• 29Nov 07

  Initial Geometry Wars: Galaxies (DS) Impressions

  If you asked me my favorite Xbox 360 game, it always differs. Bioshock was (and is) great, Call of Duty4 is outstanding and I'm a big fan of Guitar Hero. But like I said, that changes. However, one that will always stay in the top three, no matter what, will be Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. I love that game, and when I heard it was coming out for the Wii and DS, I had a bit of a mixed reaction, especially when I got to see the control scheme.

  I checked out a copy from work, and I popped it into my DS. Now, I've only gone through the first training world, but I must say, I like. But there are a few issues I have with the game, mainly due to its handheld nature.

  First are the controls. Now while Geometry Wars for the 360 Arcade was dual analog, you control Geometry Wars: Galaxies with the D-pad and stylus. The D-pad controls the ship, while the stylus controls the shooting. Now, while it was weird controlling the ship at first, I got used to it after a while. However, the shooting has a bit of a learning curve to it.

  While the idea is simple (touch in the direction you want to shoot), it still has it's flaws. Galaxies isn't quite as precise as its Arcade predacesor, and for a game that calls for accuracy in a fast-paced environment, that's a problem. As I mentioned though, still only in the first galaxy, my skills are bound to improve.

  Secondly is the multiplier. In Retro Evolved, players multipliers simply went up when you killed a certain number of shapes. In Galaxies, you collect tiny yellow pieces to rack up your multiplier. Now when the game starts getting hectic, the idea is to shoot a path ahead of you and cross your fingers. While the yellow is distinguishable from the rest of the shapes, it still is slightly unnerving flying into an unclear area. This caused me to panic many time as I was playing, although as time went on I was able to better distinguish between the multipliers and the enemies, but I was still a bit concerned.

  And thats about it. It's roughly the same game, but in handheld form. I'll give more impressions as time goes on and possibly a review.

  • Posted Nov 29, 2007 10:48 pm GMT
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• 19Nov 07

  Thin and Weak

  Would be the way to describe my wallet.

  

  Let's go over the list. The last three months:

  (counting my discount)

  God of War: $17

  Bioshock: $51

  Bully: $17

  Beyond Good and Evil: $7

  Ninja Gaiden: $7

  Devil May Cry: $7

  Halo 3: $110

  Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass: $26

  Jet Set Radio Future: $2

  The Orange Box: $51

  Guitar Hero III: $90

  Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: $50

  Assassins Creed: $51

  Super Mari Galaxy: $42

  Grand Total of Last Three Months of Gaming?

  $528

  Oh my lord. I'm done.

  • Posted Nov 19, 2007 12:31 am GMT
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• 5Nov 07

  Guitar Gripe

  Let me begin by saying the following:

  I love the Guitar Hero series. I love Guitar Hero 3. In fact, I was first in line for my Gamestops midnight launch on October 25/26th. Granted, I only got there an hour early, but still, first is first.

  I enjoy the community that the series has, and I enjoy uploading my scores to Score Hero, even though I'm not actually amazing in any regards at the game.

  Basically, I really love Guitar Hero.

  However, I hate battle mode.

  I hate it.

  I hate it.

  I hate it.

  While I currently don't have as much time on my hands as I wish I did, I have had enough time to play through the campaign on Guitar Hero 3 on the Hard difficulty. This is, of course, aside from the final battle with 'The Devil'. After being stuck on 'One' for a few days, I finally passed it with an extreme feeling of achievement. One frustrated me and pushed me to get better and better at the song until I could finally pass it. However, after I passed the Metallica ballad, I was greeted with 'The Devil Went Down To Georgia', which, in my opinion, isn't even as hard as One, especially with its solo. Granted, there are some difficult sections in TDWDtG, but there is no way I would fail it if it weren't for Lou.

  

  This is where I begin to be annoyed with Guitar Hero 3. With One, my failure was on myself and myself alone, pushing me to be a better player rather than a strategic one, which is what Lou has forced me to become. As I mentioned above,TDWDtG isn't that challenging of a song. However, I'm pitted against a computer who doesn't miss notes, and when he does, it only out of pure pity from the game developers. How does throwing 'attacks' at my opponent test my skill?

  Is the skill supposed to be in the fact that I'm supposed to dodge Lou's attacks while playing the song at the same time? Is the challenge in collecting attacks to send at Lou to have him miss notes? Do I not play Guitar Hero to play the damn song, and not some lame battle mode that apparently tests my skill?

  Yes, I will eventually pass it, but it will be a mix of sheer luck with a pinchof extreme pity on the Devil's part. He's not going to miss any notes, no matter what I throw at him. We both know that. This also garuntees that he will gain all of his attacks, which seem to be two opportunities to my one, which is generally thrown off by one of his attacks.

  I don't find myself getting frustrated and trying the song over and over again like I do when I fail other songs. I may try two or three times, but eventually I just switch to a different song, feeling picked on rather than challenged. I don't want to play the song. I don't want to finish the career if it means I'm going to be picked on by an opponent who easily has the advantage.

  The formula is me + song = fun. If I wanted a battle, I'd invite a friend over who's human and isn't programmed to hit notes.

  So, Red Octane, if you make Guitar Hero 4, please, please, only include battle mode in multiplayer mode. I'm sure there's a legion of gamers just like myself who share my opinion.

  • Posted Nov 5, 2007 11:37 pm GMT
  • Category: Rant
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