Ben's Week In Review: September 27
View Large ImageThe Tokyo Game Show was all sorts of boring, but strangely enough, I've never been more enthusiastic about the games that are headed our way. :)
God of War Collection - You GET or I will HUNT YOU DOWN
You know, even though it'll get a wonderfully warm reception and there are a great many people out there who are anxiously anticipating its release, I still don't think there's enough hype surrounding this Collection. I mean, I know we're talking about two "old" games, but let me just remind you all: they're two of the best games in history (just look at review scores) and that high-definition re-mastering is going to make each production shine like never before. Even though GoWII is already several years old and was only available on the PS2, it's still better than most titles released since, and that's that. Furthermore, with the announcement that the E3 GoWIII demo will be included, this package's appeal just got jacked up another notch. I own both GoW and GoWII of course, but you can bet your very last dollar that I'll be a proud owner of this collection, and if you decide to pass on it, I will hear about it. I'm very tired after the insanity of the MAG beta giveaways, the TGS coverage, and all the reviews we've had to do lately, but I will still summon the energy to do bad things to you, damnit. 'evil grin'
Of course, we all have our own personal preferences so I'm just kidding around. Even so, I will go out on a limb and say that God of War is one of those very rare franchises that are respected by just about everyone, and loved by maybe 95% of the gaming community. That's exceedingly rare, you know.
Er...so Halo 3: ODST is...a $60 expansion?
I own every Halo and I very much enjoyed playing every Halo, which is why I was planning on picking up ODST this weekend. But I always do my research and while the critical reception was mostly great (I think it's at like 86% at GameRankings), I started to notice a bad recurring trend in the reader reviews. The majority of those are usually trash, but I got the information I was hoping I wouldn't find: many are saying Bungie and Microsoft simply took advantage of the "Halo" franchise name and produced little more than an expansion pack...and still charged $60 for it. According to the IGN review, the campaign will only take a "leisurely 6 hours" to complete and with only two new (or remodeled) weapons, I'm not convinced it's worth the full price tag. I read about the new Firefight mode and it certainly sounds intriguing, but...$60? For this? I kinda get the feeling that any other game wouldn't get away with this so easily; ODST seems to be selling on the power of the game name alone. Now, if it was Halo 4, I wouldn't think twice; I'd just buy it and play it. But that's not what this is. Obviously.
Well, I guess it goes on the Christmas list and if I don't get it, I'll just wait for it to drop in price. Forgive me, but I fail to understand why anyone would rather pay the same price for this game than shell out for something like Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. One is an entirely new adventure that shatters review scores and could very well redefine the nature of the action/adventure video game as we know it, right? And because Naughty Dog will keep making new titles, that franchise could very easily challenge Halo in terms of overall quality...
Personal gaming update
Like I just said, I had planned on playing ODST but now that I'm passing, I just keep moving through Katamari Forever, which almost never stops being fun. And I haven't yet had time to jump into the MAG beta - it's a little frustrating to hand out all those codes and never get a chance to use my own - so I'll do that this coming week. You can expect my hands-on preview just a short while after; I promise. But until Uncharted 2, I don't think there's anything else I absolutely need, although it bugs me that Brutal Legend comes out on the same day. Guess I'll just have to find a way to fit both in, along with all the reviews that will continue to assault us through the better part of November.
I guess that's it for now.
9/26/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (Beta)
I_defenestrate
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 11:16:09 PM
and totally.
17 up, 0 down
Wage SLAVES
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:35:29 AM
All the effort from a game like Uncharted 2 and to put up a "High Quality" game like this is just a slap in the face to gamers. Naughty Dog's master piece should outsell it but I'm afraid their are too many Master Chief underwear wearing zombies out there.
Im wondering whether or not buying an Xbox 360 for Forza...any advice? Waiting for GT5 is EATING me ALIVE!
12 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:51:58 AM
0 up, 0 down
Oxvial
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 1:06:05 AM
those people buy that thing just because MS advertise the game like a masterpiece.
Last edited by Oxvial on 9/27/2009 1:06:30 AM
4 up, 0 down
Douchebaguette
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 10:06:25 PM
Reply
To justify my shitty rip-off purchase, I decided to get The Last Remnant.
4 up, 0 down
kevinater321
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 10:21:29 PM
Reply
7 up, 2 down
Sir Shak
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 10:25:52 PM
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5 up, 0 down
ThePearlJamer
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 10:26:05 PM
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Works for me...
18 up, 1 down
Wage SLAVES
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:39:46 AM
6 up, 0 down
Buckeyestar
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 10:30:05 PM
Reply
16 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 10:33:44 PM
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What a fun game!
On the GoW Collection
Well, not really buying it since I have the original two already.
That, and the fact that I'm not a graphics whore.
I love the power of the Playstation 2
6 up, 4 down
frostface
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 11:02:25 PM
Reply
1 up, 1 down
SerendipityDeus
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:11:16 AM
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Nevr got to try out GOW1 or 2, the collection will be a day one buy for me just like the MGS collection last year
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:27:24 AM
I think it took like 2 hours or something like that.
0 up, 0 down
kevinater321
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 7:22:55 AM
0 up, 2 down
OtisFeelgood
Monday, September 28, 2009 @ 8:33:54 AM
0 up, 0 down
newchef
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:13:03 AM
Reply
6 up, 0 down
Kowhoho
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:17:23 AM
As a sidenote, I'll be getting the Collection as I never actually purchased the first GOW after renting it and beating it in a single 10-hour night. And what a night to remember...
Whoah, I almost just got caught up in my own memories.
0 up, 0 down
Alienange
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 10:59:55 AM
1 up, 0 down
MadKatBebop
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:14:32 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
piratedrunk
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:30:03 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 2:44:11 AM
I think the interview is on Joystiq.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 9/27/2009 2:46:33 AM
0 up, 0 down
Charger7302
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:51:16 AM
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work with anymore.
On the topic of GOW collection, I will be getting it, I want to give the series a try just to see if I would like the 3rd one.(that and the fact that I'm a graphics whore and I like the idea of taking some of the ps2 classics and giving them the ps3 treatment)
On an un-related note, does anyone else think that Sony is taking the wrong road with there motion controller? Why do we have to hold both the DS3 and the wand? Won't that kinda make casuals not want to use Sony's wand over the wii. I hope Sony doesn't force this onto all motion controlled games.
Last edited by Charger7302 on 9/27/2009 12:55:03 AM
2 up, 0 down
Oxvial
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 1:11:28 AM
they should release an type of analog like the wii but still give us the option of using the ds for cheap people like me.
my complain with the wand its the design it looks horrible.
Last edited by Oxvial on 9/27/2009 1:12:46 AM
0 up, 0 down
Wage SLAVES
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 1:36:43 AM
I hate motion controls. They make me feel disconnected somehow, like a half dead appendage that just won't do what your brain is telling it to do. Either that or it was just Tiger woods. Mortal kombat was also unplayable to me. Especially when my friend was using the regular shaped controller and wrecking on me. Yeah, at least he had a good time...
Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 9/27/2009 1:38:02 AM
1 up, 1 down
Jawknee
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:18:09 PM
I do agree though, they need to change the look of those wands. They are horrid. They should just create a nunchuk like control instead of forcing us to use the DS3.
2 up, 1 down
mastiffchild
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 1:16:42 PM
Why no "nunchuck" prototype? Why no mention of one?Why use the DS is it isn't what they intend for us? All points towards Sony making a massive mistake, counting kids(a huge part of the casual marklet) out of playing many of the games and putting off everyone else with something that loks plain cheap and slapdash. It's far from ideal and why would you want to use a DS in one hand as part of a pair of controllers when you could use JUST it better in the way it was intended!?
Pleeeaase Sony don't go with this as it is as you WILL get blown away by Ninty AND MS who will hot/have not asked people to use things meant for two hands in just one in an unbalanced and uncomfy manner. I assume Sony think it'll keep both their and our costs down but I tell you right now that if they don't make another Wand with an analogue or a nunchuck type partner to bundle with it then this will be a vast money loser.
Put simply it's not an attractive way to play and nor will it be comfy for many while being impossible for some. Epic, EPIC Fail if they think this will fly as it really won't. Never, imo.
0 up, 0 down
frylock25
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 1:14:26 AM
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for 12.99 criterion added one section to the already existing game that was well over 5 hours worth of game play.
sounds to me more like M$ had nothing but some crap online dlc so they reboxed it, called it a game and ripped off some customers
to all the people that bought this "halo expansion" but pass on Uncharted 2 or a God of War collection or any other Sony exclusive... you are one dumb #$@*
4 up, 1 down
___________
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 2:11:49 AM
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does that mean im excused, or do i have to fly to the US just to get 1 game?
"he campaign will only take a "leisurely 6 hours" to complete and with only two new (or remodeled) weapons"
i completely pissed myself laughing when i read that off IGN.
they say that than give it a 9.
whaaaaaaaaaa?????????
the SP lasts 6 hours, it has 2 new weapons and it costs normal price.
that warrants a 9?
i must say though it does have a few really fun spots.
like that part where your in a banshee and you have to protect the larger ship.
or the bit just after it where theres all these ships coming in and you have a rocket turret to take them down.
i only bought ODST because the mag beta is taking so long and you cant play any games while its downloading.
its adverging 20MB per hour you have to be kidding me.
take dial up speeds, make them 1000 times slower and you STILL would have faster download speeds than what im getting with MAG.
Last edited by ___________ on 9/27/2009 2:24:35 AM
2 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 2:56:58 AM
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I don't believe it.
5 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 3:02:07 AM
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0 up, 2 down
HeXeN
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 7:14:51 PM
2 up, 2 down
BTNwarrior
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 3:27:37 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Fatcat3788
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 7:35:55 AM
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 11:46:05 AM
Last edited by Jawknee on 9/27/2009 11:46:28 AM
2 up, 0 down
frylock25
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 4:14:45 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Ultimate_Balla
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 6:09:38 AM
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1 up, 0 down
www
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 7:14:46 AM
Reply
Last edited by www on 9/27/2009 7:15:27 AM
0 up, 0 down
Robochic
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 8:01:29 AM
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Ben u not getting demons souls?
0 up, 0 down
ZzZ
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 9:17:20 AM
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Why haven't they made an Action Replay or Gameshark for the PS3 yet? I know that people would cheat online, but they could have something like punkbuster to not allow cheating. It helps when you are in tough situations that are taking hours to finish in single player mode.
2 up, 0 down
Alienange
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 11:12:09 AM
0 up, 0 down
JackC8
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 10:17:37 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Alienange
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 11:16:06 AM
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As for ODST, I am very disappointed in Bungie. I wanted this game to be good. Now it's bargain bin fodder.
0 up, 0 down
tlpn99
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 11:29:16 AM
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In my local Game shop in the UK if a Game is faulty they will replace it with another new copy for you as long as you have the receipt they should change it for you. Thats harsh if they wont change it for you.
I too have Halo ODST and I thought it was ok. I was enjoying playing it until I got other stuff to play but I will go back to it.
As for the God of War Collection I own both the original PS2 ones and they work fine if I can find the spare cash I will try and buy it but it will more than likely be off Ebay as it is not coming out in Europe.
0 up, 0 down
komotaya
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 11:33:39 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Kangasfwa
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 5:45:25 PM
0 up, 0 down
www
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 5:50:18 PM
Last edited by www on 9/27/2009 5:50:45 PM
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 11:52:37 AM
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I understand people like Halo, I just don't get continued following. It's almost as if bungie could wrap a turd in Halo packaging and the bots would eat it up. I liked Halo like 9 years ago. After the 1st one I was board. The gameplay mechanics feel dated. Even(dare I say)CoD has made some great leaps in gameplay that Halo has not and I'm no huge fan of CoD. The only thing Halo really has over other FPS's is vechicles. Not much else.
As for GoW collection, I have never played GoW so this collection is a nice treat for me. I preordered it when Ben first gave us the news. Can't wait.
Last edited by Jawknee on 9/27/2009 11:58:56 AM
2 up, 0 down
BTNwarrior
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 11:56:06 AM
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:03:54 PM
0 up, 0 down
mastiffchild
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 1:35:35 PM
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I'm no FPS hero but even I got through the campaign in around 5/6 hours and am jubilant that I only rented the game-it boils down to $60 for a Reach key for many of my Halo loving mates who mainly feel a little put upon by MS and Bungie over all this.
The press and games sites that gave it a 9/10 are misleading the fans who'll think it's fair as other recucled packages would be bashed for this cheap tactic-so why not Halo ODST? Fans doing the reviews? Possible and likely in many cases as western gamers(who reporters/reviewers all are )are very often fans of Halo. Normal bias towards MS rateher than Sony in the western media as MS are the "local team" and Sony the away team plus MS often being partners with sites, owning sites, funding sites or merely being their biggest advertisers? Almost definitely as this is a tacit thing where noone does it knowinly but always refrains from upsetting the readers and losing their market and paymasters as well.
Whatever the cause I'm a bit annoyed that ODST got such a free pass over it's lack of value.
0 up, 0 down
Masterofallz
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 2:16:31 PM
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http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=offtopic&thread.id=3378421
Hahah, isnt that just classic?
1 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 5:21:07 PM
0 up, 0 down
TheHighlander
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 6:25:05 PM
Even if it turns out to be a hoax and photo-shop (not sure if it is/isn't, don't care either way) it's a damned funny one, and work every pixel. LOLOLOLO!
If it's real, that's an absolute Epic Fail for EA and MS.
0 up, 0 down
ffrulez
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 6:40:48 PM
2 up, 0 down
ffrulez
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 6:35:17 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Byakko2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 8:06:10 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Nerull
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 8:35:10 PM
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And I saw the ODST ripoff coming as soon as I heard what it was. How anybody can rationalize this pick-pocketing enough to get excited over this rehash is an xbot through and through.
0 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 9:53:14 PM
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And well you're right, they're just using the 'Halo' word to get sale but on the other hand, if you remove the word Halo I don't think people will think of it as crap.
0 up, 0 down
ADAM WEST
Monday, September 28, 2009 @ 9:07:44 AM
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Last edited by ADAM WEST on 9/28/2009 9:08:16 AM
0 up, 0 down
slackernz
Reply
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 10:00:00 PM