[NINJA GAIDEN: Master Collection] NINJA GAIDEN 3: Download

 NINJA GAIDEN 3 Introduction:

Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, released in 2012, is an action-adventure hack and slash game developed by Team Ninja and published by Nintendo. Initially available for the Wii U from November 2012 to May 2013, it later became accessible on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in April 2013 through Tecmo Koei. This version serves as an upgraded edition of the original Ninja Gaiden 3, incorporating all downloadable content from the original release while introducing several enhancements to enhance the gaming experience. Essentially, it can be likened to the Ninja Gaiden Sigma games as it brings significant alterations to the base title.

In this iteration, players can utilize the Wii U GamePad's distinctive touchscreen for tasks such as weapon selection, Ninpo execution, and accessing additional in-game information. Notably, the gruesome features of decapitation and dismemberment from earlier titles return, and there is an optional mode that employs touchscreen controls, reminiscent of Dragon Sword. Many gameplay elements from Ninja Gaiden 2 were borrowed and integrated into Razor's Edge, while certain aspects from the original Ninja Gaiden 3 were either revamped or discarded. For example, Steel on Bone has been reworked into a grab counter chain that no longer necessitates button mashing, and Kunai Climbing has become more efficient and user-friendly. Numerous other gameplay mechanics from Ninja Gaiden II were also incorporated into Razor's Edge.

Gameplay:

Furthermore, the game introduces new exclusive weapons like the Lunar Staff, Kusarigama, and Dual Katanas, along with improved AI and new enemy types. Additional features include new battle arenas, alternative costumes, and the return of the "Karma Counter" with enhanced functionalities and bonuses. An upgrade menu allows players to invest their Karma points in enhancing their weapons, Ninpo spells, and character attributes, such as extending their health bar and acquiring special moves.

Razor's Edge offers an online cooperative gameplay mode, featuring new playable characters like the female ninja Ayane, who was unveiled during a preview at the Nintendo of America Wii U press conference in New York. Ayane possesses her unique moveset, resembling her incarnation in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and features additional cutscenes developed for her character. Additionally, a new Chapter Challenge mode permits players to control Ayane, as well as DLC characters Kasumi and Momiji, in various segments of the game.

The game's protagonist remains Ryu Hayabusa, the elite master ninja from previous titles, with the events of Razor's Edge occurring after those of Ninja Gaiden II. This installment also introduces a separate storyline for Ryu's kunoichi ally, Ayane, involving her missions related to the return of the Black Spider Clan.

Initially announced as a Wii U launch title at E3 2011, Razor's Edge was published by Nintendo outside of Japan, marking the company's third game to receive an M rating from the ESRB after Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem and Geist. Moreover, it became the first game in Australia to receive an R18+ classification following the introduction of the rating system. Downloadable content includes playable characters Kasumi and Momiji from the Dead or Alive series, available for free. On February 6, 2013, Tecmo Koei Europe confirmed the game's release for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Final Words:

While Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge garnered more positive reviews compared to its predecessor, it still received mixed or average overall reception. An early version of the game received praise from IGN's Mitch Dyer, who noted significant improvements and stated that Team Ninja had taken player feedback to heart. IGN's Ryan McCaffrey appreciated the game's presence on a Nintendo console and disregarded earlier criticism. Conversely, Kevin VanOrd from GameSpot found the game more challenging and diverse than its original release but felt it fell short of its predecessors. Similarly, Eurogamer's Martin Robinson acknowledged the game's improvements but didn't consider it brilliant. Destructoid's Jim Sterling gave it a score of 5.5 out of 10, criticizing the core gameplay as unimproved and uninspiring despite the additional content.

The Humankind Odyssey Download [2023]

 The Humankind Odyssey Introduction:

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is a survival game created by Panache Digital Games and published by Private Division. It made its debut in August 2019 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, under the direction of Patrice Désilets. The game's setting is in prehistoric Africa, where players assume the role of hominin species in the evolutionary lineage of modern humans, with the primary objectives of ensuring their survival and facilitating their evolution.

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is played from a third-person perspective, with players taking control of a member of a hominid clan responsible for managing the character's well-being through activities like eating, drinking, and sleeping. The game begins in a prehistoric African jungle, an open world filled with various threats, including dangerous creatures like Machairodus, Metridiochoerus, Crocodylus thorbjarnarsoni, Adcrocuta hyenas, African rock pythons, giant miocene otters, African buffalo, and more. Players can climb trees but risk injury from falls or predator attacks. As players progress, new areas become accessible for exploration. When hominids are in unfamiliar locations or under threat from predators, they may experience fear, which can be alleviated by discovering glowing orbs of light; otherwise, they may succumb to hysteria.

Gameplay:

Despite the dangers, the hominids can use their heightened senses to detect various sounds, such as predator noises, lost clan members, or potential recruits from other clans. Their intelligence allows them to locate items of interest and make discoveries, such as identifying new sources of food or tools. As players continue to make discoveries, the hominids become more intelligent and proficient, unlocking new skills like crafting bedding from leaves or using medicinal plants for healing. In the event of the player character's death, players switch to controlling another clan member. If all clan members perish, the lineage goes extinct, requiring a game restart.

The ultimate goal is to ensure the survival and evolution of the hominid clan over millions of years. As the clan grows, players can switch between various characters, such as infants, adults, elders, and parents carrying their children. With the clan expanding, players can coordinate social activities like hunting or migration. During periods of rest, players can enhance the hominids' abilities by developing their neural systems, which serve as a skill tree. These acquired skills, like using both hands and standing upright, contribute to the evolution process and are passed down to future generations. The game spans 40 to 50 hours, documenting the clan's evolution over eight million years.

Panache Digital Games, founded by game director Patrice Désilets after leaving Ubisoft in 2014, developed the game. Désilets aimed to create a toolbox for extensive environmental interaction. The team chose a prehistoric setting to avoid the need for large cities and researched paleoanthropology for authenticity. They deliberately avoided drawing inspiration from films or pop culture to maintain the game's uniqueness.

Final Words:

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is designed to encourage players to explore and discover solutions within its systems and features, eschewing a structured narrative campaign. The absence of a mini-map encourages curiosity and free exploration of the game world. Désilets envisioned the game as the first part of a trilogy, ending when the player character reaches a stage resembling Lucy.

The game was initially announced at Reboot Develop 2015 and started as an episodic project but transitioned to a full release with support from Private Division. It first launched on Microsoft Windows in August 2019 via the Epic Games Store, with PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions following in December 2019. A Steam release took place in August 2020.

Critics praised the game's evolution mechanic for encouraging creative item usage and exploration while expressing mixed opinions on aspects like progression, controls, and repetition. The game's long-form progression and exploration of the world were noted as strengths.

Elder Chaos Free Download [2023]

 Elder Chaos Introduction:

"Generation of Chaos, originally titled New Demon World: GOCIV Another Side (新天魔界 ～ＧＯＣIV アナザサイド～, Shin Tenmakai GOCIV Anaza Saido) in Japan, is a fantasy video game in the turn-based strategy RPG genre. It was initially developed by Idea Factory and published in the United States by NIS America. The U.S. release date for the PlayStation Portable version of the game was February 28, 2006, while an Android port, developed by HyperDevbox Japan, became available on December 15, 2011.

This game is a PSP adaptation of the fourth installment in the Generation of Chaos series, with the fifth installment already launched in Japan in July 2005 for the PlayStation 2. Generation of Chaos belongs to the Neverland label, which encompasses other Idea Factory games like Spectral Souls.

Gameplay:

The Lost Grounds are plunged into conflict as various kingdoms vie for both peace and the enigmatic secrets held by the Dragon King. Intrigue, treachery, and intense confrontations unfold as each kingdom treads the path of war, potentially leading to global domination.

Generation of Chaos focuses on kingdom management, emphasizing not only military expansion but also the enhancement of the player's realm's internal operations. The gameplay oscillates between two modes: kingdom management and army battles.

Kingdom management offers an isometric view on a tile-based playfield, enabling players to oversee their kingdom's holdings and the broader world. This view allows players to monitor their adversaries' progress. Actions available to players include moving up to five units per turn, fortifying and upgrading towns and castles, altering surrounding terrain, and recruiting officers, among others.

Inadequate positioning of commanders can lead to disaster; for instance, if a crucial commander engages in battle and gets defeated, the game ends. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, can also wreak havoc within the kingdom by damaging walls and markets, reducing funds, and increasing debt.

Each unit possesses a specific unit type, some of which are stronger or weaker when pitted against particular unit types. When two units cross paths on the map, they engage in real-time army battles. Once again, the perspective is isometric, with each side typically featuring a unit commander and 29 soldiers.

Players begin battles with the option to choose a formation from a list, each having its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of positioning and stats like speed. During battles, players can issue commands to their troops, such as attacking the enemy, waiting for the enemy to approach, or targeting the enemy commander. However, individual control within a unit is not possible.

Final Words:

Unit commanders can utilize skills, often providing healing or area-effect attacks for their troops. These skills consume a commander's SP (Skill Points).

Furthermore, commanders can employ 'supers.' To activate supers, the commander's army usually needs to sustain or inflict damage with the commander, charging up a super bar that can store up to three supers. When the player decides to use a super, it triggers an animated attack sequence that fills the entire screen. Supers serve purposes similar to skills. Notably, important characters may have cutscenes accompanying their supers, complete with voice acting.

Commanders may also carry items obtained from chests in battles or purchased from shops. These items serve various functions, from healing the commander and their troops to diminishing the enemy's morale."

Crunch Time! Free Download [2023]

 Crunch Time! Introduction:

In the video game industry, crunch refers to the mandatory practice of requiring employees to work overtime during the game development process. This practice is widespread in the industry and often results in workweeks ranging from 65 to 80 hours for extended periods, with no additional compensation beyond regular working hours. It is primarily employed as a cost-saving measure in the labor-intensive field of game development. However, it has detrimental effects on the health of game developers and adversely impacts the quality of their work, often leading some individuals to leave the industry temporarily or permanently. Critics argue that crunch has become normalized within the game development sector, causing harm to all those involved. A key factor contributing to the existence of crunch is the absence of unionization among game developers. Organizations like Game Workers Unite aim to address this issue by advocating for the protection of developers' labor rights.

The term "crunch time" is used when a development team is believed to be falling behind in achieving the necessary milestones to meet a game's scheduled release date. Predicting these milestones is challenging due to the complex workflow, reliance on third-party deliverables, and the subjective artistic and aesthetic demands of video game creation. Moreover, crunch time is often seen as exploitative, especially towards younger, predominantly male workers in the industry who have not had the opportunity to establish families and are eager to advance by working long hours. In some cases, the motivation for crunch may even come from individual developers who voluntarily work extra hours to ensure their product meets delivery milestones and maintains high quality, influencing their peers to do the same or avoid taking time off to avoid appearing uncommitted.

Gameplay:

The term "crunch culture" is used to describe settings within the video game development industry where crunch time is considered the norm rather than an exception. This culture prioritizes completing tasks quickly and effectively over maintaining work-life balance and personal well-being. Many of the problems associated with crunch stem from this ingrained culture, to the point where some companies proudly showcase their teams' 100-hour work weeks as a symbol of dedication to meeting game release deadlines.

Surveys conducted among game developers in the 2000s revealed that more than 60% of respondents reported working at least 46 hours per week on average, with some experiencing workweeks of 60 to 80 hours, or even 100 hours, during crunch periods. This trend continues today, with developers enduring grueling 12- to 14-hour workdays, seven days a week during crunch time. Some of the industry's biggest titles, like Fortnite and Red Dead Redemption 2, have been developed under such extreme working conditions. The term "stress casualties" was coined at Bioware, where employees would disappear for months due to the overwhelming stress caused by crunch. In some cases, layoffs occurred immediately after a game's completion, leaving employees without job security.

The shift toward a microtransaction model for games, where the main game is free but additional content can be purchased, has contributed to perpetual crunch, as constant updates are required to retain player engagement.

According to a 2019 survey by the International Game Developers Association, 40% of game developers reported experiencing crunch at least once in the past year, with only 8% receiving additional compensation for their overtime hours. In the United States, computer professionals earning above a certain annual salary are exempt from overtime laws, allowing companies to require extra hours without additional pay. California is an exception, with software developers being protected by a minimum hourly wage for exemption.

Contract workers hired by game studios are also not entitled to overtime payment, and they often hope for full-time job offers or bonuses upon project completion, which are not guaranteed.

To motivate employees during crunch time, some companies provide "crunch meals" delivered to the office. After a product is delivered, employees may be allowed to take paid time off as compensation for their overtime or receive salary raises and bonuses for successfully meeting delivery milestones.

Final Words:

A study by Take This in 2019 found that 53% of game developers consider crunch time to be an expected part of their employment, partly due to their prior experiences with crunch. Some game-makers unintentionally encourage crunch by generating hype for their games through overpromising features and poor communication with audiences, leading to unrealistic expectations and deadline pressure. In some extreme cases, fans have even sent death threats to developers over delayed game releases.

Developers may also impose self-imposed crunch, driven by factors like perfectionism, a desire to see a project through to completion, camaraderie with colleagues working extra hours, and the influence of a crunch culture that highlights past successes achieved through long working hours.

Some management figures in the industry regard crunch as a "necessary evil," as keeping up with development deadlines is challenging due to the time required for essential tasks.

Among Us Download PC Windows 10 Free [Latest]

Among Us Introduction:

Among Us, developed and published by Innersloth, is an online multiplayer social deduction game that debuted in 2018. Drawing inspiration from the Mafia party game and the science fiction horror film, The Thing, Among Us offers cross-platform compatibility. Initially released on iOS and Android devices in June 2018 and subsequently on Windows in November of the same year, it expanded its reach to the Nintendo Switch in December 2020, and later to the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in December 2021. A virtual reality version, Among Us VR, was launched on November 10, 2022.

The game unfolds in space-themed settings featuring colorful, armless cartoon astronauts. Players assume one of two roles: Crewmates or Impostors. Crewmates strive to complete assigned tasks while identifying and voting out suspected Impostors, who closely resemble Crewmates. Impostors aim to eliminate Crewmates.

Gameplay:

Although initially launched with limited fanfare in 2018, Among Us gained immense popularity in 2020, thanks to the involvement of many Twitch streamers and YouTubers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics lauded its enjoyable and entertaining gameplay, while the game's characters became a frequent subject of internet memes.

Among Us accommodates four to fifteen players, with up to three players randomly chosen as Impostors each round. The game features four playable maps: "The Skeld," a spaceship; "MIRA HQ," an office building; "Polus," a planet base; and "The Airship," based on Innersloth's Henry Stickmin series. Crewmates can win by completing tasks or ejecting all Impostors, while Impostors can win by eliminating all Crewmates, ejecting them, or sabotaging vital systems on the map.

Crewmates receive tasks in the form of minigames and puzzles to maintain essential systems such as fixing wires and downloading data. Impostors, unable to complete tasks, can pretend to do so while executing sabotages and eliminating nearby Crewmates.

Various surveillance systems on each map help Crewmates identify Impostors, including security cameras, door log systems, and a vitals indicator. Certain "visual tasks" offer animated cues that Crewmates can use to confirm each other's identities.

Players can initiate group meetings by reporting dead bodies or pressing an Emergency Meeting button. During meetings, players discuss their suspicions via in-game text chat or external voice chat applications. Impostors may lie to conceal their identity or falsely accuse others. After discussion, players vote for the suspected Impostor, with the most votes leading to ejection. Ejected players become ghosts, able to perform tasks (Crewmates) or sabotages (Impostors) but invisible and unable to interact with living players.

A November 2021 update introduced specialized roles, such as Engineers, Scientists, Guardian Angels, and Shapeshifters. Engineers can use vents like Impostors, Scientists can check vitals, and Ghosts can become Guardian Angels to protect living players. Impostors can temporarily morph into other players as Shapeshifters.

Final Words:

In December 2022, an alternative 'Hide and Seek' game mode was added, where a single Impostor seeks to eliminate all Crewmates within a fixed timer, with no meetings or ejections.

Players can customize gameplay aspects, like movement speed, emergency meetings, tasks, and visual tasks, before each game. They can also personalize their appearance with cosmetics through microtransactions.

Among Us drew inspiration from the party game Mafia and the film The Thing. Marcus Bromander, co-founder of Innersloth, initiated the concept, and development commenced in November 2017. Originally intended as a local multiplayer mobile game with a single map, it evolved into a space-themed setting with tasks. The game's development was characterized by challenges and playtesting, leading to numerous improvements.

Among Us initially launched on mobile platforms in June 2018, later arriving on Steam in November 2018 with support for cross-platform play. The game's audio was added during the Steam release.

Innersloth introduced additional maps over time, initially paid and later made free, as the game's player base steadily grew due to regular updates and the studio's financial stability.