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Ben’s Week In Review: August 8

Damn, some decent weather… finally . Actually feels like you can go outside without melting.

Not that I want to harp on this Activision thing, but…

I think we talked about it enough this past week; what with my editorial and the news that Activision would join the battle in combating pre-owned games . The latter turned into more of a dispute concerning the pre-owned industry itself – which I'm not about to touch – but there is one final element regarding the analysis of Activision that we should at least recognize. Being the world's biggest publisher of video games, they have their name attached to a ton of titles. It just so happens that their focus is indeed on blockbusters, so the sequels and continual entries in established franchises are always in the limelight. But this causes the new IPs published by Activision to fall by the wayside; a good example of this is Singularity , which has a darn good shot of becoming our Most Under-Appreciated Game of the Year, and other examples are DJ Hero, Blur, Prototype, etc.

One of the company's reps, Neil Wood, mentioned this when he contacted me after reading the editorial. Company policy says he can't post in our Comments section but he wanted to respond to some of your comments made to the article. It's a little late in the day now, but his reminder is worth mentioning. I'm not pro- or anti-Activision; I'm just trying to be as reasonable and fair as possible.

Me likey SC and PoP

Although I can't really say that this generation, Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia were two of my absolute favorite franchises in the PS2/Xbox generation. I still say the first Splinter Cell may have been the best game of 2002 and I've played every entry (except for the last one, Conviction , because I heard the single-player just wasn't worth the cost of admission). And yes, I played them all on Xbox because, let's face it, they were better than the PS2 versions. For me, I would always play SC for the really fluid, authentic gameplay and I'd play MGS for the story. As for the other series, The Sands of Time is still one of my favorite games and although I didn't really like Warrior Within much, The Two Thrones was a return to glory. I also enjoyed both PoPs from this generation. So to hear that trilogies for both SC and PoP might be coming is intriguing…I might just want them for my collection.

I have all the games that would be in those trilogies, though…hmm… Anyway, if you missed out on these gems from some time ago and these HD remake trilogies really do come out in November, I would strongly suggest you give 'em a shot. Great stuff.

Personal gaming update

So SMG2 is on permanent hold as I go through Alan Wake . I like it a lot; the story is cool, the acting is good (though not fantastic), and the writing in the actual manuscript pages is solid. It's really uber-creepy, which I wasn't entirely expecting. This is one game that will legitimately freak you out if you play it at like 1 a.m. with all the lights off. The concept is fairly unique, too, in that you must expose the enemy's "solidarity" with light before being able to use a firearm. Then there are some possessed things that can only be "exorcised" by light, either by your flashlight, flares, or flashbangs. Lastly, they did the right thing by focusing on the story and not the fighting; you actually play through episodes like it's a TV series, so when a new episode starts, it'll go, "Last time, on Alan Wake…"

I have a few small problems with it, and some of those are the technical misgivings and I'm sorry but it has to be said- they're technical missteps that I just don't see in PS3 exclusives these days. It really shows the 360's age. The game looks great but…well, I won't continue. It's just more evidence that the 360 has pretty much been tapped out.

Reviews to look out for: Madden NFL 11 , NCAA Football 11 , Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days , Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2 , Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions , and Mafia II . Just a heads-up for about the next month or so. 🙂

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Pandacastro
Pandacastro
13 years ago

I agree with you on the splinter cell part because I also play them on the xbox instead of ps2.

Personal gaming update:
Just bougth FF tactics but wont download till I pass 7 and 9. Just need to beat emerald and ruby weapon to finish all side quest. Need 9 more chest in the chocobo side quest in 9 (btw favorite side quest involving a chocobo in a FF game). Just bougth new home items which reminds me, ben are you planning on making a psx club?

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
13 years ago

What sort of club?

Qubex
Qubex
13 years ago

…maybe an online PSX social club of sorts… but to be honest with Facebook and Tweeter feeds, who needs that. It will also cost PSX money to keep it going every month!

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

Nerull
Nerull
13 years ago

Just getting stuck into IX, the only other FF's for me being tactics and XII.
I'm also a few levels into Bioshock 2 now and I kinda started Quest for Booty over since I have yet to get aCiT.
And I finally beat RDRedemption and DoW Chaos Rising, the ending for being totally chaotic is a real jip though.
I don't normally have so many going at once yet I'm still sick of waiting for GT5.

gangan19
gangan19
13 years ago

Or you can make something like chat rooms where we can just jump in and hang out and help each other when we get stuck in a certain game we need help in a particular area….the Benified Club…you just been Benified!….lol

FatherSun
FatherSun
13 years ago

If I am not mistaken I believe Panda is referring to creating a CLUB within HOME. It would be interesting to interact with the PSX community that way.

leatherface
leatherface
13 years ago

A PSX Home club would be cool.

Deadman
Deadman
13 years ago

If anyone wanted to satrt a Club inside of Home you could do that on your own, just let everyone know about it.

I know not many of ya's who comment on the main site crossover to the Forums, but a few of us there have have made official and unofficial PSXE clans in games. Also lately a small group of us have gathered quite regularly to game on BF:BC2, KZ2, RDR, Warhawk, etc.

If that is something you guys are interested in please come on over, sign up for the forums and check it out.


Last edited by Deadman on 8/8/2010 4:36:35 PM

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
13 years ago

If you're asking for something Home-related, stay tuned.

Deadman
Deadman
13 years ago

^Oh, SNAP!

Pandacastro
Pandacastro
13 years ago

@ Nerull where you stuck at?I could help. How tuned?

Godslim
Godslim
13 years ago

home related oooo i think i might know what your talking about

Nerull
Nerull
13 years ago

Poor choice of expression, I'm not actually stuck, just getting into the meat of it for the 1rst time so to speak. Just started disc 2 tonight.

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
13 years ago

We should have more remakes!!!
Never was a fan of Pop and SC but it's good to know if there's really a remake for popular franchises.

Now my personal gaming update:
I'm playing MGS4 again!!!
2 years after launch and after playing games like ACII, UC2 and Bayonetta. This game is still awesome in every way.

Really reminded me why I loved it so much back then, first time I played MGS4 again in over a year now.
Guess I'll be busy with MGS4 for a while.
And am I the only guy thinks that the Big Boss Emblem is impossible to get?

Demon's Souls is next on my list but my seller haven't got the NA version, he only got the Asian version which I'm not interested cause there's more copy sold for the NA version hence more people playing online.

Riku994
Riku994
13 years ago

Splinter Cell 1 is the only one I liked.

(had to edit this twice to spell "Splinter" right)


Last edited by Riku994 on 8/7/2010 10:07:42 PM

NoSmokingBandit
NoSmokingBandit
13 years ago

Neil Wood.
Its pretty cool that you read the comments, and hopefully you'll read this one too.

As anyone can see from the article about gimping used game sales, people arent happy about it. Please let your boss know this. I'd hate to see the industry take the turn where customers are treated like profit machines instead of people.

Gaming is getting bigger, and i love that, but to stand out you really need to build a personal connection to the fans and listen to them. Dont lose the very thing that got gaming where it is today. I love Insomniac (who doesnt, really?) because they really connect to the fans. They make sure that everyone's input is listened to before they move forward, and that is why they are one of the most loved game studios to ever exist. I would absolutely love to see a huge company like Activision reach a level of intimacy with the fans the way Insomniac does.

Sorry about being a little long winded, i really meant to keep it short 😉
Thank you for reading, Mr Wood.


Last edited by NoSmokingBandit on 8/7/2010 10:08:25 PM

Deadman
Deadman
13 years ago

The technical short comings are the only real complaint I had with Alan Wake. It is a tight story driven game, but the combat and scenery do get rather boring after the 3rd Episode/Chapter.

I'm thinking about tossing it back in cause the first DLC content The Signal was released. Thinking of a second play through on it also, maybe on Nightmare.

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
13 years ago

It's been so boring in the video game world lately.

Just looking forward to the Tokyo Game Show. Hopefully Demon's Souls 2 gets announced.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

Also looking forward to TGS as Scarecrow mentioned.

I'm re-running through R&C A Crack in Time I recently realized I hadn't platinum'd that one yet. I also have to finish Star Ocean 4 sometime soon.

I'm pretty ambivalent on the topic of Activision, I have little problem with the company. Although their games could do with a less cookie cutter feel – how many 'Hreo' games are there? Bobby Kotick might have a bad case of verbal incontinence but the 1000's of other ordinary people who work for Activision need a job just like you and me and they are not Bobby Kotick, so why punish them for his insanity?

Used game sales still bug me because I see publishers needing to sell 2,3,4 or more million copies just to break even. I've also seen the sales profile of games go from a fairly graceful curve with a peak right after launch and a gradual decline over months, to a veritable spike where the initial sales are astronomical and drop to negligible levels within weeks. I think that a lot of that has to do with the maturity and availability of Used games which prevent new game sales and divert revenue generated by the games from the publisher/developer to the game broker. Whatever the legal situation of that, it just seems plain wrong that developers don't benefit from every commercial (not personal) transaction involving their games.

The Autumn is shaping up to be a bumper season for games, even if I only look at GT5 and LBP2 those are both games with massive replay value. Of course some would say (myself included) that one easy way to combat used game sales is to make a game with replay value so the gamer doesn't want to trade it it. I don't think you will see many copies of either GT5 or LBP2 in the used game bin for a good long time after launch.

psxmax
psxmax
13 years ago

Don't forget Gamescom on August 18-22.

sirbob6
sirbob6
13 years ago

The HD remakes of SC and PoP sounds like it may be a good deal. It has even caused me to go back and play some old Splinter Cell again. I am looking forward to Last Guardian at TGS. The game seems very interesting and Ico and SotC were amazing.

Now to the personal update: I am just 2 or 3 trophies away from plating R&C:ACIT and AC2. I am thinking of going back to try and plat Fallout 3. I put in over 300+ hours into it but that was before trophy support and I haven't had the heart to start over.

Any way I will be enjoying the 1812 Overture using the RYNO V.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

I love that gun….

sunspider13
sunspider13
13 years ago

When I shot off the RYNO V for the first time I spit up my tea. Just need two more trophies for that plat. 🙂

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

Three for me, and unfortunately my blaster just doesn't want to run hot enough….

DcIronfist
DcIronfist
13 years ago

That blaster one was a bear to get

sirbob6
sirbob6
13 years ago

I found that if you have a friend it isn't that bad.

556pineapple
556pineapple
13 years ago

Good to see some people from the industry check out this site, and hopefully it gives them enough feedback to make things better for us… hopefully.

Anyway, I never had a PS2, so I missed out on those SC and PoP games, so hopefully the trilogies will give me a chance to catch up. I tend to play more older games than newer ones, seeing as I missed out on a lot of classics. I'm working on Silent Hill 2, FF VII (just about done with that), and Xenogears (just started) right now, so I'm having a good time with some poor graphics.

Against my, and some other friends protests, one of my friends got a 360 recently (he's a sucker for the media center feature and kinect, which are, admittedly, pretty cool, but not system sellers as far as I'm concerned) and he was thinking about getting Alan Wake. So if he does, I'll have to try it out sometime.

Happy Gaming, All.

StangMan80
StangMan80
13 years ago

All I been thinking about latelly is GT5. I am so excited. I just found out what the 5 DLC cars I'll be getting and I'm just waiting for GT and Sony to announce the full GT5 this month. I am going to beat MGS4 and Uncharted 2 play through RDR again and I might pick up Maffia II(madden 11) and if thats not anough i'll buy Madden 11(maffia II) and HAWX 2.

MyWorstNightmar
MyWorstNightmar
13 years ago

Ben, this might be a bit unorthodoxed, but would you consider a review of Alan Wake? You said there were some issues with it that you just don't see on PS3 exclusives. I would be interested, once you are finished of course, to read a more in depth blow by blow of the game from your perpective.

Just a thought.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
13 years ago

I can't really do that but I might do an article on it when I'm done.

Qubex
Qubex
13 years ago

Actually Ben, I think that would be interesting. I did watch the 1 hour play through on GameSpot… to be honest with you I think it looked superb; the production values looked to be of an extremely high standard… and I loved the graphics and mode of it.

I also enjoyed the game intro cinematic, again I though it was done superbly well… Technically, the visuals should all come standard with x2AA. Most developers seem to incorporate anti-aliasing as standard on the 360 titles for the most part, which can make multi-plats look better on that 360 platform in general.

"Digital Foundry" write up excellent technical comparisons between the visual fidelity of both platforms. Sometimes, for non exclusive titles, the PlayStation 3 is left wanting… in some areas, most notably, the lack of any sort of AA…

So visually, i found Alan Wake to be very well done… even though it isn't a multi-plat in this case specifically… of course, on the PS3 side, our exclusives still put the 360 down… like a good puppy…

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

Temjin001
Temjin001
13 years ago

Alan Wake makes real good use of post processing effects to add a good sense of atmosphere. It really does add to the eerie feel. It's too bad we won't see it on PS3 (I think) because SPU's eat post processing for breakfast.

SirLoin of Beef
SirLoin of Beef
13 years ago

My biggest beef with Alan Wake was how outdated the visuals were, even compared with other 360 titles. From what I remember, this game was in development for years and was thought to be vaporware until a few screenies and the like were leaked.

Other than that, I thought the game was pretty good. I never played it at 1am but it had a pretty creepy atmosphere. It's easily one of the more suspenseful games I've played.

FxTales
FxTales
13 years ago

If they have representatives reading through various sites then they're on track to doing the right thing, that's if they listen though.

Kangasfwa
Kangasfwa
13 years ago

They may not act based on feedback though.

Alienange
Alienange
13 years ago

Singularity? Really? That's some high praise you're heaping onto it. I've read your review, but I don't know, it just doesn't seem like it can be THAT good.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
13 years ago

Bear in mind I'm not saying Game of the Year, I'm saying Most Under-Appreciated Game of the Year.

aaronisbla
aaronisbla
13 years ago

Ben i may have to check this game out hopefully its as good as some have said

sunspider13
sunspider13
13 years ago

My brother had beat it and he said although it's not worth full price it's worth checking out.

aaronisbla
aaronisbla
13 years ago

personal gaming update: after a long time away from it, im finally playing Fallout 3 again, glad i still got my 2 characters i made. Also, im glad my deathclaw gauntlet user isnt a total beast in Point Lookout ( got the goty version now ). Those hicks are friggin hard as hell ( on very hard )

sirbob6
sirbob6
13 years ago

I Know! I can easily kill 100s of highly advanced and heavily armoured Enclave but can be taken out by a few hicks with an axe and shotgun.


Last edited by sirbob6 on 8/8/2010 12:08:51 PM

aaronisbla
aaronisbla
13 years ago

yeah but im glad its that way, cuz my deathclaw gauntlet made extreme quick work of other enemies. Especially since that build uses that paralyzing punch, it tends to make things way too easy

kraygen
kraygen
13 years ago

Activision hasn't made anything that blew me away, so I'm not too interested in what they have going on.

I have some mild interest in the HD remakes of pop and SC, but I'm much more interested in the HD remake for ICo/Sotc.

Gaming update. Currently playing dark cloud for the first time and I'm really liking it. The weapon system is awesome and I love being able to put the towns back together.

Can't wait to play Dark Cloud 2 when I finish the first one.

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
13 years ago

I WISH I bought Dark Cloud…
Always loved how it looked

Dark Cloud 2 is amazing, what an artistic gem of a game!

kraygen
kraygen
13 years ago

I just bought dark cloud, I found it used for like $7 I think, may have been less than that. Can't remember for sure, I bought 4 games from gamestop because I had a $25 gift card. I got Dark cloud, Dark cloud 2, Lotr third age, and Wild arms 3.

I haven't played the first 2 wild arms yet, but my friend already bought the 2nd one on psn and so I'll buy the first on psn and have all 3.

Lot of rpg goodness coming my way over the next few months. should be fun.

Gordo
Gordo
13 years ago

It's a bit of a game drought at the moment. Nothing that wets my whistle until GT5 IMHO…

Still getting a kicking from Demon's Souls. Took an eternity to get past the Flamelurker. I'm 40 hours into DS now so have taken a well earned breather.

Started Dragon Age: Origins. Enjoying it but it's so different from Demon's Souls that it's taking my brain a while to get used to it. Enjoying the leisurely pace and will probably play it on easy for the story and adventure and switch back to DS when I want a kicking…

I would love a HD version of Shadow of the Colossus on the PS3.

LittleBigMidget
LittleBigMidget
13 years ago

My PS3's fan is acting a bit weird. I went for some Uncharted 2 MP, then the during a match, the fan got really loud. This also happens with God of War 3. anyone having the same problem or know how to fix it?

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
13 years ago

Might be the heat
When it's really hot/humid, the fan on the 60GB/80GB goes crazy

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
13 years ago

I ahve an 80gb my fan never comes on.

But my 60gb fan was on all the time, I couldnt stop it. You may try and remove some dust around it. Sometimes while the fan is running if dust gathers it can get louder, due to all the junk in it. Just use a low powered vacuum, dont spray it out with like an air duster.

Also I dont know where your ps3 is located, but any tight or confined areas doesn't help. If its in an entertainment center with doors keep the doors open during play, well im sure you know!

If thats not it, some friends of mine have bought external fans, and although it doesnt quiet it down they said it doesnt come on nearly as often.

Its most likely is just working really hard cus of heat like scarecrow said. So you may want to look into an external fan to keep the heat down! Hope you can figure it out!


Last edited by bigrailer19 on 8/8/2010 1:43:05 PM

Milonakis
Milonakis
13 years ago

Clearly you haven't heard a 360 running else you wouldn't even notice it.

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