Tag Archives: Square Enix

WHAT i’M PLAYING/iReview – Lara Croft GO

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Lara Croft GO is a fun little mobile game developed by Square Enix. Similar in style to their previous game, Hitman GO (which I haven’t played yet, but will next).

The game is a puzzle platformer, and turn-based. Very striking up front is the visuals. Flat colours, but bright with some atmospheric lighting. Everything looks smooth but with great detail. The sounds are very soft and ambient.

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Designed for a touch screen, the controls are very simple. Each level has a pre-defined path as it is turn based, and as Lara, we can navigate anywhere along this path. A lot of times there are enemies in the way, and each enemy type has its own behavior, for example: snakes don’t move, and can only be attacked from the side or behind. The levels also have traps, obstacles and switches en route to the end of each chapter. In the turn-based fashion, we move Lara in a diagonal direction, and then everything in the level follows suit and moves along their defined path.

Progressing through the game is pretty straight forward. There are 5 chapters totally about 40 levels. The game starts off slow, almost a tutorial, but then picks up speed, and gets consistently more challenging through each completed level and chapter. There are also numerous collectibles to be found, and you can replay each level to ensure you’ve found them all. These will unlock alternate costumes.

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Lara Croft GO is a fun simple game that allows you to drop in and play a level or two, and then move on to more pressing business. The game only supports landscape mode, but is a great homage to the Tomb Raider games, Lara Croft, and puzzle games in general. Supported on both iOS and Android for roughly $5.

-iRogan

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IDL FEATURE – PAX Day Two: Harley Quinns and Castle Crashers, Dark Souls and IGN Staff

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-Day 2 started a little earlier than Friday, but the convention was that much more packed as we have reached the weekend. Today I saw many Harley Quinn cosplays, and a few of the IGN staff. Good, productive day.

Day 2 – PAX Prime 2015

-Today it was decided that we would get some more hands-on with some games. On the walk to the Convention Centre we walked among the many headed in the same direction and entered among the throng, heading straight to the fourth floor.

-Today we were 4, as a new addition entered into Seattle the night before, so the first step was another tour of the exhibition halls. First IGN celebrity viewing was none other than Naomi Kyle, Daily Fix host.

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-Next up we walked through the Mega Indie Booth and watched some 4-player Gang Beast fights. A physics brawler, where 4 beasts square off melee, sumo, wrestling style. The point is to punch and slam each other and then pick up your opponent, Royal Rumble style, tossing them out of the arena. Looks fun.

-We also caught a bit of the game Drawn to Death. a shooter, where everything is drawn in pen like it was on scrap lined paper at the back of class.

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-Next up we walked through the Microsoft/Xbox territory. Caught a glimpse of some Halo 5, Forza Motorsport 6, and Rise of the Tomb Raider. I may try for some hands-on tomorrow or Monday. Halo 5 looks good, as expected, and Forza 6 looks nice with the water effects.

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-After Xbox we went to check out the Square Enix booth. Square had a big showing this year with Hitman, Deus Ex, Final Fantasy XV, DragonQuest, and Lara Croft GO on display, among others. I got some hands-on with Lara Croft GO on the iPad and it was a lot of fun. A strategic platformer similar to Hitman GO. You can move one space per turn, and you follow along a track that can branch off, and everything else in the level moves in the same turn as you.

–IMG_5010The levels I played took place in the jungle, and involved cliff walls, saw blades and snakes. Swiping the direction of choice, Lara moves and all the traps follow suit, so occasionally, for timing and placement reasons, backtracking is necessary to advance. The game looks nice, and plays smoothly.

-I bought both Hitman GO and Lara Croft GO tonight and will give them both a play-through. For some reason I always thought they were iDevice only.

-I saw some gameplay of the Final Fantasy XV Episode Duscae demo, and it definitely looks nice, but not my type of game.

-On the way out of the convention hall for lunch we passed an incredible Dark Souls III statue and a Tomb Raider interviewing Elsa?

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-Off to lunch at the Elephant & Castle Pub under the Motif Hotel, and I ran into IGN’s Daemon Hatfield. Second celebrity sighting of the day.

-After lunch, the plan was to get hands-on with a notable game. Today: Homefront: The Revolution. But first I passed Max Scoville and Brian Altono among the crowded hallways. They looked like they were busy so I didn’t bother them; 3rd and 4th celebrity sighting. Also before reaching Deep Silver’s ground, we walked past the YouTube Gaming panel and watched Gus Sorola, Greg Miller, and Ashley Jenkins talk it out.

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-After a short wait in the Homefront line, we sat in a small theatre to preview the provided demo before given hands on. The demo itself was the same as present at E3 this year, but prolonged and with commentary explaining each step, gameplay feature, and objectives. We were then released onto our own dedicated hand-on playthrough machines, and given free rein.

-Playing off a PC build with controller in hand, we got to play through the E3 2015 demo. Starting with the introduction of the objective to interrupt a patrol. Retreating is a gameplay mechanic encouraged at times because we can very easily become overwhelmed by the stronger enemy. Their units are more heavily armed and they have aerial scouts and trucks. Our own weapon modification ability is very cool. Probably through crafting in the real game, we can swap out gun parts and modify our gun on the fly. Swapping out sights, or grips, or even the barrel for something useful in the situation. Molotovs are featured heavily, and there is a hacking grenade available to take out the drone scouts, reversing their enemy logic. RC remote car bomb is also a handy toy.

-The city is very open, and there are vehicles, like motorcycles available to use. Lots of ramps and stairs to utilize, and climbing plays a part in the exploration of the city.

-The build we played seemed pretty flushed, but still early. Pre-alpha, with an indication of a Spring 2016 release. The game feels a lot like Far Cry, which is not a complaint.

-Last up for my day was some shopping. I was able to grab the full set of Borderland Pop Vinyls from the 2K store, and another Castle Crasher knight from the Behemoth store – an annual tradition – as Tom Fulp, Dan Paladin, and Will Stamper are on hand daily to autograph the way they know how: hilariously.

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-And then the Pink Knight showed up, in coincidental fashion, and made everyone’s time a good time.

IMG_5045-Pizza and a movie to wrap the day in the windy, pouring rain. Until tomorrow, Day 3.

-iRogan

E3 2015 – Square Enix Press Conference

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SQUARE ENIX E3 Press Conference

*This one is coming a bit late as I wasn’t able to watch Tuesday’s conference’s live*

-Quick predictions or hopefuls before it begins: Hitman, Dues Ex Mankind Divided, and Just Cause 3 are top of my list.

-Conference starts with a fast montage for Just Cause 3, showing lots of carnage, explosion, grappling and gun fights. This is a smaller and personal press conference for Square Enix.

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-Phil Rogers takes the stage. Square’s first solo press conference in a long time at E3. Company is proud of the massive work and achievements in FFXIV Online.  The company is more open to helping their teams and listening to fan feedback. Always interested in improving their company.

-Company is proud of its uniqueness and variety of their brands.

Just Cause 3

–Avalanche Studios very proud of their huge open world games. Wanting to redefine the open world games. Sand-box gameplay driving development. Announces the new wing suit. Wing suit stabilizes the parachute. Upgraded grapple hook and multiple grapple lines.

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-400 sq miles. Launch Dec 1st, 2015, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

-Just Cause 3 gameplay: starts with our main man, Rico, driving a car out of a huge cargo plane. Trailer showcases lots of level, factory and bridge destruction. Showcases the new wing suit mobility. The new Mediterranean island location is greater than 400 sq feet from skybox to seabed.

-Multiple grapple tethers. Manual retract function to slingshot soldiers and vehicles. Tear objects apart or create wrecking balls. Two handed weapons can be used while parachuting. Unlimited C4. 80 land, sea, and air vehicles.

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-New project early in development. Platinum Games. Yosuke Saito.

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-Teaser is meant to show the art. NieR is the title of the game. More info in the Fall, 2015, on the Ps4.

-Producer and Game Director take the stage to discuss the game further. 5 years since the previous installment. Platinum Games very willing and welcome to take on the challenge and provide their own take, and showcase what they’re known best for, action.

-Subtitle of the game still a secret.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

-Quick trailer for Rise of the Tomb Raider is shown, similar to what we had already seen during the Xbox Conference. “Discover the legend within.”

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-Brian Horton comes to the stage, game director at Crystal Dynamic. Discusses the gameplay world premiere. Wanted to make Lara Croft as human and believable as possible. Wanted to make the most believable as possible. Behind the scenes creation video is shown discussing the making of Lara Croft. Details are the most important part: pores, eyelashes, scars. Micro details on the clothes. Lara can get dirty and bloody during fights. Will gather snow on the clothing.

-Beautiful, hostile world. Large world environments. Tombs are back.

Lara Croft GO

–Square Enix Montreal to discuss mobile games. Hitman GO and Hitman Sniper. Trailer for new game. Purest one-touch form. Mobile Tomb Raider game in the same gameplay format as Hitman GO. Lara Croft GO. Cell shaded and colourful. Turn-based experience, with an amazing soundtrack, and challenging gameplay.

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-Sizzle reel for new game and expansions, Life is Strange, Dragon Quest, Final fantasy XIV Online.

Final Fantasy VII Remake

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–Kingdom Hearts series: Shinji Hashimoto comes to the stage, no translator. Woops. Trailer for Final Fantasy 7 Remake starts to play. “Play it first on the PS4”. Years of anticipation, Square is remaking the game, more information in the future.

-Original FF VII coming to PC and iOS later this year.

–Kingdom Hearts series: new trailer. Kingdom Hearts Unchained Key – Android and iOS. First Kingdom Hearts for mobile. Connects to KH 3 world.

-Next up, Kingdom Hearts III. “Instead of talking about it, lets watch some footage.”

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-Brand new world. World premiere for Kingdom Hearts III. Gorgeous colour world, fast combat, lots of vertical platforming, and mountainously large enemies. Game is not turn-based, but still includes the team dynamic. Thank you for the continued patience and dedication, it’s greatly appreciated.

-One more project to announce: World of Final Fantasy. Initially announced yesterday during the Sony Conference. Trailer is shown. PS4 and PS Vita 2016. Hoping to bring in a wider audience to the genre as the bigger FF games seem to be less welcoming to new fans. Chibii characters.

Hitman

-Everything in this game lays the foundation for the series. A live, and ever-expanding world of assassinations. New hits and new locations. Game will adjust gameplay and events based on player feedback. Digital release to start.

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-New systems allow developers to do things that are bold and entirely new to the series. “Imagine a target appearing for a 48 hour window. One chance. Outcomes are final. Hit is gone forever. How he dies, is how he dies.” Very organic.

-Core of the game is still the campaign, organic gameplay in exciting locations. Locations are mode detailed and every NPC has a name and every room matters. Where you go, when you strike, and when you kill is up to you. Use brute force or orchestrate a stealth masterpiece. Numerous ways to take out targets.

-Community contracts return. Trailer. “Keys to the game are: freedom of approach, where you how you infiltrate, who you become. Some disguises are key, but some enemies are more observant. Improvisation is key. Experimentation is important. Mastery of levels is rewarded.”

-December 8. 2015 or 2016?

-Another sizzle reel: Hitman, Triad Wars, Final Fantasy XV

–Square Enix x tri-Ace New Project: StarOcean – Integrity and Faithlessness. Previously announced in Japan, and now coming to Europe and North America on the PS4 in 2016. New Gameplay trailer. Evolved form of a classic Japanese RPG

Dues Ex Mankind Divided

-No compromise of quality. Same team as Human Revolution, with a new engine.

-Takes place in 2029, 2 years after Human Revolution. World has changed. Augmented people are outcasts. Many branded as terrorists. Adam Jensen has left Sarif Industries. Is now an anti-terrorist agent, but also secretly a double agent.

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-New enhancements to Adam Jensen. Pistol and detachable blades as projectiles.

-Choices and consequence are at the heart of the series. Choices made will change the game, how it’s played, and determine the end of the story. Want to be one of the best action RPGs out there.

-World Wide Exclusive Gameplay Preview. Quick story trailer. Gun modifications still present. First-person and 3rd person gameplay. Early 2016. PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

–Final Fantasy Portal App, this summer.

-One more announcement… New RPG project, newly establish studio: Tokyo RPG Factory. Dedication to Japanese RPGs. Colourful concept art shown. All new console RPG. Completely new IP. Project SETSUNA. Global release in 2016.

–Square Enix is very proud to be such a diverse creative company, always wanting to amaze and excite gamers. Very proud of their teams and partners.

-Quick sizzle reel showing the games we saw during the press conference, and they bring the content creators back to the stage for a final goodbye.

-iRogan