More Computer Game Crossovers

Increasingly computer games have had a bigger influence on ‘offline’ gaming. 2011 saw big releases like ‘Gears of War’ for instance making the transition to baord games and HeroClix. What other big IPs can we see making the leap? Well, I’d really like to see much more done in the worlds of Elder Scroll series. Skyrim is a massive gaming hit (Previous versions have done equally well) and in my opinion needs to see much more coverage in card games, board games and traditional role playing.

Sci-fi mega hit: Mass Effect most definitely needs the offline treatment. Someone? Anyone? Makers Bioware were gracious enough to give Dragon Age brand to Role playing game publisher Green Ronin: which they called: Dragon Age: Dark Fantasy Role Playing (greenronin.com/dragon_age/). So why not Mass Effect? The mystery continues but I reckon there would be something in 2012 for Mass Effect fans.

Dust Warfare a Hit

The strategy board game, Dust Tactics has been going strength to strength. However, 2012 sees the release of Dust Warfare. This is a new take on the game which frees it from the grided board of Tactics and allows its whole raft of its cool miniatures to be played freely on the table top!

One of the biggest attractions of the game is commanding large attack walkers in your armies. It is unclear how the rules of the game will evolve but expect flowing game play to say the least. Rumours suggest that each player has commend points to spend during each turn. These points must be spent wisely to gain the upper hand on your opponent. Further pints can be spent on each unit and obviously for attack.

One final comment, with Veteran games designer, Andy Chambers involved we expect great things.

Star Wars Gaming to go from strength to strength

With Lucas releasing the film saga in 3D, the merchandise tie-ins are soon to follow. Episode 1 3D gets its cinematic airing in February but it’s the classic trilogy that the SDG staff are waiting for.

The classic Star Wars franchise comes back to the card game format with Fantasy Flight’s 2012 offering: Star Wars: The Card Game. This living card game features a whole wealth of card options for this co-operative game where the Rebellion must defeat the dark forces of the Empire.

Also on the horizon is a space combat strategy game which promises to capture the fast paced action of Star Wars space dog fights. Personally, I want to play the Tie Fighter squadrons in this set myself but this game is bound to be a sure fire hit. Expansion could be plentiful for this game and we expect a series this year to include Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon and dreaded Star Destroyers.

The Hobbit will rock

You’ve most likely seen the Trailer for the new Hobbit film to be released in December 2012. Expect a plethora of new stuff to come out from CCGs, Board games and other merchandise. Games Workshop are looking to re-energise its Lord of the Rings offering and it should release a table-top strategy game before the film’s release. The Lord of the Rings films released from 2001 to 2003 will most likely have new life breathed through them so new products should be launched including Lego sets and more from WizKids Heroclix range which is already out there.

Lord of the Rings HeroClix Campaign Starter is sold here

Warhammer 40k 6^th Edition released

Another big release for Games Workshop the cards?  Rumblings of the next edition of 40k have been gathering throughout 2011 and it is cited that GW will indeed release the next iteration of 40k doing the Summer.

The supposed 6th Edition box set have had intenet buzz talking of a match up between the Chaos Space Marines and the noble Eldar forces.  The rumour mill has been churning for potential rule changes including turn phase changes to make the action more ‘real-time’ for instance. I’m not going to speculate too much but it’s bound to be a high point for 40k fans!

No official announcement yet but with all the buzz I’d expect it to happen sooner rather than later.

There are some speculation that programming team Bethesda were working on a follow up to the hugely successful Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion back in 2006. Skyrim, on the other hand is a much different beast to its predecessors  that introduces dragons at the heart of the story.  At the beginning, your custom made character finds him of herself about to be executed in a small village of Helgen. However, the intervention of a dragon sends everyone scrambling to safety and of course, your character escaping to explore the wonders and threats of Skyrim.

What strikes immediately about Skyrim is its attention to graphical detail which sets some really high standards in RPG gaming. Where Oblivion lacked graphically in terms of facial characteristics and variation in landscapes and interiors, Skyrim blows its predecessor out of the water. Bethesada thought through a lot and it certainly shows for example with lighting and atmospheric effects that really does change the immersive experience when playing the game. You really feel the extra tension with the mists and fogs in the caves or the light streaming from a gap in the broken ceiling in a old lighthouse on the edge of Skyrim. When roaming the great snowy wilderness, you can see the wind blowing powdery snow off the tips of craggy hills. Streams of water run rapidly through lush green valleys. It’s a really great game to look at.

So what about the game mechanics? Bethesada did some rethinking on the game engine but the casting magic or swordplay remains largely the same. The revised third person perspective works very well and I do find myself alternating between the two play modes during combat and wandering. Players can fight one handed or use two handed weapons. Or if you prefer a little magic then spells can be equipped using the menu interface and used on either or both hands. If you want to upgrade your skills, you can fight more monsters that populate the world or speak to one of the hundreds of non-player characters that may be kind enough to teach you for a little gold.

Your character is essentially ‘Dragonborn’ meaning that you have special abilities such as the new Shout weapon which damages enemies by using voice. They can only be unlocked by standing at a special ‘Word-Wall’ but should be used sparingly as they take time to replenish. Other skills can upgraded via use of a constellation chart which plots the number of traits such as ‘Pick Pocket’ to various magic disciplines.  There are so many upgrades on the star chart and this reflects the time dedication required to play to improve your character’s skill levels.

The world of Skyrim is very well crafted with a functioning economy and diverse range of cultures and races inhabiting. An inn keeper for example may complain about the quiet business in remote areas. Whilst a bustling town may have competition everywhere. Difficult side quests and shady characters can be found in all corners but beware as people remember your actions so choose your path wisely! Caves dotted around the land provide equally good practice areas to level up and they are remarkably varied in look and feel. Sound effects are also well realised with the wind howls to every sword swoosh adding to the game’s quality. The music is so-so and those familiar with Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings soundtrack will recognise the odd nods to those tunes. Voice work is exceptionally good and doesn’t detract in anyway.

It’s probably excusable for a game this size and in this long length of development to brush aside the odd bug. However, Skyrim does have some stinkers which don’t put you off but you will find jarring. For instance, Bethesada spent all that time getting landscapes to look ultra-realistic but what the hell is that big solid black monolithic rectangle sticking out of the mountain?! Or better still, looking at the orange sunset over a quiet peaceful lake and out appears a red pointy bright red triangle bang in the middle! Hopefully, a few patches will get rid of these niggly bugs but they could’ve done better to iron these out.

The interface has been revised with a minimal look but this lacks consistency to the whole fantasy feel of the game. It’s also cumbersome to use requiring lots of scrolling especially when your character starts to acquire more items throughout your questing.

Overall, Skyrim is another classic in the Elder Scrolls series. I found the gameplay and plot both engaging and interesting. The graphics are sublime for an RPG and sets the bench mark high once again despite the bugs. Skyrim will take days and months to play properly but I’ll still wait in anticipation for further expansions and mods when they arrive! An excellent game which surpasses Oblivion in many ways.

It’s worth noting that Dragon Age and Gears of War have all followed onto tabletop versions of various guises. Let’s hope some company decides to bring Skyrim in a full role playing game or board game sometime soon.