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For the last few days the beta version of the card game Gwent has been available to download for free on PC, Xbox One and PS4.

For those who don’t know, Gwent is a card based game that was present within The Witcher 3. If you so desired, you could challenge various NPCs around the world and even follow a number of side quests all revolving around games of Gwent. It was entirely optional, but many players became rather addicted (me included) as it was a fun, tactical card game, not to mention a real challenge to any completionists, due to the sheer number of cards that required collecting.

Fast forward to the present and CD Projeckt Red have chosen to make an entire spin-off game purely based on Gwent.

The game starts with a tutorial which serves as a healthy reminder of the rules for those who played the game before, but also a well- explained tutorial for beginners. The premise of the tutorial involves Ciri and Geralt playing Gwent together in an inn. Voiced by the original cast, Ciri is reminding Geralt ( you, the player) of the rules of Gwent, creating a fun back and forth between the two, which is a nice little treat for fans of the series.

The game plays the same way as it did in the original. You hold a set of ten cards, most of which are separated into three main categories: Melee, Ranged and Siege (there are a number of special cards that don’t fall into any category). These categories encompass the three rows on the table where the cards can be placed. Most of the cards have numbers on them. Each time you place one on the table, the number of that card will be added to the main score situated on the left-hand side, a tally of sorts. The goal is simple, have a higher number than your opponent to win. The game is played in three rounds, of which you must win at least two. The ten cards received at the beginning are the only ones you’ll have throughout, so you must play tactically. If you use all your cards to win the first round, you will have nothing for the second one. This means you need to judge when it’s best to pass a round and save on cards, hence, giving the game a tactical edge.

So how does the game differ from the original?

One of my main concerns before playing this iteration of Gwent was, after the many hours of playing the original in The Witcher 3, why would I want to start all over again? Well, firstly, all the cards look aesthetically different. The four main classes are back, with all new and more detailed illustrations. But the difference isn’t only aesthetic, more cards have abilities too, meaning the cards do more than just up your overall score when placed. This gives the game a bit more depth, making me want to get reinvested and rediscover it all over again.

Of course, the game comes with all the usual tropes you find with online card games. There’s a single player campaign where you can practice or play some challenges. There is a shop where you can purchase packs of cards for real money or in game money earned by wining matches. There is a deck builder where you can create your perfect deck and a card creator, where you can use meteorite powder (once again bought or earned) to create your own cards.

Of course, the biggest selling point of this new Gwent, is the multiplayer. You can test your Gwent skills against real players and there’s a fair number of gamers out there eager to do so. So far I’ve had no problem finding worthy opponents. You can play either casual matches or ranked. Needless to say, it is a real joy, after hours on end of playing against NPCs in The Witcher 3, to finally play against other real online players.

Whether you’ve played it before or if you’re a newcomer who may be suffering from, say, a bit of Hearthstone fatigue, Gwent is certainly a card game worth putting time into. The one downside I found was that the AI tends to play more aggressively, giving all it’s got in the first round, rather than playing tactfully, which the game prides itself on. However, this is something that I’m sure can be tweaked before the final release and as stated above, the real draw, in my opinion, is the multiplayer anyway. Hopefully, CD Projekt Red are planning on releasing Gwent on IOS and Android. Once that’s done, it will be hard to keep me away.

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Video games have been a passion of mine from the very first time I played one, at the age of five on Amstrad!( Never heard of it? It was an 80s thing) From then on, I developed a great love for video games and have always owned some form of console throughout each generation of gaming, from the NES to the PS4. Call me a casual if you like, I was probably gaming before you were even born, kiddo.

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Sony is reportedly engaged in discussions to form a partnership for a potential bid on Paramount

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April 19, 2024

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There hasn’t been much buzz lately about any new acquisitions in the world of video game intellectual property. According to a recent report, Sony is currently engaged in discussions with a well-funded partner to potentially acquire the renowned film studio Paramount, along with all the exciting possibilities that come with such a merger.

As reported in the New York Times (thanks, ResetEra), Sony Picture Entertainment is reportedly in discussions with Apollo Global Management, an investment firm, as per two sources familiar with the matter. In the past, Apollo had made an offer to acquire Paramount for a minimum of $26 billion, but their bid was ultimately turned down.

The terms of the joint bid are currently under discussion, and there is a chance that the two parties may decide against making a formal offer. Unnamed sources have revealed that Paramount is currently in exclusive discussions with Skydance, preventing any official offer from being made at this time. Investor opposition to the recent deal that Skydance brought seems to have been significant.

The potential impact of such an acquisition is immense. First and foremost, it would introduce adaptations of Sonic and Halo into the expanding media empire of the PlayStation platform holder. Following the announcement, Paramount’s stock experienced a significant 11% surge in after-hours trading.

What are your thoughts on the news? Is there a possibility of Sony acquiring Paramount? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Helldivers 2 Players Face Overwhelming Hordes of Factory Striders

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April 18, 2024

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In the ongoing conflict against the Automaton invasion fleet, the Helldivers 2 players have successfully halted their advance. However, the situation has now reached a tiresome stalemate. Yet again, the machines refuse to take a break from their relentless pursuit of progress, with reports emerging of the Factory Striders being deployed in record-breaking quantities.

There have been reports of alleged machines that were supposedly encountered during Operation Swift Disassembly, which was just the beginning of a larger campaign. However, these accounts should be taken with a grain of salt, as they are unverified and seem to be more on the imaginative side. Factory Striders have gained a reputation as formidable weapons platforms that can produce more Automatons while enduring significant damage. If the machines are able to withstand such a relentless assault, it will be necessary to develop innovative strategies.

Have you come across groups of Factory Striders in Helldivers 2? Which strategies are proving to be the most effective in taking down these armored brutes? The Orbital Railcannon Strike will prove to be a valuable asset in the comments section below.

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Todd Howard affirms that the timeline of the Fallout series is coherent and well-constructed

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April 18, 2024

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The recent release of Amazon’s adaptation of Fallout has ignited a renewed interest in the series and brought attention to the captivating alternate history that forms its foundation. Fans have expressed concern that the TV show’s events might be at odds with the plot of the Obsidian Entertainment video game New Vegas. Warning: Spoilers ahead for New Vegas and Amazon’s show!

Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard and Fallout TV executive producer Jonathan Nolan recently sat down with IGN to discuss the timeline. Howard was taken aback when showrunners Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet presented him with the surprising concept of obliterating Shady Sands, the bustling capital of the New California Republic, in the aftermath of the events in New Vegas. Howard eventually warmed up to the idea: “After discussing it, we realized that this could be a significant story moment that many things hinge upon.”

It seems that they had to make some tough decisions to ensure everything fell into place, but Howard emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of the Fallout timeline: “We take great care with the timeline. There seems to be some confusion in certain areas. However, all the events from the previous games, including New Vegas, did occur. We take great caution in that matter. We’re really pushing the limits here, but the explosions occur right after the events of New Vegas.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it up to par? Even though it may not have a significant impact on the overall quality of the games or show, it is comforting to know that those in charge are paying attention. We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

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