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Xmas Toy Ideas : Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic Collection Action Figures

News
Toys

Andrew Edney

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Nov 13, 2015

If you are looking for some toy ideas for Christmas, why not take a look at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic Collection.

The Classic Collection Action Figures reflect the look of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the 80’s TV show. Each Turtle stands 6″ tall, features 34 points of articulation. These perfect, old-school cartoon recreations will leave you screaming: Cowabunga.

Inspired by the original 1988 TMNT animated series, each collector-quality figure featuring 34 points of articulation, includes signature weapons and comes on a personalised man hole cover base.

Leo, Donnie, Raph and Mikey are mutant turtles who have been trained in the art of ninjutsu by their rat sensei, Master Splinter. Emerging from their sewer lair, the reptile brothers confront the world of New York City, facing villains more dangerous and pizza more delicious than anything they could have imagined! Help the turtles battle with Shredder, the Kraang and loads of super-powerful mutants, and learn your Ninja skills today! Turtle Power!

These collectable action figures retail for around £10 and with the new movie coming out next year they are bound to be quite popular.

Nintendo titles announced for 2015/16 for Wii U and 3DS

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 12, 2015

0

Nintendo debuted a new Nintendo Direct presentation today, revealing details about several new and upcoming Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games.

Some of the exciting news included the reveal that iconic video game character Cloud from FINAL FANTASY VII will be added as a playable DLC fighter in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Other notable announcements included the reveal of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD for the Wii U console, and news that the Pokémon games that started it all – Pokémon Red Version, Pokémon Blue Version and Pokémon Yellow Version – will launch with wireless communication functionality on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS family systems on February 27th.

Some of the highlights revealed in the presentation include:

Wii U and Nintendo 3DS

A New Challenger Approaches!: Cloud Strife – the legendary protagonist from the classic RPG game FINAL FANTASY VII – will enter the battlefield as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in the future. Additionally, a special broadcast – the last one for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS – will be released in December. More information is available at http://www.smashbros.com/en-uk/dlc
Animal Crossing Series amiibo: Resetti, Blathers, Celeste and Kicks join the ranks in early 2016.

Wii U

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD: Originally released for Wii and Nintendo GameCube systems in 2006, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is a visually-remastered remake of The Legend of Zelda series. The new game launches on 4^th March in a bundle with a detailed new amiibo figure modelled after the Wolf Link and Midna characters in the game, plus an official soundtrack. The game will also be compatible with five other The Legend of Zelda amiibo from the Super Smash Bros. Collection.
The Legend of Zelda for Wii U (name not final): Next year marks the 30^th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series. And with that comes The Legend of Zelda for Wii U, the next entry in the legendary series. During the Nintendo Direct presentation, it was revealed that certain saved data from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD on the Wolf Link amiibo can be carried over to this new game. To help ease the wait somewhat, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks have been released on Wii U Virtual Console shortly after the presentation. Until November 19^th, players who buy one of these two for € 9,99 (£8.99 in the UK) will get 50% off the other if purchased on the same Wii U.
Pokkén Tournament: A collaboration between The Pokémon Company and BANDAI Namco Entertainment, Pokkén Tournament is a new fighting game that lets players use their favourite Pokémon characters to battle it out in fighting arenas. Fans who purchase a first-run version of the game at retail will receive a limited-edition Shadow Mewtwo amiibo card that immediately unlocks the character in the game after tapping it to the GamePad. Pokkén Tournament launches in spring 2016.

Star Fox Zero: It’s a new beginning for the Star Fox series, with a unique control scheme that uses both the TV screen and the screen on the GamePad, players pilot multiple vehicles through intergalactic levels with Fox and his classic crew in Star Fox Zero. The game launches exclusively for Wii U in April 2016.

Splatoon: On 13^th November a free software update adds over 40 pieces of new gear including more winter items, while a new stage called Museum d’Alfonsino will become available on 14^th November. Further stages and features will be added in future updates through January.

Super Mario Maker: In December, a new web portal that can be accessed anytime, anywhere will offer a more detailed search function to find and filter levels on the go, register them to your “Play Later” list and then have them ready to play when you get home!

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Massive RPG Xenoblade Chronicles X launches exclusively for Wii U on 4^th December, and Nintendo Direct viewers were treated to some unforgettable scenes directly from Planet Mira.

FAST Racing Neo from Shin’en (Wii U): It’s almost here! The high-octane racing game with up to four-player local multiplayer and up to eight-player online multiplayer, launches exclusively in the Nintendo eShop on Wii U in December.

Typoman from Brainseed Factory and Headup Games: Using the GamePad in a unique way, in Typoman players set out on an adventure to explore the incredible power of words, how they can be used to survive the environmental hazards and overcome vicious enemies. The game launches exclusively on Nintendo eShop on Wii U on 19^th November

Nintendo 3DS

Pokémon on Virtual Console: The original Pokémon games that started it all – Pokémon Red Version, Pokémon Blue Version and Pokémon Yellow Version – are coming to Nintendo 3DS on February 27^th, the same day that the original games first released in Japan in 1996. Using the wireless communication on Nintendo 3DS family systems, players can trade Pokémon with other players.

Hyrule Warriors: Legends: Take the epic Hyrule Warriors experience on the go! Hyrule Warriors: Legends offers players the entire Hyrule Warriors game on Nintendo 3DS, but with even more content! This time, Tetra, Toon Link and the King of Hyrule from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker join the Skull Kid from The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask on the battlefield. In addition, new character Linkle, a girl who lives in a small village filled with Cuccos and wields two crossbows, joins the large cast of playable characters. Players will be able to command multiple characters on the battlefield for strategic moves and immediately switch between any of them to be in the thick of battle at all times. Hyrule Warriors: Legends launches also as part of a Limited Edition bundle including a Compass watch and the game on 25^th March.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros.: The hilarious Mario & Luigi series meets the charming Paper Mario series in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros., launching on December 4th. Using compatible amiibo, players can create a corresponding character card in the game, which have powerful effects during battle.
Fire Emblem Fates: There are multiple adventures waiting to be experienced in Fire Emblem Fates in 2016. By purchasing one of the two main games – Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright or Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest – either at retail or on Nintendo eShop, players choose to embark on a unique quest with a different story and different experiences. After purchasing one game, the downloadable version of the other is available at a reduced price via an in-game purchase. There will even be a third downloadable version, Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation, which will reveal some secrets about the story that will affect the way you think about the other paths. For fans of the series, a special edition will be available that includes all three games, plus an artbook.
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes: New free DLC is coming on 3^rd December, adding Linebeck’s Uniform and Fierce Deity Mail outfits, each with unique powers, and the new Den of Trials with more than 30 stages to conquer. The upcoming software update also makes it more convenient to get Friendly Tokens by purchasing them from the Street Merchant once the princess’s curse has been lifted. Additionally two adjustments will ensure a more comfortable online experience: by answering a question before matchmaking, you will be matched with other players who gave similar answers, plus players who leave a game in progress through the Pause menu can be added to the blacklist.
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon: Players can become one of 20 Pokémon in Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, launching on February 19^th. With turn-based battles and ever-changing dungeons, players can encounter every single known Pokémon in the game – all 720 of them!
Nintendo Badge Arcade: Freshly available on Nintendo eShop shortly after the presentation, Nintendo Badge Arcade is a free-to-download game that lets players control a variety of badge catcher machines to earn badges from popular titles used to customise their Nintendo 3DS HOME Menus. Players can purchase plays using Nintendo eShop funds or enjoy 5 free practice plays per day in which with a bit of luck free plays can be won.
DRAGON QUEST: The line-up of RPGs on Nintendo 3DS continues to grow with classic games DRAGON QUEST VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past and DRAGON QUEST VIII: Journey of the Cursed King. Both remastered titles are coming in 2016.
Pokémon Picross: The popular Picross series meets the lovable world of Pokémon when free-to-start game Pokémon Picross launches exclusively in the Nintendo eShop in early December.

Bravely Second: End Layer from Square Enix, Inc.: The successor to the cherished Bravely Default arrives in Q1 2016, also as part of a Deluxe Collector’s Edition including an Original Soundtrack CD, Agnès Mini Figurine (not Amiibo figure) and a Deluxe Artbook of around 250 pages.
FINAL FANTASY EXPLORERS from Square Enix, Inc.: In the first FINAL FANTASY action-RPG on Nintendo 3DS, journey to an island filled with mystical crystals. Up to four players can connect in local or online multiplayer and team up, assigning allies 4 different combat roles. More than 20 jobs can be learned, each with its own set of special skills. At launch on 29^th January, it will include all the DLC that was previously released in Japan. The game will also be available as part of a Collector’s Edition that includes an artbook, a 20-track CD sampler, a Nintendo 3DS case and exclusive quests that unlock legendary FINAL FANTASY weapons.

Mega Man Legacy Collection from Capcom: Capcom’s iconic Blue Bomber has been a classic part of Nintendo history since the NES days. Mega Man Legacy Collection launches on Nintendo eShop on February 23rd and features faithful reproductions of the first six NES Mega Man games (Mega Man 1–6), plus new ways to experience these classics with Challenge Mode’s remix stages and Museum Mode’s repository of original production art.

SteamWorld Heist from Image & Form: For a limited time, players that purchase side-scrolling, turn-based strategy shooter SteamWorld Heist in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS when it launches in December will receive an exclusive Nintendo 3DS HOME Menu theme.

Life is Strange boxed limited edition due for release Jan

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 12, 2015

0

Life is Strange boxed limited edition due for release Jan

Following the release of the final episode of LIFE IS STRANGE, has announce that will be getting a boxed Limited Edition release on January 19^th 2016 in the US and January 22^nd 2016 in PAL territories.

“The response to Life is Strange really has blown us away,” explained Luc Baghadoust, producer at DONTNOD Entertainment, “to be able to share that experience with our fans in a traditional boxed format is something we’re really excited about and the decision to include the extra items for the Limited Edition is a direct response to fan requests.”

The Limited Edition includes a directors’ commentary, a physical 32-page art book, and 14 licensed tracks from the game’s official soundtrack as well as 8 tracks from the game’s composer Jonathan Morali. A full list of included tracks can be found below:

1.     Syd Matters – ‘To All Of You’
2.     José González – ‘Crosses’
3.     Angus & Julia Stone – ‘Santa Monica Dream’
4.     Sparklehorse – ‘Piano Fire’
5.     alt-J – ‘Something Good’
6.     Local Natives – ‘Mt. Washington’
7.     Bright Eyes ‘Lua’
8.     Mogwai – ‘Kids Will Be Skeletons’
9.     Amanda Palmer – ‘In My Mind’ (feat. Brian Viglione)
10. Message To Bears ‘Mountains’
11. Breton – ‘Got Well Soon’
12. Mud Flow – ‘The Sense of Me’
13. Foals – ‘Spanish Sahara’
14. Syd Matters – ‘Obstacles’

Original Score by Jonathan Morali
15. Jonathan Morali – ‘Golden Hour’
16. Jonathan Morali – ‘The Storm’
17. Jonathan Morali – ‘Blackwell Academy’
18. Jonathan Morali – ‘Kate’
19. Jonathan Morali – ‘Timeless’
20. Jonathan Morali – ‘Timelines’
21. Jonathan Morali – ‘Night Walk’
22. Jonathan Morali – ‘Max & Chloe’

LIFE IS STRANGE follows the story of Max Caulfield, a photography senior who discovers she can rewind time while saving her best friend Chloe Price. The pair soon finds themselves investigating the mysterious disappearance of fellow student Rachel Amber, uncovering a dark side to life in Arcadia Bay. Meanwhile, Max must quickly learn that changing the past can sometimes lead to a devastating future.

Star Wars The Force Awakens IMAX poster revealed

Chris Hare

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Nov 12, 2015

0

Star Wars The Force Awakens IMAX poster revealed

Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars returns to the big screen with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk are producing with Tommy Harper and Jason McGatlin serving as executive producers.

The IMAX release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of An IMAX 3D Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX’s customised theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

Konami launches Global Metal Gear Online Tournament

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 12, 2015

0

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. today announced today a global partnership with ESL to launch the official METAL GEAR ONLINE Global Championship. Launching in December of this year, the league kicks off its first global tournament season where online stealth shooter fans can compete for glory and cash prizes.

Players of METAL GEAR ONLINE – METAL GEAR SOLID V: The Phantom Pain’s competitive multiplayer mode – now have the opportunity to showcase their sneaking skills within the METAL GEAR ONLINE community. The league will hold weekly online tournaments worldwide starting 1st December through 29th Feb, 2016, with competitions being held in four regions: North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia/Australia.

With the global support of ESL, competitions will be conducted throughout the month per region where winning teams earn cash prizes for demonstrating their dominance on the battlefield – $1,000 USD will be rewarded per region per month, with a total prize pool of $12,000 USD. In addition, participants in the league will be able to earn points to build their professional rank to become the next legendary soldier.

METAL GEAR ONLINE is built around a dedicated squad-based competitive multiplayer structure. The mode has been fully redesigned with the familiar gameplay and aesthetic styling of the acclaimed METAL GEAR SOLID series. The online element introduces Tactical Team Operations and features a ‘class system’ that more uniquely defines the strengths and abilities of player characters on the battlefield.

Registration for the METAL GEAR ONLINE Global Championship is now open at http://play.eslgaming.com/metalgearonline/Europe.

Xmas Toy Ideas – Star Wars: The Force Awakens Talking Finn

Andrew Edney

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Nov 12, 2015

0

With the new Star Wars film, The Force Awakens opening next month, there are lots of cool toys you can get for Christmas, including a talking Finn action figure.

Standing at 13.5”, Finn is a fully articulated action figure that has 15 phrases and sound effects from the new movie. There is a button on his right arm that lights up his blaster and plays the sound effects. There is a button on his chest that plays the phrases from the movie, although you will have to wait until December 17th to find out where they fit in the story.

The 13.5” talking Finn action figure is available now for £20.95.

Finn, and many other cool Star Wars: The Force Awakens toys, figures and other merchandise is available now at the Disney Store.

Review: Rise of the Tomb Raider

Sean McCarthy

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Nov 12, 2015

0

My love for action adventure genre of video games started with the original Tomb Raider series. The puzzles, exploration and action along with the charismatic hero Lara Croft made the series one of my favourites in gaming. When the news came that Square Enix was planning to reboot the franchise back in 2013 with a new game and origin story, I had my doubts. But the game was incredible and succeeded in not only making the series relevant again but also in setting a new benchmark for how rebooted game series should be done.

It has not been a smooth road for ‘Rise of the Tomb Raider’ with the controversial Xbox console exclusivity for a full year angering many of the Tomb Raider fan base. With Xbox clearly hoping to have something to challenge the Uncharted series for PlayStation and Square Enix looking to build on the success of the reboot, can ‘Rise of the Tomb Raider’ live up to the pressure and hype ?

It has been one year since the events of Yamatai and the impact they had on Lara as a person and on how she now sees the world. The young Miss Croft has become determined to clear her father’s name and prove to the world that his final work on proving the existence of a supernatural artefact known as ‘The Divine Source was valid. Fuelled by her encounter with the supernatural Himiko the Sun Queen and knowing that the world is not so black and white, Lara enters a race against a secret organisation known as Trinity who are also searching for the Divine Source.

From the very first cut scenes it is clear that Rise of the Tomb Raider is out to make a big impact. Visually this is the finest looking game on Xbox One right now for me. Using the game engine for cut scenes allows a seamless transition from cut scenes to gameplay so that the player is never pulled out of the experience. The story will take Lara from to Siberia and the contrast in visuals for each location are stunning. Reacting to fan feedback from the last game, these areas are far larger to play in and explore. Filled with collectibles to find, challenges to complete and hidden areas with Crypts and chests to discover, the amount of content to enjoy outside the main story sections really is impressive. Happily the now tradition of being able to progress in the game but travel back to previous locations returns with the campsite fire fast travel system. To give you an idea of just how large the playing locations are, at the completion of the main story I had 36 campsite fire locations to fast travel to.

Lara in the first game was presented as an inexperienced and young woman but who was tenacious, courageous and determined. Resisting the temptation to have Lara become a complete package adventurer, for Rise of the Tomb Raider Lara is very much still learning the skills we know she will later become a master in. Lara is now clearly more of a capable fighter and almost comfortable with the use of violence. Progressing through the story will again allow the player to upgrade Lara’s skills in three categories; Brawler, Hunter and Survivor. The crafting system has been retained but very much enhanced by the notion that Lara is still learning. Now Lara can scavenge materials and can learn to create ammunition on the fly. For example Lara can strip a tree of its branches and collect feathers from bird nests and can craft arrows for her bow. Lara will then learn how to craft trick arrows such as poison gas or flame arrows and using materials can also make these, even in the middle of a fight.

As a result the combat feels far more fluid and the game will blend high action sequences and big story moments to simply just giving time to explore areas. It maintains a consistent pace that drives the story but allows for moments the player can pause to take a breath and absorb the experience. Everything you do from completing story sections, exploring areas and finding collectibles all give the sensation that Lara is evolving into the hero fans know she will become.

One of the biggest criticisms of the last game was the lack of actual tombs to be raided. Lara has spent a year researching her father’s files along with the world’s legends and is driven to explore them all. There are nine tombs to discover and explore as optional challenges alongside the main story. Some will require Lara to obtain certain skills or equipment before they can be tackled, meaning whilst their locations can be discovered, it will be a case of returning to them later. But the tombs are well constructed with puzzles that are challenging but straightforward and rewarding to complete.

As much as I am impressed with how the game plays not everything that has been retained is welcome. The frustrating inch perfect jump traversal is back where if Lara needs to jump to a certain ledge, missing that by the slightest inch will result in Lara falling to her death when you would expect her to just grab the ledge. I also found that the new trick arrows and ability to craft them when needed do make some of the battles a little too easy so the bow became my get out of jail card. But these niggles did little to take the shine off a well polished game.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is a superb sequel for a series still in the reboot phase in the eyes of fans. Whilst the story is still linear, there is so much extra gameplay activities for the player both during the main story and after to gather all the collectibles that it has huge replay value. Competitive multiplayer has been replaced with a new challenge mode called Expeditions which task the player with replaying game sections but against the clock. Using an online Leader board system, players can compare scores with other players and friends. Cards are all the rage and here they are used to provide modifiers for Expedition to help score more points by assisting with bonus perks or weapons or they can be used to add more of a challenge. Card packs can be purchased using in game currency or by the dreaded micro transactions with real world money.

I enjoyed my time with this game so much that it has quickly jumped high on my top games of the year. Though few risks were taken with what was previously successful with the last game, what has been added has indeed enhanced the playing experience. Lara Croft is steadily on her way to becoming an iconic hero for the modern generation of gaming. Strong willed, determined and brave, Lara’s story is a thrilling experience that starts with a bang and continues with all the punch of a Hollywood blockbuster. If Xbox wanted a challenger to Uncharted 4 next year, they certainly found it with Rise of the Tomb Raider.

Game of Thrones Episode 6 arrives on 17th November

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 11, 2015

0

Game of Thrones Episode 6 arrives on 17th November

The final of six episodes in the Game of Thrones season, ‘The Ice Dragon’ will be available starting Tuesday, 17th November on PC/Mac, PS4, Xbox One and other platforms.

This marks the first time in Telltale’s release history that a finale will be available to download simultaneously across all console, PC/Mac and mobile platforms, day and date, worldwide.

The season will also debut on disc at retailers in North America beginning 17th November on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 and beginning 20th November in Europe on these consoles as well as for PC.

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection Gentleman Claptrap-in-a-Box Edition

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 11, 2015

0

2K and Gearbox are excited to introduce Borderlands: The Handsome Collection Gentleman Claptrap-in-a-Box Edition this holiday season.

In addition to featuring a dapper, app-controlled “Gentleman” Claptrap unit, complete with stylish mustache, top hat and monocle, the new edition also includes the critically-acclaimed Handsome Collection, featuring both the Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel games, alongside all add-ons campaigns, playable character packs, level cap upgrades, combat arenas and character customization packs.

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection Gentleman Claptrap-in-a-Box Edition will be available for purchase in the UK this November 27^th from Gamestop for a RRP of £269.99 on XBOX One and PlayStation 4.

Key Features of Borderlands: The Handsome Collection Gentleman Claptrap-in-a-Box Edition include:

• Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, which includes the critically-acclaimed Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and Borderlands 2 in one package;

•        All bonus add-on content, adding hundreds of hours of gameplay at an incredible value*;
•        Transferable save files from Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or PS Vita onto the next-gen consoles with cross-save functionality
•        Cooperative gameplay for up to four players, either online or local;
•        Upgraded Four-Player Split-Screen for same couch gameplay.
•        An iOS and Android app-controlled Gentleman CL4P-TP unit, complete with a variety of gadgets such as a camera, a variety of playable phrases, and a microphone to communicate through its speaker.

Xenoblade Chronicles X out on the Wii U 4th December

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 11, 2015

0

When the Earth is destroyed by a mysterious alien race, the last of humanity escapes and crash-lands on the mysterious planet Mira. Facing the threat of extinction, players must survive the perils of their new home in Xenoblade Chronicles X, an RPG set in a massive open world just waiting to be explored in-depth, releasing exclusively on the Wii U on 4^th December.

In this new RPG from the creators of Xenoblade Chronicles, players can create their own character and explore a planet five times bigger than the world in Xenoblade Chronicles. A rich variety of hostile wildlife makes Mira an inhospitable place, and players will need to master a deeply strategic real-time battle system to survive.

During combat, your avatar can switch between different battle classes that allow them to become more adept at long-range or close-quarters combat, as well as issue tactical orders to up to three AI partners. Party members will also advise players on when to use special skills, known as Arts, to boost their allies or blast away foes. Each class has access to different Arts, and strategic use of these can be instrumental in turning the tide of the battle.

Outside of combat, players can focus on the necessities of exploration and survival by taking jobs in eight different divisions. Those who want to focus on discovering the massive, open environments and scavenge for new materials can take a job as a Curator, while joining the Harriers will allow players to concentrate primarily on defeating the dangerous monsters that roam the landscape. Another choice, Outfitters, spend the bulk of their time helping to develop the giant weaponised mechs known as Skells. Eventually, players will be able to pilot the Skell themselves, allowing access to places they couldn’t find before, providing even more possibilities for exploration.

By using the Wii U GamePad, players can access the navigation system, which displays a hexagonal map grid to plot the course ahead to avoid ambushes from giant monsters, uncover new resources, and fast-travel between previously discovered locations. The game can also be played on the GamePad screen alone.

Xenoblade Chronicles X brings the series online for the first time, making it possible to team up and take on co-operative missions as a party of four. Players can also join a party of up to 32 asynchronous characters with whom they can trade items and weapons, even if they are not battling together. In addition, avatars created by other players can be recruited into your team as AI party members, providing you with even more avenues for strategy in the midst of battle.

Explore humanity’s final frontier in Xenoblade Chronicles X for the Wii U, as it launches across Europe on 4^th December. The game will also be available as a bundle with a Wii U Premium Pack console and as a Limited Edition. Users who purchase Xenoblade Chronicles on Nintendo eShop on Wii U will be eligible for a 10 Euro (£9) discount on Xenoblade Chronicles X if they buy it on Nintendo eShop on the same Wii U console*** before 18^th December 2015.

Get ready to celebrate the Star Wars Force Collection

Chris Hare

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Nov 11, 2015

0

Get ready to celebrate the Star Wars Force Collection

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. has today announced that its popular mobile title (iOS, Google Play), Star Wars: FORCE COLLECTION (SWFC), launched a new campaign based on the film, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The countdown campaign, which leads up to the movie’s launch, will include login bonuses for a chance to obtain a new “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” card.

Additionally, new character cards, ongoing events and fresh features – including improvements on the Enhance/Evolve functions, and new Skills and Support Abilities – will be available mid-December.

SWFC is a card battle game which takes its place in the Star Wars universe. Players take command of more than 400 heroes, villains and vehicles, such as Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Create your own deck and challenge your rivals by placing cards so you can utilize your card’s skill and force attribution. Real-time Legion battles where players can fight other players around the globe are also available.

Amazon Underground triples roster of free apps

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 10, 2015

0

Amazon Underground triples roster of free apps

Amazon today announced that Amazon Underground has tripled the selection of free apps and games in the first two months since launch. Amazon Underground is a new app for Android phones, available exclusively from Amazon, which offers a large selection of popular apps and games for free—including in-app items. In Underground, customers don’t have to pay for premium apps, or download a free app and spend money to complete a level more quickly, get more lives, or unlock new features. Everything is completely free. Popular new games now available include premium title Monument Valley(includes Forgotten Shores update for a total value of £3.98), and free-to-play titles Nemo’s Reef (includes £26.46 in free in-app items) and Dumb Ways to Die 2 (includes over £4.00 in free in-app items).

Amazon Underground launched in August and includes all of the functionality of the regular Amazon mobile shopping app, plus an exclusive selection of 100% free apps, games, and associated in-app items, including popular games like Angry Birds Slingshot Stella, Goat Simulator, Frozen Free Fall, Looney Tunes Dash! and many more. For example, in Frozen Free Fall—an app that is free to install and usually requires in-app purchases to unlock additional levels—customers can play with unlimited lives and will receive many bonus in-app items in the Amazon Underground version of the app completely free (£19.60 value). Premium games (like Goat Simulator,which costs £3.99 in other app stores) that require a customer to pay to download are also free in Amazon Underground. Amazon Underground is available on Android phones and on Fire tablets, including the all-new Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 10, and Fire, the ground-breaking new tablet for under £50. To learn more about Amazon Underground, visit www.amazon.co.uk/underground.

“In just the first two months since launch, we’ve tripled the free selection of apps and games in Amazon Underground and continue to add more content every day. Customers can now experience the entire world of Monument Valley for free. They’ll also receive over £26 in value of in-app items for reef building in Nemo’s Reef,” said Steve Rabuchin, Vice President, Amazon Appstore. “In Amazon Underground, customers have access to apps, games and in-app items, such as extra lives and levels, completely free—providing an entirely new way to enjoy their favourite apps and games.”

Amazon Underground offers an innovative new monetisation approach for developers, paying them for every minute a customer uses their app or game, instead of having to rely on charging customers for a download or for in-app items. Developers are already seeing early success in the programme:

“We’ve been thrilled with the performance of Jetpack Joyride and Fruit Ninja as part of the Amazon Underground programme in the month since launch,” said Shainiel Deo, CEO of Halfbrick Studios. “Thus far we have doubled the downloads and revenue from our apps in the Amazon Appstore and most interestingly, customers are engaging with our in-app purchase content within our games at an extremely high rate. Since all in-app purchases are free in Amazon Underground, they can play the games in new and exciting ways.”

“We included four of our popular titles in Amazon Underground at launch, aimed at reaching as many fans as possible in the Amazon ecosystem,” said Tero Raji, SVP of Game Business at Rovio. “In the first month since launch of these games, the Amazon Underground model has brought us up to three times more revenue compared to the same games’ user revenue in the Amazon Appstore previously.”

“It’s always been our aim with Monument Valley to create a meaningful experience for all types of players,” said Dan Gray, Executive Producer of Monument Valley. “It’s great that there’s now a service in Amazon Underground that lets us reach millions of people that wouldn’t usually pay for games, without compromising the game design or its principles.”

Nintendo to jazz up your 3DS this Friday

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 10, 2015

1

Nintendo to jazz up your 3DS this Friday

Owners of Nintendo 3DS family systems can already customise their system’s HOME Menu with a range of colourful themes, and they’ll soon be able to take that personalisation to a whole new level with Nintendo Badge Arcade, coming to Nintendo eShop as a free download from 13^th November.

In this lively arcade run by a chatty rabbit, players can take a shot at crane games and similar classic amusements, collecting badges based on Nintendo games and series like Mario Kart, Splatoon and Animal Crossing. Badges can be used to decorate the HOME Menu, with some even usable instead of the standard system icons that access, among others, Nintendo eShop and StreetPass Mii Plaza – perfect for total HOME Menu makeovers.

Every day, visitors to the arcade get five free plays on a practice machine: it only offers dummy badges, but with skill and a little bit of luck, players can win free plays for the machines packed with real badges. Plays can also be bought at a price of £0.90 / €1.00 for five plays.

Players can show off their unique HOME Menu designs via Miiverse, and check out other creators’ designs for inspiration. There’ll be plenty to discover in the weeks and months following launch too, as the badges and machines on offer will change regularly, opening up even more customisation possibilities.

So whether you’re creating a Mario Kart-style starting grid or adding a splat of colour with the Splatoon badges, there’ll be plenty of new ways to liven up your Nintendo 3DS family system’s HOME Menu when Nintendo Badge Arcade launches in Nintendo eShop on 13^th November.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void Now Live

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 10, 2015

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StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void Now Live

Today Blizzard has announced that in Legacy of the Void, brave commanders will embark on an intergalactic journey to unite the protoss race, take back their homeworld, and vanquish the ancient evil that now threatens to consume all life in the Koprulu sector.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void features an expansive new campaign where players will take on the role of Artanis, Hierarch of the Daelaam, and take command of the mighty Spear of Adun—a magnificent protoss arkship capable of altering the course of battle from high above any conflict. As they fight to steer the protoss armada toward their ultimate destiny, players will also determine the ultimate fates of such iconic StarCraft characters as Jim Raynor, Kerrigan, and Zeratul.

Legacy of the Void is packed with new features and enhancements that make it the definitive multiplayer strategy experience, including Archon Mode, brand-new Co-op Missions, automated tournaments, and new multiplayer units for each faction that give commanders a whole new range of tactical possibilities.

“An epic campaign, game-changing multiplayer units, and all-new co-op and competitive modes combine to make Legacy of the Void our best StarCraft game yet,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “With more gameplay and story updates planned for after launch, and a new era of world-class StarCraft II esports ahead of us, the future of strategy gaming has never been brighter.”

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void is available now on Battle.net and in stores for a suggested retail price of £29.99. Anyone who purchases Legacy of the Void will also receive Artanis, noble Hierarch of the protoss (and mighty melee Warrior of the Nexus), in Blizzard’s free-to-play team brawler, Heroes of the Storm.

Players also have the option to upgrade their purchase to the Digital Deluxe Edition (£44.99), which unlocks a variety of in-game bonuses for Blizzard games, including an Archon battle pet for World of Warcraft, a Void Speeder mount in Heroes of the Storm, and a protoss-themed card back in Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft.