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We had our first ever Tri-Annual ShowCast™ yesterday. Had a lot of fun, aside from lag and people acting stupid in the chat. Hopefully we’ll make a regular event of it.

For anyone who missed the e3 press conferences this year, just watch this short summary video for some serious game information.

Biggest News:
Microsoft - “Final Fantasy XIII released for Xbox 360.”
Sony - “Some features Xbox has had for years are coming to PS3.”
Nintendo - “A surplus of casual games are being developed for the Wii. Yay.”

For me, 2006’s early 360 title Dead Rising was always about the sheer number of zombies that were pushed. Hundreds of the creatures could be onscreen at any given time–and it was a joyous initial exhibit of the 360’s power.

But now, these screens from Dead Rising’s Wii port (Zombie Sacrifice) have been released. I must say, I’m impressed with the detail of the character models–but at what price has this feature come? Take a look.

As you can see, the zombies (and Frank) are looking spiffy–but there’s only a few of them. Now, I understand the Wii can’t push polys like the 360 can–but, personally, I’d rather have zombies that looked 50% worse, but 100 of them onscreen instead of 20. I’d rather have a LoD system where distant zombies faded even into the 2D realm–but not this surely pop-in filled display.

On a gameplay note, I’m ecstatic to see that they’re implementing real mechanic and structure to the game–Dead Rising was a good title for the early 360, but its timed mechanic kept ol’ OCD-explorer me away.

What do you think? Fire off a comment.

Game Info

Developer: Kojima Productions
Publisher: Konami
Release Date: June 12, 2008
Genre: Action/Adventure/”Stealth”(HA!)
Available Platforms: PS3
Modes: Single Player (includes “Metal Gear Online” for multiplayer, which will not be reviewed in this article)
Reviewer’s Experience: Played through the Campaign

Metal Gear Solid is a long-lived Action/Adventure series developed by Hideo Kojima. The “4th” entry in the series, called “Guns of the Patriots”, puts you in control of Old Snake: a young soldier who has suffered the results of rapid aging, causing him to bear the semblance of an old man. Snake’s mission is to find the man called “Liquid Snake”, and to stop him from taking over the world! In between Snake and Liquid lies hundreds of mercenaries and a handful of massive mechanical foes who all must be dispatched for Snake to succeed.

Gameplay:

The game supposedly centers around employing stealth to reach your objective, but the need to use stealth is not really necessary at all past the first level. Soon after the start of the game you are awarded a tranquilizer pistol with infinite ammo. In one shot, an enemy will be snoozing on the floor. By some rare chance another enemy actually notices his unconscious buddy on the ground, he’ll stumble over to it and stare at it for a good 10 seconds before actually doing anything… which gives you plenty of time to put him to sleep as well.
If, for some reason, you don’t want to use this tranquilizer pistol on every enemy in the game, never fear, because old man snake is able to hold and use all kinds of different weapons: from M4s to Javelin Missiles. For an old man, he sure is able to carry a TON of stuff (quite literally) and still remain quiet. So, if by some miracle an enemy actually detects you, you need not worry because they are as dumb as a pile of bricks, and you have a massive arsenal to use on them.
If you actually want to use stealth, then you can do that too! Old Snake is equipped with a neat suit of camo which blends in with every environment, which can easily fool and confuse enemies. You can also use cardboard boxes and metal barrels to hind under, but be warned: enemies magically seem to know you are under them, and if they so much as breath upon your cover, it’ll disappear.
Beyond actual tactics, the game has fairly fluid controls. The cover system isn’t that great, but you’ll hardly be using it anyway, and it’s a nice addition. Gun controls work well, and character movement is responsive most of the time.

Presentation:

This game looks and sounds good. The sounds are all pretty realistic, and aren’t overused or annoying (save for Snake’s grunt sound when he gets hurt). The sound design really contributes well to the atmosphere of the game. Now the graphics aren’t quite as marvelous as the sound, but they are pretty good. The models look fantastic, but some of the textures are really flat and blurry. The graphics don’t hurt the game, but don’t utilize the full power of the PS3, either (see Uncharted).

Story:

This game has a touching and involving story with believable characters (most of the time) and a number of memorable scenes. I’m not sure why Kojima tried to include a half-baked backstory behind each of the mechanical bosses in the game, because they really did not contribute anything to the main plot, and seemed really uncreative and redundant. Some cut-scenes also seemed to be redundant and generally useless in supporting the main plot. At times, the characters seemed to ramble on about the same thing over and over again, and nearly put me to sleep. The plot, on a whole, is intriguing and clever, and is one of the best in recent video game history.

Overall Impression:

Metal Gear Solid 4 is a great, and much-needed game for the PS3 library, and should be enjoyed by anyone who plays it. The first couple of hours or so don’t really draw you in, but once you get past that the game is really addictive and enjoyable, and will excite you from start to finish.

Why, Sid, why?

Game Info

Developer: Firaxis
Publisher: 2K Games
Release Date: July 9, 2008
Genre: Turn-based strategy/God game
Available Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, DS
Modes: Singleplayer, cooperative and competitive online
Reviewer’s Experience: Played several games of varying difficulties on the Xbox 360, both singleplayer and multiplayer. Demo played on the PS3. DS version not reviewed at this time.
Editor’s Note: The screenshots on this page are from the official website, however, we can vouch for them–unlike Haze the game actually looks like this, when it isn’t lagging like a bitch.

Lately I’ve found myself caught in a rather interesting trend that I’m sure many others are stuck in as well. It starts out with a good idea, (port Civilization to current generation consoles), continues with anticipation, (”This is the game I’ve always wanted to make.”-Sid Meier), and ends with a hot, steamy plate of pure shit. If you’ve managed to put together what I’m talking about, get yourself a cookie, if not, slap your mother and go hide in a corner. What I’m speaking of obviously is the latest adventures of world renowned God-Game Civilization, and it’s newest incarnation, Civilization Revolution.

Let me simply start this bound-to-be-misguided rant by simply stating that I am a LONG time Civ fanatic, dating back to Civ 3, which I played at my sister’s boyfriend’s house because they were too busy making out on the couch to give a fuck what I was doing. From there I was hooked, and after the purchase of every Civ-related game under the Sun since, I decided it was only right to make with the purchase of civilization Revolution, especially after hearing the roaring reviews and praise from it’s own developers. What drove me to trust any developers word is beyond me, but otherwise the idea of it seemed sound…in the beginning.

Quickly as more and more information became available I came to realize that this new life-sucking demon about to enter my world was in fact, nothing like the warm, cuddly life-sucking demon I had come to know and love on my personal computer. It began with simple things, like a lack of workers, and swiftly erupted into “OMG WE’RE SO GONNA GET GAME OF THE YEAR FOR THE MULTIPLAYER”, to those who believe this, I simply say, no. If you’re on the hunt for this year’s hottest multipleyer strategy game, look elsewhere, I literally cried at how bad this game ended up. It’s buggy, confusing, and overall a bad experience.

Let me simply state how horrible the experience was (in terms of multiplayer of course) by pasting here the Skype chat that took place between Zac “Kato” North and I “2Lt. T. Hoffman [2nd AER]” prior and following our attempt at this game.

[3:51:40 PM] 2Lt. T. Hoffman [2nd AER] says: les go
[3:51:52 PM] Zac says: ready when j00 are
[3:51:57 PM] Zac says: we’ll use live chat, k?
[3:52:01 PM] 2Lt. T. Hoffman [2nd AER] says: k
[3:52:10 PM] 2Lt. T. Hoffman [2nd AER] says: no comp close enoguh anyway
[3:52:11 PM] Zac says: moving to living room
[3:52:16 PM] 2Lt. T. Hoffman [2nd AER] says: k
[5:26:41 PM] Zac says: jesus christ that’s a terrible game
[5:26:44 PM] Zac says: I might take it bvack
[8:42:22 PM] 2Lt. T. Hoffman [2nd AER] says: *sigh* why does everything being released lately just seem to end up a huge disappointment?
[8:42:43 PM] Zac says: dunno
[8:42:46 PM] Zac says: yuo seemed to play for a bit
[8:43:05 PM] 2Lt. T. Hoffman [2nd AER] says: i actually played through a whole game
[8:43:12 PM] 2Lt. T. Hoffman [2nd AER] says: gawd
[8:43:14 PM] Zac says: and did it suck?
[8:43:22 PM] Zac says: lol I wrote impressions at VN, leaving the review to you
[8:43:42 PM] 2Lt. T. Hoffman [2nd AER] says: not absolutely, but it definitely doesnt FEEL like civ
[8:43:56 PM] 2Lt. T. Hoffman [2nd AER] says: ya know what?
[8:43:59 PM] 2Lt. T. Hoffman [2nd AER] says: bts? [Ed: Referring to the current edition of Civilization 4, Beyond the Sword.]

If that doesn’t sum it up, I don’t know what does.

Before you say anything, you simple-minded hoodlums, let me state that, yes, I did play the single player, yes, it was boring, and no, I will not kill your dog for you.

Simply because I am required by law, I will state a few nice things about this game. It’s pretty (compared to Civ 4, which was released back in ‘05), has a decent control interface (it actually does compared to the crap I’m used to with strategy games on consoles), and it’s dumbed down enough for all the consoletards out there who wanna think they’re cool.

Overall, I give this game a resounding “*grumble*”

Please note that I only played the Xbox 360 version, and while I’m sure the PS3 version is about the same, the DS can go fuck itself [Ed: The DS versions sucks equally, although it is pretty for a DS game. There might be a short review of this forthcoming.]. Also, the term *grumble* is and always will be under my personal copyright of use it and I will kick your ass.

If you want more on the multiplyer I definitely recommend reading Zac’s article, as he basically covers all the feelings we had with several bugs in the game.

Game Info

Developer: Free Radical Design
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release Date: May 20, 2008
Genre: First-person shooter
Available Platforms: PS3
Modes: Singleplayer, cooperative and competitive online
Reviewer’s Experience: Played single-player campaign through on normal with co-op. Tested competitive multiplayer.
Author’s Note: The screenshots on this page are from the official website. Enjoy them while you can, because the game never looks like this. The textures are muddy, the particle effects bad, the characters last-gen. My guess as to why? These pictures were taken back when the game was running unoptimized on the PC.

What’s Great:

• Coop. They say co-op can save a bad game, and here it’s true. Co-op is fun when you’re playing with someone you like–but isn’t that always the case?

What’s Not:

This game never had a chance. The graphics are trash, the AI is trash, the dialogue is trash, the paper-thin competitive multiplayer is trash. This isn’t even worth a rental.

Approximately two hours ago I took the trip to my local EB Games to pick up the hotly anticipated (by me and my Civ-playing friends, at least) Civilization: Revolution on the 360.

Holy crap. That was the worst decision of my Civ career.

I decided a long time ago that I was going to give Revolution (hereby known as CivRev) a chance. Workers are gone? Alright, that’s acceptable, maybe it’ll streamline gameplay. The game I’ve played for years with a keyboard and mouse has been squeezed onto a controller? Okay, fine sir, I’m sure the fine people at Firaxis can make it work.

I decided about thirty minutes ago that giving it a chance was a waste of $60.

First, I tried the multiplayer. I’ve invested many a night in Civ multiplayer with my friends, and I was trying, really trying, to give CivRev a chance. So I figured multiplayer would be the best way to start it off. I invited my friend in, set a few (probably useless) options, put us on a team against (supposedly) two AIs, and started away.

At first, it all went well. Things were going good. Until I discovered Gandhi. Now, you see, Gandhi was a peace loving man. Why, then, did the only option available to me, dialogue-wise, take me to war with him?! A bug, I say! Oh. What’s this? Montezuma has found me (even though neither my ally or I have seen him)? Oh? He’s declared war on me? A bug, I say!

Oh, hello Napoleon. No–wait. There’s only–what the hell?! There was supposed to only be four Civilizations in this game! Yes, it’s true. In my very first multiplayer game I had encountered what I’ll now call a “ghost.” A non-existant leader whom every message he sends gets sent to all players. Yes, Napoleon. I know you’re talking to Montezuma. Why, then, must I read your message, you damn specter?!

Ugh. Okay. After about 45 minutes, my friend and I decide that the multiplayer is a buggy mess. Maybe single-player will be better, we hope, but at this point I’ve already suggested going back to a good ol’ Civ IV: BTS game. He convinces me to give single-player a chance.

Alright, I’ll play this game how it looks like it was intended to be played. I quit out to the main menu and press “Play Now.” I choose ol’ Honest Abe, my personal favorite leader, and jump in. Since I’m trying to give this game a fresh chance, I turn on tutorials. Maybe I’ll get their perspective. I also turn off the god-foresaken “Advisor Simlish” that has for some reason infiltrated this game (it’s not even a damn EA game!).

Everything goes (relatively) well for a while, until rival civilizations start demanding things from me. This is a RARE occurence in the other Civ games, and it happens about every six turns in the early stages of this game. It’s stupid and only serves to fan the flames of war. I like war, but only in the later stages, when I’ve built up my army and researched so many technologies that I can take down anyone. In the beginning, I like a lot of diplomacy, and that just isn’t an option in this game. Maybe that’s more realistic? I don’t know, but it ain’t Civ.

I’m incredibly dissapointed with this bastardization of Civilization that Firaxis has provided us with. It’s mostly a buggy mess, and when it isn’t, it’s just not Civ. However, this is only one editor’s opinion. Look for a full review, by fellow longtime Civver Tyler Hoffman, in the coming days. Personally? I’m taking mine back and buying the Titan Quest expansion at a nice budget price.

(Update: Tyler’s review went up, and I have to say that I agree with it entirely–if you’re a Civver, stay away from this pile.)