• 13Dec 09

  Game Of The Year Awards, 2009

  GameSpot will undoubtedly launch their Best Of feature soon, so I figured I'd scoop them and thrill my dozens of fans with my own Game of the Year article. As always, it is done per console, with Honorable Mentions at the end because I'm a craven coward that can't simply pick one game.

  Game Of The Year

  PC - Dragon Age: Origins

  This one is tricky, if only because Origins shipped with a pretty hearty share of bugs. I used to adhere to the 'if it's buggy, it's disqualified' rule, but nowadays, that's becoming next-to-impossible. I've learned to accept that BioWare is one of those tortured geniuses that produces unmistakable brilliance, but also pops pills and occasionally takes orders from the imaginary yeti living in their closet.

  Bugs aside, Origins is arguably BioWare's best effort yet. While the universe they've crafted seems mundane at first - dwarves and elves in a medieval setting, how novel! - they do their own take on the template that makes it all seem fresh again. Elves are treated as a gutter race, rather than as gorgeous mystical demigods, and dwarves have added Machiavellian politicking to their usual drunken revelry and stonecutting. Humans are pretty drab, I guess, but aren't we always?

  BioWare's strength has always been dialog and character design, and their work here has never been better. Each of the available party members - even the dog - is intriguing, entertaining, and as fully realized as the medium currently allows. The romance options are also impressive, showing that BioWare wasn't rendered gunshy after the absurd 'sex scandal' created by Mass Effect. I actually found myself debating major story decisions based on how my favorite characters would react, rather than the personal payoff... pretty impressive. The combat almost seems like an afterthought for me personally (or something to do between conversations), but it also excels, skillfully using traditional MMO mechanics in a single-player adventure.

  Hell, even the DLC is good, which was almost impossible to fathom after the awful extra content for Mass Effect. Let's hope that BioWare has found a profitable business model so they can reap the rewards they deserve for their hard work and unique talent.

  Honorable Mention - Torchlight

  Arguably the year's most pleasant surprise, Torchlight is a lean, mean, familiar machine of action/RPG mayhem. Is it a Diablo knock-off by old Diablo staffers? Sure. Is the lack of multiplayer a drawback? Without question. But considering the low price, terrific engine, and enjoyable gameplay, you won't complain for long. Should the game prove successful, it will be a terrific blueprint for the MMO or multiplayer adventure to come.

  PlayStation 3 - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

  You hate to pick the obvious choice, but there's a reason it's the obvious choice.

  I'm not going to go into all the details, because if you want to read a bunch of praise for Uncharted 2, you can check out... well, pretty much any gaming site on the Internet. But in terms of sheer unadulterated excitement and fun, nothing topped Among Thieves. Uncharted 2 bounds from terrific scene to terrific scene, never letting the cinematic elements overtake the razor-sharp gameplay. Terrific characters and voice-acting, fun multiplayer, entertaining unlockables that don't feel like a shopping list... everything is just right. It's hard to believe these are the same guys who were cranking out Crash Bandicoot games a few generations ago.

  Honorable Mention - Demon's Souls

  Demon's Souls has to be the toughest sell of the year. The graphics are grim and unpleasant, the challenge is brutal, and the story is bleak. But for the dedicated gamer willing to take their shots and give it a chance, the rewards are many. Watching my rogue get tossed around like a carved-up ragdoll for two hours wasn't always pleasant, I'll admit, but I hung in there and got good enough to progress, and as I did, the game's true quality became apparent. I'm one of the few that doesn't mind that gaming has become more user-friendly, but I'm equally glad that companies like Atlus are here to provide us old-schoolers with the beatings we require.

  Nintendo Wii - New Super Mario Bros.

  My best pals and I have literally been asking for this game since the NES era. An exciting 2D Mario platformer that we can finally play together? Seriously, Nintendo, this game is WAY overdue.

  Thankfully, the wait was well worth it. I have no clue how Nintendo continues to craft absurdly compelling platformers... you'd think they'd have burned out 10 years ago. Granted, there's nothing earth-shaking about making an Ice Flower to go with the Fire Flower, but once you and your pals are crafting ice platforms and pelting each other with frozen Koopas, even such a small innovation seems epic. The best criticism I can muster is that the item-earning bonus game is a lame exercise in dumb luck.

  In a way, Nintendo's ability to weave magic with old technology is more impressive than even the remarkable technical feats of Dragon Age or Modern Warfare. Maybe they should have their next system use tape storage and a Hercules graphics card, to really see how good they are.

  Honorable Mention - Punch-Out!

  Ah, Nintendo. Where your Best Of list could either be for a system in 1986 or 2009.

  X-Box 360 - Shadow Complex

  Speaking of retro, my favorite 360 experience this year was a Metroid-esque action-platformer based on an Orson Scott Card story. Not that the 'big games' weren't fun, but they didn't stand out quite like Shadow Complex did. If anything, it's the perfect game for our times... budget-priced in a sluggish economy, available in download format, and a perfect fusion of classic gameplay with a modern look and attitude. I'm not sure how the Metroid template has survived being passed around by so many other franchises (yeah, Castlevania, we're looking at you!), but such is greatness.

  Honorable Mention - Resident Evil 5

  "You wanna be pistol guy, or shotgun guy?"

  "Shotgun. Wait, no, we need ammo. You kneecap them and I'll go melee."

  "Shouldn't the beefy dude do melee?"

  "No, the girl always has better kicks in these games."

  "Wait, never mind. I just found like a million sniper rounds."

  Fine, the series isn't scary anymore. At all. But man alive, it is a GREAT action experience.

  Nintendo DS - Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

  I have a tremendous soft spot for the Mario RPG series, so my objectivity is a bit suspect here. But honestly, this really was the best portable game this year, and I'd have it in my Top 3 for Game of the Year across all platforms. Mario games are rarely noted for their writing (for obvious reasons), but his role-playing adventures always feature snappy dialog, which often pokes fun at the absurd cliches of the Mario franchise.

  Inside Story is the best yet, though, especially in terms of gameplay. The traditional Mario and Luigi elements are here, but pairing them with the ability to switch to the destructive Bowser really enhances the flavor. (And keeps the Bowser Theory chugging, where in almost any Mario RPG, he shifts from supervillain to reluctant ally.) And really, Fawful does NOT get enough kudos for being one of the most entertaining villains in modern gaming. Get that guy a better agent!

  Honorable Mention - Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

  You know what I love on the subway? Either a good puzzle, or a good story. Wait, this game is both of those things rolled into one? How much money would you gentlemen like for it? $300? A thousand? Never mind, I'll just send a blank check.

  Sony PSP - Half-Minute Hero

  Ah, the brilliant game that's impossible to explain, and couldn't possibly be enjoyed by anyone other than a longtime gamer that will appreciate all the genre-hopping, inside humor, and RPG parody. How many copies could this have possibly sold? Like, seven or eight?

  "Wow, a weird sorta-RPG with NES graphics and a strange title! I WANTS IT!!!!"

  All I can suggest is that if the game intrigues you at all, give it a shot. There's nothing remotely like it.

  Honorable Mention - LocoRoco 2

  Are you sick of finger-busting challenges? Do you want to collect funny items to build a big cute house for no particular reason? Do you want adorable blobbies and catchy music? Damn it, do you just want to smile? Here you go.

  Games You Didn't Buy Because You Suck

  Little King's Story (Wii), A Boy And His Blob (Wii), BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (PS3), Flower (PS3), Trials HD (360).

  • Posted Dec 13, 2009 12:46 pm PT
  • Category: Games
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• 17Jun 09

  Shut Up About The Casuals Already

  With the success of the Wii and more mainstream product, there's a growing backlash in the gaming community over so-called 'casual' consumers. Their chief concern is that the rampant success of products like Wii Fit and party game compilations will cause developers to shift their resources in that direction, reducing (or even eliminating) product for hardcore gamers. I'm here to urge you to relax, and cool off on the absurd paranoia. If anything, we owe the mainstream a great debt.

  We hardcore gamers are a vocal minority, to be sure, but a minority none the less. Games can be somewhat successful at our hands, but they cannot become hits without crossing over into the mainstream. Did you really think that the millions of people who bought Halo or God of War were all die-hard gamers that just spent the last three hours fighting over a copy of Radiant Silvergun on E-Bay? Please. The majority of consumers for those games were regular dudes who think it's awesome to run guys over with a jeep, or have a few beers and laugh loudly as Kratos TOTALLY pulls that dude's arms off and wears them as a hat. They don't know who Smilebit is and they couldn't care less. They're CASUAL gamers who only buy action and sports games, and are no more or less offensive than the family buying We Ski. These people pump billions of dollars into the industry that keeps us occupied day after day.

  Besides, it's not like we "hardcore" gamers have been holding up our end. Sure, you'll put on your hardcore hat when it's time to buy the latest super-budget AAA game with insane graphics that everyone else wants, but where were you when Treasure released another quirky gem that only their cult following supported? Where was your wallet when Viva Pinata or Beyond Good and Evil dropped? If all you buy are AAA games that aren't "kiddie" and look awesome, you're not hardcore anything, you're just a casual gamer without the social life or extra hobbies. Someone who is truly hardcore about this business supports software of any style or genre that is well-made, especially if it takes chances and explores new artistic territory. That label fits very few of the folks walking these halls, or at any other site.

  The whole thing reminds me of my scenester days when I was in my early twenties. Our image was based around being hipper then everyone around us, knowing more about music and art and whatever else we could co-opt into our temple of arrogance. Anyone who dared enter our realm without our level of dedication was to be mocked as a poser, an outsider. Now the gaming world is doing the same thing, as lifestyle gamers shake their fists in rage as mere civilians dare to trod upon THEIR turf. You know what? Just let it go. Trust me, it's not worth it, and I speak from experience. Heck, at least indie scenester-dom gets you girls. What is your devotion to 'real' gaming going to get you? A thumbs-up from noobpwner763?Casual gamers are a GOOD thing. It's the reason our hobby is beginning to enjoy mainstream acceptance instead of taking place in ratty caves.

  You play Metal Gear because it's totally fun. Joe Casual plays Wii Tennis because it's totally fun. Where's the crime here? The personal offense? From some of the dialogue on here, it's like Joe Casual has been pouring sugar in your gas tank. Our beloved games are going to be FINE. Metal Gear 4 sold millions of copies. Super Mario Galaxy has sold 8 million and counting; Halo 3 about the same. We're still a major part of this industry. We just need to give the casuals a corner to hang out in. Let's be civilized about it, okay?

  Anyhow, stop throwing stones, since plenty of us live in casual glass houses. Have you ever bought a game you didn't think you'd like, but wanted to support it anyhow because you admired the craft behind it? Have you ever pirated software, taking money out of the hands of the hard-working developers that keep us entertained? Do you ever make a list of games you've never heardof that you seeat the store, so you can research them later and see if you've missed a gem? Do you know who developed the games you own? Does a game's appearance - family-friendly, perhaps, or chock full of carnage - make or break your buying decision? Think about these for a spell, because the next time you bash a casual gamer... it might turn out you're one of them.

  • Posted Jun 17, 2009 1:16 pm PT
  • Category: Editorial
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• 16Jun 09

  Nostalgia's Not Enough

  Two epic franchises from my youth - Punch Out and Bionic Commando - have landed in 2009 with a brutal thud.

  Punch-Out's opening week sales were around 150,000 units; not a total disaster or anything, but it couldn't even surpass Mario Kart Wii, which is over a year old. The sales have to be disappointing when you consider how fondly the series is remembered by any gamer who witnessed the NES era. The general decline of boxing's popularity is possibly an issue; it's interesting to note that a UFC game took the top spot during Punch Out's launch week, mirroring the rise of MMA at the expense of the sweet science. I also suspect many were turned off by what looks like a short game from the outside, featuring only 13 opponents. Consumers find it hard to measure quality, so they cling to quantity, which is much more reliable. There's a chance for Punch-Out to become one of those games that clings to the Top 20 via word of mouth, but it's a long shot.

  Alas, there will be no silver lining for Bionic Commando, which more or less imploded on the runway. Selling a mere 27,000 copies across two platforms over the first week, the game is basically dead in the water. Final sales totals will no doubt be eclipsed by Rearmed, the ten-dollar remake of the original. It's a bit ironic, as Rearmed was intended to help promote the new Bionic Commando, and instead, it has replaced it. The new Commando wasn't particularly good, but the success of Rearmed suggests that it offered what long-time fans wanted anyhow: a 2-D game with an ideal price for a weekend of nostalgic fun. Nobody in particular seemed to want a 3-D Commando with a modern attitude.

  What can we learn from these past few weeks?

  Keep Your Brands Hot

  One of the major problems for both these titles is the huge waiting period since their last new edition. Super Punch Out and Bionic Commando were from the SNES and NES respectively; we're talking eons in terms of the gaming world. A large number of modern gamers had never even heard of these franchises, except perhaps in passing. This will make them seem dated at best, or simply ignored at worst. Mario and Zelda have been around forever, too, but Nintendo has kept these series at the top of the industry with regular releases of AAA quality. And while nobody needs a new Punch Out game every year, having one per generation would do a lot to keep it on the radar screen.

  The "Hey, I Remember That!" Factor Doesn't Sell Many Games

  Punch Out provides a non-stop barrage of nostalgia. The original boxers, the training sequences with the goofy pink jumpsuit, Doc recommending the Nintendo Fun Club, and so on. Great stuff for old-timers like me, but it's not going to do much for a majority of the game's intended audience. Tying a game to the 80's makes for some funny commercials and some warm memories at the game shop register, but it will also make your work seem hokey and dated to players used to edgier product. Neither Punch Out or Bionic Commando are ideal for kids, either because of violence or challenge level. Skewing older would've been a better marketing and design strategy.

  Price Adjustment

  Paying full retail ($50-$60) is a much easier pill to swallow when you're getting a brand new game, as opposed to something resembling a remake of one you've already played. Obviously, the two games being discussed here are composed of mostly new material, by people working their tails off, and I mean no disrespect. But new engine or not, I'm still punching Von Kaiser, and I'm still a dude swinging on a bionicarm and popping off an overpowered pistol. If you guys get to save on design resources by digging up classic content, cut your fans a break on the price. The success of Rearmed shows that with a good price point, there's still plenty of interest in Bionic Commando.

  History Lesson

  Punch Out should've come packed with the first two games as bonus material, or given free download codes for them from the Wii Network. Ditto for Bionic Commando, which should've included the old NES version. This serves two purposes: one, it makes the game a more attractive purchase, by adding extra content that costs the developer next to nothing. Also, it letsnewer players explore the franchise as a whole, and creates more attachment to the brand. Heck, if you're going to put running jokes and old references into these games, at least give new players the resources to understand them.

  I have no idea what the future holds for these two classic franchises, but I can say this: slapping a semi-familiar name on a new game isn't enough to guarantee success.

  • Posted Jun 16, 2009 1:41 pm PT
  • Category: Editorial
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