Rock, Paper, Shotgun

Chinese mythology MMO Perfect World is one of those Lineage-like free-to-play MMOs that basically vanishes under RPS’ boredom threshold. We barely gave it a second glance. And I’m kind of expecting similar fare from the next game from Perfect World Entertainment, which is called Swordsman, after the popular martial arts novel by Louis Cha, which has spawned a bunch of Asian TV shows and movies. That said… well, the target set by the E3 trailer is very interesting indeed. If it looks anything like this “scene setting” CG-but-apparently-in-engine piece then it’s going to be a breed apart in GrindTown. Go take a look. (The same company is funding the Torchlight MMO, it is worth noting.)
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‘Cheaty’ because there isn’t a PC demo as yet, so this is all based on the 360 version. I’m currently trying to get hold of PC review code for the new Transformers game, due for release this week, but Activision UK’s continued refusal to acknowledge RPS means I’ll probably have to buy a copy myself on release day, and thus can’t waggle my finger of judgement until some time after purchasing D-day. I can at least offer a few comments based upon said demo.

I can also make this noise – CHK-CHK-chk-chkchk. No, that’s rubbish. Doesn’t sound anything like a Transformer transforming. Go on, you do it instead.
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As presented by a rather nervous Australian man. I’m not surprised he’s nervous. He’s trying to explain why XCOM isn’t a linear shooter, in the face of a negative reaction he must surely be acutely aware of, and to describe a demo to camera because someone’s cleverly decided showing that demo on camera isn’t allowed.
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This morning’s RPS inbox contained a missive from from Doctor Entertainment, founded by Jesper Rudberg and the splendidly named Anders Pistol, who mentioned that their new game, Puzzle Dimension, was available on Steam. To be honest, I kind of ignored it because there’s no demo, but I just had a look at the trailer (below), and it’s intriguing. Reminds me of an old Amiga puzzler I can’t quite recollect the name of… Has anyone picked it up? Any thoughts?
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And I don’t mean that in a speculative way I mean it in a… well, let me explain. At the weekend, Vadermath dropped me a line saying that Paradox have created a facebook account saying that when 25,000 people become fans, they’ll announce a sequel to 2004′s dynastic al strategy game Crusader Kings. The campaign started on Friday. As of now, they have – er – 968. So – to return to the opening question – will there ever be a Crusader Kings 2? Not at this rate, there won’t.

I somehow missed the announcement of this, but Intel’s great big Level Up 2010 Game Demo Challenge – which is dripping with tasty prizes through a bunch of categories, for both students and you mature developer types – has announced the line up of judges. They are Chris Avellone, Vic Davis (yay!), Todd Hollenshead, Todd Howard, Rod Humble, Raph Koster, Rick Raymo, Bill Roper, Tim Schafer, Adam Sessler, and Jeff Vogel. A handsome and talented crowd, I think you will agree. And… I’ve just noticed today is the last day to submit stuff. Got a concept? Get over there!

This is a bit naughty, but it’s sure interesting to watch. Via this Deus Ex: Human Revolution fansite is footage that was taken from the behind-closed-doors demo at E3, and is now hosted on ScrewAttack. It might not stay online for long. It features loads of game footage, and the back of some guy’s head. And my, it looks a lot like Deus Ex (except the bits that don’t, obviously.)
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How funny was Armed & Dangerous? Yes, yes it absolutely had the Land Shark Gun, and no one can dispute its magnificence, but what about the rest of the game? I took a look at the 2003 game for Eurogamer, and then wrote words about it in the correct order. Some were:

“The reception is all down to context. You know when a golfer makes a funny mime to the crowd when someone’s phone rings, and everyone falls about laughing? Context. It’s not funny. It’s just unexpected. Put that golfer on stage at an open mic comedy night and his hilarity would be put into cruel perspective. It’s just not okay, not after 3000 years of games being around, for something just not being completely humourless to be good enough. And it’s not that A&D is unfunny – not at all. It’s occasionally wry, often silly. But just not “hilarious”.”

And the rest are here.

We haven’t covered Pirates Of The Burning sea for a while – which is lucky, as almost all our previous posts featured a very sinister shot of a pirate. What were we thinking? Anyway, last week Flying Lab announced a free-to-existing-players expansion to come later in the year. The trailer says Summer. The press release says this will be out in August. Is August Summer? DEBATE COMMENT THREADERS. Main additions? 60 new missions, 4 new factions based around privateering, Port Governance and a brawling school of combat. The Port Governance is the most interesting sounding thing, allowing each port to elect a governor with special powers. I wish I had special powers. Sad Emoticon. Anyway – if you’re an active player you can sign up to the Beta here. If you’re not an active player, there’s a two week trial. And the trailer follows. Thing to make you watch the video: 1 minute in, there’s a boat with an enormous whale’s rib-cage on it. Want one!
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Because today is Monday, one of the most overused days of the week, I am forced to prescribe web-based distraction game, for your health. Today it’s Faultline, which is a cute little platformer in which you folder the level like the pages of a puzzlebook, and then unfold them again to continue your quest. Yes, it’s a one-trick pony, but it’s a pony that can fold itself in half, which is something you ought to see. (If you can make your way past the barrage of advertising, anyway.)