I kind of feel sorry for Duke Nukem fans. I played some of Duke Nukem 3D myself, and it was undoubtedly a creative adventure. The new game, however, doesn't look to be half as good. Duke Nukem Forever, at the time of this writing, holds platform-specific Metascores of 76 (PC), 62 (PS3), and 50 (360). If you want to check out the reviews, here they are, for all platforms:
http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/duke-nukem-forever
http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/duke-nukem-forever
http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/duke-nukem-forever
I am inclined to think that some of the more positive reviews are bolstered by the fact that the game has been in development for around fourteen years, and was considered vaporware before it was grabbed by Gearbox Software and set straight on the road to release. I don't know this for sure, of course; this could be a decent game I'm talking about here. Critics may even be harsher on the game just because it was an anticipated title for such a long time. Either way, I'm sure many fans of the series have already decided whether or not to get the game, regardless of its review scores. Many probably view the title as a piece of nostalgia, and for that purpose it may indeed appease some Duke fans.
UPDATE: According to someone Eurogamer talked to, the game is a lot buggier on the 360 (terrible screen-tearing, frame-rates, etc.), and he says that the PC version is much better, which definitely accounts for its significantly higher Metascore as compared to its console brethren.
Source: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-12-duke-nukem-forever-review
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Lego City Stories Is Not A Lego GTA
I have read multiple articles on reactions to LEGO's newly announced game, Lego City Stories, that directly compare it to Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series. I would like to clear this up, before people simply write this off as a childish GTA clone.
First of all, Grand Theft Auto III was the game that made the series go big-time; it revolutionized the genre, and set the standards for many a gaming experience in the years after its release. Several months before it came out, however, a little game called Lego Island 2 was released (I have been meaning to post an essay about how great it is, but that will come later). Lego Island 2, to an extent, was somewhat of a free-roaming adventure as well. The game would let you freely roam around between missions, but more areas unlocking as the player progressed with the story. There were multiple collectibles to encourage exploration, as well. The player can also drive vehicles in the game; there are different cars, boats (although the player can swim), and even helicopters. The player also has the ability to whip out a skateboard at any time and ride around. These features were not implemented to the degree with which they were in GTA III, but nonetheless, they were there.
Lego City Stories, however, indeed seems to take even its name from the PSP titles Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. So, I could be wrong, and perhaps exactly what LEGO wants to do is make a GTA clone. I suppose we'll find out once we're given more screenshots and some videos. For those of you who are new to my blog or missed it, the Lego City Stories reveal at E3 can be found here:
http://unchartedgaming.blogspot.com/2011/06/lego-city-stories-coming-to-3ds-and-wii.html
http://unchartedgaming.blogspot.com/2011/06/lego-city-stories-coming-to-3ds-and-wii.html
My personal advice is simply to give LEGO the benefit of the doubt, as they have made fantastic games in the past that no one has ever heard of.
Ridiculously Difficult Games, #1: Monster Hunter Freedom
Some of may be thinking, “lolwut”. But... YES. Monster Hunter isn't exactly notorious for being difficult, but anyone who has played Monster Hunter Freedom for the PSP knows exactly what I'm talking about. Nobody short of an absolute pro can beat all the missions in this game. If you don't know what Monster Hunter is, it's essentially an action-RPG. A large part of the game is dedicated to gathering. Items and materials can either be obtained from the environment, or dead monsters. Basically, things you get from the environment make potions (health, stamina, etc.), and things you get from dead monsters make weapons and armor. The problem is killing these monsters. Monster Hunter does not have a camera that follows you around; you have to either constantly center it with a push of the L-trigger, or pan it around the way you want with the D-Pad. During fights with large, terrifying monsters such as wyverns or even dragons, camera control becomes a NECESSITY. And yet... you don't have it. What I did was run about with the analog stick (holding the R-trigger to sprint; it's necessary to survive) while controlling the D-Pad with my left index finger (same hand used for analog stick). Not very comfortable. You WILL get hit by monsters many, many times. When this happens, you are sent sprawling across the area; you always, ALWAYS land facing away from the monster, at which point the camera inexplicably LOCKS. You cannot turn the camera while down OR while getting up (which is not a quick process), and so you can only imagine what the monster is about to do to you. If you're a good player and have already memorized the monster's attack patterns after 320947239048 failed missions, then you may know what you're doing and roll out of the way as soon as you get up, which usually works with slower monsters.
Yeah... anyway, it's a pretty good game, so I would recommend it. I have put well over 100 hours into it, and I'm still not finished (although it's been quite a while since I played it). If you're ready for deep customization, a steep learning curve, and frequent frustration, then Monster Hunter Freedom is the game for you. Once I get back into the game, I may even write a review of it sometime.
Daily Video Game Deals, #1 - The Witcher: Enhanced Edition
The Witcher is a game that I wish I could play. I bought it a few weeks ago, but only got through the first hour of the game before I realized that it was running to slowly, and I didn't want to ruin my experience by playing through the entire game with a low frame-rate. Anyway, the game is now available for direct download on Amazon for $10; that's pretty good, considering the Enhanced Edition is actually the updated version. The one on the page is also actually the Director's Cut version; there was some mature content removed for North American audiences, and the Director's Cut patch puts it right back in the game. If you've been wondering about The Witcher 2 but wanted to find the first one for cheap first, this is a good time. Here it is:
However, I'm not sure if that comes with a manual or a map, as it is a digital download. The manual, by the way, contains no gameplay help at all, but rather is actually a kind of walkthrough for the story. It's pretty cool. Anyway, I actually bought my copy from Gamestop for $13, and its a physical box, so if you want that instead, it's here:
http://www.gamestop.com/pc/games/the-witcher-enhanced-edition/71511
I went to the actual store to buy it; I didn't buy it online.
Be warned, however, that if you have a computer with integrated graphics this game will not run well. I learned this the hard way; my laptop has 4GB RAM, an i3 processor with 2.53 GHz (rated at 4.5 GHz), and a hell of a lot of free hard disk space. However, it only has 128 MB RAM dedicated to graphics, and this is simply not good for modern games. Check your computer thoroughly before you attempt to play The Witcher, as even though it is almost four years old, it is quite a demanding game.
However, I'm not sure if that comes with a manual or a map, as it is a digital download. The manual, by the way, contains no gameplay help at all, but rather is actually a kind of walkthrough for the story. It's pretty cool. Anyway, I actually bought my copy from Gamestop for $13, and its a physical box, so if you want that instead, it's here:
http://www.gamestop.com/pc/games/the-witcher-enhanced-edition/71511
I went to the actual store to buy it; I didn't buy it online.
Be warned, however, that if you have a computer with integrated graphics this game will not run well. I learned this the hard way; my laptop has 4GB RAM, an i3 processor with 2.53 GHz (rated at 4.5 GHz), and a hell of a lot of free hard disk space. However, it only has 128 MB RAM dedicated to graphics, and this is simply not good for modern games. Check your computer thoroughly before you attempt to play The Witcher, as even though it is almost four years old, it is quite a demanding game.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Apparently, The Wii U Only Supports One Controller
You read that correctly. You can only use one controller per console, which means any split-screen multiplayer with a friend in the same room is IMPOSSIBLE. I just do not understand how Nintendo can go from the Wii, a family-friendly machine with more split-screen games than I care to admit, to the Wii U, a machine that will essentially force you to play by yourself. It's true that some types of multiplayer can be accomplished with one controller; some of the mini-games included in Wii Sports are an example of this. So, you can play, uh... golf, bowling, and archery. Seriously though, how is this going to fly with gamers? If I wasn't very interested in the Wii U before, then now I am not interested at all. There will be an inevitable Mario Kart installment on the console, and when it comes, nobody will be able to play split-screen with their friends. Also, what about the Super Smash Bros. entry for the Wii U mentioned at E3? Will it be only online play? That's ridiculous; half the fun of playing multiplayer in a Super Smash Bros. game is having your friends right next to you. In an age of increasing social connectivity, I find this to be a huge step backwards.
Source: http://www.gametrailers.com/news/wii-u-will-only-use-one-wii/3486
CLARIFICATION: As of right now, only one Wii U controller can be used with each Wii U console. However, both the original Wiimote and the 3DS can apparently serve as extra controllers, so it looks like 4-way multiplayer can happen after all. But... THAT STILL SUCKS.
Source: http://www.gametrailers.com/news/wii-u-will-only-use-one-wii/3486
CLARIFICATION: As of right now, only one Wii U controller can be used with each Wii U console. However, both the original Wiimote and the 3DS can apparently serve as extra controllers, so it looks like 4-way multiplayer can happen after all. But... THAT STILL SUCKS.
Upcoming HD Collections
The Silent Hill HD collection, containing the 2nd and 3rd games from the series, will hit stores this sometime later this year. The first game, a PS1 title, has been available on the PSN for some time now, which is most likely why it isn't included. The collection will be only for PS3, and will include trophies.
The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, a release I mentioned in a previous post, does not yet have a release window. Again, as the original Metal Gear Solid is a PS1 title available on the PSN, this collection includes the 2nd and 3rd games, as well as Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. I'll be getting this one for sure. Surprisingly, this collection is being released on both PS3 and 360. The “Collections” series up to now have all consisted of remastered PS2 games, as after the 1st generation the PS3 lost its backwards compatibility. Then again, the Metal Gear Solid series has never been on a Microsoft system, so this is a good opportunity for Sony to make some money, I suppose. The Metal Gear Solid HD collection supposedly releases this November.
Lastly, the Zone of the Enders HD Collection is heading to both PS3 and 360 as well. The Collection contains Zone of the Enders and Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner. And... that's all I have to say about that. It'll see release in 2012.
Sources:
Whatever Happened To Final Fantasy Versus XIII?
Yes, I am doing another one of these posts in the same day. That is how much this particular game's silence irks me. Okay, then... begin rant:
Final Fantasy Versus XIII was announced as a PS3 exclusive five years ago at E3 2006, before the PS3 was even in stores. It was revealed alongside Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Agito XIII as the games in the Fabula Nova Crystallis universe.
Here is a little timeline of some things that have happened between that announcement, and today:
1. An American 360 version of Final Fantasy XIII was revealed, much to the chagrin of the PS3 community and the tears of joy of 360 owners.
2. Final Fantasy Agito XIII, originally a game for mobile phones, switched to development on the PSP instead.
3. Final Fantasy XIII was released.
4. A brief trailer of Versus XIII was shown at the 2010 Tokyo Game Show; that's right, brief trailer (OVER FOUR YEARS AFTER THE GAME'S ANNOUNCEMENT). It was also announced that more information on the Fabula Nova Crystallis games would be revealed at a press conference on January 11, 2011; this date was later changed to January 18, 2011, because apparently, Square Enix can't do ANYTHING on time.
5. At the conference, a lengthy Versus XIII trailer was shown, containing actual gameplay! Yay!
6. Also at the conference, Agito XIII had its title changed to Final Fantasy Type-0... whatever.
7. Finally, at the conference, Final Fantasy XIII-2 was announced for release in 2011. Wait... WHAT??? WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!?!?!
That's right, the sequel to the game that was announced together with Versus XIII will ship before it. Final Fantasy XIII-2 is releasing this December in Japan, and in the first quarter of 2012 in America/Europe. This is the release date of Versus XIII: TBA. WOW. In summary, XIII and Versus XIII were announced together. XIII was released well over a year ago, and now its sequel is going to hit stores, probably before we are even given any information at all on Versus XIII.
Tetsuya Nomura, the director of the game, stated that the earliest we would see Versus XIII would be at E3 2011; translated from Square Enix talk into realism, that means that there was no way in hell we were going to see the game at this year's E3, and we probably won't hear anything about it for some time to come.
-END RANT-
The only reason, of course, that I am criticizing this game's development is because I am eagerly anticipating its release. Final Fantasy Versus XIII was the game that originally made me want a PS3; five years later, I have one, but no word on the game. Versus XIII is vastly different from XIII due to its combat system, which is real-time instead of turn-based. This immediately turned me on to the game, as I am a Kingdom Hearts fan, and this sounded to me like a similar battle system. Also, the world and story in Versus XIII look to be considerably darker than anything shown in XIII. Overall, to me it looks much more intriguing. The interesting thing about all of this is that I'm not even really a Final Fantasy fan; in fact, the only game of the series I've played from start to finish is Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (which, by the way, is hands-down the best PSP game ever made). Also, I played through a fair chunk of Mystic Quest and thought that it was awesome (take that, haters).
Anyway, to end this post I shall leave you with some videos of Versus XIII, in attempt to get more people to know that the game exists. The first video is simply the trailer shown at E3 2006; the second is an extended version of that; the third is yet another extended trailer, but with English subtitles; the fourth is the latest trailer that was shown at the press conference back in January, also with subtitles (also the only video with actual gameplay). Enjoy:
Final Fantasy Versus XIII was announced as a PS3 exclusive five years ago at E3 2006, before the PS3 was even in stores. It was revealed alongside Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Agito XIII as the games in the Fabula Nova Crystallis universe.
Here is a little timeline of some things that have happened between that announcement, and today:
1. An American 360 version of Final Fantasy XIII was revealed, much to the chagrin of the PS3 community and the tears of joy of 360 owners.
2. Final Fantasy Agito XIII, originally a game for mobile phones, switched to development on the PSP instead.
3. Final Fantasy XIII was released.
4. A brief trailer of Versus XIII was shown at the 2010 Tokyo Game Show; that's right, brief trailer (OVER FOUR YEARS AFTER THE GAME'S ANNOUNCEMENT). It was also announced that more information on the Fabula Nova Crystallis games would be revealed at a press conference on January 11, 2011; this date was later changed to January 18, 2011, because apparently, Square Enix can't do ANYTHING on time.
5. At the conference, a lengthy Versus XIII trailer was shown, containing actual gameplay! Yay!
6. Also at the conference, Agito XIII had its title changed to Final Fantasy Type-0... whatever.
7. Finally, at the conference, Final Fantasy XIII-2 was announced for release in 2011. Wait... WHAT??? WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!?!?!
That's right, the sequel to the game that was announced together with Versus XIII will ship before it. Final Fantasy XIII-2 is releasing this December in Japan, and in the first quarter of 2012 in America/Europe. This is the release date of Versus XIII: TBA. WOW. In summary, XIII and Versus XIII were announced together. XIII was released well over a year ago, and now its sequel is going to hit stores, probably before we are even given any information at all on Versus XIII.
Tetsuya Nomura, the director of the game, stated that the earliest we would see Versus XIII would be at E3 2011; translated from Square Enix talk into realism, that means that there was no way in hell we were going to see the game at this year's E3, and we probably won't hear anything about it for some time to come.
-END RANT-
The only reason, of course, that I am criticizing this game's development is because I am eagerly anticipating its release. Final Fantasy Versus XIII was the game that originally made me want a PS3; five years later, I have one, but no word on the game. Versus XIII is vastly different from XIII due to its combat system, which is real-time instead of turn-based. This immediately turned me on to the game, as I am a Kingdom Hearts fan, and this sounded to me like a similar battle system. Also, the world and story in Versus XIII look to be considerably darker than anything shown in XIII. Overall, to me it looks much more intriguing. The interesting thing about all of this is that I'm not even really a Final Fantasy fan; in fact, the only game of the series I've played from start to finish is Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (which, by the way, is hands-down the best PSP game ever made). Also, I played through a fair chunk of Mystic Quest and thought that it was awesome (take that, haters).
Anyway, to end this post I shall leave you with some videos of Versus XIII, in attempt to get more people to know that the game exists. The first video is simply the trailer shown at E3 2006; the second is an extended version of that; the third is yet another extended trailer, but with English subtitles; the fourth is the latest trailer that was shown at the press conference back in January, also with subtitles (also the only video with actual gameplay). Enjoy:
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