Despite my original plans, I wound up playing a TON of Halo this weekend. Multiplayer is exactly like in Halo 2 except that the competition is clearly better organized. Your opponents seem to be better matched and closer to your skill level making games closer and more enjoyable. Also, a majority of the players are not annoying little kids screaming in your ear. Hurray for that.
Co-op seems... easy. I also find that it takes a lot away from the story when you have friends chattering away in your ear how are you supposed to follow what's going on. Even worse, co-op lags a lot. You can tell that this game was not designed to be co-op and that it was just added in to make players happy. Gears of War is a game designed with co-op play in mind.
Finally, I've continued to play Lumines on my PSP. This game is a great time killer and would be perfect to waste time while on the go. Easily one of the obvious must haves for PSP owners.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Playing Today: Lumines, Stranglehold
Two new games, two very different but enjoyable experiences. I purchased the original Lumines for my PSP and the experience was as good as I expected. The gameplay is fun and intricate without scaring me off. It is a variation of Tetris yet much more than that. I can understand why this was one of the first big hits on PSP and why it has been drafted onto several different platforms since. I predict years of fun to be had for years to come.
Tried out Stranglehold and had a bad taste in my mouth at first. The jumping mechanic was way too loose and I didn't think I could adjust. However, given some time I figured out the language of gameplay and adjusted my style to match the game. While level design is very linear and fighting is generic, I'm still enjoying the experience enough to push on. The graphics look like they were designed for an original XBOX and the voice acting has some issues. I'll have to really play on to really grasp the overall scope of things.
Tried out Stranglehold and had a bad taste in my mouth at first. The jumping mechanic was way too loose and I didn't think I could adjust. However, given some time I figured out the language of gameplay and adjusted my style to match the game. While level design is very linear and fighting is generic, I'm still enjoying the experience enough to push on. The graphics look like they were designed for an original XBOX and the voice acting has some issues. I'll have to really play on to really grasp the overall scope of things.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Playing Today: BioShock, Eternal Sonata, Pac-Man Championship Edition
BioShock continues to be the big game on my brain. Despite visions of Halo co-op dancing in my brain, BioShock is the game I really want to invest my free time. Despite my hopes for Eternal Sonata, BioShock is closest to my heart. Having just fought my first group of Big Daddies, I know what true love is. Having found my camera, I know what true gameplay is.
Eternal Sonata is a let down so far. The game is GORGEOUS. The voice acting is something else. I could only play about two hours before I realized that I'd rather be playing BioShock. Perhaps I will pick this up again in the Winter.
Eternal Sonata is a let down so far. The game is GORGEOUS. The voice acting is something else. I could only play about two hours before I realized that I'd rather be playing BioShock. Perhaps I will pick this up again in the Winter.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Playing Today: BioShock and Geon
I love Geon. This game is a mixture of Marble Blast Ultra, Pac-Man, and a bowl of awesome. The graphics are crisp, the gameplay is tight, and the multiplayer is picture perfect. This is a wonderful example of the potential built into XBLA and a perfect casual game. Bravo XBOX for releasing such an wondrous game.
BioShock has re-appeared in my box. I haven't played in nearly a week and I almost forgot how to play. I'm still way behind on my progress and have just now saved my first little girl. The chills and the thrills are non-stop and I can see why the reviews are so incredibly strong. This is a perfect example of great videogame storytelling.
BioShock has re-appeared in my box. I haven't played in nearly a week and I almost forgot how to play. I'm still way behind on my progress and have just now saved my first little girl. The chills and the thrills are non-stop and I can see why the reviews are so incredibly strong. This is a perfect example of great videogame storytelling.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Playing Today: Punch-Out!!
I think I forgot to mention that I purchased Punch-Out!! for the Wii the other day. Beating this game has always been something I've aspired to do and now I have my chance. The controls and graphics are picture perfect. Now I just need to memorize the different strategies for the bosses and slug away. Wish me luck!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Playing Today: Resident Evil 4, Space Giraffe, A Link to the Past, The Darkness
I spent most of time with Resident Evil 4 (Wii). This game continues to entertain and spook (although it doesn't scare). I've become accustomed to the controls and the only gripes I currently have, I have mentioned before. With about 90 minutes played I'm pleased.
I picked up A Link to the Past (GBA) for my Nintendo DS today. The same amazing game I played on the SNES years ago is just as much fun on DS. I find that the D-Pad feels a bit less responsive in this version but that has nothing to do with the game itself. That is what I get for playing a game on a different system from the original. I've only played about 20 minutes, so, I haven't seen a lot of the old stuff.
The Darkness online is fun - if you can find a lag free game. I played a bunch today and enjoyed it through some laginess. If I don't send it back this week I'll try to get into less lag-filled matches. It reminds me a lot of Prey.
Space Giraffe is fun. That is all.
I picked up A Link to the Past (GBA) for my Nintendo DS today. The same amazing game I played on the SNES years ago is just as much fun on DS. I find that the D-Pad feels a bit less responsive in this version but that has nothing to do with the game itself. That is what I get for playing a game on a different system from the original. I've only played about 20 minutes, so, I haven't seen a lot of the old stuff.
The Darkness online is fun - if you can find a lag free game. I played a bunch today and enjoyed it through some laginess. If I don't send it back this week I'll try to get into less lag-filled matches. It reminds me a lot of Prey.
Space Giraffe is fun. That is all.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Playing This Weekend: Resident Evil 4, Space Giraffe
Spent some good time with Resident Evil 4 (Wii) this morning and I am continuing to enjoy it. The graphics are obviously subpar but the story and game play are entertaining. The game play has its share of flaws but nothing that will have you tossing away your Wii-mote. The zombies aren't easy to kill and it took several opportunities for me to take them down. So far, the levels are somewhat linear and I really hope that they open up a bit.
I played more Space Giraffe and figured out that I was using the A button incorrectly. Perhaps this screw up might help me progress past the tenth level. Perhaps.
I played more Space Giraffe and figured out that I was using the A button incorrectly. Perhaps this screw up might help me progress past the tenth level. Perhaps.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Playing Today: BioShock
I'm now into my second play session of BioShock and I'm starting to see what everyone was so excited about. There are a ton of cool surprises to be found, wonderful voice acting, and fascinating puzzles. The hack puzzles are a fun game in and of themselves. I like having mini-games I'm not required to do but I want to do them.
One aspect that I haven't encountered enough to fairly assess is the rebirth process. I haven't died enough to figure out if this game just doesn't kill you or if you are limited to a certain number of rebirths per level. And, thematically, if I die in a level who puts me in the Rebirth Chamber (or whatever that isobaric chamber is called) so I can live again, Angels?
One aspect that I haven't encountered enough to fairly assess is the rebirth process. I haven't died enough to figure out if this game just doesn't kill you or if you are limited to a certain number of rebirths per level. And, thematically, if I die in a level who puts me in the Rebirth Chamber (or whatever that isobaric chamber is called) so I can live again, Angels?
Thursday, September 13, 2007
An Open Letter to Microsoft
Microsoft,
Your Interactive Entertainment Business division is floundering. Specifically, two areas are obviously in need of a major re-haul. First, your initial XBOX 360 hardware is fundamentally flawed. Secondly, your support services are under-staffed, under-educated, and insufficient for the amount of traffic they are receiving. To fix these problems I offer you three solutions: recall, relaunch, or red ring. These three solutions can be implemented individually or collectively. Hell, for all the general public knows, you may already be implementing these changes. If that's the case, all we ask for is more transparency.
RECALL. The XBOX 360 hardware launched was flawed. Every owner of a XBOX 360 sold at launch is guaranteed a broken console. To make matters worse, every owner of a refurbished XBOX 360 is guaranteed another broken console. We know this not because you've admitted this problem but because of the preponderance of evidence. If the Internet is used as a trustworthy source of information and compare the amount of broken XBOX 360 claims to those of every other current console on the market, it is apparent that the XBOX 360 owns the market of hardware failure. If your own corporate admittance as the basis of this argument, Peter Moore's (former Corporate Vice President of Interactive Entertainment) three year warranty extension should suit just fine. Logic indicates that making such a drastic financial sacrifice for your customers is an open admittance of failure. Unfortunately, this program is not enough.
One solution is officially recalling all affected (infected) consoles. No one outside of Microsoft corporate knows how many XBOX 360s will initially fail (8 million? 10 million?) and that number will increase even higher if you calculate the number of broken refurbished consoles. Instead of slowing down customers by forcing them to call 1-800-4-MY-XBOX, a separate recall would sacrifice short term financial and public relations momentum for long term customer satisfaction. If you want to create your own recall department to handle the bulk of these issues that would assist. Allow consumers to send back their broken (or soon to be broken) consoles when they are ready and show some skin instead of hiding in your trench coat. It's not as if you're running an illegal dogfighting ring.
RELAUNCH. Instead of a full-fledged recall, you could just completely relaunch their console. After the holiday season, perhaps in January and February, you'd halt all new XBOX 360 shipments. Clear all remaining inventory, stockpile redesigned (and functioning consoles), and tell the world that the XBOX 360 will be coming back soon. Tell software manufacturers that they can still sell their games except that new consumers won't be able to buy new consoles. In fact, if implemented fast enough, this plan could be used to spike console sales for the holiday. Drop prices $100 just to clear the shelves and parents will have no reason to sit back and disappoint their video game starved kids.
You might be wondering why a relaunch will work? Three recent examples provide evidence that a relaunch can help revitalize your presence and broaden your audience. The release of the DS Lite, the PSP 2000, and the PlayStation Slim all pushed slowing console sales back to where they need to be. In fact, the PSP 2000 might just save the lagging console from irrelevancy. Find a new game (GTA IV?) or peripheral (HD DVD) to bundle with the system, price it competitively and show the world that they can be confident with a functioning console. With a relaunch you'll lose a bit of ground short term, however, you will be better off in the long run. Your momentum should pick up with superior software and you'll have much happier customers.
RED RING. The failure of your warranty extension is hampered by slow service response, poor customer service, and the overwhelming number of broken consoles. Your customer service department either needs to be complete nuked or expanded extensively. Instead of removing all of your current agents, how about creating a division that only deals with red ring failures? If a consumer sees the red ring, they can call 1-800-RED-RING and speak with an agent about sending back their console. Eliminate the obnoxious computer agent and send customers straight to a team of representatives that only deal with the red ring. This will lighten the load of your other support agents so that they can deal with all of the other (less rampant) issues with the XBOX 360.
At this point it is apparent to everyone that things aren't getting better any time soon. This fact is even more troublesome because the greatness of your software is obvious. Gamers want to play BioShock, HALO 3, Dead Rising (still), and Gears of War. Nintendo apparently hates adult gamers and Sony is too busy trying to sell BluRay to the world. You, Microsoft, needs to step up to the plate now and make further changes. You need to make these changes soon and make them public. You already have an excellent grasp of community and some wonderful PR mouthpieces to utilize. Your faithful fans are losing their patience and it will only take one great game to change the tide.
Hopefully and yet jadedly yours,
Alex
Your Interactive Entertainment Business division is floundering. Specifically, two areas are obviously in need of a major re-haul. First, your initial XBOX 360 hardware is fundamentally flawed. Secondly, your support services are under-staffed, under-educated, and insufficient for the amount of traffic they are receiving. To fix these problems I offer you three solutions: recall, relaunch, or red ring. These three solutions can be implemented individually or collectively. Hell, for all the general public knows, you may already be implementing these changes. If that's the case, all we ask for is more transparency.
RECALL. The XBOX 360 hardware launched was flawed. Every owner of a XBOX 360 sold at launch is guaranteed a broken console. To make matters worse, every owner of a refurbished XBOX 360 is guaranteed another broken console. We know this not because you've admitted this problem but because of the preponderance of evidence. If the Internet is used as a trustworthy source of information and compare the amount of broken XBOX 360 claims to those of every other current console on the market, it is apparent that the XBOX 360 owns the market of hardware failure. If your own corporate admittance as the basis of this argument, Peter Moore's (former Corporate Vice President of Interactive Entertainment) three year warranty extension should suit just fine. Logic indicates that making such a drastic financial sacrifice for your customers is an open admittance of failure. Unfortunately, this program is not enough.
One solution is officially recalling all affected (infected) consoles. No one outside of Microsoft corporate knows how many XBOX 360s will initially fail (8 million? 10 million?) and that number will increase even higher if you calculate the number of broken refurbished consoles. Instead of slowing down customers by forcing them to call 1-800-4-MY-XBOX, a separate recall would sacrifice short term financial and public relations momentum for long term customer satisfaction. If you want to create your own recall department to handle the bulk of these issues that would assist. Allow consumers to send back their broken (or soon to be broken) consoles when they are ready and show some skin instead of hiding in your trench coat. It's not as if you're running an illegal dogfighting ring.
RELAUNCH. Instead of a full-fledged recall, you could just completely relaunch their console. After the holiday season, perhaps in January and February, you'd halt all new XBOX 360 shipments. Clear all remaining inventory, stockpile redesigned (and functioning consoles), and tell the world that the XBOX 360 will be coming back soon. Tell software manufacturers that they can still sell their games except that new consumers won't be able to buy new consoles. In fact, if implemented fast enough, this plan could be used to spike console sales for the holiday. Drop prices $100 just to clear the shelves and parents will have no reason to sit back and disappoint their video game starved kids.
You might be wondering why a relaunch will work? Three recent examples provide evidence that a relaunch can help revitalize your presence and broaden your audience. The release of the DS Lite, the PSP 2000, and the PlayStation Slim all pushed slowing console sales back to where they need to be. In fact, the PSP 2000 might just save the lagging console from irrelevancy. Find a new game (GTA IV?) or peripheral (HD DVD) to bundle with the system, price it competitively and show the world that they can be confident with a functioning console. With a relaunch you'll lose a bit of ground short term, however, you will be better off in the long run. Your momentum should pick up with superior software and you'll have much happier customers.
RED RING. The failure of your warranty extension is hampered by slow service response, poor customer service, and the overwhelming number of broken consoles. Your customer service department either needs to be complete nuked or expanded extensively. Instead of removing all of your current agents, how about creating a division that only deals with red ring failures? If a consumer sees the red ring, they can call 1-800-RED-RING and speak with an agent about sending back their console. Eliminate the obnoxious computer agent and send customers straight to a team of representatives that only deal with the red ring. This will lighten the load of your other support agents so that they can deal with all of the other (less rampant) issues with the XBOX 360.
At this point it is apparent to everyone that things aren't getting better any time soon. This fact is even more troublesome because the greatness of your software is obvious. Gamers want to play BioShock, HALO 3, Dead Rising (still), and Gears of War. Nintendo apparently hates adult gamers and Sony is too busy trying to sell BluRay to the world. You, Microsoft, needs to step up to the plate now and make further changes. You need to make these changes soon and make them public. You already have an excellent grasp of community and some wonderful PR mouthpieces to utilize. Your faithful fans are losing their patience and it will only take one great game to change the tide.
Hopefully and yet jadedly yours,
Alex
Monday, September 10, 2007
Playing Today: DDR Universe, Space Giraffe
"Welcome back," my XBOX says. "Where have you been?"
The question should be, "where have you been oh broken console?"
Finally Microsoft brought back my gaming console and I had plenty of catching up to do. You'd think that BioShock would grab my attention first. You sir, or madam, are wrong. In fact, I plugged in DDR Universe first. After finding this game way underpriced at EB Games I dove right back in enjoyed some ultra-nerdy glee. Oh boy is this game a ball of fun. If only Katamari had dancing. Seriously, I now fully understand why this game became huge. I also understand why people play this game hidden away in a closet somewhere. Figuratively.
I also tried out Space Giraffe. I thought that Geometry Wars was the heir apparent to the 1980s arcade classics. Space Giraffe is making a serious assault on retro games and has my attention. This game is trippy, obnoxious, bizarre, confusing, and loves to give me points for... who knows what. Just give me points and I'll love the game, apparently. Fun game and well worth $5.
Hopefully, I will invest 60 minutes into BioShock tomorrow. For such great hype it deserves a visit.
The question should be, "where have you been oh broken console?"
Finally Microsoft brought back my gaming console and I had plenty of catching up to do. You'd think that BioShock would grab my attention first. You sir, or madam, are wrong. In fact, I plugged in DDR Universe first. After finding this game way underpriced at EB Games I dove right back in enjoyed some ultra-nerdy glee. Oh boy is this game a ball of fun. If only Katamari had dancing. Seriously, I now fully understand why this game became huge. I also understand why people play this game hidden away in a closet somewhere. Figuratively.
I also tried out Space Giraffe. I thought that Geometry Wars was the heir apparent to the 1980s arcade classics. Space Giraffe is making a serious assault on retro games and has my attention. This game is trippy, obnoxious, bizarre, confusing, and loves to give me points for... who knows what. Just give me points and I'll love the game, apparently. Fun game and well worth $5.
Hopefully, I will invest 60 minutes into BioShock tomorrow. For such great hype it deserves a visit.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Playing Today: Excite Truck
Yup. I feel like I'm on sabbatical or something. With my XBOX 360 out to repair and having only 360 games from GameFly, I am stuck in a quandary. Send back the games and never get BioShock from GameFly ever again? Or let the games sit there all alone waiting to kick ass in my 360.
I have been playing a dash of Excite Truck and it is slowly growing on me. In no way is it a $50 game. It is, however, a wonderful system seller. Like Wii Sports, Excite Truck is a glorified tech demo that can suck in the amateur gamers. It is easy enough to win but hard enough to master. A few more days and we'll see where I stand.
I watched some kids play Boogie. No thanks.
I have been playing a dash of Excite Truck and it is slowly growing on me. In no way is it a $50 game. It is, however, a wonderful system seller. Like Wii Sports, Excite Truck is a glorified tech demo that can suck in the amateur gamers. It is easy enough to win but hard enough to master. A few more days and we'll see where I stand.
I watched some kids play Boogie. No thanks.
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