All posts by Andrew A. (Frost)

Gaming News

NCG Review – Mushroom Wars 2 (PC)

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Mushroom Wars 2 is one of the cutest, yet most intense RTS I have played in a long time; actually, since the first title. The first Mushroom Wars title was released on the Playstation 3 back in 2009 and later was on other platforms such as Mobile and PC years later. The newest entry in series still holds up to original with its new mechanics.

Story

When jumping into MW2’s story mode, you are thrown into a story with no words, narrator, or any sense of guidance which is great because instead the story presents itself with images that the player has to interpret themselves. The story is not meant to be central to the game, but it is their to give players an idea of the reason your little mushroom people are at war.moustache_of_doom_by_nicheltoten-dangv63.png

Visuals

Taking a lot of  influence from the cutesy look from the first title, Mushroom Wars 2 adds a little more depth by revamping the visuals to looks as though the mushroom people grew up to battle. The new art style is all digitally drawn adding a stylized aspect to character portraits, maps, building and attacking units; this title will have players loving all aspects of the style, as well as feeling more attached to the team they build.pu58a2fc6ed39fd083f55d4182bf88826d-1504641192-363942-screenshot-original.png

Gameplay

If you have not played the first Mushroom Wars title, I highly recommend checking it out, as it will prepare you for the addicting game play that Mushroom Wars 2 builds off of. That being said, Mushroom Wars 2 is a straight forward RTS (real-time strategy), which is simple to control but yet technical with strategy.pu58a2fc6ed39fd083f55d4182bf88826d-1504641210-6666592-screenshot-original.png

The premise of the game is to conquer the map. Players are given a starter building to generate units.  Once you have generated enough units, you can conquer other buildings to create more units.  When you have enough units in a building you can upgrade that building so you can generate units faster, and eventually take over the map.

When in game play, players will have two main hubs. One hub to choose how many units to send out by percentage of the total units in the building, and a hub to upgrade/switch your building. This is where all the strategic planning begins to take play. Players will be able to decide to upgrade the building to build units faster, or to build a cannon tower which will defend an area but sacrifices building units. And then there is the defense building, which will make your units and building have more resistance to attacks and do more damage.

You have to plan your buildings wisely because your enemy will be attacking and planning at the same time.

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One of the newest addition to Mushroom Wars is the abilities. Depending on the characters or team the player decides to select, a few curtain skills will be attached to them. This will give players different advantages to take over the map.  This is an excellent new feature because of how balanced it is.

The game play is fun, addicting, and players will find themselves losing hours of time in the main story mode, which feels like a tutorial and doesn’t ever get annoying while making your way through. On top of that, the online mode runs smooth and will have players trying to rank up in the online community.

Verdict

Mushroom Wars 2 feels like an upgrade to the previous title with it’s great style, addicting RTS game play, and new game play elements.  I can say this title is a must buy for the price ($9.99) for anyone and everyone. The simple but yet well thought out game play will have any gamer enjoying the battles. Be sure to be on the look out for a release on PS4, Xbox One some time i the future. My verdict of this title is a 9/10.

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Gaming News

New System Update 4.0.0 for the Nintendo Swit adds some features

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Nintendo has released a new software update for the Nintendo Switch.

The new update adds the ability to transfer user profiles and save data between systems, video capture for select titles, and new user icons.

Here is the list of changes:

Added the following system functionality

  • Capture video on select games
    • To capture video, hold down the Capture Button during gameplay
    • Up to maximum of the previous 30 seconds will be saved in the Album. You can trim the beginning and end of each clip, and post to Facebook and Twitter.
    • As of October 18th, 2017, this feature is compatible with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS, and Splatoon 2
  • Select from 12 new Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild icons for your user
    • To edit your user icon, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Profile
  • Transfer user and save data to another system
  • Pre-purchase option on Nintendo eShop
    • A pre-purchase option will be available for certain games. This option allows pre-load of the game to your system for quicker play when the game is released.
    • This feature will be supported by future game releases
  • News channel updates
    • The news feed has been updated with a new look.
    • Unfollowing a channel will remove that channel’s content from the news feed and following the channel again will make it reappear.
  • Match software version with a group of local users
    • To create a group, head to the software’s Options > Software Update > Match Version with Local Users
    • Everyone’s software will be updated to match the most recent version in the group
    • All users must be on system menu version 4.0.0 or later to view and join a group

General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience, including:

  • Changed the specification which hid wireless networks using TKIP security from the network search results. Wireless networks using TKIP security will now display in search results as a grayed-out selection instead of not being displayed
    • The Nintendo Switch console supports WEP, WPA-PSK(AES), and WPA2-PSK(AES). If your router is using a different security type (e.g. WPA-PSK(TKIP)), you will need to change this security type within your router’s settings.

You can check out a trailer of the Video Capture feature below.

Gaming News

“Star Ocean: The Last Hope 4K & Full HD Remaster” PS4 and PC release date

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Square-Enix has announced that they will be releasing Star Ocean: The Last Hope 4K & Full HD Remaster will launch for PlayStation 4 (Digitally) and PC on Steam in the U.S. November 28 for $20.99.

PlayStation Plus members and Steam users who purchase the game before December 12 will receive a 10 percent discount off the $20.99 price point. Additionally, Steam users will receive an exclusive downloadable mini-soundtrack featuring music from the game. PlayStation 4 users will receive an exclusive PlayStation 4 theme and 12 PlayStation Network avatars.

Here’s an overview as well as screenshots of the game below:

Developed in partnership with tri-Ace, Star Ocean: The Last Hope takes place at the beginning of the STAR OCEAN series timeline and is a full HD remaster with added 4K support and PC keyboard, mouse and controller support. The game takes players on an epic journey across the universe in an immersive, intergalactic story of survival where humanity must turn to the stars in search of a new home. Featuring strategic real-time combat, the remastered title also keeps the original deep Item Creation System and Private Action system that explores character relationships and subplots for a richer and more rewarding story, and exhilarating Blindside battle system, which fuses evasion and offense.

 

Gaming News

“ARMS” Version 3.2 is out now

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Nintendo has released update version 3.2 for Arms, which adds the new “Badges”, “Recent Replays”. bug fixes, and adjusts the abilities of certain fighters and Arms.

Here’s the full list of changes:

  • Added new “Badge” feature.
    • Receive neat badges as a reward for fulfilling certain conditions.
    • Wear your favorite badge and show it off to your opponent.
  • Added new “Recent Replays” feature.
    • Select from a list and view replays of past matches.
    • Replay data is automatically deleted when necessary, starting with the oldest data.
    • Also, future ARMS updates will cause all replay data from past versions to be deleted.
  • During replay playback, ZR will no longer switch between targets. The X button instead is used for all camera angle switching.
  • During replay playback, + – buttons no longer toggle HP gauge display, and instead now bring up the menu.
  • Fixed issue where, at certain timings, follow up attacks after wind attacks would not land.
  • Fixed issue where, after suffering an ice attack, players on a snake board could repeatedly jump and the snake board would continuously accelerate.
  • Fixed issue where, when battle rules are set to 1-punch KO, under certain conditions fighters would become unable to move.
  • We’ve identified an interloper who has been disrupting the Grand Prix, going after our fiercest competitors. If encountered, we advise you to dispatch them with prejudice.
  • Adjusted the abilities of certain fighters and ARMS as follows.
    Fighters / Arms Adjustments
    Lola Pop It’s already been one month since she joined ARMS. Her beginner’s nerves have faded away, giving her increased movement speed during air dashes.
    Increased movement speed during high jump.
    Increased movement speed when bounding.
    Adjusted speed when descending.
    Byte & Barq Decreased time interval between Byte and Barq’s respective attacks.
    Max Brass Decreased expansion rate of attacks when buffed up.
    Increased distance from which he can approach targets.
    Megawatt Increased expansion rate when extending.
    Increased extension speed.
    Increased expansion rate of charge attacks.
    Slamamander Increased extension speed.
    Biffler Increased retraction speed.
    Increased floatiness of jump attacks.
    Boomerang
    Coolerang    		 Increased expansion rate of charge attacks.
    Revolver Increased retraction speed.
    Retorcher Increased retraction speed.
    Adjusted path followed when extending.
    Nade Fixed online play issue where explosive damage would trigger twice.
    Whammer
    Kablammer    		 Increased speed of charge attacks.
    Blorb Increased expansion rate when extending.
    Increased time needed to finish expanding.
    Chilla Decreased homing ability.
    Tribolt Decreased speed of charge attacks.
    Increased time needed to finish expanding.
    Fixed multiple online play issues.
    Triblast
    Guardian
    Clapback    		 Fixed multiple online play issues.

 

Gaming News

NCG Review – Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online (PS4)

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Want to play a MMO, but with the Neptunia CPU’s? Well you’re in luck….sort of! Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online is a title that mimics every aspect of what a good MMO has to offer, as well as keeping the Neptunia story telling from previous titles of the series. The only thing though is that it is not a MMO, but a single player title that acts like a MMO.Cyberdimension_JP-(8).png

Story

When jumping into any Neptunia title, your are not supposed to take the story seriously since most titles are for pure entertainment. Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online is no different. This time you find the CPU’s with some early access codes to test out a beta for an upcoming MMO titled “4 Goddess Online” set in the land of Alsgard. When they first enter the beta they run into Bouquet, a NPC with advance AI, who then tells them they are the chosen Ones that are tasked to save the land from the Demon King Jester by awakening the 4 goddesses.Inspired_customization (2).png

The story is fitting for a Neptunia title, but it is also not for all players, as it’s more comedic and is never serious. One thing I did like was that it has references to other media such as SOA (Sword Art Online), even a character that resembles the main hero of SOA. The story is recommended for any anime or Neptunia fan, and will fulfill the anime game fix, but there is nothing story wise for new players.

Audio

As I made my way through the different dungeons, fields and even the only town, I found myself really enjoying the soundtrack for each spot. It really brought each section to life, as well as made them really stick out. Weather it was the slow soothing music from the town, the epic exploration tune for the volcanic areas, or even the dramatic but yet ready for action tune from the dungeon, I felt like the soundtrack was superb and engaging. This is a highly recommended soundtrack to check out.Battle (9).png

Gameplay

The game play is where the game shines, with its MMO aspects and hack and slash game play, all players will enjoy everything this game has to offer. Customization is a huge and fun part of Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online. Players will find themselves losing hours unlocking new items  to make their character their own and you are never feeling at a lost as you make your way through each battle with the customized character. Grinding to accomplish each quest and not to mention that the engine runs off Unreal 4, makes the game wonderful to look at and any player will notice with the new engine that Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online is well polished. Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online_20170802151119

Even though the game is a hack and slash the title never gets repetitive, and feels like a new adventure. I really liked how the MMO game play was implemented; it felt like a new style of game play to me. Leveling up never felt more satisfying and new missions always had me wanting more. As I mention in the other categories, this title isn’t for everyone, but it is for the fans, and will have players playing for hours. They also brought back the online play where instead of AI’s taking control of each characters other players take in that place. This is super enjoyable and is one of the main reasons to come back to this title.Cyberdimension_JP-(5).png

Verdict

Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online is definitely a title to check out, with its game play that gives it its own identity, and the very addicting grinding system, as well as the magnificent soundtrack, players will feel part of the land of Alsgard. I really recommend anime fans, JRPG fans, and MMO fans to buy this title, as for new player, it is a game you must check out. I give Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online an 8 out of 10, as I know I will come back to this title from days on end.

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