Archive for the ‘Asides’ Category
Friday, October 16th, 2009
To say I have a love / hate relationship with my Xbox 360 is an understatement. It gives me great pleasure by offering a platform to play amazing exclusives on, not to mention an easy way to connect to friends while playing these amazing exclusives. But it also has a very evil side, which I’ve been discovering on a daily basis recently.
My console refuses to read discs. All discs. Even though there are zero scratches on these discs. My console requires to be booted up three times before the game actually begins, simply because my console enjoys freezing on various parts of the process (the Xbox logo, the dashboard, the game etc). My console prompts for discs to be inserted, despite there already being a disc inside. Give it up, Xbox! Can’t you just work?
I’m on my third Xbox 360, which, given the fact I’ve been gaming on the Xbox for 4 years is a poor, poor figure. Especially as the above symptoms suggest I may well be heading into 4th RRoD territory. This time I’m not going to threaten I’ll jump ship because I now own a PS3, and I certainly won’t be trading anything in for a Wii, but I will be very angry at myself for remaining loyal to Microsoft. I’ll be even angrier towards them for being, well, shit. I dream of the day Apple make gaming consoles (I kid, I kid).
Tags: Microsoft, Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, RRoD
Posted in Asides | 13 Comments »
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
Los Havros and I recently had an in-depth chat about the social aspects both the 360 and PlayStation 3 possess; a conversation spurred by my recent purchase of a PlayStation 3, and a few negative Tweets directed at the social features it seems to lack. Hopefully we’ve pulled off a nicely done debate, steering clear of any fanboyism (and fangirlism).
I’m sure Los Havros would like you to chime in with further discussion just as much as I do. It’s an interesting area of debate, and it’s great hearing from both sides of the argument. Even more so from gamers who have experience with both consoles. Discuss!
Tags: Los Havros, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Xbox Live
Posted in Asides | 7 Comments »
Friday, August 21st, 2009
I didn’t see this coming, but one of my favourite games (and a bit of an older title), Mass Effect, has just had 150 G’s added to the total, bringing it up to 1200. Considering how long Mass Effect has been out, it feels the news of impending DLC is completely out of the blue. Having said that, I figured it was always odd having the total ME Achievements sitting at 1050 G’s.
Funnily enough, I’ve been pestering myself to go back to Mass Effect; I think that’s one game I’ll never get bored of, considering every playthrough unfolds differently. Referring to my recent rant about DLC Achievements, this is one game I welcome any new missions on. It’s just so freakin’ awesome!
And on that note, if you’ve yet to hop aboard the Normandy, now seems the perfect time to do so. New missions coupled with Mass Effect hitting Games on Demand? No excuse not to.
Tags: Achievements, DLC, Mass Effect, Xbox Live
Posted in Asides, Xbox Live | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
The problem with Medal of Honor: Airborne, is that enemies are (seemingly) programmed to target you and you only. Your allies fail to attack enemies with even the slightest success rate, which means while all iron sights are on you, so is the onus of survival, creating a very frustrating experience. Not to mention your squad will often disappear at crucial moments (yet their vocal orders are still heard), respawning only when you’ve reached the next checkpoint. In fact, this game would have been considerably better if only a little more attention had been payed to AI.
Call of Duty 4, on the other hand, is a great team effort, with AI effectively clearing the surrounding area of enemies and allowing you to progress further (a godsend on Veteran). I don’t know what the CoD devs are doing, but they’re doing it right, and other studios need to take a leaf out of their book.
Tags: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Medal of Honor: Airborne
Posted in Asides | 1 Comment »
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009
I know, I know… I’ve used the Tom Cruise analogy before. Anyway, I get asked a lot for JRPG recommendations on the 360. Most people, though, admit they lack the time needed to put the leg work in. JRPGs typically last a good 40+ hours longer, at least, than your average game. Couple that with recent searches of “How long does Infinite Undiscovery last?” directing people to my blog, and I feel it’s the perfect time to turn those with pressed time towards Infinite Undiscovery.
Infinite Undiscovery is an under-appreciated JRPG that does take a good bit of time to get into. It was only at about 8 hours in that everything clicked for me and I found myself gripped, and by the time I had hit the 9 hour mark I was already prompted to switch to the second disc. There are three discs in total, therefore I’d say you’re looking at 30-40 hours gameplay time. Nothing like the 110 hours I put into Lost Odyssey, and thus perfect for those looking for a short flirtation with the quirky and camp nature of JRPGs we’ve come to know (and for me, love).
Note: I made a boob. IU is only two discs, not three.
Tags: Infinite Undiscovery, JRPG, Lost Odyssey
Posted in Asides | No Comments »
Monday, June 8th, 2009
One of the defining moments of E3 was, in my opinion, the announcement of a Left 4 Dead sequel. The original has been a highlight of my online gaming, umm, career, and playing through the four campaigns with friends has yet to grow stale. But the news of the sequel has caused much controversy amongst L4D fans because the release date is less than a year after the original. So much so there’s actually an online petition and boycott group. Dramatic much? Personally I think so. Valve do have a reputation for waiting years before they release a sequel, and while games I’ve played in the past that have had quick follow-ups (Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 springing to mind) haven’t been particularly great, and more so expansion packs than full blown games, I do have full trust that Valve will give us something worth spending our money on. Thoughts?
Tags: Left 4 Dead, Rainbow Six Vegas 2, Valve
Posted in Asides | 11 Comments »
Friday, May 1st, 2009
You’re all about to collectively call me out on how sad I am, and do that annoying “taxi for Baxter” thing (Baxter being my surname, by the way). But yeah, this is how much of a geek I am.
When I’m playing a JRPG - which just so happens to be now - I sit with a notepad by my side, jotting down notes whenever an ambiguous clue is given in conversation with a NPC. So, for example, some melancholy stranger (they’re always melancholy in JRPGs) will hint at buried treasure he’d concealed long ago in the past, just outside a dungeon you’ll happen to venture towards later in the game. Most people will have forgotten by the time they get there, but not I! No, I have it written down in my trusty moleskine. What’s even worse is that I then tick next to each objective I’ve completed. Okay, I’ll get my coat and leave now.
Trump me, I dare ya.
Tags: Aside, JRPG
Posted in Asides | 5 Comments »
Thursday, April 16th, 2009
I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Resident Evil started off brilliantly, and I was really enjoying myself, but now I can’t muster up any enthusiasm to play it. I’m finding myself in a bit of a gaming slump to be honest. But I know what the cure is - for me at least; to lose myself in a Japanese Role Playing Game. Oh yes.
Originally I was planning on going back to Lost Odyssey for a second run through (if you’re a JRPG fan but haven’t played LO, get on it!). However, a friend said he had a spare copy of Infinite Undiscovery if I wanted it. There’s a lot of mixed reviews about it, but I love playing a game you expect to be shit. You’re always pleasantly surprised. And JRPGs always have the funniest and campest dialogue. So, expect a video review (providing it runs in bloody Pal 50).
Tags: Infinite Undiscovery, Lost Odyssey, Resident Evil 5
Posted in Asides | 3 Comments »
Monday, March 16th, 2009
Following on from my blog post regarding a possible age filter for Xbox Live, Major Nelson contacted me via Xbox Live to say he was sharing the post with his team. Dave Moran mentioned in the comments that Microsoft has a massive team working on this kind of thing, and it looks like he was bang on. Major Nelson also said to get in touch with him if I had any more feedback/comments regarding Xbox Live.
You know, for all the cursing I do about Microsoft, I think it’s fantastic they’re willing to communicate with their audience to improve the overall Xbox experience in such an effective way. It’s reassuring to know they’re listening to what those of us who spend a chunk of our time playing Xbox have to say. Microsoft, you’ve earned some kudos with me. The next time my 360 freezes on me - which will probably be tonight - I’ll think twice before condemning you.
Tags: Major Nelson, Microsoft, Xbox Live
Posted in Asides | 5 Comments »
Monday, January 26th, 2009
Underworld performed badly sales-wise (and some of you may argue gameplay-wise, too). That, coupled with the economic downturn, has seen Crystal Dynamics cut 30 jobs. Shame, as I genuinely loved the latest Tomb Raider adventure. But being a long time Lara fan, I think I’m willing to overlook most niggles as my sentimental journey has such a hold over me. Regardless, poor sales and a waning interest in the franchise has prompted developers to, you guessed it, give Lara Croft another make-over.
If the developers think enhancing her bust or baring more skin is going to improve sales, they really need to stop and listen to the fans. For me personally, I think they should concentrate on prolonging typical Tomb Raider game-time, adding in longer levels and bigger puzzles - not necessarily making things more complex, just giving us a bit more to do and a few more levels to raid. I also want to see Lara doing what she does best; raiding tombs. None of this urban shite. Just good old fashioned tombs, caves and what-not. Tweaking the camera would help, too.
Tags: Aside, Crystal Dynamics, Tomb Raider Underworld
Posted in Asides | 4 Comments »
Hmm. Uhh. Yeah. Skyrim. It’s massive. The quests are never-ending. My character has a mohawk. My class is Breton. Don’t