Tomb Raider Definitive Edition is a definite addition for next-gen console game libraries thanks to a strong narrative, poignant character development, and enhanced connections with Lara Croft’s gear, motivations, and background. A promising start that showcases the original 2013 Tomb Raider game from Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics that hopefully brings many more high quality installments in the near future.
I like watches. It’s not as if I have a large collection of them, and it wasn’t until the last few years that I actually started taking an interest in fine time pieces. Before that, it was all about the functions … the gadget part of them, in other words.
The Blend and Cook Soupmaker by Cuisinart lets kitchen culinarians make hot soup on a chilly day, then totally switch to frozen mixed drinks in the summertime with this flexible right in the glass blender jar. The black finish design looks great and helps with stains, while other advantages include BPA-free materials and the familiar spill lip on the base.
2K and Bethesda will offer duo packs for players who missed Borderlands 2 and Dishonored or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and BioShock Infinite for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. These treasures will cost $29.99 each (North America only) and include the base games without any downloadable content (DLC). This special team-up team will release February 11, 2014.
Technology Predictions for 2014 are here and it’s a predictable theme – new ways to offer the most popular tech. We put a lot of value in technology and media, so we don’t feel important unless we’re doing something with it…and quickly. Here are some predictions for tech trends in 2014.
Need For Speed Rivals challenges your reaction times, satisfies exploration desires, and increases thrill tolerances in an amazing open-world racing game, the twentieth in the series from Electronic Arts. Developed by Ghost and Criterion Games, Need For Speed Rivals, blends the single and multiplayer modes into a seamless experience with endless progression possibilities, weapon abilities, and constant challenges.
Sony has recently announced their PlayStation Now service will debut this summer at this year’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2014 conference. a beta program will begin in the US at the end of January 2014. This new “cloud-based gaming” service will first include the PlayStation 4 and 3 consoles then the PlayStation Vita handheld console and also televisions, tablet computers, and smartphones. Andy House, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, made the announcement yesterday (Tuesday).
No the Grinch didn’t shut down the Nintendo eShop, but Nintendo fans looking to make purchases will have to wait until 4 a.m., December 28, 2013 to use it.
UbiSoft’s Just Dance 2014 lets players use the PlayStation 4 camera or PS Move controllers for another memorable interactive experience in this popular game series. Have fun and stay fit with great music from various genres and time periods. Rhythm helps, but learning is just as fun in this fifth installment in the main game series.
343 Industries and Vanguard Games have developed a special Christmas Eve present for Xbox One owners – Halo: Spartan Assault. This surprise release will be the first appearance from this popular game series on the Xbox One. Previously released on PC, this third-person shooter features a “top-down” perspective, 25 single player missions, five “Operation Hydra” missions, additional content, and achievements.
The Sony PlayStation 4 is here. At $399, the PlayStation 500 GB console, a DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controller, a micro-USB cable for charging the DUALSHOCK®4 controller, a Mono-headset for voice chat, a power cable, HDMI cable and vouchers for the PlayStation Plus services
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 delivers high performance and striking screen quality in a portable yet sizable display plus it works with the Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch. This part phone/part tablet, or phablet, has a considerably long battery life, slim design, unique S Pen design and functions, clear call quality, fast quad-core processor, and sharp picture quality.
Gear Diary has written about PhatWare apps on a number of occasions, including here, here, and most recently, here. One of their best known products is PhatPad, a note-taking app that features handwriting recognition. I’ve used PhatWare products, including PhatPad, off and on for years. I’ve always been impressed with the quality of its handwriting recognition.
Battlefield 4 players will get extra bonuses this week as they do battle in the campaign modes and multiplayer/online, which allows 64 players to play each other at 60 frames per second. From Thursday, November 28 to Thursday, December 5, Electronic Arts/DICE has designated a special week to compensate game owners since they encountered technical and gameplay snafus.
Katniss Everdeen returns as a conflicted heroine amid a fictional world ready for an uprising against the Capital and President Snow in this sequel to the first film from Lionsgate and based on the best-selling book from author Suzanne Collins. New characters include Phillips Seymour Hoffman taking over as the new “Gamemaker” in the Districts of Panem.
The Droid Moto X is the first smartphone ever to be designed and assembled in the U.S. after Google acquired Motorola. Users will love the handy design, considerable battery life, and light weight usability.
Pikmin 3 has quickly become an essential open-world action game on the Nintendo Wii U console with colorful visuals, fun multi-tasking gameplay, and satisfying challenges. Developed and published by Nintendo, Pikmin 3 combines adventure, combat, and resource management mix into an emotional story where three stranded space explorers make new friends and take on new challenges.
Electronic Arts/Maxis has announced The Sims™ 4 will be shipping in fall 2014 worldwide on PC/Mac. This specific date range follows the initial 2014 release announcement. Pre-orders are available at www.TheSims.com/. Pre-order now to receive the Limited Edition which comes with The Sims 4 Life of the Party Digital Content.
The popular Rosetta Stone® language learning modules now have game! The company has launched Rosetta Stone Arcade Academy where users can expand their Spanish linguistic skills through various games within a mobile application. Users can get the app (149 MB) on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad for free (as of October 2013).
Dragon’s Crown, a current PlayStation console exclusive, brings a nostalgic look and feel with retrospective action-role playing and a recently revealed cross-play option between the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita versions. Published by Atlus and developed by Vanillaware, Dragon’s Crown has plenty of eclectic characters, beat ‘em up action, antagonistic boss challenges, simplified level design, and a great online multiplayer mode.
The recently released film Gravity has become a modern-day classic as well as an informative presentation about space gear. From specially colored manuals to thruster packs that move astronauts from site to site in space, audiences get a real sense of the necessary gear used in space missions.