It's that time of the year again: E3 2010, the biggest video game expo of the year. Today marks day 1 of the festivities, with Microsoft, EA, and Ubisoft holding their conferences. I wasn't there of course, but I have read the news and watched the streams, and I'll get you all up to speed on what happened during the first day of E3 '10, and offer my thoughts on the proceedings so far. We'll start with:
Microsoft:
Microsoft's conference set the tone for the first day of conferences, and that tone was not a good one for people more interested in games than hardware. The star of the show was Kinect, formerly known as Project Natal, the motion controller for the Xbox 360 that uses a camera to read the player's moves and mimics them on-screen. Kinect demos took up a big chunk of MS's conference, but the games on display did not impress, looking like little more than imitations of Wii Sports and Mario Kart. MS's announced that Kinect would be available come November, but have yet to give it a price tag. Rumors have set it at around $150-$180, which is a lot for a piece of hardware with no must-have games in the works. For that price I could buy a used Wii. MS also announced that they had signed a multi-year deal with Activision that will give early access to future Call of Duty map packs to 360 owners. A nice boon to 360 owners, I guess, but I don't really see the point. I can't see someone buying a new Xbox just to get a CoD: Black Ops map pack two weeks earlier.
Only a handful of non-Kinect games were shown, including co-op gameplay for Gears of War 3, Fable 3, Halo Reach, and Metal Gear Solid: Rising. The most talked-about of the three, Rising, an action game MGS spin-off starring cyber-ninjafied Raiden, debuted at last year's E3, and showed up this year with a much-buzzed about gameplay trailer. The cutting mechanic looks really cool, but it remains to be seen if there is substance to match the style. Microsoft closed the show with one last major announcement: A new "Xbox Slim" 360 bundle. For $300, the same price as a current Elite bundle, the new Slim is quieter, smaller, has a bigger hard drive, and comes with built-in Wi-Fi (wireless adapters for older models cost an insane $100). It hasn't been confirmed if the new model still has the ethernet port, but if it does, the new Slim model is a very attractive option and, for me, the biggest announcement of Microsoft's press conference.
Final Thoughts: A big, fat scoop of meh. Microsoft's conference placed an undue degree of emphasis on Kinect, with too little focus on games, ostensibly the entire point of E3. Kinect has potential, but the current crop of games only squander it. While Rising looks great, the rest of the games on display just weren't enough to carry the show.
EA:
Oh look, games. Yes, after Microsoft's dismal show, EA stepped up to actually show games. Mostly. Their conference started with the reveal of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, a new NFS developed by Criterion, creators of the Burnout series. The developer and franchise are a perfect fit for each other, so this may be exactly what the NFS series needs to become relevant again. Next up is Dead Space 2, and boy does this footage look great. The first Dead Space was a very solid horror/action game, and the sequel looks to be on the right track. There was a 24-player multiplayer demo for Medal of Honor, which looked scarily similar to Call of Duty 4. That's not necessarily a bad thing. The beta begins in a week on June 21, so we won't have to wait long to sample the gameplay.
There was a lot of EA Sports stuff, including EA MMA (which includes a neat feature that allows players to upload videos of them talking smack to their opponents before having a fight that is broadcast to other players on consoles and through the internet) and Madden 2011, which claims to simplify and shorten games while adding more depth to them. Sounds like a paradox to me, but we'll see. There was a weird, rambling speech on the nature of playing god in The Sims 3 or something, which I honestly tuned out completely. The Sims 3 is coming to the PS3 and 360, whatever. Crysis 2 and Bulletstorm were demoed. Crysis just looks like a very generic FPS, but a pretty one (and in 3D). Bulletstorm has a cool, arcadey, way-over-the-top style, but the main character's constant corny one-liners were almost unbearable. Finally, there was a new CG trailer for BioWare's Star Wars MMO The Old Republic, which looked amazing. No gameplay footage, and only a passing mention of the PVP element of the game but, jeez, just look at that trailer!
Final Thoughts: Some solid games on display. Dead Space 2 looks fantastic, EA MMA and Medal of Honor are promising, Crysis 2 and Bulletstorm are a bit meh, and The Old Republic gets cool trailers. The lack of Dragon Age or Mass Effect is disappointing, though.
Ubisoft:
Not a lot to see here. The announcement of a Laser Tag game that requires hardware that will probably cost an obscene amount. Rayman Origins, a 2D sidescrolling platformer that goes back to the series' roots. A new Ghost Recon, a trailer for Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (essentially AC2.5 featuring multiplayer), a new Driver game, and, uh, Michael Jackson: The Game. Really.
Final Thoughts: Rayman Origins will likely be worthwhile, and everybody loves Assassin's Creed. Everything else? MEH.
So What's Next?
Tomorrow wraps up the "Big 3's" conferences, with shows presented by Nintendo and Sony. Nintendo will certainly be showing off the rumored 3DS, their new handheld that is speculated to feature gaming in 3D. There will also be footage of the upcoming Metroid: Other M and the new Wii Zelda, as well as some info on the new Golden Sun for the DS that was announced at E3 '09. Sony will be demoing the Move, there own motion controller. One can only hope it proves more impressive than Microsoft's Kinect. Sony has already announced several major exclusives, including Killzone 3, InFamous 2, and LittleBigPlanet 2, leaving many to wonder what else they'll have in store for their conference. I'm guessing there will be some info on the new PSP God of War game Ghost of Sparta, and The Last Guardian, the new game from the creator of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. The announcement of a Team Ico collection has also been rumored. We'll see tomorrow.
Stay tuned.
~Nick
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Review: Red Dead Redemption
“This is America, where a lying, cheating degenerate can prosper.”
The Wild West. It's a setting that conjures images of roving bands of outlaws on horses, wide-open prairies, saloons with player pianos, and duels to the death at high noon. And yet despite it's allure and despite the fact that it has been a staple of movies and television for decades, the West has never really been much of a presence in video games. Enter Rockstar, creators of the Grand Theft Auto series, with the ambitious plan to transfer GTA's wide open world into turn-of-the-century western America. How well did they succeed? Is this a trip out west worth taking? Read on to find out.
Red Dead Redemption
Developer: Rockstar San Diego and Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Release: 5/18/10, for the Xbox 360 and PS3 (version reviewed)
Set in western America in 1911, Red Dead Redemption puts players in the role of cowboy and former gang member John Marston. Marston left his violent gang years ago to settle down with his family, but his wife and son have been kidnapped by federal agents to blackmail him into hunting down his former fellow gang members and friends. A reluctant killer, Marston has no problem putting a bullet into a guy who deserves it, though he freely admits he doesn't enjoy it. He's a likable character, an outlaw forced into doing things he hates doing for the sake of his family. Other characters, however, run the gamut from interesting and capable to two-dimensional caricatures. Marston's likability, and the interesting secondary characters, make for a very enjoyable story with an ending that hits like a sledgehammer (no spoilers!).
The story elements are enhanced by some quality voice acting (with one pretty notable exception, which I will leave unspoiled), and top-notch presentation all around. The graphics are excellent, with each of the three main areas of the game featuring their own distinct look. New Austin, a fictionalized version of southwestern America before any states were established in the area, is part grassy plains and part cactus-filled desert. Nuevo Paraiso, a simulacrum of northern Mexico, has a similar desert terrain, except with a redder color palette and more mountainous geography. West Elizabeth makes up for being the smallest area by being the most visually diverse. It consists of wide, flat plains, a modern (for the time period) town, a dark pine forest, and a frozen lake at the base of a snowy mountain range. No matter where you travel in the game, there is something gorgeous to see. The sightseeing alone is often enough to justify the time spent traveling miles on horseback, as is the similarly fantastic soundtrack.
The gameplay succeeds as handily as the story and presentation. Open-world sandbox games often fall into the trap of having too little too do besides wander around and do story missions. Of course, you could just wander around taking in the sights and do the story missions at your leisure, but RDR dodges this problem by offering the player an wealth of things to do. There are a variety of Old West-style minigames to be played for cash, such as blackjack, Texas Hold 'Em, liar's dice, arm-wrestling, and more. Strangers may ask you for various favors in towns or out on the trail. They might want you to help foil a robbery, stop some escaped convicts, or help save their kidnapped wife. A rowdy gangster might challenge you to a duel. Jobs like bounty hunting and night watches can be completed in many towns for good money, which can be spent on new weapons, safehouses, and other provisions. Ambient challenges test the player's ability to pull off stylish gun tricks, seek out hidden treasure, and hunt wildlife. There is a lot to do, most of it optional, but it is does almost always help the player out and the sheer variety of things to do keeps the game fresh. Just traveling around is rewarding thanks to the game's visual splendor, but if the ride is too far you can easily fast travel using your easy-to-use camp, which also offers a place to save and change outfits. One of the most noteworthy optional quests are stranger missions. These sidequests can be rather dull to play, often being little more than fetch quests. However, they are some of the most interesting narrative moments in the game. They rarely end happily; in fact, they usually result in tragedy, despite or sometimes even because of the player's attempts to help.
If there is one thing to complain about, it's the less stellar variety in the more important missions. Story missions are often short and kind of dull, consisting too frequently of “go here and shoot dudes until I say stop” or “ride with me in this wagon and shoot any dudes that shoot us.” At least the shooting dudes part is fun. RDR's gunplay takes place in the third-person over-the-shoulder perspective, much like GTA, Gears of War, or Uncharted. Players can duck behind cover and blast enemies with a variety of pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns. An auto-target system ensures that anyone can feel like a competent gunslinger, and can be turned off if you like your shootouts a little more challenging. Marston also has a helpful ability called “Dead-Eye,” which allows him to temporarily slow time and, at higher levels, mark specific spots to hit, which allows for neat tricks like shooting a robber's gun out of his hand or his hat off his head.
Another major part of the game is the fame/honor system. Players can gain honor by helping others and taking the high road when given the opportunity, and lose honor by stealing, killing, and being an evil jerk. Fame is increased by doing missions and completing challenges and can never decrease. Both of these aspects influence how people interact with Marston and higher levels of each offer benefits such as store discounts and the ability to commit certain crimes with impunity. The purchasable bandanna throws an edge of gray into this typically black-and-white set-up by allowing players to remain anonymous, preventing their fame and honor from changing no matter what you do. If you need to commit a crime for any reason and want to remain a good guy, you can do it. Conversely, if you want the easy money that comes from helping a stranger but don't want people to start liking you too much, you can do that as well.
Aside from the expansive single-player experience, there is also a multiplayer component to RDR. It offers the typical fare such like deathmatch and capture-the-flag modes and the like, as well as the less-structured Free Roam mode. Free Roam drops you into a stripped down version of the vast single player map with a group of players and lets you, well, roam free. Players can group up into 8-man (max) posses in order to pick fights with rival gang members, challenge other posses, or raid gang hideouts. Getting kills and completing challenges earns players experience points that unlock new weapons, skins, mounts, titles, etc. Unfortunately, there is nowhere near as much to do in Free Roam as there is in single-player. It would have been nice to at least be able to play poker or blackjack with friends. Regardless, RDR's multiplayer is a lot of fun, especially Free Roam, despite it's smaller amount of content.
One last note about the gameplay: It's glitchy. Now, normally I would be raging at the lack of quality control in a major blockbuster game like this, and some of them, like the invisibility glitch in multiplayer are annoying, but some of them are just so funny. Seriously, just YouTube “Red Dead Redemption glitches” some time if you want a laugh.
TL;DR: Gamers have been itching for a worthy Wild West experience for a long time, and Rockstar has finally delivered a game that capitalizes on the promise of the concept. Some of us might have been satisfied with a “good” Wild West game, but Rockstar gave us something truly special. Red Dead Redemption has so much to do and so much to see, and so much fun to be had, both alone and with others, that it would have been excellent in any setting; as it stands, the unique setting is just icing on the cake. RDR is so great, even it's glitches are awesome. How many games can say that?
Headshot:
-Huge variety of things to do
-Fantastic presentation
-Tight gunplay
-Excellent story with likable characters and a powerful ending
Drawing Blanks:
-Story missions are sometimes dull to play
-Marston can't swim (a minor issue, admittedly)
-Some unfair surprise attacks and cheap deaths
-Glitchy (could almost be a positive, but some detract from the experience)
Final Score: 9/10 (Excellent)
9's stand out above the crowd as all-around excellent experiences. Some minor flaws hold are holding the game back from timeless status, but nonetheless they are more than worth your time and money.
The Wild West. It's a setting that conjures images of roving bands of outlaws on horses, wide-open prairies, saloons with player pianos, and duels to the death at high noon. And yet despite it's allure and despite the fact that it has been a staple of movies and television for decades, the West has never really been much of a presence in video games. Enter Rockstar, creators of the Grand Theft Auto series, with the ambitious plan to transfer GTA's wide open world into turn-of-the-century western America. How well did they succeed? Is this a trip out west worth taking? Read on to find out.
Red Dead Redemption
Developer: Rockstar San Diego and Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Release: 5/18/10, for the Xbox 360 and PS3 (version reviewed)
Set in western America in 1911, Red Dead Redemption puts players in the role of cowboy and former gang member John Marston. Marston left his violent gang years ago to settle down with his family, but his wife and son have been kidnapped by federal agents to blackmail him into hunting down his former fellow gang members and friends. A reluctant killer, Marston has no problem putting a bullet into a guy who deserves it, though he freely admits he doesn't enjoy it. He's a likable character, an outlaw forced into doing things he hates doing for the sake of his family. Other characters, however, run the gamut from interesting and capable to two-dimensional caricatures. Marston's likability, and the interesting secondary characters, make for a very enjoyable story with an ending that hits like a sledgehammer (no spoilers!).
The story elements are enhanced by some quality voice acting (with one pretty notable exception, which I will leave unspoiled), and top-notch presentation all around. The graphics are excellent, with each of the three main areas of the game featuring their own distinct look. New Austin, a fictionalized version of southwestern America before any states were established in the area, is part grassy plains and part cactus-filled desert. Nuevo Paraiso, a simulacrum of northern Mexico, has a similar desert terrain, except with a redder color palette and more mountainous geography. West Elizabeth makes up for being the smallest area by being the most visually diverse. It consists of wide, flat plains, a modern (for the time period) town, a dark pine forest, and a frozen lake at the base of a snowy mountain range. No matter where you travel in the game, there is something gorgeous to see. The sightseeing alone is often enough to justify the time spent traveling miles on horseback, as is the similarly fantastic soundtrack.
The gameplay succeeds as handily as the story and presentation. Open-world sandbox games often fall into the trap of having too little too do besides wander around and do story missions. Of course, you could just wander around taking in the sights and do the story missions at your leisure, but RDR dodges this problem by offering the player an wealth of things to do. There are a variety of Old West-style minigames to be played for cash, such as blackjack, Texas Hold 'Em, liar's dice, arm-wrestling, and more. Strangers may ask you for various favors in towns or out on the trail. They might want you to help foil a robbery, stop some escaped convicts, or help save their kidnapped wife. A rowdy gangster might challenge you to a duel. Jobs like bounty hunting and night watches can be completed in many towns for good money, which can be spent on new weapons, safehouses, and other provisions. Ambient challenges test the player's ability to pull off stylish gun tricks, seek out hidden treasure, and hunt wildlife. There is a lot to do, most of it optional, but it is does almost always help the player out and the sheer variety of things to do keeps the game fresh. Just traveling around is rewarding thanks to the game's visual splendor, but if the ride is too far you can easily fast travel using your easy-to-use camp, which also offers a place to save and change outfits. One of the most noteworthy optional quests are stranger missions. These sidequests can be rather dull to play, often being little more than fetch quests. However, they are some of the most interesting narrative moments in the game. They rarely end happily; in fact, they usually result in tragedy, despite or sometimes even because of the player's attempts to help.
If there is one thing to complain about, it's the less stellar variety in the more important missions. Story missions are often short and kind of dull, consisting too frequently of “go here and shoot dudes until I say stop” or “ride with me in this wagon and shoot any dudes that shoot us.” At least the shooting dudes part is fun. RDR's gunplay takes place in the third-person over-the-shoulder perspective, much like GTA, Gears of War, or Uncharted. Players can duck behind cover and blast enemies with a variety of pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns. An auto-target system ensures that anyone can feel like a competent gunslinger, and can be turned off if you like your shootouts a little more challenging. Marston also has a helpful ability called “Dead-Eye,” which allows him to temporarily slow time and, at higher levels, mark specific spots to hit, which allows for neat tricks like shooting a robber's gun out of his hand or his hat off his head.
Another major part of the game is the fame/honor system. Players can gain honor by helping others and taking the high road when given the opportunity, and lose honor by stealing, killing, and being an evil jerk. Fame is increased by doing missions and completing challenges and can never decrease. Both of these aspects influence how people interact with Marston and higher levels of each offer benefits such as store discounts and the ability to commit certain crimes with impunity. The purchasable bandanna throws an edge of gray into this typically black-and-white set-up by allowing players to remain anonymous, preventing their fame and honor from changing no matter what you do. If you need to commit a crime for any reason and want to remain a good guy, you can do it. Conversely, if you want the easy money that comes from helping a stranger but don't want people to start liking you too much, you can do that as well.
Aside from the expansive single-player experience, there is also a multiplayer component to RDR. It offers the typical fare such like deathmatch and capture-the-flag modes and the like, as well as the less-structured Free Roam mode. Free Roam drops you into a stripped down version of the vast single player map with a group of players and lets you, well, roam free. Players can group up into 8-man (max) posses in order to pick fights with rival gang members, challenge other posses, or raid gang hideouts. Getting kills and completing challenges earns players experience points that unlock new weapons, skins, mounts, titles, etc. Unfortunately, there is nowhere near as much to do in Free Roam as there is in single-player. It would have been nice to at least be able to play poker or blackjack with friends. Regardless, RDR's multiplayer is a lot of fun, especially Free Roam, despite it's smaller amount of content.
One last note about the gameplay: It's glitchy. Now, normally I would be raging at the lack of quality control in a major blockbuster game like this, and some of them, like the invisibility glitch in multiplayer are annoying, but some of them are just so funny. Seriously, just YouTube “Red Dead Redemption glitches” some time if you want a laugh.
TL;DR: Gamers have been itching for a worthy Wild West experience for a long time, and Rockstar has finally delivered a game that capitalizes on the promise of the concept. Some of us might have been satisfied with a “good” Wild West game, but Rockstar gave us something truly special. Red Dead Redemption has so much to do and so much to see, and so much fun to be had, both alone and with others, that it would have been excellent in any setting; as it stands, the unique setting is just icing on the cake. RDR is so great, even it's glitches are awesome. How many games can say that?
Headshot:
-Huge variety of things to do
-Fantastic presentation
-Tight gunplay
-Excellent story with likable characters and a powerful ending
Drawing Blanks:
-Story missions are sometimes dull to play
-Marston can't swim (a minor issue, admittedly)
-Some unfair surprise attacks and cheap deaths
-Glitchy (could almost be a positive, but some detract from the experience)
Final Score: 9/10 (Excellent)
9's stand out above the crowd as all-around excellent experiences. Some minor flaws hold are holding the game back from timeless status, but nonetheless they are more than worth your time and money.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
A New Beginning
So this is my first blog. Having come here through another secret project, I figured I might as well use the tools here to practice some writing, and I've chosen a topic near and dear to my heart: The vidya games. I am merely a humble average gamer, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to share my thoughts on the medium with others. With a little luck, maybe you will take something away from my posts, whether it's some advice on whether a game is worth your hard-earned money, or if it's just some insight into the industry we all love.
Future posts in this blog will feature reviews on full games, first thoughts on things like demos, betas, and the like that I get my hands on, some previews for upcoming games that I am excited for and why you should be as well, recaps and thoughts on upcoming trade shows (including the upcoming E3 2010 in June), maybe some reviews or thoughts on semi-games related stuff such as game movies, collectibles, and merchandise, and my musings on video games in general. My first project will be a review of RockStar's latest offering Red Dead Redemption, and after that I have some ideas for future posts. Stay tuned.
~Nick P.
Future posts in this blog will feature reviews on full games, first thoughts on things like demos, betas, and the like that I get my hands on, some previews for upcoming games that I am excited for and why you should be as well, recaps and thoughts on upcoming trade shows (including the upcoming E3 2010 in June), maybe some reviews or thoughts on semi-games related stuff such as game movies, collectibles, and merchandise, and my musings on video games in general. My first project will be a review of RockStar's latest offering Red Dead Redemption, and after that I have some ideas for future posts. Stay tuned.
~Nick P.
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