Gaming

Rainbow Six Siege
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Rainbow Six Siege – The State of the Game 2020.

Guy 2427 Views ,  ,  , 

We love the occasional guest spot from Nina, especially when its about her ass kicking abilities in Rainbow Six Siege…

A few years ago, I wrote an article for Koru-Cottage titled ‘Rainbow Six Siege: Why I Love it so Damn Much’. Since that article, Rainbow Six has seen a lot of dramatic changes.

So with this generation of gaming coming to a close, I thought now would be a good time to revisit my musing on my beloved Siege. To reflect on how the game has changed, discuss the state it is in now, and theorize about the game’s future.

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Destiny 2 Beyond Light
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Destiny 2 Beyond Light, Review

Guy 1633 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Eyes up, Guardian. 

With Destiny 2 Beyond Light, Destiny 2 has received a major expansion and I thought it was time for a reconnaissance report.

Full disclosure, I have been an avid Destiny player for years now. I grant you I faltered early on, as I explained HERE. Since then I have been a dedicated Guardian. Fighting back the darkness going on 6 years now.

In fact, thanks to the PS5s new game-clock, I can sheepishly confirm Destiny 1 and 2 have received in excess of 1000hrs from me.

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Empire of Sin
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Empire of Sin review (PC)

Gerard Campbell 1622 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

When first heard about Empire of Sin (multi-platform). An X-Com style turn-based combat game set in 1920s American and featuring gangsters, I was intrigued.

Who wouldn’t want to be a gangster as he (or she) takes over the streets of prohibition Chicago, aiming for the top and with mechanics similar to the rather excellent X-Com games?

Starting in the 1920s prohibition Chicago, you’ll be taking over rival businesses such as speakeasies, brothels and casinos. In the quest to become kingpin of the city. Once you successfully take a joint from a rival you can then upgrade it with things like extra security, ambience and promotion to add value. As you’d expect during the prohibition, alcohol plays a big part in Empire of Sin and is used as a form of currency to extend your empire’s influence.

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Fenyx Rising
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Immortals: Fenyx Rising, Review

Dylan Burns 1951 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Fenyx Rising initially presents as a light take on Greek Mythology. It has a colourful art style, cartoonish characters and a banter-heavy story presentation. After spending days with it, I can say it is as broad, deep and work-like as any major Ubisoft product out there. 

The sheer volume of tasks awaiting you stands in the dozens of hours. It is not a Breath of the Wild wannabe, although the similarities are many. Fenyx Rising is an adventure heavily reliant on simple physics puzzles combined with the sting of some very tough combat. It is also very customisable. Combat too much? Change the difficulty to easy. Just want to do puzzles? Seek them out from high ground and place stones on weight plates to your heart’s content. 

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Black Ops Cold War
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Black Ops: Cold War, the 2020 Call of Duty

Richard Armitt 1578 Views ,  ,  ,  , 

Forget your Modern Warfares, this year its time for Call of Duty, Black Ops : Cold War. What a mouthful, that said, you can’t go through Silly Season without a new CoD can you?

Its been a decade since Black Ops first joined the roster, opening ups that whole Treyarch vs Infity Ward fan service argument. Much like the even numbered Star Trek movies it all comes down to taste. Black Ops for me back in the day was a hot mess, the campaign tried too hard to be clever. Throwing hallucinations and reveals at you in artillery style, it didn’t really do it for my taste. Some of the action pieces were superb, a lot of the story elements were forgettable. That was a decade ago, we don’t talk about the things we did then.

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GamingFeature ArticleIndie GameMicrosoftXbox Series X

Xbox Series X – The First 14 Days

Barrie Clarke 1619 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

I am one of the lucky ones. Despite constant doubt and rumours of supply shortages my Xbox Series X Pre Order was waiting for me instore on November 10th. I was working, it was a long day. This isn’t a deep dive into the hardware, or even the next gen games. This is a overarching opinion piece from someone who has been Xboxing since day one, almost 19 years ago.

I have be enveloped by the Xbox ecosystem, met great people online, suffered RROD, tried to dance and sing, been a rock god, and most importantly, loved the games.

Gaming is in my blood. At almost 50 years old there isn’t a day go by that I don’t play a game or at least do something related to gaming. And to my wife’s dismay, our teenager is following in my footsteps. I have owned countless consoles, PC’s, handhelds, all-in-one’s, and devices. From C64’s to Gizmondos. 386 PC’s to 3DS.

I love all gaming and am definitely not one caught up in fanboy, PC master race, console war rubbish. I want to play games. Nothing more, nothing less.

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Need for Speed : Hot Pursuit
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Need for Speed : Hot Pursuit Remastered, XBOX

Richard Armitt 1535 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

I first discovered Need for Speed : Hot Pursuit around ten years ago.

It came in an unmarked padded bag and was a surprise review.

Knowing nothing about the game I went in blind, it was early in my ButtonmasherNZ days and I was keen.

Out of that came an overlong and excitable review, the game was good and had its turbo boosted hooks in me.

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Cyberpunk 2077 Night City Wire
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Cyberpunk 2077 – Night City Wire, episode 5

Richard Armitt 1791 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

If you’ve been living under a rock, you won’t know Cyberpunk 2077 is coming in hot.

Currently slated for December 10th launch and it seems this is the one the game will hit, which is a relief. New Generation updates will be following in the new year for free, but take a look at the latest trailers. Its running very nicely anyway.

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Xbox Series S
GamingHardwareHardware ReviewsMicrosoftXbox Series S

XBOX SERIES S, Impressions

Guy 2009 Views ,  ,  , 

Oh the excitement! Oh the Hype! We are entering a new generation of Consoles and I have been lucky enough to have an Xbox Series S for the last couple of weeks to play with.

Richard has put the Big Brother Series X through its paces, so check out his impressions in that post.

But for now, here is my Review of the lil Xbox Series S.

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Doom: Eternal the Ancient Gods
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Doom: Eternal – The Ancient Gods Pt1 – Review (PS4)

Guy 1566 Views ,  ,  , 

Doom: Eternal – The Ancient Gods

I was not a fan of Doom 2016. However, whilst reviewing Doom: Eternal I succumbed to the dark-arts of ID Softwares game design.

Doom: Eternal became my favorite First Person Shooter of 2020, hands down! So, obviously I jumped at the chance to go back into hell and play the new DLC.

If you haven’t played Doom: Eternal, them shame on you, go play it now! Then  play its DLC, The Ancient Gods.

I will happily receive your thanks in written and gift form.

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Lets Sing Queen Byte Size Review (Xbox One X)

Barrie Clarke 1579 Views ,  , 

Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. Legends! Queen. Best. Band. Ever!

I have always loved Queen. In some ways it is the soundtrack to my youth. In my younger days I really enjoyed playing all the Lets Sing, Guitar Hero, and Rockband games.

I was never really any good at them but with a few mates and a few more beers, many a good time was had. Now with the experience that comes with age I realise how absolutely terrible I am at singing.

Will that knowledge stop me playing Lets Sing Queen? Well, yes, it probably will.

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