Atzunew's Pokémon Black Nuzlocke: Issue 4
Pokémon Nobunaga's Ambition Coming to North America
As of today it is known to us that this game is going to be released in North American markets. It will have a localized title - Pokémon Conquest - quite fitting in regards to the content and rough plot. Right now there is release date set for June 18th. It will be released for the DS handheld, so if you play your portable games on a 3DS you might need to suffer through "black bar syndrome", sadly.For readers that do not know what this game is about then I'll give a brief description. The game features turn based strategy combat. RPG elements that are known to the Pokémon series like leveling will be included so it will give players some familiarization with other games. You will travel the new region of Ransei and try to conquer 17 castles which have challenging boss battles.
The game has been out in Japan for a while, and so far has received great reviews for it's refreshing gameplay and how easy it was for players of all ages to enjoy it. No news about a European launch as of yet but I could see a late summer or early autumn release in those regions. I for one am happy that this game will be coming to North America. While I was originally opposed to the game I have since been trilled by the gameplay I have seen so far. Here's a look at the game in action:The AnythingGeek Podcast - Episode 5
After a full week missing, the AnythingGeek podcast is back. With our special guest Ahmed we discuss this week's news in gaming - with a little bit of tech talk mixed in. It is April Fool's Day and we talk about all the things companies are doing to make us laugh on this, the day of fake news. Check out the links below to see all of the articles discussed on this episode, but there's a lot more to this podcast than meets the eye! Also, remember to subscribe to the podcast by clicking the iTunes logo on the right.Gaming News
Pokemon
- Atzunew's Pokemon Black Nuzlocke: Issue 2
- Atzunew's Pokémon Black Nuzlocke: Issue 3
- Pokémon Black 2 & White 2: New Details
- Japanese games coming to North America
- Super Meat Boy on iOS
- Reviews for the Road: TERA
- Guild Wars 2 Preview
- Reviews for the Road: Mass Effect 3
- Notch Announces Hot New Game: Mars Effect
- Tons of Google and other cool stuff!
Games Sales
- The Humble Android Bundle 2
- Trine 2
S**t we didn't write about but should probably mention
Results from last week's poll
What we've been playing
Also featuring:
- Mass Effect 3 control complaints
- We argue once again about Jake's hatred for wargaming
- Poop-powered cars
Theme song: Temperence by Matt McFarland
Reviews for the Road: TERA
I recently posted that I was going to participate in the fourth closed beta for the upcoming action-MMORPG TERA (The Exiled Realm of Arborea) by Bluehole Studio. After playing the game for far too many hours within the two days, I am ready to give my initial review on this highly anticipated new game.
I started by creating my first character. My chosen race was Aman, and after slighly customizing one of the many preset looks I was ready to choose my class. While I knew that this game was supposed to be more action-oriented, I was interested in how this style of gameplay would work with my favorite class to play in MMOs - the sorcerer.
After viewing a beautiful looking cutscene (whereafter several other shorter scenes occur along the main storyline) you appear on the clichéd noob island where you will obviously begin to kill multiple small animals as seen in the beginning of almost every other MMORPG to date. The quests in this game are definitely not unique. At least on the first island the only types of quests you will experience will be 'kill x of x' or 'collect x of x'. However, while doing these quests you will learn of the best part of this game - which is the action-oriented combat. At about level 12 you will be able to leave noob island and venture into the massive world of TERA.
The fighting in this game is better than any other MMO I have ever played - but it may not be for everyone. Using an always-present cross-hair in the center of the screen you can target enemies. Primary skills are used through the left and right mouse buttons, as well as the 0-9 number keys and function keys. In my example of the sorcerer class, I began with a fireball skill on my left mouse button and dodge on the right button. TERA's combat forces you to move around, and unlike other games in this genre you cannot eat Cheetos or drink Mountain Dew while fighting a tough enemy. Creatures that charge will severely injure you unless you dodge their attacks.
Due to the unique combat system, using skills is much different than other games. For example, when using my fireball skill I can simply hold down the left mouse button and I will continuously attack where my cross-hair is pointed. Many skills require you to be within a certain distance of your enemy, which is where dodging comes in very important. There is no selecting of enemies so you will have to aim all of your skills at your opponent or you may end up attacking the floor instead!
If story is what you are interested in games, TERA adds nothing special to the world of MMOs. For that there is always the 'single-player with other people walking around' The Old Republic and the co-operative story-driven Guild Wars series. The graphics in this game are sharper than almost any other, and as previously stated the cutscenes look incredible.
If you are looking for a new MMO to play, I wouldn't look much further than TERA. The gameplay, graphics, and the great community really set it apart. It has become the first subscription game to make me almost feel like paying a monthly fee - until I realized I was far too busy to commit enough time to get my money's worth - which is why I am so excited for Guild Wars 2. If you are interested in an alternative to other popular MMOs, and are willing to pay a monthly fee, this is the game for you. I give TERA a 75/100. I look forward to the day when it goes free-to-play as most MMOs will do very soon.TERA is scheduled for a North American release of May 1, 2012 and in Europe on May 3rd.
Notch Announces Hot New Game: Mars Effect
Earlier today, the creator of Minecraft - Notch - tweeted saying:
After several weeks of trying to come up with a good name for the game, we finally decided not to learn from previous experiences and pick a name that's already kind of in use by a huge existing franchise.While the game is still early in development, it features many elements not found in currently available games:
- Hard science fiction.
- Lots of engineering.
- A game ending that makes sense.
- And more!
Fans of possibly similar franchises will be happy to learn that one of the most requested features will be incorporated into this game.
© April 1 2012 Mojang
