Ben-DutkaIt has been a fun week but I'm getting a little tired of the snow. This usually doesn't happen until early March…maybe I'm just getting old.
A new inFamous this year? Yes, please!
So the OPM rumor says Sucker Punch may deliver a sequel to inFamous later this year and if accurate, it will quickly become one of my most anticipated titles of 2010. I honestly didn't think I would like the original, but it was actually my third-favorite game of last year behind Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Killzone 2 . The idea of inputting a superhero into a GTA-like setting totally paid off; the controls were super tight, the entire experience was always entertaining and for some reason, I could just run around scaling buildings all day long. It was that much fun. At first, I thought Cole moved too quickly and that would pose a problem but it didn't take long for me to acclimatize myself. By the time it was over, I had done just about everything there was to do and was hoping for more. Even the story was pretty damn good (for an action game, anyway), and the powers you gained were awesome .
I suppose my only concern about releasing a sequel so early would be that it could be considered a "reshash," in that the developers didn't really change much. You know, maybe it feels more like an expansion than a true sequel…? But I really don't think that will happen; I do have faith in that team. I'll be looking for more info on this over the next few months, that's for sure.
I need to know more about Final Fantasy Versus XIII
I know a lot of you are amped up for this one but until I learn more about it, I have to stay on the fence. I'd be interested to know just how many members of the Final Fantasy XIII team have moved over to work on Versus , and I'd also like to know how the creation process moved along without those guys. I mean, we know Versus has been in development for a while and you have to assume Square-Enix planned to shift employees from one group to another once FFXIII was complete. So how did this work over at S-E HQ? Did they begin the design process for Versus , knowing they actually wouldn't be able to crank until another team wrapped up FFXIII? It might make sense; late last year, Square-Enix said we'd get a big unveiling for Versus in "early 2010," which is right around the time the FFXIII team would break up. But I'd like to know more about how this went down. Actually, I'd like to know a lot about how S-E does things these days.
Personal gaming update
I'm nearing the end of my third play-through in Heavy Rain ; the game is just so unbelievable that it's difficult to put it down. But I've also started playing Bioshock 2 and Dante's Inferno because Arnold and I are doing dual reviews for both. I loved the first Bioshock and I've been looking forward to the sequel since 2007 but…I dunno, Bioshock 2 feels a good deal harder, almost to the point where it isn't much fun. Not only do you have to fight the Big Daddies again, but they seem far tougher, and there are also Big Sisters. Furthermore, if you wish to use the Little Sisters to harvest ADAM, you have to fend of hordes of oncoming Splicers, which is another new addition that makes you expend a great deal of ammo and possibly health. It's still a great game, though. As for Inferno , it's also good but I have a few issues with the gameplay. On the other hand, the atmosphere is undeniably cool and definitely freakish.
I still need to get that "Battle of Forli" DLC for Assassin's Creed II , which I swore I'd nab as soon as it came out. But beyond this, I think the next game I get will be Final Fantasy XIII in March, so I can focus on Bioshock 2 and more Heavy Rain . 😉
Oh yeah…this is Valentine's Day, huh? Um…I forgot. Loser I be. Heh.
After downloading the Heavy Rain demo today, I can not wait till I can get my hands on the full game.
Playing: GoW Collection and Borderlands
The lighting of the game is a bit on the dark side though. It's hard to see the nice details in the crime scene. I tried adjusting the lightings, but then the brighter scenes become unbearable.
Add me if you play Borderlands online: OtisFeelgood.
Back on topic. I'm in the middle of playing Dante's Inferno and the first Mass Effect. I'm kind of tempted to open my White Knight Chronicles case and check that out.
Hey Ben, what happened to Arnold's car editorials?
I gotta get heavy rain now too. Bioshock is getting pushed off for GOW III.
Infamous 2 will be highly welcomed as far as I'm concerned.
I'll be playing WKC until Heavy Rain releases. I have about 80 hours on my save file, but about 10 hours of that is from falling asleep while playing for long periods of time. I hope they make WKC 2 with a harder difficulty level.
You want a harder White Knight Chronicles? That game exists. It is called Demon's Souls. =)
Well, I caved in, and bought an Xbox 360 today. I wanted to see what was so huge about Xbox live and well, I don't see a difference between PSN or XBL. XBL just has more screaming kids.
Add me on XBL, I could use more friends: Massacre386
And better ways to communicate with your online buddies.
Waste of money, if you ask me. 😉
inFamous 2 would be a preorder for me, it was my second favorite of the year just behind U2AT. I'm glad you're playing Dante's Inferno too Ben, I'm savoring it and eating it up. Speaking of which I just entered Gluttony. I hope this IP doesn't end with its first iteration, though I'm not sure where else one could take it. Very much looking forward to your dual review.
Bio2 sounds annoying so I think I'll pass on that what with WKC, XIII, and HR on the way. Who is doing the FFXIII review? Another dual?
And yeah I'll stay on the fence about Versus, everyone is saying it will be the true FF because it remains exclusive but I don't expect it to stay that way, and who knows where this game is going. It's got style, I'll give it that. I'm rambling now, I should go get some gaming done.
FFVersus won't be the true FF. Its more like a true sequel to Kingdom Hearts 1.
kinda weird since it actually did have a sequel already? Also since it has nothing to do with keyblades nor the KH universe, unless you mean like a spiritual sequel.
I think nomura said that versus' gameplay will be similar to kh. Lol, try picturing noctis with a keyblade.
Why would anyone knock someone over the head with a key?
Heaven forbid we teach our children violence through swords and guns, instead.
</sarcasm>
I guess it was happy medium for the kiddies. But I totally get what you're sayin'.
Sad thing is that Versus seems to actually have more in common with the earlier FF's than XIII does. Its story has something to do with the Crystals, World map, towns and so on.
But then again that is why I am looking forward to Versus more.
Oyashiro: World map? Towns? where did you get that info?
Nomura did a interview a while ago. Its been know for quit a while and is few of the only bit of info on the game. But they haven't said much since so for all we know they may have decided that the linear pathways of XIII was a better way to go.
But hopefully having the XIII team now working on Versus won't influence anything.
Last edited by Oyashiro on 2/14/2010 7:13:35 AM
Er…i guess I'll just get FFXIII. The paradigm thing looks fun to play around with.
Don't forget to mention the Dante's Inferno multiplayer option on the way, Trials of St. Lucia. That looks like something I might actually care about online.
Indeed, something I'm definitely going to get in april when it comes out I guess. Creating challenges and co-op would be epic.
Now because I love KH, FFvXIII will be a pre-order for me.
But this could be one of the most gorgeous looking game, SE said in-game graphic would be the same as the CGI, mix that with tons of action on the screen and we get something that will blow us away to Pluto.
But Pluto is so tiny. (Thats what she said) Oh and Speaking of Dantes Inferno, I bought and completed it today, took me about 4 hours. I was pissed so I traded it for MAG.
Either you're just too good at GOW to be able to finish it in 4 hours or Dante's Inferno is just that short.
there is no way you finished dantes inferno in 4 hours.
must of missed out on a lot of the collectibles and such.
Well, I am good at GOW, but I just felt the game was short. Not to mention the extra DLC drove me away.
I think Final Fantasy VS is going to be a fully fledged action game. Judging by that really old trailer, and Square Enix's commitment to westernizing there games, I wouldn't be surprised. Especially after that article psxe posted, awhile back about the next final fantasy game not being a traditional ff game.
Dantes Inferno definitely looks badass, it makes my giddy for Kratos' vengeance
Last edited by dlte on 2/14/2010 12:09:56 AM
Ben, my though sentiments exactly. InFamous was a surprise favorite of mine as well. But I've learned two things. Rather, I came to one conclusion and a decisive question after attempting my first platinum trophy for a game (through inFamous, assuming it was an "easy" one).
First, there is no such thing as an "easier" platinum. May be, less hair-pulling frustrating, or less suicide-inducing. But not easier. No, that would defeat the purpose. More on that purpose, later.
Secondly, I'm not sure what is more rediculous: the amount of time I've wasted trying to get the damn thing, or the sense of "accomplishment" of getting it (which, after two nights, I haven't gotten, yet). And I mean "rediculous" in the bad way. Trophies or achievements, or what ever you wanna call these hellish virtual trinkets through which developers seek to exact revenge on us for our selfish, petty, endless wish lists, suck the fun out of the game, and the time from our lives. And I'm at the age, where I can't afford to do that anymore.
My God. And I'm not a unskilled gamer. I'm not a professional, thank God, but I enjoy completing sp campaigns of all games without faq, guide or walkthrough. I enjoy problem-solving, figuring out a cleverly designed puzzle, or arriving at a discrete solution for a beautifully crafted challenge. I feel like I'm fully appreciating the world that has been artfully created by the designers and programmers as they intended for me to witness. But I don't get that same vibe when I'm going for the "coveted" platinum. Rather, I feel like a dog jumping through infernal hoops of punishment who only finishes the race to land in a box of doodoo. Also on fire.
I don't enjoy pinging every single area of an entire open world in a videogame, for the sake of bragging rights. No, although I may now feel enlightened to know what a video game tester experiences in his daily life, that, however, does not come with the single incentive of getting paid to do it.
Ok, now, I know there's some guy out there, who's thinking, "hey, don't know what that guy's problem is, I had no problem". And I say to him, Con-F'ing-gratulations. But to the rest of us who actually have real goals, jobs, relationships, actual events, priorities, and commitments in our lives: Don't sweat it. I'm sure if there is a God, that He has a allotted time for enjoyment, relaxation, and entertainment, but He has also granted us some higher purpose to our lives greater than Trophy-mashochism. And to those who don't believe in God: what are the bragging rights in a trophy if comes at the cost of your hair? And to those don't have hair: may be you should think of the others around you who do and would like to keep it?
</rant>
I really don't see why the whole god section was necessary really, but FF there wasn't much point to that reply either, let's not get a big ol' religious debate in here =P
But indeed, I don't know how some people can sit and get platinum's all the time, some people even try to get every game so they can get platinums, how on earth do they have the time for that or do they even do anything else? jeez..oh well, I just play my game and enjoy it, if I get a trophy magically from doing what I'm already doing, yay, if not, I'm not about to go out of my way and get it =)
@ Shams – I can see how one might feel that trophies are "these hellish virtual trinkets through which developers seek to exact revenge on us for our selfish, petty, endless wish lists, suck the fun out of the game, and the time from our lives." I really do. Some trophies are pure trash. But I'll tell you why I like trophies and by extension, platinums.
I for one would have missed out on a LOT of what developers put into their games if it wasn't for these trophies. I have seen things and accomplished things in games that I would NEVER have bothered to even attempt had there not been a trophy associated with it.
Call me a weirdo if you want, but I am very happy with my accomplishments in games like Batman, GTAIV, Far Cry 2, Uncharted 1+2 and many others. Play Uncharted on Crushing mode? Not in a million years. But then there was this trophy… Turns out I CAN finish that game on crushing and it's an entirely different experience than on normal.
Long story short. Don't be a hater. Eat sleep and breath trophies and they will reward you.
Oh, and 200 pigeons FTW!
Alienange – I think I've agreed with you on the last 3 articles.
I love trophies. I would have NEVER played either Uncharted on crushing either, but I did, and it was awesome… and Lazarevic on crushing is just IN-SANE, and I will never fight him on crushing again….but I'm glad I did.
As for GTA IV, I played it when it first came out before the trophies, and I haven't had the urge to go back and play it again for the trophies. And even if I did, I don't know if I would have the patience for the 200 pigeons.
To FFrulez: What can I say? Trophies DO NOT bring out the best in me.
To LegendaryWolfeh: Yeah, I hear you. Saying "God", in the unemphatic sense, isn't politically correct, but I find my self using it a lot when I'm having one of those soul-searching moments of reflection that causes you to look at your life, your age, and where you're at…this time brought about during an arduous pursuit of a platinum trophy. I guess it's worth something.
To Alienangel:
I misspoke. Trophies can be a nice bell and whistle when all is required is some keen observation, and technique. But when some of them are only achieved through incessant trial/error, or random events, or continuous, finger blistering, button-mashing it really becomes clear what intention the platinum trophy was created with. You cannot believe how disappointed I was last night, after executing each stunt, and finding each blast shard, only to find out I still have to "bio-leech" 100 times for the platinum. It really seems I was the one who was getting "bio-leeched".
To SvenMD:
Like I said, I love a good challenge. Although, I haven't gotten around to playing U2 on crushing (I beat it on Medium and Hard), or KZ2 on elite (I got to the last boss fight on Veteran, than decided just to play it again on Easy and beat it to save time and figure out the strategy), I did beat U1 on crushing, before it even supported trophies, and actually did not find it be "crushing", but rather enjoyable. But, i think we can both agree some trophies are more trying on one's patience and less rewarding.
Gotta pass on Dante's Inferno for GOW3. Also I`m pretty mad that Alan Wake for the PC got cancelled, but o well, judging by screens & what we know, Heavy Rain > Alan Wake.
I was looking forward to the PC version as well 🙁
Bioshock 2 is amazing and i find my self saving all my ammo for the big daddies and big sisters on all the other guys i either use plasmids or my drill im also playing dantes inferno and its definitly gona keep me satisfied till God of war 3 comes out as for heavy rain im definitly gona get it im just not sure if itll be my style of game ive played the demo and it was fun but does that mean the whole game will be fun?? i dont know but either way its a definite pickup. im definitly waiting on ff13 versus it in my opinion is the next true final fantasy im not gona waste my money on ff13 simply because they decided to put the game on the xbox and cut out a whole lot of shit
By not buying FF13 you are giving them a pretty good excuse to make VS13 multiplatform in my opinion
Ben, dont judge Bioshock just because its too hard for you 😉
hard?
bioshock is piss easy!
im almost finished playing on medium settings and i have only died twice and both times were cause of my carelessness trying to hack a safe.
bioshock has to be one of the easiest games i have ever played.
please sucker punch do not release infamous 2 this year.
infamous is one of the best games i have ever played, i would hate to see it rushed and tainted.
went over to my cuzs today for his 21st and played infamous with him, and got to say after finishing it 10 times and spending god knows how many hours playing it im still not sick of it.
never has a game kept my attention for that long, not even assassins creed 2.
i mean it took sucker punch 2 years to make infamous and its quite buggy.
first time i booted up the game today i leaped off the roof and fell through the ground.
than after i reloaded i died hanging off a building and some how got stuck in the building.
if they cant make a game polished and bug free in 2 years than how the hell are they suppose to do it in 1?
i want to play infamous 2 as much, probably more than anyone else but id rather wait 2 years and it be perfect than wait 1 and it be mediocre.
infamous is too good a game to be rushed.
Um, those sound like miraculous one of a kind glitches. none of those have ever happened to me and how would it be rushed? they had to spend more of the first time developing an engine and now that they have one (unless they used others, I entirely don't remember) then it'd be faster to do as all they'd have to do is tweak it and make a new story and such.
true but i cant see them finishing the game in 1 year.
if they can release a game of infamous quality in one year fine release it this year, but i doubt they can.
same with assassins creed , ubisoft is going to run that series in the ground.
thats what i hate about the industry today everything is about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
look at GH that was such a great game, same as 2, 3, all sold quite well so it turned into a cash cow.
i dont want assassins creed and infamous to suffer the same fate.
not to mention there is so many games coming out this year, sony needs to spread its exclusives out because lets face it infamous needs all the help it can get.
I agree! inFamous is a great game, but it had it`s share of bugs, like alot! But it didn`t ruin the experience…it was still great in every way. I`m on my second playthrough, beeing evil!
Oh god! I still remember when I got Infamous, the addiction that game gives you is unhealthy…
I played that game for hours. Even had to let go of it for a while…
Love how the world plays into the story and how the game presents you with so many unique situations!
It truly is one of the best superhero games made. Damn fun!
—-
Valentine's eh? Just another trick to get our money, hmph!
Final Fantasy Versus XIII!
Hahaha, c'mon guys – look at my avatar. I know it'll make you smile 😀
It's the fabled item I searched for…
Last edited by Banky A on 2/14/2010 4:03:09 AM
pink pumas?
Banky,
Hmmmm, was it just a dream sequence, or did you really hear that somebody hid pink Puma's somewhere in Fable? LOL
Last edited by BikerSaint on 2/14/2010 9:03:26 PM
Haha I don't know why people think it's pink. It's navy but with azalea stripes and laces. The inside is azalea too so I'll give you that.
It contrasts good with black.
@BikerSaint
You're a funny guy 😀
*Friendly message*
And all you proper haters need to calm down because I'm not fully serious about this. I'm having fun with y'all hha.
Last edited by Banky A on 2/14/2010 11:19:38 PM
Hm…does anyone wonder why they called it Final Fantasy in the first place?…i mean…it's never really the FINAL one anywayz