PAYDAY: The Heist players were given an Easter present this past weekend with a huge update that adds a higher difficulty setting to the game, new achievements and weapons, as well as drop in-drop out capabilities. Grab your mask, guns, and three friends who want to reinact Heat and check out the full update details.
After surveying the show floor at PAX East, Nick and I came to the same conclusion: 2012 looks like it's going to be a strong year for free-to-play (F2P) games, MMOs, and yes, F2P MMOs. Case in point was my first PAX East appointment: publisher Perfect World Entertainment. PWE's specialization is quality F2P MMOs and they were showcasing two such titles for the convention: Raiderz and Neverwinter. This post will be covering Raiderz.
This is a dismal week for co-op releases. We have one, count it, one co-op game coming out this week, and it already came out on the PC last year! It's a good time to tackle that backlog before The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings hits next Tuesday.
Indie developer Carbon Games were showing off the latest version of their RTS/MOBA hybrid called AirMech at PAX East 2012 and I chatted with a member of the developer about the game. The idea of it is a hybrid of the genres, players won't be building any bases like traditional RTS games, but they will have a variety of structures to manage units from. And unlike most MOBA games (think League of Legends) - players have more direct control over the other units on the battlefield.
The Behemoth's Castle Crashers is by all accounts the perfect arcade style co-op game this generation. It offers catchy visuals, accessibility, and addictive gameplay elements that keep you coming back for more. When I first saw BattleBlock Theater, the next game from the developer, I wasn't quite sure what to make of it. It just didn't have that look that sucked you in that Castle Crashers had. This is definitely a different game and my time with it at PAX East has given be a better understanding of just what BattleBlock Theater is...and isn't.
While we're still waiting on the XBLA-exclusive Double Dragon II remake from Korean developer Gravity Co, Ltd, a separate team on the other side of the world has set their sights on remaking the original Double Dragon for both XBLA and PSN. The new game, Double Dragon: Neon comes from Wayforward Technologies (makers of Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Contra 4) and Majesco. Like Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons, this one uses the original game as a template, switching to a 3D engine and revamping the actual fighting mechanics. Neon takes many more creative liberties with the source material, and thus Majesco calls it a "radical reinvention" rather than just a remake.
Publishers release demos of new and upcoming games all the time - it's expected these days. But French developer Asobo and Microsoft have done something unusual for Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure. They've released a Kinect Rush-themed Kinect Fun Labs gadget called Kinect Rush Snapshot. Not only is Snapshot free, but the included Achievements make it worth downloading even if you already own the retail title.
Once more, we take a look back at some co-op gems from the past. Both of today's video offerings are Sega Genesis (or Mega Drive, the international equivalent) games. My own experience with the Genesis was quite limited, so both of these were new to me. Step back into the 16-bit era as we investigate sci-fi brawler Alien Storm and platform/shmup hybrid Wonder Boy 3.
We have ourselves a DLC worth investing in! Why? Because we don’t have to invest anything besides the time it takes to download it! Mass Effect 3’s “Resurgence Pack” will be available this Tuesday for free, just as long as you own an online pass.
From the looks of things, Pokémon has taken another shift in its gameplay. Nintendo’s upcoming 3DS title, Pokémon Conquest, is looking much like a Final Fantasy Tactics rather than the normal Turn-based RPG we have grown rather accustomed to.
Swing an imaginary lightsaber around, pilot a racing pod, and even dance with the cast of Star Wars in this eclectic Kinect title. Does Kinect Star Wars lean more towards the light or dark side of the force? We'll tell you in our co-op review.
A new Rock Band game is on the way; apparently, reports of the death of the music game genre were greatly exaggerated. The latest entry into the series, though, is a drastic departure from form. You won't need any plastic instruments to play it, and, sadly, co-op is gone, as well.
