quarta-feira, 23 de julho de 2008

Summer update

Yup, it's just like the Xbox Live Spring and Fall updates xD Now, seriously, I've been sort of neglecting this blog for some time now, with only sporadic posts, but now I'm back with, hopefully, good stuff to talk about. It actually feels good to be here, I really need a place to write now that I've sort of given up on another site. Anyway, I realized that I've kept you in the dark for a long time regarding the last games I played, so here's what kept me entertained in the last few weeks (no i'm not going to talk about MGS4 because you all already know how awesome it is):

Halo 3


The only reason why this hype-beyond-all-reason game was not a total disappointment was because I already knew what to expect, and yes, my opinion stays the same, it's just an average FPS. The graphics, although not bad by any means, are just average when compared to other FPS of its time and gameplay-wise its just the same thing all over again. Not that I was expecting a revolution, or something, but, damn, why do I have to feel like I'm playing Halo 1 and 2 again instead of the sequel they promised me? Another thing is the repetition of events. You shoot aliens, you shoot flood, from time to time you arrive in an open space where you fight with vehicles, it' been the same for years now! Oh, and scenarios? Guess what. You have forests, alien bases and snow like in Halo 1 and desert like in Halo 2. OMFG, it's original beyond measure! Couldn't they throw at least a new theme for a change? The jungle theme doesn't count, it ends too quickly... And guess how the game ends? With a fucking Warthog getaway, just like in Halo 1. Yeah, I'm also thinking what the fuck was Bungie doing all this time to just recycle the previous games instead of making a true sequel. At least it's not boring (for the most time)...

Assassin's Creed


Another pretty hyped game, specially because of producer Jade Raymond (don't look, funnyman, or you might need a cold shower), but this one actually delivered, although both the press and gamers, who apparently were expecting a perfect game, were turned off by just a couple of flaws. Ok, maybe I just like it because I'm interested in the theme of the Middle Ages and its detailed, living an breathing cities are a perfect research source for a book I'm writing, but still, one can't deny the pretty original gameplay and the just superb graphics. Everything is both huge and detailed, and it's stunning to see the game in motion. Recommended for anyone who likes the theme.

The Orange Box


Or better, Hal-Life 2, Episode 1 and Episode 2, since those are the ones I'm actually playing. Portal, as great as it is, once you beat it there's not much left, and I already beat it on my PC, and Team Fortress 2 lacks bots for off-line play, for all of us poor bastards without Xbox Live Gold. I actually just got this game because of Episode 2, but I decided to play the original game and Episode 1 again to better follow the story, and what can I tell? HL 2, despite being more than 3 years old now, is still great and even graphic-wise is not the worst looking game, or FPS, I've seen on the 360 (that title goes to Far Cry, great game with a suck ass presentation). When it comes to gameplay this game is the exact opposite of Halo 3, you never spend more than 5 minutes doing the same thing and just when you start to get tired of a certain section, some twist comes in and you find yourself doing something completely different. Of course it always involves shooting and a little puzzle-solving here and there, but this game really pushes the limits of how many different things and situations you can have in a single game, and the Episodes, that are sort of expansions, do this even better. Also, the interaction between our character and our allies is like nothing I've seen before (only surpassed by the All ghillied up mission in CoD 4), and story-wise, the end of Episode 2 is the most emotional virtual moment I experienced since MGS4. Yes, it's that good. Recommended for anyone looking for a good FPS that's more than just running and gunning.

16 comentários:

The Sports Satirist disse...

I can't wait for Halo Wars, but I will surely miss Master Chief and Kortana. Enjoy finishing the fight.

Although Jade Raymond is easy on the eyes, I thought the woman research scientist in Ass Creed is better looking. She is based off of a real life actress named Kristin Bell.

Wait until you discover the real truth behind the cake mystery in Portal. It will give you a whole new outlook on the phrase "you can have your cake and eat it too." That end theme song is the best music in the entire game. It different from "Up The Fucking Irons." However, I think you will appreciate it for what it is.

NebachadnezzaR disse...

The research scientist is indeed very good looking, I wonder if our guy gets lucky in the end... From the games I mentioned that's the only one I haven't finished yet.

The song "still alive" is like a drug, totally addictive. When I finished Portal I couldn't stop listening to it for a week. In fact I think I'm going to listen to it again now...

Junlee disse...

I haven't played Orange Box, but I have played the Halo's (beat the first one, and played some of the others and friends houses), and while the multi-player is fun, the rest of the game is extremely average, and downright boring sometimes. I don't get the hype with these games.

Assassins Creed was a hell of a game...until the repetition kicked in. It could have been gaming gold had it not forced the gamer to go back to the exact same areas again and again and again, and the NPC could've had something else to say. But the game was stunning looking, and still pretty cool, but got on my nerves.

Fernando Silva disse...

Good post, Neba.

The Orange Box is the best purchase that anyone can do. Five great games (including the best FPS of ever: Half-life 2) in one package... Only fools don't get it (no offense).

About the other games, I can't say anything because I haven't played them yet. Assassin's Creed doesn't attract me and Halo 3 seems good, but those graphics... meh. For most people, Halo 3 is just a good game because it has a great online mode, but I prefer an excellent singleplayer.

Simbyotic disse...

Halo 3 is an average game, no question about that.
I played it in a friend's house and I enjoyed it but I only played in the jungle level. Maybe when the price drops I pick it up for my new 360 (yes I am going to buy a 360 :)).

AC its a game like Alone in the Dark, it could have been gold but its just cooper (but Alone in the Dark its only metal :P). I played it on a Fnac and I didnt enjoyed it, maybe because I didnt have time to know the controls and what to do but I just thought the fights were a bit dull.

Orange Box its great...wait a minute you dont have Live Gold? I thought you had...

NebachadnezzaR disse...

Junlee, indeed it gets a little tedious after a while, but as I said, as a big fan of the theme, I never get tired of roaming the streets (or roofs).

How great to see you here, Fernando, hope you like your stay :)

Simbyotic, Assassin's Creed has a pretty big learning curve. You can't expect to master the controls in just five minutes, it takes some time for you to adapt to them, but after that the game just flows. I actually liked the battles, a lot. Instead of constantly slashing your opponents you have to think, to attack and block until you score that fatal stab.

I just have gold sometimes, whenever I can get it free. Last time I had was because of the free month Microsoft gave me after repairing my console.

Tartaruga Genial disse...

The story begins like this...

All the designers and creators in Bungie initiated one epic brain storm before they finally started the production of the all mighty Halo 3. and after 1 minute of hard and intense thinking the only idea that they came up with was lol:"Fuck it if ain’t broke, don't fix it!". So they decided to mix all the Halo´s and recycle the game engine, great!

Halo 3 it's officially a 10/10, and fanboys all over the world creamed themselves in pure joy.

The End!:-D

Simbyotic disse...

Yeah I know its an utopic ideia to think that I could master the controls in 5 minutes and I mentioned that.
Damn you Jade Raymond and youre beautiful looks you hyped the game to much, I hoped a great game from you.
I love the time the game is placed and I am going to buy it.
But still I do think those missions where yoy have to eavesdrop the guys where to stupid and sometimes difficult (because the learning curve OFC)

Well have fun with it you rich bastard with a 360, PS3 anda a HDTV :P

fatherkrishna disse...

I've got Assassin's Creed in the house, but haven't even been that bothered to put it in the old 360.

My youngest son TED is on Halo 3 online ALL THE TIME and watching him tit about with his friends and download maps and mke maps etc. has done the same thing to me as watching my two older sons tit around on GTA back in the day. It's totally made me hate the franchise... I've still got Dead Rising and Viking to check out on the 360 and JSR on the Dreamcast still excites me more... I've reached something of a gaming stasis at the moment. I'd rather watch films at the moment! (That's not entirely true... I'm enjoying laptop versions of HOTD 2 and 3 and Sega Rally 95 on the PC whilst watching films...) Tonight's fayre was Escape From LA! Snake Plisken back for a second round? COME ON!!!

blackh0le69 disse...

I think we all know Halo 3 sucks already. Lets stop doing this before mochito comes and see's this! (I know you're out there :P)

Assassins, hmm... and this is not a "hmm" about jade raymond, is actually about the game. I dont know exactly how to feel. I played a bit, and the combat did not feel very good to me, still, the game is fucking amazing to watch as you said, and im damn sure if Halo 3 can get a 10 assassins can get a fucking 20. I have not bought it yet, but wait till it comes at 30€ (prob. we'll never see it on the stores...) and the game will be fucking mine.

Orange Box its the same thing. I was going to buy skate, but as it only came out in Portugal for Xbox360 like in October or something, I ended up having the difficult skate vs orange box thought... at the end, I bought non of them, and decided to wait till nba 2k8 :D

BTW, just to wrap up the whole Halo thing... Kane & Lynch owns Halo!

Unknown disse...

Sorry, but no time to chat right now... :(

I have a pick-up for you at my place...!

Unknown disse...

Hello everybody.

NebachadnezzaR disse...

Hello deitrix :)

The Sports Satirist disse...

The sequel to Portal is coming. Did you know that?

NebachadnezzaR disse...

I know about Portal: Still Alive, an Xbox Live port with new levels. Is that what you're talking about or a whole new sequel?

The Sports Satirist disse...

No, it is a real sequel. Portal 2 was confirmed by Valve. I am 100 % sure of it.