Oldy but Goody...Devil May Cry HD Collection

Yes. This game has been out for a couple of years, but I never had a chance to try it. Since I am a DMC fan, I wanted to talk about it.

DMC HD Collection comprises the first 3 DMC games but they are updated with sharper graphics. In essence, the games are exactly the same as they were back on the PS2. For those who never got to experience the rushing excitement of the games are in luck; especially those on the 360. This game is intended not only to show the games at HD quality, but to introduce newcomers and reintroduce former fans of the series.

Pros

• All 3 Games in One- This game will give you hours of enjoyment as you can play any or all of the 3 games.
• HD Quality Graphics- This game sports sharper visuals for those who can't stand to look at the awful composite cable quality, and they look impressive.
• Minor Updates- By this I mean Capcom decided to help newcomers by making sure the game is balanced. For instance, the 1st game had its difficulty reduced slightly. Also DMC3 is the special edition, so slight difficulty change and the ability to play as Vergil.
• Trophy/Achievement Support- The 3 games also support trophies and achievements. If you are a trophy/achievement hunter or like to add a little challenge, well there you go. Each game has there own set of trophies/achievements so you don't have to finish all the games to get 100%.

Cons

• Camera Problems- The DMC games in the past had their usual camera problems, and unfortunately they are still present in the HD Collection. There're going to be times where you have to fight against the camera.
• Can't Switch Between Games- The odd thing is while you can play all 3 games from the start, you can't switch between the 3 games while in game. If you want to play another game, you have to re-launch the entire HD Collection to switch. It may not feel like a big issue, but it makes the games feel disjointed.

Overall DMC HD Collection is a game great for those who want to take a trip down memory lane or want to understand the story. For fans who already have the games on the PS2, I say you are not missing much and not too worth buying for updated graphics. However, if you don't have any of the games or the usual case, a Xbox 360 gamer, this is definitely worth buying. This game gets a final score of a 8 / 10.

E3 2014 Recap

This years E3 turned out to be as extravagant as last year's. For the most part, it was similar to how everything was last E3. The event started Monday, June 9th with the traditional press conferences from the main industries, Sony, Microsoft, Ubisoft, E.A., and Nintendo. The following 3 days were dedicated to the floor show previews and interviews with directors and producers. This year's content was no different and proved to be incredible.

Electronic Arts

E.A. was one of those press conferences that was somewhat big, but not as much as the big three. Also considered by many as one of the worst companies, it was worrying on how E.A. was going to get themselves out of the fire. E.A.'s press conference was overall a little on the short side, but did had some titles that may help them out in the near future. Some of which include...

• A teaser trailer look on Star Wars: Battlefront.
• Fifa 2015.
• The Sims 4 with a look on emotional status.
• Rumors about a new Mass Effect.
• And a look on the new Battlefield: Hardline, at judging from what we saw has a stronger emphasis on cops and robbers.

Ubisoft

Ubisoft kicked off things pretty great and has a lot more hyped games compared to E.A. Also they are considered a second-hand company much like E.A. compared to the big three. Again on the short side, this company tried to get as much content in the short time they have.  A lot of the hyped games from Ubisoft include...

• A look on Just Dance 2015, which looks like it will allow community uploads to showcase your dance moves.
• A look on the new installment of Assassin's Creed: Unity. They gave us a explanation on the controls and how co-op was going to be played out.
• And the biggest game, Far Cry 4, which gave us a preview on the mechanics, the environment, and an explanation of the multiplayer feature. The multiplayer was unique in that players who even don't have the game can join in on the fun.

Nintendo

Nintendo has had a rough year. Even though they are a member of the big three; the disappointing sales of the Wii U, Nintendo has been in a financial struggle to keep going. Unfortunately like last year, Nintendo had no press conference but instead opt for a online digital event. Though there was no press conference, Nintendo had some great games that can hopefully bring about selling more of their consoles. Some great titles shown were...

•  Super Smash Bros. 3DS. We got a look on the fighting and some of the characters in this popular franchise.
• Mario Maker, which allowed players for the first time ever create their own 8-bit levels.
• A glimpse of the long awaited Bayonetta 2, also showing a cross promotion with Bayonetta dressing in attire from other Nintendo characters.
• And a new Zelda game, which focused on creating a more open world feel as well as the possibility to allow players to play Zelda.

Microsoft

Microsoft, another member of the big three, did a complete 360 (no pun intended) in what was showed last year.  While last year was more of a focus on the T.V. concept and the Kinect, this year focused on the games. However, even when discussing the games for the current console, there were still questions about the current state of the Xbox 360 and the Kinect, as well as P.C. games. Nevertheless, the press conference was amazing. They showed the audience games such as...

• Forza Horizon 2 and look on the new engine and a dynamic weather system.
• An original game known as Sunset Overdrive.
• A look on Halo 5 as well as a collection for the series that allows players to experience the journey so far.
• And the overly hyped installment of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. We got to look at a long demo of the game mechanics, some of the weapons, and the impressive graphics.

Sony

Sony has surprisingly been on top of the gaming industry with the successful sales of the PS4, making them the leading company. Even after just 6 months, Sony has sold over 7 million units of the PS4. So it was no surprise that they were going to have a great E3 this year. For the most part, the main focus was the new games, but also discussed some of the technology like the PS Vita T.V. and Project Morpheus, but that is a discussion for another time. With the new games, I believe Sony will continue to gain success for many years, including...

• Destiny, a FPS with solar system theme.
• The Order: 1886, A war game in an alternate timeline featuring monsters.
• Little Big Planet 3 and the look on the new team system.
• A demo of Mortal Kombat X of how the new gameplay mechanics are more outstanding than the last installment, taken a page from Injustice.
• A preview of Batman: Arkham Knight with the glimpse of the graphics, gliding mechanics, and combat with the new Batmobile.
• And a trailer of the next chapter of the series; Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain looks to be amazing and have more of an open world compared to Ground Zeroes. We may also get hints of this game leading to the original Metal Gear.

E3 this year was more successful than last year and looks like the main game industries were trying to please the gaming community more than ever. For the rest of the trade show, it was dedicated to playable demos and interviews as stated before. While not all of our questions have been answer, this looks like a better year for the gaming industry and community.

Titanfall

Titanfall, made by Respawn Entertainment, is a FPS multiplayer game. The entire experience is played online in a team setting featuring a multiplayer campaign. People have been calling it the COD killer as it offers the same amount as a typical Call of Duty but with more benefits. The main feature in terms of combat is using mechs to make gameplay more engaging. Players can control mechs to complete objectives and help winning matches. This game offers a variety of ways to engage in combat situations.

Titanfall has a lot of great points that most people would enjoy and get their fun filled excitement.

Pros:

• Playing as either a mech or a pilot. You can play the game in a similar style of a ground soldier or use mechs to win your way through the campaign. Playing as a pilot doesn't mean your weaker, but offers new possibilities. As a pilot you have parkour abilities and transverse the maps in a unique way. As a mech, though you can't jump or dodge, acts as a stronger soldier. There are even different types of mechs with their own abilities. You can even customize the pilots and mechs to give them some originality.

• The level design is amazing. There are a good amount of maps, 15 to be exact. The map are a great size, for the purpose of this game and don't rely on tight spaces. And the way the levels are designed, they can allow for movement across the map with the use parkour.

• Added Minions. Minions are AI controlled and they are the grunts of the game. Though they are not highly responsive against human players, they are purposefully added to make battles last. As opposed to FPS multiplayer games where you spend time searching through the map finding players, Minions help alleviate the problem.

Unfortunately, the game is plagued with some downsides.

Cons:

• Small teams. The game only allows up to 12 players in a game. The map size and amount of fast-paced combat could easily have allowed for more players, at least 18 in my opinion.

• Lack-luster game modes. For a game that brings a new concept to combat, the game modes are the same typical modes that you would find in any other FPS. Mostly they are the team deathmatch type with some alteration, and a few objective base modes.

• Multiplayer campaign is bad. Probably the most criticized thing in the game. The "campaign" so to speak is nothing more than multiplayer matches with story elements thrown into it. The story within the campaign is not entertaining at all, and with the distraction of playing the game and listening to voice chat, you will most likely ignore all the dialogue and just play the game. The campaign is also short and can be completed in a few hours. Also the game has scripted moments that don't seem to change the overall result of the battle no matter what you do. Obviously this was just tact on to say Titanfall has a story.

Overall, the game is highly outstanding with the new FPS elements. However, what brings it down is it's lack of connectivity in the world of Titanfall. If the game had original game modes and a single player story instead of a multiplayer story, along with polishing the story to fit the identity of Titanfall, this game would outshine other FPS games by a long shot. Does this game outshine Call of Duty? In my opinion, it is about the same enjoyment for different reasons. This game is still amazing and you will have tons of fun. If you want a good narrative game, this is not for you, but for good FPS action, this is a must buy. I give this game a score of 8 / 10.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

The tenth installment of one of the most known series in gaming, Call of Duty: Ghosts is the turn of the next generation of gaming. Available for the last and current gen consoles, this game feels like the start of something new. What comes with this game is the usual campaign and multiplayer aspect that we are familiar in the past, however there is more here than what the previous games gave us.

Pros

• Cross gen Availability
• This Call of Duty is available for the PS3, PS4, 360, XBOne, Wii U, and PC, which gives the consumer a number of opportunities to play the game on their console of choice.
• Engaging Campaign
• The game's main story has a lot of potential. There are no "fork in the road" type of missions, but instead returns to the classic linear campaign. However, The game takes the combat to everywhere. Land, sea, sky, the moon. Everything is thrown at you. And not to spoil the ending, The game's final moments are not the traditional endings you see in the past games.
• New Mode Squads
• Squads is the newest mode in the game. It offers a variety of things to do. You can customize your squad with names and loadouts. You can refine your skills with a gameplay similar to a practice mode. You can take part in a wave-like survival mode similar to MW3's survival. You can even go head-to-head against other players' squads.
• Improved Multiplayer Loadout
• Everything seems to be different in terms of multiple customization. Instead of one soldier to level up, you have 10 soldiers to level up. You can also create soldiers of your liking, even female characters if you want. And for the most part, weapons, perks, streaks, etc. are unlocked with the help of squad points. Squad points are similar to the unlock tokens from BO2, but you get them from continuous play, and the cost depends on what you are buying.
• New Mode Extinction
• Extinction is another new mode in the game. The best way to explain this game is similar to Resistance 2's Co-op mode, or combining survival with objectives. This mode seems like the Zombies of Activision. The game features a group of soldiers fighting against an alien threat. Currently there is only one chapter, however it is safe to say that there will be more with the upcoming DLC.
• Clan Wars
• Clan Wars is a new way to play multiplayer. Similar to Leagues in BO2, Clan Wars, in a nutshell, allows users to create clans, have people join, and compete against others with clans to win loadout items and other prizes.

Cons

• Multiplayer Issues
• There are some issues regarding the multiplayer section. First off, there are not that many game modes. Some of the fan favorites, like Sabotage, Demolition, and HQ are not in the game, which is a let down. In game, there are issues with spawning and the overall map sizes seem to expansive. Its like they are trying to mimic Battlefield's map sizes.
• No Multi-path Campaign
• While the story is impressive, some have argued for a campaign with multiple endings like BO2. And while that would be great, I just preferred the way the campaign ended. Having another ending would throw it off.

Call of Duty: Ghosts started something new and seems to be the key to making the next gen consoles and even the next game in the series more successful. Let's face it, the last few CODs have been okay, but nothing extraordinary like when COD4 first came out. While there are fans who wish the series would stop when they are on top, Call of Duty: Ghosts might be able to bring the franchise back up. I will give this game an 8.5 out of 10.