Ben-DutkaStill feels very strange to come in here after a week's absence, but it also feels a little like coming home. 🙂
Watch Dogs 2? Eh…I don't know…
I saw Ubisoft's quote about the sequel having a new tone and I'm not sure I care, one way or the other. I really liked Watch Dogs but as I look back, I realize it's one of those games that didn't stick with me. The "tone" wasn't really a problem; it just didn't grab me, you know? I think they could definitely put a heavier emphasis on the story in the follow-up, though. That element wasn't developed enough and it has massive potential.
Okay, so it's not a horror game. It's still Kojima
I was annoyed when Silent Hills bit the dust, too. Not only because the game could've been fantastic, and I'm not necessarily a big horror fan, but because the Kojima/Del Toro collaboration would've been epic . That being said, when I heard Kojima's new game wouldn't be a horror adventure , I just shrugged my shoulders. So what? This is Hideo Kojima we're talking about! My only concern is if his legendary ambition and perfectionist mentality makes his new endeavor last like 10 years. Before, he was always under the gun as Konami would put pressure on him to deliver in a certain span of time but on his own, well…
Battlefield 1 could be pretty awesome
I don't really care about Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare , simply because I'm not a big fan of futuristic settings and as always, I'm just not into multiplayer. But though I haven't played a Battlefield I really enjoyed in a while, Battlefield 1 could be pretty freakin' sweet. We're finally going back to one of the classic World Wars, huh? I think DICE could do an amazing job with it, and the footage I've seen so far is just sick. I don't see why anybody is surprised about the presence of microtransactions , though. Of course it'll have them. Every game with a hefty online presence will. And the developer will always say it's "not play-to-win." Predictable, we get it.
Uncharted 4 is totally incredible
I'm only on Chapter 8 (I'm busy and I'm also trying to savor this one) but it's already the most impressive game of the generation by a wide margin. Somehow, someway, Naughty Dog consistently produces games that are simply head-and-shoulders above the rest of the industry. Every time I play a new ND game, be it a new Uncharted or The Last Of Us , I always say to myself- "This is another level. It just is." And I've been saying that since the moment this unbelievable adventure kicked off. I also laughed so hard at the scene where Drake plays the original Crash Bandicoot with Elena watching. The nostalgia factor, from the panning of the camera to take in the original grey PlayStation and that intro loading sound, to the hysterical commentary…it was just remarkably enjoyable. Can't wait to play more.
And yes, I'll try and get a review done at some point.
Other…
In addition to setting new professional goals, I have several new personal goals, one of which is fitness-related. Over the past year or so, via a 6-times-per-week regiment that alternates cardio (rowing) and lifting, I dropped 45 pounds. I've long since been at my ideal weight (just under 180); my body fat percentage is now under 10 percent, my heart rate has dropped into the low 50s, and my new best time for the 10K on the rower is 43:57. Before year is out, I want to break 40 minutes and get into some of the better recorded times. 🙂
I have seen it played though. So I have seen the game in actual action. I dont know how me controlling the controller would have changed it in anyway. The sequences are still the same. You still have to play the game as ND wants you too.
Case in point, in the driving sequence where you are driving/following/jumping from truck to truck, there is a point where you are in fact driving. However in all three games I saw there is a point where Naughty Dog WANTS/MAKES a dude jump on your hood. The game would not let the players steer or accelerate to remove that part.
You have a grappling hook. But instead of using to climb a rock face instead of handholds you can only use it to swing. Instead of having multiple ways to get from point A to point D it instead is you go to B & C first. Even when I can see and or otherwise logically should be able to reach D from A. (I have a damn grappling hook for God's sakes, but not wooden crane part to swing from.)
Also the idea that the enemies are smart enough to figure out where to go, but not what to do when they get there is stupid. Especially when Rafe is supposed to be in the same idea as Nate. I dont buy your argument at all there.
All these things I can see without ever picking up the controller. So your idea that you havent PLAYED, so therefore cant criticize is absolutely asinine.
*Edit: Also the puzzles are bit straight forward. In fact in 2 of the play throughs I saw the players kind of figured out them without any kind of hesitation. Case in point when they are in the islands, one player saw the arrows before going to the tower and remarked that they will probably have to follow them before long. The ships wheel thing was done in another before Sam even had time to get halfway through his conversation, the player had seen it before earlier in the game.
So yes, a bit repetitive wrapped in a beautiful shell.
Last edited by wackazoa on 5/16/2016 1:30:50 PM
You watched the game in it's entirety on the internet? Why not just play it yourself? Pick it up used from Gamestop and rent it for free for a week.
I'm halfway through my second play through and the story's always made sense to me. Rafe was always looking in Scotland so his guys were there. Everywhere else they were following Drake and Sams lead and only knew to go there because they figured it out for them. They get there first because theres hundreds of them with more resources.
They don't touch the stuff because Rafe and boss lady aren't there yet and they're just clearing the area. If you scope them out before attacking they answer that a lot. Rafe is nowhere near as knowledgeable as the Drakes. They mention in the beginning he's only involved because he has the money and forced himself upon them. If you pay attention they answer everything your complaining about.
It's ironic you say you can see all these things without ever picking up a controller, when the reality is, it's the things your missing that's not making it make sense to you. I've always looked at these games as character driven games anyway. So splitting hairs on the treasure side and logistics of the story seems like a waste to me.
Also complaining that you have to play exactly how ND tells you to, and you can't skip scripted action scenes, or free climb exactly how you want is silly. You have to play by the rules the game mechanics tell you in like every video game ever.
That way of thinking is what Ben was concerned about in that article a little bit ago. That some people are just incapable of appreciating solidly crafted story driven linear games anymore. It's not about making choices or changing anything that happens, it's about sitting back and going on this crazy adventure. Like someone telling stories around a campfire, sure maybe it's even exaggerated a bit. (Loved Sams escape story)
And it's easy to say a puzzle is straight forward if you just watch someone else do it. How do you know you would have looked/seen/did exactly what the person playing did if left to your own devices, or if it really was their first time playing it? None of the puzzles were hard, just saying it's impossible to determine the difficulty of a test unless your taking it with absolutely no outside influence.
Sorry, didn't mean to be so long winded, but I thought your comments were just too far off.
Mk – oh no worries. I'm glad I read your second post first haha, where you mentioned the spoiler alert. I am on Chapter 11 or 12 I think and I'm totally taking it all in.
Dumb.
Funny too. After replaying that section, the arrows don't appear till you go to the tower. So you just watched someone else play it, and then assumed something to help you make up a lie to talk shit. Do you have an agenda. Lol
At work and had my page up for awhile I guess. Lol. Didn't see your last post until I submitted mine Bigrailer, and it's not giving me an edit option, weird.
Edit: I also probably should have put a minor spoiler warning before that post, sorry.
Last edited by mk ultra on 5/16/2016 5:58:33 PM
Haha omg have you guys gotten a whiff of this?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/05/12/uncharted-4-a-thiefs-end-review-this-four-part-series-should-have-ended-after-part-one/
It sucks that's his opinion. Guess the world has to respect it. Outlier took a whole 1 point off the meta.
shot be drug out into the street and shot
He disliked it for dumb reasons lol, Jim Sterling also did something similar, those are the critics that need to be banned from the barometer of Meta.
I can't upvote your posts enough. Keep on it sir.
I look forward to seeing more Battlefield 1 because that trailer looked way cool. The visual style sorta reminded me of Killzone 2 … at times.
PGU: Been loving Uncharted 4 as well. I'm only on Chapter 11. I have to say the story is probably the series best. And this is not exactly for the treasure plot itself but for how it's being told.
Another thing that I'm really liking is how it still feels like an Uncharted game. Even the African jeep riding level they showed off a month ago, or so, still felt fitting and kept pace with the prior levels I've played.
I have noticed some things that feel different. The game has really leaned heavy into the platforming aspects of design. And sometimes some stretches felt just a bit drawn out between good dialogue, and maybe that's because I'm eager to watch more of the story develop.
I was somewhat hoping the brawling stuff would be better fleshed out, as they tried with 3, but instead it's feels a bit more chaotic and mashy.
Fleshing out the stealth gameplay to accommodate the more open design is a welcome addition, even if these elements aren't nearly as fleshed out as a full-on stealth action experience, like MGS or Splinter Cell. And not that it really needs to. It's just once they crossed that line with AI awareness level indicators it drew itself closer for comparisons.
One way or another, I'm very much entertained by it all.
So far it feels like a winning way to end things.
And I said all of THAT without even mentioning the graphics. And they look damn good. When I think of the game, in my minds eye, I see real locations and real people. The visuals are that good.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 5/14/2016 9:52:27 PM
I loved the Jeep chapter, along with another section I won't spoil a couple chapters later. It felt new and familiar at the same time and actually made me feel like I was exploring some exotic locale.
@Ben Dutka: it's nice to see you Ben still posting your week in review posts. I hope you'll continue to post your week in reviews in a weekly basis. ^_^
I haven't started the story campaign on Uncharted 4. I'm still playing its multiplayer mode in which I'm trying to get the multiplayer trophies. I'll also savor the game until Star Ocean 5 arrives in June.
I forgot to mention my excitement for Doom's release.
I am going to attempt to hold off playing it though.
I want to save the experience as the first game I play on a Geforce GTX 1070 I plan to get sometime later this year.
That, and Doom has just always felt like home to me on a PC.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 5/14/2016 10:34:01 PM
I think Watchdogs could've been so much better had they worked on it 6 months to a year longer.
I haven't bought Uncharted 4 yet, but I plan to soon. This is one game I refuse to watch on youtube or watch anyone stream. I want to play it without knowing anything about it beforehand.
Good luck hitting that 40 minute mark.
Glad you are thinking about doing a review for Uncharted. Although Id understand not doing one either.
I love Uncharted 4. I'm only on Chapter 8 as well but it's hitting home with me. My buddy was explaining the Jeep part and my heart sunk as he was explaining it. It's not what I want from Uncharted but I'll hold of any reservation until I get to that point. So far best game I've played in a few years.