Resistance: Fall of Man was hands down the best launch title for the PS3, and it was a very good game in its own right. The campaign was strong enough, the weapons were varied and interesting, and it brought 40 player online multiplayer to the package. Resistance 2 takes everything the previous game did and improves on it in every way.
Graphically speaking, Resistance 2 is very solid, but definitely not a top-tier showcase for this gen. The guns look very realistic, the character models are decent enough, but the graphics don't jump out at you on a consistent basis. The sense of scale however, both with the bosses and the world overall (check out the Chimeran ships in the background, or how the bosses interact with the environment for example) is quite incredible, even revolutionary in some ways.
The gameplay in Resistance is much improved from the first game: Insomniac based the controls on COD4 while staying with each weapon having a secondary fire ability. The action only slows down enough to let you catch your breath here and there, and the weapons are where the game truly shines. The Auger, with it's ability to shoot though solid objects, and then Fareye, a sniper-rifle that allows you to slow down time for limited periods, are my person favorites. Insomniac even managed to make a pistol, the Magnum with it's exploding secondary fire, not only an interesting weapon, but also one of the most useful.
Story-wise, Resistance 2 doesn't disappoint either. It's a bit challenging to understand exactly what is going on, but after playing through the game twice I understand that is intentional. You are meant to find the hidden "Intel" throughout the game, and Insomniac even has several clever websites that are used to fill in some gaps. The main character, Nathan Hale, is much more likable this time around (he talks for one) and the other soldiers are as well. I was very glad that they dumped the British female narrator, as she was difficult to understand and slowed down the pacing of the game. The most interesting part of the story to me is it's setting: 1950's USA reeling from an alien "invasion". There are several radios scattered through the levels and the radio voice does a great job providing a sense of time and creates a sense for the nearly hopeless atmoshpere. One thing that is left out this time is the campaign co-op mode (split screen for the first game), but this mitigated by the outstanding multiplayer options. The other notable exception is the lack of vehicles in the gameplay, but the action is so tight and immersive you don't really miss it (you do shoot out of some moving vehicles here and there however).
Competitive multiplayer is absolutely crazy. This game handles 60 player online multiplayer. The most fun though, is playing ranked games because you gain XP. XP works in different ways, most notably granting you additional "berserks" (a version of COD4's Perks). There are several modes: Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Skirmish, a version of Capture the Flag, and a version of Attack and Defend.
Cooperative multiplayer is crazy addictive. Up to 8 players can play simultaneously, and there are several missions. Perhaps the best part about the game though is the class system and how each class benefits the others. There are three classes: soldier, medic, and special ops. The soldiers have shields that shield themselves and there teammates, medics drain the hit points from the enemy and heal their teammates, and special ops provide additional ammo for both parties. Each class provides a very different gaming experience, and each one has different abilities that you unlock while leveling up. I usually hate playing as the passive, assistance-focused classes, the the Medics are actually my favorite class to play in this game. This mode also adds to the story as there are pieces of info provided as you play this mode as well.
All three modes tie in together because all three provide XP that help increase you're overall rank. Insomniac even created a pretty robust community at myresistance.net to view your stats as well as those of others. In fact, this is probably the most community focused game on the PS3, maybe even this generation.
Overall, Resistance 2 is a phenomenal game, and an absolute must buy for any PS3 owner. It's been the most enjoyable game I've played yet this holiday season. I'm on my 3rd time through the Campaign (I'm trying out Superhuman difficulty which is the hardest) and it never gets old. Cooperative multiplayer has me hooked: it's beyond addictive, and is this years COD4 in that sense for me.
Score: 9.5/10
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Review: Gears of War 2
Making the sequel to the game that truly kicked off this console generation must be a daunting task. Gears 2 was supposed to be bigger with an improved story. They got half of that right.
Nearly everything about Gears is bigger: number of soldiers, number of locusts, online multiplayer (albiet only slightly). Even the graphics are better, although contrary to many opinions, this isn't the best looking console game yet (that title is still held by MGS4), but the game still looks outstanding.
Gameplay is nearly identical. There are a view more "vehicle" sequences, all of which are great fun. The cover mechanics haven't changed one bit, and they don't really need to. I always felt like Gears of War needed some additional weapons and Epic didn't disappoint there: the Mulcher, Scorcher, Mortar, and the new handgun are all fun to use and add to the gameplay. The difficulty is toned down at least one level (Insane feels like Hardcore from the first game), and the co-op is still fantastic. On a bad note, the game is buggy as hell. You'll notice several items floating in the air, and the friendly AI is often terrible (I had to melee Dom a few times to get him out of my way so I could continue on during one level).
Epic convinced me of two things with Gears of War: they are the kings of testerone-filled Sci-fi shooters and they absolutely have no clue how to create a video game story. Sure, we learn a bit more about the locust. Yes, they introduce a very cool new boss character. Overall thought, the story and gameplay feel extremely uneven: the gameplay is fast and intense while the story moves at a snails pace. The great love story that was advertised is barely even noticeable. It affects Dom for all of 30 seconds and then it's like it never occured at all. Even the end boss fight and end of the game felt forced and rushed. It was actually kind of a rip-off in many respects. I felt like "Are you kidding me? That was the end boss? That's the end of the game?" The last two Chapters actually got me excited to learn more, but the ending doesn't come through at all. At this pace Epic will take 10 games to tell a story that should only take one game.
Multiplayer is a bit more interesting than the first game. Rather than 4 on 4 it's now 5 on 5 (which in 2008 is still ridiculously behind the times, but the Unreal Engine can only handle so many character models and it does look incredible). I really don't see much reason to play these modes anyway though because of perhaps the best new addition Epic made: Horde mode. There are 50 waves of 5-player co-op where you have to eliminate tons of enemies. It's definitely the most addicting part of the game.
Overall, Gears 2 is an absolute must play, but the story issue, bugs, and lack of very interesting multiplayer keep it from being a true Game of the Year contender.
Score: 9.0/10
Nearly everything about Gears is bigger: number of soldiers, number of locusts, online multiplayer (albiet only slightly). Even the graphics are better, although contrary to many opinions, this isn't the best looking console game yet (that title is still held by MGS4), but the game still looks outstanding.
Gameplay is nearly identical. There are a view more "vehicle" sequences, all of which are great fun. The cover mechanics haven't changed one bit, and they don't really need to. I always felt like Gears of War needed some additional weapons and Epic didn't disappoint there: the Mulcher, Scorcher, Mortar, and the new handgun are all fun to use and add to the gameplay. The difficulty is toned down at least one level (Insane feels like Hardcore from the first game), and the co-op is still fantastic. On a bad note, the game is buggy as hell. You'll notice several items floating in the air, and the friendly AI is often terrible (I had to melee Dom a few times to get him out of my way so I could continue on during one level).
Epic convinced me of two things with Gears of War: they are the kings of testerone-filled Sci-fi shooters and they absolutely have no clue how to create a video game story. Sure, we learn a bit more about the locust. Yes, they introduce a very cool new boss character. Overall thought, the story and gameplay feel extremely uneven: the gameplay is fast and intense while the story moves at a snails pace. The great love story that was advertised is barely even noticeable. It affects Dom for all of 30 seconds and then it's like it never occured at all. Even the end boss fight and end of the game felt forced and rushed. It was actually kind of a rip-off in many respects. I felt like "Are you kidding me? That was the end boss? That's the end of the game?" The last two Chapters actually got me excited to learn more, but the ending doesn't come through at all. At this pace Epic will take 10 games to tell a story that should only take one game.
Multiplayer is a bit more interesting than the first game. Rather than 4 on 4 it's now 5 on 5 (which in 2008 is still ridiculously behind the times, but the Unreal Engine can only handle so many character models and it does look incredible). I really don't see much reason to play these modes anyway though because of perhaps the best new addition Epic made: Horde mode. There are 50 waves of 5-player co-op where you have to eliminate tons of enemies. It's definitely the most addicting part of the game.
Overall, Gears 2 is an absolute must play, but the story issue, bugs, and lack of very interesting multiplayer keep it from being a true Game of the Year contender.
Score: 9.0/10
Thoughts: Xbox Live vs. PSN
Okay, last night marked the 3rd time in the last few weeks the Xbox live has had issues. Then I check my gamertag today (which isn't there), shoot over to Major Nelson's website and, low and behold "the team is aware of the issues." Major, you seem like a pretty good guy, and by all accounts you are, but if I see that quote one more time in 2008 I'm going to send my fist through my computer screen.
I love the NXE, everything about it is better than that clunky god-awful blade setup, and I really like my 360 for the most part. Yet, Live is supposed to be the main reason for owning a 360. It's supposed to be the creme de la creme of console online. Than why is it that I'm paying $50/year for this service that is down on a consistent basis? Because my friends are too stubborn to see the light and buy PS3's, that's why.
Yep, that's right, PSN is working just fine. In fact, PSN is NEVER down: certain game servers have issues now and then (see last months Socom and LittleBigPlanet's releases), but PSN as a whole is only ever down for maintenance. This is where Sony's online service method is superior than Microsofts: it's already catching up in functionality, it's free, and a helluva lot more reliable.
Dang people, get on the bus already.
I love the NXE, everything about it is better than that clunky god-awful blade setup, and I really like my 360 for the most part. Yet, Live is supposed to be the main reason for owning a 360. It's supposed to be the creme de la creme of console online. Than why is it that I'm paying $50/year for this service that is down on a consistent basis? Because my friends are too stubborn to see the light and buy PS3's, that's why.
Yep, that's right, PSN is working just fine. In fact, PSN is NEVER down: certain game servers have issues now and then (see last months Socom and LittleBigPlanet's releases), but PSN as a whole is only ever down for maintenance. This is where Sony's online service method is superior than Microsofts: it's already catching up in functionality, it's free, and a helluva lot more reliable.
Dang people, get on the bus already.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Review: The Orange Box
This one is a bit of a toughy: not only are their five games included in one, but most reviewers took overall value into consideration when the reviewed this a year ago. My reviews aren't based on value: it's all about prioritization and which games you should make the most effort to play. I'll break down each game and give an overall impression and score.
Half Life 2: This one starts slow, but I can definitely tell why this is considered to be one of the best games of all time. The lack of uncontrolled cinematics (the story telling is entirely done in game with you moving around and interacting as you wish) and the overall pacing are things that Valve has absolutely perfected. The gravity gun is one of the most innovated weapons in gaming history, and the last level more than makes up for the slow start in the beginning.
Score: 9.0/10
Half Life 2: Episode 1
This improves on some things a bit-there's more of an emphasis on action and the control feels a bit tighter. I think the shorter game makes for a more focused emphasis on action. It's not necessarily a better game than it's predecessor, but it moves much more quickly.
Score: 9.0/10
Half Life 2: Episode 2
Valve really starts to hit it's stride here. This one's a bit longer than Episode 1, but it keeps the action moving right along, and the story stays strong the whole way through. The kicker though is that the ending will have you really looking forward to Episode 3.
Score: 9.0/10
Portal
Portal was everyone's darling last year. A couple sites even had this as their Game of the Year. It shouldn't have been. Valve does some pretty cool things here: fun first person puzzle game, mind-bending puzzles, cool use of two portal guns, funny antogonist, and the interesting application of in-game physics. It's just not a must-play level of game for me.
Score 8.5/10
Team Fortress 2
I can see the appeal for this for some as it goes in a much different direction than most multiplayer games: cartoonish look, goofy animations, etc. Most of the different character classes are fun, but there just isn't enough here to make me want to play this more than a few times. This is the weak link of the bunch.
Score 7.5/10
Overall-The Orange Box
The Orange Box is really about getting console gamers up to speed with the Half Life 2 games and the overall universe, and it successfully converted me to a fan. All three games are must-plays in my opinion. Portal will provide a week of etertainment value, but there really isn't a reason to want more than that (either additional gameplay or a sequel). It comes across as exactly what it is: a well designed and innovative extra for a pack of Half Life 2 games. Finally, Team Fortress 2 is decent multiplayer game thrown in for just that: a multiplayer experience. The other games have no multiplayer or co-op option at all. The overall package is one that PC and 360 owners shouldn't miss, mostly on the strength of the Half Life 2 games, but the others to fill in the gaps nicely.
Overall Score: 9.0/10
Half Life 2: This one starts slow, but I can definitely tell why this is considered to be one of the best games of all time. The lack of uncontrolled cinematics (the story telling is entirely done in game with you moving around and interacting as you wish) and the overall pacing are things that Valve has absolutely perfected. The gravity gun is one of the most innovated weapons in gaming history, and the last level more than makes up for the slow start in the beginning.
Score: 9.0/10
Half Life 2: Episode 1
This improves on some things a bit-there's more of an emphasis on action and the control feels a bit tighter. I think the shorter game makes for a more focused emphasis on action. It's not necessarily a better game than it's predecessor, but it moves much more quickly.
Score: 9.0/10
Half Life 2: Episode 2
Valve really starts to hit it's stride here. This one's a bit longer than Episode 1, but it keeps the action moving right along, and the story stays strong the whole way through. The kicker though is that the ending will have you really looking forward to Episode 3.
Score: 9.0/10
Portal
Portal was everyone's darling last year. A couple sites even had this as their Game of the Year. It shouldn't have been. Valve does some pretty cool things here: fun first person puzzle game, mind-bending puzzles, cool use of two portal guns, funny antogonist, and the interesting application of in-game physics. It's just not a must-play level of game for me.
Score 8.5/10
Team Fortress 2
I can see the appeal for this for some as it goes in a much different direction than most multiplayer games: cartoonish look, goofy animations, etc. Most of the different character classes are fun, but there just isn't enough here to make me want to play this more than a few times. This is the weak link of the bunch.
Score 7.5/10
Overall-The Orange Box
The Orange Box is really about getting console gamers up to speed with the Half Life 2 games and the overall universe, and it successfully converted me to a fan. All three games are must-plays in my opinion. Portal will provide a week of etertainment value, but there really isn't a reason to want more than that (either additional gameplay or a sequel). It comes across as exactly what it is: a well designed and innovative extra for a pack of Half Life 2 games. Finally, Team Fortress 2 is decent multiplayer game thrown in for just that: a multiplayer experience. The other games have no multiplayer or co-op option at all. The overall package is one that PC and 360 owners shouldn't miss, mostly on the strength of the Half Life 2 games, but the others to fill in the gaps nicely.
Overall Score: 9.0/10
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