Magical Beat Review

 Magical Beat has to be one of the biggest tests of multitasking in recent gaming years. It doesn’t just utilize sensory overload as a game mechanic, it thrives on it. Between the bright graphical flourishes, dizzying beats and quick-paced battles, it can be hard to keep your sanity — let alone your ability to keep in sync. 

Reaper Coming to PS Vita

Luc Bernard has resurrected his action RPG platformer Reaper, according to his post on the Playstation Blog last friday. Once slated to launch on the PSP in 2010, Reaper will be an exclusive f2p title for the Playstation Vita. And Mr. Bernard isn’t shy about professing his love for Playstation’s Vita saying: “Personally the Vita is my favorite portable system for many reasons, which I don’t think I need to go into since you Vita owners already know them.”

 

Reaper will incorporate a card system mechanic that will allow the player to equip various weapons, armor and skills. Pet and summon cards will provide the player with allies to aid in battling the Reaper’s foes. At launch, Bernard states that around 100 cards will be available with future updates expanding the inventory. And those skeptical of the f2p aspect can take solace in a comment left by the game’s creator in the blog comments:

 

With its setting and inspiration rooted in the macabre, Reaper’s storytelling will focus on the personal aspect of death and its emotional impact. Though much of the story is being left for later announcements Bernard has provided back-story on Death, one of Reaper’s main characters. Death has been enslaved by her sisters after failing to heed their warning. Consumed by love, Death created the first Reaper by gifting a mortal lover immortality. Corrupted by the newly appointed power, the Reaper left Death and her resultant punishment ensued. After reluctantly accepting her fate, she has created an army of drone-like Reapers to complete her work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alongside his announcement, Mr. Bernard provided a trailer for the game. The trailer showcases the battle mechanics within the game, but takes an interesting turn in juxtaposing it with a gloomy score. Reaper is slated for a release sometime this year, though a firm date has not yet been announced. More updates on Reaper are sure to follow during E3 and beyond. Check out the official blog post, as Mr. Bernard has been gracious in answering questions about Reaper in the blog’s comments section.

HELLDIVERS Announced

For those itching for a new topdown co-op shooter, Arrowhead Game Studios, in collaboration with Foster City Studios, has recently announced HELLDIVERS. Set in a war-torn, dystopian future, players will control the titular unit of elite HELLDIVERS and battle against hordes of alien invaders. The creators boast three separate alien factions to fend off with a hefty emphasis on team coordination. Like their previous release, Magicka, they have incorporated friendly fire into the mix… As if fighting off hordes of enemies wasn’t hectic enough!

Game-play in HELLDIVERS will have players deploying to procedurally generated warzones and utilizing their perks, weapons and active skills, known as “stratagems”, to battle back the alien hordes invading Earth. Fret not, this isn’t just some horde mode clone as HELLDIVERS will require players work to complete various objectives while enduring the onslaught. In-lieu of divulging any details on the game’s story, Arrowhead Game Studios has stated: “You’ll fight with the community to save humanity and all of your combined efforts, mistakes and heroic deeds will affect the larger campaign; a campaign where every battle counts and victories unlock cool content for all.”

HELLDIVERS will have available cross-play/save between PS3, PS4 and PS Vita, and will also allow for 4-player local with 2 players on the PS4 and 2 players on PS Vitas.

Though no formal release date has been announced, the developer’s blog hints at a “not so distant future of 2014” release.

Check out their official site by clicking the picture at the top.