I've just posted user reviews for Uncharted 2 (HERE) and Hitman HD Trilogy (HERE) if anyone wants to check them out.
_Mattallica's forum posts
Some game franchises have a steady supply of good games before finally having a breakout hit. A game which stands up and demands people pay attention to it outside of its immediate fan base. This can be for many different reasons but usually it's because it is an excellent game. Call of Duty had Modern Warfare. Saints Row had Saints Row The Third. And now after a few good games in the Far Cry series people who aren’t already fans need to pay attention to Far Cry 3.
The story sees Jason and his friends captured by a group of pirates and after you manage to break free you are tasked with the almost impossible objective of saving your friends and getting the hell off this island. You as a player will be tested throughout in doing terrible things to save yourself and you will be made to question whether you are such a good guy after all. Themes such as insanity will be recurring and many twists will make you wonder if you can ever be the same again after such an experience.
I liked the story for the most part and how it challenges many perceived notions about what you are willing to do to survive in a bad place. I felt the story did drag in the middle and could have been tightened up for a shorter, more direct experience which I would have enjoyed more. Whilst not everything it tries it pulls off, enough of it works really well to create an engaging unique story for the player.
Whilst the story is interesting I can't really say the same for the characters. Outside of Vaas, one of the game's protagonists I really didn't think anyone stood out. Jason who you play as didn't make me care for the character and his safety at all and his friends all seemed incredibly generic and disposable. Vaas is good but I think the main reason he stands out is because every other character in the game just isn't that great. If everyone was as well acted and thought through as Vaas we could have have something incredible.
The missions structure is great with a nice variety of stealth, action and options of either which make the game anything but predictable. The game will frequently contain some crazy imagery through the protagonist hallucinating which makes for some unique settings and encounters. I wasn't expecting to fight giant crazy monsters and the colors and sounds present make it seem like an acid trip for the eyes. It never strays too far into the bizarre though and is never unnecessary to play through.
A nice game mechanic you will be introduced to straight away is how you level up to unlock new skills, weapons and gear which is really great and one of the best I've seen in this type of game. If you fancy hunting some animals, which you aren't forced to do, you will be rewarded with new gear such as being able to hold more weapons and ammo. Liberate outposts and you will unlock a new safe place to fast travel to and be able to buy new weapons and attachments. Climb a radio tower and you will be able to see the area more clearly on your map as well as get new weapons for free.
This progression system in this type of game is fantastic and made me want to do everything there was to do outside of the main story to get my character fully equipped for when I do start the actually story itself. It encourages you to explore the island without being too forceful like other games and strikes the perfect balance between rewarding the player but not making it too easy. More games should take note of this.
Hunting as I just mentioned is one of many different elements present in this game and I have to say it is one of my favorite parts of the entire game. Whether it was sniping sharks, blowing up tigers or knifing a tortoise only to immediately be filled with regret and vowing to never do it again, hunting was probably the most interesting part of Far Cry 3 for me. Accessing new upgrades was an integral reason for this in the beginning but I enjoyed it so much I found myself still taking on hunting quests for no reason other than the challenge of completing them. I wish it had played a bigger part in the game and I would be happy if the next game was just an open world hunting game with hundreds of animals to track down. It won't be but I would still play it.
The open world is incredibly well crafted and thought through with the map being big enough for you to explore but not too big that it feels ludicrous. Whether its liberating outposts and climbing radio towers like I mentioned earlier, or searching for relics there is a ton of content which makes the world seem like it is brimming with life and not just some dull place where a story is told. The side quests lack the imagination of many other parts of the game which is a shame but overall there is still a lot to keep players busy and it so well polished it makes for one of the more enjoyable open world experiences I've played in a while.
Controls are solid and the gameplay overall is very fun. The way you can change weapons and heal yourself quickly during firefights is very well thought out and put together and doesn't cause any problems at all. The AI of the enemies lays nicely between challenging enough to keep you thinking but not predictable so the game becomes boring. The driving mechanics are slightly odd but use of vehicles is so minimal it isn't cause for concern.
Graphically the game is very nice to look at due to the gorgeous environments and fantastic art style. I suffered only a couple of instances of texture popping but with no frame rate problems I found it to be a lovely looking game overall. Because the game looks so stunning it makes the appalling actions of the characters seem all the more awful. Great juxtaposition indeed.
Another thing I feel compelled to mention is the sound. The effects are solid with weapons, animals and enemies all sounding convincing but it's when the game uses licensed songs to fantastic effect that I really like. The opening of the game uses M.I.A's 'Paper Planes' to establish the sort of people the protagonists are and really stylizes the level of excess and carelessness present on the island.
My favorite however is during a mission that sees you burning down a field full of marijuana and as the fumes fill the air not only does your vision become distorted, but the sound of Skrillex and Damian Marley blasts through your speakers. Yes, it's silly. Yes, it's over the top. But I think it's awesome and is destined to be a cult favorite for many years to come.
The co-op in this game I found to be completely unnecessary and for the most part just awful. It takes out everything that makes the main game so great such as exploration, being able to play the game numerous different ways and the fun of each enemy encounter. Instead you get a completely sterile and boring set of 6 levels which challenge you to either carry an item to a certain point, fix a vehicle or just take down waves of enemies. If there was no achievements for this mode I would have given up almost immediately and it doesn't provide anything that isn't already done so much better in the game elsewhere.
I appreciate when games include separate co-op only campaigns such as Portal 2 if it is done effectively but this mode is so bad I wish I hadn't wasted my time with it and somewhat soured my experience of the game. Having the option for a friend to join your main game and take out outposts together would have been great but really the game should have just been 100% single player. After this I didn't even try the multiplayer as I didn't buy this game to shoot other players in the face so I would say if it’s an open world exploration game you want to play with an intriguing premise, stick to the main story.
Another small issue I have with the game is load times. Due to the size of the map you will find yourself using the fast travel feature very often. It is implemented well as it doesn't force you to traverse huge areas of the world however it does suffer with quite long load times. I played the game with an installed disc on Xbox 360 and every time I used the feature the game would take up to ten seconds to load. It doesn't sound much but when you are using the feature many times it adds up and slightly takes you out of the experience. Not a huge problem but no doubt a flaw that you should be aware of.
The game is pretty long to fully complete but not a ridiculous length like some open world games. I managed to get all the achievements in about 23 hours which is quite reasonable and I don't think I'll revisit the game to get the remaining relics anytime soon. I would however like some DLC which many have expressed interest in, including a bizarre Dinosaur DLC. I would just like more reasons to explore such a well put together world and if that includes hunting velociraptor and tyrannosaurus rex, well that sounds good to me.
Small issues aside, Far Cry 3 is a fantastic game that I would recommend to people looking for a different kind of shooter. The open world is a breath of fresh air where most FPS are becoming more scripted and linear and even when the game does have some scripted sequences it doesn't become boring like recent games of the genre. The story isn't perfect but I commend them for trying to at least do something different and interesting which for the most part I think was a success. I really enjoyed my time and look forward to future installments which are hopefully being prepared right now. Thank you Far Cry 3, for the most messed holiday of my life.
Coming Soon
Hello! Just a quick update to inform everyone what you can expect on the blog in the next couple of weeks. I am currently writing my review for Far Cry 3. I have finished the game now, got all the achievements and have quite a lot to say on this game of the year contender for many from late last year. That review should hopefully be up by Friday/Saturday for you guys to enjoy.
Next up
I'm also getting the Hitman HD Trilogy this week and this will be my next review. It's 3 games so I'm not sure how long it will take for me to finish but I'll try to get my review out in the next 2 weeks. So that's TWO new reviews coming up very soon. Speaking of Hitman, if you missed my Hitman Absolution review what are you waiting for? Go read it here NOW.
Until next time
I should have my hands full the next couple of weeks with Hitman but as always I am open to suggestions for games you would like me to review so please leave a comment with any titles you would like my opinion on. See you soon for my Far Cry 3 review!
Before this game was released there was a lot of concern amongst fans. Many wondered whether the game would be 'dumbed down', that the need to sell to a wider audience would resort in taking away the hardcore stealth elements of the game. Maybe the Agent 47 everyone knows and loves won't be as we remembered him, or that the format has aged and won't be a relevant having spent six years away from the game. As soon as you play this game those fears will gone and you will wonder why you ever doubted the main man in the first place. Hitman: Absolution was worth the wait.
The game starts with Agent 47 giving the task of taking down his former employer Diana, who has leaked Agency secrets and bringing back a girl named Victoria who is currently in the care of Diana, to the Agency. Before finishing the job Diana gives 47 a note and tells him to protect Victoria from his own Agency which begins the story of finding out what is so special about this girl.
The story is very engrossing and kept me entertained and intrigued throughout the campaign’s entire duration, culminating in a satisfying conclusion that leaves me longing for more. Unsurprisingly, the game’s story isn't one of the best I've ever seen in a game but encapsulates the essence of Hitman better than it’s, somewhat lacking, prequels.
The length of the story is much longer than most story driven titles with 20 chapters to complete, (which all vary in length) most of which feature completely brand new locations. It’s hard for me to judge how long it would take if you just played the story as I was doing everything there was to do but I believe around 13 hours would do it which is longer than a usual 8-10 hour story only experience. However, with a new challenge system, you will be compelled to revisit chapters time, and time again to get the most out of it.
Challenges are what make this game really interesting: each level will have a set amount which will involve 47 performing certain tasks whilst also achieving the mission objective. Some will be pretty evident such as 'never be seen' or 'never change disguise' in the level but others will show you just how layered and well crafted each level in this game really is. Killing a target can involve sniping from a distance, changing into his drug dealer’s clothes and luring him away from his guards, poisoning his coffee or even pushing him down a hole. Each way is so fun I found myself playing each level many times before moving on to the next just to see how each scenario played out. Just really fantastic game design. This is what veterans of the series will look for and you will not be disappointed.
The gameplay really is the shining star and the main reason why this game is so engaging. The controls feel fluid, smooth and easy to use and the first level, which serves as a tutorial, is expertly crafted to teach you everything there is to know very quickly. The shooting mechanics are fine but you shouldn't be using them very often anyway. The way instinct works by showing arrows for alerted guards is great and shows you exactly where you could be in danger without being too intrusive.
My only complaint would be the disguise system which doesn't seem very fair to the player. If you use a police officer's uniform other police officers will spot you from very far away without even acting suspiciously. Perhaps if this didn't happen disguises would make the game too easy but I still found them pretty useless and in the end found it easier to not use them and just stay completely hidden.
Visually this game is pretty stunning and stylish to look at. I never had any graphical glitches or texture popping after a good 30 hours with the game on Xbox 360 and the art style really suits the overall tone of the game. The cut-scenes are put together very well and makes the story come to life. Agent 47 has never looked this good.
Other than the main story we also have a separate Contracts mode to play through. This mode is made up of levels designed by players from the community for others to see if they can crack. Anyone can create a contract and you can share them with your friends to see who can assassinate a certain target the best way and, in turn, get the highest score. The mode is an interesting idea but the possibilities for levels are quite limited and having only spent a short time on the mode I never felt compelled to play it again. A nice feature which many will enjoy but nothing more than an added bonus to the main game for me.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with this game, so much so that as soon as I finished the story I went back and got all the remaining achievements to 100% complete the game. I would gladly pay more for DLC, whether it be story related or not, I feel compelled to assassinate more targets and accomplish more challenges. Hopefully 47 won’t be out of action for as long as his last hiatus of 6 years.
Hitman: Absolution is truly fantastic and one of the best stealth games this generation along with Splinter Cell: Conviction. My complaints are so small and the enjoyment I got was one of the best experiences I've had with a stealth game for a while. The Hitman franchise is alive and better than ever. Agent 47 is going to be finding new ways to eliminate targets for a very long time.
The first half of 2013 is pretty packed in regards to huge game releases. Look no further than the likes of Grand Theft Auto V, Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider and Gears of War: Judgment to know that there are plenty of AAA games from beloved series to keep your attention for the entire year; but what about some of the less recognised games coming out? Perhaps they don't have the budget to compete or aren't a known franchise but they deserve your attention nonetheless. I'm not saying the following games will be great, but they all have different and interesting ideas and don't deserve to be buried in the crazy release schedule of 2013. Here are 5 games that you may have forgot are coming soon and should be on most gamer's radars.
Injustice: Gods Among Us (PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360)
NetherRealm Studios, headed by Ed Boon - the creator of Mortal Kombat - is introducing a new fighting game IP which will focus on the DC Universe. The DC universe has been visited before by the Mortal Kombat developers in the generally well-received Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. After a rough few years for the Mortal Kombat series, 2011’s release raised the bar and gave the fans what they have been clamoring for years. With a new IP and a welcome resurgence from a prolific fighting game developer, Injustice: Gods Among Us is definitely a game to look out for on April 16th.
Killzone: Mercenary (PS Vita)
Ever since the Playstation Vita was announced by Sony the dream and main promise for gamers was to finally have a console quality first person shooter on a handheld for the first time through the use of dual sticks. The first attempt at this was Resistance: Burning Skies. The game wasn't developed by its usual developer, Insomniac Games but was handed to Nihilistic Software for the difficult task at hand. A series which has produced solid games over the past few years many hoped would be the definitive handheld shooter. Unfortunately the game had a myriad of problems but mostly importantly a bad online infrastructure. The next attempt and the most ambitious so far was Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified. Unfortunately many feared the worse when Treyarch was not on board to develop the game and again it was given to a another developer, Nihilistic Software once more. Fears were compounded when the game was released to terrible reviews and it seems not even the FPS behemoth of Call of Duty can save the Vita.
Well that small task is now at hand for Killzone: Mercenary. Developed by Guerrilla Cambridge with main series creator Guerrilla Games assisting it's production, not much is known about the game so far. However the game seems to be in the right hands and hopefully won't be rushed out like the two previous games I mentioned. This game could be the definitive FPS the Vita so terribly needs and it really couldn't come any sooner with the release schedule for the Vita for 2013 looking incredibly bare. This game currently has a tentative release date of 2013.
Metro: Last Light (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Metro: Last Light is the sequel to 2010's Metro 2033 which came out to incredibly mixed reviews upon its release. The game was praised for its tone and style but many found the combat frustrating and not as fluid as many other FPS on the market. The game did find a niche audience and is somewhat of a cult favorite nowadays and many fans were overjoyed when a sequel was announced.
The potential for this game is pretty huge. If it delivers on its initial promises from the first game and tightens up all of the problems people had we could see something very special. Scheduled for a release on March 31st this game couldn't have picked a more crowded time to get noticed. Tomb Raider, Bioshock Infinite and Gears of War: Judgment all release the same month. If this game sells well enough to keep the franchise going it will be a minor miracle, and that is a real shame.
Fuse (PS3, Xbox 360)
Fuse is the upcoming co-op shooter from Insomniac Games. It is the first game in many years from the developer that will be multiplatform, with this game coming to both Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. We haven't seen much of this game so far but the real reason you should be interested is that Insomniac rarely make bad games and if you only own an Xbox 360 this will be the first game of theirs you can play this generation.
I do however worry about this game and it's release for many reasons. Firstly it has an extremely generic name that wouldn't entice people at all to pick up and see what this game is about. Secondly, it has terrible box art. I mean look at the above image, why cut off your character's heads? Just awful. Lastly, it's release date of March. So many huge games come out that month as I mentioned and many are shooters in direct competition with this game. I can't see this doing particularly well sales wise I just hope the game itself is great which may help in the long run through word of mouth.
State of Decay (PC, XBLA)
This game won't be on many people's immediate radar due to it being quite far from release but once we know when it's coming you won't want to miss it. A zombie survival open world game coming to Xbox Live Arcade in the same style of DayZ but a more linear and story driven experience. Everything we have seen so far about this game looks fantastic from the screenshots to the trailers. This game looks new, exciting, interesting and truly one of a kind for console gaming.
I imagine this game will be the sole focus of this years Summer of Arcade promotion, probably the last for the current Xbox, and I can't think of a better way to end one of this generation's best and most consistent annual events. State of Decay, remember the name.
Until Next Time...
So there we have it. 5 games that are far from blockbuster titles but all could be interesting and important games for many different reasons. It's a shame of a lot of the games I mentioned won't be best sellers and probably won't win any game of the year awards, this doesn't mean they don’t deserve to be played. In the next 4 months when the dominant games will likely come and steal the limelight away from the opposition, spare a thought to the games that only misstep was launching at one of the busiest release windows in recent memory.
Happy New Year!
I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays and spent all this free time catching up on the great games you may have missed from the year; I know I have. Anyway, thought I would a post about my top 5 games and films of 2012 which I've been meaning to do for a while now and then I also remembered I made 5 video game predictions at the start of 2012 that I needed to review. Also, I needed to post 5 new predictions for 2013, so that's why I'm here now! I'll try and keep this as short as possible to avoid boredom setting in and as there is a lot to get through.
Top 5 Games of 2012
5. Resident Evil: Revelations
Who would have thought out of the THREE new Resident Evil games released in 2012 by far the best one would be exclusive to the 3DS. Revelations is the true sequel that fans deserved to get with Resident Evil 6 and is everything fans have been crying out for. Real survival horror, interesting enemies, a good story and an fantastic setting reminiscent of the mansion from the first game contribute to this being the best Resident Evil game since Resident Evil 4. Don't let this being a portable game put you off, the game uses touch and dual screen fantastically well and is never a tacked on gimmick. The graphics are fantastic for a handheld and I really hope this gets ported so more people can experience it. If you call yourself a Resident Evil fan and you haven't played Revelations, sort it out.
4. Catherine
Before you yell at me for putting a game that was released in 2011 on the list, in the UK where I live (And drink Tea) we only got this beauty of a game in 2012 so that's why it's on my list. Having zero interest in Japanese games in the past after hearing about the unique infidelity theme of the game I decided to try it and was blown away with what I got. Visually stunning from the moment you switch the game on and some of the most difficult puzzles ever constructed this game had me hooked. The ending I got matched the decisions I had made perfectly, even if it wasn't a desirable outcome, and seeing the other endings I think a lot of games with branching story lines could take something from Catherine. An absolute delight all round.
3. Hitman: Absolution
I only just got this game for Christmas so I was weary of putting this game too high incase it has a bad ending but so far my experience with this game has been nothing but an absolute delight. A bad ending wouldn't ruin the experience that much for me as I'm not concerned with the story, it's the gameplay that makes this game so good. It's also one of the first games I've played where I have to play a single level many times over to see every outcome and get all the challenges before moving onto the next. The way each level is layered is so well done and the game looks and controls beautifully. The game has received good reviews but it doesn't seem to be a game many have been taking about. If good stealth action games are your thing, buy this game immediately.
2. Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3 went in a completely different direction to previous games in the series. In the past you could fly through the air into a room full of enemies and take everyone out before you hit the ground. Try that in MP3 and you will get massacred. What we got instead was one of the smoothest and mechanically sound cover-based shooters without Gears of War in the title. The multiplayer many also assumed would be tacked on to a game that was all about the single player in the past; which turned out to be completely wrong. What we got was Rockstar's best and most thought out multiplayer to date. Connectivity issues aside, MP3 has fantastic multiplayer with interesting modes and varied maps. I was slightly disappointed originally with the story but having replayed it I think it's just a way to get Max into fun gameplay situations, which it executes perfectly.
1. The Walking Dead
What is there to say about this game that hasn't already been said many times before? This game has been getting a lot of attention lately in this award season and rightfully so. What started as a pleasant surprise in Episode 1 developed over the season into something which many will look back on as being an important game for the industry. Overall I feel like people will be have read the reasons why this game is so good many times over. The character development and choices, emotional agony and shocking plot twists are unlike any story told this year. The main reason why it's my game of the year is because I definitely spent more time talking to friends, reading forums and having discussions about this game than any other in 2012. Looking forward to the next episode and pondering over what potential choices I might make have defined this year for gaming for me. When I look back to 2012 in the future without a doubt the first game that will spring to mind is Telltale Games' The Walking Dead. That's why I can't think of a more deserving game of the year.
Honourable Mentions
Other games I really enjoyed include Trials Evolution which is so much fun but can be a bit repetitive after a little while. I haven't had the urge to revisit that title for a while. I also enjoyed Halo 4 and Assassin's Creed III which I think are both good games but a few problems with both stopped them from being in my top games of the year. My biggest disappointment was by far Resident Evil 6. I've already said enough about this game, if you would like to read my review you can find it here.
There are a few games I'm interested in from 2012 that I haven't got round to playing yet which aren't limited to but include Far Cry 3, The Unfinished Swan and Mark of the Ninja.
Top 5 Films of 2012
5. The Cabin in the Woods
Being a huge fan of horror I had heard good things about this film in the community but knew nothing about what happens before I saw it. This is the best way to see this film. It uses the conventions of the genre so well and really is a delight if you're a horror geek like myself. Maybe it can be a bit too 'meta' in places but as a fan of Scream and anything that is made by and for true horror fans, I can't help but enjoy it very much.
4. Skyfall
I had zero expectations for this film when it was announced. Being a huge fan of James Bond as a kid my love for the spy has been lost over the years. Casino Royale was good but Quantum of Solace was so dreadful I never wanted to see another Daniel Craig bond film again. After Skyfall there is no doubt in my mind that Daniel Craig IS James Bond. Funny, interesting and heartfelt, this is the true reboot the series has needed for a while. More a drama than an action film everything about Skyfall impressed me and singlehandley rekindled my love for the franchise.
3. V/H/S
In a pretty weak year for horror I think this film stands alone as being the best and most interesting thing to happen to the genre in 2012. Smashing together two of the most hit and miss sub genres (Found Footage and Anthology) we got an amazing film which could be the next big horror franchise with an interesting sequel already scheduled for release in 2013. 5 different segments all intriguing and scary in different ways, the standard of quality on show meant that even the weakest segment is still better that almost everything else in horror last year. A showcase for upcoming new horror directors I hope this sticks around and continues to produce great content on an annual basis.
2. Life of Pi
In any other year this film would have been my number one easily. In all my years studying and watching film I have never been more emotionally affected by a film as much as I was watching Life of Pi. The story does so much with such a small amount it's remarkable the journey that is told through only a boy and a Bengal Tiger. The effects are absolutely incredible and has by far the best use of 3D I have ever seen in a film. Only used to make the world seem more alive without being a gimmick, this is how 3D is done. The ending wasn't as strong as I had liked but the middle hour of this film is one of the best I've ever seen in my life. I cannot wait to watch this film many times over the coming years.
1. The Dark Knight Rises
Where do I even begin? What Christopher Nolan has achieved through only 3 films is nothing short of remarkable. Everything from the incredible set pieces filmed beautifully on IMAX, the chilling soundtrack composed to perfection, the ensemble cast which all provide something to the experience and the perfect ending to one of the best trilogies of modern cinema. The problems many people have with this film such as minor story plot holes make me wonder why people watch films. I don't wanna be bogged down by tiny details. When a film tells a story of this magnitude and ambition I really don't need to be spoon-fed details such as how Batman gets back to Gotham after escaping the prison. The fact that Nolan picks and chooses when he gives you information shows his level of artistry as a director and belief in the story he is telling. Having seen this film twice at the cinema and once on Blu ray it has gotten better and better each time and I can't wait for my next viewing. This isn't only my top film of 2012 but possibly in my top 3 films ever. Oh and Tom Hardy as Bane is absolutely incredible and one of the best villain performances of all time.
Honourable Mentions
I also really enjoyed The Hobbit with the only letdown for me being the action sequences that are way too CGI heavy. This loses the weight and suspense of the live action scenes we mostly saw in the Lord of the Rings films. I hope the action in the next two are more hands-on and we could see something really special. I also really enjoyed Prometheus and American Reunion.
The only film that disappointed me was Looper. Not a bad film by a long shot but being a huge time travel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt fan I wanted to love this film so much. I really enjoyed the initial premise and set up of the world but thought the plot and story told wasn't really that interesting. It had too many sequences that dragged on such as the parts at the farm but I did love the flashes of violence the film had which were incredible.
I will also add that Django Unchained, Wreck-it Ralph and Lincoln all come out in the UK in the first two months of 2013 so I haven't seen them yet. They may well feature on next year's list.
2012 Predictions: The Results
I made these for fun on January 1st 2012 just to see how right or wrong I could predict some things. Let's see the results.
Prediction 1: GTA V will NOT be released in 2012.
CORRECT. Quite happy with this one. Remember at the time we had only just had the announcement and first trailer and little did we know all we would get for a whole year is a few pitiful screenshots. I assumed with Max Payne 3 scheduled for release in 2012 and their affiliation with that release window we wouldn't get the game till 2013. And I was right. Go me.
Prediction 2: The 3DS will have a redesign RELEASED in 2012.
CORRECT. After E3 2012 came and went with no news I had given up hope on this one. Then out of nowhere Nintendo announced and then released the 3DS XL. I thought the redesign would contain a 2nd thumb stick which didn't happen but we got a redesign nonetheless so I'm happy.
Prediction 3: The Xbox Durango will be ANNOUNCED by Microsoft in 2012.
WRONG. Probably the safest prediction I made turned about to be completely wrong as Microsoft didn't make a single announcement regarding the new Xbox. Seeing as there is now a 99% chance of it being announced in 2013 I'm gonna avoid this one for fear of failing two years in a row.
Prediction 4: The 3DS will sell more units WORLDWIDE than the PS Vita in 2012.
CORRECT. I haven't been able to find any solid numbers for the year overall just yet but judging by the monthly NPD numbers released where the 3DS always outsold the Vita I'm calling this one as correct. It might seem obvious now but back when I made this prediction the Vita had only been released in Japan and was two months before launching worldwide. I just thought the price was too high and the amount of games wasn't enough to topple the 3DS. Maybe 2013 will be the year Vita finds its feet.
Prediction 5: A Call of Duty will NOT be the best selling game of 2012, across all platforms.
WRONG. Didn't have many high hopes for this one and once Black Ops II got announced I knew this was an epic fail. You haven't seen the last of this prediction though.
2013 Predictions
Prediction 1: A Call of Duty game will NOT be the best selling game of 2013, across all platforms.
Decided to do this one again. It will probably fail when Modern Warfare 4 comes out but I reckon the game in my next prediction will outsell it.
Prediction 2: GTA V will break the entertainment launch record (Overall income in 24 hours).
I think GTA V will be the best selling game of the year so that's why I went with this one. It might fail though as unlike COD, GTA doesn't get a majority of their sales in the first 24 hours, it sells consistently well for a few years. I just think the hype for this one will mean it will sell like crazy on launch.
Prediction 3: Sony will announce the Playstation Orbis before Microsoft announces the Xbox Durango.
Announcements of the new consoles are pretty imminent for this year so I tried to make it slightly interesting. Sony won't want to be last out of the gate like last time so I predicted this one. It will probably be a case of whoever has their conference first at E3 though.
Prediction 4: Smash Brothers on Wii U will be officially announced this year. It will NOT come out in 2013.
We know it's coming but we don't know when. Nintendo will have to tease this at some point in the year but I don't think it will come out soon. I foresee an announcement with a very vague 2014 release date.
Prediction 5: Metal Gear Solid 5 will be announced exclusively for the Playstation Orbis.
Again tried to do go with something not entirely obvious. I think with The Phantom Pain all but being a prelude to announcing MGS 5 the only thing stopping this being the platform it's on not announced yet. I expect when Sony do unveil their next console, a MGS 5 announcement will be with it.
Until next time.
And so there we have it! Tried to keep this as short as possible so couldn't go into as much detail as I would have liked for each game and film to do them justice but then I would have been writing all day. So which games/films did you love of 2012? Which of mine do you hate? And which crazy predictions did anyone make that came true? Let me know and remember to come back next year to make fun of me when none of my predictions come true.
The Walking Dead is a hard game to review. I feel like the less you know going in the better. If you haven't played this game yet I suggest you do so immediately. If you are still unsure whether this game is for you let me ask you a few simple questions. Is story important to you in a game? Do you like to be tested in making impossible decisions? Would you like to experience how bleak and tragic a zombie apocalypse actually would be? If you answered yes to any of these questions go and play this game right now. If you are on the fence then let me explain to you why this gem of a video game should not be missed.
The Walking Dead is a point and click adventure game set in the same universe as the comic and popular TV show. This is a completely new story and characters but set in a familiar setting. Some cameos from the other media do make appearances but don't expect to see Rick Grimes anytime soon. What you are presented with could very well be the best story told in the universe so far, which can definitely hold its own with the high standards of the show and comics.
Developed by Telltale Games, you could be forgiven for not having this game on your immediate radar. Generally speaking, there aren't many licensed games to get immensely excited about. Add to that the fact of the developer having a record of good niche games, but nothing near the elite of the industry, it's no surprise this game didn't have the biggest following before release. It does go to show that when it all comes together any good developer is capable of producing someone remarkable. And after this game, Telltale Games is now a major player in the video game industry.
The story sees you play as Lee Everett, a convict being escorted in handcuffs via car while being held prisoner. After an accident you escape only to discover the world is in a much worse place than you left it. While trying to work out what is going on you run into a little girl named Clementine who is looking for her parents. Instinctively you protect her and try to find her parents and also try to survive in a world overrun by walkers.
There is so much more to the story but to give away more than the initial premise would be unfair to people who have not yet experienced it. The story is really the shining star in this game and the way the characters develop over the course of the game is one of the best narratives ever told in the medium. What starts as a pretty straight forward survival game soon blossoms into a tale of heartbreak, hope, tragedy, and sadness. This really is the new benchmark when it comes to storytelling in games.
Choices play a big part in the game and they are presented to you in many different forms. Sometimes it will just be a conversation and whether you agree or disagree with someone but other times it really can mean the difference between someone living or dying. The time given to choose an option is so small that you really are rushed into making them and living with these decisions, whether you are happy or unhappy with your selection is part of the game. Just like in real life, the decisions you make effect the outcome of those around us and a bad decision can really come back to haunt you.
I do however feel like these choices could have had more of an overall impact on the story then it did in the end. The motives and actions of characters definitely change dramatically but the outcome roughly stays the same. I don't mind as I prefer one story told rather than many, but I thought my decisions would hold more weight in the end whereas everyone will have the same ending no matter how you play the game. When you compare it to a game like Heavy Rain where your ending can be dramatically different through how you play the game, I wonder whether there could have been more outcomes to some scenarios that are presented. As I said, I do prefer that the game has one ending that everyone will experience but the steps to get there are different, which is a very nice touch.
The style of the game looks like a visual comic book and fits the story perfectly. Simple but effective it really does feel like you are playing a comic book but also isn’t so distracting that you forget the importance of the situation. When most games feel the need to become photo realistic to have believable characters and story, the fact that this game pulls it off in a cartoon world just goes to show the incredible job this game does with its storytelling.
This game was first released digitally one episode at a time roughly a month apart before now making its way onto retail disc. Many gamers will be happy they won't have to wait to continue the story, but I do feel like a certain part of the magic of the game is now lost. The waiting for episodes made the story more effective as you would really have time to think about your actions and how you would react next. You could also talk to your friends and compare how you played the game and see how things panned out differently for them. You can still do this now of course, but I feel like because the story is so compelling having the whole story available from the start will be hard to not play it all the way through, and I wouldn't blame you either. However this is a small complaint and whatever way you play the game you won’t be disappointed.
When I finished this game I took a few days to fully digest what I had just experienced. I really enjoyed the game but where would I rank it to other experiences? It's definitely one of the best stories I’ve seen in a game but the gameplay is nothing special. It’s hard to decide if I will ever want to revisit this game in the future but I do know I will be one of the first people buying season two when it starts. In a year that has been slightly disappointing in my opinion, with the big blockbusters not living up to expectations, this game is a complete breath of fresh air and I suggest you could do a lot worse than to pick up the best game of 2012 if you haven’t already done so.
Crashmo (known as Fallblox in EU) is the sequel to the highly rated Pushmo (Pullblox in EU) for the Nintendo 3DS which was one of the most compelling and exciting new IP's from Nintendo in recent years. Fun, challenging and pretty to look at, Nintendo made the eShop a viable platform for games through the release of just one game. A sequel was inevitable. So did they try something new on an already tested and working formula or just release more of the same? Surprisingly this game is different to its predecessor in many ways, and not all of them pay off.
The initial premise of this puzzle game is to climb a bunch of blocks by moving them around, pushing and pulling them to build a way to the top and reaching the goal. What starts as a very basic idea you soon won't believe your eyes at the level of complexity and creativity at play when trying to solve some of the levels. Be warned, don't let this game's cute exterior fool you. What may look like a kid’s game from the start soon develops in one of the most frustrating and hard games you will ever play.
The visuals in this game are fantastic and are definitely on par with any retail game the system has to offer, let alone for a downloadable title. The screen is bursting with the color and this carries over to the 3D effects brilliantly. So far a majority of the games on the system have used 3D as an optional novelty with only two previous games using it as part of the gameplay. Those games were Super Mario 3D land (arguably the best game on 3DS) and this game's predecessor, Pushmo. When stumped on where to go next, turning the 3D on really does make a difference and can help dramatically in the game overall.
The soundtrack and sound effects are nice and work well with the overall aesthetic of the game. It's pretty standard Nintendo really, cute tunes that get stuck in your head long after playing. When you are doing well the songs are great and catchy, but when the game becomes difficult and frustrating they soon become annoying and the volume switch should be turned down to avoid breaking your system in anger. The sound of completing a level is a real delight though.
Tutorials are used very efficiently to help ease new players into the game and get you learning all the game mechanics in no time. As a player of the previous game that knows how to play they were slightly intrusive but it didn't bother me that much. The game also explains the changes and new elements to this game very well with lots of training levels designed to make you understand all there is to know such as the new floating blocks that don't drop down like usual blocks.
I alluded to the difficulty of the game earlier and trust me when I say this, this game is very, very difficult. As a veteran of the last game, playing over 40 hours and completing over 225 levels and only struggling on a few of the puzzles, I found myself getting stumped very frequently in this game. It could be due to the differences in the games and trying to play it like the last one which you cannot do or the simple fact that this game is harder. It's probably a cross between the two so be warned that this game won't be an easy ride. You can skip any level which is nice and come back to it later but I found pride getting in the way and I would rather spend an hour trying to work it out rather than take the smart option and retry later.
There's a small price increase for this game compared to the last one which was $6.99 compared to the price tag this time around of $8.99. It's worth noting seeing as it’s primarily the same sort of game and is probably due to the success of the first game they hope people won't mind a small increase. However this game could easily be a retail release and the amount of content you get for your money is still more than worth its modest price tag.
If you haven't played Pushmo yet I would probably recommend that over this game due to it being such a fantastic game that everyone should play. The new elements in this game somewhat over complicate the experience and I found the simplicity of the original game more charming and fun to play. If you played Pushmo, and want a new challenge then this is the game for you. It's bigger, harder and contains everything that is great about the first game whilst adding to the series. Really you can't go wrong with either game.
Overall, Crashmo is a fantastic puzzle game and a great successor to the best game on the eShop. Adding upon the series and cranking up the difficult this really cements this franchise as a serious one that shouldn't be overlooked by any Nintendo fans. With over 100 levels of block climbing madness and a great level editor, this really is worth your time and money. You could do a lot worse than to pick up this gem for your 3DS now.
Crashmo is out now and available exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS via download on the eShop for $8.99. In Europe, the game is known as Fallblox and is also available via the eShop now.
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