Video Games...Discuss Them

[megladon8]

The latest review by Yahtzee Croshaw (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/3040-Zero-Punctuation-Turok) (for "Turok") goes over much of what I hate about modern shooters.

Such as...

-What's with this recent fascination with things being realistic? There used to be a time when I could play a game with a nice big health meter showing me exactly how much damage I've taken. I could carry 15 different guns with 9999 ammo for each of them, and switch whenever I liked. Gone are those days, and I miss them dearly.

-Why the hell don't they make colourful shooters anymore? "Unreal" is one of my very favorites, in no small part due to the wonderful selection of environments you encounter. Playing "Gears of War" made me feel like they worked with a palette consisting entirely of brown and black.

[megladon8]

I really am enjoying "Dead Rising".

While the save system is challening, I don't dislike it.

The gameplay is pretty addictive, so it's not like it's a chore to have to kill lots of zombies again and again.

But it also gets more fun going through the various areas again when you've levelled up.

And it's got a great story, cast of characters and voice acting.

[Dukefrukem]

I really am enjoying "Dead Rising".

While the save system is challening, I don't dislike it.

The gameplay is pretty addictive, so it's not like it's a chore to have to kill lots of zombies again and again.

But it also gets more fun going through the various areas again when you've levelled up.

And it's got a great story, cast of characters and voice acting.

The save system is awful. Im waiting for Dead RIsing 2. :)

We still need to gears it up.

[number8]

What lazy fucking gamers we have nowadays.

[MacGuffin]

What lazy fucking gamers we have nowadays.

No, I just don't like crap that isn't fun.

[Scar]

What lazy fucking gamers we have nowadays.

Man, I remember the days when you're playing a game, your guy is hurting bad, and you're just praying for a save spot. Adds intensity to the game. Thats lost when you can save whenever you want.

[MacGuffin]

Anyways, I rented Condemned 2: Bloodshot. I'll report back and let you all know how much I enjoy it. I haven't played the first one.

[megladon8]

Can anyone give me some advice on how to beat those damn psychos in the jeep in "Dead Rising"?

They're in that outdoor area, which unfortunately connects pretty much everything - so I'll finally beat a mission, then get killed by them trying to get back to the security room.

I just beat Adam - the chainsaw-wielding clown - and rescued that security guard, who then ran to the bathroom and told me it was a "short cut" to the security room. Am I missing some doorway in the bathroom or something? Because I really don't see what he's talking about.

Anyways, awesome yet incredibly challenging game.

[MacGuffin]

Can anyone give me some advice on how to beat those damn psychos in the jeep in "Dead Rising"?

They're in that outdoor area, which unfortunately connects pretty much everything - so I'll finally beat a mission, then get killed by them trying to get back to the security room.

I just beat Adam - the chainsaw-wielding clown - and rescued that security guard, who then ran to the bathroom and told me it was a "short cut" to the security room. Am I missing some doorway in the bathroom or something? Because I really don't see what he's talking about.

Anyways, awesome yet incredibly challenging game.

Did you beat the gun store salesman? That's where I gave up.

[megladon8]

Did you beat the gun store salesman? That's where I gave up.


Nope.

I got to the section of the mall with the gun and knife stores, but I ran out of weapons and apparently you can't get any of the knives or swords until later, because it wasn't letting me pick them up.

So I turned back around and got to the aforementioned outdoor sequence, then right before I entered the mall again so I could get to the security room, those psychos ran me down in the jeep and I died.


One thing I really don't like in the game is that all of the weapons run out so quickly. I hate having, say, a sledgehammer equipped, and after just 15 or 20 hits with it, I drop it.

It really feels like the makers did everything they possibly could to make the game more difficult.

Yet I haven't run into any outright unfairness yet, like some moments in "Gears of War" which had me foaming at the mouth in anger.

[MacGuffin]

Nope.

I got to the section of the mall with the gun and knife stores, but I ran out of weapons and apparently you can't get any of the knives or swords until later, because it wasn't letting me pick them up.

So I turned back around and got to the aforementioned outdoor sequence, then right before I entered the mall again so I could get to the security room, those psychos ran me down in the jeep and I died.


One thing I really don't like in the game is that all of the weapons run out so quickly. I hate having, say, a sledgehammer equipped, and after just 15 or 20 hits with it, I drop it.

It really feels like the makers did everything they possibly could to make the game more difficult.

Yet I haven't run into any outright unfairness yet, like some moments in "Gears of War" which had me foaming at the mouth in anger.

Yeah, my only advice is stock up. Also, check out that medieval store across the gate from where you began on the second floor. I may pick up the game a little latter, but I'm still not so sure.

[Stay Puft]

Can anyone give me some advice on how to beat those damn psychos in the jeep in "Dead Rising"?

Yeah, they're tough that early in the game. My advice is get an uzi and aim for the driver. Try to get a tree or some other obstacle between you and the jeep to buy you some easy shots.


I just beat Adam - the chainsaw-wielding clown - and rescued that security guard, who then ran to the bathroom and told me it was a "short cut" to the security room. Am I missing some doorway in the bathroom or something? Because I really don't see what he's talking about.

The air vent. He stands directly under it as I recall. Jump on the sink to reach it.

[megladon8]

The air vent. He stands directly under it as I recall. Jump on the sink to reach it.


Ah, this is wonderful.

Thank you!

[number8]

There's no use trying to kill the psychos on the jeep unless you want their big-ass gun (which is sweet). They respawn every night, so you'll keep running into them. If you just want to cross, just run.

They're actually pretty easy to beat, though. Just get them to drive into a tree and they'll be stuck for a while. Kill the driver first.

[Saya]

They're actually pretty easy to beat, though. Just get them to drive into a tree and they'll be stuck for a while. Kill the driver first.

Yep, I also thought this was the best way to do it.

Meg, it gets even easier if you have the mini toy chainsaw from the clown boss. Just pick that weapon up and a couple of books from the bookstores to extend the durability and you're set for a while. You can get like 3000 zombie kills before the thing breaks and all bosses die within a couple of hits as well. But you might want to level up first and get more inventory space so you can carry more stuff.

[megladon8]

Sweet, thanks for the advice guys.

I just find it particularly hard getting by those guys when I am trying to escort someone back to the security room. It's a pain in the ass when they suddenly let go of your hand, then the guys plow into them with the jeep.

Nice to have that duct in the bathroom now.

Anyways, it's an awesome game. As I said before, killing zombies never gets old.


Dad gave us all a copy of "Guitar Hero III" for Easter. Lookin' forward to breakin' it out!

[Dukefrukem]

Well I beat Lost Planet and Alpha Prime last night. Now Im working on Timeshift...

damn too much to do.

[Dukefrukem]

Did you beat the gun store salesman? That's where I gave up.

That's where a lot of people gave up. The game could have been a lot better.

[megladon8]

Last night I beat the crazy grocery store guy with the shopping cart covered in knives and the like.

I love the wonderful array of psychopaths in the game.

[megladon8]

Got "Guitar Hero 3" on the weekend.

Finally jumped on the bandwagon!

I am convinced I have retarded fingers. I just can't do it.

I think it's because I play guitar. They're nothing alike, and I find that a lot of the rhythms (especially on easier difficulties) make no sense at all.

It's actually easier for me to play it on Medium or Hard, than on Easy.

[bac0n]

I think it's because I play guitar. They're nothing alike, and I find that a lot of the rhythms (especially on easier difficulties) make no sense at all.

Yeah, I have a friend who's a guitarist, and it's really hard for him to play GH, for the same reason.

[number8]

Not to mention that Guitar Hero 3 fucking sucks.

[Dukefrukem]

Not to mention that Guitar Hero 3 fucking sucks.

true that.....

[Duncan]

My housemates and I have been playing Tiger Woods '07 pretty much non-stop. I can't remember the last time I was so into a game. We've got some pretty creative bets running too.

[D_Davis]

My housemates and I have been playing Tiger Woods '07 pretty much non-stop. I can't remember the last time I was so into a game. We've got some pretty creative bets running too.

I've been wanting to get into a golf game lately. They are fun and relaxing. I might wait until I get my PS3 (with my George Bush money (he also bought me my Gamecube)) to pick up the new Hot Shots Golf.

[bac0n]

Boy oh Boy, I loved me up some Tiger Woods '06, tho some of the specialty courses (I'm looking at you, Red Rock Creek) were insanely hard.

[Scar]

Boy oh Boy, I loved me up some Tiger Woods '06, tho some of the specialty courses (I'm looking at you, Red Rock Creek) were insanely hard.

I forgot what version I had on the PS2, but I logged in an unGodly amount of hours on that. My guy was maxed out to the gills. I remember I smoked quite a bit at home during that time, and had to force myself to have only one cigarette during a set of 9 holes.

[megladon8]

What's wrong with "Guitar Hero 3"?

[D_Davis]

What's wrong with "Guitar Hero 3"?

I don't know either - I thought it was fun. Just as fun as any of the others.

[Sven]

Beat Bio-Shock the other day. Verdict:

Insanely overrated; those heralding it as some sort of revolution in video game narrative and/or expression of moral philosophy are buying into the hype. Just because something quotes Ayn Rand does not make it philosophical. It's all pop. The closest the game ever got to being "meaningful" in any way was in its suggestion of gamers as utilitarian tools of capital whim, but even then it's done in fun. It's not consequential enough.

Final boss dude, easy as pie. Pretty unspectacular finale. The ending is kind of ridiculous. The scenario/goal relationship is kind of silly and confusing (especially during the "become a big daddy" mission towards the end--I had put on big daddy armor, but my arms were still human... I hate that). It suffers mightily from that primal video game goof where all the bad guys end up saying the exact same things over and over. By the end of the game, all the tension that had been building and building through the first half (roughly up to the part where Atlas's identity is revealed) has gone gammy.

And it was long.

However, despite its being overrated, I did find it quite engaging and fun. The sound design is killer, as were the graphics. It was pretty frightening at times, particularly in its use of music. The gameplay I found was intuitive (this coming from someone that doesn't play First Person Shooters ever), and I loved the lack of cut scenes and narrative exposition.

Still, I have now played the first 20 minutes or so of Half-Life 2 and on the whole, it appears that everything I liked about Bio-Shock, Half-Life 2 has done better (save maybe the graphics... Half-Life's photorealism is wiggin'). I'm excited to crack into it some more.

[D_Davis]

You just can't beat Half Life 2 and the episodes.

I don't think Bioshock is over rated, but I do think it was highly rated for the wrong reasons, or, perhaps, people tend to focus on the wrong things.

It is too long though. And it's not as good as System Shock 2.

But I also think that HL2 is too long.

[D_Davis]

I forgot what version I had on the PS2, but I logged in an unGodly amount of hours on that. My guy was maxed out to the gills. I remember I smoked quite a bit at home during that time, and had to force myself to have only one cigarette during a set of 9 holes.

RPGs were the best games for smokers. We used to burn through pack after pack playing Wild Arms and FFVII.

[megladon8]

I don't know either - I thought it was fun. Just as fun as any of the others.


I know.

It's Guitar Hero...there are no changes, and it's more challenging.

Plus, best song list yet. Especially for a metal head like me :)


And "Dark Sector" looks amazing. Reviews are saying it's great run-and-gun action...perfect!!

[Kurosawa Fan]

My housemates and I have been playing Tiger Woods '07 pretty much non-stop. I can't remember the last time I was so into a game. We've got some pretty creative bets running too.

Do you have it for the Wii? I'm so addicted it's ridiculous.

[Skitch]

Finally got my return box...360 shipping out today.

[EyesWideOpen]

I don't know either - I thought it was fun. Just as fun as any of the others.

Since Guitar Hero has "sold out" it has become the "in thing" for the cool kids to hate on it and give "props" to the more "indie hip" Rock Band.

[Scar]

Since Guitar Hero has "sold out" it has become the "in thing" for the cool kids to hate on it and give "props" to the more "indie hip" Rock Band.

It might have to do more with the 'boss battles' n shit, too.

Dunno though, 'cause I haven't played it yet.

[EyesWideOpen]

It might have to do more with the 'boss battles' n shit, too.

Dunno though, 'cause I haven't played it yet.

Their is only a few boss battles and while i didn't care for them it didn't change the Guitar Hero formula enough to account for the huge outpouring of hatred the series is now receiving especially since most reviews and comments i've read have mentioned liking the boss battles.

[number8]

It's the tabbing of the music itself, not the boss battles.

[Duncan]

Do you have it for the Wii? I'm so addicted it's ridiculous.

Just on PS2. The bets are getting a little out of control, though. I just finished a naked lap of our housing complex. We haven`t dared bet on a naked elevator ride yet. But it`s coming...

[Dukefrukem]

Condemend 2 is awesome btw... just finished the ship level...

[Dukefrukem]

What's wrong with "Guitar Hero 3"?

It pisses me off. I hate this Guitar Hero craze ever since the first games came out. Now we have rock band and sing along crap? These games are gehying up the console.

[D_Davis]

It pisses me off. I hate this Guitar Hero craze ever since the first games came out. Now we have rock band and sing along crap? These games are gehying up the console.

Epic Fail!

A loser is you!

[Scar]

It pisses me off. I hate this Guitar Hero craze ever since the first games came out. Now we have rock band and sing along crap? These games are gehying up the console.

There have been sing along games for the systems before Guitar Hero.

Epic fail is right.

[bac0n]

Man, some of the best times I've had playing the console is getting a bunch of friends liquored up and then playing some Karaoke Revolution. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard playing a video game in my life!

[D_Davis]

Man, some of the best times I've had playing the console is getting a bunch of friends liquored up and then playing some Karaoke Revolution. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard playing a video game in my life!

Yep.

American Idol is hella fun too.

[Sycophant]

Man, I just fucking hate it when people enjoy things that I don't. Goddamn cocksuckers. What gives them the motherfucking right?

[D_Davis]

Man, I just fucking hate it when people enjoy things that I don't. Goddamn cocksuckers. What gives them the motherfucking right?

Douche sucking maggot fuckers.

[Raiders]

It pisses me off. I hate this Guitar Hero craze ever since the first games came out. Now we have rock band and sing along crap? These games are gehying up the console.

What's so "ghey" about it?

[Sycophant]

I nearly picked up a copy of BioShock the other day, but the only copy at my local game store had been leaned up against a copy of Guitar Hero III. I worried that some of GH3's "huhmuhsexualiteh" had been transferred to BS, so No. Thank. You.

[Raiders]

I nearly picked up a copy of BioShock the other day, but the only copy at my local game store had been leaned up against a copy of Guitar Hero III. I worried that some of GH3's "huhmuhsexualiteh" had been transferred to BS, so No. Thank. You.

My parents told me gheyness wasn't contagious. They lied???

[D_Davis]

Gaytar Queero III

[bac0n]

I heard that after they release Guitar Hero Aerosmith, they're releasing Guitar Hero Indigo Girls, and then Guitar Hero Erasure.

[D_Davis]

I heard that after they release Guitar Hero Aerosmith, they're releasing Guitar Hero Indigo Girls, and then Guitar Hero Erasure.

And then Guitar Hero Rufus Wainwright

[Skitch]

It pisses me off. I hate this Guitar Hero craze ever since the first games came out. Now we have rock band and sing along crap? These games are gehying up the console.


At least they're sliming down the number of gehy bands on the streets...emo now has a real home. Far away from me...it's cool, I have friends that are emo, so I can say that. I'm not like, pre-juiced or anything.

Sometimes, I amuse even myself. Hell, most times I amuse only myself. Fuck it, I'm laughing.

[Sven]

I nearly picked up a copy of BioShock the other day, but the only copy at my local game store had been leaned up against a copy of Guitar Hero III. I worried that some of GH3's "huhmuhsexualiteh" had been transferred to BS, so No. Thank. You.

Do you have a system that Bio-Shock is available on?

[bac0n]

And then Guitar Hero Rufus Wainwright

Oh yeah? How awesome would it be to be able to brag to your friends that you beat Gay Messiah on, um, Hard?

[Sycophant]

Do you have a system that Bio-Shock is available on?
Nope. You've caught me! The entire story was pure fabrication. I haven't been in a game store in months. I would've brouight it a little closer to the truth by using a game on my system of choice, but I couldn't think of a game that was decidedly un-"ghey" on the Wii. I needed something harder edged.

[D_Davis]

Do you have a system that Bio-Shock is available on?

Yeah. The Gaystation 3.

[number8]

in all seriousness, I find stuff like Army of Two and Gears of War to be a lot gayer than GH or Rock Band.

[bac0n]

in all seriousness, I find stuff like Army of Two and Gears of War to be a lot gayer than GH or Rock Band.

Yeah, they might as well have called Army of Two "Two Guys in a Dress Watching Oprah"

[Dukefrukem]

in all seriousness, I find stuff like Army of Two and Gears of War to be a lot gayer than GH or Rock Band.

Army of Two is the worst fucking game I've ever played. Worst than Gears of Grayness.

I knew i'd razz up some people with that GH comment.

[Dukefrukem]

Yeah. The Gaystation 3.

no the PC.

Reasons to own a 360:

1. If you want all of your exclusives to eventually end up on PC.
2. If you want to curl up in the fetal position and wait for your 360 to explode.

The end

[Sycophant]

Army of Two is the worst fucking game I've ever played. Worst than Gears of Grayness.

I knew i'd razz up some people with that GH comment.Anyone who can bring themselves to actually type the word "ghey" in any degree of seriousness is incapable of really "razzing" me.

[D_Davis]

Army of Two is the worst fucking game I've ever played.

Bet you've never played Rascal on the PS1.

[D_Davis]

Anyone who can bring themselves to actually type the word "ghey" in any degree of seriousness is incapable of really "razzing" me.

Shut up gheywad.

[Kurosawa Fan]

And then Guitar Hero Rufus Wainwright

And then Guitar Hero Daughtry! No? Really? Are we sure about that?

[number8]

And then Guitar Hero Daughtry! No? Really? Are we sure about that?

That kind of gayness would cause my XBox Gay-60 to literally spread its USB sockets to every controller on the block and probably contract red ring of doom from one of them.

[Scar]

I knew i'd razz up some people with that GH comment.

If by razz up some people you mean make yourself look like a fool, then yes, yes you did.

[Dukefrukem]

If by razz up some people you mean make yourself look like a fool, then yes, yes you did.

Oh go back to pretending you know how to play guitar. :pritch:

[Dukefrukem]

anyway, i Beat Condemned 2 last night. I was a bit disappointed with the ending and I thought they left a bunch of stuff out that they could have expanded on a bit more, but the game was very enjoyable. There was a LOT less forensic work than the first game, but I guess that was expected since he isn't an agent anymore. They made up for it with more gun slinging action with assault rifles and such.

[Dukefrukem]

Bet you've never played Rascal on the PS1.

LOL! I just looked it up. No I haven't played it.

In all honesty, the worst game I've ever played is probably Starship Troopers, the game. You can read my review here (http://www.straferight.com/forums/game-hardware-reviews/174422-review-starship-troopers-pc.html).

[Scar]

Oh go back to pretending you know how to play guitar. :pritch:

:|

[Dukefrukem]

:|

:P

[number8]

Once, I played Guitar Hero II at a party and actually swooned a bunch of girls by playing Freebird flawlessly.

At that day, I realized that you don't need to know how to play a real guitar to get groupies.

The world is as it should be.

[bac0n]

Call me a skeptic, but I'm pretty sure it was the Axe Body Slime that had the ladies swooning more than the Guitar Heroics.

[number8]

Call me a skeptic, but I'm pretty sure it was the Axe Body Slime that had the ladies swooning more than the Guitar Heroics.

I doubt it. I was rubbing my chest with pickles previously.

[Skitch]

Once, I played Guitar Hero II at a party and actually swooned a bunch of girls by playing Freebird flawlessly.

At that day, I realized that you don't need to know how to play a real guitar to get groupies.

The world is as it should be.


http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e125/skitchthemovieman/Net%20Fun/lex-luthor-wrong1.jpg

[Sycophant]

So, I just beat Twilight Princess. It may ultimately be my least favorite of the 3-D Zelda games, but that's not an insult. It's a lovely game that really nails its atmospherics. The last couple of boss battles were simply thrilling and the design of the World of Shadow pretty much had me lovingly cooing. The missteps seem to occur really in an overworld that is surprisingly lacking in depth and events, as well as some dungeons that were far too linear. Also, the game might have ultimately been too easy.

That said, even when the game was a little disappointing, it was never less than stunning to look at. It may not have the horsepower of some richer, "realer" games, but with art direction this fabulous, I don't care.

I hope that with the next Zelda game, the formula gets mixed up a bit more. It's a good formula and a good engine, but I'd like to see some real fundamental gameplay changes next go-around. Not that I'd ever abandon the series, though. It is now and probably always will be my favorite gaming franchise.

[Dukefrukem]

I started playing Knight of the Old Republic again yesterday. Its been a while so i wanted to play it before I played KOTOR2. And 3 when it comes out.

[bac0n]

I was playing Drunken Call Of Duty 4 Online on Friday with my buddy who lives down the street, and I am pleased to say that I am able to offer it my Official Bac0n Stamp Of Approval. The Deal Sealer is how when you're about to die, most of the time you drop to the ground with only your sidearm, and have the ability to go out klingon style.

[Dukefrukem]

Anyone here play Team Fortress 2 on a regular basis?

I have a sevrer that gets full in the evening if anyone wants to play with me. :)

[megladon8]

Did "Skate" for the 360 go out of print or something?

Amazon.ca says that it is no longer available.

[Scar]

I fired up Resident Evil 4 this weekend, and realized the rather sizeable difference in video quality between it and the PS3 games I've been playing.

Still fun, though!

[Dukefrukem]

I fired up Resident Evil 4 this weekend, and realized the rather sizeable difference in video quality between it and the PS3 games I've been playing.

Still fun, though!

Awesome game!

Did you guys hear steam is putting 40 Ubisoft titles up? First up, Farcry, Spinter Cell and Assassins Creed.

Awesome news.

[KK2.0]

I fired up Resident Evil 4 this weekend...
Still fun, though!

I still have bad memories of the Castle, what a crappy level.

[Skitch]

Easily one of the best games ever. I can't wait for RE5.

[bac0n]

I still have bad memories of the Castle, what a crappy level.

Whatever crappiness exists in the castle level is more than made up for by the awesomeness of the level that follows.

[megladon8]

I agree with Skitch.

Any faults in "RE4" were counterbalanced by tons of awesomeness.

I love that game. I think it's the best looking GC title I've seen. Some of the visuals even rival stuff I've played on the 360.

[megladon8]

"Dead Rising" is still comin' along well.

I've just restarted the game for the third time. I had gotten to the point where I was going to fight the chick on the motorcycle in the North Plaza, but realized I had never gotten around to beating Cletus in the Gun Shop yet. And I really needed some guns for fighting her.

So, as I said, I restarted and one of the first things I did was run over to North Plaza and kill Cletus so I could avoid that hassle later on.

[Scar]

Easily one of the best games ever. I can't wait for RE5.

Yeah, I've lost track of how many times I've actually beaten this game.

[KK2.0]

Whatever crappiness exists in the castle level is more than made up for by the awesomeness of the level that follows.

still a great game, but i replayed the first levels only.

[Stay Puft]

still a great game, but i replayed the first levels only.

Same. The first encounters in the cabins are my favorite.

When it comes to RE4 fixes, I go straight for Mercenaries. That's the money.

[Rowland]

Same. The first encounters in the cabins are my favorite.Thirded. The first act is the most fun. After that, it grows increasingly repetitive, so I can't argue it as one of the best games ever like lots of people seem to


When it comes to RE4 fixes, I go straight for Mercenaries. That's the money.Yes, Mercenaries is fun as hell. I actually enjoyed just trying to beat my high scores, which is impressive because I'm usually not that kinda guy, and the play mechanics don't seem like they'd be geared towards that sort of play.

[Morris Schæffer]

Far Cry (PC) is still incredibly awesome!

[Dukefrukem]

Far Cry (PC) is still incredibly awesome!

Yeh i just re-bought it on steam. Ubisoft titles are now on steam. It's awesome.

[megladon8]

So does anyone know what happened with "Skate" for the 360?

I don't understand why Amazon.ca is suddenly acting like it's out of print.

[EyesWideOpen]

So does anyone know what happened with "Skate" for the 360?

I don't understand why Amazon.ca is suddenly acting like it's out of print.

i just checked both ebgames.com and amazon.com and both have it in stock. amazon.com has people selling used copies for $32 so I doubt it's out of print.

[D_Davis]

Stephen King on video game violence:

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20188502,00.html


Good read.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Stephen King on video game violence:

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20188502,00.html


Good read.

I'm always disappointed when I flip to the back of my EW and see that someone other than King has written the column. Especially when it's Diablo Cody, who is just as inept as a columnist as she is a screenwriter.

[D_Davis]

I'm always disappointed when I flip to the back of my EW and see that someone other than King has written the column. Especially when it's Diablo Cody, who is just as inept as a columnist as she is a screenwriter.

Oh God - she shares the same space with King?

That's disgusting.

She needs to go away.


King is the best thing to happen to EW since, well, forever!

:)

[number8]

She has a sitcom in production, so you might see more of her for the next 11 years or so.

[D_Davis]

She has a sitcom in production, so you might see more of her for the next 11 years or so.

I can't believe our society rewards such mediocrity. Actually, this is an insult to mediocre stuff.

[EyesWideOpen]

We get it, everyone hates Diablo Cody can we move on now.

[Sven]

We get it, everyone hates Diablo Cody can we move on now.

Awwww... somebody likes Juno.

[number8]

We get it, everyone hates Diablo Cody can we move on now.

Not until people get off Uwe Boll's back.

[Rowland]

I'm digging Professor Layton and the Curious Village. Anybody play it?

[EyesWideOpen]

Not until people get off Uwe Boll's back.

worst comparison ever.

[Sycophant]

I haven't been playing much in the way of video games in the last couple years, but yesterday...

1. I leveled up a ton in the MMO shooter Gunz.
2. After initially starting it seven years ago, I finished Final Fantasy VI.
3. Played quite a bit of Kirby's Dream Land on the VC.
4. Began Tales of Symphonia anew after an aborted playthrough three years ago, doing about 3 hours there.

Yay.

[megladon8]

I hope that "GTA IV"'s world is expansive and immersive and enormous - because from the screens I've seen, the graphics are pretty drab.

[D_Davis]

You Have to Burn the Rope

http://www.mazapan.se/games/BurnTheRope.php

Awesome.

Play to the end, and enjoy your reward.

[Sven]

You Have to Burn the Rope

http://www.mazapan.se/games/BurnTheRope.php

Awesome.

Play to the end, and enjoy your reward.

That... was awesome.

[Dukefrukem]

I hope that "GTA IV"'s world is expansive and immersive and enormous - because from the screens I've seen, the graphics are pretty drab.

Its gonna be such a long and (like you said) immersive game. There are already reports of 20 or so mini games inside the game... its gonna be crazy... I have yet to decide if i want to buy it on 360, PS3 or PC.

[D_Davis]

That... was awesome.

It's quite a little commentary on video game design.

The final music reminds me of the bonus level song in Skullmonkeys.

I also love all the FAQS and video walkthroughs...hilarious.

1. You have to burn the rope.

[monolith94]

Man, the ending music to "you have to burn the rope" was amazing! I'm cracking up...

Also, my latest strategy gaming is available for free online.
http://www.wesnoth.org/

Beware - if you get really into it, it'll suck up alot of time. It's kind of like a cross between warlords, heroes of might and magic, and warcraft.

[megladon8]

I couldn't get that little burn the rope game to work.

Every time I pressed a button it spazzed out.

[Saya]

I was so looking forward to play Rock Band, but today EA released European pricing for the game.

So in America the game + instruments goes for $160.

We have to pay €160 for just the instruments and €70 for the game. €240 euros (= $380) in total. I was expecting a higher price than the US, but this is too much. What the hell are they thinking?

I was so looking forward to play this game, but these prices are just crazy. The game costs more than the console itself. :lol:

[D_Davis]

http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/ul/80488-RockBand-EU_header1.jpg

[Saya]

I still hope that this is all some misunderstanding. :sad:

[Skitch]

Yeah, I've lost track of how many times I've actually beaten this game.

Same here...and everytime I've played through it, I'm once again amazed at how great it is.

My 360 has finally returned, after a month of not being able to play. I can finally continue Half-Life2...

[megladon8]

I really want to try "Killer 7" for the GC.

[Skitch]

Please tell me you guys don't buy into the GTA craze...

[Ezee E]

Please tell me you guys don't buy into the GTA craze...
If I had the appropriate system then I would totally be in it.

But, the roommates took it with them.

I prefer it that way though.

[Sycophant]

My only experience with GTA, I believe, was with GTA 2. At a New Year's party, I saw a friend's four-year-old daughter at the controller, her character stabbing hookers. It was a weird thing to see.

[Stay Puft]

I enjoyed playing the games with friends over a LAN, back when the series was 2D. I actually hated GTA3 because it removed so much functionality in the transition (besides it also being an ugly, buggy, janky game, etc.).

I don't care much about the series as a whole.

[megladon8]

GTA = God.

[Scar]

Please tell me you guys don't buy into the GTA craze...

I played Vice City for a long time. San Andreas got old real quick. Don't know if I'll check the new one out or not.

[number8]

Please tell me you guys don't buy into the GTA craze...

Conversation with a Blockbuster employee, while I was renting a movie:

"Do you have XBox 360 or PS3?"
"I have a 360, why?"
"Do you want to pre-order GTA IV for $5?"
"No, thanks."
*laughs* "Why, you don't play GTA?"
"I do."
"You're not gonna play the new one."
"I'm not in a hurry to. I'll play it when it's out and I can rent it."
"Oh. Okay." *looks at me like I raped his grandfather*

[KK2.0]

Who's GTA? I've just Burnt The Rope.

[megladon8]

"Oh. Okay." *looks at me like I raped his grandfather*


Which you very well may have.

[bac0n]

GTA Looks all purdy, and I loved GTA3, but I kinda grew bored with the series when I was playing GTA Vice City.

[Skitch]

GTA...can't do one thing right, do everything poorly.

[D_Davis]

GTA...can't do one thing right, do everything poorly.

It sure is a heck of a lot of fun though.

Some of the most fun times I've had playing games was playing GTA. It's a blast to just sit around, passing the controller back and forth, just seeing what kind of crazy stuff you can do.

Sure, there are a lot of technical glitches, but when a game is this much fun its easy to over look.

GTAIV is going to be awesome.

I can't wait to see the NaturalMotion stuff in action. This is going to be a game-changing tech that will add unprecedented amounts of animation and life to the characters.

It really is a marvelous piece of tech they're using.

[EyesWideOpen]

I'm digging Professor Layton and the Curious Village. Anybody play it?

I just got it from gamefly today. i've neglected my DS for a long time but Layton looked intriguing and i'm about 30 minutes into it and it's great so far.

[monolith94]

I don't get where people thought GTA was incredibly glitchy. I never had any real problems that interefered with the gameplay. At least, none that I can remember. All I can recall is having a blast, especially with Vice City (which I consider as a perfect example of excellent tone in a videogame).

[megladon8]

Officially pre-ordered "GTA IV".

[D_Davis]

I don't get where people thought GTA was incredibly glitchy. I never had any real problems that interefered with the gameplay. At least, none that I can remember. All I can recall is having a blast, especially with Vice City (which I consider as a perfect example of excellent tone in a videogame).

I had tons of problems with every version I played of each game.

Sinking into floors, walking through walls, stuff vanishing, floating in air, unresponsive controls, and on and on.

Many of these did hinder the gameplay, but none of them got in the way of the fun.

[megladon8]

Yeh, the GTA games certainly had their glitches.

But, like D said, they were still ridiculous amounts of fun.

Same goes for "Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction" - it wasn't the prettiest looking game, and it had lots of glitches with objects appearing/disappearing, bad fogging issues, etc. but it is still one of the funnest experiences I ever had with my X-Box.

[D_Davis]

Can't believe I forgot to mention this yesterday:

http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8693243&publicUserId=1002446

GFW magazine is no more, and Ziff-Davis media filed for Chapter 11.


Before GFW was GFW, it was Computer Gaming World - first published in 1981. Yes, 1981. Some of you reading this weren't even born when the magazine took it's own baby steps. I myself was just 9 years old and was probably spending most of my time designing character sheets for Dungeons and Dragons games (yeah, I was that fucking cool!) or lusting after Lucy Freeman who wanted nothing to do with me (I suspect both those things are related). In other words, the magazine is OLD. Venerable. Storied. It has been a fixture of the PC gaming landscape for so long, it sort of is the PC landscape. Closing a magazine is always terribly hard, but closing this one hurts like hell.

But going forward, I'm pleased (and relieved) that we are retaining the entire edit staff of the magazine and moving them online. From now on Jeff Green, Sean Molloy, Shawn Elliott and Ryan Scott will be dedicating their considerable talents to making the PC coverage on 1UP - which had always been a bit under-resourced - as strong, if not stronger, than our competitors. But more importantly, different. GFW, and before it CGW, prided themselves on providing the very best PC gaming editorial out there. It was a rare month indeed when you opened the pages of an issue to find no surprises. I would put the features in those publications up against anything out there on the Web- or in print gaming mags- any day of the week and twice on Sunday. And now those talented voices get to stretch their creative legs online. Not just every month, but every day. That's exciting.

This is sad.

At least the core team will still be around and will still be doing their awesome writing (the best in the biz) and podcasting.

But still...

It really is the end of an era.

[Saya]

http://i29.tinypic.com/29vbfi0.gif

I'm glad the Brodeo lives on!

I've been playing Starcraft and Warcraft 3 again and it's still tons of fun. Man, I hope Starcraft 2 has hero units as well. Can't wait for that to get released.

[D_Davis]

I heard no hero units in Starcraft 2, at least not to the capacity that WC3 has.

I, too, am glad the brodeo lives on.

It's a highlight to every week.

[megladon8]

Finally almost finished "Dead Rising". I am about to face off against the Butcher, who was seen on the camera dragging Carlito into some room under the North Plaza.

I've really enjoyed it on the whole, but I really did get the feeling that there are parts of the game which were designed for maximum frustration. The save system is not one of these problems.

I have no idea how I'll ever get the Zombie Genocide achievement, thereby unlocking the Megabuster. 53,000 zombie kills? I've been playing for quite a long time and I've only got 3,000.

[number8]

I have no idea how I'll ever get the Zombie Genocide achievement, thereby unlocking the Megabuster. 53,000 zombie kills? I've been playing for quite a long time and I've only got 3,000.

Easy. Drive around the underground parking lot. I did it in less than 2 hours.

[megladon8]

Easy. Drive around the underground parking lot. I did it in less than 2 hours.


Oh, sweet.

Thanks!!

[Duncan]

http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/ul/80488-RockBand-EU_header1.jpg
Hey, that's the logo of my school's comedy paper. Different captions though.

[Skitch]

I scored yesterday...Bioshock for $29.99, and God Of War 2 for $17.99! Woo-hoo!

[monolith94]

http://www.wesnoth.org/

my latest addiction

[Sycophant]

I have played Tales of Symphonia so much in the last forty-eight hours, it's kind of pathetic, but I'm loving the hell out of it. The story's really well paced in a way that encourages me to just keep playing.

[megladon8]

I don't know if it's just that it isn't finished - though I'd think it would be, since it comes out this month - but the graphics in "Mario Kart Wii" look really, really ugly.

Bland textures, very flat looking, poor edging, uninteresting backgrounds.

I hope it looks better when it comes out.

I wasn't too impressed with the visuals of the Wii when I played it a few weeks ago. I played "Metroid Prime 3", and it looked just like the GC games. Not that those game slooked bad - they're gorgeous...for GC games.

[megladon8]

I'm really intrigued by "C&C: Tiberium Wars" for the 360.

I'm not normally a strategy gamer, but it looks pretty cool.

[D_Davis]

Why is it that many of the Wiiware games look better than most of the Wii retail games?

They actually look like good, new games - as in , not mini-game collections or remakes/sequels to tired old Nintendo franchises...

Check out this one:

http://kotaku.com/379314/hands-on-with-lostwinds-the-wiiware-game-you-should-be-excited-about


More importantly, why isn't XBLA/PSN getting these games?

[Sycophant]

Between this, Eternity's Child, and a couple of other great-looking games, I'm starting to feel better about owning a Wii. :pritch:

My copy of Okami's Wii port should be here in about a week, so when I finish Tales of Symphonia, that should hopefully be ready for me. I'm really excited about playing that. Wii's also getting the ToS sequel exclusively.

[D_Davis]

My copy of Okami's Wii port should be here in about a week...

You haven't played Okami yet?

Good game.

I think it is way too long - it really runs out of steam - but the first 1/2 is awesome.

So far, there are two games on the Wii I am interested in. One is an N64 port - Sin and Punishment - and the other is the Wiiware game listed above.

Give me another 20 or so games like this, and I might actually buy one!

[Sycophant]

You haven't played Okami yet?I've never owned a PS2, and my friends with one have never owned Okami, otherwise I would have been on it years ago. It looks to be right up my alley, though, as I find that long Zelda-style adventures and JRPGs really do define my cup of tea.

[Sycophant]

So, BioWare is developing a Sonic RPG? What the eff?

[D_Davis]

So, BioWare is developing a Sonic RPG? What the eff?

Yeah - lame.

Sega needs to kill Sonic.

I would actually like to see the death of all mascots older than say, 15 years.

Let's move on folks!

[Sycophant]

I would like to see the cultivation of some new franchises (and thus mascots) out of Nintendo, but the Zelda series is probably my favorite line of games and the Mario series remains quality.

I know you don't care for them, D, but I'm still rather attached.

[Sycophant]

Other WiiWare game(s) I'm kinda stoked about: Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. I haven't really followed Homestar Runner in a few years, but the classic point-and-click style gameplay developed by Telltale has me all kinds of excited.

[Sycophant]

Okay. I'm probably buying a DS in the next couple weeks. I'll be picking up Final Fantasy Crystal Chronices: Ring of Fates and Phantom Hourglass eventually. Any other recs?

[Ezee E]

I'd like to see a Kingdom of Heaven-esque RPG done with all Nintendo characters.

[Saya]

I won't recommend Phantom Hourglass. It looks and plays great, but there is one temple that ruined the game for me. And it sucks that that particular temple plays a huge part in the game, because you are forced to return to it again and again. I can't get myself to finish it.

If you like music games, you should check out Elite Beat Agents or the Japanese games Ouendan 1 & 2. The gameplay is mostly the same, but Ouendan is Japanese only so you might have to import them. They're really fun games though.

Trauma Center and the Phoenix Wright game series is fantastic aswell.

The remake of Final Fantasy IV will also be released in North America later this year. Good news for RPG fans! :)

[shaun]

Picked up Gran Turismo 5: Prologue at lunch. It's the first in the GT line I'll have played since the initial release because I never owned a PS2 and the closest thing Xbox has had was Forza, which I really love.

Hoping for the best.

[Rowland]

Awesome internet game: http://www.miniclip.com/games/bloxorz/en/

[D_Davis]

Bloxorz is pretty fun.

I was just going to post a game I found! :)

It's called Miestas, it's a hand drawn platformer puzzle game - it's pretty cool.

http://media.fizzlebot.com/miestas.php

http://www.1up.com/media?id=3468816

[megladon8]

Activision confirms "Spider-Man: Web of Shadows" (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/867/867061p1.html). Trailer included.

Looks pretty cool.

I like this idea of having it be "a threat to the entire world".

I've really enjoyed some of the Spider-Man video games in the past - namely "Ultimate Spider-Man" - so I hope this one lives up.


*wishes someone would make a great Superman game already*

[number8]

So you can commit crimes as Spidey? They really like the GTA model don't they?

[Saya]

It seems like the new Mortal Kombat game is going to be a Mortal Kombat VS. DC (Comics Universe) game. Superman, Batman, Sub-Zero, Scorpion...

http://www.worldscollide.com/

Trailer (http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/news/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe-its-official-and-we-have-the-video/a-20080418161958421002/g-20080417144622312081)

Edit: The game is called Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe.

[Ezee E]

It seems like the new Mortal Kombat game is going to be a Mortal Kombat VS. DC (Comics Universe) game. Superman, Batman, Sub-Zero, Scorpion...

http://www.worldscollide.com/

Trailer (http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/news/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe-its-official-and-we-have-the-video/a-20080418161958421002/g-20080417144622312081)

Edit: The game is called Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe.


:eek:

[megladon8]

So you can commit crimes as Spidey? They really like the GTA model don't they?


That sounds a little weird, yes.

Maybe it's like the "Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction" game, where you have a great amoutn of freedom, but you never really become a "bad guy".

[megladon8]

Midway's latest...Mortal Kombat vs. DC!!!! (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6189516.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0)

The latest game from the creators of "Mortal Kombat" will pit the kombatants against characters from the DC universe, such as Batman and Superman.

Um...sweet?

[EyesWideOpen]

Midway's latest...Mortal Kombat vs. DC!!!! (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6189516.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0)

The latest game from the creators of "Mortal Kombat" will pit the kombatants against characters from the DC universe, such as Batman and Superman.

Um...sweet?

Lame. They are also taking away the M rating, blood and fatalities which are pretty much the only reason to play Mortal Kombat.

[bac0n]

Lame. They are also taking away the M rating, blood and fatalities which are pretty much the only reason to play Mortal Kombat.

Ugh. Way to give us something good and take something even better away. I was totally stoked to see what kinda fatalities Superman & Wonder Woman had too. :frustrated:

[EyesWideOpen]

I have zero interest in fighting games anyways so it's no big loss to me. I'd much rather they integrate either marvel or dc into a decent rpg not the faux-action rpg's their stuck in now like Marvel Ultimate Alliance and X-Men Legends.

[Ezee E]

Ugh. Way to give us something good and take something even better away. I was totally stoked to see what kinda fatalities Superman & Wonder Woman had too. :frustrated:


Oh... :cry:

[megladon8]

I have zero interest in fighting games anyways so it's no big loss to me. I'd much rather they integrate either marvel or dc into a decent rpg not the faux-action rpg's their stuck in now like Marvel Ultimate Alliance and X-Men Legends.


FYI, "Marvel Ultimate Alliance" > most other RPGs.


And I love fighting games. Plus, blood and gore being gone is not a big deal to me.

I'm still stoked.

[EyesWideOpen]

FYI, "Marvel Ultimate Alliance" > most other RPGs.


And I love fighting games. Plus, blood and gore being gone is not a big deal to me.

I'm still stoked.

I've played Marvel Ultimate Alliance twice now all the way through because I'm a big comic fan but the game is the absolute definition of meh. Everything about it is average.

[megladon8]

I've played Marvel Ultimate Alliance twice now all the way through because I'm a big comic fan but the game is the absolute definition of meh. Everything about it is average.


You're lame. :P

That game rocks.

What system did you play it on?

[Rowland]

The best Marvel game ever remains Separation Anxiety.

Yep.

:|

[megladon8]

The best Marvel game ever remains Separation Anxiety.

Yep.

:|


Was that the 2-D Spider-Man beat 'em up?

I loved that game!

The X-Men beat 'em ups were freaking awesome as well.

However, my favorite comic book related beat 'em up is still "The Death and Return of Superman" for the SNES.

[EyesWideOpen]

You're lame. :P

That game rocks.

What system did you play it on?

I first played through it on PS2 and then again on 360 (for the acheivements mostly).

[megladon8]

I first played through it on PS2 and then again on 360 (for the acheivements mostly).


Ah okay...I have it on 360.

I still don't understand the "point" behind achievements on the 360. They do absolutely nothing.

Like someone said in this thread quite a while ago, their only purpose is to serve as a virtual "biggest dick contest" on X-Box LiVE.

[Rowland]

Was that the 2-D Spider-Man beat 'em up?

I loved that game!Yep, it was the sequel to Maximum Carnage. I don't know if it was a very good game, but I wasn't too picky as a kid. I also owned Spider-Man for the SNES, which I really loved even though it probably sucked.

[megladon8]

Yep, it was the sequel to Maximum Carnage. I don't know if it was a very good game, but I wasn't too picky as a kid. I also owned Spider-Man for the SNES, which I really loved even though it probably sucked.


I loved a lot of those old beat 'em ups.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time" was a great one, too.

[Saya]

I heard no hero units in Starcraft 2, at least not to the capacity that WC3 has.


I just read this today. It's true that SCII will not be focused on heroes as much as WC3, but I'm glad it will be possible to make them in the map maker. Luckily, there are skilled people out there who will make some awesome custom games that feature heroes. :cool:

http://www.battle.net/forums/thread.aspx?fn=sc2-general&t=1&p=1&#post1


Will there be a DotA for StarCraft II? For those who are not familiar, DotA (Defense of the Ancients), is a popular UMS game created for Warcraft III. StarCraft compared to Warcraft III, does not focus on heroes as much, and heroes or units do not have the same experience gaining mechanic as Warcraft III, making it difficult to imagine how a game like DotA could be reproduced for StarCraft. Nonetheless, after chatting it up with our devs, we found out the ability to allow heroes and units to gain experience is built into the Map Editor, though it will not likely be in single player or standard multiplayer. In addition, those units can also be toggled to have the ability to carry an inventory, which is also a characteristic needed in UMS maps such as DotA. With those two additions, we can rest assured that our clever community modders can handle the rest in creating some awesome custom games.

I cannot wait for this. :)

[D_Davis]

I still don't understand the "point" behind achievements on the 360. They do absolutely nothing.


E-Penis.

[monolith94]

I'm thinking about getting a video game station for GTAIV. I should with X-box, right? Does it make more sense to go with the arcade or pro version?

[Saya]

Well, the arcade is the cheapest version available right now, but it doesn't include a component cable nor a HDD. You will probably need a harddisk if you are planning to play the additional content that will be released in a couple months. If you don't care for the downloadable content and don't have a HD-TV, I'd say go for the arcade version.

[EyesWideOpen]

Ah okay...I have it on 360.

I still don't understand the "point" behind achievements on the 360. They do absolutely nothing.

Like someone said in this thread quite a while ago, their only purpose is to serve as a virtual "biggest dick contest" on X-Box LiVE.

And like I said before when it was discussed I don't understand your need for a "point". What is the "point" of trying to watch all the movies by a certain director?

I'm sure their are some people that get acheivements for their "e-penis" but since I'm not going around here trying to show off my acheivement score I'm willing to say i am not one of them.

When I play a video game I like trying to get 100% completed and achievements are just an extension of that. Getting achievements to me is a hobby just like playing videogames is.

[Stay Puft]

When I play a video game I like trying to get 100% completed and achievements are just an extension of that. Getting achievements to me is a hobby just like playing videogames is.

That's basically the point, too.

The philosophy behind Achievements is simple and even ingenious, I think. Just for starters, it serves as a comprehensive database of what you have played and what you have accomplished with each game. This has numerous applications, such as providing a checklist for an individual game of what goals you have to achieve, and serving as a quick way to assess what kind of progress you are making in that game. Many games give you an achievement after each mission, and you can check to see how many missions there are in the game. So you know exactly how much progress you have made. This is also useful in a social context, which is what Xbox Live attempts to facilitate. I have a friends list, many of my friends are on said list, and I can look and see how my friend down the street, or a fellow poster on RT GVD, is progressing in a game. I can see immediately what mission he is on and so forth. It can also give me an idea of what he likes to play and how he plays games, or what his gaming habits are.

This is also useful when an idiot attempts to argue that a game is terrible, and he claims he knows what he's talking about because he played through the game. We checked his gamercard, which reveals that he only played the first two chapters and didn't even get to any of the important stuff that we had been talking about. Similarly, he would complain about the lack of variety in the software, even though his gamercard reveals that he only sticks to shooters or something anyways. You can't be a stupid fanboy because your gamercard doesn't lie. (Yes, this has happened on RT.)

But what I like about achievements is the way some developers are using them to create meta-games. The standard "mission complete" achievements are useful for the reason above, but I like when achievements structure the game in different ways by providing new or challenging objectives. This is great in a sandbox game like Dead Rising, in which most of the achievements basically serve as a meta-game, asking you to accomplish different tasks. This can serve as a way of facilitating gameplay experimentation or even a kind of meta-tutorial, teaching you different tricks. Dead Rising asks you to do a lot of different gameplay things, like fighting zombies with parasols or bowling balls, or accomplishing meta-goals, like trying to take down the army helicopter on the third day. PGR4 gives you achievements for playing the game in new and different ways, such as completing hot laps without touching your brake, or pulling off different stunts on your bike. There are also puzzles, cryptic achievements that you have to figure out how to unlock. Again, a meta-game, and adds another way to play the game, and facilitates structuring your relationship with a game in different ways.

Again, to address the social aspect, any gamer I play with on Xbox Live can look at my achievements and see not only how many games I have played, but how I have played those games. For example, a guy looked at my gamercard on PGR4 and saw I had the Endo King achievement, and asked me how I got that. That facilitated a discussion of gameplay mechanics and tricks, as we talked about how to perform stunts on bikes and what was the best way I had discovered to pull off really cool endos.

But on the basic level achievements are there to provide feedback, which is the one of the central concepts of game design, and indeed one of the most important elements of gaming. I don't remember who the game editor was, but he was talking about how his kids got hooked on Viva Pinata, and were really excited every time they unlocked a new achievement. In Viva Pinata, many of the achievements are secret, and thus rewarded when you experiment in the garden and discover something new. Reward and punishment, of course, is also central to design theory, and the achievement notification (at this point, the unlocking sound is ingrained in Xbox Live culture, I'm sure) is immediate feedback that says, congratulations, you have accomplished a goal through experimentation and discovery. That's positive feedback, and not surprisingly, a lot of gamers appreciate that and appreciate achievements as a feature of the Xbox 360.

[monolith94]

Well, the arcade is the cheapest version available right now, but it doesn't include a component cable nor a HDD. You will probably need a harddisk if you are planning to play the additional content that will be released in a couple months. If you don't care for the downloadable content and don't have a HD-TV, I'd say go for the arcade version.

Well, I doubt if I'm ever going to have a high-def tv. And I'm only… moderately interested downloadable content. Is it possible to add on an HDD if I decide I want that functionality later?

[D_Davis]

Don't get the Arcade model.

Just don't.

Spend the extra $ and at least get the standard version, the premium, or whatever they are calling it.

If you ever add a HD or buy more than 1 memory card, the arcade or core model will end up costing you more than the premium/standard pack.

Also, since you are getting this for GTAIV, you are going to want the DL content because the 360 is getting 2 exclusive episodes this year, plus all the updates they will be doing to the live experience.

Trust me.

Do not get the cheap version. It's really not worth it because you will not really be getting the full experience of the console.

[bac0n]

So, on the other end of the X-Box spectrum, which is the better value, the X-Box regular, or the X-Box Elite?

[SirNewt]

So, on the other end of the X-Box spectrum, which is the better value, the X-Box regular, or the X-Box Elite?

regular unless you plan on downloading a crap load of stuff. Then you'll want the bigger HDD.

[megladon8]

It's not worth it to get the regular.

I had this same conundrum last January when I got mine.

You need that harddrive.

[SirNewt]

It's not worth it to get the regular.

I had this same conundrum last January when I got mine.

You need that harddrive.

You misunderstand. There is the Arcade (which never should've even been mad) Pro (with 20GB HDD) and Elite (with 100GB HDD).

[megladon8]

You misunderstand. There is the Arcade (which never should've even been mad) Pro (with 20GB HDD) and Elite (with 100GB HDD).


No, I understand, I just misworded.

The arcade is shit.

I got the Pro...though I am running low on HD space now. Only got about 6G left.

[megladon8]

Oh, and only 4 more days 'til "GTA IV"!

YES.

[D_Davis]

I picked up Lego Star Wars: the Complete Saga yesterday, and it is awesome.

So much fun.

[MacGuffin]

Oh, and only 4 more days 'til "GTA IV"!

YES.

Make that 9.

[EyesWideOpen]

I picked up Lego Star Wars: the Complete Saga yesterday, and it is awesome.

So much fun.

YES!!

It's also incredibly deep. It will take you around 20 hours if you go around and do everything.

I'm really looking forward to the next two Lego games (Indiana Jones next month and Batman later in the year).

[SirNewt]

Aside from the impressive production values in the story, there doesn't seem to be that much to like about GTA IV.

[MacGuffin]

Aside from the impressive production values in the story, there doesn't seem to be that much to like about GTA IV.

You played it!?

[Ezee E]

You played it!?
OMG*@(*#(@#****

[megladon8]

Make that 9.


Well, I just got an e-mail from Amazon saying they were shipping copis out this Tuesday, and I should expect mine on the 24th/25th.

So, no, 4 days.

Unless they lied to me.

[megladon8]

I picked up Lego Star Wars: the Complete Saga yesterday, and it is awesome.

So much fun.


I always passed these up because I wasn't sure they were actually good.

Now I'll keep my eye out :)

What is the gameplay like?

[trotchky]

I rented Condemned 2: Bloodshot. I doubt I'll play a worse game this year.

[Ezee E]

I always passed these up because I wasn't sure they were actually good.

Now I'll keep my eye out :)

What is the gameplay like?
I played the demo and loved it. It follows the films perfectly, but you have to figure out certain puzzles throughout the game with lego rules. Such as building something that will lead you to a gate.

You can play as all the characters that also have trademarks, so you have to use them all to finish a level. Sort of like the X-Men/Marvel Alliance games in that respect.

Batman should be awesome.

[Scar]

I always passed these up because I wasn't sure they were actually good.

Now I'll keep my eye out :)

What is the gameplay like?

Those games are great, I've played the entire series. They add funny little things all over the place, and its a blast to play. Nothing like seeing Luke doing an entire gymnastics routine when they try to push him into the Sarlac.

[D_Davis]

I always passed these up because I wasn't sure they were actually good.

Now I'll keep my eye out :)

What is the gameplay like?

Fun platforming, light action and puzzle solving.

Tons of stuff to collect and unlock.

If you like Star Wars and Legos, you really can't go wrong.

[D_Davis]

I rented Condemned 2: Bloodshot. I doubt I'll play a worse game this year.

What don't you like about it?

[Scar]

I finally gave FFXII a shot. Damn, its pretty good. Gotta get used to the gambit system, though. One/two people, no problem. Three/four, gettin' crazy!

[Sycophant]

Thanks for the DS recs, Saya. I picked up Professor Layton and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fate along with my DS yesterday. I'm already kind of in love with the system and somehow never realized it was quite capable of what it is. I'll probably be picking up The World Ends With You tomorrow and maybe a Phoenix Wright or Lost in Blue game. I'll be picking up Phantom Hourglass eventually because I'm a huge Zelda fan and couldn't possibly be expected to help myself. And I'm keenly, keenly awaiting the DS version of Final Fantasy IV. I nearly started up my GBA copy that I never finished, but I think I'll hold off till July.

[Watashi]

It's so weird. Scar does not seem like the type of guy to get into Final Fantasy at all.

[Scar]

It's so weird. Scar does not seem like the type of guy to get into Final Fantasy at all.

I watched friends crack out on FFII, and then FFVII. I got into Final Fantasy 'cause of Sephiroth. A good villain/good villain music goes a long way.

[Ezee E]

I never finished a FF game. i got pretty damn close on VIII I think. The one with the jawa looking guy. But I played for two hours, walked into a library to save, but looked at a book. That book was a monster and it killed me.

Never played it again.

[Scar]

I never finished a FF game. i got pretty damn close on VIII I think. The one with the jawa looking guy. But I played for two hours, walked into a library to save, but looked at a book. That book was a monster and it killed me.

Never played it again.

That would be Final Fantasy IX.

[Ezee E]

That would be Final Fantasy IX.
of course!

[Scar]

of course!

I actually thought about picking that one up off of eBay, but then decided that I really should give XII another shot.

[Saya]

Thanks for the DS recs, Saya. I picked up Professor Layton and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fate along with my DS yesterday. I'm already kind of in love with the system and somehow never realized it was quite capable of what it is. I'll probably be picking up The World Ends With You tomorrow and maybe a Phoenix Wright or Lost in Blue game. I'll be picking up Phantom Hourglass eventually because I'm a huge Zelda fan and couldn't possibly be expected to help myself. And I'm keenly, keenly awaiting the DS version of Final Fantasy IV. I nearly started up my GBA copy that I never finished, but I think I'll hold off till July.

No problem!

I'm glad you like your DS. What color did you get?

I definitely will check out that Layton game later this year as well. The art design looks fantastic and I love puzzle games. I can't go wrong with that.

As for The World Ends With you, I picked it up last saturday and I've been playing it every day since then. I love it. It's a very contemporary RPG and it takes place in Tokyo. It had a very modern and urban vibe to it. It also has an unique battle system in which you can control two characters at the same time (you control one with the stylus and one with the control pad), but I guess it's kind of a love it or hate it thing. But don't worry, you can also set one character to 'auto-play'. Another thing I have to warn you about it the soundtrack. It's very 'J-Pop'. If you hate that kind of thing, best avoid the game because the music is always playing. I love it though. :)

I also recommend a screen protector for your bottom screen. So stylus intense games (like Elite Beat Agents and The World Ends With You) won't scratch the screen. They're cheap and available everywhere.

[Sycophant]

I picked up one of those limited edition Cobalt Blue DS models. Dualtone, shiny cobalt blue and black. I was actually going to wait till E3 to see if this rumor of a new DS model held water, but nah. This is plenty cool for me.

Everything I've seen for The World Ends With You has me excited. It looks gorgeous and I find the relenteless J-pop rather charming. I'm a little worried about the learning curve, particularly because I'm not so great with rhythm games, but I'm stoked to give it a shot. The Shibuya setting seems pretty spiffy and I was rather intrigued by the fashion/armor system.

And I bought a set of screen protectors. I screwed up the one on top, but got the one on the bottom screen okay. While that's the one I'm most worried about, I do want some sort of protection for the top. :P

[D_Davis]

Everything I've seen for The World Ends With You has me excited. It looks gorgeous and I find the relenteless J-pop rather charming. I'm a little worried about the learning curve, particularly because I'm not so great with rhythm games, but I'm stoked to give it a shot. The Shibuya setting seems pretty

It looks like the next best thing to a JSRF sequel we'll ever get.

Sega closing Smilebit was one of the greatest losses the video game industry has ever suffered.

This game may make me try to find my DS. I have no idea where it is, I haven't touched it in a very, very long time.

[Saya]

Everything I've seen for The World Ends With You has me excited. It looks gorgeous and I find the relenteless J-pop rather charming. I'm a little worried about the learning curve, particularly because I'm not so great with rhythm games, but I'm stoked to give it a shot. The Shibuya setting seems pretty spiffy and I was rather intrigued by the fashion/armor system.

Don't worry about the learning curve, it's not that steep and you'll have opportunities to practice some of the controls. I'm pretty sure you'll like the game!



And I bought a set of screen protectors. I screwed up the one on top, but got the one on the bottom screen okay. While that's the one I'm most worried about, I do want some sort of protection for the top. :P

I screwed up two sets of screen protectors while applying them to the screens. I'm really clumsy with these things.



It looks like the next best thing to a JSRF sequel we'll ever get.

Hah, I couldn't put my finger on it at first, but now that you mention JSRF it definitely reminded me of that game.

[Watashi]

Sweet. Barty just got a PS3 (mainly for Blu-Ray purposes, but for games as well).

Anything besides the upcoming GTA4 that NEEDS to be played?

[Scar]

Sweet. Barty just got a PS3 (mainly for Blu-Ray purposes, but for games as well).

Anything besides the upcoming GTA4 that NEEDS to be played?

Ratchet and Clank

Resistance: Fall of Man. There should be a price drop on that eventually since they're working on the sequel.

[Stay Puft]

I've heard good things about Uncharted. I want to try that one, anyways.

[Ezee E]

Sweet. Barty just got a PS3 (mainly for Blu-Ray purposes, but for games as well).

Anything besides the upcoming GTA4 that NEEDS to be played?
People use the PS3 for something besides Blu-Ray movies?

[D_Davis]

Games I want to play on a PS3, in number order:

1. Everyday Shooter - indie shooter with a soundtrack comprised of only acoustic guitar. Looks amazing.

2. Super Stardust HD

3. Pixel Junk Monsters

4. Uncharted

5. Ratchet and Clank

6. Folklore

And coming up soon...

Echochrome

[Scar]

People use the PS3 for something besides Blu-Ray movies?

Yeah.

Playing PS2 games.

[D_Davis]

GTAIV - Free Mode


GTA IV doesn't have a traditional menu. When you pop the disc into your console, you are launched into your most recent single-player campaign save. To get to multiplayer, just whip out Niko's phone and select it from the list of available applications. Once you've chosen a ranked or unranked match, you're off to the lovely land to murder, death, kill online.

...

Free Mode
As much as we've loved Cops 'n' Crooks, Free Mode is going to be the bread and butter of GTA IV multiplayer. Here's the deal: Up to 16 players can run around Liberty City doing whatever they want. Create your own game modes, hunt for Easter eggs, work together to survive a six-star wanted level -- if you can dream it, there's probably a way to do it. And this mode begins in the most unusual, jarring way.

You begin in a standoff with the other players. Everyone spawns in a circle and there is, at least the first time you play Free Mode, a brief moment of surprise when no one does a damn thing. This lasts a few seconds before someone takes out a gun and shoots their neighbor in the face. But this standoff isn't just to start the killing (and jump people around the city with their first respawn); it also allows players to talk about what they want to do in Free Mode. This way you don't have to hunt for anyone in order to discuss plans to take a bus caravan down to Star Junction or to agree that there will be a knife fight atop the Algonquin Bridge. Or you can just blow each other up. It's Free Mode -- do whatever the hell you want.

As with the other MP modes, the host has plenty of options to customize the experience, from setting the level of traffic, to turning cops on or off, to the time of day, to weapons available and so much more. This also includes setting a time limit if you don't want Free Mode to last forever.http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/868/868607p1.html

This sounds awesome.

[Winston*]

Hey, I've been playing FFXII too, Scar, we can be video game pals!

Vaan...what a little twat, amirite?

[number8]

GTAIV - Free Mode

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/868/868607p1.html

This sounds awesome.

I have to admit, it does, but we're pretty much handing over game design to the player, aren't we? It feels like eventually if games continue to pursue this line of thinking, we'll just have multiple variations of Second Life on GameStop shelves.

[Morris Schæffer]

Today I pre-ordered GTA IV. Motherfucker am I excited and I never even completed previous games.:)

EDIT: I think I'm gonna agree with number 8. I need some kind of structure in my videogames.

[D_Davis]

I have to admit, it does, but we're pretty much handing over game design to the player, aren't we? It feels like eventually if games continue to pursue this line of thinking, we'll just have multiple variations of Second Life on GameStop shelves.

For this particular variation of the game, yes, but there are also many structured multiplayer modes.

I like that it gives you the option.

[Saya]

Today I pre-ordered GTA IV. Motherfucker am I excited and I never even completed previous games.:)

Same here. I can't wait for it and I'm trying to avoid any talk about the game as well. I want to find out all the stuff for my self. The exploration is so much fun.

[megladon8]

I've always thought the "GTA" games were designed incredibly well, in that they reveal the city and get you memorizing each area in a very strategic - quite brilliant - way.

I'm really looking forward to this aspect of "GTA IV".

[Ivan Drago]

http://www.worldscollide.com/

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

:head explodes in sheer amazement:

[megladon8]

http://www.worldscollide.com/

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

:head explodes in sheer amazement:


Yeah...you missed the mark double on that one.

[Ivan Drago]

Yeah...you missed the mark double on that one.

Haven't been catching up on my video game news. But regardless, I'm excited.

Now if they could make a Marvel vs. DC game...

[Kurosawa Fan]

No, you're not excited, you're uninformed. Trust me, that excitement will vanish quickly.

[monolith94]

I don't understand how people can play GTA without going through all the missions. I mean, it's not that hard of a video game to beat, at least GTA3 and Vice City weren't so bad. I did it, and I'm terrible at playing video games through to the end.

[megladon8]

I don't understand how people can play GTA without going through all the missions. I mean, it's not that hard of a video game to beat, at least GTA3 and Vice City weren't so bad. I did it, and I'm terrible at playing video games through to the end.


Of all the "GTA"'s (and I mean all of them - from the original top-down, to San Andread) "GTA 3" is the only one I just couldn't seem to beat.

[bac0n]

I don't understand how people can play GTA without going through all the missions. I mean, it's not that hard of a video game to beat, at least GTA3 and Vice City weren't so bad. I did it, and I'm terrible at playing video games through to the end.

I beat GTA3, and gave up on GTA:VC. In the case of both, I mainly wanted to just fuck around, and the missions were kind of a chore - I just wanted to get through them so I could get back to jacking taxis, picking up passengers and then sending the taxes off a jump and into a canal. Didn't make much money doing that, but good god, that was some funny shit!

[Sycophant]

You may have heard about the Okami Wii port cover art semi-debacle: an IGN watermark exposed the source material from which the graphic designers found the background, and there was an ugly ass circle with a score in it permanently printed on the cover, both of which bothered a lot of people.

Well, Capcom's being a total badass about it and offering free replacement covers (http://www.capcom.com/artredemption/). I went with the pink one.

[D_Davis]

You may have heard about the Okami Wii port cover art semi-debacle: an IGN watermark exposed the source material from which the graphic designers found the background, and there was an ugly ass circle with a score in it permanently printed on the cover, both of which bothered a lot of people.

Well, Capcom's being a total badass about it and offering free replacement covers (http://www.capcom.com/artredemption/). I went with the pink one.

Yeah, this is hilarious. Someone got fired - hardcore.

[megladon8]

Are there pictures anywhere of this screwed up cover?


EDIT: Nevermind, found some.

I can understand the anger, but at the same time, it's not something I would have ever noticed.

[Sycophant]

I can understand the anger, but at the same time, it's not something I would have ever noticed.
This is what the Internet is for: making you angry about things you otherwise would never have known even existed.

[shaun]

I just wanted to get through them so I could get back to jacking taxis, picking up passengers and then sending the taxes off a jump and into a canal. Didn't make much money doing that, but good god, that was some funny shit!This is pretty much the sole reason I play the GTA series. Maybe I have an extreme amount of ADD when it comes to these open-ended types of games but I find that I always end up aborting my missions halfway through and just screwing around until boredom sets in.

[Sycophant]

I was watching a friend play Persona 3 the other day and had three thoughts.
1) Man, I wish they'd port this to the Wii.
2) Or maybe I should just break down and buy a PS2 one of these days.
3) Has there ever been a game that follows the common anime premise of mixing school life and piloting mecha? That could be sweet.

[D_Davis]

If you're into games, you should own a PS2. Game for game, it has the best, most eclectic library of any system ever released. There are almost too many amazing games on the system. If you bought one now, you could play an awesome, AAA game every month for the next few years. It's so cheap now, I can't really fathom a reason why a gamer wouldn't own one. Plus, you can get lots of awesome games for it for way under $20 each.

Especially if you like J-RPGs. The PS2 actually passed up the SNES in terms of quantity and quality in this genre awhile ago. Tons of great J-RPGS on the system. Atlus alone has released enough to last a couple of years.

And Persona 3 is amazing. I don't like it as much as Persona 1, but it is still quite good.

The new version just came out, so if I were you I would buy it (it contains the original P3, plus new stuff). Even if you don't end up playing it you will be able to resell it for a profit. Basically, any game released by Atlus can be purchased as an investment. They only release their games in small numbers, and they are highly sought after.

Something tells me that a game in which you commit suicide to attack won't make it on the Wii!

Although, holding a zapper gun to your heard and pulling the trigger might be fun!

:)

[Barty]

PS3 is an amazing system. I bought it for Blue Ray, but it's got some much more going for it.