Impressions Galore

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You’d think I’d talk a little more about games, seeing how this is a video game blog and all. So now that I’ve poured a few hours into some games, let’s talk:

Fallout 3

This goes beyond the regular first impressions, I’ve logged almost 20 hours. First things first, Fallout 3 is a GREAT game. I’m not going to go through the superlatives. It’s good. It is not without hiccups, but overall it is excellent.

The game is an explorer’s heaven. If you’re like me, you have to open every door and open every container and look in every corner. If your front door is left unlocked (or not), I’m coming in. Some people refer to this as kleptomania. So be it. In Fallout 3, it’s survival. The explorer itch is scratched over and over. In fact, it’s starting to hurt and get red. There is just so much to see. You could be heading to a specific location and take two hours to get there as you look around, take on new missions and find boxes to open. I can’t miss a thing.

The story starts off slowly and I really didn’t care much for the characters at first but things are getting interesting. The world they have crafted feels real without being realistic, if that makes sense. Seeing the dilapidated Washington Monument was jarring. There’s something about seeing a familiar sight and something not being right. Well done, Bethesda.

There are problems, things that aren’t deal breakers, but issues nontheless. My biggest issue is with the NPCs. I believe Oblivion suffered from some of these issues. First off, most are terrifying to look at. Character models are not this game’s strong suit. Their interactions with me, the Vault 101 guy, also leave something to be desired. One minute they’re rushing up to me in town, telling how happy they are for what I’ve done, and giving me the goods. Two seconds later they hate me. What gives?

I mentioned the game looks good, but whatever you do, DO NOT go third person. The game suddenly looks markedly worse. Game-play is mostly on the level. Character progression is well paced and the variety of skills are expansive. Combat isn’t terrible, either. This isn’t a shooter,. I love the VATS targeting system. Unloading my minigun on some Super Mutant’s head is very satisfying.

If I had to guess, I’d say I’ve made moderate progress in the “actual story”. That might not seem much, having played so much already, but I’m okay with that. I’m in no hurry for this game to end.

Gears of War 2

I enjoyed the first Gears. It wasn’t my favorite, but it was a fun game and didn’t take itself too seriously. The sequel (or as Nat calls it, expansion) takes what was fun in the first one and makes everything better and tighter. The core game hasn’t changed. Gears of War 2 lives up to its expectations.

Thing is, it’s almost too polished. Gears of War 2 is the video game equivalent of Pop Music. It is expertly produced, aimed directly at it’s core market (18-34 y/o males), glamorizes a particular lifestyle, and is narrowly focused. It doesn’t take a lot of risks. I guess it really doesn’t need to.

In the end, I’m enjoying quite a bit what I’ve played so far. most of my time has been spent playing the main story. Everything I’ve read about the multiplayer games has me really excited to dip into those waters. I gave Horde Mode (survival mode) a try with split-screen co-op, and this mode resonates strongly with me. I can see this be the beginning of a long relationship.

Disgaea DS

Let me be brief here. Here is a game where the level cap is 9,999. My main character is level 8. It is a strategy RPG (read: portable crack). It may or may not have a story. It has exploding penguins.

I will be playing this for a long time.

Boom Blox

I grabbed this one on a whim, needing to justify ownership of my Wii. The idea is simple — there’s a stack of blox, knock them over with a ball. Simple. I figured the kids would dig on it pretty good. Turns out both kids really like the game. In fact, my little 3 year-old is quite the Boom Bloxer. Not sure if this is a keeper, but it will provide plenty of Wii gaming.

Phew. There’s quite a bit on my plate right now, with more to come.

Tatoo-weenie

Why is it that Star Wars video games have now become a source of hilarity? This is facepalm hilarity.

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October Releases

It’s the monthly releases, yay hurray!

Week of October 6th
Silent Hill: Homecoming
Samurai Warriors 2: Extreme Legends for Xbox 360
NBA 2K9
NBA Live 09 - It’s been a long time since I’ve done a basketball game. I’ll be adding one of these to my GFQ but won’t be buying either.
Fracture - I haven’t tried the demo out, but I think Ehergeiz has. Hopefully he’ll fill us in.
Guilty Gear 2: Overture

Week of October 13th
FIFA Soccer 09
Dead Space - Dead Space is one of those games on my radar. Definitely looking forward to this one.
Saints Row 2
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008
Golden Axe: Beast Rider - Everyone picked the girl when you played Golden Axe back in the day. The developers are just saving you one step. AMIRIGHT?
Blitz: The League II
Rock Revolution - Konami is really going to try this? Is there room for one more Rock Band game?
Disney Sing It Bundle with Microphone - My wife and I are seriously considering this for our daughter. She already thinks she Ariel (or Jasmine, or Cinderella) so we figured this would be perfect for her.

Week of October 20th
Fable 2 - I completely feel for Fable and ended up pretty much hating it. I’m not getting burned this time. I’ll be watching the reviews carefully with this one.
Far Cry 2 - If I can set traps that send bad guys flying through the jungle like the first one, sign me up!
Midnight Club: Los Angeles
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
Monopoly - Monopoly? Really? Shouldn’t this be a downloadable XBLA game for 400 points?
Legendary - Don’t know much about this one.
Dance Dance Revolution Universe 3 with Dance Mat - I include DDR games every time they show up, because I secretly hope some of my readers are die-hard DDR’ers.

Week of October 27th
Fallout 3 - Man this month keeps getting better and better. I am going to be broke by the end of the month.
Guitar Hero World Tour - Band Kit
Mafia II
James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace Collector’s Edition
MotoGP 08

Week of October 6th
NBA Live 09 All-Play
Sam & Max: Season One
Crash: Mind Over Mutant
Army Men Soldiers of Misfortune

Week of October 13th
Goosebumps HorrorLand
Jeep Thrills - Get it? Get it?
Ocean Commander
Boogie Superstar
Safecracker - First, go look at the boxart for this game. Then tell me, honestly, how a came called “Safecracker” can be even remotely enjoyable. I’m willing to be proven wrong, but seriously.

Week of October 20th
Wii Music - It’s going to take a bunch of good reviews for me to consider this one. Just doesn’t sound fun.
Monopoly
Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader: Make the Grade - If you buy this game, no.
Disney High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
King of Fighters Collection- The Orochi Saga

Week of October 27th
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009 - How ironic I post this game as I’m watching the Biggest Loser on TV. I wonder if this is the first game to use the Wii Fit board?
Guitar Hero World Tour
MySims Kingdom
Line Rider 2: Unbound
Cooking Mama World Kitchen
Build-A-Bear Workshop: The Fur Seasons Islands - I was surprised when they made a DS version of this game. The fact that there’s a second one makes me question humanity.
FIFA Soccer 09 All-Play
PBR: Out of the Chute - Pro Bull Riding? For the Wii? I am so confused.
Ultimate I Spy
Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine - For all the licensed games I make fun of, this is one game I’d like to try.

Week of October 6th
Bleach: Dark Souls
The Legend Of Kage 2
Exit

Week of October 13th
Populous
Battle of Giants: Dinosaurs - Everything about this game is AWESOME.
Cesar Millan’s Dog Whisperer - I was going to mock this game unmercifully, then realized how genius it is. A whispering game? For the DS? BRILLIANT!
Rock Revolution - This could be perfect of the DS.

Week of October 20th
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - Been hearing lots of good things about this one.
Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon (Gift With Purchase)
Tornado - Know how a tornado and a divorce in Kentucky are the same thing? Someone’s losing a trailer.
Awa Shuffle Dungeon - Winner of the horribly named game of the month.
Pass the Pigs - This one was a close second.
Theresia

Week of October 27th
Mechanic Master - To be followed shortly by Carpenter, Plumber and Electrician Master.

Week of October 6th
Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway
Saints Row 2

Week of October 13th
FIFA Soccer 09

Week of October 20th
Far Cry 2
Dead Space
NHL 09
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Week of October 27th
Fallout 3
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
World Wide Soccer Manager 2009
Aion: The Tower of Eternity

Week of October 6th
NBA 2K9
NBA Live 09
Fracture
NBA ‘09 The Inside

Week of October 13th
FIFA Soccer 09
Dead Space
Socom US Navy Seals: Confrontation Stand Alone
Saints Row 2
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008
Golden Axe: Beast Rider
Rock Revolution
Blitz: The League II

Week of October 20th
LittleBigPlanet - DROOOL.
BioShock
Far Cry 2
Midnight Club: Los Angeles
Eternal Sonata
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
Legendary
Rock Band 2

Week of October 27th
Fallout 3
Motorstorm: Pacific Rift
SingStar Vol. 2 Stand Alone
MotoGP 08
James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace Collector’s Edition

Week of October 6th
NBA Live 09
NBA ‘09 The Inside
Crash: Mind Over Mutant

Week of October 13th
FIFA Soccer 09

Week of October 20th
Star Ocean: First Departure
Midnight Club: LA Remix
King of Fighters Collection- The Orochi Saga
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Week of October 27th
NeverLand Card Battles
Air Conflicts
DT Carnage

Great month ahead! What will you be picking up?

September Releases

Lately, I’ve been trying to list every game coming out for the major consoles and the PC. I think from now on, going forward, I’m just going to list the games I think would be of interest to the buttonmashing-dot-com audience. I’m guessing the majority of you guys and gals aren’t interested in Pony Palz 3. Let me know if I’m missing my target audience.

Without further ado, the month of releases:

Week of September 2nd
Infinite Undiscovery
Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise - I gave the original Viva the College Try but i never really did it for me. The kids sure loved it, though.
Warhammer: Battle March
NFL Head Coach 09
FaceBreaker

Week of September 9th
NHL 09
TNA Impact!
Zoids Assault
NHL 2K9

Week of September 16th
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Rock Band 2 - I probably won’t be getting it. Will you?
Armored Core: For Answer
Pure
Battle Fantasia

Week of September 23rd
LEGO Batman
BAJA: Edge of Control
Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts ‘09 - I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again — how does this game continue to sell? Who is BUYING IT?!

Week of September 30th
Silent Hill: Homecoming
Legendary
Guilty Gear 2: Overture
Samurai Warriors 2: Extreme Legends

Week of September 2nd
Rapala’s Fishing Frenzy with Fishing Pole - “DUDE! Did you check out the new Rapala Fishing game on the Wii? It is intense! I landed a twelve pound large-mouth last night. It was intense!
Defendin De Penguin - The assault on our children’s grammar continues.

Week of September 9th
Active Life Outdoor Challenge
The Price is Right
NHL 2K9 - A slapshot with the Wiimote actually sounds like a fun time.
Hell’s Kitchen - Being berated by Gordon Ramsay is a dream of mine. This is my dream fulfilled.
Ten Pin Alley 2 - Here’s another sequel I missed the original on. Bummer.
Cabela’s Legendary Adventures

Week of September 16th
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility
Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 with Dance Mat - Hottest Party 2?! Squee!
Zoo Hospital
Offshore Tycoon - Great. We’re ruining our kids grammar and teaching them to be criminals.
Crazy Golf
TNA Impact!
Ocean Commander

Week of September 23rd
LEGO Batman
Wario Land: Shake It!
Samba De Amigo - I never played the original, but I’ve heard great things about it. Why not pick up some Wii Maracas and go whole hog.
SimCity Creator
Lost In Blue Shipwrecked
Pitfall: The Lost Expedition- Don’t we have enough Pitfalls? (That is a rhetorical question)
Yamaha Supercross
Brothers in Arms: Double Time

Week of September 30th
Carnival Games - Mini Golf
We Cheer - Winner for the creepy boxart of the month.
Monster Lab
Army Men: Soldiers of Misfortune
Brave: A Warrior’s Tale

Week of September 2nd
Defendin De Penguin

Week of September 9th
Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir
The Price is Right - Will it be hosted by Bob Barker or Drew Carey?
Spore Creatures
Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise - Is it just me or is this a poorly titled game?
Hell’s Kitchen
Lock’s Quest - I think this is the first game I’ve listed so far that I’m actually interested in picking up. RPG and tower defense all in one.

Week of September 16th
Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen - Okay, make that two in a row. Dragon Quest on the DS should be amazing.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Line Rider 2: Unbound
Mazes Of Fate - Winner of the cool boxart of the month.

Week of September 23rd
My Japanese Coach
LEGO Batman
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Disgaea DS - Another Sony mainstay on the DS.
SimCity Creator
Shaun The Sheep - Man, even commercial mascots are getting their own games!

Week of September 30th
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
Monster Lab
ZUBO
Di-Gata Defenders

Week of September 2nd
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames
Flatout: Ultimate Carnage
Spore - It’s coming. Are you ready?

What’s point of listing anything else this week?

Week of September 9th

Week of September 16th
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
Crysis Warhead
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
The Witcher Enhanced

Week of September 23rd
LEGO Batman
Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway
Guild Wars Trilogy - I can wholeheartedly recommend Guild Wars, if you haven’t played it before.

Week of September 30th
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel - Sacred is a game I’ve always been intrigued in but have never tried. Any sacred players out there?
Etch a Sketch - I think this is another sign of the apocalypse.

Week of September 2nd
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames
FaceBreaker
NFL Head Coach 09

Week of September 9th
NHL 09
TNA Impact!
NHL 2K9

Week of September 16th
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Armored Core: For Answer
Pure

Week of September 23rd
LEGO Batman
Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway

Week of September 30th
Silent Hill: Homecoming
Legendary

Week of September 2nd
Brave: A Warrior’s Tale

Week of September 16th
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed