E3 2013: Game Updates

More E3, this time looking at updated information, new trailers and excitement for games that we already knew about before the Expo. I'll post links to the trailers and other videos of the games I found most interesting.


Destiny

Bungie's new shooter is top of my list of things to see, with a cool new Sci-Fi setting and a host of new alien races, weapons and vehicles it is sure to be popping up on this blog soon after release, as I'm going to plum for the 360 version rather than wait for the Xbox One edition, assuming the multiplayer elements are consistent on both platforms . Here's the latest trailer

Destiny is an open world shooter that incorporates elements of multiplayer matchmaking and MMO style games to pair you with friends to play missions or with members of the community. Rather than MMO where you can see everyone else you will be linked up with a Fireteam of other players to complete your mission, maybe linking up with a larger group. This interview and demo, highlights some of these features in action.

Batman: Arkham Origins

We've already had an announcement for this new game in the series (controversially not made by Rocksteady, creators of the original Arkham games) detailing the life of an early years Batman, facing down a bunch of killers competing for the price on his head on Christmas Eve. Being released for the 360 this is definitely on my wish list! This interview delves further into the gameplay and story of the game.

Quantum Break

We had the announcement for this time-shifting game back at the Xbox One reveal and it's been designed for the new generation, this new trailer looks at a moment in the game and it's high-res glory, but little information about how you play in a time-frozen event has been revealed as of yet.

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

Another 360 game on my wish list - well all Assassin's Creed titles ultimately are always going to be on my list as they have yet to disappoint. I'm currently dipping my toe into ACIII so I'm looking forward to the next title when it comes out. Multiplayer details have been revealed as well as this a new CG trailer.

Deadpool

Not sure if this is on my list but the quirky Marvel hero deserves a mention here in his own game with new details revealed at E3.

Lost Planet 3

A franchise I haven't really followed, but it's new and Sci-Fi and deserves a mention here.

and lastly...

Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare

Don't know if it's strictly SF, but who doesn't love Plants vs Zombies and to see them head direct to consoles with a new 3D game as well as a sequel on PC and mobile devices is great news!!

Those are the games that caught my eye and that's a wrap for this year's E3 - I wonder what they'll be announcing next year. One thing I'd hoped for was to see what's next for Mass Effect or if there's a new SF franchise from Bioware - but with them busy announcing Dragon Age 3 I guess it's understandable that they're not.

Next Up: One more game that I missed out...

Blogga's Wall - February - April 2013

So a bit of a catchup post again - here's what went up on the wall over the past few months.

1) Star Wars: The Essential Reader's Companion

An avid collector of the Essential Guides this was high on my birthday list and it didn't dissapoint. A chronological summarisation of Star Wars literature with editor's notes and fantastic illustrations highlighting the key moments in the stories. For me it's great to show my wife where Star Wars stuff we're reading fits into the big picture, check out the timeline placement of certain stories and also read succinct summaries of all the prequel-era stuff I never bothered to read!!! If you want to quickly refresh your knowledge or introduce friends to the EU then this is the book for you!!

2) Star Wars Legacy: Prisoner of the Floating World #1

The return of Legacy is awesome!! The comic book series set 100 years after even the latest novels is what got me into Star Wars comics in the first place and a chance to continue that story is well worth jumping on board. I have to be honest in admitting I miss the old series and style but I'm certainly willing to give Ania Solo and her friends a chance and spent more time in this era. You'll have a review when the story arc finishes in a few month's time so I won't say more at this stage.

3) Chocky

One of a large pile of John Wyndham novels given to me by my pastor when he left for France, I enjoyed this novel about a boy with a not-so-imaginary friend. I didn't find it as enjoyable as 'Triffids' or some of the other books I've read and I don't know if the father's hapless attitude was symptomatic of the time (smoking in front of kids and ignoring serious psychological disorders - very pre-health and safety!!) or just annoying writing but it was fun to the end.

4) Assassin's Creed III

With the fourth installment due later in the year I thought I'd better lay my hands and this game as soon as the price came down a bit and thankfully it did. I'm still plodding my way through Halo's Spartan Ops but I've had a few forrays into this game and found it just as gripping as the rest of the series even in it's early chapters.

Thanks for reading - up next: Doctor Who!

Blogga's Wall - November/December 2012

A Happy New Year to you all - I hope you have a wonderful 2013 with good times as well as cool movies, games and comic on the horizon!

Here's what went up on my wall in the last few weeks of 2012

1) Red Dwarf X

 Thanks to  the mostly re-run based channel 'Dave' we now have a brand new series of Red Dwarf. The long running BBC series came to an end a while ago much to the dismay of fans of the classic space comedy. Dave experimented with a min-series 'Back to Earth' a while ago which was quite fun but it was really exzciting to hear of a full series and it really hasn't missed a beat - there are some great moments, such as Rimmer meeting his brother and Lister dealing with parenting when his son is actuaslly himself!!!

2) The Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia

I was really excited to get my hands on this, ordered from UbiWorkshop earlier in the year the re-print of their exclusive encyclopedia details all the characters, events and locations of the exciting franchise including Assassin's Creed III. As I've yet to play the latest game it's a book full of spoilers but there are plenty of 'safe' articles I've enjoyed reading.

3) Halo 4

 










You'll be hearing plenty about this in the near future - a Christmas present I've thoroughly enjoyed starting this game. The campaign feels very true to the original games and while I do miss Firefight the co-op missions in Spartan Ops are well worth playing, though be warned it is set a few months after the campaign so you may be due some spoilers. When I eventually catch up on Mass Effect 3 you'll be hearing more about this game!!

Assassin's Creed: Bonus Content

Yes, I'm back with more about video games, but I'm afraid I can't quite let Assassin's Creed Revelations go without discussing a few added extras which came at the end and the news and advances they brought.

The Lost Archive 

The Lost Archive is a piece of DLC that lets you delve into the memories of another Assassin, Subject 16 and follow his brief life as an Assassin. As with the Desmond memories the game is played through a series of puzzle maps where you must negotiate by placing bridges and ramps to get past pits, laser gates and other dangers in the fragmented mind of this character.

I found the Desmond sequences quite bewlidering and a little frustrating at times and this could also be frustratingbut there was more of a payoff, with access to Abstergo documents and big revelations along the way.

New Characters

Clay Kaczmarek

Clay is the famous 'Subject 16' who has been a secret presence all the way through the series, leaving hidden messages for Desmond in his cell and also in the animus, including the famous Adam and Eve video in Assassin's Creed II. Clay appeared in the storyline of the main game, his memories remaining inside the animus while his body is gone. In the 'animus island' he helps desmond escape and regain consciousness, in the end sacrificing himself to do so, even though he had hoped to escape the animus somehow. In the archive we follow his story, his difficult relationship with his father, joining the Assassins and being sent to inflitrate Abstergo where he was betrayed and eventually died, but death did not stop him in accomplishing his mission of helping Desmond.

William Miles

 
















Can't believe I left him out of my previous post and nearly forgot him here!! The father of Desmond, Bill Miles is a senior member of the Assassin Order. Mentioned in a throwaway line in The Fall comic I quickly put togewther who he was as soon as the words Bill was spoken by Shaun. Bill trained Clay and Lucy Stillman to infiltrate Abstergo, but his plan had further reaching consequences than he ever could have thought...

Story

Clay joined the Assassins at an early age and was quickly entrusted by William Miles with the task of inflitrating Abstergo. While exploring the depths of the animus he was able to speak to Juno who entrusted him with the task of helping Desmond, who would come to be an Abstergo captive. He was to be helped by Lucy, who had been working for Abstergo for some time as an outsider, her ties to the Assassins had been cut at the age of 17 so she could inflitrate the organisation. However, it transpired that she had felt betrayed and joined the Templars and the reason she helped Desmond escape was so that he would get more data for Abstergo in the trusting hands of the Assassin, data she would later retrieve. Looks like 16 was right to try and warn Desmond and Juno was equally right to take control of Desmond's body in the shock ending to Brotherhood.

Gameplay

As I've mentioned the game uses the complicated puzzle mechanism of the Desomnd Sequences. Along the way you collect 'decipher fragments' which are required to complete the game. However Subject 16 is trappedf in 'the loop' meaning once he accesses his final memories he loops back to the beginning. Fortunately you can access the DNA memory to replay key parts and break the loop without replaying the whol thing.

Embers

 Embers is an animated short movie exploring the end of the life of Ezio. Now retired from the life of the Assassins and living in comfort with his wife Sofia and his children Ezio reflects on the time he spent, and the little time he has left. However an unexpected arrival changes things for him.

Shao Jun

A member of the Chinese Assassins and formerly a concubine of the Emperor she accompanied her leader on a journey to seek the council of former Mentor Ezio Auditore. Unfortunately they were attacked by soldiers of the Emperor leaving her alone to seek guidance so she could rebuild her order. While there they were attacked by soldier of the Emperor, she fought well with a range of weapons including what looked like a hidden blade in her shoe. After defeating the soldiers Ezio imparted his insights into being an Assassin, formerly that love of the people and of liberty should be what drives an Assassin.

That's kind of it really, I've covered most of the story there, but it's well worth a watch after you've played the game.

More video game content soon!!

Video Game Diary - 28/6/12

Another post in Video Form - I hope you enjoy!!

 

More soon!

Blogga's Wall Catchup

Well it's gonna be catch up central on this blog for a while I'm afraid!! Get ready for a few comic series reviews and old video game content while I'm at it.

I hope you'll let this blogger off as the delay in content is due to HIS WEDDING!!!! So obviously the preparation for said event and changes afterward have caused a bit of a delay but I hope to be posting more regularly soon. It was a lovely day by the way!!!

So here are a few things that went up on my wall during this busy time.

1) Halo: Ghosts of Onyx

 I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the sort-of sequel 'Glasslands' which is apparently going to tie in to the upcoming Halo 4 (release date in November has been announced by the way!!!). The story of the Spartan IIIs was very well done as well as their battle with Foreruner forces on Onyx. I did find the Covenant side of the story very confusing as it was hard to place within the context of the games, it seemed to be around the time of the Covenant civil war, yet the Elites are still warring against the humans - it does make sense but it was a bit hard to follow for my muddled brain - I might do a more in-depth review of this book at a later date so I'll stop here.

2) Star Wars: Agent of the Empire # 1

 A nice new series from Dark Horse and Legacy writer John Ostrander, sort-of James Bond meets Star Wars. This first run of the series 'Iron Eclipse' has come to and end so I'll be posting a full review up soon, so I won't say more on that either!

3) Assassin's Creed: Revelations

 The latest  game in the series lets you play as both Ezio and Altair as Desmond tries to puzzle his way out of a coma in the Animus. Fun additions are the opportunity to play some of Desmonds memories (in a weird 3D puzzle mode) and the Multiplayer which now has more of a story to it, you're still a Templay fighting other Termplars in the Animus but you can now unlock Abstergo files and there are even cutscenes as you progress - a good game so far!

4) Star Wars: Episode 1 3D

I enjoyed this loads more than I actually expected - even as a die-hard Star Wars fan. I love watching the movie in the big screen and the added scenes were fun, especially the extended Podrace sequence and extra details on Coruscant were a delight - worth another trip to the cinema for me!!

5) Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi #0

This is a very exciting new series by the Legacy team chronicling the origins of the Jedi Order. This was a very handy guidebook to the series, which I am reading with my wife as it is perfect for new Star Wars readers as almost all the story content is new and the guidebook helpfully explains the stuff that isnn't such as the Sith species and the Rakata, which might otherwise confuse a new reader - this is a great new era to explore.

And that's it - movies next I think!!

Some Trailers...

Hot on the heels of the box art we have the first teaser trailer for Assassin's Creed III

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Assassin's Creed III - Debut Trailer, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

It gives us a few hints as to the gameplay, looks like tree climbing is gonna take up a lot of the free-running and that tomahawk is definitely coming in handy for out new Assassin!

Also out are a few trailer for Halo 4 - well they're more interviews really but we get a few in-game glimpses as well.

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Halo 4 - Spring Showcase ViDoc: First Look, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Looks really exciting - loving the giant Cyclops being built in the multiplayter map - and Spartan 4s!!! Wonder why they are fighting each other though?

All good fun - can't wait for these!

Assassin's Creed III

Something new for once!! This is the box art for Assassin's Creed III, confirming the rumoured setting of the American Revolution and it looks like our new assassin might be a Native American or certainly a gfuy who knows how to handle a tomahawk!!

The Wall - May '11

OK, you should know the drill by now - here's what went on my wall in the month of May this year.

1) Desmond Miles T-Shirt













It finally arrived! I've had my Abstergo hoodie for a while and it's great to have something that fits into the Assassin's Creed Universe but it's even better to have something from the game itself that one of the characters wears! I'm eagerly awaiting the white hoodie that accompanies it, but UbiWorkshop are out to get all my money 'cause the3y've just released a black hoodie and white version of this t-shirt from the forthcoming Revelations game - can I resist?!

2) The 4400, series 4














The final series of this epic science fiction drama has been out a while, but I finally found it at a decent price, in Johannesburg of all places! (I'm British, it's far way - I mean no slur on South Africans!) I love this show's concept - 4400 people dissapear across a few decades and are returned at once with superpowers as part of a mission to change humanity's futre for the better. The producers were hoping for a fifth series but that didn't happen so the ending wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped but it did give a lot of answers and wrapped things up as a series nicely. I like the show as it deals more with emotions and uses a minimum of special effects to ahieve great tension as superpowered individuals decide how to use their gifts.

3) Star Wars Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows














I'm really loving this series so far, as with the comic series Dark Times it shows the great potential for stories between the trilogies. Continuing the adventures of Jax Pavan a lone Jedi hunted by Vader and member of 'Whiplas' a resistance movement that helps smuggle dissidents in and out of Coruscant. When one such missin gets him involved in a murder case Jax is forced to solve the case himself before the police investigation uncovers his true identity. What I like about this is it deals with real life, the characters go through day to day struggles, not grand adventures and it is a great and gritty feel of life in the Dark Times. It also features Captain Typho of Naboo and Aurra Sing in what can hardly be called cameos...

That's it, more in a month!

A Scanner Darkly

So I have a scanner now! Well to be more acurate I have a scanner that actually works!! So I thought I'd share with you a few things that I found interesting in comics and things I've read recently, that I haven't been able to stick in posts because the panels haven't made their way to the relevant wikis from whom I regularly source pictures. So here are a few things I've been meaning to grab over previous posts:

Assassin's Creed: The Fall



















This page shows the variety of Assassins around the world, from businessmen to buddhists, it was great to get just a glimpse of the wider world of the order. In Desmond's time the Assassins have been forced to go underground, but it's great to get a shot of them in their glory days.













These guys in black are the Mentor's personal Assassins operating on his direct command, how much they know of the leader was never revealed but they at least knew to bring Daniel to the leader's base.

Knight Errant Aflame
















This is a Daimanite Starcrosser which I failed to find an image for, unfortunately it's blocked a bit by a trooper and some dialogue, but I think it's big enough for you to get the shape of the thing.




















And this is the Freedom Fleet a motley collection of mining and cargo vessels stolen by Kerra to smuggle Daiman's slaves offworld tot eh safety of the Republic.

And that's it for now - but it's not the last you'll be seeing of my scanner, in fact I've some scans to pass on to you very soon...

Assassins's Creed: The Fall - Review

Still catching up on old content at the moment, so prepare yourselves for plenty of comics and game reviews over the next few weeks, with a sprinkling of up to date content thrown in too I hope.

I'm review The Fall an original story set in the Assassin's Creed universe. It is fairly unique in that it doesn't feature any character's from the game world (well OK Vidic does make a small appearance!) and isn't a 'deleted scene' or additional backstory like most game comics. It does tie in to a little of the game's backstory but is a fully self-sustaining story set in the same world.

I'll try not to spoil too much, 'cause I really would recommend this to any Creed fans as worth getting whenever the graphic novel comes out. But I doubt I'll succeed so if you're planning on getting this you may want to skim over the details.

EDIT: OK I failed completely! If you want to stay spoiler-free, wait to buy the comics!

New Characters

Nikolai Orelov











A member of the Russian assassin's order in the late 19th century he was ordered to assassinate Tsar Alexander the 3rd in order to obtain The Staff, a piece of Eden held by Templars but failed. He led a mission to capture the staff but it was destroyed by Tesla and his weapons before he could retrieve it. Wanting to make sure it was destroyed he tracked down the final shard, which was used by Rasputin to gain influence. He took the shard and used it to escape Russia for America to start a new life.

Daniel Cross









Daniel was a descendant of Orelov. As a child he was kidnapped by Abstergo, who sued brutal methods to extract his genetic memories before turning him loose. Plagued by visions of the past as a young adult Cross turned to drugs to escape his visions and became a low-life criminal. He was picked up by members of the Assassin Order, who helped him uncover his identity as an Assassin and trained him. He went on a quest to find The Mentor, who he discovered in a vision, but when he did an impulse embedded by Abstergo drove him to kill The Mentor without knowing why. He had to flee the scene and eventually returned to Abstergo, having nowhere else to go.

Paul Bellamy and Hannah Mueller










Paul Bellamy was the leader of the training facility which took Daniel Cross in. He was in contact with a number of senior Assassins and was able to obtain information on Daniel's heritage and The Staff. Hannah Mueller was a fully trained Assassin, though her role was a hacker and computer expert, stopping the Templars from subverting Elections and other things to their advantage. They both supported Cross and helped him in his quest to find the mentor, not realising what it would cost.

The Mentor













A title once held by Ezio, this title was passed on to the leader of the Assassin Order, each giving it to his successor. This man was head of the Assassin's Order, remotely commanding the Assassin teams around the world to do the work of the order. The Assassin's largely worked through non-violent means to ensure that free will was preserved, thwarting Templar plans by other means. He had a base in Dubai as he thought it symbolic of Templar methods and ideals. After inducting Cross into the order he was betrayed and killed by Cross, throwing the Order into disarray.

Overall

This was a great story, it works on it's own, but also explains the Tunguska event, part of the wider backstory and also shows how the mighty Assassin Order came to be the scattered, hunted group that it is in 2012. It was nice to see the Assassin's around the world, from Japanese businessmen to Buddhist monks to desert training camps. Well worth a read and a great addition to the franchise.

Blogga's Wall - Catchup!

OK so I'm VERY behind on this one!! I've obviously missed a bit due to my holiday, but it also looks like I didn't do a post for February either so this is a big catch up here - right, better get on with it!!

1) Mass Effect: Evolution











I won't say much as I'll be reviewing this series before long. Basically this delves into the origins of the Illusive Man from Mass Effect 2, who aids and funds Shepard's mission to stop the Reapers, though his ultimate goals remain a mystery. Set during and after the time when humans first stumbled into Citadel space this story explores the young mercenary, and the discover that drives him to become leader of Cerberus.

2. Darth Vader and the Lost Command












Another new comic series from Dark Horse, I'll also be reviewing this soon, when the final issue comes out in a month or so so I won't say too much. Darth Vader leads an army to recover a lost Imperial Unit sent to the Ghost Nebula, tracking his target through traps, mysterious worlds and betrayals.

3. Outcasts







This was a great BBC series, set on a new colony world of Carpathia. Set as a new colony ship arrives at the new colony it explores the power struggles of people who were important on Earth against the established rulers of Carpathia. As this goes on it opens up a wider angle of what's going on, with rogue clones waging a secret war against the colony and further on an alien force intent on wiping them out - unfortunately this series isn't going to be resumed so we won't find out what happened next, but it was a great ride.

4. Assassin's Creed: The Fall.











Again will be reviewing this soon so I won't say much at all, in fact I think it's my next post so I'll say nothing!

5. Legacy: War #3










Another series I'll be reviewing in a month or so, it's sad to say that the FINAL issue of Legacy is out soon - I don't know what I'll do with myself after.

6. Caves of Steel













A great Asimov novel, basically a detective story in a future Earth with robots, spacemen and the future of humankind in the balance! Humanity has taken to the stars, but those that remain have built great enclosed mega-cities and feel little need to leave so when a group of 'spacers' return and establish a colony on Earth the tension is high, and when a spacer is murdered the tension is higher - Baley, a detective must be partnered with a robot (3 laws and all that) to uncover the killer before war breaks out and finds a bigger plan at work too. Great read.

And that's about it - normal service will resume soon.