• 28Jun 09

  Let's Connect on last.fm (If you're there :D)

  So I was thinking, we're sharing our gaming interests here along with our opinions on different matters, posting on unions, reviewing games, writing editorials, etc. etc.

  How about the music? should we just talk about it here? Probably not a good idea. since I think at least a handful of you are users on last.fm, the best way is to just talk our music there.

  So if you're there and care to share your music taste, you can find me here.

  See you there

  • Posted Jun 28, 2009 1:04 pm PT
  • Category: Music
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• 17Jun 09

  Max Payne 3 Details

  So I was surfing IGN when this came up. I happily clicked on the link to get some new info on one of my all time favourite games' sequel. Here is bits of the article and my ideas on them:

  "the new title will not be taking place in the dark streets, warehouses, and construction yards of New York, but in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Max was booted from the New York Police Department and spent the following 12 years battling his inner demons and addictions, and at some point he moved out to the Brazilian metropolis to escape from his previous life. It appears once again he'll be drawn into elements undesirable, as his work as a security agent for a rich local family leads him into life-threatening situations. "

  "In addition to the different setting, Max has undergone quite a few physical changes. He's burlier this time around, sports a beard and a shaved head, and appears to have ditched the long coat and black getup from the previous games in favor of a stained white sleeveless shirt and cargo pants. Screens included in the article also show a much brighter setting, making it appear like many of the venues for action in the third game take place while the sun is out. Rockstar did mention a few levels could take place at night or in the rain, and pointed out that achieving a 'noir' kind of feel is more about style than about a specific location or color."

  The story seems cool. However the location is a bit disturbing. I mean if they can do what they say and "achieve a noir kind of feel" through the new setting that's ok with me, but most of that feeling came from the old, crappy, and dark neighborhoods and buildings! So I could just hope they can capture that feel as they say. As for Max's new attire, I'm not sure if I totally agree. Max's long raincoat was a nice thing. I don't know why, but it was part of the whole experience in some weird way! On the other hand I hate cliches so maybe they were trying to avoid a cliche.

  "Rockstar won't be using voice actor James McCaffrey again, saying it wouldn't really fit considering how much Max has aged. The talent being used won't be a big recognizable name, but Rockstar is confident it'll be appropriate"

  Oh NO!! This one is really messed up. Whose gonna be able to deliver the dialogs with the same feeling that James McCaffrey did?? This is the voice that Max Payne became known with and I think it should've stayed. "it wouldn't really fit considering how much Max has aged", that seems more like a dirty excuse to me!!

  "The game is being built with Rockstar's RAGE, used to build past games like Grand Theft Auto IV, in combination with NaturalMotion's Euphoria technology that allows for enemies to react realistically to being hit by gunfire and as they impact things in the environment, which Rockstar is hoping delivers a greater sense of realism. To protect himself from incoming bullets, Max will also be able to take cover behind objects as well as grab enemies to use them as human shields, though taking advantage of the cover system isn't required for success. It seems quite a few bits of the environment will also be destructible, so perhaps not every bit of cover will be all that reliable."

  RAGE is good news. And I like the fact about that Euphoria technology. Grabbing enemies is cool and so is the destructible environment. But I always seem to have problem with the games that have covering systems. I don't mean it's a bad thing, the problem is that the developers don't get it right. The mechanic of a covering systems needs to fundamental abilities, first to be able to suppress enemies, second, the enemies should be able to do the same. In games like GTA IV or Wanted Weapons of Fate, you just have to take cover and wait for an enemy to pop out and then finish him with a shoot in the head. That's way too easy man!!! The best example I can mention here about a game which has got this covering system thing right is, Brother's In Arms Hell's Highway. I really enjoyed the whole tactical perspective you could exploit in that game. I just hope that MP3 wouldn't be like the games where you do just running and gunning and the end. We've had enough of that in the first two games. On another side note, what the hell does it mean? "though taking advantage of the cover system isn't required for success". Why put something in the game if you're not going to fully take advantage of it??

  "Something called environmental bullet time is being built into the game, which according to the article can be compared to quick-time events in other titles. Yet instead of doing something like tapping a button within a small window of time, the player will have full control of Max as the event progresses. Rockstar provided one example to Game Informer, where Max slides down a tin roof in slow motion while tagging nearby enemies with bullets. This won't be an open-world game, though it seems Max will have a limited ability to scale walls and access combat areas from a few different directions. A bullet-cam, which follows projectiles into their targets, will be implemented into the game to add more style, and it seems Max will be able to perform life-saving kill shots should he be near death. If he manages to kill his killer before the screen goes black, he'll spring back to life thanks to an adrenaline boost."

  These are all cool. I just hope that they would be executed in the right way. In the end the article made be a bit worried. I'll have to wait for a trailer or something to finally decide on weather I'll like this game or not. Thanks for reading

  • Posted Jun 17, 2009 1:19 am PT
  • Category: Games
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• 6Jun 09

  I started to watch Lost - First Impressions (Spoiler Free)

  Well, first off I should say that I'm hardcore 24 fan! so what I expect from a movie or a TV show to deliver first is suspense and intelligent material based on believable characters who face difficult choices to deal with.

  Lost delivers most of that except for the suspense part. 24 kinda raises your expectation in that department that you can't come into terms with just anything.

  Lost is interesting because it's got an interesting story and some interesting characters. My favourite character so far has been Locke (I've watched 10 episodes from the first season). Charlie is cool. The black guy and his kid are nice people. The fat dude is interesting too. But some other characters, well they are not good enough man! Jack is a real cliche if you ask me. The brave guy who wants to help everyone and goes through some mental test to become the leader! YUCK!!! Kate on the other hand is the queen!! YUCK...AGAIN!! Shannon is the business side of the things. She would get your eyes fixed on the screen!! But that's just it.

  The story is strange. And that's why I like it. I like the way they present the whole truth little by little. It gives you something to keep looking forward to when you come back for the next episode.

  I'll keep watching, and hopefully I'll write my opinion about the whole season 1.

  Thanks for reading

  • Posted Jun 6, 2009 11:13 am PT
  • Category: Movies
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