Dark Souls II [Windows, PS3 Xbox 360]

Dark Souls II is out on Windows now and that is mainly what this review will look at. It looks way prettier on PC than on it's console counterparts as this video can attest but it also has a lot of issues due to the complexity of the PC platform. Everyone has probably gotten it by now but you are compelled to read on by forces of dark magic... or something.

The game is super clunky on the PC and it will probably take many patches to get it to where the developer wants it to be, as the console versions have shown. For example in order to quit the game  you need to go back to the main screen, where it will then try and connect to the internet before you can choose the quit option. I thought it would be best to play it with a controller but at first that was a nightmare. Enemies will glitch through walls and because the game is so hard you will often exploit lapses in the A.I. I have a Logitech Dual Action controller and none of the buttons were assigned correctly, there is no easy way to fix this in game either. Eventually I found this guide to install a little app to help with this. So with this installed, I could finally learn how to play the game, oh shit, I just fell off the edge right near the start.

Frustration and a type of OCD are basic requirements of this game as you will be repeating sections over and over. I have tried playing as every class and I must say that the ranged classes have it a lot easier at the start of the game than the melee ones do. As many fans of the series will point out, balance isn't a part of this game. When you can play as a Deprived, a severely hampered class that starts with no weapons, low stats and poor armour, I think you can see the attitude towards the players here is punishment around every corner. However, I had the most fun when I decided to play as a Deprived. It helped teach me a lot more about want I wanted to do and how to level than any other class did. Plus scrounging around for each piece of gear seems to match well with the Dark Souls 2 ethos.

The thing is that Dark Souls II is based on the idea of old games, these old games were often quite short so they used repetition and learning the game as a way to lengthen the gameplay. These old games also came with beautiful manuals that explained how to play and offered tips. Dark Souls II has no manual and as such you will spend your days playing with a browser open in the background, unless you are a complete masochist. I loved the old games that came with these often quite large and ornate manuals, I would play the game by day and read the manual at night. It not only taught you how to play the game but added to the experience as a whole. I think this is something that is sorely lacking here. If you are going to appeal to the old sensibilities you should do it right.

Gameplay will vary quite a lot depending on what fighting style you go for. Even a weapon as simple as a sword will vary your fighting style quite a lot, with different attack motions, timings and defensive options. This is one of Dark Souls greatest strengths, learning the different attacks and defensive manoeuvres of your class, the weapons you have equipped and even your play style. To learn all of this you will be completing multiple runs (an enemy can be killed 12 times before it disappears, not including bringing them back with a bonfire ascetic) of the same area. You will need to do this to collect souls to level up your character and buy gear. It's this kind of repetitive gameplay that is just going to turn off some people and I think that's fair enough. I love to find new challenging areas and bosses but it's the grinding to get to them which really does my head in. Unfortunately, one of the challenges of this game, is to become patient enough to either grind till you are high enough level, or grind till you are immensely skilled at the game.

The graphics range from awesome to horrible in the blink of an eye. Textures are often poor and laid like ill fitting carpet upon large N64 like polygons. Other times the game really builds a dark and scary scene, not only through the graphics but the sounds and music as well. For the most part the animations are quite good but like all games that use melee weapons they can look a little odd at times. As I mentioned before the PC version is much prettier than the consoles but it doesn't have that next gen feel of quality to it.

Dark Souls 2 is incredibly time consuming, especially for someone new to the series like me and it's not really the kind of game you can come home tired from work and play. You will die and end up frustrated. For every problem Dark Souls has it has an equal amount of good. So I think it comes down to the question, do you want to spend the prime part of your day playing it, instead of doing something creative or productive? I know a lot of people think that about video games in general but this is not something you can play to relax. You need to be switched on and focused on what you are doing. There is a huge amount of depth to this game and there are many things I haven't even touched on yet. All the multiplayer aspects, the huge list of equipment you could go on and on about it for days. I think it is a solid game it is just much more niche than those other reviews will have you believe 7.9/10.

Titanfall [PC, Xbone, Xbox 360]

Titanfall, the most talked about game of the year so far and finally I get around to reviewing it. Thanks to an anonymous donor for a copy of the game. If you haven't heard Titanfall is a First Person Shooter (FPS) with no single player campaign, it's multiplayer only. It's not the first of it's kind but it is probably the first from a big studio with lots of backing.

There is still a campaign but it is a multiplayer affair and it needs to be completed in order to unlock everything. Honestly, it kind of sucks for a lot of reasons. As Kotaku pointed out, you can finish the campaign without having ever fired a shot. It's really just a set of multiplayer matches that have to run their course. Secondly, I'm not impressed with the story at all. People yell stuff at you, there is the odd interesting idea but it doesn't impact what you are doing at all in terms of gameplay. The other factor with this is that, paying attention to the story will wind you up shot in the head; it is too fast-paced to stop and smell the CGI. Finally, it's really hard to find a match, especially for the particular campaign mission you are up to. The campaign seems to be amongst the worst for this but as you'll find out, matchmaking in general is a big issue.

Matchmaking is almost totally automatic, which could be nice but it is riddled with troublesome issues. You can choose which data centre to use, whether that be Australian, US, etc. and which type of match you want to play but you can't see a list of servers to choose from. Titanfall offers 5 game modes at the moment but if you want to login and get to a match straight away you'll just be playing Attrition. It's so hard to find a match of anything else except for maybe the Variety Pack mode. Titanfall does not support cross-platform play, which I think really contributes to the server desolation. I thought Xbone and PC players would be able to link up, at the very least. Also there is no autobalance of any kind, you will not even be swapped to the other team if they have several less players, let alone if you/they are kicking arse. It's incredibly rare to find a match that approaches an approximation of even.

Titanfall Makes up for all of this by having awesome gameplay. It's frantic and the rewards come thick and fast. Whether it be a new weapon or you've just received a burn card, something is always causing you to check your build. The burn cards are a cool idea, they give you a little boost such as a more powerful version of your gun but once you die it's gone. A lot of thought went into making this game accessible to a range of players. The clever thing about it is by adding those dumb AI minions into the mix even poor FPS players like myself can build up confidence. You kill a couple of those and then you are in the swing of things. I have done stuff in this game I never thought I would be capable of in a FPS, going on kill-streaks, actually detonating a satchel charge on time, the list goes on. However I think some fudging does go into this. It seems easier to kill someone in this game then in other titles. The hit-boxes seem to be larger than average and I swear I have killed people when technically they should have been around a corner. It certainly happens a lot to me in the replays. This is not to say there is no skill in it, there is a lot to learn from good parkour technique, when to activate your special abilities and of course, being accurate enough to get a headshot.

Respawn Entertainment have announced they are working on matchmaking and perhaps in time it will be a lot better. There is also a promise of some free DLC as well. Either way, Titanfall is a great game, that just has a few niggling issues. As long as you are willing to focus on playing the Attrition mode, (face it, it's the best anyway) you'll never have to worry about getting into a match quickly but then what is the point of all these other modes? Still, if you want a shooter to play with your friends who aren't the best at them, this could be a way to encourage them to join you. In that sense Titanfall really achieves it's purpose. Go buy it and join a non-Attrition mode, maybe I'll see you waiting in the lobby... 8.4/10.

South Park: The Stick of Truth [Windows, Xbox 360, PS3]

The coveted stick of truth, whoever controls it has limitless power. This much delayed title is finally out and I've been playing it on PC. Yes I have the unedited version and no, I don't think you'll be missing out on anything exciting if your copy is censored. It's just a couple of disgusting mini-games that in terms of gameplay mechanics are pretty boring. Anyway on to the experience as a whole!

Gameplay is broken into two distinctive parts, roaming the world and turn-based battles. Roaming about the world is mostly about puzzle solving. Using things like your long-ranged weapon, your allies abilities and fart-magic, you unlock the path before you and find hidden treasures. When you encounter enemies as you are roaming about, you can hit them with an arrow to stun them in combat, or, if you get the first hit on them, you get to strike first. Then you enter the turn-based battle screen. The style of fighting is akin to a Mario RPG title, where timing and the mashing of buttons will ensure successful attacks. It's mostly pretty fun and you get to learn a lot of different attacks but by the end it is all a little repetitive.

The storyline is great but if you couldn't see yourself watching three episodes of South Park back-to-back this game isn't for you. The story takes a lot of the classic South Park episodes and mashes them into one big plot with a few new ideas for the game. Whilst this does mean it often treads on old ground there are plenty of hilarious and unexpected moments to keep you going. However, there are some moments where the gameplay/storyline overlaps in strange ways and doesn't really feel cohesive. For example, I had already spoken to the goth kids and learnt that I had to dress like them to hang out with them but as this later becomes a quest, I was forced to hear it all again. Mostly though the next plot twist or silly joke is what really keeps you driving along into this game. I wish as much time was spent on the design elements as they had put into the storyline.

Some poor design choices have stopped this from being the game of the year. When you see a mob of monsters on the screen, you battle them all as one, yet when it comes to picking up loot you have to search each monster. Why not streamline this into one loot bag and make it funner for everyone? There is no way to easily see how your weapons and armour compares to what you are buying. Some of the gameplay mechanics are immensely frustrating to use and the game teaches you these fart mechanics that you don't actually need to use in the game. Throughout the whole game you use the WASD keys to move but all of a sudden you need to use the arrow keys to do dance moves. I can't tell if this is a bug, a joke, or Matt and Trey being arseholes, either way it just comes off as frustrating. Plus half the time you are doing the right thing but just not standing in the right spot which adds to the frustration. Of course seeing as I played it on PC there are plenty of bugs and work-arounds but I guess this is the new normal.

It's a good game with good ideas but not enough time has been spent developing it. You will go through moments of pure joy, laughing at the gags and enjoying most of the gameplay, only to be snagged by poor design choices and bugs. South Park: The Stick of Truth is one for the fans and whilst I had hopes it could transcend that status and be an all round fun title it's gameplay isn't solid enough. There is a huge adventure here but only someone who is a fan of the series, could actually stand to play it for that long 7.9/10.

3 Short Reviews

BioShock Infinite [PC, PS3, Xbox 360] A solid game game but no-where near as amazing as the press had made it out to be. The powers aren't as exciting to use as those in Dishonored and the story takes a lull right at the time you are hit with a chunk of repetitive gameplay. Still well worth a play even if it's just to see how pretty it looks 8/10.

Running Unicorn Attack 2 [iOS (coming to Android)] The 80's have made quite a resurgence in videogames this year with Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon launching only a week ago and Running Unicorn Attack 2 (RUA 2) only a few days before that. Although they are probably both more early 90's than you might care to believe, RUA 2 embodies the spirit of what we have come to believe the 80's were. It combines cheesy music and memories of over the top children's T.V., with the ubiquitous endless runner. You play as a unicorn jumping, dashing and flying about the world, collecting tears and fairies, smashing stars and giants, all set against beautiful backgrounds that feature flying whales, dolphins and seahorses. So yes it makes no sense. It has some let downs like the occasional bit of slow-down and it does get a little repetitive but it's free and well worth the experience of cheesiness and rainbow-pooping unicorns 7/10.

Haunted Hollow [iOS] Is a turn based game from Firaxis who can't stop mentioning that they made the latest XCOM. What Haunted Hollow lacks that XCOM had in spades is depth. There are some really cool ideas here but little to keep you playing after your first few run throughs. You can play versus the computer or versus a friend in a hot swap arrangement or even online but there is only one map to play on. It's free to play but you will need to purchase extra monsters and items to get the full experience, oddly though, there is no option to buy a new map. The monsters are fun and the levelling up your house to get new, tougher ones is a nice feature but due to your movement points also being your cash for new monsters, you rarely have very many out. It's an interesting idea that could have been better executed 7/10.

One Sentence Reviews

Kumo Lumo [iOS] I've got a great idea for a game, you play as a cloud and you go about wizzing on stuff, I can't see how that can go wrong 2/10.

Noble Nutlings [iOS] From the people who brought you a rip-off of a flash game, here is a rip off of a flash game!!! 4/10.

Far Cry 3 [PC, PS3 Xbox 360] Some cool ideas mingle with immensely trite ones, welcome to the world of FPS 7.8/10.

The Walking Dead, Episode 1: A New Day [iOS, PC, Mac, PSN, XBOX]

Episode 1 of The Walking Dead is now free for iOS device owners so I decided to grab it . It's only for a limited, unspecified amount of time, so be quick if you want to pick it up. This review is applicable to all of the different platforms though I will be mainly focusing on the iPhone version. If you're not a fan of the T.V. series, you probably will be after playing this game...

The game is heavily story driven and it's gameplay is reminiscent of the much maligned quicktime event. The quicktime-esque gameplay actually works in the games favour. Though this kind of thing has always been clunky, unpredictable and a little imprecise this game feeds off of that. It does make it scarier when you aren't 100% sure what you need to do next. This will probably get on your nerves at times, scrolling around the screen seems a little slower than it needs to be and sometimes it's a bit unclear what you are supposed to be doing before it has all gone wrong.

Graphically the game looks great, it has a realistic yet painterly style to to it and there is plenty of detail. The animations really let it down though, as quite often they are jerky and break up your suspension of disbelief. The audio is great and really sets the tone. What is that beep? What the hell was that!? The audio really conveys what is happening on screen and greatly increases the tension. The voice acting is superb too, with only a few lines that sound out of place.

I had a lot of fun with The Walking Dead but it's just a little short. Releasing it free has definitely tempted me to buy the whole series, I guess $16 isn't too bad, though it's $25 for the PC/Mac. The experience is top quality but if each episode is that short it is a bit lacking in content still it gets an 8/10.

The Top 5 Games of 2012 as Reviewed by AGS*

Like all journalists, when it comes to the end of the year I am too lazy to do anything but make a compilation of the top videogames for the year. Well that isn't entirely true, there are more reviews coming but for now all you get is this.

Puzzle Craft [Android, iOS] A simple little puzzle game that has a lot of depth and it's only going to set you back 99 cents. I do wish this trend of putting 'craft' at the end of everything would end though.

Mechwarrior Online [PC] Although I didn't technically review it, I did make mention of it and it has been one of my favourite games throughout the year. It has just come into open beta which for a game like this basically means it's launched, so I will be posting a review soon. It's safe to say that if you like stomping around, blowing things up and in general feeling all powerful this is a great game and can be played totally for free.

Faster Than Light [Mac, PC] The product of a Kickstarter initiative FTL is a space sim that sees you in control of a ship and it's crew. At full price it is only ten bucks, you will definitely get your moneys worth.

Dishonored [PC, PS3, XBOX 360] This is probably the first stealth shooter I have ever played that felt really satisfying. The story was great, the world was magnificent and it actually has replay value.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown [PC, PS3, XBOX 360] Blasting aliens in turn-based strategy, building up your base and managing your resources. At lot of classic games and gameplay elements made a come back this year and if done right it makes you wonder why these concepts disappeared from the mainstream.

Any of these games would make a wonderful Christmas present for your favourite gamer (no don't buy them for me I own them all) but if you want to get something for someone you hate try Prison Ball.

*Australian Gaming Scene makes no claims that these games were released in 2012, are the best, or are even games.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown [PC, PS3, Xbox 360]

Why have friends when you could have XCOM: Enemy Unknown? Your squadmates will become your friends, every time one dies, you will die a little too, when they wipe an alien of the face of the planet you will cheer with them. This game has great gameplay though it's not as fluid as it should be let's find out why.

In XCOM you play as the commander of an elite force of alien exterminators. Your goal is to find out what the aliens are up to and put a stop to it. Part of the game is spent in turn based battles, blasting alien scum and the other part is establishing your base, researching tech and other mission critical things. It makes for a good mix, though I found the turn based missions a little bit repetitive towards the end. There is a lot going on in terms of strategy and you will need to balance your tactics and play style within the turn based components with your broader strategy of the base.

There are many exciting moments during the turn based battles of the game. You might stumble across a new type of enemy or succeed in beating the odds and making a great shot. You'll start off with a four man squad but you can upgrade this later on. Each member of your team gains experience and if you can keep them alive they become very powerful. The graphics look great and the sounds and music are extremely chilling.

When you are back at the base there are still plenty of things to do. You will be updated on story progression, there is research to be undertaken and troops to be outfitted.There is even a sort of mini-game in which you launch interceptors to take out alien space ships. I found myself at the mission control centre hoping I could watch another spin of the Earth go by so I could research that latest piece of kit before my next battle.

It truly is a terrific game but there are a few issues that bring it down.When you are moving your characters to squares of different heights you need to fight with the camera to get them exactly where you want them.. The returning to base loading screen often flashed violently between an image of the battle and the actual loading screen.Finally the game crashed right on the last mission and this is a known issue. Despite 3 patches these problems still persist.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown includes so much variety that it kept me wanting for more, except for by the end, where it had become a little tedious to do the random missions, as there are not as many variations on them as there could be.That being said up until that moment every time I got bored of something, the game added something new. There are a lot of twists and turns in XCOM and I honestly wanted to give it a higher score. However the bugs took away a few decimal points, 9/10.

One Sentence Reviews

The Simpsons Arcade Game [PS3, Xbox 360] If this game had been released ten years ago for 15 dollars I would have bought 4 copies, as it stands today I wouldn't even play the demo 2/10.


Munch Time [iOS] It's cute and quirky but it's a fairly boring puzzler 6/10.


Prison Ball [iOS] The closest thing to prison rape anyone has gotten passed Apple's censors 0/10.