Well, I've put a good few hours into Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots now and have completed the first act (an act which causes the game to spend three minutes installing more game to my hard drive. Didn't I get a console to avoid all this?).
I approach this review from the perspective of a relative newcomer to the Metal Gear series. I played and completed Metal Gear Solid on the Playstation years back - I thoroughly enjoyed it but found the experience short lived. I'm well aware that from other comments I've read on the web that this one in the series is really dedicated to the fans; There seems to be a phonomenal amount of backstory to these characters that I'm not aware of and even reading 'story so far' posts on wikipedia only satisfies my curiosity about the Metal Gear Solid universe to a certain level.
The game itself? It's a sequence of absolutely gorgeous cutscenes interspersed with the occasional bit of game. Enemy A.I. hasn't moved on a great deal from MGS on the Playstation. Enemies see you, so you hide. After a short period of time they forget you ever existed and carry on as they were. I may be rubbish at it but MGS4 seems to be a lot less about stealth and a lot more about gunfights - the first perspective person mode works very well for this.
Probably the most damning thing I can say is this; With GTA IV I actively looked forward to playing it and completing it - even though I've beaten the actual story mode, I'm still keen to explore every nuance to a fine minutae of detail. I'm in no doubt I'll complete Metal Gear Solid 4 but I'm not actively looking forward to my next session on it. I'll beat it through a sense of getting my monies worth and to see how the story pans out rather than to play it for the sheer enjoyment of it all.
I am very aware that this is a game that may suddenly grab me.. In which case consider this review a work in progress as opposed to the finished article. Time will tell.
Incidentally, this is the first blog entry I have ever made from my mobile phone.. An n95 8gb by the way. Sitting in the merchants pub in rugby drinking a pint of white dwarf. Best phone I have ever had. Hark at david dragged kicking and screaming into the twenty first century.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
The Ultimates
Good afternoon, true believers! I thought I'd wax lyrical again about my love of comics - mainly, what the first of a list of things you should be getting your grubby little hands on, if you haven't read it already..
Ultimates Volumes 1 & 2
Reading more like an excellently crafted billion-dollar budget Hollywood film than another take on one of Marvels oldest superteams, "The Ultimates" is the genius creation of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. This great comic takes the classic supergroup "The Avengers" (Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, Wasp, etc) and throws them up against world-devastating threats, all to the accompaniment of the some of the best dialogue and artwork in modern comics.
Until you've seen the Hulk make mincemeat out of an alien invasion force because he mistakenly belives they've called him a sissy, or seen Captain America refuse to surrender against overwhelming odds whilst pointing to the 'A' on his mask and asking, "Surrender? What do you think this stands for? France?!", you've never lived.
The beauty of this (and all of the other "Ultimate" stuff that Marvel have done) is that it is essentially a "reboot". Many of the Marvel titles (the X-titles in particular) are so bogged down in a level of continuity that beats most soap operas, that it's difficult to pick up new titles. The "Ultimate" universe is effectively a new take on all of the characters - Indeed, the first volume of "The Ultimates" concerns itself with the supergroup being established - there is no need to know anything about Captain Americas background - and indeed you could get by with not even knowing who he is.
Millars writing and ear for snappy dialogue is easily matched by Bryan Hitches art. Some of the work in this, especially some of the single or double page spreads is absolutely stunning. There is the odd problem towards the end of volume 2 where it would appear deadlines meant the work appears more rushed than usual, but thats a very minor criticism.
The only warning I'd give you is to avoid anything past volume 2 - Neither Millar or Hitch were involved after these and it's no longer the essential reading it once was. Poor script and confusing art simply remind you how much better its predessor was. Both Millar and Hitch are now doing Fantastic 4 - In their hands it's becoming as good a read as Ultimates ever was.
Excelsior!
Ultimates Volumes 1 & 2
Reading more like an excellently crafted billion-dollar budget Hollywood film than another take on one of Marvels oldest superteams, "The Ultimates" is the genius creation of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. This great comic takes the classic supergroup "The Avengers" (Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, Wasp, etc) and throws them up against world-devastating threats, all to the accompaniment of the some of the best dialogue and artwork in modern comics.
Until you've seen the Hulk make mincemeat out of an alien invasion force because he mistakenly belives they've called him a sissy, or seen Captain America refuse to surrender against overwhelming odds whilst pointing to the 'A' on his mask and asking, "Surrender? What do you think this stands for? France?!", you've never lived.
The beauty of this (and all of the other "Ultimate" stuff that Marvel have done) is that it is essentially a "reboot". Many of the Marvel titles (the X-titles in particular) are so bogged down in a level of continuity that beats most soap operas, that it's difficult to pick up new titles. The "Ultimate" universe is effectively a new take on all of the characters - Indeed, the first volume of "The Ultimates" concerns itself with the supergroup being established - there is no need to know anything about Captain Americas background - and indeed you could get by with not even knowing who he is.
Millars writing and ear for snappy dialogue is easily matched by Bryan Hitches art. Some of the work in this, especially some of the single or double page spreads is absolutely stunning. There is the odd problem towards the end of volume 2 where it would appear deadlines meant the work appears more rushed than usual, but thats a very minor criticism.
The only warning I'd give you is to avoid anything past volume 2 - Neither Millar or Hitch were involved after these and it's no longer the essential reading it once was. Poor script and confusing art simply remind you how much better its predessor was. Both Millar and Hitch are now doing Fantastic 4 - In their hands it's becoming as good a read as Ultimates ever was.
Excelsior!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Metal Gear Solid
I've been playing Metal Gear Solid 4 for around an hour but sadly there is work tomorrow and sleep beckons. First reactions? Cinematic. Epic. Absolutely surreal cut-scenes. (What is that interview with David Hayter all about?) Gorgeous. Funny. So far, very impressive. Proper verdict after the weekend when I've had a couple more hours with it. A review of volumes 1 and 2 of "The Boys" by Garth Ennis as well next week - a comic YOU SHOULD READ. Goodnight, you lovely people.
In the meantime, I strongly recommend you read Sexy Videogameland as well - link to the right in the new fancy blog section. It's a great read.
In the meantime, I strongly recommend you read Sexy Videogameland as well - link to the right in the new fancy blog section. It's a great read.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Friday, June 06, 2008
The Pixelmash Collection - Star Wars
Because it would appear that via the wonders of google analytics that a number of searches are coming through to this blog via people looking for 'foldsfive' and 'pixelmash', here are episodes 4-6 of Star Wars for your dubious pleasure. An interview I did for some web magazine way, way back about their making can be found here.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Are you ready to rock?
*Backing music stops abruptly*
*Dimmer lights are turned up a notch*
"Good evening, Davids living room! Are you ready to (ROCK/Be subjected to the sight of grown-ups with no shame and who should really know better playing with the largest console peripherals since Steel Batallion was released on the Xbox)*?
..and so it is that the ridiculously expensive but incredibly entertaining Rockband is released on the xbox 360. Comprising of "The band in a box" (large plastic drumkit controller and stand, full size Gibson replica guitar controller and USB microphone) and the game itself and coming in at a value slightly less than the gross national debt of Peru, it's one of the most entertaining multiplayer experiences since the Romans popularised the orgy.
If you've ever played Guitar Hero or any rhythm action game, you've aware of the basic premise. Play/sing along to songs of increasing difficulty with the aid of a fake plastic instrument to increase your score (or in the case of Rockband the number of fans) until you've beaten the game. This clinical description doesn't even begin to describe the sheer amount of fun had whilst playing it. It's important to leave shame at the door - you will look ridiculous playing this game and at some stage you will find yourself moving around in the manner of a drunken dad at a relatives wedding as you find yourself being sucked into the game itself and end up losing yourself in the moment.
Guitar Hero allowed the multiplayer aspect by letting two people play the guitar to a song at once. Rockband takes this further by allowing you and your friends to play as a full four piece band (with the person who draws the short straw getting singing duties) and by letting you customise your on screen avatar to your hearts content to a thing that vaguely looks like you. Albeit a cooler thinner version of you.
Expensive? Yes. Stupidly so. Somebody saw fit to convert the complete set from dollars to pounds simply by changing the currency symbol. Amazon is full of one-star reviews for this game from people (justifiably) complaining about the price. This proves that primarily I'm an idiot with more money than sense, but we're certainly getting our monies worth out of it so far and I can see this getting dragged out at countless parties to come - It's the sort of thing that everybody will want to play, especially where alcohol is involved.
One day I'll beat the stupidly high rift in difficulty levels they've placed between 'Medium' (at which everything is too easy) and 'Hard' (which I can't even complete the first set of songs at). Mind you, I am old and my reactions are terrible - so ultimately this is more a criticism of my elderly hide than anything else.
* Delete as applicable
*Dimmer lights are turned up a notch*
"Good evening, Davids living room! Are you ready to (ROCK/Be subjected to the sight of grown-ups with no shame and who should really know better playing with the largest console peripherals since Steel Batallion was released on the Xbox)*?
..and so it is that the ridiculously expensive but incredibly entertaining Rockband is released on the xbox 360. Comprising of "The band in a box" (large plastic drumkit controller and stand, full size Gibson replica guitar controller and USB microphone) and the game itself and coming in at a value slightly less than the gross national debt of Peru, it's one of the most entertaining multiplayer experiences since the Romans popularised the orgy.
If you've ever played Guitar Hero or any rhythm action game, you've aware of the basic premise. Play/sing along to songs of increasing difficulty with the aid of a fake plastic instrument to increase your score (or in the case of Rockband the number of fans) until you've beaten the game. This clinical description doesn't even begin to describe the sheer amount of fun had whilst playing it. It's important to leave shame at the door - you will look ridiculous playing this game and at some stage you will find yourself moving around in the manner of a drunken dad at a relatives wedding as you find yourself being sucked into the game itself and end up losing yourself in the moment.
Guitar Hero allowed the multiplayer aspect by letting two people play the guitar to a song at once. Rockband takes this further by allowing you and your friends to play as a full four piece band (with the person who draws the short straw getting singing duties) and by letting you customise your on screen avatar to your hearts content to a thing that vaguely looks like you. Albeit a cooler thinner version of you.
Expensive? Yes. Stupidly so. Somebody saw fit to convert the complete set from dollars to pounds simply by changing the currency symbol. Amazon is full of one-star reviews for this game from people (justifiably) complaining about the price. This proves that primarily I'm an idiot with more money than sense, but we're certainly getting our monies worth out of it so far and I can see this getting dragged out at countless parties to come - It's the sort of thing that everybody will want to play, especially where alcohol is involved.
One day I'll beat the stupidly high rift in difficulty levels they've placed between 'Medium' (at which everything is too easy) and 'Hard' (which I can't even complete the first set of songs at). Mind you, I am old and my reactions are terrible - so ultimately this is more a criticism of my elderly hide than anything else.
* Delete as applicable
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