Heavy Rain

Ages ago , I played the Heavy Rain demo. My first impressions were ones of… shock! Joy! Controlling an overweight, asthmatic police officer as he enters the apartment of a prostitute is, after all, something I can’t say I’ve ever done in a videogame before. Instantly, I loved the controls, the QuickTime events and of course, as I’m a sucker for insanely juicy narratives, loved the opening of the story. This first section was a joy to play.

However, as soon as I played the introduction to the second character (an FBI agent who’s a cross between a stereotypical “First Day On The Job” policeman and… Robocop) things began to get iffy. See, I was wandering around this field looking for clues, and effectively I was collecting objects in order to progress. Not really the best thing to make me do in the demo of the “Most interactive game ever” is it? Making me collect objects. It was like playing Spyro with QuickTime events.

So yea, that really put me off. I’m still thinking of renting it though. Not buying it, however, as there’s just no replay value in it whatsoever.

PSN / Xbox Marketplace Remakes

I was thinking earlier about Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix, and how much of a great remake it is. The crisp HD graphics, the incredible online experience and extremely cheap price. It's a well rounded package, and certainly worth every penny I spent on it.

Then I remembered about Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, and how that has just had the HD, online makeover and it got me thinking. Why don't more companies do this?

Think of it. It wouldn't be that difficult to mess around with the original code, surely? Sharpen the graphics, maybe re-record the soundtrack, add a few trophies/ achievements and maybe an online mode and your sorted. Everyone will buy it if it's a classic! I mean, look how successful the likes of Pacman and Worms have been! It'll be good for the developer, and for the gamer because are more likely to download them then go out in shops and buy them for full price.

So please, anyone out there, remake your old games in HD please. Especially you Naughty Dog and Insomniac. I'm literally gagging to play Spyro and Crash in HD.

The Legend Of Spyro

Oh my God yes. A thousand times yes. A Spyro movie!?!? Yes. Yes, yes, yes. 

If this is, in any way, based on the original three games then I'm going to be there at the freaking PREMIERE. Honest, you all have my word!

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...