All posts by Brendan Griffiths

The Morning Papers – Expos, sequels and fixes

Morning folks, let’s see what emerged in the gaming sphere last night. Highlights include Microsoft trying to flog more XOs with Halo seeing as Destiny has seemingly sided with the PS4. There are new Disgaea and Giana Sisters games on the way. Battlefield 4 is getting yet another patch, which will hopefully iron out some of those more persistent glitches. Or maybe just add a compulsory download for the next DLC, filling our hard-drives whether we’re buying it or not. Finally, check out the near final list of games you’ll be able to play at next week’s Eurogamer Expo, or hold on for a fat collection of previews as I’m heading down there myself. You should get down there though really. Continue reading The Morning Papers – Expos, sequels and fixes

DIABLO III: ULTIMATE EVIL EDITION (REVIEW)

Console-based action RPG fans are generally an underserved bunch, so when Diablo III was announced for the PlayStation and Xbox consoles, those of us with an unquenchable thirst for loot were certainly excited.

But then Blizzard had to go and announce that in addition to the PS3 and 360 versions, the game would eventually make its way to the next generation on PS4 and Xbox One. Then began the waiting game, in which I would have had plenty of time to pick up the PS3 version of the game to whet my appetite. But no, it’s shiny or nothing.

Continue reading DIABLO III: ULTIMATE EVIL EDITION (REVIEW)

Murasaki Baby (Review)

The Colourful Heart of Darkness

Sony has repositioned the Vita as a champion of indie titles and Murasaki Baby has been on our radar for what seems like forever. The wait is over though and we finally get our hands on one of the most visually-striking games to land on the handheld in ages.

The aim of this 2D puzzle platformer is to help this incredibly creepy, yet somehow adorable, little girl find her ‘mummy’ as we guide her through the nightmare-like environments via a multitude of touchscreen and rear touchpad controls. Early Vita adopters may hear a few distant alarm bells ringing if they remember the infuriatingly clunky launch title Escape Plan. Thankfully, the controls in Murasaki Baby are much better. Mostly.

Continue reading Murasaki Baby (Review)

The Sunday Seven: Under the Radar Releases This Xmas

The Christmas release line-up has a long tradition of being ridiculously packed every year. After one of the driest gaming summers in recent memory, this is all the more frustrating. The big publishers will often drown out the marketing efforts of any releases that aren’t Call of Duty, FIFA, Halo or other major console branded spots, so this list is for seven games that deserve a little boost and ones we hope won’t get brushed aside in favour of the usual suspects. Keep your browser aimed at Dealspwn as we’ll be aiming to review the lot of them.

Continue reading The Sunday Seven: Under the Radar Releases This Xmas

Velocity 2X (Review)

Futurlab may have just gone and made one of the best games of the year. And for anyone on PS+, you can download it for free now on PS4 and Vita.

The original Velocity title on the Vita was a cool retro shoot ‘em up that had you teleporting through barriers to reach other parts of a scrolling stage. We would have been happy enough with more of the same, but Futurlab really went the extra mile by adding in on-foot 2D platforming sections when you leave the ship. The game effortlessly shifts between the two modes with no loading screens to complete one of the slickest experiences we’ve seen on PS4.

Continue reading Velocity 2X (Review)

The Sunday Seven: Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition Adventure Mode Starter Tips

If you patiently waited all that time for the new-gen version of Diablo III you may be wondering what all the fuss is about Adventure Mode. Well, after you finish the campaign mode, you’ll be wanting to bag some serious XP and loot to keep the game feeling fresh and getting to Level 70 so you can explore the Paragon system and maybe start on a few new characters to share the additional benefits of your first demon slaying hero. So why not take a look at this week’s Sunday Seven which has a few starter tips to get you going on the next part of your quest for epic loot in Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition. Naturally, we’d love to hear any hints you’d like to share too.

Continue reading The Sunday Seven: Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition Adventure Mode Starter Tips

Opening Scenes: Velocity 2X – 27 Mins of Gameplay

The PS4 offerings for PS+ have been a bit too niche for their own good in recent months, but Velocity 2X is a stone cold classic. This newly released title is available for free to anyone on Sony’s subscription service and is out now on both PS4 and Vita.

Today we have 27 minutes of gameplay footage for you, captured from the PS4 version as I play the game for the first time. Velocity 2X is a hybrid of retro shooter and 2D platformer and works best when played at full tilt. The video shows off how effortlessly the game switches between the two genres to become one of the best releases of the year so far. We’ll have a review for you soon, but for now check out what you’re missing, then go and download it. Continue reading Opening Scenes: Velocity 2X – 27 Mins of Gameplay

The Grass Is Always Greener… I have a PS4, so why do I really want an Xbox One?

The grass is always greener on the other side. Early on in a new generation of consoles, you usually have to pick between two big rivals. It’s been like that throughout all of my formative gaming years. Sega vs. Nintendo. Nintendo Vs Sony. Sony Vs Microsoft. Whatever side you choose though, chances are your console is going to have a slow start during the first 18 months, especially with development time of the big Triple A titles getting longer and longer.

As a PS4 gamer I’ve had plenty of games to enjoy since launch from exclusives like Infamous and Killzone to the compelling third-party efforts like Assassin’s Creed IV, Wolfenstein the Lego games and more recently Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition. After E3 and Gamescom though, I have to admit I’ve been getting itchy feet and the feeling that I’m missing out by not having an Xbox One, like I said, the grass is always greener and all that.

Continue reading The Grass Is Always Greener… I have a PS4, so why do I really want an Xbox One?

Let’s Play… Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition – Adventure Mode

Let's Play... Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition - Adventure ModeThe new Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition has been devouring our time lately. After getting back from my hols I’ve finally been able to finish the campaign mode which, as players of the original version will know, has meant the Adventure mode has finally unlocked.

This part of Diablo III’s end-game sees you tasked with bounties or killcount targets to bring in some seriously fat XP and gold rewards, not to mention all sorts of shiny loot. Blood Shards are rare rewards too and also a new currency that allows you to gamble for some exceptionally rare items. Continue reading Let’s Play… Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition – Adventure Mode

Brendan Plays Surgeon Simulator on PS4 – Is this PS4’s most broken game?

Brendan Plays Surgeon Simulator on PS4 - Is this PS4's most broken game?

It doesn’t look like that medical career is ever going to happen for me. That said, I’d like to think that I’d be able to hold medical equipment with more conviction portrayed by the downright awful controls in Surgeon Simulator on PS4, where my dainty grip would indicate I’m holding a piss-soaked towel rather than a bone cutting electrical saw.

‘But that’s part of the fun’ I hear you say. Admittedly, anyone in the room that watched my increasingly futile attempts at a heart transplant were in stitches, probably because they know how angry I was getting. When you’re trying to control the action though, the joke wears thin pretty quick, especially when one of the multiple glitches sees sheets get stuck to your fingers or your hand gets trapped in the rib cage or on a table rail.

There might be a review coming soon, but I should probably stop using Dr ‘Hi everybody!’ Nick videos for tutorials if I want to make any more progress. If that bunch of mindless plebs in Scrubs and Grey’s Anatomy are supposed to be surgeons, I really should be doing better. For now I’m going back to having nightmares about having to review an Octodad/Surgeon Simulator crossover.

Continue reading Brendan Plays Surgeon Simulator on PS4 – Is this PS4’s most broken game?

Sony let the Vita and Move die. Is Project Morpheus already doomed?

Sony let the Vita and Move die. Is Project Morpheus already doomed?

As gamers, we really hope VR takes off. Oculus Rift has impressed us since we first put the virtual reality headset on and back in March, Sony announced Project Morpheus, their own brand of VR headset that would let PS4 gamers to get involved. Which, speaking as a non PC gamer, was music to my ears as I was getting dangerously close to investing in a rig so I could play with an Oculus Rift.

But is Project Morpheus doomed to follow the disturbing pattern Sony has dragged itself through over the last few years? The main PlayStation consoles have been huge successes of course; I’m talking about the state of affairs for the PS Move controllers and the PS Vita.

Continue reading Sony let the Vita and Move die. Is Project Morpheus already doomed?

The Sunday Seven – Beginner Tips for Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition

diablo-3-ultimate-evil-edition-guide-

So, you patiently waited for the PS4/XO version of Diablo III, or Diablo III Reaper of Souls: Ultimate Evil Edition if we’re going with the full name. This new edition is stuffed with extra content, like the Reaper of Souls expansion, but you’re going to have to do some serious levelling before you can look the reaper in the eye.

For those of you that didn’t play the original Diablo III to death two years ago, we’ve put together seven top tips for all you new adventurers out there to make your life that little bit easier. Naturally, we’d love to hear any hints you might have whether you’re a Diablo regular or a newb with a hot tip.

Continue reading The Sunday Seven – Beginner Tips for Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition

The Last Tinker: City of Colors (Review)

last-tinker-city-of-colors-PS4-reviewIt’s a little sad that I begin most of my platformer reviews by stating what a shame it is that the genre has all but disappeared from modern console line-ups, with only Ratchet & Clank doing their best to keep it alive. But with Insomniac aligning their studio closer to Xbox nowadays, it may be a while before the duo return. Let’s not talk about Knack either.

So, when browsing this week’s releases I was pleasantly surprised to see a new IP amongst the PSN releases and a quick trailer search later revealed it to be a new platformer. One download later and I’m in the world of The Last Tinker: City of Colors.

Continue reading The Last Tinker: City of Colors (Review)

The Sunday Seven: Gamescom 2014 Videos You Missed

The Sunday Seven: Gamescom 2014 Videos You Missed

Well folks, the doors are closing today on yet another huge Gamescom Expo and just like you, we’re still eagerly devouring all the latest info, trailers and gameplay demos. Carl and Jon have an absolute tonne of previews and interviews to bring you in the near future, so be sure to stay tuned for those. Today is all about the videos though.

Seeing as you’ve probably already seen the videos for the hottest big-name games that you can’t wait to get your hands on (Far Cry 4 and Quantum Break look amazing, no?), we’ve been scouring the net to find those precious gems that slipped through the cracks amidst all the triple A noise. So here’s our picks of the seven best Gamescom videos you may have missed.

Continue reading The Sunday Seven: Gamescom 2014 Videos You Missed

Top 5 Most Important Vita Moments at Gamescom 2014

Top 5 Most Important Vita Moments at Gamescom 2014

Sony’s handheld just gets quieter and quieter each passing expo season and this year was arguably its darkest yet, with Sony barely mentioning their once proud handheld. The Vita is a quality piece of kit, but it never caught the imaginations of the third-party developers in the triple A scene. Instead it has become the champion of niche and indie titles. While we here at Dealspwn love our indie games, they’re never going to be the true system sellers the Vita badly needs. That said, we’ve done some digging around at Gamescom 2014 to see what lies ahead for the PS Vita. Here’s our Top 5 most important moments we took away from this year’s Gamescom.

Continue reading Top 5 Most Important Vita Moments at Gamescom 2014

Hellblade (Preview) – The Heavenly Sword Connection Examined

Hellblade Preview – The Heavenly Sword Connection Examined

Hellblade was announced to be in development this week during Sony’s Gamescom presser. All we had to go on was a brief trailer (see bottom of article) with no signs of gameplay. But the short reveal was enough to get gamers thinking that the new Ninja Theory game was the long-awaited Heavenly Sword sequel. Join us for a deeper look at what we know so far and we’ll examine the connections between the two games.

Continue reading Hellblade (Preview) – The Heavenly Sword Connection Examined

Table Top Racing (Review)

Table Top Racing Vita Review | Little Cars, Big Smiles

Little Cars, Big Smiles

Racers, start your engines! Well, charge up your PlayStation Vitas first, as I’ve no doubt many of you haven’t had a reason to put it on for a while unless you’re a fan of niche Japanese titles. But that’s about to change and for a no-excuses price of £4.99 too.

Table Top Racing is an arcade racing title with healthy influences from the likes of Micro Machines and the weapon-sporting Mashed (but not Wrecked, thankfully). You race miniature toy cars across a range of tracks that include sushi restaurants, picnic areas and tables full of junk. Every course is fantastically designed with lots of tight turns and sudden shear edges that keep the racing pack together throughout. Continue reading Table Top Racing (Review)

Top 5 Reveals for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Multiplayer

Top 5 Reveals for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Multiplayer

The exoskeleton is out of the bag folks, Activision has finally shown off the eagerly awaited multiplayer for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. It’s time to take a look at the five most exciting things unveiled by today’s live stream. As ever, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the new-look multiplayer too.

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The Sunday Seven – Why Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Deserves Your Attention

The Sunday Seven - Why Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Deserves Your Attention

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is going to be big news come November 4th. No surprise there, but could this year’s title be a game changer for the series? As enjoyable as COD has been in recent years, there’s no denying that recent entries have played things a little safe and not attempted to push any large scale changes. Well, apart from seeing a dog take down a helicopter, which was all sorts of stupid, or awesome, I’ll never be able to decide. So, unless the series is going to feature a cat taking on a submarine there will have to be other ways to get us psyched for the new game. Thankfully it would seem there are quite a few reasons; here are seven of the best.

Continue reading The Sunday Seven – Why Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Deserves Your Attention

Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty (Review)

Abe’s Oddysee was a big hit for PS1 gamers back in the day with impressive pre-rendered backgrounds making the game one of the best looking 2D platformers ever made. It was also an absolute beast of a meanie to play. Nevertheless, when we heard Just Add Water were remaking the game with the Unity engine we couldn’t wait to see how well the game had aged. Not so sure about the name change though.

For the most part, the game is the same as the original. The action still takes place on a 2D plane and the level layouts haven’t been changed. However, some sensible changes have been implemented, and for the better too. Continue reading Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty (Review)