Retro Review: Eternal Sonata

Originally posted on D-Pad.co.uk

Lost in the shuffle of Halo 3, Super Mario Galaxy, and the plethora of Triple-A games released in 2007 was Microsoft's umpteenth attempt to crack the Japanese market.

Eternal Sonata is an RPG centred on legendary Polish composer Frederic Chopin. Developed by tri-Crescendo, the makers of the Baten Kaitos series, Eternal Sonata takes place in an imaginary world conceived by a terminally-ill Chopin on his deathbed.

The story is based on teens Allegretto and flower-girl Polka's quest to stop the evil (and prepubescent) Count Waltz. The Count has raised taxes to a ludicrous level, and our heroes set out to obtain an audience with Waltz to air their misgivings. Instead, events escalate, threatening to throw the whole world into turmoil. Chopin himself features in the main story but curiously, as a side character. Chopin must have been a very humble man to consign himself a bit character in his own dream.

As the world is based in Chopin's mind, music plays a big part in Eternal Sonata; The main characters are named after musical terms (other than Chopin himself). Pianist Stanislav Bunin faithfully recreates Chopin's pieces. In addition, the game features original music composed by the prolific Motoi Sakuraba.

The game's events are inspired by Chopin's life story, such as the rebellion sub-plot, which has similarities to the Polish–Russian War 1830–31. Main heroine Polka suffers from a terminal illness similar to the one that befell Chopin. In the world of Chopin's dream, the side-effect of a terminal illness is the ability to wield magic. The story is complex and has many underlying themes, with no clear plot; the story is hard to invest in and will fade from your memory after completion. tri-Crescendo has to be applauded though, for creating a story based on high taxes and tuberculosis.

Two playthroughs are required to experience everything the game offers fully. Eternal Sonata's Encore Mode would suitably challenge hardened gamers. The mode is unlocked after one playthrough; the enemies in Encore deal out 1.5x damage, have 2x HP and are more aggressive in battles.

Despite being released over seven years ago, Eternal Sonata still looks impressive as it did in late 2007. The colours are vivid, and the cell-shading creates an Anime feature-film look. In addition, the monsters of Eternal Sonata are highly imaginative; watch out for the flying goat and oversized onion.

The PS3 version – released a year after the 360 game – includes exclusive playable characters and new areas. Regardless of the system, Eternal Sonata will satisfy underserved JRPG fans or those wanting to sample something different, which Eternal Sonata most definitely is.

Overall

Colourful, original and bonkers. Eternal Sonata is unlike any game this gen. The gameplay might not be revolutionary, but the vivid graphics, whimsical music and unique story hit the right notes

7/10

Deadline Day Drama!

It was 2024 in Football Manager.

In this playthrough, I had accomplished a lot: Winning Euro 2020 with England, bringing the World Cup home in 2022 and lifting my first trophy in any FM game with my favourite team, Newcastle United (the Europa League). After a successful first season at Real Madrid, capturing La Liga and the Copa Del Rey, I aimed to win The Treble.

The Winter Transfer Window was about to close, and my last remaining RW, Agustin Allione, had been ruled out for three months with an injury. I needed to buy another Right Winger desperately. After a quick search, I decided to bring in disgruntled 29-year-old Raheem Sterling from Man Utd. I had worked with Sterling at Newcastle and in the England setup. After I departed for Real Madrid from Newcastle, they sold him to Man Utd, who proceeded to do nothing with him. Man U had no quibble to sell.

But I had depleted all of my sizable budget in the Summer Window after spending £70 Mil on forward Marcel Masio (a regen, or in other words - a fake player) and £66 Mil for Ballon d'Or winner Jack Wilshire. I had to sell someone.

I put 25-year-old Brazillian Paco (another regen) up for sale for £15 Mil (Man U were selling Sterling for £10 Mil). Paco could play LW, LM, CM and AM. I didn't want to sell him because he was valuable as a sub, but Paco had grown frustrated and had asked to leave earlier, so he was the obvious choice. He was a great player but wasn't good enough for the Real first 11. I quickly arranged a contract with Sterling, but Paco was fielding offers from a plethora of clubs and was taking his time signing with anyone. His payback for his time on the bench, no doubt. I had to delay and eventually cancel the Sterling deal due to a lack of funds.

It was now Deadline Day; I signed and agreed on terms with Sterling twice, only to cancel because that indecisive bastard Paco still hadn't decided on a team (and every time I rebid Man U drove the price up by £1 mil). Paco finally signed with a club (Spurs). After another bid and contract offer, I thought I got Sterling, but to my horror, the Madrid board took most of the transfer cash! The board left me with a paltry £5 mil. Sterling signed with AC Milan at the last moment of Deadline Day.

There was still a gap in my squad, so I bought up a youngster from Castilla, Joshua Oyala. A fairly promising winger. Trush in youth, eh?

I started him against Atl Madrid. His poor tackle cost us a penalty, the game and our undefeated record in the league.

...FUUUUU

Inazuma Eleven GO Review

Originally posted on D-Pad.co.uk

GO comes in two versions: Light and Shadow. The difference between the two games is minor: a few special attacks, teams, and a returning character from the previous Inazuma trilogy. This review is based on the Light Version of the game.

Released to coincide with this year's World Cup, Inazuma Eleven GO has finally dribbled onto our shores (GO has been available in Japan since Dec 2011).

Set 10 years after the original Inazuma trilogy, the game follows wide-eyed Arion Sherwind and the rest of the Raimon High School football team as they battle Fifth Sector. This corrupt governing body seeks to control every aspect of football (no relation to actual events).

Inazuma Eleven's unique blend of football, Anime, and RPG has failed to catch on outside of Japan, but could GO score the winning goal?

Behind GO's cheery exterior lies an engaging plot. Fifth Sector governs football with an iron fist going as far as predetermining outcomes of games. Fifth Sector orders Raimon High School to lose their opening game; with the urging of newcomer Arion, Raimon decides to go against the script and play to win. GO is structured like an Anime and the game's plot and art style is reminiscent of mid-2000 Anime's such as Beyblade and Yu-Gi-Oh. Occasional animated cutscenes appear in pivotal moments. Produced by the studio behind the Pokémon anime – OLM – these segments are of the highest quality. There's even a cheery Anime opening title that I guarantee you'll be humming within in a few days.

Arion loves 'The Football' (yes, he refers to football as a person) and won't stand for Fifth Sector's crooked approach to the game. Arion is a prototypical Shounen character in the vein of Goku from Dragon Ball and countless others, but that doesn't make Arion less of an affable lead. Other members of the team include the implausibly short, Jean-Pierre – or JP for short – and troubled Captain Riccardo Di Rigo. The character designs are outstanding, with each central cast member having a distinct look.

The great work done by Level 5 on design has been hampered by the localization team, who have given certain characters new 'English' personalities, the worst of which is midfielder Ade and his comical Geordie accent. Other English terms such as "Innit" and "Lad" appear innocuously. Whilst the story is left untouched, this unnecessary altering is a throwback to a best-forgotten chapter of gaming.

Matches are controlled via the stylus, with the buttons only used to move the camera. The controls are fiddly to get a hang off, especially for those not used to touch controls but the movements are intuitive enough for you to master as the game progresses.

There are two types of matches in GO; full 11 vs 11 football games and 5-a-side battles that the player can found around the game world. The 5v5 games are only 15 seconds, although time is paused whenever an action is being conducted, meaning these battles are closer to 1-2 minutes. A 5-a-side game can be triggered by finding an eager opponent on the game map (no random battles, thankfully). The requirements to win are winning the ball, keeping the ball (quite tricky) or that old fav, Next Goal Wins.

The big matches are much thornier. To advance the story, the game requires you to perform actions, such as getting a specific player (usually Arion) into the penalty box, which can be a pain with ten players hounding on you. Ironically, Inazuma's plot is centred on match-fixing, yet the big games are heavily scripted. At times it feels as if you're watching the story rather than playing it. After fulfilling said objectives, the game allows you to run free. Much like in the plot, that's when the game comes alive. Despite that grumble, the big games are bundles of fun and have a great atmosphere; you'll be raring to play the matches as if you're a member of Raimon yourself.

The learning curve is steeper than you would expect for such a 'cutesy' game. Curiously, GO doesn't display the opposition's level before a game, resulting in frustrating bouts against mini Tim Howards. However, that frustration is worth it for the oh-so-sweet moment you finally get one in the net.

GO introduces Fighting Spirits to the series- Inazuma's take on summoning monsters. Only select players can unleash Spirits. They are essentially clear shots at goal. The player can only unleash Spirits in story battles, but after completion, you can freely use them at any time.

Graphically, the game looks outstanding and is comparable to Level 5's PS2 title Dragon Quest VIII. Switching 3D on actually detracts from the visual. Leave that slider alone! The soundtrack is superb and perfectly meshes with the game. One gripe is the lack of variety in the music department. GO uses the same BGM whilst out-and-about in the game world and during battles. In critical moments though, the soundtrack accompanies the game beautifully.

Inazuma Eleven is unlike any series out in the market. If it was released a decade earlier, when Anime was still on television and Japanese games resonated outside of their home country, I'm convinced Inazuma would've achieved more success. The poor localization is regrettable, but it doesn't hinder the quality GO exudes. If you enjoy football, Anime, or RPGs, GO should have a place in your starting eleven.

Overall

Inazuma Eleven GO is a unique RPG boasting an intriguing story and charming characters, let down slightly by a shoddy localization. Perfect for young and old gamers alike, Inazuma scores a screamer.

8/10

XBOX Event Report

Originally posted on D-Pad.co.uk

Microsoft brought E3 to a hidden corner of West London.

The company invited a select group of gamers and journalists to get hands-on with titles first previewed at last month's E3. I managed to wrangle myself itself an invite; here are some thoughts on the day:

Not announced beforehand, FIFA 15 made a surprise appearance at the event. A new feature touted by EA is Emotional Intelligence. Whenever players miss a shot, or a decision doesn't go their way, they are considerably more animated than before. But the issue of the 'dead eyes' persists. Other than that, the game looked great (the pitch degenerated through the match) and played superbly. Two new tactical options have been added on the side of Ultra Defensive and Ultra Offensive: Park The Bus and All-Out Attack, respectively. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to test out All-Out Attack, but Park The Bus is precisely just that. My entire midfield line raced back to the penalty box when I moved that slider all the way left.

Sunset Overdrive was the event's showpiece, with most of the screens in the room dedicated to Insomniac Games first Xbox title. What immediately stood out about Overdrive was the vivid colours. There wasn't a grey or black in sight. I was having so much fun blowing stuff up with the plethora of weapons on offer that I had to be reminded by an Insomniac employee on the objectives to be completed. Believe the hype.

Forza Horizon 2 continues to attempt to fill the hole left by Project Gotham Racing. Being quite rusty with the racing genre, I hit the curb once or twice (or fifty times). A neat addition for terrible drivers like myself is the rewind feature which allows you to turn back time and skid into a different hay bale.

The game that attracted the most attention was Evolve. The co-op FPS from the creators of Left 4 Dead garnered many awards at E3, including "Best of Show", and It was not hard to see why. Evolve is a five-player co-op game. One player plays as the monster whose role is to avoid the four others who seek to stop him. The beast gradually evolves (hence the title) throughout the game, with three levels in all. Expect the phrase "This isn't even my final form" to be uttered frequently. Playing as one of the chasing squad, I felt like a part of a sci-fi thriller. Eventually, we killed the monster just before it almost wiped out our entire squad. Evolve will be one to watch.

Fable Legends also implements the same four-versus-one concept as Evolve, but the two games are miles apart in terms of quality. The controls were muddled, and attacks didn't hit solidly. Granted, this was an early demo, but every other game on show is scheduled for release in a similar timeframe and didn't look as shoddy. It's time for Lionhead to leave Albion and create a game that is not Fable.

Assassin's Creed Unity and Halo: The Master Chief Collection were at the event but not playable to the public. The fellow demoing The Master Chief Collection for us displayed Halo 2 Anniversary's split-second toggling between the old and new visuals of the original Xbox title. This game is packed with features and will undoubtedly delight Halo fans.

Also on show was Alien Isolation and four ID@XBOX titles.

It’s Time To End The Traditional E3 Press Conference

Originally posted on D-Pad.co.uk

For an industry as exciting and progressive as video games, why is our most important event so dull?

I don’t equate “gaming” with nervous developers listlessly talking about video games future. The live E3 show has become stale, and no smoke machine or massive LCD will rectify that. The solution, though, has come from the world’s oldest game developer, Nintendo. The annual media briefing should be taken off the stage and put straight onto the net

Nintendo might be lagging in sales, but they are miles ahead of Sony and Microsoft with their approach to E3. For the second year in a row, Nintendo shunned the bright and expensive lights of Los Angeles for a pre-recorded showcase. Expertly produced, the Nintendo Digital Event had more vibrancy and life than any of the arena briefings. The Robot Chicken segments were inspired, as was the bonkers duel between Reggie and Iwata to introduce Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS. In addition, the Luigi Death Stare cameo illustrated Nintendo’s connection with the community better than Phil Spencer and his plethora of indie game T-Shirts.

In a pre-recorded conference, Andrew Wilson would be 10% less douchey

A recently released video from Microsoft showed the incredible effort the company goes through to produce their conference; they plan for E3 months in advance. A pre-recorded briefing would require considerably less time and save the company loads, allowing them to get on with the important work. EA are already halfway on the road to a pre-recorded show; most of their conference this year consisted of behind-the-scenes footage.

The most exciting part of the media briefings is the appearance of a surprise game, such as the Uncharted 4 reveal at the end of Sony’s show this year. In a pre-recorded show, there will still be that surprise factor. In fact, it would be harder for leaks to spill out as Sony would produce the show in-house. The only thing missing would be the yelping fanboys.

The E3 pressers have provided us with some memorable moments, but it has given us a lot more cringe and boredom. Gaming has changed drastically since the first E3 press conference; now it’s time for the companies to catch up on how they talk to gamers.

7 Directions for Brock Lesnar in WWE

The unthinkable has occurred. The Streak has been broken.

The consensus among fans was that if The Streak were to end, then an up-and-coming superstar like Roman Reigns or Bray Wyatt should be “The One” to defeat The Undertaker at WrestleMania.

Coupled with the poor build-up and Lesnar’s established rep as a star, the belief was that ‘The Beast’ would be “just another victim” (to quote Taz). He didn’t need the title of “Streak Conqueror” to his already lofty trophy cabinet.

After the jaw-dropping outcome, Lesnar now holds that honour (whether people like it or not), but how should WWE capitalize on Lesnar’s historic feat? Brock’s appearance on the Raw after WM did not indicate the’ The Beast’s future direction. Here’s seven scenario’s WWE could utilize for Lesnar.

vs Taker at WrestleMania 31: Career vs Career

Much like when Undertaker sought vengeance against Triple H for the beat down ‘The Game’ inflicted on him at WrestleMania 27, surely Taker would want revenge against Lesnar for ending his precious Streak.

In this scenario, The Undertaker returns in the run-up to ‘Mania 31, demanding a match with Lesnar. ‘The Beast’ approves, but only if Taker puts his career on the line. Taker goads Lesnar into agreeing to the same stipulation. Lesnar - full of confidence after already beating Taker at ‘Mania, acquiesces to Takers demands. In the build-up, WWE could reveal that Taker has never beaten Lesnar one-on-one (a fact WWE didn’t bring up in the run-up to WM30).

Undoubtedly, an Undertaker WM match’s most significant selling point is gone, but WWE in 2015 would be all-but-out of the Pay-Per-View business. Getting fans to buy the WWE Network for $9.99 is their priority; the days of trying to shift a WrestleMania for $60 are over; WWE PPV’s are essentially just monthly specials; a marquee match at WrestleMania has less importance.

Lesnar’s contract expires at ‘Mania 31, and if the rumours are true, ‘The Beast’ is clamouring for a return to the UFC. The consensus among wrestling fans is that The Undertaker would retire when someone breaks The Streak, so if he were to return for one more match at Mania 31, it would undoubtedly be his last.

One’s man career will come to an end; it’ll be a can’t miss encounter.

vs Kane

On the ‘Mania after Raw, Stephanie McMahon told Kane to forget about “what happened to your brother at WrestleMania.” It’s been a long time since WWE mentioned Kane and The Undertaker’s relationship, so there could be a reason for Steph’s seemingly throwaway comment.

Kane would slowly start to defy The Authority. Finally, after he’s had enough of being Triple H and Steph’s lapdog, Kane would tear off his suit and revert to “The Monster.” He would reveal that his anger is not directed against The Authority but against the man who ended his brother’s career, Brock Lesnar.

Kane would demand a match with Lesnar. Paul Heyman agrees, but with one caveat, ‘The Big Red Monster’ would have to put his career on the line. Kane is winding down his in-ring contributions, and what better way for Kane to bow out than in a headline match with Brock Lesnar. After despatching Kane, Lesnar and Heyman would have even more to crow about, ending both of The Brothers of Destruction’s careers.

WWE could also concoct a reason for why Kane joined The Authority in the first place.

vs. the WWE World Champion at WrestleMania 31

After some time away from WWE, Lesnar (alongside Heyman) makes a surprising return on Raw, decimating 3MB/Zack Ryder or some other disposable talent. Heyman lists Lesnar’s numerous accolades (again), including his most impressive – ending The Streak. But there is one more thing Lesnar wants to accomplish: Becoming WWE World Heavyweight Champion. And he wants to lift the title in the main event of WrestleMania 31. The Authority would have no choice but to accept.

This challenge would nullify the Royal Rumble, but WWE has already butchered the Rumble winner’s prize over the years. The winners of the past nine Rumbles have only main-evented WrestleMania three times and won once. Fans will primarily watch the event on the WWE Network – which should be accessible to the rest of the English speaking world by Jan 2015, so buyrates would not be a priority. WWE can change the Rumble prize to a World Championship match at Elimination Chamber, opening up a bigger pool of potential winners, creating a more exciting match.

No one can argue with Lesnar’s credentials; he won the biggest prize in all of WWE. A match in the main event losing to whoever the champion is (hopefully, still Daniel Bryan) would be a fitting farewell for Lesnar.

vs Cesaro

Cesaro’s baffling switch to the Paul Heyman camp could be a set-up for a Cesaro vs Lesnar match at SummerSlam. A match between the two would be a spectacle and a career-making moment for Cesaro. Brock has only fought “stars” since his return to WWE in 2012. A match against an up-and-comer like Cesaro would be a fresh feud the vocal WWE hardcores can get behind.

The likeable ‘King of Swing’ could be a valuable asset for WWE in Europe with his ability to speak six different languages; he could become the biggest star in Europe since Bret Hart. A victory over Lesnar would be a boon for Cesaro, but it’s unlikely WWE will allow ‘The Swiss Superman’ to defeat Lesnar right after The Beast ended The Streak. But a competitive showing by Cesaro would be enough to establish him as a main-eventer in WWE.

The sight of Cesaro giving Lesnar a Cesaro Swing would be a career-maker by itself.

vs CM Punk II

Punk walked on WWE after this year’s Royal Rumble for a multitude of reasons. One of those could have been that his much-anticipated feud with Lesnar ended. Lesnar ended with a one-and-done match, which Punk lost. However, a way to tempt Punk back would be to dangle a rematch with Lesnar in front of him.

The previous feud between the two didn’t meet the expected heights. The second time around, I’m sure both men would set out to tell a more compelling story. Heyman is currently at the top of his game on the microphone. A verbal duel between him and Punk over CM’s genuine walk-out would be must-watch TV.

Lesnar’s monster aura is even more enhanced after accomplishing what Punk couldn’t, beating The Streak. The match between the two at SummerSlam last year was voted Match of The Year by many publications. However, the two are capable of bettering their SS bout.

vs Batista

A long-time dream match that has yet to materialize in WWE (the two clashed in OVW when both were rookies).

This scenario would involve Lesnar turning babyface on Heyman. Considering that WWE has Lesnar for a limited number of dates, WWE doesn’t have the luxury of doing a ‘slow burn.’ Instead, they could do the turn in one long segment. Here’s how it would play out: Lesnar and Heyman are in the ring. Heyman is gloating, referring to himself as the greatest manager of all time and the man who beat The Streak. This boast will irk Lesnar as he is the one who pinned Taker. Heyman would argue that Lesnar would be nothing without him. Lesnar would be fuming, and the crowd will be clamouring to see Lesnar destroy Heyman. Right when Lesnar is going to attack Heyman, Batista runs in from behind and clocks Lesnar. Batista reveals himself as the newest Paul Heyman Guy.

There is the potential, though, of the match divulging into a giant mess. When two’ power guys’ like Batista and Lesnar clash, the results are not usually pretty, Lesnar vs Goldberg being a prime example. Although, WWE’s vindictive match layout is considered the primary reason for the poor quality of the bout.

If WWE layouts a compelling match and if both men perform in front of an appreciative crowd, this dream match may be a classic.

vs Bryan – WWE World Championship at SummerSlam

The most logical and likely match to make for SummerSlam. Lesnar’s storyline reason for returning this year was to win the WWE World Title before he got sidetracked by The Undertaker.

After defeating Batista, Orton and Triple H in the spring and summer, The Authority would be at their wits ends on how to strip Daniel Bryan of the belts. In enters Lesnar.

Bryan can match anyone’s style; this would be a classic bout and one where the outcome could go either way. WWE would be insane not to do this match.

Stand by for Titanfall: Xbox’s Counterattack

Originally posted on D-Pad.co.uk

The biggest game so far this gen and Microsoft's hope to turn the console war is incoming…

Pac-Man & The Ghostly Adventures.

...

Titanfall is also out this week.

Xbox One's UK price cut was Microsoft's most notable move since the arrival of the Xbone and PlayStation 4. Adding more indignation to early adopters, Microsoft also announced a Titanfall bundle. The current price cut only applies to the UK but don't be surprised if Microsoft slashes prices of Xbox One's globally; Sony's PS4 has out-sold Microsoft's console 2-to-1

It was clear this was going to be an intense battle; the Xbox One and PS4 launched a mere seven days apart. Boasting an almost identical line-up, specs and design, it's hard for general consumers to differentiate between the consoles.

Bad press has blighted The Xbox One from early on; the backlash Microsoft had to endure after gamers roundly rejected their always-online policy made the PSN hack story seem a million years ago. The issue over Xbox One's inability to play games at 1080p was another – albeit minor – bullet in the brand. Ultimately, the critical difference between the two machines has been the PlayStation 4's lower price. So when presented with two parallel machines, it's no surprise that shoppers have opted for the lower-priced model.

While Sony has other interests, such as their electronic and movie divisions, the PlayStation brand has always been a focal point in Sony's portfolio. The company's CEO, Kazuo Hirai (he of "RIIIIDGE RACER!" fame), obtained his position on the strength of his work on the PlayStation. Hirai is always seated front row for Sony's annual E3 conference; his commitment to PlayStation is firm.

The Xbox, in contrast, is treated like the red-headed step-child of the Microsoft family. Overshadowed by the lofty Windows, the Xbox has never been able to shake the 'novelty' project label. Investors have urged new CEO Satya Nadella to abandon the Xbox brand. Nadella's stance on the Xbox remains to be seen; he had little interaction with the brand on his ascend. Phil Spencer has stated that Nadella is a "supporter" of Xbox, but Nadella has not gone on record expressing his views on the gaming device. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is convinced that the company should sell the Xbox brand.

The Xbox, in contrast, is treated like the red-headed step-child of the Microsoft family. Overshadowed by the lofty Windows, the Xbox has never been able to shake the 'novelty' project label. Investors have urged new CEO Satya Nadella to abandon the Xbox brand. Nadella's stance on the Xbox remains to be seen; he had little interaction with the brand on his ascend. Phil Spencer has stated that Nadella is a "supporter" of Xbox, but Nadella has not gone on record expressing his views on the gaming device. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is convinced that the company should sell the Xbox brand.

Analysts estimate that the Xbox brand loses $2 Billion annually. With Microsoft losing money elsewhere, the Entertainment division (which includes the Xbox) would be the first to taste the sword.

Titanfall drops this week on Xbox One and PC, followed by an Xbox 360 release next week (Yes, Titanfall is on Xbox 360). In promotional material, Microsoft is touting the Xbox One version of the game as the lead platform.

Open betas, bundles, limited edition console, Microsoft has put their promotional muscle behind Titanfall. The reaction to the game has been unanimously positive. The hype behind Titanfall is reminiscent of the furore surrounding another First Person Shooter that Microsoft was banking on kick-starting a console, Halo. Whilst Halo and its sequel sold exceptionally well and helped MS sell thousands of Xboxes, the original Xbox didn't come close to the overall sales figure of the PS2. As a result, the machine lost a staggering $4 billion.

The exclusives will decide this console generation; HDD space and 1080p are fringe issues. Microsoft snatched up many of Sony's gems last-gen; Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy and even Tekken made the trip to Seattle. The only series Sony can rely on is their first-party games, which are a mixed bag. As fun as Infamous and God of War are, neither will convince fence-sitting gamers to hop over. Gran Turismo has lost its spark and is released too infrequently to make a difference. And no, those extra 60 minutes of Watch Dogs isn't going to be a gen-winner.

Sony's ace is undoubtedly Naughty Dog; the studio has delivered many of Sony's greatest games and arguably the best overall game last-gen, The Last of Us. Despite the strength of Naughty Dog, recent history has shown that it's FPS's that sell consoles – Not action-adventures games. Sony should focus on obtaining the rights to Titanfall's inevitable sequel.

With Nintendo getting out of the console race, it's a two-way battle between Microsoft and Sony. Both consoles are very similar and expensive; it's likely consumers will only pick one. If Titanfall doesn't shift as many Xbox One's as MS requires, it doesn't automatically spell the end, but it'll be a blow the Xbox will be hard-pressed to come back from.

Jimmy Fallon: Gaming's Entryway to Prime Time

Originally posted on D-Pad.co.uk

Jimmy Fallon isn't well-known outside the United States, but it's a name gamers should familiarize themselves with; he's one of us.

Last week, Fallon began his tenure as host of The Tonight Show on NBC with a ridiculously star-laden opening. Fallon took over from long-running host Jay Leno.

Fallon fronted the eponymous Late Night with Jimmy Fallon for five years; the show followed the Tonight Show in the less desirable timeslot of 0.30 am. Fallon targeted a younger demographic via social media integration and, of course, video games. Fallon himself is a gamer and is passionate about the genre; he frequently referenced video games on Late Night (including this zinger at Nintendo) and would bring on developers for live game demonstrations. It was hard for Fallon to hide his glee in these segments. Fallon's enthusiasm is a stark contrast to fellow talk show host Conan O'Brien, who absentmindedly tries his hand at video games in a segment on his show titled Clueless Gamer.

The Tonight Show is an institution; it's been on the air since 1954 and historically garners an older audience than Late Night along with a higher level of celebrity – President Obama has been a frequent guest of the programme.

NBC (the American network that broadcasts Late Night) may tell Fallon to 'class up' his show. In 2009, NBC gave The Tonight Show to the Clueless Gamer himself, Conan O'Brien. After a tumultuous saga, NBC forced O'Brien to quit the show after seven months; NBC subsequently gave The Tonight Show back to former host Jay Leno. NBC argued that Conan failed to attract the valuable older demographic that the elder Leno garnered. However, Fallon has gone on record stating that he's "not going to change anything" and that his Tonight Show will be "the same show" as Late Night.

There have been minor gaming reveals on Late Night; Ubisoft demoed a new section from Watch Dogs on the show. Publishers could conceivably use The Tonight Show platform for higher profile reveals; unveiling the newest Far Cry on NBC will garner tons of mainstream attention.

It remains to be seen whether that will be the case and if Fallon will be allowed to bring on Cliffy B instead of Jennifer Garner. It would be a massive coup for gaming to see Jay Z clutching a PS4 controller on America's #1 talk show.

Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD Review

Originally posted on D-Pad.co.uk

Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD is a port of the 2012 PlayStation Vita title, adding upgraded visuals and extra missions. Available on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, this downloadable title follows the life of Aveline de Grandpré, the first female protagonist in the Assassin Creed series.

Liberation takes place in late 18th Century New Orleans around The Seven Year War and the Louisiana Rebellion of 1768. Slavery is one of the main plot points, a subject that even Hollywood wasn’t comfortable tackling until recently. Kudos goes to Ubisoft for tackling such a sensitive topic (Assassin Creeds IV’s DLC, Freedom Cry, also deals with slavery). Although, after watching the powerful 12 Years a Slave, it did feel odd seeing the slave’s plight reduced to a trivial side-quest.

In another departure from the norm, the relationship between main character Aveline and her sidekick Gerard is a deliberate 180 on traditional gender roles; Aveline is the brave warrior who drudges on – sometimes foolishly – into battle whilst cautious Gerard offers support from the sidelines. The main story, whilst intriguing, jumps erratically. This is somewhat redeemed by summaries in-between loading screens.

Prior knowledge of past Assassin’s Creed games is expected. Unfortunately, Ubisoft makes little effort to explain the greater Assassins and Templars plot, leaving many sections of the story downright baffling for newcomers.

The main story is roughly 6-8 hours long; there are also numerous side-quests to occupy the Trophy/Achievement hunters. Most of the missions are quick pick-up-and-play offerings. The much-criticized multiplayer mode from the Vita version has been removed.

Liberation’s gameplay is a departure from previous Assassin Creed games. Aveline lives with her parents and has to keep her Assassin dealings a secret from them. To circumvent this, she rotates various personas, three in total—first, the de-facto Assassin Persona, which will be familiar to anyone who has played an AC game. Second, the Lady Persona gives her the ability to ‘charm’ guards and walk around New Orleans uninterrupted. However, due to the Lady Persona’s oversized dress – and because she is a lady – Aveline can’t free run whilst in this persona. The third uniform is the Slave Persona that the heroine utilizes to go undercover in plantations and slave camps. Despite its ubiquity in advertisements and promo material, the Assassin Persona was the least used of the three outfits in my playthrough due to the high attention the Assassin colours garnered from guards. The better option when out-and-about, is the less-conspicuous Slave Persona which has all the abilities of the Assassin outfit albeit with less health and fewer weapons.

The whip is a fun new addition; unlocked halfway through the game, it allows Aveline to swing across obstacles like Spider-Man. In battle, the whip is a handy tool; with one press, you can knock an enemy off balance, leaving them open for a killer blow.

The cinematics displays Liberations Vita roots; poorly synced voiceovers and stilted faces that went unnoticed on a tiny Vita screen are all too apparent on an HDTV. Although generally, the game looks very impressive, especially the Bayou setting, Liberation HD scarcely resembles the Vita title.

Throughout my time with Assassin’s Creed series, I have become accustomed to the various glitches found in the games, but Liberation pushes that patience to its limit. In the very first minute, I encountered a glitch that caused Aveline’s legs to grow 30ft tall. In another instance, whilst climbing out of the Bayou River onto land, Aveline thought it best to continue swimming. On the grass. I had to restart the game to prevent Aveline from drowning on a tree branch.

The soundtrack is fantastic and is up to the high standard of Assassin Creed scores; even more impressive considering that this soundtrack was composed for a Vita title.

Liberation offers new gameplay features that AC fans will appreciate. However, it cannot be – and shouldn’t be – treated as a main entry into the series. The game is also a tad overpriced at £15.99.

The character of Aveline shows promise. Hopefully, Ubisoft will promote her to a main franchise game or use her traits for another female protagonist to give video games a much-needed leading heroine.

Liberation is a decent game that its intended fanbase will enjoy, but it’s not one for newcomers.

Overall

Assassin Creed fans will love this fresh outlook on a familiar franchise with its daring plot and inspired characters. Sadly, the game is riddled with glitches, unwelcoming to newcomers and lacks polish. Only for the hardcore AC fan.

6/10