Archive for the 'Games' Category

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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.

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.

Awesome new little game

February 16, 2008, 11:57 pm, Games and PC

Audiosurf It’s called Audiosurf. This has been one of the best used $9 I have ever spent. The game uses your music to create tracks. On these tracks lie a grid that you need to fill with the color blocks. Match the colors of 3 or more to rack up points shown at the top of the screen. At the end of the track the total can be put online in a global rankings system. From there you can compete with others and even friends for the highest score on a music track.

I’ve wasted a better of 5 hours on this game, saying “just one more”. And the best part is that it never seems to get old because every music track is a new game track. And if you have a lot of albums, it goes on forever. It supports every major sound format (No DRM allowed) and it even comes with The Orange Box Soundtrack to start you off. It seems that I’ve been a lot more entertained by cheap $10 games than the traditional $50 game now days.

Christmas in Tyria

December 31, 2007, 8:19 pm, Games, Guild Wars, MMO and PC

    Christmas has come and gone but in some MMOs, it lasts for like a week or two. In Guild Wars, its one of those holidays. One of the areas in the game however doesn’t celebrate the in-game holiday called Winter’s Day which is similar to real life. The Factions area called Cantha was inspired by oriental nations. However Tyria has 3 major places to celebrate. One is in the old area of Ascalon, on is in the next kingdom called Kryta and the last is in a newer kingdom named Elona.

Every year, they give out themed hats and various powerups. Which is pretty much in line with other MMOs like City Of Heroes and World Of Warcraft, though the execution is obviously different. In Guild Wars, a godly character gives a speech and then gives you a unique hat depending on where you viewed that character. In WoW, I believe that you have to win one off of a boss in an instance. In City Of Heroes, its won through a mission (I think, its been a while) which unlocks every holiday and gives you a badge to prove that you did it. This particular event has always been pretty enjoyable and has plenty to do. If you haven’t fired up Guild Wars in a while, now is one of those times to do so.

The Orange Box

November 3, 2007, 3:48 pm, FPS, Games and PC

So I finally got to play and finish all of the orange box and its a must buy for any type of gamer. All games included are very polished and well done.  Portal is my favorite. ITs about some lady who got stuck in a place called Aperture Labs on “Bring Your Daughter to Work” day.

The game actually ties into the main Half Life 2 story. Portal is a puzzle game that uses the portal gun to create wormholes to various places within the various rooms that is designed to test its functions. Things turn for the worst when you find clues about the main computer being off of its rocker. Its a very compelling 3 hours that will keep your interest piqued from start to finish.

Next up is Team Fortress 2 which takes design ques from The Incredibles.  Its a very balanced class based multiplayer shooter and the spiritual successor to the original Team Fortress, however some die hard fans hate it because of its new tightly focused gameplay. The game has enough classes to interest all types of players, even those who are not good shooters at all.

Finally its the very anticipated Half Life 2: Episode 2 which honestly keeps in line with its previous original release and Episode 1. Just like any Valve game, it will keep you interested and on your toes. Especially when you learn about the new Hunter type robot that becomes very annoying towards the end of the game.  The creepy guy in the suit makes his usual cameo spouting the obvious Shakespearean  messages with the usual twist (creepy but entertaining).

If you were fortunate to preorder on the Steam platform, you were given the nice bonus of Peggle Extreme, which is a 10 stage HL2 styled version of the original Peggle.  The reviews about this package is very much true and well worth the money. I would recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a great gaming experience.

Motion Sickness

September 19, 2007, 4:54 pm, FPS, Games and PC

There is honestly one thing that I despise about gaming.  If anyone didn’t know, the very anticipated Team Fortress 2 beta hit and I can’t enjoy it. Why? Motion Sickness of course. I just don’t know why, I’ve been gaming for years and this is the only genre that manages to bring me to my knees in less than 30 minutes.

I have gotten suggestions about ginger(and peppermint surprisingly) and how it can reduce or remove motion sickness for hours.(almost like those heart burn caplets.) Hopefully I can get a hold of some ginger caplets(or peppermint) so that I can get into this game for longer than 30 minutes.

The Eye of the North and Steam Community

August 6, 2007, 9:28 pm, Games, Guild Wars and PC

So I finally gotten the GW:EN prerelease bonus pack and am quietly awaiting the release. It cannot get here any sooner, I am dying for another adventure.

Another thing that has popped up today is the release of the Steam Community Beta program.  So if you just so happen to have Steam, load it up and join the beta program through the setting dialog in Steam.