Resident Evil 5 - An exercise in adding realism

If any Horror Survival (HS) game has tried to advance it's own genre, it is Resident Evil.

For the longest time, each HS title has kept a locked camera perspective or a combat system that sucked beyond all get out.
Silent Hill, Alone in the Dark and the original RE's all had systems in place to make you wish that you could throw your controller out the window.
I cannot count how many times I have screamed at my screen as I died another cheap death.

Then RE4 came along. With a new angle for the camera (behind the shoulders) and a combat system that was more forgiving with tons of ammo and health all around. The control of how you lived or died was handed back to the player.
Throw in an RPG like system of upgrades and ability to buy the stuff you could not find...RE4 is truly a new age in HS gaming.
Thanks to RE4, we got Deadspace, which has proven that a Western influenced HS title can work, and quite well. Using the same formula of RPG style upgrades, better camera control, and less of the "cheap" deaths due to sneaks, etc., the genre is coming pretty far.
Silent Hill tried to fix their game with the last release, Homecoming, with full visual controls to allow you to see all around you, and combat that worked...most of the time.
Alone in the Dark also tried some new formulas (but still kept locked camera's, and the combat is slightly wonky to be almost buggy).

RE4 still wins hands down.

Now we have Resident Evil 5. In comparison, it holds a lot of the "in the moment" style of action like Deadspace. What this means is that you do not have a pause to get an item type of gameplay that most HS titles still cling to.

Released this week for XBL and PS3, the demo gives an idea of the hectic "OMG" moments that a real person would be dealing with as they try to survive being attacked by these new forms of "zombies".
And it has been frustrating as you play the demo.
For the player who is use to fast turns in 3rd person like Gears of War...it is not here. Standardized controls like Left Trigger, Right Trigger, reloads, etc...not here.
RE5 went with it's own control scheme which can be frustrating, but also manageable if you PRACTICE.

This is what I had to do with RE4 and their unusual scheme. Same for RE5.

After several play throughs, I found one scheme that worked for me.

But, then comes the Inventory system. This is definitely something Deadspace did right.
In Deadspace you could assign weapons to slots. Then using the D-Pad, select weapons as needed (for instant switching). Then all of the "heals" could be put in one spot for instant access.
RE5, everything is wherever you put it, and you need to align items as you get them for easier access. That or be prepared to die horribly and many times.
The issue is the menu screen comes up with a press of the Y button (on the 360). Then you use DPad or the Analog stick to move to an item. Then hit A to bring up a menu to Equip, Give or Throw away that item.
So, basically, we have 3 steps...Y, A, A to open, select and equip.

BAD!!!!

Think of heals. Y to open the menu, find the item (lets say you picked up an herb earlier, and it just went into the menu, so you do not know where it will be), move to that item, hit A, "USE?"..YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS....hit A......OMG, I am dead!

Frustration ensues.

So, as I played, I experimented with some options.

A unique aspect to the game is the AI driven partner. In this game, your partner is not some whiny girl you have to save...nope, this is some badass mama (who is HOT also...yum), that can also be controlled by another player...
She is a good shot, and heals you when needed.

So started the test. I would give her specific ammo. So she got all the handgun ammo, except maybe one or two loads for me. I took all the machine gun and rifle ammo.
I then started to give her all the herbs (which you can take back at anytime you have a breather).

But, there is no doubt that as a healbot, she proved very effecient. As long as we stayed close, we were good.

Another aspect that you learn is using various "hotspots" to hold yourself in as you are taking out mobs. Like GoW, cover is important (though not used as well).
Several burned up and gutted buses proved to be life savers, as the mobs used the doorways to enter, funneling in single file for easy removal from my weapons.
Backing yourself into corners helped somewhat, yet also proved to be death tombs, so you had to be careful.
Tactically the game is actually proving to be fun after the intial "OMG these controls suck".

This game is definitely on the "MUST BUY" as we the family being RE fanatics, must have it. Even with the frustrations (which seems to be a keyword when you associate Horror Survival with gaming...) I think the gorgeous graphics, and tense world of this lastest outing will be awesome.

I am sure the main game will give you more time to learn the in's and out's first, as the demo really throws a TON of stuff at you...difficult for sure. But, satisfying when you beat the level.

Just gotta learn those controls...ARGH!

Fable 2 - DLC? Not so impressed

Too easy, not a whole lot to do, and overall could have saved 10 bucks.

I wish they would have introduced a new mob or something.
I like the idea of the special "gift" shop where unique items were held. But, the puzzles were lame, and overall Fable 2 was good while it lasted, but just does not have that longevity I like in my RPG's.

Goes on my to sell list now.

Back to some AoC (oh, and just tried the demo for the Dreamfall...the second release, Longest Journey...I think I may add that to my to buy list)

Deadspace - You got your RPG in my Horror Survival

Playing through Deadspace gives me some nostalgia, and then adds some tense experiences on top of the likes of Crafting and leveling.

Yup, you guessed it. EA's new IP venture proves that when you take some chances, you can garner success without resorting to previous motives and mechanics.

What has been a pleasure in this game is not only a visually intense setting, but mechanics that eschews the old school survival horror system of small amounts of ammo, enclosed camera angles and frustrating combat.

If we took Doom 3 and added some RPG elements of upgrading armor and weapons, and then give the player a 3rd person OTS camera view to give that enclosed suffocating feel that is the right horror survival ambiance, you get Deadspace.

The wife has pointed out that the "creepy" factor is not as high here as say an old Silent Hill or Resident Evil setting, yet, the game makes up for it by enhancing your game play with thinking before advancing mechanics, and making the right choices in weapons and armor.

The time of minimal health packs are gone, and is replaced by a system that does not "pause" the game so you can take one, which presents a more tense situation than the frustration of "Crap, I have no health left".

Instead of hoping you find that next weapon to use (like a pistol, shovel, etc.), you get a single gun that, if you wish, you can use through the whole game. Complete with the capability to upgrade the weapon with damage, capacity and reload speeds with crafting benches through the game. Luckily, this does NOT mean you are stuck with that weapon, and as well, little built in "shops" exists through the space ship you are supplanted on, to allow you to buy other cool tools to kill with.

And that is also included on top of upgrading your armor in various ways with health upgrades and inventory capacity (again an issue with most Survival horror).

Finally, the game gives you an easy way to kill the creatures that exists on the ship, but it requires you being semi patient and not slamming ammo into the mobs willy nilly. Taking off limbs helps slow or even kill the mobs faster.

The only other comment I have is that the variety of different gameplay options as you go through the space ship (at one point you are stuck trying to eliminate debris hitting the ship using a huge laser cannon) and the sound (which has been nominated on many sites for the best sound for a game in 2008) really drives up the scary fun factor.

What really hits the fun home is thinking how I can go back through and play the game on hard to see how it stacks up...in so many words, the game is fun enough to warrant a replay later down the road. Not many games do that for me.

I am glad EA is taking a different approach to development with these new ventures. Deadspace is a load of exciting fun, and I am glad I found this title.

No MMO on my play list

Today I officially removed Tabula Rasa from my playing list. I looked at the icon this morning, and just decided a big NO to clicking it.
I just do not feel compelled. I wonder if it is the thought of it shutting down? Or was it the same over and over combat mechanics that killed it for me?

I miss Fantasy though, and that may be the issue.

Luckily I have Deadspace filling the Sci-Fi itch I get once in a great while (and of note..Deadspace is truly an AWESOME game, and I am duly impressed with the sound and controls...but more on that at another time)

So, back to the MMO issue.

I am debating starting up my DDO account I have waiting for me. I think the Hirelings are live now, and this was one of the items I wanted in effect when I played.
I also have a 10 dollar discount to Amazon, and I am debating getting a 60 day card for Age of Conan again.
I think I will wait on Conan to get DX10 first. I have a huge guild waiting on me, so getting players there for grouping is not an issue, but I really want to see the effects in their full glory. Several videos are about showing the sun rays effects and real time shadowing with blur for combat...very cool stuff.

But, I could also just not play any MMO for now, and continue on the wonderful Xbox 360 games I have. There is a ton of those..
Deadspace, Infinite Undiscovery, Prince of Persia and Star Wars: Force Unleashed.

With 2009 looking drab for the MMO genre, luckily there are several MMO's left to occupy my time. So maybe I should not rush starting a new one yet?

Anyways, back to the work grind...and if I miss it...Happy New Year.

The Guild - New Episode, Season 2

Exclusively on Xbox 360 in HD and FREE.

How wonderful to own a 360.

Also available in low res on MSN video.

Fable 2 - Now that is sales...

Amazing...

Over on Kotaku

"Since its release last month, the RPG has sold an impressive 1.5 million copies worldwide. Yes, 1.5 million copies for a game that is Fable 1 with baggier pants. Its success is testament both to the game's marketing and to the fact that, despite its problems, its probably the most charming thing you'll play all year."

You would think there were more PC's in the world than Xbox 360's. Yet, the games sell way more copies than PC based games.

So what gives?

Anyways...what an awesome game. Worth every penny!

The Xbox NXE - Netflix, Avatars, and more..

So, having been updated to the latest version of the Xbox dashboard, I played around for a bit.

The Netflix proves to be the most fun...when it works.

Thanks to being a cable user, my Internet takes a big dive during prime time. Thanks to their blocking system, where "blocks" of people group on one cable, you can tell when it gets loaded up with people.
I have complained about this before, but with no luck.
I can still get my regular speeds on downloads, but accessing pages tends to slow down, and streaming constantly chokes.
With nothing else on offer Internet wise, I deal with it.

Anyways, when it DOES work, the quality is excellent. The movies look good at HD (I have the TV set up for 1080p, so I am not sure if it is scaling or not), and there is a decent selection to stream thanks to our favorite genre (Horror).

But, the recent issues with the Sony takedown is a mess.

Basically Sony said "We are taking our toys and not sharing".

Gee, I wonder why?

All Sony studios and movies or shows are not streamable on the Xbox. When you add them to your queue and look at them, basically it says "Not available to stream on Xbox".
The excuse is licensing...uh, yea.
You "licensed" the movies for PC's, but an Xbox is so different, that it just does not work the same.
No, it is blatant childish attitudes. Pure and simple.

Well, will just have to wait and see if this changes.

Other features for the avatars are nice, but the main thing is the interface looks good, is now Hi-Def, and the ability to copy games to hard drive to speed them up is also nice...even though some are broken (Halo 3 runs worse on Hard Drive).

It is growing pains right now, but it really is a unique interface, well done, works like a charm.

Now, back to gaming some Fable 2, and then later I plan to continue my quest in Lost Odyssey (ok, ok...AFTER more Witcher...ARGH...so fun!)

Kingdom Under Fire - MMOARTS?

Uh...yea...nice BIG acronym there...

Standing for Massively Multiplayer Online Action RTS.

Basically this series has been around quite a while.

Starting as a standard PC RTS, it grew up on the original Xbox, being the first ACTION based 3d RTS.
Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders released with a deep learning curve and an excellent new engine to represent tons of AI based NPC's on screen at once...it was enthralling.

Story wise it was horrendous though. Voice overs were lame. But, the RPG mini elements mixed with the action combat, and control of major armies was a major boon.

It had a follow up in a title called Heroes. More of the same, but with alternate characters and updated mechanics to make the game smoother.

When the 360 hit, they decided to trail off and make an "Action" RPG instead.

Circle of Doom had Diablo styled combat with tons of loot and massive swarms of mobs attacking at once.

It was pretty bad though, but was a good CO-OP game.
Overall the repeating dungeons and bad story and acting (again) ruined it.
Visually it was stunning and when combat took place with hordes of enemies attacking, it could be fun for a short stint.

Now, the original team has gone back to their formula that worked, but again expanding the genre.

KuFII is described as...

• A true Action RTS inheritor of the world acclaimed Kingdom Under Fire series, which continues a saga of Bersian heroes in the Kingdom Under Fire universe.
• Massively Multiplayer Online game where thousands of gamers can co-play and write their own epic poetry of war.
• Unprecedentedly massive scale of castle siege mode to deliver realistic medieval battles.
• Deeper and richer campaign mode than that of "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders"
• Competition and War among 3 factions over the domination of Bersia continent; Human Alliance, Dark Legion and a new mystery force.

Using a 3 way factions system adds an element of surprise here. Not much else is known though.
It would be unique if this proved to be the first true MMO for the 360. But, different people have different ideas of what an MMO is.

Is this game worthy of that acronym?

What we do have is a video of in game engine cinematics, with action sequences pulled in to flesh out the video to give you an idea of what the game can do.
They have revamped their engine to represent the multitude of NPC's on screen at once. They did this on the Xbox with no slowdowns, and if they can do the same here, it will be a major feat.
The 360 engine and graphics are really taking off.

I can't wait to see more of this type of gaming fun.

Is console more expensive than PC?

Hudson posted this comment on one of my blog posts....

"I realized console games get boring and cost too much money"

So, I have tried to figure this out in respects to play time, play style, and overall costs involved.

Lets look at a few items that sat in the back of my mind...

It is a known issue that console games are shorter in time span than most online games or even some PC games (due to high productions with cut scenes, voice over work, etc...). So, this is a toss up. I usually get a better story than an MMO (a sore point for MMO's right now..."Story? What story?" is more like it) and better production (awesome intros, in between cutscenes).

This is a tie...

If I do not like a console game, I can at least return it for some credit toward another game (and if I wait for a sale within the first month, I can get a bonus 10-20% upgrade on that trade in).
Also, I can rent a game for my console for a monthly fee through Gamefly.
Try to do that with a PC game?

Console Wins!

But, here is the number one reason I think console games work.

Bugs.

Meaning less prevalent in console titles (though not gone by any measure), but the fact you can "put in the game" and have it work. This is to me a better value.

Also, throw in the fact that video cards cost almost as much as an Xbox 360 Arcade right now, the cost to run the game is exponentially lower.

PC's also run the risk of incompatibility issues which cause more bugs than is normal.

It is hard to say why some may like PC games compared to Console games, but I would argue cost is not one of them.

Fallout 3 - Nicely innovative...yet..

Too MUCH talking...

Talk, talk, ask questions, talk some more...go find this person, talk some more..

Can we discuss balance of fun stuff, and the talking please?

Ok...it still is quite cool. But, Oblivion seemed to keep me entertained more for longer periods..

(Must be that Sci-Fi/ Fantasy thing again..)

There is no doubt the game is good though...so more, as I decide to write about it (and PS: get the console version, as the PC version and DRM is a mess...)

Fable 2 - Ultimate addiction with a completionists nightmare

All of my game time (except for the foray into Runes of Magic) has been in Fable 2.
Non-stop all week, and this weekend has been the need and desire to play one of the most fun RPG's in a long time.

Not just that, but my son has beat the game 4 times already, and STILL has not found all of the little side pieces and achievements.

The wife is shortly behind me in her game in quests, and has already found her niche of trying to make as much money as possible (which is what an RPG should be...opposite of who we are in real life, as she always tries to SPEND as much as possible in reality...lol)

But, the issue comes from the achievement system. It seems only certain achievements unlock depending on if you play good or evil.

But, all the more reason for a second play through.

One final piece that has me foaming at the mouth. As you progress the MAIN story, new quests continue to open up in the regular world. As well, the world evolves through time...

Truly a great RPG.

We have officially, at this time, claimed Fable 2 "Our favorite Xbox 360 game" of all time.

Now, back to searching for Gargoyles.

Mass Effect - That "Sci-Fi" issue again

I have hit an impasse in regards to continuing in Mass Effect.
I played Viking last night and made some major progress, and Fable 2 has really hit home with me (even though a shout to Bildo as he suggested a deal for my son, and I worked it out with him, and he said he wanted to do the $40 deal. Now I have to get my own copy...ARGH).

But, I sat for a moment and stared at my Mass Effect as I debated putting it in. And instead decided on more Viking.

This always comes back to what it is about the Sci-Fi genre that really does not keep me enthralled.
And we are discussing hardcore Sci-Fi. Not weird Sci-Fi (like Bioshock which I am holding off on playing until I finish Viking).

KOTOR for example was a very good game...but I never finished it. Yet, Jade Empire I played twice. KOTOR 2 kept me for an hour, and then I was done.

In the MMO field, I could not keep up with Ryzom or EvE or SWG or even Tabula Rasa.

And when we think of the MMO genre...how many Sci-Fi games have been successful?

Maybe it is the fact it is an RPG. I LOVED Halo, Gears of War, which are also Sci-Fi. Yet, I am not inundated with techie talk...

Final Fantasy is a great series which strikes a balance between Sci and Fantasy. That I enjoy (Lost Odyssey is also awesome).

I may have to really think through the Mass Effect issue and make some decisions.

It is a really well done game, and makes you feel like a hero in that universe...but, will I feel like playing it again?

Only time will tell.

Age of Conan - Gets a Big Bang-

Monday night on CBS television (for Non-Americans, a large television network in the States) broadcast an episode of "Big Bang Theory".
Basically a show about 2 geek guys ...total nerds trying to survive in the normal world where everyone else seems to be not as smart...you know kind of like our lives (hehe).

On this episode it dealt with one of the characters, Sheldon, playing an MMO...called Age of Conan.....>


Continued....
A brief bit can be seen here

First off, my thought is...who paid for this spot? Was it Funcom?
I believe so based on Famine's fangirl like attitude over this episode..

This started me thinking of a whole audience who has maybe never heard of AoC, especially the non-MMO elite (you bloggers know who you are...darn Elitists)..
Or those who play WoW and see no game outside of the realm of Azeroth...i.e: have never played another MMO before.
Lets say these people go online to look for reviews, and could see that mass majority of those that reviewed the level 1-20 game, and gave those great ratings...
What could this do sales wise?

As to the show itself, it's popularity is quite large, ranking always second (seems people have a need to gouge their eyes out and self flagellate as "Dancing with the Stars" always seems to take the ratings for the night... Sorry, I would rather shove forks in my eyes before watching that crud...).
So, would the thought of such a high profile appearance make a difference for numbers? Hard to say.

Time will only tell.

Speaking of numbers...I have been playing on the Set server and belong to a rather large guild (I was ninja invited, and it happened everytime I started a new character, so I finally took one of the invites...)

Fellowship of Souls

I have been impressed with their numbers, especially last night (a weekday even) having 70 people on at once. That shocked me.

If you look at the website, they have a good criteria for members which also impressed.
30 day logins or boot. Good move. Keeps the guild alive at least.

Activities for the guild include..

Prizes and contests for players in game
Scheduled PvP mini games (CST dangit...a little late for this old man..)
Vent Server

And each time I login, the guild channel is always a buzz. Certain players are quite dedicated, and this sure does help to alleviate the feeling of the game having lost its player base.

Based on the forums as well, certain servers have become the main hub to create a character on. A lot of people not waiting for the merge, are starting fresh.

Set and Wiccana have become the PvE servers of choice.
Tyranny, Deathwhisper, Cimmeria seems to be the PvP servers of choice.

Cimmeria happens to be the RP-PvP server.

I have decided to make one character there.

This decision is based on the Testlive work I did this weekend. Patch 3.0 is up, and I put some of the changes to the test.

I recorded some video and placed them on my X-Fire profile. They are slightly dark as I was doing this at night in the game (ARGH...), but the action can be seen.
The combo system has been radically changed, and combat speed increased. Damage changes are also in line to create a faster kill.

Also, of note is the start of the itemization.
On the Trader you can now search a new section called "Social".
The talk on the Testlive forum is this will contain basic clothing styles, jewelry (which actually shows up on characters in AoC, which I find quite enjoyable), and who knows what else.

Also, thanks to the other changes I saw, like performance, which was enhanced quite nicely...shadows are back on with me running 40-60FPS, which is incredible for that engine. The combat changes, and the changes to itemization has made a decision for me..

I have decided to reup for two more months (and thanks to finding a set of game cards which goes two months for 11 bucks a month.).

The game seems to be making major strides at least to keep afloat, and the Game Director is quite adamant in finding out what players want.

Again, I can only say...time will tell.

The Xbox has been getting some love since this past weekend.

I purchased Mass Effect last weekend, and it has really got me fascinated (it is definitely quite fun).
The Viking game I have been playing took a new turn.
In Viking I finished a scenario that has taken me to a new location, with twice as many things to do.
I am building up armies (which I get to use once in a while for mass skirmishes), and I am looking for 2 more dragon gems which will allow me to control a single Massive Dragon in the final battle. I do not know much about this yet...but more as it happens.
I also do sneak missions to complete objectives.
Combat is rousing fun with decapitated arms and lopped off heads.

For a cheap game with middling reviews, it actually is very good.

Ok, looks like I have rambled off again, so just ignore any text above you wish, and have a great week...
Later...