Nerd Rating

Category: Video Games

  • XBox One Official Launch Countries List

    A visual look at the officially supported Xbox One "launch" countries.
    A visual look at the officially supported Xbox One “launch” countries.

    The Facts

    All of the ins-and-outs around the Xbox One’s always-online requirements are slowly coming to the surface as E3 wears on, and the latest update is Microsoft’s announcement that only a select list of countries will have full XBox Live support at launch. Since the release of the list, gamers (and even developers) in unsupported countries have been curious as to what happens if they just pick up a console from across the border. The official response from the Xbox Support twitter feed? “Unsupported countries would not have the full experience, and may not work.”

    So who are the lucky winners in Microsoft’s global denial-of-service agenda? The full list of launch countries is below.

    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Belgium
    • Brazil
    • Canada
    • Denmark
    • Finland
    • France
    • Germany
    • Ireland
    • Italy
    • Mexico
    • Netherlands
    • New Zealand
    • Norway
    • Russia
    • Spain
    • Sweden
    • Switzerland
    • United Kingdom
    • United States

    The Opinion

    Is this a fucking joke? Japan isn’t on your little list? JAPAN?! I’m sure Hideo Kojima is real glad MGS V is mutli-platform after this turn of events. Also absent is Poland, home of Witcher 3 developer CD Projekt Red. Their co-founder and joint CEO Marcin Iwinski spoke with Game Informer about his country’s absence: “I was just in a restaurant and saw the list. I was surprised, and I really hope that it isn’t final. I think Polish gamers will speak out loud. From my perspective, it’s a sad situation.” Also absent is the Ukraine, where Metro developers 4A Games is based; I took that one a little personally, I’ll admit. I would like to hope that community backlash might make Microsoft rethink their position, but considering earlier today one of their reps essentially said “Fuck You” concerning active military servicemen not having access to constant internet connections, I doubt it. I’ll also go on the record as saying that this is a way in which they are trying to combat the server loads (and crashes) that are sure to arise from their new system. I hope it’s worth it, assholes.

  • Infamous: Second Son Gameplay Is More Than Smoke And Mirrors

    Infamous-610x343

    The Infamous series has been one of the most enjoyable of this past generation. Two quality open-world adventures with protagonist Cole McGrath proved Sucker Punch one of the best developers under Sony’s umbrella. Now the PS4 is here and it is time for a new direction for the franchise.

    Infamous: Second Son is set seven years after Infamous 2 and stars new hero, Delsin Rowe who develops powers that are vastly different from Cole’s electrical manifestations. Delsin’s powers are flame and smoke based which he can use to unleash fireballs (not unlike Cole’s electrical variety) and melee with a flaming chain ala Ghost Rider. He can climb walls and parkour with the best of them so this still definitely looks and feels like an Infamous game. He can also use ventilation ducts on buildings to travel with haste as Delsin can transform into smoke.

    The obvious bump in graphics helps Infamous: Second Son really stand out. When you see how clean and crisp the world is it is a true delight. Facial animations are also spot on at this early stage and shows just the beginning of the PS4 horsepower.

    Infamous: Second Son is a launch window title for the Playstation 4.

  • Microsoft’s Solution For No Internet? Buy An Xbox 360.

    Photo courtesy pcgamesn.com
    Photo courtesy pcgamesn.com

    OK, so Sony basically turned their press conference into a prison rape scene from OZ the other night. But it’s not lost Microsoft. Just stay on point and keep focused on games and above all else, for the love of God, don’t say anything stupid.

    Shit, who let Don Mattrick talk again?

    Geoff Keighley at GameTrailers interviewed Mattrick about the always online aspect of the Xbox One and what this means for people without internet connection.

    Check this shit out:

    “Fortunately we have a product for people who aren’t able to get some form of connectivity; it’s called Xbox 360. If you have zero access to the Internet, that is an offline device.”

    It gets even better when you hear of Mattrick’s loving way of saying that our military personnel would not be able to play their favorite games on an Xbox One.

    “Seriously, when I read the blogs and thought about who’s really the most impacted there was a person who said, ‘Hey I’m on a nuclear sub.’ And I don’t even know what it means to be on a nuclear sub but I’ve got to imagine it’s not easy to get an internet connection. But hey, I can empathise; if I was on a sub I’d be disappointed.”

    Doesn’t it make you all warm and fuzzy inside?

    You should do yourself a favor and listen to the entire interview here.

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  • Killer Instinct Is An Xbox One Launch Title, Free To Play*

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    “Free to play?!” I hear you exclaiming as your hearts get all a flutter with anticipation.

    Pull it back a bit and let me explain. Didn’t you notice the asterisk in the title.

    Yes, Killer Instinct will be free to play on day one on the Xbox One…with one character. When you download the game you will be given Jago for free to combo people’s asses to your heart’s content. Then if you want any additional characters get ready for microtransactions up the ass. Each character can be bought individually or in packs. Microsoft did not discuss pricing of the characters or if you will be able to just purchase every character in one fail swoop (you know, like buying the actual game).

    Now while I do see the benefits of the one character, free-to-play model, something about this just doesn’t sit right with me. Maybe it is just because of Microsoft’s whole message as a whole with the Xbox One and when you hear about KI get microtransactioned to hell…I don’t know. Maybe it is just me.

  • Nyko Smart Clip Brings Second Screen Gaming On The Cheap

    Photo courtesy polygon.com
    Photo courtesy polygon.com

    With new consoles come the inevitable third-party accessories, but Nyko showed off one at E3 that actually caught my eye.

    This is the Nyko Smart Clip and it is a simple idea that will most likely find its way into my living room. It is a plastic clip that attaches to either your PS4 or Xbox One controllers and had a rubberized grip that can hold any iPhone, Android, Windows or Blackberry phone as you game. With the integration of Smartglass and other second screen experiences, the Smart Clip looks like a useful option.

    Also for someone, like me, that texts while gaming this is a huge help. Thanks Nyko!

    The Nyko Smart Clip will release this fall. No price was given.

    Photo courtesy polygon.com
    Photo courtesy polygon.com

  • Watch Dogs Gameplay Hacks Open The File Labeled Awesome

    Photo courtesy evilavatar.com
    Photo courtesy evilavatar.com

    Ever since its debut at last year’s E3, Watch Dogs has continued to astound and the new gameplay demo shown at the Sony press conference is no different. In it, our protagonist, Aiden Pearce has to help a friend in need as the cops are on the lookout for both of them. Personally, my favorite part of the demo is when Aiden notices a guy calling 911 and he walks up and busts his phone on the ground. If I am able to do that to anyone in the game I can already tell that way too much time will be spent being an utter dickhead. No phone will be safe!

    Watch Dogs releases on November 19th for PS3, 360 and Wii U. No release date has been given for next-gen consoles.

  • Witness The Brutality Of Ryse: Son Of Rome

    Photo courtesy polygon.com
    Photo courtesy polygon.com

    While I will readily say that Sony stole the E3 show last night, I was still very impressed with the games that Microsoft brought to the table at their press conference. The lineup was equally as strong as Sony’s (with Sony pulling ahead because of all the indie support) and the game that impressed me vastly was Ryse: Son of Rome. The Crytek developed action game has you in the role of Marius Titus as you lead the Roman army back to glory.

    And how exactly will you accomplish this? Why by epic, brutal, bloody combat! The demo shown at E3 had a very “Roman Saving Private Ryan” feel as they storm the beach as arrows spill down around you. Combat looks to be a mix of real-time slashing and quick-time, eye-wincing kills delivered with your sword, shield or even sandal.

    The game is stunning to watch the entire time and shows that Crytek has a firm grasp on next-gen gaming. But then again, it is Crytek, so no surprise there.

    Ryse: Son of Rome will be a launch day title only on Xbox One.

  • Mario Kart 8 Racing Home In 2014

    Photo courtesy shacknews.com
    Photo courtesy shacknews.com

    As expected, Mario Kart is making its way to the Wii U, but the news that will bring a smile to your face is in the first video for the racer, when you see the vehicles can now drive on ceilings and walls and under streets F-Zero style. This makes for some insane looking races in the video and I can only imagine the fun that will ensue when you get four players involved in your home or more online.

    I was hoping that Mario Kart 8 would not be more of the same and I am more than pleased to say it is not.

    Mario Kart 8 releases in 2014 for the Wii U.

  • The Legend Of Zelda: Wind Waker HD Set For October Release

    Photo courtesy vg247.com
    Photo courtesy vg247.com

    During the Nintendo Direct today, a new trailer for the HD remake of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker was shown and there is no other way to say it…this game is freaking beautiful. Wind Waker was always the dark horse of the Zelda franchise (despite being the brightest…irony), but has grown to be loved in the ten years since its release. The Wii U version will come with a new feature called the Tingle Bottle. Despite sounding oddly dirty, the new feature will let Wii U messages randomly show up on the shore in players games so, like Sting, you can have a message in a bottle.

    The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker releases this October for Wii U.

  • EA Sports Next-Gen Trailer Round-Up

    Photo courtesy gameinformer.com
    Photo courtesy gameinformer.com

    Yeah, so instead of posting separate articles about these I am just going to save the time and put them all here.

    Madden NFL 25

    The 25th anniversary title for Madden will be a launch title and while it may look full of pretty, I think we all know from EA’s track record that it will be stripped of features available in the current-gen versions. The “Madden rule” for next gen consoles. Wait for the third game.

    NBA Live 14

    I have always been a fan of the NBA Live series over NBA 2K (but even I can’t accept the last few Live games). Here is hoping EA can actually get this game to a finished product because if it sees one more setback, EA should just consider their NBA franchise dead.

    FIFA 14

    If there is one franchise EA has to take care of, it is FIFA. It is the biggest selling game in their sports library and they always have to look over their shoulder to make sure they are still ahead of Pro Evolution Soccer.

    UFC

    Despite THQ’s woes, their UFC games were very fun and always impressive looking. Now EA looks to bring the feel of the Octagon to their UFC franchise. They had a good start with their own EA Sports MMA a few years back so let’s hope they can have good momentum going into the first game with UFC.