Bring The Noise Gaming

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Steam Game Review: Dirty Bomb

With the rise of the MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) gaming genre, the FPS seems to have taken a backseat and this has caused some adverse effects on major titles such as Halo or Call of Duty. These adverse effects have caused these mainstream titles to fall from glory because the developers feel as if they must change the mechanics and overall feel of these once heavy hitters of the gaming industry. That said, Dirty Bomb tries to deliver where most other FPS games can't.

First off, the graphics of Dirty Bomb are absolutely gorgeous, especially for a free-to-play game. The graphics are also quite easy to read, even in the heat of battle. On that note, Dirty Bomb deserves credit for this because for the general player (nowadays) if a game isn't aesthetically pleasing, nine times out of ten it will fall to the bottom of the barrel, never to be looked at again. So thank you Nexon/Splash Damage for noticing this particular detail and expounding on it.

While good graphics may get the player hooked and intrigued, it takes a combination of gameplay and decent features to keep the attention of the gamer. This is where Dirty Bomb is both unique and shining in some aspects, but also where it seems to fall short. Before this review hashes anything out, I would like to point out that this is not about the rumored "hackers" of the game or the presumed "Pay-to-Win" model. Rather though, Dirty Bomb's objective system is somewhat muddled. In some situations, it's incredibly easy to win, while in other scenarios it is just seemingly impossible to get even a leg up on the competition. Now understandably, there is a certain amount of experience or teamwork that makes these situations present themselves. That's great! That's wonderful, but there are also some points on every map that can be exploited and in some cases abused for the advantage that they give. One such "point of exploitation" is on the map Chapel where the defending team must prevent the EV from reaching it's destination. Countless times, I've seen this map won right within the hanger where EV must park. All it takes is a Proxy player standing right inside the hangar where they are completely sheltered from every possible angle, and then all the player has to do is drop mines continuously on the front end of the EV which in turn decimates the chances of the offensive team's victory. While small, this is quite significant.

Another critical point that really sways the gameplay is the actual classes that are offered to the player. Granted, while some of these classes are quite unique and others are simple in playstyle, it's these exact differences that make it hard to play certain classes. The example chosen for this review is the Fire Support Merc, Skyhammer. Skyhammer is without a doubt fun to play. His run and gun style mixed with his airstrike special ability makes for quite a fun experience, however, when it comes to actually achieving anything for the team, he really falls off. Other than hanging around in the back with a rifle and just chucking out air support strikes, he just doesn't deliver the "aggressive" playstyle one would expect. On the other hand, Proxy, who is an Objective Specialist, can be considered absolutely overpowered. Proxy is a force to be reckoned with and can single-handedly win an entire match by herself. This is all due to the fact that she is an engineer, and can therefore build fortifications, or destroy them, and her speed mixed with her mines make her efficient at holding said objectives. As far as the mercenary classes, there could be some work done to make things a bit more balanced.

While the gameplay does need some work in the areas of exploitation and actual mercenary class power, the objective system that Dirty Bomb offers is wonderful. It feels almost as if the developers took the feel of the typical RTS MOBA and mixed it with the high-paced action of FPS games. This is a great combo as it makes the player feel like there is in fact a time crunch. The "Stopwatch Mode" is a shining example of this. In "Stopwatch Mode" both teams are given the opportunity to defend and attack, and the team that does this in the fastest time is the winner. What makes "Stopwatch Mode" so unique is the fact that it requires the team to come together as one and actually strategize in order to win the game. In some cases, the game can be won in a matter of 20 minutes, and other times it takes a whopping hour just to get past the second objective. On that note, Splash Damage/Nexon must be commended because it really focuses on the need for strategy and teamwork, rather than running around and dummy-gunning just hoping you get a kill.

The final stop for this review on Dirty Bomb is the unique shop system that it has in place. The player is able to gain battle cards from cases (which are won in matches or can be bought for a certain amount of in-game currency) and these battle cards give your mercenaries certain "upgrades" to their abilities. Whether it's faster run speed, a special knife, cooldown reduction on abilities (and so much more) the battle cards are the icing on the proverbial cake for Dirty Bomb. This card system has stirred up much controversy in the idea that it makes the game "Pay-to-Win" but there is very little evidence to support this theory. At least in my own experience, I've noticed that it's not about the card you are holding, but rather, about the skill it takes to play.

Overall, Dirty Bomb offers a unique experience, and it does have it's gameplay flaws. However, it is also still in Open Beta, so these flaws are to be expected. Once the map exploitations get fixed and the mercenary classes become a bit more balanced, there's no reason why Dirty Bomb shouldn't be at the top of the list when it comes to competitive FPS games.

For more information on Dirty Bomb, please visit:

http://dirtybomb.nexon.net/

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Monday, August 31, 2015

Multi-Platform Game Review: Call of Duty - Black Ops

Multi-Platform Game Review:

Call of Duty Black Ops

The Call of Duty series is no stranger to revolutionizing gameplay, especially when it comes to multiplayer. With that said, it should come as no surprise that "Call of Duty: Black Ops" furthered the Call of Duty legacy, and in a big way.

First on the agenda is the single-player campaign. The reason why this is such a big deal is because it sets the scene for the player; the understanding that the main character of the story is in fact "Black Ops" during the Vietnam War. So what does it mean to be "Black Ops" exactly? Well to give a rather brief definition: "covert military or political operations that may employ measure not generally authorized." (Google Definition) Basically the long and short of "Black Operations" is the simple fact that the enacting government will deny any and all involvement, no matter the outcome. This is a HUGE factor when it comes to the storyline of Call of Duty: Black Ops. Why? Because throughout the entire story our main character, Alex Mason, is undergoing extreme measure to pick his brain of what happened during his time in the Black Operations. From mission in Cuba, to covert sabotage of Russian bases, and discovery of biochemical weapons, Mason is forced to relive the cruel and harsh realities of his employ. Without spoiling too much more of the story, it should be suffice to say that campaign does a great job when it comes to painting the Vietnam war for the Hell that it was.

If single-player campaigns aren't exactly your thing, there are a couple more options that might suit you. Okay, let's face it, most people buy the Call of Duty brand name for the multiplayer aspects. So first up, we have the "Nazi Zombies" game-mode. This particular game-mode can be played solo or with friends (up to a maximum of 4) and it's essentially a "survival" mode that dishes out plenty of baddies that increase in difficulty as the waves tick higher. There are plenty of weapon upgrades strewn about the premises as well as sections that require a certain amount of points to be unlocked. Points can be accumulated by either building up fortifications or slaughtering the zombie hordes by any means necessary. There are also some neat little upgrades/drops that appear at random after slaying the undead that will favor the forces of good in various ways.

So the single player campaign paints the picture, and "Nazi Zombies" offers a great way to just mindlessly blow away the "not-quite-dead" bodies of Nazis, however, where Call of Duty: Black Ops really shines (as every Call of Duty game does) is in the true multiplayer aspect. With game-modes ranging from the nitty gritty Deathmatch style, to objective-based, team-focused play, there is no doubt that Black Ops has something for everybody. Not only are there plenty of game-modes to choose from, but the highlight of the multiplayer experience is absolutely, positively, the "black market" style of the unlock/level system. Unlike it's predecessors, "Black Ops" allows the player to rack up a type of currency, be it through grinding or contracts, that in turn offers the freedom of being able to buy any weapon/class/upgrade/etc. at any point in time. There are even "Classified" weapons that require the player to achieve a certain goal before becoming available to purchase. With all of that to take in, it become abundantly clear why "Call of Duty: Black Ops" was as successful after it's launch, and still is to this very day.

"Call of Duty: Black Ops" is a title that is most definitely worth picking up or downloading, or what have you. If you are a fan of the series, or even just looking for a unique take on multiplayer competitive gaming, "Black Ops" absolutely lives up to it's reputation and is worth the 20 dollar bill that it demands on store shelves.

For more information on "Call of Duty: Black Ops" or to purchase the game for yourself, please visit:

https://www.callofduty.com/blackops/home

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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Multi-Platform Game Review: Borderlands

So... what happens when you take the "hair-on-fire, guns-blazing" gamestyle of Doom, mix it with "treasure chest" concept of dungeon crawlers, add just a sprinkle of Mad Max "gone wrong," and wrap it up with a simple (yet effective) customization/leveling system, courtesy of the RPG genre? The facemelting "First Person Roleplaying Shooter" known simply as Borderlands is born.

Borderlands was an absolutely ground-breaking game when it made it's first appearance in the world of video games, and in all honesty, it still is. Let's face it... with it's high-octane gameplay style that pits the player in the middle of an apocalyptic, cannibal-ridden paradise; the world of Pandora delivers much, much more than anyone could have anticipated. At first glance, it looks pretty much like any other FPS out there (minus the graphics, but we'll get there soon enough). There's the seemingly mundane "run and gun" playstyle with the casual "smash and open" mechanic of various containers that are strewn about the terrain. However, once one is simply able to get past the cover and first few pages of our proverbial book, Borderlands becomes so much more.

The world of Borderlands is so immersive, in every way, that it becomes almost a chore to try and become disenchanted with it. Sure... the very beginning of the game can be somewhat draggy and like any "RPG" (I use this term quite loosely) it's bound to have it's lulls. That is just to be expected. Borderlands compensates for these very minute "flaws" by offering a treasure system that titillates the player to drive deeper and deeper into the darkest and farthest reaches of Pandora. Item drops and troves of weapons with seemingly limitless abilities are not the only thing that is sure to retain the attention of the gamer, but also the long list of baddies that are just waiting for their, and I quote, "Pound of Flesh." From cannibals, to enormous bug-like creatures, to some seriously messed up "dogs," (and the list goes on) there is always a fresh challenger, or challengers, ready to sink their teeth (or weapon of choice) right into you.

Tons of weapons? Check. Bodies upon bodies to slaughter? Double-check. So what else can Borderlands offer? How about a leveling system that is unique on it's own, but also implemented to enhance the FPS aspect of the game. Each of the four playable character-classes come equipped with a set of skill trees that compliment various playstyles. These skill trees include abilities like damage amplification, treasure-finding, defense amplification, and so much more. The player is able to unlock these abilities upon leveling up; each level granting a skill point. Needless to say, this is a fresh take on the FPS genre as it gives the player a sense of freedom and customization that makes that particular character powerful, but in their very own way. Like the leveling up system adds a sort of "flare" to combat mechanics, the exploration aspect of Borderlands is kicked up a notch as well. The player is able to traverse forwards, backwards, and side-to-side through all of the areas previously traversed. This means that the player can go find that "newly" found secret location or find a potentially mortal enemy and slaughter them for that "phat lewt" that they have been craving.

With gameplay covered, it's time to focus on the other aspects of the game that make this an absolute must-have for any gamer. First, there's the graphics. The cell-shading concept adapted by Borderlands adds a whole new look and feel to the FPS genre. It enhances the overall environment and not to mention, it is quite easy to identify interactive objects versus environmental effects. That said, there should be some caution taken when playing Borderlands for copious amounts of time, as the visual effects of cell-shading can make one feel "dizzy" or "woozy" at times. So just use some caution when it comes to this. It does happen!

Graphics are a key component to a game for various reasons, but now it's time to discuss the absolute biggest factor (in my own opinion) when it comes to ANY video game. That's replay value; and Borderlands passes that test with flying colors. Not only are there four playable characters, but there is also so much DLC for this game that it will become harder and harder to simply become "bored" with the game.

Overall, Borderlands is a title that delivers it all from gameplay, to graphics, to replay value and so much more. It's almost certain to keep you entertained for hours, days, weeks, and months without even batting an eye.

For more information on Borderlands, please visit:

http://borderlandsthegame.com/index.php/agegate?ref=%2F%2F

Steam Game Review: Caster

As many avid gamers out there know, Steam is an absolute must have when it comes to buying and/or sharing games and gaming experiences. There is an innumerable amount of content on Steam that can tickle the fancy of pretty much anybody out there. Among these games, is that of "Caster."

First, let's start with the basics. Pretty much any sale that Steam advertises on their 'Store' page, features this game. It's no more than a quarter (25 cents) every time a sale happens, so with that said, there really isn't too much reason NOT to get it. Let's face it, 25 cents really doesn't get you a whole lot nowadays as it is... You're lucky if you can get a giant gumball for that price at your local grocery store.

Caster is a neat little game that was developed by Elecorn, who is in turn an indie developer. With this said, one should definitely take into consideration the fact that the graphics won't be up to "par" as say a major developer's game (Bethesda, 2K Games, Activision, etc) would be. That's not to say that graphics are everything, however. The game does a great job of launching the player into this world that could be described as styled after an old Nintendo 64 3D platformer, much like Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie. Keeping this in mind, a controller adds to this nostalgic feel as the camera angles and movement work in much the same manner. Once the player goes through a brief tutorial mission, explaining how things work, the game then takes the player on a journey through a very outlandish world. It incorporates a rough combat system that puts a slowly unlocked arsenal of various lasers at the player's disposal. Each of these weapons serves a purpose on each level, and it's up to the player to use that noggin of theirs to figure out how each weapon applies to the current mission.

With the mention of weapons, and missions, there is a neat little "leveling up" system that happens as well. With each mission the player can destroy enemies and shoot trees to gain an in-game currency, which in turn let's the player upgrade various abilities as well as the lasers. These abilities include the ability to run faster or jump higher, for instance. Cool right? In fact, once some of these abilities are upgraded, the missions become a flatout breeze to go through in some instances. This could be looked at as a good thing, or a bad thing, depending on who the player is. That said, I'll leave that up to interpretation.

While nostalgia, loads of money to grab, and fun ways to outsmart the enemy are fun... This game falls short, and detrimentally so, in a few other, more crucial areas. First off, there is no real "story." This is absolutely key when it comes to immersing the player. Without a story... there's very little that will actually make the player feel as though anything is getting accomplished.

Another big problem with this game is the fact that the enemies are almost static in a sense. They have no real movement styles and the ability to decimate them by the thousands is absolutely comical. There's no real combat mechanics that the player needs to acquire in order thwart the enemy and whatever threat they pose in this distant place where nobody seems to know what's going on. This, in and of itself, can absolutely destroy the experience.

So... we have lots of guns, a "leveling" system, nostalgia that is offset by lack of story and no real challenge. The bad can offset the good, or vice versa. And maybe it wouldn't be all that bad if that was all there is to the story, however, it's not. Speaking of "all there is to the story," this game, above all things, is NOT COMPLETE. Judging by the looks of things, it won't ever be completed by the developer. This poor little gem of a game has been left incomplete for quite some time now (years, in fact) and the developer has yet to blink an eye at it. It's really quite a shame too, because there is so much potential here. All it needs just a little TLC and just a bit of polishing and this game could turn out to get the recognition that it (potentially) deserves. But don't hold your breath.

On a sidenote, however, I would like to include the fact that the developer was courteous enough to include an actual mission editor and level designer that allows players to fill in holes or create a whole new world. I have tried the editor out, and while it is somewhat wonky at first, I am highly appreciative that Elecorn allowed for the followers of the game the ability to take things into their own hands, if need be. In fact, there is also a section on the Caster/Elecorn website that allows for community submissions to be downloaded by the public to play. So... at least the "DLC" is free.

Taking ALL of this into account, I enjoyed my time with the game. And for only 25 cents, I enjoyed it even more. Given that it might take some imagination on the player's part to keep things going, it's well worth the small donation to try. That is... if you are willing to overlook the terribly awful state the game was left in.

(Here's to hoping that at some point in time Elecorn revisits this 'pound puppy' of video games gives it the attention that it deserves.)

For more information on Caster or download the game, please visit:

http://www.elecorn.com/caster3d/index.html

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Browser Game Review: Nords - Heroes of the North

Browser Game Review:

Nords - Heroes of the North

The most basic of internet functions, the web browser, has been the launching platform for many, many games. These titles include Crystal Saga, Evony, Stormfall, and so many others. The focus for this review, however, will be centralized on "Nords - Heroes of the North." And for good reason.

"Nords - Heroes of the North" is a fantastic empire building game that focuses on building up a stronghold with the resources available so that the player can overtake their fellow facebookers on a massively scaled battlefield. There are four resource types: Fire Ale, Mushrooms, Fish, and Emeralds. While the first three resources can be gained from within the walls of the player's stronghold, the Emeralds are gained in a variety of ways. The first and quite obvious way is to pay real cash to get your hands on these golden beauties. They are also acquired by completing quests or by hitting certain achievement thresholds, but they can also be obtained by competing in the global-scale tournaments that take place on a daily basis.

The progression of the player's stronghold also holds quite a unique path. There are far too many options to be able to go into great depth, so we'll just stick with the basics. Firstly, there are blood pacts, that unlock certain units as well as upgrade them. Once certain upgrades are reached, the player will then have access to different "races" of warriors, each one progressively better than the last. These races include: Northmen, Orcs, and Elves. The player starts off with the Northman class, but once the correct blood pacts and barracks are built, access to Orcs and Elves will become available. One more unit type that the player has access to is that of the Dragon. Dragon-class warriors are by far the most superior, but only limited access is granted at first. Overall, these diversifying racial qualities add to the depth of the game.

While resources are great and a broad warrior pool is mouth watering, what really takes the cake in this empire building, battle rager of a game, is the actual combat system. When it comes to real-time empire games, Nords can be considered a breath of fresh air. The combat system separates the units into three different categories: Scouting, Offense, and Defense. At this point, it becomes the player's decision to focus on whether they want to be a full-blown raiding terror on the lands of Shingard, or if they would rather turtle up and protect their precious resources from the claws of their would-be tyrant neighbors. To also add to this concept, there is an extremely useful "Clan" option that gives the player the choice to join up with like-minded folks in order to vie for dominance in group raids.

The major downside to this game, is the fact that pretty much all aspects of the game take FOREVER to build. So if you don't exactly have too much time to dilly dally with real-time games in general, Nords is definitely out of reach.

In conclusion, if you have plenty of time on your hands, are looking for just some sort of time-killer to keep your attention, or just like real-time empire building games then "Nords - Heroes of the North" is the right game for you!

For more information on "Nords - Heroes of the North" please visit:

http://plarium.com/en/strategy-games/nords-heroes-of-the-north/

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Windows Phone Game Review: Demon Defence

Tower defense games are undoubtedly a major staple when it comes to quick, fun-to-play games both on mobile devices as well as on PC. The approach tends to be the same from game to game, with slightly different features and tactics. "Demon Defence" follows this pattern as well.

"Demon Defence" has a storyline that revolves around building monstrous creations to fend off "demons" that are intent on attacking a little girl on a rocking horse. The story, is without a doubt, lacking. The whole concept can be lost as there isn't really too much elaboration on this element of the game. Thankfully, for what Demon Defence lacks in plotline, it makes up for with gameplay.

Basically, the player starts off with one "tower" which is in fact a laser. This laser does light damage while firing at a quickened pace, but its effectiveness truly runs it's course very early on in the game. However, as the game progresses and based on level performance and difficulty, the player has the chance to purchase and upgrade other tower models in the "shop" section of the game. The curency is blue diamonds, and these diamonds are won at the end of each map as well as randomly dropped in levels (though it is completely rare) by killing demons.

Along with this slightly different approach to the typical "tower defense" game, there are obstacles in the maps that allow the player to gain more money as well as "reveal" hidden towers. This process is also quite random. (So don't get your hopes if you are trying to destroy a rock or a tree in order to get that super awesome tower, because it probably won't happen.) Not to mention the clearing of said objects can be quite a stressful ordeal when also trying to manage the demon waves, which in turn get progressively stronger.

On top of all of this, the developers did a very nice job of making sure to add on more content in "episodes," but yet again, the higher up in the levels you go, the difficulty rises exponentially.

All in all, Demon Defence does a great job of carving it's name into the long list of worthy tower defence games. However, if patience or re-thinking tactics isn't your strong suit, this game will most certainly beat you before you have the chance to beat it.

For more information on Demon Defence, or to download the game and play it yourself, please visit:

Windows Phone:

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/demondefence/aac202ed-8da9-4e5a-b157-c22bd69617e5

Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fireflygame.demondefencegoogle&hl=en

iOS:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/demon-defence/id686408740?mt=8

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Android Game App Review: Hay Day

Farming games and simulators are a genre all to themselves. With titles such as Harvest Moon or Wild Season, just to name a couple, it's quite easy to see why farming games can be so addictive. "Hay Day" can add it's name to the list of good farming games and has many features to back it up.

Hay Day is a great little app that can be downloaded for the Android persuasion of mobile phones and tablets, and it is most definitely worth checking out. First of all, it is in fact free, so anyone who wishes to download can do so without that initial investment. Once downloaded, Hay Day will immediately win the player over with it's "happy" theme and colors.

The overall feel of the game is one of absolute enjoyment. It's a very simple concept to grasp hold of right away, and there is even a short tutorial that guides the user through the very first steps and basics of the game. This tutorial's guide is none other than a cute little scarecrow that pops up all over the farm to indicate to the player what needs to be done next. Once the tutorial is over, the player is then presented with a style of free-form play, and that is where the true fun begins.

As with most "building" game apps, there is a timed production and also a premium currency (in this case it's daimonds/white gems). One great feature of the premium currency is the fact that the game itself actually gives many opportunities to the player to acquire the gems rather than having to actually shell out any dough. This can range from "lock boxes" found on the farm map, to side quests, to leveling up, and achievements, plus so much more. This is an incredible feature for those of us out there who are pinching our pennies, but still looking to enjoy a nice relaxing game app.

While the "free" premium currency is a plus, the major portion of enjoyment that comes from this game is the ability to sustain your farm with an extremely large variety of animals and products. From chickens to cows, to bread-making and delivery trips, there is always something to do in order to keep the player coming back for more.

As mentioned above, there is also an achievement system that gives you bonuses in experience and materials as you complete them, and this is yet another great way that the game keeps the player's interest. On top of the achievement system there is also a "Facebook" connection option as well as a worldwide market for materials and crops, so if supplies end up running thin, there are always more options to get what's needed.

Overall, "Hay Day" offers a great a experience and delivers on that experience by keeping the player engaged with so many things to do, but also balancing itself out so that the user doesn't get overwhelmed. Not to mention the "free-form" play model offers that feeling of freedom and "do as you wish" playstyle that so many apps nowadays seem to lack. If you are looking for a great mobile app that is both easy on the pocketbook but overflowing in fun and de-stressing, Hay Day is a must!

For more information on "Hay Day" or to download it for your Android/iOS mobile device, please visit:

http://supercell.com/en/games/hayday/