Tales Runner Online | The Ultimate Gaming Blog

Halo is the Game That Never Could Have Been Shot Dead

Halo 4 is expected to be the top-selling game for Microsoft this year. Reviews like that of mega-ulations like Halo 3 being the biggest selling game ever for a game franchise. Halo 4 is even being called the most anticipated “game of the year.”

Even with all the hype, it’s bending difficult for game publishers to actually come out and sell their own “legacy” games. That has only increased the sow rath of hype for Halo’s anticipated release.

Every once in a while a genius product comes along that has more value than the products that are rampaging across the gaming media. One example of this is the game/system/date/pod/whatever known as Fable. Fable (10th) is a world reboot and is really an achievement for the whole team at Microsoft. The game/system was based on an actual living world that was explored and that you could, in theory, change and play like yourself.

As with most living-world reboot/sequels, however, the first game had a big problem: it was extremely limited in what it could do. It could give you a whole new world to explore, sure, but you couldn’t actually explore anything. The firstFablegame was a huge letdown for fans, but with a few smart moves and a general understanding of what the game was all about, you could probably have a good experience with it.

The world. Fable 2 doesn’t entirely solve the problems of the original game. It still clings to the same linear experience, which is basically the perfect setup for a sandbox game. Sure, it’s more of a wish-fulfillment-type game where you explore the world and solve puzzles and defeat bad guys, but there’s still a very specific and focused experience that you’re going to want to play through. That’s not to say it’s a bad game — it’s definitely a game that will keep most players happy and entertained for hours and hours.

The art. Enough said. This game is overflowing with personality. And it’s funny that for a game that’s chock full of stylish, popping animations and delightful visuals, the art is probably the biggest talking point.

This is because, despite being full of facial and body expressions, the art is mostly solid. It’s not animated like the trailers indicated (and I’ll be Anatomy before I’m done) — there’s a very defined line between what is and what is not possible in terms of facial animation. But there is still some amazing animation in this game. Blood splashes and limbs fly and splash on the ground and it’s really quite phenomenal in how it is presented.

Of course, there is one downside to the facial animation — there’s no blood. But I think that, if you’re willing to put aside the technical details, you’ll be very surprised by just how much blood there is in the game. It’s an odd feeling, but there is a small amount of realism in the game if you want to put it that way.

The music is amazing, as well. It really does add a great dimension to the game, for those willing to sit and listen to a very epic and very sad song in a movie’s background. There is also a bit of a cover if you will. A cover of the Cognitive Yourself song “The Warning”. Just random thought…

I think that there’s going to be quite a large following for this game, based on the number of anticipation that’s already built. I’ve also read about a lot of negative feedback about this game, and some have even called it a demo, or with hidden messages. All of those suggestions aside, Halo 4 sure does live up to the hype.

The Campaign is about 30 hours long, and the Raids game mode puts you up against multiple locks (even use of the sunken city).

The Production of Halo 4

In an effort to improve the Halo 4 engine, and to make the game more cinematic, they’ve chosen to go with a cinematics developer.

Cinematics

This is a big part of Halo’s development and ultimately sets the whole “Halo Game” apart from games out there. The game is all about the story, and without the ability to tell a story, you don’t have much of a game to talk about.

What do you think? Are you excited about Halo 4? Do you think it’s going to be just like Halo 3?

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare

Unfortunately, in today’s entertainment world, many video game developers will cut corners to try to save a buck or two, and Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare is no different. That’s not to say that it’s a bad game, but I do question the overall quality of the game. Red Dead Redemption is a frontier saga that follows the journey of John Marston (that’s you) and his Yeti companion, Sylvain ThousandPark (Sylvester Copeland) over the first lifespan of the game. The game is an open world, with scope to roam, and this would immediately indicate to any reader that the developers knew what they were doing.

Sadly, it’s also a world that is not very interesting. Rockstar’s harder games, with options to speed the pace up on certain missions, would have been a great addition to the series, especially in the early years. Instead, what we get is a regressive collection of side-quests and combat with random encounters that ultimately makes the game worse than its predecessor. The narrative is a complete mess.

The game itself succeeds in creating a sense of panic in the protagonist over the course of the thirty-odd hours it takes to complete the game. John sees enemies approaching him from all angles, and he manages to panic that they are undead. This works well for the most part, but at times makes the game feel like a pointless exercise in pathos.

The gameplay is what kills the game. Again, it’s the same type open world vehicle fare. If you aren’t an avid motor car enthusiast, skip this game. The only mode of transportation is a plane ride that makes you feel like you’re in college sorority sister mode.

The only potential innovation is the plane ride. At times, it’s fun, and at times it’s about as fun as watching Fast and the Furious. The most accurate simulator of any video game is the motorcycle. It handles more accurately than any motorcycle I’ve ever seen, and it’s the only vehicle that will allow you to use the gadget: the dashboard video controller. For some reason, no game has perfected the steering of a motorcycle yet. It just doesn’t work. At all.

The only other noteworthy feature is the variety of vehicles in the game. For example, the Banshee only has four vehicles for transportation, but they’re all incredibly unique. The Grand Cherokee has both a dirt and gold version, for those who like their Conference Car. The only installment of the Ferinia vehicle is the tractor-based version. For some reason, the game decided to give us a four-wheeler as the most efficient vehicle. That’s messed up.

In addition to the gag with vehicles, there is the almost disappointing four-player co-op mode. Touted to be some sort of faker, this mode seems more like a mini-game of sorts. You’re forced to follow an objective that no sane human being would even be capable of attempting. As I said, it’s sad.

The only other adversary is the police, and they’re your worst enemy. They’ll spawn on top of you to make it even worse. The cops are more than capable enough to make you look like a lunatic. They have reasonable detection when you’re in a pick-fixed area. You’ll also notice that they have the ability to see right through walls. The same goes for showing their lights on older vehicles. Your detection ability is heightened when you’re within 30 yards of a vehicle. But, the police aren’t the most aggressive bunch. They’ll lay down some great choke points when you’re in pursuit.

But, the single player has no dead ends. The story has a resolution, but Rockstar hasn’t come to the table on the whole “Mother perfection” cliff. The ending is as fitting as a midi of Beethoven’s La Carnage. The rest of the story will leave you both surprised and shivering.

As far as multiplayer action goes, Grand Theft Auto IV has no weaknesses. Each character is Karate skilled, if not a bit old school. The running animation is the most realistic to date, and the guns are every bit as powerful. The characters are on a learning curve, but it doesn’t stop there. They also have a sense of humor (at the start of the game) that tends to border on corny. There’s also plenty of replay value in the slick multi-player, to the point where you’ll want to keep playing it just to keep all the guns and clothes unlocks.

This is one of those games that you go back to over and over and it never gets boring.

Playing Medic in TF2

Medics are one of the key support classes in Team Fortress 2. Anyone can play a medic but not everyone can play one greatly. If you’ve ever played on a team with bad medics, you can fully understand how frustrating this can be. A skilled medic will quickly earn the favor of his (or her) team as you are the one keeping everyone else alive.

Some players find medic a frustrating class as you often have to depend on other players to get kills for you and to help protect you in battle. This is why it’s very important to learn how to properly defend yourself. This is why the medic was given certain weapons and one of your tasks to become a skilled medic is to learn to use these weapons properly.

If you want to be a medic that your teammates can depend on to keep them alive and also have fun getting your own kills and pulling your weight on the team, these tips will help.

Here are some tips and guidelines to help you become a skilled TF2 medic:

Learn how to properly use your weapons. The better you understand how they work and when they would be of the most useful, the better medic you can become.
Pay attention to what’s going on around you. This is very important because if you lose track of what’s going on when in a battle, you won’t be of many benefits to your teammates.
Know your priorities. As a medic, you are considered a support class. This means that your main job is to keep the other players alive so they can do the battling and take care of other important tasks. Therefore, don’t make the mistake of focusing on killing the enemy instead of healing your teammates.
Be aware that some members of the team can be more vocal than others so try not to lose track of the quiet ones; they need to be healed too. While it’s fun to play with a friend or clan member and heal them while they mow over the other team, it’s considered polite to heal other members of your team as well- not just those you know or those that are top of the scoreboard.
Remember to heal your fellow medics or ask to be healed when needed. This is beneficial to the whole team because it ensures there will be a medic available when needed. Even though medics have the ability to regenerate, this process can take too long when you’re in a battle and without the assistance of another medic, you may die before the process has time to be completed.
You can do a spy check by walking into a player. If you can walk right through them, they’re fine but if they block you, then you have a spy amongst your team. You can also try hitting them with your saw. Also, keep in mind that if someone on your team has a red health bar they cannot be a spy so they’re safe to heal.
Watch your back while healing the team. If you sit in the back of a large group, it’s easy to heal many teammates at once but this can also make you an easy spy target so keep a lookout behind you.

Use these tips and guidelines to help improve your skills and stay focused on your main priority and you’ll grow to be one of the best TF2 medics your team has ever known.

Final Fantasy XIV Guide – The Gladiator Class Skills

Gladiators are a very strong class of warriors in Final Fantasy XIV. They are skilled in the use of one-handed bladed weapons and act as the tank class of the game. What that basically means is that they go into combat carrying a shield for defense and a one-handed bladed weapon like a knife or a sword for an offense. It is irrelevant whether the weapon the Gladiator chooses is single or double-edged, straight, or curved. The skills of the Gladiator help him in preparing himself for any sort of combat scenario and this Final Fantasy XIV Guide.

Being the tank class of Final Fantasy 14, the Gladiator takes the help of a shield to protect himself as well as the members of his party. He also has various ways of making an enemy attack him rather than his companions which will be explored in further detail in this Final Fantasy 14 Guide. If he so chooses, a Gladiator may also attack without his shield, focusing more on his sword-wielding skills. An expert with bladed weaponry, the Gladiator is highly proficient with throwing knives too.

The Gladiators have two basics attacks using a sword: the Light Slash and the Light Stab. The first deals slashing damage, whereas the second is used to inflict piercing damage. Additionally, they may employ their shields for an offense by using Shield Bash and inflict blunt damage which has a chance of interrupting spell casting. After this attack, the target will find himself unable to cast for several seconds.

FFXIV Gladiator Guide – Weapon Skills and Abilities of Gladiators

A Gladiator has the option of mastery of a large variety of weapon skills. According to Final Fantasy XIV Guide, the following are the skills available to this class:

Howling Vortex – This skill causes slashing damage along with a mighty howl from the Gladiator that increases the target’s casting time.

Circle Slash – This attack spins the sword and causes Area of Effect (AoE) damage to all nearby enemies.

Luminous Spire – This skill causes the Gladiator’s weapon to be imbued with astral power that gives its brilliance and reduces the target’s magic defense. It also blinds other enemies within range.

Phalanx – Using this skill, the Gladiator can attack the target from behind his shield and deal slashing damage and increase the enmity. However, this only works after a successful block of the enemy’s attack.

Red Lotus – Using the power of flame, the Gladiator increases his attack power and deals out Fire-type damage.

Spinstroke – The attack power increases while the enemy is not attacking the Gladiator.

Final Fantasy XIV Guide contains a list of the abilities that a Gladiator can possess in order to give him the advantage during fights. These are:

Ambidexterity – This skill causes the following action to cost half the stamina gauge by focusing on his off-hand.

Cadence – The Gladiator gains control of the pace of the battle and also increases the power of the following attack while in Battle Regimen mode.

Obsess – Giving full focus onto one enemy, the Gladiator reduces the defense of the target, but in the process also ends up lowering his own defense against other enemies.

Provoke – This skill is used to attract the attention of the enemy to the Gladiator and away from other companions. Enmity is increased by the use of this skill.

Rampart – The Gladiator sets up an increased defense and magical defense for his own protection.

Still Precision – The Gladiator increases his own accuracy by trying to keep steady, but also loses out on some evasion rate by doing this.

Aegis Boon – Using this skill, the gladiator recovers some HP every time he is attacked by blocking with his shield.

Cover – The Gladiator runs between an enemy and his companion to intercept the attack.

Guard – Using his shield, the Gladiator protects himself.

Clearly, the Gladiators have no dearth of weapon skills in this game and I hope I’ve been able to explain them adequately enough in this Final Fantasy XIV Guide. With this, I end this Final Fantasy 14 Guide and recommend that you check out our site given below for more information and FFXIV guide.

Xbox 360 Game Review – Call of Duty 4

Few series in the gaming world have been so varied in terms of quality quite like Call of Duty. Many console owners have only really had experience with 3rd game in the series, and Xbox 360 only installment that was developed by a different company from the original games.  Call of Duty 3, while not a terrible game, wasn’t a great example of what the series can achieve in the right direction.

Luckily Call of Duty 4 sees a return of developers Infinity Ward and a change of pace for the series. Traditionally set during the Second World War, COD 4 has moved the series forward to the modern-day, swapping out the traditional Japanese and Nazi enemies for a more contemporary battlefield focused around terrorism.

A modern first-person shooter set predominately against Middle Eastern terrorists might not sound exactly original, but the story turns out to be one of the game’s major selling points. The usual bravado and macho garbage that you usually find associated with FPS games are completely absent, replaced with some incredibly varied environments, realistic characters, and a sense of the futility of war rather than the promotion of it.

The plot is backed up by some amazing level design. All of the epic set pieces that made Call of Duty 2 so amazing have returned in full force with the advantage of modern graphics and modern weaponry making the game even more explosive and dynamic than it was before. Levels involve a mix of the linear and open, and while there’s nothing approaching a Farcry level of ‘choosing’ how to fight, there are plenty of areas where you’ve got enough options to allow for a variety of play styles and tactics.

Artificial Intelligence is some of the best we’ve ever seen in an FPS. Combined with plenty of opportunities to make intelligent use of weapons and terrain there’s a level of strategy in COD 4 that’s slightly more advanced than most other Xbox 360 shooters. Even the obligatory stealth section is enjoyable rather than frustrating. The AI is good enough to make the game quite difficult, even on easier settings, so gamers will be in for a challenge.

Call of Duty 4 looks brilliant. Modern FPS games normally conjure an image of dull, grey-brown colours and endless battles set in Middle Eastern, brown-colored towns with no personality. COD 4 really breaks the mold with environments varying from barren deserts to lush forests that are nearly too nice to be destroyed by the battles that take place within them. The audio is particularly standout; if you have a good sound system it’s nearly cinematic in quality and makes great use of directional audio.

At around six hours, the length is going to be the major turn off for many gamers looking to get more “bang” for their buck. However, what you get with COD 4 isn’t so much about the quantity and more about the fact that every level and every fight has a purpose. Nothing has been added as filler just to pad out the game. It’s honest, genuine quality from start to finish and well worth every cent.

BF4 Tips – 3 Important Battlefield 4 Tips To Improve Your Game

If you are like many of the other people that have just started playing Battlefield 4 online, you are probably getting somewhat frustrated sometimes because you just can’t seem to rack up many kills or keep getting killed yourself. Well, there is good news and bad news for you. The bad news is that you are not very good at the game, which you probably already know. The good news is that you can dramatically increase your skill level by using some of the latest tips and secrets that have been figured out by the pros and passed down to beginners such as yourself. Here are three of my best tips for learning and winning Battlefield 4 matches.

Tip #1 – Teamwork is very important:

Battlefield 4 is unlike any other first-person shooter game out there. You can’t just run out there and “pray and spray” the enemies hoping to get some kill points and rise up through the ranks. You really must focus on teamwork with this game as it is one of if not the most important factor in the game. You have to be able to play the class you have selected, you can’t be a medic and just run around not helping to heal people, this is a crucial role and you must play it exactly as if you were in a real war. The same goes for all of the other classes. Whichever class you decide to be will change your in-game experience to a larger degree than most other first-person shooter games on the market.

Tip #2 – Learn the classes:

I usually recommend beginners stick with the assault/medic class mainly because this class is well rounded and easier to understand. Some of the more difficult classes to play are the recon and engineer classes. These classes take much more experience to use and understand. If you are not familiar with the maps and levels, you will not get much use from these classes. So as a beginner, pick the assault class so that you can get used to the gameplay and learn the maps. This will allow you to rack up some kills and you will enjoy the game a lot more.

Tip #3 – Get a decent BF4 strategy guide:

I cannot say this enough. By getting yourself a good strategy guide, you will learn all of the tactics and techniques the pros use to dominate. You can quite easily become this good by knowing the proper strategies and class/weapon builds that the pros use to wipe out everyone in their path. A decent guide should contain a guide to all of the classes and how to properly build your class to be as powerful and effective as possible. It should also contain map strategies for each individual map and level in the game showing you exactly where the best places are to set up. Another thing you should look for is a guide that will show you the best strategies for dominating your enemy as well as how to become a leader. When you become a leader, your teammates depend on you to tell them where to go and what to expect, so a guide that teaches you leadership skills is a must for any serious Battlefield 4 player.

The Best Recommendations On Buying A Desktop computer Computer

Trying to identify which desktop computer system to acquire can be rather tough. You could not know about all the current specs as well as various other functions that are offered now. If you need some help, this post is most likely to provide you with some necessary details in order to direct you via the process.

Inspect the sound capacities of desktop computers that you wish to get. This is specifically important if you do projects or function on computers that rely on sound. Several of the common audios cards help most computer users. That claimed, if you do seem to edit and enhancing or blending, you might need something a lot more effective.

When getting a home computer, you require to know what you plan to use it for. Recognizing what you’ll use the computer for is essential, due to the fact that it determines just how much storage room you may need, the kind of refining rate you require and also the kind of monitor you need. When you know what you need to make use of the computer for, you’re most likely to locate it simpler to discover what you require.

Think about all-in-one displays desktop for your requirements. This indicates that the computer system has a huge monitor with most of its components in the back. They are available in numerous sizes as well as with and also without touch input. They are easier to transport due to much fewer cords. Lots of also have built-in webcams for easier video conferencing. They function fantastic for enjoyment functions, too.

If you have a home office or a small company, a notebook computer probably will not satisfy all your needs. While a portable computer is fantastic when you are out as well as about, a desktop design is better if you need a printer, copier, fax, and also a scanner. Additionally, many individuals discover inputting on a normal keyboard is much easier than dealing with a laptop.

When buying a computer with the intent of developing DVDs or CDs of your very own, take treatment to validate that the version you are thinking about has an integrated disc burner. While the majority of new versions will certainly have this attribute, failing to discover that particular design does not can bring about excellent frustration. Attempt to save yourself the stress beforehand.

If you intend to save a loan on your desktop, look into buying a refurbished design. These computer systems are ones that have been repaired at the manufacturing facility as well as are usually provided at a steep discount rate. These are normally used by the computer system brands by themselves internet sites, so have a look before you buy a new computer system.

Back up your desktop every so often. Regrettably, computer systems do accidents and can take all of the data on the disk drive with them. Sometimes that data is very important as well as it can be ravaging to lose things like photos, documents, or anything that you store on your computer system.

If you’re intending to utilize your desktop as an entertainment gadget, do not overlook the speaker quality. A monitor with little audio speakers may offer you a poor, tinny sound experience. You may be far better off with purchasing a set of exterior audio speakers instead of relying on the audio speakers on your screen.

Think of the additionals when acquiring a computer. At a minimum, you call for a computer mouse, keyboard, display as well as audio speakers. You’ll also probably want a modem and a printer. Think of PC Gaming need.

How do you feel about your knowledge concerning individual desktop currently? Use what you’ve found out to help you make a clever buying choice. There are many brand names and different types of desktop, so since you understand extra about them you can make a decision which one benefits you.

Finding Gaming RAM

On motherboards you must put RAM in two matched DIMM slots in order for it to do the job. RAM is versatile when it comes to versions and speeds. He or she can operate at different voltages to adjust performance and stability. At the close of the day it’s very tough to compare ram types with each other. It is possible to install the RAM in your device by yourself with the aid of tutorial videos which are available online. The fewer programs you’ve got open, the less RAM is going to be used. Increasing RAM will increase the quantity of memory resources readily available, leading to a responsive computer.

By its very definition, RAM is utilized to store and supply information for programs since they run. As an alternative to offering an optimized system, the absence of RAM unfortunately results in inferior performance, especially when running several programs. DDR3 RAM utilizes a 240-pin connector, whilst DDR4 RAM utilizes a 288-pin connector.

Characteristics of Gaming RAM

The quantity of RAM on your computer at any certain time can be upgraded to a bigger size to boost the functioning of your computer. RAM, on the flip side, doesn’t offer any extra benefit as soon as you surpass the amount a specific game requirements. Even in case you know you’ve got a great deal of ram, and speedy ram at that, it is not always common to locate a kit that will impress. PC RAM is among the most helpful upgrades a computer proprietor can make from a price vs performance standpoint. He or she can be a crucial component responsible for computer performance. Video RAM of 4GB could be necessary for 4K UHD playback, whilst 2GB of RAM is proper for 1080p playback.

When it has to do with buying laptops, many men and women stick to a particular brand, but it’s prudent to choose one that is appropriate for your needs and budget the most. If you are in need of a new laptop urgently but are a small hard pressed for cash at the moment and don’t want to devote an extravagant quantity, you may possibly pick out a mediocre machine which costs close to the $100 mark. The laptop has to be handy and ought to support the most recent connectivity technologies. A college student laptop ought to be in a position to do some simple photo editing.

The Honest to Goodness Truth on Gaming RAM

Weighing just 8 pounds, the laptop is an excellent desktop replacement. Touchscreen laptops permit the user to do functions without the assistance of a mouse or a keyboard. Given below are a few of the very best touchscreen laptops on the market today.

If you need to ask me, that is the toughest role in assembling a computer, I’ll say, it’s selecting the components. Computers need to have extra capacity to keep yourself updated with the consoles, because their hardware is configured for a wide scope of tasks rather than simply gaming. Even if your computer is one which hasn’t been tested, you’re still able to test out Android X86. If you discover that your computer is operating slowly, odds are some issue involving its RAM is to blame. Frequently, folks throw out or donate old and secondhand computers and components at no cost.