Check out this video looking back on an under appreciated game. Tom Clancy's Hawx. It's a jet fighter game that really didn't gain as much traction as it deserved. So this is my look back at it. Hope others out there enjoy what this game really is. I look forward to the sequel.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
My Top 5 List of Current PS3 Games - Number 4: inFamous
Number 4 on my countdown of Top 5 current Playstation 3 games is yet another Playstation exclusive. This time, the electrically charged super hero adventure of inFamous.
This game is an amazing game with lots to do and find. The open world environment lets you truly explore just about anywhere. Just about every building, structure, lamp post etc... is climbable. (Falling in water will kill you though seeing as though you are full of electricity)
You play as Cole Mcgrath an average guy that gets caught in a gigantic electrical explosion (Saying what it actually is would give it away). Needless to say, the city gets ravaged. Many buildings are left in rubble, and other parts have erupted in chaos and criminal gangs are slowly taking over different turfs.
While many were killed in the initial blast, Cole soon discovers he's got new abilities in the form of electrical powers. He can shoot electricity from his hands and incapacitate people. But this is just the start. As you progress through the game you can upgrade the strength and type of powers. You are also offered a choice of good or evil. The game constantly offers you choices of what you can do and it will either raise your good or bad Karma. Depending on which route you take, will drastically effect the type of powers you can upgrade to. Also different actions will cause your Karma to go one way or another. For example, you can heal fallen citizens with an electrical jolt for positive Karma points. Or you can suck the energy out of them for negative Karma points. One way you can almost look at it is the Light or Dark sides of The Force.
The main goal of the game is to find out what was the cause of the explosion and eventually destroy it or keep it for your own evil purposes. Along the way you take over and "clean up" the different territories. There are many different side missions to embark on in addition to the main story line. Plus there are 350 "blast shards" to find through out the game. Hunting those down alone will keep you busy for hours. But finding them helps increase the amount of power you posses so finding them is a good thing especially for later parts in the game.
This game is definitely one worth checking out. It may take you good amount of time to complete all the tasks and find all the "blast shards" but doing all that is actually quite rewarding. The multiple endings and ability to choose Good or Bad give the game good replay value. Like Little Big Planet I also look forward to the upcoming sequel to inFamous. The E3 trailers and footage that were shown have already hooked me in. Now the wait...
Download Podcast here.
You play as Cole Mcgrath an average guy that gets caught in a gigantic electrical explosion (Saying what it actually is would give it away). Needless to say, the city gets ravaged. Many buildings are left in rubble, and other parts have erupted in chaos and criminal gangs are slowly taking over different turfs.
While many were killed in the initial blast, Cole soon discovers he's got new abilities in the form of electrical powers. He can shoot electricity from his hands and incapacitate people. But this is just the start. As you progress through the game you can upgrade the strength and type of powers. You are also offered a choice of good or evil. The game constantly offers you choices of what you can do and it will either raise your good or bad Karma. Depending on which route you take, will drastically effect the type of powers you can upgrade to. Also different actions will cause your Karma to go one way or another. For example, you can heal fallen citizens with an electrical jolt for positive Karma points. Or you can suck the energy out of them for negative Karma points. One way you can almost look at it is the Light or Dark sides of The Force.
The main goal of the game is to find out what was the cause of the explosion and eventually destroy it or keep it for your own evil purposes. Along the way you take over and "clean up" the different territories. There are many different side missions to embark on in addition to the main story line. Plus there are 350 "blast shards" to find through out the game. Hunting those down alone will keep you busy for hours. But finding them helps increase the amount of power you posses so finding them is a good thing especially for later parts in the game.
This game is definitely one worth checking out. It may take you good amount of time to complete all the tasks and find all the "blast shards" but doing all that is actually quite rewarding. The multiple endings and ability to choose Good or Bad give the game good replay value. Like Little Big Planet I also look forward to the upcoming sequel to inFamous. The E3 trailers and footage that were shown have already hooked me in. Now the wait...
Download Podcast here.
My Top 5 List of Current PS3 Games - Number 5: Little Big Planet
Since the Playstation 3 was released back in 2006, a lot of great games have been released, some of which are exclusive titles, others cross platform. It's important to note that some of the best titles have been the exclusive titles. Titles such as Little Big Planet and Gran Turismo 5 (Soon to be released) are and will be game changers and set the bar for their respective genres.
In the next few articles I will go down my Top 5 PS3 games so far. This is mainly based on what i have played and what I have found to be truly exceptional.
Coming in at Number 5 is one I just mentioned, Little Big Planet.
Little Big Planet is one of the most unique games to come out in a long time. Not only is it a cute, very family friendly, and fun game, it's the first game to fully take advantage of user creativity. At the heart, Little Big Planet is a side scrolling platformer. You run around as Sack Boy who is essentially a sack doll of a character. Not much too it. But over time you will come across costumes, hair styles, glasses, clothing etc... to customize your Sack Boy. You can even change your Sack Boy to a Sack Girl by simply adding female hair styles and clothing. That's one of the great things about this game. The main character, apart from its name, is quite androgynous and makes it a perfect starting point for customization.
Speaking of customization, how about those user created levels!? Since its launch over 2 Million levels have been created from people around the world. Many incorporating a theme of some kind, and some completely original. The lengths people have gone to create levels has been outstanding. You can literally create everything in your level. The platforms you jump on, the different moving contraptions, enemies, traps, vehicles... You name it, you can just about create it with a little time and imagination. True, not all levels are great, and in fact it may take some time for someone to run across a really good level. But with the games built in sorting capabilities, finding a good level has become a much easier task. Gamers can browse levels based on their community rating and ranking.
Case and point: This game is unlike anything I have ever seen in the past. It's pure creativity factor and ability to build your own levels and worlds make this game an automatic entry into my Top 5. I certainly look forward to the sequel that's scheduled to come out later this year.
Download Podcast here
In the next few articles I will go down my Top 5 PS3 games so far. This is mainly based on what i have played and what I have found to be truly exceptional.
Coming in at Number 5 is one I just mentioned, Little Big Planet.
Speaking of customization, how about those user created levels!? Since its launch over 2 Million levels have been created from people around the world. Many incorporating a theme of some kind, and some completely original. The lengths people have gone to create levels has been outstanding. You can literally create everything in your level. The platforms you jump on, the different moving contraptions, enemies, traps, vehicles... You name it, you can just about create it with a little time and imagination. True, not all levels are great, and in fact it may take some time for someone to run across a really good level. But with the games built in sorting capabilities, finding a good level has become a much easier task. Gamers can browse levels based on their community rating and ranking.
Case and point: This game is unlike anything I have ever seen in the past. It's pure creativity factor and ability to build your own levels and worlds make this game an automatic entry into my Top 5. I certainly look forward to the sequel that's scheduled to come out later this year.
Download Podcast here
Monday, July 26, 2010
Movie Review: Inception
I recently went and saw the new Leonardo DiCaprio movie, "Inception" and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of this movie.
"Inception" is a hard movie to describe so I'll do my best. In the time of this movie there is a technology that allows people to share dreams. Leonardo DiCaprio's is an "extractor". He goes into people's dreams, with the help of someone they refer to as an Architect (which controls and creates the dream world they are in) and tries to get delicate information out of these dreams. In one way you can think of it as "The Matrix" but instead of a computer program you're in someone's subconscious. These dream-states are controlled and usually monitored by someone. But there is also a trigger that gets them out of the dream should anything go wrong. It's usually something like a jolt or a falling sensation that automatically wakes up the person. The movie also plays a lot with time dilation within the dreams. In other words they acknowledge that in the dream, 1hr is about 10 minutes in the real world. However they also delve into the concept of dreams within dreams. So while in the first layer, they get one of the devices they use to get into the dreams (In the outside world) and go deeper. As confusing as it sounds, once you watch the movie, you'll understand. Consequently, the deeper you go the more pronounced the time dilation is. Essentially if you go down deep enough, you can spend years in the dream world and only have had a couple of hours pass in the real world.
Back to the point. Leonardo DiCaprio has been separated from his two young kids, and his wife is dead before the movie starts (although he does see his wife constantly in the dreams). One day he meets a Japanese business man who promises that he can fix everything and allow DiCaprio to once again live at home and be with his kids. The price? Plant an idea into someone's head. And this is where the title of the movie comes from. They call this process "Inception".
Without going too much more into the plot, I have to say this was a fun ride in terms of story, acting, and overall direction. But the one thing that truly stands out is how this movie messes with your mind. The ending is one that essentially lets you decide what happened. It can also make you confused. In my case, it made me chuckle a little.
Although it is a two and a half hour movie, it didn't feel like an outrageous length to tell the story. Again the play with time dilation makes the movie extremely entertaining. It has plenty of interesting twists to keep you guessing. Yes some of it was a little predictable, but i think they purposely gave clues.
My verdict: Check this out! Sit back and enjoy the journey.
"Inception" is a hard movie to describe so I'll do my best. In the time of this movie there is a technology that allows people to share dreams. Leonardo DiCaprio's is an "extractor". He goes into people's dreams, with the help of someone they refer to as an Architect (which controls and creates the dream world they are in) and tries to get delicate information out of these dreams. In one way you can think of it as "The Matrix" but instead of a computer program you're in someone's subconscious. These dream-states are controlled and usually monitored by someone. But there is also a trigger that gets them out of the dream should anything go wrong. It's usually something like a jolt or a falling sensation that automatically wakes up the person. The movie also plays a lot with time dilation within the dreams. In other words they acknowledge that in the dream, 1hr is about 10 minutes in the real world. However they also delve into the concept of dreams within dreams. So while in the first layer, they get one of the devices they use to get into the dreams (In the outside world) and go deeper. As confusing as it sounds, once you watch the movie, you'll understand. Consequently, the deeper you go the more pronounced the time dilation is. Essentially if you go down deep enough, you can spend years in the dream world and only have had a couple of hours pass in the real world.
Without going too much more into the plot, I have to say this was a fun ride in terms of story, acting, and overall direction. But the one thing that truly stands out is how this movie messes with your mind. The ending is one that essentially lets you decide what happened. It can also make you confused. In my case, it made me chuckle a little.
Although it is a two and a half hour movie, it didn't feel like an outrageous length to tell the story. Again the play with time dilation makes the movie extremely entertaining. It has plenty of interesting twists to keep you guessing. Yes some of it was a little predictable, but i think they purposely gave clues.
My verdict: Check this out! Sit back and enjoy the journey.
Friday, July 16, 2010
First Impression: Canon HF-M30 HD Camcorder
At first glance the camcorder is very small. In fact it's not much bigger than a can of soda. But then when you start to play with it, you notice the old cliche holds true. "Big things come in small packages", and this camera definitely fits that saying.
It comes with 8gb built in memory and records in AVCHD. It also has an SDHC slot to expand that memory and increase recording time. I currently have 8gb SDHC card and so at 17mbs FXP mode I can record 2 hrs of video.
Speaking of video, the quality is actually quite impressive for a camera of this size. I've only had limited time to play with it but so far i like it. Low light shots will take some optimization but if you can get it right it will look great. I was doing a lot of random night shots (Aka a street near a friends house at night) and just general shots with different light settings. It performed well in all conditions. Again, more messing around with the settings will yield some interesting results. The 1080p recording really does look great. Especially very well lit areas and daylight scenes. They simply pop! To help with some low light shots, the camcorder does have its own little LED light, but it's only really effective at close range or if you open up the exposure settings to let in more light (although you get a little motion blur). Additionally the camcorder does have a pretty good optical image stabilization feature. It has a few settings and features for this. There are 2 basic settings for image stabilization, "Standard" and "Dynamic". Then there is one more, "Powered IS". This is actually a very cool feature which allows you to stabalize your image even if you are zoomed in (this camera has a 15x Optical/18x Advanced Zoom/300x Digital Zoom) the Powered IS does a great job of steadying your shot. Since I don't have the most stable of hands, this is a great feature. There are plenty of settings to play with and I have yet to fully check everything out. The more I use it, the more I am finding out what a fun camera this is.
Other than video, the camcorder does boast a still photo mode which takes 3 megapixel pictures. While that may not be too impressive, it's adequate enough. It also has a built in flash to take pictures with. Very handy!
The last thing I'll mention is the touch screen. It's actually quite responsive and works well. It allows you to access all your settings, and then some. I'll go into this a bit later. But so far I'm actually like the way they implemented the touch screen.
While I still have some work to do with the camcorder, I am really enjoying it. I am looking to get some extra lenses that this camcorder will support to help with a variety of shots.
Initial recommendation: This camcorder is definitely worth the money you pay. It has great versatility and I've just begun to scratch the surface. More to come on this but for now. Get this if you can!
Movie Review: Predators
I recently saw the movie Predators starring Adrien Brody and Topher Grace. While I enjoyed the first Predator movie, I'd have to say that this movie lacked some luster and while visually cool, wasn't what I was hoping for in the movie.
The basic premise is this: A group of elite warriors are stolen from Earth and placed on a jungle planet. For this hunt, 7 humans taken. Each of which was a combatant from a different country and each had a different specialty. The character types were quite cliche as well. For example, a Japanese Yakuza who in his last move of desperation fights off and kills a Predator with a Samurai Sword. Another way I'd have to look at the way this movie was done would be to call it Campy, and some people would agree. Each of these 7 characters got air dropped on this planet with weapons that they were carrying at the time of abduction from earth and that's all they had. Soon after landing the 7 characters meet each other and begin to work together to figure out what is going on, and where they are. The "Where" question is answered when they come to an opening and see multiple moons and planets above them. After getting a small taste of what they are up against, Adrien Brody's character figures it out. He then begins to recite the story of Schwarzenegger's character and begins to make the connection. From there the movie just loses me. Not because there was anything complicated, but because it was so straight forward. The typical formula emerges: The characters get picked off one by one and then its down to 3, Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, and a Female Sniper. And just before it gets down to that, Lawrence Fishburn makes a short cameo as a soldier who has managed to survive on the planet for some time and has taken refuge in a crashed alien vessel and remained hidden from the Predators. Too bad he dies 10 minutes after you see him. Anyway back with the predictable plot: When they get down to the last 3, a plan is made to get off the planet which ultimately goes awry, Topher's character has a big revelation, and the 3 predators that have been chasing them ultimately meet their end. Oh and they help one Predator they found tied up escape and it in turn fights off another predator. (Exciting right?).
While I won't spoil the ending, I will have to say that it was quite anti-climactic and left me saying "REALLY? I mean REALLY!?". Bottom line, wait for this to come out on DVD if you're at all interested in seeing it. I kinda wish I did now.
The basic premise is this: A group of elite warriors are stolen from Earth and placed on a jungle planet. For this hunt, 7 humans taken. Each of which was a combatant from a different country and each had a different specialty. The character types were quite cliche as well. For example, a Japanese Yakuza who in his last move of desperation fights off and kills a Predator with a Samurai Sword. Another way I'd have to look at the way this movie was done would be to call it Campy, and some people would agree. Each of these 7 characters got air dropped on this planet with weapons that they were carrying at the time of abduction from earth and that's all they had. Soon after landing the 7 characters meet each other and begin to work together to figure out what is going on, and where they are. The "Where" question is answered when they come to an opening and see multiple moons and planets above them. After getting a small taste of what they are up against, Adrien Brody's character figures it out. He then begins to recite the story of Schwarzenegger's character and begins to make the connection. From there the movie just loses me. Not because there was anything complicated, but because it was so straight forward. The typical formula emerges: The characters get picked off one by one and then its down to 3, Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, and a Female Sniper. And just before it gets down to that, Lawrence Fishburn makes a short cameo as a soldier who has managed to survive on the planet for some time and has taken refuge in a crashed alien vessel and remained hidden from the Predators. Too bad he dies 10 minutes after you see him. Anyway back with the predictable plot: When they get down to the last 3, a plan is made to get off the planet which ultimately goes awry, Topher's character has a big revelation, and the 3 predators that have been chasing them ultimately meet their end. Oh and they help one Predator they found tied up escape and it in turn fights off another predator. (Exciting right?).
While I won't spoil the ending, I will have to say that it was quite anti-climactic and left me saying "REALLY? I mean REALLY!?". Bottom line, wait for this to come out on DVD if you're at all interested in seeing it. I kinda wish I did now.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Great Netflix Find: "180 Degrees South"
Occasionally you will see little snippets like this. Little reviews about movies, music or other types of media that catch my eye/ear. This time. It's a documentary movie I found on Netflix's Instant Streaming called: "180 (Degrees) South"
It's about a guy named Jeff Johnson who loves surfing and going on adventures. He tries not to stay stationary for too long and in his life and therefore is constantly on the move. One day Jeff learns about the exploits of outdoorsman Yvon Chouinard and his 1968 van trip to Patagonia, South America. Yvon Chouinard became the first and only person to climb to the top of Corcovado, a treacherous mountain in Patagonia. In 2007 Jeff makes it his ambition to go down to Patagonia and climb Corcovado and on the way get in a little surfing.
I have to say I had no idea what to expect when I started watching this. In the end though it was just a really cool story. Jeff spends a lot of time on the water heading to Chile. Along the way he stops on Rapa Nui (Aka Easter Island) where they spend time to mend the boat that they were on meeting a new friend along the way, gaining a new respect for the Island, its culture, and the lessons learned from its history.
Ultimately they make it to Chile and take a small boat to Patagonia and finally the base of Corcovado. While in Chile they meet up with Yvon who has been living there for quite some time. Him and his wife have worked hard to buy land in the area as well as parts of Argentina to keep it as preserve land. Before Jeff leaves for Corcovado, Yvon decides to join them on the trip and go up the mountain.
This movie is just a great watch. It's quite inspiring. Watching this made me want to visit Rapa Nui even more than the first time I learned about the island. Either way though, a great little find on Netflix and a suggested watch. Stay tuned as I will periodically find some great little gems like this and let you know.
It's about a guy named Jeff Johnson who loves surfing and going on adventures. He tries not to stay stationary for too long and in his life and therefore is constantly on the move. One day Jeff learns about the exploits of outdoorsman Yvon Chouinard and his 1968 van trip to Patagonia, South America. Yvon Chouinard became the first and only person to climb to the top of Corcovado, a treacherous mountain in Patagonia. In 2007 Jeff makes it his ambition to go down to Patagonia and climb Corcovado and on the way get in a little surfing.
I have to say I had no idea what to expect when I started watching this. In the end though it was just a really cool story. Jeff spends a lot of time on the water heading to Chile. Along the way he stops on Rapa Nui (Aka Easter Island) where they spend time to mend the boat that they were on meeting a new friend along the way, gaining a new respect for the Island, its culture, and the lessons learned from its history.
Ultimately they make it to Chile and take a small boat to Patagonia and finally the base of Corcovado. While in Chile they meet up with Yvon who has been living there for quite some time. Him and his wife have worked hard to buy land in the area as well as parts of Argentina to keep it as preserve land. Before Jeff leaves for Corcovado, Yvon decides to join them on the trip and go up the mountain.
This movie is just a great watch. It's quite inspiring. Watching this made me want to visit Rapa Nui even more than the first time I learned about the island. Either way though, a great little find on Netflix and a suggested watch. Stay tuned as I will periodically find some great little gems like this and let you know.
Canon HF-R100 Flash Camcorder Review
I received the HFR100 as an early birthday gift and at first it seemed alright. But then i really started testing it,and came up with an overall conclusion to the camera. It's not all it's cracked out to be, and could be better for the price.
Reasons:
The 60i Frame rate is pointless. If you're going to shoot shoot with this camera shoot in 24p or 30p. At highest quality it's not too bad... If you're in bright light scenarios. Once you get regular light (i.e. a typically lit indoor room, or a room with natural light coming in) and low light, it gets really grainy. I also realized that you don't get 1080 unless u use the FXP 12mbps mode. Otherwise it's slightly less resolution and not true 1080.
But the biggest kicker that made me really dislike this camera was the noise that comes from the camera and manages to seep into your video. Unless you're shooting a loud scene, you will notice an audible, fast, repeating "Clacking" sound seep into your video. This was the killer for me. I plan on using my next camera for some semi-professional projects. The part that I don't get is why it makes this kind of noise from a Flash Based camera!?
Additionally i don't like that you can't put on additional lenses, the auto focus is pretty slow to react. Image stabilization is useless even slightly zoomed in (Dynamic Image Stabilization helps a little but not much). No place for a light attachment. The microphone input is nice, but if you're using a wireless mic, the camera person is going to have to hold in his hand or pocket the receiver.
I didn't try the editing software that came with the Camera and used Final Cut Pro instead. It worked fine with that using the "Log and Transfer" option. FCP works with the files just fine. The drawback to the file format that this file uses is that it needs to be converted for a mac to read it by default. Didn't try any other programs to view the video so i can't comment on which programs will work on the Mac.
Bottom Line: If you are just shooting to shoot family vacations or something that may not be seen by a bunch of people? This isn't that bad of a camera for that. However if you care about the quality and the ability to do more than just point and shoot, skip this and spring for a higher model like the HF-M30.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Little Video Test
Over the past year I've been dabbling with the first edition of the Flip Mino HD. Here's a quick sample of what I got. Quality and size reduced for internet streaming. Not bad if you ask me. My biggest compalint though... Zooming. Can't zoom with the Flip unless you want highly pixelated video.
This is mainly a test to see how things turn out using a new Cloud Computing service i'm using... HOpefully that'll mean more video in the future
Update: Trying to use Vimeo instead of DivShare
Short St. Pattys Day, SF Clip from Mike Skyba on Vimeo.
This is mainly a test to see how things turn out using a new Cloud Computing service i'm using... HOpefully that'll mean more video in the future
Update: Trying to use Vimeo instead of DivShare
Saturday, June 26, 2010
iOS 4 Review
A week after it has been released, I'm finally ready to write a small review of Apple's new iOS4. I own an iPhone 3GS and installed iOS4 the morning it came out and have had plenty of time to play with it. So far, I really like it. My favorite feature has to be the folders you can now create. This cuts down on clutter and makes it so you don't have to have 5 pages of apps. Instead you can consolidate that into about 2 or 3 pages.
Another very useful feature that has stood out is the multitasking. Previously each app had to be opened up independently. Now you can do relatively fast switching between apps. This is most noticeable with native iPhone apps. The switching between these apps is snappy. With other 3rd party apps you may still get their load screens but it's still relatively fast. Some apps have made better use of multi-tasking however like Pandora which you can now listen to in the background while you surf the web, write an email, or check the weather. Multi-tasking is perhaps the most asked for feature iPhone users have been looking for since its initial release and Apple has finally delivered.
Finally, I've become a big fan of Google maps now working with your compass. This is very handy when trying to find your way around a city like San Francisco. You can now actually figure out what direction you really need to head in.
While the changes in iOS4 are a lot more significant than what I have written here, these few changes are probably the most noticeable and useful things in this release.
That's not to say that this new release is perfect. I have had the phone hang on me a few times since installing iOS4 and some programs either crash/freeze or still struggle. It is frustrating to have to do a hard reset on the phone, but I'm going to wait and see what happens. A lot of my problems may have to do with certain applications not quite being ready for iOS4.
For now though, despite a few hiccups I do like iOS4.
Another very useful feature that has stood out is the multitasking. Previously each app had to be opened up independently. Now you can do relatively fast switching between apps. This is most noticeable with native iPhone apps. The switching between these apps is snappy. With other 3rd party apps you may still get their load screens but it's still relatively fast. Some apps have made better use of multi-tasking however like Pandora which you can now listen to in the background while you surf the web, write an email, or check the weather. Multi-tasking is perhaps the most asked for feature iPhone users have been looking for since its initial release and Apple has finally delivered.
Finally, I've become a big fan of Google maps now working with your compass. This is very handy when trying to find your way around a city like San Francisco. You can now actually figure out what direction you really need to head in.
While the changes in iOS4 are a lot more significant than what I have written here, these few changes are probably the most noticeable and useful things in this release.
That's not to say that this new release is perfect. I have had the phone hang on me a few times since installing iOS4 and some programs either crash/freeze or still struggle. It is frustrating to have to do a hard reset on the phone, but I'm going to wait and see what happens. A lot of my problems may have to do with certain applications not quite being ready for iOS4.
For now though, despite a few hiccups I do like iOS4.
Playstation E3 Wrap-Up: Part 2
Playstation definitely brought out all its Big Guns during their E3 Press Conference. Their implementation of 3D and the Playstation Move were definitely big steps for Sony. But one of the things that has always separated the Playstation 3 from the rest is the games. Most notably some of the exclusives. The following is a list of some exclusive titles coming to PS3 with the exception of 1, Portal 2. But there's something about the PS3 release that will make it special. On with the games!
inFamous 2
The first game was absolutely amazing. Huge open world, tons of buildings to climb and places to explore. In addition, Cole McGrath (The protagonist of the game) has tons of great electricity powers that grow stronger as you upgrade them over time. It appears Cole is back for more electrifying action in inFamous 2. Although there wasn't too much shown during the E3 trailer, the game is poised to take the awesomeness of the first game and expand on it greatly. At first glance, the graphics have been well upgraded, new enemies added, and best of all new abilities for Cole. Although it is unclear at this point what these new abilities will entail, I'm guessing that part of it will have to do with that cattle prod looking instrument attached to his backpack. Nevertheless inFamous 2 will be on my list of games to get.
Killzone 3
Media Molecule is back with the 2nd installment of one of the most innovative games to date. "Little Big Planet" was a fun little platformer that made it clear that creativity is key. And by creativity, I mean giving the player the power to create new levels. The first "Little Big Planet" proved that giving powerful level building tools to the end user can yield some tremendous results. We're talking over 2 million user created levels and growing. "Little Big Planet 2" looks to expand the abilities of the user and we can only imagine how many more levels will appear. However instead of being straight forward levels, "Little Big Planet 2" will allow users to create tons of different mini-games. Now your average user with a little creativity can become a game creator. So far the E3 demo showed off some of the ideas people have come up with and it's safe to say that there's no shortage of what you can do. From tank battle games to simple knock-out-of-the-ring games, "Little Big Planet 2" will be satisfying gamers for years to come after it is released. The sky really is the limit this time to what people can create, and from what I have seen from the first installment of "Little Big Planet", the future is bright.
Gran Turismo 5
The long awaited "Gran Turismo 5" will finally be coming out in November, 2010. It has been 6 years since Gran Turismo 4, but it will all be worth it. For those not familiar to the series, "Gran Turismo" is literally the ultimate driving simulator. It is a car racing game that combines photo-realistic graphics, real engine sounds, realistic driving physics, real life tracks from around the world, and fine tuning of your cars to produce the most immersive driving game ever. Half the time it is hard to tell that you are even playing a video game! Heck, this installment of "Gran Turismo" introduces for the first time in the series, Nascar. This is quite a departure from the previous games which featured mainly production cars with some Formula 1 style cars into the mix. Case and point, this game will be a must for any car enthusiast or anyone that wants to experience a very realistic driving game.
Portal 2
I finish off my Playstation E3 Wrap-Up with one of the most exciting game announcements of the show. That game is "Portal 2". While it may not be an exclusive to the PS3, it will have a feature exclusive to the PS3; Valve Software's "Steam" integration which will allow for constant and current updates downloaded whenever they are available. This includes the incorporation of new maps.
For those that have not played the first game, Portal is an imaginative puzzle game. The basic story is you are a test subject at Aperture Science going through tests that are monitored by glaDOS, a very sadistic computer with an interesting artificial intelligence. Did I mention that it promises you cake when you are done? The game is a first person "shooter" but you don't shoot bullets or anything lethal. Instead, you shoot portals. These portals allow you to get from point A to point B with little travel. They also allow you to use momentum and physics to catapult you across a room. The best way to really understand this is to check out a simple video from the first "Portal".
The 2nd portal takes place many years after the first one. Once again glaDOS is your main nemesis. However things are a little different. A few new game elements have been added such as repulsion and speed gels. One makes you bounce, and one gives you a burst of speed respectively. Additionally the introduction of multiplayer makes its debut in a co-op mode. For this you don't play as the main protagonist, Chell. You instead play as 2 robots. The developer said this made better sense to do with robots since there will be a lot of dying and re-spawning involved and you can do that better with robots.
For any person that played the first "Portal", this game is a long time coming with great anticipation. Especially since the first game is relatively short. This is for sure on my list of MUST GET games.
Final Thoughts:
Sony Playstation once again displayed at E3 why they are one of the best game companies out there. From their technology in their console, to the fantastic games on the horizon, Sony may soon regain title of KING in the video game world. If they keep up what they are doing, IMO they certainly will.
inFamous 2
The first game was absolutely amazing. Huge open world, tons of buildings to climb and places to explore. In addition, Cole McGrath (The protagonist of the game) has tons of great electricity powers that grow stronger as you upgrade them over time. It appears Cole is back for more electrifying action in inFamous 2. Although there wasn't too much shown during the E3 trailer, the game is poised to take the awesomeness of the first game and expand on it greatly. At first glance, the graphics have been well upgraded, new enemies added, and best of all new abilities for Cole. Although it is unclear at this point what these new abilities will entail, I'm guessing that part of it will have to do with that cattle prod looking instrument attached to his backpack. Nevertheless inFamous 2 will be on my list of games to get.
Killzone 3
While I personally have yet to play any of the Killzone series, this game may actually get me to pick it up and play it. From the outset, the game looks phenomenal! Some of the best graphics for a game of its kind to date. It goes beyond the traditional first person shooter by adding some serious tactical fighting to the game. Oh yah, did I forget to mention JET PACKS! When you watch the E3 demo, one of the prominent features demonstrated was the new jet packs that will be available to you at certain points in the game. Of course, one of the crowning features of Killzone 3 is 3D. While I may not have been able to view the demo in 3D, I can only imagine how amazing it looked. I did speak with a friend that was able to attend the Playstation press conference. When asked about how Killzone 3 looked like in 3D he simply said "Amazing!". Yet one more game to keep an eye out as the release date gets closer.
Little Big Planet 2
Media Molecule is back with the 2nd installment of one of the most innovative games to date. "Little Big Planet" was a fun little platformer that made it clear that creativity is key. And by creativity, I mean giving the player the power to create new levels. The first "Little Big Planet" proved that giving powerful level building tools to the end user can yield some tremendous results. We're talking over 2 million user created levels and growing. "Little Big Planet 2" looks to expand the abilities of the user and we can only imagine how many more levels will appear. However instead of being straight forward levels, "Little Big Planet 2" will allow users to create tons of different mini-games. Now your average user with a little creativity can become a game creator. So far the E3 demo showed off some of the ideas people have come up with and it's safe to say that there's no shortage of what you can do. From tank battle games to simple knock-out-of-the-ring games, "Little Big Planet 2" will be satisfying gamers for years to come after it is released. The sky really is the limit this time to what people can create, and from what I have seen from the first installment of "Little Big Planet", the future is bright.
Gran Turismo 5
The long awaited "Gran Turismo 5" will finally be coming out in November, 2010. It has been 6 years since Gran Turismo 4, but it will all be worth it. For those not familiar to the series, "Gran Turismo" is literally the ultimate driving simulator. It is a car racing game that combines photo-realistic graphics, real engine sounds, realistic driving physics, real life tracks from around the world, and fine tuning of your cars to produce the most immersive driving game ever. Half the time it is hard to tell that you are even playing a video game! Heck, this installment of "Gran Turismo" introduces for the first time in the series, Nascar. This is quite a departure from the previous games which featured mainly production cars with some Formula 1 style cars into the mix. Case and point, this game will be a must for any car enthusiast or anyone that wants to experience a very realistic driving game.
Portal 2
For those that have not played the first game, Portal is an imaginative puzzle game. The basic story is you are a test subject at Aperture Science going through tests that are monitored by glaDOS, a very sadistic computer with an interesting artificial intelligence. Did I mention that it promises you cake when you are done? The game is a first person "shooter" but you don't shoot bullets or anything lethal. Instead, you shoot portals. These portals allow you to get from point A to point B with little travel. They also allow you to use momentum and physics to catapult you across a room. The best way to really understand this is to check out a simple video from the first "Portal".
The 2nd portal takes place many years after the first one. Once again glaDOS is your main nemesis. However things are a little different. A few new game elements have been added such as repulsion and speed gels. One makes you bounce, and one gives you a burst of speed respectively. Additionally the introduction of multiplayer makes its debut in a co-op mode. For this you don't play as the main protagonist, Chell. You instead play as 2 robots. The developer said this made better sense to do with robots since there will be a lot of dying and re-spawning involved and you can do that better with robots.
For any person that played the first "Portal", this game is a long time coming with great anticipation. Especially since the first game is relatively short. This is for sure on my list of MUST GET games.
Final Thoughts:
Sony Playstation once again displayed at E3 why they are one of the best game companies out there. From their technology in their console, to the fantastic games on the horizon, Sony may soon regain title of KING in the video game world. If they keep up what they are doing, IMO they certainly will.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
E3 2010 Wrap-Up: Sony (Part 1)
Segment 2 of my E3 Wrap-Up will deal with perhaps the most impressive of all press conferences I was privileged to watch. In fact it's safe to say that they had the most things to be excited about overall. Sony's press conference was so robust with greatness that I'm going to have to separate my wrap-up into 2 articles, so stay tuned.
Sony Move
Sorcery was just remarkable to watch the interaction between the Move and the game. This definitely is no Harry Potter (In terms of familiarity), but it comes into its own allowing you to do multiple types of magic and even combining different elements to make your magic more potent. While the demo was short it did showcase a lot of impressive things that I look to see polished before the final game is released.
Sony Move
Nintendo was the first company to put Motion controls to use. But, Sony is looking to push the technology a bit further with the Playstation Move. Combined with the Playstation's Eye, the Move is looking to set a new standard in motion control by giving 1 to 1 motion tracking. The controller will also be in 2 parts (Similar to Nintendo's Wiimote and Nunchuck design). But in the case of sony, the 2 parts will be wireless. Looking at the controller you see a ball on top of the controller. In the picture above the ball is blue, but the ball will change colors depending on certain variables and certain games. It's actually quite neat to watch. The demonstrations with the move were quite impressive. The tracking was very precise and responsive. One of the games that seemed most interesting to come out for the Move is "Sorcery"
Sorcery was just remarkable to watch the interaction between the Move and the game. This definitely is no Harry Potter (In terms of familiarity), but it comes into its own allowing you to do multiple types of magic and even combining different elements to make your magic more potent. While the demo was short it did showcase a lot of impressive things that I look to see polished before the final game is released.
Many titles are going to get Move integration as time goes on. Some will get them at launch and some will get them as an add-on. For example Tiger Woods '11 Golf and upcoming shooter "Killzone 3" will get full Move integration at launch whereas a game like "Heavy Rain" will get it added in a downloadable update.
During the press conference Tiger Woods Golf was demonstrated using the Move. Again, very accurate and very impressive to watch it being played. I've tried my hands at Tiger Woods Golf for the Wii, but it was very clunky and, IMO, not very playable. I preferred the standard analog controller of the PS3. Now, I would definitely like to give the game another try with a motion controller, this time with the Move.
3D Gaming and Entertainment
I'll end this first segment with one of the biggest themes of E3 2010, 3D gaming. Sony, as was expected, also touched upon 3D gaming. Currently all 35 Million Playstation 3 consoles, with a software update, are 3D ready. That's right, nothing extra to buy (Aside from a 3D TV). This is huge! That means my original launch version 60gb model will be able to play games in 3D if i had the right TV for it. Very smart Sony! In addition to the consoles already being 3D ready, some current games will get a bit of a 3D upgrade like "Stardust HD" and "Pain". More is on the way. One of which i'm truly excited for and that's Gran Turismo 5! Not only does it look remarkable in standard Hi-Def. I can only begin to imagine what that will look like in 3D!
From a technical standpoint, Sony has once again pushed the envelope. From all their consoles being 3D ready, to the Playstation Move's precision and implementation, Sony has got what it takes to lead Gaming for years to come.
Next Time: E3 Wrap-Up Part 2: The Games!
From a technical standpoint, Sony has once again pushed the envelope. From all their consoles being 3D ready, to the Playstation Move's precision and implementation, Sony has got what it takes to lead Gaming for years to come.
Next Time: E3 Wrap-Up Part 2: The Games!
My E3 2010 Wrap-Up: Nintendo
E3 2010 (The Electronic Entertainment Expo) the biggest video game conference of the year has come and gone and now what is left is to wait for the announcements made to come to fruition. I'd like to share some of my thoughts about the things I have had the opportunity to witness via the Web and other readings. In the next few articles I will break down my favorite highlights by company.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Nintendo
Nintendo's press conference never seems to be a let down. This year was no exception. Nintendo came out and once again proved why they can maintain such strong loyalty and enthusiasm over the years.The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Nintendo has once again nailed it with "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword" for the Wii. The first Zelda game to come out on the Wii, "Twilight Princess" was an excellent game. Lots of things to find, great story, and of course great gameplay. By the looks of it "Skyward Sword" looks to take what they started in "Twilight Princess" and improve on it dramatically. The game now uses the Wii's Motion-Plus controller and therefore allows for a lot more accurate sword play and adding that extra bit of realism to the game. It also allows the user to not have to constantly be pointing the Wii Remote at the TV. The demo they had was experiencing a few technical difficulties due to some wireless interference, but overall it looked remarkable. In my list of "Wanted" games, this is definitely on that list and i look forward to reading more about it.
Metroid: Other M
Any fan of the Metroid series is going to jump all over this title. The previous Metroid game to this, "Prime 3: Corruption" was a primarily first person shooter with very little third person play. This game changes things up. It's more 3rd person shooter with some first person incorporated into the game play. Despite that, the game looks amazing. Fast paced, a little bit of an old-school feel, and like its predecessors, a lot of things to find, and unlock. This is going to be a game that not only has a fantastic story, but will reward people willing to explore. "Metroid: Other M" is poised to be another fantastic franchise title from Nintendo.
Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo may have not announced a new home console this year, but they did astound the video gaming world with the announcement and demonstration of the Nintendo 3DS. This is the first Handheld 3D gaming system to appear. The best part, NO GLASSES! That's right all 3D will happen on the top screen with a small slider that will allow for adjustment of 3D intensity. This is a major leap forward for portable gaming as it opens up a plethora of new possibilities for handheld entertainment. Nintendo has beefed up this version of their Dual Screen (DS) gaming system. Aside from 3D, it will have a better processor, and a new analog stick just above the standard control pad for new gaming experiences. Additionally Nintendo announced that Hollywood movies will begin to appear on the 3DS. And as you may have guessed, they too will be 3D. The glasses-free implementation will mean much easier travel and portability for movies. This could be a major game changer for Nintendo and their share of the Portable Gaming market if none of the other gaming companies can follow suit. Perhaps Sony has something up their sleeve? Only time will tell. But for now, the 3DS is king in the world of portable 3D Gaming and Entertainment.
Final Thoughts
While Nintendo may have announced more things than talked about here. These are the things that I was most excited about and think have the greatest potential to help Nintendo maintain a strong part of the video game market. They innovated when the Wii came out, and are again pushing the envelope with the 3DS. Their strong Franchise games like Metroid and Zelda will always do well and have constantly been terrific games. Whoever thought that Nintendo was dying needs to re-think their position. Nintendo has made it clear that they are here to stay for a long time to come.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Stay Tuned
Welcome,
In coming days and weeks, I will be adding some personal musings about the world of Media and Video Games. When I say media it really is broad. I will be talking about Movies, TV, Technology, Production etc... And of course, I will be writing about my musings about various Video Game related things such as upcoming games or technologies in the video game world.
As a Masters student at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Ca I have begun to really examine media from many different levels. As far as video games, i have been playing those and keeping up with video game news for as long as I can remember. Right now is an exciting time for the video game industry and I look forward to finding new things to talk about.
So hang tight, and new things will be popping up shortly.
In coming days and weeks, I will be adding some personal musings about the world of Media and Video Games. When I say media it really is broad. I will be talking about Movies, TV, Technology, Production etc... And of course, I will be writing about my musings about various Video Game related things such as upcoming games or technologies in the video game world.
As a Masters student at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Ca I have begun to really examine media from many different levels. As far as video games, i have been playing those and keeping up with video game news for as long as I can remember. Right now is an exciting time for the video game industry and I look forward to finding new things to talk about.
So hang tight, and new things will be popping up shortly.
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