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Twenty Sided has an article up on how have flawed main characters can be fun. The example used here is the lead character from BioWare’s Jade Empire. For those of you who have always wanted to play it but haven’t got around to it; you might want to skip this article. However for those gamers who understand the inside joke, this is a fun piece of truism.

Personal, I like a little roughness in both my NPCs and player characters. It makes them more realistic and easier to relate to. It also helps to build tension in a story. If everything single obstacle is too easily surmounted, I tend to lose interest quickly.  This especially applies to RPGs and games with RPG elements.

The unstoppable Kratos retains a human touch as he mourns the loss of his family. Similarly, the new Viking: Battle for Asgard features a less than perfect main character as well. Not all player characters are as clueless as the lead character in Jade Empire, but it’s nice to have three dimensional characters that have some room for growth.

via Twenty Sided

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This week, after a slight delay of game thanks to rain and technology, the File-N-Forget podcast ignores the GTA IV release hype and instead focuses on two games that might interest folks who are not mindless GTA obsessed zombies. Iron Man the Game and Viking: Battle for Asgard. Sure Stephany dinged Viking pretty badly in her impression, but Ron quite likes it and talks about why.

The Rant and Rant section of the episode features Ron talking about how World of Warcraft can fail while Shawn bitches about bitchy women.

This weeks show is available by direct download here.

As always, you can get past episodes from our podcast page at http://podcast.filefront.com, and you can send your comments, questions, suggestions, or snarky comments to podcast@filefront.com.

File-N-Forget is also available on the iTunes Music Store.

Viking: Battle for Asgard
Developer: Creative Assembly
Publisher: SEGA
Price: $59.99
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360
Category: Action/Adventure
ESRB: “M” for Mature
Release Date: March 25, 2008

I have always been enthralled with Nordic legends, and anything Viking related. Far be it to call myself a Nordiphile, I am hardly that – I just like mythology of all sorts. I have also thought that Vikings were too often ignored in video games, and I have never understood why they have been largely shunned by the industry, This is why I was so excited about Beowulf until it was announced that it would be a movie tie-in – and in my opinion, both sucked equally.

When Viking: Battle for Asgard was announced a few moths after Beowulf, my love of Nordic mythology took a back seat to the wariness in my brain. I decided it would be rented instead of purchased and while the waiting list for the game was long at my local Blockbuster – I am glad I waited. Whether Viking: Battle for Asgard was worth the wait or not is open to interpretation. On the one hand, I liked the visuals and some of the executions you could pull off, but the game had so many things wrong with it. It was repetitive, contained shallow swordplay, choppy framerates galore and so many other things wrong with it that by the time I was a quarter of the way finished with the game, I wanted my rental fee back. Of course, Blockbuster does not give refunds for unsatisfactory rental purchases.

In Viking: Battle for Asgard, you are Skarin - a warrior on the edge of death who is brought back from the brink by the Goddess Freya. In exchange for this life saving turn of events, you must do her bidding – and no, there are no sexual undertones to this despite the fact that she is a hottie. Her desire for you is only for you to prevent Hel, the Goddess of the Underworld from taking over Midgard. The plotline gives you the impression that the game would be full of hack and slash potential, and that is indeed true. The game was oozing with potential, and when playing I kept waiting for the goods to come to fruition but, alas, they never surfaced – probably because none were present to being with.

Read the full article

It has been a slightly busy week as far as game releases go, and while the majority of the more mainstream ones are reported, some have slipped through the announcement cracks. While Dark Sector, Viking: Battle for Asgard, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, Universe at War and Crisis Core: FF VII have been the media darlings of the week, included with these titles are some that you may have missed.

So without further ado, here is a list of all the games that hit between March 23-29, 2008:

DS
Backyard Baseball ‘09
Harvest Moon DS Cute
Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword

PC
Australian Zoo Quest
Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath Expansion Pack
Command & Conquer 3 Limited Collection
Escape From Paradise City
Guild Wars Platinum Edition
Guild Wars Factions Platinum Edition

PSP
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
Warriors Orochi

PS2
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3

PS3
Dark Sector
Viking: Battle for Asgard

Xbox 360
Dark Sector
Universe at War: Earth Assault
Viking: Battle for Asgard

Wii
Obscure: The Aftermath
Octomania
Opoona

Since the game has now officially launched, there’s of course a new trailer out for Viking: Battle for Asgard. It pretty much shows epic battles with fearsome monsters and soldier, all of which get chopped in half at some point (hence the age gate). But that’s basically what the game is about, and that’s alright with me. I may have to actually pick this game up at some point, if only because this at least looks like the game Dynasty Warriors should have become about two or three games ago.

Are you in the mood to plunder and pillage in an open world environment that allows you to step into the shoes of a resurrected battle weary Viking? You now have the opportunity to do so because Viking: Battle For Asgard from Creative Assembly and SEGA has finally hit stores for the PS3 and Xbox 360.We have been bombarding you with information on the game for months now, but just in case you missed it, here is some background information for you:

Viking: Battle For Asgard thrusts players into a mythological world overrun with demonic warriors unleashed by Hel, the Norse goddess of the underworld. As Skarin, a rage-fueled Viking hero, players will wage all-out war to free mankind from the grip of evil and ultimate annihilation. Players can command dragons and wield fire, ice, and lightning, laying waste to enemies in either small skirmishes or epic battles featuring hundreds of warriors. Enemies will suffer graphic dismemberment with disturbing realism from an array of Skarin’s melee, range, and magic attacks. Upgradable combat skills and Skarin’s otherworldly abilities create an ever-changing landscape of epic violence and heroic victory.

Woo Whoo! Hopefully this will be a fun and bloody action game for to drive away the Winter chills. For more information on the game along with tons of screenshots and trailers look no further than our previous posts.

Via: Press Release

I am all for releasing plenty of screenshots and other assets when it comes to games. While I do not like trailers that ruin surprises, I do like for them to show me what the game will play like. Granted, you cannot tell how well the controls work, if it sputters, or is filled with AI that is more artificial than intelligent - trailers give you an idea of what to expect at least. Screenshots on the other hand, are nothing more than visual stimuli designed to draw you in like an engrossing Van Gogh painting at the museum. The problem with screenshots, is that they tend to get you overly excited about something that will most likely not live up to your expectations.

Take the new screens for Viking: Battle for Asgard as an example. Yes, the trailers have shown us that it looks like it will be a cool title, but the screens make us think that it is going to be a visually stunning masterpiece when in reality it may turn out to look worse than the time you painted the walls with your butt prints in a drunken stupor. That is the bad thing about screenshots, they are pretty to look at, but when the time comes to play the game, it may look totally different.

It is also worrisome when a company such as SEGA overly-bombards you with screens for an upcoming game. It reminds me of a movie trailer where they show you all the good parts because the rest of it is heinous - they do this to trick you into going to see it so that they could salvage what funds they tanked into a less than stellar project. I am sincerely hoping that this is not the case with Battle for Asgard, because gamers really need a cool Viking game where your axe is your only true friend in the world. Yet, at the same time, the amount of media that is constantly being sent to us makes me a little bit paranoid.

Viking: Battle for Asgard is expect to hit retail stores on March 28th and will be available for both the PS3 and Xbox 360. For more information you can look over our previous posts here.

MORE SCREENS

More baseball action is now available on the PlayStation Store, as a demo of MLB 2K8 has been released. With the demo of it and MLB 08, you should be able to make an informed decision about which baseball game is right for you. (I think I’ll be going with 08, myself.) The free Dropkick Murphys DLC pack I wrote about here is also available to download for any Guitar Hero III players who are interested.

If you’re feeling like a sucker, then there’s something for you, too: two new PAIN characters are available for $0.99 each. Somehow I doubt the privilege of being able to launch Nurse Ginger and Muffy the Cheerleader around the city in PAIN is really worth a buck.

Other things you’ll find when you log onto the PlayStation Store today: Rock Band DLC (read about it here), an expansion pack for Toy Home ($6.99) and various themes and videos.

The full list of content can be found after the break. Read the full article

Personally, when I hear the question, “Why vikings?” my automatic response is, “Well, why not?” Still, with this new developer diary form the makers of Viking: Battle for Asgard, the people behind the game answer that very question, while also explaining the core design of the gameplay. Essentially, they chose vikings as the main culture for their game because they have an often unexplored mythology behind them. Plus, from a design perspective, it allowed them to craft the intricate styls of viking weapons and armor. If you want to see the developer diary though, you’ll have to go through and age gate (probably due to some gore-filled gameplay footage). You can check out the video here.

The first Viking: Battle For Asgard Dev Diary video is out. Sega Viking developers talk about why Norse mythology with the iconic Vikings were chosen for this game. Players can really get a better idea of the scope of the game, and a good feel for the frenetic pace of battlefield action. Watch the the video for the graphics and visceral combat, and come away with a better understanding of what sets this game apart from the rest.

via FileFront

Normally when a gaming company sends us a trailer with an age gate, I have a tendency to scoff at the silliness of it. This is because the majority of trailers for games, even ones labeled “M” for Mature, rarely show enough content that one would deem inappropriate for the age demographic that graces our hallowed pages. However, in the new Viking: Battle for Asgard trailer, I have to say that the age gate is indeed an evil necessity. Reason being, we really do not want thirteen year old kids, or ones even younger for that matter who happen to stumble across our pages to watch a trailer showing decapitations. No matter how much adults love the idea of hacking the head off of a raging monster or an evil foe, we really don’t want our younger generation exposed to such content until they are mentally capable of processing it. That being said, here is a link to the trailer, and if you are underage and view it anyway, your parents need a good spanking.

Regarding the other subject of this post, the Viking: Battle for Asgard website is now live. Creative Assembly and SEGA have done a bang up job on it and it includes some extra info on the game along with trailers, screens, bios and new content is coming soon. All of these new goodies should give gamers itching to play the game something to chew on until it hits the PS3 and Xbox 360 in the Spring.

For more information on the game, you can look over our previous posts here.

We have been throwing screenshots at you left and right for Viking: Battle for Asgard since August, and while they do indeed look pretty darn cool, the ones they sent us today seem a bit repetitive. At first glance that is. On the surface, they look like more of the same - blurry blood-soaked battle images featuring a hoard of men and creatures hacking at each other in an endless gore fest. While this is always a good thing, the screens do not reveal much else about the game more than what we already know. Granted, we get an up-close and personal view of a horrid looking monster who looks as though he could smash you into the dirt leaving nothing but a greasy spot on his foot and a shot showing a flying menace swooping through the air that appears to be either a dragon or a dragon teradactyl hybrid. Yet, nothing else that would give us an idea of gameplay mechanics, weapon usage, or an broader idea of what the storyline entails.

The one thing the new screens do reveal is a female who will be making an appearance in the game. We do not know if she will be a protagonist who fights along side of Skarin, the Viking Goddesses Freya or Hel incarnate, or some sort of antagonistic Lolita out to destroy our hero. Whoever she is, she is in the game, and they sent us some artwork depicting her along with a blurry screen of her standing in a blaze.

Viking: Battle for Asgard is expected to hit retail shelves in March for the PS3 and Xbox 360. In the meantime, be sure and check back with us often as more info on Creative Assembly and SEGA’s latest hack and slash is sure to head our way as it gets closer to release. You can view more of the new screens here.

A Sword of fire and an axe of cold
Vision of the sibyl has foretold
Armies gather on the battle-plain
All will fall and earth will die in flame

Vikings are cool, very cool, and if like me you have been burned by games promising to give you a true taste of really cool Nordic action in the past *cough Beowulf cough*, then Viking: Battle for Asgard might just be the answer to our prayers. Today, SEGA sent us the official box art for the game, and it is pretty tasty.

Ok, so the screens for the game look great, the trailers look cool and the box art is pretty sexy - hopefully all of this plus some really engrossing gameplay will make Viking: Battle for Asgard everything Beowulf wasn’t for those of us obsessed with Norse mythology and the great bloody battles fought in the name of Odin. We have been feeding you details on this game for a few months now, but just in case you have been asleep or otherwise unavailable, I will give you a bit of a background.

As Skarin, a rage-fueled Viking hero, players will wage all-out war to free mankind from the grip of evil and ultimate annihilation. Enemies will suffer graphic dismemberment with disturbing realism from an array of Skarin’s melee, range and magic attacks. Upgradable combat skills and Skarin’s otherworldly abilities create an ever-changing landscape of epic violence and heroic victory.

Viking: Battle for Asgard is rated M for Mature and will be available on the PS3 and Xbox 360 this March. For more information on this promising title, check out our previous posts which delve deeper into Skarin’s tale and have links to all kinds of cool assets for the game. The PS3 box art is posted after the break.

Via: Press Release

Read the full article

Skarin, the viking hero of Creative Assembly and SEGA’s latest venture Viking: Battle for Asgard, is one foreboding, hulking, blond guy who would as soon rip your arm off as smile at you. When I first looked at these screens, I thought to myself that if Uwe Boll ever make a movie of this, Dolph Lundgren should play him. Well, maybe if it was made in the 80’s he could pull it off. At any rate, I have no idea why the Dolphster crossed my mind, but now I cannot get him out of it and now I am annoyed to no end …….. anyway, ignore my incoherent babble and just enjoy the new screenshots.

Freya always gets what she wants, and if that means bringing a Viking back from the dead to avenge the hordes who have destroyed her followers, so be it. The newest tailer from SEGA’s Viking: Battle for Asgard is pretty interesting, especially for gamers out there who enjoy nothing more than taking a broadsword to an enemy and cutting him in half. Ah, nothing could be sweeter in my book - a fun, blood soaked hack and slash action/adventure game with a taste for vengeance. If that is not enough, the graphics look pretty decent and the monsters formidable.

Look for Viking: Battle for Asgard to hit stores in the Spring for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

SEGA and Creative Assembly has delivered to us the first trailer from their latest game in development, Viking: Battle for Asgard. As Skarin, the powerful yet flawed warrior, the gamer will take part in battles, fight magical beasts and barbaric warriors, and try to stop Ragnarok – the apocalyptic battle that could destroy everything. In the new trailer, you get to see Skarin battle his enemies in a blood filled rage. So far, between the small amounts of gameplay and cut scenes, the game is looking rather cool. The army of monsters headed Skarin’s way in the beginning of the trailer reminded me a bit of Skeletor on steroids, and the huge beast at the end of the trailer - well, lets just say that if I was Skarin, I would have wet myself.

With Beowulf and now Viking: Battle for Asgard, it looks like Nordic barbarians and warriors are getting the much needed love they deserve from the gaming companies - of course, this is just a mythology fan talking here. Anyway, if you want to watch the trailer, you have to go through an age gate first because the game as yet to receive a rating from the gaming world’s overlords the ESRB.

Look for Viking: Battle for Asgard to be in stores for the PS3 and Xbox 360 in Spring 2008. In the meantime, check back with us often for updates and more cool assets from the game.

Storyline and Features After the Break

Read the full article

Normally here at Gaming Today, when trailers become available for games we post them and then give you a small synopsis along with our thoughts on it. Sometimes, due to certain issues with ERSB we have to force you through an age gate kicking and screaming. The new Beowulf ‘Authenticity’ Trailer is a prime example, so instead I have provided the link to the trailer instead. But you know what? Nothing prevents me from giving you information on this video along with my take on its contents. The ridiculous thing about this trailer is that there is zero content included that would, should, or could make the trailer only viewable to an 18+ demographic. However, I assume this is the case just because the game is actually “M” rated. It is so silly. Trailers should be rated for their contents, not the content of the game and no matter what the contents of this trailer are, I would rather my 13 year old brother watch this than the offensive Beowulf movie starring Christopher Lambert.I am wasting my breath here… let me get to the subject of Beowulf the trailer.

The title ‘Authenticity’ describes what the developers were going for in a nutshell. The narrator of the trailer informs the viewer that little is known about the pre-Viking era of 6th Century Scandinavia when Beowulf takes place, but that unlike common depictions of Dark Age Norseman, we now know that their civilization and technology was more advanced than we previously thought. For example, in the trailer quite a bit is mentioned about the ships you will encounter and ride along in. These “long-ships” were the technological wonders of the pre-Viking era and while riding in these ships, an example is given of the advanced weather effects in the game, which in turn will affect certain aspects of the gameplay.

Much is also made of the level of detail that went into each aspect of the game especially in weapon design and players should be pleased to see the authenticity of the Viking weapons and armor when put into action. Considering that blacksmiths and iron workers basically attached leather straps to shields and sword making was hit or miss - players will find that their sword and shield may break during combat and improvisation is the only way to save their hide; thus going into hand to hand combat or commandeering an enemy’s weapon may be your only choice.

Squad-based combat strategies made Norse warriors very fierce and this is applied to the game as well - Beowulf can order men to watch his back, attack enemies and perform numerous heroic actions that can change the course of battle.

You can get the trailer but clicking here, and you will notice that it is very tame compared to other game trailers or movie trailers for that matter. Although the trailer felt more like a history lesson than anything, it still makes me even more anxious to get my hands on it.

SEGA® Europe Ltd and SEGA® of America, Inc. have announced a new action game Viking: Battle for Asgard. The Creative Assembly game is inspired by Norse Mythology and the Viking warriors who lived by the sword, hoping to die a glorious death in battle and gain entrance to Valhalla.

Banished from Asgard by Odin, the Goddess Hel raises an army of undead warriors to enslave Midgard and the race of mortal men, then moves to release Fenrir and provoke Ragnarok the apocalyptic battle foreseen to be the destruction of Asgard and the Gods. You will play Skarin, a promising yet scarred hero, ignorant of his place in the Gods’ machinations as he battles against Hel to save all mankind.

“Skarin is a cutting edge hero in a fantastic re-imagining of Norse Mythology. Skarin is obviously a very dangerous man.” said Gary Knight, European Marketing Director SEGA Europe. “Add in his inner conflict, a confused heritage and a growing distrust of the Gods and you have the makings of gaming’s next great hero.”

Viking: Battle for Asgard promises plenty of gratuitous violence including dismemberment as you explore a vast and detailed world while cutting down your enemies with a wide variety of devastating and brutal combat moves. Fight legendary mythological creatures, free your people and lead them in battle against Hel’s forces.

Read the full article

New screens for Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War are up on FileFront and they don’t look too bad actually. Being a fan of the strategy genre I am happy to see more games leaning towards a more medieval flair and away from fantasy and feudal Japan. This particular one takes place in the 14th century, and if you paid attention in history class, you will know that this is when the long winded battle between England and France ensued. In Bladestorm, Joan of Arc and Edward the Black Prince will be part of the cast as you and your mercenaries/soldiers react individually to your immediate surroundings - thanks to a new game engine. Players will assume the role of a mercenary leader and strategically command, in real-time, a wide range of troops including infantry, archers, cavalry, and cannoniers. Sounds like fun to me. Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War will be available for the PS3 and the Xbox 360 the later part of this year.

MORE SCREENSHOTS

For a list of characters and game features from the Press Release, see the full article after the jump.

Read the full article

I would have to agree with their number one, and their adoration for the weapons of Perfect Dark.

DoubleViking.com has published their version of the top 10 weapons in video games. Although many people would probably have a different top 10, I’d say they do a fairly good job of getting some of the more innovative weapons on the list.

For instance, the Far Sight from Perfect Dark was an awesome weapon, and I have fond memories of being the one my friends wanted to hit because all I would do was stand in one place with the gun and kill everyone. What shouldn’t have been on the list are two things: the queen and the shotgun. How can it be a top 10 weapon if it isn’t even associated with any game?

Lazy gamers. Put a little bit of effort into your work.

But kudos on recognizing the awesomeness of the gravity gun from Half-Life 2. There’s nothing quite like the chaos of multiplayer where all you would need to do was walk softly and carry a big radiator.