Changes Come to Kryta in Guild Wars Beyond

New updates to GuildWars, possibly to coincide with the upcoming fifth anniversary of the game, center around the ongoing conflict in Kryta and the war between the Shining Blades and the White Mantle. Still not entirely sure what the updates mean specifically, but keep an eye on the game updates page for more details. Today, you can get your White Mantle or Shining Blade character costumes; what they mean for the future is unknown.

Hey Look a Wii Game: Lost in Shadows

Little bit of old news, but a game that I haven't seen before and may be coming out in the next few months. Previously known as Tower of Shadow, the game Lost in Shadows is a puzzle platformer with an interesting twist: you are a shadow yourself, cast against the background of the game world. I see a major Team Ico influence, but I think it's an homage rather than a straight-up ripoff. The screens I've seen are just pretty. Should be something to watch.

A New Ferrari For Everyone!

... Well, everyone who works at Blizzard.

I feel like I was just talking about this, but they're at it again. With new pets and mounts put up on the in-game store, Blizzard made a blizzillion bucks at it. Hope they find a good use for the money, like using it for insulation in their secret volcano lair.

Circle Back Around on Valkyria Chronicles

One of my most favoritist games on PS3 is still Valkyria Chronicles. Certainly under-appreciated in the west, probably because it's not Modern Warfare, the game pushes all the right buttons for me: tactical turn-based combat, great art style, a good story, compelling characters. I haven't gotten any new games since March's Pokemon HeartGold, so I was looking through the box to break something old out. And Valkyria Chronicles was there.

Started from my cleared game save data and started a new game. There's a higher challenge level on the second play through, and it allows you to skip straight to the combat missions without having to watch each cutscene, although I've enjoyed still watching my favorites. You also start with all your squads leveled up and with any weapons you've collected along the way. I had fun playing through the first couple story missions, and I hope to keep going with it if time allows. Really puts a smile on my face. Except in the sad parts where I :(

For any of you new PS3 owners who haven't heard about or checked the game out, you really should. I'll even let you borrow my copy!

Get Ready to Pay $100, WoW Fans

With news reaching us that the StarCraft II Collector's Edition now comes with a WoW in-game pet, my prediction is this: a lot of people with more money than sense buying the game for $100, plucking the card with code for said pet out of the nice shiny box, and then throwing the rest in the trash.

My feelings for StarCraft II are well-known. But the pet included in the box is both a shameless hook to bait WoW players and a smack in the face to anyone who really cares anything about StarCraft without caring a whit about MMO-based garbage. What a ploy to gain sales. Notwithstanding that the base SCII package is $59.99, approximately $10 more than other PC titles and approximately $59.99 more than I intend to pay for anything coming from Blizzard.

Ah well. Frankly I just liked to have things to complain about. If you like StarCraft, go crazy buying three games each for $100. Maybe you can put someone at Blizzard over the edge to get their third Ferrari.

Five Years in Tyria

The end of April marks the fifth anniversary of Guild Wars, five years of gameplay in the best MMO experience ever, in my opinion. Although I haven't been back to the game in several months, I have many fond memories of April Fool's events, many dungeon delves, title accomplishments, fissure runs, and so much more. It's been a game great to play with friends and alone, with the satisfying action-based combat and customizable character skill sets that I enjoy.

Even better has been the price. Yes I ponied up for the first game and three expansions to the tune of $200. But, had I been paying a subscription for the game these entire five years, assuming the going rate of $14.95, I would be out an additional $897. Even for the fun times I had in Guild Wars, that's a pretty steep price.

With Guild Wars 2 potentially out next year, this is a scary figure. If NCSoft moves to some sort of subscription service, I will not be playing Guild Wars 2. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. But in any case, I'll always have my memories of the five years in Tyria.

Outstanding Gameplay Footage of Other M

Although Other M was non-existent at PAX East, a new video has surfaced of gameplay from the game that makes me even more excited for this upcoming Wii title. View it below (live game starting 30 seconds in):



Really looks great. Fast but measured 2.5D action combat, great boss fights, vibrant environments, and that great switch into first-person 3D view. This one is on the list for sure.