Resogun Level 1

There are still a ton of folks out there better than me, but this is probably my best run yet on Level 1 (experienced difficulty). Unfortunately, I screwed up my chance at a high score on the following level. I was ranked in the top 100 for a while, but I'm around 125 now. 

Greatness Has Arrived; Next-gen is Here

It's hard to believe the PlayStation 4 is now available in North America. It feels like only yesterday I was blogging about the PlayStation meeting (back in February), yet here we are in November. PS4 is out and the Xbox One is right around the corner. Somehow...the PS4 managed to shatter my lofty expectations in my first weekend with the system. I had a great time with a number of different launch titles and was often reminded just why I love this hobby so much.

Here are my impressions after one weekend with the console and a handful of launch games.

Resogun

The visuals are downright stunning.

Resogun is truly the gem of the launch lineup. Upon starting the game, you'll probably be confused and overwhelmed at all that's happening on screen. Enemies attack from all sides, a voice keeps telling you to save humans, and a number of those said humans are "lost" with little explanation. Don't be deterred by the initial confusion. Stick with it and you'll quickly learn the nuance of the game, how you save those humans, and how to dispatch the countless enemies thrown your way. I enjoyed the time I spent with previous Housemarque titles, Super Stardust HD and Superstardust Delta, but neither drew me in as completely as Resogun has in my first weekend with the title. It's an old-school "shoot-em-up" at heart, yet there is enough innovation here to make the whole experience feel fresh. Oh...and there's also the graphics, which are completely mind-blowing.

Killzone: Shadow Fall

Yet another visual showcase.

This is the game where I'm most confused by the lower review scores, although I've admittedly spent almost all my time in the multiplayer mode. The graphics are gorgeous (noticing a trend here?), the control are perfect on the new DualShock 4, and I've had an absolute blast with the multiplayer. The early parts of the single player where markedly different from previous Killzone games and I found it entertaining thus far. I've actually never finished a Killzone game so I'm anxious to see if Shadow Fall holds my interest through to the conclusion. I can already say I'm enjoying the multiplayer far more than previous Killzone titles.

NBA 2K14

At times, you'll think it's the real thing.

The NBA 2K series has been the king of basketball games for years so it comes as no surprise they have made the jump to next-gen with ease. The majority of the upgrades come in the graphical department. At times, the game looks more true to life than any video game to come before it. Unfortunately, there are still graphical glitches and technical shortfalls that definitely remind you...yes, you're still playing a video game. Luckily, they aren't enough to break the experience. I came away very impressed by the crowd animations, which finally seem to be unique and diverse enough where you won't find the "tall guy in a blue hat" every other row. The gameplay is as rock solid as ever, but it actually plays slightly different from previous iterations. 2K wasn't bluffing when they hyped their eco-motion engine.

Knack

Looks to be a great "beat-em-up" for the family.

Knack is the title I spent the least amount of time with, although I did watch my young cousin play through the first couple of hours of the game. It controls well and the story seems better than I was expecting. Definitely the weakest in terms of graphics of the game's I've mentioned, but there are certain effects that have the "wow" factor. I'll reserve my full judgment until I've played more, but chances are if you're interested in these types of games, you'll probably like it. If not, it's certainly not going to win you over.

The Lack of Blog Posts

Every year around August/September, the attention I give my blog begins to wane. You can thank the NFL. More so than that...you can thank the Tennessee Titans. I've been a pretty big fan (some would say 'obsessed') since the team made the move to Tennessee back in the late 90s. I even helped to start a fan podcast known as the Two Tone Crew. We just finished up our 60th episode as the official podcast of TitansReport.com. We're available on iTunes and pretty much anywhere else you can download a podcast. 

Throughout the season, we record a weekly show featuring a game recap, game preview, upset picks, and our play of the week. Recently, we've started to include a "chalk talk" segment, which offers a little more in-depth look at the upcoming game. I handle the planning, recording, and editing for the show, which doesn't leave much time for blogging.

The team is actually doing quite well this season, which makes the podcast even more fun. They're off to a 3-1 start thanks to a surprisingly tough defense and a young quarterback who's been growing every week (sadly, he was injured in our most recent game). 

Yes, this blog is still dedicated to gaming; however, I thought I would give an update on the lack of posts lately. If you're interested in the Titans or football or even podcast, check our show out! We appreciate the iTunes reviews and any feedback you may have.

The Sad Realization Of Being An Adult Gamer

As long as I'm living and physically capable, I will be a gamer. Unfortunately, we only have a limited amount of time here on this earth. Many of us choose to spend part of that time with games. They provide us an escape, help to relieve stress, and provide entertainment. The problem today? There are too many good games. As I look back on many of the games I've missed, I came to the sad realization: I will never be able to play every good game available. I may not even be able to play ever great game available. For someone who has a passion for games, this is a sad thought indeed.

Currently, I own PS3, Wii U, 3DS, Vita and a handful of legacy systems including the original NES, SNES, and Gamecube. I also have an iPhone, which of course supports a plethora of new and innovative titles as mobile gaming continues to grow. The PS4 and Xbox One also loom on the horizon. Perhaps I've inadvertently rebelled against my parents and the philosophy they instilled in me growing up: one console, one handheld. They never understood the point of having more than one console and although I can think of plenty of reasons they're wrong, I have to say I'm starting to appreciate the idea that less is more.

I recently started playing the game Demon's Souls for the first time. In case you aren't familiar, it's a game notoriously known for its extreme difficulty and unforgiving checkpoint system. It's a nod to old-school games from a time where save points and checkpoints didn't exist. Demon's Souls is a game you could easily obsess over thanks to its intricate weapon, magic, and faith system. Certain enemies have specific weaknesses you can exploit if you have the right weapon. You can sacrifice armor for a character with more quickness. In short, it's a game I would have spent hours playing whenever I was a kid. Back then, you had to make every game count. Now I'm older and control my own finances so it's easier to plan accordingly so I can purchase the games I want.

If you're a young gamer? Enjoy the heck out of the time you have to play any game you want. Even better if your job allows you to play games for a living. As for the rest of us, we'll have to consider all the factors for our future console purchases, the games we buy, and how much time we spend with a specific title.

The Last of Us Review (spoiler-free)

Far too often in life, our opinions change with time. Critics review content and are usually swift in the consuming of said content. They put words to a page, throw on a score, and then publish for all the world to see. At times, these opinions remain unchanged throughout time, but they can also change. Perhaps a second play-through reveals a game not nearly as good as we thought originally or maybe a game isn't quite as bad as we remember.

When I beat Naughty Dog's The Last of Us this past weekend, I instantly thought it was one of the best games this year and a strong contender for Game of the Year. I wanted to sprint to my blog immediately and tell everyone about its greatness. Instead, I took a slightly different approach by waiting a few days. I wanted to see if my strong opinion altered as time passed. I can now say my opinion has indeed changed...for the better. The Last of Us isn't just the best game this year; it's the game of the generation and one of my favorite games of all-time.

The game is set in the United States where the country is ripped apart by a mysterious cordyceps fungus. That being said, this isn't your typical "zombie game." One of the key differences with The Last of Us is its emphasis on survival, which is accomplished with a variety of techniques. First and foremost, ammo is scarce. In many situations, you'd do just as well to sneak past a section of enemies rather than confront them head-on. Moving in close for a melee or stealth takedown are also options, but be cautious. Melee weapons will break over time.

Finally, you won't be able to pause and heal yourself or craft your next weapon while playing The Last of Us. Instead, all upgrades and healing are handled on the fly. If you're about to be attacked, you'll either have to fight the enemy off or retreat to a safe place where you can heal. This adds a sense of realism to the game as you must always be aware of your surroundings.

You'll have to deal with two primary enemy types throughout your journey: humans and the infected. Both pose unique challenges. Humans are smart and The Last of Us enemies have impressive artificial intelligence. They'll attempt to flank and even managed to sneak around and surprise me on occasion  The infected are slightly more predictable. For fear of spoilers, I won't get into each of the specific types, but let's just say you'll have to approach each situation differently.

Our society has placed such an emphasis on violence that many would scoff at certain scenes throughout the game. I would only ask they take a closer look at the entire context and understand what it really means within this world. Killing in a game like Call of Duty or even Grand Theft Auto is mindless killing. You kill enemies in waves, run over pedestrians (sometimes even by accident), launch air assaults, and mow-down foes with powerful assault rifles.

The Last of Us is absolutely brutal; yet in many situations, you feel bad about what you're doing as a player. It paints an incredibly depressing picture of a fallen world where finding anything good is a struggle. The violence isn't glorified. If anything, it helps you understand violence and its consequences on a grand scale. The few moments where you do experience peace, good, and quiet are only truly appreciated due to the brutality throughout the rest of the game.

All these techniques work seamlessly together, edifying the most important aspect of The Last of Us: its story (no spoilers here; don't worry). Let me just say you are in for a story that rivals, or even bests, series like The Walking Dead, Uncharted, Bioshock Infinite, and more. Joel and Ellie are both flawed, yet endearing characters. I related to both of them, but for drastically different reasons. In modern literature, film, and gaming, there's really no better praise than to say a character is "real." Joel and Ellie's actions throughout The Last of Us always stay true to the character. More importantly, you care about them and eagerly anticipate what will happen to them next.

If ever a game warranted a perfect score, it's The Last of Us, not for being a perfect game, but for being a game you couldn't possibly imagine being better. All my complaints seem minor when you consider everything Naughty Dog not only attempted, but accomplished with this new franchise. The story is a heart-wrenching roller-coaster, the characters real and memorable, the game mechanics are well designed, and the graphics are beautiful.

At the end of the day, there's really no higher recommendation I can give a game than to say that every adult who considers him/herself a gamer should play this game. It's uncomfortable and even hard to play at times. You'll laugh. You'll smile. You may even shed a tear. One thing, however, is certain: you will never forget playing The Last of Us.

10 out of 10

Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure

Ahh...Zack and Wiki. I still fondly remember the look my wife gave me when I received this title one Christmas. Sadly, one of the best hardcore Wii games ever made suffered from a terrible name and a deceptively childish cover art. Judging this game by its cover alone would likely lead you to an assumption similar to my wife's reaction.  It looks like a cartoon about pirates. Certainly it's riddled with fetch quests, boring collectables, and snooze-inducing gameplay? This couldn't be further from the truth.

Zack and Wiki is certainly cartoonish in style, yet the core gameplay is designed solely for the thoughtful gamer. As a point-and-click adventure, you control Zack solely with the Wii remote (no nunhuck required). Each level is laid out entirely before you begin and you're tasked with reaching a lone treasure chest, which houses a piece of Barbaros himself.

Former IGN editors Matt Casamassina and Mark Bozon spoke of this title throughout its development. I know many gamers have those two to thank for giving Zack and Wiki the attention it deserved. Casamassina awarded the title with an outstanding score of 9.0/10 and posted the review with a simple tagline: "But it. Now."

Sadly, Zack and Wiki didn't sell well enough to warrant a sequel. Even so, it's never too late to go back and revisit such a classic. Here are just a few reasons IGN, myself, and others loved Zack and Wiki so much.

-Incredible puzzles
-Multiple ways to solve certain puzzles
-Excellent pacing w/ steady increase in difficulty
-Varied level design
-Beautiful cel-shading
-Replay value thanks to the high scores
-Solid controls that work well
-Appropriate gestures that almost always make sense

Not only did Zack and Wiki live up to my expectations, it won my wife over as well. She too was enamored by the clever puzzles. I'll never forget one particular glorious moment of realization when she helped solve a difficult puzzle just by shouting "snakes eat frogs!" If you somehow missed this title and are looking for something to enjoy on your old Wii (or new Wii U), pick it up on the cheap and enjoy an experience you and your whole family can enjoy.

So...Did The Xbox Event Win Me Over?

In a word, no. Not even close. Let's take a look at my list from yesterday's blog post, which detailed five ways Microsoft could sway the Sony faithful.

1.) Quality, New Exclusives?
Nope...at least not yet.

A new Forza game was announced, but aside from that, the few games they did discuss were EA Sports titles and the new Call of Duty, both of which I can play on a PS4 just as easily. Microsoft spent very little time discussing games at all. Their focus is clearly on entertainment as a whole. We did get a promise that a number of new IPs are coming from Microsoft Studios.

2.) Powerful and Affordable-
Kinda.

The specs are decent, but clearly out powered by the PS4. Casual consumers see they both have 8GB of RAM. What they don't see is PS4 has the much faster GDDR5 RAM compared to Xbox One's (yes, that's really the name) more common DDR3 RAM. The PS4 also has a GPU roughly 33% more powerful.

As to how this will matter when it actually comes to games? It all depends on which platform third parties utilize as the so-called, lead platform. If they design the game for Xbox One and port up to PS4, then the difference won't be very noticeable. However, if they design it for PS4 or PC and then port down to the Xbox One, PS4 will have a fairly noticeable edge. First party titles will most likely look excellent on either system, but again, a slight edge to the PS4.

They didn't announce a price.

3.) Free On-line-
Unknown...but unlikely.

Again, they didn't officially announce this, but after a barrage of other anti-consumer announcements, I think it's safe to say they will continue charging a monthly fee for Xbox Live.

4.) More Open Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA)-
Nope.

Nothing reported yesterday leads anyone to believe it will be easier for indie developers to get their titles on XBLA. In fact, reports surfaced claiming Microsoft will not allow self-publishing, while earlier reports have indicated the PS4 will allow it.

5.) Don't make it "always online"-
Kinda.

Here we have yet another murky issue and Microsoft is struggling to give an adequate explanation. To the question, does my console ALWAYS have to be online, even for single player games? The answer is no. The one significant caveat is the report that you're Xbox One must have access to the internet at least once every 24 hours to check-in. So what happens if you're without internet for more than 24 hours? That question remains unanswered at this point.

And while I didn't include it on my initial list, I honestly never believed Microsoft would completely block used games. In some ways, the news is worse than we imagined. We've seen a series of bungled statements from top-level management at Microsoft, websites have written and re-written stories, and even Gamestop's CEO is throwing quotes out there and thus, adding to the confusion.

In short, Microsoft is attempting to make significant changes to the way we buy and sell games. This much is confirmed; you WILL be able to sell and trade-in games, yet used games will require you pay a fee to access the game...a fee that is reportedly the full price of the game. Sound confusing? It is.

What's most disappointing is Microsoft seemed totally inept and even a little caught off guard by the questions every gamer is asking. Statements should have been prepared with clear, concise responses. Rather than saying, "we're not ready to talk about that yet," Microsoft should have made a strong push to effectively squash the rumors surrounding Xbox One.

If those rumors are true, and it seems they are at least in part, Microsoft should have attempted to soften that message through clarity and explanation. Yesterday was supposed to be the celebration of a new console generation; instead, we now know for certain gamers just aren't Microsoft's focus anymore.

Can The Xbox Event Sway Sony Fanboys?

In case you haven't heard, Microsoft will finally lift the curtain on their next generation system in a matter of hours. A fellow gamer asked me yesterday, "you excited about tomorrow?" Honestly? I'd completely forgotten about the event today. Full disclosure here: I've never owned a Microsoft console, yet I've owned seven between Nintendo and Sony. So as a self-proclaimed Sony Fanboy, is there anything at all Microsoft can show today that will win me over?

It certainly won't be easy as I've enjoyed my PS3 immensely and love what I've seen thus far about the PS4...but I'm entering today with an open mind. I've never been one to shy away from "jumping ship" across generations or even being a multi-console owner. Growing up, I could only purchase one system and it had to be an appropriately priced system. Now as an adult, my chief concern when I purchase a console is all about the games.

Rumors leading up to the Xbox event suggest Microsoft's "Project Durango" will likely focus more on being an entertainment box that happens to play games, rather than a gaming machine that also features useful applications. Such a move may actually propel Microsoft to the front of the pack this generation as they seek to expand the market and draw in more casual gamers.

On the surface (pardon the Microsoft pun), that strategy seems likely to yield enormous profits; however, I'm not so sure. Microsoft could be on the verge of alienating its core base: the gamer. It's crucial they never lose site of who made an Xbox 360 possible. Gamers made it possible, both through their support of the original Xbox and their early support of the 360.

To win over a Sony fanboy, Microsoft must show a focus on the gamer and the games. It's completely understandable to pursue other audiences by offering entertainment options, but the core focus should be about games. Here's a list I've put together on how Microsoft could win me over today and at least pique my interest in purchasing the next-generation Xbox.

1. Quality, New Exclusives- Regardless of which console you own, there's really no doubt that Sony dominated with exclusives this generation. Xbox had mega hits in both Gears of War and Halo, yet Sony offered a more diverse and unique range of titles such as Uncharted, Heavy Rain, Infamous, Journey, and of course, God of War. Gamers need to see a new commitment from Microsoft to focus on quality first-party titles. I'm not talking timed-exclusive Call of Duty DLC; there needs to be more. Now that Bungie has gone multi-platform, what will be the next Xbox's must-have title? A Gears of War game would certainly sell to the Xbox faithful, I don't know that it would do much to sway a dedicated PlayStation gamer. I need to see something refreshing, new, and innovative.
2. Powerful and Affordable- Again, early rumors suggest the Xbox will be underpowered in comparison to the PS4 as Microsoft seeks to create a more affordable console. Sony even surprised developers when they revealed the PS4 would come packed with 8GB of GDDR5 RAM. Many expected only 4GB and while rumors indicate the new Xbox will have 8GB of RAM as well, it seems Microsoft is sticking with the slower, but more common DDR3 RAM. I'm not saying it needs to out-power the PS4 in every aspect, but I do think it needs to be close enough that the difference is negligible.  
3. Free On-line- With the success of Xbox Live and its monthly fee, I find it highly unlikely Microsoft will make this a reality. That still doesn't mean it's the right decision. For years, fanboys argued the premium price resulted in a better experience over Sony's (free) PlayStation Network. Sure, the 360 had a great interface, but I could perform every single feature on the PS3...all for free. I already pay for an internet connection, I pay for the game, and I pay for a console...why should I be forced to pay again just to play that game online? If you're going to charge a monthly fee, there must be something more than just granting permission to play a game online. There must tangible extras that present a significant benefit, such as Sony's PlayStation Plus program, rather than just saying "it runs better."
4. More Open Xbox Live Arcade- Indie developers consistently cite Microsoft as the most difficult to deal with in terms of publishing an indie title. As we shift further toward an all-digital future, it's imperative Microsofts works to repair these relationships. The gap in quality between a digital release and a full-fledged retail release simply doesn't exist any more. Just scroll through a list of last year's Game of the Year announcements where you'll find Journey recognized as the overall game of the year by several outlets. 
5. Don't make it "always online"- Yet another incessant rumor leading up to today's event has been whether or not Microsoft will require an Internet connection for the next Xbox. Look, I have a reliable internet connection...so why do I have a problem with this? First, there are so many parts of the world that don't have access to the type of connection the next Xbox would require. On a more personal level, there are times I take my console away from home to visit with friends or family who don't have as strong a connection as I do at home, or don't even have a connection at all. Would these scenarios literally prevent me from playing a game on the Xbox? I can't imagine Microsoft would go down the route of making a console completely dependent on an internet connection. And let's face it, no matter how reliable your internet connection, it's always going to go down at some point. 

I can't wait to see what Microsoft has in store as it will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the games industry for the next decade. As for whether or not Microsoft can win over this Sony fanboy, we'll just have to wait and see. 

Why We Need A College Basketball Video Game

I ask that you forgive my lack of posting over the past couple of weeks. You see, I've been completely engrossed in the event known simply as March Madness. If you're a sports fan, you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's arguably one of the greatest months in all of sports. You have stories of triumph and stories of pain. Cinderella stories and shocking upsets. What you don't have, is a college basketball video game.

After witnessing yet another incredible NCAA tournament, one in which my alma mater, the Louisville Cardinals, took home the trophy, I've realized the resurrection of an NCAA basketball video game is long overdue. There are a number of quality articles and blogs discussing the history of these games and why we no longer have them. 

To summarize, EA released NCAA Basketball '10 in 2009, which is the most recent collegiate basketball title you'll find (Baltimore Sun). Unfortunately, the games never sold all that well and both EA and 2K eventually decided to cancel them altogether. Just last year, 2K Sports even shut down the servers for College Hoops 2K8, which still had a significant number of users and an online community that constantly tweaked rosters to match their real-life counterparts (Kotaku). Publishers were also forced into strict NCAA licensing agreements, which are not only expensive, but also limit what can go into the game. 

Yep...I'm a proud alum.

So why should companies bring back a genre where they struggle to make money? First off, I fully believe the flaw is in the product, not the consumer. The 2013 NCAA Tournament scored its highest ratings in 19 years. The title game between Louisville and Michigan was up 2.5 million compared to 2012 (nydailynews). 

Maybe college fans just aren't into video games? Wrong. EA's NCAA Football '12 set a franchise record with 700,000 copies sold during its first two weeks on store shelves (USA Today). From these numbers, we can conclude America has a significant interest college basketball and that college games have no problem selling when marketed properly and designed with quality. Therefore, the question isn't why. The question is how to make the games better. 

1.) Gameplay- As with any video game, gameplay should be right at the top of the list. To be honest, none of the past NCAA basketball games were all that great. I would argue 2K came closest with their final entry. The game ran well, but paled in comparison to the vastly superior NBA 2K series. 

2.) Atmosphere- Aside from a solid game that runs well, atmosphere is the single most important thing for a college basketball game. Since 1998, EA Tiburon has frequently strived to improve this in their football games. A college basketball game would do the same. When you watch a basketball game, there are certain moments when fans known to cheer. A made basket when you're down 30 shouldn't really warrant the same type of crowd reaction as when you hit a 3-ball to take 1 point lead. The home crowd needs to let the ref know when there's a bad call. Rupp Arena, Cameron Indoor Stadium, and Allen Fieldhouse need to be absolutely deafening. Fans need to jeer at opposing players attempting game tying free throws. 

Has any college basketball game even come close?

3.) March Madness- This could almost be included alongside atmosphere, but any NCAA basketball game must have an incredible March Madness experience. Most of the games are competitive with a number being decided on last second shots (see Trey Burke against Kansas). There's heartbreak and defeat. Cinderella stories go on incredible runs (George Mason). Players (Luke Hancock) and coaches (Brad Stevens) become household names during March Madness. Oh and One Shining Moment MUST play at the conclusion of every NCAA tournament. 

4.) Robust Online Features- Unfortunately due to a number of NCAA regulations, it's illegal for video games to use a student athlete's name, and understandably so. Let's face the truth; it really isn't all that fun to play as "Guard #23" instead of your team's favorite player. In recent years, that's all changed thanks to the internet and the ability to customize players. Users can upload roster files after naming all the players on their favorite team. Those files can then be downloaded for use during an offline season. Any quality NCAA basketball game would need to support a number of these features. 

This list could certainly be longer than what I've listed here; however, nailing these four items would lay the groundwork for an incredible college basketball experience. It's a shame that one of our nation's greatest sports isn't captured in a video game. Nearly 3 1/2 years have passed without an NCAA basketball title; it's time to pull a Michael Jordan and come out of retirement. 

Tomb Raider Review

I had no intention of playing the latest Tomb Raider reboot from Crystal Dynamics. Despite all the hype and E3 awards, everything I saw seemed to indicate nothing more than a typical 3rd person action game. I never played the original (yes young gamers, this is a reboot) for more than a few minutes; therefore, I saw little appeal for me. Let's just say I was terribly misguided because Tomb Raider is easily the best game I've played in 2013 and an early contender for Game of the Year.

So what convinced me to actually play Tomb Raider? Reviews played a significant role, but the ultimate deciding factor was when I started hearing the game compared to titles like Batman: Arkham City, Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 4, and of course, Uncharted. We certainly expected the latter, but the other games surprised me. I was tempted to play the game simply to see it fall far short of these titles I consider among the best ever. Yet again, I was wrong.

Tomb Raider doesn't reinvent the genre, but it does perfect it. Younger gamers may not remember Lara's original adventures, games that clearly inspired Naughty Dog with the Uncharted series. I can't say that Tomb Raider is an all-around, better game than Uncharted 2, which recently made my list of top 5 games this generation, but I can say it goes toe-to-toe and even bests it in many categories. Consider this: Uncharted 2's main advantages are its graphics, story and characters, which are all slightly better than what you'll find in Tomb Raider. Aside from Lara, who's equally as interesting as Nathan Drake, the other Tomb Raider characters are largely forgettable. The storyline is predictable and most of the twists are telegraphed from a mile away; even so, the story is solid enough to hold you through to the end. The game looks beautiful, but it's still a step below Uncharted. 

Do young gamers remember this...at all?

As for Tomb Raider's strong points, its most significant advantage is in the game's pacing and overall flow. Let's be honest, with Uncharted, you're essentially playing through a movie, albeit, a very beautiful movie. You have to climb up this rock and you must explore this cave. Tomb Raider presents players with a very solid linear experience...if that's how you choose to play. For gamers, like me, who prefer a little exploration, Tomb Raider will appease you as well. The game differs drastically from Uncharted by offering tombs to raid, treasures/items to collect, money to earn, and weapons to upgrade.

Those comparisons to Arkham City, Prime, and RE 4? Completely valid. Crystal Dynamics borrows liberally from those classics, but everything makes sense. For example, you're stranded on an island and start out with a very limited arsenal, both in weaponry and tools. Over time, you gain new items that allow you to traverse new paths you couldn't access before, a la Metroid.

Enough with the comparisons. Tomb Raider stands as on its own as an amazing title that breathes new life into an age-old franchise. The gameplay is rock solid and you'll love getting to know Lara. I really want to applaud Crystal Dynamics for having a game with an incredibly strong female lead, who isn't hyper-sexualized. Yes, Lara is female and yes, she's attractive. But it's far from the focus. I wouldn't say the game deemphasizes any of these factors; however, it doesn't flaunt as so many other games (and movies) tend to do. Lara is a real person and you care about her motivations. You care if she rescues her friends. You care if she lives or dies.

A survivor is born...and a gaming legend reborn.

If you've been a consistent reader of my blog, you've no doubt heard me mention the mixture of fun and quality, a battle critics must consider when reviewing all forms of media. For Tomb Raider, it excels at both. The game is polished, yet incredibly fun. Tomb Raider offers further proof that games can deliver a polished, contained story, while still allowing ample room for exploration. I have no reservations highly recommending it with a score of 9.5/10.

Haven't bought Tomb Raider yet? You're in luck. For March 26, 2013, it's Amazon's Gold Box Deal of the Day, which you can nab for only $41.99. Enjoy!

Score: 9.5/10

Should Sony Release Gran Turismo 6 on the PS3?

According to a top Sony Executive, Gran Turismo 6 will launch this year...on the PlayStation 3. This would be a colossal mistake for Sony that would risk sabotaging the launch of Sony's next-generation PlayStation 4 right out of the gate.

Shortly after Sony's PlayStation 4 announcement back in February, rumors started to swirl about the next title in the illustrious Gran Turismo series. Michael Denny, senior vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's Worldwide Studios told Silicon Republic, "Look at the games coming out on the PlayStation 3 like The Last of Us, Beyond: Two Souls, GT6, and then on the third-party side..." Of course, the first two games Denny mentions have already been revealed with release dates announced.

It's entirely possible Denny simply misspoke; however, I believe it much more likely to be a slip of the tongue. The question now is why would Sony release Gran Turismo 6 on the PS3 rather than the PS4? The most likely answer is because there are far more PS3 users than there will be PS4 users this holiday, regardless of how well PS4 performs at launch. In theory, this would position GT6 to sell more copies.

Unfortunately, this would undoubtedly have an inverse affect on the PS4 launch. Sony is already showing significant support for the aging PS3 at the end of its life cycle. Both The Last of Us and Beyond: Two Souls are hotly anticipated titles releasing this year for PS3. If you throw GT6 into the mix, is there really any reason to upgrade to PS4 this year? Oh and there's also a little game called Grand Theft Auto 6 releasing this year on all current-gen and next-gen systems. Again, it begs the question: why upgrade with so many quality titles to play on PS3?

Make no mistake, GT6 is a system seller. The series has sold a staggering 67.89 million units. According to IGN's Colin Moriarty, "The best-selling Gran Turismo game of all-time is Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec on PlayStation 2, which has sold 14.89 million copies worldwide." The original Gran Turismo sold 10.85 million units on the PSone. These numbers easily make it Sony's best-selling franchise.

If Sony releases GT6 only for PS4, it would certainly have a positive affect on the launch. Quality racing titles tend to age well so although sales would initially be lower with a PS4-only launch, it would likely pay off in the long run. GT6 would continue to chart strongly throughout the PS4's life cycle and would also help Sony's new console start strong out of the gate.

But maybe this isn't the best solution. Why not pull a Nintendo and release the game on both systems? After all, it worked during the launch of the Wii with The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. The game sold better on Wii by a 5:1 margin, despite being developed on the GameCube. The Wii went on to have one of the most successful console launches of all-time (Wii Sports undoubtedly played a role in this alongside Twilight Princess).

Sony would still risk losing sales on PS4 by not giving users enough of a reason to buy early; however, it would keep from alienating PS3 owners and may convince a few to go ahead an upgrade when they consider GT6 would still be on the PS4 (likely with better graphics), much like many GameCube owners did with Twilight Princess. 

The console world has changed. Microsoft and Nintendo aren't the only competitors anymore. Mobile devices are surging, PC gaming is holding strong thanks to the likes of Steam, and even web-based games are having an impact on Sony's future. They can ill-afford to launch a system without an enticing hook. Killzone won't be enough on its own. The PS4 needs its Super Mario 64 or Halo. Why not launch the new PS4 with your best-selling franchise of all-time?

Trophy Tuesday: The Most Difficult Platinum Trophy

I've platinumed quite a few games, 41 to be exact. A few of those games, such as Trine 2, were rather easy and could be completed in just a few hours. Others took a great deal of time with Skyrim taking me over 100 hours to platinum. As I pondered this week's Trophy Tuesday blog entry, I considered my most difficult platinum trophy ever.

The contenders:

• Skyrim
• Batman: Arkham City
• Batman: Arkham Asylum
• Modern Warfare 2 
• Mass Effect 2 

Rather than basing it solely off my experience with each game, I decided to take a look at two factors: 1) Difficulty rating according to ps3trophies.org and 2) How many platinumed the game according to PSNProfiles.com.

Let's start with the difficulty rating. Here are the results going from most difficult (1) to least difficult (5).

1. Batman: Arkham City (7/10 TIE)
2. Batman: Arkham Asylum (7/10 TIE)
3. Modern Warfare 2 (6.5)
4. Mass Effect 2 (6/10)
5. Skyrim (4.5/10)

Next, let's rank them in order of the most rare platinum (1) to the most common platinum (5).

1. Batman: Arkham City (10,885)
2. Mass Effect 2 (10,955)
3. Skyrim (22,752)
4. Batman: Arkham Asylum (23,183)
5. Modern Warfare 2 (56,561)

Truth be told, I would have said Arkham City even before looking at these numbers. Not only did it prove to be the most challenging, it also ended up being the platinum trophy I treasure the most. You see, many trophies are simply a battle of attrition. Find this many items, defeat this many enemies, travel this far...Arkham City has its share of these trophies, but it's really the challenge maps and Riddler trophies that set it apart. 

Whereas other games require you to repeat tasks over and over to get a certain trophy, Arkham City's challenge maps require true skill. You have to practice your moves repeatedly and time your parries perfectly, that is if players wish to pursue the game's most difficult trophy, which requires you to use every move at your disposal (gadgets and all) in one continuous free-flow combo...without getting hit. 

One trophy requires you to utilize every
move in your arsenal without taking damage. 

Believe it or not, the combat challenges actually easy when compared to the predator and campaign challenges, which will take trophy hunters to the brink of insanity. For campaign challenges, you're given a 3 room combo where you must obtain all 3 medals on each challenge for a total of 9 medals. You must complete them in order and you're only allowed 3 continues. Fail more than 3 times and you'll be forced to start from the first challenge all over again.

Aside from the slew of skill-based trophies, there are a number of other trophies, unrelated to skill, that will drive you crazy. You'll have to play the entire game twice if the platinum is your ultimate goal. Arkham City features a New Game Plus mode, which must be completed to earn a silver trophy. You'll have to complete every Riddler challenge and find all the Riddler trophies. There's also the bronze Calendar Man trophy, which requires you to play the game on 12 specific dates throughout the year and speak with Calendar Man. You are able to adjust the time on your PS3 to obtain this trophy; however, it can get cumbersome to repeatedly save the game, quit game, restart game, talk to Calendar Man, etc.

In the end, I'm incredibly proud of this platinum trophy and encourage anyone who wants a challenge to go for it. It will take time, dedication, and practice, but in the end, Batman: Arkham City will be one of the rarest platinum trophies in your collection. For easy platinum trophies? Check out my previous two Trophy Tuesday entries on Sly and Far Cry 3. 

What Are The Best Games Of This Generation?

Does it make the cut?

A recent post on Neogaf got me thinking about my favorite games from this generation. I was surprised at how difficult it turned out to be. I struggled to narrow my extensive list of quality titles down to five. I'm still not sure I'm completely happy with my list.

The problem? I left off a number of games I played for days. What is the best way to determine a top 5 list? 

The main problem is this: I can distinguish between games/movies I love and games/movies that are expertly crafted/well-made. They don't always have to be mutually exclusive, yet sometimes they are. Let's look at the original Pirates of the Caribbean. I absolutely love watching that movie. I could watch it many times and still enjoy it. With that being said, I'm fully able to recognize that it's not the greatest movie ever made. It's not even the greatest movie I've ever seen, personally. But how does one weight enjoyment v.s. quality?

Oscar worthy? No. Great popcorn flick? Absolutely.

So we are left to decide how best to rank games. I've come to believe top games should be both fun and well-made. The difficulty arises when you have a game you played far more than any others, but it may not be the most polished game out there. There are two games I spent more hours playing this generation than any other: Skyrim and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.

If reviewing those games though, they would not be at the top of my list. Both have their own set of technical issues and shortcomings; however, the fun factor was enough to keep me playing for hours on end. When it comes time to rank my favorite games, do I go by play time or how I would review each game? I ended up asking myself this question: if you could only have played 5 games from this generation, what would they be?

Couldn't have a top 5 list without it.

With this new qualifier, Skyrim, Journey, and Heavy Rain earn immediate spots. The latter two made me feel certain emotions I never have before while playing a video game. Heavy Rain will stick with me forever because of the choices I made to impact the story, whereas I'll never forget Journey because of the almost-spiritual experience it evokes. Skyrim earns its immediate spot because no game has ever pulled me into its world more. Within a few hours of starting the game, I wanted to go everywhere and explore as much as possible. 

After that, it gets more tricky. I'm still leaving off a number of incredibly fun games and a wide selection of polished games as well. One spot is almost assuredly going to Infamous 2 or Batman Arkham City. I platinumed both titles and enjoyed every minute of each.

The final spot? I'm still left with the entire Uncharted series, Red Dead Redemption, the Mass Effect series, Portal 2, Far Cry 3, Dishonored, the Call of Duty series and Super Mario Galaxy. Wow. That's no easy task. I can't imagine having missed any of those games this past generation. I'm narrowing it down to Uncharted 2, Red Dead Redemption, and Mass Effect 2 because they each had polish, amazing stories, and incredible gameplay. Truth be told, you can't go wrong with any of them, but I will have to say Uncharted 2 by an ever so slight margin. 

Takes the final spot in my top 5.

I'll leave you with my top 10 here (just because I have to give these other games recognition somehow). 

1. Journey
2. Skyrim
3. Batman Arkham City
4. Heavy Rain
5. Uncharted 2
6. Mass Effect 2
7. Red Dead Redemption
8. Infamous 2
9. Portal 2
10. Modern Warfare 2

What are your favorite games from this generation? Is it as hard for you as it was for me? 

Trophy Tuesday: Far Cry 3

Last Friday, I posted a blog about Far Cry 3 and how everyone should play it. Turns out, it's also a great game for trophies. Truth be told, there are very few annoying trophies in the game. I've actually enjoyed seeking out each one to see everything this game has to offer.

PS3trophies.org rates the game's platinum trophy difficulty a 3 out of 10 and in my experience, this is accurate. There are only two missable trophies and those are actually quite difficult to miss. As long as you liberate at least two outposts without being detected, you should be fine. Difficulty does not affect any of the trophies so feel free to play on any level you prefer.

There is also a series of co-op trophies, which you can actually obtain on your own if you have a 2nd controller. Although not ideal, you do have the option if you have an aversion to playing co-op or just don't have any friends.

Don't do it!

Platinum trophies usually fall into three different categories: attainable/terrible game, attainable/fun game, or unattainable. Luckily, Far Cry 3 falls squarely into the 2nd category, much like Sly Cooper. My one piece of advice for trophy hunters? Don't give into the terrible games! It's a never ending cycle and you'll likely regret it completely. There are way too many quality titles with attainable platinums to waste your time on games like Terminator Salvation or Kung Fu Panda...believe me, I know. I've platinumed them both. Don't hate. Just go play Far Cry 3 and add another platinum to your trophy room.

Everyone Should Play Far Cry 3

The weekend is finally here and you know what that means...time for some hardcore gaming! I've been progressing through Far Cry 3 and hope to beat it this weekend. The game is fantastic and I regret not playing it sooner.

It's really not important to have played a Far Cry game before. This entry is its own story - and what a story it is. In fact, the game combines an incredible story with an open world not unlike that of Skyrim...with guns instead of swords and sharks, tigers, and komodo dragons instead of - well, regular dragons. Yes, this is is a game with komodo dragons. Yes, they'll attack you. Oh, and the game runs much better than Skyrim in terms of framerate.

I've always had a fascination with sharks and komodo dragons. They are two of nature's most fearsome predators. By fascination, I mean I'm terrified of them. I've yet to be attacked by a shark (in the game) and hope I can avoid it entirely (both in-game and in real life). As far as I have found, there's really no way to attack while underwater, which means you're incredibly vulnerable. At one point in the game, I needed sharkskin to craft a new item. I shot at the sharks from outside the water and then quickly dove in for the pelts. Luckily, no other sharks approached before I could return to the surface. I also had an untimely death at the hands of a crocodile that resulted in me throwing my controller and screaming like a little girl. My dog seemed rather annoyed that I woke her with my shout. My wife was also less than impressed.

In all seriousness, the game does a fantastic job of drawing you into the lush landscape of Bangkok. Each situation feels unique and what I love is how you can go about a mission in entirely different ways. You can be stealth or you can go in aggressively with your guns. But let's be honest, there's really nothing unique or innovative about offering you basic, cookie-cutter stealth and aggressive options. Fortunately, Far Cry 3 offers you hundreds of possibilities.

Get out of the way and watch the ensuing carnage. 

With Far Cry 3, your decisions are multilayered and you have a number of ways to be stealth or aggressive. For example, if you spot a caged animal right in the middle of an outpost, you can shoot off the door and watch from afar as a bear or leopard wreaks havoc on the enemy. Maybe you prefer a more aggressive approach, in which, one of my favorite options relies on the use of a vehicle. Depending on the outpost's layout, you may be able to take out everyone with your vehicle. If you want to be a little more creative, you can race straight for an outpost and allow the enemy to fire at your vehicle and eventually it will start smoking. Once you see the flames, you can bail out of what is now a very large explosion waiting to happen. If you time it just right, the vehicle will explode and take out a number of enemies.

This really just scratches the surface, but hopefully it's enough to whet your appetite. If you haven't already played Far Cry 3, I would highly recommend it. There's a ton to do, the story is engaging, and the gameplay is fantastic. I may also try and squeeze in some time with Link to the Past this weekend as well. How about you? What is everyone else playing this weekend?

Throwback Thursday: Revisiting The NES And SNES

Confession #1: I never owned a Super Nintendo (SNES) growing up. For whatever reason, I owned a Sega Genesis instead. As I've grown older, I realized the number of incredible titles I missed and I've made an effort to play as many as I can. Lucky for me, my high-school girlfriend (and now my wife) owned one of the greatest gaming systems of all-time. She also had a decent collection of games to go with it.

Confession #2: I've never beaten The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. I've played it on a few different occasions, but never all the way through. Coincidentally, I've recently discovered Neogaf's buy/sell/trade thread, which is an excellent place to find old-school games for a respectable price. So whenever I came across a copy of Link to the Past for $20, I had to pull the trigger.

The first thing to strike me is how beautiful the game still looks. It's really amazing how the SNES has aged so well. Original Nintendo titles don't hold up nearly as well as the 16-bit SNES generation. The colors in Link to the Past really pop and the art style is exactly what we've come to expect from the Zelda series. I'm still very early in the game, but I hope to make Throwback Thursdays a recurring segment here on Retro Raconteur. Perhaps I will revisit my experience with Link to the Past in the coming months.

Still looks beautiful today.

I've also unearthed an original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) that belongs to my brother-in-law. Regrettably, I sold my system long ago. His system also came with a wide array of titles and he even had many of the original boxes. Upon finding these two legacy systems, I'm getting an itch to start collecting old systems and games. I'm already off to a good start with the aforementioned SNES and NES.

It really is amazing to look back on the history of gaming to see how the industry has changed. Even still, you can also see how much has stayed the same. Nintendo has taken Mario, Metroid, and Zelda from 2d to 3d, they've added new control schemes, new weapons, and new worlds to explore, yet that core experience of each title is rock solid. It's part of the reason Nintendo's titles still resonate with so many gamers across the globe.

Trophy Tuesday: Sly Cooper Thieves in Time

Sony's latest title featuring the thieving raccoon has been fairly well-received among critics. It's also a great game for trophy hunters out there...especially if you have the Vita version. 

PS3trophies.org rates the platinum difficulty a 3/10 for Sly Cooper Thieves In Time, and estimates approximately 10-15 hours to obtain every trophy. If you're really looking to skyrocket your PSN level, you can transfer your save to the Vita using the cloud save feature. Sly is actually part of Sony's cross-buy promotion, which means you'll receive a digital copy of the Vita version when you purchase for PS3. By utilizing cloud save, you only have to beat the game once. You then transfer that save to the Vita and load the game. Every trophy you've earned on the PS3 version will instantly pop on the Vita version. Alternatively, you can also continue transferring saves back and forth (as I did) to keep your game moving forward even on the go. 

Sly's most difficult (AKA- annoying) trophies involve a plethora of collectables. There are far more collectables in this entry of Sly over the previous three games. The clue bottles make a return, but you'll also be collecting specific treasures and sly masks. There are certain tasks you can complete to unlock a in-game maps for the clue bottles and treasures; however, there is no map for the masks. 

The Vita makes treasure hunting a breeze.

Fortunately for Vita owners, there's another added benefit to having both games. You can use the Vita's AR treasures mode to highlight every treasure, mask, and clue bottle in orange (make sure you go to options on the PS3 version to enable the AR server first). The rest of the screen appears in a green/night-vision-esque hue. I'm sad to admit it, I didn't even know about this feature until very late in the game. Even so, it proved invaluable for finding those last few masks. 

If you only have a few platinum trophies and are looking for a quick way to increase your level, look no further than Sly. Not only is it an attainable platinum, it's also a great game. 

PlayStation 4 Now Official, Releasing This Year

The PlayStation 4 is official and it's coming this year. If you're reading this blog, you undoubtedly knew this already as Sony formally unveiled the console this week. Actually...they didn't unveil it all! Although we saw games, tech demos, and the controller, we never saw the console itself. Earlier in the week, I posted a few recommendations for Sony on how they could have the best showing possible. Let's see if they earned a passing grade.

1.) Save Something For E3

Pass.

Sony definitely kept a number of details under wraps. While we know the console is set to release "Holiday 2013," we don't have a firm date. The company made no mention of price, other than to say it would be "affordable." What company doesn't say this? Still, let's hope they learned from the PS3's launch and manage to release the console for $399 or less.

And of course, we're all itching to know what the system itself actually looks like. It's a little pointless if you think about it. The console's shell serves no other purpose than to house the internals (which are incredible by the way). Even so, there's just something about a nice, sleek design sitting next to your television. We're almost assured to see the system at this year's E3.

2.) Show The Console And Show The Controller

Fail/Pass.

As mentioned above, we didn't get to see the console. Sony President of Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida told The Guardian, "Our focus here was to show some games and talk about the key principles - we wanted to save the unveiling of the actual console."

After the fact, I'm actually glad they didn't revel both. It definitely leaves us wanting more as we begin the wait for this summer's E3. After all, can we really complain considering they revealed a near-final version of...

...the dualshock 4! The leaks were mostly accurate; however, this version looks more polished overall. The new controller features a touchpad (similar to the Vita's backtouch), as well as new L1/L2/R1/R2 shoulder buttons, a share button, and semi-concave thumbsticks. The controller also appears more ergonomically pleasing than the dualshock 3. The company proved they care about fan response by making revisions to the thumbsticks and the triggers, two of the more popular criticisms regarding the dualshock 3.

3.) Show Real Gameplay

Pass!

I'm really happy about this one. We have to be at least nine months from release so I had reservations they'd actually show gameplay. We saw live demos of Killzone: Shadow Fall, a new title called Knack, and Watch_Dogs from Ubisoft. As expected, Killzone looks absolutely amazing and Watch_Dogs continues to impress.

4.) So Why Do I Need A New Console?

Incomplete.

I say incomplete not because Sony did a poor job of illustrating the need for a new console, but because the presentation was mostly packed with goals, ideas, and lofty expectations. We've yet to see if they'll actually deliver on cloud gaming for every generation through Gaikai (one of my previous predictions), remote play with the Vita on every PS4 game, how the new social features will work, and more.

Overall Grade? Pass

For this type of event so far in advance, Sony really hit it out of the park. We saw gameplay. We saw the new controller. We saw innovative ideas. We saw concepts. We even got a few surprises with Bungie showing Destiny and Blizzard announcing Diablo III for both PS3 and PS4.

I look forward to the news that will no doubt trickle out over the coming months leading up to E3. I'm also curious to see how Microsoft responds. Sony fired the first shot of the new console war and they definitely made it count.

What Are Your Favorite PlayStation Memories?

A new trend has taken Twitter by storm: #PlayStationMemory. Sony's incredible marketing campaign for today's PlayStation Meeting certainly isn't sputtering at the finish line. In fact, it's been just the opposite. Although I have no idea who started the trend, #PlayStationMemory is officially dominating Twitter. Here are a few memories posted thus far:

@jeffrubenstein: Trading in my SNES, Game Boy, & every game I owned for a PS1, Twisted Metal, & RE in 1996 #PlayStationMemory

@JimSterling: That PSOne demo with the T-Rek and the Whale. Also that puzzle game demo that ranked your IQ at the end. #PlayStationMemory

@GameOverGreggy: Waiting 9 hours in line to buy the @PlayStation 2 #PlayStationMemory

This got me thinking about my fondest PlayStation memories and I quickly realized they are rather unique. First of all, I got a PlayStation because of school. Yep. You read that correctly. School!

A company called lightspan adventures designed a series of educational games around the character known as Mars Moose. My father, a superintendent of schools at the time, realized the potential of this. He actually implemented a program where certain classrooms had a PlayStation to play these educational games. We also had a close friend who worked at lightspan. She gave us the games and voila! My parents bought me a PlayStation.

In terms of "real" games, there are two games I remember most fondly: Twisted Metal 2 (TM2) and Final Fantasy VII (FFVII). My friends and I played TM2 for hours on end. This was the go-to game at all our sleepovers. We'd play multiplayer death match, but we spent most of our time on the co-op campaign mode. Even my younger sister enjoyed playing TM2.

Having FFVII on a list of PlayStation Memories is an absolute must. You probably already know how great the game is so I won't even go there. Instead, I'd like to share a specific story. I was in the 6th grade when I played FFVII for the first time. A certain 8th grade girl wanted to come over to my house to "visit my sister" (man how naive you can be in the 6th grade!). Well, she arrived...and I was playing FFVII. And I continued to play FFVII. She came into my room several times and I literally didn't budge. "Hey. What's up? Oh, my sister is in the other room." And I just kept on playing. Talk about playing "hard to get" long before I'd even heard the phrase "hard to get."

I could go on for quite some time about my favorite PlayStation memories. I remember the first time I saw Madden on PS2 and my jaw hit the floor. The helmets! The grass! You can even see their breath in the cold weather! Buying a PS3 and only planning to use it for a blu-ray player. My first platinum trophy. Aye, such great memories.

As I've blogged on a few different occasions, Sony has an incredible opportunity before them tonight. They've hyped the PlayStation base better than any company I've seen in a long time. None of it will matter if they don't deliver on this evening's event.

So...get your popcorn, pull up a chair, and find one of the 1,348 websites streaming the event (that's an exaggeration) in 9 different languages (that part is actually true) and enjoy hearing about the PS4! I'm confident we're about to have another amazing #PlayStationMemory.

AltEgo Announces New League of Legends App

Actually have a bit of news for you guys with this update and it comes via AltEgo. Today, AltEgo announced a new League of Legends (LoL) application for the Android Operating System (OS). The free application, Champion Select, allows users to share in-game accomplishments via popular social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

"It's nice to be able to brag about winning a game of LoL to your friends on Facebook and Twitter, especially when you're such a new player," said JP of Electronic Arts.

Champion Select also allows players to create customized posters featuring a user’s team and stats, providing LoL players with a more enriched experience. Further development is expected, which will offer users even more personalization of their posters. The application brings LoL to social media by  giving players not only the ability to brag, but to also show their friends what they've been doing in-game. Users also have the ability to quickly view different skins for all of the champions. 

"We play LoL a lot, and are always posting our victories. We thought that this would be a much more fun way to do it. These posters allow you to get across messages that go further than just a screenshot," said Seth Gerson, CEO of AltEgo.

The application allows players to actually view a champion’s skin, which gives an idea of how it will appear in-game. Although its currently in beta, this app is already showing quite an opportunity for growth. 

Champion Select is currently available only on Android. It can be downloaded for free from Google Play and requires Android OS 2.2 or higher. 

For more information, feel free to contact Morgan J. East, Community Manager of AltEgo, at morgan@altego.com.