Games

Feb 1, 2012

Twisted Metal Demo Impressions

I’m just going to come right out and say it: I’m a huge Twisted Metal fan. Twisted Metal 2: World Tour was one of my favorite games for the original PlayStation, and Twisted Metal: Black was the first game I got for the PlayStation 2. So I’m sure it’s pretty obvious that I’ve been eagerly awaiting the PlayStation 3 version of the franchise. When the demo dropped, I hopped right on in. After spending some time with it, I can comfortably say that I like were the series is headed. It’s been a while since I’ve played any of the games, but after an hour or so, it all came back to me. Everything started to feel familiar and natural.

While the formula has pretty much remained unchanged, the guys over at Eat Sleep Play have offered a few new things to keep the veterans on their toes. There are the basic things, like new weapons, that are to be expected. The sniper rifle rewards players for keeping their target in their sights for longer period of time, while the shotgun is most effective when you stay up close an personal with your opponent. Some classic weapons return but have been tweaked to have a charge up ability, which gives them the potential to do more damage. So you can either spam your opponent with a bunch of weapons that range from low damage to medium amounts of damage, or you can be surgical with your attacks by using weapons that can offer a large amount of damage if you take the time to master them. It all really depends on the your play style you feel most comfortable with. This becomes glaringly obvious when you realize that each car actually has two different special attacks that favor each strategy, as opposed to the previous games in which each car only had one special attack. Read More

By Alex's Blog, Games, Main Page, Miscellaneous Tags: , , , ,

Jan 26, 2012

Insomniac Putting Resistance to Bed

We were big fans of Resistance 3 here at Lost Level. While the first two games were decent and got the job done, the third installment really blew us away and exceeded our expectations. With that, it seems as though developers are ending the series on a high note. The Insomniac CEO Ted Price said, ”We won’t be making any more Resistances.” There’s really not a lot o wiggle room for interpretation in that statement.

While it is sad that we be won’t be seeing anymore of the series after Insomniac has finally nailed the formula down, it also bring s a sense of comfort. We won’t have to see them announce a new iteration of the game and worry about them messing up what they so finely polished. Furthermore, it’s rare that we see the end of a series these days. Companies find their cash cow and ride it until the thing passes out in the middle of the street and holds up traffic, creating an annoyance to the public. Okay, that metaphor may have gotten away from me. Read More

By Alex's Blog, Games, Main Page, Miscellaneous, News Tags: , , ,

Jan 19, 2012

BioShock Infinite’s 1999 Mode. Let’s Do This!

Needless to say, games have changed a lot since 1999. They look better. The stories they tell are (generally) deeper and better, with characters you care about. And even though the action has been ramped up, games have somehow become easier. Back in the day, beating a game felt like an accomplishment. You wore it like a badge of honor. Now, it’s almost expected of you to beat the games you play. Granted, this makes sense because the designers want you to witness the whole experience they have slaved over for you, and they don’t want you to just give up because it’s gotten too hard for you pansies. So we’re given things like regenerating health and more ammo than one person can feasibly carry. Sure, Resistance 3 had an “old school” feel because it brought back the health pack, but the classic challenge still wasn’t there.

Ken Levine, who has worked on Thief, System Shock 2, and the original BioShock, is currently working on BioShock Infinite for its release this year, and he longs for the days when a game really challenged him. That’s why he is including “1999 Mode” in BioShock Infinite. “1999 Mode” is said to be a more demanding playthrough of the game. You’ll have to really learn how to manage all your resources and build your character in a way that compliments your play style. Your aim will have to be exceptional and you can’t walk around like bullet sponge. As for game saves, Mr. Levine said, “there are game saves, and you’re gonna f***ing need them.” It’s things like that quote that makes him one of my heroes. Levine goes on to say the following: Read More

By Alex's Blog, Games, Main Page, Miscellaneous, News Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Jan 16, 2012

Mass Effect 3 Not Launching on Steam

Without a doubt, Mass Effect 3 is one of the most anticipated games coming out this year. It’s true because Spike TV’s VGAs said so, and we all know how credible that is (SPOILERS: It’s not). This is a title that many gamers are going to want the day it comes out. So, if you wan to play it for the PC, Steam may not be your best option… or an option at all. BioWare’s community manager, Chris Priestly, hit the forums last weeks saying that Mass Effect 3 will not “initially” launch on the popular digital download service. Whether or not these means they have plans to launch the game for Steam on a later date is unclear.

Of course, this is so that EA, Mass Effect 3‘s publisher, can pimp their digital download service, Origin. In fact, any PC version of the game will require Origin to launch it, like they did with Battlefield 3. Because, god forbid playing a PC game would be as simple as installing and launching the product. Noooooo. That would be far too easy. Instead, you have to download and install Origin as well. Then you have to authenticate your copy of the game through the service. Requiring Origin to play the game may not sound like much, but it’s just a minor headache that doesn’t have to be there. EA shouldn’t make their customers have to jump through hoops just to play their products.

EA cites that the decision to not launch Mass Effect 3 on Steam stems from the distributor’s restrictive terms of services. You can choose to believe that if you want. However, I’ll go on believing that it’s because Steam the largest of the digital distributors, and EA is trying to topple this Goliath. Sure, in the end all EA wants to do is make money and not launching Mass Effect 3 on Steam ensures more money goes to them, but in the end it still makes them look like a whiny little brat that will keep stamping its feet until it gets its way. You can almost hear EA shouting, “No! It’s our game! You can only play it through us!” You don’t know how glad I am that I’ll be picking up Mass Effect 3 for the Xbox 360, and won’t have to put up with Origin.

By Alex's Blog, Games, Main Page, Miscellaneous, News Tags: , , , , ,

Jan 9, 2012

Details of the Bethesda/Interplay Settlement

Well, it appears as though Outcome 1 is what transpired with the settlement between Bethesda and Interplay. The Fallout MMO that Interplay announced five years ago will no longer be in development, which is bad for them, but good for my social life. Bethesda, who developed Fallout 3 after Interplay sold them the rights, said “license granted to Interplay to develop the Fallout MMO is null and void, and all rights granted to Interplay to develop a Fallout MMO revert back to Bethesda, effective immediately.” Inteply will at least be getting $2 million from ZeniMax, Bethesda’s parent company, as a sort of compensation.

Furthermore, Interplay will lose their rights to sell Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics in December of 2013. That will also be the date that they lose the rights to any merchandising associated with the franchise. As for Masthead Studios, who was being subcontracted by Interplay to work on the Fallout MMO, they will also lose any rights to the IP and no payments were made in that lawsuit.

Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax, had this to say about the lawsuit:

“While we strongly believe in the merits of our suits, we are pleased to avoid the distraction and expense of litigation while completely resolving all claims to the Fallout IP. Fallout is an important property of ZeniMax and we are now able to develop future Fallout titles for our fans without third party involvement or the overhang of others’ legal claims.”

So, does that mean a Fallout 4 is coming in the near future (like December of 2013) or even a possible Fallout MMO from Bethesda or other related ZeniMax companies? Who am I kidding? At the very least a Fallout 4 is coming. Why? Studios like to make money.

By Alex's Blog, Games, Main Page, Miscellaneous, News, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,

Jan 5, 2012

Bethesda and Interplay Lawsuit Settled

A couple days ago, reports were coming out that Bethesda and Interplay settled on the lawsuit in regards to a Fallout MMO. For those of you who don’t know, Interplay, the original creators on the Fallout series, sold the IP to Bethesda and used that money reopen after being shut down. Bethesda let Interplay retained the rights to create a Fallout MMO provided they meet certain parameters. Bethesda then sued Interplay, claiming that those parameters have not been met. The first two injunctions that Bethesda filed were denied and the two companies went to court mid-December. Listen, it’s all very legal and very confusing, and there’s no real easy way to explain it. Let’s just say the fate of a Fallout MMO is up in the air at this point.

The specifics of the settlement are still unknown to the public, but they are expected to be revealed by the end of this month. Hopefully, the fate of the Fallout MMO will also be revealed. I, for one, am nervous about what will become of the game… and will probably be unhappy with any outcome. Let me explain. Read More

By Alex's Blog, Games, Main Page, Miscellaneous, News, Uncategorized

Dec 23, 2011

RUMOR: Final Fantasy XV will be announced at E3 2012

Says the latest GamesMaster UK magazine, that is. According to the mag and based on TheSilentChief‘s report:

“…Square Enix has something special planned for the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy next year.

According to a rumor found in latest issue of the magazine; Final Fantasy XV will be announced during a special Square Enix E3 2012 press conference. The next installment to the long running franchise is also rumored to be coming to Wii U and PC along with the PS3 and 360.”

Read More

By Feature box, G's Ramblings, Games Tags: , ,

Dec 22, 2011

REVIEWCAST: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

With the Holidays upon us the Lost Level uncovers one last dungeon to navigate. Join us as we come out the other side with a Tri-Force in hand. Find out what G and Alex think about the latest Zelda game.

Will a princess be captured? Is this a prequel? An origin story? Listen to the guys discuss the story, the gameplay, the controls, and pretty much everything you can think of!

Reviewcasts are spoiler free until the end of the cast, so unlike our Round Tables you can listen and not have to worry about being spoiled. Don’t fret fans of our Round Tables, there is a spoiler section after we finish the initial review.

Happy Holidays from the crew at Lost Level.

 

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By Feature box, Game Reviews, Games, Main Page, Miscellaneous, podcast Tags: , ,

Dec 20, 2011

A must-watch for fans: Kingdom Hearts 3D Jump Festa 2011 Trailer

Fans (or suckers such as moi) who have been following the Kingdom Hearts series since its incarnation should seriously check out this colossal, 8 minute trailer featuring a lot of familiar faces, as well as some gameplay samplings here and there. Those familiar faces, by the way, are mostly the hip kids from The World Ends With You; probably the only Tetsuya Nomura-related game that’s currently out there (in North America at least) which deserves every attention, unlike the rest of his crap. By crap, I meant some (if not most) of his games that are just disappointing for being too Tetsuya Nomura-ish, and not for their game playing faults or purposes.

In fact: I feel a lil bit shitty for not completing the game due to various reasons that I can’t really explain as of this point. Anyway, here’s the meaty Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Doopie trailer:

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By G's Ramblings, Games Tags: , , , ,

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