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Ben’s Week In Review: August 16

I actually expect some fireworks at this year's PlayStation Experience . Perhaps God of War and Gran Turismo …?

Well, horror fans got their wish

I know fans of the genre loved the Resident Evil HD Remaster – and rightly so – but in my experience, horror aficionados still place Resident Evil 2 ahead of the original. Kinda like "The Godfather II" vs. the first movie; both are amazing but die-hards like to rank the sequel just a smidgen higher.

So, when I heard Capcom was doing a Resident Evil 2 Remake , I knew series lovers would be ecstatic. From a personal standpoint, I'm actually sort of excited as well, because this was the first RE adventure I really played . I mean, I think we all played the first title; even if we didn't finish it, or even if we didn't own it, we probably still sampled it. It was too massive to miss and if you didn't have it, chances were, somebody you knew did. I was at the end of my sports/racing game days ( Ridge Racer , Twisted Metal , Jet Moto , Madden and various baseball and basketball games were receding; only Gran Turismo would remain), and I hadn't quite started my RPG kick. Therefore, I did try the first Resident Evil .

But I really got into RE2 and it has the distinction of being one of the very few games that could interrupt my RPG lovin' back in the PlayStation days. I think Medal of Honor and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night are the only other two titles to interrupt that obsession. So, when I say I actually played and finished RE2, that means a lot . Later, I basically owned a Dreamcast just so I could play Code Veronica . Yes, for me, as for many others, RE2 was a landmark game.

Can't wait for Rainbow Skies

Even though I don't really play strategy/RPGs anymore, I really liked Rainbow Moon . I had a few problems with it later on, but I think the developers are addressing those issues in the upcoming sequel. It's great to hear that Rainbow Skies is coming to PlayStation 4 in 2016 , and don't forget PS4 owners get the first game, too. If you watch some of the gameplay for the new effort, you can see the major changes and improvements; I especially like the more dynamic approach to exploration and combat. Multiple distinct characters with the ability to tame over 100 monsters? Count me in. I also love how they're putting a heftier emphasis on the story; it's one of the biggest drawbacks of Rainbow Skies .

And while I know fans of the genre say "the longer the better," I'm actually hoping the new game is a little shorter than Rainbow Moon . I'm sure that won't happen but whatever. Not everyone has countless hours per week to spend playing games, especially when so many amazing titles launch in any given year.

Personal gaming update

After finishing Everybody's Gone to the Rapture , I wrote a brief thank you note to The Chinese Room. I wanted to tell them how much I enjoyed not only the game, but their dedication to furthering the art of interactive storytelling in this industry. They were nice enough to acknowledge the letter with a follow-up thank you, and they also said the response thus far has been "overwhelmingly positive." I'm glad to hear it, even though I know there are a few reviews out there that trash the game. Let me just say this: If you don't understand what the developers are going for, if you can't appreciate their goals, then you shouldn't be reviewing it. There's a reason I try not to review flight sims and real-time strategy games; it's because I'm admittedly out of my element. A few critics were very clearly out of their element with this one, and that's all I'll say on the matter.

Anyway, only a couple more weeks until Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and Mad Max . I still say the former will have a negative effect on the latter , but who knows? Maybe gamers will buy both, or maybe the games are different enough to cater to completely different audiences. I can't wait to try both but I know which one has a better chance at Game of the Year. 😉

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Temjin001
Temjin001
8 years ago

I actually preferred the original RE. Something about the haunted mansion out in the field setting really resonated with me. Castlevania SotN was great. I hope the spiritual successor, Bloodstained, gets it right. The soundtrack is so vitally important imo too.
Tekken 3 was my fav PSX game. I think it was one of the best rated games ever for the platform too.

PGU: Destiny has been a gaming obsession for like 3 weeks now. The Prison of the Elders runs makes getting exotics so much easier. Mostly because of how many Strange Coins you can get in little time from them. I'm getting about 2-3 exotics a week (which has been overkill). I've finally got the Achlyophage Symbiote helmut. While I've loved my Mask of the Third Man, and Blade Dancer subclass, I wanted a solid alternate for when I play as a Gunslinger.
And yes. I got the Gjallahorn rocket launcher from Xur this week too. I've seen that sucker in action and good grief, bosses die fast when a couple of those things are in play.
Anyway, I need a good fireteam to take on the lvl 32 PoE challenge, same too with the Weekly Nightfall Strike.

I will say I'm getting a big hankering to go back to some RTS games. I've got a trial of StarCraft 2 downloading now. I love the genre. So intense. So strategic. So fun. Blizzard does these so very well.


Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/15/2015 10:01:19 PM

aaronisbla
aaronisbla
8 years ago

hey i play destiny all the time, maybe not as much the past couple of weeks but once the dlc hits im back in it again. we should game some time, my psn is aaronisbla, i play it mainly on ps4 tho

Shams
Shams
8 years ago

"Donny, you're out of your element!"

slow and smart
slow and smart
8 years ago

Yeah,Resident evil 2 was soooo good…don't make it an action-game just give it better graphics/controle and let the true survival-horror gameplay intact.

I love games like everybody's gone to the rapture,i'm also happy with the vanishing of Ethan Carter and both only on 1 console,the ps4.

PGU:
i finally finished The Witcher 3,
level 39,
did al question mark area's/side quest's and stuff[not the gwent side quest's],
now i will wait till BOTH the dlc[paid] will be released,and say march/april i will continue with the witcher 3,after Fallout 4[that is IF i finished EVERYTHING in Fallout 4]….


Last edited by slow and smart on 8/16/2015 2:10:43 AM

Gordo
Gordo
8 years ago

Everybody's gone to the rapture. Haven't had such an enjoyable emotional experience since Journey, so well done to The Chinese Room.

I just followed the orbs of light throughout the game and never had a problem with getting lost or losing the plot. Loved the story and the English country accents and insights into the village domestic lives.

Rachet_JC_FTW
Rachet_JC_FTW
8 years ago

yeah i'd say so for the PS Experience ben i would think they were holding something for this as apposed to no gamescon.

then for horror fans well i suppose so good for them.

as for rainbow skies not sure now i'm gunna be that interested tbh after thinking about it a bit.

PGU: i've been on a bit more AC Unity and more ANNO 1404 venice put about 10-15 hours into both over the last 2 weeks nothing else really other than the after school BO2 zombies monday to thursday.

have a great week guys and as always,

happy gaming

JackieBoy
JackieBoy
8 years ago

Yeah, I am one of the many that is excited about RE2 Remake. I realy loved the first one on PSX and this is the one that had greates influence on me. The creepy mansion, the riddles, the survival, the story (i know now it's weak but back then when I was 16, there was nothing like that before…) When the RE2 came out, it was just more of the same, but better! So generally I cannot wait!

PGU: Finished Batman AK more then a week ago and while waiting for MGSV, I'm killing time with Dota2 and SC2 campaign (again), preparing for Legacy of the Void. Love those two RTS.

Riku994
Riku994
8 years ago

"I also love how they're putting a heftier emphasis on the story; it's one of the biggest drawbacks of Rainbow Skies."

I think you either meant to say Rainbow Moon, or didn't mean to say drawbacks.

Shams
Shams
5 years ago

"Donny, you&#39re out of your element!"

slow and smart
slow and smart
5 years ago

Yeah,Resident evil 2 was soooo good…don&#39t make it an action-game just give it better graphics/controle and let the true survival-horror gameplay intact.

I love games like everybody&#39s gone to the rapture,i&#39m also happy with the vanishing of Ethan Carter and both only on 1 console,the ps4.

PGU:
i finally finished The Witcher 3,
level 39,
did al question mark area&#39s/side quest&#39s and stuff[not the gwent side quest&#39s],
now i will wait till BOTH the dlc[paid] will be released,and say march/april i will continue with the witcher 3,after Fallout 4[that is IF i finished EVERYTHING in Fallout 4]….

Last edited by slow and smart on 8/16/2015 2:10:43 AM

Gordo
Gordo
5 years ago

Everybody&#39s gone to the rapture. Haven&#39t had such an enjoyable emotional experience since Journey, so well done to The Chinese Room.

I just followed the orbs of light throughout the game and never had a problem with getting lost or losing the plot. Loved the story and the English country accents and insights into the village domestic lives.

JackieBoy
JackieBoy
5 years ago

Yeah, I am one of the many that is excited about RE2 Remake. I realy loved the first one on PSX and this is the one that had greates influence on me. The creepy mansion, the riddles, the survival, the story (i know now it&#39s weak but back then when I was 16, there was nothing like that before…) When the RE2 came out, it was just more of the same, but better! So generally I cannot wait!

PGU: Finished Batman AK more then a week ago and while waiting for MGSV, I&#39m killing time with Dota2 and SC2 campaign (again), preparing for Legacy of the Void. Love those two RTS.

Temjin001
Temjin001
5 years ago

I actually preferred the original RE. Something about the haunted mansion out in the field setting really resonated with me. Castlevania SotN was great. I hope the spiritual successor, Bloodstained, gets it right. The soundtrack is so vitally important imo too.
Tekken 3 was my fav PSX game. I think it was one of the best rated games ever for the platform too.

PGU: Destiny has been a gaming obsession for like 3 weeks now. The Prison of the Elders runs makes getting exotics so much easier. Mostly because of how many Strange Coins you can get in little time from them. I&#39m getting about 2-3 exotics a week (which has been overkill). I&#39ve finally got the Achlyophage Symbiote helmut. While I&#39ve loved my Mask of the Third Man, and Blade Dancer subclass, I wanted a solid alternate for when I play as a Gunslinger.
And yes. I got the Gjallahorn rocket launcher from Xur this week too. I&#39ve seen that sucker in action and good grief, bosses die fast when a couple of those things are in play.
Anyway, I need a good fireteam to take on the lvl 32 PoE challenge, same too with the Weekly Nightfall Strike.

I will say I&#39m getting a big hankering to go back to some RTS games. I&#39ve got a trial of StarCraft 2 downloading now. I love the genre. So intense. So strategic. So fun. Blizzard does these so very well.

Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/15/2015 10:01:19 PM

aaronisbla
aaronisbla
5 years ago

hey i play destiny all the time, maybe not as much the past couple of weeks but once the dlc hits im back in it again. we should game some time, my psn is aaronisbla, i play it mainly on ps4 tho

Riku994
Riku994
5 years ago

"I also love how they&#39re putting a heftier emphasis on the story; it&#39s one of the biggest drawbacks of Rainbow Skies."

I think you either meant to say Rainbow Moon, or didn&#39t mean to say drawbacks.

Rachet_JC_FTW
Rachet_JC_FTW
5 years ago

yeah i&#39d say so for the PS Experience ben i would think they were holding something for this as apposed to no gamescon.

then for horror fans well i suppose so good for them.

as for rainbow skies not sure now i&#39m gunna be that interested tbh after thinking about it a bit.

PGU: i&#39ve been on a bit more AC Unity and more ANNO 1404 venice put about 10-15 hours into both over the last 2 weeks nothing else really other than the after school BO2 zombies monday to thursday.

have a great week guys and as always,

happy gaming

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