Tag: Xbox One

Watch the ‘Halo 5 Guardians’ Opening Cinematic!

by jake108

PAX wrapped up their event today with the debut of Halo 5‘s opening cinematic. Watch it below!

Guardians takes place after the events of Spartan Ops in Halo 4. If you haven’t at least read up on what happened during Spartan Ops, you’re going to need to if you don’t want to feel confused at the start of Halo 5. This cinematic contains a ton of action, which is something we haven’t really seen since Halo Wars. Hopefully, this is something we can expect more of throughout the game.

Overall, this was a nice introduction to Fireteam Osiris. However, I’m getting a little tired of all this attention on Spartan Locke. Hopefully we’ll get more of Master Chief and Blue Team as we near the release date. In any case,  I can’t wait to see what comes next!

Halo 5: Guardians releases October 27, 2015.

We Are Never Ever Ever Getting ‘Mortal Kombat X’ On PS3 Or Xbox 360

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Mortal Kombat fan eagerly awaiting the release of Mortal Kombat X on PS3 or Xbox 360 because you haven’t bitten the bullet on a current generation console yet?

Well, we hope that you weren’t holding your breath. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment revealed today that the game will not release for either console.

Here’s the announcement, straight from the official forum:

After months of development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has come to the regrettable conclusion that we cannot release Mortal Kombat X for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Please know our teams worked diligently to meet the quality standards set by the current-gen versions of the game. We were not able to get the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions to the quality expected of a Mortal Kombat game and are very sorry for not being able to deliver the products as originally planned.

If you pre-ordered Mortal Kombat X for PS3 or Xbox 360, please go to the retail location where you pre-ordered the game and you will receive a full refund.

We figured that something was up when the past-gen version of the game was delayed just before launch, but we didn’t see this coming.

Disappointed? Is it enough to make you pick up a PS4 or Xbox One? Sound out below.

Dig Into This Awesome New Trailer For ‘Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows’!

by The_acz

Fans eagerly waiting for the highly anticipated Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows DLC can rest easy. Today, the good people at Yacht Club Games  have given us a brand new trailer to admire.  Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows is a DLC update to the 2014 indie hit Shovel Knight.  This additional content allows you to play as one of Shovel Knight’s foes, Plague Knight. Unlike Shovel Knight, Plague Knight will play very differently. While there’s still no concrete release, the video promises that the update will release soon and be FREE for everyone who owns the game. Check out the enchanting trailer below and get hype! Will you be playing Plague of Shadows when it launches?

The ‘Metal Gear Solid V’ Launch Trailer Is A Sombre Goodbye To The Series

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: I never realized how emotional this moment would be.

The launch trailer for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain has just debuted online, and more than an exciting trailer for what’s bound to be one of the best games of the year (if not the generation), this final Hideo Kojima-directed video feels like the lauded director’s sombre goodbye to his baby.

Since the first time that I played Metal Gear Solid as an eight year old in 1998, I’ve been enthralled with the series, its incredible characters, its mind-blowing gameplay, and even its convoluted and confusing story.

Now, with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Hideo’s vision is all but coming to an end. After his falling out with Konami which also led to Silent Hills getting the axe, it’s pretty safe to say the next game from the creator will be picked up by another publisher.

The trailer takes us through quick glimpses of each main-series Metal Gear title, all while depressing, minor-keyed music plays in the background. Afterwards, we get a glimpse of a gigantic new Metal Gear which looks like a tough-as-nails opponent. Quick credits reveal Kojima’s name about 100 times (which would be 100 times more than the box art will), and then it all fades to black.

Anyone else wish they could give Kojima a hug?

Take a look at the trailer below, and let us know what you think. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain releases on September 1st.

The ‘Mad Max’ Game Looks Crazy, Watch The New TV Spot!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: It’s been a long time coming (like a whole console generation), but we’re finally just a week away from the launch of the Mad Max video game.

I know how excited Shane’s been for the title, but for some reason it’s slipped under my radar until now. Then I watched this newly released TV Spot and realized that it’s a freaking Mad Max video game.

How could it not be great?

The graphics, mechanics, voice acting, music, and more all look great from the videos that I’ve seen so far, and I really can’t wait to get my hands on it. I feel almost as tortured as Max is, however, as of course the game launches on the same day as the it’s-so-deep-I’ll-never-finish-it Metal Gear Solid V.

Take a look at the spot below, and let us know if you’ll be picking this one up.

Get Ready To Rock!!! ‘Rock Band 4’ Now Available For Pre-Orders

by Bigyanks

Rockband 4

Starting today, you can pre-order the game-only Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of ‘Rock Band 4’. Both versions feature a world-class soundtrack of more than 60 tracks, access to more than 1,500 additional songs through the in-game Music Store and the ability to import and play previously purchased Rock Band tracks within the same console family at no additional cost.

Also announced today are additional tracks that will appear on the Rock Band 4 disc, including:

  • .38 Special – “Caught Up In You”
  • Arctic Monkeys – “Arabella”
  • The Both – “Milwaukee”
  • Cake – “Short Skirt/Long Jacket”
  • Little Big Town – “Little White Church”
  • Lucius – “Turn It Around”
  • The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – “The Impression That I Get”
  • The Protomen – “Light Up The Night”
  • Soundgarden – “Superunknown”
  • Tijuana Sweetheart – “Pistol Whipped”

 

Xbox One gamers can purchase a bundle ($79.99 SRP) that includes the game and Legacy Game Controller Adapter™ that enables them to use most previous-generation Xbox 360 Rock Band wireless guitars and drums. The adapter supports up to four wireless Rock Band controllers simultaneously as well as many third party wireless instrument controllers for the Xbox 360. In addition, ‘Rock Band 4’ for the PlayStation 4 ($59.99 SRP) supports most legacy Rock Band and third party wireless guitars and drums with no additional hardware.

‘Rock Band 4’ is set to release on October 6, 2015 for Xbox One™ and the PlayStation 4.

The Newest Trailer For ‘Madden 16’ Is Absolutely Hilarious

by Shane O'Hare

Yes. Madden. THAT Madden. The definition of “same game every year” has done something creative, and spawned this hilarious trailer. It will arguably be more enjoyable than the actual game, but none the less, it looks like EA Sports has done something worth while with that Madden money.

https://youtu.be/3eVF9uBbuqc

It’s always refreshing to see something not take itself too seriously, being able to make fun of yourself is always a plus in my book!

Madden NFL 16 hits store shelves August 25th on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Gamescom 2015: ‘Quantum Break’ Looks Amazing, And That’s Before Shawn Ashmore Is On Screen!

by Josh Jackson

It’s been a long time coming, but Remedy’s next game, Quantum Break, finally received some game play footage at Gamescom 2015. Originally revealed alongside the Xbox One itself, information on the upcoming exclusive from the team behind Max Payne and Alan Wake was hard to come by aside from a few trailers. Now that it’s finally been shown, it’s safe to say that they were hard at work, attempting to blur the line between television and video games to create an action packed cinematic experience.

Quantum Break is split into two halves. The primary section of the game is a third person shooter, allowing the team to use their much lauded time manipulating abilities to take advantage of the field, (and their enemies.) When stages are completed, full episodes of what are supposed to act as a TV show play, expanding on the world, story and characters. Bringing in a star studded cast led by Shawn Ashmore, Dominic Monaghan and Aidan Gillen amongst others, it’s clear that the team is taking this portion of the game seriously. But as hit or miss as games with a cinematic focus have been as of late, should we?

Still, Remedy has a near spotless track record, and after so much time has passed since their last game was released, I can’t help but be excited for their next endeavor, (not to mention the action looks fast paced and creative.) But enough about me, you be the judge! Tell us what your impressions are, and keep an eye out as Quantum Break approaches its late 2015 release.

Gamescom 2015: ‘Scalebound’ Isn’t The Clone We Expected

by Josh Jackson

At first glance, Platinum Games’ upcoming Xbox One exclusive, Scalebound, looked like it was ripped straight out of the Monster Hunter playbook. When you think of a game where you run around big environments fighting towering dragons, how could you think otherwise? Once the first extended look at the game was released at GamesCom however, it’s clear that Hideki Kamiya’s upcoming title was a completely different beast.

From the five minutes of game play footage, it’s obvious that Scalebound looks incredible. Surprisingly, the player was fighting alongside a dragon rather than hunting it, exploring the gorgeous environments while fighting off enemies. Rather than being confronted by intimidating beasts, hordes of humans did their best to take down both the player and his dragon. With HP numbers popping up throughout the screen as damage is taken from both sides, it’s clear that RPG elements play a bigger role than what we had thought.

That’s not to say that you won’t be hunting monsters though, because there were a few shown off during the trailer as well. Fighting alongside your partner, the fighter was switching between sword attacks, long range bows, and items picked up on the field. Fighting around the two dragons clashing looked thrilling, which can only be improved by the co-op that the final version is promising.

From these early impressions, it’s looking like Scalebound might be one of the Xbox One’s highlights, but did we expect anything less from Platinum? Check out the trailer below and give us your thoughts!

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Shiftlings’

by The_acz

Sierra is a company near and dear to my heart. Besides Rare, they were my first introduction into the world of videogames. Founded in 1980, by Ken and Roberta Williams, Sierra would go on to create such classic adventure and puzzle games such as The Incredible Machine, Leisure Suit Larry, King’s Quest, and many more. Sadly, the company has been missing for the last 6 years. Fear not though, because just last year, Sierra has re-opened their doors and is ready to start making new memories with a brand new generation of gamers. This brings us to one of their first new outings, Shiftlings.

sierra

This Adventure Puzzle game is about 2 alien janitors who are connected together by a cord and can inflate themselves at will. Together, they will travel across 5 different planets and 50 levels to overcome all odds. Oh, did I also mention that they’re being recorded as part of a reality TV show called Shiftlings? Weird, huh? So, can Shiftlings re-capture the fun and quirkiness that Sierra games of old had?

Art Style & Sound

Art style in the game is very nice. All the backgrounds for all the different levels and worlds are nicely textured and extremely bright and colorful. Even in the most basic asteroid space level the colors pop out nicely and really help make the levels and worlds feel different. Sound effects are very animated; making the game feel like it’s straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon. To further help with that is the music, which is very ambient and help sets the tone that these 2 janitors are all alone on these planets. There are also cut scenes, which are very well animated and voice acted. They help break up the game in certain sections and provide just enough laughs to keep you going to the next.

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Gameplay & Negatives

The gameplay in Shiftlings is easy to learn, but difficult to master. At any point in a level you can switch which characters to move and which one to inflate. You can also move both of them at once in order to bounce across large gaps and collect hidden collectible cola bottles in each level. As you steadily progress, the game starts introducing new mechanics such as doors, rotating platforms, and many more. And what kind of Sierra game would this be if there weren’t a variety of death animations? Everything from getting electrocuted, to being incinerated by flames and you’ll want to die as many times as you can. You also have a narrator voice commenting on each of the levels you play and that really helps cement the fact that this is a reality TV show.

WVW69iSunGEpvpcIJL

While the game excels in many places mentioned above, there are some problems with it. One of the biggest problems is its difficulty. There are some cases where it can ramp up a little too fast, and that may cause novice players to get a little too frustrated with the game. The controls can also be a bit confusing when first starting the game, but after a while you will settle into them.

Final Thoughts & Rating

Shiftlings is a very smart, if not difficult, puzzle game that really re-captures the magic of what made Sierra such an unusual and fun company. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the game and recommend it to expert puzzle fans, I’m not quite sure if novice players would find it easily accessible. In this case I’d recommend downloading a demo of it since it’s on all major platforms with the exception of Wii U (sorry Nintendo fans the E-shop doesn’t have a demo of it.) If you still like it afterwards, then I whole heartedly recommend picking the game up.

FINAL RATING: 3/5. Try it first, then buy it.

Geekscape Games Reviews ‘Yu-Gi-Oh: Legacy Of The Duelist’

by Josh Jackson

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One (Digital Only, Reviewed On Xbox One)

Genre: Trading Card Game

Price: $20.00

Publisher: Konami

Developer: Other Ocean Interactive

Available: Now

What used to be a franchise where multiple releases across nearly every platform every year was considered a sure thing, the world of Yu-Gi-Oh has really dialed it back in the video game department in recent years. For many, (including myself,) the games were always a great tool to gain access to hundreds of potential strategies to experiment with, while developing a firm grasp of new rules as the game evolved. With the recent release of Yu-Gi-Oh: Legacy Of The Duelist, the first game in the series for PS4 and Xbox One is a return to form for the long running series, serving as the most comprehensive game yet! Despite its card pool that reaches over a decade back and heaps of nostalgia however, a few head scratching snags keep it from being the Duelist Kingdom we were hoping for.

YuGiOh Legacy of the Duelist Review Screen 1

Pendulum Summoning is one of many summoning types in the game.

As mentioned, Yu-Gi-Oh: Legacy of the Duelist goes as far back as the beginning of the series, all the way up to cards that were released early this year. With over 6,600 cards in total,this is easily the most comprehensive console version released up to this point. If you don’t know the difference between a Blue Eyes White Dragon or a Galaxy Eyes Photon Dragon, if you think Xyz is a dragon cannon, or if the last time your dueled was when you were getting your game on with Jaden in GX, this is far from a problem. Thanks to the game’s campaign mode, (where the bulk of the single player content lies,) each of its four main stories contain about 25 duels, all of which cover the most important events through each anime series. Using text dialogue ripped straight from the show, jumping into each generation starts off with a comprehensive tutorial explaining the new mechanics that were debuted at the time. Even though it’s annoying that veterans can’t skip these, or that the first series has such a long explanation of the most basic mechanics, (I probably wouldn’t be playing if I didn’t know what a Normal Summon is,) its an invaluable tool for those who dropped out throughout the years and want to get caught up with the game a little bit at a time.

Story mode often serves as a game of patience, which in some ways, simulates the struggles each character faced on the show. These scenarios give the player a Story Deck that simulates the cards that were actually used in the episodes they’re drawn from, which can be a blessing and a curse. On one hand, though the decks do have a fair amount of cards they never used, (which is expected when episodes only featured about a dozen cards out of a 40 card deck,) but are mostly accurate, with each staple monster, spell and trap making an appearance. On the other hand, these decks SUCK by today’s standards, especially when starting with the early series. Their only saving grace, (often to our detriment,) is that single player throws ban lists out the window, so its not uncommon to be sent into a deck kicking rage after enduring multiple Dark Hole, Raigeki, and Swords Of Revealing Light cards. Luckily, your opponent’s deck is usually worse, but that luck runs out when it comes to Reverse Duels, unlockable battles where you take control of the losing character. Using their Story Decks makes it almost impossible to win, often having to rely on “the heart of the cards”, to sneak away with a victory. This is why the campaign giving you the option to use custom decks is a gift from Ra, because some of these duels would be almost impossible to beat otherwise. Then again, relying on them took away from the fun found in playing with cards you might never use on your own.

Winning unlocks new Booster Packs based on certain character, cards from the defeated Duelist’s deck, and points to buy new cards with. Lastly, if you want to face these protagonists of the past with a little more challenge, Duelist Challenges allow you to play against them with updated decks. Seeing Kaiba and Yugi using Synchro and Xyz summoning is a sight within itself, while keeping an already lengthy single player mode fresh. If all this content isn’t enough, some of the missing story duels are featured as DLC, many of which had no business being left out, (Jaden vs. Yugi anyone!?) Basically, if it wasn’t featured on U.S. TV, you’re going to have to pay extra for it.

TEST Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist_20150514225948

Key moments from the anime play out with dialogue ripped from the show’s script.

Duels themselves take the form of a variety of phases per turn, with each card having different functions as each phase goes by. Without going too far into detail, each card falls into one of three types. Monsters are used to attack or defend against your opponent, (most of which come with secondary effects,) Spell Cards unleash effects that have the potential to turn a duel around in the user’s favor, and Trap Cards spring surprise effects on the opponent, usually putting a stop to their moves. Speaking of Traps, (and Quick Spells for that matter,) unless you’re brand new to the game, you might want to switch the default settings for Duel Notifications off. Unless of course, you want the game to ask you half a dozen times per turn if you want to use it. It’s all pretty straightforward presentation and game play wise, but the only real issue I came across was with how slow the game moves. Previous versions had ways to speed up turn animations or skip them outright, whereas Next Gen gaming doesn’t seem to have the option to do so. And while seeing signature cards come to life and attack using 3D models, these just drag the game out after you’ve seen them repeatedly with no way to pass them by.

YGO_LotD_15

Elemental Hero Neos makes his entrance. Oddly, Flame Wingman doesn’t get the same treatment.

As a real duelist, part of the reason some have had trouble getting into the game is those handful of players with bad attitudes. As we know, the Internet tends to make this attitude so much worse, which is why the acceptable Online Mode is best played with people you know. If you’re expecting to have fun, competitive matches with players around the world, you’ll surely be disappointed by the large amount of rage quitting that takes place. While I wouldn’t normally hold this against the game itself, the fact that it doesn’t give the remaining player the win, or even that it takes so long to make the win official, it gives quitters so much time to sneak away with their record clean. Since there’s no way to Mind Crush over Xbox Live or PSN, avoiding them or accepting this fact going in are your only solutions.

TEST Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist_20150519030734

Online play is fun with friends. With strangers, prepare for rage quits.

With so many cards, even veteran duelists might feel a little overwhelmed with gathering the best cards for their deck building needs. Thankfully, the game is generous with its allocation, giving you a variety of ways to unlock them. Primarily, cards are purchased from the Booster Packs mentioned above using Duel Points, (or DP,) which are rewarded for playing and winning duels. Outside of the character packs, Battle Packs make their video game debut, which mirror their real life purpose of building decks right out of the pack. Featuring some of the best cards in the game, Battle Packs test your duel knowledge, forcing you to play a best three out of five series either against the CPU or other players with the same blind deck. Win or lose, you keep the cards for your own deck building needs. Character packs provide their reward immediately, with each set being loaded with cards from each generation. Sadly, with a new console generation comes some of its annoyances, since many of the very best and most up to date cards are locked behind DLC pay walls.

Yet, while having thousands of cards is definitely a great thing, Legacy Of The Duelist‘s biggest flaw is how poorly it handles card management. For one, there are far too few Character Packs, so each one is full of archetypes that the booster’s namesake never used. For example, if Pegasus had his own pack featuring Toons and Relinquished instead of them being forced into Kaiba’s packs, it would make it easier for Seto’s fans to gather up Blue Eyes cards rather than plod through a ton of cards they don’t want. This wouldn’t be a huge problem normally, but the game does a terrible job of filtering out repeats, leaving me opening packs with three of the same card at times. With each set containing hundreds of cards, it makes it almost impossible to get that one card you’re desperate to find without potential hours of pack grinding.

Oh, and the worst part? There is no in game card list telling you what’s in each pack. That’s right, absolutely none! The cards you buy don’t tell you where they came from, and there’s no list telling you if you’re missing anything. With so many cards available, this creates a huge problem for those who want to keep track of where to get more than one of the same card, or who wants to let their friends know where they can find their favorite cards. The only sign of relief is that beating the CPU duelists repeatedly will eventually reward you with their entire deck, but this answer is far from ideal. An online trading system, a card password system like what was used in the past, or a simple list would have gone a long way to improve this aspect of the game. Instead, it serves as its biggest flaw in an otherwise comprehensive title.

TEST Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist_20150514225607

Does anyone know who drops a Dark Magician!?

Featuring over 6,600 cards spanning nearly 15 years of history, including the newest Pendulum Summon mechanic from the Arc-V era and the debut of Battle Packs, there’s plenty of reason for new and old duelists alike to be excited for Yu-Gi-Oh: Legacy of the Duelist. Best used as a tool to get back into the game, learn it for the first time, and test out a near limitless vault of cards before buying the cards for yourself, it serves its purpose well. A nostalgia filled campaign will keep you playing for hours while Duelist Challenges update the game for your favorites, but its poor online management, thoughtless card management system, slower pace and DLC locked content keep it from being the true king of games. Still, if you wanted an excuse to get your feet wet in the dueling arena, there isn’t a better way to learn the game than Legacy of the Duelist.

tl;dr:

+ Over 6,600 cards to use, featuring nearly limitless possibilities.

+ Comprehensive tutorials that explain the new mechanics from each generation in a progressive, easy to understand way.

+ A lengthy campaign mode skims every anime series thus far, using mostly authentic decks. Challenge Duels update these characters with modern cards, keeping your favorite characters relevant.

+ Battle Packs make their first video game appearance, creating an unpredictable way to play.

– Duels move slow, with unskippable animations for certain Monsters.

– Online is poorly handled, creating an environment where its easy to rage quit with no reward for the winner.

– Booster Packs contain far too many cards, making it hard to find your favorites. Having no card list to keep track of your finds make this so much worse, and the lack of a trading or password system means tons of grinding.

– Key cards and story duels locked behind a DLC paywall.

 

Verdict: Buy

Final Score: 3/5

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Rare Replay’

by The_acz

One of the first games I remember playing as a kid was 1994’s Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo. I spent countless months playing the game alongside my older brother. We’d constantly spend every day after school trying to find every bonus room we could while taking turns trying to beat those now infamous mine cart levels. All those memories and more were thanks to a then fairly new company called Rareware.

Replay collection
All 30 games in Rare Replay in one image. That’s a lot of games.

This year, Rare (now owned by Microsoft) is celebrating their 30th anniversary of being in the video game business. To celebrate this amazing milestone, they’ve gone and compiled their 30 best games from the past 30 years, all into one package for the shockingly low value of $30. Everything from their spectrum games like Jetpac and Sabrewulf, to their newest outings such as Viva Piñata and Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. To sweeten the deal even further, they’ve gone and added a challenge mode where you can play specific parts of classic era rare games in order to earn stamps. Those can then be used to watch exclusive behind the scene interviews with some of the brilliant minds responsible for these most beloved franchises.

This time, instead of doing a normal review where I talk about all aspects of the game, I thought I’d try something different with Rare Replay seeing as how a lot of people have already played these games before. So for this review, I’ll be going through my favorite games of each key Rare era. Let’s begin.

Spectrum Era: Jetpac

This was probably one of the trickiest categories to choose because the Spectrum games shown in this collection are really odd. Most of them require an immense amount of fast-twitch skill and trial and error. That is, except for Jetpac. Jetpac is the Spectrum game that you’ll be playing the most out of the collection, and there’s a reason for that. The gameplay is super simple, and plays more like an arcade game than anything else. Your goal in the game is to find the missing pieces of your rocket ship so you can get home. Each level randomizes the layout and enemy structure so the experience is always fresh and new. You’ll be spending countless hours blasting away at aliens while you’re trying to get the last tank of gas into your rocket for liftoff.Jetpac

Nes Era: Battletoads

As much as Rare Replay has introduced me to new NES titles from their library, Battletoads is still the pinnacle of Rare’s early Nintendo years before they became the 2nd Party we all know and love. Once you start the game, you get dropped into the action immediately, but unlike the spectrum games, you don’t feel vulnerable. Since it’s a beat em up, you already instinctively know how the game works. Run, jump, and beat em up! Not only is the first level a great introduction, but it slowly teaches you about the game so you can be prepared for the increase in difficulty after each level. The difficulty of the game dose increase fast, but it never seems unfair or not fun. especially since Rare has added a new feature that softens the blow. In any game up until the end of the NES/Battletoads Arcade era, you have the option of holding down the left trigger, which activates a rewind feature that you can use to rewind your game for up to 10 seconds. Never again will you struggle with the infamous turbo tunnel. Don’t let this feature fool you though, because this game is still as tough today as it was back then. 10 Seconds may save you one time, but it may be too late for others.

Battletoads

 

N64 Era: Conker’s Bad Fur Day

Coming into the N64 era, there was a lot to consider. This is the era that Rare really shined the brightest in terms of quality and quantity. While many are eager to crown Banjo Kazooie as the top spot, this is not the case with me. In my opinion, Conker outshines every other title in this era to prove that over 10 years later this once overlooked gem has become one of the most infamous and controversial games of its time. Everything from foul mouthed animals and barn equipment, to a pile of singing poo and a giant sunflower with rather large “stigmas”, really set up a game that in no way wants you to take it seriously. Not to mention the introduction of “Context Sensitive” gameplay where you conveniently find and use tools that you need in that moment of time. Throw in a fun 4 player split screen multiplayer with plenty of game modes to keep you interested, and Conker’s Bad Fur Day easily earns the title of the best N64 era Rare game.

Conker

Xbox Era: Viva Piñata

Out of all of the eras and games in this collection, the Xbox era stuck out to me the most from all the others. This comes from the fact that I had constantly heard about the games in this era, but never had the chance to play them. The only game from this section that I had played was Grabbed by the Ghoulies, which I think is an underrated gem. I was also eager to finally try out the mixed received Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. In the end, it ended up being a toss-up between N&B and Viva Piñata. Nuts & Bolts was going to be crowned winner, but sadly the game was still suffering from some pretty bad frame dropping in the hub world. I was hoping for them to fix this problem when I played it earlier this year at comic con (hopefully it gets fixed in a future patch). I’m happy to say that Viva Piñata is one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve ever played. All you do is create a garden for growing and harvesting piñatas, but it’s got that rare charm that makes it a step above the rest. Never have I spent so much time watering plants and tilling my land in order to attract the most beautiful and rare Piñata creatures. Top that off with classic rare humor and an absolute mouthwatering score from composer Grant Kirkhope and you have yourself one of the best and most addicting games to come out of the company PERIOD.

Pinata

Final thoughts

 

At the end of the day, I can’t say enough good things about Rare Replay that everyone else has already said. This is possibly the best collection of games ever compiled. $30 is a steal of a price for how much value that both gamers, and non-gamers will be getting out of it. If you have an Xbox One, you owe it to yourself to buy this amazing package and see what all the hubbub is about.

Rating: Buy 

‘Star Wars Battlefront’ Releases Fighter Squadron Gameplay Footage!

by jake108

We have yet another gameplay trailer straight from the skies in ‘Star Wars Battlefront’. One of their new modes promises up to twenty players in a single match as they try to complete objectives and stay alive. Watch the gameplay below!

The appearance of the both the Millennium Falcon and the Slave I makes me think that players will also work towards being able to become a hero upon their next respawn. We’ll have to wait for more details. In the meantime, check out our hands-on first impressions!

GamesCom 2015: ‘Killer Instinct Season 3’ Goes Green With Release Date & ‘Battletoads’

by The_acz

KI Rash

EDITORS NOTE: The Rash Beta Test is only available right now for people who have purchased a season of Killer Instinct or have purchased Rare Replay and booted up the NES version of Battletoads.

Big news for Xbox One fans eagerly awaiting the announcement for a 3rd season of Killer Instinct! Microsoft has just announced today at Gamescom that KI Season 3 is expected to launch sometime in march of 2016. They also announced that in honor of the release of Rare Replay, (expect our review later on that later this week) that Rash, from Battletoads, will be making his way to the fight. The best part about this announcement? His beta test available RIGHT NOW FOR FREE!! Users will have the chance to preview the new fighter up until September 8th. After that, they’ll just have to wait for the official release. Will you be Maining Rash?

For more info on how Rash works, check out the official KI website.

Gamescom 2015: ‘Dark Souls III’ Gameplay Reveal Trailer

by jake108

Along with the flurry of announcements today, Dark Souls III had its gameplay debut. Fans of the first two games know what to expect from the franchise, and this gameplay trailer does not disappoint.

Dark Souls III continues to push the boundaries with the latest, ambitious chapter in the critically-acclaimed and genre-defining series. As fires fade and only embers remain, journey once more into a world filled with more daunting and colossal enemies and environments. Players will be immersed into a world of epic atmosphere and darkness through faster gameplay and amplified combat intensity. New to the series are the Battle Arts attacks. You’ll be able to deliver powerful attacks that will break through enemy defenses. Each weapon will have its own unique Battle Arts.

Dark Souls III is set to release in 2016!

Gamescom 2015: ‘Mad Max’ Trailer!

by jake108

Coming off the release of Mad Max: Fury Road, Mad Max promises to bring the world we’re familiar with into a living and playable world. The game seems to blend Max’s tormented past and over-the-top action pretty well.

The game’s story is a stand-alone piece and will not tie into Fury Road. Mad Max also has a tormented video game past of its own. You may remember the first announcement trailer that promised a game coming to last-gen consoles. Obviously that never happened, and the game has since been reworked into what we see above. Regardless, Avalanche Studios seems to have found their way to the game’s completion!

Mad Max is set to release September 1, 2015. 

Gamescom 2015: Elite Dangerous Gameplay Trailer

by jake108

Have you ever wanted to explore our galaxy with a 1:1 ratio in customizable ships with friends? Elite: Dangerous might be the game for you. Elite: Dangerous is a space epic MMO where you and your friends can travel the galaxy, collect minerals, buy ships, and start dogfights in the middle of an astroid field. Players make their own stories and are free to explore when and how they want.

The latest gameplay footage of Elite: Dangerous for Xbox One, the definitive massively multiplayer space epic. Starting with only a small starship and a few credits, players do whatever it takes to earn the skill, knowledge, wealth and power to survive in a futuristic cutthroat galaxy and to stand among the ranks of the iconic Elite.

The game is available now on Steam and the Xbox One. 

Gamescom 2015: ‘Halo Wars 2’ Announcement Trailer

by jake108

Halo Wars 2 is definitely one of those games that fans of the first always wanted, but not quite sure we’d get. It’s nice now that we have confirmation of the game’s existence. Worry will now be shifted to how the game will be handled. Shortly after the completion of Halo Wars, Ensemble Studios was dissolved. Certain Affinity and 343i will be handling Halo Wars 2 and the game’s story seems to be incorporating characters from the first game.

Fans will immediately recognize the name Douglas along with what appears to be the Spirit of Fire emblem on the side of the spartan’s armor. As well all know, Douglas went into cryo sleep, along with the rest of the Spirit of Fire crew that made it off the shield world. It will also be interesting to see how this game ties in with the Halo comics. Both are canon.

Halo Wars 2 is set to release next Fall. 

Gamescom 2015: ‘Crackdown 3’ Gameplay Trailer!

by jake108

Fans of the Crackdown franchise have been eagerly awaiting the next installment. We all have fond memories of the first two games, with the first iteration holding a special place in my heart. I’ll be honest and say the only reason why I purchased Crackdown was to get into the Halo 3 beta that was launching at the time. I know I’m not alone in this, but after waiting a couple of hours through the boot up screen, I fell in love with Crackdown.

Crackdown 3 seems to bring back everything we loved about the first two games in the franchise and pushes the limits on the Xbox One. We’ve been hearing rumblings about a fully destructible environment for some time now, it’s another thing to see it in action. It’s especially exciting to see all of this incorporated into the multiplayer modes.

There’s still not a specific release date for the game, but we do know it’s scheduled to arrive Summer 2016!

Gamescom 2015: ‘Halo 5’ Limited Edition Console Announced

by jake108

One of the many Xbox announcements this morning came in the form of a console announcement. We all knew it was coming, it was just a matter of when we’d see it.

If I’m being honest, I’m a little disappointed in the console. For years, I’ve been purchasing almost everything LE in the Halo franchise, but I’m finding that’s not the case anymore. The console might appeal to some fans, but it seems that everything Halo 5 seems to be focused on Spartan Locke, the new character introduced last year via Halo: Nightfall.

The LE Console is priced at $500 and includes a code for Halo 5‘s digital download. The console will also be available October 20th, seven days before Halo 5‘s October 27th release date.

Here’s How Those 10,000 Gamerscore Will Work In ‘Rare Replay’!

by Josh Jackson

When it came to Microsoft’s E3 showing, the only thing that came close to topping their backwards compatibility announcement was complimenting that reveal with Rare Replay, a compilation of 30 games from the longtime developer ranging from the NES to the Xbox 360. What caught Achievement hunter’s ear however, was that the game would have a total of 10,000 Gamerscore to uncover, keeping our OCD friends out there busy for a long time. However, once we spoke to the developers on the show floor, we learned that Achievements play a much bigger role than improving your online reputation.

First off, let’s get the unfortunate news out of the way. Seeing as some of these games are Xbox 360 titles, if you’ve played these in the past, you won’t be able to double up on points. In other words, since these are considered backwards compatible, the same Achievements unlocked in the past will carry over to Rare Replay. Despite this, I feel the trade off is worth losing the chance to get the same rewards a second time.

As a thank you to the fans, unlocking these rewards will provide special bonuses for those who play their games the most thoroughly. As you play, Achievements will unlock special content for each game, including developer interviews, artwork galleries, and a variety of other bonuses that make pushing through the games so much more rewarding. If you already unlocked the 360 ones as mentioned before, the rewards for these games will be available instantly! Which means my Viva Pinata, Banjo Kazooie and Kameo plays will finally pay off!

If 30 games for thirty dollars wasn’t enough for you, it’s clear that Rare Replay will offer plenty of replayability to keep you coming back for more. Still on the fence? Check out our Comic Con preview, and keep an eye out for our full review in the coming days.

Rare Replay will release exclusively on Xbox One on August 4th.

‘Gears of War Ultimate Edition’ Will Now Include Every ‘Gears of War’ Title

by jake108

Unfortunately, only the ‘Ultimate Edition’ will have the remastered attributes we played in the beta a couple of months ago. However, Xbox will now give codes for gamers to download every ‘Gears’ title to date. This offer also includes Gears of War Judgment, in case you missed it. Each of the titles will be Xbox 360 versions and will eventually be playable on the Xbox One via their backwards compatibility feature.

Gears_Alltitles

What’s interesting here is that the official release states that “everyone who plays Gears of War: Ultimate Edition on Xbox Live between August 25 and Dec 31st 2015″ will receive the tokens to download. Anyone who’s confused about the backwards compatibility between Xbox 360 and Xbox One owners should find clarity in this next bit of info:

Q: Will I be able to play Gears of War’s multiplayer modes, including Versus and Co-op?
All game modes, including Multiplayer, will work just as they do on Xbox 360. Additionally, you can play with people who are either playing Gears of War via backwards compatibility on Xbox One, or on Xbox 360.

Gears of War Ultimate Edition is set to release August 25, 2015. 

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Project Spark: Conker Play and Create’

by The_acz

Over one year ago during E3 2014, Microsoft showed off a trailer for one of their upcoming titles called Project Spark. For those who don’t know, Project Spark is a creator driven game along the likes of LittleBigPlanet in which the game’s campaign mode is made entirely from the in game level editor. This makes it possible to perfectly re-create those levels, or even design your own. At the end of the trailer, everyone was greeted to a nice surprise; as it was announced that Conker the squirrel would be a playable character in some form or another. It was also announced that he’d be voiced by the creator of the Conker series himself, Chris Seavor.

Flash forward to about a year later, where it’s now revealed that the Conker content for Project Spark will be an episodic series of games along with creation assets, so fans can make their own Conker games.  Now, even though the creation pack has been out for some time, I’ve only now gotten around to it, because Project Spark is celebrating their first successful year after launch. To commemorate this, many expansions and bundles are half priced including the Conker set. I figured I’d check it out since I had $5 in Xbox credit from pre ordering Rare Replay.conker

So, Is the Conker Play and Create Bundle a steal of a deal, or does it have the makings of another bad fur day? When you buy the Bundle you get 2 things. These include Conker’s Big Reunion Episode 1, and Conker: Hail to the Remix. Let’s start with Conker’s Big Reunion First.

The story of Big Reunion takes place 10 years after the events of bad fur day, but instead of being a direct sequel, it’s just a side story. The plot synopsis is as follows: 10 years have passed since the events of Bad Fur Day, and to celebrate, Conker is hosting a reunion for all of his friends at his favorite bar, The Cock and Plucker. Once he arrives, he is unable to enter because he is told by Birdy the Scarecrow that he has a $300 bar tab he needs to pay off.  From there, Conker sets off on a brand new adventure to pay off his tab and join his reunion.

Art style & Sound

To start off with, the art style is very nice. The game takes a bit more inspiration from the original Bad Fur Day instead of Live and Reloaded. Environments are bright, and Conker and co. are very nicely re-designed to look a bit more simplistic, but also very detailed. Everything from Conker’s fur to Birdy’s loose hay, to even the Tediz fluff and hand stitched texture are really welcome and suit the characters very well.

conker 3

Sound is also pretty top notch. Original BFD composer, Robin Beanland, returns, once again, to score Big Reunion. Most of them are just slight updates of previous Conker tunes but are still as catchy and memorable as ever. The voice acting is also top notch. Once again, Chris Seavor, creator and voice of everyone’s favorite squirrel himself, returns to voice the titular character himself and all of his friends. Seavor is just as sharp witted as ever and never misses a single joke or beat.

Gameplay

Gameplay is identical to Bad Fur Day. Conker can run jump and even use his tail helicopter to double jump and hover across large gaps. He also comes equipped with his trusty Frying Pan which he uses to clobber any Tediz in sight. There are 3 specific areas in this episode that you’ll be exploring; each of which comes with their own gameplay style.

There’s the Tediz secret hideout which consists of a first person shooter segment, and a battle that you could say is very BALLSY. The Tediz brewery, which focuses on platforming, and even getting drunk enough to bypass a wall of beer that is aggressively spraying you off the edge. 3rd and final, you have the Tediz lumberyard, in which you have to sneak your way through the forest Metal Gear Solid style and even face off against a chainsaw wielding maniac with a twist. There’s some more stuff in there, but I’ll save that for if you decide to play through it. The different gameplay styles are very welcome and help the game from becoming too repetitive and stale.Conker 2

The only real downsides are that the game is on the very short side. It’ll only take you about 30 minutes – An hour to complete the game, and there really isn’t anything to go back to after you complete the episode. Other than that, Conker’s Big Reunion is a fun, if not short, fun tribute to the series. Hopefully we won’t have to wait much longer for the developers, Team Dakota, to make the 2nd episode.

Hail to the Remix

The last thing to touch upon is Conker: Hail to the Remix. This is the creation pack that you get when you purchase the play and create bundle. This creation pack comes with everything seen in Big Reunion Episode 1. Everything from Conker, to Birdy, to even Fajo the Money Wad is there. It even comes with the Windy Grasslands Biome used to make the setting for the episode. The creation tools are very extensive and have given way to some very cool community levels. I’d recommend trying out R.T and Conker’s Other Bad Day Tribute just to name a few.

You also get a Conker as a playable champion for some of the other modes in Project Spark including Crossroads Adventure and Champion’s Quest: Void Storm. In these modes, Conker comes equipped with his Baseball Bat that he used in Live and Reloaded and his trusty SMG. He also has a special ability you can activate. When you defeat enemies, they will leave behind a wad of cash which Conker can collect. Once Conker collects at least 4 of those, you can summon a giant Context Sensitive Button out of nowhere and unleash a devastating special attack. Depending on your level, your special attacks can be anything from Deadly farts and throwing flaming cocktails, to turning into a giant lizard monster and calling in poo air strikes.

conker 1

Final Verdict

All in all, the Conker Play and Create Bundle is a love letter to all things Conker. People who have played Bad Fur Day, wanting desperately for a long awaited sequel won’t find that here.  However, they’ll still find enjoyment in it. This is also great for people who need a quick Conker fix before Rare Replay comes out. I was able to snag it for only $5, but even $10 is a steal for this pack and definitely worth picking it up. What’s even better is that Project Spark is FREE on both Xbox One and PC.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and create some awesome new Conker games!

Final Rating: Buy

Geekscape Games Podcast: Level 39 – ‘Congratulations China!’

by GeekscapeStaff

Join Derek, Josh, Juan and (eventually) Shane as they discuss the last week in video games!

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This Week:

China lifts bans on video game consoles.

ZombiU getting ported to PS4 and Xbox One.

Hulk Hogan removed from WWE2k16 over racial remarks.

Terminator special character added to WWE2k16.

Paul London Hero of The Prophecy.

Nintendo TVii service stopping.

Square Enix announces DragonQuest XI PS4 and 3DS.

Castlevania Pachinko machine from Konami.

Smash Bros. update releases in US.

Valve insider speaks about the state of Half-Life 3.

Mark Laidlaw emails with Fun Haus.

Del Toro and Kojima wish to work on future projects together.

Hatoful Boyfriend.

Destiny.

This Week’s Listener Mission Objective:

What game should a Chinese citizen play first?

Listen to Shane DJ Live on KNBA Monday August 3rd at 9 PM PST!

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‘ZombiU’ being ported to PS4, Xbox One, and PC as ‘Zombi’

by The_acz

After 3 years of being an exclusive for the struggling console, the survival horror game ZombiU is now making its way to the PS4, Xbox One, and PC on August 18th as just Zombi. The game received mostly praise with it’s initial Wii U release, most of it which came from the very smooth integration of the Wii U Gamepad. I had the chance to rent the game back when it launched and felt it was a pretty solid experience. It should be noted that Zombi will be released only on digital platforms, so people hoping to snag a physical copy of the game are in for some disappointing news. Here’s the official announce trailer for the game. Will you be picking up Zombi when it launches?

‘Fallout 4: Pip Boy Edition’ 100% Sold-Out; Bethesda ‘Can’t Make More’

by Shane O'Hare

Can’t or won’t is the operative question that needs to be asked here. In a recent interview with Gamespot, Bethesda Marketing VP, Pete Hines, said that the factory making the special edition of Fallout 4  has hit their capacity.

They’re being made today, it’s not like they’re done and sitting in a warehouse. [The factories would tell us,] this is what the yields say. I mean, we don’t make [the Pip-Boy Editions], and we’d go back to [the factories] and say, ‘Demand for this is insane, we’ve got to make more.’ And they’d move other projects off or shift stuff to other factories and it just came to [them telling Bethesda], ‘Final answer: sorry, this is as many as we can make.’ And we sold every single one of those that we could.

If you’re NOT in the know, the special edition of Fallout 4 comes with a replica of the in game device of the same name. This plastic shell will house your phone, and run an app that interfaces with the game, so you can go menu diving on your wrist.

I personally find it very Nintendo of them to say they can’t make more. It’s a definite WON’T scenario with Bethesda here, as a second or third printing would yield them a HUGE amount of sales. Ebay listings of the preorder right now are starting at around $300 US! THREE HUNDRED! 

Fallout 4 hits store shelves November 10th on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

Fallout4_PIPBoy_Edition_Content

Arnold Schwarzenegger Will Be Playable In ‘WWE 2K16’ As The Terminator As Pre-Order DLC

by Josh Jackson

In what can only be described as a bizarre announcement, 2K has revealed that movie star, former Mr. Olympia, and the previous Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzeneggar, will be added to the WWE 2k16 roster as a pre-order bonus.

In previous years, the illustrious pre-order DLC spot went to legends who had up until that point been estranged from the WWE. Starting from WWE 2K12 onwards, each game featured downloads for The Rock, Mike Tyson, Ultimate Warrior and Sting, all of which either had recently came back to the squared circle, or would go on to return in the months ahead in various capacities. With the company running out of wrestlers to mend bridges with, it seems like it was time to call Hollywood. On the plus side, at least we get this awesome trailer which recreates the beginning of Terminator 2 with the current WWE Superstars and Divas!

While it hasn’t happened since Smackdown: Just Bring It 2001, celebrity cameos aren’t foreign to the series. Longtime wrestling fans will remember unlocking Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit as a hidden wrestler in the PS2 brawler, which had to have been the second worst part about it next to the game taking up more than half a memory card of save data. On the plus side, at least The Terminator will look like a convincing fighter, and shouldn’t have a problem reaching the handle bars on his motorcycle, unlike Durst. If nothing else, at least we got an interesting replacement for Hulk Hogan!

Does this announcement sway your decision to pre-order the game? Sound off below and let us know what you think!

WWE 2K16 will release this fall for PS4 and Xbox One.

Here’s A Cheesy, Exciting New Trailer For ‘Rare Replay’!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Yep, it’ll take up 50GB to install the whole thing, but doesn’t Rare Replay sound fantastic?

The company today debuted a cheesy, yet effective trailer for the collection, very quickly detailing pretty much every game the collection features.

Catchy song, right?

The collection is pretty huge, and includes Jet Pac , Atic Atac, Lunar Jetman, Sabre Wulf, UnderWurlde, Knight Lore, Gunfright, Slalom, R.C. Pro-Am, Cobra Triangle, Snake Rattle ‘n’ Roll, Digger T. Rock, Solar Jetman, Battletoads, , R.C. Pro-Am II, Battletoads Arcade, Killer Instinct Gold, Blast Corp, Banjo Kazooie, Jet Force Gemini, Perfect Dark, Banjo Tooie, Conker’s Bad Fur Day, Grabbed By The Ghoulies, Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo: Elements of Power, Viva Piñata, Jetpac Refueled, Viva Piñata: Trouble In Paradise, and Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.

We went hands-on with Rare Replay at SDCC earlier this month, and aside from a few technical issues that will hopefully be solved for the retail release, we had a blast with it.

Will you be picking up Rare Replay when it releases on August 4th? Which game are you most looking forward to?

New ‘Life Is Strange’ Episode Coming Next Week, Watch The Trailer!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: I’m so freaking excited.

Over its three already-released episodes, Life Is Strange has evolved from an intriguing, mysterious adventure title into arguably my favourite title of 2015. Seriously, you really shouldn’t waste you’re time playing anything else.

A trailer for the next episode of the game has just debuted online, and though I won’t watch it (because spoilers, duh), DONTNOT has also revealed that the episode will finally release next Tuesday. This means it narrowly made its July deadline, and that I’m only a few days away from being able to finally play it!

Square-Enix also revealed today that Life is Strange has surpassed one million units. This is a fantastic milestone, and DONTNOD notes that “This is a huge achievement for the small team working on the game.”

Take a look at the new trailer below, and let us know what you think we’re in store for next week.