Ben's Week In Review: July 25
I despise summer and this one seems to be taking an eternity to pass by. I used to hate the snow and ice more but now...not so sure.
Twisted Metal single-player is gonna rule
It's true; Jaffe really didn't explain it very well at Comic Con but after clarifying, I'm super excited about the single-player aspect of Twisted Metal. At first, it sort of sounded like there'd only be three available characters but I think we were all assuming it'd be exactly like past entries. You know, pick a car and go through the same levels and do the same things, all in an effort to see a different ending. But obviously, Eat Sleep Play has moved past that old-fashioned idea and plan to give us a lot more. Each campaign will boast three characters, three bosses, eight levels and "unique level type and play types." You can pick any of the 16 cars to get through the campaign, while some levels will require the use of a certain character. He even mentioned garages, which he didn't elaborate on but sound very, very cool...will we be able to upgrade those death-dealing vehicles? Switch vehicles in mid-level?
Lastly, he says that we can expect more than just regular deathmatch in each single-player level. There will be "unique modes, goals and challenges" to tackle throughout each campaign, so it's not just about taking either Dollface, Sweet Tooth or Mr. Grimm through the same game over and over. The whole thing just sounds totally awesome.
Still not sure I understand Ninja Theory
Don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of Heavenly Sword and I had hoped for a sequel. I know Ninja Theory is a highly competent developer just based on that one game, and I have high expectations for Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. But every time I read a business-related update for the studio, I always come away confused. So they recently said they're not expecting to make a sequel to their newest project "unless it's a gigantic hit," and they're not even anticipating a run-away success. They still say they didn't make enough money with HS after it sold 1.5 million copies on the PlayStation 3 back in 2007, when there was a small fraction of the PS3's in the world now. So what do they want from Enslaved for it to be considered a "gigantic hit?" What, do they need like 5 or 6 million sold? 1.5 million for each console obviously won't be enough, especially when there are more 360s out there.
I certainly understand why they'd want to go multiplatform. It's rational and logical unless you fully intend on pushing the limits of the PS3 like Naughty Dog, Guerrilla, etc. But they don't seem to be explaining this move very well, that's all.
Personal gaming update
I should have Alan Wake soon and I'll finally start Super Mario Galaxy 2 this week. This past week has been a little too crazy to start anything new; all I've really done recently is complete another play-through of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - which is always fun - and I reviewed Little League World Series 2010. ...eh. Beyond that, I might do a hands-on of the Kane & Lynch 2 demo this coming week, and I'll be looking forward to playing Mafia II in August.
For now, I just want the heat to go away. As for my most recent editorial, I'm very glad we have a community that can respond intelligently to something that matters a lot to me. When we first started the Comments some years ago, I knew from the start we'd have to be vigilant if we didn't want it to turn into every other site. But I really think that vigilance has paid off. Thanks. :)
7/24/2010 Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (69 posts)
Bugzbunny109
Saturday, July 24, 2010 @ 10:21:30 PM
Deleted User
Saturday, July 24, 2010 @ 10:17:51 PM
Reply
Something tells me that someday these guys are going to join up with Activision.
Still, I will probably purchase Enslaved. I loved Heavenly Sword. The guys at Ninja Theory have talent.
I've had Alan Wake for over a month since buying it for $40 CAN off of Kijiji but I haven't had time to even start. Just too many other games ahead of it. There's nothing I'm going to buy for sometime so there's really no rush.
Last edited by n/a on 7/24/2010 10:18:59 PM
StangMan80
Saturday, July 24, 2010 @ 10:27:26 PM
Reply
Highlander
Saturday, July 24, 2010 @ 10:29:43 PM
Reply
Personal gaming update, I was into the home stretch finishing off Star Ocean 4, when the family decided they wanted to watch the play through so they could see the story. So I am obliging them, but it meant starting over....at least this time I'll know what *not* to do.
I got my wife a copy of Sakura Wars So Long My Love for the PS2, she is liking it so far. It's a relatively slow game by current gen standards. Even though it's combat system isn't the most dynamic thing in the world, and the plot is nothing short of preposterous, it's fun, the voice acting is good and it's right up your ally if you like Anime, SRPGs japanese dating sim games, and then general silliness of a slightly whacky Anime series.
I have too many games to buy and play, and more coming. I'll have to focus really hard on actually playing some next week...
frylock25
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 2:06:07 AM
GuardianMode
Saturday, July 24, 2010 @ 10:57:33 PM
Reply
As for my games this month,Im going retro. Here are the 5 I picked.
Chaos Legion
SteamBot Chronicles
Star Ocean Till the End of Time
Way of the Samurai 2
Mana Khemia Alchemists of Al-Revis
Its going to be a long month. :)
Last edited by GuardianMode on 7/24/2010 10:58:18 PM
kraygen
Saturday, July 24, 2010 @ 11:04:00 PM
Reply
I'm still chugging away at ff9, 70 hours in and I still like it, but it won't be in my top 5 final fantasy games. It's probably the first ff I've played where I absolutely hate most of the mini games, it's just a chore and no fun.
I won't need to buy a game for a while because I recently used my gamestop gift card and some sale codes on their website to nab 4 rpgs with only $7 out of pocket. Never played any of them, but they all seem to have gotten good reviews.
Dark cloud and Dark cloud 2, WKC was my first level 5 game and I am looking forward to trying out these old games because WKC is easily my fav rpg this gen.
LOTR The third age, I generally like lotr, most of their games are bad, but a turn based rpg sounds great and got decent reviews.
Last I got wild arms 3, I have not played either of the first 2 but they are available on the psn and a friend already purchased the 2nd one, so I'll be able to play the first 3 for less than $10, can't beat that.
Many hours of rpg goodness await me and I'm excited. Gotta love my b/c ps3.
Also want to say how much I've enjoyed the articles and comments here at psx over the last few months since I joined. Great group of intelligent ppl who know how to have a great debate.
Thanks Ben for giving us a great place to talk about things we enjoy.
SvenMD
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 6:56:49 AM
For the record, and I know others will disagree, I hated Blitzball. It could have been the most fun mini-game ever. But I hated the fact that I would be past the defenders and then when I went to take the shot it would let like 2 of them get in front of me in true turn-based style.
Goodtimes.
Last edited by SvenMD on 7/25/2010 6:58:06 AM
kraygen
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 2:44:44 PM
However the card game in 9 makes no sense. Your card shows an attack number, attack type, physical defense number, and a magic defense number.
When you attack another card tho, it puts some random number on the center of the cards and then they both start to subtract until one card number reaches 0, that card loses.
Thing is I lose all the time when I attack. Even if I attack with a card that has say a physical attack of 4 against 0 physical defense and their card has a magic attack of 1 and mine has a magic defense of 3. Often the numbers that appear in the middle of the card are something like this.
Mine will have about a 43 and their number will be 6, the numbers start subtracting and I lose. How does that make sense. It happens almost every time. The card game makes no sense, I have looked up guides for it and they all have the same ruleset as in the game, but the cards don't seem to follow the rules. Very frustrating.
8's card game worked in a similar fashion, but it actually worked and I got all the cards on it very early on in the game, I loved it.
SvenMD
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 9:23:49 PM
kraygen
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 11:54:55 PM
Frog catching, get real boring real fast.
Chocobo digging, your beak has to be in the exact right location and it's easy to be near it and never find it, annoying as all get out.
The card game, senseless nonsense is all it is. I went back this afternoon and tried some more, but after losing with an attack of 85 to their defense of 18 and losing, I decided no more cards.
Underdog15
Monday, July 26, 2010 @ 2:43:40 PM
As for blitzball, I would recruit a super fast swimmer, and make them swim around and near every opponent. Once I got the whole team to follow him, I'd pass to my best shooter who's wide open. lol. Easy trick only hard to do against the fast moving Guado.
kraygen
Monday, July 26, 2010 @ 3:41:22 PM
My card attacks the lowest number with an attack of 5, which would be 5 to 0, it has no defense against my card and it has a physical attack of 2 which my card has a defense of 4. How is it that I lose that?
I didn't want to go over all the rules, but I'm just saying I know how to play the card game, it's not really all that complex. The game simply doesn't follow its own rules.
FxTales
Saturday, July 24, 2010 @ 11:07:46 PM
Reply
However Twisted Metal I'll keep an eye on, it sounds like a fun game to play someone against. I'm not a multiplayer fan, that mainly being my skills do not compare with the lightening speed actions of most online gamers.
SmokeyPSD
Saturday, July 24, 2010 @ 11:20:57 PM
Reply
It has been a long time that I have played such a unapologetic japanese game. After playing persona 3, I really feel no need whatsoever to even bother playing XIII. SE can go screw themselves, or I'll buy second hand, either way, I'm not supporting what they've done with final fantasy financially after seeing what other developers are doing.
I now need to track down everything persona, including the anime and ill even replay persona 3 on the ps2 :D
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 6:50:08 PM
aaronisbla
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 11:12:30 PM
NeoHumpty
Saturday, July 24, 2010 @ 11:28:23 PM
Reply
Now I'm stuck wondering what I should get next. I'll either go for Killzone 2 or GoW 3. I tried but never got much into the first two GoW's, but did like the psp release. But the sale at Gamestop on GoW is pulling me in that direction. Suggestions?
Qubex
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 9:01:15 AM
Pandacastro
Saturday, July 24, 2010 @ 11:41:00 PM
Reply
Shams
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 12:01:32 AM
CharlesD
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 12:00:12 AM
Reply
Qubex
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 9:03:18 AM
Kangasfwa
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 12:06:25 AM
Reply
I mean, hell, I would have thought Ninja Theory would have made *some* money with well over a million copies sold. No matter what they say, 1.5 million games sold--for a new IP, from a new developer--is something to be proud of.
Shams
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 12:08:36 AM
Reply
But I can't wait anymore. I'm off to Demon's Souls. Wish me good luck, and a full head of hair.
Temjin001
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 4:53:37 PM
I powered up NGS2 the other day, and as a crappy reminder all of my previous saved progress was lost due to having to buy a replacement PS3 for my launch model that croaked. Now, in order to play Master Ninja difficulty I would have to go through Warrior and Mentor again.
BTW those upper-level co-op missions are insanely hard.
Insanely-Insanely
Shams
Monday, July 26, 2010 @ 7:32:38 PM
Lawless SXE
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 12:18:07 AM
Reply
I'll make sure to keep my eye on Twisted Metal. Considering that there are essentially nine different campaigns, each one lasting eight hours, should be pretty damn good, even if there are only three playable characters.
I think all ex-exclusive developers are a little bit confusing, why sacrifice quality for sales? Oh, that's right they're in business. (Joke, not a jab.)
I think that it's good that they aren't thinking of a sequel unless they sell a **ckton of copies of Enslaved (I keep thinking it's called Odyssey for some reason.), I mean, they've already announced DLC haven't they? Besides it's based off an old Japanese story called Monkey, and most stories end themselves I find. The reason, I think, that Ninja Theory are looking at it requiring a "gigantic hit" to do a sequel, is that they have already begun production (or pre-production) on a new IP, thus not necessarily wanting to do a sequel as it would detract from that other game. I hope so anyway.
But, I'm calling this right now, Enslaved will sell more copies on the PS3. I'm thinking, 1.7million against 1.2million, over the first six months of sales, with an aggressive marketing campaign.
Personal Update.
I found that a couple of sequences needed to be addded before I could finish my current chapter, which means that it'll take at least another week and I'm really started to get bored with it. Lester annoys me.
I'm about a third of the way through Love in the Time of Cholera, and really enjoying it. Kind of funny when one of the backpackers at work looks over my shoulder, reads a bit, and wonders what the hell it's all about (He read Marquez's analogy of sex smelling like a salt pit full of prawns).
Still plugging through Valkyria Chronicles. Just finished Chapter 15 about an hour ago. I don't think I'm going to finish it until next weekend, but if I do, I'm going to continue playing Demon's Souls and Final Fantasy, and compliment them with another spin of ICO, or maybe Heavenly Sword. All this talk of Enslaved makes me feel like playing that again. Eh, whatever.
Oh, and the catalogue I've got lists Transformers: War for Cybertron at $50 AUD, wasn't that only released about a fortnight ago, cos that's really cheap, even though I have no intention of buying it. Just thought I'd put that out there.
Also, I'm going to watch 2001 for the first time sometime this week.
I know, I'm rambling and you're all sick of it. Freedom of speech and all that cal though.
Peace.
P.S. I got an avatar. It's temporary though. I'll put another one up when I get back to my computer next... About three weeks away I think.
Snaaaake
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 12:39:48 AM
Kangasfwa
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 12:41:24 AM
Lawless SXE
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 12:43:16 AM
Lawless SXE
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 12:44:12 AM
LittleBigMidget
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 12:18:37 AM
Reply
Temjin001
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 12:38:27 AM
Reply
I know there's a lot of love on these boards for Heavenly Sword, but from someone who finally got around to playing it earlier this year, I'm compelled to say that I didn't think the game was all that great. Positive elements were definitely the presentation, and voice acting. You can tell the game cost a lot to produce and it has some moments that are pretty epic. But their were several game design elements, everything from some questionable combat conventions (I have to shake the controller mid-combo, really?), to erratic, and oftentimes sluggish frame-rate (a major no-no for me and intense action games), which cumulatively really hindered my enjoyment.
Perhaps, seeing that many games don't age so well over time (especially first-gen ones), people's memory of the game is better than my current experience having recently played it so recently. I just hope Ninja Theory has evolved themselves and will make a more enjoyable experience their next go around.
___________
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 5:59:48 AM
Lawless SXE
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 6:38:58 AM
Ole_Gunner
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 4:37:20 AM
Reply
Personal Gaming Update:
I'm on a bit of a gaming drought at the moment. Just playing manager mode on FIFA 10 while thinking of giving Batman:AA another run through.
Played the Kane and Lynch demo yesterday and thinking of picking it up. The game has massive potential, but I just feel it will turn out into a glitch filled mess.fingers crossed it doesn't!
Highlander
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 10:52:43 AM
Lawless SXE
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 6:40:08 AM
Underdog15
Monday, July 26, 2010 @ 2:46:38 PM
___________
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 6:05:41 AM
Reply
but only 8 levels!
come on, i really hope this game takes me more than 8 hours to finish!
games are getting WAY! to short these days, what happened to the good old days where they use to take 15 - 20 hours to finish and that was just the story mode, not to mention side missions and stuff!
look at assassins creed 2, it takes a good 15 hours to finish the story, than another good 10 hours or so to find all the feathers, solve all the glyphs, find all the codex pages, than theres assassination and side missions too!
to finish everything in AC2 will take at least 35 hours!!!!!!!
as for ninja theory whats not to understand?
there getting greedy like every other developer out there!
im sorry, but if your disappointed with 1.5M units sold when the ps3 had such a small install base thats just down right unreasonable and selfish!
theres developers out there who would kill for there game to sell that much!
agreed heavenly sword deserved to sell more than that, it deserved to sell at least 3M units its a fantastic game!
but very few games sell as much as they deserve too!
if they did, uncharted 2 and heavy rain would of sold 20M units by now!
Lawless SXE
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 6:36:40 AM
But yes, sales of good games certainly seem to lack when you look at Halo and CoD. "Oh no he di'int!"
Peace.
Highlander
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 10:55:33 AM
Just because some P.O.S. game like ODST can sell multi-million copies to sheeple, does that mean that a truly tremendous game, such as Heavy Ran, that sells perhaps half the number is somehow less good than the P.O.S. selling to millions of sheeple? No, it doesn't. Which is precisely why using sales numbers as an indicator of a game's quality if a fallacy and should *never* be done, no matter how seductive an argument is made.
Deleted User
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 9:34:44 AM
Reply
Lucifer
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 9:47:18 AM
frylock25
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 11:47:15 AM
frylock25
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 1:28:09 PM
Reply
do you think you might get an early copy of twisted metal from them? did you buy a wii or borrow it?
i know its a long way off. twisted metal is sounding like a more complete game every time i hear about it. i look forward to readin a review from here.
im starting to think the guys at ninja theory might just be idiots. dont get me wrong, they make a good game. they just may be morrons.
personal gaming update: i scored the new transformers for $40 off amazon and got it the next day. i didnt want to give activision my money but hell i wanted this game. i would not have been happy at $60 but payin $40 so close to launch date is ok for me. the game is awesome. i have some complaints but they are small and few. story is cool, levels are a little to linear but still fun. im almost done with the game.
i continue to work on brain challenge, i think im 76% its fun.
i played more fallout 3 still have to finish up more of the dlc.
got an urge to play mortal kombat vs dc but i got aggrivated and wasnt feelin it.
i got onto HULU PLUS on my ps3. i wanted to see what it was. cost me $9.99 for a month and im gonna cancel when the month is over. not much on it. a few things i want to watch so not a complete waste but not worth that much a month.
think im gonna platnum uncharted 2 when i get a chance.
i talked a buddy of mine into finally buying burnout paradise and gave him my dlc for everything in that game. now he loves it and is playin the hell out of it. i will be going online with him when he gets to that point. love burnout paradise.
this continues to be the only site i "post on" i wont even post on facebook or any of those sites to actual family members or friends. i love the community on this site. i came to this site every day for a year before deciding i had to join the comments. now its been 3 years and i still love it here.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 9:01:32 PM
Temjin001
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 4:44:59 PM
Reply
A friend of mine lent me Assassin's Creed 2 and Far Cry 2. Perhaps I'll start one of those.
I'm usually a two game at a time gamer with intermittent concessions for online play (Tekken, DOA etc)
I've been working on Mass Effect.
It's great.
One of the most significant titles I've played all gen.
I really hope Bioware does something to make this franchise accessible to the non-multiconsole owning folk abroad. Self-professed "gamers" who enjoy taking part in experiences that re-define the boundaries of gaming entertainment have a duty to play it, or, at the least, give it a hearty shot.
While I'm aware it's unlikely we'll see the original Mass Effect game ported, perhaps we'll see something similar to what Namco did with Xenosaga by issuing a video disc of the story segments from the first game while releasing the sequel; Sega did this, too, with Shenmue.
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 7:07:14 PM
Temjin001
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 10:20:16 PM
aaronisbla
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 6:07:10 PM
Reply
Its worth playing if you can get your hands on it, but im glad i didn't buy it at full price back on its release.
Ninja Theory imo still has a lot to prove before i consider them to be one of those devs that people need to pay attention to
Last edited by aaronisbla on 7/25/2010 6:08:08 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 6:51:30 PM
Reply
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 7:00:33 PM
Reply
kraygen
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 11:58:17 PM
maxpontiac
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 8:00:37 PM
Reply
Not even sure if I care about Ninja Theory anymore because I am not positive they care about the PS3 fanbase as a whole. To me, Naughty Dog and other PS3 exclusive developers obviously do.
Yes Ben. This community is top flight, and as I mentioned in the thread with Fishdude, PSX is really without peer.
dante_zero
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 11:39:15 PM
Reply
Anyway twisted metal is gonna be epic. my only concern is that they keep the multiplayer constantly fresh as alot of games now have multiplayer features and its very hard to attract a consumer to playing that one game online and keeping them coming back for more especially with all the games coming in the next 2 years including MMO's. gonna be tough for Jaffe.
As for Enslaved, i've been following this game since the first annoucements and keeping up with dev diarys etc but i gotta say this has fail written all over it. For starters the names not appealing, the gameplay looks meh and the studio are not exactly positive about the game either. Even with out those things the name just puts me of completely.
Personal gaming update : i finally got the platinum for RDR and have managed to finish first playthroughs for Demon Souls and split second. the question is which one will become my 50th platinum???. who knows but i know im not liking the split second online modes.
Next week i'm off to Birmingham (UK)to the PS Beta rooms which i'm really looking forward to as gonna get some hands on with KZ3,GT5 and all the move stuff aswell as free goodies and a chance to check out 3D gaming.
Its gonna be great.
Last edited by dante_zero on 7/25/2010 11:40:27 PM
Scarecrow
Sunday, July 25, 2010 @ 11:47:59 PM

View Large Image









Riku994
Reply
Saturday, July 24, 2010 @ 10:14:31 PM