Multiplayer in Mass Effect 3... Yes or No?

According to metrowny.com, not only will Mass Effect 3 sport Kinect compatibility, but it will also be equipped with a multiplayer option. The article says that the multiplayer won’t interfere with the campaign missions; rather, they will be side quests that players may embark on together.

It’s common knowledge nowadays that Bioware wants to continue making games based in the Mass Effect universe. It has even been suggested that the next ME game will be an MMO, which would be perfect in this particular universe. Playing as a Turian assassin would be a delight, and it goes without saying that it would satiate the majority of the Mass Effect fanbase.

Not feeling the DS...

Recently, I got a chance to play around with the Nintendo DSi XL. I can’t really make a solid opinion on it as I didn’t have enough time to explore it completely. I will say that Ultimate Mortal Kombat isn’t very good on the DS. I mean to say that even though the franchise may work well for consoles, the controls may not transfer well to a handheld.

Playing Mario Kart made me realize that recycling the same game for each new console gets you the big bucks. It’s ridiculously fun, extremely addictive, and it raises some nostalgia leading back to the golden days on the Nintendo 64. With some new tracks, but the same game play, I have a better understand of the phrase ‘if it ain’t broke’.

Again, I can’t give a definite ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on whether or not I’d get the system for myself. It’s difficult because I haven’t been into handheld gaming since the Gameboy Advanced. My initial thoughts on it are that it may be for a younger audience since the majority of the games are for children (nixing Mortal Kombat). But it also doesn’t compel me to hold onto it, nor does it convince me that the 3DS is worth upgrading to. Thoughts? Opinions? Can someone convince me of its greatness?

Rant 6/21/11

For his Father’s Day address, Obama was telling fathers to invest more time into their kids. He was saying that fathers should encourage education over excessive recreation. I appreciate that gamers might have taken his comments the wrong way, but he wasn’t bashing gamers or the people that play them.

Obama seems to value family, and it’s only right that he be allowed to share his thoughts around. I was fortunate enough to have two parents who spent time with me and pushed me to have a better life than they did. Some kids can’t even get one parent to take them to the playground once in a while. Our president was saying that shouldn’t be the case. Gamers, I love you guys, but let’s chill out, eh?

Mass Effect 3 tops the list

According to Electronic Entertainment Design & Research (EEDAR), Mass Effect 3 is the most promising and most anticipated game at E3 2011. Analyzing page views from top sites like IGN and comparing those views to pre-orders, tweets, and message boards determine this outcome. Below is a list of the top five games that have been searched and viewed the most since E3 2011:

1. Mass Effect 3 - Electronic Arts - BioWare

2. Battlefield 3 - Electronic Arts - DICE

3. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Bethesda Softworks - Bethesda Game Studio

4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 - Activision Blizzard - Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer & Treyarch

5. Assassin's Creed Revelations - UbiSoft - UbiSoft Montreal

The Collector's Edition for Mass Effect 3 has also soared in pre-order sales on Amazon.com. Along with many others that are most anticipated, these lead the way so far. This is the year for a lot of big titles, the end of some stories, and the beginning of new ones. Stay tuned!

(Info from escapistmagazine.com, thatvideogameblog.com, and masseffect.bioware.com)

RUMOR: Next generation consoles

With the announcement of the Wii U, there have been rumors circulating that indicate Microsoft and Sony are developing next generation systems. Is it that time once again? Because Nintendo only officially unveiled the controller for Wii U, it’s difficult to say whether it’s going to be a success or not. And nothing warrants a new console race since both the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 sport a majority of the features that Wii U claims to have and them some.

With a six-inch controller that is reminiscent of an I-Pad, the Wii U aims to touch hardcore gamers along with its base fans. Yes, it brings a new level of gameplay to the Wii along with some awesome titles, but next generation consoles don’t seem necessary.

Microsoft still has a lot of potential to be explored with the Kinect, and it would take a lot away from that process if they developed a new console. And during their press conference at E3 2011, they seemed to be more focused on Kinect compatibility and pushing the limits of that technology.

Sony has a lot to make up for since the Playstation Network crash, but the PS Move is still in its test phases. Even with the new Playstation Vita coming out this holiday season, Sony is still trying to bring the Playstation 3 into its own.

In short, it doesn’t seem like any of the companies are ready to begin another generation of gaming consoles until they’ve done all they can with the current generation. Although there are rumors that Microsoft will announce their latest console next year, it would seem quite rushed. The companies aren’t ready, and the gamers aren’t ready.

Robin breaks into Arkham City

That’s right! Robin will be a playable character in the challenge mode of Batman: Arkham City with his own gadgets, moves, two maps, and an extra outfit to boot. This is a pre-order bonus only available to customers who pre-order the game at Best Buy. Here is the description on the Best Buy website:

“While supplies last, pre-order the game for an exclusive downloadable Robin character. Robin is a fully playable character in the new and improved challenge mode in Batman: Arkham City. The Tim Drake Robin pack is available exclusively to fans who pre-order the game from Best Buy on Xbox 360, PC and PS3.

Robin comes complete with his own unique gadgets and special moves, and will be playable in all challenge maps in the game, as well as two additional challenge maps that are included with the pack: Black Mask Hideout and Freight Train Escape.

The pack will also contain a bonus Red Robin character skin.”

For those who aren’t familiar with Arkham City, pick up Arkham Asylum and see what you’re missing. Batman: Arkham City is available on October 18, 2011 for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Is Kinect Integration the new demand?

So far, the handful of games for the Kinect have been geared toward families and younger audiences. Few of those games have been hits, but Microsoft aims to change that. A few A-list titles were said to be compatible with Kinect at E3 2011. From Ghost Recon to Mass Effect, a surge has begun in an attempt to reach out to hardcore games.

Future Soldier’s motion-related gun customization looks quite nice, but will players be able to use Kinect push through the game with just their motions? Mass Effect 3 sports a voice recognition feature that allows players to select dialogue options and dish out simple movement commands for their squad. The first question that comes to mind is: why can’t I just use my headset for that? It is, indeed, cool, but is it worth paying $149.99 for voice recogniton?

And now, Kinect compatibility has been announced for Halo Anniversary. It is unknown what the features will be, but will gamers be turned on or put off by one of many additions to the modern classic?

It seems as though Microsoft is pushing harder to rope in more Kinect fans by spreading to the well-known games. Will they succeed in their conquest? Stay tuned.