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Review: Destiny: Rise of Iron DLC

Sam Thompson

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Oct 2, 2016

The news of the unfortunate delay for Destiny’s much awaited sequel inevitably brought about some frustration for the fans. However in its wake, it brought about the release of a new DLC, the ‘Rise of Iron’. Can this slew of new content light up the player-base once more, and even encourage new players to finally take the plunge?

On paper at least, there seems like a lot of new content to explore and work through. A new social area, campaign, strike, multiplayer mode, multiplayer maps, patrol mode area and of course a brand spanking new raid. In reality however, it does seem to run dry a little too quickly. The fact that you can complete the ‘story’ in just a couple short hours alone did not give it a great start if I’m honest.

Plagued with mystery, you’ll start off with some furtive and evasive dialogue from our dear friend, Lord Saladin who tasks you with a few short missions before spilling the beans on ‘Siva’. Essentially boiling down to nano-infused fallen, these enhanced enemies will generally provide much more of a challenge in comparison to their standard forms. The siva’d-up servitors especially will prove to become much more of a threat than you’re used to. However despite how much more menacing and intricate they look; in terms of fighting them, it’s no real difference to how you’d approach the normal variants, besides some retaliation attacks anyway.

After you’ve worked through the relatively short campaign, you’re more or less left to your own devices. Some side missions will become available and you’re free to explore the new patrol zone, the Plaguelands. Accessible through earth, and taking place almost alongside the Cosmodrome, you’ll find a Siva-infested, wasteland tundra. You’ll find the usual public events and patrol missions, including a new variation called ‘Quarantine’ that’s arguably the most fun to complete, alongside some (well hidden) Siva Clusters. Remember the calcified fragments from The Taken King DLC? Well they’ve spiritually returned here in the Rise of Iron; much like before, it’s probably wise to take some time out to try and collect them! Alongside these, there are also other things to find amongst your travels such as splicer keys and Archon’s Forge offerings, of which are used in the new and updated version of the Court of Oryx.

Splicer keys are more than plentiful; however that’s not so much the case with regards to the Archons Forge offerings. In the many, many hours I spent exploring the Plaguelands and completing its surrounding missions, I came across perhaps 7 or 8 of these ‘Court of Oryx’ style keys. In that time, I’ve unfortunately met up with a focused group of Archon’s Forge enthusiasts less than a handful of times. The random chance for a loot reward at the end doesn’t always encourage you either. To such a degree that, in fact on one occasion, on the cusp of completing an event on my own, two random players shot through the arena, clearly on a mission and not contributing. Both received legendary items. I got a (useless) blue quality chest engram.

That brings me to the loot system, and the corresponding jump in maximum light level. Before Rise of Iron, the cap was of course at level 335, now it’s possible to (eventually) achieve the lofty heights of 385-400. Whilst of course getting to higher and higher levels is one of the main draws to the game, the way of going about it could’ve been handled a little better. For a start, the blue and green engram drop rates seem to have been drastically increased. However, the problem with this being that, unless you get lucky whilst decrypting them and get rewarded with a legendary item, they’ll only decrypt up to a maximum of 340 light, meaning they’re pretty much useless after a few hours. Running the heroic strike playlist, decrypting exotic engrams, receiving faction packages and completing end-game activities are the only ways to get past 365. So if you feel like there’s a slump in your progression around 350 light, keep at it with those strikes, and keep equipping your highest level gear.

On top of all the new PvE content included, there’s of course, something extra for all the PvP fans out there. Three new maps (four if you’re on PS4) are included on top of the new game type, ‘Supremacy’. If you’ve stumbled across Call of Duty’s ‘Kill Confirmed’ mode, you’ll know what to expect. Players you kill, drop a crest that you have to pick up in order to score points for your team, of course you can also deny the enemy their kills too, provided you can get to them. For those who aren’t a fan of the current state of shotguns in the Crucible, it’s obvious that this particular mode won’t change your mind!

I’ve had the most incredibly mixed signals with rise of iron, I’ve enjoyed some truly fantastic team-based action, and yet I’ve also suffered through some entirely infuriating solo play. Sadly it’s the solo ‘adventures’ that have mostly stuck in my mind. There aren’t an abundance of quests, a lot of the content feels reused and for me, the less said about the PvP the better. However there’s a lot of great stuff too, legendary marks are much more plentiful; being able to choose what category of faction rewards you receive, helps you hunt loot more specifically too. Some of the missions really stand out, especially the final Gjallarhorn quest that’s home to a set piece straight out of Halo, not to mention the epic final battle during the main campaign. The new social area looks fantastic (whilst also holding a few secrets) and the general art design of the Plaguelands is astounding, mixing the futuristic Siva technology with the neglected landscape gives off a great overall effect.

It’s easy to say that there are both good and bad points to the Rise of Iron DLC, admittedly a lot of the gripes I have, are more to do with the base game itself rather than the new content. A few more irritants I have fall under the minor category, for example, please put the grimoires viewable in game! And instead of having players levels (almost always level 40) next to their name, wouldn’t it be more helpful to display the light level instead? Either way, the Rise of Iron is overall a great expansion for the already solid player base. The raid is probably the best so far (despite the slight spoilers in the trailer), the higher cap on light gives players something to grind for and the new environments look fantastic. Simply a must for fans of Destiny.

Two Minute Review : Anywhere Art Studio from Hape

Andrew Edney

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Oct 2, 2016

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Two Minute Review : Anywhere Art Studio from Hape

With Christmas only a few short months away, we take a look at the Anywhere Art Studio from Hape.

This tabletop art studio keeps artists busy with a magnetic whiteboard, chalk board, and magnetic shape.

It comes with two pieces of chalk, an eraser and a magnetic wood piece, along with the double-sided board.

The Anywhere Art Studio is very lightweight, small and easy to carry around (although it’s not something you can just put in your bag, moving it from room to room isn’t a chore).

Whether you want to draw with the chalks, or use stick magnets to the whiteboard, there are hours and hours of fun to be had.

Having the board being double-sided is a great idea as you get two different boards in one package, so you don’t have to find space for two!

You can use any type of chalks with the board, and that also goes for any dry erase markers you want to use on the whiteboard side. When you run out of the two that come in the box it’s very easy to replace them.

The Anywhere Art Studio from Hape is available now priced £29.99 and is aimed at children over 3 years old.

You can learn more from the Hape website.

Review: Pro Evolution Soccer 2017

Sam Thompson

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Sep 30, 2016

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Another season and year gone by, another chance for both gaming goliaths of the sport to improve upon last year’s performance, and battle it out once again. Back in the ol’ PS2 days, if you could get past the distinctly ‘Japanese’ menus, you’d often be right to opt for PES’s gameplay over Fifa’s. Fast forward a few years through the PS3’s lifecycle and the balance switched in Fifa’s favour. The current generation has so far, done a good job of splitting opinions, especially with Konami’s recent push to focus on the ever important gameplay above all else. Can the 2017 release follow up and improve upon this formula, or will they forgo an early lead?

The first thing you’ll notice is yet another (very much welcome) facelift to the main menu. Sporting a tiled, more modern affair, it also adapts to your most played modes, placing them at the forefront of the screen. In terms of modes, you’ve got the usual seasons, trainings, myClub and of course, Master League, which is now prominently featured and especially deserving of your attention. Everything’s been tidied up a bit and made much more user friendly too. Clearly laid out options are set out in a manner you’ll understand too, for example, making the budgeting for fees and wages much less of an ordeal.

After playing last year’s PES, an immediate gameplay difference you’ll notice straight away, is just how much more fluid and responsive it is in comparison. Passing feels intuitively better too, being given more control over the speed and weightiness of the ball helps with delivering that perfect through pass; with practice, helps make a huge overall difference. Control in general has improved enormously; this is probably the first game where, despite the usual claims, I’ve genuinely been able to keep close control of the ball whilst being surrounded by the opposition.

The assertions of developers in the past that claim their game is the most realistic and true to life, all desperately pale in comparison to how organic and genuine this entry feels. Matches feel utterly dynamic and unpredictable to a point. You won’t see the same kind of short passes from a lower league team than the likes of Barcelona employ against you. Going even further with this, the ‘ID system’ makes it as such that many players’ characteristics resemble their real life counterparts. You’ll recognise how players move into space, their kicking styles and other such tell-tale traits.

Whilst playing against the AI will rarely be a fitting substitute for a real life opponent, it does hold up surprisingly well. The well touted ‘adaptive AI’ in the game is a great idea, meaning that if you favour passing to the same player a little too often, they’ll start marking him heavily. Or if you’re a fan of playing exclusively down the wings, they’ll take appropriate actions to counter it. Despite it not being inherently obvious in game, it does however give credence to the fact that it’s working. Either way, it makes you play more diversely and that can only be a benefit.

The tactics and formation settings can take a little getting used to, as they don’t seem to possess the same level of user-friendliness as the rest of the game. Once you get the hang of it, the level of changes you can make is pretty staggering. There are of course, the basic formation and teamwork mentality settings that you can switch on the fly, as well as plenty more in depth strategies that can suit your more niche needs.

My stint online fared quite well, initially at least! Through the quick play matches, I made an Italian friend who thankfully possessed a level of English on par with my Italian, which is to say, not a lot. We had a good few games before my inconsistencies started truly showing through, yet each game felt different. We each picked different sides and played to our teams strengths, thereby often creating some tense stalemates. Some sloppy moments led to many mutual panicky chances, alongside some great goals too. It was simply unparalleled fun, and I imagine exactly what the developers had in mind.

Listening to the fans, and taking note of what does and doesn’t sit too well with them, has led the studio to rework their goalkeepers. On top of it being fantastic that they show they’re paying attention, the goalkeepers are now much craftier. They’ll now react more swiftly to follow up shots, crosses no longer sail by uncontested and the deflection physics have been once again, moulded closer to real life.

Graphically it looks great; the ball looks and moves spectacularly, whilst the players’ animations and facial features look fantastic. The goal replays are incredibly cinematic and show off some great angles and approaches too. You still can’t seem to instantly skip them in one button press which is a minor irritation but still. As impressed as I am generally with the looks of the game, the same can’t be quite said of some of the audio features. The included music tracks aren’t particularly plentiful and the commentary team of Peter Drury and Jim Beglin could do with a few more lines too. There are only so many times you can listen to over the top superlatives or decidedly vague calls on the play before either gets a tad old.

As is the case with all PES offerings, there are only a handful of officially licenced teams and leagues on offer. This time around, it’s Arsenal and Liverpool heading up the English divisions, whilst Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, amongst others, provide some other well-known talent. Fortunately for me, and many other players, the hard work of some generous people make it possible to download edited kits and names to make things seem a little less ‘Yorkshire Orange’ and a little more Hull City.

It’s difficult to go over all the details and intricacies included in this year’s release, and I’m well aware that I’ll have glossed over some of the finer points. To experience it as a whole for yourself is the best way to gain an understanding of it. Simply put, it’s great. Its gameplay will bring back fond memories from its glory days back on the PS2, whilst the graphics and general tidiness will appeal to the modern day gamer. It’s the best Pro Evo yet.

LEGO Dimensions starts year two with new packs based on Harry Potter, Ghostbusters and more

Family
News

Chris Hare

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Sep 30, 2016

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Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment have today the release of six new LEGO Dimensions expansion packs based on: Ghostbusters, Adventure Time, Mission Impossible, Harry Potter and The A-Team. This newest wave of expansion packs introduces Battle Arenas, a first for LEGO videogames, and Story Packs which provide a complete movie-based gameplay experience with a fresh LEGO brick building experience.

The new Battle Arenas offer competitive split-screen local gameplay for up to four players. LEGO minifigures included in expansion packs come with special, golden Toy Tags which unlock a Battle Arena within the free play Adventure World of the corresponding entertainment brand. Each Battle Arena has four exciting gameplay modes: Capture the Flag, Objective, Base Bash, and Tick, Tag, Boom!, and comes with its own traps, defences, and special powers that make every Battle Arena unique. Battles can be played competitively or cooperatively in multiple player configurations including 2 vs. 2, 3 vs 1, and individually against the system AI to create fun for the whole family.

For a limited time, LEGO Dimensions Starter Packs for PlayStation 4 will include an exclusive, bonus DC Comics Supergirl LEGO minifigure. The highly collectable Supergirl minifigure has many extraordinary in-game abilities to help solve puzzles and battle enemies and can also transform into Supergirl Red Lantern with additional powers.

Ghostbusters fans who want to make their LEGO Dimensions experience spookier can add the Ghostbusters Story Pack. Players can relive the film and help Abby Yates and her team of Ghostbusters save the world from the mysterious and evil ghost, Rowen, across six action-packed levels of gameplay. They can equip Abby with her Proton Blaster to activate her Charge Transfer ability to move electricity between conduits, and use her Intelligence Access ability for puzzle-solving. The Story Pack unlocks “Rip,” a new Toy Pad mode allowing players to tear open an alternate universe. In this mirror world, players have the ability to solve puzzles and affect objects and other items in the primary universe. The pack also includes a 3-in-1 buildable Ecto-1 which can be rebuilt into the Ectozer and The PerfEcto, plus the Zhu’s Chinese Restaurant gateway build to customize the LEGO^® Toy Pad. Abby Yates provides access to a new Ghostbusters Adventure World with its own unique Battle Arena.

In the Adventure Time Level Pack, based on Cartoon Network’s animated series, players can help Finn the Human on his mission to find the Enchidrion and prove to Princess Bubblegum that he’s a hero. Players can use one of Finn’s many special swords to cut vines, grapple, and even deflect lasers as they battle foes and travel through the Forest of Mount Cragdor, the Dark Magician’s Brain World and more in this exclusive game level. The pack also comes with a 3-in-1 buildable Jakemobile which can be rebuilt into Snail Dude Jake and Hover Jake. The 3-in-1 buildable Ancient War Elephant can be rebuilt into the Cosmic Squid and Psychic Submarine to blast through enemies and tackle trickier puzzles. Players can unlock the Adventure Time Adventure World and challenge friends in the Pillow World Battle Arena.

Fans of “Land of Ooo” can also add the Adventure Time Team Pack with Lumpy Space Princess and Jake the Dog. When players need to take off in a hurry, they can jump into Lumpy Car or have BMO give them a lift. Lumpy Car can be rebuilt into Lumpy Truck and Lumpy Land Whale, and BMO can be rebuilt into DOGMO and SNAKEMO. The Adventure Time Battle Arena offers extra-awesome abilities like Slurp Access, Grapple Swing and Shape Shift.

In the Mission Impossible Level Pack, secret agent Ethan Hunt is being framed for the theft of highly classified materials from IMF and needs help to find the true villain. Players must infiltrate their way through the American Embassy, CIA Headquarters and more in this thrilling game level. Players can use Ethan’s Camera Spectacles for the perfect disguise and wear the Magno Gloves to sneak up walls. For a quick escape, players can hop onto the IMF Scrambler or IMF Sport Car, and then rebuild the 3-in-1 vehicles into the ShockCycle and IMF Covert Jet, and the IMF Tank and The IMF-Splorer to access a host of new super-spy abilities. Ethan provides access to a Mission Impossible Adventure World with its own unique Battle Arena.

Harry Potter fans can bring the wizarding world to life in LEGO Dimensions with the Harry Potter Team Pack featuring the iconic duo of Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. Players can use Harry to cast magical spells such as Wingardium Leviosa, Stupefy, and Expelliarmus to solve puzzles and fight off Death Eaters, or play as Lord Voldemort for access to Dark magic. When travelling across the Adventure World, players can jump onto the Hogwarts Express or Enchanted Car, and then rebuild the 3-in-1 vehicles into the Steam Warrior and Soaring Steam Plane, and the Shark Sub and Monstrous Mouth for special attacks and super weapons. Players can unlock the Harry Potter Adventure World and bring the fight between good and evil into the Battle Arena.

With The A-Team Fun Pack, players can smash their way through the LEGO multiverse with the classic action hero, B.A. Baracus. Players can add the mohawk-sporting mechanical genius to their mash-up adventure and use his Super Strength and Fix-It abilities, or activate his special A-Team Master Build and Laser Redirect skills for those harder-to-solve puzzles. B.A.’s Van can quickly get him where he’s needed most, then be rebuilt it into the Fool Smasher and, if B.A. can overcome his fear of flying, rebuilt again into The Pain Plane for upgraded powers in the game. B.A. provides access to The A-Team Adventure World with its own unique Battle Arena.

LEGO D is out now for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and the Wii U.

Dragon Quest Builders – Become a Legendary Builder Trailer

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Sep 30, 2016

0

Dragon Quest Builders – Become a Legendary Builder Trailer

Watch this new trailer to learn how to Become a Legendary Builder in Dragon Quest Builders for yourself in the PS4 & PS Vita demo available on PSN RIGHT NOW!

Dragon Quest Builders is coming to PS4 & PS Vita on October 14th, 2016!

New look at Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 in new trailer

Chris Hare

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Sep 30, 2016

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New look at Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 in new trailer

CI Games has released a new trailer for Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 featuring a heart-pumping remix from ZAYDE WOLF, which goes in-depth into the open world environment never before experienced in a Sniper: Ghost Warrior game.

Extensive open maps with distinct environments, such as rugged mountainsides and grassy valleys, provide a unique setting for a number of intense missions to explore. Choose your own path—Sniper, Ghost, or Warrior—and use surgical precision to mow down heavily-armed forces in this epic sandbox sniper experience!

CI Games is also pleased to announce that they will live-stream a newly playable and never-before-seen mission in Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 direct from TwitchCon on 30th September at 12:30 a.m. BST at: www.twitch.tv/twitchconlive.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered trailer released

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Sep 29, 2016

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered trailer released

Activision released a brand new trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered.

Additionally, anyone who pre-purchases or who has pre-purchased a Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Legacy or Digital Deluxe Edition on PS4 will be able to play the Modern Warfare Remastered campaign 30 days early, beginning 5th October.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered combine in one package which launches worldwide 4th November on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

Mafia III The World of New Bordeaux – Combat

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Sep 29, 2016

0

2K and Hangar 13 has today released Mafia III – The World of New Bordeaux – Combat, the latest in a series of videos detailing a variety of exciting features in Mafia III.

https://youtu.be/3hAZgqCZOaA

In Mafia III – The World of New Bordeaux – Combat, learn how Lincoln Clay owns the battlefield against Sal Marcano and the Italian mafia in New Bordeaux. From stalking enemies and executing covert takedowns, to brutal all-out assault with guns blazing, Lincoln does whatever it takes as he dismantles the Marcano family.

Mafia III will be available 7th October for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows PC.

EXTRA Slot Stars lands on iOS and Android

Chris Hare

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Sep 29, 2016

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Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced the release of EXTRA Slot Stars, developed by Open Wager Studios, now available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, and Google Play for Android devices.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment partnered with “EXTRA” – the 2016 Emmy-Award-winner for Outstanding Entertainment News Program – to create the casino slots mobile game featuring the “EXTRA” brand and host Mario Lopez.

EXTRA Slot Stars features the best of casino-style slots combined with Hollywood glitz and glamour for players looking to unwind and experience the A-list lifestyle. The game brings to life all of the compelling components of “EXTRA” from the charismatic Mario Lopez to the lively set, with the never ending fun of Vegas-style slots, making EXTRA Slot Stars the perfect go-to mobile game for players seeking a quick break to win big. EXTRA Slot Stars also keeps players in the know on the latest entertainment news, while they play, via the real-time “EXTRA” news ticker displayed on the bottom of the game screen.

“I am thrilled to be featured in this one-of-a-kind mobile gaming experience combining entertainment news and the excitement of Vegas jackpots,” said Mario Lopez. “The game allows ‘EXTRA’s’ biggest fans to get the feel of the Hollywood lifestyle enjoyed by their favorite celebrities – anytime, any place.”

Each level theme brings players to a new phase in their mobile journey to the top of the A-list, including spa getaways, neon nightlife, luxury vacations, and more.

As new levels are unlocked, players see their achievements come to life, accessing an array of wardrobe items, for their custom EXTRA Slots Stars avatars. Players are able to share their experience by logging into Facebook to connect with friends and post about their tournament wins, jackpots and more.

Fantastic Beasts – October Fan Event with Cast

Chris Hare

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Sep 28, 2016

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Fantastic Beasts – October Fan Event with Cast

Fans Will Be Treated to a Special Preview of New Footage From the Film in IMAX, and Can Be Part of a Live Interactive Q & A With the Stars and Director The worldwide fan event will kick off on Thursday, October 13^th, at 8:30 p.m. GMT (3:30 p.m. EDT, 12:30 p.m. PDT) and simultaneously in major cities in the U.S. and internationally.

The announcement comes on the heels of today’s debut of the brand new trailer for the film.

Sue Kroll, Warner Bros. Pictures’ President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, stated, “The enthusiasm and support of wizarding world fans everywhere has meant so much to us, as well as the filmmakers. We are proud to share some exciting footage from ‘ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ at this global event created just for them, and are especially thrilled that most can experience it in IMAX.”

Attendees will first be treated to a never-before-seen reel featuring some of the thrilling moments from the much-anticipated film. Talent from “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”will be joining the celebration, in person, at two IMAX theatres, in London and Los Angeles, to welcome the fans.

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In London: Eddie Redmayne , Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, and

director David Yates will be on hand.

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In Los Angeles: Colin Farrell and Jon Voight will be in attendance. Fans gathered at those locations, as well as attendees watching from IMAX theatres in New York, Sao Paulo and Mexico City, as well as a non-IMAX theatre in Rome, will be able to submit questions to the stars and director during the Q&A. It will be a rare opportunity to learn more about the story and their thrilling foray into a new era of the wizarding world.

The footage shown, as well as the Q&A, will also be streamed live online at www.facebook.com/FantasticBeastsUK so eager fans around the world can share in the

excitement.

Fans at each location will be presented with a specially designed “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them ”exclusive t-shirt, commemorating the worldwide event, as well as a collectible mini-poster.

The film will open worldwide beginning November 18, 2016, in 2D and 3D in select theatres and IMAX,

Homefront: The Revolution announces The Voice of Freedom single player DLC

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Sep 28, 2016

0

Homefront: The Revolution announces The Voice of Freedom single player DLC

Today Deep Silver and Dambuster Studios have released the first new additional single player content for Homefront: The Revolution.

The Voice of Freedom casts the player as Benjamin Walker, legendary figurehead for the rebellion and the KPA’s most wanted man, as he tries to infiltrate Occupied Philadelphia and meet up with Jack Parish’s Resistance Cell.

This tense, story-driven prologue will test the player’s stealth and combat skills as they encounter a sinister and hostile faction in the subways of Philadelphia – the ‘90’. The Voice of Freedom is free to all holders of the Homefront Expansion Pass, and available to purchase separately for £4.99 on PS4, and £4.49 on PC and Xbox One.

You are Benjamin Walker, hero of the Resistance and the most wanted man in America. Now you are risking everything to infiltrate Philadelphia and ignite a revolution that will sweep the KPA out of America on a tide of bloody vengeance. If you fail all hope for freedom is surely lost… –

It is ready to download now for Xbox One, the PlayStation 4 and Windows PC via Steam. Players returning to Homefront: The Revolution will also find that the recent ‘Performance Patch’ has massively improved the overall experience.

Disney Magical World 2 coming to the 3DS this October

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Sep 28, 2016

0

Disney Magical World 2 coming to the 3DS this October

Enter the magical town of Castleton and live among your favourite Disney characters when Disney Magical World 2 arrives in Europe for the 3DS on the 14th October. Adventure with Elsa and Olaf, go under the sea with The Little Mermaid and help a cast of over 100 cherished Disney characters, whilst living in the beautiful town of Castleton.

In Disney Magical World 2, players can create their own avatars – or import their Mii character – and move in to Castleton, where they’ll live with Disney neighbours such as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald Duck. Castleton is home to several shops, a castle area, and access to four brand new connected Disney-themed worlds from classics Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Lilo & Stitch and The Little Mermaid. Once players are familiar with their surroundings, they are free to explore the six Disney worlds and assist the residents of Castleton around town.

Players can enjoy many activities in Castleton and its connected Disney worlds, including crafting items, surfing, or simply taking some time to decorate their new house. Players can also name and run their very own café, where they’ll decide which food to sell, which decorations and Disney-themed furniture to use, what outfits staff should wear, and change the music played for customers. Once up and running, there is even the chance to throw parties that can be attended by various Disney characters.

As players progress through the game, further items and decorations can be unlocked. Prospective residents of Castleton can get a closer look at these items and decorations in action in the brand new A Wonderful Life video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS7ZIqPPI1A&feature=youtu.be

From the castle area of Castleton, there are six worlds for players to delve into, including Hawaii from Lilo & Stitch, 100 Acre Wood from Winnie the Pooh, and Arendelle from Frozen. Across the six worlds there are over 100 episodes for players to tackle, and using their magical wand players can cast powerful spells to defeat enemies and help their Disney friends.

Those wanting a break from the action can join Winnie the Pooh with some farming on Rabbit’s plot, where an array of seeds can be planted and harvested for materials, and rare plants and vegetables can be obtained through cross-pollination.

New to Disney Magical World 2 are Magical Dreams, special parade-like events that are rewarded to players for completing Dream Puzzles. Dream Puzzle pieces can be collected by talking to characters in Castleton, or by exchanging the Twinkle Stones players will collect as they progress on their adventure.

Disney Magical World 2 lets players bring their worlds to life with multiplayer modes and online features. Players can visit each other via Local Play, and will even appear in other player’s towns that they’ve met via StreetPass. By participating in these modes players can earn medals, which can be exchanged for rare items in-game. Castleton also hosts various seasonal events where additional medals can be earned.

Players with Disney Magical World save data on their Nintendo 3DS will receive a golden balloon and a voucher to use at McDuck’s when they play Disney Magical World 2 on the same system.

Zen Studios announces Marvels Women of Power for Zen Pinball

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Sep 27, 2016

0

Zen Studios announces Marvels Women of Power for Zen Pinball

Zen Studios has today announced that Marvel’s Women of Power, an exciting two-pack of pinball tables featuring some of the mightiest Super Heroes and Super Villains in the Marvel Universe, has hit Zen Studios’ pinball platforms today!

To celebrate this occasion, Zen has released an all-new trailer showcasing the white-knuckle excitement in both tables.

Combining a plethora of stellar Super Hero ladies from the Marvel Universe, the Marvel’s Women of Power two-pack combines two tables starring Ms. Marvel, Black Widow, Squirrel Girl and more! Wage an epic battle in an alternate Soviet-dominated reality in the A-Force table, featuring an all-new storyline where the destruction of a Cosmic Cube has formed a Soviet-controlled alternate reality. Keep the Cosmic Cube balls alive in the table’s Wizard Mode by directly controlling Black Widow and Madame Masque!

In the Champions table, defeat Bombshell with Ms. Marvel in an original storyline where players must help Kamala and her friends as they take on Bombshell following a daring bank robbery. Utilize Squirrel Girl’s “squirrel army” to search for the criminal’s tracks and Spider-Gwen’s webbing to incapacitate your enemies on this exciting table!

Marvel’s Women of Power is available now on PC and consoles, and will be hitting mobile platforms this Thursday (29th September).

Review: Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice

Diogo Miguel

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Sep 27, 2016

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You gotta hand it to Sega for not giving up on the Sonic Boom brand. After all, the Nintendo Wii U title was a disaster in every way possible and the first Nintendo 3DS title wasn’t exactly the return to glory that the hedgehog deserved. Still, the cartoon is probably faring better and that is most likely why the publisher went ahead with getting Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice developed for the Nintendo 3DS.

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