"I'm not smiling right now... this is how I look when I get scared" ROFL This is too funny... and he seems like a really nice guy. I know a couple of people I'd like to put in his place. - Blu
This game... is... challenging, and that's a good thing to an extent.
Hmmm... this game was what I thought it was... and then some.
Death's Gambit is a 2D "Souls-like" Metroidvania game, and I enjoy it... despite having my butt being handed to me many times. There is no doubt that number will go up the next time I play because there is always a tough enemy tucked in a lair somewhere... just waiting to end you (but you can't die... which I'll explain later). You don't have to go that far to encounter one of these boss enemies either... so keep the pain relieving ointment handy, and prepare to get your butt kicked as you build your character. I've been on the grind to level up so I can start to redistribute some of that pain... and it's pretty addictive.
Literally, I've been grinding... going back to the same area where I've found the most success to grind, and have leveled up to a good degree so far... while looking forward to slaying the enemies who sent me back to the drawing board. I can easily say that I'm a lot better than when I started (my archery skills can be used in a wild west style shootout at this point)... and I wanted to present you with the gameplay of that, but I recorded nearly 2 hours of white screen on new software. Yeah... THAT happened. That didn't exactly make my night, but... the show must go on.
In Death's Gambit, you are Sorun, an... undead agent of Death itself. I won't give away the story, but Sorun became a soldier like his mother... and clearly things didn't work out all that great because he's raised from the dead. He isn't just raised from the dead to run around and fight random enemies, he's part of a war waged against the legendary immortals of Siradon. Siradon is the land you venture into to take on your enemies... and some of them aren't even legendary immortals, but they can send you back to the drawing board wondering what the heck happened.
Sorun and Death have an interesting relationship... some of its comical, that got my attention. I appreciate that being added in to break things up, but... even then there some very weird eerie experiences in between gameplay. I'll give you one example... and one only. After Sorun was taken out at one point, he ended up on an island... so I tested out the water. I was able to run in it, it was shallow... so I began running (to the left). After I got a distance from the island, the skies turn dark (dark) and the water turn... red. I assume it was representing blood, and... I turned right back around and tried to run back to the island... but I ended up back in Siradon. It was trippy.
Speaking of the world of Siradon, what agent class do you want to represent while taking on its immortals? You have seven classes to choose from... like Soldier, Assassin, Blood Knight, Wizard, Noble, Sentinel, and Acolyte of Death. Their attributes and items vary, like the Soldier is an all-around fighter, while the Assassin is quick, and the Wizard uses ranged magic.
The Wizard starts off with a spellbook, while the Soldier has a sword. So you have options to approach your adventure... and even still, your movements and the way you fight can seal the deal at level 6 ahead of a level 10 if you approach the battle the right way.
Death's Gambit is packed with replay value. This 2D Action RPG is already challenging enough, but I doubt you can beat it in one seating. If you think you can... record yourself doing so. The same enemies may have you coming back again and again for a rematch... and even then, if you beat them... you can go back and give them a rematch in Heroic Mode (or start a new adventure in New Game Plus mode).
Outside of that, you also have replay value in unlocking the various Talents to boost Sorun's abilities. Using Talent Points gained in your adventure allows you to unlock talents like "Blood of the Phoenix", which lets you use feathers to remove minor status ailments and restores stamina when health is over 90%. You have 3 paths to choose from. Personally, I don't see the value in most of the talents, but that's based on my playstyle.
Replay value goes even further with Journals of Immortals. You find these journals regarding the various immortals and outside of information about that immortal... you deal 5% more damage against the boss (per book). So if you have 2 journals, that's 10% more damage to bring the pain. Like other games with achievements, the life of this game is further extended by the 34 Achievements that are available if you choose to go after them.
Visually... this is a cool looking 2D game with pixel graphics that take it easy on hard drive space and other CPU resources (LOVE IT). From the way the blades are wielded... to the way, you dismount from your horse... I think they did a great job with the animations. What would be awesome is the option to switch between pixel graphics and hand-drawn art that resembles Dragon's Crown.
Audio even sounds good. The in-game music is fitting for the adventure, but you also have the sound of the blade cutting through the air and even clinking if it hits a hard surface. Another cool sound is the releasing of the bow, and these are just to name a few things that help boost the immersive experience of this 2D game. They took what they had and made it pretty sweet... which also includes the price tag.
Price wise... the game is on point at $19.99, which is in the perfect spot. No more... no less... it's right where it needs to be. It would be sweeter at $15, but its home at $19.99.
One potential con for gamers... that I can't dock the game for... is its difficulty. Not everyone will enjoy the difficulty of Death's Gambit at all because some people don't see the enjoyment of a major challenge. The con I will put on this is... the lack of cloud saving, I can't continue on a laptop where I left off on a desktop in the office. So in order to continue a game... I have to go back to that specific PC. That sucks, I wanted to continue with my grind with a collective build up... but until they allow the cloud save... stick with the PC you game on most. PS4 gamers shouldn't have this problem.
Overall, this is an interesting adventure with enough depth and challenges to keep me coming back, and I appreciate the fact that it doesn't require a lot of juice so I can log hours on a laptop.
WILL YOU ANSWER THE CALL TO ADVENTURE? Egypt, 1930's. Erased from ancient history and buried in a nameless tomb for 4,000 years, Seteki the Witch Queen has risen once again.
Only one troop of daring heroes can stand against the fearsome power of Seteki and her army of mummified monstrosities: The Strange Brigade!
Explore remarkable ruins, solve perilous puzzles and uncover tantalizing treasure while blasting your way through an array of undead enemies in thrilling third-person action that’s certain to bring out your inner adventurer!
ONE GRIPPING ADVENTURE Hunt the foul Seteki through a rip-roaring campaign filled with dangerous dig sites, prodigious pyramids and crumbling caves packed with bountiful foes to send back to the afterlife. Explore alone or team up in 2-4 player online co-op!
FOUR FEARLESS FORTUNE HUNTERS Travel the ancient world as one of four dashing agents trained to tackle the supernatural. Unleash devastating magical powers and unload powerful prototype weapons such as the fire-spitting Krakatoa, the ice cold Chill Burster, and the brain-busting Blunderbuss!
A LEGION OF MALEVOLENT MONSTERS Seteki is not the only mythological menace to have awoken … she’s brought an army of loyal beasts with her! Face her many nefarious ne’er-do-wells, including moaning mummies, fire-breathing assassins, armor-plated minotaurs, giant scorpions and much, much worse!
TONS OF TERRIFYING TRAPS Keep an eye on your environment to find creative ways to boff your enemies! Decapitate the undead with spinning blades, fry them to a crisp with fire traps, crush them with a well-placed boulder and more. You wouldn’t set them on your teammates … would you?
OODLES OF PUZZLING Predicaments Keep those peepers peeled for suspicious clues, secret entrances and ancient contraptions that need re-awakening! Who knows what alluring treasures and buried riches await you on the other side…
+
Nintendo is taking a more direct approach to mobile!
I've been asked and told... and told... and told again about what happened with the shooting in Jacksonville, FL. We're safe, we didn't attend the Madden tournament, but for the people who did... our sincere condolences go out to them. This goes double for the families who lost loved ones at hands of the sore loser who followed up his murderous rampage by taking his own life.
When I heard what happened, my heart sank. - Yang
I'm a gamer... like the majority of people that access our site, and while many of us are sensible people, there are others who give all gamers a really bad name. From the racists to the trolls, the cheaters/hackers, the sexists, the swatters, and now... the mass murderers. Gaming has seen some incredible (and I do mean INCREDIBLE) strides, but... this is the lowest of the low.
WTH man?! - Luis D. Lucha
How did this maniac get the gun into the venue? Based on reports, he shouldn't have had a gun in the first place if he truly was disturbed. Where were the metal detectors? What about security? There are all sorts of questions that can be asked... and should be answered by any venues making their locations available for future gaming events. People go to game and spectate... not die or have to see a friend or family member taken from them. No event is worth attending if your life is at risk... so that could decrease attendance greatly, and... EA was already in hot water (now this).
Long live great gamers... the others can take a hike! - RkRk
Jacksonville Landing will surely get a flood of lawsuits as a result of this gun-wielding maniac being a sore loser, and possibly EA if they were to ensure they had their own security measures in place. This also risks future game tournaments and conventions being banned in venues unwilling to take the risk of someone being butthurt over a loss because it could result in a major financial loss for them... by way of another potential mass shooting.
He beat plenty of gamers... but wants to kill when he gets beat? Pure loser. - Blu
Gaming is open to all that like to play... and unfortunately, that includes the scum of the earth. If this is you... and you can't take an L online or in person without damaging something or harming someone, stick with single player games. We can seriously do without you around because the risk isn't worth it. Not one of these scum can ever complain about new rules and regulations that further restrict gamers... because they're the ones responsible. These are the people who give companies a valid reason to put a stranglehold on certain things and I'm tired of them. They should seriously create they're own online community and stay there.
SQUARE ENIX UNVEILS LINEUP AND EVENTS FOR PAX WEST 2018
Game Demos for DRAGON QUEST XI, KINGDOM HEARTS III, LIFE IS STRANGE 2 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider Available on the Show Floor
LOS ANGELES (Aug. 23, 2018) – From August 31 - September 3, SQUARE ENIX® will host gameplay demos, giveaways, panels and a variety of interactive events at PAX West 2018, held at the Washington State Convention Center. At Booth #2141 attendees will be able to play DRAGON QUEST® XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age™, KINGDOM HEARTS III, LIFE IS STRANGE® 2, Shadow of the Tomb Raider™, and THE QUIET MAN™. Advance tickets to play the KINGDOM HEARTS III demo will be distributed at the booth at 10:00 a.m. Pacific each day.
SQUARE ENIX will also host a series of developer panels and events at PAX West, providing fans with an in-depth look at the latest game developments and upcoming updates.
EXPANDING THE LIFE IS STRANGE UNIVERSE Friday, August 31, 12:00 PM, Wyvern Theater Join writer Christian Divine and key figures from the LIFE IS STRANGE 2 development team as they take you behind the scenes of their most ambitious game in the series to date. Discover how they apply the core concepts of the LIFE IS STRANGE franchise to bring the relatable characters and realistic environments in the LIFE IS STRANGE Universe to life. Learn how they tackle the challenges of telling a branching story of education and brotherhood within an evolving episodic narrative adventure.
LIFE IS STRANGE 2 FAN MEET UP PARTY with What’s Good Games Friday, August 31 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM at Unicorn 1118 E. Pike Street Relax at PAX with the team from What’s Good Games and developers from DONTNOD Entertainment to celebrate the upcoming launch of the first episode of LIFE IS STRANGE 2. Share your favorite moments from the series, enjoy refreshments and a chance to win games, SQUARE ENIX prizes and custom What’s Good Games items.
JUST CAUSE 4 SHOWCASE Saturday, September 1, 11:30 AM, Hydra Theater Join key members of the JUST CAUSE 4™ development team - Avalanche Studios - as they talk exclusively about the next game in the hugely popular, multi-million selling JUST CAUSE series. Set in the fictional South American world of Solis, JUST CAUSE 4 takes the incredible destruction and unique physics the series is known for to a whole new level with the introduction of fully simulated tornadoes and other Extreme Weather events. Rico Rodriguez returns in JUST CAUSE 4 with his trademark parachute, wingsuit and, of course his grappling hook, now enhanced with new functionality and fully customisable, making it the most powerful and creative tool the player has ever had.
SHADOW OF THE TOMB RAIDER - Uncovering the Hidden City of Paititi Saturday, September 1, 4;30 PM, Wyvern Theater Shadow of the Tomb Raider is filled with many surprises and secrets. Perhaps the biggest discovery Lara Croft® will make is the hidden city of Paititi, a civilization untouched by modern culture and the largest hub ever created in a Tomb Raider® game. Moderated by Andrea Rene, join the team behind Lara Croft’s defining moment as she becomes the Tomb Raider. The panel will feature Dan Chayer-Bisson (Game Director), Mario Chabtini (Senior Producer), and Rich Briggs (Senior Brand Director).
Creator of the legendary DRAGON QUEST series, Yuji Horii, will also be attending and participating in photo sessions at the SQUARE ENIX booth on Saturday, September 1, at the following times:
Session #1: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Session #2: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Session #3: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
A limited number of tickets will be distributed at the DRAGON QUEST area of the booth starting at 10:00 a.m. the day before each session and the day of each session. Lucky attendees who receive a ticket will have the chance to meet the famed creator and receive one photograph together.
Other activities at the SQUARE ENIX booth include:
Win a Shadow of the Tomb Raider inspired custom Xbox One X console by participating in an Instagram Relic Hunt
Have a chance to win early copies of DRAGON QUEST XI for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system by participating in a photo contest on site
Check out members of the talented FINAL FANTASY® XV modding community as they create mods for FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION live on the show floor
Participate in a photo booth featuring backgrounds from KINGDOM HEARTS III, DISSIDIA®FINAL FANTASYOPERA OMNIA™ and STAR OCEAN®: ANAMNESIS™
View the KINGDOM HEARTS III Toy Story Keyblade and Shooting Star Keyblade on display
Daily giveaways at the booth, while supplies last, include:
KINGDOM HEARTS III PopSockets, each day at 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY™ hand fans
FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS® bags
DISSIDIAFINAL FANTASY OPERA OMNIA and STAR OCEAN: ANAMNESIS buttons featuring the characters of the game
THE QUIET MAN posters
Fans can compete in the FINAL FANTASY Trading Card Game (“FFTCG”) Crystal Cup tournament, held at the Westin Seattle Hotel’s Pine Ballroom on September 1st & 2nd. Players who pre-register for the tournament will compete for a seat at this year’s FFTCG North American Championship. New players are invited to visit the SQUARE ENIX booth for lessons, while experienced players can participate in Gunslinger Challenges to earn Premium Foil FFTCG Cards! Chocobo™’s Crystal Hunt card game demos and tournaments will also be available at the booth’s merchandise section. More information, including how to pre-register for the FINAL FANTASY Trading Card Game Crystal Cup tournament, is available at:fftradingcardgame.com.
The full lineup of SQUARE ENIX games includes:
DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY OPERA OMNIA Platform: iOS® and Android® Developer: Square Enix, Koei Tecmo Available: Now Available DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY OPERA OMNIA continues the DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY adventure on mobile devices, where players can form parties from dozens of their favorite FINAL FANTASY heroes and villains and equip them with a variety of weapons from the series. The mobile game features an extensive story and strategic turn-based combat that the FINAL FANTASY series is known for.
DRAGON QUEST XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age Platform: PlayStation®4 system, STEAM® Developer: Square Enix ESRB: T (Teen) Available: September 4, 2018 DRAGON QUEST XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age tells a captivating tale of a hunted hero and is the long-awaited role-playing game from series creator Yuji Horii, character designer Akira Toriyama, and composer Koichi Sugiyama. While it is the eleventh mainline entry in the critically acclaimed series,DRAGON QUEST XI is a completely standalone experience that features entirely new characters, a beautifully detailed world, finely tuned strategic combat, and an immersive story that will appeal to longtime fans and franchise newcomers alike.
FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS Platform: iOS, Android, Amazon Developer: Square Enix, gumi Inc. Available: Available Now Reaching its second anniversary earlier this year and recently surpassing 30 million downloads worldwide, FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS is a full-scale FINAL FANTASY adventure made for mobile devices. Fusing together the epic features of all FINAL FANTASY titles, including a captivating story and a classic turn-based battle system with a simplified mobile interface and pixel art style, FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS is an adventure appealing to both newcomers and long-term fans alike.
FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION Platform: STEAM, Origin, Windows 10 Developer: Square Enix ESRB: T (Teen) Available: Now FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION brings ultimate 4K quality to the acclaimed RPG along with add-on content and new features. Join Prince Noctis and his closest friends as they fight against the empire in an effort to reclaim their fallen kingdom. Players can now enjoy the FINAL FANTASY XV base game, all season pass content, all-new side quests and enemies, and more.
KINGDOM HEARTS III Platform: Xbox One and PlayStation®4 system Developer: Square Enix ESRB: Rating Pending Available: January 29, 2019 In the upcoming action RPG, KINGDOM HEARTS III, players can join forces with Donald Duck and Goofy for the adventure of a lifetime traveling across worlds based on beloved films like Disney•Pixar’sToy Story, and Monsters, Inc., and Walt Disney Studios’ Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Hero 6, Tangled, Frozen and more. Attendees will be able to experience a boss battle against the Rock Titan from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Hercules and uncover the Toy Box world from Toy Story alongside Woody and Buzz.
LIFE IS STRANGE 2 Platform: Xbox One, PlayStation®4 system, Windows PC Developer: DONTNOD Entertainment ESRB: Rating Pending Available: September 27, 2018 The award-winning LIFE IS STRANGE series continues with an incredible new 5-episode story from original developers, DONTNOD Entertainment. Experience an all-new journey into the LIFE IS STRANGE universe, a diverse world of storytelling that will solidify the franchise as a source of immersive narrative adventures for years to come.
MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY Platform: iOS, Android and STEAM Developer: Square Enix ESRB: T (Teen) Available: Now Available MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY is an all-original FINAL FANTASY RPG game custom-tailored for mobile platforms, featuring in-depth character customization, ongoing live events, and HD graphics that push the boundaries of the mobile platform. The story centers around a man who wakes up in a world called Palamecia with no memories of his past, tasked with bringing hope to the world by unraveling a mysterious prophecy around the legendary warrior of light. Played by well over 10 million players worldwide, the game was created by an all-star development team including producer Yoshinori Kitase and writer Kazushige Nojima.
STAR OCEAN: ANAMNESIS Platform: iOS, Android Developer: tri-Ace ESRB: M (Mature) Available: Now Available A brand new journey in the popular sci-fi STAR OCEAN series, STAR OCEAN: ANAMNESIS, the mobile action RPG, puts players in the captain’s chair as they lead a squad of heroes across the galaxy. With fast-paced real-time combat, gorgeous 3D graphics, and a brand new co-op multiplayer mode, players have the freedom to build endless strategic and iconic teams with returning all-star characters from the beloved series.
THE QUIET MAN Platform: PlayStation®4 system, STEAM Developer: Human Head Studios ESRB: M (Mature) Available: TBD THE QUIET MAN takes players beyond sound and words to deliver an immersive story-driven cinematic action experience, which players can complete in one sitting, seamlessly blending high-production live action, realistic CG and pulse-pounding action gameplay. The story unravels across a single night with the player taking the role of deaf protagonist, Dane. He fights through a “soundless” world to discover the reason behind the kidnapping of songstress Lala.