I’ve no qualms about slipping in non-MMOG and non-MOBA titles into the mix of this blog. There’s a perfectly good reason for this. We Lore Hounds are out and about doing our utmost to entertain and inform. Sometimes this includes bringing games that, while not directly relevant to our normal coverage, would certainly interest all of you. Let’s be honest, that’s our real job here.

Late in April, we showcased an upcoming title from Ubisoft Montreal featuring cheeky humor and a spin on the popular tower defense genre. The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot interested many despite the trailer being just a reveal. Over the long weekend Ubisoft took the lid off the Archer.

Native skills include acrobatic dodging, ghost hawks and plenty of pointed shafts. To name just some of the ridiculousness. Have a look at the full review and additional assets after the cut. Players can take a shot at gaining access to the closed alpha testing by registering at the official website. Continue Reading

SMITE: Demigods, Deities and Gods Explained is a column dedicated to introducing prospective players of SMITE to its massive back story of lore. From the Greek to Hindu, each week we’ll look at two characters from a major pantheon and provide a quick recap of their history and in what capacity their digital incarnation will represent on the field of Hi-Rez Studios’ upcoming MOBA.

Lore: Isis, the Goddess of motherhood, fertility and magic, was one of the numerous pervasive gods in Egyptian mythology to crossover into later pantheons in the region. Adapted by the Greco-Roman world, she was worshipped as the ideal women, mother and wife. Like many of the old gods of the Nile region, the realms guarded by Isis changed dramatically over her reign.

Born of the union between Sky and Earth, Nut and Geb, Isis wed her brother Osiris. Their union bore Horus.

Isis’ most famous myth is not for the sibling union specifically, but for her life-giving properties. Set, the sister of both, plotted to kill Osiris by deception. The strategic Set had measured her brother the night before and offered an ornamented box to anyone that could fit inside. Osiris being the only capable, Set tested the fit by closing the lid, sealing Osiris inside. After placing himself in a now-coffin, Osiris and box was pitched into the Nile. The river didn’t do its task. Isis and Nephthys quickly found the box. Continue Reading

That’s right, WildStar, the upcoming MMORPG from Carbine Studios with a whole lot of cheekiness has finally revealed its final two professions, so to speak. Known as Paths in WildStar, the Scientist and Settler have finally had their day to shine in a recent media blitz and we’ve got the official trailers after the cut.

The latest Devspeak video explains exactly what a Path is at length, using the already-revealed Explorer to titillate the audience. Then viewers are launched into a discussion about the other options for advanced character customization. The second trailer is more of a lore-based reveal of the Paths feature. It showcases the offbeat and hilarious writing and trailer ninja that’s become a staple to the WildStar community.

Just remember not to feel too special when using a Settlers structure. They’re not doing it to help you, but gain Path XP. The selfish jerks.

Both video reveals of Paths are after the cut followed by a collection of the latest screenshots for the upcoming NCSoft-published title. Continue Reading

SMITE: Demigods, Deities and Gods Explained is a column dedicated to introducing prospective players of SMITE to its massive back story of lore. From the Greek to Hindu, each week we’ll look at two characters from a major pantheon and provide a quick recap of their history and in what capacity their digital incarnation will represent on the field of Hi-Rez Studios’ upcoming MOBA.

Lore: A giant wolf and son of Loki, Fenrir was prophesied to be the murderer of Odin. Should he have carried out the act of killing the All Father, monstrous beast would have began Ragnarök, the expected apocalypse of Norse mythology. The ensuing war would have seen the death of Thor, Tyr, Freyr, Heimdallr and Loki. Fenrir would have gained little but his own death at the hands of Víðarr, a son of Odin’s. The calamity would not have left the mortal realms safe. Various natural disasters and an ultimate flood would have made sure only two lone humans would survive.

Fenrir wasn’t just the beginning of the end. Loki’s furrier child was renowned for his strength. The great wolf broke numerous bounds as he continued to grow from the daily meals at Tyr’s hand. After two failed bounds, Leyding and Dromi, Odin had the crafty dwarves complete a third fetter, Gleipnir. The Aesir promised that if a bind could hold the great wolf he’d be freed for posing no threat. To be sure Fenrir wasn’t sandbagging his effort Tyr chose to place his hand in the beast’s mouth as a pledge that he was trying his hardest. Tyr’s loss of that hand marked Fenrir’s freedom and one of the best known tales of Norse mythology. Continue Reading