As bobby noted, where is the Stryper? And to prove my knowledge of Old School Christian Metal...Where is the Bride, Holy Soldier, Barren Cross, X-Sinner, Angelica, or Shout? If this game included those songs I would buy it...maybe...if I found it in the bargain bin.
So simple yet so fun. The game is called audiosurf. You pilot a space ship along a track trying to connect three or more same colored bricks together. Just that aspect alone it's an enjoyable time waster of a game. The developers though added a little something to put it over the top. The track bricks all coincide with whatever mp3 or song from a CD that you choose. It works really well. Just want something fun to kill a little time? Then play the game to a slower song. Want a challenge? Then select a faster song from your music collection. I could keep going on and on trying to describe it, but I think seeing the game in action will do a much better job.
Mr. Blue Sky: This is the first video I saw of the game. I love how the track bounces along.
Bohemian Rhapsody: The changes in the song make this a fun song to play.
Then there are leaderboards to see who has the best score on each song, and so on. Sometimes just a clever idea can make a game.
Best "Forget the Story Let's Just Play" Game of the Year: There have been plenty of sandbox games: Grand Theft Auto, Saint's Row, Mercenaries, etc. The designers give you one big city or area to play around in and do what you want. The problem is it the games got a little boring if you ventured too far off the set story line. Sure there are side missions and other challenges you could try to accomplish, but it was all kind of eh. "Kind of Eh" I think is the new title of this blog. Anyway, earlier this year a game called Crackdown came along. A crap load of people bought it for one big reason: Halo 3 demo included! The thing is the game is a lot of fun, and it's not the story that is fun. It is just playing around in the world that really makes this game. Making it even better is playing online with a friend. There are gang members and their bosses you can have fun killing, but there are so many more satisfying things you can do as two super human cops. Play dodge ball with cars, rocket launcher tag, sucker kick your friend off a tall building (never ever gets old), play HORSE with jumps, and so on and so on. Finally a game that makes just playing in the sandbox fun. Now if it only allowed four players online.
Best "It's Like a Movie" Game of the Year: Call of Duty developers, Infinity Ward, did the smart thing on its fourth installment by taking it out of WWII and placing it in modern day because I don't think I could have played another WWII game. It would've been a shame if I hadn't have picked this game up because it is simply brilliant. It is still a finely tuned and expertly paced Call of Duty game. It still looks fantastic. The developers just seemed to have brought it all together in Call of Duty 4. From the chaotic assaults to manning massive gun from a gunship to working your way across an abandoned city to snipe a warlord it is all expertly told and laid out. It really is like a six hour movie that concludes in a fantastic set piece. Most of all I'm simply happy that bad guys can no longer hide behind doors and thin walls. The bullets pass through objects they should pass through. Is some militant hiding ducking behind a barrel? Unload into the barrel to take him out. My only real complaint is that there is no co-op, and no cover system like Rainbow Six: Vegas or Gears of War.
Best "End of an Era" Game of the Year: This year has basically seen Sony walk away from the Playstation 2. This year the system has mainly seen Guitar Hero bonus crap, sports games, and a slew of Japanese RPG's. There was though one huge last gasp made by the PS2, and that was God of War II. The developers squeezed every bit they could out of the decade old system to deliver a thrilling game worthy of its predecessor. The story may not be as compelling as the original, but that could be simply chalked up to the cliff hangerish ending. It still moves the story of Kratos forward with polished combat, the always appreciated frustration free puzzles, and great boss battles. If Metal Gear doesn't cause me to buy a PS3, I'm certain God of War 3 will.
Best Over Anticipated Game of the Year: What else but the final chapter in the game franchise that saved Xbox? If it wasn't for Halo would there even be an Xbox 360? Halo 3 was easily the biggest game of the year. It sold millions of copies. People all around the world either couldn't wait to see how it ended or couldn't wait to be cussed out by 10 year olds. Halo 2 made me swear off online gaming with strangers. Anyway, Halo 3 is actually a good game. I still get thrill when I take down a Scarab. It's like Luke taking out an AT-AT. The story came to a satisfying conclusion. I really like the meta-game in four player co-op. But my own personal glee comes from the Grunt Birthday Party skull. Seeing grunts heads explode in confetti when shot followed by children screaming "Yay!" never gets old...never.
Best Massive Game of the Year: I played only one RPG this year: Mass Effect. I'm not a huge RPG fan, but I will play any game that Bioware puts out. How can you go wrong with the team behind Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic? Well apparently a lot of people think they did go wrong. This game topped a lot of people's biggest disappointment list. To be honest I have a difficult time disagreeing with their issues with the game. The inventory system is overwhelming and at times confusing. It did take me awhile to get some kind of handle on the combat system. Even then I found myself sticking with what little I figured out. I too got sick of all the elevators you had to take. No I don't know why you can sprint only while in combat. And driving that tank around drove me up the wall. But you know what? I still couldn't stop playing. I debated every decision I had to make. I loved being the bad ass with a soft side. Sure I had my character be cold and unforgiving toward those who broke the law or crossed me, but I did my best to help the innocent. (Slight Spoiler) Near the end of the game you are forced to choose which of your teammates you have to send on a suicide mission. For about five minutes I debated the pros and cons of sending either teammate. The thing is once I made my peace with the decision, near the end of that mission you are asked again, "Are you sure you want this person to die." Ugh, that ate up another five minutes debating the fate of two video game characters. See, the story pulls you in, and it's a wonderfully told epic of a story. I did get sick of those elevators.
Best "I Can Rock & You Can Too" Game of the Year: I know I've gone all over this again, but bear with me. This year we saw the battle of the rock star simulator games. It was Guitar Hero 3 vs. Rock Band. I've gone over my pros and cons. Guitar Hero 3 is tough. I mean sneaky tough. You're just going along fine till you hit the brick wall that is "Live in Japan." Then the game makes you cry. Guitar Hero also has the better guitar in my opinion. Rock Band on the other hand is more accepting of new comers. This acceptance also means there wasn't a whole lot of challenge if you simply wanted to play guitar, or knew of nobody who wanted to be a in a video game band with you. Then something happened called "Downloadable content." Downloadable content has put Rock Band ahead of Guitar Hero for me. Harmonix, the developer of Rock Band, clearly knows what keeps a game like this going. Since their release, Guitar Hero 2 has had 20 tracks available for download. Three of those are the boss battles that were already in the game. One was We Three Kings for Christmas season, and there was the Halo theme. The last time they made new content available was Dec. 20th. Rock Band has 41 tracks available for download. From the Monkees' "Last Train to Clarksville" to Radiohead's "My Iron Lung" and on through to Metallica's "Ride the Lightning." Every Tuesday since the game was released they have made at least three new tracks available for download. That alone is why I have played Rock Band every week since I've bought it, and why it gets my pick for rock simulator of the year. I should also admit that it has taken every ounce of self control not to buy the drums and microphone for the game. Once this strike is over, I'm starting a fake band!
Best "Game of the Year" Game of the Year: So we know what this is going to be. It's already been on the top of a number of Game of the Year lists. It is the creepy, noirish, Atlas Shrugged inspired Bioshock. It is almost as perfect as gaming can get. Everything from story to music to gameplay to design is superb. It is one of the few games that got me a little choked up at the end after saving all the "Little Sisters." I had to look away from the TV when I played it a second time and would harvest the "Little Sisters." I got the shivers hearing the clickety scrape of the Splicers crawling across the ceilings. I got that feeling of dread hearing the ominous moan followed by the heavy thumps of a Big Daddy. I even began to feel a little sad after killing a Big Daddy knowing he was only there to protect the "Little Sisters." My point is that the developers have created a world that you can completely get lost in. My only complaint is the pipe dreamish hacking you have to do on vending machines, cameras, turrets, etc. While they are fun for the first couple levels, they soon become an annoying chore no matter how much you up your hacking skills, but that's it. Everything else is perfect.
Best "Bang for Your Buck" Game of the Year: It has an awful name called "The Orange Box." But what comes inside this "box" is pure gold. For the price of one game you get the brilliant Half Life 2 along with the two following episodes. But that's not all...you also get the online multiplayer Team Fortress 2. All of these are A+ games. The real gem in this deal is a short first person puzzler called Portal. In Portal you are a test subject that has to make its way through 19 different levels. All you have is a portal gun that can pick up objects and create portals. For example you shoot the gun at a wall the entrance portal is created. You shoot again at another wall the exit portal is created. You use this along with gravity and a weighted companion cube to solve the nineteen levels where you will apparently be given cake as your reward. It should be mentioned though that graffiti written by previous test subjects warn that the cake is a lie. This alone makes for an ingenious game. What puts it over the top though is GLaDOS (Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System). GlaDOS is who observes your progress and educates you through your tasks. She lets you know about the cake reward, and the physics of the portal gun. "Speedy thing goes in, speedy thing comes out." She also encourages you, "Fantastic! You remained resolute and resourceful in an atmosphere of extreme pessimism." GlaDOS turns out to be the funniest video game character since I don't know when. Here are some other GLaDOS quotes:
"The Enrichment Center promises to always provide safe testing environments. In dangerous testing environments, the Enrichment Center promises to always provide useful advice. For instance, the floor here will kill you. Try to avoid it."
"Well done, android. The Enrichment Center once again reminds you that android hell is a real place where you will be sent at the first sign of defiance."
"Wheeeeeeeee."
"Stop what you are doing and assume the party escort submission position, or you will miss the party."
"When I said 'deadly neurotoxin,' the deadly was in massive sarcasm quotes."
"You're not a good person. You know that, right? Good people don't end up here."
"That thing you burnt up isn't important to me. Not any more. It's the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit; it makes shoes for orphans. Nice job breaking it, hero."
To wrap things up go buy The Orange Box just for this game. Just consider all the other games as really really good icing.
I leave you now with the Portal credits. This almost made the list of Snobfest 2007 Songs.
This can probably apply to all video games, but it begins and ends with Madden. It is called the "No F-ing Way Game." Those who play Madden know what this is and there are numerous terms for it. I'm sticking with "No F-ing Way Game" because that is what I always yell when it happens. The worst example I have happened last night. I was six games into my franchise season as the Buffalo Bills. I was also 6-0. I can't score a lot of points, but my defense is an expert at the bend but don't break. So I'm playing the Ravens last night. I pull off a great 35 yard run for a TD. I'm feeling pretty good. Then the Ravens score a TD where the running back broke about six tackles and goes in for the TD. Alright, that's fine. I can handle this. On the ensuing kickoff, my return man fumbles the ball and it is run back for a TD. Now, I'm a little miffed, but I can come back. On the next ensuing kickoff my return man fumbles again, they return it to the two yard line, and score another TD. Now, it is taking all the self control in the world not to hurl the controller through my window. Still, I'm confident I can make a game at this. On the next ensuing kickoff, you guessed it my return man fumbles again and they return it for a TD. Madden has once again made sure there is "No F-ing Way" I'm winning this game.
I do though get within ten, and intercept a pass into the flats. I even run that interception back for a TD, only to have it called back for clipping. Which is again ridiculous. There is no reason for clipping on that type of interception because there is no one that needs to be blocked.
This is my problem with Madden. It always feels like you are playing against a stacked deck. You can dominate, but the game will always rig things every now and then to humble you. Do you want to try to score before the game ends even though you are leading because you want to practice your two minute drill? The game will punish you for that. You will not be allowed to run up the score. You will not be allowed to do anything out of the norm for a football game. It is you against the machine, and the machine holds the power. Yet, I keep coming back.
The Cubs are in the closest race for the playoffs this season, and there is little to no national TV coverage. Can't WGN work a deal with Comcast so they can air more than two games a week? Why doesn't ESPN have a deal to show games during tight races? What Cubs fan across the nation isn't going watch? Man, my nerves are already shot. That Houston series nearly killed me.
In the latest issue of ESPN the magazine, Bill Simmons wrote a piece on saving Friday Night Lights. He praises it better than I did in my plea. ESPN.com finally put up the article. You can read it here
A week and a half till Halo 3 and the season premiere of Heroes.
A month and a half till Guitar Hero 3.
This year has clearly been brought to you by the number 3.
I've been battling myself over buying NHL '08, but I don't think it would be the same playing a hockey video game without Jiff.
iPod classic or iPod touch? Reading that Apple stores received the iPod touch early, I almost bought one...almost. This current control I've been showing over my impulse purchasing has impressed even me. I think it's that thought of the impending writer's strike?
I know I've been told that we won't care about such things, but I want to know answers to some of history's mysteries when I get to heaven. And, I don't mean Easter Island statues or Stonehenge or even Area 51. I mean I want to know those, but I'm more interested in who killed Hoffa and where is he buried? I'd like to know who Jack the Ripper and the Zodiac was.
Where did D.B. Cooper go after he jumped out of that plane? Who killed the Black Dahlia? Things like that. I'd also like to know who wrote those dirty poems to Susan Rice and put my name on them. That still bugs me.
Tottenham Spurs plays Arsenal this weekend. Again this is like OSU vs. Michigan only with more hatred in the fans hearts.
It's taken me longer to come up with a review for Bioshock than it took me to actually play the game.
I really enjoyed 3:10 to Yuma, though the turn in the story still doesn't seem rational.
So in less than two months the rock gods will descend from the Mt. Power Chord and bless us mortals with Guitar Hero 3. The anticipation is building. Co-worker Dominic asks at least once a week when the game will be released, and I'm sure bobby is at least slightly anticipating my purchasing it when it is released. 46 of the songs have been announced, and some videos have hit the net. Which brings us up to the reason for this post. One of the bonus songs is a song by Dragon Force called Through the Fire and Flames, and word was going around that it will be nigh unto impossible. Then awhile back a video came out, and my heart sank. I think I'm pretty decent at the game. I mean I struggle through the expert setting, but still...this is ridiculous. I think carpal tunnel syndrome can set in just watching this. The thing is the video doesn't even show the solo part, which can be witnessed near the end of the music video. I do wonder about those kids that play this game and can complete songs like this. Are they seriously going to be paying for it down the road? What are there fingers going to be like after years of playing Guitar Hero?
I post about all the games I'm looking forward to. I'm four days away from Bioshock coming out. I come home. Red Ring of Death! That's right I have my second occurrence of the Red Ring of Death in less than a year. Thank you Xbox!
Much like sports, there is a video game off-season which occurs during late spring and summer. I guess it makes it sense with the kids having school off. There are also conventions like E3 which is like the owners meetings for sports leagues. It is basically a very sparse time for new games. There might be one or two that come out that might be worth picking up (i.e. Overlord) but usually it's where bad games are dumped in the hopes that the desperate gamers will pick it up simply to play something new. Wise gamers though know not to fall for that. They know that during the off season is when you put aside your budgeted video game funds in preparation for the video game season. Around mid-August the video game season picks up again. It usually always begins with the new Madden game followed by a slew of games for the Holiday season, and then a few more during those cold winter months of the new year.
This season is actually looking to be one of the bigger seasons. I've got my list to thirteen games that will be released between now and Christmas that I'm either instantly going to purchase, or have a strong interest in. Warning: Some of the videos have some strong violence. Stranglehold being the worst of the lot.
The List:
Is probably my most anticipated title of the year. Any game that claims Atlas Shrugged as a major influence is clearly not your average first person shooter. This game has me expecting a game of the year spot at my end of the season list.
Apparently a lot of people have played the first two games. Should be worth checking out.
A video game sequel to the John Woo movie Hardboiled? I've played the demo about five times. Is it revolutionary? No. But there is something about sliding down a banister in slow mo and taking out bad guy by shooting signs and air conditioners to collapse on them, and then when you reach the end of the banister you can then jump on a cart and slide along and take out more bad guys. Then tack on a multiplayer where you can do this all against your friends. I'm in. Just a warning Sam. There are in fact headshots in this game.
This game and Bioshock are neck and neck in my most anticipated games this year. Because Bioshock comes out next week, it gets the win. Mass Effect is by the same guys that did Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire. I really don't need to say any more.
Yes, in the span of one month two games full guitar rock goodness will be released. That's over 140 songs for me to "pretend rock" to. That doesn't even include the albums that Rock Band will allow you to download. And a wireless guitar! Good grief I'm giddy.
Here's the rest of the bunch I'm looking forward to:
Mercenaries 2: I'm looking forward to being able to demolish everything and I mean everything.
Time Shift
Army of Two
Assassin's Creed
Kane & Lynch
Beautiful Katamari
Half-Life 2 Orange Box
Sunday Robert and I played a little Guitar Hero. After playing the rhythm guitar part of Free Bird on the hard difficulty session I wonder if I'm strengthening my wrists and fingers or am I destroying them. In five years am I going to have to replace my hands with prosthetics?
Saturday I went to see Anne's new place in Silverlake. It's a great little place. It also was so nice driving only a half hour to see my sister.
Also, while eating at Mallie's (?) with Anne and Ben we saw Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords fame. Unfortunately, Ben and Anne have not had the pleasure of seeing the show. Luckily, the lady sitting next to us had, and was extremely enthusiastic about seeing him. So it seems the ladies love Bret, and the guys like Jermaine.
Thursday was my last physical therapy session. Sigh. I've been trying to work a monthly massage now into my budget. But I still don't think it'd be the same without the therapist. Apparently, if I hurt something else I can go back. Hmm.
Monday some coworkers and I went to go see the Simpson's movie after work. Rather than give some long review about the movie, let me talk about something else: the overlaugher. Sitting right behind me was the overlaugher. I despise the overlaugher. In fact the overlaugher is in the upper echelon of people I despise. Are they scared to appear as if they don't get every joke? Do they want to make sure that everyone knows what the funny parts are? Why do they have to be the loudest person in the theater? I will hate a movie just out of spite because of the overlaugher. I hate you overlaugher. I hate you.
This Saturday marks the beginning of my second season as a Tottenham Hotspur supporter. I actually think Spurs have a chance to break into the top four this season. High hopes.
I wish I was as creative in real as I am in my dreams. Also, is everyone's dreams as excellently edited and have as great frame composition as mine? Technically, my dreams are top notch.
Conquest (There is a trailer but it is unfortunately NSFW)
Quote of the Night: "Speeeeeeeeeeeeed!"
There was also much rocking.
Early last week I picked up the game Overlord. I was becoming concerned that the consistent playing of Guitar Hero was going to ruing my wrists. I decided to pick up game played with your standard controller, so I could return to ruining my thumbs.
In Overlord you are a well...um...an Overlord. You have been brought to back to life by your minions. Your job is to eliminate the lords that have taken over your land. You do this with minions of course. The game is basically Pikmin except rather then direct little creatures to harvest and such you use minions to fight, gather, and even sacrifice for you. Basically they are willing and supposed to die for you. The problem is I become attached to some of them. There are red, green, blue and brown minions at your disposal. Red throw fire balls. Green are immune to poison and have slight stealth abilities. The blue heal and won't drown in water. The brown minions are your grunts that handle most of the man to man combat. The red, green, and blues I don't really care about. It's the brown minions that I've become attached to. They are the ones that have the personality. They have the habit of picking up anything they can get their hands on and wear it everything from a chef's hat, to a DoDo bird's head. So when my minion wearing the DoDo bird's head or the one wearing the red scarf die I feel a slight twinge of loss. The longer they survive the more attached I become to them. So much so that when they die I will go back to my last save point to try to get them through it alive. I even end up doing a lot of the flying so they won't die. What kind of Overlord is that? Aren't I supposed to be a heartless and cruel ruler? If one dies, I can easily summon two or three to replace it. Yet, I love those little bastards.
The game on whole is fun. Sending your little minions wiping out the country side can be a lot of fun. There is nice sense of dark humor to the game. It moves smoothly even with twenty-five minions running all over the place. Because you control your minions with the right joystick that leaves only the left joy stick to move the Overlord. That means the camera can get a little wonky sometimes leaving you looking in the wrong direction and easily flanked. Also, during the big battles it can get pretty chaotic directing your minions to where they need to go. Your minions can get stuck sometimes. Even with all those problems the game is still a fun diversion, and a nice change of pace.
For a wrap gift, the generous actors gave all the crew a gift certificate to Target. This left we with a debate on what to spend that gift certificate on. After much debating I gave in picked up Guitar Hero 2 for the 360. What led someone like me who isn't a fan of rhythm games pick up a rhythm game? Good question. The thing is this game starting with the first version for the PS2 had been touted as addicting as crack. Also, how can you turn down a game in which you simulate playing "Sweet Child O'Mine?" It's something that's difficult not to give in to.
There is a problem with me and this game and it's more than the fact that I suck at rhythm games. It's that this game makes me feel my age. That feeling seep through my hands. I just can't hit some notes because the fingers on my left hand are worthless. After trying to reach for that blue note on Cheap Trick's "Surrender" at the beginning of the chorus, my pinky finger starts locking up and not wanting to move. Being the stubborn man that I am, it doesn't stop me from trying. So, by the seventh time through the song my left hand is screaming for me to stop. What have Pete Townsend and Eddie Van Halen done to keep their fingers limber? How come it's taken till now to realize how worthless my pinky is? Why can't I stop playing this game? Why do I start humming the song to myself and play air video game guitar to see if I can remember the notes? Why do I think I'd actually be able to even come close to 50% on the coda of "Free Bird?" Why am I jealous an 8 year old? That I know the answer to. It's only one 8 year old, and it's because he can do this:
I don't think I ever had fingers that could pull that off.
Last night I went to the bottom of my closet and dusted off my old Playstation 2. You might be wondering why I would pull out that ancient artifact of video gaming and hook it up to my HDTV. What could my PS2 have at that moment that my 360 couldn't? In one word: Kratos. Yes, Kratos has returned in God of War 2 for the PS2. This is the final great game that we will probably see for this steady but now outdated video system. The original God of War is one of the greatest games to ever come out on the PS2, and this game of course is supposed to be better.
A side note: First, video games seem to be the only media where sequels can often be better than the original. Musicians often suffer the sophomore slump. Movie sequels almost always are worse. It is understandable though that video games beat this sophomore slump. With the groundwork already laid out in the original. Development time can be spent on enhancing the game elements and pushing the game further.
Last we left Kratos he had recently defeated Ares and replaced him as the God of War. Now, Kratos and his Spartans are destroying the cities of Greece left and right. This of course has the other Gods a little miffed. So, when Kratos goes to Rhodes to help wipe it out. Athena then turns him into a human, and Zeus tricks Kratos into giving up his powers to defeat a Colossus. Zeus then comes down and kicks Kratos' ass and sends him to Hades. Lucky for Kratos, Gaia. Gaia! Saves you and instructs you to go to the Island of Creation and gain the assistance of the Sisters of Fate to help you get payback on Zeus.
I've gotten as far as just arriving at the Island of Creation. So far the game matches up well against the original. There is still that grand scale of the game that always impresses. Watching you scale up a Colossus and slash his face is always a crowd pleaser. Kratos gets to fly Pegasus and battle Dark Riders on their gryphon. There's the nice sequences of kicking off the Dark Rider, slashing off the gryphon's wings, and jumping off only to be caught by Pegasus. There isn't a whole lot of improvement in the game compared to the original, but I'm not really surprised since the original already pushed the PS2 to its limits. Still this game is a must have, and a great way to say farewell to your PS2. That is till you get that itching for Katamari Damacy.
Below are God of War 2 screenshots. Because of the violent nature of the game, kitten censor has been applied.
A couple weeks ago I downloaded the demo for the video game Crackdown. Upon first playing it I was entertained and thought it would be a solid rental game once released. Funny thing happened though. I can't stop playing the damn demo.
importantly jump. Jumping is what this game is all about. Yes the game is a sandbox game in the style of GTA, but in this game you can go up once you increase your jumping ability enough. Soon you don't even bother with driving your car because the fun is jumping balcony to balcony, and rooftop to water tower. I soon found myself not concerning myself withThe premise is you are a rookie supercop in a crime ridden near future Pacific City. Your job is to rid the city of three different gangs. Being a rookie aren't very super at being a supercop. To increase your abilities orbs are placed throughout the city for you to collect. Collecting an orb increases your ability to shoot, fight, drive, swim, throw, run, and most the gang members, but figuring out how to get to the top of one building to the other. There really is nothing like jumping from one skyscraper to another while shooting bad guys while you fly through the air. The thrill is similar to the Hulk: Ultimate Destruction game.
Added bonuses I'm looking forward to in the final game released next week is more weapons, throwing cars around like rag dolls, and co-op online. I only wish the co-op was more than two players. Could you imagine a game where six or seven of your friends can run around a city being supercops? Yeah, I need to get out more often.
After a rough first half of the week capped with a highly frustrating Tuesday, I went to Best Buy to buy a movie. Frustrating days are often days where I end up making irrational purchases. The first thing I see as I walk in the door is four Playstation 3's sitting in front of a table along with various games and other accessories. I immediately asked the guy I'll call the "door regulator" if this was just a tease or if they actually had them in stock. He said that they had actually just gotten them in this morning. I spent the next hour walking around Best Buy contemplating my actually purchasing the device. I had the cash. I could buy one plus a game and an extra controller. It wasn't till my second time through the car stereo department that I determined it would be foolish. I picked up half of my originally intended purchase. Evidence of more self control. You will eventually be mine PS3. It's just not going to happen till you have two or three worthwhile exclusive games, and Resistance Fall of Man doesn't cut it right now.
Back in June 2004, Midway released a third person shooter where your character not only shoots the standard guns but has psionic powers that develop as the game goes on. You can throw people, crates, and propane tanks around. You can shoot fire from your hands. There's the nice mind control ability, and finally a vision to see through doors and walls.
Story wise it's a standard video game story where you are dropped into a group of evildoers with their own psionic powers. Their leader your formal general who helped you develop your powers. Of course you have to stop him, but you've been brain wiped and can't remember anything about your past. blah. blah. blah.
The fun had in this game was what came across at first as a gimmick: the psionic powers. The developers were smart enough to create each level like a personal playground where you can use your powers to destroy the enemy in numerous ways. Furnace doors are oddly left open so you can fling soldiers to barbecue. One level where you go through a factory with conveyor belts and flames and crushing machines seems designed to see how creatively destructive you can be. There are a ridiculous amount of propane tanks lying around to create exploding fire balls when needed. There's nothing like sending a soldier into a propane tank so that it explodes which send the flaming soldier off into a couple other soldiers. It's all about the mixing and matching your powers, guns, and the environment to your destructive tendencies. It even had great boss fights. Take the ripped off King Pin character that launches tanker trucks and semi trailers at you. It wasn't a perfect game with it's crappy camera, and appear out of nowhere enemies, but it was fun, and was a solid step in the right direction. So where's my damn sequel?
With a solid gameplay base to keep building upon, why stop at just one game? With this next generation think of all the possibilities with fully destructible environments. Think of the combos when applying the psionic powers to that fully destructible environment. How sweet would it be to send a car into a watch tower that causes the watchtower to collapse onto a tanker that explodes and destroys a wall you need to get through. You can then throw the broken pieces of the wall at soldiers, or toss soldiers that caught on fire into another car or truck with soldiers and blow that up. The combinations are endless. How could this not be a game that would be fun to develop? What are you thinking Midway? I should already be playing PSI-Ops 3 by now. Let's get on this.
For those who have a life, you might not be aware that a huge game was released Tuesday for the Xbox 360 called Gears of War. According to the hype machine this is the killer game that we have been waiting for. This is the game that fanboys would reference to prove how much better their system is. This is the game that represents true next gen video game. This is the game of 2007...apparently. Being easily persuaded by hype I thought I should probably get this game.
So, Tuesday night I went over to my local EB Games to "run in" and pick up the game. Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one suckered by the hype because to my dismay there was a pretty big line winding out of the store and past the Chipotle next door. Now I have waited in lines like this twice in my life. Both times it was for an actual video game system on launch day, but never for just a video game. Since I have no life (It's not like I have to drive to Long Beach. Ha! Have I mentioned it only takes me ten minutes max to get home? I never have to even get on the freeway. I actually go the long way to work sometimes just to laugh at those sitting in traffic on the freeway. This will never get old.) Anyway, I waited in line for 45 minutes to pick up the Gears of War game.
Let me just say you can learn a lot waiting in line with a bunch of nerds. For example, the guy who got in line behind me showed off his limited edition Gears of War T-shirt. Yes there were people in line who got a little green with envy at this kid. Now to get this T-shirt he went to see an early screening the movie, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning where he also got to play the game for about five minutes. He bragged very much that he got to play the game before everyone else. Think about that for minute. He had to sit through a Michael Bay produced prequel to a remake (also produced by Michael Bay) and all he got was a T-shirt and five to ten minutes with a video game. I don't know if the glee in broadcasting this is the really sad part, or those that were actually impressed in the really sad part. No, maybe it was me still waiting in line.
The rest of my wonderful time was spent listening to people bragging that they got a PS3 or Wii preorder, and about the Legendary Edition of Halo 3 coming out in late 2007 that actually comes with a Master Chief helmet. A Master Chief Helmet! Wheeeeeeeeee! When has the actual game not been enough that a toy helmet makes full grown men act like a kid that just found their uncle's stash of Playboys? Look, I actually waited in line so I admit I'm a nerd. I love playing video games. The problem is there are those that place a little too much value on video games. They are the ones that reinforce their place in the world by calling a competing console a bunch of dirty words like a ten year old who just learned to swear. They are the ones that camp out 12 days for a new console. They are the ones that believe a high Gamer's Score means something in the real world. They are the ones that give video games a bad name.
I eventually bought the game and rushed out of the store with my head hung low and not making eye contact. Once home I enjoyed a good hour and a half of shooting shit. How is the actual game? It's awesome. Is it revolutionary? No. It's basically a third person shooter with some really nice tweaks. I love that you don't jump in this game. Instead you climb over barriers and actually use cover during firefights. Have I mentioned how much I hate the jumping in Halo? It also looks absolutely incredible.
