For the uninformed, the genius minds behind greats such as The Sims,
SimCity, SimAnt, etc. have been working on an entirely new game. Spore.
In Spore you begin as a single celled organism and over the course of
your play time, your creature evolves to the point where it comes out
of the water onto the land. Eventually your creature even begins
socializing with other creatures forming alliances, or if it's more
your style you can just kill the other packs/herds of creatures.
You'll go from controlling a single creature to a whole society of your
creatures, all 100% customized by you along the way at each various
stage of evolution. Where is this intriguing game you ask? It's not out
yet. But! That doesn't mean you can't have a little fun in the mean
time. I got my hands on the Spore Creature Creator a few days early, a
little demo that takes you through the basics of creating a creature
and lets you give it a test run and see all the little animations your
new life form can do. All totally unique to however you design your
beast.
I downloaded this at... 2:00am and here it is going on 4:30am and I'm
still playing with it. You can't even do much else besides be creative
and play around, but it doesn't even matter. It's still fun. I can only
imagine how entertaining the complete game will be. So what did I do
with my time? I created just a couple creatures to test out. Most
notably: Mintoad. As if watching Mintoad hop around and dance wasn't
cute enough I discovered a magical button that spawns baby versions of
your creature... and they imitate anything they see mommy (or daddy)
do.
If you're interested in Spore at all, you should definitely go
snag the Creature Creator when it becomes available for public
download.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Age of Conan
AoC is an exciting game to play and is the cause of my absence lately.
Smoothest game (MMORPG) launch I have ever been apart of, despite a couple of issues, and I have been there at just about every launch in the last decade. No crashes, no lag, no roll backs. So now the pros and cons!
Pros:
The game has lovely graphics.
The sound is remarkable. Music, ambiance, voice acting, all of it.
The game mechanics are innovative and intuitive.
Combat isn't a complete snore fest.
There is no auto attack.
Instancing alleviates zone lag and crashing.
Quests are group-friendly.
The lore is superb based on the works of Howard.
The game's plot is grade A.
The emotes are amusing and smooth.
Crafting is complex and the rewards are great.
The economy seems heavily player based.
Mounted combat.
The dance system is very unique and fun.
Cons:
Despite the game's lovely graphics, customization is lacking.
The game mechanics make combos slow and occasionally useless in PVP.
Due to no auto attack I actually have to pay attention all of the time.
Instancing can cause some initial confusion amongst groupmates and guildies.
Also instancing means less people to talk to/kill per area.
There are no custom emotes (currently).
You cannot craft until level 40.
Money is very hard to come by.
There are some glaring class imbalances that have yet to be worked on (most bug-induced).
Dancing isn't friendly to all races/genders. Some people look downright ridiculous.
All in all it's a great game that could use some polish. Even with the current state of the game I'd recommend it, it's fun.
Edit: The game has gotten progressively worse in the months following launch. So much so that the game now has a free-to-play option (with limited classes and races available unless you pay-to-play, even if you had them maximum level previously).
Smoothest game (MMORPG) launch I have ever been apart of, despite a couple of issues, and I have been there at just about every launch in the last decade. No crashes, no lag, no roll backs. So now the pros and cons!
Pros:
The game has lovely graphics.
The sound is remarkable. Music, ambiance, voice acting, all of it.
The game mechanics are innovative and intuitive.
Combat isn't a complete snore fest.
There is no auto attack.
Instancing alleviates zone lag and crashing.
Quests are group-friendly.
The lore is superb based on the works of Howard.
The game's plot is grade A.
The emotes are amusing and smooth.
Crafting is complex and the rewards are great.
The economy seems heavily player based.
Mounted combat.
The dance system is very unique and fun.
Cons:
Despite the game's lovely graphics, customization is lacking.
The game mechanics make combos slow and occasionally useless in PVP.
Due to no auto attack I actually have to pay attention all of the time.
Instancing can cause some initial confusion amongst groupmates and guildies.
Also instancing means less people to talk to/kill per area.
There are no custom emotes (currently).
You cannot craft until level 40.
Money is very hard to come by.
There are some glaring class imbalances that have yet to be worked on (most bug-induced).
Dancing isn't friendly to all races/genders. Some people look downright ridiculous.
All in all it's a great game that could use some polish. Even with the current state of the game I'd recommend it, it's fun.
Edit: The game has gotten progressively worse in the months following launch. So much so that the game now has a free-to-play option (with limited classes and races available unless you pay-to-play, even if you had them maximum level previously).
Friday, March 21, 2008
Final Fantasy: Crisis Core
I got my hands on a copy of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core a few days early and haven’t put it down except to sleep and bathe.
I know many people had reservations about a prequel to Final Fantasy VII, but I have to say not only was this game done remarkably well, but I think it really does enhance the story and characters in Final Fantasy VII. In other words, it’s not just a money cow for Square-enix to suckle dry. They actually put effort and time into the game, and it’s good.
How good? Really good.
First of all you play as the obscure Zack, Cloud’s mysterious friend from the Shinra Mansion in Final Fantasy VII.
The story is engaging right from the get go. I know some Final Fantasy games can have pretty slow "tutorial-feeling" starts, but this really isn’t the case in Crisis Core. From the moment I hit New Game I felt compelled to continue playing.
The story is not only engaging, but it’s also deep, intricate, complex... all the reasons people loved the plot in Final Fantasy VII. Character’s have pasts, involving pasts. You may mistake them for real people if it weren’t for magic, summons, and the fact that they’re living in a world controlled by a power mongering electric company.
When you run into well known main characters from Final Fantasy VII, it doesn’t feel like a cheap thrill. You actually interact with them and with their help parts of Final Fantasy VII which left you wondering "wtf?" become clear. I for one thought figure heads like Sephiroth for example would just be quick glimpses to keep you playing, but that really isn’t the case at all.
The voice acting is actually top notch. On par with Heavenly Sword, dare I say it. Also the musical score introduces not only many new immersing pieces but also higher quality remakes of some Final Fantasy VII favorites -- but I won’t spoil them for you. You’ll hear them.
Combat isn’t traditional RPG, which I thought was going to bother me. It’s something like Final Fantasy XII but better. Like they finally worked out all th kinks that made you not want to deal with a new battle system. It’s also real time, which makes fights pretty exciting.
Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t given up my professional unbiased demeanor! The game has it’s flaws, there just aren’t many.
The combat system, while fun can be a little tiring at times. I play on a fat PSP with my girly woman-hands so sometimes the fast paced battles can leave my hands sore. This would probably be less of an issue if I played on a PSP Slim, so take that how you will.
The combat involves a neat slots type system which randomly grants you bonuses and benefits during a fight, such as no MP cost (all spells are free to cast), or invincibility (immune to damage, obviously). Problem is, as I mentioned it’s random. So you may continuously wind up with useless bonuses, or totally over powered ones depending on the type of things you’re fighting against.
Also there seems to be little rhyme or reason to leveling up. If you get a 777 in the slots, you level up. If you don’t get a 777 in the slots, you don’t. This means sometimes I might level twice or more in a fight then go an hour or more at the same level despite fighting nonstop. Which can be a little annoying if you’d like to level up and breeze through a mission or something.
On the same note, I guess it prevents power levels such as myself from exploiting the system and leveling to 99 before getting to the second boss.
There’s supposedly over 100 hours worth of game play and I’m only 10 hours in.
I know many people had reservations about a prequel to Final Fantasy VII, but I have to say not only was this game done remarkably well, but I think it really does enhance the story and characters in Final Fantasy VII. In other words, it’s not just a money cow for Square-enix to suckle dry. They actually put effort and time into the game, and it’s good.
How good? Really good.
First of all you play as the obscure Zack, Cloud’s mysterious friend from the Shinra Mansion in Final Fantasy VII.
The story is engaging right from the get go. I know some Final Fantasy games can have pretty slow "tutorial-feeling" starts, but this really isn’t the case in Crisis Core. From the moment I hit New Game I felt compelled to continue playing.
The story is not only engaging, but it’s also deep, intricate, complex... all the reasons people loved the plot in Final Fantasy VII. Character’s have pasts, involving pasts. You may mistake them for real people if it weren’t for magic, summons, and the fact that they’re living in a world controlled by a power mongering electric company.
When you run into well known main characters from Final Fantasy VII, it doesn’t feel like a cheap thrill. You actually interact with them and with their help parts of Final Fantasy VII which left you wondering "wtf?" become clear. I for one thought figure heads like Sephiroth for example would just be quick glimpses to keep you playing, but that really isn’t the case at all.
The voice acting is actually top notch. On par with Heavenly Sword, dare I say it. Also the musical score introduces not only many new immersing pieces but also higher quality remakes of some Final Fantasy VII favorites -- but I won’t spoil them for you. You’ll hear them.
Combat isn’t traditional RPG, which I thought was going to bother me. It’s something like Final Fantasy XII but better. Like they finally worked out all th kinks that made you not want to deal with a new battle system. It’s also real time, which makes fights pretty exciting.
Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t given up my professional unbiased demeanor! The game has it’s flaws, there just aren’t many.
The combat system, while fun can be a little tiring at times. I play on a fat PSP with my girly woman-hands so sometimes the fast paced battles can leave my hands sore. This would probably be less of an issue if I played on a PSP Slim, so take that how you will.
The combat involves a neat slots type system which randomly grants you bonuses and benefits during a fight, such as no MP cost (all spells are free to cast), or invincibility (immune to damage, obviously). Problem is, as I mentioned it’s random. So you may continuously wind up with useless bonuses, or totally over powered ones depending on the type of things you’re fighting against.
Also there seems to be little rhyme or reason to leveling up. If you get a 777 in the slots, you level up. If you don’t get a 777 in the slots, you don’t. This means sometimes I might level twice or more in a fight then go an hour or more at the same level despite fighting nonstop. Which can be a little annoying if you’d like to level up and breeze through a mission or something.
On the same note, I guess it prevents power levels such as myself from exploiting the system and leveling to 99 before getting to the second boss.
There’s supposedly over 100 hours worth of game play and I’m only 10 hours in.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Mass Effect
So we're some of the first to get our hands on Mass Effect for the 360. Mass Effect is a TPS/RPG hybrid. If I had to think of a simple way to compare it to
other games it'd be something like: Mass Effect is like Knights of The
Old Republic has a lovechild with Star Trek with very unique outcomes.
I know a lot of people have short attention spans so I'll sum up everything I'm about to say right now: Buy Mass Effect.
While Mass Effect is not my usual cup of tea, being cross genre, it a wonderful game that combines superb graphics with an innovative combat system, great voice acting, fun gameplay, a convincing musical score, a well told and well thought out plot, and best of all it stays true to Bioware's style of letting you choose whether to be a good guy, neutral, or a total dickhead.
My only real complaint is that I'd rather not cross genres when it comes to my RPGs. If I want to play an RPG, I'll play an RPG. If I want to play a shooter, I'll play a shooter. But I digress.
The hero of the game is Shepherd, a completely customizable character that can be either male or female. Your options are also fairly impressive, with sliders letting you change build, facial features, and hair rather than pre-set options.
Much to my dismay the game suffers a bit from "next gen" syndrome -- being too short. But! Don't let that deter you. Though the main story of Mass Effect can be completed in around 17 hours that does not include side quests, hidden content, or varying scenarios, all of which you will definitely want to uncover.
I know a lot of people have short attention spans so I'll sum up everything I'm about to say right now: Buy Mass Effect.
While Mass Effect is not my usual cup of tea, being cross genre, it a wonderful game that combines superb graphics with an innovative combat system, great voice acting, fun gameplay, a convincing musical score, a well told and well thought out plot, and best of all it stays true to Bioware's style of letting you choose whether to be a good guy, neutral, or a total dickhead.
My only real complaint is that I'd rather not cross genres when it comes to my RPGs. If I want to play an RPG, I'll play an RPG. If I want to play a shooter, I'll play a shooter. But I digress.
The hero of the game is Shepherd, a completely customizable character that can be either male or female. Your options are also fairly impressive, with sliders letting you change build, facial features, and hair rather than pre-set options.
Much to my dismay the game suffers a bit from "next gen" syndrome -- being too short. But! Don't let that deter you. Though the main story of Mass Effect can be completed in around 17 hours that does not include side quests, hidden content, or varying scenarios, all of which you will definitely want to uncover.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Uncharted
So Uncharted for the PS3 is here and it's something of an AA game and something of a TPS. If I had to think of a simple way to describe it, it'd be something along the lines of: Uncharted is like Tomb
Raider and Indiana Jones got into a blender and made a videogame
smoothie.
I know a lot of people have short attention spans so I'll sum up everything I'm about to say right now: at least rent Uncharted.
Uncharted has got some of the best environmental effects I have seen ever. If you jump into a lake your clothing becomes visibly wet. If you pull out your pistol and shoot at a toucan it will squawk and fly off in a panic. The gameplay is fun, which is all you can really ask for.
The game's NPC intelligence is top notch, unlike many games where your targets are basically running the same A.I. as the ducks in Duck Hunt. Enemies will duck and cover in reaction to your offenses making it a real challenge to take them out. The voice acting is good as are the ambient effects around you. My only real complaint is that the game is much more muscle than mind. As fun as slaughtering can be, sometimes a challenging puzzle is equally fulfilling.
Much to my dismay I find the game much too short. But! It does have a lot of replay value through unlockables.
I know a lot of people have short attention spans so I'll sum up everything I'm about to say right now: at least rent Uncharted.
Uncharted has got some of the best environmental effects I have seen ever. If you jump into a lake your clothing becomes visibly wet. If you pull out your pistol and shoot at a toucan it will squawk and fly off in a panic. The gameplay is fun, which is all you can really ask for.
The game's NPC intelligence is top notch, unlike many games where your targets are basically running the same A.I. as the ducks in Duck Hunt. Enemies will duck and cover in reaction to your offenses making it a real challenge to take them out. The voice acting is good as are the ambient effects around you. My only real complaint is that the game is much more muscle than mind. As fun as slaughtering can be, sometimes a challenging puzzle is equally fulfilling.
Much to my dismay I find the game much too short. But! It does have a lot of replay value through unlockables.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Harvest Moon: Rune Factory
So I went to Game Stop the other day and made a gem of a purchase: Rune
Factory for the DS. It's like Harvest Moon, with a little extra.
There's a little more story going on (albeit not much more) and along
with general agriculture you can also adventure into caves and do battle
with monsters. The greatest thing though, is the fact that instead of
killing the monsters, you can choose instead pet them into submission
and they will join your team to either farm alongside you, or kick some
ass with you.
If you're a fan of Harvest Moon games at all, this is one you definitely need to own. If not, I would still recommend it to you. It's fun and pretty addicting once you get into it. Sometimes I'll sit down for a short stint and wind up playing for hours.
The stylus is implemented flawlessly making the gameplay simpler than your typical d-pad, a, b, x, y control scheme. You can use the stylus to kind of auto assign tasks to things. So instead of busting out your cheap hoe and walking 1 square at a time mashing the B button you can just click on areas of the field you want cultivated and go to town using the stylus.
My only "beef" is that until you skill up your attributes enough in the various areas you'll be repeating day-to-day you're going to find yourself running out of energy and having to throw in the digital towel early on an ingame daily basis. Also every now and again a typhoon will destroy all of your hard work in the fields. The last 3 crops I have planted in my fields have all been destroyed by typhoons meaning you're sort of forced into cavern planting, which while enjoyable means you have to travel back and forth to water your plants and harvest them.
Other than that, everything about this game is well thought out and very fun to play. I give it 4 pimp slaps out of 5.
If you're a fan of Harvest Moon games at all, this is one you definitely need to own. If not, I would still recommend it to you. It's fun and pretty addicting once you get into it. Sometimes I'll sit down for a short stint and wind up playing for hours.
The stylus is implemented flawlessly making the gameplay simpler than your typical d-pad, a, b, x, y control scheme. You can use the stylus to kind of auto assign tasks to things. So instead of busting out your cheap hoe and walking 1 square at a time mashing the B button you can just click on areas of the field you want cultivated and go to town using the stylus.
My only "beef" is that until you skill up your attributes enough in the various areas you'll be repeating day-to-day you're going to find yourself running out of energy and having to throw in the digital towel early on an ingame daily basis. Also every now and again a typhoon will destroy all of your hard work in the fields. The last 3 crops I have planted in my fields have all been destroyed by typhoons meaning you're sort of forced into cavern planting, which while enjoyable means you have to travel back and forth to water your plants and harvest them.
Other than that, everything about this game is well thought out and very fun to play. I give it 4 pimp slaps out of 5.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Viva Pinata
If you own an Xbox 360 and do not own this game, there is something
severely wrong with you. It's horrendously addicting, you'll love it
and never want to put it down ever. I'll admit watching the videos
prerelease for the game left me thinking it was a ridiculous idea for a
video game. However, once I bought it I quickly realized the
ridiculousness of it all is what makes it so great.
I'm not even sure how to appropriately describe the gameplay... it's like Harvest Moon made whoopie with Pokemon and 9 months later this is the fruit of their loins. Only better. Buy it, buy it now!
Here's the run down. You lure wild Pinata into your allotted garden space using various nefarious means and coax them into living there. Once you've attracted 2 of a kind you can play a little mood music, dim the lights, and breed them to make baby Pinata. Then they can live happily ever after in their customized Pinata homes.
Or not. Pinata are also prone to eat each other, or get sick and die and by die I mean explode into pieces of candy and confetti. It'll keep you busy and giggling like a school girl the entire time, I promise.
I'm not even sure how to appropriately describe the gameplay... it's like Harvest Moon made whoopie with Pokemon and 9 months later this is the fruit of their loins. Only better. Buy it, buy it now!
Here's the run down. You lure wild Pinata into your allotted garden space using various nefarious means and coax them into living there. Once you've attracted 2 of a kind you can play a little mood music, dim the lights, and breed them to make baby Pinata. Then they can live happily ever after in their customized Pinata homes.
Or not. Pinata are also prone to eat each other, or get sick and die and by die I mean explode into pieces of candy and confetti. It'll keep you busy and giggling like a school girl the entire time, I promise.
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