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The ultimate Final Fantasy 11 package is available on Steam

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Late last month, Square Enix launched a new expansion for Final Fantasy 11, which debuted on PC in 2003 and later came to PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360. The publisher also released a value-sized edition of the game with all its contents to date.

The Ultimate Collection Seekers Edition costs $39.99 and is now available on Steam. It's a good solution for gamers who don't own the full game but want to try the fifth expansion, Seekers of Aldouin, which requires the original disc to play.

Square Enix didn't make the upgrade for PlayStation 2, though, so players will need choose between Xbox 360 or PC.

Valve is offering players a discount if they want to upgrade from a previous Steam version to the Seekers Edition. The expansion pack alone is not for sale on Steam "due to technical difficulties."

The massively multiplayer online role-playing game requires a monthly subscription fee to play. A basic plan costs $11.95.

Follow @wita on Twitter.

Via: The ultimate Final Fantasy 11 package is available on Steam

Beware of possible Pandora's Tower freeze glitch

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

If you've been playing Pandora's Tower, you should be on the lookout for a nasty game freezing bug. While I haven't heard much about this glitch myself, one Destructoid writer posted about his occurrence with it, so be aware just in case.

Apparently, once you open up Tower 13, you won't be able to revisit Tower 11 and Tower 12 by regular means. So if you attempt to enter those towers from the stage select menu, the game will freeze up. Additionally, trying to get into Tower 11 and Tower 12 directly from Tower 13 will cause the Wii RPG to go haywire.

Thankfully, there's a solution. Once you've opened up Tower 13, you'll have to enter it through the stage select screen. You must then pass through one of the doors that leads to the outer wall staircase and teleport to the observatory using the Shard of Divinity. Once you're in the observatory, you'll be able to access Tower 11 and Tower 12 through the stage select menu.

It should be pointed out that this bug was encountered on a launch Wii. Quite a few games have been known to suffer from bugs when played on launch Wii units. Among these titles are Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Xenoblade Chronicles. If you experience the aforementioned glitch while playing Pandora's Tower, know that none of your data will be corrupted. Really, this thing is more of a nuisance than anything else.

[Thanks, Destructoid!]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Beware of possible Pandora's Tower freeze glitch

The Recap - 04/19/13 'Bethesda does something a little different!'

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to another Recap episode where we go over the day's biggest headlines, making sure that you're caught up in all things video games.

Bethesda terrifies us with new game, The Evil Within

What the f**k did I just watch? Bethesda today released the premiere trailer -- well, more of a live-action teaser -- of its new game, The Evil Within. The video itself, which debuted exclusively on IGN (because what doesn't these days?),

Jak and Daxter Collection announced for Vita

Naughty Dog's Jak and Daxterfranchise is about to go portable. It's been a little over a year since the beloved franchise -- one of the best PS2 platformers -- received an HD remake on the PS3,

Capcom's expensive restructuring plan costs it several unannounced games

The company has canceled a few overseas projects "due to delays in responding to the digital contents and the resulting inability to address market needs."

Via: The Recap - 04/19/13 'Bethesda does something a little different!'

Mutant Mudds' long-term struggle with Steam just got a little easier

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Mutant Mudds is a popular game. It's available on the 3DS eShop, PC, and iOS, and it fits well alongside other indie titles like VVVVVV and Offspring Fling. That's why Jools Watsham of developer Renegade Kid can't understand why it's failed to launch on Steam. Twice.

In a blog post republished on Gamasutra this week, Watsham explained how Valve had previously "determined that Steam is not a good fit for distribution" for Mutant Mudds.

The developer had a hard time believing that because "due to the high review scores and fan reaction we received for Mutant Mudds on the 3DS, I assumed the game was at least above average and at least on-par with the quality and genre of games currently found on Steam," wrote Watsham.

When Steam Greenlight — essentially a "popularity contest" — launched in August, it seemed like the perfect answer. But that hasn 't been the case. At the time, Watsham said Mutant Mudds was sitting at No. 82 on the Greenlight list. It's possible that the blog post raised awareness because the platformer has since moved up to spot No. 77 with 17,748 "yes" votes, according to an update today.

The increased support may prove Watsham wrong. In his post, he wrote, "At this rate I can’t see how Mudds will ever be deemed suitable for a Steam release."

He added, "How can a game that has been accepted with open arms on one platform be shut out on another? It is truly a fascinating case study."

Follow @wita on Twitter.

Via: Mutant Mudds' long-term struggle with Steam just got a little easier

Review: Dead Or Alive 5 Plus leaves a jiggly impact on the PS Vita

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Months later, we now have the PlayStation Vita version, which is a welcome surprise since we haven't seen a quality fighter for the handheld since PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale back in November. The game as a whole hasn't changed much in its transition to the handheld front, though there are even more fighters than before and a couple of extra modes to keep you coming back.

While "boob physics" are a nice selling point with the DOA franchise, I happen to like the balancing that's present in Dead Or Alive 5 Plus. It actually feels more natural than ever before -- counters don't rely entirely on luck to execute, swift combos can be chained together into multiple hits, and precision controls can easily turn the tide of a match. It feels great with the Vita, and without the need of touchscreen controls.

It's great to see fighters that make a difference in combat, as well. Tina' ;s ideal for wrestling, throwing foes around and doing some great jump-kick moves; Sarah feels almost as natural as her Virtua Fighter days, with some devastating leg maneuvers and versatility; and Rig, a great new addition to the series, is quite swift with his kicking techniques. These are just a minor part of the cast, with various fighters and styles to choose from.

Another tactic that'll grow on you is the interactivity with backgrounds. You can slam opponents through walls into new fighting areas, watching them take damage as they come tumbling to the ground. You can also use certain things to your advantage, like electrical cables in a wrestling ring and exploding panels in a factory. Knowing where they are and launching your adversaries into them is part of the fun.

Dead Or Alive 5 Plus comes w ith a slew of unlockables, including additional fighters (many available right from the start), extra costumes (bikinis and cheerleading costumes for the win!) and more. You can also take on a variety of modes, though some are weaker than others. Arcade and Versus are rather straightforward, but Story is rather dull when it comes to explaining the mantra of the DOA franchise. Touch Fight Plus, meant to take advantage of the PS Vita's capabilities, is gimmicky at best; it's something you'll play once or twice and never return to, despite the idea of fighting in first person.

The online fighting isn't bad, either. There is some noticeable lag during certain matches, especially playing cross-platform with PS3 owners. However, it works rather well in the long run, letting you set up counters and combo attacks with ease. Don't be afraid to log in and give it a try.

Where DOA 5 Plus impresses the most is in its presentation. The graphics resemble the console versions, with hardly any loss of detail -- or jiggle -- during the proceedings. The explosions look fantastic, and the way the fighting action keeps up on the portable screen is really something, even if some of the cinematic intros are cheesy. The music's not bad, though most of it is typical fighting fluff. While the voicework is okay, if we're being honest, Tina's a little too Texan for her own good. Yee-haw?

While Dead Or Alive 5 Plus can't really compare to the much-superior Mortal Kombat on PS Vita, it's a fine second place title -- a capable fighter that will keep you busy for hours at a time as you play around with all the combatants and unlock the goods. And yes, the sexiness continues to flow from this series -- because why stop a good thing now? ;

Via: Review: Dead Or Alive 5 Plus leaves a jiggly impact on the PS Vita

Review: Controller Pro U blends nostalgic aesthetics, with limited functionality

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:00:00 +0000

You simply can't just look at the controller and not have it invoke some sort of nostalgia out of you, that is of course if you have the Super Famicom style or the Super NES style. The controller also comes in all black, white and gold, which simply doesn't look as good. I actually enjoyed having the Famicom version because let's face it, purple buttons are overrated.

The design essentially fuses the Wii U Pro design with a crammed in SNES controller. It sounds odd, but in reality, feels really good. None of the buttons are out of reach, and despite you holding something that feels like a Pro Controller, you can't help but feel a pure sense of fanboy joy as you press each of the four face buttons, all of which retain their concave and rounded shapes. Even the start and select buttons have that mushy feel that they did back on the original SNES gamepad.

The d-pad, whose functionality I will get to later, also seemed to feel exactly as it should. It was raised just enough to feel as close to an actual SNES d-pad I've grown up with.

Outside of the micro, built-in SNES pad, the controller also has two analog sticks that both click in, as well as two triggers, rounding it out to both look and feel just like a Wii U Pro Controller.

The Pro Controller U is deceptive not only by its looks, but by its packaging. The fact that you'll probably find this next to Wii U accessories in a retail store will mean your average shopper will undoubtedly mistake this for a 'cooler' looking Wii U Pro Controller, when in fact, the game doesn't function as one. Let me point out why.

I went ahead and circled all indicators that will fool a lot of general consumers. The words Pro U, for Wii U, compatible for Wii U, universally compatible with both Wii U and Wii and a picture of a Pro Controller itself simply scream "Buy me! I look cooler than my officially licensed step-brother!" However, this issue seemed to have been mended, since Interworks changed the packaging to be called Retro Classic Controller.

The controller is in fact a Wii remote and Classic controller, housed inside of a Pro Controller shell. When you sync this puppy up, it's actually pretty cool to navigate your Wii U menu like you would with a standard Wii remote, thanks to its front sensor, except still holding it like a standard gamepad.

Obviously my first choice was to try out both virtual console games that are now available on the Wii U, Balloon Pop and F-Zero, the latter which is an actual SNES game so it was the perfect opportunity to test the functionality. Both games actually controlled fairly well. The buttons were responsive and I truly felt like I was indeed holding a somewhat smaller SNES controller.

I then switched over to the Wii Mode to try out Kirby Super Star and Super Punch-Out!!, the former which started showing one of the bigger faults of the controller. The d-pad, while having a traditional SNES design, is way too sensitive. While running with Kirby, even while I was convinced I was just pressing forward, Kirby would occasionally crouch or drop down on platforms because my thumb wasn't fully pressed down in the right direction. A slight graze of my thumb, which woul d normally not affect a traditional SNES controller, made all the difference, and in platformers especially, this can be an issue.

The left analog stick does work as a much more accurate replacement to the d-pad but the whole reason for this controller is to recreate that nostalgic joy of playing Super Nintendo (or any classic games) with a classic gamepad.

NES games though are somewhat awkward to control, since regardless of what mode you're in, you're either using the X and Y buttons, or A and B buttons on the controller, which means games will feel slightly awkward when played with this controller.

One thing to keep in mind is this controller is meant for Wii games that support the sideways Wii remote or classic gamepad. Games that require a nunchuck are not compatible. That said, games like Monster Hunter Tri and Super Smash Bros. Brawl are absolutely magnificent with it. The latter I actually prefer the Controller Pro U to any other controller, thanks to its far superior analog sticks.

While the Controller Pro U doesn't function as a Wii U Pro Controller, it does actually work on Wii U games that support the Wii Remote, such as New Super Mario Bros. U and Nintendo Land.

There is one big caveat to this seemingly good setup. NSMBU for example doesn't recognize the traditional Classic Controller, and only allows the game to be controlled via Wii U Gamepad or standard Wii Remote. What that does to the controls is make the A and B button on the Wii Remote, translate to the A and B button on the Controller Pro U, and the 1 and 2 buttons translate to the X and Y buttons. This is problematic, especially for Mario games, since now you have to use X and Y to run and jump. It makes for an awkward way of having to hold the controller. Essentially, it's the same issue that I ran into when playing NES games.

Couple this awkward setup with the d- pad's sensitivity and you're bound to run into some problems, especially since in Wii Remote mode, the analog sticks are completely disabled, meaning you're stuck using the d-pad.

At complete, full disclosure, I was having issues with the controller when I first received it, as it wasn't correctly syncing up to my system, whenever I would switch to Wii Mode. The controller would turn off, and couldn't be reawakened again unless the reset button was pushed in with a paper clip or a pin.

With that said, after speaking about this issue with an Interworks representative, we were able to figure out the issue. The controller and its functionality were designed before the launch of the Wii U, meaning they had no prior knowledge of the system needing to power cycle when actually switching over to Wii Mode. That explains the odd behavior of the controller itself when switching over.

TL;DR Use a standard Wii Remote when s witching over to Wii Mode, and only then sync up your Pro Controller U and you won't have any issues. Spare yourself the time and trouble looking for a paper clip in your house. Chances are, you don't have one.

Once you get over the fact that you can't replace it as an actual Pro Controller for the Wii U (which I would do in a heartbeat) and that the d-pad is just a tad bit too sensitive, the controller is actually pretty good. Wii games that utilize Classic Controller functionalities shine with the Controller Pro U, as the analog sticks are built far better here than they ever were on Nintendo's product, and SNES games in particular control very well.

If nostalgia is getting the best of you, and you have a crazy library of Virtual Console games available to you, then you honestly can't go wrong with the Pro Controller U. With Wii U's Virtual Console just a few months away, it might just be the next best alternative to the real thing .

Via: Review: Controller Pro U blends nostalgic aesthetics, with limited functionality

Peripheral Vision: Gunnar Vayper

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

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To start things off, let’s look at what Gunnar promises within their gaming eyewear: increased contrast for great visual accuracy, enhanced detail, reduction in glare, improved visual endurance for extended gaming sessions, and decreased amount of eye fatigue and dry eyes. Do we all agree that is quite a tall order of benefits, just for wearing a pair of glasses?

Please take note that I was supplied with Gunnar Vayper Onyx for this review, and the next paragraph is based on the provided pair alone.

Right out of the box, they felt quite fragile and looked to be made out of very thin metal. I was very concerned with how long they might last. Fast-forward through two weeks of intensive gaming and experimentation, and I must congratulate Gunnar on building quite a study product. These glasses have held up very well, which you can clearly see via the included pictures (taken the day of this review).

We’ve established that they can take quite a bit of punishment, but the more important question is: How do they feel when wearing them?

Personally, my experience wasn't exactly great. Now, I’m no stranger to wearing sunglasses, since France involves quite a bit of sun, so I can safely say that these “Advanced Gaming Eyewear” clearly have not been built for comfort. The sides of the glasses annoyed my ears and irritated the side of my head. I blame the slightly cheap plastic cover-type things located on the metal frame, since they're very hard.

Some other things wor th mentioning:

At the end of the day, I found most of the big marketing words mentioned throughout the promotional materials to be untrue, so I cannot personally recommend a pair of Gunnar glasses to either enhance your vision or protect yourself while gaming. I do understand there are health risks for long gaming sessions, but I suggest that we just experience everything and anything in moderation.

Via: Peripheral Vision: Gunnar Vayper

Nintendo 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro available for pre-order; will ship April 19th

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

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If you're a little annoyed playing Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on your Nintendo 3DS XL without a second analog circle pad, you're about to be very happy. The Circle Pad Pro add-on for the Nintendo 3DS XL is now available for pre-order through ShopNintendo, the official online store for Nintendo of America.

While Japan got the add-on last year on November 15, 2012, the product will begin shipping in North American on April 19th, according to ShopNintendo's listing. You can buy it through their online store for $19.99.

The Circle Pad Pro adds a second analog circle pad and additional shoulder buttons. It is only compatible with select 3DS games, including Resident Evil: Revelations, Metal Gear Solid 3D Snake Eater, Kid Icarus: Uprising and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate.

You can follow Senior Editor Lance Liebl on Twitter @Lance_GZ. He likes talking sports, video games, movies, and the stupidity of celebrities. Email at LLiebl@GameZone.com

[ShopNintendo via Polygon]

Via: Nintendo 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro available for pre-order; will ship April 19th

Review: Guacamelee! offers a delicious mix of combat, platforming, art, and music

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

As a luchador, Juan has a nice arsenal of moves that can be employed to dispose of Calaca’s beastly and undead minions. In addition to punching your enemies senseless, you can also toss weakened foes across the screen and even knock dudes into each other. As you brawl your way through waves of bad guys, you earn money that can be used to purchase upgrades at Day of the Dead save altars. While you begin with a few basic attacks, it doesn’t take long for you to earn enough cash to buy pulverizing piledrivers, suplexes, and punt kicks. Pulling off these moves drains your stamina meter, but throughout your adventure you’ll come across health and stamina upgrades, a few of which can be purchased.

Along the way you discover breakable Choozo statues (yup). Crushing these structures summons an old goat-man who grants you even more abilities, such as wall jumps, double jumps, headbutts, uppercuts, and many, many more. A lot of the attacks that the goat dude provides are utilized to break through color-coded obstacles. Performing a downward body slam, for example, allows you to break through previously impenetrable green blocks. Meanwhile headbutts break through yellow walls and so on. These particular attacks are also necessary for breaking enemy shields, and depending on the color of your foes’ defenses, it’s up to you to pull off the appropriate offensive maneuver.

While the piledriver was definitely my favorite move in all of Guacamelee!, I was just about equally fond of Juan’s ability to turn into a rooster. In this feathered state, the farmer-turned-wrestler-turned-poultry can enter small openings and discover new areas, each with their own rewards. Oh, and if you think the chicken reference in Guacamelee! is racist, you’re wrong. I grew up in a Mexican household and I fondly remember my family having chickens and roosters in the backyard. So yeah, Guacamelee!’s emphasis on chickens isn’t racist — just hilariously accurate.

One of the more mechanically interesting elements of Guacamelee! is the ability to switch between the living and dead worlds. While not available to you at first, you'll eventually be able to shift between dimensions. A lot of the basic landscape remains the same, but the art and certain aspects between the two worlds differ. For starters, some platforms and walls can only be seen in one dimension, which means you can expect to rapidly switch on the fly as you traverse the land.

The gameplay of Guacamelee! takes somewhat of a "Metroidvania light" approach. That’s not to say it’s lacking a few intricacies, but rather than depending on a lot of the more tedious tropes that said titles suffer from, this 2D action-adventure romp streamlines its mechanics to keep the pacing enjoyable. A lot of the moves you unlock later in the game can be utilized to reach previously inaccessible areas. Revisiting these locations rewards you with money, stamina upgrades, and heart chunks. You don’t need to go back to collect these items, but if you take the time to do so, you certainly get a nice payout for your troubles.

You’ll come across smaller towns in between the bigger levels. The citizens of these areas always have something to say, and many of them offer side quests. These extra objectives can be a bit annoying at times, but they’re not mandatory, so if you want to prog ress more smoothly through the world of Guacamelee, you’re free to do so. If you’re worried you’ll miss out on anything interesting by skipping side missions, fret not; you won’t.

Aside from all of the challenging brawling and platforming gameplay (bosses are especially tough), Guacamelee! boasts a lovely graphical style that’s clearly inspired by Mexican art. Earthy tones are mixed ever-so-effortlessly with bright hues to create a lively world. References to internet memes and other video games are also seen throughout, with both town posters and wall art offering a spin on various iconic images you’ve likely seen before. The music is equally splendid, mixing up some great Latin-influenced sounds with electronic chiptun e goodness.

You can get to the end of Guacamelee! in about five hours or less, which is undeniably a bit short. Beating the game unlocks Hard Mode, and there’s even two-player co-op, so if you really want to invest some serious time into the experience, you most certainly can. Even if all you do is play through Guacamelee! one time, though, you’ll still get a rewarding, worthwhile experience that’s pretty to look at, cool to listen to, and just too much fun to play. If you’re looking for an entertaining title that’s heavy on combat and platforming, you’d do well to check out Drinkbox’s latest endeavor. Extra points if you go out for street tacos immediately following a play session.

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Review: Guacamelee! offers a delicious mix of combat, platforming, art, and music

Soul Sacrifice demo out today on PSN, saves will carry over

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

PlayStation Vita owners looking for a taste of what Soul Sacrifice has to offer, will have more than brief sampling. In fact, when the demo drops on PSN later today, Vita owners will have an entire helping of action-RPG goodness. The entire first chapter of the full game will be included, all of which is playable with up to three friends via online or ad-hoc multiplayer.

"The number one reason for the Soul Sacrifice demo to have a lot of content was to show the users the full attraction of Soul Sacrifice," creator Keiji Inafune said. "We knew that cutting out a small section of the game and saying, ‘Isn’t this part fun?’ would not show the users the full potential of the game. We figured that it wouldn’t make sense if the users could not have the ‘I want to play more’ feeling."

"So, we decided we want to provide, ‘at the very least,’ this amount of the game for the users. That is why, if you compare it to a standard demo, this became such a substantial piece. But we are confident that this will not become something negative where the users will feel like, ‘We played enough.’ After we released the demo version in Japan we received many voices, saying ‘[I] want to play more’ and ‘I want to get more hooked on this game.’ That is why we believe making this demo with this amount of volume and detail was a success," he added.

Best of all, your hard work and gameplay won't be for nothing. Your save data will carry over to the full game when on releases on April 30. So it's basically like you're getting the first chapter of this game early and for free. On top of that, if you do carry over your demo save data to the full game, you'll receive an exclusive bonus item: Spirits' Heart, which summons a powerful stone golem that will fight for you.

In addition to the single player story, the demo will give you a look into Soul Sacrifice's multiplayer mode; however, on April 30, the multiplayer and all online features of the demo will be terminated.

The demo for Soul Sacrifice will be downloadable from PlayStation Network later today.

[PS Blog]

Via: Soul Sacrifice demo out today on PSN, saves will carry over

Tech Review: A4Tech Bloody v7 cheats its way to stylish victory

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Before I get into what makes this mouse unique to its brethren, let's go over the basics.

Being that it's called the Bloody v7, one look at the mouse will tell you that this isn't Superman's mouse. This is the type of mouse that Lex Luthor uses on the weekends to get some quick games of Counter-Strike in. Its sharper, more diamond-shaped bottom, and concave sides certainly add to its dastardly look.

The Bloody v7 also features both matte and gloss finish on the mouse, which combines both comfort and style. Every part of the mouse that touches your hand is matte, while the parts in between shine through with the gorgeous gloss. It's certainly one of the more comfortable mice I've used thus far. Its convex sides let your thumb rest comfortably on the left -- which also features ridges, meaning no thumb slipping at all -- and your ring and pinky fingers resting on the right, which also has special spots for both. Literally each finger has a spot on this mouse, which is awesome.

There isn't an overwhelming amount of buttons on the Bloody v7, because, frankly, there doesn't need to be. It's not meant to up your MMO game, but rather, give you the edge on shooters. The left side of the mouse has the now-standard Forward and Back buttons. They won't really make or break your FPS game, but they are there more for the convenience.

The middle of the mouse, right below the scroll wheel, sits three buttons, which on their own won't do much, but make all the difference in a shooter. There is no dedicated DPI button that lowers or raises it. However, double-clicking on the first button of these three, will let you to raise and lower it using the scroll wheel.

Those three buttons will be your 'cheat' buttons, if you will. The mouse comes with software that changes up the overall functionality of it. Core 1 mode is your standard mouse configuration tha t can be used for any game. Core 2 then switches on those three buttons and makes them useful. Core 3, which needs to be purchased at an additional $20, changes up one of the buttons to give you an unfair upper-hand against other opponents.

By default, the mouse acts normal. Clicking the mouse button will shoot a gun as it's supposed to. Pressing the middle button, N, will do two different things depending on the mode you're in. It will either burst fire two shots (Core 2), or continually shoot in Strafe mode (Core 3), diminishing the amount of recoil and raising accuracy. The last mode shoots at 3 shot bursts at a time, giving your Assault Rifles or even handguns more edge.

Mice usually come with software that allow you to change the lighting, DPI and other small things that don't offer much else. Th e Bloody 2 software is a playground of data and settings. Aside from switching Cores and setting your DPI configurations, gamers can adjust the N and 3 middle buttons in real-time, letting players adjust exactly how they want their burst or continuous fire to work, as well as making sure that the recoil reduction is working properly.

There is a Macro menu that allows users to download and upload various Macros, in addition to making their own from scratch. Many of the ones included are for Counter-Strike, but clicking on Download Macros will pull up the site where more can be downloaded and directly implemented.

When it comes down to it, the software simply allows you to cheat. It's about as clear cut as that. When put to the test, the recoil reduction on an Assault Rifle in Battlefield 3, for example, gave some crazy results -- ones that shouldn't be allowed in competitive play. Allowing a handgun to fire as fast as an Assault Rif le is also unfair.

It all comes down to the preference of the player, though. If you're the type that feels like you need that slight edge above others, then you'll find a lot to love about the Bloody v7. There is no doubt in my mind that a lot of gamers will frown down upon this functionality. The Core 3 mode will cost gamers an extra $20, which means that out of the box, all you're really getting is a mouse that allows for burst fire, in either two-shot or three-shot bursts. It can certainly give a slight edge over other players, but isn't nearly as drastic as reducing recoil for pinpoint accuracy.

Build and comfort-wise, the mouse is wonderful. Like I've previously stated, the concave sides allow all of your fingers to have a designated place on the mouse, and the matte and gloss combination make the mouse not only look great, but feel good on your fingers, too. I can easily recommend this mouse on the build alone.

If your en d goal is to cheat, the mouse provides the functionality for you to do so. I frown upon it, but it is implemented rather well.

Via: Tech Review: A4Tech Bloody v7 cheats its way to stylish victory

The Recap - 04/17/13 'Zelda games coming back to 3DS Virtual Console'

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to another Recap episode where we go over the day's biggest headlines, making sure that you're caught up in all things video games.

Zelda Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons triforcing its way to 3DS eShop

The Capcom developed titles,The Legend of Zelda Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda Oracle of Season remain staples in portable gaming. These companion games were both unique adventures, and now they're coming to the 3DS Virtual Console.

Check out some Vamp-tastic abilities in the upcoming game, DARK

After the terribly terrible Vampire Rain, I managed to avoid games that spotlighted Vampires. I'm not sure what it is, but something about DARK is immensely appealing to me. Whether it's the stealth gameplay, or the kick ass powers at your disposal, it looks like vampires might be done right this time. O h and hey, they probably don't sparkle.

SimCity's next sponsored present for you is a Crest Attraction Set

Are you all enjoying your green Nissan Leaf Charging Station? If so, get ready for some more goodies as EA has announced SimCity's next set of campaign-driven, in-game objects.

Bethesda denies teaser video is for Fallout, but they're liars

Earlier today, Bethesda tweeted out a Vine link that is a teaser for something, with barbed wire and music imagery in the brief video. Polygon did some research and found that the ending images of the video looks to be sheet music for "Air on the G-string" by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Via: The Recap - 04/17/13 'Zelda games coming back to 3DS Virtual Console'

PlayStation Store update delayed due to ongoing PSN maintenance

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

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It should be expected at this point, that any time Sony performs maintenance on PSN it will be delayed. On Monday, Sony began routine maintenance on the PlayStation Network, which was expected to last until around 11:00pm ET. Of course, if you're familiar with PSN and its updates, you already predicted it would go on for far longer. It's like clockwork.

Tuesday's PlayStation Store update was delayed due to the extended maintenance. The latest update from Sony came 12 hours ago and read:

"Today's PS Store publish will be delayed due to ongoing PSN maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience."

There has been no update since, so many PS3 and Vita owners are left in the dark. The delay is quite unfortunate as yesterday was supposed to be the release of the Soul Sacrifice demo for Vita. Looks like we'll have to wait a few more hours.

Via: PlayStation Store update delayed due to ongoing PSN maintenance

Review: Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons, or how to completely screw up a remake

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

The game features events similar to the original Double Dragon II, with players controlling the poor Marian for a few minutes before she's killed by a street gang. (Sure, that's a spoiler, but we're saving you the pain of dealing with the game.) Then the Lees, a bad looking Jimmy and his equally ugly Billy, step in to kick some butt, with throngs of ill-moving thugs coming at you. Then the occasional boss shows up with a formula so predictable, even a lab monkey high on heroin could figure it out within seconds. And on you go through the game's horrendous 15 stages. Yep, there are 15 stages of this.

One big problem that Double Dragon II seems to adapt, similar to the misguided Turtles In Time Reshelled reboot that came out a couple of years back, is 8 -direction combat. If it worked, we wouldn't mind it so much, but it doesn't. With 8-direction fighting, you tend to miss your opponents quite often, while they can hit you from a multitude of directions. Gravity, the developer behind this mess, would've been better off sticking with the left-to-right style of combat, instead of forcing us to try and turn to every opponent to hit them. What's more, it takes a second to change direction, which can make all the difference between a successful hit and a whiff. It's pathetic.

As for your move arsenal, it's equally weak. You can punch, kick, throw a defensive elbow (surprisingly the most capable move in the game) or perform the most clumsy jump kick conceived in a game, or even roll out of the way, hilariously and badly, to avoid an incoming strike. There are power moves as well, but they look awful and have only so much effect in terms of range. It just doesn't work.

Along with the regular mode (which is suffer-inducing enough as it is), you also have survival and versus modes, but they're quite limited – and don't feature online play. Yep, while the far more advanced Double Dragon Neon has built-in online options, all you can do here is compare best scores on leaderboards. Because that's what Double Dragon is all about, right?

But let's get to the worst part of the game – the presentation. Double Dragon II contains some of the baddest graphics you'll see in a downloadable game. Between shoddy game speed, crappy animations (when a boss comes flipping onto the scene and crashing down on barrels, it borderlines on MST 3K-style hilarity -- see above screenshot) and backgrounds w ith very little motivation, it resembles something you would've seen as a first-generation release on the PlayStation 2…or even the PS1 for that matter. Audio isn't much better, between bland music poorly regenerated from the original game and vocal effects that aren't worth writing home about. And that voice acting? Let's put it this way – it makes Resident Evil sound like Shakespeare.

Really, Double Dragon II should've been shelved – permanently – instead of given a release. Everything about this game is either busted or incomplete, and the lack of online functionality is an insult to the few fans of this game who would dare give it a try. If you want true Double Dragon love, look to Neon and leave these Dragons to Wander by themselves. What a waste.

[Reviewed on Xbox 360]

Via: Review: Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons, or how to completely screw up a remake

Square Enix's Bravely Default releases on 3DS in 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Some great news for role-playing game enthusiasts slipped by today's bigger 3DS announcements from Nintendo. Square Enix's Bravely Default: Flying Fairy is coming to the handheld next year in North America and Europe.

Nintendo is publishing the title, which fans have suspected would reach the West for a while now. The localization will be in English.

The classic-style RPG uses a job system, which both the four playable characters and enemies adopt. You can discover more jobs as you play.

Developer Silicon Knights has added multiple endings.

Below is a new, subtitled trailer for the game.

Follow @wita on Twitter.

[Siliconera]

Via: Square Enix's Bravely Default releases on 3DS in 2014

PSA: Pandora's Tower will likely be available at the end of the week

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

This morning I went to my local GameStop to pick up my copies of Injustice: Gods Among Us and Pandora's Tower. The dude kindly handed me my copy of the DC Comics fighter and then said, "Pandora's Tower should be in tomorrow."

I almost expected this to happen as I've had similar experiences with other Wii games — particularly, Kirby's Return to Dream Land and The Last Story. As a matter of fact, I remember waiting for the latter not one day, not two days, but four whole days after the scheduled launch date.

Anyway, if you pre-ordered a copy of Pandora's Tower, I'd suggest you call in at your local games retailer just to double-check if it's actually in stock. If anything, the game should be out by Friday, which I'm totally cool with because there's something really fun about getting a new game on a Friday and just spending the whole weekend playing it.

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: PSA: Pandora's Tower will likely be available at the end of the week

Capcom unveils bonus Arcade Cabinet games: 1943 Kai and Vulgus

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

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Capcom has hidden two extra games in its 15-title Capcom Arcade Cabinet compilation release. Today the company revealed them as 1943 Kai and Vulgus.

The WW2 flight shooter 1943 Kai originally only released in Japan, and Vulgus is the first arcade game that Capcom developed as a company proper.

They're free if you bought all 15 games, which released across a series of downloadable packs. The fifth and final one launches tomorrow on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network.

If you're holding out for the full release at half-price, it goes on sale May 21 with both games included.

The Capcom Arcade Cabinet features Trophy/Achievement support, online co-op, social media features, and leaderboards.

Follow @wita on Twitter.

[Capcom Unity blog]

Via: Capcom unveils bonus Arcade Cabinet games: 1943 Kai and Vulgus

New PS Vita software update improves stability and playback

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Sony has released a new system update that enhances overall performance for the PlayStation Vita.

Software update 2.11 went live in Europe and North America today. It "improves system stability and the playback of some titles," according to an online support coordinator on the European PlayStation forums.

The download has apparently caused problems for one user who tried to run Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified, an exclusive title for the Vita. However, no other users have responded with similar complaints.

Update 2.11 follows last week's, which added folder creation to the home screen, easy game card detection, the ability to watch videos in the web browser, HTML-supported email messages, and more.

Follow @wita on Twitter.

[Polygon]

Via: New PS Vita software update improves stability and playback

Pre-orders open for Sir, You Are Being Hunted

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

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Indie developer Big Robot is hard at work on Sir, You Are Being Hunted. The game takes place in a dreary countryside setting with robots pursuing you ever so creepily.

You can pre-order Sir, You Are Being Hunted on Big Robot's official site. The game is priced at $20, and you'll score access to the beta in addition to the full game at launch.

Sir, You Are Being Hunted will be playable at the Rezzed indie game show in the UK this coming June. Here's hoping it launches shortly afterward, because it looks pretty darn neat!

[Big Robot]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Pre-orders open for Sir, You Are Being Hunted

First Dragon Fantasy RPG hitting PS3 and PS Vita tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

The JRPG-style, tongue-in-cheek game Dragon Fantasy is landing on Sony's two main platforms tomorrow. Developer Muteki Corporation has rebuilt the PC/Mac/iOS title from the ground up.

Muteki announced a sequel for PlayStation 3 and PS Vita back in August. It's due out early next year, which is pretty amazing considering the first game took 16 years to realize. This rerelease is a reaction to "the awesome response and large demand for the first game on those systems," according to founder, president, and chief executive officer Bryan Sawler on the PlayStation Blog today.

The developer has redrawn "almost every single piece of art in the game," updating the interface and overworld map.

"We decided to approach this in the style of a SNES special e dition of a previously released NES game," wrote Sawler. "We wanted to take the art we had and just bring it forward a generation — after reaching what we feel was the best of what '8-bit' could be, we decided to bring this to what we’re calling '8-bit as we remember it' instead of '8-bit as it was' — read on for some side-by-sides of the before and after."

Muteki detailed a number of other changes — including an overhaul to the problematic inventory UI and an extra dungeon— in the blog post.

The game also includes Trophy, cross-buy, and cross-save support.

PlayStation Plus members can purchase Dragon Fantasy Book 1 for 20 percent off during launch week.

Follow @wita on Twitter.

Via: First Dragon Fantasy RPG hitting PS3 and PS Vita tomorrow

The Recap - 04/15/13 'No more DLC for Skyrim and Commander Mode in BF4?'

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to another Recap episode where we go over the day's biggest headlines, making sure that you're caught up in all things video games.

Commander Mode making a return in Battlefield 4?

Promotional material for Battlefield 4 spotted at GameStop suggests the return of the fan-favorite Commander Mode, as well as the ability to play as up to three different factions in the game's multiplayer.

Bethesda moving on from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim to 'next major project'

After supporting 2011's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim with DLC and add-on content for the last year and a half, Bethesda is finally ready to move on to a new adventure. In a farewellpost, the company confirmed parts of the team have already been in pre-production for the next "major" project, and "that game is at the point where it requires th e studio's full attention to make it our biggest and best work yet."

Batman: Arkham Origins combat: 'If it's not broken, don't fix it,' reasons Warner Bros.

When it comes to possibly redefining Batman: Arkham's combat, Warner Bros. Montreal is taking the "If it's not broken, don't fix it" approach with the newest installment, Batman: Arkham Origins.

Via: The Recap - 04/15/13 'No more DLC for Skyrim and Commander Mode in BF4?'

PSN maintenance scheduled for next week

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

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Sony is doing some spring cleaning and as a result the PlayStation Network will undergo routine maintenance early next week. The service will go offline on Monday, April 15, at approximately 8:00am PT (11:00am ET) and maintenance should last until around 8:00pm PT (11:00pm ET). Of course, we've heard that one before. PlayStation users should be used to maintenance running beyond the estimated timeframe, but we'll keep you updated.

The PlayStation Store, PlayStation Home, and Account Management will not be available during the maintenance period; however, you will still be able to play online as long as you've singed in to the Network prior to maintenance beginning.

[PlayStation Community]

Via: PSN maintenance scheduled for next week

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 skipping Western PS Vita release

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

The sequel to last year's One Piece: Pirate Warriors is coming to the West — but only as a PlayStation 3 release. Publisher Namco Bandai won't be localizing the PS Vita version.

“Unfortunately, there are no plans for a Vita release in the Americas,” a Namco Bandai representative told IGN.

The PS3 game is hitting North America and Europe sometime this summer. In Japan, Pirate Warriors 2 has sold far better on the PS3 despite the popularity of the handheld: 350,000 units compared to the Vita's 85,000. The original has sold nearly 1 million copies since its release in Japan in March 2012.

Sony's Vita is showing much poorer performance here in the U.S., and that's encouraging some developers, like the maker of the Tales role-playing game series, to shy away from Western releases on the handheld.

Follow @wita on Twitter.

Via: One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 skipping Western PS Vita release

Tomb Raider PC getting expensive Japanese voice DLC

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

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Square Enix has announced plans to release a Japanese voice pack for Tomb Raider on the PC. That's certainly cool for folks who want to play the game in Japanese. It's kind of a pain in the ass then that the DLC will sport a gross $30 price tag.

The voiceover track will be available beginning April 25 on Steam. Given that the game costs $50 on the service, you're looking at a whopping $80 if you want to play Tomb Raider in Japanese.

Whatever, man, I liked the original English voice acting anyway. Plus, I don't even understand Japanese. For those who do, however, this kind of blows.

[Square Enix via Joystiq]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Tomb Raider PC getting expensive Japanese voice DLC

Dark Souls 2 director: Dark Souls PC was 'sort of half-assed'

noreply@blogger.com (Kayo Mashiko) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

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PC gaming fans were incredibly stoked when Namco Bandai and From Software announced that Dark Souls would land on the platform as Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition. When the game ultimately shipped, however, people were a bit underwhelmed at the lack of quality compared to the console versions. According to Dark Souls 2 Director Yui Tanimura, more attention will be put on the PC version of the upcoming sequel this time around.

"A lot of it was not very well done, sort of half-assed," stated Tanimura. "Yes, we will definitely put more priority on the PC. Last time, we started working on PC after the console version was complete. This time, because we are considering the PC from the beginning, you can be sure there will be more care put into PC development.."

Dark Souls 2 is scheduled to launch across the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on the same day. That should prove potentially promising for PC fans who were disappointed with the previous game.

[Shack News]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Dark Souls 2 director: Dark Souls PC was 'sort of half-assed'