A showcase of promising titles -Updated Sep 22nd 09, Global Agenda (I AM EXCITED IN MAH PANTS)

[TsunamiWombat]

This is a roundup post

There's a fair amount of neat games coming out/being that aren't getting alot of press besides an occasional snippet in a magazine- perhaps because the details are limited at this point, or because they get overshadowed by other hyped games.

Here are some games I havn't heard much about that deserve being hyped.

Spoiler: Alpha Protocol

Alpha Protocol (Source: GameInformer 189 Jan/IGN. Yes, seriously)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Protocol

http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/927/927738p1.html
http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/930/930117p1.html

Alpha Protocol is a Action/RPG title being developed by Obsidian and published by Sega. In some ways, it's Burn Notice the game, where you play a young CIA agent named Michael Thornton who gets cut off and dissavowed by the government as a snafu, leaving you to fend for yourself and clear your name. The game touts the freedom to emulate the 3 "J.B's" of the espianogue genre- Jason Borne (unstoppable killing machine), Jack Bauer (ruthless intelligence officer), and James Bond (suave MoFu). In somewhat the similar way to Mass Effects Paragon and Renegade system, you can choose which flavor you want your dialogue to come in- but these decisions also extend to the missions you take.

Chris Avellone: The game takes place in the modern day... no matter what time in the next few years you're playing. It consists of a series of mostly linear sub-missions and optional assignments you can pick and choose to best accomplish your objective depending on your character's skill set. Go speak to an informant to get information? Research dossiers on a locale? Intimidate some triad thugs, and maybe kill a few? Buy intel? Hack a CIA listening post? Infiltrate a detention camp?

Depending on these tasks, the objectives, your choices and the results, you then work your way to the heart of the operation. One of the game's goals is repercussions and consequences for your in-mission actions, so you'll frequently see outcomes sending ripple effects through other assignments, the hub and the global operations.

Yes, there will be different endings, but we'll let you play the game to uncover those. It's also extremely unlikely any operation will end the same way for two people - the repercussions and reactivity will see to that.

Matt MacLean: This isn't really an interview, is it? It's more a Q&A in the style of node-based dialogue, and you keep clicking on questions to ask us. I like how the whole thing got kicked off with the "name" and "job" questions - how very Avatar-esque.

Mike Thorton is a partially written slate. Tabula "kinda written but still with room for you to customizus", if my Latin serves me right. He can't be a sea elf, an escaped mental patient or a were-cabinet - he's an educated, multi-lingual clandestine operative, and that rules out being a chaotic neutral Urdlen-worshipping deep gnome bard / cleric. Sorry to break that bad news to you; I know you guys probably already made your cool forum signature image with a dwarf Thorton riding a cyber-unicorn with animated lens flare. That said, you can tweak his appearance and put your personalized mark on him during creation.

Within this broad definition, you do have the freedom to select Mike's specific background - how you got to the story's present day. Perhaps you started in the armed forces, or maybe you worked for a "legitimate" spy agency before dropping off the radar and into the realm of black ops. Backgrounds define your initial array of starting skills and gear. They also factor into how NPCs treat you early in the game, before you've thrown your personality around. And you aren't forced to play with a starting skill setup; there's a DIY option that lets you freely select your initial ones, so like in many RPGs, there are pre-configured selection for those new to the genre or not into the process, and a full control mode for... well, control freaks.

Jonric: How will the character advancement system function? What influenced its design? How much choice and what kinds will we have in how Thorton develops? To what degree can he differ at the end?


Matt MacLean: We based our character development system on live action role-playing systems: you rock-paper-scissors to shoot someone, and fold your arms in front of you to sneak. Also, Mike Thorton yells "Lightning Bolt" every time he shoots someone.

Sorry, I selected the Sarcastic stance for that last bit, I'll switch to Professional.

Our RPG system is (warning: broad generalization ahead) generally western-style; it has more in common with an Elder Scrolls game than a Final Fantasy installment. We throw you a challenge, and you handle it that way because that's how you made your character (or I suppose you could try the path of most resistance and not use your character's abilities... I guess some people like to play D&D wizards who endlessly get into fistfights). In contrast, Alpha Protocol isn't an eastern RPG or an adventure game wherein a situation usually has only one fixed or blatantly optimal solution.

The main influence for our system is necessity; a lot of RPG conventions (rolling to hit, casting spells, building a keep at level 12 and getting 3d6 bugbears to wander by and sign up to do your bidding, etc.) don't really apply to our game due to its action elements, the real world theme, and the allies-optional, lone wolf nature. So, we weren't inspired by any one pen and paper structure or video game out there, if that's what you were asking.

So, as for how much choice and what kind of choice... well, you can purchase ranks in 10 different skills, each unlocking a variety of passive and active bonuses and abilities. There are no classes, but there are certainly combinations of skills that work well together to create a sneaky spy, trigger happy marksman, crafty trap specialist, or just a guy that has a few bonuses at doing all of the above.

As for the "to what degree can Thorton differ at the end" question, you won't be able to purchase every skill in the game during one playthrough - so not every player is building toward the same maximized character who can do everything. Instead, you'll have to decide what appeals to you most, and either dabble in or outright ignore the others.

Sounding pretty similar to Mass Effect, though they claim they're focusing heavily on combat as well.

Jonric: How would you describe the combat system you're implementing? How will it function, and will it include any unusual or otherwise interesting elements?

Ryan Rucinski: The combat system is pretty straightforward most of the time. If you have skills in particular firearms, equipment and martial arts, you will clearly do more damage with them when they are being used. This does not preclude or hinder using those that the character is not specialized in.

For example, if Thorton has 10 points in a pistol, every shot he fires will deal significantly more damage than if he only has one in it. This doesn't mean missing more often though. I have played some other games where because I didn't have a high enough skill in a particular weapon, it decided I missed even if I had a reticule directly over the target's face. It really cheesed me off that some hidden dice roll overruled my aiming skill.

However, the higher you go in skill levels, the more neat special abilities you get to use. My favorite is still Bullet Storm because of the sheer amount of lead thrown around... and even more important (to me) is that Thorton cackles maniacally while using it.

Bullet Storm, ah... sweet, sweet Bullet Storm. It's an ability limited in use by dual wielding the submachine guns. After triggering the special skill, you have a certain amount of time with unlimited bullets to rain an unholy amount of lead at the bad guys. The muzzle flare from the weapons is expanded significantly, and any hits are noticeably higher in damage. Plus, as I mentioned, Thorton is pretty much insane while using it.

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So far, looks alot like Mass Effect to me. Which isn't a bad thing persay. While I doubt it will project the level of awesome of Biowares game, it's looking like a solid tps-rpg.

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Spoiler: Singularity

Singularity (Source: GameInformer 190 Feb)

Oh, another FPS where I control time. YAWWWNN. But what? No Bullet Time?

Singularity is an Activision title and an original IP (yes, Activision working an original IP) developed by Raven. Raven even admits in the magazine it's giddy just to get an original IP in development- and likens it to hitting the lottery when it comes to working with Activision.

Singularity hinges on the idea that in the 1950's, cold war russian scientists devleoped a way to manipulate time using a device and the material Eisenteinium (a real life element thats pretty uninteresting). It's a bit like SystemShock with all the RPG and most of the Horror stripped out (no "Oh so it's BioShock?" cracks) in that you get special powers, guns, and will use these to fight Russian Soldiers (okay maybe not so much) and strange monsters from between time, as well as witness the constantly repeated last moments of the ghosts of the Scientists who worked on the island where the game is set. Not alot of info floating around and GI's spread on it is several pages long and too long for me to summarize, but the basic gist is Modern Day Russia and USA are hunting for this device, your a US soldier who gets it, aging enemies into dust or de-aging them into squealing fetus's (seriously) ensues.

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Spoiler: Dark Void

Dark Void (Source: GameInformer 190 Feb/IGN)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Void

You could say that Dark Void's cargo pilot and accidental hero "Will" had it coming because, frankly, there are some things you just don't do. Like, for instance, taking a detour through the Bermuda Triangle in order to speed up a delivery of goods. Undoubtedly just like Amelia Earheart before him, Will soon finds himself warped to an alien dimension controlled by the mysterious Watchers, a group of beings in possession of advanced technology and seedy ambitions. There, he discovers the Survivors, subjugated humans at war with the Watchers. A man named Nikola Tesla, who confusingly disappeared and then reappeared dead back on Earth proper, is still alive and kicking within this alien dimension and he's been busy constructing all kinds of technologies to use against the extraterrestrial threat, including a protective suit, jet-pack and an assortment of powerful guns. When Will realizes that the aliens might be planning to com through the rift to wage war on the planet, he agrees to fight the good fight and the game that is Dark Void begins.

The Rocketeer meets Gears of War! In a good way, really.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/943/943836p1.html

IGN can probably tell it better then me. So can these videos.

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Spoiler: More Alpha Protocol

More on Alpha Protocol

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47611.html

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47624.html

Two new video's about Alpha Protocol on GamesTrailers, a "Obsidian Evolves" trailer and a "Gameplay Trailer". The Obsidian Evolves video is more informative imo, as you get to see some WIP screens of menu's, the leveling system, and some combat physics that hasn't been cinematically cut to look omgwtf awesome. I wish Dev's would just show is video's of their WIP's and not movie trailers- so misleading.

The combat looks to resemble a more robust version of Mass Effect's (NOW FEATURING DODGE ROLL!) as well as it's leveling system. 20th Century Mass Effect is the best way I can think to describe it right now, plus some kung fu. Thats not necessarily a bad things, since Mass Effect was fun.

Also anyone else think the grenade physics look a bit stiff? Hopefully the enemy AI is just being worked on too, cause they weren't too impressive

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Spoiler: I am Alive

I Am Alive - As a concept it sounds really cool, but I haven't been able to find much info on the gameplay itself - yes, you get a bottle of water and people are trying to kill you for it, now what? Could you look into it?

I am Alive
Developer: Ubisoft
Platforms: All
Release Date: TBA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alive_(video_game)
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/36321.html
http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/852/852011.html

When Chicago is left in ruins and the cause of the devastation is unknown, players will be challenged to think, react and take risks that will directly affect themselves and those around them. This edgy survival-adventure game is being produced by the company behind such blockbuster titles as Assassin's Creed.

I am Alive has been kicking around since E3 08, though not much is known about it. What we do know is you play Adam, part time average joe and part time douchey businessman. When the game starts Adam is doing his douchey businessman thing, having a breakup with his ex, pretty much living a normal life in Chicago.

Then, a giant ass earthquake splits the city in two, opens a faultline, and makes it very very unsafe. Your trapped in the city which is still plagued by aftershocks, and man turns on man as the resources run out (note the man demanding Adams waterbottle is the same one who says he'll see him upstairs in the flashback). Survival of the fittest ensue's, as Adam goes on a quest to find his ex-girlfreind whom he realizes he still loves (near death experiances hack through BS like a machete after all) and GTFO with her. Along the way I assume he'll band together with, or fight with, other survivors.

I am Alive is a survival/action game with a focus on exploration, and choice. A constantly highlighted example is the "bluffing" mechanic, where you can force enemies to back down by pointing an unloaded gun at them. After all, they don't know you don't have any bullets. Enemies in this game aren't zombies or mutants, they're normal human beings driven to the brink by starvation and thirst. The city itself is also your enemy, as Ubisoft has promised aftershocks and building collapses will make your life hell as you hunt for your girlfreind. Most suprising though is the fact that they've promised this game will take place inteirly in first person, ala Mirror's Edge, for the 'immersion factor'.

I've also heard from magazines such as GameInformer that platforming will be a part, and will be made all the more 'interesting' by the facts that 1. The city is collapsing around you and 2. It's all in first person. This could prove to be awesome or frustrating, depending how they tool it. It's also important to remember that unlike Mad Max, Adam wasn't a badass mofo cop before the zomg apocolypse, he was some douchey businessman. [conjecture]Perhaps a stamina system or carrying weight system will come into play? At the very least I would expect water consumption to be important, given the trailer.[/conjecture]

Perhaps this will be the survival game that fans dissapointed by RE5 are looking for, though it's distinct lack of zombies (barring some crazy Condemned 2-esque plot twist) makes that doubtful. Still, a first person uhh... 'not' shooter is still a fairly original concept (the Thief Series and Mirror's Edge have done it, not many others).

Oh, and-

On March 6, 2009, Ubisoft announced that Darkworks, the originally intended developer, would be dropped and Ubisoft would instead finish the title internally at Ubisoft's Shanghai studio.

. This could be very good or very bad for the game, as it either means Ubisoft wasn't satisfied with the quality and wanted it done better, or they weren't satisfied with the SPEED and wanted it done faster. Only time will tell.

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Spoiler: Brutal Legend

"Be you angels?"
"Nay- we are but men: ROCK. AHHHHHHAAHHH, AHHHAAHHH, WHOOAAHOOOAAA"
-
Tenacious D, The Greatest Song in the World: Tribute

Brutal Legend
Developer: Double Fine
Console: PS3/Xbox360
Release Date: TBA

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43624.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/26524.html

NEW! Schaffer interview!
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47641.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47643.html

Given how much of a beloved darling on this site this game is, it's easy to forget that outside of our community Brutal Legend is a little known game. A blasphemy to the rock gods this is! That and the shiny new interviews with Schaffer which reveal more details then ever compelled me to include it in my showcase.

Brutal Legend is a 3rd person rediculous action game brought to you by Tim Schaffer, Crazy/Smart developer for DoubleFine and forger of Pyschonaughts. Apparently, one day fifteen years ago, Tim Schaffer smoked too much pot(not true) and while he was staring at a metal album by the light of his sparkly glow in the dark unicorn poster(also not true) he was inspired somehow to create a game based on the over the top barbaric aesthetic of Golden Age heavy metal (true). Also people get their heads chopped off.

A send up and homage to heavy metal legends, in Brutal Legend you star as rock-roadie Eddie Riggs (voiced by Jack Black of Tenacious D fame) who gets transported to a dysotopian, demon ruled rock wasteland when blood spills on his totally awesome but totally cursed belt buckle. On arriving, Eddie discovers that his practical skills from being a roadie (read- Macguyver in leather) are exactly what the charismatic but practically useless human resistance leaders need. So using the remnants of the ancient titan civilization (who long ago ascended to Rock-Godhood) he builds them a tourbus and various weapons of war to ake the fight to the demonic overlords. Also people get their heads chopped off.

For anyone whose ever dreamed of being the holy diver, or riding the tiger (even though you can see his stripes and you know he's clean) Brutal Legend promises to be totally f**king rock-awesometastic +3 vs lame. For the rest of you, go back to reading Shakespeare you queers.

Plus there's multiplayer(!)Also, people get their heads chopped off.

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Spoiler: Saboteur

Saboteur
Dev: Pandemic Studios
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: Dec. 31st, 2009

Oh god, not another F*cking world war 2 game where you kill Nazi's in- ... noir black and white?

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23729.html

Details on Saboteur are sketchy at best right now. All we know is it's less of a World War 2 game and more of a 'revenge' game. You play irish badass racecar driver Sean Devlin, whose out for some payback against the Nazi for inteirly personal reasons in Nazi occupied France. The style suggests a sort of stealth based game with an open world, perhaps in the vein of Assasins Creed (like I said, little is known right now). The only mechanic we really know about is the 'Color' system, where your defiance of the Nazi's and inspiration of the people slowly returns color to the neighborhoods of Paris.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/48734.html

I gotta be honest, it's aesthetic grabbed me.

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Spoiler: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Dev: Konami
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: Q4 2010

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Actually announced in 2008 via a teaser movie entitled simply "Lords of Shadow", the next entree into the Castlevania series was formally announced at this years E3. Few details have been released yet except what can be gleaned from the extended trailer above

I'm not the only one getting a totally "Highlander" vibe am I?
​

Staring a rough, gaelic young man named Gabriel (whose last name we can probably assume starts with a 'B') working for some 'order', you participate in slick DMC style hawt whip action (actually, the weapon is a "Combat Cross" and supposedly the Whip is just one form of it, other weapons can be seen in the trailer) in persuit of an ancient artifact that lay at the root of the powers of the titular "Lords of Shadow", who according to Jean Luc Picard once again lending his oh so awesome voice to something he cares nothing about, will one day be defeated by a pure hearted man who will claim their power. Gabriel, riding the 'my wife is dead' wangst train, has a clear interest in slaying some evil and stealin their mask, in order to raise his wife from the dead.

All we really know at this point is that Krazy Kojima is working on this, or rather his production team, so if nothing else we can expect some slick production values. I have a softspot for gothic horror AND Dracula, and juding from the clips this looks like it could be the first 3d Castlevania to not totally suck. This is one to keep an eye on and hopefully more details will be forthcoming within the next year.

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Spoiler: Starwars: The Old Republic

Star Wars: The Old Republic
Developer: Bioware/LucasArts
Platforms: PC
Release Date: ???

Do I really even need to say anything? It's a new Star Wars MMO by Bioware, goddamn. Admittedly alot of us were pissed we were getting an MMO instead of a proper Knights of the Old Republic. There is after all, already a (crappy) starwars MMO, and we didn't see how it could work.

Bioware showed off 20 mins of in game footage at GC yesterday. My pants are still wet.

Enough talk, to the schmex.

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Spoiler: Global Agenda

Global Agenda
Developer: Hi-Rez
Console: PC
Release Date: Late 09(?)

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Global Agenda is what you get when Risk and Quake have a baby, and you let World of Warcraft raise it. A supposed action based Shooter MMO, Global Agenda has you fighting real time in strike teams of 4 to 10 for hexagoncal pieces of persistant land for bonus's to your Agency (guild).

I JUST found out about this game today and it got me excited enough to do an update. Big budget games often talk alot of smack about doing something really different or bringing action into the MMO, but this quiet title built on the unreal engine by an independent developer actually looks poised to do it.

The game will have 4 main classes split into the Tank, Rogue, Cleric, and whatever the hell the Technician is archetypes. Each of which you can customize with various skill tree's or specs to create subclasses. In this way you can take an assault character and spec him for heavy artillery, tanking, or even melee. Oh, and it has JETPACKS and GRAPPLING HOOKS.

Pretty no? The older images no so much, things seem to have underdone a serious art change at some point.​

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I can't really tell you much that Hi-Rez isn't trying to already, so lets just let the video's speak for themselves and give you this FAQ report from their website.

http://hi-rez.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/91/session/L3NpZC84ZWhIdHlJag==

http://www.youtube.com/hirezstudios

PS: No Elves.

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[TsunamiWombat]

Dark Void (Source: GameInformer 190 Feb/IGN)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Void

You could say that Dark Void's cargo pilot and accidental hero "Will" had it coming because, frankly, there are some things you just don't do. Like, for instance, taking a detour through the Bermuda Triangle in order to speed up a delivery of goods. Undoubtedly just like Amelia Earheart before him, Will soon finds himself warped to an alien dimension controlled by the mysterious Watchers, a group of beings in possession of advanced technology and seedy ambitions. There, he discovers the Survivors, subjugated humans at war with the Watchers. A man named Nikola Tesla, who confusingly disappeared and then reappeared dead back on Earth proper, is still alive and kicking within this alien dimension and he's been busy constructing all kinds of technologies to use against the extraterrestrial threat, including a protective suit, jet-pack and an assortment of powerful guns. When Will realizes that the aliens might be planning to com through the rift to wage war on the planet, he agrees to fight the good fight and the game that is Dark Void begins.

The Rocketeer meets Gears of War! In a good way, really.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/943/943836p1.html

IGN can probably tell it better then me. So can these videos.

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[TsunamiWombat]

IndigoDingo, this ones for you.

Stormrise (Source:IGN/Official X-box Magazine)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormrise
http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/142/14265662.html

A Console RTS!? Blasphemy! Not so says Creative Assembly.

"We have a control system called Wheel Select that is actually faster in some circumstances - and in most situations as fast - as a mouse and keyboard," Bhopti tells us. Rather then use the right thumstick to move the camera around, you use it as a quick way of selecting units. You can see where your units are placed through glowing icons on your HUD. No direct line of sight is required: you just flick the stick in their direction to take control of them. It'll take a few moments to re-train your brain after years of assuming the right stick drives the camera, but in our experiance it became second nature to Wheel Select after a few minutes.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/938/938510p1.html

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[InvisibleMilk]

Jack Bauer is a beast.
there is my 2 cents.

 

[TsunamiWombat]

I thought xplay did a whole segment thing for this game, but even that isn't very big. I have been watching this game for a while because it looks good, very good. I'm also watching that one TPS about a jet pack wearing soldier or something, I think it was called "dark void".

Take a look at the post above yours

 

[TsunamiWombat]

I thought xplay did a whole segment thing for this game, but even that isn't very big. I have been watching this game for a while because it looks good, very good. I'm also watching that one TPS about a jet pack wearing soldier or something, I think it was called "dark void".

Take a look at the post above yours

I didn't see that because I guess he was still posting it.

Yes, yes I was.

 

[oliveira8]

Geez that Section 8 gameplay trailer opened with "EPIC FIRST PERSON SHOOTER" for some reason I doubt that...

 

[TsunamiWombat]

isnt section 8 the name of a band?

It's the name of a Band and an outdated military term refering to soldiers who were too crazy to serve due to battle fatigue or shellshock. Section 8 has basically become a culture term for "loony" or nuts.

Hence it's application to a core of troops whose job it is to jump out of space ships.

 

[TsunamiWombat]

I would play the hell out of a Burn Notice game.
I'll keep tabs on Alpha Protocol.

Well it's not EXACTLY a Burn Notice game but it's the closest I can think. Globetrotting spy adventure where you've been officially dissavowed and operate under the epyponymous Alpha Protocol takes longer to say.

Anyway i'll try to keep updating this as I find more, feel free to throw some in.

 

[TsunamiWombat]

More on Alpha Protocol

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47611.html

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47624.html

Two new video's about Alpha Protocol on GamesTrailers, a "Obsidian Evolves" trailer and a "Gameplay Trailer". The Obsidian Evolves video is more informative imo, as you get to see some WIP screens of menu's, the leveling system, and some combat physics that hasn't been cinematically cut to look omgwtf awesome. I wish Dev's would just show is video's of their WIP's and not movie trailers- so misleading.

The combat looks to resemble a more robust version of Mass Effect's (NOW FEATURING DODGE ROLL!) as well as it's leveling system. 20th Century Mass Effect is the best way I can think to describe it right now, plus some kung fu. Thats not necessarily a bad things, since Mass Effect was fun.

Also anyone else think the grenade physics look a bit stiff? Hopefully the enemy AI is just being worked on too, cause they weren't too impressive
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Prototype

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47587.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47311.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/45170.html

I didn't mention Prototype before because, if you mention Prototype you have to mention inFamous, and I really wasn't impressed with the latter at the time (more on that later). These video's pretty much speak for it - end game is absolute chaos and carnage. The makers of Hulk: Ultimate Destruction (the only GOOD hulk game) have distilled the insanity of being an unstoppable juggernaught into a rather smaller and less imposing - but no less powerful - hero. Open world chaos, over the top action and obscene violence. Mmm, tasty guts. Seriously this game looks like it has more gore and explosions then Fear 2, consider it pure escapist carnage.

Ultimatly though we'll have to see how long that type of gameplay remains fun. It could get old pretty fast, especially if you become strong enough to pwn everything like in those video's, quickly.

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Infamous

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/46964.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47100.html?type=flv
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47423.html

The DC to Prototype's Marvel, Infamous is a (slightly) more cerebral take on the anti-hero superhero. Where Prototype skews to the Action game and the Burly Brawler, Infamous's character is a blaster with finite juice (which you regenerate by sucking electricity) and has more RPG elements, including a morality system that changes your powers based on which end you skew (of course it seems to be the typical Holy Saint/Anti-Christ split). Originally I wasn't impressed with Infamous, as the only footage I had seen was of some bald guy with an electric peashooter taking potshots at trash golems, and some clunky platform jumping. Fortunatly more video's have come out - the powers get awesome and you do get powerful, and the parkour system is smooth as butta. Bonus, when your evil your electricity turns red. AND NOW YOU DIE YOUNG JEDI, MUAHAHAHAHAHAH.

Too bad it's just for PS3. Also, christ I hope they change that VA.

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Moar on Section 8

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/44754.html

Section 8, a game which promises to try and revolutionize the team-objective based multiplayer shooter (ex. the Battlefield series) with it's free-fall spawn system (you drop into the map wherever you want, and controll yourself all the way down) and completly customizable armor kit (including parts and weapons that can be destroyed during battle) has a 'newish' trailer, and so far the only 'footage' of the game this year. It's a neat little scifi movie, no actual gameplay footage yet. Boo.

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[pantsoffdanceoff]

yeah on the IGN interview with Alpha Protocol team all they did was talk about how it was mass effect but better. Sounds to me to be fishy if all you do is compare but don't say anything original about the product.

 

[TsunamiWombat]

Demigod
RPG/RTS
Dev: Stardock
Release Date: April 14th

Holy shit, I havn't mentioned Demigod and it comes out this month? Man! Okay, let me fill you in. Stardock + DOTA = Win. /post

... What? Thats all there is to s- oh fine.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47614.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47039.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/46937.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/46294.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/42360.html

First, this is easier if I explain that DOTA is. DOTA is short for Defense of the Ancients, a special Warcraft 3 (Frozen Throne) custom map that is currently, the most popular custom type of game online and has been for years. In DOTA you pick (or are randomed, depending on game mode) a hero character, and thats (usually) your only unit for the whole game. Everyone on your team or the other team has different hero's, with different roles and different abilities. Ontop of that there is equipment you can buy or craft using gold from slain creeps and enemy hero's. Creeps are units that spawn out of the bases, or in spots on the map. You kill them for EXP and Gold, same as hero's - creeps are typically nothing but chaff before your hero. Each base has an army, that spawns and marches forth in intermittent waves. You have NO control over these creeps, they just attack move along the same lines. The game is all about extreme micromanaging your one hero, duking it out with the other team and upgrading your character to become more powerful. Items are also important, being used to compensate for weaknesses or improve abilities or regenerate health/mana. Perhaps the best way to look at it is real time chess, only there's 5 players on each side, and each of you controls one queen and none of the other pieces.

Demigod is DOTA's formula, + stardock awesomeness. A new game with the same mechanics, more maps, more options (general type characters that summon and control units, the abiltiy to purchase/upgrade structures, team wide passive buffs you can purchase) and moar awesome. Watch the video's to get a taste, though it's hard to understand the constant thought of a DOTA game unless you've played it and I assume the same applies here.

Lets just hope the community doesn't have as many douchebags as DOTA's does.

PS: oh and there's a persistant metagame called "Pantheon War" that lets you win new abilities by participating in ladder matches. FTW.

 

[maddawg IAJI]

I heard about Alpha protocol. It looks good and if the combat is better then Mass Effect then I might check it out.

 

[oktalist]

I can't watch a 3rd person game without being super-critical of the character animation :-( as I've programmed just that quite extensively for a similar game.

Like legs intersecting while strafing, gun intersecting head when blind-firing over cover, gun firing before properly aimed when blind-firing, and general snaps and jerks. Minor stuff, but when you've obsessed over exactly these problems yourself they become painfully obvious when you see them in someone elses game :-( and you also realise how insanely difficult they are to fix