If you have been following the TF2 blog, you'll know by now that the unanticipated "Classless update" has been released. Deviating from their usual formula, Valve have chosen not to update a class in the standard "new weapons and a map or two" format. Instead they have gone for an array of new unlockable hats, a new game mode along with a bunch of new maps.

The main talking point has been the newly added "King of the Hill" mode - KOTH. In KOTH, players find themselves on almost symmetrical maps fighting to hold a single control point. It's basically Arena mode with respawns. All the fragging takes place around the single control point, with the occasional push forward for some old fashioned spawn camping when one team has the advantage. It does however get a little too hectic, as in larger servers where up to 32 players fight simultaneously it can be hard to employ any sort of tactics or gameplan. There also seems to be a large issue with frame rate problems present in this mode, as 6 or 7 heavies accompanied by 8 spraying pyros in a 10m square will take its toll on even the most high end of systems. It seems to me that this mode would be better suited to arena sized servers, usually 20 plays max. The accompanying new map for this mode, Viaduct, is the first official map (as clearly pointed out by the Valve blog) to include snow. Its a welcomed visual change but again it's hard on the machine. The other KOTH maps are mere rehashes of previous Arena maps.

The update also threw in three new non KOTH maps. The first of which is CP_Yukon. In an attempt to cater for the competitive TF2 scene valve have responded by including Yukon, previously only available as a downloadable custom community map. It's well made and visually sound, with plenty of alternate paths to flank. Like most 5cp maps it favours smaller teams rather than larger which tend to get caught up in a stalemate. The next is CTF_Sawmill - again, Valve have copied and pasted Sawmill into a new game mode. However, different from KOTH_Sawmill, the ctf version features some slight changes, such as an additional underground area for the intel. It is however another map that makes your PC work its ass off. The last new map is Arena Offblast, a nice little map that features a dangerous cliff and an indoor area. Standard arena style, but it is a little easy to get caught up in trying to knock opponents off the edge rather than kill them the old fashioned way, a rocket to the face.

New content aside, Valve have made lots of subtle changes too. The Force-A-Nature has been made less powerful, the sandman has a few changes and best of all the losing team now have new 3rd person fleeing and cowering animations which you just need to see for yourself.

I have yet to unlock any of the old hats from the random drop system, and unsuprisingly I have yet to unlock any of the new additions, but I'll just have to keep my eye out for players sporting them on the battlefield. To be honest I was expecting more from the update, but let's just hope this update was an attempt to hold us over that little bit longer until the rumoured Soldier Update is released. Knowing Valve, the next update should hit before Christmas 2010.

Conor

Labels: Conor, Team Fortress 2, Update, Valve

The long awaited PSN title Fat Princess hit the store today, and like many others I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. The download is a nice little 329MB so it didn't take too long, even on my prehistoric connection. After installation I booted the game up and after a few screens I was in the main menu. The menu screen is cute and not too clustered which goes well with the theme of the game.

After a quick glance at the 'How To Play' section, I hit the hilariously titled 'Play With Yourself' mode. You have three options here: Legend of The Fat Princess, Mess About and Gladiator. Legend of The Fat Princess is presented as a story book, taking you through the "story" of the game. It guides you through the basic game modes and maps in a user friendly fashion. I won't spoil the entire campaign for you though as it includes some very funny moments. Mess About is basically just an offline skirmish mode with AI bots and Gladiator is a constant onslaught of enemies.

The gameplay itself is alot of fun. You spawn in the middle of your team's castle (or pirate ship, respectively) and from there you choose your class by means of obtaining a hat from the various dispensers. There are six classes to choose from:

-Villager: Fastest carrier of the princess, very little health
-Mage: A wizard that can cast fire and ice magic
-Priest: The healer of the game, but can be upgraded to drain enemies
-Warrior: Your standard sword wealing brute
-Worker: The manual labour class that collects resources to upgrade buildings
-Ranger: The archer that fires arrows

The class all have their different strengths and weaknesses, but it is usually up to the entire makeup of your team rather than your individual class choice as to how the battle unfolds. Controls are easy to grasp as only a few buttons are used. However, the online play can become a little too hectic in 32 player games, and the occasional lag spike is irratating. The maps are well designed though and beautifully presented by the cell shaded graphics, as is the high level of gore. Online play seems robust from the short time I played it, however I did have problems using the Jump In option to enter a game, but I'll assume this is just teething problems which every online game goes through. Stats are very detailed and the friends system works a treat.

The humour in Fat Princess is one of the main things that give it its charm. I frequently laughed out loud (see: LOL'ed) during my short time playing it. My highlight so far has to be the first time I used a magic potion in the middle of a battle, turning everyone including myself into chickens. I was a little shocked to see a pentagram appearing under the dark priest as he charges his evil attack, but I guess it is just to create a strong distinction between the standard priest and the dark upgrade. The developers also threw in a little tongue in cheek humour in the customisation menu with the skin colours "Milky" and "Chocolate", alongside other food related names in a light hearted manner.

Many were annoyed to learn that Fat Princess would be costing a steep £11.99, but for a PSN title it is alot of fun and in my opinion well worth the money. The few server issues should be sorted soon and I'm sure people will be playing this online for quite a while.

Conor

Labels: Conor, Fat Princess, First impressions, PSN

With the release of the Fury DLC pack for WipEout HD just a day away, Sony Liverpool have patched the game up to version 2.00. Info on the patch:

• New Statistics Section
• Reworked track and ship selection screens
• New community functionality added to make playing online with friends easier
• Several subtle gameplay improvements
  

Its a hefty 109MB patch, so be sure to boot the game up and get it downloaded, as you don't want to sit watching the download screen tomorrow when everyone else is tearing up Fury. The DLC will offer 12 new tracks - including tracks from previous WipEout installments updated for PS3- , 12 new ship models, 3 new game modes including Eliminator, Zone Battle and Detonator, as well as other content.

I'll have a review of the Fury DLC pack soon after release, so keep your eyes on Gamer's Guide to Life for that.

Conor

Labels: Conor, DLC, Update, Wipeout HD

Despite disappointing sales in the western gaming market, the original Valkyria Chronicles was welcomed with excellent review scores and was a very popular SJRPG - that's Strategy Japanese Role Playing Game, for anyone less accustomed to these ridiculous acronyms - among its relatively small fan base.

However, fans of the title may be less than impressed to hear that "Valkyria Chronicles 2: Gallian Royal Officer Academy" is going to be a PSP exclusive this time round, as revealed in the Valkyria Chronicles blog. Set two years after the first game, "Valkyria Chronicles 2" will feature a "new story", "new setting" and "new characters", although SEGA have made it clear that the gameplay from the original will remain intact, as the "BLiTZ" combat system remains. VC2 will also offer greater means of customisation available for infantry and tanks.

The characters are a group of students this time around who, "When not in battle" are "normal students who take classes, play, and fall in love", so they already sound more productive than today's students. The protagonist, the catchily named Aban Hadens, is a young scholar who enrols in the Royal Military after the death of an older brother, and will envitably fall in love with a reckless but lovable female ally in traditional JRPG fashion. Expect an array of impractical hairstyles for a warzone too.

The transposition to PSP may seem odd, but we are affirmed that the series is looking to branch out to a wider variety of users. Gameplay looks set to be consistent with the original and controls shouldn't prove too difficult to adapt, but the much praised graphics from Valkyria Chronicles make the sequel's look like a large step backwards, and the screenshots leave a lot to be desired. AD-HOC play between PSP systems has room for potential, but having never played AD-HOC on any PSP title to date I won't be holding my breath on this one

Check out the Valkyria Chronicles blog for more (although you may need a translator handy) at http://blog.valkyria.jp/ Updates on the title to come

Conor

Labels: Conor, PSP, Valkyria Chronicles 2