The Kinect has had it’s share of ridicule ever since it’s release. Despite the Kinect’s mild success with motion tracking within casual party games, core gamers – myself included- have been waiting for the features of the Kinect to integrate into the game mechanics of more “hardcore” games. Sure you could look around your car in Forza 4 or examine your weapons in the upcoming Ghost Recon, but when do these controls integrate in the midst of my gameplay rather than existing as little more than a side attraction? Apparently Mass Effect 3 has the answer. 

During E3 2011, Bioware first announced Kinect compatibility with Mass Effect 3, which began on the right track but left viewers with mixed opinions. To begin with, Bioware took the best route with the relationship between the Kinect and a hardcore game- partial integration. Rather than forcing players to assume a unnecessary full body control scheme, which beckons the gimmicky feel of casual games, Bioware chose to partiallly integrate the Kinect by utilizing the voice feature. This idea proves exceptional mainly due to nature that the voice controls only add to the players experience, not taking any emphasis off the controller which is the main tool for any hardcore game.

But while Bioware started on the right track, gamers began to question the necessity of the Kinect after seeing some of the options in gameplay. For example, Players will have the ability to read Shepards dialogue options, only to have him essentially repeat what you said. This seemed to subtract from the player’s interactive experience as it unintentionally emphasizes that you aren’t Shepard, only controlling him (or her). While other abilities include voice commands for grenades and squad member controls, none of these actions really sold the audience as all these flashy commands could already operate with a touch of a button.

Well it would seem people have had a change of heart during CES where Bioware featured a playable demo of Mass Effect 3 with the Kinect  and, according to Gameinformer.com, these voice commands go much further than I previously thought  (Read the original article HERE). Not only are these voice options responsive, but those who experienced the Kinect with Mass Effect 3 seemed to find the commands natural and enjoyable to the gameplay experience.

Bioware isn’t attempting to add more gimmicks by utilizing the Kinect as they craft available voice commands in order to streamline game mechanics, thus freeing the player from the limitations of mapping commands on a console controller and pausing the game in order to give teammates commands. Instead of clogging the exceptional experience we have come to know and love with unnecessary motion integration, the Kinect may very well perfect the pace of combat within the game and – dare I say it- prove that the Xbox 360 is the best console to assume the role as Shepard.

My Opinion:

I have full faith in Gameinformer.com’s article as the same news seems to echo through other gaming sites. After all, if there is any developer in the industry that can pull off Kinect integration without isolating the hardcore audience, it has to be Bioware. While my opinion may be bias because I both have a Kinect and play Mass Effect on the 360, I seriously think this is the route that developers need to take if they are eyeing the Kinect or any other “interactive” integration. Rather than attempting to have a player swing the arms and jump up and down, simplistic partial integration highlights areas that can improve the experience while leaving the essentials within the controller. Simply put, hardcore games tend to have a plethora of options for the player, all of which must be accessed by the controller, if developers stick with streamlined voice controls, suddenly we are capable of playing games with a wider variety of abilities and less menus or pauses to access them.

Will the Kinect make the 360 the best console to play Mass Effect 3? Probably not. Most players will stick with the console they played from Mass Effect 1 and 2 (ME2 being the case for PS3 owners) as importing their personal character and decisions will be the main strength of Mass Effect 3′s sales across platforms. But while PS3 owners might not buy a 360 for the Kinect integration in Mass Effect, those that do have a 360 and Kinect can only look forward to the Kinect streamlining commands and increasing the combat pace within the game. I for one intend to play with Kinect integration, at least to see how it fairs with the hard core gaming experience. With any luck Bioware may have struck gold and provide proof that the Kinect can actually enhance the hardcore gaming experience.

Information: http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/719983/feedback-ces-2012-thq-rumors-and-your-questions/ , http://www.gameinformer.com/games/mass_effect_3/b/xbox360/archive/2012/01/18/mass-effect-3-preview-not-bad-with-kinect.aspx

Pictures: http://thegamefanatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Mass-Effect-3-Kinect-CES-602×338.jpg , http://i.haymarket.net.au/News/mass-effect-shepard-statue.jpg

Image by scorp_stanton via Flickr

One of the biggest games to come out this year has to be Mass Effect 3. While I didn’t expect any news on the third installment to the series until E3, G4tv.com released the following details:

Here’s what we know about Mass Effect 3:

• Game begins with Shepard on Earth, standing trial for the events that went down during the Mass Effect 2 “Arrival” DLC. The Reapers invade; Shepard escapes to the Normandy, and the plot begins.
• Returning squad-mates: Liara, Ashley/Kaiden, Garrus (if he’s alive) and a
• A New Squad-Mate, James Sanders, will join your crew.
• Returning Characters: Wrex, Mordin, Legion, and Anderson will appear in the game (if they’re alive), but aren’t confirmed as squad-mates. The Illusive Man plays a prominent role in Mass Effect 3, and Cerberus is out to kill Shepard, but we don’t know why as of yet.
• Multiple Endings: Different endings will be given, depending on the actions you take in the game.
• Gameplay: RPG elements are being beefed up, including a focus on skill trees. Powers will evolve more than once.
• Weapons: similar to Mass Effect 2, except mods make a return, allowing you to swap out barrels, scopes, and more, which affect the weapon’s performance and look. All classes can wield all weapons, but will have limited slots to carry them. For example, only the Soldier can carry all weapons at once.
• Gameplay Comic: If you’re just getting into Mass Effect with this game, the plots of the first two games will be summed up in a comic.
• Multiplayer: There won’t be any multiplayer in Mass Effect 3.

Read more: http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/711673/mass-effect-3-details-revealed/#ixzz1IwwUD800

On top of that, Game Informer just released their new Mass Effect 3 cover, seen below, which will be hitting shelves soon.

If you can’t tell, I’m pretty excited about this game. I truly believe Mass Effect has been a defining RPG-Shooter for this generation of gaming. With the incorporated conversations, moral decisions, and over all engaging plot, this series has made its fans actually part of the experience. I’ll post more news as I hear it!

 

Image from : http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/electronic-arts/bioware/masseffect3/may2011coverfront610.jpg

Killzone has always been a strange series to me. While none of the games in the trilogy so far are by any means bad, they never seemed to aquire the distinct balance between game mechanics and story that the most successful games nail. Though some reject the series because of this, I often find myself in love with all the things Killzone has ever gotten right and all the elements the series seems to pioneer. So, with Killzone 1 and 2 in mind, Killzone 3 becomes an amazingly smooth experience with amazing visuals, audio, mechanics, and pacing.

Gameplay

When Killzone first came out on the Playstation 2, I distinctly remember how much I loved the add-on grenade launcher and shotgun attachments on each rifle. While that may have been one of the only distinctly unique elements in the first game’s mechanics, Killzone 2 and 3 have pioneer what I consider the next generation shooting experience, though not simply because the latter can incorporate the Playstation Move. Killzone 3 continues to explore the sleek FPS elements that the second game began to really pioneer, but this time succeeds beyond my expectation by refining the controls and generally applying more polish to the overall experience.

As Killzone 2 began to incorporate cover mechanics for an FPS, I was blown away. Such a seemingly small detail was so ambitious in my mind seeing as only 3rd person shooters really began to perfect these mechanics. But while I loved the ambition, i never found myself taking full advantage of taking cover simply because the controls felt slippery and sensitive. Well, where KZ2 failed, KZ3 polishes and delivers exactly what I wanted. The controls feel great (even though I will never quite get used to the PS3 controller on FPSs), and the cover mechanics are simplified, letting you utilized them without even really thinking about it.

One of the bigger questions about KZ3′s mechanics has to be how the game stacks up with every other FPS out there and more importantly, how it separates itself from merely running and gunning through the whole game. While I have to admit that KZ3 does blend in to generic FPS genre at times, the developers at Guerrilla Games perfectly paced the game by introducing various vehicles, rail shooter segments, and the introduction of mechs and jet-packs to help the player feel a unique experience throughout the plot. While there are levels of merely shooting, moving to the next room, and shooting some more, the incorporation of these other vehicles, as well as a more stealth based level, really perfects the pacing and does provide one of the best and smoothest FPS experiences out there- especially for the PS3.

While KZ3 supports the PSMove and Sharpshooter attachment, I still don't find myself wanting to commit to the purchase.

On top of the smooth gameplay, KZ3 also delivers some breathtaking level design and set pieces. Where KZ2 did explore amazing visuals in general, KZ3 not only ups the graphic expectations, but explores the planet Helgan and it’s different topographical elements, varying the aesthetic experience for the player. While this not only looks amazing, it also provides a variety of level design to keep the player looking for new elements within clearing areas of the enemy.

Another mechanics new to the series is the inclusion of the Playstation Move. With the ability to use a plastic gun attachment, Sony is attempting to sell the perfect way to play an FPS. Unfortunatley, I haven’t bought the Move, nor do I want to. While other reviewers say the Move does work, they are quick to mention that the gun attachment feels awkward when moving the character and that it doesn’t particulrly enhance the overall shooter experience.

Story

Killzone’s downfall as a series has to be it’s story. While starting out on a high note by incorporating amazing visual references to the WWII Nazis, I never felt like Killzone delivered the breathtaking experience I longed for. Even though I found the beginning of KZ2 to be all sorts of epic as the ISA begins an assault on the Helgast’s home planet, I quickly found myself bored as everything was reduced to clearing room after room of enemies.

On top of KZ3′s amazing game mechanic pacing, it also delivers an amazing pacing in terms of location, making the setting of KZ3 more of a character in itself. Though planet Helghan is no Rapture, it’s nice to see some variety in set pieces. Instead of seeing the once awe-inspiring destroyed cities until you are fatigued, KZ3 is quick to engage the character in jungles, snow, and even space which all combine to help the amazing pacing throughout the game.

KZ3 does deliver some pretty epic and cinematic battles within the game.

As for the over all plot, KZ3 comes just short of delivering what I was hoping for. As the player resumes the role of Sev, the game drops you right where the second installment of the series left off… which is basically saying you’re picking up in the middle of an ambiguous plot line that had so much potential. KZ3 does have plot elements to intrigue the player more and more, but you will still find yourself forgetting character’s names and some of the objectives because they merely don’t resonate as well as they could. For instance: the first game explored a motivation of former oppression to fuel the Helghan army, but now the series merely regards them as enraged “badguys” who kill everyone. All this being said, KZ3 does explore some epic events within the plot- I just think it could have hit the player’s emotions a little harder.

Multiplayer

When exploring KZ3′s multiplayer, you might as well address the white elephant in the room: How does this game’s online matchmaking compare to Call of Duty. Yeah, yeah, CoD is over played and over referenced- but rightly so, the game mechanics and online gameplay have resonated so well for a good reason. But back to addressing Killzone’s multiplayer, I found myself very entertained with the massive levels, variety of game types, and the organic feel of constantly shifting objectives. And, as a plus, veterans of Killzone 2 will be proud to note that the online experience has received a major overhaul in a good way. The controls and overall “feel” of online gameplay has been tweaked for the optimum smooth gameplay experience. For once, I found myself not blaming my deaths on the inability to control my character.

KZ3's multiplayer features jetpacks, mechs, epic level design, and the ability to level up classes.

But the real star of KZ3′s multiplayer has to be the unique element of constantly shifting game objectives. While regular death-match may be available, nothing beats having to capture a room, assassinate a specific player, protect your team’s player, and then proceeding to plant bombs on the enemies spawn points all in one match. That, my friends, is an organic experience that utilizes team work for a more… dare i say, “real”… experience. What’s more, Killzone also offers another unique twist in their new Operations mode, featuring mini cutscenes throughout the match actually showing players, screen names and all, who did the best and worst during that match. While this is amazing, it would have resonated a little more if players could customize their character’s armor to be that much more recognizably unique.

All in all, the online experience is great! Players will find amazing fun in complex maps with the help of jetpacks, mechs, brutal melee kills, and classes that can be leveled up to the player’s liking. While there’s not much visual or personal customization like in CoD’s weapons or Halo’s armor, Killzone 3 has definitely pronounced it’s ability to stand out as a unique multiplayer FPS, which is really saying something.

Summary

So, how does the game stack up all in all?

Killzone 3 is by no means another “average FPS” to drown in. This newest installment of the series has introduce some amazingly fresh concepts on every level. From smooth gameplay with cover mechanics to a revamped online matchmaking, this game really does become a buy for anyone who ever remotely liked the series to begin with. With all of these tune ups taking place on massively epic and beautifully detailed levels, there’s much to be enjoyed- even on the surface.

But, by the time the credits were rolling, I did still have my gripes- mainly with the story. While I can remember Sev and Rico’s name, this game lacks the ability to REALLY have the characters resonate with you. I have no problem telling everyone that KZ3′s ending becomes an epic struggle for survival, but something within the writing of this game just kept me from popping out of my seat in excitement. By all means, Killzone 3 is a great FPS for the Playstation 3, and I recommend this game as a buy for anyone who is interested in an epic scale single player FPS with a very competent online experience to go with it. I just think that there is still room to improve.

I give this game a n 8.25 / 10

Images from: http://fuzion9.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/0killzone3.jpg?w=300 , http://cdn.thetechjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PlayStation-Move-Sharp-Shooter-Attachment-600×317.jpg , http://gamerfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Killzone-3-Screen.jpg , http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/111/1113945/killzone-3-20100818095659308-000.jpg , http://playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Killzone-3-Ship-Feature.png

RE: Mercenaries 3D is an upcoming 3DS title that aims to not only showoff the 3D aspect of the device, but to also put the popular minigame in your pocket. The game also utilizes the MT Framework engine used in RE5 and Marvel Vs. Capcom 3. The trailer shows the intuitiveness and update of the control scheme of the game. Notice how Jill and Wesker -gasp- move while aiming?!

The game includes maps from RE4 and 5, and includes Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Albert Wesker, Jack Krauser, Claire Redfield, and Hunk.

It is set to launch on June 2, 2011.

It was also announced that a demo of Resident Evil Revelations is coming packaged along with the game.

Image via Wikipedia

Capcom recently announced the newest title for the ever growing Resident Evil series. The latest installment in the classic zombie universe is entitled Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. The game will be a 3rd person multiplayer shooter, separating for the series’ 3rd person single player orientated experiences. This new team based shooter will be an add on of sorts to Resident Evil 2 and 3. Want a glimpse of what this new Resident Evil perspective on gaming will look like? check it out below:

I’m pretty pumped for this game. I love Resident Evil, even though the series is in need of some more modern tune ups. But, I guess I’ll consider this as the tune up I need! It will be interesting to see what Capcom delvers to not only enhance this more Left 4 Dead feel, but to also set Operation Raccoon City apart form the already popular zombie horde games from Valve.

low quality video below, (only one available to share):

see the High Quality amazing graphics HERE

It’s been a long time since I have been eager to pick up a fighting game. While some gamers love the constant swirling joy stick and tapping of buttons, only to be caught in an impossible combo that seems to take out your character in one hit, I always preferred the pleasure of FPSs and RPGs. But one title has stood out amongst all other fighting games, providing the characters and flashy arcade gameplay I loved in the older fighting games of yesteryear. Marvel VS Capcom has been, in my opinion, the jewel of the crown in terms of fighting games. With the property rights to put my favorite Capcom Characters against my favorite Marvel superheroes, even I could stand getting my ass beat if only to play with Spiderman, Wolverine, Magneto, and 30 + other characters. But after years from the spotlight, how does the lastes installment of Marvel VS Capcom stack up with the recent revamp of the fighting genre series?

Gameplay

The fighting genre is making a comeback. In the midst of the latest installments of the Street Fighter Series, the coming release of classic-style Mortal Kombat game, and the announcement of Tekken Vs Street Fighter, comes the revamp of Marvel Vs Capcom. Amidts all these titles, MvC 3 definitely delivers the gameplay we loved. Seeing as the series’ major strength rests in it’s character roster, it’s important that, unlike Marvel Vs Capacom 2, MvC3 has balance between each and every character. Well, to my amazement, while each character has their unique set of strengths and weaknesses within their skill sets, no character really felt too god-like or overpowered… although Dante and the Sentinel do come close. With the balance nailed, MvC3 tacks on an amazing three-tag-team system, linked air combos, and the always colorful and flashy super combos that display why we love that specific character.

While MvC3 does deliver what we all wanted in terms of gameplay, some- like me- may be a little nervous to jump in the ring with other more experienced veterans. Well, Capcom has you covered. For all the button mashers out there MvC3 comes equipped with a “Simple Mode”, meant to even the playing field between both the noobs and the elites. While I think the inclusion of a simple mode is great, I quickly realized that normal mode was way more satisfying- even though I am by no means a fighting-genre gamer. To me, normal mode already presents more simple combos that any player can build off of. And, seeing as fighting games require fast-paced strategy and skills, simple mode seems to merely give away combos and throw out any of the other reasons a gamer would even gravitate towards the fighting genre!’

Here’s just a little that is the glory of MvC3:

Story

And here’s the downside. Usually this is where I start critiquing the story elements of the game being reviewed. Unfortunately, Marvel Vs Capcom 3 doesn’t even have one. That’s right, even with the rare character and IP licenses to all of these amazing characters, Capcom couldn’t even half-ass a story to have them interact. Hell, Midway’s MvC rip off Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe had a two sided story that strung together both of the IPs being used in the one title. Of course the plot wasn’t amazing, but it gave a reason for gamers to play more as well as some sort of explanation on why these characters are fighting rather than teaming up. Simply put, MvC3 relies on the fact that gamers are flocking to the game merely to play arcade style matches against other gamers, or the CPUs provided in single player. Yes, I came back to MvC for the memories and the return of amazing gameplay, but any amazing developer would go the extra distance and build in elements that separate this new installment of the series from a simple port to a legitimate next generation AAA Title!

Going back into the review, MvC3 does provide a story-like mode. Basically, the gamer picks his or her team of three and kicks butt through progressively harder enemy AI. With enough skill, you’ll abruptly find yourself in front of Galactus for a Super Smash Bros syle boss battle. I didn’t even know that Galactus was even the boss for this game until I beat it for the first time! Hell, I didn’t even know that the earth was in trouble, and if it was, why would other heroes try to stop me from saving it?! What’s worse is while each character has a “unique ending”, you quickly find out they are all crappy comic stills that don’t even give you the satisfying sense of saving the world. I’m simply at a loss for words. Even the traler seen below had more story elements than the actual game had!

After seeing that video you would presume that the characters would fight throughout the game only to find an ominous enemy which, in the trailer, took form of a flaming skulled enemy coming out of the sky. Well, none of these things even happen in the game!  All I ask for is simple story elements to at least mimic some sort of conflict that would tie in the line “fate of two worlds”, don’t label a game with a title you don’t even address!

Multiplayer

A Story wasn’t the only thing Capcom didn’t deliver. I truly didn’t know what frustration was until I attempted to play MvC3 online through their horrible excuse of matchmaking. When entering a lobby- which can have multiple people all waiting to have their turn to fight the winner- you can’t watch the match that is being played while you wait your turn. Instead, you sit and see a blue screen with a list of gamer tags that happens to feature the diminishing Hp of the players in combat. Foul play Capcom, foul play. If I’m brave enough to get my butt kicked online, at least let me watch others get theirs handed to them as well! Heck look at Dead or Alive 4, ONE OF THE FREAKING LAUNCH TITLES FOR THE XBOX 360! While waiting for your turn in a match online, not only would you watch the other players fighting, but you could wait in a 3 dimensional lobby where you could roam about with your avatar and earn clothes to put on them. No that didn’t revolutionize the fighting genre, but it sure as hell kept me playing online!

The video below showes what is completely unacceptable for a huge title like MvC3.

What’s worse comes when you attempt to play a ranked match. MvC3 doesn’t even let you look at a blue screen for 30 min, you are simply stuck on the main multiplayer menu with a box telling you they are looking for a match for 10 minutes only to see that they couldn’t find one. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A AAA TITLE FOR SUCH A HUGE FRANCHISE!

Characters

Seeing as the character roster is so important in a title like MVC3, we might as well take the time to talk about them. Like I mentioned earlier, each character is unique and balanced, keeping gameplay in general very fresh and preventing gamers from using the same characters over and over. But even with a little over 30 characters, I found myself wanting some of the characters from the old games! Where’s Mega Man, Cyclops, Jill, or other great potential characters like GAmbet?! Well they aren’t in the disk. “But I though I heard Jill was going to be in the game”, you say. Well your right, leading to what is going to happen to other characters. If you didn’t buy the special edition of MvC, get ready to shell out for some DLC to get more characters and probably even more costumes. That’s right, they want you to spend MORE money on top of the $60 bucks you shelled out for the game in the first place.

MvC3 is missing some of my favorite characters from the past games.

I also couldn’t help but be disappointed in what MvC3 delivered in terms of alternative costumes for characters. With the character roster pulling from such titles as Devil May Cry, I expected a little more in terms of Alternate Costumes. As a series, MvC gets the amazing advantage of grabbing elements from various other series and character histories. After all, it’s not every day a game has the license to so many IPs in one title! That being said, you should expect some amazing art and even some costumes that hint at the origins of each character … at least an interesting deviation of what we always see. Well, that wasn’t the case. For instance, instead of giving Dante an alternative costume from, say, Devil May Cry 1 or 2, all you can do is change the color of his jacket. I’m sorry, but there is way too much aesthetic potential in the character design of this game to let that pass. The only character that seems to be properly decked out in terms of costumes seems to Spider-Man, who has his original suit, the venom suit, and the Iron Man-inspired gold and red suit from the Civil War series. Things like that help players geek out even more, and should be available for every character. And you better believe I’m not willing to shell out $5- 10 later for costumes that should have come in the box originally!

Summary

Look, Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is a great game. With balanced game mechanics and great new characters like Dante and Zero joining others from the original cast, a great time is guaranteed to be had for all that loved the series in the first place. What I didn’t like about MvC3 is the fact that Capcom never went out of their way to update MvC as a series by adding some much needed next gen material. I want a flawless matchmaking system with the ability to at least watch the matches that I have to wait for in order to play. I want some excuse of a story that even addresses the game’s title “Fate of Two Worlds”. Yeah, these all seem little things, but they are the missing elements that keep MvC3 from being the best fighting game out there! In all, there is so much potential within MvC3 that I was expecting to be exploited, it’s a shame we got what seems to be only the core of what we wanted.

Marvel Vs Capcom 3 get an 8/10

Images from : http://www.ripten.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/marvel-vs-capcom-3-logo.jpg , http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/174691-Post.jpg , http://www.ndnguyen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/marvel_vs_capcom_2.jpg

There’s no question that this game looks sick. The atmosphere alone feels gritty and real with a killer combination in visual and auditory aesthetics. Can’t wait to see more!

Good to see the STARS Alpha team together again.

A user at Shoryuken.com uncovered from his PS3 version of the game, that Jill, and most likely Shuma-Gorath are already on disc, much like Street Fighter IV’s “alternate” costumes. Capcom released a statement on their official Facebook page regarding the status of Jill and Shuma-Gorath for the SE purchasers.

The SE version of the game comes with downloadable characters, Jill and Shuma Gorath. You may redeem these characters on March 15, 2011. We did not intentionally delay the DLC characters as we know how badly our fans want to play them. This was an unfortunate technical issue and we apologize for them not being available today.

For the full video, follow up to: http://gamerant.com/jill-valentine-marvel-capcom-3-gameplay-vide-screens-dyce-68654/