Thursday 30 October 2008

Brains!


Ahhh! Zombies! Aren't they amazing? The shambling undead, the frenzied ghouls and the mutated freaks! It's like Christmas every day when there's zombies around!

The greatest thing is though, is that in the last few years the Media itself has been hit by a Zombie epidemic and it's been infecting everything! We've seen an influx in great Zombie movies, over here in the UK were halfway through the fantastic TV series Dead Set, and the comic industry has been spewing out Zombie comics like there's no tomorrow! 

But the best of course, is the games! At the start there was Dead Rising which despite what reviewers said about it, I loved it to bits! Big, meaty human bits, detached from the body with a lawnmower! In recent years, we've had hundreds of quality Half Life 2 mods and even Uncharted got Zombies in the end of it! Coming up we have the mouth wateringly good Left 4 Dead   and even Call of Duty 5 has a zombie mode that looks to be quite fun!

Ahh so there you go. If there's a game with Zombies I'll love it, and so will the consumer apparently! I give the Zombie phase maybe a year before it dies out but do not fear fellow undead worshippers! There will be plenty of quality games until then! Happy hunting!

Wednesday 29 October 2008

A sense of duty

Is it just me, or does COD 5 look really meh. Not just compared to COD 4, but compared to every shooter in the past year. It just looks.. Dull.

Maybe it is me of course, I've seen millions of people salivating onto their shoes will mumbling something about Japanese guerrilla tactics but I can't see past the fact that it's set in World War 2 again. Call me old fashioned, but it's.... Old fashioned!

Medal Of Honour died on it's arse because it kept trying and trying to make a different game but always managed to do the same thing ever time. Epic opening followed by linear levels involving about 3 Nazis every 5 steps. 

I've seen COD5 in action, I've seen it with my own eyes and yes you can coo over the graphics and the flamethrowers but come on. It's just the first 3 Call Of Duty's and in my eyes, that's a very very bad thing.

But who knows, maybe I'll be eating my own words in a weeks time! Wouldn't surprise me.

Tuesday 28 October 2008

The female of the species...


Seen the new Tomb Raider Underworld trailer yet? No? Well then watch it!

I can't say I've ever been a massive fan of Tomb Raider. I played one and three on the PlayStation and could never get away with them. It's only been since I met my girlfriend that I've developed some interest in them and even then it's only the most recent three (Legend, Anniversary and now Underworld) that have captivated me.

Underworld looks to be the surprise gem of the Christmas line up. It's beautiful, fluent, slick and sexy. It's going to mark the definite return of Lara, back to her celebrity status, a status that was lost upon the release of Angel Of Darkness

So all I can say is, is that I can't wait. Honestly, it was Uncharted that did this, got me into treasure hunting platform games. And as they say, the female of the species is more deadly than the male....

Monday 27 October 2008

Next-Gen Laziness

I love my Ps3. Last night, I played an hour of Metal Gear Solid 4, 2 hours of Wipeout HD and then half an hour of Super Stardust HD. The last two were played while listening to my own music. 

The great thing? Didn't even have to move from my seat.

Sunday 26 October 2008

Gimmie, Gimmie, Gimmie

I wonder how long it is until Playstation One games on the Playstation Store receive the Xbox treatment. You know, achievements, multiplayer. That kind of stuff.

It's just I'm literally drooling over the prospect of trophies for Crash Bandicoot 3


Saturday 25 October 2008

The truth behind the rumour



This is more of a request than a blog.

Today me and my girlfriend played Big Brain Academy for Wii (something I bought during my "OMG I LOVE THE WII SO MUCH I'LL BUY EVERY NEW GAME THAT COMES OUT" phase). We played 5 games and she won 3. Thus proving that she's smarter than me.

In all honesty though, It's quite a good game for multiplayer. But then again pretty much all games are for the Wii, apart from the God awful Red Steel.


Friday 24 October 2008

How long can It go on?

How long is it until Microsoft have to increase the disc space of the Xbox to keep multiplatform titles being released on the Xbox?

My answer: I give them about a year. GTA4 has already received a cut due to the Microsoft deal. Eventually developers wont put up with it. HD games can't keep being released on a measly 4.7GB HDDVD.

Thursday 23 October 2008

The truth behind Manhunt 2?


I got a rare opportunity today. I got to attended a discussion with a member of the BBFC (British Board Of Film Classification) about classification and the guidelines that are followed to achieve the final classification. 

After a lengthy talk, she then invited the audience to ask her any questions regarding the BBFC. Feeling clever, I put my hand up and asked "Why did you ban Manhunt 2?". There were a few laughs but I was genuinely interested. She took the microphone with a look that clearly said "Oh God not again". 

The answer she gave was interesting, and I hope it'll answer a lot of questions for those who are care. Personally I have no intention of playing Manhunt (I thought the first one was dire) but I don't think it's right it was banned.

She said Manhunt 2 was banned because it showed violence and gore ,to an excess. We all knew that, but what's really interesting is that after Rockstar appealed they allowed it to have an 18 rating. Whats even more interesting, is that this was in the spring on this year and Rockstar have yet to release it. They've chosen to focus on "other projects" this woman said. 

Luckily, I went to this seminar with mind readers and the next question was, "How come Hostel was allowed to be published but not Manhunt 2?". She replied with "At the BBFC, we analyse games and films using the same guidelines but treat games differently". This sparked a few "Huh's?", and one guy went "That's a contradiction".

So she tried to explain that some children are "Psychologically affected" by video games so their stricter with them than movies. She said it was easier to define a movie's genre than a games and therefore they are often stricter with them. This is of course severely confusing, because theres a blatant difference between Hello Kitty Island Adventure and Grand Theft Auto. 

It was an interesting morning and It was certainly insightful. Especially when she claimed the BBFC played the games they rate while PEGI doesn't....

Wednesday 22 October 2008

Advertising?

I saw a bus advert for Fallout 3 today. I know that's not exactly exiting, but you don't often see adverts for games that are going to be good. I mean, you didn't see any adverts for the orange box on bus stations did you? Didn't think so.

Still, Bethesda have got the cash I suppose. But either way it got me excited. Bring on 31st of October!

Tuesday 21 October 2008

Get the speeder!

I love Star Wars games. Yes they have an annoying tendency to be crap but a lot of the time there great fun. 

But a lot of them include the battle on Hoth from Empire Strikes Back and while many Star Wars fans no doubt love this, I hate it.

I've fought it on Battlefront and Battlefront 2. I've fought it on a game boy. I've fought it in freaking LEGO. I acknowledge the fact that it was a good idea to wrap the cables round the AT-AT walkers legs but after the 100th time it becomes mind numbingly tedious. 

So today I make this claim, If I ever have to fight this battle again I'm going to demand war compensation from George Lucas because I may as well be one of the bloody rebellion. I've certainly helped them enough bloody times. 

Monday 20 October 2008

The Treasure Of El Dorado

Now here's a GOOD game. A game that breaks the boundaries between a game that could have been released on the PS2 and a game that can be noted as "Truly next gen" - Original Dungeon Keeper.

The stories incredible (I never saw the ending coming, not even from a mile off), the gameplays terrific and it's a decent length too. I completed it in under 8 hours which for a me is a good length. I'm hopeless at completing games, and it's only in recent years I've been able to complete practically all the games I buy purely because there so short.

So yea, I'm playing through it again taking advantage of the unlockables and trying to get all those delicious trophies!

Sunday 19 October 2008

Do Games Unite People?


People enjoying kids games after the age of 14 is a myth up there with Bigfoot, people slipping on banana skins and falling asleep in the bath but like all these things it's not true (except the Bigfoot one).
Enjoying kids games is something everyone can enjoy, if you choose the right game. For example, no one enjoys Open Season but the original Crash Bandicoot always gets a conversation going, normally one where people talk with pure excitement and nostalgia in their tone as they recall the first boss and how to defeat him ( you jump over his staff).
On the bus home the other day, me and a group of friends began discussing Crash, Spyro, Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank. All of us had fond memories of at least one, if not all. It actually ended up me obtaining the PSN of a complete stranger who I played Wipeout HD with this morning and got my arse severely wupped.
So my point of today, is that kids games are not to be ashamed of, they can even unite people. Well, if by unite you mean talk for five minutes then get beaten with the last 3 bloody seconds of the race...

Saturday 18 October 2008

M-M-M-M-M-MONSTER SPEED

Downloaded it this morning. For £12 it's an absolute steal. 38 races, tons of vehicles, a load of modes and a massive online mode as well as trophy support you can't go wrong at all.

It's HD, it's fast and it works. Essential if you have a PS3.

Friday 17 October 2008

Wow.


My gaming time of this week spans a massive half an hour on Tf2....

Wow. That's embarrassing.

Thursday 16 October 2008

Sea of Dreams?

You see that? That's a tiny big daddy doll held by what appears to be a little sister in this mind numbing video: Click here to watch it!

OK, I can't believe I stumbled across it but there you go. That's a teaser trailer for.... God dare I say it? Bioshock 2. Sea of... Dreams.

I don't know how to react. The trailer looks good. It gives a little bit of insight. A prequel? Rapture after escaping? Another city built by Andrew Ryan? It looks promising...

But then again, I have this doubt. This nagging doubt. After finishing Bioshock I never wanted to see a sequel because quite frankly it was perfect the way it was. A one off classic, a one that didn't need a sequel. A one that made it's point and left. But this could well mean a mediocre/terrible game that ruins the first one.

And so, I'm not so glad that I checked CVG for ideas today. Infact, I'm of kind of worried now.

Wednesday 15 October 2008

Making Games

I'm currently half way through making a really simple game. It should be online soon, and I've been working on it for around a week.

The thing is though, whenever I make games I always have this sneaking suspicion that all the Game Developers in the world are smirking behind my back, realising that no matter what they make it'll be better than what I make. Even the developers of Red Steel. 

Tuesday 14 October 2008

Guilty As Charged

I played on the Wii last night, and I felt guilty as anything. Why? Because I have a £380 Playstation 3  and I'm not playing it.

Is that wrong?

Monday 13 October 2008

A Wii Game Worth Playing

One of the reasons I left my Wii was the distinct lack of quality games. No matter what Nintendo threw at me it never stuck, even if they super glued it. Ever since I got my Ps3 (and a considerable time before that) I've never even touched my Wii apart from when moving it so my Ps3 could fit under my TV. 

Yesterday, I couldn't be arsed to bring my Ps3 back upstairs and my crippling laziness was preventing me from going down to play it. So I booted up the Wii and a copy of strikers with my mate and decided to see if we still enjoyed it. Simple answer, yes we did. He whupped me, 8 games to 2, but I got in enough cheeky goals that made him swear to the high heavens to make up for it.  

It kinda made me realise what the Wii's all about. Playing NEXT to someone, instead of playing online. It almost made me want to keep playing by myself, but then I realised it's crap on single player and went back to COD.

Sunday 12 October 2008

Wait... What?


 
Rob Cohen, Director of The fast and the furious:
"I would love to do a Guitar Hero Movie!"

Saturday 11 October 2008

Uncharted

I love this game. I was on it last night for a few hours and have got completely back into it. It's well good. I'm not finished it yet, I'm up to chapter 14 or something, but It's incredible. Stories enigmatic, the graphics are far more superior than many other games and the controls are perfect. Brilliant game, 10/10 brilliance. Buy it. Now.

Friday 10 October 2008

This Man Is Not A Spy

Backstabbing is an important role! If we didn't have a few dirty backstabbers, killing mercilessly then how would we have EVER captured A? Pushed the cart safely to the final terminus and piss of so many snipers on 2Fort that half of them left? I'll tell you, we wouldn't have. God bless spy's.

Thursday 9 October 2008

Now That's Realism



I got Playstation Official Magazine the other day. It came with a free Demo disc as per usual, and before discarding it (It's had the same demos on the disc for a few months now), my girlfriend had a look. 

I'm one of those really lucky people who happen to have a girlfriend who shares the same hobby as you, and in our case we both adore games. Together, we've finished Half Life and a few others and regularly compete on Team Fortress 2. So, as she glanced over the list of games and I pottered around the room she came out with this.

"There all the same though, aren't they?"

Bemused by this statement, I asked "What do you mean?". She replied "There all too realistic. Whatever happened to... Sly Racoon! And original Spyro games! Games these days, especially for PS3 and Xbox are too realistic." 



She's right of course. Most modern day developers are determined to create the most realistic of experience they sometimes go as far to forget to check if the game is actually fun. I agree that Call Of Duty is a masterpiece, Metal Gear Solid 4 is amazing and Crysis is a good laugh but there all very realistic. 

In the mainstream, I believe there's four different types of games lining the shelves. The "Brutal Shooter" in which a man with lions for arms charges through a desolate war torn landscape killing everything in his path and eating them (Avec Gears of War), The "Crybaby Shooter" in which a group of hardened men go to a desolate war torn landscape to die and kill many MANY people (Most realistic, and Call Of Duty 4), The "Inbetweener", this is normally the same as the other two but with a sense of humour or a stupid 
story (Metal Gear Solid 4). Finally, we have the "Everything else". These are the games that normally deserve our attention more than the rest. 

Personal opinion of course.

And what did happen to Sly Raccoon? I'll tell you. There making this promising looking superhero sandbox game. But like most modern day companies there doing something more adult, just like Naughty Dog did Drakes Fortune and Insomniac did Resistance. 

*sighs*

Wednesday 8 October 2008

My Hearings Getting Worse...

I'm sorry? Did someone just say a washed out company that lost it's appeal two console generations ago tries to make a cheap cash in? No? Must be my hearing..

Tuesday 7 October 2008

The Annoyance Of Games For Windows Live



Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Sometimes Game developers set out with one task, and that task is to annoy me. To annoy me so much I actually wish to shout the word rage. Normally, these Games developers have a close link with Microsoft, and surprise surprise my latest rage inducing adventure even had Microsoft in the title!

Games for Windows Live was first packaged with the Windows version of Halo 2, Vistas gaming "Jesus". It's basically Xbox live on a PC. That means the friends, the private chat function and of course those lovely achievements. Oh, and of course the horrific payments that plague the console version of LIVE.

Earlier this year, I heard that LIVE was going to become free to use which sparked my interest. I've always like the cross platform features, especially as a lot of my mates have Xbox Live. So I grabbed a copy of Gears Of War (See yesterdays post) and decided to have a go. Eugh. Fiddly.

I love the game. It's well good. I like the cover system, the story and the fact that it's so full of testosterone it literally oozes from Marcus Fenixes eyes.  What bothers me is the bloody LIVE. I made an account and didn't sign it up for LIVE straight away because I couldn't be arsed to sign up for it. But yesterday night I decided to try and give it a go. Lo and behold, It took me an hour to get it sorted and I lost my game saves. Yea, I lost my game saves because if you sign up for LIVE you have to make new saves. BECAUSE THAT'S SO OBVIOUSLY THE SMARTEST THING EVER. Twats. 

So I started again, with my Live account and everythings been going pretty cool. Achievements, good story, being able to scream at a mate as he plays COD. It's all good. Kinda.

SO now I'm torn. Part of me hopes that cross platform play becomes norm, that Games For Windows LIVE dominates the PC gaming market. But another part of me wants Microsoft to shove the whole LIVE idea up it's arse and leave me alone with Steam.

Conundrums eh? 


Monday 6 October 2008

Cogs Of War


I played Gears Of War on the PC for the first time yesterday. It was great fun, Controls work perfectly and I quite like the game play. I played it a few times on the Xbox and could never get away with it. It's one of those games you know you should like but could never play. Well now I can.

More opinions some other time. Maybe. Depends how much I enjoy it :P

Saturday 4 October 2008

A Intriguing Accusation

If the Ps3 has taught me one thing, it's this. Controllers don't need rumble. At all. Ever. Honestly.

There was a time when I mocked the Sixaxis's lack of force feedback. I literally bent over double, crying with laughter. Each guffaw filled with mockery. Now, I couldn't care less. It's actually quite nice. Now my hands are silky smooth (because rumble controllers make your skin flaky. You heard it here first) thanks to Sony. God bless Japan!

Friday 3 October 2008

Just A Lonely Rock

It's not often a game this good comes along. I can't wait to play LittleBigPlanet, quite frankly It's top of my christmas list. Most innovate game of the year? Perhaps. All I can say is, who can ever speak badly against a game which is simply Mario meets Garrys mod? Not me, thats for sure!

Thursday 2 October 2008

What The Hell?


What in the name of Donkey Kong is that? Honestly I'm in shock. It doesn't look... Natural.


"So what exactly is new for the DSi? First off, the camera. The DSi features a .3 megapixel camera (640 x 480) which can be incorporated into games in addition to just taking pictures. But if you are using it to just take pictures, then you will have a photo editing tool built into the DSi allowing you to draw on the pictures or stretch and skew parts of the image. But how will those pictures be stored on the limited DS memory? That's where the DSi's SD card slot comes in. Using the SD card slot you can store pictures from the DSi's camera, but you can also store music and video to be played on the DSi. It will feature standard audio/video playback features such as fast forward and rewind, but also some unique features such as the ability to change the audio pitch. Also, to help with playing videos on the DSi the screen size has been increased. It's a small increase (3.25 inches now over the previous 3 inch screen), but the larger screen is still appreciated."

*wipes brow*. A DS with a camera, a larger screen, music and video playback as well as an SD card slot? Christ... Why?

I hate it when Nintendo do this. I really do. "Look at us!" they shout "We have shiny Apple like features for half the price!" Mystified I buy, then notice the blatant disregard for the hardcore market (Ie me. Since the SNES). 

Ah well.... I may buy. 


Wednesday 1 October 2008

Let The Battle Commense


I know my posts are normally quite serious, but it's quite clear that Kratos is by far the most evil when compared to Gannon and Liquid Snake. Yea?

Well I think so.