With so much hype surrounding the upcoming launch of the Nintendo Switch, is Nintendo about to successfully walk away from the financial failure of the Wii U?
We’re only a little more than a week before the launch of Nintendo’s latest console. If you have been absent from the gaming news frenzy surrounding the console, it is pretty much what it sounds like; a new system which purports to bridge the gap between at-home and mobile gaming all in one place. Whether you want to have a marathon at home or endure the bus ride to work, the Switch aims to provide a seamless gaming experience for its users in both cases. No longer do you have to worry about saving or leaving your system on in order to accomplish a task before leaving the house. Now Nintendo offers a way to take the gaming with you. While the ‘quality’ dips slightly when transitioning to mobile mode, the mobile system is far from lacking in pizzazz. It’s enough to make you forget that its a home console too.
After the large financial loss for Nintendo in 2014 following the release of the Wii U, they were looking for a way to gain their foothold in the console market. Hesitant to return full force into the ever growing and competitive mobile gaming market, gears were eventually set in motion to bring about the release of the Nintendo Switch. This hybrid console will help Nintendo to edge their bets against both the console and mobile gaming markets. On one hand, players who faithfully follow the Nintendo brand at home will be offered a powerful machine to continue to enjoy staple content titles like launch title Breath of the Wild. Conversely, the mobile version of the console also offers an equally powerful experience on the go. While dedicated mobile consoles have struggled in the wake of Android and iOS games, a hybrid system may be able to bridge the gap for Nintendo.
Home or Away, be prepared for stunning graphics on the Switch.
While it may seem like another gimmick to get their systems moving, the specs say otherwise. Pairing up with a Nvidia graphics device and well-designed hardware, Nintendo means business and (arguably) means to save its skin. Nintendo helped bring the modern world of console gaming to the masses, and it is no surprise that they continue to fight to be part of that market. It’s not surprising then, that when faced with losing market creed all together, that Nintendo steps out with an innovative system like the Switch. Not only is the system looking like an awesome addition to any avid Nintendo gamer, it’s also looking to be a worthwhile purchase to a much larger part of the market; gamer and non-gamer alike.
The truth is, the system has to be everything and more in order to overcome the pitfall of the Wii U. The Switch has the potential to turn everything around for Nintendo, and here’s hoping that it does. The gaming world just wouldn’t be the same without them.
What do you think of the Nintendo Switch? Let us know in the comments, or hit us up on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
In less than a month The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is set to hit shelves for both the Wii U, and for the launch of the Nintendo Switch and here is everything we know.
In less than a month The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is set to hit shelves for both the Wii U, and for the launch of the Nintendo Switch and here is everything we know.
The Legend of Zelda series has been a longstanding staple of the Nintendo repertoire since its launch on the Famicom back in 1986. Link has grown up, shrunk down, cell-shaded, and time traveled throughout our many years together. However, Breath of the Wild seeks to take our journey with Link one step further, into the vast open space of true sandbox gameplay.
After multiple delays since 2013, the title will seemingly give us the experience of Zelda we’ve been after for years: adventure, story, and beautiful environments which rival the best of The Elder Scrolls. With a newly developed physics engine, open-world environment, and voice acting, Breath of the Wild seems much more like a Skyrim-meets-Studio-Ghibli than a traditional Zelda game–and we love it.
Play through dungeons in any order, as you are thrown headfirst into this new take on Hyrule. Rather than being guided along by a rail story, players will be able to explore the lush fields and forests at their own pace. Additionally, a large number of cut scenes help to develop the game’s narrative and were the primary motivation for developers including voice acting for the first time in the series’ history.
Breath of the Wild showcases an entirely breathtaking take on Hyrule.
The Story
Some 100 years after a great societal collapse in Hyrule, Link awakens in an amnesiac state. Guided by a mysterious voice, Link’s first steps are shakily taken in a world all too familiar, and yet strange. While these initial steps and memory fog are par for the course in many Zelda games, where Breath of the Wild takes us after that, is entirely new territory.
Set after the events of Ocarina of Time, players will return to Hyrule and see the world left behind through the same strange veil Link awakens within. Not fully removed from the previous stories, and yet not fully aware of the narrative they’re in, Breath of the Wild wants to give players an entirely new Legend of Zelda experience.
Redefining what it means to be a Zelda title.
Gameplay
While some things are new, others are simply redesigned. Even as early as Ocarina of Time, players were used to items being more than what they seemed. For example, sticks could be used not only as torches but also as weapons. Additionally, the methods you killed an enemy, could result in different loot options, i.e. shells or sticks. Breath of the Wild takes this one step further and ups the ante on its inventory and crafting system. Tree branches could be used not only as weapons, or torches, but also for sliding on snow-ridden paths, or as shields.
Various goods can also be used for clothing, food, or weaponry. There will also be a rune system which will allow for increased crafting abilities and the manipulation of combat mechanics. Alongside inventory improvements, this title will feature a proper quest log, allowing for players to follow their progress on the main storylines, as well as side missions.
The game also features Amiibo integration, allowing for players to bring in sidekicks, and unlock alternative story paths when certain conditions are met.
As a Switch launch title, the game will feature improved graphics on the new console, over the Wii U version.
DLC
Nintendo announced that players could purchase an Expansion Pass for Breath of the Wild that would include two DLC packages. The first of which will be released this summer and includes the “Cave of Trials” challenge, a new hard mode and an update for the in-game map. The second will launch in the winter and include a new dungeon and new story content. The pass will cost $19.99 USD and is available for both the Wii U version and the Switch.
Launch Details
Breath of the Wild will launch simultaneously on March 3rd for the WiiU and Nintendo Switch for $59.99 USD. The Switch launch version of Breath of the Wild will also come in “Special” and “Master” edition bundles, for $99.99 and $129.99 USD respectively. Both feature a Sheikah Eye coin, a Calamity Ganon tapestry and world map, a soundtrack disc, and a themed carry-case for the console, while only the “Master” edition comes with a bonus figurine of the Master Sword.
Finally, there will be some minor graphic quality changes between the last first-party title version for the Wii U, and the launch title version for the Nintendo Switch. The Wii U version will run at 720p and 30FPS, while the Switch will feature 900p and 30FPS when docked to a television. While in standalone embedded-display the Switch will also run at 720p.
It’s time to return to Hyrule. Are you hyped for Breath of the Wild? Let us know in the comments or by tweeting us on our Twitter or visiting our Facebook page!
Returning to its roots, Resident Evil has reclaimed its rightful place among the top horror games with Biohazard.
Returning to its roots, Resident Evil has reclaimed its rightful place among the top horror games with Biohazard.
Resident Evil has been a longstanding household name in video game horror. After the introduction of the first title in 1996, the series has had a continual presence within the genre. While Resident Evil was there at the beginning, not all of their moves have been historically well received.
When Resident Evil 6 was released in 2012, it moved the series away from a more traditional survival horror genre and into the action-adventure territory. As third person shooter, RE6 had players battling from an entirely new perspective. Players and critics alike met the game with mixed reviews and divided opinions on the game’s shift from the series’ tone and gameplay style. Capcom themselves labeled the title as a “dramatic horror” rather than “survival horror”, and while it was a commercial success, RE6 left many players wanting.
Resident Evil 6 Gameplay
After listening to player responses to RE6, Capcom rethought the gameplay, environment, and the immersion experience, help to bring Biohazard away from its predecessor’s pitfalls and into a new world for Resident Evil games. Enter Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, a true return to form. Capcom has taken great lengths to bring the series to its survival horror roots in this RE6 sequel, and it shows in the reviews. The hero of RE7 is not some well armed super soldier, he is a regular guy trapped in a terrifying situation. RE7 is brilliantly designed to balance atmospheric tension and jump scares with compelling storytelling. That terror is ever present in this game; in every room, down every hallway, around every tight corner. Yet, despite that, the story coaxes players through the games plantation labyrinth.
Much like the original title, RE7 not only returns players to the survival horror style of the series but also helps to shake up horror gaming more broadly, urging gamers to think on their feet and under pressure, in order to survive. Unlike past RE games and other survival horror titles, Biohazard gives players very little room to stop and smell the roses. The game’s puzzles are designed so that they require keen observation of the world around you, all while being chased around by murderous baddies, of course. While exploring the eerie and decrepit Baker house, you must think while you act, making decisions on the fly which often seem counter to your instinctual reaction.
Players are encouraged to think for themselves, there are no easy answers or special abilities to hack your way through. Even when you are given a gun you may realize that even though you may have bullets left, sometimes no amount of shooting will help you. In RE7, sometimes the only solution there is, is to run. Stacking the odds against the player makes everything more tense. The everyday kind of protagonist leaves you feeling vulnerable while the games grimy environments and uneasy atmosphere make you feel uncomfortable. It is all tied together to create a terrifying immersive experience.
The encounters in Resident Evil 7 are smaller and more intimate, but that only makes it more terrifying.
The harrowing ambiance in Biohazard is only intensified if you play using VR, exclusively for PlayStation VR (at least for the first year). Even without the VR component, the quick thinking and camera action required by players can leave sensitive stomachs reaching for the pause button. With the addition of VR, the Biohazard installment helps to bring players truly into fear-inducing situations. Tensions already run high when playing RE7, making it difficult to solve its puzzles under pressure; however, with VR, players are one step closer to actually experiencing those situations and brings the term immersive gameplay to a whole new level.
With well-developed storylines, ambiance, puzzles, graphics, and new tech integration, Capcom has gone well beyond the needs of a successful sequel in Biohazard. Hopefully, RE7 will not only help to shape future Resident Evil games, but also pave the way for further immersive VR use outside of the series.
Do you think Capcom has saved Resident Evil’s future? Jump in the comments below or talk to us on Facebook, Twitter, or on our forums!
It’s probably one of the oldest battles gamers have ever known: console or computer? Luckily we’re not here to settle the debate, but rather to give you an idea of what you’re getting into.
When faced with the prospect of upgrading your PC or changing consoles, most gamers will hit the internet. Either to talk to their greater social media, or to scour various forum posts and reviews in order to figure out where their money is better spent. Unfortunately for most gamers, this decision is not made lightly, and is often more complicated than simply spending what you have on hand. When purchasing your primary gaming system, are you in it for the long haul?
When investing in your gaming rig, price point is probably the most limiting factor. Do you only have $200-$300 to spend? Can you invest more than $800? While consoles are generally cheaper in the long run, they provide a lot of power for a smaller price tag. They’re guaranteed to work out of the box (or at least come with a warranty if they don’t), and usually come in bundles providing at least one game for you to get started. While extra controllers, fancier cords, and more games will cost you additional rates, a console will still offer you instant gaming at a reasonable rate. In addition, many online or local game resellers can provide used consoles at an even cheaper rate–not a bad deal.
Building your own PC however, or buying one pre-made, is a much larger initial investment than a console on average. In the long term however, it might actually provide better gaming benefits. While consoles aren’t quite aging as fast as they used to, the fact remains that a well-built computer will last you much longer than the current system en vogue. Games will load faster and generally look prettier for longer than a console can provide. Additionally, if you have a lot of gaming friends who have built their own rigs, chances are you can scoop up used pieces for a reduced or no cost to help offset the price point. Old monitors, computer towers, mice, keyboards, or speakers, are often held onto and passed down between gamers as needed. While most gaming computer builds will never be as cheap as their console bretheren, the benefits of their longevity help offset the costs.
Longevity
While consoles don’t age quite as fast as phones or cars, the truth remains that when buying a console you have a set number of days before it goes out of date. While new models are often released for existing systems, eventually, the newest system will come and replace it–often leaving you with an empty feeling before the joy of a new system kicks in. Additionally, consoles generally cannot be updated with additional power boosts unless you really know what you’re doing. And even then, it can be risky. Often, computers can be upgraded with minor improvements or additional sticks of RAM, which help to keep your games moving.
While longevity might be lacking for consoles in terms of playing the latest and greatest titles, older gaming consoles have proven their nostalgic staying-power. If getting your hands on those original SNES or SEGA games is what you want out of your gaming experience, you really can’t beat going the system route–computer emulators just aren’t the same.
Computers and consoles each come with their own cultures and interests. Similarly, each also often have their own exclusive game titles, DLCs, or social circles which do not necessarily play well between platforms. That one great FPS you’ve been waiting for a sequel for might only be coming out on a given console, locking in your purchase. Similarly, the group of friends you play with might only play their action-adventure game on their computers, and while a console version is available, they are set up on different servers. Do you like sharing everything you do to your various social media? You might be limited in what kinds of sharing you can accomplish based on which system you choose. Sadly quite often there are circumstances outside of a gamer’s control, which dictates the way they’ll spend their money, given the chance.
When weighing the benefits of either gaming method, it’s clear that the decision isn’t easy. So what should you do?
TLDR: Consoles
Plug and play: a great gaming experience right out of the box, no adjustments necessary!
Lower up front cost investment.
Will likely have exclusive DLCs or titles that will not be available on a computer.
Great deals on used consoles and games, and the ability to relive the nostalgia of older systems in true form.
If you only have a bit of money to spare, and you want to start gaming now, a console is probably your best option. With a low end cost, you’ll have more money to spend on games for as long as the system is supported.
TLDR: Computers
A higher cost investment initially, but its power will likely last much longer than a console, even with minor tweaks.
A wider variety of titles available, including the option for modding your games.
More sales on newer and indie games (e.g. Steam).
A lot of options for sharing or interacting with your social sphere without having to rely on built-in options.
If you have a bit more to spend up front, and want to have more control over your gaming experience, then a computer is your best bet. Whether you build it yourself, or buy a pre-made system, a computer’s components are likely to outlive a console’s power in the long term, allowing you to game for longer without having to change things up.
Whether you decide to buy a new console or build a PC, there are tons of gaming options available. Controllers are no longer console-exclusives, consoles are integrating more cross-platform interaction, and built-in emulators allow you to play your favourites no matter whether you’re looking at an Xbox or Windows UI. After all, it’s not what you game on, but how you game, that truly matters.
Whether you’re raiding, PVPing, or pet battling, Legion offers a lot to do. But is it too much?
Whether you’re raiding, PVPing, or pet battling, Legion offers a lot to do. But is it too much? If you’ve been playing World of Warcraft for a long time, you’ve experienced the content ebbs and flows of Blizzard’s patches. With Legion’s most recent Patch 7.1.5 drop, it’s hard not to feel a little overwhelmed with the amount of content flowing in.
Warlords of Draenor was not a great expansion for content releases. Much of the content originally planned was either scrapped or drastically changed in order to meet ever condensed release schedules. It’s predecessor Mists of Pandaria however boasted a great start to the expansion, dropping content patches like hotcakes. Unfortunately for MoP, content stretched to a famine after the release of the Siege of Orgrimmar raid, a patch which left players wanting for over a year before Warlords finally dropped.
So far Legion appears to be following a similar release schedule to MoP. From the outset of Legion’s release, there has been a steady flow of content for players to indulge in… perhaps a little too much content. For hardcore players, at the release of the expansion, it was nearly impossible to even consider focusing on anything but your main character. Between world quests, reputation grinds, and professions, there was a near overwhelming amount of things to keep oneself occupied. As raids opened up, arena seasons started, and new storylines were released, Blizzard has kept the river flowing. While the content may not necessarily be up to your speed, the fact remains that there is a lot to do.
Might there just be a little too much going on? While Blizzard has made efforts to try and help alts and new players catch up to current content levels, it can at times feel like there’s too much to do. However, it might just be in how you look at things. In past expansions, at max level, you pretty much logged in just for raids, dailies, or even your daily dungeon and that was it. Now for many players there is a greater variety of things to do. World quests have given a breath of fresh air to the old daily structure, allowing the freedom to not log in every day with only a minor loss to progression, as emissaries last for up to three days. Weekly events and micro holidays help players interact with the world in new ways, and change up the face of the game. Even if you don’t like what’s going on this week, usually something will be coming along soon to carry you away.
In looking at how much Legion has to offer, it is hard not to draw parallels to MoP. We were fanned with content during Mists, and we were left with a drought in the end. Had Blizzard have paced their content releases a bit more steadily throughout Mists, the content drought would not have lasted nearly as long and might have left people feeling better about the expansion when transitioning into Warlords (which was effectively another drought). It is not surprising then that many fear that Blizzard’s content releases may run out of steam before the next expansion drops, leaving us caught in the content desert as we wait for new things to do.
While an inter-expansion lull is always expected, one would hope that Blizzard has learned a thing or two about helping ease the transition. While the time between expansions is often a good time to catch up on things you might have let slide (pet battles, Brawler’s Guild, or transmog collections), these are often not the things which keep people subscribed. Legion doesn’t appear to be singing its final swan song anytime soon, and it’s current content trajectory appears to be solid. While players may feel a little overwhelmed with what’s currently on their plates, and the impending menu Blizzard has in store, we can hope that our Warcraft overlords have learned proper content pacing techniques. Not too fast, not too slow, but just right: the Goldilocks schedule. Something we’ll hopefully get to see after our coming trip to Argus.
How do you feel about Blizzard’s content releases so far in Legion? Do you think things are happening too fast? Are you bored already? How did you handle past expansion droughts? Let us know below, or join in the conversation on social media!
Who hasn’t wanted to pit the classic warrior classes together? Ubisoft will give us all the chance this year…which will you lead to ultimate glory?
Who hasn’t wanted to pit the classic warrior classes together? Ubisoft will give us all the chance this year. Which will you lead to ultimate glory?
The Factions
Announced at 2015’s E3, Ubisoft Montreal’s hack-and-slash For Honor is set to release on February 17, 2017. The title takes place in a medieval period fantasy setting, where players get to choose from three different factions, “The Legion”, “The Chosen”, and “The Warborn”. These factions are made up of knights, samurais, and Vikings, respectively.
Like any good hack-and-slash, each faction has four class types: Assassins, Heavies, Vanguards, and Hybrids. These names should evoke a familiar understanding what each role will entail: assassins are quick and nimble, adept at dueling, but lacking on burst damage. Heavies, like tanks, are good for capturing points but are slow to attack. Vanguards offer a relatively balanced toolkit, split between offense and defense. Hybrids, much like the name suggests, are a combination of the other classes, with their own unique spin. While all factions share the same class types, each brings its own flare to the role, with sub-class names like Kensei, Warden, or Berserker.
Gameplay
While there is a well-developed single-player campaign to look forward to, a lot of the bells and whistles surrounding the title will feature multiplayer combat and rankings. Originally, the title was going to be released with an offline component. However, it was revealed that the title would be required to be online at all times of play, independent of whether or not players are undertaking the single player campaign or multiplayer gameplay. This reveal has left a degree of dissent for those waiting for the title, as it had been previously touted that the title would not be online-only.
Pre-launch complaints aside, hack-and-slash fans should look beyond what For Honor will not be offering, and instead look to the unique package Ubisoft Montreal is offering. In addition to pitting samurais, medieval knights, and Vikings against one another in epic clashes of steel, both the single player and multiplayer formats offer a tactical “Art of Battle” system, which enables players to duel grand foes. Duelling allows players to position their class-based weapons in order to exploit enemy weaknesses and counter attacks. The strength and grace of your own attacks can also be customized via this system, adding a new layer to the traditional hack-and-slash style gameplay. Rather than clicking or mashing your way through the field of battle, players of For Honor will require further finesse and skill in order to take on foes–AI and multiplayer alike.
Multiplayer
Every ten weeks, For Honor’s multiplayer Faction War, will track the performance of players within each faction, and dole out rewards according to player’s ranks. The war resets at the end of this period, followed by an inter-season break before the next war erupts. Multiplayer gameplay, will consist of five different modes to conquer: Dominion, Brawl, Duel, Skirmish, and Elimination. Dominion is a 4v4 capture-and-defend mode, where players gain points for holding specific zones on a battlefield. Once a predetermined point cap has been hit, the winning team must defeat the other team in order to win the match. Brawl is a 2v2 encounter, much like Arena in World of Warcraft. Simple rules, the last team to survive wins. Duel, as the name would suggest, is a 1v1 mode, through which a player must successfully defeat their opponent to be declared victorious. Skirmish is another 4v4, where players gain points by killing enemies. The team that scores the highest within a set amount of time will be declared the winner. Finally, in Elimination, teams must successfully fully annihilate their opposition in a 4v4 mode. Whichever team has remaining players will automatically win the match.
Its release is scheduled for February 14, 2017 on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC but some players will participate in a closed beta this January, bringing the worlds of Valkenheim, Myre, and Ashfield to life before the game officially goes live. Additionally, a pre-launch event “War of the Factions” will occur, which will track all multiplayer activity across all platforms in order to declare a beta victor. Participants and members of the winning faction will receive respective rewards based on this event.
When in doubt about your Valentine’s Day plans, consider picking up For Honor for yourself, or your significant other. Nothing says love like a river running red with the blood of your enemies, right?
Vikings over knights? Samurai over all? Which faction will reign supreme? Let us know your thoughts about For Honor in below or talk to us on Facebook, Twitter, or on our forums!
Recently, The Elder Scrolls made its transition from single-player campaign to a full MMO experience but there are plenty other franchises could be successful online communities.
The storming of Suramar is the culmination of centuries of devision and magical evolution within World of Warcraft lore.
With Nighthold’s release coming ever closer, the storyline continues to grow to epic proportions in Suramar. Beyond getting new phat-lewts and encounters, there’s a lot of interesting things lore-wise taking place with what Blizzard’s lining up. Join us as we continue to explore the story of the Nightborne.
With the release of Assassin’s Creed coming to theaters in short order, and following the high of the finally-released Warcraft film, video game movies are here to stay whether you love or hate them.
My Life, or Something Like It 
