Ben's Week In Review: August 8
SingularityDamn, some decent weather...finally. Actually feels like you can go outside without melting.
Not that I want to harp on this Activision thing, but...
I think we talked about it enough this past week; what with my editorial and the news that Activision would join the battle in combating pre-owned games. The latter turned into more of a dispute concerning the pre-owned industry itself - which I'm not about to touch - but there is one final element regarding the analysis of Activision that we should at least recognize. Being the world's biggest publisher of video games, they have their name attached to a ton of titles. It just so happens that their focus is indeed on blockbusters, so the sequels and continual entries in established franchises are always in the limelight. But this causes the new IPs published by Activision to fall by the wayside; a good example of this is Singularity, which has a darn good shot of becoming our Most Under-Appreciated Game of the Year, and other examples are DJ Hero, Blur, Prototype, etc.
One of the company's reps, Neil Wood, mentioned this when he contacted me after reading the editorial. Company policy says he can't post in our Comments section but he wanted to respond to some of your comments made to the article. It's a little late in the day now, but his reminder is worth mentioning. I'm not pro- or anti-Activision; I'm just trying to be as reasonable and fair as possible.
Me likey SC and PoP
Although I can't really say that this generation, Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia were two of my absolute favorite franchises in the PS2/Xbox generation. I still say the first Splinter Cell may have been the best game of 2002 and I've played every entry (except for the last one, Conviction, because I heard the single-player just wasn't worth the cost of admission). And yes, I played them all on Xbox because, let's face it, they were better than the PS2 versions. For me, I would always play SC for the really fluid, authentic gameplay and I'd play MGS for the story. As for the other series, The Sands of Time is still one of my favorite games and although I didn't really like Warrior Within much, The Two Thrones was a return to glory. I also enjoyed both PoPs from this generation. So to hear that trilogies for both SC and PoP might be coming is intriguing...I might just want them for my collection.
I have all the games that would be in those trilogies, though...hmm... Anyway, if you missed out on these gems from some time ago and these HD remake trilogies really do come out in November, I would strongly suggest you give 'em a shot. Great stuff.
Personal gaming update
So SMG2 is on permanent hold as I go through Alan Wake. I like it a lot; the story is cool, the acting is good (though not fantastic), and the writing in the actual manuscript pages is solid. It's really uber-creepy, which I wasn't entirely expecting. This is one game that will legitimately freak you out if you play it at like 1 a.m. with all the lights off. The concept is fairly unique, too, in that you must expose the enemy's "solidarity" with light before being able to use a firearm. Then there are some possessed things that can only be "exorcised" by light, either by your flashlight, flares, or flashbangs. Lastly, they did the right thing by focusing on the story and not the fighting; you actually play through episodes like it's a TV series, so when a new episode starts, it'll go, "Last time, on Alan Wake..."
I have a few small problems with it, and some of those are the technical misgivings and I'm sorry but it has to be said- they're technical missteps that I just don't see in PS3 exclusives these days. It really shows the 360's age. The game looks great but...well, I won't continue. It's just more evidence that the 360 has pretty much been tapped out.
Reviews to look out for: Madden NFL 11, NCAA Football 11, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, and Mafia II. Just a heads-up for about the next month or so. :)
8/7/2010 Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (75 posts)
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, August 07, 2010 @ 11:18:37 PM
0 up, 0 down
Qubex
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 2:43:26 AM
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
0 up, 0 down
Nerull
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 3:27:45 AM
I'm also a few levels into Bioshock 2 now and I kinda started Quest for Booty over since I have yet to get aCiT.
And I finally beat RDRedemption and DoW Chaos Rising, the ending for being totally chaotic is a real jip though.
I don't normally have so many going at once yet I'm still sick of waiting for GT5.
2 up, 0 down
gangan19
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 10:40:17 AM
6 up, 0 down
FatherSun
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 1:54:37 PM
4 up, 0 down
Deadman
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 4:31:01 PM
I know not many of ya's who comment on the main site crossover to the Forums, but a few of us there have have made official and unofficial PSXE clans in games. Also lately a small group of us have gathered quite regularly to game on BF:BC2, KZ2, RDR, Warhawk, etc.
If that is something you guys are interested in please come on over, sign up for the forums and check it out.
Last edited by Deadman on 8/8/2010 4:36:35 PM
3 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 6:59:51 PM
0 up, 0 down
Pandacastro
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 9:57:35 PM
0 up, 0 down
Godslim
Monday, August 09, 2010 @ 5:28:23 AM
0 up, 0 down
Nerull
Monday, August 09, 2010 @ 6:20:14 AM
0 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Saturday, August 07, 2010 @ 10:05:01 PM
Reply
Never was a fan of Pop and SC but it's good to know if there's really a remake for popular franchises.
Now my personal gaming update:
I'm playing MGS4 again!!!
2 years after launch and after playing games like ACII, UC2 and Bayonetta. This game is still awesome in every way.
Really reminded me why I loved it so much back then, first time I played MGS4 again in over a year now.
Guess I'll be busy with MGS4 for a while.
And am I the only guy thinks that the Big Boss Emblem is impossible to get?
Demon's Souls is next on my list but my seller haven't got the NA version, he only got the Asian version which I'm not interested cause there's more copy sold for the NA version hence more people playing online.
1 up, 0 down
Riku994
Saturday, August 07, 2010 @ 10:07:14 PM
Reply
(had to edit this twice to spell "Splinter" right)
Last edited by Riku994 on 8/7/2010 10:07:42 PM
1 up, 1 down
NoSmokingBandit
Saturday, August 07, 2010 @ 10:07:51 PM
Reply
Its pretty cool that you read the comments, and hopefully you'll read this one too.
As anyone can see from the article about gimping used game sales, people arent happy about it. Please let your boss know this. I'd hate to see the industry take the turn where customers are treated like profit machines instead of people.
Gaming is getting bigger, and i love that, but to stand out you really need to build a personal connection to the fans and listen to them. Dont lose the very thing that got gaming where it is today. I love Insomniac (who doesnt, really?) because they really connect to the fans. They make sure that everyone's input is listened to before they move forward, and that is why they are one of the most loved game studios to ever exist. I would absolutely love to see a huge company like Activision reach a level of intimacy with the fans the way Insomniac does.
Sorry about being a little long winded, i really meant to keep it short ;)
Thank you for reading, Mr Wood.
Last edited by NoSmokingBandit on 8/7/2010 10:08:25 PM
8 up, 0 down
Deadman
Saturday, August 07, 2010 @ 10:35:07 PM
Reply
I'm thinking about tossing it back in cause the first DLC content The Signal was released. Thinking of a second play through on it also, maybe on Nightmare.
0 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Saturday, August 07, 2010 @ 10:50:01 PM
Reply
Just looking forward to the Tokyo Game Show. Hopefully Demon's Souls 2 gets announced.
3 up, 3 down
Highlander
Saturday, August 07, 2010 @ 11:10:32 PM
Reply
I'm re-running through R&C A Crack in Time I recently realized I hadn't platinum'd that one yet. I also have to finish Star Ocean 4 sometime soon.
I'm pretty ambivalent on the topic of Activision, I have little problem with the company. Although their games could do with a less cookie cutter feel - how many 'Hreo' games are there? Bobby Kotick might have a bad case of verbal incontinence but the 1000's of other ordinary people who work for Activision need a job just like you and me and they are not Bobby Kotick, so why punish them for his insanity?
Used game sales still bug me because I see publishers needing to sell 2,3,4 or more million copies just to break even. I've also seen the sales profile of games go from a fairly graceful curve with a peak right after launch and a gradual decline over months, to a veritable spike where the initial sales are astronomical and drop to negligible levels within weeks. I think that a lot of that has to do with the maturity and availability of Used games which prevent new game sales and divert revenue generated by the games from the publisher/developer to the game broker. Whatever the legal situation of that, it just seems plain wrong that developers don't benefit from every commercial (not personal) transaction involving their games.
The Autumn is shaping up to be a bumper season for games, even if I only look at GT5 and LBP2 those are both games with massive replay value. Of course some would say (myself included) that one easy way to combat used game sales is to make a game with replay value so the gamer doesn't want to trade it it. I don't think you will see many copies of either GT5 or LBP2 in the used game bin for a good long time after launch.
5 up, 1 down
sirbob6
Saturday, August 07, 2010 @ 11:14:52 PM
Reply
Now to the personal update: I am just 2 or 3 trophies away from plating R&C:ACIT and AC2. I am thinking of going back to try and plat Fallout 3. I put in over 300+ hours into it but that was before trophy support and I haven't had the heart to start over.
Any way I will be enjoying the 1812 Overture using the RYNO V.
2 up, 0 down
sunspider13
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 1:33:28 AM
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 1:48:12 AM
2 up, 0 down
sirbob6
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 11:33:12 AM
0 up, 0 down
556pineapple
Saturday, August 07, 2010 @ 11:22:32 PM
Reply
Anyway, I never had a PS2, so I missed out on those SC and PoP games, so hopefully the trilogies will give me a chance to catch up. I tend to play more older games than newer ones, seeing as I missed out on a lot of classics. I'm working on Silent Hill 2, FF VII (just about done with that), and Xenogears (just started) right now, so I'm having a good time with some poor graphics.
Against my, and some other friends protests, one of my friends got a 360 recently (he's a sucker for the media center feature and kinect, which are, admittedly, pretty cool, but not system sellers as far as I'm concerned) and he was thinking about getting Alan Wake. So if he does, I'll have to try it out sometime.
Happy Gaming, All.
2 up, 1 down
StangMan80
Saturday, August 07, 2010 @ 11:53:26 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
MyWorstNightmar
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:05:44 AM
Reply
Just a thought.
3 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:39:09 AM
3 up, 0 down
Qubex
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 8:24:08 AM
I also enjoyed the game intro cinematic, again I though it was done superbly well... Technically, the visuals should all come standard with x2AA. Most developers seem to incorporate anti-aliasing as standard on the 360 titles for the most part, which can make multi-plats look better on that 360 platform in general.
"Digital Foundry" write up excellent technical comparisons between the visual fidelity of both platforms. Sometimes, for non exclusive titles, the PlayStation 3 is left wanting... in some areas, most notably, the lack of any sort of AA...
So visually, i found Alan Wake to be very well done... even though it isn't a multi-plat in this case specifically... of course, on the PS3 side, our exclusives still put the 360 down... like a good puppy...
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
0 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 9:52:41 AM
0 up, 0 down
SirLoin of Beef
Monday, August 09, 2010 @ 8:55:50 AM
Other than that, I thought the game was pretty good. I never played it at 1am but it had a pretty creepy atmosphere. It's easily one of the more suspenseful games I've played.
0 up, 0 down
FxTales
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:09:39 AM
Reply
5 up, 0 down
Kangasfwa
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:41:33 AM
2 up, 0 down
Alienange
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:30:48 AM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:39:39 AM
2 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:44:24 AM
1 up, 0 down
sunspider13
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 1:35:51 AM
1 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:43:01 AM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
sirbob6
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 11:51:05 AM
Last edited by sirbob6 on 8/8/2010 12:08:51 PM
0 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 7:46:51 PM
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:51:21 AM
Reply
I have some mild interest in the HD remakes of pop and SC, but I'm much more interested in the HD remake for ICo/Sotc.
Gaming update. Currently playing dark cloud for the first time and I'm really liking it. The weapon system is awesome and I love being able to put the towns back together.
Can't wait to play Dark Cloud 2 when I finish the first one.
5 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:59:39 AM
Always loved how it looked
Dark Cloud 2 is amazing, what an artistic gem of a game!
3 up, 1 down
kraygen
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 4:01:28 PM
I haven't played the first 2 wild arms yet, but my friend already bought the 2nd one on psn and so I'll buy the first on psn and have all 3.
Lot of rpg goodness coming my way over the next few months. should be fun.
3 up, 0 down
Gordo
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:51:39 AM
Reply
Still getting a kicking from Demon's Souls. Took an eternity to get past the Flamelurker. I'm 40 hours into DS now so have taken a well earned breather.
Started Dragon Age: Origins. Enjoying it but it's so different from Demon's Souls that it's taking my brain a while to get used to it. Enjoying the leisurely pace and will probably play it on easy for the story and adventure and switch back to DS when I want a kicking...
I would love a HD version of Shadow of the Colossus on the PS3.
1 up, 0 down
LittleBigMidget
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 1:02:33 AM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 1:12:31 AM
When it's really hot/humid, the fan on the 60GB/80GB goes crazy
2 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 1:40:18 PM
But my 60gb fan was on all the time, I couldnt stop it. You may try and remove some dust around it. Sometimes while the fan is running if dust gathers it can get louder, due to all the junk in it. Just use a low powered vacuum, dont spray it out with like an air duster.
Also I dont know where your ps3 is located, but any tight or confined areas doesn't help. If its in an entertainment center with doors keep the doors open during play, well im sure you know!
If thats not it, some friends of mine have bought external fans, and although it doesnt quiet it down they said it doesnt come on nearly as often.
Its most likely is just working really hard cus of heat like scarecrow said. So you may want to look into an external fan to keep the heat down! Hope you can figure it out!
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 8/8/2010 1:43:05 PM
0 up, 0 down
Milonakis
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 5:32:33 PM
1 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 9:48:35 PM
1 up, 0 down
sunspider13
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 1:55:44 AM
Reply
Looking forward to a HD collection of the PoP games all of them were a fun experience and I wouldn't mind going through them again. Not much of a SC fan however.
PGU
I recently got plats for the GoW Collection. Which was fun going through again. Started going through Fallout 3 Point Lookout and having a blast. Btw anyone have the GotY edition for Fallout 3? Ever since I got it, I've had problems with it freezing up on me. Any suggestions?
I finally got Bioshock 2 and the storyline has me hooked. Other than that been playing R&C:ACiT so I can get the last two trophies that I need for plat, as well as Dead Space. Dead Space 2 comes out on my birthday so I'm very excited.
I've also noticed that I've become a trophy addict, I need help. Also it's been hot as hell here. Last week it hit 100+ twice and it's going to do it again this week. Don't know but I like it, lol, I know I'm a sick man. Have a happy people and stay frosty.
0 up, 0 down
Qubex
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 2:47:54 AM
Wadda and Activision should marry....
Wactivision...
Update: This week I have been playing BFC2 multi-player (that has the been the case for the last 2 months or more... and will continue until I get all upgrades and max my character out)
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Last edited by Qubex on 8/8/2010 2:50:43 AM
0 up, 0 down
___________
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 3:04:46 AM
Reply
like GH, people would not mind if they released as many as they do as long as theres something new instead of a new track list that stuff should be DLC!
another prime example of them not giving a sh*t about there games is crash bandicoot nitro kart 2 on the Iphone.
ive played over 50 games on my Iphone and NEVER have i had a game lag.
NEVER!
bought nitro kart, started a race and its so laggy its like im playing crysis on a Pentium 2!
they dont give a sh*t about there games, they dont care if there games get perfect scores, and everyones raving about them.
all they care about is how much $ they bring in.
if they made uncharted 2 they would be pissed because it did not sell 5M+ copies!
i really hope the SC and PoP collection is true, especially PoP i never got to finish the first PoP and i really loved the 2nd and 3rd ones!
im actually playing through the third one, the two thrones on my wii wich was re branded rival swords.
forgot how good that game was, by far the best in the series, and 1000 times better than that crap they call the forgotten sands!
1 up, 1 down
RobiinzZ
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 5:27:11 AM
Reply
PGU: Playing alot of uncharted 2 online, need to get to level 60 so i can be donut drake xD.
Also am playing GTA4 since ive had the game a while now and still havn't completed the story.
0 up, 0 down
Oxvial
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 5:36:14 AM
Reply
2 up, 1 down
Godslim
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 5:39:50 AM
2 up, 0 down
sawao_yamanaka
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 7:12:24 AM
2 up, 0 down
Godslim
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 5:38:18 AM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
ABUrabad
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 8:18:54 AM
Reply
buying a used game will give the seller a chance to buy another new game, used games market is pushing the new game market cycle forward
my playing experience ,Im playing AC2 hoping ill get the platinum within this week so i can move back again to MAG ,beside that i hope that ill have the chance to play my new games F.E.A.R2 and mirror's edge which Im so happy for paying less than 6 dollars for it
Last edited by ABUrabad on 8/8/2010 8:20:34 AM
0 up, 0 down
ABUrabad
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 8:21:43 AM
0 up, 0 down
Qubex
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 8:25:50 AM
Q!
"Wadda + Activision = Wactavision"
Last edited by Qubex on 8/8/2010 8:26:34 AM
0 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:08:25 PM
It's Gray Fox, THE Gray Fox! Also known as Frank Jaeger
1 up, 0 down
ABUrabad
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 3:25:48 PM
these were his last words,and beside that i have something with remembering names after 12 years
0 up, 0 down
JackC8
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 8:37:54 AM
Reply
Anyhow, personal gaming update: I got my platinum on Fallout 3 the other day :) Now I'm playing the Broken Steel DLC. It's pretty fun - a bit more action oriented, and the gameplay goes off in a slightly different direction than the main game - "cranks it up a bit" would be a good way to describe it. Having lots of fun!
Red Dead Redemption is sitting on my shelf, waiting to be opened. I'm really looking forward to the whole Western environment and atmosphere. And if the gameplay is good, like everybody says, well...I will be one happy camper.
1 up, 0 down
tlpn99
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 10:23:02 AM
Reply
Still unsure about Kane & Lynch though after playing the demo. It still doesn't feel or look right to me who wants to play a game through CCTV camera when we want decent graphics etc. It looked very hazy to me.
0 up, 0 down
GuernicaReborn
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 10:26:57 AM
Reply
What exactly were his comments?
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 7:03:40 PM
0 up, 0 down
RadioHeader
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 12:43:14 PM
Reply
I've always been strictly a 'one game at a time' person, but Demon's Souls came along too soon after ModNation Racers, then Joe Danger was getting rave reviews, then I saw Siren Blood Curse for cheap and now I'm stuck with four unfinished games and it's cranked my OCD up to 11. Woe is me.
I guess I'll just have to man up and deal with it, but I do envy the xbots and their lack of games.
2 up, 0 down
FatherSun
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 2:03:12 PM
Reply
Some trilogies are fine for HD upgrades but I would not mind at all if some were downloadable. My disc collection is becoming enormous.
As far as Alan Wake. It is a good game on a good machine. It would be a Great Game if it was on the Greater machine. The 360 has been on its last legs for some time now. Humans can live up to the age of 100. But they wont be running any marathons now will they. The Kinect is the 360s crutch. It will extend the consoles longevity. MicroSoft plants seeds in its tech. Live in the Xbox. The Kinect in the 360. It may work for them. Maybe.
I just wish SONY would ONE-UP MicroSoft and introduce an interface that will show that The EYE can already do what KINECT is promising. Voice integration. Skeletal recognition. Advertising these capabilities coupled with the Move and its "BUTTONS" would steal some of that "thunder". Small caps cause its more like a spark to me. But tell that to the average consumer.
Last edited by FatherSun on 8/8/2010 2:21:53 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 10:21:59 PM
Something Microsoft could have learned before wasting their time as well.
1 up, 0 down
FatherSun
Monday, August 09, 2010 @ 12:57:56 PM
0 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 7:32:52 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, August 08, 2010 @ 7:58:33 PM
1 up, 0 down
Pandacastro
Reply
Saturday, August 07, 2010 @ 9:55:51 PM
Personal gaming update:
Just bougth FF tactics but wont download till I pass 7 and 9. Just need to beat emerald and ruby weapon to finish all side quest. Need 9 more chest in the chocobo side quest in 9 (btw favorite side quest involving a chocobo in a FF game). Just bougth new home items which reminds me, ben are you planning on making a psx club?