Welcome to Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

-

May 12, 2015

Ubisoft has today announced that Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, will be the newest installment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, will be available worldwide on 23rd October for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The Windows PC version will be available this autumn.

Developed by Ubisoft Quebec in collaboration with eight other Ubisoft studios*, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is an epic single player experience set in London during the height of the Industrial Revolution, an incredible age of invention that transforms the lives of millions. During this time, the gap between the poor and the rich expands exponentially, making workers’ lives little more than legalised slavery.

The lower classes fight for survival by forming a new kind of family gangs and adapting to life in the criminal underworld. Players will embody both Jacob Frye and Evie Frye, twin Assassins raised to follow the Creed. Jacob, a determined, hot-headed and rebellious leader of an underground gang, is vastly different than his sister Evie, a master of stealth and control. Together, Jacob and Evie team up to challenge rivals, plutocrats and Templars alike to free the masses from poverty and corruption, and, ultimately, wrestle back control of London.

In Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, players explore the largest, most modern open-world city ever created in an Assassin’s Creed game. The fighting is more brutal than ever, as players combat rival gangs and grow their sphere of influence throughout London using new weapons, including brass knuckles, a kukri knife, a revolver and the Assassin’s gauntlet. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate also includes innovative navigation and transportation throughout the open world, including a rope launcher for scaling tall Victorian buildings, zip-lining from rooftop to rooftop or performing aerial assassinations, and horse-drawn carriages and high-speed trains for free-running, tracking down enemies or escaping after daring raids.

“The ability to lead an underground gang, commandeer any vehicle on hand and use modern tools to take on an expansive and fast-paced Victorian London sets this game apart,” said Marc-Alexis Côté, Creative Director at Ubisoft. “Assassin’s Creed Syndicate has been in development for more than two years and this new modern take on the living open world will please Assassin’s Creed fans and newcomers alike.”

With Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Charing Cross Edition and Special Edition, coming to GAME and Ubi with the Big Ben Collector’s Case exclusively to Ubi

Watch the Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Livestream

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

-

May 12, 2015

0

Watch the Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Livestream

Tonight at 5pm UK time, Ubisoft will be holding a livestream to launch their next Assassin’s Creed game Syndicate.

You can watch the stream below from 4.45pm UK time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DSlgEcp5aM

Are you going to watch?

Review: Titan Souls

phillvine

-

May 12, 2015

0

A game that revolves entirely around boss fights isn’t an unknown concept. Titan Souls follows in the enormous shadow created by certain well known Colossus and concentrates solely on fighting bosses. You play as a nameless child armed with only a bow and a single arrow who decides that’s probably enough preparation to go and take on the big nasty things that live in the world. I’m pretty sure more arrows would have been useful.

Except you have a rather nifty trick at your disposal. Once you’ve fired your arrow you can recall it and fire it again. Useful. You can also roll around and sprint but that’s the limit to your Jedi powers. Playing a top down action game with this limited set of skills is Titan Souls’ key to success. The gameplay is, mechanically speaking, very limited. There are no complicated button sequences or level ups and stats. Just you, your few skills and the fact that everyone, you and the bosses, all have only 1 health.

The first few fights are reasonably forgiving, at least when you compare them to the rest of the game, and try in a limited way to introduce you to the core gameplay. Just like the action, Titan Souls is very simple conceptually. A series of bosses for you to kill. Each one has only 1 health and all you need to do is find its weak spot, not get hit and successfully attack it. Then you can move onto the next one.

But it’s amazing how much complexity can emerge from such simplicity. The bosses are all different enough that you never get the sense of repetition that could easily have ruined the game. The first few bosses are reasonably obvious although probably only after a death or two. The first splits when you attack so speed is key. Another needs you to lead the enemy around the map to reveal a weak spot. One needs you to use an environmental effect and so on.

There’s loads of variation and there’s never anything other than the simple mechanics and the same single health point system. There isn’t that one boss that has 5 health and you never briefly acquire jump boots or a jetpack. Titan Souls has an incredible robust and well designed set of mechanics and it’s confident enough to stay true to itself and use them effectively.

But that also means that aside from the boss fights there is nothing else to do in Titan Souls. Which is great in one way but also limits its potential. I love that it stays focused and doesn’t get clouded by anything else. It really lets the battles shine. But the world ultimately acts as a hub for fighting bosses with no interaction at all. Random enemies would not have worked but there aren’t even people to talk to in the world.

There isn’t really much in the way of a story either. I understand the very deliberate design and the aim of the game to stay minimal and focused but the vague hint of a plot is underdeveloped and my playthrough suffered from it. It’s difficult to say it’s a problem because the entire point of Titan Souls is to avoid these complications but for those who want plot or character development you will probably be left wanting.

So too will those looking for longevity. There are some options that become available after completion but they really weren’t anything that appealed to me. In fact their inclusion seems to have had zero thought at all. One option disables your roll which is just ridiculous. It’s not fun on any level. There is challenge to be had from executing your attacks but the main challenge is from solving the bosses ‘puzzle’. Once you’ve completed them during your first playthrough there’s a lot less satisfaction to be had.

Playing through and figuring out bosses is a fantastic experience. The gameplay is solid and finding a boss’s weakness isn’t patronizing. Executing your attacks and successfully defeating an enemy is tough and you know it from the sense of satisfaction you get after each victory. The deliberate trade off of plot and world design for solid mechanics is partially successful but it does leave Titan Souls with something missing.

There’s really no significant plot to wrap yourself in or characters to talk to. Personally I think it works but it’s not for everyone. Your nameless protagonist and the absence of complex plot elements really allow Titan Souls to focus on the minimalist concepts and mechanics. But without much replay value there isn’t a whole lot to do after the initial 5 hours or so.

Titan Souls is a short but satisfyingly challenging boss fest with tons of style and impeccably well crafted top down action gameplay. It may be short and lacking in some respects but my first playthrough was so satisfying it didn’t matter.

Review: iFit Active

Chris Hare

-

May 11, 2015

1

The iFit Active is designed to be a complete activity tracker, which measures your caloric intake and output along with steps, distance and sleep. Used in conjunction the free iFit Track app on either an iOS or Android device you can also log your caloric intake as well as get messages, reminders and alerts to help you keep up your motivation to achieve your daily goals.

For those with iFit enabled machines or access to gyms that feature them; you can also aggravate that workout data into the iFit Track app. This capability can be found in brands such as NordicTrack (£79), Pro-Form, and Reebok.

Unboxing

The iFit Active activity tracker arrives in a white cardboard box with a clear plastic cover revealing the tracker pod, band and clip found within the package. On the back is a list of features along with iOS and Android compatibility logos.

Inside the package we find that iFit Active tracker pod, an adjustable wristband, an accessory clip, a USB charging cable, quick start guide and the user manual.

The tracker pod is the brains of the system. This small black unit is composed of matte black plastic with a glossy black screen and measures 4.5 cm in width and 2cm in height.

On the top and bottom of this unit are the ‘B1’ and ‘B2” buttons. Flipping the tracker pod over reveals two charging contacts and a small groove for attaching to the charging cable.

The iFit Active supports Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology and is compatible with iPhone 4S and up, iPod Touch fifth-generation and newer or Android 4.3 and higher devices.

Two included accessories make wearing the iFit Active simple and convenient – the adjustable wristband and accessory clip. Both of these are composed of black rubbery material. If black is not your choice of colour, iFit offers a selection of red, white and blue wristbands and clips on their website as an additional purchase.

The charging cable has a standard USB connector at one end and two contact points at the opposite end with a strap.

Testing and Usage

To start using the iFit Active you’ll first need to make sure the tracker pod is charged. This is accomplished by attaching the tracker pod to the charger cable. Unlike other fitness trackers the iFit Active model does not have a micro USB connection for charging. Instead it has two contacts on the back that align on the charger. Once connected there is a strap to secure the tracker pod in position while it charges.

You can either plug it into a USB port on your computer or directly into a USB enabled wall adapter or car charger. It takes about 4 to 8 hours to completely charge the iFit Active.

Once this is accomplished you will need to pair the iFit Active tracker to your iOS or Android device. Download the free iFit Track app to your mobile device. Next make sure your Bluetooth is enabled on your iOS or Android device and then open the iFit Track app that will guide the setup process.

To pair the tracker pod press both the B1 and B2 buttons simultaneously for a few seconds until the words Sync On appear on the screen. Within a minute the unit will display whether pairing has been successful or not.

The average battery expectancy is 5 to 7 days between charges. During my week of using it I have not needed to charge it after 7 days of straight use. Pressing the top button on the iFit Active twice from a blank screen will check the remaining battery capacity. At 10% and 5% the tracker pod will vibrate for 5 seconds to notify the user that the battery needs charging.

Using the iFit Active is similar to most other fitness trackers. You can wear the device on the wrist similar to a Nike Fuel Band, as a clip device such as the FitBit One or loose in one’s pants like the Withing’s Pulse. The iFit Active is lightweight and small thus keeping it out of the way during workouts or during everyday wear.

The wristband was my personal favourite to use, however it is also the hardest to put on and remove. The plastic locking clip is the main issue with putting on and taking off the band. It has a fastening lock that can be difficult to slide on and off, especially when using one hand.

To use the clip simply insert one end of the tracker pod into the opening on the underside of the clip and then press the other end of the iFit Active in place while pulling the rubber over the front of the device. Once again reversing these actions will remove the tracker pod from the clerk.

Of course if you prefer you can use the device by slipping it into your pocket. Just be careful not to lose it or let it fallout.

To operate the tracker pod you’ll use the top B1 and B2 buttons. Pressing the B1 button once from the blank screen will display the time and date while pressing it a second time or within 10 seconds will show the battery level display.

Using the B2 button cycles through Net Calories, Calories In, Calories Out, Steps, or Distance results. Calories can be entered using the B1 button followed by a combination B1 and B2 buttons. Calories can be added at 50-calorie increments.

Pressing the B1 button then holding the B2 buttons for 2 1/2 seconds activates the Sleep or Workout timers; the B1 button cycles between selecting Sleep or Workout. Pressing the B2 button from either one of these options will either start the workout or bedtime sequence.

The screen has a glossy coat which helps to make the display easy to read. The only time I had an issue viewing the display was in direct sunlight.

In terms of appearance it is very inconspicuous when worn on the belt and the black wristband makes it look no different than similar wrist worn activity trackers. The tracker pod seems to seamlessly merge with the band giving it a sleek appearance.

The job of the tracker pod is to gather the data, but once it is accumulated you will need the iOS or Android app to help visualize, quantify and store this data.

The iFit Track app works with the user created profile and allows the viewing of information captured by the iFit Active. From the app you can set various goals and alarms. The app has various visualizations to measure the data parameters and can also import info from other iFit enable exercise machines that the user signs into.

I am not a calorie counter as the food listing on the app is mostly American food no UK listing that I could see thus I did not really take advantage of this capability to track that info.

Overall the app provides useful information but could benefit from some more features such as graphing this more detailed data.

In regards to tracking steps and distance, I found that the iFit Active would under count my steps despite entering the proper demographics when I signed up for my account.

Conclusion

The iFit Active is an activity tracker designed for those who are especially interested in counting calories. It has a caloric input feature that I have not encountered in the other fitness devices that I have used in the past.

Overall the iFit Active is a worthy entry into the wearable fitness market. Like other products, hopefully iFit will add more features in the future with firmware updates and app improvements. If you have access to iFit compatible equipment then the ability to aggregate data using the free app may be especially enticing to the user.

Review: Final Fantasy Type-0 HD

phillvine

-

May 11, 2015

0

After the resounding success that was Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD my interest in Final Fantasy has certainly been renewed. It’s a shame making new titles doesn’t have the same effect but never the less Square finally seem to be getting the idea. Type-0 was originally released on the PSP back in 2011 and now you can enjoy it in the glory of HD. Sure there are other Final Fantasy games I’d rather see in HD but ah well.

Right from the word go Type-0 concentrates almost all of its attention on characterization and plot. And it doesn’t do a bad job of it either. For Final Fantasy the story is reasonably realistic and focuses on military campaigns rather than apocalyptic monsters and world ending magic. Type-0 certainly doesn’t hold back and isn’t afraid to lay the emotion on thick. The characters are just interesting enough to keep it all together but it’s cutscenes and the strong soundtrack that really sell the emotion.

The plot itself is much less interesting. It never develops into anything even close to complicated enough to really suck you in. There’s definitely some interesting characters and emotional set pieces but getting involved in the larger story takes too much effort without any real reward. There isn’t enough complexity to allow the connections with characters to become anything significant.

Despite the undoubtedly good soundtrack that reminds us why we all love the music of Final Fantasy the visuals just aren’t good enough to let Type-0 feel at home on the big screen. Admittedly there’s only so much you can expect when coming from a PSP but it’s all too obvious that Type-0 doesn’t belong. It’s not just the visuals either that are low quality and dated but the controls and mechanics at the core of the game.

I regularly had to battle with the camera which constantly thought it knew better and decided to centre itself at will. More often than not pointing me away from my enemies and towards nothing at all interesting. It doesn’t complement the action well to be continuously fighting the camera and at times it became a significant problem.

The action itself is light and fast paced in a way only a Japanese game knows how. And Type-0 knows how to use it well. Battles are short but lively and always keep the excitement high. If you’re wanting fast paced, cinematic action then Type-0 doesn’t disappoint. There isn’t much in the way of depth so don’t expect much difficulty or strategy to become part of your fighting.

Favouring impossibly quick, and unnecessary, flips and rolls isn’t a problem at all but forgetting about adding any tactical depth to the fighting is a big turn off for me. There’s also a timing system that allows you to perform much stronger attacks with the use of a bit of precision but it’s no replacement for strategy. Although it does lend a sense of character connection and power when you get it just right.

One of FFXIII-2’s biggest most ridiculous sins for me was enforcing the totally arbitrary time limit that forced you to chose what to do. For some reason Type-0 does the same thing, although it was technically made first. I absolutely hate exploring an area and knowing that I can’t complete everything just because the game says so. In something like XCOM were decisions are tactical fair enough. Here in an RPG having to miss sections of the game for no reason is just ridiculous. There’s no risk/reward, you just miss something no matter what you do.

Not all sections suffer from the time limit and when you’re left to enjoy and explore at your own pace the environments are well designed – at least enough that you feel there is a world here somewhere. Being an action based title there clearly wasn’t much in the way of priority given to exploration and world creation but during those moments Type-0 does a decent job of allowing you to enjoy the world.

For me Type-0 has almost nothing I want in a Final Fantasy game. It favours button mashing and spectacle over thoughtful battles. It puts limits on the amount of extras you can complete in a single playthrough. The plot is solid but underdeveloped and doesn’t make enough use of the characters. There are also issues derived from Type-0’s PSP origins. The camera is awkward and rarely helps you see anything important. Plus visuals don’t feel like they received enough HD treatment to belong on consoles – which is particularly irritating considering what Square managed to do with the X/X-2 HD remaster.

Where Type-0 excels is perhaps the last place you might expect, in evoking emotion and making good use of a fully fledged soundtrack. The more realistic (everything is relative) story of war is met head on and I was surprised at how well it was represented. For a game usually concerned with demons and gods I was pleasantly surprised by Type-0’s fresh outlook.

Unfortunately there are too many missteps for me to forgive. I enjoyed the cutscenes, listening to the music and summons are definitely back on form but getting back to the gameplay drained any remaining enthusiasm. It’s too difficult to enjoy button mashing and get involved in the battles. A serious battles system would have done a lot to get me more involved. If you want fast, satisfying action, heaps of emotion and a simple plot Type-0 is your game. If you’re looking for a serious RPG sadly you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Review: TP-Link TL-WPA4226KIT

Chris Hare

-

May 11, 2015

1

The TP-Link TL-WPA4226KIT, a solid choice for people who need to take your internet and WiFi to the most remote areas of the house. This is a pair of jacks AV500, both with 2 ethernet jacks, and one with WiFi N 2 × 2 to 300mbps.

Technical Characteristics

HARDWARE FEATURES
Standards and Protocols	HomePlug AV, IEEE802.3, IEEE802.3u, IEEE802.11b / g / n, IEEE1901
Interfaces	2 Ethernet 10 / 100Mbps ports WPA4220 -TL- 2 Ethernet 10 / 100Mbps ports – TL-PA4020P
Plug Type	EU, UK
Buttons	Pair, Reset, Wi-Fi / Wi-Fi Clone
LED	PWR, PLC, ETH, Wi-Fi / Wi-Fi Clone
Dimensions (WxDxH)	3.7 x 2.1 x 1.6 in. (94 x 54 x 40 mm) 3.7 x 2.3 x 1.7 in. (95 x 58 x 42 mm)
Power consumption	Maximum: 8.218W Standard Mode: 7.686W Standby: 4.63W
Scope	300 meters through the electric circuit

SOFTWARE FEATURES
Modulation Technology	OFDM (PLC)
Encryption	Powerline Security: 128-bit AES Wireless Security: WEP encryption, WPA / WPA2, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK

OTHER
Certifications	CE, FCC, RoHS
Package Contents	1 Powerline Adapter TL-WPA4220 & 1 Powerline Adapter TL-PA4020P Ethernet Cable 2 m (RJ45) Resource CD Quick Installation Guide
System Requirements	Windows 8/7 / Vista / XP, Mac OS or Linux
Environmental factors	Operating temperature: 0 ℃ ~ 40 ℃ (32 ℉ ~ 104 ℉) Storage Temperature: -40 ℃ ~ 70 ℃ (-40 ℉ ~ 158 ℉) Humidity: 10% ~ 90% non-condensing Storage humidity: 5 % ~ 90% non-condensing

WiFi Extender Kit AV500 Powerline TP-Link TL-WPA4226KIT
Nothing surprises in the box, we see a photo of the apparatus and a first look at the specifications.

In the back we see the typical compared to other models, an example of use, and some more information.

On the side we see the technical details, which was already mentioned previously. According to the manufacturer, we have a range of up to 300m in the same phase. Of course it supports all types of security for our wireless network from WEP to WPA2 (we highly recommend using the latter whenever possible here on Connected Digital World). The ports are 10/100 on the TL-WPA4226KIT.

This is a really complete kit, in addition to the mandatory two Ethernet cables quick installation guide and a CD with documentation attached. The device does not require any drivers, and the connection is completely transparent to the user. CAT5 cables, so that we can use in Gigabit Ethernet devices.

The installation is extremely simple, and standard are matched, so to start using them simply plug into an outlet each of our private home, bring an ethernet cable to the router first, and second longer you can use to get two other network outlets or using your wireless connection.

To set the WiFi to our liking, we can do it right the URL indicating TP-Link in the Quick Start Guide or directly using the WPS PLC button and our router to copy the entire configuration in which it will make repeater.

Test via WiFi

Tested at the same part of the building after the TL-WPA4226KIT was installed via a Ethernet cable.

Conclusion

The TP-Link TL-WPA4226KIT is really complete and flexible to meet the needs of any user with a big house or wireless reception problems.

The TP Link TL WPA4226KIT is priced at £79.99 RRP but if you look at Amazon you can find them just under £60.

Win Halt and Catch Fire Season One on DVD

Andrew Edney

-

May 11, 2015

89

To celebrate the release of Halt and Catch Fire Season One on DVD, we are giving away two box sets.

Set in the early 1980s, HALT AND CATCH FIRE is the compelling drama that explores the personal computing boom through the eyes of a visionary, an engineer and a prodigy whose innovations directly confront the corporate behemoths of the time. Witness as their personal and professional partnership will be challenged by greed and ego, while charting the changing culture, when HALT AND CATCH FIRE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SERIES comes to DVD on 11^th May 2015, courtesy of Entertainment One.

Featuring a slick cast including; Lee Pace (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug) as former IBM sales executive Joe MacMillan; Scoot McNairy (12 Years A Slave, Argo) as engineer Gordon Clark; Mackenzie Davis (That Awkward Moment, What If?) as volatile prodigy Cameron Howe; Kerry Bisché (Grand Piano, Argo) as Gordon’s wife and fellow engineer Donna Clark; and Toby Huss (Cowboys & Aliens, Rescue Dawn) as senior VP of Cardiff Electric, John Bosworth. HALT AND CATCH FIRE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SERIES is the intelligent brand new original series focusing on the technology boom of the 1980s.

The show is set one year after IBM all but corners the market with the release of its first major product – the IBM PC. In this fictional drama, a former IBM executive, Joe MacMillan (Pace) plans to reverse engineer the flagship product of his former employer and forces his current company, Cardiff Electric, into the personal computer race. MacMillan enlists the help of Gordon Clark (McNairy), a great engineer whose unrealised dreams of creating a revolutionary product have created tension in his marriage to Donna (Bishé), and Cameron Howe (Davis), a volatile prodigy who puts her future in jeopardy to join MacMillan’s rogue PC project.

Don’t miss the battle for CTRL when HALT AND CATCH FIRE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SERIES is released on DVD from 11^th May 2015, courtesy of eOne.

How to enter to win

We have two copies of Halt and Catch Fire Season One on DVD:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Usual contest rules apply, and the winners will be selected at random. This contest is open to the UK only – sorry!

The contest ends at 12.00AM on Tuesday 26th May, and HALT AND CATCH FIRE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SERIES is released on DVD from 11^th May 2015, courtesy of Entertainment One.

Destiny Expansion II: House of Wolves preview video

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

-

May 8, 2015

0

Destiny Expansion II: House of Wolves preview video

The Bungie team takes players behind the scenes in a new preview video for Destiny Expansion II: House of Wolves, which launches on Tuesday 19th May.

Review: Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China

phillvine

-

May 8, 2015

0

Not content with the current unforgiving onslaught of Assassin’s titles that do little to move the franchise forward Ubisoft now bring you Chronicles: China. Moving away from the intricate open worlds of full titles Chronicles is a 2D scroller set, rather obviously, in China. But Assassin’s Creed is Assassin’s Creed and try though I might to resist I still get hooked into every new game.

My biggest problem with the franchise is the lack of direction and seemingly zero intention of pursuing the ultimate ending we are assured is planned. It definitely seems the primary goal is to squeeze games out at any cost. The move into a 2D world feels more like this than ever. There’s really very little attempt at a plot other than a token reason for you to go around assassinating certain people to retrieve an item. Fair enough I wasn’t expecting much in the way of plot for a 2D scroller but there’s little to no attempt at injecting the larger Assassin’s Creed world around Chronicles. It’s very much a stand alone addition with little connection to the wider story and lore. Other than the fact our protagonist was trained by Ezio. Again. Apparently.

Considering gameplay is completely different to anything else we’ve seen before it does a surprisingly good job of mimicking the 3D world. Most of your time is spent sneaking around to slip past guards or killing them silently. There’s also the opportunity for open fights should you want them. The lack of depth that a 3D world allows does become a problem before too long though. Even during some full AC titles the missions can become repetitive but with the limited possibilities to either slink into the background or hide in a hay bale action quickly becomes repetitive.

This isn’t helped by the fact that guards are really quite dense. And I’m talking by AC standards. There are convenient sight lines strutting from every guards face that allow you to sneak past easily – which isn’t hard given that all the guards seem to be badly short sighted. It’s fun for a while even if it is a little on the easy side but after an hour or so I expected a ramp in difficulty. Unfortunately the mechanics are just so limited that there isn’t any room for a difficult ramp.

Right up to the end of the game puzzles and solutions are still exactly the same. There’s a real opportunity for a game that makes you think within the AC world. I’m thinking Hitman GO but Assassin’s Creed. As it happens there wasn’t even enough challenge and different puzzles to keep me interested for the 5 hours of the game.

Ironically the most fun I had goes completely against the thinking game and was actually during the fighting or escape scenes. Hopping from ledge to ledge, back ejecting and diving from impossible heights was when Chronicles came to life. It’s also when it best mimicked one of its 3D counterparts. It’s the last place I expected to find enjoyment but there it was.

The combat is appropriately simple but satisfying too. I was always a fan of AC when it’s combat was simple and basically made you feel like a complete badass. With a few elegantly thrown punches and high kicks your foes are cut down. It’s not challenging but it is fun. Sadly just like the rest of the game there isn’t space for expansion or evolution of mechanics as the game progresses. Before the end the magic had worn off.

One thing Chronicles definitely has going for it right up to the end is style. There is a gorgeous Asian artwork style to blood splatters when you take enemies out and cutscenes look like living paintings. Chronicles looks undeniably good throughout.

But it’s difficult to remain interested in a game that shamelessly does nothing to engage the player. The completely missed opportunity for a puzzle game or an expanded version of the management style mini games within the full titles baffles me. I cannot see why Ubisoft opted for this instead. Decent stealth puzzles with a real challenge would have been infinitely more desirable than a four hour guard slaughter with very limited mechanics.

At only 4 or 5 hours long Chronicles still gets boring before the end. Chronicles really just feels like another needless AC tie in that forgets the wider franchise. It’s not that it’s a bad game and I certainly had fun at points. There just isn’t enough interesting gameplay or plot in chronicles to really get involved.

Watch the new Farming Simulator 15 trailer

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

-

May 8, 2015

14

Watch the new Farming Simulator 15 trailer

Farming Simulator 15 releases in two weeks on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The video below is dedicated to the online cooperative multiplayer mode on PS4 and Xbox One, a first for Farming Simulator on consoles!

Players will finally be able to live the full “Farming experience”, the same one that has already enticed on PC over one million players with its latest version: all its content, its activities, its vehicles and, on PS4 and Xbox One, the online cooperative multiplayer mode! Inviting other players in your game opens many opportunities for developing your farm: increase your productivity by sharing tasks or cooperating on bigger tasks and develop your farm faster thanks to their help! Some activities can be more efficiently executed using several vehicles simultaneously. One player driving a tractor equipped with a trailer-container can follow another player driving a combine-harvester and then receive in real-time the crops freshly harvested, so the harvester doesn’t need to regularly interrupt his job to clear out its container. Grab your controllers, because Farming Simulator 15 is scheduled for release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on the 19th May.

Payday 2 Crimewave Edtion release date announced

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

-

May 7, 2015

0

Payday 2 Crimewave Edtion release date announced

Hit co-op shooter, Payday 2, takes over Xbox One and PlayStation 4 with value-packed bundle including more than a year’s worth of DLC packs and updates in Crimewave Edition.

505 Games and OVERKILL – a Starbreeze Studio, today announced that PAYDAY 2: Crimewave Edition will be available across Europe on 12th June.

The new edition is loaded with over a year’s worth of DLC packs and content updates including the popular Big Bank Heist, and even the addition of “Clover,” the first female heister. Action filled crime sprees look better than ever on next-gen consoles with improved frame rate, better textures and 1080p resolution.

PAYDAY 2: Crimewave Edition introduces new high-octane heists and new contacts The Dentist, voiced by actor Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), and The Butcher, voiced by Mira Furlan (Lost and Babylon 5). In addition to new jobs and multi-stage contracts, a wider range of weapons such as shotguns, sniper rifles and grenades deliver an explosive kick to the new enemy archetypes that players will face.

New characters, more masks and brand new perk system bring a whole new level of customization to the experience along with a fifth skill tree for seriously stealthy players. The all-new preplanning stage has also been added, providing everything that perfectionist players need to pull off their dream crime spree.

By pre ordering PAYDAY 2: Crimewave Edition from participating retailers, consumers will unlock the special Hard Time Loot Bag digital content including:

• Red dot weapon sight modification available for use on all rifle weapons

• Exclusive Skull mask

• PlayStation 4 or Xbox One exclusive mask

• Unique mask pattern titled “I LOVE OVERKILL”

• Unique colour pattern, only available with this unlock

• Bundle of in-game cash

The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited New Gameplay

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

-

May 7, 2015

0

The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited New Gameplay

Kicking off a new video series entitled This is The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited! This series will offer insight into the vast world of The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited – which is available now on PC/Mac and arriving on console on 9^th June.

The first video – Freedom and Choice in Tamriel – which explores the freedom to forge your own path and the countless choices you’ll face along the way including deciding your race, alliance, class, play style, and ability specializations.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, is the latest chapter in the award-winning franchise and brings the legendary experience online for the first time. The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited includes all the great gameplay from the original PC/Mac game, plus all the updates and content additions. Players will make a one-time purchase of the game and play, without restrictions, for as much as they like – without game subscription fees.

Tamriel Unlimited will be supported with special, optional downloadable content available for purchase and an in-game Crown Store for convenience and customization items. In addition, Bethesda will offer ESO Plus to players who wish to pay a single monthly charge for a premium membership service, providing exclusive in-game bonuses, a monthly allotment of crowns to use in the store and access to all DLC game packs while a member.

Splatoon gets a demo this weekend

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

-

May 7, 2015

0

Today Nintendo held its Splatoon Direct, revealing details of a free demo which will arrive on 9th May, as well as detailing the 4 on 4 player online action, giving news of free post-content launch and detailing its Splatfests, which will allow players the chance to earn a special item.

You can watch the Splatoon Direct video at the bottom of the post.

Participants can download the free demo from Nintendo eShop for Wii U from 17:00 CEST today. This demo will then go live for 1-hour periods at the following times on Saturday 9th May: 04:00 BST, 12:00 BST and 20:00 BST.

When live, users will get the chance to jump online and play in 4-on-4 Turf War battles against other players from across the world, including representatives of Nintendo’s Squid Research Lab! Players who download the demo can also claim a 10% discount off the price of Splatoon on Nintendo eShop, with the offer starting on 29th May and lasting until 4th June.

– 4-on-4 online action: When the game launches on 29th May, players will need to think strategically when participating in online matches. Two stages are refreshed every four hours with an official announcement in-game to sound the changes, meaning players will have to carefully consider weapons and tactics for the stages that lie in wait. Different weapons work better in different stages, so players will discover depth in the weaponry as they focus their strategies on different 2-stage pairings. After each 4-on-4 match, players are randomly reshuffled to form new teams, so sometimes players will be working with their friends and other times they’ll be looking to take them down.

– Free post-launch content: Five stages available from launch – Urchin Underpass, Saltspray Rig, Walleye Warehouse, Blackbelly Skatepark and Arowana Mall – will get players off to a flying start, but new stages are set to be introduced every few weeks that require even more skill to master. As additional free post-launch content, players can also look forward to experiencing new weapons, as well as a Ranked Battle mode ominously named Tower Control. A major game update event in August will add further friend matchmaking functionality to enable 4 players to form a team and battle against other teams, as well as functionality to create private 8-player matches with just friends. Also coming in August is a mysterious third Ranked Battle mode, Rainmaker, a whole new line of items to spruce up a player’s battle appearance, plus more.

– Splatfests: Themed events called Splatfest will ask players from all over Europe to ponder the answer to simple questions such as… Do you prefer dogs or cats? Players must then choose a side and represent their side during Splatfest. These events will have their own ranking system, and based on a player’s overall rank, a valuable item called a “Super Sea Snail” may even be received once the event has ended, helping to freshen up your gear.