Techland has released a Q&A for their upcoming co-op slasher, Hellraid, as well as some new gameplay screenshots.
What is Hellraid?
We’re calling Hellraid a first-person co-op slasher. We invented this genre to capture the idea behind our game, which blends elements of classic hack & slash titles with a more advanced combat system based on timing and precision, RPG’s, shooters and multiplayer games into one unique experience seen in very immersive, first-person perspective.
Will gamers experience Hellraid only in co-op? What is the main difference between playing solo and in co-op?
Hellraid can be experienced both in single-player and in co-operation. While playing solo you explore the world, complete quests, gather loot and develop your character. In co-operation tension rises when you struggle to achieve mission goals while competing with your friends for points granted for each kill, team-plays and automatically generated challenges throughout the game.
What does the gameplay in Hellraid look like?
In Hellraid you travel between levels using a web of magic portals. Each level can be played an unlimited number of times to complete the story campaign, side quests and to defeat forces of evil with friends while competing for experience, points, rewards and places on leaderboards. During the game players can use a variety of melee, ranged and magical weapons. Combat is expanded with a set of unique active skills for each character class which gives the team additional tactical capabilities while searching for treasure, completing objectives, avoiding deadly traps, fighting the hordes of enemies and boss battles.
Will gamers be able to develop their characters, or customize the weapons and armor?
Each of the four character classes available in Hellraid (Warrior, Mage, Paladin and Rogue) will have their own skill tree that can be developed during the game. Along with that players can customize their weapons using an advanced crafting system or change their combat capabilities and appearance with armor that can be bought in shops, traded between the players or found during the game.
Who or what is Game Master?
Game Master is a complex system inspired by pen and paper role-playing games that makes each play through of Hellraid a different, completely new experience. In co-operation mode, Game Master carefully selects competitive challenges for players and awards the best ones at the end of each level. It changes where and how you and your friends complete quests, placement, numbers and types of enemies you encounter as well as deploying treasure chests and loot.
Will Game Master work in single-player as well?
Yes, Game Master will alter the experience in single-player the same way it does in co-op but without the competitive challenges which are unique for playing with your friends.
How long is Hellraid and when it will be released?
Thanks to Game Master and the varied experiences that it provides, Hellraid will give players hundreds of hours of pure fun. The game will be released in 2013 for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Vaxjo, Sweden – May 28th, 2013 – Mionix, the Swedish manufacturer of professional high-end gaming accessories today unveiled the new AVIOR 8200 high performance ambidextrous gaming mouse.
“We developed the AVIOR 8200 to offer maximum customization and engineered with the best technology. Whether you are right or left handed. Use a claw or palm grip we have created the most ergonomic ambidextrous mouse on the market, suitable for any gamer.” says Peter Nygren, CEO at Mionix.
The AVIOR 8200 is a sleek rubberized 9 button ambidextrous mouse. The unique designed shape of the mouse allows for right or left-handed use, with either a full palm or claw grip. The 32-bit ARM Processor, the 8200 DPI laser sensor and the other high-end components, will ensure great power, accuracy and durability. Together with the software this provides access to customize the buttons, sensor, LED colors, advanced macros and profiles. While gaming you will feel the smooth, responsive and accurate quality of the AVIOR 8200.
Features
Ambidextrous design
Supported shape for use by both right and left handed gamers.
Palm or Claw grip
Suited to both Claw and Palm grip
Maximum grip
4 layers of rubber coating ensure a maximum grip and soft touch feel.
Lightning fast processor
The 32bit ARM Processor running at 72Mhz is the powerful engine to power it all.
8200 DPI laser sensor
Remarkable tracking performance built for gaming.
128kb built-in memory
Bring your settings and recorded macros with you stored into one of 5 profiles.
Customizable LED lighting system
Personalize your mouse with up to.16.8 Million color options.
Stunning Lighting effects
Solid, Blinking, Pulsating and Breathing effects running single color or color shift.
S.Q.A.T™ – Surface Quality Analyzer Tool
Surface Quality Analyzer Tool measures tracking quality of your gaming surface.
In-game 3 step DPI adjustment
Set 3 DPI values and switch easily between them in-game.
9 fully programmable buttons
The buttons can be assigned to any key, mouse command or macro.
In-game profile switch
Switch easily between stored profiles in-game.
Adjustable polling rate
Tune it all the way up to 1000Hz and up to 1ms response time
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
Mionix™ AVIOR 8200 will be available worldwide to pre-order today and delivery in June 2013
BURLINGAME, Calif., May 28, 2013 – TECMO KOEI America, a leading global publisher of interactive games, today announced its Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2013 lineup of titles. The artistic collaboration project of “cyber ninja zombie slashing” between renowned developers Team NINJA and comcept’s Keiji Inafune, YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z, will be on-hand and playable as the centerpiece of a diverse lineup of titles across multiple platforms. In addition, TECMO KOEI fan favorite franchises DEAD OR ALIVE and DYNASTY WARRIORS make their triumphant return alongside exciting new properties. The TECMO KOEI booth is located in the West Hall, Booth #4700.
TECMO KOEI America also confirmed today that DEAD OR ALIVE 5 ULTIMATE will be available in stores and online retailers on September 3, 2013. Returning with a stunning amount of new fighters, stages, and integrated DOA5 Plus features, the widely recognized series continues to excite fans by building on the legacy that established the series as a true core fighter.
“With a strong portfolio of both signature franchises and original IPs, TECMO KOEI America continues its tradition of bringing a stellar lineup to gaming fans,” said Amos Ip, SVP and General Manager of TECMO KOEI America. “This year’s E3 will emphasize our commitment to push our signature properties to their limits through creative collaborations and innovative ideas that extend a core experience. In doing so, we will provide gamers with a host of unforgettable action packed gaming experiences.”
The following list of games is scheduled to be on display from TECMO KOEI America:
YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z
[PlayStation®3, Xbox 360® / Early 2014]
In YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z, players will battle fierce zombies as Yaiba, a cyborg ninja who will do anything to get revenge and stay alive. Cleaved in two, he is brought back to life with cyber-technology. Brandishing his ninja sword and the mecha weapons in his cyborg arm, he slaughters zombies with brutal, over-the-top abandon. Step into a stylized living comic book where stunning graphics depict a world gone mad. Hordes of undead can only be stopped by Yaiba’s willingness to use any means necessary to get the job done. Will he kill by turning his cyborg arm into a razor chainsaw for slicing up undead—or just rip off an opponent’s arms to use as zombie nunchucks? Both possibilities fill Yaiba’s heart with twisted laughter in this upcoming collaboration between famed developers Team NINJA and comcept’s Keiji Inafune.
DEAD OR ALIVE 5 ULTIMATE
[PlayStation®3, Xbox 360® / September 3, 2013]
DEAD OR ALIVE 5 ULTIMATE heightens the signature DOA fighting style with the inclusion of new modes from DOA5 Plus, dynamic new stages, and deadly new fighters to deliver the ultimate in fighting entertainment. Players will take on the roles of their favorite DEAD OR ALIVE fighters—as well as combatants new to the franchise—in an intense, action-packed brawler set in visually striking locations from around the world. The famed DOA hand-to-hand combat is enhanced with new content that extends the experience. Along with a rich array of single-player modes including story mode, DEAD OR ALIVE 5 ULTIMATE offers online options with arcade-style matches, tournaments, and social features making it the most definitive DEAD OR ALIVE experience to date.
DYNASTY WARRIORS 8
[PlayStation®3, Xbox 360® / July 16, 2013]
DYNASTY WARRIORS 8 returns to the kingdoms of Wei, Wu, Shu, and Jin, through the actions of historical military and political figures of the time, as they fight to gain control over the Three Kingdoms of China. The much loved series takes one step further, merging numerous replay elements such as multi-endings and extra modes with synergies between action and game systems. With all new enhancements to Story Mode, new scenarios, new and returning characters, and more, DYNASTY WARRIORS 8 promises to offer fans the most complete Warriors experience to date. Take to the battlefield with the greatest warriors in history and carve your path to glory!
ATELIER MERURU PLUS: THE APPRENTICE OF ARLAND
[PlayStation® Vita / September 3, 2013]
ATELIER MERURU PLUS: THE APPRENTICE OF ARLAND is the next installment in the popular series from famed developer GUST. ATELIER MERURU PLUS adds new elements of land development to the RPG and simulation game system, providing additional depth and gameplay in this anime-style adventure. In addition, extra content and features are packed in including new costumes, new endings, and all the DLC from the PS3™ version. Fans will have an opportunity to see what unfolds in this third and final game in the Arland series.
TOUKIDEN
[PlayStation® Vita / Q4 2013]
TOUKIDEN takes Tecmo Koei’s expertise in historically themed games to an expansive fantasy world influenced by historical and traditional Japanese elements. Developed by the same studio that created the famed Dynasty Warriors series, this all-new franchise casts players in the role of a demon-fighting Slayer. Starting from the Utakata Village headquarters where they will accept quests, players will venture out to battle monstrous and deadly Oni (demons) before they destroy all of humanity.
In addition to hands-on demos with select titles, key members from Team NINJA and other TECMO KOEI divisions will be on hand and accessible for scheduled media appointments.
San Diego – May 28, 2013 – Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (NYSE MKT: MCZ) announced today that it has started working with Microsoft Corporation on the development of next generation accessories for the Xbox One.
“We are eagerly looking forward to the upcoming launch of the Xbox One and excited about the opportunity to develop a range of innovative products to support the platform.” said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. “The launch of the Xbox One adds a new revenue stream and the enhanced performance of the Xbox One opens up additional scope for innovation. Today’s announcement demonstrates our continued support of Microsoft’s console and entertainment business and is part of our long-term strategy to bring innovative products to passionate gamers.”
The Xbox One home entertainment system from Microsoft is expected to launch this holiday.
Haarlem, The Netherlands – May 28, 2013 — Videogame publisher Iceberg Interactive announced today Endless Space: Disharmony, the first full Expansion Pack for the popular 4X game Endless Space, will be coming to Steam this summer for $9.99. After four free DLC packs, Endless Space: Disharmony displays Amplitude Studios’ ongoing commitment to enhancing the wildly successful 4X space strategy game Endless Space, since its critically-acclaimed release last summer.
Check out the all new teaser trailer for Endless Space: Disharmony:
Endless Space: Disharmony brings a brand new experience to Endless Space players by debuting a new faction called “The Harmony.” Battles have never been so intense with the addition of fighters and bombers, battle formations, a new targeting system, a redesigned weapon system and enhanced invasion mechanics. The AI opponents will be significantly more unpredictable with the implementation of the new ‘Adaptive Multi-Agenda Artificial Intelligence System.’
“We’re lucky to have a motivated team and even luckier to have such an incredible community,” commented Mathieu Girard, CEO of Amplitude Studios. “Our expansion pack has been designed based on player requests and community G2G votes, and we hope that it fulfills – or surpasses – their expectations.”
Endless Space: Disharmony Game Features:
A brand new Faction called “The Harmony” with the main objective to ANNIHILATE DUST!
New fighters and bomber units that will completely change the shape of combat, especially with the new Battle Formation and Targeting systems
A complete rework of the Ship Design Interface giving an improved Weapon System that includes family types for modules (short, medium and long range)
New invasion mechanics have been added: prepare the population for bombardments, sieges and land invasions
Expect to face a real challenge when playing against AI opponents with the new Adaptive Multi-Agent Artificial Intelligence System (AMAS)
Other additions and features voted or requested by the community include:
Four new heroes (Games2Gether)
A new option to disable exchange of technologies, as a request from the Multiplayer community
New Rally Points feature for newly built ships to reduce micromanagement
Endless Space: Disharmony will be available both as DLC and as retail this summer for $9.99.
May 28, 2013 — Wargaming, the leading free-to-play developer and publisher, today announced the details of the company’s presence at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2013 in Los Angeles, USA. With a massive 10,000 square foot booth located at 601 of the South Hall, Wargaming plans to showcase a number of titles to E3 attendees, some of which will be making their very first public debut.
World of Warplanes, with its white-knuckle aerial combat and completely revamped controls and graphics, will take E3 guests to the skies, where at the booth they’ll be able to compete with other attendees for supremacy of the air. Or, if ground combat is more to their liking, attendees will be able to test their metal at a number of World of Tanks gameplay stations.
Marking its very first public showing, Wargaming’s highly anticipated World of Warships will be presented in a behind-the-scenes theater demo, where guests will not only get to see the game in action, but also experience the sights and sounds of true naval combat in a revolutionary domed theater. World of Warships demos begin on the half hour each day of the show, with limited seating for each session.
Most excitingly, Wargaming will finally unveil their first console title under development by Wargaming West, formerly Day One Studios, announced earlier this year. E3 attendees will be the very first to get hands-on with this exciting new game.
Paris – May 28, 2013 – Cyanide today released official concept art and 3D renderings on the first three factions available at the launch of its multiplayer free-to-play game, Dogs of War Online, inspired by Rackham’s Confrontation miniatures game expansion. The knights of the Lion army, the fierce wolves of the Wolfen army, and the undead terrors of the Ram army will be present at roll call in Q3 2013!
– The army of the Lion –
The Barhan soldiers of the great kingdom of Alahan are the defenders of Virtue, Justice, and Light. Each day, their army fights against those who seek to enslave the inhabitants of Aarklash. Its emblem, the Lion, represents the memory of its divine ally, the Chimera, and for the qualities the legendary animal stands for: strength, courage, and nobility. On the battlefield, the Barhans are brave fighters, inspired by the feats of their ancestors. Their book of spells draws from the forces of the Elements and their knights, who are the dauntless heirs of tradition, never waver when charging at the enemy. Each battle waged by the Barhans is proof that with a valiant heart, nothing is impossible!
– The army of the Wolf –
Whether roaming the wild lands or defending their territories, the Wolfen, half-man, half-wolf predators, instill fear into the heart of their enemy. Born to counter the unwavering ambitions of the Craftsman, the god who sought to overthrow order, they are the protectors of nature and the keepers of the balance of Creation. On the battlefield, the Wolfen are formidable fighters, guided by their predatory instinct. With deadly claws and fangs, they possess no need for clever tricks, but may resort to crude weapons made of stone, wood, and bone when faced with the technologically advanced arsenal of other nations. The Wolfen worship the moon goddess Yllia, whom they consider their creator, and they revere the constellation of the Wolf.
– The army of the Ram –
A wave of un-dead, herded by lords reawakened from the grave, along with corrupt-minded living leaders make up the army of Acheron in all its macabre splendor. This army has its fearsome troops and the hunger for power driving the master necromancers at its side. With the Ram as its emblem, the symbol of the eternal alliance binding them to the horned lords of the Abyss, Acheron builds its strength century after century. All that matters to the liches and the necromancers who form the elite is the accumulation of power and knowledge, which feed their perversion. And the living who remain can only await their inevitable fate to be plucked from the dead as the elite’s most useful servants.
Different types of fighters will be available in each of the three factions, allowing players to create a group of mercenaries suited to the desired level and style of play. Players are then tasked with implementing arena combat strategy. Battles employ turn-based combat to reinforce the tactical aspect and maintain the spirit of the board game. The adventure continues when players are tasked with sending troops on missions, alone or in co-op mode with other players, to increase reward. Finally, players are tasked with maintaining harmony within their army as troops are prone to deserting and raising tension amongst themselves!
Dogs of War Online will satisfy both fans of the Confrontation license as well as fans of all strategy games. The game will be available for free on Windows PCs in Q3 2013.
I have to hand it to Zen Studios: When they do something, they take the time to do it right. We fell in love with the physics modelling in their Zen Pinball so much, that we own virtual tables on four platforms! Different tables on each one, I might add. That is how much we respect their pinball. So, when I got to play CastleStorm, I thought I would have the chance to experience a very solid tower defense game with terrific physics. What I didn’t expect was that Zen Studios decided to take tower defense and mix it together with elements from one of the all time favorite mobile games, Angry Birds. It’s a mashup that works so well, it might be hard to go back to a regular tower defense game!
Official Features:
The clouds bring rumors of war… It’s Knights vs. Vikings in CastleStorm, where medieval warfare meets 2D physics-based destruction! Controlling the battle in real time, players will harness the power of medieval artillery, manage a fearsome ground attack, and cast powerful spells! CastleStorm features a story-driven solo campaign, a custom castle editor, online multiplayer, co-op modes, and more. Building castles and knocking them down has never been so much fun! CastleStorm is a physics based tower destruction game, combining elements of real time strategy, resource management, and a beautiful blend of challenging gameplay scenarios.
Multiplayer battles and Co-op. CastleStorm features multiple modes of multiplayer action for both local and online play
1 vs. 1 split-screen mode, simply try and beat your opponent
Survival Co-op: Two players team up to fight off waves of enemies together! One player will control the ballista, the other controls ground forces
Last Stand Co-op: Both players control a hero and fight off endless waves of enemies together!
Build your own castle! CastleStorm features a tower construction editor allowing players to construct their own custom castles that will be used in battle. Castles must be constructed wisely, as choices determine which types of troops and resources will be available during battle!
Twelve incredibly beautiful environments and a comical story, in stunning stereoscopic 3D. Sir Gareth leads his troops into battle against the raging Vikings to recover the stolen gem and bring peace to the realm!
Multiple paths to victory – you can choose how to defeat your enemy. Capture the flag, destroy their castle, or complete another predetermined level objective in order to claim victory. Each level features multiple objectives, each with their own rewards!
An arsenal that would make any medieval warrior proud! Harness the power of medieval ballista weaponry, and launch an assortment of explosive weapons including Morningstars, Apple Grenades, Homing Eagles, and even flying sheep to defeat an onslaught of enemies trying to capture your flag and destroy your castle. Deploy a fearsome ground attack of swordsmen, knights, and donkey riders in order to protect your castle gates, and if all else fails, call upon powerful spells to help keep the enemy at bay.
You’ve won the battle, now power up so you can win the war! As you power up in CastleStorm, new weapons and troop classes become available for use in battle.
Hands On:
CastleStorm is a 2D side-scrolling tower defense/offense game where players send units out to attach each others castles as well as any potential opposing units along the way. At this point, it sounds like pretty standard tower defense fare, with leveling the units and trying to pick the right combination to bridge the gap. Then you have your main character: Your hero, who is supposed to be your avatar on the field that you can level and pick spells for, actually joins your forces in battle. This is a different enough touch to have some bonus levels and gameplay options dedicated to it and can strategically be a huge game changer if you level him right and send him out to tear a path through the enemy’s gate so your troops can capture their flag.
Where the game gets really interesting though is it has this Angry Birds aspect to it. Each side has castles that are built with see-through side walls and rooms dedicated to each troop type. Each side also has ballistas so they can fire at each other’s castle walls AND enemy troops crossing the field. These projectiles can knock down enemy castle walls with stones that split in midair or with apples that explode on command or launch sheep that fart poisonous gas at the troops passing across the field! The result is playing an Angry Birds style game where you are attacking units as well as buildings, playing tower defense on what units you send out and playing hack and slash when you get down on the field yourself. To top it all off, your hero can cast spells from the safety of his castle that may provide defense for his units and building or offense against enemy units.
The result is a strategy game with multiple ways to win and multiple ways to lose. Just about every level gives you a bonus objective, like wining the match in under four minutes or not take any damage to a particular room of your castle. This is important, because if a room in your castle gets destroyed that represents a particular unit or unit bonus, you lose it for the round! You wind up having to design your own castle as part of the game so you become very aware of what units or bonuses you will lose first if you don’t build with care and the enemy starts raining destruction down on your stronghold.
The graphics are playful and comical as is the storyline and, as a result, the game is deceptively sophisticated. It pokes fun at its similarities to Angry Birds as well as making pop culture references to IPs such as Game of Thrones (one of these really cracked me up) so that you can laugh and have fun with the story and the gameplay. Be advised, if you take things too lightly, your castle will undoubtedly fall. Stay sharp!
Last Round:
CastleStorm is a great mix of game styles that Zen Studios pulls off beautifully. I replayed many levels over and over as I went through just so that I could try a different strategy out. On one attempt, I might concentrate on taking down their castle then I would play it again and see if I could beat it faster with a handful of troops and my hero storming their gates. I never actually cared that much for the Angry Birds games and now I think I know why – the enemy wasn’t fighting back!
Note: At the time of this review the game had not yet been released so online multiplayer was not testable enough for an opinion.
Fans of Stoker’s “Dracula” novel and Coppola’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” film are probably familiar with Abraham Van Helsing. Van Helsing is the mysterious occult expert who helps stop the blood thirsty and somewhat tragic main character of the story, Dracula. Those who are fans of campy movies may know Van Helsing more as the title of a Victorian/steam-punk supernatural tale of a vampire hunter with a fully auto crossbow who can jump carriages over ravines like nobody alive (who looks a lot like Wolverine). Those who love parody movies would know the name… Nevermind – even by parody movie standards, “Stan Helsing” sucked and doesn’t deserve our time except to say how terrible it was. Fans of dungeon crawlers who were maybe a bit disappointed by the last Diablo outing but who loved the little indie title Krater have a new reason to know and possibly love the name with The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing.
Official Description:
Put on your wide-brimmed hat, grab your weapons and embark on an incredible adventure in the gothic-noir world of Borgovia, where mad science threatens the fragile peace between monster and mortal. Be Van Helsing, monster-hunter extraordinaire and save the day with your charming and beautiful companion, Lady Katarina (who happens to be a ghost, by the way). Explore the savage wilderness in the mountains and the soot-stained brick districts of a grim metropolis twisted by weird science, and don’t forget: you might never know who the real monsters are!
Features:
Enter a memorable gothic-noir universe filled with monsters, magic and weird science.
Play through a refreshingly unique story, spiced up with wry humor and snappy dialogue.
Fight fierce battles against supernatural foes with diverse skills and abilities.
Use the special abilities and tailor the skills of your remarkable follower.
Customize your character through a detailed level-up system where you decide which skills and abilities you’ll need for the hunt.
Modify your skills on the spot with a unique power-up system.
Learn the secrets of mystical alchemy and forge powerful items.
Build and develop your hideout and place traps to defend it from waves of terrible monsters.
Become the greatest monster slayer of all time while playing a cooperative multiplayer monster hunt up to four players.
Hands On:
So this information would kind of lead you to believe you are THE Van Helsing of Dracula lore. Actually, you take on the role of Abraham Van Helsing jr. That is the default name, of course, you can alter it. My character became “Ripper” Van Helsing very quickly! Also, the character bears a striking resemblance in weaponry, dress, and fighting style to the 2004 movie version staring Hugh Jackman. By the opening narrative you find that you have had a long and interesting travel around the world to get to the land of Borgova where they are having problems with werewolves, bandits, mechanical men, and other creatures. Most these monsters don’t play nice but some of whom, you discover, should not be judged by looks alone. Dungeon crawlers and hack and slash titles don’t necessarily need a strong story or even a back story, but the game’s developer, Neocoregames, seemed to understand that if you use an iconic name it should. Thankfully, they have weaved a memorable story into the game and have done a decent job throughout. The dialogue is humorous and playful between Abraham (Ripper) and his ghost/poltergeist Katrina and, at tines, the game even pokes fun at other titles in the genre.
As I often say, even the best story won’t get the chance to unfold for a player if the gameplay is boring or aggravating. That was actually lot of the complaints about the last Diablo outing… Luckily, the developers looked at what has worked in successful dungeon crawlers and, instead of reinventing the wheel, took the good parts to create a solid combination. There are skill trees, diverse enough to fit most play styles while also not getting overly-complicated or diluted. Your character has both a ranged and melee build which can be changed on-the-fly by simply hitting the R key. Your companion has a small skill tree to work with and levels up with you. This allows you to set skill points as well as choose who and how she attacks: Ranged first, melee first, weakest opponent, etc. You can even set her to pick up items such as gold and common to epic loot so that you don’t have to! When her inventory fills up, you can tell her to “go shopping”. This makes her teleport to town, sell everything in her inventory, and return with gold and any health or mana potions you commanded her to buy. She is such a handy NPC to have at your side, especially when you find yourself out in the middle of nowhere and out of potions.
Creature battle is fairly standard with melee mobbing. You tend to get lost in a giant wave of enemy bodies and a lot of ranged-attach creatures tend to maintain their range if possible, leading you to chase them down. This makes the option to switch back and forth between melee and range with a single button very handy, as you can take some initial shots at a distance then start melee with the ones that charge you. After, you can finish off the rest by switching back to range for those spell casters and riflemen. Monster AI is well done for the most part, with a big, shining example being the “mechanical men” who are dressed like Her Majesty’s troops and actually go into a firing formation to attack – which proves to be both daunting and challenging! When you and your companion see them line up like Revolutionary War re-enactors, take aim, and fire for the first time – you will probably take more than a few hits before you figure out how to react to their tactics (run and regroup).
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing uses a combination of rage, mana, and health to get through the game. Rage is gotten through fighting and is used for things like “explosive round” in your gun. More traditionally, mana is used for mystical abilities like lightning strikes or healing your party. Mana and health can be gained through potions, spells, and gear just like most dungeon crawlers.
One of the things that stands out as being very enjoyable is the game’s environments. They have a very old world feel to them – the buildings, the marshes, the forests, all have that Transylvania-n vibe. It is much like the way Krater stood apart with its Borderlands-style graphics and feel. This game is definitely a hack and slash dungeon crawler, but shows that all dungeon crawlers do not need to be alike!
Last Round:
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing is, in many ways, a standard dungeon crawler. However, this is a “standard dungeon crawler” done smartly! It takes the best aspects of the genre and combines them into a solid and enjoyable game that becomes a standout title. Right now, it is on sale for 10% off on Steam, though at a $14.99 price tag it is a deal even at full price!
[easyreview title=”The Adventures Of Van Helsing Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]
We would like to take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices and lives lived by the fallen men and women of our armed forces this weekend in honor of Memorial Day. And, to those currently serving in defense of liberty: Thank you. Unless news of huge proportion breaks, we will resume our regular programming on Tuesday, May 28th.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.”
-George S. Patton
