TheCity

Author: Victoria Tiernan

  • Have a holly jolly #GamesMas

    Have a holly jolly #GamesMas

    Christmas should be a time for casual idleness on the couch, where vigorous action requires little more than a stern digit on the R2 button. Here are three games that our readers will be playing this holiday season.

    Far Cry 4


    This year, jump into virtual action in Kyrat, a region perilously perched upon the Himalayas and ruled by a deranged king with an unhealthy interest in your recently deceased mother.

    Where the Far Cry series has previously excelled, the fourth installation sneers dominantly. The game is ruthless; voluminous side-quests and tangential missions exist with the sole purpose of luring the player away from the main story.

    “Far Cry 3 was a stellar roaming game,” says DJ Campbell (21). Although he hasn’t played the fourth title in the series yet, DJ is looking forward to taking a blood splattered selfie with Kyrat’s leader Pagan Ming.

    “The third game was a massive jump up from the second,” DJ said. “If this game is in any way like the third one I will be happy, but obviously I am hoping that it is going to be better.”

    Cast as both the hero and target, the main protagonist Ajay Ghale, travels to Kyrat to realise a promise made to his mother on her death bed to return her ashes to her home country. The latest instalment in the series creates an even headier and immersive environment and just like Far Cry 3, there’s something lethal lurking around every corner.

    Kingdom Hearts HD II.5 ReMIX

    Released just in time for the Holidays, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix is a re-mastered compilation of Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix and Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix. The games, which had previously been exclusive to Japan, are now available for the first time across Europe.

    Re-mastered cinematic cuts from the Nintendo DS title Kingdom Hearts Re:coded will also be included in the compilation for Playstation 3.

    The Kingdom Heart series heaves elements from the Final Fantasy titles and fuses them with the world of Disney. Sounding like both an uplifting and ridiculous basis for a game, this imaginative JRPG has long polarised players.

    For Aaron Corentin (22) it’s this combination that he finds appealing about the games: “It combines three of my favourite things; Disney, games and the Final Fantasy Series.”

    Aaron says that the 2.5 ReMix has been his most anticipated game of 2014, as he has long been an enthusiast “I’ve been a major fan since 2003.”
    Controllers

    Jak and Daxter

    ‘Tis the season for nostalgia and while everyone else is watching Miracle on 34th Street for the 34th time, many gamers are sitting down to review their favourite titles.

    “I’ve always been a fan of platform games,” says Cian Cowley (22), “like Spyro, Crash, Sly Racoon and Ratchet and Clank.”

    Cian expects to be playing Jak 3 by the time Christmas rolls round; once he tires of GTA: San Andreas of course. The first Jak title was released in 2001 and the series has featured a consistent story-based platform showcasing a healthy mix of action, racing and puzzle solving.

    Jak 3 represents the pinnacle of the series to many, having received unholy support when it was released back in 2004.

    “I was about 12 when the Playstation 2 first came out” he said, “…so it has a bit of nostalgia.”

    Write to us at @TheCity_Dublin and let us know what games your going to be playing this #GamesMas! 

     

  • Largest group in favour of equal marriage not registered to vote

    National organisation for LGBT in Ireland, BeLong To has launched an online campaign to urge young people to register to vote.

    The move coincides with the YES EQUALITY voter registration drive ahead of the Civil Marriage Equality Referendum that is set to take place in spring 2015.

    Recent polls indicate that young Irish people are the largest group in favour of constitutional change, with some 88% of 18-25 year old’s claiming that they would vote in favour of equal marriage.

    “Young people are the biggest supporters but not great in terms of being registered,” says Dale McDermott, President of Young Fine Gael.

    The statistics on youth voter registration show that over one third of people within this age bracket are not currently registered to vote.

    “Irish young people have always been agents for progressive change and today we are reaching out to all young adults aged 18-25 to say – this is your opportunity to create the society you want – this is your generation’s decision” said Michael Barron, Founding Director of BeLonG To.

    “We know that Ireland is ready for this change and that Irish young people really want a fair and equal society” He added.

    The Draft Electoral Register for 2015 has been published and it is possible to change details on this up until the 25th of November by using an RFA1 form.

    The chairperson of BeLong To, Anna Quigley, also acknowledges the ‘pivotal role’ that young people are to play in the upcoming referendum but recognises the necessity of youth voter registration.

    “Despite extremely positive polling results indicating a potential positive outcome in the referendum, we cannot be complacent” she says.

    “Our work starts here and now by ensuring that every young person is registered to vote next spring, without them we cannot win.”

    Recent polls also indicate that the 65+ group are less likely to support equal marriage with just 38% indicating that they would vote in favour of constitutional change.

    “The ultimate goal is to convince the higher age brackets. [Those who are] 25 and up are who we need to tackle in order to win” says McDermott. “When we can explain the issue and our reasons for why we just want equality – I think we can convince them!”

    Video and Images courtesy of BeLong To

  • Ubisoft not commenting on speculation about a port of Rogue

    Ubisoft not commenting on speculation about a port of Rogue


    Much focus, not all positive, has been placed on Ubisofts next-gen addition to the epic Assassin’s Creed series. But, the unique plotline behind Assassin’s Creed Rogue has many next-gen gamers wondering if there will be a port of the title to the new platforms.

    While Assassin’s Creed Unity is set in Paris on the eve of the French Revolution, Rogue reels the player into 1751 North America. Rooted in the midst of the French and Indian war, the main protagonist offers a revolutionary appeal that sets, Shay Patrick Cormac, apart from his predecessors; he is an Assassin Hunter.

    Following a grave mission that goes wretchedly wrong, Shay is betrayed by the Assassins who, surprise surprise, seek to end his life. Thwarted by his fellow brethren, Shay strikes up a mission to slay all those who deceived him.

    Rogue offers a radical new experience to face the Assassin’s Creed universe from the perspective of a Templar. The move comes at a crucial phase in the series lifespan, as many begin to question the longevity of the Creed titles.

    The dual nature of Shay’s character means that the player can utilise not only the deadly skills of the Master Assassin, but also those of the enemy.  Never seen before weapons and skills such as Shay’s lethal air rifle may be equipped for both short and long range combat and an enhanced eagle vision can be used to spot hidden Assassins in crowds.

    Rogue also boasts a diverse open world for exploration where three distinctive environments can be explored; including New York City which has been fully recreated as it existed in the 18th century.

    The expansive Naval Playground that is the North Atlantic Ocean will provide a showcase for the games newly improved Naval Gameplay. Rogues builds on the award winning naval experience of Black Flag IV and will feature new enemy tactics and weapons such as a Puckle gun.

    Whilst it is unknown if anything could ever bring down the Assassins series, Ubisoft has made one thing clear; Shay Patrick Cormac could bring down the Assassins.

    Assassins Creed: Rogue is out November 14.
    Images and Video Content courtesy of Ubisoft and assassinscreeduk

  • 25th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

    25th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

    Madness Graffiti
    This week marks the 25th Anniversary of the fall of The Berlin wall, which has come to symbolise the end of The Cold War in 1989.

    The wall, which was built in 1961, acted as a barrier to prevent people escaping from the Soviet sector of the city into West Berlin.

    President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has said that the unification of Germany became a catalyst for European unity.

    “The fall of the Berlin wall enabled new bridges to be built between people,” President Juncker said. “Today, as President of the European Commission, I see it as my task to repair the cracks in these bridges that appeared after the worst financial and economic crisis since World War II.”

    These cracked bridges are evident in the Irish public opinion, where there has been a fall in support for the European project.

    Statistical data drawn from the Eurobarometer shows that, at present, only 35% of the public would tend to trust the European Commission, falling from 60% in 2006.Whilst 44% of the Irish public now claims that they do not trust the European Parliament.

    “Europe must once again become a thing of the heart. It was with passion and courage that the people tore down that which divided them, in search of peace, freedom, unity, democracy and prosperity,” says President Juncker.

    In the wake of the European Financial Crisis, it appears that walls have been erected that are built of public discontent. Two decades on from the wall, European faces another period of unification.

    “We are the Europe of the last chance. We have to seize that chance and give Europe’s citizens the new start they are expecting of us.”

  • Inquisition helps Dragon Age back to its Origins

    Inquisition helps Dragon Age back to its Origins

    It’s reasonable to assume one of the most popular Internet searches of 2012 may have been ‘games similar to Elder Scrolls: Skyrim.’ Moving on became a must when predicting the next load screen was more entertaining than slaying an Elder Dragon with little but a Cheese Wheel; but where to move on to?

    Of course, Dragon Age II emerges as one of the top results for similar games. Yet, the lackluster second installment in the series compares about as flawlessly as an Argonian to a Dunmer.

    Whilst it is unintelligible to compare two games so crudely, the release of Dragon Age: Inquisition draws ever closer, and BioWare’s inspiration has allegedly been drawn from the revolutionary 2011 fantasy epic.

    Speaking to Wired.com, Ray Muzyka (BioWare co-founder), confirmed Bethesda’s influence over the upcoming game by revealing that designers were “checking out aggressively” games such as Elder Scrolls: Skyrim.

    One of the most woeful weaknesses of Dragon Age II was the inability to choose between multiple character races. Fans slammed BioWare’s new direction as they were cast into the body of the blandly human, Hawke.

    Wisely so, DA: Inquisition harks back to its origins by enabling the player to select from four race sets. Intriguingly, Bioware has proclaimed that the Qunari will be added as a playable race. It should prove interesting to see how they have resolved the question as to why a Qunari would become an Inquisitor.

    Among other things, DA: Inquisition marks the return of the tactical camera. This will be particularly cherished by heightening tactical capabilities during heated battles as the player is able to pause the action and micromanage their party members with the enemy’s information in mind.

    Although developers appear weary of tagging the game with ‘open-world’, it presents expansive landscapes and a new level of immersion that was impossible with previous titles. Inquisition centers on freedom for the player – but not enough to get lost in, the tight storyline that is typical of BioWare should wrap everything together nicely.

    Whilst the influence of Elder Scrolls: Skyrim cannot be denied, to accuse BioWare of rehashing the ideals achieved by Bethesda would be naïve. Rather, Inquisition has imbibed the knowledge of the fantasy role-playing criteria set by its rival and primed to surpass them.

    Perhaps the New Year may embark a new quest for gamers to find a title similar to Inquisition – and we might just end up back in Helgen.

    Dragon Age: Inquisition will be released November 21.
    Video and Images courtesy of EA games. 

    Dragon Age: Inquisition Screen courtesy of EA
    Dragon Age: Inquisition Screen courtesy of EA
    Dragon Age: Inquisition Screen courtesy of EA
    Dragon Age: Inquisition Screen courtesy of EA
    Dragon Age: Inquisition Screen courtesy of EA
    Dragon Age: Inquisition Screen courtesy of EA
    Dragon Age: Inquisition Screen courtesy of EA
    Dragon Age: Inquisition Screen courtesy of EA
    Dragon Age: Inquisition Screen courtesy of EA
  • Watch: What do people in Dublin know about their city?

    Watch: What do people in Dublin know about their city?

    TheCity.ie took to the streets to find out what people in Dublin knew about their capital city – watch the video to hear the results. 

  • 26th Anniversary of National Coming Out Day

    26th Anniversary of National Coming Out Day

    Rainbow Flag

    October 11th marks the 26th anniversary of National Coming Out Day (NCOD), a globally recognised civil rights initiative aiming to help people open up about their sexuality.

    A number of public figures in Ireland have supported the campaign, including gay rights activist Rory O’Neill, better known as Panti Bliss.

    “Coming out is the single most important thing that any gay person can do to advance equality for gay people,” Rory says.

    “Ireland has made huge strides in the acceptance of LGBT people in the last thirty years and that’s because gay people came out and started living their lives openly,” he said. “It’s very much harder to hold on to prejudice against LGBT people when you actually know them, when they are your brother, your neighbour, your friend, your doctor, your mechanic or your co-worker.”

    In the past few years, more public figures and celebrities have been embracing their sexuality and publicly coming out as members of the LGBT community. Mr O’Neill believes this is important for increasing visibility of gay and lesbian people.

    “The increased visibility of open, happy gay people, comfortable in their own skin and without shame, has arguably been the most important and effective change in the campaign for equality, and public figures play a big role in that,” he said.

    “When I was growing up in a small town in 70s Ireland there were no gay role models. I wasn’t even sure gay people really existed outside of schoolyard jokes! Turning on the TV and seeing Brendan Courtney being normal and happy and not the butt of jokes would have been immense for me then.”

    Natasha Twamley (21), a member of Dundalk Outcomers, agrees on the significance of LGBT members in the public eye.

    “A lot of celebrities are role models for young people and if they can confidently come out and say who they are, it shows young people that regardless of whether they are gay, bisexual, lesbian or transsexual, it’s nothing to be ashamed of and they are not on their own,” she says.

    Tasha came out when she was 16 yet it came as little surprise to her friends and family; “They weren’t shocked at all. When I finally told my mother, she said ‘you’re still my daughter and it’s no big deal, if you’re happy then I am happy.’”

    For Ms Twamley, coming out was a big weight lifted off her shoulders and family members such of her father were proud of her for doing so.

    “I would recommend anyone coming out to do it face to face,” she says, “and having support groups behind you can help greatly.”