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12.3.12
Tim Schafer, head of Double Fine Productions, is probably one of the most creative and original developers currently working in the videogame industry.
Known for creating games that challenge the norm and go against genre conventions, such as Pyschonauts and Brutal Legend, it’s undeniable that the development team at Double Fine has a distinctive voice, which for many of us translates into interesting, fun and challenging games, and more often than not offer unforgettable gaming experiences. However, for the head honchos at videogame publishing companies, the creativity that Double Fine breathes into its projects mostly translates into unnecessary risk.
Under the current gaming business model, millions upon millions of dollars are poured into a single game. Here’s some perspective: according to a 2010 report by M2 research (a consulting firm which provides marketing intelligence and strategic consulting on gaming trends) the average multiplatform game can cost anywhere from $18 to $28 million to make, with triple-A games reporting budgets as large as $40 million. When the average publisher invests millions of dollars into a game, you can rest assured that they want nothing more than to make all of that money back, and then some. For these publishers, helping a creative developer to publish a unique and risky game has proved to not always be the smartest way to do that. In the end, what this means is that a unique game with less mass-market appeal is simply much less likely to be published, regardless of its quality or greatness. After all, most publishers are looking to make money, not great games.
That puts developers like Double Fine in a particularly difficult position. Guys like Tim Schafer do not want to just make any game; they want to make extraordinary, unique games that stand out from the pack. Case in point: Double Fine’s upcoming Adventure.
The story goes a bit like this. Schafer and co. are looking to return to the genre that made them famous; the point-and-click adventure. You see, both Monkey Island and Grimfandango were made at LucasArts by the same group of people now working at Double Fine, and these games are considered classics which have, to some extent, shaped the current landscape of the aforementioned genre. The problem is that when talking about point-and-click adventure games, there isn’t much of a landscape to speak of. Back when we were all running our games on huge MS-DOS desktop computers, the point-and-click adventure was all the rage with the cool kids. But those times have long since passed.
Double Fine, as stated above, has done its part in trying to keep the genre alive but, although the point-and-click adventure has bucketloads of old school cred and a niche following, and rare success stories do exist - just browse through Telltale Games' catalogue and see for yourself – once you translate those games into numbers, adventure games are simply no longer what you would call a safe bet. Therein lies the rub for Double Fine. Publishers are not willing to invest millions and millions of dollars in a game which is likely to achieve no more than moderate success.
Enter Kickstarter. It’s a simple enough concept: Kickstarter is an online funding platform, where creative folk rich in ideas and short on cash go to get funding for their projects. Comic book creators, filmmakers, musicians, artists and videogame designers can all head over to the website, present their project to the masses, set a goal and ask for funding in exchange for unique 'thank you prizes'. If your idea is good enough, the people - much like those dead baseball players in a Field of Dreams - will indeed come.
So, you have one of the most innovative videogame creators in the business asking the people he really works for - the gamers - for the support he needs to get this game off the ground. A $400,000 goal was set; if Double Fine was able to reach that goal, the money would be theirs, and if the goal was not achieved then any money they had collected would be lost. On 8th February, 2012, approximately eight hours after the project had been announced, the goal was reached. And surpassed.
As of 3rd March, 2012, Double Fine has collected almost two and a half million dollars; 68,510 have pledged their support; and there are still ten more days of fundraising to go. Two million dollars, pledged by random gamers to a quaint little point-and-click adventure game. Wow is the word you’re looking for, and don’t be ashamed of your ineloquent response; it’s more than appropriate.
Gamers, the sheer awesomeness of the feat achieved by Double Fine should not escape you. I mean, sure, Tim Schafer gets to stick it to the man and make his game (certainly a victory for Double Fine), but it’s also much more than that. When you think about it, those who turned Schafer away at the door weren’t only denying him the opportunity to make this game; they were denying all of us the opportunity to play the game. In the end, publishers who are mostly motivated by their financial interests and the potential economic gain that a game represents dictate what we do and do not play. This time, through Double Fine, we have been granted the unique opportunity to politely tell the publishers to suck it. We want our game, and we’re gonna get it.
What are the implications of this event for the future of the industry? Right now, I wouldn’t rush to any conclusions. For the time being, all this means is that Double Fine is going to get to make an adventure game that will probably be amazing, and a bunch of lucky gamers will get to play it, knowing that they played a part in its creation.
How this affects the industry in the long term depends on a few things. First and foremost, the success of the game. If other publishers see that this funding/publishing scheme is viable and can lead to success, I’m sure more would jump on the bandwagon, and that not only means more interesting games for us to play, but also a certain degree of control and choice too.
Could you imagine if each of the big developers tried out one of these 'community-funded' games at least once every couple of years? Do you want to see your favorite classic Capcom franchise reborn? Put your money where your mouth is, and a new Megaman X game might be just around the corner. Rather see a wholly new character then a rehashed Donkey Kong game? Well, if Nintendo were to give you the chance, you may get the opportunity to make that happen by simply investing in that new IP.
Through massive funding, via Kickstarter or other similar platforms, the power to mould the gaming landscape is, in a very real way, in the hands of gamers around the world. If nothing else, it's extremely nice indeed to think about the endless possibilities it entails.
If you think what Double Fine is doing is nothing short of epic, than show some support. Head on over to the game’s Kickstarter page and donate as little as a single US dollar. Donate $15 or more, and you’ll get a copy of the game once it's released. Go ahead and take part in potentially changing the future of gaming.
Labels: Double Fine, Double Fine Adventure, Feature, Financial, Joey Núñez, Kickstarter, Tim Schafer
- Joey Núñez
The better part of my teenage years were spent with a PS2 controller in-hand, and over the years I built up a pretty decent collection. Inevitably, though, there were a huge amount of games that I simply never got around to playing.
The Bloodrayne games fall into that category. From what I’ve heard, great games they weren't, but considering that these games centered around a female cahracter giving a good kicking to a vampire arse, and my being a consummate Buffy fan, the series was always prominently featured on my radar.
About ten years after the original game first hit stores, I find myself knee-deep in the awesome Bloodrayne: Betrayal, a downloadable title which hit PSN and Xbox Live a few months ago. A strong departure from the previous games in the series (3D action games), Betrayal is a 2D, side-scrolling extravaganza of a platformer, filled with gorgeous animation and old-school challenge, reminiscent of the great Castlevania games. Betrayal has been an incredibly pleasant surprise, not only because of its high quality, but also because I had all but given up hope in a new game in the series being developed.
Let us not forget that videogames, after all, are a business, and developing and releasing a fully-fledged disc game and putting that game onto store shelves is pretty expensive. As a result, whether or not a game gets made is mostly a matter of numbers; all that the big head-honchos at the top of the videogame food chain want to know is whether their investment will yield any profit. It’s a strategy that keeps the industry making money, but its also the reason we get a 'brand new' Call of Duty each year which isn’t really very 'new' at all. But when developers can eliminate all the costs incurred through the use of the DVD and Blu-ray formats, risks can be taken. In a nutshell, the lower the cost to make the game, the less return those pesky head honchos will be expecting; this means that the developer is free to shy away from the run, shoot, cover, rinse and repeat gameplay formula of most games, and can try a less conventional idea, whilst also retailing for a lower price, enticing gamers to take the risk too.
Rocket Knight, which we'll talk about later, is one IP given a second chance by the advent of downloadable games.
The digital medium has allowed indie developers to throw their hats into the ring and provide us with games that are new, exciting and inventive (Flower, for instance), but it has also allowed established publishers and developers to revisit some of gaming's greatest classics. Most publishers have taken the easy route and ported games from previous generations; you will find PlayStation Store, Wii Store and Xbox Live Marketplace laden with old-school classics now made easily available to the gaming public at large, and whilst I appreciate the opportunity to download Final Fantasy VII and Chrono Trigger directly to my PS3, I think most developers are missing out on a great opportunity; revisiting the classics via new, original games.
Bloodrayne, a so-so franchise to begin with, was given a second chance thanks to the comforts that digital marketplaces provide, and it isn't the only forgotten franchise to be given a second lease of life. Everyone from Megaman to Sonic has felt the love of the digital download in the last couple of years, but the really interesting games have been those which have taken a chance on much more obscure games of the past. Case in point: Rocket Knight. A platformer featuring an opossum dressed as a knight with a rocket pack and fighting off a bunch of moody pigs was the bread and butter of gaming in the 90s, but is certainly a tough sell in the current gaming landscape. Yet the valiant opossum made a return to consoles not two years ago, with a gorgeous looking 2.5D plaform style and engaging and challenging gameplay. Old-school fanboys rejoiced.
Squaresoft's Threads of Fate, yet another game that could be reimagined through digital distribution.
There are many forgotten franchises out there which 'older' gamers, such as myself, would love to revisit. Can you imagine finally seeing a sequel to Squaresoft’s quirky action-RPG, Threads of Fate? How about a brand new Crash Bandicoot game; I’ve always thought we should bring the little critter back as the PlayStation’s official mascot, so why not? Even more recent games such as Prince of Persia (2008) or Folklore, which were somewhat polarising, could be revisited with minimal cost and effort (at least compared to what producing a disc based sequel would entail). Ninja Theory: I know Heavenly Sword wasn’t the huge success everyone thought it would be, but how about a 2D platformer featuring Nariko? Gorgeous art, engaging combat, and a chance to control Nariko again; where do I sign? There are dozens of interesting characters, stories and worlds just wasting away into nothing, and I believe the digital gaming marketplace is the boost that they’ve been waiting for.
How about you, gamers? Do you think more classic franchises should be revisited, or should the past be left out in the cold? Should digital games strictly offer new experiences, or is a reimagined classic enough to get you involved? We want to know, so sound off below.
Oh, and one more thing. Picture this: Psychonauts 2 on PSN. Awesome? Oh, hell yes.
Labels: Bloodrayne, Bloodrayne: Betrayal, DLC, Downloadable games, Feature, Joey Núñez, Opinion, PlayStation Network, PSN, Wii Store, Xbox Live Marketplace
- Joey Núñez
I am unabashedly a fan of Resident Evil. Ever since I walked into that creepy mansion in the outskirts of Raccoon City I have been hooked, having played and owned every single main game in the series.
Like every long-running series, the Resident Evil franchise has had its highs and lows, but when all is said and done, you would be hard pressed to deny that Resi is an iconic series, birthing characters and game mechanics that will go down in the gaming history books.
As you can probably tell by now, the announcement of a new Resident Evil game, to me, is nothing short of a gaming event. Consequently, when Capcom officially announced Resident Evil 6 a few days ago I felt like a kid in a candy store, and my excitement only grew once I laid eyes on the fantastic trailer. But I don’t want to be the only geek on this hype train; I want you right there with me, so here are six awesome reasons that prove why you too should be marking Resident Evil 6's release date on your calendar.
Reason 1: Mr Badass Protagonist, I'd like you to meet M. Badass Protagonist the second
For a series with famously horrific dialogue, it is surprising that Resident Evil has somehow managed to create such endearing and iconic characters. The series' core protagonists have evolved over the years, developing individual character arcs which (although convoluted) have managed to overall make a weird sort of sense. These characters have somehow managed to overcome their many flaws, including their imposed dialogue impairments, and ingratiate themselves with gamers worldwide.
Such are the cases of Chris Redfield and Leon S. Kennedy. The first has been the stalwart male protagonist of the series since its inception, and has gone from being an overwhelmed, cardboard cut-out, clichéd cop character, to a man with a mission in life, deeply affected by the rollercoaster of trauma that has surrounded him for years. The second, the rookie Raccoon City cop with the Bieber haircut, was literally transformed into a badass before our very eyes, whilst still being perhaps the most relatable of all of the series characters.
Resident Evil 6 will make series history by putting these two characters in the same game together. That was the collective gasp of Resi fanboys around the world which you just heard.
Reason 2: a story Bond would be proud of.
I have a somewhat love-hate relationship with Resident Evil's story. Most of the time, the yarn crafted by the cooky guys at Capcom isn't much more than soap opera fare. However, over the years I've found myself engrossed in the mythos of Resident Evil. I read up on the characters on wiki sites, enjoy the multiple conspiracy theories bouncing around the internet, and try to keep up with the ever-expanding history of the evil Umbrella Corporation.
The point is that what started out as a simple 'night of the living dead' game has morphed into a whole world, featuring espionage, intrigue and worldwide bioterror. I love it, and I can't wait to see just what Capcom has up its sleeve, especially with a game reported to follow three protagonists in branching yet intertwining storylines, which will see our protagonists in locales around the world. Time to update those wikis fanboys.
Reason 3: Ada-freaking-Wong
We first heard of Ada Wong all the way back in Resident Evil 1. Apparently the girlfriend of one of the scientists working in the mansion lab, Ada's name was said scientist’s computer password. Poor dope. As the series progresses we encounter Ada in both Resident Evil 2 and 4, and learn that she is somewhat of a superspy, working for one shadowy organization or another, in an attempt to obtain information and samples of the bioweapons at large.
The quintessential femme fatale, Ada Wong is an incredibly memorable, scene-stealing character, who was an absolute joy to play as in Resident Evil 4. The Asian sensation is poised to make her comeback in Resident Evil 6, and will be playable. Huzzah!
Reason 4: Survival-horror? Action? Does it matter?
The feelings I first experienced when I first played Resident Evil 5 are hard to describe. It featured prominently on my screen; both Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine, the series’ original protagonists, were featured in the game; horrifying mutated dogs were lunging at my neck; all of the ingredients that make up the Resi recipe seemed to be present. But it just didn’t feel like a Resident Evil game. It very quickly dawned on me that the survival-horror which defined original Resi games had been replaced with non-stop monster-killing action. Solitary walks down confined corridors, with nothing but a single clip of ammo and your trusty knife were out; co-op and no-holds-barred kill fests were in. Although this transition had been initiated by Resident Evil 4, the definitive jump made by Resi 5 was somewhat jarring. In the end though, I didn't really care.
The fact of the matter is that Resident Evil 5 was a good action game. The game mechanics of the original Resident Evil games were starting to show their age, and a change was needed. The series was turned on its head, and no-one can say that's automatically a bad thing. Resident Evil 6 seems to be pushing that action envelope even further, and to Capcom I say go for it. They gave me Megaman; I trust those guys.
Reason 5: Co-op Madness?
Six player online co-op? Six players, controlling six Resi characters, facing a horde of the series' best monsters? Although this has not yet been confirmed by Capcom, the rumour mill is running at full force, encouraged by a post about the game featured on Xbox.com. The post has since been removed, but if there is any truth to the rumour you should be excited; very excited.
If you have played the mercenaries mode featured in Resi 5 with a friend, you know how addictively fun co-op Resident Evil madness can be. Adding four more of my pals into the mix is a stroke of genius if you ask me. I’m in.
Reason 6: Zombies!
Watch the trailer. Zombies are back. Rejoice!
Labels: Feature, Joey Núñez, Resident Evil, Resident Evil 6
- Joey Núñez
I am a big believer in the positive aspects of gaming. I’ve defended my hobby both in person and on the net, and I truly feel that videogames can have a palpable, positive effect on people everywhere.
Recently, I was pleasantly reminded of this fact, thanks to the little downloadable game that could, Trine. Trine is a PSN game (developed originally for Windows PC) by Finnish developer, Frozenbyte. In the game you take control of three heroes, each of whom have been bound together by the mystical Trine. As a result of the magic spell of the Trine, a knight, a thief and a wizard are forced to share one body, and must work together in order to traverse platforms, solve puzzles and defeat enemies. The main concept behind the game is that you can - and must - freely switch between any of the three characters, but can only control one of them at a time, forcing you to use your head and think about which character’s ability you need to get past a specific challenge.
Trine was one of the first downloadable games I ever purchased. The game enamoured me with its beautiful graphics and its old-school, 2-D platforming; plus, since the game allowed up to three players to play locally, I figured it would be a great chance to convince my boyfriend to join in on the gaming fun.
It’s been a concerted mission of mine to turn my boyfriend into a pseudo-gamer of sorts. I have had varying degrees of success. Fighting games he can manage, as long as you don’t force him to choose more than one character. It still surprises me that, to this day, when I play Mortal Kombat with friends and they choose anyone other than Zub-Zero, I had forgotten that such a decision was even possible. Shooters have also been a success of sorts, and we’ve logged hours upon hours playing Resistance - it has become quite evident that shooting aliens in the face is something that makes us a better and happier couple.
Trine was one of our earliest co-op experiences, and I kid you not, gamers, but that game taught me more about us and our relationship than I care to recall.
Before we go further into this, there are a few things you should know. I am not what you might call a 'patient' gamer. If you see me flipping a switch, grappling off a wall and double-jumping over a fiery pit onto a platform, I expect you to do the same. Damn it, how hard could it be?! You just saw me do it, didn’t you? I sometimes forget that not everyone has been doing this since they were five.
Case-in-point: my boyfriend. The poor shmoe owned a Nintendo with a copy of Mario Brothers a few eons ago, and that’s basically where his gaming-jedi training ended. And, although talented in many areas – the man makes a mean apple pie - when it comes to games, a fast learner he is not. As you can imagine, in a game in which three heroes share one body, throwing two gamers into the mix only confuses things even further. Co-operation and communication are key. The players, like the characters of Trine, have to find a way to share the three heroes and their abilities, and act in unison towards achieving their goal.
I think it was maybe after the fifth consecutive time that I plunged to my death, after my significant other conjured a box directly over my head with the Wizard as I attempted to manoeuvre over some platforms, that I very seriously thought it was time to reconsider this whole 'relationship' thing. "It’s just a game!" he protested. "Why are you so lame at this!?" I yelled. It didn’t take much more than that, and a full blown fight was on. Over Trine. Over a game. But not really.
Turns out it wasn’t so much that we were having trouble communicating during our Trine gaming session, but rather we were having trouble communicating in general. I was not only an impatient gamer; the fact of the matter was that I wasn’t a patient boyfriend. As for him, it became pretty evident that he was hesitant to follow my lead during Trine, because, in a lot of ways, he wasn't too keen on following my lead at all. We had run into a problem here; a puzzle of considerable challenge.
Here’s the thing though. We both wanted to make it work. We both wanted to beat Trine, so to speak. Trine became a metaphor for our relationship and its creases. So we took a step back. We took an inventory of what our strengths and weaknesses were, and reassessed that puzzle. Long story short, we beat that puzzle and kicked Trine’s ass.
A few days ago, we started playing Trine 2. Every now and again, a random box will be conjured directly over my head. And yes, many a digital death has ensued as a result of his inherent noobness. But he’s getting better, and I’ve learnt to sit back and enjoy it all. I’ve stopped trying to turn him into a fully-fledged gamer (sort of), and instead I've begun to enjoy the simple joys of gaming with my significant other. As a result, the yelling to laughing ratio has been flipped on its head.
Trine, and gaming in general, has not only helped my relationship, but has provided me and my boyfriend with a hobby that not only allows us to spend time together, but that forces us to work together as a unit, to communicate or fail, that gives us ample opportunities to help each other succeed and to share triumphs. And that's certainly not bad for a pastime that has a reputation for turning us all into a bunch of antisocial loners.
Labels: Feature, Joey Núñez, Opinion, Trine
- Joey Núñez
Batman: Arkham City
Developer
Rocksteady StudiosPublisher
Warner Bros. InteractiveSquare Enix (Japan)
Platforms
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows PC, OnLive, WiiU (2012)Reviewed on
PlayStation 3Genre
Action-adventure, beat 'em up, stealthCertificate
PEGI 16+, ESRB TAs tends to happen, the extreme popularity of the comic character has led to movies, animated series, tonnes of merchandise and - of course - videogames. In 2009, Rocksteady broke the licensed game curse, and created a Batman videogame unlike anything anyone had ever seen before. The boys and girls at Rocksteady care for the character, and poured attention and love into every single detail of the project, crafting more than just a game, but rather an experience. Batman: Arkham Asylum was more than just the best Batman game ever, or the best comic book game ever; it was one of the best games of 2009, full stop. This left this year’s sequel, Batman: Arkham City, with a rather unprecedented predicament: it ended up a licensed game with a large quantity of valid expectation for greatness weighing it down. Comic geeks and gamers the world over were wondering if Rocksteady would be able to strike gold twice.
The answer? Yes. God, yes.
You know the way that every sequel promises to be bigger and better, and then hardly ever is? That, luckily, didn't happen this time. Rocksteady hit the bullseye, and somehow managed to make the already pefect Batman experience even better, delivering a massive follow up to Arkham Asylum that is truly bigger and better in every way, giving you more of what you loved from the original and doing away with anything you hated. Fan expectations were more than met; they were surpassed entirely. This was clearly Rocksteady’s objective.
So how does a developer go about beating itself at its own game? Well, Rocksteady’s first order of business was giving players a larger playground to play in. Enter Arkham City, the mega-prison after which the game is named. If you’ve somehow managed to avoid spoiling the story for yourself already, I won’t spoil it for you here. All you need to know is that Quincy Sharp, former warden of Arkham Asylum, is now mayor of Gotham City, and he has somehow convinced the bigwigs of Gotham to let him wall off a complete section of the city and turn it into a prison. The result: a literal city prison, populated by every low-life thug, criminal and super-criminal in Gotham City. With appearances from almost every major nemesis in Batman’s rogue gallery (and a few not so major ones), veteran comic book writer Paul Dini has written a meaty, intense and suspenseful story that evokes a true sense of urgency in the player as the plot develops. The pacing of the narrative is pitch-perfect, and the game is filled with unexpected twists and reveals that will have you nerdgasming well into the night.
The game’s narrative is made that much greater by the excellent gameplay through which you experience it. Gameplay is divided into three basic elements: exploration, combat and stealth. Playing as the Dark Knight himself, Arkham City is yours to explore. As a gamer, jumping, gliding and grappling from rooftop to rooftop in an environment as vibrant and layered as Arkham City is a treat. As a Batman fan, the experience is just indescribable, and must be experienced to be understood. When you’re not mindlessly gliding around the city skies and freaking out at just how awesome Batman’s cape looks billowing in the wind, you’ll probably be meticulously scouring the environments for secrets or clues related to your current mission. Rocksteady has not forgotten that Batman is first and foremost a detective, and has made sure to feature Batman’s crime solving deductive skills prominently in the game, both in the main story missions and side missions, which I’ll get on to later.
As you can probably imagine, based on the fact that the whole game takes place in a megaprison filled to the brim with people that want our hero dead, you will get into a fair amount of scuffles. You will deal with your opponents either via direct mêlée combat or stealth. For the mêlée combat, Rocksteady has refined the amazing combat system they created for Arkham Asylum, the Freeflow Combat System. Freeflow combat sounds simple on paper: attack enemies with one button, stun them with another, dodge with a third and press a fourth button at the right time to counter. The truth of the matter, though, is that although the system is simple enough that a beginner can pull off some nice moves, this by no makes the game a button masher. If you’re going to call the Freeflow combat button-mashing, you might as well call Guitar Hero a button masher, and no, that is not an exaggeration. The key to successful combat in Arkham City is timing; you have to time each move to perfectly follow your previous move, counter just at the right moment, dodge exactly when required, all in an effort to boost your combo count and, consequently, the experience you gain from a fight. Perfecting Freeflow combat requires real skill. Add in enemies which require specific attack approaches, special moves and quickfire gadget moves – which allow you to incorporate Batman’s nifty arsenal into his combos – and you’ve got yourself an extremely robust combat system which will probably provide you with some of the most rewarding combat in any action title, ever.
Once you perfect the freeflow combat I guarantee you will feel like a ninja. But, alas, Batman - like all heroes - has a lethal weakness. For Superman, it's kryptonite; for Batman, it's guns - guns will kill the guy. Charge into a room filled with gun-toting goons, and you'll find yourself walking into the light faster than you can say "holy fatal wound, Batman". Armed henchmen require a more tactical approach; namely, stealth. Stealth (or predator) sections will require you to patiently wait in the shadows and use your wits and your gadgets to take out your opponents. Fear not, though, because the game arms you to the teeth, with everything from the must-have batarangs to explosive gel, freeze bombs, smoke grenades and zip lines. These stealth situations are also where you’ll make use Batman’s 'Detective Vision', which allows you to see through walls, in order to identify enemies and the weapons they're carrying. Each predator room is basically a puzzle that needs solving, with the answer always ending up as you doing a triumphant Batoosie dance over a heap of unconscious bodies.
Once you’ve explored, fought and ninja’d your way through the main story there’s still loads - and I mean loads - of things to do in Arkham City. The side missions prepared are just awe-inspiring, with most side quests featuring deep plots and their own villains. These optional quests will have you scouring the city solving The Riddler’s riddles, as lives hang in the balance; investigating a series of grisly murders; chasing down ringing phones in an effort to track down a psychopathic murderer, and so much more. With no hint of a joke, the side missions in Arkham City could be their own stand-alone game, they are that good. You also have the challenge rooms to occupy your time; these are Riddler Challenges, that either see you taking out waves of enemies with Freeflow combat, or clearing rooms of armed thugs in stealth missions. All missions are ranked online, with leaderboards and such, so you always have incentive to come back to these challenges and increase your scores. Add to the mix the addition of the newly re-vogued 'New Game Plus', which lets you play through the main story with all your experience and gadgets whilst considerably ramping up the difficulty, and it's easy to see that replay value is the name of the game. Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned Catwoman yet, have I?
Every new copy of Arkham City includes a download code, which will let you access the Catwoman missions. These missions are interwoven with the game's main narrative, so they seamlessly integrate with the main story. It’s true that you could play the entire game without experiencing the Catwoman missions and not feel like you’re missing out on anything, but trust me, you would be. Catwoman moves and fights completely differently to Batman, and playing as the famed femme fatale was probably one of my favourite experiences of Arkham City. Not only will these missions reveal more about what’s going on in Arkham City, but they will also reward you with some of the best gameplay the title has to offer. Long story short, download, and play now.
Rocksteady has also been generous with its offering of DLC. Already the company has released two DLC character packs, featuring Nightwing and Robin respectively. These packs allow you to play as these two members of the Batman family in all of the game's challenge rooms, as well as in additional challenge rooms included in the DLC. These characters can’t be used in the main game, which has disappointed more than a few fans; however, I can guarantee that each character is worth trying out. Both have a very distinct feel to them, in combat and in stealth missions, and they are more than just palette swaps, with distinct moves, gadgets and combat styles. At the end of the day, though, I’d say that you should only really get these packs if you have the cash to spare, or if you’re a huge fan of the characters, like me. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.
Lastly, I just have to mention how spectacular this game looks. The art style is spot on, and the game is brought to life with stunning graphics and vibrant music, every bit as epic as anything you’d expect to hear in Christopher Nolan’s Batman flicks. It’s the gaming equivalent of awesome sauce, and you know just how awesome awesome sauce is.
I read somewhere that Arkham City was more of a Batman simulator than a game, and I couldn’t agree more. Rocksteady has successfully, and fully, recreated the 'Batman experience' in gaming form, and if you know anything about Batman then you'll know just how much of an impressive feat this is. Batman: Arkham City is easily my favourite game of 2011, and a solid contender for Game of the Year. You owe it to yourself to play this game.
10/10 [?]
Labels: 2011, Batman, Batman: Arkham City, Joey Núñez, Review, Rocksteady Studios, Warner Bros.
- Joey Núñez
X-Men: Destiny
Developer
Silicon KnightsPublisher
ActivisionPlatforms
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, WiiReviewed on
PlayStation 3Genre
Action RPG/BrawlerCertificate
PEGI 16+, ESRB TI’ve been dreaming of becoming one of Marvel Comics’ ‘mutants’ ever since. I would join the X-Men and become a hero, and be utterly and unapologetically awesome. Alas, it turns out that telekinesis is not one of my god-given talents; at least, not yet. In the meantime, I am left to live out my super-heroic dreams through comics, movies, and games. X-Men Destiny promised to be a cause for celebration for me and my inner eight-year-old, but, regrettably, the celebration consisted of a couple of awkward high-fives instead of the tribal comic geek dance that we had been anticipating.
X-Men: Destiny seems promising enough, as it sets out to tread the ground so many X-Men games before it have surprisingly ignored. Instead of letting you play as an established mutant hero or villain, the game casts you as a new mutant in the Marvel Universe, and allows you to choose your alliances, siding either with the X-Men or the Brotherhood of Mutants. This is a seriously great idea; what better way is there to get the wannabe mutants of the world to identify with a game character, than to let us play through our very own origin story? Sadly, although the premise is full of promise, the execution is a strictly mediocre affair.
The game starts off at a San Francisco peace rally, hosted by the government’s Mutant Response Division, the X-Men and the Mayor. All of the involved parties are hoping to quell the rising tensions between mutants and humans, as relations have hit an all-time low following a series of natural disasters, for which mutants have been scapegoated. Add to that the death of Professor Charles Xavier, and the disbandment of the X-Men, and things look pretty grim. As you can expect, the rally does not go as planned, as an apparent mutant attack sends the masses running for the hills. You stand somewhere in that panicking crowd and, as all hell breaks loose around you, your mutant powers manifest themselves for the very first time. The story offers several predictable twists and turns, but, for the most part, it isn’t half bad. X-Men Destiny offers up a true comic book yarn, which could have been pulled straight out of one of Marvel’s books. So what’s the problem? Well, the problem is the way the game wants you to believe the choices you make have some kind of effect on the story, when, in fact, they don’t.
See, at the beginning of the game, you’re prompted to choose between one of three characters: Aimi Yoshida, a young and spunky Japanese refugee; Grant Alexander, a football jock with a college scholarship (and, if you’re wondering, he is indeed a total douche); and Adrian Luca, who, as the son of a human supremacist, is arguably the most interesting of the three characters. Choosing who you play as is the first 'false' choice that the game presents you with, because the characters are so poorly developed that, regardless of who you choose, your experience with the game will be largely unchanged. Sure, Grant hits on any female character he can find, and Adrian has some serious daddy issues which pop up occasionally, but other than that, the game doesn’t really make you feel like you’re having substantially different experiences.
The same can be said of your choices of alignment with either the X-Men or the Brotherhood. Throughout the game you’ll encounter several well-known Brotherhood and X-Men members, many of whom will ask you for help with various missions and attempt to sway you towards their cause. As a fan of the comics, fighting beside Emma Frost was very different from fighting alongside Mystique, but for the casual gamer, I’m not quite sure the difference will register, largely because the game fails to make the missions offered by both sides feel any different. Most missions task you with taking out a given number of enemies, and regardless of who you fight alongside, you’ll smash through the same faceless lackeys and ultimately head towards the same goal. Having played through the campaign aligned with both the X-Men and the Brotherhood, it was utterly disappointing to choose differently only to find that I ended up taking on exactly the same mission that I had completed before. Talk about lazy game design.
As for the gameplay, X-Men Destiny promises to make me feel like a powerhouse of a mutant, and for the most part, I’m going to go ahead and confirm that this is achieved. Although the game is mostly a button masher, I must admit I did enjoy mashing said buttons, mainly due to the different ways that the game allows you to customise your mutant and his or her powers. At the start of the game, you’ll be asked to choose between three different power sets: density control, which will turn you into a brawler with the ability to encase yourself in obsidian stone; shadow matter, which will allow you to pull off some very acrobatic and quick moves (think a badass Nightcrawler); or energy projection, which will have you shooting shiny lights from your hands that blow stuff up real good. Each power set comes with a branching skill tree, which allows you to upgrade your powers with new combos and abilities, all pretty standard stuff. The real treats, though, are offered up by the X-Genes.
X-Genes are power-ups and upgrades you are awarded with upon completing missions. Think of them as genetic material belonging to your favourite X-Men characters, which you can equip to your character. There are three different types of X-Genes: offensive, which grant special attributes to your attacks; defensive, which ramp up your evasion skills and defensive capabilities; and utility, mostly passive abilities or movement upgrades, which grant you the power of flight or super-speed. If you’re playing with density control powers, you might equip the Iceman offensive X-Gene, the Emma Frost defensive X-Gene, and the Quicksilver utility X-Gene; this will cause your character’s hits to freeze your opponents, and allow you to run around the screen at super-speed with your body encased in diamond. Just that idea is pretty freaking awesome, especially for a fan of the comics.
One last bit of customisation comes in the form of the special suits you find. These suits are also inspired by the most famous mutants in the comics, so each of the three main characters end up with their own version of classic costumes, such as Wolverine’s yellow-and-blue costume, or Psylocke’s purple threads. These suits aren’t just for show, though. If you equip all of the X-Genes related to a specific character and also wear that character's suit, you’ll be able to activate X-Mode, which grants you a considerable power boost for a short period of time, allowing you access to the abilities and powers of the mutant whose genes you have equipped.
So gameplay is completely epic, right? Well, no: sadly, it isn’t. Although goofing about with your mutant powers is fun, the enemies that the game pits you against are just too darn repetitive and, frankly, dumb. The AI is a mess, and enemy variation is slim. You end up feeling like an Omega-level mutant taking on a bunch of Danger Room bots. Can this be fun? Certainly. Is it ultimately forgettable? Absolutely and undeniably.
Lastly, the game has caught a good deal of flak for its presentation, and it’s time that the record were set straight: it isn’t as horrible as certain internet folks would have you believe. The voice work is actually pretty darn good, and all the major players act and sound like you would expect them to, which is something I greatly appreciate. As for the visuals, there are two things to consider: the art style and the graphics. The art style wants to be great; a very cool animation sequence at the beginning of the game just oozes with comic book coolness. Likewise, the character's suits all look good and are faithful to the comic design – with the exception of the newly hippie Nightcrawler – and the main characters’ customised suit designs are pretty authentic as well. The problem is that the graphics just don’t do the designs justice. Character models are seriously lacking in detail and animation fluidity, and the hair, oh-do-not-even-get-me-started on the hair. Mutant powers look okay, with some decent particle effects here and there, but the environments you let your powers loose in are mostly drab and lifeless. All in all, the game is not hideous, but neither is it pretty by any stretch of the imagination. On the heels of Batman: Arkham City, a visually-uninspired comic book game is simply unacceptable.
If you are a fan of the comics, I say you should definitely give X-Men: Destiny a try. There is a certain rush to fighting as a new mutant alongside the likes of Cyclops, Colossus, and Emma Frost, which only an X-Men fan can entirely appreciate. I'd be lying if I said that I didn’t have fun with this game, though whilst X-Men: Destiny is a fun distraction, it doesn't achieve much more than that. If you’re looking for the next great action RPG or comic book game, your attention should be centred elsewhere.
6/10 [?]
Labels: 2011, Activision, Joey Núñez, PlayStation 3, Review, Silicon Knights, Wii, X-Men, Xbox 360
- Joey Núñez
I’ve been playing videogames for about 20 years now, and in that amount of time I like to think that I’ve become a pretty darn talented player..
I finish all my games, hunt down secrets and power-ups, and generally wipe the floor with would-be opponents. Admittedly, most of my opponents over the years haven’t been true gamers; for some unfathomable reason, most of my friends just haven’t been into videogames. So - as you can imagine - when one of the poor bastards picked up a controller and challenged me to a round or two, the results were pretty much invariable: Joey would reign supreme.
Although it’s arguable how fun these challenges truly were, one thing is certain: they led me to believe that I was some kind of gaming legend, unlike other gamers, unlike other men. Whispers were heard of my prowess the world over. I was great and I knew it.
Hell yeah, bitches.
Now, you should know I’ve never really been into online gaming. As a huge fighting game fan, most of my early online experiences were focussed on these types of games, which are utterly ruined by lag. With a bad internet connection at the time, I abandoned my online adventures. I have since upgraded my internet, but with the unpleasant taste that was left in my mouth by a laggy Soul Calibur IV, I was hesitant to try out the online arena again. Until recently that is.
It was a regular Tuesday night at home, nothing particularly out of the ordinary. I got home from work, made myself a ham sandwich and sat down to enjoy some quality gaming time. As I flicked through my collection, and deliberated what my game of choice for the evening would be, I found the whimsical sideway looks of Ryu and Ironman to have a particularly charming glow, and popped Marvel vs. Capcom 3 into my PS3.
My love for comics and fighters is well known here on GGTL, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that I’m still playing the hell out of Marvel vs. Capcom 3. However, I hadn’t really jumped into the online experience of the game. I'd tried a fight or two, but normally signed out quickly, as soon as a hint of lag reared its ugly head. That Tuesday night, however, things were different. The internet and I were getting along brilliantly, and I was ready to take some noob kids to school. My first challenger - we’ll call him 'ScoobyNoob23' - did wonders to rouse my spirits. I stepped into the ring with She-Hulk, Trish and Captain America, and as I realised that 'Scooby' had chosen Sentinel, Iron-Man and Ryu, I simultaneously felt intense feelings of both relief and dread. Relief because the cheap Sentinel–Iron-Man combo is oh-so-popular amongst noobs, and dread because with his cheap characters, this noob might just beat my legendary skill down with some dumb luck.
'Scooby' never knew what hit him. I walked out of that fight with my three characters intact, and Scooby declined a rematch. 'Who’s next?' I thought, feeling like Daniel-san, post Mr Miyagi training. My next challenger popped up soon enough.
We’ll call him 'SoulCrushingRealityCheck85', or just 'EgoKiller' for short.
'EgoKiller' walked into the ring with Dante, Akuma and Zero, against my She-Hulk, Trish, and Captain America trio. She-Hulk is my heavy hitter; I start off most fights with her, and then leave her in reserve to deal out some heavy punishment if my other characters are taking too much heat. I blinked twice and she was down. As I felt the cold sweat travel down the back of my neck, I paired my Trish against his Dante, and after some grueling fighting, just as I was about to take that cocky, white-haired douchebag out, 'EgoKiller' switched him and came down on me with fury as Akuma. Poor Trish never stood a chance. Captain America was my last hope. A few charging stars and shield throws later, Cap’s lifeless body lay on the ground, looking up at me. I had failed my fighters, and I was pissed.
'I’ll get him on this rematch', I thought. Five rematches later, I had managed to take down one or two of his characters, but hadn't won a single match. At the end of my fifth utter defeat, a message pops on my screen: "Your utter incompetence is no longer amusing. You are no legend. Thou art nought but a noob".
Okay, what he actually said was "Good fights" as he signed out, but I knew what he really meant. I now had a personal vendetta. An arch-nemesis.
I watched YouTube videos of MvC3 during my lunch break at work. I stayed up until 2am, polishing my skills in the challenge and practice modes. And, three gruelling days later, I was ready. I had added 'EgoKiller' as a friend, waited for him to show up and challenged him to a game. As he accepted, my hands were shaking, but I walked into that fight feeling like Bruce Lee; this was a wild jungle but I was Stallone. Sure, this guy was my own personal terminator, but I was Sarah freaking Connor, and I was ready.
I cannot even begin to describe the utterly humiliating asskicking that followed. Nothing I tried worked. Those perfectly timed combos I had mastered? I couldn't even manage to set them up. As the fight ended, I pondered for a moment whether or not I should even attempt a rematch, but only for a moment. I was seeing red, and as our second fight started I attacked this guy with a fury. I used every cheap move I could think of, recalled every combo I ever learned, switched characters in and out quicker than I ever had. It came down to Zero and She-Hulk, and as that beautiful green lady delivered that final punch, the sheer elation of victory that filled my body was overwhelming. I jumped up and down like a two year old, and not even the soul-destroying pain I felt when I stubbed my little toe on my bedpost was enough to bring me down. I had won. I was legendary once more. This was what gaming was all about.
EgoKiller beat me to a bloody pulp in all of the next three fights.
I’ll keep fighting online, though. I’m craving that feeling of elation like a junkie. I’ve discovered online gaming and there’s no going back.
Labels: 2011, Columns, Joey Núñez, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, RePlay
- Joey Núñez
It's an exciting time to be a fan of Marvel's Merry Mutants, the X-Men.
In the pages of the X-Men comics, a major overhaul is in the works for the team as the Schism event, a story arc centred on a team-dividing clash between Wolverine and Cyclops, comes to an end. This summer, X-Men First Class helped 20th Century Fox prove that there was still hope for the X-Men film franchise. And, just recently, gamers around the globe were able to get their hands on X-Men: Destiny, the latest game to feature Marvel’s super-powered outcasts.
Developed by Silicon Knights, X-Men: Destiny is an action-RPG that allows you to step into the shoes of one of three original mutant characters. Although the game doesn’t allow you to create your own characters, there is a heavy emphasis on power customisation, so your mutant of choice will have the abilities which suit you best. Likewise, you are free to determine your allegiance, as the game allows you to choose to side with the stubbornly heroic X-Men, or the Brotherhood of Mutants (a.k.a., the bad guys). Now, although my status as an X-Men fanboy is undisputed, the sad truth is that if I had to sum up Destiny in one word, it would be disappointing. Lackluster graphics, repetitive combat and uninspired characters rob the game of all of its potential.
But I promise you gamers, Marvel's Merry Mutants have seen better days. Don't believe me, yeah well i came prepared. I leave you with the definitive list of the very best X-Men games of the past; basically just the games I liked the very most.
X-Men Arcade
If part of your childhood was spent frolicking in the savageness of the early 90s, chances are that you, like me, spent a considerable amount of time at the arcade. Everyone has that single arcade game that they remember the most, the one that swallowed the most coins and incited the simultaneous feelings of excitement, rage and love. For me, that game was the X-Men Arcade. It’s both the first arcade game I can remember playing, and the one I played the most.
A classic 90s beat-em-up, X-Men Arcade was basically a side-scroller where you hit everything that stood in your way. Refined gameplay it wasn't, but man, was it fun. The game featured six beloved X-Men in playable roles – Wolverine, Cyclops, Dazzler, Colossus, Nightcrawler and Storm are all present – and they all look great (all things considered), with big and detailed character sprites. I’m a huge fan of Storm, and some of my fondest gaming memories involve kicking Sentinels to the curb with everyone’s favourite weather witch. Though, in all honesty, I never did understand why Storm was packing a wand.
Spider-Man and the X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge
A SNES game featuring both the X-Men and Spider-Man was almost too much for my ten-year-old mind to compute. The sheer incredible awesomeness of the concept was too much to bear. That’s probably why I never finished the game. Or maybe it was because the game was so freaking hard, even by old-school standards.
This nineties gem had Spider-Man rushing in to save Storm, Gambit, Wolverine and Cyclops from the menace of Arcade. You don’t need to know much about the guy, just that he’s constructed a fun little theme park called Murderworld; Disney World it is not. As with many SNES platformers of the day, the controls were a challenge unto themselves, the platforming was torture, and deaths came cheaply, but these hang-ups made getting through a level all the more rewarding. It was no masterpiece, but Cyclops shot his optic blasts and Gambit threw his cards, and at the time, that was enough.
X-Men (Sega Genesis)
When I finally managed to convince my parents to get me a Sega Genesis, this is the first game I bought. A 2D platformer at heart, the game allowed you to take control of Cyclops, Gambit, Nightcrawler and Wolverine. Several other X-Men were featured as assist characters too, including Rogue, Iceman, Storm and Archangel. As a kid, watching Jean Grey swoop in and save me from falling to my death with her telekinetic powers was probably the most amazing thing I’d ever seen – I didn’t get out much, but still. The graphics were all kinds of pretty, with detailed, colourful sprites, and the gameplay was as challenging as you would expect from a mid-90’s 16-bit platformer.
But what is the one thing that really sets this game apart? The one thing that every person who ever played it was unable to forget? The game was set in the X-Men’s Danger Room — if you don’t know what that is, honestly I don’t know how you’re still reading this — and the premise was that the X-Men’s training system had been infected by a virus. Upon defeating one of the bosses, the game would tell you to 'reset the computer' in order to clear the virus. Look all you want at the screen, you’ll find no reset button, or command prompt; you had to literally press the reset button on your console. Hold down on the button too long, however, and the system would reset like normal.
You can imagine my frustration the hundreds of time I held the button for just a moment too long. My controller, on the other hand, felt my frustration, as I threw it across the room. Again, and again, and again.
X-Men: Children of the Atom
Before Marvel vs. Capcom, there was X-Men vs. Street Fighter, and before that there was X-Men: Children of the Atom. It was a bright day in Valhalla when Marvel and Capcom put their heads and talents together to create a fighting game, and gamers have been thanking their lucky stars ever since. Children of the Atom was the first fighting game to feature the X-Men, created by the great minds behind Street Fighter; with a pedigree like that, it’s no wonder the game is still impressive today. In fact, if you look closely enough, you’ll notice that Wolverine and Storm use pretty much the same special moves today, almost twenty years later, in Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Now that’s what I call staying power.
A few years later, Capcom would lose the rights to Marvel’s characters. Activision stepped in, and created three X-Men-centric fighting games (Mutant Academy and its sequel, and X-Men: Next Dimension), and although I played the hell out of those games, they didn't hold a candle to Capcom’s original masterpiece. I’m glad that the mutants are back in the hands of Capcom, and here’s hoping against hope that a Children of the Atom sequel might still see the light of day.
X-Men: Legends and X-Men: Legends 2
The X-Men are, first and foremost, a team, and although many games had let you control many different X-Men one-at-a-time, no game had ever put you in control of a team. Activision and Raven Software set out to solve that problem with X-Men: Legends, released for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox. Featuring fifteeen playable characters, each with their own diverse power set, the game allowed you to create teams of up to four X-Men, and wreak havoc on multitudes of baddies. An action RPG, Legends almost felt like Diablo for X-Men fans.
How cool was it to hold a baddie in place using Jean Grey’s Telekinesis, and then blast him away with Cyclops optic blast?
About as freaking awesome as it sounds.
The cel-shaded character models of the game weren’t appreciated by every gamer out there, but regardless of whichever gripes you had over the graphics, the Legends games offered a definitive X-Men experience, with great storylines, a massive list of playable characters, and gameplay that was faithful to the comics. A greater X-Men game has yet to be created if you ask me.
Did I miss your favourite X-game? Don’t be shy, troll me below.
Labels: 2011, Columns, Feature, Joey Núñez, RePlay, Silicon Knights, X-Men
- Joey Núñez
It’s a very rare occasion indeed when game developers take it upon themselves to craft engaging licensed games. Normally when a company lands the rights to develop a game based on a popular TV, movie or comic property, what you get is complete and utter rubbish. The game developers figure that the licensed property has an established fanbase who will buy the game regardless of its quality, and are left with pockets full of cash. Whilst that fanbase we talked about; well, they're left with a poor or mediocre product and an overwhelming sensation of frustration.
But there are some rare occasions when developers who are truly passionate about the property put in the time and the effort necessary to craft a quality game. It seems that everyone thinks of Batman: Arkham Asylum when making this argument, and hell; they’re right to do so. Batman: Arkham Asylum is the shining example of the licensed game done right. All any Batman fan ever wanted was to play a game that made him or her feel like Batman, and although that sounds easy enough, it seemed to be nigh impossible. Until, that is, Rocksteady came along. The company blew everyone away with Batman: Arkham Asylum, and gave me hope for the future of licensed games.
How far does this hope go? To the point where I believe that out there, somewhere, there is a game developer just waiting to make truly epic games out of some of my favorite TV shows. If the necessary time and effort are put in, these five awesome shows could be five awesome games of the future.
Editor's Note: Yes, yes, we know: both Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead are set for videogame releases. Consider Joey's narrative on those two games as reasons why the development of those games is an excellent idea.
1: Nikita
Nikita is the badass superspy who just keeps on giving. Nikita first reared her gorgeous head and designer shoes back in 1990, in the French thriller Nikita, from Luc Besson. The movie is awesome, and a U.S. remake titled Point of No Return soon followed. A Canadian TV Series was developed in 1997 - La Femme Nikita - and, just recently, the CW network in the U.S. decided to revisit the Nikita universe with their new 2010 series, which ended its first season a few months ago. Moral: people can’t seem to get enough of the sexy assassin with the peculiar name.
So what’s all the fuss about? Well, if you’ve never been exposed to any of the shows or movies listed above, I’m happy to fill you in, but seriously; get a decent cable company to visit your house. Our heroine’s story goes something like this: she was a girl at the end of her tether, a young junkie tried and convicted for murder, with nothing to look forward to. Desperate, Nikita accepts the offer of a mysterious organisation; they'll get her out of jail, in exchange for her “services”. Said organisation, known in the current series as Division, proceeds to train Nikita as an assassin and all-around general badass spy. Everything is fine and proper (people are being killed and the bosses are happy), until Nikita falls in love and develops a conscience. Division proceeds to execute the obvious solution, and assassinates Nikita’s fiancé. Now the top Division agent has gone rogue, and is on a one-woman mission to take down Division.
Martial arts, gunplay and spy tech gadgets all play a role, and they're all awesome. Also, Maggie Q plays Nikita. Yup; I don’t even like girls and I think she’s hot-tastic. This show is incredibly stylish, packed to the brim with highly-cinematic action sequences and featuring more twists and turns than a Mexican soap opera. The recipe for an incredible videogame is set; put this puppy in the oven for an hour and bake to perfection.
What needs to transition from the show to the game is the stylish action. Nikita is very capable with guns, but also highly adept with martial arts. Few games have been able to tackle a marriage between the two elements, but with Arkham Asylum-esque fistplay and stealth, coupled with some Uncharted gunplay and all mixed in with the face of Maggie Q, I don’t see what the holdup is.
Another important element is the story. With just one season under its belt, Nikita has gained some rabid fans; we care about this girl, and if we’re going to devote hours to playing a game, the character must be on an adventure we care about as well. Suggestion: the show kicked off with Nikita already outside of Division - how about we play as a rookie Nikita learning the ropes, right up to her fantastic escape from the Division compound? Yup, that'd be epic.
I’ll take my commission in cash, please.
2: Game of Thrones
Okay, so I’m not going to sit here upon my nerd throne and pretend that I read all the books in the A Song of Fire and Ice series, which the HBO series Game of Thrones is based upon. Heck, I wasn’t even aware that the series existed until I started watching the show. However, that said, oh my freaking God this show is amazeballs.
Set in the Kingdom of Westeros, a mediaeval land filled with intrigue and swords, Game of Thrones should be considered the slightly more grounded cousin of The Lord of the Rings. Like Nikita, Game of Thrones just ended its first season, and with the incredible production value and raw nature HBO is known for, it's promising to be a keeper. Intrigue is the name of the game here, with fantasy and magic playing second fiddle, as everyone who’s worth knowing is seemingly after control of the Iron Throne of the Westeros Kingdom. But underneath all the intrigue, you have dragons raising in the east and mysterious creatures threatening to attack from the north. The stage is set for awesome, and I like my awesome in an interactive flavour where possible.
The Game of Thrones mythos is so expansive - there are five books in the series of novels already, with a sixth on the way - that there are hundreds of places from which to draw inspiration story-wise. If it were up to me, I’d go with an action-RPG game, along the lines of the Elder Scrolls series. Cast the main characters of the show in supporting roles, and let the player run wild in the Kingdom of Westeros. Perhaps defend the throne? Or maybe fend off an attack from the North? Add the possibility of shifting your allegiances and you’ve got yourself a game wealthy in content.
3: Fringe
First things first. Fringe is an incredibly high-quality sci-fi show, and if you have any interest whatsoever in the genre, you should be watching this show. Get on it.
The show follows a haphazard team of FBI agents who investigate strange cases related to Fringe Science topics - everything from telepathy to astral projection, and even time travel. What makes the show so special is its main underlying plot. In the world of Fringe - beware, explorer, spoilers lie ahead - there is more than one of everything, as our characters discover that they exist in one of two parallel universes. For reasons I’m not going to get into now, the wall between the two universes is cracking, causing more and more Fringe events. In one universe this leads to strange accidents and mysterious deaths; in the other, catastrophic events such as black holes.
Fringe does have its fair share of gunplay, and this could conceivably play a role in the game. However, what really drives the show is the investigation the characters undertake into every fringe event, so if I had my way a Fringe game would be a sort of Heavy Rain-type adventure game, with each Fringe Event being an investigation the player must solve. Couple this with some cinematic action sequences and the ability to shoot up the show's nasty shapeshifters, and a gameplay style true to the show could be crafted.
As for the story, the game developers could take full advantage of both universes, letting us play with our heroine, Agent Olivia Dunham, in both planes of reality. Perhaps the dual Olivias could be investigating fringe events in both universes which are related somehow, caused by the a mysterious big bad. There are plenty of moments within the second and third seasons which could be placed into a potential videogame's storyline, without messing with the show's continuity. If done right, this would be one worthwhile game for Fringe fans and non-fans alike.
4: Supernatural
Sam and Dean Winchester are just your typical all-American boys, brothers who have decided to pick up the family business. What is the craft their dad so lovingly handed down to the Winchester boys?
Demon hunting. Hell yeah.
The Winchester brothers travel across the good old U.S.A. in their trusty 1967 Impala, crossing paths with everything from vampires to ghosts to angels. That’s right, these boys have fought (and defeated) angels. How’s that for a résumé? Given the way that the narrative of the show is structured, the game can be faithful to the show’s mythos whilst still creating an original and engaging story. As long as the nature of Sam and Dean’s relationship is maintained, and the brothers' interactions ring true to series fans, it should all work out.
As for the game style, I can see Supernatural being a sort of open-world game, featuring maybe two towns and a city, like the Assassin's Creed series. The Winchester brothers could ride into town chasing a big bad, and find that there are all sorts of supernatural phenomena to deal with along the way, nicely opening up the game to main story missions and sidequests. Combat should be handled like a third-person shooter, although the game's developers must make sure to offer the right weapons for the task; not all demons are created equally, after all, and the same kind of kill shouldn’t work on all of them.
5: The Walking Dead
Based on an incredibly awesome comic series, the folk at AMC have given us an incredibly awesome show as well. All I’m asking for? An incredibly awesome game to boot.
In The Walking Dead, the inevitable zombie apocalypse – it's certain to happen sooner or later – has hit, and the world as we know it has basically ended. In other words, the shit has hit the fan. Our hero is Rick Grimes, a deputy in a small town in the state of Kentucky, who wakes from a coma only to find that the world has ended. He sets out to find his son and wife and succeeds, joining a small group of survivors, who continue to try and do just that: survive.
Zombies are old hat by now, true, but what sets The Walking Dead apart is its heart. I’m talking a zombie game with an actual human, heartfelt storyline, something that Resident Evil, for all its triumphs, could never accomplish. Our hero is not just trying to kill some zombies and score some headshots; he’s trying to protect a group of people that depend on him. If this can be translated into the game, the stakes are automatically higher.
But, then again, maybe the game doesn’t have to follow the story of Rick Grimes. It could just as well be set in the same world, and follow a new group of survivors. If the emotional undercurrent of the show can be established by the game developers with a new group of survivors, then I would have no complaints. Besides, we’re all waiting for the zombie game to end all zombie games; it might as well be based on the best zombie-related property out there.
So there you have it guys; the five TV shows which I think could make worthy transitions into our gaming libraries. Have any shows of your own you’d like to add, or maybe you'd like to tweak with the ideas for the shows listed above? Sound off below.
Labels: 2011, Feature, Fringe, Game of Thrones, Joey Núñez, Nikita, Opinion, Supernatural, The Walking Dead, TV shows
- Joey Núñez
Maybe it was all part of my hormone-induced post-puberty hysteria, but I remember a time when Japanese role playing games, or JRPGs, were the games to beat. If you owned a PS1 or PS2 back in the day – which seemingly every gamer did – each year you were bombarded by one JRPG after another. Fans of the genre, such as myself, poured hour after hour into these games, completing every sidequest, finding every weapon; inching ever closer to the elusive 100% completion. Back then, it seemed like JRPGs would always be the king of the gaming hill. Life was good.
So what the heck happened?
With the exception of Final Fantasy XIII, it has been years since I've been offered a decent JRPG for my PS3. The industry has undoubtedly changed, and so have the gamers who fuel it, but have we really reached the point where the classic JRPG has lost its magic? I refuse to consider Fallout and Mass Effect 'RPGs', regardless of their much-publicised role-playing elements. Where are my turn-based battles? Where are my goofy characters? Where is my melodrama?! Call me old-fashioned if you must, but if you’ve rubbed the soreness out of your eyes at 3:00 a.m. whilst trying to strategise just which party members to use and what battle tactic to implement, in order to get through that one final boss, then you know what I’m talking about.
With the barren JRPG landscape in which we currently find ourselves, it dawned on me that thousands of gamers out there might not have even had a chance to experience a decent JRPG. Really, the only viable solution for those out there wondering what is it about these 'Final Fantasy-type games' that makes old-school gamers go mental is to mine the classics. Well, consider me your guide.
If you’re a JRPG buff, you’ll find below a short but tasty list of some of my favourite games, that you might - but shouldn't have - missed out on back in the day. If you're a JRPG noob that can’t tell apart a potion from an elixir, do yourself a favour and check out one of these games ASAP.
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
A silent, yet heroic, protagonist. A princess in peril. A buxom girl with the power of magic. A talking frog. If ever there were a JRPG that defines the genre, Dragon Quest VIII is it. Dragon Quest VIII was released in Japan in 2004, before making its way to North America in 2005, and finally to Europe and Australia in 2006, during which time the PlayStation 3 was looming overhead and the PS2 was slinking into the shadows. When all was said and done, Dragon Quest arguably ended up being one of the last hurrahs of the ageing PS2, a fitting swan-song for the JRPG on a console defined by the genre.
With DQVIII, Square Enix managed to take every classic element of the JRPG - random enemy encounters, a turn-based battle system, an open world map, item and equipment collection and the need to level grind – that reviewers had been criticising for years as tired and outdated, and make it all seem fresh again. For JRPG enthusiasts, DQVIII was like coming back home after a long holiday; nothing beats sleeping in your own bed, right?
Even now, more than six years after its original release, this game is easy to recommend, with a massive campaign - which can take you anywhere from 50 to 100 hours – and endearing cel-shaded visuals. If you want to find out whether or not JRPGs are for you, this is the game to try.
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Shadow Hearts: Covenant is set during the First World War, and features a dark and tortured hero who has no need for wussy magic spells. Oh no, because he can turn into a demon. All types of demons, actually. If you’re wondering; yeah, he is badass. The cast of playable characters is certainly one of the most memorable and eclectic ever to be featured in a JRPG, including Gepetto, the doll maker, who makes use of his puppets to battle; Blanca, a white wolf; Joachim, a French vampire wrestler; and the one and only Princess Anastasia Romanov.
Oh, did I mention that Rasputin is actually one of the enemies in the game? And he’s not even the big baddie.
With two discs worth of engaging story, the most memorable aspect of the game is its battle system, featuring the Judgement Ring. Every action you take in battle is governed by the Judgement ring, a kind of dial. Whether or not your planned action succeeds depends on your ability to press the right button, just as the marker on the ring is crossing over the corresponding section of the ring. Each character's judgement can be customised and modified, making markers move faster or slower, and expanding the action areas. When you factor in combos and special moves, you end up with some pretty frantic battles, which require precise timing. Sound complicated? Well, it should, because it kind of is; just do yourself a favour and watch the video embedded above.
If what you see seems at all interesting, give this game a shot. You won’t be disappointed.
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
The first JRPG I ever played was Final Fantasy VII on my PS1, and so began my obsession. The second JRPG I got my hands on was Breath of Fire III, and so was my obsession cemented. Breath of Fire has held a special place in my heart ever since.
Like the Final Fantasy series, the games in the Breath of Fire series have many elements in common, that carry over from one game to the next; primarily, the blue haired protagonist, Ryu, who had a bad habit of turning into a dragon. With Breath of Fire V, or Dragon Quarter, the fine folks at Capcom turned the series on its head. Forget the sprawling open worlds that the previous games were known for, filled with floating castles and magical forests; Dragon Quarter sticks you in a post-apocalyptic world in which humanity has been forced to retreat underground. Depressing and dreary scenery is the norm. The battle system was completely reworked, with no more random encounters; rather, enemies are fought directly in the dungeon environments, with a grid based battle system slightly reminiscent of Final Fantasy Tactics.
The greatest change, however, is the difficulty. It is insane. Why’s that? Well, when you die, you actually die. That 'Game Over' screen is not just there for kicks; the game is very much over and you must start again from scratch. Why the hell would you even play this sick, sadistic game, churned from the minds of Japanese madmen? Well, each time you die and start over, your keep your abilities, items, equipment and level; not only that, but as you die and restart the game, your D-Ratio increases.
What does this mean? A higher D-Ratio will give you access to areas, cutscenes, and plot points which were previously inaccessible. Long story short, in order to experience the whole game, you need to die and play through it more than once, with the bright side being that each time you play, things will be different. This makes up for the relatively short 10 hour campaign.
This is as about as hardcore as hardcore gets. Man up and get on it.
Chrono Trigger
What happens when you take the game developers behind Final Fantasy, pair them up with the character designer from Dragon Ball, and throw in an epic story featuring time-travel and the fate of the world?
Epic awesomeness, beyond compare.
Forget Final Fantasy VI; if I had to pick one JRPG out of the Super Nintendo catalogue, Chrono Trigger would be it. Extremely innovative for its time, nowadays Chrono Trigger’s mechanics are classic. The battles are typical JRPG turn-based affairs, but the Active Time Battle system - in which each character gets a turn to strike once a specific timer bar fills up – has rarely been so well implemented. First of all, enemies are fought right on the environment map where you encounter them, with no separate battle screen required. As for your combat options, things get quite tactical, with area-affecting spells and the possibility to combine two characters' moves for combo specials, with devastating effects.
What truly makes this game timeless, though, is its story. Heroic feats, magic spells, and time-travel are the things childhood fantasies are made of. Many JRPGs create worlds with rich histories and fantasy-filled futures, but Chrono Trigger lets you experience the history and future of its world, and it’s quite a ride. Couple that with some incredibly endearing and memorable characters, and gorgeous animation, and you have a truly timeless game. Chrono Trigger is already available on the Wii Virtual Console, and should be hitting Xbox Live soon, so there is really no excuse. If you haven’t played this game yet, get it as soon as you can, and stop bringing shame to yourself and your ancestors.
If one of the games listed above doesn’t tickle your fancy, then JRPGs really aren’t for you. Which, sadly, makes you not quite as awesome as I had hoped.
...I should get over it with time.
There are plenty of other classic JRPGs that could stand tall next to the games featured here. Don’t be shy; sound off with your favourites in the comments below.
Labels: 2011, Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter, Chrono Trigger, Columns, Dragon Quest VIII, Joey Núñez, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, RePlay, Shadow Hearts: Covenent, Super Nintendo
- Joey Núñez
The 2011 San Diego Comic-Con - also known as 'Wonderland', to all of us comic geeks out there - has come to a close. We're left in the prime-coloured and super-powered aftermath, and it is glorious. Over the years the San Diego Comic-Con, or SDCC, has evolved into more than a simple nerdy comic book convention. It's morphed into a multi-headed beast; more than just comics are discussed in the halls of this massive event, with panels on everything from movies to video games.
This year the amount of videogame news coming out of SDCC was in no short supply, so trying to sum it all up would be foolish. However, taking a look at the latest news regarding the biggest licensed games based on comic books is actually quite doable. So sit back, grab your controllers and put on your capes and tights; here is what the newest videogame/comic-book unholy hybrids have in store for you.
1: X-Men Destiny
Some of my fondest PS2 memories were had with the X-Men Legends games, insanely fun action-RPGs starring Marvel’s Merry Mutants. So, I was pretty excited when X-Men Destiny - a new title which seems to share a few traits with the Legends games - was announced a few months ago. In the game, you choose to play as one of three characters, all of which are mutants who have just discovered their powers. Through the magical power of choice you must decide whether your destiny lies with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, led by Magneto, or with the X-Men and their leader, Cyclops.
Although Activision is still keeping pretty tight-lipped about the game, Comic-Con did bring with it some new video footage for the game and a spanking new trailer (which you can see above). Also, we now have an official release date. The game will hit shelves on 27th September, 2011.
2: DC Universe Online
I must admit that I am not very big on MMO-RPGs. The whole idea of playing in a massive space occupied by thousands of other players is simply quite daunting. However, as a professed comic geek, even I was intrigued with the possibility of flying around as a hero of my own creation in a world populated by DC Comics most fabled heroes and villains. Ultimately, reviews for DC Universe Online have been mixed, and I'm yet to give the game a shot, but some interesting news coming out of Comic-Con may at least make Green Lantern fans give this game a chance.
A new DLC pack has been announced for DCUO, entitled 'Fight for the Light'. The DLC, like its predecessors, will give DCUO players access to a new set of missions, following an original storyline involving Green Lantern and his yellow-bellied arch-nemesis Siniestro. Perhaps the most alluring aspect of the DLC is the new power sets it offers, featuring the one and only power rings. Downloaders will be able to choose to either align themselves with the Yellow Lantern Corps or the Green Lantern Corps, and each side will have access to twelve diverse power constructs. Power constructs are both shiny and awesome, so this is a definite win.
3: Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3
Last week I gave my fanboy mind free reign and presented you guys with my ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom DLC character wishlist. Just a few short hours later, the big MvC3 announcement was revealed and although most of my geeky dreams were shattered - not a single Marvel female, seriously? - I am genuinely excited for Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.
In typical Capcom fashion, the company has decided to release a tweaked and improved version of their recent title, Marvel vs. Capcom 3. With the 'Ultimate' moniker now added to the title, the new version will bring with it refinements to the fighting system, some flashy new visuals here and there, and - most importantly of all - the addition of twelve new characters.
Four characters were officially announced: Hawkeye, Ghost Rider, Firebrand and Strider. However, an apparent leak on Capcom’s official media site has apparently revealed all the new characters. Rocket Raccoon, Dr. Strange, Nova and Iron Fist will all join the Marvel roster, alongside Nemesis, Phoenix Wright, Frank West and Vergil.
If this ends up being the official roster then I will eventually be able to play with at least two of my dream-team wish list. Beggars can’t be choosers, right?
4: Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham Asylum will probably always be remembered as the game that redefined what a 'comic book game' was capable of. As soon as the game’s sequel, Arkham City, was announced, fans' expectations have been understandably high. So far, it doesn’t look like those expectations will be met.
It looks like they will be surpassed.
Every single tidbit of information which Rocksteady has released has just raised the anticipation for the game, and has left all of us fans salivating at the mouth. The developers came into SDCC all guns blazing, and threw rabid fans not one, but two bones simply swimming in awesome sauce. The first was the incredible new trailer featuring The Penguin, and the gargantuan – and unexpected – Solomon Grundy. The second was the knowledge that Selina Kyle (a.k.a. Catwoman) won’t be the only femme fatale prowling the streets of Arkham City. Come October 18th, everyone’s favourite female feline will have to compete with the one and only Talia al Ghul for the Dark Knight’s affection.
Gimme the damn game, already.
5: Oh, and also...
- Pinball fans will be happy to know that Marvel Pinball - the somewhat addictive and extremely fun Marvel themed pinball game, currently exclusive to PS3 and Xbox 360 - will be making a massive multi-platform jump. It's set to ping its way over to the Wii U, PlayStation Vita, 3DS, Apple's iOS, Google Android OS and PC. Also, keep a lookout for a new expansion pack, coming to a console near you this winter.
- Spidey enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that all the game time poured into Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions will earn you some sweet new threads in the new Spiderman: Edge of Time game. Beenox announced that gamers with a Shattered Dimensions save file will be granted access to ten bonus costumes in Edge of Time.
- An Uncharted comic book is coming. Yes, please.
What Comic-Con news got you all hot and bothered? Are you craving more news on any of the games featured above? Don't be shy, people; sound off below!
Labels: 2011, Comic-Con, Event, Feature, Joey Núñez, San Diego Comic Con 2011
- Joey Núñez
I imagine San Diego Comic Con to be something along the lines of Oz: a place filled with magical creatures, lively colours, and odd-looking munchkins. If you're unaware of this colossal event, and you're too lazy to Google it, picture E3, but comic-themed, with panels on everything comic-related, from movies to TV series to videogames. It’s comic-geek heaven. This year, the San Diego Comic Con will take place between the 21st and the 24th of July, and there's plenty we gamers can look forward to. But there is one panel in particular has me salivating at the mouth: Capcom’s Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 panel. Game producer Ryota Niitsuma is set to reveal some “fantastic news” regarding the future of the franchise, and I am set to go into some full blown cardiac arrest depending on just how “fantastic” this news really is.
If I have my way, Ryota Niitsuma will be announcing shiny new DLC characters. What characters would I like to see, you ask? Well, I've spent months trying to decide that. After careful deliberation, and considering what characters could best serve to add diversity and balance to the roster, I decided to screw all that logic-infused reasonable stuff, and just wish for the characters I want to play with the most.
These are the few. The proud. The wishlist.
1: Emma Frost
If there is one thing that the boys and girls at Marvel Comics are good at, it's creating strong female characters, and Emma Frost is probably the fiercest bitch you will find in the colourful pages of the X-Men comics. The quintessential ice-queen, Ms. Frost is a former villain and foil to the X-Men. Emma has seemingly left her evil ways behind her, working her way up the ranks of the team until she eventually became co-headmistress of the Xavier Institue, alongside her boyfriend Scott Summers, better known as Cyclops.
As for her power set, Emma is a world-class telepath, with a secondary mutation which allows her to turn her skin into diamond; these two disparate power sets would allow Capcom to really create an interesting move-set. Emma’s telepathy could make her perfect for confusing the enemy or setting up traps, while her diamond-hard skin could give her some real powerhouse moves. Not to mention, she’s a total knockout.
2: Megaman X
A robot bounty-hunter of the future, the blue bomber's 'mature' incarnation, simply known as 'X', gives you everything you love about the classic Megaman, whilst oozing both style and charm.
The classic Megaman has been featured in both previous Marvel Vs. Capcom games, but Megaman X has never made a proper appearance in the series. We were all lucky enough to have X’s partner, Zero, included in the original roster but - alas - a Marvel Vs. Capcom game without Megaman just doesn’t seem right. This is Capcom’s chance to undo this wrong.
Can you imagine just how cool a Zero and X team-up would be. Yeah, you just nerdgasmed.
3: Iron Fist
Daniel Rand: world-class businessman by day, The Immortal Iron Fist by night. Iron Fist is arguably Marvel Comics' most popular and prominent martial arts character, currently serving on the New Avengers, alongside heavy hitters like Wolverine and Spiderman. Gifted with both superb martial arts skills and the power of the Iron Fist, Danny Rand is able to focus his Chi directly into his fist, granting his hand superhuman power and making it impervious to injury, not to mention the ability to heal himself and others.
To recap, he is basically Bruce Lee with superpowers. You can see why Iron Fist is a perfect fit for this game. I can imagine Iron Fist being a quick character which you play fast and hard, something along the lines of a mix between Chun-Li and Ryu. The thought makes me giddy.
4: Ryu (Breath of Fire)
Capcom’s main claim to fame is undoubtedly the Street Fighter series, as well as the myriad of action-orientated titles the company has produced over the years, spanning everything from Megaman to Resident Evil. This is probably why many are quick to forget all about the small RPG series that could: Breath of Fire.
Although the games in the Breath of Fire series are not directly related – much like the Final Fantasy series, the stories in each BoF game are stand-alone adventures – all the games in the series put you in the role of a blue-haired boy named Ryu who, besides being able to handle a sword or two, can freaking turn into a dragon.
Yeah. You read that right. The kid turns into a dragon.
I rest my case.
5: Spiderwoman
Jessica Drew débuted as Spiderwoman back in 1977, and after some popularity in the early eighties, the character remained largely unused, right up until author Brian Michael Bendis brought her back in a very big way, featuring her in the roster of the New Avengers in 2005. Since then, Jessica has proved to be one of the most compelling characters the House of Ideas has to offer.
Besides wielding a host of superhuman powers - including Venom blasts, superhuman strength and reflexes, flight and a form of pheromone control – Spiderwoman is a highly trained Shield and Hydra operative. If you’re not fluent in Nerd, that means she’s basically a superspy who could kick your ass from here to next Sunday without batting an eyelid. With all of the above combined, Spiderwoman has the potential to be a real powerhouse in the game. Are you picturing Super Venom Blasts and Pheromone traps? I’m right there with you.
6: Strider Hiryu
He is a member of an elite clan of 'cyber-ninjas' from the future, and he will bring the pain.
Hiryu is the main character of a very well-loved 1989 Capcom side-scroller platform game, but the character doesn’t require much introduction for anyone who has ever played Marvel Vs. Capcom 1 or 2. A mainstay of the series, Strider’s popularity - and awesomeness - know no bounds. You read that first part where I said he was a cyber-ninja, right? Quick, powerful and undeniably flashy, Strider is not simply a perfect fit for the style of this game; he helped define its style. You really can't ever have too many ninjas.
7: Elektra
Oh, Elektra. Words escape me. With a past shrouded in tragedy, Elektra has emerged not only as a formidable assassin, but as the premier assassin of the Marvel Universe, and with her omnipresent va-va-voom factor, she redefines the phrase "looks that kill".
A take-no-prisoners ninja-for-hire who straddles the line between hero and villain, Elektra is definitely a gripping character and her skill set makes her a perfect fit for a fighting game. I can’t imagine Elektra would be a very powerful character, but I’m sure she could give the quicker characters of MvC3 a run for their money.
8: Vergil
The yin to Dante’s yang, Vergil is the evil twin brother you never wished for. Débuting in Capcom’s first Devil May Cry, Vergil really came into his own as the main antagonist of Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening. Throughout the course of the game, we learned that Vergil has two defining traits: the first is his lust for power, and the second is that he's a badass who can rival even Dante’s cool-factor.
Although Vergil and Dante share the same demon powers, the way those powers are channelled are quite different. Dante is kind of a no-holds-barred, in your face fighter, whilst Vergil has a certain finesse to his moves. Don’t you worry about Vergil simply being a new 'skin' for the already-existing Dante character.
9: Ms. Marvel
Tall, blonde, and tough; what more could a comic geek ask for? Ms. Marvel has been gracing comic book fans with her presence since way back in the sixties. Her popularity and relevance have not always been constant, but during the last decade she has truly come into her own, arising as what Wizard Magazine would call Marvel’s premier superheroine.
With a power set that could make Superman blush, Ms. Marvel comes packing flight, invulnerability, super strength and energy blasts. There isn't a single character currently on the MvC3 roster which she couldn’t take on. Like I said at the top, Marvel has a knack for creating tough females, which is why it’s so depressing that there is real lack of female fighters on the MvC3 roster, and that those who are present (with the exception of She-Hulk) are all of X-Men fame. It’s time for Marvel to bring out their femmes fatales in force.
10: Cyclops
Expecting another Capcom character, were you? Well, tough cookies. No way was I going to conclude this list without adding the leader of my favorite comic book team, the X-Men.
Wolverine may be the most popular X-Men-man, but Cyclops has proven to be much more than the 'boy scout' he was originally perceived as. In recent years, Cyclops has come to be a true leader in the pages of Marvel Comics, not only for the X-Men, but for all of mutant kind. As for his pedigree as a fighter, the character has proven his worth in both Marvel Vs. Capcom 1 and 2. Cyclops has yet to make his presence felt in the wiring and plastic of my PS3, and I think it’s time for Capcom to do something about that.
Well there you have it; my DLC wish list. Hopefully one or more of these characters is announced by Mr Niitsuma during the San Diego Comic Con, if any DLC characters are even announced at all. What do you think Mr Niitsuma will announce, and what characters would you like to see added to the MvC3 roster? Comment below, gamers.
Labels: 2011, Capcom, Comic-Con, Joey Núñez, Marvel, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, San Diego Comic Con 2011
- Joey Núñez
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