Planetside 2 trailer looking epic

Sony Online Entertainment(DC Universe Online, EverQuest, Free Realms)  just released a lengthy trailer for Planetside 2. It's not gameplay footage, but it looks damn epic. Planetside 2 is an MMOFPS game that will be Free To Play when released. Not only am I curious about Planetside 2 thanks to the trailer, I might sign up for the beta and try my luck.

It's a sci-fi shooter and it's all about  huge battles against three factions trying to take control of the planet Auraxis. This game is all about scale - The game is planned to have thousands of players participating in one huge battle all at once. Planetside 2 will have a series of air and land vehicles and six character classes to choose from. So think of it as futuristic Battlefield 3 mixed with a bigger MAG-like scale.

After watching the trailer, I did some research and checked out some gameplay footage of the game. Sony Online Entertainment Online weren't kidding with what they are trying to do with Planetside 2. The scale of the game is crazy big, with surprisingly good details in the graphics. Since the game is all about thousands of players participating in one huge battle, I can only imagine how chaotic this game will be come release. Beta is coming soon, but I wonder how stable the game will be with literally that many players on a map.

I found a video that's 45- minutes of Planetside 2 gameplay with commentary from the developer, if you want to have a better idea of Planetside 2, you should have a look. This was presented during this year's GDC( Game Developers Conference).

GDC 45-minutes gameplay

If 45 minutes is too long, here's a way shorter one to showcase some gameplay.

Again, this game will be Free To Play. Just like other Free To Play online games out now, Planetside 2 will have online stores selling items, but not selling items that make you a stronger player. Equipment items that are unlockable through game progression and visual items to customize your characters looks can be bought.

The game was officially announced on July 7, 2011, so I'm not too sure how long this game has been in development at Sony Online Entertainment.

It definitely caught my eye and I hope to get into the beta to give this massive game a try. You can try your luck for the beta too by signing up at their official website. good luck!

Path of Exile having another Open Beta this weekend

The Free To Play Action RPG Path to Exile is having another Open Beta this weekend for the whole world to try out. Grinding Gear Games is opening the beta for the weekend for a stress test, and of course giving players a chance to see what Path Exile has to offer.

I joined the last Open Beta Weekend days before the release of Diablo 3 and it's definitely in my watch list. Not only is it Free To Play, it also has a wide variety of unique features. For one, there is no currency system but rather a barter system. Trade your loot to vendors and you get a useful item in return. The skill tree in the game is also huge, don't believe me?

Yea... If you've played Final Fantasy X, then you have an idea on what you're getting into. Not the full shot of the skill tree but you get the idea.

This game has been in development for five years and I love how they mentioned this during their press release for the Open Beta Weekend:

The game is free to play, but does not feature ‘pay-to-win’.

People are taking notes to past mistakes and I like seeing that.

If you love games such as Diablo and Torchlight, this is definitely worth checking out. Beta servers will be up at 5pm PDT on Friday, July 27. Here's the Open Beta FAQ that includes a link to start downloading the game client.

Going to have a busy weekend so hopefully I'll find the time to join the Open Beta.

Here's a trailer to give you an idea...

New Final Fantasy XIII announcement coming soon? what?

Apparently Square Enix is not done with Final Fantasy XIII. Future development of Final Fantasy XIII will be announced on September 1 during  a stage show at the Final Fantasy 25th anniversary event in Japan. Now this could mean more DLC costumes for XIII-2, or simply Final Fantasy XIII-3. I prefer an announcement for the next Final Fantasy if you ask me.

I have no idea why Square Enix is throwing so much resources into this title. If this announcement actually become a XIII-3 reveal, this would be the first Final Fantasy story turned into a trilogy. Final Fantasy XIII was a disappointment for me. The only thing I got out of playing the first one was how good the gameplay felt. Aside from that, it was a pretty bad game. Then they announced XIII-2 with pokemon features. I couldn't see myself playing it. Sequels don't seem to work for Final Fantasy games, but it looks like Square Enix is pushing it.

The last Final Fantasy that I really enjoyed had to be Final Fantasy X. After that, nothing. I still have high hopes for Square Enix and the Final Fantasy franchise. Their new game engine Luminous Studio that's meant for next-gen consoles seems to be raising the bar yet again in terms of graphics. So I'm eager to see what Square can produce with it.

Now the announcement could be more DLC for XIII-2 in the end, but if it really is another sequel...

Well, what can you do. Just took this opportunity to throw a rant on Square's latest Final Fantasy. We'll have to wait and see on September 1.

Do you wish Final Fantasy XIII-3 to happen?

[Source: Andriasang]

Final day for the Steam Summer Sale

 

The great week of god crazy discounts is at its end. The Steam Summer Sale is on its last day and the last set of deals are decent to say the least. If you haven't played any of the Bioshock games, Bastion, or Splinter Cell: Conviction, it's worth the buy at 75% off. Here is the full list.

Last Day Deals:

• Operation Flashpoint: Red River – $11.24 (75% off)
• Football Manager 2011 – $9.99 (75% off)
• BioShock – $4.99 (75% off)
• SPAZ (Space Pirates and Zombies) – $2.49 (75% off)
• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction – $4.99 (75% off)
• Jagged Alliance: Back in Action – $9.99 (75% off)
• Bastion – $3.74 (75% off)
• Double Fine Bundle – $7.49 (75% off)
• Indie Bundle XI – $9.99 (75% off)

Double Fine Bundle:

• Costume Quest
• Psychonauts
• Stacking
• Indie Bundle XI:
• Hydrophobia: Prophecy
• Orion: Dino Beatdown
• Star Ruler
• Waveform
• World of Goo

Indie Bundle XI:

• Hydrophobia: Prophecy
• Orion: Dino Beatdown
• Star Ruler
• Waveform
• World of Goo

Pack Deals

• Star Wars: Collection -$49.99 ( 50% off)
• Pop Cap Collection – $49.99 (50% off)
• Ubisoft Collection – $49.99 (50% off)
• Telltale Games collection – $49.99 (50% off)
• Id Collection – $49.99 (50% off)
• SEGA Hit Collection – $49.99 (88% 0ff)
• Paradox Collection – $49.99 (82% off)
• Rockstar Hit Collection – $49.99 (58% off)
• Valve Complete Pack – $49.99 (50% off)
• THQ Collection – $49.99 (84% off)
• Nordic games Collection – $49.99 (59% off)
• Cyan Complete Pack – $14.99 ( 50% off)
• Sqaure Enix Collection – $49.99 (79% off)
• 2k games Collection – $49.99 (77% off)
• Focus Hit Collection – $49.99 (82% off)
• MumboJumbo Collection – $34.99 (56% off)
• Bethesda Collection – $ 49.99 (72% off)
• 1C Collection – $49.99 (85% off)
• Railworks 3 Collection – $49.99 ( 79% off)
• Kalypso Colection – $49.99 (50% off)
• Strategy First Collection – $49.99 (50% off)
• Activision – $49.99 (77% off)

The last set of flash deals and community sales are up and are worth checking out. The deals last for only 8 hours so I suggest you check them out now.

Oh an if you're wondering on the game that's not available to where I live(Asia), that unavailable game is Operation Flashpoint: Red River which is fine by me. I just have no idea why that game is unavailable in my region.

Just like the holiday sale, the deals were hard to believe. 75% off? It felt like Christmas all over again. I snagged a couple of deals this week - Legend of Grimrock, Binding of Isaac, and Civilization V. Sum that all up, and I've only spent less than 20 bucks for them. Still looking at getting one more game, and with Saint't Row: The Third back at 75% off, I might just consider that.

Got anything good in Steam during the Summer Sale?

EA includes co-op to Dead Space because it's considered too scary?

I'm sure you guys have heard about Dead Space 3 having co-op. Based on EA's research for the first two Dead Space games, a lot of people thought it was too scary and wished they could play the game with a friend. Thus, co-op was planned for the third game. Apparently too scary is a negative for a" survival horror" game which is hilarious. 

EA' marketing head Laura Miele spoke to MCV about this change in the Dead Space franchise.

“We were doing research coming out of Dead Space 1 and 2 and we’re really proud of those products. We received feedback to understand how we can take the game out to even more consumers,” she stated.

“We were hearing feedback that they love the thriller game, but it was pretty scary, and the obvious next step was that they wanted to play with someone. So we introduced co-op into the game.

EA states that the same levels of horror in the first two games will be found on the third but now with a friend.

As much as they say it will be the same, you won't feel the same horror given when playing alone. The idea that you are all alone to survive and face these unknown creatures hidden in the dark is what brings out the scares and fears in these types of games. Dead Space 1 and 2 captured it perfectly with the atmosphere that somewhat resembled the first Alien movie some way. And let's not forget about the necromorphs.

I hate the fact that they implemented co-op. Dead Space was considered a sleeper hit among gamers but never a huge money earner. Adding co-op does bring more potential buyers, but I fear for the survival horror genre. I considered Dead Space the title keeping the genre alive. So hopefully more horror games get developed to fill in the gaps.

Check out the link to see Dead Space 3 first revealed at this year's E3.