• 24Aug 10

  Open World Games: A Love/Hate Relationship which turns into an R* rant

  Why is it that every single time an open world game is released, I feel compelled to play it? Not just this year, but almost every year this happens. GTA, Saints Row, RDR, inFamous, Just Cause. All these games had a shiny quality that attracted me towards them. Luring me in with their wonderful tales of destruction and limitless fun, only to utterly dissapoint the crap out of me when I form a relationship with them. Take RDR for the most recent example. I popped that game in on day 1 and was like WOH HOLY CRAP AWESOMESAUCE BBQ!!!! This game is beautiful!!! and the gunplay is awesome!!!! and look at all the stuff to do!!!! and.....hmph. Weeks later I try to play it again and I cant even get through a mission without ripping the disc out. Its almost like I turn bipolar when I have an open world game.

  Its not even that I need structure in my games. Some open world RPGs like Fallout 3 I was absolutely in love with. And I loved traversing the world, killing things and finding little hidden areas and weapons. Not to mention theatmosphere and combat kept me coming back. So I think the primary issue I have with these other open world games is that there is no motivation to explore. Whats my motivation to explore the world in RDR? Flowers. Stranded people on the side of a road. A pretty sunset. Theres no real improvement to my character or reward other than some stupid achievements. Oh, I guess Im supposed to play it for the story. Mmmmm k.

  Maybe I just hate the Rockstar mission structure? Maybe Im just sick of riding around in a car (horse) while someone bull**** to me for five minutes before I start doing anything? Maybe Im sick of absolutely deplorably boring repeatable missions (infamous)? Maybe Im sick of these games just being destruction simulators (jc2)? Maybe Im just ranting. But maybe, just maybe, Im asking for a little bit of ingenuity and originality in these open world games. I swear if GTA5 comes out and is GTA4 with prettier graphics, Im gonna piss and moan again. So hey Rockstar, since you started this whole open world phenomenon, how about you mix it up a little bit and innovate again? Stop feeding us the same crap for years now witha shinycoat of paint. Or not. Your selling a bagillion copies of Grand Theft Horse so why change anything. Its easier if I just stopbuying your games.

  PS this wasnt supposed to be such a rant about R*, but eh whatever. SUBMIT.

  • Posted Aug 24, 2010 7:38 am GMT
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• 24May 10

  Splinter Cell tech problems and...well.... better games

  So I was going to do a comprehensive review of Splinter Cell: Conviction. This came to a grinding hault when the game deleted my save data twice. So since I dont feel like playing through the first half of the game a third time, its going to have to wait. Meh, its not gonna happen. Its a pretty fun game, and in co-op its definitely a lot of fun. That's it. Ive got bigger fish to fry.

  Currently, I am going to be tackling Super Mario Galaxy 2and Red Dead Redemption. Since I am getting married on Sunday, and am going on a ten day honeymoon, this is going to take a while. Problem is, both games are so good I dont know which one to focus my time on. I may bounce back and forth between them (something I never do with games) so that both stay fresh. Either way, this is surely a doozy of a half year for gamers. Mass Effect 2, God of War 3, Heavy Rain, the Halo Reach beta and the two games I just mentioned all vying for our time. So much awesomeness in six months. Hopefully it continues.

  • Posted May 24, 2010 12:13 pm GMT
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• 3May 10

  Splinter Cell impressions and Halo:Reach beta

  So I finally started Splinter Cell Conviction the other day. Im going to start doing full reviews but Im just gonna drop a couple thoughts down for the moment. Keep in mind I am halfway through the campaign.

  Pros: The visuals are nicely done, and most of the controls feel very natural, almost Assassins Creed inspired. The "predator" like levels are very well done. So far the M&E doesn't seem to make the game too easy. The storyline is above average I suppose.

  Cons: The "WTF" third person shooter level about halfway through the game. Felt like PS2 era gameplay. Thankfully, it wasnt very long. Thefollowing level was pretty lousy too, but it was so short I cant really knock it. Also, the enemies are pretty stupid. The antagonization of Sam during gameplay can be comical, but it blatantly gives away their position, making it almost too easy to flank them.

  Just as a side note, I wish developers would agree on a ****ing button for reload. Stop changing it around so much. Does it really matter? Make the damn X button the universal reload. Or right bumper. Or left analog stick push. Just agree on something. Of course, in SCC the X button is the emp grenades so I dont know how many times I went to reload and through a damn EMP.

  To be honest, finishing Splinter Cell's two campaigns goes to the back burner this week with the release of the Halo Reach beta. Most full game releases wish upon a star that they had this much hype behind them. I mean Bungie and MGSsought outa high profile actress (meh, debatable)to even make a video with them on how to play the beta. Like Ive said before, Sony takes some damn notes because you should be doing this kind of stuff.

  Anyway, beta is top priority this week as I love me some Halo. The new armor abilities and gametypes look to really mix things up this time around. I am more excited for this than any release in May (take that Alan Wake). Of course, its gotta be in May and Im getting married in 27 days. Ill need some Reach to keep my sanity.

  • Posted May 3, 2010 7:00 am GMT
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