Gamer's Almanac: Issue #5
Friends, we present to your attention the experimental issue of the Gamer Almanac. We changed the direction and now it’s not just about underrated posts, but all quality original works from the past month.
What exactly has changed? Avatars have been removed, as they pop up when hovering over the nickname; there are no more limits on likes and their number; links to the blog have been removed (the focus is more on the works); the description has been replaced with the author's input where possible; we significantly increased the volume of posts; we added statistics. We hope the improvements will be beneficial.
Author/Blog/Post/Description
The Witcher 2 - Complete list of rare weapons, armor, and components encountered in the game (updated).
A post for those who are still playing [The Witcher 2](/games?search=Ведьмак 2). A well-structured table of rare items that occur only once throughout the game; these items will help you complete the game on the highest difficulty level.
Modern Warfare 3 - Extensive interview with Robert Bowling [translation]
A great translation of the interview conducted by EuroGamer.net with Robert Bowling (head of public relations at Infinity Ward). He discussed the challenges of working, about Sledgehammer Studios, the harassment from the creators of [Battlefield 3](/games?search=Battlefield 3), and whether he would buy their game.
Call of Juarez - Review from EuroGamer.net [translation]
Author's translation of the review from EuroGamer.net on the game [Call of Juarez](/games?search=Call of Juarez) The Cartel.
Mass Effect 3 - Interview with David Silverman [translation]
Author's translation of the interview with David Silverman, head of marketing at BioWare, conducted by vg247.com.
Alice: Madness Returns - “The madness is growing and growing.” Game review
“American McGee is known for his love of attaching his name to game titles and his very unusual take on classic works. However, this has not prevented all of his games, starting from the early millennium, from failing. Only Alice from 2000 continued to stir minds..."
Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad - “The Sacred War.” Preview of the beta version of the game
“If you were to ask me which game [Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad](/games?search=Red Orchestra 2: Герои Сталинграда) is most similar to, I would unhesitatingly answer that it resembles [Call of Duty 2](/games?search=Call of Duty 2). They even look almost the same! The Unreal Engine 3 shows its merits, and the game, I must say, is quite far from today’s ‘Crysis’ (though the beta eats system resources properly and a lot). The ‘film grain’ effect and other effects slightly smooth out the impression, but nevertheless..."
Rage (2011) - Rage of the Wasteland. Preview
“...Post-apocalypse. How much in this sound has merged for the heart of a gamer. Indeed, for a long time now developers around the world have been trying to make ‘their fallout,’ where there would be ultra-graphics, thousands of unique NPCs, an enormous seamless world, and, of course, that this goodness would run on absolutely all players with minimal lag. In general, a utopia, as it is. It was quite surprising to see how the masters of the gaming industry, id Software, also decided to try their hand at the game ‘what happens after Armageddon.’ And if the stars are burning, it means someone needs it. What can come from this?..."
BioShock Infinite - Guide to the BioShock Infinite blog
A well-designed guide to the BioShock Infinite blog. The guide will only be updated and improved as new works arrive. If you're interested in the game - don't miss out.
Allods Online - Review of the “Summer” update (2.0.08) - Tropical Atoll
“...For a long time, players were rereading 'in development' and counting the days until the update’s release. It has happened! The update has been released, but...
Not long before the update’s release a test server was launched. Anyone interested could copy their character to the updated server and experience the update before its official launch. Everyone thought this was necessary to fix the update’s bugs before it went live, but in reality, it turned out differently. Players were allowed to play with the fresh update, to write about the bugs they found on the forum (and there were quite a few, many of which were rather critical), and then the test server was closed, and the same update, corrected or not, was pushed onto the combat servers. And really, why fix anything?..."
Everything - Review of EDGE
“...Veteran gamers of portable devices (specifically, phones supporting j2me, iOS devices, PSP) surely know about the game EDGE. It was released back in 2009 and created a real furor in niche circles. Perfectly simple, understandable, and maximizing mechanics considering the specifics of mobile gaming, an uncomplicated yet addictive gameplay, and gorgeous electronic music – all of this immediately conquered the hearts of gamers. Now, the time has come for PC owners to experience all the delights of the cubic world..."
Limbo - Review of LIMBO
“...LIMBO was released a year ago on Xbox and was only recently ported to PS3 and PC. Originally the developers did not plan to release the game on other platforms; however, they changed their mind because they wanted ‘as many people as possible to play LIMBO.’ The game has received ninety awards, some even before its official release. According to the Danish developers, they ‘managed to perform a miracle’..."
Trauma - Review of Trauma
“....A tragedy can happen in every person’s life. Sometimes various little things pile up over the years and then all of a sudden descend upon a person and break them in half. Sometimes a person simply stumbles and their life immediately goes downhill. However, nothing is worse than when a tragedy occurs because of other people. In this case, a person feels their helplessness and falls into depression.
This is exactly what happened to the heroine of Trauma. The girl got into a terrible accident and now simply doesn’t know what to do next. Psychotherapy doesn’t help much when a person is not at peace with themselves. The girl is haunted by her past, and without spiritual peace, it is simply impossible to successfully complete a rehabilitation course and move forward..."
Aquanox 2: Revelation - Water kills people. Retro review of Aquanox 2 in a cramped spacesuit.
“...For those who didn’t know what Aquanox is, or knew but forgot, or didn’t know and forgot again, the review will have to begin with a brief explanation. But remember, it’s these people who ruined the beautifully poetic introduction! So, Aquanox is a mix that is ninety percent action and only five percent a combat subs simulation. Agree, it’s a rare mix, and therefore interesting. And by the way, I want to reassure those who, working out percentages and noticing a missing five, are eager to accuse me of ignorance. Those five percent went to various pleasant additions, such as quest components and upgrades, which will be described further..."
Journey - The benchmark indie exclusive
“...Welcome to the world of the game Journey. The new meditation game from the studio thatgamecompany, which gave us flOw and Flower. The latter was a magnificent Sony exclusive with a multi-million copy run. This time we are promised an even more enveloping atmosphere. So we’re looking forward to Journey..."
Max Payne 3 - Bald head, beard, two guns
“...An unexpected start; and it promises to be only more interesting from here. After resigning from Finnish Remedy Entertainment, the creators of the original two parts, Rockstar shifted the focus from ‘noir’ as an expressive means of storytelling to uncompromising gunfire – a narrative style that is no less expressive, in general. Nevertheless, [Max Payne 3](/games?search=Max Payne 3) is supposed to become an action movie with an even greater tilt towards cinematics..."
Brothers Pilots. Tag - How to save a fairy tale or an attempt to review a game that doesn’t need reviewing.
“...In the archives of Berdichev’s KGB, there was never an air conditioner. But there was one upstairs, in the office graciously provided to me. The problem was that it didn’t work, which didn’t change the fact of its presence. And there’s nothing to complain about – I was provided with a room that met the requirements, and at the same time didn’t at all correspond to this hot summer day. Well, promises must be kept, and so I reluctantly took to handling the folder about..."
Far Cry 3 - “Island of Madness” - Preview of Far Cry 3
“...At the past E3, a lot was demonstrated to the public: utterly disgusting Fable The Journey, tailored for Kinect; a new installment in the [Brothers in Arms](/games?search=Brothers in Arms) series called Furious 4, which has strayed very far from the themes of realism and tactics; a joyful tank ride in [Battlefield 3](/games?search=Battlefield 3), during which viewers were swallowing virtual dust and wiping their eyes from equally virtual sand.. Beautiful, that’s for sure, but is that all Battlefield is? In general, there was a lot of disappointment and unfulfilled expectations. That’s why the demo presentation of [Far Cry 3](/games?search=Far Cry 3) became a real breath of fresh air amidst the vacuum..."
Ultima Online - Ultima Online: 8 years later
“...They say there are no former players of Ultima. They always come back. I thought I would never return. Not because the graphics have become embarrassingly outdated, nor because the combat control is terribly inconvenient. But because the stories of my characters in this world are complete. Moreover – everything has changed so much that even our settlement, once known to every role-player, has been erased from the face of the earth by time..."
Dragon Age II - Legacy DLC review - “The Legacy”
“...So. I completed the long-awaited ‘Legacy.’ It evoked a mixed feeling in me, but I won’t make a verdict on this work by Bioware from the outset. I will just say that I expected more. Let’s start dissecting our expansion..."
Eufloria - About the game
“...Eufloria is essentially a strategy game. But not a strategy in the traditional sense. This game simply takes strategy with all its existing canons and just throws them out. It discards everything unnecessary. Everything that can hinder the enjoyment of the game..."
Gaming Hardware - “Play, Xperia, play!” - review of the Xperia Play smartphone (aka PSP-phone)
“...Rumors about the gadget code-named PSP-phone have been circulating since the time when an ordinary average mobile phone had a dozen buttons, and smartphones were the domain of the most “geeky” users. The internet was flooded with heaps of fakes, contrived concepts, and fans' reflections on the topic. The problem was one - a very multimedia phone just lacked power and a decent platform a couple of years ago. However, in 2011, GHz in your pocket became the norm; Sony Ericsson firmly mastered the Android system - and the rumors came to fruition. The Xperia Play, adorned with a cross, circle, square, and triangle, was released in the middle of spring. Now, having shed a couple of kilograms from the starting price and grown a small library of games, the device's position can be more accurately positioned. Which is what we will do..."
Everything - “Mobile Pack” #2 - Digest of games for iOS/Android
“...After a long break, the military office