Sniper's Edge - Reviews and Ramblings

K7's Top 11 Games of 2011

2012-01-06T11:40:00.002-05:00

Well, now that 2011 has finally, officially finished, I feel that it would be high time to toss out my top 11 games of 2011 (see what I did there?). It took a lot of through, and some fights to the death, but here you are, K7's Top 11 Games of 2011!

For me, here is my list going down from #11 to #1. Click "Read More" to see!

11. MLB The Show 2011
- Yes, it is a sports game, and yes, most of you all wouldn't agree with me here, but as a fan of sports games hear me out. In comparison to all the other games on this list, there was not one game played as much as this one. While the gameplay itself was pretty good, the thing that any player of sports games goes for is the create-a-player function. After 2010 brought about some rather poor changes to the road to the show story mode, 2011 comes back with one of the best versions I have seen in a long time. The stat improvement system has been fixed, and the customization options are still very strong in terms of making your guy play exactly how you want them to play. Overall, if you are a fan of baseball games, this one was definitely worth it, and falls into #11 on my list.

10. Mortal Kombat
- Netherrealm Studios definitely breathed new life into a franchise that was felt to be dead or dying off for years. Not only did this game have a very competent fighting system, lots of blood and gore, and a resurfacing of the 2D style, but they also showed the world that fighting games CAN have an interesting plot. The revamp of the story combined with a very solid story mode to traverse it makes the new Mortal Kombat my #10 choice for 2011.

9. Batman: Arkham City
- While the playstyle didn't change much from Arkham Asylum, the sheer atmosphere of Arkham City could be the only reason that you could want to play this game. However, there is more to the game than just that. Include many historical batman areas, a pile of sidequests, an engaging story, and enough side characters that would bring out the fanboy love from all of us, and you have yourselves the #9 game on my list. As for my favorite characters? Riddle me this, what time is tea time in wonderland?

8. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
- Now, I was a fan of the original Deus Ex, and I am the type who loves it when games pull off stealth gameplay successfully. I was a tad disappointed that there were some boss fights you couldn't get past without resorting to combat, but aside from that, the game really goes above and beyond. The characters feel like they have a personality thanks to some decent voice acting and the story really comes through in most areas. The atmosphere also really does a good job conveying what life would be like in a society that is on the beginning stages of a social upheaval. So, good story, characters with personality, and a fantastic atmosphere join together and pull in at #8.

7. Saints Row: The Third
- What else is there to be said about Saints Row that hasn't been said already by someone. You go into the game expecting to cause mayhem and havoc, while giving yourself the look of someone completely insane, and that is what you receive by the truckload. Honestly, Grand Theft Auto can have it's mob-movie-esque storyline and seriousness, I'll happily take the bloody insanity provided here. The controls are familiar, the storyline actually adds to the insanity, the dialogue is hilarious, and the customization available is pretty good. You know, this game really does deserve to be higher up on the list if it were not for the bugs and glitches I ran into while playing, and how they removed some of the side quests from the 2nd game, but I digress. Saints Row 3, the underrated #7 on my list.

6. Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
- After going through the Cel-shaded headaches of the last few Zelda games, I was VERY happy they we finally get to see the more traditional "teen/adult" form of Link again. While there were some cel-shaded parts to the game, overall I think they actually used it well in this version, but mainly because it was mostly limited to items and effects rather than making it the entire world. Graphical improvements aside, the story is what you expect from your usual Zelda game; long, involved, and deep (wait...). The controls did force us to use the Wii-mote waving again, but it was actually pretty decent when it came to registering hits, and being able to at least get some feeling that I am sword fighting is a nice plus, and as such, Skyward Sword comes in at #6.

5. Bastion
- This game came to me as a pretty big surprise. It is always nice when an indie downloaded game comes out that can rival that of a mainstream big-budget title thanks to some very solid storywriting and gameplay controls. However, the thing that I loved most about this game was an absolutely fantastic soundtrack. For those of you who are fans of good music, I highly recommend checking this one out. While I know there is more to the game, the soundtrack is the icing on a cake of a fantastic story mixed in with great characters and other strong gameplay elements. Definitely worth a pickup and #5 on my list.

4. Portal 2
- This may be a bit of fanboyism, but I loved the first game, and was equally impressed with the 2nd one. While this one didn't bring out a wall of fun surprises as the first one (mainly due to me being ready for it this time), Portal 2 really did do a good job not only meeting expectations in terms of the gameplay, but it once again pushed itself above the pack of good games thanks to some fantastic writing and voice acting. The addition Stephen Merchant and J.K. Simmons to Ellen McLain make you want to play the game just to hear their dialogue. Add in some pretty good multiplayer and another awesome soundtrack, and you have yourself #4 on the list here.

3. Assassin's Creed Revelations
- Not much to say here. The game took a lot of the things that were good about the previous AC installments, shined them up, and repackaged them with a few new bells and whistles to result in a very solid and competent "conclusion" to the Ezio chapter of the Assassin's Creed saga. Not only did the storyline come through again with the twists and turns, but the gameplay in this one is the most refined so far. It is refreshing to see some games actually look back on what makes their games fun, and actually take those elements and make them better. Revelations does just that, and now, more than just fans of the series will be wanting to see what is next up in this saga. So, AC:R comes in at #3.

2. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
- Not much I can really say about this game that hasn't been said already. The game is absolutely beautiful. The environments are some of the best I have seen in a long time, and the PS3 engine really lets them shine. Add that to the already engaging storyline of Nathan Drake & Co. and you have yourself a series conclusion that really does a good series justice. The characters all have personality, and [spoiler alert] I admit, I really did wish I could have saved that antagonist from doom. To be able to do that when you were harrowed by her throughout the game really says something to the way these characters were portrayed, and as such, Drake can now go off into the sunset on the highest note of the series, and comes in at #2 on my list.

1. Star Wars: The Old Republic
- Now, I know a lot of people will probably disagree with me on this just for the reason that this is an MMO, but my top game of 2011 for me would be Star Wars: The Old Republic mainly for the absolute sheer amount of story they put into this game. Honestly, each class could have had it's own single-player game made about each and every one of them. Every class has it’s own story arc, and with the dialogue options, even if you play the same class multiple times, you can play it a different way each time. The combat system is a bit of the tried and true MMO style of combat, but they added little extras like some destructible objects that help push it past the pack. Add in some fantastic voice acting and you not only have characters who actually have character, but you also have NPCs who give you tasks that you might actually want to do because you feel there is a purpose and urgency. There are some issues (like a need for an improved auction house, and some looking for group things), but overall, the game is pretty much the best MMO I have played in years, and is my #1 game of 2011.

So, those are my top 10, what are yours?

Pass the Controller - VGA Fallout

2012-01-03T15:53:00.001-05:00

After a bit of a delay due to the holidays, here is the latest episode of Pass the Controller! In this episode, the panelists and I ramble on about the VGA results. Here we will talk about which games deserved their wins, which games didn't deserve them, and Batman. Yes, Batman. Confused? It is all explained here in the episode. Enjoy!

Topics Covered:
- VGA Fallout

Panelists:
- K7
- Rob
- Yami
- Dendro

http://blip.tv/PTC/pass-the-controller-vga-fallout-5862086

Pass the Controller - Spike TV VG Awards

2011-12-06T03:03:00.002-05:00

And after a long, long hiatus Pass the Controller is back once again! In this edition, we shall go over the nominations of the Spike TV Video Game Awards. The other panelists and I will give our predictions on who will win, who our desired winners are, and who we feel got snubbed out of the awards this year. Be aware, the video is a long one. For those not intimidated by length, enjoy!

Topics Covered:
- Spike TV VG Awards

Panelists:
- K7
- Meekwood
- Yami

http://blip.tv/PTC/pass-the-controller-spike-tv-vg-awards-5796904

MLB Playoffs 2011 - Division Series Predictions & Analysis

2011-09-29T15:29:00.002-04:00

Hello again everyone! It is that time again! After 162 games of baseball, we now get to look forward to the MLB playoffs, and as such, I will deliver my yearly predictions in the rounds to come. Am I an expert on the sport? Do I get paid the big bucks to create these like the folks at ESPN and the like? Nope! These are just the humble predictions and analysis done by a big fan of the game!

After one hell of a final two weeks, all of the matchups have been decided!

American League:

Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees

Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers

National League:

St. Louis Cardinals vs Philadelphia Phillies

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Milwaukee Brewers

So, without further ado, here are K7’s yearly MLB Playoffs predictions!

Let us begin with the first AL matchup between the Detroit Tigers vs the New York Yankees. The Tigers clinched a playoff berth rather early on as they sealed the AL Central division up pretty quickly behind the MVP-level efforts of Justin Verlander and his 24 wins, and the trade deadline acquisition of Doug Fister. What makes this even more incredible is when you look at the stats of every other Detroit pitcher aside from Verlander and Fister. Without these two pitchers anchoring the rotation, the rotation is somewhat lackluster. However, with only the realistic need for three different starters, the Detroit rotation for the playoffs could paint a completely different picture. Now let’s compare the Detroit rotation to that of the New York Yankees, who are sending C.C. Sabathia, Ivan Nova, and Freddy Garcia to the mound for their rotation. Sabathia, while almost always a solid workhorse, has not been as dominant as he has been in the past. However, the opposite can be said for the rookie sensation Ivan Nova, who has not only exceeded expectations in his starts, but practically out-aceing the ace of the staff. The big question remains for the Yankees rotation is in their 3^rd starter, Freddy Garcia, who, while lacking the fireball power of his younger days, has been rather steady in his slow-ball-style pitching (a la Mike Mussina in his final year). In terms of lineup stats, the Tigers and the Yankees have been somewhat even in most respects, so it really comes down to whether or not the Yankees can overcome Verlander and Fister long enough to eat up the Detroit bullpen. Overall, this could be a very good matchup showcasing the arguably two best teams in the American League.

Prediction: Yankees over Tigers in 5 games.

Up next we have the matchup between the surging Tampa Bay Rays facing off against the defending AL Champion Texas Rangers. This one is a bit tougher to determine as the Rays are coming off of a massive upset to make the playoffs after snatching the AL Wild Card right out from under the noses of the Boston Red Sox by sweeping the Yankees in the final series. With a pitching staff showcasing the likes of James Shields and David Price facing off against a rotation consisting of CJ Wilson and Derek Holland. While lacking the Cliff Lee and Tommy Hanson punch of last year, the Rangers need to rely upon their league-leading batting power to overcome the surging Rays. The Rays, however, hope to keep leaning on Evan Longoria in the clutch to undo that Ranger pitching staff. Stats-wise, the Rays rotation dwarfs the Rangers, but the Rangers lineup packs a bit more punch than the Rays. Overall, it is a battle between the better pitching staff and the better lineup, and in this case, I feel that the Rangers lineup will ultimately stomp out the fire that brought the Rays into the playoffs.

Prediction: Rangers over Rays in 4

Now we move into the National League, and to begin we shall discuss the St. Louis Cardinals facing off against the Philadelphia Phillies. Coming into this contest, the Cardinals pulled off another league wild card upset as they were able to successfully rise up enough in the standings to complete the September collapse of the Atlanta Braves. The Phillies, however, effectively dominated all season thanks to a stellar rotation and lineup as to secure the NL East title early on. In terms of statistics, the Phillies seem to outrank the Cardinals in pretty much every pitching category, while the Cardinals seem to be ahead in most of the hitting categories. The regular season record between these two teams also tells an interesting story, as the Cardinals are ahead 6 games to 3, so they can definitely hold off the Phillies lineup. The main deciding factor in this, though, is can the Cardinals lineup put up enough numbers to not only overcome the Phillies lineup, but can they do it against multiple appearances by Roy Halladay and possibly Cliff Lee? With Cole Hamels as the #3 pitcher, and Roy Oswalt available if needed, the cardinals are looking at a tough task to overcome if they want to advance.

Prediction: Phillies over Cardinals in 4.

Finally, we come to the Arizona Diamondbacks heading out to face the Milwaukee Brewers. Statistics-wise, both teams seem to lack any clear advantage over the other, but the Brewers boast the best home record of any team in the Major Leagues right now. Along with the MVP-candidate Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, the Brewers lineup does pack a major punch to be able to overcome the Arizona rotation. That being said, the Diamondbacks have put together a very strong season behind the efforts of hitters Justin Upton and Chris Young and pitchers Ian Kennedy and Daniel Hudson. However, I do not feel that the Diamondbacks lack the real offensive punch to really upset the Brewers rotation of Zack Greinke and Yovani Gallardo, and combined with the confidence that the Brewers get when playing at home, I feel that the Brewers will be the ones moving on in this NLDS matchup.

Prediction: Brewers over Diamondbacks in 4.

So there we go. According to my predictions, we should see the Rangers vs Yankees in a 2010 ALCS rematch, and a Brewers vs Phillies matchup in NLCS. Until then, here’s to a great postseason!

K7 out.

Pass the Controller - Free Play #2

2011-09-25T13:10:00.000-04:00

This week we take a break from our usual competition to bring you PTC - Free Play #2! In this one, Dendro, Meekwood, and myself talk about a few interesting topics, and I hope you all enjoy! Feel free to comment below!

Topics Covered:
- The Evolution of RPGs
- VG Movies
- Nostalgia and more!

Panelists:
- K7
- Dendro
- Meekwood

This episode's background was created by Jessica! Check out more of her fantastic artwork on her page! http://tetsumi101.deviantart.com/

Pass the Controller - Episode 5

2011-09-20T10:03:00.002-04:00

PTC - Episode 5 is finally uploaded! I apologize for the delay, as the internet cut out for a few days. But, it's all up and ready for viewing! Enjoy! Warning: This episode is a tad loud at the start.

Topics Covered:
- Video Games in the News
- EA is watching you
- 3D Games
- PS4
- The next big MMO

Panelists:
- Dario
- Rob
- Frohawk
- Tony

This episode's background was created by Jessica! Check out more of her fantastic artwork on her page! http://tetsumi101.deviantart.com/

Pass the Controller - Episode 4

2011-09-10T01:40:00.003-04:00

Pass the Controller Episode 4 has finally been released!

After a long, LONG hiatus thanks to a ton of real life issues, I finally was able to record and upload the file, and guess what! PTC will now be uploaded to Blip.tv! This is just the next step in this show, and in the future, expect things to improve more and more.

For this special episode, the panelists tackle some pretty big topics, so just click "Read More" and enjoy! Warning, this episode is another long one.

Topics Covered:
- Western vs Japanese RPGs
- Paid DLC content
- Batman: Arkham City Villains
- Free-to-play trial trends in games
- PC vs Console sales for Portal 2

Panelists:
- Rob
- Justin
- Frohawk
- Dendro

This week, our background was designed by Jessica!
Definitely check out more of her work here! - http://tetsumi101.deviantart.com/

Enjoy!

Pass the Controller - Episode 3

2011-07-15T11:28:00.002-04:00

Pass the Controller #3 has now been uploaded and ready to download for your convenience. Enjoy!

Topics Covered:
- EA & the Mystery of the Missing Steam Games
- CA and the recent Video Game legislation
- Death Ads
- Perma-save Stupidity
- Crossovers

Panelists:
- Dendro (Pat)
- Meekwood
- Rob

Click "Read More" to get the download link!

Just click the link to download the episode!

Pass the Controller - Episode 3

Got your own opinion on the topics? Voice them in the comments!
~K7

Pass the Controller - Free Play #1

2011-07-03T11:47:00.003-04:00

Being that this week it was more of an impromptu Pass the Controller due to the 4th of July holiday, I figured it would be perfect for a segment I would like to call Pass the Controller - Free Play! This is different from your usual PTC episode as it is more of a general roundtable discussion about video games and may expand to topics beyond that. There are also no eliminations, and the panelists have free reign to bring up any topic that they desire. The final difference is that I get involved in the discussion as well, so these are times where everyone can hear my own opinions in regards to the topics at hand!

We will be back to our regular PTC recordings next Sunday. Until then, enjoy Pass the Controller - Free Play #1!

Topics Covered:
- Steam Summer Sale
- Team Fortress 2
- Fallout 3 vs Fallout New Vegas
- League of Legends

Panelists:
- K7
- Justin
- Kevin
- Rob

Click the link to download the show!
Pass the Controller - Free Play #1

Remember, if you would like to participate in a future PTC or PTC Free Play, contact me and I will get you set up for the show! Feel free to voice your opinions in the comments.

Pass the Controller - Episode 2

2011-06-26T17:00:00.001-04:00

Pass the Controller - Episode 2 is uploaded for your downloading convenience. As per usual, there may be bits of profanity so listeners are warned.

Topics Covered:
- Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (3DS)
- L.A. Noire
- Team Fortress 2
- Star Wars Galaxies
- Hackers

Panelists:
- Mike
- Rob
- Pat

To download the Episode, click the link.
Pass the Controller - Episode 2

Got a differing opinion? Voice it in the comments!
~K7

Pass the Controller - Episode 1

2011-06-18T17:52:00.005-04:00

Here was the idea that I have been planning for a while; Pass the Controller!

What is it you may ask? Well for those who have seen the ESPN show "Around the Horn", it is similar to that in concept, except about current events in video games! I invite a group of panelists onto the show, and we discuss numerous VG-related topics. I will award points to the panelists depending on how well they make their point in the discussions. As the moderator, I do my best to direct traffic and make sure the panelists don't go off on random tangents. Every few topics, the panelist with the fewest points is eliminated. Rinse and repeat until we are down to two, and we enter the Showdown. All previous points are moot, and the final two face off in a best of three topics. The one who had the most points gets to go first. Winner gets to stand on a soap box and talk about anything they want for 30 seconds.

Check it out by clicking "Read More"!

Pass the Controller - Episode 1

-- Episode 1 --
Topics:
- E3
- Duke Nukem Forever

Panelists:
- Lars
- Mike
- Rob
- Justin

Tell me what you think in the comments!

Something to pass the time...

2011-05-17T18:50:00.004-04:00

Well, being that I haven't posted in a while, I figure I should do a dropping of a few of the interesting stuff I have found over my travels through the tubes. Hopefully, this can hold the time until my next actual post (hopefully my review!). Enjoy!

First, here is a rather awesome rendition of the Canon in D on electric guitar. Do what you can to support the musicians of the world!

I'm sure everyone can appreciate good music, but also parody remakes of music. In particular, it's good news that Weird Al not only has a new CD coming out soon, but also got approval for this wonderful one! Though, a lot of songs nowadays seem to just be remakes of the same music anyways. It also is enjoyable when you come across an article that brings back many memories of the toys of yesteryear. Yes... I had a bunch of these toys. Speaking of Cracked, I'm sure we all could appreciate some of these.

Until next time my friends.

MLB Baseball Rankings & Predictions - Start of 2011 Season

2011-04-04T00:58:00.003-04:00

Well, I am back from the dead!

In celebration, I figure I will do a quick listing of the MLB teams for the start of the 2011 season in terms of who I think is the best. Will I play favorites on occasion? Probably for tiebreakers, and probably being that this is all my opinion. Mostly, though, I'll be ranking them from the best overall, to the worst overall. Enjoy!

1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. New York Yankees
3. Boston Red Sox
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Texas Rangers
6. San Francisco Giants
7. Chicago White Sox
8. Texas Rangers
9. St. Louis Cardinals
10. Minnesota Twins (if Morneau is healthy, otherwise, drop them down another 5-6 spots)
11. Cincinatti Reds
12. Los Angeles Angels
13. Colorado Rockies
14. Detroit Tigers
15. Oakland Athletics
16. Los Angeles Dodgers
17. Florida Marlins
18. Baltimore Orioles
19. Tampa Bay Rays
20. Toronto Blue Jays
21. Chicago Cubs
22. Seattle Mariners
23. Washington Nationals
24. New York Mets
25. Houston Astros
26. San Diego Padres27. Kansas City Royals
28. Arizona Diamondbacks
29. Pittsburgh Pirates
30. Cleveland Indians

Want some shot-in-the-dark playoff predictions? Sure why not!

AL:
New York Yankees
Chicago White Sox
Texas Rangers
Boston Red Sox

NL:
Philadelphia Phillies
St. Louis Cardinals
San Francisco Giants
Atlanta Braves

World Series:
New York Yankees vs Philadelphia Phillies
New York Yankees in 6.

Will I be wrong on some of these? Probably. Will I be right? Maybe. Either way, hope this season is a good one! I'll probably make an updated ranking list at certain points in the season. Feel free to shoot me comments.

In regards to some VG reviews and whatnot, I've been in a rather long writers block in that regard, and I am not the type to just throw something out there unless it is at least halfway decent. I was planning on doing some video reviews for a while, but things keep screwing up in that regard. I'll occasionally post an update from time to time, though I doubt it would have the regularity of those in the past. However, feel free to keep checking back, and who knows, maybe there will be something new! I will try to have at least something up each week, whether it be something creative, or even just an enjoyable link drop. Until next time!

~K7

K7's Guides - Building a Sniper in New Vegas - Part 2

2010-11-21T00:00:00.016-05:00

Here we have the continuation of the How-To Guide in creating a Sniper in Fallout: New Vegas! After covering the basic Stats and Skills, this part will cover not only the useful Perks for any aspiring Sniper, but also suggestions on how to select the perfect Followers and Weapons to keep yourself out of harm's way! Be forewarned though, this one is a longer one than Part 1!

Disclaimer: The guide I will be providing is but one way to effectively build up a Sniper. Given the nature of New Vegas, and the playstyles of different people, I’m sure there are additional ways at creating one of these. Also, note that this guide is using the stats and attributes of a potential Max Level character. How you get to this point is up to your own discretion, as this is merely the guide for a final product. I will also do my best in this guide to bring you an effective sniper build while also allowing as much freedom as possible.

So, for all you aspiring Snipers out there, click "Read More" to proceed!

- Some people are just better than others by nature - Perks -

Ah, perks… the little things that come naturally for a character which can either make up for a lack of a skill, or add a bonus that those normal creatures out there cannot even fathom. This is also where it can really vary depending on playstyle, skill in the game, and simple character design. As a Sniper, your character will primarily be using Guns (particularly rifles), with the characteristics of someone who wants to bring down their opponents as fast as possible, while trying to stay as far away from the center of combat as possible. Therefore, the primary focus would be Perks that increase not only weapon damage, but also weapon accuracy and the ability to avoid detection until after they fire the first shot. Your character wants to have the target drop before they even hear that first shot being fired. So, here is a quick list of perks and their requirements to select them. With 30 levels in the game, and a new perk every two levels, a character can have up to 15 Perks total, plus up to 2 Starting Perks. Beware, this is a long one.

-- Starting Perks --
- Four-Eyes – Starting Perk - +1 PER while wearing glasses, -1 PER without them.
Recommendation: Allows you to put a PER point elsewhere with a small requirement to wear glasses.
- Trigger Discipline – Starting Perk - +20% Accuracy at range, -20% Firing Speed.
Recommendation: All a matter of personal playstyle really.

-- Recommended Damage/Crit Perks –
- Commando – Req: Level 8 – When using a rifle or similar two-handed weapon, VATS accuracy is increased by around a 25% increase the chance to hit.
Recommendation: If you use VATS, this is a must while using Rifles.
- Finesse – Req: Level 10 – This perk increases critical hit chance by the equivalent to 5 points of Luck.
Recommendation: Very useful for Snipers, as they want their target to drop ASAP.
- Sniper - Req: Level 12, AGL 6, PER 6 – This perk increases VATS accuracy when aiming at a target’s head by around 25%.
Recommendation: As a Sniper, you want to aim at the head for maximum damage. This is very useful if you use VATS.
- Center of Mass – Req: Level 14, Guns: 70 – This perk provides an extra 15% damage when firing at a torso using VATS.
Recommendation: While Snipers tend to aim for a head, sometimes it is usually much easier to hit the torso of the target. So, it’s a matter of playstyle, though very useful.
- Better Criticals – Req: Level 16, PER 6, LCK 6 – Critical hits deliver 50% more damage when they occur.
Recommendation: Extremely useful, as a Sniper is built for delivering the critical hits as often as possible. So, the extra damage, especially such a high magnitude, is a very welcome perk.

-- Recommended Supplementary Perks –
- Educated – Req: Level 4, INT 4 – Earn 2 additional skill points with every level.
Recommendation: Supplementary if you have the stat requirement. Definitely obtain this as early as possible, since the points do add up in the end.
- Math Wrath – Req: Level 10, Science: 70 – Reduces all AP costs by 10% in VATS.
Recommendation: If you use VATS a lot, this is very useful as it allows you to fire of more shots within one series. If you miss that first shot, it is nice to get that extra one in before the AP recharge.
- Jury Rigging – Req: Level 14, Repair: 90 – Allows you to repair items with a roughly similar item, rather than only with very similar items.
Recommendation: With the limited number of Sniper Rifles in the game, this is very useful as it allows you to repair the rifle with a pistol, rather than another rifle. This helps save caps by not having to go to someone to repair the rifles.
- Action Boy/Girl – Req: Level 16, AGL 8 – You are given an additional 15 AP to use in VATS.
Recommendation: Extra AP is always useful, and with the large AP cost of firing Sniper Rifles, the additional shots are always nice to have.
- Tag! – Req: Level 16 – You can select a 4th Tag Skill, which immediately increases that Skill by 15.
Recommendation: As with most supplementary Perks, this just makes the progress in the game a tad easier. If you are short in a minimum requirement, the 15 Skill Points definitely help.
- Grim Reaper’s Spirit – Req: Level 20 – When you kill a target in VATS, 20 action points are immediately restored to your character.
Recommendation: In larger fights, this is extremely useful as it allows you to auto-aim with VATS more often due to the lower amount of downtime.
- Nerves of Steel – Req: Level 26, AGL 7 – You regenerate AP at a much faster rate.
Recommendation: In longer fights, this perk is definitely helpful if you use VATS as it cuts downtime significantly.

-- Optional Additional Perks –
- Intense Training – Req: Level 2 – Increase any SPECIAL stat by 1.
Recommendation: Supplementary, though very useful as it gives you another baseline stat point.
- Confirmed Bachelor/Cherchez la Femme – Req: Level 2 – Deal 10% more damage to the same sex.
Recommendation: All a matter of playstyle, though the 10% damage boost is always nice.
- Lady Killer/Black Widow – Req: Level 2 – Deal 10% more damage to the opposite sex.
Recommendation: All a matter of playstyle, though the 10% damage boost is always nice.
- Gunslinger – Req: Level 6 – This increases VATS Accuracy significantly when using one-handed guns.
Recommendation: For a Sniper, this is supplementary as it allows you to better function in VATS when an enemy closes the distance, requiring a switch to a pistol.
- The Professional – Req: Level 6, Sneak: 70 – Sneak Attack critical hits with Pistols, Revolvers, & Energy Weapons all hit for 20% more damage.
Recommendation: Useful when forced to sneak around.
- Bloody Mess – Req: Level 6 – This perk makes an enemy explode into a fragmented pile of blood and guts upon death, while also giving a flat 5% damage boost to all weapon damage.
Recommendation: Damage boost is always useful, though frustrating when you need to search a body.
- Living Anatomy – Req: Level 8, Medicine: 70 – Allows the player to see the health and damage threshold of the target’s body parts. Also gives the player a 5% damage boost against Humans and Non-Feral Ghouls.
Recommendation: This allows you to better pinpoint shots and attacks against a target if you would rather cripple them. All a matter of playstyle though.
- Miss Fortune / Mysterious Stranger – Req: Level 10, LCK 6 – Occasionally in VATS, Miss Fortune or the Mysterious stranger show up for varying effects. Miss Fortune does a random attack that hurts the enemy in a variety of ways, and the Stranger has a 10% chance of appearing to finish off an enemy with less than 150 HP of health.
- Night Person – Req: Level 10 – You gain 2 points of Perception and Intelligence at night.
Recommendation: If you find yourself playing primarily at night in the game, definitely take this one.
- Concentrated Fire – Req: Level 18, Energy Weapons: 60, Guns: 60 – When firing on a specific body part in VATS, each successive shot to that part has an increased accuracy %. First shot: Normal %, 2nd shot: +5%, 3rd shot: +10%, and so on.
Recommendation: Very useful if you have the Skill Points in both categories mainly because you will be firing multiple shots in VATS anyway.

Phew. So, overall, we have a character with Four Eyes to give the Perception boost, and the optional Trigger Discipline to increase accuracy as a starting option. The character also has a number of perks to make dropping enemies at long range a breeze when using a Sniper Rifle through the various accuracy boosting Perks, as well as the additional Critical Hit damage to add stopping power. The character is also built primarily for extended fights in VATS with the selection of numerous AP pool and recharge speed increases. Of course, if you manually shoot down enemies with little problem, most of the VATS perks are not needed. With all the recommended Perks, there is still room for a couple more perks for the character, so add some of the optional ones to help fill out any playstyle desires. I would recommend Intense Training for the stat boost, Gunslinger for the pistol accuracy boost in VATS as a backup weapon for close range fights, and the Mysterious Stranger Perk to get a nice finishing shot when you just missed finishing an enemy off yourself.

- One is only as good as the quality of friends they have – Followers -
In New Vegas, the player will come across a number of additional followers throughout the game. As expected, the choice of the specific followers can have a big effect on the gameplay itself as each follower comes with their own set of skills, bonuses, and Perks. So, for your everyday Sniper, it is always good to choose your followers wisely.

There are a couple categories for followers, and in New Vegas, you can have multiple Followers as long as they are in different categories. The different categories are Robot, Humanoid, Summons, and Hired. Being that the Summons and Hired only really have 1 option in each, they will not be covered here. Only one Follower per type is allowed.

-- Robot Followers --
- Rex -
Primary use: Melee and knockdown.
Perk: Search and Mark – Chems, containers, bodies, and small items are highlighted when the player zooms in.
Recommendation: Useful as this is a melee follower, and can attack enemies and draw their attention while you pick them off.

- ED-E -
Primary Use: Ranged attacks & a Perception Stat boost.
Perk: Enhanced Sensors – Player can detect creatures and people at an extended range.
Recommendation: Extremely useful and highly recommended as they can pepper enemies at a distance with you with their lasers, but the extended detection range can help find targets well out of their own detection range. Oh, the detection also applies to stealth targets. Overall, perfect for a Sniper.

-- Humanoid Followers --
- Arcade Gannon –
Primary Use: Physically weak, but high intellect and can use high-tech weapons and gives better healing boosts.
Perk: Better Healing – All healing items are 20% more effective. Also, he is a personal doctor for the player.
Recommendation: Very useful when you use healing items, though not too effective as a fighter until he is equipped properly.

- Craig Boone -
Primary Use: Former NCR Sniper, he is most effective at a long range and can pick enemies off very quickly. However, he hates the Legion and will attack them on sight.
Perk: Spotter – When zoomed in, all hostile enemies and Legion appear with a red glow. This makes finding targets very easy.
Recommendation: With the rifle in his hands, he is ridiculously effective at eliminating targets at a range before they can even come close to attacking you. Snipers tend to work in pairs, and Boone this setup works wonders at eliminating hordes of enemies before even being spotted. He also gives the player a fantastic hat for a Sniper (+1 Perception, +5% Critical Chance).

- Rose of Sharon Cassidy (Cass) -
Primary Use: All-around stats, as she can be used for both ranged and melee combat.
Perk: Whiskey Rose – gives the player damage threshold when drinking liquor, and drunkenness doesn’t diminish INT.
Recommendation: Given her all-around nature, she can be used in a variety of different situations, and thus she brings a lot of versatility to the table.

- Lily -
Primary Use: A melee powerhouse built for drawing attention and taking damage.
Perk: Stealthgirl – Stealth Boy duration is increased by 200%, and all Sneak Attack critical hits do 10% more damage.
Recommendation: Being a Sniper, having someone drawing the fire and attention away from you is a very useful trait. With the additional Stealth Boy time and Critical damage, Lily can be very useful… if you can handle a mentally unstable Super Mutant Grandmother.

- Raul Tejada -
Primary Use: Weapon repairs and ranged fighting.
Perk: Regular Maintenance – All weapons and armor degrade at a much slower rate.
Recommendation: Useful in keeping your weapons and equipment in good shape for a longer period of time. Being that he can also repair items in his shack, it gives you a good place to keep things in full functioning order. However, he does not wear heavy armor.

- Veronica -
Primary Use: Mainly Melee combat using a Power Fist, and she is a mobile workbench. She also has Power Armor proficiency.
Perk: Scribe Assistant – Veronica is a portable workbench, and she can create repair kits for the player.
Recommendation: As a melee combatant, she can be very useful in drawing attention away from the player. With the added Power Armor proficiency, she can also take a lot of pain when suited up. The workbench is also useful for those who like to create items.

Overall recommendation: ED-E combined with Boone allows the player to completely wipe out massive crowds of enemies before they even know what is going on. The bonuses and perks also tend to suit a Sniper quite well, as the extended detection from ED-E lets you see creatures at a distance, and the Spotter Perk from Boone allows you to see which creatures are not friendly.

2nd Opinion: ED-E & Lily or Veronica. Either one of these combinations are very useful for a Sniper. You get ED-E’s extended detection and carrying capacity, along with an effective Melee fighter to keep enemies away from you. It really all comes down to preference though. Lily allows you to remain quite hidden for a long time with the improved Stealth Boy duration, while Veronica can use Power Armor with dealing very powerful blows with the Power Fist weapons and can create repair kits. So, it is all just a matter of playstyle.

- Say hello to my little friend – Weapons -

As a Sniper, your weapon choices tend to be rather limited to whatever gets you the longest range and the most accuracy. A Sniper also has a high Guns stat, so you would mainly look for something along the lines of Conventional Weapons over Energy Weapons or Explosives. Ideally, a Sniper would go for, of course, a Sniper Rifle. However, they tend to be somewhat rare and rather expensive. So, alternatives must be found.

Given a Sniper would have Perks increasing proficiency with Rifles, the Service Rifle, Cowboy Repeater, or the Hunting Rifle make very suitable alternatives in the absence of a Sniper Rifle. The Hunting Rifle is especially useful, as it not uses the same ammo as a Sniper Rifle, but it also can be fitted with a Scope attachment (similar to the weapon Boone uses), thus allowing you to pick targets off at a nice range.

A Sniper normally would not want to be found at close range, but sometimes it is inevitable, and as such, a backup weapon or two is required. In terms of a backup weapon for a Sniper, it really all depends on which Skills you have built up. Being that the Guns Skill should be pretty high, a Pistol or Submachine Gun would probably suit your needs best, especially one that fires quickly to pepper enemies down fast. Otherwise, pick a weapon that suits your Skill choices.

As in other Fallout games, there exists a Unique version of the Sniper Rifle called the Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle. This weapon weighs less than your normal Sniper Rifle, but it also keeps it’s durability for much longer than your normal Sniper Rifle. However, it’s max damage and critical damage comes in at just slightly less than your normal Sniper Rifle. But, with the lower weight and stronger durability, this damage loss doesn’t hurt its effectiveness. This weapon can be found in a Very Hard (Lockpick: 100) crate on the “Sniper’s Post” on the western cliffs overlooking Cottonwood Cove.

- All good things must come to an end -

So, there you have it. Tips to create an effective Sniper in Fallout New Vegas! As stated, there are a number of other potentially effective ways to create a Sniper in the game, but I hope that this helps set you all on the right path. Follow the suggestions in this guide, and I am sure that you will be able to take down enemies from a mile away with little trouble.

Happy Sniping!

K7's Guides - Building a Sniper in New Vegas - Part 1

2010-11-18T22:14:00.005-05:00

Well, after looking through some of the stats on the site, I noticed a bit of a trend with the searches that navigate here. It seems that many of them are searches looking for guides or how-to descriptions on how to be a sniper in a few games. I can’t really say I am too surprised at this given the site’s name, my name, and how I play many games. So, I figure that I could share some tips on how to be effective at sniping in a variety of different games! In all honesty, I was planning on doing something like this for a while now, but kept having to push it back due to a review of a game, or an MLB playoff match. But, I digress; let’s get into the first edition of K7’s “How-To” guide for sniping!

Not that that is out of the way, let’s dig in to creating and maintaining an effective Sniper for Fallout: New Vegas! Click the “Read More” link to proceed!

To begin, let’s take a look at what makes a Sniper effective in the New Vegas playstyle. Snipers can be broken down into a few areas in which they are effective, as well as being selective in the equipment they use. As many know, Snipers tend to work specifically in long range, and are known for their accuracy. Their weapons can vary, but the common theme is that they can hit their targets at a long range. In Fallout, there are a few different weapon classes available, though the only real long-ranged weapons are the specially-named Sniper Rifles, along with the weapons with scope attachments. Also with the VATS system of the game, people have the option to auto-aim for certain body parts and hope that luck rolls their way. So, to break it down, this guide will go into a few specific categories defining specific areas to consider, as well as throw some weapon suggestions to best suit the character itself.

- You are S.P.E.C.I.A.L, just like everyone else. - Baseline Stats -

Let’s go into the baseline stats in New Vegas. The primary stat a Sniper needs to be able to see targets from a distance, so Perception could be considered the #1 stat for a prospective Sniper. A Sniper in New Vegas would also use a Sniper Rifle, which falls into the Guns weapon category (and respective skill), and the stat that helps that category the most is Agility. Being that the Sniper also tends to aim for a critical hit; the third stat that should be focused on is Luck. Charisma, Intelligence, Endurance, and Strength could also be useful, though they are supplementary if anything else. However, Sniper Rifles tend to have a Strength Requirement of 6, so that could be useful unless you take a special Perk for the character which will be covered later on.

So, let’s throw together a sample SPECIAL build using the details that we have thus far. You are given 40 points to split between the 7 stats.

Strength: 6

Perception: 8

Endurance: 3

Charisma: 2

Intelligence: 4

Agility: 7

Luck: 7

3 Flex points

This sample build takes all 40 points and covers the three primary stats, while allowing the player some freedom with the Flex points. A Perception of 8 allows the player to see enemies form a pretty far distance, and the 7 in Agility and Luck will allow for a nice starting advantage in not only stats in general, but perk requirements as well. Being that a Sniper usually starts a fight well out of range, they should be able to drop an enemy before they even reach a range to attack back with any real effect, so Endurance isn’t really needed. Intelligence is a nice stat to have, as it supplements the skills due to the number of points given with each level. Charisma is alsoa nice supplementary stat, though it is not truly needed unless the character will be talking to a lot of people and avoiding fights. There are plenty of items in the game that can increase these stats, so it is a nice starting set, for example, most of the Glasses that you may find will have a +1 Perception bonus, as do many Hats that are strewn about. So, it’s up to you as to where the Flex points go, though my recommendation would be Intelligence for the skill point boosts.

- A dropout can defeat a genius through hard work – Skills –

New Vegas brings about an immense Skill system which allows the player to customize their character quite a bit. Skills play a major role in the game as not only does each Skill increase efficiency with a specific element of the game, but they also allow the player access to certain Perks, as well as unique communication options when conversing with other characters. Snipers are no exception to the Skill rules, and through appropriate distribution of Skill points, a character can give themselves quite an advantage through their chosen craft.

Initially, a player selects three Tag Skills, which increase each skill selected by 15 immediately. The player can choose a 4^th one through a specific Perk that will be discussed later. There are also numerous ways to gain additional skill points throughout the game as well. Skill Points are normally obtained with leveling up, with the number obtained per level can vary depending upon a character’s INT stat, as well as the presence of any bonuses obtained via Perks. There are also numerous Skill Books in the world which permanently increase a specific stat by a set amount, as well as Skill Magazines which increase stats by a rather high amount, but for only a short period of time. So, being that the total number of Skill points obtained to 30 can vary by an extreme amount, I shall discuss only the important ones when constructing a Sniper, as well as provide recommendations as to the additional ones to boost. However, one of the best parts of being a Sniper is that it requires minimal primary stats, though it can be supplemented by many depending on playstyle and preference.

-- Primary Skills –

- Guns: Being that the player will be using Sniper Rifles the most, having a high Guns level is of the utmost importance. This stat increases both weapon accuracy, as well as weapon damage. Therefore, boosting Guns up is a priority, and possibly the #1 Primary Skill.

- Repair: Being that Sniper Rifles are rather rare and expensive in New Vegas, being able to repair them yourself is a major plus for any Sniper.

- Sneak: You are a Sniper, and as such, avoiding detection is definitely a positive attribute to have. Having a high Stealth score allows you to avoid detection as long as possible which gives you enough time to pick the best shot available.

-- Supplementary Skills –

- Lockpick: Given that Snipers tend to have a high Perception, the Lockpick Skill is quite useful to have. It allows you access to good areas, and it allows you access to a plethora of additional ammunition and equipment. In fact, the Unique Sniper Rifle can only be found in a Very Hard (Skill: 100) crate, so building this Skill up is quite useful.

- Energy Weapons: Another Skill that benefits form a high Perception stat. The Energy Weapons Skill allows the use of some high tech items, and it is definitely beneficial to supplement a high Guns skill. Having both allows the player to have some backup weapons in case an enemy gets close.

- Melee Weapons: The Melee Weapons Skill is useful as it gives the player some fallback options to be used in close range combat. While not the Sniper’s primary realm of effectiveness, it allows for a more all-around character.

- Speech & Barter: Another supplementary pair of Skills that just help the player navigate through the world a tad easier. Both can help the player get out of sticky conversation situations, and Barter is quite nice when it comes to purchasing weapons and ammunition, as well as when it comes to hiring people to repair weapons.

- Science: When lockpicking fails, many rooms can be accessed through hacking a computer terminal. While not overly necessary, it can be useful in getting access to locked rooms and ammo caches.

Overall Recommendation: Definitely take Guns as a Tag Skill as it is probably the most important out of all of the other Skills available. After that, it really is up to the player as all of the other Skills can be useful in their own way. However, that being said, Repair is quite useful as it allows the player to keep their own weapons in working order, and Sneak allows the player to get past certain situations unscathed. In terms of supplementary skills, Lockpick is useful as it not only grants access to rooms and ammo crates, but it also allows the player access to one of the best weapons in the game for a Sniper.

Expect Part 2 sometime over the weekend!

Call of Duty: Black Ops

2010-11-15T20:41:00.003-05:00

The Call of Duty games, as a whole, have been massively popular amongst the populace, as they tend to offer a very enjoyable war experience and require with a more tactical mindset in order to succeed. From their beginnings with a seemingly endless source of Nazi combat during World War II, the CoD games have taken on a more modern approach to war in recent years, as the fighting has moved to the Middle East. This edition brings about a lesser utilized fighting theater as it takes place during the Vietnam War. So, get your combat boots, camouflage coat, and do your best to avoid open areas as we drop in to analyze Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Title: Call of Duty: Black Ops

Publisher: Treyarch

Developer: Activision

Genre: FPS

Rating: M

Systems: PC, PS3, 360, Wii, DS

After taking a hiatus after Call of Duty: World at War, Treyarch is back behind the reigns of the Call of Duty series with their latest installment, Call of Duty: Black Ops. After receiving mixed reviews on their World at War installment, there was a surprising amount of hype going into the release of Black Ops. With a new storyline that takes place across multiple areas across time, the reemergence of the popular Zombie Survival modes of play, and with numerous new and improved weapon functionalities, Black Ops is looking to capitalize upon the massive base of players created by the Modern Warfare line of games.

The storyline takes place mainly during the 1960, including the Bay of Pigs invasion, as well as the Vietnam War. The player mainly takes control of an American soldier named Alex Mason, whom is initially seen being interrogated by an unknown person in order to find out the meaning of a series of broadcasted numbers, as well as the location of the numbers station. The storyline then proceeds to be told, by Mason, as he recollects events from the past few years, including memories from Operation 40 (an assassination attempt of Fidel Castro), to an escape from a Russian Gulag, to the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, tomany other parts of the 60s. There are also elements where the player takes control of James Hudson, a CIA operative, and a former Soviet soldier named Victor Reznov, whom Mason met during his time in the Gulag. Add a chemical weapon plot and a twist ending, and you have yourself the story of Black Ops.

Overall, the story is told rather well, and numerous voice cues start to depict that things are not what they seem to be, as the actions of those around Mason hint that there is something else to the story that isn’t truly known from Mason’s perspective. Many of the events are shown pretty well, and they all do end up tying together in the end. However, that being said, the storyline is VERY short, accumulating to about 5 hours total on a slow pace. So, those looking for a single player game will be a tad disappointed in terms of the length of the game.

Black Ops, as with most recent Call of Duty games, has a major focus on multiplayer functionality. Some of the problems involving the multiplayer of Modern Warfare 2, such as the ridiculous kill streak awards; have been adjusted to allow a bit more balance to the game itself. Treyarch also changed the system around so that awards such as the helicopter do NOT count towards kill streaks anymore. So, this is welcome news for many as it requires players the need to earn the streaks themselves, as well as preventing those who do obtain the streaks early to sit back and rack up even more rewards caused by the previous reward. The multiplayer matchmaking and lobby functionality is also done decently well… at least on consoles. On the PC, Black Ops utilizes the Steam client functionality in their multiplayer, and as of this writing, there are a few noticeable bugs in the multiplayer system. This diminishes the enjoyment of one of Black Ops’ major drawing points as the bugs affect not only the player name on scoreboards by making the player appear with the name “Unknown Soldier #”, but also the friends list and the ability to join parties with friends. There are also some very noticeable differences between weapons and their functionality that cause some weapons to be almost useless on maps, such as an assault rifle with a scope can pretty much outmatch those with a true long range rifle at a long range on many an occasion.

However, aside from the bugs, there are a few new game modes that the player can choose from. The character class creation has been improved, and there is also a money-based upgrade system, with the money being earned via simply playing matches, as well as the popular level system which allows the ability to purchase the weapons and upgrades. There is also a separation in terms of character class creation and money between matchmaking multiplayer and Combat Training, where a player goes up against AI controlled opponents and friends who decide to join the game. So, this allows those who are not too fond of playing against human opponents a place where they can level up and have fun.

The other major feature of the game is the reemergence of the Zombie Survival mode of play, for either single player or multiplayer, where the players are pitted against a never-ending stream of zombies. The players must complete a few objectives as well in order to gain access to better items, as well as increase their score exponentially. There are a couple stages to choose from, with the player characters ranging from a series of multinational mercenaries, to heads of state such as John F. Kennedy and Fidel Castro. Overall, this is a nice change of pace and scenery for those looking for something else in the game.

Call of Duty: Black Ops definitely captures a nice level of enjoyment for the most part, as it offers a well done story along with some good multiplayer and a bunch of extras. However, there are a few major downsides within almost all of the modes of play which prevent the game from reaching the levels it could. The single player is extremely short, so those looking for something to keep them busy for a while will be disappointed. The multiplayer, at least on the PC, has many bugs and a clunky interface that diminish the enjoyment for many players. So, while the game is competent in the gameplay, improved multiplayer, and the powerful quality of the story, it is bogged down with too many things to be considered a truly fantastic game.

-----------------------------------

Now to break the game down a bit.

Storyline: 7.5/10 – While the storyline itself is surprisingly deep, with no lack of twists and turns, the overall length really hurts the rating. Regardless of the type of game, as well as the quality of the story itself, a game providing less than 5 hours of gameplay is a tad ridiculous. So, the game checks out in quality, but fails in length.

Graphics: 8/10 – Overall, the graphics are done decently well. The effects are good, and they don’t truly impede upon the gameplay itself unless the plot requires them to, such as in a snowstorm where vision should be diminished. While not a visual masterpiece, and aside from the occasional blocky object and poor cropping effect, as with a knife upon human flesh, the game does its job decently enough.

Controls & Gameplay: 8/10 – The controls are decent enough after a little bit of practice. They are not too cumbersome, though there are some frustrating times in the game. There were a few times where there was a major delay to swap to a pistol for the “Second Chance” perk because the character fell while swapping to another weapon, and by the time the pistol came out, the character was very much dead. There are also a few events where the hit detection is a tad off, though that tends to be chalked up to the weapon itself, and the player actions while firing (such as aiming down sights, or moving slightly, etc).

Sound & Music: 7.5/10 – The in-game music definitely suits the timeframe in which the game takes place, so nice job to the developers in doing their homework. However, the soundtrack itself is pretty much unnoticed during the gameplay. The sound effects are decent enough, and the voice actors aren’t bad at all… aside from the occasional accent confusion for certain characters where they can’t decide if they are German or Russian. So, while nothing too bad that ruins gameplay, and the music fits the times, it is nothing that is above and beyond what is expected at this level of development.

Replayability & Fun: 8.5/10 – Well, the storyline is very short, so for those looking for fun in that will be disappointed when it ends quickly. There is an achievement system in place for those completionists out there, but many can be done with one playthrough on the hardest difficulty. However, for those who bought the game for multiplayer should not be disappointed on the consoles, though until the bugs are ironed out on the PC, there may be a delay for the full enjoyment. The Combat Training, however, does offer a good amount of fun for those who like to stop on AI opponents. The main source of fun and replayability in Black Ops comes from the Zombie Mode, and the extras available through accessing the computer terminal in the main menu’s room (through a secret method of breaking out of the chair). Zombies offer a challenge with the increasing difficulty and with the addition of Dead Ops (a top down shooter) and the text-based RPG Zork, there should be ample ways of passing the time.

Overall: 39.5/50 = 79/100 = C+/B-

Reccomendation: Definitely a source of fun for those who enjoy the Call of Duty series of games and the Zombie mode is definitely an enjoyable way to pass the time. However, it is not worth the price of $60 for those who are not interested in multiplayer and even then only on the console systems until Treyarch fixes the bugs on the PC version. So, if the price goes down, pick it up, but otherwise try it out first before any purchase.

ANNOUNCEMENT - Rating System Change

2010-11-15T20:34:00.000-05:00

Well, as many have noticed in my previous news, my scoring system is a tad lenient, with the "Average" rating for anything ends up falling around a 7 to an 8, which is more along the lines to a system of grading found in most schools. I feel that this is becoming fundamentally flawed in terms of delivering the best review possible.

Therefore, I feel that I should revamp my system to have the "Average" for a rating fall somewhere around a 5 to a 6 for any given category. This way, Those games that are truly good can stand out a lot more, while those that are bad will show that they should be avoided purely due to the grading number alone.

So from this post on, expect the ratings of games to appear a tad lower than before, with most games falling into the 60s and 70s rather than the 80s and 90s as they have been. I will also slowly dig back through my old reviews and update the scores to be more along the lines of this system, though that will happen slowly over time, and some of the really good ones may even remain close to the same. For the most part, though, expect the game ratings to go down by at least 10 points on average.

I'll probably post an official listing of the grading system somewhere eventually.

~K7 out.

Goldeneye 007

2010-11-11T16:56:00.004-05:00

There have been few games that have reached the plateau of fame as the N64's Goldeneye 007. Not only was it the best console shooter of it's time, it also completely revolutionized how console FPS games will be played in the future. All of the popular FPS games such as Halo and Call of Duty follow the format of Goldeneye in terms of UI and playstyle. Now, after over a decade of waiting, and now with the development of Eurocom, Goldeneye 007 has gotten it's own modern facelift and has been re-released on the Wii. So, grab your slick suit, your sidearm, and a shaken, not stirred martini and come along to see this new version of Goldeneye 007!

Title: Goldeneye 007

Publisher: Eurocom

Developer: Activision

Genre: FPS

Rating: T

Systems: Wii, DS

Probably one of the most well known FPS titles to ever come about, the N64 title Goldeneye 007 absolutely revolutionized console-based FPS games by not only proving that they could be done, but they could be done extremely well. With many failed attempts in the past to recreate the aura of the original, Eurocom definitely was facing a difficult task. Having the Goldeneye name would cause the game be compared to the original in every way, and many feeling that anything less would be equated to an utter failure, especially since the game was going to get a facelift to conform to modern times and changing the face of Bond from that of Pierce Brosnan to Daniel Craig. However, Eurocom has taken the game and defied many expectations by not only producing a very competent shooter, but also successfully updating the game to more of a grittier style that has been seen in the new James Bond movies.

One thing that one needs to know going into this game is that this Goldeneye is not the Goldeneye of old. The storyline itself, while adhering to most of the original Goldeneye plot, has a number of differences that makes the game something separate entirely from the original game. This is seen immediately in the first level, as the player, as Bond, meets up with Trevalyan in the Dam level. Rather than starting out with your silenced pistol and the guns blazing strategy, Bond instead takes down the guards with Alec via a melee sneak attack. The game then proceeds through the story differently by having the team hijack a truck and driving through a very different Dam layout. This is just the tip of the storyline changes, and those who were expecting a game to be a copy of the original will be in for a major surprise. However, this is not a bad thing, as the story itself is actually put together quite well. Yes, the actions taken are different, but the overarching plot is still pretty much the same; the player is James Bond, and you need to stop the evil Janus organization from destroying society. The story now is put into a more modern timeframe, and the historical tie-ins have been modernized in such a way that it makes sense. In fact, it was one of the original screenplay writers who helped write the plot of this game, and it definitely shows due to the quality of the game storyline itself.

The other thing that needs mentioning is that this one is being released in a time where there are many successful console FPS games on the market already, and as such, the requirements and expectations are much higher. With games like Halo and Modern Warfare 2, Goldeneye not only has to appeal to the older N64 Goldeneye crowd, but the newer crowd who are used to additional functionality. Goldeneye 007 for the Wii definitely does a good job in bridging the gap for the most part. The controls are rather solid overall, though it depends upon the controller scheme used. Being it is on the Wii, there is the option of using a number of different controllers to play the game. As expected, the Wiimote controls are rather clunky, but tolerable. However, the game definitely feels a lot better on either a Gamecube controller, or the newer Classic controller Pro. On these formats, the game actually plays rather well. The action buttons are easy to access, and it doesn’t take too long to actually get used to the controls itself, allowing for newer players to jump into the game pretty quickly.

Another thing of note in regards to the single player is that the AI enemies in the game have definitely seen an improvement. Not only will the enemies react to the presence of the player, but they will take actions to avoid being shot. The enemies will constantly duck behind cover, and some even do a dash and dive behind barriers. The accuracy of the enemies has also been improved, and the player will find that even on lower difficulties they will be hit. This will require the player to actually act like a spy, in that they will have to complete missions with stealth and some cunning. Going in guns blazing can work, yes, but this will definitely lead to doom more often than not. Given the newer health system is more along the lines of Call of Duty, where there is no actual health bar but more of a crisis meter that gets redder the more one gets hit in a short time. The option for a classic health bar is still there through the settings menu, however, so both camps are represented in the game, and the style of play can change a little depending on preferences.

As with the main reason for the fame and staying power of the original game, Goldeneye 007 places a very strong effort into making the multiplayer as enjoyable as possible. There are a number of fun stages available for the players, along with a massive assortment of available characters to choose from. The maps themselves are new, and the detail has definitely been upped to the more modern graphical standards… within the limits of the Wii anyway. The players can also choose a variety of different game modes, and the play modifiers such as Paintball Mode make their appearance once again. This version of Goldeneye also finally brings about a competent online multiplayer function, available with a Wi-Fi connection. While there is a lack of voice chat, the online multiplayer is rather strong in terms of functionality. The lobby system is done rather well, and the matches themselves are pretty fast-paced and lag free for the most part. Overall, this is definitely a step in the right direction in terms of online Wii functionality.

Even with all the improvements, it still definitely has a few down points. As stated before, those who were expecting just the old Goldeneye with prettier graphics will be disappointed as the story actions, character designs, and stages have all been changed around. For those fans of more modern FPS games may also find the game lacking as there is no ability to jump, and while the graphics are pretty good for the Wii, the graphics are Wii quality. Also, the obvious lack of multiplayer voice chat will definitely be a downside to some, though may be wonderful for others. So, mileage may vary. However, as far as Wii games go, especially in regards to Wii FPS games, Goldeneye should still be a satisfying experience.

Overall, Goldeneye 007 for the Wii is definitely a fun game for not only fans of the old game, but also for the generation that is used to the FPS style of Halo and Call of Duty. The storyline has been successfully modernized to the Daniel Craig style. The controls are definitely made to be more suitable for a Gamecube controller or Classic Controller Pro. Finally, the multiplayer is definitely competent in terms of functionality and performance, especially given that it is on the Wii. So, in conclusion, while Goldeneye 007 may not be able to reach the levels of the original in its time, and may be somewhat lacking in comparison to console FPS games on other systems, it could definitely be considered one of the best FPS games on the Wii.

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Now for some numbers!

Storyline: 8.75/10 – With one of the original Goldeneye screenplay writers designing this, the transition from mid-90s Bond to late 2000s Bond is very well done. The characters all have some depth to them, and the emotions behind the actions are all present. Without revealing any real spoilers, the story itself actually adheres more to the movie itself than its predecessor in certain areas, such as in the Archive levels, though there are some definite changes in characters, and fans of Boris will be in for a shock. So, the storyline has been done well for the most part, but some of the character changes/removals are disappointing.

Graphics: 8/10 – For the Wii, the graphics are done rather well with portraying some decent character models, as well as some nice landscapes. However, as with most Wii games that try to design some gritty reality, the colors tend to blend into one another and characters may unintentionally blend into surroundings due to the limit of processing power. The viewable distance isn’t too phenomenal, and there have been some issues in seeing things that should be in clear view. Overall, though, the graphics aren’t too bad a tall. Oh yes, the title credits is a fantastic homage to the Bond movies, and it is done in a visually fantastic way, so a bonus point for that.

Controls: 7.75/10 – As with most Wii games, especially in FPS games, the Wiimote is just not that good at providing a truly good gaming experience. However, when moving to the other controller options, the controls in the game undergo a drastic improvement. As a result, the game becomes much more playable and enjoyable overall. So, while the Wiimote fails, the conventional controllers definitely make the game better.

Music & Sounds: 8/10 – Aside from the fantastic cover of the movie theme song, the soundtrack is mainly overlooked during the game. Yes, there are the usual James Bond brass flares, and alone the soundtrack is actually rather decent, but the music really isn’t too prominent during the game itself. In regards to the sound effects, there really isn’t too much to mention. The bullets make different sounds depending on what they hit, and the voiceover work is done well enough to give the characters some emotion.

Replayability & Fun: 9/10 – This is definitely the best part of the game itself. The game definitely shines when there are people to play it with, and those who spent countless hours playing the original can recapture some of that feeling playing this one with a few friends. While the single player itself is of a different style and mindset, it still brings about some feelings of joy, especially with the stealth melee kills. Overall, it is definitely fun in its own way.

Overall: 41.5/50 = 83/100 = B-/B

Recommendation: As stated, the game itself has gotten a nice modern facelift in terms of story, style, and graphics. While it isn’t as pretty, nor is it as fluid, as most of the modern FPS games out there, it is still a very competent shooter, and easily one of the best to come out on the Wii. The online multiplayer itself is rather good as well. So, overall, the game is definitely worth checking out sometime.

Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game

2010-11-08T20:05:00.002-05:00

Well, in accordance with the release of the movie, I figured that I would delve into the Video Game adaptation of the popular Scott Pilgrim comic series. With it's nostalgic style and gameplay, this game looks to not only appeal to the older gamers who grew up with this style, but also deliver a taste of the older style of games to a whole new generation of gamers. With an established storyline in the comics, the art direction of Paul Robertson, and a killer soundtrack from Anamanaguchi, can this game live up to the hype? Well, grab your coat, gather up your guitar, and remember to bring your Loonies as we delve into Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game!

Title: Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game

Publisher: Ubisoft

Developer: Ubisoft

Genre: Beat ‘em Up

Rating: T

Systems: PS3, 360

Ever since the first announcement was made that there would be a game being created about the Indie comic series Scott Pilgrim, there was a major storm of hype leading up to the release. The hype continued to grow after the release of each detail about the game as well. The story was going to be that of Scott Pilgrim, the art style was going to be directed by Paul Robertson (of Pirate Baby Cabana Battle Street Fight 2006 fame), and with a soundtrack by the chip tune group Anamanaguchi, the anticipation of this game was at a high.

The story of the game itself is based upon the Scott Pilgrim series of comics, which depict the trials and growth of the 24-year old Scott Pilgrim as he attempts to defeat the 7 Evil Exes of Ramona Flowers, a ninja delivery girl who he has fallen for. The game takes place in Toronto, Canada, and the player must make their way through numerous numbered stages with multiple parts in each. Each stage pits the player against numerous mooks and special enemies, and the player must fight their way through the hordes to reach the end of the stage and then face off against one of the Evil Ex’s. Each Ex has their own unique fighting style and nuances, so while the purpose is to beat them down, the player must adapt to each fight in order to survive. Each boss comes complete with an ample amount of HP, and some pretty painful attacks, so there is a decent amount of challenge present. As with the comics, the game also comes with an ample amount of gaming humor and references.

The game style is that of an old Double Dragon style beat ‘em up with a number of additional functions available. The player chooses one of the four main characters of the series; Scott, Ramona, Stills, and Kim. Each character also comes with their own style of moves, stats, and money. Throughout the course of the game, killing enemies gives that specific character experience points. The enemies also drop a sum of money upon defeat. The money is used in a variety of item shops found throughout the stages of the game itself, ad the player can purchase many things ranging from permanent stat boosts for the character, as well as restoration items that either give an instant heal, or a heal upon defeat. With each level up, the character gains access to a new move to use, eventually leading up to a special move unique to the character itself. So, the game gradually becomes easier the more one plays due to the purchasable stat boosts, and the each character is unique in terms of the individual stats.

The main feeling that the entire game brings about is a tidal wave of nostalgia. The graphics are all done in the style of a 16-bit game, while the music is all chip tune, reminiscent of the 8- and 16-bit games from the 80s and 90s. The characters themselves are all sprite-based and fit in quite well with the detailed stages throughout the game. Combine that with some over-the-top 16-bit effects, and we have a game that has the potential to bring a tear to the eye of gamers that grew up with this style.

Scott Pilgrim: The Game is also a throwback to the older gaming styles as while it allows for simultaneous multiplayer for up to four players, but lacks any form of online multiplayer. As such, this requires all the players to be in the room at the same time in order to get the full fun of multiplayer. Other than that, while the game is rather fun playing alone, this game definitely shines when there are more players involved. The game is essentially pick up and play, though being that each character has separate stats, a player using an unused character may find themselves in for a painful experience just because they lack the power to bring enemies down quickly. So, this could require some work by the owner of the game in order to level up all of the characters to the max level of 16.

Overall, the game itself is a very fun throwback to the games of old in terms of the style and music. The storyline is simple, but it follows along with the comic storyline and portrays it well enough. The graphics are incredibly nostalgic and for fans of Paul Robertson’s work, there is little disappointment found here. The music also brings back a ton of nostalgia thanks to the chip tune soundtrack by Anamanaguchi. So, in conclusion, Scott Pilgrim: The Game definitely can bring about a lot of fun to both fans of the series, and those who are looking for a competent, nostalgic, inexpensive game.

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Now let’s get into some numbers.

Storyline: 8.5/10 – While the storyline itself is very straightforward in terms of the main plot, those who have not read the comic series, or even seen the movie, may feel a tad lost in terms of why the events in the game happen the way they do. There is pretty much no dialogue at all, and there are really no details or hints given aside from the overall premise. The intro video does show a graphical representation of the overarching plot, whereas Scott loves Ramona and must defeat the 7 Evil Exes to date her, but there is no detail given as to the character detail and development that the comic portrayed in full detail. Overall though, it has a simple plot, and runs through it well enough.

Graphics: 8.5/10 – With games out now that depict computer generated awe like Final Fantasy XIII, Scott Pilgrim is a major throwback to the games of yesteryear. While it doesn’t immerse the player in fantastic CG, or even N64-esque 3D, what it does deliver is some very well done sprite-based characters, detailed (well, 16-bit detailed) settings, almost no lag, and an extremely cartoony atmosphere. For those who grew up with this style of games, it absolutely nails a nostalgic chord. So, while it’s not a gorgeous opus of graphical superiority, it sets a pinnacle for 16-bit styles utilizing the technology of today.

Controls & Gameplay: 9/10 – The controls are simple enough for the purpose at hand; attack, block, and defeat your enemies. It’s a beat ‘em up game and each character has a similar base set of attacks. You have the quick, weak attacks, the slow but powerful attacks, air attacks, ground attacks, and special moves. While there is the occasional issue in regards to the plane level for attacks, the controls and gameplay are pretty solid.

Music and Sounds: 9.5/10 – While it is not a symphonic masterpiece, the soundtrack is extremely well done. The chip tunes of Anamanaguchi completely enhance the gameplay itself as it helps set the atmosphere of each stage, and honestly, when one is farming money for stat boosts, the music helps make the grind worth it. The sound effects are also done well enough, as each event comes complete with the appropriate sound. So, music- and sound-wise, the game definitely delivers, and shows that with enough effort, a game doesn’t need to have a full orchestra to deliver a great soundtrack.

Replayability & Fun: 8.5/10 – In single player, the game is still very enjoyable, though at the max level with max stats, the game may feel a tad bland, but with a group of people in the same room, with similarly-leveled characters, Scott Pilgrim completely delivers in terms of fun. The beat ‘em up style promises to bring about some good enjoyment of just knocking around crowds of enemies, and for fans of the comic series the game definitely proves to be worthy of the name itself. Unfortunately, as stated, without a group of people to play with, and no online functionality, the game can be limited in enjoyment once all the characters are all maxed out.

Overall: 44/50 = 88/100 = 8.8/10 = B+

Recommendation: For the low price it has, the game is worth picking up. For fans of the series, it definitely delivers in terms of references and enjoyment as now you can deliver the beatings to the Evil Exes. For fans of beat ‘em ups, and just nostalgia fans in general, the game also does not disappoint as it brings back a massive tidal wave of nostalgia in terms of style, while delivering a very competent beat ‘em up game. The graphics are done well, the soundtrack is awesome, and the game is worth it not only for fans of the series, but anyone who enjoys a good beat ‘em up.

Rock Band 3

2010-11-04T15:00:00.001-04:00

After a couple years of waiting, and a few smaller individual band releases, we finally have the latest main edition of the Rock Band series! With the addition of a new instrument, as well as the introduction of the pro mode, Harmonix attempts to continue it's streak of excellence as they attempt to bridge the transition between playing a game, and playing a real instrument. So, grab your mic, tune that guitar, and beat that drum as we try to become superstars in Rock Band 3!

Title: Rock Band 3

Publisher: MTV Games

Developer: Harmonix

Genre: Music

Rating: T

Systems: PS3, 360, Wii

After a few smaller, specialized released, here we have the latest full release in the Rock Band series of games with Rock Band 3! After seeing an increasing amount of success from the last two main Rock Band titles, the developers at Harmonix attempt to try something a bit new in the Rock Band system as they attempt to continue the wave of success with Rock Band 3. The game, on the whole, is done pretty well, with numerous additions to the game itself, along with some increased graphical prowess to help enhance the gaming experience. Rock Band 3 also shows a very strong attempt by Harmonix to somewhat bridge the gap between playing a musical video game, and actually playing real music altogether. However, while most of the game is done very well, and the new instrumental choices will bring about a lot of fun, fans of the previous games may feel a tad disappointed when it comes to some of the gameplay mechanics, as well as the changes in the career and menu options. So, overall, Rock Band 3 is a mixed bag, where some things have been greatly improved with other elements failing miserably.

To begin, Rock Band 3 definitely attempts to bridge the gap between playing a musical game and actually playing music itself. There have been numerous additions in terms of the instruments available, such as the addition of a keyboard, and “Pro” modes of the guitar, bass, drums, and the aforementioned keyboard. Unfortunately, the Pro modes are only accessible through the purchase of additional actual equipment, such as a special guitar or cymbal attachments for the drums. For the Pro Guitar, it requires actual fingering positions down the entire neck of the guitar, as well as actual strumming on 6 strings. Not only is this a massive step up in terms of some realism, the fingerings are accurate enough to actually carry over to a real guitar. The Pro Drums bring about actual cymbal hits, rather than just the drumpad equivalent. The keyboard pro mode has the player moving up and down octaves across the keyboard itself, as well as the inclusion of more accurate sharp/flat keystrokes. As stated, all Pro modes pretty much can convert over to actual instrument playing rather easily, and is definitely a fantastic step in the right direction to bring about an entirely new level of play, while still allowing those not musically inclined to have a lot of fun in the normal instrument modes.

RB3 also brings about some impressive graphical and cinematic upgrades as well. Even the introduction to the game, while disappointing to not see the old characters in some epic event, shows some live-action characters in an animated world. While this doesn’t translate to the game itself, it’s still very pretty to watch. The character models in the game have also received a bit of a graphical upgrade, and the venues and backgrounds are all quite impressive. Another fun little feature is during career mode the characters of the band itself appear in various cutscenes depicting the rise to rock band superstardom. The menu backgrounds have also become rather nice to watch, as the members of the band all appear in various simple scenes as the player makes their choices. These scenes are definitely a nice enhancement to the game aesthetics themselves.

The overall layout and career mode of the game have also undergone numerous changes and variations in the transition form RB2 to 3. Rather than a set career mode for the game, the career is done by just playing the game itself on a username, as each username is tied to an individual band. The player can just play songs and complete challenges to increase their band’s rating, or they can venture into the Road Challenges section of the game. This mode is somewhat similar to the career modes of the past, as the player goes through various streams of venues to earn greater transportation vehicles to play at better venues, etc, until they finally complete the ultimate road challenge and achieve the goal of worldwide stardom. However, in addition to being able to complete the songs, the game introduces the presence of internal venue challenges. These challenges vary from completing note streaks at the right time, to overdrive deployment, to streaks during overdrive, etc. They all basically come with the ability to play the instruments and songs very well, and at the end of each venue, the star rating for the song is added to the “spade” rating for challenge completion, and then an overall song and venue rating is obtained. The game then rates the road challenge at the end using all the combined ratings for the all song stars and the spade rankings. So, even if a song is completed and earns 5 stars, failure to complete all the challenges well could result in a player only achieving half of the possible rating for the road challenge. However, to unlock venues, the player only needs to complete the songs and survive. So, the player only may miss out on additional costume bonuses by failing to perform well on the challenge sections.

Now, as stated before, while there are a number of fantastic upgrades to the game, fans of the older games may feel a slight disappointment in the change, or outright removal, of various elements to the game. Overall, it may end up giving a major feeling of limitation. Unlike in the previous Rock band games, there is the allowance for only one band per username. For fans that enjoyed making numerous bands with different styles, the limitation will be a major detriment to the fun of the game. The menu system also seems to have gone through a recess, as the sorting ability has become more fine-tuned, though it requires additional menus to navigate through. The simplistic one-button sorting changes have been replaced by menus and specialized categories. The changes in career mode may also end up hurting the enjoyment, as rather than being able to play each individual venue using your own setlist for every one, the road challenge limitations in regards to setlist choices may hurt the gaming experience, but mileage may vary depending on interests.

The character creation system will also be a mixed bag of emotion, as the removal of the money-based shop system has been replaced with a challenge-based unlocks system. While for some, this is fantastic, as to get certain outfits and attire may come to be much simpler, but for those who have difficulty completing different challenges, some outfits will never be obtained. So, as with most challenge-based systems, the game rewards the best of the game with more outfits. Also, the challenge-system plays into the career mode as the bands rating increases depending on the more challenges completed, and for some, the maximum band ranking will never be obtained, which is a tad disappointing. So, while the removal of the slog of constantly having to farm money for equipment and outfits will be a pleasant sight, it has the potential to be a nightmare for others who just play the game to have fun. Oh yes, another point to mention is that the stand-in characters to the band are just set as stand-ins in general, rather than being able to assign them to specific roles. Now, the instruments the stand-in character will play are now determined by which instrument the player plays, and they change with each player character instrument change.

There is also the ever-present issue that plagues any game with numerous peripheral requirements. If someone doesn’t have a certain peripheral, then certain modes of the game are not available to them at all. No pro guitar? No pro mode access. Didn’t buy the keyboard? Then there is no pro keyboard option at all, nor is there even a normal keyboard part option until certain requirements are met to allow the part to be played on the guitar (and even then, no kb challenges can be completed even with the guitar). Unlike in the other Rock Band games, though, not having a certain instrument now has a major effect on the band’s rating, as the lack of certain instruments means there is no ability to complete challenges, and as such, the band’s career rating will suffer. Not being able to complete challenges also means certain items will also be unobtainable.

Overall, Rock Band 3 is still very fun to play, and the attempt to bring about a more realistic musical experience is definitely noticeable. However, the game itself definitely made a step towards appealing towards those with more skill at the game rather than towards those who just want to pick up the game and have fun. While yes, the player can still just pick up the game and play, most of the juicy elements of the game are limited to how well one can perform on challenges. So, the game itself has taken numerous steps forward in certain areas, though steps back in others.

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Now to see how well this game stacks up!

Storyline: N/A – There really is no realest storyline, nor is there an attempt to create one. You are a rock star, and your band is making their way to the top of the world. So, let’s bring about the special category for games like this!

Flexibility, Functionality, & Extras: 8.75/10 – So, does this game get the job done in terms of making someone feel like a rock star? Overall, yes. The game has you going out on road trips in an increasingly wider range of locales. You start out locally then move to national prowess, and then finally ending on a world tour! The milestone cinematics, with the inclusion of the actual characters, definitely adds a nice touch to the experience itself. In terms of flexibility, there are numerous elements to choose from, along with the addition of multiple modes per instrument, given the availability of the required peripheral. Functionality, though, is a bit of a drawback, as while the instruments do perform well in terms of accuracy and whatnot, the menus navigation and song sorting can be a tad frustrating. But overall, the game does what it sets out to do, and the experience of becoming a rock star is present. No bonus points due to the lack of groupies, though.

Graphics: 8.5/10 – The backgrounds are pretty; the effects during the shows are done well; the cinematics are enjoyable; and the characters still have a good feel about them. However, there seems to be a couple of additional issues in regards to some items on the character cutting through others (sunglasses cutting through a tilted hat, for example), as well as the lacking of certain details in regards to guitar straps and whatnot. So, it seems there are a couple oversights, albeit they are more nitpicky oversights.

Controls: 8.75/10 – The controls are done well, though it all really depends on the condition of the peripherals used. The more use that an item gets, the faster the condition degrades. But, given good equipment, the controls are pretty solid. The game can be calibrated for different entertainment systems, and the calibration works smoothly. The response time for the notes has also improved from the previous games, so there is definitely work being done to improve the game itself. The only complaint is with the menu functions and controls, and the aforementioned sorting mechanisms. Otherwise, the game controls well, and the response time is done well enough to not warrant any complaints.

Sounds & Music: 9.5/10 – This is a music game, so there is an emphasis on including a good soundtrack to the game itself. Overall, the song selection itself really all depends upon individual music tastes. Therefore, this is judged upon the variety available, and RB3 covers a ton of bases on this one. There are many fun songs across various genres and time periods, and along with the addition of a few highly requested songs, the soundtrack really shouldn’t disappoint as there is something for everyone. Probably the most demanded inclusions would have to be “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen and “Centerfold” by J. Geils Band. So, the soundtrack of the game covers a ton of different musical bases, and along with a gigantic DLC library, RB3 definitely pulls through in terms of a soundtrack.

Replayability & Fun: 9/10 – As with the previous Rock Band games, this series takes pride in providing a fun game that should last for quite some time. While the lack of additional bands does hurt, the game itself still is rather addicting, and can still provide hours of enjoyment alone or with a group of people. The gigantic library of songs available, either stock or DLC, will provide many options for all song desires, and the internal challenges will continue to test players for a while. The addition of the pro modes also allows for many players to take the next step into actually being able to play these instruments, so that alone should drive folks to pick the game up multiple times. So, RB3 still continues on the formula for providing a continually enjoyable game that should bring people back time and again. However, as stated before, the game definitely is moving towards a focus upon those who are better at the game rather than the casual crowd.

Overall: 44.5/50 = 89/100 = B+

Recommendation: Definitely a fun game to play and those who are fans of the series will definitely find some enjoyment out of playing the new songs and moving your band to the top of the world. The pro modes for the instruments are also a fantastic step in the right direction in terms of moving towards realism. However, as stated, the game is essentially two steps forward, one step back. All the changes implemented may cause a sour note for longtime fans of the series but it shouldn’t be too much of a disappointment. Overall, the game is still very fun, and still will be enjoyable for many, but it is definitely different. However, it’s definitely worth a shot sometime.

Left 4 Dead 2

2010-11-01T20:33:00.002-04:00

In honor of the Halloween holiday, I figured that I would do a more horror-themed game review rather than the scheduled Rock Band 3 release, so you can expect that one later this week. So, for today, I bring you one of the more enjoyable zombie survival games out there as I delve into the apocalyptic story of Left 4 Dead 2!

Title: Left 4 Dead 2

Publisher: Valve Software

Developer: Valve Software

Genre: FPS

Rating: M

Systems: PC, 360

After the strong success of the game Left 4 Dead, and their subsequent DLC, the people down at Valve decided to continue on with this apocalyptic story of humanity with Left 4 Dead 2. L4D2 tells the story of four other survivors in the nightmare that has come about thanks to a new super plague that has effectively brought down almost all society as we know it. Most of the elements found in the first game are still present in L4D2, along with the addition of a few improvements, additional special enemies, and new weapons. L4D2 also has this storyline set in various areas throughout the Deep South, ranging from a Savannah, Georgia mall, to cornfields, to an amusement park, to a swamp, to a New Orleans-esque Parish following the main four characters. Combined with the addition of numerous elements of Downloadable Content and extras, L4D2 looks to continue the winning formula that has made this series so popular.

To begin, the storyline, like in the original, takes place in the aftermath of an apocalyptic outbreak of a virus that not only kills its victims quickly, but also reanimates the corpse into a mutant, zombie-like state that is out for blood and violence on the living. However, instead of taking place in Philadelphia and the surrounding eastern forest areas, L4D2 takes place in the Deep South portion of the United States, and follows the path of four survivors that were basically “Left for Dead” as they just missed catching a helicopter that would have transported them to safety. The four main characters are Nick, a Bostonian con-artist and gambler; Rochelle, a northern television reporter formerly covering a story on the outbreak; Ellis, a talkative, Southern car mechanic and avid NASCAR fan and video game enthusiast; and Coach, a high school football coach with a love for chocolate. The story is told through a number of different chapters, with a couple parts within each chapter, in the style of a survival horror movie. There is also an AI “director” which controls events and item drops throughout the chapters depending on how well the survivors are performing.

The game is geared very much towards cooperation amongst the players, regardless of the game mode selected. In the campaign mode, it pits the four survivors against all AI-controlled enemies, and AI-controlled “special infected”. The survivors need to work together in order to make it past the ordeals set out in front of them as they try to make it to safety. In the versus mode, it pits a team of four human-controlled survivors against the AI-controlled zombie Horde, along with four human-controlled “special infected” enemies, the type of which vary after each special infected death. This requires a lot of strategy and teamwork on both sides, as any disjunction within a team could easily lead to failure for either side. The survivors have the weapons and combined fire can easily take down a lone infected, but alone, a well-timed special infected attack can easily eliminate a lone survivor. There are also numerous specialty game modes which add interesting twists on the gameplay some of which include an “All Chainsaw” mode, where the survivors don’t have any ranged weapons, but all have unlimited chainsaw fuel. There is also another “Realism” game mode, which makes survival a lot more challenging as certain elements are removed from the survivor’s side, such as the highlighting of items on the ground and players behind walls. So, there are quite a few variations on the gameplay to keep things interesting over time.

As stated before, Left 4 Dead 2 follows along with the same format of the previous game, where the survivors need to work together to survive against nigh-impossible odds, and an ever-increasing Horde of zombies out for their blood. Like in L4D, players have a primary weapon and a secondary weapon, along with the inventory slot for one med kit which heals almost all health loss, as well as a slot for one thrown weapon, and a slot for one support item. However, in the 2^nd installment, there is the addition and prominence of melee weapons with the likes of a baseball bat, katana, frying pan, and chainsaw making their presence known in the game. These melee weapons, if used, take the slot of the secondary pistol weapon, but offer some very powerful close-range attack power that the pistol lacked in the first game. Along with the addition of twice the number of primary ranged weapons, Left 4 Dead 2 definitely offers more in terms of player survivability than the original. That being said, there is also the addition of a few new types of special infected enemies to go along with all the original specials. Along with the Boomer, Hunter, Smoker, Witch, and Tank, there is the introduction of the Spitter, who spits acid at survivors, the Jockey, which can effectively “ride” a survivor towards hazards, and the Charger, which can ram into survivors and effectively slam them to death. So, with the additional survivability come more ways to get killed, so overall it evens out to keep things challenging and fun.

Left 4 Dead 2 has also been delivering ample downloadable content since its release, as was promised by Valve when the game was announced. The first campaign DLC was the release of The Passing, where the survivors of L4D2 cross paths with the survivors of the first storyline, sans one, whom is revealed during the campaign’s concluding act. This DLC also introduces a new type of uncommon infected enemy known as the “Fallen Survivor”, who drops some rather useful equipment upon death. However, rather than attacking the players, the fallen survivor runs away. There has also been a 2^nd major DLC release which covers not only how the original survivors reach that point in time in a campaign called “The Sacrifice”, but also re-releases one of the more popular Left 4 Dead campaigns, No Mercy, all with the weapons and enemies of Left 4 Dead 2. Both these campaigns feature all of the lovable original survivors rather than the new set. The Sacrifice, along with the comic series released in the weeks prior to the DLC, tells the tale of how the original survivors made it to the South, and how one of them had to sacrifice themselves so that the other three could survive. No Mercy is simply a retelling of the first campaign of the original Left 4 Dead.

Overall, the game itself takes the bar set by the first game and raises it by adding a number of desired improvements from the fan base. The addition of the melee weapons add another choice of playing style for the players, and the expansion of the primary weapons add another level of variety to the game itself. Along with the addition of the new special infected enemies, the game remains to be rather well-balanced, and victory is determined by strategic teamwork in the higher difficulties rather than blind spray-and-pray gameplay. So, Left 4 Dead 2 is definitely a nice continuation of an already enjoyable series.

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Now let’s get into the numbers.

Storyline: 9/10 – Simple storyline told in a somewhat unique way that isn’t usually seen in many video games. The story itself is simple, as it is just depicting events after an apocalyptic virus outbreak that is turning all humanity into violent, rage-filled zombies. What sets it apart, however, is that it is told in the style of a zombie survival horror film, complete with movie poster loading screens at the start, and movie-style credits at the end. It brings a nice little addition that delivers a somewhat new twist on a tried and true theme.

Graphics: 8.5/10 – Nothing too phenomenal in terms of graphics, unfortunately, but also nothing really bad about them either. It has a lot of gritty hues, and there is the ever-present fog found throughout the game. But, it does depict the areas well enough with the engine used, and it definitely gives the feel of the Deep South. Graphical bugs and glitches do rear their ugly heads on occasion as well, where enemies do have a chance of spawning within a wall or object, and the hit detection can be a bit spotty at times. So, graphics are fine, but nothing too eye-popping overall and there are small glitches on occasion.

Controls & Gameplay: 9/10 – The game does a good job in terms of delivering a competent FPS to the player. The firing controls and item swapping work well and there really aren’t any complaints. The controls work well, and that’s all that can really be asked. In terms of gameplay, the game does offer a lot to do, while keeping the goal rather simple and achievable. The concepts of the enemies are very straightforward, where the roles of each special infected are set, and it is up to the AI or player to utilize them to their full potential using whatever creativity they have. Unfortunately, there are moments of glitches in terms of the actions that may screw things up (a Charger ignoring the wall, and just keeps running rather than slamming and stopping, for example), but for the most part, the gameplay is done well.

Sound & Music: 9/10 – Not much music in terms of a soundtrack, but the voice acting done, and the actual implementation of the available music and sound effects are utilized quite well. The characters do interact with one another as they travel through the story, and it can lead to some entertaining comments and responses. The music cues in the game are also done with some theatrical precision. For example, when there is some form of special infected in the area, and is hiding, there is a musical cue that helps set the atmosphere of suspense, along with a telltale noise given off by said special infected to notify what type is actually hiding somewhere in the shadows. While this may sound simple, it actually is done in such a way that enhances the gameplay itself. There are also special music scores given upon a zombie Horde charge, a Tank attack, or even by hitting a jukebox numerous times. The jukebox is especially fun, as it can play things ranging from the in-game musical band Midnight Riders, to New Orleans Jazz, to “Re: Your Brains” by Jonathan Coulton (which actually leads to a Horde charge). So, while there isn’t much there, what they do have is utilized quite well.

Replayability & Fun: 9.5/10 – This game, like the original, brings about multiple multiplayer campaigns for groups of people to enjoy. The versus mode adds another level of play as it pits groups of players against one another to see who kills who first, and scores teams depending on who makes it farther in the campaign total. Along with the existence of the game mutations, and the dynamic gameplay, Left 4 Dead 2 definitely offers many hours of additional playtime well after the first completion of the game. However, as with most primarily multiplayer games, enjoyment can vary depending upon the group of people that one can play with. While the game does offer a single-player campaign mode, many parts tend to just fell better to play with a group, rather than alone. So, depending on the other players in the game, the fun can vary, but overall, the game still has a lot of staying power in terms of replayability & fun given the multiple game modes, variety of viable playstyles, and additional DLC content.

Overall: 45/50 – 90/100 – A-

Recommendation: Fans of the first game should find a lot of enjoyment in Left 4 Dead 2. The main elements that made the first game fun are still present, and the additions definitely enhance the enjoyable moments of the game. Few things can be as enjoyable as revving up a chainsaw and plowing through a giant horde of zombies, and this game makes it a reality. The story is simple, but is told well, the voice acting and sound effects enhance the experience, and the dynamic AI gives a challenge to all skill levels. But, as stated before, it still depends on how much one enjoys multiplayer. While single player does exist, most of the fun found in this game is when one works with a group of friends to overcome the challenge presented before them. Overall, though, it is a very enjoyable game, and definitely worth a look sometime.

Final Fantasy XIII

2010-10-29T10:45:00.002-04:00

After the ordeal that was Final Fantasy XII, the folks down at Square Enix bring to the populace the Thirteenth installment of the Final Fantasy series. With a brand new story, a new cast of characters, a fantastic soundtrack, beautiful graphics, and a new twist on the battle system, the game looks to bring some of the luster back to a series that has withstood the test of time. So, grab a potion or two, equip your sword, and charge up some teenage angst; here we venture off into Final Fantasy XIII! Be forewarned, like the game itself, this is a long one!

Title: Final Fantasy XIII

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Square Enix

Genre: RPG

Rating: T

Systems: 360, PS3

Here we have the Thirteenth installment of the Final Fantasy series. Final Fantasy, as a series, has been in existence for quite some time, and as per usual, it brings about a fantastic new tale that is almost completely unique in comparison to the Final Fantasies of the past. The story itself is new and unique compared to the other games in the series, the battle system has gotten another revamp, and the character building is in another new iteration. However, it also differs from games of the past as it is a LOT more linear in comparison. The game starts out, ironically enough, on a straight pathway after riding along on a train, and unfortunately, that is pretty much a big glimpse as to what to expect for a good 75% of the game.

XIII brings about a tale that takes place on the floating city world of Cocoon and the giant outerworld known as Pulse. Cocoon is where the majority of the game takes place, and it is led by the religious figureheads known as the Sanctum, who are the ones that are in direct contact with the deity-like creatures known as the fal-Cie. The fal-Cie, as the game eventually shows, are mythical beings that provide and care for the Humans that live in Cocoon. In the beginning of the game, the player assumes the role of the former security officer known only as Lightning, along with the civilian pilot known as Sazh, fighting their way through throngs of soldiers going through a bit of a military extraction known as the Purge. The game also cuts to a freedom fighter known as Snow, leading a local militia trying to fight off the military of the Sanctum. As the story goes on in the first chapter of the game, they eventually come into contact with a boy named Hope, and a bubbly young woman named Vanille. Eventually, they also add a no-nonsense woman named Fang to the party as well. As the story goes on, the party eventually finds out their role in a much larger scheme that intertwines them all with the fate of Cocoon, the mysteries of the religion that has led their lives for so long, and the mystery which surrounds the outerworld of Pulse.

Unfortunately, while the story itself is rather well developed and deep, there are numerous subliminal and unspoken details to the story itself that aren’t revealed in actually playing the game. This is a common thing throughout XIII, as while the cinematics and player actions do help gain a feel for the events in the game, it does require a lot of reading in the datalog in order to actually understand and comprehend the true context of the game itself. That is the major underlying problem with XIII, as if one wants to truly understand the story, they will find themselves reading tons of appendix data given in the provided datalog inside the game menu. There were many occasions which required spending a good amount of time reading the recap of the chapters and updated character data just to say, “Oh THAT’S what happened. It makes much more sense now!” So, if one wants to understand the story, expect to spend a lot of time sitting and reading the datalog.

The character system of XIII brings back the selectable Job system found in many of the older FF games, as well as having experience delivered more in terms of spendable ability points (known as Crystallium Points) rather than set EXP values. There are six Jobs (or Roles) available for each character total, with each character being more attuned to three roles for most of the game. The Roles available are the Commando (chain maintenance and direct attacks), the Ravager (chain boosting and very damaging attacks), the Sentinel (tanking and defensive abilities), the Medic (healing and status removal), the Synergist (party buffs and support), and the Saboteur (debuffs and afflicting status ailments to enemies). For the party makeup, the player can set what are called Paradigm Decks, where each member of the party has a specific role in each Deck. During the battle, the player can access up to six Paradigm Deck make-ups (set outside of battle on the menu screen), and the player is required to constantly shift between these Decks in order to effectively defeat foes throughout the game, as the roles are extremely specialized.

Character development consists of distributing the aforementioned Crystallium Points (CP) across multiple Role trees. These trees will give the characters various stat boosts across all roles, as well as allow access to different abilities specific to a given Role. This is what takes the place of the usual EXP level system, as the characters only increase in Role Levels through reaching the appropriate nodes in the specific trees. Reaching these Role Level markers allows for the specific Roles, when in use, to deliver an overall percentage boost to not only the specific character, but also to the abilities of the characters in the party during a battle. In comparison to other EXP models found in the previous games, this one is rather interesting, as it can allow for characters to become either well-rounded to fill numerous roles, but also the option to become super specialized in a specific Role to expedite the percentage boosting of that one Role’s abilities. When the Paradigm and Role systems become available, each character initially has access to three specific Roles, but as the game goes on, the characters eventually gain access to the remaining three roles, but in a somewhat lesser form. So, the option to make any character do anything is there, if one is willing to take the time and spend the high CP costs to fill them. After battles, the CP is delivered to ALL members of the team, not just those involved with the fight.

Final Fantasy XIII introduces another new battle system to the universe with a new twist on the ATB battle system. Like in FFXII, the battles are pretty much done in real time once again, and the positions on the battlefield will once again have an effect upon the how attacks and abilities are performed, and the effectiveness thereof. However, that is where the similarities end, as this system proceeds to improve upon that system itself to not only make it stand out on its own, but also to bring it back to a more turn-based system. Unlike in XII, XIII doesn’t allow the player to control the movement of the player in terms of position during the fight, as the selected abilities will constantly move them around as the battle progresses, giving it an overall better feel to the fight itself. The player also only controls one character during the fight, with the other members being controlled by the AI, and act according to their Roles. So, as mentioned before, the player will constantly have to shift Paradigms in order to reach full fighting potential in a given battle. “Is there a need for party buffs at a certain point?”, “Should I maximize the damage potential?”, and “What if I need a healer at some point?” are all questions the player will ask themselves when preparing the proper Paradigm for the party. So, the player will have to prepare the appropriate Paradigm Decks beforehand, and hopefully obtain the right balance of Decks in order to overcome any situation.

The battling itself is rather straightforward. The player can choose Auto-Attack, which puts in the supposed ideal combination of abilities given the current size of the ATB gauge; Abilities, which allow the player to choose the ideal combination of abilities performed; Techniques, which are the more specialized, and more powerful, moves available in a Role’s arsenal; or Items, which allows the player to instantly use an item in the fight. Abilities, whether they are magic or physical, do not require any special points in order to use, though Techniques use TP, or Technique Points. TP is restored through using normal abilities, and are also partially recovered after each battle. All of the abilities require a certain amount of the ATB gauge to use during a fight, and with each filling of the gauge the player can determine the ideal combination of attacks to be delivered.

The battle system also introduces an effect called “Staggering” the enemy. This status puts the enemy in a weakened form for a time, allowing the party to deliver not only an increasing amount of damage, but access to numerous special automatic abilities given the Role of the character. To obtain a Stagger, the players must completely fill an enemy’s combo gauge via effectively maintaining and boosting damaging combos. There is a specific Paradigm available which maximizes combo building, but it comes at the cost of having no healer, which brings up the need to manage the Paradigm Shift appropriately. However, many enemies come with strong defenses and high HP, so to be able to increase combo damage and eventually send them into a Stagger is a required priority to winning a battle quickly and easily.

The battles are also not random as they were in the past. When confronting enemies, they all appear outside of the battle on the land itself in full view of the player. This requires the player to have the option of strategically initiating the battle before the enemy notices the party’s presence. To deliver a preemptive strike by sneaking up on an enemy, the battle begins with the automatic filling of the combo gauges of all the enemies at the start. This gives the player a major advantage going into any fight. Another addition to the battle system is the Battle Rating system for after the fight. Depending on how the fight went, and how fast it was completed, the battle is given a rating of 1 to 5 Stars. These stars determine not only the number of extra CP given to the team, but also the items that are dropped. The better the battle, the higher the rating and the better chance of receiving a piece of rare loot from the enemies defeated.

Even with the improved battle system, and the intricate character development system, XIII is still somewhat far from perfect. As mentioned before, the story is very developed and in-depth, but the telling of it is somewhat lacking as it requires the player to spend time reading the datalog in order to understand it. The game itself also plays out in an extremely slow and drawn-out manner. While the game does eventually pick up near the end, and is rather enjoyable to play once that occurs, the majority of the chapters feel like they will never end, and feel like more of a chore than a challenge. The other issues would be that the game is extremely linear, even more so than Final Fantasy XII. For a good 75% of the game, the player has no control as to the character makeup of the party, and there is no ability to explore in terms of an overworld map. In fact, the game consists of hallway to cutscene to hallway to cutscene for 10 of the 13 chapters of the game itself. There is a high lacking of choice in terms of where the party could go and when, and while it is ultimately required by the story for this to happen, it is a tad disappointing for a series known for the ability to explore a vast world. The game breakdown is basically this; there is no access to the CP system until Chapter 2-3, party makeup control isn’t available until Chapter 8-9, and there is no ability to branch into anything close to a side-mission until Chapter 11-12. Even then, there is no true freedom to explore until Chapter 13, right before the final battle area. While the game does have many positive points… there are a lot of negatives which prevent it from becoming truly great.

Overall, Final Fantasy XIII is a very deep game with countless hours of gameplay. The battle system has been improved from XII, and the return of the Job System will being smiles to fans of the older games. The graphics and cutscenes are done incredibly well, and for those fortunate enough to own this on an HD system will be treated to quite the visual show. That being said, the game does feel rather drawn out, the immense amount of linearity definitely hurts (being that it is a Final Fantasy Game), and some of the characters can get a bit bland and worn out quickly. However, if you can get past those issues, and are looking for a game with a metric ton of detail to play over a few weeks/months of time, Final Fantasy XIII is definitely a good choice.

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Now for some numbers!

Storyline: 8/10 – This is a bit of a conflict, as there are some parts that are fantastic, and other parts that are abysmally bad. Starting with the good, the story itself is incredibly detailed, and when all the parts are seen, it’s one of the best stories found in the FF series. However, the way the story is presented, and the requirement of background knowledge on many of the terms and history really do prevent the story from being told well. To fully understand the story, the player cannot really obtain all the information needed from the cutscenes and in-game actions, rather relying on the constant reliance upon reading the datalog accessed via the menu screen. The game itself pretty much throws the player into the story itself without giving any info as to the world, or any background info thereof, so it is not far-fetched to expect the player to have an aura of complete confusion as to what is going on. So, while the story itself is well done, the method of telling it is not. Also, the story does get rather predictable in ~~some~~ many parts.

Graphics: 10/10 – Not much else to say other than the graphics are beautiful, pure and simple. The Eidolons are gorgeous, the cutscenes are phenomenal, and the in-game engine is extremely fluid and detailed. There is no delay in the spells and actions, and an absolute visual masterpiece.

Controls & Gameplay: 9.25/10 – The controls are very solid and it doesn’t take too long to learn the nuances of playing the game. The battle system has definitely been improved from FFXII, and the character development system is rather competent. It will take a couple battles to get used to the controls and nuances, and there are plenty of tutorials to help expedite this process, so new players should be taking down foes and shifting Paradigms within a reasonable amount of time.

Sound & Music: 9.5/10 – Not too surprising really. From a series that is known for the music, this installment doesn’t disappoint. The symphonic soundtrack is quite beautiful, and it shows the effort put into the music which really does enhance the game itself. The only thing that I can say is that they do somewhat overplay the main theme throughout the game itself, so while it is a beautiful song itself, hearing the same thing over and over again may cause some distaste over time. But, the same could be said for all songs really. The voice acting and SFX are also very well done in this game, as the characters do have some live given to them via the voices, and none really hurt the ears in terms of annoyance, Hope’s whiny nature not included as the character actually is a 14-year old kid. So, the voices do suit the characters, and do give some depth to them just by that. So overall, the soundtrack is still quite nice.

Replayability & Fun: 7/10 – Another conflicting element is that while the game does have a rather interesting and intricate way of giving some replayability, the sheer length of the game is a bit of a discouragement to play through it multiple times. Considering that most of the things that gave other FF games staying power and the desire for replaying them are not really present in FFXIII until very late in the game itself. So, it is hard to see many people wanting to go through 50+ hours of gameplay just to reach the exploring section once again. While there are elements that could conceivably cause the desire to replay the game (Role trees, equipment leveling, etc), the sheer drawn-out nature will cause people to turn away. In regards to a Fun Factor, the game definitely has its moments, especially with the battle system. But, as stated before, there are numerous occasions where the game just feels like a boring chore rather than a fun challenge.

Overall: 43.75/50 – 87.5/100 – B+

Recommendation: While the game itself is absolutely beautiful in terms of graphics and the soundtrack, those looking for a quick game with a simple story will not find it in Final Fantasy XIII. The story itself is incredibly immersive and detailed, though for those who aren’t interested in reading an appendix of background details and information, the game may be a bit too confusing to really enjoy. As stated before, those who don’t want to read the datalog will end up finding themselves lost and confused throughout most of the game. So, the rating can be a bit deceptive depending on certain interests. But, for those who would prefer to read background info in conjunction with playing the game, as well as enjoying a game that will take a long time to play, then FFXIII is definitely one to check out sometime.

MLB Playoffs - World Series

2010-10-25T17:36:00.003-04:00

Well, it seems that both undercards won in the ALCS and NLCS, and as such, the Texas Rangers will be facing the San Francisco Giants in the 2010 World Series. Both teams were facing difficult odds if they were to advance, as the Rangers faced off against the defending World Series Champions in the New York Yankees, while the Giants were heading off to face the team with the best record of 2010 in the Philadelphia Phillies. Both the Phillies and the Yankees were slated to win and face each other in a World Series rematch, however, it seems the Rangers and Giants went out and defied the odds to pull off two tough upsets. So, let's see how these two teams got to this point, and see if the World Series prediction will turn out to be a bit more accurate!

- Matchup for the 2010 World Series -
Texas Rangers vs San Francisco Giants.

After just squeaking by the Tampa Bay Rays in 5 games, the Texas Rangers found themselves facing the difficult task of the New York Yankees in the ALCS. After finding themselves down after the first game of the series after squandering a 5 run lead, the Texas Rangers seemed to click right into gear, winning the next three games of the series to put themselves on the verge of their first World Series appearance in the history of their ball club. After the Yankees put in some resilience thanks to their Ace C.C. Sabathia in Game 5, the Rangers proceeded to simply overwhelm the Yankees pitching in Game 6, and took the ALCS with a line of 4 games to 2. Their victory was highlighted by their lineup feasting on the Yankees pitching weaknesses, as well as showcasing some very strong pitching of their own, as their rotation simply outclassed the Yankees lineup in almost every way. Aside from the matches against Sabathia, the Rangers rotation shut down the Yankees dangerous lineup. Thanks to some excellent scouting, the normally patient Yankees lineup found themselves behind in counts throughout the series, and then being forced into some uncomfortable swings, ultimately leading to their elimination. Even with the ever-present danger of the Yankees lineup, as was seen with the comeback victory in Game 1, the Rangers pitching pulled themselves through to provide a nice feel-good story going into the World Series.

After the San Francicso Giants effectively ended the career of Bobby Cox of the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, they found themselves facing off against the dangerous Philadelphia Phillies. In order for the Giants to have any chance of making it to their first World Series since 2002 they would need to continue their heavy reliance on their fantastic postseason pitching as their lineup was dwarfed by the Phillies in terms of stats. However, there were few who could have predicted the incredible performance of Cody Ross, as he absolutely feasted upon Phillies pitching, and allowed the Giants to have the run margin needed for their pitching to obtain the victories. With the Phillies coming into the NLCS boasting one of the best combined rotations and lineups of the year, the Giants needed their pitching to keep the games close. After pulling out a key victory in Game 1 against Roy Halladay, the Giants found themselves at a nice advantage going into the rest of the series. They ran into a bit of a road block in Game 2 against Roy Oswalt, the Giants pitching pulled themselves together at home to take two out of three against the Phillies, giving them a nice 3-2 lead going into Game 6. In this tightly-fought match, an unlikely hero in Juan Uribe gave the Giants a late-game victory, sending the team into a surprising trip to the World Series. The Giants took the series 4 games to 2.

Now, for the World Series matchup itself. We have the hard-hitting Texas Rangers facing off against the hard-throwing San Francisco Giants. In terms of overall stats, the Rangers come in with one of the best lineups in baseball, though their pitching staff ranks as midcard at best with one major exception. With Cliff Lee chasing postseason history in wins, strikeouts, and era, the Rangers are hoping to catch the Giants off guard and feast on mistakes as they did against the Yankees. However, while the Giants boost a midcard lineup at best in terms of stats, their pitching staff ranks as one of the best in baseball this year. So, overall we have a matchup of power hitting against power pitching. Hamilton, Cruz, and Young of the Rangers against Lincecum, Cain, and Sanchez of the Giants. In most of the games the Rangers won, the Rangers outscored their opponents by quite a bit. Their lineup has proven to be one of the toughest to stop thanks to Hamilton proving that he was deserving of the AL MVP status, and with Nelson Cruz and Vladimir Guerrero hitting around him, the Rangers will do their best to tire out the Giants pitching staff and capitalize on any mistakes. The Giants, however, have proven that even with a mediocre lineup, a team with incredible pitching can still win games. While they never really provided any flair in terms of lineup power, all they needed was a couple runs in each game to punch their ticket to the World Series. Throughout the postseason, the Giants have had 6 games where they won by one run, and the greatest margin of victory was three runs, both times while shutting their opponents out. If Cody Ross can continue his torrid hitting, the Giants may just have what is needed to pull this one out. However, as with all pitching, if a starter has a bad game, the Giants find themselves in a very difficult situation, as they lack the true lineup power to overcome large deficits. As seen against the Phillies when they lost, if a starter slips up, they lose. With a Rangers lineup that has become known for wearing out and tearing up pitchers, the Giants will need to keep pitching at the top of their game if they are to come out of this one. In the end, this series looks to be a very good one overall. Both teams defied odds to reach this point, and both teams look to have a strong will to win. After the dust clears though, the Rangers should continue to keep up their powerful hitting, and the pitching dominance of the Giants will crack just enough for the Rangers to pull through and win this one in the end.

Prediction: Rangers over Giants in 6 Games.

Well, there you have it. After a fantastic season, the Rangers should win this one thanks to their powerful lineup as they crack through the Giants rotation just enough to win this series and obtain the ball club their first World Series title in their history. Overall, though, this should be a fantastic series to watch, so to all baseball fans out there, enjoy!

May the best team win!

Fallout: New Vegas

2010-10-21T17:35:00.002-04:00

Here we have the latest installment of the critically acclaimed Fallout series. With the creators of the first couple of Fallout games back behind the developing helm, and the Fallout 3 creators publishing the game, this one brings the storyline back out west to the desert wasteland of New Vegas! With the combination of the Bethesda gameplay mechanics and the established storyline and creativity of Obsidian, can this game live up to the formula that made the Fallout series so popular? We shall see. Gather your equipment, call any companions, and watch your back as we delve into the illuminated wastelands of Fallout: New Vegas!

Title: Fallout: New Vegas

Publisher: Obsidian Entertainment

Developer: Bethesda Softworks

Genre: FPS/TPS RPG

Rating: M

Systems: 360, PS3, PC

After a couple years out from the massively successful Fallout 3 release (and subsequent DLC), we have the next installment of the Fallout series with Fallout: New Vegas. With the original developers back behind the helm, and the ones behind Fallout 3 publishing the game, New Vegas initially looks to be another fantastic installment in this well-known series.

After the installments on the east coast of the former United States, this game takes place back in the west in, as the name implies, the equivalent of Las Vegas in the Fallout Universe. Vegas appears to have been relatively untouched after the nuclear war that decimated humanity in this continuity, and unlike Fallout 3, there are still quite a few buildings and natural landmarks still quite intact. The Vegas Strip itself is still lit up in the night sky thanks to the Hoover Dam still churning out power, as well as a somewhat fully functional Solar Power Plant. All of these, of course, end up being rather big plot points throughout the series. Many old faces from older Fallout games make reappearances as well. The New California Republic is a main force once again as the events of Fallout 1 and 2 seems to allow the NCR to expand. The Brotherhood of Steel and Caesar’s Legion also make their presence known in New Vegas in a variety of ways, and of course, there are plenty of new factions found in the game. Each town the player comes across now has an alignment system within themselves, so essentially, every settlement in the game could be considered its own faction.

The game itself takes place some time after the Battle of the Hoover Dam, after the NCR barely held off the advances of the Legion and has gained control of the Dam and the power output thereof. The player takes control of a character known as “The Courier”, a delivery man or woman, depending upon the gender choice at the start, who was pretty much brought back from the dead after getting shot in the head by one of the kingpins (or chairmen) from New Vegas, and your parcel was stolen. The task; obtain what was once yours, get revenge upon the ones responsible, and complete your delivery task. As per usual in the Fallout universe, what the player does during the meantime is somewhat open-ended. Certain actions will affect how the game world perceives the Courier, as well as the available quests found as the game progresses.

The control system is pretty much the same from Fallout 3, and the enjoyable VATS system makes a full return to New Vegas, as well as the ability to switch between first and third person viewpoints while travelling. This allows those who prefer the run-and-gun style of a FPS and TPS to get full enjoyment from the game, as well as those who prefer more of a turn-based battle system to still have a chance at survival in the harsh desert wasteland of the Mojave. The S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stat system and perks also make a full return with almost all of the perks from 3 making reappearances, along with a plethora of new ones being introduced. SPECIAL stands for Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, & Luck. The player selects which stats they want their character to have in the starting quest of the game, as well as which skills they want to focus on, and the initial traits for the character. Once again, the quest is done in a rather creative way, as the one who brought you back to the world of the living had to “prod around upstairs” to make sure everything was in order.

As per usual in the Fallout series, there are plenty of weapons and armor to choose from throughout the adventure. Like in the previous game, the weapons and armor all suffer from degradation, and it is up to the player to keep them in repair. So, the choice of either utilizing the weapon for scraps or cash (caps) rears its head once again. The weapons are in plentiful supply, and there are tons of people who are willing to buy and sell all of the equipment and objects one could find. Workbenches appear once again to allow for the creation of various weapons and equipment, and now there is the addition of a “Reloading Bench”, which allows the player to change ammo from one type to another with little loss between them. This can allow the player who may specialize in one type of weapon to constantly be loaded with the appropriate ammunition regardless of what is found in the Wasteland. The player is also introduced to the crafting of foods, where the player can pick up seeds of plants and meats and hides of animals, and utilize a campfire to create higher quality food and items to either consume or sell for a better result.

Now, while much of the game is just a recreation from Fallout 3, there are quite a few new elements found within New Vegas. Aside from the introduction of some new perks and weapons, there is the introduction of a new minigame. Being that it is Vegas, it would seem natural that card games would be a staple amongst the populace. In the working casinos, the player is able to partake in games such as Blackjack and Slots, but the new game introduced would be a card game known as Caravan. Like in the Final Fantasy series, the player collects various cards (though in this case, cards from a conventional 52 card deck) and is able to construct their own customized deck. The rules of the game are rather intricate, and perhaps an analysis will be done later on, but for now, let’s leave it at that. After constructing a deck, the player can challenge various people throughout New Vegas to a game, and there is a good possibility of making quite a sum of money via betting. So, overall it is a nice little addition there. The new perks in the game allow for a number of playing styles to become more viable in the game. There are a few new perks available which allow the player to become more melee oriented, as well as perhaps going more along the lines of an energy weapons fighter. Companions also make reappearances, though in New Vegas, the companions have additional effects upon the player in the form of companion perks. Some companions give the player a boost to certain stats, while others can give an additional effect while fighting or trading, etc. There is also the possibility of having up to 5 companions depending on the companion type (one humanoid, one robot/dog, and various numbers of summoned companions given certain prerequisites are completed), so that’s a nice addition there compared to the previous games as having an entire posse of helpers can make the game much easier. There is also the addition of a Hardcore mode for New Vegas which offers a number of additional requirements the player must keep an eye on. The main things about this mode have the player needing to keep themselves fed and hydrated. That’s right, there is a need to actually drink water and eat food aside from HP restoration. Failing to eat and drink can result in many negative effects to take place, such as slower movement, less weapon accuracy, as well as some major stat reductions. Overall, for those looking for an additional challenge, Hardcore Mode should sate that thirst for a while.

Now, let’s get into the not-so-pleasant issues found in the game. For the PC version, the game requires an active internet connection to the program manager known as Steam. While this can lead to an easier time keeping most hackers at bay, as well as an easier distribution for updates over a wide range of players, it does lead to issues of its own. If Steam goes down, or if one may be without an internet connection, it would prevent one from even being able to play the game at all. The game is also a host of a number of glitches and crashing issues at the current point in time. There have been numerous occasions where the autosave function might not work, as well as times where the game just simply crashes completely. The combination to these things will definitely cause some frustration where one may believe that the latest save was automatically done, but in fact, it wasn’t, and when the game crashes that could lead to hours of playtime lost. So, expect to manually have to save at numerous times throughout the game if one plays on a computer. So, while overall a decently composed game, there are some issues that would drive one insane and potentially ruin the gaming experience.

Overall, the game is done rather well, even though there are numerous elements recycled from Fallout 3. However, most of the recycled elements are the positive elements that made the previous game fun and enjoyable for many people. The VATS system has been improved, the ability to choose between a first or third person perspective allows for people to enjoy the game in their own way, and of course, the good/evil choices allow for a somewhat dynamic style of play giving the player a reason to go through the game multiple times. There are also enough new elements found within the game to give those bored of Fallout 3 a new feel for the series. The new perks allow for different styles of play that weren’t really available in the previous games, and the new world and quests make the game its own entity rather than just being a glorified expansion pack. The addition of a Hardcore mode also adds quite a nice dynamic for players looking for a much greater challenge. In conclusion, Fallout New Vegas is definitely a nice step forward for the series by combining the parts that made the previous games fun, while adding a nice balance of new elements to give the game it’s own identity.

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Now for some numbers!

Storyline: 9.25/10 – As with most of the past Fallout games, all of the events that happen in New Vegas take a calling from the other games of the series. While it can definitely be a stand-alone game in terms of immediate story, having a background in playing the other games definitely is a bonus as you can see what ties in with what throughout the timeline. So, while a new player to the series may get a little lost in some of the background presented, there is enough knowledge strewn about in game to give anyone a grasp on the immediate and overarching plot to the Fallout series. However, it does require the player to dig around quite a bit in order to find said nuggets of info.

Graphics: 8.75/10 – While not the prettiest game in the world, anyone can definitely tell that some improvements were made to the game engine in the creation of New Vegas. That being said, the game is basically a somewhat updated form of Fallout 3, which may be a downer to many players of the series. The landscapes are still rather detailed, and the highest graphics settings do bring the game to a very nice level. Being that the setting wasn’t completely bombed out as it was in 3, the natural landscape is definitely more than just a wasteland thanks to the presence of more power sources readily available. The daylight effects are still done pretty well, and looking at a lit up New Vegas is definitely a site to behold.

Controls & Gameplay: 8.5/10 – Overall, it is pretty much a repeat of Fallout 3. There is nothing really new to see here in terms of controls. The developers took what worked in the previous game and continued to run with it. However, what hurts this is the presence of the glitches, and some issues from the previous games (in regards to hit detection) do hurt the gameplay quite a bit when they appear. But, the VATS system does still work well, and those who continually maintain their weapon’s condition are rewarded with some good, dynamic shots.

Sound & Music: 9.75/10 – Once again the creators bring in a fantastic cast of voice actors, and the old music completely heightens the gameplay experience. The style of music ranges from old country western style songs while wandering the Mojave Desert, to the lounge great Frank Sinatra while touring the Las Vegas strip. Pretty much all of the voice actors play their parts extremely well, and the emotions are well conveyed. No complaints here.

Replayability: 10/10 – As with the rest of the Fallout series, there exist an incredible number of paths a player can take as they make their way to the ending. Whether one chooses good or evil, almost all actions have an effect on the world itself in some way shape or form. Each playthrough will result in something a little different, and with the addition of the Hardcore mode, it is definitely worth multiple trips through the world. Save the town in one game, destroy it in the next. Shoot the hostages or rescue them by fighting their way out or bargaining. New Vegas offers numerous Easter Eggs as well, so those who enjoy searching and finding everything the game has to offer will find themselves burning the midnight oil across many a night. There was a lot expected in terms of bonuses, and the devs provided them and then some.

Overall: 46.25/50 = 92.5/100 = A

Recommendation: Definitely worth picking up if you are a fan of the series. For those that have never played the game will also find hours of enjoyment just due to the sheer number of different things that you can do. The game has a fantastic immediate and overarching storyline, the graphics are done well, the sound and music fit the timeline and plot, and there are so many different paths available that you would be doing yourself a disservice by not going through it more than once. If you can get past the occasional glitch, Fallout: New Vegas is definitely a game worthy of an addition in almost all collections.

Resonance of Fate

2010-10-19T15:07:00.001-04:00

Here we have one of the latest JRPGs brought to you by the creators of Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile! Will this game achieve the same success as the other games by Tri Ace? We shall see as we follow the team of Vashyron, Zephyr, and Leanne as they attempt to make a living on the steampunk world of Basel. Here is Resonance of Fate!

Title: Resonance of Fate

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Tri-Ace

Genre: RPG

Rating: T

Systems: 360, PS3

Resonance of Fate is a steampunk-themed RPG that attempts to tell a story to question beliefs, and brings about a new twist on the RPG battle system. Coming from the developers of the acclaimed Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile series of games, Tri-Ace brings introduces a new world in Resonance of Fate. The game itself is pretty straightforward in terms of storyline, but in terms of battles and weapons, the game is strictly ranged attacks and cinematic-style fighting.

The game itself takes place in a steampunk future where the humanity of the past has corrupted the planet so badly that everyone is forced to live on a giant tower known as Basel. The tower stretches from below the ground in the mines and slums, to the heavens in an area known as Chandelier, named so due to how it appears in the night sky up above the rest of Basel. As guessed, the higher up one goes, the nicer the areas tend to be. The world is run by the religious figures known as Cardinals, who are the spiritual and governmental leaders of the society. Basel itself is actually considered to be a living deity, as it becomes apparent that the lives of the humans are tied in to the clockwork functions of the structure itself and the mines of quartz found below. There are three main characters in the player’s party. First we have the leader Vashyron, a longtime Hunter known for his effectiveness in getting the job done, as well as his philosophical and laid back attitude. Zephyr is the 2^nd character in the party. A child of a troubled past, who constantly comments about how he hates being alive, Vashyron has taken Zephyr in and has trained him to be a Hunter. The third member of the party is the young woman Leanne, who in the game’s starting cutscene was rescued from an apparent suicide by Zephyr, and has since joined up with him and Vash. The game follows the party’s adventures performing tasks for various clients ranging from Cardinals to those dwelling on the lower levels, while gradually revealing the inner workings behind the scenes of Basel and the religious structure thereof.

The weapon system found in RoF consists of guns, grenades, and more guns. The weapons are customizable utilizing various attachments found throughout the game world, ranging from chests in dungeons, to monster drops, to quest rewards, to shop purchases. The attachments never visually appear in the weapon design models the characters hold, but what makes this interesting is that the player can make some Frankensteinian combinations for the guns itself. If it is a legal attachment that fits in the blueprint and isn’t impeding on any other parts, it can be allowed. This could easily lead to weapons with multiple barrels, scopes, and stocks pointing every which way and the combination would still check out ok in terms of use. Near the end of the game, the stat boosts tend to be all that matters, so this ends up being rather entertaining when creative minds get to run wild with the part designs. Leveling up in this game is also tied to the weapons. The PC’s levels are determined by the combined levels of the three weapons (handguns, SMGs, and grenades), and the player gains exp for a character through damage dealt with the given weapon on the enemy’s flesh. The max level for any one weapon is 100, so the characters can achieve a max level of 300. Exp can be affected via overworld effects by connecting terminals together using energy shards which some enemies drop over the course of the game. So, using the right combination of effects, leveling weapon skill (and leveling players) can be sped up via creative energy tile combinations.

The most intriguing part of the game itself, however, is the battle system itself. It is actually a combination of real-time combat, and a turn-based system, as the Player Characters get to make an action whenever their turn comes up, while the enemies work on an attack gauge which increases whenever the PC’s move or make a time-consuming action such as aiming and firing the gun. Otherwise, as long as the PCs don’t move or make an attack, the battle is essentially paused, which is an improvement over most real-time fighting systems, while the innovative minds have a wide window to tactically demolish their opponents depending on setting an order of actions, a nice improvement over many turn-based systems. Attacks are done by charging the weapon, which could be considered the “aiming” of the weapon. The longer its charged, the more power the weapon will have, and the more chances special effects for the weapon will occur (such as armor penetration, full scratch damage, etc). The battle begins with the characters in the party at the entrance to the battle area, with numerous enemies strewn about the battlefield. The player also has numerous shards on the bottom of the screen called Bezel shards. These are useful in allowing a PC to survive in battle, as well as in performing “Hero Attacks” which will be explained later. The shards also “shatter” once a PC receives their full HP worth of scratch damage, sending pieces of the shards allover the place. Losing all shards results in a “Critical Condition” which is a very disadvantageous position. When in this condition, Hero attacks are deactivated, and normal attacks are sporadic, and allow the enemy to charge their attacks faster. The scattered shards can also heal enemies if they run and pick them up, so this is not a situation anyone wants to be stuck in. Normally, PCs take all damage as scratch damage as long as they have some shards left over. In CC, this is where the scratch damage turns lethal. CC ends once the player obtains a full, highlighted Bezel Shard, which is done via obtaining the needed number of shards from the ground, as well as effectively eliminating an enemy’s shield or the enemy itself. Oh yes, the player loses the battle if any one character faces. The battle itself is mostly fought over the actual area’s landscape rather than a random flat area while in dungeons, though the overworld random battles are fought in a randomly generated urban landscape with the design depending on the floor level.

The weapon fighting is based on two types of damage; scratch and lethal. Sub machineguns deliver massive amounts of non-lethal scratch damage which recovers over time, while Handguns deliver the permanent, lethal damage. The gimmick here is that handguns, while the normal lethal damage done is rather weak alone, it has the effect of turning the current scratch damage on a target into lethal, permanent damage. Once an enemy has received enough lethal damage to cover their HP, they are defeated. As the player progresses in the game, enemies come about with higher HP pools, stronger weapons, and external shields. The shields cover certain portions of the body, and must be destroyed if any attack, from that specific angle, wants to deal any damage to the enemy itself. This is when the utilization of a Hero attack comes in handy. Hero attacks are essentially special moves where an individual character can deliver a stream of repeated attacks along a set path of movement, aswellas performing some very cinematic jumps if so desired. Jumping does shorten the time in the Hero attack, but can also effectively bypass shields by hitting all angles on the enemy. The character cannot be damaged during the attack, but these attacks allow the enemies to charge their attack gauges and deliver their attack at the end of the path. Every Hero attack requires one Bezel shard, so the trick is to know when to attack with a Hero attack, or hang back and conserve shards. There is one additional attack called a “Tri Attack” which can be done depending on if the player has accumulated Resonance, which is obtained via a Hero Attack path crossing in between the other two players. A Tri Attack has all three players run a triangular pattern, all having their charge gauges going, and deliver what is effectively three separate hero attacks at once, for the cost of only one Bezel. Utilizing these techniques intelligently, players can easily take down numerous tough foes, but beware of falling into Critical Condition. Battles can range from laughingly easy to impossible depending on the enemy getting in a lucky hit knocking the team into CC. So, for the most part, the battle system is definitely the highlight of this game.

Now, while the battle system itself is pretty well done, there are some major issues in the game which hold it back from becoming one of the better RPGs on the market. Aside from the overall bland and predictable storyline, the game itself is an immense grind. The enemies eventually wind down into just variations of the same enemy with just a different color scheme, and the hit detection itself can be somewhat clunky at times. Many missions are just there to be tedious and time consuming, as many enemies rarely put up a fight depending on the level and styles of attacks. In fact, one set of missions at the end of the game have PCs that should be in the mid 70s/80s level facing off against a giant crowd of level 16-30 enemies. Simply there to be a time sink rather than pose any real challenge. Also, during Hero Attacks, if a PC runs into a wall, the side of a ramp, a chest, or even a heavy enemy, they fall down. Not only does this stop the Hero attack and waste a shard, but it also allows the enemies to all charge up their attack gauge and fire a salvo at whomever they are aiming at, effectively turning a very powerful attack for the player, into an incredibly painful situation against them. So, plan attacks carefully, and make sure the path is clear, either by aiming correctly, or jumping high enough to avoid the obstacle.

All in all, Resonance of Fate offers a very interesting twist on the usual tried and true methods of battling and weapon upgrading systems found in most conventional JRPGs. However, that fact, as well as having a couple somewhat deep characters, is rather overshadowed by the predictably bland storylines, the tedious grinding aspect of the game. Overall, a decent game to play if there is an itch for something different, but it lacks true staying power.

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Well then, now let’s get to some numbers!

Storyline: 7/10 – Overall, the story itself was rather predictable and cliché, but it wasn’t the worst story in the world. Honestly, the worst part about it was how it was told. It required a lot of reading between the lines to actually figure out what was going on, but once it was figured out, the story itself wasn’t too bad. Nothing ever really was said too explicitly until the end chapters of the game, which isn’t always a bad thing, but with a game that doesn’t really draw anyone in, some things need to be established beforehand. So, the story itself, while cliché, wasn’t bad, but the way it was told needs some work.

Graphics: 8.25/10 – Being steampunk, the setting and characters ranged from black and brown in most of the lower levels of Basel, to bright brown, blue, and white in the upper levels. So, while they weren’t the most visually appealing, it suited the setting decently enough. The drawback, there were many times where the enemies simply blended completely into the backgrounds, as well as the battle area itself. Dirt-colored monsters fighting in a industrial dirt-covered arena… Not very appealing, especially when that’s a good 85% of the game. However, the cinematic style was very well done. The intro movies, and the chapter cutscenes were all very well done and there is a few bonus points for being able to pull this off with in-game images. Seeing my characters in their customized outfits still in them during the cinematic definitely hit a good note.

Controls: 8.75/10 – They weren’t too bad, though it took some time to truly get used to them. Click to start charge, click again to fire, one button to activate Hero attacks, etc etc. Nothing too complex, but not something one really could just pick up and play without having to dig through the manual and spending time harnessing the nuances.

Sound & Music: 8.25/10 – The intro music and the overworld music were done well, but other than that, the music was pretty run of the mill. Simple beats and techno for the battles over and over again did ruin the music a bit, and with the limited score, there were a lot of repeats… especially considering the massive amount of battles in the game due to the grind. But, most of the music did suit the specific areas and time of day, so can’t really fault it too much.

Replayability: 6/10 – While there are achievements in the game, all but one or two can be done during one playthrough. The game does offer a hardcore mode as a replay for the game, for those wanting to go through all of the game again with harder enemies, but other than that and Neverland (aka, the long dungeon with strong rewards and even stronger enemies), there isn’t much else to this game that one can get with more than one playthrough.

Overall: 38.25/50 = 76.5/100 = C/C+

Reccomendation: Rental. If you have a friend who has the game, borrow it from them and give it a try. However, unless it is on sale or in a discount bin, I cannot fully recommend it as a full purchase. That being said, the game is still worth a look, and the battle system is one of the better ones I have seen in an RPG once I got used to the nuances. Also, some of the characters are done well (Vashyron and Leanne specifically), and the customizable outfits are a nice touch. So, give it a rent, beat it, then move on to the next game.

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Intro

2010-10-18T16:49:00.001-04:00

Another cinematic cutscene gem from Blizzard. Here we have the Cataclysm Intro Cinematic!

Share your thoughts!

MLB Playoffs - Championship Series

2010-10-14T13:30:00.002-04:00

The first round of the MLB Playoffs are in the book, and boy do we have some good matchups on the way. There were two sweeps so far, where the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies took out the Minnesota Twins and the Cincinnati Reds respectively with little trouble. The Tampa Bay Rays made an early exit in five games at the hands of the surging Texas Rangers as the Rangers achieved a postseason series victory for the first time in the club's history. The San Francisco Giants pulled out an absolutely incredible pitching performance by their staff as they took down the Atlanta Braves in four games and effectively ended the storied career of one of the managerial greats of the game, Bobby Cox. Overall, the predictions I had were mediocre at best. I was correct in predicting the Phillies and the Yankees would advance, though not by the actual game margin. I said the Rays and Rangers would go 5 games and could go either way, but predicted that the Rays would come out on top, so I was incorrect there. I also was incorrect on the Giants and Braves result, where I said the Braves would advance in 5 games. Turns out, I didn't expect the Giant's pitching staff to absolutely silence the Braves lineup, and was very much wrong about all aspects of that result. So, 2 for 4 in advances, with none being the correct number of games. Anywho, let's get into the Championship Series of matchups where the best of each league go at it to earn a spot in the World Series.

- Here is the Breakdown of the matchups -

San Francisco Giants vs Philadelphia Phillies

New York Yankees vs Texas Rangers

In the National League we have the San Francisco Giants facing off against the Philadelphia Phillies, with the Phillies having Home Field Advantage. After putting on quite a display of talent, the Phillies completely neutralized the Reds in their Divisional Series matchup, as they swept them under the rug with a display of both pitching and hitting prowess. Taking advantage of some costly errors, the Phillies proved that they are looking to make up for the failure in last year's World Series. With Roy Halladay coming off of his No-Hitter, the Phillies seem to have everything clicking at the right time. Rotation-wise, the Phillies bring in a rested Halladay to start things off, followed by a revitalized Cole Hamels, and a always-strong Roy Oswalt to start things off. However, they are in for a much tougher pitching matchup in the NLCS, as the Giants come back at them with a stellar rotation of their own, backed by a revived Tim Lincecum looking to make his own postseason name for himself. Followed up by Jonathan Sanchez and Matt Cain, the Giants are going to attempt to shut down the Phillies bats as they did the Braves. Lineup-wise, the Phillies boast one of the strongest in the NL, while the Giants scratch and claw for every run, having no real superstar power threat. That is not to say there is no pop in their lineup, as Cody Ross and Aubrey Huff can easily knock the right pitches into the seats with ease. Overall though, the Phillies bring in a greater hitting threat, and the Giants can't afford many mistakes when it comes to their pitching. In the end, the Phillies should advance behind the combination of great pitching, and a dangerous lineup.

Prediction: Phillies over Giants in 6 Games.

In the American League we have the New York Yankees facing off against the Texas Rangers. After finally winning a postseason series for the first time in club history, the Rangers look to continue this hot streak as they face off against the postseason regulars, the Yankees. After pulling out a fantastic win over the Tampa Bay Rays, the Rangers rotation is in a bit of a shakeup, as they are unable to pitch their ace Cliff Lee in the first game, and must wait until Game 3 for his appearance. This being said, they are not at a real loss, as C.J. Wilson has proven to be a major pitching threat of his own, as the former reliever has put on quite a show all season with one of the best ERAs in the league. Along with Tommy Hunter and the aforementioned Lee, the Rangers look to outmatch the Yankees in terms of the rotation. The Rangers also boast one of the strongest in the AL, as a resurgent Vladimir Guerrero continues to be a monster to opposing pitchers in the postseason. Along with AL MVP Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, and Ian Kinsler, this lineup will look to feast upon the Yankees pitching, and they hope to write another chapter for the Rangers in the book of the 2010 series. Not only that, but the Rangers have dominated the Yankees in the 2^nd half of the 2010 season, though the opposite could be said in the earlier stages of the year. Overall, the season series was split four games to four. The Yankees, however, are fully rested and ready to go as they dispatched the listless Minnesota Twins in a three-game sweep. They come at the Rangers with greater control over the coming rotation matchups, and can easily match the Rangers in terms of power and danger in the lineup. The Yankees are starting out with their ace C.C. Sabathia in the first game, followed up by Phil Hughes and Andy Pettite. Sabathia was not his usual dominant self in the ALDS, but thanks to the Yankees lineup, they still won. Hughes, however, was stellar in his first appearance, and is looking to continue on with the hot streak. Pettite will be pitching against Cliff Lee, and this should be the matchup which could determine the series. Lee has absolutely destroyed Yankees bats over the past two seasons, while Pettite is one of the most reliable postseason pitchers the Yankees have to offer. Lineup-wise, the only team to truly beat the Rangers in hitting stats are the Yankees, and the Yankees will need to prove this fact in the ALCS. Overall, the Rangers outmatch the Yankees in pitching purely on the fact that the Rangers have Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson together, so if the Yankees are to have any chance at winning, they need to put on a show. Thankfully, the series is best of seven rather than best of three, and the patience and power of the Yankees lineup should be enough to overcome the two aces of the Rangers. So, the Yankees should take this one by a close margin, even though it could go either way in the end depending on which teams hot streak cools off first.

Prediction: Yankees over Rangers in 7 Games.

There you have it, fellow baseball fans, the NLCS and ALCS analysis and predictions. We have some very good baseball matchups ahead, so enjoy! I'll return with my World Series predictions come the break between the rounds as per usual.

K7, out!

Halo: Reach

2010-10-13T00:06:00.002-04:00

I apologize for the delay. Been playing the hell out of this game to find out as much as I possibly can about it. But, I have taken a break from the gaming and MLB Playoffs to bring you all Bungies final release in the massively popular and polarizing Halo series before they hand the Halo reigns off to Microsoft's in-house developing studio! I bring you, Halo: Reach!

Title: Halo: Reach
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Bungie Software
Genre: First Person Shooter
Rating: M
Systems: 360

Halo. Like Counterstrike and Half-Life to PC FPS gamers, the Halo series has been quite possibly the most popular console FPS to come about since Goldeneye 007 for the N64. Ever since it's first appearance with Halo: Combat Evolved, this series has been a mainstay in college dorms for the better part of this decade, and now we are at the final chapter that is created directly by the folks at Bungie.

However, rather than continue where the series left off at Halo 3, this game is a prequel as it attempts to depict the events leading up to the first Halo game. Halo: Reach takes place on the titular planet Reach in what is essentially it's final days under human control, and as with most prequels to an already existing series, if one has played any of the original games, then we all pretty much know exactly what is going to happen overall in the end as the first game makes numerous mentions of the fall of Reach as the Covenant march on towards the activation of the Halos and the attack on Earth.

In terms of single-player game modes, Halo: Reach comes back with numerous fun options. For single player, Reach offers the Campaign mode for those wishing to follow along with the storyline of the Fall of Reach, as they attempt to fight back the Covenant as long as they can. There is also the return of Firefight, where the player can do their best to defend a point against waves of Covenant enemies for a set period of time, or until there are no more Covenant left. Both these game modes are also offered in multiplayer, along with the ever-popular competitive deathmatch modes of play where players can pit their skills against one another in a variety of match types.

The player begins the campaign as Number Six as he arrives with his newly assigned squad, Noble Team, as a replacement for a fallen member. As expected, everyone initially treats them with animosity and skepticism as your combat profile (as read to you by the leader of the team, Carter) depicts you as something of a lone wolf, when what they need is a member of a team. Eventually through numerous successful missions and acts of heroism, Noble Six slowly gains more and more trust within the team until considered one of their own. But, due to the fact that this game depicts the fall of Reach, and with the reports given from the first game and the official books of the series, no Spartans survive, and anyone can pretty much guess what happens to the team, and Noble Six, over the 2^nd half of the game. That being said, the missions given range from simplistic firefights on the ground, to an insanely fun, and highly anticipated, space battle. This was done very well, as the ship controls were very well done, and while the fight itself was somewhat easy, I found myself at the edge of my seat in enjoyment blowing stuff up every which way. Unfortunately, there was only one space mission overall, and while the piloting mission was also fun, it didn't really hold up to the space version.

While the storyline is somewhat lacking, one might say “Oh! The Halo games are made for multiplayer! Who cares about the lacking single player when the game is good as a shooter against others!” Fair enough, so let's dig into what else the game has to offer. For those who know about Halo, the online multiplayer over Xbox Live is supposedly where the game shines. As in the previous games in the series, the multiplayer lobby system is fairly streamlined, and it offers numerous available modes of play, and the matchmaking system is done rather well. The waiting times to find a game tend to be relatively quick, and you can actually specify certain features for the game in terms of who you will get placed with. This is probably it's greatest improvement, as those who like to talk trash can find games with other trash talkers, and vice versa, as well as connection preferences, localization, and even level of gameplay. Having played the previous games, this is a fantastic idea. However, as with most automated systems, what may work in theory doesn't always hold true when it comes to reality, as others can simply change their own specifications to get into games where they wouldn't normally be found, and for those looking to simply cause trouble, it is actually easier to be done. That being said, multiplayer has been improved in the previous games, and for most who play Halo, this is welcome news. The only other downsides are simply opinion, as the matchmaking seems to be limited in which game modes it selects in random matches.

Now, lets dig into the actual gameplay mechanics and the features offered in Halo: Reach. For the most part, it appears that Bungie has decided to mix what they thought was the better elements of all the previous games into Reach. The health system has gone back to what was found in Halo: CE, where the player has a recharging shield as well as a actual life bar. Deplete the shields to have the chance at causing actual health damage, deplete life bar, opponent dies. Avoid getting shot and stay out of combat to recharge the shields. Unlike in Halo 2, the shields do take a bit longer to recharge after leaving combat, so it offers a larger window of opportunity to defeat runners. This was probably one of their best improvements to the system. Controls are pretty much the same as the old games. One trigger shoots, other shoots grenades, buttons jump, switch weapons, etc. No need to mess with what works well.

Reach also offers a rather versatile cache of available weapons with many old faces, as well as some new additions. For those who played the original game, the Magnum now has the scope back on it, with all the stopping power of the original Halo, so pistol snipers rejoice! The Assault Rifle also makes a reappearance, but it now more of a spray and pray weapon for suppressive fire, with the added bonus of knocking scoped players out of the sights. Removed from the game is the Battle Rifle, being replaced with the DMR, or Designated Marksmans Rifle, to act as a bridge between the AR and the Sniper Rifle. A very nice addition to say the least as it offers players what is basically a quick headshot scoped weapon with a decent amount of stopping power and accuracy. The SMG has pretty much been eliminated from the roster. Their largest additions would be found on the Covenant side of things, where any fans of the old games would notice the removal of the Carbine and the Beam Rifle, which were replaced with the Needle Rifle and the Focus Rifle respectively. The Needle Rifle functions mainly like the old Carbine, but three quick successive hits cause the enemy to explode, a la the Needler effect. The Focus Rifle has the zoom of a sniper rifle, but requires the player to basically focus a beam of energy on their opponent if they wish to cause any form of real damage... before it overheats anyway. It can be fired quickly, but the shots are relatively weak for its purpose and are better off acting as a suppression weapon in conjunction with a team.

The greatest change from previous games is the new “A.I.” function. While the previous games had items available for the player to pick up and use, this game changes them to actual functions that can be used multiple times with a cooldown period. The player can only hold one at a time, but they can be used over and over again. However, they can be replaced if the player finds a different A.I. module. The available A.I. Modules that one can find are Sprint (yes, it's not a basic function now), Drop Shield (the old bubble shield from the previous games, now with added healing effect), Jet Pack, Armor Lock (locks player in place, disables weapons during effect, invulnerability, lasts until shields drain), Camouflage (cloaks while standing still, diminished effect with movement), and Hologram (sends a clone running to wherever the player targeted at activation). Each module has it's own specific function and knowing the nuances of each will help make missions go much smoother. Definitely have fun mixing and matching modules for multiple situations to find which ones work best for your own style of play. Jet Packs with a rocket launcher allows the player to rain death from above. Holograms cause enemies to turn around and chance the clone, leaving their backs wide open. See a tank dashing at you? Activate an Armor Lock and watch as the tank explodes as it would if it ran into wall made out of solid energy. Quite a fun addition.

The final point about the game is the character customization, and wow does this game have a lot available to you, albeit the vast majority require prerequisites to simply unlock them, along with the required number of credits to purchase once unlocked. Compared to the past games, this one does leave the rest in the dust in terms of customization. The player has various choices of chest items, shoulder guards, wrist guards, knee pads, colors, emblems, and most predominantly, the helmets. There are a plethora of base helmet designs, and almost all come with at least two additional variants utilizing detailed objects attached to them. The credits are obtained via playing the game across all game modes, and the player can earn little bundles of credits for achieving certain mini-milestones (x number of kills with a scoped weapon, x number of vehicle kills, etc) which help the credit count increase rather quickly. So, it's not too hard to obtain at least some semblance of what you want your character to look like.

Overall, a decent sendoff for the Halo series for Bungie as they place the series into the hands of Microsoft's in-house development studio. They definitely improved upon the game from Halo 3 in terms of weapons and storyline, but a step back in terms of storyline from Halo: ODST. Multiplayer is still the best part about this game and the character customization gives players something to do in the meantime between multiplayer matches. Otherwise, just another competent shooter made mainly for fans of the series.

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Whew, that was a long one. With that out of the way, let's go into some numbers.

Storyline: 7.5/10 – While not really too bad in terms of a storyline in general, the game never really stood out in terms of actual immersion into the story itself. Being a prequel, it does suffer from the similar fate of all prequels as you can easily guess what is going to happen in the story. While minute details of how the end result came to be may be a surprise, it still has the cloud of omnipotent knowledge of simply waiting for the inevitable. Granted, the cameos of characters from the other games is rather nice, and it does at least tell the story well enough, the lack of immersion and somewhat predictable events does hurt. Overall though, not the worst of the series, but mostly ho-hum.

Graphics: 9.5/10 – As with the logical progression of graphics in games, compared to the previous games, Reach completely blows them out of the water in terms of graphics and visuals. Bungie definitely did a lot of work on this game as they attempted to unleash as much power as possible from the available hardware, and it shows. The backgrounds are absolutely beautiful, the weapons are greatly detailed (I do love how the HUD appears on the weapon's screens themselves), and the character designs are insanely well done. Being able to show off the individual details of the customizable character outfits is a big plus in my book, and Halo: Reach pulls it off.

Controls & Gameplay Elements: 8.25/10 - The controls work well, and no real complaints, so it gets full credit there. The gameplay elements, though, are hit and miss. While there are many elements of the game that were improved, such as with the HUD, health system, and most of the A.I. modules, some elements did take a bit away from the overall enjoyment of the game. The removal of Sprint to an A.I. does seem rather unnecessary, especially given the size of certain maps. While I can understand the reasoning (the suits are heavy and are older models compared to Master Chief), it still just feels more like a hindrance and causes nothing more than a waste of time. When there is the availability of other modules, Sprint is usually the one tossed to the wayside in favor of a better option overall. Other than that, the game modes and the character customization are rather fun.

Sound & Music: 8.75/10 – Reach, as with most of the Halo series, comes complete with a rather well done symphonic soundtrack, but unfortunately most of it gets lost in the sounds of the gunfight. While the theme isn't as beautiful as it was in Halo 3, it does it's job very well, and no complaints coming from me in terms of the score itself. The sounds of the game are also pretty well done, and the attention to detail is pretty apparent. Case in point, Bungie did their homework in most cases. Firing underwater results in a muffled sound, and you have a hard time hearing most of the explosions in space. While not completely accurate, you can definitely detect that they wanted to keep things somewhat accurate, even in the Halo universe. Another nice little detail is that the Covenant forces do not speak English anymore! When an alien creature roars at you in a completely different language definitely has a more intimidating effect compared to one that yells at you in words you can understand. Big plus there.

Replayability: 8.5/10 – Well, this is probably the element that mostly depends on your own opinion. If you are a fan of multiplayer and FPS games, this game should be a long-lasting source of fun. However, if you are more of the single-player type who enjoys finding all that the game has to offer, it may not be as much fun since many elements require multiplayer to unlock. Things tend to be easier to do when playing with others, as the credits system for the character customization increases according to kills, victories, and mini-achievements, which seem to be much easier to obtain in multiplayer. However, the game still offers a lot to find with regards to Easter Eggs and gamerscore achievements, so it is still somewhat worthwhile to stick around unlocking things after the first playthrough. That being said it still is definitely geared more towards those who enjoy playing online with others.

Overall: 42.5/50 = 85/100 = B to B+ depending on multiplayer preference.

Reccomendation: Fans of the series should get their thirst quenched for the most part. Most who get this game probably picked it up for the multiplayer, and as such, they shouldn't be disappointed. It is definitely a step up overall compared to the last couple releases, and worth checking out at some point in time.

MLB Playoffs - Divisional Analysis

2010-10-06T10:59:00.002-04:00

In celebration for the MLB Playoffs, I figured that I would take a break from the usual video game discussion and reviews and go into some analysis of the 2010 Playoff picture! 162 games have come and gone for all teams in the 2010 Season, and the field has been whittled down to the final eight squads.

Here is the breakdown of the Divisional Series’ for the MLB Playoffs.

NL East – Philadelphia Phillies

NL Central – Cincinnati Reds

NL West – San Francisco Giants

NL Wild Card – Atlanta Braves

Matchups:

Reds vs Phillies

Braves vs Giants

AL East – Tampa Bay Rays

AL Central – Minnesota Twins

AL West – Texas Rangers

AL WildCard – New York Yankees

Matchups:

Rangers vs Rays

Yankees vs Twins

Let’s begin in the NL Divisional Series’ first. We begin with the team with the best record in the NL (and the MLB), the Philadelphia Phillies, against a team making their first appearance in the playoffs in over a decade, the Cincinnati Reds. On paper, it would appear that the Phillies have the advantage, as they have a starting rotation highlighted by one of the best pitchers in the game, along with one of the strongest lineups in the game. Thanks to a somewhat injury-plagued season, the Phillies lineup also appear to be rather well-rested going into the playoffs as many of them came off the DL within the past month. Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, and many others of the starting lineup all spent some time on the DL this season, and as such, should be in prime form for the playoffs by now. However, that being said, nobody should count out the Reds. They have simply been incredible this season, as their starting pitching led by Bronson Arroyo have been able to keep the opposing bats quiet enough for their lineup to produce the means to win. Their main strength lies within their starting lineup. NL MVP Candidate Joey Votto and the Adam Dunn-esque outfielder Jay Bruce have been simply crushing opposing pitching, and with the speed of Brandon Phillips and the solid comeback season for Scott Rolen, expect the Reds to cause some damage. Unfortunately, the sheer talent of Halladay, and the rested lineup of the Phillies should send the Reds to an early exit after what was an incredible season.

Prediction: Phillies over Reds in 4 games.

Up next, we have the NL Wild Card Atlanta Braves facing off against the NL West Winning San Francisco Giants. The Braves put on a fantastic show in the final month of the season to finally pull away from the rest of the Wild Card pack, thus enabling them to continue the career of their Manager Bobby Cox for at least one more playoff series. The Giants also put together a rather impressive run at the end, effectively knocking off the San Diego Padres for the NL West title. After being stuck in the myriad of Wild Card teams for most of the 2^nd half, it was pretty much a win the division or go home situation. After taking the divisional lead late in September, the Giants found themselves in a tough situation dropping the first two in the final series against the other NL West title contender, and a fantastic performance by Jonathan Sanchez in the final game clinched the Divisional Title in the final game of the season. The Giants come to the mound with a decent pitching staff led by Sanchez and Barry Zito, but if they are to make it anywhere this year in the playoffs, they will need to find some run support in their lineup, which doesn’t really rank too high in the league in terms of stats across the board. The Braves, on the other hand, have a rather strong lineup with Jason Heyward leading the way, and a strong pitching staff led by Derek Lowe. They also have the NL Comeback Player of the Year in Tim Hudson, though they won’t have him available until Game 3 of the series. Overall, while the Giants put in a fantastic performance in the 2^nd half to get here, the drain of the final month, combined with the Braves playing to give Cox one final ring, might just be too much to overcome in the end, though it will be close.

Prediction: Braves over Reds in 5 games.

Now, we shall move into the AL where the Tampa Bay Rays make a return to the playoffs, this time with the AL East Champions title, against the Texas Rangers, who are making a return to the playoffs after years of being stuck on the sidelines behind the Anaheim Angels. The Rays have simply been playing some incredible baseball throughout the season, and as the Yankees started to slip up near the end, the Rays proceeded to take advantage of the opening presented to them behind the raw youthful talent of their starting staff and their lineup. AL Cy Young candidate David Price has simply been amazing the entire season, showcasing the talent that he has been mentioned to have over the past few years. Their lineup could be considered to be one of the most complete lineups in the league as they have the legitimate MVP candidate in Evan Longoria tearing the cover off the ball, and the resurging speedster Carl Crawford finding his swing once again. Unfortunately, while they rank 3^rd in runs scored, they rank 27^th in team batting average. The Texas Rangers, after last appearing in a playoff game in 1999, look to make an immediate impact in their return to the postseason, boasting one of the best, if not the best, batting lineup in the league which ranks highly across the board. In fact, while the Rays rank as one of the lowest Batting Average teams in the league, the Rangers boast the #1 Team BA. Behind the bats of AL MVP Josh Hamilton and the resurgent Vladimir Guerrero, and the pitching excellence of Cliff Lee, the Rangers look to upend the AL East Champion Rays. This series could easily go either way, but the Rays should be able to squeak by in the end.

Prediction: Rays over Rangers in 5 games.

Finally, we have the matchup between the AL Wild Card New York Yankees and the AL Central Champion Minnesota Twins. Both teams are practically limping into the playoffs, and to fans of both squads, this matchup is the best for both of them. The Yankees, after leading the AL East for most of the season have gotten beat up with an absolutely brutal final month as they faced not only the Rays multiple times, but also their rivals the Boston Red Sox, and the strong Toronto Blue Jays. While this could have been the opportunity to show that they were the best team in the league, the Yankees simply revealed that they were human this year. The Yankees pitching staff has also left a lot to be desired, as they really only have one proven Ace this year in C.C. Sabathia. While Phil Hughes had an incredible start to the season and could be considered an Ace, he has yet to find that same spark over the past couple starts. As per usual, the bridge to the legendary closer Mariano Rivera is filled with holes as no reliever has proven to be too solid of a setup, as the Yankees have one of the worst bullpen ERAs again. However, all is not too bad as the Yankees bring to the table one of the deadliest lineups in baseball, with every batting spot able to produce an immense amount of runs in any given day, and as such, come into the playoffs boasting the most runs scored, as well as the highest On-Base Percentage. Also, hitters who were cold in the first half, like Curtis Granderson, have been finding a resurgence in their swings, and will attempt to simply overpower the opposition into submission as their pitching tries to find an answer to their own woes. The Twins, while they didn’t have to face as much of a brutal schedule, will be without their star first baseman Justin Morneau in the playoffs once again, in a repeat of last year’s playoff scenario. However, they have an overall better pitching staff than the Yankees, as Francisco Liriano has found his stride once again, and will be looking to put any demons from the past few seasons behind him in this series. Homegrown star Joe Mauer also is looking to do some damage as he tends to feed off of Yankees pitching every chance he gets. Overall though, after Liriano, the pitching staff just lacks the sheer dominance needed to truly counter the Yankees lineup, and after Mauer, the lineup just can’t compare to the lineup of Yankees without Morneau. So, this divisional series will most likely end up as it did last season, with the Yankees advancing on.

Prediction: Yankees over Twins in 4 games.

There you have it, the analysis of all four playoff matchups. Expect a League Championship round analysis come then, but until then, enjoy some fantastic playoff baseball!

Worms: Reloaded

2010-09-30T20:29:00.002-04:00

It took Team 17 a decade to get out of their 3D/Console phase in regards to Worms, but we finally have a return to the Golden Days with Worms: Reloaded! Can the English developers reclaim the former glory of Worms 2 and Armageddon? We shall find out in today's review!

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Title: Worms: Reloaded
Publisher: Team 17
Developer: Team 17
Genre: Strategy
Rating: E (10+)
Systems: PC

After years of waiting, console-only titles, and forays into 3D, Team 17 has finally brought a PC title that hearkens back to the days of Worms 2 and Worms Armageddon. Reloaded has come about to revitalize a series that has fallen on hard times due to a streak of failed games by going back to the style that made Worms famous; 2D battlefields that pit squads of worms against each other. With their comically themed weapons and exotic stages, Worms: Reloaded attempts to re-ignite a spark in the franchise.

The game offers a plethora of provided game modes, as well as the ability to create your own styles of play. Many game modes that were only available via a custom setting in previous games are officially provided for you, such as the immensely popular Rope Race and Fort game modes. The stage creation tool has also been immensely improved, as the player has free realm to design the shape of the landscape, the hazards found there, the initial water level, and the overall atmosphere of the stage itself. The team creation is still as fun as ever, but now PC gamers get to utilize the addition of team hats. Previously, this was only found in the console versions of Worms that were available for download on the Playstation Network or Xbox Live Arcade. While there is no real storyline to the game other than that the worms really don’t like each other, the campaign mode offers a series of tough predicaments and situations that the player will need to overcome. Victories in the Campaign and Training will result in your profile earning money, which is then used in the shop to buy various additions to either your team, such as new hats, weapons, or gravestones, or the game itself, such as landscapes or bonus campaign challenges. There are also a few new game modes that have not been seen on the PC versions before, such as the new Bodycount Mode, where you are one worm facing off against an endless stream of respawning enemies.

However, while it is still a rather fun game that will provide hours of fun for fans of the series, there are still a few elements that make it fall short of the luminosity achieved by the older games of the series. These may seem a bit nitpicky, but as a fan of the series, and someone who played Armageddon almost religiously, they are a few glaring issues found thus far in the new installment’s existence. The first major issue is the selection of weapons. While Reloaded provides a plethora of weapons from the past games of the series, they seem to lack the sheer explosive fun found in Armageddon. The created teams no longer have team-specific special weapons, and each team is only limited to a max of four worms per team. In previous games, when it comes to online play, there was an 8 player limit per team.

Speaking of multiplayer, there are a few glaring issues found here as well. For one, while previous games allowed a max of 8 players per game, Reloaded only allows four teams per match… with only four team colors to choose from. While a minor issue, and from a technical standpoint it could be considered a positive due to the fewer players causing less system stress and thus less lag, it does seem like a small step backwards in that aspect. The multiplayer is also now fully provided as a game mode itself, rather than having to access the WormNet of the past. This, while improving over time, is still a bit of a mess. There is still a major issue as to how things are separated, such as how if you want to start a private game with friends, there is no possible way to fill the party with random people. The same thing happens in the other way around, where the search function only applies to random pick-up games. Just recently they added the ability for custom game formats to be played across the online multiplayer, so it is somewhat reassuring that they are actively trying to fix most of the issues at hand. But, it is still a negative for the time being.

As the years passed, the Worms franchise also has seen their rating fall from M for Mature, to E for Everyone, and as such, many elements end up being tossed to the wayside in favor of a more kid-friendly atmosphere. This isn’t necessarily a be-all end-all deathknell for fans of the games of the past, as the game still is quite fun, but as such, elements have been removed. The exploding Old Ladies from Armageddon and the optional Blood Mode has been removed and replaced with even more emphasis on its cartoony feel. Many weapons have been replaced or simply removed from the game entirely, such as the aforementioned Old Lady, or how the Mad Cow weapon is now called the Buffalo of Lies. Still the same effect… but just something that is noticeable from a fan of the older games.

Overall, while the game may not reach the glory that they had in the past, it is still quite fun. Something about cartoon worms nuking each other to high hell over and over again just doesn’t seem to get old. There is still room for improvement, but compared to the 3D versions and the console versions, Worms: Reloaded is definitely a step in the right direction. The game is still very fun to play, and while there are still a few glaring omissions and menu interface issues, it will still provide hours of enjoyment for fans of the series, as well as newcomers to the Worms franchise.

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Now for some numbers.

Storyline: N/A – There is, well, no storyline here. However, I am not docking any points, as it is not trying to tell one either. It’s a squad of worms trying to kill another squad of worms. It would be like docking points from a game like Scorch or Minesweeper for not having a story to follow. So, a different category will be used instead.

Flexibility, Functionality, & Extras: 8.25/10 – Being there is no storyline, nor is there an attempt to tell a story, this category will go into how well the game gets the job done, how many extra things it can do, how well it adheres to different playing styles, and whether or not it goes above and beyond in these areas. Overall, it does get the job done. You are a squad of worms, and your task is to wipe the other squads off the face of the Earth. It is simple, and you have enough weapons to get it done in a variety of ways. In fact, there are game modes which require different winning conditions. However, there are really no extras aside from what is found in the store, and a small list of achievements. While the other games had features which required you to do something special to unlock them, Reloaded only requires the player to play the game a lot. Also, with the multiplayer and menu bugs and issues, it does put a little damper on what is an otherwise fun, simple game which is easy to play, but tough to master.

Graphics: 9/10 – After failing horribly with their excursions into full 3D worlds, Team 17 appears to have listened to the demands of the fan base. They brought the levels back to a simple, yet colorful 2D playing field, while upgrading the backgrounds to a rather beautiful 3D. This is exactly what they should have done way back after their Worms World Party, and with the tech available, they definitely did not disappoint. The playing field is 2D, and the backgrounds, while not an artistic euphoria, are still nice to look at. The formula works, and it looks like they finally realized how to do it right.

Controls: 7/10 – The controls are, for the most part, easy enough to control. You move the little worm around, and determine the angle of the shots using the arrow keys. Weapon select and camera view is done with the mouse. Jumping is done with the enter key, or the backspace key depending on the number of taps in succession (1 for normal jump, 2 for a back flip). However, having played the previous games, they seem to have removed a simple, yet vastly important jump; the straight up jump and the small back hop. Not sure why these would not be included, as they were done with the backspace key and the enter key, and the tap combinations of each. These two keys are still used, but they cause identical jumps, so they ended up removing simple elements. So, I cannot give full points. Also, there are still some glitchy issues with the scenery permeability, as well as the click detection on some menus.

Sound & Music: 8/10 – Simple background music for simple purposes. It doesn’t play a major role during the battle, other than set the tone for the stage. So, it serves the purpose well in that aspect. It doesn’t go above and beyond, nor is it truly lacking sans one area, the title screen. The title screen has the same type of music as is found in the stage backgrounds, which really isn’t acceptable. Even more so considering the Worms games of the past, specifically Armageddon, had an absolutely fantastic techno beat theme of some sort (Armageddon even had a small story inside it. Look it up sometime. It’s worth it). However, this is somewhat negated by a little Easter Egg. Going into the Credits screen… they had the old Armageddon Theme playing, which quite possibly makes it one of the best credits screens ever. But, it also makes me wonder why they have a kick ass song in the background of the credits, but failed to do really anything for the title screen. So, negative for title theme, neutral for credits, big plus for nostalgia.

Replayability: 9.5/10 – This is where this game shines. With the store to buy additional elements to the game, the ability to create not only human teams, but computer teams as well, stage creator, online multiplayer, and the exponential amount of available voices and features for created teams, I find myself wasting hours playing this game just out of sheer fun. The number of available weapons, and the comedic reactions and explosions make this a fun game to play alone, or with a group of friends in house, or online.

Overall: 41.75/50 : 83.25/100 : B
Recommendation: It is a simple, yet addictingly fun game, but the small issues that were covered here may cause some people to go nuts. Otherwise, it is a decent game to pickup, and for the $20 price tag, it is worth a look. It is also really the only good, and recent, Worms game available on the PC. Fans of the old series may feel somewhat lacking, but it get’s the job done.

Assassin's Creed II

2010-09-28T19:04:00.002-04:00

Here is another one of my older reviews to help bridge the gap until I get enough of a review buffer to hold me over for a couple weeks. I will be aiming to get a new review up either on Wednesdays or over the Weekends.

Anyway, enjoy Assassin's Creed II!

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Title: Assassin's Creed II
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Genre: Action Adventure
Rating: M
Systems: 360, PS3, PC

So, here we are in the second installment of Ubisoft's three-part Assassin's Creed series of games. To start, the game takes place in a split between 15th Century Italy, and the world of today. It continues the story of Desmond Miles' journey through the memories of his ancestors via the Animus. As revealed in the first game, Desmond is a descendant of a long bloodline of accomplished assassins, and is a key part in the Templar's quest for world domination through the use of a number of little gold balls called “Pieces of Eden”. This story starts off where the first game left off, and gets into some action pretty quickly, as he ends up escaping a stronghold of the modern-day Templars, and finds some sanctuary within a secret hideout of the modern-day Brotherhood of Assassins; the organization that brought him up. The story then continues at a solid pace to the climax, and effectively sets the stage for the third installment of the series.

As in the previous installment of AC, this one has Desmond going through the footsteps of his ancestor Ezio Auditore di Firenze; a likable son of a rather prominent Italian banker. Through the game, the player sees the growth and history of this character, and his quest to get revenge for the great injustice that fell upon his family. Somewhat similar to Al-tair from the first game, Ezio begins rather undisciplined and headstrong, and throughout the game becomes more refined in his abilities and weapons. However, the similarities end there as ACII goes much more into the development of Ezio as a character. Unlike Al-tair, Ezio is more than just a hooded assassin, as he has a known family (who are a major plot point), and more contacts than just Assassin Guild contacts and Templars (for instance, Leonardo Da Vinci). Through the game, as stated before, Ezio, as well as Desmond, both grow in terms of overall character, and the end result is quite fantastic. So, in terms of character development, ACII goes quite beyond that of the first game.

Another main difference from the first game to the second is the overwhelming amount of metagame available. In the first one, the metagame was limited to a rather small number of mission types, and it got very repetitive. Assassin's Creed II basically took that little house and built upon it an entire city with a mansion for you to live (quite literally in a manner of speaking). The random assassination missions are still there, as well as the whole territory revealing via high eagle perches are still there. However, it adds to it an entire economy system, a city builder (upgrader), multiple weapon and armor types, and a multitude of additional mission types ranging from beat-ups, to courier missions, to tailing target missions, to your happy-go-lucky assassination missions. The city builder/upgrader is particularly interesting as the more one upgrades their home base's shops and scenery to increase the value of their “Villa”. The higher the value, the more money they can gain at regular intervals (through taxes, as Ezio is pretty much the lord of his Villa and town surrounding it). There is also an interesting twist to it if the player fails to pay attention to the income that they accumulate.

The gameplay has also been steadily improved from the previous game, as Ezio has a few more abilities than his earlier counterpart. While he still has the staple arsenal of the hidden blade, short sword, long sword, and throwing knives, over the course of the game he gains a few new abilities such as a double hidden blade (one for each hand), a poison blade (that results in a rather gruesomely funny scene when used properly), smoke bombs, and the coup de gras of a hidden pistol. In addition to that, with the addition of an economy and money, there is an aspect of upgrading equipment, armor repairs, painting collection (to increase the value of the Villa), and even tailoring where you can purchase upgrades to your item capacity (knives, poison does, and potions) or changing the color scheme of your outfit. Ezio's actual attacking abilities has been increased as well, in that he can perform various types of assassinations depending on the situation and items used. The other aspects that were added are improved combat mechanics when fighting enemies, with a few additional tactics that will need to be utilized, also depending on the situation, so those who breezed through the previous game by perfecting counter maneuvers will need to utilize more than just those techniques. The AI has also somewhat improved, as they wont always just attack you out of the blue (mainly since your outfit doesn't really stand out as much), and they won't just blindly attack you while you are sitting there in a parry stance. The developers also added a good number of additional hiding spots, and improved the stealth mechanics, so players can't just simply sit on a bench with a pile of corpses in front of them, with nobody detecting anything. Now, there are still a few elements that will annoy any player that have carried over form the first game, such as the futzy scenery that looks like a climbable ledge, and the fun leap-of-faith mechanics that can lead people to death more than once. But, overall, the programmers at Ubisoft took what worked in the first game, and greatly improved these elements.

Overall, the game is pretty good. For fans of the original game, Assassin's Creed II will not disappoint. It took many of the fun elements from the first game, expanded them, streamlined them, and polished them to a nice shine.

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Now for some numbers!
Storyline: 9/10 – While a bit cliché, the storyline is told very well. It continues along the story of the original game, and effectively sets the stage for the next game. So, it is a transition storyline, through and through. However, while it does attempt to recap the events of the previous game, newcomers to the series would do themselves a very good favor of playing the first game first to obtain a few important plot details that the game just glances upon and assumes the player already knows for the second game.

Graphics: 9.5/10 – There is a little bit of lag when it comes to initial rendering (when entering new areas), but when it does it is absolutely beautiful. When Desmond actually enters the Animus and goes to a new part of the storyline, the areas will appear before you in an amazing display of graphical power. Kudos to the developers for adding this little tidbit in. The only negative

Controls & Gameplay Elements: 8.5/10 – For the most part, the controls work well when a player wants to perform the various actions of an assassin. However, there is still the issue of annoying contact issues. The camera can be a bit unruly at times, and thus lead to Ezio leaping off a building to his doom. Combined with the tricky controls and hit detection for buildings, this can lead to a lot of frustration. However! There are plenty of elements that the devs definitely improved on and a number of new elements have been added. The additional weapons and armor, the money system, the city upgrade, and the ability to swim were all fantastic additions to an already solid set of gameplay mechanics.

Sound & Music: 8.75/10 – The music actually fits the timeframe pretty well, and the voice acting is quite good. For any fans of the Uncharted series, the voice of Drake is also the voice of Desmond in this game, and none of the enjoyable sarcasm is lost between these characters. The accents in the game are, for the most part, accurate, though a few times the characters say words with an incorrect tense and/or accenting on certain syllables. But these little nitpicks are rather minute, and shouldn't adversely affect those playing through the game.

Replayability: 9/10 – With all the metagame and hidden elements and areas, it is pretty easy to miss certain parts and items through the first playthrough. So, it will keep even the most avid of item hunters active for quite some time. However, once everything IS found, the replayability will only matter about how much the player wants to just jump around a city stabbing and assassinating as many guards as they want.

Overall: 44.75/50 : 89.5/100 : B+/A-
Reccomendation: A definite buy for fans of the original game, and a very good rent for those who have never played the first game. However, being that it is a transition game, it's definitely a good idea to play the first game before this one. Aside from that, it is quite enjoyable, and sets a good stage for the epic conclusion.

Borderlands - First Impressions

2010-09-28T15:39:00.005-04:00

For my first posted review, I figure I will post one that I made sometime last year while I gather up a few more reviews to build up a buffer. So, I bring you my first impressions into the FPS RPG known as Borderlands!

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Title: Borderlands
Creator: GearBox Software
Publisher: 2k Publishing
Genre: FPS RPG
System: 360, PS3, PC

A first impressions review

Well, I've been playing this game across a couple platforms, and I am pretty much hooked on it for now. Here is a quick rundown of the mechanics and my first impressions of it.

What is Borderlands you may ask? Well it is pretty much a FPS game that contains a number of RPG elements to it. The gameply style is that of an FPS, as in you run around shooting, killing, and reaping the spoils of your slaughter. There are also four character classes (Soldier, all around fighter that can help support players. Hunter, the sniper/gunslinger that is high damage yet squishy. Brick, explosives/melee tank. Siren, quick, surprise skirmish attacks with an elemental affinity.)

The RPG elements come in the form of verious statistics and effects found in the weapons (thus their tagline of "87 Bajillion guns). There is also an EXP system where every kill, mission completion, and challenge completion result in your character gaining levels. Many weapons have level restrictions, and rarity levels that are VERY similar to WoW (White name = common, Green = uncommon, Blue = rare, Purple = epic. Haven't found anyhting higher). There are also a bunch of weapon classes that you can gain skill in the more you use said weapons. Each character class has a "preference" for weapons, which come about as you spend skill points on each level after level 5. For example, the Hunter prefers Sniper Rifles and Revolvers, and his skill trees have elements which enhance one or the other (Increased Sniper damage, faster Revolver firing rate, etc). So, while all character classes can use all forms of weapons, each one gradually leans towards specifics, with three different skill trees for each class, so the characters can be customized even more.

Now, there is also another selling point to this game in that it offers cooperative (and competitive) play. The PS3 and 360 offer 4-player online and 2-player split screen options, which is lacking in most games, and is pulled off rather well... if you can stand having a smaller HUD. The PC online play is a bit wonky as the servers were overloaded on release day, but I was able to get into a game with a couple other friends, and aside from the massive amount of dying, it was pretty fun overall. Over time, the issues have been getting ironed out, but there are some lingering lag issues. Also the enemies are scaled up in difficulty the more players that are in the game, so while you may be able to pop the head off of an enemy in single player with one headshot... it takes a couple more in multiplayer, along with the enemies hitting harder and using more powerful abilities not usually seen in single player. So, the more help you have, the harder it gets. The PC version also requires a GameSpy ID, while the PS3 and 360 use their own respective online networks.

Overall, it is a rather fun game, and most fans of Fallout and Bioshock may end up taking a liking towards this game as well.

Points and numbers (PC Version):
Storyline: 8.75/10 - Pretty generic, so you can't really go into this expecting an epic storyline. You are a treasure hunter on a somewhat lawless planet, looking for a lost cache of awesome. Straightforward, but no real surprises. What gets the points here is the amount of detail that the sidequests give on the lay of the land and the history of the area

Graphics: 8.75/10 - Very pretty in many areas, and well done throughout the game. However, there is some obvious lag when it comes to making distance shots, and when you load into a new area there can be a lot of pixellation. Other than that, its a very visually beautiful game as far as cel-shading can go.

Controls & Gameplay Elements: 9.75/10 - Pretty much your generic FPS interface, with the ability to change the keybinds around and the option to use a controller/joystick. Kinda hard to mess this up, and this game did not do so. So it gets full points for controls. In regards to gameplay elements, it works well enough for me. It is very much a Bioshock & Fallout-esque type of game. A FPS interface with a massive amount of RPG elements. You have a HP-based healthbar which increases as you level up. A Halo-esque shield that you can upgrade by finding items. Weapons that have generated stats (leading to an upwards of a couple million gun variations!!!). Character classes (each with their own unique traits). Multiple talent trees for each class (3 each). Enemies increase in difficulty with more players in the game at once. Vehicles, towns, shops, quests, etc etc etc. Overall, I can't really find anything that is bad with the gameplay elements. Oh fine, if I have to really nitpick, I can say that it is a bit... easy, I guess. You can find shields with health regeneration, or ample damage resistance, which when used correctly can make a character almost invincible for any given situation. Other than that, GearBox did a fantastic job.

Sound & Music: 9/10 - Great title song that suits the theme of the game, so many points for that. The voice acting is guite good as well from all characters, and the dialogue is laced with quick bits of humor. There is some pretty identifiable fighting background music, and most of the ambient sounds do give a great feel of the areas that you are in. While this is nowhere near that of a symphonic Final Fantasy soundtrack, its sounds and music fit in with the setting, and do enhance the gameplay quite a bit.

Replayability: 10/10 - This is the strongest point of this game. With its co-op multiplayer functionality, you can go back in and just start shooting everything up with your friends, even if you aren't working on your specific quests. It is one of the few games where I have no problem with just logging on, joining a friends game, and just start killing enemies while he is looking for nearby quest items. After you finish the game once, you are able to go into a 2nd playthrough with harder enemies and better item drops as you move to the level cap. While the first playthrough can be done at around level 35, playthrough 2 starts at 35 and goes well up to 50. There are also a few DLC packs available that add more missions, weapons, enemies, and areas. The latest increases the level cap to 61, and there are even more future DLC packs in the works.

Overall: 46/50 : 92.25/100 : A-
Reccomendation: DEFINITELY rent, if not already a purchase. Highly reccomended, especially for any fans of the Bioshock or Fallout series.