Preview: Metal Gear Online beta
11:06 AM, May 8, 2008
I think MGO has promise, but the complicated registration process (really, Konami, do we need to have two accounts before we can play?) is a big turnoff.
Konami promises they're working on streamlining the registration before the game is complete.
Also, I mention in the preview that I couldn't figure out how to play as Snake.
Konami was helpful enough to send me the solution to my quandary:
It is actually possible to play as Snake in MGO. It's a certain game mode where one person takes on the role of Snake (with all of Snake's cool tricks, such as OctoCamo and the Metal Gear Mk II), and everyone else tries to hunt him down. Snake gets points for killing people on the map, and everyone else gets points for killing Snake. So it's this back and forth of trying to hunt Snake while trying to help your team. Seems to be a very popular game type.
April 29, 2008
First Thoughts: 'Grand Theft Auto IV' (Xbox 360)
12:00 PM, April 29, 2008
After nearly seven years of doing punchbutton, I'm still not worthy enough to receive a review copy of most games (except from D3... they ROCK)! That being said, I stayed up late last night to snag my collectors' edition 'GTA IV' at midnight from the local GameStop.
I played for 2 hours.
First thoughts: I love this game. It's everything I hoped it would be and more. The graphics look better than I thought they would, the city is staggering in size and the story line has been engrossing.
Here's what else I think in a bullet list:
• The opening title sequence is awesome. It's part cut-scene, part Hollywood movie opening. The graphic designer in me was doing backflips.
• Concerned parents are going to have a heart attack over this game. This is one of the most "M" rated games I can remember. The first couple of hours offer many adults-only surprises including a flash of a fairly risque scene, countless curse words, overt sexual harassment and ability for the player to drive drunk. I was giggling at most of these, but I DO NOT condone them. Giggle.
• The music is fantastic. There are 18 radio stations to listen to while driving through Liberty City. Techno, Funk, Jazz, Rock, whatever... it's all there with some great new songs and great classic tunes, too. Nitzer Ebb is there! I can't believe Nitzer Ebb is in this game!
• The bowling mini game is OK. I'm dying to know why the mini-golf and go-kart track fences are wide open... are those mini games for later?
• I found a glitch! In the first car chase mission, the warehouse below your target has some weird alternate universe of disappearing boxes and a pitch-black void where Niko can vanish and reappear. Weirdness.
• On my first date with Michelle, she just left me her car. I wrecked it.
• Also on my date with Michelle, I accidentally fell into the pond at the mini-golf course. I climbed out and turned around, Michelle was standing neck-deep in the pond staring back at me. Hilarious.
• I want the amusement park to be open (it's closed for the winter)!
• Someone on the beach, next to the boardwalk, said something quite shocking to me. I won't repeat it.
• The car physics are awesome. All the vehicles feel heavier and more realistic than before. You can't just use gas and steering, you have to use the brakes a LOT. Also, gently bumping a pedestrian can produce some extremely realistic results... you don't knock them down, but you can knock things out of their hands or knock the hats of their heads.
• I hate my cousin (in the game).
• Liberty City is crazy gigantic. Seriously, it's almost daunting to think where the next 38-plus hours will take me in the game.
• Niko walks down stairs with a sideways twitch... just like a real person. A real person with a leg problem.
• My in-game stats show that I've already racked-up a 56-foot free fall. This occurred when I fell from a warehouse into the river. Oh, and then I swam for 50 seconds (also in my stats).
• I predict that 'GTA IV's' in-game stats will be as addictive as achievement points.
So there you have it. If I had more sleep I would have had more to discuss. But that's all I can remember.
I will remember to take the day off next time a 'GTA' game is released.
April 28, 2008
Finally, back to blogging: 'Rock Band' guitars, 'Mario Kart Wii' and 'GTA IV'
2:26 AM, April 28, 2008
Due to the lack of business trips and 16-hour work days, I'm finally back to blogging (ahem, Marc, Victor and Melcolm).
I got a nearly full weekend of gaming too!
ROCK BAND:
Let's start with the wireless guitars for the Xbox 360 version of 'Rock Band.' Why have these taken so long to get released?? Who cares now... they're out and they're pretty cool. As a matter of fact, I was able to get higher scores on old songs with the new wire-free Stratocaster.
Are these new Strats actually better than the wired guitars? So far, I'm saying they are a TINY bit better. A TINY bit better than the first working guitar I received from EA after returning three broken wired ones. Any less wires in my living room are aesthetically appreciated and are preventing inevitable injuries.
OH, and while I'm on 'Rock Band,' did any one notice that Judas Priest's entire "Screaming for Vengeance" album is available for download. Yea.. full albums... for 1200 points! Yikes!
MARIO KART WII:
Following 'Smash Brothers,' the second biggest Wii release of 2008 made its way to stores this weekend (by the way, I LOVE LOVE LOVE weekend releases). 'Mario Kart Wii' had yet another midnight release at stores around the U.S.. Well, that is if your GameStop had over 100 pre-orders. Mine didn't and I had to find another one across the street.
After picking up my copy (and an extra plastic wheel) I went straight to the online multiplayer mode and Melcolm and I played several different games in different modes. This new Kart is a total blast. It reminded me of the arcade version of 'Mario Kart,' but without the cool camera feature.
Online multiplayer is fast and giddy fun, but the menus, find-a-friend system and room creator is ridiculously difficult to figure out. Nintendo seems so paranoid about misuse of their online gameplay that they've made the connectivity overtly frustrating.
GRAND THEFT AUTO IV:
Ignore every doubt I posted about this game.
Earlier this evening watched G4TV's live gameplay footage of 'GTA IV.' From the raw video I saw, my jaw hit the floor. I can't wait to buy this game Monday night. I can't wait to play. Good Lord! I'm convinced, it's gonna be good!
Oh, and IGN gave it a perfect 10 out of 10. When have they ever done that?
Less than 24 hours to go.
December 21, 2007
'Nights' is finally back
3:37 PM, December 21, 2007
I have deep emotional attachments to a few game franchises. This means I get misty eyed and giddy when I get a new one in the series. 'Gran Turismo,' 'WipeOut,' 'Burnout,' 'Lumines,' and 'Need for Speed' are a few of my most cherished titles. 'Nights' and 'Christmas Nights' were up there too. I actually just watch the 'Christmas Nights' video clips on YouTube and I get all goose-bumpy. Dorky, I know.
I got the new 'Nights: Journey of Dreams' game for the Wii a couple of days ago and it provides the same euphoric rush that the originals had. It's not a game for everyone, but I think fans of the originals will love it.
The graphics are crazy day-glo, the characters are hyper cute, the cut scenes are un-skip-able and the controls take a little bit of time to get used to; but I love the game.
Unlike the original game on the Sega Saturn, there is no analog controller that comes in the package. Instead, you can use the nun-chuck, the Wii-mote or the retro controller thingy with the cord. Each provides a different experience.
I was reluctant to use the Wii-mote, but it's not as difficult as I had been reading. Actually, it's somewhat natural to use it the way you do in the game. Guiding a flying whachamacallit-faerie with the wave of a hand is kinda cool.
The flying parts of the title are still gaming magic. 'Nights' is kind of like a racer on rails but it's up in the air and with bad guys attacking. The levels have more things to do and more going on than the original Saturn offerings; but somehow it all feels very familiar.
One of my favorite things in the Wii 'Nights' is that all the original sound effects are present from the 10-year old initial offering... it's really weird to hear them and have them trigger happy thoughts of the past. It's like the countdown in 'Gran Turismo' or the mine-dropping sound in 'WipeOut;' it's just locked in my subconscious memory.
I have a few gripes so far. You can't skip some of the irritating cut scenes or the obnoxious training levels. And some parts of the game actually have you walking 2 inches forward before you encounter another cut scene or load screen. It's really weird game design.
My biggest complaint is Night's voice. He's the blue-sprite-thing that "assimilates" with your character and flies around Nightopia. He sounds like a 30 year old lady from England. I don't have a problem with said ladies, but I have a problem with their voice coming out of a beloved character that I always assumed would have a male voice. Actually, I kind of liked the idea of Night being mysterious and silent like he was in the '90's.
The fun of the game outweighs the complaints. The flying, looping and gathering is almost cathartic and relaxing... and I remember that was a feeling associated with the original game, too. Hopefully old fans of the first 'Nights' will find the same enjoyment with this game as I do and I hope its success leads more games in the future. I'm already determined to get my hands on the PS2 remake of the original two titles... more to come on that.
December 12, 2007
'Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords' for Wii
1:52 PM, December 12, 2007
Hands down, one of my favorite games of the year is 'Puzzle Quest' on Xbox Live. I've spent hours and hours with this puzzler... one weekend, I wasted an entire Saturday playing. I never do that, but it's that good.
I'm totally late to the 'PQ' scene. I'd read a gajillion blog posts praising the title, but the RPG mentions kept me from trying it. I'm not a big RPG fan.
Thank goodness, I got over my stubborn self and gave the game a try. You know the rest: here's my first explanation of 'PQ' and reaction to the game.
A couple of weeks ago I received the press release announcing the Nintendo Wii version of the game; and I politely begged the publicist at D3 to send a review copy. She did, and I played all weekend.
I won't go deeply into the rules of the game. I've explained those to death on here. To simply sum it up: it's a turn based RPG with the battles taking place on an easy-to-understand, but very deep, puzzle board. Like most RPG's, there are spells, power-ups and tons of evil baddies to defeat. It's an RPG for RPG haters (like me).
What I want to do, now, is point out the main features (and my opinions) of the Wii version of 'Puzzle Quest,' in bullet-list form:
• First, the most important part: the gameplay. It plays essentially the same as the Xbox Live, PSP and DS versions of the game. That is to say, it's fantastic... my favortite puzzle game in years.
• The mechanics of the gameplay on the Wii? Not so fantastic. You can use the Wii-mote alone or you can add the Nun-chuck for quicker navigation. Either way, you have to point the Wii-mote at the screen to control the puzzle board. This method requires too much precision and lends itself to making stupid mistakes. After about a half-hour, my arms were aching and I was holding the controller with two hands. I would have preferred to just turn the Wii-mote sideways and play the game like a traditional puzzler or VC title. The Nun-chuck addition makes navigating faster, but overly complicated.
Oh, one good thing, the vibration in the controller when you connect skulls or cast a spell is awesome. It almost jars your sleepy hand awake.
• I didn't expect the Wii 'Puzzle Quest' graphics to look as good as the Xbox Live version, but I never expected them to look as rough as they do. Everything has a jaggy old-school look to it, making it seem like this game belongs on the Super NES (Maybe this should have been a VC title for download?) rather than the Wii.
Compared to other versions, the main playing board is squeezed into the middle of the screen and the counters and spells are widened on the side. I'm not sure why. If this is your only version of the game, you'd never bring this into question, but the difference was very pronounced for me.
• The sound effects are great... I love the clinking of the falling gems; but there's a problem with the music. The music on the Xbox Live version is one of my favorite game scores, ever. It has a cinematic feel that wouldn't seem out of place in a big blockbuster movie. The Wii version has the same great music, it just seems to jarringly silence itself without fading out. There's no gentle transition from tune to tune, just music slamming into a wall of silence. It's kind of sloppy.
So, even though I was a little frustrated by a few aspects of this iteration of 'Puzzle Quest,' I still couldn't stop playing. The gameplay is still crazy addictive and is the true draw for this title.
If you have access to other consoles, I'm not sure the Wii version would be your best choice; but if you only have a Wii, there is no better puzzle game. Just work on your arm strength before playing.
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PQ is like crack. I too have spent a whole Saturday playing it. I have played both the Nintendo DS and XBoxLive versions. The DS definately has an advantage with the use of the touchscreen and stylus. However, the gamerscore keeps me playing the XBoxLive version :) Someone point me to the PQ rehab.
November 26, 2007
What I played over the holiday weekend
11:18 AM, November 26, 2007
• 'Ratchet and Clank Future, Tools of Destruction' - This game is so perfectly polished and so much fun, it should really be the PS3 showcase title for 2007. Easily one of the best PS3 games of the year.
• 'Uncharted: Drake's Fortune' - It's 'Tomb Raider' with a dude. It looks great, plays great and has a pretty interesting story. It's the first game I've played, in a long time, that feels like a movie (that's not based on a movie). Oh, and it's a PS3 exclusive.
• 'Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles' - I was reluctant to pick this up, but post-black-friday sales made this so affordable, I couldn't resist. It's very cool. 'UC' plays like an on-rails 'House of the Dead' clone but with former 'RE' characters and settings. It's completely scary, fast and fun. I'm more impressed with this Wii game than any other for the system this year. Lots of disembodied thumbs up!
November 20, 2007
Yeah, we rocked the house (studio) with 'Rock Band'
3:59 PM, November 20, 2007
Marc set up 'Rock Band' in the TXCN studio to film, quite possibly, some of the most disturbing footage imaginable.
Enjoy the debut of "Marc III"... it may be the last thing you ever watch:
Former-intern Tim and I played some Weezer and Rolling Stones. We rocked, even on Medium (stop giggling).
I love the drums!
November 12, 2007
Well, there goes my week, or: What I got in the mail today.
1:36 PM, November 12, 2007
Man, I can't wait to play Horse Life!!! Hopefully it has that new M.A.N.U.R.E. interface we've been reading about on all the blogs!
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If you ever need help in getting rid of some of those games, just hand them over to me! I don't know how you are going to manage in getting those games reviewed in time for the holidays...
November 9, 2007
Itza me, Mario!
10:10 AM, November 9, 2007
I'm not even done with my GH III review yet and now this shows up! Gonna be a busy weekend!
First thoughts over the weekend. Come back and check it out.
November 7, 2007
OMG! 'Call of Duty 4' is amazing good. I'm talking AMAZING-AMAZING!
5:58 PM, November 7, 2007
I can't express how great 'CoD4' is on my Xbox 360. I thought the multiplayer beta was pretty cool, but the final product is mind-blowing.
I'm only a couple of hours into the single player mode and my jaw has hit the floor several times. The amount of detail and graphic quality is unsurpassed... this game is a monster.
Even the real-time cut scenes are astounding and many offer some minor interactivity. Most are cool enough to keep you from wanting to skip forward.
I love the modern war-time settings... today's weapons are so much cooler than WWII stuff; but if you ever wanted an anti-recruiting tool, this is it. War has never been presented in a such a shocking realistic way. And by "shocking," I mean pretty dang scary. Some of the stuff presented in 'CoD4' is quite disturbing.
Already I've chalked up several scenes in the game as some of the best things I've seen this year. I can't put my finger on why I found it so memorable, but near the beginning of the post-title mission, your character walks along a hilltop road with rocket launchers' smoke trails emerging from the valley... it's so cinematic... and creepy... and perfect. It's like "Close Encounters" meets "Starship Troopers" meets "Saving Private Ryan." Does that make sense?
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All of the stores around me (Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart) are sold out. I played the multiplayer beta, and that alone may have been the best game I have ever played. I can't imagine how awesome the real game will be.
- Preview: Metal Gear Online beta
- First Thoughts: 'Grand Theft Auto IV' (Xbox 360)
- Finally, back to blogging: 'Rock Band' guitars, 'Mario Kart Wii' and 'GTA IV'
- 'Nights' is finally back
- 'Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords' for Wii
- What I played over the holiday weekend
- Yeah, we rocked the house (studio) with 'Rock Band'
- Well, there goes my week, or: What I got in the mail today.
- Itza me, Mario!
- OMG! 'Call of Duty 4' is amazing good. I'm talking AMAZING-AMAZING!
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