Capcom's new IP, Dragon's Dogma now dated

Dragon's DogmaIf you remember back in April, Capcom's mystery game was revealed to be a new IP called Dragon's Dogma that gave us that Monster Hunter-ish gameplay where you go off to slay huge monsters.  Well the game has finally been dated and whether it's not you're kind of game or not, a new title is always good to experience.

March 27 , 2012 is the release for the US with a Europe release following right after on May 1, 2012.If you've seen footage of the game when it was released, I'm sure you're also with me that this game is the one to look out for on 2012. Dragon's Dogma will be set in a fantasy world were you get to roam around the world, hunt down monsters with a group of NPC characters and on a quest to retrieve your heart stolen by a Dragon. Yes, I have no idea how that works but hunting for a dragon always sounds good. This will be an open-world game with Capcom revealing it to be around 30-100 hours long depending if you're a side quest junkie.

The key feature with this game is the ability to climb on this huge monsters.Inspired by Shadow of Collossus(must play btw), instead of just hacking away  on creatures side, you climb on to either it's back, wing or head to deal significant damage.  Clinging on a flying Gryphon to stop it from flying away with the help of your AI companions is what makes it unique from other games. I like this direction since the player get's to experience the full encounter of facing a huge monster.

The biggest question is, why no online co-op? With a game like this, it would seem rather ideal to place that as an option, even a main focus. Sadly, with regards to online capabilities - the only thing you can do online is grab other player's characters to be used as one of your AI controlled buddies. Hopefully they surprise us in the end that we can actually play this with a friend, but with the March release, seems unlikely.

Most triple titles are either a sequel or a game that has a number right after its title, especially this year. That's good and all but I actually prefer fresh titles coming out more often. To have a good mix of the well known and the unknown. Wouldn't you want to take a risk and surprise yourself on how blown away you were? or prefer to play it safe and purchase a title that you know will be worth you're while? Depends, I know. With games priced at the standard $59.99 or PHP 2,000+ range, playing it safe is the preferred choice for most nowadays  which is why most company's stick with what works if they find that golden title. Is Dragon's Dogma worth the risk though? I definitely think so.

 

 

Awesome digital sales to check out now for PSN, Xbox Live and Steam

If you still want to buy some games for cheap, I think the best time is now. Regardless of the platform; Xbox Live, PSN Store, and Steam is showing awesome sales this week. If you have the spare change to buy games/add ons online, check out what's on sale.

Why are there big sales happening? well because it's Black Friday in the states, and Xbox Live PSN and Steam is no exception. We don't have Black Friday, and I'm okay with it because I really don't want to fight for specific 50% off games over a 12-year-old.

Xbox Live

The marketplace is having this Fan Appreciation Sale that started on Tuesday with special one-day offers on Fridays and Mondays.

The week sale will happening from 22-28, it's 26 now so you better check out what's worth buying, especially the friday only and monday only sales:

One-Week Sale Page 1 One-Week Sale Page 2

Friday only sales

The one's worth mentioning for me is Super Meat Boy which is on sale for 400 MS Points($5) down from 1,200 MS Points(I bought this game without hesitation) The Baconing which is now half the price(600 MS Points) if you want a Diablo-ish style of gameplay, and Marvel vs Capcom 2 down to 320 MS because MvC 2 is never a wrong choice.

PSN Store

For Playstation Store, they have the Winter Sale.Which I believe is worth looking at thanks to a sale on Limbo, Outland, and Gatling Gears

Here's the full list thanks to the US PS Blog:

Limbo - Sale price: $10.49; PS Plus price: $7.34; Regular price: $14.9 Might & Magic Clash Of Heroes - Sale price: $10.49; PS Plus price: $7.34; Regular price: $14.99 Outland - Sale price: $6.99; PS Plus price: $4.89; Regular price: $9.99 Gatling Gears - Sale price: $6.99; PS Plus price: $4.89; Regular price: $9.99 Galaga Legions DX - Sale price: $6.99; PS Plus price: $4.89; Regular price: $9.99 The Fancy Pants Adventures - Sale price: $6.99; PS Plus price: $4.89; Regular price: $9.99 Section 8: Prejudice - Sale price: $10.49; PS Plus price: $7.34; Regular price: $14.99 Section 8: Prejudice – Blitz Pack - Sale price: $1.99; PS Plus price: $1.39; Regular price: $2.99 Section 8: Prejudice – Frontier Colonies Map Pack - Sale price: $2.99; PS Plus price: $2.09; Regular price: $3.99 Section 8: Prejudice – Overdrive Map Pack - Sale price: $2.99; PS Plus price: $2.09; Regular price: $3.99 Akimi Village - Sale price: $6.99; PS Plus price: $4.89; Regular price: $9.99 Dungeon Hunter Alliance - Sale price: $8.99; PS Plus price: $6.29; Regular price: $12.99 PlayStation Move Ape Escape - Sale price: $13.99; PS Plus price: $9.79; Regular price: $19.99

Steam

Steam is the one to check out ASAP compared to the rest. The Autumn Sale, for only on November 23 to 27 has amazing huge discounts on full games, like full games being cut by 50%. the Catch? they are day-one only sales that change each day so better check it out. Like today Dead Island is now 50% off only happening today on the 26th. How I wish I new about this sooner...

Head over to Steam NOW to not miss out on these discounts. They also have one-week only sales from other game developers also check out each publisher, one might catch your eye.

 

Cinematics coming from Square Enix is still quite immpressive

Lightning vs Caius As much as all the confusion towards Final Fantasy XIII-2 or even the current status of the series, Square Enix still proves that they can still produce amazing CG videos. They just released a new trailer and it's a perfect example if what I'm talking about.

I was a fan of the Final Fantasy series back in the day but when they started releasing games such as Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy XII and their latest entry Final Fantasy XIII, well let's just say I lost hope of ever getting hyped for a Final Fantasy game. This sequel to the linear Final Fantasy XIII is said to be the game that the first one should have been. Will this game be a better game as the first? it might come out that way since what was missing in the first is now present(towns, shops, exploration in general).

If you want a clear idea on what's going on check out the story trailer, but I think you'll even more confused.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 is only months away. The game will be out in Japan on December 15, while the US version will be out on January 31 2012 for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

Playstation 3 version of Skyrim having framerate drops, leaving it unplayable

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Skyrim is such an amazing game that we forget who made it. Bethesda has  always been known for a game developer to have tons of glitches and issues that leaves the game close to unplayable on a day one release. It's inevitable with Bethesda games. Remember when you first played Fallout 3? or even Fallout: New Vegas?! Not the smoothest I bet. Well as much as everybody loving the latest Elder Scrolls, the Playstation 3 version of Skyrim is showing some unplayable framerate drops and freezes after the 25 hour mark.

I'm currently playing Skyrim on my Xbox 360 and while I do experience some framerate drops and crashes, the Playstation 3 is experiencing it to a point where it can be unbearable. Arlie is playing the game on the Playstation 3 and is experiencing these broken issues first hand, and we are both midway into the game.

Why only now?

Why was this not addressed on release? well because it only occurs when you're somewhat midway into the game. The problem  could be coming from two sources: The size of each save file or The required installation in your Playstation system. In regards to the save files, we noticed that as you progress into the game, your file size get's bigger and bigger. This is seen in both the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

The starting save file during the start of the game starts at a whopping 2mb, that's already big for a save file. Both Arlie and I are past the 60 hour mark and our latest save files are currently at 9mb each save. NINE. I usually have around 5 saves in a game like this, so with all the autosaves and manuals save I have, my saves in total is around 81mb. This could be the source of the frame rate drops, especially the horrible ones experienced on the Playstation 3. Here's an example of what Playstation 3 owners are experiencing.

That's unplayable for me. Another possible reason for these frame drops is the installation done on your PS3. Arlie tried re-installing and noticed improvements by doing this, but after a few hours of playing the issue starts to surface yet again. Another remedy that might help is deactivating the auto saves in the game. By default, the game auto saves each time you travel, rest, and hit the menu screen after 30 minutes(can be specified). Turning it off and reducing the file size might help with the frame drop issues.

Here's another example of the horrible lag in the Playstation 3. Arlie recorded the video himself.

Playstation 3 isn't the way to go when thinking about playing Skyrim... for now. Your best bet will be on the PC if your PC can handle it. The 360 is the next best thing but still has those Frame rate drops and freezes, but is rare not compared to the PS3. The Xbox 360 version also has that installation bug that gives low resolution textures if you install the game in your HDD. Best way around that one is to not install it at all(thank god it's an option).

Is there a patch coming? yes. Bethesda has announced that the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 1.2 patch have been submitted for certification and will be up a week after thanksgiving, meaning the patch is still a week away. Hopefully this patch covers all this issues that prevent us from enjoying this awesome game. Any PS3 owners experiencing this too?

 

Max Payne 3 Special Edition announced

  Max Payne 3 Rockstar Games

Rockstar Games just announced the contents of their Special Edition for Max Payne 3. It will be priced at $99.99 in the US and can be pre-purchased only from November 21 to January 15.

Max Payne 3

No word yet if this Special Edition will be accessible outside the US, but since the Special Edition is only for pre-purchase, chances are slim. Sad I know, contents are pretty sweet too if you're into the whole collecting video game statues and all.

The Special Edition will include:

  • A Copy of Max Payne 3
  • 10" tall Collectible Max Payne Statue created in a collaboration between TriForce and Rockstar Games.
  • Series of game-inspired Original Still Life Art Prints that depict some of Max Payne's inner demons and vices.
  • Copper and brass-plated iron, bullet-shaped Bullet Keychain featuring a screw-off back.
  • Classic Multiplayer Character Pack of eight playable multiplayer characters for Max Payne 3 Multiplayer, including fan favorites  from the original Max Payne and Max Payne 2 like Max Payne from Max Payne 2, Mona Sax and Vladimir Lem.
  • Disorderly Conduct Multiplayer Weapons Pack for Max Payne 3 Multiplayer that includes the Hammerhead Auto Shotgun, 69 Grenade Launcher and Molotov Cocktail.
  • Max Payne 3 Official Soundtrack featuring the game's instrumental score.

A decent package for those hardcore fans. Max Payne 3 will be out next year on March for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

[Source: Gematsu]