Bangladesh Game Mart and News: Nov 9, 2011

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

First-person missions for Assassin's Creed: Revelations

Ubisoft has confirmed that stabby sequel Assassin’s Creed: Revelations will feature first-person platforming missions – a first for the series.

These “Dali-esque” sections will be restricted to Desmond’s stages, which take place in modern times inside a dream-like world conjured by the Animus following the shocking events of Brotherhood's ending.

Speaking to Spong, mission design director Falco Poiker revealed that the former bartenders levels “take the form of strange platforming missions.”

"You'll have to play it to understand, because it's very hard for me to describe it, but it's kind of like a Dali-esque first-person platformer."

"It's definitely a departure, and very cool I think. You get a lot of information about Desmond and his backstory by completing these. Where he came from, what his life is like... the artwork and surroundings are very surreal and symbolic of his life."

Poiker drew comparisons between these sections and the movie Inception, and hinted players may also uncover more information on the mysterious Subject 16, the individual who entered the Animus before Desmond.

"He's trapped in his own mind. Our best comparison is Inception - Desmond is in a dreamland, but is able to access Ezio's memories. Ezio in turn then goes and accesses Altaïr's memories."

"There's a character you'll meet in the Animus that you'll be able to talk to... there's been hints about this character before. I don't know if you'll be able to determine who that character might be from that but..."

Stay tuned.

God Of War IV Has Estimated Date Of September 2012?

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Many have wondered when we might see the next God of War, primarily because developer Sony Santa Monica said they'd be taking a break from the franchise after God of War III.

But GoWIII launched back in March 2010, so maybe it's time to start sniffing around for rumors and evidence concerning the next action extravaganza.
We've seen some job listings in the past but nothing like this: a reader has sent us a link to New Zealand retailer Mighty Ape, and this clearly shows God of War IV with an estimated launch date of September 28, 2012. Now, that could be just a placeholder date or a flat-out mistake, and let's not forget that it isn't a US source. However, September of next year doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility, although it'd be breaking the franchise's tradition of releasing new installments in March. We'd love to think it's actually accurate...
Recently, we asked if GoWIV should have a different character and setting; perhaps that question will be answered before the end of the year. Either that, or Sony will wait to announce it at a big gaming event.

A platform, Karkand, and Battlefield 3

I hope you like Battlefield 3, because based on my trip to EA's Redwood Shores offices yesterday, you're going to be getting a lot more of it. In a brief presentation prior to some extended time with next month's Back to Karkand DLC, the word "service" was used more than once. EA sees Battlefield 3 as a platform to deliver more content and Back to Karkand is the first salvo in that strategy.

Gallery:

While an initial Online Pass Code is required to access Mass Effect 3's "Galaxy at War" content, the PC version will require an initial internet-based verification before you can get to Sheperding all across the galaxy, a Bioware interview with producer Jesse Houston reveals. Relax, though -- it's not going to require a continuous internet connection like some of Ubisoft's PC titles. It'll be just a one-time thing, which, now that we think about it, were probably Sovereign's exact words to Saren.

Saints Row 'Initiation Station' pumps out over 1M characters, 24 'Gods'

THQ stated this morning that players have created over a million characters using the Saints Row Initiation Station. The free download, available on XBLM, PSN and Steam, allows future Saints to create a character for The Third, which launches next week.

The publisher stated that 1.2 million people have used the Initiation Station, with the most popular "nontraditional skin colors" being green, red and silver metallic -- no word yet if the latter group all had surfboards. There have also been 24 characters tagged as "God." Apt, since there is sure to be plenty of smiting.

Saints Row: The Third (Initiation Station)

Assassin's Creed Continues Annual Release Plan

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We had heard that Ubisoft might take some extra time making the next Assassin's Creed but obviously, the lure of the annual payoff was just too enticing.
After Ubisoft reported their first-half earnings, CEO Yves Guillemot confirmed that the next entry in the critically acclaimed franchise would arrive in 2012. Said Guillemot:
"I have the pleasure to announce today that there will be another full-fledged Assassin's Creed title next year. It will be another major release, and we will be communicating more about it in the coming months."
Assassin's Creed: Revelations drops next week; it finishes the story of Ezio, who has been the protagonist in each of the last two entries (Assassin's Creed II and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood). Now, we've questioned theannualization of franchises like AC before, and we remain a touch concerned. I have nothing but high expectations for Revelations, and the series remains my second favorite of the generation behind Uncharted.
But how much can they really do in less than a year? How fast will the engine get old? How will the narrative suffer? Perhaps we should focus on the good side, though: a year isn't a lot of time to create freshness and innovative, but you can't really ruin anything in that span of time, either.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 review: Firing down the sights

The narrative around Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is competing at this point for attention with the game's content itself. This is the title that Infinity Ward was working on when the famous split between Activision and studio heads Vince Zampella and Jason West went down. The game was subsequently developed by not one but three different studios from then on (and according to the game's credits, Neversoft and Treyarch helped out as well, which makes this practically an all-hands-on-deck effort for Activision).

And then there's Call of Duty Elite, and all of the questions about which of its online features would be placed behind the paywall. There are the comparisons to Battlefield 3, EA's similarly lauded shooter-blockbuster. This will undoubtedly be the biggest game release of 2011, following up two of the best-selling games of all-time, produced by some of the biggest traditional console developers around. All of that attention is distracting -- there's a lot going on with this game that has nothing to do with the game itself.

When you take away all of the sturm und drang of the franchise and its developers, what you've got left is just a video game. Just an experience, with a six-hour (or so) campaign, a deep and compelling multiplayer match system, and a set of co-op missions paired with a survival mode. The bombast which surrounds Modern Warfare 3 distracts from what's important about the game: It is, put simply, one of the best shooters around.

Modern Warfare 3 (11/8/2011)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's Hardened Edition, unboxed

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is finally out and available in stores, and if you're considering picking up the Hardened Edition (available in most places for $99.99, a mere $40 more than the standard edition), boy do we have a gallery for you to browse through. Below, you can see exactly what's in that box, including a collectible case, a "Limited Edition Field Journal" featuring sketches and materials associated with the game and its story, and the special card and manual that comes with the free year of Call of Duty Elite (and "Founder" status).

Sure, it doesn't have quite as many dragons as Skyrim's Collectors Edition, but that Call of Duty Elite membership will come in handy (not to mention it'll save you the $49.99 that you'd usually pay per year for the service's premium features). Enjoy.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened edition unboxing

Amazon offers more game Lightning Deals, plus $50 in credit with Xbox or PS3

Amazon is trying once again to lay claim to all of your money in a single day, with a set of video game Lightning Deals. If you're quick, you can grab the first right now: Phoenix Wright for $16.

Judging by the clues, following deals should get you Ace Combat: Assault Horizon, No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise, Sonic Free Riders, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, and more. If you're not into the rush of extremely time-limited deals, feel free to take the day to think about buying FIFA Soccer 12. You can see the whole list of deals here.

If you need a console to play these impulse purchases on, Amazon is also offering $50 in credit with purchase of the 4GB Xbox, the Modern Warfare 3bundle and the 160GB PS3.

Europe's Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS is a magical artifact

We've never personally felt the need for a 3DS that plays only European-format games ... until now. Nintendo of Europe announced an absolutely lovelyLegend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D bundle, featuring some gold embellishments on the top, and gold accents to power icons and the 3D slider.

The bundle also includes a copy of the game, with an exclusive double-sided sleeve -- which means that if you import the set, you'll have at least one properly region-coded game. It'll be released on November 25, exclusively in Europe ... unless Nintendo of America would like to make an announcement today (please?).