September 29, 2008 at 10:52 am
· Filed under Gaming
So I finally finished HL2: Episode 1 this last weekend, and now I’m digging into Episode 2. This game is magnificent. I had kind of forgotten about the Orange Box for my 360 that I had yet to complete (basically because of COD4). Never the less, I really really really like the gameplay.
I’m playing on the hard difficulty, which means to need to be on your toes when 3 hunters and a bunch of combine soldiers pop out of nowhere. Anyway, what I like most about the game are the sections where you need to stop and think. Of course, this is nothing new to Half Life.
I can remember Shawn Elliot talking on the GFW podcast way back (at least a year ago, probably a bit more) about Episode 2. He was referring to a specific section of the game where a grenade jump is needed to reach some locked up weapons and ammo. And as Shawn pointed out, only Valve could create such a puzzle (especially on the console). Now I didn’t realize I was in the room he was referring to until I had figured the puzzle out for myself.
***SPOILERS***
Basically, I will re-hash in my own words what I did and what Shawn said on the podcast. You enter the room, you have some items you want, a box of grenades, and a metal sheet that’s hinged on the floor that covers a 1 foot deep slot in the floor. In addition, there’s a switch up on a catwalk that is seemingly inaccessible that will unlock the loot you want.
And as Shawn said, once you figure it out, you’ll realize that as usual, Valve has provided you with all the necessary tools and info to solve the puzzle. Most developers will force you one way or another to walk somewhere (or give you a point on a radar) and will tell you to “hit A to activate” or some other garbage like that. No thinking involved.
Well, in this case, the metal sheet is hinged up, revealing that the area where it would cover has a blast mark on the floor. It took me a while to figure out that I need to fold the metal down, drop a grenade underneath it, and then stand on the metal sheet to grenade jump up to the switch to free the rocket launcher etc.
Valve had literally provided me with everything I needed. And my sense of accomplishment when I successfully figured out the puzzle was awesome. Sure there are plenty of other puzzles in the game that I solved, but this one was different because never before have I ever seen a developer purposely put a grenade jump into their gameplay.
I only wish that other developers would be bold enough to let their users figure out their own solutions to games, rather than hold their hands through ever single process.
Really looking forward to Episode 3 now. Hopefully the wait will soon be over.
September 25, 2008 at 7:55 am
· Filed under Gaming
Check out the video first:
Personally, looks like an expanded single player campaign. If that’s the case, that’s awesome. Halo 3 obviously has great multiplayer, but I feel too often once developers release their games with multiplayer components, only the multiplayer section receives any post-release love.
September 15, 2008 at 2:00 pm
· Filed under Gaming
It’s Rock Band. It’s good. Here are two best new features:
Quickplay setlist creation - Select up to 5 songs to play without going back through the song list to select a new one. Awesome.
“Fast” navigation between categories to avoid scrolling through the massive song list. Jump down to the hard stuff in like 3 or 4 presses rather than 80.
I haven’t played the battle of the bands mode or anything like that. I play Rock Band pretty casually. There are a lot of new songs that are awesome (Everlong, Eye of the Tiger, Living on a Prayer), and I’m glad the songs are generally harder (some are silly hard).
What I’d like to see is lots more music from the mid 90’s, but that’s probably because of my age.
And like so many others online, I want to play Guns ‘n’ Roses (the real GnR, not the abomination they are now) and Led Zeppelin. Harmonix, please, make it happen. I suppose I want to play the stuff in my Last.fm profile.
September 15, 2008 at 1:53 pm
· Filed under Gaming
If you go around online reading about the game, you’ll hear a lot that it’s the best hockey video game ever. To that, I agree.
My Xbox 360 had online issues with NHL 08 (poor performance getting into games and downloading rosters). Luckily, those issues have been solved. And in addition, they added the most obvious online feature that I wanted in 08; Play a Friend. It’s simple, you click it, you select someone from your friends list, and boom, you’re in a game.
They’ve also added Be a Pro mode. It’s really cool, and you should try it (apparently it’s been in baseball before?).
And there’s a slick thing where you can manually select the “arena music” for a hockey team (or all of them) from your 360 or from your computer. A really neat touch.
All that being said, here’s the one thing that needs to be said.
As with many new features that make it into video games, the first year implementation of them is frequently massively over-powering. So for this year, I’m referring to the defensive stick lift.
Of course this is a typical defensive move for a defender, but if you’re good at it, you can completely dominate the game.
One such game, a friend of mine and myself were playing online. We were sharing the controller, switching each period. We are both pretty good at the game, we beat most people online. We played one fellow who was SO proficient at the stick lift, it made the game super frustrating and nearly impossible to play. He controlled the puck probably 80% of the time. We were lucky to only lose by a goal.
One feature I’d like to see online is a mode where both players are forced to play a random team. I’m really tired of seeing the same 4 teams online (this year it’s Detroit and Pittsburgh, last year was Anaheim and Ottawa). Seriously, I’m really sick of playing Detroit.
Again, I haven’t played the co-op over Xbox Live (patch forthcoming). But here are my thoughts of playing multiplayer, and single player.
It’s awesome and fun.
I have beaten the game once now with one character by myself, and also got played the whole game (minus completing the final battle) with two other players locally. The game is just fun. The art style is bright and engaging, the game play is just what it should be for a brawler like this, and it IS a good value for the money. I mean really, $15 for the number of hours of enjoyment I’ve already had has been totally worth it.
One thing I noticed that was really well done in the game are the levels. You get different environments frequently. You don’t usually play in any one locale for much more than 5 minutes. The result is a constant sense of accomplishment. It also allows you to play sections over again if you want to level up.
I don’t want to say too much, because I enjoyed discovering things in the game greatly, and I feel that everyone should at least check out the trial version.
So I’ve played the Xbox Live Arcade game Castle Crashers (the trial). I really like it. It’s fun, it’s funny, looks good etc etc… Now, most of my friends list won’t be downloading this, so I haven’t played any co-op and probably won’t. Never the less, I think I’m going to buy it.
However, I’ve heard lots of noise on the internet about how the online play is broken. Basically seriously broken. What I don’t understand is the following: If every game has to go through Microsoft certification, why doesn’t this game work better? I understand it’s not a play test program, but nobody came accross this bug already? REALLY? (I feel like Kevin Pereira all of a sudden)
In my last post, I mentioned a new feature for the Xbox 360. Soon, Xbox 360s everywhere will have the ability to download a game from a game disc onto the hard drive. This is a fantastic feature that I will use a lot. I’m probably more excited about this than any game they could’ve announced. Obviously there are many advantages:
When you pack your 360 and head for the cabin, or go camping, or a friends house, you can have all your games without all the extra baggage. Personally I have 13 games for 360 now, and taking that many discs around everywhere is quite a task.
Moving your 360 around the house is now far more convenient.
Taking your hard drive to your friends house and having all of your games would be awesome.
Xbox Live Arcade probably first made me realize that I wanted this feature. Wireless controllers that turn on the console are great, but getting up to change the game disc breaks the whole “wireless” illusion/advantage. This fixes this now. Now I don’t have to get up from the couch.
Hopefully cross game invites from friends will be much smoother now.
Faster load times should benefit everything accross the board (since a hard drive is faster than an optical drive). I’m really hoping this will kill the texture popping issues that many games have (especially the Unreal Engine 3 based games).
Quieter game operation. I don’t know what it is, but my 360 Elite has the loudest disc drive of any 360 I have encountered. Not having that thing spinning will help on those late night gaming sessions.
But I Still Have Some Questions
So, more details are now needed.
When will the dashboard update with this enhancement be available?
There must be some kind of DRM? What’s the deal with it?
What stops me from renting all the games from blockbuster and putting them on my console?
Will the game downloaded from the disc onto the hard drive share the already created game saves?
If I copy a game to my hard drive, then sell the disc to someone else, does my downloaded copy still work?
If I rent a game from Blockbuster, can I copy them to the hard drive aswell?
And what about purchasing used games from Electronics Boutique?
How Did We Not See This Coming?
Microsoft has done a lot of things in the last few years that is really pushing digital distribution, getting away from the office desk and into the living room and making the 360 the “do everything” box.
When the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray format war was raging on, maybe people speculated that MS wasn’t putting either drive in the actual Xbox because they were skipping that whole generation of content. Bill Gates even said it would be the last physical format. He didn’t say that Microsoft would be starting the next big thing so soon.
They have their Xbox Live Marketplace which allows people to download movies and game content from the internet to their consoles. Sure, games demos, live arcade games and movies are all find and good, but this is a much bigger deal to me as a gamer
Although these games will have to come in disc form first, having the games available on the hard drive will become an absolute necessity. Imagine now the next generation Xbox. I would bet, that every game will be available for download. It has been talked about before as the future, and this is a big step in that direction.
It now appears that the whole “Xbox Originals” program is really just a test bed for a far greater product. Xbox originals allows 360 owners to download select original xbox games to the console’s hard drive and play them from there
Throw in the digitally distributed XNA creators club games, the xbox live community, windows media center streaming and downloadable movies and you have a really compelling box in your living room. Then you add in their newly announced Netflix deal (please make it available to Canadians), and it’s a no brainer.
It also seems that this new 360 with the 60GB hard drive was basically announced so even the cheapest of the 360 gamers can enjoy this ability.
Updated
After writing this post, many sources are reporting that the game will have to be in the drive for the downloaded games to work. To that I say, FAIL. MS, I understand you don’t want crazy game copying. However, you’ve never been afraid to DRM the hell out of everything. In this case, you should’ve come up with some kind of DRM solution so I DON’T HAVE TO HAVE THE DISC IN THE DRIVE. You just about came up with the best feature ever. So close, but still so so far. Funny how that little tidbit wasn’t on Major Nelson’s post. Seriously, game performance better skyrocket, otherwise why would I bother doing this?
Ok, seriously. I wanted this so super bad, and I never knew I wanted/needed it.
· Here is a look at some additional features you will find interesting:· Play from hard drive. Copy your games from the game disc and play directly from the hard drive. Not only will the drive not spin, but load times are quicker, as well. Of course, you will still need the disc in the tray to prove you own the game.
· Access Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web. Browse and purchase Marketplace content whenever you want from Xbox.com and it downloads automatically to your console. Purchase that new map, television episode, the latest Xbox LIVE Arcade game or set up a movie to watch when you get home from work.
Now I can download the rock band tracks from work, but more importantly, when I go camping, I don’t have to pack ALL THOSE GAMES DISKS! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Also, my dvd drive in my 360 elite is stupid loud.
Last year was a great year in gaming. But, I have a feeling that this year could be equally as awesome. Here’s a list of some games that I am looking forward to.
NHL 08 was probably the best hockey game ever created since the original on ice. The controls were excellent, the game played like hockey, and I feel it was the perfect blend of simulation/arcade hockey. Most of the things that I didn’t like about NHL 08 sound like they’ll be fixed for 09 (aka “heat seeking ass missile hip checks”). Plus now Dion Phaneuf is on the cover. Other things I hope they fix is the online play (didn’t work that well on my 360 for some reason), add good online leagues, and please EA update the rosters every month (at least) rather than quarterly.
This is probably the first Star Wars game that I’m actually excited for since Knights of the Old Republic (previously TIE Fighter). I like the idea of just throwing guys around, and a compelling new storyline. Hopefully the controls and everything holds up.
Similarly to the Star Wars games, there’s been a fantastic Bond game, and a lot of not fantastic Bond games. The movie Casino Royale ruled, I’m hoping this game will pick that up and carry it to the next movie. 1up’s Garnett Lee’s preview is making me feel better about a new Bond game. I played lots of the others. They were… forgettable.
I enjoyed the first Gears game, though not as much as some other people. Basically, if the online is actually fixed, I’ll probably play this a lot. Probably won’t unseat COD4 as my main online game however. I liked the single player though on the first, so I’m happy with a good campaign for the second.
I really liked Crysis for the PC. I liked it a whole lot until the aliens appeared. The alien sections were still good, but I really enjoyed fighting the Koreans. Hiding in the bushes, using my suit’s abilities, try different methods for my encounters was a lot of fun. Far Cry 2 feels like it could be the perfect shooter to itch that that non-COD4 shooter itch. There’s no suit abilities, but there is self-propagating brush fire! That Dunia engine looks crazy too. I think I’d like to play it on PC (especially if I can get some gamerscore for my Xbox Live account), rather than Xbox 360. May even get a second 8800GT so I can go SLI for this game.
Here’s another title I’d like to play on PC, though I’m not sure it’s announced for PC yet (or if it will be at all). I do however believe it will hit PC eventually. It really looks like a fun game. I hope it’s story is as epic as the original Halo. I’d like to experience that awe that I did in the first game.
I liked Crysis, this is more Crysis. Hopefully lots of Korean encounters. Maybe I can turn the graphics up a bit more on this one.
Coming Whenever
I know these games aren’t coming anytime soon, but I’m waiting…
Bioshock 2
Seriously, how good was the first one? So good. Hopefully the story is as good. This game definitely gave me the original Halo awe that I was talking about.
Bungie’s Next Project
Whatever it is, it will be quality. Maybe it’ll finally be Pimps at Sea.
Assassin’s Creed 2
Lots of people didn’t care for the original, I however was not one of them. I really really liked it. Plus the cliffhanger at the end of the original really hooked me for the next story. I didn’t like the whole modern/middle ages take on the last game until the end of the game, now I’m way into it.
The next X-Com
If some developer could capture the essence of the original, and slap a new coat a paint on it, then add more modern game design concepts, then the world might implode. I played the first a lot, even though I never finished it. It was very hard, though one of my buddies beat it. Once the aliens went all nutty on the Psionics, I was finished. Still, I really want to play a good modern sequel to this game.
The Next Knights of the Old Republic
Because the first two games were so good. I really like the original best between the two. Also, if they could kill the silly loading screens and make the interface quicker, then it would sell like crazy.
Mass Effect 2
Basically the same for me as KOTOR. Kill the loading screens.
Already Released, Need to Play/Finish
I’ve played these already, or even own them, but need to finish them.
Rainbow Six Vegas
It’s sitting on my shelf, just waiting for me to play. I would’ve played this game when it came out, but my money and time went the Gears of War instead.
Lego Star Wars - The Complete Saga
I’m really just waiting for this game to be sold for like $30. Then I’m in.
Half life 2 - Episode One/Two
Loved the game, need to continue the story. I know I’m way behind on this one, but there was this Portal…
Civilization IV
I’ve played this game a certain amount, but is there ever enough time for Civ?
Company of Heroes
I’ve played against the PC a lot, but not so much that I’ve finished Opposing Fronts. I should probably play this game online some. It is the best strategy game to be released in my opinion.
Sins of a Solar Empire
Actually, this game might be a little too epic for me. But it is fun.
Lost Planet
Again, really liked the demo, but my money went somewhere else.
Dead Rising
I played the demo too, loved it, but didn’t buy it. Maybe when it’s in the cheap bin.
Star Wars - Empire at War
My PC can handle it now, so I just have to get into it.
Movies
Just thrown in for good measure.
The Dark Knight
Batman Begins was the absolute best Batman movie ever. Christian Bale is an awesome actor, and Batman is awesome, so The Dark Knight is awesome. Plus this film was filmed on IMax film, not adapted like to many other IMax movies. Going to be so good.
