• 26Jul 08

  I'm spending less and less time on GameSpot...

  This is unfortunate as I have been coming here on a daily basis since '05, and quite regualry before I even made my account here. But the launch of Giant Bomb is forcing me onto their website. Here is my profile on Giant Bomb for those interested.
  • Posted Jul 26, 2008 3:10 am PT
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• 18Jul 08

  My top 5 most wanted/underappreciated games

  Top [insert number here] lists are all the rage these days, although heavily overused. But I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and list my top 5 most wanted/underappreciated games that are coming out in the future. E3 really enlightened me to some of these games, and I really can't wait to get my hands on them. So here we go:

  1. Afrika

  

  This underhyped gem is at the top of my most wanted list for combining my top two interests, animals and video games, and merged them into one giant photography game. Although little is known about Afrika as of this time, a Japan only release is likely.

  2. Mirror's Edge

  

  Although you've very likely heard of this first-person action adventure game, there is no doubt that Mirror's Edge is underhyped. Heavily inspired by the French sport "Parkour", Mirror's Edge sets to redefine players views on movement in first-person games.

  3. Flower

  

  Developed by the same studio as the creators of flOw, Flower sets to boggle players minds once more in a technically astounding and therapeutically relaxing experience. With over 2,000 blades of grass rendered individually, Flower will provide a unique experience where you control a gust of wind that glides flower petals across beautiful landscapes.

  4. de Blob

  

  de Blob is a game devoid of colour. At least until the Blob comes along and restores colour to the city. With interesting gameplay mechanics and a beautiful art sty|e, de Blob seems like it will be a sleeper hit on the Wii.

  5. LittleBigPlanet

  

  Who cares if this is a well known and well hyped game for the PS3? Can you honestly say that a game as unique and fun as LittleBigPlanet doesn't deserve to be on this list? Well, then you just made Sackboy cry.

  And there we go. I hope I've enlightened you to some of the underapreciated upcoming games, and maybe even got you excited for some of them. Well, enjoy!

  • Posted Jul 18, 2008 12:30 pm PT
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• 9May 08

  GTAIV: Two steps forward and one step back

  Revolutionary. That is the word I'd give if I were asked to sum up GTA3 into one word. Not only did it do what none of us thought was capable at the time, it practically created it's own genre as well. Many copy-cats followed but none came close to the awesomeness of Grand Theft Auto.

  And now, seven years later, GTAIV is here! And unsurprisingly, it's great! But just how great is it? Well, if Vice City and San Andreas were never made, then you could call GTAIV as big as a revolution as GTA3. But both of those games added new features such as buying houses, motorbikes and awesome new weapons which made GTAIV have less of an impact. But what really annoys me about GTAIV is the lack of some of these features that many of us considered the norm.

  The character customisation (that admittedly, went into the extremes in San Andreas) is very limited, only offering a change of clothes. Now this wouldn't be too bad, but there aren't that many clothes to choose from, and alot of those clothes don't make Niko look any good. Being able to buy safehouses would of been a nice feature in GTAIV, not only to give players that extra amount of freedom, but it would be something to spend some money on (as money is far too plentiful). The lack of planes and parachutes also detract from the fun-factor as base jumping from these sky-scrapers would be awesome fun and planes would be great to pilot. But these are all minor flaws when compared to my next point:

  The lack of mid-mission checkpoints. I cannot output the amount of frustration that had built up inside me when I had to restart a half-hour long mission just because Niko accidentaly nudged a car while chasing someone. This led Niko to be hurtled through the air, and before Niko could get to his feet, the guy had gotten away. And this didn't just happen once, but over six times before I finally nailed the ****.

  But we should always look on the bright side of life or, in this case, look on the bright side of beating hookers with a baseball bat. I would list what makes GTAIV so great, but this rant has gone on long enough as it is, and I'm sure you already know what makes GTAIV great anyways. To sum up: Grand Theft Auto IV is good ol' Grand Theft Auto minus some of the fun extras that we took for granted in previous GTAs.

  • Posted May 9, 2008 2:23 pm PT
  • Category: Editorial
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