EA and Crytek have garnished with fresh screenshots and added a pinch of gameplay footage to tease and tantalise our salivating lips these past two weeks but now they have served up a real treat. The debut trailer is finally here and although it seems an eternity until we actually get our hands on Crysis 3 you can appreciate the arrival of actual gameplay footage and a look into what to expect from the third of its series.
Return to the fight as Prophet, the Nanosuit soldier on a quest to rediscover his humanity and exact brutal revenge. Adapt on the fly with the stealth and armor abilities of your unique Nanosuit as you battle through the seven wonders of New York’s Liberty Dome. Unleash the firepower of your all-new, high-tech bow and alien weaponry to hunt both human and alien enemies. And uncover the truth behind the death of your squad while re-establishing the power of human will in a rich story full of exciting twists and turns.
Crysis 3 will be arriving in the spring of 2013 on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC and…. no, it won’t be coming to the Wii U!!!
I just couldn’t resist it. I thought I could hold out for at least a week to gather my Microsoft Points and eventually bag Trials Evolution but I just couldn’t. It had to be now and it had to be done! Many on my friends list had already downloaded it and were setting some sweet times. I had one of those moments where I didn’t care how much was in the bank I’ll just download it and get banging on it. Best choice ever made.
I’d like to apologise for such a late review. I mean I just couldn’t get away from this. The trial at first wasn’t enough for to review on, then playing Trials Evolution in full ‘til the point my trigger fingers were bleeding and the knuckle cramps kicked in just wasn’t enough. My weekend flew by without even knowing it. I certainly didn’t waste a single second.
Trials Evolution is the sequel to its predecessor Trials HD which since its release 3 years ago has been one of the most downloaded titles to hit the XBLA. Evolution has been highly anticipated and we have had a firm grip of the handlebars since last Wednesday. So what’s different about Evolution? Well… not a lot of difference in the gameplay. The gameplay simply doesn’t need changing and the developers Redlynx knows that. The addictive style of Trials has gripped many of us since its debut back on the old Miniclip site and I only have Redlynx to blame for the fact I didn’t do so well in many of my Media course paperwork back at college. It’s hard to believe that a free to play game on a website that is so simple and addictive can go on to conquer the Xbox Live Arcade market. So Redlynx have definitely not changed any of the controls or physics because it doesn’t need to. Instead they’ve focused on the things that truly open this game up. Trials Evolution adds a sense of real environment, something that Trials HD couldn’t possibly do. In Trials HD you began to think that every track was beginning to look the same being stuck in this very narrow, almost claustrophobic end to end experience. Was always dark and dingy and almost left you gasping for air outside in the real world. Evolution has taken all that and thrown it aside and now you have an 8km playground to run around in, create and dominate.
With all this said there are so many colours coming into play and so much to see and you can really tell the level designers had a blast with limitless amount of ideas and no boundaries tying them down to just the simple end to end detail that Trials HD could only offer. There’s a whole world out there as you race along the track. It’s not just a background anymore and we love that. Our favourite track so far is the paid homage to Playdead’s Limbo. It has captured the atmosphere perfectly and feels great to have the two great arcade hits merge. Customisation is pretty basic in Trials Evolution. You can simply change the colour of specific bike parts and there is a limited selection of clothing which you can purchase with your hard earned cash but nothing that will keep you literally playing for hours to unlock. It’s a very minor part of game unfortunately but maybe they’ll add to that in future DLC?
If you’re like me and the rest of the 250, 000 (and increasing) people who have already downloaded Trials Evolution and completely bashed away at it to the point you can’t take no more, then just relax with some multiplayer. The multiplayer is good however I can see it losing its appeal faster than single player. The supercross events have a real sense of competition even though you suffer from not being able to see or have a sense of balance if you’re in the back lane and 3 other riders have blocked your view. I feel that the supercross multiplayer benefits a good night in with 3 of your friends and competing locally. Other than that we have the regular trials tracks to play against another 3 competitors online and other than earning xp and levelling up for leaderboards I find myself only wondering on multiplayer to play for those very few multiplayer achievements and maybe to give a friend a quick race but the leaderboards for the single player trials experience is more than enough for me when it comes to competition.
The leaderboards are lush, even when the surge of downloads on day 1 broke the servers. Redlynx however managed to rapidly fix that but once a race is finished to look over the leaderboards is a joy to one’s egomania. I have it and I’m sure you’ll sense it once you finished your first race and earned a gold medal to only find you are 1 of 200, 000 + people who also have that gold but also have a much better time than you and some even carry the unlockable Platinum medal. It keeps you going and going and going and trying to further beat your times. Leaderboards also offer a very quick way of downloaded ghost replays to witness how on earth those gamertags earned such speedy times giving you hints towards method and technique and once you’ve witnessed how they achieved their times you can race against that specific ghost. It’s a classic means of playing time trials but works best with Trials Evolution.
If playing the harder tracks has you frustrated in any way and you fancy getting a little creative then why not move along to the track editor. Here you’ll find yourself feeling a whole new sense of frustration. It’ll probably take you a few days to get to grips and find an understanding of how complex and intricate the level editor can be. It is completely insane and if anything it has scared me. There is so much you can do in the editor, lighting effects, texture, buoyancy of certain objects and I could carry on but the list will exceed my life expectancy.
With the creator, we are forever open to downloading new tracks and new mini games to try out and in a sense we are forever receiving an endless supply of FREE DLC. Absolutely genious. These downloads can then be rated by you who has enjoyed the created levels and then be listed in various categories from latest creations to highest rated and to most downloaded. Some of the downloadable creations are already blowing our minds right now. The editor has allowed for Trials Evolution to become infinite in gameplay resulting in a constant, unpredictable and exciting level of enjoyment.
The conclusion is you don’t need us to tell you that this game ‘revs’ to high expectations . Trials Evolution set the record for highest grossing day-one sales for XBLA. 100,000 downloads on day one proves this was a sought after title and let that be enough to make you want it. It’s incredibly addictive, graphics are bang on for an arcade title and it is just the most insane arcade title to date. 1200 Microsoft points seems steeper than the hills you will inevitably encounter within Trials Evolution but it’s exceedingly worth every bit. Once you’ve downloaded and played on the Gigatrack you’ll agree with me when I tell you that the Gigatrack is worth 1200msp on its own because it is GIGANTIC and not only that, this is the first of the brand new arcade titles to feature 400 gamerscore! The very few negative points with Trials Evolution is the soundtrack can be a little annoying especially the title sequence and maybe the multiplayer could have seen a lot more created tracks provided for the competition but nothing that can devastate the simple joys of this game.
The Bethesda forums decided to tease us on Monday with a screenshot that lead people to believe they were about to announce a heap load of details about a possible Skyrim DLC coming soon. That never happened. Instead the following day that tease lead to be of a new title in the works, published by Bethesda and developed by Arkane Studios. Destructoid reported that Bethesda released the Cinematic trailer to Dishonored unfortunately revealing no gameplay at this time but my word… It’s looking good!
The video certainly justifies the “steampunk” and “dystopia” descriptions that will follow this game to the grave, and there are already more than a few comparisons to Assassin’s Creed floating around. Most importantly, however, is the prevalence of Stilt Police, which I am still completely in love with. It’s police! On stilts! What’s not to love?
Dishonored will be available on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3, with a vague “2012″ release window.
A very exciting title indeed and hopefully we’ll get a glimpse of actual gameplay before or during E3 this year.
If October isn’t busy enough already with big titles heading our way, and you haven’t managed to rinse your wallet of every last dime then you’ll set aside Halo 4 which will be released worldwide November 6 2012. Gamasutra reports BIG news from both Microsoft Studios and 343, what a time to hit hard with the usual release date of Call of Duty falling possibly in the same week.
Microsoft Studios has announced that Halo 4, the newest entry for one of the Xbox 360′s biggest exclusive franchises, will launch around the world on November 6.
Halo 4 will be the first numbered released for the series since 2007, as well as the first new game release to be shipped by developer 343 Industries, which took over the first-person shooter property from Bungie several years ago.
Halo 4 is meant to be the first of a new trilogy for the franchise. Microsoft Studios’ corporate VP Phil Spencer says the game starts a journey that will encompass the next decade of Halo games and experiences.
More Halo is good seeing as its one of the Xbox 360’s very few exclusives that Microsoft have to offer. Details of the multiplayer are exciting for some but we want more from the campaign. A HELL of a lot more! With Octobers and Novembers releases set aside, I’m sure Halo hasn’t much to fear in the retail war. It will no doubt be a huge seller.
BRAND SPANKING NEW SCREENSHOTS of the prematurely announced Crysis 3 have been revealed today. Over at Eurogamer EA has been kind enough to stick by their promise and reveal a little about the third instalment for all to see. It is now official, Crysis 3 will be heading our way Spring 2013.
You play Prophet, who returns to New York in 2047. He finds the city has been encased in a Nanodome created by the corrupt Cell Corporation. The New York City Liberty Dome is now an urban rainforest, packed with overgrown trees, swamplands and rivers.
Inside there are seven “distinct and treacherous” environments, known as the Seven Wonders. Prophet uses a “lethal composite bow”, first seen last week in leaked box art images, an enhanced Nanosuit and alien tech.
Prophet is on a revenge mission after uncovering the truth behind Cell Corporation’s motives for building the quarantined Nanodomes. These were CELL’s covert attempt at a land and technology grab in its quest for global domination. “With Alien Ceph lurking around every corner and human enemies on the attack, nobody is safe in the path of vengeance. Everyone is a target in Prophet’s quest for retribution,” reads the official blurb.
Take a deep breath and witness some of these thriving images, New York seems to be the setting still but utterly covered in vast vegetation after the events of Crysis 2. It’s almost as if Crysis 1 and 2 collide for a truly urban/jungle experience.
Bethesda today have announced that the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim will be releasing a free title update later on this month that will allow for Kinect functionality for over 200 different voice commands. IGN has reported that Kinect owners will be able to use shouts, follower commands and other key menu features that will enhance gameplay exclusively for Xbox 360.
Using Kinect’s voice recognition capabilities, players will be able to perform Dragon Shouts, Hotkey Equipping, Follower Commands, as well as control all menus with their voice. There will also be new special map functions, more hotkey options, and the ability to sort items in your inventory by name, weight, and value.
Skyrim with Kinect is a great feature that will no doubt enhance and accelerate the gameplay during battles. That tedious moment when you have to scroll through your hotkey items to find health potions will no longer be an issue. As for shouts, sometimes I find that Kinect doesn’t understand the very basic English let alone a made up language of shouts such as ‘fus ro dahs’ and ‘Mar-di-gras’. But… Mass Effect 3 benefited with Voice commands and I know for a fact that Skyrim will pull it off better. Shame I’ve completed the game in its entirety but bringing this update 6 months after its initial release can spark only one thing…….. DLC!
Medal of Honor: Warfighter is coming this October and it’s about time we saw some thrilling gameplay. Gameinformer posted the gameplay trailer to EA’s next biggest shooter following the success of 2011’s Battlefield 3.
The new trailer shows off footage of a rescue operation of some foreign aid workers. The action itself, however, is much more intense than it sounds, with plenty of destruction, bullets flying, and a rail-shooting sequence.
I felt that the previous Medal of Honor which took the ‘modern’ approach to wage war against its biggest rival Call of Duty didn’t do such a good job. Trailers in the past have indeed built great anticipation towards what could have been the shooter of the year only to end up being a bit drab and lacking a good character. Until I get my very own taste of the next MOH I can’t judge. Instead enjoy the bullet fire dubstep gameplay trailer and hope that expectations will be met eye to eye with a stern grin of satisfaction.
DiRT Showdown, the spin off to 2011’s finest racer DiRT 3 has revealed its first real gameplay trailer sporting some hellacious carnage and high octane racing. CVG showcased Codemasters brand new vid and states that this will be Codies most connected game ever.
The publisher says the latest movie “features the chaotic, full-contact, all-action racing set to star in DiRT Showdown. On the streets, in the snow and through the dirt buggies, saloons, muscle cars and more all go head-to-head in chaotic circuit races where drivers must charge ahead of the pack by any means necessary.
“To get in front and stay in front, drivers can use a rechargeable boost to sprint ahead of their rivals and slam opponents into obstacles, whether racing in career mode, eight-player online races or in two-player split-screen.”
The game will also feature YouTube integration and enable players to issue ‘Showdown Challenges’ to compete with friends whether they are online or not.
DiRT 3 had an excellent YouTube feature and to see more social features that doesn’t require a constant online ‘get together’ is a bonus too. Works well for EA and the ‘Need for Speed’ series with its Autolog and challenge feature. One thing that Codemasters does well is bringing a real exhilarating and fun racer across all formats.
Oopsie, Cnet reports that Crysis 3 was accidentally revealed today on Electronic Arts’ very own Origin web store. The third of its series is definitely coming and although mistakenly revealing it today and further having it pulled from the site EA have stepped forward and addressed eager fans that there will be an official reveal with details on Monday April 16.
The product page for Crysis 3 shows a Nanosuit-wearing soldier wielding what appears to be an advanced bow and arrow set. The character stands in front of a city environment, hinting that the third entry will return to the urban setting of Crysis 2, instead of the original game’s tropical locale.
To be fair this has happened on a number of accounts. Game developers and publishers are beginning to use this as a marketing scheme to cause a fuss and bring about a wave of excitement drawing fans to their sites and tapping away at the keys to find real evidence and sources to a fervently rumoured title. Just my opinion but either way it’s got gamers and Cry fans excited and I’m one of them! Look out for further details this Monday!
Gamesradar reports that the Original Max Payne will be arriving on both Android and iOS devices this month. If you’re into the classic Max Payne and gaming on the move then this is your treat. Rockstar have already brought the 10 year anniversary version of GTA3 to mobile devices which proved to have had a reasonable response and hoping for the same with Max Payne.
Announced today over the Rockstar Newswire, the mobile port will contain the “full classic Max Payne PC experience”, and be outfitted with HD graphics, high-res textures, customizable controls, and Rockstar Social Club integration. Max Payne mobile will arrive first in Apple’s App Store on April 12, followed by a launch for Android systems on April 26.
Remedy Entertainment debuted the first Max Payne for PS2, Xbox, and PC in 2001. The game recounted Payne’s original quest for vengeance following the drug-related murder of his wife and daughter. The game introduced the series’ trademark move, bullet-time, and likely scared a lot of impressionable kids off of hallucinatory drugs.
Still own a copy of the original Max Payne? If not, then no excuses if you loved this game back in the day then grab it. Although port version of certain games seem a bit fiddly on mobiles and tablets and a lot of reviews read that ported titles such as GTA3 Anniversary have proved to be either sluggish in frame rate or immediately freeze upon loading. I’m sure we can trust Rockstar in keeping up to date with bug fixes and improve on feedback. The original Max Payne will psych those up who are looking forward to the Max Payne 3 coming May 15.
