Posted On Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 By Jay
It isn’t often that I play and enjoy stealth games. I haven’t seriously returned to this genre since the original Splinter Cell. Even though stealth isn’t my preferred genre, I suggest this title to gaming fans everywhere! The folks up at Ubisoft Montreal have outdone themselves.
Below I illustrate systems or concepts I found interesting while playing Conviction.
Michael Ironside is Sam Fisher
Cover Mechanic and Resource Management.
VO, or as the AI like to say “asshole this, asshole that! Think that will work asshole! Asshole! Asshole!”
Michael Ironside is Sam Fisher
Not system or even design related I know. At first I was taken aback and wondering how his arms grew back after that dreadful fall from that mars elevator. I realize his voice is not new to Splinter Cell fans. It was however new to me. His voice acting, coupled with excellently written dialog made Sam’s many cut-scenes and quips quite bearable. To celebrate, for the first time on GToB, I’ve embedded a youtube video. Watch it.
O that’s nice!
Cover Mechanic and Resource Management
Normally I wouldn’t bother covering the basics of the stealth genre. I feel that it is the responsibility of the game studio to create a set Continue Reading
Posted On Monday, May 3rd, 2010 By Jay
I’m back!
Finally! Wordpress breaths again! Serves me right for keeping around 2 year old plugins…
Moving on! I have many updates and plenty of observations, things I like and other GToB none sense!
On with the show! Below is the list of games I either am currently playing, have played (and beaten) and plan to play in the coming month.
Splinter Cell: Conviction – 360 – Beat
Civilization 4: Mod Fall from Heaven 2 – PC
Super Street Fighter 4 – 360 – zomg awesome
Blood Bowl PC: Dark Elf Edition
It’s a wonder I have any time. I’m sooo excited that I can post again! Eat it Intertoobs!!!
Posted On Monday, January 4th, 2010 By Jay
I’m not terribly surprised that I like Dragon Age. It’s terribly good. I won’t sing the praises to the high heavens for the combat system however. While I enjoy the story and the setting, the character advancement and combat system could use a little work. I also look forward to any iterations Bioware has in store for the sequel(s).
For instance:
If you begin an encounter poorly, there isn’t a way to bounce back. In other words, didn’t pull off that perpetual come back. In other words, the combats must be executed well, not flawlessly or you die and have to re-load.
For instance, its easy to see where the inspiration for the combat came from. Have you ever played a DnD game? Have you played 4th edition DnD? Have you played Baldur’s Gate? (I feel horrible at referencing their own game, sorry Bioware.)
Another Bioware title within the same universe, Dragon Age: Journeys. Where its easy to adjust your tactics and bounce back from a poor decision. This is built into the game because its turn based. Watching the combat unfold due to your choices is simple to understand.
Playing the real time version is a little less forgiving. I don’t mind having to Continue Reading
Posted On Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 By Jay
The Horus Heresy series is amazing. I’ve enjoyed every moment of every book. Throughout my years of playing 40k table top, I’ve never particularly enjoyed the Space Wolves.
I always preferred Chaos and the Tyranids. For years I played Tyranids. There was nothing quite like throwing 80 Hormegaunts from 2nd edition across the table towards whatever army I was fighting. It didn’t really matter who they were in the end. 160 dice against any foe causes wounds. My apologies readers if you have no idea what I’m talking about.
With 4th and 5th edition I became increasingly interested in Chaos. I never liked Nurgle and I always thought the history of the Heresy to be quite dubious. I believe it resonates with my lack of understanding of Fanaticism. So imagine my surprise when I’m in a local book store and I see a novel titled Fulgrim.
I immediately picked it up, read the back cover and a flipped to a random page to see the quality of the writing. I was confronted with nouns, characters and settings in Pre-Heresy 40k. I was in heaven.
Each book paints the pre-Heresy Imperium in a very interesting light. Almost each new planet must negotiate with Continue Reading
Posted On Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 By Jay
*There are slight spoilers below*
I got my copy of MW2 yesterday and the game continues to impress. I wasn’t under the impression that Infinity Ward was a continuing series based in their MW universe. Although I don’t think IW delivered MW2 to the same level of critical reception as MW, the game does impress.
The main players of the first installation, if you will, of MW make a come back appearance in MW2 in addition to some new characters. The russian level, that everyone made such a fuss about, does leave an impact and introduces the call to action. That pivotal part of every Hero’s Journey where the main character/characters are spurred into action to right the wrongs of the world.
The resolution leaves something to be desired in the same way that the Matrix Reloaded leaves the audience feeling. You can tell that the events of the presented story are complete but there is much yet to be resolved.
A couple points if you will:
The characters still have a level of bad assery about them. By the third time I saw that ridiculous mohawk on Soap’s head I was over it *snicker*
The environments are expansive, This is in stark contrast to MW. Continue Reading
