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Civilization 5: Brave New World enacts policies and ideologies

In addition to the two new civilizations announced this week for Civ 5‘s Brave New World expansion, Firaxis has also released a trailer with a quick overview of how the game’s new policies and ideologies will be enacted as of July 9.

Continue reading Civilization 5: Brave New World enacts policies and ideologies

JoystiqCivilization 5: Brave New World enacts policies and ideologies originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 May 2013 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Civization V: Brave New World Gets Ideological

A new trailer from Firaxis and 2K highlights the changes players can expect to the various policies, as well as the new ideology system.

In the video below, you will learn about the three ideologies your civilization can adopt upon reaching the modern age, the new wonders you can build, and the new policy trees just waiting to be explored.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

For more about Civilization V: Brave New World, read our in-depth preview here and watch a video here.

www.GameInformer.com – The Feed

Civilization 5′s ‘Brave New World’ expansion adds Indonesia, Morocco

Two more factions, Indonesia and Morocco, have been revealed for upcoming Civilization 5 expansion, Brave New World. Leading Indonesia is Gaja Mada, famous for his military insight as prime minister of the Majapahit Empire; Ahmad al-Mansur leads the Moroccans, sultan of the Saadi dynasty in the 1500s.

Brave New World, the second expansion to Civilization 5, is due in July and will add nine new civilizations, several new wonders and modified mechanics from the base game. The first expansion, Gods and Kings, arrived last summer, adding new espionage and religious mechanics.

JoystiqCivilization 5′s ‘Brave New World’ expansion adds Indonesia, Morocco originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unfolding The Tactile World Of Tearaway

Media Molecule excels at delivering titles with a unique, hand-crafted aesthetic and entertaining platforming. The developer’s upcoming Vita title, Tearaway, combines a papercraft world, 3D exploration, and a charming touch-enabled twist. Players interact with the game by tapping the front and back of the system. I ran and tapped my way through a playable section of the game during a pre-E3 event in Santa Monica, California last week.

Tearaway plays like your average platformer at its core. An open, colorful space is filled with obstacles to overcome and enemies to confront. The innovation comes with how players’ fingers impact the game world. In certain areas Iota, the protagonists, needs help dispatching a group of foes or reaching new heights. I loved baiting a pack of enemies over a special patch of ground which can be broken by my fingers using the back touchpanel. Tearaway asks you questions about your skin color and gender before starting, so the fingers poking through into the game world looking convincing. I caught myself tinkering with this mechanic more than the game necessitated – it’s pretty magical. The sensation of poking your fingers into the game and flicking enemies into oblivion is convincing. Other areas required me to tap the bottom screen like a drum to bounce Iota on special trampolines. Some of these sections require careful timing of touchpanel tapping and analog stick-based character movement.

Less obvious touch-enabled puzzles are scattered across the world. In one area I had to touch the screen to interact with a record – something I didn’t understand until a Media Molecule developer pointed it out to me. I played an early version of the game, and Media Molecule says that it’s still fine-tuning how to cue players to use the touchscreen. One I figured it out, I enjoyed spinning the record – which controlled a series of platforms – like I was a gigantic DJ. 

Near the end of the demo I gained the ability to jump, which added a new level to platforming and environmental puzzles. So far I like the pace that Tearaway sets. The touch-mechanics combines with regular character movement have the potential to be confusing and challenging, but Media Molecule is taking special care to gradually show players the ropes. Given the game’s colorful papercraft visuals and charming folk soundtrack, I wasn’t opposed to taking my time to experiment and learn. Tearaway hits the Vita October 22.

www.GameInformer.com – The Feed

Indonesian and Moroccan Cultures Coming To Civilzation V in Brave New World Expansion

The Brave New World expansion pack for
Civilization V will release on July 9. Today, 2K Games and Firaxis revealed two
of the ancient cultures that will be added to the game in the pack.

Here's the information on the two cultures
direct from the press release. If you want to know more about Brave New World,
check out our previous coverage.

"Indonesia, led by the 14th Century Prime
Minister of the Majapahit Empire of Indonesia, Gajah Mada, are granted
unique bonuses for establishing a seafaring empire, as their first three cities
formed on new continents are granted two unique luxury resources via their Spice
Islanders
ability. Their unique replacement for the swordsman is the Kris
Swordsman
, which gains a random upgrade after the first round of combat.
Finally, their unique building, the Candi replaces the Garden, and
awards a faith bonus.

"Morocco, and their leader Ahmad al-Mansur, are
well equipped to take advantage of the new trading route mechanics in the
expansion, as they gain powerful bonuses to gold and culture for every external
trade route via their Gateway to Africa ability. Their unique Berber
Cavalry
unit replaces standard cavalry and gains combat bonuses in home
territory and on desert tiles. Also taking advantage of desert terrain is their
unique improvement, the Kasbah, which improves desert tiles with added
defense, food, production and gold."

www.GameInformer.com – The Feed

Sonic: Lost World Coming Exclusive To Wii U And 3DS Through Sega Partnership

At this morning's Nintendo Direct, worldwide president Saturo Iwata announced that the next game in the Sonic the Hedgehog, subtitled Lost World, will be coming exclusively to Wii U and 3DS. This is made possible through a new partnership with Sega.

More information on the title, which was described as an action platformer, will be available before E3. Additionally, Sega titles will be coming to the 3DS virtual console soon.

www.GameInformer.com – The Feed

Sonic: Lost World announced, launches ‘exclusively’ for Wii U, 3DS

Sonic Lost World announced 'exclusively' for Wii U, 3DS

Sega and Nintendo have entered into a “worldwide partnership” on three upcoming Sonic games, and the first fruit borne from it is Sonic: Lost World. It’s coming to Wii U and 3DS, and there’ll be more news on it prior to E3.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said on this morning’s Nintendo Direct: “Sonic: Lost World is a brand new action-adventure platforming game that will launch exclusively on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS.”

JoystiqSonic: Lost World announced, launches ‘exclusively’ for Wii U, 3DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 May 2013 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Last Of Us Turns Our World Upside Down

Yesterday, during a pre-E3 event in Santa Monica, California, I played through a newly revealed section of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us. The survival-based game is a road trip story starring two survivors in a post-apocalyptic world. Joel and Ellie are looking for a man named Bill – a loner out in Lincoln, Pennsylvania that owes Joelle a favor. During my hands-on time with the game I got a feel for combat against the infected, nasty traps set by survivors, and improvised navigation past environmental obstacles.

Joel and Ellie find themselves in the woods on their way to the small town of Lincoln. Ellie is taken aback by the beauty of the woods, admiring the serene wildlife. Joel is less concerned with sight-seeing, and seems determined to find Bill before the sun sets. Their progress is halted by a high, barbed-wire fence blocking them from entering town. I climb atop a small building to get a better view. I spot the roof of another nearby building, but my attempt to leap the gap falls short. Upon further investigation I find a long, narrow board – just about the length between the two roofs. I pick up the board, carry it over to the small building, lean it up against the side, climb up the building, and pull the board up. I’m then able to lay the board between across the roofs for Joel and Ellie to cross.

Lincoln is Bill’s stomping grounds, and his mark is apparent. I hear an odd clicking as an infected comes sprinting around a corner, followed by a loud explosion. One of Bill’s tripwire traps blows the thing’s legs clean off. Further exploration of Lincoln reveals a number of rigged devices, some of which must be safely detonated by tossing a brick or bottle into them. You can set up your own homemade traps and lure the wandering infected into them as well.

One of my favorite moments in the demo involves sneaking past a handful of the fungal-infected humanoids. These creatures are in a sort of sleep-state when I come across them. I choose to leave them alone and crouch-walk safely past them. If I had been braver, I could have snuck up to them quietly, dispatched them with a melee weapon, and looted their corpses. These enemies’ senses are based on noise, so stealth is key.

My closest encounter with the crazed monsters involves one of Bill’s more successful traps. Joel is snagged by a snare after opening a door. A refrigerator acts as a counterweight, pulling him into the air by his foot. Both Joel and the camera are tipped upside down as Ellie struggles to cut the line. Infected encroach on the pair, and I have to gun them down from the disorienting angle. The reliable controls allow me to dispatch most of them easily, but one heavily infected mushroom head gets too close and instantly chomps down on me. I have better luck my second attempt. Ellie cuts me down and the duo finally cross paths with Bill.

Joel’s gas-masked contact blasts a few infected and beckons them to follow. A frantic chase through alleyways and building interiors ensues. Bullets and health supplies are limited, so standing my ground isn’t an option. Throughout the demo I had plenty of opportunities to craft melee weapons, like a pipe with scissors taped to it or Molotov cocktail. I also found a few medkits. It’s not enough to endure a full-on infected assault, however.

In addition to item crafting, players can find tools, supplements, and other resources that can permanently upgrade Joel and his equipment. Supplements can steady his aim or increase his health. Tool kits and constituent parts can be used to create extra weapon holsters or improve the damage of weapons. I didn’t have an opportunity to dive deep into these systems, but Naughty Dog says players can carry their upgrades and gear over into a new game-plus.

Bill, Joel, and Ellie eventually reach safety. Without skipping a beat, Bill handcuffs Ellie to a pipe and holds Joel at gunpoint. He begins roughly checking the two for the signs of a sprouting infection. While Joel tries to calm him down, Ellie pulls the pipe loose and whacks Bill. After a brief scuffle the three cool down. Joel calls in his favor with Bill. They need a car, and Bill agrees to help them get one running. My hands-on time with the new demo ends here.

My path through Lincoln was just one route among a variety of options. Depending on your playstyle you could aggressively clear out the infected or sneak past them all. Upgrading Joel and his equipment is also influenced by your tastes. Do you want to invest resources into melee combat or firearms? Naughty Dog has packed The Last of Us with tons of options while delivering an engaging yet bleak story of survival.

Watch the entire 2012 PAX Prime gameplay demo here.

 

www.GameInformer.com – The Feed

The Last Of Us Turns Our World Upside Down

Yesterday, during a pre-E3 event in Santa Monica, California, I played through a newly revealed section of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us. The survival-based game is a road trip story starring two survivors in a post-apocalyptic world. Joel and Ellie are looking for a man named Bill – a loner out in Lincoln, Pennsylvania that owes Joelle a favor. During my hands-on time with the game I got a feel for combat against the infected, nasty traps set by survivors, and improvised navigation past environmental obstacles.

Joel and Ellie find themselves in the woods on their way to the small town of Lincoln. Ellie is taken aback by the beauty of the woods, admiring the serene wildlife. Joel is less concerned with sight-seeing, and seems determined to find Bill before the sun sets. Their progress is halted by a high, barbed-wire fence blocking them from entering town. I climb atop a small building to get a better view. I spot the roof of another nearby building, but my attempt to leap the gap falls short. Upon further investigation I find a long, narrow board – just about the length between the two roofs. I pick up the board, carry it over to the small building, lean it up against the side, climb up the building, and pull the board up. I’m then able to lay the board between across the roofs for Joel and Ellie to cross.

Lincoln is Bill’s stomping grounds, and his mark is apparent. I hear an odd clicking as an infected comes sprinting around a corner, followed by a loud explosion. One of Bill’s tripwire traps blows the thing’s legs clean off. Further exploration of Lincoln reveals a number of rigged devices, some of which must be safely detonated by tossing a brick or bottle into them. You can set up your own homemade traps and lure the wandering infected into them as well.

One of my favorite moments in the demo involves sneaking past a handful of the fungal-infected humanoids. These creatures are in a sort of sleep-state when I come across them. I choose to leave them alone and crouch-walk safely past them. If I had been braver, I could have snuck up to them quietly, dispatched them with a melee weapon, and looted their corpses. These enemies’ senses are based on noise, so stealth is key.

My closest encounter with the crazed monsters involves one of Bill’s more successful traps. Joel is snagged by a snare after opening a door. A refrigerator acts as a counterweight, pulling him into the air by his foot. Both Joel and the camera are tipped upside down as Ellie struggles to cut the line. Infected encroach on the pair, and I have to gun them down from the disorienting angle. The reliable controls allow me to dispatch most of them easily, but one heavily infected mushroom head gets too close and instantly chomps down on me. I have better luck my second attempt. Ellie cuts me down and the duo finally cross paths with Bill.

Joel’s gas-masked contact blasts a few infected and beckons them to follow. A frantic chase through alleyways and building interiors ensues. Bullets and health supplies are limited, so standing my ground isn’t an option. Throughout the demo I had plenty of opportunities to craft melee weapons, like a pipe with scissors taped to it or Molotov cocktail. I also found a few medkits. It’s not enough to endure a full-on infected assault, however.

In addition to item crafting, players can find tools, supplements, and other resources that can permanently upgrade Joel and his equipment. Supplements can steady his aim or increase his health. Tool kits and constituent parts can be used to create extra weapon holsters or improve the damage of weapons. I didn’t have an opportunity to dive deep into these systems, but Naughty Dog says players can carry their upgrades and gear over into a new game-plus.

Bill, Joel, and Ellie eventually reach safety. Without skipping a beat, Bill handcuffs Ellie to a pipe and holds Joel at gunpoint. He begins roughly checking the two for the signs of a sprouting infection. While Joel tries to calm him down, Ellie pulls the pipe loose and whacks Bill. After a brief scuffle the three cool down. Joel calls in his favor with Bill. They need a car, and Bill agrees to help them get one running. My hands-on time with the new demo ends here.

My path through Lincoln was just one route among a variety of options. Depending on your playstyle you could aggressively clear out the infected or sneak past them all. Upgrading Joel and his equipment is also influenced by your tastes. Do you want to invest resources into melee combat or firearms? Naughty Dog has packed The Last of Us with tons of options while delivering an engaging yet bleak story of survival.

Watch the entire 2012 PAX Prime gameplay demo here.

www.GameInformer.com – The Feed

Sonic: Lost World trademarked, domains registered by Sega

Sonic Last World trademarked, domains registered by Sega

Newly registered trademarks and domains point to Sonic’s return in something subtitled Lost World(s). Sega Europe trademarked Sonic: Lost World just yesterday, and locked down domains for both SonicLostWorld.com and SonicLostWorlds.com on Monday, May 13.

The cerulean critter’s last major outing, discounting Sonic 4 Episode 2, was Sonic Generations in November 2011. Sega’s been teasing this year as a big one for Sonic fans, and you have to go back to the days of Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes for as long a gap between major 3D Sonic games.

We’ve reached out to Sega, but we suspect we’ll find out more about Sonic’s next outing, and whether it involves more than one lost world or not, at next month’s E3 shindig.

JoystiqSonic: Lost World trademarked, domains registered by Sega originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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