Gamers Source #4 - Twitch Troubles and More Big Name Delays

Image courtesy of Variety.

The Gamer's Source is taking a different direction in the form of a podcast Check it out below. This week, more big names get delays! Also, Twitch is hacked and Sony releases it's next big update on PS4. Lend me your ears for 45 minutes to learn more and don't forget to read my review of Valiant Hearts.

Gamers Source #4 - Twitch Troubles And More Big Name Delays

Heartfelt History Brought to Life - The Valiant Hearts Take Your Time Review

Quick Note: Old school adventure game steeped in real history, Valiant Hearts is great for anyone looking to relax and learn at the same time. If you're jonesing for deep action and fast paced game play, look elsewhere, but this game is proof of how a fun game can be entertaining to the point you don't even realize you're learning something.   

History is such a large and vast subject that it is so hard to dive into without skipping entire sections of it or glossing over details. So making a game aimed at one specific historical event is a daunting task for any studio. However, Ubisoft Montpellier has pulled it off with Valiant Hearts by focusing on the characters affected by the Great War while presenting the game in such a way that you learn something without even realize you're being taught.

Why Nintendo on Mobile Makes Perfect Sense

Oh, what a tangled web they weave. Image courtesy of Gematsu.

Last Monday Nintendo dropped a bomb shell on everyone: the company is going to make mobile games. This is huge news! Not only is Nintendo making games for a piece of hardware that is not developed by the company, but these games will be on a mobile platform. This is also frightening, taking into account that sometime last year a report was published stating that individuals talking with Nintendo at an investor's meeting wanted to release a Mario game on mobile platforms that would require players to pay cash for jumps. But I am ever the optimist, and honestly, you should be too, at least with this news story. Not only is this a smart business decision that will earn Nintendo a lot of money, but it is the best future proofing strategy I have seen from any of the big name hardware developers yet.

The Future of Final Fantasy is Looking Bright - Final Fantasy XV Episode Duscae Impressions

Earlier this week, Square Enix launched Final Fantasy Type-0 HD for PS4 and Xbox One. Despite my fervor and excitement for this game, a game that I have been wanting since it's launch in Japan on PSP in 2011, what has caught my attention, and the attention of the internet, more so is the demo for Final Fantasy XV that is packaged with the game. Episode Duscae, as it is titled, is a special demo created exclusively to show off what Final Fantasy XV will play like, and if it's any indication of the final product, I am finally excited for the next Final Fantasy once more.

One Has Walked Through Mordor - The Shadow of Mordor Take Your Time Review

Quick Note: Shadow of Mordor feels like the first true next generation game. The story is interesting and the lore deep, but the excellent combat and unique Nemesis system really brings the game to life. If you like open world games and combo heavy combat, look no further than this gorgeous game.  

Ever since Peter Jackson's films The Lord of the Rings franchise has become infused in main stream audience. Any large fantasy film or TV series has been compared to it, and with good reason. With so much face time, it's interesting that the franchise can't seem to nail video games. Too many of them try to be like the books/movies, which often leads to fans having their hearts broken because the games just can't live up to the original source material. By crafting an original piece using the lore and world of The Lord of the Rings, it seems that Monolith Productions and WB have nailed the perfect balance of crafting a story that will cater to fans expectations without living in the shadow of the source material and make a great action game. 

Gamers Source #2 - The Week After GDC

Image courtesy of Eurogamer.net

The Gamer's Source is taking a different direction in the form of a podcast Check it out below. It's the week after GDC and the news keeps flowing in. Sales numbers for February are in and Microsoft is getting ready to start utilizing it's developers to the full extent. Have a listen and don't forget to check out my review on The Order: 1886.

Gamers Source #2 The Week After GDC

Beautiful, But Flawed - The Order: 1886 Take Your Time Review

Quick Note: The Order is a game trapped in time. It's easily one of the most gorgeous games of this console generation and shows just how powerful the PS4 is. On the other hand, the gameplay and level design feel like it would have been fresh and interesting five years ago. If you're looking for an entertaining story with very typical shooting mechanics, it's worth a play through. If you're looking for a new and exciting shooter or a game to play over and over again, keep looking.  

Video games as a medium are constantly looked at through a comparative lens with movies. This makes perfect sense, as movies have been around for some time, are common place and easy to relate to, and are viewed in a similar fashion as video games are: through a screen. Ready at Dawn CEO and creative director of The Order Ru Weerasuriya has taken this comparison to heart, hoping to create an uncompromising cinematic experience for the player to enjoy. While Weerasuriya and the team at Ready at Dawn has nailed the cinematic aspect of games, the team seems to have put aside the gameplay portion as an after thought, creating an entertaining, yet divisive exclusive for PS4.

Gamers Source #1 - Game Developers Conference 2015

Image courtesy of Oculus.com

Check out the new podcast I'm starting to bring gaming news to you all even easier. Episode #1 details some interesting information that's come out of the Game Developer's Conference this week as well as a few small announcements from else where. So, without further ado, have a listen: 

Gamers Source #1 - Game Developers Conference 2015

Nintendo, Please Bring SNES Games to the 3DS Virtual Store

Will this only be a fantasy? Image courtesy of Primagames.com

I have held off for quite some time on buying a Nintendo 3DS. There wasn't anything wrong with the 3DS per se, but there wasn't a truly compelling reason to buy one other than Pokemon Y and X when they released. I like Mario just fine and I'm interested in trying out some other games, such as Bravely Default and Kingdom Hearts 3D, but for the longest time the PS Vita simply had the games I wanted to play. It still does. I can count on two hands the games I want to play on 3DS, yet I need to setup a spreadsheet for all the PS Vita games I can't wait to play. 

That being said, I've finally snapped. I picked up the New Nintendo 3DS in New Red, and I am a big fan. The screen size is nice. The hardware feels solid and playing Pokemon in 3D for the first time on a handheld literally took my breath away. But there is one glaring misstep that I can not let go of when it comes to the 3DS: The Virtual Console.