The Xbox One X is not a small deal by any means. It is a powerhouse, one that not even Sony had possibly foreseen doing what it has, and bringing native 4K gameplay to a living room near you. In order to prove that they have what it takes for 4K gaming, Microsoft has doubled down, and has shown an exemplary display of love for video games.
[Credits: zinph1212 on DeviantArt]
Were you one of the many that missed out on Overwatch’s Summer Games event last year? We were too, but our chance has come to experience the games unique mode called “Lúcioball”, which will be making its return here rather quickly. For those unfamiliar with Lúcioball, the mode features two teams of Lúcio players as they dart across the map trying to score as many points as possible, and it’ll be the centerpiece for this years Summer Games as well.
So I’ve undoubtedly played a lot of Overwatch in the recent year(s). I’ve played even more since the games launch just a mere month ago I’ve been sucked into what Blizzard’s new fandom has created. From pieces of art, fan-made memorabilia, clothing options, and even computer setups. While the short-film’s have been nothing short of amazing, fans have decided to get in on what Blizzard has done effectively well in order to give their games backstory some water, and even get players to enjoy the game outside of the game.
In turn, YouTube user Izach has managed to pull off an amazing AMV that sits so perfectly well that Blizzard may want to consider this guy for marketing. His anime opening is astounding and has had me on edge watching it over and over again; mostly because I now want a CGI movie of the game to explain more of the lore. We’re talking a full blown movie made within the games engine to produce a high quality film for us to enjoy.
About the Writer:
Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.
The Overwatch beta has been out for a few weeks and I’ve been lucky enough to participate in the fun. Blizzard is planning their stress test this weekend, which will include another round of beta invites on Friday.
For those of you who aren’t familiar, Overwatch is a multiplayer first-person shooter in development by Blizzard Entertainment. The game shares similarities with Team Fortress 2 but incorporates MOBA style cooldown abilities that can be skillfully executed.
Overwatch currently has two 6v6 objective based modes where teams either defend or attack. There are currently 21 unique heroes with varied abilities that fit into four role types; tank, support, defense and offense. The defense role currently has two smaller archetypes, sniper and builder.
Blizzard’s UI offers suggestions for a defense and an offense team but at this point in the beta many teams consist of what each individual wants to play. There is a built-in VOIP that isn’t often used strategically but seems well put together. There is also a text-based chat box. You can immediately tell when you are playing a match against a team communicating and working together, while your team consists of four or five of the same ‘offense’ hero.
Thankfully, if the game is a slaughter, it is quickly won or lost. More commonly, both teams have synergy and are working the objective. These matches are magical and are incredibly addicting.
There are certainly heroes who are too powerful and will most likely be tweaked but overall the game feels balanced. Some heroes are played more often than others but within a few rounds I’ve seen every hero played. I’ve rarely tried a hero and thought it felt weak or boring. I, infact, had the opposite reaction most of the time I learned the abilities of a hero (usually warranting expletives – in a good way).
At the end of the match, a player is acknowledged for “Play Of The Game” video recap. Four players are recognized for exceptional skill and you can view your personal scores. A scoreboard showing your team’s scores is not currently available and I’m unsure it will be in the final version.
The maps are beautiful and colorful. They are thoughtfully put together, connected with the heroes’ stories and have an almost “Pixar” art style. The Hollywood map is part of Hollywood Boulevard and a film studio, containing a sci-fi film set with aliens, and an old western film set. Map Hanamura, located in a Japanese suburb and temple, is sprinkled with vibrant, falling cherry blossoms. Map Dorado is located in the Mexican city, Dorado, and is a night map, lit up by the warm glow of street lights.
The Overwatch team has made sure there is something interactive to do, while you wait for teams to build or matches to start. When teams are forming you are able to explore a map and exchange fire with the other team, in a deathmatch style mode. No scores are kept during this time and when the teams are full it will pull you out of the map into the character selection screen. This was surprisingly refreshing and allows you try out characters you haven’t played before.
Overwatch is great. It is fast-paced, fun and challenging. The only thing I am concerned about when it comes to the beta, is that it will end soon.
Overwatch is set to release in 2016 on PC, Xbox One and PS4. Find out more information at PlayOverwatch.com.
About the Writer:
Annie is an avid gamer who takes her love for gaming to the written format with her thoughts, opinions, and discussions regarding games in their current state, but as well as the industry. With her insight to PC gaming, Annie is one step ahead of the team, and looks to keep it that way.
You may have heard not long ago the brilliant minds over at Blizzard Entertainment had ditched their previous title only known as “Project Titan”. In doing so they decided to leave some of the PvP elements very alive and with that we’ve gotten to see a spectacular take on the FPS genre. This take is one of the most anticipated things to get ready to hit the FPS genre.
With blizzards well known rather highly stylized team-based mechanics, Blizzard gives us their take on a very near-future Earth. One that will pit players in intense multiplayer shootouts using a diverse cast of characters that range from heroes to scientists, oddities, mercs with guns, and even scientists in this epic globe-spanning conflict that seeks to tear the world apart. Well we think so anyways.
With its bold cast of characters that host amazingly unique abilities, players will fight across familiar locales, teleport around enemies, jump on top of hoverbuses in London, and even dive find themselves battling it out through the bazaars in Egypt (Diablo anyone?).
But how many heroes will you get to see blowing up terrains, throwing out unique abilities, and even executing impossible maneuvers? 21 characters to be exact. Each of them coming with their own abilities, mastery levels, and even their unique spin on having a personality. Tired of playing one character? That’s fine! Switch it up mid-match in order to bring the pain to enemy teams from going from the mysterious ninja Genji to the teleporting former British test pilot Tracer in order to teleport, drop bombs on enemies, and even reverse time to get her out of horrible situations.
Overwatch will pit teams of six players against each other in objective-based locales set around the world. Each of them putting iconic players into the light while fights move from streets, to rooftops, to open skies and even locations never seen before while each team fights over distinct mission objectives in order to win.
Want to experience it? Good, Blizzard has set up eight locales that are playable at BlizzCon 2015 with plenty more to come.
Overwatch has officially been announced for the Microsoft Xbox One, Sony PlayStation 4, and PC in 2016. The game will cost 59.99 USD according to GameStop’s placeholder on their website. As for MAC users? Blizzard has stated that the game will not be launching on the platform at this time.
About the Writer:
Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.
If you’re one of those that have been eagerly awaiting Blizzard’s twist on the MOBA genre you have some good news coming your way. As of today, Blizzard announced on the official Overwatch website that the beta will begin October 27th in a Closed Beta format. What does this mean? First of all, you’ll need the Blizzard App on your computer, you’ll need to head over to the official Overwatch website and apply for it.
This group of testers will have access to the beta at any given time, Blizzard will also be monitoring the game for bugs, errors, etc during this period. During the larger test weekends, we are sure that the company will be bringing in larger groups in order to see how well the servers hold up with larger crowds having access to the game to test server quality.The stress tests on the servers will be by invitation only and will require fans to be invited if they aren’t already in the Beta. These streamlined tests will include limited maps, characters, and even game modes.
For those of you who want to run it, you will need to run Windows and have the Battle.net app on your computer. As we stated, you’ll need to register for the beta and read the fine print to ensure that you follow their required guidelines – you can do that over at the Overwatch website.
About the Writer:
Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over onTwitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.