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Xbox One: Specs, Controller, Kinect detailed

Cameron Faulkner — 2013-05-21T15:20:00+00:00

World, meet the Xbox One.

Microsoft unveiled Xbox One, an all-in-one console that's fashionably late to the next-gen brawl, promising to turn us into couch potatoes. We'll fill you in on everything we know about Xbox One, it's controller and the all-new Kinect. Stay tuned for further coverage of Xbox One and more on Games.com News as we get closer to E3.

Console Specs

The Xbox One is powered by an eight core x86 CPU providing enough power to "instantly switch between a game and your entertainment app with ease." Adapting to industry standards, it will come equipped with a Blu-Ray drive with which you can "watch movies and play games in stunning HD..." Competing directly with the PS4 spec-by-spec, it also comes built with 8 GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard drive, which as Microsoft elaborates, will be smaller due to "...significant amount of storage..." consumed by the Xbox One's required software. Keeping things moving briskly and lag-free will be a critical part of the Xbox One's experience and "the combination of its CPU, GPU and ESRAM is like have a supercomputer in your living room."

Controller details

The thought of Microsoft changing the near-perfect Xbox 360 controller could make a grown person cry, but just look. It's not bad. It's rather good, actually. First of all, the analog nubs are extra grippy and concave to enhance your comfort and precision. The D-Pad will be easier to use and more accurate, which means no more screaming when you mess up trying to string together combos. One of the most interesting changes to the controller are the "vibrating, impulse Triggers". Who knows if this will act to provide natural resistance to actions like firing a gun or executing a melee action in-game. Similar to the PS4's Dual Shock 4, the Xbox One controller will act as another form of player identification for the Kinect. By pairing the controller to the person who is using it, the Xbox One can intelligently sign in and sign out of user accounts dynamically. Awesome.

Kinect

The Kinect is not necessary to fully enjoy all the Xbox 360 has to offer. As a serious gamer, I know I'm not alone when I say that it's hard to find a reason to justify using a Kinect, mine is in its retail box at home. It's a great idea, incorporated sloppily as a competitive push in motion gaming, an afterthought. However, with the Xbox One, the depth of Kinect's interactive capabilities shown at the event were impressive. We are, after all, dealing with "rocket-science level stuff" here. The most consumer-friendly addition is the inclusion of HD Skype calling. Introducing video chat, gestures and voice commands that can switch television inputs, change channels, update your sports fantasy leagues are all nice but at the heart of Kinect, we need better gaming interaction. If the Kinect can make good on its promises and developers can grasp the technology in creative ways, it just might finally compliment the Xbox One experience instead of getting in the way.

Are you happy with the Xbox One announcement? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment

[Credit: Xbox]

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Microsoft and EA Sports strike partnership to produce "smarter" games

Cameron Faulkner — 2013-05-21T15:00:00+00:00

Sports games sell. As history has shown, little to no revisions or improvements are required (aside from roster changes) for games like Madden or FIFA to sell like hotcakes year by year. EA Sports owns the expensive licensing rights to produce these sports games and they have been reluctant to fix what isn't broken. Each year, the vocal minority speaks. Sports fans demand more changes and improvements in these sports games. Microsoft and EA now have a plan to do that. They want to make "smarter" games.

According to EA, they can make their games smarter with their hot, shiny next-gen game engine called EA Sports Ignite. Games built upon the Ignite engine will boast athletes with up to "ten times greater animation fidelity..." The engine also promises "Human Intelligence" for athletes in-game. Your favorite athletes will now react with an uncanny likeness to their real-world self with the Ignite engine as it "delivers four times as many calculations per second than previously possible...Players will think and analyze the action, anticipating and reacting to what's occurring around them."

During the Xbox One event, it was announced that EA Sports titles using the Ignite engine would be released later this year, accompanying the release of the Xbox One.

Take a lot at some peeks at the "smarter" animations for yourself. Sound off in the comments if you think these games will be "smarter" or not. Add comment

The toes, they bend!

Juke to the right!

[Credit: EA]

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Xbox One revealed

Cameron Faulkner — 2013-05-21T13:00:00+00:00

Microsoft revealed the Xbox One today at the Xbox: A New Generation event in Redmond, Washington. The successor of the Xbox 360 will boasts features such as a blu-ray drive, improved Kinect camera capable of 1080p capture.

Stay tuned for further details.

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Xbox: A New Generation streaming live [Video]

Cameron Faulkner — 2013-05-21T11:00:00+00:00

It's time. As promised, we're bringing you a live feed of the Xbox event at Microsoft's HQ in Redmond, Washington. GameTrailers will provide the feed below, hosted by the legend himself, Geoff Keighley.

Expect a new console, new games, new experiences, and possibly, an awkward celebrity appearance.

Sound off in the comments below. I'll be chiming in from time to time to answer questions and to hang out with you guys.

Add comment >

[Live stream credit: GameTrailers]

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PS4 console teaser released, full reveal at E3

Charly Pierre, PlayStation Gang — 2013-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

Sony has just revealed a video tease for the PS4. The video is titled, "Playstation 4 See it first at E3". It's a short 39 second video showing the close-up shots of the hardware. Unfortunately, we will only get to see the full hardware for the first time at E3 on June 10th.

Until then, check out the short teaser trailer below and let us know what you make of it.

Your source for all things PlayStation >

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What to expect at tomorrow's reveal of Xbox 720

Cameron Faulkner — 2013-05-20T00:50:00+00:00

The sky above Microsoft's HQ in Redmond, Washington may as well be green. After all, the next Xbox (dubbed by many as the Xbox 720) will finally be unveiled to the public tomorrow. Gearing up for the exciting announcement, here's everything you should already know about the next Xbox.

1. What's in a name?

[Photo Credit: Gamespy]

For those who didn't know, Xbox 360 got its name because of its synergistic architecture design, combining gaming, friends and online entertainment seamlessly, full circle, if you will. No one really knows what the next Xbox will be called. Will Microsoft keep the name simple and evocative of the final product? People think they know already know the name of the next Xbox. They could be wrong, they could be right. We don't even know what it will be called. Take a look at the list and put in your best guess.

2. Which price is right?

The Xbox 360 launched at a premium price point of $399.00. I knew a lot of people who thought this was too expensive, but still, I had friends that had no problem spending whatever necessary to be a part of the next-gen revolution. Most consumers are willing to wait for the eventual price drop. Considering the promise of a next-gen experience, how much would you be willing to pay for the next Xbox?

3. Games, games, games

This is all we care about, right? We want good games and we want them now! Unfortunately, that's not really how things work. The best games for the Xbox Next and the PS4 likely won't be released for another 4 or 5 years. So, what can you get on launch day? To offer a full launch lineup, Microsoft will likely offer some racing games (Project Gotham or Forza), shooters (COD: Ghosts), sports (EA's annual offering) and the experimental platform-exclusive title that showcases the potential of the new machine (In the past, Halo and Kameo.) What kinds of titles are you looking for on launch day?

4. Xbox Live

[Photo Credit: Explosion]

Xbox Live is the king of online console gaming services. It's secure, fast, pretty, and robust. It isn't free, unlike the PSN and Nintendo Network services. However, out of the box, Xbox Live offered perks that fans loved and PS3 and Wii owners wished they had. Cross-game chat, fast updates, larger community, and avatars will undoubtedly be present in the next Xbox but more interesting, what other features will Xbox Live bring in the future?

5. What won't we know after the reveal?

[Photo Credit: Washington Post]

We will know the name, what the console looks like and we will see games. It's possible we might see more, but with the E3 conference right around the corner, Microsoft is going to save their big punches for then. Expect enough only to wet your whistle and nothing more.

6. Enough talking, how do I watch the reveal?

Tune back into Games.com News at 1 PM EST and you'll see a big, inviting article "Xbox: A New Generation streaming live." Click it and you'll be able to among the first to know everything there is to know about the next Xbox.

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Bombcats cheats and tips

John Bedford, Modojo — 2013-05-17T15:40:00+00:00

Bombcats is the latest game to be released by the celebrated indie developer Luke Schneider, and we gave the game a solid 4 out of 5 score in our review earlier today. Looking for a few tips to get on top of this puzzling gameplay? We've got you covered.

- Know your kitties, and don't feel you have to begin with the default cat when you have different cats to play around with. Each cat is better at performing a specific job in a level, so don't be afraid to experiment with new approaches.

- As a general rule, you can use the gems and suns that appear on each level as a means for working out the correct solution. If you see them covering a section of the screen, that's the direction you want to aim your early shots at.

- In the timed level challenges, you won't have those gems to guide you on your way. Make sure you know each set of levels inside out before heading into the time limit mode, so you don't waste time by fumbling the latter half of each challenge.

- If you're really stuck in the game, you can always skip the level entirely and move onto a new level. You can only do this once in a given time limit, however, so use these passes sparingly. Sit the game out for a while if you really can't make progress and need your timer to refill.

- Bear in mind that Clawdia can dig her claws into any surface and remain there between shots. Keep her special powers in mind when dealing with what seem like impossibly located kittens, and see if you can place her into a clearer firing position by launching at the target from a nearby wall.

Get more cheats for Bombcats at Modojo >

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It's true, SimCity is getting Amusement Park DLC

Matt Liebl, GameZone — 2013-05-17T15:25:00+00:00

Rumors surrounding a new add-on for SimCity have been confirmed by EA. Earlier this week a listing on UK retailer Green Man Gaming (since removed) revealed some sort of amusement park downloadable content. I can't say that I didn't expect some sort of DLC to be released post-launch, but I'd be lying if I said I thought it would be amusement park themed. Still, I'm intrigued to see what it can offer in terms of gameplay.

According to the the listing, the Amusement Park Pack lets you "build the amusement park of your dreams, right in the middle of your city" with "classic rides, vehicle rides, and thrill rides" that "allow you to make just the theme park you want."

From the look of it, it seems the amusement park will be a rather large plot, so good luck fitting that into your already crowded city. You'll likely have reserve the majority of your limited plot space for this attraction which features "massive entrances." The content includes "three large, impressive themed amusement park entrances" that you can choose from to customize your park. You'll also be able to lay down mini-train rails within the space that will transport tourists around your amusement park.

Find more details at GameZone >

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Rovio partners with Sony Pictures Entertainment for Angry Birds movie

Joe Jasko, Gamezebo — 2013-05-17T14:30:00+00:00

We've been hearing a lot of rumbling (or squawking) around these parts lately about the hotly anticipated Angry Birds animated movie that Rovio has wanted to make. We already knew that a number of major studios were vying for the rights to purchase the film, but now we have official confirmation this week that Sony Pictures Entertainment has been the early bird to get the multi-million dollar worm.

After the colossal and unmatched success of the Angry Birds brand and franchise, Rovio has made no secret about how the company wants to expand beyond just the realm of gaming, and into a broader role in the entertainment industry at large. While the upcoming Angry Birds movie will be Rovio's first plunge into the world of film, seasoned Angry Birds fans will already be familiar with the developer's work on the weekly Angry Birds Toons animated shorts, which debuted this past March.

Sony is also no stranger to hit animated features lately either, with Hotel Transylvania and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs already under their belt, along with several others. In addressing their excitement about the future project and their new partnership with Rovio, Michael Lynton and Amy Pascal, Chairman and Co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, respectively, had this to say: "Every studio in town would love to add Angry Birdsto their slate. There are few titles out there that bring this kind of excitement, brand awareness and built-in audience to the table."

On Rovio's side of the slingshot, Rovio CEO Mikael Hed explained that "Sony impressed us with their great attitude, determination, and professionalism. They convinced us that we have found the right partners and team to help us market and distribute our first motion picture."

Check out Gamezebo for the release date >

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'Sonic Lost World' announced, Wii U and 3DS exclusive

Justin Sharp, Pure Nintendo — 2013-05-17T11:25:00+00:00

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata announced a global partnership with SEGA during the Nintendo Direct and announced a brand new Sonic game coming exclusively to the Wii U and 3DS. Sonic and the Lost World is an action platformer and will release later this year.

The Last of Us hands-on preview

Nick Silversides, The Average Gamer — 2013-05-17T11:15:00+00:00

The Last of Us is not just an Uncharted game with added zombie. It's something far more brutal and unsettling. The preview build gave me a tantalising peek into the traumatic, perilous and frankly depressing world of Joel and Ellie as they struggle to survive in a United States ravaged by a mind controlling killer cordyceps-like fungus which has turned normal humans into the deadly Infected, hell bent on killing and "infecting" the entire human race.

The whole experience is frequently horrifying. With decapitations and the liberal spraying of blood straight out of a Quentin Tarentino movie, this is unashamedly an 18 rated game. Sure, it features the same uber-polished environments, simple control system, quick-time events and spectacular sequences we've come to expect from Naughty Dog, but this game conveys a feeling of complete abandonment and desolateness I've not experienced in any their previous titles.

Joel, the older and more battle scarred of the two, is suspicious of absolutely everything and everyone. Controlling him, I had to navigate my way through abandoned cities to locate a resistance group called the Fireflies. Booby traps, the Infected (who sound like someone slowly strangling a bird) and other survivors stood in my way. There were few instances in the demo where I didn't have time to think, I just attacked. I figured that sorting out who is friend or foe could wait until after I got in the first blow. That said, figuring things out later was never actually necessary - the world is filled with foes.

The Last of Us also introduces a crafting mechanic which requires you to collect items littered though out the game. When you combine items (e.g. alcohol + rag = med kit) you can make new items or modify weapons, making them even more deadly. However, if you want to upgrade things like your overall health or weapon handling then you need to track down hidden skill caches, which resemble jars of pills.

The emphasis on both survival and item collection - that's not just another gun or ammo - sets this apart from any of Nathan Drake's adventures. The pace of the game is noticeably slower when exploring new areas. There was the odd occasion where I was scrambling for my life from the Infected hordes. Then I was in full-on panic mode, looking for anywhere to hide.

Through beautifully-realised townscapes and forests The Last of Us slowly builds up the a picture of a post-apocalyptic world. This is embellished with stories from Joel and particularly Ellie, who is voiced beautifully by Ashley Johnson, with her impromptu singing and unbridled excitement when she spies the awesome-sounding "The Turning" 2-player brutal action arcade machine. Thankfully, Ellie is more from the Half-Life Alex Vance mould than just a walking lunch/Infected magnet. She kicks ass and swears like all 14-yr olds do.

This awesome preview continues on The Average Gamer >

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EA discontinuing Online Passes for future games

Thomas Chamberlain, The Koalition — 2013-05-17T11:00:00+00:00

EA revealed today that they will not be using the unpopular online pass system in any of their games from now on, much to the relief of many gamers who disagree with the system.

Online passes are codes that come with new copies of the game which give you access to the online multiplayer modes, meaning that people that rent or purchase a used copy cannot access these features without paying money for the online pass.

According to EA, "Yes, we're discontinuing Online Pass. None of our new EA titles will include that feature, initially launched as an effort to package a full menu of online content and services, many players didn't respond to the format. We've listened to the feedback and decided to do away with it moving forward.

"We're still committed to creating content and services that enhance the game experience well beyond the day you first start playing."

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified - 5 things you should know

Debbie Timmins, The Average Gamer — 2013-05-15T15:30:00+00:00

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified's live-action trailer published at the end of April marked its third "reveal" since 2010. Back then, it was... let's say poorly-received by fans. In the past 3 years however, we've seen the release of a "real" XCOM update for strategy fans with XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which has helped smooth the way for a different take on the franchise, albeit a rather US-centric retconned version.

I spoke to senior producer Nico Bihary from 2k about the game's story and the noticable similarities between this version and last year's Enemy Unknown. Watch the interview and gameplay footage here and you'll recognise many of the enemies and UI symbols.

Here's what I learned from getting hands-on with the game:

1. It's a shooter set in the US

The Bureau is now a third-person shooter with tactical elements. Set during the 60s, around the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the US has been building up their defenses, anticipating invasion by the Russian. Instead, the aliens came and the anti-espionage Bureau was forced to change their focus over to alien research.

I played a 30-minute hands-on demo, taking our protagonist William Carter, into battle to rescue fellow agent Da Silva who vanished along with his team on a mission in Pima, New Mexico.
Off we go to Pima and it's all American suburbia - bungalows, gardens, school buses. Only the houses are destroyed, cars have jumped the kerb into the gardens and the school bus has a large "Evacuation" banner hanging from the side and has smashed into a wall. These aliens were on a terror mission and it looks like they succeeded.

XCOM fans will know that the XCOM initiative has always been a global programme with funding from many nations. I'm choosing to believe that this story is simply the US's story of what caused them to opt into the programme. I will be very unimpressed if the story ends in a U-571-style Americanisation of them founding the entire XCOM programme.

2. You can customise your three-man squad.

Prior to each mission you pick two squad members. Each team member has a class and gains new skills when leveling up:

Engineer: Land mines and turrets
Commando: Taunts and more aggressive powers
Recon: Sniper
Support Officer: Medic

Everyone wears a backpack that imbues powers and healing from the technology you research back at the base. Squad members will gain XP throughout the missions from combating aliens and discovering new technology. You can't change their hair or faces but you can customise their names and pick the colour of their clothes or camo. I put my William Carter in a natty Michael Jackson-inspired combo of black shirt, trousers and white vest. He looks good on the field and, rather more importantly, I no longer think of LA Noire's Cole Phelps every time I see him.

At certain points in a mission, you'll come across a resupply crate where you can change weapons, switch your loadout and, bizarrely, swap members of your squad in and out. We'll deduct points for realism but carry on regardless because it's a game. Game logic. You can't switch the individual colours on real-world camouflage clothing either.

3. You control your squad directly

The command wheel (known as Battle Focus) looks and behaves a lot like Mass Effect's. Your three squad members have different sections of the wheel and it merely slows down the action, never pausing the game. Where everyone in Mass Effect is effectively a one-person army, The Bureau places much more emphasis on working with your teammates. Use the engineer to lay down a mine and get your commando to taunt enemies into it.

You also need to specify where they stand and what they shoot. If they kill an enemy they'll keep shooting away at whatever's nearby but they'll also ask for orders. Constantly. They'll also come running to resuscitate you if you go down. Make sure you do the same for them because if they die, they're gone along with all their training.

Check out The Average Gamer for more >

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Metro: Last Light review (PC)

Debbie Timmins, The Average Gamer — 2013-05-15T15:04:00+00:00

Light is your best friend. Light shows you the way, exposes your enemies. Light burns the monsters that dwell in the dark, reveals their weak underbellies, keeps you alive.

Light is your worst enemy. Light makes you a beacon in the darkness. Light brings the beasts and the bullets. Light will get you killed.

You'll be thinking a lot about the shadows in Metro Last Light. Where to go, how to get there, are there any light switches, how does nobody notice all that shattering glass when you shoot out bulbs and darkness descends?

Shooting in the Dark

It's a fairly easy game to play as a stealth shooter, helped by the handy visible/invisible tracker on your watch. You're helped even more by the fact that most guards can barely see what's right in front of their faces when you're not in direct lighting, making it very easy to bop them on the head or stab them through the neck.

I very much like the new HUD and weapons overhaul. A weapon found on the ground has its upgrades highlighted so you can instantly see what advantages it might have over your current weapon. Buying bullets in a shop no longer requires you to recognise the different types on sight alone. They've also changed the weapon system so you can only carry three guns, but it's any three you might want, rather than having slots per weapon type.

My weapon of choice was a silenced pistol with upgraded stock and IR sight because it was perfect for distant headshots while still useful at short range. I complemented that with an assault rifle for enemy hordes and an automatic shotgun for close-range work. If you prefer, you could carry a sniper rifle and pair of shotguns; one modified for high damage and the other with a longer barrel for keeping enemies at bay.

Depressing Reality

Veterans of Metro 2033 will recognise a lot of Last Light, set a year after the game from 2010 and also based on the series of Dmitry Glukhovsky books. (Fun fact: His books are the only ones to survive the nuclear apocalypse with covers intact).

You'll be facing the same mutant enemies - the dog-like watchmen, the flying demons, the humanoid nosalis. You'll also see the same segregated human communities.

Over in one part of the Metro is the Reich with their Nazi (or more accurately, neo-Nazi) imagery and philosophies. In another, a simple fishing village where children play with toys and watch shadow puppets. In our section, a militaristic group known as Rangers are hoping to build a better life for everyone.

So much of Metro's story is told through the world and this is probably its biggest flaw. It's a depressingly realistic version of a post-apocalyptic Earth, full of depth and life, even as the planet's surface withers under radiation. In creating such a linear story-driven adventure, 4A Games quite rightly leads our protagonist Artyom through a series of snapshots showing the many facets of such a world. The problem is that much of the actual core story is also told through this environmental technique.

Flawed Technique

Pre-rendered cut-scenes are skippable but the main story unfolds as dialogue that happens while you're trapped in a briefing room, incapacitated or otherwise unable to do anything.

Sure, your companion characters are great - it's hard not to bond with Pavel as he talks and talks (and talks). But a surprising amount of the story is told by the background characters chatting among themselves about things happening elsewhere in the Metro. Your choices are to stand in each room of a population hub, listening to anything and everything and piecing the important parts together later, or to ignore some and risk missing out on crucial plot points.

Doing the first absolutely ruins the pace of the game. Sure, ambient dialogue is great but standing around listening to NPC narration isn't fun. I did the second, more by accident than design because I didn't realise until later that so much would go unexplained during the campaign. I learned more about what was going through the diary page collectibles that are hidden around each map than I ever did from paying attention to the dialogue.

Scavenging and Supplies

When you're not being forced to do nothing while voice actors exposit plot around you, the action is quite satisfying. Normal mode seems easier than Metro 2033′s but I still found myself with a few difficult battles. Much of this, however, was down to the sheer number of enemies flinging themselves at my throat rather than any tactical challenge.

The mutants may swing from pillars and rush across the ground but they're always charging straight for you. Where humans in 2033 would be instantly alarmed by seeing their comrade's body in the distance, their Last Light counterparts practically need to fall over a body before they'll notice it, or you.

You won't find any traps for the unwary in a combat arena, making the stealth approach more about avoiding headlamps and switching off light sources than really paying attention to where you're going.
I will say that Normal mode is probably too easy for most hardcore shooter fans, which seems to be the trend these days if you look back at Tomb Raider and BioShock Infinite. Military grade bullets as currency has always been an interesting mechanic, but with my habit of exploring everything to gather as much as possible, I never found myself short on standard ammo. In the early stages of the game you may as well not bother buying weapon upgrades, as you'll find plenty of improved guns lying around. That said there are weapon types for every play style so if you do see the perfect gun on sale, grab it and you'll never need another.

[Edit: I've now played about 5 hours on Hardcore difficulty and it's really not that much more difficult. Stealth is ridiculously easy as well. There's enough elsewhere that I'd still recommend buying the game but check out this gameplay video taken from my Twitch stream.]

Check out The Average Gamer for the final verdict >

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Here's the first Gran Turismo 6 trailer

Matt Liebl, GameZone — 2013-05-15T14:10:00+00:00

Following today's announcement that Gran Turismo 6 is coming to the PS3later this year, Sony has released a trailer for the newest entry in its iconic racing franchise.

GT6 for PlayStation 3 will bring new levels of authenticity to 'the Real Driving Simulator' as well as introducing stunning new tracks and cars and a revised user interface. A new compact game engine will improve operation and increase the flexibility to expand it with downloadable content. Meanwhile, the game is also set for expanded connectivity with other devices such as smart phones and tablets and increased social and community functions.

Check out the first trailer for Gran Turismo 6 below:

For more gaming news, visit GameZone >

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Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag preview - A cut above the rest

Richard Bailey Jr, The Koalition — 2013-05-15T13:40:00+00:00

When Ubisoft released the original Assassin's Creed way back in November of 2007, they took a serious gamble on debuting a new IP in a gaming market dominated by familiar franchises. Luckily for them, this calculated risk paid off and everyone saw immense potential for the series moving forward. In the years that followed, every Assassin's Creed sequel has either been praised for it's positive breakthroughs or criticized for it's negative setbacks. In a nutshell, these issues had to be expected solely because of Ubisoft's desire to maintain a standard without jeopardizing the integrity of the whole franchise.

With Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag slated to hit stores this October, I had a chance to see some behind closed doors footage from the game during a press only event.Ubisoft has made a valiant effort to listen to the fans this time around, a move that is slowly making this one of the most ambitious, yet engaging entries in the series yet. For this particular preview, I'm going to focus on the improvements made in regards to storytelling, gameplay, and the overall setting of the game. So without further ado, here is my in-depth analysis on why Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is undeniably a cut above the rest.

Story

The premise of Black Flag revolves around the charming, yet lethal British protagonist by the name of Edward Kenway. Acting as an infamous pirate, privateer, and member of the Assassin order, Edward is the father of Haytham Kenway and the grandfather of Connor from Assassin's Creed III. While Edward is a happily married man, he often feels his life doesn't quite measure up to the demanding expectations set forth by carrying his family name. As a result of his desire to be legendary, he embarks on a quest to restore his dignity and gain the approval of every accomplished individual in his immediate family. Of course, his pirate lifestyle plays heavily into how he undergoes this transformation and will ultimately yield both positive and negative results by the time he completes his journey.

After hearing only a brief overview of the game's narrative, I can already conclude that Assassin's Creed IV will have a truly gripping plotline with at least one compelling aspect to push it beyond previous entries in the series. The decision to give Edward a wife is a dynamic subplot device that if used effectively could lead to some interesting results. Kenway is notoriously captivating and it's a given that he will engage in several scandalous affairs as he fully embraces a lifestyle filled with debauchery and violence.

Knowing this, you can also predict that his actions could end up endangering or even killing his wife and as a result set him down a path of destruction. We must remember that in Assassin's Creed III, Haytham Kenway was an antagonist and the motivations behind his actions were never fully explained. Even if this concept isn't elaborated on further, the question of just how far Edward would go to achieve success remains an intriguing one. Would he be willing to risk the life of the woman he loves just to get a piece of redemption? These questions and more will be answered once the game hits stores this fall.

Gameplay

Building off the success of naval battles in Assassin's Creed III, Ubisoft decided to up the ante on this concept for Black Flag. Players will now be able to access their ships at anytime and upgrade them accordingly as they progress through the game. Naval battles will also be slightly more intensified now because the player will be able to jump aboard enemy ships to both attack and loot their adversaries to their hearts content.

One ship that I distinctly remember seeing in the preview was a massive battle ship called the Minotaur. This ship is not only a significant part of history but it also proves to be the most challenging to encounter primarily because of the 100 canons that are attached to it. In addition to the ship upgrade options mentioned above, the player also has the ability to build up their crew members over time. These new levels of customization offer an added incentive to keep people engaged and entertained while playing the game.

On the combat side of things, Assassin's Creed IV will be the one AC game that will finally give fans what they have been waiting for. There will be a full-fledged return to stealth attacks, free-aiming, and the ability to duel wield with both guns and swords at the same time. If this all still doesn't sound exciting, the creative team have also managed to create an underwater element to the game in which you can now discover numerous treasure chests and find yourself face-to-face with various sea creatures.

As a means of survival, you'll be tasked with hunting several types of animals for your source of food, including but not only limited to whales. While this notion may not receive a popular vote from P.E.T.A. reps, it does ultimately make the game more realistic in the sense that you have to make full use of the everyday resources around you to survive. Adding both the new ship customization options and the improved combat aesthetics offer a killer one-two punch that fans can appreciate and dig themselves into. While it's not yet certain what the limitations are with these new features, we do expect to learn more about how advanced they truly are soon enough.

Setting

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag takes place between the bustling 1650s and goes all the way through to the 1730s. This particular period of time in American history is often referred to as The Golden Age of Piracy because of three separate piracy related events that took place in that time span. While the three main cities detailed in the game are Havana, Kingston, and Nassau, there are also roughly 50 separate locations to explore along the lines of plantations, smugglers dens, and mysterious Mayan ruins. Ubisoft's goal from the very beginning was to give this game a more explorative, open world type of feel and so far they are nailing this concept down perfectly.

In addition to the various destination spots, several key historical supporting characters will play a part in Edward's story. This was already alluded to in the first reveal trailer for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag which features the famous pirate Blackbeard narrating. While it is still unclear of who all will be represented in the game, knowing how Ubisoft has handled previous characters in the series gives me a great sense of confidence that they will deliver some truly memorable performances from one character to the next.

Metro: Last Light cheats, trainer and more

Cameron Faulkner — 2013-05-15T10:50:00+00:00

Caught in the middle of the Great THQ kerfluffle of early 2013, the future of Metro: Last Light, sequel to the underrated and amazing Metro 2033, was uncertain. It was painful seeing ad banners for the game's May release in taxi tops knowing that this gem of a franchise, lost amid the fury of a dissolution, might not ever see the light of day. Fortunately, Deep Silver provided a light at the end of that tunnel for Metro: Last Light's release, but will it truly be the last light for the Metro series? I doubt it.

Some of those who buy this game will undoubtedly think "Sweet! Can't wait to blast through all teh z0mbi3z!" They may think they know that what lies in those creepy underground metro rails, stations and ruins laid waste but the people who played Metro 2033 will agree, they don't know.

It's too bad they also probably don't know about Cheat Happens. Offering cheats, trainers and wallpapers for the hottest new games are their specialties and their work on Metro: Last Light is no exception. With cheats like Unlimited Health, Super Damage, No Reload and No Gas Mask Damage, you literally have no reason to be scared of whatever may be down there.

To put it visually, you'll go from feeling like this:

to feeling like this:

Metro: Last Light is available now for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC through Origin and Steam. Check out the launch trailer below.

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Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy walkthrough

CasualGameGuides — 2013-05-14T14:30:00+00:00

Play Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy for free here >

I. Introduction:
You are a world famous author stuck in a ten year bout with writer's block. It's a dark a dreary night when suddenly a raven comes to your room and begins gently rapping at your chamber door.Honestly, all the Edgar Allan Poe writing I've experienced I know from seeing Homer Simpson do The Raven during a Tree House of Horror Halloween Special 15 years ago. The lack of Poe knowledge did not take away from the fun of playing this game. I imagine if you've read some Poe in the past it would only increase your enjoyment of this game.

Get a blanket, some milk and cookies and keep the lights on if you are easily spooked. It's time to set out into a ghost story and save Poe's soul from eternal damnation.

Gameplay Basics:
The world's worst grounds keeper was hired to maintain the graveyard where Edgar Allan Poe is buried. Do your best to sort through the mess and find all the hidden items on your list.

Along the way items are automatically added to your tool bag. You'll need these tools to collect items listed in blue. As with most games, it starts out very easy and gets more complex the further along you proceed.

Cursers:
The curser will change from a skeleton's hand at certain points during the game. See below for the forms it will take.

Blue hand with gears: An item from your tool bag is needed here.
Blue hand with tail: Item is in the correct spot. Click and see what happens.
Green hand with eyeball: Click to investigate this area more closely.
Red hand: You are in the correct spot, but are not using the correct item.

Cheats and Tips:
Extra Hints Cheat:
To obtain extra hints; in Chapter 1 - Scene 1, first collect the lantern. After you have the lantern, find the two ravens in the scene.

Click on "Menu." The menu will come up. Click "Menu" again. You'll be asked if you're sure you want to exit. Click "Yes".

At the main menu Click "Play"

You'll be brought back to Chapter 1 - Scene 1. Your Hints will be increased by two and the two ravens are back in the scene. Click on them again for two more hints. Repeat as many times as you wish.

Tips: Even though this is a hidden object game, some items are hidden in plain sight. If you are asked to find a Pen or Mushrooms take a look on the nearest desk or the ground next to a tree. They won't always be there, but it will save you time a few times.

A rose by any other name is still a rose. Different author, but it still works, so just go with it. As the game progresses, items on your list will change to clues. Instead of "Rose" you'll see "Flower with Thorns." You can always click on the list item for a preview in the lantern, but keep it in mind.

A rose is not always a rose. When you are first asked to find an item, it's pretty straight forward. You'll see a red rose on the ground or next to a headstone. As the chapters progress the items will turn into a stone etchings, engravings in wood or even a cloud formation.

What would a hidden object game be without camouflage? Items such as chains and handcuffs will change color. Sometimes they will be silver, other times black and other times rust color.
My last tip is to have fun. Don't get caught up looking for an item in the hardest spot it could be hidden. If you can't find it in a hard hiding spot, it's probably oversized and right in front of you in the dead center of the screen. Remember you have hints if you need them.

Chapter 1 - Scene 1 - Poe's Tomb - Number of Ravens: 2

Here we go! We start off at Poe's Tomb. Find the two ravens (circled below) and begin looking for the rest of the items. As you'll see, the items are very random.
When asked to find Dates your tool bag will automatically open. Chose the tool you need. Since you only have a Scrub Brush your choice if pretty simple. Take the scrub brush and place it below the picture of Edgar Allan Poe to reveal the dates.

MURDERED!!! (Crack of Lightning) DUN-DUN-DUUNH! Follow the blue light to the next scene.

Chapter 1 - Scene 2 - At the Gates - Number of Ravens: 2
After you watch the animation, collect the two Ravens.

This is an easy scene. Just walk right through the gates. Not quite. You can't get through the gates yet. You need to crack the code. To do this you'll have to visit several headstones and collect 8 icons.

When you find the Paper and Charcoal Sticks they'll be added to your tool bag. Use them to take an imprint of the items. In this scene you'll find the Flower Icon and Open Book Icon.

For the entire Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy walkthrough, Visit CasualGameGuides.com!

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Splinter Cell Blacklist Spies vs. Mercs has two versions

Lance Liebl, GameZone — 2013-05-09T11:40:00+00:00

Splinter Cell Blacklist, the latest Tom Clancy game from Ubisoft, is bringing back the popular competitive multiplayer mode Spies vs. Mercs from Splinter Cell: Conviction. There's a catch, though. In a post toPlayStation Blog, Zach Cooper, community developer forSplinter Cell, wrote that there are two modes for Spies vs. Mercs -- Classic and Blacklist.

The post reads, "Two VERY different games, played in VERY different way. 'Classic' is a mode that was designed specifically for our fans. Gunther Galipot was the creator of the original concept of Spies vs. Mercs from Pandora Tomorrow. He's returned for Blacklist as a Game Director, and he's bringing his baby back just like it was in PT and Chaos Theory."

Classic is pretty much unchanged from its original form. It's a two-vs-two mode, where two players are spies and two are mercs. Communication is necessary, and you need to outsmart your opponents. Spies have no lethal weapons and must stick to the shadows to be successful. The Mercs, on the other hand, have heavy weaponry, a flashlight, armor and tools, but also need to play smart. The maps in Classic are also lit differently to further the emphasis on light and shadow.

Find more details at GameZone >

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How to turn off In-App Purchases on iPhones & iPads

John Bedford, Modojo — 2013-05-09T11:30:00+00:00

The issue of astronomical in-app purchase bills is never far away from the headlines, from reports of children ringing up $1500 surprises for their parents, to formal investigations conducted by national trade bodies.

Apple's admirably quick to resolve these issues in most cases, but there are no guarantees of getting your money back. Here's our guide to making sure that nothing gets purchased through your iTunes account without you knowing about it.

- First of all, head into the Settings menu, then scroll down and tap on the Restrictions option:

- Select Enable Restrictions and create a Restrictions Password:
(If anyone else has access to the device, and you share the security lock details with them, make sure this password is completely different.)

Head over to Modojo for the LAST step >

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