March’s Games With Gold, Star Wars Battlefront, New Games, and Far Cry Impossible- IDL NEWS

Far Cry Patch

fc5-ubicom-Buy_Edition-Thumbnail_Mobile_221119

Spoiler alert – Far Cry Primal came out today. Alongside the launch came a Day One patch (gotta love those) coming at just 560MB. The patch, which includes some stability improvements, companion behavior and some other tweaks, also includes an Expert Mode. This mode halves your health compared to the Hard difficulty. It speeds up the A.I attack speed, while lengthening their forgetfulness cool-down, and enemies are not shown on the mini-map unless tagged. It reduces the aim assist, and reduces your damage.

For those who are into that sort of thing. More on Far Cry Primal later on.

Xbox Games With Gold: MARCH

Xbox One
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments – March 1-31
Lords of the Fallen – March 15-April 15

Xbox 360
Supreme Commander 2 – March 1-15
Borderlands – March 16-31

I am excited for both of the Xbox One games. Sherlock looks like a pretty adventure story game not unlike Telltale’s ilk, and Lords of the Fallen looks like a poor man’s Dark Souls crossed with Darksiders. I’ll take it. On the 360 front, I’ll try out Supreme Commander 2 as I’ve always liked RTS games on the PC, like Command and Conquer or Age of Empires. Borderlands I’ll pass on. The game is eons old and I’ve already played it many times. Get outa here.

Star Wars Battlefront

star-wars-battlefront-offers-first-look-at-fighter-squadron-mode-488398-2Star Wars Battlefront’s large February update has started rolling out. Jakku’s DLC content is being patched into the , so it’s not longer a separate item in the store, and you can delete any existing downloads from your HDD.

A new map called Twilight on Hoth has been added, and it can be played in the Walker Assault, Supremacy, Turning Point, Blast, Fighter Squadron, Drop Zone, and Heroes vs. Villains game types.

A new survival mission has been added: Survival in the Ice Caves, and the Turning Point gameplay mode has been added to the Jundland Wastes, Forest of Endor, Outpost Beta, and SoroSuub Centroplex maps.

Thumbs up.

DOOM Up In Here

Pre-ordering DOOM on the Xbox One will net you the original DOOM and DOOM II for free, as they are both part of the backwards compatibility list. Pre-ordering nets you some other multiplayer exclusives as well: armour sets, weapon skins, etc.

///

New Releases – Feb 23

hitman_go_2

 

Hitman GO: Definitive Edition (PS4)
From the makers of Lara Croft GO, their first title was Hitman GO. I bought this on Android and never go the chance to play it before I shattered my screen, and then bought an iPhone. Guess I’ll have to re-buy it, as I loved Lara Croft GO.

 

maxresdefault (7)Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
(Xbox One, PS4, PC)
The sequel to the original, a 3rd person shooter / tower defense game, in the Plants Vs Zombie world. The formula has been changed up, as now the plants are on the offensive as the zombies have completely taken over.


far_cry_primal_beastfaceFar Cry Primal 
(PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Same Far Cry world and mechanics, but now in the Stone Age era, with Woolly Mammoths and Sabretooth Tigers. Humanity is now on the low end of the food chain. Gone are the guns and vehicles, replaced with clubs, and spears. This might be the first Far Cry that I’ll actually pass on, at least for now.

Far Cry as a series, to me, has always been a shooter within a believable world and crazy villains. While this one appears to have a very detailed, gorgeous and believable world, I can’t see myself getting as immersed into the world, with its close range combat and 100% subtitled story, as I have with its predecessors.

We’ll see though.

///

With that said, back to the gaming grind. Thursday has a review for Pneuma: Breath of Life while I continue to plug away at what I’m playing. Might jump back into Star Wars Battlefront to try out the new modes and map.

I’m hoping to get some opinions up for The Division beta ahead of its release, and spend more time in Assassin’s Creed Unity, Oddworld, and Mad Max.

-iRogan

2016 and all that jazz – IDL NEWS

Hello, once again, internet.

Rocket League’s Xbox Release
Rocket League will finally make its debut on the Xbox on Wednesday, February 17th. Bundled with the game will be the three previously-released content packs: Supersonic Fury, Revenge of the Battle-Cars, and Chaos Run. The Xbox One will also include two unique vehicles inspired by Halo’s Warthog ad Gears of War’s Armadillo.

ss_962a25a5e9ab7d19df03ffa7c7f7693ba562e787.600x338

Rocket League Hype Everywhere

Star Wars Battlefront Double XP Weekend
Star Wars Battlefront will host a double XP weekend February 12-14 after the SWB community successfully completed the recent Community Challenge.

I’ve found the game to be quite fun, and will try to log sometime this weekend to help rank up.

Tom Clancy’s The Division Umpteenth Beta
Ubisoft has announced another Division Beta, this most recent one running Feb 19-21st. I played the closed Alpha, and enjoyed what it had to offer, but NDA prevents me from discussing it further. And unfortunately I slept through the most recent closed beta, but I heard that it included the same missions and Dark Zone. I will try to take part during this new window to see where the game has improved, this close to release, and then share my opinions.

final_tctd_e314_screenshot_covergameplay_159322

Titanfall Sequel Will Have Single Player Campaign/Multiplatform
The sequel to 2014’s Titanfall, expected to release late 2016/early 2017 is confirmed to have a single-player campaign and will no longer be exclusive to the Xbox One.

“One of the shortcomings of the first game was we just did not have the mechanism to tell everyone ‘here’s who you are, here’s where you are, and who’s around you,'” Stern said. “We knew all the answers; we just could not deliver it.”

I loved Titanfall, and still play it from time to time. I felt that its lack of solid single-player was its only lacking element. That being said, I wouldn’t have played the online component as much as I did, if it had.

///

New Releases – Feb 9

Assassins Creed Chronicles – Russia (Xbox One, PS4)
Wrapping up the trilogy, Russia has come out, just a few weeks after part two, India, came out. I played ACC China, and thought it was a unique 2.5D game, beautiful art and fun runner sequences. As I progressed through the game, it did become quite difficult in parts with a couple insta-fails parts. From what I’ve read India and Russia is very similar, but Russia has some unique sniper gameplay mechanics and a 2nd character, so I am looking forward to giving both of them a try. Here were my initial thoughts on China: ACC CHINA

Unravel (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
Unravel caught a lot of eyes at E32014 as this little indie darling being revealed by a very nervous dev showing off his baby for the first time, and not really know what to expect. The game has garnered quite the emotional response over the year that followed with fans sending in photos of their own little Yarny dolls. The game is finally out and I got to try the first two levels last week and found that the game was very pretty with some unique puzzle ideas. Excited to play through the full release.

Firewatch (PS4, PC)
Locked away as a PC and PS$ exclusive right now, Firewatch looks like a unique story driven game with brilliant voice acting. Not my typical genre but I’ll keep my ears peaked to news of any Xbox ports. One of the unique features of the PC version is you can order physical prints of the photos you take in-game.

Dying Light: The Following Enhanced Edition (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Dying Light’s big expansion is here – The Following – and alongside it, comes the full Enhanced Edition package. Myself and Illestrader will be picking this up as we’re in need of another lengthy co-op game.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (PS4)
Lovers makes its PS4 debut. Here’s my impression, for the Xbox: Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

///

In somewhat of a gaming rut, trudging through some and hesitant to start others, I recently sat down and played through the Beyond Good and Evil HD re-release. This was in-part because I wanted something fresh, but also because I wanted to give the Xbox One Backwards Compatibility a try, as I hadn’t to date. I’m going to put up a review for it later this week.

I’m also still working on the website re-alignment to include art and other projects. It’s been slow as other priorities have shuffled my website obligations some.

-iRogan

 

IDL NEWS – The Crew Wild Run, Cities Skylines, EA And Star Wars Battlefront

After a fun jaunt down to Seattle, it’s now back to reality and all things video game. Gears Of War Ultimate Edition arrived in the mail yesterday, as did the Day One edition of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – very excited to try these. I’ll be jumping right into MGS V so expect my impressions throughout the week.

I have lots of news to catch up on, I apologize as some might be older, and new games, deals, etc. Lets go!


The Crew Wild Run

Released in November, The Crew Wild Run expansion seems pretty beefy. They’re re-releasing The Crew with the expansion, but no word yet on the DLC and price.

Notable inclusions:

  • Engine sounds have been reworked
  • UI is getting tweaked
  • Car dynamics and handling have been improved
  • Dynamic weather will be added
  • FreeDrive Stunts and the ability to create your own races will be added
  • Motorcycles
  • Monster Trucks
  • Dragsters
  • Drift cars
  • Recurring Championship festival: The Summit
  • Upgraded graphics

Cities: Skylines Expansion

Cities: Skylines has a new expansion coming out, titled After Dark. The new expansion introduces a new day-to-night cycle and with it comes new specialized areas, city services, transportation systems, graphics enhancements, and citizen behaviour. Might have to jump back in. Sept 24th release.

EA Access Backwards Compatibility

EA said that it is investigating adding backwards compatible EA games to the EA Access in the future. November at the earliest when the Backwards Compatibility will launch.

EA has a long list of Xbox 360 games that could potentially be added to the Vault, including the Mass Effect trilogy, Battlefield 3, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Skate 3, and Burnout Paradise.

star-wars-battlefront-offers-first-look-at-fighter-squadron-mode-488398-2Star Wars Battlefront, Sans Server Browser

DICE confirmed today that Star Wars Battlefront will not have a server browser, like in previous Battlefield games, but instead will use a new skill-based matchmaking system to match online players.

EA also announced that a Star Wars Battlefront beta for PS4, Xbox One, and PC will be available in early October.

Evolve – Free Weekend

Evolve will be free for all this weekend on the Xbox One and PC. It includes all the hunters and monsters and unique skins. Those who play it will retain all their experience if they choose to buy it, and those who own it will get the chance to maybe try out some new hunters or monsters, and will get to keep the new skins.

maxresdefault (3)


Game Deals With Gold – Sept 1 – 7

Xbox One

  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 30%
  • Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – 50%
  • Rayman Legends – 50%
  • Call of Duty: Ghosts – 67%
  • Shiftlings – 60%
  • Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark – 75%
  • Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – 35%
  • Amazing Spider-Man 2 – 60%
  • Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved – 50%

Xbox 360

  • Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag – 50%
  • Assassin’s Creed III – 50%
  • Assassin’s Creed Rogue – 50%
  • Assassin’s Creed Liberation HD – 75%
  • Rayman Origins – 67%
  • Rayman Legends – 50%
  • Rayman 3 HD* Arcade 75%
  • The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings-  85%
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops II – 67%
  • Call of Duty: Ghosts – 67%
  • Deadpool – 50%
  • Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions – 50%
  • Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark – 75%
  • Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD – 50%
  • Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – 50%

New Games – Aug 25 – Sept 1

Mad Max (Xbox One, PS4, PC) – I got hand’s on with Mad Max over the weekend, and it felt really cool to play. Driving and melee feel really good, and the game looks gorgeous. I had some reservation during my time with it, but only a proper play through will due for my proper opinion.

IGN posted a cool time lapse of the two-hour day and night cycle:

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (Xbox One, PS4, PC) – This is my go to game for the next week. I briefly started it last night, so expect opinions daily into next week. I’m super stoked.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC) – I played this game back on the Xbox 360 and thought it was a lot of fun. A quite somber tale of two brothers and their messed up world. Sad and tragic, but vast and beautiful. This looks to be the next-gen release of it.

Until Dawn (PS4) – Playstation’s big notable horror game. i don’t really know anything about it though as I’m not a PS gamer. Getting very good reviews.

Dishonored: Definitive Edition (PS4, Xbox One) – Unnecessary HD remaster of one of last gen’s great games. My original review: here.

Mega Man Legacy Collection (Xbox One, PS4, PC) – Reproduction of the classic series original six titles.

The Deer God (Xbox One, PC) – Xbox’s Free game of the month for September. I got it last night and will be including my impressions when I get to it. The title looks very cool, as an indie platformer, and not of the typical shooting variety.

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (Xbox One) – Yep. Full remastering of the classic original on the Xbox 360. The game that sold consoles. This edition includes all the multiplayer maps and skins and DLC and the Window’s exclusive story chapters. Excited isn’t sufficient. This game is a game-night staple.


Phew. Well that’s all for tonight. More tomorrow as I continue to go through MGS V and leave my impressions from PAX Prime 2015 and Gears of War this weekend.

-iRogan

Gamescom 2015: Cologne, Germany – EA Press Conference

ELECTRONIC ARTS Gamescom 2015 Media Briefing:

Wednesday, Aug 5th – 1am.


-EA’s press conference starts with a quick sizzle reel showcasing The Sims 4, Need For Speed, FIFA 16, Star Wars Battlefront, and Mirrors Edge Catalyst, along with their tag line “Live to Play”.

-ANDREW WILSON – EA CEO, takes the stage. Thanks German for hosting one of the largest game conventions, and points out that the games discussed today will feature on the game room floor. Introduced Need for Speed first.


Need For Speed

maxresdefault
-MARCUS NEILSSON – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, takes the stage and shows a quick trailer highlighting the 5 pivotal styles found in Need For Speed: Speed Icon, Style Icon, Build Icon, Crew Icon, Outlaw Icon.

-This years’ Need for Speed is 20 years of history to make the definitive NFS experience. 5 ways to play, and each way is based of a real world icon.

Need For Speed this year will showcase real-time compositing into the Frostbite engine, merging real world actors with in-game footage. NEILSSON leaves the stage with the new trailer showing.


Mirror’s Edge Catalyst

Mirror_s_Edge_Catalyst_72365

-SARA JANSSON – SENIOR PRODUCER, takes the stage to discuss Mirror’s Edge and her love of the character, Faith. Mirror’s Edge has the freedom to explore combined with an immersive experience. With a hero at the center of everything: Faith.

-JANSSON states that Faith doesn’t need guns. Faith is the star of the game and its an origin story. Faith is a carefree runner, but a little bit reckless. The story will see Faith grow into the person we know.

-The world of Mirror’s Edge includes free-roaming, collectibles, and the companies that spark’s Faith’s journey.

-Trailer: Pre-alpha footage shows free-running and traversal similar to the first game. Wall running, and sliding, big jumps and rolling. Levels look less linear and more open, although less colour, and colourful flares highlight the objectives. More destructive elements: glass walls, lighting fixtures. Fast melee combat.


Star Wars The Old Republic

Star_Wars-_The_Old_Republic_cover-JAMES OHLEN takes the stage, and discusses the new expansion to The Old Republic called Knights of the Fallen Empire. “Become The Outlander” is the tagline. The ability to recruit companions and change destinies is mentioned. Choose the Light Side or the Dark Side is an option. The expansion includes the first 9 chapters and then the rest of the story will be released episodical.

-Game will carry over your existing character, or you can choose to create a brand new one. Release date is Oct 27, and is free for all current subscribers. OHLEN states that this expansion is a return to Bioware’s storytelling roots. A quick trailer wraps the segment.


Sims 4

-“You Create. You Control. You Rule” Live action trailer is shown to start the Sims 4 segment.

-RACHEL FRANKLIN takes the stage to discuss the new expansion.”Everything is up to you, you rule.” Sims 4 gets bigger and better every month. New expansion this November: Get Together. New world. Quick in-game trailer is shown.


Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

maxresdefault (7)

-JEREMY VANHOOZER – SR. CREATIVE, takes the stage and states the in Garden Warfare 2, the script has been flipped and the Zombies have taken over, and plants are now on the attack.

-Recalls the previously noted 3 Zombies introduced at E3: Captain Deadbeard, Superbrains, and the Imp. Now introducing the 3 new plants: Rose, a sorceress, Kernal Korn and his dual machine guns, and Bouncing Orange, a citrus tank.

-Game now has solo-play and couch co-op across all modes. and introducing the new Playground Battleground. An open-world in-game hub. You can introduce friends into your game and then go to a warp game to start a new game.

-Pre-order’s get a Grass Effects spoofed Z7 mech custom armour for the Imp. Game is available Spring 2016. Gameplay trailer is shown, showcasing the space map on the moon.


Unraveled

2015-06-1513-24-16jpg-bfd520_765w

-PATRICK SODERLUND – EA EXECUTIVE VP, comes to the stage and is thankful for video games as they allow creativity, innovation, and passion. Making the next truly awesome game also involves risk. Screenshots are shown of some of the early concepts in development that could lead to the next awesome game.

-To show an example of creativity, innovation,passion and risk, Unraveled is up next.

-MARTIN SAHLIN comes to the stage and says he is just overwhelmed and stunned by the response to his game and Yarny. Slide show of the art, drawings, and Yarny dolls is shown. He encourages people to keep sending in their submissions.

-SAHLIN discusses games and how they can do proper good, and that they’re not just escapism. He says he is glad to be a part of this trend, and he wants to show us more Unraveled footage, promising this is still very early pre-alpha gameplay.

-Level: Sea. All the levels take place in Norther Sweden. The purpose is to make it to the end of each level without running out of yarn, but you can find more yarn throughout the level, The gameplay is all physics-based.

-The game looks gorgeous so far, and is all about overcoming obstacles and is really all about the wonder of discovery and beauty. Will be available on the Xbox One, PS4, and PC.


Star Wars Battlefront

star-wars-battlefront-offers-first-look-at-fighter-squadron-mode-488398-2-SIGURLINA INGVARSDOTTIR – DICE, takes the stage to discuss Star Wars.The weapons and vehicles, the characters. Star Wars Battlefront is all about the thrill of living out our Star Wars fantasies. The game is all about fun, and the thrill of fighting for survival.

-Introducing new game mode: Fighter Squadron.

-Fighter Squadron is a 20 player dog fight mode. Game mode includes Tie Fighters, X-Wings, A-Wings, and Millenium Falcon. The game mode also supports an additional 20 AI fighter so that the action is always intense. This game mode has the most intense dog fights in video game history.

-Promises that Dice and EA still have a lot left to show before the November release. Trailer is shown for the full game including Walker Attack and Jedi fights.


FIFA 16

2882732-fifa16_xboxone_ps4_e3_henderson_hr_wm

-DAVID RUTTER – EA, takes the stage to discuss FUT Draft 16, the Fantasy Ultimate Team Draft. A quick trailer is shown with two legends picking a team and arguing and then playing the game. “What is the best choice: Best Players or Best Chemistry.” And you can bring your fantasy team online.

-New introductions to the game include: Pre-season tournament in career mode, and Player Training in career mode including up to 30 drills.

-Also new to ’16 includes 12 of the National Women’s teams, and promises more innovations across the entire pitch. ’16 promises to be the most balanced and most beautiful FIFA football game.

-9 iconic stadiums, new weather conditions including rain and fog. And 900 new crowd chants. A quick trailer is shown.


And that’s all for Gamescom 2015 press conferences. I’ll be attending PAX Prime 2015 so I’ll have lots of news and insights when I return. Aug 28-31.

-iRogan

WHAT i’M PLAYING – LEGO Batman, Shiftlings, The Crew + News

So, What I’M Playing is back to Wednesdays? Ok? Has a better ring to it.

So, since I have come back from my two week hiatus, (if you can call it as such since the reviews didn’t stop) I have picked up LEGO Batman 3, and Shiftlings. Batman was on sale during the BIG summer Xbox sale, so it was hard to turn that sale down.

LEGO Batman 3
Lego Batman 3 has been pretty fun thus far. TTGames has perfected the formula, and have just been applying it to new franchises. The game itself is a lot more fun in co-op, obviously, so I’m sure I’ll be playing it often enough with ILLESTRADER. That being said, the game seems to have decreased the difficulty curve, and have become extra bloated with characters.

image (1)

In prior LEGO Batman games, a lot of the puzzles required different suits. And that is still retained, but what I have noticed this time around, is that when you approach the puzzle, or the interactive area, the character will automatically change into the suit required. That, and for pacing purposes, the rooms and puzzles are extra bloated this time around, extending the duration of the level. Checkpoints aside, you still need to beat the level before you can save and exit. I haven’t noticed any save spots like in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes.

Shiftlings
I also gave Shiftlings a try, in couch co-op, again with ILLESTRADER. The premise is like that of a game show. The goal is for the two joined space dudes to traverse the level to get to the door activation switch, and then on to the exit. The game is a fun platformer and the levels are small enough that you can zoom out the camera to see it in its entirety, to plan the trip.

shiftlings

The mechanic for this game though, is one of the space dudes has farted within the suit making it balloon shape in size, so one of the players at any given time is not able to jump high or fit through small areas, however you can transfer the air to the other players suit whenever, and the pair are attached by a semi-long breathing tube.

Its a fun little physics platformer, and super frustrating at times playing with a co-op couch partner. I’ll have more info about the game on Sunday as I’ll be dedicating my Achievement of the Week to it, and expect a review sometime later.


Xbox’s First Party Strategy
At Gamescom 2015, Xbox head Phil Spencer spoke about first-party exclusives, and his vision going forward.

“My strategy is more around our own first-party franchises, and investing in franchises that we own and probably fewer deals for exclusive third-party content,” said Spencer. “I want to have strong third party relations, but paying for many third-party exclusives isn’t our long term strategy.”

Gears of War Ultimate Edition and Backwards Compatibility
Microsoft
and The Coalition have announced that Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, and Gears of War: Judgment will be backward compatible on Xbox One this fall.

e9513375-39fc-4800-9eab-e49ec7f45e2c

In addition to that, it was revealed that anyone who plays online in Gears of War: Ultimate Edition between launch on August 25 and the end of 2015 will gain access to every backward-compatible Gears game for free.

Doesn’t help me none since I own them all.

Destiny Sans Peter Dinklage
Bungie
has revealed it has recast the role of Ghost in Destiny. Citing availability as one of the main reasons. Ghost will be reappearing in the next expansion The Taken King, and will feature Nolan North as the voice talent. All the original lines have been re-recorded as well.

Destiny’s Leveling System
More Destiny news as Bungie has announced that in the next expansion, they will be removing the Light system for leveling up. Players can level from 1-40 by completing missions, killing enemies and completing bounties.

“The conflation of gear and character level led to this place where your identity was determined by things outside of your control,” creative director Luke Smith said. “We don’t want to do that.”

Star Wars Battlefront’s Fighter Squadron and Mode
star-wars-battlefront-offers-first-look-at-fighter-squadron-mode-488398-2EA and DICE have announced Fighter Squadron, a new aerial vehicle-only multiplayer mode for Star Wars Battlefront.

The premise of Fighter Squadron sees the Rebel Alliance hunting down an escaping Imperial transport shuttle, which the Empire team must protect. Each ship has its own abilities, giving the A-Wing and its homing-missiles a different role than the X-Wing, for example.


Tomorrow I’ll catch up with more news, and hopefully prepare a review before the week is over, and then Sunday is an Achievement Update.

-iRogan