tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91771802638006592322024-02-07T13:36:50.763+00:00GameSpankGaming is my hobby, my passion, my release; by blogging about my exploits through the virtual nether regions of the pixelated worlds I explore, I figured it would be something a little more constructive to divide my time with.
Aside from a gamer, I am also a boyfriend, photographer and cat lover.
I hope you enjoy my wordsmithery and find something you can relate to or at least be entertained and informed by.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-9005508639595624072013-07-09T15:33:00.002+01:002013-07-09T15:35:44.413+01:00Grand Theft Auto V Gameplay TrailerFinally a proper glimpse into the world of Grand Theft Auto V. This trailer shows off some of GTA V's features - car customisation, sports, oceans to explore, animal hunting...<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
This is looking to be the most activity-packed GTA yet; you can even invest in stocks and real estate. The trailer also gives us a glimpse into how you can switch between the game's three protagonists on the fly, either during exploration or missions. The most interesting part for me is the heist aspect, and how you must plan, set up, and finally execute them. A tease of the game's multiplayer is finally shown, which is promised to be revealed further down the line.<br />
<br />
Check out the trailer below and let me know what you think:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/N-xHcvug3WI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Are you looking forward to GTA V? Are you like me, and do you want this to be announced for PC as well? And how many of you will have Trevor running about in just his underpants?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-50283158567043274262013-07-04T12:33:00.002+01:002013-07-04T12:33:23.377+01:00GET YO' SPIKY ASS OVER HERE! - Final Fantasy VII arrives on Steam<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUP-J1MQtZnHlb0hxifOYzEluDy9tryv_REAQ-hvnwNvF3p2GjKKwied5CTjjIZximFyVdPEB8ks7Z5FODKtJXjJuz8qyiLraJfa4yzNCWT6ykCSn49o-J5cK4G0Bw0T6fKf73TgjS4A/s648/FF7logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUP-J1MQtZnHlb0hxifOYzEluDy9tryv_REAQ-hvnwNvF3p2GjKKwied5CTjjIZximFyVdPEB8ks7Z5FODKtJXjJuz8qyiLraJfa4yzNCWT6ykCSn49o-J5cK4G0Bw0T6fKf73TgjS4A/s400/FF7logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I woke up this morning, bleary-eyed and zombie-like, to boot up my PC and start Steam... only to be greeted with an update that one of my all-time favourite games has been added to Steam's store; <i>Final Fantasy VII</i>.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Now, I will begin by saying this, and judge me as you will - although I have played most <i>Final Fantasy</i> games, I have never finished any of them... but I still consider them to be among my favourite games, especially <i>FFVII</i>. I don't know exactly why I haven't finished any <i>FF</i> games... I usually put it down to the fact that they're so huge, and you need to spend a lot of time playing them, that by the time I'm near the end I get side-tracked by something... be it real life, or another game comes out that I <i>have</i> to play! So by the time I come back to playing the <i>FF</i> I left a few weeks earlier, I've forgotten where I was, what was happening and I'm not fully invested in it anymore. :/<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2yKPA40eXx7hHoeGTT2WLY9bz50BzZNwgnbUXvl56T4nhI0XDGn6_Xq-6C34aMO4zkZmDfTtqFrooUkzb3Jf0mI3UfkdNCmqNFPN9SSu9SfyhfC9j7E_uavn5MzskKuOWXcJsB0iN7Y/s1210/cloud1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2yKPA40eXx7hHoeGTT2WLY9bz50BzZNwgnbUXvl56T4nhI0XDGn6_Xq-6C34aMO4zkZmDfTtqFrooUkzb3Jf0mI3UfkdNCmqNFPN9SSu9SfyhfC9j7E_uavn5MzskKuOWXcJsB0iN7Y/s320/cloud1.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have you seen this image floating about the interwebs? Wondered why so many people at conventions look like this? Play <i>FFVII</i> now, get educated!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The hours I've spent playing <i>FFVII</i> are uncountable. I have spent so much time in that world, that whenever I decide to play it again it's like meeting up with an old friend I haven't seen for years. The locations, the characters, everything about it just brings me back to my bedroom when I was a kid, laying on the end of my bed with my PS controller in-hand, fighting the save the world.<br />
<br />
<i>FFVII</i> is often championed as one of the greatest <i>FF</i> games ever made, and it's easy to see why once you've played it. It's got a certain charm with it's looks, and the story, characters, and varied locations will leave you wanting more each time you go to put the controller/mouse down. There have been verious spin-off games and even animated movies set in the <i>FFVII </i>universe, which only highlights the game's immense popularity.<br />
<br />
If you're a fan of the <i>FF</i> series, but you're yet to play <i>VII</i>, I highly recommend you pick this up on Steam (<a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/39140/" target="_blank">£9.99</a>/<a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/39140/" target="_blank">$11.99</a>) today as you will experience something that you've been longing for, but didn't realise.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-2561584555605999862013-06-27T11:48:00.001+01:002013-06-27T11:56:09.484+01:00Dota 2: How to eradicate your free time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV_8-5kQAU__bwUpfk554HRC5hxFS9Kk9EJCaJch-ud-HwMP_A8xRDTzXhCpRh_lu267RJ_hOmiClVX0NPXAL1yi7y1QvBzA_omVPPOI6JbU-R5O6Mo8N-2-onTTdieywec6VORujrH8/s1600/dota_2_hi_res_wallpaper_by_d_k0d3-d30siae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV_8-5kQAU__bwUpfk554HRC5hxFS9Kk9EJCaJch-ud-HwMP_A8xRDTzXhCpRh_lu267RJ_hOmiClVX0NPXAL1yi7y1QvBzA_omVPPOI6JbU-R5O6Mo8N-2-onTTdieywec6VORujrH8/s400/dota_2_hi_res_wallpaper_by_d_k0d3-d30siae.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Dota 2 - a lot has been said about this game, how it is insanely difficult to learn and that if you're a noob then the community will cut you down where you stand, leaving you a quivering mess in the corner of the room. This is partially true, but I don't think it's to the extent that we're lead to believe. Let's take a little look at this seemingly intimidating behemoth.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I've put in over 500 hours with Dota 2... that's right, you're not seeing things. To the uninitiated this is an insane amount of time to put into any game, but for a Dota 2 player, I'm just getting started. More dedicated players and Pros put in thousands of hours, you have to, if you want to be the best. The learning curve is quite steep and there is much to do and think about when playing, which takes time to sink in and understand.<br />
<br />
The game plays like this: there are two teams, the Radiant and the Dire, each with 5 players. The teams must move along the three lanes which lead to the opposing team's base, which they must ultimately destroy. In between the bases and along the lanes there are towers which will fire upon enemies within range. Moving along the lanes are regular-spawning waves of AI controlled creeps which will relentlessly move along the same path, attacking any enemies/towers that stand in their way.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4tMJ1gpKS4McHcyFPwvnYExKEcYRzz8wCv3Uzf5jLDjBYlAnja1VQoOO6OC2-OCzJiBu58DOd7Id5WfsnR2tAJ0nSHzVnLFnzvEqufpXhdgVgiZ0yj9uC9Vg9zsYXmWh7xV_kg7BJpE/s1600/350px-Minimap_Lanes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4tMJ1gpKS4McHcyFPwvnYExKEcYRzz8wCv3Uzf5jLDjBYlAnja1VQoOO6OC2-OCzJiBu58DOd7Id5WfsnR2tAJ0nSHzVnLFnzvEqufpXhdgVgiZ0yj9uC9Vg9zsYXmWh7xV_kg7BJpE/s320/350px-Minimap_Lanes.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see the 3 lanes, along with the towers (squares).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEGE_2zjng76ZqGPYMI3T6AyaJDuHh5Jw2LZWcqN03vj3Bp5cGb6Ap9tdV8KrADn4XdbLJzd7emfzRLNs4dYgsX70tpkV6oCdtDwJM3zWbuvzDFguLtHSfW06AVqgMV4Q_BSdccL0FxQ/s1600/dota-2-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
It is the players' job to assist the creeps in pushing the lanes to destroy the enemy creeps, towers, heroes and eventually the base in order to claim victory. Sounds simple... well, it is and it isn't - the opposing team's heroes will be there every step of the way to stop you from reaching your goal, resulting in fast-paced and tense battles.<br />
<br />
The game currently has 101 heroes to choose from, as I write this now. 101 incredibly diverse and unique heroes, all with their own abilities and aesthetic appeal , that's an immense amount of choice you're given from the outset. But wait, it gets even more complicated - you also have a whole range of items to purchase and upgrade in-game which mixes up the numerous ways to play even more so.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiE-oyOOhsjxGz1JjHN0u0Xy22CLzX5lfMW3KNkkpiMsLeSTOHVp4qMkqv_ZlQlTSQwmSmchgUl7g5lH41hQZwf9tW2hpIUsbWOCTgAsK_MpWGRXJIQgTW3beco0w5-GT1b5P_XS3MDg/s1600/AxeRender-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiE-oyOOhsjxGz1JjHN0u0Xy22CLzX5lfMW3KNkkpiMsLeSTOHVp4qMkqv_ZlQlTSQwmSmchgUl7g5lH41hQZwf9tW2hpIUsbWOCTgAsK_MpWGRXJIQgTW3beco0w5-GT1b5P_XS3MDg/s320/AxeRender-1.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Axe is kind of a big deal... and he likes to speak of himself in the third person, naturally.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Each player starts off the match the same way, they pick a hero, purchase their starting items from their in-base shop and set off down their chosen lane to begin pushing the enemy's towers. Killing creeps gains you experience which your character will level up with over time (max level 25), and if you get the killing blow on a creep it yields gold for you too.<br />
<br />
Over my time playing Dota 2 I've gone through a few phases, high and low:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Phase 1: Total Noob - I had zero idea what was happening every step of the way during my first few matches. Constant deaths and running about like a headless chicken didn't do me any favours when it came to winning over my team mates and it didn't do me any good to actually enjoy the game and <i>want</i> to continue playing. All players will go through this, it doesn't matter who you are, everyone is a noob at something when they first get into it. Learning from your mistakes and even checking out guides online will help you become a more competent player. Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, the Dota 2 community can be something of a repellent to new players in the way that a lot of people will fire constant abuse at you if you make a mistake. All I can say is to power through it, try to ingore them and even play with friends in a group if you can as they're likely to be more forgiving of your shortcomings, I'd hope. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnz7Wj7xgCOBjadmSJUsrtBxcv2iuMPtIYWRulYBD9qRq7YUjIu5SKDMNJj22m1ccr4SmzT70Wd2Z-IC7jIah4q3maILw8ZMl4KdPxmEw9MkBLPramkSZB7iyBJsiMFZ4mKMwp2zQzX4/s1600/Drow-Ranger.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnz7Wj7xgCOBjadmSJUsrtBxcv2iuMPtIYWRulYBD9qRq7YUjIu5SKDMNJj22m1ccr4SmzT70Wd2Z-IC7jIah4q3maILw8ZMl4KdPxmEw9MkBLPramkSZB7iyBJsiMFZ4mKMwp2zQzX4/s320/Drow-Ranger.png" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drow Ranger is often referred to as a 'noob hero', which I guess she is, as she's simple to learn and play. But don't underestimate her - a good player can mess up the opposing team with her frost arrows and silence abilities.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Phase 2: Oh, that's how you do it! - It finally clicked, I had read a few guides and watched some videos on the basics of the game which gave me a great base understanding of the mechanics of laning, pushing and fighting enemy heroes. Along with the basics, I also found some good starting heroes to try out as some of them can be much more complicated to play than others. With this new found knowledge I was ready to hit the online matches with much more confidence, which also meant that I was less likely to majorly mess up and suffer any torrents of abuse. Don't get me wrong, there is always <i>that guy</i> who just fires random abuse at you for the most forgivable of mistakes, but at least I wasn't continuously messing up with every click of my mouse now.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Phase 3: WINNING!! - Not like Charlie Sheen, but in a much nicer and sane manner. I began to gravitate towards certain heroes I had played well with, which made me all the more confident in the random pub matches, in-turn helping me to play better and win. There is a great sense of reward that comes with your first win in Dota 2, especially if you had to get through some of the less positive aspects of the game to get there. As matches typically last for around 45 mins, a win after that much time spent with your brain constantly analysing and strategising is nothing short of encouragement to jump into your next match right away.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Phase 4: Stepping it up - This is where I'm at now, I've got the hours and the wins under my belt, along with the confidence to know what to do and when. I have been working on more advanced techniques such as 'animation-cancelling' and 'denying'. These are more advanced tactics that you definitely shouldn't worry about until you're at the stage I was in Phase 3. If performed correctly, such advance tactics can be game-changers and can almost certainly ensure a win for your team, if everyone is on the same page.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMHGliILFam5AmnCxs19gi3XeBKfu5FA8F3gbgJACw8AhzoVUyIySIHZLZRdWUhtzbrndSlINWEVs42EHVuzLrag4vBnwszihb6JidSws3qvZraI228ll1EYYm5oiXBoueYiTXZZXH-0/s1600/2013-06-24_00001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMHGliILFam5AmnCxs19gi3XeBKfu5FA8F3gbgJACw8AhzoVUyIySIHZLZRdWUhtzbrndSlINWEVs42EHVuzLrag4vBnwszihb6JidSws3qvZraI228ll1EYYm5oiXBoueYiTXZZXH-0/s640/2013-06-24_00001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A friend (Warlock, right) and I (Slark, left) waiting for the match to begin. There are so many heroes that you'll be spoilt for choice in the beginning, but you'll soon find your play style and favourite heroes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
So, what have I learnt by playing Dota 2? I've learnt that you must be willing to put the time in, not in a <i>work </i>or even practice sense, but take time to learn the basics and you will undoubtedly enjoy the game and stick with it. Also, it's immensely rewarding once the basics sink in and you start to find your favoured style of play along with <i>your</i> heroes. I've learnt that people can be horrible, nasty, and downright cruel to people that they have never met, all behind the shield of a computer screen - but saying that, I've also come to appreciate that with those sorts come the rare gems of truly kind and inviting people that are more than willing to help you learn the ropes, and are forgiving of your rise through the ranks of your noob-hours. In short, Dota 2 is a wonderfully rewarding, addictive, and brilliant game, and you must play it NOW... and forever.<br />
<br />
You can currently only play Dota 2 via an invite through Steam, of which I only have a few, but before long it should see it's full release, I hope... You can pay for early access <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/570/" target="_blank">here</a>, and join the millions of players being verbally abused today.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-64305557321239120002013-06-11T16:27:00.002+01:002013-06-11T16:27:51.272+01:00E3 2013 Sony Press Conference: PS4 InfoSony came out fighting in their press conference, obliterating their rivals, Microsoft, when it came to DRM, used games, and the price of their console. We also finally got a chance to <i>see</i> the new Sony console in all it's parallelogram glory. I've listed the keys points from the conference below:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2lCEHjPvM3gdqWKlSdavv7omxf-3dhf7ZRCrXOkpSx3zonMNU0X8oLNqgD8SBJdRy3fTRrAPY9D4GTR_2DTklLFyEJeXjFp1GUW_IK2QXTVDCdFJhZygKp3cJSgrVLutUfFvtRg1Q8g/s1600/ps4console.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2lCEHjPvM3gdqWKlSdavv7omxf-3dhf7ZRCrXOkpSx3zonMNU0X8oLNqgD8SBJdRy3fTRrAPY9D4GTR_2DTklLFyEJeXjFp1GUW_IK2QXTVDCdFJhZygKp3cJSgrVLutUfFvtRg1Q8g/s400/ps4console.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<ul>
<li> PS4 supports used games - you can trade in the game, sell it to someone else, lend it to a friend or keep it forever. This comes as welcome news considering Microsoft's stance on this subject.</li>
<li>You don't need to be connected online to play games you bought the disc for.</li>
<li>There is no online check-in system</li>
<li>Gaikai was briefly spoken of - they reminded us that we will be able to play games that are still being downloaded in the background, chat across different games, and transition to a friend's network based on real-world friends. However, Gaikai won't be available immediately - it will be available in the US first in 2014.</li>
<li>Playstation Plus memberships will transfer over to PS4 - at "less than $5" a month members will benefit from:</li>
</ul>
<ul><ul>
<li>Discounted games</li>
<li>Cloud saves</li>
<li>Automatic game updates</li>
<li>Early access to beta programs</li>
<li>Instant game collection</li>
<li>Online multiplayer</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> PS Plus members will also receive free access to one of the PS4's launch titles, Driveclub: PS Plus Edition as part of the instant game collection</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> PS4 launches around Christmas time 2013 and it's priced at $399, €399, and £349</li>
</ul>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-12276390411424211842013-06-11T16:27:00.001+01:002013-06-11T16:27:32.119+01:00E3 2013 Sony Press Conference: KnackI admit it, <i>Knack</i> isn't my usual type of game. It's brightly-coloured, cartoon style, wouldn't normally get me excited. But I must say, it does look great... perhaps I'm growing tired of the more serious games I tend to gravitate to and I'm looking for something that doesn't require my brain to become emotionally-hammered.<br />
<a name='more'></a> The director of <i>Knack</i>, Mark Cerny, has worked on such games as <i>Crash Bandicoot</i>, <i>Jak and Daxter</i>,<i> and Spyro</i>. With Mark's history in video games, I'm sure <i>Knack </i>will be just as popular. Take a look at the trailer below:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MD8XMXqTAG4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Are you a fan of platformers? Will you be buying <i>Knack</i>? Or do you think this game will be <i>knackered</i> from day one... see what I did there...? *sigh*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-33891893580366408022013-06-11T15:52:00.000+01:002013-06-11T15:52:23.214+01:00E3 2013 Sony Press Conference: DestinyA long-awaited reveal at the Sony conference was the first look at some actual gameplay footage of Bungie's <i>Destiny</i>. I have to say, I purposefully haven't looked into this title too much as I wanted to wait until the gameplay was revealed, and I'm impressed.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Set on Earth in the distant future, this video shows a live demo performed at the conference. We see the exploration of some ruins, good ol'fashioned lootin', and finally an epic battle ensues which brings together extra players in a "Public Event":<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/nBO_igyh8DY/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/nBO_igyh8DY&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/nBO_igyh8DY&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
Are you looking forward to Destiny? Are you like me and wishing for this to come to PC too?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-44198468121313641482013-06-11T14:45:00.002+01:002013-06-11T14:45:22.721+01:00E3 2013 Microsoft Press Conference: Xbox One InfoAmongst the game announcements and trailers, Microsoft also clarified a few points that we've been calling out for and and ones we didn't expect. I've listed them below:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrrRLGFZxm5vXf5_WqdELMwhKVeEFwWlMhj0iDiaFkc9m5SB93algh9CFMPGNMgt2U4Jolu7d9Rih9EQbxHpTi0Da0i1tJwWNGtDTQrrfjX-AOXG4jO3D05SAnwYeUeBbyhQYvT_D-Z8/s1600/Xbox+360+Slim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrrRLGFZxm5vXf5_WqdELMwhKVeEFwWlMhj0iDiaFkc9m5SB93algh9CFMPGNMgt2U4Jolu7d9Rih9EQbxHpTi0Da0i1tJwWNGtDTQrrfjX-AOXG4jO3D05SAnwYeUeBbyhQYvT_D-Z8/s320/Xbox+360+Slim.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooh, a new console... oh no wait, it's just a mini-360.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li>A new Xbox 360. This version of the 360, based on the Xbox One design, promises to be "smaller, sleeker, and as quiet as ever." And it's available to purchase now.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Xbox LIVE Gold membership will carry over to the Xbox One. In addition to this, Gold members will receive two free games per month, to download from the LIVE service. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>Upload Studio</i> will allow you to record, edit, and upload your gameplay for your friends to see. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>You will be able to stream your gameplay directly via <i>Twitch</i>, as it's built-in to the system.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>Smartglass</i> seems to be playing a big part in most, if not, all games for the Xbox One - you will be able to start a single-player game, set up multiplayer matches, check stats and compare progress in games against your friends, all via your mobile device using the <i>Smartglass</i> app.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>No more 100 friend limit. Unlimited number of friends on your LIVE account.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Microsoft Points have been binned, in favour of using the local currency of your country.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Anyone in your household can enjoy some of the benefits your Xbox LIVE Gold membership brings - including multiplayer, regardless of whether you're logged on or not. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Xbox One launches November 2013 priced at $499, €499, and £429.</li>
</ul>
<br />
What do you make of the Xbox One? Will you be picking one up? Should everyone really refer to it as the Xbone?<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-89283067505506198852013-06-11T14:04:00.002+01:002013-06-11T14:04:55.535+01:00E3 2013 Microsoft Press Conference: Quantum BreakThe creators of the <i>Max Payne</i> and <i>Alan Wake </i>games, Remedy, showed of their new Xbox One exclusive during the press conference.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a> Quantum Break will tie-in with a TV show and if you've played any of Remedy's previous games then you should have high-hopes for this new IP. The video below shows a scene running <i>real-time</i> <i>in-engine</i> - incredible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/L0KzBVewfEg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
What do you think of the footage shown in the video? Are you excited for this new IP? Do you think it's all just a bit like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VsK7m9v2eU" target="_blank"><i>Bernard's Watch</i></a>?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-19997114746960376042013-06-11T13:48:00.000+01:002013-06-11T13:48:08.995+01:00E3 2013 Microsoft Press Conference: Sunset OverdriveA welcome addition to the games announced during the conference is <i>Sunset Overdrive</i>,<i> </i>from Insomniac Games, the creators of <i>Ratchet and Clank</i>.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>From the trailer below you can see that this is definitely something new and exciting in the shooter genre. With over the top traversal, strange alien-looking enemies and guns that can be powered-up by energy drinks... <i>nice. </i>One thing that's most welcome is the fact it isn't a brown and grey shooter that we're so used to now, so let's hope the actual gameplay is as good as the trailer makes it out to be.<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FqJdZQPBDF0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Does <i>Sunset Overdrive</i> appeal to you? Are you bored of brown/grey shooters? Do <i>you </i>like surfing on food trays too?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-33229841590328344042013-06-11T13:37:00.000+01:002013-06-11T13:37:31.942+01:00E3 2013 Microsoft Press Conference: Dark Souls 2Oh god, it's that game... the sequel to Dark Souls, the game which had me frustratingly crawling through dungeons and dark forests trying oh so hard to just stay alive, nevermind actually progress.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
The footage in the video below shows much of the same from the first game - ridiculously difficult looking enemies, a dark world and huge-ass scary looking bosses. This new Dark Souls is sure to have me crying into my hands but still coming back for more. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ecITYi40tA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Have you played Dark Souls? Are you looking forward to the sequel? How much did the first game make you cry? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-40642269285935299332013-06-10T23:10:00.002+01:002013-06-10T23:10:41.213+01:00E3 2013 Microsoft Press Conference: TitanfallA new IP was revealed during the conference - Titanfall. This futuristic FPS sees you jumping into large online multiplayer battles, traversing the environment by running along walls, boosting across ledges and calling down huge <i>Titan</i> mechs to climb aboard and do battle with.<br />
<a name='more'></a>The last of the reveals during the conference, this game came as a welcome surprise - something relatively new and exciting. The option of controlling mechs and rocket-boosting across the battlefield is pretty damn appealing, wouldn't you say?<br />
<br />
Take a gander at the gameplay footage below:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HSUt3zvqN80?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
What do you think of this new IP? Another CoD clone, but with mechs and rocket packs? MECHS, ROCKET PACKS... nuff'said.<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-79691247064448695032013-06-10T22:32:00.000+01:002013-06-10T22:33:53.809+01:00E3 2013 Microsoft Press Conference: Dead Rising 3<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A surprise announcement from Capcom brings back the much-loved zombie killathon, Dead Rising, in it's third encounter.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More open-world-zombie-smashing for us all to enjoy in what looks and sounds to be the most epic game in the series. With zero load times, <i>masses</i> of zombies, quick combining of weapons, and the ability to use Smartglass to call in air strikes amongst other things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take a look at the gameplay demo below:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hlm-1dmB2gc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do you think of the gameplay demo? Are you bored of zombie games? What's the craziest zombie-killing weapon combination you can think of?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-18859855167647370512013-06-10T22:03:00.001+01:002013-06-10T22:03:04.852+01:00E3 2013 Microsoft Press Conference: The Witcher 3 - Wild Hunt<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also saw gameplay footage of The Witcher 3, from CD Projekt Red. The third and final instalment in The Witcher franchise will have you romaing an open world, and it looks spectacular.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over 100 hours of
gameplay, a non-linear story, and a huge world awaits you when it's released in 2014. It will bring such features as optional voice commands using Kinect, for quicker item swapping when in combat, and you can also use Xbox Smarglass for inventory management, if you're so inclined.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check out the gameplay video below:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/TZ_G6XiHoUA/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/TZ_G6XiHoUA&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/TZ_G6XiHoUA&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do you make of the gameplay footage? Have you played The Witcher games? What hair products do you think Geralt uses for his lovely long hair?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-69897392121710004162013-06-10T20:24:00.001+01:002013-06-10T20:24:10.423+01:00E3 2013 Microsoft Press Conference: Metal Gear Solid - The Phantom Pain<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
To kick off the flurry of game announcements and new footage at the E3 2013 Microsoft Press Conference, we were treated to some stunning gameplay footage of the new Metal Gear game - Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
MSG:TPP has some interesting features to engross you in it's open world, including realistic passing of time, unparralled strategic freedom and smoking. Yes, Snake will be continuing his habit in ultra-realistic graphical style.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check out the footage below, and see the wonder for yourself.<b> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4KevMPxaUtM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you excited by this new footage? What do you think of the Metal Gear series? And will Snake ever go cold turkey on the smokes? </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-79352327140073833192013-06-10T20:21:00.001+01:002013-06-10T20:21:38.941+01:00E3 2013 Microsoft Press Conference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYD0M1HQR6qB-r9XwrXVEJZj4yGy95wZ06rKSKett2-Rgtu4AN36NAwNFD_FbQN4ix8CQMLHu1x4YPGulHtHkmehyphenhyphenOlgGE00BByrl7RKIclvbcXlm1sHDWH-i41KSEzRknSWy3zJIeSXU/s1600/E3-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYD0M1HQR6qB-r9XwrXVEJZj4yGy95wZ06rKSKett2-Rgtu4AN36NAwNFD_FbQN4ix8CQMLHu1x4YPGulHtHkmehyphenhyphenOlgGE00BByrl7RKIclvbcXlm1sHDWH-i41KSEzRknSWy3zJIeSXU/s200/E3-Logo.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
<br />
I sat and watched the conference live over Twitch, I sat through the advertising-speak, the fluff, the bull... to pick out the games and announcements which I found the most exciting, so I could deliver them to you - minus the bull.<br />
<br />
Keep your eyes peeled for further updates as I sort through all this... stuff.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-47338250952309372682013-06-05T16:22:00.002+01:002013-06-05T16:31:01.867+01:00Marvel Heroes: First impressions<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQ1aqsbC6pRP-CS2ewzUhmSdsr-xOvQ7Cw2zMZByJ2RN6WqSozQ2Rd1d8NTe_qlGvIlHl0M0DwXkZsXUlzhhpdncvA0QjeHNcVcTkmdWnZeqoaDwZGXqtXECIFwBx6mg1hcMH4YWRLNQ/s1600/MarkoWLogo_1920x1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQ1aqsbC6pRP-CS2ewzUhmSdsr-xOvQ7Cw2zMZByJ2RN6WqSozQ2Rd1d8NTe_qlGvIlHl0M0DwXkZsXUlzhhpdncvA0QjeHNcVcTkmdWnZeqoaDwZGXqtXECIFwBx6mg1hcMH4YWRLNQ/s640/MarkoWLogo_1920x1200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/226320/" target="_blank">It's out and it’s free to play!</a> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gazillion Entertainment's <i>Marvel Heroes</i> is the latest in a pile of
Free to Play action-RPGs. As you've no doubt guessed, it's set in the Marvel
Universe, allowing you to take on the guise of one of many popular superheroes.
I've spent a few hours delving into the game to bring you my first impressions.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">First and
foremost the game looks great, with polished, and eye-pleasing, characters and environments.
Each superhero begins with a standard-looking costume, in which you'd most
likely recognise them; Daredevil in his pure red get-up; Spider-man in the
classic blue and red; Hulk, with his green skin and torn pants; and so on -
with alternate costumes being unlocked as you progress, or bought outright with
MH in-game currency.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It
follows the standard ARPG set-up, with impending world annihilation; the Earth
is in plight from Dr. Doom and you, and your fellow superheroes, must stop at
nothing to thwart his dastardly schemes. You choose a starting hero from a
roster of five (I chose Daredevil) and are then thrown into the action. The
super prison, The Raft, has been attacked in order to break out its
supervillain inmates - allowing them to spill out and rampage across the city.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3oKVGVvVUTyLTwnvt9RKyqCjo4QmyNjZs0e9MzTFgCRQ5rRZBDn9lYp2jCue6EFW67_7ETpG-_-y3mVo3kZBiahvkoapupP6nVUzWxS-0seOm2lapiBtvRHOc44lE00xl0HZ2MYTdao/s1600/2013-06-04_00001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3oKVGVvVUTyLTwnvt9RKyqCjo4QmyNjZs0e9MzTFgCRQ5rRZBDn9lYp2jCue6EFW67_7ETpG-_-y3mVo3kZBiahvkoapupP6nVUzWxS-0seOm2lapiBtvRHOc44lE00xl0HZ2MYTdao/s640/2013-06-04_00001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we have the man without fear himself, sporting this classic little red number.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Although
the game looks different to the usual dungeon-crawly games the genre is all too
familiar with, it plays just the same. You pick up a quest from the main hub
(the Avengers Tower in this instance) and are sent on your merry way to either
collect certain items or defeat certain foes. You use the left mouse button for
your standard attack and movement, and your right mouse button, along with your
assigned keys on the keyboard, to use your special abilities. Health and
Mana... oh, sorry, <i>Spirit </i>meters can be topped up by collecting the
colour-coordinated orbs that drop from enemies you defeat, or by using specific
items. Along with these orbs, there are also experience orbs which drop upon
defeating enemies, a la Kingdom Hearts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">One
entertaining feature was a random event in which Venom appeared – an indicator
flashed up on screen requesting that I defeat him, well I sped towards the
marker immediately. When I got to Venom I found what can only be described as a
hootenanny of players, all bashing their right mouse buttons into fragments
trying to hit him. There were so many players in that one area, that the lag
and frame rate drop was almost unbearable. We chased Venom up the screen, down
the screen, left a bit, and even right… Just getting a hit on the slippery
symbiote was a big achievement, and eventually after about 5 mins of Benny
Hill-style shenanigans we took him down. Our reward wasn’t quite as spectacular
as the effort we put in to end his tirade, but I guess the pleasure in doing is
its own reward, right?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7_mFJBTZXGuQKRUvWGpjYhpOGrn5G9KzLeI9vswpdzXozMJLTS0guHW509-NTdAj2EVcPwhyUzCRxiYPghWGXJLBJp_NFugMq87lTVc3KSlE_qlc_o-ipAoOBbZMvBM-uFGddwihSO4/s1600/2013-06-05_00028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7_mFJBTZXGuQKRUvWGpjYhpOGrn5G9KzLeI9vswpdzXozMJLTS0guHW509-NTdAj2EVcPwhyUzCRxiYPghWGXJLBJp_NFugMq87lTVc3KSlE_qlc_o-ipAoOBbZMvBM-uFGddwihSO4/s640/2013-06-05_00028.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the moments where I was really awe-struck, Venom shifted to moving right... and slightly up! You'll spot his lil tootsies at the top of the screen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0mpe0xkuhKn3CbLdOnnchrwSECorj41tEfeYgHWVV_vkxDAKyEuLCy542UMMNsO2bKlSxaGEliNUk5jomNifQ977iTo63l0roGxaoGwFyIliTPEvw6nGwo6OhsRgJ2Nw831SPxZvZ9Q/s1600/2013-06-05_00031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0mpe0xkuhKn3CbLdOnnchrwSECorj41tEfeYgHWVV_vkxDAKyEuLCy542UMMNsO2bKlSxaGEliNUk5jomNifQ977iTo63l0roGxaoGwFyIliTPEvw6nGwo6OhsRgJ2Nw831SPxZvZ9Q/s640/2013-06-05_00031.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although this was fun, and a welcome break to the 'go there, kill those goons' missions, I wouldn't want to go through this again any time soon - what a chore!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Whilst MH
is offering up a different universe in which to play an APRG, it still feels
like the same old to me, so far. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun game, but I am
still searching for something in it that will hook me - I would have thought
the simple fact it's a 100% Marvel universe would have grabbed me, but alas it
hasn't yet. Stick around, as I’ll be bringing you a further update once I’ve
had more time with it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Are you
playing Marvel Heroes? Which character are you playing? Are you as tired of
ARPG's as I am?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-6039637910696026222013-06-05T10:13:00.002+01:002013-06-05T10:13:21.314+01:00Civ V: How it's helped my relationship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC_MMN4YkOji7hRP9X7tUGe___4sSVzf1xQPoSJsxWHkAlO56Bnlh1fmr2AifhggcRk9Yg2jm3BNVCVu5YOQb4W8Cak_ZLXm_vOZUi-Sf2-mLr9I6Kyw5J_0JqB62L0Bwxoer8QroVUQ/s1600/Civ+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC_MMN4YkOji7hRP9X7tUGe___4sSVzf1xQPoSJsxWHkAlO56Bnlh1fmr2AifhggcRk9Yg2jm3BNVCVu5YOQb4W8Cak_ZLXm_vOZUi-Sf2-mLr9I6Kyw5J_0JqB62L0Bwxoer8QroVUQ/s640/Civ+5.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My girlfriend is at Uni; she has been there for almost 2 years, with the odd break every so often where she gets to come home. It's tough, being away from the one you love, but certain things help when missing them. Sure, there is the usual phone/Skype calls, and visiting one another... But one thing that has helped, is multiplayer, namely Sid Meier's Civilization V multiplayer.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I first played Civ way back, when I was but a lad; my mate had it on his Amiga. Every so often when I was at his house, I would pester him to fire up the Amiga so we could play it. Later I would come to own it myself, where I spent hours building up my civilizations in order to crush the opposition under the might of my armies. Yes, I'm a warmonger when it comes to Civ. Over the years I tried out the many iterations, and when Civ V was released I snapped up a copy.<br />
<br />
My girlfriend, Becky, and I got together back in July 2011, and over this time I have introduced her to a handful of different games I've enjoyed on my own; Dota 2, World of Warcraft and Civ V. She has played all three extensively, on her own, and with me. But Civ V seems to bring a part of her personality out that the others don't, her inner barbarian. We have spent countless hours exploring, trading and warring together, as we usually make sure we're allied and play against the computer. But recently we have started a game that's totally open, nobody has started off in an alliance, including Becky and I. I did think that perhaps once we meet each other in the game I could propose an alliance, but the first encounter we had ended with Becky's archers turning my scout into a rambling pin cushion.<br />
<br />
Of course that first encounter was met with retaliation, which saw my troops eradicating one of her catapults and some of her warriors. This was promptly met with a call for a cease fire from Becky, to which I agreed, but only if she paid a tribute of 100 gold. Swiftly declining my counter offer, Becky suggested I pay her 710 gold, the entire contents of my Civ's bank. Since that first meeting we have been at war (in game), and the end of it doesn't seem anywhere in sight. She is ruthless and will pick off any of my units every chance she gets, and I have to admit, it's difficult to play against her - she's relentless.<br />
<br />
My point is that gaming has given us another avenue in which to spend time together, especially through this time she is at Uni. Sure, talking over the phone or on Skype, and texting each other all helps, however gaming brings a whole other level of interaction and experiences that you just can't get when miles apart, and it helps <i>a lot.</i><br />
<br />
Despite the fact that whenever I play Civ with Becky she always tries to wipe me out, it's all in good fun and there is no real animosity there... right?<br />
<br />
<br />
Do you play games with your loved ones? Which games do you enjoy/endure together? Have you any suggestions of games which Becky and I should try out?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-31767952692605209562013-06-02T21:14:00.003+01:002013-06-04T13:22:36.389+01:00New Frontiers: Welcome to the world of indie gamesI'd never appreciated an indie game until recently. Sure, I'd played a few –
FTL: Faster Than Light, Deadlight (which I've <a href="http://gamespank.blogspot.com/2013/04/no-light-deadlight-review.html" target="_blank">reviewed</a>), and Limbo - but until
my recent purchases of Mark of the Ninja and Monaco, I never really had that
feeling of “Wow, this could actually be one of my favourite games, up there
with the rest of the bigger budget triple-A titles I've come to love over the
years.”
<br />
<br />
This comes at a good time. Lately, spending £30-£40 on bigger titles has
left me feeling hard done by; instead, I wait for them to be included in a
Steam sale or pick them up second-hand in a store. But indie games are cheaper,
ranging from anywhere between £5-£20 at launch, yet containing just as much fun
and content as the big titles.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>I've found myself scoping out the Steam sales and indie bundles, looking for
bargains, and - as I've never played 99% of the titles I find - this is an
all-new, exciting, and unexplored frontier for me. I picked up Hotline Miami a
couple of days back, which a friend had told me was a great game, and I spent a
couple of hours playing it today. It <i>is</i> a great... no, a <i>fantastic</i>
game, which has given me an experience I haven't had in any other game before:
pure.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKgmnubpk566HvJEgMBIT_JAYPkaLRc30WcIt0UKhg4mIGbYvRQnzRXeTn8SFlYRCN5-MVtgyv33YHoN5NKk_64eLDjyD4aLwviSodSocL2SRdRB0zF5emXVey44ca1ukF0DWzYWbm-k/s1600/2013-05-31_00005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKgmnubpk566HvJEgMBIT_JAYPkaLRc30WcIt0UKhg4mIGbYvRQnzRXeTn8SFlYRCN5-MVtgyv33YHoN5NKk_64eLDjyD4aLwviSodSocL2SRdRB0zF5emXVey44ca1ukF0DWzYWbm-k/s640/2013-05-31_00005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotline Miami <i>screams</i> 80s; its look, feel, and mind-blowing soundtrack transport you there. This is also one of the tamer sections of the game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And I guess that's what I've been looking for by exploring indie games: new
experiences, not just new IPs or new iterations of games with the same old
mechanics and gameplay we’ve all become accustomed to. I don't know why I have
never ventured any further into the indie genre; perhaps it's because the games
haven't been as widely advertised as the big budget titles you see in TV
adverts, and plastered all over YouTube Ads and website banners. But I know
that from now on I'll be making sure I keep on top of this newfound love of
mine, most likely spending less money on game purchases, and perhaps even
having more fun than I have had in a long time with the mainstream.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve put together a little list of the indie games
I’ve played and enjoyed so far, which I definitely recommend you try:</span></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/214560/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mark of the Ninja</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/113020/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/219150/?snr=1_7_15__13" target="_blank">Hotline Miami</a> (currently on
<a href="http://humblebundle.com/" target="_blank">Humblebundle.com</a> for cheap)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/212680/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1" target="_blank">FTL: Faster than Light</a> (currently on
sale on Steam)</span></li>
<li><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/238530/?snr=1_7_15__13" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/113200/?snr=1_7_15__13" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Binding of Isaac</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/48000/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Limbo</span></a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Indie games are the future. Actually, they’re the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now</i> if you ask me; thanks to Kickstarter
and Steam's Greenlight, more and more games are getting released that, were it
up to a big publisher, would never see the light of day. And this is great.
It’s great for the industry and it’s great for us, the players.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What’s your favourite indie game? Have you tried any
of the games I’ve listed above: what did you think of them? What indie game(s)
would you recommend I try?</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-5440607086317191912013-06-01T16:44:00.001+01:002013-06-01T16:57:45.123+01:00Going Live: Livestreaming on Twitch.tvGreetings avid blog readers. As the title suggests, I have ventured to the lands of livestreaming via <a href="http://twitch.tv/">Twitch.tv</a>. I tried it out this morning, whilst playing Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe, and all seems to be working ok.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Initially it was a bit of hassle to get streaming, especially at an acceptable framerate, as the PC I have at the moment can just about manage to stream the lesser CPU-draining Indie games.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're unaware of livestreaming, I'll give you a quick rundown of what it's all about: Livestreaming is when media is broadcast over the internet, live and as it happens, for everyone to watch from their PCs and mobile devices, it's as simple as that. Streams encompass all kinds of media from concerts and events (the 2012 Olympics and</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Felix Baumgartner</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">'s Stratos Space jump), to personal vlogs, but we're here to talk about gaming. Livestreaming of game content has rapidly increased over the last few years, with individuals </span>streaming their live gamplay across the world to thousands of viewers at a time. Large gaming tournaments becoming evermore the norm with League of Legends, Call of Duty and Dota 2 amo</span>ngst some of the top games to be streamed.<br />
<br />
Livestreaming is growing and I don't see it slowing down any time soon. It's becoming my own preference to watching regular TV - I even watched the Sony PS4 and the Microsoft Xbox One reveals live over Twitch. At first I was a little aprehensive of it all, "Who would enjoy watching other people play games online, when i could just be playing them myself?"... well, thousands, if not millions of people enjoy it everyday, and I'm now one of them! I've watched a handful of live Dota 2 tournaments, which are brilliantly entertaining, and have even helped me to pick up some handy in-game tactics for when I am playing it myself. <br />
<br />
There are plenty of top channels to choose from, with <a href="http://www.twitch.tv/manvsgame" target="_blank">MANvsGAME</a> being one of my personal favourites. Many pro gaming teams, and members of those teams, regularly stream, offering up advice and tips for their chosen games. With chat a chat room linked to the streaming channels, viewers can ask questions and offer suggestions, with answers and feedback being returned in realtime, which gives great insight into their lives and offers up interactivity
and engagement with the fans that you'd struggle to find anywhere
else.<br />
<br />
You should definitely give it a chance, as I'm sure you'll find at least one channel that piques your interest. But to get you started, I've offered up a list of some channels below:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.twitch.tv/thegdstudio" target="_blank">The GD Studio</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.twitch.tv/readyuptv" target="_blank">Ready Up TV</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.twitch.tv/gamespot" target="_blank">GameSpot</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.twitch.tv/giantbomb" target="_blank">Giant Bomb</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.twitch.tv/incgamers" target="_blank">IncGamers</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Check out my channel <a href="http://www.twitch.tv/gamespank" target="_blank">here</a> - hopefully once I get into the swing of it I will be updated and streaming regularly, so keep an eye out.<br />
<br />
<br />
Do you watch any livestreams? Which are your favourites? Do you have any ideas for classic or Indie games which you think I should stream?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-83240973284072239092013-05-24T12:24:00.000+01:002013-05-28T10:39:32.353+01:00Chivalry: Medieval Warfare - Free Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwbUcakkDBWmubdewpe-j3klZ7TOGysKECYpZXHO8C-Rb5Jd8JLtKYz74VWzprs1ja1zsA-kGZqS9dtYx_BI91paiTgt4GiZt_dqyiQQOUByf8BmE3TXmidg3FDyfjuozyubHu513-8I/s1600/Chivalry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwbUcakkDBWmubdewpe-j3klZ7TOGysKECYpZXHO8C-Rb5Jd8JLtKYz74VWzprs1ja1zsA-kGZqS9dtYx_BI91paiTgt4GiZt_dqyiQQOUByf8BmE3TXmidg3FDyfjuozyubHu513-8I/s640/Chivalry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Good morrow m'lord, doth thou yearn for bloody battles and castle sieges? Yes? Well look no further than Steam's latest free weekend!<br />
<br />
That's right, Steam is at it again, with it's free weekend for <i>Chivalry: Medieval Warfare</i>. This game was released in October 2012, and although I'd seen snippets of game footage and screenshots, I wasn't tempted enough to <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/219640/" target="_blank">pick up a copy</a>, until today.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>As one of two different factions, you're thrown into battle in various standard game modes such as <i>Team Deathmatch</i>,<i> Free For All and King of the Hill</i>. However there are one or two other modes that make the game a little more interesting - for example my favourite, <i>Team Objective</i>, which sees you and your fellow men at arms either trying to besiege a castle to kill it's King, or defend that same castle and repel the invaders.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1UgpjIiWOT8J4VpB54A9j4Rt15jMY8_xNRIAOOx_B-lceHlQwQbT7DkSYNzvdxtMwCeMOWIxMNEw0gGTTYBA_WAFt-KJJRhEXFWchMTrfah9Zi1UTygGLcTMMzpd0fM62VapwkLyp7A/s1600/2013-05-24_00019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1UgpjIiWOT8J4VpB54A9j4Rt15jMY8_xNRIAOOx_B-lceHlQwQbT7DkSYNzvdxtMwCeMOWIxMNEw0gGTTYBA_WAFt-KJJRhEXFWchMTrfah9Zi1UTygGLcTMMzpd0fM62VapwkLyp7A/s640/2013-05-24_00019.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone, somewhere, needs to make a Game of Thrones mod or DLC - I know plenty of folks who'd like to kill King Joffrey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You can play as one of four different classes, ranging from the low armoured <i>Archer</i>, to the high armoured, but slow, <i>Knight.</i> Each class can be outfitted with a range of different weapons and items depending on how you want to play.<br />
<br />
The gameplay is fast and tense, as you find yourself frantically trying to dodge and block your enemies' incoming sword swings to keep your limbs intact, whilst also trying to get the odd sword swing of your own in there too. Oh yeah, and in the middle of all that you'll have arrows, siege weapons and huge boiling cauldrons of oil to look out for too. It pays to work together and cover eachother's backs, as often I discovered that becoming surrounded by enemies can happen in an instant and you'll soon be their fleshy pin cushion.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvk_L7LHjuJ3acQswwfeHNoV-5nctxXrjPW8okOGer0yYJbFRLRk1-b9TgPCOV34hIg6izNuuDz-ne5qoBwRJ3z7Q_Sh9KOf7MrWfIDvDcBUhXHoLida_aJ3_ngEP3gFN66d-qdvGMxjQ/s1600/2013-05-24_00011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvk_L7LHjuJ3acQswwfeHNoV-5nctxXrjPW8okOGer0yYJbFRLRk1-b9TgPCOV34hIg6izNuuDz-ne5qoBwRJ3z7Q_Sh9KOf7MrWfIDvDcBUhXHoLida_aJ3_ngEP3gFN66d-qdvGMxjQ/s640/2013-05-24_00011.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying not to hit your allies is quite the challenge - luckily I got away with the odd stray arrow here and there.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You can play the game, completely free, until Monday 27 May at 10am PST (6pm BST). On top of that, the game is also 66% off (£6.45/$8.49), so if you like what you've seen over this weekend why not <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/219640/" target="_blank">pick it up</a> and begin talking all Medieval-style like me, squire.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DEzfzis725k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Have you played <i>Chivarly</i> - what do you like or dislike about it? What's your favourite class to play as? And hast thou begun to speak like a Medieval lord?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-91268785717605201362013-05-05T15:26:00.001+01:002013-05-05T15:26:48.398+01:00IncGamers Plays: MonacoI joined my friends over at <a href="http://www.incgamers.com/" target="_blank">IncGamers </a>for a couple of sessions on Monaco. Check out the videos below to see how we got on: You'll see how many people I can choke as the Cleaner and learn all about my sexy monkey.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/pEz5Lf3CXAE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Whre3nh2sxM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Who is your favourite character to play as? Do you prefer stealth or to cause mayhem? And do you like my sexy monkey?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-68895791861285868362013-05-05T15:04:00.000+01:002013-05-05T15:04:59.090+01:00Put the money in the bag: Monaco: What's Yours is Mine Review<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Developed by: <a href="http://www.pocketwatchgames.com/" target="_blank">Pocketwatch Games</a></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Published by: <span class="brand"><a href="http://www.majescoent.com/" target="_blank" title="Majesco Entertainment">Majesco Entertainment</a></span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Platform: <a href="http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-GB/Product/Monaco-Whats-Yours-is-Mine/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258411297" target="_blank">Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade),</a> <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/113020/" target="_blank">Microsoft Windows (Steam)</a></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Platform
Reviewed:<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Microsoft Windows (Using Xbox
360 Controller)</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Monaco, </i>that's where I've been... Well, not in reality, I have
actually been super-incredibly-overwhelmingly busy, hence why I haven't posted
for a while. Sorry.</span><br />
<br />
Anyway, in the time I haven't been posting blog updates, I have managed to
play <i>Monaco</i>. 'What the devil is that, Adam?', I hear you
cry. I will tell you, good sir/madam!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Monaco: What's Yours is Mine, is an indie heist-em-up (thank you, <a href="http://www.incgamers.com/2013/04/monaco-whats-yours-is-mine-review/" target="_blank">Tim</a>),
seeing you placed in the setting of the game's name - Monaco. You play one of
up to 8 characters, who are part of a gang going about robbing various
establishments in Monaco – from a regular bank, to a casino, and even a yacht.<br />
<br />
The look of the game is truly unique, with its top-down view displaying the
areas you can’t see as a blue-print of the building you’re there to pilfer, and
the areas you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> see as colourfully
detailed rooms with the field-of-view spilling around corners as you move. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Monaco’s</i> music is atmospheric, drawing
you into your new criminal lifestyle. When you alert a guard or when you’re
being chased by 5 guards Benny Hill-style, the music’s tempo increases and
causes you to have fleeting moments of panic – ‘Where can I hide?’, ‘Should I
use the shotgun!?’ (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always </i>use the
shotgun).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgHRObZKCtxBuKNNdEsEjtxzTbhWxYjVDzwD8UFuBTFyEYD6aV08VK8BbEY-8FmHnDb8Pd6_4zrlitYDRZeaeH9B3mWaa8G5KtZNUhKy01P8OYEtdbu9X8Uq3d8B8wzBD9x0BSEbqxXk/s1600/2013-04-28_00003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgHRObZKCtxBuKNNdEsEjtxzTbhWxYjVDzwD8UFuBTFyEYD6aV08VK8BbEY-8FmHnDb8Pd6_4zrlitYDRZeaeH9B3mWaa8G5KtZNUhKy01P8OYEtdbu9X8Uq3d8B8wzBD9x0BSEbqxXk/s640/2013-04-28_00003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Areas you cannot see show up as the blue-print of the building.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The story begins with a prison breakout, seeing you picking locked doors and
sneaking past guards to get to your escape vehicle. There are two campaigns,
telling the same story, but from two different perspectives - witty and humours
narrative and the interesting story, which pulls a little inspiration from
Hollywood, it keeps you invested into why you’re robbing such a variety of
places.<br />
<br />
The game does well to ease the player in to the mechanics of the game in the
first few levels, with blatant pointing arrows and prompts on the ground,
indicating where to go and what to do. The controls are some of the simplest
I've ever come across: walk into stuff to use it - doors, computers, ladders...
There is the odd button to press for using one of the many different items you
can wield, such as a shotgun, smoke bomb and EMP to name but a few. You gain
extra uses of these items by collecting the numerous coins strewn about the
levels - the main objective is to collect the trophies and escape, although
collecting all the coins as well will indicate you've 'cleaned out' the level.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZMpQ_AyWaY4uKPwsrkc6pispvL1hSmY6AFQbaaXb_0h0H4dMmkrvynyn2LpoFs8TCFbcoZ1PFNhUIr2A4t8e7IiGBNWOU03dOOCWf4f-Q2H8xpoFQ9EOX0fYIDDeIM_7rMumFYXl5v4/s1600/2013-04-25_00002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZMpQ_AyWaY4uKPwsrkc6pispvL1hSmY6AFQbaaXb_0h0H4dMmkrvynyn2LpoFs8TCFbcoZ1PFNhUIr2A4t8e7IiGBNWOU03dOOCWf4f-Q2H8xpoFQ9EOX0fYIDDeIM_7rMumFYXl5v4/s640/2013-04-25_00002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earlier levels indicate where you need to go, with the super-helpful pointy arrows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After the first few levels though, you're on your own, and you'd better
wise-up fast unless you want to spend most of your time staring at your
skeletal corpse, after a mob of guards has beaten you to death with their
truncheons. The locations you’re robbing increase in their complexity and
security coverage as you progress, forcing you to adapt and think-out your
routes before taking a deep breath and darting for those trophies.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvjaqX_ZSFUYxjoFabmCmEix-OaKb6YKUUwaWKPFh2LZiK_W5wTKfTyO7STdo7yaNY-uqgzOqcdAfRfH9MRjOLx0lJZj4kjWIFjoO4gi5LsIBpvtT5wP4YdE75jo7FBwhXuyyrA4yqwY/s1600/2013-05-04_00006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvjaqX_ZSFUYxjoFabmCmEix-OaKb6YKUUwaWKPFh2LZiK_W5wTKfTyO7STdo7yaNY-uqgzOqcdAfRfH9MRjOLx0lJZj4kjWIFjoO4gi5LsIBpvtT5wP4YdE75jo7FBwhXuyyrA4yqwY/s640/2013-05-04_00006.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In contrast to the early levels, the later ones offer up all manner of obstacles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In single player mode you get 4 lives, so if you die as, say, the Pickpocket;
you can respawn as the Cleaner and carry on from where you left off. Character
choice is important for the later levels and prior planning is almost
completely essential. Each character has their own unique ability: the
Pickpocket with his coin-collecting monkey: The Cleaner, who can snap peoples’
necks like balsa wood: or even the Hacker who can, you’ve guessed it, hack
computers and electrical points with speed. Choosing any one of the characters
will still see you trying figure out how you're going to get that singular
trophy, surrounded by alarm lasers which are spinning in a 360 degree motion,
without tripping them and alerting the guards. And this is one of the easier
trophies to snatch.<br />
<br />
Planning is fun, especially in multiplayer, as you can be there for 5-10mins
at a time just talking about what’re you’re going to do and how you’re going to
do it: whether you take one side of the level to yourself or you both work on
one section together, trying to time your moves perfectly as to not cause undue
attention. I've mostly been playing Monaco online with a friend, we’ve cleared
out most of the levels, of which the later ones have taken us up to and over
30mins each to complete and that's with multiple attempts and an uncountable
amount of deaths and F-bombs. You can play with up to 3 others online, either
in an open lobby or private game with friends – and multiplayer, for me, is
definitely where this game shines. The amount of unique and random experiences
when playing with others is seemingly infinite. When playing with my friend,
who is much better at Monaco than I, I found myself dying in the most
inconvenient sections of the levels, prompting us to plan how he would revive
me. This happened a fair bit, and I can only imagine that he is a much better
player now because of my inability to keep my character alive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-99jI8p4hbB4qEcsQBPQwIM8Y-PGR6uWhd54UqhxqYF78ujLlbnABXcLoa-deyAHB0CcjiOwy2xfq8CbT5H6e-QdLtOJR2iyHZTUrI9V8u0ExktxUeTJ06JTff__PBWyWwv9ZvqRfas/s1600/2013-04-20_00005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-99jI8p4hbB4qEcsQBPQwIM8Y-PGR6uWhd54UqhxqYF78ujLlbnABXcLoa-deyAHB0CcjiOwy2xfq8CbT5H6e-QdLtOJR2iyHZTUrI9V8u0ExktxUeTJ06JTff__PBWyWwv9ZvqRfas/s640/2013-04-20_00005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More experienced friends can have their skills, and patience, tested by lesser players who like to die in hard to reach places.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The only real criticism I have of the game is that in the early stages, when
you’re still learning what icons on the blueprint indicate and when there is a
lot of movement when guards are alerted, I found myself losing my character or
not knowing exactly where to go to find that last bunch of coins. This all
comes with time, and much trial and error, but stick with it and you’ll be a dirty
criminal in no time.<br />
<br />
I’ve been playing on PC, using an Xbox 360 controller, which I highly
recommend as the analogue sticks give you that extra bit of manoeuvrability over
using the keyboard – always handy, as I found myself alerting guards more often
than not.<br />
<br />
There are leaderboards for each level, and you can filter the results
between your friends, single player, and multiplayer. Many hours of trying to
climb the rankings and beat your friends is testament to amount of re-playability
this game offers, and for only £11.99 on Steam right now, it’s a steal.
Unintentional pun, but I’m leaving it in there – go on, ridicule me.<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Monaco </i>isn’t my usual type of
game, but it has lured me in for more hours than I expected to devote to it. So
if you’re after something innovative and fun, unbelievably hilarious in
multiplayer, and won’t leave you scrimping for cash to pay for it, this is the
game for you.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8Yz1Le79QlGDCwdmcwwy3axLP_P73cMptEYhM_tWD2kJXEVeru6rEuo0GvWM5TiwItje0J4denlmNsuKC38jCqsC-Y5jHkcobattwTGOxJrWBP57nIgGdVzkW4sRE1h33Wp5IfrBVXQ/s1600/4+Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8Yz1Le79QlGDCwdmcwwy3axLP_P73cMptEYhM_tWD2kJXEVeru6rEuo0GvWM5TiwItje0J4denlmNsuKC38jCqsC-Y5jHkcobattwTGOxJrWBP57nIgGdVzkW4sRE1h33Wp5IfrBVXQ/s400/4+Star.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 out of 5 stars to this super-stealthy Benny Hill-'em-up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-99jI8p4hbB4qEcsQBPQwIM8Y-PGR6uWhd54UqhxqYF78ujLlbnABXcLoa-deyAHB0CcjiOwy2xfq8CbT5H6e-QdLtOJR2iyHZTUrI9V8u0ExktxUeTJ06JTff__PBWyWwv9ZvqRfas/s1600/2013-04-20_00005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZMpQ_AyWaY4uKPwsrkc6pispvL1hSmY6AFQbaaXb_0h0H4dMmkrvynyn2LpoFs8TCFbcoZ1PFNhUIr2A4t8e7IiGBNWOU03dOOCWf4f-Q2H8xpoFQ9EOX0fYIDDeIM_7rMumFYXl5v4/s1600/2013-04-25_00002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgHRObZKCtxBuKNNdEsEjtxzTbhWxYjVDzwD8UFuBTFyEYD6aV08VK8BbEY-8FmHnDb8Pd6_4zrlitYDRZeaeH9B3mWaa8G5KtZNUhKy01P8OYEtdbu9X8Uq3d8B8wzBD9x0BSEbqxXk/s1600/2013-04-28_00003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvjaqX_ZSFUYxjoFabmCmEix-OaKb6YKUUwaWKPFh2LZiK_W5wTKfTyO7STdo7yaNY-uqgzOqcdAfRfH9MRjOLx0lJZj4kjWIFjoO4gi5LsIBpvtT5wP4YdE75jo7FBwhXuyyrA4yqwY/s1600/2013-05-04_00006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Have you played Monaco? Does it interest you? Are <i>you</i> a dirty criminal? Please post your comments below!<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-83711042642044785412013-04-14T15:56:00.001+01:002013-04-14T15:56:16.632+01:00No Light: A Deadlight Review<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Developed by: <a href="http://www.tequilaworks.com/" target="_blank">Tequila Works</a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Published by:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/games/" target="_blank">Microsoft Studios</a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Platform: <a href="http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-GB/Product/Deadlight/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258410b8d" target="_blank">Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade),</a> <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/211400/" target="_blank">Microsoft Windows (Steam)</a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Platform
Reviewed:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Microsoft Windows (Using Xbox
360 Controller)</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For my first
real, proper game review – you know where you sit down and play<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">,</span> but take notes at the same
time, with one of those pen things with the paper and the <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">hand movements </span>– I thought I
would go for a game that I could potentially enjoy and wouldn’t be overly time
consuming… ‘Deadlight’ – here goes <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">nothin’.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From the initial
ink-blot developer screens at start-up, to the main menu screen – with its dark
and desolate scene of an abandoned highway - the art direction was promising.
It reminded me a little of <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">‘The
Walking Dead’ </span>TV Show, which is a very good thing. This style follows on
into the game as you’re controlling your character via a side-on 2D platform view,
but most of the time the foreground is drenched in darkness, allowing you to
only see your character as a silhouette. The backgrounds are generally well lit
and the level of detail within them brings depth into the world, making this a
little more than just your average 2D side-scroller.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyT9LmLVmfZsdhGAZ-LRQhDlwaJSHzilFVkFJ0UQS35wZy0SaPLf3KgwAjJCHmf8xlavJ64GSLKaz6F0uOygFmA_iqKnaVWn2i22Mo3nZJUG87tdf0E7MV7wyYbjAdifFlfEDNvXzQOI/s1600/2013-04-14_00001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyT9LmLVmfZsdhGAZ-LRQhDlwaJSHzilFVkFJ0UQS35wZy0SaPLf3KgwAjJCHmf8xlavJ64GSLKaz6F0uOygFmA_iqKnaVWn2i22Mo3nZJUG87tdf0E7MV7wyYbjAdifFlfEDNvXzQOI/s640/2013-04-14_00001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great art-style which is present throughout.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Set in the
summer of 1986 Seattle, the game begins with a graphic novel style cut scene depicting
the main character, Randall Wayne (Randy) - a Park Ranger - shooting a woman
who is lead face-down and covered in blood and wounds. The scene sets the
simple story line up – zombies have emerged, Randy is separated from his wife and kid, the woman Randy shot was bitten,
you and your group all try to flee a hoard of zombies (known as ‘Shadows’), but
you (Randy<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">),</span><span style="color: red;"> </span>are left behind <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">and </span>so must make your way alone<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">,</span> to the ‘Safe Zone’ your friends are heading to.
With such a stand-out era as the 80s, there is little reference to this period,
other than a cassette tape style loading animation and the achievements being
classic 80s song names. I’m not asking for time-travelling Deloreans or that
Randy be traversing the scenes sporting double-denim and a blonde heavy metal
mullet, but I think more could have been done to make you feel that ‘this is
the 80s’.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Levels are
referred to as “Scenes” and the first of which sees you slowly learning the
ropes; jumping, climbing, moving objects etc, whilst <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">avoiding</i> Shadows<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">,<s>
</s></span>as you are yet to wield a weapon to combat them. Although there are
few controls to master, they can feel clumsy at times, and later scenes require
rather precise timing – so the odd expletive should be expected when you miss a
button press at a ledge and Randy performs a freestyle bass-jump to certain
doom. There are flawed game-mechanics here and there and some of the <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">movements that Randy can </span>and
cannot do are a little unbelievable for a park ranger – such as traversing tall
buildings like a ninja and being unable to swim in water above his waist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-YiSVrwD8mQgTRsml1XUduBsgCmseF43Al7uxMxS11ulSBv2k_8gCBrMYp4XuZ7xzJX_BMcUnZmScVqJwMP2rjkrvVtlnm-RHobxElj6S91iqRhumthyfcULZy8laobQesXCvB6ZRMs/s1600/2013-03-29_00005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-YiSVrwD8mQgTRsml1XUduBsgCmseF43Al7uxMxS11ulSBv2k_8gCBrMYp4XuZ7xzJX_BMcUnZmScVqJwMP2rjkrvVtlnm-RHobxElj6S91iqRhumthyfcULZy8laobQesXCvB6ZRMs/s640/2013-03-29_00005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Park Ranger that cannot swim - he must have left that off his CV.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you’re
looking at Deadlight and expecting a fast-paced-zombie-shoot-em-up-ho-down (I
have the rights to this genre, so don’t be stealing my idea), then you’re
looking in the wrong direction. Deadlight’s combat is not the main focus – the
combat seems to be there in order to get you out of a bind. You’ll find that
running away is generally the best course of action, as the combat is
unforgiving and frustrating if you find yourself up against even just a handful
of <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">the undead</span>. A single
hit from an enemy will deplete one full bar from your 3 bars of health, so if
you can avoid combat, do! Shadows are easy to take down when alone, but once 2
or three are clumped together it is easy to suffer a hit from one even though
you’re swinging your axe as frantically as possible. In later sections, one
simple mistake or miss-swing of your axe can cost you <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">your life. There </span>are guns in Deadlight, but ammo
isn’t aplenty so you will be relying on your axe more often than not if you
find yourself cornered. Swinging your axe will knock enemies back a little, but
to send them to an eternal slumber you must behead them. The easiest way is to
swing at them until they’re knocked down, then hold the attack button which
prompts Randy to raise the axe up high and bring it down on your horizontal
foe. Don’t be fooled, this method is quite difficult, not to mention
frustrating, when encountering multiple Shadows.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Throughout
the game you will be able to loot corpses of unlucky individuals caught in the
fray – some may hold ammo, whilst others could have hidden secrets which can
also be found in not-so-secret, secret areas. The hidden secrets can be objects
which relate to the main story of the game but others feel contrived – such as
I.D.s of random strangers or newspaper cuttings which offer nothing to the
overall feel of the game. The developers were obviously trying to bring more
depth, possibly attempting to make you feel something, but looking back over
the secrets I found via the menu, they just felt tacked-on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You meet a
few different characters throughout Deadlight, with below average voice acting,
and forgettable personas – apart from one, The Rat. The Rat is particularly
annoying – forcing you in to a sewer section of the game which feels completely
unnecessary and pulls you away from the main focus for no other <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">reason than </span>‘just because’. He
also refers to Randy as “Mr. Wayne” an innumerable amount of times, which only
led me to wander off in my mind and think about Batman – which I guess is no
bad thing but when you’re trying to be pulled in by what you’re playing, it
doesn’t help for overall immersion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whilst the
story is simple, sections such as the sewers with our friend The Rat do little
to invest you in it. Some parts contradict others and the ending still puzzles
and frustrates me today. Amongst the hidden items, they are diary pages strewn
throughout the scenes. These pages are from Randy’s diary – which you can
access at any time. The diary does add more substance to Randy and his story,
so the developers got that right – if only the rest of the collectibles could
have done the same.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4ZEnZCYwXtibuv16nT6aNBqqGoSDxgqFnHYHUqTVmKSbg0PM9QgoVwV68NpUen6XIPZNVWuKTs2O-hJ9q7iHRVwUSP4YqlUZfjbeWFZ7jRKHWyHeJ8f68zXMtH0Ox9iUQcZkpTcTjU0/s1600/2013-03-29_00056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4ZEnZCYwXtibuv16nT6aNBqqGoSDxgqFnHYHUqTVmKSbg0PM9QgoVwV68NpUen6XIPZNVWuKTs2O-hJ9q7iHRVwUSP4YqlUZfjbeWFZ7jRKHWyHeJ8f68zXMtH0Ox9iUQcZkpTcTjU0/s640/2013-03-29_00056.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shooting Shadows in the head is the most efficient way of dispatching them - don't waste bullets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The music is
subtle but sets the tone – with the odd haunting note here and there to add
tension and suspense in those moments where you’re required to be quick and
precise with your movements, whilst a rabble of Shadows attempts to chase you.
Perhaps throwing in the odd 80s classic would have helped, but I guess it’s
down to preference to whether you enjoy fighting the undead whilst listening to
“Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley – I know Left 4 Dead is brought to a
whole new level of fun when using this method.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am giving
Deadlight 2 out of 5 stars - I love the look and graphical style, and the 2D
side-scrolling works brilliantly in concept,<span style="color: red;"> </span>but
the actual gameplay<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">, sometimes </span>unforgiving
platforming, story<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">,</span><span style="color: red;"> </span>and characters were a let-down for me. Deadlight felt
like a chore to play, and when the final credits rolled at the end, I was
relieved. If another studio can take the concept, refine it and do something
that’s a little more enjoyable then we could see a great game.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0w78Hl77t8reagnlJzn6qKYotopro8pu_YUGL7PrlcQ7JNUC40pv3PsEIIpUMK8fvMvhwcfnx9oQK-L_Nv_GhBT0MGYz05Eh3BEu1SlGMQ6krYsc9a7zzOchjOTJ3XttwtoeuZzhnT8Y/s1600/2+Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0w78Hl77t8reagnlJzn6qKYotopro8pu_YUGL7PrlcQ7JNUC40pv3PsEIIpUMK8fvMvhwcfnx9oQK-L_Nv_GhBT0MGYz05Eh3BEu1SlGMQ6krYsc9a7zzOchjOTJ3XttwtoeuZzhnT8Y/s400/2+Star.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have you
played Deadlight? Do you agree or disagree with me? Would you like to see
another side-scrolling zombie game? Please post your comments below!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-68145906361317547722013-04-14T15:50:00.001+01:002013-04-14T15:50:19.893+01:00It's been a while...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hello! If you've been wondering where the heck the review I spoke of in my last post is, then fear not, it is finished and I will post it shortly after I have typed this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Sorry for the delay, but we have been very busy with moving house and it's taken up most of my time. But, I can safely say that we're now nicely settled in, with all the furniture in it's place and the cat has found her favourite sleeping spot to people-watch and snooze.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I actually have a Study now, somewhere I can concentrate and be separated from everyday life to work, so I will be trying to post on the blog at least once a week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be sure to keep your eyes peeled.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177180263800659232.post-52842362731153251482013-04-01T14:53:00.000+01:002013-04-01T14:53:08.694+01:00Review ScoresRating systems... I want one. There are many out there, and I've explored most of them pretty thoroughly for the purposes of this blog. I'll be using the '5 star' rating system. I did go over the other rating systems out there, and this one just seems like a much more solid and definitive one to use - it's not too big a group of numbers to get lost in,"should I give this game an 88 or an 89!?" <br />
<br />
I won't break down how each rating will be given - it's more of a... if I give a game one star, it should pretty much be avoided and cast into the fiery pit of Mount Doom, but if I give 5 stars then it's a masterpiece that should definitely be experienced. Of course, this all depends on your taste in games, so a 4 star FIFA game can't really be compared to a 4 star Call of Duty game, for example.<br />
<br />
The full review will obviously give more details into what I liked and disliked from a particular game, so the rating system shouldn't be the sole thing you check out, but it's there anyway, in case you want to use it.<br />
<br />
Well, I'm off to write up my first review using the stars, which should be up by the end of the week - keep an eye out for it!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuErdrudcnX3jIV_G58zA8Cf7TCa-Y43NHQ5dE0O4f24CF6v6qRKHmrotjAyfYBtPtntWacX6TH1fchyphenhyphentVyDopiVfArxJRNC01IavEekycscZlr9Cpl4rue9mUd3DqhapjO5-2VQWx9U/s1600/3+Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuErdrudcnX3jIV_G58zA8Cf7TCa-Y43NHQ5dE0O4f24CF6v6qRKHmrotjAyfYBtPtntWacX6TH1fchyphenhyphentVyDopiVfArxJRNC01IavEekycscZlr9Cpl4rue9mUd3DqhapjO5-2VQWx9U/s400/3+Star.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 3 star rating... obviously!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0