• 27Mar 09

  Weekly Gaming Update!

  This week hasn't brought much in terms of gaming since I have been bogged down with work, however I did manage to complete F.E.A.R. 2, play the GH: Metallica demo and rent Skate 2 which I am yet to play.

  F.E.A.R. 2
  The game starts off from the perspective of a different character at the same time as the events of the first ending unfold. Generally it is pretty much more of the same, similar soldier enemies, locations etc however they have all been slightly expanded. Some locations especially the outdoor ones look really good, it's just a shame that a lot of the game forces you through generic corridors seen in abundance within the first game. This isn't such a big negative but it is the reason why the game begins quite weakly since it is set within a building. However the game soon picks up and becomes quite engaging towards the end, the story isn't amazing but does quite well and fills in a few blanks from the first game while still keeping it very understandable for newcomers to the series.
  
  Graphically I have already said within my demo impressions that the visuals are very impressive and throughout my play through I didn't experience any technical issues or slow-down. Multiplayer had a little bit of lag however I believe that is more to do with my connection than the game, most times however it ran fine and is most enjoyable.
  
  Overall the game is really quite good, it isn't a huge improvement to the first and some people may tell you it's worse which I can understand. In a way FEAR 2 lost something that made FEAR so special, the horror elements just aren't really very scary at times since you can anticipate them easily. But despite this FEAR 2 is still a great shooter and at £25 its one that I would recommend, especially since the multiplayer is quite solid and enjoyable.

  Guitar Hero: Metallica
  Every since the series began I always hoped they would make a Metallica expansion and now that it's on its way I simply cannot wait. I agree that the Guitar Hero franchise is getting saturated after being milked dry however I cannot resist this Metallica expansion. The presentation is slick and lots of Metallica elements such as album art are incorporated into the navigation and clips.
  
  The demo contains 4 songs, 2 Metallica songs and 2 guest artists.
  
  • Sad But True - Metallica
  • Seek and Destroy - Metallica
  • Stone Cold Crazy - Queen
  • No Excuses - Alice In Chains
  
  All the songs are really fun to play and as you would expect being Metallica they are pretty darn challenging. I can already imagine the Master of Puppets solo on expert or any of their songs on Expert+ drums.
  
  Basically the game seems like more of the same but simply because it is Metallica I am intent on getting it. If you are not a fan of the series then this will not change your mind and if you are not really a fan of Metallica then I don't recommend it but for all the rest I think this will be a very good addition to the series since Metallica songs will be so much fun to play, no more basic drums beats lasting a whole song!

  That's been it for this week however I have got Skate 2 and will post my opinion on it once I finish or get far enough through.
  
  Check back soon

  • Posted Mar 27, 2009 6:33 pm GMT
  • Category: Games
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• 18Mar 09

  A Few Demo Impressions

  Wanted: Weapons of Fate
  I didn't really know much about this game when going into it and I was under the illusion that it was based upon the graphic novel rather than the recent movie release. Unfortunately this isn't the case and although it may not follow the film's plot exactly it is still based in the same film universe (Note: I haven't seen the film but I have read the novels).
  
  The game isn't that bad, it isn't good or something new but it isn't entirely terrible either. The graphics are passable but not anything special, the environments seem to be the best aspect graphics-wise as they do look quite nice at times and contain various destructible elements. For example the demo is set on a plane and shooting the fire-extinguishers blew a hole in the plane causing objects to get sucked out. Yet overall the graphics are around average.
  
  The game tries to add some variety in the gameplay with some special abilities and a Gears Of War-esque cover system but they simply aren't significant enough or refined enough to be enjoyable throughout the game. Once you've seen your curved bullet headshot a guy round the corner in slow-motion about 20 times it starts to become rather dull.
  
  Overall Wanted: Weapons of Fate is a rather average game but a good effort for a movie licensed game. Possibly the best aspect of the game is the narration that plays throughout, although I doubt that is worth £30 and a few hours.

  
  
  The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
  I liked the first Riddick game immensely and it remains one of my favourite games of all time so it's understandable that I have quite high expectations from the sequel. But unfortunately...I can't really say much, the demo finished before I even got into it, rather disappointing. The graphics are good; the gameplay mechanics are almost identical to the first game and as such are amazing. The new drone-hack ability is in the demo and is highly enjoyable but other than that there isn't much more to comment on.
  
  Despite this I do recall that the original Riddick game also had a rather poor demo so I am not put off the full game and am sure it will be just as good as or better than the first.

  
  
  Wheelman
  The final demo I will give impressions on is also from Vin Diesel's Tigon Studios and he also stars as the lead role. Firstly I believe that Vin is much more suited to the role of Riddick than the lead role of Wheelman but this is not really such an issue since the game plays out like an over the top action movie based around cars and crime. The gameplay is simple enough and is nicely fast paced and fun, various side missions will also add some variety to the mix and Vin has a number of tricks up his sleeves when it comes to cars which are all fun to behold.
  
  Graphically the game is slightly better than average, despite using Unreal Engine 3 many character models are quite ugly and this becomes very clear during close-ups in cut scenes. Although the environments and cars are nicely modelled.
  Overall the game doesn't really look that special in my opinion, it is designed to play like an over the top action film and that is certainly clear however personally it just doesn't really appeal to me and I will not be picking it up any time soon.

  • Posted Mar 18, 2009 2:40 pm GMT
  • Category: Games
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• 12Mar 09

  Finally a Braid impression!

  Sorry for the long absence after my last post, things have been a bit hectic but I still found time to sit down to Braid and complete it.
  
  Braid can only be described as amazing in my opinion, it's something so fresh and artistic that just oozes quality from every aspect. It is really clear that a lot of work and devotion went into the game. All the levels are well thought out and the puzzles are very clever and challenging. Gameplay is fun and varied with each world containing a different element that links into the story accordingly. This story is delivered through books before each world and is almost poetic in its delivery, there are many underlying images and themes that run throughout this story and add great depth to the story.
  This is really a game that has to be experienced fully to understand it. It messes with your mind and the final level is no short of incredible as many people say and I finally know why.
  
  I highly recommend Braid for anyone who likes a good story, crazily good puzzles/gameplay and anyone looking for something different to play. At just £8 this is definitely worth the money and if one of the better games available on XBL.

  
  Quick Update
  I recently rented FEAR 2 and will be receiving Resident Evil 5 tomorrow, as well as the many new demos that are up on XBL. All of which I will gladly play and post my impressions on the whole lot some time soon.
  Check back soon for those impressions

  • Posted Mar 12, 2009 11:58 am GMT
  • Category: Games
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