They must ensure that aspects like game functionality and compatibility are optimal. To achieve this, testing techniques that guarantee the highest quality results must be followed. Below are seven testing techniques a specialist must master to achieve infallibility in the overall gaming experience.

1. Compatibility Testing

Compatibility issues are paramount when it comes to game testing. There are several different platforms or models within the same platform where a game is expected to perform optimally. The foremost objective of mastering this technique is to ensure that a gaming application responds in the same way regardless of the operating system or console.

In compatibility testing, platform-specific issues, such as control malfunctions, changes in frame rates, and picture glitches, can be noticed and eventually worked on. For a gaming application to successfully perform in an environment, it was not initially built to operate in, it’s essential not to skip this step in game development because most developers require their products to be accessible on different gaming platforms.

2. Functionality Testing

This testing technique is mastered to ensure that generic issues like sudden aspect-ratio changes or audio-video errors don’t hamper the user’s gaming experience. To ensure that a game performs optimally, this form of testing is also employed to see what happens during sudden reboots, game installation, and crashes. Functionality testing is necessary to ensure the game works as expected in the product specifications.

Since the functionality testing technique is a type of black-box testing, the gaming application can be tested without necessarily knowing how the software behind the game was implemented. This is especially important for developers because they can have testers test their products to avoid confirmation bias. The testers, on the other hand, enjoy the experience of being the first users to interact with the game model before it hits the public domain.

3. Regression Testing

It’s essential to keep a gaming application up-to-date by providing regular updates. In regression testing, the stability and integrity of the build are considered vital to ensuring that changes, updates, or fixes don’t affect the game’s functionality. QA testers also use the regression technique to revalidate the results from previous tests by re-executing them.

The regression testing technique is a vital part of game development. The software design parameters of the game are sometimes replaced with extensive and automated updates/fixes, which are then re-tested and rerun throughout each stage of the game development process. Mastery of this technique is essential and is usually done after functionality testing has been completed.

4. Security Testing

Computer systems that exchange information with a network through uplinks & downlinks stand a risk of getting hacked. Most gaming applications use data communications, so a security testing technique is extremely vital to ensure that games are adequately protected. Mastering this technique and ensuring that security tests are passed is critical to the success of a game because it gives the consumers confidence in the end product.

The integrity of a gaming system is topmost on the list of things developers must consider before releasing gaming applications to the public. QA testers must master this technique because a noticeable security lapse can result in disastrous consequences for consumers and developers. It could also be catastrophic for gaming companies because they lose a lot of money by ordering recalls when a product is found to be defective.

5. Clean-room Testing

Clean-room testing is a mandatory technique that must be mastered in game development. This technique aims to locate the exact origin of a glitch or bug within the game build. Without a clean-room test, developers risk fixing bugs in a singular code only to see the bug reappear. Running a clean-room test through statistical analysis and design refinements can save time and effort.

In addition to saving time and effort, the clean-room testing technique is also a cost-saving measure for game development. If it can be avoided altogether, The game development process should not be bogged down by unnecessary re-testing and reconfigurations.

6. Usability/Play Testing

Playtesting is another mandatory technique that must be mastered before a game application is released. In this process, developers and QA testers can play a finished game version to determine if any issues may have been overlooked. Engaging a gaming application at the front end can reveal undetectable non-functional errors at the back end.

Usability testing also aims to optimize the consumer experience. QA specialists must evaluate intuitiveness and overall usability by gathering feedback from real players. When consumer suggestions are addressed, the gaming experience becomes more enjoyable and accessible.

7. Localization Testing

Many games are created with a specific demographic and region in mind. This testing technique ensures that a gaming application is linguistically accurate and culturally significant to players worldwide. Developers always want to ensure that consumers enjoy their products, not just on the surface but personally.

It is essential to state that although not all games need game localization testing, developers must conduct appropriate research about their consumer markets. Game chat rooms are a suitable place to get good feedback from different people about what they hope to gain from their gaming experiences.

Conclusion

The gaming industry is projected to become a 300 billion industry by 2025, and with a diverse range of games to choose from, the competition to stay relevant is stiff. Consequently, Game QA has become an undeniably valuable and necessary step in ensuring that the consumer gaming experience is thoroughly satisfying and thrilling.

As technological advancements evolve, QA specialists must develop and refine their testing techniques. By mastering these seven techniques needed to achieve infallibility in game consoles, product development in the gaming industry can meet the highest quality standards.

Looking for a trustable game-testing partner? Inquire Now! We are a Leading Video Game Testing company with over 10+ years of experience in testing various game genres.

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A well put together showcase of games from major companies. But with a few days still left, much anticipated titles like FarCry 6, Dying Light 2, and more importantly Horizon: Forbidden West, have already had their own dedicated showcases.

These are games that would have made any presentation that much more appealing. With such big reveals already out, what does it tell us about the actual event? Here are 5 things we can expect that will shape this year’s E3.

No.1: There will be no Sony

Yes, we all know Sony did announce that they won’t be a part of E3. However, what was expected was a standalone showcase sometime during the actual event. A presentation curated with some upcoming third- and first-party studios. But all of that was crushed when Sony presented their State of Play event for Horizon: Forbidden West, a title that would have been a headliner had it been on any E3 stage.

Although rumours suggest that there will be a Sony Showcase towards the end of June, I still highly doubt it. If an E3 calibre showcase were to be presented in just a few weeks, then why show one of the most anticipated games off, beforehand? The Horizon: Forbidden West State of Play is a clear sign that Sony may not have much to show in an event of their own, although rumours suggest that other third-party showcases will do some heavy lifting in the form of revealing some PlayStation exclusives.

All that said, it is saddening to see a company that once ruled E3 stages (remember Sony’s 2016 conference?) now doing things in their own terms. Well, this is the new conservative Sony now, and if all this focus goes in to making more of the hallmark PlayStation exclusive game, then I am okay with it.

Do you know the Rise of Digital Showcases?

No.2: Release dates galore

We have no clue how the tail end of this year is looking in terms of releases, but I doubt if that would still be the case post E3. We can expect release dates for the likes of Legend of Zelda: Breath of wild 2, Halo Infinite, Beyond good and Evil 2, Psychonauts 2, and maybe even Starfield.

Also Read: Lost Words: Beyond The Page – Review

No.3: New hardware announcements

This one is sure to be a doozy as the world is still trying to get their hand on the last two console releases from Sony and Microsoft with very little success. But hey, a console announcement is always exciting and who could say no to that.

No. 4: The usual suspects

If the teases from Microsoft do materialise, we could actually see Hideo Kojima showing up alongside Phil spencer and announcing his new project in collaboration with Microsoft. Complete this with surprise announcements that people least expect, or have been praying to the Gods for, and we got E3 in its best formula.

A potential Dragon’s Dogma 2 reveal, a brand-new Final fantasy game which could be a PS5 exclusive, a new Donkey Kong, a new Splinter Cell and a new Bayonetta to name a few. Here’s me keeping my fingers crossed.

You might also want to read: Our in-depth review of Little Nightmares 2

No.5: Microsoft! Microsoft! Microsoft!

Teaming up with Bethesda to hold a combined showcase, Microsoft seems to know exactly what it wants to do, and this can only be good news for us, the people. We can expect a new Forza, a release date on Halo Infinite as already discussed, an update on the new Fable and Hellblade: Senua’s Saga, and at least one unannounced AAA project from one of Bethesda’s studios,

Closing thoughts

E3 2021 – What Is It Shaping Up To Be? appeared first on iXie Gaming.

We at iXie Gaming had reviewed the game shortly after its release and recommended the game strongly. Almost four years after the original, the studio returns with a sequel to a now revered game.

Does Little Nightmares 2 measure up to the standards of its predecessor, or does it fall prey to delivering more of the same with little to no changes. Let’s find out. This is the review of Little Nightmares 2.

There is no other way to put it. Little Nightmares 2 is a fantastic follow-up to its predecessor. One that understands what worked well in the first game and cranks all of those elements up to eleven, while also slightly altering the gameplay structure to keep things from feeling stale.

The story, this time revolves around a different character, who although is assisted by the one from the first game as an AI companion. This may sound as a cause of concern for some, but the AI for your partner in the journey is mostly on-point.

ALSO READ: Review: Call of The Sea

For example, she would often point towards the right direction when stuck and provide hints to solve puzzles in subtle, and sometimes not so subtle ways.

The little interactions and emotions between the two conveyed through animations actually made me miss my AI partner in scenarios she wasn’t around. Staying true to this attention to nuances, the developers often find a way to make any element that has been added or removed from the previous game, meaningful and of value in some way or form.

Those changes being the occasional combat scenarios and an overall bump in quality across the board from visuals, sound, character design and everything in between. But it is in the way everything is executed that makes it such a joy (or dread, in a good way) to play.

The minimalist control scheme from the original returns and the bulk of the run time is spent navigating the often-perilous environment while playing hide and seek with monsters, along with some puzzles and aforementioned combat.

RELATED READING: The Story Behind Cyberpunk 2077’s Botched Release

The way each of these elements are peppered throughout the game keeps the experience fresh. And when a previously played out gameplay trope returns there are enough changes to keep you invested the next time around.

One of the biggest strengths of the game is the environments these gameplay elements are carried out on, if my praises hadn’t already made that clear. Each area is distinctly different from one another and the fantastic sound design within each environment that accentuates ambient noises, a chilling background score, and sometimes, silence, really helps the unsettling feeling sink in when you play. 

Add in all of these together and we have a game employs some clever techniques to induce tension to the one with the controller.

There are, however, some flaws like in any game. Platforming in some areas can be hit or miss, which in a game like this can easily result in some frustrating moments. Some of the puzzles require a fair bit of trial and error.

The story is as ambiguous in the sequel as it was in the original and leaves a lot to interpretation. This can often lead to some players, myself included, just enjoy the moment while in game and not bother too much about the lore, which is a shame considering how beautifully dark and creepy the setting is.

And of course, despite everything new in this game, there are moments that feel a bit too familiar to the original at times. Fortunately, at least in my case, the original was a game that I would not mind more of. So this was not an issue for me.

Overall, Little Nightmares 2 is a must play if you are a fan of horror games and if you loved the original. There is a sense of dread that encapsulates you through most of the game’s run time, which, in the end, is the biggest compliment a game like this can get.

While may be not at the level of, say, Resident Evil 7, Little Nightmares 2 is at time nightmare inducing – no pun intended. The game has some of the best art and sound design with gameplay that is tense and precise, for the most part.

The result is a consistently gripping and often nerve-wracking experience that is well worth your time. For a person like me, who does not sit well with horror in general, games or otherwise, I came out surprisingly entertained with the original game. Even more so with Little Nightmares 2. Find a dark room, a large TV, and decent pair of headphones, and take a trip to this haunting world.

Looking for a trustable game testing partner? Inquire Now! We are a Leading Video Game Testing company with over 9 years’ experience in testing various game genres.

The post Little Nightmares 2 – Review appeared first on iXie Gaming.

This should not come as a surprise to anyone as the console maker has been putting their subscription service front and centre throughout the messaging and marketing right from the get-go of their new console generation.

Bottom line is that Microsoft cares more about whether or not you are a subscriber to the rather nominally priced service, than whether you buy their new console or not.

This also means that the company would throw as many options as possible at the service to make it more appealing to gamers worldwide. One such ancillary that comes bundled with the top tier subscription pack is Xbox Cloud Gaming, formerly known as Project Xcloud. But can Cloud gaming be the company’s Ace up its sleeve?

Listen to our Podcast on Games for Xbox in 2020

Not quite there yet!

Well…. Not quite. After being deployed as a preview program under the Project Xcloud badge for just under a year, the service saw a full launch – although in Beta – on 15 September 2020.

And in its current state the streaming service is a mixed bag of highs and lows. Let’s take a look at how Xbox Cloud gaming is tailor-made for Microsoft’s new business model and why it serves as a great value-add to GamePass, but not necessarily an alternative to consoles or PC.

Truly the Netflix of videogames.

The service boasts a fantastic selection of games ranging from top-of-the-line AAA titles to indie gems and everything in between making this one of the most robust line-up of games in a cloud gaming service yet.

So, in terms of the quality of the games available, Xbox Cloud is second to none. Especially when compared to the likes of Stadia or PlayStation Now. And this line-up is only going to be made stronger with future releases from Microsoft and their first party games being added to the library on day one.

Also Read: 5 Reasons Why Microsoft May Win Next Gen

Should Stadia be worried?

At first glance Xbox Cloud should make Stadia a pointless product. But in its current state the service does not quite match up to Stadia in terms of quality. Various outlets report that when directly compared with Stadia using the same network environment, Google’s service comes out on top in terms of latency management although not by a huge margin.

Plus, the service currently has its limitations as games currently stream at 720p and run on the Xbox One S platform, which means the service can see a significant upgrade with the inevitable migration to Series X platform. Things could be very different if that happens and perhaps Stadia should be better prepared for when Microsoft’s cloud platform gets better in the near future.

Work needed.

So, what is it that stops the service from being the best? Well, for one, Input lags are very prevalent according to many reviews and it varies between games. Generally, the more graphics intense the game is, the more it is observed.

This immediately makes the platform a not-so-ideal choice for a good number of games namely the likes of Halo and Forza which need precise inputs at any given time during gameplay. And in most cases, these were the results observed after fulfilling the minimum requirements of an internet connection with minimum of 10 MBPS download speed and a 5Ghz wifi.

So, the service is in beta for a reason and no doubt needs plenty of work. That said, the service does show promise as, according to various reviews, when it does work well it does offer a level of convenience and choice like never before. And this is a luxury that gamers can get used to if the service is brought up to the mark.

Ease of access

If you are in one of the many supported regions where the service is currently available, there isn’t a lot you need to get going. All you need is a GamePass Ultimate subscription, an Android phone or tablet, and a Bluetooth controller, like the Xbox one controller, Dualshock 4 (Yes, Dualshock 4) or any Microsoft supported controller and the aforementioned network environment. And you’re good to go. The are some fancy peripherals out there to help make your experience better, but you can make do without them just fine.

Inherent problems

If cloud gaming has taught us one thing so far, it is that no service is perfect. And Xbox Cloud does have its own set of problems. Firstly, the games you have access to are the ones available on GamePass.

So, you don’t technically own those games, and each game has the risk of being removed from the service when the company chooses to do so. So, if you have been investing 100-plus hours in a RPG reaching 70% of the game, you do stand a chance of not being able to complete it if Xbox cloud was your only mode of gaming. And there is no guarantee that any game you actually own will be part of the library that is available for streaming.

Secondly, the service may have seen a public release, but it is still in Beta which means various technical issues may still require ironing out. This also explains why big markets like India, where a service like this has huge potential has been left out as of now. If you want to get further insight on how India would serve as a great market for Xbox Cloud, check out our podcast on the same subject.

Conclusion

When project Xcloud was announced, speculations were rife that cloud gaming is the future and that it will replace gaming consoles very soon. While that is still a possibility, it is much far ahead in the future.

Microsoft is currently treating Xbox Cloud as value-add to GamePass and it is just that as of now. However, the service oozes potential for bigger things and is already giving other cloud services a run for their money while falling short only in a few areas.

The good news is that the only way to go from here is up and with the release of the Series X console and the migration of Xbox Cloud to that platform, it is only going to get better and better over time. Will Xbox Cloud eventually replace consoles? Who knows? Why not check out our most recent podcast that discusses just that. For now though, we’ll have to wait and watch how this platform evolves and what impact this will have on the market when it eventually arrives in India. That prospect does sound very exciting indeed.

The post IS XCLOUD MICROSOFT’S ACE UP IT SLEEVE? appeared first on iXie Gaming.

Videogame graphics have been a topic of discussion ever since the NES days, and with every new iteration of consoles and every new generation of GPUs, we have gotten one step closer to the dream of achieving photo realistic visuals in videogames. And with the next generation of consoles that dream may well become a reality.

With new consoles from Sony and Microsoft and new series of GPUs from Nvidia on the horizon, there has been a ton of games being showcased. While some are more impressive than the others for various technical reasons, there have certainly been some standouts.

Before we get to them, we should also mention big companies like Unreal and Unity showcasing what their updated engines are capable of doing with the upcoming hardware.

Popular Read: 5 Reasons why Microsoft May win Next Gen

The leap from one generation to another is usually a strange affair as games showcased in the early days of a new console are hardly representative of the full capabilities of the console.

For example, Infamous Second Son was graphically impressive on the PS4, but it did not blow me away as I had come fresh off of The Last of Us on the PS3. But fast forward a few years and just the subtlety in graphical details in The Last of Us Part 2 is mind blowing.

When we put that in perspective it is almost baffling to see what the games on the new consoles are already looking like. If these in-game visuals look so good now, what is the tail end of the console cycle going to look like?

Case in point is Project Athia from Sony’s PS5 reveal event and Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga from Microsoft. Both showcasing in game visuals, with Project Athia showing what looked like straight up gameplay.

You might be interested: What Hellblade Senua’s Sacrifice Has Taught The Industry?

Then we have the tech demo for Unreal Engine 5. One of the most impressive tech demos for raw graphics in recent times. The demo is narrated throughout explaining the features of Unreal Engine 5 and its impressive new systems said to be running on a PlayStation 5.

And if history is any indication, the graphics that can be churned out of the engine usually surpasses that of the demo shown as the years go by. Look at the Unreal engine 3 demo today and a look at Batman: Arkham Knight on the PS4 for example. Or for a more recent example, the demo of Unreal Engine 4 and the recent gameplay footage of Black Myth: Wukong.

Listen to our podcast: Unreal Engine 5 and its implications on Next-gen games

With the new consoles yet to release we are already off to a great start. This year’s Call Of Duty: Cold war is said to run at 4k 120 FPS on the PS5 and Xbox Series X. And this does not come at the cost of visual fidelity.

If the gameplay trailer is anything to go by, the game is quite the looker. And it is important that we need to take into account that these visuals have been achieved after the developers have most likely made some compromises so the game runs on older hardware too.

The future of gaming looks more exciting than ever. The industry has been moving at a breakneck pace in terms of technology and innovation, much faster than any other medium of art. And all of this will certainly lead to games that innovate further and look stellar while doing so. And we don’t have to wait for long to have our jaws dropped all over again.

Looking for a trustable game testing partner? Inquire Now! We have 9 years’ experience in testing various game genres.

The post Is Next Gen Bringing The Biggest Leap In Visual Fidelity Yet? appeared first on iXie Gaming.

While the series has garnered plenty of critical and commercial success, it has also seen been through some rough roads. With Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on the horizon, now would be a great time to look back at the highs and lows of this iconic franchise. Let’s dive in.

Born from The Shadow of a Legend

Out of all the big publishers out there, Ubisoft needs to be given credit for their constant attempt at new IPs and shaking things up with their existing franchises. One of its franchises that had seen immense success and popularity back in the early 2000s was Prince of Persia.

Ubisoft had successfully brought the DOS game in 3D format complete with a great story and fun gameplay. The series soon became one of the most loved single player games among players thanks to a strong finish to an excellent story in the series’ third game. With the story now complete, Ubisoft still saw potential in the brand and wanted to make more Prince of Persia.

But this time they wanted to go for a more grounded approach, with a realistic setting leaving the fantasy elements behind. A concept was born where the story focused on one of the prince’s guard instead of the prince himself.

The parkour and stealth element seen in the first Assassin Creed was also part of this concept. While this concept was shaping up quiet well as game, it stepped way too far from what the audience would expect from a Prince of Persia game. So, with some tweaks to the plot and setting the concept took form as game of its own and would be later known as Assassin’s Creed.

Related Article: Six games that have aged like fine wine

An Odyssey Begins

Revealed in E3 2006 by Jade Raymond, the original Assassin’s Creed instantly had the attention of gamers with its promise of mixing parkour and stealth in an intriguing setting, along with the then jaw dropping visuals. After plenty of hype in the following months, the game was released in 2007 to some mixed reception.

While the game was praised for its visuals and the scope it presented through its massive open world,  many were put off by the repetitive gameplay, and  by the fact that the game actually took place in present day, while the protagonist lived through the events of the games third crusade setting through the eyes and body of rookie assassin Altair.

Assassin Creed launched when the PS3 and Xbox 360 were the hot new next generation consoles, and through that lens it showed what a modern open world game would look like. It easily superseded what we had seen as open worlds in the PS2 era. This game in some ways created the template for future open world games to come in that generation. And naturally, despite the mixed reception Assassin’s Creed was a commercial success which made way for its far superior sequel, Assassin’s Creed 2.

The Ezio Saga

Perhaps the most beloved Assassin in the franchise yet, Ezio Auditore Da Firenze was a much more charismatic protagonist than Altair from the first game. Assassin’s Creed 2 served as the origin story for Ezio’s venture into the world of assassin’s and their war against the templars. The game threw most of the flawed gameplay philosophies from the first game out of the window, while keeping what worked, and presented those elements in one of the series’ best stories about revenge and redemption.

AC 2 was a massive success both critically and commercially and this success made Assassin’s Creed as one of the tentpole franchises from the Ubisoft library. The company had invested various studios to work on the franchise and series would now have yearly iterations. Something that ended up working towards its detriment in the long run.

For as great as Assassin’s Creed 2 was, the best game in the Ezio saga would come in the form of the next game in Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. Expanding on all things that worked well on AC2 and adding even more mechanics like recruiting fellow assassins, Brotherhood was an even better experience and is still considered as the best game in the Ezio saga.

Ezio’s story was capped off by an equally great Assassin’s Creed Revelations, but by this time the gameplay and mission structure felt all too familiar, despite the addition of a hook mechanic that let you zip through conveniently placed ziplines. The mildly setting franchise fatigue aside, Ezio’s story went a long way into cementing the Assassin’s Creed brand in the gaming scene.

The Legacy of the Kenways

With Ezio’s story completed, the series then moved on to the American Revolutionary War which served as the setting to tell the story of Father and Son, Haythem and Connor Kenway. While the series introduced much more fluid gameplay, a robust combat system and a fresh new look thanks to its shift to a new game engine, Connor’s story was more or less forgotten. The game, while commercially successful, also had mixed critical reception. But this did not matter as the best game in the old school Assassin’s Creed line-up came in the form of Black Flag.

Now chronicling the antics of Connor’s grandfather Edward Kenway, AC Black Flag was set during the golden age of pirates. Edwards journey from a military man to a swashbuckling pirate and his rather resentful ties to the world of assassins and templars made for a great story and extremely fun gameplay. Most importantly Black Flag introduced naval combat to the AC franchise. A template that is followed even now in the newer RPG focused games in the series. Black Flag also stepped into the 8^th generation of consoles and made way for future (then) next gen Assassins Creed games.

Lowest of lows

Perhaps the lowest point for the franchise that no one saw coming until the game’s release was what came with the release of Assassin’s Creed Unity. This was a game made with love, no doubt. As is evident in its setting which was the French Revolution this time around, and the way France was meticulously crafted on a 1 to 1 scale.

But it was the execution that dropped the ball hard. Unfamiliar with the new engine for next gen, the team that worked on the game clearly needed more time to finish the game, but Ubisoft still released the game. What followed was a barrage of negative reviews and internet memes thanks to the games lack of polish and various bugs. The release of AC Unity not only tainted the legacy of the franchise but also that of Ubisoft.

The negative buzz surrounding the game even impacted sales of the next game AC Syndicate, which lead Ubisoft to drop prices sooner than any game in the franchise. Syndicate, which was arguably a much better and well put together game struggled to see success despite the positive reviews. But perhaps the biggest victim to the Unity fiasco is also arguably the most underrated game in the franchise, Assassins Creed Rogue.

Released alongside Unity for the Xbox 360 and PS3, AC Rogue served as a refinement to the already great AC Black Flag. Rogue was indeed Black Flag with a fresh coat of paint, but it was intriguing in its own right as it told a story of an Assassin turned Templar which was unlike anything the series had seen. To this day AC Rogue is considered the most underrated game in the series and a better version of Black Flag.

Big Changes

With the controversy of Unity and the commercial struggles of Syndicate, the franchise was at a crucial crossroads. The series needed a reboot and a fresh direction. The team behind Assassin’s Creed Black Flag took on the challenge and their efforts brought fruition in the form of Assassin’s Creed Origins.

The first game to since AC2 to be released after a year’s break, Origins took inspirations from modern action RPGs like the Witcher 3 and presented it in its own flavour. Origins, as the name suggests, told the story of protagonist Baek, and how his journey made way for the origin of Assassins.

This new approach was met with mostly positive criticism, while purists felt that the series had lost its identity. Despite the conflicting views the game was considered successful and served as the new template for upcoming AC games.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey followed the footsteps of Origins and expanded on the RPG elements with deeper combat mechanics and was met with critical acclaim along with commercial success. And that leaves the door open to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Yet another game in the series that is being released after a year off. We will get to Valhalla after addressing two rather important aspects of the franchise.

The Modern Day Setting

Considered the double-edged sword for the franchise, the modern-day segments have mostly been met with little fanfare, but it is something that the franchise is tied to thanks to the Animus. Perhaps the best of these modern-day stories was that of Desmond Miles, which capped off in Assassins creed 3.

The series has since played with various ideas to varying degrees of success. Here’ s hoping that the new modern-day arc started in Origins is fleshed out and given a proper treatment in the next game.

The Various Spinoffs

From 2D side scrollers to standalone DLCs to games on portable machines, the series has seen various spinoffs, but none have emulated the success of their full-blown console cousins. These games may lack significance to the stories in the mainline games, but they were fun while they lasted. That said it has been quite a while since a proper spinoff has been released.

AC: Valhalla – Odin is with Us!!

Say what you will about the new AC formula, it did succeed in bringing rejuvenated energy into the franchise. AC origins was a solid reboot to the series and Odyssey was quite a lot of fun despite the grind. Valhalla is being developed by the same team that delivered AC Black Flag and Origins and is set to be a far more refined experience than Origins and Odyssey.

The fact that the creators acknowledge the grind in Odyssey and have made a more narrative focused game this time around instils confidence and excitement. And if history is any evidence, the team working on Valhalla, who have delivered the best games in the series, will once again deliver one of the best games in the series. Holiday 2020 cannot come soon enough.

Looking for a trustable game testing partner? Inquire Now! We are a Leading Video Game Testing company with over 9 years’ experience in testing various game genres.

The post The Assassin’s Creed Franchise – IN RETROSPECT appeared first on iXie Gaming.

Or at least that is what we think.

Our all-time favourite movie from the 90s, which we watched as a child may now dawn upon us as a cheesy and badly written blunder. And we have all been embarrassed at some point about the choice of music, or our favourite song from a couple of decades ago. Such is the case with videogames as well.

We have fond memories of games that we played for hours together when we were young, and we gleefully recall how good they looked and how exciting the gameplay was.

The truth though is that one visit back to those games and things may not look as bright and shiny. Especially in the videogame domain where every passing year brings new innovations in the way games are made, our favourite work of art don’t really age well.

Be it in terms of visual fidelity or game mechanics and gameplay, old game lose their sheen very soon most often than not. So, a ten-year-old videogame typically looks and feels much older than it actually is.

But, just like some movies and music out there, we do have games that are timeless. Games that have aged like fine wine and hold up to this day. Games that make our jaws drop in their own ways. Today, we’ll look at a few such games. These games may not necessarily be the best looking in some cases, but they sure do have their own way of captivating their audiences. Let’s begin with..

GTA San Andreas

To a lot of people, GTA San Andreas is THE definitive GTA game. And rightfully so. Released back in 2004 following GTA 3 and Vice City, which were revolutionary in their own rights at the time, San Andreas was an instant hit, thanks to its setting, gameplay and massive open world. The game was certainly a product of its time, right down to the story and the structure in how the game was designed. That said it was a giant leap forward for the industry and a shining example of how innovation and passion were deep-rooted in the industry (at least back then). Its gameplay has been mimicked in various other games since and holds up well to this day. It is a given that a person who once finished San Andreas has finished it at least a few more times. And then there is the army of gamers who never really finished the story but have sunk in hundreds of hours just wandering through its world. The game is much fun to play.

San Andreas has a strong following to this day and has been the most talked-about game in the franchise for reasons good and, well, controversial. GTA V may be the best selling in the franchise, but it did enjoy a broader spectrum of audience, a spillover to a new generation of consoles and strongly supported by various updates to its online mode. San Andreas had none of this in its time yet managed to turn heads and made this industry watch how it is done.

Super Mario World

One of the best Mario games ever made at least in the 2D side-scrolling space. Released way back in 1990, Super Mario World is a joy a to play even today. The game introduced a plethora of new mechanics while refining the then-existing Mario tropes. With its bright cartoony visuals and quirky sound design, this game is just as much fun to watch as it is to play. Released for the SNES, the game certainly made use of every ounce of graphical fidelity the 16-bit console could muster. And the result is a glorious, mechanically robust Mario game that still holds up 30 years later, which, in the world of technological advancements in videogames and game design is like 3 centuries ago.

There is something so endearing about this game that gets you every time you boot it up. Nintendo truly outdid themselves with their formula of keeping things simple and charming with super Mario world. Watching Yoshi hatch out of that egg, and to ride him while having him gobble up enemies and spitfire is vintage gaming gold.

Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater

Considered the best MGS game by many, Snake Eater is Kojima at his best. This is a game that was oozing with style and there was nothing like it in its time. The lengthy cutscene that sets the game’s story up ends with Naked Snake air dropping into the jungle in dramatic fashion and the game doesn’t look back from that point. This setting was so intriguing. Within an hour into the game, you are left in awe with how atmospheric the game looked. The various perils of the jungle are put to great use as game mechanics. And just when you thought you have seen a lot already; the true beginning of the game then hits you with the game’s title complete with a James Bond-style opening song. I had never seen anything like it until then. And this was on the PlayStation 2.

Although the visuals look somewhat dated today, the game still has no issues selling the atmosphere to the player, because it clever relies less on graphical fidelity and more on nuances like sound and jungle-based gameplay elements like dangers and assists from its flora and fauna. The gameplay and RPG-like elements hold well to this day, and as a result, the game is just as much fun to play today as it was back in 2004. The story was not the most straight forward, but you do get the gist of what is happening. Even if you are new to the franchise, the story will get you to care for the characters and have you clawing at every healing item and camouflages you can get to ensure Snake’s survival, and have your best colourful villainous characters before delivering that gut-punch of an ending.

Okami

Okami may be the least popular game in this list but it is on the list for a reason. Released back in 2006 for the PS2, this game was nothing short of magic in display on your TV. While most of the game’s pedigree may be attributed to its visuals (and rightfully so) which comprises of a hand-drawn, watercolour art style and looks as charming as beautiful today as it did fourteen years ago, the game delivers in terms of gameplay and story as well. Okami is not your typical third-person action game with a gun touting macho protagonist moving from one big set-piece to another. It tells the story of a wolf, an incarnate of the sun goddess, who needs to fight a force of evil to save the province from destruction.

It is a classic good vs evil tale told with utmost passion and all of it is visible in the way the game has been put together. The game’s emphasis on ancient Japanese culture and folklore elevates the story, and the musical score serves the premise very faithfully. The visual style is reminiscent of Japanese painting, and the 20+ hours of gameplay is a whole lot of fun even today. And all of this in the PS2 version of the game. Luckily this gem of a game has since been remastered for the subsequent generation of consoles, including the PC in the form of Okami HD, which is great and all, but if you want a slice of the good ‘ol times of the PS2, find a CRT TV, fire up your PS2, play Okami. And get lost in pure bliss. The original Okami can still do that to you.

Resident Evil 4

Like GTA San Andreas, Resident Evil 4 is a game that not only was a fantastic entry in its franchise, but also one that was pivotal to the industry. It’s over the shoulder perspective was a big risk that Capcom braved at the time, considering the last three games in the franchise had a completely different, fixed camera perspective and they thrived in that format, but it turned out to be a risk that paid off big time. Resident Evil 4 propelled the franchise from catering to a niche audience to mainstream audiences in style.

The game excelled in its setting, gameplay, and most importantly, atmosphere, all of which made for a nerve-racking horror experience which could be rivalled only by few other games at the time. Like MGS 3 snake eater, here was another Japanese game that delivered the goods not with graphical fidelity, but with nuances like sound, setting and character design. To hear the chainsaw during an intense gunfight was nothing short preparing yourself to lose all hope and die. Like Okami, this game has had its fair share of remasters, but the original PS2 version still holds up and delivers the chills.

Metal Slug

What more can I say about Metal Slug? One of the most fun 2d side-scrolling shooters ever made, that oozes charm in every frame. Check out our Retro love series on Metal Slug to learn more.
Also, check out Cadillacs and Dinosaurs (a bonus game for you) in the same series if you are into metal slug type of games.
There are of course many other games that would fit in this list, but the above games have been the most impactful culturally and for me personally, growing up. We will discuss more such game and other game-related topics. Check back to Ixie gaming blogs soon, for more like this.

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Story

The game has you take the role of Cal Kestis during the aftermath of Order 66, which saw the Jedi order all but annihilated. Cal has been in the hiding, until a certain event has him being pursued by the empire. This sets in motion, a grand adventure that has you hopping planets in the hopes of reforming the Jedi order to bring the empire down for good. It’s the quintessential Star Wars tale that one would except from a production of this scale. Only tweaked to good measure to fit the videogame format. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the fifteen or so hour journey and the game manages to keep the story from being too predictable or getting stale. Much of this is attributed to the characters that are part of Cal’s journey. Cal himself transforms from a run of the mill good guy figure to a character that you would care for as you progress through the game. But the supporting cast steal the show consistently during cutscenes. Even the game’s main antagonist is a surprisingly layered character.

While Cal isn’t disposing storm troopers and hunting for ancient runes, he spends most of the time with his crew mate Cere Junda who brings some unexpected depth in her character which helps move the story forward in meaningful ways. Fellow crew mate Greez Dritus brings some comic relief to the mostly sombre story. But it is BD-1 that steals the show for me. Perhaps, the cutest droid ever in the Star Wars universe, BD-1 is your trustee companion through the bulk of your playtime. He will help you slide and propel you through ziplines, throw in health stims when you need it, jump off your shoulder to highlight points of interest while you roam the various planets, just to name a few.

Much of the gameplay mechanics are given contextual significance like this which makes the story feel more authentic. For example, every time Cal acquires a new skill, the game flashes back to a younger Cal when he was being trained as a Jedi and was learning said skill. This not only serves as a quick tutorial but also adds merit to the idea that he is slowly becoming the Jedi that his master trained him to be. Speaking of being a Jedi let’s move on to….

Gameplay, Graphics and Sound

Developers Respawn had just over two years to put this game together. Which was probably why the amicable choice of borrowing various elements from various popular games was made. Honestly, this is both a boon and a curse for the game. There is the traversal element from the Uncharted and Tomb Raider series, Parry heavy Lightsabre combat design and meditation/save points borrowed from the Souls series and Sekiro, brilliantly layered map design reminiscent of a Metroidvania game with sound effects and music that feel authentic and true to the Star Wars series. It is all there and put together in a way that everything works in harmony while being contextually relevant to the Star Wars lore. This is truly commendable. And when it all works as intended, the result is a blast to play through.

But, it does not ‘always’ work the way it should. The game is riddled with bugs and glitches that very often take you away from the experience. The blemishes are very visible. Combat may feel cumbersome at times, leaps and jumps from ledges go off target a lot of times, wall running leads to glitching in some areas. And of course, these inconsistencies carryover to the graphics department too. Textures loadout inconsistently, Cal sometimes hangs on from an invisible ledge in the air and various other graphical hiccups. Perhaps, the most blatant proof of all this is the stark contrast between how rich the game looks during the first couple of hours and how it looks once and after you travel to the first planet. The difference is night and day. The flashback segments in particular with younger Cal looks like they are from the PS3/X360 era.

I am sure that the developers intended the whole game to look as good as the initial hour. But had to give in to EA’s demand to meet quarterly targets. Which is what saddens me the most. This game could have been so much better with six months of additional development time.

All the glitches and bugs could have been fixed. The gameplay would have been snappier. And the game would have looked as good as the E3 demo EA showcased for the game, which is all it takes to be an amazing game rather than just a good game. But we now have Jedi: Fallen order, and it still is a solid experience if you excuse the little annoyances.

Verdict

There was clearly more time needed to finish this game and considering what Respawn have managed to deliver with the time and resources they had, it is simply put impressive. The aesthetics and sound fit right into the Star Wars universe. Pretty much every aspect of the gameplay is tied into the story in meaningful ways. And the story is compelling enough to fit in to the ranks of the ones told in other forms of art. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen order may not be perfect. But it avoids being a Frankenstein’s monster thanks to the talented team behind it. What we have here is an adventure game that is well worth your time and money. A game that is easy recommendable to anyone who is interested in story driven action games. If you are one of them, Jedi: Fallen order is a must play.

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A Technical Marvel

In many ways, the 90s can be considered the golden age of fighting games. So, in 1997 there was no shortage of options in the genre. While the bulk of it was 2D games, which saw some great innovations in its own space, there were a good number of 3D fighting games that tried to mix things up. Games like Soul Calibur, Bloody Roar and Dead or Alive (which was arguably the best looking at the time) had already made their mark on the industry with their take on the genre. But it was Tekken 3 that made the best of the then available technology. Focusing squarely on fluid movement and making effective use of 3D space, the revamped fighting system was a complete overhaul of the one in Tekken 2. With the return of fan favourite characters and some truly compelling new ones, Tekken 3 was leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor.

The different move sets for each character felt tailor-made for a specific type of player. Whether you took an aggressive, thoughtful or mash-all-buttons-and-hope-for-the-best approach, there was a character for everyone. The moment to moment fighting itself was complemented by cleverly implemented camera angles whenever a move that took more than a second of animation on screen was executed. And all of this was presented in gorgeous graphics, which was second only to dead or alive (which wasn’t as good a fighting game like Tekken 3). It was probably this aspect, the fact that Tekken 3 was not just a by the numbers sequel but so much more, that instantly gratified players upon its release. And boy oh boy was it Good

A Gift That Kept Giving

Going above and beyond the call of duty for the newest instalment may have had players gravitate towards Tekken 3 at launch. But it was the sheer wealth of content buried within the game that kept players coming back to it. The deep character-specific move sets meant mastering each character needed commitment, and it was one that was a pleasure to oblige to. Each character had a specific storyline, which was abstractly hinted at in the opening cinematic and then expanded upon when the Arcade mode was beat with that character. Back in its time watching these 30 seconds long 3D rendered movies was a reward on its own.

Then came in the additional characters that were unlocked by beating the Arcade mode each time with a new character. And before you knew it, what started as a 10-player roster was now 20, with the 20th character (a turtle-dinosaur cross named Gon) strangely appearing off-screen leaving room for one more character on the board (We’ll get back to that shortly). And then they were the various other modes like Time Attack, Survival, Team Battle and Vs which were expected out of a fighting game. But Tekken 3 also had other quirky modes like a Ball Mode, one where you play beach volleyball with the same move sets. And Tekken Force Mode which served as a beat ‘em up within the same universe.

And then a Theatre Mode which was a gallery of all unlocked story clips and musical scores from the game. All of these modes meshed well with the tone of the game and played just as fine. In today’s day and age all of the above would have been paid DLCs. But Tekken 3, like many other games in its time, offered all of this as rewards for just playing the game.

Doctor B, The School, Tiger, Anna and Bruce Lee

Just when you thought that you had seen it all, in comes another character to fill in the aforementioned 20th spot. And this character was unlike any other. Breaking all fighting genre conventions Dr Bosconovitch (Doctor B. on screen) was a character who could not stand on his feet. His move sets were completely unique from the rest of the cast. He was hard to pick and even harder to master. However, if anyone, like me, had mastered Doctor B, they were pretty much invincible.

The game took a completely different form once this old scientist was unlocked and in the best way possible. The developers were clearly having fun in creating this character. As if they had a hall pass on creating whatever they want for this one special unlockable. Tekken 3 also did alternate costumes differently. While Forest Law’s alternate costume which served as a homage to Bruce Lee from Game of Death was available from the get-go, the same cannot be said for Anna Williams’ White Tiger costume. And unlocking Eddie Gordo’s alternative costume gave us a whole new and better version of him in the form of an afro sporting, disco dancing Tiger Chan. Unlocking Jin Kazama and Ling Xiaoyu’s school uniform costumes also unlocked their schools ground as a bonus map to fight on.

All of the above may seem overwhelming, but that was just the surface. A whole other world of discovery was waiting to be found in the form of secret move sets which were only available on the then elusive and hardly accessible ‘Internet’. There was just so much content in this gem of a game that players were constantly finding new things and that sense of being rewarded never got old. Games like Tekken 3 are rare, if not non-existent, today. Namco has since had some missteps with the franchise, but delivered again with Tekken 5, and then several years later with the best version yet in Tekken 7. But in my books, Tekken 3 was the one that started it all. It was way ahead of its time and stood the test of time gracefully, considering it was an early 3D game. It may not have had the legs of Street Fighter 2, but it is without a doubt one of the best fighting games ever.

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Apex Legends

Dropping out of nowhere, Apex legends invaded the Battle Royale scene early this year and have been on quite a roll since. Serving as one of the better BR games out there, rivalling the likes of full-priced games like Call of Duty and Battlefield in quality, this free to play game blends hero-based tactical shooting with squad-based gameplay, encouraging strong co-op strategy. The myriad of ‘quality of life’ features, like the ping system, that Apex had on day one also meant that this game was less about resource management and more about core survival within the length of the match.

With far superior gunplay and mobility than the likes of PUBG and Fortnite, Apex Legends carries the DNA of Titanfall, the universe in which the game takes place. The game has also kept things fresh for the most part by adding new heroes and a complete revamp of the map with its ongoing third season. As expressed by its developers, this game has a long roadmap. So, here’s hoping that Apex will stay just as awesome in the years to come.

Resident Evil VII

Sony’s 2016 E3 press conference will be remembered for a lot of things. And perhaps one of the reveals that made the show so good was that of Resident Evil VII. After the disappointment that was RE6, Capcom had to shake things up with the franchise. And shake things up it did. Gone was the action-centric third-person shooter with huge corporate propaganda for its story. RE VII was a new and important step for the series as it ventured into first-person horror territory. Secluding the events to a creepy mansion and a family of hostiles to defend yourself from, the game delivered the chills in spades.

The near photo-realistic visuals only elevated the cringe factor, and in the best way possible. Like God of War 2018 for its franchise, RE VII turned the tide of a dying series and breathed new life to it. A special mention also goes to the Resident Evil 2 remake, which was a bold and fresh take on a beloved classic, one that also turned out to be one of the best games in the series. However, the spot on this list goes RE VII solely for its role in revitalising the Resident Evil Brand.

Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey

Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey released to a relatively indifferent fanbase during a crowded holiday season. The game’s E3 showing earlier that year was not all that impressive and the whole demo felt like something out of a run of the mill, yearly iteration, albeit sticking to its rebooted structure. But things changed just a couple of hours into the game. By the time you are done with your missions is Kefalonia and head into the open seas with the title of the game appearing on the screen, you know that this is one very special game.

Following siblings Alexios and Kassandra, the story ranges from real-world issues like plagues and famine to the mythical to the downright hilarious. And it is this playful approach that acts as one of the strengths of the game. Throw in some RPG elements for good measure and a rather interesting skill tree full of abilities and perks to unlock and revamped combat, and you have a game that offers dozens of hours of gameplay while hardly ever feeling stale.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

Developer Ninja Theory has always intrigued me, mostly because of how good they are at making amazing story-driven action games, but also partly due to the fact that they haven’t been able to succeed in a big way despite all that talent showcased in their games. Heavenly Sword, which was an early title for a struggling PS3, failed to find a large audience due to the PS3’s install base at the time. Enslaved: Odyssey to the West was overlooked at a time when multiplayer games were booming and were all the rage. So much so that every game had to have some sort of MP option added to it. DMC, despite being a stellar game, was not received well by the Devil May Cry fan base. All amazing games in their own right, but not very successful.

All of that changed with Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. Going independent, Ninja Theory made the best of what was available in terms of resources and focused all of their efforts on creating a solid and memorable experience within a shorter runtime. The amount of research done by the team on psychosis, which is a key theme in the game, shows their dedication towards authenticity in their creation. The end product looked nothing short of a big-budget AAA title, and the game as a whole was fantastic. All the accolades and awards the game has since won are all well deserved.

Nier: Automata

Platinum games are no stranger to making ridiculously awesome action games. But they truly outdid themselves with Nier: Automata. A brainchild of director Yoko Taro, the game bends the rules of game design in every way possible. From its unique approach to storytelling to its tendency to turn genre conventions on its head, Nier: Automata kept throwing surprises at every opportunity. An open-world RPG at heart, the game featured combat that is reminiscent of any Platinum Games title, only somehow better.

The thought-provoking story is just one of its many strengths, along with a fantastic score and a beautiful yet unsettling world. Considering Platinum’s track record, this game did garner some hype prior to release. But all expectations were blown away by the sheer weirdness and absurdity at play and I mean that in the best way possible. Nier: Automata was one hell of a thrill ride through and through. One that will still have you hooked right from the get-go. No wonder this game is considered a masterpiece by many.

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