‘Pokemon Go’ is available for iOS and Android devices. (Niantic)
Several dozen Pokemon Go moves have just been changed.
As of Tuesday, the duration of most of the game’s quick moves has been altered; these speeds had been lengthened in a recent update, but now they appear to be back down to their normal speed. In addition, for some moves the power has been reduced, as has the energy gain and the damage inflicted.
A particularly noteworthy change was to the move Water Gun, which previously inflicted 10 damage but now only inflicts five damage. With these recent move changes, it’s now slightly easier to take down Blissey, who in recent days had proven to be absolutely unstoppable.
The following chart breaks down which moves were altered on February 21st, as well as in what way they were altered. For more detailed information about each move and how its data has been changed, head over to Pokemon Go Hub.
Name of Move
Type of Change
Acid
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Air Slash
Power Increased
Astonish
Duration Increased, Energy Gain Increased
Bite
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Bubble
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Increased
Bug Bite
Duration Reduced
Bullet Punch
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced
Bullet Seed
Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Increased
Charge Beam
Duration Reduced
Confusion
Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Increased
Counter
Power Increased
Cut
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced
Dragon Breath
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Dragon Tail
Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Increased
Ember
Duration Reduced
Extrasensory
Duration Reduced
Feint Attack
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Fire Fang
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Fire Spin
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced
Frost Breath
Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Increased
Furry Cutter
Duration Reduced
Hidden Power
Power Increased
Ice Shard
Duration Reduced
Infestation
Duration Reduced
Iron Tail
Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Increased
Karate Chop
Duration Reduced
Lick
Duration Reduced
Low Kick
Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Karate Chop
Duration Reduced
Metal Claw
Duration Reduced
Mud Shot
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced
Mud Slap
Duration Reduced
Peck
Duration Reduced
Poison Jab
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Poison Sting
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Pound
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Psycho Cut
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced
Quick Attack
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Increased
Razor Leaf
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Rock Smash
Duration Reduced
Rock Throw
Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduce
Scratch
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Shadow Claw
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced
Snarl
Duration Reduced
Spark
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Increased
Steel Wing
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Struggle Bug
Power Increased, Energy Gain Increased
Sucker Punch
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Tackle
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced
Thunder Shock
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Vine Whip
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Volt Switch
Power Increased, Energy Gain Increased
Water Gun
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Wing Attack
Power Reduced, Duration Reduced, Energy Gain Reduced
Zen Headbutt
Duration Reduced
Brendan Morrowis a Heavy contributor who covers news, politics, professional wrestling, and more. He has previously written about film for Bloody Disgusting, We Got This Covered, What Culture, and The Celebrity Cafe. Follow him on twitter @brendanmorrow. February 21, 2017 8:51 pm
These are our top picks for the best Android action games from January 2017 that you need to play.
1. WarFriends
Aw, they’re so cute…until they lob a grenade over to your army of own big-head mode soldiers. WarFriends is a new tactical shooter from the developers who gave us Mega Dead Pixel. Electronic Arts took note of Chillango’s game creation skills, which is why they partnered with them to release this miniature take on strategic firefights. When you place your boots on the battlefield, you’ll have your head on a swivel as you dodge incoming bullets, place new soldiers on the field to protect you and employ the use of stat-boosting WarCards. You can take your shots at the AI solo or make a __play for the online leaderboards by engaging in co-op deathmatches. WarFriends has a unique look and an addictive gameplay loop that’s perfect for warheads.
Download it here.
2. Z-Exemplar
Shoot ’em up’s are top of the line arcade mainstays. We love them even more now that we can __play them and nervously twitch as we dodge bullets on our home consoles. These games feel perfect on mobile devices, which is why we have to applaud the retro stylized Z-Exemplar. If you spent hours playing horizontal SHUMP’s (R-Type and Gradius immediately come to mind), then you’re going to sink even more time into this one. And for those who grew up with the visual makeup of games released for the ZX Spectrum, you’ll really appreciate this modern classic. The numbers game is major here – there’s 960 planets to conquer, 10 overall planetary themes, 21 weapon types and hundreds of enemies to shoot down. Z-Exemplar is a retro SHUMP personified.
Download it here.
3. Shadow Blade: Reload
Ninjas are cool. Playing as a ninja in a video game is a proven formula. Shadow Blade: Reload knows this very well, which is why they give mobile gamers the opportunity to do just that. This action-packed platformer is all about you taking control of Kuro. As Kuro, you’ll master his ninjitsu skills by slashing foes with his katana and flinging out a swath of shurikens. The visuals evoke the feel of a comic book, so you’ll feel like you’re actively participating in your favorite weekly animated adventures. The main campaign features a wealth of stages to explore, major boss fights and additional challenge modes to master. Shadow Blade: Reload is a ninja fans’ dream come true.
Download it here.
4. Ben 10: Up to Speed
Ben 10 happens to be one of the more popular Cartoon Network properties to launch after the glory days of The Powerpuff Girls and Johnny Bravo. The entire concept of a young hero who can change into a bevy of alien lifeforms resonated with a lot of young folks. Within this infinite runner lies all the characteristics of the series people adore so much. Players can tap into the abilities of Heatblast, Four Arms, XLR8 and more as they chase down baddies and pick up collectibles. Each of these alien life forms work much better in some situations, so it pays to keep a close eye on all the paths you discover. There’s a big sense of progression here as you travel across farther distances, discover alternate paths and defeat Ben 10’s rogue’s gallery.
Download it here.
5. Moana Island Life
Disney’s latest 3D animated film was a fun little romp through Hawaiian culture. Moana introduced youngsters and their willing parents to new characters such as Moana, Maui, Pua and Heihei. Moana Island Life brings you back into the bright and sunny locales of the movie for an island building adventure. Besides making sure your new seaside home is amazing, you’ll also get to sail out to nearby islands and get acquainted with the friendly denizens living there. You can construct your own wildlife sanctuary, farm a wealth of crops, craft all types of helpful tools and trade items with friends. Even with all those activities, you’ll also hop into Maui’s Challenges and make a play at getting awesome rewards. Moana Island Life is the perfect island builder for younger mobile gamers.
Check out our top picks for the best free Android games that launched during January 2017.
1. Star Wars: Force Arena
We’re genuinely shocked that its taken so long to put the Star Wars universe into the ever evolving MOBA atmosphere. Star Wars: Force Arena is proof that more legendary franchises should make the move over to quality MOBA experiences. The blaster filled, Jedi powered arena battles of this addictive PvP battler is perfect for strategy genre minded gamers. On the playable character front, familiar faces from all of the old films and newer big screen epics __play a part in fighting for victory. Even the more obscure characters hardcore Star Wars fans know, like Moff Tarkin, can be called upon to help you dominate the battlefield. Creating powerful duos, hopping into huge guilds and wiping out the opposition is the name of the intergalactic game within Star Wars: Force Arena.
Pokemon Go is available for iOS and Android devices. (Niantic)
Over 80 new Pokemon have been released in Pokemon Go.
The second generation of Pokemon made their debut in the game last week, and players have slowly been getting a better sense of where the new creatures spawn and how common or rare they are. As was the case with the first generation, Pokemon typically spawn at a higher frequency in specific biomes, areas of the real world that are associated with that type of Pokemon.
For some Pokemon, it’s fairly obvious what areas that type will be associated with. With water Pokemon, for instance, spawns will occur at a higher frequency near water, and with grass Pokemon, spawns will occur near grassy areas.
For others types, it’s a bit more unclear. With “normal” Pokemon, for instance, spawns can occur basically anywhere, but they seem to happen at a slightly higher frequency near residential areas. With the second generation, there is also an entirely new Pokemon type: dark Pokemon, a category that comprises Umbreon, Murkrow, Sneasel, Houndour, Houndoom, and Tyranitar. At this time, nobody is really sure what a “dark” biome is, although it appears that these Pokemon spawn more frequently at night.
The following chart breaks down the Pokemon type for each generation two species and identifies what areas in the real world that type of Pokemon can typically be found. In addition, if you’re hunting for a specific creature, you can also make use of The Silph Road’s nest atlas, a map identifying areas where the same species of Pokemon spawns at a very high frequency.
Pokemon
Type
Typically Found Near
Chikorita
Grass
Parks, Gardens, Forests, & Grassy Areas
Bayleef
Grass
Parks, Gardens, Forests, & Grassy Areas
Meganium
Grass
Parks, Gardens, Forests, & Grassy Areas
Cyndaquil
Fire
Residential Areas, Places With Warm/Dry Climate
Quilava
Fire
Residential Areas, Places With Warm/Dry Climate
Typhlosion
Fire
Residential Areas, Places With Warm/Dry Climate
Totodile
Water
Beaches, Lakes, Rivers, Oceans, Harbors, Docks
Croconaw
Water
Beaches, Lakes, Rivers, Oceans, Harbors, Docks
Feraligatr
Water
Beaches, Lakes, Rivers, Oceans, Harbors, Docks
Sentret
Normal
Residential Areas
Furret
Normal
Residential Areas
Hoothoot
Normal
Residential Areas
Noctowl
Normal
Residential Areas
Ledyba
Bug
Parks, Gardens, Forests, & Grassy Areas
Ledian
Bug
Parks, Gardens, Forests, & Grassy Areas
Spinarak
Bug & Poison
Parks, Gardens, Forests, Grassy Areas & Wetlands
Ariados
Bug & Poison
Parks, Gardens, Forests, Grassy Areas & Wetlands
Crobat
Poison & Flying
Wetlands, Lakes & Ponds
Chinchou
Water & Electric
Schools, Industrial Areas & Beaches, Lakes & Rivers
Lanturn
Water & Electric
Schools, Industrial Areas & Beaches, Lakes & Rivers
Hospitals, Residential Areas, Parks, Forests & Grassy Areas
Brendan Morrowis a Heavy contributor who covers news, politics, professional wrestling, and more. He has previously written about film for Bloody Disgusting, We Got This Covered, What Culture, and The Celebrity Cafe. Follow him on twitter @brendanmorrow. February 22, 2017 4:54 pm
‘Pokemon Go’ is available for iOS and Android devices. (Niantic)
Since the release of the second generation of Pokemon in Pokemon Go, one question has remained the most elusive: where is Corsola?
As more and more players began to catch Corsola, and others failed to locate it, what soon became clear is that there are parts of the world that the creature spawns in and parts that it does not. But this isn’t like the other region-exclusive Pokemon that are available in certain countries and not in others.
Instead, the region Corsola seems to be exclusive to is anywhere on the globe between 31°N and 26°S or so, which includes the very south end of Texas and Florida, in addition to the north of Australia.
Where to find Corsola! (Based on current reports) from TheSilphRoad
It would make sense for Niantic to give this part of the world its own Pokemon. There are already region exclusives associated with North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, and so Corsola would cover Mexico, South America, Africa, and India, which did not previously have any exclusive.
Current Regional Map – Please contribute further data so I can update as necessary from TheSilphRoad
There has actually been some debate, though, about whether Corsola is a regional Pokemon at all. Another theory is that it is associated with seasons. After all, the Pokedex entry for Corsola notes that these Pokemon congregate in warm areas and migrate south for the winter, and so perhaps the only reason it’s not currently available in the north is because of the weather. The only problem with that theory is that Corsola is currently showing up in quite a few places where the weather is still cold, and not showing up in other places where the weather is warm.
Another generation two Pokemon that appears to be region-exclusive is Heracross, though once again it’s not limited to one country. Heracross has been spotted in Mexico, all of South America, The Bahamas, and Southern Florida.
Read more about Pokemon Go in Spanish at AhoraMismo.com:
‘Pokemon Go’ is available for iOS and Android devices. (Niantic)
A new update to Pokemon Go is about to be released.
Niantic announced on Friday that Version 1.27.3 for iOS, and 0.57.3 for Android, will soon begin to roll out. So what’s different this time around? Well, Niantic usually releases patch notes for all of their updates, but they have not done so this time around. Instead, they simply stated on Twitter that the purpose of this update will be to “implement performance improvements,” offering no further details.
We’ll have a better sense of what the purpose of this update is later this weekend, then, but it will likely include some behind-the-scenes tweaks to fix issues players have been experiencing with the game over the past few weeks. In particular, players on iOS devices have been reporting increased instances of the game crashing since generation two was released.
Some players have also been encountering strange glitches where the app does not quite boot up properly, resulting in screens like this one via Reddit:
Plus, there have been complaints among Android users that the game is eating up more and more RAM, and so presumably this update will be intended to fix many of these technical issues currently plaguing Pokemon Go.
As is usually the case with Pokemon Go, a look through the code of this latest update will also likely give players an idea of what features Niantic is planning to roll out in the future, so stay tuned for more information about Version 1.27.3 and 0.57.3.
Read more about Pokemon Go in Spanish at AhoraMismo.com:
Finding a keyboard that works best for your needs is essential, and with the ever-increasing variety of options available for gaming keyboards in 2017, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. But if you want to get the most out of your PC gaming, the right keyboard can make your experience more enjoyable.
There are numerous other reasons to get a mechanical gaming keyboard as well, especially if you spend a lot of time typing on a computer every day like I do. (After all, someone has to create great web content for you to read, right?). There are many important factors when buying a gaming keyboard, including what type of switches to buy, the keyboard’s build quality, the look of the keyboard, macro ability, and the price you’re willing to spend.
With all of that in mind, here are the top 10 best gaming keyboards of 2017:
1. Corsair K95 RGB Platinum
Those who have built their own gaming PCs in the past are likely no stranger to the Corsair brand, as they have their toes in not only the keyboard market but also cooling, mice, memory , PSUs, and truly impressive cases (you HAVE to check out their new Crystal Series cases if you’re in the market — they’re incredible!). All around, the build quality with anything you buy from Corsair is unparalleled, and the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum keyboard is no exception. It, of course, uses Cherry MX Mechanical Switches in the design for ultra fast actuation, and it also uses Aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminum for the frame. This makes it lightweight while still remaining rugged for extended use. It has three on-board stored profiles that are easily accessed, and there’s an 8MB memory.
It also has six programmable G-keys that are easily setup for in-game macros, allowing you to set up multi-key combos on any of the six keys. They’re easily accessible and comfortable to reach.
As far as the keyboard’s look, it’s well-illuminated, and you can set each individual key to the color of your choosing. It also has numerous cool animations for when your hands are idle.
With the K95 Platinum, there are three different builds available: The Cherry MX Speed (Gunmetal), Cherry MX Speed (Black), and Cherry MX RGB (Brown).
Price: $199.99
Pros:
6 G-keys
Super high quality build
Included wrist rest
RGB illumination
Cons:
Pricey
Buy the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum Keyboard here.
2. Ducky Shine 6 Special Edition Mechanical Keyboard
Although Ducky might not be a household name to those who don’t follow the mechanical keyboard market, they have numerous top-notch options for sale. The Ducky Shine 6 comes in at $163, and for the money, you’re getting the sturdiest build available. It has a simple look to it upon first glance, with no media keys, G-keys, or anything additional. But when you use it, it’s clear that Ducky spared no expense when it came to creating a quality build. It uses double shot ABS keycaps and it has fully programmable RGB LEDs. It uses Blue Cherry MX switches, and there’s also a Brown Cherry MX switch option available (oddly for $30 more). Still, what you’re getting here is a no-frills mechanical keyboard that feels great to type on and is highly customizable in its lighting.
Price: $163.00
Pros:
Superior build quality
Double shot ABS keys
Unique blue color
Easy to setup lighting options
Cons:
Pricey
No media keys
No G-keys
Buy the Ducky Shine 6 Special Edition Keyboard here.
There’s no way around it – if you played the original NieR, you either hold it in high regard or have no need to __play it again because you find it mediocre.
While some gamers applauded its mature storytelling, incredible music and mix of different playstyles, another crowd of gamers complained about its disappointing visuals and weak combat. NieR has gained a cult following since its launch, which led Square Enix to do the unthinkable – craft an actual sequel! But this time, they’ve selected PlatinumGames to make sure NieR: Automata’s combat is a “cut” above its predecessor’s melee stylings. Along with a more action-packed battle system, this sequel will include the same awesome soundtrack and deep plot fans have come to expect from the series.
In order to get you prepared for the PS4/PC release of NieR: Automata, read up on its most important facts within this preview guide.
1. NieR: Automata Takes Place Within the NieR/Drakengard Universe
NieR: Automata has ties to the original NieR, which in itself happens to be a spin-off from the Drakengard series. It’s not clear how many years this sequel is set after the original game, but what is known is that this game follows the 4th ending of NieR. NieR: Automata retains the dark storyline and mature themes that were a part of its past predecessors. The video posted above does a pretty good job of explaining the ties between all three games and the overarching story that’s still being told.
2. The Story Follows the Exploits of a Fighting Android Codenamed “2B”
The plotline for this sequel places it within a post-apocalyptic world. The last remnants of humanity are embroiled within a constant struggle against an army of machines from another world. Earth has been overtaken by these vicious robots and caused humans to make the Moon their new home. The humans decide to send down a group of androids known as “YoRHa” in order to combat their mechanical foes. The YorHa take their commands from a massive base that stays close to Earth by constantly orbiting above it – “The Bunker.”
You’ll take command of a female android known as YoRHa No. 2 Model B (2B, for short). She’s described as a calm combatant who’s always ready to complete her missions with maximum efficiency. 2B fights alongside a more emotionally driven android named YoRHa No. 9 Model S (9S). Both 2B and 9S are constantly observed by YoRHa Model A No. 2 (A2), a prototype android who often chooses to go solo. Along the way, you’ll encounter other types of robotic personalities and characters from the original NieR. You may even hear a few quotes about a few of Drakengard 3’s characters…
3. The Game’s Combat System Has Been Crafted by PlatinumGames
Anyone’s who spent time with any of PlatinumGames’ action titles knows just how tight their combat systems are. Games such as Bayonetta, Transformers: Devastation and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance all feature protagonists who can wield a number of powerful melee weapons and tap into some sort of countering/slow motion mechanic when several enemies are onscreen. PlatinumGames and one of its main game designers (Takahisa Taura) are taking what they’ve learned from their past projects to craft the battle system for NieR: Automata.
Players will take control of 2B, who’s capable of dishing out light/heavy attacks with short/long swords, spears and bracers. 2B is also assisted by an airborne Pod robot, who uses ranged attacks from a 3rd-person viewpoint or when the game switches to a top-down one. There’s some light RPG elements at __play here too, such as the ability to upgrade 2B with assorted “Chips.” In a move reminiscent of Dark Souls, players can choose to rediscover their deceased body after death. You can either recover your fallen body’s leftover items/EXP or choose to repair it. Succeed at reviving it and it will become a temporary ally; fail and it will come back to life as a foe you must defeat to gain an extra bonus.
For those of you who think they may have some difficulty with the game’s fast-moving combat, the developers have implemented an Auto Mode. Within this mode, 2B can utilize a collection of “Auto Chips” (Auto Attack, Auto Shoot, Auto Evade, Auto Program and Auto Weapon Switch) that makes the combat section even more of a breeze to play through. You can all those abilities in action in the trailer posted above. It’s best if you check out the game’s PS4 demo and see if your skills are up to par for NieR: Automata.
Streets Of Rage II – don’t __play it with the sound off
GameCentral readers name the games that would be impossible to __play without their original music, from GTA IV to OutRun.
The subject for this week’s Hot Topic was suggested by reader Sarge, who asked what soundtrack do you love so much you wouldn’t dream of playing the game without it. Sometimes having the sound on is a problem, and sometimes people like to use custom soundtracks – or just turn the soundtrack down and their own music up. But what game would you never do that with?
Music-related Hot Topics are always popular and this week was no exception. But although there were plenty of different games mentioned, both modern and retro, role-players and Grand Theft Auto were the clear favourites.
Still Ragin’
For me the greatest videogame soundtrack of all time is still Streets Of Rage II on the Mega Drive.
Yuzo Koshiro did wonders with that Yamaha sound chip, that still inspires me to this day, but Streets Of Rage II just wouldn’t be the same without it. A great game to be sure, but the music is a very large part of what makes it great.
Also Jeremy Soule’s Elder Scrolls works are beautiful and bring wonder to the wanderings, those games would certainly lose something special if the music wasn’t there with you.
And honourable mentions have to go to the original Doom and Street Fighter II.
But in opposition to those there are certain games where I have to turn the music off completely (or desperately wanted to but couldn’t… cough – Halo – cough) such as Rise Of The Tomb Raider and most first person shooters. Phil Spearpoint
Colossal achievement
I’ve collected over 30 game soundtracks on CD over the years, mostly role-playing games because of their epic musical scores. Many of them are awesome, from Final Fantasy XIV and The Last Remnant’s huge orchestral scores to the classic ‘80s hits of GTA: Vice City. They’re all great but when it comes to game soundtracks there is one that’s miles ahead of the rest – Shadow Of The Colossus. I have played through the game multiple times and the music is amazing.
Every one of the 16 Colossi fights has a unique memorable battle theme, and the cut scenes are interlaced with lavish orchestration too. I had to import the soundtrack CD from Japan but it was worth the effort, and there honestly isn’t a weak track on the disc. The game is fantastic, but the soundtrack turns it into one of the best games of all time in my opinion. Crazy-Crusha (PSN ID)
Musical companion
I think all the Final Fantasy games are greatly enhanced with their own superb soundtracks. When the boss music kicks in, and you know you could be there a while, there’s nothing better than listening to a great piece of exciting music to accompany what’s going on on the screen.
Another genre, is the scrolling shoot ‘em-up. Some of Cave’s soundtracks, including Espgaluda, Muchi Muchi Pork, Mushihimesama Futari 1.5, Deathsmiles, and Akai Katana are adrenaline pumping and seem to help you avoid those millions of bullets on screen. Dark Anima
E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk
Chart hit
I couldn’t imagine the Uncharted games without their soundtracks, they capture the epic adventure, thrilling action, the atmosphere of the area Nate is exploring and add so much to the quiet emotional moments.
I also love the original Devil May Cry, as it’s the only one of the series not to rely on heavy metal and again the music adds to the atmosphere of the weird places Dante finds himself going to.
I have a few game soundtracks, some downloaded from the PlayStation Network and a few on CD that I’ve imported via Amazon and eBay. LastYearsModel09 (PSN ID)
Interactive accompaniment
An unpopular opinion maybe, but probably my favourite gaming experience of all time was when I played the entire Final Fantasy XIII trilogy back-to-back. That was something that will stick with me forever, but not for the usual reasons you’d come to expect from a gamer. I’m a sucker for good art direction, and in my eyes this trilogy has one of the best I’ve ever seen. The locales, visuals, and the whole atmosphere of the thing all helped… but the most massive contributor was the music. The music made the game.
A few months ago I revisited the trilogy for the first time, and was really taken aback by how ordinary the gameplay felt – stark contrast to the incredible highs I felt when I first played them. All I can say is I must have been well and truly sucked in by the music and the visuals whilst they were still new and fresh.
Sure, the game itself may not have been groundbreaking, but that didn’t matter to me – what DID matter was that it was a decent vessel to deliver a phenomenal artistic experience, and that’s something I’m really grateful for. Without the music, it would’ve been another game down the pan, but instead the music helped turn it into my most cherished gaming memory so far. Aaron B
Passive fan
I would not say I loved it but the music in the Mega Drive Sonic games is very iconic and the games would not be the same without it, particularly Sonic 2. The music of that game has etched into my brain unlike any other. I never use custom soundtracks and always play games with the sound on. I appreciate good sound direction and some games use music to impressive effect. The Final Fantasy series has always used music well and there is the bit in Red Dead Redemption when you enter Mexico.
I do have a few soundtracks on CD/MP3 but that is simply because they were freebies that came with special additions, I have never actively listened to them. PazJohnMitch
Remix heaven
I know a lot of people will quite rightly say the Grand Theft Auto games (especially Vice City, what a soundtrack!). I would say music plays an important role in immersing yourself in role-playing games, titles like The Elder Scrolls series, Suikoden series, and the Final Fantasy series (especially VII with that gorgeous soundtrack from the legendary Nobuo Uematsu!). I have a lot of the tracks on my phone which I often use as ringtones.
I don’t think soundtracks get the credit they deserve, I even go to ocremix.org to hear the sometimes great remixes of classic video games which are all free to download. SirLord Best
Golden oldies
Game impossible to play without its original soundtrack? Donkey Kong Country on the SNES or Streets Of Rage II on the Sega Mega Drive. Both outstanding soundtracks. Mark
Catch up on every previous Games Inbox here
Provoking music
This is of course too obvious a question for me personally, especially if it comes to role-players. If the original soundtrack was not being used then the game will only be good but not as memorable as it could be.
Music is an integral part of my life and some of my earliest memories of playing games is humming the tune whilst away from gaming and it just gives me positive vibes as much as non-gaming music does. I am a huge fan of various progressive rock bands and listening to this music makes me feel so good that if playing an epic game without its original soundtrack it is like watching Blade Runner or Star Wars without its original soundtrack – it just won’t feel the same and same goes with games.
The developers intended to sync the world around you with the correct sound to enhance the feel of the environment and to mix it with something else just feels wrong. Granted I have hundreds of albums suitable for the games I play, but imagine Final Fantasy VII or Zelda: A Link To The Past being replaced with something else. The telling of the adventure just would feel a little off and the experience whilst interesting just would be reduced and lose a lot of its original magic.
Though prog rock ironically is (I feel) where most gaming music producers get their inspiration from in the first place. I hear a lot of chords and slight recreations when I compare the music, as both want grandeur and to provoke a special kind of emotional feeling and when done well – boy does it provoke alright.
Racing games, fighting games like Street Fighter, or anything with normal soundtracks with maybe a list of today’s indie bands or something (which a lot of sport titles can sometimes use), then heck yes, why not, it’s not the same type of game which requires stimulating emotional music when scoring a goal from outside the box and into the top corner of the goal. But each to their own.
But one thing is certain and that is music is essential to gaming unless the sounds of a game alone is the atmosphere of the game, like Project Zero or the recent Resident Evil game. But that’s another discussion entirely. Alucard
E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk
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A reader shares his obsession with Nintendo’s acclaimed third person shooter, and explains why he’s looking forward to the sequel.
I have a confession to make guys: Splatoon has kinda taken over my life! You see I was painting a room in my house not to long ago, and whilst painting I just couldn’t shake the unshakable grip of Splatoon on my imagination. Nintendo have cast yet another spell on me. As I would use the paint roller to coat the walls I’d imagine (or am I succumbing to madness?) adversarial inklings popping up from the surface, ripe for the splatting, once or twice flicking the paint brush on the walls like a feral individual in dire need of a tranquilizer dart.
But don’t mind me; those are just the cogitations of an overzealous man… child. Suffice to say, Splatoon is the freshest, most inventive idea in gaming I’ve experienced in years. The central mechanics of spraying ink on your surroundings and submerging into it in squid form is simply revelatory. There is a typically magical playfulness in painting everything in your path in Splatoon that I just find so intoxicating – even in the single-player mode I have somewhat developed an obsessiveness in blanketing the levels in the gloppy liquids.
The ink in Splatoon compels me to gambol in the fluorescent, eye-catching substance to my heart’s content. The ink is striking to behold, I really wouldn’t mind seeing some more colours in the future like goldenrod, sandy brown, aquamarine, and peach puff.
Moving about in squid mode affords the player an invigorating sense of momentum, and combined with the ability to swim up walls and lie in wait in the ink to ambush the opposition, the system of mechanics in Splatoon commix into one supremely fun package.
Aiming with the gyroscopic motion controls and moving with the right analogue stick in Splatoon feels incredibly intuitive and instinctive, I’d acclimatised to the wildly inventive controls in a matter of seconds. The laser-cutting precision and accuracy granted to the player here is testament to Nintendo’s masterful engineering. I’d go as far as say that other shooters’ control methods feel ponderous and retrogressive in comparison now. Splatoon’s default control scheme is the future of the shooter genre, how anyone could express disapproval at it and want to revert to full analogue control after sampling this delightfully innate configuration is beyond me.
Nintendo’s foray into the arena-based shooter genre is an audacious one, it is clear from the outset that Splatoon is an abundantly creative and unique experience unlike any other. Vying for painterly dominance on the maps in Turf War is dynamic and exhilarating, the scope for formulating strategies and tactics on the fly feels genuinely emboldening and empowering. The ebb and flow of the struggles to hold as much of the map as possible is palpable and electrifying, plus the three-minute time limit allotment is perfectly judged so that mere seconds could be enough to turn tides and reverse fortunes in the heat of the moment.
Wars of attrition on Splatzone are absolutely thrilling, wrestling for control of the towers in Tower Control is exhilarating, and transporting the Rainmaker device can be so exigent – but the pay-off when you personally deliver the devastating device to the enemy’s base is pure gaming nirvana. And no matter how intense and overwhelming the matches would get, and no matter how many times my team would lose consecutively, much like Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. For Wii U before it, the sheer jollity and entertainment would feel profound.
It helps too that the map designs are generally excellent, with great variety in structure and settings and a wonderful sense of character in all of them. From the vertiginous high rises of Moray Towers, to the idyllic reservations of Campfire Triggerfish, the mercantile gaiety of Arrowana Mall, and the summery, water-rescinding joys of Mahi Mahi Resort.
The wickedly imaginative assortment of weaponry in Splatoon feel great fun to handle too. From the bulldozing intimidation of the Roller types, the percussive boom of the Blaster weapons, the ferocious firing speeds of the Aerospary gun, and the unpredictable and thrashing flailings of the Brush type weapons; the tools of decoration and destruction in Splatoon are amazingly realised.
The permutation of weapon loadouts is also very extensive, the sub and special weapon types are fantastically imaginative, from the vortex of decimating energy discharged from the Killer Wail and the thrills of the momentary invincibility and annihilation of the Kraken, to the opposition ink-intercepting and safe-guarding Splash Walls. The variety is hugely impressive.
Splatoon’s single-player campaign confounded my expectations: it is utterly brilliant! The Octo Valley hub world, for instance, is meticulously designed. It starts of simple enough, but as you gradually access the other areas of the valley the structuring of the world becomes more complex and actually locating and entering the levels becomes more challenging as the interconnected areas become increasingly more intricate and akin to spatial puzzles.
Its level design reminds me of the Super Mario Galaxy games in their capacities for capricious creativity. The dreamy, abstract backdrops are also beautifully designed and I hope to see a more ambitious take on the single-player component in Splatoon 2. Plus, more bosses like that tremendously climatic final boss fight.
The sheer exuberance and style in Splatoon’s hub world, Inkopolis, evokes the Jet Set Radio games’ spirit and Sega’s halcyon days with the Dreamcast for me. The funky and flamboyant attire available to the Inklings, coupled with the hip-hop/punk soundtrack and expressive dance moves take me back to a more innocent time, where I was enthralled by Sega’s rebellious beauties and azure blue skies.
Splatoon’s presentation is utterly superlative too, the aforementioned ink is stunning to behold and the character art of the Inklings, the shopkeepers, Judd the cat, and the Octolings are among the most artistically inspired and beautiful I’ve ever seen in a game. Splatoon’s 90s cartoon aesthetics is like a magical amalgamation of Super Mario Sunshine, de Blob, Jet Set Radio, and something entirely new and beauteous.
I also admire the little details and flourishes, like the rousing squid launches when you tap on your teammate’s position on the touchscreen; the addictive Squid Jump mini-games in the online lobby; the way in which your enemies flounder in your paint; turtling in your ink for safety and ammo replenishment; the Splatfest festivities; how the Miiverse posts are emblazoned across maps; and the suspension when awaiting Judd the Cat to announce a winner in a multiplayer match. Splatoon is a product of colossally impressive attention to detail and Nintendo should be applauded for such sensational artisanship.
Splatoon is simply a triumph. An irrefutably resounding success. A totally original and outstanding endeavour that’s emblematic of a lustrous and opulent future for the Kyoto giant – it would seem that the road ahead for Nintendo is in safe hands, with the prodigiously talented younger generation steering Nintendo in a novel and buoyant direction. It’s also a game that breathes new life into a stagnant genre and paves the way for more experimental games in the genre that aren’t afraid to employ a rainbow spectrum of colours and universally-appealing aesthetics. And for that Splatoon will eternally remain fresh!
By reader Galvanized Gamer
The reader’s feature does not necessary represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.
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Pokemon Go is available for iOS and Android devices. (Niantic)
Over 80 brand new Pokemon have just been released in Pokemon Go, and players are now beginning to learn which movesets work best for all of the new species.
Based on CP alone, the most powerful new Pokemon in the game is Tyranitar, which has a max CP of 3,617. Also quite powerful is Blissey, which has a max CP of 3,173. Outside of the Pokemon themselves, the damage inflicted by some moves has been altered, and so based on the amount of damage inflicted per second, the most powerful quick move in the game is now Dragon Breath, and the most powerful main move is Future Sight.
The following chart breaks down the best movesets for each generation two Pokemon, both offensively and defensively, using data from Pokemon Go Info. Click on the name of each Pokemon to see more information about its moveset and the damage-per-second of each move.
Brendan Morrowis a Heavy contributor who covers news, politics, professional wrestling, and more. He has previously written about film for Bloody Disgusting, We Got This Covered, What Culture, and The Celebrity Cafe. Follow him on twitter @brendanmorrow. February 18, 2017 3:00 pm
Niantic just released Generation 2 for Pokemon Go, and trainers believe there aren’t too many rare Pokemon in this list. A few are not coded into the game at all yet, and legendaries will also be missing. (See a complete list of rare and legendary Pokemon here.) One particular Pokemon that trainers have been wondering about is Unown. Early in the morning on February 17, shortly after midnight, Redditor MissingNebula, a trainer in Milwaukee, posted that they had found Unown. Has the find been verified?
Unown is a Generation II Pokemon known as the “Symbol Pokemon.” They are hieroglyph-like, thin black symbols. Unown comes in 28 forms, representing each letter of the alphabet, plus a question mark and an exclamation point. Each of their forms may have different abilities and may be able to make telepathic connections to other beings. Their power increases as they come together.
Here’s what we know so far.
A Redditor Reported Finding Unown in Milwaukee
Redditor MissingNebula posted in several Reddit threads about finding Unown in Milwaukee and appears to be the first to have done so. The photos appear to be legitimate and other Redditors in the threads believe they are the real deal. MissingNebula later went and put Unown in a gym and took more screenshots to confirm the find. Until another trainer also posts about finding Unown, it may be difficult to confirm this 100 percent, but it’s looking pretty legitimate.
If this is authentic, it’s a good indication that Unown is very rare, considering how long it took to find the Pokemon.
Here are some more screenshots that MissingNebula shared:
Photo shared by Redditor MissingNebula. Unown’s animation moves around, according to MIssingNebula. This photo is taken using CalcyIV. (Reddit/MissingNebula)
Photo of Unown in the Pokedex. (Reddit/MissingNebula)
MissingNebula’s photos look authentic and the Redditor has provided quite a few details about finding Unown. MissingNebula later returned to Reddit and added badge pictures and gym pictures too.
Unown in a gym battle (Reddit/MissingNebula)
Stats on Unown. (Reddit/MissingNebula)
This looks legitimate. You can see the entire album here. What do you think?
A Player on Facebook Reported Finding Unown in Singapore, and the Pokemon Looks Very Different
Meanwhile, on the PokemonGo subreddit, Redditor Delcanine started a thread seeking anyone who had found Delibird, Heracross, or Unown. Delcanine wrote that a very reputable map app, well-known by players in their country, showed Unown had been captured in Singapore. Here’s a screenshot Delcanine shared of the app:
(Reddit/Delcanine/Imgur)
Delcanine later shared about finding photos on a Pokemon Go Singapore Facebook group, where player Edwin Wong posted about finding Unown. Here is one of the screenshots he shared:
(Edwin Wong via Delcanine on Reddit)
(Edwin Wong via Delcanine on Reddit)
If you look at this photo and compare it to the photos from MissingNebula above, you can see that the Unown Pokemon looks very different. MissingNebula’s Unown has a circle around its head, while this one does not. However, this doesn’t mean that both finds couldn’t be authentic. Unown comes in multiple forms, which means that not all Unowns found in the game may necessarily look alike. However, at this time it’s too early to tell if these are authentic finds or not.
What do you think? Has Unown been found? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Brendan Morrow is a Heavy contributor who covers news, politics, professional wrestling, and more. He has previously written about film for Bloody Disgusting, We Got This Covered, What Culture, and The Celebrity Cafe. Follow him on twitter @brendanmorrow. 
