You can now find my blog on GiantBomb.com. This carries several advantages, but in particular it allows me to distribute my little reviews to a wider audience.
Monday, 15 February 2010
Blog Moved to GiantBomb
You can now find my blog on GiantBomb.com. This carries several advantages, but in particular it allows me to distribute my little reviews to a wider audience.
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Top Five Games of 2010?
Most Anticipated Games of 2010
1. Infinite Space (DS)
I have been looking forward to the European release of this Starship-based JRPG for some time. It is my most anticipated game of the year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_space
2. Mass Effect 2 (360/PC)
Mass Effect created a world that I really wanted to spend a lot more time in. Thankfully, I now don't have long to wait to don my N7 suit again.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Effect_2
3. Split/Second (360/PS3)
I played Split/Second at Eurogamer and was instantly won over. This could be the best arcade racer since Burnout Paradise.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split/Second
4. Red Dead Redemption (PS3/360)
If someone could make a decent Wild-West genre game then you would expect it would be Rockstar.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Dead_Redemption
5. Professor Layton & The Final Time Travel (DS)
With two fantastic adventures under his belt surely the Professor can be trusted to give us a third memorable game?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Layton-ky%C5%8Dju_to_Saigo_no_Jikan_Ryok%C5%8D
Five to Watch in 2010
1. Bioshock 2 (360/PC/PS3)
Most people are expecting it to fail to live up to its predecessor, but it could once again be a surprise package?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioshock_2
2. The Eye of Judgement Legends (PSP)
No fussy camera or fiddly cards necessary in this portable reinterpretation of the game.
3. Tower of Shadow (Wiiware)
A really interesting concept (using shadows) is at the heart of this future Wiiware title.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/lost-in-shadow-dated-detailed
4. R.U.S.E (360/PC/PS3)
Can an RTS on a console actually work?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.U.S.E
5. Fallout: New Vegas (360/PC/PS3)
It has yet to build any hype, but if it is as good as Fallout 3 no one will be complaining.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallout:_New_Vegas
Other games I'm really interested in...
- Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 (All)
- Dead Space 2 (PS3/360)
- Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake (PSP)
- Hot Shot Tennis (PSP)
- Picross 3D (DS)
- Dragon Quest IX (DS)
- Alan Wake (360)
- Splinter Cell Conviction (360)
- Fable III (360)
- Joe Danger (XBLA)
- Heavy Rain (PS3)
- ModNation Racers (PS3)
- Final Fantasy XIII (PS3/360)
- Sonic & Sega All-Stars (All)
Friday, 18 December 2009
Five Great Games Everybody Played in 2009
DiRT2
Easily took the crown as the most enjoyable and rewarding racing game of recent years. DiRT 2 is the best pure racer –with focus on racing rather than simulation- since Project Gotham Racing 4, and much more fun than the cold and anaesthetic Forza 3. Amazing graphics, a solid frame-rate and a pumping soundtrack complete the package on one of the games of the year.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
The real outstanding feature of Uncharted 2, in addition to the jaw-dropping environments and non-stop action, is the quality of the dialogue, narrative and general writing. It really does raise the bar in interactive character driven story telling: there is little exposition, well rounded and believable characters, and a story that propels itself without the need for clumsy prolonged cut scenes or back-story. At no point do you think “what am I doing?”.
Professor Layton and Pandora’s Box
The Professor and Luke are back again to unravel the mysteries of Pandora’s Box and a train full of crazy characters. Like the previous game in the series the puzzles range from the very easy to the fiendishly hard. In this second outing the puzzles are much better integrated into the main story and its events. With three more Layton games bound for Europe, we can look forward to many more years of intriguing stories and addictive puzzles.
Battlefield 1943
Battlefield 1943 excels as a fun and enjoyable multiplayer first person shooter. Stripped of complexity and perfectly balanced, it proved to be a hit with both shooter aficionados and more laid back players alike. The easy to master controls (with the exception of the plane) and non-stop action mean there is never a dull moment and no frustration. A sub £12 price-point made Battlefield 1943 one of the best value games of the year.
The Beatles: Rockband
I really don't like the Beatles: I don't enjoy their music and I find their whole mythology an irritation. Somehow Harmonix have managed to sell me something I don't like and have a great time playing it? I think it is in no small part to the quality of the production, and the visual flare used in the presentation of many of the songs. It hasn't made me a fan of the band, but I can honestly say I really enjoyed playing their music in the game.
Five Great Games Nobody Played in 2009
Anno: Create a New World
Shamelessly overlooked by most of the gaming press, Anno: Create a New World (or Dawn of Discovery in the US) is the first Anno game to have been specifically designed from the ground-up for the Wii. The result is a first rate Civilisation-style game with arguably the best control system yet devised on a console. Playing the game with the Wii Remote and Nun-chuck is simple, intuitive and an absolute pleasure. If only all games were as well produced and designed as Anno: Create a New World.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anno:_Create_A_New_World
Dead Space Extraction
The Wii has hosted some excellent games this year that cater for all gaming tastes. Dead Space Extraction is the year’s surprising twist on the survival horror genre. Mislabelled by those who haven’t played it as “on rails”, Dead Space Extraction proves to be both intelligent and frightening in equal measure. Clever use of cinematic techniques and brilliant voice acting add depth and quality to the presentation; whilst the level design and ammo conservation deliver tension with the frights.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Space_Extraction
Swords & Soldiers
Wiiware has really taken off this year and has seen some remarkable independent games - such as the Bit Trip series and Art Style: Orbient. However, the real star was this unusual 2D side-on real-time strategy game. It could well be the best real-time strategy game conceived on a console. Its design overcomes the limitations of using a control pad, whilst retaining all the necessary features for a fun and challenging strategic game. What makes Swords and Soldiers really stand-out is the charm and humour of the characters, which are clearly inspired by Hagar-the-Horrible.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swords_%26_Soldiers
Tropico 3
Who wouldn’t want to be a dictator and run their own mini Cuba? Think of it: cigars, mojitos, and all night salsa! Tropico 3 is a clever blend of Sim-City and Theme Park set in the 1950s Caribbean. Available for both the PC and Xbox360, it made a refreshing change to the “flash-bang-wallop” that most of November’s games were all about. With a wonderful soundtrack, decent graphics and more satire than an episode of “Have I Got News For You”; Tropico 3 is a real winner.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropico_3
DJ Hero
A combination of a devalued “Hero” brand, a high price, animosity towards Activision and some bizarre marketing decisions (Emimen and Jay-Z - their music is hardly in it) has put off most people. It is a real pity as DJ Hero is an absolute gem and goes a long way in refreshing the tired rhythm game genre. DJ Hero’s eclectic soundtrack has music in it to sort all tastes, whilst the combination of tight controls and excellent mixes makes for a really enjoyable game. Even the Turntable peripheral is solidly constructed and well designed – aside from a slightly loose cross-fader.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dj_hero
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Modern Warfare 2: Bad Story Ruins Games
To solve the problem a special ops team kidnap a terrorist in Sao Paulo (not sure why), rescue a prisoner from a Russian Gulag, steal a Russian nuclear sub and launch its nuke into space. The ICBM is detonated over the US east coast to cause a EMP wave that causes all planes and helicopters to crash, as well as destroy the International Space Station.
With me so far?
The special ops team then hunt down the dissident to kill him. Some how doing this will end the full scale conflict that has taken over the world?
What MW2's story is, is a string of set pieces in locations the developers wanted to exploit for shock value. They often have no relationship to the story and lack any kind of logical cohesion. It is fiction, but it is ludicrous fiction. At least Tom Clancy based his tech-war writings on genuine facts and plausible events.
I am not the only one who finds it completely silly, I've read several reviews saying pretty much the same thing (see Charlie Brooker's and Eurogamer's reviews).
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Big Daddy – Bioshock (Hi-Score Article)
Big Daddy – Bioshock (my entry to the Hi-Score Top Ten Bad Guys)
The Big Daddy is the iconic image of the 2007 critical hit Bioshock. Whenever you think about your experiences of playing Bioshock, two images spring to mind: the creepy yet charming Little Sisters, and her ever present gargantuan guardian, the Big Daddy. Dressed in an armoured diving suite, with either a giant drill or grenade launcher grafted on to its body, the Big Daddy presents a formidable presence of size, strength and brutality.
The Big Daddy is, however, an unlikely “bad guy” because he isn’t all bad. His paternal nature means that he will completely ignore you -posing no threat- seemingly happy to lumber around escorting his Little Sister. Ultimately the Little Sisters are in the way of your goal in Rapture, and they carry the precious Adam that you must somehow obtain. Thus, reluctantly, you know you must take on and defeat the hulking brutes.
Regardless of the difficulty level played, the Big Daddy always offers a significant challenge. Each Big Daddy encounter is normally premised with fear and indecision. Taking down the armour plated guardian requires more than a little cunning to succeed. Big Daddy battles are often savage, violent and prolonged. Bioshock successfully makes you feel every punch, drill and thump from the Big Daddy – often sending you dramatically flying off your feet, or stunned on the spot. In defeat the Big Daddy continues to toy with your emotions. The morally good player is confronted with feelings of guilt and repentance; made worse by the cries of grief from the Little Sister for her now lost “Mr Bubbles”.
There have not been many games that have established such an iconic bad guy. Even fewer have established a character class so strong that, in itself, it is a metaphor for the game and world in which it is set. The Big Daddy is Bioshock. Plastered over the front of the game cover; shipped as an ornament in the special edition; and taking centre stage in the gruesome promotion video for Bioshock’s initial release. Bioshock 2 looks to be building its entire story with a Big Daddy as its central heroic character. I wait with bated breath to see if a promised Big Sister can match her paternal inspiration.
To read the other entries in the top 10, visit Hi-Score.co.uk...
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits (DS)
Originally written for The Gamer Scene (http://www.thegamerscene.com)
Guitar Hero On Tour is probably better described as “Plectrum Hero”, since the gameplay centres around the use of the custom four-button fret board device that plugs into the DS Slot 2 (sorry DSi owners, no rock for you!), and a large plectrum stylus. The mechanics are fully translated from the plastic guitar version. The only difference being that the board has only 4 tracks of notes, and you strum on the touch screen using the plectrum stylus. Star Power, activated by shouting into the microphone, and Whammy effects are all present just as before.
The presentation is what you would expect from Guitar Hero. You get the usual whimsical 3D animations of the franchise characters, such as Clive Wilson and Judy Nails, performing on crazy virtual stages around the world. The sound, however, is heavily compressed to fit onto the DS cartridge. If you are not are wearing headphones the music will sound tinny and flat – not ideal for a rock music game.
Structurally Modern Hits is pretty much the same as the previous two installments. There are some cosmetic changes to menu layout and new replay challenges for each song you unlock. Modern Hits, like the two previous games, is fully cross-compatible with other Guitar Hero On Tour games: so you can enjoy a multiplayer game with a friend even if you both have different versions. I have found this feature to be particularly useful for long train journeys with the wife or friends. The technology to stream the song from one DS to another, during gameplay, is seamless.
Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits is fun in small bursts but, ultimately, rhythm music games like this are judged on the set-list they contain. Like most Guitar Hero games, you can enjoy playing the notes on certain songs even if you might not like the music itself. It really is up to you to decide if these songs make you want to wield your inner plectrum, or “run to the hills”. (3/5)
Set-list:
12 Stones – “Adrenalin”
AFI – “Miss Murder”
Angels & Airwaves – “Call to Arms”
Atreyu – “Falling Down”
Black Tide – “Shockwave”
Coldplay – “Violet Hill”
Endeverafter – “I Wanna Be Your Man”
Evanescence – “Sweet Sacrifice”
Fall Out Boy – “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race”
Finger Eleven – “Paralyzer”
Foo Fighters – “All My Life”
Franz Ferdinand – “The Fallen”
Kaiser Chiefs – “Ruby”
Lenny Kravitz – “Where Are We Runnin’?”
Modest Mouse – “Dashboard”
Phantom Planet – “Do The Panic”
Sum 41 – “Still Waiting”
Tenacious D – “The Metal”
The Bravery – “Unconditional”
The Donnas – “What Do I Have to Do”
The Duke Spirit – “Lassoo”
The Fratellis – “Chelsea Dagger”
The Kooks – “Always Where I Need to Be”
The Offspring – “Half-Truism”
The Strokes – “Reptilia”
Weezer – “Everybody Get Dangerous”
Wolfmother – “Dimension”
Yellowcard – “Lights and Sounds”