I want to start off by saying that I hope this never happens.
I have been on a sort of break since my birthday (the 21st; I'm now 24) but it was not really planned. It just became one of those stretches of days where everything in life feels like some form of work (even the things I find pleasure in). I have still been playing less games because of the dog though I did pick up and play some Rock Band on my birthday. Enough about the personal life though here is more of what you came here to read:
I am going to attempt a package of news because I only feel like writing one post right now. Count on it being longish...
First on the docket, Brutal Legend now has a release date. I can now look forward to a psychotropic adventure on a specific day as opposed to a generalized period of time. Though I wish it was just for me, I won't keep the date to myself it will drop on October 13th of this calendar year. I wonder if it would have been a different date if Sierra was still publishing it.
Second up, Halo Wars is getting some new multiplayer DLC. What this means to you is that the game is getting 3 new multiplayer modes and 100 new achievement points all of which you can read about here. I am excited because I might go back to the game which I have uncerimoniously neglected ever since I started playing Call of Duty 4 some weeks ago.
Last but not least, Fallout 3 is getting its last piece of the current set of DLC on May 5th. Broken Steel is going to raise your level cap to 30 and allow you to continue past the games original endpoint. How far past, you ask? Infinitely. Look forward to it. I know I am. I'll get back to it for sure this time, right?
Fable 2 also has some DLC coming (another game I neglect (seems like a common theme)) and I do not yet know that I find LEGO Rock Band worth mentioning. Oops.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Mupdate 3: The GAF Collection
Yeah, keep your pants on. 3 updates in a day is exciting, but you can handle it. this isn't a really legit update either, but rather something cool I found online. Some people at neoGAF.com's forum decided they would make their own series of covers for something known as the GAF Collection, which is essentially the video game version of the Criterion Collection. The point of the Criterion Collection is to distribute important classic and contemporary films, and they always come with new box art that is way cooler than what ever the original distributor puts out.
So here are some awesome picks from the GAF Collection, and be sure to check out all of the thread over here.
Personally, I think someone should make a collection like this, isntead of "XBOX's Greatest Hits" or "PSX's Greatest Hits." Something with cool new sleek box art that lets you see, "Yeah. This game is important." Something like that would be awesome.
So here are some awesome picks from the GAF Collection, and be sure to check out all of the thread over here.
Personally, I think someone should make a collection like this, isntead of "XBOX's Greatest Hits" or "PSX's Greatest Hits." Something with cool new sleek box art that lets you see, "Yeah. This game is important." Something like that would be awesome.
Mupdate 2: Batman Arkham Asylum Collector's Edition - Is It Worth It?
Nate said earlier that he is getting excited for the Batman game, and me being the intense comic book reader that I am (I spent almost $50 on comic books alone last week, and I wonder why I'm so poor) also look forward to it with bated breath. I mean, someone said that it'll essentially play like the BioShock of super hero games. Awesome, right? Combine that with Mark Hammil as the Joker and Kevin Conroy as Batman (the guys who did the voices on the 90's animated cartoon... remember that?) and it looks like we'll have a great Batman game.
Now, I'll only pre-order a game if it's got some kind of special limited edition to it, because otherwise I could just go get it normally at any time. What's the rush? But when the Batman: Arkham Asylum special edition specs were released, I came up with a conundrum. Let's break it down.
Here is the $99.99 collector's edition of Arkham Asylum. With it, you get a 14" batarang for your display case, Arkham's journal in a nice leather dust jacket with information on all the inmates, a behind-the-scenes DVD, and exclusive levels. Sounds great... but almost $100 great?
Let's be honest - 9 times out of 10, super hero games fail. Most critics agree the best super hero game was Spider-Man 2, which took GTA sandbox gameplay and let you sling webs around the city. Awesome. I for one am of the opinion that Marvel Ultimate Alliance is the best super hero game, and if Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 has a pre-order package, you can be sure that I'll get it. But outside of this, what do we have? Crappy Batman games, crappy Iron Man games, crappy Hulk games, crappy X-Men games... the list goes on and on. So while Arkham Asylum might be fun, it might also just be worth one play through and then a shelf forever life span. Hell, it might just warrant a rent for a weekend play through and then return it life span. Let's be honest here - in the world of Next Gen gaming, there has never been a good Batman game. Granted, the only attempts were with Justice League Unlimited (which was fun to an extent, but the lack of Hal Jordan annoyed me) and the Batman Begins movie tie-in (let's just not talk about it). Add that to the fact that most TV/movie/comic tie-ins aren't worth the dough (I STILL haven't bought Afro Samurai, even though I loved the demo), the odds are stacked against Batman in this one. So is it really REALLY worth it to spend $100 for a 14" batarang?
I don't think I'd ever call myself a die-hard Batman fan. I know there are some people who are Batcrazy, and I look at them and judge them as I often do (considering I have mountains and mountains of comic books in my closet) and I say, "Ok, we're living in a post-The Dark Knight world now where everyone seems to think Batman is the greatest hero ever (even though he isn't), it's the perfect time to spring a hyper expensive shiny toy for all the nerds to want." And I do want it, I do. But when I hold my $100+ GameStop credits in my hand and I look down the road at all the games coming out (Assassin's Creed 2, Mass Effect 2, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 for sequels; Prototype, Brutal Legend, Darksiders for firstquels) and then I look at my brand new DS (thank you, girlfriend), I gotta say that no matter how shiny and cool that Batarang looks, I don't think I can justify spending $100 on a 14" replica that DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE ONES FROM THE COMICS.
There. I said it. I'm an elitist comic book snob, and The Joker looks goofy.
Now, I'll only pre-order a game if it's got some kind of special limited edition to it, because otherwise I could just go get it normally at any time. What's the rush? But when the Batman: Arkham Asylum special edition specs were released, I came up with a conundrum. Let's break it down.
Here is the $99.99 collector's edition of Arkham Asylum. With it, you get a 14" batarang for your display case, Arkham's journal in a nice leather dust jacket with information on all the inmates, a behind-the-scenes DVD, and exclusive levels. Sounds great... but almost $100 great?
Let's be honest - 9 times out of 10, super hero games fail. Most critics agree the best super hero game was Spider-Man 2, which took GTA sandbox gameplay and let you sling webs around the city. Awesome. I for one am of the opinion that Marvel Ultimate Alliance is the best super hero game, and if Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 has a pre-order package, you can be sure that I'll get it. But outside of this, what do we have? Crappy Batman games, crappy Iron Man games, crappy Hulk games, crappy X-Men games... the list goes on and on. So while Arkham Asylum might be fun, it might also just be worth one play through and then a shelf forever life span. Hell, it might just warrant a rent for a weekend play through and then return it life span. Let's be honest here - in the world of Next Gen gaming, there has never been a good Batman game. Granted, the only attempts were with Justice League Unlimited (which was fun to an extent, but the lack of Hal Jordan annoyed me) and the Batman Begins movie tie-in (let's just not talk about it). Add that to the fact that most TV/movie/comic tie-ins aren't worth the dough (I STILL haven't bought Afro Samurai, even though I loved the demo), the odds are stacked against Batman in this one. So is it really REALLY worth it to spend $100 for a 14" batarang?
I don't think I'd ever call myself a die-hard Batman fan. I know there are some people who are Batcrazy, and I look at them and judge them as I often do (considering I have mountains and mountains of comic books in my closet) and I say, "Ok, we're living in a post-The Dark Knight world now where everyone seems to think Batman is the greatest hero ever (even though he isn't), it's the perfect time to spring a hyper expensive shiny toy for all the nerds to want." And I do want it, I do. But when I hold my $100+ GameStop credits in my hand and I look down the road at all the games coming out (Assassin's Creed 2, Mass Effect 2, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 for sequels; Prototype, Brutal Legend, Darksiders for firstquels) and then I look at my brand new DS (thank you, girlfriend), I gotta say that no matter how shiny and cool that Batarang looks, I don't think I can justify spending $100 on a 14" replica that DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE ONES FROM THE COMICS.
There. I said it. I'm an elitist comic book snob, and The Joker looks goofy.
New Fallout Game Announced: Las Vegas Style
Once again, I am butting in my nose in a way I do not normally do. As my work cracks down on what sites are blocked and what aren't, I have less and less I can do to fill up my free "I don't feel like really working" time. I was browsing Amazon.com's video game forum (yes, you read that correctly) when I accidentally stumbled on some incredibly exciting news that I just had to share: Bethesda has announced a brand new Fallout game, called Fallout New Vegas (I'm assuming that's a tentative title).
Now, this game is not a sequel. It's simply another game in the Fallout series. I, for once, can say that this news has brightened my day extremely. I should note that I have yet to play The Pitt, but this is due only to monetary constraints (I'll probably get it next month some time). But seriously, how cool is this? Fallout's post-apocalyptic world in Las Vegas! I don't know if any of our readers have been to Vegas, but I have, and I think it'd be awesome to see how the end of the world fares over in the city of sin. Seriously - the lights in that city never go out. I can just imagine now what those giant billboards advertising Wayne Brady's live show will look like covered in graffiti, and what the ruins of each casino might look like. Every casino in Vegas is pretty unique to the building, so that's another thing to look forward to in the game (also, will you be able to hack slot machines?). I also can't help but think of that teaser trailer for the third Resident Evil movie, Extinction. Should be lots of fun.
Lots of good games coming out... I should probably stop wasting my time only playing Peggle and Marvel Ultimate Alliance and get on to my Mass Effect double replay already.
Now, this game is not a sequel. It's simply another game in the Fallout series. I, for once, can say that this news has brightened my day extremely. I should note that I have yet to play The Pitt, but this is due only to monetary constraints (I'll probably get it next month some time). But seriously, how cool is this? Fallout's post-apocalyptic world in Las Vegas! I don't know if any of our readers have been to Vegas, but I have, and I think it'd be awesome to see how the end of the world fares over in the city of sin. Seriously - the lights in that city never go out. I can just imagine now what those giant billboards advertising Wayne Brady's live show will look like covered in graffiti, and what the ruins of each casino might look like. Every casino in Vegas is pretty unique to the building, so that's another thing to look forward to in the game (also, will you be able to hack slot machines?). I also can't help but think of that teaser trailer for the third Resident Evil movie, Extinction. Should be lots of fun.
Lots of good games coming out... I should probably stop wasting my time only playing Peggle and Marvel Ultimate Alliance and get on to my Mass Effect double replay already.
Game Diary - Hoard the Horde
I finally attained the achievement for surviving all 50 waves in Horde (GOW2). It was really fun and I probably would have not completed it if I did not get to do it with friends.
I would like to try playing this mode on other levels because it was relatively easy playing through it on 'Day One'. The only thing hard about it is finding the time to play through an entire fifty rounds.
If you have not yet played Gears of War 2, really, what are you waiting for?
The only other thing that has really been on my mind as of late in relation to games is The Beatles Rock Band. I have been listening to The Beatles like crazy lately and it has really has my wanting to get back into playing Rock Band again. Call me crazy but I want the 250 dollar bundle. I'll sell off my other RB instruments just to have this come to fruition. Anyone else looking forward to this game?
I would like to try playing this mode on other levels because it was relatively easy playing through it on 'Day One'. The only thing hard about it is finding the time to play through an entire fifty rounds.
If you have not yet played Gears of War 2, really, what are you waiting for?
The only other thing that has really been on my mind as of late in relation to games is The Beatles Rock Band. I have been listening to The Beatles like crazy lately and it has really has my wanting to get back into playing Rock Band again. Call me crazy but I want the 250 dollar bundle. I'll sell off my other RB instruments just to have this come to fruition. Anyone else looking forward to this game?
Thursday, April 16, 2009
User-Created Content? Do you care?
I was just watching this video that Joystiq linked and it got me thinking about the ever controversial topic of user-created content.
When the Xbox 360 was first being announced it was touted as the platform of user-created content and user-customization of the console itself. Since that we have seen little that makes it "the console" for user-created content. Sure you have the affor-somewhat-mentioned (as in the link above that you should clickity-click) user created Forge maps in Halo 3 but really it is only modification, the basic groundwork for most, if not all (I am guessing that Sandbox could be different), levels is already laid. Sure this user-created content debacle has been talked about and Microsoft Certification is surely the one(s) to blame but the real question is how many people care about the ability to make user-create items?
I know that there is that core mod community who would love nothing more than to have mods enables in UT3 (Unreal Tournament 3) but my guess is that the greater majority of people do not give a crap. I say this perhaps because I do not give a crap most of the time. I am happy that the Forge in H3 is there, don't get me wrong, but I would not die without it. What I like about it the most is that I will always have fresh variations of that game to play.
I also thought that LitteBigPlanet was going to be great but I am telling you right now, there is a good chance I would have not created anything and there is a better chance that I would have not downloaded many if any user-created maps. So what it really comes down to is how much you care about user-created content? Comment.
On top of that, like I said earlier, 360 was shown as the user-modifiable console but we all know what road that went down. The faceplate is probablya bigger failure than the RROD itself a similar failure to RROD numbers (that still doesn't sound right) but naturally it does not matter because everyone cares about functionality more than a removable faceplate. The only time anyone cares about a faceplate is when there was only five of a specific one released. Again there is a tiny community that this caters to still but Microsoft has virtually dropped all support of these snap on pieces of plastic. Just a question, how many people thought that they broke their console when they first tried to rip one of these of the front? Another question, how many people know at this point that the thing even comes off? This isn't something I talk about when I am trying to sell someone I know an Xbox. In terms of customization, I am fine with gamer pics and themes.
I am of the opinion that if the creator did not make it, it was never intended to be there and that is just how I like it.
When the Xbox 360 was first being announced it was touted as the platform of user-created content and user-customization of the console itself. Since that we have seen little that makes it "the console" for user-created content. Sure you have the affor-somewhat-mentioned (as in the link above that you should clickity-click) user created Forge maps in Halo 3 but really it is only modification, the basic groundwork for most, if not all (I am guessing that Sandbox could be different), levels is already laid. Sure this user-created content debacle has been talked about and Microsoft Certification is surely the one(s) to blame but the real question is how many people care about the ability to make user-create items?
I know that there is that core mod community who would love nothing more than to have mods enables in UT3 (Unreal Tournament 3) but my guess is that the greater majority of people do not give a crap. I say this perhaps because I do not give a crap most of the time. I am happy that the Forge in H3 is there, don't get me wrong, but I would not die without it. What I like about it the most is that I will always have fresh variations of that game to play.
I also thought that LitteBigPlanet was going to be great but I am telling you right now, there is a good chance I would have not created anything and there is a better chance that I would have not downloaded many if any user-created maps. So what it really comes down to is how much you care about user-created content? Comment.
On top of that, like I said earlier, 360 was shown as the user-modifiable console but we all know what road that went down. The faceplate is probably
I am of the opinion that if the creator did not make it, it was never intended to be there and that is just how I like it.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Game Diary - April 14, 2009 Nothing Going On
The last time I played any bit of any game was on Saturday and that was Peggle. I really need to get back to it but this new dog game I have been playing has really been monopolizing my time.
I have actually been playing 'The World Ends With You' on my train rides. It has suddenly become very difficult.
Short post.
I have actually been playing 'The World Ends With You' on my train rides. It has suddenly become very difficult.
Short post.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Bioshock 2 Gameplay Trailer Impressions
I promised all of you that I would give you my opinions on the gameplay trailer of Bioshock 2 and I am here to keep that promise. First, if you have not yet seen the trailer (I will not berate you this time), here it is:
Alright... Did you watch it two or three times? Good.
I am going to say it. It does not "look" bad and I can honestly say that the Big Sister (which is still a really dumb idea) is looking to make this game sufficiently creepy. She is quick and has that same disembodied voice that is all the rage among Little Sisters. A cool effect in the trailer is when the glass breaks and you are submerged under water and the last gameplay aspect that looks fun is the ability to "be" a Big Daddy (drill and all) and still use plasmids at the same time (though it did happen at the end of the first).
Now for the obvious skepticism that really has nothing to do with the trailer. First, we know that this is a prequel and that you are the first Big Daddy. Now that we have the ground work laid, how did a Big Sis turn into a Big Pa where does she end up going at the end? Are these going to be big revelations or stupid explanations that are so full of plot holes that it makes Rapture look like a shinning star in the ocean.
I want it to be good but the question of whether it can deliver or not will remain until the game ships and critical opinion pours in. Okay enough water puns I'll speak with you all very soon.
Alright... Did you watch it two or three times? Good.
I am going to say it. It does not "look" bad and I can honestly say that the Big Sister (which is still a really dumb idea) is looking to make this game sufficiently creepy. She is quick and has that same disembodied voice that is all the rage among Little Sisters. A cool effect in the trailer is when the glass breaks and you are submerged under water and the last gameplay aspect that looks fun is the ability to "be" a Big Daddy (drill and all) and still use plasmids at the same time (though it did happen at the end of the first).
Now for the obvious skepticism that really has nothing to do with the trailer. First, we know that this is a prequel and that you are the first Big Daddy. Now that we have the ground work laid, how did a Big Sis turn into a Big Pa where does she end up going at the end? Are these going to be big revelations or stupid explanations that are so full of plot holes that it makes Rapture look like a shinning star in the ocean.
I want it to be good but the question of whether it can deliver or not will remain until the game ships and critical opinion pours in. Okay enough water puns I'll speak with you all very soon.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Amazon XBLA Marketplace and Xbox Live Primetime (XBLP)
I have not found any so called Xbox news specifically interesting lately so the fact that I am writing this post lets you know that there is something worth reading for some folks (I can't make the kind of promise that you will all care because I know that it would be rather presumptous to assume that). There have been a couple bits of Xbox news that I thought were interesting in the past week that I found myself wanting to write about.
One is that Amazon is selling Xbox Live Arcade game codes on top of the codes that they already sell for memberships andSpace Bucks Microsoft Points. I think that this is cool and I may even consider this way of purchasing for some of my games (probably the ones I already know that I am going to buy). I'll do this mainly because I want to see a good service suceed in many ways (I love both Amazon and obviously Xbox and I am estatic about this little partnership).
What it comes down to is that I really think this program is designed to just sell more units on XBLA and to make it a more popular platform. I really think that it will help XBLA sales numbers. I also think that it will not matter much to the "hardcore" because they already use the online Xbox Marketplace for their online shopping needs. This could also be helpful to those who find the Microsoft Points program assinine. In the end though I think that this program could have been more viable before Microsoft launched the online Marketplace (BTW: BUY THIS IF YOU HAVE AN XBOX).
The second point of contention is that Xbox Live Primetime (XBLP) will be launching on May 15. It will be sponsored by Honda and it looks like you can win a car if you umm... win (it is is one of Xbox's Play & Win competitions so there will not be endless cars people). I am interested to see what the prizes will be beyond the initial car so bring it on Microsoft. This news post actually brought XBLP to my attention once again. I had forgotten. Awkward. Anyway I hope it is as good as I once wanted it to be.
Stay tuned for my Bioshock 2 gameplay trailer impressions: coming soon!
One is that Amazon is selling Xbox Live Arcade game codes on top of the codes that they already sell for memberships and
What it comes down to is that I really think this program is designed to just sell more units on XBLA and to make it a more popular platform. I really think that it will help XBLA sales numbers. I also think that it will not matter much to the "hardcore" because they already use the online Xbox Marketplace for their online shopping needs. This could also be helpful to those who find the Microsoft Points program assinine. In the end though I think that this program could have been more viable before Microsoft launched the online Marketplace (BTW: BUY THIS IF YOU HAVE AN XBOX).
The second point of contention is that Xbox Live Primetime (XBLP) will be launching on May 15. It will be sponsored by Honda and it looks like you can win a car if you umm... win (it is is one of Xbox's Play & Win competitions so there will not be endless cars people). I am interested to see what the prizes will be beyond the initial car so bring it on Microsoft. This news post actually brought XBLP to my attention once again. I had forgotten. Awkward. Anyway I hope it is as good as I once wanted it to be.
Stay tuned for my Bioshock 2 gameplay trailer impressions: coming soon!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
In Its Final Stretch of PR, Batman: Arkham Asylum has me Interested
I think every comic book geek (of which I am not as much as I claim to be (Umbrella Academy FTW)) has been looking forward to this game for much longer than I but this trailer is the first time I have even bothered to look at the game.
Despite everyone raving at how amazing the game is coming along I have just been skeptical because it is so rare that I like a game based on comic books (usually because they are based on movies). The last one that I can remember liking was Marvel Ultimate Alliance (of which the sequel I have not yet looked into either) and I did not even get to finish that game.
But more about Batman: Arkham Asylum:
Just from this little demo or "challenge level" I know that I will be playing and probably buying the game. It looks fantastic, the controls look tight, it looks like it is fun to play, and most of all it looks as though this is what it would feel like to BE BATMAN. The game looks crisp and gritty and if the story is as any bit good as this one "challenge level" 'looks' then I am sure that this will be the best Batman game ever. Rocksteady,
For those who know more about this game than myself, what are you looking forward to about this game? Is anyone remaining skeptical? I know I am not.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Fable 2 DLC Numero Duo
This was originally going to be a post about the Assassin's Creed 2 teaser but as you may have already noticed, Matt has beaten me to that. There is a first time for everything I suppose. So here is a post that has no real news:
Fable II is going to want you to 'See The Future' in the near umm... future... I mean May... yeah that's right.
That's it right there. Did you miss it. Oh well it will come back soon (Hint: Look Up). Damn you Matt.
Fable II is going to want you to 'See The Future' in the near umm... future... I mean May... yeah that's right.
That's it right there. Did you miss it. Oh well it will come back soon (Hint: Look Up). Damn you Matt.
Assassin's Creed 2 Teaser
Most people who frequent this blog know that, as far as updates go, Nate is the one who posts the news. When I, your most humble Matthew, post, this means that I am posting a review, which I don't do often due to the lack of games I am playing. For instance, right now I am playing Mega Man. From 1987. Just a tad retro to warrant a review, don't you think? That and the fact I can't beat Fireman, and I don't review a game unless I've beaten it. So there you go.
However, this morning as I was shifting through news, I came across something that got me so excited that I had to undermine Nate's authority and post this as news myself. We're getting a lot of news these days as far as sequel's go, and a sequel that I am highly anticipating has finally (to me, anyway) been confirmed for having a release date sooner rather than later. That game is Assassin's Creed 2.
If the embedded video above does not work, feel free to click here to watch the teaser in a new window. The teaser does not give much away other than Leonardo DaVinci will play a role in the events of the sequel. This doesn't overly surprise me. DaVinci has become more popular in recent years thanks to Dan Brown's addictive novel The DaVinci Code (I loved the book but didn't much care for the movie). This new game will clearly take place in Rome then, and I just can not wait to get back into Altair's sneaky shows and hop around rooftops. I remember when I first beat Assassin's Creed and it became so clear that there would be a sequel, I immediately hopped online and researched everything I could about all of the conspiracies "discussed" at the end of the game. Needless to say, Assassin's Creed has been put back into my "Games I Need To Play Again" list, just under Fallout 3 and Resident Evil 5.
An amusing little ... I'm not sure the most appropriate word, but I suppose "incident" will do (or even coincidence) occurs in the nature of which I came to enjoy Assassin's Creed. When I first got my 360, I didn't have many games. All that I had was Halo 3 and Bioshock. However, for the holidays that year, I received Assassin's Creed as a gift from Nate, even though my interest in it was mild. When I started playing it, though, I got pretty addicted, and started making my friends play it too. This is only amusing to me, however, because I later told Nate about how much I was enjoying Mass Effect, and he went and got it and now he likes that more than I do. Is that amusing to anyone else? The quirky natures of the modern day video gamers? Not really? Ok.
I look forward to next Thursday (April 14th) to see what else is coming from the world of AC. I only know that something will happen because if you go to the official website, after the trailer there is some scribblings above where the video was. It's pretty easy to see that it's just a mirror image with a date. But golly gee, I just can't wait to hook myself back up to the ANIMUS.
However, this morning as I was shifting through news, I came across something that got me so excited that I had to undermine Nate's authority and post this as news myself. We're getting a lot of news these days as far as sequel's go, and a sequel that I am highly anticipating has finally (to me, anyway) been confirmed for having a release date sooner rather than later. That game is Assassin's Creed 2.
If the embedded video above does not work, feel free to click here to watch the teaser in a new window. The teaser does not give much away other than Leonardo DaVinci will play a role in the events of the sequel. This doesn't overly surprise me. DaVinci has become more popular in recent years thanks to Dan Brown's addictive novel The DaVinci Code (I loved the book but didn't much care for the movie). This new game will clearly take place in Rome then, and I just can not wait to get back into Altair's sneaky shows and hop around rooftops. I remember when I first beat Assassin's Creed and it became so clear that there would be a sequel, I immediately hopped online and researched everything I could about all of the conspiracies "discussed" at the end of the game. Needless to say, Assassin's Creed has been put back into my "Games I Need To Play Again" list, just under Fallout 3 and Resident Evil 5.
An amusing little ... I'm not sure the most appropriate word, but I suppose "incident" will do (or even coincidence) occurs in the nature of which I came to enjoy Assassin's Creed. When I first got my 360, I didn't have many games. All that I had was Halo 3 and Bioshock. However, for the holidays that year, I received Assassin's Creed as a gift from Nate, even though my interest in it was mild. When I started playing it, though, I got pretty addicted, and started making my friends play it too. This is only amusing to me, however, because I later told Nate about how much I was enjoying Mass Effect, and he went and got it and now he likes that more than I do. Is that amusing to anyone else? The quirky natures of the modern day video gamers? Not really? Ok.
I look forward to next Thursday (April 14th) to see what else is coming from the world of AC. I only know that something will happen because if you go to the official website, after the trailer there is some scribblings above where the video was. It's pretty easy to see that it's just a mirror image with a date. But golly gee, I just can't wait to hook myself back up to the ANIMUS.
Monday, April 6, 2009
A Bit Distracted (Brutal Legend, The Dishwasher)
At this very moment I am in a bit of a predicament. It is not that serious but at the same time I feel bad about it.
I am torn between giving you, the reader, a legitimate update, about Brutal Legend perhaps, or going off to play The Dishwasher (which I am currently awful at). So I think what I am going to do is give you a little taste of both.
The embargo on the game play demo of Brutal Legend was up on Friday morning and I as well as you kind folks all probably read a lot of nice things about this fun little game. Those articles mentioned in the past sentence tell me that everyone has come away from this "demo" happier than they even expected to be and that, in turn, makes me even more ecstatic that this game is coming sooner rather than later. I am expecting this game in the summer at the latest so that it does not get crushed by the holiday tirade.
As for The Dishwasher, I am enjoyed its stylized art. It has been compared to Alien Hominid HD I think because they are both representative of artistic indie games that shatter conceptions of what arcade games are supposed to be. The fact that the two have been compared makes me happy (and it should make the sole, lone, cowboy of a developer happy).
P.S. - I also recently passed my 1000th achievement! It was for completing a level on Veteran in COD4.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
April Fool's Game Diary (Call of Duty 4 Game Diary/Review)
So by the time that you read this April Fools day will have came and went without any interesting jokes coming to pass. What is funny is that this entry was really meant to be posted yesterday but I fell asleep with only the rough draft in hand.
I am disaapointed because this industry usually comes up with the best ones (this year Google came up with CADIE). Googles last year was much better. For Gmail they gave you the ability to send email dated for the past (funny because at first I thought that it was true) so your paper, proposal, PowerPoint, etc would always be in on time. Think of the possibilities, one could never be late.
Anyway that's not what we are here to talk about. Or was it. If you had any good ones from this year, drop it in the comments. Okay bye.
Still here? Anyway, I have been playing and completing Call Of Duty 4 for the first time [I played pieces of the single player campaign long ago but I was mainly centered on playing the multiplayer aspect]. I know I know, hang me; Sacriledge or heresy, if you will. If you saw my last post you have an idea of what I am going to say regarding this game though. It gets a ten for the single player experience alone.
I have not felt as involved as I felt in a single player, first person shooter experience, since Halo: Combat Evolved. All I can ask for in the sequel has even better visuals and brings as much innovation to the level design as they did in this one.
Let's have a little makeshift review party right here:
Let us begin with the stunning visuals. The game was just that, stunning, though I do remember it looking even better (even a short time has it's toll).
The immersion I felt was so great because of the excellent sound and gameplay design. The gameplay felt so solid I really felt like I was in it. Which brings me to the sound which was so perfect. The combination of the perfect clicks of the guns and the helis overhead were great; firefights, when you are in the middle of them, it truly feels as though bullets, grenades, whathaveyou, is coming from all directions. In less words, the sound design was perfect.
As far as replayability goes I know I am going to give it a shot on Veteran (it has scared me since COD2) tomorrow and I look forward to getting involved with the multiplayer again and giving the arcade mode a run through.
I remember what originally left a bad taste in my mouth or why I think that I stopped playing the game. I had purchased the GOTY edition which was supposed to come with the Variety Map Pack. Instead my card that was supposed to have a code on it was blank. I went through a whole hub-bub-a-loo which involved contacting both GameStop and Activision several times to no avail. I was pissed at the time - you should have really seen those emails to Activision - but what can one do? I ended up finishing the game and loving it.
Has a game every put a bad taste in your mouth, so to speak, and left you not playing it, despite it being a good game? Leave those thoughts in the comments.
I am disaapointed because this industry usually comes up with the best ones (this year Google came up with CADIE). Googles last year was much better. For Gmail they gave you the ability to send email dated for the past (funny because at first I thought that it was true) so your paper, proposal, PowerPoint, etc would always be in on time. Think of the possibilities, one could never be late.
Anyway that's not what we are here to talk about. Or was it. If you had any good ones from this year, drop it in the comments. Okay bye.
Still here? Anyway, I have been playing and completing Call Of Duty 4 for the first time [I played pieces of the single player campaign long ago but I was mainly centered on playing the multiplayer aspect]. I know I know, hang me; Sacriledge or heresy, if you will. If you saw my last post you have an idea of what I am going to say regarding this game though. It gets a ten for the single player experience alone.
I have not felt as involved as I felt in a single player, first person shooter experience, since Halo: Combat Evolved. All I can ask for in the sequel has even better visuals and brings as much innovation to the level design as they did in this one.
Let's have a little makeshift review party right here:
Let us begin with the stunning visuals. The game was just that, stunning, though I do remember it looking even better (even a short time has it's toll).
The immersion I felt was so great because of the excellent sound and gameplay design. The gameplay felt so solid I really felt like I was in it. Which brings me to the sound which was so perfect. The combination of the perfect clicks of the guns and the helis overhead were great; firefights, when you are in the middle of them, it truly feels as though bullets, grenades, whathaveyou, is coming from all directions. In less words, the sound design was perfect.
As far as replayability goes I know I am going to give it a shot on Veteran (it has scared me since COD2) tomorrow and I look forward to getting involved with the multiplayer again and giving the arcade mode a run through.
I remember what originally left a bad taste in my mouth or why I think that I stopped playing the game. I had purchased the GOTY edition which was supposed to come with the Variety Map Pack. Instead my card that was supposed to have a code on it was blank. I went through a whole hub-bub-a-loo which involved contacting both GameStop and Activision several times to no avail. I was pissed at the time - you should have really seen those emails to Activision - but what can one do? I ended up finishing the game and loving it.
Has a game every put a bad taste in your mouth, so to speak, and left you not playing it, despite it being a good game? Leave those thoughts in the comments.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
All Ghillied Up (Holy F' Wow)
The fact that you just read the title of this post and are reading this now will either have you interested or knowing exactly what I am about to say...
THIS IS THE GREATEST LEVEL OF ANY GAME THAT I HAVE EVER PLAYED!!!
Okay. Now that I have that out of my system I just needed to tell you why. I was so incredibly immersed and I could feel my heart beating in my ears. The part where you were under the Jeeps... when the army is walking through the field and you have to maneuver... O.M.F.G...
Okay. I think I am better again. No wonder folks were talking about this level when the game came out. The whole time I am thinking, "This is so cool... okay move this way to avoid this guy... do I really want to shoot this one... be patient Nate... this is sooo cool." After my thoughts sounded something like, "I think I'm ready to be done now, I want that achievement," and then after I got the achievement (Ghillies in the Mist) I was thinking, "that one should have been longer."
If this does not give you a good idea of this level and you have not already played it yourself I honestly cannot figure out what you are waiting for (what was I waiting for?!).
And the level after 'All Ghilled Up', well great level also, but I wanted to murder that level.
THIS IS THE GREATEST LEVEL OF ANY GAME THAT I HAVE EVER PLAYED!!!
Okay. Now that I have that out of my system I just needed to tell you why. I was so incredibly immersed and I could feel my heart beating in my ears. The part where you were under the Jeeps... when the army is walking through the field and you have to maneuver... O.M.F.G...
Okay. I think I am better again. No wonder folks were talking about this level when the game came out. The whole time I am thinking, "This is so cool... okay move this way to avoid this guy... do I really want to shoot this one... be patient Nate... this is sooo cool." After my thoughts sounded something like, "I think I'm ready to be done now, I want that achievement," and then after I got the achievement (Ghillies in the Mist) I was thinking, "that one should have been longer."
If this does not give you a good idea of this level and you have not already played it yourself I honestly cannot figure out what you are waiting for (what was I waiting for?!).
And the level after 'All Ghilled Up', well great level also, but I wanted to murder that level.
OnLive
I just got finished reading this article about all of the details that are being shared about the OnLive service. I really want this to work and if it does it will become my second choice for gaming entertainment. I say second because there is no way that I want to give up the community and achievements that I have accumulated through the Xbox platform. Xbox is my mistress and she always treats me right.
This, however, is my biggest interest, besides the obvious lack of hardware limitations, of the OnLive platform:
If the price is right and I can play a few games here and there that I cannot play on my Xbox I will give it a shot. I will still remain skeptical until it is in my hands, amazing me. There are not of original ideas going around as far as gaming hardware goes these days and I think that everyone is quick to rain on this parade, myself included, but I am sure we can all remember a time when publishers were skeptical when Xbox LIVE was shopping their ideas around. Let us just keep an open mind for now and then if it does not work out as planned we can all chuckle to ourselves and say, "I told you so."
Something that I forgot to mention in my previous post is that if you like reading what I have to say then check out this podcast that I guested on. Pardon the fact that a mongoose salivated all over my microphone just five minutes proir to recording (there is a lot of static coming from my end that I cannot explain).
This, however, is my biggest interest, besides the obvious lack of hardware limitations, of the OnLive platform:
Sure, there is no question that the OnLive platform will have the lowest cost of entry for a new user. But, to be clear, OnLive also will certainly be catering to gamers who are less price sensitive, and are seeking the highest performance games, and also it will be opening up a universe of games to Mac users who, before OnLive, have had a very limited selection (MTV Multiplayer Blog).
If the price is right and I can play a few games here and there that I cannot play on my Xbox I will give it a shot. I will still remain skeptical until it is in my hands, amazing me. There are not of original ideas going around as far as gaming hardware goes these days and I think that everyone is quick to rain on this parade, myself included, but I am sure we can all remember a time when publishers were skeptical when Xbox LIVE was shopping their ideas around. Let us just keep an open mind for now and then if it does not work out as planned we can all chuckle to ourselves and say, "I told you so."
Something that I forgot to mention in my previous post is that if you like reading what I have to say then check out this podcast that I guested on. Pardon the fact that a mongoose salivated all over my microphone just five minutes proir to recording (there is a lot of static coming from my end that I cannot explain).
Monday, March 30, 2009
A Cavalcade of Updates (Mass Effect, Bad Company 2)
When I sat down to write this post I only had an inkling of an idea on what I wanted to write about but, now that I have crawled through a minimal amount of my feeds, I have a few things that I would like to cram into this post.
First off, we will go with the most interesting part of the past few days of mine. I decided to pick up and play Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare after my last post. I am at least halfway through according to the Mission Select screen and the game is more awesome than I remember. Every little thing is so detailed and I feel like I am in the thick of it at all times. An interesting thing to note is that the headphones are a big help for finding helicopters that are circling around the building that you are in. The game is so obviously well-done and it really has me wondering what they are going to improve for the next one. You can officially count me excited.
Speaking on the subject of warfare the teaser trailer for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 has made its way onto the internets via a GameTrailers WORLD EXCLUSIVE (exciting, no?). It really is quite the boring trailer but I am still excited for the game because the first one was a riot and the multiplayer was something different than I am used to. I had never really found interest in a Battlefield game before this one (Bad Company 1) and I feel than many people who primarily game on consoles felt the same way that I did (first Battlefield game exclusive on consoles = fun). The funniest, most interesting part of the trailer was a joke that I understood despite not actually playing the game that it referenced; "Specializing in warfare since 1942," was what the tag line at the end of the trailer read.
In terms of other news, Bioware did unveil thier level design videos for Mass Effect 2, but as you can see I am not giddy in excitement because they did not really show much of anything. Do not believe me? See for yourself.
The only other thing that I have to report is that I may be moving this blog over to WordPress soon because I feel that it is a site that offers more to an up and coming blog such as my own.
First off, we will go with the most interesting part of the past few days of mine. I decided to pick up and play Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare after my last post. I am at least halfway through according to the Mission Select screen and the game is more awesome than I remember. Every little thing is so detailed and I feel like I am in the thick of it at all times. An interesting thing to note is that the headphones are a big help for finding helicopters that are circling around the building that you are in. The game is so obviously well-done and it really has me wondering what they are going to improve for the next one. You can officially count me excited.
Speaking on the subject of warfare the teaser trailer for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 has made its way onto the internets via a GameTrailers WORLD EXCLUSIVE (exciting, no?). It really is quite the boring trailer but I am still excited for the game because the first one was a riot and the multiplayer was something different than I am used to. I had never really found interest in a Battlefield game before this one (Bad Company 1) and I feel than many people who primarily game on consoles felt the same way that I did (first Battlefield game exclusive on consoles = fun). The funniest, most interesting part of the trailer was a joke that I understood despite not actually playing the game that it referenced; "Specializing in warfare since 1942," was what the tag line at the end of the trailer read.
In terms of other news, Bioware did unveil thier level design videos for Mass Effect 2, but as you can see I am not giddy in excitement because they did not really show much of anything. Do not believe me? See for yourself.
The only other thing that I have to report is that I may be moving this blog over to WordPress soon because I feel that it is a site that offers more to an up and coming blog such as my own.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
GDC (The One and Only Update... The Only One Necessary)
The most interesting thing to come out of GDC for me is the Modern Warfare 2 trailer. It doesn't excite me in any other way other than the fact that is coming out. Jarvis and I talked about it on his podcast which you will get to hear in a couple of days but basically I haven't completed the first one so I will have to get to that. Here is that trailer:
The only only other thing that I wanted to mention is the OnLive platform. Everyone (Joystiq, Jarvis, etc.) has high hopes for it but I am sure but without an insane amount of money it doesn't look like it will ever become profitable let alone get off of the ground. Maybe I am being shortsighted on this one but I like my physical console and I do not think that everyone is ready to give that up just yet. I will give it a shot but I think it might just be a fourth console and not the end all be all of gaming. It is gaming from the cloud like we have been talking about. Let us just see if we are there yet.
An honorable mention of GDC is Zelda: Spirit Tracks, which looks like it used all of the assets from Phantom Hourglass and added a choo-choo train.
Off the top of my head that is all I can think of. I think I have a hankering to play COD4: MW now... funny how that works.
The only only other thing that I wanted to mention is the OnLive platform. Everyone (Joystiq, Jarvis, etc.) has high hopes for it but I am sure but without an insane amount of money it doesn't look like it will ever become profitable let alone get off of the ground. Maybe I am being shortsighted on this one but I like my physical console and I do not think that everyone is ready to give that up just yet. I will give it a shot but I think it might just be a fourth console and not the end all be all of gaming. It is gaming from the cloud like we have been talking about. Let us just see if we are there yet.
An honorable mention of GDC is Zelda: Spirit Tracks, which looks like it used all of the assets from Phantom Hourglass and added a choo-choo train.
Off the top of my head that is all I can think of. I think I have a hankering to play COD4: MW now... funny how that works.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Game Developer's Conference 2009
It kicks off today so you can look forward to my excited rants about all kinds of games and features of said games.
What I am looking forward to the most is the panel of the level design of Bioware's Mass Effect 2. I am excited to see what they are doing differently this time to hopefully make each level area a more dynamic experience.
I know that Joystiq and MTV Multiplayer will be there and I am looking forward to their hands-on opinions of Bioshock 2 and, if it is being showed, Overlord 2.
This is all I have until the news really breaks so be on the edge of your seat and I will try and bring you all the news I can in the coming days.
What I am looking forward to the most is the panel of the level design of Bioware's Mass Effect 2. I am excited to see what they are doing differently this time to hopefully make each level area a more dynamic experience.
I know that Joystiq and MTV Multiplayer will be there and I am looking forward to their hands-on opinions of Bioshock 2 and, if it is being showed, Overlord 2.
This is all I have until the news really breaks so be on the edge of your seat and I will try and bring you all the news I can in the coming days.
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