Posts Tagged ‘Aside’
Friday, January 15th, 2010
I’m not usually one to link to stories that crop up in my feed reader, but I’m guessing many of you have reservations, like myself, regarding Project Natal. I’m not massively stoked on the idea of it. Not because of the technology itself, although the E3 demo initially had me thinking it seemed too ambitious, but more so about it changing the way we play video games entirely. Then I read this article, which had a quote from Jon Burton, the Traveller’s Tales Director. Burton said “[the controller is] exceedingly clever, but the lag on the input and lack of physical buttons is really going to restrict the kind of games that can be done with it.”. This has eased my mind in a big way.
Playing a triple A shooter with nothing but my body as the controller isn’t something that gets me excited. At all. And I was worried that this was where the future of video games was indefinitely headed. Who knows, it possibly could be, but I have a temporary ease of mind knowing that this may not be possible any time soon. Call me a lazy gamer, or call me too stubborn to embrace the changes Natal may bring about, but I’m suddenly feeling very at ease with the motion control phenomenon. How about you?
Tags: Aside, Asides, Project Natal
Posted in Asides | 6 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 »
Sunday, February 22nd, 2009
I wasn’t sure what to call this. Video game faces? Skate 2 frustration? I obviously opted for the former, but it’s a perfect example of how frustrating Skate 2 can be! Anyway, things I’ve discovered about myself; I’m an annoying gamer, I feel sorry for the people I’ve been playing Left 4 Dead with due to the irritating shrieking, and I can’t figure out if that’s a hiccup or a burp.
Now it’s you’re turn.
Tags: Aside, Skate 2, video
Posted in Videos | 15 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 »
After playing Dragon Age: Origins, Bioware’s latest Role Playing Game, for just under a month, I’m only 30% odd complete. There’s sex, there’s violence, there’s a question of morals, there’s a meaty story. With real-time gory combat and big swords, it’s what every action RPG fan wants, right?
