Console-ation: Thoughts from the mind of a gaming writer...

A word of warning about Godzilla Unleashed... and some NPD comments

2008-01-18T03:23:00.000-05:00

So I finally got around to posting my multiplatform (PS2 and Wii) review of Godzilla Unleashed. I had been dreading it, primarily because it was a bad game from the get-go. In fact, when I forced myself to sit down and starting playing, I was reminded of former GameSpot editor (and fellow New England Patriots fan) Alex Navarro's unfortunate experience with Robocop for the Xbox. It felt eerily similar, because this game was the antithesis of fun.

For starters, the Wii version forces waggle on a game that really doesn't need it. What sense does it make to push both the Wiimote and the Nunchuk forward in order to pick up an opposing monster? Why not lift both? And then there's the flailing motion for fierce moves, which winds up being an experience not completely dissimilar to Soulcalibur Legends-- although not quite as exhausting or carpal tunnel syndrome-inducing.

The PS2 version may be less frenetic to control, but it's not a better game. How is it at all excusable for a game to run under 30 frames per second on a console that's been around for over 7 years now? What's up with the camera, too? Arrrgh. Thankfully, the PS2 version isn't all that much different from the Wii version, meaning that my sentence with that game was mercifully short.

Both games share the same weak button-mashing gameplay. It makes Super Smash Bros. look like Virtua Fighter in comparison. Granted, these are monsters, and not exactly technical fighters... but even Super Smash Bros. has more technical aspects to it than just randomly hitting the punch and kick buttons.

Seriously, if you were to somehow stumble upon this game, as a "gift" (My sympathies.) or maybe found discarded on the street somewhere... all you need is 10 minutes. That includes the time it takes to take the disc out of the case, turn on your console, wait for the game to load, and then play it. Your friends will laugh at you. Your family will mock you. Even your conscience will want a vacation from you once you've committed to playing this game.

Thankfully, my sentence has been served. My reviews are up and these games are long since out of my possession. I was discussing the reviews with my boss at Video Game Talk, and confided in him that this is one of the five worst games that I have ever played for review purposes. He felt bad for me, but hey... we can't all cover winners.

My 5 worst? We'll save that for another post. (That's called a teaser, folks.)

Oh, before I go... the NPD results (sales numbers) for December 2007 have been released, and I wanted to make a few quick comments before heading to bed:

Almost 2.5 million Nintendo DS units sold in December, bringing the 2007 total to 8.5 million. Holy crap, as Frank Barone would say. (RIP Peter Boyle...)
None of December's Top 10 games were PS3 games, and the PS3 sold less than 800,000 units. Compare that to the PS2 (1.1 million), the Xbox 360 (1.26 million) and the Wii (1.35 million)... and you can see why there's concern about the PS3's future.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games for the Wii topped 600,000 units for December. Really? I played that game for a few hours and needed a massage afterwards. You think that Wii Sports might make you sweat? Ha ha ha... try playing this game for longer than an hour at a time and get back to me. I am still very interested in the Nintendo DS version, which is due next week.
1.25 million copies of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock sold for the PS2 in December. People may complain about the game changing developers from Harmonix to Neversoft, or they may complain about the introduction of boss battles, but I really liked it.

OK... that's it for now. I'm beat. I'm off to enjoy a weekend of live hockey action. I'm seeing a Boston Bruins game on Saturday afternoon, sandwiched between two Springfield Falcons games on Friday night and Monday night. And, of course, it's Conference Championship Weekend in the NFL. Go Patriots!

Talk to you again next Tuesday.

Another Smash Bros. Delay? Arrrgh!

2008-01-15T05:08:00.000-05:00

Here is the bad news, straight from Masahiro Sakurai's mouth:

"Due to delays in the completion of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, we’ve had to change the release date of the game to Sunday, March 9th.

I deeply apologize to the people who have looked forward to playing the game for so long and ask that you hold on just a little longer. Thank you for your patience."

And I thought that today couldn't get any worse after screwing up my back after shoveling snow from yesterday. I am giddy with anticipation for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but now we've seen two delays within three months. First it was December of 2007, then February of 2008, now March 9th, 2008. Enough, already.

On the good side, I was unable to sleep due to my back, so I decided to fire up the PSone and I started playing Final Fantasy IX-- the one FF game that I really didn't play much of. So far, so good.

That's it for now, though... the pain has subsided enough for me to try and get some sleep. Huzzah.

New additions!

2008-01-14T05:14:00.000-05:00

So... I went a bit crazy this past week buying games. Yes, I have reviews of Medal of Honor Heroes 2 for the Wii plus Godzilla Unleashed for both the Wii and PS2 due, but here's what I've added since last I posted last:

Persona 3 (PS2): Yes, this game is as cool as advertised. I am really liking it so far, although getting "tired" while dungeon crawling is really annoying. Why not let us go as far as we can based on healing and recovery items? Still, despite my preference for fantasy RPGs, this game has me hooked on a turn-based RPG for the first time in a LONG time.

Tales of the Abyss (PS2): I've read some posts over at NeoGAF that say that this game is a mighty fine RPG with a pretty decent battle system. I haven't tried it yet, though. Damned Persona 3.

Wild ARMs 3 (PS2): I've owned this game from time to time, but never really gave it much due attention. For $10 brand new, I thought it was worth re-owning.

Sonic Gems Collection (GC): Many picked up this game to play Sonic CD, but I love me some Sonic R. Not that Sonic CD hasn't seen some playing time, but... Can you feel the sunshine, people?

Sonic Mega Collection (GC): Since I bought Sonic Gems Collection (above) and already own Sonic Adventure DX, it made sense to snag this, too. I'm loaded on Sonic now, sans Sonic Adventure 2 Battle.

Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (GC): It was $8 used, and is still one of the Gamecube's more memorable titles. This is what made me want a Gamecube some 7+ years ago. Not Wave Race... (no offense)

Ghost Squad (Wii): I enjoy light gun games, and really had fun with a quick play-through on this game.

Elebits (Wii): I haven't gotten around to this one yet... but it was less than $20.

Yakuza (PS2): Only $9 at Circuit City. I've played this some on-and-off before, but never finished it and always wound up using it as trade bait. For this cheap, though, it deserves another chance.

Custom Robo Arena (NDS): Another $9 find at Circuit City. The RPG portion of this game is crap, but the robot battles are fun and frenetic. I missed the GC game, but found this game easy to get into despite not having any idea what the series was about.

Turn It Around (NDS): Yet another $9 pickup. Not much good to mention about this Wario Ware wannabe, except it was cool for Taito to try and associate some of the included minigames with their classic franchises, like Arkanoid, Bubble Bobble, and Safe Cracker. The reliance on spinning a wheel is just dumb, though. This one's trade bait.

Elite Beat Agents (NDS): The last $9 game I got on my Circuit City run... and it's a re-buy. I love rhythm games, and this one's great. Some songs are really head-scratchers, but overall, EBA is solid.

Justice League Heroes (PS2): I have a feeling that I'm not gonna like this, but I've really had fun with Snowblind Studios' past PS2 efforts in Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and the Champions of Norrath games. We'll see.

X-Men Legends (PS2): I scored this for $7 used. I've played a little of this some time ago, but lost interest quickly. For such a low re-entry fee, I'll give it another whirl.

BloodRayne 2 (PS2): I've heard that this is a hack-'n-slasher with some puzzle elements and tons of blood. OK. I'll try it for $7.

NBA Street Vol. 2 (PS2): Some say this is the best Street game. I remember playing this for hours when it first came out, but sold it when my PS2 originally died in 2006. Now I have it again for $7.

Whew... that's all of them. My PS2 collection is getting HUGE. Unfortunately, though, I need to get those required reviews done before I can really delve into my new additions.

I'll write about how these reviews are coming next time.

Publishers and developers punish EGM... for doing its job?

2008-01-09T02:05:00.000-05:00

Just when you thought the gaming media had gotten over Gerstmann-Gate, more stuff happens, this time with longtime gaming magazine Electronic Gaming Monthly, or EGM for short.

EGM Editor-In-Chief Dan Hsu writes in the February 2008 issue of the magazine that three separate entities have allegedly shut down pre-release press access to the magazine and its associated website. The most prevalent of these entities is Ubisoft, whose Assassin's Creed game received lower scores from EGM's reviewers than almost any other gaming media source. (According to Game Rankings, only Gamecritics.com and X360 Magazine UK scored it lower.)

In addition, Sony Computer Entertainment America's sports division and Midway's Mortal Kombat development team (Ed Boon's army) have also locked EGM out.

This is the pitfall that the mainstream gaming media faces. The same publishers and developers whose work that writers are charged with reviewing honestly are now attempting to execute a power play because of their advertising and accessibility. Basically, the reality is that publishers want higher scores or they'll pull their support in all facets. This hurts the bottom line of any gaming media source. Loss of ad revenue has obvious effects, but then you have no more access to a publisher or developer to obtain coverage for a noteworthy release. You basically lose the right to any exclusive from that source, leaving your site or mag to be scooped and forcing your staff to do what the rest of us who work voluntarily do... borrow from other sources and rewrite press releases.

I have been fortunate so far in that my work has not been subject to scrutiny from publishers or developers-- at least, not that I know of. I've come down hard on a few games so far during my tenure with Video Game Talk, but my boss has come back with nothing in terms of negative feedback from publishers.

Until these larger gaming sites and mags can cast aside gaming-related advertising sources and instead gain support solely from other sources (fast food, soft drinks, clothing, etc.), they don't have a leg to stand on. EGM may survive this lockout and is doing the right thing by informing its readership about such treatment, but the overall relationship between the mainstream gaming media and video game publishers and developers won't change at all for some time to come, Jeff Gerstmann, Frank Provo, and Dan Hsu be damned.

When developers attack...

2007-12-23T03:30:00.000-05:00

Uh-oh.

Memo to Alex Ward:

You might want to think twice before posting an angry retort to criticism regarding your Burnout Paradise demo. Seriously.

Look at these examples:

1. "The demo was made AFTER work on Paradise was completed, so no, we won't be using internet 'feedback' to tune the game." OK... so, the translated version of this statement is... "Screw you... the game is done and we don't give a rat's ass what you think might be wrong." That's a super attitude.

2. "As to those who can proclaim from a taste of the demo that Burnout 2 was the best game (always nice to see all those Gamecube owners on the internet who haven't played the game since B2! ) or that B3 is the better game - again, I can only smile." Hoo boy. What's with the jab, Alex? Gamecube owners didn't get to play the next two Burnout games because either you or the powers the be at Electronic Arts decided that the Gamecube was not a viable platform for the series going forward.

I don't have either an Xbox 360 or a PlayStation 3 right now, but I can tell you that an attitude like this coming from a developer comes off as incendiary and immediately drops the value of the game in my eyes. Why would I want to buy this game and support you in your position if you talk down to me? I'd just assume see your game tank and see you explain to EA's management team why you had to shoot off at the mouth like this prior to the game's release.

This guy makes Tomonobu Itagaki sound like a Nobel Prize finalist.

Quickie: Geometry Wars Galaxies (NDS)

2007-12-23T02:46:00.000-05:00

After debating for a few weeks about whether or not to double-dip on Geometry Wars Galaxies on the Nintendo DS (I've already got the Wii version), I finally decided to take the plunge while stopping to pick up my NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams pre-order. I was worried about the control scheme; after all, going from two analog sticks to a digital control pad and face buttons tends to cost you some accuracy... and if you're not precise with your firing and movement in Geometry Wars, you're toast.

I spent about an hour with Galaxies last night during my karaoke show, and I like what I've played so far. Granted, the game is exactly the same as its Wii counterpart (in terms of content), so there's nothing here that I haven't seen. Understandably, the frame rate takes a hit on the DS; also, the particle effects are trimmed down considerably. The loss of aesthetic quality is to be expected, given the difference of power between the Wii and the DS, but the good news is that it doesn't at all hinder the gameplay experience. In fact, for lesser-skilled players, the choppier frame rate might be helpful.

There is a control option for using the stylus and the control pad or face buttons, but I'm very comfortable using the pad/buttons combination. It isn't quite as precise as the dual analog control style, but it's been effective through the first two galaxies.

I'll be posting a full review of this game within the next week or so, once the joy of Christmas subsides and I have more time to dedicate.

Wiidiculous Demand...

2007-12-21T14:08:00.000-05:00

I can imagine that today has been rough for GameStop staff. Wii-starved individuals today have (had?) the chance to purchase what's been the hottest ticket of the holiday season-- with the catch that the system won't actually be available until next month.

Ummm... wha?

Not that this isn't an unprecedented idea-- we always see this when new consoles are released. They're called pre-orders. In the case of the Wii, however, it's rather ridiculous. Nintendo and GameStop have actually revived pre-orders for a console that's been available for over a year now! I'm sure that it's not quite going to thrill kids who are expecting (errr... hoping for) a Wii on Christmas morning to see a box saying that they console is "on the way".

We're down to four shopping days left, and many shoppers are in desperation mode. While I've been helping out as holiday help at my local GameStop this season, I've seen and heard the desperation first-hand. When the phone rings, you know what it's about. Odds are better than even that non-regulars into the store are looking for a Wii. Every morning brings a small crowd, waiting for the UPS truck to see what goodies it may be bringing.

Ugh.

It's going to get worse, too. Just wait until Super Smash Bros. Brawl debuts in February.

In the beginning...

2007-12-21T13:32:00.001-05:00

Following in the footsteps of some of my colleagues, I've decided to go the "official" blog route and start writing on a more broad scale. This blog will contain, well, almost anything. Thoughts on video gaming, karaoke, current events, sports, music, or whatever else is invading my mind space at the time.

So... who the hell am I?

Well, I am currently a writer and a karaoke host. The writer part is the easiest to define-- I work for Video Game Talk solely as a video game reviewer. Unlike other sites that require their staff to wear several different hats, VGT is only asking me to play and review games. Not a bad gig, if you ask me. Of course, there's no money involved here-- but it's still a way that I remain involved with the gaming press. Since I started there in late October, I've had a fair cross-section of games to cover. Some were great (Super Mario Galaxy), some were poor (Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?), and there have been some 'tweeners in there, too. I've currently got three games in the chute to play through and cover within the next couple of weeks, so things are still busy despite the 4th quarter being all but over.

The karaoke host thing is a bit more complex. I've been doing this for six years now, and I still love it as much as I did when I started. I'm now working in two spots-- the Cadillac Ranch in Southington, CT, and a smaller venue called the Lighthouse in Ludlow, MA. I originally started at the Lighthouse, working a couple of nights a week... it got scaled back to one night a week a couple of years after I began, but it's been a model of consistency for me and it's unheard of for a karaoke show to last so long with no changes. The gig at the Ranch is actually three nights per week-- Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday-- and I got that job while I'd been living in Connecticut back in 2006. Now that I've since moved back to Springfield, MA, it's a 50-mile commute each way... but the people are great and the ownership loves me.

And... that's what I do. Some say it's a great life; but money's always tight and it's looking like 2008 is going to mark a return to "Real Job Land" for me. I don't know what I'm going to do yet; I've been waiting until after the holidays to really get my ducks in a row, but it's a little scary thinking about what I'm going to do and whether I'm going to like it / tolerate it. At least there's still a week or so left before I have to think too hard about it.

Now that the introductions are out of the way, let's get it on!