Yes, oh yes, Geemusentaa is back from the dead. Not for any particular reason, just, well because I've nothing much to do at this particular time. Plus I've finished watching all of Season 3 of House, so yeah.
So what better to revive a blog than something negative, controversial and going against what everyone else thinks. Yeah, welcome to my blog.
What I'm talking about is the much love game of Guitar Hero 2. Specifially the Xbox360 version, though I guess this could possibly apply to the PS2 variation, maybe, maybe not, as my issue isn't the game alone.
Now don't get me wrong, I love ryhthem games, I own quite a few and while I'm not as "killer" at them as some people, I still enjoy them a lot. Where I run into issues with these kinds of games is track variation. Sure, it's "Guitar" Hero you say, hence the who rock/guitar emphasis. It's also not my scene, I don't know a fair amount of tracks on the game which really does make it less enjoyable. I hate when games become a slog, and I'm thinking half way through a song I'm playing, "Jesus christ when does this end". That's really not fun. I'm sure a telling sign is the fact that the song I enjoyed the most was "More Talk Less Rokk" by Freezepop, and "Jordan" by Buckethead was also pretty up there.
I'm actually going to go with that as my biggest gripe with this game, as rocking out is pretty damn fun. But shit, do you need that many metal tracks? Why not split it up and have a bit more variety. Original tracks would be far far more intereting than dodgey covers of some overplayed classic "rock" tracks.
My other issue. $160. One hundred and sixty fucking dollars. Now I'm not cheap when it comes to gaming, I'm willing to spend quite a bit on it. But, for a single game, even with a controller, it's a lot to ask. To me it just doesn't seem worth it at the end of the day. I considered the fact that they might release the Guitar Hero tracks onto Marketplace at some point. So, again, I'd have to pony up even more cash. Might actually be worth it for another Freezepop track. Just kidding, well maybe.
I'm sure anyone reading this thinks, "oh what the fuck does this guy know, he's just some techno faggot". Sure I like electronica, but it doesn't stop me from getting into a wide range of music. But that doesn't even matter, a game like GH2 should have more range in it to entice someone like me. But I feel like everyone gives this game "awesome-o" reviews because it's the thing to do. Maybe they don't and eveyrone really does love the shit out of it, and that this game while overloaded with bad metal and rock is a great game and it's been proven by it's popularity and sales.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Thanks For Nothing
I read a lot of gaming new sites, you know, it's just my thing. I like to know what's going on in the industry and keep up to date. Recently thanks to the impending release of the PS3, it seems that every second post is about it. I'd probably take more interest, maybe not be so bitter if Sony was actually going to release the console in this country sometime soon. It's not that I really care, I'm not sure if I would buy one on release, especially since I saw the price mentioned somewhere in the area of $999. It would be nice to have the option to pick up the unit, not that any of the titles so far really blow me away, from what I've seen that is.
It's more to the point that Sony again, feels the need to neglect the whole of the PAL territories. Oh maybe it's that we don't buy a lot of consoles, oh wait, were one of, if not the biggest market. Yeah thanks Sony, we support you and you make "us" wait, nice logic there.
It's more to the point that Sony again, feels the need to neglect the whole of the PAL territories. Oh maybe it's that we don't buy a lot of consoles, oh wait, were one of, if not the biggest market. Yeah thanks Sony, we support you and you make "us" wait, nice logic there.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Mmm Splintery
After doing the whole late night shopping thing I managed to pick up my copy of Splinter Cell Double Agent. I've no idea why, when I go late night shopping there are just hundreds of kids hang about doing what seems to be, bugger all. I guess you look cooler when you're at a mall or... something.
Anyway enough of that. Double Agent, which I only managed to put a small amount of time into last night, is from my initial impressions pretty much in the same vein as previous SC games. I've not played SC in a long long time, I think the last one I got into was Pandora Tomorrow. So I did the training missions to get back into the game and the control system. Controls are pretty standard, though it took me sometime to adjust to them again. The tanning missions are nice and open, non of the "press this button" or "walk here". It basically gives you an objective, gives you tips on the controls, and then lets you go about experimenting to complete the objective. It's a nice way of doing it, except the bloody while matrix style room they put you in is utter arse, as you can tell one thing from another most of the time.
The first mission is great and not hard at all, it's a nice way to get back into the feel of things. It seems pretty much like classic SC to me. Though one nice touch is that completing certain secondary objectives, like not setting off an alarm, opens up new gadgets later on.
I've seen people rave about the graphics, and while yeah they look great and seem fairly polished, it's not some sort of huge leap over anything else. Not really as much "wow factor" as the other SC's had on the Xbox. I'm not sure why, but I'm wondering if this had been an 360 exclusive title and not ported to every goddamn console they could find, if the graphics could have been better.
Anyway enough of that. Double Agent, which I only managed to put a small amount of time into last night, is from my initial impressions pretty much in the same vein as previous SC games. I've not played SC in a long long time, I think the last one I got into was Pandora Tomorrow. So I did the training missions to get back into the game and the control system. Controls are pretty standard, though it took me sometime to adjust to them again. The tanning missions are nice and open, non of the "press this button" or "walk here". It basically gives you an objective, gives you tips on the controls, and then lets you go about experimenting to complete the objective. It's a nice way of doing it, except the bloody while matrix style room they put you in is utter arse, as you can tell one thing from another most of the time.
The first mission is great and not hard at all, it's a nice way to get back into the feel of things. It seems pretty much like classic SC to me. Though one nice touch is that completing certain secondary objectives, like not setting off an alarm, opens up new gadgets later on.
I've seen people rave about the graphics, and while yeah they look great and seem fairly polished, it's not some sort of huge leap over anything else. Not really as much "wow factor" as the other SC's had on the Xbox. I'm not sure why, but I'm wondering if this had been an 360 exclusive title and not ported to every goddamn console they could find, if the graphics could have been better.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Already!
Well, I just got a call from my local EB, apparently Splinter Cell Double Agent is in. Unfortunately I can't pick it up till tomorrow, but it's nice to know it's now avalible.
Wednesday, Bloody Wednesday
Well thanks to the possible collapse of a certain overpass, my week is going to be interesting. Also Splinter Cell: Double Agent should drop tomorrow, oh yes, it's been a long time coming.
I recently picked up Dragon Quest 8 and Ridge Racer 6.
Now Ridge Racer 6 is the usual, it's similar to Ridge Racers on the PSP, though doesn't seem as fast paced as. Maybe it's just the classes I've played so far, apart from it seeming ridiculously easy it's still decent. My biggest gripe is that most of the cars feel and drive the same, even the different makes are only have minor changes to them, which to me seems pointless. Anyway I'll play the rest, see how it pans out.
Now Dragon Quest 8. I swear this game has the hardest start to it than any other game. Sure it's ok once you get into it, but Jesus wept, when I'm playing a new game, and an RPG at that, I be a gradual increase in difficulty so I'm not frustrated. I did read that this game was a little harder at the start, and it bloody well is. I like the game besides that so I'll carry on with it, I just wish it didn't seem like such a struggle at times.
I recently picked up Dragon Quest 8 and Ridge Racer 6.
Now Ridge Racer 6 is the usual, it's similar to Ridge Racers on the PSP, though doesn't seem as fast paced as. Maybe it's just the classes I've played so far, apart from it seeming ridiculously easy it's still decent. My biggest gripe is that most of the cars feel and drive the same, even the different makes are only have minor changes to them, which to me seems pointless. Anyway I'll play the rest, see how it pans out.
Now Dragon Quest 8. I swear this game has the hardest start to it than any other game. Sure it's ok once you get into it, but Jesus wept, when I'm playing a new game, and an RPG at that, I be a gradual increase in difficulty so I'm not frustrated. I did read that this game was a little harder at the start, and it bloody well is. I like the game besides that so I'll carry on with it, I just wish it didn't seem like such a struggle at times.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Leave It To PR Please
It's funny the things people with say when under pressure to look like they know what they are doing, and are in control of a situation. Case in point, Sony exec Michael Ephraim on Screen Play. Where oh, where to start. Firstly, don't attack rivial consoles when you have failed to release yours in the same time frame, and have left PAL territories waiting the longest as usual. Oh but how can I forget "PAL gamers don't mind waiting". Oh no, I fucking love that aspect of always having to wait for every goddamn release the longest. Just because we are always the last, doesn't mean we actually like it.
Secondly, bringing up the price point of rival consoles, especially when yours costs twice the price of one of them, is not a great idea. Trying to use this as leverage in an argument to make your product look better is poor, very poor.
I like how the focus of the Xbox360 is apparently "too narrow". I amazed that this is brought up. The 360, having been out for nearly around a year now has a fairly decent line up of titles across a range of genres. Now just because they choose not to release trash like "Singstar" or some other god awful fad title does not make their vision narrow. I'm sure Sony's launch line up of sequels has a much "broader" vision in mind.
Don't think I'm taking sides here, Sony just need to keep their execs from speaking in public.
Secondly, bringing up the price point of rival consoles, especially when yours costs twice the price of one of them, is not a great idea. Trying to use this as leverage in an argument to make your product look better is poor, very poor.
I like how the focus of the Xbox360 is apparently "too narrow". I amazed that this is brought up. The 360, having been out for nearly around a year now has a fairly decent line up of titles across a range of genres. Now just because they choose not to release trash like "Singstar" or some other god awful fad title does not make their vision narrow. I'm sure Sony's launch line up of sequels has a much "broader" vision in mind.
Don't think I'm taking sides here, Sony just need to keep their execs from speaking in public.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Back Into It
So I finally picked up a Xbox360 recently, no I hadn't been holding out, and no it wasn't because of the price. It was thanks to my WoW addiction, and when you play WoW you end up having very little time for anything else. Thank god I'm over that.
The other thing was I didn't own a HD compatible TV at the time, and I didn't want to run a 360 on a SD set. Anyway it's great, I'm using it on a 32" LCD TV and it looks awesome, it's pretty much all I was asking for.
My only complaint thus far is with the backwards compatibility. I was hoping I could put my old Xbox away, but so many of the titles I own don't run on the 360. Though from the titles I tried last night, a weird rang of stuff does work. But I wasn't really expecting something like Jet Set Radio Future to work anyway.
The other thing was I didn't own a HD compatible TV at the time, and I didn't want to run a 360 on a SD set. Anyway it's great, I'm using it on a 32" LCD TV and it looks awesome, it's pretty much all I was asking for.
My only complaint thus far is with the backwards compatibility. I was hoping I could put my old Xbox away, but so many of the titles I own don't run on the 360. Though from the titles I tried last night, a weird rang of stuff does work. But I wasn't really expecting something like Jet Set Radio Future to work anyway.
Bringin' It Back
That's right, Geemusentaa is coming back.. After a long long break we will be returning it all the gaming goodness you can handle, well that or as much as I get around to commenting on.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Australian Xbox360 Launch Date and Pricing
After the launch party in Sydney for the Xbox360 here in Australia a few are reporting pricing and dates. From the press release:
Sydney November 22, 2005 - It’s only ninety-nine sleeps until Australians can get their hands on the world’s most powerful games console, the Xbox 360.
Microsoft today announced that two versions of the console will go on sale from 12:01am on March 2nd, 2006. Consumers will be able to choose from the Xbox 360 at RRP*$649.95 and the Xbox 360 Core System at RRP*$499.95.
So $650 for the decent 360 pack, it does seem expensive but when you look at what you get it puts it into perspective.
Xbox 360 is the first console that lets gamers enjoy the freedom of wireless gaming, as standard. The Xbox 360 offer will include the console, 20GB hard drive, media remote, wireless controller, component high-definition cable and Ethernet cable. Xbox 360 Core System delivers the same powerful gaming as Xbox 360, but starts with the basics and lets you expand at your own pace. The Xbox Core system includes the console, composite AV cable and wired controller.
Now I would be willing to drop $500 on just a Xbox360 core pack, so with all the added extras of the Xbox360 (lets say premium pack) that I would probably purchase anyway, it's only and extra $150 and you get some decent gear. Though compared with the US price, it might seem we are being charged a tad more. Though I think its on par with the UK pricing.
So 3 months, start you clocks and let the countdown begin.
Monday, November 21, 2005
The Madness Begins
So after visiting Starbucks on the weekend for a bit of Christmas cheer, in the form of a Peppermint Moca Frappuccino, I headed into the EB that's nearby.
So what's the first thing that catches my eye as I walk in, Xbox360 pre orders. My first reaction was "wow, cool", but then I just thought "hang on, wtf?!". I mean the thing has no release date or price, aren't people just going to ask stupid questions all the time about it.
So the guy working in there is a friend of mine and we get talking about it as usual. He lets me know that they aren't supposed to be doing it yet, but for some "sales numbers" reason they are. Still with no clue of a release date or price, we kinda figures it might be March with a price of say $600. Though if you do the math on the US price it works out to about $550. That seems like a better price to me, say the Xbox360 is $550, then the core pack is $400, it just seems more sensible.
They also had four games you could pre order, Project Gotham 3, Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero and also Oblivion.
So yeah, I put down a pre-order.
I'm quite interested to see the Australian release list now, I guess it will appear sometime early next year.
Being the nosy sod I am, I'm just now looking on The Office of Classification's website and what do I find Ridge Racer 6 is listed . So I would say that it's getting a release. If you do a search a lot of other 360 launch titles are also listed there, which makes sense.
It's interesting to note that all the dates for the classification submissions are dated back in October.
So what's the first thing that catches my eye as I walk in, Xbox360 pre orders. My first reaction was "wow, cool", but then I just thought "hang on, wtf?!". I mean the thing has no release date or price, aren't people just going to ask stupid questions all the time about it.
So the guy working in there is a friend of mine and we get talking about it as usual. He lets me know that they aren't supposed to be doing it yet, but for some "sales numbers" reason they are. Still with no clue of a release date or price, we kinda figures it might be March with a price of say $600. Though if you do the math on the US price it works out to about $550. That seems like a better price to me, say the Xbox360 is $550, then the core pack is $400, it just seems more sensible.
They also had four games you could pre order, Project Gotham 3, Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero and also Oblivion.
So yeah, I put down a pre-order.
I'm quite interested to see the Australian release list now, I guess it will appear sometime early next year.
Being the nosy sod I am, I'm just now looking on The Office of Classification's website and what do I find Ridge Racer 6 is listed . So I would say that it's getting a release. If you do a search a lot of other 360 launch titles are also listed there, which makes sense.
It's interesting to note that all the dates for the classification submissions are dated back in October.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
It's Back
Alright I'm back. I think anyone who used to read this site will know that the lack of updates were due to the fact that I started to play WoW. I'm still playing it and now have a lvl 60 Warrior, but I thought I would try and start posting again.
I have to admit there hasn't been a great deal going on in the gaming world that isn't next gen related. I know a few things came out but I've really not been that interested, it's pretty much too little too late for me. The only thing I've ordered recently was Guilty Gear XX #Reloaded for the PSP, so I might post some impressions of that when it gets here.
My main motive is to try and post as much info about the Aussie release of the Xbox360. Currently Microsoft seem to have denied us any information regarding the release date and pricing of the unit, and subsequently seem to have placed us low on the list of release candidates. Current speculation is that we will see the unit sometime in early 2006.
If that wasn't bad enough, the current release list for the US and UK are different. Which isn't a big issues, except the main game that I, and many people are interested in "Ridge Racer 6" is missing from the UK list. Now at the moment I'm not getting too worked up about this because by the time we see the unit I'm hoping that RR6 will be a release title for us, only time will tell though.
I'm also currently trying to decide if I should buy a new TV that supports HD. From what I have read it seems that if you play the Xbox360 on a normal TV it just looks like Xbox quality, so a HDTV is a must. I'm just wondering if I should bite the bullet now and do it, or wait to see when the 360 is getting a release and buy it closer to that time when the price may drop again.
I have to admit there hasn't been a great deal going on in the gaming world that isn't next gen related. I know a few things came out but I've really not been that interested, it's pretty much too little too late for me. The only thing I've ordered recently was Guilty Gear XX #Reloaded for the PSP, so I might post some impressions of that when it gets here.
My main motive is to try and post as much info about the Aussie release of the Xbox360. Currently Microsoft seem to have denied us any information regarding the release date and pricing of the unit, and subsequently seem to have placed us low on the list of release candidates. Current speculation is that we will see the unit sometime in early 2006.
If that wasn't bad enough, the current release list for the US and UK are different. Which isn't a big issues, except the main game that I, and many people are interested in "Ridge Racer 6" is missing from the UK list. Now at the moment I'm not getting too worked up about this because by the time we see the unit I'm hoping that RR6 will be a release title for us, only time will tell though.
I'm also currently trying to decide if I should buy a new TV that supports HD. From what I have read it seems that if you play the Xbox360 on a normal TV it just looks like Xbox quality, so a HDTV is a must. I'm just wondering if I should bite the bullet now and do it, or wait to see when the 360 is getting a release and buy it closer to that time when the price may drop again.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Gutted
It’s sort of becoming a regular thing now, that I only post when the WOW servers are down, but there just hasn’t been anything much going on in the way of gaming. Oh, well besides the announcement of pricing for the Xbox360, but shit they didn’t release a price for Australia so at the moment I don’t really care, anything would just be more speculation, and we don’t need anymore of that.
I would give you a review of my new copy of Sonic Gems Collection for the PS2 that rocked up last week, I say “would” because my goddamn PS2 now doesn’t want to read the main part of the disc! I have no idea what the fuck is up with it, it reads the disc, reads the GameGear games on it but refuses to read any of the other games on there and just stops responding, I think the units fucked. I thought about it, and have a few options at my disposal. Either buy a new JPN PS2 at a cost of over $300, bet my PS2 chipped at around $150 or just buy Sonic Gems Collection in PAL for $50, I’m doing last one. I don’t really have any spare cash at the moment to blow out big time. I might just try and pick up a cheap JPN PS2 at some other time, for the moment it can wait and this one will do most things besides read the goddamn game I most want to play.
Oh yeah, I’m also downloading the new F.E.A.R demo, but I’m not sure I’m really going to care.
I would give you a review of my new copy of Sonic Gems Collection for the PS2 that rocked up last week, I say “would” because my goddamn PS2 now doesn’t want to read the main part of the disc! I have no idea what the fuck is up with it, it reads the disc, reads the GameGear games on it but refuses to read any of the other games on there and just stops responding, I think the units fucked. I thought about it, and have a few options at my disposal. Either buy a new JPN PS2 at a cost of over $300, bet my PS2 chipped at around $150 or just buy Sonic Gems Collection in PAL for $50, I’m doing last one. I don’t really have any spare cash at the moment to blow out big time. I might just try and pick up a cheap JPN PS2 at some other time, for the moment it can wait and this one will do most things besides read the goddamn game I most want to play.
Oh yeah, I’m also downloading the new F.E.A.R demo, but I’m not sure I’m really going to care.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
New Mouse = Teh Pwn
Ohh, it's an update and guess what it's not about WOW, because I'm sure everyone is sick of hearing about it. Though I might mention WOW in this post again, but bear with me it's related.
So yesterday I turn on my PC, start up World of Warcraft, do a few things and then mutherfuckin BAM. I'm at my desktop, looking at a critical battery message for my mouse. All I could think was, WTF are you on about, I just put expensive long life batteries in you a week ago. Thinking it might be a error, I fiddled with the batteries, popped 'em back in, check the battery status and it's still critical. Now spending $8 on 4 Duracell Ultra batteries that last a week is just not on.
So yesterday I was in a mood, so just thought I'm buying a new mouse. So I decided to buy the most expensive thing I could. The Logitech MX 1000 is "teh shit". It's their new laser mouse, and goddamn is it smooth. You would think optical is pretty good right, yeah it's not, it's shit. Once you sample one of these things, you are in mouse heaven. Yeah it's expensive, but I didn't pay retail for it, so I don't really care.
Also for gaming this thing absolutely fucking rocks, not lag at all because it uses the new "Fast RF" technology, and because it's laser it's super smooth. Also the main reason I bought it, is that it's cordless however it is rechargeable and has a little bay you drop the mouse into. It's also super comfortable and has many buttons on it, actually I don't want to talk about it anymore. Go now and buy one. If you are still using a corded mouse, shame on you!
So yesterday I turn on my PC, start up World of Warcraft, do a few things and then mutherfuckin BAM. I'm at my desktop, looking at a critical battery message for my mouse. All I could think was, WTF are you on about, I just put expensive long life batteries in you a week ago. Thinking it might be a error, I fiddled with the batteries, popped 'em back in, check the battery status and it's still critical. Now spending $8 on 4 Duracell Ultra batteries that last a week is just not on.
So yesterday I was in a mood, so just thought I'm buying a new mouse. So I decided to buy the most expensive thing I could. The Logitech MX 1000 is "teh shit". It's their new laser mouse, and goddamn is it smooth. You would think optical is pretty good right, yeah it's not, it's shit. Once you sample one of these things, you are in mouse heaven. Yeah it's expensive, but I didn't pay retail for it, so I don't really care.
Also for gaming this thing absolutely fucking rocks, not lag at all because it uses the new "Fast RF" technology, and because it's laser it's super smooth. Also the main reason I bought it, is that it's cordless however it is rechargeable and has a little bay you drop the mouse into. It's also super comfortable and has many buttons on it, actually I don't want to talk about it anymore. Go now and buy one. If you are still using a corded mouse, shame on you!
Sunday, August 14, 2005
I Love A New Addiction
Humble apologies again for the lack of updates. World of Warcraft has just had me in it's grip, and since I don't get a great deal of spare time during the week, I try and squeeze the most I can out of it. I'll try and get back to regular updates from now on though. The only real reason that I'm not playing right now is that I needed to download a few things. The problem with the game is, there is just so much you can do, and you constantly have this "just one more thing" mentality going on, especially when trying to complete a series of quests. I can't believe I thought I might not like WOW.
On a console related note, I ordered Sonic Gems Collection the other day, so hopefully I'll have that next week and can write up some impressions of it. I picked up the PS2 version so I hope it's ok. It's not very expensive, and the PAL version should only be $50 which is a right bargain. Anyways, just hoping that SonicCD has the JPN/EU intro.
On a console related note, I ordered Sonic Gems Collection the other day, so hopefully I'll have that next week and can write up some impressions of it. I picked up the PS2 version so I hope it's ok. It's not very expensive, and the PAL version should only be $50 which is a right bargain. Anyways, just hoping that SonicCD has the JPN/EU intro.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
WOW
Sorry to anyone who likes to read this site on a regular basis, or even every now and then for the lack of updates. The reason for it is that I recently bit the bullet and bought World Of Warcraft. Don't ask me why as I couldn't tell you, I just had the sudden urge to experience it, even though I used to be fairly opposed to paying an monthly fee to play a game. However now that I have broadband and can afford the fees I didn't see a reason not to try it out.
I'd always wondered what the attraction to these games was, especially WOW, and now I know. The massive size of these games is immense and overwhelming. Though the thing that I enjoy most is the commradre, helping other people out and also having people give me a hand when I need it. That's where I think the attraction lies, as well as the gameplay and levelling up characters and questing, it's being able to meet, chat and play with people who enjoy something you do.
Seeing as there are no Australian servers for WOW, I'm playing on one that I have no idea where it is. The pings aren't bad, and you get some lag ever now and then, but so do most people as well.
If you want to meet up with me in the game, my name is Raveous and I'm on the Draenor server.
I'd always wondered what the attraction to these games was, especially WOW, and now I know. The massive size of these games is immense and overwhelming. Though the thing that I enjoy most is the commradre, helping other people out and also having people give me a hand when I need it. That's where I think the attraction lies, as well as the gameplay and levelling up characters and questing, it's being able to meet, chat and play with people who enjoy something you do.
Seeing as there are no Australian servers for WOW, I'm playing on one that I have no idea where it is. The pings aren't bad, and you get some lag ever now and then, but so do most people as well.
If you want to meet up with me in the game, my name is Raveous and I'm on the Draenor server.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Gaming TV
I recently started watching a few of the shows from a cable station in the US called G4TV. I've heard a few people mention that he station is utter tat and that the shows like X-Play are rubbish. Since we can't get the station here in Australia, I decided to torrent a few episodes of X-Play and another show called "Attack Of The Show".
Now I kind of have to agree that X-Play is pretty bad, and there are reasons for this. Morgan Web and Adam Sessler are the hosts of the show. After seeing Morgan Web also host "Attack Of The Show" I think she is pretty cool, and does a decent job. Adam Sessler on the other hand just comes across as a knob and should be associated with anything TV related. The show it's self is a mishmash of gaming news and reviews. They seem to choose really strange game to review at times (Digimon?!), and some of them I have no idea why they bother. If X-Play was on TV it would be something you might watch if it was on, but not really bother to make sure you didn't miss an ep.
However "Attack Of The Show" is a lot more stylish and well done. From the funky intro to the knowledgeable hosts. this show is 40mins of geek news. I try and keep up to date with most things by reading a fair few news sites, but I still pick up decent titbits from the show. The show it's self focuses on pretty much anything geeky or tech. From gaming to internet and the latest cool toys, they have a go at anything. I just wish I could get hold of more episodes because it's a great 40min show, and got some decent humour thrown in thought it.
Now I kind of have to agree that X-Play is pretty bad, and there are reasons for this. Morgan Web and Adam Sessler are the hosts of the show. After seeing Morgan Web also host "Attack Of The Show" I think she is pretty cool, and does a decent job. Adam Sessler on the other hand just comes across as a knob and should be associated with anything TV related. The show it's self is a mishmash of gaming news and reviews. They seem to choose really strange game to review at times (Digimon?!), and some of them I have no idea why they bother. If X-Play was on TV it would be something you might watch if it was on, but not really bother to make sure you didn't miss an ep.
However "Attack Of The Show" is a lot more stylish and well done. From the funky intro to the knowledgeable hosts. this show is 40mins of geek news. I try and keep up to date with most things by reading a fair few news sites, but I still pick up decent titbits from the show. The show it's self focuses on pretty much anything geeky or tech. From gaming to internet and the latest cool toys, they have a go at anything. I just wish I could get hold of more episodes because it's a great 40min show, and got some decent humour thrown in thought it.
Friday, July 29, 2005
We Really Do Love Katamari Damacy
This post was going to be about the new Wipeout Pure Delta Pack 1 that was just released, but since my camera battery is flat and I've just been playing We Love Katamari, it's going to be about the later. More on the Delta Pack in a day or so.
If you played the original Katamari, you know the score. It's an impossibly hard game to explain until you play it, the addiction and fun gained from it are unlike anything else.
Well We Love Katamari, is in all essence just like the original but even more fun, if that's possible. Katamari 2 has many, many more levels this time round, and many or them are themed. The themed levels range from, say rolling a Katamari that is on fire, and keeping it alight by picking up more flammable objects to then light a camp fire. Then there is the one where you have to create the head of a snowman, make a sumo wrestler huge to he smashes his opponent, and even a level where you just collect items and their worth in yen is counted. Some levels don't have a timer on then, while others don't really have a set size for the Katamari. This makes the game a lot more fun and crazy at times, and give is much more diversity than the original. Plus there are so many levels this time, it just seems to have so much variety to it, and they way it's presented and laid out for the player really adds to the experience.
The music is again is light hearted and enjoyable. It's pretty much on par with the music from the original, if not a little more edgy and funky at times. It's suits the game very well and always feels right at home. The graphics also have a very nice clean look to then as well, and the game retains its trademark look. Also all the items are fairly detailed, with most having some strange sound when picked up into the Katamari. I just want to know who decides what a sound a Gnome makes when you pick it up? Crazy.
One nice feature is that if you have a save from the original game, you can import the consolations you created from that save, and then when you use the planet viewer (each Katamari from each level is turned into a planet) you will see your constellations from the original game up in the stars of the background.
When all is said and done, We Love Katamari isn't just "more of the same" it contains a huge amount of content over the original. This is what a sequel should be, it has what made the original so much fun but has added what the fans wanted and expanded the gameplay for a fresh experience.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
We Love Katamari with Bonus
My other order from Play-Asia finally turned yesterday. Judging by the rugged condition of the box, it seems that it may have been lodge somewhere for a while, so good going to the postal service on that one.
Though the box was in a fairly worrisome shape, everything was ok and survived unscathed. Minna Daisuki Katamari Damacy came with a free mobile phone hanger in the shape of the price, which I am well chuffed about since it was something you normally only get if you pre-order. It's a small little thing that flashes but it looks mint.
I ordered some other bits and pieces as well, managed to get Ibuki from SFIII Gashapon which is great. I also ordered another one of those Virtual-On Coin figures, but managed to get the same one, just in a different colour (just my luck), though it still looks great, I just wish I could get hold of the Tamjin one.
I've only played a little of Katamari since I'm been involved with Killer 7, but the first few levels I did play of it are as charming as the first game, if not more so. The game looks a lot cleaner and the music is still really cool, it also lets you select which BGM you want for the current level, I can't tell what is what since it's all in Japanese but it's still a nice touch. I'll post more after a play it a little more tomorrow.
As for Killer 7. Hmmm. I really like the game, just a couple of the mechanics to it get me at times. The way the game navigates can get in the way of enemies at times and results in the enemy getting far too close to you. The utter lack of help at times when facing a new enemy sucks, the game could at least tell you the weak spot because some of them you just have no idea. Also the back tracking when a character dies it fucking horrendous at times, especially if you miss a save spot, the game just goes all the way back to the first point, ugh. It's not too bad, but fuckdamn if I want to be traipsing through a level again to retrieve a body. The game also does become a lot more challenging when there are more enemies on the screen, one hit kills become critical otherwise you are in the shit.
Though the box was in a fairly worrisome shape, everything was ok and survived unscathed. Minna Daisuki Katamari Damacy came with a free mobile phone hanger in the shape of the price, which I am well chuffed about since it was something you normally only get if you pre-order. It's a small little thing that flashes but it looks mint.
I ordered some other bits and pieces as well, managed to get Ibuki from SFIII Gashapon which is great. I also ordered another one of those Virtual-On Coin figures, but managed to get the same one, just in a different colour (just my luck), though it still looks great, I just wish I could get hold of the Tamjin one.
I've only played a little of Katamari since I'm been involved with Killer 7, but the first few levels I did play of it are as charming as the first game, if not more so. The game looks a lot cleaner and the music is still really cool, it also lets you select which BGM you want for the current level, I can't tell what is what since it's all in Japanese but it's still a nice touch. I'll post more after a play it a little more tomorrow.
As for Killer 7. Hmmm. I really like the game, just a couple of the mechanics to it get me at times. The way the game navigates can get in the way of enemies at times and results in the enemy getting far too close to you. The utter lack of help at times when facing a new enemy sucks, the game could at least tell you the weak spot because some of them you just have no idea. Also the back tracking when a character dies it fucking horrendous at times, especially if you miss a save spot, the game just goes all the way back to the first point, ugh. It's not too bad, but fuckdamn if I want to be traipsing through a level again to retrieve a body. The game also does become a lot more challenging when there are more enemies on the screen, one hit kills become critical otherwise you are in the shit.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Bloody Madness
Killer 7 finally turned up today, so with the limited time I had tonight I played through the first chapter of it, which strangely enough took me longer that I thought it would. Killer 7, if you haven't been following it, is a very hard game to explain, and not just the bloody weird story that's just utterly bizarre. They gameplay is a splice between an action game on rails and a FPS. I say on "rails" because you cant just run any where you want, you follow a path, which in all essence most action game force upon you anyway. You can still go back and forth and choose paths and such, its just the you run along a line basically. Anyway it makes the game better, you do get lost or end up in stupid situations that annoy you.
Apart from the action, the game likes to throw a fair few puzzles at you, which you need to solve with different characters or objects. Once you get the hang on it, it's a piece of cake, though when I started all I could think of was "what the fuck do you want from me here". Though it's easy enough, same with the gameplay, once you get the hang of it it's great fun. From what I've played it's not hard, but then it was only the first chapter.
Having the choice to use different characters is great, as some are just more fun to use, or just feel better for a given situation. I can't really see why anyone would want to bitch about the game. It's got such great visual style, and some wicked audio throw about at random times. It's the kind of game which compels you to play it, and you just want to see what strange shit it has in store for you next.
Though I will say I don't know if picking up the PS2 version was such a hot idea, my two reason for getting the PS2 version were, it was $60 and my PS2 is hooked up to my surround sound system, unlike my Gamecube. The problem is with the PS2 version, the loading times seem to be a bit shit. They seem to take longer than they probably should, and I've heard that the GC version does have shorter loads times. When I say load time, I mean when you go from one area to another. Some times its just a fucking annoyance to walk back and forth because of it. The other is the is some bloody awful slow down. I've only seen it a couple of times, but fuck me that's enough. When there are say four enemies on screen, and you hit one in the sweet spot which triggers the bloody explosion effect, that's where the slow down is. I won't say it doesn't effect the gameplay, but it's still there. Still it's great fun, at least check it out for maybe a rental as it might not be to everyone's taste.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Nostalgic Ads
Nothing from Play-Asia turned up on Friday, leaving me to believe it some kind of worldwide conspiracy to stop me from playing the sequel to Katamari Damashi. Or it may just be that customs is now totally paranoid about packages and such, thus keeping my packaged for undetermined amount of time. Either way, nothing has ever taken over 2 week to get to me from Hong Kong, so it's very strange indeed.
I've had a bout of nostalgia for the past few days, and decided to quench it tonight by watching some old video game commercials. If you have never seen the sites that play host to these kind of things, I suggest that you check out, Video Game Ads for a sources of game ads from many countries and for many consoles. If you more of a Sega fan however, you would be best checking out this site for their excellent selection of all ads Sega.
It's great to go back and see some of those ads, one of my favs being this one for NiGHTS on the Saturn, where they proceed to drop an Playstation of the top of a building. It's such great brand assassination, which today I would really doubt you would get away with, but back in the day when Sega was still on top it was great.
After checking out some of the ads for the SegaCD it's no wonder that it didn't sell well, they are just so uninspiring. I actually on ever remember one SegaCD ad that I saw in a cinema once, I don't think it showed any game play, from memory it was one of those teaser ads which left you wanting more. Was really cool at the time, seeing a console advertised in the cinema. Though I will say that the Sonic CD is very cool, I always get a buzz out of seeing it. Though Sega really did focus way too much on the whole FMV thing with the SegaCD, which is a shame because it was probably the most bland area of the console.
It's kind of strange these days though with ads on TV, I rarely see any. Sony used to put out quite a lot back in the PSX days, especially with things like Final Fantasy and Gran Turismo. Recently though I've only seen a few Nintendo ones, and they were from Gameboy games if I recall correctly. Though Sony did show some Gran Turismo 4 ads, though I only saw those during either the WRC or Formula 1 coverage, which is right for demographic, if a little limited to coverage.
Though when I come to think of it, I did see an ad for Tekken 5 recently, and also some for Ratchet and Clank 3 a while ago. So there are a few everyone and then, just not so many as there have been in the past.
I've had a bout of nostalgia for the past few days, and decided to quench it tonight by watching some old video game commercials. If you have never seen the sites that play host to these kind of things, I suggest that you check out, Video Game Ads for a sources of game ads from many countries and for many consoles. If you more of a Sega fan however, you would be best checking out this site for their excellent selection of all ads Sega.
It's great to go back and see some of those ads, one of my favs being this one for NiGHTS on the Saturn, where they proceed to drop an Playstation of the top of a building. It's such great brand assassination, which today I would really doubt you would get away with, but back in the day when Sega was still on top it was great.
After checking out some of the ads for the SegaCD it's no wonder that it didn't sell well, they are just so uninspiring. I actually on ever remember one SegaCD ad that I saw in a cinema once, I don't think it showed any game play, from memory it was one of those teaser ads which left you wanting more. Was really cool at the time, seeing a console advertised in the cinema. Though I will say that the Sonic CD is very cool, I always get a buzz out of seeing it. Though Sega really did focus way too much on the whole FMV thing with the SegaCD, which is a shame because it was probably the most bland area of the console.
It's kind of strange these days though with ads on TV, I rarely see any. Sony used to put out quite a lot back in the PSX days, especially with things like Final Fantasy and Gran Turismo. Recently though I've only seen a few Nintendo ones, and they were from Gameboy games if I recall correctly. Though Sony did show some Gran Turismo 4 ads, though I only saw those during either the WRC or Formula 1 coverage, which is right for demographic, if a little limited to coverage.
Though when I come to think of it, I did see an ad for Tekken 5 recently, and also some for Ratchet and Clank 3 a while ago. So there are a few everyone and then, just not so many as there have been in the past.
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