2K Games and Gearbox have released the first five minutes of the upcoming Borderlands 2 DLC pack, Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep, in video form. Roll ‘sucka!
We can’t afford a pinball machine, but our house is still known for playing a mean pinball. Most people who travel to Vegas are more interested in the shiny roulette ball than a table with flippers. We’ve made the trip with just the Pinball Hall Of Fame Museum on the agenda and accomplished little else on the visit. So whenever a video version comes along we have to give it a try, there really is no replacement for a real table but, with the proper physics, a game can be the next best thing. At the very least, it’s far more affordable and usually more portable. The folks who made Pinball Rocks HD seemed to be on the same digital page as us.
Description:
Pinball Rocks HD is a five table compilation featuring a free game loaded with new songs from today’s top rock artists and four custom branded unlocks for Alice in Chains, Bullet For My Valentine, AC/DC, and Slayer. Each game provides cutting edge 3D graphics, missions, unique bonus games and ear-splitting riffs.
Hands On:
So for your money, in this case for free, you get one table with the option to unlock more tables or more music. The table is designed to look like a club with a rock band on the stage and a hot bartender waiting to serve up drinks. The table has ramps about where you would want them going to an upper level with plenty of bumpers and lights all over the place. The soundtrack includes such bands as Chevelle and Filter and rocks pretty well without a headset but definitely hits the next level if you are wearing them. A sexy female voice does a commentary of sorts letting you know when you have completed a mission or with a slightly less sexy and more annoying voice when you have lost your ball. The plunger is a “rock on” hand which is one design I would have never have thought of for a plunger. Every time you lose your ball the music changes tracks which definitely keeps replay going and you can buy a whole bunch of different songs for your pinball jukebox or an even better idea unlock the other four tables for $2.99 each.
What is really, really key is ball physics. If the ball doesn’t feel right on the flippers, if the flippers feel soft, or movement doesn’t look like it has an actual table slant that increases on ramps – all are bad signs. If any of that is even a bit jacked up, it can throw the whole game off and make it completely unplayable to a real pinball fan. Luckily, the physics in this game are very solid. The bumpers bounce seemed a touch off from time to time but no more than a real used pinball machine can be, so in a sense it could be said to be spot on. I can honestly recommend this game’s physics (which means recommending all Gameprom’s pinball machines), though I sure wish I could get the other tables to tell you for sure… ok just to play them.
Last Call:
Pinball Rocks HD is a great take on the pinball machine with very solid physics and a rocking soundtrack that makes you feel better about losing your ball since that means a new tune on the jukebox. It is free, which is a very good selling point, with a whole bunch of great rock with the original unlock. If you get bored of the table, you can always unlock another one for just a few bucks and rock on.
[easyreview title=”Pinball Rocks HD Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]
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XYLA Entertainment has just released an interesting platform game through Steam Greenlight, named Rush Bros. What appears to be a generic platform game at first glance, Rush Bros. takes on a different appearance once you point the game towards your MP3 collection of music. While this feature was interesting at first, it isn’t enough to save Rush Bros. from being just another generic platform game that tries to do what other games have done better.
Story
I’m not going to spend much time here on Rush Bros. story line, because it is almost non-existent. Rush Bros. is about two DJs that have decided to split apart to chase solo careers. However, instead of just creating more music individually, they decide to race each other through various levels of obstacles, traps, and jumps. There is no character development, no twists in the story, and really nothing else to discuss in this department for Rush Bros. What you see is what you get and the entire game will live or die by its game play.
Game Play
Rush Bros. is the type of game that makes me really wish I had a game pad for my PC. While the controls using the keyboard and mouse are very solid, using a game pad will get you the most control and enjoyment out of the game. Rush Bros. is a platform game, you will run through each level and try to reach the end within the time limit while avoiding the various hazards that are in your way. You have all the skills available to you that you would normally have in a typical platform game like sliding, double jumping and wall jumping. As you progress through each level, you will run across power ups that will increase your speed or jump distance to help you finish the level faster.
What XYLA Entertainment tried to do to separate Rush Bros. from the crowd was to allow a custom soundtrack that would alter the game’s level design. However, what it really only alters is the background and the tempo of the hazards within the game, while the actual design of the levels stay the same. If you choose to listen to Reverend Horton Heat, the tempo of the level’s hazards will fall inline to the beat of the music, which will be much different if you selected someone like Slayer to listen to. While this is an interesting game play mechanic, it just doesn’t really save Rush Bros. from being overly generic and not as good as a game like Super Meat Boy.
Aesthetics
The overall visual look of Rush Bros. is very cool and is the game’s shining feature. The visuals are cell-shaded and interesting to look at as they pulse and move to the beat of the music you choose to play. Most of the visuals are reminiscent of Tron, black forms with colorful highlights and outlines. I thought the look of Rush Bros. was interesting and engaging, I just wish the game play was as interesting.
In terms of sound and music, Rush Bros. again scores high marks. The soundtrack that comes with the game is very solid, as well as the sound design. There is no voice acting, but I didn’t expect any once I saw how much effort was put into the story line for Rush Bros. It is the ability to allow custom soundtracks that really helps Rush Bros. from being on the low end of platform games. If you choose to use the custom soundtracks, then the music design is up to you.
Final Thoughts
Rush Bros. is an interesting concept that is made mediocre by not really having anything other then custom soundtracks to separate it from the pack. XYLA Entertainment has something strong here, but it will need some more refinement to really make Rush Bros. a must play. The game’s visual style is strong and interesting to look at, but the actual game play is generic and mediocre at best. What saves Rush Bros. from being forgettable is the use of custom soundtracks to change the beat and tempo of the game’s traps and backgrounds. However, even that isn’t enough to keep Rush Bros. from being just mediocre. Rush Bros. is available now through Steam Greenlight.
[easyreview title=”Rush Bros. Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”2″ ]
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June 20, 2013, Ridgewood, NJ – Kalypso Media USA has signed a deal to publish bitComposer Games’ arcade-action air combat game, Air Conflicts: Vietnam, in North America. Air Conflicts: Vietnam will be available this fall for Windows PC, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.
Air Conflicts: Vietnam takes players to the skies above Southeast Asia during the most heated moments of the Vietnam War, and challenges them to fly both fixed-wing combat planes and helicopters of the era. The game offers an extensive single-player campaign in which players will protect allied troops, launch assaults on enemy positions, engage in daring dogfights and much more. In online multiplayer, gamers can take to the skies in both American and Soviet-supplied North Vietnamese jets used during the conflict in furious eight-player aerial battles.
“The Conflict in Vietnam remains a fascinating and rich period in history. The introduction of helicopters into mainstream support and combat roles changed the face of war and offers a great setting for interactive storytelling,” said Mario Kroll, Vice President of Kalypso Media USA. “bitComposer has been an excellent publishing partner and we are delighted to share their take on the fierce battles in the skies over Vietnam with North American armchair pilots.”
Vietnam. 1965. A long-simmering conflict escalates into a full-fledged war, and you are about to become a big part of it
Jump into the cockpit of some of the finest combat aircraft as young Joe Thompson, a newly minted U.S. Air Force pilot. He is brave, talented and ready to do his duty, but his experiences during this war will change him forever.
Air Conflicts: Vietnam is an arcade-styled air-combat game that immerses players in the harrowing skies over Vietnam. Take to the air in screaming fighter jets or grab the controls of devastating helicopter gunships as you shatter enemy encampments with explosive ordinance, decimate North Vietnamese ace fighter squadrons, escort bombers as they deliver their deadly payload, or rescue stranded soldiers and deliver support troops to the ever-changing front lines of the vicious battlefield.
Key Features:
CARLSBAD, Calif. – June 20, 2013 – Razer, one of the world’s pioneering supporters of e-Sports, and Marcel “The Flying Dutchman” Luske, one of the world’s most recognized and respected professional poker players, have formed an exploratory partnership to see how Razer can impact the world of online poker.
In 2001, Marcel went from playing poker in market cafes to contesting hands at professional tables, and has since amassed more than USD$4,085,000 in live tournament winnings. With a top-10 finish at the ‘World Series of Poker’ and 20-some-odd additional 1st place finishes, Marcel already stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the most prominent names in poker history.
Video gamers and poker players are not mutually exclusive individuals. In fact, it is not uncommon for professional gamers to transition to poker when they finish competing in their chosen titles… With information gained through work with Luske, Razer plans to apply its competence in creating products for e-Sports success to other types of online games, such as poker.
“I cannot believe the speed of this laptop,” said Luske. “The graphics are ultra-sharp, portability is great and the unique user interface is what I like best. It allows me to check emails, social media feeds and YouTube, all while I’m still playing and focusing on my new style game. Without doubt, the Razer Blade is helping my online game and allowing me to take it to a new level. All tradesmen and women have their favored tools for their trade… mine is now, unquestionably, the Razer Blade.”
JUNE 20, 2013 — Today Bohemia Interactive confirmed the 25th of June as the official release date for the Arma 3 Beta. Building upon the well-received Arma 3 Alpha, the Arma 3 Beta features a varied selection of brand new content – including 10 vehicles, 7 weapons, 4 showcase missions (Combined Arms, Supports, Commanding & Night), 2 multiplayer scenarios and 4 challenges.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Stratis (20 km²), the Arma 3 Beta turns its focus towards firepower and logistics. The Challenges game mode will also be making its first appearance, enabling players to practice their weapons handling and movement across a selection of firing drills. Plus, all of the content from the Arma 3 Alpha will be available, alongside the popular scenario editor and modding support.
Joris-Jan van ‘t Land, Project Lead on Arma 3, adds:
“Having just showed off the Beta for Arma 3 at E3 2013, we are keen to get it into gamers’ hands quickly. Bringing some heavy firepower and additional transport options will allow for more diverse scenarios in both singleplayer and multiplayer. We also can’t wait to open up the Steam Workshop scenario publication, which will make content-sharing with other players much more convenient.”
People who are currently participating in the Arma 3 Alpha will gain access to the Arma 3 Beta through an automatic Steam update. Those who are new to Arma 3 can join in by purchasing the Arma 3 Beta (which includes a version of the full game) from Steam or Store.bistudio.com.
The price of the Arma 3 Beta, in comparison to the Arma 3 Alpha, will be increased. The regular Arma 3 Beta will be available for 34.99 EUR/29.99 GBP/44.99 USD (current price: 24.99 EUR/19.99 GBP/32.99 USD), while the Arma 3 Digital Deluxe Edition will be sold for 44.99 EUR/39.99 GBP/59.99 USD (current price: 39.99 EUR/34.99 GBP/49.99 USD). Please note that the current (heavily discounted) Alpha deal, which includes Beta-access and the full game, will still be available until Tuesday June 25th.
Those who would like to sponsor development further have the option to purchase the Arma 3 Supporter Edition (69.99 EUR/59.99 GBP/91.99 USD) from Store.bistudio.com. The Arma 3 Alpha Lite, a free but limited variant of the Arma 3 Alpha, will be discontinued after June 25th.
More information on Arma 3 can be found on www.arma3.com
NEW YORK – June 20, 2013 – Grand strategy deserves a grand score and the internationally renowned Brandenburg State Orchestra is here to assist Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studio in kicking off the countdown to the release of Europa Universalis IV with a majestic performance of “The Voyage,” the main theme for the upcoming empire-building game.
Composed by Paradox’s own Andreas Waldetoft, “The Voyage” evokes the winds and ambitions that guided those explorers and traders who opened the world to Europe and joined the hemispheres. Soft strings and woodwinds slowly give way to triumphant brass and percussion – a fine omen of the conquests that await you in Europa Universalis IV.
Grab a front row seat for the world premiere orchestral debut of “The Voyage” here:
“The Voyage” is performed by the Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester at the Carl Philipp Emanuel bach Konzerthalle, and is orchestrated by Grammy nominated conductor Bernd Ruf. This particular performance of “The Voyage” and the in-game version are one and the same.
“The Voyage” is available as a free download for a limited time, allowing you to take the fervor of global domination with you on your own daily expeditions (or just a commute). Download aspiration, in MP3 form, here: http://www.
Europa Universalis IV is available for pre-order, with new bonuses being announced each month. For details, please visit europauniversalis4.com/buy.
Europa Universalis IV is the latest instalment of Paradox’s flagship historical strategy series, coming to PC, Mac, and Linux on August 13, 2013. Europa Universalis IV gives you control of a nation to guide it through the years and create a dominant global empire in the age of exploration. For more information, please visit europauniversalis4.com.
Focus Home Interactive has released its new cycling management tile, Pro Cycling Manager 2013 and, with it, a launch trailer! The game is available now on Windows PCs.
Trailer
The folks over at AirSplat have announced their latest round of “Thorsday Deals” – a great way for people to save on Airsoft related products.
Thorsday Deals Link (AirSplat’s Blog)
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Focus Home Interactive has released the launch trailer for their new action/physics title from Frogwares, Magrunner Dark Pulse. The game is out now on the Windows PC platform.
