In this new daily segment I'm starting, I'll pull the top five news stories of the day about gaming and give you my quick spin. I know it's the holidays and it's probably the worst time to start this, but there was enough gaming news today to justify this abrupt start. So, without further ado...
These news stories are listed in no particular order of importance and will be filled with opinions that are not reflected by everyone, just Brent Metcalfe.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
The Final Instalment in the Future Series is Another Strong Outing for Ratchet and Clank
Quick Note: If you're not a fan of the series there's nothing
here for you. But if you enjoy the games or want to enjoy a great 3D
platformer with a solid combat system, pick this game up immediately.
Since the original released in 2002, I've been playing Ratchet and Clank. I love 3D platformers, and Ratchet and Clank has always been enjoyable, with strong combat focused on unique weapons and a deceptively interesting lore. One of my fondest gaming memories has to be playing Going Commando in high school on mute while blaring the 311 Greatest Hits CD, and to this day I have to play the series with some form of rap rock or beach music in the back ground. Needless to say, I'm a fan. And despite the experimental nature of the past two games in the franchise, Into the Nexus is the perfect cap for the duo before we all turn in our PS3's for the next generation.
Since the original released in 2002, I've been playing Ratchet and Clank. I love 3D platformers, and Ratchet and Clank has always been enjoyable, with strong combat focused on unique weapons and a deceptively interesting lore. One of my fondest gaming memories has to be playing Going Commando in high school on mute while blaring the 311 Greatest Hits CD, and to this day I have to play the series with some form of rap rock or beach music in the back ground. Needless to say, I'm a fan. And despite the experimental nature of the past two games in the franchise, Into the Nexus is the perfect cap for the duo before we all turn in our PS3's for the next generation.
Old Game is Old is No Excuse to Skip Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath on Vita
Quick Note: Though not without it's flaws, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath is an enjoyable shooter, especially for a system like the PS Vita, which is lacking some quality shooters.
Anyone who knows me personally (or happens to look at my PSN account) knows that I don't particularly enjoy shooters, first or third person. Guns don't particularly appeal to me in any way and with a few big exceptions, the general shooter on the market does not tell a very compelling story, which is the major reason why I play video games. I've stumbled a bit through Bioshock and it's sequel, but with a 40+ hour work week I would rather spend my time on my console playing games I know I will enjoy rather than try out experiences I kind of get into. So when Stranger's Wrath hit Vita, I knew it was the perfect chance to branch out into a genre I am not very familiar with. Despite it's old school difficulty and controls, the game is surprisingly enjoyable, especially on Vita, where there is a definite drought of good shooters.
Anyone who knows me personally (or happens to look at my PSN account) knows that I don't particularly enjoy shooters, first or third person. Guns don't particularly appeal to me in any way and with a few big exceptions, the general shooter on the market does not tell a very compelling story, which is the major reason why I play video games. I've stumbled a bit through Bioshock and it's sequel, but with a 40+ hour work week I would rather spend my time on my console playing games I know I will enjoy rather than try out experiences I kind of get into. So when Stranger's Wrath hit Vita, I knew it was the perfect chance to branch out into a genre I am not very familiar with. Despite it's old school difficulty and controls, the game is surprisingly enjoyable, especially on Vita, where there is a definite drought of good shooters.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
PS Mobile: Make it Visible
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You may not know it, but this week marks the second week of
Sony’s Festive Giveaway promotion for PlayStation Mobile. For five weeks,
starting last week, two PS Mobile games are being given away to users for free.
These games are playable on both PlayStation Certified Android devices and PS
Vitas and are created by a community of hobbyists and indie developers.
What’s that? You’ve never heard of PS Mobile? You are not
alone, nor are you a bad person for not even knowing what the program is.
Despite the attempt to future-proof the PlayStation brand on cellular devices,
Sony has left this small section of its videogames catalog to dry up in the
sun, dying slowly and painfully, much like the Minis. However, there are some
really great games amongst the mobile titles, and they deserve some much needed
love. What can Sony do to make these titles more relevant to gamers?
How Sony Can Improve the Vita
I’ve always had an affinity for handheld gaming, probably because my first real gaming experience came from playing Link’s Awakening on the original brick GameBoy. The first game I ever beat to completion was Pokemon Yellow on my purple see-through GameBoy Color. Even as I get older, I still tend to game on my handhelds as much (if not more) than my consoles. I love my Vita. It has great graphics, awesome experiences and I can play it pretty much anywhere. Having said that, it’s not a perfect system. There is a reason why it’s being outsold (by huge margins) to the 3DS in every available market, including Japan. So what can Sony do to match its competitor in the handheld market?
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Charming In Everyway Possible, Tearaway is a Must For Any Vita Owner
Quick Note: For anyone who loves 3D platformers, cute art styles, or just needs a game for their Vita, Tearaway is a must bye. It's special in so many ways and is enjoyable for anyone, regardless of their age or ethnicity.
Like any good book or movie, the ending to a videogame is important. You want that sense of satisfaction to justify your hours of time and the monetary investment put into it. Sometimes it’s that final cutscenes to wrap up the amazing story. Other times it’s the come down off of that insanely difficult boss fight. Tearaway makes this moment special in a way no other game has because by the end, I felt like I had helped out a little friend, not just some character I controlled. The ending isn’t the only part of Tearaway that feels like it was imagined around the player, but the entire game is full of these moments to keep you chugging along to the end.
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