What's up Gamers. S1G here with my three tipcs for Destiny's Crucible Map: Shores of Time. This map is one of my personal favorites.

1. The first thing you are going to realize in this map is where Bravo is located. It's isolation makes you want to go capture it without hesitation. Be forewarned though, most of the time as you are making you're way to Bravo, there will be a Sniper waiting for you in the back. If you're c oming from Alpha, jump to the back of Bravo and hide behind the left containers and keep an eye on your radar. If you're coming from Charlie and want to sneak up, use the platforms on the right side and get the upper hand of anyone capturing Bravo.

2. Heavy Ammo is the second most notable thing about this map. One spawns right where Alpha zone is at and the other spawns in the back between Bravo and Charlie. I personally disagree with the locations of these, but it can lead to you destroying opponents who are chasing it. At Alpha, you can save your super to guarantee your drop of ammo or punish anyone who picked it up. If you are near Charlie or coming from Alpha, you can snipe anyone who is waiting for the ammo to spawn. Trust me, there is always someone out in the open waiting.

3. Last topic I want to discuss on this map is the use of cover. Charlie is the only zone with lack of close-coverage. What I mean by that, if you're losing a gun fight and need to readjust, you have to be pretty far away from the capture zone in order to do that. However, Bravo and Alpha both have fatal funnels that you can use to your advantage. Always be mindful of your placement and try to use the cover the map gives you to your advantage.

To see my 3n3 video of these topics, follow this link: 3n3 Destiny Crucible Map: Shores of Time


Check out next post where I'll be covering Destiny's Crucible Map: Firebase Delphi

Destiny Crucible: The Anomaly Map Tips

What's up Gamers. S1G here with 3 tips for for Destiny's Crucible map The Anomaly. This is a very small map which was originally only available to Guardians who chose to fight in Rumble, which is Destiny's Free For All mode. I'm not a huge fan of this map, but the outer and inner ring concepts are something that I have found pretty interesting and grown to enjoy. 

1. The first, and most notable thing about this map, is it's size. With it being such a small map, it's very easy to get from one zone to another. This is something that's actually very beneficial to your team if played correctly. The benefit of having zones this close together is how easy it is to score a zone kill while being really far away from the zone you hold. Use this to advantage and hold the perimeter of the zones you capture so you can rank up multi-zone kills and gain points rather quickly.  
2. Secondly, is the Bravo capture point. Every map in the Crucible is designed to have both teams spawn near a zone. Depending on which team you are on, you will either spawn near Alpha or Charlie, while Bravo is typically in the middle of these two and is the warzone for both teams. The Anomaly's Bravo is DEFINITELY a warzone. I highly recommend that you don't go to Bravo without having a super or a group of teammates who are prepared to get Shotgunned. It's the central zone of this map and the smallest space, which typically means the most action is going to be happening here. I recommend most players to patrol the outer ring of the map and until they meet up with their team or have a super. You can always throw in grenades to help your team out and possibly get a kill.  

3. Third and final thing regarding The Anomaly map is the design of the map. Anomaly has two rings, an inner one and outer one. These rings have a purpose for how you choose to take on fights. If you are a huge fan of shotguns and up-close combat, patrol the inner ring and bring your best close-combat arsenal. If you prefer to pick opponents off in the distance while having limited cover, stay back in the outer ring. Whichever style you enjoy should dictate where you are in the map. It would probably be best that you don't venture too far away from your play-style in this map, because it can easily lead to your team getting crushed. 

Be sure to check out my video covering these three topics on YouTube.
Here is the link: 3n3 Destiny's Crucible: The Anomaly Map

Stay tuned for my next post where I'll be providing my three tips on the Shores of Time map!

CoD Elite Behind-The-Scenes Trailer

For the Call of Duty fans out there, Call of Duty Elite may soon be set the standard in a gaming franchise. With it's incredible stat tracking and Facebook social integration, this "add-on" will definitely let the hardcore players separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Personally, I do love being able to just look at your stats in different categories and I hope they keep their word with keeping all the DLC included in the Premium package of CoD: Elite. If they do, then other gaming franchises will probably follow in their footsteps. For anyone interested, there is a behind-the-scenes trailer of Call of Duty Elite in action.

Grand Theft Auto 5 Trailer

Rockstar announced Grand Theft Auto 5 a couple of days ago but recently debuted the first trailer of the game. Currently, very little information is out and no release date is set, however the trailer does get me hyped to play another GTA title. Check out the trailer below!

Arkham City Review

Rocksteady surprised the gaming community with it's release of Batman: Arkham Asylum in 2009. Ranked as the most "Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever" in the Guiness Book of World Records, the sequel obviously had high expectations to live up to. Now Rocksteady has released Batman: Arkham City for the world to play, and it's safe to say that it meets and exceeds those expectations.

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.

Devil May Cry HD Collection

After countless rumors of a Devily May Cry collection being released in time for the series' 10th year anniversary, Capcom has finally announced it's reality. Coming in 2012, all three Devil May Cry titles will be available for PS3 and Xbox 360. No word yet on a PC release, and DMC4 won't be included because it's already available for current gen systems. An exact release date wasn't mentioned, just early 2012 with a price tag of $39.99. Capcom did provide some comparison screenshots for fans to stare at.

Street Fighter X Tekken SE & Release Date!

Announced earlier today at New York Comic-Con, Street Fighter X Tekken producer Yoshinori Ono revealed so much wanted info, including SfXT combat system involving a revolutionary Gem System, a special edition of the game, and a release date. This much anticipated title will be available on March 6 in North America and March 9 in Europe, and will come with different gem-packs as pre-order bonuses to various retailers that will sell the game.

Street Fighter X Tekken NYCC Trailer

Street Fighter X Tekken is obviously wanting to take the crown from MVC as the best Capcom cross over title. With what they have announced so far and what they keep showing, I don't see how it won't. This new trailer shown at the New York Comic-Con is fantastic, showing you a little in-depth basics of the combat system.

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!

Arkham City DLC Contents, Dates, & Price.

Batman: Arkham City had already confirmed to have DLC after it's release and Rocksteady revealed today more information about it. The "Robin Bundle" will be $6.99 and the "Skin Pack" will be $4.99, both releasing on December 6th. Also, for those who are unaware, there is "Catwoman" DLC but it will come with all "new" copies of Batman: Arkham City.

This announcement is a treat for fans and collectors who are unsure of which retailer to purchase a copy from, due to each one having a specific preorder bonus. The skins included in the "Skin Pack" haven't been announced so we will have to wait for further information, but definitely check back for future updates.

Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer is Co-Op!?

Today confirmes the announcement of multiplayer for Mass Effect 3. Bioware's official twitter posted "“There will be a multiplayer component for [Mass Effect 3]. Full details soon, so wait until then before making your decision. We think you’ll like it!”. Not too long after this tweet, Bioware's Casey Hudson had a follow-up tweet saying “Yes, co-op MP missions for [Mass Effect 3]: they’re real, and they’re spectacular. Rest assured it’s nothing of what you’ve feared. More soon…”

No word yet if it will only be co-op missions or if it will be a full-fledged multiplayer experience. Regardless, it's a first for the Mass Effect series and most likely, it's going to be a welcomed addition. Check back for any other Mass Effect updates and tell us what you think about the addition of multiplayer in the comment section.

Gears of War 3 Review

First of all, I’ll go ahead and say that I have loved the Gears of War series from day one and I believe it’s one of the few games on the market that can sell the system, not the other way around. Ironically enough, I had to purchase another Xbox 360 to play this game. I have to say, I’m glad I purchased the system again.

Oh yea!

The campaign is typical Gears of War fashion with its cheesy one liners and huge, epic boss fights. Marcus is still emo, and seems to always get the job done while Cole Train runs around doing his thang. Dom is still a character of importance, but not as large a role as Gears of War 2. During the campaign, if you have friends online, they can hop in your game for some co-op, which is beyond fun. If you have a 360, buying this game to play the campaign with friends is more than enough reason for a purchase.

Gotta plan ahead.

Even without friends though, Epic Games stepped the AI on both sides for this title. Enemies actually use cover and flanking tactics, which makes teamwork one of the more important aspects of battle. Improvements were also done to the partner AI which is very helpful in certain scenarios. It’s one of the most annoying things in a game when you are forced with a partner who doesn’t know how to revive you, so it’s nice to see a game trying to get rid of that annoyance.

The sun light is a nice addition to the series.

On the graphics side, Gears of War 3 is remarkable looking on the Xbox 360. It’s very easy to see how much effort Epic Games put into polishing this title. The previous titles always seem to be a little darker toned but Gears of War 3 brings out the sun and showcases some real potential of the system. Even when playing online matches, the backdrops are fascinating and it seems as if the game tries to retain the same graphics of the single player.



Gears of War 3 stays true to the online multiplayer formula that it’s known for. A lot of fans were disappointed by Gears of War 2 and its multiple fails at multiplayer but this title has resolved all those issues and is definitely the best multiplayer of the Gears series. Despite it still being a shotgun-to-the-face-game, the inclusion of the Retro Lancer and improvements of the other weapons have given other players a chance and choice to use a different weapon and still come out with a victory.

Just not their day.

Easily one of the best features of Gears of War 3 is the fan-service and all it has to offer. The ability to level up your profile with online AND offline activities is a dream come true and something other games should take a note of. It’s something that gives people who aren’t pro status at the online multiplayer, something to achieve and gain while not spending all their game-time online. The various unlockables, character skins, weapon skins, hidden collectibles, in-game awards, and easter eggs show that this title is “Gears of War”.

Double-Teamed.

This title is definitely a reason to own an Xbox 360. Even if you never played the other two games in the series, players can just pop this game in and get a recap of the franchise and start enjoying the best of the best. Epic Games have stated that this will be the final Gears of War, so it’s definitely a worthy purchase and one of the best games made for Xbox 360. For a video review, you can click here!

Final Score = 9/10

Be sure to voice your opinion down in the comment section below and check back with GamersGameplay for future reviews!

Review by SteveThe1ne.

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Gears of War 3 Multiplayer Nonsense

Just having some fun with Gears of War 3 multiplayer. Sadly, I'm still getting used to the controller due to playing on Playstation 3 for so long. The first match I was trying to get back in the feel of being on Xbox and by the time the second match came around, I was a little more focused. Hopefully the next video I upload will have some commentary or music, something else to listen to than the sounds of war. Obviously I need to get better at Gears of War and at video editing, so be on the lookout for future videos from SteveThe1ne and GamersGameplay.

Dead Island Review

Zombie killing should be its own genre in today’s market of games. With the release of Dead Island, fans of zombie killing have something new to experience with a game that has zombies that can actually hurt you and aren’t easily dispatched. Unfortunately, disturbing glitches plagued the release and trailers had many gamers expecting something else from the final product.

Batter-Up!

Dead Island’s title pretty much sums up the story, with survivors who are stranded on an island trying to survive a zombie out-break. There are some interesting twists and turns in the plot but don’t expect a blockbuster story. Out of the few survivors who are on this crazy island, there are four available to choose as the main character of the game. Each of these four characters has their own specialization in a particular weapon.

Welcome to Dead Island.

Out in the open world, players are met with a pretty backdrop which makes the game feel a little ironic as you bash away a zombie’s brain in broad daylight. The sunshine brings a unique aspect to a zombie game, mostly because it’s so uncommon that your guard will be let down to surprise attacks. However, the dark environments are where the game seems at home. Given a flashlight, which does have a battery life, players will be in some very fearful locations that are well designed.

This isn't Black Ops.

While looking around each dark corner, the game is played from a first-person perspective. With weapon in hand, the focus of the game’s combat is mostly melee. Each weapon you pick up and carry has durability and is usually customizable in some manner with weapon mods. Though there are guns in the game, there are very few in the early chapters which make choosing one of the main characters a little harder to enjoy due to their specialization with them.

Survive or Rage...the choice is yours.

While swinging your weapon of choice around to kill whatever mutated zombie stands in front of you, a stamina bar will be on display depleting. Without stamina, you cannot sprint or attack, adding a little more depth to combat. Also to enhance the combat, Dead Island has a few RPG elements such as leveling, a skill tree system, and questing. The skill trees allow each character can increase their abilities to wreck havoc on zombies or improve their chances of survival. Other than the main story, side-quests are spread throughout the lands to raise your level and reward you with cash, weapons, or mods. Unfortunately, enemy’s level scale with you which is something that personally irritates me in a game that has a leveling system.

He's not too friendly.

Despite all of the good qualities of the game, sadly Dead Island has had a rough release with glitches and bugs. Out of the various bugs, the most annoying had to be the loss of save data while playing online, which is disappointing due to the inviting aspect of the online multiplayer of Dead Island. Combat is also a little off, even with all of the options of upgrades. There is a lack of “feeling” when attacking a zombie that I wish was implemented, such as damaging limbs. The player is forced to just aim for headshots, leaving battles to seem repetitive and un-evolving.

Dead Island is a game that will probably have a mark in the gaming community as the “Zombie” to own. With plenty of hacking and slashing to dish out, survival is just as important and that is probably the best aspect of the game. Unfortunately, some will not be able to see past the glitches and presentation of the game to enjoy the zombie apocalypse. Be sure to voice your opinion of Dead Island in the comment section below and check back with GamersGameplay for other reviews, tips, and news.

Final Score 7/10

Battlefield 3 Open Beta and New Trailer

Battlefield 3's open beta will hit Xbox LIVE, PSN, and EA's Origin on September 29, 2011. Purchaser's of the limited edition of Medal of Honor will receive access two days early. According to DICE, players will be able to enjoy the beta until October 10th. Also, there will not be a level cap or limit on what can be unlocked. Sadly, stats will not carry over into the final retail version, though you will be able to keep your soldier name.



To build your hype meter up for this title, there is a new gameplay TV ad featuring the song "99 Problems" by Jay-Z. The trailer highlights the graphical beast that is Battlefield 3, showing off what will be one of the best looking games this generation. Personally, I wish I had a more superior PC to enjoy a full 64 soldier battle, but I'll just have to be content with the Playstation 3 version.

Battlefield 3 will release on October 25, 2011 for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC.

5 Best Trailers of TGS 2011

Tokyo Game Show 2011 has had a lot of announcements and showcased off an enormous amount of trailers for future titles. Here are the five most worthy trailers to see of TGS 2011, in no particular order.
Starhawk


Ninja Gaiden 3


DmC




Street Fighter X Tekken


Dead or Alive 5 Pre-Alpha Tease


Be sure to voice your opinion in the comment section below and check back with GamersGameplay for any news, reviews, and tips.

Two Sweet Trailers For Street Fighter X Tekken

Street Fighter X Tekken is apparently trying to win Fighter of the Year in 2012. With so many great characters already announced and more to come, Capcom released two trailers to hype up fans for this clash-of-the-titans title. The first one is a CG Animated clip of Rufus vs Bob, the heavier fighters of the series, being goofy and fighting in Marshal Law's restaurant.





This second trailer is what it's all about. Showcasing off new modes, features, and characters. The Pandora feature which reminds me of the X-Factor in Marvel Vs Capcom 3 seems pretty awesome, changing the visual look to a darker tone of the character.





After seeing these two trailers, I can no longer fight off the urges to need the game. However it also has me questioning their other titles, such as Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3. If just judging by the trailers and features announced, SFXTekken is already a better product. Be sure to voice your opinion in the comment section below and check back at GamersGameplay for any future updates!

Ezio & Altair's Last Stand

This November 15, 2011 will tell the finale of Ezio Auditore and Altair from the Assassin's Creed universe. As a personal fan of the series, I can't wait to see how the story unfolds for these two and their connectivity through Desmond. This past week has been filled with various news for this title so here's a collection of all things related to Assassin's Creed: Revelations.

Multiplayer was a successful adventure for Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and Revelations will bring this feature back and expand on it. Ubisoft has confirmed a multiplayer beta for all PlaystationPlus and Uplay members which will be available on September 3 and run until the 11th of September, however it's unconfirmed if this beta will hit other platforms. The beta will host nine playable characters, three maps, and four different game modes.
Assassin's Creed II released several editions with a figurine of Ezio. Brotherhood chose to follow it's own path with it's special edition but Revelations will return to add another figurine to the collection. The awesome statue will stand 9" (22cm for all the collectible peeps) and features Ezio sporting his new gear found in Revelations. If obtaining one of this special figurines of Ezio Auditore is out of grasp, Neca Toys has released images of two new figurines that will be sold at two participating retailers. The un-hooded Ezio will reach Toys R Us this fall and the ebony version will hit GameStop shelves this October.

A live-action short series made some impact for the series on YouTube with the launch of Assassin's Creed Lineage. Seeing the visual style of Ubisoft's creation acted out with real people was a treat to a lot of the fans, however the length and little story involved left a void for more. To release alongside Revelations will be a computer generated film called "Assassin's Creed: Embers", which will expand a different look on an older Ezio and bring some closure to his saga. The Revelations panel at Comic-Con 2011 recommended players to watch Embers after completing the story of Revelations.



Altair made his debut in 2007 and introduced the world to the Assassin's Creed universe. Since then, the series has sold over 28 million units worldwide and has been established as one of the best new IP's for the next-generation consoles. To remind fans of their involving story or to help catch some newcomers up, Ubisoft released today a new fancy trailer recapping all things Assassin's Creed.



Personally, the trailer made me hyped up for the release of Revelations this November. Pushing the fun multiplayer aside, the ending of Ezio and Altair's journey will be the major selling point for fans of the series. The past Assassin's Creed's have had some unexpected endings to say the least and I highly doubt Revelations will be any different. Check back with GamersGameplay for a full review of Assassin's Creed: Revelations and be sure to voice your opinion the comment section below.