The Month Ahead - December 2011

After an extremely busy month for the gaming industry in November, it seems the pace of game releases is slowing down slightly for December. With that in mind, I’ll be taking a look at the handful of titles being released.

Mario Kart 7

Developer(s): Nintendo EAD, Retro Studios

Publisher(s): Nintendo

Genre(s): Racing

Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer

Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS

Release date(s): December 1, 2011 (JP), December 2, 2011 (EU), December 3, 2011 (AUS), December 4, 2011 (NA)

Mario Kart is a truly iconic series of games, loved by individuals worldwide. With a lack of release titles for the Nintendo 3DS in March, Mario fans everywhere have been anxious to obtain this title. Mario Kart is a game that would influence fans of the series to actually purchase the Nintendo 3DS.

Mario Kart 7 is sticking with similar gameplay concepts that its predecessors possessed. The player has the ability to select from an array of Mario characters, to race against others on Mario-themed tracks. Mario Kart 7 has some new additional abilities, which is the ability to drive underwater and applying hand-gliding attachments to your kart.

Mario Kart 7 does include some new gameplay features, despite sticking to the traditional Mario Kart theme. One feature is the ability to customise the kart you choose to drive. The player has the opportunity to select various frames, which range in weight and a selection of tires which will affect the kart’s handling on certain surfaces. The player can also apply hang gliders and parachutes to their kart, which allows players to collect coins, glide through the air when hitting certain ramps and grants them access to alternate routes. Additional weapons are being included in Mario Kart 7, such as the Fire Flower, the Super Leaf and Lucky 7, which is a roulette item.

The coin feature included in Super Mario Kart makes an appearance in Mario Kart 7. Instead of increasing a player’s speed and defence as the coin feature has previously, it is now the key to winning new parts to customise your kart. The trick system from Mario Kart Wii is also featured in Mario Kart 7. This feature allows the player to earn a boost by performing tricks in the air.

The player will have access to the multiplayer feature, which allows up to eight players to compete online. Mario Kart 7 will also make use of the StreetPass and SpotPass features, which allows the player to download ghost data from other players.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Developer(s): BioWare

Publisher(s): Electronic Arts, Lucas Arts

Genre(s): MMORPG

Mode(s): Multiplayer

Platform(s): PC

Release date(s): December 20, 2011 (INT)

Players will have the opportunity to join one of two major factions – the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. Each faction is led by a benevolent or malevolent leader, but the player still has the ability to possess their own individual morality along the light/dark spectrum. Differentiating between the player’s morality and faction is the primary focus of the project. An example of this is if a player had ties with the Galactic Republic, they may belong to the Dark Side, whilst attempting to achieve their own goals.

Each class in The Old Republic will favour a certain playing style, such as melee or ranged. A combination of customisation and companions will allow the player to tackle various scenarios, with or without support of other player’s characters or specific classes to move forward.

Choices that the player makes throughout the game will impact the storyline and the non-playable characters. Every character in the game will feature full voice dialog. Interactions will feature a dialogue system similar to that of the Mass Effect series. The player can choose various companions to interact with. It is said that spending time with a single companion is useful in developing story and content, in comparison with interacting with numerous companions. Exploration is paramount in this title, as the player has access to numerous planets throughout the game.

The plot feature in The Old Republic takes place 300 years after the events that took place within the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic games, and more than 3,500 years before the events of the Star Wars films.

Puss In Boots

Developer(s): Blitz Games

Publisher(s): THQ

Genre(s): Action

Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer

Plaform(s): Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS

Release date(s): 2 December, 2011 (EU)

Puss in Boots is a game based on the Dreamworks film of the same title. It is a title that makes use of both the Kinect and Move on their respective platforms. Puss in Boots is a unique title, aimed primarily at fans of the Shrek franchise.

Puss in Boots allows you to step into the boots of your favourite feline from the Shrek series. Puss primarily uses his sword to engage in combat with enemies. A combination of deadly sword strikes and a sly combat style, allows Puss to become a legendary hero. With the ability to use cat-like sneaking skills, or participate in furious sword slashing, it really does rest in the player’s hands how Puss defeats his foes. Throughout the game, the player has the opportunity to interact with characters from the Puss in Boots film. The main objective is to catch the Golden Goose, that’s if Puss doesn’t get distracted serenading señoritas along the way! With a combination of Kinect and Move features and a charismatic kitty-kat, this game looks to be a purrrfect game for the children this Christmas.

After such a manic month during November, it’s no wonder that the industry has slowed down a bit during December. With three extremely different titles coming out, I’m confident that one of them will satisfy your gaming needs, even if you’re ashamed to admit it!

The gaming line up is already looking to be a fantastic one. With so many titles already announced and rumoured, which ones are you looking forward to? Contact Zero1gaming or any member of the team, and let us know!  We would love to hear from you, and would be extremely grateful for your input!  Many thanks for reading, hope you all have an idea what games you’ll be placing on your Christmas list!

Hannah

Release date sources:

VGReleases
Amazon

Play

The Sims 3 Pets Review: Pop Your Collar!

Get ready to “Pop Your Collar!” An expansion pack that avid Sims fans worldwide were anxious to play, The Sims 3 Pets has knocked the spots and stripes off previous instalments of Pets in the Sims series. I think the majority of Sims fans would agree that a family doesn’t feel complete without a pet. EA finally grants our wish, to create man’s best friend, or in some cases…their worst enemy. I’ll be sharing some information with you regarding The Sims 3 Pets. Will you be purchasing this purrfect addition to The Sims 3? Is it a title worth getting your paws on? It’s time to find out!

Players are able to create cats, dogs and horses in The Sims 3 Pets. The ‘Create-a-pet’ tool allows the players to customise their pet in unique and intricate ways. With numerous breeds to use as templates, the player has the ability to create their perfect pet! Whilst creating your pet, you are able to alter the colouration of their coat and markings, which is divided into separate layers. In regard to customisation, you are also able to adjust the size and length of various body parts of your pet. With literally hundreds of different ways to customise your pet, there are no limitations to what you can create.

In terms of the animations of the pets, they are the most authentic of The Sims series to date. The attention to detail regarding the pets’ appearance is truly remarkable. Facial movements convey the emotions of the pets in an extremely intricate way. Whatever emotion your pet is experiencing, your Sims will know about it. Pets are also extremely vocal in The Sims 3. An example would be that if the food bowl is empty, a pet will vocally inform a Sim of the situation.

Similar to Sims, pets also have traits in The Sims 3 Pets. When creating your pet, you have the opportunity to select three unique traits for your pet. Pets have the ability of obtaining additional traits through various activities in their daily life. An example of this is, if a pet were chewing a rug, and they were disciplined for doing so, they eventually earn the ‘non-destructive’ trait.

Unlike past instalments of this expansion in The Sims series, pets are unable to get a job. Pets are able to participate in activities that on occasion prove to be useful to Sims. Cats and dogs are able to develop the hunting skill. Eventually, they are able to sniff out collectibles, which sometimes possess immense value. Horses are able to provide transport across the town for Sims. Horses also have the opportunity to develop skills in racing and jumping.

Pets play an integral part in the lives of Sims in The Sims 3. Having played The Sims series for a number of years, I feel the interaction with pets has greatly improved since the earlier instalments.  Sims autonomously interact with pets regularly, unlike in past instalments where I feel interactions had to be prompted by the player. The interactions will vary depending on how your Sim is positioned. An example would be that some interactions are only available when a Sim is holding the pet. To unlock additional interactions, Sims are required to develop a relationship with pets. Sims are able to become ‘best friends forever’ with their pets. Depending on the strength of the relationship between a pet and Sim, the pet may react in various ways to interactions. Obviously, a strong relationship score provides a higher success rate for an interaction.

Pets have three life stages: baby, adult and elder. Each life stage varies in duration, the baby stage being the shortest and the adult being the longest. Depending on what life span you select in the options, the duration for all three of these life stages will vary. Pets are unable to die from anything other than old age. I for one am thankful they did not include pets being able to die through starvation or drowning. As I adore animals, I would be extremely upset to see them suffering within The Sims 3. I also feel it would be extremely inappropriate to the younger fans of The Sims series.

As an avid fan of the franchise, I know people will feel I’m being extremely biased with my opinion of this title. Truth be told, The Sims 3 Pets is the first expansion pack where I’ve felt there’s nothing I could criticise in any way. This may be owing to my profound love of both the franchise and animals, but I have gained the most enjoyment of the series from this expansion. Unless you’re an avid fan of the concept of The Sims, this game will not sway you to play this game. Fans of the franchise who were a tad undecided on this title, really should give it a go. The Sims 3 Pets brings a lot to the lives of your Sims. I think any fan can appreciate that. So what are you waiting for? Get your paws on this beautiful title, that will even get your real life pets’ tails wagging!

10/10

Many thanks for reading,

Hannah

Sources:

IGN  

Gamespot

The Month Ahead - November 2011

November is without doubt a phenomenal month regarding game releases. With such a magnificent selection of games presenting themselves, this may leave gamers undecided on which titles to purchase. Hopefully, whilst sifting through this piece, you will decide which of these unique titles you’ll be purchasing this month.

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

Developer(s): Naughty Dog

Publisher(s): Sony Computer Entertainment

Genre(s): Action-adventure, third-person shooter

Mode(s): Single play, online co-op, multiplayer

Platform(s): Playstation 3

Release date(s): November 1, 2011 (US) November 2, 2011 (EU) & (JP) November 3, 2011 (AUS)

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is the third instalment in the Uncharted series. Created by Naughty Dog for Playstation 3, Uncharted 3 is one of the most anticipated titles of 2011.

Uncharted 3 takes place in a third-person perspective, controlling the renowned protagonist known as Nathan Drake. Drake finds himself involved in another daring adventure, venturing into the Arabian Desert hoping to locate the Atlantis of the Sands. Alongside his mentor Victor Sullivan, Drake has to endure the treachery of a shadowy organisation and its menacing leader. Owing to the revelation of the secrets of this lost city, Drake’s quest becomes an immersive test of survival which pushes him to extreme limits and forces him to confront his worst fears.

Drake now has access to various new methods when combating opponents. He has the ability to engage in hand-to-hand combat with multiple opponents, updated stealth options and contextual melee attacks. Uncharted 3 allows Drake to equip two firearms that include a single-handed and a two-handed weapon. Drake can also carry a limited supply of grenades. He is able to pick up weapons which will automatically replace the weapon he was using.

The Uncharted series combines a powerful third-person perspective with a dynamic and engaging storyline. If you seek a game with intricate character development and design, Uncharted 3 is the right choice for you.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Developer(s): Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games

Publisher(s): Activision

Genre(s): First-person shooter

Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer

Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, PC

Release date(s): November 8, 2011 (EU) & (NA) November 17, 2011 (JP)

A game that needs no introduction, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is set firmly in the sights of gamers worldwide.  Modern Warfare 3 will be the third release in the Modern Warfare series and the eighth instalment in the Call of Duty series as a whole.

The plot will immediately follow the events of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in which the Russian Federation continue their invasion of America. The Russians’ have also expanded this assault into European territories. Campaign stages will also take place in Dubai, Somalia, Sierra Leone and Moscow. This highlights the campaign of Modern Warfare 3 which allows the player to traverse across many locations. Throughout the campaign, you assume the role of numerous protagonists that allows the player to experience the story from various aspects.

Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games have confirmed a new feature known as Survival Mode will be included in Modern Warfare 3. Survival Mode allows a duo to partner up and combat endless waves of enemies, which as you progress, increase in difficulty. Spec Ops also will be returning in Modern Warfare 3. The amount of stars available in this mode has been reduced to 48.

With the Call of Duty fan base so passionate about this upcoming release, I feel this game is destined for success. For those who may have been undecided about Modern Warfare 3, I hope this brief bit of insight helps you with your decision.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Developer(s): Bethesda Game Studios

Publisher(s): Bethesda Softworks

Genre(s): Role-playing game, open world

Mode(s): Single play

Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC

Release date(s): November 11, 2011 (Worldwide)

The RPG titans Bethesda reveal yet another magnificent edition to the Elder Scrolls series. Skyrim is set to be the fifth instalment in this renowned series.

Skyrim is a nonlinear gameplay experience, that is consistent throughout the whole Elder Scrolls series. The player is able to traverse the open world of Skyrim on horseback or on-foot. When discovering dungeons, towns and cities, the player has the opportunity to fast travel to these locations. Non-playable characters will deliver quests to you throughout the world. Another feature you are able to receive quests is through the Radiant Story system. These quests will accommodate objectives based on the player’s actions and undiscovered locations.

Non-playable characters may interact with the protagonist which allows the player to develop conversations and relationships with individuals throughout Skyrim. The protagonist may befriend or even marry a non-playable character. Factions still play a primary role in this epic RPG experience. The player has the opportunity to join four factions, each with their own unique members and quest paths.

Character design and development plays an integral role in the Skyrim experience. At the beginning of Skyrim, the player must select a race for the protagonist and customise their appearance. Each race has its own unique abilities which will prove to be useful throughout your Skyrim experience. In previous editions of the Elder Scrolls, the class system was used to determine what skills would aid you in levelling up. Skyrim uses a system similar to that seen in Fallout, the utilisation of perks. When your character’s level increases, you have a selection of skill specified perks to choose from. As you reach level fifty, you continue to level and earn perks but the rate of levelling is decreased significantly.

Airline Tycoon 2 Review: Come Fly With Me, Let’s Fly, Let’s Fly Away

Airline Tycoon 2 is an example of those exquisite titles that barely get any attention amongst gamers. The title is a business simulator, which most people would presume to be a boring genre regardless of your genre preference. I believe this to be a strategic game that should at least be given a chance. I’m confident that once you experience the charm of this quirky title, you’ll be on board Airline Tycoon Airways in no time.

Regardless of what game mode you choose, before you begin that playthrough, you must select a specific player. You have access to four different characters with various personalities. Each character possesses a unique attribute which will aid your airline’s success.

There are two game modes to choose from. The campaign allows you to participate in objective based play. These objectives will vary in topic as you progress. With every objective, you have an additional task of fending off the opposition. You will be competing against three other airlines to complete a specific task. The player also has the option to specify the difficulty which will determine the sum of money you begin with to complete the task. Dependant on difficulty, the value of this money will increase or decrease.

Freeplay allows you to participate in a sandbox version of the game. This allows the player complete freedom to enforce their own objectives and goals to complete. Whatever objectives you set for yourself, you will still compete against the three other airlines in terms of passengers transferred and profits.

As you traverse the airport, you will discover many locations you can visit. The player has the option to converse with people at these locations. Some will offer you tips and advice on running your airline.

You are required to visit some locations to further your progress or complete tasks. An example of this is Hangar 51, where you can purchase new planes and customise it to your heart’s content. The personnel office is where you find job applications from individuals who want to work for your company, such as pilots and flight attendants. You may also employ people in specialised fields such as contract advisors, spies or personnel advisors in this particular office. ImageCorp Pro-Marketing allows the player to enhance the image of their airline. This will attract a larger number of passengers but could also deter them from the opposition. 

The Skytrips International Travel Agency allows the individual to select contracts to various locations. You must then schedule these within your flight plan as cancelling the contract may leave you having to pay a hefty fine. A location of extreme importance is the TakeOff Bar & Bistro. The bartender of this compact bar is responsible for supplying the airlines with food for their flights. You can determine the quality of the food your airline provides, which will directly impact your passengers’ satisfaction levels. Ultimate Color Design provides an essential service to upgrade the interior of your planes. These choices vary from business, economy and standard. Each choice you make will have a separate price tag that affects the standard of the aircraft.

Airline Tycoon 2 is evidently a unique title, which is probably not for everybody. Gamers with a love of strategic gameplay will adore this little gem. Airline Tycoon 2 boasts a clever combination of quirky character design and business simulation. This may not be for everyone, but I truly believe that everyone should at least try this game. So why not try out Airline Tycoon 2 today? Will your airline experience take off without a hitch? Or will you be forced to cancel all flights?

8/10

Many thanks for reading,

Hannah 

sources:

IGN

Do Actions Really Speak Louder Than Words?

The capability of technology is forever expanding, which is reflected in the outstanding quality of visuals within video games. Graphics are constantly improving and are evidently an integral part within the gaming experience. With such an importance being placed on the visuals, do we as consumers take other elements of games for granted?

Some would argue that visuals are the key ingredient when conjuring an environment within a game. People often forget how immersive music and sound can be. As a consumer, you will notice games of various genres using sound in their own unique way. When implemented correctly, utilising sound will affect players in a number of ways.

Can we confidently say the design of a game is the fundamental element that causes us to grow attached to the narrative and protagonists? I feel the voice acting within video games is often neglected. Powerful voice acting has the ability to capture the imagination and emotions of individuals. People often relate to protagonists on a personal level based on what they say or how it is said. The way in which a dialogue is scripted can completely transform the atmosphere within a scene.

Cut-scenes are becoming increasingly realistic within video games. They offer life-like visuals and surroundings. With such a volume of realism, we as individuals often forget that these events are in a video game, not reality. I feel this is a strong example of the power of voice acting. Key points within the narrative often take place within cut-scenes. Often when something crucial takes place within the game, I feel this is conveyed by how the protagonists communicate. This could be their tone of voice, or the topic that they are actually discussing.

When faced with a harrowing quest, the choice of music is often a dramatic theme or tune. Music is often implemented to convey a sense of urgency or drama. Whilst we traverse through our favourite game landscapes, would this sense of urgency remain, if the use of music were not included? When the individual encounters a vicious foe, the music and sounds may alter to reflect the hostile situation.

This topic has been on my mind for quite some time. With a target audience that are so fixated with the visual quality of a title, do we really take other elements for granted? With technology ever-changing, will this neglect towards sound continue to grow? I have discussed this topic with various individuals and would love any feedback regarding it. It’s interesting to see how others interpret this visuals/sound debate. What do you feel is more important? I would love to hear from you. So, do actions really speak louder than words? I’ll leave that for you to decide!

Thanks for reading,

Hannah

sources:

IGN 

Gamespot