Should this blog extend into my personal life?
If I did choose to do that, you'd have to hear about Modernist Literature, Drinking, Relationship fun, Shooting, Music, Movies, Cars and Videogames. I'm'a bit of a well rounded man, so I know a lot of shit, but I think that I should keep this videogame oriented. If I get any comments to the contrary, I might change my mind.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
I feel like nobodies reading this.
So, I'll let you know. Still waiting on Red Dead Redemption. That review will be hardcore. You'll see!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Old School Webcomics, homemade by me.
These were all made at the beginning of the 7th Generation, so the references are dated. Also, I'm not an artist, so, ignore the bad imagery.
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony (XBL)
Rockstar's been great to us gamers for years. These guys brought us Lemmings, Grand Theft Auto, the RAGE game engine and... ok, so that's about it. But the fact of the matter is that they created a massive in game universe where everything tied in and worked well with on and other, much better than most other developers. Games like Manhunt and Bully take place in the same universe as Grand Theft Auto and make awkward appearances throughout the GTA games through easter eggs and news reports in game.
So, it's no surprise that The Ballad of Gay Tony (TBoGT) is a very beautifully written and developed episode of the GTA experience. The game begins much like any other GTA game, with a video montage introducing us to our new protagonist and a vague descriptor of the main architecture of the game. Luis, the new lead character, is someone you'll recognize instantly and quickly fall in love with. It's true that he doesn't have the tragic issue that Niko Bellic exposed us to or the internal strife of Carl "CJ" Johnson (of San Andreas), but he is a well rounded and written character.
The issue with Luis, though, is that his story is almost comically formulaic. His dad walked out on the family, his single mother doesn't have the money to keep her house, he spent time in jail and his friends berate him for getting a job "Downtown" with Gay Tony. Tony is a character that truly emulates the meaning of the GTA games, at least the deeper meaning, I'm not willing to say anything more about Tony. He's a character that is everything you don't expect from the name, but fits the GTA formula perfectly.
This game reintroduces the over the top sexual comedy and situations that were recognized in earlier GTA games and Luis' race helps to bring to light humorous racial tensions, especially between he and the Arab Yusuf Amir. At first this language was gritting and offensive, but quickly became hilarious. The game does well to invoke the meaning and humor of San Andreas without rehashing it verbatim. There are several times during TBoGT that I found myself saying "this is like San Andreas!" and my girlfriend even asked if I was playing San Andreas when she saw Luis on screen.
There's really no reason to discuss the gameplay, but I do have to admit that the new weapons and cars were kind of cool, nothing fantastic, though. The new activities were very reminiscent of San Andreas, as well. Rockstar reintroduced the parachute and base jumping, gave us air hockey, drug wars, dancing, drinking games and golfing. The activities weren't as varied or awesome as San Andreas and I wished that they kept all of the activities from the base game and Lost and the Damned and rolled them all into one of the episodes. They also didn't keep the weapons or new vehicles from Lost and the Damned, either. It made the game slightly smaller than I was anticipating.
I thoroughly and whole heartedly enjoyed the game, but I was very let down by the amount of content. It took me about one day of playing to work through the main game and another few hours to complete most of the activities. I don't think it's truly worth the $20 pricetag, it definitely wasn't nearly as large as Liberty City Stories, but still cost the same $20.
I'd recommend this for anyone looking for more of a GTA fix and who have played through the entirety of the series already. If you haven't played through Vice City or San Andreas and don't mind the graphics difference you'd be better off buying a cheap used versions of them instead of spending $20 on a one day long game, even Saints Row would be a better choice than TBoGT, to be honest
Pros: Great graphics, great characters, great gameplay, great fun, calls back to San Andreas a few times.
Cons: Too fucking short, not a ton of things to do in town compared to other GTA games, too expensive.
Overall 7/10
Buy if you like: GTA games and like clones
Don't buy it yet if you haven't played: The entire GTA library since III, just not worth it if you still need to play any other GTA games.
So, it's no surprise that The Ballad of Gay Tony (TBoGT) is a very beautifully written and developed episode of the GTA experience. The game begins much like any other GTA game, with a video montage introducing us to our new protagonist and a vague descriptor of the main architecture of the game. Luis, the new lead character, is someone you'll recognize instantly and quickly fall in love with. It's true that he doesn't have the tragic issue that Niko Bellic exposed us to or the internal strife of Carl "CJ" Johnson (of San Andreas), but he is a well rounded and written character.
The issue with Luis, though, is that his story is almost comically formulaic. His dad walked out on the family, his single mother doesn't have the money to keep her house, he spent time in jail and his friends berate him for getting a job "Downtown" with Gay Tony. Tony is a character that truly emulates the meaning of the GTA games, at least the deeper meaning, I'm not willing to say anything more about Tony. He's a character that is everything you don't expect from the name, but fits the GTA formula perfectly.
This game reintroduces the over the top sexual comedy and situations that were recognized in earlier GTA games and Luis' race helps to bring to light humorous racial tensions, especially between he and the Arab Yusuf Amir. At first this language was gritting and offensive, but quickly became hilarious. The game does well to invoke the meaning and humor of San Andreas without rehashing it verbatim. There are several times during TBoGT that I found myself saying "this is like San Andreas!" and my girlfriend even asked if I was playing San Andreas when she saw Luis on screen.
There's really no reason to discuss the gameplay, but I do have to admit that the new weapons and cars were kind of cool, nothing fantastic, though. The new activities were very reminiscent of San Andreas, as well. Rockstar reintroduced the parachute and base jumping, gave us air hockey, drug wars, dancing, drinking games and golfing. The activities weren't as varied or awesome as San Andreas and I wished that they kept all of the activities from the base game and Lost and the Damned and rolled them all into one of the episodes. They also didn't keep the weapons or new vehicles from Lost and the Damned, either. It made the game slightly smaller than I was anticipating.
I thoroughly and whole heartedly enjoyed the game, but I was very let down by the amount of content. It took me about one day of playing to work through the main game and another few hours to complete most of the activities. I don't think it's truly worth the $20 pricetag, it definitely wasn't nearly as large as Liberty City Stories, but still cost the same $20.
I'd recommend this for anyone looking for more of a GTA fix and who have played through the entirety of the series already. If you haven't played through Vice City or San Andreas and don't mind the graphics difference you'd be better off buying a cheap used versions of them instead of spending $20 on a one day long game, even Saints Row would be a better choice than TBoGT, to be honest
Pros: Great graphics, great characters, great gameplay, great fun, calls back to San Andreas a few times.
Cons: Too fucking short, not a ton of things to do in town compared to other GTA games, too expensive.
Overall 7/10
Buy if you like: GTA games and like clones
Don't buy it yet if you haven't played: The entire GTA library since III, just not worth it if you still need to play any other GTA games.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Resident Evil 5: Desperate Escape (XBL)
This was an interesting addition to the game, but in all honesty it was too little too late. People were expecting to see add ons in the caliber of Separate Ways and Assignment Ada on Resident Evil 4. But, the two episodes they gave us for Resident Evil 5 were paltry offerings. Nothing fantastic.
So, this one takes place alongside the last chapter of Resident Evil 5. You play as Jill Valentine and Josh Stone and it explains why there's a magical helicopter at the end of Resident Evil 5. But that's it.
If you're a Resident Evil fan, you'll understand exactly what analogies I'll make in this review.
First things first: I have the same gripes with this one as with Lost in Nightmares. You don't get to use your weapons from the main game, so your upgrades and infinite ammo unlocks are useless. And it's short.
Secondly: the game plays like a short version of the last chapter of Resident Evil 4 plus a weak version of the "Cabin." Not very fun, really. The achievements seem to be almost impossible and the difficulty really adds up when you crank it up. I'm just not pleased with this add-on.
Pros: Completes the Resident Evil 5 story, is Resident Evil, kind of fun
Cons: Short, boring, seems uninspired.
Overall: 9/20
Get if you like: Lost in Nightmares
So, this one takes place alongside the last chapter of Resident Evil 5. You play as Jill Valentine and Josh Stone and it explains why there's a magical helicopter at the end of Resident Evil 5. But that's it.
If you're a Resident Evil fan, you'll understand exactly what analogies I'll make in this review.
First things first: I have the same gripes with this one as with Lost in Nightmares. You don't get to use your weapons from the main game, so your upgrades and infinite ammo unlocks are useless. And it's short.
Secondly: the game plays like a short version of the last chapter of Resident Evil 4 plus a weak version of the "Cabin." Not very fun, really. The achievements seem to be almost impossible and the difficulty really adds up when you crank it up. I'm just not pleased with this add-on.
Pros: Completes the Resident Evil 5 story, is Resident Evil, kind of fun
Cons: Short, boring, seems uninspired.
Overall: 9/20
Get if you like: Lost in Nightmares
Rockstar Games, I am your bitch.
So, let's face facts about this: this company has never made a bad game, not once. Well... ok, let's forget about Smugglers Run, The Warriors and The Italian Job. But, let's not forget Earthworm Jim 3D and Bully.
Rockstar has always had the ability to package an extremely violent and seemingly irrelevant game and make it into something relevant. The Grand Theft Auto games have always had a deeper and more sinister meaning to them, such as IV's "Immigrant Story" and San Andreas' comments on racial tensions and inequality.
What's really exciting is their upcoming games, though. I'm going absolutely insane this last week before Red Dead Redemption comes out, I'm amped about Max Payne 3 and I nearly shat myself the first time I saw the trailer for LA Noire. Plus, I recall hearing that they're working on a James Bond-esque game, which puts them in a fantastic position.
One of the most endearing things about Rockstar games is their ability to continue Grand Theft Auto. It's absolutely amazing the amount of work and detail they put into each title in the series, but what's even more amazing is the amount of work and detail they put into spin-offs, extra content and new episodes. I played Vice City (not for the first time, but it was the first time I sat down and played through it) in order to better understand Vice City Stories. And I recall playing Liberty City Stories and knowing my way around Liberty City like the back of my hand. Those were also the last Playstation 2 games I bought. They were almost like a death rattle for the dying system.
Now, I know a different Liberty City. One that's rendered in beautiful hi-def, gripped in terror of terrorists, riddled with cell phones and filled with animated and wonderful people. In preparation of Red Dead Redemption I'm currently replaying GTA IV, Lost and the Damned and finally dug in and bought The Ballad of Gay Tony (expect a review of BoGT this week and one of Red Dead Redemption by the end of next week). And everything about the game that I loved when it first came out still rings true, localization for the game (chronologically) won't grant it the timeless quality that I'd hope a game like this has to offer due to the use of technology and references. Three years later it seems more valid than it was when it first came out but in ten it may be outdated to the point that playing it is a chore. I hope it won't be, cause I want my kids to play it. To help them understand the "Immigrant Story" and that people are forced into doing things by other people sometimes and that they shouldn't be that type of person.
Red Dead Redemption should be no different. I'm'a sucker for Westerns, one of my favorite movie series is Sergio Leone's Man With No Name trilogy. Unfortunately Western video games have always offered a poor examination of what it was. Gun, Call of Juarez, Red Dead Revolver and Dead Man's Hand all offered interesting ideas, but ultimately suffered from poor everything.
The story telling was often done through clunky missions, weapons handled like a game made in the early 90's and balance was often very delicately mismanaged. Rockstar did make a western before, but it was a flat and boring third person shooter that suffered from everything that all other Western games did. Red Dead Redemption, due out on the 18th, will hopefully make up for all the shit that game companies have left on our door steps regarding the genre.
If the trailers and previews are to be believed Red Dead Redemption will be well worth the wait. So, stay tuned to hear from me on that.
Rockstar has always had the ability to package an extremely violent and seemingly irrelevant game and make it into something relevant. The Grand Theft Auto games have always had a deeper and more sinister meaning to them, such as IV's "Immigrant Story" and San Andreas' comments on racial tensions and inequality.
What's really exciting is their upcoming games, though. I'm going absolutely insane this last week before Red Dead Redemption comes out, I'm amped about Max Payne 3 and I nearly shat myself the first time I saw the trailer for LA Noire. Plus, I recall hearing that they're working on a James Bond-esque game, which puts them in a fantastic position.
One of the most endearing things about Rockstar games is their ability to continue Grand Theft Auto. It's absolutely amazing the amount of work and detail they put into each title in the series, but what's even more amazing is the amount of work and detail they put into spin-offs, extra content and new episodes. I played Vice City (not for the first time, but it was the first time I sat down and played through it) in order to better understand Vice City Stories. And I recall playing Liberty City Stories and knowing my way around Liberty City like the back of my hand. Those were also the last Playstation 2 games I bought. They were almost like a death rattle for the dying system.
Now, I know a different Liberty City. One that's rendered in beautiful hi-def, gripped in terror of terrorists, riddled with cell phones and filled with animated and wonderful people. In preparation of Red Dead Redemption I'm currently replaying GTA IV, Lost and the Damned and finally dug in and bought The Ballad of Gay Tony (expect a review of BoGT this week and one of Red Dead Redemption by the end of next week). And everything about the game that I loved when it first came out still rings true, localization for the game (chronologically) won't grant it the timeless quality that I'd hope a game like this has to offer due to the use of technology and references. Three years later it seems more valid than it was when it first came out but in ten it may be outdated to the point that playing it is a chore. I hope it won't be, cause I want my kids to play it. To help them understand the "Immigrant Story" and that people are forced into doing things by other people sometimes and that they shouldn't be that type of person.
Red Dead Redemption should be no different. I'm'a sucker for Westerns, one of my favorite movie series is Sergio Leone's Man With No Name trilogy. Unfortunately Western video games have always offered a poor examination of what it was. Gun, Call of Juarez, Red Dead Revolver and Dead Man's Hand all offered interesting ideas, but ultimately suffered from poor everything.
The story telling was often done through clunky missions, weapons handled like a game made in the early 90's and balance was often very delicately mismanaged. Rockstar did make a western before, but it was a flat and boring third person shooter that suffered from everything that all other Western games did. Red Dead Redemption, due out on the 18th, will hopefully make up for all the shit that game companies have left on our door steps regarding the genre.
If the trailers and previews are to be believed Red Dead Redemption will be well worth the wait. So, stay tuned to hear from me on that.
Three months no posts?!
What a cliche! Sorry ya'll, been lazy and busy with school!
Who wants to do a webcomic with me?!
Who wants to do a webcomic with me?!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)