Green Man Gaming’s Best Of CES 2017

CES was held in Las Vegas last week. One of the world’s biggest tech shows showed off some of the greatest gadgets coming in 2017 and beyond. So here is a list of what we think were the best gadgets at CES 2017.

Lenovo Entertainment Hub

The Lenovo entertainment hub will be included with all brand new Lenovo lap tops and will be your one stop shop for all you Movie, TV shows and Games. That’s not all though as this entertainment hub also lets you watch all your TV shows and movies using your VR head set. Once you have selected your movie or TV show, you can then put your head set on and be transported to a virtual movie theatre which is a pretty awesome feature. The VR upscaling feature will also apply to video games as well even if the game doesn’t have a specific VR function.

The MSI Clutch GM70 Mouse

This gaming mouse is fully customisable and comes with several parts for players to switch. Both sides of the mouse can be swapped with different grips whilst the face of the mouse snaps in and out, the chord can also be switched out should your prefer to use the mouse wirelessly. It also features full RGB Backlighting.

Roccat ISKU+ Force FX keyboard

If you are a fan of Roccat’s membrane ISKU Keyboards then this iteration may be just for you. This model comes with brand new pressure sensitive WASD and QWER keys to heighten your gaming experience. The pressure sensitive keys allow for varied movement speeds which are usually associated more with analogue sticks found on gaming controllers. The keyboard also features fully programmable RGB backlighting as well.

Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Series

Dell have always come up with some pretty decent gaming laptops in the past, and the Inspiron 15 7000 is no exception. The laptop can house an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or 1050 Ti, an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, a full HD or 4K UHD screen, and up to 32GB of memory. The storage in the new Inspiron can be configured up to 512GB M.2 SSD and/or a 1TB hard drive. True, the laptop isn’t the most powerful on the market at the moment but it is still pretty impressive.

LG Signature W OLED

Organic light-emitting diode technology is the new in thing for TV’s as this can produce outstanding picture quality of the thinest of panels. LG once again are pushing TV tech to its limits with the Signature W. This particular series of TV are 0.1 inch thick which you can hang on the wall with ease. All of the TV’s processing and connections are offloaded to its very own sound bar which is connected to the TV by a single ribbon cable. The sound bar itself provides Dolby Atmos audio compatibility, the TV provides Dolby vision and HDR-10 Video capabilities.

Innex Super Retro Boy

Retro gaming has taken off massively in the last couple of years, especially with the recent release of the NES Mini. Innex has jumped on the band wagon and has announced the Super Retro Boy. The device resembles the classic Nintendo Game Boy hand held console and is able to play Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, and Game Boy Advance cartridges. The colour screen is backlit and with the consoles battery life lasting 10 hours. So if you have been tempted to dust off your old Game Boy cartridges then this little device is perfect for you.

These are just some of the epic gadgets and tech that were featured at CES 2017. Is there anything that particularly caught your eye?

Editor’s Survival Guide: How to Survive Your Typical Nightmare According To Video Games

Here at Green Man Gaming we care a lot about our readers, so we are slowly putting together a survival guide in order to help you, the gamer, just in case you get caught in a particularly life threatening situation.

You may remember our last guide, how to survive a harsh winter according to video games. This month’s survival guide will cover surviving your typical isolated, horror type setting. We believe that this will cover most, if not all, horror situations. So without further a-do lets look at what video games suggest we do in these perilous situations.

Never Trust The Lights – Outlast & SlenderMan

If video games have taught us anything, it’s that the electrics in your typical building can never be trusted. Whether you are just merrily exploring a dilapidated mansion, or an abandoned insane asylum, the general lighting never seems to work. This may be possibly due to the cheap electricians that are hired to wire these places up, or the fact that the generator hasn’t been fired up in decades. So we suggest taking a flash light with you or finding one on your travels. The model of flashlight we suggest is the one that is featured in SlenderMan, as it seems to never run out of battery. If Outlast is anything to go by however, your typical cam corder will also be quite handy. Most models of cam corder that are favoured by amateur journalists these days come with night vision as standard. Just make sure you bring plenty of batteries. Or just go with the flashlight we suggested, because you know, endless power and all that.

Standing And Shooting –  The Evil Within & Resident Evil 

If you find yourself stuck in a situation where a horde of zombies and/or monsters are slowly creeping towards you, then we suggest standing very still and shooting the oncoming beasts. It is the tried and tested method used by games such as Resident Evil and The Evil Within (now thinking about it, maybe any game which features the word Evil in the title). True, natural human instinct is to try and out run these horrific creatures and hide. Or even moving whilst shooting so that your demise is avoided. Standing very very still however is the best plan as you will be able to disperse the hordes in a short amount of time, even if they get close enough to bite your legs off.

Staring Intently at photographs and objects – PT & Resident Evil 7

Most nightmarish situations that you will find yourself in will probably have you stuck inside a building somewhere for a fair old while. Whether it’s a long corridor or your typical haunted house, you will find yourself stuck with no means of escape. After analysing the techniques used in popular horror games such as the PT Demo and Resident Evil 7, we can confirm that the best course of action in these situations is to stare intently at photographs, clocks, lights and any other inanimate objects you can find around the place. Usually if you stare at an object long enough or in the correct way, you will hear a noise, such as a baby crying or giggling and then you will be able to proceed. It has been proven that doors will open using this method.

Bathrooms are not for explorers – SlenderMan, PT, Any Horror Game

In your typical everyday scenario the bathroom is a convenient place for when you are caught short or need to freshen up. According to horror games though, this room is probably the worst place you could go. Take SlenderMan for example, for some reason SlenderMan always likes to hang out in the bathroom. In PT the Bathroom is one of the most horrific rooms in the whole game due to the fact there is a baby constantly crying in the sink, not to mention that the aforementioned baby is also looking a little worse for wear as well.

Vacuum Cleaners can be your best friend – Luigi’s Mansion

As our second tip in this guide covers a typical situation where you are fighting zombies/monsters, there maybe a situation or two where you find yourself coming up against the paranormal. Typically the Ghostbusters would be the ones to call, but sometimes you may find yourself stuck on hold. We then suggest taking a leaf from Luigi’s book and grabbing a vacuum cleaner. This handy dust busting device also doubles up as a portable trap for ghosts. Simply aim and turn the machine on and you will suck up the ghost in no time.

So there you have it, if you do indeed find yourself stuck in a horrific situation then this handy guide should help you survive. Be sure to keep an eye on the Green Man Gaming blog as next month we will bring you another edition of The Editor’s Survival Guide.

The Best Games That Feature Dragons

With the recent announcement of Scalebound being cancelled by Microsoft, we like many gamers are a little saddened that the epic game featuring your very own customisable dragon has been extinguished. So we thought it would be a great idea to compile a list of games that feature dragons. We hope this list will be able to fill the dragon shaped hole in many gamers hearts.

Skyrim

Possibly one of the greatest RPG games to feature dragon, Skyrim comes top of our list. True, the aim of the game is to kill the dragons as apposed to buddy up with them but be sure to stick around for the later half of the story as you maybe pleasantly surprised.

Also you get to shout like a dragon and you are the last Dragonborn. You can’t really get more epic than that.

Dragon’s Dogma

If you didn’t think Skyrim had enough dragons in it then Dragon’s Dogma has them by the barrel full (I know what you are thinking, that has to be a massive barrel). They key focus here is that the appearance of Dragons is the sign of the end of days so like Skyrim the dragons main Dragon’s Dogma are not the friendly sort. Mind you some of the boss battles in this game are pretty epic so it is actually worth playing this game to get some awesome dragon visuals.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Much like Skyrim and Dragon’s Dogma, Dragon Age: Inquisition has you hunting dragons as apposed to buddying up with them. Even though Dragon’s aren’t the main theme here, there are ten dragon hunts that are scattered across the games open world, with each fight more epic than the last. Dragon Age Inquisition is another game that has some pretty awesome visuals, so do take a second to observe the beauty of these dragons before you take them down. Just make sure you don’t get roasted in the process.

Spyro

If all else fail, why not be a dragon! This list would not be complete without giving everyone’s favourite cute purple dragon a mention. He made his first appearance on the PS1 and has been capturing the hearts of gamers ever since. We do recommend jumping back into the original Spyro games to really capture the true experience of being a dragon, also make sure you get all the collectables as doing so will enable you to fly.

Blue Dragon

While this is probably one of the more tenuous games to feature dragon’s in (even though it has Dragon in the name) it’s worth a mention as the main character harnesses his magical power in order to turn his shadow into a Dragon. That in itself is pretty awesome and is technically giving you a dragon companion to fight with. Blue Dragon also comes with a great story and some cool set pieces, to be honest, you wouldn’t expect anything less from one of the original creators of Final Fantasy.

So there’s a list of just some of the games to feature dragons. If you have a particular favourite we have missed then feel free to let us know in the comments below.

Ranking The Resident Evil Games From Worst To Best

Resident Evil 7 is almost here! So to get you in the mood we have ranked all the main Resident Evil games from worst to best, just in case you want to cram in a game or two before the release of Resident Evil 7.

Resident Evil 6

Possibly the fans least favourite game of the entire franchise, Resident Evil 6 likes to constantly jump between main characters making the game feel like it’s trying to cram every fan favourite character in at once. Puzzles have been completely removed from this game and it mainly focusses on running and gunning. If you are a fan of no nonsense shooters then you will probably get a kick out if this, but to us it really doesn’t feel like Resident Evil.

Resident Evil: Revelations 2

The only game in the franchise to be released in a episodic format, Resident Evil Revelations 2 still miss the mark when it comes to capturing the true spirit of Resident Evil. True, it’s not an all out run and gun shooter and it also brings back some of the classic survival horror elements that Resi is known for, but it does struggle with pacing issues and over excessive back tracking.

Resident Evil: Revelations

Af first, Resident Evil Revelations was quite promising, it nailed the feeling of tension and did truly feel like an old school resident evil game. Sadly though, the game becomes quite repetitive much like Resident Evil Revelations 2. Revelations was also originally released on the 3DS which looked great, the game was then later ported to the PS3 and Xbox 360 and the graphics suffered. If you do decide to play Revelations then we suggest the 3DS version for maximum quality.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

Developed at the same time as Resident Evil: Code Veronica, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis follows the story of Jill Valentine. Jill’s story works in tandem with the events of Resident Evil 2, whilst this is pretty cool it feels more like an expansion to Resi 2 as apposed to a full blown Resident Evil Sequel. Still worth playing though.

Resident Evil 5

Resident Evil 5 isn’t necessarily the worst title in the franchise. In fact, it’s a pretty decent game! Admittedly, it does lack the suspense and stifling atmosphere of the previous titles but the action is fun, and the enemies are challenging, they’re just not scary! Also, Sheva is a brilliant companion as she is overly competent compared to some of the previous companions in the series.

Resident Evil 0

The prequel to the first Resident Evil, Resident Evil 0 tries to tie up some loose story ends whilst trying to re capture the atmosphere of the first ever Resident Evil game. Some say that it doesn’t quite hit the mark but never the less, it is a great return to traditional Resident Evil form.

Resident Evil : Code Veronica

Code Veronica does a great job of using its very limited map. It’s very puzzle heavy and has a pretty good story. There is also a cross dressing bad guy who is actually pretty bad ass. What more could you ask for?

Resident Evil 2

The sequel to the first Resident Evil carries on the epic story of the evil Umbrella corporation and its plans to create a bioweapon capable of wiping out the human race. The story is jam packed with great characters and also introduces fan favourite Leon S Kennedy. Which brings us to our next game…

Resident Evil 4

Regarded by many fans as the best Resident Evil game this was the first title in the franchise to ramp up the action. The great thing about Resi 4 is that even though it is action heavy it does have a good dose of intense horror, with enemies such as the Regenerators being genuinely terrifying. We had to remove Resident Evil 4 from the top spot however due to Leon’s companion Ashley who could be next to useless at the best of times.

Resident Evil REmake

The remake of the original Resident Evil takes our top spot as it’s the remaster of the game that kick started this awesome franchise. It also sparked up a whole new genre of horror games which featured fixed camera angles and difficult puzzles. True, may people would get frustrated at the original Resident Evil as you were unable to save without an Ink Ribbon item for the type writer save points but as a whole the game has really stood the test of time.
So there you have it. Let us know what your favourite Resident evil game is in the comments section below. You can also get all the info you need for Resident Evil 7 from our new Resident Evil hub which can be found here.

What We know About Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn is a brand new IP from Kill Zone developers Guerrilla Games. It is one of 2017’s most highly anticipated PlayStation exclusives which throws the player into a post apocalyptic world dominated by machines. With that in mind here is all we know about Horizon Zero Dawn.

What is Horizon Zero Dawn?

In a nut shell Horizon Zero Dawn is a post apocalyptic action role playing game where the earth has been taken over by robotic creatures. You play as Aloy, a young human hunter who is given the task of uncovering what happened to the world and why it is now dominated by machines.

Story

Even though not much of the game’s story has been revealed, we can confirm that Horizon Zero Dawn is set 1,000 years in the future where humanity has abandoned the world as planet earth has been overwhelmed by robotic creatures. Aloy is a member of one of one of humanities few indigenous tribes and she must hunt mechanical wildlife in order to survive.

Gameplay

On the surface, Horizon Zero Dawn is an open world action RPG. Much like games such as FarCry and Final Fantasy XV players are free to explore the vast open world completing main story missions and side quests. The game also combines third-person shooting, diverse exploration and stealth elements. The game also borrows gameplay elements from the likes of Uncharted and Tomb Raider.

Crafting will play a big part in this game. Hunting down machines will be key as you will be able to upgrade your weaponry with all sorts of parts harvested from fallen machines. You will also be able to create brand new weaponry and tech from your fallen enemies.

Aloy will also be able to use traps, bows, explosives and many more and the more you explore the more your arsenal will grow and evolve.

As well as taking down Machines, Aloy will be able to hack them to make them into vehicles to help her navigate across the game world. Machines can also be used as travelling buddies which will aid you in combat. Not all machines will be able to be hacked however as there is infection spreading across all mechanical wildlife which turns even the most docile machine hostile.

Environment

The world in Horizon Zero Dawn will feature realistic weather patterns and day-night cycles. The map itself will also feature dilapidated cities, new human settlements and plenty of foliage and fawner. The environments can also be used in conjunction with the games steal mechanics such as using foliage to hide.

Release Date

Horizon Zero Dawn is due for release on the 28th of February 2017 exclusively for PlayStation 4.

Games You Should Play Before Resident Evil 7

Resident Evil 7 is coming out in a couple of weeks, so we thought we would put a list together of the games you should play before the next epic instalment of the Resident Evil franchise releases on the 24th of January.

PT

If you were lucky enough to download PT then you will probably agree that it has a fair few similarities in style and feel to the Resident Evil 7 ‘Beginning Hour’ Demo (If you didn’t, you can read this article that that highlights some of the similarities). If you are into jump scares and a generally horrific setting then this is just for you. It’s also a great way to build up some jump scare immunity.

Outlast

Another first person survival horror game, Outlast pits you in an abandoned asylum where all you can do is hide from the horrors within. There are jump scares a plenty and even some areas where you only have the night vision on your camcorder to help you. Will you be able to survive Outlast?

The Evil Within

From the original creator of Resident Evil. The Evil Within is a 3rd person survival horror game that any Resi fan or survival horror junkie should play. It’s full of over the top horror moments and adrenaline fuelled gameplay which has you fighting for your life. It feels very much like a resident evil game which is not a bad thing by any stretch!

Until Dawn

This survival horror game pays homage more to the the slasher movies of the 90’s like ‘Scream’ and ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer.’ The game revolves around a group of teenagers stuck in a cabin in the woods trying to survive. The story is your classic horror affair which can play out in a few different ways, and as always there are a couple of jump scares thrown in there to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Dead Space

Nothing sounds more inviting than an abandoned mining space ship infested with zombie like alien beings. Dead Space puts you in the shoes of Isaac Clarke, a ship engineer you must fight his way through the the Necromorph hordes in order to escape with his life. The feeling of isolation mixed with feelings of absolute panic make this game great.

System Shock 2

System Shock 2 does a fantastic job in striking fear into the player. The atmosphere and general creepy ambiance can unnerve even the most hardened horror fans. Also the jump scares happen when you least expect it. Say you are happily hacking into something and then from what seems like out of nowhere an enemy will spring from the shadows and catch you, so it pays to constantly be on guard. Good practise for Resident Evil 7 too as you are constantly being stalked by The Baker Family.

Any Other Resident Evil Game

This is probably the section of this post that makes the most sense. To really get yourself in the ‘Resident Evil Mood’ why not play any of the previous instalments. Our firm favourites are Resident Evil 1, 2, 4 and Revelations.

So those are just some games to get you fully prepared for Resident Evil 7 when it comes out on the 24th of January 2017.

Our Gaming Resolutions For 2017

In the last few days of 2016, we’re starting to look back on what this year has bought for games, including the exciting announcements of future releases. We realise some of the gaming habits we may have fallen into and as we look into the New Year, we’ve taken some time to reflect on our 2017 resolutions.

Sammi
Social Team

This year I’ve spent a lot of time commuting, so I’ve racked up quite a few games that I need to finish. My main gaming goal for 2017 is to finish The Witcher 3! As I’m only about 70 hours in, and we all know that that’s barely halfway! After that, I’d like to finish Fallout 4. Don’t Judge me, I like open world games but I have a short attention span!

Gina
Social Team

I’ve completed Last of Us Remastered, Uncharted 4 and Rise of the Tomb Raider this year and realised I need to branch out into the open world genre, especially as there are so many releases in 2017. I’m already planning on delving into Final Fantasy 15 and although I normally only play campaign shooters, I’m really interested in what Ghost Recon Wildlands as an open world game will bring to the series.

Emi
Dev Team

Heroes of Might and Magic is a turn based strategy game which I used to play but didn‘t get to do it too much lately because of a busy schedule. From the MS-DOS versions to the 3rd and 4th versions I liked it very much. Next year I intend to give it another try especially because the last versions are so good on graphics and the stories are getting more and more complex and realistic. Overall I find it catchy and I think it will certainly meet my expectations.

Karl
Customer Service Team

I take my gaming quite seriously a​​nd when it comes to competitive play, it can get ​really ​competitive​​​​, this saps the fun out of​ the​ games​ I play​. My new years resolution would be to relax and​ enjoy the game I am playing.

Do you have any gaming resolutions for the New Year? Comment and let us know!

Our Top 5 Games Of 2016

Although we’re incredibly excited about what 2017 and beyond holds for the games industry, we’ve taken some time to ask ourselves ‘what was our best game of 2016.’ With so many awesome game launches including an array of new and remastered, franchises and updates, it’s only fair that although we’re eager to sink our teeth into the newest games of 2017, that we give a special mention to these wonderful games.

The team at Green Man Gaming made a vote and these are the games that we decided ranked in our top 5 games of 2016.

  1. Overwatch

In at number one is the incredible Overwatch, loved for it’s diverse characters and insane multiplayer mode, it won the hearts of many since it launched earlier this year. Blizzard have been expanding on the game and have announced more updates in 2017, as they already start to establish their diverse characters.

  1. DOOM

Not far behind is the hectic and brutally fun DOOM. This reboot of this first-person shooter was one of the most exciting game launches of the year, especially with its epic single player campaign which takes you on a journey through hell and back.

  1. Battlefield 1

Complete with Battlfield’s trademark huge battles, paired with an alternative universe in this unique WW1 setting, it’s easy to see why Battlefield is in our top five. Featuring a short and memorable single-player campaign mode and signature multi-player action, Battlefield 1 is not only visually striking, it has a distinct array of weaponry and personality.

  1. Final Fantasy XV

The newest game on our list and a definite favourite franchise in the Green Man Gaming office, the much-anticipated Final Fantasy 15 has finally dropped and has been received with mixed reviews. We however fell in love with the game, as it transported us to a time when we would just hang out with a group of friends, a simple memory and a game that makes us feel nostalgic. The epic scale of this open world along with the legendary summons and kind of confusing storyline, has dug deep into the franchises routes and we’re looking forward to what updates will bring.

  1. Titanfall 2

Lastly on our top 5 list, is Titanfall 2; the wonderfully playful and fast pace shooter. Titanfall 2 built on the initial concept of Titanfall and delivered everything we wanted from the game, including the grand scale, large explosions and stunning settings. Titanfall 2 surrounds a unique and unexpected relationship in a new single player campaign that settles in the right spot between action, twists and turns and an impactful story.

What was your favourite game of 2016? Comment and let us know!

Top 5 Games To Get You In The Christmas Spirit

If you haven’t noticed already, the Green Man Gaming blog is in full Christmas mode! Now that you have bought your geeky Christmas presents and have donned your best Christmas jumper, it’s time to settle down and get some Christmas gaming in before the family descends for festive merriment. So here are 5 of the most festive games to get you in the mood for the holiday period.

Dead Rising 4

Everyone loves slaying countless hordes of zombies, and there is no better time to do it than Christmas. The great thing about Dead Rising 4 is that it is set between Black Friday and Christmas so the holiday theme runs throughout the whole game. You’ll be bashing zombies around the head with Christmas paraphernalia, and before you know it you’ll be humming jingle bells whilst decapitating the living dead.

How the Saints Saved Christmas – Saints Row IV

The second DLC pack for Saints Row 4 entitled, ‘How The Saints Saved Christmas’ lays the Christmas theme on thick. The 3 mission DLC pack tells the story of how Santa is trapped in the Saints Row 4 Matrix like simulation and how that the saints save Santa and Christmas for the whole world. It also comes with some nice festive additions such as a Christmas themed dub step gun and Santa’s sleigh. What more could you need?

Hitman: Holiday Hoarders

If like us you wanted to get your own special type of revenge on the burglars from Home Alone, now is your chance! In this free Hitman story DLC you take the role of Santa as he tries stop Harry and Marv before they steal all the presents. The mission is set in a christmassy version of Paris. Also as an added bonus if you get the presents before the bumbling burglar due do then you can keep whatever is inside. You can even unlock a full Santa suit for Agent 47 to use in the full game.

Christmas Lemmings

Everyone loves the retro game Lemmings, and what better to get you in the Christmas mood than saving a load of lemmings who are decked out in Santa costumes. These stand alone games were released every Christmas between 1991 and 1994 and all of them had a pretty awesome holiday theme. All set in on a variety of snowy maps it was as if you were saving Santa’s elves so they could go ahead and make all the toys before Christmas, well thats how I saw it anyway.

Steep

While not necessarily a Christmas game, the latest winter sports extravaganza has snow by the barrel full. So if you’re not as into Christmas but still feeling like a winter themed game is your bag this time of year, then this is the perfect game for you. You get to explore the wintery peaks of the alps, you can even throw yourself off of a cliff and hope that your landing in the soft snow will represent some sort of a snow angel. This wintery sandbox is yours to do with as you please.

If you have any holiday themed games you like playing that we may have missed then feel free to leave your comments below. We hope that these titles will get you in the festive spirit before the big day.

 

Our Top 10 Christmas Jumpers

Christmas is oh so close and it’s time to start thinking about dusting off the Christmas jumpers from the bottom of our wardrobes and cracking them out at work, round the family Christmas dinner, or down the pub with your mates on Christmas Eve. Maybe your Christmas jumper isn’t quite up to scratch as your coworkers and you really want to win the best Christmas Jumper Award at work, or you’re thinking of a gift to get that loved one. We’ve got all the best Christmas jumpers in a handy list, so you can go forth and win that award and be glorious this Christmas.

For the brother, who you spent many years playing Sonic with… Classic Sonic Christmas Jumper

For the boyfriend, who just won’t stop exploring the Capital Wasteland… Fallout 4 Christmas Jumper

For the mate, who you have many happy memories fighting the covenant with… Halo Christmas Jumper

For the girlfriend, who plays the PlayStation more than you… Pink PlayStation Christmas Jumper

For the retro gamer, who wouldn’t stop talking about the Master Sword… The Legend of Zelda Christmas Jumper

For the old school gamer, stuck in their ways… Space Invaders Christmas Jumper

For the zombie lover, who is too prepared for an apocalypse… Zombie Christmas T-Shirt

For the Nickelodeon fanbase, who want to remember the good times…  Mutant Ninja Turtles Christmas Jumper

For the guy who has always owned and will always own a PlayStation… Official PlayStation Christmas Jumper

We’ve got our Christmas Jumper day this Friday, so be sure to check out our Twitter channel for all the festivities and more ideas on Christmas jumpers. If you’re still stuck for Christmas gift ideas then check out our Top 10 Gifts To Get A Gamer and What We Want For Christmas. Also our Winter Sale is now on, with fantastic deals being updated throughout December and January.

Top 10 Games To Grab In The GMG Winter Sale

As the most wonderful time of the year has well and truly kicked in now, here at Green Man Gaming we thought we were due another awesome sale. Our Winter sale kicks off today and runs all the way until the 9th of January. With so many games coming up in this years winter sale, we thought we would give you a brief highlight of some of the festive deals we have during this truly epic sale.

Dragon’s Dogma Dark Arisen – 40% Off

Embark on an epic journey through a huge open world in Dragons Dogma: Dark Arisen. Expanding the original Dragon’s Dogma, Dark Arisen expands on the original universe with a brand new region and quest line. The upgrade also adds in new skills, monsters weapons and armour. You also get all the original Dragon’s Dogma DLC as well. What more could you ever want?

Batman Arkham Knight – 50% Off

Once again you get to don the Bat cowl in the 3rd and final chapter of Rocksteady’s epic Batman Arkham series. Gotham has been overrun by the Scarecrow and his fear of toxin, the result has left the whole city on lockdown with the villains taking advantage and running a muck. It is up to Batman to vanquish the scarecrow once and for all and save Gotham. For the first time ever in the Arkham series, players get to drive the Batmobile and explore the entire of Gotham.

XCOM 2 – 50% Off

20 years have passed since XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The aliens now rule earth and are building shining cities that promise a brilliant future for Humanity. All is not as it seems however, as there is more of a sinister plot afoot. Building on the epic XCOM: Enemy Unknown XCOM 2 adds new features and combat to the already immersive turn based gameplay. Will you help humanity take back what belongs to them?

Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor Game Of The Year Edition – 50% Off

Set just before the epic Lord Of The Rings saga, The Shadow Of Mordor follows the story of Talion who serves on a garrison station at the Black Gate of Mordor. Talion is killed by the Black Hand of Sauron. Now his spirit has merged with a mysterious wraith of an Elvan lord. Talion seeks revenge on the Black Hand of Sauron, but first he must defeat Sauron’s ever growing legion of Orcs.

Experience the definitive version of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor which includes The Lord of the Hunt and The Bright Lord story missions, the Trials of War challenge series plus additional Warband Missions, Runes & Skins.

Portal 2 – 80% Off

If you’re picking up The Orange Box, the logical next step would be to pick up Portal 2 (or Half-Life 3 but then that’s not going to happen in the foreseeable future). Portal 2 delves into the history of Aperture Science, It also expands on the Portal universe and it’s icon mind bending game play. Just remember, the cake is a lie!

Half life 2 – 80% Off

The sequel to the game changing Half Life continues the story of Gordon Freeman’s battle against the alien Combine. Set several years after Half Life, Gordon is awoken to find the world has been taken over by the Combine, his primary objective now is to free humanity and stop the Alien hordes once and for all.

Resident Evil 4 – 65% Off

Jumping into the shoes of Leon S Kennedy you are tasked with finding and saving the Presidents daughter. Your investigation leads you to a rural village in Spain which has been overrun by the Las Plaga, a new parasite that is infecting human hosts and turning them into hideous monsters.

Mad Max – 50% Off

Mad Max delivers open world gameplay in a post-apocalyptic setting where cars are the key to survival. Gamers become Mad Max, a lone warrior who must fight to stay alive in The Wasteland, using vicious on-ground and vehicular combat against savage gangs of bandits. Max must align himself with others to build the ultimate war vehicle as he works to escape from the dangerous Wasteland.

Rocket League – 40% Off

If football/soccer and destruction derby had a baby, then Rocket league would be the offspring! Rocket League futuristic Sports-Action game, which equips players with booster-rigged vehicles that can be crashed into balls for incredible goals or epic saves across multiple, highly-detailed arenas. Using an advanced physics system to simulate realistic interactions, Rocket League relies on mass and momentum to give players a complete sense of intuitive control in this unbelievable, high-octane re-imagining of association football.

Lifeless – 50% Off

Ten years after a virus ravaged the world, Maine has become a harsh wasteland. Two factions, the Nova Guard and the Spartan Phalanx fight for what few supplies remain in Stillwater Bay. Featuring an interesting weapons randomisation feature, and an exciting twist on clan-based multiplayer, Lifeless looks to breath new life into the multiplayer survival world, and we’re ready to get stuck in.

We hope that has sufficiently whetted your appetite for our Winter sale. As an extra deed bonus, you can get a further 10% off of your basket at checkout using the code WINTER10 we’ll also throw in a free Mystery game as well. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

GMG Christmas Wishlist

With the holidays mere weeks away the Green Man Gaming team have been thinking a lot about what they would really want for Christmas. So we thought it would be a great idea to make a blog post about it, and you never know it may also give you some Christmas gift ideas as well. Without further a-do, here is what we have added to our ever growing Christmas lists.

Rob

The top Game on my Christmas list is Dishonored 2. I loved the first game as it played a bit like Bioshock! It also has some great stealth game play and you could summon rats! (I have a soft spot for rats).

I am looking forward the continuation of Emily and Corvo’s stories and the new moves and gameplay elements Dishonoured 2 has thrown in.

If money/reality wasn’t a factor however what I would really want for Christmas is my very own Trico! Also a Mjolnir MK VII suit of armour from Halo and a fully operational Portal gun.

Mind you if you do fancy getting me a portal gun then this is close enough.

Gina

The Black Friday sales did tempt me and I may have bought myself a few bits, but the majority of my wishes went onto a list.

So realistically I’ve asked for The Last Guardian, as it looks so adorable and nostalgic, I can’t wait to team up with Trico. I’ve also got the new Final Fantasy 15 on my list, although I’ve heard mixed reviews, they’ve recently announced that there will be updates. I also love the Alien series and would love to add to my pop vinyl collection with this guy.

And if I could have anything… I’d definitely go for this Here’s Johnny Christmas Jumper, it’s pretty pricey, but it would be very loved.

Sammi

This year I’ve moderately behaved myself, so I’ve asked Santa for this cool Dark Souls hoodie from Insert Coin and the Skyrim Special Edition.

I’m a huge Skyrim fan and have already banked 100s of hours in the wonderful world of Tamriel. I’ve held off on buying the remastered version because I think that it would make the perfect game to play over the holidays. I can imagine it now, climbing a mountain vertically on horseback, with a glass of mulled wine in one hand. Mmm, lovely!

Now, if money was no object I’d love to get a Snorlax Beanbag. I might also need a pokéflute to go with him though. I can’t have him blocking any doorways.

So that’s our Christmas lists all wrapped up! All we have to do now is wait and see what Santa brings!

South Park: The Fractured But Whole – What We Know

Ever since South Park: The Stick Of Truth was released back in March 2014, the game has been received nothing but appreciation from South Park fans and gamers new to the series. It’s mix of crude humour and clever story telling combined with classic turn based RPG gameplay was just what the South Park franchise needed. It constantly referenced the South Park TV show and pop/geek culture in general and it was genuinely a very enjoyable game.

Running off of the back of The Stick Of Truth’s success the next South Park game is just around the corner! South Park: The Fractured But Whole replaces it’s fantasy theme with Super Heroes. Taking inspiration from past South Park episodes, comic books and both the Marvel cinematic universe and the DC extended Universe. Here is all we know about the upcoming game in all of its super hero glory.

Mild(ish) Mannered Kids by Day, Heroes By Night!

One of the really cool features in this new South Park game is the fact that the character only take up their hero personas when night falls over South Park. For example, By day Eric Cartman is just your usual foul mouthed school kid. By Night He is ‘The Coon’ the only hero who can sort through the trash of society and the founder of the super hero group ‘Coon and Friends’. It’s a really cool idea that not only is classic to the super hero genre, but also gives the games developers a lot to play with.

A True Heroes Origin Story!

Even though The Fractured But Whole features the vast majority of South Park’s cast, you play as the new kid, a new character which you are able to customise how you want. You are able to select what type of super hero you will become, and what powers you will have. Much like the Stick Of Truth you will be able to select your base character class and build your character up from there. You will also play out your origin story from the very begging. meaning you will find out the true reason about why you manifested such power!

As a side note, from my hands on time with the game, your origin story will be told by Cartman as you play it out and it’s hilarious.

Expanded turn based gameplay

The Stick of Truth had a great turn based battle system which everyone loved. This time around, the Fractured But Whole still uses a turn based system but builds upon it. This time around you are able to move your the members of your party forwards and backwards in order to execute the perfect super hero attack or avoid the enemies devastating blows. Super moves have been included which can potentially wipe out enemies with one hit. Check out the trailer below (be advised as this is a South Park game, bad language is used)

We cannot wait to get our hands on South Park: The Fractured But Whole when it comes out early next year. Whilst you wait here is a GIF of me playing the game with the Nosulus Rift. The Nosulus Rift being the head set painstakingly made by the games developers in order for the player to smell every fart that is produced in game. The experience was… interesting.

https://twitter.com/Garvaos/status/806877734215548928

 

 

 

 

Top 10 Gifts to Get a Gamer This Christmas

Fa la la la look at the bells, look at the bells and you know the rest. It’s definitely Christmas when the Family Guy Peter Griffin Christmas airs on TV. So the Coca Cola truck has glided by, the M&S Christmas advert has fallen short for another year running and mince pies have taken over the supermarkets.

It’s also time to start the Christmas shopping, or finish it, depending on how organised you are. We’ve put together a handy list for what the average gamer would probably love this Christmas. There’s no science to this, it’s just a selection of the Green Man Gaming team’s best buys, ideal gifts and top tips for that person in your life that just loves games.

Poke Ball Serving Bowl Set from Think Geek

Perfect for chilling with some dip, your gamer friend can fill to the brim this amazing bowl set with all their favourite treats.

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Pop N Display Question Block from Amazon

Great for the gamer that has too many games and needs some handy storage to fit all their Nintendo 3DS game cards.

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Pokemon Snorlax Bean Bag Chair from Think Geek

For those that spend hours gaming and need somewhere comfy to set up base. The Snorlax chair is ideal for chillaxing.

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Bobblehead Groot Pop Vinyl from Forbidden Planet

I have one and it’s amazing and with the newly revealed Guardians of the Galaxy game from Telltale, Baby Groot is all any human being gamer needs in their stocking.

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The Legend of Zelda Tri-Force Light from Zavvi

Get your Zelda fan friend a magical light for Christmas, to guide them through the wonderful fantastical realms.

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Jenga Tetris from Amazon UK

Fun for all the family! Jenga is always a winner and with the added twist of Tetris, this game is bound to be a good fit at Christmas!

jenga tetris

Chocolate Controller from Amazon UK

For the chocolate lovers who just wants to skip the main course and play a game, whilst eating a controller.

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Fallout Handbag and Purse from Forbidden Planet 

One for the lady gamers, the Fallout handbag is a an absolute bargain at only £10. A lovely present that you can fill with gaming delights.

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Borderlands Gaming T-Shirt from Qwertee

No Christmas would be complete without a gaming top and this is just one example of what Qwertee has to offer. (I’ve only used this one for my love of Borderlands) Also, they have unique geek culture designs which go on sale each day, lasting for a maximum of 48 hours. So be sure to check back!

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Zelda Monopoly from Forbidden Planet

Monopoly. The family divider. You can now play as your favourite Zelda characters in their beautiful world. If you’re not a Zelda fan, fear not, there are other themed Monopoly including Game of Thrones and Pokemon.

zelda monopoly

We’ll be updating the blog with more handy guides and helpful tips on the run up to the holidays. So be sure to check back for every gaming update. Happy shopping fellow nerd!

 

How To Survive The Harsh Winter According To Video Games

It’s that time of year again where most people in the northern hemisphere start to feel the cold quite a bit. Winter rolls in, the snows hit and you pray to some sort of higher being that your boiler doesn’t pack in. So we thought it would be a great idea to look at what video games suggest are the best ways to keep warm and survive this winter.

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If In Doubt Find A Random Camp Fire – Rise Of The Tomb Raider

Even in the deadliest of cold climates, Lara Croft manages to find un-attended campfires just lying around the place. Whether they are imbedded in a snowy mountain side or just left in the middle of a rain storm, these magical campfires manage to keep themselves fully a light at all times. So if you are caught short in a snow storm we suggest walking in a random direction until you see one. It’ll also give you a good chance to make adjustments to your bow and arrow if you have one handy.

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Finding Thermal Energy Stashed In Boxes And Crates – Lost Planet

Lost Planet is probably one of the best games to give you some handy tips to survive the winds of winter. If we have learnt anything from this game, it’s that Thermal Energy (T-ENG) canisters can be found pretty much anywhere! Whether it is a random box or crate you come across on the way to the shops or indeed some barrels that are lying about outside your local pub, you are bound to find some T-ENG just lying around.  True, T-ENG maybe native to certain alien planets but you never know, you may come across some in a random skip somewhere.

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Shout Your Way Through Poor Visibility – Skyrim

When the wintery weather really picks up, poor visibility is going to be inevitable. Mist and fog can be a particular annoyance when it comes to navigating your way through harsh weather. According to the ‘Throat Of The World’ quest in Skyrim getting rid of the mist and fog in you immediate vicinity is as simple as shouting at it. Who says screaming into the wind is next to useless? Here’s a little tip for you, if you shout the words Lok, Vah and Koor in quick succession you will be able to clear the fog around you for a full 60 seconds. Just make sure you keep shouting though, as mist and fog have a nasty habit of creeping back in again.

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Thick Winter Coats Can Double Up As Body Armour – SSX/Any Snow Boarding Game Ever

Remember when your parents aways used to remind you to put a coat on before you went outside to play in the snow? Well naturally you would think this advice was primarily to protect you from the cold. According to any extreme winter sports game out there however, a think winter coat can double up as pretty sturdy body armour. For example, every time your character in SSX or Cool Boarders would miss a trick and fall face first down the side of a mountain or indeed an icy crevasse, they would just get up, brush themselves off and carry on their merry way. So if one thing is clear, a good winter wardrobe is what everyone out there should invest in.

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Keep Warm By Racing Penguins – Mario 64

Here’s a handy tip for you retro gamers out there. If you find yourself in a bit of a cold spot, then (according to Mario 64) why not race a penguin down a mountain in order to keep yourself warm? All you need to do is find a penguin, a relatively smooth mountain and away you go. According to Mario himself, the most effective way to race a penguin down a mountain is to just simply sit down in the snow and let gravity to the rest. If you win against said penguin you will also get some shiny coins for your trouble.

So there you have it, some top tips for us gamers out there to survive the harsh bite of winter. If you have any more top tips then don’t hesitate to post them in the comments section below.

Dead Rising 4 Christmas Event

Last night we got the opportunity to walk on down to the Brunswick Shopping Centre in London to experience some festive lights and get our hands on with the zombie slaughter fest that is Dead Rising 4.

Even though the Christmas lights were quite festive, the on going theme of the zombie apocalypse was apparent throughout. What was also pretty cool is the lights told the story of our Hero frank west as he battles through the zombie hordes. Check out the lights below!

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As well as experiencing some quite frankly, epic Christmas lights, we also got some hands on time with Dead Rising 4. The game was being showcased in the local Las Iguanas, it was a pretty small venue with only a couple of booths set up. Also if you had the cash to spend you could buy your very own Xbox One copy of the game mere hours before the game was due to launch at midnight.

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We only got a small hands on with the game, we jumped back into the shoes of Frank West who is the original protagonist from the very first Dead Rising Game. Dead Rising 4 is set during the Christmas period and it’s up to Frank to once more survive the zombie hoards.

Whilst playing the game we got to experience some new weapons, such as the electric battle axe, the ice sword and the exo suit. All of these weapons came with their own special moves which destroyed a lot of the zombie masses. Much like the other games in the series, you are given a time limit that ticks down slowly and you are free to explore the open world as you please. There is a main story quest line as well as other side quests for players to complete.

Whilst we were playing the game we were also treated to some non-alcoholic mulled wine, in some pretty nicely themed cups.

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After we played the game we were then treated to a choir of zombies singing some Christmas Carols. It was a pretty cool evening and we cannot wait to play more of Dead Rising 4.

 

Our 8 Best Announcements at The PlayStation Experience

The PlayStation Experience kicked off this weekend with a flurry of incredible announcements, but we’ve narrowed it down to our top 8.

The Last of Us Part 2 Announced

As The Last of Us launches on the PS4 Pro, Naughty Dog had a very exciting announcement at PSX. The Last of Us Part II reveal came as a surprise to fans who have been speculating about a potential return of Ellie and Joel to screens. A release date hasn’t been confirmed, and Creative Director Neil Druckmann has stated that it’s still early days, but that doesn’t stop us getting mentally prepared for what Ellie will face in Part II.

The trailer begins with a shot of the woods, which cuts to a hand tuning a guitar. The character is revealed to be Ellie. As she starts to sing, we see Joel walk into the house, which is strewn with dead bodies and ask her if she intends to go ahead with her plan. Ellie is pretty cut up and as blood drips from her face, she answers ‘I’m going to find and I’m going to kill every last one of them.’

Resident evil 7 Final Demo Released

The final countdown has well and truly begun for the release of Resident Evil 7 as it was announced at the PlayStation Experience that the final Demo for Resident Evil 7 is available now for PS 4 and PS VR.

Not many details have been released about the demo, except once again we will be stepping into the home of the crazy cannibalistic Baker Family.

We were also treated to a pretty cool Resident Evil 7 trailer (which can be seen below).

Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy Announced

If you’re a retro PlayStation fan like us then the announcement of the Crash Bandicoot N’Sane collection has probably got you pretty excited. Not only are we getting the first Crash game in all of its remastered glory. We are also getting Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot Warped.

As you can see from the trailer below the games are going to look stunning! Check out the footage below to get a taste of some epic Crash remastered action.

Whilst we are on the subject of Retro PlayStation it was also announced that Parappa the Rapper is coming back to PlayStation 4. It’s not a full remaster granted but it still get a shiny 4k lick of paint.

Marvel v Capcom Infinite Announced

News of Marvel Vs Capcom all but died when Marvel Vs Capcom 3 was taken off of the PlayStation store a while back. Fans of the franchise had all but thrown the towel in. The PlayStation experience brought music to fans ears however as Marvel Vs Capcom Infinite was announced.

Taking you for a ride once more, Marvel VS Capcom Infinite is replacing its classic 3v3 combat and replacing it for 2v2. It is also throwing in the infinity stones from the Marvel universe. The graphics look amazing and we cannot wait to see what the full roster will look like.

The trailer below just gives us a small taste of what’s to come in this epic brawler. I’m hoping we get to see Deadpool again, they guy was awesome in Marvel Vs Capcom 3. Speaking of which, Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is now available on the Sony PlayStation store right now for PS4. So that should tide fans over until Infinite release in late 2017.

Horizon Zero Dawn Trailer

Horizon Zero Dawn is getting a lot of noise, mainly because of it’s unique world and fusion between robots and nature. The latest trailer hones in on showing players the details and beauty of this incredible gaming experience.

Although we don’t have any new information from the trailer, we’re teased with the game’s story and it does make for very wonderful viewing. Check out the 90 second teaser below.

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy Story Expansion

Not quite a full length game, nor too short to be called an ‘episode’. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is a DLC, which has been described as a ‘stand-alone’ experience. Revealed with a 10-minute gameplay trailer of the beginning, the game is set in India and follows Uncharted regulars Nadine Ross and Chloe Frazer.

The gameplay demo shown below, starts at nighttime in India where our heroine Chloe begins her journey through the empty streets. She is soon accosted by a group of military men, but is allowed to go on her way. As Chloe makes her way through a mysterious building with a red door, she is giving orders to get to the rooftop. When she gets to the top, she sees a burning city, wrapped in smoke. Just as it all gets messy, her friend Nadine comes to the rescue.

Yakuza 6 and Yakuza: Kiwami Announced

Fans of the Yakuza series in the west have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to get their hands on Yakuza 6. SEGA announced at the PlayStation Experience that they can finally get their hands on the game.

It was also announced that the remake of Yakuza 1, Yakuza: Kiwami will also be heading to the west too. As you can imagine this made western fans of the Yakuza series go a little bit crazy, as this is yet another eagerly awaited title for us European and American folk. Check out the announcement trailer for both titles below.

Ni no Kuni 2 Launching in 2017

As well as launch date on PS4 for 2017, Sony has shown a trailer for the upcoming game. Ni No Kuni 2 follows Evan, a boy king who must adventure through a kingdom engulfed in darkness.

The original game which launched in 2010, told a similar story of a boy called Oliver who lost his mother and travels to an alternate world.

As you can see there have been some fantastic announcements from the PlayStation Experience 2016. We cannot wait for the titles that are coming in 2017.

The Game Awards 2016 Round Up

A night of recognition in the gaming industry, The Game Awards 2016 kicked off with a plethora of perfectly timed trailers and a celebration of gaming achievements.

If you didn’t catch the show last night, we’ve rounded up the best moments, winners and announcements from the evening.

Arkane Studios win awards and make announcements

Arkane Studios picked up the award for Best Action/Adventure Game for their magical and immersive Dishonored 2, a title with an incredible storyline and wonderful characters that lived up to the first in the series.

As well as picking up an award, Arkane Studios also unleashed a new trailer for powerful story game Prey, which has been hotly anticipated since it’s initial announcement at E3.

Death Stranding Announcement Trailer

Hideo Kojima won the Industry Icon award at The Game Awards 2016. After his speech he treated the audience and fans across the world to a new trailer for his highly anticipated game Death Stranding.

To say that the trailer is a bit random maybe underselling it slightly. It os classic Kojima and we couldn’t be more excited about this game. It also features Guillermo del Toro and Mads Mikkelsen. We cannot wait to see what the full game has to offer, check out the trailer below.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Trailer

Off of the back of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild winning the most anticipated game. Fans of the classic Zelda franchise were treated to a brand new trailer for the next title in the epic saga.

The trailer features Link fighting Monsters, galloping on horseback through hills and dales and avoiding all sorts of Chaos. Granted it was a very brief look into the next Legend of Zelda epic, but it was more than enough to whet our appetites.

Overwatch takes Game of the Year

Unsurprisingly, Overwatch bagged game of the year with it’s epic online multiplayer, fierce range of customisation and larger than life characters. It’s been a favourite among fans who have found the game incredibly immersive and addictively wonderful.

Overwatch also picked up Best Multiplayer Game and Best eSports Game. As Overwatch have provided free updates to help player experience, it’s definitely the start of something bigger, a whole new franchise, maybe that should be an award, the ‘where do we go from here’ award.

Mass Effect: Andromeda Trailer

A gameplay trailer has been on the horizon for a while now and The Game Awards was the perfect opportunity to unleash this on fans and it did not disappoint.

The trailer was introduced by Bioware’s Aaryn Flynn who stated that “making games is very, very hard.”  He then went to thank the audience and gamers everywhere for their patience ahead of the videos reveal.