Video Games of the Summer
Vacation is almost upon us, and with the lazy days of summer fast approaching, students can take the time they need to relax.
Inevitably, inclement weather will occur a few times over break. With rainy days and nothing to do, video games are a sure thing for someone looking for a method to kill time until the sun breaks through the clouds again.
Diablo III- May 15
This is one that should be saved for when there are no other priorities on your list. Whether it is work, summer classes or an internship, Diablo games are as addicting as they come. Finding new armor, weapons and treasure will make this loot fest last long into the night. Exploring dungeon after dungeon and hacking through legions of enemies is an art perfected by developer Blizzard, best known for their game World of Warcraft.
Using the Havok physics engine, the environments of Diablo III are going to be destructible, with in-game damage effects that make the exploration of the game’s two main continents more engaging. Character classes such as the mage, barbarian and demon hunter all utilize techniques in magic, brawling and assassination, respectively.
People with addictive personalities should avoid Diablo III. Ten minutes into this game, and it may affect your summer duties at work or school.
Dragon’s Dogma- May 22
Developer Capcom has already released its fair share of video games this year. From the Japanese revenge tale Asura’s Wrath to the darkened halls of Resident Evil: Revelations, the company has not taken 2012 slowly by any means. Dragon’s Dogma is a chance for the developer to branch into unfamiliar territory.
Based in a medieval setting, Dragon’s Dogma pits the player and up to three other AI players against beasts ranging from chimeras to griffins. The pawn system allows the gamer to characterize their allies, and share them with other players online. The fact that players’ pawns generate experience points even when being used by other gamers is the most enticing part about this feature. Community interaction has proven to be a great method to promote longevity in a game, especially when the role-playing market is still clogged up by titles like Skyrim and Kingdoms of Amalur.
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
May 22 (360, PS3, PC)
With an upcoming release on May 22 with Dragon’s Dogma, Future Soldier will put advanced military technology on display with an elite group of special ops soldiers. Previous Ghost Recon titles have impressed gamers with their cooperative gameplay and tactical approach to shooting games.
With even more streamlined ways to communicate with AI teammates, and a slew of new weapons and maps to keep players busy, Future Soldier is guaranteed to provide a visceral firefight experience. Firing from cover as teammates flank the enemy never fails to provide an adrenaline rush. With a story involving four soldiers fighting an entire army, the single player is sure to turn a few heads also. Environments spanning the globe will create numerous approaches to each mission.
Darksiders 2-June 26
(360, PS3, PC)
The first Darksiders impressed gamers with an original story loosely based on biblical conflicts. With myriad puzzles, battles and new weapons to obtain, the adventure that the Horseman of War embarked upon reverberated for months after completion of the game.
In the sequel, players will take control of another horseman, Death. With more agile attacks than those of his brother, Death will bring a whole new experience to fans of the original. New weapons such as the scythe and hammer will make the fighting more dynamic, while the open world mechanic being implemented is a great way to increase the game’s appeal to fans of the RPG genre.
Following a storyline parallel to the first title, Death will attempt to absolve his brother of the crimes against the mysterious Charred Council that he supposedly committed. If the screenshots and gameplay are any indication of the quality of this upcoming title, gamers should clear their schedule come June.
