Updates from my site

• Torchlight is Diablo on steroids

  When I first heard of Torchlight, my very first reaction was “pfffft… not another Diablo clone.” After playing the actual game…. well, the image below describes pretty much what happens: Torchlight does a good job of carrying the Diablo 2 torch of point and click RPGs to a point (well get to why it’s only up to a point in a moment) and improving on the actual formula. I started playing the game with version 1.0 (yes, the very first release).  It was full of bugs and loaded awfully slow even with a PC that could handle Fallout 3 on the highest settings but more than that, it was addicting.  I have to admit, even with all the gameplay problems, I still stuck to playing the game simply for the fun of it. What’s hot: The game, in it’s very core is an amazing diablo clone.  The inventory system, the generation of items, even the simplicity of the gameplay.  It’s all Diablo 2 all over again.  Torchlight however does improve on the system with some very useful additions like using tab for two of your most spammed… err used skills. You also have a pet to accompany you throughout your dungeon trawling at the very start of the game.  Unlike most games that make use of minions, your pet in torchlight is actually quite useful.  Aside from being able to equip some items (a necklace and two rings to be exact), your pet can also learn spells to cast in battle for offense or support as well as sell your loot without you leaving the dungeon. Battles are also a treat.  Aside from the much expected eyecandy, Torchlight also does quite well in terms of managing collision, spells and enemy crowds.  Getting mob?  Just hit your best crowd-control skill and watch skeletons fly.  I won’t kid you not when I say that most of the time, I patiently wait till a crowd of enemies to surround my character, letting them chip away at my health that when I right-click on the middle of the mass, I’ll see skeletons and zombies flying away with a single, solid blow. Oh what fun What’s not: Over time though, Torchlight loses it’s glamour and you realize each stage is actually a mirror of the stage before only you’re traversing it in reverse.  Yes, the game is very much repetitive and it doesn’t do a very good job of keeping your interest doing so.  At floor 20 or so, you’ll probably end up feeling the grind much like I did. That said, I think it’s because Torchlight doesn’t do a very good job of scaling well with enemies as you progress in the game.  Sure a jump in difficulty should be expected with each new floor (Torchlight stages are floors so…) but the gap in Torchlight is sometimes quite ridiculous that one stage you’ll be crushing enemies with one blow, and down one floor, you’ll end dead after two or three hits because of the much more powerful enemies >_>.  The game’s 1.12 patch fixes quite a bit of the imbalance but later in the game, you’ll still note that it’s still annoyingly there. Probably the biggest gripe about Torchlight is the ABSENCE of multiplayer.  Seriously, this game was screaming MULTIPLAY the moment I saw the screenshots.  The lack of scaling I mentioned above could’ve been negated (in other words turned into a positive light) if you can have one to three of your buddies jump in to aid you in your mission.  Even PVP is a welcome addition.  As it stands however, Torchlight is meant to be played solo. Conclusion: While I have some gripes about the Torchlight, it’s still a very good game.  It’s only $20 too (got it straight from the devs so I got the 1.12 patch soon after it’s release) so you’re getting so much value for your money.  Still, the game could still use quite a lot of polish as it feels like the game’s was release pretty rushed.  The game does play well even on modest systems and there’s even a netbook mode but there’s still much needed optimizations for Torchlight to be even fun on netbooks.  I imagine waiting a full five minutes for the game to load after entering a portal will douse anyone’s enthusiasm pretty quick.  But then again, it’s just $20 bucks… Verdict: Buy and play! Torchlight is Diablo on steroids originally appeared on Atma Xplorer© on November 23, 2009, 9:55 pm. This post is part of the category General Gaming. Below is a list of related posts that might be of interest to you: Dare to Challenge MyBrute So what games are you still playing? EA’s cutesy Spore Magic Stones: RPG and Card game rolled into one And Blizzard’s new game is… The most awaited Games you’ll never play. Ever The Best Games you’ve never played Crysis hit shelves Crysis leaked before Launch - 2 weeks ago

• Final Fantasy XIII official US / EU release date

  People who have put off making their next console purchase for the release of Final Fantasy XIII, get your wallets ready. Square Enix has officially announced the official release date for the english version of Final Fantasy XIII. The much awaited date? Final Fantasy XIII will get released simultaneously for the PS3 and the XBOX 360 on March 9, 2010 for US and EU markets (and everywhere else eventually Retailers like Play-Asia are already ready for preorders). And yes, the delay, as Square has openly admitted, is due to Final Fantasy XIII getting an XBOX 360 version. Below is the latest trailer released for the game. Popcorn anyone? [image courtesy of IGN] Below is the Official press release of the Final Fantasy XIII International release date. Friday 13th November/…Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, announced today the highly anticipated street date for FINAL FANTASY XIII. This latest project in the multi-platinum FINAL FANTASY series promises to be intensely compelling and will be available for both the PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft on 9th March 2010. FINAL FANTASY XIII marks the dawning of a new era for the celebrated series, bringing the series to multiple hi-definition consoles simultaneously for the first time in its history. Expanding upon the rich tradition of the series, producer Yoshinori Kitase (FINAL FANTASY VII, X, X-2), director Motomu Toriyama (FINAL FANTASY VII, X, X-2), character designer Tetsuya Nomura (FINAL FANTASY V, VI, VII, VIII, X) and art director Isamu Kamikokuryo (FINAL FANASY X, XII) combine their creative vision to deliver the latest masterpiece in the FINAL FANTASY universe. Additionally, Masashi Hamauzu (FINAL FANTASY X, DIRGE of CERBERUS -FINAL FANTASY VII-) presents a sweeping soundtrack while movie director Takeshi Nozue (FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN) and his team of artists adorn the game with seamless cinematic sequences of unparalleled calibre. “FINAL FANTASY XIII promises to be a huge event in the 2010 gaming calendar,” said Phil Rogers, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Europe. “This is truly a landmark title, arriving simultaneously for multiple platforms for the first time in the history of the series. We are also immensely proud to be able to bring the game to the European and PAL audience much earlier than was publically anticipated.” Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Leona Lewis has come on board with Square Enix to provide the theme song for FINAL FANTASY XIII. The song is entitled “My Hands,” and is featured on her highly-anticipated second album ECHO (J Records/Syco Music) set for release on November 16th. Leona Lewis took the music world by storm with her 2008 6x platinum debut album Spirit which features her chart topping, biggest selling single of 2008 “Bleeding Love,” and mega-hit “Better In Time.” “When Square Enix approached Leona about including her song, “My Hands,” in FINAL FANTASY XIII, she was honoured to be partnered with such an iconic and groundbreaking video game series,” said Tom Corson, EVP/GM, RCA Music Group. “Leona is a natural fit with the game’s powerful themes and strong female protagonist. We’re delighted to be part of this effort, bringing great musical artistry to FINAL FANTASY XIII which is a riveting and dynamic gaming experience.” Introducing new worlds, memorable characters and extraordinary stories with each new instalment, the FINAL FANTASY series has continued to reinvent itself over the last two decades and has shipped over 85 million copies worldwide. The series is defined by a constant evolution, offering nothing less than the finest creative vision, graphical quality and gameplay system of its generation with every instalment, and FINAL FANTASY XIII will be no exception to its legacy. Final Fantasy XIII official US / EU release date originally appeared on Atma Xplorer© on November 15, 2009, 10:40 am. This post is part of the category General Gaming. Below is a list of related posts that might be of interest to you: Advent Children Complete going for June US release [Rumor] PSP Games to look forward to in 2009 Dissidia Ultimate Abilities Guide Dissidia’s Epic Intro Dissidia goes Limited Edition Final Fantasy 7 remake… snowboarding? Final Fantasy Dissidia Comprehensive Guide Final Fantasy Agito XIII coming to the PSP Six reasons not to worship Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core The most awaited Games you’ll never play. Ever - 3 weeks ago