Mom's Minute

Dark Souls II

Dark Souls II is a rated Mature action role-playing open world video game developed by From Software and published by Namco Bandai Games.

Those testing Dark Souls II may describe this game as  definitely not being easy to play as well as a game that takes quite a bit of strategizing game-play to master. Others are hoping the game following the initial Dark Souls will not be too easy.  Of course video game players have different game playing skill levels so the difficulty of this game will probably vary from player to player.  For those of you who do not mind getting help in overcoming the challenges in this game, the director of the game himself, Yui Tanimura, has some tips for you on how to master playing Dark Souls II. 

You can forget about the game-play involved in the previous Dark Soul, since the action in the follow-up game does not follow it in any shape or form.  That being said, the mechanics of playing this game is similar to those of the previous game.

Dark Souls II

How to master this game entails how observant you are of your video game surroundings while playing this game.

In Yui Tanimura's words: "A main theme in all games developed by From Software, is to not fully explain all the elements of how to play and challenge players to figure it out for themselves.  We would like to encourage players to conquer the elements they face by paying attention to the surroundings and also being creative in strategizing [about] how to overcome the difficulties."

These tips can be described as being rather generic but may help you if you run into problems when playing Dark Souls II.  

Dark Souls II

In short -- Be ready to use your strategizing skills to master this game when Dark Souls II video game is released in North America approximately March 11, 2014. Dark Souls II will be playable on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360-- and later on the PC. A specific release date for Dark Souls II to be playable on the PC was unavailable at press time.

Dark Souls II Announced Read more.

Lara Croft from Tomb Raider

After months of speculation, it has finally been confirmed that Tomb Raider will be available for play on the next generation video game systems -- the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4.

Crystal Dynamics will be releasing an enhanced version of Tomb Raider which will include all the downloadable code (DLC) as well as bonus content.

Tomb Raider:  Definitive Edition

The latest version will be a reboot of last year's video game and will be called  Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. Even if you have the previous version, you may want to get this one if you have either of the next generation video game consoles.  The game will come equipped with a digital art and a comic book, entitled -- The Beginning as well as six different outfits for Lara Croft.

Lara Croft from Tomb Raider

Sounds like a video game you would like to play on either your PS4 or Xbox One?  Then there is no need to wait to order. Pre-orders are being taken now.

Tomb Raider:  Definitive Edition will be available on January 28, 2014 in North America and

releases later in Europe on January 31, 2014.

Framed Video Game

Have you ever played a video game and wished you could change some element of the action, characters or other aspect of the story so the ending would be different.  Well, if you have, there is no need to keep wishing any longer.  The video game, Framed, is different and unique in that you will be able to actually change the sequence of the action frames which will result in a different story scenario.

 You may have thought from the title -- Framed--  that the story line involved framing someone of maybe a crime -- but this is not the case.  In a creative play on words, the video game has to do with changing frames in the game -- hence the name, Framed.

If you would like to visualize a picture of how you play this game, think of comic book panels and having the ability to change the panels to change the story.

Framed is developed by Loveshack Entertainment and the game will be playable on Steam and will also be  available at the App store.

Sounds like a game you would like to play?  You will be able to play this video game when it releases some time in 2014.  A specific release date was not available at press time.

Gran Turismo 6 video game

There are lots of reasons to keep your PlayStation 3 video game console, even if you have in your possession the next generation PlayStation 4.  Among the many reasons to do so is because Sony continues to bring quality video games to the PS3.  One such quality game is the newly released racing simulation video game -- Gran Turismo 6.

Gran Turismo 6 is a rated E for Everyone PS 3 exclusive video game, developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment.  Gran Turismo 6 has been in the works since the game's creator,  Kazonori Yamouchi announced the start of its development back in November 2011.

Gran Turismo 6

Because the game is a simulated racing game, oftentimes and invariably it is compared to Fortza Motorsport 5 which is also a rated E for Everyone racing video game.  One of the differences is this game was a November 22, 2013  launch title for the next generation system, the Xbox One. So right off the bat, you have an "older generation"  PS3 game (Gran Turismo 6) pitted against a new generation video game for the Xbox One (Fortza Motorsport 5) which does not seem to be a fair comparison.

That being said, if you are a car racing video game fan, you may prefer playing either of these games -- or maybe you enjoy playing both Gran Turismo 6 and Fortza Motorsport 5.  Each are purported to give you a uniquely different video game simulated driving experience -- even though most reviews seem to give Fortza Motorsport 5 the edge.

For Gran Turismo 6 gameplay, you can expect to have a choice of 1200 cars to race in 33 different locations.  There is also flexibility in the events you may want to participate in during the game as well as the  order of play.  Additionally, there are podium positions where you earn not only credits but stars.  The stars allow you to unlock further events in that specific race class.

Gran Turismo 6 video game

Gran Turismo 6 is the first GT series where you can use micro transactions to buy in-game credits with real world cash -- similar to Fortza Motorsport 5.

If you want to play this game, there is no need to wait since it is available now.  Gran Turismo 6 was released in the U.S. on December 6, 2013.  Those in Japan and Asia enjoyed an earlier release date of December 5, 2013.

Maybe you are a die-hard PS4 gamer now that  you have your PS4.  If so -- do not fret.  There are plans to release a PS4 version of  Gran Turismo in the near future -- possibly some time in 2014.

Gran Turismo 6 at E3 Read more.

Halo 5 video game

Looks like the most inquisitive question regarding Halo 5 is when will it be released.  Here's what is known about Halo 5 -- so far. Halo 5 will be playable on the Xbox One -- not the Xbox 360.  The fact that you can play Halo 5 only on the Xbox One may not have set well with some video game players who have not yet obtained this system but would like to play the game when it is released. 

Halo 5 will follow the successful release of Halo 4 video game 

A decision was made by Microsoft Studios boss, Phil Spencer in October 2012 not to delay the release of Halo 4 for the launch of the next generation video game console, the Xbox One.  Halo 4 was released for the Xbox 360 worldwide on November 6, 2012.  

Since Halo 4 is one of Microsoft's biggest release video game, if not the biggest, it is not surprising the company is going to be strategic about the release date of its successor, Halo 5.  It may or may not have helped that the developer of the game has changed from the previous Bungie Studios to the current 343 Industries.  It's thought that Bungie Studios would have had more creative control on when the game would be released as well as the system the game would be playable on.

Halo 5 video game

However, all is not lost.  The good news is that former Tomb Raider Creative Director Tim Longo was hired by 343 Industries to work on Halo 5 and to add his expertise to the game. Tim Longo formerly worked on the Tomb Raider video game while at Crystal Dynamics before he moved on to Lucas Arts which was purchased by Disney. Soon after Disney game section closed down in April 2013, Tim Longo joined 343 Industries.

Halo 5 video game

Interesting enough, even without a firm release date available for Halo 5, you can pre-order the game from places such as the Microsoft Store and Amazon.com now if you like.  The release date of December 2014 on Amazon.com is more than likely a place-holder date, since it is known that Halo 5 will be released some time in 2014. As with most pre-orders, payment of the game is not charged to you until the game ships.

It is hopeful  that a date will be "leaked" shortly, to get us all out of suspense as to when Halo 5 will actually be released.