Yakuza and Final Fantasy XIII Next Week
You guys have Final Fantasy and Yakuza to look forward to. So here are some videos…
Love,
David
With a Heavy Heart… Reviews Start to Come in for Heavy Rain
Today is the day where it all starts. The end of the hype, the end of the speculation and the emergence of the real deal. Reviews have started to trickle in for Heavy Rain and though most of them are good, a lot of them also reveal many of the same problems we spoke about in our Podcast 155. Personally I feel that many of these problems are really issues with the core game so I’m surprised to see them listed and then see 90+ scores following in suit.
I have yet to play the game in full so I can’t offer a review of my own and I understand that my words here can easily drown in a sea of self ignorance concerning this title. However, I can’t shake the nagging feeling that Heavy Rain might be getting a pass on scores not because it is so good, but simply because it is so different.
Thoughts?
-Joseph-
Managing Hype: The Case of Bioshock 2
In 2007, 2K Boston, formerly Irrational Games, delivered Bioshock, one of the most memorable first person experiences in gaming. Bioshock was a game unlike any other thanks to its rich, immersive world and solid combat mechanics. Now, on the eve of the year’s second high profile release, we find ourselves enthusiastic and excited for our sophomore return to Rapture. Anticipation and hype is definitely part of what makes gaming such an exciting hobby but when it gets out of control, we can sometimes be the cause of our disappointment. Before you begin your play through of Bioshock 2, take the time to remind yourself of the following.
DISCLAIMER: I am a shameless victim of hype. In order to enjoy Bioshock 2 the best I can, I have been on media blackout for the past 3 months or so. I have not watched any game play footage outside of the first few videos that were every shown. However, there are a few things that I think everyone should understand about Bioshock 2.
Forget Cake, P.B. Winterbottom Loves Pie
By Nick Henderson
Should video games be considered art? This question is the subject of a seemingly endless debate within the gaming industry. While games are fundamentally designed as entertainment, I am a firm believer that designers should be influenced not by the demands of the mass populace but rather the drive to create something unique and artistic. Without developers who push forward and create works of interactive art, this industry is doomed to stagnation. The Modern Warfares and the Halos are great but it’s the smaller, more unique titles that seem to be subtly influencing the development of big budget titles. Don’t worry, I don’t intend to open the “games as art” can of worms but there is always something to be said when a small team of game designers creates something as interesting and beautiful as “The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom.”
Bad Company 2 Just Made My List
I can’t speak much as to the quality of the original Bad Company but I have heard enough to know that the game is solid. Bad Company 2 is a game that I had already decided to put on the back burner until I finish some other games but after watching this new cinematic campaign trailer, i’m pumped. It looks like an exciting campaign with great production values but more importantly, it seems to have struck a balance between humor and serious subject matter. I’ll be playing this game within the first month of release… after I finish up FFXIII with comes out the week after. Enjoy.
-Nick
