Apocalypso's Atomic Arcade: Star Wars

Showing posts with label Star Wars. Show all posts

2010/10/18

New Version of DarkXL Out

It’s been several months since the last build of this project called DarkXL, which is a source port project for Star Wars: Dark Forces, was released. It’s been quiet ever since. But business started to pick up last month, as regular posting began on the DarkXL website.

Now the 9.05 Build of DarkXL is out as of this week. Stuff to look forward to in here is working night vision, and less bugs, as well as the ability to get past level 3, finally. In fact, the 9.03 and 9.04 builds were only put out earlier this month as well.

I got back into playing Dark Forces about last month – the same time that Lucius, the guy working on the project, seemingly resurrected DarkXL after several months. There was a long gap between March and September where it was rather quiet. The last build before the the most recent three, 9.02, was released in February. Before the break it had been more consistent.

Anyway, if you’re looking to play this great, and rather unappreciated at times, game, then make sure to download the latest build and get playing.

Source: http://darkxl.wordpress.com/ [DarkXL website]

2010/09/27

AAA - Now Playing: Dark Forces

I think it was earlier this year when I decided I wanted to go ahead and get Star Wars: Dark Forces working.

So I got the game out of my collection and tried to run it with DosBox, but failed. So it laid there dormant for several months. I was kind of bummed that I couldn’t get it to work.

Then the other day I downloaded DarkXL – a source port for Dark Forces. With a bit of tinkering around, I was able to get it running. It was only the demo level though, and I was a little disappointed at this, seeing as I have the full version of the game. You see, the DarkXL source port is only in its Alpha stages of development, and it has been for years now.

So I went online and found out that there was in fact a later version of the program. I downloaded that ASAP and tried it again. The result was much better. The UI was vastly improved and I was able to at least play three levels this time before getting stuck.

Needless to say, much more work has to be done on the source port. But I eagerly anticipate the next build which should be out hopefully in the next few months. There’s been a pickup in activity as regards the project recently.

Still, it’s amazing that I’ve even been able run it, seeing as it’s been probably about 14 years or so since I’ve seen let alone played this classic. I usually have a habit of taking out a game every few years and playing it. So this one marks the longest amount of time that has elapsed since I last played it.

And this game was released in 1995, meaning it’s fifteen years old. But I’m still quite amazed at its technological advancements for that time.

2010/06/11

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Gets a Collector’s Edition

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II will be getting a Collector’s Edition, it’s been revealed.

LucasArts has shown off the Collector’s Edition of the game which will cost $20 more than the standard one.

What’s in it? Three exclusive game levels, character skins like that of Deak Starkiller, a lightsaber crystal [obviously], as well as a SteelBook. And there’s also a 2 GB USB flash drive which has other good stuff on it like a digital art book, a script, and wallpapers.

By the way, the Collector’s Edition is only for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game. The PC, DS, and Wii don’t look like they’ll get one.

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Source: The Force Unleashed II Collector's Edition Revealed [Inc Gamers]

2010/06/07

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Arriving on the PC

The first Star Wars: The Force Unleashed game didn’t release on the PC, but made it to most other consoles out there.

Then Star Wars: The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition did make it to the PC with some added features that weren’t in the original, albeit more than a year later.

Now it’s been confirmed that the second game, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, announced late last year, will appear on the PC this time. The PC port is being worked on by Aspyr, who ported Star Wars: The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition to the PC.

The title should be released on October 26, 2010. Hopefully the PC version will come out at the same time, this time.

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Source: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II confirmed for PC via Asypr [Big Download]

2010/05/29

Mass Effect Movie is Coming – Take Cover

I finally got round to finishing Mass Effect 2 the other day. I got side-tracked and started playing other games over the past few months, but I eventually got around to completing the main quest for Mass Effect 2. Now there’s just the side quests that I haven't done yet.

Wait! What’s this? A Mass Effect movie is coming? Yes, the rights to the Mass Effect movie have been snapped up by Legendary Pictures, and scriptwriter Mark Protosevich is going to… well, write the script for it. He’s previously worked on films such as I Am Legend.

Some say that Mass Effect, considered one of the greatest science-fiction series ever created, could potentially become the new Star Trek or Star Wars. It feels more like Star Trek to me, actually.

But, then again, like the title suggests: it might not be that great, considering the quality of most game-to-movie adaptations.

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Source: Mass Effect video game on way to movie screen [heatvisionblog]

2010/05/06

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Releasing in October, Scans hit the Internet

I got Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – Ultimate Sith Edition [which I think is one of the longest titles for a game out there] for Christmas last year – and I still haven’t gotten around to playing it. It think it’s mainly because of the heavy HD requirements [24 GB install].

And my time to play it is running out it seems, as Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II [2] is coming out this year – October 26, to be exact. This was announced by LucasArts yesterday on the 4th of May, referred to as Star Wars Day. I saw this when logging into Twitter, and to be honest I’d never heard of it. But it makes sense because when you say it, because it sounds like: “May the Fourth”, as in “May the Fourth be with you”, as in “May the Force be with you”. Nerds.

The game was announced at the SpikeTV VGAs last year, which I saw on TV, and it’s said that console versions of the title are guaranteed - Wii, PS3, 360, PSP and DS versions specifically. Whether a PC version will appear is doubtful – maybe later on, even in 2011. The original Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was console only, but the Ultimate Sith Edition was released for PC however.

And the other day it seems as though some scans of the game have hit the internet, which you can see over at Gamekyo. This are allegedly the same ones that appeared in a French Magazine known as Consoles +.

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Source: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2' Release Date Confirmed [mtv.com]

2010/04/10

Star Wars: Dark Forces Coming to the PS3 and PSP

Star Wars: Dark Forces is a classic shooter that was released back in early 1995 for PC, Mac, and also the PlayStation in 1996 – although this port was disliked for some reasons like its poor framerate and graphics.

Star Wars: Dark Forces was really like Doom, but more technologically advanced, and featured the gruff Kyle Katarn as the playable character. I remember playing it for the first time years ago at a friend’s house.

Anyway, recently the ESRB “re-rated” [if that’s a word] Star Wars: Dark Forces for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. And this means that the game will be releasing soon on PSN. The release date[s] however haven’t been confirmed.

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Source: ESRB - ESRB rates Star Wars: Dark Forces for PS1 Classics re-release [Joystiq]

2010/04/02

Darksiders is Coming to the PC in June

Unusual this, but it seems as though the previously console only game called Darksiders, which was released in January, and raved about a hell of a lot this year so far, mainly because Mark Hamill form Star Wars did some of the voice acting I would guess, is coming to the PC.

I say unusual, because unless the game is released on PC at the same time as other consoles, say like Bad Company 2, the chances of a port coming to the PC is much less, in my experience.

I mean, how often do you see a hack ‘n slash title on the PC? God of War? Bayonetta? Dante’s Inferno? I rest my case. Those games are designed for some button mashing.

Well, Darksiders is reportedly getting a PC version in June this year, as was announced by THQ.

Vigil Games’ David Adams:

“We are really excited to have the opportunity to bring Darksiders to the global PC audience. We feel that the growth of digital distribution and PC online communities creates a great environment for our game. We are working really hard to make sure that key features such as user-defined resolutions, interface and both keyboard and game pad control sets are all up to the standards for today’s discerning PC consumer.”

Travis Plane of THQ:

“We are delighted to be able to bring Darksiders to the PC. THQ is focused on bringing great product to the PC gaming audience so it was vital that we allowed Vigil the time to optimize the title for the PC platform.”

The game revolves around War, one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, as he takes on angels and demons.

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Source: Darksiders Decide To Side With PC [RPS]

2010/03/03

Mid-Week Video Game Deals at Amazon: Assassin's Creed II

It’s been a few days since the last deals post, and there might be a few ones that could interest you. For the PC, there’s Space Siege, where you can save nearly $30, and pay only just over $8.

The big deal is that you can also grab Assassin's Creed II for the Xbox 360 and PS3 for less than $40.00 from Amazon if you hurry. They’re competing with Gamestop price-wise. No price drop for the PC.

Best Deals ($10 savings and more):

Space Siege - $8.15 - Save $29.34 (PC)
Assassin's Creed II - $36.00 – Save $23.99 (Xbox 360, PS3)

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes - $19.99 - Save $10.01 (PS3)
SRS: Street Racing Syndicate - $38.44 - Save $11.55 (PS2)

Space Siege - $8.15 - Save $29.34

PS2

SRS: Street Racing Syndicate - $38.44 - Save $11.55
Crimson Sea 2 - $41.01 - Save $8.17

PS3

Assassin's Creed II - $36.00 – Save $23.99

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes - $19.99 - Save $10.01

Xbox 360

Assassin's Creed II - $36.00 – Save $23.99

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes - $19.99 - Save $10.00
Prison Break: The Conspiracy - $52.98 - Save $7.01
Race Pro - $16.99 - Save $17.00
Brother's in Arms: Hell's Highway Limited Edition - $26.99 - Save $20.00

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Source: Nowinstock.net

2010/01/15

Video Game Delays: Splinter Cell: Conviction, Ruse, Singularity, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Another year starts, and just as expected, the delays are coming in. It’s been said that Ubisoft’s Splinter Cell: Conviction has been delayed again, as has Ruse. For Conviction, instead of February 2010, it’ll now be April – for the time being.

And Singularity, a title by Raven and published by Activision, has also been pushed back later into 2010, while Star Wars: The Old Republic has been sent to 2011 without any supper.

Oh, and by the way, another title by the name of Elemental: War of Magic is going to come out later on in 2010 now. That’s also a delay right there.

I must say that Singularity in particular looks quite good, and more original than most Raven titles. And that’s saying a lot.

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Ubisoft

Ubisoft Delays Splinter Cell Conviction, RUSE

Star Wars: The Old Republic Delayed Until 2011?

Singularity delayed again?

Elemental: War of Magic now due in third quarter 2010

2009/09/19

Problems With Steam's Jedi Knight Downloads All Ready

It seems that Steam, who is providing digital downloads of LucasArts' Dark Forces/Jedi Knight series as of this week, has got some customers experiencing problems with at least two of the games in the recently digitally released series, namely Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight and its expansion pack Mysteries of the Sith - old classics from the nineties, so no surprise there that they may have problems.

I haven't come across any mention of problems from Direct2Drive, but then I've searched their catalog, and as I've posted before, neither Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight nor Mysteries of the Sith seem to be present.

Anyhow, the Steam forums now have solutions amongst all the complaints, to deal with the problems that people have been experiencing.

Sources:

http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/09/17/issues-with-steam-version-of-dark-forces-ii-jedi-knight-found/

2009/02/15

On This Day- Star Wars: Dark Forces

On this day, fourteen years ago, Star Wars: Dark Forces was released.

It is said to be one of the most innovative games of its time, having features that Doom and Doom II didn’t have, including being one of the earliest games, alongside Rise of The Triad, Marathon and Strife, to introduce secondary attacks with weapons.

This was also the first game that featured Kyle Katarn, a favourite Star Wars character who ended up being in the sequel, Star Wars: Dark Forces II, and Star Wars: Jedi Outcast (essentially Star Wars: Dark Forces III).