November 2014

The Game Awards 2014 Nominees Announced


Posted on November 30, 2014 by Rae Michelle Richards

This coming Friday will mark the first ever edition of The Game Awards, usually around this time of year we’re all preparing for the world premieres during the Spike Video Game Awards but now a new contender for “relevant game awards show” has entered the ring. Created by gametrailers personality and long time industry veteran Geoff Keighley this new awards show has the backing of companies like Nintendo, SCEA, EA and Kojima Studios.

Like its predecessor the awards show will feature brand new reveal trailers, interviews and appearances from some of the big names in the games industry and of course the presentation of multiple awards. TGA 2014 will be available through Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4 and PS3 as well as through an official Twitch Stream on December 5th.

We’ve got a full list of this year’s nominees. Did your favorite game from the past 12 months make the cut? Find out after the jump.Read More


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Shadows of Mordor | Review


Posted on November 27, 2014 by Les Major

The moment I heard about Middle Earth: Shadows of Mordor, I was completely excited to play this title. It also made me quite nervous since it’s seemingly original content created in the world of J. R. R. Tolkien. Quickly as I’d read the announcement I scrolled down to the comments to see how fans would feel, and I’ve been exploring that ever since. It’s been relieving to see a positive response to this new venture. Shadows of Mordor does something wonderful in bringing more of Middle Earth to us and it’s great to see fans seem to appreciate it as a respectful addition.

At first it may seem like a wild fanfiction story, but it works surprisingly well when you get into the game. A ranger who is given wraith powers sets off to exact revenge on the Orcs and Uruks of Mordor. The game is essentially what would happen if the Batman Arkham series and Assassins Creed had a baby. That’s a very good thing! On top of that Monolith Productions added in what is known as the nemesis system. This could have been a basic element to the game, but instead it makes the ability to free roam into a huge personal war you can wage against all of Mordor!Read More


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November 27th Nintendo Download


Posted on November 27, 2014 by Jason Nason

Nintendo 3DS eShop

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth – For the first time ever, the Persona series comes to a Nintendo console! Join the Persona 3 and Persona 4 characters on a new adventure in an art style that you haven’t seen before. Choose characters from either game to form your dream team, and use the bottom screen to map out dungeons and fuse Persona. Click here to watch a trailer for the game.

Mighty GunvoltMighty Gunvolt is an old-school 8-bit NES-style retro mini-adventure starring Gunvolt and Beck from the upcoming action game Mighty No. 9. Play as one of three heroes, each with his or her own unique powers, as you run, double-jump, dash and blast your way through five stages of baddies and bosses. It’s a pixelated adventure you can really sink your teeth into! Mighty Gunvolt will be available on Nov. 28. Click here to watch a trailer for the game.

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Super Smash Bros. Fastest Selling Wii U Title to Date


Posted on November 26, 2014 by Jason Nason

Nintendo announced some sales figures for Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U yesterday and the numbers are looking good.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is now the fastest-selling Wii U title ever in the U.S. market, beating out previous title Mario Kart 8, with more than 490,000 physical and digital units combined sold during the three-day period of November 21st through November 23rd.

The game has been a hit with critics as well and Smash currently has a Metacritic score of 92. Fan reaction to the game has been overwhelmingly positive as well. The news isn’t surprising as the game has been highly anticipated, especially since the last game in the series was released six years ago. The series has sold more than 14 million games to date in the United States and this new success is great news for Nintendo.

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Kalimba’s Puzzles Get Surprisingly Complex


Posted on November 26, 2014 by Les Major

Press Play’s two character platform puzzler is quite enjoyable! In a weird way it kind of evokes feelings of playing Portal, in the sense of twisting the game mechanics to complete puzzles. It’s a deceptively complex concept that adds new elements at a steady pace to keep things interesting.

We had a chance to take Kalimba out for a test drive and what follows is impressions from the beta build of the game.Read More


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Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Released


Posted on November 26, 2014 by Les Major

One title that really stood out to me as an Xbox Live Arcade game that made challenging your friends fun was Geometry Wars. It’s a pure top down shooter that encourages you to rack up an insane score. Feeling like a classic arcade game, you could easily check the leader boards. I battled it out for a long time against my friend on the original. Every time I logged in, I’d check to see if he’d beat my score and I’d up the ante. Geometry Wars 3 is available across PC, Playstation 3 and 4, as well as Xbox 360 and One.

The sheer enjoyment of besting my friend aside, Geometry Wars is just pure fun. The sequel added even more modes, and now Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions takes the game into a Super Mario Galaxy sort of orbiting the surface of a 3D plane. It really looks to be a game changer! Which says a lot, considering adding new content to the series does feel like a tough challenge. I’m thrilled to see what is in store though. Read on for the trailer and see for yourself!Read More


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Take A Trip To Gotham In This New Arkham Knight Gameplay Vid


Posted on November 25, 2014 by Rae Michelle Richards

Out of the shadows comes a brand new gameplay video for Batman: Arkham Knight from Warner Bros Interactive. This video gives you a great look at the game’s combat as well as how the Batmobile will be useable during missions! In part one of this three part walkthrough series Batman has to enter Ace chemicals and take down the Arkham Knight’s henchmen as well as rescue Ace workers who are being held hostage.

If I am not mistaken… Batman may have killed a dude at the 1:07 mark, I mean shoving someone’s head into a panel full of live electrical wires doesn’t exactly sound survivable.

Regardless, part two will be released on the Arkham Knight facebook page with the final video premiering during the PlayStation Experience Keynote on December 6th.

Batman Arkham Knight will be released on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on June 2nd 2015. Check out the full video after the jump.

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Persona 4 Arena: Ultiimax Now Available In Europe


Posted on November 25, 2014 by Rae Michelle Richards

Get ready to enter the arena one more time with the release of Persona 4: Arean – Ultimax. SEGA confirmed that the game is now available for Xbox 360 and PS3 in Europe. This follow-up to the 2012 original includes a whole host of new characters including Junpei Lori, Yukari Takeba, Rise Kujijawa and more. If you missed out on the original game then is latest update might be the right time to show off your skills.

In our review of the original game we praised the fighting systems, comparing them to other Ark System Works titles like Blazblue and its incorporation of RPG elements from the main series Persona titles.

Persona 4: Arena Ultimax was released in North America on September 30th 2014. Full PR text after the jump.

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Prologue For Destiny’s 1st Expansion “The Dark Below” Released


Posted on November 21, 2014 by Rae Michelle Richards

Activision has released the epilogue trailer for Destiny’s upcoming first expansion, The Dark Below. This expansion is set to be released on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4 and PS3 on December 9 for $19.99 or as part of the Destiny Season Pass.

In terms of content TDB includes three main story missions: The Veil Lifted,  The Seeding and The Wakening. It also includes two new Strikes – Will of Crota and The Undying Mind (Which is PlayStaion exclusive) as well as three new crucible maps.  When TDB drops on the 9th all players will gain access to new weapons, armor and bounties regardless of whether or not they’ve purchased The Dark Below.

Check out the prologue in the embedded player below.
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Final Fantasy Type-0 Arrives…In Cinemas?


Posted on November 21, 2014 by Rae Michelle Richards

A brand new trailer for Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is set to be released in North American cinemas in front of some the biggest holiday blockbusters but you can watch an extended version of the trailer online right now! This trailer originally debuted on a segment of “Square Enix Presents” during an interview with game director  Hajime Tabata.

Final Fantasy Type-0 was originally released on the PlayStation Portable in October 2011 but has yet to make it to North America or Europe. At this past E3 Square Enix confirmed that a current-generation version of the game with up-scaled graphics and cinematics would be released in March of 2015 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Not only does this HD version include some shinier visuals and the adventures of Class Zero but it also includes access to the demo of Final Fantasy XIV.

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD will be released on March 17th in North American and March 20th in Europe. Check out the trailer after the break! Read More


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Skylanders: Trap Team | Review


Posted on November 21, 2014 by Les Major

Skylanders Trap Team expands well with the latest addition of trapping enemies to use as playable characters. This easily could have been a convoluted system, but fortunately it’s quite simple and easy to enjoy in game. No one enemy is confined permanently to a trap (Kaos aside), so for gamers concerned about full trap key sets, worry not. You can enjoy the games content with just one of each element.

Why do I bring this up first? Trap Team has a lot to offer and it’s always intimidating when you’re trying to figure out just how much the base game will cost. After all, buying additional figures comes later when you get eager throughout the year to add more to your collection even though your promised yourself you wouldn’t. It’s that initial step that is always difficult.Read More


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November 20th Nintendo Download


Posted on November 20, 2014 by Jason Nason

Nintendo Wii U eShop

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U – Face off against a massive roster of video game all-stars! Send your rivals flying with powerful attacks to earn new customizable equipment that trick out your fighter’s moves and stats. Then power-up and train amiibo figures (each sold separately) to take on your friends. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will be available on Nov. 21. Click here to watch a trailer for the game.

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Take a Look at Monster Hunter 4 In This New Video Walkthrough


Posted on November 19, 2014 by Rae Michelle Richards

Capcom is set to unleash another addictive entry in the Monster Hunter franchise next spring with the release of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate for the Nintendo 3DS. MH4 gives players access to enhanced movement with the added ability to climb in any direction as well as giving players the option to grab onto their foes.

The publisher recently released a five minute quest walkthrough that gives players a bit of a look at the game play. Also announce previously was the fact that bounty hunter Samus Aran from the Metroid series will be making an appearance in MH4! It is no wonder the game sold over 1.4 million copies when it was released in Japan earlier this year.

Check out the full walk-through video in the embedded player after the jump.Read More


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Super Smash Bros for 3DS Surpasses 1 Million Units In US


Posted on November 17, 2014 by Rae Michelle Richards

Nintendo of America announced that Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS has already sold 1.2 million units in the United States. This figure contains both digital and physical copies, in fact Smash is the best selling hand-held title so far in 2014. These fantastic sales figures put it at number 9 in the all time rankings of US 3DS title sales.

The full list of top selling 3DS titles include:

Mario Kart 7
Super Mario 3D Land
New Super Mario Bros 2
Pokemon X  / Pokemon Y
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Super Smash Bros for 3DS
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

If you haven’t checked out Super Smash Bros yet, now is probably the best time to grab the fantastic 3DS rendition of this long running fighting series.  With the WiiU version coming out this coming Friday, November 21st, there’s only six days to get some practice in. There are a lot of reasons why we gave SSB on 3DS a perfect ten in our review.


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Halo 5 Guardians Multiplayer Beta Details


Posted on November 17, 2014 by Rae Michelle Richards

Master Chief makes his first appearance on Xbox One with this past week’s release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection and with it came new details on the upcoming Halo 5: Guardians beta. If you happen to own either a digital or physical copy of Halo: TMCC you’re automatically eligible to test an early version of Halo 5’s Arena multiplayer from Dec 29th until January 18th 2015. We not only got the first details about gameplay changes coming in Halo 5 but the first gameplay videos as well!

Continuing some of the changes found in Halo 4’s single player Spartans now have access to a series of thruster packs that are built into their armor. This additional maneuverability allows players to quickly sidestep and pull off split second movements that they otherwise couldn’t do in previous Halo titles. Spartans are now also able to perform a ground pound attack after using the jet-pack ability. If all of this sounds like the “armor abilities” found in Halo: Reach,  that is because they function similarly but everyone will have access to all of them instead of choosing a pre-determined load out.  Another change to the game play formula is the addition of a new zooming mechanic that kind of works like Call of Duty’s iron sights, 343 industries is calling this feature “smart scope”.

So far we know the names of four maps that will be included in the beta: Truth (a re-make of Halo 2’s Midship),  Empire, Break out and Crossfire. In terms of weapons we know that classics like the Sniper Rifle, Pistol and Assault Rifle will return!

Check out several videos of beta gameplay in the embedded player below. Halo 5: Guardians is expected to be released in the Fall of 2015 and with the beta taking place almost a year before launch perhaps we’ll get a second chance to try Halo 5 before it launches!

Sources: Tech Cheat Sheet | Halo Wiki

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