• 27Jun 09

  Don't get too ambitious.

  We see it all to often. Sequels that don't live up to the original. Developers forgetting to fix fundamental flaws that the first game had. Or being too ambitious with what the second game is looking to become. I can think back to Halo 2. The memory that sticks with me from experiencing Halo: Combat Evolved is the smooth framerate, and the excellent controls. But there were problems with Halo. I know, it's a crazy thought! Something wrong with HALO!? Yeah, like the complicated level design where every corridor looked exactly the same as the last one. I spent plenty of time fumbling around. When Halo 2 came out I found myself frustrated with the same poor level design. Sequels don't just have to live up to what made the original good, but have to improve.

  Two of the biggest sequels that I'm looking forward to are Mass Effect 2 and Assassin's Creed 2. Both successful games, both original IP's and both filled to the brim with potential. Potential to become better games. I love Mass Effect and I'm actually replaying it for a third time right now. But there are numerous apparent flaws. The first that comes to mind is the interface with exploration of planets. Side quests are a pain because there is nothing that tells you where you've already been until after you land on the planet, going through several loading screens.

  Assassin's Creed on the other hand struggles with variety of available tasks. Whether you're in Jerusalem or Damascus you'll be doing the same three or four tasks over and over, until you reach a main story assassination mission. Then you do the same thing in the next district. It wouldn't be as apparent a problem if the A.I. reacted differently. But people only walk around the city. They very rarely ever DO anything of any interest. And this just makes each city feel like the last all that much more.

  So this post about some of the negative aspects of a couple of great games is about a hope that BioWare and Ubisoft don't mess up the opportunities they have with these new franchises. Don't forget to correct the little problems, don't get too ambitious with the new ideas. Give the fans what they want by making a better game!

  Alright, I'm done.

  • Posted Jun 27, 2009 2:13 pm GMT
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• 18Jun 09

  Wii bit too soon

  The fact that EA and SEGA have games coming out with Motion Plus already seemed strange when it was first announced. And after the the first review has come in for Grand Slam Tennis, I'm thinking that both companies were simply trying to bank on the success the peripheral when undoubtedly have. Makes me sick when stuff like this happens. For goodness sake, take your time and make better games.

  Wii Sports Resort looks to take advantage of the Motion Plus, so I'm just waiting for that.

  • Posted Jun 18, 2009 2:55 pm GMT
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• 10Jun 09

  Games of summer

  Looking through the list of highest rated 360 games last night, I came up with this list of games that I'd like to play.

  They're mostly games that I either didn't have time to get to, or games that I wasn't willing to pay full price for at the time of their release. What do you think of the list, and is there anything else I should add on?

  *I don't plan on paying more than $20 for any one of these games.

  • Condemned 2
  • Just Cause
  • Prince of Persia (the newest one)
  • The Force Unleashed
  • Stranglehold
  • Streets of Rage 2 (this one on LIVE arcade...just because it's awesome)
  • Tales of Vesperia

  • Posted Jun 10, 2009 4:43 pm GMT
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