The puzzle genre has come a long way since the humble beginnings of Tetris. There have been many attempts to reinvent the genre since then and the latest one comes in the form of Tumblestone.
Review: Batman The Telltale Series Episode 2 ‘Children of Arkham’
I was really impressed with the opening episode to Telltale’s Batman series. Realm of Shadows was a strong first episode for me as it very much a different Batman story unfolding with the focus on the man under the cowl and the decisions he has to make both as Gotham’s dark knight but also as Bruce Wayne and how the public sees him. The juggling of player choices to keep both sides of the same man able to coexist was a refreshing take on the Batman story. Now Episode 2 looks to pick up from the climatic events of that episode and to see if and how my choices for both Bruce Wayne and Batman would impact the next chapter.
Children of Arkham opens with the fallout from the player’s choices and actions from episode 1. For me that meant having Falcone in police custody after choosing to let Batman hand him over to the GCPD and with Jim Gordon in possession of all the evidence needed to put him behind bars for a long time. But for Bruce Wayne a much darker mystery has begun to unfold as the Wayne family secrets start to unravel leaving Bruce questioning and doubting his mission to protect Gotham in their name, for his promise of “no one else”. Could his parents really be guilty of not only working with the criminal elite of Gotham to control the city and if so, what does that mean for Bruce and his crusade?
The strength of Batman: The Telltale series for me as a player and as a Batman fan is in the focus on the man himself, the choices and sacrifices he has to make not only as Batman but as Bruce Wayne to fulfil his promise to his parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne. But with the intriguing twist that his parents were potentially corrupt and profited from working alongside criminals like Falcone, getting to see how this affects Bruce is captivating. Episode 2 immediately focuses on this as Bruce Wayne is given the opportunity to talk to Falcone, now in hospital care and under GCPD protection, to find out more about his parents secret life.
The power of player choice in not only shaping events in the story but also in developing the kind of character Bruce Wayne will be is tremendously satisfying from a story telling point. After the exchange between Bruce and Falcone at Wayne Manor in Episode 1, how you deal with Falcone now will determine how much information you can get from him and Telltale really gives the player the freedom to explore Bruce’s emotional state here. Do you deal with Falcone in an angry and aggressive way or calmly and almost passive manner? To have this opportunity to react to what Bruce is learning about his parents is again a refreshing aspect to this re-imagining of the Batman story itself.
Players will also have the chance to further the relationship with Selina Kyle, now fully in the knowledge that Selina is Catwoman and who knows the truth that Bruce Wayne is Batman. As someone caught up in the events unfolding around him, she is a potential ally but also very much as fans will know an attractive love interest for Bruce. Episode 2 will teasingly give opportunity for the player to expand and further this relationship and has a really fun set piece event that for me really defines Bruce and Selina’s relationship both in the game and overall showing Telltale really understand the source material.
Children of Arkham is a strong second episode for this series, it has plenty of character development for the key names and adds more intrigue to the story at such an early stage. How the player chooses to have Bruce react to events around him including uncovering more about his parents role in the darker side of Gotham drives the narrative but at the same time provides enough opportunity to put on the Batsuit and be Batman. There is a solid balance between time spent as Bruce Wayne and as Batman with the story flowing nicely for both story-lines and the two worlds of Bruce Wayne begin to blend into each other.
I am really enjoying seeing how the side characters of Harvey Dent, Jim Gordon and Vicki Vale all begin to react to player choices as Bruce and Batman just as the plot and villains start to take shape in the shadows as Oswald Cobblepot morphs into Penguin and the Wayne Family conspiracy continues to underline everything going on in Gotham. This series continues to impress me with the little details and the large set pieces that genuinely feel as though they are being shaped by my decisions. Some choices tease a particular outcome only to have me immediately begin to second guess the path I picked.
Two episodes in and I am really engaged in Batman: The Telltale series and its story. For fans of DC Comics and Batman, Telltale really have done a great job of creating their own Batman universe and crafting the characters within in their own way and retaining the key aspects of a Telltale game that work well to give a new refreshing take on how you can deliver a Batman game and experience.
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition the journey begins today on Xbox One and PS4
The Chinese Room’s breathtaking narrative adventure Dear Esther lands on consoles for the first time today, in the form of a stunning Landmark Edition.
Available now with a limited-time discount of 20 per cent off the SRP of £7.99 / €9.99 / $9.99, Dear Esther: Landmark Edition gives PlayStation 4 and Xbox One owners the opportunity to experience the game which defined a genre.
Dear Esther is a narrative adventure that takes place on an uninhabited Hebridean island, upon which a lone man must piece together the chain of events which lead to his wife’s death. Widely acclaimed upon its original release on PC in 2012, it is a game unlike any other; a visual and aural experience which has rarely been bettered.
The Landmark Edition introduces a brand new commentary which reunited the original team of Jessica Curry, Rob Briscoe and Dan Pinchbeck for the first time in years, to play through and comment on the game, its legacy and offer unique insight into the creation of this incredible game.
In addition to the commentary – which can be enjoyed right from the start, if you prefer – the Landmark Edition also boasts some additional tweaks not seen in the current PC release, including additional accessibility options. In addition, the Landmark Edition introduces respectful trophies and achievements. The PlayStation 4 version is also bundled with a gorgeous dynamic theme.
“Dear Esther has been with us for eight years now, but our passion remains undiminished – and we are as excited about it now as we were the first time,” says Dan Pinchbeck, The Chinese Room. “This Landmark Edition is the culmination of the work of an extraordinary team of individuals and we’re excited to see how console players will respond.”
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition is available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One today, priced £6.39 / €7.99 / $7.99 for a limited time. The Landmark Edition additions and enhancements will be made available to existing PC owners as a free update at a later date.
New LEGO Dimensions expansion packs announced for The LEGO Batman Movie and Knight Rider
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today revealed details around three highly collectable expansion packs for LEGO Dimensions, that will be available on 10th February, 2017.
The LEGO Batman Movie Story Pack, Excalibur Batman Fun Pack and Knight Rider Fun Pack will broaden the selection of the world’s most popular entertainment brands allowing players to customise their experience by mixing and matching favourite characters and universes with full compatibility.
Coinciding with the release of the upcoming film on which it’s based, The LEGO Batman Movie Story Pack, will provide a deep, story-driven gameplay experience with iconic DC characters in six puzzle-packed levels and new LEGO Gateway bricks that allow players to build the Bat-Computer atop the LEGO Toy Pad.
The pack comes with buildable Batgirl and Robin minifigures and the 3-in-1 buildable Batwing which can be rebuilt into The Black Thunder and Bat-Tank. Gamers can play the complete movie and band together with Batgirl and Robin to fight off the Joker and his team of villains. Batgirl’s batarang, glide and stealth abilities can reach areas with high security access and Robin’s agility and dive skills provide sneak access.
Players can also transform Robin into the Nightwing, utilise his vine cut, and deflect moves for more crime-fighting adventures. Batgirl and Robin provide access to the new The LEGO Batman Movie Adventure World with its own unique Battle Arena with competitive split-screen local gameplay for up to four players.
Batman fans can broaden their LEGO Dimensions gameplay with Excalibur Batmanfrom The LEGO Batman Movie. The Fun Pack comes with a buildable Batman minifigure and a 3-in-1 buildable Bionic Steed which can be rebuilt into the Bat-Raptor and Ultrabat for additional in-game abilities. Players can use Batman’s Master Builder and Sword Switching abilities to solve puzzles and take down enemies. Batman also provides access to The LEGO Batman Movie Adventure World and Battle Arena.
Michael Knight and K.I.T.T. from the classic 80s TV series, Knight Rider, are also coming to LEGO Dimensions. Players can add the iconic duo with the Knight RiderFun Pack featuring a buildable Michael Knight minifigure, and a rebuildable 3-in-1 K.I.T.T., that can be rebuilt into the K.I.T.T. Jet and Goliath Armoured Semi for upgraded in-game powers.
In the game, players can activate Michael Knight’s dodging and dash abilities to solve puzzles and overpower enemies or use his Wrist Watch to uncover secrets behind x-ray walls and outsmart enemies by hacking into terminals and following trails. Players can also fight crime on four wheels with K.I.T.T., the highly advanced, artificially intelligent robotic vehicle, to boost their gameplay. Michael Knight provides access to a new Knight Rider Adventure World with its own unique Battle Arena.
The Ghostbusters Story Pack, Adventure Time and Mission: Impossible Level Packs, Harry Potter and Adventure Time Team Packs, and The A-Team Fun Pack will be available on 30th September and the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Story Pack, Sonic The Hedgehog Level Pack, Gremlins Team Pack, and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Adventure Time Fun Packs will be available on 18th November.
City of the Shroud coming to EGX this week
City of the Shroud, the beautiful tactical RPG written by a chart-topping author Moira Katson has been Kickstarted and Greenlit and now Brighton-based studio – Abyssal Arts – will launch pre-order at this week’s EGX.
Come play the game and let highly engaging developer Keaton White explain why City of the Shroud will kick the genre’s a*se – with its community-driven narrative, real time tactical combat, and online versus mode – when it launches on PC in Q1 2017.
Keaton will be demoing City of the Shroud throughout this week’s EGX, Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th September at the NEC, Birmingham.
The LEGO Batman Movie new poster revealed
Are you ready to get your Lego bricks out, after the global hit The LEGO Movie, Warner Bros.
Pictures is set to release its much-anticipated new animated feature The LEGO Batman Movie in cinemas worldwide beginning 10th February, 2017.
New cloud gaming service called Playkey launches in the UK
With gaming as we know it is about to change, as an exciting and new cloud gaming service, Playkey, launches today in the UK. Turning gaming on its head, Playkey provides PC gamers with the technology they need to play the blockbuster titles they adore, but with the hardware they can all afford.
How? Well, Playkey delivers top quality video streaming through powerful gaming servers, allowing millions of PC owners across the UK to play the best-selling games on virtually any PC, Mac or laptop.
Whether you choose to explore the many kingdoms and cities as the witcher Geralt in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, or play as the Sole Survivor in Fallout 4, there is a game to suit the tastes of both MMO and hard-core gamers. With over 20 triple-A titles currently available and the site being updated each month, Playkey subscribers will be spoilt for choice.
Playkey is at the forefront of cloud gaming technology, utilising technology almost similar to services such as Gaikai. It provides players with digital download model and a cloud PC rent to suit their gaming needs and once registered you receive access to a handful of free-to-download games and can purchase the latest chart-topping games at retail price.
With subscriptions starting from £0.90 for 1 hour and £9 for 1 month of access, Playkey is the only service which offers a solution to launch games straight after their official PC-release. Furthermore, games previously owned can also be launched on Playkey, if the game is already available on the service.
Egor Gurjev, CEO at Playkey, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be launching Playkey in the UK and our goal is to bring high-quality gaming to everyone, not just those with high-specification PCs. The gaming industry is constantly evolving and growing. We want to provide gaming fans the games they love, without the worry of their technology letting them down.”
A launch demo period is currently available for free and all games are available “as is” with all of their specific features, including multiplayer, social features and achievements.
Playkey is available for Windows and MacOS and for more information visit www.playkey.net.
Trailer for ‘BATMAN – The Telltale Series – Episode 2: Children of Arkham’
It been revealed that the gripping new trailer for BATMAN – The Telltale Series – Episode 2: Children of Arkham.
With Gotham City’s first family mired in corruption, and an old friend now a dangerous adversary, the life of the Dark Knight is turned upside down. What was Thomas Wayne entangled in, and why was he killed? Determined to learn the truth about his father, Bruce sets out to question those involved in Gotham’s criminal past. But which mask will he wear – The billionaire, or the bat? Huge decisions will forever change the Batman and the lives of those around him, as he meets the Children of Arkham.
The second of five episodes in the season, Episode 2: ‘Children of Arkham’ will be available digitally worldwide starting Tuesday September 20th on PC from the Telltale Online Store, Steam, and other digital distribution services, on the PlayStation Network for PlayStation 4, and on the Xbox Games Store for Xbox One.
Release dates for additional platforms will be announced later in September.
The series is also available to purchase at retailers in North America now as a special Season Pass Disc, which includes the first of five episodes in the season, and will grant access to the subsequent four episodes as they become available for download via online updates. The series will also be available to purchase at retailers across Europe on September 16th.
Rendered to look like a living, breathing comic book, Telltale’s vision of Batman features an award-winning cast of talent, including Troy Baker in the role of Bruce Wayne, Travis Willingham as Harvey Dent, Erin Yvette as Vicki Vale, Enn Reitel as Alfred Pennyworth, Murphy Guyer as Lieutenant James Gordon, Richard McGonagle as Carmine Falcone, Jason Spisak as Oswald Cobblepot, and Laura Bailey as Selina Kyle. Additional cast and characters will be revealed as the season progresses.
PLAY Expo Manchester Announces Machinima as Official Streaming Partner
PLAY Expo Manchester, the largest video game expo in the North of England, has announced today that Machinima, the hugely popular online video platform, will serve as the official streaming partner for the two-day gaming event, taking place at EventCity, Manchester, October 8th and 9th 2016.
As the official streaming partner for PLAY Expo Manchester, Machinima will be broadcasting from their custom streaming lounge on the expo floor. With their trademark blend of anarchy and humour, Machinima will present a constant stream of content including gaming industry interviewers, celebrity appearances, coverage of the expo floor, cosplay guests and surprises galore! Viewers can expect the unexpected and are promised a weekend of gaming programming like no other!
Cultivator of fandom and gamer culture, Machinima, creates, curates and celebrates the best gamer content across multiple video platforms. As one of the largest online video platforms in the world, Machinima programs to a community passionate about video games, animation, movies, TV, and the other endless forms of pop culture, reaching over 151 million viewers each month.
“PLAY Expo continues to grow in scope and ambition, we’re certain it’s going to be our biggest event ever, and we are so excited to be welcoming world-famous Machinima to PLAY Expo as our official streaming partners,” said Andy Brown, Director for Replay Events. “Real gamers know that Machinima is in a league of its own and we’re certain that they’ll do justice to PLAY Expo with a constant stream of compelling content. With many more big-name publishers and special events still to announce, we have no doubt Machinima will have their work cut out to cover it all!”
Daniel Routledge, CEO for MachinimaSBOC Ltd said, “MachinimaSBOC are proud to be an official partner of PLAY Expo Manchester 2016. We’ll be live streaming from the two-day event on YouTube Gaming, Twitch, Periscope and Facebook Live showcasing some great current and retro games, interviews, competitions and our trademark wrongness and quirky entertainment on the 8th-9th October.”
Returning for its fifth year, PLAY Expo Manchester is a highly popular two-day video game event, ideal for all the family and offering visitors an unrivalled experience with features, tournaments, exhibitors, industry guests, panels and so much more. Celebrating gaming and popular culture, the expo uniquely caters for casual fans and dedicated gamers alike and promises to be an event not to be missed.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Story Trailer
Today, Activision and Infinity Ward released a brand new story trailer gives fans a glimpse into the narrative featured in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare’s rich story campaign. With the new game returns to the roots of the series for a classic war story that, for the first time in franchise history, extends beyond the reaches of Earth into the vast expanse of our solar system.
The trailer also features the first in-game footage of actor Kit Harington, who plays Admiral Salen Kotch of the Settlement Defense Front, and UFC fighter Conor McGregor, who plays Captain Bradley Fillion of the Settlement Defense Front.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUCCFDe8IoI&feature=youtu.be
Fans can pre-order the game to get access to the Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Multiplayer Beta that begins 14th October, first on PlayStation 4.
Review: Call of Duty Black Ops III: Salvation DLC
As the hype for the next Call of Duty game(s) rises, it’s no coincidence that the player base for Black Ops 3 slowly dwindles. The fourth and final DLC, Salvation, hopes to bring back a few fans with their swan song. Four multiplayer maps, and the rumoured final zombies episode of the saga is on offer here. Can it end on a high, or will its name succumb to irony?
Citadel came up first during my play time; setting the overall tone of the map pack at a level of surprise. Despite its abandoned castle atmosphere ordinarily being more suited to something out of an Elder Scrolls dungeon or an old Quake map, it works surprisingly well. The gloomy greens help offset its gothic self from the other available maps too. The drawbridge, alongside some long hallways, help cater for the snipers and long range engagements, whilst the many claustrophobic areas let your inner madman run free.
Micro, in terms of looks, is probably the complete polar opposite. Its ‘wacky’ micro machines-esque design will inevitably split opinions. On the one hand, its bright palette helps revitalise colour into the shooting genre, whereas on the other, it comes across a little too cringe-worthy for me. Either way, we’ve certainly come a long way from the warzones featured in the past games. As much as I’m not exactly a fan of battling through pizza boxes and cups, the map does play well. A few crafty wall run spots are placed about too, helping you get the jump on ‘that guy’ who’s pushing the spawns a little too hard.
Rupture is the first of two remade maps in Salvation, and is probably the weakest map available. Remember the World at War maps with pilotable tanks? Well this is a reimagining of probably the most popular one, ‘Outskirts’, complete with vehicles. The map itself can be great fun to play on, its colourful and futuristic design is reminiscent of some of Black Ops 2’s greats, yet the ‘mechs’ are in all honesty, a tad disappointing. Thankfully they’re not particularly overpowering at least, and you do have to exit them in order to capture domination points etc. The climb to the top of the fabled tower takes a little less time nowadays too, meaning you’ll often contend with a pesky sniper up there, despite them not often lasting long uncontested.
Outlaw rounds off the multiplayer maps by bringing back an old classic, and many peoples favourite from Black Ops 2, ‘Standoff’. Remade in an ol’ Western theme, the four year old map holds well with the new movement system. Experienced players will remember the over-watching sniper spots and steer rightfully clear, and I’m sure many like myself, will be glad there’s no ‘target finder LMG’s’ in the game. Working well no matter the game type, its medium size caters to all manner of players too.
Revelations, the eagerly awaited conclusion to the zombies storyline that’s spanned over four games, and across two generations of consoles. It’s difficult to go over the map for inevitable spoiler reasons, but I will say that if you’ve played a lot of zombies in your time, you’re in for a serious influx of memories. To just sit and play the map afresh would perhaps do it an injustice; the amount of fan service to the dedicated followers is simply fantastic. Of course it goes without saying that there are the usual easter eggs, wonder weapons and a general plethora of secrets to discover too, once you can overcome the nostalgic factor that is…
Salvation is probably a fitting end for the Black Ops 3 DLC cycle, it seems Treyarch have thrown caution to the wind and let their creativity run free. The two map remakes are both iconic and synonymous with some of their best work; even if Rupture didn’t quite live up to my expectations, it can still be a blast to play. Citadel and Micro feature looks that are usually so far removed from the genre, that they’re completely unexpected. And despite my personal feelings towards the visuals of Micro, it’s once again, a fun map no matter the game mode. Revelations is such a trip of a nostalgia and reminiscence that it’s almost worth the fee alone; zombies fans will certainly enjoy the trip. Once again, the lack of any weapons or specialists included in the pack does sting a little; especially considering the amount of money you’ve already committed to what is a yearly release. Aside from that though, Salvation is easily one of Black Ops 3’s best DLC packs.
Skylanders Imaginators – introducing Air Strike
Activision today unveiled a brand new Sensei from Skylanders Imaginators today – Air Strike!
Before he began training Brawlers, Air Strike trained birds – especially the rare Blue Zephyr Falcons. They were once one of Skylands’ most endangered species, but Air Strike taught them how to defend themselves from predators… and not fly into windows. Birds would come from all over Skylands to learn his proven techniques. But despite their new defensive skills, the Blue Zephyr Falcons continued to be hunted by a band of evil trolls, who liked to use their eggs in blue-bacon omelettes. So it was time for Air Strike to strike back!
He journeyed to the peak of the Zephyr Mountain and single handedly took down the trolls, rescuing the stolen eggs. After returning them to their mother, one of the eggs hatched, revealing a very energetic Falcon that would not leave his side. Air Strike named him “Birdie” – and together, they now use their skills to train Skylanders, despite Master Eon’s crippling fear of falcons.
And here is around 6 minutes of brand new gameplay featuring Air Strike:
Are you excited for Skylanders Imaginators?
PAYDAY 2: Crimewave Edition Now Available on Xbox One
Xbox One console heisters can now mask up and break out the thermal drills as 505 Games and Starbreeze AB revealed that ‘The Big Score’ bundle for PAYDAY 2: Crimewave Edition is now available for purchase on Xbox One via the Microsoft Store. The Big Score brings a substantial and long-awaited payout of 10 premium DLC for heisters seeking new experiences in their larcenous adventures, at a discount so players don’t have to break the bank in order to break-into the bank.
In addition, all players who own PAYDAY 2: Crimewave Edition will receive a free update that brings more than 20 free content updates which includes items like the First World Bank Heist, the Overkill Pack, the Jacket Character Pack, and much more.
PAYDAY 2: Crimewave Edition gives gamers the tense thrill of planning and pulling off heists as up to four players must work together to complete a number of illegal, strategic and action-heavy jobs, including robbing banks, for their big pay day. As missions are completed, players can change up their playstyle with upgrades to their skillset, guns and gear – all in stunning 1080p HD visuals.
The Big Score release for PAYDAY 2: Crimewave Edition offers players a flexible selection of 10 premium DLC packs that can be purchased separately for between $4.99 and $6.99 per pack. Players can also purchase all 10 packs together for $39.99 – a 30% savings for thrifty heisters. The Big Score packs include:
- The Pointbreak Heists – $6.99
- The Alesso Heist – $6.99
- The Golden Grin Casino Heist – $6.99
- The Sokol Character Pack – $4.99
- The Yakuza Character Pack – $4.99
- Butcher’s AK/CAR Mod Pack – $4.99
- Butcher’s BBQ Pack – $4.99
- Butcher’s Western Pack – $4.99
- The Gage Ninja Pack – $4.99
- Gage Chivalry Pack – $4.99
PAYDAY 2: Crimewave Edition is also available for purchase on the Microsoft Store for $19.99. In addition to having the option to bundle the game with The Big Score DLC bundle for $49.99, new players can also look forward to the retail version of PAYDAY 2 – The Big Score in Fall 2016. The retail version contains the base game, The Big Score DLC bundle and the Royalty Collection of masks for heisters wanting a more regal look while on the job.
PAYDAY 2: The Big Score is available via digital download now on the Microsoft Store for Xbox One for $39.99. Players can also bundle PAYDAY 2: Crimewave Edition with the bundle for $49.99 and look forward to the retail version in Fall 2016 for $49.99 as well.
NCIS: Hidden Crimes out now for iOS and Android
Ubisoft Abu Dhabi in conjunction with CBS Interactive, NCIS: Hidden Crimes takes players on thrilling investigations to unmask a secret conspiracy in the free-to-play adventure/puzzle game released today worldwide for iOS and Android devices.
Join Gibbs, Abby and the rest of the NCIS team as a secret agent solving crimes of murder and espionage with ties to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. In this thrilling investigative game, players search for clues in captivating scenes, reveal the suspects, make the arrest and put away the criminals.
NCIS: Hidden Crimes is faithful to the NCIS universe and features a strong narrative arc with unique and original scenarios and gameplay features that include six different investigative modes, nine mini-games and additional surprise actions. The game comes to life as players are drawn into stunning animated settings with lively characters and avatars, rich gameplay, engaging social features and challenging goals to complete – all set in a dynamic, living environment with high quality graphics.
“We are extremely proud of this game, which will bring fans closer to the series as they solve parallel, light-hearted cases, peppered with a healthy dose of entertaining NCIS team dynamics,” said Alexia Brumé, International Brand Manager on the title. “We tried something new with the IP and extended the content to include aspects of adventure and puzzle games combined with investigative features set in a rich graphical environment. This is a style that we believe will appeal to NCIS fans of all ages and demographics around the world.” Added Yannick Theler, Managing Director at Ubisoft Abu Dhabi.
NCIS: Hidden Crimes is now available as a free download for universal iOS devices in the App Store and for Android smartphones and tablets in the Google Play store. The game will be available worldwide in the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Traditional Chinese.