Dark Souls vs Dark Souls 2

Dark Souls 2 is different than Dark Souls in several fundamental ways. While Dark Souls 2 features the legendary difficulty, exploratory spirit, and trademark epic boss battles of its progenitors, it alters several key game play components which players of the original Dark Souls take for granted.

Video: Making Dark Souls 2

Humanity and Hollowing

Humanity is handled much differently in Dark Souls 2. Humanity is no longer measured by a numeric rating, and need not be expended to kindle Bonfires. Instead, a single death strips a character of his optimized human state, rendering him Hollowed. Each death leading to Hollowing and death after Hollowing reduces a character's maximum HP. This reduction can eventually bottom out at restricting up to 50% of a character's available HP.

The only way to reverse this process and become human again is through consuming a Human Effigy, a fairly rare and precious item. Burning an Effigy immediately restores humanity and resets maximum HP to its optimal status. Note that this change does not actually restore any lost HP, it just resets the maximum, meaning you'll need to rest or heal afterward to enjoy the full benefits.

Leveling Up

Leveling is no longer accomplished at Bonfires. Instead, players visit a single woman who stands near a cliff and Bonfire in Majula. Players can Fast Travel at the begining of the game this time around. It's easy for players to return to this hub point and spend their souls to increase theirAttributes.

This lone woman also grants you an initial Estus Flask, and expands the capacity of Estus Flasks by integrating Estus shard fragments into the original flask. These flasks are still refilled via Bonfire. Later in the game, Estus Flasks can also be permanently improved at Bonfires by burning a consumable item, increasing the amount of HPO they recover in a single use.

Starting Classes

Dark Souls 2 includes eight starting classes, reduced from the ten available in the original Dark Souls. Two of these classes are brand new: The Explorer and the Swordsman.

The Wanderer, Thief, Pyromancer, and Hunter are no longer available as starting classes. Each class is specked and equipped differently to provide a player with a new starting challenge.

WARRIOR

Lives on the battlefield. High strength and dexterity. Starts with a sheild.

KNIGHT

A traveling knight. High vigor and adaptability. No shield to start.

SWORDSMAN

A swordsman that honed his skills. Fights well with a weapon in each hand. Starts with an upgraded scimitar and longsword. 

BANDIT

A ruthless bandit. High dexterity and can use a bow. Can react to both long range and short range threats. Best for players that want to start a dexterity build.

CLERIC

A cleric on pilgrimage. High faith. Has learned a healing miracle from the start.

SORCERER

A wise sorcerer. Can command sorcerey with high intelligence and attunement. Has learned soul arrow and is good at long ranged combat.

EXPLORER

An explorer traveling through many lands. Does not excel in any particular area, but comes equipped with many items, allowing them to fight advantageously from the beginning of the game.

DEPRIVED

A nude person with unknown background. Fights empty-handed. Starts at level 1 with all stats set to 6 and does not receive a starting weapon.

Timed Invasions

Visits to other characters' games are now limited by a timer. [1] Covenants still exist but have undergone some refinement.

Players will still have opportunities to both help or hinder those they visit.

Combat Changes

The AI is in some cases more aggressive. Targeting is refined, and back-stabs are significantly more difficult to land. Some enemies' weapons will embed in surfaces, requiring them to be dragged free and opening them up for counter-attack. [2]

Torches

Torches are now lit at Bonfires. They are a consumable item but may be lit without penalty.

Fast Travel

Fast Travel between Bonfires is now available from the beginning of the game. Players may travel at will between Bonfires without penalty, though doing so causes all enemies to respawn.

Physics

Ragdoll physics are now removed, replaced with much tighter body movement during wound animations and falling. [3]

Next

Map

Watch Dogs on Wii U not cancelled Reports confirm that the game is still available for preorder.

UPDATE 1/24/2014 12:00: Sources at the retailer GameStop in the US have clarified that the disappearance of Watch Dogs as a preorder option was caused by a computer error.

The game is now available for pre-order again the Italian GameStop site and should be available again in the US as well, putting the issue to rest.

The title of this article has been changed to reflect this updated information.

Update: Kotaku is now reporting that GameStop US is cancelling Wii U preorders of Watch Dogs.

A Ubisoft representative declined to comment on the matter when asked by GameSpot.

Original Story: GameStop Italy is said to have cancelled preorders for the Wii U version ofWatch Dogs.

Reported by Italian Nintendo site Wiitalia, a GameStop employee is reported to have said that Ubisoft had scrapped the version after the retailer previously phoned customers to tell them that their preorders would be withdrawn.

The site claims that Wii U hardware and software sales played some part in Ubisoft's and GameStop's decision. Last week Nintendo cut its sales projections for the Wii U by two thirds as part of its disappointing financials.

GameSpot has asked Ubisoft for clarification.

Ubisoft has said that Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will help bring "excitement" back to the games industry, and last week GameSpot editor Dan Hindes investigated what Watch Dogs could do to the open-world genre.

Watch Dogs, which was originally due to be released last November, is also scheduled to be released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 at some point between April and June 2014.

Watch Dogs-Multiplayer

Watch_Dogs will feature both online and co-op Multiplayer modes. Both will center around the single player campaign and the various hacking tools that are available.

Online Multiplayer

The announced multiplayer modes can be played while in the single player campaign. A player from around the world can enter your game to hack and upload a virus to you, or vice versa. If you can find the player somewhere in the city before they finish hacking, you can hack them back or kill them. Of course, the original hacker can defend themselves and kill you, too.

 

Other Multiplayer modes will be announced at a later date that feature more than two players.

Co-Op Tablet Multiplayer

The Co-Op Multiplayer will allow one player to play Watch Dogs on a console and one player on a tablet. Both Android and iOS are supported for tablet play. The player on the tablet can be use the tablet anywhere in the real world as long as it's connected to the internet, meaning it does not have to be connected to a console to play co-op. The tablet player will have an overhead view of the area the console player is currently at. They will be able to use hacking tools to help the console player escape police or help out with any other hacking needs.

 

Next

Achievements and Trophies

Previous

Walkthrough

Watch Dogs

Released	Platforms
Spring 2014, TBA (NA) Spring 2014, TBA (EU)	PlayStation 3 PlayStation 4 Xbox 360 Xbox One Wii U PC
Developer	Publisher
Ubisoft Montreal	Ubisoft
Official Sites
http://watchdogs.ubi.com // On Facebook // On Twitter

Announced at Ubisoft's E3 2012 Press Conference, Watch Dogs is an open-world urban survival game with a measure of tactical stealth action thrown into the mix.

From the game's official site:

Set in Chicago, where a central network of computers connects everyone and everything, Watch_Dogs explores the impact of technology within our society. Using the city as your weapon, you will embark on a personal mission to inflict your own brand of justice.

Chicago's overarching network is known as the Central Operating System (ctOS), and it controls almost all of the city's technology and information - including key data on all of the city's residents.

You play as Aiden Pearce, a brilliant hacker and former thug, whose criminal past led to a violent family tragedy. While seeking justice for those events, you'll monitor and hack those around you by manipulating theCtOS from the palm of your hand. You'll access omnipresent security cameras, download personal information to locate a target, control traffic lights and public transportation to stop the enemy... and more.

 

THE CITY IS OUR WEAPON

Watch_Dogs takes place in a fully simulated living city. Using Aiden's smartphone, you have real-time control over the city's infrastructure. Trap your enemy in a 30-car pileup, created by manipulating the traffic lights. Stop a train, and then board it to evade the authorities. Narrowly escape capture by quickly raising a drawbridge. Anything connected to the ctOS can become your weapon.

STREET JUSTICE

Living in inner city Chicago, where violence is often answered by violence, Aiden has learned how to take the fight to the streets. Deliver brutalizing blows with your baton, or experience electrifying shoot-outs with physics simulation that rivals anything in the shooter category. Throughout his journey, Aiden will take on his foes with more than 30 traditional weapons.

HIGH OCTANE DRIVING

Luckily, Aiden won't always need to traverse Chicago's streets on foot. Ubisoft Montreal has partnered with studios such as Ubisoft Reflections, the acclaimed team behind the award-winning Driver series, to provide a suite of vehicles bursting with horsepower. You'll get behind the wheel of more than 65 cars – each with state-of-the-art physics and handling – to explore Chicago's vast and intricate roadways.

 

DYNAMIC NAVIGATION

Not only does Watch_Dogs give you the ability to take advantage of the ctOS, it also allows you to explore the many layers of Chicago itself. Cut through buildings, scale rooftops, and explore the city's dangerous underground to catch your target.

E3 2013 Trailers

Fast and Furious' star Paul Walker dies in car crash

Actor Paul Walker, who gained fame as an undercover detective in the hugely successful “The Fast and the Furious” franchise, was killed Saturday in a car accident in Valencia, Calif. his representatives confirmed.

The single vehicle collision occurred about 3:30 p.m. local time. Authorities arrived to find a vehicle engulfed in flames. Two people in the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the collision is under investigation.

According to a statement on his Twitter account, Walker, 40, was attending a charity event to aid Filipino victims of Typhoon Haiyan for his organization Reach Out Worldwide, formed in 2010 as a quick response first-aid organization.

“It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide,” the statement read. “He was a passenger in a friend's car, in which both lost their lives. We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news.”

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Officials with the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said they were still at the scene and could not confirm the names of either victim.

Representatives with Universal Pictures confirmed Walker’s identity and released a statement:

“All of us at Universal are heartbroken. Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the FAST AND FURIOUS films, and to countless fans. We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul's family.

In the "Fast and Furious" pictures, the blond-haired, blue-eyed actor played Brian O'Conner, a law enforcement official.

The first movie in the series, which stars Vin Diesel, was released in 2001, and a seventh was in development at the time of his death, Universal, the studio behind the franchise, said in a statement. The most recent film, released in May, was one of this year's biggest box office hits.

"Brother I will miss you very much," Diesel said in a post on Instagram, adding "I am absolutely speechless. Heaven has gained a new Angel. Rest in Peace."

More tributes flowed on social media websites such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

"So sad. He gave a lot of joy," wrote James Franco, while model/actor Tyson Beckford posted "Tyson Beckford: RIP Paul Walker, loved working with you on "Into the Blue."

Television host Carson Daly said that he was "Sick about the tragic loss of #PaulWalker. I enjoyed our time together very much. Such a really nice guy," while actress Alyssa Milano, current host of "Project Runway All Stars," protested "No. No. No" before adding "Rest with the angels."

According to the IMDb.com movie website, Paul William Walker IV was born in Glendale, California, in 1973 and began acting at a very young age, appearing in many commercials.

He played Professor Bennet in the 1987 movie "Monster in the Closet" and starred in the television series "Throb," IMDb said.

Walker also made guest appearances on television shows, including "Charles in Charge" and "Who's the Boss?" and had a role in the soap opera, "The Young and the Restless."

Other film appearances include "Timeline," "Into the Blue," "The Lazarus Project" and "Hours," which is slated for release in December.

According to IMDb, Walker has a daughter named Meadow.

Carla Rivera of the Los Angeles Times contributed

Paul Walker Dies at 40 Walker has lost his life in a car accident.

Paul Walker has died in a car accident in Santa Clarita, California. The actor was 40.

A statement from his official Facebook page says Walker was attending a charity event when the accident happened. Both he and his friend who was driving lost their lives.

"It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide," the post reads. "He was a passenger in a friend's car, in which both lost their lives. We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news. Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time. We will do our best to keep you apprised on where to send condolences."

His official Twitter account also confirmed the news.

Since his rise to popularity in the late '90s, Walker appeared in a number of high profile Hollywood films, including Pleasantville, Varsity Blues and Flags of Our Fathers. But it is his role as Brian O'Connor in the Fast & the Furious for which he will be best remembered, having starred in a total of six films in Universal's high octane action franchise since 2001.  Walker's death will inevitably leave a massive hole in any subsequent installments.

Universal has released this statement: "All of us at Universal are heartbroken.  Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the FAST AND FURIOUS films, and to countless fans.  We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul's family."

Walker has a number of upcoming films on the release slate, including the suspense drama Hours, set to open later this month. Unfortunately, we will never see his anticipated interpretation of Agent 47 in the Hitman reboot, announced earlier this year.

Walker leaves behind a daughter, Meadow. He will be missed.

Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga: sisters in style

Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga both modelling turbans Photo: Rex

Attention seeking singers Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga had the pop star equivalent of a same dress disaster this weekend. Both ladies stepped out in their latest look-at-me accessory only to be trumped by the other. Gaga headed to Saturday Night Live rehearsals in nude panelled Atelier Versace and a glitzy black turban; Miley performed on The X Factor in metallic Marc Jacobs and a black turban with silver chain embellishment.

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Two turbans in one weekend? What are the chances?

READ: Lady Gaga and June Brown have a fashion love-in

Yet looking back, the poplets have been to-ing and fro-ing on the fashion front for a while. Remember the patent nude underwear that Miley modelled while grinding on Robin Thicke with a foam finger at the VMAs? Lady Gaga pulled a similar pale twin set out the bag for a performance on The X Factor just two months later. Gaga's bra was admittedly first adorned with two shells, but they swiftly fell off to reveal her in the nude.

Left: Miley Cyrus performing at the 2013 VMAs. Right: Lady Gaga singing on The X Factor in October 2013. PHOTOS: Rex

Nude lingerie sets perhaps aren't the usual pop star prescription, especially when one counts Marc Jacobs as a fashion mentor (Miley) and the other Donatella Versace (Gaga). But when both singers have already ticked off slashed dresses, fluro pops of colour, platforms, hot pants - you name it - one has to get inventive.

READ: Lady Gaga for Versace?

Proof that their sartorial similarity is not just on stage, the quirky songstresses both favour caps and plaid shirts as their downtime garments of choice. But as Gaga, real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, already has seven years, a flying dress andpotential campaign for Versace on Miley, the 20-year-old needs to up her style game.

Left: Miley Cyrus. Right: Lady Gaga. PHOTOS: Rex

BY ALICE NEWBOLD | 18 NOVEMBER 2013 telegraph.co.uk