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Ben’s Week In Review: March 15

I'd like to think the snow is gone until next winter, but I'm not about to bank on it; we could get another foot in April. Who knows? Anyways…

Is anyone else slightly concerned about Metal Gear 5

So the hot rumor is that Konami will reveal Metal Gear 5 within the next few months; possibly at E3 in early June. If true, it would be the biggest news of 2009 thus far, and of course, MGS and Kojima fans worldwide are on the edges of their seats. However, does anyone have a few reservations…? Look, I have as much faith in Kojima and Co. as anyone else, but if that other aspect of the rumor is correct – that Kojima won't be directing the game – that immediately places a sliver of suspicion in my mind. Furthermore, let's not forget about his insistence on catering to a larger worldwide/Western audience this year, so the fifth installment in the series may be drastically different than what we're used to. Lastly, due to all the achievements and accomplishments of the legendary series, does anyone realize what kind of expectations people have?! It just seems as if there are a number of different factors going against this announcement, provided one has the gumption to look closely.

But make no mistake: I'll be on the edge of my seat just like everyone else. I love the series, too. I have complete faith that regardless of what they decide to do, regardless of the type of game it is, it's going to be awesome. At least…I hope I have that kind of faith.

The disc vs. downloadable debate

It cropped up amongst our readers when Sony explained their stance on the issue , and while I didn't get involved, here's my take on the subject. I don't mind the idea of downloadable content in general; I think it gives developers options and allows them to greatly increase the longevity of great games. It's a double-edged sword in that the designers could have the tendency to slack off , simply because the DLC lets them issue patches and updates if the game is lacking or even broken in some way. As for full games issued as a digital download…I dunno. I suppose. There are bonuses and negatives, of course, and I guess I don't have a problem if most games started to become available in both formats. I would, however, be annoyed if the disc format died out completely; I for one have a definite love for my game collection, and it loses all its luster when it's downgraded to a bunch of digital titles on a screen. Yes, a game collection can take up a lot of space. Yes, discs can get scratched or ruined. Yes, you have to go out in the big, scary world to get them.

But that's half the point. A collection is something physically tangible in my eyes. Does anyone honestly believe that a person's collection of five gazillion iPod songs is even remotely the same thing as the music aficionados' collection of 250 vintage vinyls?

Personal gaming update

So I've completed Killzone 2 . It took me about 10 hours – and yes, I'm aware I play games slow – and I loved just about every last second of it. I thought the final battle with Radec and his goons was a touch irritating, but it wasn't overly difficult and I thought the challenge was just about right. I just had to find the right position when on the second floor, and I realized that while wedging myself in a corner would allow me to keep Radec in front of me at all times, the fact that I had to reload at some point would always equate to death. Basically, I just ran around in circles with my head on a swivel to keep him away from me, and that worked out. The game rocks; plain and simple. Now, it's on to Star Ocean: The Last Hope , which I'll start some time this week. It's my first JRPG in quite a long time and I have to admit, I'm excited. 🙂

And I see a few people reprimanding me for not making a play for that girl in Best Buy. …I suppose it would do little good to explain that I'm just not in the right frame of mind right now. It may sound like a pile of crap, but let's just say there are times when I really enjoy being single. When the need arises, maybe I'll go out and look around but that need isn't always in existence; that's all I'm saying.

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Scarecrow
Scarecrow
15 years ago

If she had jet-black hair you would've gone for it Ben, don't like to me 😉

Oh, and yes MGS5 has the same aura MGS3 had. Where people weren't sure if going BACK in time was the best thing for the series.

But yeah Kojima will never let his series get messed up. If anything he'll always look over it ya know.

As long as they pull off the right moves it'll work. Just make Sunny the new character, I mean who would not like her? Seriously, 20 or so years later. New enemies and such.

The sad thing is the game not being exclusive. Would be sad indeed.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

"If she had jet-black hair you would've gone for it Ben, don't like to me ;)"

It would've only been slightly more likely. 😉

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
15 years ago

Nah, he doesn't have an "involved" story like Sunny does.

It just doesn't work compared to Sunny's background in all this.

Neurotoxiny
Neurotoxiny
15 years ago

The old saying goes, "If your girlfriend plays games, keep her."

I still need to buy MGS4.

I'm glad MGS4 was exclusive; somethin to brag about. 😉

Karosso
Karosso
15 years ago

Hey Ben, I know exactly how it is, sometimes its just the right time to be on your own.
My friends all try to hook me up these days but, I have refused them all.
I am starting to look for a new place to live and a new car. After watching my friend getting so much stress from his girlfriend when trying to pick a car, I don't think I want the company right now 🙂
Happy to hear you completed Killzone 2, I am trying to beat it in Elite mode but got stuck on the train level, not sure I can pull this one off…
I sure as hell prefer to have my games in my hands, take it with me on a trip to a friends house, not a big fan of downloads.
About MG5, they have not let me down yet, so I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
Love the site and your articles, keep up the good work but make sure to have some time for yourself..
Peace!

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

Thanks.

And here's a general life rule; if you follow it, your life will be filled with peace and happiness:

Solidify your own life first, and THEN seek to add someone else to it.

Qubex
Qubex
15 years ago

Very true Ben, very true!

Q!

"i am home"

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
15 years ago

Aye aye

Or end up like Chris Brown

ps92117
ps92117
15 years ago

ben if I am not mistaking someone here belives relations should be traumatic.

Jamaican_Heat
Jamaican_Heat
15 years ago

They better not ever switch to downloading games over the physical disc. I agree that having your own collection of games built up with the cases and game books does give you the sence of possession. Its alright to have the DLC or the smaller downloadable games non – disc based but all the larger scale games should always be available at your local games store 🙂

Fabi
Fabi
15 years ago

Well here's hoping MGS5 is good and hopefully exclusive 🙂

I haven't passed KZ2 yet, I'm taking it super slow. I actually haven't picked it up in days.

Reccaman18
Reccaman18
15 years ago

You know, now that you mention it, Kojima not being on board does make me feel a little uneasy. I hope its nothing, though.

End of line
End of line
15 years ago

If only one thing were to get carried over from Hideo, I hope its the level of quality he strives to achieve. Partly because we all want a kick@ss game but also a kick@ss game that can only be done on the PS3.

migabyte
migabyte
15 years ago

Hey, this has nothing to do with this article, but I figure people will post on it…..I am trying to change my hard drive and those screws are so hard to get out. Anyone else have this problem? Or are my drivers just not perfect fit.

migabyte
migabyte
15 years ago

Ya, I was just stripping them. I live in Korea, so sometimes it is hard to find exactly what I am looking for (don't speak Korean), I bought a driver set, but it was exactly right. Anyways, I just walked around to stores asking them to take them out. I found some car audio place that did it for me.

chaosrunner
chaosrunner
15 years ago

I didn't have a problem with mine. The key, I think, is to go slowly and patiently. Based on how tight the screws were, I know it would have been very easy to strip them if I'd tried to rush it, but by applying slow, constant pressure I was able to get everything out and back in with no problems.

migabyte
migabyte
15 years ago

Ya, it's all done now, and happy with the results… I lost my trophy data, I put it on the server about a week ago. I moved, and I can't get connected to the internet (with my PS3) at the moment, but when I do will I get my trophies back? Is "The server" my internet provider, or Sony's server? I guess I'll find out when I get connected, but just wondering.

chaosrunner
chaosrunner
15 years ago

The server is Sony's server, but I don't know if it will sync up your trophy data or not. I did a backup of my drive onto an external drive prior to swapping drives and all of my trophy data was intact, so…YMMV.

Skatejimmy5
Skatejimmy5
15 years ago

I agree with games needing to be on disc format. I love having a physical gaming collection. I love to stack them all up in front of me and bask in the glory that is discs.

Seriously, I'd hate if everything turned downloadable, but some smaller games are nice to have digitally, like Super Stardust HD.

slayerkillemall
slayerkillemall
15 years ago

hey Ben, i still cant believe,you did not let the girl play with your wiimote my friend…:)lmao

now about the metal gear game ive never liked that type of gameplay,but i have no doubt that it will continue to be an excellent franchise with excellent games…

and concerning the physical media.,why are we having this discusion really…i have no doubt in my mind that sony unlike other companys actually thinks and plans ahead when putting a new product out,and they are not about to stop making games on blu-ray after all their hard work.,thats like stop making playstation alltogether…..

somethingrandom
somethingrandom
15 years ago

She was obviously looking for attention. 😀

Gow49ers
Gow49ers
15 years ago

Ben ,

Congrats on finishing Kz2, i thought the game was superior, and the final battle was a bit difficult at times, but just had to find the right pattern, did u beat radec in under 20 minutes to get the trophy?

Gow49ers

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

No, damnit…did it in 24 mins. 🙁

Random_Steve
Random_Steve
15 years ago

yer, my bro has loads of songs on his iPod but its nothing compared to my dads 1000s of vinyls (im not kidding, hes used up a whole bookshelf as tall as an average room and hes got loads on the floor. Thats what happens when you collect for 30+ years)

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

Yeah man, and THAT'S a collection.

AlucardHellsing
AlucardHellsing
15 years ago

Hideo Kojima gave me more than I hoped for in Metal Gear Solid 4 , he has set the bar so high , that I don't think that any other director would do the series any justice (if it's a sequel that is ) . However , if MG5 is a spin off , not a direct sequel , then I would be very much interested .

Zorigo
Zorigo
15 years ago

MGS4 has earned my own award which means relatively nohing in the big wide world against the other 6 biliion people, but i feel if i call anything 'epic' it is truly truly… well EPIC.
the only games i've given EPIC to are MGS4 and Uncharted: DF
i really hope uncharted 2 is epic. oh and i qould giv cod4 epic, but the hype slates it abit.

chaosrunner
chaosrunner
15 years ago

For whatever it's worth, I'm feeling you on the 'figuring yourself out before adding anyone else into your life' thing. I know I had horrible luck with women until I got comfortable with who I was. And while this is a gaming site, not a dating site, it's nice to see the attempt to share hard won wisdom.

And even though it's an XBox exclusive (sad as that may be) I'm dying to hear your impressions of SO: TLH.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

Yeah, it's really the only life advice I have for anyone- make sure you're comfortable with who you are, get your life in order (direction, financial situation, etc.), and THEN move forward with seeking a partner. Do it any time before both previous accomplishments, and you're only asking for trouble.

And don't worry; I'll be sure to post up Star Ocean impressions. 🙂

Zorigo
Zorigo
15 years ago

i agree with MG5 thing. i hope it's good. i really do, they have a lot to live up to after MGS4.

as for the disc vs downloadable debate. while i'm not ready just yet to give up discs, i will eventually. oh, and the thing of music collection, i agree about the vinyls, they seem kinda cool, but i would rather have a whole load of digital songs than a whole load of CDs. if vinyl could be digital quality, then i would prob by some of my fave records, but i prefer everything digially where music is concerned.

Karosso
Karosso
15 years ago

Hey Zorigo, did you try KZ2? It's as epic as they come, at least the game play IMHO.
Totally agree with you on MGS4 and Uncharted.
Uncharted 2 will most likely make any other game that has a story, sound stupid. The acting on the first one was the best I have ever seem in a video game and on most movies to be honest.

migabyte
migabyte
15 years ago

I was just in Japan last week and noticed some things in case anyone cares. First they have all these different colors of PS3's, which was cool. They looked really nice, especially the white and silver one. Also X360 is such a joke over there. They have the Nintendo and PS games/consoles front and center, and the X 360 is tucked away behind with only a few games. This was at Toys R Us, and I've seen similair things at other stores. Just thought it was interesting.

Minishmaru
Minishmaru
15 years ago

Well I dunno, they could make a game that could be better than MGS4 or they could do the whole thing where Call of Duty 4 is awesome and just incase they wanted to make the other game called "World at War" instead of 5 just incase they messed up. Hence the subraction of Solid from the title.

I am definitly with you on the disc vs downloads, I never have to worry about having enough space on my PS3 or 360. I still can't go with digital music cuz when I meet a band I wanna hand them a cd or something to sign, sorry but I'm not gonna give each band I meet a brand new Ipod to etch their names on yanno? lol
Also, Burnout Paradise is probably gonna be the game that gets dlc and patches but it wasn't exactly messed up in the first place, I've seen it as an awesome game from the beginning and up to the dlc.

Oh and Ben, I work at a Best Buy and I gotta say…they hire some of the most attractive girls lol. So if you missed your shot at one…just go to another or the same one 🙂

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

She wasn't an employee. But I noticed they do have some cute girls. All waaaaay too young for me, but still… 😉

Totalz
Totalz
15 years ago

I'm still on that bloody Radec battle and it's driving me INSANE!!!

I decided that I should get stuck into the online and love it!! I'm enjoying it more than COD at the moment.

I'm a slow gamer too. It took me like 15-20 hours to complete MGS4, although I was wandering around in awe a lot of the time. Or watching cutscenes…

SplendidBlended
SplendidBlended
15 years ago

What is this about stripping and applying constant pressure? Let's keep it Disney, people lolz. ;D

chaosrunner
chaosrunner
15 years ago

You mention stripping, yet managed to completely miss the obvious 'screw' jokes. Geeze…

LegendaryWolfeh
LegendaryWolfeh
15 years ago

but disney wants to sell sex to little girls using the jonas brothers XD

www
www
15 years ago

Ben i got just one question for you;
Are you some kinda Japanese-American?

I mean…you keep stressing out ya crave for JRPG all the time and there's Fallout 3 right under ya nose…yea Fallout 3 isn't jrpg but at least is an rpg for sake's sake.Now you're gonna go play Star Ocean….don't get me wrong i love jrpgs as well n would like to try out star ocean….but everyone knows Fallout 3 is awesome.

You never talk about Fallout 3, WHY?

somethingrandom
somethingrandom
15 years ago

He's definitely not japanese 😉

Alienange
Alienange
15 years ago

He's mentioned in the past that he's not interested in Fallout 3. I know, crazy huh?

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

You ever heard of a 6'3, 225 lb. Japanese-American? Hardly. I'm Polish and German.

And I typically hate WRPGs that use the concept of "so-called" freedom. I know Fallout 3 is great but in my eyes, it's little more than an enhanced FPS or action/adventure. I dunno…I grew up with a very different type of RPG and that's what I like.

Alienange
Alienange
15 years ago

I wish I was 225 lbs .. dang. I'm 6'2 at 175. It's almost gross. lol

www
www
15 years ago

LOL!……I know right,stereotypical Japanese/Chinese are 5ft n below but what happened to Yao Ming?

Yea JRPGS beat any other rpgs anyday but at least i'll play fallout 3 for now, since FFXIII n versusXIII are taking forever.

Ultimate_Balla
Ultimate_Balla
15 years ago

I Wonder How Long It Took Ben To Complete COD4. . . I Would Certainly Like A Patch For GeOW1, Dom Is Such A Pain Sometimes, Most Of The Times Actually. So Does it Have One?

NoSmokingBandit
NoSmokingBandit
15 years ago

Good luck playing KZ2 on the hardest setting, Ben. Its a bitch. When fighting Radec I found that hanging out by the stairs on the left (when facing Visari's office) it a pretty safe place to be. Hopefully Rico doesnt die or you have to dash out after him then run back. When the ship of some sort crashes through the window start working your way around to the top of the steps. I only died a few times after i worked out that strategy.
It took me 9.5 hours to finish KZ2, but to be fair most of it was spent just looking at the environment, lol.


Last edited by NoSmokingBandit on 3/15/2009 5:03:36 PM

Karosso
Karosso
15 years ago

Hey NSBandit! Did you beat it on Elite Mode?
Any tips on invading the palace? I'm stuck there on Elite Mode 🙁

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

I ain't playing KZ2 on Hard. LOL

somethingrandom
somethingrandom
15 years ago

The easiest way to kill Radec is this. Use cover when he is shooting, but try to get close to him with the shotgun. Blast him once or twice and he'll start teleporting around you with his knife. try to keep him in your sights and when he chases you, shoot him twice with the shotgun. He will appear at range again, so repeat. If he ever teleports somewhere while in the knife section, and you don't know where he is, or you don't know if you can turn around quick enough, just sprint and he'll teleport somewhere else.

Alienange
Alienange
15 years ago

I think this MGS5 talk is bs. They're probably just going to release MGS4 Guns of the Subsistence.

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