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The Testament of Sherlock Holmes review: Trust your instincts
The Sherlock Holmes franchise has seen a modern reclamation of pop culture fame, in the blockbuster movies starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law; the British television series gaining Dr. Who levels of popularity overseas, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman; and the latest re-imagining by CBS, with a female Watson played by Lucy Liu, and Jonny Lee Miller as Holmes.Any Sherlock Holmes rendering now has, we can assume, at least one point of reference for any audience member – and if asked to equate one person with the series, most would likely say, "That guy who plays Iron Man" before "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle." Frogwares' The Testament of Sherlock Holmes now has to live up to this robust world of preconceptions, tell an old story in a unique way, and throw in engaging gameplay, beautiful graphics, smooth dialogue and spot-on voice acting.If that sounds like too much to ask for, it is.%Gallery-163225%
PSA: Realms of Ancient War hits XBLM today, PSN next week
Should you prefer your dungeon crawlers even more traditional than Torchlight 2, or if you just want your absolute fill of the stuff, Realms of Ancient War may be worth a gander. French studio Wizarbox, who developed RAW over the last two years, is openly proud of its game's familiar blueprints."We catered every aspect of RAW towards action lovers," says Wizarbox project manager Julien Millet on the PlayStation Blog. "You won't find a lot of dialogue boxes or tiresome side quests. While the story will keep you intrigued, there are no drawn-out conversations to get in the way of the monster-slaying. Our three character classes are instantly familiar: barbarian, wizard and a female rogue. But we've added a ton of unique skills and spells to keep things feeling fresh. The goal was to develop our own 'best case scenario' of the hack-and-slash games we have all loved since Gauntlet."RAW (we prefer its fullest title) is available today on XBLM for 1200 MSP. While the game becomes available for European PSN users today, it won't hit the American PlayStation Store until September 25. Finally, it also becomes available for PC on October 4.%Gallery-165919%
The Testament of Sherlock Holmes gets price cut and box art
To add to the recent September 25 release date announcement for The Testament of Sherlock Holmes, Atlus noted a price reduction for the upcoming detective game. The game will now hit retail shelves for $39.99 in order to "better compete amid a crowded holiday slate," according to Atlus' news release.Atlus also sent along box art for the game, which you will find after the break.
The Testament of Sherlock Holmes uncovers a Sept. 25 release date
"But that's amazing Holmes, how on Earth did you know?" The look on Watson's face was a blend of astonishment and admiration; a look he wore with frequency after meeting Sherlock."Elementary, my dear Watson." Sherlock opened his violin case and tucked the instrument under his chin as he spoke. "A press release from Frogwares and Focus Home Interactive arrived via courier – The Testament of Sherlock Holmes' September 25 release date was contained within.""And these new screenshots," said Watson, "they were delivered this morning?""Last night." Holmes began to play a haunting, precise melody."So, you didn't so much solve the 'Case of the Unknown Launch...'" Watson said, "insomuch as you waited around for it to be solved for you."Holmes played louder.%Gallery-163225%
Mars: War Logs coming to XBLA, PSN and PC in 2013
Of Orcs and Men co-developer Spiders is sending your ass to the red planet. In the vague future of 2013, the developer will release Mars: War Logs – a cyberpunk action-RPG for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC.Despite our wild imagination, the Silk Engine powered-Mars: War Logs isn't a futuristic reboot of that one Ren & Stimpy commercial parody, nor is it a Twin Peaks character simulator in space. "Mars: War Logs offers a wide variety of quests, dynamic tactical combat, and extensive character specialization through different skill trees and a complete craft system," a press release from publisher Focus Home Interactive revealed.Mars: War Logs takes players to the red planet "over a century after the catastrophe that threw the planet and its colonists into chaos." In the game, companies are warring over the limited supply of water found on the arid planet's landscape.As protagonist Roy Temperance, players can customize their combat style by selecting from "dozens of skills and perks," fighting in real-time against the creatures on Mars. Our suspicion is that the final boss will take the highly-evolved form of NASA's Curiosity rover.More details on the game, including an outline of features, can be found in the press release after the break.
The Testament of Sherlock Holmes launch month confirmed, suspiciously
The Testament of Sherlock Holmes is officially dropping in September for console and PC, Focus Home Interactive has announced. We can't be sure, but such a brazen release window announcement seems a little odd to us. Obviously a publisher wants its consumers to know when its game launches, but to just come out and say it like that... we think Focus Home is hiding something. Something sinister. Something only a genius detective could figure out.Too bad we don't know any genius detectives, by name, ficticious or otherwise. Oh, well. We'll take our chances on Sherlock Holmes in September, seeing as the game is taking its own chances by launching in the midst of holiday-season AAAA madness.%Gallery-154596%
Game of Thrones' latest screens don the black
There'll be an awful lot of sword swingin' in this May's Game of Thrones RPG, at least according to the latest slew of screens. Good thing the all black-clad Night's Watch is battle hardened and tough-lookin', then!
Game of Thrones RPG trailer takes the black
To take the oath of the Night's Watch and travel to The Wall is to forget all you've known and become dead to the civilized world. Oh, and to freeze your butt off all the time.
Yesterday review: Hit me baby one more time
Pendulo Studios promised Yesterday would be dark, gritty and just on this side of disturbing, and it most decidedly is. Yesterday introduces friendly characters simply to kill them off and it doesn't shy away from jamming bullets through almost everyone's head. It examines -- in detail -- torture, Satanic rituals and axes to the face, all within a complexly layered storyline about a young(ish) man's quest to find himself.Yesterday tackles heavy subjects such as love, immortality, the Spanish Inquisition, BDSM, poverty and sociopathic homicidal maniacs, all accessible with a point and a click. The art style is lighthearted enough to support Pendulo's trademark comic relief while keeping the story moving forward in a serious way -- seriously fast.
Game of Thrones trailer highlights combat and role-playing
The previous trailers for Game of Thrones perhaps didn't cement the fact that, yes, the upcoming game is heavy on role-playing and combat. See for yourself in the new video above.
Winter has yet to arrive in the Game of Thrones RPG, apparently
While the seasons take a while to get going in Westeros, the violence takes considerably less time.
Join the riverside community of ... Riverspring in Game of Thrones on May 15
Are you ready to brood like you've never brooded before this coming spring? Cyanide Studio and Atlus are banking on that possibility, announcing a May 15 launch date for the upcoming Game of Thrones RPG for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.Beyond the launch date, a handful of new media was handed over to sate fans in the three months between now and mid-May. If you're looking for an early taste at some serious brooding, look no further!%Gallery-146250%
Origin adds seven more publishers, Alan Wake on the way
Make way, make way! EA needs space to trot through the seven publishers joining its Origin digital distribution service. Sure, chances are you only recognize one, maybe two, of these names, but it's important when the company is trying to make a show against Steam.The seven new publishers include Remedy Entertainment, which will add Alan Wake after the Steam exclusivity window, slong with Focus Home Interactive, Iceberg Interactive, Strategy First (Disciples, Jagged Alliance), Macro Games, Selectsoft and Legendo Entertainment.EA currently boasts 9.3 million registered Origin users, with a million daily active users.
Latest Yesterday screens offer a peek into the game of tomorrow
Yesterday is living in the past in name alone -- it's actually ahead of us. A recent volley of screens give us a look into what to expect from Pendulo Studios' latest when it launches this March.
Peruse dimly lit, vaguely medieval dwellings with these Game of Thrones screens
Are you ready to don a suit of armor and look gruff in a land where seasons last years and electricity would be considered some form of dark magic? Cyanide Studios is sure hoping as much if this latest volley of screens for the Game of Thrones RPG is anything to go on.
Game of Thrones heading to Europe via Focus Home Interactive
Though it'll take place in the periphery of George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels, Cyanide Studio's role-playing Game of Thrones looks to convey the grim "ambience" that goes with the author's merciless body count. Atlus is publishing it on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC next year in North America, while Focus Home Interactive takes custody in Europe. Cyanide's "most ambitious project" offers an assortment of classes, fighting styles, loot and equipment augmentations, but more interestingly promises access to lethal political skills. The press release warns never to "underestimate the power of a silver tongue to solve a critical situation." Well, that's assuming "lethal" political skills and a "silver tongue" aren't simply euphemisms for decapitating your opponents mid-conversation -- just how we used to do it in the varsity debate team.%Gallery-141049%
Steam cuts Blood Bowl down to $8 today
Once again, Steam's offering an awfully big discount on Games Workshop's curious fantasy football title, Blood Bowl. If you haven't grabbed it during a similar promotion in the past, you can pick up the violent (well, more violent) version of the sport for $8.00 today.
Trine 2's European collector's edition comes in physical form
Trine 2 is coming to PC, Mac, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in downloadable form in North America and Europe this year -- which makes the Europe-exclusive physical collector's edition of Trine 2 that much more, well, collectable. Focus Home Interactive is releasing the IRL collector's edition in Europe, which includes the game for both PC and Mac, an art book, the soundtrack, and access to downloadable versions of Trine 2 and the original Trine. It will cost €19.99 (£14.99 in U.K.).
The Next Big Thing dev announces an 'original and dark thriller,' Yesterday
Pendulo Studios, developer of The Next Big Thing, has announced a new comic-book-style adventure game titled Yesterday. Apparently the art is where the similarities to Pendulo's previous titles end: "Pendulo has now given up comedy for once and is offering an original and dark thriller," the game's announcement reads. "This is the starting point of the brand new adventure from Pendulo Studios." Yesterday begins in New York City, where "beggars are disappearing one after another, only to be found burnt alive. Meanwhile, a Y-shaped scar forms in the palm of the hands of seemingly unrelated people." A young heir, Henry White, and his pal Cooper investigate these incidences, while a third man, John Yesterday, is pulled into the story after his memory is erased. We're betting that last guy is pretty important -- call it a hunch. All three characters will be playable, Pendulo promises. Yesterday is slated for release in Q2 2012. %Gallery-138581%
Test your detective skills with The Testament of Sherlock Holmes screens
One of these statements isn't true: The Testament of Sherlock Holmes features a new graphic engine Holmes dies in the game Watson questions Holmes' sanity, adding an extra layer of chummy drama The Testament of Sherlock Holmes was developed specifically for consoles, but is also a PC title We aren't wearing any underwear The Testament of Sherlock Holmes will be released in early 2012 Did you find the lie? Yes? Go ahead and pat yourself on the back, buddy, because you've been duped. There was no lie -- your first mistake was blindly believing what we told you. And we sprayed an oil-activated chemical on your back, right where your greasy little hand just patted it. You should begin to feel an intense burning in three, two, one, now. Study the screenshots below and maybe you'll have a better chance of not suffering third-degree burns next time:
