The Entertainment is the Resistance

Challenge in games, is it "fun"? Is it supposed to be daunting? Is it cerebral or dexterity based? What presents a legitimate "challenge" in gaming?

I have played to completion Demon's Souls and I enjoyed it. The game presented a steady paced dexterity challenge sprinkled with cerebral pitfalls a plenty. One could not survive Demon's Souls without taking prudent measure of their surroundings. There was a need to move, to float, to parry, to cavort the loose analog sticks, on the PS3, about their sockets.This level of contest, to which one would face in Demon's Souls, could not be an enjoyable one without a certain level of thought to positioning, attack patterns, weaknesses, etc.. The cerebral challenge, inherent in the adroitness of the player controlling the sticks and manipulating the onscreen avatar, brings full-circle the satisfying  challenge that gaming can deliver.


The competition inherent in video games, such as Demon's, and Dark Souls, would be lost if it were not for the satiation of our desire to express our cleverness. If the result of the games design were not to challenge both ones handle on the sticks and ones ability to access the situations at hand, said game would lack depth. Depth is not achieved through the application of mashing buttons and dispatching countless drones, but, rather, it is through a nimble bridging of mental flexibility and quickness that we come upon "depth" in game design. Think of the trouble with games considered artificially difficult and game-breaking in challenge. What sorts of things would one consider that so harshly alienates the gamer from the masochist? Should a lack of hasty muscular reflexes truly prevent the player from resonating with a games mechanics/ its premise/ its overall design offerings.

Mars: War Logs Demo in Review

I just finished playing through a good bit of Mars: War Logs, by game developers Spiders. It may not be as polished as a large budget action RPG, but, boy, is it intriguing. The plot sees the player assuming the role of Roy, a POW on Mars, who is attempting to break out of his captives--Abundance--prison camp. The game sports all of the prerequisite RPG elements expected of a game sporting the genre. There are skill trees, crafting, attributes, leveling, loot, upgrades and more.

I find the skill tree to be decently balanced, thus far. There are three branches which themselves branch into numerous specializations or areas of focus. Combat tree focuses on durability, evasion and parrying, for instance. Then there is the Renegade tree, which sports a focus on tactics such as stealth attacking and throwing sand/dust in the enemies eyes--at least, the enemies who don't sport helmets or goggles, any way. Finally there is the Technomancer tree, this particular branch is locked during the demo, but it serves up electrical powers and Mars magic of sorts.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist Preview

Sam Fisher Returns to Multiplatform

 

Chaos Theory is considered one of the better titles in the Splinter Cell series.

Blacklist marks the return of Sam Fisher to the PS3 and to a Nintendo console--the Wii U--as the previous outing Splinter Cell: Conviction was an Xbox 360 exclusive. This latest entry in the Splinter Cell series has me giddy with anticipation. Blacklist is due to be released soon so lets take a quick look. 

Blacklist presents itself as a do as you will experience. The player is offered three different approaches to gameplay situations. The traditional stealth options are still there under the moniker of the Ghost style. Staying undetected and avoiding combat is the highlight here. With non-lethal take-downs, and possibly a propensity for scouting tech--such as the UMV. Then there is the Panther style, marked by an approach of silent, but deadly gameplay. Staying out of sight and permanently ridding your paths of enemies using any means necessary. Finally, we have the Assault style, which calls for your dexterity and careful elimination of all threats--without any regard for stealth-- either when detected or as a preferred approach.

Mass Effect 1 (PS3) Review

2007's Mass Effect was the first in a series of cinematic, character-driven, RPG's, but it had only just arrived on the PS3 in December of 2012. With the release of Mass Effect 1 on the the system, PS3 owners can now experience the full scope of the space odyssey. The game is nothing short of grande. The scale of Commander Shepard's first outing is quite epic. From the various star systems and the numerous planets throughout them, it comes as no surprise that I finished the game in over 30hours.


The scale of the game--even if it is padded with retreaded planet and interior skins--is still impressive. It injects a sense of wonder and discovery. The star systems can be charted at your own pace. You can stick to the main storyline and focus on your quest to bring in a rogue Spectre, or you can find the time to save a group of scientists or two, from there own experiments gone wrong. There is, again, a bevy of side questing to be done. They vary in the type of activities that they require. Some missions call for a bit of subtlety, in the form of quick negotiations via the dialogue wheel. Some missions may begrudgingly require you to fetch certain gadgets or devices. Some missions may layout options for you, sometimes resulting in story altering conclusions. Regardless of what kind you're doing,  missions can feed into your characters morality. 

Still Enjoying Skyrim

I have been playing The Last of Us and Skyrim for my last few play sessions. I have to say Skyrim can still enchant and amaze me. Yes, the gold dust has been cleared away to an extent. We have been through a whirlwind of Skyrim coverage from its launch up until its re-release, in the form of a legendary edition. I can't let myself be caught up in the retrospective, haughty posturing of some peoples present opinion on Skyrim. Especially since it took some of those same naysayers hundreds of gaming hours to come to such a pessimistic opinion of the very game they once cherished.


I have put some odd hours into Skyrim, it was an addiction like no other. A place where one could express the station of their choosing. One could choose the role of a thief, cunning and agile, or the headstrong warrior, traditional, aggressive, and proud of the swaying sword. I have played a multitude of styles. Preferring, for the most part, to go for a hybrid build, where I would have a greater swath of options. My dark elf thief/assassin has pilfered countless manors throughout Skyrim.But, even after all this time, since Skyrim launched in November of 2011, I still find something of relative novelty. I run across a cave and in that cave I spot a squatter of some virility and a key of some importance.I find a grove, a grove with some oasis like quality, a grove secluded and untapped by the Romanesque imperial empire. 

That Moment You First Fire Up BioShock Infinite.

Stepeth into the light.

I just started up Bioshock Infinite for the first time--yes, I know--and boy does it intrigue me right off the bat. The color looks lush, vibrant, just phenomenal. I wasn't expecting to be drawn in so fast. But, I am. The city in the sky, the Eden of the few, let's see how it goes. I know one thing for sure, the combat is bloody, brutal, and has a good weight to it. Though, I will continue to temper my expectations, as I do not want them to, otherwise, deflate a seemingly engrossing experience, due to inflated predictions. The other details I have seen and heard , thus far, are in the architecture and the pocketfuls of pedestrians roaming about the gallant cityscape.The signs and attention to detail in the facades of store fronts and tall buildings, the cascading sky's filled with floating golden towers, the signs holding hidden narratives and place establishing messages. The people with side carrying conversations, digest their lives in small portions for easy consumption. I can no more spoil for you the livening experience of these first hours of Bioshock Infinite, than I could whisk you away to Columbia--which puts on more than its share of showing--on a cloud and a whim.

Saints Row IV Do Super Powers Excite

 Saints Row in reverse...

Saints Row: The Third threw me for a loop. When you consider the zaniness of the second game it would naturally be expected for the third entry in the series to kick things up a notch. But, honestly, I think Saints Row 3 actually lost a bit of the zany charm of the second game, in favor of an out-right nuttier take with less substance. Saints Row 2 sees you breaking out of prison to become the leader of the --then in shambles--third street saints. The story had more substance in Saints Row 2, it was interesting relative to its successor, Saints Row 3. There was death and drama in both games--but, for example,

* SPOILER ALERT FOR SAINTS ROW 2*:Johnny Gat's girlfriend Aiysha dies at the hands of the Ronin gang in Saints Row 2.


This moment is handled with proper accord and, as such, it drives home the dramatic side of the plot. Thus, there was time given in the second game to moments that could help balance the over-the-top, raucousness of the game. Saints Row 3, on the other hand, is a flash over substance--with repetition I hope to hammer home my point--, don't give 'em time to question a thing, kind of game. That's fine, too. But, for me, I found its narrative and gameplay, lacking. I get that there were a bunch of side-distractions; you could buy up land, you could embellish your cars, you could have a bit of fun with road rage, there was that professor Genki game show as well. But, all-in-all, I couldn't tell you I enjoyed them very much. They felt tacked in there, even the oft fun, oft-putting insurance fraud mini game felt cheaper and hollow. I can say that I finished the game and that I enjoyed the experience for the most part. Though, it was the hope of a new customization option that kept me playing Saints Row 3 and not necessarily what mission I could flex the new options in.Also, it may just be me, but man are those animations in Saints Row 3 a bit clunky looking, nah, might just be me. I mean they seem to be moving through an environment of air and little resistance, but, hey, I guess if the same movements looked good in the second title, then why not reuse them, right?

Atlus Sale Attracts Bid From SEGA - IGN

My take:According to IGN: Atlus Sale Attracts Bid From SEGA - IGN

It comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with Atlus and its stable of games that the studio is on the radar of many a publisher. Atlus published and developed titles have ranged the gambit from mainstream appeal in the Persona series to niche hardcore and/obscure titles, such as Radient Historia or Strange Journey.The devoted fan-base, most definitely , does not hurt. I have recently indulged in Persona 4: Golden and Shin Megami Tensei 4, these two more recent entries are powerfully compelling. They grab you and even in the waking ours of the night, you will find yourself wide-eyed and intently focused. The sun may be coming up, but just one more challenge quest--that demon domain won't clear it self, you know--or one more floor, in Persona's case. When it comes to sticking to your guns, I'd say Atlus is one of the most honest and determined developers out there. Often times shipping their games with, usually, no cost extras or limited edition bundles. They seem to take immense pride in caring for their fans.Some might argue that it is because of their niche out-put that they must keep passive the throngs of their specified fandom, but I say that it is a result of-- what appears to be a commitment to a sustainable long-term strategy for their development future. This is why I hope whomever acquires Atlus, leaves it be.


Thanks for reading. Thoughts, questions, comments, etc. let me know. Stay tuned for more

How Viable is the Push Towards All Digital?

All Digital? Or No? Is it Safe?

 With the advent of the PS4 and Xbox One on the horizon, we see a discussion brewing over the fabric of the gaming world. The make-up of which is in flux. There is a stronger push from those within the games industry for an all-digital gaming experience. I can see the benefits. Indeed, easier access to your entire library of games, no matter where you are--that is, if you have an internet connection. Then there is the clamoring of the crowd of sheep, who easily-- without quantification and solid proof-- buy the notions that all publishers and online market places--Sony and Microsoft--will enact policies that would be becoming of the highly vaunted Valve corp.. I think there is a fundamental desire for the latest advances in technology. This desire may, at times, prove to be a major flaw. Only allowing the most longing of us to establish a cue of interest that is heavily weighted and steered by the foggy intentions and motivations of the companies that helm our games. The idea that Sony and Microsoft would, for little reason other than digital meaning a release from physical media and its trappings, shower the consumer in Steam/GOG styled sales and offers is absurd. These companies only need you to buy-in. They have no vested interest in your well-being. And, as such there is no way to determine whether or not the so called "necessary"push to all digital, will bring with it the very necessary benefits that it must provide to be fully justified.

New PS3! Checkout the Crystal White PS3.

New PS3 to replace my old, broken 40GB

So, as some of you may know, from an earlier posting, my old 40GB PS3 is dead. It was a great five year run. I will remember the great games it afforded me the pleasure of enjoying. But, yesterday I acquired a brand new crystal white PS3, though, as someone pointed out to me, I'm not sure why it's called "crystal"white? Any ways, I just wanted to show off some picks, is all. Hope you enjoy. The only problems I have had, thus far, are with the fact that I will not be able to recover any of my save files and that I have to re-download what I did have on my console that malfunctioned. It is a huge bummer. Sucking the life right out of me. But, I look at it from the perspective that now I will have a motivation to replay some of my more "classic"games.

 This particular Bundle comes packaged with a 1 year subscription to PlayStation Plus. So, I can now cloud save my save games in the future. The instant game collection as advertised on the front slips and facade of the packaging, has seen some alteration, the games on offer have been switched out on the PSN store. Though, this doesn't mean that you won't get any instant games in your collection. Battlefield 3 and Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD are currently available among other titles, such as Saints Row The Third.

Nintendo Makes Games, Not Art According to Iwata - IGN

Nintendo Makes Games, Not Art According to Iwata - IGN
This is my take--mobile update:

This is not unprecedented posturing for Nintendo. Mr. Iwata makes some excellent points. Games should have their audiences in mind when they are crafted. They should be whole experiences from the start.  One should not be saddled with a creators "art work" without substance. Now, if you have read any of my previous posts, then you have observed me recalling games as "works of art." But, I have wholeheartedly admitted this is to within reason. A game is solely by being an Ernest project of a designers intention a work of art. Now, whether or not that work may appeal to you or resonate with you as artistic or entertaining is up to individual tastes. But, I will say that every time I listen in on Nintendo's strategies or approach to game design, I keep hoping that it rub's off on the rest of the industry. I mean. Come on. How hard is it to understand that basic game design should be tuned to some targeted audience and should be attempting to deliver to them, a whole experience, not a freemium one, padded with fluff and supplemented with loads 'o' DLC.Nintendo gets it. Whether or not they get it to an extreme degree, in denying the inherent artistic integrity of their work, is another inquiry for another post.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned.

New Screens Show Off The Present Day World - Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag - PlayStation 4 - www.GameInformer.com

New Screens Show Off The Present Day World - Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag - PlayStation 4 - www.GameInformer.com

AC4 Is looking pretty cool, right about now. Those screen shots are definitely signs that they are taking the fans seriously and exploring new areas and fresher gameplay scenarios, than in the past few iterations. Well, I will admit to greatly enjoying all of Ezio's journey's and Connors campaign. 

More Diversity In Games is Welcomed

Check out @joystiq's Tweet: https://twitter.com/joystiq/status/363879907652153344

Sleeping Dogs Review

Enter the lair of deceit.

You are Wei Shen, a martial arts wielding, undercover cop, hidden within the underworld of Hong Kong. As Wei Shen the player must act the part of a triad thug of honor. With a past tangled in the streets of H.K. you must wield a capricious sense of loyalty to old friends and a fluid commitment to the letter of the law. Wei Shen displays the stress of his undercover work with furrowed brows and clenched teeth. Waking each day a drench in sweat, harrowed by the actions of another mission, in which he struggled to grapple with the terms of a position requiring lofty moral ethics and a strong sense of place and identity.Wei Shen, over the course of the game, will prove susceptible to the human desire for identity. Between a burgeoning sense of belonging, a loosening sense of moral fiber, and a personal sense of justice, Wei Shen will grip you into an identity deadlock of in-too-deep psychological drama (reminiscent of The Departed) and martial arts action. The pacing of the narrative in Sleeping Dogs is free-falling at terminal velocity. It starts with Shen working his way up from the entry rolls of the triad organization, in order that he may accrue enough trust and information on the true dragons of the organization.The story of sleeping dogs will have you willing to charge past/over/through side-activities, and clamoring for more by the time the credits roll.

Current-Gen Console Assessment

What's the outlook on the twilight of a fine system?

If you have read my previous posting, I have lost my PS3, due to hardware failure of some sort--be it the natural wear of time, defect, or what have you. So, as such, I have decided to commence the search for a new PlayStation 3 system. PlayStation seems to have snuggled its way into our gaming and everyday vernacular by way of its rich gaming and pop cultural history. A sense of historicity(the very real affects of time that connect present actualities to past events and reveal the complexity and import of history on current ways of thought and being), a sense of not always being such a vaunted platform, but, instead, a history revealing why it has been such a viable and leading platform. From the realization of the power of the compact disc, to its implementation of the dual shock controller, to the popularity of its efficient easy to design for, popular to publish existence, the PlayStation has remained well-liked and though it lost a handle on the market, due to the surging popularity of the Xbox brand--specifically the 360 and Xbox Live--, Sony has not been reluctant in its push for versatility and variety in the experience of its games and its device--like playing Blu-ray discs from the start and pushing for creativity/exploration in the games it published.

The games on both platforms (Xbox 360 and PS3) are still coming. They are irreverent in the eyes of their successors, who may feel them obsolete, and the naysayers who prematurely pronounce and proclaim what is and should not be considered relevant.  But, the PS3 and Xbox 360 are staunch in their defiance of rapid and quick succession on the basis of opposition to materialistic fetishes and whims. They choose, instead, to continue to provide quality games and content for their investors. The twilight consoles are at a point of reflection. They have been around the world and back again--originating in the west and in the east--yet finding common ground in the relevant flavors they add to the lives they impact. From Halo 3 to 4; Uncharted 2 to 3; The Last of Us; Crackdown and Fable; Gears of War and Grand Theft Auto. It doesn't matter, there was something for us all. Did you buy in early or did you wait for the eventual decent in price? Did you appreciate the free online services of one, or did you favor the paid-yearly subscription of the other, offering party-chat and all kinds of rambunctious forms of chatter?

So, My PS3 Is Broken: Red Ligths Are a Flashing

Goodbye, for now. 

 

My long time ( 40GB model) PS3

 I turned on my long-time "partner", in my 40GB PS3, and tonight it just could not go on. I am a bit sad, if not for the more than five year investment in the machine, then for the countless pieces of add-ons and games that I compiled. Now, I can totally understand those saying big deal, but I have a lot to re-download and a lot of memories to reminisce on. Right now, honestly, I don't even feel like getting another PS3, five years is a long time to build an irrational sense of attachment to the center of your hobby, I know. My PS3 has weathered the hottest temperatures in the most scorching summers. Taken on and beat the coldest winter storms. Been there to comfort and care for my sanity and boredom. It was one of the first expenditures to which I committed funds from my part-time job when I was in high-school. Lets see where this goes as I am currently trying to resuscitate my old PS3, but after trying several times...it appears that it has officially checked out. Alas, it was a great run. Filled with the experiences of God of War 3, Uncharted 2, Grand Theft Auto 4, Red Dead Redemption, Overlord 1-2, XCOM, Borderlands, Infamous1-2, Madden and Fifa, Fallout 3, Fallout New Vegas, Oblivion, Skyrim, Demons Souls, BioShock 1-2, Assassin's Creed, Metal Gear Solid 4, Journey (every-single one), and more. 

Bethesda: Arkane is Not Involved in Prey 2 - IGN

Bethesda: Arkane is Not Involved in Prey 2 - IGN

This is great news. I was hoping that Prey 2 wouldn't end up in limbo--Duke Nukem anyone?

Shin Megami Tensei IV: A Review In Progress

Hi all: Just thought that I would endow upon you some of my current thoughts on Shin Megami Tensei IV.

As I draw closer to a review of Shin Megami Tensei IV, I would like to reflect on my experiences. The game has a mysterious, foreboding atmosphere that is heightened by its excellent sound work and static artwork backdrops. The pacing, so far, varies-- pending on my interest in challenge quests, which comprise the ancillary objectives within the game. One does not have to look far to get a sense of thrill and chill in the city of Tokyo. Tokyo is presented as a land of dread and demon fermentation. But, I would be remiss to divulge any more on the setting that I have learned in the game thus far. I believe the experience is shaping into one of diligence. In so far as you must be willing to give your attention to the nuances of the press-turn battle system. Striking enemy weaknesses and enemies targeting your own, has never been more engaging. This allows even the most mundane of demon encounters to provide there share of entertainment and shiver. 

PS Vita: Untapped Potential

  Vita, Vita, Vita....

What's up with the PS Vita? I can't figure out how such a well crafted piece of gaming technology goes untouched week to week-- month to month. I got my Vita bundled with Assassin's Creed: Liberation, and I do not regret it. AC:Liberation has astounding visual fidelity, especially for the open-world experience it offers on the handheld. I can't and won't speak for other Vita owners. But, I will say the game selection is there--you just have to look.

(From Gaucamelee, Stealth Inc., Strangers Wrath, Need For Speed, Assassin's Creed, Unit 13, Persona, Playstation All-Stars, Virtue's Last Reward, etc., to a host of PSP titles).

  Having to look--that can be considered an issue for some. Where are all the honest to gosh, marketing campaigns. Then on the other hand Sony itself appears to be asleep in the wings. I just don't understand why they are not, at the top of their longs--with every pore of their being, exalting the Vita and lobbying for more content. They very well maybe pulling some strings and calling in favors behind the scenes, but this does the Vita no good in the public eye. Look at Killzone: Mercenaries, the game is shaping up to explode out of the gates as thee best ever looking Vita--gaming handheld--title, ever. Not only that, but the surprising refinement of graphics may also be hiding--what looks to be--a fun, fps experience.

Far Cry 3 Multiplayer

Who needs 60 frames....

Note: This is a mobile update, I'm posting a bit differently, hopefully it works.

I am currently playing a bit of Far Cry 3 multiplayer and it ain't bad. Listen Call Of Duty is great and all, but Far Cry 3 pushes it to the side for me. Then again, I'm not the biggest COD fan, now am I. The shooting in Far Cry 3 isn't as buttery smooth of an experience as COD, but it's fun and solid. The map selection also leaves something to be desired, but those too are designed well and are spacious enough to even out the chaos.

And....in typing this,  I just got kicked from a match for being idle. Sheesh. Hey, at least I avoided a brush with that poison gas bomb being dropped on the masses. Right? I'm gonna dive back into the game right now, equipped with an F1 and increased sprint perk. Hopefully, I can continue to produce. My enjoyment of Far Cry 3 has spilled over into its multiplayer. The fps has never been better. There may not seem to be a never ending stream of unlocks, but Far Cry 3 keeps me coming back with solid play and on occasion a decoding bonus.

NEW Tomb Raider sequel In Development

In light of a sequel, here are some of my thoughts on Tomb Raider

I can't explain to you how much I have come to enjoy the simplistic game design of the Tomb Raider franchise. I originally started playing Tomb Raider on the PSOne, but only in the form of a demo for the second game in the series, and I did not enjoy the tank controls nor did I-- at a young age-- care for the evolution in gaming that was the start of the series. Yes, Tomb Raider 1 was an evolution in gaming, its full 3D environments left nothing to the imagination. The game was a full on pseudo-puzzle exploration game.

Fast forward some years to the release of the Tomb Raider Trilogy, featuring remastered versions of Tomb Raider: Legend; Tomb Raider: Anniversary and a copy of Tomb Raider: Underworld (which was the first fore-ray into HD for the series). I picked up a copy of this Trilogy after doing some digging on the ventures of the series and its merits. Lets just say, I was not disappointed. Tomb Raider-- which had already, by this point, been taken over by developer Crystal Dynamics--welcomed me to a reconfigured control scheme and basic mechanics that felt just right. The mechanics for jumping and grabbing ledges are manually controlled and are fantastically engrossing. Traversing the games semi-open environments and experiencing the global exploits of series protagonist Lara Croft, is nothing short of a breath of fresh air, in the wake of shoot-all-games with little in the way of room to explore. 

The Vaunted Gamer

Welcome to the Vaunted Gamer. 


Here I will layout just what I want the direction of the blog/site to be going forward. This is just a quick meandering attempt at coming up with some foundations for the site, so bear with me. These "guideline"to what or how I post are and will reaming in-flux, at least for now--I mean it is a blog, after all.


Reviews:

• I would like for the reviews that I post to be in-depth. In-depth reviews to me does not mean that I must provide every single piece of minutia there is. That would possibly amount to a designers manual that neither you nor I would benefit from. Lets just say I like to go into detail on what I believe, from the experience I had with the game, Is important to either the enjoyment or displeasure of the game. If for any reason I leave out any detail that someone might feel is necessary--let me know right away. I will either replay the title; agree on the spot, and chalk it up to a mistake/oversight on my part; or explain to you or whomever why I felt the detail was not important--at least in my honest opinion and judgement. I want to provide readers with reviews that give them a short and differing opinion/take on a game that they will potentially purchase, look into, or just wanted to here more about.