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Best of the Rest: Earnest's picks of 2014
ATTENTION: The year 2014 has concluded its temporal self-destruct sequence. If you are among the escapees, please join us in salvaging and preserving the best games from the irradiated chrono-debris. Forza Horizon 2 Don't let the checkered flags and supercars speeding from point to point fool you, Forza Horizon 2 is not a racing game. It's a driving game; a game that's equally entertaining whether you're speeding from point A to point B in a pack of supercars, or languidly navigating a scenic highway on the Italian coast. Say what you will about the game's less-than-realistic physics modeling (the polite term is "arcade-style"), but developer Playground Games absolutely understands what makes cars cool. Driving endless laps around a tarmac track might work for NASCAR, but vehicular works of art like the Lamborghini Aventador need equally picturesque surroundings. Southern Europe works nicely, but the impressive bit is that Playground Games managed to capture all the aesthetic highlights of the region in a relatively small space tuned explicitly for racing. It's a good thing the setting works so well, because once you've arrived it's hard to leave. Not just because the driving mechanics feel so right, and not because the game's leveling system is fiendishly moreish, but because the virtual world is stocked with a truly vast number of races and events. 120 levels in, I've seen maybe 20 percent of what the game has on tap. At this rate, Forza Horizon 2 isn't just one of the best games I played in 2014, it's probably going to be one of the best games I play in 2015 too.
Telltale Games Collection hits Xbox One, 5 seasons for $55
Here's an early Christmas present: The Walking Dead Seasons 1 and 2, The Wolf Among Us, Tales from the Borderlands and Game of Thrones, all bundled together for just $55 or £35. That's the cut-down, half-price offer available to Gold members on Xbox One, courtesy of the new Telltale Games Collection. If you've yet to wrack your nerves over the agonizing, split-second choices of Telltale's recent adventure games, that's a decent price for 5 seasons and 26 episodes of content spanning 4 very different adaptations. In terms of what you can download and play today, the bundle includes all the episodes from the first season of The Wolf Among Us, the complete first and second seasons of The Walking Dead, and the debut episodes of Tales from the Borderlands and Game of Thrones. Like the rest of us you'll have to wait for the remaining episodes of those last two series, but they are covered by the season passes that come with the bundle.
Joystiq Weekly: Telltale takes on Minecraft, Xeodrifter review, broken games and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. Telltale Games looked at Minecraft's build-what-you-want universe and decided to build an episodic, narrative-driven game instead of a crummy castle like the rest of us. At this point, we wouldn't even be surprised if Telltale Games' next project is a narrative-driven series starring Samuel the rock ... it would probably be well-written, too. There's a bit more to this week's recap beyond Telltale's latest reveal though, including ports of the last two Devil May Cry games, free games for those that own Assassin's Creed Unity's season pass, a review of Xeodrifter and an assessment of recent high-profile, broken-at-launch games. All that and more is waiting for you after the break in this edition of the Joystiq Weekly!
Minecraft: Story Mode game series from Telltale, Mojang
Minecraft: Story Mode - A Telltale Game Series is an episodic, narrative-driven game series based in Minecraft's blocky world, coming in 2015 to PC, Mac, mobile devices and what Mojang calls "Xbox consoles" and "PlayStation consoles." We've reached out to Telltale for clarification on platforms. The game has an original storyline that is influenced by the choices players make, similar to Telltale's other offerings, Tales from the Borderlands, Game of Thrones, The Wolf Among Us and The Walking Dead. "Telltale's game series will mix new characters with familiar themes, in an entirely original Minecraft experience, inspired by the Minecraft community and the game that continues to inspire a generation," Telltale writes. Mojang offers a little more detail about its approach to story on its blog: "We're not intending on creating an 'official' story for Steve, or explaining the world of Minecraft in detail. It will be a cool game." Mojang revealed the collaboration with a mini-game called Info Quest 2 (which is fairly adorable). Microsoft completed a $2.5 billion acquisition of Mojang in November. [Image: Telltale]
iPhone, iPad tell Tales from the Borderlands, out now
Telltale's games can take their time to reach iOS, but the smartphones and tablets haven't had too long to wait this winter. Game of Thrones hit the App Store in the game's launch week, and now the first episode of Tales from the Borderlands is available for iPhone and iPad, priced at $5. As for Android, last we heard both games are due later this month. The adventure adaptation of Gearbox's series takes place after the events of Borderlands 2, with players starring as Hyperion hopeful Rhys and Pandoran pretender Fiona. The first episode, "Zer0 Sum," is one of five comprising the series. If it tickles your fancy on iOS you can pre-purchase the remaining four parts at 25 percent off ($15) via the Episodes menu.
Game of Thrones Episode One review: Baptism by ice
Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PC, Mac, iOS The good news about Telltale Games' Game of Thrones is that it is very, very Game of Thrones. It captures perfectly the machinations, intrigue and violence that are the hallmark of the show - which is why, of course, its fidelity to its source material is also the bad news. You can say all the right things and still have everything go horribly wrong, your fate changing irreparably because of someone's malicious whim. It makes for a faithful adaptation of the popular HBO show based on the even more popular series of books, undoubtedly filling some players with despair and others with a fire to claw their way to the Iron Throne. Telltale's Game of Thrones absolutely assumes that you are not only familiar with the show (or the books, potentially, though the game is very much based on the world created by the show, using voices and likenesses of the cast) but also fairly up to date. Without getting into spoiler territory, when the game begins, Joffrey isn't married, but Robb Stark is, and if the significance of either event is lost on you, you'll be baffled by most of what happens in the episode. The game makes no effort to explain to newcomers what a Maester or Septa is, why cozying up to Tyrion is not without its complications, or why it would be bad to be brother and sister the way Jamie and Cersei are. It doesn't take a devotee of the show to grasp the import of bad people tormenting decent people, but the nuance will be lost and, in Westeros, nuance is often the difference between life and death.
Telltale dishes ominous Game of Thrones launch trailer
The debut episode of Telltale Games' latest adventure game series premieres this week, and the newly launched trailer above offers a glimpse at its beguiling cast. Game of Thrones Episode One: Iron from Ice introduces House Forrester and details the events leading up to the War of the Five Kings, taking players on a quest that involves familiar locations and characters from the HBO drama series. Game of Thrones launches this week for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PS3, iOS devices, and PC platforms. Our review goes up later today. [Image: Telltale Games]
Winter is coming - Telltale's Game of Thrones releases December 2
Telltale Games has revealed that Game of Thrones: A Telltale Game Series, its adaptation of/contribution to HBO's Game of Thrones universe (which is itself based on the A Song of Ice and Fire books by George R.R. Martin) will arrive on PC, Mac and American PS4s on December 2. The following day, it will release for Xbox 360, Xbox One and European region PS4s. Finally, on December 4, the citizens of Westeros will come to iOS devices. In case you haven't been keeping up with the Targaryens, the first episode, titled "Iron From Ice," will introduce House Forrester, an ally of House Stark. The Forresters, appropriately enough, rule over the largest forest of ironwood in Westeros. Ironwood, you see, is a very tough, dark type of tree that grows in northern Westeros, including the wolfswood. Judging by last week's teaser, House Lannister is watching the Forresters with keen interest. Um. You may want to wiki some of this before next week. [Image: Telltale Games]
Tales from the Borderlands Episode One review: Busy earnin'
PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Mac, iOS, Android You should probably know who Handsome Jack is. That's really the only advice I'd give to anyone looking to dip into Telltale's latest episodic series, Tales from the Borderlands. Granted, Borderlands doesn't have the most sophisticated lore, subsisting largely on dick jokes, pop culture references and lots of screaming jerks, but suffice it to say that you don't have to be intimately familiar with Gearbox's first-person shooters to appreciate Tales. If you know that Handsome Jack is a villain, perhaps heard his smarmy voice in a trailer or two, you should be fine. In other words, regardless of your level of Borderlands experience, Tales from the Borderlands is a witty, well-written adventure with broad appeal. And yeah, there's a dick joke or two.
Tales from the Borderlands rollin', rollin', rollin' out today
The first episode of Telltale's Tales from the Borderlands hits Steam across the globe later today, as well as PS4 and PS3 in North America. Next up are the Xbox One and Xbox 360, with worldwide releases due tomorrow, November 26, and December 3 respectively. Last but not least, PS owners in Europe also join the episodic party on December 3. As for prices, on PlayStations and Xboxen each individual episode is $5. On PSN there's the option to purchase all five episodes in a $20 season pass, while on Xbox Live you can get Episodes 2-5 in a $15 season pass upgrade. On Steam the asking price for the season is $25, which you can bring down to $22.49 with a pre-purchase. Finally, Telltale's previously said the first episode should hit iOS and Android before the end of the year. To see the launch trailer in action, move 'em on and head 'em out past the break. Also, that title is not referencing Limp Bizkit - you guys are just the Durst.
Game of Thrones' Steam page brings screens, prices, Dinklage
If you're hoping for Telltale's Game of Thrones to debut this month, you're probably out of luck. While the first episode of the six-part series is due before the end of this year, a new Steam listing pins it for December rather than November. Still, the Steam page does bear fruit in the form of official screens, a series price of $30, and 10 percent off pre-purchases. So far Telltale has confirmed appearances from four stars of the TV show: Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell), Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Snow) and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister). For all the attention he received for his voice work in Destiny, deserved or otherwise, it'll be good to see Dinklage bringing one of his best characters to gaming. And hopefully, more of his best gifs (head below the break).
Game of Thrones teaser offers a Stark reminder: Cersei is evil!
In fairness to Cersei Lannister, you could argue most of the characters in HBO's Game of Thrones would register 6.0 or higher on the Richter scale of Pure Evil. Yet when it comes to House Lannister's leading lady, every word drips with ice-cold vitriol, and every sentence veils her poisonous cunning. In other words... she's evil. Evil! All of which makes her perfect to introduce the first official teaser for Telltale's Game of Thrones adaptation - you'll find the video below the break. As it suggests, actress Lena Headey reprises her TV show role in the upcoming game series, as does Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell and Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Snow. And of course, Peter Dinklage ghosts in as Tyrion near the end, confirming we'll see at least one other Lannister in the game.
Game of Thrones confirmed for Xbox One, PS4; story details
Telltale's Game of Thrones series will launch with episode one on Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, PC, Mac and iOS "soon," Telltale says in a blog post. The game was previously announced for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, though today's post notes that additional platforms will come later. The game picks up near the end of season three of HBO's Game of Thrones television series, and will end right before the beginning of season five. It uses the world created by Game of Thrones, rather than an original take on the A Song of Ice and Fire novels written by George RR Martin. The story focuses on House Forrester, and throughout the season, players will embody five members of House Forrester, either as direct family or servants of the House. "Playing as five characters not only reflects the epic scope of Game of Thrones, but is also something that the player needs to be mindful of," Telltale writes. "This is because the actions of one character can ripple out to affect the rest of House Forrester. Multiply the actions of one character by five, and you're truly playing the Game of Thrones ... where you win, or you die."
Telltale's Game of Thrones teases are getting graphic
Telltale Games has tweeted another teaser for Game of Thrones: A Telltale Game Series, its upcoming video game adaptation of George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels. "There's squids in the Wolfswood, and flayed men ride the Kingsroad," reads the newest promo image, which prominently features a flayed man. The flayed man is the sigil of House Bolton, a family with long and complicated ties to House Stark. Meanwhile, the squids referenced by the text seem to point to House Greyjoy, enemies of House Bolton and House Stark - though honestly, in George R.R. Martin's universe, simplifying anyone's relationship down to "enemy" or "ally" never really seems accurate, as there's far too many schemes, plots and backstabbings to know who's really on whose side. The Greyjoy sigil is a kraken; a giant squid-like creature. Piecing together all of the above clues, it seems that Game of Thrones will take place in Westeros' northern lands. Or maybe not! We know there are a lot of Game of Thrones fans here in the Joystiq reader community, so why not let us know what you think this teaser implies in the comments? [Image: Telltale Games]
PlayStation Experience's first batch of attendees revealed
The PlayStation Blog has revealed a portion of playable titles that will appear at PlayStation Experience, a fan event in Las Vegas that will feature panels and "hundreds of titles to play" from the PlayStation family of consoles. We've slipped a full list of known appearances from studios and demos after the break, but there a few things worth noting explicitly. For one, PlayStation Experience's list of playable games includes Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series, a multi-year project backed by significant names that we've yet to catch a glimpse of. While No Man's Sky is not listed as a playable title, the PS Blog notes that "something super special" is planned for Hello Games' vibrant, procedurally-generated space adventure during the show. Santa Monica Studio, Naughty Dog and Guerilla Games will be in attendance, and while they could just be showing previously-released games, there's always Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, or the chance of something new happening during a panel or presentation. We wouldn't mind hearing more about God of War 2 Director Cory Barlog's reunion-esque project with Sony Santa Monica, for instance ... If you're able to attend and are 18 or older, PlayStation Experience will run from December 6 - 7 at The Sands Expo and Convention Center. As previously announced, single-day passes will cost you $50, with weekend-long access priced at $90.
Telltale's Game of Thrones stars five playable family members
In an interview with the UK's International Business Times, Steve Allison, Telltale's senior vice president of marketing, let slip a crucial detail about the developer's upcoming, largely mysterious Game of Thrones adaptation. "In Game of Thrones we're taking that multi-protagonist design even further with five playable characters from the same family whose choices affect everyone in the family, and that adds a whole new layer to things that we're really excited about," Allison stated. He makes no mention of which family that might be, nor does he name any of the five playable characters, but Allison's comment still stands as one of the more comprehensive details we've learned of the game to date. Despite this dearth of information on Telltale's adaptation, Allison reiterates recent claims that Game of Thrones (and Borderlands spin-off Tales from the Borderlands) will be released by the end of the year. "We are on track to launch both premiere episodes of Tales from the Borderlands and Game of Thrones before the end of [2014], so stay tuned." [Image: Telltale Games]
Tick-tock, Telltale: Game of Thrones still due out this year
Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series is still scheduled to launch in 2014, though there's no solid release date just yet. Telltale PR Specialist Laura Perusco confirmed the date to a fan on Twitter asking about the Xbox version's due date. @RatedR2012 No specific release date announced yet, but I can confirm that the season IS premiering later this year. :) - Laura Perusco (@lauraperusco) October 24, 2014 Time is running out this year – Halloween, the final day of October, is on Friday, and then it's straight into two final months of holiday madness. We still don't know what the Game of Thrones game looks like or what storyline it will follow, though Telltale has dropped two hints: The Ironwoods and clan name Forrester, both with the hashtag #IronFromIce. [Image: Telltale]
The Walking Dead stumbles to PS4, Xbox One
Both seasons of Telltale Games' episodic adventure The Walking Dead are now available digitally and at retail on Xbox One and PS4. Retail versions of the two seasons are also out now for Xbox 360 and PS3. At least, this is the case for North America; European players will have to wait until October 31 for the Xbox One and PS4 versions. The European release date always differed from that of North America, as the adventure game's two seasons were previously expected to reach the next-gen platforms on October 24. Telltale's ten episodes generally impressed players, though the final episode's conclusion left a lot to be desired according to our review in August. The developer added that The Walking Dead series has sold "more than 39 million episodes worldwide" to date. [Image: Telltale Games]
Clementine action figure from McFarlane Toys coming soon
A new action figure from McFarlane Toys was announced today at New York Comic-Con, and it's one bound to make fans of Telltale's The Walking Dead happy: say hello to the miniature, plastic version of Clementine as she appears in The Walking Dead, Season 2. Developed as a partnership between McFarlane Toys, Telltale and The Walking Dead comics publisher Skybound, the figure will be available in "clean" and "bloody" versions. As for when we can expect our favorite, most adorable zombie-slayer to patrol our desks and bookshelves, the only word is "soon." [Image: McFarlane Toys/Skybound]
Telltale's The Wolf Among Us stalks retail on November 4
Following prior speculation stemming from a Gamestop listing, Telltale Games has confirmed that its dark fairy tale adventure The Wolf Among Us will be available on retail shelves come November 4. Not only will this mark the retail debut of the Vita, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game, but it's also the first time the adventure game will reach the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Each retail version of the game, regardless of platform, will include all five of the game's episodes, and both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will also play host to likewise complete digital iterations of The Wolf Among Us. If Telltale's name on the box isn't enough to sell you on the adventure following the studio's phenomenal Walking Dead adaptation, perhaps our review can sway you. "The Wolf Among Us has been consistently excellent from start to finish, and its final chapter, Cry Wolf, is the well-told end of this well-told story," reads our four and a half of five stars review of the game's final episode. Beyond the break you'll find a trailer reiterating all of this information, only with more pretty pictures to stare at. [Image: Telltale Games]
