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The Story of the Year
"m not sure how the video game industry
ranks when compared with other forms of
entertainment, but when it comes to charity and giving back I'm proud of all the work being done out there by gamers at large. (Admittedly, not a lot of it being done by me. Bad me.)
From Child's Play to the dozens of game-a- thons and events that happen throughout the year, gamers do a good job of giving back.
By no means do | want to trivialize or diminish these great deeds, but one thing really blew me away this year – the story of Owain's Wish and the wonderful people at PopCap who made
it happen.
This 10-year old boy was introduced to PopCap through the Make-A-Wish foundation after being diagnosed with pre-B acute lym- phocytic leukemia in 2010. Owain's wish was to make a video game.
| don't know what you were like when you were 10, but | vividly remember taking pen to paper and designing my own games. Sitting and wondering what could be was almost as fun as the games themselves.
PopCap gave Owain his chance to come in and tell them about his game, as his father had told them, "What he really wanted was to hang out with ‘real game designers.”
Little did they know what was to come. In their own words, the PopCap team was "blown away when he came with a PowerPoint presentation and basically walked them through the game." The following is an excerpt from PopCap's own site.
"Here's how his first slide began: 'You are a military genius who has just been released from cryo-sleep. Your brilliance in the Lunar War con- vinced the A.S.P. (Allied Star Police) to put you in cryogenic slumber, just in case WWIII showed up. It's not exactly WORLD war three, more Galactic War one...’
Owain described his game in detail as he went through each slide. He had mapped out pretty much everything; storyline, unit types, fire- power, shields, respawn times. We were blown away. Clearly, Owain was not your average fourth grader.”
Owain is far from average indeed. This story hit home on so many levels - from challenges with leukemia within my own family, to my dreams as a kid – and it all culminates in the ulti- mate power of video games to heal and make the world a better place. Kudos to PopCap for doing something amazing, and here's to Owain for Allied Star Police.
The game is out on iOS now, and it's fantastic. But the story is even better. As of this writing Owain was being discharged, which is the best news of all.
contents
7 Р
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
This is the XCOM that fans of the 1994 PC game have been waiting for. Taking command of a shadowy orga- nization seeking to protect a terrified populous from alien invaders means balancing strategic and
tactical control of your forces.
by Adam Biessener
regulars
» 6 Feedback
Readers share their deepest fears by revealing the video game enemies that scared them most, discuss what makes a kid's game worth playing, and complain about review scores (surprise!)
Not Dead Yet
- 10 Connect
The VGAs revealed a slew of promising games including PS3 exclusive Тһе Last of Us and Epic Games' Fortnight. In this month's Massive,
we see a terrific Star Wars MMO rise from the ashes of another's apocalypse
"r
Top 50 Games of 2011
3 72 Previews
This month we got our hands on a big, bloody chunk of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, checked out the console ver- sion of fantastic PC RPG The Witcher 2, and shed light on Alan Wake’s new nightmare
JF 86 Reviews
Resident Evil: Revelations gives hesitant gamers anoth- er great reason to buy a 305, and Final Fantasy XIII-2 makes some great gameplay improvements while taking
a big step backwards in the Story department
Skyrim Adventurer's Guide
Interview: Phil Spencer
We squeezed the statisti- cal goodness out of our massive Top 50 Games of the Year 2011, condens- ing it into a pure, numerical smoothie for your conve- nient consumption
contents 3
4 contents
MLB 12: The Show
Alan Wake's American Nightmare
games index
Adventures of TinTin, Тһе.......... 90
Alan Wake’s American Nightmare . . .78
Battlaship» olsa see Saed 82 Gorpse Party îa 93 Final Fantasy ХІІ-2.............. 88 Ghost Recon Future Soldier . . . . . . .. 84 Joe Danger: Special Edition. . . .. . . . 94 King of Fighters XIll.............. 94 Kung-Fu High Ітрасі............. 94
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic батев................ 94
MLB 12: The Show .............. 76
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch 81
Resident Evil:
Operation Raccoon City.......... 74 Resident Evil: Revelations ......... 92 RCH ANGE sis 2 ае desde en eae 90 Serious Sam 3: ВЕЕ.............. 94 SHINO: oem ee erm ret 94 Sims 3: Showtime, The ........... 83 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD........ 80 ТИПЕ siae eia pace 91
Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings — Enhanced Edition, The........... 72
Xenoblade Chronicles ............ 79
CHANGE THE FUTURE
1312012
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Mild Language Mild Suggestive Themes L . ег 3 0 Simulated Gambling Pang Violence ESRB
@ xBox 360. VIVE
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Contact Us feedback@gameinformer.com
his month in Feedback, readers fear an app-fueled gaming
apocalypse, question the legality of lending a game to a friend
(huh?), describe which enemies get their hearts and bladders pumping the most, and complain about every review we've ever written.
Happy holidays!
Six Appeal When | saw the word “Rainbow” and the number "6" on the cover of issue 224, I cried. I've always felt that nowadays shooter titles lack that strategic feel that the Rainbow Six series has so well expressed. | like to feel as though I’m controlling the situation during a gunfight instead of running and gunning Rambo-style. Thank you for giving us strategists a beacon of hope. Carlos Cruz Bayamon, Puerto Rico
I'm not the target demographic that occupies the minds of game developers. I'm a PhD stu- dent, a college instructor, and a female with a Strong sense of the feminist perspective. I'm also an outspoken gamer. The Rainbow 6: Patriots cover story by Matt Bertz and Jeff Cork is one of the best features I've ever read. It is not an easy task to address such complex issues, and | want to thank the authors for a well-articulated, professional perspective that | honestly believe advanced an adult conversation - something that has been missing in the childish displays of temper tantrums in mass media. | used this article as an example in two of my courses, and students immediately connected the material from the classes with the themes presented in the feature. This is why | am proud to bea gamer, and | want to take a moment to thank you for helping me demonstrate the relevance of the industry.
Andrea Button
via email
Sharing Is Caring I've had a question for a while and ме looked it up on Google, but haven't found a defini- tive answer: Is it illegal to lend/borrow video games? And is there a difference between piracy and lending? JiJun via email
Not only is lending a game to a friend legal, it fuels one of the most important factors in video game sales: word of mouth. Don't ever feel bad about lending your favorite game to a friend; as long as you're not making copies of it, you're contributing to the success of a franchise, not harming it.
Just For Kids? | believe you missed the targeted audience when you reviewed Disney Universe. True, this game is not of the same caliber as Arkham City, Battlefield 3, or Skyrim, but it was never meant to be. As a father of three young children, Disney Universe's basic gameplay and similar level of depth — not to mention repetitiveness - is just right for them. | do agree that if you are a single adult with no little ones this game will not satisfy your need to climb a tower and assassinate a corrupt bishop, or strap on some juggernaut armor and lay waste, but for parents who want to enjoy playing a game with their kids, well, here you go. Just try in the future to keep in mind whom the game is for.
James Jones
via email
Actually, Jeff Cork, our reviewer of Disney Universe, is a married father of two who knows the value of a game you can play with your kids. He also knows that games for children don't have to be overly simple or repetitive for little ones to enjoy them. Lego Star Wars ІІ: The Clone Wars is а great collect-a-thon without the repetition, but if your kids are looking for more Disney- themed fun, check out Kinect Disney Adventures. Kids in the two- to six-year-old range will also enjoy (and learn a lot from) Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster.
Modern Waah-fare | think it would be very good of you to address that Metacritic user reviews for Modern Warfare 3 are vastly different than critic reviews. What do you think about that? Do you think it is only uneducated trolls or the biased that are making up this majority? Or do you think that critics are being overly kind to MW 3 because it gives Call of Duty fans more of what they want, when perhaps they truly aren't so mindless as to not want a little bit of innovation? | promise that | am coolheaded and not biased, just curious. Tye Hebron, MD
The massive disparity between Modern Warfare 3’s critical review average (81 for PC) and user review average (21 for PC) only demonstrates the willing- ness some have to forgo honest assessments of
a game in favor of trying to make a cheap point. Wanting more innovation from a title is a valid com- plaint, but doesn't justify the countless zeros MW 3 has accrued on Metacritic - that's the work of mind-
Short Answers
to Readers" Burning Questions “Can you tell me when the next Pikmin game is coming out?"
We sure will.
"Why does your magazine smell S00000 good?! Should I be worried?"
As long as you stop at smelling, you're okay.
"How can ! prove to you that | am from the future?"
If you were from the future, you'd already know the answer
to that.
less fanatics. Kind of like these two Sonic groupies...
Letters From The Edge
With every bit of respect that | owe you guys, | really need to get m something off my head. Why is it that whenever an actual good Best Opening game, like Sonic Generations or a new Resident Evil or Silent Hill Line to a
comes out, you criticize it? Yet whenever a new crappy game Feedback Letter: that has had no changes whatsoever, like Zelda: Skyward Sword ety f
or Modern Warfare 3, comes out, you give it a perfect score? | You 2 reading the mess? i find some of your magazine's reviews horrifyingly biased against an infuriated Sonic series fan
certain games. since birth. Anonymous via email | hate how Tim says that Sonic Generations is a bad game. Even though | only recently started to like Sonic and haven't really played any of his games, that doesn't mean I’m going to take criticisms of Reader Gibberish:
any of them lightly. In fact, Sonic Generations should receive a 9 just for being a Sonic game. Besides that, there's a second reason why
| feel that it should get a 9: The two levels of Sonic Generations that
| played in the demo were great. One last thing: By listing the "bad"
things about Sonic Generations, you've only made me want to play
the game even more to see if it really is that bad.
"You guys should package a cereal bowl filled with cereal and toilet paper with every magazine."
Kyle Allen via email You really showed us, Kyle. Your plan to play a bad game Best News Tip because we criticized it for being bad is a bold new approach of the Month:
to consumerism that we're sure Sega will appreciate. ^| have a suggestion for top ten dorks of 2011. Dan Ryckert."
еу уу”
[S (Left) The entire team
| at Obsidian was on hand to greet Dan, Bryan, and Ben Hanson for South Park: The Game. It's the Gl version of Where's Waldo? (Right) The Spot-an-editor fun continues in New Orleans, where Andy and Bertz attended the wedding of the beautiful Mariam Sughayer, of Disney Interactive.
CANDID PHOTOS FROM THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY See ees
feedback 7
| can't describe my excitement for the release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. | pored over every Zelda article, review, and of course my favorite, the anniversary article in Game Informer. However, nothing could have prepared me for my daughter's reaction when we picked up the game. In the middle of the crowded mall, onlook- ers gasped as she screamed and wept openly, hugging her beloved and much anticipated Skyward Sword as if it was a long lost puppy. All I can say is | understood how she felt; | had the same reaction to the release of Twilight Princess in the same video game store. | have passed on the Master Sword to the next generation and I am proud beyond words. By the way, we are not allowed to patronize that mall anymore. Amanda Delaware, OH
Thanks for sharing your story, Amanda. The unbridled passion children can have for video games is a beautiful thing...until they get old enough to write hate mail, anyway.
| constantly read articles in both business and tech magazines that declare the impending death of consoles due to the widespread use and easy availability of video game apps. Why has Game Informer not commented on this? This is an important article that Game Informer should write.
Babak Firoozi
via email
РЕА E Review Rage (Le. "Your Opinions Are Different Than Mine!") 28% b. "
If we responded to every crackpot predic- tion of the end of video gaming as we know it, we wouldn't have time to cover the indus- try events that are actually happening right now. While app-based gaming has evolved a lot over the past few years, we've seen Ill Skyrim Bug Complaints 12% lectic it states 9 is not a bad t games.” nothing to suggest it can compete with the E Online Pass Discontent 9% р rever. there c 2 1 Could this amazing experiences offered on consoles
3 x У and PCs. Until that changes, dedicated video game systems aren’t going anywhere.
E Gaming's Most Frightening Foes 25%
Wl Rainbow 6 Revival Excitement 19%
E "is [Insert Tile] Being Remade?” 7%
If you had the power to [ like permanently kill one video game franchise, which would it be, and why?
A DES GLERI EB DD LDA
We can guarantee
this is the classiest Bertz and Andy have ever looked. ght) It wouldn't be
New Orleans without
some masks, beads, and cigars, as demonstrated by Criterion's Richard Franke, Media Molecule's Siobhan Reddy, Fireproof Studio's Barry Meade, and GI alum Nick Ahrens
8 feedback
Enemy Mine
In issue 224, we asked readers what video game enemy scares them the most. While Nemesis, Necromorphs, and Pyramid Head caused plenty of trepidation, a certain hissing green enemy ran away with the popular vote.
Without a doubt, | fear the Creeper from Minecraft more than anything from any other game. The sheer surge of shock and adrenaline from hearing that telltale hissing...no other enemy has come so close to making me pee myself. Matthew Barnett
The Flood from Halo! I've seen what those little boogers do. They get all up in your body and transmutate your butt. | don’t want to be trans- mutated! And when you've killed a room full of the little ones, more bust through the back door! You can’t escape them!!!
Shaine Kruel
Pyramid Head. | mean, holy f---. Need | say more? Matt Adams
Unagi from the Jolly Roger Bay level of Super | Mario 64 freaked me out as a little kid. Not only does the eel have that potent combination of scariness and deadliness, you also had to pur- posefully goad it out of its hole, and then chase | its undulating whip of a tail for a star. Twelve | years later, that eel still gives me nightmares.
Tod Confer |
ИНЕШ 1 ann olsen We're
guessing the plasmid that shoots bees will be an effective strategy against this Big Daddy. 2 Rian Penrad One of the few moments that Fi isn’t
explaining rupees or butterflies.to Link.
3 Jorge Ramirez A member of Noble Team bravely invades a Jackson Pollock painting. 4 Brandy Mazza And.all Isaac. wanted to do was
spend a quiet night in, decorating his Christmas Marker.
CORRECTIONS: In issue 225, we incorrectly labeled the second opinion for Assassin's Creed Revelations as 9.5. The second opinion for the game was actually 9.25, as originally reported online.
In our Holiday Buying Guide in issue 224, we listed the incorrect price and address for Squid Kids 10-Doh! Figures. You can get your anthro- pomorphic Nintendo-like cartridges here at squidkidsink.bigcartel.com for $35.
Enter the Game Informer Reader Art Contest. All you. need to do is draw, paint, scratch, spit, or carve the best darn art you can think of and send it to us, Please include your name, phone number, and return address. If you're the monthly winner, we'll feature your work in
GI and you'll receive a video game prize from the Game Informer vault. All entries become the property of Game Informer and can't
be returned.
Game Informer Reader Art Contest 724 1st St N., 3rd Floor
Mpls, MN 55401
(Left) Bryan was digging his new Quantum Conundrum
hat. Ben? Not so much. (Right) Miller was happy to play more of The Witcher 2 when CD Projekt Red's Maciej Szczesnik, Lukasz Babiel, and Warner Bros.' Megan Korns brought by the console version. (Inset) Who says winter ap- parel can't be stylish? Not Matt and Sandbox Strategies' Corey Wade, that's for sure.
feedback 9
NOTABLES
massive: star wars galaxies finale massive: mmo state of the union 2012 the adventurer's guide to skyrim interview: richard garriott
afterwords: saints row: the third
interview: corporate vice president of microsoft studios, phil spencer
top 50 games of 2011
| New Titles From Marquee Developers | Prove That Current-Gen Consoles Still Have Legs
D
by Matthew Kato
Now that 2011’s big holiday games have released, publish- ers and developers are giving us a preview of the future. The 2011 VGAs on Spike TV showcased a few new franchises from well-respected studios that should bolster the current round of consoles before the next systems hit. Take a look at what's in
store from developers Naughty Dog, Epic Games, and BioWare
and brace yourself for what's to come.
Fresh off of Uncharted 3, developer Naughty Dog returns to the PlayStation 3 with its take on the popular post-apocalyp- tic theme. The game is set after a deadly fungus decimates the planet and reduces survivors to an austere existence. This includes the main characters Joel and Ellie, whose grim days consist of scavenging for supplies and trying to resist the attacks of the infected. For Ellie, this is the only life she’s ever known. “This is our routine,” she says in the trailer. “Day and night all we do is survive. It never lets up.”
Similar to its successful Uncharted series, Naughty Dog says The Last of Us blends action gameplay elements with a character-driven tale about Joel and Ellie trekking across the country. Given the developer's strength in getting the most out of the PlayStation 3 to create emotive characters with strong dialogue and great voice acting, we expect this title to be more impactful than you average zombie fare.
Apart from the survivalist angle, we don’t know what the titles gameplay is like, but we imagine that the fungus' effect on both people and animals offers wide-ranging options for enemy types.
The Last of Us is slated to release in late 2012 or early 2013.
connect
RECORDING
Gamers speculated wildly when a new BioWare studio announced it was working on a new IP. It turns out that game is Command & Conquer Generals 2. The brief VGA trailer showcased the destruction made pos- sible by using the Frostbite 2 engine (the DICE-created technology made for Battlefield 3). Although it looks like a definitive graphical step up from the traditional iso- metric Command & Conquer presentation, Generals 2 features the usual assortment of unit types and three warring factions that we've come to expect from the genre and series.
The near-future game starts with a terrorist attack on a peace conference of world leaders, killing everyone in attendance. Only the military brass are left standing, and they move ahead to combat the terrorists the only way they know how - through sheer force. Given that it's an EA game, we expect the title to come to PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 in 2012. Ф
connect
absence feels strange. Back when Galaxies
fictional worlds. Others were more loyal than I.
Like visiting a childhood home after it’s been ешт to Galaxies two
days before the servers are
remodeled and repainted, going back to scheduled to shut down for
good. Jumping in after such
explore Star Wars Galaxies after а seven-year ^ ^ along absence isn't easy.
The developers overhauled the game mechanics since
released, Iwas thrilled atthe chance to explore last! played, and the few
features that remained
that galaxy far, far away. With time, that inter- intact from my old tenure
have mostly faded from
est faded and I ventured off to explore other memory. It’s all | сап do to
find my way from one end of a planet to the other.
The other players hustling around me have no such problems. Beneath many names | see tags: five-year, seven-year, even eight-year veterans abound. For these players, this isn’t a tourist trip to the restaurant at the end of the universe; years of fun and companionship are about to be erased.
"| am deeply and truly saddened,” says Linda Carlson, an eight-year veteran who has been heavily involved in Galaxies since the original beta. She also happens to be the director of global community relations for Sony Online Entertainment. “SWG allowed me to explore a style of gameplay that I'd never seen before, across incredibly fashioned worlds, in many guises and many roles," she says.
*| have met some of my finest friends there, and collected a tremendous number of memories. It's not something one can give up easily. It was a wonderful time and we'll never forget it."
For whatever praise and criticism it endured over the years, Star Wars Galaxies was a dif- ferent beast from its contemporaries. Other MMOs dealt chiefly in battles and quests, but Galaxies counted those features as only sub- sets of a broader experience. Players could dance and sing in a bar, craft perfectly tailored clothes, build a personal home, and even dec- orate its interior. For players like Carlson, it was a unique thrill. “[Our guild] took the universe very seriously and sought to dominate the economy,” Carlson says. “Yes, the economy. Not battles, not factions. Ours was primarily a crafting, building guild, something completely new to my experience.” As the game continued, the complexity of the community involvement
This Is The Way The World Ends wiis.
deepened. Players could craft cities and even build their own quests.
By the time | arrive, that's all about to con- clude. The Galactic Civil War has raged for years, and today a victor will be named. l'm wandering, confused, through one of Corellia's strangely hushed cities when the announce- ment comes. Princess Leia's face pops up onto my screen and declares the end of long years of Imperial tyranny, and the first days of the New Galactic Republic. The rebellion has prevailed, at least on this server. Elsewhere, it seems Vader has finally crushed all opposition; each server has its own faction winner.
With the war decided, everyone has one final day to revel and say goodbye. | head to the vast deserts of Tattooine to find a supposed final-day event that Jabba the Hutt is host- ing. As | run across the dunes, | pass through the well-ordered streets of long-abandoned player cities. It’s like some virtual apocalypse has wiped out all the people and left the infra- structure intact. It’s lonely, empty, and vaguely disquieting — even in a non-real space.
| run over one last mountain, and an explo- sion of fireworks points me to my destination. Tents have been erected near the infamous Sarlaac Pit, and Jabba is throwing a gala to end the world. Several dozen players are run- ning about in all matter of strange apparel and body sizes. Sony Online Entertainment allowed some insanity to seep into the galaxy for the end days, giving players the ability to change their appearance and size. | try on a Darth Vader costume and transform into a Rancor before settling on a 20-foot-tall red-cloaked Imperial guard. The classic Star Wars cantina music blares as people type out hugging and dancing emotes. Some players are gathered in small groups sitting on the ground - longtime adventuring buddies? Most people clearly know each other. I'm definitely the stranger.
“Particularly in the latter years, SWG was a game driven and sustained by the player com- munity," Carlson explains. "With the incred- ible social and economic networks, variety of playstyles (many people never even touched combat), mind-boggling achievements in player housing, and astonishingly well-written player events... think it's fair to say that this is a game
in which players are personally invested.”
With 10 minutes before the servers shut down, | relocate to the city of Theed on Naboo. A few hours ago, one last rebel inva- sion swept in to retake the city. Alliance capital ships hung over the city as explosions rocked the planet's surface. Like on Tattooine, things are calmer now; only a few dozen play- ers are left. Celebratory emotes evolve into tears and hugs as notifications begin to pop up about the impending shutdown.
Popular culture loves to ridicule people who spend countless hours ensconced in their basements inhabiting a virtual avatar. After almost a decade, Galaxies players seem to typify that lifestyle. What could possibly be worth abandoning so much real-life time in favor of a fantasy land? I’m certainly not quali- fied to pass judgment, but as | sit with these players while their eight-year journey is about to end, it's clear that they've found something real and worthwhile here - genuine friendship and a sense of accomplishment - even if it is a make-believe space. It's enough to bring them together one last time to watch the timer tick down several final, silent seconds, until Sony unplugs the servers and everyone receives the “Connection to SWG lost" message.
"Everyone is sad and excited at the same
time," Carlson says of the game's conclusion. "The SWG community is incredibly diverse, and | suspect that post-sunset, their desire to explore, create, and participate in online worlds will take them to the far corners of many different genres. It's hard to shake off the sense of accomplishment and belonging that an MMOG affords, but everyone has their own play style, and therefore will engage in a variety of game milieus."
After Galaxies forcibly logs me off, | shut down the program and eagerly type in my login info for the newly released Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO. Early access just opened, and | have a bounty hunter that needs my attention. A new game universe is finding its feet even as the old one dies.The difference is striking. TOR is faster paced and doesn't have the robust social options that Galaxies boasted, but the graphics are appropriately thrilling, and the lightsaber and blaster battles spark with electricity. There's a lot to explore and learn. Players crowd the play space, perhaps logging in for the first time. Perhaps some of them are the same players who just logged out of Galaxies with me for the last time. © MM Head to gameinformer.com to see video taken from the final hours of Star Wars: Galaxies.
STAR WARS GALAXIES
There are several events taking place today. Do you just want to socialize? Come join Jabba and celebrate at the Sarlacc Pit on Tatooine. Still have some fight in you? Then battle to take the City of Theed from the Empire or defend it from the attacking Rebel army. Also, the Empire is out to take the City of Coronet. Defend it with your fellow Rebels or capture it with the might of the Empire. If PvP is your game, then destroy or protect the shield generator on Endor. The Empire base on Endor controls the shield around the Death Star. Deal the final blow to the Empire or defend it from the Rebel onslaught. The Imperial base is located SW of the Research Outpost near 700, -4500, in the Nub Shanda GCW Contested Zone.
Thai ou for playing Star Wars Galaxies. We hope you had as much fun playing our game as we had creating it for you.
Bo Rebel: 56% Imperial: 44% -—Ahazi Imperial: 74% Bloodfin Imperial: 89% Bria Imperial: 37% Chilastra Imperial: 57% ihimaera Imperial: 24% Eclipse Imperial: 31%
D Shadewfire Starsider Sunrunner
connect
15
16 connect
When development on Revelations began, what goals did you have to set the game apart from Brotherhood?
From a narrative standpoint, our goal in Revelations was to finish Ezio's story and craft a tale that focused on his internal conflicts rather than the external, revenge-driven plots of the previous two games. We wanted Ezio to face some legitimately difficult deci- sions about his own life and actions, so we introduced the Altair story moments as a way to let Ezio see what it means to be utterly devoted to the Assassins; not surprisingly it means a lot of heartache and frustra- tion. This is also why we took Ezio to a completely new city and country — it is much harder to play the untouch- able hero when you're a stranger in a strange land.
We also wanted to use the conflict in the Ottoman royal family to give Ezio а sense that the line between good and evil, with respect to Assassins and Templars, is very shady and porous. By the end of the game, Ezio is likely wondering if the man who ultimately gains the Sultanate
is worse than the man who lost it. As far as our philosophy goes, the Assassins and Templars are not Good and Evil, but rather propo- nents of “a grass-roots liberty” and a “benevolent dictatorship”, respec- tively. So Revelations works hard to reassert that.
Of course, we wanted Revelations to provide a satisfying conclusion to our two beloved assassins. We always knew we would be leaving a number of questions open for the future, but we felt the time was right to wrap up the stories of Ezio and Altair. | think we struck just the right balance. Fans still have some questions lingering, but not about Altair and Ezio.
A lot of players had problems with the den defense system. In retrospect, are there changes you would have made to this game system?
The Den Defense system was actually quite highly rated in our numerous play tests, so we still believe it's a well-designed minigame. It has
a good amount of strategic depth and the number of units and strategies aren't apparent through our tutorial. Admittedly, Den Defense is quite a departure from the normal AC fare. | think the lesson to learn here is that this system feels so far removed from the "Assassin" aspect of Assassin's Creed, that it seems like more of a detour than an upgrade.
The new first-person Desmond sequences were a surpris-
ing twist. Where did that idea come from?
When we were in the planning phase of the game and were deciding which studios would tackle the vari- ous chunks of the game, we knew we wanted some gameplay that felt unique to Desmond's location and situation — gameplay that looked and felt like we were inside a rudimentary, synthetic environment. Some of the designers at Ubisoft Massive, our studio in Sweden, had a few ideas that fit perfectly with this theme. We discussed the story with them and they came back with some prototype levels. For various technical and story related reasons we decided that there would be no cutscenes in these levels, but that the story would be relayed through the gameplay itself. So | took a few days to write
a Joycean stream-of-consciousness narrative for Desmond, which Massive. then took and turned into gameplay wherever possible. Parts three and four are definitely my favorites. When Desmond is reminiscing about fol- lowing a river and passing through a forest, the gameplay matches this. Same goes for the sequence in the nightclub; it unfolds really well. It's magical when this sort of synthesis works. So from a narrative standpoint, my only regret is that we didn't go further in this direction.
One notable addition to the fran- chise from Assassin's Creed II was The Truth, which offered a dramatically different puzzle style and encouraged world explora- tion. Why did Revelations elimi- nate this system?
Assassin's Creed Revelations
The latest installment of Ubisoft's time-spanning action/adventure series
finally closes the book on familiar char-
The glyph and rift puzzles from the previous games were fun, but they also had a very specific narrative justification: they were the encoded "pieces" of the hidden Subject 16 A.l. program. So when Desmond completes them all by Brotherhood, he is literally executing a program that reconstructs the Subject 16 A.l. — which we then see the result of in Revelations. Sadly, | had to cut some dialogue that explained this, for rea- sons of length and sensibility. In any case, the reason we had no puzzles in Revelations is simply because
the Subject 16 A.l. is whole again in Revelations. Since it is his destiny, so to speak, to help Desmond survive this coma, he doesn't need to pass on any secrets this time.
Though Revelations finally gave us a clear look at Subject 16, a lot of questions remain unanswered about that character. Will we see more from Desmond's predeces- sor in the Animus, or do you consider that story arc to now
be closed?
As far as we're concerned, Subject 16's story has reached its conclusion, though it's not inconceivable that more information about him might surface. As far as open questions go, it's important to note that 16 was meant to serve as an example of what happens when someone spends too much time in the Animus. They go nuts. So while he did uncov- er a ton of information about various worldwide conspiracies, not every- thing he says is necessarily a clue to some future secret. Some of it is just the confused ramblings of a man try- ing to make sense of too much infor- mation. Much of what he says is true, or true-ish, but some of it is confused and not everything is meant to be taken at face value. But we're not yet saying which is which.
Now that we've seen the end of both the Ezio and Altair story arcs, what separates the two characters in personality and world view? Did they reach the same conclusions as older men about the order they serve, or did they come to two fundamentally different viewpoints?
| think Altair passionately believed in what he was doing for most of his life, even when it led to the deaths of those closest to him. He believed in the Creed, and in its power to bring
acters like Ezio and Altair, but not all the new mechanics on display in Revelations were hits with the fans. We asked scriptwriter Darby McDevitt about the changes, and along the way got some intriguing glimpses into the wider Assassin's Creed fiction.
the best out of people. Ezio does too, to a certain extent, but | think there was always a bit more cynical brashness to him, a bit more anger over the fact that his life was funda- mentally altered at a young age by forces outside himself. He too wanted to do the best he could for people who deserved it, but as we try to illustrate in Revelations, he has now begun to wonder what he gets out of the deal. Does he get to live a life for himself at some point? Altair man- aged to organize his life around the Assassins — his wife, his kids...but Ezio just cannot bring himself to drag Sofia into this war. He sees the pas- Sion she has for her books and her work, and he cannot imagine asking her to give that up to be the wife of an Assassin.
What questions do you feel that Assassin's Creed Revelations successfully answered for long- time players? What big unan- swered questions remain?
Before Revelations was released,
the most frequent questions we got from our fans were "What ultimately happened to Altair?", “What did Altair see in the Apple when he went back for one last look?", "Who did Ezio continue his bloodline with?", *Is Lucy dead?" and "What ultimately hap- pened to the First Civilization?” All these questions have been answered. Naturally some remain..." WHY was Lucy killed?” is a big one. But have no fear. We'll get there.
| should add that as a writer it is important for me to stress that answering questions is not always the way | approach my work, Certainly we want to clear up any- thing that is confusing to players. But what | ultimately want to do is tell a good story full of empathy, comedy, and tragedy...and this might require leaving some questions open forever. It may also mean that we tell stories that you already know in general, but have not experienced as a full story, with all its rich complicity. Anyone who sees one of Shakespeare's tragedies knows how it will end — everyone dies. But the reason we enjoy these dramas, despite knowing how they end, is because we take delight in how the tale is told. Pulling this off is much harder than chaining together a string of mysteries, and
| think Revelations manages this in some of its best moments. Ф
M... us on E Like us on
gameinformer TEM twitter facebook.
18 connect
Director
Leaves Studio
Key Talent Departs From The Last Guardian
Fans are frustrated that Team Ico's The Last Guardian hasn't materialized yet, and recent news that lead developer and director Fumito Ueda is leaving the studio raises even more questions about the long-awaited game.
Sony unveiled The Last Guardian for the PS3 at the ЕЗ tradeshow in 2009 and it was originally slated for a 2011 release date, but even before Ueda's departure, the game was pushed into an undefined period in 2012.
Ueda has not elaborated on his reasons for leaving the first-party Sony development studio, although Sony confirmed his departure. Ueda says he plans to finish his work on the game as a contractor, but his creative vision — which brought us beloved titles Ico and Shadow of the Colossus - will surely be missed.
Before Sony confirmed Ueda's exit, another of The Last Guardian's key developers - execu- tive producer Yoshifusa Hayama - also jumped ship. Hayama left to join social gaming com- pany Bossa Studios. It's unknown if the pair's departures are related in any way.
The Last Guardian was not shown at this past ЕЗ, and the game has been under wraps for most of 2011. There is speculation and rumors that Ueda left the project as long ago as a year prior to Sony's official announcement - and this was the reason behind its delay — but that has not been confirmed. Although Ueda's promise to see The Last Guardian to its completion is encouraging for the game itself, Team Ico has lost one of the industry's great talents. &
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now dubbed Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, has shifted fa Kofi Production's internal development team to Bayonetta's Platinum Games — although Kojima Productions is still overseeing the project. We're glad to hear that a studio with such an action focus is taking the reins, but the fact that Rising was so near death is not a great sign.
IN [i has gone through as big of a make- | over as Raiden himself. Тһе game,
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J Fy website GameSpot that F.E.A.R. developer Day 1 Studios has shed à JE ! a large chunk of its staff. Publisher Konami reportedly cancelled its deal with Day 1 for a Silent Scope game, which has caused dominos to fall. A small core still remains at the developer, working on another project.
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"We need
to treat our
updates with
greater care."
Bethesda acknowledges that even Skyrim's fixes need fixes in a recent blog post
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The latest installment of the Elder Scrolls
It is an enormous game,
series has been out since November, and players can easily
and legions of RPG fans have spent countless hours in the world of Skyrim.
accrue dozens of quests to the point that the number of active tasks
seems daunting. How do you know which missions are cool? Which ones havethe bestrewards? This guide will help focus your efforts as you explore
Skyrim, clearing away the clutter and steering you toward the good stuff.
22007;
Skyrim has enough treasure to satisfy the greediest adventurers, but these items stand out from the crowd. In addition to Daedric artifacts, adding these to your arsenal should be a priority.
The Skeleton Key
This unbreakable lockpick is obtained briefly during your time with the Thieves” Guild. Instead of returning it when asked, you can just postpone finishing that quest and keep the Skeleton Key for as long as you want.
The White Phial
The White Phial is the name of a shop in Windhelm, but it is also a powerful item. Visit the shop and complete the quest for its owner, Nurelion. The conclusion will seem disappointing, but you even- tually get a second quest via courier letter. By the end of that segment the White Phial will be in your possession; the unique bottle contains a magic liquid of your choosing (healing, magic resistance, etc), and automatically refills every 24 hours.
The Gauldur Amulet To start this quest, find a book called Lost Legends (one copy can be found in Dragonsreach). It is a lengthy undertak- ing, but along the way, you collect three amulet fragments. They are good items by themselves, but when you forge them together at the end of the quest
to form the Gauldur Amulet, you have a powerful item that gives you an extra 30 health, magicka, and stamina.
Don’t buy horses
They are expensive and die easily (especially when you're fighting dragons). If you really want a good horse, do the Dark Brotherhood quests.
Get a profession
If you want the best gear, you're going to have to smith and enchant it yourself. Smithing is particularly easy to power level: Buy some leather and iron ingots and just manufacture tons of daggers.
Read books Or at least open them, because many will give you free skill upgrades.
Visit the Greybeards again
After your initial lesson, go back and talk to Arngeir. He will keep pointing you toward words of power that you don't have yet.
GENERAL TIPS
Check out the Atronach Forge
It's in the catacombs beneath the College of Winterhold, and if you have the right recipes, it allows you to transmute mundane items into awesome gear like Daedric armor
and weapons.
You can't be both...
...a werewolf and a vampire. Keep that in mind if you ever have the chance to become either one.
Beat the game
This sounds obvious, but there’s no reason not to finish the main storyline sooner rather than later. You gain some useful abilities along the way, and progressing in the story only opens up the possibility for more side quests. The credits don’t even roll after
the final battle — your hero is free to
keep adventuring.
GETTING HITCHED
Marriage is easy in Skyrim if you know where to look. Talk to the priest Maramal in the temple of Mara in Riften. Buy an amulet from him and wear it - that's how people in Skyrim know you're looking for a spouse. Available a individuals usually express their inter- est when you talk to them, though you may have to complete certain tasks first. After you win them over and tie the knot, the two of you can live in any house you own. Plus, your spouse will start up a shop to keep busy.
Apart from the main campaign, the guilds feature the largest and most involved questlines in Skyrim. You can join any
of them regardless of your character build; you don’t need to be focused on stealth skills to join the Thieves’ Guild, for instance. You can also join as many as you want. Each organization has its own story arc, taking you to some of the most interesting locations in the game...not to mention some great loot. Here’s where you can join up.
Companions
Skyrim’s version of a fighters’ guild is headquartered in Whiterun. Enter the building called Jorrvaskr and talk to the Companions inside. They eventually point you toward their leader, Kodlak Whitemane. Talking to him and per- forming some minor tasks starts you down the path to becoming a full- blooded Companion.
College of Winterhold
The mages' college is the dominant feature in the town of Winterhold. Once you approach the bridge leading to the „¦ enormous structure, talk to Faralda and 2 pass her test (she’ll ask you to cast a oe level-appropriate spell). Afterward, you can join the school and undertake quests for its resident mages.
Thieves’ Guild
In Riften’s market area, you should run into Brynjolf after leaving the Bee and Barb tavern. He'll offer you a job that involves a little stealing and lockpicking, but it's more than petty theft. This quest (and those that follow it) is your ticket into М the not-so-illustrious Thieves’ Guild. D
Dark Brotherhood
If you regularly ask bartenders about rumors, eventually you'll hear one about a boy named Aventus Aretino trying to summon the Dark Brotherhood, a guild of assassins. Follow up by going to Aretino's home in Windhelm and completing his quest, entitled "Innocence Lost." Then Sleep in any bed to begin your initiation. E
Daedric quests give you the opportunity to walk away with Daedric artifacts — weapons, armor, and items with extraor- dinary powers. These quests can be hard to identify, since many of them begin just like regular miscellaneous activities. These
are our three favorites, but practically every
Daedric quest is a guaranteed good time.
Azura
Approach Azura's shrine in the mountain peaks south of Winterhold and talk to her priestess Aranea. After you complete a few objectives, you'll be forced to choose which version of Azura's artifact you want. Both are soul gems that are not destroyed upon use, but the Black Star can only trap human souls, while Azura's Star can only trap the souls of non-sentient creatures.
DAEDRIC QUESTS
Sanguine
As you travel among the taverns of Skyrim (and have reached at least level 14), a guy named Sam may challenge you to a drinking contest. To say anything more would spoil this fantastic quest, but when all is said and done, you get the staff Sanguine’s Rose, which summons a dremora to fight for you.
Sheogorath The star of Oblivion’s Shivering Isles expansion, Sheogorath appears if you do a favor for the elf Dervenin (who is wandering in front of Bard's College in Solitude). This cool sequence culminates in some bizarre antics on Sheogorath’s part, along with your hero gaining possession of the unpredictable magic staff Wabbajack.
Dragon Priests
Eight ancient dragon priests are scattered across various dungeons and other danger- ous locations. They are formidable foes, but the masks they drop have powerful effects when worn. Your reward for collecting all eight masks is a secret ninth one. For a clue on how to claim your prize, search for а dome-like structure near the entrance
to Labyrinthian.
Blood on the Ice
Once you've entered and exited Windhelm several times, you may stumble across the Scene of a crime in the graveyard near the Hall of the Dead. The ensuing quest is an intriguing murder mystery that has you
OTHER.FÜN QUESTS
gathering clues, questioning suspects, and trying to catch a killer. Keep a new save file right at the beginning of this quest, because you'll want to try it a couple times to see different resolutions.
Heart of Dibella
The interesting thing about this quest is the reward. If you get caught in the inner sanc- tum of the temple of Dibella in Markarth, the priestess Hamal will give you this quest as punishment. After some heroics, your reward is a passive bonus that gives you
a permanent 10-percent bonus to damage against members of the opposite sex. %
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is an ambitious man. In addition to creating the legend- ary Ultima series, Garriott has founded three separate development studios
g on single-player games, MMOs,
1 social games. Garriot’s ambition isn't limited to the digital world — or our world, for that matter. In 2008, he real-
ized a lifelong dream of going to space,
zable amount of his per- sonal wealth to make it happen. He also had a film crew document the entire
proces
: the year-long training regimen
in Russia, his time on the International
Space Station, and the flight back to
Earth. The documentary, Man on a
sion: Richard Garriott's Road to the
Stars, will release in select theaters
throughout January. We recently spoke to Garriott to learn more about the film
and what's next for Lord British.
You spent a lot of time and money in pursuing your dream to be an astronaut. What was the main draw for you? Your father was an astronaut... No question that was a signifi- cant factor. | think every kid has at least a brief moment in their youth where they think dinosaurs and space are the coolest things you can possibly imagine. But most kids grow up to realize that dinosaurs really aren't around anymore, and space, while it's obviously still around, is still a pretty darn improbable place to reach. But since | grew up. with not only a father who's an astronaut but all my neighbors were astronauts, and everyone in my neighborhood was involved in putting astronauts in space, it didn't really seem that farfetched. It was really one of the NASA doctors, who one time told me that, "Hey Richard, we see that your eyesight is failing, and there- fore you are no longer eligible to be a NASA astronaut." | remem- ber distinctly that was the point in my life where | said, "Well, who are you to be the gatekeeper of access to space?" Just being told | wasn't going to be allowed to go was enough to really set me on the course with a strong intention of going. I've been pursuing it with my personal time and energy, as well as funds, long before | paid for that very expen- Sive actual opportunity.
The movie will have a small theatrical release. Are there any plans for a larger release? Yes. Of course, any documentary
won't go into every theater in the country...but in addition to the theatrical release, we're doing
a nationwide - really an interna- tional — cable television release. So most every cable company in the country will be carrying it on pay-per-view. Additionally, we have contracts [to show the film on] a few airlines.
What do you hope view-
ers take away from
the documentary?
For me, the main thread of the story that | hope people walk away with, is if you have a pas- Sionate dream - even one that feels as impossible as "I'm going to fly myself to space" - clearly there were a lot of good fortunes that | had that allowed that dream to come true. But if you watch the documentary, you'll realize that there were plenty of times for that dream to have gone away. And what is really important about bold and audacious dreams is
if you make a run at some bold and audacious dream which does not work — which is common in the case of bold and audacious dreams - if you know why it did not work, and you can envision another run at it that will rectify that particular problem for why it did not work, it is not a waste of your time. If you can imagine and facilitate an improved attempt, then it's worth doing. Because truly monumental tasks can be accomplished by steadfast and thoughtful tearing down of the barriers between you and that lofty goal.
Now that you've realized your dream to enter space, what's next for you?
Well, I'm a devout believer that exploring the reality that we live in is far, far, far from done. This next summer I'm going back down to Titanic for my second trip. One of my big terrestrial trips that I've been trying to get together for some years now is to visit disap- pearing indigenous populations of the world. Additionally, space is by no means done. My next space activity that I'm working on right now is space diving: to ride a suborbital rocket up to a hundred kilometers or so and jump out with a space suit and
a parachute.
Do you have any final thoughts about the movie you’d like to share with our readers?
Yeah. What's interesting about this movie is there have been plenty of great movies about space, but this is the first time a camera has been able to go into Russia, go through the entire training experience, and then travel with someone through the launch, through the time in space, and all the way through the reen- try, back to impact on the surface of the Earth. So | think you'll see things in this movie that you will have never had the opportunity to see previously. Ф
For more from our interview with Garriott, including some of the experiments
he conducted while in space, head
to gameinformer.com.
NES
Tunnel Vision Uncharted 2:
Among Thieves ! Drake begins Uncharted 2 gut shot in a derailed train car teetering off a cliff. This flash forward introduction gains context later in the game with his harrow- ing caboose-to-engine crawl along the mili- tarized train. Dodging railroad signs, leaping across car roofs, and gunning down a heli- copter was fun enough for us to forget about the impending bullet to the stomach.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Link proves himself as a capable train conductor throughout Spirit Tracks, but the last battle has him running on full steam. The train-off with a demon-faced steam engine may not go down as the best boss fight ever, but it's one of the weirdest.
^- _JAXWINS! ue
Mortal Kombat
This stage-specific fatality is enough to make you squeamish just hearing the word subway, even if you're just talking sandwiches. The assailant starts by holding his or her victim's face against the side of one passing train before tossing the mangled mess in front of another.
unj шу, Aq
Final Fantasy VI
Running through darkened woods with a phantom locomotive on your trail is enough to enfeeble the most macho of warriors. Not Sabin. The strapping hero hunkers down, takes the ghost train by the wheels, and suplexes it back to undeath. Your move, universe.
Red Dead Redemption
Sure you could ride and rob the steam engine trucking across Red Dead Redemption, but guess what we did when we first learned you could hogtie innocents? Cue moustache twirling and maniacal laughter.
Resident Evil 0
What did S.T.A.R.S. operative Rebecca Chambers do while the rest of Bravo Team fell apart in the Raccoon City mansion? She boarded a runaway train infested with zombies, parasitic leeches, and a mutated scorpion. Just another day in the life of a medic.
Final Fight
This tribute to The Warriors’ groovy subway brawl set the standard for side-scrolling beat ‘em ups. While tons of other arcade games have subway levels, not all contain wooden barrels filled with ninja swords and roast turkeys.
Gears of War
What August Cole lacks in steam-powered locomotion he more than makes up for in enthusiasm. Nicknamed the Cole Train in his Thrashball days for his ability to charge through the opposing defense, this former athlete just won't let his glory fade. Whoo!
Star Fox 64
Dismantling this aptly named transport is the focus of an entire level in Star Fox 64. If Fox McCloud can destroy the mobile fortress car by car, the tricky boss being transported on the train can be utterly ignored.
Mega Man V
Dr. Wily wasn’t content with building a simple train to transport his evil scientist goods. No, his train needed to be a sentient robot master that shoots flaming coal. Even stupider is
the ability Mega Man gains from defeating him — a kick.
connect 23
24 connect
Saints How:
The Third
Volition's senior designer Scott Phillips talks farts, zombies, Burt Reynolds, and how they found their way into the hilarious Saints Row: The Third.
Making the story a more focused affair improved the feel of the game. Did it affect the way you approached the gameplay design, and is it a direction you plan on continuing in the series?
It absolutely affected a lot of things gameplay-wise and | think almost exclusively for the better. We had a lot of discussions as we got close
to finishing the game about the exact game flow and unlocking of missions. We wanted to provide
as much freedom as we could by allowing the player to have multiple missions available through most of the game while also maintaining the more focused storyline and pro- gression. It was tricky, and as with everything, | think | would've done some things differently now that it's done, but overall I'm very happy with the improvements we've made over Saints Row 2. I think the experience is more fun, more intense, and more cohesive than any past Saints Row game, and focusing on a single story played a big part in that. | think it's safe to say that improvements we've made on SR 3 would be continued
if there were to be more titles in the franchise. Obviously, none have been officially announced yet.
The series started to carve out its own identity with Saints Row 2. Do you think The Third has helped cement what Saints Row is all about in the public's eyes?
| believe so, yes. We set out on
SR 3 with a clear and concise vision for what makes this franchise great and what experience we wanted to deliver, more so than any game in the series. It's exciting to see almost universal recognition that even though we may casually appear to be like other games that we really are a whole different type of experi- ence. It's satisfying from my position to hear that because it was such an uphill battle on Saints Row 2 fighting
against the constant comparisons, now it feels like everyone is on the same page as us as far as Saints Row being a unique franchise that brings new things to the table. It's been great talking to press and play- ers at events and seeing reviews over the past few weeks, as it's awesome to see their reaction. | think what I've heard the most is the impression that while they had heard and seen the advertising campaign for the game and how it's “over the top,” that actu- ally playing the game and seeing all of the crazy moments makes them truly understand for the first time
that we weren't putting them on, we really are the most over-the-top, fun, guilty pleasure game out there, no holds barred.
A ton of money is always fun- neling into the player's bank account, yet there always seems to be something new to buy. Was it tricky to balance the game's economy considering all the upgrades, property, and weaponry you can buy?
It was definitely a very delicate work in progress for much of the game. We started out with a pretty huge spreadsheet and then adjusted and adjusted and adjusted it after each play test we did. We learned a lot each time we'd have players run through the whole game and see how balanced or unbalanced the economy was. That iterative process was invaluable to getting the balance to where it is now. It's got a really great balance of tons of gameplay available to earn money and then lots of great upgrades to spend
that money on. | think the systems design guys did a great job. We really wanted City Takeover to be a very compelling mechanic on its own in addition to the story campaign mis- sions. Rather than requiring players to earn respect to play missions, we instead wanted to let players access
missions at their own pace while also letting them choose to play City Takeover to really power themselves up and get every great upgrade they wanted from the huge amount of fun stuff they can spend money on.
If you take the time to completely level up your character and buy some of the bigger upgrades, you can eventually become unstop- pable. Will this affect the difficulty of upcoming DLC?
Some of the ways that the DLC gameplay is being developed will allow us to deal with all ranks of play- ers, from those who just started to those who are fully upgraded. On the other hand we want to be careful to not artificially diminish hard-earned player upgrades. It's going to be a fine balance.
When we were at Volition for
our cover story, you claimed the Fart in a Jar was deemed "too over-the-top" for Saints. What changed your mind?
If | was going to be completely can- did, I'd have to say it was actually your visit. | know, | know, it sounds like I'm paying lip service, but I'm being honest here. Game Informer's visit was the first time we had shown SR 3 to any press and so it was our first (and very early) chance to get a sense for what we were going to be talking about with the press and fans. Hearing the disappointment that we decided not to do the Fart in a Jar made us seriously reconsider it. If you remember, | said | was on the fence about it when it was first proposed. Our discussion pushed me over the edge the other way. That combined with the fact that we were still almost a year to our street date made it something that was feasible to put into the game. After talking to some people on the team about what it'd take to make and what they thought (they were all on board) we quickly got it on schedule and in game just a couple months later. And thus the Fart in a Jar was re-born.
Playing through the game with the zombie voice provides a whole new source of humor. Was every line from the protagonist recorded with a separate zombie version? The zombie voice was definitely a fun addition to the game. If you're look- ing for that next level of weirdness
and disbelief, that voice ensures that every conversation in the game, from funny to more serious, are equally ridiculous. We actually had one zom- bie voice actor who recorded all of the cinematic voice lines individually, to match the timing, and then the in-game lines are a mix and match of various lines and lengths to try and best match the conversations. Since all of the player voices have different in-game lines for every conversation (i.e. the white male voice says differ- ent things during missions than the Eastern European female voice) your choice of voice provides you with a different experience since your player character will have a different person- ality and reaction to situations based on their voice.
You snagged a high-profile cameo for the mayor of Steelport. Was Burt Reynolds the first choice, or did you have a laundry list of celebrities to debate between?
Burt Reynolds was at the very top of the list from the get go. We wanted the mayor of the city to be just as over-the-top as the rest of the game, so a real world character being
the mayor of the city made a lot of sense. Since Burt agreed we never had to seriously expand the list of mayoral candidates for Steelport. 1 think our producer Greg Donovan has a special place in his heart for Burt Reynolds, so he can take the credit for making that happen.
It sounds like Volition is
really pushing DLC. What kind
of content can we expect
going forward?
If you played SR 2's DLC and know how much further over-the-top that was than the main game, you should expect a similar level of upping the ante in SR 3's DLC. Take the already available Shark-o-Matic gun, for example. DLC is a fun place to try out ideas and gameplay. We have several items and weapon packs
for the hardcore fans that up the ante on overall wackiness, as well as three big mission packs that add a ton of new content. Our team is hard at work on those now, and expect the first big mission pack
in January. Genki Bowl...a sporting tradition unlike any other. Like, totally unlike any other. Like, not even close. You've been warned. Ф
IS WHERE I'M FROM.
1111132112331 SRRI IPE 52 ЕР $9 313232222 AFA VIE 313 22325133232 2 £30 5212151:23]71 213335: £311 91 353
A UNITED STATES MARINE IS WHO | AM.
1:5:31233313132:31] 1213123: 39358 1233 3 01 11231120112 35323 F2 231512 11 EE EAE 3 E 1f
Every day | protect my home and yours.
Get a limited edition wallpaper and watch the new video. Scan this QR Code with your mobile phone's QR Reader OR text MARINE to 74139.
26
MMO State of the Union 2012
are set to hit this year,
but before we become obsessed with them, we decided to take a look back at some of our old favorites. We talked with the developers behind the best MMOs of years past to find out how they're
doing and what they have in store for the new year.
How is it doing? Despite falling subscription numbers and the eagerness of some view- ers to pile on the “World of Warcraft is failing” bandwagon, WoW continues to be far and away the most successful MMORPG running. In November 2011, it was reported that the popular game's subscriber base had dropped to 10.3 million from the 2010 peak of 12 mil- lion. Nevertheless, Activision's overall profits were up and Blizzard said it expected the dip between expansions.
The game could be on the upswing with the recently released patch 4.3. Game director Tom Chilton says, "We've definitely seen an increase in play activity,” though he quickly clarifies that they won't know for a while yet whether it trans- lates into a long-term bump in subscribers.
What's the latest update? The aforemen- tioned patch 4.3 is the latest and final content patch for World of Warcraft's Cataclysm expan- sion pack. In addition to new dungeons and end-game content, it introduced the raid finder feature, which allows players who aren't in high- end guilds to experience difficulty-tweaked ver- sions of the 25-person raid content.
"Huge numbers of players that weren't pre- | viously able to take part in that kind of content | are now able to in a nice and convenient way,” Chilton tells us. He lauds the latest tier of raid gear, which he calls “some of the coolest art we've ever had.” Chilton also says that the new transmogrification feature, which allows players to transfer stats onto different pieces of armor, is proving incredibly popular.
What's coming in 2012? According to Chilton, “2012 is all about the game getting progressively more fun.” With the last major patch for Cataclysm already out, that will pri- marily come in the form of the game's upcom- | ing fourth expansion pack, Mists of Pandaria, | which adds the monk class and the neutral | Pandaren race. Chilton doesn’t have ап exact timeline for the new content but it shouldn’t be a long wait. "We're certainly hoping to get this expansion out more quickly than we have pre- vious ones," he says. "We're tracking toward that right now. Hopefully it shouldn't be a hor- rendous wait."
How is it doing? DC Universe Online didn't last a full year before succumbing to the increasingly popular free-to-play model, but that shift appears to have been successful. In its first month of being free-to-play in November 2011, the game received a massive influx of over two million new players. According to Sony Online Entertainment creative director Jens Andersen, the team is "continuing to see a bevy of new players come into the game each day."
What's the latest update? DC Universe Online has received two major downloadable additions since launching early in 2011. The Fight for the Light pack focused on Green Lantern and a new light power set, while the Lightning Strikes DLC centered on The Flash and electricity powers. Andersen says a third DLC pack is currently planned for the first quarter of 2012.
What's coming in 2012? The shift to free-to- play has completely changed the developer's plans for future content. "In a subscription-based game you add to the end game. It's a community of elders, and you cater the content to their level," Andersen explains. "With free-to-play, and new players coming in all the time, we don't want to keep making the mountain higher and delay how long it takes to play with your friends." Rather than focus on end-game content, DC Universe Online updates will span the whole level range.
Andersen also promises a solution for the current hot-button PvP problems plaguing the game. "Despite what Internet forums might make you think, most people actually want to be good guys on the Internet," he jokes. Right now they're working on a unique solution to the imbalance issues. "People will get what they wanted with faster Arena matches, but it will really blow their minds from a brand perspec- tive,” he says. “I'm excited about the solution, itis so DC."
How is it doing? Developer Trion Worlds wouldn't provide specific subscriber numbers for Rift, but executive producer Scot Hartsman seems confident. “In general, the game is rock- ing,” he tells us. "We're continuing to hire and continuing to release updates."
What's the latest update? "We just released the biggest update we have released to date," Hartsman boasts. In fact, it was so big that the team split it into two. Updates 1.6 and 1.61 added such impressive features as a new raid, anew dungeon, and even a whole new mini- continent, all aimed at level-capped players.
AGE OF CONAN
How is it doing? Funcom wouldn't provide exact numbers, but the developer reported that at least 300,000 new players signed up in the first month of Age of Conan's shift to free-to-play in June 2011. Game director Craig Morrison con- firms this trend: "Activity in the game has signifi- cantly increased since moving to the new model."
What's the latest update? In addition to various graphical and technical upgrades throughout 2011, Age of Conan players have enjoyed the Savage Coast of Turan adventure pack since last summer. This pack includes several new instances and raids as well as a whole outdoor area to explore that Morrison calls “one of the most epic locations we have added to the game yet.
EVE ONLINE
How is it doing? EVE Online is currently rest- ing at around 350,000 subscribers. That may not seem like much compared to the millions that bigger MMOs boast, but according to senior producer Arnar Gylfason, 2011 is "EVE's eighth straight year of growth in the eight years the game has existed." That's impressive by any measurement.
What's the latest update? In November 2011, developer CCP Games rolled out the Crucible expansion, which includes new ships, new art, and various tweaks to help push the intergalactic, player-driven war that lies at the heart of this sci-fi MMO. Gylfason is ecstatic about the expansion's reception. "We've been
They also put in the Instant Adventure system, which allows for parties to come together and
accomplish goals that shift in size and difficulty dynamically as the group grows or shrinks.
What's coming in 2012? In 2012, the Rift team will focus on "the core stuff that makes the game strong and unique," Hartsman says. In his mind, this includes adventure and combat out in the world, invasions, onslaughts, and world events. He also hints that something spe- cial may be coming on Rift's first birthday, which takes place in March.
What's coming in 2012? Funcom has several major changes planned for Age of Conan in 2012. Morrison describes the "truly massive" House
of Crom dungeon as "an entire playfield of its own." New outdoor world bosses are also being planned for those who would rather quest out in the open instead of instances.
Beyond new content, Morrison says the team is planning to completely revamp the trade skills. "The trade skill system is something we know has been lackluster in our game," he admits. "It's time to try to add something to the game that will add a real extra layer of depth for people." Funcom is also working on single-server technology that should make teaming up with your friends easier.
humbled to see a tremendous amount of excitement and appreciation emanating from our playerbase throughout the last few weeks," he says.
What's coming in 2012? "What Crucible showed us is that there's still plenty of work to be done in improving and iterating on all the amazing content and gameplay we've introduced into EVE in the past eight years," Gylfason says. That work includes improving internal tools and technology alongside new content for players. Gylfason can't provide any specifics on what's ahead, but he suggests fans pay attention to EVE Online's Fanfest 2012, which takes place in Iceland in late March. ©
DC Universe Online
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AS WE ALL HEAD INTO A NEW YEAR of gaming, there is plenty of time to look ahead to the awesome downloadable titles on the way. This month | want to look back at 2011 — a year that saw an explosion of new downloadable games of every variety — and high- light a few that may have been lost in the shuffle. Before anyone cries foul about their absence, I'm not talking about games like Bastion and Crimson Alliance and their like; those excellent debuts received plenty of well-deserved fanfare. Rather, | want to focus on the titles that didn't have the same opportunity in the limelight. Read ahead to find out which of my picks you've already played, and why the others might be worth a look.
: Wii WiiWare didn't blow me away in 2011, but there are some notable exceptions in this otherwise underdeveloped platform. Case in point: the final installment of the six-part Bit. Trip series. High on difficulty and style, Bit. Trip Flux redefines the classic formula of Pong through trance-inducing pixel graphics and thumping musical beats. Consider this a recommenda- tion to not only try this last piece of the puzzle, but also all of the other charming and innova- tive twitch games in the franchise.
< Xbox 360 Brawler and fantasy fans owe it to themselves to dig into this incredible remake of the old classic, crafted by the original developer, Treasure. With multiple branching story paths and levels, as well as complex movesets that share more in common with fighting games than anything else, it's a fantastic revival of a beloved game with some tweaks and graphical upgrades that make all the difference.
-PC Paradox Interactive took an unusual and entertaining side trek from its typical strategy fare with Magicka, a rollicking adventure best played cooperatively with friends. By let- ting players combine their wizards’ different elemental powers, like lightning and ice, the game encourages an exciting emergent quality in which you feel like you're making the game your own. Throw in some fourth-wall breaking humor that demonstrates the game isn’t taking itself too seriously (the expansion heads to the Vietnam War, of all places) and Magicka is unlike any other title this past year.
PlayStation 3 - Xbox 360 - PC
Not enough people played the original DS release of this excellent strategic RPG, and I'm convinced the subsequent console port didn't get the attention it deserved either. With a beau- tiful graphical overhaul, Clash of Heroes is my top suggestion to gamers who enjoyed 2007's
you may have
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. Players build armies of units that must be stacked in particular formations to attack and defend against enemy forces. The guileless storyline may not change your world, but it offers a suit- able framework for some great battles, a fun adventure, and a unique core mechanic.
+ Xbox 360 - PC Few game names offer such a complete and succinct gameplay description as Orcs Must Die. One of the several excellent variations on the tower defense formula that released this year, Orcs Must Die distinguishes itself through some hilarious (and bloody) traps to halt the oncoming orcish hordes, as well as the option to engage in some hacking and slashing of your own by descending into the fray.
- PlayStation 3 - Rochard gets a lot of credit for its surprising hero and plot. John Rochard is no super- charged space marine — he's an overweight space miner looking to save his coworkers. However, the real reason to play Rochard is its innovative and fun approach to affecting the environment to solve puzzles, like the ability to alter the strength of gravity with a press of the button and go rocketing through the air with a simple jump. Smart puzzles and an original premise make Rochard an overlooked gem.
PlayStation 3 It was easy to miss this excellent 2D platform- ing/puzzle game about an ever-growing alien
Orcs Must
missed in 2011
blob thanks to the PSN outage. With those dark days behind us, players should check out the smart puzzles, cartoon visuals, and clever physics mechanics on display in this great little game. Part Katamari and part Mario, About a Blob mixes classic platforming with fresh gameplay to great effect.
One of the creators of Super Meat Boy brings us this smart mix of genre conventions about a boy trying to escape from his insane mother and her murderous intentions. Combining the dungeon exploration of The Legend of Zelda with the randomness of a classic roguelike, The Binding of Isaac is as weird and wonderful as it is challenging and twisted.
1 hwasher: Vampire Smile - Xbc Advancing the macabre style and tight gameplay of its predecessor, Vampire Smile is a tense and bloody affair tailored to the discerning action gamer. With two playable characters that each use their own inimitable style of evisceration, there are solid reasons to play through this har- rowing adventure multiple times. Along with a highly focused, atmospheric art style and some of the tightest action controls I've encountered, Vampire Smile continues the positive trend of this great series.
g 360 Double Fine is known for its quirky and humor- ous approach to games, and Trenched (since renamed Iron Brigade) maintains the reputation, but adds in some solid tower defense-style
action into the mix. In a world overrun by evil televisions, only your mechanized, mobile, World War I-style trench stands in their way. Challenging, varied levels and an enormous variety of upgrade options for your character and machine help this title stand apart. ©
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30
The Evolution of Microsoft
As corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios, Phil Spencer guides the company's vision for internal game and interactive entertainment development. We recently had the chance to speak to Spencer about the future of Kinect, Microsoft's internal studios, and Halo 4.
Kinect has been a great sales success, but it hasn't offered much to the people who love Halo and Gears of War to get excited about.
| turn it around a little bit. What we've been able to do with Kinect is unlock gaming on your TV to millions of people that never looked at that as something they would do. For our partners, for our creators, that's a good thing. Games that never could have existed on our platform now exist. [To] the question about the core, | start back with the thought that we have a very good core infrastructure. Xbox Live is a good place to go play online, | love our controller. The Xbox and content we get from our third- and first-party creates a very strong portfolio. With Kinect, I'm more careful, because I'm not trying to create a gimmick. I'm trying to create scenarios that make sense in a system that is very good today at playing core games like Halo or Forza or Call of Duty or Mass Effect. If we just went in and created scenarios that broke what was working so well, that wouldn't help anybody.
It's safe to say, given that Xbox Live is an ongoing service that's been retooled to support voice, that something like Kinect will be a part of any future Xbox systems. We believe that the functionality that's in Kinect, from voice to gestures, is fundamen- tal to today's and the future's entertainment scenarios. When we see how the dashboard update works, and you start to navigate and interact with your content, the gestures, we think that those fundamental additions to the gaming and entertainment space that came with Kinect are long-term plays for us in this industry, absolutely.
Outside of Gears of War, there hasn't been a lot of new IP from Microsoft this gen- eration. Moving forward, is establishing new IPs in the traditional, triple-A console space a priority?
Absolutely. Creating core IP, as many first-and third-parties have seen over the years, isn't an easy thing. | went through the process
of creating Gears with Epic and | know the sweat, time, and effort that went into it. | also worked on things like Alan Wake, Too Human, Crackdown, and stuff that didn’t hit the same level of success, but had an equal amount of sweat equity and heart go into getting it cre- ated. So it will continue to be something that we focus on with new partners like Crytek and new people that aren't announced yet. We do think that it's fundamental that core gamers look at 360 as the place they want to play games. | do think that it's [about] quality and impact, not number of releases in a year.
You partnered in Japan on games like Blue
Dragon and Lost Odyssey. Those bets didn't pay off in terms of sales. Are you letting that Japanese-focused stuff go? Working with Sakaguchi-san on Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon was more about RPGs all around. One of the areas where we thought we were deficient in on the original Xbox was RPGs. We wanted to invest in making sure that RPGs are important to our platform. We went out and acquired Lionhead and worked with Sakaguchi. Now, when | see things like Skyrim and Fallout come out and the great sales of those games on our platform, | do think the strategy worked, to make sure that we had a good stable of RPGs on our plat- form. We have some stuff going [in Japan] with Suda51 now and Project Draco and other things. There are partnerships for us there in the future.
Rare, in the days of GoldenEye and Perfect Dark, were considered one of the great, triple-A studios in the industry. This generation, they've worked on different things like Avatars and Kinect Sports.
I think longtime fans are disappointed.
Do you ever see them getting back into proper game development?
[Laughs] That's a disparaging way of putting it.
That sounded more negative then І intend- ed. | meant that the audience that loved them because of GoldenEye and Perfect Dark - Avatars and Kinect Sports isn't what those people loved Rare for.
Yeah, and not to be flippant about it, but the thing | care a lot about is what Rare loves Rare for. In the end, I'm going to get the most and best creative work out of a studio where teams are really passionate. Things like Viva Pinata and Banjo – which | was proud of, from a creative standpoint – they didn't hit the market reaction that we wanted. People want to work on things that have broad impact. What Rare did, which is a testament to them, is they start- ed to bootstrap from the beginning, saying, "We're going to build the content we want to build, here are the things we think the platform has to include."
I think some people have the impression that Avatars and Kinect Sports was foisted on them, but you're saying that those were Rare-driven things.
Avatars specifically, and some of the early Kinect work — they were actually doing some motion work on the Xbox Vision Camera, the little RGB camera accessory we had. That was all incubated by Rare. They basically built the Avatar system that shipped in the New Xbox Experience a couple years ago in conjunction with the platform team. That's them, and what they really love to do. | [wouldn't] go in and say, "| need you to create Killer Instinct because
the fans are asking for it,” if the studio didn't believe in it. As head of studios I'm not some- one who tells studios what they should do. |
try to listen to what they want to do and try to map it to what we need as a platform.
We're a way down the road from Bungie leaving and Halo is now in the hands of 343 Industries. Can you talk about that transition and how difficult it was and assess your position now with 343? Bungie, even today, the guys are good friends of mine. | have nothing but high praise for them and hope they continue to make great hits. The truth is they had worked on Halo for a very long time. They were interested in going to do something else. The relationship had reached the point where the best thing for both of us was for me to build a new team to work on Halo and for them to go work on something they wanted to go build. | spent all day at 343 yesterday. The team is a really amazing team. The thing | love about it is that it's a team of people that voted with their feet and their resume to work on Halo. | know that 343 are there for one reason, because they have a pas- Sion for Halo.
In broad terms, what can we expect
from Halo 4? Is it in the template of what Bungie did or are they taking the fran- chise in directions that people might
not expect?
| was talking with [Microsoft's] Kiki Wolfkill about this yesterday, and she had a real interesting way of putting it that | will steal. She said that, as the team was created, the sole goal was how do they fill this box called Halo that Bungie created? That's a daunting task. As the team has come together they've filled that box and they became comfortable enough that they are creating a bigger box that is 343's Halo. That's not a negative statement on where Bungie was, but it's the evolution that the team's psyche has gone through. It's important that people like Frank O'Connor are there and people that have a long history with Halo. You also have a lot of new thoughts and ideas in the franchise. The franchise does need to evolve.
Halo Anniversary is out and seems to be well-received. Sony has done a great job with HD rereleases and collections of some of their last-generation games. Is that something you're looking at doing more of?
Halo Anniversary wasn't created with that in mind. | agree with you, Sony's done a great job with looking at their back catalogue and selling those games again. For us, this was the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Xbox and Halo. Halo wasn't a Live game, and we thought that it would be a great way to cele- brate with the community and make it a native 360 game with all the technical features a 360 game has today. It was more a celebration, it wasn't the beginning of an HD remake line. | [don't] want to get into a world where people felt like | was just trying to sell them things that they've already played. ©
1986
THE GREAT NORTHWEST
Spencer begins his college education at the University of Washington. A childhood computer enthusiast, he majors in computer science
1988
INTERNING
While still attending university, Spencer scores an internship at Microsoft working with multimedia CD-ROM products like Encarta and Cinemania. He later gets a full-time job at Microsoft
2001
JOINING THE TEAM At the launch of the original Xbox, Spencer joins Microsoft Game Studios, helping oversee internal publishing and developing with Ed Fries
2001
PROJECT EGO Spencer's first project is working with Peter Molyneux's Lionhead Studios on Project Ego (which would become Fable) and a game called B.C. that was never released
2008
MOVING UP
Spencer is promoted to Microsoft Game Studios" head of production. He works with Epic on a project called “Warfare,” which eventually becomes Gears of War
2007
GOING CONTINENTAL Spencer relocates to Europe to help integrate the recently acquired Lionhead Studios into Microsoft Game Studios. He also works with Rare following the departure of founders Tim and Chris Stamper
2008
BACK HOME
Spencer returns home
to Microsoft's American headquarters and becomes general manager of Microsoft Game Studios
2009
LEADING
Spencer is promoted to corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios
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i After snaking down some of the world’s biggest mountains Burton B lunt and
in SSX, EA's return to extreme snowboarding, we're geared Social Snowboards
up to hit the slopes. Check out some of the most advanced Snowboarding is fun. Falling on your face
D EA is not. Burton's novice-friendly V-Rocker mountain gear available before you buy your lift ticket. design makes it harder for the lip of your board to catch on snow or ice, and should prevent you from tumbling end over end down the side of a mountain. Burton's tapered tip and tail thick- ness also reduces the boards' swing weight, making it easier to dodge that newbie snowplowing his way down a black diamond. Advanced riders will also appreciate Burton's built-in jumper cables – ultra light carbon stringers that increase the tension of your boards tip and tail, giving your ollies a little extra pop. The Blunt is perfectly balanced for men, while the Social has been engineered to flex best under a woman's form.
$319.95 (Blunt), $349.99 (Social) | burton.com
7 Burton Moto Boots | Burton's Speed Zone laces will have
„ll you strapped into your board and on the chairlift before your ski buddies have finished tightening up their boots. The Moto's heat-mold- able Imprint liners also conform to your unique footprint and provide your feet with a warm, glove-like fit. Moto's reduced boot print also helps lessen toe drag, and might help keep your face out of the snow.
$149.99 | burton.com
The North Face
Madplaid 4 Triclimate Jacket Even if you trip coming off the chair lift, at least you'll look good doing it in North Face's Madplaid Triclimate Jacket. This 4-in-1 jacket features a plaid shell made with waterproof, breathable, fully seam-sealed fabric. The Madplaid’s interior is both reversible and removable, and stays warm with 100g Heatseeker Eco insulation. Hopefully you won't need the Recco avalanche rescue reflector system, but it's there if you're embold- ened enough to venture into the backcountry. This jacket is available in multiple color patterns.
$360.00 | thenorthface.com
GoPro Camera
HD Hero2:
Outdoor Edition Gear mountable, waterproof, and capable of capturing 170-degree wide angle 1080p video or 11-megapixel photos at a rate of 10 photos per second, GoPro's HD Hero? is one of the toughest outdoor sports cameras in the world. If you want to catch that sweet shot of your buddy performing a backside rodeo flip — and then that second shot of him eating powder two seconds later - go pro.
$299.99 | gopro.com
THE ART OF FLIGHT
Travis Rice and a few fellow professional snowboarders brave the wilds of Alaska, Patagonia, Romania, and Austria to make one of the most transfixing and highly produced snowboarding documentaries ever recorded. $29.95
artofflightmovie.com
DIABLO III: BOOK OF CAIN
Deckard Cain is no stranger to the world of Sanctuary - he wrote the book on it. This is
his firsthand account of the
epic conflict between heaven and hell, which provides the foundation for Diablo III's fiction. $35.00
insighteditions.com
JUSTIFIED: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON
Timothy Olyphant is U.S. Deputy Marshall Raylan Givens, a modern- day gunslinger who delivers renegade justice in a corrupt, backwater Kentucky county. $49.95
Shop.fxnetworks.com
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: WAR IN THE NORTH ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
Warner Bros.’ recent Lord of the Rings game might have fallen flat, but there isn't a single sour note in its soundtrack. Inon Zur's epic compositions are rich and complex in ways that the game wasn't. $9.98
watertower-music.com
connect 33
ast year brought no shortage of great
games. Over 100 titles received a rating
of 8 or above from the Game Informer staff — and that doesn't even include the avalanche of great mobile and tablet games we enjoyed. You could summarize 2011 by calling it the year of the shooter. With the contentious Modern Warfare 3 vs. Battlefield 3 showdown, high-profile console exclusives like Gears of War 3 and Killzone 3, plus three other marquee gun games on our Top 50 list, shooter fans had more targets in their sights than they had bullets in their pistols. Platforming fans, whose options have been limited in past years, also enjoyed a relative embarrassment of riches thanks to impressive showings by LittleBigPlanet 2, Rayman Origins, and Super Mario 3D Land. In the following pages we pay homage to yet another banner year for interactive entertainment, a cre- ative industry that thankfully shows no sign of slowing down.
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36
BEST PS3 Exclusive
LittleBigPlanet 2 doesn’t just bring new stages
to Media Molecule’s clever brand of platform- ing. The star of this sequel isthe amazing creation mode. The expanded options bring user-created content to new heights, allowing players to program Al, craft cutscenes, and dabble in genres ranging from side-scrolling shooters to RTS. The possibilities are endless, and LittleBigPlanet 2 lets players’ creativity rule while providing the inspiration to help ideas flourish.
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Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
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алқа DS animation we've seen, but Capcom's DS A adventure game is more than just a looker. = ж. = Interesting characters breathe life into a
" ES P ae a well-realized setting that splits time between SE = the land of the living and the ghost plane. In ж. p % an industry full of unfulfiling finales, Ghost
Trick memorably concludes by leaving no loose ends. Unfortunately, you are forced to replay puzzles at every failure, but it's a small complaint for one of the better DS games
in 2011.
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Dead Space 2
Dead Space 2 may not have done a lot to separate itself from the original, but that's okay. All we wanted was to experience terror in space all over again. Dead Space 2 gives Isaac a voice, a reason to keep fighting, and throws him out into space with jet-powered boots for good measure. Amazing set pieces like the destructible tram ride and the space flight from one end of the Sprawl to the other make Dead Space 2 memorable enough to keep it fresh in our minds even though it released at the beginning of the year.
STAFF SERGEANT KNOX
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`` GRANT ALEXANDER
GROOSE ' Portal 2 Duke Nukem Forever The Legend of Zelda: Operation Flashpoint: Red River X-Men Destiny i Being a dork isn’t always a bad Showing up fashionably late to a Skyward Sword ў Knox makes other order-barking As. a football- -player-i unreg ute . thing. Yes, һе bumbles through . party is one thing, but when your Groose thinks he's better than ‘superior officers seem restrained Grant raises an interesting question: г simple tasks and makes a few г whole shtick is outdated, you've Link, so let's compare their 22 and realistic. He's like a caricature of Mf you're both а jock and a dork, are -bad choices, but Wheatley's waited too long. Duke's hammy - accomplishments. Link: saves Hyrule, а caricature, shouting inspirational |. you supposed to beat yourself up p awkwardness is somehow. one-liners and overblown machismo finds a legendary sword, gets the | military gibberish mid-battle. The 4 - and take your own lunch money? . endearing. Even with the return of haven't changed since the ‘90s— / (ІП. Groose: dumb pompadour, lots of most embarrassing part 1. Мед almost say he's the lamest pu GLaDOS, Wheatley is Portal 2’s | most. - just enough time for all the humor empty boasting, оп Game Informer's it isn't tongue-in-cheek; у г superhero of all time, but е 2 memorable (and | ce Peur i e m 10 Dorks list. Tough call. vs Barely ate
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Marvel vs. Capcom 3:
Fate of Two Worlds
While a new Ultimate edition has integrated tons of new characters, this predecessor puts Capcom's frantic superhero-infused fighter back on the map after a decade-long absence. The tight controls and tag-team gameplay give hardcore fighting fans plenty to sink their teeth into on a tournament level. Casual fighters shouldn't hesitate either, as the droves of revered gaming
and comic heroes and intuitive high-flying combat offer a lot to newcomers. The fight- ing genre's second coming lives on.
а • 22120
Radiant Historia
A dream come true for fans of 16-bit RPGs, Radiant Historia is a fond and fitting tribute to a bygone era of gaming. The story is packed with surprises without relying on the same cookie cutter characters and subplots you've seen dozens of times. The battle system adds modern twists to classic turn-based concepts, feeling simultane- ously familiar and innovative. If you enjoyed titles like Final Fantasy IV, Earthbound,
or Chrono Trigger on SNES, don’t miss Radiant Historia.
MS. SPLOSION MAN Ms. Splosion Man
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Hard Corps: Uprising
As frustrating as it is to explain that this
is a Contra game every time we talk about it, we'll take boneheaded naming conventions anytime when the gameplay is this good. It perfectly balances classic Contra elements with new directions while keeping things surprising and challenging. Plus, Hard Corps pleases both old-school fans and modern players with two distinct game types: the classic hardcore Arcade Mode and the new Rising Mode that finally brings a permanent upgrade system to Contra.
O9E XO8X '£sd • 10180
Fight Night Champion Previously, story-based sports titles have fallen flat, but Fight Night is a perfect fit
for a Rocky-style drama. The game's Champion mode molds good voice acting, a well-paced story, and attractive cutscenes around the franchise's already great – and improved - boxing mechanics. This smart integration makes the mode more than just a tacked on experience - it's a thrilling new way to experience a sports game.
ANDERS
Od '09£ XO8X '£Sd • 22120
Bulletstorm
In the first few hours of Bulletstorm players attack an enemy ship in deep space, pilot a mechanized (and weaponized) T-Rex, and navigate through a collapsing dam. What's impresive about Bulletstorm, however, is that those incredible scenes aren't much more memorable than the moment-to-moment enemy encounters. If it's a crime to enjoy flinging bad guys into cacti with our energy whips, you may as well haul us off to jail right now.
‘Od + 0180
Rift
The debut game from Trion Worlds doesn’t reinvent the polished MMORPG formula made popular by World of Warcraft, but it does something most other MMOs can't hope to do against Blizzard: compete. With a compelling blend of fantasy and technol- ogy, dynamic world events, and a constant stream of content-packed patches, Rift provides plenty of good reasons to step away from Azeroth.
DARIUS MASON
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Killzone 3
More than capable of competing with the best shooters on the market, Killzone 3 delivers thrilling action, gorgeous visuals, jaw-dropping set pieces, and a unique twist on multiplayer. During a year in which Sony and Microsoft both struggled to find а place for their new motion control options, Killzone 3 gives players a reason to utilize Move - and maybe even enjoy it more than a traditional controller.
Sa*stiso
Okamiden
Nintendo fans are going nuts for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword nowadays, but they shouldn't neglect Capcom's Zelda-inspired Okamiden from earlier this year. Like the original Okami on PlayStation 2, this DS sequel includes a sprawling overworld, plus several impressive dungeons, puzzles, and enormous bosses. The key difference, outside of the cutesy art style, is using a stylus to draw the signature ink attacks and abilities instead of an awkward analog stick.
LJ
THE FOUNDING FATHERS The Conduit 2
Ms. Splosion Man is like a million teenagers smashed into a single, hyperactive freight train of annoyance. She has a vacant grin, recites dumb song lyrics, and is obsessed with her appearance, Unlike most teenagers, though, she's never going to grow out of it,
of the Metatron
Imagine this: You're a powerful fallen angel with dominion over an entire ethereal realm. What do you do with your power? If you said, “Dress up like Michael Jackson, then dance and prance as much as possible,” then you're Amaros. You're also a loser.
Dragon Age II
If you want a companion who acts like a crybaby about everything, Anders is your man. After years
of effort, BioWare has perfected dorkiness; Anders is a bigger wiener than Alistair and whines even more. than Carth, making him a true pinnacle of failure.
Red Faction: Armageddon
He eats nails for breakfast! He punched through a planet! Just kidding - Darius Mason didn't really do that. It's a pity, because someone clearly wanted people to think this generic doofus was hardcore. Just slapping on tattoos and a shaved head doesn't cut it.
You only need to know one thing about The Conduit 2: At the very end, you open up a Stargate and. Abe Lincoln and George Washington come out decked out like space marines. Why didn't this make it into any history books? Oh, right — because it's stupid.
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Strategy
Total War: Shogun 2
Solid technical implementation has never been Total War's calling card, but Creative Assembly finally locked down the performance with this massive grand strategy game. Taking over feudal Japan is equal parts diplomatic intrigue, clever resource management, and bloody real-time combat. At long last, digging into Total War's outstanding gameplay — which is better than ever in Shogun 2 –
doesn't feel like being part of a beta test.
HEROES
Od • ST| £0
Od '09£ XO8X '£sd * 22150
Crysis 2
Finally, console gamers get to see what all the PC gamers were talking about. Like its celebrated PC predecessor, Crysis 2 carves a niche for itself by giving gamers amazing tools and letting them play the game however they want. The sequel replaces the jungles of Southeast Asia for the urban jungle of a decimated Manhattan, but delivers the same fantastic nanosuit-powered action as the original. As a bonus, this time the multiplayer doesn't suck.
O9E XO8X <54» 61170
Mortal Kombat
When Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe released in 2008, longtime fans were disappointed by the toned-down Violence. With this reboot, NetherRealm returns to the series' bloody roots and ups the gore factor further. Fatalities are ridiculously graphic, the great roster of the first three games returns, and the entire package comes with far more content than the typical fighting game. Like Street Fighter IV, this new Mortal Kombat brings the series back in the best way possible.
2а '09£ XO8X '£Sd
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Od UM '09£ XO8X 8а 22150
LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
Traveller's Tales' return to the Star Wars franchise proves its LEGO formula still has room for growth. A huge campaign, ridiculously comprehensive character roster, and the addition of light RTS gameplay make it the best LEGO game yet, and one of the greatest family-friendly releases in recent memory. It's worth a look even if you think Clone Wars-era Star Wars is as appealing as walking barefoot across a pile of plastic bricks.
Puzzle Cooperative Multiplayer.
ORTAL 2
Od '09£ XO8X 554 61! tO
Portal 2
Portal surprisingly stole the show on The Orange Box, but nobody was sure it would work as a full standalone game. It only took a few seconds with Wheatley asking you to say "apple" to know that the sequel is something special. The best comedic writing in video game history is paired with brilliant puzzles that somehow make your brain hurt while simultaneously making you feel like a genius. Add a new mulitplayer element that demands the full cooperation of all involved, and this is one of the best experiences of 2011.
L.A. Noire
After over seven years in development, Team Bondi's period epic finally released in 2011. A groundbreak-
ing facial capture system powers a unique brand of cinematic gameplay that casts players as flawed LAPD detective Cole Phelps. Phelps looks headlong into the graft and deceit at the heart of the city, making contact with dozens of memorable characters as he interrogates them to sort truth from lie. Love it or hate it, no other game in 2011 was quite like L.A. Noire.
BEST PC Exclusive
THE
WITCHER?
ASSASSINS cr KINGS
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FAMOUS 2
£Sd • 40190
Infamous 2
New characters and a new setting set Infamous 2 apart from the original, but the real stars are
the new powers. Cole's ability to manipulate ice and the ambigu- ous darkness powers, combined with the electrical powers carried over from the first game, make him a force to be reckoned with. Nothing compares to ripping up
a city block with a tornado, or propelling yourself into the air with а column of ice. The game was worth playing twice just to see all the powers and both endings.
09£ XO8X 58а • 12|90
Shadows of the Damned
This under-advertised third-person shooter from eccentric developer Suda51 and former Capcom luminary Shinji Mikami may be the best game hardly anyone played in 2011. From the tight action to the juvenile-but-hilarious writing, Shadows of the Damned deserves a larger audience. The mainstream may not have noticed, but we won't forget our adventures through Hell with Garcia Hotspur and Johnson, his perverted talking Skull of a sidekick.
Od '09£ XO8X
(Od) 91180 (096 XO&X) 02 | ZO
Bastion
It's rare that a debut project from a new developer draws as much praise as Supergiant's stunning downloadable action/fantasy. Great level design, balanced combat, stunning art, and a standout musical score can be the difference between good and great, and Bastion has them all
in spades. Layer on an innovative approach to in-game narration, in which a grizzled old man unravels the plot as you progress, and Bastion quickly rises toward the top in a year crowded with strong downloadable releases.
Driver: San Francisco
Driver: San Francisco's story expertly rides the fine
line between stupid and clever, screaming through its twists and turns and just barely staying on the track.
A post-crash coma doesn't stop Tanner from cleaning up the streets, thanks to his new out-of-body powers that allow him to hop from car to car in real time — all delivered with a wink and a smile. It's a great gameplay conceit bolstered with exhilarating action that would stand up even without the supernatural twist.
Od WM '09£ XO8X '£Sd • 90160
LUNACY NEEDLES
Portal 2
As it turns out, Cave Johnson’s tants about moon dust weren't just filler. In the game’s final moments, Portal 2 players learned the true power of their portal devices.
Dead Space 2
Sometimes you need to hang out with friends or hit the gym to help get over the memories of a former lover. Other times you need high powered, manually operated surgical equipment to get over it. Just
don't blink.
IT'S MORNING ALREADY?! The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Whether you've been killing time
at the forge or questing your brains out, one thing’s almost certain: Time loses its meaning in the frosty wilds of Skyrim. You may as well call in sick at this point.
09£ XO8X • Z0|60
096 XO8X '£Sd • 91180
El Shaddai: Ascension of
the Metatron
Compared to other action games, El Shaddai doesn't have the tightest or deepest gameplay,
but delivers some of the most striking visuals this year. Its shifting watercolor style feeds into the flow of combat and simple platform- ing segments. The experience
is rounded out by bizarre but memorable characters and an epic Biblical story. Е! Shaddai is a must-play that will leave your brain confused and your eyes amazed.
Deus Е
Od '09£ XO8X '£Sd • £2|80
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Eidos Montreal rejuvenates the Deus Ex series with Human Revolution, a riveting social commentary about mankind using technology to evolve. As power- hungry corporations try to force change upon the world, the player ultimately has the final say in how the future plays out. Beautifully designed player freedom is inte- grated into almost every combat scenario and social interaction, making this a game you'll want
to play through numerous times to see how events unfold through different actions.
Crimson Alliance Dungeon crawlers are a dime a dozen, but excellent iterations are a rare treat. Certain Affinity balances three distinct character classes and multiple difficulty settings to ensure fast and exciting action no matter whom you decide to play. The smart upgrade system (which is built on equipment collection rather than levels) is intuitive and easy to grasp. It may be a familiar formula, but Crimson Alliance assures a fun weekend with friends at your side.
VIRTUAL REALITY
CHILLIN' WITH MR. FREEZE Batman: Arkham City
We all know Batman is the world’s greatest detective, but this battle against his frosty nemesis shows just how resourceful Mr. Wayne: truly is. Players have to think like
a hero and take full advantage of the environment to survive this boss encounter.
Saint's Row: The Third
As the Third Street Saints take
on the tech-savvy Deckers gang, they find themselves inhabiting hostile virtual space. This Tron-like environment features homages from. gaming’s early days to contemporary tropes. It being Saints Row, there's also a toilet.
Od + 05180
Tropico 4
One of the best city builders in recent years, the PC version of Tropico 4 makes massive strides within the genre in interface, presentation, and player direc- tion. The lengthy campaign is still a series of sandboxes where you can be whatever kind of dictator you want, but events and crises that come in both random and scripted players will keep you on your toes. Managing economy, tourism, and an often rebel-
lious populace in Tropico 4 is a unique experience you won't find anywhere else.
Jetpack Joyride
In a year filled with massive, sprawling experiences, Jetpack Joyride finds success by offering quick bursts of action. On first glance, it appears to consist
of nothing but moving up and down to avoid las
time with it, however,
nuances become apparent. Learning the movement and strategy of the six different vehicles, tackling unique chal- lenges, and deciding when to pull the trigger on that Second Chance or Final Blast make this one of the most addictive games
of the year.
BEST Xbox 360 Exclusive
Gears of War 3 wraps up Marcus Fenix's story, but that's not the real reason to
play the game. Epic Games' unwavering commitment to flawless co-op and
competitive multiplayer has never borne such wonderful fruit. This is Gears' already-excellent gameplay sharpened to a razor
THE GAME-CHANGER The Witcher 2
One of them is a terrorist fighting to free his people. The other is a fascist secret policeman trying to. hold society together. Far from a dark buddy cop movie, these are the mortal enemies you must choose hetween working with — and the next 20-plus hours of the game depend on your choice.
OLD MAN ALTAIR Assassin's Creed Revelations Even hobbling up a hill as a hunched and tired old man, the original. assassin still has what it takes.
As Altair Ibn-La'Ahad makes one final ascent through the mountain fortress of Masyaf, all the wisdom, power, and lethality of the character is on display. Everything is permitted, indeed.
edge, with a near-perfect online backend to i make sure tearing into the meaty shooter gameplay is as simple and straightfor- ward as chainsawing a Locust in half.
THE FINAL CHOICE
Bastion
if you stared at your screen for a few minutes before deciding the fate of Bastion’s world, you weren't alone.
A textbook dilemma, the Kid faced two world-changing options, equally destructive in their own way.
THE NO-WIN CONCLUSION Mass Effect 2's Arrival DLC
Mass Effect 2 never forces you to
be evil, but the Arrival DLC presents Shepard with a high-stakes, no-win scenario. Regardless of your paragon or renegade preference, doing what it takes to temporarily save the galaxy will not leave you with a clear conscience.
24096 ХОЯХ “54. 90160
Dead Island
Few games capture the desper- ation and overwhelming dread of a large-scale zombie outbreak like Dead Island. The solid melee combat and intriguing character progression breathe new life
into the rotting zombie genre, giving players more motivation than ever to lop off undead heads. Four-player co-op lets you survive the horrors with friends, but even going solo is an entertaining trip through hell.
09£ ХОЯХ • 02160
THEEND
The Legend of Zelda:
Skyward Sword
In a game full of great boss battles, Skyward Sword makes the final fight feel epic, dark, and even a little creepy. The ending subtly ties all of Zelda series games together, making it clear that this is the first story in the timeline, and manages to sneak in a surprise as well.
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Od '09£ XO8X '£Sd * /2/60
FIFA Soccer 12
In many ways, FIFA 12 is the fulfill-
ment of the series' long-held promise. Improvements in offensive and defensive controls, along with a bump up in Al and players' physical interactions make the game more challenging and sometimes unpredictable on the field. Combine these improvements with the revamped career mode and excellent online mode, and this is the most complete FIFA title to date.
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“42/60
3 РА a 8 X а $ 8
Pro Evolution Soccer 2012
Although rival EA is known for making dual analog control in its sports games popular, Konami's Pro Evolution 12 makes use of
it to great effect, letting players control off- the-ball players to set up defense-busting runs. This new control scheme plays to the strength of the franchise, which is its creativity in producing offensive opportuni- ties. The series still lacks enough team and player licenses, but there’s more than enough here to feast on.
09$ XO8X '£Sd * #0! OT
Dark Souls
From Software had one goal in mind
while creating Dark Souls, the follow up to 2009's Demon's Souls: Make the game even harder. The world is much bigger and more connected than before, and there are way more enemies, weapons, and spells to play around with. While it had some online issues initially Namco has since ironed them out, creating a smoother play experience. Dark Souls might not be one of the best-selling games this year, but it's certainly one of the most memorable.
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BEST) Action
NBA 2K12
The NBA lockout may have cost basketball fans a large chunk of this year's season, but NBA 2K12 provided an oasis in the midst of the hardcourt ert. The poor online performance has angered fans, but Visual Concepts scores with the best presentation of any sport: me, опа Association mode, and a drastically improved My Player mode that fixes the progression system, starts you in the NBA immediately, and expands the off-court activities in meaningful ways.
(Od) • се | TT 81 01
(095 ХОЯХ Sd)
Remember when all Batman games were terrible? That seems like а distant memory now, especially after exploring every nook and cranny of Arkham City. This highly anticipated sequel takes the impres-
sive foundation of the original and enhances it in just about every aspect. With rewarding combat, amazing boss fights with Batman’s best villains, a highly detailed and fully explorable world, and clever references to Batman lore, Arkham City is easily worthy of the perfect
score we awarded it.
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Od 09: XOX 55а + tO | OT
Rage
With its first new franchise in years, id demonstrates that
the FPS godfather hasn't lost
its knack for the genre. Rage features intense gunplay that greatly benefits from the new
id Tech 5 engine, allowing for insanely realistic animations and gorgeous visuals (all running at a smooth 60 frames per second). Despite a weak ending and some ho-hum vehicular sections, this shooter still impresses
096 ХОЯХ. TT| OT
Forza Motorsport 4
Forza 4 is a must-have racing game, period. Its newly modified single-player campaign (which
is nicely tied to the multiplayer)
is malleable enough to let you customize the experience, and yet it's also structured so you're not driving aimlessly. Similarly, the multiplayer is well crafted, encompassing plenty of commu- nity and competitive elements. All of this serves as a framework for exhilarating racing and sexy cars.
thanks to its unique arsenal, impressive production values, and engaging battles.
KATHERINE MARLOW Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception As much as gamers love the Uncharted games, the series has never been known for memorable villains. This dead-ringer for Helen Mirren seems to have endless гезоигсеѕ and an uncanny knack for screwing Nathan Drake over at every turn.
JOKER
Batman: Arkham City Batman's longtime arch-nemesis utilizes his entire bag of tricks in Arkham City, manipulating the Dark Knight into scrambling for the antidote he needs. Even after working with him for most of the game, Joker's motives are never quite clear to the player until the Surprising end.
MR. FREEZE
Batman: Arkham City.
He may not be the central antagonist of Arkham City's story, but the. ice-minded doctor is to thank for
the game's best boss fight. In a memorable battle, Freeze forces the Caped Crusader to utilize all of his Skills in a single room.
HARLAN FONTAINE
L.A. Noire
This smooth-talking psychiatrist
is willing to deceive anyone to get what he wants, including his own patients. His persuasive skills and access to morphine allow him a level of control over certain individuals, which significantly plays into the wider plot of L.A. Noire.
CAPRA DEMON
Dark Souls
Dark Souls is notorious for being one of the most difficult games of all time, and this boss signals the moment that many gamers realized just what they were in for. His one-hit kills don’t allow the player any time to formulate a strategy, resulting in many frustrating deaths,
TEL ISAAC FROST. Fight Night Champion if Fight Night Champion's story takes cues from Rocky, then the menacing Isaac Frost is Ivan Drago. The tattooed world champion is a monster in the ring, destroying anyone who steps between the ropes. Taking this beast down is akin to landing a knockout punch to Mike ‘Tyson back on the NES.
LETHO
The Witcher 2
This witcher isn't a typical villain
in the mustache-twirling, world- domination-plotting sense of the. word. His plot does put him at
odds with Geralt, however, and his comparable powers make the player realize just how frustrating it can be to go up against a witcher.
ay
CREEPER
Minecraft
Like a bully on the beach that steps on your sand castle, these hissing baddies can take down hours of work in one explosion. As soon as. you see the sun going down, the. threat of a Creeper appearance Should have you scrambling to get inside and surrounded by as much light as possible.
Od "WM '09£ XO8X а + 9T | OT
Skylanders:
Spyro's Adventure
A charming game with a diaboli- cal business model, Skylanders brings back Spyro and a menag- erie of heroes with a kid-friendly blend of Diablo-style looting, exploring, combat, and puzzle solving. With a portal base that allows real-life toy figures (sold Separately, natch) to enter your game and store your individual game data, the merchandising
is brilliant. This business plan helped make Skylanders one of the hot Christmas toys of 2011, but it's the solid game mechanics that wins our praise.
DRAGON PRIESTS
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Unlike the plentiful skeletons, frost trolls, and other baddies of Skyrim, these relics from the past only appear a handful of times. When you run into them, you know two things — you're in for a tough fight, and you'll be rewarded greatly upon taking them down.
ISAAC'S MOM
The Binding of Isaac
Based on the Biblical story of Abraham, this dark story places you in the role of a child that must escape religious sacrifice at the hands of his own mother. After locking her son in his room so he can avoid the evils of the world, she serves as the final boss in a disturbing and bloody battle.
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Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One
All 4 One proves that it's possible to have your co-op cake and eat it too. Insomniac Games latest entry in the 3D platformer keeps what makes the series great - memorable characters, funny dialogue, and bizarre weapons - while adding the ability to bounce around gorgeous cartoony worlds with your friends. Considering how good it is, rounding up three pals shouldn't be too tough.
Competitive Multiplayer
Battlefield 3
The single-player campaign adheres too closely to the
Call of Duty formula and the co-op falls flat, but DICE'S
latest shooter delivers where it matters most — in multiplayer. Battlefield 3 harks the return of the amazing 64-player battles on PC, and most of the maps downscale well to the 24-player console battles as well. Add
the impressive lighting and destruction of the Frostbite 2 engine, an improved progression system, and the return of jets
to the large-scale warfare, and you have a shooter worthy of the multiplayer crown.
Od '09£ XO8X 54 • $21017
Tactics Ogre:
Let Us Cling Together According to the original developers, this is the definitive version of Tactics Ogre. With retraslanted text, redone art, redesigned progression, plus new characters and systems it'S hard to disagree with them. You can also revisit important narrative choices to discover where the story could have gone.
Final Fantasy IV: The Com- plete Collection
Final Fantasy is no stranger to re-releases, but this is the complete package. HD graphics, new cutscenes, and an epilogue game, and Final Fantasy IV: The After
Years (previously only available on ‘WiiWare in the North America) are all included on the disc.
44
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
The multiplayer integration has missteps (no indestructible warthogs or overpowered pistols?) but the re-imagination of the original
Halo single-player campaign is impressive. As a constant reminder of just how far the game has come in 10 years, you can switch back to the original graphics at any time.
God of War: Origins
If you missed these stellar PSP. games because you didn’t own the handheld, you no longer have an excuse. Sony gives these games the remastered treatment with this PS3 collection featuring HD graphics and 3D (where available).
Tco/Shadow of the Colossus HD
Two of the best games of the last generation finally run with the HD treatment and silky framerate each deserves. You can unlock co-op
in ico and decode the previously foreign language of Yorda. The video features included on the disc also chronicle the development of both games.
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Starfox 64 3D
This rebuilt version of Starfox 64 looks nicer, plays in 3D, and offers motion control. The lack of online multiplayer is unfortunate, but if you're in a room with a few other 3DS owners the local multiplayer is Still a good time.
Metal Gear Solid
HD Collection
Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 in HD are nice, but Peace Walker is the real sell of this collection thanks to better controls and online co-op. With the PlayStation version, you can even switch back and forth between the console and handheld version if you 50 desire.
Beyond Good & Evil HD Many missed this highly regarded Michel Ancel masterpiece from the last generation of consoles. This HD re-release seeks to fix that. Outside of the HD upgrade and widescreen capabilities though, Ubisoft didn’t add much to the game.
£Sd * 10! TT
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception With Uncharted 2, Naughty Dog redefined what it meant to deliver a cinematic game experience. If the follow up doesn't feel quite as fresh, Nathan Drake and co. still deliver loads of memorable set pieces. From horseback desert raids to platforming
out of a sinking ocean liner, Uncharted 3 has it all. Tying
it all together are emotional voice-acting performances and one of the world's best graphics engines. Top off all that with a. comprehensive multiplayer com- ponent, and this is triple-A game development at its finest.
Legend of Zelda:
Ocarina of Time 3D
It may look the way you remember it, but don't let that fool you. Nintendo rebuilt the entire game to keep up with the 3DS' graphical and 3D capabilities. You can also unlock the Master Quest after beating the game, a feature previously only available to players who reserved Wind Waker.
i. Resident Evil 4 HD Resident Evil 4 looks good on its own, but seeing the game in HD with the option for widescreen made jumping back into Leon's leather jacket all the more appealing. Just make sure to change those controls to the modern settings.
BEST Role-Playing |
The Elder Scrolls V: _Skyrim gamer can’t ask for much more when it les to Skyrim. From major quests to minor diversions, Bethesda Studios has covered all
the bases with cool characters, terrifying oes, and a treasure trove of hidden secrets.
peril, and the rewards for exploration nany. With so much to do, you can easily
D hours into this masterful RPG and 2 ing that makes the adventure — but you don’t need to play for
Dd 096 XOX 58а * TT П
Handheld Exclusive
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Super Mario 3D Land
The 3DS launched with a weak game lineup of retreads and disappointments, but that all changed when Super Mario 3D Land hit. Mario’s latest adventure is a fantastic hybrid of the series’ 2D and 3D gameplay styles
with a mix of classic references (tanooki suit and airships) and new elements (Escher-esque puzzle rooms and the boomer- ang suit). Most impressively, many editors at Gl play it with the 3D effects cranked up because it actually adds to the experience. If more developers can crack that nut, the 3DS may have a bright future after all.
PINBALL FX TABLES
Pinball FX 2
Single-handedly reviving our interest in pinball, FX 2 kept our interest with a seemingly endless flow of new tables and challenges throughout the year. From licensed Marvel tables to original concepts like Mars and Paranormal, Pinball FX 2 has us jockeying for high scores just like in the heyday of arcades.
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Od 096 XO8X 54
(Od) ZO [ZT (09% ХОЯХ 5а) ST |TT
Assassin's Creed Revelations
Ezio is old, and he leads the Assassin order. Altair is dead, and has been for hundreds
of years. Desmond is uncon- scious, trying to keep his mind intact. The fates of these three characters finally converge in Revelations, giving fans the answers to many mysteries. While not every addition is an improvement (looking at you, tower defense), the foundation of Assassin’s Creed remains solid, providing entertaining missions and intriguing plot twists in cool historical settings.
PEER REVIEW
Portal 2.
Portal 2’s mind-bending puzzles are some of the best in years, so it's hard to argue with a free update that adds even more to the mix. A new cooperative expansion challenges players that have already perfected the base game, and GLaDOS's new dialogue alone makes Peer Review worth a download.
HM '09£ XO8X '£Sd • STITT
Rayman Origins Forget Rayman Origins" gorgeous visuals, adorable characters, and exceptionally catchy soundtrack — a difficult task, to say the least. What's left? A platforming experience that keeps pace against the giants of the genre. Its detailed animations don't slow down the game's brisk flow, and there's enough variety to keep each stage fresh. It even pulls off one of the more difficult challenges around — successfully delivering fun-to-play swimming levels. Wherever you've been, Rayman, we're glad to have you back.
THE DA VINCI DISAPPEARANCE
Assassin's Creed Brotherhood Brand new story missions and multiplayer modes bring new life to Ezio's adventure in Rome, including a priceless scene with the lovely but deadly Lucrezia Borgia. Plus, keen-eyed gamers can get a sneak peek of some big story reveals and locations on the way in the inevitable Assassin's Creed Ill.
SAINTS ROW |
Od '09£ XO8X '£Sd • STITT
Saints Row:
The Third
The Saints Row franchise began as a Grand Theft Auto clone, but it's evolved into a gonzo, adult version of Looney Tunes thanks to this sequel. Whether you're beating a hot dog mascot to death with a giant purple phallus or distracting gang members with your own bottled farts, Saints Row: The Third is one
of the most absurd (and fun) open-world titles we've ever played. Tight controls, entertain- ing missions, and a surprisingly deep upgrade system make it as rewarding to play as it is to laugh at.
ARRIVAL
Mass Effect 2
The Reaper Invasion of the galaxy is imminent, and only Shepard stands in its way. Setting the stage for the events of the upcoming sequel, Arrival does something we wish more DLC could manage - create
a meaningful storyline that links together two major installments of a franchise while simultaneously feeling impactful all on its own.
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Minecraft
After a nearly year long beta, gamers are finally playing the official release of Mojang's digital sandbox and couldn't be happier. Don't let the addition of a final boss fool you; Minecraft isn't a game about winning. Instead, the main appeal stems from exploring your own unique world and making your mark on it however you choose. YouTube is inundated with videos of ingenious Minecraft creations, and with four million sales
under its belt, we're guess-
ing Mojang won't stop giving players new content to play with anytime soon.
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THE FESTIVAL OF BLOOD Infamous 2
The stand-alone expansion to. Infamous 2 throws continuity and morality out the window to present an over-the-top story of vampires and a desperate race to save Cole MacGrath’s soul. More importantly, Festival of Blood introduces a thrilling flight option for our hero, teasing some awesome potential in future installments of the series.
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BEST Shooter
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Skyward Sword is more than just a great Zelda game; it's a game that proves the worth of the Wii and motion controls in general. Every aspect of the gameplay, from sword-swinging to aiming a bow
to flying a bird, is a tied to simple, smart, precise movements that make excellent use of the Wii Motion Plus technology. Skyward Sword also boasts some of the best dungeons and boss battles in the franchise's history and an emotional origin story that ties it to previously released games in the series.
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Wii Exclusive
Considering that the Call of Duty series has deliv-
ered annual installments for nearly a decade, з you couldn’t be blamed for feeling wary about % Modern Warfare 3. Despite the worries of franchise fatigue, however, Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer’s Collaboration meets the high bar of quality that fans demand. With a re-worked and improved killstreak rewards system, a fast-paced and conclusive campaign, entertaining co-op modes, and some of the deepest multiplayer on the market, this shooter series still manages to impress after all
these years.
3 Infinity Blade II
Infinity Blade wowed owners of iOS devices with its stunning graphics, robust item selection, and rewarding swordfights. With this sequel, developer Chair ups the ante with more branching paths, a heavier emphasis on story, battle-specific XP chal- lenges, and an augment system similar
to Final Fantasy VII's materia. This mobile experience offers far deeper gameplay than the majority of titles on the App Store, a welcome sight to hardcore gamers.
8
Od 09 XOX $Sd * 81 1T
Star Wars: The Old Republic
It's only been out for a few weeks, but BioWare's return to the Star Wars universe already has us enthralled. With eight unique character classes to discover,
and whole planets to explore, The Old Republic offers plenty of content to enjoy. The games ability to draw us into the RPG elements of story and morality while main- taining the deep multiplayer options of an MMO is commendable. Do you follow the path to the light or the dark side? We plan to spend months answering the question.
General Raam.
base game online.
EL t pa) "ҚА м ESS NA. $ 4 522 E e BACK TO KARKAND. RAAM'S SHADOW. OLD WORLD BLUES LEGENDS SHOWCASE DOUBLING A SONG Battlefield 3 ; Gears of War 3 Fallout: New Vegas NBA 2K12 : CATALOG New Weapons and vehicles are Taking us back to the early days of New Vegas’ third major expansion When a sports title update lets you Dance Central great, but getting to see some of the Y against the Locust Horde, is a standout success, telling the drop hundreds of the best players Even while other action games steal our favorite classic Battlefield maps Raam's Shadow's chief surprise intriguing story of Big Mountain and іп league history into new game the limelight, the world's premiere recreated in the Frostbite 2 engine? comes through the playable the many secrets it hides. Delving modes, it’s time to re-lace your dance video game has continued That's Priceless. Four remastered characters on display. Not only do into pre-war records, we slowly sneakers and get back on the court. to quietly release new tracks. and ile alae multiplayer levels you control a new squad of COG unravel a tale of experimentation The Legends Showcase gives us the From James Brown to Rihanna, e hs a display, each vulnerable to troopers, you also get to indulge in gone wrong, and then set about to flexibility we want with the legends — Harmonix's intuitive sense for great, 3 е destruction you can mete out. brief bursts of unreal power as you put right what once went mutated. ofthe game, and finally lets us take — rhythmic dance tunes kept the beat i control the bloodthirsty monster the historic teams included with the thumping throughout the year.
feature 47
PUBLISHERS
1 Electronic Arts
Last Year: 1
For the second year іп a row, EA's deep stable of impressive titles earns it the top slot. From early year successes
like Fight Night Champion and Dead Space 2 to late year blockbusters like Battlefield 3, the publisher proved it's still a power player. Tack on the (mostly) impressive sports lineup, the MMO contender Star Wars: The Old Republic, and its aggressive approach to growth in the mobile and social spaces, and EA looks poised to continue its impressive run well into the decade.
DEVELOPERS
1 Rocksteady
This studio came out of nowhere in 2009 to deliver the greatest Batman game ever created. This year, the unassuming Brits proved it wasn't a fluke with a stunning sequel that built upon the greatness of the original and took the Dark Knight in exciting new directions. We can't wait to see what Rocksteady does next.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
1 Hacking and
Security Scandals
Online gaming has done many wonderful things for the industry. However, the reality is that the hacking and security breaches that plague other industries online are a real threat to gamers. After the scandalous PSN hacker attack, which forced Sony
to take the service down for nearly
a month, other services like Steam and Xbox Live were also subject to attacks. Sadly, this is a trend that will likely continue for as long as games remain online.
2 Sony Computer Entertainment
i Last Year: 5
: The PlayStation 3 may have ` treaded water as the third- - place console іп 2011, but its | . exclusive lineup was second * to none. Stellar titles like
: LittleBigPlanet 2, Infamous 2, `
Killzone 3, and Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception earned
- Strong scores throughout - the industry, proving that
Sony is a great cultivator of
- studio talent.
2 Mojang
The minds behind Minecraft stayed in the spotlight throughout the year as their unexpected blockbuster grew to the point that Notch finally gave the green light to move it out of beta and christen a 1.0 version.
Four million in sales? Not a bad start.
2 305 Launch Lineup
: Steel Diver, Pilotwings
Resort, Nintendogs + Cats — what the hell, Nintendo? You call that a launch lineup?
With Ocarina of Time, Super
- Mario 3D Land, and Mario
Kart 7, we finally have some good first-party software
:. for the 305, but it sure . would have been nice to
have one of those to play at the system’s pathetic
* launch - which was so bad
it forced Nintendo to do an
emergency price drop within: a few months.
; Interactive * Last Year: N/A
- nowhere to earn the third
. made the once badass .. seems like an aging frat guy
< athis old stomping grounds. ` Maybe some lost games are г better off staying lost.
3 Warner Bros
Like the Caped Crusader himself, Warner Bros. swooped down out of
spot in our publisher rankings. Batman: Arkham
-the charge, but the publisher | „also scored hardcore gamer -- points with the surprising
` downloadable title Bastion
. from Supergiant Games
and the ultraviolent Mortal
` Kombat revival.
N
ep
3 Nintendo
Nintendo has a remarkable track record of preserving the tried-and-true gameplay that made Mario and Zelda household names and tweaking the formulas in subtle ways to re-energize each series. This year, the developers mastered motion controls with Skyward Sword and gave Mario another dimension in Super Mario 3D Land.
3 Duke Nukem Forever
We thought Duke Nukem Forever would never be released. After playing the version of the game that Gearbox rescued from the dustbin of history, perhaps 2K had it right the first time. Duke’s aging gameplay and now-dated sense of humor
trying to pick up 20-year-olds |
. and poor storytelling. This | . was the rare Bioware title | . that felt rushed and -even | .. Worse — halfhearted.
4 Ubisoft
i Last Year: 7 : Ubisoft celebrated its
25th anniversary with yet — |
: another strong lineup.
: Critically acclaimed titles like _ Assassin's Creed Revelations : and Rayman Origins satiated
the hardcore gamers, and
- City, one of two games to `. the unstoppable force known . earn the coveted perfect 10 as Just Dance 3 racked `. rating from GI this year, led шр monster sales on the
casual front. A few under the
: radar releases — Driver: San _ Francisco, Outland, and From ` Dust also impressed.
4 Valve
Valve's reputation as a top- tier game developer couldn't be better. This year Portal 2 became the centerpiece
of discussion in message boards and podcasts across the world thanks to its ingenious comedic timing, strong writing, brilliant puzzles, and groundbreaking cooperative mode. You'd be hard pressed to find a more polished game this year.
4 Dragon Age II Even as we marveled at
` the advancements in the
Mass Effect series, longtime BioWare fans loved Dragon
` Age: Origins for sticking m close to the company's d ` turn-based, epic fantasy |
past. However, the rushed
. and misguided sequel felt ıı like aslap to that core + © audience, with its stripped
down, shallow button- mashing combat, small world, repetitive dungeons,
& Bethesda
Last year: N/A
This year marked another up and down year for Bethesda,
but the up was sky high. Тһе | : The Japanese publisher
expansive RPG The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim took over the world (and the GI offices), earning it the prestigious Game of the Year award. Meanwhile, id’s new title,
Rage, received mixed reviews |
in the office, and both Splash Damage’s Brink and Hunter: Demon’s Forge fell flat.
5 EA Canada (FIFA, NHL, Fight Night) Often unheralded due to its heavy output of yearly sports iterations, EA Canada had
a banner year in 2011. The Studio located just outside of Vancouver struck gold with FIFA 12, held the quality bar for its vastly underrated NHL series, and injected new life into boxing games with Fight Night Champion’s narrative-driven single player campaign.
5 Online Passes Becoming the Norm Faced with ballooning budgets and sagging sales, game publishers took aim. at the lucrative used game business - and consumers got caught in the crossfire, Companies used “online passes” to discourage the - circulation of second-hand Games. While this clearly _ punishes gamers strapped ` for cash, it also means the us have one more |
5 Nintendo
Last Year: 3
Nintendo succeeds by giving fans what they want — more Zelda, Mario, and Mario Kart.
delivered wonderfully on all three fronts, and its two Kirby games also found willing audiences. Then why is the company ranked this low, you ask? It blew the 3DS launch lineup.
6 Bethesda Studios You can knock Bethesda Studios for the litany of game-breaking bugs and lack of polish on its titles, but you can't help but marvel at its overall achievement. With Skyrim, the studio delivered a living, breathing world as large and full of surprises as any title ever released. No game created more water cooler moments for the GI Staff this year.
5 Wii U Unveiling ` After you unveil a new console at E3, if some gamers have questions about whether it is a new system or just a new controller for
: your old console, you've got
problems. That happened when Nintendo revealed its new touchscreen controlled
ıı WiiU, Couple that with the ` fact that Nintendo did not „ show any new Wii U games
mostly ports of current- -gen г. blockbusters, and you have а. . . major misstep on the part ( of : the Japanese giant. +
7 Activision
: Last Year: 2
This publishing powerhouse is still fueled by the biggest games on the planet — World of Warcraft and Call of Duty. Outside of these perennial performers,
.. however, the company
-. struggled to match its
- previous output. Skylanders: -. Spyro's Adventure became
: a must-have game for
kids over the holidays, but Activision seriously damaged its Spider-Man series by forcing an overly
: aggressive development
cycle on Beenox.
7 CD Projekt Red
Many games advertise player choices as a critical element that determines the plot's direction, but due to the heavy workload that creating two distinct and divergent game paths demands, many developers cut corners. Not CD Projekt Red, who said "screw it, let's get crazy," when making the epic The Witcher 2. We thank them for their ambition and execution.
7 Capcom Screws Mega Man Fans Capcom engaged its.
rabid fan community in
the development of the
long hoped-for Mega Man Legends 3. The MML 3 "Development Room" online community encouraged fans
7 10 submit ideas and concepts 7 for the upcoming game. That
was great, until Capcom
_ unceremoniously cancelled . the project. To rub salt on B . the wound, its European
Twitter account then had the gall to accuse fans of not
7 Microsoft
Last Year: 6
Like Activision, Microsoft's dwindling game catalog needs a serious injection
of new titles, but the few it released in 2011 fared well. Gears of War 3 provided fans with the epic conclusion they craved, and Forza 4 won over gearheads with its vast car collection and solid
- online infrastructure.
8 Epic Games
(Gears, Bulletstorm, Infinity Blade)
The Epic Games family, which includes the original North Carolinian team, Poland-based People Can Fly, and Utah-based Chair Entertainment, delivered on all fronts. Gears of War 3 lived up to expectations, Bulletstorm injected energetic new gameplay mechanics to the first-person shooter experience, and Infinity Blade ІІ pushed the boundaries of mobile and tablet games.
3 NBA 2K12 Online Disaster
*- МВА 2К12 built on the _ foundation of its predecessor,
crafting amazing gameplay, the NBA's Greatest mode, and a great single-player experience. However,
the effort to replace the Dreamcast-era online code Couldn't have gone worse. Broken matchmaking plagued gamers, and the “My Crew” mode was missing altogether: Even the online Association и mode was marred by |
` inflexible rules regarding . Season progression. |
9 Take-Two
Last Year: 4
It was a much slower
year than the past few for Take-Two, with only two high-profile releases. L.A. Noire matched consumer and critical expectations, but
. the long-anticipated release
of Duke Nukem Forever proved some lost projects should stay in development purgatory. NBA 2K12 reviewed well, but the post- release online performance
disappointed many and the
NBA lockout didn't help the game generate enthusiasm.
9 From Software Thanks to 20095 Demon's Souls and this year’s Dark Souls, the studio once known for creating the Armored Core series now has anew reputation as the most sadistic developers on the planet. From Software loves to challenge its players with ridiculously tough enemies and unforgiving environmental hazards that demand you pay attention. It's a bold direction, but for this studio being harsh has paid off immensely.
9 Call of Duty Launch Activision’s Call of Duty
Elite service offers a ton of community, stat-tracking, and clan features for hardcore players. As a result, subscriptions to the service sold briskly — perhaps too briskly, The demand for
Elite throttled Activision’s servers, meaning Elite was largely offline or inaccessible 10 gamers when Modern Warfare 3 launched. To make
it up to angry fans, Activision i
extended the period of time
* that you could register for-
“Founder” status.
10 THQ
Last Year; N/A
THQ makes its first appearance on the publisher list in years thanks to the hilarious antics of Saints Row: The Third. Another under the radar game,
` Warhammer 40,0000: Space
Marine, also reviewed well. Though its new shooter franchise Homefront didn't
. meet expectations, it sold
well and the unique setting gave the game enough juice to justify a sequel. That’s a win for a publisher looking to
` grow its catalog.
10 Volition
While Rockstar has increasingly implemented more serious narrative
plot devices for its open world games, Volition has run giddily in the opposite direction, mooning us and giving us the finger along the way. By shunning sophistication and embracing the juvenile instinct to create the most absurd open world action game on the planet, the studio created its finest work with Saints Row:
The Third.
19 Elder Scrolls Bugs We love The Elder Scrolls V. It's our Game of the Year for a reason. You know what we don't love? Having to keep 100 different save files because we spend our time in Skyrim in constant fear of random, quest-breaking bugs. From skeleton dragons flying backwards to giants. sending guards hurtling into orbit, we've seen it all, when it comes to bugs in this game. While patches have helped, your time in Skyrim may always be a buggy experience, and that’s
: ashame.
feature 49
Reader & Editor Picks
Game Informer has made its claim to the best
games of the year, but what do our readers think? à жө À j Visitors of GameInformer.com were polled about Reader & Editor Pick 4 422 N ) their favorite games, and the results have been G A ME tallied here. See how your votes compare OF THE ж
with ours for the best games of 2012.
R = Reader
E
= Editor
Best Role-Playing The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Best Reissue Best PC
Exclusive f
Tactics Ogre
Rayman The Witcher 2: Origins Assassins of Kings The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
Minecraft
Best PS3 Exclusive
LittleBigPlanet 2
Best Strategy Total War: Shogun 2
Mass Effect 2: Arrival Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Best Mobile Best Rhythm/Music Best Racing Infinity Blade II Dance Central 2 Forza Motorsport 4
/
Best Sports Best Fighting FIFA 12 Mortal Kombat
/7
Best Action Batman: Arkham City
Best Handheld Exclusive Super Mario 3D Land NE s w
Best 41 c "m - à L Best Puzzle Em l| Best Xbox 360 Exclusive Portal 2 Gears of War 5
у =
Mir Tt
Best Downloadable
Minecraft
Best Wii Exclusive The Legend
la á " d of Zelda: f 3% ( Skyward \ Sword
feature 51
ror
ts
1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2 Portal 2 3 Batman: Arkham City
4 The Ico & Shadow of the Colussus Collection
5 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
6 Infamous 2
7 Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
8 Dead Space 2
9 Star Wars: The Old Republic 10 Assassin’s Creed Revelations
DITOR PICKS
А
5
1 Batman: Arkham City 2 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 3 Portal 2
4 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
5 Star Wars: The Old Republic
6 The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings 7 Dead Space 2
8 Dark Souls
9 Saints Row: The Third
10 Dead Island
1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2 The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings 3 Portal 2 4 Star Wars: The Old Republic 5 Total War: Shogun 2 6 Rift 7 Tropico 4 8 Minecraft 9 The Binding of Isaac 10 Dungeons of Dredmor
1 Portal 2
2 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
3 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
4 Batman: Arkham City
5 LA. Noire
6 Bulletstorm
7 Fight Night Champion
8 Bastion
9 Tales from Space: About a Blob 10 Pinball FX 2
1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2 Portal 2
3 The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection
4 Radiant Historia 5 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception 6 Saints Row: The Third 7 Dead Space 2 8 Batman: Arkham City 9 LittleBigPlanet 2 10 Assassin's Creed Revelations
1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
2 LA. Noire
3 Forza Motorsport 4
4 Portal 2
5 Fight Night Champion
6 Assassin's Creed Revelations
7 Pro Evolution Soccer 2012
8 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
9 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters
10 FIFA 12
1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2 Batman: Arkham City
3 Star Wars: The Old Republic 4 Portal 2
5 Bastion
6 The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
7 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception 8 Dead Space 2 8 Assassin's Creed Revelations 10 Rayman Origins
1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2 Batman: Arkham City 3 Dead Island 4 Portal 2 5 Infamous 2 6 Dark Souls 7 LittleBigPlanet 2 8 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception 9 Battlefield 3 10 Pinball FX 2
1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2. Portal 2 3 Battlefield 3 4 Batman: Arkham City 5 LA. Noire 6 FIFA 12 7 Crysis 2 8 Rayman Origins 9 NBA 2K12 10 Deus Ex: Human Revolution
1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2 Portal 2
3 Batman: Arkham City
3 Dead Space 2
4 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
5 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
6 Super Mario 3D Land
7 Assassin's Creed Revelations
8 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 10 L.A. Noire
1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2 Portal 2 3 Batman: Arkham City
4 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
5 Dead Space 2 6 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 7 Star Wars: The Old Republic 8 Super Mario 3D Land 9 Dead Island 10 Infamous 2
1 Batman: Arkham City 2 Portal 2
3 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
4 Super Mario 3D Land
5 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
6 Dead Space 2 7 Hard Corps: Uprising 8 Assassin's Creed Revelations 9 L.A. Noire 10 Rage
1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2 Portal 2
3 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
4 Saints Row: The Third
5 Mortal Kombat
6 Batman: Arkham City
7 Dead Space 2
8 Battlefield 3
9 Super Mario 3D Land 10 Rayman Origins
1 Batman: Arkham City
2 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
3 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
4 Portal 2
5 Pinball FX 2
6 Assassin's Creed Revelations 7 Saints Row: The Third
8 Dead Rising 2: Off the Record
9 LEGO Star Wars IIl: The Clone Wars
10 Tiny Tower
1 Dark Souls
2 Jetpack Joyride
3 Batman: Arkham City
4 Deus Ex: Human Revolution 5 Rayman Origins
6 Portal 2
7 Shadows of the Damned
8 Bastion
9 Resident Evil 4 HD
10 Superbrothers: Sword & Sorcery EP
1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
2 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
3 Bastion
4 Portal 2
5 Batman: Arkham City
6 Rayman Origins
7 Shadows of the Damned
8 El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
9 Dark Souls 10 To the Moon
1 Portal 2 1 Portal 2 1 Batman: Arkham City 2 Rayman Origins 2 The Legend of Zelda: 2 The Elder Scolls V: Skyrim 3 Minecraft Skyward Sword 3 Saints Row: The Third 4 Batman: Arkham City. 5 Dead Space 2 4 Shadows of the Damned 5 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 4 Batman: Arkham City 5 The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings 6 The Legend of Zelda: 5 Infamous 2 6 Portal 2 Skyward Sword 6 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 7 Infamous 2 7 Jetpack Joyride 7 Shadows of the Damned 8 Dark Souls 8 LittleBigPlanet 2 8 Ms. Splosion Man 9 Bastion
9 Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective 10 Super Mario 3D Land
8 Super Mario 3D Land 10 Rochard
10 Gods Eater Burst
feature 53
BEB
If you work in the industry and would like to share your opinion, contact senior editor Matt Helgeson at matt@gameinformer.com
A Developers Fan Boys Take on 3D Gaming
I know what you are thinking. You have seen Avatar in 3D, you have played with the Nintendo 3DS for a bit, and you have probably even tested one or two 3DTVs or PC monitors at your local big box retailer.
“It’s nice, but I don't really need that.”
So why do I believe that 3D is here to stay?
From the beginning, game developers have constantly tried to make their game worlds more believable. Some of you may remember the first time you
by Adrian Chmielarz Creative Director, People Can Fly
saw a polygonal character cast a shadow. Mind-blowing. Non-gamers were not particularly impressed; they just waved their hands in front of you, demonstrat- ing that casting a shadow is an obviously familiar experience. But for the rest of us, that pixelated digital shadow was a moment of illumination, a telling sign
climbed the highest mountain, and screamed from the top of my lungs that my third eye had just opened and now
I understand the meaning of life. And by that | mean | sat in front of my com- puter and sent a message across all the social networks | use saying, “І have just seen the future of gaming.”
These 10 minutes with God of War were magical in a way that is so incred- ibly rare these days. They allowed me to be a child again, a happy little boy who just hid inside a wardrobe and found himself in a different world. If you think | am exaggerating, then you prob- ably haven't experienced true 3D yet.
Most modern games are developed, without a doubt, in 3D. But they are
that “virtual reality” was right around the corner. And it is. It is called 3D gaming.
I remember the moment when | became a believer. A friend at People Can Fly kept yapping about his new 3DTV, the 3D Blu-rays he had seen, the 3D games һе had played. | wasn't convinced. Just like you, I’ve seen Avatar, and it was great but not necessarily something that made me rush to the nearest store to buy a 3DTV.
| eventually caved because my current TV was getting old. With the prices of big screen TVs going down | decided “size does matter” and bought a new 60-inch LED. The 3D feature was merely a bonus.
Along with the new TV | bought my first 3D Blu-ray movie, Resident Evil: Afterlife. The first 3D video | watched, however, was a sampling of a documentary about underwater life. It lasted for about 10 seconds, and | watched it about 20 times, excited and giggling like a little boy who had just fired up his first game console. The realism of the scene was breathtaking. My TV was no longer a TV, but an aquarium full of scary snake-like creatures.
Resident Evil didn’t disappoint, either. The 3D effects were pretty stan- dard, but it still knocked me off my feet. Images in 3D look sharper and more detailed than in 2D; | don’t exactly understand why, but they just do. TVs are also brighter than cinema projectors, so even when wearing 3D glasses (which always make everything a bit darker) | had a better picture quality than if | saw the same movie in the cinema. Milla Jovovich has never looked prettier.
Then | played my first 3D game - the God of War: Origins Collection. After playing Chains of Olympus for 10 minutes | paused the game,
built by people using 2D monitors and played by people looking at conven- tional TVs. Current 3D-on-2D gam- ing feels like listening to a stereo CD album through your kitchen radio’s single speaker.
Without going into brain-twisting technical details, 30 frames per sec- ond (30 different images displayed in a second) is the acceptable mini- mum for video games. If the framerate goes any lower, the game feels choppy and laggy, like that YouTube video you have problems streaming.
3D displays two separate images at the same time, one for your left eye and one for your right eye. Look at something with one of your eyes closed, then do the same with the other eye, and you will notice that the object moves.
If a game has only enough power to produce 30 images per second, then what happens if it has to produce twice as many images for the 3D effect? The framerate drops to 15 frames per second, which we have already established is not acceptable because then the game becomes choppy.
The HD remake of God of War: Chains of Olympus does not suffer from this problem, because it’s a game ported from a weaker console (PSP) to a way more powerful console (PS3). All that extra power has been utilized not only to lock the game in glorious 60 frames per second, but also to incorporate anti-aliasing (the smoothing of edges of 3D objects) as well.
The end result is that | enjoyed smooth, pleasant visuals that were made for and tested in 3D. My TV was no longer an animated painting; it became a window to another world.
If game developers are serious about 3D – and they'd better be, or else - they have to work in 3D. When they do, the results can be spectacular.
1 know you will try to resist 3D for as long as you can. There will be tons of excuses. “I have to wear glasses to watch anything or play? No way," you'll say, as if you need to multitask when you lay on the couch playing the Latest Big Game. “I tried it once and my head hurt,” which makes as much sense as trying the cheapest wine and saying that all wine sucks. Or maybe you'll be like my wife, whom | handed the 3D glasses with my shaking hands, all boiling inside, certain that | am about to open a new world to her. "Nice," she said, and then left the room to call a friend and play more CityVille.
It doesn't matter, because you have already lost that war. Try buying a new big screen TV that is not 3D - good luck with that. Peter Jackson is filming The Hobbit in 3D, and that's kind of going to be big. Most triple-A games already support 3D, and nowadays even indie games have 3D settings in their menus. Played Trine 2 already? See it in 3D and weep, my friend, let those tears stream down your face. It's okay. No one here is judging.
30 is here to stay. Don't fight it. Love it. It already loves you. MM MM The views and opinions expressed on this page are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Game Informer or its staff.
A Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning | " d 5
07 New Releases » Balloon Pop 2 (3DS) » Binary Domain (PS3, 360) » Combat Wings: The Great Battles of WWII (PS3, 360, Wii) » The Darkness Il (PS3, 360, PC) » Devil May Cry HD Collection (253, 360) > Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition (PS3, 360, PC) » Inversion (PS3, 360) » Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (PS3, 360, PC) » Resident Evil: Revelations (305) » Tales of Graces f (PS3)
08 DICE Kicks Off
The video game industry's best and brightest gather in Las Vegas to brainstorm new ideas, celebrate Epic Games' Tim Sweeney with a lifetime achieve- ment award, and reward last year's top games at the Interactive Achievement Awards.
10 Reliving the Pain
Remember how disappointed you were when you
left the theater after seeing Star Wars: The Phantom Menace? Now, you can be let down all over again, except this time you'll also walk out with a headache thanks to the added 3D effects. This is what you deserve for encouraging George Lucas to keep doing these re-releases.
14 New Releases » Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom (PSP) » Mario & Sonic: London Olympic Games (3DS, DS) » Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 (DS) » SSX (PS3, 360) > Tales of the Abyss (305) » Test Drive: Ferrari Legends (PS3, 360) Twisted Metal (PS3) » UFC Undisputed 3 (PS3, 360)
15 The Future of New 52
If you've been reading DC Comics’ amazing New 52 comic books, you're in for a treat today. Most of the introductory story arcs conclude today. The events unfolding in Justice League #6 will impact its charac- ters for years to come. We may also learn a thing or two about that mysterious woman who was hidden
in each #1 book.
15 A Great Time to
Jump Aboard the Spider-Train Today marks another re-launch for The Amazing Spider-Man. Marvel Comics is billing this new #1 as a great jumping on point for newcomers. This issue marks the return of Morbius the Living Vampire.
PlayStation
17 The Nic Cage Streak Continues People say we make fun of Nicolas Cage far too often in this Timeline section. We're sorry, but we can't
help ourselves. Movies like today's Nic Cage vehicle Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance invite mockery. How on Earth did this sequel get made? The original was
terrible. Didn't the producers see it? Oh. Of course not.
No one did.
19 A Curtain Call
for Kenny Powers
The third and final season of Eastbound & Down kicks off tonight on HBO. Will profane fireballer Kenny Powers return to the major leagues or will he find spectacular new ways to fail? We can't wait to see how this series concludes.
21 New Releases » Asura's Wrath (PS3, 360) » FIFA Soccer (Vita) » Heavy Fire: Afghanistan (360) Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational (Vita) » Little Deviants (Vita) The Lord of the Rings Online: Mithril Edition (PC) » ModNation Racers: Road Trip (Vita) » Outdoors Unlimited (253, 360, Wii)
» Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 (3D5)
» Reality Fighters (Vita)
» Resistance: Burning Skies (Vita)
> Syndicate (253, 360, PC)
» Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 (Vita) » Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Vita)
» Wipeout 2048 (Vita)
22 Behold! A Handheld
with Two Analog Sticks!
Sony's next generation of handheld gaming kicks off today with the launch of PlayStation Vita. It's the most technologically sophisticated handheld ever released, featuring a host of control mechanics including two analog sticks, a front touchscreen, and a back touchpanel. With a solid launch lineup and amazing PS3 connectivity, can the Vita be the handheld that finally takes control of the market from Nintendo?
28 New Releases
» Birds of Steel (PS3, 360)
» Blades of Time (PS3, 360)
» Damage Inc: Pacific Squadron WWII (360)
» Tekken 3D Prime (3DS)
» What's Your Type? (DS)
connect 55
An unknown alien menace is wreaking havoc, abduct- ing people in broad daylight according to a plan only an extraterrestrial intelligence could hope to understand. Mankind’s desperate governments have pooled their resources, creating an autonomous secret agency with no rules or restrictions except a mandate to do what they
cannot: Fight back.
НСО
WM QOO U R O O OA O LRR
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ENEMY UNKNOWN
ЖЖЖ » Platform » Style » Publisher » Developer » Release by ADAM BIESSENER
PlayStation 3 1-Player Strategy 2K Games Firaxis Games Fall Xbox 360 - PC
cover story 57
As the faceless commander of the extra-governmental XCOM organization, the player is in charge of every shot fired, every alien dissected, and every satellite launched in Earth’s defense. XCOM's secret underground base is expanded, research and development are directed, and soldiers dispatched on the pausable real-time global strategy layer. Once the enemy is encountered on the ground, the threat must be eliminated through tactical turn-based combat that demands intelligent use of cover, special abilities, fantastic technology, and destruc- tible environments to minimize the inevitable casualties. XCOM continually cycles between these two modes, making players responsible for both putting the boots on the ground and making good use of them when they land. The alien threat is growing over time, and humanity’s best and brightest have an impossible task just Keeping up.
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2K Marin (BioShock 2) is working on a previously announced prequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown. That character-driven shooter has been delayed until 2013, however, leav- ing this Firaxis game
to relaunch the classic franchise alone later this year. 2K Marin’s game shares little with the 1994 Microprose original that fans wax poetic about, trading the global strate- gic view and squad-based tactical combat for ground level, story-driven, first- person shooting action. Firaxis’ game, on the other hand, is a strategy title through and through that aims to recreate the experience of the award- winning original without being beholden to design philosophies from 1994.
The original X-COM came as close as any game ever does to sweeping its Game of the Year awards back in 1994, winning effusive critical praise and a fanatical following with its player-driven global strategy and deep turn- based tactical battles. The series has never taken the next step since its brilliant debut, however, with publisher/developer Microprose pumping out several sequels (of which series creator Julian Gollop worked on only one; see our Classic Gl feature from issue 224) that never reached the same level. Microprose went under years ago after failing to capitalize on its strong X-COM, Civilization, and Falcon franchises, and until now no publisher has stepped in to resur- rect Gollop's beloved vision.
Today, we finally have a publisher and a developer fully committed to doing right by one of gaming's most revered licenses. 2K Games is throwing its weight behind the project, and legendary strategy development studio Firaxis Games is at the helm. Civilization creator, Firaxis founder, and overall gaming luminary Sid Meier has shaped a game development culture in his own gameplay-first image at Firaxis, and the stu- dio's resume is second to none when it comes to strategy games.
The team at Firaxis is led by X-COM super- fan, longtime Sid Meier lieutenant, and XCOM lead designer Jake Solomon. "The original, in my opinion, is the perfect game - but there's а perfect-er," Solomon laughs. These hardcore XCOM devotees are ensuring that every deci- sion the player makes has meaningful rewards and consequences. Those choices are explicit in the strategy layer: Investigate this UFO land- ing or that one, research xenobiology or alien weapon tech, help China or France. The player can't save everyone, build every weapon, or stop every attack. Crush an alien raiding party, though, and XCOM's scientists can examine
ever-better arms, armor, and base facilities.
THE SATELLITE’S EYE VIEW A typical early game situation might look like is: XCOM's patchwork satellite detection net has a UFO on radar over the U.S.A. and another over southern Europe. The European bogey is a fast-moving, high-altitude craft that XCOM's primitive Earth-tech jets are unlikely to catch. The American UFO, however, is a prime target for interdiction and so XCOM scrambles its fighter jets to intercept (which will play out as a minigame if they catch the UFO). Meanwhile abductions have been reported in Kai and The player decides to send his ort to bring a squad of soldiers to the Kansas contact and leaves the African situation alone, hoping that country's populace won't panic too badly. The player must also keep a
has sent a message asking for a set of the
la rifles XCOM has recently developed in exchange for a half-dozen of its best engine African morale is down the tubes, as UFO: have been landing with impunity since XCOM incomplete satellite coverage leaves large sec tions of the continent dark. In a rare stroke of luck, few UFOs have targeted the Australian mainland, so that source of funding is secure
MISSIONS
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despite no effort on the г rt. As the Skyranger depa look at XCOM base. Res
COIT hop: defenses, so the scien analyze an artifact brought back from a previ- ous mission. Japan's request for r rifles looks likely to go unfulfilled in the near term, as XCOM's workshops are better utilized fabricat- ing a robotic SHIV (see sidebar page 60) for now. The barracks are home to a couple of sol- diers recovering from wounds sustained on their last mission, and it'll be two weeks or so before they're ready for duty again. XCOM's top-rated sniper just made Sergeant rank, though, and the officer training school is hard at work turning h into a useful battlefield doctrine with a global bonus that might be something like making all soldiers less likely to panic when an enemy is killed.
Even in this tiny snapshot of an XCOM game
veral deci-
in future engineering capacity in trade for a pow- erful robotic ally in combat. Picking a research direction has obvious consequences. Dumping the significant resources required for the morale
ra ns that they can't be used expand- ing the base, accelerating research or develop- ment, or any of their other myriad uses.
UPCOMING EVENTS
you bring back
//: CASE # 15864 //: SUBJECT: SECTOID I
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SIGNIFICANT DETAILS: The Sectoids are the first known species to make contact with Earth. While no Earth government has officially acknowledged their existence, over the years a number of public sightings have shaped the urban legends surrounding these “Grays.” Sectoids tend to run in packs, and can be identified by their high-pitched, almost insect-like speech patterns. This species has an emaci- ated frame and stands only a few feet tall. However, what these creatures lack in phys- ical stature they make up for in mental fortitude.
FIELD STRATEGIES: Lab dissections have revealed an advanced neural net running through- out the Sectoid’s cortex and spinal column. These neural fibers allow the Sectoids
to establish a psionic link with one another - a kind of mind merge where one Sectoid can boost the combat effec- tiveness of his ally. It is believed that flanking these units and terminating the Sectoid initiating such a link will result in the total necrosis of both creatures. Early field tests have proven this theory sound.
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BOOTS ON THE GROUND
Continuing our example, the Skyranger has landed at the UFO site in Kansas. The game loads into tactical combat mode, putting the
trial invasions do.
As with everything in XCOM, the randomness cuts both ways. Maybe that expensive satellite launched to cover Europe has seen very little while India gets hammered and unprotected XCOM squad on the ground on one of the Australia lucks out with few UFO incursions. many handcrafted maps. “You could never, in Ignoring psionic defenses in favor of better armor two playthroughs, see the same map [twice],” could pay amazing dividends or be a disaster, Solomon declares. XCOM's soldiers are strong, depending on the nature of the threats that proud, and equipped with the very best arma- come down the pipe. The player has total con- ment that humanity has at its disposal. But right trol over what XCOM does, but nonetheless has now, they're four lonely meatbags whose mortal to play the hand they're dealt by fate. Reacting eyesight does not extend nearly as far as they'd
SS Еа NAVIGATING THE SWIRLING CHAOS —— Much of XCOM is procedurally generated, just like in the original. Every playthrough SUPER HERUS presents different challenges, new prob- INFANTRY lems, and unique missions. Where UFOs VEHICLES appear, what enemies are encountered, the missions national governments give The Super Heavy Infantry XCOM, and more are heavily randomized. Vehicles (SHIV) are great examples of how players
The player's actions still matter as they can shape their personal
determine the state the world and XCOM are in, which in turn affects what kind of
XCOM organization to
their taste. Each SHIV can
random events occur. be outfitted with what- ever weaponry XCOM has the capability to create, and so every one will be unique. Several different chassis types become available throughout the course of the game, but the only one Firaxis went into detail on is sweet: a heavily armed mobile cover platform that serves as a powerful rock on which to anchor any tactical advance.
Deploying a SHIV is a massive undertaking, requiring significant research into chassis design followed by a Herculean fabrication task that eats through resources. Once the SHIV is ready for combat, though, it’s on. These powerful robotic combat- ants take the place of
a squad member, never gain experience, and
are permanently lost when destroyed. Their massive damage absorp- tion capabilities and heavy firepower more than make up for those disadvantages, though.
The previous example, for instance, has North America and Europe relatively well defended while the rest of the world manages on its own. The player has heavily invested in developing XCOM's long-term capabilities through the SHIV and the officer training school, which comes at a cost of immedi- ate alien-repelling strength. While the UFO landings don't take much of this into account - the aliens have their own plans, which vary from game to game - the Earth reacts to XCOM. The Japanese laser rifle request, for example, shows up because Japan feels threat- ened and XCOM has already developed the weapon.
Sixteen member nations from across Six continents make up the Funding Council, and interacting with them is a central activity on the strategic layer. Each country has a panic level, which is primarily influenced by how good of a job XCOM is doing protecting them from alien incursions. Should a population's morale reach a critically low point, that nation (and its money) will permanently withdraw from the Funding Council. Each continent has an associated bonus, which is earned by having complete sat- ellite coverage of it. Africa, for instance, consists of cash-poor nations that contribute a smaller amount to XCOM's overall funding — but the continental bonus is a motherlode of raw resources that can provide XCOM's engineers with everything they need to keep the orga- nization's armories stocked. Deciding which missions to take on, which areas of the globe to protect, and which UFOs to oppose determines the course of the game as much or more than extraterres-
to what the aliens throw at the tenuous human defenses is a major part of the game.
like into the night.
XCOM's 3D fog of war shrouds the majority
OCEDURRL RYTELLING
The vast majority of XCOM’s content comes in the form of procedurally generated missions and encounters, meaning that every playthrough unfolds differently. However, all players will see a series of “tent- pole” scenarios that take place
at certain points in the narrative. These come in several forms, from in-engine cinematics showing the growing alien threat through the lens of human newscasts to set- piece tactical battles. Firaxis hopes to use these moments to create some semblance of overarching narrative despite the strategic layer being completely player-driven. The idea of pre-fabricated missions with set maps and enemy placements seems like a poor fit for XCOM’s core concept, but Firaxis insists that its tactical Al as well as the unique capabilities and squad compositions each player will bring to them will maintain the game’s integrity.
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of the map in darkness, any portion of which could house an alien threat thanks to random- ized enemy spawns. The Skyranger has landed near a shuttered gas station, and the soldiers fan out to canvas the area around the gas pumps for threats. The two factions alternate turns, with each unit receiving a move and an action (or a double-move) each round. As the point woman takes her second move, the action pauses for
a quick cinematic cut showing gray humanoid aliens digging into the entrails of a sprawled corpse. The three extraterrestrials scuttle into cover, and the battle begins in earnest.
Tactical combat has a single goal: eliminate the enemy with creative use of weapon attacks, limited-use items, and special abilities. The heavy weapons specialist opens fire with his
suppression ability, pinning one of the aliens behind a parked car. The sniper uses a special grappling hook ability to jump up onto the roof over the gas pumps, while the point woman in the assault role chucks a grenade at the pinned alien and the support soldier takes an advance position behind heavy cover (denoted by clear ns displayed over the terrain).
The humans having moved, the aliens get their turn. The pinned Sectoid (see sidebar page 59) has to skip its turn due to the heavy's suppres-
Healing is available to anyone through m only the support class can make truly gam
n. The farthest alien uses a paranormal mind meld ability to boost the capabilities of the third, who wounds the XCOM support soldier with a well-placed shot. At the end of the alien turn the XCOM grenade explodes, taking out the pinned Sectoid and badly damaging the car it was hiding behind.
Flanking the final two aliens is a simple task for the elite XCOM forces, and the other two Sectoids are easily dispatched since they are denied the significant benefits that cover pro- vides. The combat isn't over yet, though, so the humans regroup and move on the gas sta- tion. As the support soldier opens a door into a second interior room, the action again cuts away to a brief thre ond cinematic. The brutish,
armored Mutons are the next threat on the menu.
Mutons (see sidebar) are disciplined shock
troops who fear nothing and use their consider- able bulk and impressive armament to beat XCOM at its own squad tactics game. In this particular case, the first Muton immediately opens fire on the hapless human who foolishly ended his turn in full view of the aliens. The camera cuts to a cinematic view of the sup- port soldier being obliterated by unnatural alien weaponry, his blood painting a macabre mural on the ground behind his lifeless body.
k items, but anging use of it
//: CASE # 25658 //: SUBJECT: MUTON
SIGNIFICANT DETAILS: Mutons are
a tribal warrior race dis- tinguishable by their pink skin and brutish green armor. Mutons move across the bat- tlefield like apes, but
hit like Mack trucks. Coordinated, clever, and pre- pared for the worst, Mutons are essentially an interga-
lactic Special Forces un
FIELD STRATEGIES: Soldiers who have survived Muton enga ments e commented on aliens' knack for advanced strategy. Mutons oft com- municate with one another during fi ghts, initi- ating coordinated suppres- sion and fla maneuvers. Rookies should be aware that Mutons often a
to strike terror into t minds of their foes by ibly shrugging off ot crippling wounds. Support troops will sometimes howl in what has been terrm "Blood Call," a scr battle cry that exc rounding Mutons into a kind of animalistic fury. Soldiers Should not engage Mutons in hand-to-hand combat.
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62
XCOM's valiant support soldier isn't unc scious, or knocked out, or otherwise inca- pacitated. He was hit square in the chest by
a plasma rifle. He's dead. Furthermore, since he bought it courtesy of a particularly destruc- tive weapon, his equipment is so badly dam- aged that it can’t be salvaged. Later, at XCOM base, the player will have to replace him with a green rookie and whatever weapons and other items the XCOM engineers have been able
to fabricate.
Shocks like having a squadmate killed in battle are rough on the psyche of any soldier, and can lead to di S s in the survivors. Like in the original, a panicked soldier could leap out of cover and open fire in a berserk rage, flee away from the enemy, throw a grenade with shaky
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player's control. "Panic is one of those things | just couldn't part with," Solomon explains. "It
ates those fantastic moments in combat. When those guys panic and they're cowering in the corner, and they just happen to take a lucky shot and blow away the last alien, those are the moments you keep with you."
Panic isn’t intended to be an insurmountable punishment for the player, though. "We've tried to make it the sort of thing that won't cata- strophically end combat for you, but it is the sort of thing that you have to manage,” Solomon says. Dealing with the wrenches that panicked soldiers throw into previous plans is a big part of surviving XCOM's lethal battles, but in this case the player gets lucky and all of the soldiers on
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Though the player has seen the two deadly Mutons holed up in the gas station's garage, losing the unfortunate support soldier means that they are invisible thanks to the constant fog of war limitation. The sniper maintains over- watch, saving his action to immediately fire on any enemy who enters his line of sight. Heavy weapons guy moves up, taking a covered posi- tion behind a van that gives him open lines of fire on both exterior garage doors. XCOM's assault soldier climbs on top of the gas station itself, hoping to use an unexplained hole in the garage's roof to gain an unexpected firing solu- tion on the Mutons inside.
Having been engaged in combat, however, the Mutons' tactical Al leads them to advance forward to annihilate the threat instead of pas- sively waiting to be flanked and destroyed Though they're not aware of XCOM's position- ing – the only soldier they've seen got wasted before the Mutons moved - they know they're better off making a tactical assault than staying put. One maintains a defensive posture while the second bursts through the garage door.
The heavy lying in wait opens fire as a reac- lion to an enemy entering his line of fire, but t
доп formidable armor prevents th of the damage. The alien discharge: of its own, breaking the heavy's suppression and wounding the XCOM sol behind cover to ke here they belong.
The Mutons are large, impressive, and dan-
gerous – but they're still made of flesh under ault soldier uses her Run and Gun ability to double-move to the roof e behind the advancing Muton and tears it to the back of its launcher, in the gar:
XCOM obviously has deep PC roots and a hardcore fanbase with strong feelings about strategy franchises moving to consoles. It’s natural for them to worry about a game like XCOM being dumbed down during the transition from keyboard to gamepad. Everything that Firaxis has shown so far indicates that any “dumbing down” is limited solely to removing over-designed rules. For example, the original’s Time Units (which governed how many actions and moves a unit could take per turn) have been removed for a simple move action (or double-move) turn for each unit. The idea is to let players still make the same decisions - move here, shoot that — without having to precisely calculate steps taken and type of shots fired in order to optimize that final five percent of combat efficiency.
And fear not, PC players - Firaxis is planning to take advantage of the platform's unique capabilities to provide an enhanced interface. Lead designer Jake Solomon uses Dragon Age: Origins as an example of what he wants to happen with XCOM. He suggested a zoomed-out full-map view of the tactical map as the kind of feature that PC players can expect that might not make it into the console versions.
Finally, if you're an XCOM devotee from the old days, take comfort in the fact that the hardest difficulty is simply called Classic mode.
ing open space to t r underground
//: CASE # 98267 VAS CT: CUJBERDISC
hiding the second Muton. That alien's overwatch Stance does him no good as the XCOM sniper uses his superior range to take a full-turn preci- Sion shot to its head, ending this alien threat
for good.
The XCOM forces could have made better use of destructible environments, suppressive fire, overwatch, and all of the other tactical options available to the player – but all in all, this could have turned out much worse.
BACK TO BASE Following this tactical victory, the player's view returns to XCOM base on the strategic layer. Losing a squadmate, while entirely understand- able given the brutal combat situation they were thrust into, disqualifies the rest of the Soldiers from an experience bonus. However, the Sectoid corpses and Muton armor frag- ments recovered in the aftermath provide many opportunities for the scientists to dig into. The American government is naturally grateful, and the U.S. populace is slightly less freaked out thanks to XCOMS heroic actions.
Even without the bonus, the sniper leveled up again. As always, he has a choice between two abilities exclusive to each other. This time it's
Squad Sight (which lets him fire at any enemy a squadmate can see) or Snap Shot (which lets him take a quick shot after moving, an ability normally restricted from sniper rifles).
The dead support soldier needs to be replaced, as does the injured heavy weapons specialist while he recovers from his wounds over the next two weeks. A minimal investment of cash brings two rookies into the fold, and loading them out with useful equipment is a Simple matter for XCOM's engineers. They're not as powerful as their more experienced Squadmates, but they can still shoot an alien in the face when the opportunity presents itself.
In order to encourage players to experiment with different squad setups instead of locking onto one particular composition and using it for the whole game, players aren't able to hire a specific class of soldier. Rookies are class- less, revealing their role specialization when they acquire enough experience for their first level-up. This may seem harsh, but hiring more rookies is a simple matter - and XCOM will be going through a lot of them, since attacking aliens far beyond humanity's technological level has a high mortality rate no matter how clever of a tactician is in charge.
SIGNIFICANT DETAILS: Little
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yberdiscs pa the arsenal of an aircraft carrier into a form the of a small car. While bott up in their icer form, Cyberdiscs are nearly ind structible, but the must open up to attack, and this is when it m vul nerable. Field agent ould be advised to watch out for a Cyberdise’s large-area - dubbed the Death m - which has been kno to eliminate entire squads.
cover story
Time has passed on the global strategic layer while XCOM was engaged with the bad guys in Kansas. The UFO over Italy has passed out of detection range, a missed opportunity and a likely hit to European morale. More bogeys have appeared over Europe, and the rest of the world is clamoring for XCOM's protection.
Beyond that, XCOM has a huge web of deci- sions to make. How should the available cash reserves be deployed? Excavating deeper caverns in order to expand the underground base, increasing capabilities from fabi
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research? Launching another satellite to cover more of the world, securing a broader funding base for the organization? Putting the engineers to work cranking out more advanced weapons to increase XCOM soldiers’ chances on the battlefield? Retooling the fleet of interceptors for better odds of shooting down UFOs? The game is wide open, and any set of choices could lead to victory or defeat.
“We don't want to eliminate challenge as a major feature of the game, but we've worked very hard to say that it can be challenging, but it
fabricated between mis:
has to be fair," Solomon says. "You're not going to lose your first four soldiers [before you have a chance to react]." The alien menace doesn't pull its punches just because the player isn't doing very well, except perhaps on the easiest difficulty setting. XCOM isn't expected to win every engagement, much less keep all of its troops alive. The game is designed to allow for mission failure just like Ci ition expects play- ers to lose armies in combat. Just as an enemy empire will gladly conquer your capital if the player lets them in that game, though, the aliens
absolutely will eliminate all human capability for resistance in XCOM. It seems likely that the endgame will involve some kind of invasion of XCOM's secret base just as in the original, but Firaxis stopped short of confirming that despite dropping strong hints.
The player always has access to the godlike save and reloads, which Firaxis doesn’t intend to curb in any way. Solomon hinted at the pos- sible inclusion of an optional “ironman” setting (which one would assume a set of achieve- ments is based around) that would remove the ability to reload earlier saves, but stopped short of confirming it.
WINNING THE WAR
The war rages on through dozens of these tactical-strategic cycles, each bringing new capabilities to XCOM to combat the growing
alien threat. Firaxis declined to speculate on much beyond what we've shared. We're still waiting to find out about the precise nature of the alien technology XCOM can incorporate into its war effort, what directions the narrative might go (see sidebar page 60), the rest of the alien roster, and any implementations of multiplayer or persistence between games. One thing is sure, however — sooner than later, any given playthrough’s tactical battles will have more in common with Star Wars than Tom Clancy. As XCOM gets its hands on unbelievably power- ful alien-tech weapons and even worse foes appear for the organization to fight, the modern era is quickly left behind.
Are console audiences ready for a triple-A strategy game? Firaxis and 2K believe so, and have for some time. The team has been iterat- ing on playable prototypes for over three years, testing one design element after another and throwing out the vast majority of them until they ended up here. The game is in an alpha state now, meaning that it's fully designed and play- able to completion. From now until XCOM's fall launch, the designers will be working on balance and polish full-time while the art team fleshes out the game's skeleton. Combined with Firaxis’ outstanding track record, that's a recipe to instill confidence in the final product.
Believe it: This is the XCOM you're looking for. Firaxis isn't so much rebooting the 1994 strat- egy classic as they are reimagining the game's core concepts with the benefits of modern tech- nology and design techniques. The intervening 17 years have seen innumerable improvements in every discipline from combat systems design to user interface and, of course, audiovisual pre- sentation. It's hard to imagine a better way for X-COM to return than in the hands of one of the world's finest strategy game studios, backed by a major publisher, and under the direction of the original's self-proclaimed biggest fan. %
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SIGNIFICANT DETAILS: The Thin Мап is strikingly similar to the Slender Man ths. It may be that some m hogenic race has been secretly studying and has
ent these human facsimiles to Earth as es. Unnaturally tall and slender, Thin Men are not Detailed revealed
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easily blend in with a crowd.
FIELD STRATEGIES: Once gaged
in battle, a in Man will perform acrobatic maneuvers unlike any human. Thin Men are capable of covering large swaths of ground in a single bound. Snipers should be wary of the Thin Man's ability to jump up several stories in a single leap. Once engaged in close quarters, the n Man unhinges its jaw and vomits forth a spray of corrosive putrescence. Be advised: upon expiration, a Thin Man will explode in an acid shower damaging nearby equipment and field personnel.
PlayStation 3 * Xbox 360 + PC » Style 1-Player Shooter/Role-Playing (4-Player Online} Electronic Arts » De! ər BioWare » Release March 6
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From hunting down the
rogue Specter Saren in
the first Mass Effect to teaming up with the sketchy paramilitary organization Cerberus in Mass Effect 2, Commander Shepard's various adventures have had one clear focus: saving the galaxy from a powerful machine race known as the Reapers.
Now the Reapers have arrived on Earth, and Shepard must embark on one last-ditch effort to unite the various sentient races and discover a seemingly impossible solution to the war. As | sit down for my first hands-on time with three complete missions from Mass Effect 3, l'm about to witness how high the stakes are and how greatly my choices will impact the fate of the galaxy this time around.
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Given the nature of my play session and the things that are most important to the Mass Effect franchise, this article contains spoilers for a few of Mass Effect 3's story missions. However, keep in mind that what
| describe here is only one possible outcome; the whole structure of a mission can change depending on what you choose to do.
The war comes home
As | begin the first mission of Mass Effect 3, an Earth escape sequence, | realize that BioWare has already shown off this level at E3 and various other events last year. In it, my female engineer version of Shepard is called to meet with the Earth’s defense council. She has been relieved from military duty after the events of Mass Effect 2's Arrival downloadable content, but the council requires her expertise. Colonies in the solar system have stopped responding at the appearance of some “incomprehensibly powerful” force.
The defense council building is attacked, and Shepard escapes with long-time ally Captain Anderson. | notice a persistent theme of loss and sadness rever- berating throughout the level. This emotion is particularly felt in the poignant appearance of a child three times throughout the course of the mission.
Shepard first sees the child standing outside the defense council building before the Reaper invasion, playing with a toy spaceship. Then she encounters him hiding in a ventilation shaft, but the child chooses to run away, screaming, “You can't help me!” Finally, Shepard witnesses the child climbing aboard an escape shuttle that is immediately shot out of the sky by a Reaper laser. A look of shock comes across Shepard's face as she watches this, a silent realization that she’s in another conflict where she can't save everybody.
According to executive producer Casey Hudson, these scenes exist for more than getting across the stakes and the scale of devastation the Reapers are about to unleash across the galaxy. "|We're] exploring the idea of getting the player to understand and feel what Commander Shepard is experiencing versus just reacting to other characters," he explains. "We're trying to tell a little bit of the story Shepard would feel and seeing if the player feels that as wel | think that's going to be one of the things people remember."
As Earth erupts in chaos and millions of civilian casu- alties happen around her, the only choice available is to barrel forward to the Normandy and escape in order to regroup and come back with an army prepared to battle the Reapers. To do so, Shepard is forced to leave Anderson behind. Anderson restores Shepard's rank and provides what's likely to be his final order: "We need every species and all their ships."
It seems like an impossible, hopeless mission — even more so than the suicide run of Mass Effect 2 — but before we can get started, we need to take a detour.
S wow
Red menace
As new recruit James Vega complains about being taken from the battle on Earth, Shepard and Kaiden receive
a call from Admiral Hackett. He asks the crew to stop
by Mars before heading to the Citadel. A group of Earth scientists has been studying Prothean ruins on the red planet that could hold secrets to how to defeat the Reapers, but communications have gone dark.
The Normandy drops off Shepard, Kaiden, and Vega just in time for them to notice an approaching sandstorm that will soon cut off contact with the ship. Before enter- ing the research facility, they encounter a group of enemy soldiers, and it becomes clear why the ruins are silent. Shepard's one-time allies at Cerberus are attacking, searching for the same information Shepard wants.
After fighting through a few waves of Cerberus troop- ers using various types of grenades and the incinerate ability, | stumble upon a familiar face. Former Mass Effect party member Шага T'Soni was called to the ruins to study plans for a Prothean device that could wipe out the Reapers. She informs Shepard that the Protheans ran out of time before they could finish building this device, and they will need to recover the data before Cerberus if they don't want to suffer the same fate.
Shepard orders Vega to guard the entrance, and we move forward with Liara taking his party slot. The ruins provide a great example of the new focus on more varied level design in Mass Effect 3. Shepard can climb up small barriers and ladders, jump across gaps, and generally explore the environment more thoroughly, and these tools allow BioWare to mix up the gameplay in interesting ways.
"Once we added all those tools to the toolbox, we challenged the designers to figure out ways to make the missions and the story unpredictable," Hudson says. "In Mass Effect 2, often you would see where you're going down at the end of the hallway and know, "That's settled, that's where I'm going.’ In Mass Effect 3, we constantly try to change your perception of what you need to do."
In one hallway, | race after a group of Cerberus oppo- nents at the other end, but rather than stick around and fight like their brethren, they slam the door shut in my face and lock it, forcing me to search for a new path.
| notice several rooms that aren't as obviously built for combat as areas in Mass Effect 2. | find myself taking cover behind overturned desks or couches more often than conveniently placed chest-high barriers.
During one memorable set piece, | have to ride a tram from one end of the research facility to the other. Halfway through the ride, Cerberus soldiers shut down my car- riage and ride one of their own over, attacking me as they sweep by. | leap across the tiny gap between the two trams and take out two of the soldiers with the game's improved melee combat while Liara and Kaiden take care of the other two.
Once the tram arrives on the other side, | have to take cover in it as more Cerberus operatives attack.
I can't stay in hiding for long, though. A new enemy type called the Guardian storms the tram without fear. These bad guys come equipped with body-sized shields that protect them from incoming fire. | can use a grenade or Liara's pull ability to make them drop the shields, or if my aim stays true, | can shoot them through the tiny visors they use to see where they are going. | take down one enemy this way and laugh as a tracker pops up for an achievement titled “Mail Slot.”
As | near the end of the Mars mission, Shepard and crew encounter a dead Cerberus soldier whose helmet has been removed. The operative's face is twisted and his eyes glow blue, making him look sort of like a husk — humans who've been tainted by the synthetic Geth race. “Cerberus is experimenting on its own troops,” Kaiden guesses. He assumes Shepard knows more than she is saying from her time working with Cerberus, and his trust is wavering.
Thankfully, we don't have to wait long for answers.
We reach the center of the facility and encounter the Illusive Man, the Cerberus leader, in his notorious holo- gram form. He threatens Shepard, telling her to stay out of his way. When she asks what he’s after, he responds, “What I've always wanted." He explains that where Shepard and her allies seek to destroy the Reapers, Cerberus wants to discover a way to control them and use their power to raise humanity's profile in the galaxy.
The Illusive Man also makes a mysterious mention that he “doesn’t need Shepard anymore.” An off-center shot shows someone standing in the room with the lllusive Man. It's unclear who this figure is, but | wonder if it might be a more focused villain to answer one of the few common criticisms of Mass Effect 2. Hudson won't tell me but admits, "We're introducing a clearer target for Shepard, a clearer foil."
After the Illusive Man vanishes, | get another taste of Mass Effect 3's newfound mission variety. We discover the ruins were infiltrated by a Cerberus spy named Eva who has begun transmitting the Prothean data off-world. A chase sequence ensues, with the undercover scientist revealing a robotic form and superhuman speed. After minutes of leaping across gaps and bounding over obstacles, we corner Eva at her shuttle. Before she can escape, Vega crashes into her ship, preventing the rest of the data from being transferred.
Eva climbs out of the busted shuttle and almost immediately grabs Kaiden, squeezing the life from him. A slow-motion shootout begins, with Shepard taking down the metallic menace as she calmly walks toward her. Kaiden is gravely injured, but they escape and head for the Citadel.
feature
69
When you boot up Mass Effect 3 for the first time, you'll be asked to choose from three possible game modes. These modes rep- resent the different types of players BioWare has real- ized are all trying to enjoy its games. Here's how it breaks down: ;
Roleplaying . This is the traditional Mass Effect experience, providing deep story choices where you're in full control and challenging combat tuned to normal difficulty. D Action j This mode turns on auto- matic dialogue, a new. feature that will get rid of conversation options, turning Mass Effect 3 into a more linear shooter experience. “It’s not that
' they don't like the story," Hudson says of the play- :
-ers this mode is targeting. |
“They love the story. In fact, the story is so important | to them that they feel like the choices are intimidat- ing.” Hudson explains that action mode provides a mix of paragon and renegade choices, creating a “default path that gives you access to a lot of cool things.”
Story Given Mass Effect 36 focus on narrative, it's no surprise that some gamers would prefer to stick to this part of the game. Hudson describes this group: “We have alot of feedback | from people who say, “Your games look really cool, and | love the idea of the story and the characters. It looks awesome when | watch it
` on YouTube, but I’m just not that coordinated with a shooter. | would play it if | could figure out how to do
. combat." Story mode is BioWare's answer, In this mode, combat is dialed down to be extremely fast and relatively easy. "Generally, if you're trying, you're not going to die," Hudson says.
70
A possible future
BioWare has previously shown off a mission that involves escorting a rare female Krogan, Eve, to safety as Cerberus attacks. For my final Mass Effect 3 level, the developer loads the follow-up to that mission, which takes place on the Krogan homeworld of Tuchanka. Eve has been secured and Mordin — assuming he survived your playthrough of Mass Effect 2 — is working on a cure for the genophage plague that has prevented Krogans from easily creating offspring for centuries.
While fixing the genophage problem would ensure Krogan support in the war effort, not everyone wants this. Behind their backs, the Salarian government = the body that originally helped create the genophage - has offered to work with Shepard to fake the cure. In the first of many heartbreaking conclusions to arcs that have been building since the first game, Shepard must choose whether to appease the Salarians or tell the truth to Mordin and his old Krogan teammate Wrex.
| choose to be honest, but before Shepard can explain what's happening, the group is attacked and separated. While Wrex and Mordin move forward with Eve, Shepard splits off with returning party members Garrus and Liara.
The group enters a series of catacombs that lead to the City of the Ancients, an abandoned Krogan domain that points to the race's once-glorious past. We stumble onto a painting of a giant worm that reveals two impor- tant pieces of information: The Krogans once had a more advanced culture, and a huge thresher maw named Kalros exists somewhere in this area.
Shepard and crew fight through waves of Rachni and Marauders – Turians who've been infected by the Geth — on the way to meet up with Mordin'at the Shroud. This giant tower sits in the middle of Tuchanka and is the one place where they can spread the genophage antidote into the planet's atmosphere, curing as many Krogan as pos- sible. Unfortunately, it's also under attack by a Reaper.
As we inch closer to the Shroud, Mordin and Wrex come up with an insane plan: We'll summon Kalros to attack the Reaper. Wrex reasons that the massive thresher maw has just as much reason to want to defend its planet as the Krogan, but I'll need to get dangerously close to the Reaper to draw Kalros’ attention.
During this tense sequence, | weave between pieces of cover while dodging laser blasts from the Reaper. | get close enough that the foe can stretch its metallic legs
over and crush me if I'm not careful. A number of large, heavily armored brutes attack, but | ignore them and rush to hit two signals on either side of the tower. Once acti- vated, the sands begin to shift, and Kalros appears.
In an impressive cutscene, the giant thresher maw and the Reaper battle it out. Despite the latter's power- ful technology, Kalros comes out on top. The Shroud is now open for Shepard and Mordin to enter, but it has been heavily damaged in the attack. Mordin announces that he needs to go to the top of the Shroud to spread the cure. The tower is nearing the point of collapse, and Shepard tries to stop him, but it’s too late.
“Had to be me,” Mordin says to Shepard as the eleva- tor doors slide shut. “Someone else might have gotten it wrong.”
This emotional close to the mission is only one of possible endings depending on what happened in your Mass Effect 1 and 2 playthroughs and what choices you make throughout this game. Hudson beams with pride at the number of possible outcomes available. “There are some really obvious things that are different, and then lots and lots of smaller things, lots of things about who lives and who dies, civilizations that rose and fell, all the way down to indi ial characters," he says. “That becomes the state of where you left your galaxy.”
All good things
If it delivers on its promise, Mass Effect 3 is poised to be a revolutionary first for the game industry. We've seen plenty of plot-heavy video game trilogies, but never has a franchise tied together so many complex and variable stories across three games, weaving a web of player choices that pulls you ever tighter to the narrative and your effects on its conclusion.
As | talk to Casey Hudson about this impending finale, | can't help but notice how tired he looks. His voice is hoarse, and he's clearly been spending many late nights with the rest of his team finishing the game. It's been a long, dramatic eight-year journey for Commander Shepard, the developers at BioWare, and Mass Effect fans, but the conclusion it has all been building to is finally almost here.
"| think it will all be worth it in the end,” Hudson reassures me with a knowing smile. &
You can read our full interview with Mass Effect 3 executive producer Casey Hudson at gameinformer.com/mag
» Platform Xbox 360
» Style
1-Player Action/ Role-Playing
» Publisher
Warner Bros. Interactive » Developer
CD Projekt Red
» Release
Spring
Enhanced Edition
Significant additions are headed to console
their PC-playing buddies singing effusive praise for The Witcher 2. Luckily for the rest of the game-playing world, the excellent action/RPG is headed to 360 this spring, along with some big improvements. | played the new console port and came away confident that the excellent game is receiving the transition it deserves. For those not in the know, The Witcher 2 is a third-person game of fantasy battles and political intrigue starring a mysterious monster hunter named Geralt. The number “2” on the
В y now, console owners may be tired of
title shouldn’t scare anyone away, as the new
story stands largely independent from its pre-
decessor and is a perfect jumping on point for new players.
The PC version of The Witcher 2 already plays well with a gamepad, and developer CD Projekt Red has used the last few months to make the controls feel even better. A new optional camera system follows the player and rotates the camera without the need for manual control, always moving to an angle that offers a good view of the action and where you're going. At the same time, players can still use the right stick to alter
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings —
their view and can turn off the automatic camera if desired. Battles now have an excellent lock- on mechanic that keeps your focus on a single target, and a flick of the right stick switches to other enemies. Overall responsiveness in battle has been improved, and the team is currently locking in a new inventory management system, though it wasn’t in place for our demo.
Beyond improvements to gameplay control and mechanics, the console version has a wealth of new story content. CD Projekt Red added new CG cutscenes throughout the game to deepen the plot, from opening movies that delve
that summarize the results of your ve sions throughout the game.
Best of all, CD Projekt Red added over four hours worth of new missions that feature new characters and locations. The new plot circu- lates around locating some royal heirs with the
help of an alluring spy named Brigida, who had once posed as their caretaker. In playing through a lengthy part of this mission, | fought a number of battles versus brigands and mages aligned against Geralt's efforts to find the truth and saw several new conversation-driven role-playing
<a.
Geralt uses two sword types. One is designed for fighting people, and a second to slay monsters.
sequences, like a plot to embroil a nobleman in the kidnapping. Like the rest of the game, these sections are characterized by excellent writing, smart dialogue, and morally ambiguou: character choici
PC players have been excited about The Witcher 2 for a reason; the complexity and breadth of choices you face as a player are like nothing else in modern RPGs. If development continues apace, expect The Witcher 2 to draw some big attention from console gamers this spring. » Matt Miller
Тһе Witcher 2 has some great action, but the political intrigue is equally exciting
да
Тһе 360 version adds several new missions and battles to the already lengthy game
=
previews 73
» Platform PlayStation 3 Xbox 360
Style
1-Player Shooter (8-Player Online]
Publisher Capcom Developer Slant Six Games
» Release March 20
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City
Walking a mile through Raccoon City in Umbrella’s boots
e've experienced the pivotal Raccoon W City outbreak through the eyes of Jill,
Chris, Leon, and Claire, but what was it like for the Umbrella operatives? Operation Raccoon City puts players in the shoes of Umbrella's brutal task force as they attempt to scrub the city clean of the devious company’s fingerprints. Playing through the first four mis- sions of Operation Raccoon City’s four-player campaign allowed us to get a good feel for the new brand of zombie killing, and also granted us an intriguing look at the malicious tasks Umbrella was executing while everyone was just trying to stay alive.
Everyone’s Gonna Die! The introduction of Resident Evil 2 showed a task force of Umbrella agents recovering the G-virus from scientist William Birkin. In Operation Raccoon City, we experience this botched mission from the inside. In this what-if scenario, my fellow Wolfpack members and I rendezvous with the infamous Hunk just as his crew begins mowing its way through traitor- ous Umbrella mercenaries. This trek through Umbrella's sprawling underground lab to find Birkin is ultimately a flashy tutorial filled with cover-based firefights. Snapping in and out of cover is automatic, making sprinting into position a breeze. Taking aim with the myriad weapons feels smooth and responsive, and | immediately got the hang of the controls. Eventually the squad descends on Birkin's inner lab, but we forced to listen to the scuffle from outside as Hunk's team guns the scientist down, who then injects himself with the G-virus. We hear grotesque groans and shril reams as chaos erupts in the lab and the mutated genius begins stalking the agents. We spend much of this ion fleeing from the hulking monster as he chases us through narrow hall- ways littered with flaming ruptured gas pipes. We make our final stand at the end of a hall- way while waiting for a door to open, tossing incendiary grenades and unloading every last bullet into the beast to stagger his pursuit. After suffering several brutal deaths we escape the
lab, leaving the deformed scientist's disposal to Leon and Claire's exploits in Resident Evil 2.
Scorching Corruption
Next, my squad and | work our way into Raccoon City Hall. Unfortunately, so had the virus. We shift our firefight-focused tactics
to take on the new undead threat. At first it's easy to clean out the handfuls of shambling zombies scattered between the rooms with deliberate, well-aimed headshots, but they soon outnumber us. While a couple of my less-disciplined peers resort to panicky point- and-spray gunplay, | rely on my capable close- quarters combat skills. Holstering my firearm and pulling out a blade is as easy as hitting a button, instantly turning me into a melee killing machi nding off hordes of zombies with a volley of slashes and kicks is as easy as point- ing the analog stick in the direction of the next enemy - very satisfying in соп! to the clunky knifing of the classic Ri ате:
After dispatching huge groups of zombies and U.S. Spec Op: make our way into the City Hall's archives, where we are ordered to set fire to Umbrella’s paper trail. Finding the
ive documents while avoiding the trip
is easy enough, but what happens next nearly wipes out the whole team. An endless pack of lickers descend upon us as an explo- sion tears through the building, instantly setting our location on fire. Freeing my teammates from
the lickers’ lasso-like tongues while making a break for the exit is a harrowing experience, but we manage to make it onto the Raccoon City streets alive.
The Return Of Nicholai
With Umbrella’s facility blueprints smoldering behind us, my task force and | want to ensure that no word of the outbreak could leave the city. The easy way to suppress panicked emails and phone calls is to sabotage the Raccoon City power plant. The path to our goal is littered with zombies, spec ops, and the usual hazards, along with one new threat: Nicholai Ginovaef. The shifty antagonist from Resident Evil 3: Nemesis returns, and he’s still willing to take out anybody who stands in his way. Our battle with the Russian mercenary takes place in a large courtyard, with him sniping down at us from a nearby building. We feverishly chuck grenades into the windows while taking cover below, but our tactics don't stop me from taking a bullet. Nicholai laughs as my bleeding wound draws
a horde of blood-crazed zombies to my loca- tion. Thankfully my teammates skillfully pick
off the zombies chasing me while suppressii Nicholai's sniper fire. The random element of becoming living zombie bait incorporates an exciting element of surpi into the gameplay. The marathon shootout concludes with Nicholai fleeing, presumably to go and bug Jill Valentine somewhere.
We continue on to the power plant with the goal of planting explosive charges on each of the three generators. Bombing the first one is easy enough, but as soon as we hit the switch to raise the second generator from its protective tomb, a door bursts open unleashing waves of zombies and spec ops soldiers. The zombies do a good job of keeping both us and the spec ops busy, so exchanging fire isn't a huge prior- ity initially. One of the undead gets the best of me, winning a frantic quicktime-based struggle and biting my neck. The fresh infection depletes my already scant life and my character writhes and twitches as she becomes a zombie. | watch helplessly as my zombified Umbrella agent sprints to my flustered teammates, spread- ing panic along with the infection. One clever Wolfpack agent kills the infection with a special Spray, quickly reviving each fallen comrade afterwards. Resident Evil fans have been mostly limited to seeing the aftereffects of the virus, so | loved watching the virus spread like wildfire
amongst a firefight in real time. Seeing how one little bite or scratch can change the flow of an entire battle is exhilarating. After the final charges blow, Raccoon City is off the grid.
Nemesis Unleashed Nicholai isn't the only threat from Resident Evil 3 that needs dealing with. Another mis- sion has us infiltrating a secret warehouse to get one of Umbrella's most precious weapons under control: Nemesis. This biohazardous assassin is malfunctioning when we encounter him. Fortunately, we had previously extracted a controlling agent from a Tyrant, which we now inject into the Nemesis' bloodstream. The trench coat-wearing abomination fires a dev- astating gatling gun at us while we scramble for cover on the catwalks above. Feeling over- whelmed is common in Raccoon City. Juggling the spec ops forces, zombies, and Nemesis is as demanding as it is entertaining. Strategy is key here, with two of my teammates focusing on suppressing the zombie horde and enemy soldiers while the rest of us empty assault rifle rounds into Nemesis's cranium. Battling the. infamous menace once again is a treat, but his lack of mobility removes the sheer terror I felt in Resident Evil 3's dramatic chases. After absorbing enough ammo, the titan topp! leaving us enough time to get him back under Umbrella's influence. With that, he drops the minigun, picks up his trademark rocket launcher, and wanders off into the City while groaning “S.T.A.R.S.
What happens after this duel with Nemesis is
\ Mr. X rests up before his big battle with Wolfpack
‘These parasite enemies take a page from the face huggers in the Alien films
а mystery, and we're eager to see where this alternate Resident Evil timeline goes. Slant Six has incorporated solid tactical shooting into a universe brimming with cool locations, a rich story, and creative enemies. While the combat feels good, we couldn't help but notice the human Al's lack of awareness, a common com- plaint from the developer's previous SOCOM titles. Oftentimes our enemies would stand motionless or attempt to hide behind cover while remaining exposed, making them pain- fully easy to kill. Fortunately, there are enough zombies and biological weapons to deal with that the spotty Al didn't become too distract- ing. Hopefully these issues are eradicated when we return to the streets of Raccoon City as Umbrella early next year. » Tim Turi
у ТАМ!
previews 75
PlayStation 3 Vita
1 or 2-Player Sports (8-Player Online)
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment San Diego
March 6
MLB 12: The Show
Youm d up f Y
he 2012 baseball season has already
delivered more drama than a daytime
soap, and players haven't even reported to Spring Training yet. Ryan Braun, the National League MVP, failed a drug test and may be suspended 50 games. Albert Pujols, the star of the reigning World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, opted to follow the scent of money to Anahiem rather than defend his title. The Chicago Cubs, a team desperately seeking a solution to a 100-year championship drought, hope former Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein can work his voodoo to remove The Curse of the Billy Goat from Wrigley Field. While video game baseball is free of the doping,
betrayal, and the hundred years of sucktitude found in its real-life counterpart, developer Sony Computer Entertainment San Diego is making its own headlines with MLB 12: The Show. I spoke with senior producer Jason Villa about the additions and changes made since last season. Along with shedding light on broad changes like new control mechanics and small nuances like
tweaked CPU trade logic, Jason talked at length about a new feature that should excite gamers of all walks. As ludicrous as this may seem, it starts with purchasing the game twice.
"If people own both the PlayStation 3 and Vita versions of the game, we didn't want them to start over if they are playing Road to the Show or Franchise," Villa says. "Our big feature this year,
between PS3 and Vita, is cross-platform cloud saves.” When playing in the Season, Franchise, or Road to the Show modes, players can start their franchise on the PS3 version, save their file to a cloud, and take it with them on their Vitas.
As history has shown with the PSP versions of The Show, Sony doesn't treat the handheld versions of its baseball sim like redheaded stepchildren. Most of the content found in the PlayStation 3 version is also in the Vita version, but it's tailored to meet the playing tendencies of handheld gamers. "We know people play hand- helds for 15 to 30 minutes at a time," Villa says. "They usually don't sit down and play a handheld for three hours. We knew we had to make the games quicker." By trimming down the visual presentation, games can be completed in 20 to 25 minutes tops.
Conversely on the PlayStation 3, presentation has received a major overhaul. The game already offered broadcast-quality presentations, but the dev team felt it could be dramatically improved upon. "What we're really trying to do is blur the lines between our baseball game and what you see on television,” Villa adds. "This includes new camera cuts, Al routines, street-mapped cam- eras, taking some old cameras out, and really showing you the same thing you'll see on a FOX broadcast or on a MLB.com broadcast."
This doesn't mean you have to sit through commercials between innings or watch a fan
unknowingly on camera stuff an entire hotdog down his throat as a batter adjusts his batting gloves. Sony is using camera transitions to make the experience feel more lifelike. For instance, after a ball or strike is thrown, you won't always watch the catcher throw it back to the pitcher. Instead, the camera may cut to show the pitcher's reaction or show other player or dugout activity.
A large part of achieving a true broadcast sim- ulation rests on the lips of the commentary team. This year, Matt Vasgersian, Dave Campbell, and Eric Karros speak more to events tied to your season and less about team history or what hap- pened in real-life last year. Like the highly lauded contextual commentary in the NBA 2K series, these announcers live more in the moment, talk- ing about the Cy Young race during your fran- chise season or commenting on players having breakout years.
On the baseball diamond, Sony has reworked a large portion of the control mechanics. If play- ers want a more challenging or realistic experi- ence while batting, they can now control the location of their swing on the game controller. The right analog stick controls stride and swing, and the left stick handles the aiming.
Sony is also making subtle tweaks to the analog pitching mechanics, but the biggest change on the mound is the implementation of “Pulse” pitching. This new system tests your timing using the X button. Players must time their
h motion controls. “We ha vith Move,” Villa says. “We
ither. The player contro! onable uncoordinated swings those who want to be |
he Show introduced Move support with the Home Run Derby. This ye ople asking us why they couldn't play the с à added that this year." The entire game can now be 3d with the glowing wand and navigation controller. You won't just see a bat floating at
ands of the batter, which I'm sure will mi 1 в part. Pitching supports two motion: у and just want to aim and tap a button, and those who want to
е for some
»ased options,
stand up and see if they can throw 100-plus fluid pitches as a starter. Base running puts players in
the role of the bas ing, users have to
coach, who must wave players around the bags or tell them to hold up. For field- h the ball with the Move controller by timing when the Z button is pressed. If
you're timing is off, the player may bobble the ball or drop it.
button presses to an on-screen display to deter- mine pitch accuracy.
No matter how you play the game, it has a different feel than last year thanks to completely reworked ball physics. For the first time in series history, balls will slow and die in alleys, and actual math is factored in when a spinning ball hits a surface. Depending on how the ball bounces or how the wind carries it, users may find them- selves in a world of hurt thanks to the new player collisions that play out in the outfield and on the base paths.
With so much attention being paid to introduc- ing new game controls and improving the pre- sentation, Sony hasn't added much new content to Franchise mode this year, opting instead to focus on improving the trade, line-up, and player generation logic. Changes to Road to Show mode are minimal, as well. Rather than starting out as a player who designated hits in a game or comes in for an inning of mop-up relief, your rookie is immediately a starter — "that hot shot rookie who doesn't sit on the bench,” Villa adds.
My talk with Villa ended with a tease. "We also have a brand new mode. It's unlike anything you've ever seen in a sports game. It's a unique look at baseball and we really think people are going to latch onto this mode and enjoy it." | have no idea what this mode could be, but the good news is we don't have long to wait to find out. MLB 12: The Show hits store shelves on March 6. » Ar i
previews 77
78 previews
Xbox 360 1-Рауег Action
Microsoft Game Studios
Remedy
2012
merican Nightmare bears the Alan Wake title, and it is releasing after the original Alan Wake, but the story and gameplay make the Xbox Live Arcade exclusive more of a side story to Wake's expanding battle with darkness. “It’s definitely not a sequel to Alan Wake,” says Oskari Hakkinen, head of franchise development for Remedy. “It’s a standalone spinoff experience that anyone can pick up and play.”
My hands-on time begins with Alan’s former manager Barry Wheeler sleeping in a hotel room. Since Alan’s mysterious disappearance, Barry has become the manager of the band The Old Gods of Asgard. The camera pans past Barry and to a television playing an episode of Night Springs, and the show's credits reveal that the episode was written by Alan Wake.
| see a live-action version of Alan wearing a plaid shirt and jeans standing amidst a dark fog, flashlight and gun in hand as the Night Springs narrator explains that he is a champion of light. The narrator goes on to explain that the dark- ness has created an evil version of Wake named Mr. Scratch. The real Alan shouts that he will catch Mr. Scratch eventually, but Mr. Scratch responds saying that even if he does, everything he loves will be ruined.
“Story is not the main focus here,” Hakkinen says. “If [the original] was two-thirds story and one-third action, then | guess American Nightmare is two-thirds action and one-third story.” When | pick up a flashlight and a gun to reacquaint myself with the controls, Remedy's
HISCORE М/А SCORE 7550
9
bins DE
ШОП action-focused sentiment quickly becomes apparent. As | make my way past an oil rig, it starts spewing out the Taken, the primary ene- mies in Alan Wake. After picking off a few, a text prompt reminds me that standing under street lamps restores health and keeps me safe from the darkness. | see more of the Taken emerg- ing from the oil rig, so | take the hint and head toward the nearest lamp.
Once | reach safety, | meet a woman doing some auto-repair work in a garage. She seems sure that she has met Alan before, but after a confusing exchange, | realize that that the man she thought she recognized as Alan is actually Mr. Scratch. We part ways after she offers me an herbal suppository, which | decline.
From that point on, | was let loose into an open, non-linear desert area surrounding the garage. In order to enact the events that Alan had already written about in his manuscript and make fiction become reality, | had to collect specific items and bring them back to the oil rig 1 passed earlier. While searching, | come across a television playing a live-action short depicting Mr. Scratch threatening Alan. | also stumble upon a radio broadcasting an on-air interview with Barry Wheeler as he talks about managing The Old Gods of Asgard. The host of the show presses Wheeler about what happened to Alan, but Barry angrily avoids the topic by saying that he wants to talk about The Gods of Asgard, not his old job as a literary agent for Alan Wake. Even though Alan exists in a sort of secondary universe where his fiction is reality, it seems that it maintains ties to the real world.
| encounter many enemies and weapons that were not in the original game. One enemy, the splitter, breaks into two smaller enemies when you light him up, and then those two split into two even smaller enemies. What begins as one large enemy turns into many more before | finish the foe. Along with the standard pistol and shotgun, | also come across a nail gun and a sub-machine gun. The nail gun feels like a weakened version of the pistol; it fires faster, and ammo is more plentiful, but it deals less damage. The sub-machine gun feels particularly power- ful, since it lets players spray enemies with tons of bullets, something we never got to do in the first game.
| found a few extra manuscripts, and the items | needed to act out the events of the manu- script page, and headed toward the oil rig. A cutscene shows a satellite crashing down on
the oil rig, apparently as a result of Alan's actions (though it wasn't well-explained). It collapses in an impressive display of physics. | then regain control of Alan and begin to outrun flaming debris. The demo comes to a close as a huge group of Taken approach me, one of which looks twice the size of Alan and is carrying a large circular saw.
Depending on how deep you want to dig into the extra content like radio broadcasts, manuscripts, and messages from Mr. Scratch, Hákkinen says the story campaign should clock in around five hours. He also believes the pricing will be comparable to other Xbox Live Arcade games, so $15 is a good estimate.
Along with the story campaign, Remedy is also including a Horde-like mode called Fight Till Dawn, where Alan attempts to survive as long as he can fighting wave after wave of Taken to attain a high score. You receive multipliers for successful dodges and kills, but it will reset as Soon as you take damage. The opening level | played was easy, but Remedy assured me that as you get further and unlock new levels, it becomes much more difficult to survive until the end. Discovering manuscripts hidden throughout the single-player game also unlocks extra weap- ons in this new mode.
Since many expected a full-fledged sequel, Alan Wake's American Nightmare is a strange direction for the franchise. Though it's more focused on action over narrative, it still feels like it's staying true to the series. Elements from the first game, like excellent licensed music and odd characters, carry over into the XBLA title. It doesn't look like American Nightmare elaborates or expands much on the narrative of the original, but it does provide a larger dose of Alan Wake's unique breed of action. illi
Xenoblade Chronicles
The best Japanese RPG in years is finally coming to North America
f you look at the game of the year candi- dates in Japan in 2010 and Europe in 2011, there's a common title that missed the North American lists for both years: Xenoblade Chronicles. Despite rave reviews and endless begging from U.S. gamers in the form of online petitions and Facebook groups, Nintendo waited until the end of last year to tell us that this excellent game from Monolith Soft is finally coming to our shores. I’ve played a good chunk of the European release, and | can confirm that it will be worth the wait.
Japanese games are known for having slow starts, but Xenoblade gets players into the action almost immediately. A brief cutscene introduces an empty world where two great Titans – the Bionis and the Mechonis - are engaged in an endless battle. Then players are thrown into the midst of a huge battle during a years-long war between humans (known as Homs) and machines (called Mechon).
Players first step into the role of Dunban, a powerful warrior wielding the Monado, a garish red blade that is one of the only weapons in the world with the power to hurt Mechons. Battles in Xenoblade Chronicles take place in real time, with the player primarily controlling one charac- ter. When battles begin, a bar of abilities pops up on the bottom of the screen, similar to what
exists in most MMOs. Players choose which abil- ity they want the character to use while he or she auto-attacks freely.
Reusing abilities is based around cooldown timers - there's no mana or magic points, so choosing when to heal or use a major attack is more about timing. Many attacks are heavily dependent on positioning. For example, | can use backstab at any point, but if | use it while behind an enemy, | get a huge damage bonus. Other attacks add debuffs if I'm positioned to the Side of an enemy.
The Monado also grants its user the ability to see the future. If an enemy is about to perform an attack that will kill a party member, the battle pauses and a psychic vision of the attack flashes on screen. Once it has played out, a bar appears letting you know how long you have until this attack happens. This gives you time to change the future by casting a shield spell, healing, drawing aggro to a different character, or killing the enemy in question before it attacks. The future-vision also plays into questing, letting you know when you pick up a piece of loot you need for a quest that you haven't received yet.
After a few easy Mechon battles that introduce me to some of these mechanics, the game goes back into a cutscene that shows Dunban losing control of the Monado. He barely survives the
party member Ф party mem
battle, and the camera pulls back to reveal the » Platform game's first big twist: The people, creatures, and Wii robots of Xenoblade Chronicles actually live on Style the two titans that were shown locked in battle in — 1-Player Role-Playing the opening scene. » Publisher At this point the game jumps ahead a year Nintendo and puts me in control of the true protagonist: » Developer an 18-year-old boy named Shulk who resides Monolith Soft in Colony 9. From here | can continue along the main plot path or pick up tons of sidequests by Aa
talking to residents who have the usual excla- mation point above their heads. These quests are relatively simple — kill a certain number of creatures or find collectibles — but quests are automatically completed without having to return to the quest giver, making it an easy way to build up extra gold and experience points while adventuring.
Questing is the first of many elements in Xenoblade that feel heavily inspired by the user- friendly design philosophy of Western games. The world is huge and open, but you have an extensive fast-travel system and you can save the game anywhere. None of these decisions are revolutionary, but they make the experience fresh and approachable in a way that most JRPGs haven't been in years.
Based off my first 10 hours with Xenoblade Chronicles, this smart, self-aware design sticks out to me the most. I'm not ready to say that Monolith Soft has reinvented the Japanese RPG, but they've certainly brought it in line with a modern audience's expectations while retain- ing an art style and tone that sets it apart from the average Western RPG. It's crazy to imagine Nintendo sitting on this gem of a game for so long, but be thankful it's finally headed to the U.S. this year. I fully expect it to appear on "best of" lists for the third year in a row. » Phil Kollar
Apteviews»- T9.
PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 1-Player Action (Multiplayer TBA) Activision
Robomodo
Summer
80 previews
Un
IICKTIUE g It OK
ony Hawk’s Pro Skater was a revelation
back in the PlayStation era, wrangling
in both skateboarding fans and gamers who couldn’t maintain their balance on a board in real life. The excellent gameplay steadily improved over the first few iterations, which added combo-extending manuals and reverts. Unfortunately, in later years the series veered wildly off track, thanks to embarrassing Jackass-style antics and the notorious Tony Hawk Ride peripheral.
After letting the franchise cool its wheels for
nearly two years, Activision is jumping back in the half-pipe. This time around, instead of trying
Hawk's
Pro Skater HD
to come up with yet another silly gimmick for Pro Skater, Activision is going back to what made the original series great. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD is taking the best levels and characters from the first few games, adding online multiplayer, and wrapping it all up with a nice HD visual update.
In short, this is the Tony Hawk game fans have wanted for a long time.
Fan favorite levels such as Phoenix's Downhill Jam, the School from Pro Skater 2, and the Warehouse are in the game. The team at Robomodo isn't merely eyeballing those clas- Sic levels, either. Neversoft provided the studio with the original game files, which means that
every ramp, rail, and funbox is in its proper place. Since this is a remix, players can keep their combos rolling by using manuals and other tricks in levels that didn't originally support those moves. Other little tweaks include replacing the collectable tape icons with more contemporary DVDs. The game looks gorgeous, especially after seeing an Activision rep play the Warehouse level on the original PS1 before then switching to the updated HD version (spoiler: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater doesn't look quite as nice as you may remember).
The roster is a mix of both familiar faces and modern skaters. Veterans include favorites Rodney Mullen, Andrew Reynolds, and, of course, the birdman himself. Pros like Nyjah Huston and Chris Cole join the roster as well. Fans can expect to see some of the more bizarre characters from the series, too, such as Ollie the Magic Bum and a pixelated Tony Hawk that's sure to make old fogies feel right at home.
The first Tony Hawk's Pro Skaters delivered memorable music, with ska, rap, punk, and hardcore jams accompanying the skating. Activision says the game won't feature the original soundtrack at this point, but if it's being overseen with the same level of care as the rest of the early version we saw in action, we're pre- pared to turn our stereos up.
Activision plans on releasing this downloadable mash note sometime this summer. Now that fans have had time for their scabs to heal, it's looking like a great time to get back on board with the game that started it all. » Jeff Cork
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Film and game powerhouses collide
cues from animated movies for years,
but Ni no Kuni's edge puts it above the average anime-inspired adventure. The devel- opment team at Level-5 (known for series like Professor Layton and Dark Cloud) is collaborat- ing with Hayao Miyazaki's renowned animation house, Studio Ghibli (responsible for acclaimed films like Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away). This PS3-exclusive RPG is the result of the combined efforts of these creative forces.
Ni no Kuni's story revolves around Oliver, a boy
H ole-playing games have been taking visual
who lives in a fictional American city. Grieving after the loss of his mother, Oliver's tears magi- cally bring a stuffed animal to life. This newly sen- tient companion shows him how to travel to an alternate reality, complete with parallel versions of the inhabitants of Oliver's world. Among them, Oliver hopes to find a living version of his mom. The premise seems somber, but the emphasis is on Oliver's journey and the friends he makes. Oliver and the worlds he visits are beautifully realized through Studio Ghibli's signature art style. The characters and environments look like they are pulled from one of Miyazaki's films, and you see plenty
The living stuffed animal helps
Oliver travel to an alternate
ғау
of bizarre creatures thanks to Oliver's primary combat strategy. He can summon a variety of beasts to fight for him, complementing his ability to cast spells. Battles play out in real time, leav- ing you free to maneuver around the encounter area as you attack and defend. It's a tried-and- true approach, but not every RPG needs to push the boundaries of the genre.
Ni no Kuni clearly takes inspiration from clas- sic RPG traditions. It has a large overworld, towns to explore, and we've seen the party flying around on a dragon's back. Along with the real- time combat, stunning visuals, and promising pedigree, this is a title that fans of Japanese role- playing games should track closely. » Joe Juba
Ni no Kuni is set in a ficti
Battles happen in real-time, summon creatures to
Platform PlayStation 3
Style 1-Player Role-Playing
» Publisher Namco Bandai
Developer Level-5, Studio Ghibli
Release 2012
Another Version
they have diff plot dev
The DS version will ably remain Japan-only,
iment
previews 81
» Platform PlayStation 3 Xbox 360
Style
1-Player Shooter » Publisher Activision
» Developer Double Helix/Magic Pockets
Release
May
Battleship
War on the shore, minus the game board
waters for decades, most recently via EA's
Hasbro Family Game Night. That version played it safe, delivering a faithful adaptation of the classic board game. Now Activision is navigating more treacherous seas, licensing the rights to the upcoming movie and creating a completely new action-strategy hybrid. One thing's for sure: You won't be shouting A5 in this one.
Activision is quick to point out that while the game is based on the film's license, it's not a movie-based game. Players won't cozy up to Liam Neeson or Brooklyn Decker while battling aliens in the Pacific. Instead, developer Double Helix took the movie's premise – aliens invading Earth and constructing a massive energy dome over the Hawaiian archipelago – and are using it as a backdrop for an unconventional first-person shooter that's otherwise unrelated to the script.
After seeing a short sequence where our hero, Cole Mathis, storms the sands of Ni'ihau island from a landing craft, the action switches to a traditional first-person view. It looks like a typi- cal military shooter, with Mathis ducking behind cover, taking potshots, and chucking grenades
В attleship has patrolled the video gaming
at the alien interlopers. As a member of the Navy's Explosives Ordinance Disposal unit, he's perfectly equipped to size up and take down large targets. Battleship's big gameplay twist centers around all those alien vessels and Naval ships battling off the coast.
Players can switch to a command mode on the fly, which gives players a birds-eye-view of
the action. (In a nod to the franchise, the in-game
display is based on a grid, with intersecting numbers and letters.) From here, Mathis can command Navy ships around to provide support from sea, attack alien vehicles, and help with other objectives. Alien foot soldiers drop random tokens, which serve as power-ups in the com- mand mode. With a few clicks, he can repair a damaged vessel or call in an artillery strike. One of the coolest tokens we saw gave Mathis direct control of a Naval destroyer for 20 seconds, letting him lay waste to aliens while temporarily doing double damage with its cannons.
From the demo, it looks as though players must maintain a solid balance between both modes of gameplay. In addition to engaging Mathis on the sands, the aliens are also ham- mering away at the human fleet. Ignore their
dwindling health meters too long, and players will hear the demoralizing sounds of sinking ships. Staying on top of capture points at sea is also critical for earning support bonuses (and, just as important, preventing aliens from doing the same).
Battleship is certainly an unexpected take on the property. Perhaps just as surprising is that Activision isn't adding any multiplayer modes. Instead, Double Helix is focusing on a tightly constructed storyline and gameplay progression. We'll have to wait to see if they can deliver on that promise, but the game is definitely on our sonar for the time being. » Jeff Cork
а) OQA
You can control your fleet directly from time to time
n The Sims 3, your characters can already become sports legends, astronauts, and international super spies. But what if they crave even more attention and recognition? Enter the Showtime expansion, which adds new career tracks that allow your sims to be bigger showboats and gives players new ways to interact with the Sims community.
In the new town of Starlight Shores, your sims can pursue their dreams by exploring Showtime's performance-focused career paths: singer, acrobat, and magician. While you could dabble in music before, these jobs are now full arcs; you start at the bottom of the barrel with thankless jobs like delivering singing telegrams, and gradually rise to stardom. Starlight Shores is filled with various new venues for you to showcase your talents, and you have the power to customize these stages with props and special effects.
Apart from the expected additions of new items and interactions, Showtime also integrates new social features that allow players to help each other and share their accomplishments. Using the SimPort option, you can send your sims into another player's world to perform. Though you won't have any control of your sims while they're on tour, they can earn skill points and complete challenges by performing. If they accomplish a noteworthy task, you can share it on your player wall — an online-enabled feed that keeps players connected and lets them broad- cast their achievements to their friends.
If you just want to play solo without messing with the online functionality, don't worry. Even without those features, the team tells us that Showtime provides more content than any previ- ous Sims 3 expansion pack. Whether you love being the lone puppetmaster or the socially con- nected braggart, Showtime looks like it gives you and your sims a chance to shine.
PG
1-Player Simulation
Electronic Arts
The Sims Studio
March
previews 83
84
LIFT]
чави
PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 • Wii U • PC
1 to 4-Player Shooter (16-Player Online)
Ubisoft
Ubisoft Paris
Ghost Recon Future soldier
hen Ubisoft first revealed Ghost Recon
Future Soldier at the 2009 E3, a sense
of dread came over me. As a longtime fan of the series, the idea of linking up with three other squad members to form an invisible human caterpillar seemed ludicrous. Not only would this soldier caravan turn nearly invisible, Ubisoft touted a link-up feature that allowed the squad to move automatically so players could just focus on firing their weapons. This was a far cry from the stress on true military tactics that gave this franchise its identity.
My worries eased slightly when | saw the game again at this past year’s E3. After a year in devel- opment, the game started to take on character- istics of traditional Ghost Recon games, albeit with a streamlined tactical approach made pos- sible by better squad Al. After a recent hands-on session with four different campaign missions,
I'm starting to think Future Soldier may make its biggest move forward by looking into the past.
The first few missions | played were very streamlined affairs in closed environments. Whether | was in Bolivia trying to extract a turned CIA informant, stealthily stalking a weapons dealer in Zambia, or chasing after a fleeing target on a gridlocked street in Peshawar, Pakistan, the missions played out largely the same. | moved from cover to cover, used a sensor grenade to identify targets, and gunned down the hostiles with the help of my largely autonomous team- mates. But when Ubisoft fast-forwarded me to a later mission (one of 13 in the campaign), sud- denly it felt like | went back in a time machine to Ghost Recons glory days.
This advanced mission opens in the middle of a Russian forest. At this moment in the cam- paign, a Russian civil war has erupted after a
coup attempt, and the Ghosts are sent in to pro- tect a loyalist general from an ambush. Though still have access to advanced technology like the Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter titles, the wide-open environments feel closer in spirit to the original Ghost Recon games. My squad of four soldiers has acres of land before them, and moving cautiously is key to avoiding detection.
Crouching or going prone automatically acti- vates the intelligent camouflage system, the near-future technology that masks the soldiers to match their surroundings. As long as | don't move too quickly or open fire, | am nearly invis- ible to enemies. Moving slowly to avoid detec- tion, my team and | come across a sawmill that's been re-appropriated for military use. | could move in immediately to engage enemies, but instead | choose to stay back and scout the base with my drone.
Once my recon instrument is in the air, | have full control over its movement, including its ver- ticality. Carefully hovering over the compound, | designate four targets that can be taken down without alarming the rest of the soldiers stationed there. With that prompting, my team- mates move intelligently into position to line up the shots, staying in camo the entire time. Once they are in position | line up the fourth shot. From here | have two options. | can issue a command to have them shoot their three targets, or | can pull the trigger on the enemy in my sights and they'll automatically synchronize their shots to mine. All four meat bags hit the ground simulta- neously, but a patrolling soldier who | didn’t spot with the drone sees one of the bodies fall and suddenly the base is swarming with enemies. This was not part of the plan.
Like Assassin's Creed's Synchronization system, each mission in Future Soldier features a series of challenges that encourage you to play in a certain way. If you go off script (or blow your cover like | did) you aren't punished in any long-term way, but you may have to face more reinforcements than if you were neither seen nor heard.
Once the bullets start flying it's time to see how my teammates fare in battle. By clicking
the left bumper while an enemy is in my sights, | designate the most immediate threats, and the Ghosts prioritize their targets accordingly. They smartly stay behind cover, never exposing them- selves irresponsibly to gunfire. Given their stellar performance in these missions I don't expect to be hauling ass across the map to heal them like I sometimes had to do in GRAW.
While they stay in cover | pull out a sniper rifle outfitted with advanced heat-seeking ammo. Much like using a heat-seeking rocket, once I get a lock on a target | can return to the safety of cover before pulling the trigger and the bullet will Still find its intended target. With this kind of idiot- proof technology at play, forget about having to hold your breath to line up a shot.
After grabbing some intel in the sawmill, my team is redirected to destroy a nearby AA encampment. Several enemies are entrenched behind piles of logs and in buildings, but this area provides several flanking options. Using the drone I mark the enemies with vertical advan- tages for my squad to take down, then | work my way around the side of the enemy position using the new cover moment functionality.
While moving your reticle over the environ- ment, a blue circle appears behind other areas of cover. By holding down the sprint button while
this icon is showing, your soldier will automati- cally vault his current cover and move aggres- sively to the new position — think roadie run from Gears of War. It's a fast and effective way to advance your position without dealing with the clunky cover stick mechanic present in many third-person shooters.
Once I’ve eliminated the hostiles and set the charge on the AA weapon, the demo comes to a close and | feel pleasantly surprised. | wasn't sure what to expect given the long develop- ment time and the questionable features touted early on, but Future Soldier feels more like the traditional Ghost Recon games than | expected. Given that you can play through the entire campaign cooperatively with four players, fans of co-op shooters have another viable option come spring.
I still doubt Ghost Recon Future Soldier has the firepower to go toe-to-toe with the elite shooters like Call of Duty and Battlefield, but gamers looking for a more tactical experi- ence should keep their eye on this Clancy title. Ubisoft says the Xbox 360-exclusive multiplayer beta should begin sometime in the next few months. » Mat
86
gameinformer HANDHELD
GAME MONTH il: Revelations
ally mutated from eerie, ter. Resident Evil:
AWARDS Flawed. It may be obvious that the game has lots of еу 10 | way. This score is given out rarely and indicates a game Ej | potential, but its most engaging features could be У gemenformer E that cannot be missed. undeniably flawed or not integrated into the experience. PLATINUM SES EDS Superb. Just shy of gaming nirvana, this score is a high Bad. While some things work as planned, the majority of Q — | recommendation because the game reviewed is head- 4, | this tite either malfunctions or it is so dull that the game Аааа to gemes and-shoulders above its competition. falls short as a whole. [| COLD. ast score between Very Good. Innovative, but perhaps not the right choice for Painful. If there is anything that's redeeming in a game of Sand 9.5 В | everyone. This score indicates that there are many good 3 this caliber, it's buried beneath agonizing gameplay and — things to be had, but arguably so. uneven execution in its features or theme. Aarded to games Average. The game's features may work, but are nothing Broken. Basically unplayable. This game is so insufficient a SILVER He bar 7 that even casual players haven't seen before. A decent 2 in execution that any value would be derived in extremely SEA game from beginning to end. small quantities, if at all. = ig ea The award for the Limited Appeal. Although there may be fans of games E] gamenformac à 6 | receiving this score, many will be left yearning for a тоге 1 Lamer than a one-hour server queue. GAME MONTH Do E rewarding game experience. 9
Keep the battle system everyone loved from Final Fantasy XIII, but change everything else - and not always for the better
The in-game character models look great, which is fortunate since they are used in almost
every cutscene. Prerendered cinematics have been drastically reduced
My least favorite soundtrack in the whole series, with
too many poppy songs and generic lyrics about changing the past and not giving up hope. Apart from the battle themes, the instrumental tracks aren’t much better
Combat still flows smoothly, and the complicated aspects of the menu interface have been simplified
If you can detach yourself from the absurd story, the wealth of content and fun mechanics are extremely satisfying
Moderately High
The battle syster Fantasy XIII return: has undergone ғ small changes for F While none of these tweaks have a large individu à highly refinec when taken together.
ХШ-2
- Annoying paradigm shift animations are gone
Paradigms can b ned to
on single or 1
Serah and Noel each learn all six cl
No more summons that turn into vehicles
Shroud items (like Aegisol) have been removed
- Тһе concept of TP is gone
88
Final Fantasy Xlll-2
E
Guarded*«Assault PARADIGM- SHIFT
hen | think back on the Final Fantasy
series, my favorite moments are tied to
the characters and the story surround- ing them. Celes on the post-apocalyptic island. The return of Rydia. Sephiroth in Nibelheim. This franchise has built its following on creat- ing memorable worlds and narrative twists that stick with gamers for years.
Final Fantasy XIII is an exception to the rule; that entry's greatest achievement is on the battle- field, while the story is a convoluted mess. When Square Enix announced a direct sequel, | hoped that Final Fantasy ХІІ-2 would repair the broken half of that equation, elevating the narrative to reach the heights attained by the outstanding battle system. Apparently, | expected too much.
21/160
ments
1-Player Role-Playing
Gamers are willing to forgive one mistake, but after completing FF XIII-2 (after about 30 hours), I'm worried that absurd storytelling is the future of the series. This game takes the lamest charac- ters from the last entry (like Serah and Hope) and puts them center stage alongside an annoying moogle and new protagonist Noel. Meanwhile, the best characters (like Lightning and Fang) are relegated to background and cameo roles.
The plot surrounds the cast with an anything- goes premise focused on time travel. This is where things get really bonkers; time-travel and alternate realities are easy excuses to have a bunch of crazy stuff happen (or not happen) whenever it's convenient. Why is that giant flan blocking my path? Why is that person acting
Eñ Toggle У
er Square Enix Dev
Square Enix January 31 jT
strangely? Here's a hint: the answer to almost every mystery in the game is "a time paradox did it." This catch-all crutch makes it impossible to get invested in the characters or their actions. You just need to detach yourself and say "Okay, whatever," and go along with it.
To make matters worse, you aren't even get- ting a complete story. The canonical ending (there are multiple other “what ІР endings) concludes with the words "to be continued," and it's not a scenario likely to be resolved with future DLC. After the credits, | sat in disbelief, wondering if | had done something wrong or somehow missed the true ending. | didn't. Square Enix intentionally left the story incom- plete. The announcement of Final Fantasy XIII-3 is inevitable.
| know I'm dwelling on the negative here, but storytelling is an integral part of the RPG genre, and FF ХІІ-2 screws it up at almost every turn. The saddest part is how that disaster is going to mark this title in fans' memories, because FF XIll-2 is phenomenal in other ways. I’m not just saying that to temper my harsh comments about the story; practically every other part of the game is excellent, to the point that I’m looking forward to playing it again in spite of my disap- pointment in the plot.
The combat of FF XIII returns in a familiar yet improved form, resulting in my new favorite battle system in the Final Fantasy series. Fights require a satisfying mix of strategic management and direct control, forcing you to switch your tactics and adapt to changing conditions. Quickly shift to a defensive paradigm when a boss is about to use a powerful attack, or use a buffing/debuffing
paradigm to prepare for a long battle. It’s a little easier than the last one, but remains fun and fast-paced, without the minor annoyances that got in the way in FF XIII (see sidebar).
The biggest addition to battle is топі lection, which isn't just an optional You'll always have Noel and Serah in your party, and the third slot is occupied by a monster that you've caught by defeating (no Pokéballs nec- essary). Each monster has a role that you can level up and use to build your paradigms. For instance, Feral Behemoths are commandos, Blue Chocobos are ravagers, and Cait Siths are medics. You need to consider these roles along with Serah's and Noel's aptitudes when forming your paradigms. This adds a level of customiza- tion and versatility that you didn't have with your party before. Plus, finally obtaining a powerful monster that you've been hunting delivers an extremely satisfying thrill.
Among the most prominent criticisms of FF XIII was its linearity, and the team clearly sought to rectify that in the sequel. With a few exceptions, you control how and when you progress through
The story picks up three years after the events of | FF XIII, but Cocoon still figures prominently i
2»
the main quest with the Historia Crux. The Historia Crux lets you travel to about 10 different areas, but many have past, present, and alter- nate incarnations that you can unlock. Certain mission-critical areas must be completed, while others are optional and often contain cool sid quests, rewards, and cameo appearances. If you get bored or frustrated, you can always return to the Historia Crux and try something else.
The only limiting factor is that you need spe-
cial items - Wild Artefacts — to unlock optional zones, and they are rare and often hidden.
Even so, | loved the newfound freedom that the Historia Crux allows.
With the linearity issue handled, smaller con- cerns from FF XIII are also addressed in FF ХІІ-2. The artificial level caps on the Crystarium have been removed, so you don’t need to worry about hitting a wall until post-game. To that point, you can keep playing after the credits roll, continuing to level your characters, play through undis- covered areas, and collect monsters. Though you won't find a true New Game+ mode, you can reset individual areas once you've cleared
Neuen ence returns, and some of them hand out sidequests
Caius and Lightning are important to the story, | ;. | but Noel and Serah are the main characters | |
/ |
a hears a Gie'th is wandering around in the.ruins. Hopefully
some brave 5001 will deal with it.
them in order replay their stories. The ability
to save anywhere is handy, and the cinematic action events and conversation options add more life to what used to be static cutscenes. These are all minor improvements, but they add up to a highly polished and more streamlined gameplay experience.
Listening closely to fan feedback can be dangerous for developers, since gamers have different — and often contradictory - opinions of what needs improvement. Final Fantasy ХІІ was a divisive entry in the series; from the story to the battles, every element of the game had its champions and detractors. In most respects, the team at Square Enix did a great job singling out and addressing the chief problems. Progression is player-driven, combat is even more entertain- ing, and an array of other adjustments makes it one of my favorite RPGs from a mechanical perspective. | just want all of that integrated with a story that isn’t laughable and borderline insulting, and that's where Final Fantasy XIII-2 falters.
reviews 89
8.25
pe * PC
» Concept
A 2D platformer that
mixes gravity control with environmental puzzles
» Graphics
Rochard's cartoony visuals don't ooze personality, but they get the job done
» Sound
The voice acting is solid and the clever mix of songs helps make up for its otherwise boring soundtrack
» Playability
The platforming controls sometimes feel floaty, but manipulating objects with the G-Lifter is spot on
» Entertainment
Rochard's puzzles don't provide much challenge, but they are fun to solve and the characters are occasionally amusing
» Replay Value Moderate
90 reviews
Hochard
Environmental puzzles meet simple fun with a gravity gun
Style 1-Player Platform/Puzzle Publisher Sony Online Entertainment Developer Recoil Games Release September 27 (PlayStation 3), November 15 (PC) ESRB T
usually prefer saviors who keep their six packs in
their abs, not dribbling down their cheek. This is why John Rochard is such an unusual protagonist. This barrel-bellied, blue-collar worker with a southern accent and a penchant for oddball analogies is a character with real character. Even with all his eccentricities, John Rochard is a lovable redneck and a refreshing change of pace - much like the game named after him.
When space bandits attack Rochard's space mining rig, this loveable miner straps on his tools and defends his livelihood. Rochard's favorite tool is his G-Lifter. Functioning a bit like the gravity gun from Half-Life, the G-Lifter was originally commissioned to assist miners as they moved heavy mining equipment, but Rochard repur- poses the device to help him navigate though his space rig and fight off an invading army of pirates.
Rochard could be labeled a 2D platformer, but Recoil Games would rather have you solve a puzzle to get to the other side of a room's. Many of the game's puzzles task you with navigating past a series of force fields. Some force fields block organic material, while others block inor- ganic matter or energy, so you might need to place boxes along an organic force floor to jump across it or shoot fuses through inorganic force fields to start generators.
Rochard's other handy tool is his ability to control the environment's gravity. At any point in the game, Rochard can turn a rooms gravity down to Moon-like levels. This trick changes Rochard's approach to puzzle solving in a variety of creative ways. With reduced gravity, not only can Rochard jump higher and survive longer falls, but it extends the firing trajectory of every item he picks up with his G-Lifter, lets Rochard float skyward while standing on air vents, and lets him use the G-Lifter like a grap- pling hook to swing off bolted objects. ! particularly liked jumping through the air in low gravity and then firing a box downward to give myself a double jump-like boost. Recoil Games shaped a surprising number of puzzles around only a few gameplay elements, and thankfully the mechanics never feel stale.
While Rochard's puzzles kept me intrigued, the enemies clogging its hallways often felt like they were in the way. Rochard's Al rarely does anything more than casually stand in front of you and fire from the hip as you riddle their bodies with bullets or drop heavy crates on their heads. The platforming also feels loose, but fortunately the game rarely requires precision platform jumping, and the few missed lunges you make are fairly free of conse- quences so | was never frustrated by the floaty controls.
These small complaints don't ruin the game's larger experience. Rochard's humorous dialogue, intriguing set- ting, and clever puzzles round out a package that is as unique and special as its titular hero. » Ben Reeves
M ost heroes are cut from the same cloth. Gamers
The Adventures of Tintin
Better than the average licensed game
7 1.1
PS3 * 3
» Concept Take the upcoming Spielberg film based on a European comic and deliver an experience that feels like a budget version of Uncharted
» Cutscene animation is rough, but gameplay animation looks great. It has a colorful style, but doesn’t exceed any expectations » Sound The music accents the action nicely. Voice acting is cartoonish, which works well in the case of Haddock. Everyone else just gets a passing grade
» Playability The game plays best from
the 2D perspective, but other sections that have you piloting planes and motorcycles, and exploring a 3D environment are decent additions
» Entertainment
It's a simple platformer with an oddly paced story, but it is better than the average movie tie-in
» Replay Value
Moderate
Kinect Versus Move
plemented an entirely
piloting
The Kine work well with th
too much embar Move controls than their Kinect counte: thanks to the prese:
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ose retooled sections pulled from > sword fight- p and multiple slated to the motorcycle controls games, and
self having fun without ment. The easier to use
actual ith most motion- based minigames, though, the fun commend game for the Kinect or Move features, but both are
Style 1 or 2-Player Action Publisher Ubisoft Developer Ubisoft Montpellier Release December 6 ESRB E10+
in Europe. Since this highly regarded Belgian comic book series created by Hergé debuted in 1929, it's been translated into more than 80 languages and has sold more than 350 million comics. Now the famed Belgian reporter is getting his moment in the spotlight stateside thanks to the new animated film directed by Steven Spielberg.
In the game, Tintin strives to uncover the treasure of the Unicorn, an old ship that was sunk by its own captain. The awkwardly told tale lacks any emotional connection; things just sort of happen, characters just sort of meet, and everything seemingly happens by circumstance. Despite the story, Tintin is an enjoyable character, and Haddock, the descendent of the captain of the Unicorn, is well acted.
Players spend the majority of the game platforming through 2D environments, but they also solve puzzles, fight enemies in hand-to-hand combat, and even do some sneaking. It's immediately understandable, easy to grasp, and it plays great. Both Tintin and his dog Snowy move well through the environments, and Ubisoft did a great job of adding clever touches that give the game a distinct personality. Defeated enemies collapse in humorous heaps on the floor, and throwing found objects like ricochet- ing beach balls to take down multiple enemies and hit Switches is entertaining.
To break up the platforming, players occasionally pilot planes, drive motorcycles, sword fight, and explore 3D environments. Most vehicle segments handle well but are undermined by their simplicity. You will also ride in the sidecar of the motorcycle and do some on-rails shooting as Haddock controls the vehicle. These sequences end up being the most frustrating, as enemy vehicles drop unavoidable obstacles in the road that are difficult to destroy, and Haddock refuses to drive around them.
The Adventures of Tintin also features a two-player cooperative mode where players control Tintin and Haddock. This separate experience has a standalone story that begins when Haddock hits his head and falls into а dream. Players are transported into Haddock’s unconsciousness, an odd setting that Ubisoft leverages to create bizarre levels and scenarios. Unfortunately there is no online multiplayer option for this mode.
Most licensed games that release simultane- ously with counterpart films are destined for the bargain bin, but The Adventures of Tintin is better than most. The 2D platforming is clever, and the co-op game separates itself from the main game in an interesting way. Ubisoft has succeeded in making a fun complement to the upcoming Spielberg film that fans should appreciate. » Kyle Hilliard
Y ou may have never heard of Tintin, but it's a big deal
“А simple upgrade system rewards careful exploration with the option to acquire new and improved moves
Trine 2
Big improvements across the board
Style 1 to 3-Player Platforming Publisher Atlus Developer Frozenbyte Release December 7 (PC), December 20 (Р53), December 21 (360) ESRB E104-
ery gamenformer SILVER
t's always gratifying to see a good
game make the changes it needs to
become great in a sequel. That’s the happy scenario with Trine 2, one of this year's most beautiful, rewarding, and downright fun downloadable titles. With online or local cooperative play, slick puzzle design, and a whimsical fairy tale tone, Trine 2 is a year-ending treat you shouldn't miss.
Like its predecessor, Trine 2 stars three fantasy archetypes as they platform and puzzle their way through a lush fantasy storybook. The knight, wizard, and thief are called upon to save the kingdom once again, and the lighthearted banter between the characters keeps the oth- erwise clichéd story rolling. The game's greatest strength lies in the distinct abili- ties of each of the characters. The simple- minded knight's sword waving fends off the most dangerous monsters, while his hammer smashes walls. The clever thief's grappling hook sends her hurtling up to hard to reach places, while her bow hits distant spear-throwers. The cowardly wizard conjures new platforms and boxes out of thin air, or levitates nasty goblins out of reach.
With such varied movesets, Trine 2's central gameplay conceit concerns figur- ing out when to use which abilities to Solve a puzzle. Often, there are multiple answers to the question, most of which reward creative thinking and cooperation. Perhaps you can reach that high platform with a well-timed grapple? Or maybe the wizard can just create a pile of boxes to reach the elusive ledge?
Puzzle design is clever, but stops short of frustration. The most elusive puzzles are reserved for optional pick-ups that can be bypassed in favor of a faster pace. Combat is infrequent and borders on being overly simplistic, but as brief excla- mations in the midst of a longer puzzle level, the battles fit the bill.
Though the levels are identical in single- and multiplayer, the game experience is drastically different, and well worth a play- through both ways. The pace is slower and the challenge higher in single-player, where every puzzle must be solved with only a single character onscreen (a button press cycles between your options). Two or three-person cooperative play makes it easier to fudge your way through difficult puzzles, but the fun of juggling all three characters more than makes up for the loss. The physics-based interactions and appropriately floaty jumping add some big laughs as you and your buddies stumble ahead. Multiplayer can rapidly devolve into a comedy of errors filled with mis- placed boxes and tumbling boulders, but it only adds to the fun, especially since a checkpoint is always near at hand.
Though Trine 2 shoots for humor and storybook simplicity in its storytelling, there’s nothing funny about the breathtak- ing visuals. Trine 2 embraces pure fantasy, filling the world with oversized snails, phosphorescent mushrooms, and lush, luminous forests. From spider-filled caves to wave-wracked beaches, the wide variety of environments keeps the levels from fading to background visual noise. Onscreen characters hit the sweet spot between realism and cartoon exaggera- tion, so both fights and level navigation play out as dynamic thrill rides.
By adding in well-implemented online cooperative options to join the equally viable local multiplayer, Frozenbyte gives players the feature most requested after the original game's release, and every other element of the franchise moves forward in meaningful ways. Coming as it does at the tail end of a roaring holiday game season, Trine 2 is the dessert you deserve to close out your year of gaming, or a great appetizer to set the stage for next year. » Matt Miller
8.15
360 е PC
» Concept
Explore a lush fantasy world with three colorful and distinct heroes
» Graphics Glowing flora and giant fauna are depicted in vibrant glowing hues
» Sound
Too much repeated music, but
the voice acting is amusing Playability
You have to learn three
different characters' movesets.
After that it's a breeze
Entertainment Whether solo or with friends, this is a legendary tale worth the telling
Replay Value Moderately High
Find Your Fit.
Please see www.uat.edu/fastfacts for the latest information about degree program performance, placement and costs.
Deliver a console-caliber Resident Evil experience on a handheld
The rich animations, detailed environments, and solid cutscenes make this a
visual stunner
Some of the best music in the series, and disturbing monster noises help get you into the game. Keith and Quint's voice actors will make you hate your ears
This controls just as
smoothly as its console predecessors, and the slick new dodge mechanic makes it even better
A perfect blend of action and survival are driven home by a gripping episodic narrative that will have you struggling to put down your 3DS
High
circle p
92 reviews
Resident Evil: Revelations
fo a gamerfarmer ~ САМЕ MONTH GOLD esident Evil: Gaiden, released for the Game Boy Color back in 2002, featured characters from the series fighting zombies on a cruise ship as they searched for the origins of a new viral threat. It was terrible. Considering that the setting for Resident Evil: Revelations is nearly identi- cal and it's also on a handheld device, any hesitation on your part is understandable. l'm here to ensure you that Resident Evil: Revelations is one of the finest entries in the franchise to date. The game packs improvements to the series' reliable gameplay, impressive visuals, and a story that puts the last two main series entries to shame. Revelations is enough to please both diehard fans and 3DS owners looking for the next system-defining title.
The story picks up sometime after the events of Resident Evil 5. Jill, Chris, and their new part- ners seek to uncover the truth about the destruc- tion of a city called Terrorgrigia and combat a brand new virus. We also learn more about the BSAA (Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance), the previously enigmatic organization Chris and Sheva work for in Resident Evil 5. Shedding light on this organization, the FBC (Federal Biohazard Commission), and the lead- ers behind them brings new weight to the series" sagging story. The narrative is delivered in digest- ible, TV episode-like chunks, complete with helpful recaps between chapters. This structure allows Revelations to incorporate intriguing flash- backs, parallel storylines, and some unexpected twists and turns.
The episodic structure isn't just great for sto- rytelling; it also makes for perfect pacing. Your time is divided between methodically exploring the cruise ship as Jill and playing through action- packed flashbacks or diversions as other char- acters. You spend most of your time tackling Jill's harrowing mission on the ship, and it's a fantastic shift back towards the series’ traditional survival horror roots. Unlike RE 4 and 5, ammo is scarce,
1 or 2-Player Action
reviving the satisfaction of each recovered bullet. Resourceful survivors can use the nifty Genesis scanner to search the environment for hidden items, adding to the thrilling feeling that you're
a scavenger trying to make it out alive. While | would've have been happy just playing through Jill's ordeal, Revelations has the habit of leaving her quest at a cliffhanger while putting you in the boots of another character. Whether you're play- ing as Chris in a snowy mountain pass or reliv- ing the Terrorgrigia incident as a FBC member, these higher tempo sections are almost always focused on action instead of survival. Blasting through hordes of hunters, infected wolves, and other monsters is as fun as ever.
Resident Evil fans have already had the chance to experience the series’ satisfying gunplay on the 3DS with Mercenaries 3D, but Revelations boasts multiple improvements while retaining the first-person aiming. The choppy enemy ani- mations from Mercenaries are gone, replaced with appropriately creepy enemy movements. The d-pad is used to switch between all your items, a simple but useful function when cor- nered by a pack of zombies. My favorite addi- tion is the dodge ability. One well-timed flick of the circle pad lets you evade enemy attacks. Out-maneuvering monsters is priceless in a
Capcom
Capcom February 7 M
game where choosing your battles is both crucial and fun. Revelations also incorporates deep weapon customization in the vein of Call of Duty. Want a shotgun with augmented power, a wider spread, and gigantic clip size? No problem. Considering how precious ammo can be, tailor- ing weapons to your specific playstyle is a dream come true for survival horror fans. You can cus- tomize weapons in both single-player and co-op. While the cooperative Raid Mode doesn't allow you to play through the entire campaign with a pal, you'll get addicted to earning new weap- ons and upgrades by playing through a host of bite-sized missions.
Revelations is a savior for the 3DS, but it comes with a few flaws. BSAA agents Quint and Keith (codenamed Jackass and Grinder) are easily the worst characters in the series' history. Between their grating voices, Quint's eye roll- inducing, stereotypical computer geekery, and Keith always saying something "blows," you'll be tempted to puncture your eardrums with the stylus. Many of their jokes land flat due to a larger problem of inconsistent translation. Several lines of dialogue, upgrade descriptions, and story-expanding files read poorly due to rough localization. Additionally, enemy variety is a bit lacking compared to previous entries. Thankfully, the sour tastes these missteps leave in your mouth are washed away rather quickly thanks to the game's overall quality.
Resident Evil: Revelations is just what fans of the series and bored 3DS owners needed. The story is interesting with the added bonus of actually being coherent for once, the gameplay feels perfect on the 3DS, and it's one of the greatest-looking portable games I've ever seen, especially with the 3D cranked up. The cam- paign sports the heft and depth of one of the main series entries, a deal made even sweeter by an empowering New Game+ and worthwhile co-op experience. Stop twiddling your thumbs waiting for Resident Evil 6 and get them on a 3DS.
Corpse Party
Style 1-Player Adventure Publisher Xseed Developer Team GrisGris
[ ans of slasher films know that the |— joy of a great, campy horror flick
| isn't the destination; it's the blood- spattered journey. Figuring out the trick to conquering some otherworldly power that has been slaughtering innocent teenagers may be the resolution, but most of us are just there to watch the massacre. Corpse Party developer Team GrisGris clearly understands this twisted secret to shock cinema and puts it to expert use in this downloadable PSP game.
Corpse Party begins innocently enough, as a group of Japanese students and their teacher gather together to say goodbye to a friend who is transferring. One of the students is obsessed with the occult and introduces the group to a ritual that will ensure they stay friends forever. Unsurprisingly, something goes wrong, and the crew quickly finds themselves separated and fighting for their lives in a dilapidated mirror image of their high School full of ghosts, murderers, and dead bodies.
Visually, Corpse Party resembles a 16-bit RPG more than the grim, grainy footage you might expect from the plot description. However, the game plays out more like an old-school adventure game. You find keys, solve simple puzzles, and figure out the exact order to do things to make the relatively linear
telease November 22 ESRB M
narrative progress. The story is split into five chapters, each of which features one real ending and a variety of terrifying "wrong ends." The game successfully pushes true horror enthusiasts to make bad choices just to witness what dis- gusting consequences the developers dreamed up.
Though Corpse Party pulls off scary and intense moments, it does have a handful of flaws. The dialogue is sometimes more absurd than the gravity of the situation warrants, and a couple members of the rotating cast of playable characters fail to develop any likable or memorable characteristics. More damning for some, hitting a wrong end results in going back to the last saved game and replaying sometimes-lengthy dialogue segments. Save points appear frequently, but this would be much less of a problem with an option to speed up dialogue or skip the talking sequences.
The pace doesn't always keep your blood pumping, but by the end, Corpse Party's clever and unique style rises above those minor complaints. Gamers with a weak stomach or lack of patience should stay away from the cursed grounds of Heavenly Host Elementary, but if you have an appreciation for gory splatterfests from the theaters, this is one forbid- den ancient ritual that you should take part in. » Phil Kollar
N-Waoni! Run! Ve
8
Concept The gameplay of a classic adventure game meets the setting and surprises of a Japanese horror film
» Graphics
The top-down perspective and pixel art look like something out of an old Final Fantasy game; scattered animations of important scenes round out the package
Sound Intense music and subtle sound cues build a sense of dread as you explore haunted hallways
Playability Replaying dialogue sequences will challenge your patience more often than the simple puzzles challenge your wits
Entertainment Despite the sometimes restrictive gameplay, Corpse Party successfully emulates the horror movie formula better than most big-budget horror games
Replay Value Moderate
get out of here! NOW!
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Animator UNT . 3d Modeler
* Motion Capture Studio P
+ Game Animation
Skills |
* Creation and | integration Of assets and =. 2 2 animation into’ the Unreal III game engine
_ + Utilizing Maya, Cortex 2, үз Motionbuilder, ` Photoshop®, Aftereffects^, Zbrush, Painter, апа MEL scripting
Additional Emphasi:
* Story Development
* Cinematography * Performance
* Color Theory
MINNEAPOLIS. M MEDIA INSTITUTE (Ё
College of Media Arts
DISON . ) (MEDIA INSTITUTE.
College of Media.
2702 Agriculture Drive | Madison, WI | 800.236.4997 4100 West 76th St. | Edina, MN | 877.416.2783
PLAYSTATION 3 FEAR. 3 7.75 Aug-11 й Brink 6.75 ЈШ-11 Асе Combat: Assault Horizon 8,25 Dec-11 Fancy Pants Adventure, The 75 ш-н 9 D | f D " M d үу, rf Р 3 | Burnout Crash 7.5 Nov-11 Alice: Madness Returns 675 Ш-Н FIFA 12 9 Nov-11 | а 0 Шу D 0 em a а e | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 9 Јап-12 Assassins Creed Revelations 8.75 Jan-12 бо of War: Origins Collection 9.5 Oct-11 | | Call of Juarez: The Cartel 4.5 Sep-11 Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury 7.75 Jul-11 GoldenEye 007: Reloaded 7 Jan-12 раси PS3 52” Release November 8 ESRB M Captain America: Super Soldier 7.5 Sep-11 Batman: Arkham City 10 Nov-11 pen in m Issue January Cars 2 775 Aug-11 Battlefield 3 9.25 Оес-11 lise of the Manhunters T g- Catherine 7 Aug-11 Pisco 7 беріп Hany Potter and the The game serves as a great example of ROW |) ccris orci a 24i Bodycount 5 осып —_ Deathly Hallows, Part 2 Sous many subtle tweaks can add up to an improved | Crimson анте 875 Oct-11 " House of the Dead: - A z AN Mn oet Tm overall product. Even with the recent turmoil e бді jurnout Cras lov- n | T - Call of Sn 9 Jan-12 Казна МИ 22. at Infinity Ward, the remnants of that team | Dead Island 85 Oct-11 И ti ssus Collection, The 9.75 Oct-1 B А M В | oe Call of Juarez: The Cartel 45 8ер-11 in conjunction with Sledgehammer) have put Dead Rising 2: Off the Record 9.5 Моу-11 два America: Super Salter 75 Seil “ато? B/S ai Deus Ex: Human Revolution 85 Oct-11 a Атоса: Super Solder Tt eb Jurassic Pork: The Game 55 Jan-12 together a worthy sequel to one of the most | pas 322 OH Ё A. Мой .75 Шен j j Ше А Catherine 7 gi СА Ме B M successful franchises of all time. — Dan Ryckert | cisney universe 65 Deci о 825 Dec-11 LEGO Harry Potter Years 5-7 7.5 Jan-12 Driver: San Francisco 8 Nov-11 Bia T "m iod 1 LEGO rites тан 7 dt Duke Микат Forever 6.75 Aug-11 ous 5 Nov- M x - Dead Island 85 Oct-11 possi 55 pac, Ravan Origins 85 Dec-11 Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 8 Jan-12 ^ Dungeon Defenders 715 Juki k gi i " " Dead Rising 2: Off the Record 9.5 NoV-! мавп NFL 12 75 Oct-11 Red Faction: Armageddon 7.25 Jul-11 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception 9.5 Dec-11 Dungeon Siege III 8 Jun Deus Ex: Human Revolution 85 Oct-11 мад; The Gathering - Duels Renegade Ops 8.25 Nov-11 poo 40,000: a seit Dungeons & Dragons: a i il jn" ce lov- - Dirt 3 875 Jui of the Planeswalkers 2012 в Aug; PeMdentEud 9.5 Nov-11 расе Marti Daggerdale 6 Jut Disgaea 4: A и Resident Evil Code: Veronica X 8.5 Nov-11 WWE 12 5.5 Jan-12 ^ Earth Defense Force: cd a Doi 3 7 12 X-Men Destiny 7 Моу-11 Insect Armageddon 8 Aug-11 Promise Untorgotten 825 Oct-11 — wy vs. ATV Alive 7 duet berg 8 Т ож x Miu Disney Universe. 6.5 Dec-11 i of Ages lov- i Driver: San Francisco 8 Novi аы А » m Rocksmith 8.25 Dec-11 RTO 360 Ascension ofthe Metatron 9 Ѕер-11 Duke Nukem Forever 6.75 Aug-11 NCAA Football 12 pA шелі Saints Row: The Third 9 Dec-11 Асе Combat: Assault Horizon 8,25 Dec-11 Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The — 9.5 Jan-12 Dungeon Defenders 735 ше 9 Shadows of the Damned 9.25 Aug-11 Adventures of Shuggy, The 825 Аю-11 FEAR. 3 7.75 Aug-11 Di Siege III 8 Ju Dese Kasse me fun 775 Deit оте З:Рав, The 7.5 Dec-11 Alice: Madness Returns 675 шәл Fancy Pants Adventure, The 7.5 ЈИ-11 Mngeomge NE NHL 12 8.75 Oct-11 ЕН А AO Н FIFA 12 Жайы Dungeons & Dragons: No More Heroes: Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure 8 Dec-11 Assassin's Creed Revelations 8.75 Jan-12 Daggerdale 6 Jut а 5 Sep- Sonic Generations 6.75 Dec-11 Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury 775 Jul-11 Forza Motorsport 4 9.25 Dec-11 Heroes’ Paradise 7.75 Sep-11 B арин From Dust 875 Sep-11 Earth Defense Force: ‘Spider-Man: Edge of Time 6.5 Dec-11 lastion. i ep- й Okabu 8 Decii Insect Armageddon. 8 Aug-11 payday: The Holst 65 Dec-11 ирег Street Fighter IV: Batman: Arkham City 10 Novii Fruit Ninja Kinect 8 00-11 El Shaddai: Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 9 Nov-11 Arcade Edition 7.75 Aug-11 Battlefield 3 9.25 Dec-11 Gatling Gears 8 ліп Ascension ofthe Metation 9 беріп rage 9 No1 Thor God of Thunder 45 Jul-11 BloodRayne: Betrayal 7 Sep-11 Gears of War 95 Nov Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, .5 Jan-12 : j- * GoldenEye 007: Reloaded 7 Jan-12 rol kyrim, The 95 Ratchet & Clank: All 4 Оле 8.75 Dec-11 Transformers: Dark of the Moon 7.5 Aug-11 Bodycount 5 Oct-11 iol у
8.5 | Joe Danger: Special Edition
Platform 360 Release December 14 ESRB E
Joe Danger: Special Edition offers enough new content for a fan of the original to enjoy, but it's a must-download for Xbox owners that never had
a chance to play it. Various bells and whistles improve the
experience, but the new Lab levels make the biggest splash
by far. — Dan Ryckert
5.75 | Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
Platform Wii Release November 15 ESRB E
As a party game, London Games succeeds rarely, but its implementation of recognizable (and unrecognizable) characters from Mario and Sonic is perfect. It definitely has all of your favorite characters in it, but that’s not enough of a reason to play. - Kyle Hilliard
6 | Kung-Fu High Impact
Platform PS3 + 360 Release November 22 ESRB T
If you're not averse to the idea of making a fool out of yourself, it's hard to not get at least a couple of laughs out of Kung-Fu High Impact. Once the initial laughs are over, however, this is a short and relatively one-note experience with its fair share of control issues. — Dan Ryckert
the score
94
7.15 | King of Fighters ХІІ
Platform PS3 • 360 Release November 22 ESRB T
Nearly every bit of negative feedback about the last game has been addressed here, resulting in distilled fan service in disc form. Devout King of Fighters fans left wanting last time won't have much to complain about here. And while the tutorial and missions mode offers some guidance for casual players, I can't recommend this over other superior fighters on the market. — Tim Turi
the score.
6.5 | Shinobi
Platform 3DS Release November 15 ESRBT
Outside of a few interesting set pieces, the game lacks distinct environments or characters. Later stages are especially dark, making it tough to see what the hell you're supposed to be doing. — Bryan Vore
7.75 | Serious Sam 3: BFE
Platform PC Release November 22 ESRB M
I'd be more likely to keep Serious Sam 3 in my regular shooter rotation if there were more than two Survival maps, or if I could find a regular group to play with. Ican see a certain subset of nostalgic shooter fans having a total blast with Serious Sam 3, but you have to be pretty enthusiastic about old-school co-op shooting to get your $40 worth.
— Adam Biessener
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Which game console had the best launch lineup? We look back to find out.
The launch of a new video game console is a moment of hope and excitement. Sometimes the optimism is rewarded with wonderful new game experiences. Other times we suffer disappointment and buyer’s remorse. Which outcome you experience is largely due to the games available for that system that first day you rushed to the store and put down your hard-earned money’. Not all console launch lineups are created equal, so we took a look at past console launches to analyze their performance.
by Matthew Kato
2
Donkey Kong - ColecoVision 209980 inns “HEY AGE
Atari VCS (October, 1977) Launch Grade:
Atari's history-making console (which was known as the
Mattel Intellivision (1980)
Launch Grade: Intellivision’s graphics were
Coleco ColecoVision (September, 1982) Launch Grade:
At this point consumers were by the prospect of playir
ж vitching to the great for the time, and the in their homi ame with le tried to take advan- the experience wasn't tr "z^ Combat — a title that offered tage of them with a sports- in the arcades. ColecoVision excited
fE
ды p BF oy
Super A Mario Bros - NES
E RAER ine Altered Beast - Genesis
27 different variations of war- fare, from tanks to planes.
It and Indy 500 were strong titles that helped the console become legendary.
Titles Available
game), Indy 500, Star Ship, Street Racer, Surround, Video Olympic:
“Which games were actually available on day one was often unclear, and this article would not be possible without consulting
heavy line game genre that Mattel bragged the competition was incapable of rendering.
Titles Available on Launch Day: ABPA Backgammon, Armor Battle, Basketball, Electric Company: Math Fun, Golf, s Poker and
-in game), Las Vegas Roulette, Major League Baseball, NFL Football, Sea Battle, Skiing, Soccer, Space Battle, Tennis
gamers because its versions of Donkey Kong and Zaxxon offere comparable home experiences of their arcade counte
The launch of the console also offered more titles via the $60 stand- alone Expansion Module #1 periph- eral that enabled the ColecoVision to play Atari 2600 cartridges (which Atari legally contested).
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Carnival, Cosmic Avenger, Donkey Kong (pack-in game), Lady Bug, Mouse Trap, Smurf: Rescue
in Gargamel's Castle, Turbo, Venture, Zaxxon
Leonard Herman's Phoenix: The Fall & Rise of Videogames, Wikipedia, and various Internet sources.
Atari 5200 (November, 1982) Launch Grade:
pite being the follow-up to 3 ssful 2600, the
Titles Available on Launch Day: Super Bi in game),
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) (October, 1985 (N.Y.)/1986 (Nationwide)) Launch Grade: A
Like other systems of the
time, the NES debuted in a major test market before it was released nationwide at
a later date. The actual day- ‘one lineup of the fabled NES (which was out first in Japan as the Famicom) is hard to pin- point because we're not 100 percent certain whether the legendary Super Mario Bros. was at the New York launch of the system. Regardless, Super Mario Bros. was also later offered as a pack-in title for the console.
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
10-Yard Fight, Baseball, Clu Clu Land, Donkey Kong Jr. Math*, Duck Hunt (pack-in), Excitebike, Golf, Gyromite (pack-in game), Hogan's Alley, Ice Climber, Kung Fu, Mach Rider’, Pinball, Soccer, Stack-Up, Super Mario Bros. (later packed in with the system)", Tennis, Wild Gunman, Wrecking Crew "Available at the NES"
national launch in 1986
1972 Magnavox Odyssey Circuit boards 1977 Atari 2600 cartridges 1986 NES cartridges 1986 Sega Master System 1989 Sega Genesis $ 1989 Game Boy 1990 Neo Geo cartridges 1991 SNES cartridges 1991 Game Gear cartridges 1995 PlayStation 2000 PlayStation 2 2005 Xbox 360 2006 Wii
Nintendo Famicom
Atari 7800 (June, 1986) Launch Grade: F
The Atari 7800 was originally supposed to come out in 1984, but the Great Video Game Crash of 1983 caused the company to shelve it for two years. That mistake is readily apparent in its paltry day-one selection of three titles. The 7800 could play 2600 games, but at this point who would want to?
Titles Available on Launch Day: Asteroids, Joust, Ms. Pac-Man
Meteo GAME ВОТ,
Ф o? сі м
Nintendo Game Boy (August, 1989) Launch Grade: B+
It's easy now to scoff at the black-and-white screen, but the presence of one of the greatest games of all time - Tetris - as a pack-in title no doubt was one of the keys to this system's phenomenal success.
Titles Available
on Launch Day: Alleyway, Baseball, Super Mario Land, Tennis, Tetris (pack-in game)
Sega Master System
(June, 1986) Launch Grade: С-
Although the Master System later found success with
Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Phantasy Star, and more, its launch was unassuming. This was no doubt due, in part, to Nintendo's exclusivity deal with many third-party publishers.
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Hang On and Safari Hunt (pack-in games), Snail Maze (a hidden title built into
the system)
Atari Lynx (October, 1989) Launch Grade: ©
The size, battery consumption (six AAs), and price ($189.95) were some of the dings against the Lynx, even with its color, backlit screen.
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Blue Lightning, California Games, ElectroCop, Gates of Zendocon
The 3D0 (October, 1993) Launch Grade: C-
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Alone in the Dark, Myst, Star Control II
NEC TurboGrafx-16 (August, 1989) Launch Grade: C+
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Alien Crush, China Warrior, Dungeon Explorer, Keith Courage in Alpha Zones (pack- in game), The Legendary Axe, Power Golf, R-Type, Victory Run, Vigilante
Sega Game Gear (April, 1991) Launch Grade: С
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, Columns (pack in game), G-LOC: Air Battle, Psychic World, Revenge of Drancon, Super Monaco GP
Atari Jaguar (November, 1993) Launch Grade: D
Titles Available
on Launch Day: Cybermorph (pack-in game), Raiden, Trevor McFur in the Crescent Galaxy
Sega Genesis (August, 1989) Launch Grade: B
The Genesis’ superior graphics to the NES allowed it to gain ground with its sports games and arcade ports, even if the only sport available at launch was baseball.
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Altered Beast (pack-in game), Last Battle, Space Harrier Il, Super Thunder Blade, Thunder Force ІІ, Tommy Lasorda Baseball
Nintendo SNES (September, 1991) Launch Grade: A-
Despite the presence of only three titles on launch day, the NES follow up didn't disap- point fans by packing in the legendary Super Mario World (which we gave a perfect 10 in a Classic Gl review in 2000).
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Super Mario World (pack-in game), F-Zero, Pilotwings
classic 97
ES Sega Saturn `
(May, 1995) Launch Grade: C+
The games available at the Saturn's launch were over- shadowed by the debut
of the system itself. Sega was planning a September release of the Saturn (dubbed “Saturnday”) to go up against Sony's soon-to-launch PlayStation system, but decided to get a leg up by releasing the Saturn directly after Sega's ЕЗ presentation in May. This surprised retail- ers and third-party publishers, which were preparing for a fall launch. This left the system with only six titles (all Sega- made) on day one.
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Clockwork Knight, Daytona USA, Panzer Dragoon, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Virtua Fighter (pack-in game), Worldwide Soccer
Game Boy Advance (June, 2001) Launch Grade: B
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Army Men Advance, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, ChuChu Rocket!, Earthworm Jim, F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, FirePro Wrestling, GT Advance Championship Racing, Iridion 3D, Konami Krazy Racers, Namco Museum, Pinobee: Wings of Adventure, Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure, Rayman Advance, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2, Super Dodge Ball Advance, Super Mario Advance, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
98
Sony PlayStation (September, 1995) Launch Grade: С
The launch of the PlayStation didn't betray its later success, although Game Informer gave good marks to Ridge Racer (9) and Battle Arena Toshiden (8.5). Unlike some systems, PlayStation's day-one soft- ware was soon followed up. by quality titles. The month
of November 1995 saw the release of games such as Twisted Metal, Tekken, and Destruction Derby.
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Battle Arena Toshiden, ESPN Extreme Games, Kileak: The DNA Imperative, NBA Jam Tournament Edition, Raiden Project, Rayman, Ridge Racer, Street Fighter: The Movie
Nintendo GameCube (November, 2001) Launch Grade: B-
Unlike previous Nintendo home systems, the com- pany decided to pad out the GameCube launch with some third-party titles. While this approach was admi- rable, the exclusive titles like Luigi’s Mansion and Rogue Leader remain the only stand-out games.
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
All-Star Baseball 2002, Batman: Vengeance, Crazy Taxi, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2, Disney's Tarzan Untamed, Luigi's Mansion, Madden NFL 2002, NHL Hitz 20-02, Star Wars Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II, Super Monkey Ball, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, Wave Race: Blue Storm
Nintendo 64 (September, 1996) Launch Grade: A-
Similar to the SNES before it, it was quality not quantity for the launch of the N64. Super Mario 64 introduced the 3D platformer, although it's hard to defend Pilotwings 64 now when you look back at it.
Titles Available on Launch Day: Pilotwings 64, Super Mario 64
Game Boy Color (November, 1998) Launch Grade: ©
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Centipede, Game & Watch Gallery 2, Pocket Bomberman, Tetris DX
ci МОШЕ
+ He aR
Sega Dreamcast (September, 1999) Launch Grade: B+
Gamers were excited for the technologically advanced Dreamcast with its VMU screen and built-in modem, but these day-one titles didn’t offer much outside of some alluring graphics. This was Sega's console swan song, but at least the Dreamcast's launch gave us Soul Calibur.
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Aero Wings, Air Force Delta, Blue Stringer, Expendable, Flag to Flag, House of the Dead 2, Hydro Thunder, Monaco Grand Prix 2, Mortal Kombat Gold, NFL 2K, NFL Blitz 2000, Pen Pen Tricelon, PowerStone, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing, Sonic Adventure, Soul Calibur, Tokyo Extreme Racer, Trickstyle, TNN Motorsports Hardcore Heat
...The Tony Hawk franchise! Activision’s skateboarding franchise has been a day-one software participant seven times through the years for various platforms. Tony Hawk beat out Namco’s Ridge Racer by a hair (six games), although in the future, Ridge Racer should pull even given that Ridge Racer will be at Vita’s launch in February.
PlayStation 2 (October, 2000) Launch Grade: C
Despite boasting the largest number of launch titles here (29 games), no doubt because of the brand equity of
the PlayStation
moniker, the
PS2’s launch
was largely
forgettable. The
biggest reason
was a noticeable
lack of Sony-
developed, first-
party software.
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Armored Core 2, DOA 2: Hardcore, Dynasty Warriors 2, ESPN International Track & Field, ESPN Winter X Games Snowboarding, Eternal Ring, Evergrace, Fantavision, GunGriffon Blaze, Kessen, Madden NFL 2001, Midnight Club: Street Racing, MotoGP, NHL 2001, Orphen: Scion of Sorcery, Q-Ball Billiards Master, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2, Ridge Racer V, Silent Scope, Smuggler's Run, SSX, Street Fighter EX3, Summoner, Swing Away Golf, Tekken Tag Tournament, TimeSplitters, Unreal Tournament, Wild Wild Racing, X-Squad
Microsoft Xbox (November, 2001) Launch Grade: B
In its console debut, Microsoft put some noticeable first- party effort behind the launch. Although almost all of those franchises are now gone, without Halo: Combat Evolved Microsoft might be out of video games by now.
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
4X4 Evo 2, AirForce Delta Storm, Arctic Thunder, Cel Damage, Dead or Alive 3, Fuzion Frenzy, Halo: Combat Evolved, Mad Dash Racing, NFL Fever 2002, Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee, Project Gotham Racing, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
Nintendo DS (November, 2004) Launch Grade: D
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Super Mario 64 DS, Asphalt Urban GT, The Urbz: Sims in the City, Feel the Magic: XY/ XX, Spider-Man 2, Madden NFL 2005
є j -— Р ГА Хрох 360
(November, 2005) Launch Grade: B
Unlike the launching of the original Xbox, the 3605 lineup contained a noticeable dearth of first-party titles (even sadder is the fact that Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero were duds). Although in hindsight the Xbox 360 launch doesn't draw much excitement anymore, the 18 games listed garnered an average 8.2 score from Game Informer.
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Amped 3, Call of Duty 2, Condemned: Criminal Origins, FIFA 06, Gun, Kameo: Elements of Power, Madden NFL 2006, NBA 2K6, NBA Live 06, Need For Speed: Most Wanted, NHL 2K6, Perfect Dark Zero, Peter Jackson's King Kong, Project Gotham Racing 3, Quake 4, Ridge Racer 6, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
аламо»
PlayStation Portable (March, 2005) Launch Grade: ©
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Ape Escape: On the Loose, Darkstalkers Chronicle:
The Chaos Tower, Dynasty Warriors, Gretzky NHL, Lumines, Metal Gear Acid, NBA, Need for Speed: Underground Rivals, NFL Street 2: Unleashed, Ridge Racer, Spider-Man 2, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix, Twisted Metal: Head-On, Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade, Wipeout Pure, World Tour Soccer
PlayStation 3 (November, 2006) Launch Grade: ©
It took a while for developers to get a handle on making games for the system, making this launch lineup less than exceptional
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Call of Duty 3, Genji: Days
of the Blade, Madden NFL
07, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire, NBA 2K7, Need
for Speed Carbon, NHL 2K7, Resistance: Fall of Man, Ridge Racer 7, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07, Tony Hawk's Project 8
ШЕ
The award for the best day-one software lineup has to go to the NES. The national launch featured one of the greatest games of all time — Super Mario Bros. - and was far from a one-trick pony. Titles like Excitebike, Kung Fu, and Duck Hunt are still
synonymous with the system.
This accolade for Nintendo is balanced out by the fact that the Nintendo 3DS was the worst-rated launch according to Game Informer's own review
scores. The 15 titles available day one (not including
Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D, which we didn't
review) only scored an average of 6.45. This was
only slightly worse than the DS' 6.75 average. Despite this, of the platforms listed above, both
the launches of the Atari 5200 and 7800 have to
go down as the worst in history for their inability
to offer relevant games or do anything to positively
state the cases for those systems.
Nintendo Wii (November, 2006) Launch Grade: 5-
In what may be viewed as a portent of the casual audience that became the system's bread and butter,
the Wii launch was not dominated by The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, but rather by pack-in title Wii Sports.
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Avatar: The Last Airbender, Call
of Duty 3, Cars, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, ExciteTruck, The Grim Adventures of Bill & Mandy, GT Pro Series, Happy Feet, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Madden NFL 07, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Monster 4x4 World Circuit, Rampage: Total Destruction, Rayman Raving Rabbids, Red Steel, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Creature From The Krusty Krab, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, Wii Sports (pack-in game)
NINTENDO IDS,
Nintendo 3DS (March, 2011) Launch Grade: !
Titles Available
on Launch Day:
Asphalt 3D, Bust-a-Move Universe, Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D, Lego Star Wars ПІ: The Clone Wars, Nintendogs + Cats, Madden NFL Football, Pilotwings Resort, Pro Evolution Soccer 3DS, Rayman 3D, Ridge Racer 3D, Samurai Warriors: Chronicles, The Sims 3, Steel Diver, Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, Super Monkey Ball 3D, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
ж [^ НТИ ННН mue
4 2) 0 2 а 2 4 E ІЛ H 3 0
OUTSTANDING LAUNCH TITLES =
===
NFL 2K — Dreamcast
QUTSTANIING- LAUNCH. TITLES * OUTSTANDING LAUNCH TITLES =
Wii Sports — Wii
classic. 99
AUNCH: TITLES *
TOP
of 2011
: Numbers
We took our Top 50 Games of the Year list, crunched the numbers, and came back with these statistics about how the games broke down by system, platform, genre, and other categories.
Shooter
by
Wii, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS | Nintendo DS
PlayStation 3 Action/Platform
Puzzle, Fighting, MMORPG, by Strategy Racing, Simulation
Not Rated By ESRB 3 3
PlayStation 3
13 Other
Publishers by Take-Two, Activision,
Capcom, Bethesda, Microsoft, Konami, Ubisoft, LucasArts, Warner Bros. Nintendo
Interactive
Sony Computer Entertainment
Nintendo 305 1 e
i20 Nintendo DS (3)
Wii
Electronic Arts
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