Assassins Creed II
Ezio dispatching a group of guards.
Cugino, Lei ha avuto modo di giocare a questo gioco! You'll be speaking Italian after you play this game. Assassin's Creed II is a non-linear third person action-adventure video game developed and published by Ubisoft for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 consoles, and Microsoft Windows. It is the second video game installment of the Assassin's Creed series and is a direct sequel to the 2007 video game Assassin's Creed.
The game is set in 2012, with player-controlled protagonist Desmond Miles escaping from Abstergo Industries with an employee, Lucy Stillman (who looks just like gorgeous Actress, Kristen Bell), after being forced to relive the genetic memories of ancestoral assassin Altair through a machine known as the "Animus". Once you arrive to another location among other rogue employees, Desmond enters a device identical to the Animus and relives the genetic memories of ancestoral nobleman Ezio Auditore da Firenze, who lived during the Renaissance period of the late 15th and early 16th centuries in Italy.
You control Ezio, who becomes an Assassin after his father and brothers are murdered. While controlling Ezio, you can explore beautiful game renditions of Italian cities, regions and landmarks in open world gameplay. The gameplay is a mixture of action, stealth and acrobatics.
The Game is a lot of fun, and looks incredible. Get a copy at Gamestop today!
On the BRINK
The latest in FPS comes in the form of BRINK, a game created by the London based Splash Damage. The same company that created Wolfenstein: Enemy Territories and Quake Wars. BRINK, is an original title published by Bethesda Softworks and coming to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the PC in 2010.
Check out the videos, and the link below:
Dragon Age Origins
Grey Warden's Shield
Dragon Age Origins received a lot of boos and hisses from friends and fellow gamers when they heard that Bioware's latest RPG would be single player only. I too was disappointed at the idea but that didn't stop me from picking up a copy at GameStop.
According to Bioware's Co-CEO Ray Muzyka, Dragon Age Origins is a "spiritual successor" to the Baldur's Gate series, a dark medieval fantasy game revolving around Heroes known as the Grey Wardens. You, the main character, begin as an 'Origins' character who begins his or her journey from in one of the six origin stories which serve as an introductory point for the players and present the world from their personal point of view. The Origins character is selected according to race and class, selecting a Elven mage or Elven Rogue gives you a different storyline leading up to the main story.
After completing your character's respective origin story, the main character encounters Duncan, leader of an elite group known as the Grey Wardens. Duncan guides you to your destiny of becoming a Grey Warden, and dedicating your life to the destruction of the Darkspawn, a force of demon-like creatures that live underground and have at various points in history invaded the lands in massive movements known as Blights.
There are three base classes to choose from: rogue, warrior, and mage. These classes can be upgraded at level 7 to specialized class, such as the Berserker for the warrior class, Blood Mage for the mage class, or Assassin for the rogue. I created a few different characters and was impressed to see that people you run into in the different storyline react to your character differently with unique dialog depending on gender, race and class; Elves, for example, are often viewed as second class citizens.
I can't speak for the consoles but the game looks amazing on my Alienware M17x, and the camera view is great. You're not limited to just a top-down view or awkward first person like in Baldur's Gate. Dragon Age Origins utilizes a new game engine named Eclipse, for which a tool-set for creation of fan-made content is available to owners of the PC version only.
Overall the game is great. It is challenging, stunningly detailed and highly re-playable. So if you're tired of RPG'n massively online with other people, go for this single player only.
Check out the Official Website for more info, download wallpaper and try the online flash demo of the game @ http://dragonage.bioware.com/
Tired of Gnomes? Faction change is now live.
Former Gnome Warlock Snubbin McSprockets
Yesterday the ability to change factions went live in World of Warcraft. If you're fed up with the youngsters ruining your Wintergrasp events for the Alliance or tired of the gloomy Undercity you can switch sides at a cost. But, is the grass greener on the other side? Probably not.
I do not plan to take advantage of this new service myself, but if the guild decides they want to I would consider it. What I would like to do is change my race within my own faction. This was hinted at along with the news of the Faction change service. I am glad they are planning to offer this finally. Here is what exactly was stated:
"Based on further community feedback, we have also decided to offer a race change service in the future. Players who choose to switch races will be able to change their race within their same faction and class. Additional details will be released at a future date."
I look forward to hearing more about that. In the meantime, does anyone plan on switching from horde to alliance or vice-versa?
Full details @ worldofwarcraft.com
Unmasking the Sith Warrior
Star Wars The Old Republic
An unstoppable force of darkness, the Sith Warrior is entrusted with the task of destroying the Empire’s enemies and enforcing Sith domination across the galaxy. The Warrior channels the destructive emotions of fear, anger, and hatred to purge weakness from body and mind and become a being of pure, brutal efficiency.
Star Wars The Old Republic
In the latest news surrounding one the most anticipated MMO's (at least by me) there has be a revealing of a class in Star Wars The Old Republic, the Sith Warrior. Here is what the website has to say about the dark soldier:
"An unstoppable force of darkness, the Sith Warrior is entrusted with the task of destroying the Empire’s enemies and enforcing Sith domination across the galaxy. The Warrior channels the destructive emotions of fear, anger, and hatred to purge weakness from body and mind and become a being of pure, brutal efficiency.
Destined to eradicate the incompetent chaos created by the Jedi, the Sith seek to rule the galaxy through power and intimidation. The armies of the Sith Empire are trained to accomplish this task, but they require the leadership of bold Sith Warriors—loyal and mighty overlords—who will drive them to conquest and victory.
These cold-blooded conquerors waste no time with cunning manipulations and carefully-crafted plans. Sith Warriors crush their opponents and stride toward their goals with dreadful determination, leaving ruin and annihilation in their wake. Emanating awe and terror at every step, they accept nothing but absolute obedience from their followers. In turn, Sith Warriors can serve as loyal subjects to their own dark masters, often surprising enemies and allies with their rigorous honor and perfect discipline.
Whether they align their ambitions with those of the Dark Council or become renegades in pursuit of their own goals, they are never far from the action. Their fierce hatred of the Jedi keeps Sith Warriors at the forefront of any conflict with the Republic. The passion to eradicate the Jedi Order fuels many of their actions, but that does not make them single-minded fools.
Ultimately, the destiny of any Sith Warrior is his own to choose… and woe to those who would stand in his way."
Sounds like a fun class to play, I will definitely be checking this one out. More about the Game @ SWTOR.com
Leading Industry Analyst says that Gamestop is probably screwed
Steam Powered
GameStop is well aware that digital distribution is the future of gaming. The company even appointed a general manager of digital media (after initially brushing off digital distribution). That said, two prominent analysts believe that things are gong to be difficult for America's largest gaming-specialty retailer. In a recent interview with Industrygamers, DFC Intelligence's David Cole said:
"GameStop's very existence will be perilous as digital distribution becomes more prevalent. Physical retailers have a mixed bag when it comes to moving to the online world. Further complicating matters is GameStop's dependence on the used game business which causes some conflict with the publishing community. It makes sense for GameStop to move into digital distribution, but the company's success in this area is far from guaranteed. It is a very different business from what they are used to and the competition will be intense."
Full story @ G4TV.com
Worgen or Goblin?
Alliance Worgen
Well if it isn't obvious by the conceptual drawing of a worgen above, I am going to be playing a Worgen. Of course I'm already playing Alliance on Undermine with my guild The Outcasts, so really it's my only option.
I have always said that being able to play one of those mobs you fight in ShadowFang Keep would be awesome. Now we will know a little more backstory behind these 'werewolves' like the Sons of Arugal. Apparently they were once human, but some bad Archmage created a type of beast-man to fight off undead. Don't know the details entirely, but am looking forward to finding out more.
My problem now is deciding which class to play as a Worgen. Worgen can play as anything except a Paladin or Shaman. I already have a level 80 Druid and Hunter so those two options are out. So I'm thinking either a Warrior or a Rogue. I'm leaning toward a Worgen Warrior. Imagine a Worgen dual wielding two large Axes, that just screams bad ass.
So when the Cataclysm expansion comes out, what will you choose?
Tiger Woods PGA Tour is fun!
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2009: Wolf Creek
Some of you might be reading the title and saying "No shit its fun, they wouldn't sell it if wasn't!". Well what I mean is, it's fun for me. I am not normally a sports gamer, but this game is a lot of fun.
It takes a little bit to get used to how the controls work, but once you've got it down you start to feel like the next Tiger Woods. I played it here in Afghanistan on a XBox 360, and the game looks really good. I can see myself playing this back home with my brother-in-law on the big high def tele. He's always been more the sports guy, and I the rpg / fps type. Now I've found a game that I would enjoy playing while at family get togethers.
I highly recommend you try this game. Sports fanatics or not, this is a ton of fun.
Wired Q&A w/ Blizzard on new MMO
World of Warcraft Cataclysm
ANAHEIM, California — Blizzard is creating a new MMO game. With the enormous success of its World of Warcraft, it doesn’t seem to make sense for the same company to release a competing title.
Yes, judging by the recent unveiling of its new expansion Cataclysm, Blizzard is still supporting World of Warcraft and its 11.5 million players. But it doesn’t think that losing some of those players to another Blizzard game is a bad thing.
At Blizzard’s annual fan convention BlizzCon this past weekend, chief operating officer Paul Sams said that although there has been some initial concern in the company about cannibalizing their WoW subscribers, they think they’ll get over it quickly.
“I think the (new MMO) is going to be significantly differentiated enough,” Sams said. “Such that, you’re not going to feel like they’re one and the same resulting in that you have to pick or choose,” he said.
Full story @ Wired.com
New MMO Aion, top preorder @ Gamestop
NCSoft's AION Online
What is Aion? Well according to NCsoft's website Aion is a visually stunning massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) where your character wields devastating powers and sweeping wings to explore a celestial world of breath-taking beauty and epic adventure. It features cutting-edge imagery, gorgeous environments, and a unique fantasy world. Your character plays a pivotal role in the fate of Atreia, where the enemy is not only the other player faction but a deadly ancient evil as well.
Well from what I can tell, this game looks pretty awesome. I have not decided yet if I want to step away from World of Warcraft entirely, but I am willing to give it a try.
Preorder Aion @ Gamestop.com