Here’s my Shacknews preview of Twisted Metal. I had some hands-on time with the game and really enjoyed the hell out of it. Like Paul Walker, the game is fast and furious. Here’s a clip from the preview:
I was really impressed with Twisted Metal’s diversity in vehicles, multiplayer modes, and gameplay styles. The game offered visceral chaos and controlled frenzy. Most importantly, every mode I played was flat-out fun. While I’m definitely interested to see how the single-player mode is coming along, from the multiplayer sessions I recently enjoyed, Twisted Metal seems like it will be worth the wait.
Any of you interested in this game? The multiplayer looks like it’ll be killer.
Here are a bunch of screenshots for Insomniac Games’ upcoming Resistance 3. The game is looking great and I was treated to some multifaceted gameplay yesterday. I’ll have more thoughts on…
Here are a bunch of screenshots for Insomniac Games’ upcoming Resistance 3. The game is looking great and I was treated to some multifaceted gameplay yesterday. I’ll have more thoughts on that later, but please enjoy these screens for now.
Yesterday I caught a demo and got some hands-on time with Insomniac Games’ Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One. As a fan of the Ratchet & Clank series and cooperative gaming, I was really looking forward to this title. I definitely enjoyed my time with the game, but there were some elements that surprised me (in a good way). Let’s take a look!
All 4 One is a four-player cooperative affair starring Ratchet, Clank, Captain Qwark, and Dr. Nefarious. You can play alone, accompanied by character AI, but it’s much more fun playing with another player or three. Multiplayer can be done on the same console or online through PlayStation Network. Players are free to drop in and drop out of the game.
As expected, there are traditional platform elements that require players to work together to solve puzzles. I was pleasantly surprised to see driving and shooting portions that played up the cooperative aspect of the game. I wasn’t expecting that kind of diversity.
Another surprise was the amount of storytelling involved. I was expecting the game to focus entirely on multiplayer gameplay, with no storytelling at all. Honestly, I should have expected more from Insomniac — of course there’s story in the game! The events pick up after Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time. Ratchet and Clank are tired and want to retire. Qwark has become president (though he’s still a lovable idiot). Nefarious is plotting evil schemes. Naturally, they end up involved in a larger plot that requires the four of them to work together in order to survive and — wait for it — save the world! Sony showed off a bunch of cutscenes that revealed a bit of the game’s plot. They were full of the humor and charm you’d expect from Insomniac.
While the game requires cooperation, it also has competitive aspects. For example, there are boxes that can only be opened by two players. I had fun frantically racing to boxes in order to get a higher score than my companions. Some cooperative actions result in players getting a score multiplier. Not only will you be racing to get more collectibles, but you’ll be racing to work together too. The mix of cooperative and competitive gameplay was way fun in the brief time I had with the game.
My companions and I had to tackle environmental puzzles that required us to work together to advance. For example, some ledges or objects are too far to reach by jumping. To reach these areas, one player has to power up a vacuum gun and another has to jump into it. Once the player is shot over the chasm, the rest of us could swing over to him via tether lines. Of course there are the typical (and fun) Ratchet & Clank activities of running, jumping, and beating/shooting the crap out of enemies.
I got to play the game in stereoscopic 3D and “normal” 2D. I definitely preferred playing in 2D. 3D was novel for a minute or two, but after that it added more eyestrain than enjoyment. While the eyestrain was mildly annoying while I was playing, it felt like someone was jamming toothpicks into my eyes when I took the 3D glasses off. For me, 3D didn’t add enough to the experience to make the discomfort worthwhile. The game looked great in 2D…and didn’t leave me with the toothpick-jammed-in-they-eyes sensation. I think I’ll stick with that.
Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One looks like the super-fun game I imagined it to be when it was announced, but with more diversity and storytelling than I expected. I’m definitely going to pick it up when it’s released later this year. I hope some of you grab it as well. It would be awesome to play with you in an RPad.tv Invitational. If you have any questions about the game, please ask away in the comments section.
Here are a bunch of screenshots from the upcoming cooperative game Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One. I got to play it for a bit yesterday and really enjoyed it. A preview is coming soon. For now…
Here are a bunch of screenshots from the upcoming cooperative game Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One. I got to play it for a bit yesterday and really enjoyed it. A preview is coming soon. For now, please eat up these screens!
While it’s not quite as bone dry as last week, there aren’t a ton of interesting games out this week. I’m curious to see how Michael Jackson: The Experience sells. The King of Pop is gone (rest in peace), but his family is still around to exploit his name. I wonder if Michael’s millions of fans will pick this game up. PSP gamers have a nice sequel (that’s free of Jesus juice) to gobble up this week in Patapon 3.
Any of you guys and gals buying new games this week?
RPadholic camikitten sent me this (naughty?) screenshot of Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel. Based off of the screen and the text, what do you think is happening in the game?
Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, those winless Red Sox, Pia Toscano being voted off American Idol, or predicting the Barry Bonds trial, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
RPadholic camikitten sent me this screenshot of Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel. She also explained the context to me (though it’s still weird). I’m guessing that most of you aren’t familiar with the Ar tonelico series, so I wanted to have some fun with this screenshot’s earth shattering unintentional comedy.
Based off of the screen and the text, what do you think is happening in the game? Let’s try to keep it as clean as possible (please).
Mortal Kombat has gone gold and Warner Bros. Interactive sent out a bunch of celebratory screenshots. Check out Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Johnny Cage, and Mileena in action. (Is it me, or did Mileena’s boobs grow to Dead or Alive levels?) The game is out later this month and loads of game writers are loving it. The early buzz is that this will be Mortal Kombat’s return to glory.
Any of you interested in this game?!? Perhaps this would be a good choice for an RPad.tv Invitational Tournament. Please let me know.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment showed off Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters at WonderCon 2011. Here are the screens. There’s some cool stuff here. I love the one of Hal Jordan facing off against Thaal Sinestro. Naturally, Hal makes a construct shaped like a giant fist (where’s the giant boxing glove?!?). The manhunters look pretty menacing. Sadly, Hal’s costume looks like a rotting piece of salmon nigiri.
Check out the screens and let me know what you think (please)!
Sony Online Entertainment has released some free DC Universe Online DLC that includes Batman villain Two-Face and Superman baddie Mr. Mxyzptlk. Here’s the laundry list of details from SOE senior producer Wes Yanagi…
Sony Online Entertainment has released some free DC Universe Online DLC that includes Batman villain Two-Face and Superman baddie Mr. Mxyzptlk. Here’s the laundry list of details from SOE senior producer Wes Yanagi:
Two-Face
Two-Face Instance: Following Harvey Dent/Two-Face on a mission into The Penguin’s hideout, players will aim to take out his latest smuggling operation. The kicker? You don’t know if he will help or hinder your efforts – the chances are 50/50 and everything depends on the flip of a coin!
Legends PvP: Harvey Dent/Two-Face will be added as a playable character in Legends “Play as Iconic” Player vs Player mode.
New Attacks: Call in your own mob of goons to keep your opponent occupied as you unleash a suppressive bullet spray, oil drum trap or grenade launcher.
Flip-of-the-Coin Abilities: Switch powers based on which side the coin lands: the Two-Face side deals more damage and DoT attacks and the Harvey Dent side gives more control, knockdowns and stuns.
Seasonal Content
Mister Mxyzptlk: Experience Metropolis transformed by the presence of Mister Mxyzptlk and his fellow 5th dimensional supervillain tricksters.
Multi Player Race: Players can assume the guise of a 5th Dimensional Denizen and play tricks on fellow races over the skies of Metropolis.
New Gold Collections: New encounters with 5th Dimensional Denizens dressed as Leprechauns guarding a Pot Of Gold that players will need to find and collect coins from while the leprechauns try to stop them in various amusing ways.
Additional Updates
Batcave 3 Raid: Level 30 players are brought face-to-face with The Dark Knight himself. Unfortunately, he’s been infected with a virus and has teamed up with the all-powerful Brainiac’s Avatar of Technology.
I’m planning to hop back into DCUO shortly and I’m really looking forward to encountering Two-Face. He’s one of my favorite Batman villains (just ignore Tommy Lee Jones’ horrible version). Hopefully some of you will join me. The only thing that could stop us is my iPad 2. (Playing games on a new gadget is more powerful than a batarang.)
In a sad bit of news, Capcom has cancelled Mega Man Universe. A couple of you showed interest in the game. I was intrigued too. I was really looking forward to the blend of classic Mega Man gameplay and creative user-made levels. I was thinking that Mega Man Universe would feel like a more familiar version of the excellent LittleBigPlanet. Sadly, a potentially cool game has been killed.
Any of you disappointed by Mega Man Universe’s demise?
