Metal Gear Online is 'The Phantom Pain's' Multiplayer Co-op Mode

A little late on this one, but I couldn't help but put in my two cents on the world premiere trailer for Metal Gear Solid V's online component. First introduced in the 2005 re-release of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Online takes the tried-and-tested subterfuge skills of Metal Gear fans and pits them alongside and against one another in a massively multi-player combat arena.

Further expanded upon in Metal Gear Solid 4, MGSV's iteration will incorporate awesome new additions such as tactical sideswipe dodge, toy puppy distractions, thermoptic camouflage, ghillie suits, fulton balloon cannons, flanking teleportation disposables, and pilotable bi-pedal Metal Gears that can karate kick opponents. Phew, this is whole other game in and of itself!

Besties.

The Phantom Pain was already one of my most higly-anticipated titles of 2015, but this new trailer just makes the wait that much more excruciating. There's rumors that series creator Hideo Kojima may have "stealth-announced" the game's release date at this year's Game Awards as early as June 22nd of next year. However, given Kojima long-known propensity for fan-baiting promotional antics, this itself could be another total diversion. In any case, I'm excited to finally witness Big Boss' fall from grace first-hand in 2015!

The Art of Blizzard's Overwatch - Arnold Tsang

Hanzo (via)

Undoubtedly by now you've heard at least something about Blizzard's new multiplayer-shooter Overwatch. If not, allow me the extreme pleasure to introduce the company's newest IP in over 17 years. An impressive looking free-to-play team-shooter with heavily Capcom-inspired character roster and Pixar-esque aesthetic, Overwatch players are thrust into the roles of either the titular peacekeeping force or their mysterious mercenary counterparts in a battle for intergalactic supremacy.

The game is schedule for an open-Beta early next year, launches with as many as 12 initial characters, and from all appearances looks like a colossal load of fun. Sadly, as is often the case in the games industry, audiences are seldom made aware of the host of talented artists and designers that craft these incredible new game experiences. Awesome-Robo ain't having none of that, so without further adieu I'd like to talk about one artist in particular responsible for Overwatch's look; Mr. Arnold Tsang.



A co-founder of the Candian production house UDON Entertainment, Arnold Tsang is an absolute beast of an artist known for his contributions on such titles as Capcom Fighting Evolution, Firefall, and Realtime Studio's tragically-ambitious APB. His eye for creating sartorially impressive characters in dynamic situations is matched only by his aptitude for color composition and visual hierarchy. Born in China, Tsang is now based out of California and has worked for Blizzard for over four years as a lead character artist. Check out more of his Overwatch concepts after the break, including a smattering of his previous APB work!

Worth Checking Out - Towerfall: Ascension

Towerfall has built up a sort of cult following since it's release on the rather underwhelming Ouya last year. It's fast, frantic, and incredibly fun gameplay was only dragged down by it's limited availability - being exclusive to the Ouya at that time. Some people (Including us) dubbed it as probably one of the best titles on the platform at the time, as well as it being a favorite indie pick from last year's E3. Thankfully this exclusivity did not last forever and the game is now available for purchase on both PC and PS4.

In addition to the addictive Super Smash Brothers styled gameplay of the original title, they've added a wealth of new features and content such as 50 new versus arenas, a new single player/co-op quest mode, unlockable archers, and a bunch of new power ups to modify gameplay and keep things interesting. The game is already a popular pick for multiplayer brawlers and now with more options and variety (not to mention being on additional platforms) it's going to be a fan favorite for a long, long time.

Towerfall: Ascension is now available on Steam or the Playstation Store on your PS4.

Indie Spotlight - Ravaged By Dawn 2 Games

Did you know? Ravaged launched yesterday, a post apocalyptic team based FPS which achieved funding via a successful round of Kickstarter funding. Thematically, the game has been touted as everything that iD's RAGE should have been about but failed to deliver (The awful multiplayer comes to mind). The folks at Dawn 2 Games were also nice enough to release a demo on Steam to give players a chance to get a taste of what the game is about.

We had a chance to give the game a spin last night, and put together some highlights of blasting the Airwolf theme while raining fire and destruction down on everything below with their helicopters. Let's just say they weren't easy to pilot. You can get your hands on a copy of the game here.

Primal Carnage - Dinosaurs Versus Humans

We featured Primal Carnage sometime last September, and reveled at the attempt to create a multiplayer experience that pitted dinosaurs versus humans. Lukewarm Software's game is shaping up to have some serious potential, especially by tapping a niche (Jurrasic Park much?) that has never really received the love it deserved. Featuring 5 classes on dinosaurs and human hunters, the game will feature what appears to be a Left 4 Dead style gameplay system, with players working together to achieve objectives while making sure they don't turn into the prey. With the beta honing in, I'd highly recommend signing up for a chance to get in early and give this game a run.

The addition of the Jurassic Park era dino Sound FX gave me goosebumps, so please take my money and let's get this indie game/gem released already. Check out the first character showcase after the break for a glimpse at night combat and some of the other classes!