Another week has passed and that means I get to give you the regular list of wonderful demos and patches. Today, I cannot go much into the ins and outs of the week because I have to take my dog to his training class. Lately, he has not been minding very well and is chasing the cows and horses. Normally the fence would block the annoyance, but I would rather him learn to mind me than get kicked in the head. Plus, all he does is look at me like I am stark raving mad when I scold him. Damn dog.

Anyway, here is what hit FileFront in the way of demos this week, the most popular of which was the GRID demo with the one for LEGO Indiana Jones coming in second and Mount and Blade third.

• Heresy War- Bear in mind that this is a product in development and what you are seeing is not final product quality.What is Heresy War? Heresy War is a combat space simulator set in a future where the humanity has reborn from the ashes after a catastrophic world war. The game puts the player in the cockpit of the most technologically advanced fighters in the human military fleet (The Core) as he witnesses the start of a civil war. Gameplay features for the final version: Mission-based , story-driven gameplay, Branching non-linear campaign based on player’s actions, Intuitive interface and controls, Complete freedom across all axes, Squadron command, Sequential capital ship destruction, Self-adjusting difficulty level, Arcade and simulation control

• Battleship Chess - Combine the classic naval stategy game of Battleship with the thoughtful turn-based moves of Chess and you get Battleship Chess. Move your naval fleet of battleships, battlecruisers, destroyers and submarines in search of the enemy. Once spotted, let them have it with your guns, torpedoes and depth charges. Play this turn-based naval strategy game against computer or human opponents, online or at the same PC.

• Larva Mortus – For both Windows and Mac. Rake in Grass has released a new demo for Lava Mortus, a top down shooter, offering fast and entertaining monster-hunting gameplay.

• Supernova 2: Spacewar - For both Windows and Mac. Sci-fi strategy game featuring a main part mainly based on the macromanagement of your space empire, and a classical turn based wargame part when a fight occurs.

• Virtual Villagers: Chapter 3 – For both Windows and Mac. Embark on a new journey with a group of villagers in search of a new part of the island to populate. Land on the hidden shores of the northern side of Isola and explore what was once a secret city.

Here are the patches that hit this week, and unless you were residing in a cave in the arctic someplace, you would know that the most popular with gamers was the new WoW patch. Other patches include: Mount and Blade, GH: III for Windows and Mac, Tarr Chronicles, and Lost Empire: Immortals amongst others.

As always, for the full list of demos click here, and for patches click here. See you next week.

Lara Croft enthusiasts can start screaming with glee now as news of her latest adventure has been plastered all over the internet. The newest installment in this lauded franchise will be called: Tomb Raider Underworld and is currently being developed by Crystal Dynamics. This will be the third time the US developer has created a Lara Croft title, and has stated that her latest excursion will take her (at least in one level) to Southern Mexico in a search to unlock the mystery of the Mayan calendar and to uncover a portal between the mortal world and the underworld.

According to the latest issue of PLAY magazine:

“Lara’s adventure takes place after the events of Tomb Raider Legend. Her adventure will be a thrill ride for anyone new to the franchise. The emphasis is on bringing Lara’s world to life, a lush, vast interactive world that reacts and remembers. It’s pure woman versus wild.”

The gaming magazine also goes on to describe some of the graphical enhancements contained in the game, by giving us a first hand account on the above mentioned level where she is traipsing through Mexico:

“In the level where Lara explores Southern Mexico, she leaves footprints in the mud, but it’s raining so they wash away. The bodies she leaves behind in combat encounters will stay, however, as will the debris from any destruction she causes.”

Regarding Underworld’s weather system, Eric Lindstrom of Crystal Dynamics had this to say:

“We developed a hybrid lighting model that combines dynamic lights with carefully created light maps to make our world look stunning in ways that none of the available methods could achieve alone.”

Eric also elaborated on the motion capture elements included in the development that will “bring a more natural fluidity to her movements, with proper weight and secondary motion.” For example, when Lara kneels down into the mud, only her knees will be caked with it, and it will gradually disappear over time.

Tomb Raider Underworld is the eighth game starring Ms. Croft, and is slated for a 2008 release. Like previous installments, you can expect it to be made available for the PC,PS3 and Xbox 360.

Check back with us often as more details are sure to emerge soon.

Thanks: Tomb Raider Chronicles

We are all well aware of the more media savvy patches that were introduced to FileFront this week. Gamers who play BioShock, CoD4, FIFA 2008, AVENCAST, and EVE Online are happily playing the latest additions and fixes to their games. But what about PC games that do not make the front page – are they less worthy? Of course they aren’t! So, for those of you who have games other than the ones mentioned above and they need a patch, check out this week’s list of patches to see if your game was included.Here are just some of the many patches available on FileFront. For the full list, click here.

Granado Espada: Sword of the New World - v2.4 Bahia Island Client Patch – The new Version 2.4 Bahia Island Expansion of Granado Espada has been made available for download. Immense yourselves in the tropical beaches of Bahia Island as this new expansion comes to you this Christmas. Take part in light hearted mini games and stand to win special in-game items! Dress up in beach wear and explore the new maps. Team up with valiant heroes of Vespanola to defeat the new powerful raid bosses in Island of Fire. Unfold the story behind the “Nameless person” & “The one who searches for his memory”, choose your alliance with them and make your family stronger.

Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance – Fixed issue where Seraphim sACU could use overcharge before upgrading. (Done by selecting both unupgraded sACU and an ACU and giving overcharge command)
Fixed issue where FA only player could inappropriately be another faction during online play. Plus many balancing issues have been addressed and new Cybran Land Units have been added.

Tarr Chronicles – This v1.0.3.0 patch improves Vista compatibility, fixed freezing videos issue, added toggled AA, and a squashes a few other bugs. Quazar and Aklla have also given you the ability to change resolution in all OS and CPU. Added toggled anti-aliasing, fixed problem with freezing videos, fixed error in guardian mines part 3, fixed problems with implanted video memory, fixed problem “D3D invalid call (data/shaders/pspost.txt)” . Please note, that if you have any saved games, the items you have in the hangar after loading (as well as your custom devices) WILL NOT CHANGE, so any balance-changes or bugfixes in them will not be applied. If you want to have ALL the changes in the equipment you’ll need to create a new profile and delete the old one.

Depths of Peril – A patch has been issued updating Depths of Peril to v1.004. Please note that if you’ve already downloaded the v1.004 beta patch, this patch is not required. Added an extra check to make sure covenant never thinks it is at war with itself, added very hard covenant aggression difficulty level, and fixed a bug that allows most projectiles to get an extra critical hit bonus, etc.

Overlord- Codemasters has added a patch for features in addition to those present in OVERLORD I. Here is a basic summary of those features: Split Screen, maps include a new free survival map called Rocky Race, amBX PC gaming peripheral is enabled, etc.

For more information on the contents of all listed patches please click on the game title.

Halloween is here, and what better way to celebrate than by paying homage to some of the most notorious ghouls and monsters to grace our PCs and consoles? Without such cannon fodder as spiders, vampires and zombies we would be condemned to just shooting our fellow man, which although fun, would get old after a while. In compiling this list, I came across some notables worthy of an honorable mention, but who have yet to become mainstream enough to cross over into different genres, and instead continue to be pigeon holed within their niche. While this list is in no way a complete list of video game baddies, it is instead a list of some of the most common miscreants to get within our pistol sites or in the vicinity of our broadsword.

These distractions on our way to victory in our gaming universe are also not listed in order of importance or occurrence rate – because face it – one is just as annoying and evil as the other. Unfortunately, these monsters never get the glory that their bosses do, because they are nothing more than expendable minions set upon our paths to deplete our life force so that the main antagonist may continue with more important matters – World Domination. In truth, they become nothing more than something for you to enjoy chopping to bits or a vessel for extra health, magic, or cash, the poor, misguided fools. So without further ado, let me introduce you to the stars of this post.

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The weekend is here, and if by some chance you find yourself without any plans why not check out some of the recent demos that have landed at FileFront in the past month? Girlfriend/boyfriend/significant other got plans for a night out with pals? Single and lonely with only a cat for company? Rigor mortis in the prime of life? Tired of watching the same crap the cable networks feed you with a dirty spork? Whatever your reasons for staying in this weekend, I am sure we have something that will help you pass the time before Monday hits and you have to go back to work/school – miserable and just counting the seconds to the weekend.Here is just a sampling of what we have to offer. Some may sound familiar, and some may not.

• Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties
• AGON: The Last Sword of Toledo
• Avencast: Rise of the Mage
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
• Clive Barker’s Jericho
• Darkness Within: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder
• Ememy Territory: Quake Wars
• Escape from Paradise City
• F.E.A.R. Perseus Mandate
• Hellgate: London
• Journeys of the Dragon Riders
• Lost Planet: Extreme Condition
• Painkiller: Overdose – Single and Multiplayer
• Path of Magic
• Plant Tycoon
• SEGA Rally Revo
• Steel Fury
• Stranglehold
• Tarr Chronicles
• The Aplocalyptic Game About Penguins
• The Chosen: Well of Souls
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08
• Time Shift
• Unreal Tournament 3
• Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals

These are just some of demos we have received since the middle of September, and we have many many more. Check out the list here.

With Tarr Chronicles, the new adventure/fantasy space-simulation game being recently released, cdv Software has sent us some information regarding the alien races that you will encounter in the game. With humans as the youngest race in the universe and occupying the most attractive sector in the south-eastern corner of the galaxy, their history of wars and conflicts have destroyed their numerous empires, federations and corporations. As a result of this, the emergence of the Mirk was overlooked by the other races.

Follows is a breakdown of the different alien races that will be prevalent throughout Tarr Chronicles in the fight to destroy the evil Mirk.

• Sia’Nuss

The Sia’Nuss are the most intelligent creatures in the galaxy and once lived in the south-eastern arm of the galaxy. The Mirk was drawn by the glow of the Sia’Nuss’ minds and destroyed all their worlds. The survivors live among the humans on the Eastern Border, but they are doomed as they cannot live long when far from their home worlds.

• Mea’Tarrs

The Mea’Tarrs are the warrior race. They live only to perfect themselves in battle. They inhabit the north-western part of the galaxy. Mea’Tarrs are merciless but noble creatures; only their traditions and rituals have prevented them from degenerating into mindless killers. Mea’Tarr are divided into several clans but consider themselves a single race. They were unable to stop the advance of the MIrk. In their final effort to save their worlds the Mea’Tarrs brought forth their best warriors, the Khete. The Khete failed and were killed. However, they came back as De’Khete, the most terrible brood ever created by the Mirk – dead and insane warriors. They are the terror of the Second Era.

MORE AFTER THE BREAK

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cdv Software and our friends at Akella have announced that Tarr Chronicles is now sitting on North American retail shelves. Tarr Chronicles is an action-based space combat game set against the backdrop of a massive war between humanity and its alien enemies. Offering players the opportunity to customize their ships with a variety of technologies and weapons, and pairing players with allied A.I.

“Torn by years of strife and bloodshed, the universe lies dying, with humanity struggling to survive. Suddenly, hope shines again, as the Battlecruiser Talestra uncovers an ancient, forgotten city within which rests salvation for an entire solar system. Hostile alien forces have other plans for the artifacts found within the city, and begin their assault on the Talestra. Lost in space and deep behind enemy lines, the player must don an elite fighter pilot’s uniform and defend the galaxy’s last hope in Tarr Chronicles, a gripping arcade-style space combat simulation in development by Quasar Studio and Akella. At your disposal are dozens of detailed high-tech fighters bristling with cannons and rocket launchers, yours to fly against an unstoppable alien menace – the De’Khete. Intelligent squad mates with unique personalities will assist you in frenzied white-knuckle space battles between vast fleets of fighters and massive capital ships. From fully-customizable equipment to fast-action combat encounters, Tarr Chronicles will keep you pinned to your seat.”

Features:

• Instant Action – A user-friendly interface ensures immediate “jump in and play” gameplay for all skill levels
• Lush 3D Visuals – Dazzling star fields and massive orbital battles spring to life on your PC
• Expansive Storyline – Defend the galaxy throughout nine sprawling missions, each with up to 15 quests
• Endless Variety – 60 customizable ships and more than 150 individual parts and weapons
• Adaptive AI – Intelligent allies provide advice and cover, seeking out and annihilating targets without prompting
• Living Universe – From glowing nebulae to glistening asteroid belts, outer space’s remote reaches are yours to explore
• Constant Rewards – Earn unique badges, ranks and honors as you single-handedly save mankind

For more information, check out our previous posts, our Tarr Chronicles FileFront page (where you can also download the demo), and the official website.

Here’s a new trailer for the upcoming space shooter, Tarr Chronicles. The game will put you in the role of a fighter pilot whose battle cruiser ends up trapped behind enemy lines. You’ll take on a series of missions to fight your way back home and upgrade your fighter’s capabilities. The game is set for a September 24th release, so maybe you could buy it, beat it, and then get Halo 3 at midnight (unless you’re in London that is).

Tarr Chronicles, the science fiction-themed space combat title from cdv Software Entertainment and Akella has gone gold today. The game, which will have players creating custom spacecraft to do battle with a dark and imposing alien threat, will ship to North American retail on September 24, 2007.

Pulled from Press Release:

“Lost in space and deep behind enemy lines, the player must don an elite fighter pilot’s uniform and defend the galaxy’s last hope in Tarr Chronicles, a gripping arcade-style space combat simulation in development by Quasar Studio and Akella. At your disposal are dozens of detailed high-tech fighters bristling with cannons and rocket launchers, yours to fly against an unstoppable alien menace – the De’Khete. Intelligent squad mates with unique personalities will assist you in frenzied white-knuckle space battles between vast fleets of fighters and massive capital ships. From fully-customizable equipment to fast-action combat encounters, Tarr Chronicles will keep you pinned to your seat.”

For more information on Tarr Chronicles, please visit the game’s official cdv page or our FileFront page.

There are new screens up for the upcoming space shooter, Tarr Chronicles. The game will put players in the role of a fighter pilot aboard the Battlecruiser Talestra. After a faulty hyperspace jump however, you and your fellow crew members find yourselves deep behind enemy lines and a long ways from home. You’ll take on a number of missions to fight your way through the enemies you encounter and upgrade your own fighter in between. Just from these screenshots, the graphics look impressive. They seem to have really given a sense of scale to the space environments. It should be interesting to see how this all comes together when the game hits store shelves in September.