Okay, so everyone knows with an online multiplayer you’re going to have some issues logging in when the server is busy. On launch day it’s going to be even more exaggerated a frustration. Hence we get one more bit of game news: Diablo III’s launch left trouble for many trying to access the game. Being immensely popular (its predecessors triumphed as fan favorites by Blizzard), it makes sense the servers would overload.
What fans got was a login screen error claiming, “Error. The servers are busy at this time. Please try again later. (Error 37),” at which point you were supposed to clock the ginormous “OK” button and wait patiently. The armies of international and domestic gamers waiting to play this game then turned focus on tweeting @BlizzardCS and @Diablo to see if the problem would be resolved. They were met with simply these messages:
According to Blizzard, the 200,000 UK players trying to login within the first 30 minutes was still less than the beta opening. Regardless, the servers did not bode well and with the US servers opening, the problem only persisted. In the end, Blizzard took down all websites and forums in an effort to allow users to access the online video game through the free resources. There is yet no plan of action should you be having login trouble, but the customer support lines are willing to here out any gripes 24/7 as well as on their members site, Battle.net. Lesson to be learned: patience is a virtue, fellow gamers.
Well folks, it looks like we’re already getting the information we’ve been waiting for with Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, although the official reveal is set for later today during the basketball playoffs on TNT. You will have to check your local listings for times. This first trailer should set the tone for November, when the game is expected to be released. What we know thus far is that it will supposedly “break boundaries of what fans have come to expect” from the series and that it takes place in the near future in a 21st century “Cold War.” Black Ops makes yet another addition to a record-breaking and solid video game franchise.
Depending on your local area, you may be getting different released material on the game’s homepage. The U.S. site features several vague screenshots of equipment, a few “Classified” sound bits and video or two of “Tacitus” showcasing prototype weaponry. As for the UK site, it looks like they’re getting different screenshots of helicopters soaring through cities. It’s not very much at the moment but it should pique your interest for the time being. Have fun playing around with these until the countdown hits zero. More things are being released on the site as the time draws near.
So, hold on to your video game peripherals and get ready for some high-impact entertainment post debut. It’s almost time to get your game on.
Yesterday was finally the release of the first episode of Telltale’s The Walking Dead game. After being delayed from the end of 2011, the new game has been much anticipated for zombie fans and comic book aficionados alike. The new episode has been released on Playstation Network, PC and Mac and will see a release soon on XBLA.
Along with the release comes a new story trailer, taking us into the world of Lee Everett, a convict who finds himself free once he has a run-in with the zombies that have taken over. Check it out:
The game is an extension of the universe created by Robert Kirkman and players will run into familiar characters they know from the comic books and television series. The entire game will be 5 episodes long, each one going for 400 MS points on XBLA, $4.99 on PSN, or $24.99 for the season pass on PC and Mac.
Personally, I’m excited about the game due to my love of all things horror, especially zombies. Some might argue that zombies have been a little over done lately, but I think this game can promise a new angle on this particular end of the world scenario. I also love that the game is true to the comic book art style throughout; it’s definitely visually appealing. And honestly, killing zombies just never gets old.
It just goes to show you that gamers around the world CAN rally behind a cause that doesn’t involve whining about the ending(s) of a space opera.
It was officially announced yesterday that Dark Souls, the infamously difficult RPG, will arrive on PC on August 24, 2012. The game was initially released for the consoles only in fall of last year, but after a fervent online movement involving thousands signing a petition, sadistic PC gamers everywhere will finally get their wish.
The announcement doesn’t come as a surprise. After months of mere speculation, the prospect of Dark Souls coming to the PC had gained significant traction over the last month or two. There were several leaks of ads for Dark Souls on several PC gaming magazines, and soon afterwards the Dark Souls Facebook page announced that it would be announcing something once enough people liked an app on their page (personally I’m getting tired of these viral ads, despite my liking the app myself…)
The PC release, dubbed the “Prepare to Die Edition”, will feature content not seen in the console versions:
New Bosses – Including Artorias of Abyss and the Chimera of Tomb
PVP Online Matchmaking System
New Areas – Including Oolacile Tomb and Old Ruins
New Enemies – Including Abyss Guard, Chained Prisoner
New NPC’s – Including Hawkeye Gough
New Weapons and Armor
After seeing the trailer, it’s now my turn to boil in jealousy (I own a Mac… Damn you Steve Jobs). Dark Souls is easily my favorite game of 2011, and there is no doubt in my mind it was simply the best game (Skyrim… pfftt, that’s child’s play). Here’s hoping they release the new content as DLC for the consoles; fighting that manticore beast, which I’m guessing is the Chimera of Tomb, and dying over and over again is going to be an absolute fun time.
It’s here. No, seriously. After all this time, after the announcement of Diablo 3 back in 2008 (can you believe it was 4 years ago?), Blizzard has finally revealed the official release date and it’s a lot sooner than I anticipated. Ladies and gentlemen, demon hunters and wizards, Diablo 3 will be “unleashed from the Burning Hells”, as they put it, on May 15th. Yes, of this year. Yes, in 60 days.
Considering the 14 thousand+ likes and over 8,000 shares Blizzard received for the announcement on Facebook, it’s fair to say the masses are stoked. As am I. As a big fan of both the original and 2, I can’t wait to see what the third installment will bring to the table.
You can pre-order digitally through Blizzard’s site to be able to play as soon as the servers go live on the 15th.
March is apparently Silent Hill revenge month. All Hell is literally breaking lose in terms of game releases and re-releases throughout the month. Today, Silent Hill: Downpour has hit shelves. As of yet the game is getting mixed reviews. While it is being hailed for its production and continued use of puzzle-solving gameplay, it is being criticized for its lack of ingenuity with the enemies and the combat. However combat has never really been a strong point in the series anyway.
This marks the eighth installment to the franchise. And with new developers and a new cast of characters it should prove at least interesting to fans of the series. Unlike the previous titles, this game’s plot is unrelated to the rest of the series and actually is set in Southeastern Silent Hill, a previously unexplored portion of the neighborhood.
And, mentioning the fans: Downpour is not the only video game in the series released this month. On March 20th, Silent Hill 2 and 3 are to be re-released in HD on the PSN and XBLA, as well as on a single disc collection distributed to retailers aptly title the Silent Hill HD Collection. These follow suit with the HD re-release of the original game on PSN in 2009. Also, Book of Memories is being released on the 27th to PS Vita, an exclusive release and the official ninth installment. This means we get 2 brand new Silent Hill games within weeks of one another. As if the story isn’t getting confusing enough.
So, if you’re trying to catch-up on the series before you get your hands on the newest video game, now is the right time to do so.
The Mass Effect 3 demo went live yesterday for Xbox 360 and PC players (PS3 peeps will have to wait until tomorrow), offering both a single player and multiplayer experience. Last night, I delved into the single player, testing out some of the newer combat moves and checking out some of the major story.
Just recently, The Simpsons arcade game was released on both Xbox Live Arcade and the Playstation Network, to the joy of 20 something to early 30 year olds everywhere. This side scrolling beat em up game with all your favorite Simpsons characters was pretty sweet back in the day and frankly, it still is. And it got me thinking about how I’ve pretty much successfully downloaded my entire childhood through console arcade releases.
Between the re-release of the classic Mortal Kombat arcade series, Street Fighter arcade versions, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time gracing our beloved consoles, I pretty much have my earliest gaming memories at my fingertips, there any time I feel like going back to my pre-pubescent self. And yes, those were much simpler times. You just put a few quarters into the machine at your local arcade or even laundromat and played some of the coolest games ever.
A lot of these re-releases have spruced up graphics and even changes in music and such. Whether you love or hate the changes, it makes them a little bit more accessible to the new generation but keeps them true enough to the original that the kids of the late 80s and early 90s are going to grin ear to ear when they see the title of their favorite arcade game.
And let’s be honest, it’s also a great way for these companies to make money. They aren’t dumb; we all love the nostalgia of when we were kids. Every generation thinks the things that were cool when they were little are still the coolest, so we buy into it, over and over and over. I’m OK with this.
Sometimes you just want to turn on your console and feel like you’re 7 years old again.
Since my PS3 is dead in the water I bought Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning on PC through Steam. Before starting the game proper we find out that the land has been plummeted into war by the Tuatha, a race of evil elves who can’t really die. You play a character who has been miraculously resurrected by a device called the Well of Souls. After some introduction I was given the option of creating my character: I ended up with an attractive Varani female rogue named Isolda. The Varani are a group of nomadic humans who are experts in covert and short-range tactics.
After a few battles that served as tutorials I was thrust into the open world of Amalur. From what I’ve seen during the time I’ve played it the world is large, expansive, and teeming with lush foliage and all sorts of creatures, both neutral and hostile. As one can expect of a Western RPG with open world elements, I was free to roam the world and take on whatever missions I wanted. This playthrough I plan to be a straight-up good guy – or girl, in this case. Taking up a just cause has netted me some friends and a nice amount of gold in my pockets, as well as some neat loot.
I don't suppose that sword is made of plastic...
Besides the large world in which to play around in the combat system is easily my favorite part of the game and is very unique to the Western RPG genre. Played in 3rd-person, you can actively attack, defend, cast spells and such. What makes this great is that the combat system is fast-paced without being too button-mashy and requires careful consideration on when to attack, defend, or dodge. The enemies are smart and will attack you from all sides and take advantage of any lull in your defenses. You can upgrade your stats, equip items, create potions, cast spells and more. You are free to play your character any way you want without feeling locked into it forever.
Beautiful environments.
I’m only about 5 hours into the game and I’m already enamored with it. Considering how rich the world is and how much content is in the game I’ll be playing Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning for quite some time.
It is an awesome time to be a gamer. Some pretty sweet games are being released year-round with almost no break. This can be hell on the wallet for sure, but the trick is to choose a handful of titles that you know you will get to. I have done just that and picked 5 games coming soon that I am most looking forward to:
Mass Effect 3. ME2 was easily one of my favorite Action/RPGs to have been released in recent memory. I loved it so much I bought it for the PC and PlayStation 3. Since part three will carry over a lot of the decisions in the previous incarnation I cannot wait to see what is in store for Commander Shepard and crew.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. The buzz around is that this is the RPG to buy this year and the gameplay, scope, and setting has me frothing at the mouth in anticipation.
Twisted Metal. Car combat? From the man behind the original Twisted Metal AND God of War? Yes, please! I’m excited for some fast-paced multiplayer action that does not take itself too seriously.
The Darkness II. Got to play a demo of this back at PAX East 2011 and thought it was very fun. The visuals are also very impressive and I would like to get my hands on a final build of the game.
Street Fighter X Tekken. Two of my favorite fighting franchises mashed together makes for a must-have game for me. I love fighting games and this marriage of the two series is something I am definitely want to test out.
With so many video games I want coming out this was a hard list to make but for now, these titles are what I will be spending my money on.
