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Hands on impressions, Dark Matters

1/10/2013

 
Paul Fiander
I was lucky to grab some time with Publisher Iceberg Interactive at Eurogamer and they gave me some time with a few titles the first being Dark Matter. With its release due in September/October of this year I delved into Interwave Studios creation as you can read below.
Set in a derelict spaceship Dark Matter was a surprise title for me to get my hands on. I had literally never heard of the game before but was happy to give it a try. First thing to note is this is a PC title (also coming to mac and Linux) and it's makes great use of the keyboard and mouse control scheme. As its a 2.5D game you are able to navigate with the ubiquitous WASD keys but it's the aiming through the mouse that I really enjoyed. The aiming is very free so you can react to any sight or sound in an instant and being a Survival horror title your peripheral vision will be tested.
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The use of light and dark however is where the strength of this game lies in my opinion. The character casts a small aura of light around herself which cannot be seen by the enemy but also limits your vision to a foot or two. The rest of the environment can be illuminated with a torch, this however can draw enemies towards you so you need to decide when to use it. The lighting is not the only tactical element within the game you also have the ability to scavenge and use the ‘loot’ to upgrade one of four weapons. This also works for health kits and other tools that will help you explore.

The Scavenging is supported by the games non-linear storytelling allowing the player more of a free role when it comes to gameplay. This should allow players an opportunity for replay as you strive to discover everything about the derelict craft, the differing weapons and ammo will also add replay value, making this a solid investment for the survival horror fans out there.

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The team at Interwave Studios have put together a Gameplay trailer in which you can see below. This will give you more of an idea of what they are bringing to the table. For me at least I cannot wait to delve further into the haunting atmosphere of Dark Matter

Hands on Impressions; The Crew vs Need for Speed Rivals

26/9/2013

 
Its Ubisoft versus Electronic Arts in the open world car racing game championship of the world. Both games were offering a next gen showing but which would take the lead and leave the other trailing in their wake.

The Crew

The demo on show is the same one we saw at E3, you begin with a little free roam then go back to base to customise your car. Al this is done on rails as the mods are chosen you, So my Porsche was given chunky tyres and a heavier chassis making a pig of car to handle. This was a great touch as those change should make the handling of the car worse and so I was pleasantly surprised it felt so realistic. 


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For more screenshots click on the image
On the realism front The Crew brings you to real world locations, in this case Miami Beach filled with people and you are allowed to mow these people down with gay abandon. It sounds odd but in most Car games people are not on screen but thankfully The has left them on the street. Unfortunately the game felt a little flat to me and the open world tasks were not that engaging meaning the game did not win me over.
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For more screenshots click the image

Need for Speed Rivals

A new studio has joined the Need for Speed world and with a little help from the masters at Criterion (view of Paul) they seem to have caught lightning in a bottle.
The eight player challenge I played was one of the best racing experiences I have had. In a huge and extremely detailed world it was four on four as the cops tried to take down the crooks in a classic bash and crash world.
The graphics were smooth with no pop in and amazing crash visuals.
The game felt very reminiscent of Hot Pursuit with the cops versus crooks gameplay. If the game can deliver on its promise of seemless transition from single to multiplayer then it will be the game to have in this genre. 

Obviously we will have to wait and see on that front but for now I'm a Rivals fan.

Indie Highlight; Montague's Mount 

26/9/2013

 
Montague's Mount is the epitome of an indie title. A game created by one man with what can only be described as a shoddy internet connection. Yet in 18 months developer Matt Clifton has manged to create an amazingly atmospheric title. 
The demo on the show floor however does not truly reflect what the final game will be bringing to the table. 'It a Explorational adventure game with a strong narrative drive' so unfortunately this type of game would not show well on a show floor. Instead what you get is the opportunity to the explore the world he has created both onscreen and using the Oculus Rift.
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As the story is set on an Irish Island its a wonderful touch that the game uses Gaelic (with a plethora of subtitles in other languages) as the games main language. This is a first and it helps make the game have a more authentic feel. 
I loved the way the game felt as the surroundings helped to make another character for you to interact with. If the narrative can fulfill its potential in bringing a psychological thriller to the PC then this maybe a stealth hit for 2013.
To vote to bring Montague's mount to steam then vote for it here,

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