Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Netherrealm Studios have released the official story trailer for their upcoming Mortal Kombat X. The story, set 25 years after the events of the 2011 game Mortal Kombat. The game features characters directly descended from those of earlier titles. Characters like Cassie Cage (Daughter of Johnny Cage), Jacqueline Briggs (Daughter of Jax), and Takashi Takeda (son of Kenshi).
Bohemia Interactive has released a new sneak peek video showing off Zero gravity movement and object manipulation from their upcoming Take On Mars, currently in Early Access on Steam.
There are few names when it comes to war that is as recognizable as Attila. Some may ask “Attila The Hun?” but that is the almost silly response since few people have ever heard of an Attila other than the conquering horseman. For the Total War series it was really just a matter of time before the players were brought face to face with the “Scourge of God”.
Hands On:
There are multiple levels of strategy, some are just getting your forces to the right place in a good way, the opposite extreme has you involved in every political, social and military aspect of the individual characters in the game’s life. The Total War series tends towards the middle where you have to develop technologies, build structures and decide religious influences while sending your army out to attack other countries or defend your borders. You choose what kind of troops you have then have the options on the battlefield of setting troop formations, attack grounds, melee versus range attacks and watch it all close up as troops from both sides fight and fall. If you prefer the political and building side of the game then you can auto-battle most of your fights and concentrate on pleasing the people while choosing their faith. If you are more military minded you can do the minimum political decisions, turn your country into a police state and just squish any rebellions that dare rise up.
The game takes place at the beginning of the Dark Ages, when the goths were fighting goths and not paying enough attention to the horseman sweeping across the land destroying or controlling all in their path. You fight axe to axe not knowing that an apocalyptic horde are about to run you down. The key to this installment of Total War starts with your general struggle to survive with enemy nations on all sides that causes forces to diminish at a time when they are about to be needed the most. When to fight becomes as big of a concern as where since you never know if while you are striking at a village to your west if the nation to your east will start taking your land. Some of your enemies soon become more interested in someone challenging their other borders that are still clouded in the fog of war…
Being able to control and watch the battle of individual unit types and watch from far above or ground level makes the Total War games some of the most engrossing strategy since you can actually see where your attack formations or maneuverings fail as the fighters drop to the field. Everything is heavily researched and authentically recreated so that not only are the weapons historically accurate the details of how the individuals are dressed are spot on. Attila like all the Total War games are great not just as a strategy play but as a history lesson. Attila’s rise was not just because he was a great leader with innovative attack styles but also the timing was right with nations already fighting each other and weakening themselves too greatly to survive a true threat like the Scourge Of God.
With this installment the ability to raze was added so you can burn parts of a city to the ground or turn it entirely to ash. This is fun and tempting but should be thought over, you may wish you had that resource when you are in the shadow of arrows with the sea to your back. At the same time you don’t want to stretch your military and political influence too thin and become a weakened land. It all comes back to strategy. It doesn’t hurt to save regularly either.
If you aren’t in the mood to work on your campaign you can also choose quick battles, historical battles or multiplayer battles. You can choose to play the campaign from the Franks, Huns, Romans and more to see who your style of strategy would best fit and you can play campaigns online as well if you want. This game gives you lots of options and tons of playtime. Great graphics and sound effects help pull you even deeper into play.
Last Call:
Total War: Attila has upped the versatility of the Total War strategy game series and is a must play for fans of the genre, it provides historical facts as well as engaging gameplay. I can’t wait until its Viking DLC comes out!
[easyreview title=”Total War: Attila Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]
I blame gaming for my keyboard snobbery. I was fine at first as a casual gamer having a keyboard that lit up pretty and had a few programmable keys. Then I got my hands on my first mechanical keyboard and it was all changed. Pretty soon I found myself hooking them up to my laptop so that I could get the tactile response I had become accustomed to even when I was on the road. Then an unpleasant thing happened during that period of time… I became disabled. My new condition demanded I spend more time in bed which also meant more time on laptops and considering my laptops are gaming laptops the heat issues from them have always plagued me. So now the keyboards attached to the laptops weren’t just for enjoyment but for necessity, I have to put the laptop nearby and write on a separate keyboard. Full size keyboards tend to be difficult to type on in bed but smaller keyboards tend to lose the tactile response. Now Rapoo has the solution with the KX Dual Mode Mechanical Keyboard which not only provides one of the smallest mechanical keyboards on the market it can be used wireless and has backlit keys!
Hands On:
First off should be addressed is the key design. With full size light up keys it is easy to keep your place on the keyboard. The keys are also slightly elevated rows like in a movie theater so that the row above is slightly higher which helps keep your fingers from slipping. This can be handy also since you may not be resting the keyboard on a flat surface and the slope of the keys helps you hold it in place as well as avoid key slippage. The light-up keys are really nice too especially for evening for night typing or gaming. Most laptops don’t have this feature so it is particularly helpful. For thews that concern themselves with such things there is also no keylight bleed-through on the sides of the keys which can be a bother to some.
The mechanical keys have the response you have come to expect on that type of keyboard, a distinct click as well as a spring response under the key. You know you have hit the button and you have a pretty good idea when you may not have hit a key hard enough or may have accidentally hit two keys. This does bring up the point that with the compact configuration of the keyboard anti-ghosting would be a great addition especially for folks with huge bear paws like I have but as long as care is taken while typing this isn’t so much an issue and when it comes to gaming is a mute point.
While on the subject of the compactness of the keyboard I am amazed at how well this was done while maintaining a key buffer around the edges to protect the keys and give a surface to rest the edge of your hand on. This was partly accomplished by making the F row of keys as well as escape and delete touch buttons. Personally I have no problem with things, it actually helps separate the numerical keys from the F keys during gaming which is really important. Some might be bothered that such important keys such as ESC and DEL are on that row but personally it was no bother for me and once again helped located escape quickly.
My only complaint at all about the minimizing process is that the left shift key has been reduced to a normal size key and the up arrow is located where the inside part of the shift key would be. As a result I find myself accidentally paging up regularly when I am trying to capitalize something. Once again gaming wise this really isn’t a problem but typing wise it was something to keep in mind so much as to become a distraction. If the print button were moved up to the F row and the left windows button removed the arrow keys could be shifted over and the problem fixed. Up until this point in this review I was actually writing on the keyboard while laid up in bed but I hit the arrow button in a way that caused random sections of a sentence to be spread throughout the review for every time I went to capitalize a word or just “I”.
To be mechanical the thickness and weight of the keyboard had to be increased, making the chassis plastic instead of metal might have helped the weight issue but at the cost of durability. This keyboard feels tough and as though it could take a real knocking before showing any problems.
Last but not least is cutting the tether and going wireless. That is one of the key features of this keyboard and probably the reason many people will pick it up. It uses a USB dongle to accomplish this and surprisingly doesn’t seem to have any latency issue as compared to being plugged in. With the lights, touchpad section, vibration response and maintaining a strong connection the keyboard sucks up a bit of juice but for the average typing session or gaming run it will probably stay energized and worse comes to worse you plug it into charge and hardwire which can become quite a distance with a USB extender cable.
Last Call:
The Rapoo KX Dual Mode Mechanical Keyboard fits all the mechanical keyboard features you would want into a compact wireless design. The left shift button area could really use a redesign and if that happens it will be a hard keyboard to top.
[easyreview title=”Rapoo KX Dual Mode Mechanical Keyboard Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]
I have occasionally mentioned that I am disabled and as a result have to spend a lot of time in bed so I have a real hard time getting up to play games and write reviews of them once I finish. So anytime I get the opportunity to test some gear that will help me continue gaming and reviewing from bed I jump at the opportunity. One of the most difficult things for me while laid up is typing. Game controls can be manageable especially if a controller is involved but when it comes to typing I am awkward at best. So a special thanks to Rapoo for not just sending me one keyboard to try out but two, one that will help in bed and one that will help when I am traveling, which tends to lay me up too. So I will start with the Rapoo E6100 Wireless Keyboard.
Hands On:
When it comes to wireless keyboards comfort, portability and latency are the key factors to consider and the order of importance is solely dependent on your usage. Writers won’t care about latency but portability and comfort are key. Gamers will care about comfort and to a small degree portability but latency will decide whether or not it sits on a shelf gathering dust or all the letters rub off from constant use.
From the point of view of comfort the E6100 is near perfect in design, extremely lightweight and low profile it can be used for just about any task, whether live blogging during a press conference or writing a story or review in the comfort of a bed or favorite chair. There are no heat issues causing lap burns or the need for space under the keyboard, the thickest section is only slightly larger than the AAA batteries it houses and creates a natural keyboard slant and the keys are the same size as a standard laptop so no worrying about big fingers losing their place too much. The spaces between the keys are a little narrow so that takes a little getting used to but this is to help with portability.
It’s hard to get much more portable and still be a real keyboard with full size keys. The keyboard section is thinner than my iPad 2 without a case and the battery section only tacks on about 1/2 inch. The batteries should last you a couple months so you don’t need to pack tons of batteries and you don’t need any cords. It is less than 11.5″ long which means you are getting a nice size but with absolutely no wasted space. This will slip into any backpack and even some purses. I have had it sitting next to my tablet, decided I wanted to type something on it real quick and instead of dealing with the popup screen I turn on the keyboard, type with one hand while holding it in the other then turned it off and put it back down. Once you pair it with a device through Bluetooth you simply fire it up, type and can shut it right back off and pairing only takes seconds. You cannot get a more compact keyboard without sacrificing key size so it is the most portable you could hope for.
This pretty much leaves latency which for a gamer is make or break and with wireless keyboards can be a pretty decent issue. My last wireless keyboard was designed into an iPad case so the keys were a little small for my giant bear paws and there was a bit of latency. I would use it when I had to because it still beat the screen keyboard on a tablet but I was sloppy as hell on it and couldn’t use it for gaming. So this was an exciting moment of truth to test latency on this one. I was stunned at the lack of lag, whether it was typing or playing a game using it the response seemed as fast as a standard keyboard. I imagine full on Star Craft players with massive keystrokes per second would probably have problems with it but I doubt many folks would be using a wireless keyboard for such purposes, when it comes to casual gaming it will do the job just fine.
Last Call:
The Rapoo E6100 is one of the most compact wireless keyboards on the market that still gives you great performance and a decent key size. For players or writers on the go this is definitely a keyboard you can toss in your bag and use on a moment’s notice or in my case have next to the bed and use when you are too disabled to get out. The lightweight no heat design makes it perfect for use anywhere and especially for the infirmed and weakened.
[easyreview title=”Rapoo E6100 Wireless Keyboard Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]
SAN FRANCISCO – FEBRUARY 26, 2015 – Ubisoft® announced that Valley of the Yetis, new add-on content for Far Cry 4, will be released on March 10, 2015.
Players step back into the role of Ajay at the moment his helicopter crashes on a perilous Himalayan ridge. Stranded with no shelter, players must capture a camp and guard it from a mysterious cult who will return to reclaim their encampment. If players persevere, they will have more to fear than a stand-off against the cult, as yetis lurk in the shadows.
Players can take on Valley of the Yetis in single-player or with a friend in co-op as they fight to survive in the harsh Himalayan Mountains. While searching for a way out of the valley, they will unravel the mysteries behind the yetis.
Valley of the Yetis is available as part of the Far Cry 4 Season Pass or can be purchased separately. The Season Pass includes Valley of the Yetis as well as The Syringe, Escape from Durgesh Prison, the Hurk Deluxe Pack and Overrun.
Players can find more information on the Far Cry 4 Season Pass here: http://far-cry.ubi.com/en-US/
For more information on Far Cry 4, please visit: farcrygame.com and facebook.com/farcry
For more information on the Community Activities, please visit: www.farcrygame.com/community
LOS ANGELES (Feb. 26, 2015) – With the launch of FINAL FANTASY TYPE-0 ™ HD less than a month away , SQUARE ENIX® today released a new gameplay overview trailer featuring:
· The history and environments of the war-torn Kingdom of Orience;
· The fourteen brave young warriors of Class Zero;
· The action-packed battle system, with customizable magic spells; and
· The ability to summon fearsome monsters known as Eidolons.
FINAL FANTASY TYPE-0 HD offers a new type of FINAL FANTASY® experience that will captivate a new generation of players as well as long-time fans.
SQUARE ENIX also confirmed that a secret movie will be included in the game. The mystery-shrouded movie can be unlocked when a player meets certain requirements of the game.
Toronto, CANADA – February 26, 2015 – Independent game design team Blue Isle Studios announced today that the survival horror Slender: The Arrival is coming on March 24 to PlayStation®4, the computer entertainment system, and on March 25 to Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft via the ID@Xbox self-publishing program. The official video game adaptation of the internet phenomenon, Slender: The Arrival will send the most fearless gamers into panic as they unfold the twisted mystery in a dark, foreboding atmosphere and a story fraught with terror, paranoia and other-worldly forces.
Based on eye-witness accounts, The Slender Man is depicted as a thin, unnaturally tall man dressed in a black suit with a blank, featureless face. Now Slender: The Arrivalcomes to next-gen consoles with brand new story elements and extended levels that continue to unfold the Slender Man mythos. Players are enveloped in a world of sensory deprivation filled with haunting visions and audio cues that create a healthy dose of tension and paranoia.
In The Arrival’s all new storyline, Lauren is in search of her friend Kate, who recently has become increasingly obsessed with the folklore of Slender Man. Was Kate’s disappearance the work of Slender Man? Use Kate’s forgotten flashlight to explore abandoned houses, creepy mines and dark forests to unravel the mystery – all the while being stalked by the menacing presence of Slender Man.
Developed in collaboration with Eric “Victor Surge” Knudson, creator of the paranormal phenomenon, and written by the creative team behind the Marble Hornets series,Slender: The Arrival is rated ‘T’ for Teen (Blood, Violence) and will release for $9.99 digital download on March 24 for PlayStation®4 and March 25 in the Xbox Games Store for Xbox One.
For more information, please visit www.slenderarrival.com, follow @BlueIsleStudios and ‘Like’ the game on Facebook.
BELLEVUE, Wash. – February 26, 2015: ArenaNet™, publisher and developer of the acclaimed Guild Wars franchise, today announced changes coming to the camera system in Guild Wars 2. The update is delivering on a number of new features requested by fans including the highly anticipated option to use first-person POV in the game. The new features are slated to go live in-game on March 10.
ArenaNet will reveal details about the new camera system and give players their first glimpse of how it works in the game on the studio’s “Ready Up” livestream hosted by Josh Davis. The livestream is scheduled to take place at 12 p.m. PST tomorrow, February 27, on the official Guild Wars 2 Twitch channel. Immediately following “Ready Up,” more details about the system will be outlined in a blog post published on the Guild Wars 2 web site.
Changes and new features coming to the camera system include:
· First-person Camera
Zooming in all the way will allow players to experience a first-person view. First-person mode is available while standing in place, walking, running, jumping, playing PvP and just about anything else. There aren’t any restrictions on where first-person can be used.
· Field of View
A much requested feature, the field of view slider is a setting that will allow players to adjust how much can be seen in the game world. Players can use a slider to shrink or enlarge the field of view.
· Position Slider
The Position Slider has been split into two different options, horizontal position and vertical position. The horizontal position slider will offset the camera to the left and right. An ‘over-the-shoulder’ view can be created as well to keep the center of the screen clear. The vertical position sets the maximum height the camera can go when the camera is at maximum distance from a character. The actual camera height will adjust the more you zoom in to ensure that your character is always on the screen.
· Collision Sensitivity
When enabled, this setting will adjust how much stuff (trees, walls, rocks, etc.) needs to be between a player’s character and camera before the camera snaps in.
· Character Height
No matter the race or size, the camera will now focus on a character’s head. This is going to give norn players a relatively taller feeling than their asura-playing friends. This change might affect players who frequent jumping puzzles, so to counteract this, there is an adjust camera to character height toggle. When unchecked, the camera will move to a consistent position above the character’s feet, regardless of how big or small the character is.
For up-to-date information on Guild Wars 2 please visit our website at www.guildwars2.com.
To sign up and follow our “Ready Up” and “Points of Interest” livestreams as well as partner programming on our Twitch channel, please visit www.twitch.tv/guildwars2.
Paradox Interactive has released a new video dev diary for their upcoming Cities: Skylines, showing off what the developer calls a “Commitment to Modding”. Cities: Skylines is due out on PC, Mac and Linux on March 10th.
