I hope everyone is doing ok in videogame land. We've been having some beautiful weather here in dear old England and I've been spending quite a bit of my time sitting outside either reading a good book or enjoying a Nintendo DS game. But this fine Spring weather as also got me thinking about some of the odd things I do as a human being, relating to videogames of course this being GiantBomb an all. But I've come to the conclusion that I've often been either stupid or simply confussed when it comes to playing the games I want to be playing, let me explain myself a little more clearly.
So as you might have guessed from the title alone, this blog partly surrounds Valve Corporation's zombie-fest Left 4 Dead available for PC, Xbox 360 and of course PS3. Now Left 4 Dead as been out for a good many months now, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the demo on Steam. So with this in mind, I happily made the purchase ready for both myself and friends to go zombie killing whenever we all got the time. Sadly that's where I stand, except the problems lies with yours truly in that I simply can never get around to loading Left 4 Dead up. I've wondered if this is a psychological issue rather then anything else for on a number of occasions I have been given a chance to play with a friends but then suddenly change my mind and go in favour of playing another different game instead, that other game usually being Rock Band 2. Even when I want to play Left 4 Dead, I never actually get around to clicking on the little icon on my desktop and enjoying the true madness that is so many gamers have enjoyed, why is that?
Left 4 Dead was created around Louis and his messy shirt.
This issue as also made me wonder if other such gamers suffer such an odd fate, do they really want to play a specific game that they of course also own. But simply never get around to doing so even if they do have the time. So as many of you will no doubt know, Left 4 Dead receieved a boost in the form of a 'Survival Pack' which I am informed, is a little bit on the disappointing side. Though it's worth keeping in mind that it is free afterall, and in these days of paid DLC. It's rather nice to see us getting some extra free new content from time to time. Yet even this as not pushed me to finally getting online and enjoy some Left 4 Dead, even as I write this I want to play the game yet I know I won't get around to doing so. So at this point I suspect you think I've gone a little mad, but I believe part of my issue lies with playing with strangers. Sadly not many of my friends play to much Left 4 Dead nowadays as they all got their fill at release time and let's be honest, Left 4 Dead is no World of Warcraft.
Now I would usually be fine with playing with strangers, but Left 4 Dead is one of those games where having players around you who talk, work together and don't go miles ahead can make it a brilliant experience. Yet from my time playing the demo with teams filled with folks I did not know, I found it to be a horrid time. From a player going miles ahead telling everyone 'how I'm going to dominate this map' to a very odd experience from one player who decided to spend their ammo shooting at me and my fellow team mates as much as possible.... well you get the point! what I'm basically trying to say is that I'm more then reluctant to play online with strangers when I know I could enjoy it more talking verbally with folks I know I could work together with and enjoy the game. So that's one of the issues I currently have that's stopping me from enjoying what Left 4 Dead offers. I know in all honesty that I'll eventually get around to spending a good couple of days or so playing this much loved first-person shooter and hopefully that will be sooner rather then later. But I'll keep wondering why I took so damn long to actually play the full retail version in the first place. I already think I'm a little mad.
So here I am, still yet to play a game I still really want to play and I only have to click a little icon to do so. I would fully understand if you think I've lost my marbles and gone a little insane, especially when one considers that Left 4 Dead is such a great game.... well how do I know, I've yet to fully play it. The more I think about it the more insane it seems, yet part of me wonders if it's my simple lack of patience with strangers within the world of a videogame. I'm terrible for not getting along with people and even though I'm not a nasty person in anyway, I find certain groups of people to be rather unpleasant and won't try to like them in any way possible. It's wrong of me I know, but I've always been someone who enjoys my own personal company and I honestly believe that is playing a part in my decision to not play Left 4 Dead. Thinking about it afterall, maybe it is a psychological thing. I've never been good at mixing with people and I can't see myself improving as I grow older, it's just the way I am. But I know I need to give Left 4 Dead a go soon, and the many players who enjoy it a chance to win me over. Who knows maybe I can get some friends to actually get their backsides off Call of Duty 4 and go kill some zombies, no one can say no to that!
Have you ever had such an experience?
Thanks for reading, I do appreciate it! Joseph Bayliss (TrueEnglishGent).
Now while I wanted to hold out for as long as I possible could before discussing the latest installment in the Assassins Creed franchise, I honestly knew I wouldn't have the will power to do such a thing. I won't try and follow the gaming crowd by mouthing off about what I hated about Assassins Creed or talk about how it was apparently the most repetitive game in existence, partly because that wouldn't truly be me speaking. For I adored Assassins Creed, it was one of my favourite games of 2007 and I simply can't wait for it's sequel to hit stores winter this year. So before I truly begin this blog, please keep in mind that I was a huge fan of the original so I might start rambling on concerning my overall hopes of the sequel now that we know some solid information.
First of all, I was delighted to actually see Assassins Creed 2 officially announced after hearing some less then fantastic rumours concerning it being possible canned by Ubisoft over the months. Though if my memory serves me well, I recall Assassins Creed doing quite well for Ubisoft and there were many gamers out there who enjoyed what the developers were trying and did actually achieve. It was just that all to often the Assassins Creed hatred crowd were seemed to have a louder voice, I have nothing against such people though. It is perfectly in their right to not like a game just because I do, take Halo 3 for example. I found Halo 3 to be a rather poor Xbox 360 game while there are those who understandable adored everything about the exclusive Xbox 360 shooter, so tastes vary across the videogame board. But now Assassins Creed 2 is official, we fans have been getting a small stream of interesting information to chew over. What we do know is that it will see you take control of Ezio Auditore De Firenze, who is one fancy dresser I might had. I could learn a thing or two from him.
Jazz Hands!We do know that it will take place in Renaissance, Italy and could actually take place during the Carnival of Venice in 1476 which is 285 years after the original game. It's worth noteing that not all of this information as been confirmed but we do already know a fair share of info on what's actually happening and who Ezio is. There as already been some discussion that Ezio is another ancestor of Desmond Miles, exactly like Altair in the first game. This theory could actually end up being quite true for obvious reasons, 1. It is noted in the original game that Desmond is a descendant of generations of assassins so seeing Ezio as just another generation of assassin is no great leap and 2. it would provide a basic push for the Assassins Creed story to continue after the original ended in somewhat of a cliff hanging.
There are also some minor but important details worthy of mention, Ezio will be able to swim which comes at an almost perfect time because the last time I checked, Venice had quite a lot of water about. We also know that like the original, a number of other locations will be available such as Florence, the Tuscan Countryside and possibly even Rome. Some key landmarks could also make an appearance such as St Mark's Basilica, the Grand Canal, the Little Canal and Rialto Bridge. One of the most exciting pieces of info is the possibility that Ezio will interact with famous figures of history such as Leonardo Di Vinci, Machiavelli, Caterina Sforza and Lorenzo De Medici. As someone who loves European history, such news makes my mouth water and if Ubisoft Montreal can create as good a timed atmosphere as the one seen in the original game, we fans are in for one hell of a treat.
One area that isn't so clear is the overall story, though historical aspects could and already are being guessed at. What of Desmond Miles and his tale? One of the great features of the original was that you couldn't help but think that there was a much bigger tale to be told in the modern day timeset of Desmond. A tale we still aren't totally sure will be told in this latest installment, though I suspect we will see a lot more action for Desmond this time around. Especially considering that he to shows signs of his ancestrial assassins blood towards the end of the original game. Going back to Ezio for a second though, we do know that he is apparently a nobleman and actually uses two retractable blades instead of just the one Altair uses and it should also be noted that Ezio seems to have all fingers in perfect condition (rather then Altair's missing middle finger) which makes me wonder if Ezio is indeed somewhat of a Nobleman by day and an assassin by night. Maybe Ezio must play is part and not let on that he is actually an assassins. Just a thought.
Ezio Auditore De Firenze, hooded and all.One thing is for sure though, I can't wait to find out more information. It's perfectly fine for folks to hate on this game, but very few games have sucked me in as much as Assassins Creed did. It would be fair to say that it did suffer from a repetition of actual missions types but they never truly felt repetitive to me and it told a story as original as any I have come across in my many years of gaming. New mission types have already been hinted at for the sequel as have new weapons, not to forget the possibility of using Leonardo di Vinci's famous flying machine. Sadly not many images have been released though I did get to see a few, it was clear that Ubisoft Montreal are yet again creating a World which feels authentic to the time on which it is based and it honestly looked stunning from the screenshots I saw, hopefully it won't take long before Ubisoft offer us a screen or two. A teaser and story teaser have already been released but they don't offer any true images of the game, but there worth a look as they offer some key information on the actual game.
Whatever people thought of the original Assassins Creed game, one can't deny that there are potential lessons to be learnt and there is much to be excited about for fans such as myself. While we may be waiting until E3 until we actually see a trailer of the game, I can't simply wait to find out more. While there are those that are a little unhappy that the actual setting for the sequel isn't exactly where folks were predicting, the Renaissance was quite a time and a hell of a lot happened worthy of a game. So Assassins Creed 2 and Ezio might just tell us a tale worthy of the Assassins Creed name. I know I can't wait!!
BLOOD, GORE AND VIOLENCE ON THE WII?..... NEVER!!!
It's become common knowledge that the Nintendo Wii is the home of family friendly videogaming, Nintendo's decision to aim for a younger and non-gamer audience as been a right one, for it's made the Wii one of the most successful consoles ever. It's without doubt that the little white box as it's share of forgettable titles for such gamers as myself, but even I cannot deny that there is a true charm to be found if the right ingredients are all in place. For the most part, MadWorld is indeed such a title where the right ingredients aren't just in place, but have been cooked with the perfect amount of salt and pepper.
MadWorld is the creation of Platinum Games, infact it's the first title released by the developers since forming in 2006. It's a game that offers something we don't get to see all to often on the Nintendo Wii nowadays. Blood, gore, violence and massive amounts of swearing. Which are all good things in my book, but even such qualities need to be used with care and MadWorld is guilty of overusing these extreme acts all to often until they eventually feel somewhat hollow towards the end of a playthrough. In MadWorld you play as Jack Cayman, who obtains the funding of a sponsor to take part in the bloody sport of DeathWatch. DeathWatch is created after parts of Varrigan city are attacked by groups of terrorists who release a deadly virus that can kill the population in less then 24 hours, the terrorist group who call themselves 'The Organizers' tell the population that if they kill fellow members of the population that they shall be given a vaccine to save their lives. At first the actual tale MadWorld tells can feel a little dull but there's actually a surprising amount of intrigue to be found as the story develops.
Jack is a rather likeable lead character with a kick ass chainsaw wrist.As Jack, it's your job to fight through different stages and of course bosses in an attempt to win the overall event, but not everything seems as it should be and Jack as his own personal reasons for entering the competition. It actually ends offering quite a detailed and interesting story which helps keep the player pushing forward as throwing thugs into spikes for a thousand times over can start to feel a little repetitive, so the extra interest found in the tale is a high point in the overall experience the game delivers. The actual 'sport' if you will, takes place in varied locations from zombie invested graveyards to deadly subway stations that continually see spiked covered trains race through it's tracks. There is a nice variation in the overall artistic styling of each location, though the actual methods of killing never truly change in any great way, you can go from throwing a thug onto the spikes of a bus to swinging them onto the spike of a blood soaked hook in a dungeon for example. But your still doing the exact same motions and MadWorld can end up feeling a little to repetitive for it's own good.
Repetition ends up being MadWorld's biggest downfall, partly due to the simple overuse of specific game mechanics and content. While repetitive Wii Motion control movements are to be totally expected, the use of dialogue from MadWorld's honestly humorous announcers can start to grind on your nerves after a good four or five hours into play. It seems as if the developers only chose to use two lines of dialogue for each action Jack can take part in, for example if you pick up pills to regenerate health. You will hear the two same pieces of dialogue again and again until you can't help but get the impression that the developers were hopeing that all this blood and violence would make the gamer forget about all the shortfalls of this enjoyable Wii exclusive. It should though be noted that I was never tempted to turn off the two announcers as they both add some flesh to the overall experience and they are indeed quite funny from time to time. Very few games have been able to make me laugh out loud but a number of the sentences Greg Proops and John DiMaggio say are honestly very funny.
One thing that is openly clearly from just starting up MadWorld is that it's one great looking game, Platinum Games have done a great job of creating an artistic style that forgets the limitations of the Wii console and would look perfectly good on any of the home consoles. It's black and white style as a true impact on the visuals and each location feels unique and interesting, objects are clearly visible against the black and white background and the locations themselves hold true substance that is delightful to play around in. The use of color is also well chosen, obviously the deep red of blood splattered floors, walls and thugs is a match made in heaven while the helpful bright yellow clearly shows items of key importance. It's a visual style that doesn't just look good, but is perfectly accessible and doesn't overflow the screen. Character models also deserve some credit, especially the bosses who all look unique and creative. Even if the actual boss battles all to often feel the same. Despite MadWorld's violence and gore, the actual impact of the violence shown throughout the game isn't as impacting as one would hope, and this is partly why I suspect Nintendo were more then happy to release the game on their family friendly console.
While the game is filled with many outrageous methods of death and mutilations, I never felt truly shocked at what I saw on screen. It never had such the effect as say the Saw movies would have on a film audience, why this is I'm not totally sure but I couldn't help but feel as if the games artistic style made the violent acts seem less outstanding as the game wanted you to think they were. Though such acts were still fun to perform and there is fun to be had with the Wii Motion controls, even if there less then perfect in actual gameplay. For the most part MadWorld handles well, as a gamer who loves his traditional controllers it still didn't convince me that the motion controls are anything but a gimmick but there still fun to use. Jack as his trusty wrist chainsaw which is activated by holding down the B trigger button and slashes up and across create either vertical or horizontal chainsaw attacks which are great for taking out groups of thugs. Jack's common attack will cause a thug to get stunned and allow him to perform a varied amount of finishers that are actived by the specific button, for example you can finish off a stunned thug with a chainsaw animation by simply pressing the B trigger button. It's a control setup that suits combat well and provides simple but still violent spells of fun.
MadWorld's artistic style truly sets the game apart from other Wii titles.While the Wii's Motion Control plays a key part in a gamers enjoyment of MadWorld, it does suffer from a poor camera control setup and you will often find yourself stuck in a corner of a location as you try to adjust the camera. At times this issue doesn't seem to bad but I defiantly came across moments when the lack of a free player controlled camera spoilt my enjoyment of the over the top violence. This eventually becomes a bigger issue partly due to the fact that MadWorld is built for the player to be as twisted and sick as possible, for the player must obtained points from kills to reach certain objectives at each location until he finally gets the chance to meet the big bad boss and complete the level. Being creative in kills is important, while it can seem all to easy for you to go around murdering with your good old trusty chainsaw. To get the big points you need to be creative in your methods of death, for example rather then just throwing a poor zombie into a spiked covered grinder. Why not stick a candle stand or two into his throat or throw an explosive barrel over him for those extra key points. Once a certain amount of points as been reached, you'll get a fancy new weapon for use from your sponsor or you get to take part in one of the many DeathWatch challenges.
MadWorld features a solid seven to eight hour single player campaign which can feel a little easy on your first playthrough, though an higher differculty is unlocked which does offer a much bigger challenge. There is also a small multiplayer mode to be found though it's only local, this mode basically allows you to play some of the DeathWatch challenges with a friend. The mode is perfectly serviceable but won't give you much reason to return to MadWorld once you've completed it a few times through, this makes MadWorld feel somewhat short although the single player campaign defiantly is worth multiple playthroughs as you look to see and kill everything you can in the most violent way possible. In the sound department it's truly differcult to lay any serious criticism towards MadWorld for it's one great sounding game, from the splash of thugs hitting walls to the hip-hip styled soundtrack. It all feels well thought out and fits the premise of the game perfectly, massive credit should go to the voicework which is fantastic. Infact it's so good you'd be forgiven for forgetting that MadWorld is a Japanese developed game. Both Greg Proops and John DiMaggio are superb as the announcers while Steven Blum as Jack Caymen was both brilliant and disturbing to me, but it's all fantastically well done even if the announcers do eventually suffer from heavy spells of repetition.
Overall MadWorld is a fine exclusive for the Nintendo Wii, while it didn't always offer the satisfaction of videogame violence and gore I was hopeing. It does provide Wii owners with another unique title to call their own and sits almost perfectly next to No More Heroes. But eventual repetition in both gameplay and content can leave the gamer feeling a little short changed though a surprisingly interesting storyline plays an important part in giving the player a reason to push on through it's seven to eight hours of play. It's hard to get bored of it's fantastic visuals and it's easily one of the best sounding Wii titles currently available with a great soundtrack and brilliant voicework. On occasion, common Wii-related issues can spoil the enjoyment of the game and the poor camera control setup might just leave you a little red in the face. Despite these issues, MadWorld is still worth a rental at the very least. It's violent, gorey and often brilliant and lets be honest, those are three qualities we don't get to see much of on Nintendo's little white box.
First let me do some apologising, the title of this blog truly is the worst title to ever exist on Giantbomb. But it's Saturday morning here in bright sunny England and my head hurts like hell so give a fellow gamer a break. Hopefully you can at least see that I was trying to be humourous with such a title, but I of all people should know that I'm not exactly a funny type of guy so I should leave the comedy to those who can actually pull of such humourous titles. Secondly I have been going through a bit of a writers block of sorts, my mind as been totally blank these past two weeks and it's effected a lot of non-game related projects I've been working on. The only reason I'm doing a blog today is due to my eagerness to discuss a matter that as me interested, so let's begin.
As all should now know, Nintendo have released their latest edition of the Nintendo Dual Screen or DS as we all now know it as. The technically named DSi hopes to improve on the brilliant DS Lite in as many ways as possible and I finally got the chance to mess around with one last night. Now when Nintendo first announced the DSi I, like many gamers was a little bit cautious. It wasn't that I simply didn't like the idea, it made perfect financial sense for Nintendo to release a new version of their portable console this year. I had more of an issue of why, why did the DS need another edition when the DS Lite is still such a fantastic portable console and without a doubt easily one of the best there as ever been. It's because of my thinking that led me to discuss the matter in this blog entry. It surprised me to see such excitment over the DSi when technically I saw nothing that was a 'Must Have' feature to my portable gaming. Reading tweets from folks who were delighted and over the moon with their own personal DSi purchases. Now I wish no hate upon such people, I'm delighted for them infact as such launches only make the gaming industry stronger and stronger.
The DSi as yet to convinced me it's a must have edition of the DS.
The potential issue lies with our current generation of wanting the latest gadgets and toys. I couldn't help but feel that a lot of the hype and excitment surrounding the DSi was bred from folks who were simply excited to get a new gadget. Now those who may have read my past blog entries will know that I'm not a huge Nintendo fan, but I do love the DS Lite and the many brilliant games avaliable for the system. I'm also not saying the DSi is not worth the money because it clearly as features that folks enjoy having, but I honestly believe the hype of the DSi as come from mostly none hardcore gamers. I simply can't see how having two camera's will make my portable gaming sessions any better plus a number of technically decisions never sat well with me. The fact that the DSi started to use a form of region locking on DSi specific software frustrates me as I've always been happy with purchasing DS games from both the United States and Japan. Many of my fellow European gamers will know that we often get the short end of the stick when it comes to Japanese released games.
So as I said eariler I got a chance to actually use one for around two hours, it belonged to a friend of mine and I got to use some of the DSi's newest features. While I will admit to finding it quite a pleasant experience with Nintendo's top build quality clearly shining through. I couldn't help but still wonder why I needed some of these new features. The cameras in particular didn't make much sense to me, it very much felt like I was playing with the EyeToy on the Playstation 3 (a point Jeff made on the latest Giant Bombcast). It also wasn't that much fun to use, despite that I sense it could have it's uses as a normal camera with the new ability for the DSi to use SD cards and I could probably see myself using them on occasion, though I would much rather just use my better quality camera. One feature that did interest me was the larger screens, yet again these are neat and do make a difference (especially the touch screen) but I don't believe them to be a must have for my games to be enjoyable when the current DS Lite screens do a good enough job. The SD card reading abilities could actually be one of the DSi's best features in my opinion and the new user interface upon start up as clearly been well thought out and designed so it definatly as some redeeming qualities to like. So overall I enjoyed my time with the DSi, but could I see myself spending £149.99 on one when I currently have two good DS Lites? Simple answer would be No, at least not yet.
You to can look like Mario, which is fun for about 5 seconds.Well I didn't want this blog to go on to long, I haven't been typing/writing much lately so my typing fingers are eager to test out my new keyboard. But please don't think I'm hateing on the Nintendo DSi, it as a number of sensible new features that could prove me wrong. But in another 15 years time I honestly believe that when we all look back at the Nintendo DS, we won't be thinking about the DSi but the DS Lite which is still a stunning portable console, the Lite made vast improvements over the poor quality of the original launch DS and that's why it shall be remembered more fondly. While I to might decide to purchase a DSi sometime in the future, my early concerns and worries have held true. I can't help but feel that the DSi currently as a gimmicky feel to it overall then an actual true improvment over the DS Lite. I did enjoy the slightly larger screen and the new user interface is offers something new and fresh. But the cameras feel strangely out of place and I didn't find them to be as much fun to use as I was hoping. Interestingly despite my criticism I still strongely believe the DSi often more useful improvements then the recent PSP - 3000 which seemed like a cheap cash in to me. So while I'm still yet to be convinced by the DSi, I do believe it deserves more of my time to see what Nintendo and developers can create with the technology avaliable. I just won't be spending £149.99 on a console that doesn't offer anything I either already have or don't need.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Joseph Bayliss (TrueEnglishGent).
Well I've been going a bit motorsport mad these past few days, I'm not totally sure if it's my eagerness for the new Formula One season next weekend or the simple fact that I feel I need to be using my Logitech G25 Steering Wheel considering how much it cost me. But whatever it is, I've been enjoying some great motorsport thanks to quite a number of fantastic games. Be them Arcade or Simulation, you can't deny that for any motorsport fan there is quite a selection of top titles for us all to enjoy. From the arcade based thrills of Codemasters Race Driver GRID to the deadly realistic rFactor by developers Image Space Incorporated. Infact there's quite a fine collection of realistic motorsport simulations on PC, for example the almost perfect GTR2 and the fine Live For Speed. Of course like every genre in videogames, there have been a good few garbage titles along the way but the best representations of the sport continue to shine through.
It's only fair to say that motosport isn't every gamers cup of tea, but it never stops amazing me how dedicated the modding communities are for such games. I've been spending sometime with rFactor recently, a game built around being heavily modified. You only have to take a look at fine sites such as rFactorCentral to see the amazing work folk have already been creating. For example the stunning work done in recreating the amazing V8 Supercars Series and the quite special F1 1979 Mod, theres a whole selection to choose from and with so many World tracks avaliable to download to, well let's just say any motorsport fan is in for one hell of a treat. Speaking of the V8 Supercars, one of the finest examples of this series is the unforgivable Bathurst Raceway. A track, that I shall admit as been beating me up ever since my first experience of it back in the very early days of the PS2. But this blog isn't about tracks or specific championships, it's all about motorsport in videogames. We motorsport fans might not be overflowed with quality titles all the time, but we do have a fine set of games that we can all be proud of.
Go back in time, Back to the Future style.Of course every gamer will have their own personal favourite racing game, though I still believe that I'm a simulation man at heart. I will happily admit a great fondness for the racing titles developed by Codemasters. It's more of a youth thing then anything else, I can still recall playing the fine Touring Car titles with my father back in the days of the Playstation 1. Despite the love for some of Codemasters original works in the racing genre, it's some of their latest titles that have become some of my favourite. Both Race Driver: GRID and Colin McRae's DIRT aren't exactly a perfect realization of the sport but they are an absolute blast to play, especially when you have a good steering wheel at hand and with Codemasters now having the Formula One License I can't wait to see what they create. Many PC racing fans will no doubt remember the Grand Prix series developed by Geoff Crammond and MicroProse. I can't exactly remember how many hours I spent enjoying that game, even today it is still played and I know that a few online leagues still exist. This length of existence as been partly helped by the always surprisingly dedicated PC Mod community that is as fresh and exciting as it's ever been.
Online league racing is a bit of an odd experience, it's often not very consistant and you either love it or hate it. I've raced in two leagues myself, one of them being a GP4 league a good few years back. It's also not as simple as jumping online and choosing a random race, often the best leagues are well organised and full of dedicated players. There is also a form of gentleman's agreement when playing with other racers, respect is often key while showing your less kindful side never hurts in the middle of a heated race. Sadly my time spent in leagues were never truly successful, my best league place was fourth in the GP4 series which I spoke of earlier. I have been offered a unique place in an up and coming V8 series within rFactor a friend of mine is setting up, though if I actually take part is another matter. But despite developers attempts to bring true simulation to consoles (Race Pro and Forza Motorsport for example) there is still no doubt that if your looking for realistic racing simulation, the PC is where it's at.
This blog as gone on a bit longer then I expected, but to finish things off I wanted to provide folks with a nice list of sites they might find interesting if your interested in the whole modding scene for PC racing games. There are some top sites in this list, if your still new to modding games then I highly recommend checking out rFactor which is built to be easily modified, it is often as simple as dragging and dropping some files to the rFactor directory. But there are many helpful guides out there if you need more help:
Well I've promised myself that I would be less anti-Resident Evil 5 this time around. Strangely despite reading through my previous blog on multiple occasions before posting it, I never realized until a day later how anti-Resident Evil 5 I came across. I honestly wasn't trrying to be such a moaner, I was just airing my feelings towards Capcom's latest 'Survival Horror' title. Though let's be honest folks, Resident Evil 5 seems about as horrific as watching paint dry (unless you are honestly scared of paint). Whoops, there I go again being all anti-Resident Evil. Though I shan't apologise for speaking my mind unless I feel as if what I have written doesn't truly represent my own actual thoughts. My comments in my previous blog were also a little untrue, after writing the blog I decided to give the Resident Evil 5 demo another go and after a good while of battling with the terrible controls (sorry folks, I still think RE5's control scheme is horrid) I did come to realise that I would eventually be able to get use to them and maybe even learn to use them to my advantage, though after nearly spending an hour with the demo I still came to the conclusion that Capcom really need to learn how to create good videogame controls.
Good news Chris, I now hate you a little less.I promise I won't go bitching about the controls any longer, I would be an absolute buffoon if I thought I was being 'original' by discussing RE5's poor control scheme, every gamer and his rare golden monkey have discussed this issue. I guess the more I think about it the more I realise the lack of interest in the franchise as a whole doesn't help my impressions of Resident Evil 5. I hated the original Playstation title and could never understand for the life of me why they were ever popular. I think this was also partly due to the fact I took the whole 'survival horror' PR line to seriously as I never found the original scary in any way, well if you don't count the horrid voicework. I'm not just saying this to look tough, why would I need to come across as a tough gamer? That whole concept alone sounds stupid, almost sounds like something a 13 year old Halo fanboy would think. Anyway, I know for certain that I wasn't the only one who never totally understood the whole Resident Evil love. Though I have come to respect the games greatly, especially Resident Evil 4.
Well I now have Resident Evil 5 in my SwapGame playlist (SwapGame is just the UK's version of GameFly) so I will hopefully be playing soon enough. Hopefully both I and a friend will be playing the co-op and I'm honestly looking forward to writng up a review of it once completed. I'm hoping I can obtain a clearer picture on what, where or why Resident Evil 5 is what it is? I might even discuss it in a little more in detail once I'm playing (not as I'm playing of course, typing and playing RE5 is simply a challenge to far for me). I also saw someone do a neat trick with Twitter this past week which I might also give a go. Speaking of which I'm starting to understand why folks love twitter, it stil feels in it's own cute way like stalking but it was quite a surprise to read Jonathan Ross's Tweet after the videogame BAFTA's concerning a certain Peter Molyneux title in production. I can see it clearly now ''our stowy begins' (you might not get that joke if you don't know who Jonathan Ross is). Though I have to admit I'd like to see him narate a Fable game, he seems almost perfect in an odd sort of way.
AND FINALLY..... If anyone is interested my Twitter name is JosephBayliss, I haven't been a great Twitter so far but have been updating my gaming activities when I can. I'm a massive fan of the GiantBomb community and would like to see what fellow GiantBomb users are playing. So your free to follow me if you wish, I'm already following some neat gamers.
Thanks for reading, always appriate folks taking time to read my mess of words. Joseph Bayliss (TrueEnglishGent).
ENTER THE KILLZONE FOR ONE OF THE PS3'S FINEST TITLES!
Hype can be a deadly uncontrollable disease to a videogame, it can ruin a games enjoyment within seconds and in today's tough financial times, destroy a whole development studio. As the gaming industry gets bigger and bigger each year, the expectation of gamers do to. Gamers expect more for their hard earned buck nowadays and already hype as killed off many a game in these past two years alone. Though one could argue that often, it's the developers themselves who hype their own titles up so much, that on occasion there bound to fall off the videogame cliff. This is a issue that's been surrounding the Playstation 3 exclusive First-Person Shooter Killzone 2 ever since Sony first showed off the now infamous CG trailer back at E3 2005. Those that can recall the famous 'Halo Killer' trademark that Sony placed upon the original Playstation 2 Killzone, will have also watched that CG trailer with a dash of caution. Now after five years in development, does Killzone 2 fail to live up to expectations or rise to the hype that as challenged it to be of the PS3's finest titles to date.
Like many gamers, Sony have walked with some caution when discussing Killzone 2. Despite it being a potential money making exclusive for the company, it's clear the've learnt their lessons from the original Killzone and have been limiting the power of their own special hype machine. For some this as been a odd choice for Sony to make, but it still makes perfect sense to me. If more deverlopers/distributors let their games do the talking, the videogame World would be a much better place for all. But onto the game itself, for most Killzone 2 as always been about the graphics. Developers Guerilla Games have reached high in recreating the same visual class as the CG trailers back in 05 and for that you have to great them great credit. One thing is for sure though, Killzone 2 is one of the best looking videogames of today and I includes PC titles in such a list. It's easily the best looking console game out there and for it to run aswell as it does, also goes to show that in the right hands. The PS3 can indeed be a powerful system, even if it does take five years to get it all working together. But of course videogames aren't totally about how they look, and thankfully Killzone 2 plays as great as it looks.
The Helghast are fierce opponents.
Though the Killzone Universe isn't as well known as say the Universe of Halo, it does offer some interesting twists and there is potential for a much deeper story to be told. In Killzone 2's single player game you play as Sgt. Tomas 'Sev' Sevchenko who is part of Alpha Squad, your fellow squad members become key figures to the overall game even if the story offerred isn't anything Oscar winning. Your squad varies in character from the foul mouthed Cpl. Shawn Natko to the somewhat aggravating Sgt. Rico Velasquez, the squad also includes Cpl. Dante Garza who is one of the more likable characters you'll interact with in Killzone 2's solid single campaign. I shall admit to growing a pure dislike to the character of Rico Velasquez, he is one of those gaming characters you'll love or eventually hate with passion, and sadly I count myself totally as a hater. This is partly because his dialogue can feel a little to 'All-American' and he never seems like a particular good leader to me, but these views are of course my own and have nothing to do with the game itself. But what was a little disappointing was the lack of story or lore within the game, even though the game as a solid if somewhat generic storyline I couldn't help but feel a much richer method of storytelling could have been used. As the Killzone Universe in itself seems like an interesting one. As 'Sev' your part of an ISA invasion of the Helghast homeworld of Helghan, as the ISA looks to finish off the Helghast for good. Those that played the original Killzone game on PS2 will know that it was the Helghast who attacked the homeworld of the ISA, so you have good motive for going on your Helghast killing rampage. Of course things are not that simple and you quickly realise it won't be as easy as your leaders told you it would be as the Helghast aren't ready for the ISA to simply walk into power.
If there is indeed one issue that lets the single player campaign down, it would have to be the real lack of story within the actual campaign. Yes things do occur and deaths happen, but you can't help but feel that certain story arcs were stamped on at the last minute and not everything you do makes that much sense. This is a bigger issue then it should be simply because the World created by Guerilla Games is honestly interesting and it would have been nice to learn more of the Helghast who are one of the most unique enemies I have come across for a good while. It's clear that the developers drew influences from the Soviet Union to the Nazi Regime and it all honestly works so well that you kind of wish you could experience things from their side of the wall. On the other hand, the ISA can feel a little generic, not entirely helped by some lackluster dialogue from time to time. It frustrated me that Killzone 2 had so much storytelling potentially but for the most part played it safe and hoped you'd just like the graphics and gameplay. It does feature some stunning moments but nothing heavily driven by the story, nothing like the thrills and enjoyment of Metal Gear Solid 4. But let's hope this is an issue resolved in future installments as I actually have more interest in the Universe and lore created by Guerilla Games then the fiction and lore found in the Halo franchise. So the single player campaign on ocassion suffers from the same generic FPS experience, but that isn't such a huge issue when you actually get to see what Killzone 2 as to offer as a whole package. Generally it plays brilliant, it will take you sometime to adjust to and the game does give you some sensitivity control options as Killzone 2's controls can actually feel heavy and slow. Though eventually most gamers will get use to the way it plays, just be prepared to feel a little strange when you return to Call of Duty 4 after spending sometime with Killzone 2. One large thing to note though, is how much better a shooter it feltcompared to Insomniac Games Resistance 2 which never sat confortably for me. The Sixaxis Dualshock controller seems to suit Killzone 2's slower gameplay better then the experience offered in the original Resistance and it's sequel.
So does Killzone 2 add anything worthy of great mention, well yes indeed it does. For most gamers 'cover' as been a very next generation game mechanic. I myself can only think of first seeing it used in Ubisoft's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter when the Xbox 360 first launched (though I maybe wrong). Now a cover system is a common sight in videogames, though not to often in first-person shooters. Yet Killzone 2 as somehow made them work, partly thanks to the games differculty which can drive you insane. Not because it's honestly that tough, but because the game features a poor method of health representation. It technically uses the now common regenerating health but the trouble lies in the way that Killzone 2 shows how much life you have or how close you are to death. Blood appears at the sides of the screen and eventually your world goes grey until finally you fall down dead, this technique works in theory though it's tough to really tell how far from death you are and on many occasions I was never clear on how my character was doing so I would go behind cover instantly after being hit once or twice. For some gamers, this will frustrate but it's always best to play it safe and take cover as often as you can. You won't get far in Killzone 2 if you go running into rooms filled with soldiers of the Helghast.
Cpl. Dante Garza, one of the more likeable Alpha Squad members.
Weapons on first sight can feel somewhat generic, though after a while using them all you realise that they all have some depth and a number of specific weapons are honestly a blast to use. Your main key weapon is the ISA rifle which is a pleasure to fire, it's both precise and deadly. While other weapons such as the flamethrower and bolt gun are fun. The most interesting and overall enjoyable weapon as to be the electronic shock gun of the Helghast, this unlimited ammo beast is only playable for a short level in the game but there's a lot of enjoyment to be had with it. Though it's not quite the Half Life 2 gravity gun, it sure will please those looking some some depth in their Helghast murdering weapons. Sev can actually only hold one primary weapon at a time with a pistol as a safe guard, this isn't such a problem but it is a little frustrating when you eventually have to lose your trusty rifle and pick up a grenade launcher because you know you'll eventually be forced to use it. Though the design decision to be only allowed one primary weapon doesn't make great sense, you eventually adjust your play style or simply improve your pistol skills so that you'll never be without a solid weapon throughout the game, not to mention the fact that you can always use the Helghast's own rifles and varied weapons.
Killzone 2's single player campaign will last you a good 8-10 hours and they are indeed enjoyable ones. It's cover system does offer something new even though it's clearly not optimized and it plays well overall. It seems perfectly suited to the Sixaxis Dualshock controller and it's slower more patient pace is welcomed in an age where faster more insane gameplay is the norm in such a genre of videogames. But all in all what might keep you returning back to Killzone 2 is it's fantastic multiplayer mechanic which offers a slightly new twist on common modes that have been the heart of the FPS Multiplayer genre for almost all it's existence. For in Killzone 2's multiplayer component, you are set in one of the games many maps where you take part in the usual team deathmatch and capture the flag style modes. The actual twist is that such gameplay modes change within the actual match, so for five minutes you can be playing team deathmatch when suddenly your next looking to assassinate one of the opposite team members, then after another five minutes you could end up protecting certain locations on a map in the same style as the classic Battlefield games. These modes do vary but it's the simple fact that they interwine so well that makes the games multiplayer mode so fresh. Infact I suspect it will be as popular as Call of Duty 4, which is still the most played multiplayer game out there.
There is of course a little more to multiplayer, Killzone 2's multiplayer mode wouldn't be without a class system and the one on offer is both deep and quite unique in it's own form. Though you level up in the same vain as say Call of Duty 4, the leveling system feels a little more deeper and eventually you can unlock different badges (classes) that vary from Medic or Engineer to the unique Saboteur and Sniper which both come with some nice little additions to their arsenal. Most FPS fans will find a lot to like about Killzone 2's multiplayer mode, it runs well and looks as stunning as the single player campaign. There are a few minor issues but there so minor that there not really worth mentioning in this already long review. This mode in itself lives up to the hype it recieved while in beta and despite not including any form of free for all modes, the teamplay and overall experience is worth the full retail price alone. It's a mode you will be returning to again and again, even if you don't count yourself a great FPS player. Just be prepared to adjust to Killzone 2's slightly slower pace, especially if your just coming off Call of Duty 4.
So overall does Killzone 2 live up the years of hype? technically yes. Though it doesn't feel as massive a jump gameplay wise as it does graphically, there is still so much for any PS3 owner to fall in love with. The single player campaign is considerable fun even if it didn't offer the full experience I was hoping for and multiplayer is both thrilling and unique which is indeed special in a time when it's so easy for developers to rely on being generic. The game sounds brilliant, with some top voicework and it's hard to really heavily critise anything specific because so much as been done well. While the fanboys of this generation will still question the Playstation 3's power, it's clear that in the right hands it can be a beast of a machine that can easily pull off such smashing titles as Killzone 2. This is a PS3 must buy for all.
The Sega Megadrive was in itself, a very special console to me. It went on to play a huge part in creating the love I have for Games and the Gaming Industry today. Every kid I knew had allegiances to one of the two big videogame companies of the time, either you were a Nintendo Nutcase or a Sega Super Fan. At least that's what my friends and I used to call them, I guess looking back I was indeed a fanboy of sorts, but so were the rest of my fellow friends in Primary School. Even now I still recall odd memories in of my younger days in School which were somehow often game related, for example the first time I saw a fellow pupil wearing a Super Mario wristwatch and watching him play for ages in lunchbreaks. But for all gamers, be them 14 to 40 years old, can still recall that one specific game that made them fall in love with videogames as a form of entertainment.
The days when HD Gaming was just a dream.
Though I had been fascinated by arcade gambling machines since I was in my mothers arms, my first true gaming experience came in the form of Electronic Art's long running Fifa Football (Soccer) series which is still going amazingly well today and is EA's biggest earner financially. Even today it's still one of the best (if not the best) virtual representation of the beautiful game. My first ever experience of the Sega Megadrive came on a cold and dull Christmas morning, when I was given one from my parents. I was originally set to get a Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) but decided a few weeks before Christmas day that I would rather have the Sega Megadrive. Now some would think that mad, because the Nintendo console was itself a stunning platform for some of the best videogames of all time. But to this day I still recall the words I told my mother when explaining the sudden change of mind ''But Mom, Sonic is so much better then that fat plumber'' looking back I have to remind myself that I was still a kid, it was a stupid thing to say because Mario as featured in so many classic games and Sonic is well, struggling to even be noticed in the videogame World we live in. But Sonic (like many past Sega owners) still as a place in my heart, partly because I still think his original set of games blew Mario out of the water.
But I'm not here to discuss which is better, and I definatly don't want to be starting a fanboy war. But both my friends and I had some pleasant (and sometimes violent) discussions about which console was the best, and even now I still think the Nintendo Consoles are more remembered with passion then those created by Sega, which does leave me a little sad. Fifa 96 was my first ever game on the Sega Megadrive and technically speaking my first owned videogame. On that fateful morning my parents had also bought me Ghostbusters and a collection of other Megadrive titles which I might look at in future installments. But Fifa 96 was what it was all about, we hooked it up to our old TV and I started it up. Is it strange that I can even remember what my first match was and even the score? Maybe it isn't, but my first ever Fifa 96 exhibition match saw me take control of England against Brazil. Sadly at that moment I would also learn what a tough game Fifa 96 was as I went on to lose 0-3. I have often wondered if Fifa 96 was really that tough, or if it was just my inexperience of videogames that made it feel like that. But I have been informed that many fellow Fifa 96 gamers found it quite a tough title to master. It took me three weeks to score my first goal, a shot from outside of the box scored by Tommy Johnson of Aston Villa. I probably should be ashamed that it took me that long, but that game was one tough son of a gun. The latest installment is like walking through a pleasant park when compared to the toughness of that game back in the 90's.
96 featured some of the toughest keepers in any football game.Fifa 96 became my most played Sega Megadrive title and I still own it today. It partly played it's part in the passion for Football I grew to have and is still as fun as ever despite being over ten years old. Eventually I grew to master it's tricks and overall controls, becoming quite a solid Fifa 96 player (solid enough that I had quite an impressive record against friends). There may have been better versions out on other formats, but I didn't care back then. Sometimes I wish I could just see more games for what there worth, but now I often see myself looking for that something special if I'm willing to spend my time with such a title. I still own that exact Sega Megadrive, I've had offers to purchase it from friends and family, and I'm sure you could get it super cheap on Ebay now. But I wouldn't sell my Sega Megadrive for the World. It offered a personal experience I rarely get from videogames or consoles today. Sega might now be seen as nothing more then a joke, but back then Sega were an amazing company both developing games and developing a superb console. I still think Mario as nothing on Sonic (despite how poorly Sega have treated the Sonic franchise) and deep inside I still think I'm a Sega fanboy of sorts, even though I own no allegiances in todays videogame wars.
For me, todays games are a total different breed of animal. Things are not the same and that's often a good thing. But I often wonder if it's gaming that as seen such change or myself. Back then I only thought dear old England played videogames and I had never even heard of the Internet until my last year of Primary School. I had never heard of videogame community sites or even consoles that only ever existed in Asia or North America. Even PC gaming was of little interest to me, now PC gaming played it's own part in my love for this industry but I am still technically more of a console gamer. So both Fifa 96 and the Sega Megadrive were key forms of entertainment in my childhood, I was often found playing them when I wasn't playing some football in the street outside with friends and neighbours. If I wasn't playing football outside, I was often playing the virtual form of this wonderful sport inside, thanks to such a special game on such a fantastic console.
What are the games of your childhood, that made you the gamer you are today?
Street Fighter, two words that for many are a perfect representation of videogame entertainment. Two words that have become so popular that even none gamers know what their sons or daughters are talking about when it comes to this special and beloved beat-em up franchise. First appearing back in 1987, Street Fighter as been played by billions all around the World. From the arcade heart of Tokyo to a small arcade in cold chilly Wales. Anyone who knows what videogames are knows what Street Fighter is, even though the beat-em up genre as struggled somewhat over the last couple of years there is still a proud king sitting on the thrown of fighting games, Street Fighter.
Street Fighter developers Capcom have answered the desperate calls of millions of gamers throughout the World, with the release of the massively hyped latest installment in Street Fighter 4. Those that know gaming will also know that the Street Fighter series as seen many different installments, from reworks of the classic Street Fighter 2 to the odd but still wonderful Puzzle Fighter games. You don't need to be a fan of the genre to know what Street Fighter is all about, not to mention recognize some of the series iconic fighters. So as you can already guess, Street Fighter 4 had a hell of a lot to live up to now that it's finally being played by PS3 and Xbox 360 owners around the World. Thankfully Capcom did get a chance to beta test the game of sorts when they released the arcade versions in Japan on July 18 2008 and later in North America. The arcade release also gave eager fans the possibility to get a early taste of both the new fighting system and the new characters found in Street Fighter 4.
Cammy, the true British beauty.
But I'm not here to review the arcade version, I'm here to offer my thoughts on the console versions which hit in Febuary of this year. It would be worth mentioning that my past Street Fighter experience is limited so like many others, I came into Street Fighter 4 prepared to learn the hard way and take a beating or two. For those that have never touched a Street Fighter game, they might wonder what the fuss is all about and some hardcore fans would probably talk for the next three hours about how specific this is or why that happens and how it takes years to become a master. He/she would be partly right, it does take years to become even a solid Street Fighter player and that is one of the many reasons it is such a loved franchise because to simply put it, Street Fighter offers one of the most complex but friendly fighting systems in it's genre. Infact it's complexity is worthy of the best Massively Multiplayer Online game out there.
That is one of the beautiful aspects to Street Fighter 4, for Capcom clearly know that a whole new generation of gamers are taking up their gamepads or arcade sticks for their first true taste of the beat-em up genre. For those more experienced with both the genre and of course the franchise as a whole, you'll know that both Street Fighter 2 (not to mention it's many different versions) and Street Fighter 3 added a number of new fighting mechanics that made a already deep game even deeper. Thankfully Capcom have gone back to the drawing board with the fourth installment, they are clearly hoping that the changes made will offer a more friendly and welcoming introduction to those that have never pulled off an Hadoken or Shoryuken in their lives and to Capcom's credit, they've done exactly that. Even if the welcoming process isn't as helpful as it could have been. So what exactly can be found in Street Fighter 4.
Well it follows the same path as many other beat-em up games in it's genre, but it's also important to remember that it was Street Fighter itself that pioneered some of these modes. So you'll find the usual Arcade Mode, Multiplayer Mode and Training Mode. Not to mention the somewhat helpful Challenge Mode and extra options that offer fans pieces of concept art and movies that become unlocked as you play through the game. So yes one could moan that nothing particularly new as been done here, but does the genre as a whole require something new and fresh? Many fans will tell you it simply needs a title that will bring back the rise of the genre in the forefront of the videogame media and Street Fighter 4 does exactly that. You can't go on a gaming site or listen to a podcast without hearing the words 'Street Fighter' somewhere at the moment. Many of the modes play out as you'd suspect with a few exceptions, for instance the Arcade Mode allows a friend on your friends list to enter a battle with you and replace the A.I. This is a method used to offer the same sort of experience found in arcades where a fellow gamer can challenge you for a match. It might sound simple, but it's one of the nice touches to Street Fighter 4 that makes you remember that all this was born from the love and determination of those arcaders who spent their hard earned cash daily on the local Street Fighter Arcade machine.
El Fuerte, wacky and wonderful. Great cook to.
Arcade Mode is also the place where you'll be unlocking the games 25 playable fighters, just be prepared to learn the hard way if your unfamilar with how to beat each and every character, thankfully there are a number of differculty levels to choose from so you should eventually find your playin level even if there are still one or two issues with the actual performance of the differculty. One issue that I eventually grew to hate was how on occasion the game would rise up the differculty and leave you frustrated, though I still suspect this is actually more of a bug then a part of the game. But on the odd occasion you will find yourself against an opponent much tougher then they should be, it almost feels as if the game skips back to it's medium differculty settings from time to time. A lot of the personal issues I had with Street Fighter 4 all come down to my particular skill at the game, though I will happily admit to finding the games final boss 'Seth' a real tough son of a gun (but that's how a boss should be of course). This is due to how Seth will let you have a good go at him and then if you beat him in the first round, he'll suddenly open up a very large can of whoop ass on you with a whole bunch of new and unfamilar moves you have a tough time adjusting to. It also doesn't help when he teleports back and forth so you never truly feel prepared to attack him or loosen your tight guard in battle. But even this, despite it being frustrating is all part of what Street Fighter is all about and we wouldn't have it any other way. Part of much of the fun is learning each and every fighters methods of battle and to learn how to counter their strongest moves, it takes time and dedication but it can all be worth it. This also explains why so many of the Worlds best Street Fighters usually only play with one or two characters at most because they simply feel more suited to them, it can takes even longer to get use to all 25 fighters.
One area in which Capcom have let newer players down is in it's challenge or training modes. Though both are reasonably helpful, neither offer the true helpful depth many new Street Fighters were hoping for. The challenge mode will show you how to perform each characters moves, special combos and ultra finishes (not to mention that the small instructions are not always clear) while the training mode is exactly as you'd expect, offering players a place to practice with each character against poor old Dan. But it would have been nice to see a training mode which offers gamers some Street Fighter tips and strategic guides for actual gameplay online (though there is of course a strategic guide avaliable for purchase). This is especially frustrating considering Capcom bought Seth Killian into the development as special advisor. It's fine reading it on page but performing the actual moves or strategies are total different things. So maybe it doesn't offer the welcome to new players we were hoping it would, but that doesn't mean Street Fighter 4 is poorer for it. Infact the decision to remove a number of older gameplay mechanics was a fantastic one and gives gamers a change to return to the Street Fighter games. There are a few new gameplay techniques to learn though, the focus attack is one of these. This specially time charged attack is both unique and deadly in the right hands, for it can block many attacks and can do considerable damage to your opponent. I have already seen a number of players vary it's use, but it's a new game mechanic that already looks like a massive hit. Thankfully a lot of the classic moves and throws are all in place so it doesn't feel to alien to those familar to the series and know each characters move by heart. Each fighter also as a Ultra Combo to go along with Special Combo's and of course the popular EX versions of moves. Basically the fighting system feels very similar to the one found in Street Fighter 2 while also offering something new and fresh for all to learn, it all works perfectly and is a pleasure to experience.
Final boss Seth, one tough son of a gun.
Street Fighter 4 also offers online play, and for the most part it works fine and is a lot of fun. Though it is inferior to the options offered in the recently released Super Street Fighter II Turbo Remix HD. Which is in itself kind of sad, because you would have thought that Capcom might have bought the same options over from that game after it being so successful, though a future update could expand SF4's online options in months to come. But as it is, well it is dissappointing and it would have been nice if more specific options were avaliable. Though online performance seemed solid from my experience and of course fun, there are some issues with matchmaking which I could see this issue frustrating those that spend a lot of time online and it's matchmaking seemed a little inconsistent. There are a few neat touches, such as the ability to create a small avatar of sorts of your own, with small pics and sentences for fellow gamers to see. There are hundreds of these so it will take ages to obtain them all. So online is solid if a little dissappointing considering how the rest of the game feels, it would have been nice if Capcom streamlined the online matchmaking process a little better and offered more options to more hardcore Street Fighter players. But there is still fun to be had, if your willing to adjust to some of the modes weird issues. But for the most part, your average gamer will get what he wants from his time spent online. Those looking for a simple fight with human opponents will grow to enjoy the mode greatly and hopefully future improvements and additions will help the experience feel a little smoother for the more hardcore Street Fighter fan.
So does Street Fighter 4 reach the huge hype generated over the many years of waiting, the simple answer is yes. Though it suffers from a number of issues affecting the beat-em up genre as a whole, it's simply asking to much for Street Fighter 4 to totally rethink the genre as it's already done a fine enough job of bring beat-em ups back into th limelight of the gaming media and thoughts of gamers around the World. Online could have been better streamlined but most importantly the performance was solid and all in all that is whats most important to a fighting game. Thankfully Street Fighter 4 still offers one of the most exciting and complex fighting systems on any format and is a pleasure to experience. When you think you have learnt it all, it punches you in the face with something totally fresh and new. That is what is so special about Street Fighter 4, despite a few rought edges it's still the perfect beat-em up game and you don't require years of mastering it to know that.
Good Afternoon Dear Readers, I hope life is treating you well, not to mention the all powerful Gaming Gods. It's been quite an interest couple of weeks within the Gaming World with the release of massively anticipated Killzone 2 on PS3 and of course Street Fighter 4 hitting consoles some weeks back. This means that we have all been quite busy enjoying our favourite games not to mention the titles we never got around to finishing last year. But the gamers anticipation isn't over just yet, for next week sees the exciting release of Capcom's latest title in the much beloved Resident Evil franchise, Resident Evil 5 might not be classic Resident Evil but you can't blame Capcom for seeing that changes needed to be made. Now I shall admit to being quite excited about Resi Evil 5 over the many months but the demo hit me hard and offered an experience that often felt like it should have stayed on the last generation of Videogame consoles.
I shan't go hating on Resident Evil 5, but it was always going to have a tough job when compared to the massive success obtained by Resident Evil 4 on Gamecube. Trouble is I suspect a lot of gamers (including myself) thought that Capcom would look to greatly improve the controls. Sadly not, I was having an interesting discussion with a friend last night concerning Resident Evil 5 and how we both strangely regretted playing EA's superb Dead Space. Now as odd as that sounds (partly because Dead Space was so damn good) it's the absolute truth that Dead Space got the controls almost perfect, and that Resident Evil 5 can't help but feel like a step back of sorts. Now both Capcom and some dedicated fans will tell you that it's all done for excitement and tension within the game, but it's definatly not exciting or offer enjoyable tension like Dead Space did. It somewhat amazes me how odd it also technically seems, why can't we walk and shoot at the sametime? I can do that in real life (not literally of course) and if every soldier at to stop to aim and shoot his weapon, then we would have a lot of unnecessary death,.But maybe I'm looking at the Resident Evil games in the wrong light.
Sorry Sheva, your no Alyx Vance.It's hard to judge where Capcom are going with the Resident Evil series aswell, you feel as if the controls are aimed towards those that fell in love with the original all those years back while it's sudden 'these are like zombies, but not' approach to the games story and experience is aimed towards newer more action orientated gamers, the type of gamer who can't get enough Gears of War 2 and feel as if the zombies are so 1990's. It might be fair to say that the developers are a little lost on where to take the franchise next, but that shouldn't mean it should be a bad game, it simply needs to learn frrom the mistakes it makes this time around. When once I had the game preordered, I now find myself more leaning towards a none purchase decision. The demo had a serious bad effect on me, it's an odd thing to describe but playing the demo felt as if such controls would be acceptable on Nintendo's Gamecube some years back but today, well it can almost destroy the experience totally.
To be fair, reviews haven't polished over the control issue. It's been getting some solid if unspectacular reviews and it's almost as I suspected. I believe you'll have to sit in the middle grounds to truly appriate Resident Evil 5, either you'll love RE5 or you'll hate it. Most gamers expect controls to be fluid and easy, they might not be perfect but a games control scheme shouldn't effect the enjoyment of the game. That's why so many First-Person Shooters use the same control schemes as each other, because folks are used to it and it leaves the gamers to enjoy the actual game. I don't like the idea of fighting against the controls, especially when you have 10-15 zombies walking towards you. Reading this you might think I'm being very negative and I honestly don't mean to. I haven't played the full game yet though I now know I shan't be making a purchase of the game, maybe a rental. Sure I might eventually get use to the control scheme, but it left such a bitter taste that RE5 will have to do something special for me to truly enjoy the experience. I honestly hope I end up enjoying what Capcom have created here, but I have a feeling as good as co-op may seem, my actual love for RE5 will depend on controls.
EXTRA NOTES! - I should be getting my Official Playstation 3 Headset Monday for some Online Killzone 2 action. I have to admit I'm loving Killzone 2, especially the multiplayer and look forward to finishing off my review when I spend some much needed time online.
- Persona 4 hit's Europe next week, I actually have the game ordered but might cancel as 1. I'm still busy with Persona 3 and 2. Giantbomb's thrilling Endurance Run videos have offered much of the story already, I'll think about it.
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