Grand Theft Auto V - Multiplayer Reveal

It's just like the Sims Online... with guns. 

Okay, maybe the multiplayer for Grand Theft Auto 5 isn't just like an online Sims port with guns. You can, however, do so damn much in the multiplayer, I wouldn't have been to surprised to see hunger and bladder stats in the bottom corner.

But seriously, I was blown away by how deep the multiplayer looks. It seems like there's a combination of cut scenes and open world online play, which is something I think will do nothing but draw people into the experience. My one gripe with the Red Dead Redemption online multiplayer was you were just dumped into the world and were told GO! In GTA V, it seems like those that enjoy floaties before diving into the deep end will hopefully be taken care of.

A vast number of the activities available to the player in the single player mode of GTA V made an appearance in this multiplayer reveal. Golf, bank heists, and full character customization are just some of the features that cross from solo to online. However, players will also be treated to team-style death matches, designable races, squad robberies, and much more!

I honestly wasn't expecting to be so impressed by the multiplayer in GTA V. Rockstar and multiplayer have not always gone hand in hand, as most of their games are so huge that the online often became an after thought. But it looks like all of the big guns are being take out for this title, and this open world experience keeps growing before our eyes.

Grand Theft Auto V
Xbox 360, PS3
Release: Sept. 17, 2013
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar North

Mass Effect 3 - Reckoning Trailer

Primes and Banshees and hammers, oh my!

It's been a while since Mass Effect 3 has been in any kind of spotlight, but this quick trailer is worth looking at if you're a fan of the finale. Reckoning is a multiplayer extension with some really worthwhile additions to races and weapons; almost all of which are shown here in less than a minute. The Geth Prime and EDI will easily get me back to defending the galaxy from the Reapers, but I forgot how much I hate those damn Banshees.

Mass Effect 3: Reckoning Multiplayer DLC
Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Out now!
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Bioware

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 - Strike Packages Trailer

Something that everyone can enjoy
  

Finally, Call of Duty is making SOME sort of adjustment to their multiplayer. I'm not a bad COD'er by any means; I've never had my K/D ratio drop below 1.09 (ratio of kills to deaths) but my longest streak is not very impressive by any means. I'm a 2, 3, or 4 and out kind of player. This new Strike Package format makes me giddy to pick up the multiplayer again.

First and foremost: Kill streaks are no more. They are now "score streaks" which means anything that gets you points will get you closer to unlocking your next reward. This now makes playing any game that isn't deathmatch WAY more interesting because you'll be getting rewarded for flag captures, bomb plants, and everything else. There's a definite leveling of the playing field happening for the players that may be better operationally than with their guns.


The strike packages are split into three distinct classes: assault, support, and specialist. Assault is the classic COD outfit, all the score streak rewards are offensive, from turrets to missiles, to AC-130 airstrikes. Support is, well, all about supporting your teammates. This means advanced UAV, jammers, recon planes and much more. The most exciting part about support is if you die, your score streak doesn't reset. That's right, people like me who only get a few kills before getting their ticket punched have just as much opportunity to unlock their top tier score streak reward. 


The last package, specialist, is a whole different beast. As any COD player knows, you start with three "perks" or power-ups for your character. As a specialist, after two kills, you unlock a fourth perk. Make it to four kills, and another one unlocks. Rinse, wash, and repeat until you hit an 8 kill streak, and EVERY perk is unlocked for you, essentially turning you into a super soldier. Go ahead, take a second and let that sink in.


So that's the Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer as we see it so far. Excited yet? Leave your opinion of this format change here!

Battlefield 3 Multiplayer Gameplay Trailer

Holy explosions, Batman

I need this game. Right. Now. I could just end the post here and my statements would be completely justified by the video, but I need to continue on before I watch it again and lose all coherent thoughts.

This trailer was awesome. A little flashy, but I'll forgive it because the action was so good and pure. Vehicle combat looks smooth and expertly done (a Battlefield staple) and it looks like we finally have a true contender to the Call of Duty franchise. But we all knew that already.

I want to play the map where you have to jump off of a cliff and parachute into the actual area before the fighting starts. That is the coolest concept for a map I've ever seen, and it puts such an awesome twist on how the battle will start. It seems that instead of teams starting on opposite ends on the map, the team parachuting in will be spread throughout the area, with the opposing team having time to set up and start shooting before the enemy even touches the ground. But at the same time, it gives the parachuting team a chance to surround their dug in opponents along with chopper support. I can tell you that's gonna take a long time to start getting old. October 25th can't come soon enough.

Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Trailer

The best inter-species foursome you'll ever be a part of

(Video courtesy of G4tv.com)

Look past the fact that this trailer is essentially a giant ad put together by bioware (hosted by the marketing director himself) and feast your eyes on the potential awesomeness of multiplayer in Mass Effect 3. Looks like the developers have been listening to the players pleas, and are in fact adding a co-op storyline to the final installment of the Mass Effect trilogy. I for one could not be happier about this. Just think of all of the awesome combinations you could put together when you combine four of the six classed into one squad. Not to mention I can play as a Turian now. Garrus was always my favorite. 

This has the potential to be a great addition to Mass Effect 3. Knowing Bioware's reputation for putting out really well done RPGs, I trusted the person being interviewed when he said that you can still get a full, satisfying ending from the game if you play the multiplayer or the single player story. And since I'm sure that I'm not alone in the countless hours of time I've poured into the first to games of the series, I know that I'll be taking the time to complete both branches of the story. 

While some actual multiplayer gameplay would have been nice to see, I'm sure some will be coming out in the not too distant future. Does this multiplayer announcement excite or dismay you? Leave it here!

Goldeneye 007: Reloaded - Multiplayer Trailer

The best thing you ever had, again. And then one more time. 

Didn't a remake of this game, like, just happen? To answer your question, it did, but it was only released on the Wii (freaking Nintendo). So we get Goldeneye, arguably the FPS to rule them all, yet again for the 360 and PS3. I'm definitely not complaining about this because anyone who has gone back to their N64 for a round of multiplayer has enjoyed it, but was most definitely cursing the games controls at the same time. Two analog sticks for the win.

Here's the rub: there is very little original content in this reboot. The trailer was advertising the fact that they were bringing back everything you loved about the original Goldeneye with better graphics. The same characters, the same weapons, and variations of the same maps. Are they playing to a demographic or what? Although I did find myself smiling upon seeing paintball marks all over one level (and oddjobs' tiny self) I feel conflicted over whether or not I'd want to buy an updated version of something that I've spent countless hours playing. 

There are noticeable additions (iron sight aiming, 16 player multiplayer, some extra characters) but I'm very interested on how the game scores when it comes out. I'm as big of a Goldeneye fan as they come, so I can't say that I'm not excited for a more in depth multiplayer and single player experience on my Xbox. What do you think, should more original content be thrown in, or do you simply want a modern day interpretation of a classic?