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August 31, 2006
First tour through 'Saints Row'
OK, I've finally gotten some hours into virtual gangsta life on the 360. To be honest, I got a little bored with multiplayer at E3 -- there's something about 3rd person, non-robotic multiplayer that just doesn't hold my interest. Perhaps I don'lt like actually SEEING a bunch of people running around shooting each other at random. True, Stilwater makes for a very interesting battlefield and there's something to be said about getting into a car and driving around in a multiplayer universe -- but I guess it's just not me.
OK, we all know it's a GTA-style game. Anyone who denies that is simply blind. The big question is how does it set itself apart?
Well, there's the character creation, which I think is a good start. It reminds me somewhat of what the Tiger Woods games did, enabling you to produce a fully customized person, tailored either to look like you or whatever odd self-image you can come up with. So there's a plus -- a fully customized G for you to represent with.
The fighting controls are a little annoying. Right trigger for right punch, then left trigger to use the left hand? Physically, it makes sense, but in a game, it turned melee into a little bit of a chore -- I should keep in mind though, I'm still spoiled off "Dead Rising" and the wunderkind hand-to-hand power of "journalist" Frank West. Perhaps I just need practice. We'll see.
Nothing else really screams out at me just yet -- there's the ever-familiar dance of bouncing from place to place and partaking in various missions ranging from actual story-related material to the task of supplying pimps and madams with employees. I get the feeling I've done this already -- oh wait, I have. What bugs me is that I have to build up "respect" to access the major missions, which means I'm pigeonholed into doing some of the random tasks around the city. That's a lack of freedom that story lovers might find irritating.
Gunplay is interesting. There's no auto-targeting like in GTA -- just use the right thumbstick to aim and pull the right trigger. FPS fans will pick this up instantaneously. I also like how you can FINALLY shoot enemies through the windshield. That's a bit of realism that's been missing so far, and it makes the volleys of vehicles that come after you a little more tolerable.
But what is up with the goofy artificial intelligence? Stand still and people watch for a bit, and you'll see people get run over or shot at random without much of a reaction from anyone. I saw a massive hit-and-run outside of the burger place that seemed as normal to bystanders as the sun rising. I understand this is difficult, and I certainly can't do it -- but it's silly right now.
OK, I'm whipping out the notebook and getting set to dive into it a little more. But first, I might try to make some headlway into "Rule of Rose," which is legitimately creeping me out. Check back later.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 04:14 PM | Comments (1)
August 30, 2006
Back from vacation
It's almost kind of sad ... since I play video games for a good chunk of my job, there was a part of me that didn't even want to LOOK at a game system for the whole time I was gone.
Then, my brother showed me a re-animated Sega Saturn and the uber-shooter "Radiant Silvergun" -- and it was back on. Soul searching averted.
Most of my gaming time was spent either playing "Madden 07" on both the 360 and PS2 or "Dead Rising," which I've grown to realize as one of the best, if not the best, game for the 360. I realized this after suiting up as Megaman. I also drove up to a college friend's apartment to participate in the summer "Videolympics" -- a 10-event retrogaming opus which featured a PS2, N64, NES, Super NES and Atari 2600 complete with the single button joystick.
In no particular order, here were the games/events:
- Goal!
- Super Mario Bros.
- Goldeneye
- Star Wars Pod Racer
- MLB 2K 2006 (Home Run Derby)
- Twisted Metal
- Pac-Man
- Mortal Kombat
- Super Tecmo Bowl (the one with Bo)
- actually, I can't remember the tenth one. There was alcohol there, and it apparently left its mark.
Out of a bevy of talented competitors, I actually came away with two medals, and was one of only two multiple medal winners. I would have won a third if I remembered that MK for the Super NES was a mashfest and didn't try to apply Street Fighter principles to it. Big mistake. I would like to suggest "Street Fighter" for the next one. Mash buttons again. Please.
In a gesture of brotherly bonding, I left my copy of "Dead Rising" for my brother to play on his psychotic 360, where the fan sometimes keeps running after you turn it off, or the lights do laps around the ring of life for half and hour.
Me: "You should get that fixed."
Brother: "I did."
Me: "Oh ... you know, I'm hungry."
I'm surprised he hasn't thrown it or something ... though he might be drained from rebuilding his computer.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 12:06 PM | Comments (1)
August 22, 2006
You know what today is?
Unless you are completely devoid of any football and gaming awareness, you know that today is the release day of "Madden '07." The release day has become something of a legend, contributing to hours and hours of lost productivity on the American workforce. If you're not peeling through the franchise mode, you're checking out the new features that get added every year. I managed to get a taste a few days ago before AGI (after about a year of not playing any "Madden" title whatsoever) and I'm trying to immerse myself in it as much as I can before heading east to see family (and of course, finding even more time for 'Madden' balling).
I'm whipping through the PS2 version first, "Superstar" mode specifically. It still does that creepy "pick the right set of parents" thing, but I've gotten over it. I actually had a college superstar waiting to get imported, and I found something that bothered me a little. He's a four-time first team All-American, four-time national champ, three-time Heisman winner, and the NCAA career leader in rushing yards and TDs -- and he gets drafted late in the second round. What!? I look on the depth chart and his ratings are still through the roof -- a 98 for speed (faster than Reggie Bush), and 95 break tackle rating. I even had good workouts on All-Madden level! Why the slide? Did he fire off offensive remarks in a drunken stupor at the Combine and I just didn't know about it? Explain.
As you know, they've concentrated hardcore on the running game this year, which has meant the end of some itty-bitty corner spearing the T.J Ducketts and Jamal Lewis' of the world. I'm liking the highlight stick -- it gives running game fans like me a chance to tear off some pretty nice looking runs. In my first "competitive" game in a year, I managed to tear off a 60 yard TD run with Larry Johnson. The dude I was playing gave me props (on the way to beating me), but it was really the result of some pretty clean blocking. The O-linemen seem to be much better at picking up their blocking assignments this year. However, there are times when it's TOO good -- I'm remember using a slide move with LT to fire through a hole that was the size of a one-car garage.
Lots of people like to come out passing when they get they're hands on 'Madden' -- I like to run. To me, getting the running game right seems harder than installing an intricate passing game, because it's more of a 'feel' thing, and an aspect that all football games should excel at. Running the ball feels a lot more fun this year, and I'm going to make it my mission to gain access to some Hall of Fame runners.
I'll be gone all this week, but I plan to write more about 'Madden' as grab onto the 360 version. I hope it's better than the last one.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 10:49 AM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2006
F.E.A.R. and the PS3
Vivendi announced today that the PC mega-FPS "F.E.A.R." is headed to the PS3. Brilliant. According to the annoucement, the game is set to drop in November (gasp -- a launch title, perhaps?) and if the screenshots are any indication, could make the prospect of a PS3 purchase a tad more palatable to doubters. Or not. Check out the shots for yourself.
Wow. Well, then. Not too shabby.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 02:36 PM | Comments (0)
Games vs. autism
I got an e-mail detailing the work of Learning for Children, which has developed a series of PC titles that can detect autism and dyslexia in children 3-5 years old. They're pushing the term 'diagnostic gaming' for their purposes. If you want to learn more, you can check them out for yourself.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 02:06 PM | Comments (0)
August 16, 2006
This week: '99 Nights' and 'Dirge of Cerberus'
I'm still entrenched in some of the madness of 'Dead Rising' (nothing but hate for Brock), but I'll tear myself away to get an early look at the much-anticipated "99 Nights" for the 360 and "Dirge of Cerberus" for the trusty PS2.
Granted, I only tasted a bit of '99 Nights' at Zero Hour and E3, but I'm not sure what the big deal is. It's true you can fight hundreds of enemies on the screen at once, but I just did that with "Dead Rising." Plus, I didn't play that much of it at E3 because I got bored after slaughtering my 1,000 enemy using the same sword combo. A friend of mine also told me that the voice acting isn't the greatest, either.
That said, I'm not going to judge just yet. I wasn't blown off my feet with "Dead Rising" upon first glance, either.
On the other hand, I'm looking forward to "Dirge," simply because it was one of the playing time sacrifices I had to make when I went to E3. Now I get to redeem myself -- plus, I have high hopes after the LAST Square game I played, which was "Kingdom Hearts II." If anything, I have to check out the cinema sequences.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 01:23 PM | Comments (1)
August 15, 2006
Shaq attacks 'NBA 2K7' cover
Fresh off his championship run (thanks, D-Wade), Shaq is back as the cover man for 2K Sports' "NBA 2K7," which willl probably make another run as the best hoops sim out there.
I got to preview "2K7" for LANG a couple of weeks back, and I'm still pretty juiced about the fact that they're bringing in the "signature move" concept. Since I'm originally from Ohio, I'm looking to see what they do with King James. I want two things -- his leaning one-handed dunk where he's kind of spread out like a kite, and the Nique-like double-pump reverse he whipped out earlier in the year. Oh, and perhaps his habit of biting his fingernails on the bench. That would be truly next-gen.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 12:40 PM | Comments (0)
August 14, 2006
'Star Trek: Legacy' ... features ... five captains
Pardon the Shatner-esque typed headline, but I couldn't help it when I got word that all five "Star Trek" captains would be doing voicework for Bethesda's "Star Trek: Legacy," which is coming out in the fall for the 360 and PC.
Trekkies know them all, but I'm listing the actors anyway for the sake of being thorough:
· William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk from the STAR TREK: The Original Series – 1966-1969
· Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard from STAR TREK: The Next Generation® – 1987-1994
· Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Lafayette Sisko from STAR TREK: Deep Space Nine® –1993-1999
· Kate Mulgrew as Captain Kathryn Janeway from STAR TREK: Voyager® – 1995-2001
· Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer in STAR TREK: Enterprise™ – 2001-2005
If you want to know more about the game, click here.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 05:11 PM | Comments (1)
August 10, 2006
'Bully' market
WIth Rockstar's announcement that the game "Bully" is set to hit stores in October, the flames of criticism and opinion about video game content have been rekindled.
On the print side, check out USA Today, the New York Times, or Brian Crescente's piece in the Rocky Mountain News for a well-rounded look at the game, as well as the negative buzz its getting from youth groups and school districts -- namely the Miami-Dade School District, which wanted Rockstar not to release the game at all.
If you're curious for some TV fun, check out (or not) the appearance of game nemesis Jack Thompson on G4's "Attack of the Show." If anything, it'll be an interesting introduction to the Jack Attack for those new to video gaming.
This also explains the e-mailed press release I got late yesterday announcing Miami-Dade County School Board member Frank Bolanos' "continued opposition to the wanton violence" of the game -- as if Bolanos was going to stop opposing it at some point. And in no big shocker, Bolanos is also a candidate for the Florida State Senate.
If you want, you can read the press release yourself on the next page -- because this isn't the last time we're going to see something like it. I imagine we're going to talk about this a little on All Games Interactive, which can be heard at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time. If we don't get to it for some reason, check back here later.
WANTON VIOLENCE OF 'BULLY' BAD FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN
Bolaños says Miami schools must "stand strong for the weak"
(MIAMI, FL) – Miami-Dade County School Board Member Frank Bolaños
today announced his continued opposition to the "wanton violence" of
a video game set for October sale to schoolchildren. Bolaños also
repeated the School Board's order that parents must be warned.
The maker of the controversial video game Grand Theft Auto, Rockstar,
today confirmed that in October it will release Bully, an unrated
video game with violent themes of school fighting. In March 2006,
Bolaños led the Miami-Dade School Board's call on area stores to keep
the game from minors.
"Miami-area retailers should not sell Bully to schoolchildren,
regardless of its eventual rating," Bolaños said. "And parents must
be aware that the wanton violence of games like Bully is a horrible
influence on our kids."
Earlier this year, Bolaños and the board also directed school
officials to warn parents about potentially harmful effects of
playing violent video games. Five months later, national experts have
provided video game violence training to key educators and
counselors. Meetings, conferences and workshops for parents are
continuing as the school year begins.
"The new school year will be punctuated by a heavily-marketed video
game encouraging school violence," Bolaños said. "Our schools must
stand strong for the weak, especially now as Rockstar cuts their
Bully loose on our schoolchildren."
Frank Bolaños is a candidate for the Republican nomination for State
Senate in the Florida's 38th District. Please visit
www.FrankBolanos.com for more information and updates. The Miami-Dade
School Board's March 16 action on this issue can be viewed at:
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 10:29 AM | Comments (1)
August 09, 2006
The XRTainment Zone cometh ...
The concept of exertainment is finding its roots in the Inland Empire, as the XRtainment Zone in Redlands is finally open for people to check out.
In case there are some of you who don't know quite what exertainment is, it's essentially using games to promote and provide exercise. Think "Dance Dance Revolution" or Sony's "EyeToy Kinetic." I mentioned the XRtainment zone and one of its founders, Ernie Medina, in a story I did a while back on exertainment. The grand opening for the facility is Sept. 14.
The Zone has been in the making for at least a year now, and if you want some more insight into it's journey, you can check out this blog.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 01:22 PM | Comments (0)
August 07, 2006
Waking 'Dead Rising'
There's been early buzz regarding the demo of 'Dead Rising' on Xbox Live Marketplace. Rock the Bells took up most of my weekend time, so today will be the first chance I get to deal massive damage to the zombie population. A couple thoughts before plunging in:
-- I need depth. The game cannot possibly be all about slaying gobs of zombies, otherwise it would be "State of Emergency" with dead people. Lawrence of All Games Interactive educated me a little on that subject, telling me about how different mall exits and people you encounter along your way veer the player into various storylines. Sounds excellent.
-- The game is timed. I like that a lot. There's are plenty of reasons (challenging element, adds pressure to the player, almost a surefire why to cut down on lulls), but it's an automatic chance to quote Jack Bauer and yell out, "There's no time!!" Outstanding.
OK. Off to download. I'm also hoping the game shows up on my desk sooner rather than later.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 01:40 PM | Comments (1)
August 03, 2006
'Gears of War' dropping Nov. 12
Turns out Emergence Day occurs roughtly around the PS3 launch. Via GameSpot, we have learned that Microsoft has confirmed the release date for one of the 360's most-hyped titles, "Gears of War." While North America gets the game Nov. 12, the UK gets it on the 17th -- right smack on the release date of the PS3.
Nov. 12 falls on a Sunday, which could mean I could have a football/Gears weekend. I won't say anymore -- don't want to jinx it.
I'm sure this'll get discussed on AGI, so I won't pontificate more on this until after the show.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 12:50 PM | Comments (0)
August 02, 2006
EA and PGA pair up for six more
Electronic Arts and the PGA have announced a six-year contract extension, focusing on the Tiger Woods PGA Tour Franchise.
I didn't really get into the Tiger Woods games until they let me create my virtual self -- as well as grant me access to the Samoan-looking guy that could drive the ball a mile. The 2007 edition of the game will feature the FedEx Cup points race, which is set to make its real-life debut on the tour in 2007. The current-gen fans will be getting the load of licensed courses and golfers -- including LPGA deity Annika Sorenstam. The 360 versions are going to show off some new facial-capturing technology that's meant to emphasize emotion through detail. Media and fans got a taste of it at E3, with the face of virtual Tiger serving as the creepy example.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 02:59 PM | Comments (0)
'Street Fighter' arrives on Xbox Live Arcade
It's here. "Street Fighter" -- one of the founding fathers of the contemporary fighting game genre (as well as many basic fighting game principles), has been released onto Xbox Live Arcade. My feelings on Street Fighter could take up another entry/column entirely, so I'll use this space to rattle off the features, according to Capcom.
Oh, BTW, this version is "Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting."
Online game options
o Before entering a game lobby, users can choose from “Ranked� or “Player� options
· Ranked Match – this competitive setting affects a player’s rating and ranking on the worldwide leaderboard and features 1 vs. 1 fighting with no immediate rematches after a fight
· Player Match – this casual environment does not affect ratings or rankings and offers the choice of Traditional or Quarter Matches
o Traditional Match – 1 vs. 1 fighting which allows rematches at the end of a fight
o Quarter Match – entirely new mode for Xbox Live Arcade which is a spectator-based system as a tribute to the arcade roots, allowing online competitors (2 competitors and up to 2 spectators) to use a “virtual quarter� to “buy into� heated two player matches.
o Once the type of match is selected, players can then choose from three options
· Quick Match – jump into a match quickly for instant action
· Custom Match – the best possible match is determined by sorting through a set of filters including number of rounds turbo speed, chat on or off and friends only
· Create Match – the most popular method for coordinating invite-only matches among friends which allows you to choose among several settings.
Offline game options
Arcade Mode – simulates the single-player Street Fighter experience where gamers must work their way through a ladder of opponents until they face off against the final boss.
Vs. Mode – allows two friends to select characters and battle it out.
Training Mode – lets gamers practice their fighting skills against a CPU character
CPU Battle – duke it out against a CPU opponent
Comprehensive leaderboards
Overall – the most coveted leaderboard showcases the best overall players from around the globe as determined by a simple point-based system.
Monthly – uses the point-based system to designate the best players in the past 30 days
Best Character – rankings based on who is the best at using each game character
Consecutive Wins – tracks winning streaks to see who has won the most matches in a row
· Achievements – complete more than 10 offline and online objectives
· Fully customizable control options – players can map attacks to any of the main buttons and have the choice to map all three punches and/or all three kicks to a single button which simplifies complex moves
· Updated menu screens provide easier navigation
· Sound options control the volume of the music and sound effects
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 12:34 PM | Comments (0)
August 01, 2006
Transformers!
In case you haven't been told, there's a "Tranformers" movie coming out next summer. You can go to the regular movie Web sites and look at the official teaser trailer -- or, you can check out this homemade one which I think is better than a lot of the stuff you'll see. Check it out.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 07:28 PM | Comments (2)
Breast cancer awareness 360
I caught wind of this in chat during the All Games Interactive podcast. Someone is modding (not with a chip or anything, but customizing the case) an Xbox 360 in support of breast cancer awareness. Anyone interested can see the work in progress here.
I also imagine there have to be other modded cases that support various causes, much like "support our troops" or perhaps even gay pride. It's interesting to see that not all case modding has to do with pure tech.
Posted by Redmond Carolipio at 07:01 PM | Comments (0)