In a sad turn of events, 1UP is reporting that Diablo III will launch without one of it’s planned modes – PVP Arena. Evidently, it will come later in the year in the form of a patch. The PVP Arena mode would essentially pit players against each other like any standard deathmatch situation — a mode a lot of fans were looking forward to, given that the series has only traditionally provided world PVP.

While I don’t think it will break the game, this move is particularly surprising, because of how much it will fracture the community. Blizzard, like Valve, is one to wait until their games are 100% finished before launch — my guess is Activision has had enough of “Blizzard Time”, and is forcing them to launch it.

[Source: 1UP.com]

Mass Effect 3 is here, and much to the chagrin of non-Collectors-Edition buyers, there is day one DLC — specifically a downloadable pack that adds new squad member costumes, a new weapon, a new mission, and a new very spoilery squad member.

In fact, this DLC character in particular is the absolute focus on this pack, as original Mass Effect fans most likely have been dreaming about this moment for years.

Do not click the break or continue reading unless you’re ready for spoilers for this DLC only — specifically regarding the squadmate. Read more… »

Mass Effect, over the years, has been quite the chameleon. At first, it started as a pretty RPG heavy title that involved tons of customization and obtuse design choices. Then it evolved into possibly the most streamlined product Bioware had ever produced.

Mass Effect 3 attempts to marry the two types of gameplay into one action packed conclusion. But does it succeed? Or is it too action packed for its own good? Read more… »

2K Games announced that a new expansion pack for the acclaimed Civilization V entitled Gods & Kings is being developed by Firaxis Games for PC. The expansion pack is set to add new gameplay additions spanning the “breadth of human civilization.”

Hit the jump for more info about Civilization V: Gods & Kings. Read more… »

[Edit: the Facebook page says there are no codes left!]

Valentine’s Day? What’s that? Everyone who’s anyone knows that tomorrow is Mass Effect 3 Demo Day. It’s the day when St. Valentine himself defended the rights of lovers everywhere by making the Mass Effect 3 demo available on PC, Xbox Live, and PSN.

Spend tomorrow blasting Reapers and aliens apart with that special someone in your life. For those of you who can’t wait one more day, you can play a short Facebook game where you can win a demo code early.

While it’s not quite a firm release date, mega-publisher Activision confirmed a Q2 2012 window for the highly anticipated Diablo III in their most recent earnings call. This narrows the release date down to sometime between April and June of this year.

The game has already undergone changes, including some based on player feedback from the latest beta, but knowing Blizzard’s track record, it’s probably the safe bet the game’s going to be a hit. Diablo III takes place twenty years after the events of Diablo II. Though some familiar faces like Deckard Cain will make an appearance, the game features an all new set of heroes.

[Source: CVG]

Mechs are awesome. That’s one of the indisputable facts of the universe. And now the universe will get a little more awesome on December 12, 2012 when Adhesive Games’ Hawken blasts into action.

Read on for more info about this indie game you won’t want to miss. Read more… »

Fast-action multiplayer shooter Tribes: Ascend by Hi-Rez Studios is currently in closed beta, but a big update is coming. According to Hi-Rez’s Todd Harris these changes are “among those most requested by our Beta group.” For those of you in the closed beta, here’s some details about the changes coming your way.

The next update is set to include a more polished UI and more class customization. While the number of playable classes will be reduced from twelve to nine, each class is getting more weapon unlocks for more variety. Three of them–Light, Medium, and Heavy–will be available to new players right off the bat. No surprises there.

Read more… »

Capcom announced Thursday that Resident Evil 6 is in development and will be released November 20 this year for 360 and PS3, with a PC version to follow. Familiar protagonists Leon Kennedy and Chris Redfield will take the front stage in battling a surge of bio-terrorism. Government espionage! Jetsetting! A world in peril!

Surprising as this announcement may be, and even though the release is this year, it’s still ten months away. Here is more practical news: Resident Evil Revelations for the Nintendo 3DS will be upon us in less than a month. And guess what, you can download the demo straight from the Nintendo eShop right now.

Read more… »

It is chilling to think that ours may be the last generation to consider the term “social” as primarily being outgoing. With the deluge of so called social apps flooding the market, I can only expect, in somewhat hyperbole, that the definition of “social” will soon change. Maybe, it will become something like “the act of sharing your location, pictures, videos, thoughts and activities (in 140 characters or less) leveraging one of these apps”.

Nowhere is this phenomenon more apparent than in the emergence of a new generation of social games. This new generation is legion, climbing out of (the) Facebook  onto PCs and mobile devices independent of any one client. At its worst, this generation bears cookie cutter copies of the villes, Mafia Wars and even StarCraft. There is a glimmer of hope, however, as some developers are pushing the social platform forward through innovation and creativity.

Read more… »

As a game reviewer, I occasionally comes across an indie game that just strikes a chord with me. Either the art style captures something from the past, the story resonates with me on some level, or the gameplay is a refreshing take on an old genre. I have to say that I was extremely lucky to find a game that has all three of these, in this case the game is Gemini Rue.

Gemini Rue is a little indie game made by Wadjet Eye Games that combines the retro art style of games like Flashback and Out of this World with the great gameplay from classic Lucas Arts adventure games. To make it even better, the story comes across like a Phillip K. Dick novel with it’s neo-noir elements and mind bending discussion of identity. Long story short, if you’re a fan of science fiction or adventure games, you need to check out Gemini Rue. Read more… »

Free-to-play games have a stigma that they are not free at all. Of course, you can play unencumbered up to a point; but, just when things are getting good, a horrible and unwelcome window pops up. The gist is if you want more content, if you want more leveling, if you want more of anything, you have to start emptying your wallet. This sad model has left the free-to-play (F2P) space practically a wasteland.

This all changes with the December U.S. release of SD Gundam Capsule Fighter. In a big way, Softmax and OGPlanet aim to turn the F2P stigma on its head with a free game that plays just like a paid title. In other words, every gameplay element, every mode of play, all progressions are available to the player without the solicitation of money. And, to be honest, it has shaped up to be a rather entertaining game to boot. AND it’s Gundam. What more can you ask for?

Read more… »