Ben's Week In Review: May 16
A very busy week right here...we'll try to make sure all angles are covered in terms of reviews. :)
If this is true, we gotta see more of it
When I heard the report that White Knight Chronicles 2 would actually release with an updated version of the original WKC, that got me to thinking: isn't that a damn good idea? Not only will they include the first title with the sequel (which makes perfect sense, as WKC2 is a direct follow-up), but the developers will also overhaul the original so it features the new mechanics and additions in the sequel. ...how sweet is that? Now, I'm well aware that Level 5 is going above and beyond the call of duty, but I really think it would behoove many designers to take this same approach when it comes to certain sequels. It may be a little more difficult to "upgrade" the original so it holds all the enhancements of the sequel - depending on the project - but just the idea of packaging the first game in with a sequel...it's just awesome. Everyone often complains about "bang for your buck," especially in regards to shorter experiences, so wouldn't this be a very nice option?
And if they could manage to overhaul the original adventure so it plays like the sequel, that's even more incentive. It'd be one thing if this were the movie industry and sequels are never as good as the originals, but it's basically the opposite in gaming; many sequels really are better because the technology and refinement gets better. It should definitely be the case for WKC2...
Another example of what developers should do
So they insist the single-player campaign in Dead Space 2 won't suffer due to the new multiplayer mode, and that's primarily because Visceral has two separate teams working on each aspect of the production. This appears to be a running theme with EA, too: for Medal of Honor, EALA will produce the single-player quest and DICE will handle the multiplayer modes. This is exactly the type of thing other designers should do, because we've all noticed examples of the multiplayer emphasis infringing on the quality and longevity of single-player campaigns. I think the recently released Splinter Cell: Conviction is a definite example. It's fine by me if you want to cater to all those who absolutely require a multiplayer experience, but I'm convinced that too many game makers are underestimating how many fans remain who prefer the single-player aspect. They've been doing it for years. But maybe they're starting to come 'round...
Have you noticed that almost every time a developer details a multiplayer mode in a new game, they make a point of saying how it won't hinder the single-player experience? This means they've heard the complaints, at the very least.
Personal gaming update
Unsurprisingly, I'm in a definite jam. I didn't expect to like Nier as much as I did, and now I'm struggling to finish before the big games for this week arrive. Then there's 3D Dot Game Heroes, which again, I honestly didn't think I'd want to play through to completion, but damn...it's Zelda! I'm wondering if I'll be able to review Red Dead Redemption and Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, stop long enough to finish Nier and 3D Dot Game Heroes, and then go back. However, it's more likely I'll have to keep playing the new gems because I'm convinced they'll be damn good...I hate it when this happens. It drives me nuts to have games in my collection I haven't beaten, and it's annoying when they start to pile up. Probably shouldn't complain, though; a lot of great games is always better than not enough. ;) It's just a matter of time, really.
Not much else to talk about. My car now has two coats of wax on it and is fully detailed and ready for the summer, which is always nice. Cars like that benefit from a definite shine the whole way 'round...
5/15/2010 Ben Dutka
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Comments (75 posts)
SayWord
Saturday, May 15, 2010 @ 10:21:27 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, May 15, 2010 @ 11:02:31 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 3:12:38 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 4:36:02 PM
Kowhoho
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 6:45:15 PM
MyWorstNightmar
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 3:26:38 PM
Kowhoho
Saturday, May 15, 2010 @ 10:41:33 PM
Reply
In my non-gaming news, I have been collecting all of Hayao Miyazaki's films and just watched Ponyo on blu-ray, an absolutely stunning film. I recommend it to anyone who watches movies with their families or values animation of the highest calibur.
Alienange
Saturday, May 15, 2010 @ 10:53:19 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, May 15, 2010 @ 11:04:40 PM
aaronisbla
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 12:22:07 AM
NeoHumpty
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 8:32:37 AM
aaronisbla
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 2:39:52 PM
Alienange
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 4:22:53 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 4:38:59 PM
Kowhoho
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 6:50:46 PM
I guess what I mean to say is that they made a perfect system that also just happens to hold your hand and automate most things, which many people hate. I don't like it all that much but I can get over it.
Other things like the lack of NPC's who actually talk to you are pretty large detractors but luckily the visuals are encapsulating enough to make you want to advance.
P.S. I haven't gotten to Gran Pulse yet, so from what I've heard here and there I expect my experience to be greatly enhanced later in the game.
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 8:53:21 PM
kraygen
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 12:59:38 AM
LittleBigMidget
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 12:25:42 AM
Reply
spiderboi
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 1:46:49 PM
frylock25
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 12:32:35 AM
Reply
my cousin got his psn account back this week. someone had stolen his account and changed it on him. he contacted sony and they looked into it. the person that had stolen his account charged a bunch of stuff to his credit card. sony called him back and said they had pretty much assumed something was up in the begining because so many things were bought in a short amount of time. they restored everything for him.
kraygen
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 1:02:35 AM
Reply
Next week tho I'll be getting red dead, followed by modnation the next week. After that I won't be buying any games for several months most likely, but then again, I won't need to.
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 3:16:44 AM
Shams
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 2:49:59 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 4:40:15 PM
kraygen
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 5:22:17 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 5:25:26 PM
Shams
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 1:12:54 AM
Reply
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 3:13:56 AM
frylock25
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 5:35:43 AM
Shams
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 2:55:57 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 4:41:18 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 3:15:28 AM
spiderboi
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 1:43:28 PM
Alienange
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 4:35:02 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 3:11:49 AM
Reply
THEGODSLAYER
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 6:00:55 AM
Reply
i bought it for the pc and beat it in 1 day, disappointing but the game was pretty awesome. def worth 20 bux, to bad i paid 50.
never played dead space before, just picked it up yesterday game is amazing im soiling my pantaloons playing it.
prpbably pick up arkam asylum goty this week.
FullmetalX10
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 6:42:26 AM
Reply
Mthrfckr f*ck multiplayer
B*tches think that's what it's all about
But the real niggas know it's the solo which count
All the h*es on modern warfare
God of War is all I care
Steppin' on the multiplayer soldiers, I'm the solo God of Warfare!
Yeah B*tch
hurray for bad grammar, (censored) cursing, and hatin' on call of duty, I could get a record label out of that.
Last edited by FullmetalX10 on 5/16/2010 6:43:19 AM
FullmetalX10
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 6:50:17 AM
and I might look into WKC sometime, think I'll give it a rental, because right now, I don't have the money to go out and buy games.
btw, Red Dead Redemption will be an exception to the hatin' on multiplayer (Uncharted 2 also)
JackC8
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 7:53:35 AM
Reply
The whole concept of added value via multiplayer is something developers are really missing the boat on. How about some first-class DLC that adds new weapons and new levels / environments? Something that would make people really want to play the game again to experience the new stuff? Last time they just gave us weapons skins and different colored suits.
Personally I'm getting real close to finishing Red Faction Guerrilla. Love that game. The variety of strategies you can use in attacking your targets is the best part about it. It usually requires a mix of several different strategies to successfully complete a mission - so you actually have to work out how to approach a situation. Speaking of DLC, I'm definitely going to be buying the "Demons of the Badlands" DLC for this, as it's a short prequel to the full game.
chedison
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 3:58:37 PM
VicTheMighty
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 10:15:47 AM
Reply
spiderboi
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 1:41:54 PM
Alienange
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 4:57:16 PM
MyWorstNightmar
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 7:41:55 PM
bigrailer19
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 10:05:46 PM
If a game has co-op split screen its good for one thing! If your buddy dont have the game! thats pretty much it. Otherwise id rather have my whole screen anyday and chat it up with em over the psn!
now a game like modnation racers would be fun split screen but again you lose a lot of angles and the frame in which you play. LBP and 2d scrollers can make good use of same console co-op though but thats not split screen so...
Im all for devs putting it in a game for people, but i prefer to play co-op with a friend on the other end of a mic, no split screen for me anymore.
Alienange
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 10:11:16 PM
Deleted User
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 3:03:19 PM
Reply
This sucks. It's like a double edged sword. I guess it's good that they decide to include an "updated" version of WKC 1 in WKC 2 but that just basically means Level 5 acknowledge that WKC 1 was a faulty product and they have to go back and refine and tweak WKC 1 in order to make it a legit product.
Not only that, but the consumers who bought WKC 1 are basically screwed over because it proves they bought a faulty product and got screwed out of $60. The consumer could have easily waited and saved $60 by buying the packaged WKC 1 and WKC 2. The consumer will also be getting a better version of WKC 1. What a joke this is.
Yeah, the gamer is getting a better value by buying the packaged WKC's...but the gamer who bought the original WKC 1 got screwed over.
MyWorstNightmar
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 4:16:19 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 4:46:40 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 7:24:05 PM
The people who played the first don't have to play the updated version, but they do have the option. I really don't see the downside.
spiderboi
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 10:39:11 PM
Fane1024
Saturday, May 22, 2010 @ 4:02:46 PM
Scarecrow
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 9:06:32 PM
leatherface
Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 9:15:02 PM
Reply
lttsy
Thursday, May 20, 2010 @ 9:40:13 AM
Reply
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White Knight Chronicles









WorldEndsWithMe
Reply
Saturday, May 15, 2010 @ 10:11:11 PM
Umm, as you all know from my Dante rants Visceral can do no wrong by me and I loved Dead Space so I actually trust them when they say the SP won't suffer.
I'm stuck in 3DDotGameHeroes, I can't find the old man in the desert temple, help me!?
Oh yeah and I'm upgrading to a 37" TV as we speak (post)
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 5/15/2010 10:11:20 PM