PC Game News

Gameforge today released an official trailer for "Gates of Andaron," the free-to-play fantasy MMORPG by Zemi Interactive that was released in North America in July.

"War has ravaged the kingdoms of Valorian and Derion. Those who were once allies are now hostile enemies. While the origin of the conflict has been lost over time, both kingdoms have created their own versions of the story behind the bloody conflict. The only thing certain is that the key to ending the war between the two kingdoms lies hidden in ancient, almost-forgotten tales and sagas. The quest to reveal the truth and end the everlasting struggle is a task for only the bravest of adventurers.

Whether playing as a human, feline or fairy, as an ally to one of the warring kingdoms you will face deadly challenges that can only be surmounted through the might of sword and power of magic. Not only will your journey take you through the world of modern Iberia, but it will transport you to distant lands deep in the depths of Andaron’s history. In Gates of Andaron, terrifying monsters and epic battles await as you rise above the betrayal and become a hero for all eternity."

More information is available at GatesofAndaron.com.
 

 
Blog Icon
Staff Blog Post

It’s been a while since we posted a video review but don’t worry, we are planning on doing more. In our latest video review, Chris takes a look at the latest DLC for F.E.A.R. 2 titled "F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn."

Here’s the official description of the content pack:

"Experience four brand new single-player levels in this additional DLC campaign for F.E.A.R.2! Coinciding with the events seen in the full game, you will experience the chaos of Alma’s aftermath from an entirely new point of view: that of Replica Soldier 813. Your mission begins with an orbital Powered Armor drop to reinforce your fellow Replica squad… But not everything is as it seems. Supernatural events run wild in the apocalyptic remains of Auburn. Another voice is beckoning you; contradicting orders from Replica command. Find out the answer to this, and many new questions, in the DLC campaign F.E.A.R.2: Reborn!"

 

 

The Capcom website has been updated with the announcement of the launch of "Resident Evil 5" for the PC.

"Resident Evil 5 PC is hitting store shelves today and for those with high-end PCs, be sure to check out the amazing 3D visuals. If you want to see if your PC is compatible with Resident Evil 5, you can also download the benchmark demo here (it says 3-d, but it works for standard set ups as well). You can check out the required specs after the break.

You can purchase and download your copy on Steam, Impulse, Direct2Drive, and the Capcom Store. Physical copies are available at all major retail stores.

In addition to the fantastic Majini Makeover App that Capcom released in partnership with Intel yesterday, you can also download the RE5 Multimedia Widget, powered by Intel, (available here) The widget is installable in around 60 locations (igoogle, facebook, netvibes, Friendster, myspace, orkut, blogger, etc) and gives you lots of cool assets, wallpapers, videos, etc. New assets drop weekly! The widget also allows you to enter daily into a contest to win Intel Core i7 Processors and RE5 PC games. You can enter to win once each day, and winners are chosen weekly."

 

Electronic Arts today announced that "Need for Speed SHIFT" has been shipped to North American retail stores. Additionally, the game will be shipped in Europe on the 17th.

"Need for Speed SHIFT redefines the racing genre with the combination of real world physics with perception based G-forces. The game includes a brutal first person crash dynamic to create an immersive cockpit view. When combined with the all-new driver profile, which gives each player a unique persona based on their driving skill and style, Need for Speed SHIFT is the most realistic and intensive authentic racing game ever.

“Without a doubt, Need for Speed SHIFT is the first racing game that accurately delivers the physical and emotional sensation of being behind the wheel of a race car,” said Patrick Soderlund, Senior Vice President of EA Games Europe. “I’m confident this game not only reinvigorates the entire Need for Speed franchise but it actually changes the way people will view and appreciate racing games.”

Need for Speed SHIFT is available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PC, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and iPhone. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com or follow us on Twitter at NeedforSpeed."

 

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of September 14th, 2009.

PC Games:

Movies Opening This Week:  

  • Bright Star (limited)
  • Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
  • Jennifer’s Body
  • Love Happens
  • The Informant! (limited)

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

  • An American Warewolf in London [Blu-Ray]
  • Army of Darkness
  • Blood & Bone
  • Bonicle: The Legend Reborn
  • Camille
  • Child’s Play [Blu-Ray]
  • Crash: Season 1
  • CSI Miami: The Complete Seventh Season
  • Darkness Shadows: The Haunting of Collinwood
  • Deep Impact [Blu-Ray]
  • Directed by John Ford
  • Doctor Who: The Next Doctor 2008 Christmas Special
  • Eastern College
  • Easy Virtue [Blu-Ray]
  • Essential Art House: Gervaise
  • Essential Art House: Le Jour se Leve
  • Essential Art House: Mayerling
  • Fame
  • Full Battle Rattle
  • Grace [Blu-Ray]
  • Gray’s Anatomy: The Complete Fifth Season
  • Hero [Blu-Ray]
  • It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 4
  • King Kong vs. Godzilla
  • My Name is Earl: Season Four
  • Next Day Air
  • Nightwatching
  • Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L103
  • Private Practice: The Complete Second Season
  • Rumba
  • Sanctuary: The Complete First Season
  • Stella: Live in Boston
  • The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season
  • The Hannibal Lecter Anthology [Blu-Ray]
  • The IT Crowd: The Complete Third Season
  • The Wolfman
  • Treeless Mountain
  • Van Helsing [Blu-Ray]
  • Varsity Blues [Blu-Ray]
  • Wagon Master
  • X-Men Origins: Wolverine [Blu-Ray]
 

1C Company today announced the development of a new real-time strategy series based on authentic historic events – the first game will be titled "Real Warfare: 1242."

"Russia during the XIII century was a huge state, much larger than any other European country. Split by internal conflicts, and yet standing strong against numerous outer threats, it was attacked by the infamous Mongol Horde. They came suddenly and pierced through the country like a blazing arrow. The native people fought valiantly, led by a fierce warrior and prince, Prince Alexander Nevsky.

Real Warfare: 1242, is a realistic real-time strategy game based on authentic historic events. It invites you to experience the glorious times of princes, knights and vast battles. The player’s goal is to direct Alexander Nevsky through meticulously recreated historic battlegrounds and achieve the greatest of victories by repelling the attacks of Teutonic and Swedish knights, bringing Lithuania to peace and eliminating every single invader in 1242.

Features

  • The engine incorporates state-of-the-art technologies used in real-time strategy titles
  • Vivid, lifelike real-time graphics
  • Carefully maintained historical accuracy
  • Vast territories to conquer and control
  • Significant level of depth and in-game freedom
  • Improved unit animation (with the transition to motion capture)"

       
       
     

 

 

It has been revealed that Bethesda has sued Interplay over Fallout intellectual property. Bethesda purchased the rights for Fallout from Interplay in 2004 but Bethesda gave back MMO rights to Interplay if Interplay started on the development of a Fallout MMO within two years. In April, Bethesda had the MM0 rights revoked because Interplay failed to begin full-scale development on a Fallout 3 MMO. Here’s more from Gamespot:

"This week, the Bethesda-Interplay disagreement was elevated to a legal level, when Bethesda filed suit in federal court in Maryland. The suit accuses Interplay of 10 counts of breach of contract and trademark infringement by not abiding by a trademark license agreement (TLA) it had with Bethesda. The first was in relation to the Fallout MMORPG, which stipulated that Interplay had to have raised at least $30 million in funding for the project by the end of March 2009. As evidence such fund-raising did not occur, Bethesda points to a June 30 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission which said Interplay had $2.54 million in debt and only $16,000 in cash assets.

Bethesda’s complaint also claims that, 11 days after being informed the Fallout MMORPG license had been revoked and it could not enter into a deal with any third parties, Interplay formalized a deal with Bulgarian studio Masthead to develop the MMORPG Project V13."

More at Gamespot.

 

New screenshots from "Order of War" have been released, giving players more of a look at the upcoming real-time strategy game by Wargaming.net that’s scheduled to be released on September 22nd.

"In the summer of 1944, the Second World War entered its end-game when the Allies launched two major operations that would drive back German forces on both the Western and Eastern Fronts at once.

In the ultimate test of military strategy, ORDER OF WAR will challenge you not only to lead America’s finest to victory in the west, but also place you in command of German forces charged with repelling the Red Army’s seemingly unstoppable offensive in the east."

       
 

 

Paradox today released a demo for "Supreme Ruler 2020 Gold," giving players a chance to try out the upcoming game pack that includes Supreme Ruler 2020 and the Global Crisis expansion. The game is scheduled to be released on September 18th.

"In the demo, players will have the opportunity to engage in three different scenarios including "California Dreaming", "Ethiopian Empire", and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Additionally, strategy fans will have the opportunity to play up to four in-game months at a time.

In Supreme Ruler 2020, choose one nation out of over 250 to rule as you attempt to avoid a world filled with chaos, and eventually, torn apart by an impending World War III. In Global Crisis, the challenge continues as you march through a sandbox-style campaign that pushes the player to make careful and precise decisions based on real-world diplomatic, economic, and political models.

Features:

  • Over 30 scenarios spread across the original campaign and the thrilling expansion as players march towards World War III
  • Control one of more than 250 territories from around the world in single-player or multiplayer modes
  • Use high-resolution NASA satellite imagery to manage your sprawling empire
  • Control hundreds of actual military vehicles using a sophisticated tactical command system
  • Realistic world using detailed diplomatic, economic, and political models
  • Great flexibility, either through modding or a limitlessly customizable Super Sandbox mode

Supreme Ruler 2020 GOLD will be available for purchase in retail stores and via digital distribution channels on September 18."

The 364MB demo can be downloaded from AtomicGamer, Gamer’s Hell, or Worthplaying.

 

Paradox released a new gameplay trailer for "Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim," giving viewers more of a look at the sequel by Ino-Co that’s scheduled to be released on September 18th.

"Bear witness to the many regal aspects of gameplay; Build guilds to attract heroes and order them to remove nearby monsters lairs. Explore the map and locate sites for the construction trading posts. Defend caravans as they return to market, providing the gold to expand the local town. Place flags to ward away your heroes from dangerous creatures, until they are ready for the challenge. Upgrade guilds to unlock a host of abilities for heroes to learn. Adapt key buildings to summon the races of elves and dwarves to your cause. Research magical items, potions, weapons and armour so that heroes can equipment themselves for the tasks you assign them. Gather your heroes into mutually benefiting parties, so that they may stand a chance against the unknown dangers hiding in the darkness.

Sire, make ready the dogs of war, for now is the time to take up this princely offer for less than a King’s ransom.

Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim is scheduled for release on September 18, 2009 and will be published worldwide by Paradox Interactive. The PC title will be available for digital download on all leading digital distribution platforms. For more information about Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim, please visit https://www.majesty2.com and follow @pdxinteractive on twitter."

 

 

Frogster gave out new details on the upcoming "Beyond the Horizon" expansion for Bounty Bay Online, revealing five new character classes among other things.

"Each of the five new classes Royal Military Officer, Imperial Guardian, Caribbean Pirate, Treasure Hunter and Armed Businessman, will receive its own individual skill tree in ‘Beyond the Horizon’. Using talent points, which can be acquired through applying their abilities, players can further expand on their special skills in the three areas of land combat, sea combat, and production (crafting). Players can drag & drop the active skills of the new classes such as certain special attacks into their skill bar and directly execute them from there as required. Passive Skills for the new character classes act as a permanent ‘buff’ or bonus.

Upon meeting the first NPC in Athens in a new Tutorial Quest, beginners will have the choice from one of the five character classes in the upcoming expansion ‘Beyond the Horizon’. A class trainer in the city will further instruct them in on-going use of the new system as the quest series progresses. Advanced players can choose one of the five classes in addition to the abilities they already learned and thereby complement these with the new special functions. All five character classes are playable as either male or female game characters. The choice of character class has no influence on the outward appearance of the characters. But all of the five classes can acquire an impressive new equipment set that awaits them as booty to reward success in high level instances, or as a reward for the victory in a PvP tournament.

The Royal Military Officer is distinguishable as a high ranking officer by particularly mastering firearms and the sword. Together with its land combat strengths, he specialises in the use of cannons in sea combat. The Imperial Guardian also counts among the elite of the army. On land he is particularly adept in the use of the sabre, axe and sword. In sea combat, the class stands ready with special abilities in the use of grappling hooks. The Caribbean Pirate has a passion for plundering and pillaging. As a result he tends to lean towards close combat man-to-man and makes use of the sabre or axe for his style of fighting. In sea combat he is particularly skilled in close combat with cannons. Furthermore he has taught other sea captains to fear his ramming and grappling hook abilities. The Treasure Hunter in contrast, strives to explore every corner of the globe in order to return with valuable treasures. His sea combat strengths lies in the use of cannons at long distance. In addition the explorer has particular abilities with sea mines and ramming tactics. In land combat he is proven to be a sharpshooter with pistols and can deliver valuable assistance in group combat. As a security-conscious trader, the Armed-Businessman’s strengths lie in defence. In sea combat he has particular abilities in ship repair and in healing seafarers. In addition he also keeps on hand special improvements to ships. In land combat, he stands out in healing and supporting roles in group combat. But once attacked, the Armed Businessman also knows well how to defend himself using a pistol.

Frogster is going to publish the expansion ‘Beyond the Horizon’ with its many new features in both German and English language versions. A little later French players of Bounty Bay Online will also be able to check out the new content, such as the new continent South America, six new cities, the five new character classes, the active pet system, new instances, new PvP arenas and tournaments, new ranking systems and new mini-games. In keeping with its predecessors, ‘Beyond the Horizon’ will be available free of charge. Players can obtain regular information bulletins about the up-coming expansion at this info site: https://bth.bountybayonline.com"

 

1C Company and The Farm 51 have announced "NecroVisioN: Lost Company," an upcoming prequel.

"The new game contains several unique levels, characters, weapons and gameplay elements, as well as a new main hero that tells the original game story from an opposing perspective. Players can now take on the role of one of the WWI German soldiers that discovers the evil forces unleashed by the war, and starts to fight against them. Eventually they lead soldiers from all the nations gathered on the front through massive battles against zombies and demons. Finally players become the first Necromancer that will fight against Simon Bukner in NecroVisioN.

Key features:

  • 10 new levels in the single player campaign
  • 15 new characters
  • 6 new weapons
  • Variety of special weapon upgrades
  • New drivable vehicles to use in the fight including the FT17 tank and Halberstadt CL.II airplane
  • Several additional close combat techniques, spells and fatalities in single player
  • New, unique multiplayer mode: Gas Attack
  • 3 new maps and several new skins for multiplayer mode
  • New visual effects like enhanced depth-of-field, soft shadows and new shaders with optimized renderer and data loading system.

NecroVisioN: Lost Company is scheduled for release in Q1 2010."

 

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of September 7th, 2009.

PC Games:

Movies Opening This Week:

  • 9
  • I Can Do Bad All by Myself
  • Sorority Row
  • The September Issue (limited)
  • Whiteout

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

  • Bedknobs and Broomsticks
  • Charles Bronson Collection
  • Classic Tarzan Collection
  • Crank 2: High Voltage [Blu-Ray]
  • Creepshow [Blu-Ray]
  • Criminal Minds: The Complete Fourth Season
  • Dangerous Dames Collection
  • Dog the Bounty Hunter: To Seize and Protect
  • Femme Fatales Collection
  • Freddy vs. Jason [Blu-Ray]
  • Friday [Blu-Ray]
  • Fringe: The Complete First Season
  • Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
  • Groucho Marx Collection: You Bet Your Life
  • Halloween Triple Pack
  • Harper’s Island
  • Hellraiser Triple Pack
  • Homicide [Criterion Collection]
  • Important Things with Demetri Martin: Season One
  • Kabei – Our Mother
  • Mad Monster Party
  • Mafia Kingpin Collection
  • Midnight Mysteries Collection
  • MTV’s Nitro Circus: Season One
  • Parks & Recreation: Season One
  • Requiem for a Dream [Blu-Ray]
  • Rise of the Gargoyles
  • Scary Movie Triple Pack
  • Scream Triple Pack
  • Set it Off [Blu-Ray]
  • Silverado [Blu-Ray]
  • Sleep Dealer [Blu-Ray]
  • That Hamilton Woman [Criterion Collection]
  • The Country Teacher
  • The Human Condition [Criterion Collection]
  • The New World [Blu-Ray]
  • The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
  • The Office: Season Five
  • The Postman [Blu-Ray]
  • The Prophecy Triple Pack
  • Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails
  • Universal Horror: Classic Movie Archive
  • Valentino: The Last Emperor [Blu-Ray]
  • Worst Week: The Complete Series
 

Paradox today announced a new Hearts of Iron game titled "Arsenal of Democracy," in development at BL-Logic, a development studio made up by fans of the series.

"Arsenal of Democracy is the ultimate World War II simulation and is described by Project Leader Lennart Berg as “Hearts of Iron II on steroids!”

Describing the idea and process behind the creation of Arsenal of Democracy, Berg goes on to say, “During the years of the Hearts of iron II lifecycle, I made a list of improvements in the forums and these became the guidelines to the new game. So we went ahead and implemented these along with many more ideas until we had pretty much replaced and enhanced everything from the original. The end result, in our very humble opinion, is the ultimate World War II simulation.”

KEY FEATURES

  • Increased resolution and windowed mode freely selectable
  • Totally reworked combat mechanics, new missions and realistic combat behavior and losses
  • Several new technologies
  • New espionage interface and reworked espionage system
  • One of the most detailed economy and production system found in any Hearts of Iron game
  • Realistic logistics system
  • Everything is moddable
  • AI reworked and now poses a genuine threat, even to experienced players
  • 4 new battle scenarios"

       
     

 

A "Cities XL" demo has been released, giving players a chance to try out the upcoming city building game by Monte Cristo.

"CITIES XL allows gamers to develop cities on realistic 3D maps using an incredible collection of unique structures and monuments based on American, Asian and European-influenced architectural styles. The maps feature a variety of environments: mountains, hills, canyons, beaches and islands, all set in different climates from tropical to desert, Mediterranean to temperate. Players must create the right combinations of social services, leisure activities, special events and other job opportunities within their cities in order to feed, clothe, employ and entertain their citizens. Be it planning and building a new zoo, public park, residential neighborhood or transit system – there’s always a fresh and exciting challenge for would-be city managers and mayors in CITIES XL."

The ~1GB demo can be downloaded from AtomicGamer, Gamer’s Hell, Strategy Informer, or Worthplaying.