Up late talking games & writing? You're...

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Planning to do at least one podcast from the show with @RichardNaik, but we'll see how it goes. Any requests for me to check out a specific game, hit me up here or on Twitter and let me know!
Rather than being divided into squares or hexes, each area is divided up into zones which can hold a certain number of characters. (Four normal size humans/two large orcs, etc.) This works in tandem with a system where characters are able to support each other if they’re positioned correctly, so if attacks are focused on one person from teammates in the same zone, then the team-up gives multiple bonuses and power-ups. Poor planning gets characters killed in a hurry, and smart planning wipes enemies out with surprising efficiency. The design of the system is actually quite interesting, and requires a player to think more strategically then the average title of this type, at least so far.

Supplementing the team-ups is a system where the player can interrupt the order of enemy turns by killing the enemy who’s next to go. Furthermore, slower characters can take extra turns if they team up correctly with teammates who have higher speed. It's still a bit murky for me at the moment since the game doesn’t spend much effort on tutorials, but the structure is easy to pick up on. I’m missing some of the nuances, but what I've dipped into has been quite intriguing.

In terms of pace, the levels are fairly long… Although I've seen pictures of the game running on PS4 and it does look better, I think I was wise to choose it on the Vita. Knowing my play habits, I'm more likely to chip away at lengthy levels on a handheld, rather than sitting down for marathon sessions in front of my TV, especially with something like this where the attraction is in the strat and not the bells and whistles. The tradeoff of graphics for convenience was a smart move, I think.

Thanks for all the good times, guys. You'll be missed!

Aksys Games is proud to announce that Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late, a stylish 2D fighting game set to bring explosive effects and fast-paced fighting to thePlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, is now available for pre-order!Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late was created by a combined effort of Arc System Works, whose BlazBlue and Guilty Gear series are world renowned, and French Bread, which has rightfully earned its place amongst fighting game fans! Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late brings beautifully hand-drawn sprites straight from the arcades of Japan to your home console in 2015!

August 19, 2014 Torrance, CA – From Aksys Games, the publisher that brought the Zero Escape series to the West, Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters is a visual novel with compelling strategy RPG combat, now available to pre-order for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system! Take on the role of a ghost hunter, and feel the thrill of exploring eerie locations, uncovering the mystery of those who now wander as spirits! In Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters, you decide who joins your intrepid group to brave the unknown!

Today Tin Man Games, the company best known for its Gamebook Adventures and Fighting Fantasy adaptations, has released Steve Jackson’s classic superhero gamebook, Appointment with F.E.A.R.,  in a new and exciting digital comic book format where the player gets to choosethe path of the story. Designing their own super-powered defender of justice in Titan City, the player makes choices that guide them towards new villains, super dilemmas and, ultimately, the Titanium Cyborg and the F.E.A.R. meeting. Unlike the nearly thirty year old gamebook, players can now customise their character choosing superpower, gender, looks, costume design and, most importantly, their supername! The interactive graphic novel also allows the player to collect F.E.A.R. cards by defeating supervillains and being awarded hero points for acts of valour. If an iOS or Android player has multiple copies of a card, these can be swapped with other friends via Facebook. By making clever decisions during the adventure the reader also increases the possibility of getting rare cards. The Steam version of the game features Steam Trading Card support. Appointment with F.E.A.R. follows the life of the superhero across a handful of days as they deal with their everyday normal life, whilst saving the citizens of Titan City from over thirty supervillains using narrative based combat, which unfolds as the combatants trade quips. The aim is to collect vital clues and information that lead to the arrest of these villains and discovering the location of the F.E.A.R. meeting. The game also features a dyslexic-friendly font to make it more accessible. Players can choose the ‘OpenDyslexic’ typeface which increases readability for players with dyslexia. Appointment with F.E.A.R. is available to buy for $2.99 (USD) on the iOS App Store, Google Play and the Amazon Appstore. It is also available to buy for PC, Mac and Linux on The Humble Store and Steam for $5.99, launching with a 20% reduction for one week. The Gamebook Adventures website can be accessed at www.GamebookAdventures.com and Tin Man Games also runs a developer blog at www.TinManGames.com.au. *

Take This is pleased to announce it will be returning to PAX Prime with the "AFK Room," mental health awareness training for volunteer "Enforcers" and a panel on how to be a friend to people suffering from emotional disorders. Attendees who find that the hustle of the show is "damaging their calm" will find relief at the Take This AFK Room. The room will be staffed with volunteers and mental health care clinicians who can provide empathy and support for those in need, or information on how to help friends and family who are dealing with mental health problems. The Take This panel will also be returning to PAX Prime. "Take This: How to Be a Friend" is scheduled for Friday, August 29th at 3:00pm in the Wombat Theatre. It is aimed at friends and family of those struggling with emotional issues. Friends and family are the first line of support, but don't often know how to broach sensitive subjects, or how to help those in need. While there is no one right technique for every situation, the members of Take This will offer some strategies that can help anyone be a better friend. Take This will again provide mental health care and awareness training for PAX's volunteer "Enforcers," and will continue to work with the PAX organization to help increase awareness and empathy for mental health and other wellness issues throughout the show. PAX Prime 2014 will be held August 29 - September 1 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, WA. For more details about PAX, please visit the PAX Prime website:  prime.paxsite.com *