This Week In Games: March 1st

With Dragon Age II and both MLB baseball competitors being released in a very busy next week, we find March 1st to be a relatively slow release date.  I don't personally mind, as I've got my hands full with Bulletstorm and Killzone 3.  The only major release is an intriguing one though, as the sports genre gets its first M-rated simulation game (with apologizes to BLITZ The League).  Here is what is being released this week:

• Fight Night Champion (360, PS3): The newest entry in EA's boxing series receives a bloody upgrade, bumping the ESRB rating from Teen to Mature for the first time in the game's history.  The game presents itself as a darker and gritter entry into the boxing genre, promising animations and physical damage that allows gamers to appreciate just how brutal the sport is.  Included is an all-new "Champion Mode", in which you take control of a convict and fight your way from the prison yard to the biggest arenas in the world.  With 50 fighters through 7 weight class divisions, Fight Night Champion has the largest roster of past and present boxing greats of any game to date.  The demo is currently available on both systems, and I hope to have some first thoughts this week.

New Recording Technology Demo

Hey Ya'll.

Running a new device that allows me to record off of my 360 or PS3.  Let me know what you think of the demo.  Be sure to check it out in HD.  Thanks!

Quantum Theory Demo Impressions

Greetings everyone.  I meant to get this post out last week, but I had guests in town and ended up being too busy.  Just a quick gaming side note: I was able to complete the Halo: Reach campaign last night, and can safely say that I enjoyed it a lot.  I guess I understand some of the Halo haters out there (considering I was one before I'd ever tried the game), but I don't see how anyone can keep this game out of their XBOX 360 collection.  Alright, on to Quantum Theory.

I actually find the concept of Tecmo's third-person shooter quite interesting.  It's basically a Gears of War clone set in a post-war world where few humans remain.  The main character, Syd, is part of a militia looking to singlehandedly eliminate any threats to the dwindling human race.  He arrives at what he believes to be the center of the evil and meets a mysterious woman who arrives at the same location.  The two decide to work together to find answers in  the evil, known as the 'Living Tower'.  The idea of the tower "being alive" is what separates this game from other concepts.  Instead of playing through areas where cover locations are pre-determined, the 'Living Tower' changes cover locations during battle, forcing both you and your enemies to adapt on the run.  The concept is very creative, unfortunately the stale execution and lackluster sensory aspects of the game wore on me quickly.

I'd consider myself in the minority, but I really don't mind "game clones", as long as they're executed well.  If someone wants to make really good first-or-third person shooter clones (think clones of CoD, Halo, GoW, Doom, etc), I wouldn't even consider holding the fact that the game is a clone against it.  What frustrates me is when someone attempts to clone a game and leaves out some of its better aspects.  In Quantum Theory's case, I was almost immediately annoyed by the player movement and control layout.  While Gears of War characters are well-known for their bulk, their movements are programmed to be almost perfectly proportionate.  In QT's case, everything feels slow and disjointed, particularly when trying to fire your weapon on the run.  In the case of controls, the slight changes made to the Gears of War control formula hinder the game instead of helping it.  It might have been an attempt to give the game more of its own identity, but that identity is further lost in the unresponsive and awkward control layout.

The graphics in the game are decent, and while certainly not on par with a game like Gears of War, I would consider them acceptable from the short time I spent with the demo.  The same can be said for the music and sound, though I can see the robotic voice of the "Living Tower" becoming old rather quickly.

Unless I see something new that I've missed, this game is a easy avoid for me.  Between my demo experience and early reviews being less than positive, and I haven't seen anything yet that would change my mind.  With so many great shooting games out there (including some major upcoming releases), I think you can feel safe in passing on this game.  For those interesting in finding out more about the title, I've included the trailer below:

More Quantum Theory - (PlayStation 3) Videos

This Week In Releases - September 28th, 2010

Quick note before we get started for you NBA fans.  EA Sports NBA Elite 11 has been delayed, so your only option next week will be NBA 2K11.  I was going to do an article about which basketball game you should purchase in 2010, but in case it hadn't become obvious, NBA 2K11 is almost assuredly the choice this year.  Check out the demo if you haven't already, I was impressed.  Now, on to the show.

This final week of September brings a very diverse group of major console releases.  Three titles headline our entrance into the ultra-competitive holiday season.  What games tickle your fancy this week?  Here are some of the major releases:

• FIFA 11 (DS, PSP, PS2, PS3, 360, Wii, PC):  FIFA 10 was one of the better sports games of recent memory, and the FIFA series, long loved overseas, is hoping to ride the renewed interest in futbol stateside coming off of this summer's World Cup.  While the game doesn't seem to be as groundbreaking as last year's edition, but new features in FIFA 11 include Personality Plus and the ability to create a Goalie in 'Be A Pro' modes.  Purchase Probability: 9 out of 10.  The FIFA and NHL franchises might not be as well known as Madden, but there is little doubt in my mind that they battle it out for the franchise that makes the best games.  I'm very excited to dive into this years EA Sports soccer game.

• Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock (PS3, 360, Wii, PC):  With the Guitar Hero franchise losing steam at a record pace, this title can be considered a make or break for the franchise.  Activision spammed the market with music games last year, and the sales figures showed that consumers weren't biting, and I don't think there's any doubt that Rock Band 3 is the more anticipated game coming out this year.  Some of the setlist is intriguing, but there is not really the focus on Metal Rock that the game has claimed for some time.  The quest mode has been completely redone, but early reviews are not encouraging.  Purchase Probability: 3 out of 10.  I am usually one to quickly pick up new music games, but the combination of no longer living with my roommates and knowing I haven't given Rock Band Beatles it's just due means I can comfortably hold off on this until the price comes down.

• Dead Rising 2 (PS3, 360, PC):  The original Dead Rising was probably the most unique game of the early hi-definition console era.  I wish I had spent more time with it, and hope someday I come around to it.  Dead Rising 2 is a zombie killfest that should turn out to be a very fun game, and hopefully will be a little more accessible to gamers than the first was.  Capcom has had a long time to fix the issues that people had with the first release, and I am curious to see how they do.  Purchase Probability: 6 out of 10.  There are obviously going to be a lot of games that come out in the next few months, and I know I will play Dead Rising 2 at some point, I just don't know how soon it will be.  If it gets to November and I haven't picked it up yet, it'll likely have to wait until 2011, but that's not to say that I won't regret not picking it up sooner at that time.

Other Titles of Note: MySims: SkyHeroes (DS, PS3, 360, Wii, ) (see my demo impressions here), Borderlands add-on: Claptrap's New Robot Revolution (PS3, 360, September 30th release on PC), Laura Croft and the Guardian of Light (PS3, PC), Quantam Theory (PS3, 360) thoughts on this demo have been poor, but I will try it out and leave my impressions before the week is over, Rapala Pro Bass Fishing 2010 (DS, PSP, PS2, PS3, 360, Wii) I don't think I knew they still made these every year.  Good for Rapala.

MySims Sky Heroes Demo Impressions

Announced in May 2010 and revealed at E3 earlier this summer, MySims SkyHeroes is the 6th installment of EA's popular Sims spin-off series.  Best known for its puzzles and mini-game collections, the MySims series takes to the air in SkyHeroes, featuring a story mode to go along with local and online multiplayer modes.  The title releases tomorrow (September 28th) on Nintendo Wii and DS, XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3, with the latter two providing full online multiplayer support.  With a demo version currently available for download, I decided I would give it a spin and leave some thoughts for those wanting to find out more about the title.  Once into the game, my expectations changed from a kid-friendly niche title to a fun flier that actually provides some impressive depth and customization.

The first thing to jump out about MySims SkyHeroes is how easy the game is to pick up.  I began with a very short tutorial to teach me how to fly, and I was able to master the basics of the game rather quickly.  The controls are basic, the background graphics seem childishly simple, and I found it impossible to crash my plane.  After adjusting the Y-axis controls to make the Up/Down work in reverse (as is standard in most flying games), I was able to quickly pick up the turn, speed boost, and weapon controls.  As a whole the controls are decent.  I wasn't thrilled with them as I played through a bit of the game, but they seem to cater to a wider audience of gamers, allowing those who don't play games everyday to easily pick up and play the title with relative ease.

Graphically, the game wasn't particularly impressive (I played the demo on my XBOX 360), but it looked decent especially considering that all previous MySims games had been exclusively for the Nintendo DS or Wii, and this game was likely developed with both of those consoles in mind since the title caters more to the DS and Wii users.  There can be a lot going on visually, particularly during race modes, but the game had no problem handling the on-screen clutter.  The music and sound are the light and cute tones you would expect from a MySims-type game.

The race mode and dogfight mode both stuck me as relatively basic, as one would expect from a demo, but I am also not the main demographic target for the game.  The difficulty is easily adjusted, with harder difficulties providing an actual challenge while putting it on easy mode allows nearly anyone to pick up the game be pretty good at it.  Playing the two modes by myself got stale quickly, and my attempts at playing online were met with no other users found.  However, my guess would be that the fun factor would be raised quite a bit if I had been playing against friends or online opponents.  It is also worth mentioning that only two planes and one map were unlocked - there will seemingly be quite a bit more replay value with the added planes and maps of the  retail version.

While the modes described above may seem too niche, the locked area of the game seems to contain quite a bit of depth.  There is a story mode in the game with missions that focus on meeting certain criteria, working towards an overall goal that becomes more clear the further you progress.  Additionally, it looks like there will be a great deal of customization when it comes to the different parts of planes.  Minor changes allow for combat benefits, and completionists should have a great time attempting to unlock all of the options and features of the game.

I would have thought of this as more of a niche or children's game before actually playing it, but I was quite surprised by the amount of depth and replay value the title seems to contain.  If you're a big fan of previous MySims games or flying games, this very well might be an easy purchase for you.  At a suggested retail price of $50 (Wii, 360, PS3) though, I would recommend exercising caution and either trying the demo or renting the title to ensure you'll get enough out of the game to pay full price for it.

E3 2010: Grading Sony's Press Conference

Sony's 2010 E3 press conference yesterday come with high expectations, fanfare, and Kevin Butler worship.  With PlayStation Move being released later in the year, Sony had a similar opportunity to show off their new motion control technology and convince gamers to invest their hard earned money into what Sony considers to be the future of gaming.  Sony's press conference included previews of some of the year's most highly anticipated games, future technology that Sony plans to incorporate into their PlayStation brand, and even a couple surprises.  How did Sony stack up to Microsoft and Nintendo?  See if they delivered in this 2010 E3 Press Conference review.

LOVED:

• PlayStation Move:  PlayStation Move still has a long road ahead to prove itself as a viable hardcore gamer controller, but it pushed itself ahead of Microsoft Kinect with an impressive showing.  We don't know a lot about Sorcery yet, but the game looks impressive in terms of both visuals and control scheme.  The Tiger Woods demonstration was equally impressive, and it looks like it will be more intuitive than the Wii version.  Sony is also throwing a lot of support at PlayStation Move,  offering a wide variety of major titles that will be compatible with either a regular controller or the motion controller all on one disc.  They are also providing some patch updates for current games that will add Move capability.  While all questions have not been answered as to whether Move will eventually replace the Dual Shock controller, it certainly showed off some impressive potential.  

• Games:  Starting with Killzone 3 (in full 3D no less) and ending with the surprise announcement of a Twisted Metal title for the PS3, Sony's presentation was chock full of highly anticipated sequels and PlayStation exclusives.  Sony made noise with a surprise announcement of Portal 2 coming to the PS3, as well as exclusive special editions of Electronic Arts blockbuster shooters Medal of Honor and Dead Space.  In addition, Sony showed off a number of exclusive first-party titles, including the aforementioned Killzone 3, LittleBigPlanet 2, and a revival of the Twisted Metal franchise.  While there are no major shocks in the PlayStation lineup, it was a very solid showing for Sony, verifying that they will look to continue to build on the momentum of the past 12 months of enhancing their catalog of great games.  The only disappointment here was no mention (or showing) of Team Ico's highly-anticipated title The Last Guardian.

HATED

• Indifference Towards the PSP/PSPGo:  Not one mention of the PSPGo during Sony's entire presser, and an extremely short and uninspiring PSP presentation that focused more on ad campaigns than actual games.  PSPGo has had a pretty brutal year since its announcement at E3 2009.  Released in October at a high price point of $250, it faced many problems.  Since it doesn't have a disc drive, many gamers believe that they would be able to get digital copies of their previously owned PSP titles, but instead they had to buy the games over again.  Major PSP titles have either been delayed or even unavailable as digital downloads.  Sony has made a major push to sell PSPGo's in Europe, offering up to 10 free PSP titles for purchasing a new PSPGo.  I was hoping SCEA would announce something similar to give the portable system a sales and market-share boost.  Instead, we heard nothing about it, with Sony instead choosing to focus on the PSP platform as a whole.  [post-write edit: Sony announced a PSPGo bundle on June 1st that included 3 free games: Little Big Planet, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, and SOCM: US Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3, and would be sold through March 2011.  Sony chose not to include this in their e3 presser, but any new purchase of a PSPGo includes these titles.]  Additionally, the market for top-notch PSP seems to dwindle each year.  The PSP is lagging behind the DS by a considerable margin at this point, with the frustrations over the PSPGo the deficit is becoming larger.  I don't know what Sony's plans are for an eventual PSP 2, but with Nintendo's 3DS announcement and the growing market of cell phone gaming, it is looking more and more like the PlayStation Portable isn't a long term answer in the current portable gaming market.

JURY IS STILL OUT

• 3D Gaming:  Sony is diving head first into the 3D revolution that is beginning in living rooms across the world, putting full 3D gaming and blu-ray support into the PlayStation 3.  While the technology has shown moments of brilliance, the technology is still new, which also means it is expensive.  There is great debate about whether people will be willing to wear 3D glasses in their homes while playing movies and games, and only time will tell if the technology truly catches on.  For those that have already purchased a 3D TV, there is a lot to like here, but many have yet to convert to new technology, having recently upgraded to a High Definition TV.  I think we'll know a lot more about whether 3D gaming is the future early next year once major PS3 3D titles such as Killzone 3, which is being developed from the ground up as a 3D game, hit store shelves.  The ability for the PS3 to add 3D ability through a software update minimizes some of the risk for Sony, and also continues to show off its versatility as a Blu-Ray player.  Come E3 2011, we should have a much better idea of whether 3D gaming is a gimmick or the future.

• PlayStation Plus:  Many were predicting that Sony would show off a pay service for their PlayStation network, and now we know a little about it.  Matching XBOX Live's $50 yearly subscription, PlayStation claims that we will get hundreds of dollars of value out of PlayStation plus.  Things like exclusive game demos, BETA entries, free PlayStation Network and PS Classics seem to be the notable additions, but we will know more once PlayStation Plus is released.  Sony made a wise decision to keep multiplayer gaming free and not forcing gamers to convert to the paid service.  The ability to play multiplayer games and chat with friends for no cost has been Sony's big selling point in comparing PSN to XBL, and that key point remains.  It's now up to Sony to provide good value for PlayStation Plus, as there are many PS3 users who are taking a wait-and-see approach before shelling out their hard earned bucks.  I think Sony's certainly got a very good chance to succeed with PlayStation Plus, but it will be crucial to correctly market the features and value of the service at the outset to acquire and maintain annual subscribers.

SPECIAL CATEGORY

• The Phenomenon That Is Kevin Butler:  I like the Sony commercial campaign.  Kevin Butler seems gimmicky, but so many memorable commercial characters are, especially in this internet age.  I feel like I follow gaming pretty closely, but I had ZERO idea how much people love this guy.  He made an appearance during Sony's press conference, and instantly received a standing ovation.   I can't remember seeing anyone during an E3 press conference that captivated a crowd in such a manner.  I'm still finding it tough to describe, so I'll let the video speak for itself below.  Needless to say, Sony clearly has something special here, quite possibly on par with the classic SEGA Genesis voice overs.  I get the feeling we'll be seeing even more of Kevin Butler in the near future.

VERDICT

Grade: B+.  We saw lots of potential from Sony, but for the most part they stayed the course without taking any major risks or making any shocking announcements.  Sony's primary goal seemed to be to prove that PlayStation Move will be a more viable and accessible gaming platform than Microsoft Kinect, and I believe they succeeded.  With an impressive array of games, there will be plenty to keep PlayStation 3 gamers busy over the next year, even with some questions surrounding PlayStation Plus, 3D gaming, and the PSP.  I'm sure Sony also wanted to put on a better show than Microsoft, and I don't think there's any doubt that their showing was received better than their main competition. 

E3 2010: Grading Microsoft's Press Conference

E3 is finally here folks!  Over the next few days, there is going to be a flood of gaming news, lots of surprises, and a true display of the influence that video games have in our world today.

Microsoft again this year took its place as the first major presenter, actually holding their news conference the day before E3 started.  With lots of rumors circling about Project Natal, Microsoft's hands-free gaming accessory that they debuted at E3 2009, many were very interested to see what Microsoft was bringing to the table.  In addition, there are a number of highly anticipated XBOX 360 exclusives that the hardcore gamer audience was hoping to get a look at.

Did Microsoft deliver a gaming revolution?  Were they able to continue to push forward with the momentum they've been able to build for their platform over the past few years?  Here is our review:

LOVED:

• ESPN and XBOX Live Partnership: It was announced that Microsoft had partnered with ESPN to debut an exclusive partnership that would bring ESPN programming to the 360 console.  Over 3,500 live and on-demand sporting events will be accessible though XBOX Live, most of which coming through in high definition.  While I have soured on ESPN in recent years as an overall network, their broadcasts of sports such as College Football and Basketball, Soccer, Major League Baseball and the NBA has always remained at the excellent in terms of production quality and quantity, and as a sports fan I am very excited about this partnership.  While I don't know how much of an impact this will hold with the average gamer, I think it is an excellent play by Microsoft in their efforts to push the 360 towards being more than just a gaming console and becoming a full-fledged home entertainment device.  While there were not a lot of disclosed details, it seems like XBOX Live will be getting some form of ESPN3, which currently serves as ESPN's online channel, showing games both on and off the television network, and while still growing already has an impressive number of professional and college games.  Additionally, there was no announcement of when we would actually get ESPN on the 360, though one can hope that it will be up and running before the end of the calendar year.  In the demonstration they showed off a college football game, but while it would be wonderful to have this in time for the 2010 college football season, I think later in the year is more realistic.  This wasn't Microsoft's biggest announcement by any means, but as a hardcore sports fan and gamer, this has me extremely excited.

• New XBOX 360 Console:  Microsoft revealed a major facelift for their current console, and with it they did a lot of things (seemingly) right.  The console is significantly smaller, quieter and FINALLY has  a built in wireless adapter.  It also has a specific port for XBOX Kinect, which will remove the need for a power cable running directly from the accessory.  The previously giant power brick has also been reduced, and the front of the console has received a sleek new look.  Assuming Microsoft has finally put the Red Ring of Death issues to rest, they have fixed many of the complaints that people have had about the console.  They also got the price right, keeping it at the same $299 price point that the old 360 stood at.  Those old consoles are not obsolete though, and each version of the previous 360 will receive a $50 price cut.  Finally, Microsoft was nice enough to not make us wait for the upgraded console, as it should be in stores everywhere before the end of the week.  I don't think it is a must to upgrade to the new version of the 360, but there are a lot of things to like about it - enough to convince me to go out and get one this weekend.

• XBOX 360 GAMES:  While the jury might be pessimistic about the XBOX Kinect launch list, there is no doubt that hardcore games will have a wide selection of games to enjoy over the next eight to ten months.  The show opened by showing off Call of Duty: Black Ops.  The game looked excellent, both graphically and in scope, and was topped off by the announcement that Microsoft has signed an three-year agreement with Activision for the rights to have first-access to all Call of Duty related downloadable content.  We also got our first look at Metal Gear Solid: Rising, an action game that looks incredible.  It is a sword based game that seems to pretty much let you cut whatever you'd like, and the demo displayed during the press conference has my hopes extremely high.  360 exclusives were also on display, with known upcoming games such as Gears of War 3, Fable 3, and Halo: Reach all looking like they will meet the expectations of fanboys everywhere.  Finally, we saw a teaser for a game titled Codename Kingdoms, a game created by Crytek exclusively for the 360 that looks like it might be Microsoft's answer to God of War (that is pure speculation by the way).  All in all, Microsoft gave little doubt to games that there will be plenty of games to put on their wish list this holiday season.

• Kinect Functionality and Integration:  We'll obviously know more and more about Microsoft's attempt at hands-free gaming as we get closer to its November 4th release date, but I was really impressed with some of the things you'll be able to do without a controller in your hand.  While things like video chat and using your hands and voice as your remote control aren't games themselves, people who purchase Kinect will interact with their console and television in ways they never have before.  There are certainly benefits here for people who use their XBOX 360 for more than gaming, whether it be through the Zune Marketplace or through 3rd party things such as Netflix and Facebook.  Interestingly enough, with the XBOX Kinect games looking less than stellar at this point, the functionality and integration features are the Kinect's biggest selling point for me.

HATED:

• No XBOX Kinect Pricing:  There has been huge speculation about how much XBOX Kinect (formerly Project Natal) would cost.  It's a huge point for Microsoft to price the device competitively, not only to convince current XBOX 360 gamers to purchase it, but also to bring in the casual gamer demographic that Microsoft seemingly craves.  With rumors swirling that the Kinect device itself would cost upwards of $150 with games coming in at $60, many have scoffed at such a high price.  A bundle with Kinect for new 360 users has been rumored at $400, which seems more reasonable, but again with uninspiring launch titles rumored to be overpriced, Microsoft could very well have issue convincing people to place Kinect in their homes.  Now with PlayStation Move priced at $50 for the controller and $100 total for the camera, controller and a game, Microsoft will have to consider something competitive to convince people to purchase it instead of PS Move or a Wii.  All that said, if they price the device somewhere around the $50 it will cost for PS Move, this point will become moot, as I think you'll see a lot of converters.

• XBOX Kinect Games:  Microsoft spent a lot of time focusing on their Kinect games, and they really weren't impressive.  Kinect Adventures looked like it would be fun, and the Star Wars game has people intrigued, but overall I think many walked away from Microsoft's offerings underwhelmed.  Out of everything they showed, there was nothing to prove that Kinect could be a viable hardcore gaming platform.  There's nothing necessarily wrong if Kinect ends up being focused on casual gaming, but if I were Microsoft I would be concerned that I don't have the install base already present to focus so much of my attention on casual gaming.  There is still time before November for some impressive games to show up, but right now I could see myself purchasing a Kinect solely for the 360 integration, leaving all of the launch titles on the shelf.

JURY IS STILL OUT:

• XBOX Kinect Viability:  We really don't know at this point whether Kinect is just a gimmick or not. There are obviously aspects of it that are revolutionary, but time will tell whether it belongs in gaming or should instead be attached to a TiVo.  Microsoft has yet to answer the question of whether a serious game can be played without a controller, and frankly that scares me.  At some point Microsoft is going to have to prove the Kinect's value as opposed to just showing all the great stuff it can do, and I don't think it did that at the press conference this year.  Now we play the waiting game until Microsoft prices Kinect.  Once it has a price point, we'll know a lot more about its viability.  At a low price point, I think  people will be willing to buy Kinect based on potential.  At $150 though, I'm really not so sure. 

VERDICT

Grade: C.  Microsoft clearly showed off some fantastic console games that gamers will get their hands on within the next twelve months, and the potential of Kinect is without doubt through the roof.  However, by saving a lot of the underwhelming Kinect games for the second half left a lasting negative impression of the press conference.  While a new 360 model (and a free console to everyone in the conference audience) closed the show out on a high note, I don't believe it was enough to overcome legitimate concerns about Kinect and whether it can be the dominant motion-control device of this generation.