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Massive Action Game

If you’re anything like me, you’ve played games like Halo and Modern Warfare and had wanted them to be bigger. You could switch to more realistic shooters like ARMA or Operation Flashpoint. But, unless you’re into super realistic shooters, where traveling to the destination and waiting for the moment to strike, you might be looking for something faster pace. MAG seems to blend more casual shooting games with large scale battles. And it does it beautifully.

A shooting gallery

MAG doesn’t just up the map size, it also drastically increases the number of players in a single game. I’m not talking about games where they upgrade the players to 32. MAG has several game types that go all the way up to 256 (128v128) real players in a single game. Now granted, that is only one of the game modes and it takes a bit of playing to be able to unlock it. However, once you do, it’s awesome. Even the two smallest game modes still offers 64 (32v32) players to duke it out, with one mode offering 96 players (32v32v32), and two more modes giving 128 (64v64) players a chance to meet on the battlefield. That’s including the two DLC game modes, Interdiction (128 players) and Escalation (96 players).

When you start the game you have to pick between one of three factions to side yourself with, and you can’t change it unless you want to delete that character profile or purchase more profiles as DLC. There isn’t a huge difference between the factions. It changes what maps and guns you’ll have access to. I’ve heard that SVER are better at close range combat, while Raven excel at long range weapons, and Valor meeting somewhere in the middle. However after playing for a while, if there is a difference, I’ve not noticed anything major.

It mostly comes down to personal preference

What does matter are the people you play with. if you play without a microphone or players you can communicate with, you’re bound to lose. This game requires teamwork with not just your squad, but with your team as a whole. The game breaks teams up into 8 player squads, each with a squad leader. In a larger game that is broken up into 4 squads per platoon, each with a platoon leader. The leaders are supposed to use different chat channels to coordinate with each other over who should be going where. And it pays for players to follow what their leaders are telling them. Not only do you need to be a certain level to be eligible for a leader position, but the game features very light RPG mechanics in which you gain points based on your actions, and more points when you do something in the vicinity of a objective marked by your leaders. The points can be spent on new guys, attachments and aesthetic changes to your character. Also, every level gives you a point to put into improving yourself, like giving more damage resistance to explosions, or a little more health.

Maps are this open

The gameplay itself is great as well. The maps are all big and open and allow for both long and close range combat. On the bigger maps, they offer vehicles to help get around, but I never found them absolutely necessary to get to the action quicker. The maps lend themselves more to outdoor gameplay where all these players can meet on the field of battle. So, if you’re good and have a couple people to back you up, you can find one of the multiple choke points of the map and be able to hold it against a great number of players.

From the moment you start a match you can feel how big everything is. When you hear something about an objective, those are real players fighting there. When you hear an explosion or gunfire off in the distance, it’s not a scripted event, it’s someone actually doing that somewhere on the map. Even if you happen to lose your squad, it’s simple to hook up with some other players from your team and help them out.

If your looking for a big experience, this is a game you need to check out. The size isn’t just a novelty either, the game proves it’s more than just a size upgrade time and time again.

Now that the Steam summer sales have been over for a couple of days, I thought I’d give you another round of cheap games to help fill your shelves. If you are looking for more deals, Gamestop is having daily sales on PC games here

Cheap Video Game List

Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

Mass Effect 2

Bioware is arguably the make of some best RPGs since for years. One of their latest series focuses on a science fiction epic that is all about how your decisions are supposed to have a lasting impact not only in the game they take place in, but the rest of the series. Focusing on the great characters Bioware is known for and giving you real head–scratching decisions puts this up there with any of their other games.

Mass Effect 2 fixed what some would say was the only lack luster part of the original, the combat. It’s more action packed and feels like a third person shooter, making it much smoother and leaving you feeling like the military soldier you are supposed to be. Now that the third in the series is on its way this is the perfect time to pick this game up if you’d never played it. And the original is even cheaper!

Mass Effect 2 for PC
Mass Effect 2 for Xbox 360
Mass Effect 2 for PS3

Assassins Creed 2 (Xbox 360, PS3)

Assassins Creed 2

The original game set up a mystery. Anyone who hadn’t read the previews were unprepared for what the game was truly about and the ending that left players wanting more. And the sequel delivered to the story what was wanted. It delved deeper into the mystery that was set up and gave a glance at some of the rich story that the game series is setting up.

The sequel did something very strange to modern games. It keeps the same character, but instead puts you in the shoes of a entirely new ancestor from Desmond’s past. Jumping centuries ahead to give a bigger picture look into the scale of what was going on. It didn’t disappoint.

Assassins Creed 2 PC
Assassins Creed 2 Xbox 360
Assassins Creed 2 PS3

Alan Wake (Xbox 360)

Alan Wake

Horror is a hard genre to pull off in this day and age. Most games go for the jump scares that while get your heart racing, don’t really stick with you. The games that try to rely on older scare methods either come off as cheesy or stale. Alan Wake manages to do it right. It switches between day and night sections. While the night sections work off of the day parts that feature a small town that gives you a uneasy feeling that seems straight out of twin peaks.

The night parts only seems to work because of what is set up in the day sections before them. On top of that the game features a unique system to take into account light. The evil only seems to happen at night, so you are forced at night to not only use light as a weapon against the creatures, but also a beacon of safety when things become too much to handle. The atmosphere of this game is absolutely brilliant. While it is a shorter experience, now that it’s cheaper it may be worth the price if you are a fan of horror.

Alan Wake for Xbox 360

Deus Ex (PS2, PC)

Deus Ex

Some games offer a false sense of freedom of choice. Telling you that you can approach a goal any way you want when really they all come to the same path. Deus Ex is not those games. This game gives you a mission, gives you a playground, and lets you go nuts. While the end points are usually in the same location, it’s getting there that’s the fun. If you like exploring, you’ll find multiple ways into any scenario and if you look hard enough, find things that’ll make your life a lot easier down the road.

The greatest part about this game is that you really can complete a mission any way you want. You can go in guns blazing, you can go covert and take people out from the shadows, you can rely on your skills of breaking and entering and avoid as many people as you can, and you can try to talk your way out of some situations. If you’re a fan of choices, look into this classic.

Deus Ex for PC
Deus Ex for PS2

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)

Oblivion

When you think about Elder Scrolls games what comes to mind? Scale? Choices? Hours of game play? Getting lost doing absolutely anything? All of this is true when it comes to Oblivion. I have friends that have spent hundreds of hours on that game and still haven’t done everything.

This game is absolutely massive. There are not only multiple major quest lines that don’t even involve the main story, but there is also countless side quest, places to visit, and things to do. You could spend as much time as it takes to play some games today just collecting plants, and have a great time doing it. While I have some bitter feelings about some of the things in this game, (Maybe a later GameBreak?) I can’t deny what a deal this game is and that you will get your money’s worth with this one. Just tell your friends and family that you’ll miss them before you put the disk in.

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for PC
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for PS3
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for Xbox 360

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii)

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Link is on par with nearly every iconic video game character. It is hard to find someone who doesn’t recognize the blonde haired kid with the green tunic and hat. And this title on the Wii and Gamecube didn’t disappoint. With some of the same great game play that you’ve come to expect from this series, such as engaging puzzles and a great story filled with memorable characters.

The newest element in this game features a new side world called ‘twilight’ that when Link enters he becomes a wolf. While basic game play remains roughly the same. In this form you cannot use items, but you can access areas you couldn’t otherwise as well as go into a new heightened senses mode and dig into the ground. The new mechanic keeps this installment in the series fresh enough while not appearing like a gimmick to derive from the rest of the game.

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for Wii

During the summer months it’s rare to see a game release that interests you enough to make the purchase of a full priced new game. So many of us are left with little to nothing to do during that time. Replaying the same game we’ve played four times already or just waiting for fall for the good games to come out again. Here’s a few good games that could help keep you entertained and inside during those hot months.

For more great deals check out the daily sales that are going on today, July 1st through July 10th on Steam here.

Cheap Video Game List

Demon Souls (PS3)

Demon Souls

One of the toughest games in recent memory, Demon Souls allows players to experience old fashion dungeon crawling at its finest. You slowly make your way through this punishing game, picking from one of its ten classes going through beautifully dark levels.

You should be ready to die a lot. This game is unforgiving. The only hints to be found are generally those left by players on the ground. Or watching their ghost run briefly to show you what mistakes they had made. If you really need it though, you can team up with other players to go through together.

Demon Souls for PS3

Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

Grand Theft Auto IV

The latest entry into Rockstar’s flagship series. They improved on Grand Theft Auto IV in a number of ways from the latest in the series. The controls were tighter in this game, improving on one of the things that kept the other games from the level this one had achieved. The story was improved as well, giving us a rich, character driven story.

Whether you play this for the story, the stress relief that driving a tank through the thriving Liberty City can bring, or the mini games with your needy cousin Ramon. This game has plenty to offer.

Grand Theft Auto IV for PS3
Grand Theft Auto IV for Xbox 360
Grand Theft Auto IV for PC

Continue reading “Cheap Video Games for the Summer drought – GameBreak” »

Team Fortress 2

One of the most popular online shooter games has gone free-to-play? Where do I sign up?

Rumors have been going around for a couple weeks, but now Valve has released Team Fortress 2 as free-to-play. Originally only designed to be a 2 week free trial for people to experience the games new micro transaction system that they dubbed ‘Mann-conomy‘. They then made the game permanently free-to-play.

Valve says that their sole source of funding moving forward will now be this micro transaction system. Which will let players spend real money on in game items like weapon kits or outfits for the classes.

So if for some reason you missed out on this great game the past few years, you now have no excuse to pass this one up. Go get your copy and I’ll see you online.

Team Fortress 2 Steam Page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/440/

Who will you play?

Arkham Horror

Mad cultists, evil warlocks, eldritch horrors, and star spawn are spewing forth from all corners of town and you along with a small group of people have to stop them! Ever have one of those days? If you’ve ever played Arkham Horror you’ve probably had a few of these days.

Arkham Horror is a board game from Fantasy Flight Games, set deep within the Cthulu Mythos originated with the writings of H.P. Lovecraft. Arkham Horror pits you and up to seven of your fellow investigators friends, against an old god and tasks you with closing the portals that open up around the city as well as to deal with the monsters that spew from them.

Arkham Horror Game

Arkham Horror is a pretty tough game. Not only do you have to have to manage your health and sanity, but you also must manage clue tokens, monster trophies, weapons, items, spells, and gate trophies. You have to deal with monsters that could easily wipe the floor with you.

Arkham Horror also is a bit complicated and may take you a few games to get everything down. Luckily the back of the rulebook has a index as well as a ‘quick rules sheet’ to keep players from getting bogged down trying to find a rule.

Investigator Card

It’s often a toss-up (until the end) if your team wins or loses. But it doesn’t matter which happens, it’s all about the adventure you have. There are a couple ways to win the game. Among those are sealing a set number of gates around the city as they open up and, if you are feeling brave, attempt to build up enough resources and weapons that you are able to kill the old god when it finally awaken. If you plan to do the latter, you have to plan with everyone playing so you’ll all be ready and able to do it when the moment finally comes.

Each Piece has a gorgeous art display

Arkham Horror also features several expansions. These range from card expansions which give more encounter and item cards, to full expansions which feature in addition to the cards a new board piece, old gods, and investigators. The expansions can all be added or taken away as you please. They often include a new rule or mechanic you can add to your game if you want, or you can just use the extra cards to keep things from getting stale.

More cards

Even without the expansions you’ll have to play quite a few games to run into the same things such that Arkham Horror start to feel stale and repetitive. If you have a good group of players you should have fun with this one even if you wind up mumbling madness in Arkham Asylum, praying for Azathoth to give you sweet release from your mortal existence.