I just had my first hint that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is really starting to rule my life. Over the weekend I took Baxter for a walk into town, and we passed a home where I could see through a thin curtain that someone was inside watching TV or reading something. And one thought immediately entered my mind: "Boy, if I had a sniper rifle, that person would really be in a lot of trouble right now!" The game is still immensely fun, especially the multiplayer, where I've just gained access to the Javelin. My stats are slowly still creeping up, as my K/D ratio is 0.82 and my accuracy is around 32.5%. I also came across some jokers trying to help each other get a game ending nuke. Clearly theywere hiddenoff together somewhere, one using tactical insert to keep popping up in the same spot so his buddy could keep killing him and rack up a lengthy killstreak. I've done a few more Special Ops, but even at the lowest difficulty level the more advanced ones are just brutal. I think I gave myself an aneurism yesterday, I screamed so much at one of them. I was defusing the last bomb in Bomb Squad and someone killed me with less than a second to go for mission success. It took me a few more tries, but I finally got it and then got some cough drops to soothe my sore throat.
I've also had to resolve to get no more new games this year until I'm done with what I've got piled up: Assassin's Creed, Dark Sector, Space Chimps, Star Ocean: The Last Hope, and Tales of Vesperia. Of course, there are a few exceptions, namely Bioshock 2 and Final Fantasy XIII. My goal is to knock out AC and one other before February 9 (B2) and hopefully squeeze another in between that and March 10 (FFXIII). I'm guessing it'll be the two RPGs that lanquish on my mantle for a while longer.
As for TV.com, I've been chipping away at cleaning the Magnum, P.I. guide and am now up to season three. I'm also dealing with a rash of level 1s submitting opinion/reviews as recaps. Also, some joker keeps starting new accounts and submitting edits to summaries of The Office where they addgraphic gay sex acts between the male Dunder Mifflin employees. The joys of editorship! Also, I'm unable to view my own profile there, so had to blog from GameSpot; I put in a Tech Support forum thread, but I don't know yet if it's just me or everyone.
That's all for today. Thanks for reading, everybody!
Hi everyone,
Due to college commitments etc I haven't had the time to do my gaming awards and I've made the decision to instead just focus on the top 10 games I got in 2009. This weekend I will be revealing my top 10 list so I've got the rest of this week to play the games and confirm the exact order. I hope you enjoy reading it and discovering what my favourites were.
pigfish2
These are my Game of the Year awards for 2009. I'm going to try and keep this fairly short; I'm not writing reviews, just a little justification and some of the things that stood out most. I'm also going to stay mostly on the positive side of things here (at least for the games that are here because I enjoyed them); after all, these are the best games of the year, and to speak about the negatives is nitpicking.
Most Disappointing Game
Prototype
This wasn't a game I was all that excited for before it was released. It got good reviews and, against my better judgement, I decided to give it a shot.
Bad move. While the game wasn't poorly made, I just couldn't get into any of it. The story and characters felt distant, the combat wasn't that exciting, and the city felt drab. I forced myself to finish the game, then returned it.
Best Story
Infamous
Narratively, this wasn't near the level of MGS4 or GTA4 that were released last year, or even some other titles that were released this year. What Infamous did well was merging two mediums, comics and video games, to create a story that did justice to both, as well as forging its own unique identity. You had the ****c comic book villains and hero origin story, but with an only-in-videogames twist which incorporated good-or-evil paths and branching subplots. While the paths weren't entirely different, it was still enough to warrant playing through the game twice.
It didn't have the deepest or most involved story, but it was told well, and while the twist at the end was a bit of a deus ex machina, it worked, and put the flourish on top of a fun story from top to bottom.
Game of 2008 of 2009
Left 4 Dead
The one game from 2008 I kept coming back to was Left 4 Dead. I initially rented the game the weekend it came out, played all of the campaigns, then returned it. Sometime in February I started to develop a craving for the game, and in March I caved and bought the game.
Co-op is my preferred type of multiplayer, and Left 4 Dead has some of the best around. I won't preach about the gameplay here since it's been out for awhile, but everything in that game is made for replayability, and I was popping it all year.
Best Multiplayer
Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead 2's multiplayer is great for the same reasons that its predecessor's was: tight co-op mechanics that translate perfectly into competitive game modes. There's a lot more content too, with more campaigns and gametypes than the original had. It's a more complete multiplayer package, and one that will be holding my attention for quite some time.
Game of the Year Runner-Up
Uncharted 2
Uncharted 2 is a game of the future. Great graphics, smooth gameplay, stunning production values, and great voice work. It combines all of these elements seamlessly to create a package where just about everything feels "right". People toss around the term "next generation" a lot these days, but Uncharted 2 is definitely the best example yet.
Game of the Year
Dragon Age: Origins
The most impressive part about this game to me was the way that the usual Bioware mechanics, that I'm not usually a fan of, were improved. I traditionally don't like how Bioware main characters have no personality but the one you give to them. I also traditionally don't like story-heavy games with multiple endings. Bioware crafted this game so that not only are these things tolerable, but are real focal points of the game.
The world of Thedas is one of Bioware's best. It's not an open world, but the detail and depth in the areas they've made makes you want to explore every inch, and makes you wonder what the other countries beyond Ferelden's borders are like.
Aside from the gameplay, it also contains some great moral choices that have no true right or wrong, and some had me sitting there for quite some time before finally making my pick.
This is the definitive RPG for the current generation, and if you were to only buy one game released in 2009, you should absolutely pick up Dragon Age.
There you have it. That puts a cap on 2009. A fantastic year for games. 2010 is looking to be pretty good too with multiple AAA titles coming out in the first quarter. If the second half of the year can keep up, and there are a fair amount of games coming out next winter that haven't been announced, it could be one of the greatest years in gaming history.
Let's see, 23 games finished, first time homeowner, passed 3 year mark at current job, rebought my Xbox 360, it was a pretty good year. Rebuying my 360 was a painless process, and without a doubt thus far, the best rebuy I've made. Plus I got to play Castle Crashers & Shadow Complex on XBLA, plus being able to continue with my character from Mass Effect once ME2 comes out in a few weeks. 2010 seems to be shaping up decently as well, with a few real big titles to kickstart the year. Let's take a quick look.
#1 - Final Fantasy XIII
#2 - Mass Effect 2
#3 - Batman: Arkham Asylum 2
#4 - White Knight Chronicles
#5 - Mega Man 10
#6 - God of War 3
-RPGs Resonance of Fate, Nier, Star Ocean: Last Hope International: how will they turn out, will they be any good??
-Alpha Protocol: will it be as good as the hype for it (being able to play as a JB spy, Bond, Bauer or Bourne), and was the delay til summer enough time to make it good?
-Heavy Rain, The Last Guardian: still need to finish Indigo Prophecy, but enjoyed what I played; will HR be as good, or better? TLG, will it live up to its predecessors, ICO & Shadow of the Colossus?
-Red Dead Redemption, Splinter Cell: Conviction: will Redemption be as good as Red Dead Revolver; Conviction sounds good in preview (like Hitman in a way), will I actually play it??
-ModNation Racers: looks like a lot of fun, will it be?
-Medal of Honor: how will it fare with its decendent, Call of Duty, reigning supreme?
-Project Needlemouse: please stay true to its original announcement, 2D Sonic FTW!!
Fanboys and fangirls, rejoice! Tired of having your argument or point simply dismissed as biased? With these few but important tips, you too can make a convincing and believable argument in system wars. So without further ado, here are a few points of advice to sound more believable in your posts.
1. Never claim to be unbiased. The whole "I own all 3 systems so my point is unbiased" argument is invalid. You can still be the biggest fanboy/fangirl in the world despite owning another console gaming system. It is not a magic bullet or protective suit against bias. So drop thepretext of being unbiased. Simply state your point - focus on constructing a good argument or point and less on declaring how objective or unbiased you are. The more you try that, the more guilty you look.
2. Use realistic numbers. I see this all the time. Instead of saying that you're on yourninth xbox360 due to failures, use a more reasonable number -> 2 or 3. Remember the laws of averages, mathmatics, and statistics. If you find that your imaginary numbers are in conflict with those, readjust them to levels that are not.
3. Watch your sig and avatar. If you are going to make an argument against a specific game or system, you may not want to have that "ps3 sucks hardcore" line in your signature. Likewise, other readers may take your argument against microsoft more seriously, if you do not have the "proud member of the anti-microsoft union" tag. People tend to view such things as suggestive of bias . . .
4. Consistency Don't contradict yourself! If you make a point in one thread, don't make support it's counterpoint in another thread - or for some of you - in the same thread 
. For example, if you consistently make the point that console fps are bad, don't then brag about killzone 2's score.
5. Avoid extremes and absolutes "The wii has no good games". "Halo is the worst game ever!" "MGS4 has no gameplay whatsoever." Besides sounding like someone who failed 4th grade english, your argument is not convincing. Use a more subtle and diplomaticapproach. "The Wii's gaming library has a scarcity of high quality titles". A similar point is communicated, but the argument sounds more mature and believable.
6. Avoid personal attacks Take the higher ground. Lots of people post inflammatory garbage, but dont take the bait. Calling them names or ridiculing them may make you feel better, but you end up looking like a jerk. Attack their argument not them.
7. Avoid excessive perjorative terms When possible try avoiding negative terms.Instead ofsimply ridiculing a game, describe its deficiencies instead.Bad - "Game X sucks horribly. Only losers like it" Good - "Game X lacks a substantial story or narrative. The gameplay is fairly bland and lacks enthusiasm."
8. Don't make up fake facts or figures I understand that you are passionate about your gaming, but you cant just invent things tosupport your argument. Just because you want something to be true, doesnt make it so. Don't lie. You will get caught and then your credibility is gone.
9. There is no "we" or "us" Despite your fanaticism, you are not a part of the sony, microsoft, or nintendo teams. When describing those corporations, don't refer to them as we or us. You dont work for them. They don't know you.
10,Praise is always better than hate Instead of bashing a rival product, support your favored. Positive threads/posts tend to be better accepted than a negative one.
Hopefully, these tips and guidelines will help YOU become the true warrior of system wars.
5. Killzone 2 (PS3)
Going back to the first time the PS3 was announced way back in 2005, one of the first things that Sony showed off was some footage for Killzone 2, a sequel to a game that while had some cool things about it, no-one really dug. But going back to the footage; despite it later being revealed to be pre-rendered footage, it was quite possibly the most stunning CG work that people had seen for a console, and while it didn't quite match it when it was released four years later, it's still damned impressive stuff. And easily among the best looking games on any console.
What makes Killzone 2 great is just how different it feels to most first person shooters currently available on consoles. This isn't the rabbit fast pacing of something like Call of Duty, but more of a deliberate, realistic pacing. It's slow, but definitely rewarding – as the game feels just fantastic. Everything has a good weight and feel to it, which is refreshing. And it feels very satisfying to shoot someone, which is all you can ask for a good shooter.
The other big different comes in the form of a cover system. It sounds like such a simple and pointless addition, but here, it totally works. And makes dying a lot less painful, especially when you know you can take cover successfully. It can totally change the way skirmishes play out. In fact, it's such an awesome addition that you do really wish for other games like it to have it, like Modern Warfare 2; or wish that other games that at least used it would do it right, like Rogue Warrior.
Furthermore, the game is just a blast to play online. Why? Well, aside from taking the same base game and allowing the customization elements you'd have in something like a Call of Duty game, there are plenty of modifications to ensure that it's a different, yet still fun experience. This includes major things like being able to run for infinite lengths, or smaller things like using your own music as the games soundtrack. They add up to make one of the more fun experiences on the Playstation Network.
If anything though, the only real thing that Killzone 2 doesn't do well is originality. Sure, there are some cool new features and what not, but there's very little originality, and does feel like yet another space marine shooter. But the games truly biggest success is just how much of an improvement it really is over its PS2 predecessor. And really, if you're looking for a great FPS experience that you can only really get on the PS3, Killzone 2 is right up your alley.
3 New songs since my last blog entry! They are: "Light Off Turn Back On", "A New Start" and "Lost".
Check em out here: SoundClick artist: Dan Rhodenizer
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Studio XPS 9000
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Nvidia GeForce GTX 260
1TB Serial ATA 2 Hard Drive 7200 RPM
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The YouTube "behind-the-scenes" commentary trailer for the King of Fighters movie.
I always try to reserve judgement before seeing the final product, but after watching that trailer, well...it's like these people were trying to be as wrong as possible.
What I'm really torn about is whether I want to bother renting it when it inevitably comes rocketing to DVD. Good heavens.
Hey all,
Just thought I'd post and say hi! Just been busy working, paying off my bills, school, and working on cars.
Things are great, staying busy and enjoying life.
Games I'm playing right now:
- Battlefield 2 (PC)
- Battlefield 1943 (Xbox 360)
- Need for Speed Shift (Xbox 360)
- Forza Motorsports 2 (Xbox 360)
- Counter Strike Source (PC)
TTYL.
Kevin C.
I wish I could write a lengthy thought provoking article about the following subject, but I just don't think it is within my literal capacity to achieve. So I will keep this short.
There is a lot of banter between video game fans now about what is and isn't acceptable to play without the attached stigma of it being "for kids". A term which is becoming more and more contradictory of itself, I mean exactly how do you measure the so called childish factor of a game. It is be difficulty, body/blood count, the ability to stab people, the ESRB rating? I'm not sure about you guys but I'm a 23 year old IT tech and my work colleagues don't exactly sit around all day discussing the best way to rip off a human head. What I'm getting at is as much as you may like to think it, that chainsaw wielding, macho dismemberment fest of a game you are playing isn't really considered cultured adult entrainment.
While the 14-18 years olds blow up people and cut off heads talking about how "not for kids this is", their parents are down stairs playing Brain Age and Wii Fit.
To be perfectly honest if video game were ever to become a more acceptable form of entertainment for adults, I would stop playing them. Gamers, all gamers, at heart are just big kids regardless of age. The more seasoned of us started back in the NES and Atari years, were there was no blood or gore or any of the other element that go into making so called adult games. But we still played them, and they were just as enjoyable then as modern games are now.
I guess what I am saying is that next time you try to utter "the Wii is for Kids" or try to decide just how "kiddie" a game is, give yourself a damn good slap in the face, because at the end of the day all games are.
Man Have I been busy! I havent been on the computer much at all due to the fact that I have been working, spending more time with my family, helping out some people i know, trying to earn some extra cash, and stuff like that so computer stuff and video games haven't really been big this summer. Though i did manage to play some Killzone 2 and that rocked.
School Starts soon and that pretty much means I will be on Gamespot, Giantbomb, and my PS3 ALOT more due to the fact that all my busy stuff is pretty much only happening in the summer. So I will definetly be on alot in august to may, and I will write it down somewhere that I need to get on gamespot and giantbomb more.
Also I would love to hear your E3 thoughts and such with you guys so feel free to send me a PM about any of these new awesome games that will be out.
It's funny to think this is one of the first forums I ever began posting in in my life. I've pretty much moved on to GameFAQs at this point, but it's pretty fun to just look back at how time has moved on. Man, how I have changed...
Greetings and Salutations!
I see that it's almost been an entire year since my lost blog (Anywhere, not just here..). There hasn't really been anything keeping me from it..except mass quantities of gaming. I plan to update my gaming lists to reflect it all. Played some really excellent games, played some stinkers, and played some that i could never get far enough into to know if they were good ior bad. (Killzone 2, I'm looking at you!)
On a personal note, my dog Scooter died about a month ago now.
I am a Trophy Whore. I admit this. I do it because each Trophy presents an added challenge. But the last week I've done nothing but play Puzzle Quest. And not really caring about trophies!
Anywhoos, that's what's happening, if you care.
Peace, Love, and Bullfrogs!
Absolutely important you read this sentance.
Today I reached Level 39 here on GameSpot. I'll take this opportunity to talk a little bit about what I've been up to lately.
Spring break is next week, and I am really looking forward to it (as any other sophomore in college would). I have a computer science midterm on Friday, but I've had relatively little work to do lately and have been playing a lot of games. I finally won my 500th ranked online win in GH3, and now the only achievement I don't have in that game is the achievement for getting 750,000 on a single song. Sure, I could dedicate a few weeks of my life to mastering TTFATF or cheating to get the achievement, but screw both of those options. For now I will patiently wait for new songs to be released where it is reasonable to get the 750,000.
Anyways, Spring break is going to be awesome. I'm going to be staying at school and going a few concerts, doing plenty of snowboarding, and of course, playing a game or two. My friend and I are planning on renting Army of Two and going through to co-op, and I also have Condemned 2, SSBB, Burnout Paradise, and a list of other games to play that I haven't finished yet.
To everyone who is either on Spring break or will be going on Spring break, have a fun week!
I just learned a little while ago that Gary Gygax has died. Now I've not been an avid RPG player and I haven't played pen and paper DnD/RPG's in close to 10 years, but this news has almost brought me to tears.
It's not because I was close to him or even knew him. For me the feeling is more of what I PERCEIVED about Gygax. This man who co-founded pen and paper role playing was instrumental in the way board games and video games progressed over the past 30 years.
I'm not saying that without him there wouldn't have been progressions in RPG's, but because of him this type of gaming is much more prolific in the world.
So to his family and friends, who I am certain are hurting, my condolences. But as I read in another forum, "He's gone to help God create New World's somewhere else."
