Why the hell is it so hard to find a job in London nowadays - and I'm not fussy!

No more sequels!

No more comebacks!

New Games, PLEASE!

This blog is for those I have had to let go, I am currently flooded with PM messages, so if I do not respond to your enquries you may have, you are welcome to send them here.

Best,

CPS

http://movies.lionhead.com/movie/49537

Please watch and do a review if you can, thank you.

p.s. if not, then what did you think (can post here)...?

The Nintendo Union will be launching 'Wi-Fi hosting' (tentative name), where all members and non-members, can take part in games and competitions linked to Nintendo's Wi-fi service. 'Wi-fi hosting' will be where you can meet up with anyone for a quick match on Mario Kart DS, or take part to find the best Hunter, in the new upcoming Metroid DS game, and even take part in upcoming events for Nintendo Revolution games.

For more information, refer to the union homepage, or contact me by PM.

http://www.gamespot.com/pages/unions/home.php?union_id=EverythingNintendo

and whatever, to those who celebrate whatever you may do so...or not!

; )

Have a good holiday season, and get well soon for those hangovers afterward!

Best,

CPS

Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children.

Felt kinda out of place watching it...I really wanted to see this, but I'm not as into Final Fantasy as others, and this film is so obviously aimed at the hardcore fans...but I think anyone can appreciate and enjoy it still...even with a weak story (although perfectly rounded and polished) - The character's seem a bit too two-dimensional at times, while others seem just to act as fill-ins, which is a shame, because they're characters which deserved the spotlight! - The ending is good...But I felt the whole film could've been a lot darker, and could've lead in a more direct way to the climax...But no matter, the final battle is quite good, and the (SPOILER!!!!) - revealing of Sephiroth is well done.

6/10 (and that's a good score from me! - I'm a movie-buff!) 

King Kong (PC)

- Demo

Gameplay: 8

Graphics: 9

Sound: 9

Value: -

Tilt: -

These statistics are based on the demo content, and obviously do not reflect any opinion on the final build.

Movie-based games have come and gone, many fading into obscurity (as did the films) but there remain a few that, due to a good developer or two, have really shone...King Kong is one of them.

The two levels on offer, have radically different aspects of gameplay, to fill in both sides of the story; offering you to play as either Jack (The main protagonist of the story (Alongside Ann), and the other love interest (laughs) - Kong. Playing as Jack, opens on a temple setting, where you're prompted to follow your friends out into an opening. It is clear from the beginning, that the first person aspect, does not follow any conventional formula of an FPS game. To wield a weapong, you must hold space and aim with the mouse, then fire.

But, there really isn't any emphasis (at this point in the game) on shooting. As you reach the clearing, you see fellow explorers trapped high above on a walkway, as they shout out to assure their state of safety, a gigantic T-Rex pears around, from behind the rock, looking into the clearing, silhoutted in the glorious lighting effects.

My heart was pumping, as it smashed it's way through the walkway and came striding toward me. Shooting it, was obviously not an option (too big - too fast - too scary). You reach a courtyard, where you're told by your friends to keep it away while they open the door. This is where it came to me, that this is no FPS. There was no health bar, no last stand against the enemy...This game is too intelligent for that.

You are given your surroundings and it's up to you to find a way of surviving. The Rex walks in, and you must do whatever you have to. You're given tips on various pages (say, if you die), one being 'use the food chain!' - and so, above, flying aimlessly, were dinos which were quite easy to take down, and unfortunately were not very satisfying for the Rex. He came in to eat the guys working at the door, and so this is where you're trusty gun comes in...A few shots to the eyes got him p*ssed, and he turned to me, (something I seriously regretted!).

He came running, roaring...It is up to you, whether you run through the small gaps of the buildings as the Rex gives chase around, or use the spears laying handy to warn him back. It all gives you a real rush, and is something that has been missing from games, for a long time. It feels like that Lost World - Jurrasic park arcade game, with a spectacular cinematic twist. It feels like a first person Survival action, game. - Jack levels = 8/10

Kong - This level picks up where Jack's was meant to finish. You hold Ann, and as you come face to face with an angry Rex -because you've taken his lunch, you must put her aside, and kick some prehistoric butt! This level was incredible, the music, the environments, and the general feel. It felt spectacular because it was designed to be, with creatures as big as this, it's within reason to go over the top!

The animation for Kong was what I noticed the most, he looks and moves just as a real silverback would, and because of his size, the effects you get as he tramples scenery, makes thumping noises etc...really adds to the sense of scale. The gameplay is simple and effective, giving you a number of melee attacks and grappling moves. Clicking the LMB with perform a combo of punches, if you keep tapping. RMB will grab your enemies, and pressing a direction and pressing RMB again, with throw them against walls and scenery, with some special effects to add to the realism.

Pressing space against a wall, will have him grab hold and climb (sort of like Prince of Persia), and pressing Space again and a direction will have him jump off. Press RMB and he'll smash down on enemies. Also, pressing space while in the open, he'll do a charge, pressing LMB in the correct timing, will perform a barge attack, which if you perform when your enemy is weak, will create a massive collision, sending them flying down with an earthquake. Scrolling down on your mouse wheel will perform rage, pressing LMB during this will have Kong slam his fists down in a super move, which is slower, but more powerful!

That's a short summary of his moves, but there are a few more in there, and some non-combat which come naturally and without faults in the game.

Briefly - Kong levels = 8/10

Final word - If there is more variety to the aspects shown off in the demo, then this will definately get Editor's choice...but even as it stands now, it is a movie-based masterpiece, and proud addition from Ubisoft. The Jack levels are traditional, and revitalise a lost gaming art, while the Kong levels are truly unique, and although there were some camera issues, Ubisoft have accomplished a real achievement, bringing the biggest beast, into your home consoles!

Revolution Controller (from the press and public) = Very good...I will finish this entry later...busy at mo

(Coming Soon)

I just saw Rings (on the DVD of The Ring 2) - its better than the main movie (not The Ring though, and definately not the originals) - but, I'm glad I got the film now, got an average film with a good short film.

This is my review of the FEAR Demo.

Gameplay: 8

Graphics: 8

Sound: 7

Value: -

Reviewers Tilt: (Demo) - 8

Before FEAR, there were Aliens. Monolith has had it's mark written upon the genres with it's sequel title to Alien Vs. Predator - Aliens Vs Predator 2, which by the standards at the time, was a very strong addition to the FPS library with a twist of wet yourself suspense and heart pounding terror. Or perhaps how I found it. F.E.A.R is essentially built around the same ascpect. A first person environment, guns blazing and something 'else' which will give you a surprise now and again.

Now, my first experience of the game, was going to options and configuring the controls, and even after that (as you'll read on, later) I found them to be too fiddly! You have the same movement controls, flashlight, bulllet time, the works. But where they are all assigned is rather sloppy and can lead to some confusion later on. So, I begin. I climb down some ladders into a spooky underground, there's a little bit of spookiness which goes underexplored, and then you're thrown into enemy's range, after climbing one more ladder. I swirved round the corner, then went back. bullets were flying, I went into bullet time, sent bullets back, having no idea where that ammunition may end up, with every round I sent snazzyfied with air waves and sparks; meaning that you cannot really tell if you've hit the target and should stop shooting, or such is the case sometimes where you cannot tell (as the bullets (yous and the enemy) meet) whether they're coming or going!)

The gameplay is solid and the bad guys did go down rather easily, but even out of bullet time, clouds of dust thrash out from the walls and as I said, sparks and flames can distract you from seeing those crucial hit points. But overall, I found the effects to be well done in a realism sense. But it seems to be an uneccesary stretch for revitalisation of the genre, to meddle with such things. Titles that have come out over the last year or two, have made no such effort, but been able to move the genre forward by other means; mainly the gameplay, examples being Chronicles of Riddick and Half Life 2. The gameplay itself, feels bland, shooting guards feels as boring as it did in Doom 3.

The sense of horror, is neaither there most of the time, or used in any particulary intelligent way. There is no build up to some fantastical scene here, or any kind of build up to the scary parts; the music is so ambiently added into the dullness of the grey walls, that it might as well be non-existent! Yes, there is a spooky laughing girl and a sadistic cannibal, but the moments they show themselves, the scene isn't as tense as it should be, they merely walk towards you and before you can fall back in shock, they've already begun to turn to that strange whispy smoke. Don't get me wrong, you'll have moments of surprise and apprehension as you enter some dark places. The demo did actually have one scene that had me worried (toward the end) but, like I said, it would be much more effective if they had built up to it. The horror aspects do not revitalise the genre, nor the gameplay, but I guess we must remember that it is only the demo, so far.

The graphics are very good. The realism goes beyond Half Life 2, but lacks in it's technicality, without a range of lighting effects to do with colouring, rather than the blotches of darkness, as you go into shadow. But this may be deliberate, the game, afterall is meant to be much darker than Half Life 2. The special effects are good, but nothing of the 'wow' factor here. I did like the overall performance of the graphics, as on top quality, they ran smoothly and without lag, but the resolution did not support my monitor, and there seemed to be a lot of jagged edges about. A contendor for best-looking PC gmae, but not a winner.

The guns deserve their own section of any review. They are not at all as varied as they could be, with the typical pistol, shotgun and machine gun format. But they deliver in different respects. The pistol is very responsive, in the sense that when it's shot, you feel it, you feel like your plummeting your enemy with a round, but as it lacks in power compared to other weapons, some stronger enemies may just take the bullets and so the effect is cancelled out. The machine guns are varied within themselves and one cool thing I noticed, was the differences between their normal use and bullet time. Shooting a wall, would leave the standard hole, but in bullet time, a whole crater is blown out of the concrete. One weapon that took my fancy was one which, when shot, sent out a blue plasma funnel, which spread like a wave of purple jelly when it had an impact and sent enemies into a bursting of blue flames, again, it was cool to see the differences in it's effects, between Bullet time, and it's normal firing.

The enemy AI involves enemies hiding behind objects and noticing your flashlight when you're coming round a corner, but sometimes they can be pretty stupid. Occassionally standing still and taking your bullets, or otherwise running at you so that you can get a clear shot. It's only really until later that they offer a challenge; having been ready in position with reinforcements arriving and a stock of grenades, with nowhere where you can do the same.

There's more to say, but it seems pretty pointless to go on, it is only a demo and I enjoyed it, but it has issues which don't add up to the credit it got at E3 and the hype it's getting now. An attempt to revitalise a genre, but fails a bit too short, with more concentration on presentation, than the depth of the gameplay. We shall see...

Demo - 8/10

I suggest you download and see for yourself!

...For my GC,

1. Super Monkey Ball 2 - £20

2. Sonic Mega Collection - £14

3. Prince of Persia: Warrior Within - £20

I might get Chronicles of Riddick for the PC, I saw that in the shop - £20.

Yeah, so...They're pretty cool, POP:WW is steadily growing on me...Sonic is old school, been playing them for years and havent got bored...Super monkey ball, is...erm...weird, but fun!

Follow this link to the Writer's Association!

http://www1.gamespot.com/unions/home.html?union_id=WritingUnion