Tag Archives: Square-Enix

Action, PC, Platforms, PS4, Reviews, Xbox One

Just Cause 3 Review – Appetite for Destruction

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We’ve had more than our fair share of open world sandboxes on the new-gen consoles, but the wait for Just Cause 3 has been a rather long one. After all, nobody quite does explosions like Rico Rodriguez.

Just Cause 3 does so many fun things right, but the number of basic elements that it utterly fails at is truly shocking. My first few hours with the game were not good at all actually. However, as I got used to the rough edges, the fun side of the game eventually prevailed and I found myself reluctantly being teased into having a good time. Continue reading Just Cause 3 Review – Appetite for Destruction →

Features, PC, Platforms, PS4, Xbox One

Hitman’s delay averts a potential disaster

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Hitman's delay averts a potential disaster

We’ve said for years how we actively encourage game delays rather than play broken or unpolished products. There’s too much of an emphasis on releasing glitch-ridden games with the attitude of patching it up at a later date. I mean, Arkham Knight on PC still isn’t back in the shops!

But that’s not the reason I’m glad to see Hitman delayed into 2016. Square Enix were going to try something new this December by releasing Hitman at full price on digital stores as an incomplete product. Essentially, an episodic or segmented release, where Io Interactive would continue to develop later chapters throughout 2016 with them becoming available as free downloads when they were ready. It’s not exactly a Kickstarter model, but it’s pretty damn close. ‘Give us money and we’ll finish this game at some point.’ Continue reading Hitman’s delay averts a potential disaster →

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Big Hero 6 are coming to Kingdom Hearts III

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The new generation of Disney films are continuing their march into the world of Kingdom Hearts III. We’ve previously had confirmation the world of Tangled will be visited by Sora, Donald and Goofy, but here’s something to cheer us up before those bastards from Frozen get involved – Big Hero 6.

Big Hero 6 was a great success at the cinemas. Set in the fantastically imagined San Fransokyo, the story saw a young boy inventor become a super hero by creating a suit of armour. He also made a suit for the ever lovable Baymax, a white humanoid shaped blog, amusingly squeezed into his own power-armour. Together they teamed up with a series of fellow super hero wannabes to take on one of your typical business tyrants. Continue reading Big Hero 6 are coming to Kingdom Hearts III →

Features, PC, Platforms, PS4, Xbox One

Hitman’s segmented release is anti-gamer

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We’re getting a new Hitman game on December 8th. Usually, this would be cause for celebration. But instead, we’re very concerned about what is could mean for gamers and the way video games are released. If you hadn’t heard, Hitman will only release digitally this year, at the full price of $60/£40. However, it won’t be a finished product, not even close.

IO Interactive said: “What we release on December 8th is not the full game. It’s a sizable chunk of it. Throughout 2016 we’ll release more locations and missions until the story arc is done and finished. All of that content is included in the $60 price.” Continue reading Hitman’s segmented release is anti-gamer →

Features, PC, Platforms, Previews, Regular previews, Xbox One

Did Microsoft choose the wrong stage demo for Rise of the Tomb Raider at E3?

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Well, that’s more like it Microsoft and Square-Enix! The new extended gameplay demo of Rise of the Tomb Raider is a considerable improvement over the arguably dull E3 2015 appearance. So much so, it’s hard to imagine why Microsoft went for the video they did for their on-stage gameplay reveal over the new one released over the weekend.

The timed Xbox exclusive is one of the year’s biggest releases and the gameplay reveal at E3 was one of our most anticipated parts of Microsoft’s show. But then it happened and they turned E3 into QTE3. It wasn’t a bad demo by any means, but there was a heavy focus on quick-time-events and climbing rather than showing us extended on-foot scenes. Tomb Raider scenes. Continue reading Did Microsoft choose the wrong stage demo for Rise of the Tomb Raider at E3? →

Platforms, PlayStation 3, Reviews, RPG, Xbox 360

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (Review)

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lightning returns“The brightest lights cast the darkest shadows”

Who among us dared to imagine that after playing the miserable corridor that was the first Final Fantasy XIII, we’d be lining up for a third game in the series a few years later. The sequel, XIII-2, eased up on the linearity, but was still a mess on the battlefield. It’s baffling to think that of all the great Final Fantasy games in years gone by, the almost universally slated XIII series is now a trilogy.

But throughout my time spent playing the previous two games, there remained a streak of perseverance. The ongoing story of sacrifice, family and loss always deserved a better game to be a part of. The cast have always been one of my favourites in a JRPG too, despite being a bit on the broody side a times.

Continue reading Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (Review) →

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Huge Wardrobe Collection in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

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Lightning may be flying solo on the battlefield in the upcoming finale to the FFXIII series, but she’s packing over forty outfits. She’s not just indecisive, the clothes will give her unique skills and benefits, essentially turning her into a one-girl party. We’re just glad she’s ditched Hope, the little whiner.

Fans of -or people who played FFX-2 at least- may remember the team using the Dress Sphere system, we expect this to work in a similar manner. Regular players of the series will no doubt be able to spot a few getups that she’s borrowed from characters of older games in the long-running franchise. Cloud’s outfit has already been announced as a pre-order incentive. We’ll endeavor to bring you a hands-on report of the game towards the end of the month.For now, enjoy the fashionista trailer after the break. Continue reading Huge Wardrobe Collection in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII →

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Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX Launch Trailer

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Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix. Square Enix’s marketing department really need to sort out the names they’re giving to the Kingdom Hearts games. Remember the good old days of Kingdom Hearts followed by Kingdom Hearts II?

This latest HD collection is packed with content. The Final Mix version of the first game includes material not seen before in Europe, the console version of Chain of Memories also never made it to these shores before now. A HD compilation of all the cutscenes from the 3Ds game, Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days (my personal pick for most poorly-named of the series) is also included.

Form would suggest that a second compilation with KHII will be announced next, possibly including the PSP exclusive, Birth by Sleep. Maybe the Nintendo titles Re: Coded and Dream Drop Distance will get a mention too. So, you never know, we might actually have a clue what’s going on in the story by the time Kingdom Hearts III turns up in 2015. Continue reading Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX Launch Trailer →

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Dev Diary – Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

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It’s going to take some hands-on time to convince us that Square Enix is doing the right thing by steering the Final Fantasy series in a more action-orientated direction. But after the disappointments of the last two FFXIII titles, we’re willing to listen.

This new dev diary goes behind the scenes at Square Enix, giving us some more details about the game’s story, locations and more. The staff are also keen to emphasise that new players will be able to pick up the story too. Even so, we’d advise checking a few wikis first. Who knows which of the last game’s multiple endings they’re resuming from.

Unlike the last two games, players will only be controlling Lightning this time around, but there will be lots of familiar faces popping up throughout the story. Third time’s a charm though right? Lightning strikes one last time February 14th. Continue reading Dev Diary – Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII →

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Kingdom Hearts HD Gets New Combat Trailer

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This latest trailer gives us a better look at the Chain of Memories side of this upcoming compilation, namely the card-based combat, which looks a lot more energetic than it sounds. This HD release will include the original Kingdom Hearts game with the previously Japan-only Final Mix content. Chain of Memories was originally a Nintendo GBA title, which was later ported to the PS2, although we never saw a UK release for that one.

The disc also includes a newly crafted video of all the cinematics from the 3DS title 358/2 Days, meaning Sony gamers can start to catch up on the series’ Nintendo wanderings. We’re still a bit annoyed Kingdom Hearts II isn’t on the disc, but with well over 50 hours’ worth of content, we think we’ll cope for a while. Maybe the sequel and Birth By Sleep will get their own release next year?

Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix is out September 23rd. Continue reading Kingdom Hearts HD Gets New Combat Trailer →

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Square Enix Explain Why Final Fantasy XIV Is Sticking With Subscriptions

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With many MMO games with a monthly paid subscription service making the transition to a free-to-play model and supporting themselves via DLC and microtransactions, we were thinking that Square Enix may join the likes of Star Wars: The Old Republic and DC Universe Online and bring the revamped Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn out with similar pricing models next month.

Well, don’t hold your breath. In an interview in this week’s copy of MCV, the game’s producer Naoki Yoshida, defended the game’s need for regular income. Continue reading Square Enix Explain Why Final Fantasy XIV Is Sticking With Subscriptions →

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Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Coming to PS4

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Fans of graphically superior versions of games, rejoice! PC gamers won’t be the only ones getting the prettiest version of Square Enix’s upcoming MMO. Last night, Sony announced that Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will be coming to the PS4 as well as the PS3 and PC.

This comes as good news but hardly surprising as Square Enix will be keen to keep the game running on modern hardware to keep those paid subscriptions going. With the original release crashing and burning in spectacular fashion, we’re surprised they haven’t shifted to a free-to-play model, which has done wonders for both numbers and revenue for the  likes of DC Universe Online and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Coming to PS4 →

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New Hitman: Absolution Trailer Shown at Golden Joystick Awards

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Attendees of yesterday’s Golden Joystick Awards were privy to an exclusive new Hitman: Absolution trailer. While a little light on gameplay, it ramps up the excitement with a cinematic build-up as we edge closer to the game’s release. OPM and OXM are the only publications with reviews so far and they both score the game 9/10 ahead of the November 20th release.

We’re super excited for Agent 47’s return, check out Jon’s hands-on preview to see why. Enjoy the trailer after the jump.

Continue reading New Hitman: Absolution Trailer Shown at Golden Joystick Awards →

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New Screens And Trailer For Final Fantasy XIV Online

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Not to be outdone by the return of Lightning, new signs of life emerge from Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn. At today’s 25th Anniversary event for the Final Fantasy series new in-game screenshots were released along with a new trailer.

The original FFXIV was something of a disaster on PC, leading to Square-Enix deciding to pull back and essentially start again, hence the Reborn part of the title. Old assets have been scrapped to ensure everything looks as new as possible as graphical standards have moved on since the original release. That and almost everything attached to the old game was broken.

Have a good nosey at the images after the jump and don’t forget to click them if you want to see enlarged versions. There’s a new trailer too, which almost makes us want to forgive the original’s shoddiness. It’s reassuring to see a PS3 logo at the end of the trailer too as you’d be forgiven for thinking Square-Enix had sacked off those plans. Saying that, is anyone taking bets it will end up being a PS4 game?

Continue reading New Screens And Trailer For Final Fantasy XIV Online →

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Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Revealed

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Disappointed about Lightning’s backseat role in FFXIII-2? Us too, but fear not, as Square-Enix has just announced a new title for the PS3 and 360, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.

Set to be the final entry in the FFXIII series, the game will take place over four large open-world islands on the world of Novus Partus. The Paradigm battle system remains but we will be able to move Lightning around the battlefield and swap weapons. That sounds like quite a big departure from the norm, but the combat in the last two games certainly needed a little more player input.

Continue reading Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Revealed →

Platforms, PlayStation 3, Reviews, RPG, Xbox 360

Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Review)

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The beautiful and the damned

If you didn’t finish Final Fantasy XIII, you’ll have saved hours of your life from a torturous grind. However, the story was one of the best the series has ever done. The brooding star, Lightning, was a fantastic character that proved you can have a female lead that eschews the tiresome ‘big boobs, brassy attitude’ design and we were gifted an understated portrayal of conflicted charisma. A real boot up the backside of the series’ recent rosters if ever there was one.

After the closing scenes of the last game, Lightning disappeared almost as soon as she was reunited with her younger sister, Serah. This leaves the sequel without its leading lady. I wasn’t convinced that Serah had what it takes to take over the lead, but Square-Enix have done a great job at building her into a solid character. They must have been really confident in her as the old cast only really appear as cameos, admittedly perfectly timed ones.

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Review) →