Music in Games

To make the perfect game is impossible. Tastes vary so much that not everyone will be completely happy with any end result. Although I've come across review websites that give maximum scores to games, it is clear that the score is really only someone's point of view to a certain degree, which good reviewers are happy to accept, though they do try to demonstrate why the game merits such a score.

Making a good game takes intense skill, a creative mind and in many cases a desire to experiment and take risks. Some of the best games are games we don't expect or that show us things we've never seen before. Portal is the go to example, in that it took the FPS and literally turned it on it's head, instead creating a physics based puzzle game, something we'd never really seen before. If the creator(s) successfully achieves this combination- interesting and creative mechanics, solid and accessible game-play, a compelling story and so on, a decent game is the result. 

For me personally, what can take a game to new heights and turn it from good to great, is the soundtrack. And by soundtrack I don't necessarily mean the audio, but the music or lack-of, that accompanies the product. 

Like in film, music can really leave it's mark when used correctly. It can build tension, create a sense of chaos and move the player nearly as much as the action on screen can (if done well). But one thing it does to me is have a lasting impact. 

Some of my favourite games have brilliant and memorable soundtracks, that when heard independently from the game bring back memories of specific moments and events that happened in game worlds either whilst I was playing alone or with friends. 

Music that comes to mind is strangely the soundtrack to GTA San Andreas. It may be that I played the game so much all those years back that the songs from the in-game radio have logged themselves in my mind, however every time I hear one of them it makes me think back to driving through the fictional American state. And what's more is that not only do I love those songs, but from listening to the eclectic mix of 90s hip-hop and classic rock, I have discovered artists and albums that perhaps I wouldn't have without playing the game in the first place. Public Enemy, David Bowie... a couple of the artists I now listen as a result. And I know for a fact that such an experience is not unique.

IGN recently interview Chain Gang of 1974, an group of musicians who's track was part of the soundtrack to the latest GTA, funnily enough the return to the state of San Andreas, and who've experienced a huge amount of success as a result. People have identified their music and come to like it, just as I have, through the game. 

In many ways the game industry, like the film industry, is helping music become ever more mainstream. It introduces people to new things and is a great avenue for discovering new talent. Artists are now increasingly being asked that their songs appear in adverts for games (Woodkid songs in Assasins Creed for example) as well as their soundtracks, a benefit to both the makers and the musicians. It will be interesting to see how the relationship progresses.

All in all though, when done right, the game and the music can work seamlessly together creating a great overall experience that generates long lasting memories.

Down but not out

Well not really I've just been away for a while, with too many distractions. Holidays, work, and GTA have all sucked up my time and I've not found a good moment to write.

A lot has happened in the months I've been away. I feel like the title is a little outdated now, but regardless there have been somewhat major consumer technology announcements and releases in recent months with new products from Apple, Microsoft and Nokia. Aforementioned GTA V has now broken every single record it could possible break. Personally I'd like to add greatest character in a game so far, though some may dispute that... Other games have also been released. There have also been some good and interesting releases in music, one band in particular London Grammar are definitely worth following if you aren't already creating sounds reminiscent of the XX.  They've supposedly been tearing up the US hipster scene whilst on tour across the pond. I've also managed to catch some of the big summer blockbusters I missed including the first part in the trilogy of the Hobbit, which I actually discovered, much to my surprise, to be a decent film!

More to follow soon...?

What to play?

It's hot, the sun is shining, the sky is clear and for many it's a no brainer that they should be outside. However for those with a plethora of games to play through, time to do that is not always easy to come by, especially for those that don't live on the ground floor.

Whilst getting some fresh evening air is enjoyable early on, I still found myself drawn to my Xbox later on, especially as I currently have a considerable collection of games to play, and little time to play them in.

For those with an Xbox Live Gold account, this year is perhaps a better one as each month we are being treated to two free games to keep! It may not be quite on par with what PSN has to offer but to be honest, I just don't have time to complete 5 games in a month with no option to keep them, so I'm thoroughly enjoying the service thus far. At the moment, the only two games to have been awarded are Fable 3 and Defense Grid, the latter being an Xbox Live Arcade title dating back a few years. However despite the complaints that the games are either sub-par or old, I have enjoyed them thoroughly thus far. Fable 3 is essentially a continuation of the second installment with a few modifications along the way, the most noticeable being the suppression of in game menus. Though it hasn't exactly set a trend, it's a novel way of dealing with otherwise endless lists of items and upgrades, though the result is that along with it have gone customisation options. Had I bought this, the lack of customisation available compared with Fable II may have annoyed me, but as it's "free", I happily continue. The fighting is solid if a little repetitive and the story so far is compelling enough to keep me wanting to play.

I did play the hell out of Fable II rendering this experience less charming and absorbing than my first time, but it's good nonetheless and I'm impressed with the talented voice acting employed for the main roles.

Defense Grid: The Awakening is the second free game out and despite being an old XBLA game is also thoroughly entertaining. A simple premise, you defend power orbs from invading aliens by reactivating the defense grid. This is done by purchasing towers to fend off the attacking horde. Though starting you off with only a few tower options and a couple off different types of enemy, the game gradually introduces you to new weapons and creatures, all of whom have different powers and abilities. The maps also get more complicated and varied. There is little story other than to defend the seemingly abandoned planet from the invaders, however the gameplay is good enough that you'll keep going back for more. Though I have just started playing, I'm currently enjoying this more than Fable. I have always enjoyed tower defence games and the fact that it's beautifully rendered in 3 dimensional world with a multitude of colours instead of the traditions top down 2D view has me hooked.

Other than that, Halo 4 has made it's way back into my disk tray having got bored of Borderlands 2 again (it really is the same thing over and over, though I do want to finish it), after playing through the first missions on legendary with a mate. Though challenging, so far it's not been as hard as previous Halo games, and is possibly more fun as a result. I've also had another crack at multiplayer which is still just as engaging, especially the Big Team Skirmish which has you carrying out objectives as opposed to just killing.

Finally I've also purchased Crysis, recently on sale for 400 MSP during the Ultimate Game Sale. Having never really played it I'm keen to give it a go and at that price, who can resist? I also am keen to start playing Rocksmith again, though I can't see a really ideal time to play, as well as perhaps get a bit further in Ghost Recon Future Soldier in maximum difficulty. So one can see why the sun has been less of an interest recently...

E3

For those unaware, E3 started on Monday. Possibly the biggest electronics and entertainment show on earth saw some interesting and intriguing information revealed and shared. Crucially, it was the battleground of both Sony and Microsoft in their attempts to win over the consumers at the show. Both held large and elaborate press conferences showcasing their hardware, as well as their latest games, but most importantly, prices and snippets of information were shared - some of which may determine who wins at least the initial round of sales. 

Tactical Formation! 

Microsoft started the day showcasing a large number of the upcoming games arriving on its platform, a large number exclusive. Fans will be happy to see the return of Dead Rising 3, however I was most taken by new IPs Spark, a game that puts you in the shoes of a game maker and allows you to craft your own world using your controller, Kinect or smart glass, and Ryse, a game long rumoured for the 360 which has now been adapted for the One. Ryse puts you in the bootsof a Roman field commander as you lead troops to attack Barbarian fortifications. It looks incredibly pretty and the combat seems compelling. Project Spark on the other hand seems to allow you to create your own world to play in and even share with friends. Not dissimilar to the idea behind Minecraft, it seems you have a vast array of tools at your disposal to customise your world till hearts content. I appreciated the use of existing peripherals as well. Titan Fall was also announced, an exclusive futuristic shooter from ex Infinity Ward developers as well as a few indie titles and of course Halo 5. All in all, Microsoft did a good job on delivering on its promise to only showcase games - all of which seemed superior to what Sony had to offer. However, the thorn in their side, or even the bullet deeply wedged in their foot, are the DRM issues which Microsoft is adamant on keeping, as well as the high price of £429. This will put a lot of gamers off, especially considering many, myself including, don't quite understand the high price considering we never completely get full control over the games we buy. Despite a reasonably strong presentation, Microsoft still have a lot of work to do... 

A job that will be made even harder with Sony announcing not only some good new titles, including Bungie's Destiny, a 'space opera' which seems incredibly vast and compelling in scope. Though not exclusive, it does seem to get preferential treatment from Sony. The real nail in the coffin though was the near £100 cheaper price, but also the fact that Sony haven't inputted a DRM system on their own console... This means people are free to trade, lend and sell their games as the like, unlike the Xbox One where users have to respect ridiculous rules which essentially discourage any sharing. How Sony have dones this, or perhaps why Microsoft decided to input such a decision, is baffling.  The Redmond tech giants may have won over publishers with this absurd policy, but at the expense of their customers. 

The web is rife with people announcing the PS4's victory in the race for first, which may well be the case. We'll have to wait and see in November. But it is clear that despite some great looking games on the Xbox One, many won't get a chance to play them because they justifiably refuse to hand over customer liberties for no apparent reason.  

I for one have decided I'm sticking with the 360 and investing in a rather surprising choice. Whilst the section on their old console was short, Microsoft did showcase a few things for the 360 including World of Tanks, and free games for Gold members. I am considering rejoining just to get access Fable 3 for free, though the second batch are rather less appealing - Halo 3 and AC2, both of which I've had for a while. Futhermore, many of the games of the new generation will also come to the 360, albeit in older looking graphics.

The extra console I may invest in is... the 3DS. Though not a major Nintendo Fan, it appears the new Super Smash Bros is coming to the handheld. Is it worth saying much more? 

Wii Fit Trainer available...

News Round-up

Though I haven't written a post in a while, I have found the time to read through some interesting tech news.  At the moment, many eyes are pointed to E3 where all the latest games announcements are set to take place, with conferences from Microsoft, Sony, EA and so on. The two consoles will have their second unveiling since their respective initial ones. From the forums on the internet, Sony seems to have taken the lead in the two horse race, with the Xbox One receiving considerable criticism for many of its design choices, some of which seem to limit user's control. It will be interesting to see what Sony says with regards to its own console - it too may witness the wrath of the gamer horde if it says the wrong thing.

Otherwise Apple is holding its own conference in San Francisco where other than the new iOS, iRadio is to be announced/launched. Essentially its Apple's rather belated answer to Spotify, Deezer and the other music streaming services available. The tech giant does have a habit of launching a product after the herd, having taken the time to perfect it, like the iPod, iPhone... Having said that, Spotify and its competitors have been around for a considerable time now, so if Apple's intention is to compete with them, they may find it difficult. However, having iTunes and iRadio in one neat package may be appealing to some, myself included... It will be worth following to see how the implement it into their pre-existing hardware and software.

For the Windows phone users out there, Microsoft seems to be giving a slightly mixed message at the moment. Though it seems the software is no longer at the forefront of their priorities, they have announced a Halo Game exclusively for the system. Halo: Spartan Assault is a top down shooter for all Windows Phone 8 (no mention of 7) devices, with some stellar looking graphics and interesting gameplay. It's a bid to attract more users the platform, as well as developers. The Halo trick worked for the Xbox but the telephone not being a dedicated gaming machine means it may not have the same impact. Something like Angry Birds could work though...

Graphically not dissimilar to Halo Wars

It also seems a prototype of Windows Blue was discovered by a customer having bought what he initially thought was a developer kit of the Nokia 928. On his blog, he claimed that the programs for the most park worked well and that they had incorporated a notification panel to the metro tiles. It was subsequently bought back by Microsoft who even supplied the user with a brand new phone - much to his delight and surprise.

Finally, whilst this doesn't cover everything, a lot has been written about user privacy at the moment, with a number of worrying cases coming to light. Agencies around the world (USA especially) have been collecting phone data, in an attempt to combat terrorism but in what appears to be a breach of privacy. Google has also taken some slack and game consumers are concerned that Microsoft's Kinect bundled with the Xbox One is going to be listening and watching them, despite denials from the Software giant. As we put our lives online, our own privacy is becoming something we have less control over as telecoms and computer company giants store terabytes of information over us. It's a theme to be explored in more detail. It seems the faster technology progresses, the less control we have.

The Next Gen

It's now been a week since the reveal of the Xbox One and even longer since the one of the PS4. Whilst neither has done much to eliminate the rumour mill that continues to circulate around the internet, the one conclusion I have come to is that I won't be purchasing either for a good while. That is unless some huge incentives are revealed as to why I should (extremely low price, absolutely must have exclusives...)

Indeed both are shaping up to be products no one is completely happy with. Whilst Microsoft has revealed far more about its next console, Sony is keeping its remaining cards close to the suggest, though both companies have information they are yet to announce. Thus far, nothing on the Xbox has made me keen to buy it on the first day. I'm more than happy to wait and see what E3 delivers in terms of games and perhaps additions to the lineup of functions the new console will have, however I can't imagine there will be anything that revolutionary that it will warrant immediate purchase. At the end of the day, the games may look better, may have improved gameplay elements and so on, but I can't envisage a drastic re-haul of what we have already.

The Xbox 360 has a huge catalogue of games. This isn't like the end of the original Xbox where it's users were thirsty for the 360 because of the game drought that plagued the latter. The Xbox had a good but relatively small catalogue of games, which most people had played by the time the next gen launched. This time around though, I found there are so many game worlds I'm yet to discover, whose delights could keep me busy well into next year and further. I'm yet to finish Red Dead Redemption,. Rocksmith or Borderlands 2 (the latter I've gotten a little tired of). I've never picked up a Mass Effect Game (criminal I know), nor an Elder Scrolls, nor Fall Out, nor Bioshock, nor Far Cry 3, Battlefield 3 and so on. There is a big list of games I am keen to play at some point, including those mentioned in a previous article and I feel that will keep me glued to my original Xbox for a good while. On a side note, for those who feel I should have played them earlier: I bought the 360 for Halo and online Multiplayer (which wasn't omitted from the original, but I didn't have it) so was keen to play my console for those key features; what can I say I'm a social guy! As a result, I missed out on many of the great single player experiences, which I'm now keen to return to and discover.

Furthermore, many of the big publishers plan on supporting the current consoles for a few more years at least!

Going back to what we do not about the consoles, other than the fact that neither is completely enticing (I am keen to try out the motion controls on both though believe it or not), information that has been revealed has made them less appealing than more. The issue of the DRM on Xbox, and most likely on PS4 as well, whereby a game can only be played on one console (or one profile) and not on multiple ones seems annoying. Microsoft has got a lot of slack for it so far, and though Sony has yet to comment on the matter, I'd be surprised if they don't have a similar system.

Although I've made MY decision, it will be interesting to see what E3 has to offer in terms of new content. Though I won't hold my breath, I'm sure some of it will be enticing nonetheless.

The XBOX ONE

Last night (morning, afternoon, depending on where you were in the world), the next generation of Microsoft's successful gaming console was unveiled to us for the first time. Interestingly named the Xbox One, not so much because of it being a step backwards, but because of Microsoft's desire for the Xbox to be the 'One' entertainment device users adopt in their living room space for gaming, television, music and even internet browsing. It's not just a console anymore, its an all out entertainment device.

The trend started back when Microsoft launched the 360 nearly a decade ago, with the gradual inclusion of films and tv on demand, subscription based cable/satellite and so on. It seems such an inclusion has been beneficial to the teams at the tech giant, so much so that it has seen fit to launch a device which includes everything straight out of the box, at least so it would seem.

Whilst the event can be deemed a success, it also begs a lot of questions regarding the Xbox One's capabilities. It showed us live tv and the ability to switch seamlessly from it to games, to the music player, to skype and then back again, with little to no delay; all orchestrated using either the new Kinect's voice or motion control. Indeed, along with every Xbox and controller, a Kinect comes as part of the package. However, going back to the entertainment access, it is important to note Microsoft has given little to no clue as to how this will all be available. Supposedly one will have to connect whatever pre-existing top box already exists to the Xbox as well as pay a subscription for that service as well as Xbox's. Not altogether appealing but I'm going to wait before making assumptions. It does though seem like Xbox is tackeling the problem of the lost remote control, which isn't, let's be honest, a major problem.

Still not completely sold on the look - far from ugly though

On the games front, very little was shown, probably in an attempt to keep viewers keen for E3, where Microsoft will undoubtedly reveal more. They said they had a number of exclusive franchises (15), 8 of which were new. Forza 5 which will ship launch day is a continuation of the popular racing sim, which from the brief demo looked astounding and Quantum Break, a new game from Alan Wake and Max Paye devs Remedy. The latter was a video partly filmed in live action and partly game (though I was unsure if it was gameplay). It looked intriguing but so little was shown its hard to get excited. And other than a demo of the new Call Of Duty Ghosts, that was it! Not to skip over the latter, Ghosts didn't seem as revolutionary as Activision were trying to make out. There is supposedly a deeper and more compelling story written by the writer off Traffic (?). The graphics looks... good, but not revolutionary. Interestingly they compared Ghosts to MW3, Infinity Wards last game and whilst there was a major improvement, I'd be keen to see the game up against the likes of Far Cry 3.

To go back to Kinect, whilst some will feel let down that what was an optional peripheral is now compulsory, it does seem to be a vast improvement on the last one. The developers seem to have take the criticism on board and launched at the very least, a decent product. Reports have said the camera picks up movement without delay and the voice recognition technology is so good it recognises voices, even in a noisy environment. Although some may be put off, I don't feel the camera is a reason not to buy the console. It can even be used for the integrated Skype App.

All in all, whilst some gamers may feel differently, the Xbox One appears to be an interesting device which has the potential to wipe its competitors aside, much like the Wii did at launch. It has an appeal that will attract those a little on the fence because of its multiple functions and unsure of whether to buy a dedicated full price console. Either way, its an interesting experiment from Microsoft, and whilst I'm not completely sold on it (as any rational person should be), I'm in no way keen to jump ship to Sony's initially rather bland and average new though dedicated 'gaming' console. At this moment, a little patience is required to discover more about both. I may even end up eating my words about the PS4.

Red Dead: Views

In the build up to the much anticipated release of GTA V in September, a month that still seems so far off, I've been exploring the incredible world of Red Dead Redemption. Although it's been out for a good while now, I only purchased it last December (the GOTY edition which is currently only between £15 - £20 at most retailers) and have been in and out of it ever since. Whilst I have in not been drawn into it to the extent that I've been playing it every day, it's a great game to play for stints during the week - similar to GTA IV.

As it is a GOTY edition, it does include the praised Undead Nightmare addition as well as all the other DLC. I can't say I've played through either much, wanting to get more invested in the main campaign first, but the addition of Zombies is not a bad thing to the game, and developers Rockstar have done a great job of adapting it for the lore. Unfortunately, the multiplayer is slightly disappointing due to the scarcity of players, though not unsurprising considering the late stage at which I have taken up the game. I imagine many have gone back to GTA too.

Overall, the game is essentially a reskined GTA with a fresh Western look. Changes have been made along the way in many cases for the better of the game. Combat is similar, the cut scenes are very reminiscent of GTA, as it the story with a serious overarching tale with humorous and imaginative side quests thrown in as well. It all takes place in a giant sand box, populated with outlaws, gunslingers and the various fauna of the American west, much of which is hostile to your presence in this vast land.

The world it seems is in a period of transition. A once wild and uninhabited is slowly becoming populated with Americans from the east. In the search of a new life and prosperity, they have brought with the greed, violence and crime. Other than the few 'civil' strongholds placed throughout the land, the world is ruled by outlaws and bandits where thievery and murder are common place. There is a general feeling that the 'civilized' east has little or no impact in this lawless land. A feeling though that is in the process of changing.

Your character is part of that change, on the hunt for a notorious criminal he was once allied with in order to help his family and redeem his past sins. On the way he meets a wide variety of characters all trying to make some sort of life in the world they have found themselves in. Locations are generally varied, and beautifully rendered, with huge expanses to explore. Particularly appealing to me was the travel past the Mexican border to a world not dissimilar but with its own personality to it - something that comes across in the architecture of the buildings and the people. Whilst the West is still wild, it is prosperous to a degree - the people try and replicate what they know of the East in terms of dress and manner. Mexico is clearly poor, rundown and in a major period of transition.

Historically speaking, how accurate it is is another matter, a period a know little about. It does seem to draw on real events, even if sometimes rather broadly. It makes Red Dead Redemption a very interesting game, as well as being fun. Whilst there are a few issues, none of which I have covered (travel in the vast world can take a long time) it is such a brilliant game to get absorbed in even on brief play throughs that it merits all the praise it receives. In some ways it is more than just a game, but an interesting cultural and social commentary on the world of the Wild West and the attempts to tame it. Though a topic covered in films of the genre, Red Dead succeeds above them in really capturing the feel of the world and immersing you in it. Though I have yet to finish it, this may be the game of this generation, and not just because it is so brilliant at being a great game.

Happy Wars

The latest game I've started playing is not one I can admit to being entirely proud of. Happy Wars is Microsoft's first foray in the ever more popular free-to-play genre. Though gamers are required to have a gold subscription to play, other than that playing it costs nothing and not unlike similar games on mobile platforms or on PC, it is sustained by Micro Transactions. Essentially, the player can buy weapons, armour and vanity items for their assortment of characters.

A Medieval theme with a variety of locations

The main aim of the game is akin to a Battlefield: join a side, pick a class, fight your way across the map capturing points along the way to eventually destroy the enemy's principal spawn tower. The classes categories consist of warriors - your basic infantry, clerics - who have a strong attack but act as support building and healing, and mages - soldiers with longer range who employ magical abilities.

All are varied enough though I feel the game could have benefited from a fourth option. Each class has a select number of abilites, a number which increases as you progress through each level. In order to progress to learn more, you are advised to kill, capture enemy towers, help allies and build defenses.  This does encourage a certain degree of team work and some abilities can only be used with the support of allies. Clerics, despite having attack abilities, really are just a means of support and perhaps one of the more underused classes as a result - warriors and mages are far more common. Working as a large team does make the game compelling though and as a result, despite some poor reviews from others and my own reluctance to even give it a go, I have found it compelling - even if the action can be a little repetitive.

In some instances, the screen can get a little over crowded and the player may lose his/her character in the mass on troops on screen. These instances are rare and tend to occur mainly at the start and end of a game, thanks to large map design.

Happy Wars adopts a cartoonish style with unrealistic characters resembling puppets or dolls more than people and the whole thing is coated in a bright pallet of colour to match the 'happy' theme. Whilst some may find it annoying and off-putting, it should not discourage as at the end of the day, the game is still a good 30 mins of fun distraction that you don't have to invest in should you not want to.

Though I am in no way topping leader boards, I haven't felt compelled to purchase anything from the game's store. Items can be required without having to pay, using the in game currency to access random weapons via a spinning wheel. Though it's unlikely you'll find a game-changing item, most are better than the starting weaponry. Items can also be modified and upgraded should you wish to do so.

All in all, for the time I've spent on it, Happy Wars is nothing more than a fun distraction for those looking for some free and fairly solid multiplayer on the Xbox 360.

Call of Duty

With several leaks in recent weeks, Activision has seen fit to release information on its best selling franchise, Call of Duty, with a new trailer and the name: Ghosts. Not the MW4 many were expecting/dreading, the new title implies a slight departure from the traditional story, akin to what Black Ops did. With Infinity Ward once again at the helm, it should be an interesting game to follow, with more information arriving on the day of the Xbox press event.

Having said that, it's not a game I'm extremely excited about. Whilst it boasts a new engine along with a new story, I can't envisage a huge overhaul of the overall gameplay, which doesn't necessarily make it bad, just something I'm not particularly interested in.

Recently, I have still been playing a fair amount of Black Ops 2, though have started to become increasingly frustrated with it. Maybe I'm just getting worse, or the online competition better, but the multiplayer does not feel as compelling or solid as the MW series did. It left me even resorting back to MW3 on one occasion.

I've come to the conclusion that whilst Black Ops 2 did boast a number of improvements to the multiplayer, the gameplay itself had a bit of a tumble. The new load out screen for example is a vast improvement compared with MW3, which is cumbersome and slow to navigate. Upgrading a weapon or your perks, whilst not complicated in MW3, is so much simpler in Black Ops 2 and definitely something future iterations should adopt. The perks have also been overhauled to make changes to the player only, not the weapons which are separately modifiable. Finally the scorestreaks do seem to balance the game a bit more. You won't find yourself constantly bombarded with airstrikes and nukes like in MW2 and 3 to some extent.

I swear this (MW2) just looks better too, especially compared to BO2

Having said that, after giving MW3 a go, I felt the gaming experience was much more enticing. The maps were more interesting and varied, Black Ops 2's best was the reused Nuketown. Weapons handled and sounded better. I got more pleasure out of it than Black Ops and wanted to play more. Ultimately, I find neither stand up to MW2 or MW1 which for some reason feel a lot more balanced and more entertaining. MW2 had some really good maps which the more recent releases have failed to recapture, and MW1 I consider the ultimate experience, despite joining the party a few years later.

Whilst COD is still a good way to spend an hour in the evening to destress after a working day, it's repetitiveness is beginning to ware on me. Either that or I just don't find the latest ones as much fun. I might stop Black Ops altogether and go back to the MW series. Having said that I've gotten back into the excellent Red Dead Redemption, in anticipation of the exciting release of GTA V...

The Good and the Bad: Two Films

This weekend I managed to fit in watching two films, which were in quality terms at completely opposite ends of the scale. The first was the somewhat hyped Man with the Iron Fists from Wu-Tang Clan rapper RZA. The second, Indie Game: The Movie.

Whilst I did not exactly have high hopes for the first, it still surprised me simply because it was so bad. To be fair to RZA, it was his big screen directorial and acting debut with previous experience staring in a somewhat major role in a season of Showtime's Californiacation, where he essentially played himself but entertaining and funny nonetheless. How he managed to convince the producers (Tarantino no less) to support him to make his own film though is a mystery. The story is truly awful, and in some ways, completely unnecessary. It serves merely as a tool for moving the film along from one action scene to another with bland and uninspired acting in between, not helped by a script seemingly written by a six year old. The characters are incredibly shallow and other than the motivation for stealing the gold bullion - the main object of the plot, have no real reason to be there. I would probably preferred it if the whole story had simply been RZA and a few other Chinese warriors fighting there way through hordes of enemies. Instead though we are presented with motivations of love, loyalty, greed and so on, none of which really need to be there, especially as other than greed, none of them are believable.

The action is definitely the strongest part of the film. The fighting choreography was ambitious in some cases but on the whole seemed to work, with some brutal yet awe inspiring battles. Though they tended to be the ones that didn't feature RZA, or Russell Crowe for that matter, a normally decent actor who must be going through a bit of a crisis at the moment. Either way, this is a film to miss. You can probably catch the best scenes on Youtube... The music is pretty god awful too.

Indie Game: The Movie may be one of the best films I've watched in a while. Other than End Of Watch which I caught recently which is thoroughly enjoyable, Indie Game is an interesting and emotional ride.

A documentary, it follows the lives of the independant game developers behind Super Meat Boy and the one behind Fez, with interviews with other developers and journalists.  It starts off with both developers some way into the making of their games, with all of them explaining their motivations and aspirations. Some are even quite heartfelt admissions of difficult childhoods looking for means to express themselves, and now having found that in video games. It then tracks their progress right up to the launch day of Super Meat Boy, and Fez's second unveiling at the PAX show in Boston.

It's a incredible journey where I felt really attached to the interviewees as the film progressed. The film makes did an excellent job of really getting the developers to open up - meaning I could easily relate to them despite leading completely different lives. It also made me realise the difficulty and energy that is required to go into game development as well as the constant fear of failure that the developers feel. Considering that both games came out well it the end, it made me think about the number of indie developers that put and equal amount of effort in without the same success.

The beautiful world of Fez

 
Perhaps my biggest surprise though was the amount of themselves that they invested in the game, and by that I don't mean the amount of time and energy, but parts of their personality and feelings. A part of them was in those games.

Indie Game: The Movie is well worth a watch, especially for those that have an interest in games or enjoy a well produced documentary.

Smart Glass

Last year I believe, Microsoft announced what at the time seemed to be a nifty little app for the Xbox called Smart Glass. The reasoning behind it was that a user could install the app on both their Xbox and Smartphone/tablet, and then control their Xbox with the latter device. A good and interesting idea in theory, so far in Europe at least, it's execution has left me really wondering: why bother?

Useful

They key benefits it seemed were that it gave you access to a keyboard, a useful feature should one employ it regularly (I tend to play games on my Xbox) gave you access to extra content when watching certain Xbox films or playing games, or act as a touch screen controller. The first two to me are limited as I tend not to watch films on my Xbox and the games that take advantage of this device are so far few and far between. Those that do, ie Halo, are limited. They keyboard is good on occasion but considering Smart Glass takes a while to start running on my phone, I've usually done any typing I need beforehand.

The controller aspect could prove useful on some games that don't require too many buttons, though I've yet to test it. Manipulating the dashboard with it is fun but not really a necessity.

The only app that I have found it useful for is Internet Explorer on the Xbox, which until recently, I never used. Yesterday I decided to see how intuitive it was, in order to watch videos on a bigger screen without having to connect my PC to the screen/xbox. It worked rather well, but what made it all the more exciting was that Xbox allowed me to use my phone. This is a major benefit considering the controller is rather slow and cumbersome to use on a webpage, and doesn't give the user the ability to manipulate a whole lot. Either that or I hadn't worked out the buttons. Smart Glass on the other hand offers a much more intuitive user experience that takes full advantage of having touch screen controls. In some ways it even breathed new life into my Xbox experience and showed me a whole host of other possibilities.

Whilst the app is certainly not revolutionary, it has a lot of potential to make the Xbox experience that much better and give users a whole lot more to do. Unfortunately, with the latest Xbox announcement, I can envisage this potential all getting put to one side and forgotten about, if that hasn't already happened. Having said that, I'm sure it will be part of the Next-Gen Xbox's features. It's a genius idea to give users the ability to use a table or smartphone to control a game they're playing on their Xbox, or watch a film, or whatever...
The next Xbox is supposedly branded as the entertainment hub of the living room - Smart Glass seems like a good feature to have alongside, especially when so many people seem to use their tablets and phones to game on. It's a good tool to use against Nintendo's WiiU, which in my mind is essentially a gaming tablet, with seemingly fewer features.

It will be interesting to see how much Microsoft uses Smart Glass in its future products. When it was launched it seemed like quite a big feature. Though not unlike Kinect, it hasn't had a huge amount of support for the Software giant.

Apps on Windows Phone

Recently at their conference in Australia, Nokia head Stephen Elop boasted Windows market place had an already large and growing number of apps for their mobiles. Whilst I can't disagree, I'm still yet to find a truly amazing app that I feel I can't live without.

From what I have discovered though, here are some of my favourites, as well the ones I use on a more regular basis:

1. Nokia Drive:

This app is the one I would claim is indispensable for all Windows Phone users. Fortunately, it comes pre-installed on the phone and is free. It's essentially your very own Sat Nav. Whilst it's by no means perfect, it is incredibly useful and accurate.

For me, the key advantage of it is Drive does not require a data connection. It can use a GPS to find address and guide you to the desired location, a feature that won't cost you a dime. It's also incredibly accurate, in some cases more so that the TomTom in my car (though that be because it requires an update...). On the whole it's clear and easy to use. Furthermore, for me who travels a fair bit in France and the continent, you also have free access to any map you require, a benefit you have to pay for on some competitor devices.

The only downside is that whilst you are driving along it gives no indication as to the timing of your journey or arrival, only the distance remaining. Whilst it's not a complete hindrance, any updates would do well to incorporate such a feature.

2. Purple Cherry:

 Purple Cherry is a GameBoy colour emulator for your windows phone. When I first started playing games on the device, I immidiatly noticed a shortage of good games available on the Xbox market place, other than the obvious. Purple Cherry is a cheap solution to such an issue. 

It provides you with the whole of the GBC catalouge of games which it then plays on your Windows phone. The controls aren't perfect for games like Mario where a physical controller would be better, but for games like Pokemon, it is more than suitable. I have already sunk several hours into replaying Pokemon Gold and it still doesn't get old. 

In recent months, there is also rumoured to be a free update that will add GB Advanced repertoire. What more could you want?

For some, the only downside is that it does cost £0.99. It's not a huge asking price for what is essentially crap ton of free games.

3. Lomogram:

Instagram is apparently great and all but unfortunately it doesn't exist on WP. Lomogram is the solution, supposedly providing the same or similar tools to enhance your camera pictures and pretend you're a trendy hipster. 

I've tried a couple of the camera apps and so far this seems to be the best one. Although you can't do everything on it, the app still provides considerable content to keep you busy fiddling with images.

4. Sky Sports:

It does actually seem to be the best and only way to keep up with Sport in the UK. Though I believe ESPN also has an app, I've found this pre-installed one to be more than adequate. Whilst it does suffer from the occasional glitch, on the whole it works well and is a useful way to keep track of all the latest news in the world of sport. It could do with an update though to make it run slightly faster.

5. BT Wifi: 

This app is along with Nokia Drive perhaps one of my favourites, the reason being is that it is bloody useful and on the whole works really well. This app essentially allows you to connect to any BT Wifi hotspot in the UK for free, without any of the hassle of constantly having to log in. To work it, simply input your details on the app, then next time you connect to a hotspot, click the app and it will do the rest for you. Free internet! (if you use BT that is).

Considering there are so many hotspots across the UK as I believe BT uses its customers Wifi, this is a must have for any BT customer. 

So that's a brief round up of some of the best apps that I've found on the market place and use on a regular basis. I'm still yet to find a good free Youtube app, something I know Microsoft is having trouble developing because of issues with Google. Though many good ones are free, the ones I have used are just trials that force you to buy the paid for ones.. 

Violence in Games: In defense of the Gamer!

I recently wrote an article where I essentially attacked those who view video games as harmful to the people of today, most notably the youth. Cases have arisen where video games have been partly blamed for violence and even murder. Perhaps the most high profile one was Andres Breivik who supposedly trained for his attack by playing Call of Duty. In light of recent comments by a US senator who is claiming violent video games induce violent behaviour in individuals, (they are supposedly more dangerous than guns), I question his logic behind such assertions without going into the blatantly obvious (you can't kill another human by directly playing a game...).

From what I have read over the years, a number of articles and studies have been written discussing whether violent video games can in fact cause humans to be more violent. The views are generally mixed. Whilst your average Republican candidate would claim that video games cause dangerous behaviour, others say quite the opposite, going as far to say that video games can be used as a good outlet for frustration and anger, which otherwise might be directed at innocent people. Unfortunately though in either case, hard facts are not entirely easy to come by. The debate will rage on until some actual evidence is found but in my opinion, playing a violent game like say GTA, Call of Duty, Gears of War and so on, where violence towards other humans is common place, doesn't make the player a violent person. In my view, should the gamer have violent tendencies, games cannot take the blame as it is more than likely that there is a a more specific reason, possibly even a medical one. If not, then judging by the number of people who play Call of Duty, several million people would now suddenly become gun wielding maniacs with a desire to kill as many people as possible, or at least in Call of Duty's case anyone who isn't American (more to come on COD's potentially racist views....)

These two girls went on to become... normal women

Thankfully that hasn't happened. Because if we had a sudden desire to emulate what we see on television, I think we'd be much worse off. See what I don't understand is why Republican politicians in the US in particular are so quick to blame a game, but disregard everything else. For one thing, parts of the US seems to have a strong 'gun culture' which many of these politicians seem to value and uphold. Yet surely such a culture generates more violence than say a video game? A gun is a tool for murder, whether you like it or not. Not necessarily the murder of a fellow human, but a gun's primary function is to kill. There's no way around it. Now obviously when you play a video game, in many cases you kill as well. The difference is, the world of the video game is entirely fictional. The characters, creatures, things you see are not real. It has all been dreamed up by a group of creative individuals. A normal human should be able to separate this from firing a real gun at a real thing. Though I have never shot anything, the effect of killing something in the real world is a lot more lasting than in a fictional one. Why? Because it's you firing. Not some character on a screen, or even in a book or a painting, you. There is nothing or no one to hide behind when you shoot something in the real world. Now if an individual can't separate between what's real and what's not, then there is another issue.

This brings me onto my next point as to why games get stick but other entertainment platforms don't, or at least don't anymore. Certain films, tv shows, books, and even paintings to some degree depict violence. Yet for now, they don't seem receive any blame. Why is that?

What I will now do is compare two games with two films, all of which depict violence as well as other 'sins' (drugs, sex...). If we were to look at say Call of Duty with Rambo, the differences between the two are minimal. But are essentially the story of soldiers fighting for their lives in a variety of locations across the world. One might go so far as to say they glorify violence if it for the right reasons - the good of many. As a soldier in COD you are fighting to save the predominantly Western world, Rambo... well fights for what he believes in. In both a significant number of individuals are shot, and in Rambo's case in quite brutal ways... Now why hasn't mister Senator picked at the latter for inducing gun crime? Is it because it's one of his personal favourites? Does he enjoy watching Vietnamese soldiers getting brutally murdered all for the good of the American people? I don't know but one reason is because it's a film where the viewer has no control over what's happening on screen. In COD you control the soldier and what takes place. Having said that, Rambo is supposedly a hero. He fought in Vietnam to defend them from the spread of communism, to uphold traditional US values and so on... yet here he is killing people.. How's he allowed to get away with it yet Captain Price from COD is hounded for it?

If we look at say Scarface and GTA, the situation is similar. Here though both protagonists are anti-heroes. They kill for crime, fortune, drugs, women, cars....  Yet Nico Bellic supposedly encourages young people to be violent whereas Tony Montana may as well be encouraging kids to stay in school. It just doesn't make sense. In both cases we are well aware that both characters are inherently bad, whether we like them or not.

Rambo 4: He's got his heart in the right place

It seems to me then that games are simply a victim of their time, like films and books were before them - a scapegoat for the problems that exist today. How long it will last is another question. Games won't disappear and nor will the desire for politicians and officials to find a reason for today's problems. But as more and more people adopt games into their lives (a clear trend), the less of an issue it will become... other than maybe consuming too much of their time.

Borderlands 2 Impressions

Whilst this is in no way a full written review as I sincerely doubt I am near to completing my latest game purchase, Borderlands 2, these are some of my impressions with it thus far.

On the whole, the sequel to the much loved Borderlands is... good. It's by no means the greatest thing to come out in recent months but neither is it poor in any way. Whilst there are a few things I dislike about the game, on the whole, I have found the experience enjoyable and compelling, if a little repetitive.

When starting the game, after choosing your character class, you then get a brief introduction to the story: you are a vault hunter on the violent and barely hospitable planet of Pandora, a planet not long colonised by humans, and since then has been abandoned by those that have any sense, to leave only crooks, criminals and the desperate. Most of it seems to be under the control of the head of one of the arms companies, Handsome Jack. With an army of killer robots, he is hoping to take control of this god forsaken planet.

The story is interesting enough and offers several laughs along the way with a witty script that takes inspiration from modern pop-culture. The characters, for the most part are also intriguing, all have detailed back stories and seem to have some substance to them. Whilst the interactions with them all revolve around completing various missions for them which all seem pretty similar, each one did feel different because of the premise behind it.

It's cartoony art style is not unlikable 

Indeed the gameplay itself is pretty repetitive. A mission is usually go to check point A, kill a number of individuals with the large and varied amount of weaponry at your disposal; return to collect reward. However, because the gameplay is so well designed, and the story normally entertaining enough, one can put the repetitiveness to one side and get on with it. Put it simply, its thoroughly entertaining to blast your way through a room of enemies. There is enough variation in the types of target to make it feel different on each occasion and the weapons are so plentiful that you can approach a situation in a number of different ways. Having said this, how long that will last is another matter. At the end of the day it is simply shooting. There do seem to be a number of environments, each with different characteristics; some open expanses whilst others are dark compact corridors, but again there's only so much that can change.

What I haven't appreciated that much so far and what Borderlands 2 is really renowned for is the online play.  You can have up to 4 players working together to fight the hordes of Pandora and help each other complete missions. The catch is that it does make the game harder. Whilst in theory this is a good idea, one which in a game like Left 4 Dead works well, I never feel like its that beneficial to have coop allies. The reason being is that at times they can be more of a hindrance than a benefit. Because individual mission objectives to change every now and then, you have to rely on your allies to know what you are supposed to be doing. If they go off and try and do their own thing, it can just be a pain. They may also try and take the good weapon drops, leaving you with their crappy seconds...

Played with friends though this could work much better, however with randomers, lack of communication can hinder gameplay. That said you have control over whether you want people to join or not. If you play at it alone though, there are no AI companions to keep you company, which I found to be a shame.

To resume though, whilst I will persevere
 with Borderlands 2 as I do find it entertaining, it is certainly not the greatest game out there at the moment. I've regularly found myself return to Gears 3's Horde mode for some more rewarding online coop play.

The Walking Dead

For those that missed it, a few weeks back the third season of the successful zombie show came to a violent end, with plenty of fights, deaths and undead action.

The season as a whole has been, in my view a season of three parts. The first half before the holiday break started incredibly strongly, with plenty of action, a fast moving but compelling plot as well as some new intriguing characters. It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger as the group escaped the clutches of the Governor and headed back to the safety of the prison. A storm was coming though as the inhabitants of Woodbury under the leadership of the now crazed Governor prepared for retaliation. The second half started with the battle and the went on from there at a much slower pace. Indecision from the characters about what to do, a Governor character who was starting to becoming a little unbelievable and a sudden lack of pace within the series became more of a frustration. It picked up again slightly after a rather interesting episode featuring Rick, Carl and Michonne as well as an old character.

Each episode put elements for a climactic finale together. However much of it did seem like it was simply following a predetermined path from which it could not stray, well at least the Governor did. Despite being one of the better characters at the start, he was now simply a tool for moving the plot forward, and by the end I was glad to see the back of him. His story had been dragged out too long and was not entirely plausible. He'd essentially become an angry obsessive despot, determined to be an obstructive force to the group in the prison, for reasons I did not entirely understand. Yes they were in a post apocalyptic world, where humanity focused more on survival than being a good neighbour, but I could not see how Rick and co living in a prison, that wasn't exactly next door, was an issue for him. The road between the two sites had probably never been used as much.

Moving on from my ramblings  the finale was on the whole a success. Whilst not giving too much away, there were a few surprises and some extremely tense moments, and even some grieving, depending on how much you like the character. Though it was not the best closure to what had been a decent season, it was on the whole a good send off and left the door open wide enough to make me want to come back to season 4 for more. What will happen next could determine the success of the show to come. Whilst the prison has been an adequate location for the group to hold up in for the time being, there needs to be some more variation in season 4, perhaps they should even go back on the road? The last thing I want to see is the group staying put for another 12 episodes, essentially like what happened in season 2.

Either way the future of the series seems bright, as does to some extent the near future of the characters. Though the Walking Dead has yet to capture the initial excitement that the first season held, it is still as compelling as ever.

Next Gen thoughts

There has been some buzz recently about the latest generation of consoles and their supposed up coming launches. Playstation 4 has already officially been announced, though we are yet to see the actual console itself and despite getting glimpses of some of its games and the new but rather familiar looking controller. Rumours of the latest Xbox have also been rife, though so far nothing entirely positive. The key issue is that it will always have to be online, something that many games are moaning about, not entirely unjustifiably, especially after the failed launch of the most recent interation of Sim City, which requires users to constantly be connected. Microsoft's Xbox director has apparently told the potential consumers to just 'Deal with it'.

My thoughts? Well it depends what the catches are. Constantly being online is not necessarily a problem if you have a good, fast and reliable internet connection. For some though, this could be an issue. If you don't have the option to connect or simply don't want to, then the next gen Xbox is already off limits. For those who have slow internet it's also a problem as the speeds required may not be supported everywhere. Day to day issues I come up against with my internet connection may also lead me to be tempted by the competition. After moving into a new student house two years ago, the internet wasn't up and running for at least a few months. That's a good few months of not being able to play. Now whilst it isn't the end of the world, I'd be annoyed at the very least that I could not play my console when I wanted to.

The second problem I can see is Microsoft's potential desire to do away with second hand games completely. If the always online model requires games to download games rather than insert a CD, it makes it impossible to get a second-hand copy, which is also a pain as they are more often or not a cheaper alternative for the gamer on a budget. Now one could argue that for game developers such a move is beneficial as they only money from new sales, however many high street retailers make more off the second hand than the new, which imminently puts them in a tricky position. One they would probably rather avoid considering their current financial issues.

The next gen Xbox does seemed to be aimed at a certain demographic, one which is not necessarily the best bet for the future.

Either way, I'm going to be extremely cautious in my next choice. Whilst I've only really discussed the pitfalls of the Xbox (as that's all we know), very little on the PS4 and not even covered the cheaper alternatives like the OUYA or GameStick, which I will try and post about later on, being an Xbox owner it's the next one that interests me most.

The Wii U doesn't really merit much mention... though more to come on the next gen later on.

Tech/Games/TV Update

A variety of updates to start off the working week.

In terms of tech, its seems Windows Phones are currently topping Blackberry in the smartphone charts. Though still far behind their android and iOS rivals, from my point of view, Windows improving is certainly not a bad thing. Whilst Windows 7.8 is possibly not on Microsoft's priority list at the moment, Apps and updates do seem to be more plentiful in recent weeks, and hopefully some interesting ones on the way soon too. For the half arsed photographers out there who rely more on phones than actual cameras for pictures (myself included), some new updates for the camera tool are available for download, including an integrated panorama mode, and a tool that easily creates gifs... though nothing revolutionary, they are fun to play around with.

Apparently HTC is also working on a Facebook phone. Despite Facebook's ginourmous amount of users, why someone would want to buy a phone where Facebook is the main tool is besides me, though I'm sure if done well it could potentially find a consumer base. 

With games, some interesting releases caught my eye, particularly the new BIOSHOCK, which does look enticing for its compelling and somewhat original story (though apparently similar to the original) as well as solid gameplay. Having said that it's not on the priority list. 

I have just purchased Borderlands 2, which should have been on my wishlist because I... really wanted it. So far so good, though I've only played it for about an hour, which isn't a huge amount considering there is a fair amount to get to grips with. Shooter RPGs are not a formula I'm all too familiar with. And whilst it boasts a huge amount of weapons, so far many of them seem rather similar... It's definitely fun though and I'm keen to continue, especially one I work out how to get online and play with other characters. It is a shame that you can't use AI controlled allies.

I also booted up Zoo Tycoon this weekend as well as Gears 3, having wanted to play the latter's sequel, Judgement. Zoo Tycoon was simply because I could not access the Xbox and wanted a gaming fix. I'd forgotten how much fun this game was despite not being that highly rated, though it is still surprisingly difficult, well to make money at least. Either that or I'm still shit at it. 

Old Skool but still incredibly fun... for a while

Gear's Horde mode though is still excellent and I can see myself coming back to it properly in the next few weeks. Having said that I want to continue my progress in Rocksmith and get more time on Red Dead Redemption, which I bought recently and haven't played a huge amount of...

Finally for TV, Game of Thrones started this weekend and Walking Dead finished. And I watched neither. Both are two of the best shows on TV so I'll let you know my impressions once I find the time to watch them! 

Wishlist

For those who don't have time, or the required budget, playing every game that comes out is not always an easy option. Some of the following have been out a while but still games I'd like to pick up at some point when I get the chance to because of what I've seen about them.

Read Below!

Far Cry 3: The most recent release of my selection is also one of my definite next purchases. I've been looking forward for this one for a while having been a major fan of Far Cry 2. Whilst you swap the African savanna and swamps for a beautiful tropical island, the game play is not dissimilar in that it focuses on survival. This time around, the game mechanics look much tighter and the gameplay more enjoyable with some of the elements from n.2 gone. No need to take malaria tablets to stay alive, no weapons that go rusty with time and no constantly re-spawning enemies. Stealth does seem to be an option in this one. As you might be able to tell, I'm a fan of the shooter genre and am quite partial to going into games guns blazing. However, on occasions, creeping up on unsuspecting enemies and silently eliminating them with a knife or silenced weapon can be a hugely enjoyable experience. A must buy once I've completed a few more of my current games! Like the last one, the story seems compelling too!

Spec Ops The Line: The story is supposedly extremely compelling, with influences from Apocalypse Now and Heart of Darkness. The ever-changing environments seem like an interesting feature and the gameplay seems solid. It will just be refreshing to properly immerse myself in a game with a good story.

Sniper Elite V2: I played through the demo and thoroughly enjoyed it, most notably the X-Ray vision when firing sniper rounds through enemy targets. Reminiscent of Mortal Kombat in that way, it's a game I've keen to get, especially if the Xbox gets the Nazi Zombie DLC the PC version has been lucky to receive. Playing the demo, the game felt like a genuine challenge, mainly because it takes me out of my comfort zone. Rather than being able to sit behind cover and machine gun anyone that get's too close, players have to be a little more tactful in Sniper Elite V2. Taking out as many targets from a good position with a Sniper and then keeping on the move so as not to be flanked by infantry. Your character isn't clad in thick steel armour so you will need to be quick on your feet. GOTY edition is available, so Rebellion, once that DLC comes out its a definite purchase! Especially after seeing Achievement Hunter's 'Let's Play'.

Battlefield 3 also deserves mention as although I've tended to stick with COD, I'm keen to try it out especially after the announcement of the next edition in the series. As does what was Generals 2 and is now just Command and Conquer.

Gears

Being a fan of the Gears of War series for sometime, I was keen to try out the multiplayer demo of the latest installment in the franchise, a prequel to the series titled Judgement. The single player revolves around fan favourites Baird and Cole, with Marcus and Dom surprisingly absent. From what I've read and seen, the game seems like the full package despite a few cuts and changes here and there, however I can't say I'm rushing out to get this one, especially with other games on my wishlist.

From what I tried out, it feels very similar to the tried and tested method. Though there are minor tweaks, it is still a third person cover based shooter. The new multuplayer mode Overrun is very enticing though, mixing the gameplay up a little by introducing classes to the mix, with more variation on the locust side but equally the COG humans have mixed abilities. For example, the humans have the more traditional engineers, medics, scouts and soldiers, each one with a different role within the team. Their primary objective though is always to defend and shoot as many locust as they can. When on the opposition side, the choice of beastie is a bit more varied. The abilities are not dissimilar but each character is based more on aggression and destruction. With unique abilities though, it can make from some interesting and varied tactics.

One could just swarm the COG with tickers (suicide grubs) in the initial stages of the round, destroying barriers and defences and any human stupid enough to stay still, or send in a more mixed crowd of grenadiers, a Kantus and scout snipers who can rage into beserker like creatures for a more strategic approach.

All in all, it makes for a really compelling mode and a good addition to the Gears franchise. However, with it have come omissions, such as the ever popular horde mode, which will be a disappointment to many.

Whilst I'm sure it's a good game, the modifications and the new story are not enough to make this one a purchase in the near future. I've over played 2 and would happily go back to 3 should I require a Gears of War fix.

Rocksmith

Anyone into Rock music or a similar genre will have always dreamed of playing their favourite songs on a guitar to an audience of fans and admirers. Obviously that requires learning to play and then being successful musician, with the first a necessary hindrance to those who lack the motivation. 

Learning to play an instrument has always been a desire of mine, to a degree. I tried my hand at the piano when I was young, though more out of my parents wish for me to learn than my own. On repeated occasions I have also given the guitar a go, though never with any real success. Most of the time I lost interest or just felt I wasn't really getting anywhere. I practiced a few chords and songs, and then just stopped. 

My interest though was sparked again recently after a friend mentioned Rocksmith. I'd seen the adverts and heard what it could supposedly do but hadn't really followed it up fearing it might just be another guitar hero in disguise. After being reminded though, I decided to see what it was all about. Obviously it hasn't been out long enough to really know whether it can take someone from part-time amateur plucker to this generations Jimi Hendrix but some of the reviews gave me an idea. What it was not was just another game that told you how to play a giant guitar shaped plastic controller, but a tool that might actually teach you something, an ambition which in itself I admired

The screen views resemble Guitar Hero but the notes are actual chords - much trickier!

For the most part, the reviews are always positive however the game seems to favour the more expereinced players, as it is generally them who are keener to learn. Your typical gamer is more likely to get bored or frustrated and switch over to something he/she knows is good at or can pick up more quickly. No one though said it was impossible. 

Though the £45 price-tag was not entirely appealing, I decided to give it a go and see whether it could actually work. After playing around with it last night, although I don't know any notes I can accompany the Rolling Stones' 'Satisfaction' with a few chords mastered... I think. At the very least I can play a simplified version of the memorable intro. So far, the pacing of the game seems right being constantly challenging but not so much that I just want to give up. Scoring each song also helps encourage me to do better with each attempt. 

From the 30 minutes I have played with it so far I can say I'm happy with it and am keen to continue. It will be interesting to see though where I am after just a week of having it, and not only whether I can keep it up, but whether it will continue to hold my interest.

More to follow eventually... 

Music

Went to see the incredible Bastille this weekend. Very good up and coming band who are getting a ton of airplay on the radio at the moment. Some great songs with an electronic/indie vibe going. Easy on the ears and perhaps one of my favourite bands at the moment. The video is a cover of Snap's (?) Rhythm is a Dancer which whilst not their most popular (ie: Pompeii) is one of my preferred and is excellent live.

Otherwise I'm listening to Woodkid's new album the Golden Age. Another one I've liked for a while, his first song Iron became popular when it became the soundtrack to the Assassin's Creed advert. Other good tracks include 'I love you', 'Run boy run' and 'Golden Age'. A mix of electronic with orchestral instrumentals, another good one to listen to when you get the chance.

Check out his videos on youtube. Orginally a video director who won awards for his work on Lana Del Ray's and Rihanna's, his own ones really show off his film talents as well as his musical ones. His 'Born to die remix' is a particularly good song, better even than the original. Unfortunately the link is just the song!

Games I'm playing at the moment:

Black Ops 2

Forza Horizon Demo

Minecraft (Xbox 360)

With little time to really dedicate to anything at the moment the latest COD seems to best way to get a bit of time on the Box. Like the iterations, the multiplayer in this one is just as faced paced, exciting and varied enough to keep it constantly interesting. Currently I've rediscovered the hardcore modes, which are in many ways far better than the standard modes. Not dissimilar to Counter Strike, only a bullet or two are required to take down a target meaning the player is much more vulnerable than normal. Long shoot outs a la Halo this is not.

I saw this on amazon for a mere £15 (Forza Horizon) and decided to give this a go. I've never been a huge racing fan, though I did enjoy the PGR games back on the old xbox and the new one. Forza though has never taken me. The price though seemed tempting so I gave it a go having heard good things about it. Whilst there's no question its a good driving game with pretty graphics, decent recordings of the car screams and race cars that handle well and realistically, I just wasn't that taken with the whole thing. I really appreciated the setting of the game: a music/car festival in a fictional city in Colorado. The views are fantastic, as are the weather effects which show off the games stunning lighting effects. Being set at a festival, the soundtrack is also killer, with so top UK dance and electronic tracks from last summer. Well worth a purchase if you are into racing, but not my cup of tea.

Yep I started playing minecraft again much to the annoyance of my family who find the zombie moans and the mooing cows rather frustrating to listen to. After hearing the game had received numerous updates with new items, changes to the world and terrain as various other fixes, I decided to see the improvements for myself by starting a new world. Whilst the core game is the same, the changes are good enough that I should keep at it at least until I've built something decent... 

That's all for now on the games I'm playing!

Post n.1

Hiya,

First post. This isn't I haven't tried before so bear with! I'm assuming no one reads these so it shouldn't be too much of an issue!

The point of this blog is to cover info that interests me on the worlds of gaming and technology, with some time dedicated to music, tv, sport and anything else I happen to come across.

So here we go.