Gamecca Magazine July 2012

including: Spec Ops:The Line Dragon’s Dogma Dirt: Showdown Lollipop Chainsaw

Chop Chop!

Lollipop Chainsaw reviewed

Sandstorm Spec Ops:The Line pushes narrative limits...

I S S U E 3 7 / Vo l . 4 Ju l y 2 0 1 2

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Nintendo’s New Angle

The Wii U adds a unique dimension

I S S U E 2 1 / Vo l . 2 July 2012

www.gladgetmag.com

www.gladgetmag.com Technically, playful !

Inside 6 From the Editor 8 IDoudleDQD No distractions!

10 Into Darkness Gaming stories are evolving 16 Previews A dozen upcoming titles 36 U Turn Nintendo’s new direction 44 The Soapbox So much for savings...

46 Console General What’s dying now?

48 E3 2012 Round-Up Check out the titles we are looking forward to!

76 Reviews 7 games for the quiet times 96 Essential Classics Do the Fatality!

98 Hardware Tons of cool toys!

112 From Space Diversity around the next bend...

47 Competitions Spec Ops: The Line

THIS MONTH’S COVER Good intentions in Spec Ops: The Line. Review on page 78.

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gamecca contents • issue 36 • June 2012

Previews

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Borderlands 2

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Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation

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Forza Horizon

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Darksiders 2

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FIFA 13

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The Testament of Sherlock Holmes

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Hitman: Absolution

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

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XCOM: Enemy Unknown

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Transformers: Fall of Cybertron

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James Bond: 007 Legends

37

Just Dance 4

GAMECCA Vol. 4 Issue 37 July 2012

Editor: Walt Pretorius walt@1337-media.com Writers: Charlie Fripp Christo van Gemert Dylan Bouch Grant Wilson Iwan Pienaar James Francis Lein Baart Pippa Tshabalala Sarah Snyman Suvesh Arumugam Walt Pretorius Letters: letters@gameccamag.com Competition Entries: competitions@gameccamag.com

Reviews

Newsletter Subscriptions: www.gameccamag.com

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Spec Ops: The Line

82

Dragon’s Dogma

86

Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor

88

Dirt: Showdown

90

Lollipop Chainsaw

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The Sims 3: Katy Perry Sweet Treats

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Mario Tennis Open

Design & Photography: 1337 Media cc Marketing Contact: Katia Taliadoros katia@1337-media.com

Taking fun seriously!

All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced, copied or transmitted without the express permission of the publishers. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editors and publishers. All Trademarks and Registered Trademarks are the sole property of the respective owners.

GAMECCA is published by 1337 MEDIA

gamecca contents • issue 36 • June 2012

Copyright © 1337 Media CC 2009 - 2012

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Year the 3rd...

From the Editor

by Walt Pretorius

T

ime, as the old saying goes, flies. It seems like only, well, ok, not yesterday, but really recently, that we published the first issue of Gamecca Magazine. Now we’re on issue 37.

That, of course, means that this is our birthday issue. It is also the start of volume 4, which is rather significant for us (there are all those theories about three year success rates and stuff that economists love to talk about, after all.) So, as we start our fourth year of publishing Gamecca, we are all really rather excited.

The fact that our birthday falls in July is a bit of an issue, actually, because there are always so few games around at this time of year.

On the upside, though, it does allow us to work our E3 feedback into the birthday issue. This is going to be an on going thing… probably just a few years until it turns into a tradition.

How long does that take, technically?

E3 2012 drew a lot of mixed feelings from attendees and

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the industry as a whole.

Complaints about no new console announcements and the level of violence in game footage counterbalance a very solid release roster coming out of the show. There are a lot of good games on the way as we roll into the second half of the year, as well as a brand new console from Nintendo – two, in fact, if you take the soon to be released 3DS XL into account. We’re looking forward to the rest of the year with barely contained exuberance. So many good games…

As part of our birthday issue, we decided to shake things up a little with a redesign. You will notice a few things, I am sure. First of all, we have changed our page size to a standard A4, which means we can put more on the pages (and those of you that print the magazine out won’t have all those oddly shaped white spaces any more.) In addition, we have reworked our ‘At a Glance’ summary boxes, adding in a bit more review information that we think is pertinent.

Charlie Fripp’s Unstuck column, which he has been contributing since day one, will also be taking a well deserved rest (thanks for all the hard work on that, mate!), while Sarah Snyman steps up with a brand new column for you to enjoy.

And we have made a number of adjustments and tweaks to the look and feel of the magazine. We hope you like it. Let us know by sending a note to letters@gameccamag.com.

Right, before we get on with the issue, I would like this opportunity to personally thank the Gamecca Crew for their hard work and dedication over the last year. It has been an awesome twelve months, and we know that the next twelve (and those after that, and after that, and so on) will be just as exciting. There are a number of new ideas that are being developed for both the magazine and web site, and I believe that our readers will absolutely love them.

Right, enough from me. Let’s get on with the 3rd birthday issue… g

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Weapons of Mass Distraction IDoubleDQD

by Sarah Snyman

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have countless memories of playing games with my brother, my mother shouting about some arbitrary thing that we did fading into the background. Apparently we were able to completely block her out when we played together. Maybe it’s a sibling bond of co-dependant distraction, but my parents maintain that this kind of disconnection from reality only happened when we planted ourselves in front of Quake or when we read Lord of the Rings. I have used this advanced selective hearing skill through life.

It is extremely useful and extremely annoying for everyone I work with.

And as I’ve recently noticed, this only gets worse with age.

I recently did a shoot with a friend in her studio in a house shared with some of my best gaming friends. It was a scantily clad shoot. At one point I was only masked by wireless mouses. I needed to fetch the next prop, 7 metres of LAN cable. This meant that I had to walk through the room in which two of my friends were playing Xbox. Since I’ve known them for years, I simply sprinted through with my hand protecting me from exposure. I expected some kind of “wolf whistle” or ridicule as I ran in front of the TV but I got absolutely nothing. I told the photographer this and she didn’t believe me; how could two men be so involved in a game that they completely miss the half-naked girl in front of them? We decided to see how far we could push this. I walked slowly into the room and stood right next to the TV, no top, no masking, nada. I waited patiently for one of them to realise that I was pulling a Birth of Gamer Venus in front of them.

Suddenly, one of these men spoke!

“Dude? How the hell do I use my bandages?!”

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I sighed. “Seriously Brett?!”

I got a glance up, a comment of “You’re blocking the TV SJ!” and I walked out.

I laughed about this for ages, unable to comprehend the male race.

Until it happened to me. And no, I didn’t refuse temptation by a woman, that’s another column entirely.

At home alone one freezing winter night, I logged into battle.net to visit my favourite barbarian. I was running around slaying beasties and collecting items all night. Only the next day did I realise I was just as bad as any guy. In my Diablo induced coma, I managed to read and turn down a message requesting my presence on a dinner date with a delicious young bachelor. I have no memory of this, but unfortunately I had the evidence in my sent items.

Games have the ability to destroy reality and cuddle you in a blanket of Unreal Engine. Suddenly I can understand the guy who died playing Diablo; being a slave to a game is appealing.

I have had a close brush with hermitage in Taiwan during an expedition into the barren lands of “single till death” in a 5 story internet café where I almost vetoed my hotel to live my days out at station 84.

And with the upcoming releases announced at E3, I cannot wait to be wrapped up in distraction, but I really love that our country isn’t involved in any of the “gamer dies from dehydration” stories. Let’s keep it that way shall we?

I’m going to start a support group for when all of these titles drop simultaneously, I’ll call it “The game will still be there when you get back”, and it’ll make all of our mothers proud. g

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Into Da

Feature

Spec Ops: The Line is a keen demonstration of how video game narratives are maturing.

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

arkness

by Walt Pretorius

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

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O O O

Feature

riginally published as a three part series in Blackwood’s Magazine in 1899, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness was first published as a novella in 1902. This shocking and even disturbing tale is considered to be part of the Western canon, a collection of books, art and music that have had great influence on Western society as a whole. It is doubtful that Joseph Conrad had any idea that this short book, based on some of his own experiences while travelling in the Congo on a river steam boat, would have such a massive impact on Western culture, with its influence felt in forms of entertainment very different from his chosen written word.

The most famous adaptation of Heart of Darkness is the 1979 Francis Ford Coppola film Apocalypse Now, a dark and disturbing trip into the darkness of the human psyche that mirrors the novel almost perfectly. Aside from a few name changes, and changing the location of the story from the Congo to war-torn Vietnam and Cambodia, the tale is almost identical. It asks questions – rather deep ones – about human nature, and how far someone is willing to go when faces with true horror, and how good and evil is perceived by individuals. Despite some of the book’s more controversial aspects – not least of which is a strong level of racism – it’s themes and message are as relevant today as they were when it was first published more than one hundred years ago.

This really is putting the whole affair into a nutshell, as it were. These themes, though, can be seen in many works. One of the newest is Spec Ops: The Line, a video game developed by Yager and published by 2K games. But this game doesn’t only explore similar themes – it actually takes very strong inspiration from Conrad’s work. So much so, in fact, that several homages to Heart of Darkness can be found in the game. These include the name of the game’s antagonist, John Konrad (a reference to the author) and an

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

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Feature

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

achievement called “the horror, the horror,” which is a direct quote from one of the major characters in the book, Mr Kurtz. Incidentally, the same words were spoken by Marlon Brando, who played a character based on Kurtz (and even named Kurtz) in Apocalypse Now. The themes in Spec Ops: The Line are very deep and rather dark; explorations into the human psyche, and investigations of the motivations of men in general, and the lead character, Captain Walker, in particular. It seems odd that a game should follow this route – most are fairly black and white affairs, even when they have complex stories. Morality as a device in the plots of most games is unwavering and unquestionable. This is not the case with Spec Ops: The Line. Here, rather, the player’s character is challenged in ways very similar to those that faced the characters in Joseph Conrad’s book and, by extension, Coppola’s famous film. How far will a man go to do what he believes is right and good? Where is the line, and what will it take to make him cross it?

Spec Ops: The Line goes a long way to demonstrate that video games as narrative devices can be employed to not just deliver the plot that is necessary to support the action of the game, but can also transcend the gaming experience, becoming – as it were - a more holistic entertainment experience. This story is not superseded by the game dynamic – rather, it is supported by the game, allowing the player to interact with a tale that is almost more important than the game play.

The story stands as an excellent example of a mature and deeper tale than most video games have on offer, and will allow players to experience a game plot that is, on many levels, one of the most inspired and impressive seen in video game entertainment to date. It shows that video games can, and often should, have a plot that goes beyond the obvious. Hopefully it is a sign of things to come! g gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

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Previews Highlights 18 Borderlands 2 Back to Pandora!

22 Forza: Horizon The open road awaits...

24 Darksiders 2 Death rides out!

28 Hitman: Absolution Finding answers 30 Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Look to the future

T

he dust has settled, the stands have been broken down, and the gamig world has returned to normal... E3 2012 is done and dusted.

Thanks to the trade show, we know about a whole lot of great games heading our way within the next ten months or so. We look at a few of them this month... ah, yes, awesome times ahead. g

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

com

Distributed Exclusively by Apex Interactive Tel: (011) 796 5040 www.apexinteractive.co.za Email: sales@apexint.co.za All rights and trademarks and logos are copyright of their respective owners.

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www.apexactive.co.za

Borderlands 2

Back to the Wasteland Pandora has been a naughty planet…

by Charlie Fripp

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once again get to choose between four unique and brandnew characters, each with a unique special skill set and with proficiencies with different weapons.

The new characters are Salvador, who resembles Brick from the first game; the siren Maya, who is similar to Lilith; a commando character called Axton; and an assassin character called Zer0. There is at least one more character, Mechromancer, who was revealed, but it’s still unclear if she will be included in the initial release, of if she will be part of DLC. And there will undoubtedly be lots of DLC coming for this title, if the original game is anything to go by. But that’s OK… you can never get enough Borderlands goodness.

Preview

hen news broke of a follow-up to the hugelypopular Borderlands, probably more than half of the entire gaming community rejoiced.

The cel-shaded title from 2009 created a new experience in game play and graphics, and was the source of many hours of enjoyment.

So with the release of Borderlands 2 later this year, players can once again look forward to some of the most fun and action-packed sequences in gaming.

Development by Gearbox Software, the first-person shooter will include some of the familiar elements from the first game.

Retaining the character-building elements, players will

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It is accepted that the gameplay mechanics will work very similarly to the first Borderlands, in which players will have to pick up quests by talking to NPCs and accepting jobs from bounty boards scattered throughout the countryside. The weapon randomisation engine that made every gun you found in the first title unique will also be making a return, and we’re expecting a few tweaks and possibly even more guns from this title.

In terms of the story, the events will take place five years after the conclusion of the first title. Handsome Jack, a nefarious character who has taken over control of Pandora, is up to no good, and naturally it will be up to the player to set things right. It seems that the Vault

from the first game might not have been quite as empty as everyone thought…

Borderlands 2 is one of the most anticipated games of the year, and if the success of the first title is anything to go by, then Borderlands 2 will be a massive hit. Players should get ready for beautiful animation, interesting plot and a healthy dose of action. And, of course, the rather off-the-wall comedy that was found in the first title., complete with a host of weird characters.

Thankfully, we won’t have to wait too long for this one to arrive – it forms part of a massive number of really great titles due for release before we find out if the Mayans were right. g

AT A GLANCE: First Person Shooter

It is bound to be one of the best games of the year, with 94.6% more wub-wub over the first title.

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Gearbox Software 2K Games Megarom

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Assassins Creed III: Liberation

Girl Power!

You didn’t expect that one did you?

by Pippa Tshabalala

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ith the slew of Assassins Creed games released in recent years, you might be forgiven for thinking this is yet another spinoff. Ok, it kind of is, but Assassins Creed III: Liberation is also a Playstation Vita exclusive which will be released alongside the upcoming Assassins Creed III. In a wonderful turn of events, the storyline is also directly linked to its bigger console brother.

The game is set between the years 1765 and 1780 and this time around features a female protagonist of African-French heritage. Ubisoft are really mixing it up this time around, and one wonders if they’re trying to emphasise their assertions that they are a multicultural developer.

Nevertheless, the game is set in New Orleans, in the midst of a number of different wars, but most memorably the American Revolution. Aveline

de Grandpré is our assassin, who is recruited to the Brotherhood by the escaped slave Agate.

Since this is a Vita product, I would be remiss if I neglected to mention the fact that Liberation makes use not only of the Vita’s touchscreen and rear touch pad, but also of its cameras and gyroscope. In addition the player can link the game to Assassins Creed III to receive some pretty decent bonuses and upgrades!

Our heroine will be able to dual wield weapons, which include the usual arsenal, but becomes even sneakier as she also carries a blow pipe.

Assassins Creed III: Liberation will be available the same day as Assassins Creed III. One cannot help but wonder if this is one of those games that will help sell the console – it is likely that many Assassin’s Creed fans will want to get their hands on this extra story, so bundle deals are probably something to look out for when it releases in October. g

AT A GLANCE: Action Adventure

Preview

I can’t wait to see how it ties in to Assassins Creed III! Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

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Ubisoft Sofia Ubisoft Megarom

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Forza Horizon

Change your Console To play the better game

by Dylan Bouch

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listen to one of the three radio stations, each aremed with an explosive soundtrack.

In Forza Horizon players won’t be driving just regular cars but the best of the best. It’s all about driving your dream car on the open roads or taking it to the track, or even the dirt… no matter what your driving preference, it will be waiting for you in this title. The player will be driving the best vehicle all the time, either in single player or multi-player online, where there will (hopefully) be a whole community waiting. There will be a bunch of extras online in which the gamer can race in new and different events and share all their Forza creations.

In Horizon, the legendary Forza physics will meet action

Preview

orza Horizon will be an action racing game with all the familiar characteristics of the previous Forza titles… except for the race tracks. This title is destined to be an open-world racing title – the new look Forza will be different from what fans are used to, thanks to this, but with a bunch of new features that the Forza folk will welcome.

Forza Horizon will be set in Colorado, where the open roads will be your destiny, giving you plenty of room to push the limits as you race through different events.

These include circuit racing, drifting, point-to-point races, and the long awaited dirt racing. While you’re not racing and are just cruising the countryside, you can

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racing, where style and speed are just as important as each other. On back roads or in the city, players will be able to cruise or drift through civilian traffic with the full Forza feel.

Forza Horizon will also feature a dynamic day-night cycle to change things up and put the sun in your eyes while racing, also enabling activities ranging from legal day racing to illegal night racing.

With these changes, Forza could just set the bar for all other racing, open world driving and action racing games out there and change the mind of those who aren’t getting their driving simulation fix on an Xbox. This one will be for the hard core fans as well as for those who are more

casual in their approach, those who like open world game play and those who enjoy a full simulator.

It does seem that the new direction has been inspired by other racing franchises out there, but this bold new move by developers Turn 10 is one that seems more about the fans than the competition.

And giving fans what they want has been something that the Forza franchise has been pretty good at in the past. Taking this game – widely considered to be the best driving simulator around – to the open road should provide players with a host of new experiences, all backed up by the reputation and technical excellence of the previous titles. g

AT A GLANCE: Driving Simulator

Utpatum vel et, vent ad ming ent nulla faccumm olessisl et, cortion sequamcoreet volore tismodolenit wis nosto dolorer aut nulputpat, Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Turn 10 Microsoft Microsoft

Oct 2012

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Darksiders II

To Hell and Back Death has no fury like a brother scorned

by Charlie Fripp

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are Pestilence and Famine (although they are called Strife and Fury in the title for some reason).

In the sequel, the events that transpired in the first title will carry over into the second, in which players will have to search for the truth as to why the apocalypse was started early by War. Believing that War would never knowingly start the events, Death takes it upon himself to defy the counsel in search for the truth.

What we are sure to expect from this one is more of the excellent, third person adventure style game dynamics that made the first game so enjoyable. And if War could pack a big punch in combat, just image the kind of damage Death will be able to deal out. Think about it… War hurts,

Preview

hen THQ announced a couple of years ago that they will be developing a game in which players will take control of one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, critics weren’t too excited.

But when the game, Darksiders, finally made it to the shelves, it was largely a success among the gaming community.

So it’s no surprise that THQ will once again allow players to commander an apocalyptic rider in Darksiders II, but a number of things have been changed. Where players took control of War in the first game, gamers will now be at the helm of Death. The two other riders that make up the mythical Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

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but Death is… well, death. If anyone can deal out tons of damage, it should be him, right. We’re assuming it is a him...

THQ revealed that the game will naturally take place during the same time as the first title, but there will be a number of differences, most notably that it will take place across an entirely new ensemble of maps, which are said to be double in cumulative size. That equates, presumably, to a longer game than the first time around, although the original Darksiders was no slouch when it came to game length. We’re also expecting similar movement based challenges in addition to tons of combo-driven, weaponbased combat.

Where the first game took place mostly outside, THQ also revealed that a large number of the playable maps will feature dungeons and separate city hubs. Each city hub will have a number of explorable dungeons, in which the Horseman will have to complete quests. He’ll probably have to leave his horse outside…

It will be a fair assumption that the graphics will be boosted from the first title, and that a number of smaller gameplay changes have been made. Never the less, it should still make for a very exciting game, packed with a good portion of action and stuffed with neat bits of plot.

We’ll know for sure rather soon, as Darksiders 2 is set for an August release. g

AT A GLANCE: Third Person Action

Following on from the first title, the quest for the truth is bound to turn nasty.

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Vigil Games THQ Ster Kinekor

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FIFA 13

Passing the Competition More new dynamics and tweaks

by Dylan Bouch

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ince 1994 EA Sports have been improving their FIFA games and fighting to hold on to what many believe is the top spot in the football simulation market, with FIFA 12 and FIFA Street taking huge steps forward in the genre and in gaming.

With the announcement of the inevitable new title on its way there are five new features to look forward to… and hope they are the right changes, not just for the developers but also for the consumer buying the game.

The latest Street title was brilliant in terms of ball control and the dribbling skills the player had and in FIFA 13 the same precise dribbling, with a true 360 degree turning circle, will be implemented. A better one touch system, which apparently is near perfect, is also on the cards, and it will benefit not just forwards but also defenders.

Thirdly, the attacking players will be smarter, thinking two plays ahead and looking for the gaps – breaking the

defence open and running in the space looking for the pass and working better as a team overall. All three of these changes will tie in together and make the FIFA franchise a better football game.

FIFA13 will be equipped with Kinect-based voice commands – this will impact on the game in a few ways, allowing the player to either be the manager, yelling commands from the side lines, or literally call for passes from players while on the pitch. And emotional outbursts regarding the referee may be a bad idea, because this time around he will be able to hear you…

The EA Sport Football club will allow players to run their career as part of an online community, too, with all that this implies.

Some years the improvements are less obvious than in others, but it seems that FIFA 13 will be making all the right moves. g

AT A GLANCE: Sports Simulator

Preview

Will this one be the best FIFA title yet? It just might...

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

The Testament of Sherlock Holmes

Elementary…

Proving the super-sleuth’s innocence…

by Walt Pretorius

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hat would happen if the world’s greatest detective became a thief? Would his skills at fighting crimes come in handy in the course of perpetrating them? Or is the evidence that is mounting up against the famous Sherlock Holmes falsified?

After solving a case and returning priceless jewels to their owner, Holmes is accused of giving back forgeries.

And it seems that all the evidence is arrayed against him. Even Scotland Yard and his ever faithful assistant Dr Watson doubt his innocence. It will be up to the player to unravel te mystery and clear Holmes’ name.

The developers are promising us a mature story line and a mystery in which every clue and puzzle will challenge the player, requiring wits and insight to solve.

The player, taking on the role of the eponymous supersleuth, will have a full array of tools at their disposal.

These will include handling evidence and inspecting clues, re-enacting scenes and the game’s deduction system, which will help the player draw valuable conclusions.

In addition, the player will be able to strategies questioning techniques and approaches, allowing them to draw valuable information from those they manage to catch off-guard.

It all looks very promising… just glancing at the screenshots hints at a complex and entertaining game for those that want to stretch their brain-muscles beyond the norm. Excellent visuals will combine with what appears to be a pretty robust detection system.

The real question, then, is whether this game will deliver the kind of complex, convoluted case – full of twists and turns – that one would expect from a Sherlock Holmes tale. We will find out soon enough, as the Testament of Sherlock Holmes will hit shelves within a few months. g

AT A GLANCE: Adventure

Preview

An investigation with a twist; the player will need to prove Holmes’ innocence in this interesting looking title.

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Frogwares Focus Interactive Apex Interactive

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Hitman: Absolution

Assassin or Action?

47 is looking more deadly than ever before…

by Lein Baart

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now.

There are, however, subtler, and for some distressing, changes to the series, particularly in terms of gameplay.

Hitman has always allowed the player a large amount of freedom, giving him multiple, and often ingenious, ways of completing an assassination. This meant a slower and more deliberate pace, but worked tremendously with the theme of the games. The gameplay trailers though have revealed Absolution as decidedly more action-orientated and linear, and with a greater cinematic feel to it than previous titles.

The new “instinct mode” helps greatly in this, allowing 47 to predict enemy paths, see enemies through walls and even enter a sort of bullet-time. There is little doubt that

Preview

If you have never played any of the Hitman games, you’ve truly done yourself a monumental disservice. The series as a whole presents with a level of sophistication and brilliance that still stands out today. Now finally, after six long years, the next instalment is due, but things are not all you might expect.

The first and most obvious change are the graphics.

Absolution looks to be a stunning title, if the screenshots and clips hold true. This will be backed immensely by a carefully crafted musical score that have the developers bursting with pride. Apparently, the music will be closely linked with the A.I. awareness of 47, allowing a much more dynamic approach than has been standard until

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the videos have a shown what is likely to be a great action game, but that is precisely the concern for many fans of the franchise, as the title we’re getting might be a Hitman game in name only. The developers have made assurances that stealth and non-linearity have not been left by the wayside, that the action-heavy focus of the clips were for marketing mainly, but in truth, only time will tell.

Absolution will see 47 as a man on the run. After being “betrayed by those he once trusted” 47 will have to uncover a “dark conspiracy” in “his search for truth”. To be honest, the developers are keeping their cards close to their chests, with the exception of one tantalizing tidbit: early in the game you have to assassinate Diana

Burnwood, your handler within the Agency for all of the games till now. Whether the plot will allow for the carefully orchestrated assassinations that has been a hallmark of the series remains to be seen though, as being “hunted by the police” doesn’t leave an assassin with much planning time.

What this all means is that Absolution is title that has some fretting and others slavering. Too much is uncertain to get any clear picture at the moment. But Absolution looks great and the need for the evolution of a franchise is fact, but many older gamers will be looking back at the series and wondering if Absolution will be able to recapture the same glory. g

AT A GLANCE: Action Adventure

A game that has many both nervous and excited, Hitman: Absolution is bound to get attention at release, probably deservedly so.

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

IO Interactive Square Enix Megarom

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Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Lurking in the dark War just got a little bit colder

by Charlie Fripp

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a number of games under the Call of Duty banner, it will take the player on an exciting journey through the eyes of veteran soldier Alex Mason, familiar to players of the franchise.

The title will swap between time periods, and players will take control of Mason throughout the 1980s missions, while assuming control of Mason’s son David for the futuristic missions set in 2025, complete with quadcopters and lasers. Yes, lasers.

No Call of Duty game will be complete if it didn’t have zombies – and Black Ops II will be no different. The game will still have everybody’s favourite moving targets, but game director Dave Anthony said that they will be

Preview

he Call of Duty franchise needs no introduction, as it is one of the most successful franchises in the history of modern gaming.

The series of titles has taken players to a wide variety of locations, settings and action points, and in November gamers will be able to continue with the immensely action-packed titles.

The next Call of Duty title, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, will be set in two distinct time-periods - 1980s vintage Cold War and a ground-based offensive in the not-toodistant future where the US and China lock horns in a new Cold War. Developed by Treyarch, who have been responsible for

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incorporated into the multiplayer.

The same level of action-packed sequences can be expected that made the entire franchise so popular, and it will be hard for fans to stop playing once they have experienced the new additions and updated graphics.

Even with the future-flavour that the game offers, the developers know well enough not to fix something that isn’t broken, so we believe that the game dynamics will be largely unchanged.

But the developers have another trick up their sleeve – the sequel will be the Call of Duty game to feature branching storylines. The choices that gamers make will not only affect the way current mission’s progress, but it

will also have an effect on the total outcome of the plot. It is also the first in the series to look to the future, making ‘predictions’ about the modern battlefield (or rather, the future battlefield). This could be a great aspect of the game, but one dos wonder whether this could also be the title’s weakest link. However, the story may just be what carries this idea through – seeing as it will most likely contain some correlations between the two periods of Cold War. Set to be one of the most spectacular games of the year, there is no doubt that it will come close to breaking the record set by the first Black Ops by selling more than 5.6 million copies in the first 24 hours of being on sale. g

AT A GLANCE: First Person Shooter

Set to carry on with the winning formula, there is no doubt it will be hugely-successful.

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Treyarch Activision Megarom

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XCOM: Enemy Unknown

A Welcome Return Aliens… aliens everywhere…

by Lein Baart

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original, capturing the essence of what made them great, while still offering up something fresh. And when it comes to a title as revered, indeed worshipped, as XCOM: Enemy Unknown, there are many out there offering silent prayers that it will be the exception rather than the rule.

Like the first, XCOM will still be essentially two games in one. The geoscape will show a global view of the world, in which you manage your base (only on this time), developing alien technology, managing personnel and building and equipping your troops. Likewise, the tactical combat will still see you set out on ground missions to neutralise the alien threat, where your squad attempts to either kill or capture the aliens and their tech. Each

Preview

any reboots and sequels fall into what seems an inevitable and unavoidable trap, caused by the need to innovate while remaining faithful to the original in key aspects. It’s an extreme juggling act, as precisely what key aspects need to retained, what makes that particular game special, is unique to that game. It’s for this reason that many gamers approach reboots with scepticism, gearing themselves for the inevitable disappointment as a beloved game is destroyed in their eyes for the sake of commerce.

Except, that’s not always the case. There have been those rare few games over years (Doom and Fallout come to mind) that seem to pay genuine homage to the

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combat mission is still fraught with risks, as once a soldier dies it’s gone permanently from the game, and if you lose too many troops its game over. Fans will be happy to hear that most of the original alien species will still be included, as will some familiar scenes.

That’s not to say there isn’t innovation though. The most obvious will be the facelift, and the introduction of 3D. Squads now have the ability to utilise various tactics such as suppressing fire and stealth movements. There’s also class specialisation, with troops being divided into assault, support, heavy weapons and sniper, and the inclusion of sub-objectives into the missions.

The geoscape will have a new view dubbed the “ant

farm”, and interception of enemy craft now has actual gameplay attached to it.

This all adds up to a reboot that seems to be sticking close to its source, adding here and there where the gameplay needs updating, and leaving untouched everything that still works. The original was beloved for a variety of reasons, be it the attachment to individual squad members you developed, the creepiness that the aliens invoked or the level of strategic depth XCOM managed to create. Without actually playing the completed version it’s impossible to say with certainty, but XCOM is looking like a game that might actually do the impossible: please the fans. g

AT A GLANCE: Turn-based Startegy

There’s definitely a lot of promise on display, but XCOM has a lot of work to do to live up to fan expectations.

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Firaxis Games 2K Games Megarom

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Transformers: Fall for Cybertron

End of the World Experience the final days…

by Walt Pretorius

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ou can’t keep a good franchise down. Although there isn’t a new Michael Bay movie in the offing (yet) there is another game coming out based on the universe of the Transformers. Like Tranformers: War for Cybertron, this new title will not be drawing inspiration from the silver screen - rather, it is there to expand on the back-story of the famous Hasbro brand.

And that’s not really a bad thing. See, there are folks out there that may groan and roll their eyes when they think of yet another Transformers title hitting the shelves, but War for Cybertron stood apart from the pack. It was really the best game of the franchise, and it seems as though Fall of Cybertron will be taking a few pages from its book.

The game will see players fighting on both sides of the conflict as the Autobots and Decepticons vie for control of the Transformer homeworld – a war that leads to the

eventual desertion of the planet (which, of course, results in the Transformers eventually finding Earth.) While the ending may be pretty obvious, the action should be intense enough to make up for that.

Well known characters will return, of course, but with new abilities and weapons, making them more unique than before. In addition, the game will feature an improved character creator.

And the battles themselves? Well, we’re being promised truly mammoth struggles, including giant characters like Grimlock and Bruticus, who will do combat in large, complex environments.

It sounds, on paper, rather exciting. The one thing that really needs to be considered as far as this game goes is that it is a direct sequel to War for Cybertron which, while not perfect, was still a rather fun game to play. It should hit shelves next month, so we will be able to see for sure then.g

AT A GLANCE: Third Person Action

Preview

A direct follow-up to War for Cybertron, this game may well be much better than your average Transformers fare.

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High Moon Activision Megarom

Aug 2012

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

James Bond: 007 Legends

Bond Girls Never Age

50 years later, still shaken and not stirred

by Sarah Snyman

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ames Bond is an institution, and with 2012 marking the 50th anniversary of the film franchise, it is only fitting that Eurocom celebrate with a release to rival all previous gaming experiences.

007 Legends leads the player through missions based on not one but five different movies as well as a 6th available post release.

The game opens with the beautifully rendered Moonraker mission, a 1979 film starring Roger Moore.

For movie franchise support reasons, the game is locked on Daniel Craig and makes use of only his voice.

There has been a lot of chatter around the bizarre feel of fighting without Roger Moore against the villain in Moonraker, Jaws. Then again, with this game being based on several Bond missions, this might not be the only place that he feels a little out of place. And besides, we saw him in the new video game adaptation of

Goldeneye, replacing pierce Brosnan as the super agent.

Die-hard fans are confused and disturbed, but Daniel Craig is my favourite James Bond.

He adds darkness to the films while simultaneously dropping more panties than any of the previous actors.

Because of this obsession, I am not heartbroken, like many are, to hear that the new 007 will not allow the player to choose to play as Sean Connery or Roger Moore. The previous games in the series have always struck me as “average” with brushings of brilliance because of the great material that is James Bond. But, based on the released material, this may prove to be much more than an anniversary special.

The trailers for Legends and Skyfall both suggest an epic new take on the Bond franchise, I’m sure this will leave fans rejoicing as they take on some of Bond’s more memorable missions. g

AT A GLANCE: First Person Shooter

Preview

2012 is the 50th anniversary of James Bond movies and October brings with it 007 Legends with 6 movie based missions.

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Eurocom Activision Megarom

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Just Dance 4

More Shakin’!

Another instalment in the massive franchise

by Walt Pretorius

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t’s probably safe to say that no-one really expected the kind of success that the Just Dance franchise was met with. Sure, no developer or publisher releases a game without thinking that they will sell some units, but the performance of the original game was exceptional, in terms of sales.

And so, as is always the case with very successful products, we have a string of sequels. But here’s the thing… Just Dance simply gets better with each iteration, as the developers introduce fresh new ideas (as well as fresh new racks) to keep players off the couch and shaking various items given to them by their female parental units.

So the fourth in the series should be something that fans (of the franchise and generally shaking their bits about) will be able to really sink their teeth into, figuratively speaking. And that will include more than

40 new tracks, including music by artists like Rihanna, Flo Rida, Nelly Furtado, P!nk, Barry White, Will Smith and the B52s. Yes, that’s a pretty wide spread of genres right there, but all of them are extremely fun to dance to.

There will be a new battle mode, as well as alternate choreographies to unlock. The Just Sweat mode has also been tweaked. But the one we’re looking forward to will be an exclusive Wii U mode that will allow one player to control the action, while up to four others do the moves.

Changing choreographies and tracks, mainly, but it does sound like it could be torturous fun messing with your friends. Video recording will also be possible, making the Puppet Master mode on Wii U the most exquisite blackmail tool ever created for this popular franchise.

Naturally, the Wii U version will arrive later than other platforms… all of which are due in the fourth quarter of this year. g

AT A GLANCE: Dance / Party Game

Preview

Here’s one to look forward to if you’re a dancing fan (or a sadist who wants to get a Wii U).

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Ubisoft Ubisoft Megarom

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U Turn

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by Walt Pretorius

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Nintendo’s new console seems to be about more than just casual gaming...

and its coming soon... gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

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he swanky Slow in the City, at the Sandton Radison hotel, recently saw a gathering of press and industry VIPs as Core Group, the South African distributors of Nintendo products, afforded the first opportunity for a handson experience with the much talked about Wii U. This new Nintendo console was announced some time ago, but as the anticipated release date draws near, more details of the device are being revealed.

The question on everyone’s lips is, quite simply: “is it time for another Nintendo console?” Nintendo’s competitors will not be releasing another new platform for a couple of years yet, if rumours hold true.

But Nintendo have full confidence that the Wii U will provide a necessary evolution of gaming oriented home entertainment at the end of this year.

The Wii U is a device that demonstrates Nintendo’s growing tendency towards revolutionary ideas. Most recently this was shown with the release of the 3DS hand held console, and before that with the revolutionary control ideas that accompanied the release of the Wii. The Wii U intends to take things even further, adding a new dimension to the games that people play, and the way that they play them.

The core to this idea is the new Wii U GamePad. This is the principle controller for the system, and it resembles a cross between a hand held console (thanks to the dual analogue sticks and numerous input buttons for game control) and a tablet PC (thanks to the large touch screen). Weighing arounf half a kilogram, the controller allows the player to use more traditional game controls, as well as the tough sensitive screen. This screen will be important to virtually every title released for the Wii U. In Ubisoft’s ZombiU, for example, it serves as an object scanner and inventory management system, while the main TV screen is used for core game play. In other titles that will be released, it will enable a fifth player to enter into traditionally four player party games, acting as an adversary or foil to their game. It can even be used to throw ninja stars, using a swiping motion directed at the TV screen.

The gamepad will also be armed with an array of sensors, including gyroscopes and accelerometers, as well as a camera, sensor bar, stereo speakers, a microphone, rumble features and more.

Other players will be able to join in on the action thanks to the fact that the Wii U will be compatible with four Wii Motion

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controllers and peripherals (including the balance board) as well as Wii U Pro controllers (resembling more ‘traditional’ gaming input devices). Two GamePads will be able to connect to the system at the same time.

As far as specifications go, Nintendo are being a little quiet. A multi-core CPU and HD GPU will be built into the device, and games will be stored on internal flash memory, with expansion opportunities available via SD cards.

Video output will be full HD, with support for HDMI cables as well as proprietary component cables. Audio will be in the form of six channel linear output via HDMI, or analogue via component cables.

The unit will also be able to access the Internet, which will enable several functions, including Video Chat, the Nintendo eShop and the newly revealed Miiverse, which is a Nintendo-themed social network of sorts.

So what happens to all those Wii games that you bought before? Well, like the controllers, the Wii U will be compatible with Wii games too, although spec sheets for the device carefully state that ‘nearly all’ Wii games will be supported. Chances are there will be a few that drop by the wayside.

The Wii U, from what was seen at the event, will enable a few fresh ideas to enter into the gaming arena, and will change the way that games are played- particularly in groups – to a degree. How well the potential of this system (which is great) is realised will now really be up to software developers.

All that remains to be seen is a firm release date, as well as the all-important retail price. The console is clearly meant to access more than the casual market that the Wii was aimed at, with much more potential for hard-core style software to be created for the platform. But how it is received will be subject to a number of factors (including the price.) It really is a case of ‘wait and see’ at this point, although Nintendo will have their work cut out for them to access some traditionally resistant markets.

With all that said, the fact that Nintendo have once again adopted an innovative approach to their new console is undeniable.

While some critics may feel that the Wii U relies heavily on gimmicks, the truth is that the potential of the new system is massive. We’re quite sure that, provided the price doesn’t break the bank and Nintendo manages to convince the hard-core set of the device’s capabilities and potential, there will be many Wii U units under Christmas trees at the end of this year. g

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Milking the Cash Cow The Soapbox

by Suvesh Arumugam

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arlier this year I wrote about bandwidth finally getting cheaper in South Africa. This was following a major announcement

by Telkom, who still primarily control bandwidth pricing, of a cut in IP Connect costs to Internet Service Providers. This allowed major players like Afrihost, Mweb, WebAfrica and Axxess to start passing on major savings in ADSL connectivity prices to consumers. A “pricing war” started between ISP’s, but the good kind of war where ordinary people benefit from getting better service promises requiring less cash commitment.

Sadly, the honeymoon is over.

Telkom recently confirmed rumours that just months after cutting IPC costs, they would be increasing fixed line rental costs, even though the upgrades they have been promising for well over a year are not nearly in

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place. Fast DSL (384kbps) increases from R143 to R165 per month; Faster DSL (1024Mbps) increases from R289 to R299 per month and Fastest DSL (4/10Mbps) increases from R413 to R425. This comes in line with overall increases on Telkom’s services including data, outgoing calls, DSL and fixed line rental services.

With many predicting a move towards “naked” ADSL (DSL services without telephony rental costs), several ISP’s are calling the move from Telkom a huge step backwards. With pricing for mobile voice and data dropping rapidly, particularly after Cell C’s bold move to 99c per minute pricing, the increase in fixed line costs is seen by some as a possible shift in the market towards mobile data over ADSL. The disadvantage of ADSL has always been the fixed nature, whereas the

data pricing had previously made 3G solutions far too expensive for the average consumer.

The increases may not seem like much, but contribute to an overall negative perception of ADSL. Where fixed line rentals and long term contractual commitments trumped the cost to benefit ratio of mobile data in the past, this may no longer be the case. For a 4Mbps up to 10Mbps ADSL line, you will now need to pay R425 for ADSL line rental and a minimum of R167 for compulsory voice rental (a total of R592) – and that’s before you’ve bought a gigabyte of data! With mobile solutions starting from as little as R150, this seems excessive, especially with Telkom’s already hefty installation costs of R650 odd set to increase by another 6%.

The winner here is not the consumer. Telkom can now lock ISP’s and ADSL users into much higher cost agreements, and also able to offer cheaper services to millions of mobile consumers through 8ta, their mobile network. While other mobile providers like Vodacom and Cell C operate are focussed on 3G services, Telkom are already leveraging their ability to be a “one stop shop” by offering comprehensive data bundles including a voice line, ADSL line, ADSL data and mobile data for as little as R399 (including free Wifi routers and 3G Dongles). While ISP ADSL Bundles must either increase to be viable, or ISP’s must cut their margins to compete, Telkom is free to have their cake and eat it. There closest competition is now limited to MTN, who have recently launched MTN ADSL to compliment their 3G products. But unless MTN manage to gain a significant ADSL footprint, it’s not likely they will break the camel’s back. g gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Rest in Stupidity... console General

by Montgommery Paton

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e, as console gamers, need to prepare ourselves. Console gaming is about to die.

That’s according to a whole bunch of people who, after E3 2012, decided that the end of console gaming as we know it is nigh. I would like to add that a number of the people saying this are industry experts- never a good thing when a statement like this is made.

Then again, the same was said about PC gaming a few years ago.

Consoles, it seemed, would mark the death of gaming on computers.

Someone should probably tell all those folks playing Diablo 3 that PC gaming is dead. They don’t seem to have realised it yet. Neither, apparently, did Blizzard, who released one of the most successful PC games

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ever in the form of Diablo 3. Wow. Amazing. You can just tell how dead PC is as a gaming platform.

But no, console gaming is about to die, according to these knowledgable experts. Just after we let PC gamers know that they are performing the gaming equivalent of necrophilia, we should probably let Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft know that they might as well stop work on the new projects they have on the go - one of which, in the form of the Wii U, will be hitting the market this year. Because, you see, the experts know – simply know – that console gaming is about to dwindle into nothingness.

Just as consoles so obviously killed PC gaming (right?), console gaming will be killed by – get this – mobile devices and smart TVs. Mobile devices. Smart TVs. Seriously?

Perhaps they sell really good crack in video-game-expert-land. But the last time I checked you can’t run the same kind of games on mobile devices as you can on consoles. Not really.

Don’t get me wrong, I think there is a great amount of fun to be had playing games on my phone and on my tablet. I am positively addicted to Angry Birds. But the experience is a different one. It doesn’t feel the same, and the games don’t play the same.

The prospect of playing games right on your TV is also great, but the same will apply. They won’t –not for a good few years, if you apply even a modicum of logic to it – be able to compete with the performance of HD consoles, current or Next Gen. Perhaps these experts should check their alarmism at the door, and think a little before they blurt out the first thing that springs into their apparently vacant craniums. Maybe they should stop leaping onto band wagons as if their life depended on it.

So I am going to do just that. I am going to go against the grain. I am going to say: console gaming will change, it will evolve and it will need to compete with gaming on new fronts in the future. But will it die? Please. The notion is laughable. I cannot think of one person who would trade their console for a tablet or mobile handset game. The statement makes no sense.

But, then again, perhaps I am not an expert… Actually, I think I would rather not be one. I prefer to have original, logical thoughts. g

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

com p eti t io n • c o mp eti ti on • c om pe tit ion • com pe t ition • com pe t it ion

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WIN

a Spec Ops: The Line T-Shirt!

Courtesy of Megarom and 2K Games TO ENTER: Send an email to competitions@gameccamag.com Tell us the name of the main character in Spec Ops: The Line Insert ‘Spec Ops’ in the mail’s subject line Subscribe to www.gameccamag.com Become a fan on Gamecca’s Facebook Page

Competition closes 31 July 2012. Gamecca subscribers only. South African residents only.

Prizes may not be exchanged for cash. Competition closed to employees (& employee’s family) of 1337 Media CC and Megarom. The judges’ decision is final.

Gamecca

E3 2012 Round-Up

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nce again the Gamecca Birthday issue has rolled around – yes, we’re three years old, now – and that means that it’s E3 round-up time.

This year’s E3 seems to have been a bit of a mixed bag.

A lot of people complained about a number of things. The first was the fact that no-one announced anything new regarding consoles. Sure, Nintendo spoke about their new Wii U system, but we have heard about it before.

Microsoft mentioned a few new ideas, but there was no talk of a follow-up Xbox. And PlayStation didn’t say much at all…

But this is not unexpected. The thought that these companies would be announcing anything is really rather silly, mainly because the companies all stated that they wouldn’t be announcing anything. Perhaps we should all

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just take them at their word?

Another complaint – and a far more serious one – was that so much of what was on show relied heavily on violence to make an impression. And this is cause for some concern, what with so many people out there complaining about the possible effects of video game violence. But, then again, one does need to consider that violent video games are top sellers, generally. Perhaps the industry needs to consider how it presents itself.

There have been rumblings about E3 2012 being something of a disappointing show. But, truth be told, having looked over the list of games announced and on show there, we disagree. We have selected a number of games to give you a short insight into. So, without further ado, here they are (in more or less alphabetical order…) gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

A Game of Dwarves Release Platform: PC / PS3 Release Date: Q4 2012

Paradox Interactive’s newest announcement is looking decidedly familiar, at least to anyone that was gaming in the ‘90s. With the options to “dig, build and conduct research” in an underground cavern, it appears that they are trying to resurrect Dungeon Keeper, though with a distinctly… cheerful air this time round.

Assassin’s Creed 3

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Oct 2012 Ranked by numerous sources as the Best of show, Best console and Best action game of E3, the fifth game in the Assassin’s Creed series promises to be a strong contender for game of the year. Set during the American Revolution with seasonal changes affecting gameplay, this is a must for any gamer.

Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation Release Platform: Vita Release Date: Oct 2012

The Vita will soon be the proud companion to an epic game. Assassins Creed: Liberation is not only developed purely for the PlayStation Vita, it also has crazy new elements including a female assassin called Aveline as well as the “Crystal White” Vita which is due for release alongside this game as a bundle. gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

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Borderlands 2

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Sep 2012 The sequel to the RPG cross FPS title of 2009 looks set to wow us once again.

Five years have passed since the events of the first Borderlands and a man called Handsome Jack has claimed the wealth of the vault and taken over the Hyperion Corporation. How sneaky!

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 Release Platform: PS3 / X360 Release Date: TBC

With the preview Lords of Shadow game having been something of a reset for the Castlevania franchise – and a popular one at that – it’s hardly surprising that the doom-and-gloom, gothic action adventure is making a return. Details are a little sparse, but we’re expecting good things, based on past performance.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 / Wii U Release Date: Nov 2012

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The next COD should be a favourite among the FPS gamers. With the record success of Modern Warfare this should be an enjoyable well-rounded single player and multiplayer FPS. Local teams are gearing up for the tournaments already.

And the modern tech edge it offers is a nice bonus, too.

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Company of Heroes 2 Release Platform: PC Release Date: Q1 2013

We see a lot of strategy games set in the Western Front of World War II, but the Company of Heroes sequel looks to show us the other side of the war. The player will be able to take control of the Red Army as it fights against the German invasion of Russia. Strategy fans should have something to look forward to in this one.

Darksiders 2

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Aug 2012 After War comes Death...

Darksiders II is set in roughly the same period as the original game, but this time around the story centres on the most feared Horseman of them all.

Strife and Fury aren’t to be left out however, as they’ll also feature in this highly anticipated sequel.

Dead or Alive 5

Release Platform: PS3 / X360 Release Date: Sep 2012 Dead or Alive is back with a vengeance. The developers, known for their advanced animation of jiggling breasts, have worked hard on this release with the addition of a number of playable guest characters as well as advancements in rendering to make the 3D-fighting moves look much more realistic than prior releases. gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

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Deadlight

Release Platform: X360 Release Date: Aug 2012 Deadlight is an XBLA game, and is a side scrolling survival cinematic platformer.

Zombies have always been a favourite to kill and with this game you’re involved in a zombie apocalypse. This should be a very unique and interesting take on the Zombie bashing, thanks to the unique presentation.

Demon’s Score

Release Platform: Mobile Release Date: TBA A rhythm-based shooter, it seems to be an eclectic blend of Guitar Hero, shonen anime and arcade style lightgun shooters, where you hammer or swipe at buttons on your mobile. While it remains to be seen whether its unique presentation is overly camp or not, it looks to be great fun.

Dishonored

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Oct 2012

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Dishonored is described as a first person NeoVictorian Steampunk stealth action game. That’s quite a mouthful, but it does indeed look awesome. Not Bethesda’s usual open world game, but rather a series of linear missions. Corvo Atano seeks vengeance after being framed for the assassination of the Empress.

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Crysis 3

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: 2013 Word of the next game in the Crysis franchise actually came out a bit before E3 2012, but the game made a strong showing at the expo.

Using the same formula of high technology, advanced combat and hordes of nasty, bug-eyed aliens to shoot at, Crysis 3 looks like it will do a great job of furthering the popular franchise.

New ideas will be available to the player as they once again don their nanosuit and return to New York City. Encased in a special dome, the city has become an amalgamation of human construction and dense rainforest, giving the player all kinds of new opportunities.

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DMC: Devil May Cry

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Q1 2013 It’s been a while since Dante graced our screens, but the hero will be back early next year. Capcom and Team Ninja will be collaborating on this title, which promises more of the series’ signature gun-and-sword based game play. There will be new weapons and powers aplenty in this anticipated title.

Dungeonland

Release Platform: PC Release Date: Q4 2012 Paradox Interactive seems to have developed a taste for the whacky.

Dungeonland is an action RPG set in a theme park for adventurers built by the Evil Lord Dungeon Master. The novelty alone makes it stand out, but throw in multiplayer and self-mockery, and you have a potential winner.

Epic Mickey 2:The Power of Two Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 / Wii Release Date: TBC

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Playing the first Epic Mickey was interesting. This time around, the developers are including co-op game modes, too. What’s interesting is that you can choose your own path in the game and the world itself will be created accordingly.

What a magical idea – bound to get the whole family playing.

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gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

F1 2012

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Sep 2012 Codemaster will be adding another iteration to their F1 series, but this time around they will be taking driver training a bit more seriously.

A range of tutorials will bring players even closer to the world of F1 racing, thanks to the Young Drivers Test mode, which is being punted as a big game highlight.

Far Cry 3

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Sep 2012 Far Cry 3 takes place on a tropical island, populated by crazed inhabitants. Players take on the role of tourist Jason Brody as he hunts for his girlfriend, all the while attempting to escape from the crazies that live on the cluster of islands.

Final Fantasy XIV

Release Platform: PC / PS3 Release Date: September 2012 Fans of the long-running Square Enix franchise will certainly be looking forward to the 14th instalment of Final Fantasy. It will be a massively multiplayer online RPG and shouldn’t disappoint. The stories are always interesting and the aesthetics are surreal in this series, and this one appears no different. gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

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Forza Horizon

Release Platform: X360 Release Date: Oct 2012 The newest edition of Forza will leave tracks behind, giving players the freedom of the open road. Instead of touring the world, players will get to drive on a variety of tracks in the US state of Colorado. With more of an enthusiast feel, tons of cars and game modes – including pink slip races – will greet fans when this one arrives later this year.

Halo 4

Release Platform: X360 Release Date: 6 Nov 2012 After a five year wait, Master Chief is back. This time though it’s not only the Covenant that he’s facing. With 343 Industries in charge, Halo 4 looks set to mark a subtle shift in gameplay, focussing as much on plot as gunplay. And yes, there will definitely be multiplayer.

Hitman: Absolution

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Nov 2012

Feature

Much secrecy has shrouded this title, but Agent 47 returns once again in Hitman: Absolution. 47 has been betrayed and is being hunted, and he sets out on a personal journey for truth.

Absolution will also feature a greater focus on action and gunplay than previous instalments.

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Dead Space 3

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Feb 2013 Early 2013 got a little otter with the announcement of Dead Space 3, the next instalment in EA’s popular survival horror franchise.

The player will once again assume the role of engineer Isaac Clarke as he takes on hordes on Necromorph enemies. But this time, things won’t be happening aboard a space ship or station. Rather, the player will have a planet to visit for this next outing.

In addition to new enemies and environments, players will also (for the first time in the franchise’s history) be able to enjoy drop-in, dropout co-op game play, which will enable new story paths to be enjoyed.

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Injustice: Gods Among Us Release Platform: PS3 / X360 / Wii U Release Date: TBA 2013

NetherRealm Studios are adept at creating fantastic displays of gratuitous violence, and this shows with Injustice, a traditional 3D fighting game set in the DC universe. Featuring all the favourites, the environments will become as integral to the fighting as their characters themselves, both of which look incredible.

James Bond: 007 Legends Release Platform: PS3 / X360 Release Date: Oct 2012

The dearth of 007 movies isn’t stopping Activision from making games based on the super-spy. This game will take the player through an original story that ties together six classic Bond films, all in celebration of fifty years of Bond, as well as the much anticipated release of the new film, Skyfall.

Just Dance 4

Release Platform: PS3 / X360 / Wii U / Wii Release Date: Oct 2012

Feature

Dancing is still one of the most enjoyable exercises one can undertake.

Incorporating Battle mode and coming up with your own Dance Routine seems very intriguing and fun. A generous track lists will include songs both popular and catchy, like Rock Lobster and Moves Like Jagger. Usher, eat your heart out

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Lego City: Undercover Release Platform: Wii U / 3DS Release Date: Q3 2012

Lego seems to have gone through a GTA turn in this game. You play an undercover cop in Lego city. Harry Potter, Indiana Jones and even Batman were undoubtedly more kid-friendly. But, I’m glad that Lego realizes that it has great potential to bring in the older generation to relive their childhood.

Lifeless Planet Release Platform: PS3 Release Date: TBC

Sackboy and Sackgirl need to save the Craftworld Universe again, this time in a set of fully customisable wheels. The new addition to the Little Big Planet series sees the colourful cute companions enter into some classic karting, arena battles and some boss fights and objective based missions with a difference.

Lost Planet 3

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: 2013 Players will be able to return to E.D.N. III in this final instalment of the Lost Planet series.

It promises to delve deeper into the Lost Planet Universe, unveiling truths and secrets about the world – as well as offering tons of action and harsh environments. And, of course, Akrid… gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

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Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon Release Platform: 3DS Release Date: TBA 2012

The second most famous Italian plumber returns to a starring role, this time in glorious 3D. Dark Moon looks set to capture the same humorous and addictive spirit of the first, and will feature several characters from the first game, as well as an increased focus on puzzle solving.

Mark of the Ninja Release Platform: X360 Release Date: 2012

This is a stealthy ninja title from Klei Entertainment on XBLA. Previews have been very promising and I’m pretty sure that it will be a close competition between this game and Deadlight. Who will win, Zombies or Ninjas?

Perhaps the age old question will finally be answered… we cannot wait.

Medal of Honor: Warfighter Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Oct 2012

Feature

Warfighter is a direct sequel to the 2010 Medal of Honor reboot, continuing the story from the previous game.

The missions will apparently have a storyline connecting them, and players will complete tasks such as rescuing hostages and assaulting Somali pirates.

Several characters from the original game will return in Warfighter.

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Gears of War: Judgement Release Platform: X360 Release Date: Q1/Q2 2013 With new multiplayer game modes and a revamped combat system, the fourth game in the Gears of War series will take players back to when it all began: Emergence Day. Set before the events of the otiginal trilogy, Gears of War: Judgement will present players with a thrilling, action packed campaign right at the beginning of the war with the Locust. In addition to competitive multiplayer, the game will also feature four player co-op for the whole campaign, as well as missions that can be unlocked by finding crucial information during the campaign. Sounds like it’s going to be great!

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Metal Gear Rising:Vengeance Release Platform: PS3 / X360 Release Date: Q1 2013

The notorious child soldier, Jack the Ripper, is reborn as a Cyborg by the name of Raiden. With a murderous katana in his hands and a goal of helping a civil war ridden country piece itself back together, you are free to run rampant and push the “free-slicing” mode to its limits. And yes, you can even cut up a helicopter.

Metro: Last Light

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 / Wii U Release Date: Q1 2013 The sequel to Metro 2033, Last Light was originally penned as Metro 2034 and features both first person shooter as well as survival horror elements. Mutants stalk the catacombs beneath Moscow as the remnants of mankind must fight to survive. The cities vie for power and a civil war is looming.

New Super Mario Bros U Release Platform: Wii U Release Date: TBC

Feature

It’s not really surprising that Nintendo will be gracing their new console with a visit to the world of the plucky plumber that made them great. New Super Mario Bros U will be exclusive to the Wii U, with challenges and levels designed specifically for the new console. Other than that, details are sketchy…

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Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Release Platform: PS3 / 3DS Release Date: Jan 2013

Oliver is on a pilgrimage to become a master magician in Ni No Kuni. One of the Developers is Studio Ghibli, which is a massive favourite within the film community with their well-rounded characters and beautiful worlds. This game should have Anime fans drooling for more.

Of Orcs and Men

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Sept 2012 While fantasy RPGs are a dime a dozen, Of Orcs and Men is turning everything on its head, letting you play as the nasty greenskin fighting against the persecution of the human Emperor. It’s an intriguing concept, and if backed by solid gameplay will likely make a great sleeper hit.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star Release Platform: 3DS Release Date: Dec 2012

Returning to the popular Paper Mario universe, this game will provide players with mor of the same kind of fun game play that made the franchise what it is. And this time around, it will all be happening on the 3DS. With the high priority that Nintendo is placing on the Wii U, it is nice to see such a popular series making an appearance on the 3DS. gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

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PES 2013

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 / Wii / 3DS Release Date: Q3 2012 If total ball control is your thing, then PES 2013 will be your game. This iteration of ‘the other soccer franchise’ will put more control into the player’s hands, allowing them to play the kind of football they want to play. It looks promising, at least…

Pikmin 3

Release Platform: Wii U Release Date: TBC No Nintendo console is complete without Super Mario and Pikmin. This addictive action puzzler will be released for the Wii U, making use of unique opportunities presented by the hardware to make the game even better than before. A firm fan favourite, this game is a great addition to the Wii U line-up.

Resident Evil 6

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Oct 2012

Feature

Resident Evil 6 gives players the opportunity to choose between three different characters with connected storylines. Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield and Jake Muller, son of Albert Wesker, take centre stage this time around in three distinct plot lines featuring zombies and the newly introduced J’avo

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Splinter Cell: Blacklist

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Q2 2013 It seems that Sam Fisher’s sojourn on the wrong side of the law has ended.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist sees the experienced, grizzled operative return to the service of the US, with Sam at the head of a group that reports directly to the president.

Sam is tasked with rebuilding a new 4th Echelon unit and tracking down a deadly terrorist group, and he has been granted permission to act above the law to do so.

And he has an arsenal of special equipment, too. And, thanks to new technology in the game, a whole bunch of new moves…

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Showdown Effect Release Platform: PC Release Date: Q4 2012

Despite deserving the award for “cheesiest and most epic” voice acting of E3, this game looks like it will prove to be a nostalgic 80s goldmine of awesome.

With a vast collection of stereotypical characters including a hard done by cop and an equally bizarre collection of weapons and arenas, this game could be a new classic.

Silent Hill: Book of Memories Release Platform: Vita Release Date: Oct 2012

Silent Hill continues with its terrifying reputation by infesting the PS Vita with haunting images of Pyramid Head and some horrific bloodied-up humanoids.

The first multiplayer release in the franchise, Book of Memories allows simple character customisation and allows your friends to scream and battle through the levels with you.

Sim City

Release Platform: PC Release Date: Feb 2013

Feature

SimCity has a hallowed place in gaming, being one of those games that created and defined a genre.

With the reboot recently announced, besides the fantastic graphics, the buzz is centred on the GlassBox engine, which creates conditions such as pollution dynamically rather statistically. In short, a management fan’s dream.

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Skulls of the Shogun Release Platform: X360 Release Date: 2012

Advance Wars inspired this game. It takes the form of a turn based strategy game between the undead and samurais. Who doesn’t love samurais and the undead?

Hopefully, this game will settle the score between these two awesome factions once and for all…

Sleeping Dogs

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Aug 2012 Originally in development as the third installment of the True Crime series, Sleeping Dogs is an open world crime drama game that blends action, role playing and street racing elements.

Chinese-American Wei Shen goes undercover to infiltrate the Triads and tries to maintain his moral code while committing crimes.

Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Aug 2012

Realistic ballistics, teamwork, varied environments… these are all elements that a real sniper has to take into account, and they are things that players of Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 will also have to consider.

New technology and game play ideas promise to make this next instalment in the series an exciting game for stealth-combat fans. gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

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Soul Sacrifice

Release Platform: Vita Release Date: Q1 2013 Despite this leaving most E3 attendees baffled by the mechanics of the game itself, Soul Sacrifice looks like the Heavy-Action RPG to end them all, on a portable device that is. Said to feel much more like a console game that any of the PSP predecessors, the gameplay involves sacrificing limbs, belongings and life in order to skill up.

Sports Champions 2 Release Platform: PS3 Release Date: 2012

A sequel to the original Sports Champions was inevitable. The next instalment will feature new sports, and the player will be able to compete with friends in disciplines including boxing, golf and bowling, among others. In addition, a new party mode will mean that the competition will get more intense

Star Trek

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Q1 2013

Feature

Trekkie fans will flock to get their hands on this game.

This game should be an interesting take on the third person action-adventure genre, and will build up hype for the next film coming to theatres in the coming year. And for a change the antagonist race are the Gorn.

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Star Wars 1313 Release Platform: TBC Release Date: TBC

You know that a publi2sher is keeping their cards close when you cannot confirm which platforms a new game will appear on. The rather strangely named Star Wars 1313 is shrouded in some mystery, much like the Coruscant underworld in which it will take place.

What we do know is that the player will take on the role of a bounty hunter, digging through the dirt in a previously unexplored section of the Star Wars mythos. The game promises to be dark, gritty and mature-oriented, which should suit Star Wars fan just fine… no Jar Jar Binks here (we hope.)

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Starvoid

Release Platform: PC Release Date: Q3 2012 Starvoid is a multiplayer real time strategy game where the player must fight for control over the rare spaceship fuel Starvoid. Use combat drones, vehicles and your abilities as you battle it out in the outer rims of the galaxy. Be tactical, customise and take command!

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Release Platform: PS3 / X360 / Wii U Release Date: Sep 2012

Although this title has been running rampant on the arcade platform for a few months, it is officially being released for console, including the Wii U. Besides extended tag mechanics and combo moves; nothing new has really been introduced in the title. But despite this, very few things are more enjoyable than a round of Tekken.

Testament of Sherlock Holmes Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Sep 2012

Feature

Sherlock Holmes has always been a favorite with bookworms and gamers.

With the new series on BBC, as well as recent movies, this revival of the best detective ever is a sure winner. Presented as an open world adventure game, you have to use your deductive skills to solve crimes in true Sherlock Holmes fashion.

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The Cave

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: TBA 2013 A sidescrolling adventure that has three selectable characters, each of which have their own unique abilities and influence on the overall story. Sound familiar anyone? Ron Gilbert is clearly in a nostalgic mode, but unlike his previous games, The Cave looks to have a darker, but still funny, side to it.

The Last of Us

Release Platform: PS3 Release Date: Dec 2012 Naughty Dog’s newest offering is looking, frankly, amazing. The creators of the Uncharted franchise seem to have sculpted a world alive with tension, desperation and despair. The gameplay videos are truly spectacular, with a cinematic feel usually reserved for setpieces or QTE’s. One of the best of this year’s show.

Tokyo Jungle

Release Platform: PS3 Release Date: TBA One of the weirdest games this year, Tokyo Jungle is an action survival where mankind has disappeared, and you are left controlling a variety of animals, including a Pomeranian dog which yaps constantly. The gameplay itself looks fairly simple, but the premise is… intriguing, to say the least.

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Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Aug 2012

This is a third person shooter that lets you play as the robots in disguise. Who will win in the fight against the Decepticons and the Autobots? Massive battles will ensue on multiplayer and single player, all in the name of conquering the Transformer home world.

War of the Roses Release Platform: PC Release Date: Q3 2012

Here’s another one we’ve been hearing about for ages.

But it seems that Paradox’s War of the Roses will be here shortly, complete with all the medieval third person action you could shake a halberd at. Foot combat, mounted combat and customisable characters are the order of the day for this one, which looks like great fun.

Wreckateer

Release Platform: X360 Release Date: Q3 2012

Feature

Like breaking stuff? Well, then Wreckateer might just be your kind of poison. This gesture based game is all about breaking buildings, thanks to a robust physics engine and some clever ideas. It’s a casual one, but it looks like it will be tons of fun.

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Tomb Raider

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Mar 2013 Yes, we have heard about the unimaginatively titled new instalment in Lara Croft’s adventures for over a year now, but seeing as how the release date is soon, we thought we should mention Tomb Raider again. And besides, it looks awesome.

With Crystal Dynamix at the wheel, we expect nothing less than excellence…

The game managed to spark some controversy at E3 2012, but we still believe that this start to Lara’s adventures will be a game well worth playing. We haven’t seen a new Tomb Raider title in ages, so it’s about time we get back to Croft’s action-adventure style.

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XCOM: Enemy Unknown Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: Oct 2012

The invading aliens are set to make a return in XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The player of this turn-based strategy title will be in command of a secret government task force who need to eradicate the alien invaders. Fans of this long running series will likely be thrilled at its return.

ZombiU

Release Platform: Wii U Release Date: TBC It looks like Ubisoft will be jumping into hard-core Wii U action early, with the release of ZombiU. When a zombie outbreak threatens London, it will be up to the player to not only survive, but fight back. ZombiU will make use of the innovative control scheme that the Wii U has on offer to create a new kind of survival horror gaming experience.

Zumba Fitness: Core Release Platform: X360 / Wii Release Date: Oct 2012

Feature

New moves, new dance styles, new venues and new songs… that’s what Zumba: Core will offer fitness freaks who can’t get enough of the craze on console. Two new instructors join the crew, too, and an extended tutorial mode will get players going – while nutrition and wellness tips keep them going.

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Watch Dogs

Release Platform: PC / PS3 / X360 Release Date: TBC We love it when publishers drop surprises on us at E3, and Watch Dogs was a big one from Ubisoft. This open world action adventure looks pretty thrilling just at a glance, but there’s a little magic to this one that makes it seem even better.

The player’s character, Aiden Pearce, is a master hacker in addition to being a general bad-ass, and the player can manipulate any system tied into the city’s network. From traffic lights through to security cameras, the player will be able to use the city as one of their weapons. It sounds awesome – ambitious, yes, but also awesome.

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Reviews Highlights 18 Spec Ops: The Line Being a hero can suck...

20 Dragon’s Dogma Epic RPG action 22 Dirt: Showdown For the casual fans 23 Lollipop Chainsaw Seriously?

E

3 always - without fail - messes with game releases. It is because of that venerated trade show that there are so few new games hitting shelves at the moment.

On the upside, there are some really good ones, and the rest of the year is looking very promising. A little patience will pay off... g

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© Copyright 2011 and Published by Deep Silver, a division of Koch Media GmbH, Gewerbegebiet 1, 6604 Höfen, Austria. Developed 2011, Techland Sp. z o.o., Poland. © Copyright 2011, Chrome Engine, Techland Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.

GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION includes Bloodbath Arena, Ryder White Episode & Ripper weapon blueprint

IN STORES JULY 2012

PC

© Copyright 2011 and Published by Deep Silver, a division of Koch Media GmbH, Gewerbegebiet 1, 6604 Höfen, Austria.Developed 2011, Techland Sp. z o.o., Poland. © Copyright 2011, Chrome Engine, Techland Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.

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Distributed Exclusively by Apex Interactive Tel: (011) 796 5040 www.apexinteractive.co.za Email: sales@apexint.co.za All rights and trademarks and logos are copyright of their respective owners.

www.apexactive.co.za

Spec Ops: The Line

Heart of Sand So you wanna be a hero?

by Walt Pretorius

W

actions of Captain Walker, the character under the player’s control, might not actually be the right ones. They’re easily put down to being tough choices initially, but as the game’s exceptional plot develops, the player will more than once start wondering if Walker is the hero he believes he is… or if he is even a hero at all. The game will, at times, have the player posed with choices that really have no positive outcomes. At others, it will blatantly blast the player with shocking events that are the direct result of Walker’s actions. It is quite possibly the first game ever in which being the good guy makes you feel bad. And that is part of what makes it an awesome entertainment experience.

There’s a distinction there. Calling it an awesome game would be pushing things a little far, perhaps. It is a good game, yes, but the game dynamics and systems are overshadowed by a story that is powerful, thought-

Review

hen we play video games, there are certain things that we take for granted. One of them is that the character we are in control of is doing stuff that leads towards some kind of good – or even greater good. Even in games which have the main character cast as some kind of rogue, scoundrel or criminal still give the player the impression that what they are doing is all about what is good and right and just, whether for the character personally, his close circles, or the world at large. There are very few exceptions to this idea. And none have taken the antithesis of this struggle for what is right quite as far as Spec Ops: The Line.

It is something that sneaks up on you while you play the pop-and-drop, cover-based shooter. Somewhere, in the back of your mind, the idea begins forming that the

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provoking, disturbing and important. The story is what elevates this title above the norm, and if you’re the kind of player who rushes through games and skips cut-scenes, you will be doing yourself a serious disservice here. Plot is primary in Spec Ops: The Line.

It breaks down a bit like this – and we’re going to keep spoilers to a minimum here: the city of Dubai is turned into a horrific wasteland after a series of devastating sandstorms all but destroy it. A Delta Force team, under the leadership of Walker, is sent in to search for survivors – most importantly, a Colonel John Konrad and his 33rd battalion, who were conducting rescue missions in the city before they went dark. The name John Konrad, incidentally, is a reference to author Joseph Conrad, who wrote Heart of Darkness… a pretty heavy story that this game uses as inspiration. So did the movie Apocalypse

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Now, and if you have seen that, you may have some kind of idea what you are in for while playing Spec Ops: The Line.

As the story progresses, Walker and his team descend into the darkness of Dubai –not a literal darkness, mind you, but rather the darkness of humanity driven to desperation and savagery. And that’s where we will leave it, because the story is too good to ruin by telling you what happens next.

Suffice to say that during the course of the game’s narrative, the player will need to make some pretty tough choices, which subtly affect the course of the story. There are multiple endings, which prompt a second play through, at least. If you were as captivated by the story as I was, you’ll probably play it through several times, just to spot those turning points and get the full picture.

As far as the game itself goes, Spec Op: The Line is a

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that, at times, the environment can be employed to best enemies – like causing a cascade of sand to ‘drown’ enemy combatants – and things can get pretty intense.

Thankfully the two AI characters that join the player on his mission are pretty smart. They will effectively act on their own, moving to cover and engaging enemies. The player can also issue orders to them, but these are sparse at best, and are often part of more-or-less scripted events.

There is a fair amount of scripting and linearity to this title, and numerous cut-scenes. While this may not seem ideal, these all play towards advancing the narrative, and the game can easily be forgiven that slight weakness.

Visually, this title is excellent, with special effects that not only enhance the game play, but add to the ambiance and story too. Swirling sandstorms and glaring sunlight not only add feel, but can also affect the player’s performance;

Review

more than decent third person action title. It places a heavy reliance on cover-based combat, so the player will constantly be dodging from one setoff cover to another.

The cover can be destroyed, too, in some instances, and the rather clever enemy AI will try to flank the player whenever possible, making the combat quite intense. The need to move constantly is ever-present.

This is where the game may –note, may – let a few players down. Every now and then, the controls for vaulting over cover, which correspond with melee attacks, may lead to slight issues. But it isn’t anything ruinous, really, because it doesn’t crop up too often.

In fact, the controls can lead to a rather fluid game dynamic, with the player zipping between cover objects while trying to avoid enemy fire almost constantly. It can get pretty frantic, and exhilarating. Add to that the fact

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sensible, and realistic. The voice acting, too, is excellent, with veteran Nolan North heading up the cast in the role of Walker.

But everything comes back down to that all important story. This is the heart of the game, and its importance to the overall experience cannot be understated. Partly because of this, Spec Ops: The Line’s multiplayer offering leaves a bit to be desired. There is no story here, obviously; instead, the player is faced with a number of game modes that are entertaining, but not revolutionary. They feel soulless after experiencing the single player campaign.

There’s another little issue. Despite being replayable, the single player campaign is short. Not brutally short, mind you, but the heavy reliance that this game places on it could have lead to a longer campaign.

Still, the experience borders on unmissable. This games

pushes narrative limits in exciting ways, and plays with in-game morality on a whole new level. The combination of solid game mechanics with a really well put together plot makes for something that is great to experience, even if the multiplayer offering is weaker than it should be. Fans of a great story will certainly want to play this title. Those fans shouldn’t include kids, though- this game is very certainly for adults, full of brutal violence, bad language and adult themes.

Not everyone will love this game; it’s less about the guns and big booms (although they are there) than the psyche of Captain Walker.

It is the most interesting game, in terms of story, that we have seen in a long time. Approach it with the right attitude, experience the full story, and you are in for a treat. Skipping even one cut scene may ruin that. g

AT A GLANCE: Third person shooter

Reviewed on:

PS3

Here’s a game where the story is paramount, the action is intense and the presentation is awesome.

Similar to: MaxPlayers Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

Mass Effect, SOCOM: Special Forces Local

1

Network

Online

8

Yager 2K Games Megarom

Parental Advisory

18+ gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

0

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

89 81

Dragon’s Dogma

Arise!

And take on a massive world

by Lein Baart

I

Dragon’s Dogma is truly about.

As an RPG, Dragon’s Dogma mixes up the usual systems. The game initially allows you to choose one of three vocations, or classes, being a fighter, strider (ranger), or mage. Gaining experience earns you discipline points, which are then spent on skills such as spells or special attacks, core skills like levitating and blocking, and passive abilities called augments. The game allows you to multiclass, though only your augments really carry through, unless you choose a vocation similar to your previous choice, as skills are tied to specific weapon types. In total there are nine vocations, including the likes of a mystic knight and an assassin, and you can freely swap between classes at any point, making Dragon’s Dogma extremely versatile.

The other core mechanic revolves around human-like

Review

n gaming, as in most things, there are those titles that will either be loved or hated by those who play them. Most games offer a little bit of both, where you get drawn in for a while then lose interest as the aspects that irritate become too much. Dragon’s Dogma sits squarely in the former category however, offering a unique blend of brilliance and flaws that will either have you captivated or cause you to bolt for the door to get an exchange.

Dragon’s Dogma has a stigma attached to it, and rather unfairly at that. It seems to draw from so many different games that initially it looks to be a confusing hodgepodge of mismatched elements, and in danger of losing its identity amidst the chaos. Nothing could be further from the truth though, as these are shallow comparisons at best that give the vaguest hint of what

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creatures called pawns. In theory, it’s meant to make Dragon’s Dogma similar to an offline MMO, though the practice falls somewhat short. In addition to your own character, you create a “main pawn” that will be a constant companion throughout your journey, and is the only other character to level besides you. The rest of your party is made up of hirelings, who you can freely swap out at almost any time in the game. They essentially exist to serve you, which they state many, many times, and will wander around waiting for you, as an Arisen, to ask for their aid. To be honest, while the ideas are good, it’s a flawed execution. The A.I. controlling them is mediocre at best, and they frequently tend to do rather silly things in combat, like run off ledges or shout useless advice… over and over again. Pawns apparently love one-liners, and suffer from some rare selective amnesia, as no matter

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

how many times you pass a particular landmark, they will always shout out the same remark with glee or wonder. It’s informative at first, but quickly gets annoying, though they do tend to grow on you. While it would be inconceivable to give every single pawn, of which there are hundreds, a distinct personality, your own pawn is no better, and it’s a shame Capcom never exploited this opportunity. There is one fantastic feature though, in which your main pawn can be uploaded, allowing other players to use him or her in questing and vice versa.

The story is perhaps the weakest part of the game, which is a pity as there was great potential. You begin as the typical nameless, voiceless hero, who defiantly rushes at a rampaging dragon attacking your village. This of course is rather unwise, and you have your heart ripped out of your chest and eaten for your trouble, only

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created a huge world, filled with most of the staples of fantasy fiction. Goblins, ogres, undead and more all make an appearance, and it’s through this vast and ever spawning array that Dragon’s Dogma’s greatest strength is revealed: combat. It’s fast and frantic, even against weaker foes, but getting to grips with everything may take some time. The monsters of myth though, such as chimeras and cyclopses, are spectacular, presenting truly epic battles. You can clamber on to these foes while they rage across the battlefield, crawling your way up to attack the head for instance, and felling such beasts is immensely satisfying. It should be warned though, venturing too far too quickly will likely see you winding up in a tricky situation with extremely tough enemies all around, and it’s for this reason Dragon’s Dogma should be taken at a steady pace.

Review

to be told by the dragon that you must face him when you’re stronger. While this in the strictest sense would make you undead, you awaken to find out that you have become an Arisen. What this means exactly, and how you came to be so, is left largely unexplained for most of the game. As are most things actually. The land you travel, Gransys, is filled with ruins and dungeons, yet besides for a brief one liner from one of your pawns, the blanks are never filled in. Likewise, the plot tends to have large holes, and it can be hours before any significant progress is made. The majority of the story is standard fantasy fare, and this impression isn’t helped by the mostly generic side quests. The ending, in a strange contradiction, is fantastic, though only the patient and persistent are likely to get there.

To fill up the hours in between then, Capcom has

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That steady pace will be forced on you whether you like it or not however. The game is almost entirely bereft of a fast-travel system, except for expensive one use items that only transport you to the city; thus you will be legging it everywhere. While this isn’t a bad thing necessarily, many quests force you travel back to areas you’ve already been through, and with constant monster respawns, it can get tedious. The combat, as already mentioned, is great and will keep you entertained, and provides a good measure to judge your growing prowess, but the map is large and it can take quite a while to get from point to another. That said, Dragon’s Dogma is an open-world game and you will sorely miss out if you choose not to explore. There are some great moments to be had, such as goblins flying out of a bush to tackle you, and fantastic vistas to take in, and if you invest the patience you will be rewarded.

While the wilds are beautiful and engaging, the same cannot be said of the urban areas. The structures are majestic, especially the city of Gran Soren, but the initial appearance of life is hollow. People you meet wander around aimlessly, with only a couple of oft-repeated lines, spoken in a sort of ye olde English that apparently needs the word “aught” throw in to every second sentence. The ambience tracks do little do aid this, and hum of the city is distinctly lacking, giving each centre the feeling of a ghost town.

Dragon’s Dogma is ultimately the quintessential diamond in the rough. While there are certainly flaws to be found, some of which can be off putting in the extreme, there are moments of pure genius as well.

It’s engaging, constantly challenging, and most importantly for a game, a lot of fun. g

AT A GLANCE: Third Person Adventure

Reviewed on:

Definitely not a title for everyone, Dragon’s Dogma requires plenty of time an effort, though the rewards are great.

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Demon’s Souls Local

1

Network

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Capcom Capcom Ster Kinekor

Parental Advisory

18+ gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

0

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

PS3 Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

77 85

Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor

Heavy In all the wrong ways…

by Walt Pretorius

O

you mentally and physically exhausted, frustrated and generally nursing a feeling of disappointment.

Sure, the developers may be going for the idea that controlling a massive battle robot in a world where technology has all been destroyed is hard work. But I have a couple of problems with that. First off, we all play games for fun. From Software seem to not get that, what with their growing stable of games that are more work than pleasure. And secondly, if the control scheme was meant to mimic a difficult situation, it would actually work properly. But, as things stand, it doesn’t. The player will alternately be flailing their arms about (in an attempt to reach controls around the battle machine’s cockpit) and trying like all hell to actually hit something of value with their cannons. The ‘virtual cockpit’ idea is awesome in principle, but the game just doesn’t seem to want to effectively recognise the player’s physical inputs properly.

Review

n the back of the Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor box it says “War, inside and out.” Well, we think that the guy who designed the box art may have had a different meaning in mind when he put that on there, but it really does describe the game perfectly. It is a game that will see you not only fighting enemies, but actually fighting the game itself. This is due to a great idea that went sour.

See, for ages people have been saying that there needs to be a truly hard-core game made that employs the Xbox 360’s Kinect system. And that’s what developers From Software (responsible for games like Demon’s Souls) aimed to do. Perhaps it is their overall design philosophy to make games brutally difficult.

Perhaps it is a shortcoming on the Kinect and controller combination that they decided to use for this game.

Whatever the case may be, playing this title will leave

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This becomes doubly frustrating when the player’s actions are against the clock – venting poisonous gas, for example, results in more failure than success, thanks to poor control implementation.

And other less critical controls also lead to frustration, as some of the physical commands are confused with others. In all, it’s a bit of a nasty experience all round.

This is a sad thing, actually, because the idea behind it is great. I can think of very few players who wouldn’t enjoy the idea, at least in principle.

And then From manages to rub salt into the wounds by making the game extremely difficult. Hitting an enemy is tough enough without having to deal with all the stuff that gets thrown at the player.

Once again, we play games for fun… if we wanted to actually drive something like a tank, we’d join the army.

And even then it would be easier than controlling this

game.

And yet, for all its faults, Heavy Armor can be extremely satisfying. Every now and then you get in one of those sweet shots, or manage to achieve some seemingly unattainable objective against all the odds. These moments make the game a thrilling experience, but they are sadly few and far between.

Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor is not an unplayable mess, but it is a game that demands a lot from the player, without the courtesy of a decent control system. That makes it frustrating, ultimately, and most gamers will set it aside in very short order.

It’s not a title that will provide enough feel-good moments to be worth the extreme effort of playing it, and the frustration it engenders is often beyond bearable. The right kind of masochist may truly enjoy this title, but the average gamer will find it far too taxing. g

AT A GLANCE: First Person Vehicle Combat

Reviewed on:

X360

This game really is a lot of hard work, but without the rewards one would hope for.

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1

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4

From Software Capcom Ster Kinekor

Parental Advisory

18+ gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

0

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

40 87

Dirt: Showdown

Dirt Stepdown Is this the same franchise?

by Dylan Bouch

T

few venues, with different events taking place in the same arena.

The cars, depending on the event the player chooses, represent more of the old school Hot Rods, which is very cool.

The trick-rush or free style events give the player options to choose from modern day rally and drifting cars like Ford and Subaru.

Dirt: Showdown doesn’t feel like a full game. Dirt 3 had the most rally content in the series, all realistic, and the player had a choice of a range of difficulty settings… none of which are here.

During an event we had the option to setup our vehicle according to the track and conditions of the day.

During the Gymkhana events, where it’s all about style, it is much better to drive a car that has gears, for added control. Showdown doesn’t have any of these features,

Review

he need for good, technical driving games exists, because not all gamers are interested in casual racing games… and that’s where the Dirt series has done well.

However the latest release in the Dirt series, subtitles Showdown, may not be what fans expect.

Just like the previous Dirt titles, Dirt: Showdown, sees the player enter and complete races and events to unlock new races and events to take part in.

Although Dirt is a rally game, Showdown certainly is not. There are no rally events; instead this racing title focuses more on the drifting and destruction derby style events, with some being a mix of the two.

Showdown sports really good graphics; awesome cars, funky tracks and creative venues all look just as good (maybe even better) than before.

But the good looks get repetitive – there are only a

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just point the car in the right directing and hit the gas while tapping the handbrake every now and then (no brakes required). All the vehicles have superb handling, all the driver has to do in races events is just go for it.

Vehicle can be upgraded after winning an event but that doesn’t matter, either; after upgrades the vehicle still feels the same.

The game soundtrack is not too bad, with a mix of different genres and the only let down is the race commentator, which always refers to the player as they: “they did it” or “they’ve taken the win”.

This title is not for the hard core fans of rally games but it is really fun to play.

Gamers don’t get much chance to race and destroy their car at the same time, after all, and this one allows for that.

Showdown does get addictive but will also need some patience to get used to after playing Dirt3.

The controls are basic and are no different from the other Dirt titles (minus being able to drive in manual).

Patience will also be the test every time the game is inserted into the console; if you’re not playing online this game will make sure to work on your last nerve.

After the player has inserted the game it will ask them to redeem VIP codes…

Oh by the way, you’re not connected to the internet (I Know that) but let’s try anyway (then tries to connect).

Unable to connect , after hitting the continue button and setting the game to not ask this again, don’t be surprised when every time you play, you’ll need to go through this painful process.

This title is fun in its own way, but seems to be more online orientated, and for those who aren’t playing online, this might not be the game for you as Showdown just feels better when taking on online events. g

AT A GLANCE: Driving Simulator

Reviewed on:

X360

Not what you would expect from the Dirt franchise Similar to: MaxPlayers Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

Dirt Local

2

Network

Online

8

Codemasters Codemasters Megarom

Parental Advisory

7+ gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

0

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

70 89

Lollipop Chainsaw

Smut and Violence Oh, look, it’s Suda51 again…

by Walt Pretorius

I

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind violence in games. I laugh at fart jokes. And yes, game girls can be sexy. But what this guy does it take everything to an extreme that crosses the border of obscenity.

Take his latest effort – Lollipop Chainsaw – as an example. The game is full of lewd jokes, short skirts, foul language and sexual references, counterpointed against heavy violence. It has these in spades. What it doesn’t have is a game dynamic that is fun, or even remotely addictive. The thing that counts the most – an enjoyable gaming experience – has been shunned in favour of big boobs and as many creative uses of the F word as possible.

The game’s protagonist is Juliet, a cheerleader-slashzombie-hunter (which obviously makes sense to Suda51) who is victim to every stereotype one could imagine.

Controlling her movement is OK, but when it comes to combat, things get rather sluggish; like trying to alley-dock

Review

have what could only be called a ‘developer gagreflex’. And while I will admit that I am one of those forgiving, always keen types that expects the best from pretty much every game (until I am proven wrong by it) I balk when I see the name Suda51 attached to a game. That is because, even though I am all bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and keen when a new game arrives on my desk, I learn from experience. And every experience I have had with Suda51 has been nasty. No More Heroes?

Nasty. Shadows of the Damned? Ditto.

The association I have with that name is quite simple: gratuitous violence, foul language, smutty innuendo and a strange sense of what is cool. But whatever geekboy fantasy of cool that Suda51 seems to believe is awesome quite simply isn’t. Thus far all I have seen from this ‘acclaimed’ game creator is vulgarity, crudeness and gratuitousness.

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an eighteen-wheeler in a swimming pool full of syrup. There is no flow, with the movements being more about style and panty-flashes than actual, effective in-game combat.

The dynamic soon devolves into repetitive zombiebashing, punctuated with unimaginative, often frustrating boss fights. Anyone who thinks that it is impossible to make zombie bashing tedious has not played this game yet.

The one plus is that the game has rather cool graphics.

But the rest of the presentation goes for a ball, thanks to really nasty dialogue. Every second NPC in the game is commenting on Juliet’s bra size or admitting that they masturbate to thoughts of her. It’s juvenile, offensive and really, really lame. Even the first time you hear it. And you will hear it a lot.

The player can unlock various power-ups and move combos for Juliet, although they really don’t feel like they’re doing anything to improve the character, or the

monotonous experience the game has on offer. And they can – predictably – unlock a variety of revealing outfits to dress Juliet in. Lovely.

So, what can get worse than inane drivel cloaking boring combat? Length… this game is really short, all told. The player can go and replay levels to post scores on online leader boards, if they like, but what’s the point in reliving the repetitive levels and sluggish combat over and over again?

Sure, there are a moment or two of brilliance in this game (particularly in the dialogue of Juliet’s boyfriend’s disembodied head) but they are very few and very far between. Playing it is a chore, and experiencing it is an assault on the player’s good taste and sensibilities. It is typical of games by Suda51 so, if by some strange stretch of the imagination you like his stuff, you may want to try it.

Maybe. g

AT A GLANCE: Third Person Action

Reviewed on:

Poor game dynamics mix with tasteless smut… that’s the recipe here. It’s vulgar just for the sake of it.

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Grasshopper Manufacture Warner Bros Nu Metro

Parental Advisory

18+ gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

0

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

X360 Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

45 91

The Sims 3: Katy Perry Sweet Treats

Cupcake Guitars and Candy Bras

Because the world has been waiting for “Last Friday Night” in Simlish

by Sarah J Snyman

S

ims is enjoyable for two markets. The first is a mainly female market who wish to continue playing with their Barbies or are at the age at which Barbies are still acceptable. The second is a market of stats crazed gamers with an extremely sadistic nature, obsessed with finding new and interesting ways in which to kill off their Sims family.

Although the latter just require the game in its bare essence, the girly stereotypes have kept the EA expansion packs and bundles on the market for all these years.

Katy Perry Sweet Treats is the pack to end all packs, I have never seen so many colourful yet bizarre items available. Based on the California Girls video, you suddenly have access to everything from a bra made out of two oversized spiral sweeties to a banana split couch.

I was slightly disappointed to learn that the candy

clothing was not accessible to the younger members of my Sims family; I was forced to settle for inappropriately dressed mothers and candy themed children’s bedrooms.

The aptly named new areas in town are equally bizarre but fun, and surprisingly there isn’t an age restriction on the “Cake Pleasure Dome”. Although the hard-core gamer in me would like to write this off as a waste of money, I can completely understand the appeal of this pack to the Sims obsessed market. And I hate to admit it, but I did find myself humming along to the Simlish “Last Friday Night “and giggling like the girl I am when I whipped out my cupcake guitar.

Any Sims fan would be enthralled with this title, it is one of the better expansions that I’ve seen but I’d recommend that any serious gamer stay far away from this release, unless buying it for the woman in their lives, just for the embarrassment factor. g

AT A GLANCE: Life Simulator

Reviewed on:

Sims 3 with even more colour, candy and completely useless items which seem to make the game even more addictive than it was before.

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Network 00

EA Games Electronic Arts EA South Africa

Parental Advisory

Review

7+ 92

Online 00

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

PS3 Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

78

g a m e c c a r e vgi ea w m e•c ci sas u• ei s1s7u e• 3N7o v•e m J ubl ey r 22001120

logolink Essential surfing made easy

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Mario Tennis Open

Window Dressing All the characters without the character…

by Walt Pretorius

W

granted to it by a recognisable and often zany franchise (in the form of the Mario universe) an completely ignored it, opting rather to make a run-of-the-mill tennis game instead.

The only thing Mario about this game are the characters.

There are no character based special shots.

Hell, the differences between the characters themselves are almost only visual… not entirely, but almost.

So where one would expect to be able to do awesome different shots based on character choice, you might as well be using an average Joe wearing a Bowser or Mario suit. To that end, it really isn’t a Mario game at all.

That makes one wonder a bit, really… is the game relying on the Mario name to sell what is essentially a pretty average tennis title? It certainly seems that way.

The control scheme is aimed at a wide variety of players.

It makes use of the touch screen and gyroscope as well.

Review

e see it fairly often, doing what we do: wasted opportunity.

The video game industry is full of it. Whether it steps from an idea being beyond a developer’s technical grasp, or simply from pure laziness, wasted opportunity is something that crops up time and again in video games, and it makes us all a bit sad.

And wasted opportunities show up a lot in Mario Tennis Open, the first sporty Mario themed game for the 3DS. See, the combination here is all out of whack.

Let me try to demonstrate where the imbalance, or more correctly incorrect focus, happens in this game by way of using capital letters. The game should have been MARIO tennis open. But, instead it is mario TENNIS OPEN. Do you get what I am trying to say?

In short, developer Camelot took a great opportunity to make a tennis game that stands out from the norm,

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Essentially, the player can set the controls to range from requiring full input right through to having the AI take care of movement, with the player only needing to worry about shot placement and timing.

It’s a great option, because it opens the game up to a wider range of skill levels, but a problem arises from the fact that there is no way to vet this kind of setting in multiplayer games. Therefore, a player looking for added challenge may well get trounced by one that is relying on the AI for movement. Not really a true reflection of skill, now is it.

The game’s characters are joined by the player’s Mii character, which is the only upgradable character in the game – another gross oversight.

As far as upgrading goes, the system allows the player to choose between a wide array of kit items, but never really clearly explains why the player would want to do

so… the indicators of how a certain item may improve the player’s game are really rather poorly handled.

These kit items can be bought with in game currency that is earned more or less automatically, whether the player wins or loses matches.

On the whole, it isn’t a bad tennis game, but it is a bad Mario game.

Even the Mario themed mini-games don’t do enough to make this game a viable part of the Mario universe. That aspect of the title is little more than window dressing, and people who buy it simply because it has the Mario name attached will be sorely disappointed.

In short, if you are looking for a 3DS tennis game, then it’s not too bad an option. But if you are looking for a Mario game, then you will be disappointed.

The zaniness of that universe simply doesn’t appear here. g

AT A GLANCE: Sports Simulator

Reviewed on:

If you’re a Mario fan, you will be disappointed by the lack of Mario-esque charm in this tennis simulator.

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Mario Tennis Local

1

Network

Online

4

Camelot Nintendo Core Group

Parental Advisory

3+ gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

4

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

3DS Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

60 95

Essential Classics

Fist In, Heart Out

96

by James Francis

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

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GAME INFO. MORTAL KOMBAT

Genre: Fighter Released: 1992 Find it on : www.Coolrom.com Works on: Windows/Mac

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

hen Sub Zero rips out someone’s spine, it looks kinda silly now. But in 1992 that was a big deal - huge. For the world, it signalled a new era of violence in video games. For me, it signalled an arcade cabinet with five buttons. The machine that introduced Mortal Kombat to me had four. Located in a smoky room joined to a cafe down the road from my high school, it was slapped onto an old fighting game cabinet - MK did not help things by introducing a dedicated block button to the genre.

As such the High Kick was unavailable and nobody could pull off Sub Zero’s fatality. So, when you got a chance to see it in action, you savoured the moment.

But even when you did come across a five-button machine, it was not guaranteed you’d see the blue ninja deliver his coup de grâce. You needed someone to execute it or know the moves yourself. The Internet as we know it was yet to materialise in any significant manner and gaming magazines were imported with cover prices as accessible as a Ferrari test drive. The only source for the Fatality moves were the gamers who figured them out - and they never gave away the secret.

So all we could do was watch and hammer at the game in our own clumsy fashion. Clumsy it was: the reason why I remember how to start Lui Kan’s Fatality, Kano’s roll or Raiden’s superman move is because they are very simple combos. Mortal Kombat was not aiming to replace SF2 as the fighter of choice for hard-core genre fans. It was simpler and dumber. In a world where high-speed cartoonish fighting games were at each other’s throats, this worked in its favour.

Mortal Kombat became the brawler of choice for everyone not hard-core.

The world did not need another hard-core fighter. It needed something else. Something that was fun to play, but didn’t hanker for technical superiority. In walks Mortal Kombat, risen from the ashes of what would have been a Jean-Claude Van Damme game. The big selling point became its digitised characters. Using photos of actual actors in costumes, it was made in cut-rate fashion: the actor who played Johnny Cage also portrayed all three ninjas (including hidden character Reptile), while Liu Kang and Shang Tsung (the plot’s protagonist and antagonist) shared an actor. A dancer with no fighting experience stepped in for Sonya Blade and the four-armed Goro was made with stop-motion. Today it looks cheesy, but back then this was cutting edge.

Mortal Kombat might still have fallen flat on its face were it not for the violence. Blood sprayed as you punched someone, the sound cracked when your uppercut sent them launching. And the Fatalities... well, there’s been nothing like it since. Many games have tried to better the finishing move, but it was never as satisfying as in this game. Being ripped apart, torched alive or decapitated - these were never seen and done before. Maybe there is something to the argument that all this violence is desensitising us. Has anything really been quite as awesome as the first time you saw Kano rip someone’s heart out? No, didn’t think so. g

97

A Bigger GeForce Understated power

MSI GeForce GTX680 Graphics Card

by Walt Pretorius

K Review

K

eeping up with graphics cards can be pretty challenging, but if you have the cash to spend on MSI’s Geforce GTX680, you’re pretty much going to be as current as it gets… for now. And being that it is sporting one of the latest Nvidia chipsets, that price is pretty high. Still, you cannot always compromise performance for pricing, so there will be a great many out there- particularly gamers - who will want to get their hands on one of these top performers.

As said before, it comes armed with a Geforce 680 chipset, supported by a generous 2GB of GDDR5 RAM which, just as the spec implies, delivers smooth, beautiful visuals across all fields. Even under strain, the card chugs along at a more than comfortable pace.

The cooling on this card seems to be a little less extravagant than on some of MSI’s other models (notably the Twin Frozr cards) but it still does the job

98

well. A single, turbine style fan works with generous heat piping and other familiar MSI techniques to keep the card pretty cool.

It also supports multiple GPUs, as is expected, and comes with a range of overclocking tools, in the form of MSI’s familiar, friendly Afterburner suite.

Similar to the high end AMD version we looked at last month, this particular card implies uses beyond gaming, thanks to elements like real-time video capture.

It can even be controlled using Android and iOS devices, although we are not sure exactly why you may want to do that.

And, as expected with MSI graphics cards, it comes armed with high grade components, including solid capacitors, which extend the lifespan of the device to around 12 years under strain. This is an odd claim to make, though, because the device will theoretically still be gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

99

Review

AT A GLANCE: functioning properly long after the user has needed to perform a chipset upgrade. Still, it’s good to know that your card will survive its chipset’s obsolescence...

Four concurrent displays are supported by the card, which offers two DVI, one HDMI and one DisplayPort output.

The understated packaging belies the power that is on offer here.

We have seen cards with more RAM, sure, but 2GB is a solid amount in anyone book. The design of the card is pretty understated in terms of looks, too, with little to imply the power it provides.

Also part of this design in a more sensible positioning of the two power supply ports on the card – one above the other, rather than side by side.

If you’re willing to spend the cash, are after an Nvidia chipset and need power from your GPU, you need look no further than this effective and reliable MSI card. g

100

Summary

Tech Specs:

It might not look the part, but this card is a really powerful option

Manufacturer Distributer: Online: RRP:

GeForce 680 chipset 2GB GDDR5 RAM 2 x DVI port 1 x HDMI port 1 x DisplayPort Afterburner suite

MSI Pinnacle Africa www.pinnacle.co.za R6599

Pros • • •

• • • • • •

Powerful Sensible Good performance

Cons

•

Not cheap

Score

86

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Itchy Fingers Enhance your PS3 controller

by Walt Pretorius

Gioteck Real Triggers for PS3

T Review

T

he tension is palpable… sweat runs into your eyes as you line up the scope, preparing for the perfect head-shot. And then your finger slips off of the trigger button, because the guys that designed the PS3 controller kind of just got that whole shape wrong.

They should be concave, not convex, right?

Well, the days of oddly shaped PS3 triggers are over, as soon as you get yourself a set of Gioteck Real Triggers for PS3.

They simply clip on to the existing buttons, and give the player a much more comfortable shape to work with.

They are not the first trigger enhancements we have seen for the PS3, but they are really good ones, with a solid clip and a dual textured finish that feels great. No PS3 warrior’s arsenal is complete without a set of these – lightweight, effective and awesome, adding greatly to the gaming experience. g

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

AT A GLANCE: Summary

Tech Specs:

The best way to play PS3... with properly shaped trigger enhancements!

Manufacturer Distributer: Online: RRP:

Solid clip Dual texture

Gioteck Apex Interactive www.apexint.co.za R59.95

Pros • • • • •

• •

Nice Features Lots of Power Convenient Size Light, Simple Powerful

Cons

•

None to speak of...

Score

80 101

Flash Where it Counts

It doesn’t look fancy, but that doesn’t matter…

Corsair Carbide Series 300R PC Case

by Rob Edwards

G Review

G

etting the right case for your PC is more important than you might think. And there are many choices out there, so picking just the right one might be tricky.

Thankfully most computer systems will leave you with some wiggle room when it comes to the box they are to be built into, so your questions can be reduced to things like is it the right size? Does it have enough fan vents?

Does it allow for enough drives? Does it look good? Is it practical?

In the case of the Corsair Carbide Series 300R, the answer to all of those questions (barring extreme cases) is yes.

The case looks very good indeed, with a matt black finish punctuated by generous vents on the front, side, top and back. It might look a little plain for some of the more flashy gaming types, with no side window and

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controls and ports that are firmly understated, but overall this case would look good in any situation.

On to practicality. The screwless black interior is wonderful to work in, with no sharp edges to cause even the slightest injury.

The front offers two USB 3.0 ports near the top on the box, along with audio jacks and power and reset switches.

The bottom PSU mount adds stability, and getting in and out of the box is a snap, thanks to nicely sized thumb screws securing the side panels.

A very generous interior cable management space keeps things neat.

As far as drives go, the user will be able to fit four HDDs and three optical drives into the box, which should be more than enough. This also leaves a generous space for air to move from the front to the back of the box – always a good thing. gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

AT A GLANCE: Speaking of air, the box comes with the potential for seven large fans; two in front, two on the side, two on top and one in the rear. This, along with the bottom vent to allow quick air extraction from the PSU, means good airflow.

On the downside, though, the case only ships with a standard two 120mm fans – one in the front and one in the back. Getting more fans will be necessary if you’re looking at a performance PC. The 300R is extremely easy to work with, and is well constructed. Sure, it might not look like it can eat competitors for breakfast, but the value of this case lies elsewhere. It is extremely practical and versatile (like the fact that most of the fan ports can hold 120mm or 140mm fans) and will be a dream to work with for those who like building a nice, neat PC. Looks aren’t everything, remember... g gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Summary

Tech Specs:

It looks fairly plain, but it is a versatile, practical and solidly constructed PC case.

Manufacturer Distributer: Online: RRP:

7 fan ports Bottom PSU bracket 2 x USB 3.0 ports 4 HDD brackets 3 Optical brackets

Corsair Frontosa www.frontosa.co.za R899

Pros • • •

• • • • •

Well built Excellent airflow practical

Cons • • •

Looks very plain Only ships with two fans

Score

80 103

Armed Ears Get ready for excellent Xbox audio action…

Gioteck EX-05 Military Style Headset

by Alex Scanlon

N Review

N

ot everyone knows this, but there are a series of tones that are extremely important in sound.

While everyone screams for more bass or brags about crisp treble, the midtones just manage to get ignored. And it is these tones that give sound a fullyrounded feel, the kind of body that takes good sound that step further to being great sound. Not everybody knows this. Gioteck does.

Part of their range of military inspired gear is a range of headsets, which includes the EX-05 Military Style Headset for Xbox 360.

As you get it out of the box, your first impression will likely be ‘wow, that’s huge.’ And you wouldn’t be wrong.

The EX-05 is a big headset, which is kind of unusual from a new product in a market where many things are aiming for the ‘smaller is better’ ideal. The EX-05 looks clunck and cumbersome, with large ear cups and a very

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broad headband. But then you slip it on, and all those worries disappear.

First off, it’s not as heavy as you might think. The ear cups are comfortable and large enough to enclose the whole ear, rather than put pressure on it. And the headband, which is a mesh stretched between two metal tensioners (much like what the military use) is extremely comfortable (although it won’t do much for your hairstyle, unless you want it flattened down.) All of these elements are, or course, fully adjustable, so that the most comfortable wearing position can easily be achieved. The fully flexible and adjustable microphone arm helps with this, too.

And then there’s the sound… It really is very good, thanks to the fact that Gioteck have paid attention to all sound ranges here. Crisp audio, from booming bass to the crispest highs, is the order of the day. The great sound gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

AT A GLANCE: is largely due to the generous 40mm drivers used in the headphones.

The EX-05 is a wired headset. Being that it is an Xbox 360 peripheral, that’s not really a surprise. But the wired element does require the use of component cables, which means that those choosing to use an HDMI connection with the Xbox will be left wanting – anyone who has tried to plug in component cables as well as HDMI on an Xbox 360 will know what I am talking about. It’s just can’t be done. Still, the audio quality is high enough that you may well consider a switch in this case.

The cables feed through an in-line volume control that offers separate voice and game volume, as well as a mic mute switch.

If you’re after good Xbox 360 sound, and don’t mind the component cable thing, then these are a great bet. They look the part, too, with a stylish military finish. g gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Summary

Tech Specs:

If you’re looking for great Xbox sound, and don’t mind component cables, here’s what you need...

Manufacturer Distributer: Online: RRP:

40mm drivers In-line audio controls Stereo Adjustable mic Lightweight

Giotech Apex Interactive www.apexint.co.za R699.95

Pros • • •

• • • • •

Good looks Great sound Comfortable

Cons • •

Component cables A little pricey

Score

88 105

Capture It! Capture all kinds of moving pictures

Hauppauge Colossus HD Video Recorder

by Walt Pretorius

H Review

H

auppauge are all about video, whether it be viewing it or capturing it on your PC. We have seen some of their excellent TV cards in the past, but this time around we have a real treat – particularly for those who like to show off their video gaming prowess.

The Hauppauge Colossus is a video capture card that offers an extreme amount of versatility. It allows recording of TV signal, for example, as long as the TV input is via component cable or HDMI. That means, realistically, that any device using either component cables or HDMI connections to a TV can be recorded from. That’s pretty awesome, although the opportunities for rampant piracy are undeniable.

What we prefer is the fact that this device can be used to capture video from game consoles. By plugging the game console into the card’s HDMI or component

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inputs, the player can easily capture their in-game awesomeness, thanks to a software suite that allows video recording and editing.

The device even comes with a full function remote control, so that you can start and stop your recording with a minimum of hassle.

Here’s the thing though. If you’re recording game play footage (or anything else for that matter) there is a latency of around two seconds. That means you’re going to be reacting two seconds later than you should be while gaming. This is, of course, if you are viewing the actual recording footage. But there is a work-around. See, in addition to the inputs, the card also offers an option for a component video output. What this means is that the signal that is being captured by the card is rerouted (simultaneously) to a TV, allowing the player to play without lag while the card happily records the action. And gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

AT A GLANCE: it can have all the lag it wants, because the player has a TV to look at, rather than the recording footage.

But this is also the only weak point of the Colossus. See, the fact that the output is component, and that this is the only output available, means that the player must play on a TV. Had there been an HDMI output, like on some other Hauppage products, the user could use a secondary PC monitor to watch the real-time action, which is more convenient. As it stands, you pretty much have to move your PC to the lounge, rather than move your console to the PC desk.

There are work-arounds involving HDMI splitters and such, but these will require some research, and extra expenditures. But once you see the video capture quality that this card delivers, you will most likely not mind going to the extra effort and expense. Or you might just resort to the whole component thing. g gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Summary

Tech Specs:

This will help you capture all kinds of video, but you may have to do a few workarounds to get there with HDMI...

Manufacturer Distributer: Online: RRP:

•

HD Video capture Software suite Full function remote Component in HDMI in Component out

Hauppage Pinnacle Africa www.pinnacle.co.za R1799

Pros •

• • • • • •

Good quality video capture Nice price

Cons

•

No HDMI out

Score

79 107

Milspec…

Look the part!

Gioteck EX-02s Next Gen Bluetooth Headset for PS3

by Rob Edwards

N Review

N

eed effective PS3 online communication? Well, Gioteck have a really military looking solution for you. Finished in a ‘midnight camouflage’ black and grey, the EX-02s Next Gen Bluetooth Headset for PS3 delivers great performance.

As a Bluetooth headset, it wirelessly connects to the PS3, allowing for single ear voice communications. The device is fairly large for what it is, but is not heavy at all.

Added comfort arises from the fact that the speaker sits on the user’s ear, rather than in it. Not only is that idea more comfortable, but it is healthier too.

Generous controls allow easy use, and the internal battery can be recharged even while the user is busy with the device. Interchangeable ear pieces mean that you can use it with either your left or right earwhichever is most comfortable. And the matt finish stays really cool, even after long periods of use.

Excellent! g

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AT A GLANCE: Summary

Tech Specs:

A comfortable, reliable Bluetooth device, made for PS3 but useable anywhere...

Manufacturer Distributer: Online: RRP:

Bluetooth On-ear design Interchangeable earpiece Rechargeable Ergonomic controls

Gioteck Apex Interactive www.apexint.co.za R299.95

Pros • • •

• • • • • •

Comfortable Ambidextrous Effective

Cons

•

Big

Score

90

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

Double Up! Getting more RAM is always good…

by Walt Pretorius

Apacer Black Panther 8GB DDR3-1600 RAM Hardware name

K Review

K

eeping up with upgrades can be tricky, because technology moves so quickly. If you’re looking to upgrade your RAM it’s a good time, because 8GB DDR3 modules are readily available, and nicely priced, too.

The Apacer Black Panther range has added an 8GB option, meaning that doubling up on your memory is pretty easy, if you were running 4GB already. The 8GB DDR3-1600 modules deliver excellent performance, and the included, stylish heat sink keeps things much cooler.

At a price of less than R800 per module, getting a standard PC (with four RAM slots on the motherboard) up to a chunky 32GB of RAM is not all that expensive, considering what you’ll be getting in terms of performance. And Apacer’s experience with this kind of product shows – this RAM is quick and extremely reliable, and the added bonus of large capacities like this makes computing with it awesome. g

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012

AT A GLANCE: Summary

Tech Specs:

Getting a truck load of RAM is easy with these excellent modules.

Manufacturer Distributer: Online: RRP:

8GB DDR3-1600 Heat sink

Apacer Pinnacle Africa www.pinnacle.co.za R720

Pros • •

• • •

Lots of RAM here!

Looks good

Cons

•

None

Score

95 109

Stay Fully Loaded A military gamer’s dream

Gioteck DF-1 Dualfuel Ammo Box for PS3

by Walt Pretorius

C C

Review

lever ideas – the word is full of them. And when they end up on our desks or under or TVs – or wherever else we stick out technology – even

better.

Gioteck are full of good ideas, it seems, with a range of peripherals for gamers that are not only good in terms of concept, but also look extremely cool. With a very strong military theme, their various devices make the gamer look like a proper combat operative.

These looks extend beyond the gamer. Though. Take the DF-1 Dualfuel Ammo Box for PS3 as an example.

This box, modelled to look like a military ammo case and finished in grey and black camouflage, helps the player’s gear look all army-like too.

The Dualfuel is a controller recharging set-up. It allows the user to, within the confines of it’s metal shell, charge up to two PS3 controllers. The recharge time is

110

pretty quick, and the cradle system that the system uses keeps the controllers in contact with the charging points at all times . Special charge adapters come wit the box, which need to be fitted to the controllers. These, in turn, clip into the cradles, keeping the controllers firmly in place while charging. The are released by pressing an easily accessible button.

Aside from making the controller a bit bigger, the charge adapters are not very invasive. They are extremely light, so the added weight is negligible.

The outside front of the box has two LED charge indicators built in, while the back has a port for the included AC adapter to plug in. This means that, unlike some chargers, the Dualfuel doesn’t draw power from the PS3, and consequently keeps charging even when the console is turned off.

The metal case is great for protecting the controllers, gamecca • issue 21 • July 2012

AT A GLANCE: and the lid (which locks solidly in place when closed thanks to a hinge clasp) keeps them protected and dust free.

It’s a great device, and can even be used to safely transport the controllers, although it has no carry handle.

There are really only two downsides to this set-up, and both of them are not that serious.

The first is that the device is quite bulky, seeing as how it is a case that needs to enclose two controllers. That means that those with little space may have an issue, but the strong construction means it can be kept pretty much anywhere. The second is that, if the controller needs to recharged while playing, the adapter must be removed. It’s a hassle, but it can be done fairly quickly and without too much sweat.

If you’re after a PS3 charging solution that looks impressive and works well, the Dualfuel case is a great option. And the military theme is really cool, too. g gamecca • issue 21 • July 2012

Summary

Tech Specs:

Sturdy, reliable, effective and good looking... what more could a gamer want in a charger?

Manufacturer Distributer: Online: RRP:

Looks great AC powered Solid

Dual controller charge cradles Charge adapters Charge indicators AC power Metal

Gioteck Apex Interactive www.apexint.co.za R599.95

Pros • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • •

Bulky Adapters

Score

81 111

Open Road?

From Space

by Christo van Gemert

D

iversity is good. In gaming more so, because it usually means innovation – and over the last few months I’ve been lamenting the lack of exactly that.

Developers are just regurgitating the same old things, pumping out sequels like they’re bullets in an automatic rifle.

Of course, this is business.

Developers also have to keep in mind that they have a fanbase to please, while still trying to attract new players.

This balancing act where diversity meets familiarity is something that Turn 10 is going to try perfect with Forza Horizon.

The name is clever and something every car fan can relate to: we’re always driving towards the horizon, looking forward to seeing what’s

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beyond the next sunset. It also alludes to what the game is about: set in a semi-realistic Colorado, with a day and night cycle, players will get to drive their supercars around in an environment that’s a lot like… Test Drive Unlimited. Aah yes, Forza’s diversity is just Atari’s idea.

Thankfully, I’ve played both TDU games, and when I travelled to France to go and watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans (see? I don’t just say I’m a car fan – I live the life) I got to play some of Forza Horizon.

It feels mostly like Forza. The assists can still be turned off and you can set everything to full manual mode, including changing gears with a clutch.

Yet, somehow, it didn’t quite have the same sense of danger as Forza.

This game is designed to appeal to

more casual players – the hard-core guys will stick to racing on circuits, after all – so they’ve toned down some of the realism. The demo I spent time with had you driving the new Dodge Viper on gravel (yes!) and tarmac, dodging traffic, and jostling for position. For a car with 640hp, it never felt threatening. And the fact that you don’t have physical damage also takes away from the thrill of it all.

We don’t know yet whether you’ll have a persistent world, as seen in Test Drive Unlimited, or whether the multiplayer will require lobbies.

But it’s a bit of diversity, and if you can at the very least just cruise the Colorado highways under the moonlight, it’ll be a welcome change from the lifeless environment Forza currently has. g

gamecca • issue 37 • July 2012