ME3 Multiplayer Demo & Video

For all those curious about Mass Effect 3's multiplayer, Bioware has a video on BioWare TV showcasing some gameplay and discussing it further in detail. Also, a video of the un-boxing of EA's Battlefield 3 shows the inclusion of an "Early Access Voucher" for the multiplayer portion of the Mass Effect 3 Demo.

Dark Souls Review

Challenge, that’s the best word to describe From Software’s most recent title, Dark Souls. A spiritual successor to the vaguely known Demons Souls, this title brings some new, noteworthy changes but keeps the aggravation that the series has gotten a reputation for. For new players, the motto of the game “Prepare to die” is the best advice to follow, but veterans of Demons Souls will be met with more bosses and new enemies to sharpen their skills.

ME3: Galaxy At War & Four Player Co-Op.

It looks like we didn't have to wait long before Bioware revealed any information about the Mass Effect 3 multiplayer experience. Hours ago on the Bioware official forums, Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War and 4-Player Co-Op was announced. Here is what the post had to say...

"Hi Everyone

Today BioWare and the Mass Effect 3 team are very pleased to announce 4 player co-op multiplayer missions and the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system for Mass Effect 3 on the PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.

4 player co-op multiplayer
Join your friends in the all-out galactic war to take Earth back. The universe of Mass Effect expands with the addition of new co-op multiplayer missions, playable over Xbox Live, PSN and PC internet. Players can choose from a variety of classes and races, form an elite Special Forces squad, and combine their weapons, powers and abilities to devastating effect as they fight together to liberate key territories from enemy control. Success in multi-player will have a direct impact on the outcome of the single player campaign, giving players an alternative method of achieving ultimate victory against the greatest threat mankind – and the entire galaxy – has ever faced.

Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War
As a bonus to the campaign, BioWare is introducing the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system, a new way for players to manage and experience the galactic war from multiple fronts, including a new 4-player co-op mode. The key to saving the galaxy is the “Galactic Readiness” level, measured by Commander Shepard’s ability to apply every possible asset – people, weapons, resources, armies, fleets – in the final battle against the Reapers. Players can impact their game’s Galactic Readiness level in multiple ways via the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system, including multiplayer. Other platforms and interfaces will be announced in the coming months. It is important to note that the system is entirely optional and just another way players can have control over your game experience – it is still possible to achieve the optimal, complete ending of the game in Mass Effect 3 through single-player alone.

F.A.Q.

Why include 4 player Co-op multiplayer in Mass Effect 3?

Being able to explore and fight alongside your friends in the Mass Effect universe has always been something we thought would be fun and compelling, and many players have asked for it for a long time as well. Mass Effect 3 is the best place for us to introduce multiplayer through co-op because of the premise of the game – all out galactic war.

Why only 4 player co-op? What not a versus mode?
We have always maintained that we would only add multiplayer into the Mass Effect series if it made sense and did not compromise the power of the single player campaign. Fighting together against a common threat was the multiplayer experience that made the most sense for Mass Effect 3. The way we have designed co-op as a wayto take control of key conflict zones in the galaxy is a natural extension of the premise of Mass Effect 3.

Why did you decide not to include it as a part of the main campaign?
Our priority and focus with Mass Effect 3 has and always will be to deliver a complete and satisfying single player experience.

Does the addition of co-op multiplayer missions impact the scope or quality of the single-player experience?
No. A dedicated team from our recently formed BioWare Montreal studio has been focused on creating the multiplayer game features while the main game continued to be developed by the team in BioWare Edmonton. Both teams are integrated under the same leadership group that produced Mass Effect 1 and 2, led by Casey Hudson. BioWare remains dedicated to delivering one of the most amazing single-player campaigns gamers have ever experienced.

How did developing multiplayer impact the single player game?
BioWare is dedicated and focused on delivering an engaging, fun, and action-packed experience for Mass Effect 3, one that lives up the BioWare standard. To reach that level of quality, last year BioWare opened a studio in Montreal that is home to designers, programmers, engineers, and other developers. Both studios work together as partners, lead by the core Mass Effect team, unified in a single vision. Under the direction of Casey Hudson and other team veterans, both studios make contributions to both the single player and multiplayer modes in Mass Effect 3. Rest assured that no compromises were made to either of these modes in the development of Mass Effect 3.

Which characters can I play in co-op multiplayer? Can I play as Commander Shepard?
Commander Shepard’s part in the war will take place in the single-player campaign, as will that of other beloved characters in the franchise such as Garrus, Ashley, and Liara…these characters do not appear in the multiplayer missions. In multiplayer, players will create custom characters to fight on different and unique fronts in the war. This will include the ability to play as favorites like Turians, Krogans, Asari and more… each with their own unique set of abilities.

What if I don’t like multiplayer – will my experience be negatively impacted?
Mass Effect 3 is a complete, standalone game that will deliver a satisfying story experience, even if you choose not to try multiplayer. The Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system and all of the individual components are meant to complement that amazing game and can be enjoyed on their own or as part of the Galaxy at War experience.

What if I am not good at / do not like multiplayer? Will my readiness rating go down?
ME3 is a story about a war against overwhelming force where the most you can hope for us survival. The more you do to fight that war, the more you can change that story into a more optimistic one. You can reach the highest levels of success in the single player experience alone, but Galaxy at War gives you alternative ways to get there. It’s about choice, and allowing players to find their own ways to stay immersed in the Mass Effect universe.

Will you be adding any additional maps or modes through DLC?
We can’t comment on specifics right now, but can confirm that we are planning on having DLC for Mass Effect 3.

Do save games from ME1 or ME2 impact the co-op multiplayer missions?
No.

Do characters level up in co-op multiplayer? What is the progression system?
Character progression, weapon upgrading and leveling up is present in co-op. We’ll release more information on this topic in the months leading up to launch.

Is there more info about the other platforms of Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War?
We are not going into details about the other components of the Galaxy at War at this time except to say we are designing each to make sense for that platform. Each component will be able to affect a player’s “Galactic Readiness” level in a different way. Again, participation in any or all ME3:GaW elements is entirely optional." ---Source





Personally, I'm quite interested to see how this will turn out. The Galaxy at War system will definitely be something I would like to see in action but unfortunately we will have to wait for any footage. What's your thoughts on the addition of this system or the 4-Player Co-Op? Let us know in the comment section!

Disgaea 4 Review Dood!

Once again, Nippon Ichi delivers a franchise installment that keeps true to the series format while introducing new features to keep fans glued to the TV screen and Disgaea 4 is no different. As Valvatorez, a vampire tyrant who became a Prinny Instructor who no longer drinks human blood due to a promise, you are on a mission to find out why your Prinnies are getting exterminated. Though you start out with such a simple task, your journey will be met with trials and tribulations.

Despite it being quirky and interesting, the story isn’t the main focus of Disgaea. Gameplay is where the series shines, and takes away your soul. Disgaea 4 is a tactical RPG that kicks the tail out of other tactical RPG’s with a level cap of 9999, damage in the multiple billions, and items that can be leveled up to create overly powered characters that will demolish enemies. Tons of character and monster classes can be created, as well as passing bills in a senate to make enemies stronger or better the items sold at shops, this game doesn’t leave you with nothing to do.

Graphically, Disgaea 4 won’t blow you away but it will be easier to stare at the screen for extended hours due to the sprites being redone. Now all the characters will be seen in HD without seeing pixilated edges unless you choose to by turning on a “Classic” style in the options screen. Gameplay and text speed can also be altered which will be a necessity in the grinding end of the game, as well as turning off battle animations and switching the audio language on the fly.

Staying true to the format of grinding endlessly to become uber powerful, Disgaea 4 adds in new features to the formula, especially with the network incorporated. Hardcore fans will be pleased to see that Nippon Ichi created a decent balance of multiplayer that isn’t forced or just leaderboards. Custom maps can now be created and uploaded, as well as pirate ships to invade other players Item World adventures.

The Disgaea series has always been a difficult and hardcore strategy RPG that invites players in with cute characters and outrageous numbers. Disgaea 4 does not fail in giving every single aspect of this sequel something new and refreshing but staying true to the series. Hardcore fans will be playing this title for an extremely long time, while newcomers will either be treated to a frustrating tactical RPG or have a new addiction. For some beginner tips check out this article and be sure to leave some feedback in the comment section below.

Final Score = 9/10

PS3 & PSVita To Get Final Fantasy X

Square Enix announced earlier today at TGS 2011 that Final Fantasy X is in development for PlayStation 3 and Vita. So far no details are released other than it will be a port/enhanced version of the PlayStation 2 title. Fans were told by a representative "to be patient for updates".

Hopefully they will not release Final Fantasy X-2 with this and call it a collection. Personally, I would rather them finish Final Fantasy Versus XIII other than working on a port of an older title, but Square-Enix likes to do what they want. Voice your opinion in the comment section and check back at GamersGameplay for any other updates!

Record of Agarest War Zero Review

Love it or hate it, has always been the response for Tactical RPG's in the gaming community. There aren’t too many titles of this genre on current consoles so it's quite pleasing to see a new release. Record of Agarest War Zero brings a quality story and adds a few neat features to the tactical RPG format.

Record of Agarest War Zero takes place 1,000 years before the first title released. The world is at peace with a balance of light and dark, until an army of Dark forces crosses the border and confronts a girl named Mimel and Sieghart, a warrior on duty. After the confrontation, Mimel transfers a special "power" onto the main character, and the story unfolds from that point on.

Generations divide the story, allowing you to play the offspring of Sieghart with the introduction of a Soul-Breeding system. Throughout the game, a "dating-sim" feature is incorporated to build relationships with the female heroines. Before the start of the new generation, your choices will lead into a marriage and the birth of the next main character. It is definitely a unique feature to have in a RPG, but the only benefit of your bride is the inherited abilities and the weapon-type for your hero.



The battle system doesn't stray away from the typical Tactical RPG format, but brings along a few features of its own. The maps are relatively small and flat, giving you very little room for error in movement. Environmental advantages are only given by way of "field-types" that grant boosts to a particular stat on a tile. The most interactive feature on the battlefield is the ability to link attacks in a chain by placing characters in another characters "extended" zone. The game teaches the player early on how to utilize this system to its fullest, which comes in handy with the games difficulty. To help the harsh battles, a large selection of weapons and armor are available for purchase, creating, or upgrading.

When not in combat, the game plays out the story with cut scenes utilizing an Action Animation System. Large portraits of characters are displayed that animate to bring a little life to the dialog. The attractive artwork is met with an amazing soundtrack even though battle effects sometimes are faded or off. A small note, but worthy of mention, is that there isn't a dual-audio option so Japanese is all the player will hear while in battle or cut scenes.

Record of Agarest War Zero brings indulging combat, an amazing soundtrack, and an involving story to the table of Tactical RPG's. The game is loaded with a ton of gallery portraits, items, and weapons to collect for the hardcore players but this title is definitely not recommended to gamers who aren't fans of the genre. However, fans of the first title or gameplay shouldn't expect anything less than a great, enjoyable, and lengthy game.

Final Score = 7/10