“Guild Wars 2″ Preview from the June 2012 Beta Live on AS!

I had an absolute blast at the “Guild Wars 2″ Beta Weekend Event on June 8-10, and somehow managed to clock a staggering 24-hours or so of gameplay in a single weekend.  It must be awesome then, right?

Well, I managed to write a very long piece (around 2,000 words) for Anjel Syndicate that pretty much documents my thoughts on the game so far, and for those of you who are still on the fence about this game: Hopefully this will change your mind for the better!

Also, I managed to take about 400 screenshots (in full 1920×1080) while playing this weekend, and I’ve included some of the better ones in the article!

So…Head on over to Anjel Syndicate and check it out!

Video Preview of “Bloodlust: Vampire Shadow Hunter” Online!

Not too long ago, I received an email from indie game designers WRF Studios regarding a new game in development called “Bloodlust: Vampire Shadow Hunter.”

Having never heard of this group before, I visited the website and read a bit about them.  As it turns out, they’ve been around since 1988 and released their first game, “The Last Half of Darkness,” in 1989.  Since then, they’ve continued to turn out fantasy horror-themed games.  While many of these games are point-and-click puzzle/adventure games, this latest one makes use of the Unreal Development Kit in order to create a true adventure game.

How successful will this one be? 

I will admit that the game is fairly early on in its development and has a ways to go.  Its engine is certainly not perfect yet and there are a few bugs here and there in the demo, but putting all of that aside I actually do think there is something good here.  The game does a good job of providing a creepy atmosphere, the few characters you interact with are interesting and well-voiced, and the story leaves you wanting to know what’s out there beyond the ruins you begin in.

Still, I’ll let you be the judge of it after you watch this video!

Quick “Guild Wars 2″ Preview Video!

On Monday, May 14, 2012 there was a last-minute stress-test of “Guild Wars 2.”  The 7-hour event was not publicly announced anywhere outside of the forums and the client’s news feed, but I was informed about it by Aristeia and decided to set aside some time in order to check it out.

While I did not have all day at my disposal due to other obligations, I did get to play around with it and have some fun!  I even recorded this video on behalf of Anjel Syndicate, and thought I’d post it here as well.  Keep in mind, though, that lag in the video is simply due to the fact that I was recording the game during the stress test, so any lag from the game itself was compounded by the fact that the computer was also taking a 1920×1080 video.  The actual game isn’t nearly as sluggish, although this is still beta!

Hopefully this is something to build some more interest in this awesome game!

“Warlock: Master of the Arcane” Preview Live on AS!

Yet another of Paradox Interactive‘s strategy titles is on the chopping block, this time a turn-based strategy game by the name of “Warlock: Master of the Arcane.”  The game is due to be released sometime this spring, and to be quite honest, as with most of the company’s other games, this one could use a lot of work.  Still, it isn’t quite as bad as “Magna Mundi” was, and I can see that this game might have some hope in its future.

To read my in-depth assessment of this game, head on over to Anjel Syndicate and take a look!

Preview of “Magna Mundi” Live on AS!

I was given a beta copy of an upcoming title from Paradox Interactive to play through and write up a preview article on (apparently, the NDA for the game doesn’t apply to me), and so I have done just that.  Unfortunately, the game, “Magna Mundi” (due out in Q2 2012), is not all that good.  It seems extremely dated like most of their other RTS titles and very, very incomplete.  Also, the academic in me is very disappointed with their treatment of a very critical period in world development.

Whether you are into these types of games or not, you will more than likely find my preview an entertaining read.  It’s a good example of a game that is being rushed out and is terrible in its present form.

So, if you have the time, head on over to Anjel Syndicate and give it a read!

Preview of “Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes” is Live on AS!

Having been invited to the Closed Beta for “Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes,” I decided to do a write-up about the game and my impressions of it for Anjel Syndicate.  It’s certainly not a bad game by any means, and is quite fun to play.  It may lack the depth of what most would consider an MMORPG, but it essentially plays like the PvP version of “Guild Wars.”

To find out more about it, head on over to Anjel Syndicate to give the article a read!

“Defenders of Ardania” Preview is Live on AS!

Now that “Defenders of Ardania” is no longer under an embargo, I have published my preview of the game.  It’s certainly not a bad one, but it isn’t as unique as Paradox wants players to believe.

To read the whole preview, check it out over on Anjel Syndicate!

“Heroes of Warspire” Preview is up on AS!

I’ve finally had a chance to preview and write about Silverlode Interactive’s latest MMORTS, “Heroes of Warspire,” and so my impressions are now live on Anjel Syndicate!

Be sure to head on over and take a look!

Preview of “Dragon Nest” Online at AS!

(Click or select “view image” to see full 1920×1080 picture!)

These past couple of days, as requested by Anjel Syndicate (and also out of personal interest), I’ve been taking part in the Open Beta of Nexon‘s next major MMORPG “Dragon Nest.”  I must admit that the game has been quite enjoyable, and refreshing, to play.

As this article was written exclusively for Anjel Syndicate, I will not be republishing it here, but you may visit their site if you wish to read it!