• 15May 08

  Banjo-Snapped!

  How long have you been playing video games? For me, it's been since the orginal Atari console. I've lived through, the 2600, the battle between Amstrad, Commadore and Spectrum, with each bringing out a slightly better version to try take the larger market share. I've also had a NES, SNES, N64, Master System, Mega Drive, Playstation, Xbox and my current console du jour, the 360. It's been quite expensive.
  
  The reason I ask is because I just moved home and I'm as reluctant as ever to get rid of the consoles I still have. So much so, that I've unpacked the N64 and rebooted an old friend, Banjo (and Kazooie). Much to my pleasure, the game hasn't dated. The graphics might not be as crisp as the ones I play on the 360 but the gameplay is there and the thrill of playing over old ground is really fulfilling.
  
  
  
  
  The music is driving me mad, but it has a certain charm.
  
  So, I find myself caught in a cross wind about what I think of the announcement of a thrid (or fifth if you count the two Gameboy Advance versions, which I don't) Firstly, it's great news that there will be a new addition to the series as the humour of the games is one of it's major selling points but secondly it could all go so very wrong as the premise of the games seems to have shifted from a platformer to racer/vehicle challenge game.
  
  So I guess the question is this: Are Rare cashing in on a character or are they giving us a new spin which will turn into a real gem?
  
  My worry is it's the latter.

  • Posted May 15, 2008 4:04 am GMT
  • Category: Games
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• 4Feb 08

  Kickin' it old Skool

  I thought about wearing a baseball cap backwards and putting on a pair of fluorecent pink leggings to write this: I decided against it. You see I've just downloaded the demo for Rez HD and although it's not an ancient game, it is still old. I have to say, when it came out I didn't really get it. My brother-in-law had it, I think for PS2, and he loved it.
  
  

  Anyway, I decided to revisit it and you know what? I'm really glad I did. I played through the first level and it clicked. I got it. The music was pumping, I was shooting those basic looking graphics and yeah man, I got it!
  
  I'm now planning to download the entire game and spend the evening getting back to basics and tripping out to techno tunes... I'm just hoping it lasts until the glo-sticks arrive!

  • Posted Feb 4, 2008 12:26 pm GMT
  • Category: Games
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• 16Jan 08

  Virtual Insanity

  Assassin's Creed is the latest disc to find it's way into the white goddess that is my 360. A mate told me it wasn't up to much and I can sort of see what he means, I am still enjoying it though. Some of the controls are a little bit clunky, I keep jumping off huge towers instead of shimmying, I think it's more down to me pressing buttons when I don't need to. Some of the fighting is a bit repetative but as you go along different skills keep getting unlocked. Also the locals in the game do all tend to complain about the same things... maybe that's art imitating life though ;-)
  
  Since I'm still in achievement collecting hell, I'm persevering and I think it'll be worth it in the end. It's a very good looking game and has a LOT in it, maybe a bit too much, I can't see me ever managing to collect all the flags in all the districts in all cities without using a guide - just like visiting a real city, it would take months to see every street, nook and cranny - not that I jump from roof-top to roof-top in London mind you.
  
  
  
  The one positive thing I will say about Assassin's Creed (there's plenty more but I wouldn't want to spoil the game for anyone) is that it is the only game that has ever given me vertigo, even if it only lasted for a few seconds.

  • Posted Jan 16, 2008 7:10 am GMT
  • Category: Games
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