Impressions: DICE+

High tech hexahedron Earlier this year, we got ourfirst look at DICE+, which promises to combine the physicality and social aspect of board gaming with the wider appeal of tablet-based videogames. With tons of features listed, it appeared to be a pretty slick piece of technology, but limited by its short list of compatible software. For now, that is still a pretty accurate assessment. DICE+ (Android [tested], iOS)Developer: Game TechnologiesPublisher: Game TechnologiesReleased: August 21, 2013MSRP: $39....

May 14, 2025 · 5 min · 978 words · Roger Howard

IndieCade: Night Journey, Braid, and the importance of indie games

The signs of growing independent game development are all around us:Everyday Shooteris but the latest in a long string of indie games to be published on a large scale,Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaidenis taking the gameosphere by storm, and festivals likeIGFandSlamdanceare bigger than ever. However, indie games have, by and large, spread through word of mouth and the exposure granted by conscientious bloggers, writers, and enthusiasts. Unfortunately, “the game industry … has no comprehensive, public venue to introduce, explore, and celebrate groundbreaking independent work....

May 14, 2025 · 5 min · 853 words · Jasmine Collins

Like puzzles? Spaceships? Bob Came in Pieces is only $10

You know what’s cool? Instant gratification, that’s what. If, for example, you get really jazzed over indie puzzle titles that combine the look and feel ofLittle Big Planetwith core conceit ofBanjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, you’re able to hope right over to Ludosity Interactive’s website and buyBob Came in Piecesfor $10,right now. As in, right this very instant. Previously known asMy Identified Flying Object,Bob Came in Piecesis, like I said, essentially a puzzle game....

May 14, 2025 · 2 min · 261 words · Bradley Moran

NetherRealm wants to give you some tips for MK Vita

Mortal Kombatcame out on the PlayStation Vita at the beginning of the month. It added new mini games such as “Test Your Slice” and “Test Your Balance”. They were presented through the Bonus Challenge Tower, which ended up being my favorite part of the game simplybecauseof the new mini games. NetherRealm Studios seems to have taken notice, and has released a video to help you in your pursuit to beat all the levels in each new mode....

May 14, 2025 · 1 min · 167 words · Elaine Todd

Patch files hint at crossbows and Snow Elves in Skyrim

Downloadable contentforThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, you say? I haven’t even completed the main quest yet! A user on the Bethesda forumsscanned throughfiles in patch 1.5.26 and came across a few interesting tidbits that seem to tease what lies ahead for the game. File names make reference to Snow Elves, the Snow Elf Prince, crossbows (!!!), and new feeding animations for vampires. Though I wouldn’t personally take this as an end-all confirmation of DLC, that’s certainly a plausible theory....

May 14, 2025 · 1 min · 110 words · Alexander Stephens

PSN plans premium subscriptions, online play remains free

Earlier today, we reported on news that Sony wasplanning to generate revenuefrom a new subscription model on the PlayStation Network. The bad news is, it looks like the PSN is indeed going the “Xbox Live” route some time in the future. The good news, however, is thatit won’t affectonline play. Phew! “SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral and PlayStation Network,” states Sony overlord Kaz Hirai....

May 14, 2025 · 1 min · 177 words · Katherine Short

Randy Pitchford addresses Borderlands 2 level cap

One-hundred percent chance of raising the cap…sort of Borderlandsfans everywhere have been clamoring for a level cap increase (from 50) basically since the first weekBorderlands 2launched. Naturally, Gearbox can’t just put off this discussion forever, soRandy Pitchford opted to speak to Venture Beatabout the issue. Pitchford remains as outspoken as ever, saying there is a “100% chance of a level cap increase this year,” but also cites a “50/50 unforeseen consequence that some people will rage about....

May 14, 2025 · 2 min · 223 words · Deborah Boyd

Sega renews the trademark for Skies of Arcadia

It seems as if Segahas renewed the trademarkforSkies of Arcadia, meaning it could be ripe for an HD re-release (or even a sequel) sometime in the near future.ConsideringSkiesis one of SEGA’s most requested HD remakesoutside ofShenmue, this could easily be a possibility for the JRPG that had its humble beginnings on the Dreamcast in 2000. For many, many years,Skies of Arcadiawas my favorite video game. In fact, the day Xbox Live debuted on the original Xbox, I reserved the Gamertag “BlueRogue....

May 14, 2025 · 1 min · 165 words · Shane Lawrence

Sha-ZAM! Infinite Crisis reveals a marvellous champion

Nice double-cape! I have always enjoyed the iconic heroes found within the DC universe, such as your Batman and Aquaman, but some it is always nice to see some light shed on lesser known top-tier hero. Captain Marvel, or Shazam as he is now being referred to in the New 52 DC line and inInfinite Crisis, has always been one of my favorites, even if the hood makes him look a little like Robin fromBatman: Arkham City....

May 14, 2025 · 1 min · 195 words · John Ayala

Shootmania Storm gets a new game mode called Combo

Plus a new weapon called ‘the Arrow’ Despite the fact thatShootmania Stormjust came out, there’s a new game mode and a weaponalready availableas a free update. “Combo” pits teams of two players against each other who are tasked with killing enemiesat the same time— as you can imagine, a lot of coordination is needed (and probably voice chat). Evidently, you can switch weapons in this mode, which is a stark contrast to the core game, which forces you to use one weapon at a time....

May 14, 2025 · 1 min · 105 words · Cassidy Clay

Shuhei Yoshida wants to release The Last Guardian information when it’s no longer ‘piecemeal’

Yoshida: ‘We ask you to wait.’ The Last Guardianremains everyone’s favorite bit of apparent vaporware; the game that’s always teased as every E3 rolls around, but never fully realized. In fact, it just wouldn’t be E3 without some mention of the veritable unicorn of the industry. Eurogamer, ready to go headfirst into the fire in the name of clarity, spoke with Sony Computer Entertainment’s president of worldwide studios Shuhei Yoshida in attempt to make some headway on the subject....

May 14, 2025 · 2 min · 262 words · Nicholas Caldwell

Sonic Team disowns last console efforts, shares Unleashed details

If you have never playedSonic the Hedgehogfor the Xbox 360 or PS3, I urge you to download the demo — and I am being serious. It is so bad that I was actuallyimpressedby what I saw. The game was so ill-conceived and shoddily designed it was almost artistic.Sonic and the Secret Ringsfor the Wii, while an improvement, was still a massive disappointment. It seems that Sonic Team knows these facts, as ithas gone to great lengthsto assure fans thatSonic Unleashedis not like those works of shame....

May 14, 2025 · 2 min · 313 words · Jessica Brock

Surviving Tokyo 42’s beautiful bullet hell

Tokyo 42 hands-on preview As I climbed stairs to the top of a blinding white pyramid withThe Simpsons’elevator to nowhere on my mind I finally reached a narrow lookout point and triggered my mission: kill three targets from on high. All three congregated beneath the peak and fanned out in different directions when the mission started. There was a 10 or 15 second window to off all three. I didn’t think sniping would be this exciting in a pulled back, isometric view, butTokyo 42seems like a purer shooter than your average twin-stick....

May 14, 2025 · 3 min · 572 words · Sara Nelson