Review: The Guild 2: Renaissance

Platform: PC

Developer: RuneCraft

Publisher: DreamCatcher

# of Players: 1 (2 - 4 online)

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: B-

As deep as the ocean and surprisingly addictive once you get into the intentionally slow pacing, The Guild 2: Renaissance is an intriguing mix of RTS, RPG and simulation gaming that's definitely not for the casual gamer. In fact, heavy experience with The Guild 2 is highly recommended, as this latest expansion lacks a tutorial mode (despite the manual stating there's one available, D'oh!). Once you get past that mind-boggling hurdle (the JoWood forums and YouTube are great helps, by the way), the game becomes a bit hard to stop playing as you guide your character's destiny in any way you choose. The amount of content and things to do here are staggering and despite the occasional bug, the game can really grow on you.

ArcaniA - Gothic 4 PC Demo Now Available

With ArcaniA - Gothic 4 set to hit retail on October 12, 2010, JoWooD, DreamCatcher and BVT have released a PC demo version of the game, currently available here and here. Details of what's in that demo below:

ArcaniA - Gothic 4 to Get SecuROM Protection (No DRM!)

I'm actually pleased by this latest ArcaniA news, as I've never had any major issues with SecuROM protection in the past. The most pesky thing in past PC titles I've installed has been the occasional multi-disc game where the security code was printed ON the disc that was supposed to have the code entered manually (kind of impossible to do with the game in the DVD drive!) or cases where a manual said to insert Disc 2 or 3 when it should have been Disc 1 or 4.

Anyway, No silly DRM issues and a one-time online registration means more folks can actually play the game and enjoy it without having to get cranky about being connected ALL the time. POW! Take THAT, you certain other publishers punishing consumers while making the pirates chuckle at your weak sauce attempts to stop them.*

ArcaniA - Gothic 4 hits stores on October 12, 2010 for Xbox 360 and PC. The PlayStation 3 version currently has no release date, but we'll update that as development continues.

(*No, I don't condone ANY sort of stealing of games, folks, BUT, I do hate the means in which major publishers kick honest gamers in the head with Draconian methods, grrrrr...)

DreamCatcher Reveals Arcania - Gothic 4 Demo Date + Pre-Order PC Version Discounts

Well alright - I've been waiting for news on a Gothic 4 demo and here it is. Two hour PC and Xbox 360 trial versions will launch on September 24 in advance of the game's October 12, 2010 release date. Between the incredible looking Arcania and a certain other European-style RPG (Two Worlds II), I'm going to be in RPG nirvana. The Gothic series has always been great for plenty of challenging open-world thrills and quests galore (and hell, I liked the original Two Worlds, warts and all).

Anyway, press release and links below - click away!

Gallery: ArcaniA: Gothic 4

Here's a look at a few screens as well as PC and console cover art for DreamCatcher's upcoming RPG, ArcaniA: Gothic 4. I'm definitely keeping an eye peeled for this one, as the long running Gothic series is, warts and all one that keeps getting more impressive with each installment.

Sherlock Holmes vs Jack The Ripper To Stalk 360 in April

Looks as if the adventure game on home consoles isn't quite dead after all. Thanks to Dreamcatcher and The Adventure Company, Xbox 360 owners will get their hands on Frogware's Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper on April 20, 2010 for a mere $29.99.

The game is a port of the 2009 PC version (which garnered pretty decent reviews overall) and features first and switchable first and third-person perspectives, detailed environments based on actual locations around London and more investigating than you can shake a walking stick at. Here's a quick peek at a few screens as well as a little bit of info on what to expect in the final version:

Game Overview:

A horrible series of crimes are uncovered in the East End district of London. The police have no serious leads and the heinous murders continue. Take on the role of Sherlock Holmes as you set out to find clues in the dark, gloomy streets of London searching for the macabre trail of the one known as Jack the Ripper.

During this terrifying adventure, Sherlock will attempt to shed some light on the mystery that shrouds the identity and motive of the ghastly killer

Sure, the game has no explosions, DLC, multiplayer modes or fast-paced action sequences that might cause you to break an controller into bits. Nevertheless, anyone who craves a more brain-twisting set of puzzles and a well-scripted mystery that combines Arthur C. Doyle's classic crime cracker and one of history's most memorable real-life murderers will be more than pleased, particularly if the 360 version is as well done as the original. We'll be keeping an eye on this one for sure.