Might-and-Magic
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360 to get both Mighty and Magical
Yet more Ubisoft news today, as Eurogamer discovers that Arkane Studios' Dark Messiah of Might & Magic is headed to the Xbox 360. Powered by Valve's Source engine, the game will be a port of the original PC title, with the additional subtitle, Elements (does every game have to have a subtitle these days?). For those unfamiliar with the game, it is a first-person RPG that's heavy on fantasy action. It's worth noting that the game received decent reviews on the PC, though many complained of lots of bugs. Here's hoping everything is ironed out for the 360 release. See a trailer for the PC version after the break.
Heroes V: Hammers of Fate goes gold
Strategy fans will have no shortage of new releases to pick from this holiday season with expansions available for Empire at War, Battle for Middle-earth II, and Dawn of War. If dwarves are your preferred faction, you'll be pleased to know that Hammers of Fate -- Ubisoft's first expansion pack for Heroes of Might and Magic V -- has gone gold and is on target for a Tuesday release. Independent fan site Age of Heroes has some unofficial details about our bearded friends, as well as the new renegades for hire and neutral units that debut in Hammers. Which strategy title is at the top of your list?See also: Metareview - Heroes of Might and Magic V
Metareview - Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
If you're debating whether or not to purchase Ubisoft's Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, the extreme range of reviews for the new RPG-shooter may leave you even more confused. A few things to consider: IGN issued their score without reviewing Dark Messiah's multiplayer, and Game Informer didn't seem to experience any of the technical glitches that marred GameSpot's and GameSpy's sessions. If you haven't done so already, you might want to download the demo, then wait a few weeks and see what other customers are saying. Game Informer (93/100) enjoyed the Arx Fatalis-style atmosphere: "The ancillary aspects of the game – exploring Dark Messiah's fantastic world, enjoying the plotline, and simply basking in the great ambiance that Arkane Studios has created – are savory distractions that never get in the way of the core gameplay." IGN (88/100) loved the combat system: "The mix of brute force, spell casting and blade-work work well together. Combined with the ability to lift boxes, barrels, crates and a host of inanimate objects, you're never short of something to hurl or a clever way of inflicting pain." GameSpot (67/100) did not love the combat system: "All told, the game's single-player has its moments but is often really repetitive. It's certainly not bad, but the story never ropes you in, the combat isn't very satisfying, and you never get the feeling that Sareth is growing more powerful as you play." GameSpy (60/100) had issues with just about everything: "Unfortunately, things like shaky enemy AI, meandering and unintuitive level designs, and a paper-thin plot make the game's brilliant moments seem way too infrequent. The biggest inherent problem with Dark Messiah's multiplayer is that all the cool Source physics elements have been gutted from it." See also: Metareview - Heroes of Might and Magic V
Win a Dark Messiah PC from Vigor, Logitech
Ubisoft's Dark Messiah of Might and Magic is now available, and the French publisher has launched a "Gear Up to Win" sweepstakes to promote its new FPS/role-playing adventure. The top prize is a $3,000 Vigor gaming rig outfitted with Logitech's G15 gaming keyboard, G5 mouse, and Z-5500 speakers. Best of all, the system's pimped out with Dark Messiah branding so that orc will be staring at you with his beady little eyes even when you're not playing the game. You have until November 30 to enter online.
Ubisoft shares Dark Messiah of M&M with Steam
Valve has been busy piling up games with hearts of gold in their increasingly popular, and increasingly cramped, Steam bordello. With the recent additions of Introversion's DEFCON and seventeen members of the burgeoning PopCap clan, Steam is really (steaming up/under pressure/on fire). Sure, a little service called Xbox Live ain't doing so poorly, but they're not delivering highly anticipated AAA retail titles yet, so there. Today, Valve announced a deal with Ubisoft to distribute their Source-based, first-person RPG, Dark Messiah of Might and Magic over Steam. More importantly, the release will be simultaneous with the retail release this October. Unlike Half-Life 2, which is distributed digitally over Steam and in stores by EA, Valve does not own this property, they're just the messengers. Ubisoft is acknowledging the demand for digitally distributed AAA content and using the largest platform they can find to promote it. We're still waiting on governement-distributed protein pills and personal submarines, but the third pillar of our future vision is now realized.Check out a video of Dark Messiah, and today's press release, after the break.
Dark Messiah web site relaunched
Ubisoft and Arkane Studios have relaunched the official web site for Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, the upcoming RPG-shooter hybrid set in the fantasy realm best known for its popular strategy series. In addition to a new interactive weapon guide and bestiary, the revamped site lets you play medieval hero and throw down with some of the game's creatures. The mini Flash game is not quite as disturbingly satisfying as EA's Black web site, but it's a nice touch. Dark Messiah ships Oct. 24.
Heroes V hits Macs for the holidays
The Heroes of Might and Magic series has long been a mainstay of Mac gaming, and Freeverse plans to continue the tradition by delivering HoMM V for OS X this Christmas. However, it is uncertain if Ubisoft's popular strategy title will ship as a native Mac app, or if it will come wrapped in TransGaming's Cider emulation software.Freeverse's Colin Smith had previously indicated the game would be a full blown port, but at the end of last week, he told Inside Mac Games that his company is now "actively evaluating" Cider for HoMM V. This would be an interesting test for Cider, given Heroes V's hefty hardware requirements, and it could be just what TransGaming needs to get their new portability engine off the ground.See also: Cohen on Mac Pro's gaming prowess
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic intro vid
The single player demo for Ubisoft's Dark Messiah of Might and Magic has been available for a few days now, and while Joystiq readers have applauded the Source-powered visuals and physics, they are less impressed with the game's AI. This is unfortunate, since both GameSpot and IGN spoke favorably of the gameplay in last month's previews. However, Arkane Studios still has another six weeks to get Dark Messiah into ship shape, and you can voice your concerns at the game's online forum. In the meantime, GameTrailers has posted the CGI intro for your viewing pleasure.
Dark Messiah demo now available
FilePlanet is now hosting a single player demo of Ubisoft's Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, scheduled to ship in October. Weighing in at a hefty 1.4 GB, the action-RPG from Arkane Studios has received high marks from demo users so far. For more information, visit Ubisoft's Dark Messiah demo forum.See also: A pair of Dark Messiah previews
A pair of Dark Messiah previews
With Ubisoft's Dark Messiah of Might and Magic arriving in two months, GameSpot and IGN have taken the lead in providing extensive previews of the Source-powered FPS-RPG hybrid. Both reviewers had a chance to play the E3 demo and were equally impressed with the efforts of developer Arkane Studios. Messiah appears to be solid in the AI department, while the battle effects and environmental interaction are also pleasing. Multiplayer previews will follow in the next few weeks.See also: Arkane sets up shop in Austin Dark Messiah enemy profiles, new screens Arkane discusses Dark Messiah
Arkane sets up shop in Austin
French developer Arkane Studios (Arx Fatalis) has announced the opening of a new office in Austin, Texas where they will focus on finishing Dark Messiah of Might and Magic. Speaking with GameSpot, Arkane founder Raphael Colantonio mentions Austin's rich developer talent and competitive labor costs as being key factors in their decision to open a second studio. He also hints at a possible MMO in the company's future.
Dark Messiah updated screens
IGN has posted a dozen new screens from Ubisoft's Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, featuring additional profiles of NPCs you will meet in your quest for the Skull of Shadows. The Source-powered FPS/RPG hybrid is due in September.See also: Dark Messiah enemy profiles, new screens Metareview: Heroes of Might and Magic V
Dark Messiah enemy profiles, new screens
Game Informer Online has 24 new screens from Ubisoft's Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, which include profiles of a dozen enemies featured in the game. Arkane Studios has done some nice work in the modeling department, but that necromancer on the left bares a striking resemblance to a certain villain from a galaxy far, far away. Must be the turtleneck.See also: Dark Messiah beta registration begins Dark Messiah E3 gameplay video
Dark Messiah beta registration begins
Ubisoft has launched their beta registration site for Dark Messiah of Might and Magic. If you're a fan of the Elder Scrolls and Thief games, Dark Messiah offers similar first person, fantasy-themed action in one of gaming's most enduring realms. GameSpot also has new screens and artwork.See also: Dark Messiah E3 gameplay video, Arkane discusses Dark Messiah[via RPGPlanet]
Heroes of M&M V updated trailers
Ubisoft's long-awaited update to the Heroes of Might & Magic franchise arrives next Tuesday, and two new trailers are available at WorthPlaying. The first trailer consists of some elaborate CG sequences and gameplay footage from HM&M V's campaign mode. During the second movie, Ubisoft producer Fabrice Cambounet demonstrates various multiplayer features including the new Ghost mode, in which you can direct supernatural agents to spy, haunt opponent resources, and even possess enemies. Stay tuned for reviews.See also: Download Heroes of Might & Magic V demo
Dark Messiah E3 gameplay video
GameTrailers.com has the E3 gameplay footage of Ubisoft's Dark Messiah of Might & Magic. This FPS/RPG hybrid is developed by Arkane Studios (Arx Fatalis), and uses the Half-Life 2 Source engine. In one of the various combat demonstrations, you'll see the main character go Sub-Zero on an opponent, and then shatter him into a million ice cubes. Then you'll take down a large troll using an impressive arsenal of spells and conventional weapons. Dark Messiah is scheduled for a September release.See also: Arkane discusses Dark Messiah
