Torchlight 2 is going to be a hard sell when Diablo 3 is out

With Diablo 3 coming out in a month, Torchlight needs to wait a couple of months before releasing. They are both point and click  loot fest RPG's so It's a hard sell really. Why go Torchlight 2 when you can get Diablo 3? No, really.

Torchlight 2 vs Diablo 3

Sounds a bit unfair, in a way it's like having a kid go against its father. On one hand we have Diablo 3, the latest in the Diablo series that started the point and click lootfest gameplay; on the other hand we have Torchlight 2, a game that is pretty much an offspring of the Diablo games. It was built around what made the series great and can easily be called a clone at first glance. Calling a clone might be a bit harsh to describe Torchlight 2 but that’s just the truth. If they do come out in the same month, we know the clear winner.

Runic Games have been working on the Torchlight sequel for well over two years now, and I'm sure they feel the pressure now that their biggest competition has a release date. So with that in mind, exactly when to release Torchlight 2 is key for success.

Runic Games now has the ball in their court. With Diablo 3 slated for a May release, when is the best time to release Torchlight 2? Well that time was a few months back. I believe the best time would have been 4 months ago, around December and January.  Why do you ask? Well because just like me, I was patiently waiting for Diablo 3’s release but was always seeing TBA(To be announced). I'm sure some of you were on the same boat at the time. They could have easily tapped into gamers that were waiting for Diablo 3 to come out. Fill the void until the big show starts really. Blizzrard took so long to give a release date that people were already throwing out jokes around the internet about the games long development. A missed opportunity. I was even betting on Guild Wars 2 to come out first, but obviously I lost that bet.

It’s a hard sell now with Diablo 3 on the horizon. But not all is lost for the young hack and slash series. If I could give Runic Games advice, I’d tell them to wait 2-4 months after May 15. Even though the game is all set for release, waiting for the hype to die is their best bet. Going head-to-head with Diablo 3 is just suicidal, even going through the peak of the game’s hyped after a few weeks will be hard to get gamers attention. Even with its $20 dollar price tag, it won’t be enough to earn a successful release. You never know, waiting might work.

Torchlight 2 Berserker Frenzy

Lets say they do wait a couple of months before releasing Torchlight 2, the thought of comparing the game with Diablo 3 will definitely be there in each gamers head, so hopefully they blow us away when they release the game because I don't see Diablo 3 being shelved after 2 months. Heck people still play Diablo 2 up to this day! I wouldn't be surprised if the third installment has a longer lifespan than it's predecessor. So yea, no pressure Runic Games.

Torchlight 2 is still a game that needs to be explored since it still looks like a solid RPG, it's just now is not the right time for it. I hope they do wait to release the game a few months after May 15 so that people can give the game a chance.

Still waiting for Torchlight 2's release even though Diablo 3 is a month away?

Mass Effect 3 getting an extended cut, Resurgence Pack also announced

Mass Effect 3 fans are finally getting some love from Bioware this week. You protested and they were listening. Thanks to all the talk about the game's ending and how most of us(including me) think the ending doesn't give the closure we needed after 3 games, they are extending the ending with a series of cut scenes. Also, for those addicted  to the multiplayer - The Resurgence Pack was announced that will include two new maps and new unlockable characters. Again, free of charge for both.

Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut *Minor Spoilers*

For the fans, the ending was so bad that they were able to raise money for charity and even go to court about it. Never mess with crazed fans I guess. They demanded a complete change of the ending. For me, that's one of the worst ideas. As much as I want some closure after going through Mass Effect 1 to 3, changing the ending was never the answer. The problem overall was how they left fans hanging. Instead if closing the book to this amazing series, you are left with tons of questions that need answering. Not the best way to end it.Adding extra cutscene for closure instead of the demanded extra endings or change of ending is pretty much the best move Bioware can do.

It's a double edge sword really. While fans do get what they want, what if what they add still isn't enough? Will they make yet another charity for more closure? It might come out as a never-ending cycle since now the fans assume that if your pushed enough, you'll get what you want. It can get even worse - Thanks to Bioware giving the fans what they want, you might find other fans from other games trying to change what they want by protesting how Mass Effect fans did it. It's just going to ruin game development if this becomes a habit. That's what I'm worried about. These games created are backed by a developers creativity. Changing it in any way after release seems like a slap to the face to the creators of a game you love the most.

I wanted more meat to the ending of Mass Effect 3, but I can live without it. I still believe Mass Effect is one of the best game series in this generation and that the third is still the best game. Maybe that's how Bioware wanted it to be. This reaction reminds me on how The HBO series Supranos ended.

*Spoilers to the people who haven't finished the series*.  They just end the series with Tony and his family eating in a diner. How they shot is as if Tony was anxious and the people at the diner looked like they would come up to him at any minute to kill him. But instead of giving the conclusion of that night, they just faded the last scene to black and it just ended. It left the fans literally in the dark with their imagination. Is he going to live? Was there really someone there to kill him? What happens next? That's how they want to end it, and it made some fans furious but with other fans giving respect to how the creators for the ending.

Thank god they didn't charge for this "Extended Cut". That would have been a disaster waiting to happen. But what was a shocker and a big relief is that the added content for the multiplayer is also coming for free.

Resurgence Pack

This pack adds two new multiplayer maps, six unlockable characters, new weapons, and items. The pack is available to download on April 10 on Xbox Live, Origin, and PlayStation Network in North America. Its available on PlayStation Network in Europe on April 11.

Here's the full details:

Two New Action-Packed Maps – Take the battle to Firebase Condor, a warzone outpost located on one of Palaven's moons and Firebase Hydra, an old abandoned quarian colony which has since been converted into a critical power facility. Each map represents a crucial asset in the overall fight against the Reapers.

Six Powerful New Unlockable Characters – Assume the role of new characters for each class, including the Asari Justicar Adept, Krogan Battlemaster Vanguard and characters from new playable races with theBatarian Soldier, Batarian Sentinel, Geth Engineer and Geth Infiltrator.

Lethal New Weapons – Obliterate wave after wave of enemies by unlocking the Striker Assault Rifle,Kishock Harpoon Gun and Geth Plasma SMG.

New Consumables – Cash in your credits to purchase reinforcement packs that could include the following new consumables.

- Strength Enhancer – Applies a melee damage boost for one missions

- Targeting VI – Applies a headshot damage bonus for one mission

- Stabilization Module – Stabilizes weapons while firing and moving for one mission

- Shield Power Cells – Shortens the length of time shields take to begin recharging for one mission

When they announced Mass Effect 3 will be having multiplayer, I wasn't on board with the idea. But after playing it, I now have a couple of characters promoted to the war effort, saving credits for Spectre Packs, and see myself planning with friends how to take out four Atlas' in one round during Gold difficulty. It's a lot of fun. A great addition, and thanks to this free DLC, the mode will be played for a bit longer.

Epic Mickey 2: Power of Two 10 minute gameplay

Gameplay footage of Epic Mickey 2 finally hits the web. Now gamers might shy away by the fact that it's a Mickey Mouse game and all, but Epic Mickey has always been an amazing game thanks to its great level design and concept. That's one mans opinions, plus the Wii needs some love before it gets replaced by the Wii U.

This gameplay footage was from the Wii version of the game.

Epic Mickey 2 is aiming for a release sometime this September for Wii, Playstation 3, and Xbox 360. Even though the sequel is going mult-platform, the Wii will still be its leading console.

This pretty much happens when Dance Central meets Han Solo

I'm picking up my blaster, put it on my side, I'm jumpin' in my Falcon, Wookiee at my side. Wait what!? Yes, not only do you pretend to be a Jedi in Kinect: Star Wars, you can also show off your moves in their Dance Central-ish dance mode. I'm laughing my ass off at the same time quite disappointed as a Star Wars fan.

Not sure how well it will do in sales but I highly doubt the new Kinect: Star Wars will fly for any core gamers. Casual? Definitely , but I remember Microsoft saying Kinect: Star Wars is one of those titles that would appeal to core gamers. Well, doesn't look like it. Here's the release trailer of Kinect: Star Wars.

Kinect: Star Wars Launch Trailer

On a side note, that Xbox 360 Star Wars edition just looks amazing.

A short film made by Mega Man X fans

We've seen fan films before. We've seen films for Street Fighter, Halo, heck someone even made a great video with the Portal Gun, but I've never seen a live action for Mega Man X. Is it good? Well you be the judge.

Great work OlanRogers! I think it's great. No matter what, creating something like this isn't an easy feat. If a Mega Man movie does come to light, would you prefer it go live action or go all Pixar/Dreamworks? I say why not both?