Musings from the Void - Weekly Update 24/03/2010

Nintendo 3DS - Nintendo have announced yet another handheld console in there DS line-up, the Nintendo 3DS. The difference? The clue is in the tittle - it will incorporate 3D technology. The device will not require users to wear 3D glasses (a technology that already exists in some handheld devices but is not suitable for televisions) and will be backward compatible with DS/DSI software. Some unconfirmed features have also been mentioned by Japanese retailers including a new joystick, force-feedback and increased battery life. Talking to the New York Times a spokesperson for Nintendo advised "We wanted to give the gaming industry a head's up about what to expect from Nintendo at E3".

Game Room - Xbox 360's Game Room has been released today for free download over Xbox Live. The application that allows users to create a custom arcade for both there own and friends avatars to hang-out in will also support achievements. A complete list can be found at Xbox360Achievements and interestingly it will contain the same amount of Gamerscore points as a full retail game. This is not the first time whereby a free application has supported achievements, notably 1vs100.


LittleBigPlanet 2 - Despite months of rumours, Sony's Marketing Manager has confirmed that LBP2 is under development and will support the PlayStation Move motion controller. The news comes as a surprise since last November Level Designer for Media Molecule confirmed "we'd never want to do that (LBP sequel)" and described it as "counterproductive". Hopefully something more concrete will emerge at E3 although it is unlikely that the game will be a launch tittle for Move if it was not even being developed in November last year.

***UPDATE 25/03/2010***

Sony have now put out the following statement, which basically denies the existience of LBP2!

"As demonstrated recently at GDC, LittleBigPlanet has been shown as an example of how an existing game could benefit from PlayStation Move Motion Controller support. This is not a confirmation of LittleBigPlanet 2, and we do not have any announcements to make about the LittleBigPlanet franchise."

Killzone 3 - On the back of the LBP announcement, Jack Tretton (President of Sony Computer Entertainment America) whilst talking about the viability of Microsoft's Project Natal, has promised that Killzone 3 will be developed for PlayStation 3 owners. No other details have been confirmed, even whether the game is actually currently under production, but it's good to know it will happen.

Just Cause 2 - The review embargo for Just Cause 2 was lifted yesterday. The game provides players with a 400 square mile island of beach, mountain and jungle in which they are tasked with the 'simple' mission of hunting down a rogue agent who has stolen classified information. The game prides itself in creating fun, physics based experiences coupled with over-the-top stunts and base jumping. So far the game has an average review of 82%, with IGN stating "I haven't had this much fun with an open-world game in years". Having played both the original Just Cause game, and the Just Cause 2 demo, I really recommend (along with Crackdown 2) you give it a try.

Sniper: Ghost Warrior - IGN have provided an in depth look at Sniper, a new game for the Xbox 360 and PC. Despite being a budget tittle, the game looks promising and sports some very impressive visuals. Stealth is key, complete with a puzzle-like approach to deciding the best time to execute guards and gather resources without being detected. Currently the game is not scheduled for a release outside the US but hopefully if it meets expectation and sales are good, we will see a European release later in the year.


Transformers 3 - Michael Bay, director of the Tranformers movies, has confirmed that the Ferrari 458 will make an appearance in his next film. Shooting of the film begins next month (April), and Bay promises a more 'character-centric' approach to filming after the critically dismissed Tranformers 2.


PlayStation Move - Kotaku have posted two new videos of Sony's Move in action, specifically focusing on content manipulation in an augmented reality. The videos are not able to be embedded here but I recommend you visit the site and check them out as they are very impressive.

Project Natal - Have a small living room or lounge like me? Well you may be disappointed to hear that according to some sources Microsoft's motion sensor Project Natal will require 13 feet of space to play - which is quite allot of room. Although this is clearly going to be an issue to some (especially as it looks like my Xbox will be moving to my bedroom), it's not that surprising given the type of technology being used to track multiple persons full bodies.

BioWare - Curiously a count-down timer has appeared on BioWare's website. Due to expire on Monday it appears on the Mass Effect and Dragon Age sections of the site (not the Star Wars: The Old Republic area). A new game perhaps? Mass Effect on PS3? New DLC? We will have to wait to find out.

God of War III - As posted on Facebook/Tweeted earlier today, a curious video can be unlocked by completing GoW III on Spartan Mode tittled "Fate of the Titan". It contains some mild spoilers but is well worth watching as seems to show elements of the franchise (namely Chronos the Titan) in a modern setting.



and finally.....

Gamesmaster - James (a.k.a King_Of_Metal) has set-up a Facebook group to try and bring back the classic video game TV series Gamesmaster. As he mentions with games more popular now than ever it seems the perfect time for it to return (so long as Patrick Moore also makes an appearance!). You can become a fan here.

Xbox 360 Review: Mass Effect 2 (Spoiler Free)

The original Mass Effect, released over 2 years ago on Xbox 360 and PC, provided a rich and compelling single player experience praised by critics. The game raised the bar for similar games, but it was not without it flaws. Long loading times and often weak vehicle side missions marred the full experience, distracting from the high quality core game play it offered. With Mass Effect 2, Bioware have done an amazing job listening to the fans and have improved on every conceivable part of the original Mass Effect to create what quite possibly is the best single player experience on the Xbox 360 to date.

The story centres once again around Commander Shepard, and his attempt to save the known sentient worlds from extinction at the hands of the Reapers. Players will scout the universe assembling an elite team of different individuals (some human, some very alien) in an attempt to take the fight to the enemy. These individuals are all unique and well constructed. The voice acting is superb (Martin Sheen, Seth Green, Michael Beattie) and character animations convincing. Mass Effect 2 has built upon the conversation trees used in the original game, it is now possible for players to directly interrupt conversations and perform Paragon/Renegade actions. These choices even more so than before, can have dire implications to the outcome of the game, and encourage multiple playthroughs to witness the different outcomes.

The world created by Bioware is rich and diverse, steeped in fictional culture and is very easy to get lost in. Even the side missions offer compelling plot and intrigue. Most impressive is that players of the first Mass Effect game can import there character, carrying forward both traits and any decisions he/she made previously. Characters who recognise you from before will remember the choices you made previously and respond accordingly which is an incredible feeling of immersion.

Mass Effect 2 is likely to consume upwards of 30 hours of your time completing the game and its various side missions. Long gone is the need to roam empty planets looking for resources. Instead players scan planets for resources from ship orbit, occasionally picking-up on radio signals of areas to explore. Once one of these signals is found you can venture to the planets surface and investigate. Any resources gathered can then be used to purchase upgrades for Sheppard, the squad or even your ship - the Normandy. It is worth noting however that mining resources is not likely to be to everybody's taste. Whilst I personally believe it is a better approach to planet exploration than the methods used in Mass Effect, I can appreciate that some may find it laborious. Luckily it does not have to be a large part of the game, and can be mostly overlooked if required.

The visuals of Mass Effect 2 are excellent, characters are very detailed and the size of the worlds rendered impressive. Occasionally Mass Effect 2 will suffer from some texture drop-in, but this is far between and does not distract from the general game play. I particularly liked the use of lighting to create moody environments, especially in the various clubs and bars you will visit.

Another good thing about Mass Effect 2 is that you do not need to be a die-hard RPG fan to enjoy the experience it offers. The game has an easily accessible levelling system that is not over-complicated and means that players can tailor there own character to their style of play. The options available for customisation range from combat focused firefight techniques to tech and biotic skills.

The combat is one of the best features of the game as it is tight and responsive. The cover system and third-person shooting is similar in quality to Gears of War, it is easy to use and the level design complements it perfectly. Taking cover, running and jumping over obstacles can all be achieved through a single button and the directional pad; leaving you time to focus on gaining a tactical advantage over your enemies. The weapons are much more varied than in the original game and, as mentioned before, can be upgraded to improve accuracy, damage etc.

Summary

Mass Effect 2 is a technical wonder and improvement on it's predecessor in every way. In my opinion no other game on the Xbox 360 has offered more compelling storylines and varied missions, coupled with a great combat system that is both responsive and easy to use. No matter what style of game you enjoy, Mass Effect 2 offers something for everyone and with downloadable content already available (and more to come), complete with the incentive for multiple playthroughs - the game will last you a very long time. Perhaps the one drawback is that people who have not played Mass Effect will not experience the technical feat that importing your character has to offer, that said it should not be a reason to overlook this game which in my eyes is one of the best next-gen games so far.

Musings from the Void - Weekly Update 15/01/2010

Spidey Re-Boot - Despite 3 big screen adaptations of the comic book hero, Spiderman as we know it is no more. Sam Raimi, franchise director, and lead actor Tobey Maguire have both left Sony Pictures to pursue other ventures. Unfortunately the inevitable re-boot cash-in from Sony has already been confirmed and will see Peter Parker returning to high school with both a new cast and "focuses on a teenager dealing with both contemporary human problems and amazing super-human crises".

HALO 4 - The first details for Bungie's final Halo title, Halo Reach, has been released by Game Informer. Players will be introduced to Noble Team, a six-person squad of Spartan soldiers, each with their own unique traits and characteristics. As the title suggests this outing will be based on the infamous planet Reach, a 100 year-old colony which is under attack from the Covenant - a collection of religious-fanatic aliens. Classic weapons will return including the needler, magnum and plasma pistol, and new weapons will be introduced including the marksman and needle riffles. In addition a new enemy, known as Skirmishers, will be helping to make human life extinct. Not much detail has been released on the multiplayer gameplay other than it will include all of the features present in Halo 3 and introduce traits/armour abilities.

Gran Turismo 5 - PlayStation 3 fans of Sony's flagship racer are going to have to wait even longer before the game is released worldwide. The game originally due to be released in Japan in March has a new release date of, well, TBA. The game has suffered multiple delays despite various footage and GT5 Prologue already being released. More news as it comes...

Dante's Inferno - EA are planing to publish the paperback edition of Inferno, part one of The Divine Comedy. Hoping to capitalise on the success of their excellent Dante's Inferno for Xbox 360 and PS3, the book will include an introduction from the games Executive Producer and artwork from the game. The book will be available on January 19th and the game February.

DLC - A survey by media consulting firm Frank N. Magid Associates has found that out of 800 gamers surveyed, only 15% purchased Downloadable Content. In addition around half admitted that they were unaware of DLC being available. It is evident therefore that companies are not capitalising on their full market and maybe indicates a lack of advertisement for digital media.

and finally.....

Rockstar - Perhaps working in the gaming industry is not as much a dream as expected? Wives of Rockstar employees have struck back at the developer (famous for the Gran Theft Auto series), citing worsening work conditions. Such areas including false promises of compensation, loss of medical benefits and cuts in vacation have been highlighted. This is not the first time high profile controversy has surrounded a games publisher. EA received similar attention in 2004 forcing the software giant to pay out 14.9 million for unpaid overtime (IGN.com).


Until next week!

Boxing Day Ramblings...

Hope you all got a good amount of games from Santa this Christmas! This year (thanks to my friend) I got a copy of the addictive Left 4 Dead 2! No better way to celebrate Christmas than decapitating the limbs of zombies with a chain saw!

In addition I received enough vouchers for a popular highstreet video GAME store to purchase Assassins Creed 2, and a decent amount of money towards a brand new shiny TV.

So what does 2010 hold? Well with Xbox 360 titles including Mass Effect 2, Alan Wake, Crackdown, Halo Reach, and PS3 games such as Gran Turismo 5, MAG, Heavy Rain and Final Fantasy XIII, I'm affraid to say it is not going to be a cheap year again!

For now I am off to brave the sales to purchase Assassins Creed 2! Have a good Boxing Day!

Games of 2009 - An Xbox 360 Perspective

As a fitting way to end the year (and kick start Transmissions from the Void) I am going to list my top 5 games so far of 2009. This has been by no means an easy task but as I'm sure you'll agree the one's I have picked deserve a place on the list.

5# Forza Motorsport 3

It's not that often that a game comes along that raises the bar for its genre. A lot of critics argue that the Xbox 360 reached its full potential in terms of visuals a long time ago. Forza 3 has single-handedly proven that the Xbox 360 has so much more graphical potential to give than ever imagined. Quite simply, Forza 3 is incredible to look at.

The game itself is a powerhouse of content with over 400 cars (modelled with 10x more polygons than Forza 2) and 100 plus courses, it is enough to satisfy even the most dedicated petrol-heads. All cars are fully customisable from upgrading the brake pads on a Ferrari 458 Italia to painting the bonnet of an Audi R8.

Forza 3 (like the Gran Turismo series) defines itself as a racing simulator. That said perhaps Forza 3's best new addition is its fully customisable difficulty. Tied into its RPG-like XP system, players can tweak every feature from driver AI, auto breaking and traction control, allowing them to increase XP earned per race by adjusting difficulty modifiers. This in turn also allows novices to create a more comfortable experience through assists such as driving lines and easier opponents. As players level-up new cars are unlocked and access to new racetracks is granted.

Along with the single player experience Forza 3 also allows for racing both split screen and over Xbox Live. In addition a built in store allows individuals to sell cars, decals and set-ups via virtual auctions using in-game credits.

This feature not only allows people to show off their own creations (see image) but also provides newcomers a chance to acquire vehicles they wouldn't otherwise have access to.

Forza 3 is easily the definitive driving game of 2009 and has set the standard for future racers. It provides an unparalleled depth and equally rewards gamers of any skill who are willing to give Forza 3 the time it deserves.

4# Shadow Complex

Shadow Complex is an Xbox Live Arcade title written by author Peter David (Star Trek) and published by Epic Games (Gears of War). The game is clearly inspired by side-scrolling adventure games such as Super Metroid and Castlevania.

The plot involves the main character stumbling upon a secret organisation hell-bent on creating a modern day civil war. Things spiral out-of-control when his girlfriend is kidnapped by the shady organisation under the suspicion of being a government spy.

Players find themselves navigating a single map where each 'section' is indicated by a square on a grid. A variety of puzzles provide a diverse range of challenges and completionists will find themselves backtracking to reach previously inaccessible areas to collect hidden items.

It is an understatement to say that Epic Games have clearly invested a lot of talent in making Shadow Complex. The game provides frequent jaw-dropping battles and environments that are so rich in detail it becomes easy to get engrossed for hours at a time exploring every corner of its massive world.

The game has further blurred the line between full retail titles and arcade games. Its depth, stunning visuals and addictive game play not only makes it one of the best arcade games of 2009, but one of the best games of 2009.

3# Halo ODST

Originally developed as an expansion pack to Halo 3, Halo ODST quickly grew into a full retail title offering players the opportunity to take a break from playing as Master Chief. You take control of various ODST's (Orbital Drop Shock Troopers) who have crashed landed in the city New Mombasa right after the events experienced in Halo 2.

The game is much more moodier than its predecessors, and primarily focuses on stealth over strength. In addition some subtle tweaks to the game (including the need to collect health packs and the inability to jump as high as the chief) serve to remind players that you are no longer a super soldier.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of ODST is its use of veteran TV actors for the voice talent. It's no surprise that Bungie are fans of the series Firefly, employing Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin and Alan Tudyk, along with Battlestar Cylon Tricia Helfer. In addition Marty O'Donnell, as always, does an outstanding job composing the game's music.

Unlike the more linear structure to the previous Halo games, ODST revolves around a central hub city where you as "the rookie" search for clues to the whereabouts of your lost squadron. Once you find a clue (e.g. a detonated remote charge) the game flashbacks to the event and you take control of that ODST offering a more traditional Halo level structure.

Despite the excellent (although perhaps a little short) single player experience, Halo ODST also offers players a 'Gears of War' style horde mode called Firefight in which up to 4 players attempt to survive waves of enemy troops. In addition, provided on a separate disc is the whole Halo 3 multiplayer experience including every single map released over Xbox Live plus 3 exclusive maps. As if that was not enough, the game also offers access to the Halo Reach beta due to go live 2010.

Halo ODST provides a reliable Halo experience with the same quality and fun-factor of any other games in the series. Whereas this could have been enough, Bungie have truly outdone themselves by offering such a complete package that includes more value per disc than any other game. Bring on Halo Reach!

2# Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Now the dust has settled on the tour de force that is Modern Warfare 2 it is unbelievable how much impact this game has had not only on the gaming industry but the entertainment industry as a whole. Its first day sales was the biggest entertainment launch of all time in terms of pure revenue, beating all other games, movies or music records held. What Modern Warfare 2 proved was that the games industry cannot be ignored and is bigger than ever before.

Infinity Ward knew the formula set out in Modern Warfare 1 was a tried-and-tested one that already had set the standard for first person shooters in this console generation. Modern Warfare 2 is not that different to look at to its predecessor. It has the same addictive multiplayer experience and Hollywood-esque single player campaign. Everything however is bigger, much bigger!

The campaign brings the fight to the American front this time, with modern day Russia launching a pre-emptive strike on the country. You find yourself fighting in both the suburbs of towns and in the shadow of various key landmarks (including the White House). These scenes present an eerie look at an untouchable nation crippled by war and provides an incredible interpretation of World War 3. As with all other Call of Duty titles the campaign is split between different military points of views. Although the American campaign is clearly the grandest, it is the British Task Force that is by far the coolest. The less trigger-happy approach and character based story-telling does a much better job than its American equivalent at engrossing gamers in the deep (and often complicated) plot.

The music in Modern Warfare is amongst the best in any game thanks to the efforts of composer Hans Zimmer. In addition the weapon sounds and explosives are phenomenal creating a wonderful and immersive atmosphere.

Once you have finished the single player campaign you find yourself rewarded with a rich and deep multiplayer experience. Like Modern Warfare 1, players earn XP for completing challenges, winning games and killing other players. This in turn increases the player's rank and unlocks equipment, weapons and perks that can be used to customise your soldier. This addictive need to strive for higher rankings ensures that players will be returning to matchmaking for a long time.

Finally it is worth noting the new game mode, called Spec Ops. This involves players tackling challenges either by themselves or via co-op. These challenges vary from piloting the infamous AC 130 to racing snow mobiles across frozen landscapes. These addictive and diverse set-pieces provide a vast expansion on the main game's content and possibly hint towards the type of download content to come.

To say Modern Warfare 2 lived-up to the hype is an understatement. The sheer variety of game play options mixed with the usual Call of Duty accessibility ensures this game's place within the top 5 games of the year.

1# Fallout 3: GOTY Edition

Although technically released in 2008 I believe the Game of the Year Edition differentiates itself enough not only to be considered separate to the original title, but also my favourite game of 2009!

The game is huge, possibly the largest game on this console generation, and will have players investing serious amounts of time in its world.

The game is set in the future, a bleak interpretation of a post-apocalyptic America devastated by nuclear war and mixes both first-person and RPG game play. You begin the game in one of several vaults that hold generations of families who managed to survive the initial attack. After a short while you emerge from your home and begin the search for your missing father, navigating stunning vistas from the dry and often barren "capital wasteland" to Washington DC and its surrounding landmarks.

Although set in the future, Fallout 3 is clearly inspired by the art period prevalent in the 50's, and provides a nod to the Cold War era with China being the superpower who launched the nuclear attack. Fallout 3 mixes this retro 50's style with some very advanced weaponry. Players get the chance to utilise a variety of weapons including laser and plasma riffles, gauss riffles and even the "Fat Man" - a small nuclear warhead launcher taking its name from the real-life bomb dropped on Nagasaki.

Despite Fallout 3's first-person perspective it is very different to other traditional shooters such as Halo and Call of Duty. Primarily an RPG, players are required to earn XP which can then be invested in various skills and traits. These range from bartering skills to increasing explosive damage and offer a highly customisable experience. Unique to Fallout 3 is V.A.T.S. (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System), whereby players can pause the real-time battle and target specific body-parts of enemies. These parts, depending on the enemy, have a 'likelihood of missing' percentage which improves as players level-up throughout their game.

What separates the GOTY edition from the original fallout 3 is its inclusion of 5 separate expansion packs. These add a variety of new experiences and even offer the chance to play beyond the ending present in the original game, and have an increased level cap from 20 to 30. Completing the main stories alone, ignoring the huge number of side-quests, is likely to take 30+ hours.

Bethesda have created a true masterpiece with Fallout 3, creating a wonderful yet often twisted take on a post-apocalyptic America. The game play is addictive and varied, and the plot truly original. For gamers looking for a rich and fulfilling experience Fallout 3 is second-to-none, and I can not recommend it enough.