Monday notes . . .

- I picked up Mafia II this weekend.  I've only played for about an hour so far.  Technically, the game is great.  Very nice visuals, great period music, fantastic voice-acting, etc.  The game starts off a bit slow, so I haven't done much yet.

 

- I'm trying to enjoy Madden, but the secondary play seems pretty busted right now and I don't think sliders will fix it.  It needs to be addressed via patch.  Corners and safeties just do some really stupid things right now and let receivers run by them and they react very slowly to turning up field.  It is making the game almost unplayable because of the frustration the follows one of these bone-headed plays.

 

I'm also seeing a lot of long drives.  I like long drives, occasionally, but it seems like both me and the CPU are constantly putting up 11+ play drives.  I don't see very many three and outs.

 

Special teams blocking is also non-existent.  The middle kick-off return is the only play that provides any sort of blocking.  Choosing left or right present you with a wall of defenders rushing at you without a single teammate between you and them.

 

Punt return blocking looks like it would work if only your stupid teammates would TURN AROUND to block the approaching defenders.  Your teammates just stare at you until you catch the ball, and then decide to turn around to see who they can block.  Too bad by then the defenders already ran past them and are pile driving you to the ground.

 

I still see plenty of potential for a great game of football if some of these issues can be addressed via patch.

 

- I have a Wii in my possession, along with a copy of Zelda: Twilight Princess.  A very special thanks to my friend who let me borrow this.  The only problem is I've had it in my house for about two weeks and I have yet to take it out of the box.  I've been dying to play Twilight Princess since the day it was announced.  I almost bought it for the Gamecube.  And now that I have it, it is just sitting there, waiting.

 

I think it has to do with two factors.  a) I'm terrified of how horrid this thing is going to look hooked up to my HDTV.  I only have regular RCA cables for it, no s-video or component, and I'm afraid my eyes will bleed.  b) I'm actually dreading pulling my entertainment center forward to try and connect this thing.  I'm going to have to mess around with a lot of cables back there.

 

- Last gaming note, I began playing through the original Bioshock again.  Not sure why.  Probably because of the announcement of Bioshock: Infinite.  I should have just picked up Bioshock 2 instead, to at least be playing something new.  This is my third time through the game and I've been enjoying it.  A lot of the original magic is gone, but it is still a very good game.  I probably won't finish this play through though, now that I picked up Mafia II

 

Getting things done . . .

I was off work last Thursday and Friday and I did something I hadn't done in a while.  Beat some games!

 

I managed to finally finish God of War III, Assassin's Creed II and Red Dead: Redemption.  Man, it felt great to get those wrapped up.  I was seriously procrastinating when it came to finishing games that I started.

 

I also attempted to get back into GTA IV, since i just wrapped up RDR and figured both games controlled and played similar enough for me to jump back into it.  But I quickly realized why I had stopped GTA in the first place.  I'm stuck in a very annoying mission, that forces you to restart from the very beginning when you die, making you replay a lot of really long and boring driving sections over and over.  I don't think I am ever going to finish this one.

 

And then there is Heavy Rain, which for some reason I have ZERO desire to get back to.  Yet I am very curious how the game will end.

 

I'm also very tempted to pick up Madden today.  And knowing me, that means I will own it before the day is up.  I also would like to dedicate some serious time to Backbreaker now that the patch is out.  I've yet to really get into that game, but I really want to.  It does a lot of things really well, I just have to overcome my own pre-conceived notions of how a football video game should play, since it plays so different from what we are used to that your initial reaction is to just give up and go back to what you are comfortable.  But I am positive that if I can get over that hump and learning curve, that a pretty fantastic football experience awaits.

 

Chiming in

I've been playing Red Dead Redemption for a few days now when I've had a chance.  The game is excellent.  The visuals are amazing, the voice acting and motion-capture for cutscenes are top-of-the-line, and the Rage engine and animations never get old.  Is it GTA in the Old West?  Basically, but the setting and gameplay are just different enough to give the game its own feel.

 

The game world is absolutely HUGE and if you do not enjoy riding on horseback for long periods of time you might get bored.  Sure, you have other quick travel options, but I personally think riding there yourself is the way to go.  I enjoy taking in the scenery and partaking in some of the many random events that occur on your way to your destination (random strangers needing help, spotting a wild animal you might want as a trophy, spotting some rare plants to collect, or just coming across a cool undiscovered area).

 

Aside from random glitches and some areas that could use more polish, the game is a top GotY candidate, neck in neck with Mass Effect 2 right now.

 

I also tried out the Backbreaker demo, and while I do have my issues with the camera angle, I appreciate what the game is trying to do and it peaked my interest enough to pretty much guarantee a purchase from me.  Backbreaker looks to really change up the way we play videogame football.  I have my reservations about the passing game with the camera the way it is, but lets see if it grows on me.

 

On a final note, I love me Camaro!!!!

 

And she's here . . .

Halo: Reach Beta Impressions . . .

I've been playing the Beta the last two nights.  Some quick impressions:

 

The visuals are definitely improved.  It might be hard to notice immediately, but play some of the Beta and then pop in Halo 3 and you will notice.

 

Gameplay still feels like Halo and it didn't take me long to adjust to the slight control changes (reload is back to the 'X' button, RB is now melee, and the LB is for your special ability).

 

While I've found some enjoyment with the Beta, for the most part I just can't stand Halo multiplayer.  It is just not for me.  After playing CoD, I find it very hard to go back to the way Halo does things, with enemies requiring far too many shots to kill (unless using some of the more powerful weapons), and weapons being very unbalanced.  And Reach is similar enough that all my problems with the way Halo plays online carries over.  I believe I've covered these in the past, but I'll cover them again. 

 

- Success in Halo depends way too much on what weapon you have.  If you (or your team) control the weapons on the map you have a significant advantage over your opponents.

 

- The default weapons are FAR too weak (assault rifle and pistol).  This goes back to my point above.  So you are pretty ineffective and at a severe disadvantage when you respawn.  I much prefer CoD's system of each player being able to choose their weapon loadout, and the fact that all weapons are balanced to the point that one does not have an advantage over another. 

 

- I just don't enjoy the circle and spray combat Halo seems to require.  Here is a typical "encounter" with another opponent, lets say with the default assault rifle.  You turn a corner, you and your opponent see each other, you both hold down the trigger and unload your ENTIRE clip as you circle each other, and if you are both still alive at this point (now with depleted shields and low health), you close in to try and bash them with a melee attack.

 

A variation to the above scenario is first throwing a grenade at each other if you are far enough away, and then unloading your entire clip into each other.

 

What then usually happens is that whoever won that battle, is now shieldless, with no energy, reloading their weapon and another opponent shows up and shoots you once and you die.

 

- Going back to how pathetically weak the assault rifle is, here's a scenario.  In CoD, if you find yourself behind two enemies who do not know you are there (lets say they are 20 feet away), you can easily kill them both with your weapon, as you should.  Maybe the second guy will have time to turn around and get a few shots off, but you got them (as long as you don't suck.)  Yeah, this won't happen in Halo.  Engaging two enemies at one time when you have your default weapon is a suicide mission.  Even when you have the clear element of surprise.  Since it will basically take your entire clip to kill the first player, the second will easily be able to turn around and dispatch you.

 

Alright Halo fanboys, relax, I am not hating on Halo multiplayer.  I am not saying it "sucks", just that it is not my style.  If you are one of the millions that enjoy the way Halo plays, with weapon pick-ups, shields, lots of grenade throwing and punching, that is cool.  The game controls extremely well, the maps are great, and it can be fun, but I just can't get into it on a consistent basis.  After a few matches I find myself longing for CoD.

 

That being said, I will definitely be buying Reach, because I am a HUGE fan of Halo single-player.

 

Anyway, those are my two-cents on the Beta.  I'll continue to give it a try, who knows, maybe I'll adapt, but right now it just seems like more of the same with only slight tweaks to the formula.

 

Thursday notes . . .

Again, not much going on gaming-wise. Looks like my new "thing" is to not finish any games I start. The latest casualties being God of War III and Heavy Rain. I was really into GoW, made it to the final boss, died a few times, and have since lost interest. I never fully got into Heavy Rain. It is an interesting game, but I can't really say it is a "fun" game. I hope to beat it eventually, if I ever get the urge to go back to it.

When I have decided to game lately I've been playing Forza III and Red Faction: Guerilla. Both are great games , yet I'm just not feeling gaming at the moment.

And I am actually glad. I'm getting more things done and enjoying my nights more now that I don't get home from work and sit in front of my couch for hours playing a game. Time flies when you are engulfed in a good game, and it is never a good feeling when you look at the clock, realize you just spent your entire night playing a game, and you now have to take a shower and go to bed because you have work the next day.

So, I hope to stay in this zone for a while. I don't anticipate any game coming out soon that will suck me back in. I haven't picked up Splinter Cell: Conviction yet (and don't feel the need to) and the only other game I want that is coming out soon is Red Dead Redemption. I'm not even that excited about the Halo: Reach Beta.

But I'll tell you what I am excited for. My damn Camaro. My VW Golf is hanging on by a thin thread and if my new ride doesn't get here soon I may be without a car for a while. So, I need it to get here for practical reasons, but I also need it to get here because the anticipation is killing!

In movie news, I saw Kick-Ass this weekend and loved it. Man, the movie caught me by surprise. I didn't expect it to be as violent and gory as it was. And I also didn't expect it to be as serious at times too. Plenty of funny, over the top moments, but the movie can be pretty brutal at times, leaving the viewer not sure if they should be laughing or shocked. But it was great overall.

Chiming in . . .

Not much going on in the gaming front.  For the past week the only gaming I have done are occasional matches of MW2, in which I have been doing average at best.

 

I haven't played Heavy Rain in over a week.  I was enjoying the game for the most part, then I got to one section that was getting a little annoying (have to hold down a ton of buttons at one time) and I turned it off.  Now, whenever I think about playing the game I remember that section that I am currently in and I decide not to play.  Hopefully I'll get back into it soon since I want to at least beat the game, yet at the moment I am not interested.

 

God of War III comes out today and I am definitely looking forward to that.  My schedule is hectic this week however so I won't be able to pick it up until Thursday the earliest.

 

That's about it.  The only other thing going on is that I am in the process of buying a new car.  My 2001 Golf has reached the point where the repairs it needs costs more than the value of the car.  So, its time is limited.  I have also completely fallen in love with the new Chevy Camaro and even if my Golf was in tip-top shape (which its not) I'd be looking to get rid of it anyway.

 

I've been researching the Camaro for a few months now and I am shopping around for a deal.  That seems to be taking up a lot of time.  I think I am spending more time on car sites these days than gaming sites.  I simply CAN'T WAIT to finally (hopefully) get this car.

 

Fingers are crossed.