EA to the rescue Part 2

By. UnderBreex's

  Welcome back, and thank you for loving Lord Whaley! I’m back to present you with the second and most important part of “EA to the Rescue.” Why should I continue? Easy—by the end of this article your wallet is going to be yearning for these games from EA.

  In all my years of experience in the gaming industry, I’ve never been as excited for a first-person adventure platform and a first-person shooter game as I am now. But enough stalling, I’m here to talk about the games not myself: Mirror's Edge 2 (the sequel to an already amazing and innovative title) and Battlefield: Hardline (a franchise that’s known for its camo-suits has taken a new direction with sleek cops-n-robbers gameplay).

  Originality is Mirror’s Edge’s canvas. Its brightly colored setting differs from most first-person shooters and its parkour fighting style allows a wide array of movements not seen in other video games. In previous trailers and gameplay demos of the sequel we’ve seen the focus shift to combat mechanics, unlike its predecessor. The developer promises more varied gameplay and a greater degree of experimentation. Mirror’s Edge 2 will create more routes and options for the player, while maintaining the same sense of agility. It has been hinted that the franchise is being treated as a trilogy, rumored to be in the works since mid-2009.

  However, Mirror’s Edge 2 has been confirmed as a prequel. Players will be able to dig into Faith’s origins in an open-world action adventure game. The original writer, Rhianna Pratchett, and most of the original staff will not be involved in this title. The game is scheduled to be release around April 2016.

  Visceral Games Battlefield: Hardline will feature new gameplay that breaks away from the traditional military setting to the “war on crime”. Players will play a police offer in the Special Response Unit or the criminals. Nevertheless, players are granted access to military-grade arsenals and vehicles, as well as being equipped with regular mandatory tools like handcuffs and tasers. Among these changes, new modes are added as well:

  -Heist: Criminals must steal packets of money from armored trucks

  -Blood Money: Both factions must retrieve money from an open crate in the center of the map, then  move it back to their respective armored truck

  -Hotwire Mode: High-speed chases across an expansive environment.

  -Rescue: Police officers or S.W.A.T. must try to save hostages from the criminals. 

 Battlefield: Hardline will feature a single player campaign that promises to be amazing while running on the Frostbite 3 engine. This game is scheduled to be released on March 2015, instead of October 2014, its prior date, due to beta testers’ requests. Both games will be available for previous and next generation consoles.

 

 That’s it for today! I hope you guys enjoyed this preview of EA’s line up. They finally made the right decisions and evolved into this video game cycle. Hail the Whale!

Microsoft Recap

By UnderBreex

Once again, it's that time of the year, when wake up really early, rush to the living room, and take a look at our favorite things while celebrating with our closest family and friends. No, it's not Christmas! It’s the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2014! Once again, bringing exciting new video game titles and updates from our favorite companies in the industry. Let's recap!

Starting with Microsoft, the company needed to deliver something genuine for both hardcore and casual gamers, and exciting too, for the love of Lord Whaley! They needed to deliver convincing titles with mind-blowing content, not another cable box. Thankfully, Microsoft learned from their mistakes (asides not hiring a host like Ubisoft), and presented amazing possibilities that had me questioning the safety of my bank savings.

Some of the new announcements included exclusive and third party games, gameplay demos, and new trailers for games such as:

* - Multi-Consoles   ** - Exclusives

-Forza Horizon 2**

-Evolve*

-Crackdown 3**

-Dragon Age: Inquisition*

-Sunset Overdrive**

-Project Spark**

-Ori and the Blind Forest**

-Halo 5: Guardians**

-Scalebound**

-New character for Killer Instinct: Season 2**

-Phantom Dust reboot**

-Dance Central Spotlight**

-The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt*

-Halo: The Master Chief Collection**

These strong titles may be the key for the Xbox One to dethrone the PlayStation 4 in sales, and finally prove its potential, or at least it will by next year.

Starting with Forza Horizon 2, this title gives you the competitive driving thrill of your life. Not only does it have beautiful graphics, it also has a new driving mechanism which no other driving game dominates until now. The Halo: The Master Chief Collection is a big deal, including Halo 1, 2, 3 and 4 remastered for the Xbox One for only $60. It's well-suited for new Xbox owners looking to have one of the best gaming titles in the history. We also got some footage from Halo 5: Guardians, and it was amazing. We expect nothing less from a classic title going into the next generation. One of the biggest surprises was Crackdown 3. Even though extensive gameplay was previewed, they didn’t reveal many details. Finally, Sunset Overdrive has had me craving an Xbox One since last year and it’s not because it reminds me of InFamous a little bit. Sunset Overdrive looks insane as a Creepachu (look it up, thank me later), it's colorful, versatile, and overall very entertaining. More importantly, it’s also a much needed new franchise for this console. Who would’ve guessed that we could launch a teddy bear strapped with a stick of dynamite to destroy enemies?

Microsoft is playing it safe for now by finally showing up some promising titles and engaging what we all love, while also lowering the console’s price tag a $100 by removing the Kinect. The Xbox One is finally heading down a brighter path.

EA to the Rescue Part 1

By UnderBreex

Good day, Lord Whaley lovers! In this journey, we are going to tear into some notorious game developers and their respective companies. Why? Asides the fact that they showed only a few games intended to make a huge comeback,, these higher ups need our satisfaction in order for them to make a profit. Also, I'm a huge fan of these amazing companies and have sold my soul to them on countless occasions. Lately, though, they've had a lack of new content and titles, and I’m finally  hyped.

Let's begin with Electronic Arts. Yes, the devil that charges us for breathing, thanks to micro transactions, and yet still manages to give us amazing and addicting games. They have a solid list of games that are heavy contenders for the coming months and years. Their games are by far the most convincing and for sure best sellers.

First, they’ve teamed up with British studio Criterion to innovate racing games with Burnout. Not only can you drive cars but also ATVs, helicopters, planes, jet-skis and more. It also allows players to explore an open world, instead of just formal racing like we’re used to. They also claim to have been inspired by professional drivers who shared their experiences via YouTube to create a new head-cam view mode.

The much anticipated Star Wars: Battlefront has made an appearance, showing locations based on the first trilogy of films and speeder bikes, though no precious lightsabers or At-Ats. It seems crazy, but it’s still early and there’s always hope. Hopefully, its collaboration from DICE Stockholm and LucasFilm will spearhead the franchise and company back into the glorious empire they once had. 

Deep in the bowels of the EA and BioWare teams, there’s a bit of mystery surrounding Mass Effect 4 and a new sci-fi blockbuster title. It’s too soon to knowthe games’ progress, but it’s a necessary move to make up for bad decisions. For their new mystery title, they showed some vivid hills and fields, and as for Mass Effect 4, they teased something that will include new places and characters that will be to die for.

One of my favorite titles of all times is The Sims. I could give up gaming for life, but if you ever put a Sims title or expansion in front of me, I’d be a very happy hermit. The Sims 4 is better than ever, giving you emotions, traits and customizations to personalize your Sims into the ultimate YOU!The new house building mechanisms are easier, providing pre-created and furnished rooms. Sounds too good to be true, but for now, this new game sadly won't have pools or toddlers available at release.

Next time, I’ll give you the next two games that made a huge impact of gaming goodness and made our wallets cry from the ultimate contender: Ubisoft. Until then, Hail the Whale!

Infamous Second Son Review

By. UnderBreex

  So a couple of weeks have passed since the “inFamous: Second Son” was released and this review is coming out now, simply because this game is so amazing and controversial. 

   Since the beginning, the inFamous series made a name for themselves for their solid game play and beautiful comic book style in storytelling. There's no denying that Cole's adventures where the best among huge PlayStation 3 exclusive titles ever known to gamers. So now, with the arrival of Second Son, everything changes. The story, graphics, and game play take us to a new perspective of what the next generation of games is preparing to deliver. I won't be spoiling any juicy details. I’m hoping that you’ll enjoy this and take a chance on the game.

   In this new story, seven years after the events of inFamous 2, we meet our new hero or villain, Delsin Rowe. It rounds up with Delsin discovering about his cool, new powers and his decision of what to make of them. He travels into the Seattle area, where the Department of Unified Protection are using excessive force toward society and using bigoted terms like "bio-terrorist" to infer to other conduits. Since Delsin is trying to make something out of his newly discovered powers, good or bad, he stands up to liberate the streets. Like Cole, Delsin is chained to his own power: Smoke. However, he also haves the ability to gain another conduit's power (like Rogue or conduit sponge). This ability makes you able to control up to three more elements. For example, you gain Fetch's Neon powers and literally fry a D.U.P. officer. Sadly, you can only use one element at a time. 

    The game still carries the Hero and inFamous path mechanism based on your in-game decisions. It is somewhat disappointing that you can pass the game in between 8 to 12 hours. Nevertheless, the Day One patch and Cole's Legacy DLC, adds up to 5 to 7 hours of game play. However, if you play as "the bad guy" it decreases the hours, as you play by not caring about harming the pedestrians or any consequences that may be presented. Delsin's smoke powers enable him to throw smoke bombs, shoot exhaust fumes, and swim through air vents. We cannot forget the classic park-our abilities, which in this case are more natural and enjoyable for your "urban spelunking" throughout Seattle. You can also unlock and upgrade different given abilities like in previous games. 

    Did I mention how beautiful the scenery takes full advantage of the high definition graphics? This exclusive game for the PlayStation 4 takes full advantage on the console's hardware and delivers amazing visuals that are far from its disappointing, repetitive game play. You can also spot many artistic (graffiti) Easter eggs to reference one: Sly Cooper.

     In the end, it’s for sure that you’ll fall in love as Sucker Punch manages to capture the atmosphere of the real city and connect it with a remarkable story.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy Review

by. UnderBreex

 

 

Platform: 3DS

Developer: Level-5

Publisher: Level-5, Nintendo

Genre: Puzzles, Adventure

Rating: 9.0

 In this latest installment of the second trilogy of Professor Layton, we can see what would be in chronology, the fourth chapter to the history of this iconic character. 

 

  In this game, Hershel Layton, in companion with his trusty apprentice Luke Triton and assistant Emmy Altava are intrigued by a letter, sent by Professor Desmond Sycamore. Who claims he had made the discovery of a "living mummy" and invites Professor Layton to investigate to reveal the secrets of what seems the trails of the lost Azran Civilization. They head on to the town of Froenborg to begin their adventure. They also encounter previous known and new characters as you go along with your investigation. This game follows after the conclusion of Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask. Just so you know, I'm not giving away much details about the storyline. Since it's amazing, you should really experience it for yourself. Trust and thank me later.

  As the story follows, you get to get to familiarize with the new mechanism inside your briefcase and some extra features. It is an all improved in-game menu where you can find your progress and options:

3DS' Top Screen:

-Puzzles Solved

-Puzzled Found

-Total Scores of earned Picarats

-The amount of found Hint Coins

-Time Played 

3DS' Bottom Screen:

-Layton's Journal: where you can go through your notes, recap the story

-Mysteries: What goes around with the story

-Puzzle Index: the Puzzled you had solved or not

-Save

-Episodes: animated scenes

-World Times: a scrapbook that works like a newspaper to keep you up to date with incidents/happenings from all over the world

-Dress Up: Mini game

-Nutty Roller: mini game

-Bloom Burst: mini game

-"?": New StreetPass feature for you to create and obtain Treasure Hunt challenges

-Collection: this is where rare and interesting items obtained in your adventure are stored

-Memo: where you can write your own notes

  Similar to the previous games the story is split into various chapters. Within the gameplay, the new 3D graphics look amazing and is not all of that confusing  when you have to scavenge for those hint coins, collectible objects, puzzles and have to zoom in and out throughout the different scenarios with your stylus. The majority of the time I spent with this game was while using the 3D capability. It was that good and I have not experienced any headache. It also helps if you have a 3DS XL. The animated scenes are the most enjoyable I've seen yet on the 3DS. In my collection, this game's scenes only tops another Professor Layton game: Miracle Mask. They give you a formal visualization of what's going on and the color pallet is more vibrant and not pale like previous games. 

  This time the puzzles are more challenging and varied. In previous games, you could see that at least some puzzled were just solved by the same methods and gave away much of the excitement. The game features over 500 puzzles (more than its predecessor, 515).  Nevertheless,if you think that if the story is only worth it to go through with is one time, you can also enjoy the downloadable daily puzzles or find those sneaky hidden puzzles that serve as side missions.

The game is also involved in travelling around the world such as: Froenborg, Kodh, London, Jungle, Island, Desert, Hoogland  and Walled City. They are all equivalent to the USA, South Africa, Russia and more. This is where the World Times scrapbook comes in handy. The music also supports the game as a important asset. It also gives you hints of the mood and type of place you are exploring.

  Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy is by far the best adventure in the series. It gives you countless hours of gameplay, a story that would make your heart melt, mind-breaking puzzles and a full of action adventures that you cannot miss. This is one of those games that keep you on your toes, because if you miss at least one conversation you can get lost and not know some of those hints that may help you solve some major quests. On a side note, this is by far my #1 franchise and the only games that had made me cry. Including the movie.

  Thank you for reading!

Sony Action Cam HDR-AS30V

by. UnderBreex

Did you ever want a camera to take with into your courageous adventures? Then the Sony HDR-AS30V Action Cam can fulfill your expectations with a cheap price tag (comparisons are now loading).

This compact POV (Point of View) camera includes:

-Sony HDR-AS30V camera

-Waterproof case

-USB to micro USB cable

-Rechargeable battery pack

-Adhesive mounts (3)

            -Flat mount

                -Curved mount (helmets)

                -Top mount (to attach the camera onto other accessories)

-Guide and warranty

It features a waterproof housing that can be taken to 5.0m/16ft underwater compared to the older housing that could go 60m/197ft. Why downgrade it? People wouldn't normally go as far down under, as the housing provided. However, by downgrading to a more limited depth, they improved to a stereo sound quality instead. This means the pleasant sound of the water, noise, or conversations can be recorded more clearly inside the housing. This new case is thinner, lighter, and features external buttons to ease the controlling of the camera without taking the case apart. You can also see its display clearly, which is more user-friendly and easier to read.

This Action Cam is also capable of taking 11.9 megapixel and interval images, steady shots and high quality videos at two different angles: 120 &170. The steady shot videos, unfortunately, cut the size of the actual sight of the frame. The video quality settings are:

-480 x 30 VGA
-720 x 120 Super Slow Motion
-720 x 60 Slow Motion
-720 x 30 Standard
-1080 x 30 High Quality
-1080 x 60 PS

You need a Micro SD Card or M2 Card (Sony's memory card) as an extra purchase, to fully operate your device and record all of your favorite memories. A 32 GB Micro SD Card is highly recommended, so you don't run out of space quickly. I haven't been able to fill-up mine yet.

Moving onto some new features like the upgraded Wi-Fi capability. The Wi-Fi is now accompanied by NFC for fast pairing with NFC-enabled smart phones. This allows your phone to function as a remote and LCD screen for the camera with the PlayMemories Mobile/Home app (available only on iOS, Android, Mac, and PC). It also serves to play your previous recorded footage or pictures, edit, and upload them. A totally new feature is the built-in GPS. While using this feature, it captures GPS data displaying location, speed, distance, time, and date onto your videos.

This camera is highly compared to the Go-Pro Hero3/Hero3+ Black Edition or Hero3+ because it shares similar specs. However, the Sony Action Cam is actually a $100 cheaper placing Sony’s AC at $299, compared to Go-Pro’s at $399. Even when I bought it, adding a couple of accessories like: the suction cup, a floatie, and the tax, it didn't add up to the lonely Go-Pro’s high price. They both share almost the same video and image quality. Nevertheless, when exposed into different lighting and situations it's where they both give a different result. In addition, the Go-Pro is a little harder to operate with its small buttons and almost unreadable display.

Having in mind that I originally wanted a Go-Pro, I’ve fulfilled my expectations by finally owning this camera, which I now utilize to film and photograph my adventures and take the pleasure of saving money.

Lastly, in my very honest opinion, I give a 4.5/5 to the Sony Action Cam.