I read This Article by Owen, over at Kotaku. I'm sure that my friends are more than tired of hearing me complain about the problem my colorblindness presents for me in this game. I feel, however, that it is a big issue, and a major handicap when playing online multiplayer. These companies worry so much about cheating and hacking, trying to keep the playing field level, but what about those of us who have a biological disadvantage?
I suppose they might argue that it is a slippery slope. If they fix the game for colorblind people, do they need to have some sort of fix for the hearing impaired, beyond just subtitles for dialogue? And what about other impairments? The fact is, we are a minority, and why cater to a minority if it will cost more?
My answer would be good will. Fixing problems like this shows that the company cares about our enjoyment of their game, and not just about money. Right now, I absolutely love the game, I think it is very fun, both single and multi. You can learn to look at the uniforms when you know them, but the names appearing in different colors is a super convenient way to tell friend from foe. Because I purchased this game for multiplayer, had I known the issue existed prior to my purchase, I probably would not have bought the title.
22.11.09
17.11.09
Bayonetta Demo take 2
I just did a quick playthrough of the Bayonetta Demo, and guess what? I loved it!
I understand that I haven't really been critiquing games, just discussing them more on an "I like it" basis. I will need to work on that.
Anyway, I enjoyed the Bayonetta demo, which I was pretty sure I would. I have always enjoyed the Devil May Cry games that I've played, except for DMC2... I never played 3, but Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 4 spun in my drives for quite a while. Bayonetta is helmed by the man who made the first Devil May Cry game, and it is a great competitor for that series.
The visuals are all great, I really enjoy the angelic enemy designs. The combo system seems to be a little simplified, but I'm sure there will be higher difficulty settings in the full product. The music is also great.
Overall, I am very excited for the title. I will give the demo a few more tries as I get time.
I understand that I haven't really been critiquing games, just discussing them more on an "I like it" basis. I will need to work on that.
Anyway, I enjoyed the Bayonetta demo, which I was pretty sure I would. I have always enjoyed the Devil May Cry games that I've played, except for DMC2... I never played 3, but Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 4 spun in my drives for quite a while. Bayonetta is helmed by the man who made the first Devil May Cry game, and it is a great competitor for that series.
The visuals are all great, I really enjoy the angelic enemy designs. The combo system seems to be a little simplified, but I'm sure there will be higher difficulty settings in the full product. The music is also great.
Overall, I am very excited for the title. I will give the demo a few more tries as I get time.
Bayonetta
I received my early access code to the Bayonetta Demo. I was almost a day late signing up, I figured the 12 year olds without jobs would have easily filled the 40,000 slots they had before I got a chance.
But they didn't! I shall report on it when I get a chance to play!
(Also, still loving Dragon Age)
But they didn't! I shall report on it when I get a chance to play!
(Also, still loving Dragon Age)
8.11.09
Dragon Age Origins
It finally got here! I've been playing it in my spare time during the week, and finally got to spend some quality time with it over the last few days. Thus far, I have enjoyed it immensely. In the dark recesses of the past, I played a bit of Neverwinter Nights, but it never grabbed me. I also played some Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, which I understand wasn't developed by Bioware. However, I LOVED Mass Effect, and with that title, Bioware has grabbed my attention.
Dragon Age is a very different game from Mass Effect, and not just in setting. The combat still takes place in real time, but you don't directly control every attack your character makes. It is an old fashioned right click on the enemy and your character will continue attacking until they or the enemy perish-type of game. The real strategy comes from the strategic pause, which you can use any time. Right clicking on an enemy will start basic combat, and you are able to script out your hero and parties actions and reactions to a point, but strategic pausing allows you to select specific powers and abilities they use. It seems cumbersome at first, but once you get used to it, this method of controlling the action is very natural and easy to use. I'm playing on the PC, but I imagine that the console versions are very similar to this. I did read that the console doesn't allow you to zoom out to an overhead perspective of the battle, and I can't imagine how hard that must make things. My main character is a rogue, and she needs to get behind foes to do real damage, doing so from the close in perspective is nigh impossible!
As is typical of Bioware, the story is engaging. I read that the team was heavily inspired by George R.R. Martin, and it is readily apparent, but the story is no rip-off. It definitely has hooks. I very much enjoyed the origin story of my human noble, and can only imagine that the other stories are equally interesting. I look forward to trying them on subsequent playthroughs.
I think it is a hallmark of Bioware games to have brilliant character interactions and dialogues. Dragon Age lives up to this expectation well. I enjoy the conversations between characters more than the combat, I think. I miss Mass Effect's interface for the conversations, but perhaps it wasn't a good fit for Medieval times.
I am not terribly far into the game, but I have played several hours and am greatly enjoying the game so far!
Dragon Age is a very different game from Mass Effect, and not just in setting. The combat still takes place in real time, but you don't directly control every attack your character makes. It is an old fashioned right click on the enemy and your character will continue attacking until they or the enemy perish-type of game. The real strategy comes from the strategic pause, which you can use any time. Right clicking on an enemy will start basic combat, and you are able to script out your hero and parties actions and reactions to a point, but strategic pausing allows you to select specific powers and abilities they use. It seems cumbersome at first, but once you get used to it, this method of controlling the action is very natural and easy to use. I'm playing on the PC, but I imagine that the console versions are very similar to this. I did read that the console doesn't allow you to zoom out to an overhead perspective of the battle, and I can't imagine how hard that must make things. My main character is a rogue, and she needs to get behind foes to do real damage, doing so from the close in perspective is nigh impossible!
As is typical of Bioware, the story is engaging. I read that the team was heavily inspired by George R.R. Martin, and it is readily apparent, but the story is no rip-off. It definitely has hooks. I very much enjoyed the origin story of my human noble, and can only imagine that the other stories are equally interesting. I look forward to trying them on subsequent playthroughs.
I think it is a hallmark of Bioware games to have brilliant character interactions and dialogues. Dragon Age lives up to this expectation well. I enjoy the conversations between characters more than the combat, I think. I miss Mass Effect's interface for the conversations, but perhaps it wasn't a good fit for Medieval times.
I am not terribly far into the game, but I have played several hours and am greatly enjoying the game so far!
4.11.09
Dragon Age Origins
I unboxed my Dragon Age: Origins Collectors Edition for the pc last night. I was able to play the game for about an hour after it installed while I ate dinner.
So far... I LOVE IT! I played Neverwinter Nights when it came out, but it did not stick for me. In the times between then and now, I have played other Bioware games, including Mass Effect, and loved them. This game just seems perfect so far. The story is great thus far, with its setting being similar to George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. The fantasy game with adult themes is great. I like the combat, which is more group-based tactical than other RPG fare of late. Being able to pause and decide on your next move is very traditional for these kind of games, but feels kind of new for this "generation."
I was never a fan of the Dog in Fable II. For some reason, my Mabari War Hound, Phobos, had me hooked from the minute I met him.
I have also enjoyed the voice acting and story scenes. My character is a Human Rogue, MeAra Cousland. Bad things are happening in her origin story, we shall see how she prevails against the forces of darkness!
So far... I LOVE IT! I played Neverwinter Nights when it came out, but it did not stick for me. In the times between then and now, I have played other Bioware games, including Mass Effect, and loved them. This game just seems perfect so far. The story is great thus far, with its setting being similar to George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. The fantasy game with adult themes is great. I like the combat, which is more group-based tactical than other RPG fare of late. Being able to pause and decide on your next move is very traditional for these kind of games, but feels kind of new for this "generation."
I was never a fan of the Dog in Fable II. For some reason, my Mabari War Hound, Phobos, had me hooked from the minute I met him.
I have also enjoyed the voice acting and story scenes. My character is a Human Rogue, MeAra Cousland. Bad things are happening in her origin story, we shall see how she prevails against the forces of darkness!
30.10.09
25.10.09
Borderlands
My wife was very kind and picked up Borderlands for me as an early birthday present! I have been excited about this game for quite a while. I think the first time I took interest in the game was an article on Kotaku on the art direction. In much the same way that the art invigorated the team members, it really brought my interest level up.
So how is it?
FUN! I have been enjoying it immensely! The media released for this game basically says it all, in my opinions. The gameplay is pretty straightforward shooter. It has a sort of "old school" feeling, exhilerating in a way that reminds me of how I felt about playing Perfect Dark on the N64.
I am about level 16 with the Siren character so far. Until last night, I hadn't really stumbled upon any of the games super interesting guns. I did find a pistol that fired incendiary rounds, but I've had that in other games. But last night I was raiding a bandit safe-house, and I came across a semi-automatic pistol with moderate damage, but an insanely fast firing rate. (reminding me of the Cyclone from Perfect Dark...) Basically, with this weapon, I can take an enemy down with an extended squeeze of the trigger. I also found one of the games more.. silly weapons. A rocket firing-shotgun. I had to agree with my friend, Nathan, that such weapons seem pretty stupid. However.. when I picked it up and started using it.. Well, I've flagged in my commitment to "pure" weapons. The gun is basically a rocket launcher, but it fires quicker and uses my shotgun ammo.. Oh, and it does a ton of damage to my foes. Despite my doubts, it was an exciting pickup.
The vehicles add a lot to the game as well. Early on in the game, you are fighting these dog-like creatures with chitinous armour on their head and shoulders. They are tougher at low-levels for a player on foot. However, once you have access to the dune-buggy, you are able to run them, and any bandits, over with ease. The vehicles add a very mad-max kind of feel to the game.
At first I was worried that the game was too easy. I walked through the intro and several of the missions without being punished for my mistakes. I started to fear that the game was going to be very slow and boring. Then, I started accepting more quests and exploring. If you aren't careful, you can walk into areas filled with higher level enemies who will take you apart. Lot's of the classic techniques: circle strafing, diagonal jumping, running backwards, etc.. come in handy here.
So far, the game is a blast. I had a buddy stop over for some split-screen co-op, and that was great. We didn't have access to the vehicle yet, but I have a good feeling that having a separate driver/gunner will be amazing. It has taken a great deal of willpower for me to write this and not play the game, but alas, it is wearing me down, and I must cave to the pressure!
Good hunting!
So how is it?
FUN! I have been enjoying it immensely! The media released for this game basically says it all, in my opinions. The gameplay is pretty straightforward shooter. It has a sort of "old school" feeling, exhilerating in a way that reminds me of how I felt about playing Perfect Dark on the N64.
I am about level 16 with the Siren character so far. Until last night, I hadn't really stumbled upon any of the games super interesting guns. I did find a pistol that fired incendiary rounds, but I've had that in other games. But last night I was raiding a bandit safe-house, and I came across a semi-automatic pistol with moderate damage, but an insanely fast firing rate. (reminding me of the Cyclone from Perfect Dark...) Basically, with this weapon, I can take an enemy down with an extended squeeze of the trigger. I also found one of the games more.. silly weapons. A rocket firing-shotgun. I had to agree with my friend, Nathan, that such weapons seem pretty stupid. However.. when I picked it up and started using it.. Well, I've flagged in my commitment to "pure" weapons. The gun is basically a rocket launcher, but it fires quicker and uses my shotgun ammo.. Oh, and it does a ton of damage to my foes. Despite my doubts, it was an exciting pickup.
The vehicles add a lot to the game as well. Early on in the game, you are fighting these dog-like creatures with chitinous armour on their head and shoulders. They are tougher at low-levels for a player on foot. However, once you have access to the dune-buggy, you are able to run them, and any bandits, over with ease. The vehicles add a very mad-max kind of feel to the game.
At first I was worried that the game was too easy. I walked through the intro and several of the missions without being punished for my mistakes. I started to fear that the game was going to be very slow and boring. Then, I started accepting more quests and exploring. If you aren't careful, you can walk into areas filled with higher level enemies who will take you apart. Lot's of the classic techniques: circle strafing, diagonal jumping, running backwards, etc.. come in handy here.
So far, the game is a blast. I had a buddy stop over for some split-screen co-op, and that was great. We didn't have access to the vehicle yet, but I have a good feeling that having a separate driver/gunner will be amazing. It has taken a great deal of willpower for me to write this and not play the game, but alas, it is wearing me down, and I must cave to the pressure!
Good hunting!
8.10.09
Lost time...
I must apologize gentle reader. It has been far too long since I last posted. What happened?
Batman: Arkham Asylum started it. Blame Batman. Or maybe the Joker is more deserving of blame. Anyway, this game is amazing! I had a ton of fun playing it. I listened to a podcast recently where one of the members said that he would be happy if it was just a bunch of Batman set-pieces. Well they were in there for sure, but the gameplay backed them up in a great way.
All of the buzz about the "free-flow combat" was worth it. The hand-to-hand fights in Batman: AA are just great. It takes a bit to understand the mechanics and timing, but once you get it going, you really feel like Batman taking out a large group of thugs. If you liked the scenes in the recent movies where Batman is taking on 5 or 6 guys all at once, you will love playing these parts of the game. Even when you get hit, the effects are amazing. If a thug has a melee weapon like a pipe and manages to score a hit, the screen goes fuzzy and the image doubles, which is a perfect effect for such a hit. As you take damage, the color slowly bleeds out of the picture, giving you a sort of life-bar without actually having one. Batman's "health" replenishes when he isn't hit for a while, so you are never low on resources in that way.
So, hand to hand combat is great and all.. But Batman is really all about the stealth and fear. These elements are present as well. Throughout the game there are various situations that require to you take out enemies silently and without being seen. This could be traps set off by thugs when they see you, or simply thugs carrying guns, and guns will stop you pretty quickly if you get hit multiple times. As you progress and acquire more of Batman's gadgets your mobility increases greatly, and your ability to take out foes in a stealthy manner is further enhanced.
Mobility is something I love in games. Batman has the means to move quickly through areas. Zip-lines, cape-gliding, grappling hooks, and more. Batman is rarely seen strolling about, and this game lets you emulate that in spades.
Batman Arkham Asylum is simply a great game. Penny-Arcade's Tycho called it a "metroidvania" title, an apt description. You are constantly moving through parts of the island, acquiring new tools to help you reach new areas. There is a lot of revisiting, I suppose, but somehow this game manages not to become boring. Of course, the scenery does change after parts.. But no spoilers here. Any fan of Batman will love this game, and I'm certain that anyone who likes fun games will love it too.
But Batman came out over a month ago, what the heck have I been doing? Well, Batman kept me entertained to the point where I preferred to play the game instead of blogging it for quite a while. Longer than most games lately. Since I decided to let the disc cool, and since budgetary constraints are growing, I've been re-playing some older titles.
I got back into Fallout 3 for a while.. Until it kept crashing on me. One of the perils of PC gaming and modding I suppose. I've tried to reinstall the game and play the vanilla game, modding slowly and keeping track of things that cause problems.. But there just doesn't seem to be any way for me to run that game in a stable way with Mods. This is pretty upsetting. The vanilla build is fun and kept me entertained for a LOOONG time... But now I want the new content as well. I'll keep at it.
I was on a Star Wars kick for a few weeks (still am, actually). As a result, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed found its way back into my 360. I still love this game. I think the critics panned it for various troubles, but the game is a lot of fun anyway. If you have ever wanted to wreak havoc with the force and a lightsaber... This is your game. The story is fairly true to Star Wars (I'm serious.. Watch the movies again if you think I'm full of it) and the extra costumes and such are just fun. Some elements were added (The dark troopers) that are there simply to make the game more challenging than throwing stormtroopers around all day. I turned the difficulty up once I started playing again, and was rewarded for doing so. On the easier levels, the combat is pretty straight-forward, but as you increase the difficulty, tactical prowess becomes a necessity. I'm sure this game is pretty inexpensive these days, or wait for the Ultimate Sith Edition this winter!
And as for right now, I'm replaying Mass Effect. I loved this game the first time around, and am enjoying it this time as well. I've tried most of the classes, and I think Infiltrator is my go-to. I am very excited for the sequel, as well. I hope that in their "streamlining" of some of the features they don't just dumb everything down. If you don't keep your character upgraded organically as you play, it can get tedious, but I love all of the micro-managing when it comes to gun upgrades and ammo types. I guess this is gone in the sequel.. We'll see how that works out. From the videos and information I've read, they are going for more visceral combat in the sequel, so shooter fans should find more challenge and excitement there. It is hard to wrap your head around the fact that the game is not really a shooter. It is an RPG that just happens to use guns. Further developments should be interesting. I just had a taste of Pinnacle Station before I decided to start over. I had to kill one of my favorite characters to advance the story.. And I can't have that happen, especially since he will stay dead in the sequel! So I get to see the beginning again. Not my favorite part, but hopefully I can soldier on and get to the meaty parts of the game.
List Time:
Titles I am excited for:
Borderlands (probably for Xbox) The art style and classes interest me. Should be fun.
Dragon Age: Origins (PC) I've actually pre-ordered this game. I love bioware titles, and especially dungeon crawl RPGs a-la Baldurs Gate.
Bayonetta (Xbox) I am a huge Devil May Cry fan, so some competition (from the original creator) should be a great thing, hopefully pushing future titles of both series to greater heights. Sort of creeped out by the hair thing though.
There, a load of content. Doesn't make up for my lack of posts, but catches people up.
Batman: Arkham Asylum started it. Blame Batman. Or maybe the Joker is more deserving of blame. Anyway, this game is amazing! I had a ton of fun playing it. I listened to a podcast recently where one of the members said that he would be happy if it was just a bunch of Batman set-pieces. Well they were in there for sure, but the gameplay backed them up in a great way.
All of the buzz about the "free-flow combat" was worth it. The hand-to-hand fights in Batman: AA are just great. It takes a bit to understand the mechanics and timing, but once you get it going, you really feel like Batman taking out a large group of thugs. If you liked the scenes in the recent movies where Batman is taking on 5 or 6 guys all at once, you will love playing these parts of the game. Even when you get hit, the effects are amazing. If a thug has a melee weapon like a pipe and manages to score a hit, the screen goes fuzzy and the image doubles, which is a perfect effect for such a hit. As you take damage, the color slowly bleeds out of the picture, giving you a sort of life-bar without actually having one. Batman's "health" replenishes when he isn't hit for a while, so you are never low on resources in that way.
So, hand to hand combat is great and all.. But Batman is really all about the stealth and fear. These elements are present as well. Throughout the game there are various situations that require to you take out enemies silently and without being seen. This could be traps set off by thugs when they see you, or simply thugs carrying guns, and guns will stop you pretty quickly if you get hit multiple times. As you progress and acquire more of Batman's gadgets your mobility increases greatly, and your ability to take out foes in a stealthy manner is further enhanced.
Mobility is something I love in games. Batman has the means to move quickly through areas. Zip-lines, cape-gliding, grappling hooks, and more. Batman is rarely seen strolling about, and this game lets you emulate that in spades.
Batman Arkham Asylum is simply a great game. Penny-Arcade's Tycho called it a "metroidvania" title, an apt description. You are constantly moving through parts of the island, acquiring new tools to help you reach new areas. There is a lot of revisiting, I suppose, but somehow this game manages not to become boring. Of course, the scenery does change after parts.. But no spoilers here. Any fan of Batman will love this game, and I'm certain that anyone who likes fun games will love it too.
But Batman came out over a month ago, what the heck have I been doing? Well, Batman kept me entertained to the point where I preferred to play the game instead of blogging it for quite a while. Longer than most games lately. Since I decided to let the disc cool, and since budgetary constraints are growing, I've been re-playing some older titles.
I got back into Fallout 3 for a while.. Until it kept crashing on me. One of the perils of PC gaming and modding I suppose. I've tried to reinstall the game and play the vanilla game, modding slowly and keeping track of things that cause problems.. But there just doesn't seem to be any way for me to run that game in a stable way with Mods. This is pretty upsetting. The vanilla build is fun and kept me entertained for a LOOONG time... But now I want the new content as well. I'll keep at it.
I was on a Star Wars kick for a few weeks (still am, actually). As a result, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed found its way back into my 360. I still love this game. I think the critics panned it for various troubles, but the game is a lot of fun anyway. If you have ever wanted to wreak havoc with the force and a lightsaber... This is your game. The story is fairly true to Star Wars (I'm serious.. Watch the movies again if you think I'm full of it) and the extra costumes and such are just fun. Some elements were added (The dark troopers) that are there simply to make the game more challenging than throwing stormtroopers around all day. I turned the difficulty up once I started playing again, and was rewarded for doing so. On the easier levels, the combat is pretty straight-forward, but as you increase the difficulty, tactical prowess becomes a necessity. I'm sure this game is pretty inexpensive these days, or wait for the Ultimate Sith Edition this winter!
And as for right now, I'm replaying Mass Effect. I loved this game the first time around, and am enjoying it this time as well. I've tried most of the classes, and I think Infiltrator is my go-to. I am very excited for the sequel, as well. I hope that in their "streamlining" of some of the features they don't just dumb everything down. If you don't keep your character upgraded organically as you play, it can get tedious, but I love all of the micro-managing when it comes to gun upgrades and ammo types. I guess this is gone in the sequel.. We'll see how that works out. From the videos and information I've read, they are going for more visceral combat in the sequel, so shooter fans should find more challenge and excitement there. It is hard to wrap your head around the fact that the game is not really a shooter. It is an RPG that just happens to use guns. Further developments should be interesting. I just had a taste of Pinnacle Station before I decided to start over. I had to kill one of my favorite characters to advance the story.. And I can't have that happen, especially since he will stay dead in the sequel! So I get to see the beginning again. Not my favorite part, but hopefully I can soldier on and get to the meaty parts of the game.
List Time:
Titles I am excited for:
Borderlands (probably for Xbox) The art style and classes interest me. Should be fun.
Dragon Age: Origins (PC) I've actually pre-ordered this game. I love bioware titles, and especially dungeon crawl RPGs a-la Baldurs Gate.
Bayonetta (Xbox) I am a huge Devil May Cry fan, so some competition (from the original creator) should be a great thing, hopefully pushing future titles of both series to greater heights. Sort of creeped out by the hair thing though.
There, a load of content. Doesn't make up for my lack of posts, but catches people up.
5.8.09
Fallout 3 anecdote (but not the promised one..)
So, after having considerable trouble installing Microsoft .Net Framework 3, in order that I could use Games for Windows Live to download the Mothership Zeta DLC for Fallout 3... I finally was able to download, and play the Mothership Zeta DLC for Fallout 3.
I have not finished the quest yet, but I have enjoyed it thus far. The sort of 50's inspired designs for the aliens equipment and ship just really works for me. I hate the aliens that have some kind of shielding though!
So, on to the anecdote. First, you must know that for some strange reason, I have an irrational fear of aliens. Yes, it makes no sense whatsoever for someone who attempts to be rational in most, if not all things to fear aliens. But I do. Especially the "greys." I was able to like Elvis in Perfect Dark.. But I don't know how. So the aliens in Fallout 3 are not quite the right style to really bring on the fear, but they are very very close. Then came the abominations. They are so tough and so much like what I fear for no good reason that they really amped up the fright-factor for me.
They give me the heeby-jeebies. So I'm playing through the quest, finding the recordings of the people that the aliens have captured previously. They are sometimes funny and sometimes sad or scary (for me..). I am having a good ol' time.
Then comes last night. I did not sleep particularly well. A couple of times I woke up and was just thinking about aliens. Not something I want to think about with a tired brain and no light. Finally 10 till 5:00 rolls around and it is time for me to get up and walk the dogs. We got a lot of rain here yesterday. So it was incredibly foggy out this morning. Maybe 20 feet visibility. The sun was not yet up. So it is just me and my tiny dogs, walking down dark streets, seeing the halos around street lights. PERFECT after someone with an irrational fear of aliens has been playing a game about alien abductions.
I know, toughen up, wise up, and whatever else up I can do to get over it. It is an irrational fear, no matter how much I think it through, I can not truly get over it. So there.
Anyway, thus far the DLC has been incredibly fun, and somewhat cathartic. I usually am not a huge fan of killing things for the sake of doing so... But blowing these aliens to hell kind of makes me feel good.
I have not finished the quest yet, but I have enjoyed it thus far. The sort of 50's inspired designs for the aliens equipment and ship just really works for me. I hate the aliens that have some kind of shielding though!
So, on to the anecdote. First, you must know that for some strange reason, I have an irrational fear of aliens. Yes, it makes no sense whatsoever for someone who attempts to be rational in most, if not all things to fear aliens. But I do. Especially the "greys." I was able to like Elvis in Perfect Dark.. But I don't know how. So the aliens in Fallout 3 are not quite the right style to really bring on the fear, but they are very very close. Then came the abominations. They are so tough and so much like what I fear for no good reason that they really amped up the fright-factor for me.
They give me the heeby-jeebies. So I'm playing through the quest, finding the recordings of the people that the aliens have captured previously. They are sometimes funny and sometimes sad or scary (for me..). I am having a good ol' time.
Then comes last night. I did not sleep particularly well. A couple of times I woke up and was just thinking about aliens. Not something I want to think about with a tired brain and no light. Finally 10 till 5:00 rolls around and it is time for me to get up and walk the dogs. We got a lot of rain here yesterday. So it was incredibly foggy out this morning. Maybe 20 feet visibility. The sun was not yet up. So it is just me and my tiny dogs, walking down dark streets, seeing the halos around street lights. PERFECT after someone with an irrational fear of aliens has been playing a game about alien abductions.
I know, toughen up, wise up, and whatever else up I can do to get over it. It is an irrational fear, no matter how much I think it through, I can not truly get over it. So there.
Anyway, thus far the DLC has been incredibly fun, and somewhat cathartic. I usually am not a huge fan of killing things for the sake of doing so... But blowing these aliens to hell kind of makes me feel good.
4.8.09
Gaming heaven?
I know that we are in the strange time right now, summer, when big game releases are infrequent. For me, this has been nice. As I have mentioned previously, I am extremely succeptible to being swept away by the media bandwagon and yearning for the next big thing. With our current "drought," I've been able to catch up on the games that I have, and try out an awesome Indie game.
I recently suffered some pc problems, and had to do a system restore. Much to my chagrin, my "my documents" folder was wiped. This folder is where most new games keep their saves. So I lost my Fallout 3 save. I was pretty upset at first. But now, I am replaying the game, and having loads of fun doing so. As strange as it seems, this game still has me hooked. I had a level 29 character, over 130 hours into the game, and yet I can start over and not feel too bad about it. I think that this speaks volumes about the game.
I have also been playing Red Faction Guerrilla. This game is a lot of fun. Demolishing buildings is a surprisingly fun concept for a game. Add the guerrilla nature to the conflict, and you have an interesting, if troubling game. Despite what they have said, I am sure that the designers had to consider current events when they made the game. I have struggled some to reconsile my role in this game, but the storyline does justify the means you employ. Though I am certain that most fighters in a conflict feel justified. Anyway, this game is fun, and I shall relate an anecdote when I have more time.
The other game I picked up recently is Trine. I bought it off of Steam. What a fun, beautiful game. The physics based puzzles are interesting, as is the application of multiple characters. I am short on time, but I hope to give a really detailed explanation of my affection for this game soon.
Short post, but that's what I am playing, and enjoying at the moment.
I recently suffered some pc problems, and had to do a system restore. Much to my chagrin, my "my documents" folder was wiped. This folder is where most new games keep their saves. So I lost my Fallout 3 save. I was pretty upset at first. But now, I am replaying the game, and having loads of fun doing so. As strange as it seems, this game still has me hooked. I had a level 29 character, over 130 hours into the game, and yet I can start over and not feel too bad about it. I think that this speaks volumes about the game.
I have also been playing Red Faction Guerrilla. This game is a lot of fun. Demolishing buildings is a surprisingly fun concept for a game. Add the guerrilla nature to the conflict, and you have an interesting, if troubling game. Despite what they have said, I am sure that the designers had to consider current events when they made the game. I have struggled some to reconsile my role in this game, but the storyline does justify the means you employ. Though I am certain that most fighters in a conflict feel justified. Anyway, this game is fun, and I shall relate an anecdote when I have more time.
The other game I picked up recently is Trine. I bought it off of Steam. What a fun, beautiful game. The physics based puzzles are interesting, as is the application of multiple characters. I am short on time, but I hope to give a really detailed explanation of my affection for this game soon.
Short post, but that's what I am playing, and enjoying at the moment.
17.7.09
An auditory idea
When I purchased my Xbox 360, I was happy to find out that some of the features it had were more on par with what pc gamers had been able to do for years. The main feature I am focusing on is the ability to load my MP3s, or rip CDs the hard disk for play when I am playing a game on the system.
Now of course I could always mute the music in the game of choice and use my PC or stereo to do this anyway, but I like not having to do so. Call me lazy.
I had an idea this morning. Custom soundtracks have been made possible for PC gamers with games where the developer offers toolsets, or in the old days when you could replace the mp3s that came with the game with your own. But why not make this a more mainstream feature?
I love a lot of video game music, don't get me wrong. The iconic works of Koji Kondo, Nobuo Uematsu, and others never fail to bring a smile (or wistful sigh). However, for each of the greats, there are other... Not so greats. I read once in a book I can't remember that sound guys are often the least respected members of video game development teams. This is sad, as sound is so important for game to player communication. The 8-bit sound effects of the past are still strong in my mind. Does anyone else think of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game for NES whenever they hear certain models of Microwaves sound that time is up?
Perhaps not. The point is, sound is an important aspect of immersion, but budgets are more focused on the visual flash of graphics, which is easier to sell through commercials and pictures. While some games have composers writing scores that stand up to any film score, others have music that grates on the ears and is quickly muted.
I return now, after much rambling, to my idea. What if games had an option for custom soundtracks? There could be a track list, with a basic description, and you could put your own audio file into the game. Descriptions such as "intense action" could be used so that the player could input their own songs of choice. The only thing that I see standing in the way of such an idea is that mainstream gamers probably don't want to spend the time on the front end of a new game purchase uploading songs. However, I think that it would be a great addition to many games.
Now of course I could always mute the music in the game of choice and use my PC or stereo to do this anyway, but I like not having to do so. Call me lazy.
I had an idea this morning. Custom soundtracks have been made possible for PC gamers with games where the developer offers toolsets, or in the old days when you could replace the mp3s that came with the game with your own. But why not make this a more mainstream feature?
I love a lot of video game music, don't get me wrong. The iconic works of Koji Kondo, Nobuo Uematsu, and others never fail to bring a smile (or wistful sigh). However, for each of the greats, there are other... Not so greats. I read once in a book I can't remember that sound guys are often the least respected members of video game development teams. This is sad, as sound is so important for game to player communication. The 8-bit sound effects of the past are still strong in my mind. Does anyone else think of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game for NES whenever they hear certain models of Microwaves sound that time is up?
Perhaps not. The point is, sound is an important aspect of immersion, but budgets are more focused on the visual flash of graphics, which is easier to sell through commercials and pictures. While some games have composers writing scores that stand up to any film score, others have music that grates on the ears and is quickly muted.
I return now, after much rambling, to my idea. What if games had an option for custom soundtracks? There could be a track list, with a basic description, and you could put your own audio file into the game. Descriptions such as "intense action" could be used so that the player could input their own songs of choice. The only thing that I see standing in the way of such an idea is that mainstream gamers probably don't want to spend the time on the front end of a new game purchase uploading songs. However, I think that it would be a great addition to many games.
16.7.09
I read an interesting article over at Kotaku recently. This article is a "how to guide" for making games using the license from upcoming movies. The advice is pretty common sense, and mostly panders to the audience, but it did have some, well one nugget of information that I found interesting.
"The summertime release list for video games isn't typically as stuffed as the fall and holiday release list, meaning potentially less competition. So if you can release in the summer time, day and date with the theatrical release, do it. Failing that, wait for the DVD, as EA did with the video game release of Superman Returns and Warner Bros. is doing with the second episode of Watchmen: The End Is Nigh.
While risky, most of the spending in the U.S. happens during the fourth quarter of the year, a product of the video game industry following a "toy-based" model, according to Wolf, not a media-based model."
I have often wondered why there is such a dearth of "triple A" titles during some parts of the year. I suppose that if previous models show more spending to happen during the fourth quarter, it makes sense to try and target that release period, at least to an executive.
I think that most gamers, or at least I, crave content year-round. I consume games at a fairly rapid rate. Part of this comes from not being a "completionist." This admission will probably reduce my gamer-cred to a lot of people. I enjoy the narratives of games, I also enjoy the action and hopefully the combat system. I do not enjoy scouring every nook and cranny for obscure items that I can complete the game without anyway.
With our consumer-based economy, and many adults having loads of disposable income, it seems strange to not be releasing titles year-round. Less competition during the summer months would seem to be a good incentive to try and release at that time.
I read the reviews for Red Faction: Guerrilla, before I purchased the game. They were not stellar. However, the game had enough interesting ideas to make it a viable purchase without any more tempting alternatives. I am glad to be playing it, make no mistake there, but I wonder how it would have fared against other big titles in a fight for my free time.
I suppose my main concern is the coming storm this fall. Dragon Age: Origins, Bayonetta, and more than a few others that I can't think of at the moment are looming on the horizon, all releasing very close to one another. I won't have the time or the funds to play them all when they come out, and that is disappointing.
Another note is the increasing prevalence of DLC in extending the life of games. Anyone who reads this will know of my extensive love for Fallout 3. I have purchased every DLC released by Bethesda on, or very near to release. I enjoy this game and love new experiences within the world that they have created, and it has given me more to do during these months when there has not been much else to buy new.
I suppose that I should also look at the slower months as a time to catch up on the titles I may have missed. I find that I am affected by our forward-looking consumer culture and crave the newer titles, shunning those who have fallen by the wayside. I am certain that this is my own loss, but unable to change my ways.
"The summertime release list for video games isn't typically as stuffed as the fall and holiday release list, meaning potentially less competition. So if you can release in the summer time, day and date with the theatrical release, do it. Failing that, wait for the DVD, as EA did with the video game release of Superman Returns and Warner Bros. is doing with the second episode of Watchmen: The End Is Nigh.
While risky, most of the spending in the U.S. happens during the fourth quarter of the year, a product of the video game industry following a "toy-based" model, according to Wolf, not a media-based model."
I have often wondered why there is such a dearth of "triple A" titles during some parts of the year. I suppose that if previous models show more spending to happen during the fourth quarter, it makes sense to try and target that release period, at least to an executive.
I think that most gamers, or at least I, crave content year-round. I consume games at a fairly rapid rate. Part of this comes from not being a "completionist." This admission will probably reduce my gamer-cred to a lot of people. I enjoy the narratives of games, I also enjoy the action and hopefully the combat system. I do not enjoy scouring every nook and cranny for obscure items that I can complete the game without anyway.
With our consumer-based economy, and many adults having loads of disposable income, it seems strange to not be releasing titles year-round. Less competition during the summer months would seem to be a good incentive to try and release at that time.
I read the reviews for Red Faction: Guerrilla, before I purchased the game. They were not stellar. However, the game had enough interesting ideas to make it a viable purchase without any more tempting alternatives. I am glad to be playing it, make no mistake there, but I wonder how it would have fared against other big titles in a fight for my free time.
I suppose my main concern is the coming storm this fall. Dragon Age: Origins, Bayonetta, and more than a few others that I can't think of at the moment are looming on the horizon, all releasing very close to one another. I won't have the time or the funds to play them all when they come out, and that is disappointing.
Another note is the increasing prevalence of DLC in extending the life of games. Anyone who reads this will know of my extensive love for Fallout 3. I have purchased every DLC released by Bethesda on, or very near to release. I enjoy this game and love new experiences within the world that they have created, and it has given me more to do during these months when there has not been much else to buy new.
I suppose that I should also look at the slower months as a time to catch up on the titles I may have missed. I find that I am affected by our forward-looking consumer culture and crave the newer titles, shunning those who have fallen by the wayside. I am certain that this is my own loss, but unable to change my ways.
15.7.09
Vacation
I have not taken a full-on vacation in several years. That changed this year. We are visiting some of my wife's family in the Houston, Texas area. With all of the airplane travel and my tendency to wake up early in the morning, my DS is getting a workout.
I picked up Moon for the DS. It is an interesting title that has excellent 3D graphics for the platform. I would say that anyone who enjoys FPS's and adventure games should give this a shot. The controls work very well, and I am constantly amazed by the environments as I work my way through the levels. I hope that this game sells well enough to merit further games from the developers.
I also picked up Children of Mana. At this point, I am fairly certain that everyone out there who is into Action RPGs and the DS has played this title. I am a bit slow in getting on board sometimes. So far I am loving this title as well. Beautiful 2D graphics and tight controls help this game a lot. I played very little of The Secret of Mana on the SNES when I was younger, but I always wanted to play more. I don't know what took me so long to pick this game up for my DS, but I am glad that I did.
Even with these great titles, I can not wait to get back home and jump back into Fallout 3 and Red Faction: Guerrilla.
I picked up Moon for the DS. It is an interesting title that has excellent 3D graphics for the platform. I would say that anyone who enjoys FPS's and adventure games should give this a shot. The controls work very well, and I am constantly amazed by the environments as I work my way through the levels. I hope that this game sells well enough to merit further games from the developers.
I also picked up Children of Mana. At this point, I am fairly certain that everyone out there who is into Action RPGs and the DS has played this title. I am a bit slow in getting on board sometimes. So far I am loving this title as well. Beautiful 2D graphics and tight controls help this game a lot. I played very little of The Secret of Mana on the SNES when I was younger, but I always wanted to play more. I don't know what took me so long to pick this game up for my DS, but I am glad that I did.
Even with these great titles, I can not wait to get back home and jump back into Fallout 3 and Red Faction: Guerrilla.
30.6.09
Video games!
I ordered Red Faction: Guerrilla using google shopper because I was able to find it about $20 under retail. I am very happy with the game thus far, but I have a probem.
I also downloaded the Point Lookout dlc for Fallout 3 because I thought that Red Faction would not get here as quick as it did..
So now I have to split my free time between them. What a world!
I also downloaded the Point Lookout dlc for Fallout 3 because I thought that Red Faction would not get here as quick as it did..
So now I have to split my free time between them. What a world!
7.5.09
Gamestop
I have avoided Gamestop for quite some time now. I like to purchase games new in order to support the developers. Or, if a game is a blockbuster and they do not need my help, I will use other outlets to find a game for less than Gamestop's meager discounts on used titles. I did notice something interesting when I went in to a Gamestop recently. This being that titles that had been out for some time had reduced prices. This sounds logical, and it is, in my opinion. Whenever I go into a non-dedicated store like Wal-mart, any Xbox game is generally around $60, no matter how old it is. If they can get that price, the free market says more power to them. I know that if you watch circulars for sales, you can sometimes get them at lower prices, but I am somewhat lazy in this regard. Seeing older games selling for lower prices makes me happy. I may actually consider shopping at Gamestop once more. Though I will do some comparison shopping beforehand.
Tomb Raider: Underworld
My wife surprised me with Tomb Raider: Underworld this week. A pleasant surprise. I had played the Demo on both my Xbox and the PC and decided to get it for PC at some point, she just accelerated the process.
I am very pleased with the game. I have to say that it was pretty short, but it was fun while it lasted. Underworld is the first Tomb Raider I have ever owned, and the first on I have played since the revamp of the series.
The levels were absolutely gorgeous, huge ruins and outdoor vistas that were just beautiful. The movement was very interesting. It was very in-line with the newer Prince of Persia games and was pretty fun. I do have to admit to some frustrations while playing. Trying to chain together movements was sometimes a chore, Lara would dive off into the abyss when I wanted her to jump sideways or up. This was probably the biggest turnoff of the game, but I was compelled to keep playing, so it wasn't all that bad.
The combat wasn't spectacular. I think the game is old enough that I can give a little spoiler that should be evident after the first hour or so of the game anyway... SPOILER ALERT. Once I got my hands on Mjolnir, the combat definitely improved. Prior to attaining that legendary hammer, combat was basically a chore of holding down the fire button while letting enemies get close and spamming the melee button. This worked for 90 per-cent of the enemies.
I almost wonder if this game could have been better without combat? I know that conflict is a driving force for the tension in games, but is it the only one? The beautiful levels of this game made me want to advance, if only to see what was next. I think it is safe to say that Tomb Raider has always been an Indiana Jones knock-off. I am not being pejorative when I say that. The series has developed an interesting mythos of its own, but at the root of it is adventuring archaeology. I think that if a future installment focused more on the exploration, discovery, and personal conflicts, it could really innovate in a way that only a game like this could.
I guess the other option would be for the developers to step the combat up, give us a more Devil May Cry or Prince of Persia type combat. However, I think moving away from combat would be the bolder, if more risky move.
Time will tell what will happen. Overall, I recommend playing this game. I do not know what Erin paid for it, but I have seen it at Best Buy for $20, on PC. It is very worth your time.
I am very pleased with the game. I have to say that it was pretty short, but it was fun while it lasted. Underworld is the first Tomb Raider I have ever owned, and the first on I have played since the revamp of the series.
The levels were absolutely gorgeous, huge ruins and outdoor vistas that were just beautiful. The movement was very interesting. It was very in-line with the newer Prince of Persia games and was pretty fun. I do have to admit to some frustrations while playing. Trying to chain together movements was sometimes a chore, Lara would dive off into the abyss when I wanted her to jump sideways or up. This was probably the biggest turnoff of the game, but I was compelled to keep playing, so it wasn't all that bad.
The combat wasn't spectacular. I think the game is old enough that I can give a little spoiler that should be evident after the first hour or so of the game anyway... SPOILER ALERT. Once I got my hands on Mjolnir, the combat definitely improved. Prior to attaining that legendary hammer, combat was basically a chore of holding down the fire button while letting enemies get close and spamming the melee button. This worked for 90 per-cent of the enemies.
I almost wonder if this game could have been better without combat? I know that conflict is a driving force for the tension in games, but is it the only one? The beautiful levels of this game made me want to advance, if only to see what was next. I think it is safe to say that Tomb Raider has always been an Indiana Jones knock-off. I am not being pejorative when I say that. The series has developed an interesting mythos of its own, but at the root of it is adventuring archaeology. I think that if a future installment focused more on the exploration, discovery, and personal conflicts, it could really innovate in a way that only a game like this could.
I guess the other option would be for the developers to step the combat up, give us a more Devil May Cry or Prince of Persia type combat. However, I think moving away from combat would be the bolder, if more risky move.
Time will tell what will happen. Overall, I recommend playing this game. I do not know what Erin paid for it, but I have seen it at Best Buy for $20, on PC. It is very worth your time.
29.4.09
Fanboyism AND Half-Life 2
As a younger man, I played a lot of Quake. We are talking every expansion, every sequel until 4, and every expansion for the sequels. I loved the series. I was not able to get into Quake 4 quite as much as the others for some reason. I became a fanboy. I shy away from fanboyism these days, other than General Fanboyism, or just being a fan of games and media.
The problem that arose from this was Half-Life. During a time when I was a person who played a ton of first person shooters, I was also a Quake Fanboy. As a result, I missed out on Half Life. I tried to pick the game up in 2001 or so, but was unable to play much of it. The game was critically acclaimed, and I'm sure great for its time, but I was not able to really get into it. How sad for me.
Skip to 2009. I have really begun to enjoy games that Valve is putting out. Portal amazed me. That was an amazing exercise. I played through twice, once to do it, and then the second time to listen to developer commentary. I enjoyed Left 4 Dead, as I have said many times.
When Valve put the Orange Box on sale for $9.99 over the weekend, I could not resist. I am really beginning to enjoy Source powered games. I have had the Orange Box recommended by several friends. Thus, I bought it, and I started playing Half Life 2 Sunday evening. What a ride! The pacing is great for me. The action sequences have great music that helps get me pumped up. The story seems to be interesting. I studied the Wikipedia article on the original so that I could understand the back story so far. I am very much enjoying this game. I am looking forward to playing the episodes and joining the heaving masses in the wait for the next one.
The problem that arose from this was Half-Life. During a time when I was a person who played a ton of first person shooters, I was also a Quake Fanboy. As a result, I missed out on Half Life. I tried to pick the game up in 2001 or so, but was unable to play much of it. The game was critically acclaimed, and I'm sure great for its time, but I was not able to really get into it. How sad for me.
Skip to 2009. I have really begun to enjoy games that Valve is putting out. Portal amazed me. That was an amazing exercise. I played through twice, once to do it, and then the second time to listen to developer commentary. I enjoyed Left 4 Dead, as I have said many times.
When Valve put the Orange Box on sale for $9.99 over the weekend, I could not resist. I am really beginning to enjoy Source powered games. I have had the Orange Box recommended by several friends. Thus, I bought it, and I started playing Half Life 2 Sunday evening. What a ride! The pacing is great for me. The action sequences have great music that helps get me pumped up. The story seems to be interesting. I studied the Wikipedia article on the original so that I could understand the back story so far. I am very much enjoying this game. I am looking forward to playing the episodes and joining the heaving masses in the wait for the next one.
24.4.09
Catching up...
So, I have an embarassing admission. In my younger days, I was apparently foolish enough to purchase Bloodrayne. The movie.
I know.
I played the video game, Bloodrayne, and enjoyed it quite a bit. I've since re-read some reviews, and thankfully, time has blurred some of the frustrations that I half remember when reminded. Interestingly enough, I played Bloodrayne on the Gamecube. I was a Gamecube owner, and that was my sole gaming console for most of the previous generation of gaming. So, when it was announced that Bloodrayne 2 wouldn't be making an appearence on the Gamecube, I was pretty upset.
Where is this going? Read on!
When I made the shameful purchase of the HORRIBLE Bloodrayne movie, it came with the PC version of Bloodrayne 2. At the time I didn't have a computer that could handle it, so I let it sit in the case. Then this month comes along. I've incurred some automotive expenses recently (no wrecks or anything) and as such I need to save a little money. I still have the video game itch to scratch though. The time was ripe for a revisit to the world of Bloodrayne.
I installed the game. Being used to the PC genre, I did a quick search for patches, and came across an unofficial patch, which added some graphical improvements to the game. Bonus! I started it up and began playing. The graphics were a bit dated, but much improved by the patch. The dialogue was a bit stilted in the cutscenes. I know that Bela Lugosi popularized the "I never drink... wine" turn of phrase for vampires, but does every piece of contemporary vampire fiction have to feature this "homage?" Anyway, I enjoyed playing the game. It was pretty short, maybe around 8 hours or so. But it was fun. If you read the reviews it has repetitive combat and some very oddball puzzles that often times I only solved by chance. It has all of these negatives, but still, I thought it was fun.
The strange thing about this game is that it seems to want to be taken somewhat seriously, but... BOOBS. I guess not just boobs, most of the female anatomy. The titular character runs around in skintight leather, with ample cleavage and a bare midriff. One of the primary enemies is a bondage queen, and the other is naked with artistic shading and moving tattoos. I know, I know, Vampires are sexy, it's part of the genre. To me it seems like there was a director or producer for the game with some great artistic vision and plot in mind, but the only people he could get to work with him were pubescent boys.
Now, I am such a geek that, given the flimsiest threads of story and hints of a larger worldspace, my mind somersaults into action creating a deep backstory and lavish surroundings in fictional works. This game was a bit strange. Throughout the whole game, the dialogue is pretty focused on what is happening in the here and now. As far as we can tell, this city that Rayne is in, is the whole world. Kind of a Matrix or Dark City kind of thing. SPOILER ALERT! But then, at the end, suddenly there is a big budget full motion video showing the vampires from another part of the world upset with events in the city. It also shows the Brimstone Society's current situation. The whole thing was very strange. Of course it set the game up for a sequel, and maybe that was the only point. I don't know.
I guess I have to put the Bloodrayne games up as guilty pleasures for me. They are certainly not great games. I'm sure that many would call them bad. But I found fun in them, and perhaps in some future installment we will get more than just an excuse to see a "hot" half-vampire slashing her way through mindless foes. And if you are very good Virginia, a movie not directed by Uwe Boll.
I know.
I played the video game, Bloodrayne, and enjoyed it quite a bit. I've since re-read some reviews, and thankfully, time has blurred some of the frustrations that I half remember when reminded. Interestingly enough, I played Bloodrayne on the Gamecube. I was a Gamecube owner, and that was my sole gaming console for most of the previous generation of gaming. So, when it was announced that Bloodrayne 2 wouldn't be making an appearence on the Gamecube, I was pretty upset.
Where is this going? Read on!
When I made the shameful purchase of the HORRIBLE Bloodrayne movie, it came with the PC version of Bloodrayne 2. At the time I didn't have a computer that could handle it, so I let it sit in the case. Then this month comes along. I've incurred some automotive expenses recently (no wrecks or anything) and as such I need to save a little money. I still have the video game itch to scratch though. The time was ripe for a revisit to the world of Bloodrayne.
I installed the game. Being used to the PC genre, I did a quick search for patches, and came across an unofficial patch, which added some graphical improvements to the game. Bonus! I started it up and began playing. The graphics were a bit dated, but much improved by the patch. The dialogue was a bit stilted in the cutscenes. I know that Bela Lugosi popularized the "I never drink... wine" turn of phrase for vampires, but does every piece of contemporary vampire fiction have to feature this "homage?" Anyway, I enjoyed playing the game. It was pretty short, maybe around 8 hours or so. But it was fun. If you read the reviews it has repetitive combat and some very oddball puzzles that often times I only solved by chance. It has all of these negatives, but still, I thought it was fun.
The strange thing about this game is that it seems to want to be taken somewhat seriously, but... BOOBS. I guess not just boobs, most of the female anatomy. The titular character runs around in skintight leather, with ample cleavage and a bare midriff. One of the primary enemies is a bondage queen, and the other is naked with artistic shading and moving tattoos. I know, I know, Vampires are sexy, it's part of the genre. To me it seems like there was a director or producer for the game with some great artistic vision and plot in mind, but the only people he could get to work with him were pubescent boys.
Now, I am such a geek that, given the flimsiest threads of story and hints of a larger worldspace, my mind somersaults into action creating a deep backstory and lavish surroundings in fictional works. This game was a bit strange. Throughout the whole game, the dialogue is pretty focused on what is happening in the here and now. As far as we can tell, this city that Rayne is in, is the whole world. Kind of a Matrix or Dark City kind of thing. SPOILER ALERT! But then, at the end, suddenly there is a big budget full motion video showing the vampires from another part of the world upset with events in the city. It also shows the Brimstone Society's current situation. The whole thing was very strange. Of course it set the game up for a sequel, and maybe that was the only point. I don't know.
I guess I have to put the Bloodrayne games up as guilty pleasures for me. They are certainly not great games. I'm sure that many would call them bad. But I found fun in them, and perhaps in some future installment we will get more than just an excuse to see a "hot" half-vampire slashing her way through mindless foes. And if you are very good Virginia, a movie not directed by Uwe Boll.
9.4.09
Aquaria and wide open spaces
I've put a few hours into Aquaria by now. The game is beautiful. The art is amazingly done and just a pleasure to see. The controls with the mouse are intuitive, and using the Xbox 360 Controller is pretty good as well. I have to play with the controller and mouse in tandem to use some of the menus, but that is not a deal breaker.
The only problem that I have is how open the game is. The rhetoric among gamers is that we want open worlds where we can explore and move around freely. But do we really?
The first night I played, I was able to progress pretty naturally through the first few portions of the contiguous world. Much like a Zelda game, you are kept from moving into areas you would be unable to survive in by the abilities you have. Acquiring new abilities frees you to explore more of the world. The progression was very smooth at first. I gained a song that let me move rocks, so hole covered by rocks were places I now needed to explore. Then things got tricky. I spent hours exploring the world of the game, and started to feel like I was getting nowhere. The game's creators have requested that people not make guides or FAQ's, and oddly enough, the internet seems to have obliged. I started to get frustrated, which is not a fun feeling at all. Finally, in some obscure blog I learned where I needed to go.
Exploration is enjoyable to a point. But there comes a time when if I am not feeling that I am progressing, frustration sets in. The beautiful new realms lose their lustre if I can't do anything new in them. I intend to get back to the game this afternoon, and I did enjoy it once I started progressing again. But wow, frustration is a strong emotion when you are trying to relax and have fun.
Perhaps we are too coddled by games right now. I recently played Portal, then replayed it with the commentary. That game is so smooth, and the guidance so subtle that you feel extremely clever for figuring out each puzzle. Then you play through with the commentary and realize that essentially, Valve has held your hand and guided you through the game step by step. It is a wild experience. Most games these days have a "linear" element that keeps you moving forward steadily. Am I spoiled by this now? Perhaps I am. Where is my joy of exploration?
Games are a study in psychology. Companies like Valve have honed their psychological tools to create intuitive environments that seem very free while at the same time guiding you along a track you must follow. Most successful games have the carrot and stick mentality. You see your reward and what you must do in order to get that reward. This has happened so much in recent times that playing a game like Aquaria leads to frustration. I'm not sure how I feel about this.
The only problem that I have is how open the game is. The rhetoric among gamers is that we want open worlds where we can explore and move around freely. But do we really?
The first night I played, I was able to progress pretty naturally through the first few portions of the contiguous world. Much like a Zelda game, you are kept from moving into areas you would be unable to survive in by the abilities you have. Acquiring new abilities frees you to explore more of the world. The progression was very smooth at first. I gained a song that let me move rocks, so hole covered by rocks were places I now needed to explore. Then things got tricky. I spent hours exploring the world of the game, and started to feel like I was getting nowhere. The game's creators have requested that people not make guides or FAQ's, and oddly enough, the internet seems to have obliged. I started to get frustrated, which is not a fun feeling at all. Finally, in some obscure blog I learned where I needed to go.
Exploration is enjoyable to a point. But there comes a time when if I am not feeling that I am progressing, frustration sets in. The beautiful new realms lose their lustre if I can't do anything new in them. I intend to get back to the game this afternoon, and I did enjoy it once I started progressing again. But wow, frustration is a strong emotion when you are trying to relax and have fun.
Perhaps we are too coddled by games right now. I recently played Portal, then replayed it with the commentary. That game is so smooth, and the guidance so subtle that you feel extremely clever for figuring out each puzzle. Then you play through with the commentary and realize that essentially, Valve has held your hand and guided you through the game step by step. It is a wild experience. Most games these days have a "linear" element that keeps you moving forward steadily. Am I spoiled by this now? Perhaps I am. Where is my joy of exploration?
Games are a study in psychology. Companies like Valve have honed their psychological tools to create intuitive environments that seem very free while at the same time guiding you along a track you must follow. Most successful games have the carrot and stick mentality. You see your reward and what you must do in order to get that reward. This has happened so much in recent times that playing a game like Aquaria leads to frustration. I'm not sure how I feel about this.
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