It wasn’t hard to sell War Tech Fighters to me. Build your mechs and defeat lots of enemies in space on my Switch while I am on my commute sounds like the perfect way to start the day, but what I got wasn’t quite what I hoped for.

Kicking into War Tech Fighters I quickly realised that the game wasn’t quite right for being on the move. The writing was far too small on the little screen, so I had no idea what was going on in the plot. This resigned me to put it away and try again when I could dock my Switch. What I didn’t realise was that I was missing little to nothing here, with a story that was so thin that I can’t even recall it now.

The real reason you would pick up War Tech Fighters is for the war, the tech and the fighters, which there is plenty of. The gameplay is relatively simple, in that you move your mech around, shooting at enemies using heavy and light attacks. When an enemy is low on health you can do some pretty cool executions, but except for some nuances that is the gist of the gameplay.

The mechs themselves are easily the best part of the game. You initially pick a class between the Hawk, The Lynx and the Rhino which have different stats such as higher defence, higher attack, or the all-rounder. Then as you complete missions you level up and collect resources letting you buy more upgrades for different parts of your mech, plus completing special missions’ nets you even better upgrades. The decent number of upgrades and colour variations do let you customise it to suit the way you play to a decent degree.

The game’s biggest problem is moving around. It uses the clunky system whereby you feel like you move around on the x axis and use different buttons to float up or down. Some attacks make it more fluent to move on the Y axis, but it feels so weird and clunky for a game released this year.

The game looks decent enough. Its anime look, and to be honest the whole vibe of the game, feels like it has been ripped straight from a decent series. The mechs look good, and the customisation adds to its looks, but that isn’t enough to justify the game, especially with its text being poorly optimised for handheld mode.

If War Tech Fighters came from an anime series, then it would get a little more leeway as the story wouldn’t be quite as important and the clunky movement would be a minor inconvenience. But standing on its own with a forgettable plot it’s a tough recommend.

Once you get used to the gameplay the grinding is fun enough and repayable, but it isn’t the best one for playing in handheld on a bumpy train.

The post War Tech Fighters (Switch) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Generation Zero just pushed out an action-packed Release Trailer, filled with mysterious machines, teams working as one to take down threats, atmospheric environments, and more.

Whether you play alone or with friends, there is a lot to explore in the vast open world. Launching on March the 26th, 2019 for PC, the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One.

Experience an explosive game of cat and mouse set in a vast open world. In this reimagining of 1980s Sweden, hostile machines have invaded the serene countryside, and you need to fight back while unravelling the mystery of what is really going on. By utilizing battle tested guerrilla tactics, you’ll be able to lure, cripple, or destroy enemies in intense, creative sandbox skirmishes.

Go it alone, or team-up with up to three of your friends in seamless co-op multiplayer. Collaborate and combine your unique skills to take down enemies, support downed friends by reviving them, and share the loot after an enemy is defeated.

All enemies are persistently simulated in the world and roam the landscape with intent and purpose. When you manage to destroy a specific enemy component, be it armour, weapons or sensory equipment, the damage is permanent. Enemies will bear those scars until you face them again, whether that is minutes, hours or weeks later.

Explore a vast open world, rendered with the award-winning Apex engine, featuring a full day / night cycle with unpredictable weather, complex AI behaviour, simulated ballistics, highly realistic acoustics and a dynamic 1980’s soundtrack.

In Generation Zero, living is winning.

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Anthem is developer Bioware’s next big game, and the importance of it to the company is hard to understate. Following the generally disappointing Mass Effect: Andromeda, this is the opportunity for Bioware to redeem itself and demonstrate that it can still make fantastic games. Millions of dollars and thousands of hours of work by dedicated teams have been poured into making this an experience that will not only rival the great online RPG experiences of today but set new standards.

Recently I was given the opportunity to take part in the VIP Anthem Demo, to see what the world of Anthem is really like. Despite the game releasing in only a few short weeks, there is still much that is unknown about what the game actually feels like to play and what’s like to explore its world in Anthem’s distinctive Javelin suits. And despite some early issues getting into the game, I came away impressed about the world that Bioware has built, but with some reservations about how this game will stick up again it’s contemporaries.

But let’s back up for a second. Anthem is a third person shared-world online shooter by EA’s Bioware, set in a future where humans live in small cities (“Forts”) surrounded by the dangerous wilds. Freelancers, in human-sized mech suits known as Javelins that can fly for short bursts are used to explore the world and keep the remaining humans safe. In terms of worldbuilding its fairly unique, but mechanically it has much in common with other shared world shooters such as Destiny 2 and The Division.

The demo I was able to use contained a couple of missions and the ability to fly around one of the world’s open areas. Playing on PC, I was struck by how cohesive and well thought out the game’s art direction was. This is a beautiful game to be sure, though I was able to ramp up all the graphical settings to their max thanks to a Core i7-8700K and NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti, so the console versions may vary somewhat in terms of what graphical capabilities they’re able to push. Textures were sharp, animations were fluid and character models were hugely detailed. In the larger environments, the jungles were lush and though I did see some texture pop-in, the draw distances looking over expansive vistas were also very good.

But what of the missions and reasons for exploring these worlds? To me, it’s still up in the air about if it will feel truly great or have a same satisfying hook as the way shooting in a Destiny game does. Though I knew the demo features only lower-level characters without as much of the significant customisation and weapon upgrades as you will find in the final game, I didn’t feel that I had a bonding moment with the game’s shooting, exploration or other combat mechanics in the same way as I have done with say, Mario’s jump in Super Mario World, or the addictive loop of a Civilisation game.

The experience that came closest though, is the flying. Your javelin mech suit can fly (including underwater) for short periods of time before overheating, time that can be extended by going through waterfalls or by dropping into a steep dive. I can see how this might be more fully explored in the final game, with missions tasking you to carefully manage your suits heat levels and navigate tight pathways. So far I haven’t really come to terms with how to incorporate flying into taking out enemies, though I can certainly see the potential of what high-level play could look like.

One area that I would like to see improvements in is the menu system, where you’re never quite sure if what you’ve clicked on has actually done what you expect. Sometimes it’s clicking, sometimes it’s click and hold, and other times its press enter and then escape with no confirmation. Some consistency in the menus would go a long way to making the complicated upgrade and mission select screen much more useable.

Of course, it is impossible to truly know how the final game will shape up. And that’s not even considering that as an ongoing, games as a service live game, Anthem will continuously shift, catch up and make mistakes as content is released, expansions are developed and millions of players engage with the games world and mechanics in, I’m sure, ways that the developer have not yet intended.

For those who missed out on the VIP demo, then there will be a further open demo shortly, and despite my reservations so far, I am looking forward to seeing what else this game can bring to the table.

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Konami Digital Entertainment has announced to us here at STG that ZONE OF THE ENDERS: The 2nd RUNNER – M∀RS is now available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR, and PC via Steam. Players can now experience exhilarating, mech-action combat, remastered in 4K and VR and with re-engineered audio.

ZONE OF THE ENDERS: The 2nd RUNNER – M∀RS follows the battle that rages between the nimble Jehuty Orbital Frame piloted by a young freedom fighter and the sinister military organization, BAHRAM. Players will pilot Jehuty through battles using its advanced combat capabilities such as melee and range attacks, and a variety of sub-weapon systems. The game features a dynamic cast of driven characters who propel the plot towards its dramatic climax.

New modes and features will be presented in ZONE OF THE ENDERS: The 2nd RUNNER – M∀RS including a “Pro Mode” controller setup, a “Very Easy” difficulty setting, and various training modules and a mini-map. Additional VR content will bring a 3D model viewer, 3D hangar and a cinematic theatre where players can re-watch any story sequence and view cut-scenes in full VR.

For players who want to get a slice of the robot action experience in 4K and VR before purchase, a second demo version of ZONE OF THE ENDERS: The 2nd RUNNER – M∀RS is available now on all platforms.

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A decade has passed since the Kaiju tried to destroy mankind.

Pacific Rim: Uprising aka Pacific Rim 2 is a direct follow on from 2013’s Pacific Rim, bringing in a new generation of heroes.

Long lives the legend of the Kaiju War hero, Stacker Pentecost who gave his life to save Earth. His son, Jake Pentecost (John Boyega) , who initially trained as a Jaeger pilot ekes a living by selling off stolen Jaeger scrap on the Black Market.

Having owed a debt to a gang boss, Jake goes in for the win and tries to get a power cell from a wrecked Jaeger.

This is where we meet a pre-teen girl called Amara Namani (Cailee Spaeny) who is smart enough to rebuild Jaegers and pilot them o her own.

Stacker and Amara end up teaming up to escape the law but don’t get too far. Jake, having priors only has one way out… re-enlist in to the Jaeger program. Amara is also taken on as a Cadet.

But not all is well with the current Jaeger regime as a Chinese based company headed by an iron woman, Liwen Shao (Jing Tian). Her assistant and resident expert on the Kaiju is Dr. Newton Geiszler (Charlie Day). He works as an advisory and Project Manager of sorts on the Jaeger Drone program. You may recall Newton from the first Pacific Rim film, the doctor that was totally obsessed with Kaiju’s.

After one of the manned Jaegers go awry and cause a death, Shao’s drones are put into action… but Geizsler has not completely been himself, and had is own plans for the Drones.

I had high hopes at the initial beginning of the film, especially with a series of quick Guy Ritchie-like scenes to get through a bit of the backstory of Jake. But trying to feel for or relate to the characters in Uprising in anyway was impossible.

The film follows the usual tropes of rivals needing to pair up and the under-dog triumphing. Pacific Rim: Uprising is a funtastic action, mech vs. monster, destroy everything flick, and nothing more than that.

It’s hard to knock it for what it is and it’s an enjoyable watch, although very cheesy.

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Acaratus probably has one of the best elevator pitch concepts I have ever come across in a game.

Steampunk battle suits.

If you’re anything like me, you’re now sold on playing this game.

The good news is, Acaratus definitely delivers on that fascinating premise, albeit with a few missteps along the way.  

The narrative context for the game relies on cliche, but generally in a way that makes the world feel familiar as opposed to fake. The world is dominated by the Emperor Helios, who holds a monopoly on the technology behind steam powered mecha, you’re predictably part of the resistance to bring him down.    

You can feel the passion of the developers in designing this world, and it plays like an adaptation of one of your favourite books, with a cheesey charm that had me rooting for the characters even as I rolled my eyes at certain pieces of writing. However, while the story has definite substance, it’s delivery can be haphazard, with a text heavy approach and a lot of exposition, it occasionally becomes a slog instead of a pleasure.

Thankfully, the core systems of the game are solid. Gameplay is a top down, turn based tactical affair, similar in execution to games like Metal Gear Acid. The player moves through a grid of squares,  executing attacks and abilities through playing ‘cards’. That can sound confusing if you’re unfamiliar with card based tactical games, and there is a modest learning curve in this instance, but the gameplay feels intuitive enough that most players should feel comfortable quickly.

Card’s can be combined in interesting ways, so the depth of gameplay variety is impressive. This is added to by the ability to customise your mechs from a wide array of parts, adding a welcome RPG element that had me spend hours tinkering with different loadouts. This is has always been the bread and butter of a mech game, the one element you need to get right, the mechs needs to feel in some way personal to the player, and Acaratus nails this perfectly.

I large part of this is thanks to the game’s art design, the Mechs have such a perfectly executed steam-punk aesthetic, and are excellently animated, so much so that each one you design feels like a character unto itself.

Unfortunately, it must be said that while the Mechs are colourful and vibrant, many environments you pass through are drab and generic. This isn’t a huge concern, as the mechs themselves are what draws the eye, but it would have been nice to have them on a more interesting backdrop.

Acaratus isn’t game from a huge publisher, it feels like the passion project of a small team with some fascinating ideas and a clear vision of the world they want to create. While this means there are certain elements of polish and balance missing, the core mechanics of the game are satisfying and well executed. Acaratus is something fresh and interesting, a blend of two genres that I can’t believe have not been combined before, and I will be very interested to see what’s next from this team.

I mean, come on, Steam. Punk. Mechs. Nuff said.

The post Acaratus (PC) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Swedish indie developer Nodbrim Interactive today announced that Acaratus, its medieval steampunk tactical turn-based RPG, is set to launch on Steam on the 25th of May, 2017. Outfitted with customizable battle suits called mecha units, players must use their strategic skills in combat, using collectible cards as boosts, in order to succeed in a perilous yet beautiful steampunk world where randomized maps make each playthrough a whole new experience.

“Over the past year on Steam Early Access we’ve listened to the community and have incorporated lots of feedback into the game”, said Martin Kupski, Creative Director at Nodbrim Interactive. “We really think that players will enjoy the improvements that we’ve made when they see the final version at the end of next month”.

Acaratus has multiplayer and single player modes both brimming with high-strategy challenges which encourage players to plan their battle tactics in advance. Players can construct their own Steampunk inspired mecha units from highly customizable modular attachments and decide between ranged, melee, boosters and defensive parts. Weapons range from war hammers to longer ranged projectile-based weapons, such as cannons. Ability card decks can also be used by players as attack, defence or skill boosts to support their unique play styles and help them succeed in the deep tactical turn-based gameplay. Combat takes place in a mesmerising medieval steampunk setting with randomised maps, or players can also take the fight to each other in the battle arenas.

The campaign mode in Acaratus presents a narrative rich story where players assume the role of a freed slave who saved the life of his former slave dealer Adina unwillingly making her the head of a small rebellion. Adina starts recruiting slaves to fight back against the regime entrenched after the decade-long Valerian Conflict between Queen Valeria in the north and emperor Helios in the southern lands won by Helios and his hordes of mecha units. Now, Helios has enslaved people who oppose him and hunts down the remaining battle suits that are used by the opposition. Armed with forbidden mecha units, players and Adina are in the process of setting an example for human rights.

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Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Arts Inc. today announced that Titanfall 2 will drop worldwide on Friday, October 28th, 2016 for Xbox One, Origin for PC, and for the first time ever for the franchise, PlayStation 4. The highly-anticipated first person shooter is set to build on the foundation Respawn established with the first Titanfall – fast, fluid, and fun gameplay between Pilots and Titans, to once again innovate and elevate the shooter genre.

“With the original Titanfall, we focused on nailing the gameplay and reinventing the way you move and fight in a first person shooter,” said Vince Zampella, CEO of Respawn Entertainment and a Co-Creator of the Call of Duty franchise. “With Titanfall 2, we’re building on that foundation by introducing a bespoke single player campaign backed by a deeper multiplayer experience that together will once again push the shooter genre forward.”

In single player, Titanfall 2 will deliver a crafted experience that explores the unique bond between man and machine. Playable offline, the single player campaign in Titanfall 2 will let fans step out onto the Frontier as a Militia rifleman with aspirations of becoming an elite Pilot. Stranded behind enemy lines and facing overwhelming odds, players must team up with a veteran Titan to uphold a mission they were never meant to carry out. In multiplayer, Respawn is continuing to evolve their best-in-class gameplay to provide a more robust experience that delivers expanded depth and variety that includes six new Titans, deeper Pilot abilities, more customization options, and a robust progression system that is sure to satisfy fans.

Fans wanting to hit The Frontier first on October 28 can pre-order Titanfall 2 now at Titanfall.com. For those looking to have the ability to customise every Titan day one, theTitanfall 2 Deluxe Edition offers instant access to exclusive Warpaints and Nose Arts, two camouflages, and more.

Prior to release, Titanfall 2 will have an open technical test designed to help Respawn ensure a successful launch on October 28th, 2016. Fans interested in getting technical test news first can sign up here for Dispatches from The Frontier – the Titanfall 2 Newsletter that provides news, exclusive offers, and much more.

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