You take on the role of Tom Majors aka Major Tom, as he embarks upon a glorious adventure…or so we all would hope.  In reality, you are tossed into a game that is part Super Mario Bros., part Tomb Raider, and part Final Fantasy.  Each part by itself is a wonderful aspect, but each combined makes for a horrible concept.  Most of your time will be spent running around Perim as Tom.  A Codemaster has given you the task of testing out a new super scanner.  This all translates into you having no deck to call your own and you have to build it back up.  For those of out there that are not aware of scanning in Chaotic, you will rebuild your deck by using your scanner while wandering around and in battle.  Though none will remember Chaotic players scanning a strange blue symbol which turned into battlegear.  But, the second means of scanning is where the game becomes a giant pain and is surrounded by the one and only decent part of the game.

We are going to skip the multiplayer section of combat, since that is complete junk and an utter disappointment.  Story mode has a long series of scripted battles that feel very tedious after you have amassed your ultimate group.  You will be able to choose which five creatures will make up your army before you enter your first battle.  This is possible thanks to your new scanner and checking out the Portal to Perim section.  Curious as to what creatures, mugic, and battlegear are made available in the game and details on all of them?  All is revealed in the Portal to Perim, so no mysteries await you.

The one mystery that does remain is one simple question.  Why was such a horrible game allowed to escape into the market?  The graphics are obviously made for the Wii but were imported for the 360 and PS3.  Shadows seem to creep along floors and walls like a drunken spider.  The audio is an affront to your ears.  After a certain point early on in the game, Tom repeats one of two lines at every pause and break.  Creatures will do the same concerning their attacks and taunt.  This game would be ideal for children, if it wouldn’t be so apparent that parents shouldn’t allow their kids to play such a travesty of a video game.  If you are a fan of Chaotic and are in desperate need of a Chaotic video game, then you are in luck.  If you want a good game based on Chaotic, then tune into my review of Chaotic: Shadow Warriors on the Nintendo DS.  That game may have a fighting chance and won’t crumble as fast as Bodal would against Heptadd’s Minor Roar.

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A bad ass gun for a bad ass man

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Now, how am I going to get all the way over there?

Who needs Lara Croft and her giant t…ombs?  I’m willing to put money down that more people would prefer Nathan Drake and that big dagger.  This game may not be completely spotless especially when the game is sporting a de-railed traing climbing, cliched trap disabling, run-and-gunning treasure hunter by the name of Nathan Drake.  But, if this game was spotless, then it wouldn’t be worth talking about.

Severe blood loss, hanging over a cliff, while climbing a derailed train, in a snow storm, could things get any worse for Nathan Drake?  Now this may sound like I’m talking about the very start of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, but in reality this is about midway into Drake’s story to uncover the Chintimani Stone.  Now I could steal all the fun from you, but I’d rather you discover first hand what awaits in this game’s story that contains more twists and turns than a game of Chutes and Ladders.

The real treasure found within, has to be the graphics.  You may be fooled into thinking that this game consists more of a long series of interactive cut scenes, and this thought process is not too far off as to how much enjoyment you will be brought during your play time.  I lost count concerning how many times I was lost in just how beautiful the game was, especially when it came time to discovering hidden treasures and solving puzzles that require the manipulation and/or utilization of the surrounding environment.  A great amount of thanks to just how pristine these visuals are, because if things looked murky, grainy, or muddled you would find Drake missing a jump or two.  But, what good is a game if it is just pretty to look at and nothing more?

Thankfully, this is not the case within Uncharted 2.  You will do an ode to another “treasure hunter” from Final Fantasy VI and find objects hidden from history that cloak their true purpose.  But, stealing…pardon me, acquisition of antiquities is a very minute part when compared to the proactive action driven combat.  Whether you prefer to take a more stealth orientation to combat, in the form of clinging to more walls than Spiderman, or impose an imperfect imitation of The Punisher as you burst through guns a-blazing, you will never be bored.  With regards to the first style of combat listed, Nate Drake will never put Sam Fisher to shame but he will get the job done when you see a merc stray away from the pack of gun toting targets.  There are a few situations where you can neither sneak attack or unleash a hail storm of bullets at your target.  It is a bit difficult to take down a tank or helicopter with a trusty AK-47, but a switch of hardware in the form of a RPG or other massive weapon that would make any mere mortal turn his pants brown.

The one and only problem with this game is that it is a black sheep within it’s genre.  If you think of other games related to the Uncharted games, I’m guessing your first thought will go back to Tomb Raider.  Now I despise playing any Tomb Raider game due to the over complex puzzles, which will cause defenestration of your controller or, at the very least, repeated smashing of it against a hard floor or wall.  After years of dealing with Lara Croft and her tombs that were designed souly for the use of those participating in the Olympics, gamers will over think the simplest problem.  If you see a wall with hand holds, jump for that and start to climb.  So we have tombs that are straight forward and not made for gamers to rip our the hair on their heads, guerrila combat style, and awe-inspiring visuals.  All we need now is a joke with Nathan Drake swimming in a pool playing Marco Polo while on his path to discovering Marco Polo’s quest to Shambala, but if you look carefully you may just plunge into that as well.

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This tower and some special equipment could be yours...

Thanks to CDV and Larian Studios, if you pre-order the amazing action-RPG Divinity 2: Ego Draconis you will be granted a boon.  Those that put their cash down on the game at their local Game Stop, will be awarded an armor set and weapon.  The Blood Echelon Armor and Weapon will give players a leg up during their first time walking in the footsteps of a Dragonslayer.  The Blood Echelon Armor is described as the following:  “Sturdy as granite and shaped to intimidate, Blood Echelon armors set new standards in the art of war”.  The weapon has me practically frothing at the mouth to simply taste the delicious sight of, “The Claymore, the Frontline Slayers’ mighty weapon of choice, cleaves armor like it was mere flesh.”  Go and pre-order now before too many walk out the store clanking around in heavy armor while swinging large swords and blacksmiths stop forging the special armor and weapon.

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Kratos will be sad if you don't buy God of War 3 Ultimate Edition

As of October 30th, gamers can pre-order their own copy of God of War 3 Ultimate Edition.  You may ask, what on Earth would make me want to do such a thing?  Well, if you want to enjoy a few things other than a code to download the E3 demo 2009, then you will be sprinting to your local game store and demand that they take more of your money or else.  There are quite a few wonderful pieces of swag and in-game content awaiting you inside the Ultimate Edition, read on and find out more…or else.

Now rather than drag this out, I’ll get down to what you want to hear.  The game will be enclosed within a replica of Pandora’s Box.  You will still get your limited edition art book to show off all that is grand in God of War.  You can also watch the full-length film showcasing all that is God of War in God of War: Unearthing the Legend (Director’s Cut).  When you aren’t blasting your ear drums to all the music with Brutal Legend, then listen to God of War Heavy Metal EP (Extended Play) and God of War Trilogy soundtrack.  Enjoy some unique challenges in the God of War Combat Arena which is contained in an exclusive environment.  Be the ultimate bad ass and don the in-game Kratos skin entitled Dominus.  All will be available for download on the PSN, but it won’t be for free.  You will have to pay a little bit extra to enjoy all this wonderful in-game and in real life swag.  All at the low, low price of $99.99…yeah, wonderful time to be in a world wide depression.

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Want a boost in Battlefield: Bad Company 2?  Good news for you, because EA has announced that the long awaited sequel will contain quite a few goodies for online multiplayer.  Six gameplay unlocks are awaiting you upon the Limited Edition’s release.  Four of the unlocks are centered around vehicular combat and the remaining two are simply new guns for you to get your trigger happy hands onto.  Read on if you want to know more details concerning the Limited Edition’s in-game bonuses and get an eyeful courtesy of in-game pics showing off these powerful upgrades.

The two new weapons are not brand new, but rather classic weapons that can be found within Battlefield 1943.  The M1A1 Submachine Gun is deadly in the right set of hands.  For a good backup, check out the M1911 Pistol to pop off a few .45 caliber rounds into a skull or two.  Now these two hand held tools of noob destruction will be fun, but they won’t get you the leg up in both combat and strategy as the four other unlocks will grant you.

The first two will force a Tim Allen inspired grunt and the urge to growl aloud, “More power!”  Improved Vehicular Armor slaps on an upgrade to all vehicles allowing them to take a few more rounds before they grant you an early funeral complete with makeshift coffin.  Supreme Vehicle Firepower new weapon packages are added on for the driver of any of the vehicles allowing for more drive by devastation.  The other two are made to spot enemies on the move or those moving too close to your vehicle.  The Vehicle Motion Sensor tells the driver when a possible fleshy speed bump is in direct proximity to your weapon of wheels.  A Tracer Dart Pistol will be one of the most annoying things to those found on the business end of this instant bulls-eye maker.  The dart fired from this large pistol allows fellow teammates to track down, lock-on, and fire rockets with pin point precision even if the target is out of your line of sight.

M1A1 Submachine Gun

M1911 Hand Gun

Improved Vehicular Armor

Supreme Vehicle Firepower

Vehicle Motion Sensor

Tracer Dart Pistol

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Before you don your costume and enjoy that one special night a year where you can look as evil, funny, slutty, or weird as you want and no one will care, check out a few of the unique things heading your way as a gamer.  No need to demand Trick-or-Treat, for all these are wonderful treats!

Brutal Legend will be rocking some downloadable content very soon.  The Tears of the Hextadon Map Pack will be made available on November 3rd for XBL and November 5th for PSN.  The cost will be 400 Microsoft Points or $5. Within the map pack comes two new maps to be enjoyed in multiplayer stage battles.  The first map, Circle of Tears, is a rounded map crafted for intense combat and flanking.  The second, Death’s Fjord, contains a treasure trove of fans waiting to be tapped below the icy mountain pass, but you are left out in the open when you make the run for the fans.  The map pack comes with more than just two new multiplayer areas.  All gamers who pay for this download will be given a free axe upgrade, the Blade of Ormagöden.  “I play Brütal Legend online every night,” said Tim Schafer, President of Double Fine Productions. “And I need more maps! Circle of Tears is named after the crying of my vanquished foes on the battlefield, and Death’s Fjord is obviously a tribute to my Nordic ancestors, and their love of fan geysers and… Well, actually I just thought the name was cool. See you online!”

If you found that Rockband was lacking in wolf and zombie songs, then soon you will find your fill.  Available on Oct. 27th for 360 and Wii and Oct. 29th for PS3, the Rob Zombie Pack 01 and Wolfmother Pack 01 will feed your need for great music to be played on Halloween night.  Rob Zombie Pack 01 will unleash “Superbeast”, “Dragula”, and “Burn” onto your soon to be unholy gaming console.  Wolfmother Pack 01 contains a few more not so motherly songs with “New Moon Rising”, “Pilgrim”, “Sundial”, “White Unicorn”, and “Woman”.  XBL rockers you will need 440 Microsoft Points for Rob Zombie’s track pack and 680 Microsoft Points to enjoy Wolfmother’s pack o’ tracks.

Have a creepy time as your hand made superhero in Champions Online Halloween event entitled Blood Moon.  The event will begin on October 27  with it comes all sorts of scary critters.  Take arms against Arch Lich Takofanes and his undead fiends.  You will be dying to take part in the event, if not to free the souls of thirteen former heroes, so that you can unlock the Celestial power set.  The new set of super powers has a unique flair about it considering it differs on what is your target, your powers damage your enemies and heals your friends.  Within the Zombie Apocalypse, only a small part of the Blood Moon event, “dead” heroes can come back to life among the ranks of the undead.  Take part in the BITE event to try on a set of claws as werewolf or fight against the howling horrors as a werewolf hunter.  Did I forget to mention you can enjoy all this for free between October 30th and November 2nd?

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A few changes and I could see this as a movie poster...

The greatest, and possibly the worst, found within Dissidia is the potential for sequels.  Sequels that would span across other video game series and anime series.  Like I said, that is the worst as well as the best part since think of the mockeries that could be committed against great characters.  How humiliating would it be to suffer a loss as you took control as Sephiroth sparring against Roll from the Megaman games?  That is definitely a worst case scenario, but what about the great possibilities?  The Guyver, Brutal Legend, Marvel/DC super heroes, Inuyasha, Guts from the Berserk series, and so many more to list off its insane!  Sadly, if this becomes the case, be prepared to see at least Goku if not other fighters from Dragon Ball Z/GT.  The game already have a transformation similar to going super saiyan.

It is quite odd to see the likes of Cecil the Dark Knight/Paladin and Terra from FFIV, fighting in live combat rather than a sadistic form of Tennis.  Dissidia’s battles take place in a wide variety of grounds ready to be destroyed and spill EX force from your opponent’s body.  Now, the general concept of winning a battle is quite simple but carrying out this two step plan is a challenge unto itself.  You have two forms of attack, one that steals Bravery (needed to inflict actual pain) while the other takes away health.  To win each battle, you need to have as much Bravery as needed so that you can deal high amounts of physical pain to your foe.  Things get complicated since each fighter has his/her own unique style of fighting, some are better at close range combat while others fair better while in mid-air.  Not only will you have to adjust to that fighting style, you will also be prepared to think on your feet as the opposing fighter will have his/her own fighting style that can cause you to defenestrate your original plan of beat to a pulp and then finish off with a single attack.  My advice, read about each fighter’s style, test out the fighter in a quick battle, and make your decision on whether this guy will match the way you want to play the game.

You will want to play this game for at least one of two reasons.  First, there’s the easy controls that allow nearly anyone to survive almost any battle they are thrown into.  If you can collect enough EX force and cores, you can enter into EX Mode.  EX Mode is similar to going Super Saiyan.  You get a huge boost in power and your next health damaging attack allows you to perform an EX Burst.  Think a super attack dealing a large amount of damage and is unavoidable once it has started, the only thing you can do if you are facing the business end of an EX Burst is tap the circle button repeatedly and decrease the amount of damage you will take by a small percentage.  The other reason being the game’s detailed and well made story.  Watch and listen how some of the most odd heroes turn out to be good friends and how each chapter ends.  If it isn’t obvious from the start, each chapter ends with the protagonist fighting the Chaos soldier he is directly connected to (Cloud to Sephirtoh, Cecil to Golbez, and so on).  Along the way, heroes and villains from other games will butt heads and either result in a legendary battle or end with a puzzling conversation.  Either way, you will rarely find yourself even thinking about skipping every cut scene you come across.

Another part you won’t be skipping is playing nearly every day of the week.  A very intriguing idea, one that hopefully will be picked up by other games, keeps me coming back for more.  By checking the Mognet, you can see what gifts you will be awarded throughout the week.  At first, you won’t be given much.  But, after a few trips to the PP Catalog, then you will see days that will award you bonus XP just for playing the game on that specific day.  One day you can always rely on is your Bonus Day!  You pick one day out of the week to be your favorite day and you will be showered with prizes that day.  To think of what this idea could bring about, not just holiday events on MMORPG’s, with just a little thinking outside the box and using a weekly calendar.  Gamers could use special weapons, pick up more money, have access to unique vehicles all just because they played their favorite game on their favorite day of the week.  What a wonderful world we will live in, if that day ever comes around.

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If you take a good look, you may just find a hint on how to handle one of the new puzzles...

The new cards for the original eight decks are worthless, save for a few exceptions.  The Ears of the Elves deck gets the following:  Elvish Piper (worthless considering the largest creature in the entire deck costs a mere five mana and Elvish Piper costs four mana), Eyes of the Wisent (an enchantment that is only good against decks with blue spells used during your turn and makes 4/4 Elementals), and Talara’s Battalion (the only good card found within the three new unlockables).  Only a few examples actually stand out stating the designers actually took the time to listen to the people’s demands.  The fact that they mainly provided current decks with faster striking power, defense against annoying enchantments and artifacts, and some massive destructive power is a slap to the face.  If you can’t tell, this review,so far, has been doused in sarcasm.

New acheivements for completeing the new puzzles, defeating Nicol Bolas, and having a combined Power of 75 or more awaits you.  A helpful hint, use the Ears of the Elves deck to get that Power of 75 or more achievement.  The puzzles are nothing to sniff at, especially since they require a bit more thought and more than a few simple actions this time around.  No, you won’t get any secrets on how to best each one from me (where’s the fun in reading about how you need help when you are one small step away from finishing the puzzle).

Unless you can’t come up with the mere 400 Microsoft Points, then you don’t have a reason to not download this immediately.  You may not be a big fan of the new decks, especially Mind of the Void since it mainly consists of taking your sweet time and using your opponent’s deck against them.  No matter what, you will find yourself a fan of the new content.  It provides you with countless hours to pick this game up once again, if you were so foolish to stop playing it in the first place.  Once again rejoice, no more rage quits…unless the sore loser takes the time to simply turn off the console.

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Brutal Legend is action packed, plain and simple.  Don’t be afraid of what you may have heard making claims that Brutal Legend is in fact a hybrid game.  It does, truthfully, add in a moderate amount of rhythm gameplay ala Guitar Hero, as well as RTS army vs. army combat.  Though you rarely have to abuse the guitar solos, but having a general understanding of when the best time to utilize such deadly rituals will ready you for multiplayer as well as make single player go smoothly.  Stage battles are rather simple.  You take winged flight to find where to send your band, place your merchandise booth over springs erupting with fans, and build the strongest squad of metal heads the world has ever seen.  After that, simply launch an all out assault at the opposing stage.  There you go, you win…yeah, that damn easy.

One thing that won’t be so easy is choosing your music to blast through the holes that were once recognized as ears.  Ozzy Osbourne, Ratt, Dragonforce, Dethklok, Static-X, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, Tenacious D, and noticeably more bands with way too many more songs to mention await you.  You will be forced to go through each song to find your favs.  The reason being is that you will rarely have enough time to listen to one entire song, thanks to Eddie Riggs can only listen to these delicious tunes while in The Deuce.  You will continue to toggle newly acquired songs as you raise relics and complete missions centered around progressing the storyline.  Don’t be ashamed if you find yourself finding a lovely little spot somewhere in the game, pop a squat in The Deuce, and blast off into another time made entirely of Heavy Metal.

This wondrous and magical land will offer up not only double teaming combat, massive army building, enchanting music, and, surprisingly, a superb storyline.  At first, the storyline is a bit bland and only the excitement instilled by the combat and constant humor bombarding you at every turn will keep you going.  Then, after you take down a guy who goes through more conditioner than all the divas in Hollywood, things take a turn for the dramatic.  I dare not spoil things…or do I?  SPOILER ALERT!  Your true love goes undead succubus, your dad ventured back before you and was a major player in the original war, and your mom was actually the first emperor and demon powerhouse.  END OF SPOILER!

Now I don’t know about you but every time I buy a game, I pray that I will be playing it all the way through to the end and, after stomping the end boss’ corpse into a fine pulp, the game will be played once again ’til the end.  I can assure you, your friends and relatives, even that creepy guy at your work who believes anything you tell him that Brutal Legend is worth every penny you cough up for it.  Plenty of time can be lost within the online multiplayer, but you may find yourself forgetting about the multiplayer as you immerse yourself once again in the single player story.  Take hold of your axe and Clementine as Eddie Riggs while he cruises across the land made from Ormagoden’s flesh!

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Will The One Ring be an epic piece of equipment in this game?

Now for those of you out there suspicious to such an idea, you are in the right to be worried as well.  For those of you old enough to remember, Sony Online Entertainment attempted this as well.  You will remember it, or may have simply read about it, as one of the largest failures in gaming history.  Everquest Online Adventures on the PS2.  I will give you time to shriek either aloud or within your head as that travesty is once again remembered.

Now this yet to be named Lord of the Rings MMO may have a chance this time.  With boasts such as the largest virtual world ever created on a console, I wouldn’t count out this game…yet.  The loss of a keyboard and mouse can take away the epic spirit from past famous MMO games such Everquest and World of Warcraft.  But, if the creators stick with action-RPG gameplay than traditional turn based RPG combat, then this game may have more than Frosty the Snowman’s genitalia’s chance in Hell.

So far the game boasts the usual content found in MMO’s.  PvP combat that rewards skilled players with powerful equipment.  Over 600 quests to be finished, which will, supposedly, allow players to choose how to end each either in the name of evil or good.  Eight playable races, with such examples as an elite group of Goblins/Orcs, humans that call the woods home, and a group of evil men who call the Southern Deserts home who constantly battle Gondor and allies of Gondor.  Of course, you can choose whether you serve with the Fellowship of the Ring or among the ranks of The Dark Lord Sauron’s army.

So far, you won’t find me waiting outside for weeks on end as this game’s release date nears.  I will neither hold my breath as this game progresses through the several stages of development nor will I jump for joy as the game’s developer brag about such mundane things that can be found in most free to play online games.  I will do my job as a journalist and monitor this game and report everything I come to learn about this game.  I can’t remain negative about this game forever.  I can, however, stand by my faithful motto.  Hope for the best, ready for the worst.

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Superman may not kneel before Zod, but you will be humbled simply by playing the demo on XBL.  You get sample of great things coming this week.  Intense visuals, rocking audio, epic storyline that would make George Lucas cream in his pants, and all that other content that makes a good game a worthy candidate to claim many coveted Game of the Year awards.   You won’t always be decapitating demons and using Clementine to barbecue baddies.  You will command loyal headbangers to battle, take down titan sized bosses, and rocking out incantations to perform such great feats as summoning parts to a hot rod to run down those in your path and get you to where you need to go in style.  I’d tell you more, but why tell when you can try first hand by going to XBL and enjoying at least the demo.  Once the game has released, you will here all the wonderful things you will be missing out on, if you don’t get your greedy claws on a copy before I do.

Kratos can weep about his dead family in God of War.  Dante can sit and spin in Dante’s Inferno.  Link can go save a princess with the world’s worst guards in any of the Zelda games.  I’ll take the axe wielding, magical guitar playing, roadie and teacher of french kissing to hot girls.  Eddie Riggs is the man and will soon become your personal choice for video game hero and real life idol.

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This could be the good kind or bad kind of a 3-way, depending on your winning/losing.

When I attended a party provided by the wonderful people at Magic the Gathering, I was teased with a few things.  A new set being released, giant pictures showing off some of the cards in the upcoming set, and something for those XBLA MTG players.  The first, of hopefully many, DLC will be released within a “month-ish”.  But, that was about a month ago and I’m still frothing at the mouth after getting a taste of thing to come.

Now most will probably be dying to get their hands on either of the three new playable decks, one of which being Tezzeret’s Relics of Doom deck (but be warned, this version has been altered).  The other two being a red/green deck (Cries of Rage) with some fast power and a white/blue deck (Mind of the Void) with a treacherous trick or two ready for you.  There is a fourth deck, but you are only allowed to duel against it.  This last deck is possibly one of the nastiest decks I have ever seen in action.  A red/blue/black deck, belonging to Nicol Bolas, using all three colors to hit hard, fast, and screw with your head.  Such great examples to be feared will be talked about in my in-depth review of the DLC, once it physically hits XBLA.  I am intrigued as to what power lies within these new decks, but my true curiosity asks one major question.  Since each of the eight original decks will be gaining three new cards to be unlocked, what exactly will those new cards be?  What power house cards will surpass the likes of Dread, Vigor, and Hellkite Overlord?  Only time, hopefully a very short amount of time, will tell.

For those of you not satisfied with this mere addition of new decks and cards, there are several other time draining bits and pieces still to be enjoyed.  New puzzles, some of which may take more than a single turn to win.  New Two-Headed Giant campaign tag teams to trample.  And, to pull in more current players, improvements to the online multiplayer.  Including a few minor bugs and glitches being fixed, meaning fewer crashes occuring.  However, four words will be cheered over and over to the faithful and confident.  No more rage quits!

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The first thing you have to be made aware of is the oddly addictive essence within Litte King’s Story.  It could be the unique art style found within the cut scenes, the laughable languages spoken in different lands, or the fact that this is a cross between Pikmin and Overlord.  I simply can’t choose between either of these, due to the fact that they all make this game stand out like a sore thumb.  Such a unique phrase has to be used for this game becuase this game will most likely have two spectrums for people to shine under.  Meaning, people will either furiously fling their Wii-motes in digust and declare the game sucks or become fans and demand that this become a series along the lines of Harvest Moon.  I found myself bouncing back and forth across the line drawn in the sand between these sides, though I did find myself leaning more towards the side of being a fan rather than being furious.  One example of why I can not choose one or the other, take the way money, represented in game as a currency called Gol, is shown.  You never seem to see one million Gol, but rather 1000,000 Gol.  Intriguing, irritating, inticing, and infuriating all at the same time.

Before it was written that this game is a mix between Pikmin and Overlord.  You may not believe me, but after trying Little King’s Story, you will agree.  Not necessarily a mix concernign graphics, rather looking closer to Pikmin but playing a bit similar to Overlord.  A visual style similar to the Harvest Moon series, and other off-the-beaten-path RPG’s.  But, a gameplay style of hauling along your Royal Guard (minions), sending them along a straight line to do your bidding, and forcing them to into battle with big bosses.  But, unlike Overlord, your Royal Guard is, for lack of a better word, hopeless.  Even simple tasks, such as walking up a ramp, can prove to be extremely difficult.  Unless you don’t mind leaving behind, temporarily, a few of your so called loyal soldiers, merchants, children, chefs, farmers, animal hunters, and other available career choices for you to force upon your citizens.  One thing did happen that I thought shouldn’t have occured.  The AI for your faithful followers is on such a low scale, that I think I lost actual intelligence while attempting to perform the simplest task.

While I may be stuck on the fence on whether to keep this game in my greedy palms, I have to make the suggestion to anyone to at least try the game.  Looking for that one game to start a free trial of GameFly?  Got a free rental at your local dying Hollywood Video or Blockbuster?  Check out Little King’s Story!  Yeah, I sound like I’m selling out but I’m not.  The game is at least worth looking at, because it is pretty and cute.  Yeah, I said cute.  Deal with it!

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At last year’s PAX, I came across a game that felt just perfect for me.  I’ve always been a bit of a strategy gamer but, like some others, I hated micromanagement.  The thought of having to control dozens of individual units made me cringe!  Then, Demigod came around.  The RTS game that grants you the ability to control one Demigod and no one else.  The game did fit me like a glove, but that glove grew old and tattered.  Then, a game awaited all those that attended PAX.  I felt some force drawing me towards the Riot Games booth.  This booth contained League of Legends, which is a game that didn’t fit me at all like a glove.  Instead it was more along the lines of a gauntlet foreged in hellfire and brimstone that melded to my flesh better than Peregrine’s computer gaming accessory.  All I have to say is this, whether you prefer RTS games, RPG games, action/RPG hybrids, or some chimera combination of all those mentioned, you will want to play League of Legends.

Let’s get one thing out of the way, yes League of Legends can be shortened down to LoL but I don’t wish to demean this game by confusing those as to whether I’m talking about a PC game or laughing out loud.  I did before talk briefly about Demigod.  This had to be done because both games are within the same genre (RTS sans micromanagement on a massive scale), but Demigod only bests League of Legends in one domain.  Visuals.  But, I’d rather play a game offering forty characters that has a lesser art style than a pretty game with only eight demigods.  Oh, you didn’t read that wrong.  Not fourteen, forty!  Forty champions covering all sorts of mythos, archetype, and play style.  Each is just as unique as the other thirty-nine beasts, demons, magi, warriors, and other countless playable characters.

Take Annie, the Dark Child.  I did, when I was tossed into a makeshift 5v5 game at PAX.  Annie is filled with dark humor and is cute as a button.  She skips throughout the level, tossing fireballs at enemies, launching a cone of flame at all those caught in her path, and summoning her teddy bear, Tibbers.  Tibbers is no ordinary teddy bear, far from it.  Tibbers, whom Annie asks constantly if you have seen him, is a demonic creature that roams alongside Annie’s side mauling all those that may threaten her life.  If you see Annie skipping along a trail, teddy bear in hand, do not underestimate this small and precious parcel.  For powerful, dark, and deadly things await within this small package.

Currently, League of Legends is only in beta with approximately twenty champions made combat ready.  Though, the game does lie within the realms of beta, it is easily played on a non-gaming laptop.  Sure, the graphics may be turned to an extremely low setting in that situation, but the game is still enjoyable and with very little lag.  Just don’t be too shocked should you find yourself dying at the hands of Ashe courtesy of her long range arrows being shot your way off screen.

If you are wondering about the visuals within Legends, it is most comparable to Warcraft 3.  No, not World of Warcraft, though a World of the League of Legends MMORPG, might not be a bad idea.  It has a slight resembling to a fair anime art design with a dash of cel-shading thrown in for flavor.

If you are curious about this game, stop.  Do you like RTS games?  Do you hate micromanagement?  Can you play well with others?  Do you giggle when you spy a small child roasting a large demon?  If you answer yes to all this, then go pre-order League of Legends right now!  Just don’t rage quite after you receive a few fireballs and are the victim of the business end of an angry teddy bear, courtesy of a high leveled and well equipped Annie.

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Now as most probably did, I originally walked past the CDV booth while it was up at PAX.  Seeing such cutesy games such as My Little Baby and odd DS puzzle games like that of I Heart Geeks, I held no faith that they would produce anything for non-casual gamers.   Then, my eye caught a sign displaying an intriguing piece of artwork and the title Divinity II: Ego Draconis.  After allowing this image sink in, I decided to hunt for information.  That search didn’t last long, especially after I got a hold of Swen Vincke, C.E.O. of Larian Studios (developer of Divinity 2).  Swen told me quite a bit, good guy that Swen.  And, Divinity 2 is just as good, if not better.

Now most of you who set your eyes on Divinity 2, will spout that it is a Fable clone or even a Gothic ripoff.  Well, my fellow gaming friend, you would be wrong!  In what game are you allowed the freedom to transform into a dragon at will?  You did not read that wrong and that is not a fabrication, you can morph from Dragonslayer to dragon (once you have the power) at your discretion.  Go jump off a cliff and, while plummeting to what would be your death, transform into a beast of fiery destruction.  Sure, that would be enough for most.  But, what about the elite group of die hard RPG players?  How about freedom of choosing how most quests will end and customizing your character as you see fit?

The kind hearted Mr. Vincke displayed so much during such a short amount of time.  A quest that can be completed within the first moments of playing game, that has both good and evil chosen endings.  But, that has gotten old at this point gaming.  Divinity 2 offers a wide variety of choices for players so that they can dwell in that mysterious grey area.  Should you decide to spend the experience points to mind read the local blacksmith, not only will you be informed of a connection between said blacksmith and a local lady but he will also lower his prices.  Go ahead, visit the woman and see what she has to say.  Not much as it would seem, but she does have a task for you to complete, in the form of a letter needing to be delivered to the aforementioned blacksmith.  You can also spend some of those precious experience points and read the lady’s mind like a book.  You can catch her thinking of a key held within her home, and this key is highly important.  After finding the married woman’s home, hopping a box or two to acquire the key, using that key to open the cellar, and you will come across a little treasure.  The letter writing lady’s husband’s journal.  Inside is information pertaining to a murder committed by the man brought about by a love affair.  Now is a good time to open the letter handed to you, if you wish to.  The information found on the letter is about the wife having an affair with the blacksmith and her wish to leave her husband to spend her days with the blacksmith.  Now you can snitch on the husband to the guards in regards to the his murderous ways, allowing everyone to live happily ever after.  Or, you can blackmail the wife.  You could take a really rotten way and hand over the letter to the husband, who then gives his wife the boot and this also causes the blacksmith to raise his recently reduced prices.  All that in just one quest, just imagine what other quests could provide such creative paths to carve within your unique game.

There is so much more within Divinity 2, that I could talk for hours about the game.  But, nobody here has that kind of time.  So here is a quick sum up, just for you!  You can collect body parts which can be reformed into a powerful creature that follows and fights by your side.  Armor that can be attained solely for improving your dragon form.  Taking down flying fortresses single handedly, or rather on two wings, as you scorch other enemy units in mid-flight and burn down your opponents defensive buildings.  The usual content found within RPG’s – leveling up through slaughtering bad guys and completing quests, discovering rare equipment, learning and using powerful magic spells, etc. – is easily contained within this discretely daunting game disc.  Go now, pre-order Divinity II: Ego Draconis for either the 360 or PC…don’t make me fly to your fortress and unleash my deadly breath upon it.  Now worries, I can’t breathe fire yet, but man my garlic breath can turn a stomach or two!

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