As you can tell, I am all over Mass Effect 2 and I am happy to announce that if you’re an ME fan you will ABSOLUTELY love what is coming. ME2 doesn’t release in New Zealand until the 29th of January but it is easily one of the most anticipated sequels of the year. I will admit though that initially, I was not a serious ME fan when it released. Without sounding like I am dumping all over the Xbox 360 console here, I honestly believe that part of that feeling came from playing ME on the 360 rather than the PC. The experience I am having now playing Mass Effect 2 on the PC is a whole lot more fun and intense. I can’t pinpoint exactly what is different other than ME2 seems like a much more polished game – not to mention the fantastic storyline work the writers have done and some of the hippest dialogue I’ve seen/heard in a game for a while.

Mass Effect 2 also borrows a bit of star power from the incredible voice acting talent; Carrie Anne Moss, Martin Sheen, Seth Green, Tricia Helfer to name a few. But above all is the incredible world of Mass Effect 2 (I’ve only played two hours of the game and I’m already addicted!) Once you take command of your ship, spend some time exploring her – the graphics, animation and environments of Mass Effect 2 are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Every environment is the same – immersive, beautiful to look at and exciting to play in.

BioWare just can’t do a thing wrong. They are fast becoming one of my favourite game developers. I’m finding myself totally immersed in their games of late and it’s simply for no other reason other than their games kick ass. Which leads me to believe that the game I can’t stop raving about (Star Wars: The Old Republic) will probably be the end of all my freetime when it releases next year. I’d gladly give up reality for a few weeks for a light saber and the chance to run wild in a universe that BioWare and LucasArts have created, they’re just that good.

I received some early code for Dragon Age: Origins for PC from EA a month or so ago and only got to play a little bit of it then. It’s only recently in the process of turning my back a little on the crapfest that is Aion that I’ve really managed to sit down and concentrate on Dragon Age. I can tell you now that it’s a fantastic game and I haven’t had the pleasure of playing an RPG as good as this for PC since Dungeon Siege II.

Another reason I’m so interested in Dragon Age is because it’s developed by Bioware and I am really amping myself up for the Star Wars MMORPG they’re working on. I figured if I played Dragon Age, it might give me a better idea of what’s to come with Star Wars: The Old Republic. And not since Gears of War II have I looked forward to another game (those who know me will know how absolutely crazed for that game I was).

The storyline is extremely emmersive and the characters are equally as great. If you’ve played RPGs before you’ll know the drill so I won’t go into unimportant game mechanics as this is not a review. I am just really liking this game, and can’t stop playing it. Aion almost pales in comparison to the fun I’m having playing Dragon Age.

So I am really looking forward to the game expansion coming out very soon. I couldn’t imagine how anyone could play this on the 360 and get the same level of enjoyment out of it that I do on the PC. The last time I even attempted something that resembled an RPG on the 360 was Fable II and I stopped playing that shortly after I discovered that coop wasn’t really true coop in the way I had come to know it. In fact, it was bitterly disappointing. When you’ve played some of the best RPGs on the PC, there’s nothing that can really rival that experience on the Xbox 360. That’s my opinion and it won’t be changing any time soon.

Of course, one game that I was thoroughly impressed with on the 360 that could be loosely classified as an RPG was Star Wars The Force Unleashed. I absolutely loved that game and I am REALLY looking foward to the sequel also coming out this year. It’s going to be a great gaming year for sequels, especially for me. I seem to be really moving away from shooters though and settling more for RPGs this season.

But back to Dragon Age – I think the code I’m playing is a little buggy because in a lot of the fight sequences, the characters I control in my party never do what I need them to. In alot of cases, I had to reload the game just to get the characters to play together and fight together. This is after I had programmed all the presets for each character class as well. As I don’t own the retail version of the game, I can’t really comment if this is just a programming bug or not. But it can be a tad irritating having to restart the game just to get characters to fight in unison, especially when you’re up against difficult mobs like an Ogre (and they are very formidable in Dragon Age).

Which brings me to the difficulty level. I doubt my skills with RPGs have dropped that much but I honestly couldn’t defeat the Ogre on hard. I had to change down the difficulty level just to pass that section of the game. I’m not proud of it but at least I passed it I’ve also had a really frustrating time of breaking into chests that are locked. None of my characters had the correct skill and when I finally acquired a character that could do it, what do you know? Not a single damn chest in sight! I cringe to think of all the phat lewts I’ve missed out on (sorely evident by the lack of funds on my part to buy upgraded equipment at the vendor).

All in all though, this game is kick ass. I am really loving the character integration when discussing the plot and continuing the story. Although the dialogue may be a little off in some places, the different opportunities you’re given to alter your character’s path and destiny are fantastic. If SW:TOR is anything like this game, it will definitely be the game I’ve been waiting to play (I am hoping for a way better experience than the one I’m having playing Aion).

Platform: Xbox 360 Publisher: 2K Games Developer: Gearbox Software Rating: R18 Players: Single player and co-op Genre: FPS/RPG Released: 23rd October, 2009

Website: http://www.borderlandsthegame.com/

[starreview tpl=16]

The cover of Borderlands should just about sum it all up: the image of what looks to be a mutated human with his fingers pressed to his head as if to imitate blowing his own brains out. Oh and yeah, there’s also what looks like some type of brain matter splattering out in a yellow mass behind him. With a rating of R18, you just know that you’re going to be in for one hell of a freaky ride with Borderlands.

Borderlands is set on a planet called Pandora that has a very funky kind of western-type, steampunk vibe going on. You’ll see and discover elements of futuristic technology (such as weapons) but some of the environment and buildings give off a very western-like feel.

The gameplay is split between four different character types which introduces the RPG element (as each character has individual strengths and weaknesses) and in single player mode you get to choose who you want to play. Bearing in mind that the game can play out differently for each character simply due to their differences and skills. You’ve got the choice of either a grunty tank (Berserker) type, a Hunter who specialises in long-range weapons, the Siren who possesses magic ability and the Soldier.

If you’re familiar with RPGs you’ll understand how most of the game progression is structured in Borderlands. But leveling up isn’t simply a matter of just killing things. You’ll be required to complete missions (which can involve killing other NPCs, beasties etc) and strategise your way through some of the more difficult encounters.

And this is where the co-op game mode is really great. Although Borderlands starts off slow, things can get pretty difficult early on if you’re running in and just shooting everything. With group co-op gameplay, the entire dynamic of the game changes and working as a group definitely has its advantages, especially in the more difficult missions.

Borderlands isn’t all about shooting although you’ll be definitely working your way through the ammo. The gameplay is similar in style to Diablo, where you’re constantly having to search the environment for money and whatever you can get from the bodies. Killing and looting everything in sight will soon become a force of habit.

It’s difficult to determine how well a game will do when it pushes the boundaries of blending two distinctive genres like shooters and RPGs together. But Borderlands is developed with both types of gamer in mind and the missions, storyline, characters and game mechanics cater for this exceptionally well.

And If you think romping around through Pandora with your mates will be a blast in co-op mode, Borderlands has more than just oodles of weapons to acquire and fancy powers to use – you can even get mobile with vehicles.

Downloadable game content will be available for Borderlands on the Xbox 360 from the 24th of November in New Zealand so it’s well worth considering if they’re already pumping out the expansions. Fans of running and gunning might find Borderlands is something a little more challenging and RPG fans looking for a a break from the fantasy world will definitely get it with Borderlands.

Video game developer BioWare, a division of Electronic Arts Inc announced that the first chapter of Dragon Age Journeys, a free* to play browser based game set in the Dragon Age world, is now available.  Dragon Age Journeys puts players in the role of a hero exploring the underground dwarven kingdom of Orzammar.  Players will uncover a dastardly plot that threatens to unleash a great evil that won’t stop until it destroys all living things.

Based on BioWare’s upcoming dark fantasy epic Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age Journeys sets a new standard of quality for browser-based games with addictive combat mechanics and fluid gameplay.  Players of Dragon Age Journeys will have the chance to earn exclusive in game content for Dragon Age: Origins on the day of its release.

The game is produced by a new browser-based production team at EA and an all-star team of independent development talent, with the goal of creating premium quality browser games. Dragon Age Journeys represents EA’s commitment to supporting talented independent developers.

Dragon Age Journeys is now available free to players at www.dragonagejourneys.com and more information is available at www.dragonage.com.