Hotline Miami 2 will mark the end of the series

Jonatan Soderstrom and Dennis Wedin of developer Dennaton Games recently spoke up about a sequel to Hotline Miami. According to the duo, the upcoming follow-up will be the end of the series for the developer. Speaking to Joystiq, Soderstrom and Wedin explained that they were eager to work on a brand new franchise, but they decided that they would finalize the Hotline Miami lore first.

The sequel will feature an early '90s vibe, with attention being focused heavily on the overly emotional aspects of that era. The main character from the first Hotline Miami will make a return, though he won't be the protagonist this time around. Additionally, some of the musical artists that provided tracks for the first game will also return, and there will even be some new artists.

Hotline Miami 2 is scheduled for launch on the PC. Dennaton expressed interest in releasing the game for the Vita, too, so as long as there are no issues with Sony, the game may arrive on both platforms on the same day.

[Joystiq]

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Via: Hotline Miami 2 will mark the end of the series

Divinity: Original Sin enters the land of Kickstarter

Developer Larian Studios just recently launched a Kickstarter campaign for its upcoming turn-based RPG Divinity: Original Sin. Funding will be used to increase the team and create a game that's loaded with content.

Original Sin will feature a single-player campaign, though drop-in/drop-out co-op will allow players to team up. Individuals will be able to traverse the map freely and explore areas without being tied down by their partners, though several decisions will require the players to agree, adding a nuanced wrinkle to the social aspect of the gameplay.

Larian hopes to create something truly special with Original Sin. According to the developer, the Kickstarter funding and increased development staff will allow the studio to create quite possibly the best game in the Divinity franchise yet.

[Kickstarter]

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Via: Divinity: Original Sin enters the land of Kickstarter

Peripheral Vision: Rosewill Illuminated Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (RK-9100)

Disclaimer: Before we get into how Rosewill's mechanical keyboard looks and feels, I want to take time to explain that this review is not aimed at a technical user but is instead aimed someone looking to up their game! So with that out of the way, let’s check how it feels and looks.

My first impressions of Rosewill's RK-9100 were pretty damn good because quite a lot of mechanical keyboards don’t have a numpad. While I understand that some players never use them, they're quite useful and appreciated. The key layout is standard USA and features a full-size backspace and return key, this important because some keyboards like to implement smaller backspaces, which can be super annoying to get used to. Each key is individually backlit and can help those of us who play in the dark, while also looking pretty damn sexy during the daytime thanks to the high quality LEDs.

The Scroll lock, Num lock and Caps lock are backlit with a green light to make it easy to see if they’re enabled, however this does mean you don’t have a top right indicator for them.

The RK-9100 features anti-ghosting key-pressing technology, meaning you can press up to 6 keys at the same time. This can be quite handy for those of us who play World of Warcraft or RTS games where often pressing 3 keys at once is fairly common. You also have two additional USB ports located at the back of keyboard, that allow you plug mice, USB keys or any other small device without bending/leaning over to your computer. One downside of this is that two USB ports are needed to fully power the RK-9100. Further testing showed the keyboard will fully function with only one USB plugged in,but won’t be fully backlit, only the Caps, Scroll and Num Lock will illuminate. Oddly enough, even with only one USB plugged in, both USBs on the back of the keyboard will still function.

Its last hidden gem comes in the form of 8 standard media keys accessed by holding down the FN key and pressing one of the F1-F8 keys. You can control the illumination brightness with 4 levels and even change the “mode” of illumination. These include having the entire keyboard illuminated, only the WASD and Arrow keys, or full keyboard without the numpad.

Obviously the biggest, and arguably most important aspect of any keyboard, is how the keys themselves feel. Rosewill has done a excellent job with the finish on each key. The rubbery finish on them allows you to keep a good grip while typing/playing during intense moments. Since the keys are backlit, the letters and numbers are not actually printed on the keys themselves but instead feature a transparent color.

So why choose a mechanical keyboard over its alternative? The basic principle of mechanical keyboards is that they not only feel a lot better to type on, but also be more responsive while gaming and providing a very long lasting keyboard. Mechanical keyboards (at least most of them) guarantee to last over 50 million key presses!

The Rosewill RK-9100 proves to be an incredible keyboard, including features that others lack, such as media key shortcuts or backlighting system. Its customizable lighting is useful, especially when playing in the dark, but beyond its usefulness, it's just awesome to look at. Sitting at around $100, it's not the cheapest of keyboards out there, but after using it for some time, I can confidently say that it would be money well spent.

Via: Peripheral Vision: Rosewill Illuminated Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (RK-9100)

First Grimrock 2 screen shows the great outdoors

Legend of Grimrock 2 developer Almost Human recently revealed the very first screen for the upcoming first-person dungeon crawler. If you were expecting a dreary indoor setting, you may be surprised to discover that the first image of the game actually shows off a beautiful outdoor landscape.

Details surrounding Grimrock 2 are currently under wraps, so we don't have much to go on aside from this screen and a few notes on the dev blog. It'll be interesting seeing what in-game content Almost Human plans to share next. Will we see more outdoor exploration this time around?

Grimrock 2 was first announced last month. While the devs will indeed be trying a few new things, it would seem that this upcoming sequel will stay true to the vision of the original. Did you play the first Grimrock? What do you think of the lush landscape seen in this Grimrock 2 shot?

[Grimrock]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: First Grimrock 2 screen shows the great outdoors

Explore Waking Mars for $1 on IndieGameStand

Waking Mars is the latest title to land on IndieGameStand. You can currently snag the game for a minimum price of $1. As per usual, putting down more cash earns you bigger rewards.

Beating the average for Waking Mars will also get you the game's soundtrack and some wallpapers. Meanwhile making a $10 payment will get you Luminesca and the next IndieGameStand title.

Developer Tiger Style has decided to support Feeding America, therefore 10 percent of all proceeds from this campaign will go to said charity.

[IndieGameStand]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Explore Waking Mars for $1 on IndieGameStand

Review: BioShock Infinite is easily the best game of this console generation

The story of BioShock Infinite is full of mystery. You play as Booker DeWitt, a former Pinkerton agent and US Cavalry member that has a past he has to atone for. To clear his debt, he has to travel to Columbia to get Elizabeth, a girl with special powers, locked in a tower and guarded by a giant mechanical bird. That's all I'm going to tell you about the story, because I loved it so much that if I talk about it, I'll spoil everything for you. Let's just say there's a lot of class discrepancy, racial tension and strong religious themes at play.

The weakest part of the game is the visuals. Now, I'm not saying that they're bad. I'm just saying they're the weakest link in a pretty strong chain. It's a role player on a championship squad. Characters have that same look and feel that you've come to know from previous BioShock games, but the age of the Xbox 360 is certainly showing here. After seeing video of what Infinite looks like on PC, it's hard to not be envious.

That said, the flying city of Colombia is a marvel in design. With my first steps into its 1912-America streets, I was engulfed in the world Ken Levine has spoke of all these months. I felt like I was walking down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World – ya know, if the Magic Kingdom was full of murder, cult-like religion and racism. Watching the sunlight come in over the clouds and illuminate the street of Columbia – which absolutely bleeds American Exceptionalism – is truly a sight to behold. Make no mistake, though, what creepiness in atmosphere it lacks compared to the first BioShock, Infinite is equally creepy in its message and tones. Also, they absolutely nailed Elizabeth. Her animations, transportation and mannerisms makes you feel for her. Watching her lean against a pole when talking or cower in fear from the Songbird is really authentic.

Likewise, Infinite features the most impressive voice acting and music that I've heard in a video game... ever. The music that you hear creates the same effect that “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” did for the first BioShock. Hearing a barbershop quartet sing four-part harmonies really matches the time period, as does hearing a ragtime-waltz version of Tears for Fears' “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” The conversations across Columbia, and the voice recordings you come across, bring the city alive even more. There are some great bits of dialogue that you'll come across just as you pass through the city. However, the real highlight of the voice acting belongs to Troy Baker and Courtnee Draper, who voice the main characters of Booker DeWitt and Elizabeth. You hear the emotion of their plight in every word they speak. Booker's tortured past a is obvious, and Courtnee's work as Elizabeth will bring you on the verge of tears. I didn't cry... I swear.

The combination of the voice acting, music and Columbia create an atmosphere that surpasses the one that enraptured me in BioShock. Like I said, the city and its inhabitants are so alive that you could literally spend hours exploring every nook and cranny of Columbia. I found myself just walking around and reading posters or signs around the city. They all add to the overall experience and adds to the ingenuity of the story. Also, while the dialogue between Booker and Elizabeth is full of drama, sprinkled with some genuinely witty/funny comments between the two, the dialogue of Rosalind and Robert Lutece will steal the show. I can't express in words how entertaining these two characters are, and they serve as the best example of the brilliance in BioShock Infinite.

The combat in Infinite retains a lot of the elements from BioShock, but it's more action-based and is faster. Combat feels like organized chaos, especially against the Handyman enemies you'll come up against. Vigors are the equivalent of Plasmids. While they're generally offensive based, they can be layed down as traps to add some strategy into how you approach a fight. Booker also has a small arsenal at his disposal, starting modest with machine guns and pistols, and evolving to more impressive firepower. Of course, upgrades can be bought for all of the weapons and Vigors. New to BioShock is the Skyhook. Not only does this let you travel by the intricate rail system in Columbia, but it makes for some awesome executions and melee attacks.

Booker also gets equipment that add special effects to your melee attacks, Skyhook attacks, and things of that nature. You can change what you have equipped in your head, legs, chest and boots slots whenever you please, but finding the equipment is no easy task.

Once Booker meets Elizabeth, combat changes for the better. You don't have to babysit Elizabeth; she'll follow you around and fend for herself. The AI on her makes her one of the better computer-controlled companions I've had to play with. She helps you in combat by periodically throwing you health packs, salt (which power Vigors), and ammunition. She also finds money for you and tosses it to you with deadly accuracy. Girl has a cannon for an arm. How she really changes combat is by manipulating the environment. Elizabeth can open tears (though I won't tell you what a tear is exactly), bringing forth turrets to help you, weapons and ammo, and peaks to grapple onto with your Skyhook. It adds a lot more strategy to what is pretty much straightforward combat.

I was worried that Elizabeth aiding you so much would make the game too easy. While the aid does alleviate any pressure on lack of ammo, you'll still die in fights. Let's just say her companionship is welcome – until the one time I had to reload a checkpoint because she stopped in a doorway and wouldn't move. That was the only time she blocked me in the 10 to 12 hour campaign, but Booker does have a little trouble navigating scenery.

I can't find any true faults with this game. From the beginning, it's a captivating ride that you don't want to end. Even when it does, you'll want to start a harder playthrough immediately (you'll get just that with its 1999 mode). The game's villain isn't quite Andrew Ryan, but Ryan wouldn't fit into Columbia's story. And ultimately, it's the story that shapes the gaming experience of Infinite.

When all is said and done, Bioshock Infinite might not just be the game of the year – but the game of this console generation.

[Reviewed on Xbox 360]

You can follow Senior Editor Lance Liebl on Twitter @Lance_GZ. He likes talking sports, video games, movies, and the stupidity of celebrities. Email at LLiebl@GameZone.com

Via: Review: BioShock Infinite is easily the best game of this console generation

Former director says auction houses 'really hurt' Diablo 3

At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, former Diablo 3 game director Jay Wilson — who stepped down after most of the game's negative criticism was directed at him — admitted that the auction houses "really hurt the game."

Before launch, Blizzard hoped the feature would reduce fraud and provide a valuable service to a small number of players that wanted it. The company also thought that the price of items would limit how much was listed and sold.

That plan backfired as every player made use of the houses, and 50 percent took to them regularly. Diablo 3 still has about 1 million players per day and about 3 million per month, said Wilson. Money became a much bigger motivator than the developer intended, and that "damaged item rewards."

The "gold [house] does much more damage than the [real-money] one does" because players use it more, causing prices to fluctuate. However, the latter received the most backlash from gamers.

"I think we would turn it off if we could," Wilson said. But Blizzard has no idea how much players are attached to the auction houses or how many hate the system. Removing the feature is "not as easy as" flipping a switch. It could upset players further.

Blizzard is working with Sony to bring Diablo 3 to PlayStation 3 and PS4, amending at least one mistake: The console versions will support offline play.

Follow @wita on Twitter.

[Joystiq]

Via: Former director says auction houses 'really hurt' Diablo 3

BlackSoul looks like an old school survival horror game

Developer Xenios Vision is currently working on recreating the creepy magic of old school survival horror games with BlackSoul. The upcoming title is set in a 1970s English countryside, and judging from the trailer below, it looks like it'll use the eeriness of darkness as one of its main driving forces.

After an infection causes people to become zombified killers, two individuals named Ava and Sean set out to find the answers and ultimately survive the outbreak. BlackSoul features a variety of puzzles and corridor-based action sequences.

I actually thought the animations and movements were a bit sluggish, but the devs may address that further into development. That said, one of the scariest tropes found in classic survival horror games is their slow pace, so this may actually be a design choice.

BlackSoul is due out sometime this year. You can currently check it out and vote for it on Steam Greenlight if you dig the trailer.

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: BlackSoul looks like an old school survival horror game

Review: Some glaring flaws keep Alien Spidy from swinging to great heights

This type of objective wouldn't be annoying if Alien Spidy wasn't so difficult to play at times. You control Spidy with the left stick and shoot out web with the right stick. Spidy's movement is okay most of the time, though he does feel a tad slippery. This can be problematic when you're trying to come to a complete halt but fail to do so and accidentally slide right into a bed of thorns or body of water, both of which mean instantaneous death. Shooting web and swinging around has its fair share of issues, too. The physics-based nature of this mechanic means you have to really get some momentum going for longer or higher jumps. In certain sequences, it's extremely difficult to collect rows of orbs due to the erratic nature of web-swinging. Then there are the surrounding hazards which you can simply swing into and immediately perish.

Thankfully, there's an abundance of checkpoints scattered across each stage, so if you die, you don't have to worry about treading through long stretches of land. Still, if you do end up benefiting from the game's checkpoints, that just means that you're dying a lot (which will happen). Even if you score impressive combos, dying in Alien Spidy comes with a severe point penalty. Hell, standing still costs you points due to the fact that your total is constantly depleting. It's a bit disheartening that points are lost in such a manner because those coveted star ranks quickly turn into an even further harsh reality.

It's a shame that these issue plague Alien Spidy because there are some really outstanding moments in the game. Not every area is ridiculously fiendish, so there are moments when you successfully swing across ponds, bounce off of mushrooms, collect orbs, and pull off satisfying combos, all in quick succession. It's during these sequences that you can't help but feel that Alien Spidy could've been a lot more special than it turned out to be, and it's a total shame that that's the case. Surprisingly, a lot of the game's underwater levels are actually quite a bit of fun, and while they're marred by the same pesky design choices that plague the rest of the game, there's a great deal of entertainment to be found.

Ideally, you could probably get through Alien Spidy in under six hours. For some folks, however, this may not exactly be plausible. Timing jumps and properly navigating through levels requires painstaking precision the majority of the time, which means if you're not going for perfect runs (or as close to perfect as possible), you'll find yourself completely exasperated during the course of the adventure. That won't be a problem for certain players who thrive on intensely challenging gameplay and don't mind some wonky mechanics, but others will be put off by the experience all too often.

The graphical presentation of Alien Spidy is largely enjoyable. Vibrant colors adorn every stage and create an atmosphere that's a joy to witness, even if it isn't always a joy to actually play. A bit of screen tearing takes a bit away from the overall appeal of the graphics, but not to a degree that could be deemed bothersome or distracting.

It's hard to fully recommend Alien Spidy to individuals who don't consider themselves sadists. The game has a colorful, appealing look to it that makes you want to play it. Unfortunately, the same audience that this style may attract would just as likely be better off playing something else. Even individuals who enjoy being punished by games may find a much more enjoyable experience with other 2D platformers. Still, while Alien Spidy is far from perfect or even great, it's good enough to warrant a play-through from fans of NES era action games that suffered from equally questionable mechanics. If you're up for a major and sometimes unfair challenge and like to push yourself to perform perfectly in these types of games, you'll likely have a good time with Alien Spidy.

[Reviewed on Xbox 360]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Review: Some glaring flaws keep Alien Spidy from swinging to great heights

Telltale's Fables game unleashes the Big Bad Wolf this summer

After the huge success of last year's The Walking Dead episodic adventure game, Telltale is focusing its efforts on another comic book-based project — an adaptation of Bill Willingham's Fables.

We learned about the game's development in early 2011, but today Telltale revealed a name: The Wolf Among Us. It's coming to PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 sometime this summer.

Players assume control of the Big Bad Wolf, or Bigby Wolf, who finds himself exiled in New York City. The events of the game take place prior to those of the comics. Bigby's goal is to keep other fairytale characters, like Mr. Toad and the Three Little Pigs, incognito in the human world.

“Developing The Wolf Among Us based on the Fables universe has allowed our studio to build upon all of the hallmarks of what makes our episodic series so engaging for players,” Telltale chief executive officer Dan Connors told IGN. “Through an evolution of our approach to choice and consequence, we can further explore the complexity of each and every iconic character in a universe rich with untold history from the darkest sides of the storybooks.”

The developer hasn't dropped The Walking Dead, though. A second season of the series will release in the fall.

Follow @wita on Twitter.

Via: Telltale's Fables game unleashes the Big Bad Wolf this summer

Final Fantasy 11: Seekers of Aldouin marks release with new trailer

Nearly 10 years have passed since the release of Final Fantasy 11 — and six since the last expansion pack. Today a whole new addition, Seekers of Aldouin, released on PC and Xbox 360.

It's not a standalone game, instead requiring the original disc to play and a cost of $29.99 to purchase. But the Ultimate Collection Seekers Edition includes the full game and all expansions and add-ons to date for $10 more.

The original PlayStation 2 version is not supported.

A post in the Final Fantasy 11 forums details the content update, which is the massively multiplayer online role-playing game's fifth expansion.

Square Enix has also shared a new pre-release trailer, which you can watch below.

Follow @wita on Twitter.

[VG247]

Via: Final Fantasy 11: Seekers of Aldouin marks release with new trailer

Incredipede day one Steam sales surpassed previous four months combined

Colin Northway of Northway Games shed some light on the sales of Incredipede, which just recently landed on Steam. It turns out the colorful indie puzzler wasn't an instant hit when it first launched. Since hitting Steam, however, things have changed considerably, and Incredipede managed to sell more during its first day on the popular digital download site than in the past four months combined.

"It's really good," Northway told Joystiq. "I mean, it wasn't good for the four months, but it was good for the one day. And now it's doing well. It didn't just drop off to nothing. It's not going to make us rich, but we're actually going to get paid for the work we did. We have enough money to make another game."

It's good to see such an entertaining indie title doing well. It's also exciting to think that Northway now has the funds to work on a new project. Here's hoping it's as pretty and inventive as Incredipede.

[Joystiq]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Incredipede day one Steam sales surpassed previous four months combined

Resident Evil: Revelation trailer spotlights Rachel in Raid Mode

Last week, it was reported that Rachel would be joining the Resident Evil: Revelations cast as a Raid Mode character. Capcom has decided to release a trailer showing the high-spirited woman in combat in their newest trailer. Sure, her uniform may not be the structurally sound attire… you know, it uhh, works. The trailer is all fine and good until she comes across the infected versions of herself. Dat laugh.

Watch the video above and enjoy!

Via: Resident Evil: Revelation trailer spotlights Rachel in Raid Mode

Peripheral Vision: Genius GX Gila Gaming Mouse

While that’s certainly an impressive list, the most important aspect of any mouse is how it feels. The GX Gila is quite small, but heavy for its size, with a symmetrical shape suited for both left- and right-handed players. While it's possible to both claw and palm this mouse, I found that palming the mouse felt slightly uncomfortable during gameplay, probably due to my large hands.

The weights themselves come inside a lovely little case, and you've got six of them. Changing the weight of your mouse is a breeze: you press a button underneath to reveal a small compartment, inside which you will find a little rubber triangle with six circular holes. You simply take the triangle out, pop a weight in one of the holes and place it all back inside the mouse! I really like the idea of being able to change the weight of the mouse because I'm very sensitive to mice that are too light or heavy.

One amazing inclusion with the GX Gila is the spare feet for when your current get damaged or worn down. I cannot stress enough how hard it is to find replacement feet for a discontinued mouse later on down the road.

Next up: the 12 programmable buttons, bindable to any command or keystroke via the included software. While it’s great to have so much freedom, this is unfortunately where the mouse under-performed for me. You see, four (two each side) of these buttons are located at the front end of the mouse on each side of the left and right click. I’ve tried to use them within multiple games, but their location is just too strange and awkward. Either my muscle memory refuses to learn their positions, or they're just really hard to reach! I wish they were located on a different part of the mouse, but I understand that some players will love this feature. My experience, however, was less fruitful.

Another design choice I don’t really understand would be three more buttons in a triangle pattern that are located below the scroll wheel. While I’m able to pass off the previously mentioned buttons as my hands being too big etc, I really don’t understand how you’re meant to press these buttons while playing any kind of game and I’d go as far to say that this mouse has a total 9 buttons not 12 because of this. Additionally, the two thumb buttons on the left hand side of the mouse are quite small compared to other mice. This sadly means my big old thumbs have a little trouble clicking accurately, as sometimes I do push mouse 5 instead of 4. While I did mention that both right- and left-handed players can hold this mouse just fine, the thumb buttons are only on the left-hand side, which of course is to be expected.

Other noticeable features include the almost industry standard braided cable, rubber & plastic finish for sweat prevention and a little DPI counter on the top of the mouse to indicate which profile you are using. The last thing to be mentioned is the Sniper Button located on the top/middle of the mouse. While the name of this button suggests something fancy for when you are playing FPS games, It really only serves as a DPI switcher or any other function you bind to it.

Using the installed software, you're able to easily create and assign macros to any of the 12 buttons via the "Manage Macro" & "Assign Buttons" tabs. The "Advanced Setting" tab gives you complete control over DPI, polling rate and the standard windows controls, however one very useful thing to mention the ability to change the lift off distance. We previously mentioned in the Razer DeathAdder 2013 review that it had a high lift off distance that could not be changed, but I'm very happy to announce that the GX Gila allows you to change this setting with a simple click of a button, you’ve also got a choice of 5 settings! Setting 1 is very very low and setting 5 is pretty high but still a lot less then the Razer DeathAdder 2013! While the software does not save your settings into the cloud, it does save them onto the on-board memory of the mouse so you can take the GX Gila to any computer!

At the end of the day, Genius’s GX Gila packs quite a punch in a small form factor, in addition to the fully functional and easy to use software. However the strange placement of the extra buttons will annoy quite a few users, so bare that in mind. With all that said and done, I would still recommend you keep this mouse in mind when looking for an upgrade, especially if you don’t have large hands or dislike ergonomically designed mice like the DeathAdder series.

Genius’s GX Gila is available from multiple sellers such as Amazon for around $74.00

Via: Peripheral Vision: Genius GX Gila Gaming Mouse

Explore the underwater world in Luminesca for $1 on IndieGameStand

Underwater exploration game Luminesca has landed on IndieGameStand. You can currently snag the alpha of the atmospheric game for $1, though paying more reaps bigger rewards.

Beating the average on the pay-what-you-want site gets you the Luminesca soundtrack and some prototypes. A $10 payment will get you this game, Space Pirates and Zombies, and whatever mystery title hits IndieGameStand next.

As per usual, 10 percent of all proceeds go to an organization of the developer's choice. Matt Glanville has decided to support Amnesty Internation UK.

[IndieGameStand]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Explore the underwater world in Luminesca for $1 on IndieGameStand

Chasm trailer is full of pixelated Metroidvania goodness

Indie developer Discord Games is currently working on Chasm, a 2D Metroidvania currently en route to the PC, Mac, and Linux. The trailer below certainly shows a lot of promise, and we may be looking at a real winner here once the game launches.

Chasm features RPG mechanics and hack-and-slash gameplay. Players must traverse dangerous dungeons and take on all manner of baddies. Areas are randomly generated, and there's plenty of loot to be found.

If you're interested, you can give Chasm your vote on Steam Greenlight. The game is due out sometime in 2014, which is a painfully long wait.

[Indie Statik]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Chasm trailer is full of pixelated Metroidvania goodness

Battlefield 4 escalates into an 'all out war'

We're just a few days away from the official unveiling of Battlefield 4, but DICE and EA are turning things up a little bit with the artwork reveals. I haven't checked the game's website since Friday, but sometime between then and now Battlefield 4 has escalated into an "all out war." At least, that's what the title for the latest batch of artwork seems to suggest.

Four new pieces of art have been shared with fans who log in to the site with their Origin ID. Two of the images appear to be characters from the game, while the other two are of heavily armored vehicles -- a helicopter and a tank. Interestingly, both of these types of vehicles have been featured in teaser videos for the incoming gameplay trailer set to debut on March 27.

To talk Battlefield 4 follow @Matt_GZ on Twitter.

Via: Battlefield 4 escalates into an 'all out war'

GTA 5's release date doesn't worry Saints Row 4 developer

Last week, Deep Silver Volition revealed Saints Row 4, the next installment of the wacky Saints Row franchise (formerly a THQ property). The game is due out on August 23, less than a month before the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 5 on September 17. For a franchise that often draws comparisons to Rockstar's open-world series, this could be viewed as a potential problem, although Saints Row developer Volition doesn't seem too worried.

"Yeah, it's a big one, and we talk about it a lot," Volition producer Jim Boone told Eurogamer. "Obviously when they announced their date and it was so close to us - that was an interesting phenomenon. But honestly, the way that we tend to look at it is that here's this huge game that's coming out at the same time and it's going to sell a ton."

"We know that, and it's unfortunate from that standpoint," he acknowledged. "But the thing we feel good about in general is that we're such a different game to what they are. If we were stylistically similar to the first Saints Row, I'd be horrified right now. Saints Row: The Third came out the same time as Assassin's Creed, but the games are so different in terms of what they do."

While Saints Row and Grand Theft Auto were often lumped into the same sandbox action-adventure genre early on in their lifecycles, the two franchises have actually distanced themselves from each other in recent years -- in terms of style and tone. Both games are still meant for mature audiences, but Saints Row has taken more of an over-the-top, silly/wacky approach (big purple dildo bats, aliens, things of that nature); Grand Theft Auto still has its over-the-top moments, but for maintains a more realistic approach towards its narrative.

"The genre's matured enough where you can have all these different styles and still be an open world game and be different. So I look at GTA 5 and think there's this massive game coming out, but I don't think with our superpowers and alien invasions that no-one will be comparing us to them," Boone concluded.

Do you plan on buying Saints Row 4 or Grand Theft Auto 5 this fall? Or both?

Via: GTA 5's release date doesn't worry Saints Row 4 developer

Battlefield 4 artwork reveals Shanghai, and it's not raining!

Enough fans and Origin users have united to unlock the second piece of Battlefield 4 artwork (the first piece showed a burning aircraft carrier). The newly revealed artwork shows the Shanghai city skyline. This seems to suggest the Chinese city will play a role in the game's setting. Surprisingly, it's not raining, a motif in most of the game's early artwork.

In what way will Shanghai be involved? We have no idea, but we will soon. Battlefield 4 is going to be unveiled on March 26, with a gameplay trailer premiering on March 27. Hopefully, in those two days, we will have a better idea of the game's setting and plot. Until then, just keep encouraging Origin users to login to the official website to unlock more artwork. 

Via: Battlefield 4 artwork reveals Shanghai, and it's not raining!

Ms. Splosion Man blows up iOS and PC next week

Ms. Splosion Man, the explosive platforming companion to Splosion Man, is due out on the App Store and PC next week — finally.

Developer Twisted Pixel made the announcement early last year, too, along with promises of other versions. At this point, Ms. Splosion Man is nearly a couple years old, and its senior counterpart is about twice that. Both debuted on Xbox Live Arcade.

The iOS version will feature some exclusive power-ups, such as a bullet-time option and something called "nuclear 'splode."

Ms. Splosion Man is also reconfirmed for Windows Phone. No date has been set.

Follow @wita on Twitter.

[Pocket Gamer via Joystiq]

Via: Ms. Splosion Man blows up iOS and PC next week

La-Mulana departs for adventure on Steam in April

Indie hit La-Mulana will soon be available on Steam. The Nigoro-developed 2D action-adventure title will land on the popular digital download platform on April 15.

If you've been waiting for La-Mulana to come to Steam, then your patience certainly wasn't for naught. Now you'll just have to wait a little under a month to play the game, but you can do that, right? I mean, you've gotten this far.

La-Mulana will be priced at $14.99, though you can get it for $13.49 during launch week. You can also pre-purchase it now if all you want to worry about at launch is actually playing the game.

Welcome to Steam, La-Mulana! Now, where's that NES version?

[Steam]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: La-Mulana departs for adventure on Steam in April

Luftrausers flying to PS3, PS Vita, and other platforms this spring

Dutch studio Vlambeer has recently enjoyed success with its iOS hit Ridiculous Fishing, and now it has a new announcement to make. Another one of its titles, Luftrausers, is coming to PlayStation 3 and PS Vita.

Luftrausers is a dogfighting or aerial-combat game where you build and fly your own airplane. The developer unveiled the Flash game in spring of 2012. The last time it shared news on Sony's PlayStation Blog, it discussed the release of Super Crate Box on PlayStation Mobile.

"We’ll be honest with you — the reason this game is going to hit PS3 and PS Vita is because we loved working with Sony when we made Super Crate Box," wrote Vlambeer's Rami Ismail on the PlayStation Blog. "We think both platforms are great and we obviously want you to be able to play our games — but we don’t like dealing with people that treat us as some sort of commercial asset only. We want to work with people that love games as much as we love working on them."

He added, "We had to deal with barely any of that red tape."

That seems like something we've been hearing a lot of lately from indies.

Devolver Digital, which helped with Hotline Miami, is assisting with the ports for Vlambeer. Luftrausers also coming to PC, Mac, and Linux this spring. It will cost $9.99.

Follow @wita on Twitter.

Via: Luftrausers flying to PS3, PS Vita, and other platforms this spring

Edge of Space beta is free during PAX East weekend

If you're not attending PAX East this weekend, worry not, for your weekend is not without hope. Reverb Publishing and developer Handyman Studios are opening the Edge of Space free beta from March 22 through March 24, effectively giving you something fun to do.

Edge of Space has drawn comparisons to Terraria for its 2D action-adventure and crafting mechanics, though several elements have helped to set it apart from Re-Logic's successful gem. Ya know, like laser sharks! Aww yeah!

To claim your free beta code, head on over to the official Edge of Space website. If you dig the game, you can purchase it at launch for $14.99 or pre-purchase it for $9.99.

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Edge of Space beta is free during PAX East weekend

Review: Dead Space 3: Awakened DLC functions like a disturbed nap

Much like trying to get Mega Man off the moon, Dead Space 3: Awakened gets Isaac and Carver down from floating to their deaths in space. I honestly thought we’d have to wait until the next Dead Space title to find out how our heroes survive. The tragic ending of Dead Space 3 left us wondering if Isaac’s story would just end anticlimactically with him being left by Ellie.

Isaac and Carver awaken back on the surface of Tau Volantis with a bunch of unanswered questions: How did they get there? Are they even alive? Seriously, Isaac starts to question if he is dead, alive, or even a Necromorph. After the two heroes destroyed the evil moon, it would only make sense that the Necromorph threat would be over -- right? RIGHT? Of course not.

After all, “Brother moons are awake” is what the chapters of Dead Space 3 spell out. These brother moons want to feed and make more Necromorphs. Where is there a better place to feed than on Earth? The goal of the moons in Awakened is to have Isaac and Carver lead them to Earth to assimilate it and feed upon it. “We are coming, we are hungry.”

My favorite parts of Dead Space 3 were those Carver-specific optional missions. There was nothing better than watching Carver just standing there while my friend playing as him is telling me about all the crazy toy soldiers he’s seeing. Awakened is full of this sort of dementia. As a player, you even start questioning what’s happening, if anything is real, or if Isaac has finally lost it.

Here’s the thing, while I love the dementia sequences, they are quite abundant. For how short Awakened is, the sequences are a bit overdone. This leads me to a whole new question: why were there so few dementia sequences in Dead Space 3? This DLC and the Carver missions proved that the series had not forgotten about Isaac’s madness; instead, the game focused on action and a love story. The more crazy Isaac is, the better.

While playing through Awakened, I actually felt like I was in the original Dead Space -- trapped on a ship, losing trust of those I know, seeing things that aren’t there and cutting through Necromorphs. This is the strength of the Awakened. There were horror elements lost in Dead Space 3 which felt familiar and welcoming. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole cult psychosis and the unkillable “prophet” lurking around certain corners.

Awakened isn't without flaws, though. The DLC is extremely short, and the environment is just a retread of Dead Space 3. I ran through Awakened on normal in 90 minutes. For $10 (800 Microsoft Points), that’s just not enough content. Sure, that turns into three hours if you play single-player and co-op, but I wanted more. Early in DS3, you travel to the Terra Nova -- you do that again in the DLC. It has a lot more blood, candles and Unitologists, but it’s still the same place. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED when you return to the Ishimura in Dead Space 2, but this isn't nearly the same.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about Awakened. I like the concept; I like that it continued the story. I like the questioned existence; and I like the dementia. I didn’t like the length or repetition. I won’t spoil the ending, but it definitely sets up future story DLC or even a fourth Dead Space -- funding pending. If you’re like me and you need to know what happens next in the story, I say get it but do not set an evening aside for it. For everyone else, I say wait for a sale.

[Reviewed on Xbox 360]

Via: Review: Dead Space 3: Awakened DLC functions like a disturbed nap

If you like amazing art, check out the Tomb Raider store

The Tomb Raider official store has added some artwork to its repertoire. There are 17 in total; printed on 100% cotton rag archival paper with archival inks. They are currently available for presale and are all being sold for $40. Each poster has a unique art style and feel to it. I’m a pretty big fan of a few of them and would love to see even more. MOAR!

The new Tomb Raider is great and you should check it out if you haven’t yet. If you have some disposable income and some wall space – I think you have some new options.      

This one remindes of an old Indiana Jones movie poster:

[TombRaiderStore]

Via: If you like amazing art, check out the Tomb Raider store

DLC Quest hits Steam, continues to poke fun at games industry

DLC Quest has landed on Steam and it's ready to steal your monies -- all of them! Because dat's what DLC do! Developer Going Loud Studios' colorful 2D platformer has conquered Steam Greenlight is available for under $3.

So what do you get in DLC Quest? A satirical game that pokes fun at modern practices in the video game industry. Want to access expected in-game features? You're going to have to collect coins just to purchase 'em! Nothing like some sweet add-on content, right?

Two separate campaigns, achievements, and leaderboards are included in DLC Quest for Steam. Or are they?

[Steam]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: DLC Quest hits Steam, continues to poke fun at games industry

Incredipede crawls onto Steam with $10 launch sale

Developer Colin Northway has launched his colorful physics-based puzzler Incredipede on Steam. The game, originally available for the PC back in October, made it through Steam Greenlight and is now officially available for purchase on the digital download site.

Northways states that this version of the game is Incredipede 1.5. The title now includes 60 new levels, achievements, and more. The new stages are intended to make the experience more appealing to individuals who may have found the original iteration of the puzzle game a bit too taxing.

Incredipede has a regular price tag of $14.99 on Steam, but you can snag it for $9.99 until March 29.

[Steam]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Incredipede crawls onto Steam with $10 launch sale

Cart Life! Get your Cart Life on Steam while it's hot!

Food cart simulator Cart Life is now available on Steam. You can purchase the game for $3.49 during its launch week period, after which it'll be priced at a still affordable $4.99, which is about what I'd expect to pay for a steak burrito from a local food vendor.

Cart Life features a black-and-white pixelated art style that's absolutely fitting given the game's depressing themes. Don't expect this sim to be full of popularity and money dollars for your character. Nope, this is cart vending at its humblest.

If you're interested in playing a game that's quite different and not all that chipper, you may want to give Cart Life a look-see. Welcome to sadness.

[Steam]

Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.

Via: Cart Life! Get your Cart Life on Steam while it's hot!

Review: Roccat Kone XTD gaming mouse is a beautiful fusion of aesthetics and features

Visually, the Kone XTD is an aesthetically pleasing gaming peripheral. It has a soft-touch black matte finish that comes to life with two LED lighting strips that run down the top of the mouse. The Kone XTD offers lighting customization that's absent in a lot of other gaming mice. Currently, I have the LED lighting system starting at an orange-ish red and transitioning to a navy blue at the rear of the mouse. #GoBroncos You could spending hours going through colors and lighting effects. The ROCCAT logo doesn't light up, but that's a good thing; the mouse would look too busy if that was the case. The lighting also brings the game to life in your hand with cool lighting effects -- like a breathing function or a color rotation.

It's not just about looks with the Kone XTD. It avoids being a shallow piece of hot gaming tech-a** by offering deep functionality. To begin, the soft-touch finish combined with the shape makes for one of the most comfortable mice I've used to-date. The depth comes from the easy-shift button. Where you usually have the back/forward buttons, instead you now have the Easy-shift button. What this does is effectively double the amount of buttons on the mouse, acting as a shift key. For games like StarCraft 2 or any MMORPG, this feature is a godsend. If you play mostly FPS games, you won't find yourself using it, though. I was worried about my finger accidently hitting the Easy-shift button, but the mouse is such a good size that I didn't experience that problem at all. Whether your hand is on the small size or you have gigantic, clumsy paws, the XTD is a perfect middle ground. The Kone XTD also comes with adjustable weights to make the mouse lighter or heavier, depending on your preferences. 

On the top of the mouse are buttons to easily change the DPI setting -- from 200 to 8200. I usually play around the 6000 DPI setting, but depending on the game, I like to be able to change it on-the-fly. It's a pet peeve of mine when there's no dedicated button to adjust DPI. Luckily, this is one of the areas where the Kone XTD passes with flying colors. One of the things that Roccat boasts is its Titan 4-D Scroll Wheel. You're either going to love it or feel indifferent about it. To me, pressing it felt kind of unstable, like I didn't really have that much control. The scroll wheel not only scrolls but can be pressed down as another button, as well as pressed to the left or the right. It takes a lot of finesse and play time to get used to its action. Considering all of the other buttons have such great action right off the bat, the difference threw me off a bit. But when you're getting multiple button assignments from a scroll wheel, it's hard to complain too much. Flicking the wheel to the right or left to activate an ability or use an item removes another need from the keyboard, so it's a welcome adjustment.

To get the most out of the Kone XTD, you'll have to use the driver and software that comes with it. Some people want to just plug in a mouse and use it --  easy peasy lemon squeezy. The XTD begs you to use the software, and it's some of the best and easiest software you'll ever use. It's really easy to figure out exactly what needs adjusting to fit your playstyle. You can control things like sensitivity, scroll speed, double-click speed, and DPI to name a few. Whether you're adjusting the polling rate or the color of the LEDs on the surface of the mouse, there's enough customization here to appease most gamers.

This is also where you'll be controlling button assignments. The best part is that you can create separate profiles for your mouse settings; so if you want different settings for when you play League of Legends and Battlefield 3, you can change them pretty easily. There's also a nifty trophy system that gives you trophies when you reach a certain number of mouse button clicks or move your mouse a certain distance. Pointless, but neat!

If you also use a Roccat Isku keyboard, the Kone XTD will speak to it. With the Roccat Talk FX technology, you get even more lighting features, and also the cool Easy-Aim feature. By pressing a key on your Isku, Easy-Aim will optimize the DPI setting on your Kone XTD; this is especially handy for sniping in FPS games. It's not a reason to buy the mouse if you don't already own a Roccat keyboard, but it's a nice feature if you tend to buy all of your devices from the Roccat family.

It's hard to find anything bad about the Roccat Kone XTD. It's comfortable, visually stunning and offers deep customization, no matter what type of gamer you are. The Easy-shift feature might take a little while to get used to, and the scroll wheel definitely has an adjustment period, but these are two very small negatives that get drowned out in a sea of positives. For me, it's everything that I've looked for in a gaming mouse. It's not a cheap mouse, sitting in the $80 to $90 range, depending on the site you get it from, but you get what you pay for. And what you're getting might just end your search for the perfect gaming mouse.

Technical Specifications

You can follow Senior Editor Lance Liebl on Twitter @Lance_GZ. He likes talking sports, video games, movies, and the stupidity of celebrities. Email at LLiebl@GameZone.com

Via: Review: Roccat Kone XTD gaming mouse is a beautiful fusion of aesthetics and features

Talking Tech with Thomas: Razer DeathAdder gaming mouse

The DeathAdder 2013 features a 4G optical sensor that can go up to 6400 dpi, an ergonomic right-handed design with rubber side grips, two thumb buttons and support for 125/500/1000 polling rates. For me, the most important aspect of any mouse is how it feels. The DeathAdder 2013 has been specially designed for right-handed players in mind, meaning the mouse itself is curved for your hand, as well as sporting two rubber side grips that really help keep control of the mouse.The first grip is located on the left-hand side below the thumb buttons and the second is located where your ring finger rests when palming the mouse.

Speaking of palming versus the claw grip. I'm happy to inform you that both styles are easily usable while playing MMOs, FPS, RTS, MOBAs or even chilling with solitaire! Additionally the DeathAdder 2013 utilizes a high quality plastic finish, that negates any sweating during those intense moments.

The approximate weight is 0.23lbs, however as usual its impossible to really understand what that means without holding it yourself. I found the DeathAddder 2013 to be very a lightweight mouse, in addition to its "zero-acoustic ultraslick" feet that overall makes the mouse feel very smooth on almost any surface. To further illustrate how lightweight this mouse is, my usual 2000 dpi setting was too much, and I had to bump the setting down to 1700/1800 dpi because it just felt too sensitive, hehe!

Now one very important part of the DeathAdder 2013 that needs mentioning, would be the lift-off distance. It's default value appears to be set very high, so if you are prone to lifting your mouse for re-centering purposes then you may be in for a little shock, however if you love to play while hovering your mouse, then the DeathAdder 2013 will make you very happy! Other then that, I've found the overall shape, size and features of the DeathAdder 2013 to be very satisfying. Below you can see an image of me drawing lines and circles to show its precision and tracking through some of it's dpi levels. Also take note that I've managed to constantly hit my average score of 160,00 within Disk Dash.

  

So lets have a little talk about the controversial Razer Synapse. My Windows 7 build is around 10 months old, meaning I've had tons of random things installed and uninstalled. With that said, I went to Razer's website and downloaded the latest version of Synapse, It installed perfectly fine and recognized my DeathAdder 2013 instantly. Before I was able to play around with any settings, I was told to install the latest firmware from which it did automatically! Afterwards was able to change the dpi, lighting, macros, calibration of my mouse mat and set up any specific dpi/macro profiles for certain applications.

Overall I've had zero problems with Razer's Synapse program, previously I mentioned that the DeathAdder 2013 has quite a high liftoff range. Now it's fully customizable via Synapse, however sadly the slider that ranges from 1 - 10 does not actually effect this mouse at all. Now this may be a bug or maybe the mouse does not support this feature?

At the end of the day, Razers DeathAdder 2013 is a logical step forward within its series, by keeping things simple without adding too much. The only real problem I found with this mouse would be its high liftoff range that can annoy players who are used to something lower. With that said, its hard to find any other problems with such a well built mouse that is also reasonably priced amongst other mice for around $64.99!

Feel free to follow the sexy voiced man known as Thomas Adams via @Vexytube

Via: Talking Tech with Thomas: Razer DeathAdder gaming mouse