QTE Impressions – Free Realms – PC

Free Realms is a MMO for the PC, and later the PS3. It had a very short Beta test over the last few weeks, and whilst I didn't play it extensively, I feel I can write some valid impressions. The game is set for release from Tomorrow for free, or you can pay a small monthly subscription to get new jobs, items and more.

For the PC, Free Realms is basically a Browser game. Because of this, certain restrictions will apply to the game. It's not a graphical power house, but it never looks compromised by this. The game has a very unique, approachable style to the Free Realms Universe that suits the game play and how it plays. It can look a bit sparse and the textures may all the look the same in an area, but this is not critical to the game, right from the off it shows how it's more Style than Graphics.

The gameplay is very simple. It helps you a lot in the beginning, with the option for the user to ask for it when it “takes the training wheels off”. Its very similar to many MMO's in that you get quests from people, Do the quests, get rewards. What it does to distinguish itself from others is by making some of the quests into mini games. These can be very simple, and easy to do, but if you want to put effort into perfecting them, you get a greater reward from it.

The game is obviously aimed at a younger audience, my first MMO for example, but there is enough depth for people who want to take it more seriously. The choice of character is limited, the customisation ok. What sets it apart is the jobs. There are the traditional MMO jobs, but then there are some pretty unique jobs like a Postman, Racer and Cook. The game cleverly integrates them into the Free Realms Universe, giving them appropriate quests vastly different from other classes.

Thinking of how it could be a PS3 game, you have to think that it'll be a PSN game. Still no word on its release though. With it releasing so close to the Beta, I would personally wait a week or two before signing in. I personally had a few issues with bugs, but that is to be expected with Betas.

This was one of the games i was playing that i could not talk about. the reason for being so vague in the article is because it is still not out, and all current talk of it has been vague. at present i can't talk about the other game i'm playing but look out for impressions when i can.

Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest)

• 360: Battle Field Bad Company 2 has gone from 24 players online to now 40! http://tinyurl.com/dfygvv

• PS3: New Pain expansion detailed, adds two new environments, new modes and new trophies. http://tinyurl.com/cwuxdk

• Prototype Developers are rumored to be making the next Spiderman game. http://tinyurl.com/dgepmh

• PS3: Alpha Zone 2 has been found in Home. not much is known apart from it wasn't hacked (like Alpha Zone 1 was) http://tinyurl.com/d6r2m5

• 360:Street Fighter IV "Power Up Pack" DLC is now online. the free pack weighs in at 16mb and brings new features. http://tinyurl.com/cp5vu4

What Have You Played This Week?

Well this week it's been a mixed bag of games. Killzone 2 took a lot of my time, trying to get badges, whilst one of the unknown games started to take more and more of my gaming time.

Killzone 2 – PS3 – i'm trying to get the player type badges. Got all apart from the Air Support, which is far too hard to get (espescially when others are stuck trying to get it when you are) and the C4, which has taken longer for me to work out how best to use it.

Football Manager 09 – PC – got promoted to league 1. wish this was on the ps3, I bet it would run faster. The more years you play, the slower it gets.

Little Big Planet – PS3 – I like going back to this game, playing some of the user levels, and again not disappointed. I played a level called Sci Fi II which was soo impressive. Can't wait to see what the PSP version offers.

Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core – PSP – done a load of mini quests, I really like that aspect of this game, being able to finish it without doing the mini quests but if you do if gives you more to work with within the game.

Ico – PS2 – I had a demo of this game and loved it. This is my current rented game, and even after playing Shadow Of The Colossus, i'm still blown away but the developers. The art style, so simple yet so effective. The gameplay makes the game soo easy to play, but with so much unknown, you really feel part of the story.

? - ? - I can't say what this one is. When I can i'll write about it in depth, but for now I can't. It's pretty good so far. Maybe a little simple, but in a way it makes it a more casual experience which could work in favour of the game (when you look at it's competition)

? - ? Another game I can't talk about. All i'll say is it's fun, good to look at, controls so simply and is non stop! When I can, i'll try to write up about it.

Feel free to comment on anything i've played and what you yourself has played over the last week.

Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest)

• Driver:The Recruit has been trademarked by Atari. The BBC reported last year that a Driver game was int he works. http://tinyurl.com/co47jh

• Wii:it looks like Nintendo are checking Wii's, sent to them for repair,for homebrew activity and penalizing users http://tinyurl.com/cfaqum

• 360: Fallout 3 DLC, The Pitt and Operation Anchorage, is set for a Disc Release. http://tinyurl.com/dam3ob

• Wii: the contents of the Limited Edition of The Conduit include, 24 page art book, multiplayer skin and more http://tinyurl.com/c6wcot

• Possible pictures from Aliens Vs Predator 3 have emerged. http://tinyurl.com/cp9m69

• 360: Gears Of War 2 set for a forth title update. http://tinyurl.com/c4mxxd

• PS3: was there a super secret Sony event in Seattle....and was there some mega announcement? this guy think so. http://tinyurl.com/ccfmca

• 360: Silver members will be given gold status from May 1st to May 4th. tournaments and more are planned for this. http://tinyurl.com/cnkj3u

Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest)

• PS3: Final Fantasy XIII Demo sees sales of PS3 increase by 45,826 units in just 1 week. http://tinyurl.com/d4yuob

• PS3: It looks like the inFamous, Uncharted 2 announcement will be Preorder inFamous and get into Uncharted 2 beta http://tinyurl.com/cnl7aa

• It's rumored that the Joker will be a DLC for Batman Arkham Asylum, not a PS3 exclusive as first thought. http://tinyurl.com/ceob5h

• PS3: Killzone 2 sells 20k on day one in Japan. looks set to beat resistance 2's 33k first week sells. http://tinyurl.com/cwnxlr

• 360: IGN has videos of Star Trek D.A.C. http://tinyurl.com/c7xeg2

Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest)

• Wii: a new Video channel is going live May 1st in Japan. offers cartoons and programs. able to rate the shows http://tinyurl.com/cv7mn4

• 360: a event in japan showcased loads of new titles for the 360, in Japan. hit the link for a montage of them. http://tinyurl.com/d8pb73

• Iphone: MGS Touch finally finished. head to Itunes or use Wifi to upgrade or buy the game. http://tinyurl.com/c4xb8x

• QTE Blog: UK PSN Update 23/04/09 http://twurl.nl/bc8uz5

• 360: New motion sensing fishing rod controller detailed as well as new fishing game, "The Strike" http://tinyurl.com/d8d9uq

• Codemasters announce that F1 racing 2009 won't hit HD consoles this year. PSP and Wii versions set for this year. http://tinyurl.com/dko28x

• PS3: EA Sports Complex has been opened in Home. Mini Games, teasers, trailers and Poker are now live. http://tinyurl.com/dlbbgr

• PS3: New Home items detailed. Disgaea Lounge, Street Fighter IV avatar items and game launching plus more. http://tinyurl.com/cy22c612 minutes ago from AlertThingy

• PS3: Star Ocean - The Last Hope is rumored to have lost it's 360 exclusivity after a shows a PS3 version. http://tinyurl.com/d37dyu

• PS3: Star Trek Uniforms are now Available in Home for Free.

• It is rumored that Activison are working on a Transformers game based on a animated series. http://tinyurl.com/dk3amv

• 360: New screens and news on Star Trek D.A.C. $10, play as either Starfleet or Romulans, 3 game modes, and more http://tinyurl.com/dn5pan

• PS3: A advert in Home shows that you can play as the Joker in Batman - Arkham Asylum http://tinyurl.com/dkov6l

• More Final Fantasy XIII details emerge. hit the link for how the game differs from the Demo, at least 18 ways! http://tinyurl.com/d5sbfb

• PC: Peggle is being released as a Add on For World of Warcraft. http://tinyurl.com/cprt2k

• PS3: There's is going to be a "Electrifying announcement" made on April 27th. may involve Uncharted 2 + inFamous. http://tinyurl.com/cydrhd

• PS3: Noby Noby Boy Multiplayer and Video detailed. if Player 1 eats Player 2's rear, they both control Boy http://tinyurl.com/d8k4t9

• Bayonetta has been given a M rating, ESRB gave Violence, torture attacks, suggestive themes and language and more http://tinyurl.com/dz95kz

UK PSN Update 23/04/09

The Sale is Over now, hope you all got something nice. sorry for the late posting this week.

PS3 Games
Tom Clancys's H.A.W.X – European Assault Pack [£3.99]
WWE Smakcdown Vs Raw 2009 – Roster Update 2 [Free]
WWE Smakcdown Vs Raw 2009 – Roster Update 3 [Free]
Saints Row 2 – Ultor Exposed [£6.29]
Midnight Club Los Angeles: South Central Vehicle Pack 2 [£2.39]
Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom - Booster Pack [£3.19]
Little Big Planet – Heavenly Sword Level Kit [£2.39]
Little Big planet – Creator Pack 1 [Free]
The Godfather II – Pentangeli Map Pack [£4.79]
The Godfather II – Level 4 Firearms [£3.19]
The Godfather II – Jack Of All Trades [£3.19]
The Godfather II – The Corleone Bundle [£6.29]
Penny Arcade: On Th Rain Slick Precipice Of Darkness Episode 2 [£7.99]

Demo's
UFC 2009 Undisputed
Red Faction: Guerrilla

Guitar Hero - World Tour
Motörhead Track Pack [£4.39]
“Iron Fist” by Motörhead [£1.59]
“Jailbait” by Motörhead [£1.59]
“Love Me Like A Reptile” by Motörhead [£1.59]

Rock Band
Hautewerk Pack 1 [£2.49]
“Alone In My Head” by Hautewerk [£0.99]
“I Know Where You Came From” by Hautewerk [£0.99]
“Stop Start Again” by Hautewerk [£0.99]
Reo Speedwagon/Stix Pack 1 [£4.99]
“Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)” by Stix [£0.99]
“Renegade” by Stix [£0.99]
“Too Much Time On My Hands” By Stix [£0.99]
“Can't Stop Rockin'” by REO Speedwagon [£0.99]
“Ridin' The Storm Out” by REO Speedwagon [£0.99]
“Roll With The Changes” by REO Speedwagon [£0.99]
Take It On The Run” by REO Speedwagon [£0.99]

Videos
PixelJunk Eden Encore Trailer
Bayonetta Story Trailer
Infamous – Beauty Of Power Trailer
Battlefield 1943 Announcement Trailer.

Wallpaper
PixleJunk Eden Encore Pink Wallpaper

Theme
PixleJunk Eden Encore Pink

PS1 Classic
Future Cop: L.A.P.D [£3.99]
Championship Bass [£3.99]

PSP
Need For Speed: Pro Street [£17.99]
Chessmaster: The Art Of Learning [£15.99]
Exit [£11.99]