Vid-Gravel-Game https://gravelvideogame.com/ Video Game Blog Thu, 28 Mar 2024 14:07:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://gravelvideogame.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/cropped-gamer-g9f1204dff_640-32x32.png Vid-Gravel-Game https://gravelvideogame.com/ 32 32 Top 10 New CS 2 Features That Are Already Available https://gravelvideogame.com/top-10-new-cs-2-features-that-are-already-available/ Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:30:07 +0000 https://gravelvideogame.com/?p=158 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has captivated millions of players for years. A cutthroat atmosphere of CS competitions is fostered by this […]

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Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has captivated millions of players for years. A cutthroat atmosphere of CS competitions is fostered by this renowned and beloved first-person shooter. Over the last several years, the game has undergone significant changes, changing its name to CS 2. There are a number of exciting new additions to this live edition that should completely change the way competitive CS matches are played. Most notably, the game’s production was able to get off the ground thanks to a technical leap forward—the Source 2 engine—that was part of the overhaul. Thanks to Source 2’s robustness, CS 2 was able to include a plethora of new features, elevating the game to new heights and enhancing it for both casual and competitive players.

The Source 2 Engine

The innovative and versatile Source 2 engine is a product of Valve Corporation. It was used most recently in CS2, Half-Life: Alyx, and Dota 2. Better visuals, physics, and AI capabilities were just a few of the many enhancements brought forth by this engine version. A key aspect of CS2’s development was the engine’s ability to handle large maps and dynamic environments.

10 New CS2 Features

Fresh Environment & Blood Splatter Effect

Other parts of the game will interact with the new environmental effects in CS2. Explosive grenades explode and release a more realistic-looking stream of smoke during the effect. Moreover, the C4 explosion is quite shocking. Blood splatters in CS2 were enhanced for players. When you fire or take damage from bullets, there will be noticeable blood splatters everywhere.

New Grenades Inspect function

New maps were introduced to the playtest in a recent update for Counter-Strike 2 by Valve, and the “Inspect” tool also received a handy little change. In Counter-Strike 2, you may now check the status of your decoy, smoke, flash, or HE grenades. The visual quality and item dynamics while examining grenades are amazing because the engine is also being improved.

Similar to PUBG, the mini-map has an audio indicator

The mini-map in CS2 has been improved, and it now displays a visual depiction of your footsteps similar to Valorant.

Now that the players can see their legs

Beta testers have noticed that the player’s perspective has been changed in CS2. A player’s legs will now be seen whenever they gaze down. This is a very great CS2 feature. The new game also changes the sense of bunny hopping and jumping on boxes by making your legs more noticeable.

New Sub-Tick Mechanism

Problems with the game’s network have long been a source of frustration for those who play multiplayer video games. It goes without saying that a game cannot fix a player’s shaky internet connection. Participants are taking part from their homes in various places, therefore there are variations in latencies even though everyone in the match has a stable connection. 

Redesigned Maps

In CS2, classic maps are given a stunning redesign. From Dust II to Mirage, all of the maps have undergone massive graphical upgrades, making them seem more realistic. These enhanced environments not only make the game more immersive, but they also provide players an edge in strategy by introducing additional vantage points and hiding spots.

New Reactive Smokes

Among Counter-Strike 2’s most notable updates are the game’s new smokes. The original Counter-Strike implementation of landing a smoke in a specific area resulted in a gray fog covering that area, reflecting the smoke’s actual properties. Even though the time for it had not yet elapsed, the players were unable to dispel the smoke from that spot. Counter-Strike 2’s smokes are quite different from the first.

Updated skins & New Gun Models

Furthermore, the skins that were previously in CS:GO are now in CS2 and look completely different. Additionally, CS2’s weapon models have been tweaked. Your skins will seem gorgeous in the updated game because of the new Source 2 engine, which has several aesthetic improvements to the in-game lighting system and materials. On top of that, the C4 Bomb looks different today.

Fresh In-Game UI

The user interface of Counter-Strike 2 is totally revamped, with huge visual changes to the head-up display and the game’s main menu. As a result, a number of in-game moments, including as the CS teams selection screen and the match-ending phase, will have a new look. Drawing inspiration from Valorant, the user interface also has a capability to show your kill count. After five kills, the deck fills up and an ace is flashed.

Brand-new radio announcements

One possible addition to Counter-Strike 2 is new character audio lines and radio announcements. Even though they’re in the game’s files, the limited beta test isn’t using them just yet. Their inclusion in future CS2 versions is something that might be considered.

Conclusion

Stepping down from CS:GO to CS2 is best described by no other term. Developers were able to build groundbreaking ideas that have already had a big effect on the gaming community after adopting the Source 2 engine, which opened the door to endless potential. The evolution of the Counter-Strike brand is on full display in CS2, which has visually stunning upgraded maps and dynamic weather that presents players with new challenges.

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Maximizing Problem-Solving Skills Through Engagement with Video Games https://gravelvideogame.com/maximizing-problem-solving-skills-through-engagement-with-video-games/ Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:29:10 +0000 https://gravelvideogame.com/?p=154 In today’s digitally connected world, video games have become not only a means of entertainment, but also a powerful tool […]

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In today’s digitally connected world, video games have become not only a means of entertainment, but also a powerful tool for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Research shows that engaging in gaming can improve these critical skills needed in all aspects of life. In this article, we will look at exactly how video games influence the development of problem-oriented thinking and how you can maximize useful skills by playing them.

Developing critical thinking through strategy games

Strategy video games, spanning the genres of both real-time strategy (RTS) and adventure games with puzzle elements, are a powerful tool for developing critical thinking. These games require players not only to react quickly, but also to plan strategically, think analytically and adapt to new challenges.

Examples of games and their impact

  • Real-Time Strategy (RTS). StarCraft and Age of Empires require players to develop an economy, manage resources, build an army, and fight battles, all in real time. Players need to make quick decisions, anticipate enemy actions, and develop a multifaceted strategy to achieve victory.
  • Adventure games with puzzle elements. The Legend of Zelda and Portal present players with challenges that require logical thinking and creative problem solving. These games often offer challenging puzzles that cannot be solved without carefully analyzing the environment and using innovative solutions.

How strategy games develop critical thinking

  • Developing strategic thinking. Strategic thinking involves the ability to analyze a situation, make informed decisions, and predict the long-term consequences of those decisions. While playing RTS and adventure games with puzzle elements, players are constantly challenged to assess the current state of affairs and make decisions that will contribute to their future success.
  • Improved adaptability. The changing conditions of the game world require players to be flexible in their thinking and adaptable. When faced with new challenges and unexpected obstacles, players learn to quickly rethink their strategies and look for alternative ways to accomplish a goal. This ability to adapt is a valuable skill applicable to many aspects of real life, especially in environments that are rapidly changing or uncertain.

Increasing patience and perseverance levels

Through the process of play, especially when faced with difficult challenges and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, players learn not only to patiently explore different strategies to solve them, but also to persevere in the search for a successful outcome without giving up at the first sign of failure. This constant interaction with challenges in the game world, requiring time, effort, and often multiple attempts to achieve a goal, fosters patience and perseverance in players. Thus, video games provide a unique platform for developing these qualities, which are key to effective problem solving not only in the virtual world but also in the real world, where the ability to persevere and find solutions in the most difficult situations can determine the outcome of any endeavor.

Developing team skills and collaboration

In games such as team-based shooters Overwatch and Counter-Strike, and massively multiplayer online games (MMORPGs) like World of Warcraft, teamwork and collaboration are at the forefront. These games require players not only to have a high level of individual skill, but also the ability to communicate effectively, cooperate, and strategically plan as a team. The gameplay encourages the development of communication skills, as players need to discuss tactics, coordinate actions and solve problems in real time.

Through this interaction in games, participants also develop leadership skills. In situations where the success of a team depends on a clear distribution of roles and quick decision making, those players who can take on the role of leader, organize the efforts of the group and direct them towards achieving a common goal come to the fore. These in-game moments provide valuable experience that players can apply in real life, improving their leadership and teamwork skills professionally and personally.

Improved ability to multitask

Improving your multitasking ability is one of the key benefits that modern video games have to offer. During the game, participants often have to simultaneously manage a number of variables and tasks, which trains their ability to effectively switch attention and coordinate actions. Let’s look at how video games help develop this important skill:

  1. Resource Management: Many strategy games, such as Civilization or StarCraft, require players to control limited resources (gold, food, building materials), distributing them among various tasks and projects. This requires alertness and the ability to quickly adapt to change.
  2. Monitoring Character and Team Health: In role-playing and team-based games such as World of Warcraft or League of Legends, players need to monitor not only their character’s health, mana (or similar resource), skills, and positioning. team members. This teaches them to quickly respond to changes and make decisions that can affect the outcome of a battle or mission.
  3. Map Following and Navigation: Open world games such as The Witcher or Skyrim require players to simultaneously explore the world, complete quests, and navigate the map. The ability to quickly switch between these tasks develops spatial thinking and planning ability.
  4. Puzzle Solving under Time Pressure: Puzzle-solving games, such as Portal or Tetris, often set a time limit to add challenge. This forces players to work towards solving a problem while managing time and possibly other interfering factors.
  5. Strategic Planning and Execution: In games that require strategic planning, like XCOM or Final Fantasy Tactics, players must not only develop long-term plans, but also adapt their tactics in real time in response to enemy actions.

These aspects of gameplay not only make games fun and challenging, but also help develop players’ multitasking skills. The ability to effectively manage multiple tasks at once and quickly switch between different activities will come in handy in a wide variety of real-life situations, from school and work to organizing daily routines.

To sum up

Video games go beyond mere entertainment and are a valuable resource for developing and improving problem-solving skills. Through the variety of genres and challenges they offer—from strategic thinking in RTS and logic puzzles in adventure games to teamwork in multiplayer battles and multitasking in dynamic game worlds—video games teach, challenge, and motivate players to develop and apply these skills in real life. This highlights the importance of games as a tool for learning and personal growth, emphasizing their role in building the skills needed to successfully adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world. A responsible and informed approach to choosing and interacting with video games can turn gaming time into an investment in personal and professional development, making it not only fun, but also rewarding.

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Entertainment in the Digital World versus the World of Chance: Key Differences https://gravelvideogame.com/entertainment-in-the-digital-world-versus-the-world-of-chance-key-differences/ Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:27:54 +0000 https://gravelvideogame.com/?p=149 One of the most important roles in human existence in contemporary civilization is that of entertainment. The distinctions between various […]

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One of the most important roles in human existence in contemporary civilization is that of entertainment. The distinctions between various forms of entertainment are getting more and more hazy as technology advances. This is especially true in the digital realm, where gaming, virtual reality, social networking, and virtual reality are all interwoven. In this piece, we’ll look at the key differences between the digital entertainment sector and the recreational gaming market.

Digital Entertainment: Deep Dive

Definition

Any type of entertainment that can be accessed through electronic devices and comprises a variety of media and interactive activities is referred to as digital entertainment. This might include anything from utilising social media and interacting with applications to viewing films and playing video games. One important aspect of digital entertainment is its capacity to link people and information worldwide through the Internet, offering consumers a never-ending supply of entertainment options – de.egamersworld.com/blog/casinos-and-cybersecurity-measures-to-protect-play-SPt803PzW.

Peculiarities

  • Interaction. One of the key components of digital entertainment is interaction. This distinguishes them from more traditional media, such as television and books, where the audience is only an informational conduit. In the digital world, users can influence the plot of video games, participate in content creation on social media platforms, and interact with other users in real time.
  • Accessible. Another important factor is the accessibility of digital entertainment. People may now access a variety of entertainment at any time and from any location, thanks to developments in mobile technology and speedier Internet. This enables entertainment to be tailored to each person’s preferences and availability.
  • Socialization. Socialisation is also greatly influenced by digital entertainment. Virtual worlds are created via social networks and massively multiplayer online games, enabling people to connect, share interests, and form connections with each other regardless of their physical location. It encourages the development of virtual communities with common interests and objectives, offering a forum for idea sharing and collaborative creation.
  • Educational potential. Remember the educational value that digital entertainment may impart. A lot of apps and games are created with the intention of teaching as well as amusing users. They can offer interactive lessons in subjects ranging from foreign languages to history and science, making the learning experience more engaging and effective.
  • Skill development. Games, especially strategy games & role-playing games, promote critical thinking, planning, and teamwork. Players learn to make quick decisions, adapt to new situations and work as a team to achieve a common goal.

World of chance: gambling

Gambling is a category of entertainment where the outcome is determined by chance and participation often involves financial stakes. Includes activities such as playing in a casino, betting on sports, participating in lotteries, and playing cards for money. A characteristic feature of gambling is the uncertainty of the outcome, which stimulates the interest and involvement of players.

Peculiarities

  • Risk and opportunity to win: The main attraction of gambling is the adrenaline of risk and the chance of winning big. Players risk their own money, hoping for luck, which brings them both potential income and emotional satisfaction.
  • Regulation: Gambling is strictly controlled by the government in most countries, including licensing and taxation. These measures are aimed at preventing fraud and protecting players from addiction and financial loss.
  • Excitement: A unique feature of gambling is the challenge of excitement and intense emotional excitement, which is the main reason for participation for many gamblers.
  • The psychological & social dimensions: In addition to having a positive socialising effect on players’ psychology and society, gambling can also result in addiction, monetary difficulties, and social isolation.
  • Legal Implications: Along with government regulation, gambling has legal implications, including possible restrictions or bans in some countries, which impacts illegal gaming participants and operators.

Key Differences

For amusement purposes

  • Playing video games, viewing films, and utilising social media are examples of digital entertainment that aims to provide consumers with enjoyment, relaxation, and educational opportunities. Their design prioritises meeting a range of interests and requirements, from entertainment to education, and makes information accessible to consumers without posing a financial risk.
  • Unlike digital entertainment, gambling, such as poker, sports betting or slot machines, involves investing money with the goal of obtaining a financial gain. The main goal here is not only entertainment, but also the desire to make a profit, which inevitably involves the risk of losing your initial bets. This element of risk and the possibility of big wins provide a special kind of excitement and excitement.

Impact on the user

  • The user can benefit from digital entertainment by developing abilities like creativity, teamwork, fast thinking, and quick reflexes. Video games, for example, often require the player to develop complex strategies, solve problems, and cooperate with other players to achieve common goals.
  • Gambling, on the other hand, can lead to gambling addiction and financial problems for some users. Constant risk and the desire to win more can lead to a loss of control over gambling behavior, which negatively affects the personal, professional and family life of the individual.

Social facet

  • Digital entertainment frequently promotes socialisation through the avenues it provides for online connection and socialisation. Communities of shared interests are formed by multiplayer online games, social networks, and forums, allowing users to share information, learn from one another, and form new social bonds.
  • Gambling can have both social and individual aspects. Casinos and poker nights can provide places for social interaction, but many forms of gambling, including online betting and slot machines, involve more isolated participation. For some people, such involvement may result in a decline in real social interaction and an increase in feelings of loneliness. In the long term, this can lead to weakened social connections and less support from friends and family, especially if gambling becomes problematic or results in financial loss.

Conclusion

In the random and digital worlds, entertainment can evoke a wide range of emotions and sensations. Knowing the main distinctions between them enables you to choose wisely between different leisure activities.  While gambling entails some danger but also an element of opportunity of winning, digital entertainment is typically more accessible and diversified. Striking a balance and being conscious of the possible repercussions of each entertainment decision are crucial.

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How The New CS 2 Features Will Change The Competition Scene And Matches https://gravelvideogame.com/how-the-new-cs-2-features-will-change-the-competition-scene-and-matches/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 13:22:32 +0000 https://gravelvideogame.com/?p=112 Keeping up with the latest trends is essential for surviving in the fast-paced world of professional gaming. With the release […]

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Keeping up with the latest trends is essential for surviving in the fast-paced world of professional gaming. With the release of CS 2, which adds a variety of cutting-edge features, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) has made a significant advancement in the year 2023. When it was announced that the Source 2 engine will be used to revamp their favorite game, CS:GO players were ecstatic. It should not be surprising that Counter-Strike is being played today and has recently become even more well-liked.

The popular CS:GO game and many new opportunities made possible by the new technology combine in Counter-Strike 2 to create an exhilarating new experience. An improved version of Global Offensive is CS:GO at a higher level. The CSGO matches and professional environment are changing, and this essay explores how these new elements are impacting tactics, meta changes, the viewing experience, and team interactions.

How Updated CS 2 Features Will Affect Competitions

New Gameplay Mechanics

In the field of competitive play, CS 2 offered a variety of gaming elements that have turned out to be innovative and compelling. These characteristics include:

  • Newly revised and updated maps;
  • Adaptive smoke grenade dynamics;
  • Undertick system;
  • Upgraded audio and visual effects;
  • Binds, legs, other in-game modifications, new utility items, and a rebalanced arsenal of weapons, including the defusing mechanisms for bomb placement.

Players and teams have had to adapt and create new strategies to take advantage of these new game mechanics while minimizing their disadvantages. The game now expects players to take a more strategic and adaptable approach, raising the level of competition across the board.

Balancing and Meta Shifts

A huge meta change has taken place in the competitive CS:GO environment as a result of the introduction of CS 2’s new features. While once-essential tools have lost some of their importance, several weapons and utility items that were previously underutilized are now viable options. The gameplay has been varied as a result of the balance update, making games more unexpected and interesting. To be relevant in the constantly changing meta, players and teams must investigate undiscovered tactics and improve upon their current ones. Live and current CS 2 matches have already demonstrated the effects of these improvements, piquing the curiosity of both fans and experts.

Enhanced Spectator Experience

One thing that sets CS 2 apart from other video games is its exceptional emphasis on improving the CS tournament watching experience. Viewers are given access to a wealth of improvements that give them a unique insight into the gameplay. Viewers may go further into the nuance of each CS match thanks to the inclusion of real-time heat maps, extensive statistics, and player insights.

Additionally, CS 2 has made a significant move by integrating augmented reality (AR) technology into broadcasts, converting games into visually compelling experiences. This action has substantially increased audience engagement by introducing an immersive aspect to the gaming spectacle. For the current competitive CSGO matches and CSGO live scores at https://tips.gg/csgo/matches/ and never miss a moment of the thrilling esports action in the dynamic world of CSGO. Using this platform makes it simple to stay in touch with the captivating competitive scene of CS 2 and its captivating environment.

Evolution of Team Dynamics

An interesting shift in team relations, notably in the areas of communication and strategy, has been brought about by the introduction of CS 2 to the professional CS:GO scene. Teams have had to adjust to the new gameplay features and meta adjustments to prepare for upcoming CSGO matches on the CS schedule. During games, precise coordination and quick decision-making are essential for success, and effective team communication is now a need. Teams are experimenting with novel methods as strategies have evolved to make use of CS 2’s updated capabilities. The importance of keeping track of CS live scores has increased because winning now depends on being able to change tactics in the middle of a game and effectively counter the opponents’ moves. The development of team dynamics is expected to be an interesting development to see in the always-competitive environment of CSGO scores where teams are working to improve their abilities.

Conclusion

With the arrival of CS 2 in 2023, the competitive CS:GO scene has been given new life, providing participants, teams, and spectators with an exciting and novel experience. As a result of the new gameplay principles, tactics have been revitalized, causing important meta-shifts and engaging battles. CS:GO is now a top-tier esports in terms of viewership because of the spectator improvements, which have increased viewer enthusiasm. The growth of team dynamics has also set a higher standard for competitive excellence, driving teams to develop original plans of action and perform perfect cooperation. The competitive environment and matches will undoubtedly be an exciting trip chock full of expectations as the CS 2 era progresses.

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Bleak Sword DX https://gravelvideogame.com/bleak-sword-dx/ Fri, 02 Jun 2023 08:17:00 +0000 https://gravelvideogame.com/?p=61 The creators of Bleak Sword DX call it a Lo-Fi version of Elden Ring. It's the same gritty, dystopian fantasy, only it doesn't look as beautiful as the FromSoftware project.

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The creators of Bleak Sword DX call it a Lo-Fi version of Elden Ring. It’s the same gritty, dystopian fantasy, only it doesn’t look as beautiful as the FromSoftware project. The main character is a bunch of white pixels armed with the same “pixel” sword, and the opponents here are not much better detailed. However, minimalism does not harm the game – in combination with a solid gameplay you get an exciting and moderately complex action.

Pixels vs. tyranny

The plot is about as sketchy as the graphics: the king is killed by his youngest son, whose mind was clouded by the sword, popularly called Pale. After this, all sorts of evil spirits flooded the land, including those summoned by dark magicians, and all this went on for over 200 years while the Pale King continued to occupy the throne. Suddenly word gets out that there are magic stones capable of putting an end to the tyranny, and the main character sees a prophecy in a dream from which the location of both these stones and the Pale King becomes known.

The story does not develop further in any significant way. The protagonist visits various regions one after another – from snow-covered mountains to forests and swamps – meets a strong opponent at the end of each chapter, they exchange a few words, fight, and we move on. A bit of a pity that the narrative is given so little attention – you can skip the clips with the bosses without losing anything. And in the local bestiary descriptions of the enemies do not contain anything interesting.

The emphasis is on gameplay. All chapters consist of about a dozen levels each and represent tiny arenas in which you must defeat all the enemies. They appear one after another and always in the same places – when you die and restart the level, nothing changes.

The main character is able to perform normal sword strikes, as well as charging them to do more damage. The difficulty is that each swing takes away stamina – after the fourth strike the protagonist is exhausted and must take a short pause.

The key skill in the hero’s arsenal is parry. Weak attacks of the opponents can be repelled by timely pressing the block button, in which case the opponent briefly becomes defenseless. Parrying is accompanied by a bright special effect and corresponding sound, so it is pleasant to perform it – it is a kind of reward for the correct use of the mechanics.

The blade shines in a special way after the parry

The mechanics are hackneyed, but it is implemented perfectly – not once I had a moment when parrying could not be done because of a bug or awkward control. And the types of enemies are enough that several times during the chapter there are completely new individuals with unique tricks. Some fly and can only take damage when they fall to the ground, some scatter and try to knock the hero off his feet. Spiders spit cobwebs, tentacles come out of the water in different places, strange evil sunflowers shoot in your direction…

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Fall of Porcupine https://gravelvideogame.com/fall-of-porcupine/ Fri, 19 May 2023 08:15:00 +0000 https://gravelvideogame.com/?p=58 Before the release, many not only compared Fall of Porcupine to Night in the Woods, but called it the spiritual successor

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Before the release, many not only compared Fall of Porcupine to Night in the Woods, but called it the spiritual successor, the “perfect fan game” and the unofficial sequel. To what extent have these expectations and advances been met, and is Fall of Porcupine capable of existing outside of these comparisons?

Groundhog Day, Cat and Dove

To help you understand the level of comparisons, let me remind you of Night in the Woods itself. It’s a marvelous action game that won the 2018 BAFTA Award for narrative. We play as an anthropomorphic cat named May – she returns to her hometown, populated by the same upright animals who live, have fun, are sad, and grow up like humans.

For Mei, the routine of everyday life begins-she goes for a daily walk in town, socializes, spends time with friends, returns home, and in the morning it’s all over again. This is diluted with mini-games, vivid characters, well-written dialogue and great music by Alec Holowka.

Despite all the advantages of the game, the very routine, when May is just talking every day and nothing really happens, at first it may strain, if not discourage. And then the unexpected, mystical, and dangerous events begin. Although the suspense and mystery were felt here before.

So, Fall of Porcupine is built on the same principles. We play as the anthropomorphic pigeon Finley, who arrives in the titular city of Porcupine, inhabited by similarly upright animals. Here he joins the local hospital as an intern. For him (and for us) the routine begins – we wake up, go to the hospital, chat with colleagues and patients, make diagnoses, go home to get some sleep, and in the morning it’s all over again.

All of this is diluted with mini-games, platforming elements (even simpler than in Night in the Woods) and enjoyable music. There are direct quotes, too. Like May, Finley loves to refer to inanimate objects, like the vending machine or the mannequin in the store window. And just like in Night in the Woods, sometimes he has to decide with which of his friends and how to end his day.

Similarly, nothing really happens here for a long time, although the tension and the mystique are also felt from the beginning. Just kidding – the game begins with Finley trying to save a patient who has inexplicably ended up on an abandoned hospital floor.

About our lives, not about mysticism

The shadow of that event hangs over Finley and us almost the entire game, but the mystery only finds a solution in the final part. Before that, too, almost mystical events happen. Also, our hero, like May, sometimes has nightmares.

However, all of this eventually finds a very familiar, human explanation. Night in the Woods was also not about mysterious murders and cults, but about life, the search for yourself and human (as strange as it may sound in a game with such characters) relationships. The authors of Fall of Porcupine decided to abandon mysticism altogether, using it only as a sly enticement.

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Harry Potter: Magic Awakened https://gravelvideogame.com/harry-potter-magic-awakened/ Sun, 23 Apr 2023 08:02:00 +0000 https://gravelvideogame.com/?p=49 In the past few years, Warner Bros. Games seemed to realize that the audience that grew up on the Harry books is already solvent

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In the past few years, Warner Bros. Games seemed to realize that the audience that grew up on the Harry books is already solvent, so the company set out to close all the niches in games based on the Wizarding World universe. There’s the interactive novel Hogwarts Mystery, Wizards Unite with augmented reality, the full AAA-RPG Hogwarts Legacy and the more straightforward Puzzles & Spells in the Three in a Row genre.

The Magic of Fanservice

Like most World of Magic games, Magic Awakened has moved away from the core story of Boy Who Survived, but still continues to exploit fanservice. At the center of the narrative is another freshman who receives a letter from Hogwarts ten years after the Second Magical War. Unlike the already mentioned Hogwarts Mystery and Legacy, here the freshman is not a chosen one, there are no dangers in the magical world, except for repulsed teenagers, and therefore the developers have deprived the hero with adventures of epic proportions. Instead, the story centers around two things: fanservice and quests by fellow students.

Outside of the books and movies, the characters’ lives continued: Neville took a job at Hogwarts as a teacher of herbalism, McGonagall took over as headmaster, Hermione worked in the Ministry of Magic, George continued running a prank store. The general canon for the universe hasn’t changed, and the player will find another soul-warming memory now and then. I wish that the participation of matured heroes was limited to this, because in this case, the younger generation of wizards would have more freedom and their own adventures.

Languishing from the lack of his own adventures, the protagonist takes on someone else’s, so the entire first year is devoted to fellow students and their problems. As in Hogwarts Mystery, there is no shortage of charismatic characters. Traditionally, there are pompous Slytherins, heroes with a dark past, Muggleborns, animal lovers and Zelvarians, avid Quidditch players, painters and other hoarders, who supplement the spirit of Hogwarts and look good against the familiar Potterian heroes.

The characters are formulaic but fun, so their stories are fun to explore. It would be nice if in addition to the personal quests in the game there was a through plot, and the tasks did not follow in a chaotic order, constantly stopping and interrupting each other.

It goes something like this. On the first day one of our classmates disappeared, so the heroes spent the whole night looking for her. The girl was found, but there would be no debriefing – in the morning everyone forgot about it, because they found a sealed portrait. The boys ran around with it all morning, and once they were done, they were humiliated by a couple of Slytherins. Then there’s the tearful backstory of another character, the same classmate missing again, the Slytherins, a trip to the clothing store, an unexpected cold, trying to make a cure…

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Crash Team Rumble https://gravelvideogame.com/crash-team-rumble/ Wed, 15 Feb 2023 08:11:00 +0000 https://gravelvideogame.com/?p=55 After the release of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, the series began to develop further. With Crash and his friends came the arcade race,

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After the release of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, the series began to develop further. With Crash and his friends came the arcade race, then there was a full-fledged fourth part, and now Crash Team Rumble is on sale. This is an attempt to make a multiplayer entertainment based on the series, another service game with long-term support and constant updates. However, there is a suspicion that the idea was so-so and this project will not live long.

There is never much fruit

Two teams of four players in each get on the map. The task is to collect the fruit scattered all over the place and take it to their base. As soon as one of the teams gets 2 thousand points, the match ends. There is only one mode, so the rules in each match are the same, and gameplay-wise it all resembles a greatly simplified MOBA – I immediately had associations with Pokémon Unite, only in “Crash” you don’t have to fight with mobs.

The skills of the heroes of the same class are different. Crash, for example, is able to make a roll and flop on the ground, while Tona uses a cat hook, and Catfish can target enemies from the air. But in the end, almost everyone does the same thing: collect fruit, take it to the base, and fight back against enemies. The tanks have the easiest task – they either defend their own base so that no one would interfere with the team dropping fruit, or stand at the side of the enemies and annoy them with their presence.

The main problem with Crash Team Rumble, which caused me to lose interest in the game very quickly, is the lack of depth in the gameplay. In each match, team members run around, smashing crates, picking up fruit, and taking it back to base. Sometimes along the way fighting with other players, sometimes interacting with the environment. In addition to the fruit scattered across the map relics – collect enough, bring it to a special platform and activate the bonus, unique to a particular location. Somewhere you briefly sit in a big ball, allowing you to quickly scurry around the map, somewhere you start jumping higher and falling louder.

Everything follows the same script. There is almost no teamwork – once I played as Crash, and one of the opponents took a tank and stood on our base, not letting anyone near. It was impossible to deal with him alone, so I ran around in circles, hoping that someone would help. No help – everyone was just fooling around somewhere in the distance and didn’t even think to carry fruit to the base. This happens in a large number of matches – very often you get players who ignore the main task.

The progression system, which could have made such hopeless matches a little more fun thanks to the rewards, doesn’t save you either. First, you earn experience to unlock all the characters – at first only three are unlocked. Then you do battle pass quests and earn experience for each individual character by unlocking cosmetic items for them. But everything happens terribly slowly – there are 100 levels in the skip, and it takes a long time even to get to the tenth.

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Aliens: Dark Descent https://gravelvideogame.com/aliens-dark-descent/ Thu, 26 Jan 2023 08:08:00 +0000 https://gravelvideogame.com/?p=52 I dare say that "Strangers" is lucky to have adaptations. First of all, there are a lot of them, from books to board games.

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I dare say that “Strangers” is lucky to have adaptations. First of all, there are a lot of them, from books to board games. Secondly, they are more or less all right with quality. When I was a kid, I remember reading the novellizations of the first films, and when I got a little older, the video games were just as fascinating. Even though they were mostly crossovers with another charming alien guest, the Predator, the developers loved copying the stylistics of the Xenomorph movies, especially the second part.

Aliens: Dark Descent also experiments with the genre – we are trying to create a tactical strategy, which is not quite usual for the franchise.

Self-Isolation Mode

The protagonists of Dark Descent are everyone’s favorite colonial marines. However, the narrative begins on behalf of Maiko Hayes, the administrator of the Pioneer station orbiting a planet called Leta.

By someone’s malice, the aliens infiltrate the station and begin to process the personnel into meat and live cocoons for larvae. Hayes, as a member of the administration, decides to activate the Cerberus protocol, which quarantines the station, the planet itself, and the Colonial Marines’ ship Otago, which happens to be in the vicinity. The quarantine is very simple – a hefty pack of torpedoes, attacking any ship that tries to leave orbit. Both the station and the Otago, which Hayes manages to get to at the last minute, are damaged as a result.

The entire plot takes place against the backdrop of the first tutorial mission, which somewhat stuffily explains the basics of the game. The landing ship, meanwhile, crashes, and Hayes meets Sergeant Jonas Harper, who takes command of the survivors. They join forces to survive, repair the ship, and get off this planet — preferably by clearing it of the xeno menace.

The Marines on the ship don’t sit idly by: while Hayes and Harper entertain the viewer with plot scenes, the soldiers lick their wounds and prepare to go into battle. Soon after the crash, the team decides to explore the settlements on Lethe in search of answers to the questions: what are those things, how to get rid of them, and what happened in general? There are more pressing goals, though – like fixing the ship and providing a communications channel to report back to the Company about the disaster.

Another glorious day in the hull

The main story begins with the first landing operation: the game is divided into sortie missions, during which Marines visit the colony’s settlements and even climb the orbital station. Upon arrival, the squad is placed under your control (assuming that the soldiers are led by Sgt. Harper and Hayes via radio communication). Moves as a single unit – you can not give orders to individual soldiers, they choose who to do what, depending on the skills, specialization and their location.

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Undeniable advantages of a PC https://gravelvideogame.com/undeniable-advantages-of-a-pc/ Wed, 19 Oct 2022 08:31:00 +0000 https://gravelvideogame.com/?p=67 The Steam gaming platform is head and shoulders above all possible analogues. Here you can buy and store games, download modifications from the workshop, and communicate with a huge community of players.

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The Steam gaming platform is head and shoulders above all possible analogues. Here you can buy and store games, download modifications from the workshop, and communicate with a huge community of players. Steam games are much cheaper than console stores for Xbox One and PlayStation. Regional discounts and regular sales are also worth considering. In general, it is quite realistic to buy a game in Steam for $5, which in the Xbox Store will cost $60. With these discounts, buying a console no longer seems like a good investment. And also do not forget that some players simply “pirate” games from torrents.

A person who has been a PC-gamer all his life, it may seem like some incredible wildness. But more often than not, console gamers pay extra for the opportunity to play online. To have access to multiplayer, console players subscribe to Xbox Live or PlayStation Network services. A one-year Xbox Live Gold subscription or PlayStation Plus membership will cost $60. It doesn’t seem like much per year. But there’s still a residue. There are still more PC games Console players like to brag about their exclusives – games that don’t come out on PC.

Dozens and even hundreds of mods are created for a huge number of PC games. Mods improve the graphics of games, add new game content, new adventures. All this wealth can be used without any problems. Alas, modifications are not friendly with consoles. Players on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have to make do with the content the developers gave them. And there is no space for creativity.

Some games of certain genres are convenient to play on the gamepad. We are talking about fighting games (“Mortal Kombat”) or platformers (“Super Meat Boy”). But for the vast majority of games keyboard and mouse remain the best choice. This is especially true for all games, in one way or another related to shooting. Aiming in shooters with a gamepad is a real perversion. Anyway, PC gamers can choose how and on what to play. If you need a gamepad to play, the user plugs it in. If you need a steering wheel or an airplane joystick, you’re welcome. Any whim is available for your money. Console players have to play everything with a gamepad. True, it was recently reported that Razer introduced the first keyboard and mouse for the Xbox One, so that advantage may well go to consoles as well.

The console takes over the TV. If one of your pets wants to watch a movie, you have to turn the game off. With a computer, there’s no such problem. The TV is separate, the monitor is separate.

Only a PC gamer can fully realize the pleasure of assembling his computer. First you carefully choose the right equipment, compare the specifications of the components, evaluate, study, learn. Then, when you have all the parts you need, you start assembling. Assembling a computer is a sacred process, almost meditative.

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