Sales: 0.18 million

“Terrible Voice Acting: The Game” doesn’t sound so appealing, so developer imageepoch decided that Arc Rise Fantasia was a better title. Seriously, the voice acting in this game is a miserable blight on what is otherwise a fun and fast-paced turn-based RPG. If you like RPGs with clever battle systems, you may want to consider Arc Rise Fantasia. What makes it interesting is that turn order and combos are based on what actions you select. For instance, picking your most powerful spell might not be the best option if you are forced to attack after all the enemies have hit you. On the other hand, a swift little hit seems wimpy at first until you realize you can take out enemies before they have a chance to react. Outside of the voice acting, the storyline and art style are standard Japanese RPG fare, with all the cliches you’ve come to expect.

What killed it: similar to Dokapon Kingdom, this game was probably put on the wrong console. With no advertising in the West and mediocre review scores, it was destined to fail. The bad voice acting didn’t help, either.

Why it’s worth a chance: the terrible voice acting is entertaining in a so-bad-it’s-good sort of way. Turn-based RPGs have been in a rut for over a decade, so it’s nice to experience something a tad bit different. If you’re a collector, you may want to snag this one up. It’s already fairly rare, and like many other RPGs, the price will only go up over time.

Rise of the Argonauts
Available on PC, 360, and PS3
Metacritic: 59/100 Sales: 0.32 million

Leading up to its disappointing launch, Rise of the Argonauts was touted to be the next big thing in action-RPGs. Mind you, this was two years prior to the launch of God of War III, so if you were a fan of Greek mythology, pickings were slim. The game’s claim to fame was how the skill tree, “morality” system, dialog options, and plot pathways were all rolled into one big ball. Everything hinged on your relationship to the gods. Appeal to one to reap immense favor while forsaking other pathways, or play it safe and appeal to all. Each god and goddess had their own skill tree and special benefits, but naturally the highest-level bonuses were reserved for those who followed those gods almost exclusively. Stand up for justice and law and you’d catch the eye of Athena. Act like a jerk and wreck havoc and Ares would start paying attention. You get the idea. The amount of detail and depth that the developers invested in this system is what really made it stand above other action-RPGs.

What killed it: Like many other games on this list, technical problems held the game back. In addition, the pacing was poor and areas only had a sprinkling of enemies here and there. It was one of those incredibly ambitious games that didn’t manage to check every single box before launch. Some games – like Fable – do this and still manage to become incredibly popular. In the case of Rise of the Argonauts, its ambition caused it to fade from everyone’s memory.

Why it’s worth a chance: action-RPGs may be a dime a dozen these days, but Rise of the Argonauts still stands out from the crowd despite being half a decade old. In terms of combat, better games have come and gone, but the real attraction here is the depth of the dialog and skill tree system.

Alpha Protocol
Available on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3
Metacritic: 72/100 Sales: 0.73 million

If fate was kinder, Alpha Protocol may have ended up as Mass Effect‘s rival. It hit all of the same notes: branching dialog options, diverse methods of tackling combat, a variety of romance options, and multiple plot paths. But as usual, developer Obsidian played second fiddle to their older brother Bioware and Alpha Protocol was ignored by most gamers. If you go back to play it, the climbing, the level design, and the shooting mechanics feel a bit outdated, but underneath the appearance of a generic super-spy storyline lies an entertaining and complex dialog system that blows Mass Effect out of the water. The skill tree was definitely another highlight of the game, since it gave you the freedom to become whatever sort of spy you wanted. Another thing that I really enjoyed about this game was the freedom it gave you in your missions. Not only could you go about them your own way, but you could choose who you wanted to save or kill, and this drastically affected the outcome of the storyline. Hidden away are dozens of smaller choices that have various effects on the game, and it is worth replaying at least once or twice to see more just how different the game can be depending on your actions.

What killed it: bugs and bad enemy AI were two of the biggest reasons why this game never took off. Critics were downright brutal on Alpha Protocol, almost unrealistically so, which also hurt the game’s chances of selling well.

Why it’s worth a chance: the game’s two biggest flaws, bugs and bad enemy AI, aren’t going to matter much to someone who plays Alpha Protocol for its best feature: the branching storyline. As mentioned before, this game could have become Mass Effect‘s rival if Obsidian was given a bit more time to polish up the rough edges.

Front Mission 4
Available on PS2
Metacritic: 75/100 Sales: 0.54 million

Front Mission games have never been popular in the West. To make matters worse, only a handful of the games have been released here, and since the sequential storylines rely heavily on knowledge of what happened in the last game, most people figure “why bother?” It’s a shame, too, because Front Mission has some of the best strategy RPG gameplay on the market. Front Mission 4 is probably the easiest point of entry for the series due to its voice acting, tutorials, and streamlined gameplay. Players follow Elsa and Darril on a surprisingly political romp around the world, blowing up plenty of robots while they’re at it. Unlike most other Japanese RPGs, you won’t find any cackling psychopaths bent on devouring the world or cute kitten-eared girls with magical powers. Front Mission is rooted in reality, and for those willing to pay attention the storyline is detailed and believable. There are no true bad guys, only soldiers and politicians who want their own country to flourish. The dialog seems dry at first, but I find it to be a refreshing departure from the typical “C’mon, guys! He’s getting away! We have to save the world” sort of nonsense found in most RPGs.

What killed it: Front Mission isn’t popular in the West for one reason or another. It doesn’t help that Square-Enix has only localized a third of the Front Mission games to the English language. Worse yet, virtually no advertisement or marketing was done for this game, which pretty much spells a death sentence in the crowded world of PS2 RPGs. Graphically speaking, the game looks incredibly drab, too.

Why it’s worth a chance: Nippon Ichi has cornered the market on grid-based Japanese RPGs, and if you don’t enjoy their cutesy, over-the-top character designs or goofy plots, there are few alternatives. Front Mission 4 is a worthy choice if you need a break from the overabundance of anime-inspired RPGs.

Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
Available on PC and Xbox 360
Metacritic: 72/100 Sales: 0.26 million

Comparisons between The Elder Scrolls and Dark Messiah are numerous. They are both first-person action games. They both take place in a fantasy setting. They both allow you to upgrade various stats and abilities. However, Dark Messiah focuses on combat above all else, and the final product is something that would make even the most devoted Dovahkiin take notice. The closest comparison I can make to Dark Messiah would be – strangely enough – Bulletstorm. Both games offer the player plenty of methods to dispatch your (admittedly stupid) foes. Whether you’re kicking enemies into spike traps, collapsing bridges so they fall to their death, stealthily backstabbing them, throwing tables at them with telekinesis, incinerating them with magic, making them slip on patches of ice, shooting them from afar with a bow, or going the good ol’ sword-and-board route, the first-person combat is unparalleled in its difficulty and depth. Similar to Demon’s/Dark Souls, Dark Messiah rewards the patient and persistent player who takes the time to learn the combat system’s nuances. Aside from combat, the roleplaying and exploration elements aren’t half bad, either. Here’s an interesting fact: the developer, Arkane Studios, went on to create one of 2012′s most acclaimed new titles, Dishonored.

What killed it: Might and Magic is a fairly niche PC franchise, and the spin-offs have never done that well in terms of sales or critical reception. What really brought this game down was the 360 port which stripped out many of the roleplaying elements and dumbed down the graphics. If this game perks your interest, opt for the PC version if possible.

Why it’s worth a chance: Bethesda’s various first-person RPGs like Skyrim and Fallout 3 loom over the entire roleplaying genre, casting its shadow over any game that dares intrude on its domain. Dark Messiah dares, and succeeds, to bring something different to the table. If you’re like most people and you found Skyrim‘s combat to be a bit lacking, Dark Messiah might be what you are looking for.

That’s it for our list of the ten most underrated RPGs of the past ten years. Of course, there are plenty of other niche and forgotten RPGs out there, so let us know your favorites in the comment section below.

The post Ten Underrated RPGs of the last Decade appeared first on GameNTrain.

Albert Einstein once said “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” is the definition of insanity.

If this is true, then a lot of people must be insane, right? Not really. I see this every day at the gym. I observe people doing the same workouts week in and week out and wonder why their physique hasn’t changed or why their weight hasn’t budged. The answer is simple. Their muscles are accustomed to the exercise, stuck in a routine, and no longer seeing results. Their body has become efficient at those exercises and actually uses less energy to engage in the same move that once provided results. Changing up your workout routine can create significant benefits. It may be hard to step out of your comfort zone and try new things, but no new exercises equates to no new results.

By changing your plan you can burn more calories, see results faster, and also potentially avoid overuse injuries. However, I wouldn’t just change the movements you are doing, but also the tempo of the workout, the weight you use, and the number of repetitions performed on each set. This will engage your muscles completely and allow for a larger growth factor. Even with cardio, if you run the same route or number of miles at the same pace on a weekly basis, your body isn’t burning the same amount of calories it used to. I would recommend adding in some hills or sprints to increase your caloric burn and also doing some cross training by trying a new type of cardio.

How often you want to change up your routine is up to you, but I encourage changes every 3 to 4 weeks. In my experience, I actually change up my workouts weekly. Now that I’m a seasoned lifter I constantly workout differently. As an example, for my leg workouts, one week I hit squats, lunges, and presses; then the following week I incorporate front squats, leg curls, and extensions. To further confuse my muscles, the week after that may be all plyometric work. No added weight, just all body weight with a high number of repetitions. This method ensures my muscles are being worked from all angles, and all my muscle fibers are being recruited. It’s important I’m not using the same muscle for every workout or many will get neglected and may create an imbalance between my hamstrings and quads, potentially leading to future injuries.

So, to all the people out there scared to try something new, just break out of your comfort zone and do it! If not, it’s a sure guarantee your body will look the same next year as it does today. For questions, comments, or even new routine ideas, always feel free to email me at pjwentworth@hotmail.com. I would love to hear from you!

The post Philita’s Pro Tips – Change It Up! appeared first on GameNTrain.

Ubisoft has updated their official Assassin’s Creed website and fans can now pick which pre-order bonuses for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag they want from their respective retailers. We’ve compiled an image gallery for your viewing pleasure. During the Assassin’s Creed IV:Black Flag announcement, GameStop was giving a poster designed by Todd McFarlane featuring Edward Kenway laying waste against some pirates. GameStop expanded their pre-order bonuses with in-game content. Have a look at the gallery below:

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag will let you plunder with Edward Kenway on October 29th. The game will be available for PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U at this date. The PS4, next generation Xbox and PC will likely be available at a later date.

The post Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – Pre-order Bonuses Detailed appeared first on GameNTrain.

The official Batman Arkham twitter account has revealed a new teaser trailer featuring a bout between Batman and Deathstroke via cutscenes. Batman: Arkham Origins will serve as a prequel before the events of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. This game will feature a younger Batman as he sets his path in becoming the Dark Knight. At the end of this trailer, players can expect a full reveal on May 20th. For more information check the announcement article on GNT. Check the trailer below:

Batman Arkham Origins is set to release for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U and PC on October 25h.

The post Batman: Arkham Origins – Batman vs Deathstroke Teaser Trailer appeared first on GameNTrain.

Today NetherRealm Studios announced that the pre-order Red Son skin pack will be available to purchase next Tuesday alongside with Batgirl and the Killing Joke skin pack. For those who don’t know about this DLC, it is a skin pack containing costumes for Superman, Wonder Woman & Solomon Grundy.

The Superman and Wonder Woman costumes come from the Red Son graphic novel while the Solomon Grundy costume comes from NetherRealm Studios who designed it while searching for a character who would fit well with the graphic novel. The skin pack will also include additional S.T.A.R lab missions. Here’s the tweet from the Injustice official Twitter account:

Next Tuesday, the Red Son DLC pack will be available to buy. Who else would you want to see in the Red Son universe? twitter.com/InjusticeGame/…

— InjusticeGame (@InjusticeGame) May 16, 2013

Update: The Injustice Twitter account also revealed a new skin for Bane coming free as part of the compatibility pack. Here’s an image:

How does a new free skin sound? Luchador Bane will be free with Batgirl’s compatibility pack, available on May 21. twitter.com/InjusticeGame/…

— InjusticeGame (@InjusticeGame) May 16, 2013

The post Injustice: Gods Among Us – Red Son Skin Pack Landing Next Tuesday Alongside Batgirl & Killing Joke Pack appeared first on GameNTrain.

This week we are back hitting you with another dubstep inspired Motivational Workout Song. Today we are featuring Mutrix by Moments ft. Charity Vance & Vena Cava. Have a listen to their track below and be sure to let us know if you liked what your ears absorbed.

The post Motivational Workout Song: Mutrix appeared first on GameNTrain.

15 years of Gran Turismo, 70 million car enthusiasts, Three billion online racing, 45 billion miles traveled online, But overcoming these numbers touches Gran Turismo 6. The series already has five exclusive deliveries of each of the various PlayStation consoles and it returns once again with this sixth game called Gran Turismo 6 in celebration of the fifteen years of the franchise. And to mark this celebration, Polyphony Digital presents the first trailer of Gran Turismo 6 for all car fans. Start to Fueling the tanks!

Finally, As we had been promised from Sony Computer Entertainment and Polyphony Digital, after the brief leaks, we now have the first official trailer for ‘Gran Turismo 6′. And it looks really well. And on what platform? Well PS3, Everything seen in the previous Gran Turismo 5 will be polish.

Moreover, to have all the tracks and vehicles Gran Turismo 5, But increasing the number of meteors above 1,200, and on seven completely new paths, including Silverstone Circuit. Adding all the circuits will be 33, and if we count the game variants that are 71, while the new variables gives us a total of 19. Come on, that is not bad. And Polyphony Digital promises DLCs with additional content afterwards. Gran Turismo 6 has a release date for this Holiday 2013.

Source:[The Official Playstation Blog]

The post Gran Turismo 6 Revealed appeared first on GameNTrain.

Here at GNT we love to give stuff away. It seems that lately we have had one giveaway going up after another. Good for everyone all the way around. Today we are giving away four Steam codes for Crusader Kings 2. If you aren’t sure what this game is all about, please read our review. To be in this to win this simply follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter below. Good luck to all of you.

4 codes 4 winners.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can purchase this game on the Paradox Interactive website.

The post Giveaway: Crusader Kings 2 appeared first on GameNTrain.

Don’t you just hate it when your level of anticipation for a new release is such that you want to know literally everything about the game, yet you also don’t want certain aspects ruining for when you eventually play it? Right now, Grand Theft Auto V is a prime example of this situation.

Let’s set the scene a wee bit: The year is 2008 and I’ve just completed GTA IV – The epic record breaking and moody sandbox title has left a positive, lasting impression on me and I want more.  The Lost and the Damned shortly follows and so too does The Ballad of Gay Tony, both of which are also completed and thoroughly enjoyed. My love of the open world free roaming is probably at its peak and each new game that fits this bill is carefully considered as a temporary form of enjoyment before the next Grand Theft Auto title is released. Rockstar’s offering of Red Dead Redemption in 2010 certainly goes a long way to placating me and is undoubtedly that year’s biggest hit in my opinion, yet the craving for the next GTA chapter continues. LA Noire then attempts a relatively new step and takes a fresh approach to open world in 2011, yet seems shackled by certain aspects of the main story of the game. Just under 6 months after the release of LA Noire, we are then treated to the official announcement of Grand Theft Auto V and the debut trailer on October 25 2011 and November 2 2011, respectively. Max Payne 3 proceeds to excite me greatly the following year and gives me an idea of the technology that is going to power the next Grand Theft Auto and it’s capabilities, yet does little to sate my desire for sandbox chaos. As they did with LA Noire, 6 months after the release of Max Payne 3 they release another trailer on November 14 2012. Rockstar then release images teasing ‘Spring 2013′ as the release date and so the world and it’s neighbour begin to think that the next GTA installment is just around the corner.

We were all wrong.

We now find ourselves in 2013. The September 17 release date for Grand Theft Auto V is 4 months away which means that, following the ‘Spring 2013′ fiasco, we will have been subjected to 23 months of official GTA V promotion and hype by the time we finally have a copy of the game in our hands. Understandably enough, there have so far been 5 trailers and over 120 screenshots of the game at the time of the writing. Rather than deem it as ‘over-saturation’, I think that it’s been a necessary evil to maintain this level of showcasing to keep the interest and anticipation high for what is likely to be another benchmark setting and record breaking title in the Grand Theft Auto series.

It has been a very long time since I decided that I would be buying this game on day one. I already know that it is exactly what I’ve been looking for since GTA IV, so rather than watch trailers and look at screenshots I have realised that I would much rather find out more about the game by actually playing it. The more new content that I digest through articles and press releases means the less I can learn about the game by playing it, which in turn may begin to take some of the shine off a game that I have been excited about for far too long. If this is beginning to sound like me resenting the opportunity that I have to write about games like GTA V then I do apologise; I am merely attempting to reflect on the effect that a big release like Grand Theft Auto V has on its fans. Like me, some of you may have known that you’d definitely be buying this game as far back as 2008, maybe even further? Now it’s reached the point where we are almost 19 months on from the official announcement of GTA V and we have another 4 months to go until it graces our disc trays. Rockstar will inevitably shower us with more trailers and screenshots before the game is released, and whilst part of me wants to absorb as much GTA V knowledge as possible, the other part of me wants to shy away from it and put my head in the sand until September 17.

The next 4 months are going to be unbearable.

Toodle pip!

The post GTA V – Editorial: The Anticipation is Rising appeared first on GameNTrain.

NetherRealm Studios has finished revealing the upcoming costumes for Injustice: Gods Among Us. These costumes are themed from the Alan Moore Graphic Novel, The Killing Joke. We’ve attached the costumes in the gallery below for your viewing pleasure.

In other news, Ed Boon has confirmed that Batgirl will join the roster of Injustice next Tuesday. Here’s a tweet from his confirming this:

Rumor has it that Batgirl will be available to download for INJUSTICE next Tuesday. Just sayin’ ….

— Ed Boon (@noobde) May 15, 2013

Also The Injustice Facebook page mentioned they will reveal something tomorrow, what could it be?

The post Injustice: Gods Among Us – Killing Joke Pack Revealed appeared first on GameNTrain.

Ubisoft has released a new gameplay trailer for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. ACChile reported a leaked image yesterday pointing out that this trailer would be released. In this trailer not long we get to see gameplay on different location, but this is the first time we get to hear the voice of Captain Edward Kenway.

We can see that he is ruthless and brutal while attacking. He once sailed as a privateer, but now as a pirate he will not bow before any king. Living as a pirate, Edward will be able to meet historical characters such a Benjamin Hornigold, Calico Jack, Charles Vane and BlackBeard. Some of this previously mentioned characters appear in this gameplay trailer. We don’t get to see other gear Edward will use besides his guns, cutlasses and iconic Assassin hidden blades. Finally we get a brief glimpse of Edward swimming underwater and fighting sharks. Check out the trailer below:

Defy order as a pirate in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag this October 29th. The game will release for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, PC, PS4 and the next generation Xbox.

The post Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – Under The Black Flag Gameplay Trailer appeared first on GameNTrain.

Many consider the game of basketball to be one of the fastest-paced and exciting sports in existence. Non-stop action, captivating personalities and long-standing rivalries are just a few aspects that draw millions of fans each year to place place online bets that can secure a tidy sum of money if done properly. Websites such as http://www.bosports.net represent one of the many internet sportsbook portals where individuals can track, analyze and use the latest basketball tips to help place themselves in the most lucrative position. However, educated wagering requires much more than a statistical knowledge of the game. Rather, the players that are most likely to perform consistently are those who follow efficient and targeted training regimes. Read on below to understand the fitness regimen and information essential to a basketball player.

Endurance

It is no secret that endurance plays a huge part in determining which players will consistently rank at the top of their class. Thus, cardiovascular activities are included in many practices both on and off of the court. Short-duration sprints are essential in developing the fitness levels to run miles upon miles each game. However, basketball is much more than a lower body workout. Due to the fact that players are not only required to run but also to jump, block, dribble and pass, core strength is essential. It is for this reason that crossfit programs can help increase stamina, coordination and strength.

Explosive Power

Like many sports, basketball also relies heavily on the use of short bursts of explosive power. This is often times in the form of sprinting and jumping. It only makes sense that another key aspect of a properly implemented training regimen includes activities that focus on this key area in the game. Many workouts that develop what are known as slow twitch muscles can cater to this requirement. Included in these routines can be pushups, squats, deadlifts and handstand pushups. Each movement is specifically designed to enhance the strength of a respective region in the body. While there are many such fitness plans available, guided video workouts can be done at home and in a relatively short period of time.

Diet and Nutrition

One of the most important behind-the-scenes variables affecting a player’s performance is which nutrients they put in their bodies. Proper diet is essential to optimal performance. Like any fitness program, adequate amounts of protein are required to help maintain solid body mass and healthy muscles. However, as basketball relies heavily on endurance, a proper diet is less focused on building muscles as it is one offering the adequate amount of energy in the form of easy-to-digest carbohydrates to provide a sustained amount of energy. Thus, foods such as whole grains, pasta and potatoes are often consumed. With the advent of modern supplements, protein shakes and electrolyte drinks have also become extremely popular.

Rest

The least emphasized aspect of a basketball player’s training regime is the necessary downtime these athletes require between games and workouts. The body will simply not heal if it is constantly on-the-go. These players must receive adequate amounts of sleep and physical relaxation for their systems to repair themselves and to absorb the required nutrients. Although sportsbook betting venues will hardly ever take this into consideration, these players are not machines and need rest to perform optimally under what can only be called challenging conditions.

So, it is clear to see that appreciating the fitness programs of these highly tuned athletes is absolutely essential when wagering online. In this respect, knowledge is truly power and only by developing a thorough understanding of the rigorous requirements that these individuals endure can one be expected to be able to place a well-informed and highly lucrative bet. In these days where diet, nutrition and exercise are paramount for success, it can only be predicted that more emphasis will be placed upon these areas to help bring 21st century players to an even higher level of fitness.

Author: Andres P. Ong

Andres P. Ong is a self confessed sports geek and fitness products addict. His work as a management executive for a marketing agency gives him easy access to the latest fitness and work-out  tools for testing and review. He’s a bonafide basketball enthusiast with a lot of “know-hows”, thus leading to this short article.

The post Fitness Tips For Playing Basketball appeared first on GameNTrain.

Day two for the week and after yesterdays 80′s inspired workout, I know you are looking for more. Today we are going to hit it hard making sure that we get our sweat on. Train hard ladies.

3 rounds:

• 15 Assisted pull ups

• 15 Barbell row

• 15 Hammer curls

• 15 Diamond push ups

• 15 Barbell shoulder press

• 15 Dumbbell front delt raises

• 15 Dumbbell side delt raises

• 15 Dumbbell flat chest press

• 15 Smith squats

• 15 Front squats (barbell on your chest)

Interested in more Fit Female workouts? Check them out here.

The post Fit Female: Get Yo’ Pump On appeared first on GameNTrain.