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Showing posts with the label Video Games

Xathrodox86 reviews: "Warhammer Quest 2: The End Times" for Steam

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Yeah, I know that I was supposed to review "Ironclad", but stuff happened and y'all get something else. Almost five years ago I've managed to finish the first "Warhammer Quest" on the PC, and now I'll tell you all that you need to know about its sequel! Let's not beat around the bush here - this title takes place during the End Times, the final death troes of the venerable Warhammer Fantasy. Now, as most people I consider the finale of WFB to be some of the worst written fiction of all time. Fun fact, I haven't read a single positive comment about it! Really, not even one. There were a few people who liked the army lists they've prepared in the ET books, but I haven't met a single person who said: "Yes, the End Times were fantastically written. Can I have some more, please?" That said there were a few good things about them, mainly the "Vermintide" games. "Vermintide" 1 & 2 are seriously some of the coole...

Xathrodox86 reviews: "Mordheim: Warband Skirmish" (don't play this game!)

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That's it. I've finally hit rock bottom. I've decided to review a friggin' mobile game... and a shitty one at that. Why are you people still following me? Seriously? All right, all right - let's be completely honest. For some time now I've been suffering what one might call a "writer's block". I don't know what to write about! I do have a bunch of book reviews in my head, as well as a couple of articles about the Adepta Sororitas (shout out to Sami who suggested this on Twitter), but still, I'm kinda burned out. I'm getting ready for my wedding, which is also a lot of work and stress, so there is also that, but still... I need to let off some steam, and what better way to do that, than review a shitty mobile game! Hang tight. We're in for one hell of a ride! "Mordheim: Warband Skirmish" is a 2017 tactical mobile game, created by the Legendary Games studio and released for iOS, Android and Amazon. It's a mobile...

Role-playing Rants: How to best immerse yourself in the game?

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I've finally managed to get through my writer's block. Without further ado I give you another one of my RPG rants, this time about a very important thing - immersion. I will be mainly using the example of my most often played title - Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. Also take note - this article is not for veterans, who have decades of RP'ing behind them, and know every trick in the book. As most of my posts of this type, I am aiming it towards those who are new to the hobby, who only begin to experience it, and could use any help in doing so. I see a lot of people lately, just starting with RPG's and not knowing almost anything about this hobby. If posts like this one will help them, then I know that my work is worth something. Helping others is always cool (image taken from 'Souls Comprehensive Roleplay Guide) So... how to immerse yourself during a game? The more important question is: should you immerse yourself at all? Personally I wouldn't be regularl...

Xathrodox86 reviews: "Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide: Death on the Reik"

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It's time to take a look at the last DLC for "Vermintide", a game that took a lot from "Left 4 Dead" and mixed it with good, old Warhammer Fantasy sauce. The end result is more than excellent. However I'm not going to talk about how much I love this game (100+ hours clocked in already). Instead I want to take a look at the last DLC released for the first part of "Vermintide". A few months ago Fatshark has released "Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide 2" and yes, I will review it at some point in the future. I finally have the rig to do that, so you know - good things are coming. As for now, let's take a look at "Death on the Reik". I had a lot of expectation towards this one. The title itself is a big deal, being a clear reference to the original "The Enemy Within". In fact "DotR" is my second favorite part of this campaign, right after "Shadows over Bogenhafen". The makers of this DLC ev...

Role-playing Rants: Can't stop the beat, or how to correctly utilise music during your games

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There are a lot of things that can make a single, ordinary RPG session, truly awesome. One of them is a climactic soundtrack, specifically tailored for the oncoming game. But how to utilise it to its fullest extent? Game music (and possibly ambient sounds) is a tricky medium to master. First of all, I'd suggest to not base your entire game on it. I've known people who have created entire adventures, based on a single track from a movie or video game. While it usually worked rather well, more often than not a single derail on the PC's part made the whole thing change its course, and the final, dramatic tune had to be either abandoned or used in a different matter. Life sucks, I know. From my experience it's a great idea to base a single scene or maybe a chapter, on your favorite "Gladiator" OST. They are usually short enough to warrant success, not to mention it's easier to control what's going on during a single chapter, than an entire campaign. Jus...

My musings on various stuff: Civilized Edition

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There's a lot going on in the fandom right now. Awesome fan-made materials, official releases and news of upcoming projects - there's something for everyone, so let's go and take a look, shall we? 1. The Northmen Rules v2.0 by Jackdays from Kalevala Hammer Let the quality content flow! Always awesome Jackdays from the legendary Kalevala Hammer , returns once again with a content of topmost quality. His Northmen sourcebooks for WFRP are some of the best fan-made materials out there, and for a good reason. Being fascinating, extensive reads on the topic of the fearsome northern tribes of the Warhammer Fantasy world, they're a true boon to Gamemasters and players alike. A few weeks ago Jack has released a new version of this great add-on for WFRP 1, 2 and 3, and I can't stress enough how good they are. You can check them out yourselves, by visiting his website and downloading them from his rich repository of goodies. They're worth your time, trust me on...

"Warhammer: Vermintide 2" gameplay trailer is here! The hype is real!

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Fatshark just dropped the brand new "Vermintide 2" trailer and it looks insanely good! Join me for a quick rundown and a wishlist from yours truly. Now it's no big surprise that I love "Warhammer: Vermintide". I have more than 100 hours clocked in this game, bought every, single DLC and generally think that this is one of the better co-op titles, which arrived lately to PC's and consoles. Will its sequel be just as good, or even better? First of all, the trailer showcases a completely new enemy in the sequel - the Northmen! Yes, Chaos comes to "Vermintide" in the form of Marauders and Chaos Warriors, dedicated to Nurgle! There will also be a Chaos Spawn mini-boss, akin to the Rat Ogres of Clan Fester. They will supposedly be able to grab the heroes, and throw them across the map. Awesome! Chaos shall not be denied Fans of the Skaven need not fret, since our murderous ratmen will also get new reinforcements. Stormfiends will bolst...

Xathrodox86 rants about various stuff, doesn't get mad for a change

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A lot is happening right now in the RPG/wargaming world, so I've decided to share a few thoughts about various stuff, that's going on right now. What a time to be alive! I love that so much is going on, especially with relation to Warhammer and Games Workshop in general. First of all, we have "Total War: Warhammer 2" is just around the corner, and it looks just as good as the first game. I'm pretty sure that it will be as good too! I simply love that they've included not only Ulthuan and Naggaroth but Lustria as well, since Lizardmen are one of my all time favourite Warhammer races. I can already see the awesome DLC's as well - the undead pirates of the Vampire Coast, the Amazons and maybe even the fantastic Tichi-Huichi's Raiders. The possibilities are many, and these are just for Lustria. Imagine what Creative Assembly will be able to do with the eternal war between the two elven races. Hooooly shiiit!!! "TW: Warhammer 2" is not...

Role-playing Rants: Another 5 video games, which should become RPGs

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I know, I know - same thing? Really? Yes, because there are a few more titles, which I would really like to see on a tabletop. And if I won't write about them now, they'll surely slip from my mind. You know the drill guys. We'll start from the last one, and gradually make our way to the very top. Here are another 5 vidya titles, fit for a role-playing table. In my opinion, of course. 5. "Killzone" Despite losing the battle with Microsoft's "Halo", "Killzone" series remains a fairly popular one and with a good reason. I always preffered it to its rival, since it portrayed military conflict in a much more realistic and gritty way. Tomas Sevchenko was a much more grounded character, than the god-like Master Chief. I also liked the fact that neither Vektans nor Helghasts could be considered purely good or evil. Both factions presented with themselves different shades of grey, and neither one of them were 100% right in their actions...