Review: Botanicula

Buying a game has always been somewhat of a gamble. No sooner have you given another $50 to EA for the latest FPS when you realize that, despite the great reviews that the game got, it is just the latest flavor of the month kill-fest and does not contain a lot of innovative concepts.

Every so often, a game comes along that involves something besides mass killing. A game that has original designs and a world unlike anything else before it. A game that has a simple story and simple controls, yet manages to affect you just as deeply as the deepest RPG.

Humble Bundle and Amanita Designs are not only letting you choose the price that you pay for the masterpiece which is Botanicula, but this time they are also donating a portion of the sales to saving the rainforests! Double win! Now you can wisely spend you money on a great game as well as preserve a portion of our planet.

Not only do you get this incredible game and help save the world, but if you pay over the average price for it (around $8 when I bought it) you will get a huge amount of extras, including an art book, soundtrack, a movie, and 4 other games. Like any late night infomercial, this deal seems almost too good to be true, right? But it is!

Graphics

This is one of the most amazing graphic games that I have ever played. It is so simple, but what is there is done really well. It is constantly surprising the player with the amount of animation that is going on and the lush living world that they have created. The diffuse lighting creates a soft, magical quality that is unlike anything else that I have ever played.

Sound

The sound is a great mix of unusual pluck, whistle, and boom that reminds me of the work of Eno and Schultz. The sounds of the creatures are all very well executed as well.

Gameplay

The gameplay is a point and click adventure where you basically have to discover which objects in the world can be interacted with. However, unlike other games of this genre, the mystery of what to do next is not usually very deep. The point is to discover and progress, not try to stump you with mind-bending enigmas. I couldn't wait to see what I could interact with next, since I knew that it would involve something either cute, quirky, or inventive. Although it is only a point - click game the level design is both inspired and refreshing.

Overall

Playing Botanicula, you will be reminded of movies such as My Neighbor Totoro as well as the games of the Rayman series. Wacky little personified plants and bugs take on lives of their own. At times you will find yourself smiling the widest of grins, saying things along the lines of "Awwww" out loud, and maybe even fighting to hold back a few tears as well.

The other games that you can get with the bundle are also very fun. Machinarium, Samorost 2, Osada, and Windosill are each original and amusing and their own unique way and the cleverness of the titles is mesmerizing. 

To learn more about these amazing games, go to:

https://www.humblebundle.com/

First Video - Crysis 3!

Pretty impressive to look at - the sound design for the trailer definitely borrows a lot from Prometheus.

Awesome new Kinect voice commands on the way for Skyrim!


Check out the latest ways that Bethesda Softworks is using Kinect to bring the world of Skyrim to life.

This is one of the best integrations of it that I have seen yet and I can't wait to give it a shot!

New Mass Effect 3 Updates

There are some great changes coming soon for the multiplayer section of Mass Effect 3. There are going to be eight new character options to choose from starting on April 10! This is all a part of the operation Beach Head event that is going on then.

Apparently, Bioware is also hard at work, creating the DLC that will redeem the current ending, which fans have been panning across the internet. Let's hope that they listen to the feedback as much as they say they are and deliver a fitting end to this great series.

See the whole article in the International Business Times by going HERE and the official EA press release HERE

The Rumor Mill - The Next Gen Console Names

Sony
Apparently, the PS4 is rumored to be called the "Orbis" which sounds like a cross between a bird and a popular chewing gum. It will used the PS Vita as a wireless controller, similar to what the Wii U is doing. Also, Sony insists that this new system will precede Microsoft's next console. Just remember, sometimes good things come to those that wait...

GAMES:
Beyond Good and Evil 2. Please.

Microsoft
The next console venture from Microsoft is still being referred to as the Xbox 720, which is pretty unoriginal in my opinion, but will automatically make consumers think that they are getting something twice as powerful as the 360.

GAMES:
Haven't heard of any exclusive must haves for this one yet, but I am sure that there will be some. The next Alan Wake perhaps...

Nintendo
The Wii U (Confirmed name) is still looking like the next great choice in family gaming from the company who knows it best. Nintendo has desperately needed a new console for quite some time now and hopefully this new one will do a better job competing than the Wii did.

GAMES:
I am excited (and worried) for Dragon Warrior X.

As much as I love the big three, I can't help but wonder when if ever a new competitor will rise. Come on Sega, it has been awhile... Atari... anyone... anyone...?

 REVIEW: Journey 

There are a few games that captivate you to the point of not letting you put the controller down, literally forcing you to finish it in one sitting. Journey is such a game. I cannot express the sense of immersion that I felt while experiencing this masterpiece from start to finish. This is one Journey that every single Playstation 3 owner should take.

Game Details

· Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

· Developer: Thatgamecompany

· ESRB Rating: “E” For Everyone

· Genre: Adventure

· Pros: Immersive and emotionally compelling

· Cons: short playthough, linear levels

Upon starting Journey, the player is given absolutely no idea about what to do or how to do it. ahead of them, there is a massive mountain peak that beckons the player forward, thus starting the journey.

The beauty of the aptly named Journey is in its simplicity. Although the developers could have easily tried to use every button on the controller to give you more actions to perform, this was not the route that they took. Like thatgamecompany's last game, Flower, the player uses only one button along with the sixaxis tilt controls to navigate the world. This time they have added one more button that you can press to chat, or chirp, with another player that you may or may not meet on your quest.

sony computer entertainment

There is never any instruction given to the player about how to play the game, never even any dialogue in a known language (reminiscent of Ico).  This lack of hand holding adds to the feeling that this is an experience that YOU as the player are having. It works beautifully in creating an instance sense of immersion that never lets you go.

Along the way, you may encounter other players that are working on their own journey. You can choose to stay with them to solve puzzles more quickly, or go it alone and find your own way. It is interesting how simply seeing another active player in the desolate landscape is instantly creates a sense of teamwork and excitement.

A Graphical Voyage

The design of the world of Journey as well as the characters within it is excellent. I love the contrasting color pallettes of the red cloaked figures against the harsh desert yellows and the icy blues that come later. There are definitely those "Wow" moments while playing that you just want the action to stop so you can look at the artistry of what the studio has created. For a downloadable game... it is the most beautiful game that I have seen since Trine.

sony computer entertainment

An Emotional Trip

Throughout the course of my Journey I experienced emotion around every corner, whether surprise when seeing another player, fright at encountering an enemy, or success at reaching the end.

The sound like Flower is very subtle and beautiful. It enhances the experience and never gets in the way, only adding to the emotion that culminates as you reach the mountain's summit. The cello's theme throughout the game create a sense of both sadness and hope that is difficult to express otherwise.

An Epic Yet Brief Excursion

Although I did love every second of my play-through of Journey, I know that many players will rant about how short it is. From start to finish the game takes only 2 hours tops, which is very short by today's standards in games. However, when you consider that we pay 15 dollars to go see a movie in the theater that lasts only 90 minutes, it really isn't so bad. I would much rather have an incredible experience over two hours than a mediocre one that injects "filler" just to make the playtime longer. By making the game shorter thatgamecompany created an experience that can be experienced in one sitting, never taking you out of the world. In fact, although you unlock levels that you can go back to, there is no actual save option in the game. you start from the area that you left off in, but you will do so without the player that you met previously.

Although there is definitely the sense of discovery on your way up the mountain, gameplay in Journey is very linear. This serves to focus the player on the forward path, but players that want to take time to explore may be disapointed.

After you finish Journey, there really isn't much replay value. Although you will meet new players along the way, there are not new areas to explore or items unlocked. Unless you want to get trophies or compete in a Speedrun, there really isn't much to do.

There and Back Again

Despite the game's short length and the linear gameplay, I have to say that I loved every second of my time with Journey. Thatgamecompany again shows that by keeping the gameplay simple and visuals beautiful you can create an amazing experience for the player that is both relaxing and emotional.

Although my Journey is over is it a trip that I will take again in the future? Definitely.

sony computer entertainment

Assassin's Creed III trailer #1

What do you want to bet that you are working with ol' Benjamin Franklin..? Methinks that he will fill DaVinci's shoes well. The change of setting is most welcome and looks to be a really fun new change of pace!

Borderlands 2 Trailer

I wasn't really too excited for this... until now. It is just so hard to see past Mass Effect 3 at this point...

Mass Effect 3 Trailer

I just hope that the game can live up to the hype that it is creating- This trailer is AMAZING.

It's coming...

Check out this great image from the Walking Dead Facebook page.
Tune-in Sunday night to catch the World Premiere of the new MASS EFFECT 3 trailer!

Game Dude - A Gamer's Paradise

Although there more than a few things that I will not miss about living in Los Angeles, there are a few places that I will be sorry to say goodbye to. One of these is Game Dude ( http://www.gamedude.com/)

Most every gamer in the LA area has at one time heard the rumors of this awesome store. Basically, think of it like the gamer's version of Home Depot; it has everything console-related that you could possibly think of. Just take a close look at the picture below - that is basically about a third of the store!

I remember the first time that I went there. I had been looking for a copy of "Skullmonkeys," an extremely difficult PS1 game to find these days in any condition. Within a few minutes of arriving I had a pristine copy in my hands. Although these can fetch between $100.00 - $200.00 on Amazon , Game Dude was only charging $12.00! So began my wonderful consumer relationship with Game Dude.

Looking to sell your old games and DVDs? Game Dude is always buying, but be warned - they are insanely harsh in their grading of quality. The most microscopic of scratches on what is otherwise a pristine disc will cause them to reject buying. I remember going in there with 15-20 games and by the end they only took one. While this is frustrating for someone who has taken extremely good care of their games, it also guarantees that everything they sell is just like new. 

The selection at Game Dude is incredible, going back to the very beginnings of gaming itself. You can purchase Atari 2600 carts as well as the newest PS3 releases all at the same time. For anyone who appreciates gaming's history, Game Dude is nostalgia overload..

In an age where Gamestop is basically the only gaming specific store around, Game Dude is a welcome departure. I encourage any gamers in the area to stop by and check it out if they haven't already!

REVIEW: Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception 

 Sony Computer Entertainment

When the critically acclaimed Uncharted 2: Among Thieves was released back in 2009, many players, including myself, wondered if the franchise could possibly get any better. Now, with the release of Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception, developer Naughty Dog once again proves to us that it can.

This third outing for Nathan Drake and crew is an outstanding achievement in interactive storytelling and it is truly one of the most beautiful, cinematic, and immersive games that I have ever played.

Game Details

· Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
· Developer: Naughty Dog
· ESRB Rating: “T” For Teen
· Genre: Action Adventure
· Pros: Engaging Story, Incredible graphics
· Cons: controls still need some minor tweaking

Story

   Sony Computer Entertainment

Uncharted 3 follows Nathan Drake and his fellow fortune hunters as they search for an artifact that will guide them to a fabled lost city, or so-called "Atlantis of the Sands." In their way is the sinister Katherine Marlowe, a wealthy adversary from Drake's past who goes in search of the city’s secrets with her own personal army in tow.

The biggest difference in this third chapter is the scope of the action. Whereas the first two games took place mainly within jungles and ruins, this game takes you on a much larger journey, from wet London streets to the blistering Sahara desert. Don’t worry, there are still many spider-infested caves, decaying crypts, and dilapidated ruins to crawl through as well.


General gameplay

Closely mimicking the gameplay formula of its predecessors, Uncharted 3 may feel a little too linear for some tastes, giving the player only one obvious path to follow. Thankfully, there are numerous breathtaking moments that keep the path ahead fresh and exciting - whether you are outracing a horde of deadly spiders, or engaging in a high speed pursuit via horseback, the game always keeps the player looking forward to what may happen next.

Granted, action does get repetitious at times. Whenever you enter a new room, you almost always are required to kill everyone in it and then find a way to climb out of it. Do you see a chandelier or a hanging platform in the room? Guess what... you will be dangling from it at some point. While the level's artistic direction is impressive I would say that the design mechanics are getting to be borderline archaic. We did these same things with Lara Croft over 15 years ago.

The puzzles and problem solving seem to have taken a back seat to the action, which is unfortunate. During Drake’s previous adventures I remember racking my brain to decipher glyphs and scouring my in-game journal for clues. This time, the puzzles seem to be mostly recycled and generic, never requiring much brain power to progress past them. This keeps the action going but takes some of the intelligence out of the equation.


Combat

   Sony Computer Entertainment

Sadly, combat is the one area in which Uncharted 3 could have been improved.

For some strange reason, the developer felt that it was important to add extra animations to Drake’s movement as he is navigating the world. As a result, his control feels less precise than the previous games, giving him an almost “floaty” quality.

The shooting control, which has never really been a series strong point, still feels as loose and problematic as ever. It takes far too long to move the crosshairs when shooting, which means that you have to exit back to third person, move to face the new direction, and then go back into shooting mode again. As you can imagine, this can be a real problem when enemies are constantly in the process of surrounding you.

In another strange design decision, the ability to switch between over the shoulder views by pressing the R3 button has now been removed. In the past games I found this very useful during firefights since it allowed you to easily see around corners. While not a huge issue, it would have been nice if they had simply left it in.
General Info

The main event here is of course the single player campaign which is easily finished in one to two good sittings. This is not necessarily due it being too short, but rather because the plot’s pace will leave you not wanting to put the controller down. As a result, the average player will be able to complete the entire game in less than 6 hours.

As if the main story wasn’t enough there is also a fantastic multiplayer game which lets you go head to head online. These days it seems like games “throw in” a sub-par multiplayer aspect in order to sell more copies, but this multiplayer mode is actually a fully fleshed-out gem. Great map design, lots of characters, and tons of weapons make this one of the best run and gun multiplayer events on the system. Kudos goes to the developer for fine-tuning this addition, adding a great deal of playability even after the main story is finished.

There are again numerous hidden treasures to find throughout the quest, adding to the replay value for all those completionists out there. I did notice that these items were much easier to find than usual, which reinforces the fact that the designers really didn’t want to include anything that would distract the player from the plot’s fast pacing.

Throughout progression, you will unlock excellent bonus featurettes and artwork that chronicle the making of the game. For anyone interested in game creation and the industry in general, this is a huge plus.

Presentation

  Sony Computer Entertainment

Although there are some pesky control issues that plague the game, you will soon pardon these as you become lost in the game’s world. Never have I felt so immersed in a game’s world. In fact, more than once I caught myself leaning over in the direction of the action that was taking place on screen.

Graphics

The Uncharted series is known for its ability to continually push what is graphically possible and with Uncharted 3 Naughty Dog has raised this bar yet again. There are many moments throughout the game where you will want to just stop and look around at the beauty and artistry of what was created. Specifically, there are some truly amazing environmental effects with water and sand that do nothing less than amaze.

Specifically, I found the lighting in the game to be spectacular. The most amazing modeling, animation, and acting would be meaningless without being properly lit and Naughty Dog nails this every time. Whether it is light filtered through tree tops, moonlight on the ocean, or the relentless sun baking down on the Sahara, you will feel as if you are there.

Sound


 Sony Computer Entertainment

The cinematic score that accompanies the action does a superb job of highlighting the epic sense of adventure. As you go up against seemingly insurmountable odds, you will feel like the action hero that you have always wanted to be with your own musical theme backing you up. Next to Skyrim, this is the best music in games this year.

The voice acting, with the likes of Nolan North and Claudia Black, doesn’t get any better than this. The humorous and at times touching script allows for them to give a wider range to the characters that they know so well, creating moments of pathos rarely seen in games thus far. From Nathan’s witty quips in the heat of battle to an emotional farewell with a loved one, you will feel for these characters.

Overall Score

Despite a few minor flaws, Uncharted 3 is a stellar game that ranks up there with the system’s best. It is the kind of game that is played for the cinematic experience, and if you enjoy the adventure of an Indiana Jones film or the action of "The Bourne Identity" you will have a blast. Naughty Dog has once again crafted an immensely satisfying experience that blends the best parts of movies and games together in a seamless package of thrills and emotion.