E3 2011

The title of this post is deceiving, since this is mostly a message to Microsoft (Don't get me started on the Vita or Wii U).

Microsoft, buddy, we got some issues to talk about. We (gamers) have been growing concerned over the last couple E3s but its gotta stop. Here are some of my observations of your press conference.

Stop it with the kid shit. Disneyland Adventures and Sesame Street have no fucking business even being at E3, better yet the Xbox 360 briefing! Why? People watching E3 are not the target of these games. Do kids even know about E3?! No one watching E3 got excited and said "I can't wait for Disneyland Adventures!". Even parents don't care, a father who plays video games isn't watching E3 for gift ideas.

"But," you say, "this is showing off the Kinect!" Shut. Your. Whore. Mouth. A lot of gamers already hate the Kinect, why are you making it worse by showing games for 6 year olds? Its even worse when you show child actors or whoever playing the games, pretending to have fun. I have a Kinect, so stuff like Ryse, Ghost Recon and Star Wars were actually pretty cool. But then you show dumb shit like people playing football. I don't think there was a single person watching who didn't facepalm at that.  Next year I'll have a drinking game where every time something like this happens, I take a shot. I could die of alcohol poisoning Microsoft, do you want that on your conscience?

Now that I've vented a bit there's also some good stuff I haven't mentioned, like Halo 4, the Halo 1 remake, MW3 and  Gears 3.

Now how do we fix the embarrassing issues? The first step is simple: if someone comes to you and says "We should show (insert game for kids 8 and under here) at our E3 press conference", you slap them and tell them to get the fuck out of your office.

The next solution is send it to me. Honestly, type up an itinerary and e-mail it to me. I will tell you what I think for free.

Overall, E3 this year has been lackluster, with the exceptions of MW3, Dead Island, and Bioshock Infinite.

Game Review: Call Of Duty: Black Ops

 

I’ve finally gotten to finish Black Ops (except Zombies, but I really don’t care for zombies). Understand that I came into Black Ops sceptical.  In the first trailer the first thing you see is these explosions that look like ass. From then on I kept me expectations low. And even after the release I still didn’t pick the game up for several weeks (problems with MW2 made me finally buy it). Here are my thoughts…

Single Player

Single Player is so-so. Some missions are pretty good for their use of history. Executive Command for example has you destroying a Russian Missile which is similar to an actual accident. Operation 40 has you on the Bay of Pigs Invasion. The Vorkuta Prison escape was also really well done.

On the other hand, the Vietnam, Kowloon and Laos missions were pretty bland. The mission WMD has some good moments but the whole spy plane is such a waste. Why did they even bother on something that you spend more time getting into than actually using? Some other complaints: Why was there no introduction to the RC-XD Car? The story isn’t great and a lot of the forced scenes are tedious and its annoying that you have to go through them EVERY TIME WITH NO SKIPPING! Some objectives aren’t clear… I’m looking at you Khe Sanh Napalm Barrels.

Multi Player

The multi-player is good. There are to big problems though. #1 is the maps. They’re all pretty uninspired and too small. Rundown time:

• Array: Good
• Cracked: Bad
• Crisis: Boring
• Firing Range: Meh
• Grid: Meh
• Hanoi: Good but rarely comes up
• Havana: Okay
• Jungle Meh
• Launch: Not bad this is probably the most interesting map
• Nuketown: Okay
• Radiation: Boring No one ever goes under ground, they wasted time on a useless door opener
• Summit: One of the better maps
• Villa: Really good sniping map
• WMD: Meh

Maybe I’m just hard to please.

The #2 thing wrong is the money/experience system. There’s a lot of little reasons so I’ll try my best to explain. For me moving Modern Warfare 2 along required unlocking weapons, unlocking the attachments and completing various challenges (usually gametype challenges). So I would play like this: Level Up, Get Gun, Get Attachments, Complete Gametype Challenge (Deathmatch, S&D, Demolition, Etc.) until I Prestige.

In Black Ops all that is thrown out the window. You only need to unlock Pro Perks. Everything else can be bought. So I focus on Pro Perks, which are a pain in the ass. I can’t really go into S&D if I’m trying to get PPs so I have to stay in TDM. So my experience so far has been level up in TDM until I get the AK47 and then just play that till I either get all my PPs or prestige (so far its only been the latter).

Another complaint: Noobs. Now I’m usually not one to complain about this, I mean, were all new at some point, right? But the issue I have is that people seem to be just taking their Xbox out of the box, putting in the game and then JOINING MY MATCHES AND GETTING 0-32! It’s ridiculous! And it happens all the time that I go to check their gamercard and the have 0 gamerscore. WHAT YOU COULDN’T BE BOTHER TO PLAY THE FIRST MISSION? YOU HAD TO COME STRAIGHT INTO MERCENARY TEAM DEATHMATCH AND YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW THE FUCKING CONTROLS??!?!?

Sorry, I just had to vent there.

There’s various other problems which you can find out for yourself (just search “Black Ops Sucks” you’ll get what your looking for)

Sound

The sound is actually top notch. Excellent voice over cast and good licensed music including Rolling Stones and CCR.

Graphics

Graphics weren’t impressive. They seemed worse than MW2 for some reason.

Positive Notes

There are several great steps though. First is the fact that you can play online with a guest. The theatre mode is good too.

Overall 7/10

I don’t think Black Ops is a worthy successor to the Modern Warfare duo. It’s good and fun to play, but it just doesn’t have the same impact that they had story wise and game play wise.

Game Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Modern Warfare 1 was easily one of my favourite games of all time. It had a great story and excellent multiplayer. Let's get "No Russian" out of the way. Yes it's pretty crazy, but it at least has some context (your a CIA operative and are trying to get close to a terrorist). Think about Grand Theft Auto, a series practically built on the ability to kill civilians. And in the rest of the game you fail if you accidentally kill a civilian, so it balances out.

Now further on in the story it gets ludicrous. Russia invades the U.S. basically the plot of Red Alert 2, instead of Kirovs there's choppers and planes. Where was my iron curtain?

So from there it becomes your standard "We're the US fightin off the ruskies". And that's the same problem MW1 had, the fun parts are when your the English team, not fun is with the US team. Why is that? My favourite missions are when your methodical, not frantic getting hit from all sides.

Now getting away from the story is multiplayer. Which is fantastic! The upgrade for weapons keep the game fun. It's just a blast to play. There seems like a limited number of maps, amd of course it has the love hate relationship with me as always. There's also the co-op which I felt should have been integrated with the story.

Programming: 9/10 : Overall pretty good, but the glitches such as the javelin glitch and the "private ranked match" glitch show that there could have been a little more time spent
Graphics: 9/10 : Good, but starting to show it's age
Story: 7/10 : Kind of ridiculous
Atmosphere: 7.5/10 : Not as fun as MW1
Multiplayer: 10/10 : Improves on MW1 10 fold
Overall: 9/10 : Overall still a great game, but not a classic like the first.

P.S. I thought they were joking on Bleep Bloop when they said Dick Cheney quotes show up when you die. Sure enough, they do. *facepalm*

Stinger503's Report of Toolbaggery 11/12/09

For those of you who don't know, Australia's game rating system doesn't allow games for people over 18 years of age. To put this in perspective, imagine if we had no 18-A or R rating in North America. How many good movies, that aren't appropriate for children, would we be missing?

Well probably one of the biggest toolbags of the year is Australia's Attorney General, Michael Atkinson, who says "I accept that 98 per cent, 99 per cent of gamers will tell the difference between fantasy and reality, but the 1 per cent to 2 per cent could go on to be motivated by these games to commit horrible acts of violence," he added. Yeah buddy, that's how society works. Only 1 to 2 percent of people flying are terrorists but let's not allow anybody to fly.

To quote Pink Floyd "We don't need your education! We don't need your thought control!"

What a toolbag!

Game Review: Resident Evil 5

Resident Evil 5 has an amazing story. Really epic. So for that alone, at least rent the game.


But the best part of the game is the co-op, yelling "HOLY CRAP!" and coordinating with your teammate is a ton of fun. The graphics and locales are well done.

But here's the problems. The single player is ass. It's just not fun playing by yourself. The second problem is the controls are kind of sluggish. I tried replaying a couple time but it was just a struggle. So I ended up reselling it too.




Programming: 5/10 : Controls felt kind of sluggish. Single player teammate AI is horrid!
Graphics: 9/10 : Graphics are really great
Story: 10/10 : Story is thrilling
Atmosphere: 10/10 : The various African locales are really well done
Multiplayer: 7/10 : The co-operative is really fun
Overall: 7/10 : There's an exceptional game here, I think it just gets bogged down a bit.

P.S. I love the main character because his name is Chris, memo to developers: NAME YOUR CHARACTERS CHRIS!

Game Review: Halo Wars

Halo Wars is an RTS based in the Halo universe. The plot is nothing special, Covenant take a thing, try to blow up the world... yadda yadda. In the end it doesn't have an impact on the Halo universe we know and love.

The problem I have with the game is that the pace seems kind of slow. Also a thing that bothered me was that you could on build a couple buildings and defences. And they can only go in specific places around the main construction base. I like the Red Alert scheme where you could build building anywhere around a building you own. It let you be creative with your bases. But they did it for easier controls.

In the end there's nothing wrong with the game. It has some interesting scenarios. However when I finished and looked at the achievements, I thought "ugh". And I knew right then, if playing through levels was feeling like a hassle, I was done. I traded it in for money.

Programming: 9/10 : Very well made game, controls really well too.

Graphics: 7.5/10 : The graphics are pretty good for a RTS

Story: 5/10 : The story kind of weak because of the low impact on the Halo universe.

Atmosphere: 9/10 : The Halo units are done really well

Multiplayer: NA/10 : Didn't really play multiplayer

Overall: 7/10 : Like I said I didn't hold onto the game.

Thoughts On Microsoft's E3 Conference

Damn! First off, DAMN!
That was amazing. Now before I continue I must throw this in:
CALLED IT!
Alan Wake did indeed have an EPIC demo and looked amazing!

Modern Warfare 2 looked great, but it felt like the demo they showed was rushed, in opposition of Modern Warfare 1's slower demo.

Beatles Rockband will indeed have Back In The USSR, I'm Sold.

SPLINTER CELL CONVICTION! HOLY SHIHTZUS! Looked jaw droppingly good!

Then Natal. I'll admit, parts were a little corny. But goddamn! Milo was creepy but even more amazing!

Then throw in Facebook and Twitter. Left 4 Dead 2, Crackdown 2, and
HOLY CRAP DID HALO ODST LOOK GOOD

10 Best Halo Multiplayer Maps

Read this post today and found it interesting. Did a little research and remembered some of my old favs.

1. Boarding Action - My dream is to have a remake of this map, half Covenant ship with a huge hole in it, half human ship.
2. Ivory Tower - Had a love/hate relationship with this map but I wish it were in Halo 3
3. Blood Gulch - Classic
4. Elongation - Loved this map for it’s design, colors and gameplay. Loved Swat and Snipers.
5. Beaver Creek - Classic map
6. Hang ‘Em High - Loved sniping here.
7. Terminal - Yes, I miss being hit by a train.
8. Zanzibar - I remember E3 when this was unveiled as part of Halo 2’s multiplayer. The spinning wheel and opening doors were amazing.
9. Blackout - I probably like Lockout more but I love the Human setting redesign
10. Backwash - Sort of out of left field, but I really loved the feel of this map

Honorable Mention: Containment, Foundation, Headlong, Relic, Colossus, Warlock
Least Favourites: Waterworks, Burial Mounds, Turf, Foundry, Isolation and Snowbound

Lookin' Ahead 2009 Edition

Last year I did a thing looking ahead at 2008. And boy was I right, 2008 was a blast. Now I know I'm doing this a little late. But here we go:

Already happened: Halo Wars (Review Soon), Resident Evil 5 (Review Soon), Hasbro coming to Live Arcade, Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.
What else?

1. Modern Warfare 2- A sequel to a game so good it doesn't even need to be called Call of Duty any more
2. Alan Wake- A game that's building anticipation via silence. I expect an EPIC demo at E3
   
3. Bioshock 2: Sea of Dreams- You. Play. A. Big. Daddy.
4. The Beatles: Rock Band- As long as there's Back in the U.S.S.R.
   
5. I Am Alive - A game where you have to live through a huge earthquake in Chicago, battling for water and trying to save your girlfriend? Count me in!
6. Survivor- Another survival game, except multiple disasters including 9/11 and the Titanic
7. Ride to Hell- A GTA Lost and the Damned like game. Where do I sign?
8. Primetime- Can't wait to see how this is implemented.
   
9. Huxley- The First real MMO game for the 360?
   
10. Red Dead Redemption- I love western games.
11. Max Payne 3- Never got into the first 2 but the same thing happened with Resident Evil 5
    
12. Velvet Assassin- Historical game based in World War II, starring a female spy and featuring Splinter Cell like game play? Who says WWII is dead?
13. Mafia 2- The 1st game looked interesting on the computer, but dated when finally released on the Xbox. I think this maybe a lot better. Love the era.
    
14. The Saboteur- Game based in occupied Paris circa WWII. Hell yes.
15. Splinter Cell: Conviction- There's been a long media blackout since the negative reception of the first information. Will they be out this year? I'm not keeping my hopes up.
16. Sundown- Zombie apocalypse game. Need I say more. Hopefully out in '09
17. Cipher Complex- Interesting Splinter Cell like game.

And that's not including what I can only imagine are going to be huge announcements from E3 '09 in a few months.

Game Download Review: COD:WAW:MP1

Today I'll review the Call of Duty: World At War: Map Pack 1, I won't be reviewing the Zombies map though, just the multiplayer maps.

First is Nightfire: basically a night map in the streets of a German city (Berlin?) in flames. Now as a sniper the map is okay, it's not as big as Seelow and there's a couple of okay sniping spots. The map is pretty fun for objective based games like sabotage. And there is a variety of strategies one can use (ex. go through factory, alley, across street to sniper or enemy base, etc.) so you have to be on your feet.
Overall: 8/10
It's fun but there are areas for improvement.

Second is Station: Basically a recreation of the subway tunnels from the campaign, this map is a bit of a bitch because it seems as though there's ALWAYS someone behind you. This is because of the multiple tunnels that link from the main big tunnel to the secondary tunnels. There aren't any lighting issues here either. Also fun for games of sabotage. Sniping can be done here but it's kind of lame.
Overall: 8/10
Pretty good, sort of like the map Elongation from Halo 2.

Finally there's Knee Deep: This is definitely my favourite Pacific based map. It's quite large and features various sniping spots. Great fun for objective games and death match games alike. Starts out kind of boring but it really grows on you. Favourite map from the pack, better than the other Pacific maps like Makin and Courtyard (not sure of the name).
Overall: 9/10
All round very good.

BUY? Yes

2009 Stinger503's Video Game Awards

Biggest Game I Didn't Play But Wanted To
Nominees:
Ninja Gaiden II
Red Alert 3
Condemned 2: Bloodshot
Battlefield: Bad Company
Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway
Saint's Row 2
Far Cry 2
Guitar Hero: World Tour
Winner: Red Alert 3 - One of my favourite franchises ever gets new life and it's on the 360! How could I not have bought this? Was dislike for EA after they shut down Westwood? Questioning RTS's on consoles? No demo? Who knows...

Worst Demo
Nominees:
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty
Tom Clancy's Endwar
Dead Space
Winner: Dead Space - I heard so much hype about this game, I genuinely was interested. Then the demo came out. Sorry but giving me 25 rounds in my pistol and putting me up against a dozen zombies pounding me is bullshit. When I say screw this 7 minutes into the demo, there's a problem.

Worst Game
Nominees:
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty
Lost: Via Domus
NHL 2k6
NHL 2k7
Winner: NHL 2k7 & 2k6 - Both of these pieces of ass will rot in video game hell. How dare 2k steal peoples money and then NOT patch the game so it at least works!

Best Music
Nominees:
Rock Band 2
Fallout 3
Mirrors Edge
Grand Theft Auto IV
Winner: Rock Band 2 - The Who, Rush, AC/DC, Kansas, Survivor, and Stephen and the Colberts what more do you need?
Honorable Mention: Grand Theft Auto IV - Having Queen and Ricky Gervais = Awesome


Best Cinematics
Nominees:
Gears of War 2
Mirrors Edge
Grand Theft Auto IV
Turok
Winner: Gears of War 2 - Normally I'm not a fan of cut scenes but for this I loved the story they told, very well done
Honorable Mention: Mirror's Edge - personally not a fan of cell shaded cut scenes but I loved them in Mirror's Edge

Best Voice Acting
Nominees:
Keifer Sutherland & Gary Oldman- Call of Duty: World At War
Liam Neeson- Fallout 3
Michael Hollick-Grand Theft Auto IV
John DiMaggio- Gears of War 2
Winner: Liam Neeson - I thought that Liam Neeson's performance as James, the main characters father, was amazing.

Best Accessory
Nominees:
Rock Band 2 Drums
Rock Band 2 Guitar
Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter
HD-DVD Add-On
Winner: HD-DVD Add-On - Okay I'm lazy, and this device feeds into that laziness. For $40 I got a DVD player, extra USB port and an HD-DVD player. And I don't have to take the game out of the console to put the DVD in.
Too Little To Late: Wireless Headset - I bought one on Friday but never got the chance to test it. So it's in the running for next year.

Best Multiplayer Games

• Best Two-Player One System

Nominees:
Gears of War 2
Call of Duty: World At War
Fable 2
Rock Band 2
Winner: Gears of War 2 - Combine Horde with Co-op with multiplayer bots and you have the best 2 person experience on the Xbox 360

• Best Online

Nominees:
Call of Duty: World At War
Gears of War 2
Fable 2
Grand Theft Auto IV
Winner: Call of Duty: World At War - Not only taking Call of Duty 4's multiplayer experience but adding vehicular fun.
Honorable Mention: Grand Theft Auto IV - Rockstar took a risk at adding multiplayer, but it payed off in one of the best multiplayer experiences in years

• Best Overall
  

Nominees:
Gears of War 2
Call of Duty: World At War
Rock Band 2
Grand Theft Auto IV
Winner: Rock Band 2 - There is no game where I could get my my sister, her boyfriend and my other sister to have so much fun for hours at a time.

Best Xbox Live Arcade Game
Nominees:
Chessmaster Live
Ticket To Ride
Fable 2 Pub Games
Dash Of Destruction
Winner: Ticket To Ride - I was able to get both my sisters and mom to love playing this game. Very addicting and fun.
Too Little Too Late: Braid - bought Braid late last night, so far it's had an intriguing story and gameplay elements

Best Music Game
Nominees:
Guitar Hero II
Guitar Hero III
Rock Band 2
Rock Band: AC/DC Live
Winner: Rock Band 2 - An amazing set list and great multiplayer

Best Racing Game
Nominees:
Test Drive: Unlimited
NASCAR '09
Project Gotham Racing 4
Forza Motorsport 2
Winner: Test Drive: Unlimited
Honorable Mention: NASCAR '09, EA helped correct it's fucktastrophy (trademark, I created that word) from '08 by improving everything

Sports Game
Nominees:
NHL '09
NHL 2k8
NASCAR '09
Smackdown vs. RAW 2007
Winner: NHL '09 - Amazing that not only does it do everything 2k8 does but adds Be A Pro mode, probably the greatest innovation for hockey games in years.

Best RPG
Nominees:
Fallout 3
Fable 2
Winner: Fallout 3 - An amazing story, world and everything made this an easy choice.

Best Action
Nominees:
Grand Theft Auto IV
Mirrors Edge
Winner: Grand Theft Auto IV - the new polished GTA is great with an amazing multiplayer experience to boot! HELICOPTER RACES!

Best Shooter
Nominees:
Call of Duty: World at War
Gears of War 2
Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
Turok
Winner: Gears of War 2 -
Too Little Too Late: Left 4 Dead- Bought it Friday haven't played it yet

Best Level
Nominees:
Gears of War 2 - Intestinal Fortitude
Grand Theft Auto IV - Three Leaf Clover
Fallout 3 - Tranquility Lane
Fable 2 - Tattered Spire
Winner: Fallout 3 - this is the mission that shakes everything up. It's amazing

Best Story
Nominees:
Gears of War 2
Fable 2
Fallout 3
Call of Duty: War at War
Grand Theft Auto IV
Winner: Fallout 3 - The games beginning is one of the greatest all-time and there's a mission near the end that just throws you through the loop!

Best Game
Nominees:
Fallout 3
Grand Theft Auto IV
Gears of War 2
Fable 2
Call of Duty: World at War
Rock Band 2
Winner: Gears of War 2 - A LOT of people probably disagree with this but I thought that Gears 2's story/Horde/multiplayer combined for the best game this year
Honorable Mention: Fallout 3 - Had a big lead but fell apart at the end with A. Bad Ending B. Not able to continue after last mission C. Level 20 Cap

Prediction for Next Year:
Alan Wake

Game Review: Call of Duty: World At War

Call of Duty has become the Law & Order of war shooters. Having games set in both the Modern area and World War II, it's become the gold standard for FPS shooters (with exception to Halo). And Call of Duty 5 holds that standard well. Many don't give Treyarch a fair shake. A lot view COD5 as a step back regardless of how it actually is.

But COD5 does well. Starting in the Pacific campaign, a welcome first for the series. And then switching back and forth between the Russian front. There's two missions I love in particular 1 involving a plane and the other tanks.

The multiplayer takes the system that COD4 started and improved on it. Throwing tanks in the mix is great. They are easy to take out but a skilled engineer (like myself) can dominate with them. Sniping feels to have improved immensely and I love havin' the ole Kar '98 in my hands.

Graphics sort of fell short in my opinion. Although they weren't bad by any means. It's just that I played it on the Wii with my sister and the opening scene looked identical. And to me it looked terrible. It just left a bad impression on me. The sound is great though. Keifer Sutherland and Gary Oldman both do voice overs (KS for the US, GO for the RS) and it's extremely good. One time me and my sister (while on co-op) were battling with tanks and shells going off. I cranked that shit up to 11 and loved the sound of the mortars going off beside us.

The programming is flawless as far as I can tell with no bugs. The missions jump around to fast. For example you leave the 1st Russian mission in Stalingrad, then your in the countryside chasing the retreating Germans then your practically hoisting the flag above Berlin! Feels almost to jumpy.

Programming: 9/10 : I don't think I've experienced a single bug. Outstanding.
Graphics: 8.5/10 : Graphics were good but fell short of expectations for me, especially with Brothers In Arms looking amazing
Story: 7.5/10 : Story was kind of weak, but I love Russia! For the motherland!
Atmosphere: 9/10 : I thought the Pacific Islands were wonderfully done as well as the Russian areas.
Multiplayer: 10/10 : Just as good as the Call of Duty 4 multiplayer but with tanks! HELL YES!
Overall: 9/10 : A lot of people were wondering how this would stand in comparison to COD4. It holds its own easily.

Game Review: Fable 2

If you haven't read this post about Fable 2 then I'll summarize. I was having a wonderful time and had gotten married and a daughter. Well the game had different ideas glitched and we ended up divorced with my daughter being taken with her. What bullshit. I became invested in that family and just having them taken away like that pisses me off to no end. That killed the game for me really. I considered just not playing it but I still wanted to finish the main quest.

You think I'm exaggerating or being sarcastic but I'm dead serious. My plan was to go on the other quest after the main one, raise my daughter and have more kids, buy more land, etc. But it just died. I tried remarrying and having another kid but the wind was gone, sails weren't moving the boat. I assume I'll start playing again some time but who knows.

The fighting scheme is pretty good, using a mix of sword fighting (or hammer), shooting (or archery), and magic (or Will as it's called in the game). There's tons of characters to interact with. But one problem with that is the interaction isn't as good as I hoped. You never really talk to people other than when they give you quest. You just laugh or dance or drop one pickup lines. Sometimes people say things but it's not really directed at you. It becomes ambient noise, like birds chirping.

Peter Molyneux said that I'd fall in love with the dog, when in reality I didn't give a crap about the dog. Sure I'd heal him when he'd get hurt, but that was because he whines a lot and it was free to heal him. I'm just not a dog person I guess. Put a cat in the game, then you'll have me ;) But I did fall in love with my family (see first paragraph) so I'll give him that. (A bit of a double edged sword)

There's tons of quests, jobs, abilities, shops, and stuff to do in Fable 2. I probably haven't even explored half the game yet.

Programming: 7/10 : A bunch of glitches. Didn't like that you can't talk to people.
Graphics: 8.5/10 : Nice graphics, a little cartoonish but it's intended that way
Story: 9/10 : A bit of a weak ending but a solid story none the less
Atmosphere: 9/10 : Albion is a wonderfully created world
Multiplayer: X/10 : Haven't touched the co-op yet.
Overall: 8/10 : The game is good, could have used some more testing to weed out big bugs like I experienced

Game Review: Star Trek Legacy

Star Trek has always been a fun series. When I saw that this game was ship to ship fighting I jumped on the chance (when it became cheap). This is because I loved the ship fights in the Halo books.

The story is about a Vulcan lady who takes control of the Borg. The story spans the entire Star Trek time line so you start out as Kirk then go to Picard. It's a fun game.

The gameplay involves flying the ship as well as commanding you squad. You have to fire torpedoes and "phasers". Repairing the ship, hailing other ships, scans are all part of the job. This is a little hard but you get the hang of it.

Programming: 8.5/10 : No bugs, solidly built.
Graphics: 8.5/10 : Very good. But your in space so it's mostly black
Story: 9/10 : Great story. Ton of fun
Atmosphere: 9/10 : Outer space and the planets are nice and you sort of get a feel for the original series vs the newer series
Multiplayer: 0/10 : No multiplayer
Overall: 8/10 : A fun game that any space ship battle enthusiast will enjoy

Game Review: Gears of War 2

Wow Gears of War 2 is what Call of Duty 4 was last year. Non-stop fun. Seriously you ride in almost anything imaginable and have some seriously fun fighting.

The story is where I lost my faith in Official Xbox Magazine's reviews. They called it hokey. I called it badass. There's an obvious set up for a 3rd Gears which I can't wait for. Basically there's a main plot of defeating the locust but a side plot with Dom looking for his family. It's a great story. And OXM said Gears 1's story was better. What drugs are they on?

The fighting is the same as Gear's 1 which is to say great. There aren't many new weapons, except the motar launcher and I think the carryable machine gun. One of the greatest parts of the game was in the giant fucking worm. I remember reading someone bitching about it. People, they wanted to mix it up! It was fucking awesome!

The multiplayer is god damned hilarious fun. My roommate and I both play Horde often and someone'll die then the other will get sawed in half from behind and we'll both laugh about it. While the multiplayer does take awhile to find a match once you get one it's just a fun/frustrating as the first Gears.

Programming: 10/10 : I've had 1 minor bug and they've patched so many glitches and cheats
Graphics: 10/10 : In Gears tradition Epic games blasts this out of the park
Story: 10/10 : An intense thrill ride with some emotional parts
Atmosphere: 10/10 : Amazing. Seriously a giant f'ing worm
Multiplayer: 10/10 : Horde is amazing, haven't gotten to deep in the multi but it's fun
Overall: 10/10 : One of the best gaming experiences of the year

Game Review: Fallout 3

Fallout 3 is one of the greatest games this year. It's an amazing representation of how games are art. Because any mission, any moment, could be made into a movie or book. And this just shows who much work goes into games. Not just a nuclear wasteland. But a 1950's styled nuclear wasteland! And just miles of interesting places, interesting characters and everything.

The story is great, revolving around you searching for your father. But the starting 30 minutes are amazing. You are born in the Vault and grow up. It a rich experience. Then in the theme of Oblivion, when you finally get out and see the world for the first time, you're amazed. There's a sign saying View Point or something and you got up to it and there's this sprawling land in front of you with dead trees, a broken freeway bridge and a small decimated town.

The big problem is the level cap is 20 and the game ends when you complete the main quest which is extraordinarily lame. And now, to fix those you'll have to buy DLC, how cheap is that!? I haven't played it since I beat it so I'll be playing it again in March when the last of the DLC comes out. Really lame that they did that. But it's an amazing game none the less.

Programming: 9/10 : A couple of bugs, and who thought a level 20 cap was a good idea?
Graphics: 10/10 : Brilliant representation of a nuclear apocalypse it's so rich to look at the sun come up over the wasteland
Story: 10/10 : Amazing. The greatest start to a game ever and there is such a twist near the end I was just amazed.
Atmosphere: 10/10 : Who knew an 1950's nuclear wasteland would be so fun
Controls: 9.5/10 : Well implemented, although the pip-boy seems out of place in B button
Overall: 10/10 : One of my favourite games of all time.

Game Review: Mirror's Edge

Mirror's Edge is a curious experiment in first person shooters. Basically it opens a door where you can do more than just run around and shoot people.

The problem is it's unforgiving nature. Think you can jump down to the building below you? Nope and you just broke your legs, fell down head first to the street, or back to where you don't want to be. It's frustrating because it happens so often and it takes you out of the game. The fighting can be a problem because there is a tiny window to disarm someone.

The 2nd problem is the level design. From the demo you assume that you'll be doing running but a lot of it is "platforming" a.k.a. jumping from one post, and then another and then another and then another. Later in the game there's a 4 story area you have to get up. It's not fun, it's a pain in the ass! Another problem is the help. Early in the game everything is red, which is good. But later in the game things stop turning red. One time I tried for 20 minutes to wall climb up to this walkway, but couldn't make it. And this was during a police chase, so I had to pretend that they were trying to find the right keys or something. Talk about killing momentum. And as it turns out, I had to grab a vent which I thought I couldn't grab and jump to the walkway from there.

The game is satisfying at times though, when you're finally able to kick a cop in the face, disarm another and shoot a third in 20 seconds you feel like you've accomplished something (a life sentence sounds about right). One time I was being shot to hell and just got across a room just in time. What I like about this game is the Matrix, run from the police or fight them mentality. The story is okay and revolves around you trying to help your sister who's been set up for a murder.

In Mirror's Edge 2 multiplayer I expect: 6-player races. A runner vs. cops mode where the runners try to reach as destination and the cops try to stop them. And a co-op mode with some acrobatics. I also expect there to be some kung fu dammit!

Programming: 7/10 : No bugs but the disarming and jumping/falling to your death gets repetitive.
Graphics: 8/10 : The graphics are surprisingly sharp. Sometimes a little too bright though
Story: 8.5/10 : Pretty good I thought, at least for the first game
Atmosphere: 7/10 : The city is very nice and there are cameras everywhere
Multiplayer: 5/10 : Only able to compare time trials. However they didn't try to force a multiplayer on us in their first game which gives them a 5.
Overall: 7/10 : Although frustrating at times it can be very satisfying

Game Review: NHL 09

Okay I could be reviewing this game all day. But let's just cut the b.s. and go straight for Be A Pro mode. Basically you control your player and try and score goals, assists and (not) get penalties. One problem is the penalties. First you can get a lot of them, because pressing A to lift the stick is the same for hooking and high sticking. Then checking can be a cross check. It's kind of random. The fighting is sort of lame. There's three controls (punch, duck, grab) but it comes down to who punches fastest in 7 seconds. In NHL 2k7 the fighting is pretty good because you have more health and ducking actually does something. The second problem with penalties is that the other team gets a lot of them, and not legitimate penalties, thing like delay of game for knocking it over the glass. But if you turn the penalties down (or off completely in my case) it resolves the situation I guess.

Playing the game is fun though, basically you try and stay in your position (marked by arrows) and make good passes and score. You can only be out for a few minutes until you get tired and then you go off the ice, watch for a minute and then go back out. Although it's optional I did it because its realistic. Basically that's what it comes down to. Scoring as many goals and getting assists. Meeting the teams expectations of you and trying to win the cup.

Being goalie is a lot more difficult. To be honest, I enjoy 2k7's goalie system more than 09's because the 2k7 slows time down and makes you make a move. In this it's more press the thumbstick and the goalie tries to save it. The problem with not slowing it down is that you can't react to slap shots or wrap arounds in time.

Programming: 8.5/10 : I loved the Be A Pro mode, but being goalie is a pain in the ass
Graphics: 8/10 : The ice and players look great, but there's some obvious slowdown with the player animations when not playing
Story: 8.5/10 : The go from AHL to NHL and Be A Pro mode is a new view of a hockey game
Atmosphere: 8/10 : The arenas are beautifully done but the announcers are very repetitive
Multiplayer: N/A : Didn't even scratch the multiplayer yet but I'm told it's extravagant
Overall: 8.5/10 : Overall great fun but just as frustrating as any NHL game

Game Review: Grand Theft Auto IV

Well I'm finally getting to this. I'm ashamed really. I mean there's really no excuse except laziness and forgetfulness. I bought this game (special edition too) on the 29th of April, it was pretty cold and when I got there about an hour or so before there was only about 6-10 people in line. By the time the clock struck 12 the line went around the corner of the store (at least 75 people). I think that was the only time I've waited for a game to release at 12. I think I considered Gears 2 but took a pass and Halo 3 was when my Xbox RR'd. Maybe Recon? Anyway now for the review:

Well to start the game is amazingly detailed. The graphics are amazing, really this is probably one of the few games that I admire the environments, I literally would find a helicopter to fly and enjoy the sunrise over the city. People complained that the game was to gritty or realistic. Shut the fuck up. They're in a fucking city. A city modeled after New York City (and I'm not slanting New York here, I actually have been there twice now and it's very nice). My point is that it's not the fucking country side, cottage by the lake or your fucking Caribbean resort.

Now for the games single player. On one hand there's a ton of diverse characters (Brucie is probably my second favourite GTA character ever), fun missions and great voice acting. On the other hand the story just isn't that intriguing. It's okay, but there could have been improvement. There wasn't really anything that turned the game on it's head for me. Remember in GTA III when you find out the girl screwed you over and you get a cell phone call from her telling you not to start the car because there's a bomb? And then you have to go over to the other island and live there, working for triads. It's awesome. And nothing really did that for me. Seemed sort of cliched at points. (Someone dies at a wedding, who knew?). But the missions and cut scenes are awesome. One in particular I'm going to tell you about is when Niko is talking to a guy (don't want to spoil it) and this lady just comes in and pops a cap in his ass. That's what this game needed more of, spontaneity. Sort of like The Departed.

The atmosphere was perfect though, hot dog stands, buses, the different neighborhoods, statue of liberty, etc is all there. The people are hustling about doing their business. A person is jogging, another is having coffee, etc. It's amazing.

And then they kick it up a notch. The multiplayer is insanely good! And although the gun play is fun (deathmatch/team deathmatch) everything else steals the show. They could have just put in the car races which are unfuckingbelieveably fun, but no, they put in motherfucking helicopter races! If you've never raced 8+ people around skyscrapers and under bridges and with rotors coming within inches of yours then you haven't lived my friend. Makes you wish they put in air planes. Then there's other things like cops and robbers and co-op which are great too. One time me and some guy were just hanging out on top of a building with helicopters shooting shit.

On the last note the game was designed well, I experienced few bugs except one. I got 98.3 percent completion when I beat the fucking game! Goddammit!

Programming: 9/10 : It's amazing that an open world with tons of area and A.I. has less bugs then a game like Turning Point. But they fucked me over on my 100% goddammit!
Graphics: 10/10 : The graphics are amazing
Story: 8/10 : Great cast but bland story
Atmosphere: 10/10 : I thought it portrayed a real live city extremely well
Multiplayer: 10/10 : Tons of multiplayer modes and tons of fun
Overall: 9.5/10 : Deep, fun innovative game

P.S. Can't wait for the DLC

2009 Game Tally

Well I picked up a bunch of games in '08 and would like to tally up my games for those interested, I've bought quite a few and dropped a bunch. Here we go: (In a sort of favourite order)

1. Halo 2
   
2. Halo 3
3. Rockband 2
4. Gears of War
5. Gears of War 2
6. Call of Duty 2
   
7. Call of Duty 3
   
8. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
9. Call of Duty 5: World At War
   
10. Fallout 3
11. Grand Theft Auto IV
    
12. Fable II
    
13. Silent Hunter III (P.C.)
14. Silent Hunter IV (P.C.)
15. Rome: Total War (P.C.)
16. Civilization III (P.C.)
    
17. Half-Life Anthology (P.C.)
18. The Orange Box (Half-Life 2 (Ep1 & 2), Portal and Team Fortress 2)
19. Rainbow 6: Vegas
    
20. Rainbow 6: Vegas 2
21. Mass Effect
22. Bioshock
    
23. NHL 2k8
24. Splinter Cell: Double Agent
    
25. Scene It: Lights, Camera, Action
26. Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
27. Ghost Recon :Advanced Warfighter 2
28. Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (bought today)
29. PGR3
    
30. PGR4
31. NASCAR Thunder 2003
32. NASCAR 09
33. Forza Motorsport 2
34. Burnout 3: Revenge
35. Prey
36. Condemned: Criminal Origins
    
37. Battlestations: Midway
38. Chromehounds (bought today)
    
39. Crackdown
40. Dead Rising
41. Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
42. Far Cry Instincts: Predator
43. Guitar Hero II
44. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
45. F.E.A.R
    
46. Saint's Row
47. Just Cause
48. Star Trek: Legacy
    
49. Madden 07
50. NCAA 07 March Madness (bought today)
51. Major League Baseball 2k7 (bought today)
    
52. Test Drive: Unlimited
53. The Darkness
54. Fight Night Round 3
55. Tomb Raider: Legend
56. Test Drive: Unlimited
57. Smackdown vs RAW 2007
58. Pocket Bike Racer
59. Sneak King
    
60. The Outfit
61. Table Tennis
    
62. Dance Dance Revolution Universe 2
63. TMNT
64. Bionicle Heroes
    
65. Import Tuner Challenge
66. Turning Point: Fall of Liberty

Wow that is 66 games minus the ones I've traded in! That's DOUBLE the games I had when I tallied last year! I'll add in the Arcade games I've got:

1. Chessmaster Live
2. Marble Blast Ultra
3. Aegis Wing
4. Battlestar Galactica
5. Bejeweled 2
6. Boom Boom Rocket
7. Carcassonne
8. Dash of Destruction
9. Fable II Pub Games
10. Hardwood Blackgammon
11. Hexic HD
12. Outpost Kaloki X
13. Pac-Man Championship Edition
14. Root Beer Tapper
15. Switchball
16. TMNT 1989 Arcade
17. Totemball
18. Undertow
19. Uno
20. Worms
21. Yaris
22. Zuma
23. Luxor 2
24. Feeding Frenzy
25. Ticket to Ride

So a total of 91 games. Pretty good. I'm kind of sad about the Arcade games though. So many great games have come out this year and there's so many game I don't have like:

• Castle Crashers
• A Kingdrom for Keflings
• Banjo-Kazooie
• Geometry Wars
• Geometry Wars Evolved2
  
• Bionic Commando: Rearmed
• Marathon Durandal
• Braid (One I really want to buy)
• Duke Nukem 3D
• Feed Frenzy 2
• Lumines Live
• Penny Arcade Episode 1
• Penny Arcade Episode 2
• Poker Smash
• Prince of Persia
• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• Speedball 2
• Spyglass Board Games
• Vigilante 8 Arcade
• Wik: Fable of Souls
• Wits & Wagers

That's it my New Years Resolution is to get more arcade games!