Ben's Week In Review: April 26
Warmest day of the year so far 'round these parts. Tossed the football around and stuff (nothing too exciting). ;)
I'm really tired of the word "multiplayer"
I'm well aware that there are plenty of gamers out there who can't live without it. I know they won't buy a game unless multiplayer is included as an option. I know many won't even play the single-player campaign, which is a brand new phenomenon and not one I like. I really don't think there's anything wrong with multiplayer, per se; it's basically a 100% positive...provided developers don't start gimping single-player campaigns to put more effort into the multiplayer feature. And now that I've heard about the Uncharted 2 multiplayer beta and the fact that EA will likely add a multiplayer option to Dead Space, I can't help but worry. I'm not concerned about these two particular games - I'm fairly certain both will rule - but if multiplayer turns out to be "essential," developers may sacrifice some single-player campaign quality if they don't have a big enough budget. It could happen with other titles in the future, and that will annoy the crap out of me. I like to play some games with other people every now and then, but I will absolutely never buy a game solely for that reason.
Maybe it's just because I'm from the earliest generation of gamers that saw this as a solitary hobby. I also know that multiplayer has allowed the gaming community to break through a few boundaries, set in place by old-fashioned stereotypes. It's no longer solitary; it's social. I have no problem with that. But you absolutely can have too much of a good thing, especially when that "good thing" begins to affect the very core of the entertainment product.
We really do need Kingdom Hearts III
So Square-Enix says there's little to no chance they'll continue to ignore this popular and critically acclaimed franchise; in fact, Hasegawa said he "can't think of any reason" why another installment wouldn't happen. We all know that Final Fantasy XIII will be the cream of the crop - I promise you, it will be - but Square-Enix needs all the help they can get. They've already ostracized many of the fans they garnered during the Squaresoft days, and the announcement of a third Kingdom Hearts would heal some of the injuries those fans have sustained over the past few years. It's not my favorite series but I really liked the first two and I'd certainly try a third. But don't think for even half a second that it'll be exclusive to the PlayStation 3; clearly, that's not how Square-Enix rolls this generation.
Also, I'd like to add that I'm keeping a curious eye on NIS America's currently unannounced PS3 RPG. I really won't have the time for something crazy deep - like another Disgaea - but I'd be interested to see a next-gen entry in either the Atelier or Mana Khemia franchises. I kinda miss the cute old-school JRPGs and as Star Ocean: The Last Hope didn't do it for me, I'm hoping NIS has something that might pique my still-existent role-playing interest. I really want to hear more about End of Eternity, by the way.
Personal gaming update
Star Ocean has pissed me off for the last time. I don't mind a challenge, but I have determined that the combat system in that game is either lame or poorly constructed or both. It was fun for a while, but the erratic, spiking difficulty (and, may I add, the cheating AI) wore thin. So if I get a preemptive attack, there are no more than 2 or 3 enemies...if they surprise me, there's like an army of 8. Always. Any enemy can knock you out of any combo attack you attempt, including all special skills and even Blindsides. The delay between attacks allows the enemy to just pummel your character on the ground before he even gets up, and if he gets stuck in a corner or along the side of the battle screen, he's basically dead. Lastly, after 20 hours, the story had yet to grab my interest and I never cared about any of the characters. So, it's done. I traded it in and as many of you know, I'm currently playing LittleBigPlanet. Yes, it is indeed a chick magnet...almost even more so than my ol' 350Z (sorry Arnold, but it might be true).
LBP is an incredible game, plain and simple. There really isn't anything wrong with it; or rather, nothing significantly wrong with it. It's just so imaginative and creative; it's so wonderfully polished, and yeah, even I have to admit, SackBoy is pretty damn irresistible. I'll be playing this for a while and I think my next game will either be Resident Evil 5 or Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4, which I loved when I did the review. And because The Last Hope is toast, I kinda want to finish an RPG...
Oh yeah, and Ms. Courtney did read what I wrote. She liked it, though. Said I was a good writer. ...sadly, I'm really not, but what do insurance people know, anyway? LOL
4/25/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (81 posts)
Gow49ers
Saturday, April 25, 2009 @ 10:29:13 PM
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Welcome Back, hope your trip went well, I am really looking forward to Dead Space 2, multiplayer would be great! Lbp, is a awesome game, i guess i might b a chick magnet, my wife says so, LOL! J/k. Let's try to play some Killzone 2 online sometime, looking forward to the expansion pack on Thursday!
Gow49ers
piratedrunk
Saturday, April 25, 2009 @ 10:46:20 PM
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And I can't wait for kingdom hearts 3. I'm not in the camp that hates square-enix for the lask of ps3 support but I do wish they would pick up the pace for it. I own a 360 and can't bring myself to buy any games for it that I think could end up on the ps3 just in case because it is by far my preffered console.
sunspider13
Saturday, April 25, 2009 @ 10:59:07 PM
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DIsmael85
Saturday, April 25, 2009 @ 11:06:44 PM
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Dude some games need multiplayer and some don't. It's because of the masses of Xbox freaks that think everything should include multiplayer. They just dont understand how that is killing some unique titles. If it doesnt have multiplayer then it's not worth it. I have been tired of it ever since this gen started. Im like you Ben. Maybe me personally, I just dont give a damn for multiplayer all the time. It totally killed Resistance 2.
Geobaldi
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 1:12:44 AM
Alienange
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 3:55:48 PM
www
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 4:56:36 PM
jaybiv
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 12:03:24 AM
Douchebaguette
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 1:32:59 AM
It's one of the biggest highlights of this generation. COD4 is awesomely fun. So much replay value. Killzone 2 is just as good [needs a tint of metal to play well, though]. Both have excellent class / perk systems, too.
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COMPLETELY OFF SUBJECT FOR PASSERS BY: Talking about KZ2 [Yes, this is my moment of being an a**hole no-proud-reason-to-be-smug douche], I just restarted it online-wise since I'm using a new PSN ID, and I feel so harsh to all those beginners I put through misery... With the upper hand in experience, I decided to be a prick and play against people who are my rank only [beginners]. After a few games, I managed to reach Captain rank before they could even pass Sergeant 1st class. How I must of annoyed them with turrets and rockets & whatnot xD [which they may have never seen the likes of yet, of course]. I kept playing untill they all left me.
Just less than half a bar to level up and I could of showed them the Tactician as well =[
HeXeN
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 9:49:30 AM
jaybiv
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 12:21:53 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 12:36:16 PM
Douchebaguette
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 12:54:28 PM
But with games like COD4, it's never about your abilities / skills. That's why i love it. It's like the first FPS I've played that pretty much is equal & realistic: anyone [no matter how much experience] could die easily; it's not just a game where it's left for some exalted rank to own everyone else in nearly every match. All of this just makes the COD4 experience the most enjoyable. It's plain and simple fun, and also has hilarity moments [Ah, good times].
As for Killzone 2, well, it's a way more destructive & epic, gritty, cut-to-the-chase COD4. Metal + Killzone 2 = GOOD TIMES.
DIsmael85
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 2:36:03 AM
NightHawk17
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 1:06:15 PM
Fatcat3788
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 12:13:16 AM
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Multiplayer in regards to Dead Space is scary to me though. That game was scary as hell and I think co-op would kill it. But just like every game, it can be done and if done well it could come out to be one of them most enjoyable parts. The problem is that IF is a big IF.
It seems you enjoyed your time off Ben. I am guessing you are attracted to Ms. Courtney so I don't think I am alone when I say that I am cheering you on from here. Anyway it's always cool to hear what's going on in your mind. Let us know if you play any awesome LBP levels online.
Last edited by Fatcat3788 on 4/26/2009 12:14:36 AM
Karosso
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 12:13:28 AM
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I should try LBP on this new chick i'm going out with, if as good as everyone says it is.
I have yet to play KZ2 online and still think it was worth every penny!!
I'm also not big on the whole multiplayer thing, I just want to enjoy a great game, want to feel good about completing it and not have to compete all the time against other players. Now Co-op play is cool and I would love more games to have it, even RPGs...
I'm really worried about the inclusion of MP in Uncharted 2, this could become a irreversible trend and I fear that your misgivings about it might just prove prophetic... Well, lets hope for the best.
If in the next generation all games become MP only, that might just be the end of my gaming life :(
somethingrandom
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 12:21:22 AM
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Totalz
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 2:26:49 AM
Douchebaguette
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 12:45:57 AM
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It's mostly the multiplayer option in FPS games that reels me away from completing the storymode. It happened with Halo 3, COD4, Resistance 2 and even Killzone 2.
Multiplayer is good, but is also dangerous. Slowly through this generation, console gaming is turning into computer gaming. And yet Japanese devs want to target the "western audience" more... "MOAR. MOAR MULTIPLAYER. MOAR ONLINE!" Pssh...
migabyte
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 4:34:02 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 1:28:29 AM
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DIsmael85
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 2:37:36 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 2:51:39 AM
crawdaddy
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 10:57:22 AM
Totalz
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 2:25:09 AM
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migabyte
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 4:30:00 AM
GamerKid123
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 2:57:43 AM
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K ASH
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 3:53:21 AM
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I am still waiting for an epic mp game that is not going to be an fps, i believe that both uncharted2 & deadspace2 have brilliant potential in being epic mp co-op games but i doubt that the developers can achieve that. This two games could just change the perception of what mp games should be when the game is not a fps. I like what the developers of Demons Souls have done in terms of online play brilliant idea.
migabyte
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 4:26:32 AM
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Deadman
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 9:29:35 AM
Random_Steve
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 1:17:19 PM
King James
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 7:11:57 PM
Find the original (when you get your PS3) for cheap and I guarantee that you won't leave your TV for at least 3hrs straight.
In short, Uncharted=Must-Play
Last edited by King James on 4/26/2009 7:26:30 PM
TH3G4MEMASTER
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 7:06:28 AM
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Powershifter
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 7:14:02 AM
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Riku994
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 8:35:55 AM
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Last edited by Riku994 on 4/26/2009 8:36:09 AM
Indigo_Dingo
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 9:18:25 AM
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Scarecrow
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 12:14:38 PM
Random_Steve
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 1:21:21 PM
LegendaryWolfeh
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 6:16:05 PM
Qubex
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 11:06:57 AM
shadowpal2
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 10:44:24 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 12:38:07 PM
Gabriel013
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 10:49:44 AM
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Ultimadream
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 11:09:25 AM
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www
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 4:50:25 PM
I put it on HARDEST,took Akuma,finished everybody with his ultra-massive-combo and even beat Seth on the first encounter,hmph!
Not forgetting the fact that,Ryu,Ken,Dan,Sakura,Sagat,Akuma have similar moves.Don't get me wrong am still enjoying it but i think the scores might be too high,am yet to see if it'll give me a long lasting appeal.
Am going back to Soul Calibur IV for a little while.
Last edited by www on 4/26/2009 4:53:33 PM
Scarecrow
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 12:11:01 PM
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Or if instead of really polishing the storyline they instead had to focus on the multiplayer and then the storyline doesn't make sense....
Now co-op is a different story, I LOVE co-op in v-games. Hell I'd replace online multiplayer ANY DAMN DAY for co-op.
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 12:39:54 PM
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Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 4/26/2009 12:42:29 PM
www
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 4:45:48 PM
www
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 4:43:35 PM
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I remember that "Deal Breaker" mode,where we were all asked to return to the mafia headquarters,we got there and all of a sudden someone in the team went berserk and starting shooting grenade launchers at the rest of us,eventually we all started grenade-launching each other for no reason,i laughed my effing ass off!
I'd rather more work goes into the single player though,multiplayer is a cool feature to add.I guess websites like GAMESPOT that gave Uncharted 8/10(probably cause of no multiplayer),are the ones responsible for naughty dog's thought on multiplayer addition in Uncharted 2.
Off to play some GTAIV multiplayer.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 9:14:28 PM
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As for LBP, I'm pretty sure I can spend a lot of time with it, although I'm not so into the creating your own levels thing. I knew I wouldn't be; I just wanted to play what's there, and I'm glad I'm doing that. :) And I really want to play Persona 4 because, quite simply, it's the only new turn-based game I can find that's NOT on a handheld!
LegendaryWolfeh
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 9:14:51 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 9:16:03 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 10:18:17 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 10:38:16 PM

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves









King James
Reply
Saturday, April 25, 2009 @ 10:19:41 PM
Wouldn't it be funny if she makes a profile and starts commenting all the time w/o you knowing its her? Oh damn, :-O I just gave her an idea. Sorry, Ben.
So is the Uncharted and Deadspace multi-player options confirmed? B/c Uncharted doesn't need, and multiplayer Deadspace is a oxymoron.
Last edited by King James on 4/25/2009 10:23:23 PM