26 Nov 2009
Me me me....me2
So for some reason I've been thinking a lot about memes - or to be specific Internet Memes:The term Internet meme is a phrase used to describe a catchphrase or concept that spreads quickly from person to person via the Internet, much like an esoteric inside joke. The term is a reference to the concept of memes, although this concept refers to a much broader category of cultural information.
So this could include such classics as Lolcats or Demotivator posters. These are the simplest memes & most often the most popular for the more geeky/techy amongst us. However, what's better than a picture - a moving picture or "video" if you will! The Youtube generation which has risen up over the past 3-4 years or so means that memes can now be videos rather than just pictures (the so-called viral video). 
I think that the humour involved within this field is often brilliant, because it evokes the great comedian in finding humour in everyday situations & seeing the funny side in serious issues. What it does bring to light it the viral idea -which, although it has negative connotations, creates a "have you seen/heard about" culture, when internet phenomena spread through word of mouth, or through forums.
Of course especial mention should go to the daring 4chanwhere they took the simple idea of forums & added the meme to it.
So where someone posts a fairly amusing picture for example, other people will construct & edit around it. So a classic would be using images from the 300 & editing it to sync in with another meme e.g. King Leonidis in the film should "This is SPAAATTTAA" when added to another cultural pic brings classic results:
About themselves, 4chan say:
4chan is a simple image-based bulletin board where anyone can post comments and share images. 4chan's collaborative-community format is copied from one of the most popular forums in Japan, Futaba Channel. Different boards are dedicated to different topics, from Japanese anime, manga, and culture to videogames, music, and photography. Feel free to click on a board that interests you, and jump right in—anyone can contribute!
25 Nov 2009
Top 10(ish) most impacting Rock bands
OK according to yours truly here are my top 10 band - with first listened to track, best album (imho) & seminal track to sum up the band:
These are what I would call my most influential...but only in terms of rock & doesn't include say:
Dire Straits, Metallica, Arcade Fire, Radiohead,
The Who, Black Sabbath, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon,
Blur, Beck, R.E.M., Rage Against the Machine, the Hives & Autolux
ALL of whom I deeply respect & feel they rock most heartily! I think it also shows my age a little too much, but hey what can you do - also notice that I rate SSPU highly!
Six Rock out!
Foo Fighters: Down in the Park: Colour & the Shape: Everlong/My Hero
Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Chile (slight Return): Are you Experienced: All Along the Watchtower/Crosstown Traffic
Muse: Origin of Symmetry/Black Holes & Revelations: Plug in Baby/Knights of Cydonia
Pixies: Wave of Mutilation: UK Surf: Surfer Rosa/Come on Pilgrim: Where is my Mind/Monkey Gone to Heaven
Placebo: Nancy Boy: Meds: Bruise-Pristine/Drag
Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit: Nevermind: Aneurysm/You Know You're Right
Queens of the Stone Age: No One Knows: Songs for the Deaf/Queens of the Stone Age: Little Sister/No One Knows
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Aeroplane: Californication: Around the World/Dani California
Silversun Pickups: Lazy Eye: Carnavas/Swoon: Well Thought Out Twinkles/Panic Switch
Smashing Pumpkins: Tonight, Tonight: Zeitgeist/Rotten Apples: Zero/Bring the Light
Sonic Youth: Sugar Cane: Daydream Nation/Dirty: Purr/ Teen Age Riot
System of a Down: Chop Suey: Toxicity: Toxicity/Aerials
These are what I would call my most influential...but only in terms of rock & doesn't include say:
Dire Straits, Metallica, Arcade Fire, Radiohead,
The Who, Black Sabbath, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon,
Blur, Beck, R.E.M., Rage Against the Machine, the Hives & Autolux
ALL of whom I deeply respect & feel they rock most heartily! I think it also shows my age a little too much, but hey what can you do - also notice that I rate SSPU highly!
Six Rock out!
24 Nov 2009
Them Crooked Vultures: Them Crooked Vultures
Right enough of my geekery...for now - on to some music.
This is the 'debut' (& I use the term very loosely for these guys - it's an epic super-group consisting of Mr John-Paul Jones, Mr Josh Homme & Mr David Grohl, from; Led Zeppelin, Queens of the Stone Age & Foo Fighters respectively.
It certainly excited me when I first heard about them a couple months back & even the short minute long Youtube vids they previewed helped.
Their sound is heavy enough to sound like old-fashioned QotSA (the Songs for the Deaf era - which also coincidentally featured Grohl on drums!) but is definitely catchy as well.
They released their album a full week before it was due for general release, on their Youtube channel & there are already 3 stand-out tracks for me - the tracks grow & there are hints of the associated bands (especially the Foo's) & I really would put them at the top (well equal top really) of my must-see-live list! (the other is of course my band of 2008 & 2009 - Silversun Pickups).
I would definitely have a listen to their Youtube version before buying, as I don't necessarily think it will have the universal appeal of say Foo Fighters, but definitely worth a blast. My top tracks are:
Grohl on drums = win
This is the 'debut' (& I use the term very loosely for these guys - it's an epic super-group consisting of Mr John-Paul Jones, Mr Josh Homme & Mr David Grohl, from; Led Zeppelin, Queens of the Stone Age & Foo Fighters respectively.
It certainly excited me when I first heard about them a couple months back & even the short minute long Youtube vids they previewed helped.
Their sound is heavy enough to sound like old-fashioned QotSA (the Songs for the Deaf era - which also coincidentally featured Grohl on drums!) but is definitely catchy as well.
They released their album a full week before it was due for general release, on their Youtube channel & there are already 3 stand-out tracks for me - the tracks grow & there are hints of the associated bands (especially the Foo's) & I really would put them at the top (well equal top really) of my must-see-live list! (the other is of course my band of 2008 & 2009 - Silversun Pickups).
I would definitely have a listen to their Youtube version before buying, as I don't necessarily think it will have the universal appeal of say Foo Fighters, but definitely worth a blast. My top tracks are:
Track 1: No One Loves Me & Neither Do I
Track 2: Mind Eraser, No Chaser
Track 5: Elephants
Track 6: Scumbag Blues
Grohl on drums = win
Xplay/G4 - who?
So why use the style of X Play?! Here's what I've perused from Wiki about it:
The video game reviews on X-Play use a five-point rating scale, based on such factors as graphics, sound, gameplay, and playability (i.e. replay value). On X-Play's original TechTV homepage, the ratings system was broken down in the following way:
* 1 - Hated it. Do not buy this game. Not even worth the bargain bin. Run from it. Escape!! Escape!!
* 2 - Alright. These games are fun, with some good points, but nothing special. There's definitely a few specific things holding this game back. Wait until the price comes down or pick it up as [a] renter to check out some of the things it does right.
* 3 - Good. Fun to play, pretty solid titles, with a few minor flaws. Most games will probably fall into this category. They're the games that if you like the genre, or liked other similar titles, you might consider giving it a good look. Otherwise, you might not be into it.
* 4 - Very good. Games that are at the top of all our lists, but are missing that strange intangible aura of perfection, and unfortunately that's keeping them from getting in the realm of the almighty five.
* 5 - Near perfect/perfect. If you're a true player, these games will undoubtedly be in your collection, or at the very least you'll have played them until the cartridges and CDs melted. If a game gets a 5, and you like the genre, you should buy.
The hosts (Adam & Morgan) also explained why they use a 5-point ratings system, rather than a 10- or even 100-point scale:
Morgan: Our system is better because it recognizes that scores are broad generalizations.
Adam: For example, a popular web site gave Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire a score of 3.0 out of 10. They gave Torino 2006 a 3.9. What is the difference?
Morgan: Both games suck, all the score is gonna be able to communicate to you is that the game is bad. If you want more nuance on the suckage, you have to actually go and read the review. See, in a 10-point scale, everything under 5 just means 'this game ain't worth buying', so there's no real difference.
Adam: And there's no real nuance to a score difference of two- or three-tenths of a point. Our scores at least give sweeping generalizations for you to use as a guide.
It's the rating system I'm used to & have been using them as a guide since I started listening to podcasts! Hence why 1-5*s rather than anything else.
Six out.
PS I don't always agree with X Play...Football games for example - or soccer as they call it - they're never happy with any 'soccer' games.
The video game reviews on X-Play use a five-point rating scale, based on such factors as graphics, sound, gameplay, and playability (i.e. replay value). On X-Play's original TechTV homepage, the ratings system was broken down in the following way:
* 1 - Hated it. Do not buy this game. Not even worth the bargain bin. Run from it. Escape!! Escape!!
* 2 - Alright. These games are fun, with some good points, but nothing special. There's definitely a few specific things holding this game back. Wait until the price comes down or pick it up as [a] renter to check out some of the things it does right.
* 3 - Good. Fun to play, pretty solid titles, with a few minor flaws. Most games will probably fall into this category. They're the games that if you like the genre, or liked other similar titles, you might consider giving it a good look. Otherwise, you might not be into it.
* 4 - Very good. Games that are at the top of all our lists, but are missing that strange intangible aura of perfection, and unfortunately that's keeping them from getting in the realm of the almighty five.
* 5 - Near perfect/perfect. If you're a true player, these games will undoubtedly be in your collection, or at the very least you'll have played them until the cartridges and CDs melted. If a game gets a 5, and you like the genre, you should buy.
The hosts (Adam & Morgan) also explained why they use a 5-point ratings system, rather than a 10- or even 100-point scale:
Morgan: Our system is better because it recognizes that scores are broad generalizations.
Adam: For example, a popular web site gave Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire a score of 3.0 out of 10. They gave Torino 2006 a 3.9. What is the difference?
Morgan: Both games suck, all the score is gonna be able to communicate to you is that the game is bad. If you want more nuance on the suckage, you have to actually go and read the review. See, in a 10-point scale, everything under 5 just means 'this game ain't worth buying', so there's no real difference.
Adam: And there's no real nuance to a score difference of two- or three-tenths of a point. Our scores at least give sweeping generalizations for you to use as a guide.
It's the rating system I'm used to & have been using them as a guide since I started listening to podcasts! Hence why 1-5*s rather than anything else.
Six out.
PS I don't always agree with X Play...Football games for example - or soccer as they call it - they're never happy with any 'soccer' games.
23 Nov 2009
Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2!
...or to give it it's proper name...CoD 6! It's finally out - an eagerly awaited sequel - the original game is still at its RRP even after the 2 years its been out! That's quite extraordinary for a 4th outing in a series, so the hopes are high for this latest title.
I got it the day it came out (for a change!) & managed to get a few minutes spare that lunchtime to get past the opening credits & training mode - it's really fast & great fun is had using the modern weaponry - all machine-pistols, sub-machine guns & the occasional shotgun.
One (almost-instant) negative of note - the included manual is perhaps the worst I have ever seen! Everything is in standard font, there's not a huge amount of substance at all & even the 1 screenshot has no background to it. It certainly look incomplete & a little unprofessional - especially for such a high quality game - very bizarre. It was almost as if they didn't feel the need to tell people how to play the 6th edition of their game!
Anyways, the game-play! There are many moments of awe-inspiring/jaw-dropping` game-play - on board a stolen skidoo going at full tilt over an epic jump, taking an entire airbase with just one other member in your squad, the Rio scenes are impossibly good, & the some of the later levels seem rather epic.
The challenge offered by the single-player is good - it's not just a simple walk, shoot occasional & progress - even on the regular difficulty setting there are some parts of the game that really do take all your concentration & effort just to get through. For example holding a building, whilst downloading files, all the while your enemies come from all sides at the same time with scoped weapons & sub-machine guns is an epic & challenging bit of play, reminiscent of the legendary Nazi Zombies!
The Weapons, the sub-machine guns all feel pretty similar, but with different sights & scopes add a little variety. There are lots of different pistols, but the most fun have been the shotguns. Normally their lack of accuracy over distance is quite limiting, not so much now - in Rio & especially during Whiskey Hotel the quick-shot & lethal Striker is very much the harbinger of doom!
I did complete it on Regular in just 2 evenings (about 8 hours) which seemed a little fast, but I then wanted to play it again & grind through on Veteran, just to run through it all again with an epic challenge!
Also there are the side missions - Spec Ops to be precise - 23 levels of increasingly difficult replays of the original storyline, as well as some familiar reworkings of the first Modern Warfare. Expect lots of silliness when playing with your friends - it's a little bit Bob & Steve (see below)
But the levels are really tough - even for the experienced CoD gamer - it represents a proper challenge, but I think it's great fun & does reward you for playing well.
The more starts you earn (1 for regular, 2 for hardened & 3 for veteran) then unlock more levels, each represents a big step up from the previous levels - so far have unlocked Delta & need just 1 more star to open up the hardest levels - Echo. The Delta levels are already the toughest I've seen, so the Echo will need every ounce of prowess methinks.
In terms of the levels - the ghillie-suit vs ghille-suit & snow-sniper levels have been favourites - but the bridge levels are great fun as well.
The overall rating is a well-deserved 5 out of 5
I got it the day it came out (for a change!) & managed to get a few minutes spare that lunchtime to get past the opening credits & training mode - it's really fast & great fun is had using the modern weaponry - all machine-pistols, sub-machine guns & the occasional shotgun.
One (almost-instant) negative of note - the included manual is perhaps the worst I have ever seen! Everything is in standard font, there's not a huge amount of substance at all & even the 1 screenshot has no background to it. It certainly look incomplete & a little unprofessional - especially for such a high quality game - very bizarre. It was almost as if they didn't feel the need to tell people how to play the 6th edition of their game!
Anyways, the game-play! There are many moments of awe-inspiring/jaw-dropping` game-play - on board a stolen skidoo going at full tilt over an epic jump, taking an entire airbase with just one other member in your squad, the Rio scenes are impossibly good, & the some of the later levels seem rather epic.
The challenge offered by the single-player is good - it's not just a simple walk, shoot occasional & progress - even on the regular difficulty setting there are some parts of the game that really do take all your concentration & effort just to get through. For example holding a building, whilst downloading files, all the while your enemies come from all sides at the same time with scoped weapons & sub-machine guns is an epic & challenging bit of play, reminiscent of the legendary Nazi Zombies!
The Weapons, the sub-machine guns all feel pretty similar, but with different sights & scopes add a little variety. There are lots of different pistols, but the most fun have been the shotguns. Normally their lack of accuracy over distance is quite limiting, not so much now - in Rio & especially during Whiskey Hotel the quick-shot & lethal Striker is very much the harbinger of doom!
I did complete it on Regular in just 2 evenings (about 8 hours) which seemed a little fast, but I then wanted to play it again & grind through on Veteran, just to run through it all again with an epic challenge!
Also there are the side missions - Spec Ops to be precise - 23 levels of increasingly difficult replays of the original storyline, as well as some familiar reworkings of the first Modern Warfare. Expect lots of silliness when playing with your friends - it's a little bit Bob & Steve (see below)
But the levels are really tough - even for the experienced CoD gamer - it represents a proper challenge, but I think it's great fun & does reward you for playing well.
The more starts you earn (1 for regular, 2 for hardened & 3 for veteran) then unlock more levels, each represents a big step up from the previous levels - so far have unlocked Delta & need just 1 more star to open up the hardest levels - Echo. The Delta levels are already the toughest I've seen, so the Echo will need every ounce of prowess methinks.
In terms of the levels - the ghillie-suit vs ghille-suit & snow-sniper levels have been favourites - but the bridge levels are great fun as well.
The overall rating is a well-deserved 5 out of 5
7 Nov 2009
Thoughtus generalus
You might have noticed but I am writing a lot more blogs, probably more than ever before & I'm trying to understand my own reason!
So here are my thoughts:
As a way to reflect, blogging is a great tool - the classic theory of getting ones brain on paper, to process my thoughts.
Another thought is just the sharing of my brain - my thoughts, opinions, geekery etc. as above. So when I here an awesome band/mix then sharing it to the masses seems obvious. Also as a gamer (Pikachuind in Xbox of course, as below) then telling people what I think & sharing the knowledge sees to be obvious.
The way I treat my blog is very similar to my relationship with my best mate (Vet Boy by the way). What I mean by that is that I don't really care what people think about my blog - you might think interesting, or not - but that's not really the point! It's like with Vet Boy - I tell him repeatedly he's my best mate, & he will be my Best Man, I don't care what he thinks of me & would not expect him to view me as his best mate in return!
I'm not really sure that even makes any sense to anyone but us, but that's the weirdness of our friendship!
With this blog, I'm thinking, processing & posting - I don't need people to care less about my thoughts - they're just out there.
Right that's enough randomness from me - time for some tea!
So here are my thoughts:
As a way to reflect, blogging is a great tool - the classic theory of getting ones brain on paper, to process my thoughts.
Another thought is just the sharing of my brain - my thoughts, opinions, geekery etc. as above. So when I here an awesome band/mix then sharing it to the masses seems obvious. Also as a gamer (Pikachuind in Xbox of course, as below) then telling people what I think & sharing the knowledge sees to be obvious.
The way I treat my blog is very similar to my relationship with my best mate (Vet Boy by the way). What I mean by that is that I don't really care what people think about my blog - you might think interesting, or not - but that's not really the point! It's like with Vet Boy - I tell him repeatedly he's my best mate, & he will be my Best Man, I don't care what he thinks of me & would not expect him to view me as his best mate in return!
I'm not really sure that even makes any sense to anyone but us, but that's the weirdness of our friendship!
With this blog, I'm thinking, processing & posting - I don't need people to care less about my thoughts - they're just out there.
Right that's enough randomness from me - time for some tea!
6 Nov 2009
Pro Evo: Current Team: 4:4:2
Keepers:
Buffon, Cech, Almunia
Defence:
Maicon, Carlos Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves, Clichy, Vermaelen, Mexes, William Gallas
Midfield:
Rosicky, Iniesta, Ramsey, Sissoko, Vieira, Cesc Fabregas, Simon (Brainshare) Hodgkins,
Attack:
Lionel Messi, James (Hobbit) Sinden, Fernando Torres, Andrei Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Wayne Rooney, David Villa, Kaka, Van Persie, Thierry Henry
Not bad, but it is only our first season!
Buffon, Cech, Almunia
Defence:
Maicon, Carlos Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves, Clichy, Vermaelen, Mexes, William Gallas
Midfield:
Rosicky, Iniesta, Ramsey, Sissoko, Vieira, Cesc Fabregas, Simon (Brainshare) Hodgkins,
Attack:
Lionel Messi, James (Hobbit) Sinden, Fernando Torres, Andrei Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Wayne Rooney, David Villa, Kaka, Van Persie, Thierry Henry
Not bad, but it is only our first season!
Halo 3: ODST
Ahhhhh Halo - one of the biggest selling title in Xbox history - a console shifter when it was released & Halo 2 was bigger still. Then, when Halo 3 came out, the hype was epic. For the new outing from the Bungie team, (originally called Halo 3: Recon, but renamed later on) Halo 3: ODST had a lot to live up to, but but there was not the hype of previous games. However, I was still excited & brought it as soon as I could afford to.
But all that is background - what's it actually like - that is the real question.
It is very different not playing as the enhanced hero of the series: Master Chief, but instead as one of the elite soldiers known as Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST's - hence the game title). The most noticeable difference is the fact that your shield does not re-energize - you actually need to find medipacks, which are scattered in places around New Mombasa.
The key element of the game is to explore the deserted city of New Mombasa, which is filled with squads of Brutes & their minions, trying to discover what happened to you missing teammates, separated from each other as they entered the city.
You play as the rookie (ironic really) exploring using your VISR (Visual Intelligence System for Reconnaissance) to get a better look at the city. The VISR creates a line around specific features on the landscape, so enemies show up in rad, ammo & weapons in blue, teammates in green & yellow for important items. As most of the play that happens with the Rookie takes place at night, the VISR is indispensable as it also acts like enhanced night-vision goggles.
As an ODST, you get some rad weapons, including a silenced machine gun and pistol that is not just an emergency weapon - it's really accurate & ranged enough to be able to take out snipers with single-shot head shots. However fans of the previous games will love the fact you can still get shotguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, from the marines & a load of plasma guns from the Brutes. One thing to note is that there is no dual wielding as an ODST & ammo & fresh weapons are few & far between!
When you're searching for clues as the Rookie, you will pick up different objects which take you to different events which have caused your team to go AWOL. These break up the game nicely & are very reminiscent of the old Halo levels - bright sunlight (very different to the darkness of Mombasa), epic battles against the odds & great level design.
There are many different levels types highlighting the best of the Halo series: flying, group combat, run & gun, sniping, driving & big bad-ass weapon levels...oh & tanks - never forget about tanks. Although at first this makes the main detective story feel a little bit like a side quest - once you start to encounter multiple Brutes, a Chieftain or 2 as well as a pack of jackals - the challenge is really noticeable - mostly because of the non-recharging shield.
Overall - this game is really spectacular. Taken on it's own merits it is outstanding. When you add it to the Halo series, it will stand out as being rather difference to the previous Master Chief outings. However my rating is a well deserved 5 out of 5
But all that is background - what's it actually like - that is the real question.
It is very different not playing as the enhanced hero of the series: Master Chief, but instead as one of the elite soldiers known as Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST's - hence the game title). The most noticeable difference is the fact that your shield does not re-energize - you actually need to find medipacks, which are scattered in places around New Mombasa.
The key element of the game is to explore the deserted city of New Mombasa, which is filled with squads of Brutes & their minions, trying to discover what happened to you missing teammates, separated from each other as they entered the city.
You play as the rookie (ironic really) exploring using your VISR (Visual Intelligence System for Reconnaissance) to get a better look at the city. The VISR creates a line around specific features on the landscape, so enemies show up in rad, ammo & weapons in blue, teammates in green & yellow for important items. As most of the play that happens with the Rookie takes place at night, the VISR is indispensable as it also acts like enhanced night-vision goggles.
As an ODST, you get some rad weapons, including a silenced machine gun and pistol that is not just an emergency weapon - it's really accurate & ranged enough to be able to take out snipers with single-shot head shots. However fans of the previous games will love the fact you can still get shotguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, from the marines & a load of plasma guns from the Brutes. One thing to note is that there is no dual wielding as an ODST & ammo & fresh weapons are few & far between!
When you're searching for clues as the Rookie, you will pick up different objects which take you to different events which have caused your team to go AWOL. These break up the game nicely & are very reminiscent of the old Halo levels - bright sunlight (very different to the darkness of Mombasa), epic battles against the odds & great level design.
There are many different levels types highlighting the best of the Halo series: flying, group combat, run & gun, sniping, driving & big bad-ass weapon levels...oh & tanks - never forget about tanks. Although at first this makes the main detective story feel a little bit like a side quest - once you start to encounter multiple Brutes, a Chieftain or 2 as well as a pack of jackals - the challenge is really noticeable - mostly because of the non-recharging shield.
Overall - this game is really spectacular. Taken on it's own merits it is outstanding. When you add it to the Halo series, it will stand out as being rather difference to the previous Master Chief outings. However my rating is a well deserved 5 out of 5
5 Nov 2009
Gaming Part 3: Pro Evo 2010
Professional Evolution Soccer (aka PES) is a football (real football that is, or soccer as our American cousins would say) has been around for as long as its biggest rival: FIFA & is now starting re release annual games, very much like FIFA. It's also a football game. But what a great game it is.
Sure you can score dozens of goals on the easiest setting, but what my advice is to challenge yourself & go straight to Top Player.
Like other games, when you crank up the difficulty setting - you really have to work hard to make any progress - hello Call of Duty on Veteran mode, Halo on Legendary mode or Gears of War on Insane mode. This means that it's not just a quick breeze to complete a game, it's a challenge. Sometimes (& I'm looking at you Halo 3) you need to work in cooperative mode to complete parts of games where your own team's AI is not too amazing or where you don't have a team - you need one to make it through!
Anyways I digress.
I've always viewed PES as a bit of a social tool - it's OK to play on your own, but with friends, there is much teamwork/competitive spirit to the game & makes the game more fun.
So what's new in this year's offering? Well year-on-year, the realism has been growing. Now there are nice touches which add a little extra detail, such as the water bottles next to the keeper, when you make a substitution during the game, you can hear the announcer in the background. Also more fundamental changes, such as the removal of a points system & a shift to actual money - your choice of pounds, euro, dollars or yen.
The look of the game is really good & everything is sharper & movements more realistic. Initially I was very impressed.
Unfortunately, there is a little bad news - the refereeing. After a dozen games or so, I started noticing some inaccuracies. As always in games the referees are millimeter perfect when it comes to being offside. However, in Pro Evo 2009 the horrendous/dirty challenges were severely punished. In PES 2010, the opposition seem to get away with everything!
There have been numerous horrific challenges (even within 1 match) from the computer-controlled players & play is allowed to continue, unless advantage should be played, then the referee gives a free kick. This is very frustrating.
Now it might be the Top Player setting, but I'm not sure that is the case. When you've been working really hard just to get a goal & then your best striker gets flattened by the opposition's central defenders, in the keepers box, you would expect instant red card & penalty. But for nothing to be given seems extraordinary. It would be more acceptable if the opposition were treated the same, but yellow cards for to be doled out only to our team seems beyond comprehension.
It even made Hobbit not want to play the game again with this kind of ridiculous refereeing.
That's quite a fundamental issue & can cause real headaches when you're playing your socks off just to be destroyed by Wigan/Birmingham/Hull etc. because of a glitchy ref.
For this game I feel a 4 out of 5...but I still prefer it to FIFA!
Sure you can score dozens of goals on the easiest setting, but what my advice is to challenge yourself & go straight to Top Player.
Like other games, when you crank up the difficulty setting - you really have to work hard to make any progress - hello Call of Duty on Veteran mode, Halo on Legendary mode or Gears of War on Insane mode. This means that it's not just a quick breeze to complete a game, it's a challenge. Sometimes (& I'm looking at you Halo 3) you need to work in cooperative mode to complete parts of games where your own team's AI is not too amazing or where you don't have a team - you need one to make it through!
Anyways I digress.I've always viewed PES as a bit of a social tool - it's OK to play on your own, but with friends, there is much teamwork/competitive spirit to the game & makes the game more fun.
So what's new in this year's offering? Well year-on-year, the realism has been growing. Now there are nice touches which add a little extra detail, such as the water bottles next to the keeper, when you make a substitution during the game, you can hear the announcer in the background. Also more fundamental changes, such as the removal of a points system & a shift to actual money - your choice of pounds, euro, dollars or yen.
The look of the game is really good & everything is sharper & movements more realistic. Initially I was very impressed.
Unfortunately, there is a little bad news - the refereeing. After a dozen games or so, I started noticing some inaccuracies. As always in games the referees are millimeter perfect when it comes to being offside. However, in Pro Evo 2009 the horrendous/dirty challenges were severely punished. In PES 2010, the opposition seem to get away with everything!
There have been numerous horrific challenges (even within 1 match) from the computer-controlled players & play is allowed to continue, unless advantage should be played, then the referee gives a free kick. This is very frustrating.
Now it might be the Top Player setting, but I'm not sure that is the case. When you've been working really hard just to get a goal & then your best striker gets flattened by the opposition's central defenders, in the keepers box, you would expect instant red card & penalty. But for nothing to be given seems extraordinary. It would be more acceptable if the opposition were treated the same, but yellow cards for to be doled out only to our team seems beyond comprehension.
It even made Hobbit not want to play the game again with this kind of ridiculous refereeing.
That's quite a fundamental issue & can cause real headaches when you're playing your socks off just to be destroyed by Wigan/Birmingham/Hull etc. because of a glitchy ref.
For this game I feel a 4 out of 5...but I still prefer it to FIFA!
3 Nov 2009
Game Review Part 2...Fable 2
I thought I'd do a little review, starting with Fable 2:
Now I know it's been around for about a year, but I thought I would not even begin to get into it, as it was a Role Playing Game (RPG) which is not really my bag at all. However, after some prodding from Sparky (who just got it with an X360 for his birthday & was raving about it) I decided to download the first episode from Xbox Live Marketplace.
My main observation was the similarity between Fable 2 & Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - getting experience points (XP) from beating enemies & upgrading skills & weapons. However there are also comparisons to more open world (sandbox) games, like the GTA series.
Once you get through the child stage, which is really just a back-story & scene setting section, then a whole world is open for you to discover (only part of it, if you go through the episode method) & begin to gain employment (to earn gold, which you can exchange for property/supplies/weapons), or do quests, various missions which progress you through the game.
If you just did the main quests, you could probably complete it in say 8-10 hours. However, doing all the side-quests, finding all the secrets & generally experiencing the world of Albion, created by Lionhead Studios in full, game-time is huge - days rather than hours.
And if you do get through to the end, there are some download-able content packs (DLC) which open up more quests & regions to explore.
I had great fun with this game, which gets better the more you play & develop your character. Also I think that repeat plays might well be in order, to try to get some of the the more challenging achievements. So overall I would heartily agree with the XPlay rating of a 5 out of 5.
Now I know it's been around for about a year, but I thought I would not even begin to get into it, as it was a Role Playing Game (RPG) which is not really my bag at all. However, after some prodding from Sparky (who just got it with an X360 for his birthday & was raving about it) I decided to download the first episode from Xbox Live Marketplace.
My main observation was the similarity between Fable 2 & Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - getting experience points (XP) from beating enemies & upgrading skills & weapons. However there are also comparisons to more open world (sandbox) games, like the GTA series.Once you get through the child stage, which is really just a back-story & scene setting section, then a whole world is open for you to discover (only part of it, if you go through the episode method) & begin to gain employment (to earn gold, which you can exchange for property/supplies/weapons), or do quests, various missions which progress you through the game.
If you just did the main quests, you could probably complete it in say 8-10 hours. However, doing all the side-quests, finding all the secrets & generally experiencing the world of Albion, created by Lionhead Studios in full, game-time is huge - days rather than hours.
And if you do get through to the end, there are some download-able content packs (DLC) which open up more quests & regions to explore.
I had great fun with this game, which gets better the more you play & develop your character. Also I think that repeat plays might well be in order, to try to get some of the the more challenging achievements. So overall I would heartily agree with the XPlay rating of a 5 out of 5.
1 Nov 2009
Game Reviews: Part 1 of....
OK this might turn out to be a bit of a long post, so I might well split it over 3 posts.
Here are my current most played games:
Fable 2
Halo 3: OTSD
Pro Evo: 2009/2010
Call of Duty 5/Nazi Zombies
I'm going to do some reviews & post them up over the next couple of weeks - so expect some geekery!
Here are my current most played games:
Fable 2
Halo 3: OTSD
Pro Evo: 2009/2010
Call of Duty 5/Nazi Zombies
I'm going to do some reviews & post them up over the next couple of weeks - so expect some geekery!
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