Ranting Kenya

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.

Coming soon

NHL 09

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.

Star Wars – The Force Unleashed

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.

Quantum of Solace

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.

Gears of War 2

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.

Far Cry 2

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.

Red Alert 3

I’ve played all the C&C’s and Red Alerts. I’ve always preferred Red Alert, and this one looks wicked. Again, probably play in on PC.

Spore

I know this is on everybody’s list. I’m not all that stoked about it, but it seems new and unique enough that I probably shouldn’t skip it.

Halo Wars

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.

Tiberium

I’ll probably wait for the reviews on this one. Maybe I’ll just rent it. Need more info. It has my attention, for now at least.

Crysis Warhead

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.

Step Brothers

C’mon, it looks so funny. What a hilarious idea.

I think it’s funny that Crytek is just discovering that their game Crysis is being pirated so much that it’s affecting their bottom line. Here’s the direct quote from Next-Gen.biz:

“I believe that’s the core problem of PC Gaming, piracy… PC gamers that pirate games inherently destroy the platform. Similar games on consoles sell factors of 4-5 more,” he said in an interview with PC Play. “It was a big lesson for us and I believe we won’t have PC exclusives as we did with Crysis in future. We are going to support PC, but not exclusive anymore.”

Now call me crazy, but what do people know about Crysis? Probably this: Crysis is that game with the craziest graphics ever that runs on like a dozen machines worldwide because the hardware requirements are so high.

So assuming that the vast vast majority of people don’t have a gaming rig PC that they bought in the last 6 months, then their machine probably isn’t powerful enough to get these “crazy graphics” everyone’s heard about or seen on the internet. So they have a middle of the road gaming PC. Are they going to go buy Crysis and risk it not running? Not likely, so they’ll give it a go with a pirated copy.

Now I see two scenarios.

1. The game runs fine or even well, and the pirate continues to play it since it’s running now, they can buy it later. But that’ll get put off forever and will never happen.
2. The game doesn’t run as well as the pirate would like, and they don’t play it or buy it.

So how many of those are really lost sales? I’d bet not that many. Everytime I heard about the crazy Crysis system requirements, the developers said that it’s a game that you can buy three years from now and it will still look amazing. That was their strategy.

My feeling is quit complaining, I believe you painted yourself into this corner. You’ve still sold a million copies, you’re bound to sell more later. Once everyone stops waiting to buy a Vista machine, there’ll be more machines out there capable of running Crysis.

Also, on the graphics front, how good does the Dunia engine look? Props to Far Cry 2 from Ubisoft. Coming to consoles right? No PC needed? That’s still smarter, despite my comments regarding Crysis.

Some of you may have seen the Assassin’s Creed PC Requirements today. I find them interesting considering some of the rumours surrounding another PC game of lofty requirements, Crysis.

Everybody that I know has applauded the graphics of Assassin’s Creed on the Xbox 360, myself included. So, if you assume the graphics on the PC are comparable, then that really says something about the power of the 360.

Crytek has said over and over again that Crysis is a PC game, they haven’t developed a console version, and that it wasn’t their intention. Nevertheless, perhaps it’s not that big of stretch to get a Crysis-level PC killer on the consoles.

At the same time, it’s truly an argument against spending lots of money on top of the line PC gaming rigs. You can use reasonably priced PCs to play most games that you wouldn’t play on a console. Games like strategy games.

Maybe PC game developers should focus more on console titles with PC games getting work on afterwards.

Update – Jan 29

This actually came out a couple days ago, but it seems like I’m not crazy, and Crysis could be taken to the consoles.

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/01/29/crysis-engine-will-be-shown-on-360-at-gdc/