Last of Us 2! Rumours & Speculation!

It's a pretty huge likelihood!

The smallest of comments can send fans on the internet rocketing into a frenzy of speculation in any given situation, whether it's a film sequel, prequel or gaming remake, however this time around we're talking about the multiple award winning title the Last of Us. 

Speaking at MetroCon in Florida, North who voices Nathan Drake in Naughty Dog's other blockbuster series Uncharted gave fans a glimpse of hope that there may be a Last of Us 2 in the making. 

He Said: 

''I know they're doing Last of Us 2 but my character in the Last of Us kind of met an untimely demise...''

I don't know about anyone else but I'm pretty happy with that comment alone - it's official!! No, but to make things even more exciting, in December a former lead character artist at Naughty Dog, Michael Knowland reportedly changed part of his LinkedIn profile to say that he had been working on head sculpts for Last of Us 2. 

I know right?! Get excited with me please! 

Why wouldn't Naughty Dog even consider making a sequel to one of it's highest grossing games of 2013?! Speculate all you want but the fans demand it! 

Troy baker, who voiced protagonist Joel has denied any involvement or knowledge of a sequel (probably because he knows so much and has trouble resisting, ha!). He recently stated that:

''I know nothing. I don't know if we're gonna do another one or not. If we do, then I trust Neil (Druckmann, creative director) and Bruce (Straley, game director) and everyone at Naughty Dog to tell a story that needs to be told.'' 

Definitely a defensive response, don't you think? There has been speculation surrounding this response that Naughty Dog may be open to a whole new storyline that won't feature Joel but I think we empathised with the characters so much in Last of Us they would be stupid to get rid of them!

I know all of you Last of Us fans are jumping off your seats! Leave a comment, let me know what you expect from the sequel or send me a tweet!

Peace & Love

Assassin's Creed Syndicate: Street Gangs, Organised Crime and Revolution!

Image from the Assassin's Creed UK site

Polygon says the new Assassin's Creed which was revealed 12th May at 5pm UK time is actually called Syndicate and not Victory.

Other than the name change all else is expected from the new instalment. The game will feature an assassin called Jacob Frye and will...

 ''transport millions of gamers to an astonishing recreation of London during the Industrial Revolution they will find themselves immersed in a game world they'll have to see to believe...''

Image from AC US site showing a set of brass knuckles lying on a table with the words carved ''God save the Queen'' and ''Rooks'' beside an image of a bird

I couldn't agree more with that statement. The Industrial Revolution was such a pivotal time not only just for London but the whole of Great Britain. It changed the way we lived and sparked new ways of thinking for our society including the birth of social sciences like sociology and social history, and ultimately created the society we live in today! Through these social sciences came about new ways of living, introducing the working age, anyone being able to go to school and introducing health and safety rules for workers as during the Victorian age it was a bleak and dangerous time. I think it's great that Ubisoft has given the UK a chance to show it's importance to the world, how it influenced other countries and puts us on the map that little bit more, so we aren't just known for royals and tea! I cannot wait to explore London at such a dark yet significant time of history!

Ubisoft officially unveiled Assassin's Creed Syndicate via livestream on the 12th May at 5pm UK time.

Skip to 14:00 and watch the reveal here! 

I think I'm most excited about the change in combat dynamics. Now that we are in a much more modern era compared to previous Assassin's Creeds, it isn't legal to walk around with a sword and pistol, so it seems hand to hand combat is going to become much faster and on a much larger scale, involving trains and horse carriages. I think this might be the stealthiest Assassin's Creed yet to come as you can't just walk into a situation head on any more without facing the consequences not only from your Templar foes but trying to slip out of the hands of the police force.

I was a little bit concerned however for the carriage riding (possibly might be one of the games downfalls), I think for me it's going to get in the way a lot particularly when trying to escape from enemies or chasing foes and I might just find myself screaming at my tv screen. On the plus side Ubisoft are giving us the gift of using the environment to our advantage, didn't show much but a pallet loaded with barrels being shot off it's harness onto an enemy so I'll be looking forward to seeing some more gameplay footage regarding that.

As stated in the reveal, we now face an environment that is no longer ruled by religion or kings and queens but by money. With the increase in technology, transport and trade this sparked new opportunities for opportunists and burglars, so I think we'll get to delve into causes and reasons to London's street gangs, the beginnings of white collar and organised crime. Are you excited? I sure am! 

Let me know what you guys thought of the reveal, what are you most looking forward to?

Assassin's Creed Sydicate is set to be released on Xbox One and PS4 October 2015 and Fall 2015 for PC

 

GTA 6: London Town or The First Cuban Wave?

Setting: Miami, London, L.A.?

We know Rockstar have ideas about creating a GTA 6 and developers have stated that ''we've got 45 years worth of ideas we want to do...'' it will be released on the Xbox One and PS4 but there is no news of development just quite yet. There has been much speculation amongst fans however on where the next instalment will be set. 

Many fans have requested a London based game but developers have stated that it just wouldn't seem or feel like a GTA. I personally think basing the game in London would be a nice twist to the franchise. It would be good to show the world the gritty streets of London as well as the expensive high life we're so stereotyped to have and just maybe a small glimpse of how the royals live. Comparing our lifestyle to that of Miami and L.A. would be different and exciting but also surprisingly empathetic for players. However I think Rockstar developers may find it hard to depict the current living standards and communities within London's poorest boroughs. 

GTA Through the Years 

Miami seems to be at the top of everyone's list and the most likely setting of the next instalment. Vice City has received the most references within current next-gen GTAs and is the only location in the franchise that hasn't been visited twice. Would they do a 21st Century setting or go back in time again? Head of Rockstar Leslie Benzies stated about Vice City ''more than any other GTA game, was as much about the era as the setting''. So maybe a trip to the 1950s/60s when the first Cuban wave occurred. A possible Cuban lead role? Maybe Rockstar likes to keep with the times seeing as Vice City is the only game that's gone back in time or maybe they would prefer to create a separate game all together like for example La Noire & Red Dead Redemption. No 1920's GTA then? DAMN!

Game Art from GTA Vice City 

The Future of GTA Dynamics 

Benzies said he envisions players being able to travel back and forth to revisit places. ''Of course at some point we would like to have one big world containing all our cities and let the player fly between them and revisit their favourite areas...in that context re-imagining Vice City would be very interesting.'' So maybe a combination of Liberty City, San Andreas and Vice City? Or even remaining territories that were never really explored in GTA V like Las Venturas and San Fierro. Benzies was also asked about a possible lead female role but said that they had just ''not found the right game for it. So maybe not GTA. It didn't feel natural - with the right themes, it could be fantastic''. So a possible separate game with a female leading role for Rockstar. Fair enough. 

So tell me what do you guys think GTA has in store for the future? Leave a comment or send me a tweet! 

Are Open World Games The Future?

In recent years it seems that open world games have been appearing more and more on our TV screens - Assassins Creed, Skyrim etc. But are they taking over first person shooter games like Call of Duty? Or football simulator FIFA?

Of course you have the acclaimed GTA franchise which is due to release another instalment this September and as the new next gen consoles arrive it seems that the open world games presented in the conferences were the star appearances. First person shooters have lost their popularity, gamers are bored of the same concept of playing, unless something completely new is brought to the table, this is something open world games can do every time they release a new instalment.

However, from watching the Sony and Microsoft conferences we see new ways a gaming, a more immerse experience, one that we can SHARE, which could help with the consistency of playing games like COD and FIFA. People will still buy these games because it's a franchise they are used to playing and know very well. I don't know about everyone else but I like to stay in my comfort zone when it comes to first person shooters and of course with FIFA there's not really much of an alternative (you have Pro Evolution but who cares?). After watching the conferences the hype was definitely around games like Watch Dogs and GTA V. The concept of open world games has improved immensely, it's something new, something big, something never ending with a range of decisions, choices and conclusions and I can't wait to play them.

So take a look at the gameplay footage from some of the open world games ready to be released this year or in 2014. I'd definitely consider buying them.

Watch Dogs 

The Division 

GTA V

Call of Duty: Ghosts 05/11/13 !!!

GAMEPLAY TRAILER!

It was meant to be guys. The new Call of Duty: Ghosts to b released November 5th of this year and funnily enough that's the day of my birthday. Looks like I know what I want for my birthday. So here, spoil yourself with the trailer :)

Ohh and a big shout out to Ali-A, make sure you follow him on Twitter and subscribe to his Youtube channel for all the latest information on games and consoles!

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

Trailer:

GTA V Ready for Release Spring 2013!!

Yes GTA is expected to be released worldwide in Spring 2013 and is now ready to be pre ordered! Excited? I sure am! Based in re-imagined, present day Southern California this will be the biggest GTA world yet to venture and probably for most of you create destruction when you get bored LOL. You will be able to play the roles of 3 characters who eventually cross paths in the GTA V plot. 

I didn't know what trailer to show you guys so I took the liberty of  posting both which I think you'll all really enjoy if I  may say so myself. One shows more of the world you will be exploring and the other portrays the characters you'll be playing. Enjoy!

Splinter Cell: Blacklist Trailer

I really do enjoy a stealth game and Splinter Cell has to be one of my top two favourites including Metal Gear as well. The last game Splinter Cell Conviction I adored to a T and hopefully the next one will be just as good (preferably better), but I have a feeling this Splinter Cell won't be as stealthy as the others were but more in your face front line action. It could be a good change who knows. Stores plan to release the game March 29th of next year so maybe putting this into your calendar would be a good idea.

If you haven't already subscribed with ubisoft on Youtube you'll find all the trailers and released game play footage to enjoy for you Splinter Cell fans. You'll also find other updates on other games such as Assassins Creed and Ghost Recon