Monthly Archive for June, 2008

Mass Effect (PC)

June 30, 2008, 3:03 pm, RPG

SO a few days ago I picked up Mass Effect for the PC. I’ve always hear people talk about how good this game is but now I know. Its one of the best Scifi WRPG experiences that I’ve had in a long while. The game starts out with your character named “Shepard” as a typical FPS shooter scenario, get a mission, shoot up some stuff. But soon after you are quickly propelled into a very entertaining story about sentient machines trying to take over the known universe.

Though it tries to be a FPS-like game, the precision in the combat just isn’t there. So its not exactly a twitch fest, its more like a point and click type of combat style. It manages to bring strategy into play by allowing you and your AI buddies a lot of options like a very decent cover system, grenades and Bioptic/Psy type of powers that can disable and damage opponents or give temporary buffs. it also gives you a chance to improve damage through zooming in on enemies.

The weaker part of the game I believe is the world travel/exploration. There are side quests that send you to different worlds but those worlds look like it was made in a Bryce3D terrain generator. The layout is often peaky terrain with a new skin and no foliage or detail and always in a Star Trek shuttle styled buggy with a turret. Worlds that are crucial to the story are often better designed but you spend most of your time inside buildings and structures anyway.

Graphics are very finely tuned. Raising the texture level does very little. As this was an Xbox 360 game originally, I doubt that they could have raised the texture level much higher anyway. Though it does bring a slightly better sharpness to most objects and characters. The game has sort of a mix of scifi styles and all of it is pretty gorgeous.

I reccommend this game to anyone even remotely interested in RPGs or Scifi entertainment. They will not be disappointed.

Castlevania Repeat…again

June 25, 2008, 9:07 pm, Games and Nintendo DS

IF anyone doesn’t know by now, there are some new Castlevania videos floating around the web from France. Well…let’s just say that its more of the same. Its named Castlevania : Order Of Ecclesia if you didn’t know. If you like more of the same then this is your game. For everyone else, you pretty much played it 3 times already.

Effort? (Blog Pains)

June 24, 2008, 4:51 pm, Miscellaneous

Ok, so I keep saying that I will one day keep this thing up to date. I even went through the pain of merging 3 of my blogs to keep attention on one area. Well, despite my abilities I still neglect to update. But now that is over. I will force myself to post atleast once a day for sure.

Multiple Games…the flying of time

June 9, 2008, 6:37 pm, FPS, Games, PC and Wii

Well, its been a while since my last post. But I’ve been somewhat preoccupied. Though, now I should be able to post more often. Especially about the recent games I’ve been playing. Let’s Start off with the most recent:

Crysis (PC)

Crysis is this marvel and mystery of a game. Non PC gamers see it as a complete failure. EA’s PR department trumpets the same tune. But despite the extra resources needed to play this game, and the doom speak of piracy, the game did sell well and has a sequel called “Warhead” coming in Fall 2008.

Crysis is this sandbox like FPS shooter that gives you missions and sends you into the fight. The thing is,Your constant voice through the first game, they won’t tell you how to defeat the mission or hold your hand despite them having a marker on the map that shows you where to go. Its up to you to use the tools at your disposal to get to the next point. I shouldn’t have to tell you that this game is amazingly beautiful. Your character, or “Nomad” which he is called is eventually forced to take out everything from common Korean troops to aliens.

There are some issues with this game like relentless AI for example, the Helicopters will become the bane of your existence. Vehicle combat is a little weird and weak as well and often times leaves you high and dry with frequent game restarts after you’ve died a ton of times. Then you decide to ditch the vehicle and win that way. (Unless its a dog fight in the air. Oh yes, dog fight. ) Above all, this game deserves all the praise that it has earned at various review outlets. And even if your old PC can’t run it, a current PC most definitely can. (I paid $700 for mine and runs this on all max settings pretty fine.)

Sins Of A Solar Empire (PC)

This is another completely out-of-left-field game. The game is a 4X game created by a small developer called IronClad and published by Stardock. (Yes, that company that makes Windowsblinds.) Anyway, the game is pretty a pretty Epic RTS/4X game and allows you to take over entire galaxies (with an “s”). Each galaxy can span from 14 to 20 planets and objects. Not multiply that times 3 on a bigger map and the game easily eats away your free time like acid.

The graphics are very decent and balanced and the interface to manage all of that conquest is also epic, allowing multiple zooms all the way up to god level in order to let you see it all. The combat itself is pretty straightforward and long. Which is not always a bad thing because it allows you to manage all of those planets and impending pirate raids that can seriously hurt if you don’t out bid your competition. The engine itself is surprisingly efficient and runs very smooth. You will have plenty of fun taking over the known universe in this game.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)

Did I ever mention that I managed to find a Wii? These things are hard to find. Anyway I bought a copy of Super Smash Bros. Brawl to go with it and I love the game. SSBB is a non traditional fighter that pits 2 to 4 opponents on an often times floating stage. Every smack raises the percentage on the opponents damage meter. Once it’s high enough, it allows you to smack that person off of the stage earning a point towards an overall score.

Many hate this game series for obvious reasons, but the game is surprisingly deep and has plenty of advanced tricks and moves. On top of all that is a new Adventure Mode that takes at least 2-4 hours to finish. There is also multiple types of battles. So if the traditional smash play bores you, then you can switch over to stock battle or coin battle where the most coins wins. This game falls a bit short with the online modes. The online service itself falls short with frequent disconnects and a lack of other online players to battle against. Nintendo’s own friend code system makes this even more frustrating. ITs too bad that a great game like this is tied down to such a draconian online model. Despite the online affliction the game itself is both beautiful and fun to play, Especially with friends.

Company Of Heroes (PC)

Another game I’ve been playing off and on is COH. (Company Of Heroes) Its an RTS with some really good concepts on troop management and DirectX 10 compatible so it is equally as interesting to look at. Personally, I just cannot manage to grip this game like I can with others. It has to be something I’m doing wrong because so many others love this game.  Maybe its because of the Single Player campaign that is weighing me down. Or maybe its the WWII style that they went with. Hopefully I will manage to learn more of this game or Red Alert 3 or Starcraft 2 will definitely sweep me away in no time.