The mysterious blog from another dimension commands you to read
You know that addition never fails. The PC version of Bionic Commando: Rearmed has been announced finally. But with an extra price point of $15. The other versions for XBLA and PSN are $10. I still don’t quite know how that works but I’m sure that royalties are a lot higher with Microsoft atleast. Anyway, I’m glad this is now confirmed and I can look forward to running this game in the ground from overplay.
The Confirmation: http://www.bioniccommando.com/us/blog_entries/view/331
IF you don’t know by now, you will soon. IF you own a G80+ series card (GeForce 8, 9, 200 series) then Nvidia is preparing a new driver that allows PhysX enabled games to use the Video Card as a physics card. Now the problem becomes not that it allows this, but explaining to people the difference between the new v177 graphics driver and the CUDA PhysX driver. Maybe this will all get sorted out in the end but having to explain that PhysX doesn’t affect the game unless the game supports it is annoying.
It seems that I am getting my wish. Another update to a game that I was looking forward to gets announced and…its a delay. Battlefield Heroes was pushed back to later this year into the heap of chaos that is Fall/Winter releases. I can easily see this get pushed into 2009.
Finally, Bionic Commando: Rearmed will be released soon. But what does that say about the PC version which seems to be absent from a particular blog announcing the XBLA and PSN versions.
For a while now I’ve been wondering where some games went.
Bionic Commando: Rearmed (PC, 360, PS3)
For example, I remember a Bionic Commando supposed to be released sometime this year. While I’m not impatient, they have been hyping this game for a while now and I’m starting to wonder will we ever get to see it. Its main remake, Bionic Commando obviously is going to be released in October this year which is not too far away now.
SSFTHD (PC, 360, PS3)
Another from Capcom coincidentally is Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix (now say that 10 times fast). This game is supposed to be released before Street Fighter IV which is now slowly taking the lead in development time. The Arcade version is already done and the console version is on the way. This game is going to become a foot note to SF4 if they don’t ramp it up.
Battlefield Heroes (PC)
The free MMO style Battlefield game with the new buisness model that is supposed to be a success is now in closed beta. The open beta is supposed to be this summer. Well, summer it is and the game still is not available to the immediate public. Those who I have read about in closed beta says the game is very ready for open beta. Though this is a free game, I am willing to wait but there are many other emerging free games being released this year more than anything. This can be overshadowed if they don’t make a move soon.
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.
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 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,
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.