Hands on: Alan Wake

          

                                                                    

                                                                              Departure
                                                                                    by
                                                                              Alan Wake

The man turned to face me. His face was covered in shadows. It was hard to make him out in the darkness of the forest that surrounded us, but the axe he lifted was plain to see. It glistened with the blood of his victim.

He grinned madly. The shadows were alive, distorting his features.

It was a scene form a nightmare, but I was awake.

Remedy has given us great titles trough the years and best sellers such as Max Payne, it would be really hard to top game like that but Remedy does not disappoint with their new title Alan Wake.

Alan Wake takes place in the town of Bright Falls after the writer Alan Wake decides to escape of all the stress of his artist life and have a nice vacation with his wife and forget about everything. Many people that have played the game already like to discuss what are the reasons that take Alan to have such an abrupt encounter with darkness, perhaps everything is happening on his head or the town has a darker nature like Silent Hill. My bet is the former but story wise, you would have to play the game yourself and add to the many theories of what is going on in Bright Falls. 

The Graphics are photo realistic doing a great job with the surroundings and giving us a gorgeous use of the draw distance, is a bit linear but it gives us an illusion of freedom by the size of the levels which are made with much care, the combat system  is sometimes clunky but well made for this types of games, the only thing that i think is missing is a close range attack like a knife or blunt weapon of some sort. The adrenaline sure will be pumping when you are surrounded by taken and there is no light close, the sound adds to the experience and the dynamic lighting makes it even better.

Overall Alan Wake is a great game that will make you have some uneasy moments, with a great soundtrack and style, is a must have, and if you find out what the hell is happening on Bright Falls please don't be afraid to post and explain.

Expect a 2nd part with more pages of Departure and the discussion on what everything means.

Buy me these please....

Takashi Murakami custom Nike's

Fable 3 Coming Oct. 26!

Pre-order from Lionhead Studios and you get to design and write the back story of a villager!
Also check out this sick limited Fable 3 controller: (Available Oct.6th)

Changing the game: Mass Effect and the evolving world of Action RPG's

Welcome to Mass Effect, one of the most epic and player driven game series ever made. By player driven I mean that YOU the player drive the story line, constantly choosing between good and evil on your surreal futuristic journey to seal the fate of the universe. ME is a ground breaking and elegant series from BioWare, 1st released in 2007 for XBOX 360. This free roaming action rpg now boasts two titles with a third in the works. Both games so far combined classic rpg elements, (such as leveling up, stat building, choosing your own responses in conversations, free roaming around the galaxy, and completing tasks in any order you see fit.) with solid action and 1st person shooter dynamics, crossing them into a complete package which will set the bar for many games to come.



ME allows you to build proficiency in many aspects of combat and espionage manually by spending points in the desired field. You also choose your course of action and responses as either the hero paragon, or the rash rebel renegade. So depending on your combat specs and your good / evil ratio, two players who both finish the game might have completely different experiences.

The crown jewel of this game is the extra tight combat controls paired with a story line worthy of a Hollywood Blockbuster. Without giving away any plot points, this story can hold up with some of the greatest sci-fi movies and books of all time.




How you choose to respond in conversation will have a huge impact on the story with many possible outcomes. All dialogue is well written and performed by voice over artists giving a smooth and realistic feel.




ME's production design is also amazing. Wherever you go is visually stunning, with an intelligent and futurey kind of feel. I'm always amazed when I step into an elevator on the Citadel (The political capital of the Milky Way) and the galactic news comes on, reporting various happenings around the galaxy. In these moments you really feel like your immersed in an incredible story.




There are many side quests apart from the main story line, and the opportunity to build relationships and romances with a variety of species. Adding decorations and pets to the private quarters aboard your ship is also a nice touch.

All in all this is an excellent series. I would highly recommend buying both the first two games so you get the story from the beginning. Also keep your save files as they carry over to the next game. Be aware that the choices you make effect the plot of future games in the series. I hope you're all looking forward to Mass Effect 3 as much as I am!    

Good ol' school

Back in the day, 40s 50s 60s that is, we had a really naive way of viewing things, if you dont believe me, go ahead and ask your grandmother (if still alive) how she lost her virginity (great grandmother for the younger crowd), she will describe that shit so perfectly, because it was like getting a new console on xmas morning. Now, you have to take in count that they thought having sex before marriage would turn you in a whore and masturbating would make you have a deadly heart attack, also political point of view, racism, and ma favorite. marketing, advertisement, I luuurve advertisement, and old school one is fucking hallarious.

                                      Ya!! now I can pleasure my husband and mown the lawn!!

                                              
                                                 Epic beauty product!!! and for babies too!!

                    EpicPwn does not approve nor condemn child smoking, though we think is fucking badass!!

                  They are talking about the girl cuz the first best shape is the boot, get it?....awwwe forget it!!

                                Another Epic beauty product, this ad is not racist at all tho...srly....is not.

                                                    ...................I swear...is..not...that bad.

                    

                                              

                   Because in Mars you need to hear radio 24/7 and be protected from the sun!!! Brilliant!!

                                                 

                                Yes!! as easy as opening a box of matches and as fast as smoking a cig!!

                                                      

                                                       Come Over.............for Coke......Fuck Yea!!

One more reason why Family Guy Pwns.....Right in the Smurfing parking lot!

The most anticipated game ever, from the undeniably best series of all time: Final Fantasy 14 Online

Next Gen Music Games....use real guitars!

Hail to the King baby!!

As we all know "The Duke" is alive and well, it was announce in the 2010 PAX and to celebrate, all of our favorite video game heroes are now The Duke... Hail to the King baby!!!

The secret world

while ago I was lurking the internets in search of epicness and stumbled upon a really interesting video. A gorgeous girl with headphones (I love headphones) opens a door into what seems to be her apartment, does the arriving home ritual, you know putting the keys on that lil ceramic pot that you have next to the door and hanging your coat and what not, later she approaches to the fridge and stars enjoying a milkshake, turns around, and OH mY Fraking God what Is THat!!!?.

The Secret World is a MMOARPG (the A stands for action) developed by Funcom and it takes place in the real world, thats right in this same era , not an alternate universe, you create your hero and set on an adventure fighting evil that is emerging, the monster that you see in the actual cover look awfully similar to the monster in "Call of Cthulhu" and thats gotta be a good sign.

Putting aside our old friend Cthulhu, I have to say that The Secret World seems like a interesting game to look into. Funcom kept teasing us with another couple of trailers and the message "Dark days are coming" and then finally showing some gameplay and i have to say that they didn't disappoint. For a Massive Multiplayer Game, The Secret World seems to offer a lot and I hope is a new fresh breeze of air into the already exploited MMORPG genre.

Turn it to 11...

Do you ever listen to music to "escape"?  Music's effect on living things is not only under-rated, but pretty much ignored. Music can easily warp the laws of physics, manipulating space and time, for the benefit of the listener. In situations of pain, boredom, annoyance, or ill-content, hearing your favorite song can take you instantaneously to a different place or time. When the familiar sounds reach our ears, it becomes easier to deal with the many daily obstacles we face. Music is instinctual, as humans, as members of the universe, the need for music is encoded into our DNA. Some people don't realize this, they spend many hours being miserable and not knowing why. They yell and scream to turn off or turn down the very thing that can help them. If music EVER seems "too loud", it is only because the universe is going out of it's way to let you hear something essential to your survival or happiness. Don't let this attempt be in vain. It might seem that it is only some idiot playing some song you hate. But the universe speaks through karma and through other people. So listen to that annoying song thats "too loud", listen like your life depends on it. Find inspiration, identify with it in some way. When we are older, and time is a commodity, we will remember the people who tried so hard to make us listen, to share art and music, and expose us to new things. These are the true revolutionaries. Find them, be them. Be a person who turns the music up.               -gn

Takashi Murakami

[IMG]http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa405/matthewdobson79/gerotan.jpg[/IMG]


Incredible Japanese pop art sensation Takashi Murakami.

WHY WE GAME "An escapists manifesto"

      In a world of capitalism most are required to work in order to have any quality of life. Monotonous routines dictate our existence. Is it that crazy that some of us turn to video games for a few precious moments of fun? When we grind 60 hours a week to pay rent there is often a need to escape the dullness and repetition somehow. Perhaps drowning ones self with alcohol or using drugs? Maybe relaxing with a good movie? Or maybe meeting a few real friends and saving the galaxy from an inter-dimensional monster.

     Games, MMO's (Massively Multiplayer Online) specifically, are an apex of technology and art in its most evolved form, merged together into a fantastic and magical medium in which one can experience the impossible. Video games are the most social and intellectual digital art form. More then a movie or a book, games tell a story. Unlike other forms of media you are actually a contributing factor to the story, and the heroic protagonist. These games bring all art forms into one complete experience, and allow us to enjoy them with our friends, free from the restrictions of distance, time zones, and language barriers. Take the strategy from a chess game, interweave it with the story telling of a novel, and the visual stimulation from a hollywood blockbuster. Stitch them together into a hyper evolved, interactive, audio visual experience, like no other.

     I have often found a reprieve from the harshness of life in the epic story lines from some of the better games. Nay-sayers will always be dismantled as art and creativity tend to prevail. The gaming community is diverse and vibrant, sporting people from all walks of life and all personality types. More then ever the future of this industry is bright and exciting. Even the most outspoken critics of video games are now addicted to Angry Birds. I would love to see the day when game designers, and story writers, are regarded with the same respect as film directors, and novelists. There is an artistic, interactive, electronic revolution underway. I suggest you jump on board. 

  

This is EpicPwn.com

Welcome to ep! Our site will bring you intriguing cross-sections of subculture from all around the world. Here you will find information, pictures, video, and news, about all things awesome. If you are a writer, photographer, or have opinions on things, please contact us to contribute. Look forward to new and exciting content soon.  -gn