Ben's Week In Review: October 11
BorderlandsKeep an eye out for our Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunter Edition giveaway, and in the meantime...well, it's a Saturday night and I'm trying to finish Katamari Forever.
"Boring" is very, very subjective
We all know this, but it's even more subjective than one might believe. When Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford said Borderlands wouldn't be as "boring" as Fallout 3, despite the similarity in regards to huge, expansive environments, I know what he means. A different sort of person might be interested in Borderlands, which features a lot more straight-up action. But this leads me to an additional point: even if you're a FPS fan and you enjoy that sort of action, you might not like the depth and RPG elements of Gearbox's promising title while at the same time, being a role-playing aficionado doesn't necessarily mean you'll like Fallout 3. I've been an RPG fan for a very long time and the latter never once interested me; I really would find it immensely boring. It just isn't my thing and I don't understand why people are surprised; they're like, "oh, you're an RPG fan...how can you not like Fallout?" Easy.
My point is that Pitchford was only going to rub people the wrong way because whenever you label a game as "boring," you're guaranteed to annoy a few people. There will inevitably be a group of fans out there who think the game you're referring to is pretty damn fun, so Randy should shelve that word in the future. I get what he was saying, but it can only amount to no good (even if you're promoting the fun factor of your own project).
Um...maybe action games CAN be too fast
I've always loved the Ninja Gaiden series but after playing the demo for Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, I realized that perhaps the speed has finally gotten to the point where it actually annoys me. I mean, I had a blast with that demo but it's kinda tough to string together any sort of combo strategy when the speed is so freakin' blinding. I don't remember the first NG on the Xbox being this fast and when it comes to "hectic," I do believe there's a line...and Tecmo may have crossed it. I remember trying out Ayane and going, "um, where'd she go?" There is definitely a distinct difference between something like this and God of War, which I find to have perfect, most refined gameplay speed. The combat in NG has always been awesome and it truly is demanding, but you always have fun when playing GoW; NG has always felt a bit more like a chore. And Sigma 2, while fun at times, started to feel like a chore even after 45 minutes with the demo...which is a bad sign. So I had to pass.
Personal gaming update
As I said before, I'm nearing the end of Katamari Forever and it's definitely getting a little more challenging. In fact, this might be the most difficult installment yet; of course, when I say "difficult," I just mean mildly tough. The time limits seem to be a little more restricting than in other entries in the series, and the levels are designed in a way that requires you to really have a plan of attack. You can't just roll around aimlessly, especially in the later levels. I want to get this done because both Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Brutal Legend release this week, and I'm definitely getting both. That'll take up some time right there and although it has never been my thing, I might want to try Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time at the end of the month. It's going to be awesome, I'm sure.
Beyond that, I'm sure there are still plenty of reviews to do. And as for anything else of interest...well, can't think of anything. Sorry. :)
10/10/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (Beta)
Charger7302
Saturday, October 10, 2009 @ 11:10:24 PM
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My personal gaming update:
I just got done with my 5th "playthrew" of Resistance2, and I'm so excited about the possibility of that Resistance 3 billboard bein legit. Hopefully it is because R2(IMO) didn't live up too it's predecessor single player experience.
2 up, 1 down
The_R0gue_Ninja
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 8:57:45 AM
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Fane1024
Monday, October 12, 2009 @ 3:52:07 AM
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fluffer nutter
Saturday, October 10, 2009 @ 11:20:40 PM
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NightHawk17
Saturday, October 10, 2009 @ 11:30:23 PM
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chucknasty
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 6:44:33 AM
I am contemplating adult diapers to avoid the need to leave the couch.
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NightHawk17
Saturday, October 10, 2009 @ 11:29:47 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, October 10, 2009 @ 11:31:32 PM
0 up, 1 down
NightHawk17
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 12:34:18 AM
1 up, 0 down
Alienange
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 1:08:38 AM
1 up, 0 down
LegendaryWolfeh
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 1:49:13 AM
1 up, 0 down
NiteKrawler
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 3:51:30 AM
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Alienange
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 9:37:29 AM
1 up, 0 down
Schmitty
Saturday, October 10, 2009 @ 11:41:45 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 12:05:40 AM
But you should see what I can still do with Amplitude, even with only my thumb. ;)
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___________
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 12:43:01 AM
the demo really did the game no justice.
if anything, the combat is slower than NG 2 and i found the combos much much easier to pull off.
and i really suck at NG, so if i can pull of the combos anyone can.
0 up, 1 down
Akuma07
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 9:00:34 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 12:14:44 AM
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2 up, 0 down
Qubex
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 1:59:05 AM
That should do it WorldsEnd...
Q!
"i am home"
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 2:56:58 PM
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___________
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 12:38:59 AM
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simple, no?
if the games good im sure us gamers are smart enough to realize that.
games need 2 things to sell well.
1 marketing, something sony does not know how to do.
2 good reviews from press and such, but none of this gigantic hype.
KZ2 U2 for examples the hype behind these games is ridiculous, so im bound to be disappointed once playing said game.
also when these people run their mouths off it actually does the complete opposite of what their wanting.
when they have to tell us how good there game is and start bagging other games, that tells me there trying to hide flaws in their game by bagging others and that there not that confident in their game.
turn 10 and forza 3 for a perfect example.
i was going to get forza 3 but turn 10s fat mouth have really turned me off.
5 up, 0 down
___________
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 12:57:55 AM
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now this is probably a mistake or whatever but theres allot of piling evidence supporting this.
according to game mass effect 2 is coming to the PS3 same day as the 360 and PC on 10/1/2010.
normally i would think its a mistake, but not so long ago for a few minutes EA had this listed as ps3 also.
coincidence?
theres been so many rumors and quite a few pieces of evidence supporting the rumor.
so i think its true.
but than if it is why have EA or sony not announced it yet.
if its really is releasing on the 10/1/2010 they dont have much time, and all the big gaming conferences are finished.
this would of made a PERFECT gamescom announcement.
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Alienange
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 1:21:53 AM
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As for NGS2, well, it's boring.
Last edited by Alienange on 10/11/2009 1:22:07 AM
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bOnEs
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 11:31:14 AM
borderlands action might be too much in my opinion but, i will wait for reviews and gather my opinion then... but for now, that was a pretty "bold" statement and probably something that will hurt his sales with the fallout 3 fans that were interested... when you diss a game of the year, your bound to get some backlash :)...
1 up, 0 down
Alienange
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 5:59:40 PM
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GuernicaReborn
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 2:15:22 AM
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Also, I can't believe nobody asked Ben about the Fortune Hunter Edition giveaway. Usually if we press him enough he'll give us some sort of hint in the comments....
So, lets have it Ben. Whats the plan?
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NightHawk17
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 4:14:14 AM
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Alienange
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 9:34:49 AM
1 up, 0 down
GuernicaReborn
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 11:20:14 AM
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soli
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 2:59:22 AM
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2 up, 0 down
godslim
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 5:05:52 AM
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Ultimate_Balla
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 7:08:10 AM
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0 up, 1 down
www
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 8:07:25 AM
2 up, 0 down
GuernicaReborn
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 11:23:43 AM
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Fane1024
Monday, October 12, 2009 @ 4:02:59 AM
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www
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 8:10:11 AM
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Last edited by www on 10/11/2009 8:10:39 AM
1 up, 0 down
Akuma07
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 8:59:41 AM
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I am extremely confused.
Didn't PSX review NG sigma 2 recently? with an 8.4
Even if im wrong, ben your experience with NG sigma 2 in this article is about the demo. It's not the best thing in the world to make judgements about a games demo, especially when the full version is available, dont you think?
Also when you talk about the thing with borderlands and fallout 3 your saying that fallout 3 isnt your thing, that you may think its boring.
But in the article where you talked about the news, you called fallout 3 "an excellent RPG".
You also stated that he may "also be apart of that [the group that thinks F3 is borign] group" when you yourself have just stated you are a part of that group.
I havn't come across such confusing statements on this website in the years i have been coming here. Doesn't inspire alot of faith Ben.
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tes37
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 9:42:42 AM
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Alienange
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 9:43:25 AM
1. Arnold reviewed NGS2 and only HE can have the review copy. He can't be passing it around the office for friends and family to play. So no, Ben only had access to the Demo and didn't like it.
2.Ben reviews games. He's a critic and a journalist. He knows an excellent game when he sees one. He knows why many people like it and what makes it fun for them. That doesn't mean it's to HIS personal tastes.
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GuernicaReborn
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 11:28:44 AM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 7:44:10 PM
Which is why when I say that Fallout 3 is an excellent RPG, I say that because it's the truth. Just because I find it boring doesn't change the inherent quality. Opinion does NOT dictate quality. So stop thinking that.
For future reference, if you want to make an entire post designed to annoy me rather than contribute to the actual discussion, I would ask that you please resist the urge.
1 up, 0 down
kevinater321
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 9:20:48 AM
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1 up, 1 down
tes37
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 9:24:29 AM
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Uncharted 2 will be on my doorstep tuesday and I can't wait. I finally talked one of my friends into getting a ps3 slim and Tekken is all he usually plays. I'll be getting a copy of Tekken 6 just so I don't get slaughtered everytime I play against him. Ratchet and Clank is on my list of game purchases for October also.
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tlpn99
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 10:11:04 AM
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Last edited by tlpn99 on 10/11/2009 10:11:36 AM
2 up, 0 down
GuernicaReborn
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 11:46:01 AM
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bebestorm
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 1:19:55 PM
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redman479
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 1:27:08 PM
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1 up, 0 down
redman479
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 1:30:41 PM
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lfcjake
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 2:28:47 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Monday, October 12, 2009 @ 4:20:04 AM
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I would rather play a game where the objective is not to get hit in the first place, just like in real combat (I've done some fencing). That's a challenge I would relish. Give me one tough opponent (and I don't mean a cheap boss) rather than a mob of fodder.
But that's just my opinion. As Ben said, it's no reflection on the quality of the games.
p.s. I'm glad to see redman agrees with me about the camera.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 10/12/2009 4:28:02 AM
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therabbitkinge
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Saturday, October 10, 2009 @ 11:05:23 PM
Action games have begun to get a tad cocky nowadays, it feels to me they want us to be as superhuman as the in-game characters lol with the way they move and the insane combo list I feel less empowered with each new release T^T
And man am I psyched about Brutal legend (guns in games always sorta freak me out since I grew up around a bit to much gun violence so no uncharted for me sadly) and I am dying to play katamari forever especially since it seems longer and more difficult since the last one. Hopefully going to get three great titles all at once with the toys 'r' us deal that starts today ^_^
Thanks for the weekend wrap up Ben ol' chap.