E3 2009: Microsoft... "All in one box"

Sounds dirty, doesn't it? This year, I'm going to try to make this less cluttered and so anyone reading can just skip right by the things they want. As opposed to the walls of text I did for last year's E3. So, to begin with, a rundown of the games premiered and showcased!

--The Beatles: Rock Band
It's more Rock Band, am I right? Um, most interesting aspect, to me, is the harmonizing. Beyond that, though, it's... Rock Band with Beatles songs. They showed of ten of the forty-five songs that will be on the disc, and I only knew a couple of them. My mother's interest was piqued, though. And my grandmother will be hella interested in the box set that's coming out the same day as the game, 09/09/09. The two remaining Beatles and the two wives of the dead Beatles came out, though, so... woo. It was a bit awkward with Ringo and Paul, though, talking about how great the game is and looks. They just don't strike me as vidgame savvy.


--Tony Hawk Ride
No interest. Except for a mild curiosity in the skateboard peripheral, from a technical standpoint. I'm curious how well it works and how well it simulates actual skateboarding. Time shall tell.


--Modern Warfare 2
My interest in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has been growing quite a bit recently, mostly because I keep hearing that it's an amazing story. I don't give a shit about the competitive multiplayer, but, over the past couple months I've been hearing more about the singleplayer.

Unfortunately, what they showed of the game didn't really show much of the story, so, as of yet my interest in this sequel is looow. But, I will say that the action looked hella fun. Shooting guys off of snowmobiles and such.


--Final Fantasy XIII
Woot whoop! Best part of this was getting to see the combat gameplay, which seems to have dropped the run around style that is in Final Fantasy XII. Which is awesome, because while it can be fun, it's not my preferred way to play an RPG, especially not Final Fantasy. Other than that, what do you want to know? It's FFXIII. Uh... there's a Chocobo chick living in the black guy's afro! If you didn't already know that.


--Shadow Complex
EPIC developed Xbox Live Arcade game. I honestly don't know what to say about it. It looks interesting enough, little 2D action/shooter. But... yeah, it's an XBLA release that wasn't really explained terribly well, since Donald Mustard had some microphone trouble. But, from the sounds of things, they're just looking to make a fun 2D action/shooter. Nothing innovative was really touched upon or shown, so, if that's enough for you, keep a lookout for it!

Side note, it did appear that CliffyB [I don't care if he doesn't like that name, he's stuck with it for me] was wearing a shirt with Bill Gates' old mug shots printed on it.


--Joy Ride
Another Xbox Live Arcade title, this one let's you race cars with your Avatar! Woo? Yeah, doesn't do much for me. Seems to be just a basic cart racer with the sole hook of incorporating your Avatar. Also, "it's free to download and free to play", but things like extra cars, tracks, and other stuff will need to be bought. Maybe I'm just cynical, but, that makes me think there won't be much contained in the basic, free download. We'll see.


--Crackdown 2
Now, I never got around to playing the first Crackdown. The most I played was the demo, and I was relatively unimpressed, but the trailer for the sequel interests me a hell of a lot more. Mostly because of the seemingly more horror element present. Monsters and infected folk and the like. Or is that present in the first game and just never talked about anywhere?


--Left 4 Dead 2
Already? Yep, apparently coming November 17th. My guess is that it's going to be a lot like the first one, but with new people. And now the inclusion of melee weapons like axes and chainsaws! So, yeah, another sequel who's original I did not get to play yet, aside from the demo.


--Splinter Cell: Conviction
Good gods, this seems to be the year of sequels to games I have not been able to play! This game looks awesome, though, and makes me wish I could get my hands on the other games as soon as possible to get caught up. I especially like the integration of the story-telling into the gameplay. Not a new concept at all, but still something I like seeing pop up more and more often. The way the game goes about telling you your objective is very cool, nice and cinematic: it puts it in the sky, on the walls of buildings, things like that.


--Forza Motorsport 3
No interest on my part, I'm not much of one for racing games anymore, they've grown too complex and technical for me to really enjoy. I will say that the cars look great, though.

The "potential" they say is there for their in-game video editor is complete bullshit, though, if it's what it seems to be to me. Unless you have a half-dozen or so friends who are experts at Forza Motorsport 3, and I mean fucking experts, you aren't going to be recording and creating any of the stuff shown in that vid.


--Halo 3: ODST
Do I even really need to say anything? It's more Halo, if you've enjoyed the Halo games thus far and you want more, here it comes! If you have not liked them and have avoided them, here's another to skip! A point brought up is that the first Halo's pistol is making a comeback in this. Woot.

I am more interested in another story set in the Halo universe, personally, especially since the narrative will be different [though only different relative to previous Halo games] in that it's told in flashback format as you find clues. So, you'll see varying perspectives at the same time as progressing the main storyline and putting it together. Intriguing.

And there's a new cooperative mode that's mentioned only in name, Firefight. I'm going to venture a guess that this is something akin to Gears of War 2's Horde mode, though.


--Halo Reach
Almost nothing was shown or shared about this, except a little teaser and the knowledge that it's forthcoming. Prequel, sequel, FPS, another RTS, something completely different? No idea. I speculate that it's a sequel to Halo 3, personally.


--Alan Wake
Fuckin' FINALLY! Let us hope that it stays on track this time. Spring 2010 release, cross your fingers everyone! Some gameplay footage that kind of reminds me of Alone in the Dark, mostly in the use of light as a weapon that showcases the story a bit.

So, you're a science fiction writer who's woken up to find your wife missing and the first couple pages of a manuscript you've written. The bitch of it is, everyone you had written is coming true! So, you're searching for the rest of the manuscript so you can find out what's happening, find your wife, and save yourself while fighting off what the fuck every it is that's attacking you, it's difficult to make out.

An interesting science fiction, mystery thriller that I've been looking to since it was first announced in... '05? '06?


--Metal Gear: Rising
A Raiden-focused Metal Gear game. Intriguing. I've heard that Raiden turned into a badass ninja-guy in Metal Gear Solid 4, so that, coupled with Hideo Kojima's comment that this would be a new style of gameplay for a Metal Gear game, kind of helps me along to the conclusion that we're looking at an action title akin to the Devil May Cry series, or possibly the God of War games. Which sounds hella cool to me.

Speaking of Hideo Kojima, HAH! He's at a Microsoft event saying "Metal Gear Solid is coming to the Xbox 360!" So much for his Playstation 4 Life attitude, eh?




Being that this is the last game shown at Microsoft's E3 presentation, it seems as good of a time as any to mention how pleased I am to see exclusivity dying. It's going too slow for my tastes, but it's still going. Aside from first-party developed games, it's absolutely ridiculous that games are still exclusive titles.

But, let's talk about the rest of Microsoft's show. First of all, thank the gods that they didn't throw up charts and graphs and the number-throwing was kept to an extreme minimum.

Next, let's talk about some of the new things coming to Xbox Live!


Xbox Live plus last.fm? All right, music, I'm diggin' it. Streaming songs from last.fm through my surround sound speakers sounds excellent. Not much else was said about it, though, so we'll have to wait until it drops, which is supposedly in the fall.


Xbox Live plus Facebook? What the fuck?! Yeah, I don't personally need to have that, but it doesn't seem too ridiculous. Just access to your photos, friends, and status updates/newsfeed. Right on. I'm wondering if preparation for this presentation is why Facebook has been fuck-all slow lately. Considering nigh immediately after it was over with Facebook was running correctly again. Hmmmmmmm... but, if you wanna talk about ridiculous and unnecessary...


Xbox Live plus Twitter? What the fuck?!?! Yeah, that strikes me as utterly unnecessary. But, whatev, there are people who want it I'm sure. And now they'll get it.

One more thing and then we'll get on to the highlight of Microsoft's presentation, as far as I'm concerned. Xbox Live plus Netflix will be improving. Full 1080p, finally. Watching the films your streaming in parties over Xbox Live, finally. Instant streaming... finally. Basically, all the stuff that was promised at last year's E3 about the NXE and Netflix is coming. Also, Sky TV in the UK and Ireland, for my across the pond readers. Which will include being able to watch live television right from your Xbox.


And the biggest bit of technology introduced is Project Natal. Full-body motion capture incorporated into games, the dashboard, everything. No controller necessary at all. Facial recognition to sign you in to Xbox Live as soon as you walk in front of the Project Natal camera, voice recognition and hand motions to navigate menus... intriguing as all hell for a tech-junkie, but I can't help but feel it's idealistic. At least, the hype they built for it. But, it's certainly a step. Whether it's a step toward truly immersive gameplay or the beginning of AI technology that will one day enslave the human race... I'm not sure. Seriously, do a video search for "Project Natal" and "Milo", see the interactions betwixt this AI program and this woman. Crazy. Again, either extremely immersive, imaginative, interactive gameplay, or... we're fucked. One way or the other, eventually.

But, as far as the gameplay aspect is concerned, I'm too cynical to believe that it'll be useful in anything more than very simplistic games. Not to say they won't be fun, for instance this "Ricochet" game they showed looks like a lot of fun. But I see a lot of games working poorly or being just too dumb to be any fun. Like the painting thing that was shown after "Ricochet". That holds no interest for me or anyone else I know. But, perhaps just at first, perhaps it will improve over time, but... initially, I see it bombing and not meeting these high expectations set for it. Remember the Nintendo Wii everyone? All the misleading press about how sensitive the Wii remote and nunchuk would be in simulating and translating your movements to the screen? Yeah...

A final note, speaking of the Nintendo Wii, was it really necessary for Kudo Tsunoda to diss the Wii? I mean, sure, it got the reaction I'm sure he wanted, but... cheapened his presentation in my eyes.

Tiny update

Two new games were purchased yesterday. Prince of Persia for the Xbox 360 and Teenage Zombies: Invasion of the Alien Brain Thingys! for the Nintendo DS. That is all.

Mirror's Edge

Shep wanted to know about Mirror's Edge, so, here we go.

IIIII like it a lot. It's far from perfect, but, I still had a lot of fun with it. It's a refreshing change from all the FPS games.

It's crazy short though. I beat it twice in two days, once on Normal last night and I beat it a little while ago on Hard. The Story Mode, anyway, the Time Trials and Speedruns are a whole other matter entirely.

Some issues with it, though. For one thing, the cutscenes look like butt. I just don't dig the style of animation, it looks cheap and poorly-made, I don't care if it's supposed to be stylized. It looks great when it's still, but as soon as it animated, ew. Looks like one of those crappy cartoons on Adult Swim.

In addition, the controls sometimes just don't work. There's a few instances where you will not be able to figure out why Faith isn't grabbing the fucking ledge. Specific moments where she'll only do what she's supposed to three or four times out of ten. And you won't even know why you can't make it, it just seems random. But there're just a few instances of that, so it's not a huge deal, just worth mentioning.

A couple minor issues: all the white can sometimes blur together and make distinguishing things difficult. That may be just on SDTV's, though, I imagine it's clearer in high definition. And, of course, there are some instances of cheap deaths, but, what platforming game doesn't have those? It's certainly not rampant, just mildly annoying.

Oh, I almost forgot my biggest problem! The load times. When you first start up a level, I don't mind a long load time. And the load time for your last checkpoint after a death is remarkably short, usually. But each chapter has at least two, I think, moments where the game stops and it reads "Loading Level" at the bottom left of the screen. And it'll sit there for a good 10-30 seconds. It's annoying as hell. Maybe this isn't such an issue with the PS3, and won't be for the PC, I don't know. But it's certainly present for the 360 version.

Some good things? The score, I like the music a lot. The voice-acting's good, as well, though the story itself is kind of meh. Not bad, just unsurprising. The gameplay itself is terribly fun, the parkour aspects of it especially, and the gunplay isn't bad. Nothing really broken or poorly-implemented that I found in my two playthroughs.

And there you are, some of my quick thoughts on Mirror's Edge. Final summation: if you have a PS3 or 360, play this game. If you've got a PC, give it a little time, it'll be out in about a month.

A little more about Gears of War 2

And it's in vid format.

Also, I make mention of the New Xbox Experience that comes out tomorrow.

E3 2008: Microsoft

I apologize if these haven't terribly interesting, but, these have been my opinions on each E3 conference. Let's get to the last one, Microsoft's.

Woot, Fallout 3 gameplay footage! This is a game I've been kind of following [as closely as I follow any game, that is], so it was nice to get a look at it finally. Looks wicked. I'm really hoping the marching band music isn't ever-present in the game... that'll get irritating, haha. Resident Evil 5, of course. Looks awesome; co-op could be so much fun. But, I'm far more interested in playing it on the Wii than on the 360 or PS3. We'll have to wait and see if it makes its way to the Wii eventually. It would be ridiculous for it not be on there, though. I was never able to get into Fable, tried a couple times, though. After hearing about Fable 2 and seeing the things that take place in the game makes me want to try it again, because Fable 2 looks awesome. Of course, Gears of War 2, which I've been looking forward to since the initial teaser trailer. This game looks awesome. I imagine the competitive multiplayer won't be changed all that much, though, so I probably still won't like that aspect, but, this "hoard" mode sounds pretty cool *shrugs*. Kind of a short presentation, as well, but it's always nice to see some gameplay footage. Portal: Still Alive could be interesting, I've been wanting to play Portal, just haven't purchased it yet. I never got into the Banjo-Kazooie series, what with never owning an N64, so, I'm only mildly interested in Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts. With the original coming to Xbox Live Arcade, though, I'll be able to give that a shot. Scene it? Box Office Smash looks like more of the same kind of Scene it? game, so, that should be fun. You're In The Movies should be entertaining with a group of friends... who are wasted. (>_>) Guitar Hero World Tour has a seemingly better drum kit, much cooler character creator, and the music creator is awesome. But, this is compared to Rock Band, while Rock Band 2 looks like it'll be shaping up to be awesome itself. Huge tracklist, better drum kit, better guitar, expanded character creator, all the downloadable songs and almost all of the tracks from Rock Band are playable on Rock Band 2... two awesome full-band music games. Fuckin' woot! Guitar Hero Metallica should be wicked, depending on what songs they use in the game. Lips looks almost exactly the same as Singstar, but with a cooler microphone. Being able to sing from my own music collection should be awesome, since the song list usually sucks except for a few good tracks on these karaoke games. I've been looking forward to Infinite Undiscovery and The Last Remnant for awhile now. I'm not as excited for Star Ocean: The Last Hope, but I'm still thinkin' it'll be good.

I'm not sure how I feel about whatever this South Park game is. (o.0) The "trailer" was, like, 10 seconds long and no information was given about it. Just that there's a South Park game coming for the Xbox 360! But, what kind of game?

1 Vs. 100, not interested, it looks like an MMO-type game. Never go into Geometry Wars, so, Geometry Wars 2 holds very little interest. Galaga Legions doesn't look like my kind of game, either. Not terribly interested in that kind of hectic, enemy-filled screen kind of gameplay. No interest in Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise, either. And I really don't care that Final Fantasty XIII is coming to the 360, as I haven't been interested in a new Final Fantasy game since... number eight or nine, I forget which now. But not since the original Playstation.

The Xbox Live Community Games looks like it could be really awesome.

Non-game stuff! I'm kind of tired of hearing about how Xbox Live instantaneously connects you. They really need to amend that and add "... so long as you pay us/them. Otherwise, you can't do shit with your friends except talk to them."

Much like with the Sony conference, I've no interest in being able to download films onto my 360. And anybody who has "a pile of discs" to search through doesn't deserve to watch films, as far as I'm concerned. That's disc abuse! Get some cases and learn basic organization skills.

I'm really not looking forward to this new dashboard and, admittedly, a little more interested in the avatar things. Seriously, I like my themes, I like my gamer pictures. Fuck this shit. I'm pissed that I have, apparently, wasted money on the themes and gamer pictures I've downloaded, and that's fucking annoying, Microsoft! Motherfuckers. I do like the Live Party thing. It'll solve the problem me and my friends have where we can only do private chats one-on-one, and we don't generally like to actually chat in the game room, because people are idiots and I hate them. Now, I can remain in a private chat with just my friends! (^_^)

Am I just weird in that I don't want to integrate everything I enjoy doing onto one box? Particularly a box that fails and breaks as consistently as the Xbox 360 does? My television and movies are done separately, and I prefer it that way. No thank you, Netflix! And, seriously, watching movies together... online? What the fuck? (o.0) I think Microsoft has gone insane, y'all.

There, finally made it through all the conferences. *whew*

I'm a Ramblin' Man

So, yep. The Playstation 2's parental settings for DVD's makes no fucking sense and is ultimately useless except as a nuisance.

I'm thinking about starting to shave my legs as well, anybody got any thoughts?

I have a growing list of DVD's that I need to purchase, but I'm in need of a job first... add to that the games list, and I may need two.

Why are there so many jackasses who play vidgames online? Seriously.

Oh, speaking of vidgames and going back to things that make no sense and are useless, the Xbox 360's ability to avoid or prefer a player you've played with makes no sense and is useless.

In happier news, my pre-order of Indestructible, the new album from Disturbed, shipped a day or two ago, and I'm hoping it's soon. There was an issue where they added this $16 tax to my PSP pre-order, which would have been nice to know beforehand, but whatever. So, I put more money into my bank account, and hopefully that'll be the end of that and it'll ship soon.

I can't think of anything else to add right now. Oh! Here's a good way to end:

Mr. Grape, there's a new vid on YouTube.

Army of None

So, if your game is based entirely on the concept of co-op gameplay, you would make it so that you could actually PLAY THE GAME WITH YOUR FRIENDS, right?

I can't say this from firsthand knowledge, but from what I've read and what I understand, unless you meet a specific set of requirements, you cannot play two-player co-op. Those requirements being, two Xbox 360 consoles and two Gold level accounts. That's right, no LAN's unless everyone's got Gold-level accounts. What the fuck? Seriously, I've almost gotten used to the idea of no local multiplayer for a game, though that pisses me right the fuck off as well, but you can't even hook up a couple Xbox 360's and play it with your friends? Most of my friends don't even have 360's, and I would love to sit with some of my friends and play Army of Two. But, y'know what? I'm never going to, because I'm not even going to buy Army of Two, I've lost all interest in the game now.

Fuck you, Electronic Arts!