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Ben’s Week In Review: July 26

My boy Rickey Henderson got into the Hall of Fame on his first try – as he damn well should've – and I gotta say, I don't mind warm weather as much as I used to.

C'mon Ubisoft, just SAY it

You know, I don't mind if a developer or publisher does something that gamers don't appreciate, but the company does it in the interest of money. This is a business, after all. But you gotta own up to it. Ubisoft said the decision to keep Splinter Cell: Conviction exclusive to the Xbox 360 was "just business," but I think we all know what that means. It's just so freakin' transparent; Microsoft gave you a wad of cash, said, "hey, keep this between us," and bam, you've got yourself a third-party exclusive. Of course it makes absolutely zero sense to avoid putting this on the PlayStation 3; all you're doing is erasing the possibility of another 24 million consumers having access to your product. But why couldn't Ubisoft just man up and admit it? Seriously. I won't hold it against you; business is business…just knuckle up and take your lumps from the PS3 owners. Personally, it bugs me that Sony loyalists won't get a shot at this one because I've always loved the SC franchise, and I will most certainly play it when it launches for the 360. It just irritates me that publishers aren't being more forthcoming in regards to this sort of thing. What, you think we can't interpret your thinly veiled explanation? Geez.

And by the way, the comments below better not downgrade into arbitrary Splinter Cell bashing just because most of you prefer MGS. Yeah, I do too, but that doesn't mean SC is worthless; I play both franchises for very different reasons. So please, none of this " Conviction is gonna be crap anyway," because that too is thinly veiled…

So…what's with the week between October 13 and October 20?

Has anyone noticed this? First, we've got Uncharted 2: Among Thieves scheduled to drop on October 13 in North America, and then, we learn that Borderlands will launch on October 20 , and Bioware's Dragon Age: Origins has that same release date. Am I missing something else? I'll bet I am. All I know is that between these three titles, I have a feeling that all of 'em might be worthy of my money, and I'm starting to worry that the influx of holiday must-have games is gonna start early this year… I usually spend the first few months of every new year trying to play catch-up; you have to remember that not only are there tons of games I want in the fourth quarter of every year, but I also have to review a ton of games, too. …talk about no time. Oh…just noticed that Alpha Protocol is set to launch on October 6; now I have to choose between two RPGs! Great. I think I might go for Dragon Age: Origins , though, as I have a little more faith in Bioware and I've always been partial to the sword 'n staff settings for RPGs, rather than the futuristic settings. It just makes more sense to me.

Man, I am glad games like Heavy Rain , White Knight Chronicles , God of War III and Gran Turismo 5 won't make it this year. I'll be behind enough as it is. 🙁

Personal gaming update

And of course, in the meantime, I don't have much of anything to play. Why can't one of those games come out now ?! My birthday is next weekend, though, so that should bring in RE5 and maybe another game. I'm also playing through FFX – as you know from last week's update – and I just love it. I had forgotten how much that game kicks ass; you have to remember that the last time I played it was when it first came out (at the very end of 2001 and into 2002). But I do have to say that Shatter is a fantastic downloadable title, and that'll hold my attention for a while. I'm glad I got a chance to review that one. They sent me the voucher code for it last night and I had forgotten all about it; after playing it this morning, though, I was like, "this is bad-ass !"

Not much else is happening. I can't play tennis nearly as much as I would like to this summer so I'm keeping in shape with the rowing machine (which now goes on all year), and of course, the free weights haven't stopped in seven years so I'm not about to quit now. The girl in question…well, we're just taking things slow and that's that. As most of you learned already, she's a good deal younger than me (I refuse to tell you how much younger), so we're both treading lightly for now. All I'll say is that's she's painfully cute and certain things she does…just adorable. Oh, and she passed the test Arnold and I devised: if she doesn't like cheesecake and she doesn't like "Swingers," she fails . Well…she passed with flying colors. LOL 😉

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eLLeJuss
eLLeJuss
14 years ago

aTell me when u get to battle everae atlas. in FFX.. That was the most annoying boss battle ever.. Its big dragon/bird you fight while on the airship before yunas wedding. ahhh.. those were the days :D. im playing FFVII now for the first time on my psp. and im stuck! im trying to cross this water thingy to go to a cave but the serpent always pwns me :*(

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

Dude you have to go to the farm and rent a chocobo to cross that swamp safely, or level up for about ten hours.


Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 7/25/2009 10:47:07 PM

tes37
tes37
14 years ago

I got lucky and made it across without a chocobo or a fight with the serpent

aaronisbla
aaronisbla
14 years ago

actually on FF7, you can beat that snake without leveling up before you fight him, just go as usual.

What it takes is for you to use Tranquilizers on ur party so they will take less damage. Now wittle him down in health ( helps if u use Aeris with her healing limit break since it jumps in front of incoming enemy actions )

Id suggest everyone playing the game to do this because after the Migdarzolom knocks away one of your party members and he is low on health, he will use Beta ( enemy skill big fire damage to all enemies ) and as long as you have Elemental Added to your defensive slot along with fire materia, you will survive long enough to finish him off and learn that Beta attack pretty early in the game

Qwarktast1c
Qwarktast1c
14 years ago

another boss battle that was annoying in FFX was seymour flux

damn lance of atrophy and full life combo…..

sinspawn gui was also a pain in the ass if you didn't kill the mouth thing that spewed the venom

robinhood2010
robinhood2010
14 years ago

Screw fighting that yet! Go through to Fort Condor, to the forest, and fight there for 8 hours. You will be about level 30, and everyone will have all their limit breaks(1.1 – 3.2).
Including Yuffie. Just keep using matra magic!

www
www
14 years ago

I co-sign that ellejuss,
that battle against Evrae in FFX on the ship was one of the most annoying and frustrating boss battles.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

Hey hey Ben, My birthday hits on Thursday, how old are you gonna be? I think I'll pick up Prototype and a few books. I can play that after I finish inFamous very very soon.

newchef
newchef
14 years ago

i think ull be pleasantly surprised with prototype…ppl always give it a bad rap but it was a good game(i ended up playing it alot longer than i played inFamous)

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

I'll be 31.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

so just 13 years older than your GF huh? *nudge*

I'll be turning the big two-eight.


Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 7/26/2009 2:30:30 AM

fluffer nutter
fluffer nutter
14 years ago

Awesome.

Strker777
Strker777
14 years ago

Lol, glad its working for u.:) Cheesecakes and Swingers anyone? Ben? Arnold? Anyone? I don't have much to write about but let the Xbots have SC (they really need it). Who really cares? After all, most exclusives for xbots are made by dirty dealing lazy devs so the graphics blows. cept maybe "Halo","Gears" and Fable.


Last edited by Strker777 on 7/25/2009 10:58:32 PM

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
14 years ago

Hmmm, sound like Miss might be a way bit young, than we even think,like just a few hairs this side of jail bait sge??? LOL
(If it's time for bed & she strats whining about putting her Crayola's down, then I'd say you better hope she has an older post-J.B. sister instead).

Swingers, Huh?
Haven't seen it yet but just picked it up a couple days ago for 50 cents, so I will be checking it out.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

In some ways, "Swingers" is a generational thing, and in other ways, it's timeless. We at PSXE label it as one of the best movies EVER.

As for the girl, yes, she's very young. Not illegal young, tho. LOL

Ogibillm
Ogibillm
14 years ago

"You want me to ask? All right, I'll ask! Ma'am, where do the high school girls hang out in this town?"

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

HA.

piratedrunk
piratedrunk
14 years ago

Don't forget Demon's souls on October 6.. so.. many.. games

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

DAMNIT. That's three RPGs. 'sigh'

piratedrunk
piratedrunk
14 years ago

It felt like the day would never come when there were too many RPGs to choose from this generation

mastiffchild
mastiffchild
14 years ago

I have an answer for your "too many games" problem Ben. Just up sticks to sunny England. We wait for EVER for our rpgs(and in the case of the excellent DS literally so as ir ain't getting a Euro release!)which, if little else, means you end up with a few summer releases-SO4(360), Tales…(360) and ES(PS3) this year to name a few!

Hell, even U2 will be out a week leater out here where Sony imagine people hate games(I know devs and publishers are the main issue but I DESPISE the way SCEE mistreat us in the EU esp when, as a continent we've been damn loyal, relatively, to PS3 and Sony.

And , Ben, rule of thumb for the age difference in realationships-anything up to 7 years younger and you're OK. Beyond that you could be in trouble as it becomes that half a generation feeling and she'll have little real idea of the stuff you grew up loving-and do NOT be fooled by the girl who had a cool older sibling as that only lends verisimilitude about these things, she still won't really understand.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

I'm with you about the age gap thing, but it's larger than 7 years in my case. Heh.

BigBoss4ever
BigBoss4ever
14 years ago

Demon's Souls on Oct 6 2009 and I have already pre-ordered the deluxe edition. another two, Bayonetta and Assassin's creed II before the end of year and thats the big three for me this year. will skip Dragon Age, might look into Dante's Inferno tho.

King James
King James
14 years ago

Don't sleep on Bioware.

booze925
booze925
14 years ago

ben. i gt a present for you. HAZE haha! seriously though… hey how important are your birthdays to u?

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

Not important anymore.

…or maybe they are but I don't want them to be.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

Not very important to me either, I tend to let them pass by without a big stink. I just want a peaceful day for once.

fluffer nutter
fluffer nutter
14 years ago

After 21, it doesn't matter any more. Just another day to have fun.

fluffer nutter
fluffer nutter
14 years ago

And it all comes back to "marketing". "Yeah, you have a degree in what? I thought that was called 'bulls**ting'?"

___________
___________
14 years ago

ben does it realy matter why SPC is exclusive?
i think your getting a little agro over something thats not a big deal at all.
who cares why its exclusive.
im sure everyone who wants to play it has a PC ,and well as far as i know the specs for the game wont be to high so everyone should be able to play it without picking up a 360.
also game has it listed on the ps3, i placed a preorder on it today, but 50 bucks says its a mistake they did the same thing for L4D and i had to get a refund.
but im glad its a 360 exclusive, because without it i would have no reason to keep my 360.
besides ODST and im not really interested in that.

the holiday season is looking a little bleak compare to last year.
theres more or less only 6 games or so i want, compare to last year there was 6 in october alone.
i dont know if its because no one wants to go up against MW2 and AC2 but im starting to see a trend and predict that January and feb will be the new oct nov.
because during those months you have Christmas holidays and such to spend money on.
come jan feb Christmas is over, holidays have gone and you have the boxing day sales.
January in previous years has been empty but i think starting next year thats going to change.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

I don't think the point was even about Splinter Cell, the point was that game companies should stop spoon feeding us the bullsh*t and just say "Yeah we have a monetary deal with Microsoft over the exclusivity of this project." Ya see?

King James
King James
14 years ago

October 2009 Must-Plays:
————————
Alpha Protocol (10/6)
Demon’s Souls (10/6)
Brutal Legend (10/13)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (10/13)
Dragon Age: Origins (10/20)
Borderlands (10/20)
Tekken 6 (10/27)

…and November doesn't let up either.


Last edited by King James on 7/26/2009 2:50:32 AM

Deadman
Deadman
14 years ago

Not to nitpick but you forgot one.

Rachet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time 10/27


Last edited by Deadman on 7/26/2009 6:32:21 AM

King James
King James
14 years ago

What? I didn't know they gave a release date. I thought all they could confirm is November.

Deadman
Deadman
14 years ago

Going by what freinds ang GameStop pre order says? I'm usually wrong but none the less it is a busy 10/09 is a busy month, and your right 11/09 looks just as bad.

Mornelithe
Mornelithe
14 years ago

Ben, hate to break it to you, but I think GT5's coming out this year. GDC's just around the corner…I think you may be calling it a bit early, don't you? =)

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

Well, maybe. But if I have to lump in GT5 with what else is coming this year, I'm SCREWED. LOL

Mornelithe
Mornelithe
14 years ago

Much better to be screwed with a slew of good games, than screwed with a deserted wasteland of shovelware and delays, no? =)

www
www
14 years ago

I'd like to play SCC period.

Am on my 3rd play-through on RE5,this time on veteran.
And am on my 2nd play-through on inFamous,this time as evil(infamous) and on Hard, i want that gold trophy bad.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

I'm playing it on hard my first time through, its torture sometimes but I'm starting to appreciate trophies like this one. The game was all "based on your performance we have placed you on Hard difficulty" near the beginning and I was like "Hell yeah I'm badass I'm stickin with it for the trophy" Great game.

www
www
14 years ago

Lol I wish you good luck, cause it wasn't even easy on Medium to me.

coldbore
coldbore
14 years ago

lol does "she" even know your making articles about her? I like that test though, never seen swingers, but cheesecake is awsome! u won't tell us how much younger she is, ur not some sort of secretly sick pedofile are you? lol

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

As I said before, she is most definitely legal. 🙂

tlpn99
tlpn99
14 years ago

I only played one Splinter Cell game back in the day and while I enjoyed it I didnt feel the need to get any of the others. I loved hiding in the shadows and you couldn't be detected.

I may give the 360 one a loook see if anything has changed in it. Pity it cant come to the PS3 so everyone can have a chance to play it. There are still some poelple who are single console owners.

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

I don't doubt that SCC will be good. However, there's no way I'll be supporting a 360 exclusive made by a tp over the other many games coming out at the same time. I'm already hard pressed to spend 60usd on a game so my money will probably go to a lengthy RPG or the super high quality Uncharted or even ACII. Not going to hand over my 60usd for SCC. No sir.

Riku994
Riku994
14 years ago

I personally can't wait for Dragon Age: Origins.

TEG3SH
TEG3SH
14 years ago

HEY YA'LL long time no see
i just got back from jordan i went to a party in the middle of the desert(wadi rum)acctually in the middle of nowhere. armnd van buren was there, glen morrison was there and,and a bunch of other cool dj's it was off the hook

i cant tell u guys alot of things about it because there are alot of chunks of that night are missing / way too much e,alcohol and i think some1 slipped me rufies.lol

on a gaming not i havent seen the store yet and i'm thinkin about shatter what do u guys thinks ???? should i get it

and ben happy B-DAY to u, BY THE WAY u should definitly send me some of those game vouchers u get, that will be wicked 😉


Last edited by TEG3SH on 7/26/2009 12:23:10 PM

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

Nope. Vouchers be mine. 🙂

Kowhoho
Kowhoho
14 years ago

Last year Dead Space and Mirrors Edge came out in October…Then more stuff I can't remember came for November… It's happening again!
Happy Birthday Ben

mastiffchild
mastiffchild
14 years ago

SCC looks excellent, imo. Not quite at U2 standards but still a must buy for action/stealth fans with a 360.

I think, Ben, that the relationship with MS and Ubi over this one is a bit more complex than, say, the SE FF13 issue. SC has, in the past, been very big on Xbox and when the l;ast multi (SC:DA) dlopped hard a decision was made to put a lot into rebooting the series as a 360 exclusive in the belief tat the name was worth more as 360 exclusive than a non optimised milti or, possibly ignored, PS3 game.

I feel this is why we saw such a near complete game already scrapped once to get to where we are today. That shows more than just a bung for exclusivity in my book. At least they stopped with the "AI is too hard" for the processor heavy PS3 BS they once spouted with no evidence!

So, i think MS have been working with Ubi on this for ages in the hope of making it MGS/Gears size.

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