By Anonymous on Jun 04, 2015 12:24 am
 GOG has kicked off its DRM-free summer sale, offering new PC games and bundles every day. By spending certain amounts over the course of the sale, you'll be able to get free games: SimCity 2000 ($1), Stalker: Clear Sky ($20), and Xenonauts ($50). Current deals include Super Time Force Ultra for $7.49, Telltale's Game of Thrones for $18, Jade Empire: Special Edition for $3, and a Lucasfilm adventure game bundle for $16.61. Amazon has also kicked off a summer sale on digital games and DLC. Current PC deals include Assassin's Creed Rogue for $12.50, the Mass Effect Trilogy for $9, and Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition for $5. Groupon is offering an Xbox One with a free copy of Project Spark for $320. Using the promo code GOODS5 takes 5 percent off, bringing its price down to $304. Target has Mortal Kombat X for $38.49 on PS4 and $42 on Xbox One. You can preorder Batman: Arkham Knight through Dell and receive a $15 gift card. Below you'll find the rest of today's best deals divided by platform: PlayStation 4Walmart is offering The Last of Us Remastered PS4 bundle with an extra controller or Battlefield Hardline for $399. Alternatively, you can add $10 to get The Witcher 3 or Mortal Kombat X in place of the controller/Hardline. Groupon has the Last of Us Remastered PS4 bundle with copies of Alien: Isolation and Call of Duty: Ghosts for $420. EBay has seller-refurbished PS4s for $324. Trade in a working 250 GB Xbox 360 or PS3 Slim and get at least $175 toward a new PS4 at Best Buy. The PlayStation Store has kicked off a sale on Capcom games, primarily offering discounts on PS3 games. There's also a PSN sale on NBA 2K15, bringing its price down to $30 and discounting its in-game currency. Other PS4 game deals: - Mortal Kombat X -- $38.49 (Target)
- Bloodborne -- $42.56 (Amazon)
- Metro Redux -- $24 (Amazon) / $20 (Best Buy)
- Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition -- $35 (Amazon) / $28 (Target)
- Borderlands: The Handsome Collection -- $50 (Amazon) / $50 (GameStop)
- Dead or Alive 5: Last Round -- $30 (Amazon)
- Battlefield Hardline -- $40 (Amazon)
- Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin -- $48 (Amazon)
- Resident Evil: Revelations 2 -- $28 (Amazon) / $28 (Target)
- Tropico 5 -- $42 (Amazon)
- Far Cry 4 -- $30 (Amazon)
- Far Cry 4: Kyrat Edition -- $60 (Amazon)
- The Order: 1886 -- $40 (Amazon)
- Final Fantasy Type-0 HD -- $43 (Amazon)
- LittleBigPlanet 3 -- $41 (Amazon)
- Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition -- $41.65 (Amazon)
- Grand Theft Auto V -- $50.66 (Amazon)
- Evolve -- $33 (Amazon) / $23 (Target)
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare -- $34.60 (Amazon)
- Dying Light -- $40 (Amazon)
- Dragon Age: Inquisition -- $39.58 (Amazon)
- Alien: Isolation -- $24 (Amazon)
- Wolfenstein: The New Order -- $35.52 (Amazon)
- The Crew -- $30 (Amazon)
- Destiny -- $20 (Amazon) / $20 (Target)
- WWE 2K15 -- $40 (Amazon) / $26.59 (Target)
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor -- $30 (Amazon)
- Natural Doctrine -- $30 (Amazon)
- Infamous: Second Son -- $26.49 (Amazon)
- Watch Dogs -- $16 (Amazon)
- Assassin's Creed: Unity -- $20 (Amazon) / $20 (Best Buy)
- Killzone: Shadow Fall -- $23 (Amazon)
- The Last of Us Remastered -- $16.36 (Amazon)
- NBA 2K15 -- $30.49 (Amazon)
- NHL 15 -- $28 (Amazon) / $28 (Target)
- The Evil Within -- $40 (Amazon)
- Lego Marvel Super Heroes -- $15 (Amazon)
- Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham -- $19 (Amazon)
- Disney Infinity 2.0 Toy Box Starter Pack -- $33 (Amazon)
- Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes Starter Pack -- $46 (Amazon)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts -- $19 (Amazon)
- Shadow Warrior -- $17.57 (Amazon)
The free PlayStation Plus games for June are now available and include Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, Skulls of the Shogun, and more. Xbox OneWalmart is offering the Halo Master Chief Collection Xbox One bundle with a free second controller or Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare for $349. Adding $10 more lets you get Battlefield Hardline in place of Advanced Warfare, while $20 more lets you pick either Witcher 3 or Mortal Kombat X. You can buy a year of Xbox Live Gold on eBay for $38. Best Buy will take $20 off the price of a one-year Xbox Live Gold membership when you buy any Xbox 360 or Xbox One. Microsoft's latest Deals With Gold promotion is on, discounting a handful of Xbox One and Xbox 360 games, such as Costume Quest 2 for $6 and Metro 2033/Last Light Redux for $12.50 each. You can check out all the deals here. Other Xbox One game deals: - Mortal Kombat X -- $42 (Target)
- Metro Redux -- $20 (Amazon) / $20 (Best Buy)
- Borderlands: The Handsome Collection -- $47 (Amazon) / $50 (GameStop)
- Battlefield Hardline -- $40 (Amazon) / $40 (Target)
- Final Fantasy Type-0 HD -- $28 (Amazon)
- Resident Evil: Revelations 2 -- $28 (Amazon) / $28 (Target)
- State of Decay: Year-One Survival Edition -- $25 (Amazon) / $25 (Best Buy)
- Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition -- $35 (Amazon) / $28 (Target)
- Dead Rising 3: Apocalypse Edition -- $25 (Amazon) / $25 (Best Buy)
- Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin -- $40 (Amazon)
- Sunset Overdrive -- $25 (Amazon) / $25 (Best Buy)
- Forza Horizon 2 -- $53 (Amazon)
- Far Cry 4 -- $30 (Amazon)
- Dead or Alive 5: Last Round -- $29.40 (Amazon) / $30 (Walmart)
- Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition -- $39 (Amazon)
- Alien: Isolation -- $25 (Amazon)
- Evolve -- $25 (Amazon) / $25 (Target)
- Destiny -- $27 (Amazon)
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare -- $40 (Amazon)
- The Evil Within -- $30 (Amazon)
- Dying Light -- $40 (Amazon)
- Dragon Age: Inquisition -- $42 (Amazon)
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection -- $27 (Amazon) / $35 (Best Buy)
- NBA 2K15 -- $29 (Amazon)
- NHL 15 -- $28 (Amazon) / $28 (Target)
- WWE 2K15 -- $39.49 (Amazon) / $28 (Target)
- The Crew -- $30 (Amazon)
- Disney Infinity 2.0 Toy Box Starter Pack -- $35 (Amazon)
- Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes Starter Pack -- $40 (Amazon)
- Ryse: Son of Rome - Legendary Edition -- $25 (Amazon) / $25 (Best Buy)
- Assassin's Creed: Unity -- $20 (Amazon) / $20 (Best Buy)
- Watch Dogs -- $19.49 (Amazon)
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor -- $33 (Amazon)
- Wolfenstein: The New Order -- $30 (Amazon)
- Lego Marvel Super Heroes -- $15 (Best Buy)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts -- $16 (Amazon)
- Shadow Warrior -- $16.61 (Amazon)
June's free Games With Gold games are now available and include the newly released Massive Chalice and Just Cause 2. PCIf you back the Bard's Tale 4 Kickstarter by 6 AM PST on June 4, you'll get a free copy of Wasteland 2 or either of the first two Witcher games. Or you can get the first two Witcher games for free by preordering The Witcher 3's season pass on GOG. The latest Humble Weekly Bundle features Relic Entertainment's games, including the Company of Heroes and Dawn of War series. Steam currently has sales featuring Assassin's Creed and Oddworld games Get 20 percent off at Green Man Gaming with the promo code: 23PERC-ENTOFF-48HOUR Ultima VIII: Gold Edition is free on Origin. Other PC game deals: - Skullgirls -- $3 (Steam)
- Space Run -- $3.74 (Steam)
- Deus Ex Collection -- $8.24 (GMG)
- Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition -- $1.74 (GMG)
- Deus Ex: Human Revolution -- $5 (GMG)
- The Fruit of Grisaia -- $32 (Steam)
- Hyperdimension Neptunia Rebirth 2: Sisters Generation -- $15 (Steam)
- Diablo III -- $25.66 (Amazon)
- Diablo III: Reaper of Souls -- $29 (Amazon)
- StarCraft II: Battle Chest -- $24 (Best Buy)
- Tropico 5 -- $24 (Amazon)
- Dying Light -- $40 (Amazon)
- South Park: The Stick of Truth -- $18.50 (Amazon)
- Battlefield Hardline -- $38 (Amazon) / $38 (Target)
- The Sims 4 -- $40 (GameStop) / $42 (Target)
- The Sims 4: Get to Work -- $28 (Target)
- Assassin's Creed Rogue -- $32.50 (Amazon)
- Evolve -- $35 (Amazon)
- Far Cry 4 -- $30 (Amazon)
- The Evil Within -- $18 (Amazon)
- Watch Dogs -- $12 (Amazon)
- Batman: Arkham Origins -- $16 (Amazon)
- Dragon Age: Inquisition -- $40 (Amazon)
- Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag -- $20 (Amazon)
- The Lego Movie Video Game -- $15 (Amazon)
Wii UBest Buy still has the special edition Splatoon Wii U bundle for $300. If you don't mind a refurbished system, Nintendo's online store also has a Wii U bundle with Nintendo Land for $200, or Nintendo Land and Super Mario 3D World for $225. The new Humble Bundle is offering a number of Wii U (and 3DS) games on the cheap, marking the first time a Humble Bundle has ever offered console or handheld games. - Mario Party 10 -- $40 (Amazon) / $40 (Best Buy)
- Mario Kart 8 -- $50 (Amazon) / $50 (Best Buy)
- Bayonetta 2 -- $45 (GameStop)
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze -- $42 (Amazon)
- Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director's Cut -- $15 (Amazon)
- Super Smash Bros. for Wii U -- $49 (Amazon) / $50 (Best Buy) / $49 (Walmart)
- Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two -- $8.49 (Amazon)
- NES Remix Pack -- $27.50 (Amazon)
- Super Mario 3D World -- $48 (Amazon)
- Hyrule Warriors -- $49 (Amazon)
- Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition -- $14.39 (Amazon)
- Batman: Arkham Origins -- $15 (Amazon)
- Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham -- $23 (Amazon)
- Watch Dogs -- $18 (Amazon)
- Sonic All-Stars Racing Transformed -- $16.51 (Amazon)
- Scribblenauts Unlimited -- $16 (Amazon)
- Transformer Prime: The Game -- $11.57 (Amazon)
3DSWalmart is offering a New 3DS XL bundle with Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and your choice of select Amiibo figurines for $219. Alternatively, the retailer has a New 3DS XL bundle with your choice of select games and a Pokemon figurine for $219-$227. Eligible games include Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, Code Name: Steam, and quite a few more. Groupon is selling the 3DS XL Super Mario Bros. 2 Gold Edition, which includes the game and a limited-edition system, for $175. The new Humble Bundle includes several 3DS games. - Pokemon Y -- $30 (Amazon)
- Steel Diver -- $8 (Best Buy)
- Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate -- $30 (Amazon)
- Scribblenauts Unlimited -- $8 (Best Buy)
- Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure -- $12 (Amazon)
- Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion -- $7.49 (Amazon)
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate -- $15 (Amazon)
- Code Name: Steam -- $30 (Amazon)
- Crosswords Plus -- $6 (Best Buy)
- Lego Marvel Super Heroes -- $15 (Amazon)
- Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham -- $10 (Amazon)
- Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars -- $21 (Amazon)
- Sonic All-Stars Racing Transformed -- $20 (Amazon)
- Hometown Story -- $15 (Amazon)
PS Vita- Persona 4: Golden -- $20 (Amazon)
- Tearaway -- $28.65 (Amazon)
- Gravity Rush -- $18 (Amazon)
- The Wolf Among Us -- $13.33 (Amazon) / $15 (Best Buy)
- Borderlands 2 -- $20 (Amazon) / $24 (Best Buy)
- Freedom Wars -- $20 (Amazon)
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate -- $15 (Amazon)
- The Walking Dead: Season Two -- $19 (Best Buy)
- Mind Zero -- $28 (Amazon)
- Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed -- $18 (Amazon)
- Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F 2nd -- $22 (Amazon)
- Xblaze Code: Embryo -- $20 (Amazon)
- Arcana Heart 3: Love Max -- $20 (Amazon)
- Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars -- $21.45 (Amazon)
- Resistance: Burning Skies -- $5 (Best Buy)
- Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational -- $10 (Amazon)
- 16GB Memory Card -- $40 (Amazon)
- 32GB Memory Card -- $68.32 (Amazon)
Hardware- PlayStation 4 Camera -- $45 (Amazon) / $45 (Walmart)
- PowerA DualShock 4 Controller Charging Station -- $15 (Amazon)
- Logitech G402 Hyperion Fury Gaming Mouse -- $41 (Amazon)
- Logitech G502 Proteus Core Gaming Mouse -- $61 (Amazon)
- Logitech G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse -- $55 (Amazon)
- Logitech G700s Gaming Mouse -- $63.58 (Amazon)
- Wireless Xbox 360 Controller for Windows -- $42.64 (Amazon)
- Wireless Xbox 360 Controller -- $35 (Groupon)
- Wired Xbox 360 Controller for Windows -- $28 (Amazon)
- Black Xbox One Wireless Controller -- $49.50 (Amazon) / $40 (Rakuten)
- PlayStation Silver Wired Stereo Headset -- $28 (Amazon)
- Turtle Beach Ear Force PX22 Amplified Universal Gaming Headset -- $57.65 (Amazon)
- Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930 -- $98 (Amazon)
- HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset for PC & PS4 -- $100 (Amazon)
- PlayStation 3 3D Glasses -- $9 (Amazon)
Amazon prices are accurate as of publishing, but can fluctuate occasionally throughout the day. GameSpot's gaming deals posts always highlight the best deals we can find regardless of retailer. We also occasionally use retailer affiliate links, which means that purchasing goods through those links helps support all the great content (including the deals posts) you find for free here on the site.
By Anonymous on Jun 03, 2015 11:53 pm
A new patch for the PlayStation 4 edition of Ultra Street Fighter IV launching today will address many of the issues players have been reporting since the game's rough release last week.  The patch, which is rolling out now, should reduce lag, adjust character moves, and fix things like sound glitches and a visual bug that caused too much blurring. You can see the full Ultra Street Fighter IV June 3 patch notes below, courtesy of Sony. The issues with Ultra Street Fighter IV on PS4 were so severe that the Evo competitive gaming tournament has decided to hold its tournaments on Xbox 360 instead. Even though this patch clears up many of the issues, event organizers say they won't go back to PS4. Sony's third-party production group developed and published the game, not Capcom itself. Ultra Street Fighter IV was not released on Xbox One. Ultra Street Fighter IV June 3 Patch Notes: - Reduce interface lag within menus
- Addressed disappearing projectiles
- Fixed Decapre's teleport animation
- Fixed Rolento's audio glitch (during victory screen)
- Fixed missing SFX for Red Focus attack
- Fixed Akuma's stomp SFX not playing
- Addressed bottom portion of the ON/OFF text being cutoff under the graphics settings in the Options menu
- Removed extra character ¦ that was sometimes displayed in Leaderboards at the end of a player's name even if they have not set it to be there
- Fixed issue when seeking an Arcade match-up with LAN cabled disconnected and then starting up training results in a message ID being displayed
- Addressed Online IDs not appearing correctly
- Addresses issue when changing the HP bar's HUD position in Options, the Online ID HUD position does not move with it and is displayed at the default position
- Anisotropic Filtering (AF) changes to decrease blur
- Fixed appearance of white box after backing out of a command list menu
- Addressed Fight Request issue in Arcade Mode
By Anonymous on Jun 03, 2015 11:48 pm
The Sims 4 is getting a free update that will give players more space to build new homes and businesses, publisher Electronic Arts has announced. The update adds the World of Newcrest, which will be joining Willow Creek and Oasis Springs next Thursday, June 11. It'll contain three new neighborhoods, each with five empty lots each. You can find the exact sizes available in the new neighborhoods on EA's website. As always, players can design their own structures for the empty lots, or download homes and venues from The Sims 4 Gallery, which includes bars, clubs, houses, pools, and more. Earlier this year, EA released the first major expansion for The Sims 4, Get to Work, which allows players to take an active role in four different job types. For more on the game, read GameSpot's interview The Sims franchise senior producer and Sims 4 creative director Lyndsay Pearson.
By Anonymous on Jun 03, 2015 10:59 pm
Black Tusk Studios, the Microsoft-owned developer currently working on the next game in the Gears of War series, has changed its name to "The Coalition," the developer has announced. "In short, The Coalition speaks to who we are as a team, and what it is we're working on," studio head Rod Fergusson said in a statement. "A coalition is a team of diverse individuals working together for a common purpose, a concept that we feel describes our studio quite well. Fans will also recognize the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) from Gears of War lore." Fergusson said that moving forward, when you hear the name The Coalition, he wants players to think of Gears of War, just as players think of Halo when they hear developer 343 Industries' name. The announcement comes two weeks before E3, and we've already heard pretty convincing rumors that the studio is working on an HD remaster of the first Gears of War game. Last month, a Brazilian game rating body listed a game called Gears of War: Ultimate Edition with a 2015 release date. Microsoft acquired the Gears of War franchise from Epic Games last year, putting its internal team Black Tusk Studios to work on a new entry in the action-shooter series for Xbox One. That project is separate from the reported remaster. As for when Microsoft may officially announce the Gears of War HD Remaster, and maybe Black Tusk's new project, Fergusson previously teased that fans should tune in to E3 in June. For its part, Microsoft has said its E3 presentation this year will focus on first-party games.
By Anonymous on Jun 03, 2015 10:47 pm
The first-ever PC Gaming Show at E3 this year has added another major partner to its lineup: Microsoft.  Event organizers announced today that Xbox boss Phil Spencer and other key members of the team will appear during the show to talk about gaming on Windows 10. Writing on the Xbox Wire, Microsoft teased that it may also have a "surprise" in store for the event, though no other details were announced. Microsoft is also co-sponsoring the PC Gaming Show alongside chip-maker AMD. The event, which will be livestreamed, will be held June 16 from 5-8 PM PDT. Other companies attending the event include Blizzard Entertainment, Square Enix, and Creative Assembly, among many others. As for why Xbox is joining the PC Gaming Show, Spencer reiterated that Microsoft had lost its way with the PC gaming crowd in the past. He said attending the event will help show gamers that Microsoft is committed to PC gaming with the release of Windows 10 in July and beyond. "For us, it's about kickstarting a more regular and open dialogue with the community so that we can collect feedback and share developments on what we are working on," he said. "Specifically, we'll share our vision for gaming on Windows 10 and why it's the best version of Windows ever for both gamers and developers alike." "We have bold ambitions, but we also want to set expectations early and often as to what gamers and developers should expect," he added. "Also, we want to make clear that when we talk about Xbox going forward, we're talking about gaming on all Windows 10 devices--PCs, tablets, phones, Xbox One, and HoloLens. And we'll talk about some of the games we have coming to the PC this year." Be sure to read PC Gamer's full interview with Spencer for lots more. It's an excellent read well worth your time if you're looking to learn more about Microsoft's stance on PC gaming. For more on E3 2015, check out GameSpot's roundup of the dates and times for all the briefings.
By Anonymous on Jun 03, 2015 10:37 pm
 Check out this trailer for Mighty No. 9 and watch the hero Beck take on the challenge of his eight mighty opponents as he fights his way through ever-changing stages and epic boss fights.
By Anonymous on Jun 03, 2015 10:30 pm
 DOOM and Fallout are likely contenders for the shop-stopper at Bethesda's inaugural E3 press conference, but what other games might we see again? Dishonored? Prey? Wet?
By Anonymous on Jun 03, 2015 09:42 pm
PlanetSide 2 will be launch on PlayStation 4 on June 23 across North America and Europe, Sony has announced. Andy Sites, the game's director of development, said Daybreak Game Company has "put a lot of effort into streamlining and improving the feature set" so PS4 players have "the ultimate massive-scale, FPS gaming experience." He continued: "We've also incorporated some unique features that are currently exclusive to the PS4 version, which for example, include the new battle map, Koltyr. We will continue to further improve and enhance the gameplay experience after launch as well. "In the weeks and months following the release on June 23, players can look forward to frequent game updates, which will include deeper features, holiday events and content, new in-game marketplace items and much, much more." Planetside 2 shipped on PC in late 2012, and the PlayStation 4 port has been delayed several times. Sony Online Entertainment, the game's developer, turned independent in February. The studio, renamed Daybreak Game Company, now plans to make multiplatform titles for other systems, such as Xbox One. Check out some screenshots from the game below.          
By Anonymous on Jun 03, 2015 09:35 pm
Showtime on Wednesday announced its own standalone Internet TV service to rival HBO Now. Simply called Showtime, the service is set to launch in July, offering subscribers all-you-can-watch access to the network's library for $11/month. That compares to $15/month for HBO Now.  Showtime's standalone service will be available at launch exclusively for Apple devices such as Apple TV, iPad, and iPhone. The service will also work on PC once you've confirmed your subscription. In addition, a 30-day free trial will be available. While it doesn't have Game of Thrones or True Detective, Showtime does boast some celebrated programming, including Homeland, Masters of Sex, Ray Donovan, and Shameless, among others. Subscribers will also have access to Showtime's complete back catalog, including Weeds and Californication. Previously, you needed to have a traditional cable subscription to access Showtime content. There was no mention of Showtime's new standalone service coming to consoles like the Xbox One or PlayStation 4. But those platforms have their own streaming TV solutions in the form of Sling TV and PlayStation Vue, respectively. GameSpot parent company CBS also owns Showtime.
By Anonymous on Jun 03, 2015 09:05 pm
Three more Wii U and 3DS games have been added to Nintendo's Humble Nindie Bundle, the first Humble Bundle to offer games for consoles and handhelds. The three new games are Sportsball and Runner 2: Future Legend of Alien Rhythm for Wii U and Gunman Clive for 3DS. You can unlock these games by paying more than the current average of $9.20. With the introduction of these three games, it means you can now get eleven games for $10. As with all Humble Bundles, you're free to distribute your money between Humble, the various games' developers, and charity. In this case, the charity is Code.org, a non-profit group that works to expand computer science education and encourage participation in the field by women and students of color. The full Humble Nindie Bundle lineup is below. More than 64,000 purchases have been made so far, totaling more than $589,000. The promotion ends next week. Pay any price:Beat the average price:Pay $10 or more:
By Anonymous on Jun 03, 2015 03:47 am
Developer Monogon Games describes Interloper as a real-time strategy game with five-minute matches, but I would call it an RTS for people who hate the genre. This quirky example features all of the catchy conquering, tactical thinking, and fast-paced combat of the average real-time strategy game without being burdened by the base building, resource management, and game duration that scare off some of the potential audience. Toss in puzzle-like maps, an unusual setting, and faintly surreal visuals and sound, and you have a pick-up-and-play RTS for the masses that even genre veterans can appreciate for its innovations and challenge. Simplicity is Interloper's greatest asset. This is a two-player game in which you battle the AI or an online human opponent on small and slightly-less-small maps that never feature more than a handful of key assets to claim. The main unit is a Sentinel, a big mama that looks like a manta ray or some kind of microscopic bug, depending on which of the three tribes you are controlling (the appearance of Sentinels and color are all that differentiate the factions). Your goal is to swim through the fluid-filled corridors of each map (which are colorful and cute here, but would probably be gooey and gross in reality), claiming domain as you go. After you pass, tunnels turn your faction's color, reminding me of ʼ80s arcade classic Crush Roller. Taking 75 percent of a map results in an instant win, which isn't particularly easy as the enemy Sentinel and his pals are doing the exact same thing as you. Interloper looks like Crush Roller--on drugs! Maps feature a small number of key control points that are claimed by Sentinels. You provide juice to unit-producing centers called Assemblers by connecting them to local Power Sources, at which point they begin to automatically crank out Drones. In keeping with the quasi-organic appearance of the game, these core units look like spermatozoa...or tadpoles, depending on how you look at these things. Drones can then be used as shock troops to attack enemies en masse, or sent over to the only other building, the seed pod-resembling Factory. Here, multiple Drones are turned into the game's three other unit types. Defenders absorb three hits of damage, making them great guards. Snipers automatically blast enemies from a distance with a recharging shot. And Destroyers serve as assault tanks that can take three hits as well, while also regenerating over time. Movement and combat are straightforward. Basic units block Sentinels. They can phase past them, but are powerless when phased and cannot materialize back in until they reach neutral or already conquered domain. Unfriendly and neutral terrain causes automatic damage to traveling units. So you can't tank-rush enemies without first laying down some serious friendly color on maps. Unprotected Sources can be taken over by the Sentinel in just a few moments, but Assemblers and Factories are off-limits while connected to a Source. Battles are simple wars of attrition. Drones kill each other one-to-one, so en masse assaults are a matter of simple math. Same goes with the other specialized units, which all come with set numbers of hit points noted above. Simplicity is Interloper's greatest asset.
The action reads more complicated than it plays. Matches are incredibly likable, compelling affairs. They move quickly, but they aren't rapid-fire challenges to your carpal tunnel like so many other real-time games. I always had time to think before moving. This is good, because sober second thought is paramount when capturing and protecting those oh-so-valuable and oh-so-vulnerable Sources while also covering all avenues of enemy assault. Maps have a puzzle or even a bit of a board-game vibe, due to their layout and those maze-like corridors of goo. What you conquer and when you conquer are big factors as to how the war plays out. Despite Interloper's simple structure and quick matches, there are a lot of RTS basics under the hood here. Taking too much territory at the start of matches is a big mistake, for example. Whenever I ventured too far into the map to grab one more Source or one more Assembler, the enemy Sentinel crept in behind me to take over assets before I could get Drones produced to protect them. It's a quick game, but trying to go too fast and steamroll the enemy isn't a good idea. Moving into the endgame, with the enemy's domain about to be completely overwhelmed. Smart unit deployment is another essential. Even the three specialty units offer a lot of tactical depth. I loved using Snipers, which can be brutally effective at preventing enemy attacks and blowing away Drones on their way to enemy Factories. Get a mass of Snipers in the right place--which isn't always easy, as the enemy does this, too--and I could lock down maps in short order by setting up murderous choke points. Defenders were incredibly helpful in blocking enemy approach routes and guarding Sources. And Destroyers were perfect for late-game assaults that cleaned up large numbers of enemy Drones. I loved rolling them out in the end to obliterate the last remnants of my rival's sperm army. Enemy AI is generally excellent when playing solo, which features a campaign of sorts with an absolutely perfect series of tutorials along with skirmish. The AI can also be adjusted via multiple settings that up the general difficulty, add to aggression, and so forth. I was challenged on most maps by the default AI. I could quibble with some of the computer's tactics: it would occasionally get bottled up early on, which led to almost instant destruction, but it never failed to move in on areas that I left unprotected. And it sure did beat me on a fairly regular basis. Multiplayer is something of a concern right now, however. Not many people are playing, making it tough to find a match. Since the single-player is limited when it comes to the number of maps, this could impact longevity. Still, for $10, you're getting a lot of game here. Sober second thought is paramount when capturing and protecting those oh-so-valuable and oh-so-vulnerable Sources.
The atmosphere is distinct. I was never sure if I was in some kind of parallel dimension, a microscopic world of bacteria, or a stoner's daydream, but it worked. Everything is weird, but not too weird, and the aesthetics never interfere with gameplay. Colors nicely blend light and dark, as well, with everything getting brighter and brighter and even pulsing if you're cruising to a win. Sound is as offbeat as the graphics. A techno score reminiscent of second-rate Tangerine Dream (yes, that's a compliment) and brittle sound effects accompanying unit destruction adds an oddly fitting, yet oddly sterile, sci-fi mood. Interloper distills the core elements of every good RTS and adds a little extra to put it over the top. No matter if you love or loathe traditional real-time strategy, the deep tactics and puzzle solving crammed into a nicely condensed package here come highly recommended.
By Anonymous on Jun 03, 2015 03:06 am
It's no longer strange to see the concept of genres challenged by unusual games, but Splatoon is a special case. It's a lighthearted, sugar-coated game that's landed on the back of today's dark and gritty shooters (Battlefield, Call of Duty, Wolfenstein, and Titanfall come to mind). Splatoon is special because it redefines the rules of shooters, stripping away realistic violence and aggression in the name of innocent fun. More than that, its rules make you look at your environment and opponents in new ways. There's so much to love about Splatoon that it's stripped-down multiplayer support systems are forgivable, because as long as I'm playing in Splatoon's world, I'm a happy camper. Splatoon is the perfect game for people who want the experience of playing a shooter without all of the killing and such. Because it lacks mainstays of the shooter genre, people question its identity. That speaks volumes about how bog-standard shooters have become in some respects, further highlighting why Splatoon is so refreshing. It's joyful atmosphere is uplifting, and it plays like a dream, with a unique movement system that permeates every moment and match. Splatoon isn't another hardened shooter, and that's a good thing, especially when the risk pays off as well as it has here. Splatoon's locale is the hip and colorful city of Inkopolis, which is run by hybrid beings known as Inklings. These guys and gals can take the form of either a squid or a human on command, and to them, ink is everything. Inklings arm themselves for work and play not with guns that shoot bullets, but with weapons like squirt guns and paint rollers. These are used to paint the environment and knock out opponents during multiplayer matches. Ink splotches are also great for swimming and hiding, granting you much needed speed and stealth during hectic matches. Need more ammo? Turn into a squid and take a dip to watch your tank on your back fill up. Splatoon's ink-based mechanics are the crux of what makes playing it so great, and running on foot feels stale once you get used to dipping in and out of ink in quick succession, partially because it's empowering and snappy, but also because it's such an effective tactic. Transformations occur quickly, allowing you to react to an impending threat or a chance at victory in a flash. Matches typically begin with teams laying down plots and strips of ink to swim through and hide in, but by the time things heat up, it's a tie-dyed mess of opportunities with people sinking into ink, jumping to safety, then reappearing when you least expect it with their sights trained on your location. No worries, because if you're quick enough, you can dip into ink and slink away into a corner, too, only to re-emerge when your opponent comes looking for you. It's a cycle that plays out dozens of times in a match, and when the timer ends, you get the itch to jump back in as soon as you can.  Multiplayer is Splatoon's bread and butter, but there's trouble afoot in Inkopolis and your efforts are needed outside of the arena, too. Inkopolis's source of power, the Great Zap Fish, is being held captive by the invading Octarians. You guessed it: Octarians are octopus-human hybrids. There are roughly thirty stages between you and the Great Zap Fish, which sounds like a lot, but it doesn't take very long to get the job done because most levels are on the short side. Still, the mix of combat and platforming is an enjoyable diversion that feels very different than multiplayer, with unique obstacles and challenges in addition to five bosses that fit nicely within Nintendo's repertoire of quirky baddies. The campaign at large is also a great way to familiarize yourself with the unusual GamePad controls. Though you can disable the GamePad's motion detection and stick to moving your character and the camera with analog sticks alone, using motion detection to adjust the camera ends up being really helpful, and it only takes a few matches before doing so becomes second nature. The unique touches in the campaign are fun, but the pacing and variety of challenges leaves you hungry for more. Sure, you're still playing with and discovering new ways to move and shoot, which is rewarding in and of itself, but the chances are that you'll move on once you've fixed Inkopolis. If you pick up some of Nintendo's Splatoon amiibos, you can use them to unlock special challenges that will net you new gear, but you're essentially playing the same levels over again with unique constraints. These stages are fun, but being asked to pick up real world toys and to replay levels is a big ask, and it's too bad, because the gear locked away behind amiibo challenges is the most interesting looking gear in the game. Splatoon is ultimately about multiplayer, where you are required to begin your playtime in Turf Wars. The goal is to paint as much of the map in your team's ink before a three minute timer runs out. Inking new ground, stealing coverage from your enemies, and knocking out opponents makes these matches fun, and because there are so many ways to make a difference, rather than by being a sharpshooter alone, Splatoon rewards you with a constant flow of small wins. As long as I'm playing in Splatoon's world, I'm a happy camper.
Once you hit level 10 you can dive into ranked matches, which currently feature one new match type: Splat Zones. Two teams fight for control over a small area within the middle of a map, and whichever team controls the area by covering it in ink for 100 seconds is declared the winner. Unlike Turf War matches, where everyone earns points to level up and purchase gear, in ranked battles, to the winners only go the spoils. Ranking is determined by your individual performance, represented by a grade like A or C-, for example. These grades are used to populate teams during ranked matches, which create a much more balanced affair when compared to the anything goes arrangement of levels and skill in Turf Wars. Given that Splatoon's multiplayer is exclusively team-based, it's frustrating that it's impossible to strategize as a team. Voice chat is non-existent, likely as a measure to defend against casual harassment from other players. Unfortunately, this is an excuse that harms people who don't share Nintendo's concerns. A quick glance at the GamePad gives you a bird's eye view of the map, including the distribution of ink and the location of your teammates, but you can't easily discern where your enemies are and what they're doing. There's an item you can place that will highlight their location for a time, but there's no way of guaranteeing that someone on your team will come equipped with it when they head into battle because teams in Turf Wars are randomly assigned, and you never have a chance to see who's packing what items. Because entire loadouts (primary weapons, secondary weapons, and a special weapon) are determined by the primary weapon you choose before heading into a lobby, and teams are assigned randomly, you may end up on a team where every player has the same loadout. In a situation where your team is homogenous, your fate is practically sealed from the get go. You earn points during matches that you can spend on new headgear, guns, footwear, and shirts. These points also determine how fast you level up, which unlocks new gear that you can purchase in the Inkopolis's shops. Gear comes with bonuses that boost things such as speed, power, and defense, so while you may want to look as fresh as possible, it's important to keep your eye on what that new shirt actually does besides looking cool. The outfits in Splatoon are evidence of Nintendo's attempt to capture the essence of streetwear, with beanies and Chuck Taylor hightops available to accentuate Inklings, but it feels heavy-handed at times, especially with characters that spout nautical puns woven into lines that could have come from the script of a teen Disney show.  Between Turf Wars, Splat Zones, and unlocking gear, not to mention the single player content, there's a lot to chew on in Splatoon, yet it still feels a tad light. Don't get me wrong: Splatoon is so fun to play that you rarely care. I want more single player content to explore and control over multiplayer so that I can craft specific types of multiplayer matches, rather than taking whatever comes my way. I want more Splatoon because I like it, but also because there's not enough variety in the things you can do over a long period of time. The same could be said of the selection of maps. There are only five, and to compound the issue, Splatoon only lets you play one of three maps for the better part of a day before a new lot are selected, and you don't even get to choose which map to play on. This seems to be in the name of stress free matchmaking, where constraints would otherwise make it more challenging to find a compatible match. When only a couple of the five maps in Splatoon truly stand out, a little control over which you get to play on would go a long to way ensure that you can play in an environment that you actually like. Nintendo's foray into shooter territory stumbles on occasion, but when I'm swimming through ink, covering environments in neon, and drinking in the quirky city of Inkopolis, I'm far more aware of how unique its mechanics are, and how enjoyable it is to play one match after another. In these moments--which is pretty much anytime I'm playing Splatoon--I forget about the lacking multiplayer features. Online matches are the core of the game, so it may seem weird that it's so easy to overlook things like missing voice chat, but I would be a fool to let missing features get in the way of the readily available joy I feel from simply swimming and shooting. I've always had a love/hate relationship with shooters, not because I can't handle gritty, war torn worlds and battle cries, but because I grow tired of them after the tenth game in a row. Splatoon is the antithesis to the modern shooter, but it primarily deserves recognition for what it is, not what it isn't. It's a wonderful game with charm and inventive ideas that work and pave the way for new experiences in an otherwise stale category of games.
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