if Han Solo played video games, he'd write this blog.

• 29Dec 10

  A Xmas blog pt2

  And low, on Karate day* I played video games.

  And it was good.

  So yeah, lets get through it…

  Enslaved: Odyssey to the West

  A couple of months back I got to see one of the guys behind the game (Tameem Antoniades) talk in a BAFTA presentation about Enslaved's design, aesthetic and inspiration. I was instantly caught up in the presentation- for one thing I recognised the mythologies behind it from a childhood TV show. And then there was Tameem's overwhelming attention-grabbing on stage swagger. He appeared as an 'Autor' deeply engrossed in the finer elements of his creation. And/or slightly drunk. On like the cheapest wine.

  CHILDHOOD TV SHOW LINK

  But he caught my attention none the less. If there's anything that will catch my attention aside from playing video games, its someone that's talking about video games as if it were important. It was clear that the team behind Heavenly Sword had put some heart into this game, its got character, a heart and a soul.

  And upon playing it this Christmas I/they were proven right. Playing Enslaved, makes me feel like I'm in an 80′s Jim Henderson's adventure film. Yup.

  To continue, its bright visuals, tough guy/independent woman archetypes and animal-istic scary robots feel straight from the cells of an 80′s fantasy adventure. The kind of thing missing in modern day Cinema.

  But here it lives on, in a video game. A third person adventure is something itself missing from modern day gaming, thanks to the blockbusters of Halo's and Blops'es.

  I've managed to get to chapter 3 thus far, which I believe is quite early on in the game. 3 being a low number is my biggest indication of this. And having only played so much, I am quite welcome to include this as a personal nominee for best game of the year.

  The Unreal engine looks pretty and fresh as opposed to the grim and greys of its founding Gears. The combat flows like a God of War. And there's a looming twist that smells like Assassin's Creed.

  At around £17 its a steal. Rent/ buy if you like cool things.

  Goldeneye (Wii)

  

  I've had mixed ideas about this game from day one. First there was the annoying 'ZOMG GOLDENEYE, IZ COMING BACK' E3 trailer, which was kinda annoying Nintendo. Don't do that again.

  And then there was the fact that it would not actually have the same maps and or levels as its original, muchly over used title name, N64 smash hit.

  But then there was some cool stuff. I got to play a little multiplayer Golden gun mode at Gamescom and it was fun.

  Then came the know how that the guys behind Dead Space: Extraction are behind Goldeneye too. I heart DS: Extraction.

  And then Craig Harris gave it a 9/10.

  So, yeah, expectations kinda. raised. a. little.

  After a few hours of play however, I'm fairly undecided on it. The single player just doesn't feel like it has any 'umph' to it. COD4 had 'umph' in its single player, The Darkness had 'umph' in its single player, Chronicles of Riddick. 'Umph'.

  There's the odd moment of 'hey look, I kind of recognise that dam from the original Goldeneye, if I tilt my head and squint and drink lots' And then there's the 'ooooo, nice intro with a Diana Ross sound-alike 'Goldeneye' remix' . But other than that I was mostly left with 'hmm, there's a guy to shoot, there's another, and another, oh hey…a guy. shoot'.
  Yup, it seems there isn't much to do other then shoot dudes in the face, which I guess isn't a bad thing for a FPS to do, but I wanted more.

  Like a neat laser watch.

  As for the online multiplayer to my surprise… it works. No lag, quick matchmaking, full 8 player games. And it's fun. Reaching that 'Goldeneye' nostalgia feels a stretch however, and you're left with just enjoying a decent multiplayer game. This once again, is not a bad thing for a FPS to do.

  Further impressions needed before final comment.

  IN OTHER NEWS…

  I have finally decided to use my free EA online pass trial on Hot Pursuit. And boy did I get my bum handed to me. But the ride was fun whilst it lasted. I can't decide whether or not it's more fun to be a Cop or a street racer. I think a Cop.

  Karate Day* The day after Boxing Day, which is the Day after Xmas Day. Known as the day to watch The Karate Kid or to commence in some sort of Karate with an elder sibling.

  http://www.Twitter.com/markb0ss

  • Posted Dec 29, 2010 5:27 am GMT
  • Category: Games
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• 25Dec 10

  A Xmas blog

  As I sit down and watch John McClane arrive in LA airport, with a stuffed belly and shot of whisky by my side, I write this blog, hoping I can finish it quickly so I can open the remainder of my presents.

  But there is a wee bit of blogging to do on this merry night.

  First up!

  Here's some of the haul-
  

  What has become some what of a common present, a comic/narration from the 'Serenity' universe. (I don't just have me wearing the hat on my profile pic just cause it makes me look good ya know)

  and also Goldeneye and Enslaved! w00t! … which I also have not opened yet. So seriously, I gotta finish this blog.

  Another reason for a quicker then post haste write up would be that I also need to try this years attempt at Sonic 2 on the Master System. But rather then filling you with more sentimental detail. Here's a pretty video.

  SONIC 2 XMAS COMPLETE ATTEMPT

  So until tomorrow,
  
  Cheers.

  Oh and wish me luck with Sonic 2

  http://www.Twitter.com/markb0ss

  • Posted Dec 25, 2010 2:00 pm GMT
  • Category: General
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• 24Dec 10

  Tron Legacy review

  my Tron facebook status review – epic visuals that reeked of 'Tron' neon cool, thumping Daft Punk score that could not of reflected the visuals better, decent sub standard adventure plot that delivered, Bridges on top dude-ism form, most comfortable 3D glasses yet although 3D still not blowing me away, plus Olivia Wilde's pretty big animé eyes. 4/5 from a hardcore Tron fan.

  And now, to expand. Kinda…

  my very cool Tron XBL avatar gear.

  Now Tron Legacy is not my favourite film of the year, as predicted. But it was my most highly anticipated, being a Tron fan. Not to mention a Daft Punk fan also.

  Narratively it was basically a sub standard, fairly predictable adventure, but yet itdeliveredthanks to, well thanks to everything else in the film.

  EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE FILM POINTS-

  Jeff Bridges being a dude, the awesome neon CGI revving across the screen, Olivia Wilde's BIG anime eyes, the very hip updatedart lookDaft Punk's score which could not of mirrored the awesome visuals better-it was like jam on toast on a cake. oh and did I mention Olivia's … eyes? they were pretty big. And pretty, well pretty.

  my very comfortable 3D shades, which I got to keep this time

  As a kid I used to watch Tron being almost completely mind blown by its visuals. The blue lights, the whizzing Frisbee's and of course the light cycles (le sigh).

  With Tron Legacy, although I will barely, just about agree with all the nerdz online thatcriticise its 'simpleton' story, I will however be mind blown by all the points mentioned above. And because of that, I look forward to the possible chance of a threequel.

  Plus hey, we do need more Tron.

  I may have worked at the Tron Legacy premiere party. And I may have met Jeff Bridges. And… I may have left the camera on film mode. Without flash.

  And that's it for this slightly larger then my Facebook review, … review. I'm about to head off to midnight Xmas mass, WHERE I shall be taking my DS with me. You know, just in case the priest dude starts to ramble about religion or something.

  I shall hopefully be doing another cool blog posttomorrow, so until then, Merry Xmas gamers =]

  http://www.Twitter.com/markb0ss

  • Posted Dec 24, 2010 3:33 pm GMT
  • Category: Movies
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