Armies of Exigo

Armies of Exigo is a Real-Time Strategy game that never hit the market as a great game. I beg to differ. This game has incredible medieval nostalgia combined with immersive story and gameplay that will keep you on your toes as you relive those lovely child dreams you were once possessed by!

The Story

This part, is, of course, with spoilers. There has always been a variety of original and repetitive 'middle-earth' stories within history, from Lord of the Rings to even Harry Potter to a less significant extent. This game grasps the complete theme of this fantasy style with astonishing results as you battle with and against the Empire, the Beasts and the Fallen.
The Empires
The faction you first start with in the story. You start off counter attacking a Beast raid with swordsmen, whilst delivering gold to an allied base. The battles slowly escalate as you retrieve forgotten oaths but consequently revive the Rage created over seventy years ago. As Alric-do-Rei, an Archmage of the fabled Obsidian Tower, home to the Heart of the Void, you must lead the forces of light against the supposedly foul demons of hell. Eventually discovering the insectoid parasites and arachnid fighters, Alric progressively second-guesses his true enemy, leading to the Fallen campaign. . .
The Fallen
Your two spies being discovered by the enemy Empire, you and the Ageless Ancients recognise the risk of remaining silent within enemy boundries, especially with only fivehundred cycles left before the Heart of the Void must be stolen. Keran allies himself with the Deep Elves that will benefit the undermining of opposing Deep Elf factions, solidifying the Matriarch's place as heir to the throne. Princess Domina will aid you among many missions.
As you shift underground to slip past enemy encampments (or utterly destroying them), you finally find the ancient crypt in which Ruannon, previous Archmage of the Obsidian Tower, is bound with his soul. Without hesitation, he quickly reveals the location of three seals that sustain a defense against the Fallen with the Heart of the Void - after he is defeated of course. At the end you finally gather all your forces and lay the final assault, driving into the Obsidian Tower - thus leading into the Beast campaign.
The Beasts
Still driven to overrun the Empire, despite several leaders lost, Dragga must reunite some of the rebelling tribes to sustain the blood oath made so long ago. Dragga's mad father, Tyron Gral is slowly perceiving multitudes of objectives wrong, stubborn and not persuaded by the risk of the Fallen. After confrontation by the legendary Alric Chaosbringer (named so due to his extraordinary achievement of collapsing Castle Margoth), Dragga eventually questions his father, believing that Alric is correct, and that the Fallen are the true, other worldly thread. Dragga soon challenges Tyron, and escapes.
In return, Tyron (pressured by 'the spirits') hacks and slashes through the lizardmens sacred grounds to awaken their Queen, hibernating for hundreds of years and not to be disturbed.
In a race to get to the Queen first, many challenges are made, with Dragga and Sseeth (Lizardman leader) getting there first, Tyron soon awakens the Queen as the plan backfires. Dragga's mentally unstable father is slain by Tiamorg, a flying three-headed drake whom knows their true intentions, and wishes to help them.

After breaking through multiple Fallen Nexus's, Dragga, Sseeth, Alric and Tiamorg soon break into the Obsidian Tower, at this time, there is less than a single day before the time has come and the five hundred cycles have ended. The Campaigns all end with an exceptional performance of cinematic play named 'Exigo', with Alric and Dragga breaking through, reaching the Avatar of Darkness (Keran empowered by his superior's superior, from another realm). Dragga rushes ahead, striking a Void Walker, then soon being pinned down magically by Keran's horrific powers. Alric soon diminishes the second Void Walkers life using his magi awe-inspiring strength, challenging Keran.
Alric strikes Keran twice magically, with no visible physical harm done, Keran soon flails Alric around as if he were a ragdoll, landing mercilessly, Alric eliminates the restraints on Dragga.
Dragga unleashes what appears to be a metal ball sling, Keran recognising this, force-pushes Dragga, flinging him backward, however - his new weapon strikes the Heart of the Void, resulting in an extreme explosion.
The cinematic ends with Alric, hood down, staring into space as bright light dissipates, showing a vague recollection of events in what happens.
Due to the supposeable power of the Heart of the Void, and no recognisable harm done to Alric, does that imply that the Fallen operations were successful, and that the Heart of the Void warped the worlds phase into that of the Fallen's? Or does it imply that its astounding power split through the world, dealing sinister energy to all whom were within its expansive radius?
This is the only con within the game. It has balanced gameplay, classical story except a vague, unclear but truely spectacular (in terms of adrenline-pumping) ending to such an immersive game!

The Gameplay

The gameplay is amazing. Not only does it include three action-packed and mobile factions, it has several pros and cons for each one whilst maintaining great balance throughout all stages of multiplayer and single player play.

Flying

Flying is a mechanic in Armies of Exigo, and there are several ways to do it:

The Beasts - The Beasts units also own Witches, which have the ability to manipulate allied units molecular structures to essentially 'evaporate' into water, which is controllable! There is no scientific or even logical reason to how this is possible, yet this is a game of magic - so that doesn't matter!

The great thing about this gas form is that not only do you fly, allowing a lower margin of attack amongst enemy ranks, but even if you are under overwhelming fire you can leak through the ground and go under it to save yourself or plot a much more dark ending.

The Empire - Wise and maniac Gnomes are always tinkering their war machines, but what's the point of them if you can't transport the recommended Engineers and Explosive Specialists to the most efficient vehicles? They build Gnome Ark's, upside-down boats with sheets attached that can, for some reason, carry several units above ground. This is great as it is fairly speedy in comparison to some flight forms, however if you are:

A) Shot down prematurely.

B) The only mechanical unit.

Then you will have problems, for A, you will lose units that are possibly a larger bulk of your forces that you are transporting. This is very inefficient as not only are you losing huge amounts of units at once, but the non-ranged units won't be able to attack, either. So if you are under fire as a Gnome Ark, disperse your units to do the optimal damage for that particular situation.

B will be another problem, as the rarity of mechanical units in Armies of Exigo, even for the Empire, will pose a threat itself. Gnome Arks will be easily recognisable and may shine more than other units due to their vulnerability and simple functions. Steambirds (Aircraft Siege units) can help escort Gnome Arks yet indepth micro-management may prove the most useful as either a probe or guiding your soldiers out of danger.

The other mechanical unit is a Catapult, which looks just as dark and wooden, but is also organic. It is simply a gnome riding a giant beast with a large catapult strapped on, an effective tool given the fiery glimpse and devastation caused by a Catapult, it can also be caught out easily. It has a minimum range, meaning melee units will have a significant upperhand whilst facing against catapults - that is unless you can eliminate them before they reach you.

The Fallen - Flying units are abundant within this civilization. These barbaric arachnids have supreme utility and fluent combat effectiveness making this faction both the easiest and hardest race to master. The Hive Stinger, a simple melee unit, can learn how to use the ability 'Metamorphisis' which allows it to sprout air-resistant wings, opening up the attempt of speeded transport or anti-air attack. If you require unit transportation other than the Hive Stinger, the Aerials prove the most effective.

These organic transportation bubbles have equal (or higher) health than your average unit, thus making it fairly powerful in cases of escaping. However Hive Guards (ranged air units) should be adapted to better safeguard the Aerials with speed (and combat) upgrades. Enhancing both units can seriously speed up transportation by defeating enemy attacks quicker or simply carrying more units each time.

Underground

Underground is a very effective mechanic that is very unique to many RTS's. The special portion of the Underground map is that not all entrances are fixed, mining teams (Empire), leaking through (Beasts), and teleportation using portals (Fallen) allow more stealthy tactics to be adapted whilst fighting above and under ground. Entrances can be fixed also by choosing which unit is allowed to pass through each entrance (air units or ground). Hive Stingers yet again prove better in utility as they can pass through either of these passages, given the proper requirements.

It's Balanced

Units are balanced within Armies of Exigo, costs are consequences with statistics, rewards benefit indiviual units that cost more better, allowing even more significant balancing.

For instance, a Hive Stinger, costing fifty gold to train, has ten attack.

A Warrior, costing one-hundred and thirty gold to train, has seventeen attack.

An attack upgrade for a Hive Stinger will upgrade its damage by one.

An attack upgrade for the Warrior will upgrade its damage by two.

Given the general cost of each unit, three Hive Stingers going up against a Warrior would probably win, with the upgrade it benefits even more with an extra three attack per tick (though lowering as the Warrior slowly drains Health from the collective). This allows unorthodox balancing that proves incredibly useful and is also, previously mentioned - hard to master.



The Summary

Armies of Exigo uses terrific adaptive techniques allowing several tactics per civilization and thus even more customization per player. The story is incredibly immersive and also the only one which has nearly 'forced' me to play consecutively that game for three to four whole days. I never once got bored of it and also the heightened difficulty within the AI is very attractive to veteran Real Time players will aid a lot as well. If you are looking for a fairly old, WCIII familiar game, get this one.





Battlefield Bad Company 2

Released earlier this year, this game still manages to maintain its fanbase with one of the most adrenline rushing shooting styles of the year! Featuring destructible ground 2.0, specific class bonuses and a lot more teamwork, this game will keep you on your toes as you will have to watch all sides.

Class Specializations

First, class specializations define your gameplay style and is essential to your squads teamwork. We'll quickly breeze over the perks of each class:

Assault

Requiring shots to be done in bursts to maintain accuracy, this is an all-rounded class that will be effective throughout all levels of skill. Armed with a grenade or smoke launcher for exceptional tactical usage (the grenade launcher is able to blow open walls), the Assault class has more firepower than the other three classes. Not just this, but it excels at sustainability in non-hardcore modes due to its ammo-resupply! With the correct firepower and sustainability this poses a formidible threat as a spy in enemy ranks.

Engineer

With close-range weaponry and a very well controled rocket launcher (or well placed mines), this class is very efficient when it comes to damage dealing and has a great effect for anti-armor. Using either mines or a rocket launcher to demolish land and tanks, you will be counted on defeating the greatest foes. However, the engineer class doesn't rely on only offensive capabilities, but defensive as well!

A gadget the engineer uses to repair allied vehicles is the repair torch, slowly rejuvenating the target vehicle, but being as fast as it is, it can also be used to drill holes in opponents and obliterate enemy engines.

Medic

With a Light Machine Gun, allowing incredible prolonged fire (accuracy increasing the longer you shoot), this class is able to suppress enemy fortifications on either game mode (hardcore or not), with the ability to revitalize allied units to carry on the warfare, this medic has indirect offensive and defensive capabilities spanning from anything the other classes can do! Also armed with medic-packs to help prevent death of allied players, with the uncanny ability to rack up considerable stockpiles of points in short times (given the right locations), you will be able to sustain you and allies for prolonged periods - especially with companion medics at your side.

Recon

A long-range sniper requiring extreme finesse and patience, this class is capable of support in many ways, from blowing open routes with C4 to bombarding an enemy position with mortar strikes and sniper rounds, this very unique scout will prove useful to any army. C4 can be used with great effect if used properly, either as manual landmines or for special operations within a building, it can provide cover for retreat when routes are small and you've the right timing! If you prefer not go in too deep you can use mortar strikes to chase enemies out and also use scensors which will reveal enemy locations around the proximity of this. This will allow allies to pick a plan of attack and will help significantly in defeating them.

Of course, there must be other weapons, like shotguns...

All-Class Weapons

There are some weapons available to all classes once unlocked that provide utility very beneficial or different to your class.

The G3

The G3 is an assault-rifle type weapon, featuring high damage and medium rate of fire, this weapon is very efficient when grouped with short maps and recons.

The Thompson

A unique weapon with little of any stat but providing better close-range combat than the G3, this will be useful in infiltration of any class with powerful explosions (the Engineer or Recon), providing an even more unique gameplay style.

The M14 Enhanced

An enhanced version of the M14, allowing large damage across long ranges in semi-automatic fire, this may be good supporting recons with ammo or medic packs - or even rocket fire to dent enemy fortifications to great effect, a great weapon to use in these cases.

Shotguns

Incredibly powerful close-range weapons providing heavy suppression if they survive it, amazingly. These weapons will allow defense of the urban areas to succeed without competition. Also paired with the twelve-gauge rounds this will severely increase shotgun ranges to unbelievable amounts!

Secondary Weapons

You are not only armed with a single gun and some useful equipment, you will always be given sidearms or a single other gadget to boost teamwork and accuracy. Here we will go through some of the sidearms that stand out most:

M9

Simply put here as it is the one you start with, it isn't always reliable in non-hardcore modes and isn't something you'd want to fall back on.

M9-3 Machine Pistol

A pistol with obvious resemblence to the M9 in both appearance and spelling, this weapon is very powerful with an exceptional rate of fire but little damage per shot. This sidearm may be supreme amongst all for close-quarter fighting and is something you can rely on for those ranges.

M1911 Pistol

Noted for its higher damage and slightly increased range, this weapon is good for self-defense and is quick in taking down another enemy, use this weapon by itself if you feel the need to as it does pack a powerful punch!

Tracer

The Tracer allows locking on of armor with rocket launchers and thus allows significant cover at all times when fending off tanks or other vehicles, this is useful for teamwork and even points to a degree, but take caution in using this as if you do, you've no backup to rely on after your primary weapon and gadget (in some cases).

So these provide good use and will defend you well in most cases, but there doesn't seem to be that much customization does there?

Perks!

These aren't your regular Call of Duty Perks, however. These are more utility and sustainability perks which can enhance your Kill / Death ratio significantly. Here we will go through some blatant and obvious ones that you may use.

Explosive Damage Upgrade

For demolitionists and suicide bombers alike, this is the choice for you as it upgrades explosive weapon damage and can increase the radius of the killzone which proves useful for armor as their allies just love to hide behind it.

Bullet Damage Upgrade

Good for the more 'subtle' players, this can increase the chance of death with snipers or put you ahead swiftly in a firefight, providing clear advantages that can also open up new oppurtunities.

Extra Ammunition

For snipers or long-survival rate classes and gamestyles, this small perk will help you clear out more enemies or help keep you alive for longer until you can gather an enemy kit.

Extra Explosives

Useful for artillary barrage engineers (with their rocket launchers, of course), this allows much more shock and awe campaigns to run as you can keep the heightened firepower benefit running for longer. Sufficient for decimating enemies hidden within cover. There is also a different version of this for grenades.

Red Dot Sight

A red dot sight will surely improve your short to medium range aiming and can help your accuracy more than you would generally think. Whilst lacking sophistication it allows you to pull off more complex shots that would otherwise be ignored due to the uncomfortability done by the usual aim sights.

4x Sight

Providing longer range accuracy, from medium to long, this is the perfect sight for picking off enemy targets with anything with a range of an assault rifle and further. The M14 combined with this will also prove well.

12x Sight - Recon Only

For only snipers, this can be very good if you have the problem of a sniper with perfect damage and range but lacking the original sight you'd be used to. However this will not work with all snipers as it may aim too far for weapons such as the VSS automatic sniper rifle.

Light Machine Gun / Assault Rifle / Submachine Gun Hipfire Accuracy Increases

Beneficial for commando players that wish to invoke close range combat. This will be useful for those attempting to disrupt enemy operations or gather as much kills as possible. This will not help those who are attempting to survive the most and players who wish to switch kits often.

Vehicle Perks

Vehicles Perks are specializations that will improve your Vehicle capabilities:

Secondary Weapon Usage

Most Vehicles will have a secondary weapon that are available for use if you have this last perk. Providing anything from machine guns to controlled missiles, this can be useful for eliminating different types of enemies.

Zooming Optic

Allowing you to zoom in for greater accuracy along farther ranges, this may be good if you like to stay safe but still keep up firepower your team needs.

Smoke Dispersion

Dispersing smoke will block line of sight for friend and foe but allow a large margin for error as you escape. Escaping from heavy fire or a mortar strike this may help friendly infantry falling back that could otherwise be picked off by snipers.

Quicker Reload

If you don't want more tactical damage done you could simply put into more damage altogether. If you're willing to get in close and get your hands dirty (unless you have better aiming) you will be able to put on the pressure as your squad, team - doesn't matter, takes over the location and eventually further your assault.

Enhanced Warheads

If quicker damage and tactical damage doesn't attract you, then you can always smash through bluntly with this perk, giving an advantage over other enemy armor without either perk you will be able to punch through anything the enemy gives you.

Enhanced Armor

If you prefer soak up the damage to allow teammates kill easier, then this one will keep you going longer and surprise enemy engineers or even stealthy snipers! Or if you don't want stealthy snipers...

Tracking Sytem

Basically a Scensor used in the Recon class that sticks on your vehicle, this will give you a fair idea of where the enemy is and will also help ratting them out.

All of these will somehow help you in blowing up enemies or strategic locations, and can also be very well used for points.

Destructible Ground

A very unique element used in the game. This aspect of strategy is very hard to counter and thus encourages improvising. Roughly 95% of the maps in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is destructible and is very useful to both teams. This is one of the greatest adrenline rushing features of the game which will you on your toes! Also use this to catch sly points on people or groups hiding in buildings, even knocking the whole thing down with the 2.0 version.

Point System

The points system is sophisticated but outstanding! Nearly everything you do can contribute to your points! This is much more reliable than other games point systems, such as Call of Duty's, as it takes into account everything and is very rewarding for capturing or exploding objectives in Batttlefield, making teamwork even more essential.

Vehicles

Vehicles are very balanced and very rewarding for those willing to wait behind to get them. Time isn't as important as in other shooters and further supports teamwork as you can get assists from passengers or drivers by simply being in it. The use of the different vehicles is very well done and it isn't hard to choose what you use for what task, however as other perks and weapons show, these vehicles can adapt well, meaning they shouldn't be underestimated.

The Game Modes

Very good game modes that is good in the way it doesn't allow only killing involved as it simply isn't part of Battlefield. Here are the game modes:

Conquest

This is where there are flags located in points of interest around the map, and must be captured to slowly generate points, the more flags you have, the quicker you generate points. This is sensational in the sense it gives perfect attack and defend locations especially with squad members working together.

Rush

If you ever played Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Demolition, this is it. However due to the large maps and varied strategic locations this is complex even with its simple objectives. 2 Bomb sites to defend, and the attackers have limited tickets (lives) to use before they lose. You need to blow up one site to rejuvenate tickets and blow up both to relocate the defenders back, allowing you to move forward. This cycle continues a set amount of times depending solely on the map.

Both of these Game Modes are very good with the wide variety of situations in very large maps!



The Maps

The maps are awesome! They all allow spectacular difference in play style and unlike small maps, these aren't "this is an X map". It is either "You can Z more than Y", or "You can do everything!" any strategy is acceptable on any map, allowing much more free gameplay with neverending situations of classes, vehicles, locations and physical damage to your / their cover. There are no con's for having these balanced maps!

The Summary

Very pumping, even addicting in its design. This game has pro's and cons very different to any other First Person Shooter and depends on your likes if you want to play it, patience is a virtue in this game in all cases. Due to large maps you will need to move a lot to get to the good spots, and you will need to continuously fire explosives to expose enemies, which can alert them to move back or catch them off guard and smash them without mercy. It's worth the price (I got it for £25 preorder!!!) and I recommend you get it whenever possible.

Especially with the Expansion coming out soon...

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm

One of the biggest stories known spanning tens of thousands of years receives a glorious expansion of both gameplay and lore, featuring one of the dragon aspects, Deathwing, and his revenge on the mortal races of Azeroth! With several upgrades on all aspects of gameplay, and a severe stretch of lore revitalising and creating the real term of 'Warcraft'!

No More Old World

Due to the damage brought out since Deathwings release of the earthen realm, the world itself has been breaking apart. The whole world has gone through 10 years since your travels on Draenor and has changed entirely. Featuring huge and exciting questlines throughout the zones that follow fluently to improve your learning experience and understanding of the story, you will benefit greatly from the new balancing done in it all. However, it has also become much more dangerous, with lava, tornadoes and floods spreading across the face of the planet like a contagion, it will reveal more than that was previously known.

A New Secondary Profession

The Digsites

Archaelogy, searching for new artifacts in which will benefit you on your travels in one way or another, will prove useful in learning the secrets of the passed. First, there will be 4 digsites per continent, specific to each character (in which level will play a factor). If you are level 20, the digsites will only be in those level areas and below, however if you are a level 85 in the Eastern Kingdoms, you can have digsites spread out throughout the continent.

Finding the Fragments

You will go to these digsites, and to find the fragments you will need to survey the area.

Once the area has been surveyed, a telescope will aim to the location of the fragment, and a light green, yellow, or red will signal how close you are to the fragment. Once you get close enough the fragment will appear and you will be able to loot it, containing roughly 3 pieces necessary to achieve your project. You can only loot 3 fragments per digsite and then it will be exhausted, these are specific to each player so there is no worry about artifact stealing.

After you've exhausted the area a new one on the same continent will show up, allowing you to travel there (or to one of the other three previously located) and dig there for fragments.

Types of Fragments

There isn't just one type of fragment, there are 12 races in which each fragment is related to, known ones are Night Elf, Troll, and Fossil (supposedly Forsaken), all of them are suspected to be the 12 playable races in World of Warcraft.

However, you cannot piece together Night Elf ruins with Forsaken rubble, you will need a specific project for each race.

Projects

You will have projects for each race found, each one requiring different fragments than the other (and a different number, possibly). At first, these projects will turn out with grey, sellable items which provide little value. As you slowly progress you will find unique rare items, mounts, pets and the unusual Bind on Account Item transferable among your other characters which may prove useful in their leveling. Archaelogy is aimed at finding new locations, finding out new lore (and helping establish more social aspects of 'alien' cultures) and the benefits of such a find.

New Talent Trees

Now, the talent trees have reverted back into 31-point talent trees, however, you will only be allowed forty-one talents in total to compensate for what first seems to be this 'loss'.

Bigger Talents

Whilst you don't have as much numbers, each talent will become significantly more useful, with the first and second tier talents featuring more hybrid use due to the limits on hybrid Talent Trees.

Locked In

You are only permitted the first talent tree you choose at level ten, until you spend thirty-one talent points into it you cannot spend any into the other two trees until (currently) level seventy-one, in which you are enabled to put one extra talent point into either of the three trees. You are only allowed forty-one talents in the end, however, amounting to ten spare talents for either tree (in which only the first and second tier of any other tree will be reachable). However, due to the shortage of the talent trees, there is less space for more 'signature' spells.

Level Ten Benefits

You are given very powerful talents and spells after picking your talent tree at level ten, usually signature spells accumulated later in the game, are now trimmed down to acceptable numbers and level with you as you level. As does every other spell you achieve.

Spells Level With You Automatically

Spells originally had to be bought, and higher ranks of them had to be bought as well. In Cataclysm, they will automatically level with you on your travels as you level up, saving money, time, and only letting the unachieved spells be bought next at varying levels. However Talents are not the only way to enhance these spells in various ways.

New Glyph Overhaul

The Glyph systems have been overhauled, instead of only two glyph types (major and minor), there are three, with more precise intentions for each one.

Major

Major Glyphs will give a definate damage, heal or threat boost depending on the role, and are usually obvious in which is better.

Medium

Medium Glyphs are more utility for combat, that will help in certain situations, enabling more skilled players to pull off more sinister tricks that cannot be as easily countered.

Minor

Nearly always outside-combat utility or just plain cosmetic, these Minor Glyphs are supposed to be for fun and messing around.

No More Rebuying the Same Ones

Each Glyph will be shown on the Glyph Interface Panel, obtained or not, the ones that have been obtained will not be greyed out, and can be activated at will (as long as you are not in combat). This means you will not need to keep purchasing the identical glyph for the same use each fight, and also stops the restrictions of optimal glyphing for each encounter.

However this will take out the majority of the economy of Scribes as their main income was from selling Glyphs on the Auction House  for potentially the same customers.

Class Changes

Not all classes have been changed equally, some have been tweaked and balanced to allow significant fluidity with some underused mechanics or for simply lore reasons.

Warlock Soul Shard Mechanics

The Warlocks old system mechanic had Soul Shards used as a secondary resource to generate stones that increase damage (or boost Health), summon demonic minions that assist the caster in combat, or casting specific spells. The new version has only one spell reliant on the Soul Shards that will regenerate out of combat very quickly, however there may also be a spell that allows quick rejuvenation of the resource in return for a lack of damage done.

The new spell is Soul Burn, which burns a soul and puts it on thirty second cooldown, which essentially enhances a variety of spells:

Searing Pain - The next three will land a critical strike.

Summoning Demons - Any summoning of minions will be instant.

Soul Fire - Instant Cast.

For example.

Hunter Focus Change

Hunter's before had mana, a resource that would be burned off and mostly regenerated outside of combat, but there are ways to get it inside combat. Now, Hunters use Focus, which has a fixed amount of one hundred maximum focus, regenerating roughly six per second, with steady shot (and other varieties of that shot) regenerating twelve. Shots costs are determined by amount of use and usefulness in combat, this mechanic allows incredible sustainability and thus survival.

Blood Talent Tree for Death Knights
Is now the only acceptable tree for tanking in Cataclysm. Featuring health regeneration and damage absorbtion effects to allow sustainability to rise when solo'ing and less pressure on any healer, it will simplify the class and stop unnecessary sophistication with the hybrid talent trees.

New Zones

New zones have been released following the Cataclysm, introducing new factions, changing stances of old factions and increasing lore significantly.

Uldum

Originally under stealth by the Titans, the Cataclysm has damaged the cloaking device and thus revealed the location of this marvelous zone. Inhabited by the Tol'vir - stone cat-like people created by the titans, a war and exhibition takes place between traitorous Tol'vir and the good ones. Exploring new Egyptian, Persian and Arabian architecture (with the towers floating high above ground over Uldum) you will find out many new things.

Deepholm

Flying through the Maelstrom to reach this shattered place, you will need to find out the cause of the Horde battleship being shot down, retrieving the broken fragments of the World Pillar (which is what keeps the world up), and exploring a completely unique zone, there will be a lot to uncover from this place.

Mt. Hyjal

Hyjal, the place where thousands of Wisps detonated themselves in order to eliminate Archimonde from siphoning from the World Tree, Nordrassil, is reintroduced in Cataclysm where the Guardians of Hyjal and yourself defend the reborn tree against the regained forces of Ragnaros the Fire Lord and the Twilight Cult, you will shut down three portals of the Twilight, infiltrate one of them and fight alongside Malfurion Stormrage against Ragnaros.

Tol Barad

Tol Barad is a blend between Wintergrasp and Quel'Thelas zones, in which it is a quest hub outside of PvP combat but still features large-scale battle between the Alliance and Horde. Originally a prison in the Second War, now abandoned but fortified ruins, the heroes of the two factions will clash with eachother to establish a foothold within this strategic island.

Twilight Highlands

The Twilight Highlands base of operations, originally known as the Highlands, however the name of the faction that owns it primarily is also included in the name. Wildhammer and Dragonmaw clans have sided with Alliance and Horde forces, respectively, to fight against the Black Dragonflight and Twilight Cult in order to break through and defeat the enemy at their own attack site, fighting against new enemies with new tactics and armor to penetrate and adapt to, you will find yourself overwhelmed by the awesomeness inspired by these lovely zones.

Vash'jir

The sunken city of Vash'jir is one of the largest zones out there and is completely underwater! Not only is there three-dimensional combat but you must show awareness of your surroundings as Whale Sharks can patrol the area randomly, which are effectively death warrants as they hit for about one million damage! (The average Health currently in the Cataclysm Beta is 50,000) It will be great discovering the vast wonders here as the beautiful zone takes the game to a completely new level!

Huge Gear Reset

A huge gear reset means that some of the most powerful gear in the latest expansion is nearly obsolete by questing green items, providing substantial bonuses to all statistics for some people, but also causing dissent from other raiders whom will be saddened to see their most unique gear utterly wiped out by the new statistic Mastery and its Gear.

Mastery and Adapted Statistics

Mastery, a new stat, increases your effectiveness in your talent tree in a variety of ways, dependant of each one, will help each class differently by both choice of specialization and the difference in specializations themselves.

Stamina

Due to the simplified statistics, Stamina now has a larger gap to clear and now evens out Health between Cloth wearers and Plate tanks, the tanking aspect coming from defense and crit immunity via talents.

Intellect

Now counting as both Spell Power and your mana count on armor, you will be able to store huge amounts of mana as each spell cast has a larger punch.

Spirit

Now only used by healers, this will allow regeneration of mana and thus sustainability in combat as even large amounts of mana will not let it last for too long.

Spell Power

Only persistant on weapons now, to slightly even out the amount of Mana to how hard a spell would hit, large to huge amounts of Spell Power can be stored on a weapon.

Attack Power

The same as Spell Power, except for mail / leather wears you gain two Attack Power for every one Agility, but for plate wearers, you gain two Attack Power for every one Strength.

Strength and Agility

Mostly the same as Intellect, depending on the class using it. Agility will work for leather and mail wearers for maximum efficiency on Attack Power however plater wearers will benefit most from Strength.

Harder Difficulty

Throughout the expansion of Wrath of the Lich King, displease and anger has arisen from more veteran members of the Warcraft Community, believing the general difficulty in the game has settled much lower and has allowed the game to be completed much easier. In Cataclysm it has significantly reverted back into a harder difficulty in comparison.

Crowd Control

Crowd Control, used to literally control enemy units and thus stop them from essentially killing you is nearly definately required in this expansion as enemy healers or special units will make it too difficult to kill others, thus stopping the damage output, keeping the damage input, and slowly killing the party.

Not as Much Area of Effect

Area of Effect spells were largely used in Wrath of the Lich King, spreading over the pack of enemies and quickly killing them, this is not the case in Cataclysm as enemy units will be special, and may be able to sustain from that damage. Yet crippling that enemy may be possible to open up this strategy.

Cinematic Usage

Cinematics are being used much more in Cataclysm, be it in Dungeons or question, this allows more movie-like scenes to take place and better presentation of gimmicks and tricks. This can also be used to tell you what you may need to do in order to progress further, or simply story telling. For example:

Throne of Tides

Showing the entrances opening up, telling you to progress into either one of the two of them.

Gilneas Starting Zone

After managing to toss a barrel onto a lumbering zombie abomination, the Prince of Gilneas (a fantastic marksman) shoots the barrel and effectively decapitates the blind combatant.

New Races

New races are introduced, one for each faction, this allows wider range of customization and some racials may prove useful to some people and classes:

Worgen

Essentially Werewolves, these transformed monstrosities have learned to control their inner nature and harness the fighting potential of this form. Allowing a short-term sprint, and better skinning abilities, these Worgen characters may prove useful for money making professions or a class that requires some extra mobility. Alliance only.

Goblins

Goblins, bomb-loving engineers of Kezan, have developed a natural ability to create chemicals and twist the rules of magic and (dyna-)might to create their own tools of profit and destruction. Receiving some of the best deals anywhere, an Alchemy upgrade, rocket boots and even a servant banker, these will be excellent for Banking Alternative Characters (used to store gathered items into the bank). Horde only.

These characters will be welcomed into their respective factions and thus may prove useful to new and old guilds planned in the Cataclysm.

Guild Changes

Guild mechanics will make everything easier for the people in them and will come with significant benefit the better you guild is.

Guild Levels

Your Guild will now level up as your loyal members play Battlegrounds, create Raids or simply questing will accumulate to your guild experience and your own personal reputation.

Guild Reputation

Guild Reputation, specific to each character will be the allowance of what you can buy from Guild Vendors, however it isn't just reputation you, yourself require, it is also cooperation amongst your closest allies.

Achievements Unlock Rewards

As you achieve Guild Achievements you will slowly assemble an effective Arsenal of utility items and consumables which will further buff your gellow members in gathering even more awards. Guild Achievements will require the achievment being completed with the majority of the people whom participated must be guild members, so you cannot slip past at all. Specific rewards need specific achievements. For example:

Alliance Guild Lion

A lion mount showing your prestigious level after unlocking the Guild Achievement - Guild level 25 (currently the maximum level for guilds), with tabards on its sides and war armor to accompany you into the battle.

Horde Guild Scorpion

A scorpion mount earned through the same method and achievement as the lion, with heavy carapace defenses and exceptional speed, a battle charge of these poisonous animals will leave a sting on whomever is in your way.

Graphics

Enhanced graphics will increase immersion amongst World of Warcraft fans:

More Realistic Water Images

Water looks much more slick and real as it sifts through sand like real waves without looking hard.

Sunbeam Effects

Your character (or any object, for that matter) will now provide sunbeams when blocking light in the right angle, allowing much more brilliant presentation of Machinima's and incredile immersion as you travel.

Summary

Cataclysm seems to be going in the right direction, tightening tensions between the two player factions and seriously lowering the margin for error in Player vs Enviroment situations, it seems to go back to its roots of World of Warcraft and The Burning Crusade. If you are a World of Warcraft player this is obviously a must have and possibly one of the greatest expansions ever!

Fable III

For any of your Role Playing Gamers out there, you've surely had a game you've wanted to play over again, but ever a third time? Maybe a fourth? However many times you will want to play a game, this one will be the most changing and exceptional one for you!

A New Continent?

Fable I and Fable II were both purely based in the land of Albion, shrouded with mystery and history in both games, however the third of the game introduces a new - hostile land in which you will probably have to fend off. Little is currently known about this place, Aurora, but they threaten your newly acquired Kingdom and it is your duty as King (or Queen) to deal with this situation - however you want.

I Can Feel It

In this game, the sympathy generated from Fable III has escalated to an entire new level! You can now touch people in a way never before done in previous RPG's. You can grip the criminal or carry the child and anything in between. This will allow more realistic actions done that do not look comically silly (yet halirious in some cases). You can even hold hands with a girl/boyfriend, not usually with...



Gloves, Wait, What?

Now, magic is done with two different gloves you can gather, through stealing, buying or as a reward you can get new Gloves which can level up and generate a specific element of magic you will use to combat foes. Each glove will combine with the other to make a suitable single-target spell or one with an area of effect, make a very fluent and powerful cast which will leave your combatants devastated!

How Will I Wear Them

Your throughly British butler (voiced by John Cleese) will assist you (without a Gaming User Interface) with your costumes in your very own dressing room! Complimenting your fascinating suits or cracking a joke at how stupid it may be. At least you can see how it will look on you before you equip it.

Speaking About Equipment

You don't just use magic to assist your bloody battles, guns and melee weapons will be returning with a much greater aspect of morphing and leveling.

Weapon Morphs

That's right, your weapons change and develop as you do! As you begin using your sword it will slowly be getting sharper and sharper until it is eventually maxed out. Not only that, but its appearance changes on whom and what you kill. Be it killing wolves, it may transform into a giant fang. Or it could be a massacre of innocent civilians cleansing your tool of destruction with blood dripping down it - or a giant bloody fang what make it look really cool. Types of enemies will change it and mixes may be a very intriguing thing. But that isn't to say they forgot about your character.

To the Extreme

One of the very attractive changes is the 'Extreme Emote', allowing you to sprout wings which itself looks varied depending on your stance (good, evil, pure, corrupt - you are permitted any combination of good / evil and pure / corrupt). Use this to strike fear into your minions or to spread love amount your most devout citizens, even a serious combat effect maybe used using this very threatening mechanic.

More than One New Continent

You can also visit other peoples Kingdoms and check out their fantastic or disgraceful intentions, cooperation with another player is also spread further as it enables the two of your to spread as far out as you want without the need to stick together, allowing more free movement and fun gameplay montages. Even if you don't see them again, you can always give them something to remember you by...

In-Game Trade

You can now trade weapons and armor to people you meet online with much more specialized gear, making each item unique and thus valuble will be very important on Fable III, it will be great to see people online bargaining for great items. Possibly even more Kingdom-like resources...

You're the King!

You have always been a hero one way or another in the Fable games, yet even after 550 years your dragon-slayer ancestor isn't so well remembered, now however everyone will know of your deeds and be recorded throughout history. You may be able to trade slaves and coal for different resources online - that is, of course, if you tolerate slavery. Of course, you cannot simply start as King...

Your Evil Brother

Your evil brother, Logan, has usurped the throne from your father / mother from the previous Fable game, buy by sinister means. Learning of this at adult age, you begin your journey to lead a revolution against the horrible tyrant. Of course, people put under such pressure may fear the consequences of such an alliance, you will need to encourage them...

Promises

Everyone has been there when you promise something, forget about it and question if you had at a later date when confronted by a friend. You may need to do the same here to both gain power and maybe maintain it. People will seek to obtain their supposed awards when they come to you asking what had happened - it will be your choice on what to do. Of course, bad times with Logan may have instilled desparate measures for some people now homeless and unable to survive, something as serious as lying to his majesty will seem a small price to pay. You can also choose how to confront this.

Free Gameplay Style

As King or Queen it is your duty to protect the people and lead them, but how? Will you openly suggest what to do and receive the support of your loyal followers, or will you be in your study at night finding a small financial gap you could use to complete you wine cellar? If you are challenged by someone will you take them into your castle and have them executed, or will you challenge them into your new arena and battle it out in fight-to-the-death to determine if you are worthy of such a role.

You Can Play Morally

To a degree this game will prove a useful test for moral questions, not only that, but it will be able to simulate some proper consequences for your actions, and it will not only be what you do - it will be how you do it also. Decide how you deal with the people and adjust according to their reactions, you may need to voice it slightly differently to that in which you actually intend. Politics is a tricky business, a much more grand scale than your previous characters...

Big Decisions Make Big Changes

Whether it be the tax amount or the dealing with the local landlord, you will always change how something works somewhere with every action you do, and it could go as far as flip the table on the specific area in terms of poverty or prosperity. You will need to be cautious about this if you want to let it last.

It Will Last!

This, is just through one play. Imagine being able to do this 50 times and each time it will come out differently? Maybe first you be good at the start with a fang as a sword, then you be evil with a bloody fang. Next you could be evil all the way through, with a flintlock rifle with an unrecognisable trigger. There will be a series of weapons and a series of changes unique to every weapon, making hundreds - maybe a thousand different combinatons you can use, and that is excluding your own physical form!

The Summary

With amazing changes to the very unique world of Albion with every game, this one has taken one of the biggest steps yet! If you've been looking for such an astonishing RPG game with some unique history (such as the name Albion itself) you will be impressed indeed. Fable III will be for PC and Xbox, coming out October 26 for Xbox - but there is not yet a date for the PC version.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Throughout all Call of Duty games there has been a history of adrenline, bloodshed and entertainment - this one will be no different. Introducing even more fun and interesting mechanics that will keep you thinking as you search for the next combatant to defeat.
First off, there will be new game modes, this allows a much more varied style of gameplay which you and friends can choose, one being as Rambo as the four new Free-for-All gamemodes or as cautious as the recurring search and destroy situations.
We'll start with some Free-for-All gamemodes:

The Wager Matches
Like poker, these awesome gamemodes will be very addicting and even more fun. You and everyone else bet money on whether you will be in the top three or not - if you win, you get the money, if you lose however, you go broke! Temptation to survive will be key in these games, but you will also be risking profit.

Secret in the Chamber
Tensions will rise and caution shall be brought as this gamemode is ridden with melee and stealth combat! A single pistol and a single bullet, if you kill him? You get their bullet, if you miss, you will need to melee. However if he manages to eliminate you first you will lose your first of only three lives.

Sticks and Stones
True to its name, this gamemode uses more unorthodox weaponry to destroy your rivals. Armed with only a crossbow, a ballistic knife and a tomahawk, you will gain points with all weapons. However the Tomahawk (equal to the Modern Warfare 2 throwing knife) will do much more. If you are able to toss your tomahawk and it strikes an opponent, all of their points are stolen and given to you, skill is not the display in this game, as in the last minute the player with 0 points can very simply turn on your with the tomahawk and utterly wipe out your hopes of ruling the game!

Gun Game
A more advancing game, this will keep you up or put you down if you're there at the start - if you join midway throughout this playthrough they may not be so forgiving.
You first start with something simple, and basic, like a pistol, you need to get kills to get better weaponry (e.g pistol -> akimbo -> shotgun) and use it to further your points even more, points are not necessary in this game - making it so unique. The quicker you manage to obtain these progressive weapons the quicker you can rout destruction and panic amongst your lesser foe.
To win this game all you have to do is get the top tier of gear, but there are their problems - what will happen if you kill that enemy with an assault rifle? Will it switch to a sniper putting you off balance or will it give you the LMG suitable for your massacre? If you get caught out at the wrong time and someone manages to melee you will be taken back a tier, which could skew off some chance of getting to the top, you may always use this twist to your advantage.

Sharp Shooter
More progressive and equal-oppurtunity than the others, you all start off with the same weapon, however the clock is ticking, and eventually your accustomed and favored tool of devastation may become your bane as everyone swaps out for new gear. Perks are involved by killing enemies, if you die, your perks reset and must be earned again, if you manage to get a large enough killstreak you will be enabled a point multiplyer, making every kill count.

Another is the mentioned CoD points, these help you unlock weapons that you will use to continue the war, so satisfaction, tension and blatant rivalry will share its presence in the Wager Modes,  and even gamble it all in a double-or-nothing with the Sticks and Stones gamemode? Remember - these are only free-for-all and there are many others you can choose.

The New Currency

For those a little bored with the limits of experiance and ranks, there's no more need to be! CoD points currency are very important as it allows you to move at your own pace and gather what you need to complete your specific mission. First, they are responsible for essentially everything that made a Call of Duty game unique - perks are bought using this currency, weapons are bought using this currency, and even contracts are (more on that later)! Attatchments will no longer be unlocked via challenges but will instead be bought, allowing you to immediately jump into the action familiar to your weapon and truely showing your preferance!
Not just this, but Perks will also create a unique appearance for your online avatar, showing off the traits and styles you are comforted with and what they may need to adapt and survive against the onslaught. Beneficial to allies for recognition or spotting the assassin that picks off your comrades.

Like a Mercenary

If you choose to put your style to the test, you can even buy contracts, these are like challenges however you must buy them using the CoD currency and reap the rewards if you have the abilities to do it - in the time limit. That's right - you must do it in the game time given to you, which allows much more competitive fighting and can put your skill to the test. These contracts will have the consequence of money, experience or even both! It will be your decision of whether the price (and risk) is worth it for everything else you can gather.

Theater Mode

Yet what will be the point of this excellence if you can't show your cunning to friends? Well, new to the CoD series as well you will be enabled a Theater Mode! Being able to record your game in any perspective you would want, how you want and when you want will truely show off the finesse of your cunning strategies. Machinima and frag movie makers will flock to this marvel of fluidity and oppurtunity it grants.

I See you...

Of course, you will want to look your best on camera, a new item in Black Ops that will work a little like a claymore - able to watch an entrance for people, except it will be more persistant and stealthy. Being able to see the enemy ahead of time and knowing when to strike will be key in many of the above said game modes, this does exact the same with even more coolness in the theater.
To look your best you will have perk specific appearances and even facepaint to strike terror or to inspire valor to friend and foe alike, and they can be different per class.

Your Weapon is Your Own

And even if this was enough to astound you, you will be able to represent any and all clans your allegiance is with by using the new customizable weapons! Icons, skins, colors and dimensions (and dimensions colors, etc) can all be changed and adapted to best show the nature of your clan, placeable anywhere visible on your weapon which will be shown to other players as well. Imagine putting in your lion head sniper on the field, to be killed and your enemy stealing such a treasure to find the markings 'P.W.N' under the mane, true ownage.

Combat Training

And if you're not the one for Singleplayer because of the lack of comfort with the community or the basic intentions behind it all, you can always practice with the new Training System. Supposed to give player-like strategies and realistic situations in the world of CoD, you will adapt and quickly gain an upperhand against tougher enemies, learning unique spots and 1-upping your reaction times.

The Summary

Even if you are not a true CoD fan, you shouldn't miss out on the uniqueness granted to the player by Treyarch. However, if you are, you will be speechless at the recurring tricks and weapons in previous CoD games still integrated in the new one with equal immersion and more supreme graphics. New to shooting games or not, the customization and freedom of pace is very interesting and exceptionally useful considering the lovely return of Dedicated Servers and Lean for the PC!

With new maps, new weapons and entirely new ways to get them, you will want to get this action-packed game and join in the fun which hopefully more than twenty-million people will have. This is Pred and his second post on one of the swiftly coming games!

                    



Age of Empires Online

Revitalising experiences from the Age of Empires franchise, this game will keep you on your toes as you fight through familiar battles - with even better gameplay!
Showing a more cartoony style in the reborn series, Age of Empires Online shows a much more bright and longer-lasting future than it's predecessors and will introduce superior Strategy than any other game! Allowing greater customization, incredible animations and very familiar gameplay, this will draw in every RTS veteran to come and try out the entirely new world!

It's Still the Same

First, the core-gameplay of the classic Age of Empires game series is still there. Mostly following from Age of Empires I - Age of Empires II this will still benefit from any and all lessons learned throughout the clutching gameplay ! You will be delighted to see the return of many units spiced out from Age of Empires I to Age of Mythology, following the same philosophy of its previous installments, from the Hoplite to the Hetairoi, you will know exactly where they stand and how they fall! Despite the lack of Real-Time Strategies there is still great variety you will find, and even more with Age of Empires with superior customization, incredible returning and astonishing resource management as it were in the previous ones!

       Need Some Advice?

Advisors, a more key part of the game, will focus on what advantages you want for each Age you advance in, allowing varied gameplay styles and unpredictable outcomes of any waged war, this will keep you on your toes by itself! Each age will unlock a passive bonus - specific to the advisor, be a regeneration of health for units or a new unit altogether, this will define your true nature as you clash with other civilizations for control of the ongoing world!

Gearing Up!

There is also gear integrated into the game, enabling you to permemantly enhance your units as you see fit, to make the best out of every role you can possibly assign! Prepare your scouts to find the enemy and the gear they very visibly wear, and then prepare the suitable armies deliberately formed to influence the outcome of the glorious battles ahead! Be it your archers sniping infantry from hills away, or your cavalry flanking the enemy ranks and splitting their crumbled forces, you inhabit the style you wish!

Technology

To increase skill, personalization and overall limits on your vast empire, you are not all-knowing, and thus not all-powerful. Enemies await for war and for that you will need Technology! It is not as simple, however, you choose the path to take and further specialize your ambitious or cautious tactics as you destroy or bow to your rivals. You can choose to unlock new defensive structures or create the foundation of a mobile attack force with greater stables.

Decisions and Friends

The great game will introduce a very free-style campaign system with approximately 95% of the missions available in Co-Op mode with friends, establish a solid strategy to overcome your arrogant foe or die in the mist of battle alongside your ill-prepared men, for fun - of course. In either case this will allow you to take on more challenges and some may not even be possible without a significant alliance. Whilst you can choose to do this with a friend, you will still reap impressive rewards that benefit the recent upgrade of mechanics, from leveling up (and thus discovering more technology) to getting resources and advisors that will persist with you through the ongoing world in your travels!

Home City 2.0?

Within your Capital City (for those who've played Age of Empires III, it's similiar to the Home City) you can produce resources used to make consumables (like Age of Mythology God Powers) or recipes for better gear for greater warfare! Consumables have equal change in the fight as you have variety in them and can be essential to regaining strength from a crippling situation. A small sneak attack using these exceptional items can turn the tide of battle in unlimited ways! And yet, you will not be able to gather every resource - with so many resources and so little specializations, you will need allies. Close allegiances will allow pure power to stretch through the veins of your awe-inspiring empire as you trade your abundant resources for the rare materials you seek.

The Summary

A complete summary of this is essentially Age of Empires II, I and a spark of Age of Mythology, this game seems to follow down the name of 'Age of Empires' with the exception of variety in civilizations - currently, only one - the Greeks. However the serious lack (for now, at least) of civilizations is swiftly repaired with the addition to many Massively Multiplayer Aspects which buff the game beyond words!

Any price this will make will be worth it, and due to digital distribution there seems to be more doubt of a subscription fee to maintain right to play this most impressive game, if that's the case then you absolutely need to try this gorgeous art out!