Video game news and reaction

[Mister Andersen]

Video of a team beating Noveria gold challenge (ME3 multi)

[foproy]

looks like they made some changes to the glaxy map. {no spoilers on this page, i have not read any of the other though so read at your own risk.
http://www.ign.com/wikis/mass-effect-3/Galaxy_Map

[Sletchman]

looks like they made some changes to the glaxy map. {no spoilers on this page, i have not read any of the other though so read at your own risk.
http://www.ign.com/wikis/mass-effect-3/Galaxy_Map

Looks pretty good.  Back in ME2 I said that it would be so much better if anything worth probing for had a line directing you to it (the way sidequests do), and it looks like they're doing basically it now.  The scan an area looks very cool, rather then having to orbit every single planet.  I wonder what would have happened if he hadn't evaded the 2 reapears that came for him though?  I'm just glad there's no resource mining anymore (I just edited my ME2 saves to have a half million of each type after my first playthrough - scanning isn't a challenge, it's just tedious).

[foproy]

if you dont evade the reapers it takes you to the last save game.

[Sletchman]

Mass Effect 3: Shit just got real.

[TheTSKoala]

Mass Effect 3: Shit just got real.

WTB ME Movie?  Yes please.

[MilitiaJim]

Would eat at Geth Taco, maybe.

[Sletchman]

Mass Effect 3: Shit just got real.

WTB ME Movie?  Yes please.

Totally.

On a different note - would you say you'd have to have played the first Witcher for the second games story to make sense?  I got bugger all into it (like the second town and 2 surprisingly graphic trading cards) due to my only Windows PC not really being able to handle it properly and really not digging the controls, but the Witcher 2 looks pretty amazing (and control pad on my Xbox should make controls a snap).  I just don't want to be having to constantly google for the plot to make sense.

[TheTSKoala]

On a different note - would you say you'd have to have played the first Witcher for the second games story to make sense?  I got bugger all into it (like the second town and 2 surprisingly graphic trading cards) due to my only Windows PC not really being able to handle it properly and really not digging the controls, but the Witcher 2 looks pretty amazing (and control pad on my Xbox should make controls a snap).  I just don't want to be having to constantly google for the plot to make sense.

*thinks*  The ending of the Witcher 1 leads into 2, but is not by any means a 'mandatory' play.  The story telling is done to where even if 2 is your first exposure, you learn about everything.. without it feeling like a history lesson.  Dandelion, Triss and Zoltan are back... outside of that.. I will tell no tales. 

[Sletchman]

*thinks*  The ending of the Witcher 1 leads into 2, but is not by any means a 'mandatory' play.  The story telling is done to where even if 2 is your first exposure, you learn about everything.. without it feeling like a history lesson.  Dandelion, Triss and Zoltan are back... outside of that.. I will tell no tales. 

Sweet, and cheers man.

In new news:
Doom 4 isn't canceled, and has some cool concept art, shown here.  No real info from Bethesda / id beyond "it isn't canceled", but the art does look nice (but it's likely a long ways off).

Jet Set Raidio is coming out on XBLA, PSN and PC.  It's only got a vague "summer" release date so far, but the original was a blast, so I'm looking forward to it (and hopefully we get a Jet Set Radio Future HD rerelease too if this sells well).  Further - Sega is having a Graffiti Contest for the game (as in winning graffiti will be in the game).

[Sletchman]

I hope none of you preordered Mass Effect 3 from GAME or Gamestation - they have released that they cannot fill preorders, and any deposit will be refunded in store credit (not money).  It's not just ME3 either - it's any EA title post SSX (so after March 2nd).  So if any of you are like me and have the full game paid for well before release you totally have my sympathy.  While I'm sure it'd be easy enough to argue that thier no-cash-refunds policy is basically illegal and get your cash back (it breaks a few parts of the Sale of Goods Act), if you'd ordered an N7 CE version you're still humped as it is sold out everywhere.

In positive news: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning has had DLC "Legends of Dead Kel" announced today - it's gonna be a huge new continent with a new estate for the player, as well as multiple side quests, 8 new sets of armour, 18 unique weapons and 3 new Twist of Fate cards.  The land itself is apparently more then 15% the size of the existing games landmass, so that's pretty sizable (roughtly the same size as one of the existing 6 major zones by the sounds of it).  No price as yet, but it's apparently due March 20th.

Finally, Dragon's Dogma is getting a demo in a "couple of weeks" - which is good news in my book.  I'm definitely looking forward to the full game - I just hope the demo isn't strictly easy mode and showcases some of the challenge in the game (as well as some of the stylish and epic fights).

Shaping up to be a good year for gaming, IMO (unless you're one of those poor bastards who ordered from GAME).

[TheTSKoala]

How is Kingdoms?  I've read the reviews.. but the problem I'm just having with it is I can't tell if the story would compel me to complete it? 

As for gaming this year, Sletchman, I think you have a really good point.  XCOM (the TBS), Diablo 3, Mechwarrior Online, Borderlands 2, Civ V expansion.. I'm going to be adding quite a few titles to the stack that "I still need to play".  lol

[Sletchman]

How is Kingdoms?  I've read the reviews.. but the problem I'm just having with it is I can't tell if the story would compel me to complete it?

Honestly, it suffers from the same thing that all sandbox-ey RPGs (and games in general) suffer from - having (almost) too much to do.  I've run around doing faction quests, side quests so many other things that in like 30 hours I haven't actually done that much of the core story at all.  I like the setting and the way they use Lorestones to fill out the background of the setting, and the main quest so far is pretty cool - I just honestly think you will end up doing the hundreds of other things the game happily throws at you.  This doesn't make it bad or anything, just something to be aware of.

Also, the crafting systems are pretty broken (as in crazy overpowered) and the random loot system can be very frustrating (good luck filling a set that you really like) - the loot system is my only real complaint about the game (I really wish the set items were handplaced, not random).  A lot of the side quests are a little fetch-questey, but I think that's the nature of computer roleplaying games - I can't think of many CRPGs where the side quests aren't basically "Go there, Collect/Kill X, Come back".

Overall, it's a heap of fun but super easy to get sidetracked in - with Witcher 2 to play and Mass Effect 3 in a week I'd say wait til you have some free time (but until then I'd say skip it - the storyline so far is interesting and somewhat unique, but I haven't come across anything it in that makes me ignore the 20+ other tasks in my quest log and just dive into it).

[Krensky]

Wow, just looking at the story in a cursory fashion it looks like they're so screwed up as a company that EA wouldn't sell to them. Based on their comment regarding credit terms, it sounds like they've been pushing accounts payable out further and further and EA got tired of it. I feel for those who preordered in good faith, but it also sounds like your deposits may well be gone too.

In other news on this side of the pond. Gamestop (indifferent to dislike the company, like the local store and staff) Xenoblade Chronicles preorders will be getting an Artbook to go with their game on April 6.

[TheTSKoala]

Yeah.. I've actually decided to put ME3 on the back burner.  I replayed 2.  I literally hate most of the story.  lol.  So, my little brother got my pre-order.  If they ever do a "Mass Effect Saga" bundle, I'll probably pick it up.  If not, I'm okay with it.  The universe is awesome.  ME2 just destroys the main Shepard plot for me.

But yeah.. I've still got Witcher 2 to get through.  SWTOR I'm barely 30 on 1 char.  Haven't even tried out STO.  M&M6.  Saints Row 3.  Just a small battery of games I actually want to play... lol.  Plus LOTR: War in the North.  Which.. btw.. if you have a Significant Other that enjoys smash and loot with Trolls, not a terrible Co-Op same screen game.