Gaming

For Honor Highlander Character Review

Published

6 years ago

August 26, 2017

Nothing plays quite like the Highlander. Hybrid to the core, this Technical Fighter character has the biggest learning curve so far.

Gameplay

The first thing to get to grips with regarding the Highlander is the two stances; Defensive and Offensive. Defensive form has access to Block, Parry and Guardbreak whilst Offensive form has access to a number of un-blockable attacks. Notably, the Highlander has the ability to ‘Fast Flow’ into Offensive form and this is where the big damage comes in. Chaining fast lights into superior lights, un-blockable grabs and heavies is possible, but a few days still hasn’t been enough for me to do this reliably.

Timing is an important part of effectively using the Highlander, particularly the Celtic Curse move. Celtic curse is a heavy over-head that gains super armor, but can also be cancelled into a side dodging heavy (also with super armor). Sounds complex, yet has a satisfying feel when pulled off successfully. It also forces the opponent to play defensively, pre-empting the direction of attack for fear of taking a sizeable chunk of damage.

Players will quickly realise the combination of slow attacks and high stamina use are the pitfalls of the Highlander, leading to many calling it the lower tier class compared to the Gladiator. I would agree with this view, but also see a number of highly skilled players performing elaborate and unpredictable combos with the character to great effect. Put the time in and expect most people to not be prepared for your onslaught.

Design & Cosmetics

Kilts and animal skins best summarise the look of the Highlander and fit perfectly into the rugged designs characteristic of the Viking faction. Claymores are undoubtedly impressive looking weapons and the sheer size of it is incredibly imposing. Most notably, the Highlander is the first character with a completely uncovered face, so if you like the idea of your hero staring into the eyes of their enemy then enjoy!

Armor and weapon customizations generally maintain the raw look, with some of the higher tier weapon gear pieces being the only departure. They are magnificent, however, and add to the sense of superiority you will probably feel at having mastered the class at that point. Personally, the Bran design seems the best balance between elegance and practicality.

Conclusion

If you like the complexity of the Shinobi, the pure power of the Raider and an array of un-blockable attacks like the Lawbringer, then Highlander is a good bet. For Honor classes him as a ‘Hard’ character to learn and for good reason. I will be sticking to simpler heroes myself, but will be very wary of Highlanders knowing how dangerous they can really be.

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Bradley Muggeridge

British resident and sucker for over-analysis. Games are the future of Literature and I'll gladly argue that fact for hours.

Gaming

Battle Pass for Crash Team Rumble is not necessary to unlock new characters; the upcoming closed beta

Published

22 hours ago

March 31, 2023

Zach Riley

The competitive multiplayer spinoff of Crash Team Rumble, which will be available on both the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, will debut on June 20. A closed beta for the game will be held in the coming weeks, and the good news that character unlocks won’t be dependent on Battle Pass progress was just revealed.

Publisher Activision made its intentions very clear in a lengthy blog post, writing, “New heroes and powers will be unlocked through in-game challenges rather than being connected to the Battle Pass because we want every player to have a balanced experience while enjoying the N. Sane fun that Crash Team Rumble has to offer.” “For those who wish to get a WUMP on the season’s newest looks, Battle Passes will solely reward cosmetic goods; however, cosmetics will still be earnable through participation in seasonal events.”

Those who preorder the platformer/battle royale mix can take part in a limited beta between April 20 and 24. For those who want to jump right in, online matches against other players and practice matches versus AI bots will be offered.

How does Crash Team Rumble strike you? Will you participate in the closed beta test?

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Gaming

Indie Not on PlayStation Wins BAFTA Game of the Year, Beating PS5, PS4’s Greatest Hits

Published

22 hours ago

March 31, 2023

Zach Riley

God of War Ragnarok and Elden Ring were both beaten out for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award for Best Game by a tiny little independent title called Vampire Survivors, which isn’t even accessible on PlayStation systems. Do you really believe that?

Putting all lightheartedness aside, Vampire Survivors was something of a phenomenon in 2022, and you would have to be living under a rock (or live offline) to have missed it. It burst into prominence and eventually became a favorite among industry insiders. A fiendishly addictive fundamental gameplay loop hides beneath a deceptively simple exterior, earning developer Luca Galante, aka Poncle, this year’s BAFTA for Game Design as well as another honor.

Last up it’s the award for Best Game. Huge congratulations go to… Vampire Survivors! 🌟🦇🌟#BAFTAGamesAwards pic.twitter.com/nnH9xRQkn1

— BAFTA Games (@BAFTAGames) March 30, 2023

There hasn’t been any news of the mega-hit coming to PlayStation as of yet, so there’s probably some sort of exclusivity agreement in place or anything else blocking it. Perhaps one day we will be granted access to it, but until then, console yourself with one of the numerous high-end games on our preferred platform, such as The Last of Us, which won Best Game back in 2014.

In slightly related news, Shuhei Yoshida, a PlayStation legend, received a BAFTA Fellowship, the highest honor bestowed by the organization.

What do you think about the Vampire Survivors’ victory—do you believe it was well-deserved or totally absurd?

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Gaming

On May 17, Crusader Kings 3: Royal Court Expansion will be available on consoles

Published

23 hours ago

March 31, 2023

Zach Riley

While we felt Crusader Kings 3: Console Edition was fantastic when it was launched on the PS5 last year, we were only able to play the base game. We are incredibly grateful that the great Royal Court extension will be coming to consoles. This is a regal proclamation that we could not be more delighted to make.

It’s pretty difficult to switch back after you’ve experienced the conveniences and enhancements that Royal Court offers to the well-stocked table, as anyone who has played Crusader Kings 3 on PC knows. It’s not just for show; players will be able to use trophies and priceless pieces of art to adorn their throne room, which adds a minor RPG system to an already magnificently complex adventure.

If you haven’t already and like the basic Crusader King’s experience, we highly encourage you to give Royal Court a try. This expansion is the ideal reason to jump back in for another round of backroom maneuvering. Are you going to create your own royal court?

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