Hey everyone, I too want to apologize for the 'blog drought' as it's been extremely hectic here in the city of Rochester for me. First came finals which were suddenly plagued by my tendon swelling up (R.S.I.) from too much typing, and lab work ( not to mention gaming :-p). Followed by graduation and all the numerous interviews, etc.. Suffice to say, I am now working days training at Highland Hospital as a Medical Technologist in their chemistry lab. And despite all this I have been keeping up on my gaming. Lately I have been playing Puzzle Quest, Crush, Warhawk, Home, and Crackdown. I will do a mini-review of some of these once I have time. I now have to return to learning more urinalysis. And trust me...being elbow deep in urine samples all day is the worst, and this aspect of the lab was said to take around 2 months....uggh.
Until then, keep gaming.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Sorry about the blog drought
I apologize for the lack of posts over the past few weeks. This is a bit of a transition period for myself as well as Matt. I am unemployed at the moment and have to deal with a dial-up Internet connection, lol. Matt just started working full time and he's still trying to adjust to a new schedule and such. Last but not least, after talking with Matt on the phone the other night, neither of us has really been playing anything lately.
My brother let me borrow his Gamecube a few weeks ago and the novelty of the gesture has just about worn off. I beat The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker a few weeks ago and the game surprisingly still looks impressive. There are a few nagging issues I still have with that game and I'm guessing those issues still exist in the Twilight Princess. I turned around and started playing with the Legend of Zelda collector's disc which people received after pre-ordering the Windwaker. The Ocarina of Time still plays well, but it shows how little Nintendo is willing to budge on the Zelda franchise. Ocarina of Time and the Windwaker came out about 5 years apart from each other, yet some old problems still rear their ugly heads. The characters do not speak (nor do they in Twilight Princess, which is pathetic). The majority of the boss encounters look great, but offer little to no challenge. The story is just a rehash of the previous games. If Nintendo wants to see this series evolve, they're going to have to take some more risks.
On a quick note, Manhunt 2 has been banned in certain territories and I could care less. The first game was rubbish and is the only game in my two decades of gaming I felt pushed things too far. Jamming nails into people's eyes (not actually in the game, but just an example of the level of violence) or suffocating people to death simply doesn't need to be in a game, period. I know you might think, "But Aaron, didn't you give God of War and God of War II rave reviews?" Yup, I did. Play those games and then play Manhunt. You'll understand the difference afterwards. Not only is God of War a far better franchise, but the tone and context of the violence of the game is far different.
note: Nintendo, Matt and I (and at least a million other gamers) will each buy a DS if you release software that teaches us Japanese. Get on that.
My brother let me borrow his Gamecube a few weeks ago and the novelty of the gesture has just about worn off. I beat The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker a few weeks ago and the game surprisingly still looks impressive. There are a few nagging issues I still have with that game and I'm guessing those issues still exist in the Twilight Princess. I turned around and started playing with the Legend of Zelda collector's disc which people received after pre-ordering the Windwaker. The Ocarina of Time still plays well, but it shows how little Nintendo is willing to budge on the Zelda franchise. Ocarina of Time and the Windwaker came out about 5 years apart from each other, yet some old problems still rear their ugly heads. The characters do not speak (nor do they in Twilight Princess, which is pathetic). The majority of the boss encounters look great, but offer little to no challenge. The story is just a rehash of the previous games. If Nintendo wants to see this series evolve, they're going to have to take some more risks.
On a quick note, Manhunt 2 has been banned in certain territories and I could care less. The first game was rubbish and is the only game in my two decades of gaming I felt pushed things too far. Jamming nails into people's eyes (not actually in the game, but just an example of the level of violence) or suffocating people to death simply doesn't need to be in a game, period. I know you might think, "But Aaron, didn't you give God of War and God of War II rave reviews?" Yup, I did. Play those games and then play Manhunt. You'll understand the difference afterwards. Not only is God of War a far better franchise, but the tone and context of the violence of the game is far different.
note: Nintendo, Matt and I (and at least a million other gamers) will each buy a DS if you release software that teaches us Japanese. Get on that.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Help Matt Decide
Now don't we all feel Matt should get an X-BOX 360 in addition to his PS3? I think he should. *hint, hint* No peer pressure, Matt. Nope, none at all, lol.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
RIP PS2
I never set beverages within any distance of my gaming systems. Never. I was listening to the Sabres and Rangers game when I got up to open the bedroom window a bit. I set down the Diet Dr. Pepper can on the same level as the PS2 while I had Tekken 5 on pause. I came back to the living room and was slightly distracted by a yell outside. I quickly turned, forgetting my position and banging my foot against the entertainment center. This particular entertainment center is very wobbly and the Diet Dr. Pepper can quickly emptied itself onto my running PS2. Sparks flew out of the machine and I quickly shut off the circuit breaker for the outlet.
"NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" *Darth Vader pose*
Thanks for the good times, PS2. At least we got to play God of War II together *sniffs*. Alright, alright. Enough with the nerdy shit. I'll close with a top 10 list of games that I've owned or played for PS2. This is not an all-encompassing list as I've obviously not played every one of the probably thousand or so PS2 games. Feel free to add your own.
1. God of War 2
2. God of War
3. Final Fantasy XII
4. Dragon Quest VIII
5. Devil May Cry
6. Final Fantasy X
7. SSX 3
8. Twisted Metal Black
9. Soul Calibur II
10. Black
note: Notice how many of these are sequels? Hmmm.
"NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" *Darth Vader pose*
Thanks for the good times, PS2. At least we got to play God of War II together *sniffs*. Alright, alright. Enough with the nerdy shit. I'll close with a top 10 list of games that I've owned or played for PS2. This is not an all-encompassing list as I've obviously not played every one of the probably thousand or so PS2 games. Feel free to add your own.
1. God of War 2
2. God of War
3. Final Fantasy XII
4. Dragon Quest VIII
5. Devil May Cry
6. Final Fantasy X
7. SSX 3
8. Twisted Metal Black
9. Soul Calibur II
10. Black
note: Notice how many of these are sequels? Hmmm.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
An updated take on God of War 2
God of War II is the best game for Playstation 2. The game absolutely pushes the Playstation 2 hardware to the max. After God of War, I seriously wondered just how much harder the system could be pushed. The art direction, lighting, animation, use of color, and art style makes most "next generation" games look like shit. This is what happens when you let great artists show their stuff. The soundtrack trumps the first effort and the sound effects match the action just as you would expect them too.
God of War II plays fantastic. From the title screen, the game almost never gives you a break. Here or there I did find myself scratching my head thanks to a puzzle, but 98% of time, you're fighting enemies, dodging projectiles, avoiding traps, and fighting what seems like an endless amount of mini bosses and bosses. To be honest, some of the mini bosses were even more challenging than the bosses themselves. All of the bosses so far have been incredibly well designed. They look fantastic and all offer a unique challenge with their own quick time events. Kratos gets a bunch of new moves and weapons including the ability to use his swords as a grappling hook. To be honest, after seeing how well this mechanic works, it really makes me want Konami to just copy the gameplay mechanic and take another shot at a 3D Castlevania. You use the swinging mechanic to close gaps, maneuver around bosses, and make your way through puzzles. I won't spoil it, but there's a great puzzle involving the swinging mechanic, swimming, slowing down time, and some pretty good reflexes on your part. You'll know it when you get to it.
God of War II makes use of an updated graphics engine, a modified combat engine, and a some enemies from the first game (though they do appear to look a little bit better). With that said, the game feels familiar, but new at the same time. It's hard to describe, but I think saying this is more of the same is a knock against the final product. God of War II makes me smile, even when it's kicking my ass or a vein's popping on my forehead thanks to a puzzle. If you have even a remote interest in Greek mythology or ancient history (if you've studied either, you know they're heavily intertwined), you'll get a kick out of the cast of characters. Do not watch any of the trailers or videos for God of War II if you haven't already. There's a reason why I've avoided revealing any of the cast or story in this review. I obviously won't give away the ending, but don't listen to the garbage some of the press have been spewing. The ending closes the story to God of War 2 and sets up what should be one hell of a third game on PS3.
There are a few nagging points to mention. The fixed camera is one of the best along with the original game and Ninja Gaiden, but it still provides a crippling angle from time to time. This is rare, but I thought I should mention it. The 'tight-rope-walking' of the first game (the underworld and Hades' challenge portion of Pandora's temple) is almost non-existent and will hopefully be eliminated completely in the third game. The tight-rope portions that are included are far less annoying than in the first game and make Kratos' feet 'sticky' so he's not as likely to fall off and have to pull himself up. That's really all I can think of and hopefully Matt will post his own review. There are a number of secrets to unlock in the game and there's a good deal of incentives to play through on the other difficulty levels and attempt the Challenge of the Gods.
God of War 2 is the best game on Playstation 2. It's the most intense 14-16 hours of gaming you can find on Sony's aging machine. The action is beautiful, sounds amazing, and leaves you breathless and hungry for more. Hats off to Corey and Co. for the extraordinary effort. I readily look forward to the third and final chapter in the series.
God of War II plays fantastic. From the title screen, the game almost never gives you a break. Here or there I did find myself scratching my head thanks to a puzzle, but 98% of time, you're fighting enemies, dodging projectiles, avoiding traps, and fighting what seems like an endless amount of mini bosses and bosses. To be honest, some of the mini bosses were even more challenging than the bosses themselves. All of the bosses so far have been incredibly well designed. They look fantastic and all offer a unique challenge with their own quick time events. Kratos gets a bunch of new moves and weapons including the ability to use his swords as a grappling hook. To be honest, after seeing how well this mechanic works, it really makes me want Konami to just copy the gameplay mechanic and take another shot at a 3D Castlevania. You use the swinging mechanic to close gaps, maneuver around bosses, and make your way through puzzles. I won't spoil it, but there's a great puzzle involving the swinging mechanic, swimming, slowing down time, and some pretty good reflexes on your part. You'll know it when you get to it.
God of War II makes use of an updated graphics engine, a modified combat engine, and a some enemies from the first game (though they do appear to look a little bit better). With that said, the game feels familiar, but new at the same time. It's hard to describe, but I think saying this is more of the same is a knock against the final product. God of War II makes me smile, even when it's kicking my ass or a vein's popping on my forehead thanks to a puzzle. If you have even a remote interest in Greek mythology or ancient history (if you've studied either, you know they're heavily intertwined), you'll get a kick out of the cast of characters. Do not watch any of the trailers or videos for God of War II if you haven't already. There's a reason why I've avoided revealing any of the cast or story in this review. I obviously won't give away the ending, but don't listen to the garbage some of the press have been spewing. The ending closes the story to God of War 2 and sets up what should be one hell of a third game on PS3.
There are a few nagging points to mention. The fixed camera is one of the best along with the original game and Ninja Gaiden, but it still provides a crippling angle from time to time. This is rare, but I thought I should mention it. The 'tight-rope-walking' of the first game (the underworld and Hades' challenge portion of Pandora's temple) is almost non-existent and will hopefully be eliminated completely in the third game. The tight-rope portions that are included are far less annoying than in the first game and make Kratos' feet 'sticky' so he's not as likely to fall off and have to pull himself up. That's really all I can think of and hopefully Matt will post his own review. There are a number of secrets to unlock in the game and there's a good deal of incentives to play through on the other difficulty levels and attempt the Challenge of the Gods.
God of War 2 is the best game on Playstation 2. It's the most intense 14-16 hours of gaming you can find on Sony's aging machine. The action is beautiful, sounds amazing, and leaves you breathless and hungry for more. Hats off to Corey and Co. for the extraordinary effort. I readily look forward to the third and final chapter in the series.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Finally...
Sorry for not posting this earlier this weekend, but it's been pretty hectic here with all the gaming, shows, and the whole 6 month anniversary thing. BUT I have a mini-review of the Ninja Gaiden Sigma demo.
First off, as soon as it loads up to the first level of the game you're instantly hit by the 'wow factor'. Team Ninja has seriously done a terrific job on this masterpiece. The controls are tight and pretty responsive. As it was my first foray into the Ninja Gaiden series on the newer consoles (I lacked an X-Box) I was very impressed by the game play. Gone was the typical button mashing action game, and what I saw was a game that pushed you to improve and learn how to truly play the game. Overall the action seemed to be in line with what Aaron had described to me about the original version. Graphically, WOW, that's all I can say. Sadly, I don't have a 1080p screen so I couldn't get the max potential, but in 720p and 60 fps this game was a beauty. I didn't notice any slowdown what so ever which was impressive. One of the more surprising things I found in the game was the use of the Six axis controller. Unlike most games played so far, the use of it isn't over used and cheesy. When using your Ninpo all you need to do is shake the controller to increase the power. Nothing awkward or over the top. The demo also has online rankings an additional unlockable difficulty level, and a mission for Rachel. Seeing screenshots of Rachel, I was worried that with her massive hammer/axe weapon that she was going to be a slow character. Man was I wrong, lol. She's just as responsive of Hayabusa. Her level also has online rankings too. Overall this has probably been the best demo I've ever played in terms of replay value. I've already caught myself playing it again and again to get a better score and faster time.
This game is going to be a MUST HAVE for any PS3 owner once it is released. Definitely a series I would like to see continued on both the PS3 and on the X-Box 360.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Oh man, Oh man...
Just wait till after my test tommorow to get the full low down on the Ninja Gaiden Sigma demo...
stupid classes interfering with my gaming, psssht
stupid classes interfering with my gaming, psssht
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Oh great, another one. Huzzah.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Combat... I know Matt is probably punching a wall somewhere...
If you have a look of disgust on your face, you're not alone.
If you have a look of disgust on your face, you're not alone.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
PS2 Gamer
If some of you are on the fence about jumping into the "next generation" of gaming, I don't blame you. The 1UP Yours podcast yesterday really put a lot of things into perspective from a financial point of view. Simply put, many gamers, both hardcore and casual, are simply not ready to make the jump to the next set of consoles. At the moment, I cannot even begin to fathom spending $400 - $600 on a game console. Luckily, good games are still coming out for PS2 and there are a large number of past titles to catch up on.
As for those of you who simply owned an X-BOX or Gamecube... I guess catch up on the classics.
As for those of you who simply owned an X-BOX or Gamecube... I guess catch up on the classics.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Why does this guy get air time?
A quotation (from me), that honestly, most rational people on Monday afternoon probably also made...
"The guy who committed the shooting at VA Tech was not a functional member of society. He obviously lost his mind, felt disgruntled with the world, and decided to take the lives of others in retribution. He felt it was right to rob others of their lives for his own selfish self-fulfillment. I don't know the guy, but I'll be damned if I'm wrong on this."
Gosh. Check any news site today and guess what? All of you rational people are right. Wow! Believe it or not, the millions of people who have played violent video games, watched violent movies, listened to aggressive music, or whatever other scapegoat medium you want to choose (remember how no one apologized for the attack on the comic industry years ago?) continue to enjoy their lives in a legal and moral manner.
Hey JT, Sierra published Counter Strike, not MS. For someone with a law degree, you sure don't know how to conduct your research properly. Or did God come to you in a dream and tell you to slander millions of people for your own selfish gain? Hey JT, how about you try playing Counter Strike for a while. You might actually have fun! You obviously don't know how that game works, so let me explain!
People get together online to form a game for fun. You jump onto a server and enter your map of choice. You then purchase weapons and equipment to use in the upcoming round. One team plays the the terrorists (read: "plays", I know you have trouble with this, but this is make believe JT) and the other group plays the counter terrorists. Sometimes the counter terrorists need to defuse bombs, other times rescue hostages, and other times it's simply the objective to eliminate the other team. Again, the human-like figures are composed of thousands of triangles called polygons. These polygons form rational shapes thanks to the work of dedicated programmers and game designers. Getting back to the game, you play until you've won the round and that's it. It's kind of like a more adult version of dodge ball, except in a virtual space with virtual violence against virtual players. Virtual = not real. A four year old could tell you that.
No game on the market has (or ever will) reproduce the recoil of a real gun or explosive device. No game has, or ever will, lower your heart rate so you can kill REAL targets. No game will ever desensitize someone from the act of robbing another REAL human being of his or her life. Lastly, no game ever instructs or makes you commit crimes in REAL life. People are responsible for their own actions and abiding by the laws and morals of society. You sit there and call people like me, Matt, and millions of game fans degenerates. Yes, surely we are degenerates (sarcasm there JT, in case you didn't notice). We mourn and still mourn for the VA Tech students and staff. We love our families, our friends, and our significant others. We respect our fellow human beings. We play games for entertainment and entertainment only. The thousands of people involved with the production of these games and systems are also great human beings.
People who commit acts of violence have decided to break that sacred contract between human beings. That decision is solely a conflict of the individual. We are all capable of great good and terrible evil. It is up to the individual, and only the individual, to do good.
I thought you would've known this JT, especially if you actually read the book you thump so readily. Shalom.
"The guy who committed the shooting at VA Tech was not a functional member of society. He obviously lost his mind, felt disgruntled with the world, and decided to take the lives of others in retribution. He felt it was right to rob others of their lives for his own selfish self-fulfillment. I don't know the guy, but I'll be damned if I'm wrong on this."
Gosh. Check any news site today and guess what? All of you rational people are right. Wow! Believe it or not, the millions of people who have played violent video games, watched violent movies, listened to aggressive music, or whatever other scapegoat medium you want to choose (remember how no one apologized for the attack on the comic industry years ago?) continue to enjoy their lives in a legal and moral manner.
Hey JT, Sierra published Counter Strike, not MS. For someone with a law degree, you sure don't know how to conduct your research properly. Or did God come to you in a dream and tell you to slander millions of people for your own selfish gain? Hey JT, how about you try playing Counter Strike for a while. You might actually have fun! You obviously don't know how that game works, so let me explain!
People get together online to form a game for fun. You jump onto a server and enter your map of choice. You then purchase weapons and equipment to use in the upcoming round. One team plays the the terrorists (read: "plays", I know you have trouble with this, but this is make believe JT) and the other group plays the counter terrorists. Sometimes the counter terrorists need to defuse bombs, other times rescue hostages, and other times it's simply the objective to eliminate the other team. Again, the human-like figures are composed of thousands of triangles called polygons. These polygons form rational shapes thanks to the work of dedicated programmers and game designers. Getting back to the game, you play until you've won the round and that's it. It's kind of like a more adult version of dodge ball, except in a virtual space with virtual violence against virtual players. Virtual = not real. A four year old could tell you that.
No game on the market has (or ever will) reproduce the recoil of a real gun or explosive device. No game has, or ever will, lower your heart rate so you can kill REAL targets. No game will ever desensitize someone from the act of robbing another REAL human being of his or her life. Lastly, no game ever instructs or makes you commit crimes in REAL life. People are responsible for their own actions and abiding by the laws and morals of society. You sit there and call people like me, Matt, and millions of game fans degenerates. Yes, surely we are degenerates (sarcasm there JT, in case you didn't notice). We mourn and still mourn for the VA Tech students and staff. We love our families, our friends, and our significant others. We respect our fellow human beings. We play games for entertainment and entertainment only. The thousands of people involved with the production of these games and systems are also great human beings.
People who commit acts of violence have decided to break that sacred contract between human beings. That decision is solely a conflict of the individual. We are all capable of great good and terrible evil. It is up to the individual, and only the individual, to do good.
I thought you would've known this JT, especially if you actually read the book you thump so readily. Shalom.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Did I miss something?
Wait....you mean to tell me that the Nazi's actually LOST WWII?! Woah thats news to me!
Seriously, how many WWII games are there going to be? At this point in time it feels like we're on "Call of Duty 32: Return of the Reich". Its like the genre that just won't end. Sure at first I'll admit I liked some of the WWII games. I remember playing Battlefield 1942 for hours at end, and the first Call of Duty was incredible. Call me a game snob, but I'm kinda sick of playing the same story again and again. Killing Nazi's gets stale pretty damn fast, especially when you make your 15th landing of Normandy beach.
The war genre needs to find some other cool stuff, like Incan dominance, the Mayans, the U.S. Civil War, French Revolution, hell...even the Boxer Rebellion or Sino-Japanese War. Just give us gamers some fresh new gaming, and not the same old shit we've been playing for the past 10 years.
An American Tragedy
As many of you have probably heard, there was a shooting at Virginia Tech. As of right now there are ~32 deaths, hopefully this number stays where it is. We all send our sympathies.
But as usual, the asshole we all love to hate, Attorney Jack Thompson is now using this to forward his own agenda. He went on Fox News this afternoon to claim that there was a link between the killings and video games. This man is a spineless slug who will use anything he can to make a name for himself. I really wish the media would stop giving this man the opportunity to slander the gaming industry with unfounded claims.
F*ck you Jack Thompson, f*ck you!
Friday, April 13, 2007
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
You can find a short interview at 1UP on this very topic. We've been waiting FOREVER for Capcom to finally move to high resolution sprites. Completely re-drawn art in HD up to 1080P with online play? I will buy an arcade stick just to thrash punks online. Sign me up.
People, please buy this so we actually see a Street Fighter IV, lol.
Street Fighter FTW
People, please buy this so we actually see a Street Fighter IV, lol.
Street Fighter FTW
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
A few choice morsels...
In no particular order...
Ilo HDTV = shit?
I'll admit it. Tonight I looked at the price tag of the Ilo 32" wide screen LCD HDTV at Walmart, about $600, and I started drooling. I started having visions of high definition gaming and watching 300 in glorious HD. Thankfully, I took the time to think back to when I was a slave for Walmart this past summer. Just about every week, there was a new Ilo brand television sitting in the defective pile. I took the time to hit up a few message boards and did a little digging on the brand. It seems as though Ilo, like many other off-brands, is notorious for defective products. None of us like to come to the revelation I'm about to make.
When it comes to HDTV, you get what you pay for. If you want quality, start saving. Given my living arrangement (and what I'll probably have in the next 2 years), I'll be shooting for the 26" - 32" HDTV range.
Devil May Cry 4 Coverage in May Issue of PSM
The new issue of PSM has a rather lengthly feature on the new Devil May Cry. I haven't finished reading it yet, but it looks like action gamers on PS3 should be very happy.
God of War 2... Ninja Gaiden Sigma... Heavenly Sword... Grand Theft Auto 4... Devil May Cry 4...
God, I need a towel.
Note: Aaron's favorite video game genre is action, could you tell?
Sony Kicks the 20 GB Playstion 3 Model to the Curb
Just about every gaming site known to man is reporting on this today. GameTrailers was the first place I stumbled onto the story, but you can find it pretty much everywhere else. My hope is that the 60 GB version drops to $500 before the holiday rush starts.
In response, MS announced the X-BOX 360 MASTER. In what we can only assume is a reference to Halo's beloved Master Chief, the new system will become the only SKU for the X-BOX 360. The Elite was actually a poor April Fool's joke and MS representatives apologized for the smokescreen maneuver. Hey, everyone makes a mistake, right? The X-BOX 360 MASTER will include:
- HD-DVD and HD-DVD ROM for high resolution movies and games, respectively, the new drive is just as quiet as the PS3 Blu-Ray drive
- new cooling system which eliminates the previous heat and noise issues
- HDMI 1.3 port
- HDMI cord
- combo AV/ HD cables
- 1 wireless X-BOX 360 controller w/ USB charge cable
- support for 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p displays
- free online gaming
- X-BOX Live Headset
- 60 GB HDD w/ support for external USB HDD expansion
The X-BOX 360 MASTER will retail for... Keep dreaming guys. I hope you caught onto my sarcasm earlier. I still can't tell whether MS feels regret for their multiple SKU strategy or not, but I'm leaning more on the side of "Screw you, consumers." *sigh* At least you guys have some cool games to look forward to for all your accessory purchase woes.
Hear me right now Sony, MS, and Nintendo. Next time, you give us 1 SKU for each one of your pretty little systems. You make online gaming a priority and you keep it free. You give us better graphics because graphics DO MATTER. Nintendo, if you don't want to play by those rules, Matt, myself, and millions of gamers know you could make a lot of money making 16 player, high definition Mario Kart next time around (you know, just as an example). In fact, I would applaud you for making such a decision. I'm sure Sony and MS would even give you a discounted royalty fee (not to mention drop money in your lap for exclusivity) were you to make this decision and make us game fans happy. It's okay, you could still dominate the hand held market where you know what you're doing, right?
Phew, that was a long rant. I'm sorry.
Gamers and the Gym
Okay, so this is my cheesy public service announcement. I am 6'3", 235 pounds, with a waistline of 45 inches. I doubt I could jog a mile without feeling like passing out. My arms that were once approaching 16" are now down to 13.5". My abdominal muscles are no where close to being visible. It's still chilly here in Buffalo, but the warm weather is coming. As a graduating college senior, life is busy right now and I know many of you are busy too. Do yourself a favor and make an effort to go jog, run, play sports, swim, or work out in the gym. You'll enjoy your summer months that much more if you're in shape and feeling good. I'll update you on my progress every month (yes Matt, I'll stick to this, lol). That is all.
Ilo HDTV = shit?
I'll admit it. Tonight I looked at the price tag of the Ilo 32" wide screen LCD HDTV at Walmart, about $600, and I started drooling. I started having visions of high definition gaming and watching 300 in glorious HD. Thankfully, I took the time to think back to when I was a slave for Walmart this past summer. Just about every week, there was a new Ilo brand television sitting in the defective pile. I took the time to hit up a few message boards and did a little digging on the brand. It seems as though Ilo, like many other off-brands, is notorious for defective products. None of us like to come to the revelation I'm about to make.
When it comes to HDTV, you get what you pay for. If you want quality, start saving. Given my living arrangement (and what I'll probably have in the next 2 years), I'll be shooting for the 26" - 32" HDTV range.
Devil May Cry 4 Coverage in May Issue of PSM
The new issue of PSM has a rather lengthly feature on the new Devil May Cry. I haven't finished reading it yet, but it looks like action gamers on PS3 should be very happy.
God of War 2... Ninja Gaiden Sigma... Heavenly Sword... Grand Theft Auto 4... Devil May Cry 4...
God, I need a towel.
Note: Aaron's favorite video game genre is action, could you tell?
Sony Kicks the 20 GB Playstion 3 Model to the Curb
Just about every gaming site known to man is reporting on this today. GameTrailers was the first place I stumbled onto the story, but you can find it pretty much everywhere else. My hope is that the 60 GB version drops to $500 before the holiday rush starts.
In response, MS announced the X-BOX 360 MASTER. In what we can only assume is a reference to Halo's beloved Master Chief, the new system will become the only SKU for the X-BOX 360. The Elite was actually a poor April Fool's joke and MS representatives apologized for the smokescreen maneuver. Hey, everyone makes a mistake, right? The X-BOX 360 MASTER will include:
- HD-DVD and HD-DVD ROM for high resolution movies and games, respectively, the new drive is just as quiet as the PS3 Blu-Ray drive
- new cooling system which eliminates the previous heat and noise issues
- HDMI 1.3 port
- HDMI cord
- combo AV/ HD cables
- 1 wireless X-BOX 360 controller w/ USB charge cable
- support for 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p displays
- free online gaming
- X-BOX Live Headset
- 60 GB HDD w/ support for external USB HDD expansion
The X-BOX 360 MASTER will retail for... Keep dreaming guys. I hope you caught onto my sarcasm earlier. I still can't tell whether MS feels regret for their multiple SKU strategy or not, but I'm leaning more on the side of "Screw you, consumers." *sigh* At least you guys have some cool games to look forward to for all your accessory purchase woes.
Hear me right now Sony, MS, and Nintendo. Next time, you give us 1 SKU for each one of your pretty little systems. You make online gaming a priority and you keep it free. You give us better graphics because graphics DO MATTER. Nintendo, if you don't want to play by those rules, Matt, myself, and millions of gamers know you could make a lot of money making 16 player, high definition Mario Kart next time around (you know, just as an example). In fact, I would applaud you for making such a decision. I'm sure Sony and MS would even give you a discounted royalty fee (not to mention drop money in your lap for exclusivity) were you to make this decision and make us game fans happy. It's okay, you could still dominate the hand held market where you know what you're doing, right?
Phew, that was a long rant. I'm sorry.
Gamers and the Gym
Okay, so this is my cheesy public service announcement. I am 6'3", 235 pounds, with a waistline of 45 inches. I doubt I could jog a mile without feeling like passing out. My arms that were once approaching 16" are now down to 13.5". My abdominal muscles are no where close to being visible. It's still chilly here in Buffalo, but the warm weather is coming. As a graduating college senior, life is busy right now and I know many of you are busy too. Do yourself a favor and make an effort to go jog, run, play sports, swim, or work out in the gym. You'll enjoy your summer months that much more if you're in shape and feeling good. I'll update you on my progress every month (yes Matt, I'll stick to this, lol). That is all.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
What I giveth, I can taketh away
I removed my previous post after reading it over a few times today. There just seemed to be an obnoxious tone there and a little too much in the way of speculation. I realize speculation plays a role in our choice of consoles, but more than ever, publishers are simply not being as forthcoming with information as they were even 2 years ago. In speaking with Matt earlier today, I called myself "Flip-Flop." I was referring to how one minute I lean towards the purchase of a 360 and the next minute I lean towards the PS3. Realistically, both of these next gen systems are out of my financial grasp right now.
So what if money was not an object? Is it an object? Is the price advantage of the X-BOX 360 really valid? Hmmm.
Let's say the following controls are in place for our test subject gamer. I'll try to keep things reasonable.
1. Game fan owns a bedroom size HDTV capable of 720p and 1080i
2. Game fan has a broadband internet connection available for online play and would rather keep things wireless
3. Game fan buys 5-7 games a year (this seems to be the average I keep coming across)
4. Game fan owns a Bluetooth headset already for his/ her cell phone
Each next generation gaming option should include HD cables, HD movie playback, wireless internet access, a voice chat device, a HDD, 1 controller, 1 game, internet gaming service, and the ability to charge wireless controllers.
So what if money was not an object? Is it an object? Is the price advantage of the X-BOX 360 really valid? Hmmm.
Let's say the following controls are in place for our test subject gamer. I'll try to keep things reasonable.
1. Game fan owns a bedroom size HDTV capable of 720p and 1080i
2. Game fan has a broadband internet connection available for online play and would rather keep things wireless
3. Game fan buys 5-7 games a year (this seems to be the average I keep coming across)
4. Game fan owns a Bluetooth headset already for his/ her cell phone
Each next generation gaming option should include HD cables, HD movie playback, wireless internet access, a voice chat device, a HDD, 1 controller, 1 game, internet gaming service, and the ability to charge wireless controllers.
X-BOX 360 Premium Option
X-BOX 360 Premium $400
X-BOX 360 HD-DVD Player $200
X-BOX 360 Wireless Internet Adapter $100
X-BOX 360 game $60
X-BOX Live 12 Month Gold $50
Wireless Controller Play and Charge Kit $20
Total: $830 plus tax
X-BOX 360 Elite Option
X-BOX 360 Elite $480
X-BOX 360 HD-DVD Player $200
X-BOX 360 Wireless Internet Adapter $100
X-BOX 360 game $60
X-BOX Live 12 Month Gold $50
Wireless Controller Play and Charge Kit $20
Total: $900 plus tax
Playstation 3 60GB
Playstation 3 60GB $600
Playstation 3 game $60
Playstation 3 HD cables $25
Total: $685 plus tax
Even if you subtracted the $200 cost of the HD-DVD player from the Premium setup above, it would only cost our test subject less than the price of one game to have Blu-Ray in the PS3 option ($55). The 360 would set back our poor game fan $370 in accessories just to match the Playstation 3 option (Matt, check my math please). It stinks that PS3 owners are not given a HD cable right out of the box, but $25 in accessories is a far cry from $370. If you do not own a bluetooth headset, that will set you back about $50 (just a guess, mine came with my phone), but again, you're still talking minimal accessory purchase here. Online play on the PS3 is free and you need to remember 5 years of Live play will set you back $250 (4 games).
I loved my X-BOX, but I want my game console to come in one package, not piece meal. Some absolutely awesome pieces of software are coming for the 360, but I will not be picking up this system first. Maybe the price is worth it to you, but for my part, the value right now is with the Playstation 3. I will have to pick up a 360 later down the road.
Matt, what's up with the cheesy grin on your face?
These are dark days indeed...
Peace.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Steaming Pile of Poo...
Thats one way to describe Armored Core 4 for the PS3, well at least the demo. Granted the dem ocarries the warning "This demo is from early versions of the game...blah blah blah" but I dont see how they could actually improve this without making a new game.
The first thing I notice is how everything seems too dark, and too blue (ever hear of color balance?) and even playing this thing in 720p doesnt save it. Models look kinda blurry and blocky, the controls are absolutely horrid and finally its just not fun. Granted I'm not exactly into the whole Mech thing, but there are good Mech games like FrontMission, some of the old Gundams, but this isn't one of them.
This isn't saying that you guys won't like it, its just giving you a warning that you are about to play absolute crap. Waste of 950MB on my HDD, time to delete...
Too Watered Down?
Being extremely young when I had my first Atari 2600, and then progressing to later systems such as my NES, Gameboy, Gamegear, etc.. I can recount the numerous times I died and had to restart. One old example was in Batman for the NES, that one level with the electric power platforms you had to scale by jumping back and forth, and then the toxic chemical level. Oh the hours wasted on just that game. Then later, games like MGS1 and Tomb Raider had sections that made me want to rip out my hair and throw the controller halfway across the room.
What has happened to games with extremely difficult parts that seriously challenged the gamer? Sure there are games like God of War 1 + 2 and Ninja Gaiden that bring back memories filled with agony, but on the whole, it seems games have become slighty "dumbed down" in a sense. Not that games have poor stories, etc... but that games are being aimed more towards the casual gamer. I understand that gaming is a business and companies want gamers of all types to purchase their games, but when is easy too easy? For example read gamespot's review of God of War 2. In it, Alex Navarro complains that GoW2 becomes prone to button mashing, but only on the lower two difficulty levels. Well if you want more of a challenge, increase the difficulty, they made Spartan and Titan mode for a reason. Even with Ninja Gaiden, people complained that it was too difficult (I have yet to play this as I never owned an Xbox, but am looking forward to Sigma) as I have been told by Aaron.
Games with few checkpoints and save points are becoming scarcer and scarcer, almost a dying breed. I hope more developers will continue to make challenging games for us seasoned vets. I mean whats the point of beating a boss, if its only taken one attempt to beat him, lol. Personally, I would rather struggle and then finally defeat a difficult enemy so I can actually feel as though I accomplished something.
Have an opinion on this? Leave us some comments, we are interested in what you have to say.
What has happened to games with extremely difficult parts that seriously challenged the gamer? Sure there are games like God of War 1 + 2 and Ninja Gaiden that bring back memories filled with agony, but on the whole, it seems games have become slighty "dumbed down" in a sense. Not that games have poor stories, etc... but that games are being aimed more towards the casual gamer. I understand that gaming is a business and companies want gamers of all types to purchase their games, but when is easy too easy? For example read gamespot's review of God of War 2. In it, Alex Navarro complains that GoW2 becomes prone to button mashing, but only on the lower two difficulty levels. Well if you want more of a challenge, increase the difficulty, they made Spartan and Titan mode for a reason. Even with Ninja Gaiden, people complained that it was too difficult (I have yet to play this as I never owned an Xbox, but am looking forward to Sigma) as I have been told by Aaron.
Games with few checkpoints and save points are becoming scarcer and scarcer, almost a dying breed. I hope more developers will continue to make challenging games for us seasoned vets. I mean whats the point of beating a boss, if its only taken one attempt to beat him, lol. Personally, I would rather struggle and then finally defeat a difficult enemy so I can actually feel as though I accomplished something.
Have an opinion on this? Leave us some comments, we are interested in what you have to say.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
State of the Union Address for 2007
Gaming is a hobby. Video games are not meant to be a way of life. Matt and I are both video gaming enthusiasts, but we have lives outside that sweet digital entertainment bubble. Much like the cinema or theater, video games are vicarious entertainment experiences. Games allow us, as gamers, to do and experience things we never could in real life. Gaming is a healthy, fun, and more recently, social experience for people of all ages.
In America, the Entertainment Software Rating Board, or ESRB, provides consumers with an easily understood system of ratings much like the movie industry. Obviously, the ESRB, much like ourselves, would not recommend a game like God of War or Grand Theft Auto III to a child. It is up to parents to supervise their children and decide what digital entertainment they feel is appropriate for them. Unfortunately, some of our fellow Americans fail to recognize video games are no longer "toys" meant exclusively for children. The Atari and Nintendo generations have grown up and come to expect games with a variety of themes and game play experiences to suit their own interests. If you are a parent and are concerned about the appropriateness of a title for you child, consult the rating. Should you still have questions, we suggest you contact the ESRB, consult game reviews, and if you are still on the fence, go ahead and give the game a rental. Rational Gamer applauds your proactive interest in your child's development and we wish all parents were as responsible as you.
Today, gamers have a choice between playing games on their computers, three new consoles, three older consoles, and two portable game consoles. Support for the Microsoft X-BOX and the Nintendo Gamecube have all but ceased with the close of the year 2006. God of War 2, released this past March, is largely considered to be the last big title for the Sony Playstation 2. While the annual sports, military, licensed property, and racing titles should continue to see life on the PS2, do not expect to see blockbuster titles for the aging system. Tomb Raider Anniversary appears to be the last large title for the PS2 and is slated for release at the end of May 2007.
Unless Matt and I (and any future staff) are bestowed with great personal fortune, do not expect us to cover much in the way of PC gaming. Gaming with the personal computer is extremely expensive and the genres available to the PC platform tend to be very limited in scope. We do not discourage PC gaming at Rational Gamer, but our discussions will primarily revolve around the home and portable gaming consoles.
As Matt already stated in his first post, we highly discourage fanboyism ( i.e. - the video game equivalent of Sophism) here at Rational Gamer. We will no doubt discuss this phenomenon at a later date, but the near zealot attitude towards Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo is absolutely absurd. Each of these companies exists for the sake of producing distinct video gaming experiences for profit. The technology of gaming may have changed drastically since the days of Super Mario Bros., but the goals of entertaining and turning a profit have not. These companies owe consumers quality hardware and software free of defects and to uphold their respective warranties should problems arise. These companies' obligations do not extend beyond these promises at the most basic legal level.
Matt and I understand the fundamental business realities behind the video game industry. We feel most adult (18+ years) gamers also understand the realities of the industry behind our beloved hobby. Neither of us hold any kind of allegiance with one hardware manufacturer. This is not to say we do not have our own personal favorites, but we appreciate good games when we see them regardless of the platform. We are not journalists. We are two game fans who are passionate about our hobby and enjoy discussing (sometimes sparring) over the latest games and gaming news.
We hope you enjoy our witty (and sometimes vulgar) banter on the latest gaming developments and trends. We don't claim to be gaming gods, but we like to think we're reasonable and so are you.
Happy gaming.
- Aaron
In America, the Entertainment Software Rating Board, or ESRB, provides consumers with an easily understood system of ratings much like the movie industry. Obviously, the ESRB, much like ourselves, would not recommend a game like God of War or Grand Theft Auto III to a child. It is up to parents to supervise their children and decide what digital entertainment they feel is appropriate for them. Unfortunately, some of our fellow Americans fail to recognize video games are no longer "toys" meant exclusively for children. The Atari and Nintendo generations have grown up and come to expect games with a variety of themes and game play experiences to suit their own interests. If you are a parent and are concerned about the appropriateness of a title for you child, consult the rating. Should you still have questions, we suggest you contact the ESRB, consult game reviews, and if you are still on the fence, go ahead and give the game a rental. Rational Gamer applauds your proactive interest in your child's development and we wish all parents were as responsible as you.
Today, gamers have a choice between playing games on their computers, three new consoles, three older consoles, and two portable game consoles. Support for the Microsoft X-BOX and the Nintendo Gamecube have all but ceased with the close of the year 2006. God of War 2, released this past March, is largely considered to be the last big title for the Sony Playstation 2. While the annual sports, military, licensed property, and racing titles should continue to see life on the PS2, do not expect to see blockbuster titles for the aging system. Tomb Raider Anniversary appears to be the last large title for the PS2 and is slated for release at the end of May 2007.
Unless Matt and I (and any future staff) are bestowed with great personal fortune, do not expect us to cover much in the way of PC gaming. Gaming with the personal computer is extremely expensive and the genres available to the PC platform tend to be very limited in scope. We do not discourage PC gaming at Rational Gamer, but our discussions will primarily revolve around the home and portable gaming consoles.
As Matt already stated in his first post, we highly discourage fanboyism ( i.e. - the video game equivalent of Sophism) here at Rational Gamer. We will no doubt discuss this phenomenon at a later date, but the near zealot attitude towards Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo is absolutely absurd. Each of these companies exists for the sake of producing distinct video gaming experiences for profit. The technology of gaming may have changed drastically since the days of Super Mario Bros., but the goals of entertaining and turning a profit have not. These companies owe consumers quality hardware and software free of defects and to uphold their respective warranties should problems arise. These companies' obligations do not extend beyond these promises at the most basic legal level.
Matt and I understand the fundamental business realities behind the video game industry. We feel most adult (18+ years) gamers also understand the realities of the industry behind our beloved hobby. Neither of us hold any kind of allegiance with one hardware manufacturer. This is not to say we do not have our own personal favorites, but we appreciate good games when we see them regardless of the platform. We are not journalists. We are two game fans who are passionate about our hobby and enjoy discussing (sometimes sparring) over the latest games and gaming news.
We hope you enjoy our witty (and sometimes vulgar) banter on the latest gaming developments and trends. We don't claim to be gaming gods, but we like to think we're reasonable and so are you.
Happy gaming.
- Aaron
First Post EVER
Wow, so Aaron and I are finally joining the blogger community. Our mission is to provide relevant commentary on breaking news in the gaming world. We hate fanboys and you should too, not only do they make boneheaded comments but they often mislead casual gamers. Besides our commentary we will try to include game reviews and opinion articles. Heres to the start of some crazy times.
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