Feb 25, 2018 | Game ON news

Sunday, February 25, 2018

News:: The Walking Dead Season 8 Recap: 'Honor'

[Editor's Note: Before we say anything, this recap will obviously go into detail about last night's episode of The Walking Dead, so there are going to be a ton of SPOILERS. Beginning now.]

How often do we get to have a moment like this in the The Walking Dead, let alone in images for The Walking Dead? Basically never, so it was fitting to use our header image here. Seriously, spoilers, beginning now.

The Season 8 mid-season premiere served two purposes: it speaks to choices and the impact they can have on your chances for some kind of future in this zombie eat zombie world, and works as an incredible sendoff for Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs). So often on this show, deaths are unexpected, or immediate, or both, and there's no chance for characters to have the emotional moments with each other that they do in so much of television. In many ways, this makes The Walking Dead stronger than its competition as it forgoes the cliche in favor of unexpected twists that probably still have you guessing.

We're in the eighth season, and they just killed one of two characters that's been in every episode of the show. There are only four principals left from the first season! And two others from seasons two and three. And they just killed one of their stars. Fittingly, they took the time to do it right, with a mid-season reveal that Carl was doomed to die, and an episode that said goodbye, but also spent a lot of time speaking to Carl's philosophies from the apocalyptic world and how they play out across several main characters decision-making processes.

The Walking Dead Season 8 Recap: 'Honor' screenshot

News:: Review: Gleaner Heights

There's beauty in the farmer's routine. Every day revolves around a taxing schedule. Each row of crops requires watering, animals need to be fed and produce needs to be prepared for market, all before the sun rises high in the sky. Reaping the land's bounties is tough but rewarding work. There's always something to do, day in and day out, but the bucolic life is full of small moments and interactions that make it seem worth living.

Gleaner Heights is a game about making a living as a farmer. It's a cartoonish farming simulator, with charming pixel graphics and a host of activities outside of daily chores. Like the Harvest Moon games before it, Gleaner Heights encourages players to make the most of their situation and find a balance between growing crops and fostering relationships with the residents of the sleepy town your farm borders. It's familiar in its design, almost to the point of monotony—anyone who's spent time on a digital farm will adapt to the game quickly.

But then again, not everything in the titular town is as it seems. After a hard day's work, just when the sun goes down, the small town's secrets come to light. There's a darkness here. Everyone has something to hide.

Review: Gleaner Heights screenshot

News:: We chatted with the Rainbow Six Siege director about tough gameplay, Operator love and the origins of Outbreak's monster bash

With Rainbow Six Siege now proudly boasting over 25 million unique players, the squad-based shooter is preparing for a a third year of content. Not bad for a game whose suspiciously inaccurate E3 introduction saw it become a bit of a punching bag for gamers worldwide. Siege has since come back from those controversies to become not only a hugely popular online game, but also one of the most finely-tuned shooters of all time.

At the recent Six Invitational tournament in Montreal, I had the opportunity to sit down with Siege's Director, Leroy Athanasoff, to discuss the current state of play, the realisation of the upcoming Outbreak event, and the surprising obsession the community has with the game's roster of straight-laced heroes and anti-heroes.

We chatted with the Rainbow Six Siege director about tough gameplay, Operator love and the origins of Outbreak's monster bash screenshot

News:: Review: Rad Rodgers

First impressions count for a lot in gaming. Sometimes a bad launch can tarnish an otherwise solid game from ever recovering, but there are some rare instances where a title gets a second shot. Rad Rodgers happens to be one such game. I reviewed the original release on PC a little over a year ago and I was surprised to learn there was new content coming to the game.

I thought the game was pretty decent, just lacking in some key areas. Does this fix any of the issues I originally had? Does the new content live up to the promise set by the original? Sadly, it seems developer Slipgate Studios has squandered that second chance, because this more “complete” release of Rad Rodgers is markedly worse in almost every category.

Review: Rad Rodgers screenshot

News:: We need more games set in the Antiquities

I remember the first time I got my hands on God of War. Not the new game -- I'll get to that one in a second -- but the original title back on the PlayStation 2. I was in between housing at the time, one of the most frustrating months of my life. Staying at an acquaintance's house, everything I owned was in storage so all I had access to was their PS2. For the week and a half I was there, they rented two games: Gran Turismo 4 and this blood-soaked brawler set in the era of Greek gods. For that week, whenever I could, I eviscerated hoards of harpies, dogs, gorgons, minotaurs and more. I powered up every weapon and defeated every diety that stood in my way, and as I watched Kratos take his rightful seat among the gods at the end, I wanted more. Not just more God of War, but more Greek Mythology.

That game sparked my interest in the era. I wanted to know everything about it. I wanted to know every god, every hero, every trial of Heracles, everything. Mostly, I wanted more games set in the period. So I bought Spartan: Total Warrior for my GameCube, Glory of Heracles for my DS, and of course I have the entire Kid Icarus franchise on my 3DS. But that wasn't enough. I wanted more, but unfortunately, gaming didn't have too many answers for me.

You can barely swing a controller without hitting some game set in an Arthurian/Tolkien fantasy inspired setting, yet games that take place in the Greek and Roman Antiquities are few and far in between. Why is that? Why are we drowning in swords and shields but nearly bone dry when it comes to swords and sandals? Just look how sad this Wikipedia Category page is for the genre. Shameful.

There is absolutely no reason why developers can pillage this particular part of our past for new video games. The new God of War is leaving it behind after three fantastic games set in the period (and also two so-so games and whatever the hell God of War: Ascension was supposed to be) and without a new Kid Icarus on the horizon, it's slim pickings for Antiquity games. I can't be the only one who wants to try my hands at the labors of Heracles or play an aerial action game as Bellerophon atop Pegasus. There are just far too many great myths out there to be ignored and any developer looking for inspiration for its next game should open up an ancient world studies textbook.

We need more games set in the Antiquities screenshot

News:: Review: Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet

Before we begin, a bit of background: In preparation to write this review of Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet, I went over the other SAO game reviews I've written for Destructoid, and it turns out, a common thread runs through all of them: The assertion that Sword Art Online as a franchise has yet to top the original, titular death-game story arc. Everything else Kirito and his VR game pals have done to date has paled in comparison to their original exploits. It's for a reason that most, if not all, of the franchise's works are still branded with "Sword Art Online," even if their stories and characters have long since moved on from that particular game.

Again and again, I've stated or otherwise implied that the SAO games would need to shake things up in a big way for me to really feel confident about them (and by extension, the franchise) again. They'd need to do the game equivalent of what happened in the "Death Gun" arc, I basically said, in order to keep things fresh.

Well, guess what? They did it.

Review: Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet screenshot

News:: Video game food so putrid it will put you off your Sunday lunch

There is something uniquely terrible about disgusting food. The taste never seems to go away, no matter how much you wash your mouth out, and your body behaves, at least for a moment, as if it's been poisoned. Anyone who's accidentally taken a swig from a carton of expired milk will know the feeling. (Nope, never done that, not me...scruffy bastards, the lot of you.)

If a horror game wants to shock the player, it can create that feeling on many levels, whether through jump-scares or disturbing stills. Rotten food can be used to create an unsettling atmosphere that disturbs rather than shocks, creating a longer-lasting scare. On the other hand, plenty of games use crappy food to appeal to toilet humour sensibilities. Others simply allow you to create monstrosities for your own entertainment, then feed them to unknowing NPCs for literal shits and giggles.

So, let's tuck into some pretty damn awful meals in video games. Perhaps scoff down your afternoon snack now, or leave it 'til later, depending on how strong your gag reflex is.

Video game food so putrid it will put you off your Sunday lunch screenshot

News:: Now you too can replicate your own Star Trek Online ships

One of the coolest things about Star Trek Online, if not the coolest thing, is the sheer amount of officially licensed and original starships there are on-offer in-game. Eight-plus years of operation have given the game's players hundreds of starships to choose from, both canonical and original to STO's timeline.

Soon, players will be able to bring their favorite ships from STO into the real world thanks to developer Cryptic's partnership with 3D printing company Mixed Dimensions. Based on the company's "GamePrint" service, players should be able to order 12" 3D-printed models of their personal ships, ones that take into account their ships' unique name, combination of parts, and even cosmetic skins.

Currently the details are just limited to the blog post, but the plan is for customers to have options for ordering prints of their ships, from pre-primed single-color models ready to paint, or the ability to commission one of Mixed Dimensions' artists to paint the model outright. A line of 20 standardized models based on STO's most popular original designs will also be produced for fans. There's no word yet on pricing, though I'd wager it'll be pricey, at least for the painted ones.

This is pretty cool news for me, as some of my favorite Star Trek ship designs are native to STO. I'd really like the chance to get my very own the U.S.S. Bellator (pictured above) to take the place of honor on my desk.

Now you too can replicate your own Star Trek Online ships screenshot

News:: Your body is not ready: We're hosting 2 VGM parties at EGLX, March 9-10

Grab tickets to the expo here: https://www.eglx.ca/?tix=Dtoid

Friday Night, March 9th

Join us at Raiders eSports Center in Toronto for an evening of gaming, streaming, and indie developers! A one of a kind venue in the heart of the city.

Featuring: Musical performances by Dan-Drama, Epikuro, Panic-Pop, DJ Tenshin, and a teaser set by Grimecraft!

Special thanks to our friends at Pink City, Kigurumi, and FanFit. It's gonna be lit!

Cost: $5 cover

When/Where:
Doors open at 9pm

RAIDERS
49 St Clair Ave W
Toronto, Ontario M4V 1L3

And the following day...

Saturday Night, March 10th

Where: The Sheraton Hotel @ Ambrosia Ballroom
When: 8pm - 3am

Kind of a big deal: We're hosting the FIRST EVER Destructoid Battle of the Bands. Please arrive early as space is limited to a couple of hundred people. If you're arriving in elaborate cosplay we'll let you skip the line, we got you!

Cost: Free with your EGLX pass or $10 at the door

Featuring: Live music from You Bred Raptors?, Arm Cannon, and Knights of the Round ... followed by a brief break... and taking you into the early hours of the morning we have two encore performances: Danimal Cannon and a deluxe set from GRIMECRAFT.

See you there!

Your body is not ready: We're hosting 2 VGM parties at EGLX, March 9-10 screenshot

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Sunday, February 25, 2018