Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Mature Content Review

"Don't stare, I haven't grown horns. Take it as a token my good faith"

Baron 

If you came for perverted stuff, then you were fooled by the misreading the title. The Witcher series are one of the few games that you have to be over a certain age to purchase because of its mature content. This time of around, the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is less tongue and cheek and more adventure and mystery.  In the the Witcher 3, you won't see a hero with a series of events telling his path to good deeds and instant fame.  Instead, you see a story of a man that makes right and wrong choices and has to live with the consequences and losses.

Story has always been one of the Witcher series strong point.  In this latest installment to the series,the Witcher 3 doesn't disappoint. You are introduced to Geralt's closest relationships and past stories recapped.  The tone of the story is mature and grounded.  In this installment story is driven by finding your lost love instead of saving the world.

Most of the story is revolves around a world infested with monsters and your duty as witcher to rid the villages intelligent monsters like a succubus saying it acted out of self defense or a greedy demon posing as a God not killing but swindling dumb villagers out of wares.  You must choose wisely and plan your choices because often you may find your good deeds carrying a deep unexpected bad consequence.  This sense of choice and consequence carries into the quest design making each quest feel meaningful.  Simple tasks have many great stories and adventures for you to experience.

There is a strange emphasis on the sense of discovery.  Many quest only become available as you explore the world and encounter random strangers in danger or in need.  To facilitate all this exploration, Geralt has become more mobile than in any previous witcher games.  Climbing rock world, sailing a boat, traveling the countryside by horseback, swimming through underwater caves over a more tangible sense of connection to the enormous world.  Controls during some travel sequences become buggy like horse racing and deep sea diving, so thank God for the fast travel option.

Combat is challenging.  You have to adapt to the enemy.  You must observe and wait for a chance to attack an enemy or create you own opening with a parry or essential dodge.  You have five magical signs to use for combat in addition to your swordplay.  Using Aard to push enemies back or using trap signs to paralyze enemies is key to defeating an enemy.

New ultimate forms like using shield to regain heath or continuous stream of fire will aid you in overcoming challenges.  You have the usual tool such as bombs and potions to aid you as well. There is an element of preparation that will make you the more effective in combat.  You can study the monsters weaknesses in the beastology, craft better weapons and armor in order to enhance your chances of victory or mere survival.

A new addition introduced in the Witcher 3 is hunting monsters thru investigative sequences.  Adding a Sherlock Holmes element of deductive reasoning by explaining clues, studying blood trails, and using signs to allow you piece together events that lead you to the answer of what happened to a victim or where a monster is lurking. The is another playable character named Ciri that has her own set of abilities and storyline that add to the mystery of Witcher's 3 world.

Yes there are brothels and steaming S&M full frontal nude sex scenes if you play for that, but there is more to the game than that. The Witcher 3 has over 100+ hours of gameplay, themes of personal character presenting the player with choices and consequences that aren't trying to make the character a hero but a human that learns from his choices and action.  It's one of those games that make you think and wonder "what if". Being one that loves to have my brain teased I give the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt a 9.5/10

7 Days to Die, content Alpha 12.0 update announced

The answers to gamers prayers were answered. Several issues in 7 Days to Die alpha 11.4 patch will be fixed in the alpha 12.0 update. Developers promise to fix dedicated server crashes and add performance tweaks that were the root cause of many problems. Also, developers added new features that beta testers have suggested. Source of the updates come via a 7 Days to Die developer's blog named http://joelhuenink.tumblr.com/.

The first major update that I am excited about will be the craftable minibike. Also shown is a motor bike temporarily dubbed “Duke’s Hog” which will be added later. It will be upgradable with armor. You can optionally upgrade it with a storage basket, horn, and headlight. The headlight eats battery power so turn it off when you park the bike or you might end up with a dead battery.

Here is a shot at the new steel pickaxe. It’s an improvement to the iron pickaxe. Steel crafting is gated by a rare book.

The use of predator animals will also be integrated into the challenge of surviving in 7 Days to Die. The bear is the first predator that will be gamer new challenge. Instead of hacking him in like we did the other animals, we are redoing how we import animals, which will give them detailed ragdolls and collision. So head shots on animals should be possible, and leg shots to zombies is coming too.

Developers announced a major effort to overhaul the sky and here is a first look. This will also include a time setting to where you can set how long your day is, so in Alpha 12 gamers can loot until about 9 or 10 again if you want.  There is a rumor that there will be weather changes in the game, so expect to see rain affect the conditions you survive in. 

Here is a WIP sunrise we are working on as developers improve the sky and fog. They’ve recoded sky (instead of using a unity asset store sky) and fog from scratch so it works better with the horizon. Fog will be controlled by weather instead of just fixed per biome and time like before. Developers also added repair to some missing clothing items, added quality range to clothing and have the leveled loot tuned in very nice. On day 25 gamers will still be very busy looking for things and working to survive the hordes.

Other updates: new rubble system. Basically most all blocks have a high chance convert to some kind of scrapped version of themselves, like concrete turns into rubble, metal turns into scrap metal piles, and wood will turn into scrap wood. 

New Dragonball Z TV series airing

After 18 long years of waiting, the information arrived today! Toei Animation will produce the new Dragon Ball series, entitled Dragon Ball Super (Japanese title; tentative for English release)!

Overseen by Akira Toriyama, the series will debut on Japanese screens in July 2015 on Fuji TV.

Direct sequel to Dragon Ball Z, the series will bring together all the characters and tell their adventures after Son Goku’s fierce battle against Majin Buu.

Toei Animation Begins Production on Dragon Ball Super
Drawn From a Plot By The Brand’s Original Creator, Dragon Ball Super Is The First New Series In
Eighteen Years

TOKYO (April 28, 2015) – Toei Animation has announced production on Dragon Ball Super (Japanese title; tentative for English release), the first all-new Dragon Ball television series to be released in 18 years. Following the recent events of the hit feature film, Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’, Dragon Ball Super will debut in Japan in July 2015.

Reuniting the franchise’s iconic characters, Dragon Ball Super will follow the aftermath of Goku’s fierce battle with Majin Buu, as he attempts to maintain earth’s fragile peace. Overseen by Dragon Ball’s original creator, Akira Toriyama and produced with Fuji Television, Dragon Ball Super will draw on its historic past to create a bold, new universe welcoming to fans and endearing to new viewers.

Introduced as a manga in Weekly Shonen Jump (published from SHUEISHA Inc.) in 1984, Dragon Ball has evolved into a globally beloved brand. Seen in more than 70 countries, with over 230 million copies of its comic books sold, Dragon Ball remains one of the most popular anime series of all time.

“Having loved Dragon Ball since childhood, it is very exciting to be a part of this project,” said Osamu Nozaki, producer for Fuji Television. “Mr. Toriyama has developed a plot that’s not only a dream come true for Dragon Ball‘s millions of fans, but one that will foster in a new generation of viewers.”

“When I joined Toei Animation, one of my first assignments saw me working on the production of Dragon Ball Z,” said Atsushi Kido, producer for Toei Animation. “While there for only a short period of time, being a part of the series left a lasting impression. We look forward to carrying on Dragon Ball‘s tremendous legacy, bringing audiences a brand new Dragon Ball with the same sense of heart and commitment that went into past Dragon Ball productions.”

“I’ve used the word ‘cho’ (super) in so many commercials, games and other media, it is fantastic that the long awaited Dragon Ball Super will finally begin,” said Masako Nozawa, Japanese voice actress of Dragon Ball’s Son Goku, Son Gohan and Son Goten. “I hope that this series will last a long time and have the same impact around the world as its predecessor.”

Hideo Kojima Firing was a Hoax?

For gamers like me that were disappointed to see Hideo Kojima departure from Konami, we can breathe a sigh of relief.

According to Vamien McKalin of Tech Times the voice actress Donna Burke stated "Konami is correct in that Kojima has not actually been fired. As I stated previously he and his team are still working hard on getting the game out. My sincere apologies to Konami, Hideo Kojima and the fans for giving the wrong impression.

I was trying to add my voice to Otsuka-san pleading with the fans to not abandon MGSV because of the stuff happening at Konami and to throw my support behind Kojima and everyone who has worked over the last five years and is working to make this game the greatest ever."

The take away you are suppose to get from reading this is that the rumor of Kojima being fired was really a marketing tactic to increase buzz for the new Metal Gear Solid Game coming out. Developers hoped that consumers would buy the game believing this was Kojima's final video game and his gaming artistry would be over.

Silent Hill Canceled Evidence to Prove It!

For gamers like me who were excited to see Norman Reedus from the Walking Dead, Guillermo del Toro from Hellboy and Pan’s Labyrinth, and Hideo Kojima from Metal Gear series working together on the new Silent Hill, we have been disappointed tonight.

It was confirmed by Del Toro in a statement when asked about the status of Silent Hills, the upcoming title in the long running Silent Hill series from Konami. His answer to the question was, “It’s not gonna happen and that breaks my greasy heart.”

To me, I knew the game wasn't going to happen just because of the disgraceful and dishonorable firing of Hideo Kojima at Konami. Obviously, Kojima can't finished a project if he is no longer working for the company.  I hate the way business politics always leaves visionaries like Kojima on the short end of the stick.  Below I listed more pieces of evidence to support Silent Hill was cancelled.

The first evidence the Silent Hill project was cancelled came from the game's playable teaser demo being pulled from the PSN store a few days ago.  The second evidence came from Norman Reedus himself on twitter saying the Silent Hill project was over.  The third evidence came via news from Del Toro saying the project wasn't happening.

It's a sad day in the gaming world.  I feel like this is foreshadowing for more bad news to come. 

Prison Architect Alpha Game Review

I got another simulator game off steam this week titled Prison Architect. The basic concept of this game puts the gamer as an owner and manager of a private prison where you take income from housing various prisoners ranging from minimum to maximum security.

First off this game is addictive, and I never understood how prison was a business until now. Prison Architect gives you complete control of constructing the prison from the ground up to creating and managing the infrastructure that helps run the operations of the prison.

Some of the details that this game reveals about how the modern prison's are ran and operated shocked me. I learned to use government grants to help fund projects like researching mental health and wellness initiatives to making hiring decisions on my staff that benefited each business unit such as hiring a warden with a psychology background and education to ensure the mental health of the inmates is satisfactory. Then you have to employ regular and temporary staff like cookers and maintenance to help maintain the prison and prisoners.

What impressed me the most was the social science aspect of pairing certain inmates with each other. Certain inmates will feel more comfortable with other inmates and as a leader or manager having influence over the social interactions can ensure the consequences are satisfactory or unsatisfactory based on if you want that prisoner to make it.  Random shake downs and increasing the security staff are preventative measures that can be taken to ensure less internal crimes occur.

I enjoyed placing metal detectors in the cafeteria and at the holding cells to ensure the prisoners do not steal tools that would help them escape or endanger fellow prisoners. The game allowed me to add workshops to the prison as well as reform programs that reduced the specific prisoner's repeat-offender rate.

One interesting piece I liked about the game were incident reports and the micromanagement of operations the player can utilize in order to increase effectiveness of staff performance. The player tells the prisoners what to do indirectly by setting their schedule.  By setting a schedule you can ensure performance is maintain to optimum levels.  Making prisoners feel comfortable and providing them with the opportunities helped reduced crime and turnover ratio for early release.

After playing Prison Architect, I felt in control of building a corrections system that provided my staff with stable work and prisoners with an education that helped them reform and become productive citizens upon release.  I can't wait for the final version of the game to be released. Right now, I give Prison Architect a 8.5/10.  

Working on the partnership with Google

Sorry guys hadn't been posting in a while lost my card and needed it to get my Adsense activated.  We're back in business all blogging back up to normal and marketing going full force.  All Sponsors are welcome and if you like my post hit that subscribe button to stay updated to your favorite black video game blogger

Honest opinion of Mortal Kombat X

Well it's time for a honest review of a franchise that desperately needed a revival.  So, The true question is did Mortal Kombat X deliver?

Let's begin with the obvious that you will play as your favorite characters from the past ten games of the Mortal Kombat series.  The difference this time is that the game progressed a few decades and characters like Jax, Sonya and Johnny Cage have offspring that can fight. One notable additon to the roster is Jax 's daughter Jacqui Briggs.

The reason I brought this up is Jacqui Briggs is the first black female fighter to enter the MK series.  Her moves are a merger of Her dad Jax and Sonya for some reason.  

Now for the game review.  I must admit the game is solid from the single player story mode which I found very good to the MMO mode.  Mortal Kombat X fighting system is fluid almost as innovative as the old days on the Sega Genesis.  Mortal Kombat returned to its roots with passing the torch to the next generation as its true objective. 

Mortal Kombat X was a reflection of my life in many ways.  We have to realize we won't be around forever but getting things in order so that that the machine keeps running is our purpose.  With that being said, Mortal Kombat X was dependable and delivered results when the company back was against the wall to make this project successful.  I give Mortal  Kombat X a 9.0/10     

Read this Word find to determine your self esteem

In this word find, the first three words you see are suppose to deternmine how you feel about yourself.  Post the 3 if you feel confident. Mine are:

1. Outspoken 

2. Beautiful 

3. Smart

Indie Video Games in Alpha Stage I'm Playing

I've gotten some critics saying I don't use AP formats when I write reviews.  All I have to say to that is that I write like I talk to my friends.  Some of my friends and followers ask what do I do when I'm not playing the lastest games.  Well, I'll share a side hustle of mine, I beta test indie games and do playthroughs for alpha versions of games that have not been released yet.  Here are my top three:

7 Days to Die
It's a good game that most don't know exist.  The game revolves around being a survivor of a nuclear near Navazgane, AZ.  It's a survivor horror game where you have to hunt, craft weapons and shelters while fighting hoards of mutants or zombies.  The game's hard challenge is don't get caught outside at night because the hoards are insanely hard to beat or outrun.  The open world of 7 Days to Die is destructible.  I don't know if it was a glitch but I literally had the roof cave in on me when a hoard of mutants attacked the home I was in.  I only played the single player mode so far, and I will explorer the multi0player mode once I make more gaming friends.

H1Z1
My friend actually told me to try this one out.  He has a successful channel, but i won't plug it because he makes like $250,000 at year off youtube and twitch doesn't need anymore advertising. This is the most popular alpha game out there.  I played a few versions of the game, and I have to admit I like the progress developers are making.  H1Z1 is a survival horror massively multiplayer online (mmo) game that puts in a small city and rural area with 100s of zombies and other players.  The main challenge to me is surviving the other players or the player vs player environment(pvp) .  When someone says "I'm friendly" never believe that because 100% it's trap for his friend to snipe you.  The main goal of the game is looting homes, camps, and buildings for gear to help you survive.  You can find car parts and drive around the map, but a shotgun to the radiator or hidden hump on the street will immobilize you quick and cause instant death. There are options to build bases and loot lockers.  The last time i played it that was all you could do with the game, so I hope more will be added later.

Reign of Kings
I played this game a few times, and the racism of players in the community was annoying.  Moderators and admin have gone a long way to keep it clean, but it threw me off a bit.  Reign of Kings is a medieval sandbox game that allows you collect resources, craft gear, hunt and claim the throne as king.  As king, you can raise taxes on resources and maintain the kingdom.  This game is one where you need friends because defending the throne or even walking around the open world is difficult.  It's a fun game with a lot to offer, but the only down side is other players that exploit the game.  It's early but I believe with a few mods the game will have a lot of interest later on.

I play anything I get for free, so if you want me to play your game and review it.  Send it may way.  I got a fanbase of 400,000 around the global.

Battlefield Hardline

Is it just me or does battlefield and call of duty release a game every year?  All jokes aside here is an interesting direction that the battlefield franchise is taking for the gaming experience.  This time the battlefield is the corrupt drug and crime filled streets of Miami, FL.

Battlefield Hardline plays as an episodic series of chapters that detail the rise and fall of Nick Mendoza, a street smart cop with moral dilemma that most battle between his values and the perks of corruption.  In each episode, the player is guided by Veteran Detective Khai Minh Dao voiced by the sexy Kelly Hu.  

In the storyline you gain a sense that Nick does not know who to trust.  Several characters on the side of justice such as his partner Detective Dao  plays both sides: justice and corruption.  This is where I felt the Battlefield Hardline became too Miami Vice meets Hawaii Five-O, and the game becomes a bad action movie.  Then the turning point of the game seem to make the choice for you, and you became the anti-hero.  I can't say too much without spoiling the ending, but you'll get a sense early on how things will turn out.

There was a lack of open world exploration, repeat enemies and arrest motion that made the game seem linear.  The voice acting and action sequences were kick ass but nothing new.  I have to say the game lack innovation.  It was a stereotypical action game, but that's really what you get from the Battlefield series most of the time.

Overall, I enjoyed Battlefield's attempt to take gamers somewhere off the battlefield, but more design was needed in order to make this a memorable game.  Other than few bugs here and there that can be fixed with patches, the Battlefield Hardline was a solid game.  Due to a lack of innovation and open world exploration like Batman Arkham City, I have to give Battlefield Hardline a 7.7/10.