• 6Jun 13

  Borderlands 2 Impressions

  At first sight Borderlands 2 seems just like the first. Upon playing it for a few hours, it doesn't play that differently. It's still the same Borderlands I remember. This doesn't mean it's bad though. Borderlands is just as enjoyable as ever, although the main problems that I had with the original are still present. Because the game is an RPG, accuracy is defined based on your skill level and the gun's accuracy. The problem though is that I find the guns too innacurate. My assault rifle can't hit anything even with a scope. Perhaps this is because I'm used to a different distance scale from Call of Duty, but it doesn't feel natural. Additionally the guns move around too much making them hard to aim. I understand my character is breathing but does the gun really have to move THAT much? Can I hold my breath at least? My last main gripe is the enemies. At times it feels like never ending swarms of enemies without any purpose. Instead of pushing forward I'm forced to take cover and pick them off, only to wait for another horde to spawn in their place. There is too little forward progress in firefights. Perhaps this was due to the berzerker class I chose. 

  My character had a sweet dual weilding ability, although it took until level 5 to unlock. As opposed to the singularity ability I had in the original game, I found dual weilding much less effective. Accuracy deminishes significantly and I don't play as an in your face character. I'm starting to think I chose the wrong character class, and now I have to make the best of it. The game is still incredibly fun though. It's always fun getting new weapons, even if the weapon variety hasn't exploded at this point yet. I basically have access to just shotguns, pistols, and rifles. I'm waiting for the snipers and heavy machineguns. I do have an incendiary pistol with a scope which is quite effective against everything. It's my go to weapon for the time being. I've gotten a few rocket pistols and assault rifles although the bullets travel too slowly to be effective.

  The biggest improvement I spotted is the new Badass Points. You earn Badass Points for completing challenges like killing a certain number of enemies and so forth. You can redeem Badass Points to upgrade different traits like overall health, reload speed, and so forth. Virtually everything is upgradable, although a list of five choices is chosen at random each time. This further changes the gameplay and buffs your character. 

  I enjoyed my brief stint with Borderlands 2 and I can't wait to get back to it. For anyone that hasn't picked it up yet, you really need to get on that.

  • Posted Jun 6, 2013 9:15 pm GMT
  • Category: Games
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• 5Jun 13

  Leave Call of Duty to Infinity Ward

  The shocking news came yesterday that Halo Reach is now played online more than Halo 4. What's really going on underneath the surface? There are a number of factors leading to this, although there is no clear right answer.

  The first factor is that Halo Reach sold better than Halo 4. Halo Reach raked in less money in first day sales although Halo 4's first day saled included global sales. This means that Halo Reach potentially sold more copies, which would lead to a bigger community. The game is also in bargain bins so people would rather spend less money on Reach than Halo 4.

  Another factor is the gameplay style. Halo 4 strayed far from Halo:CE's roots. While the loadouts might make gameplay fun, its not Halo. Halo was everyone starting out with a pistol and running around the map trying to find the sniper. The gameplay tries so hard to mimic Call of Duty with killstreaks and all, although Call of Duty does it better. Why would gamers want to play Call of Duty: Halo Edition when they can just play Call of Duty: Black Ops II? The latter has perfected the CoD formula whereas the former has an identity crisis. 

  The third option is simply that Bungie makes better games. No offense 343, but Bungie is a damn good studio. Everything that comes out of there is perfect. Perhaps they just create a better multiplayer expereince? I'm curious how Destiny does because that will show whehter people bought Halo all these years because of the Halo or the Bungie name on the box. Which has a better following?

  It's always sad news when an online community dies, but Halo 4 is not even a year old and smaller than Reach. It's not dead, but perhaps this is a warning for 343. Pick it up and return to our Halo's roots.

  • Posted Jun 5, 2013 12:16 pm GMT
  • Category: Editorial
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• 27May 13

  Curiosity Worth the Clicks?

  Peter Molyneux is famous for overhyping things. Thus it came as no surprise when he unveiled what was inside the cube today. The winner will make the rules in Godus, as well as receive a cut of all profits. This sounds like an amazing reward, although youd better hope the winner knows what hes doing. It appears he has the power to make or break the game at his will. Making a game that works take a huge amount of talent, and years of practice. For every game runaway success there are dozens of flops, and through all of those games designers learn what to do. How can a random person know what to do? I really hope Molyneux decides to give him some advice or else that game is going nowhere.

  • Posted May 27, 2013 11:42 am GMT
  • Category: Editorial
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