Ben's Week In Review: February 6
View Large ImageIt has been another busy week, but February still has big stuff in store. As if you didn't already know.
RPGs making a resurgence
Historically, the role-playing genre is the last category of gaming to really get rolling in any given generation. So maybe I shouldn't be too surprised to see such a resurgence as we enter the fourth and fifth years of this particular era. Dark Souls has been announced and I'm hoping it'll appeal more to my tastes, and Namco is finally bringing Tales of Graces F to North America. Plus, we got an official release date for the highly anticipated Dungeon Siege III...and this is all in the past week. Coming up, you can expect our preview for Mass Effect 3, I just put up the Hyperdimension Neptunia review (a little disappointing, but that's okay), and we'll be weighing in on the new Ar Tonelico soon, too. Oh, and of course, what I'm guessing will be my favorite RPG of the year - Dragon Age II - drops next month. Can't wait for that one.
Although the standard RPG formula of a world map and towns and turn-based combat seems to have died out completely in the console world, I'm still excited to see so many new role-playing adventures coming out. The action and shooter genres really dominated the first part of this generation and in all honesty, I've been craving such an RPG onslaught. 2011 ought to be interesting. :)
L.A. Noire expectations are now sky-high
It fell off the radar for a while, and most just forgot all about it. But now that it's officially on track for May and Rockstar is starting to release all these details and trailers, the hype has quickly been rebuilt. In fact, I think it's probably higher now than it ever was. They keep bringing us behind the scenes, outlining the amazing size and scope of this project, so it's hard not to harbor lofty expectations. Really, if I don't love this one, I'll be quite disappointed. I don't expect another Heavy Rain (that sort of experience happens only once a generation, I think) but I do expect a fantastic game that presents us with something new. The gameplay itself won't be revolutionary but some of those features could have a huge impact.
Rockstar usually doesn't disappoint, and Team Bondi really seems to have gone all out with this production. I'm just crossing my fingers.
Personal gaming update
I'm bouncing back and forth between Dead Space 2 and GT5; I think I'm in Chapter 10 in DS2 and I'm nearing the end of GT5. Well, not the "end," but about as far as I want to go. I'm Lv. 25 with the Formula Gran Turismo and most of the events done. I'll just finish up a few more, maybe try the last (Expert) part of the AMG Driving Academy, and do one or two of the Endurance races, and that's it. I'll be moving on; I have no intention of going nuts with it and I've already seen the two ending movies. Besides, Killzone 3 is right around the corner, and so is Dragon Age II and Bulletstorm. There are plenty more games I'm interested in over the next few months.
Sadly, Neptunia didn't do it for me, and that's unfortunate. But I'm looking forward to trying Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together for the PSP this week (review coming soon after), and I still have to try the new Ar Tonelico, which is sitting here. I realized this past week that the only 360 game I might buy this year is Gears of War 3 but...that's hardly surprising. I have to keep blowing the dust off that thing. What I need is Alan Wake 2.
2/5/2011 Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (71 posts)
Kevin555
Saturday, February 05, 2011 @ 10:29:32 PM
Reply
I also played Venetica, possibly the worst game i ever had the displeasure of touching. The graphics & animation are complete shite & the game as a whole is just complete pants.
No wonder you can find it at what, $30 in pre owned bins already?
Also, where is my VF5: Final Showdown announcement SEGA? Man i want to play that game so badly.
Last edited by Kevin555 on 2/5/2011 10:31:42 PM
0 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 1:24:36 AM
3 up, 0 down
Pandacastro
Monday, February 07, 2011 @ 1:19:07 PM
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, February 05, 2011 @ 10:30:02 PM
Reply
BUT at least there is Dragon Age II soon while I continue to hack away at Mass Effect 2. Just finished Dead Space today and for reasons I cannot fathom a fellow PSXE member has offered to straight up purchase Dead Space 2 for me (Thanks Beezledrop, remember you can borrow anything from my collection if you like) so I'm excited about that!
I should have some money together later for inFamous 2, KZ3, and LA Noire.
How I'll fit them all in I don't know. I'm not a huge Onimusha fan, but I was saddened today to read that it will likely make a comeback but in the form of an updated multiplayer game :(
And the Alan Wake team should just make a spiritual successor on PS3, that game never belonged near the unappreciative 360 audience.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 2/5/2011 10:30:56 PM
9 up, 0 down
Karosso
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 9:57:29 AM
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 3:16:51 PM
1 up, 0 down
matt99
Saturday, February 05, 2011 @ 11:06:29 PM
Reply
Anyways, lately I've been playing a lot of FIFA South Africa edition. My friend came over and challenged me too it and that got me hooked again.
0 up, 0 down
PasteNuggs
Saturday, February 05, 2011 @ 11:35:45 PM
Reply
I agree with world about a spiritual successor to Alan Wake for the ps3 but I still want more Alan Wake.
Speaking of Alan Wake, I had to push off Castlevania a bit longer because the woman wanted us to play it. I finished it on Wednesday and the only thing I have played since is the KZ3 beta and not much of it. I kinda get bored quickly for two reasons. First one, I sometimes takes me a few times for it to connect because their servers are so full. And the second one is because they only give you one map. If they would have given two or three it would be better. I don't blame them for not wanting to give away too much though.
On a personal note, I'm going to start bidding on the house my girlfriend grew up in so wish me luck that I might get it.
5 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, February 05, 2011 @ 11:53:10 PM
1 up, 0 down
FatherSun
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 9:27:27 PM
0 up, 0 down
tes37
Saturday, February 05, 2011 @ 11:58:43 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 12:15:47 AM
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 2/6/2011 12:22:53 AM
4 up, 0 down
tes37
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 12:25:23 AM
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 12:46:39 AM
5 up, 0 down
GuernicaReborn
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 12:49:08 AM
5 up, 0 down
tes37
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 1:34:03 AM
@Guernica Reborn, I might just stop by Gamestop and see if they will give me one. The worst they could do is say no, so it won't hurt to try.
5 up, 0 down
Alienange
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 12:13:52 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
___________
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 12:19:44 AM
Reply
have not been able to do that since heavy rain released!
well, besides portal but that does not count because it released ages ago, got it on release and only got a chance to start playing it yesterday.
i love puzzle games, its a real shame we dont get many of them.
im really interested in getting create and giving that a whirl, looks like a really fun puzzle game.
0 up, 5 down
tes37
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 12:28:43 AM
Last edited by tes37 on 2/6/2011 12:29:56 AM
0 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 12:37:22 AM
Reply
It is so much better and it truly expands on what made LBP great, the whole create part is so much better and I'd say easier too.
Going to truly love this game.
Hope i can split time between this and the countless other games I'm addicted to.
2 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 12:53:03 AM
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/6/2011 12:53:11 AM
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 3:13:35 AM
3 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 3:46:54 AM
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/6/2011 3:47:41 AM
3 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 1:37:04 AM
Reply
JRPG's with a heavy anime stylization just don't really appeal to me. Actually, I'm somewhat attracted to the Lunar games. So I dunno.
I'm still trying to get over the luke-warm KZ3 press. Maybe the game isn't so great after all. I don't want to believe it. I don't think I believe it. And if I can come up with $60, I'll get it.
I'm excited for quite a number of games that are coming around the corner. I want to try out MvsC3 and MK. I'm stoked for Motorstorm: Apoc., and infamous 2. I'll wait on Dragon Age 2 until after I do the first game--which I will.
PGU: Been doing GT5, Gears 2 ($9.99 was my kind of price), and played T6 and SF4 to where my thumbs and carpals hurt. I finally broke down and ordered a HRAP3 stick. ANd like Kevin5, I'd like to see Sega come around and announce VF5: FS. PS owners still haven't been given VF online. Ironically, VF made it's big come back debut on PS2 and, yet, VF5 is only online for 360 and it sold worse than dog poop in a box. SEGA!!!
4 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 1:42:18 AM
Reply
Also gave Dead Rising 2 a try ( hated it ) and still trying to beat gears 2 on its hardest
Been playing it on my 360, but i was able to wait it out and finally ordered my new ps3 which will arrive on monday. I was pissed i missed out on the $100 gift card deal websites were offering around xmas, but amazon and other sites brought it back sort of, but its $50 now. I'll take it though, and use the 50 for either mass effect 2, dead space 2, or killzone 3.
Almost went to gamestop to get my ps3 though, they were offering little big planet 2 with the purchase of a ps3 and my wife wants that game, but ultimately my gaming wants comes first
Last edited by aaronisbla on 2/6/2011 1:44:14 AM
1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 3:51:51 AM
Actually, this is a game for the cult-players WorldEndsWithMe & Co, who seek out bad games voluntarily. They may love this one to bits, everyone else; Stay clear!
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/6/2011 3:52:32 AM
0 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 4:55:19 AM
WTF happened to capcom this gen?
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 5:08:04 PM
A game should have a redeeming quality at least, even a gimmick to enjoy to be played. DR2 has nothing going for it. I sold it.
3 up, 0 down
PorkChopGamer
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 11:39:06 PM
Capcom's doing okay this gen. Names like Ghost Trick, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, Monster Hunter Tri, Phoenix Wright, Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbados' Treasure, and Sengoku Basara 3 will likely make your brow furrow in puzzlement but great games, all of them. Capcom, like Square, are supporting FIVE systems; each of which can be profitable. Never had a situation like this ever in gaming. If you just own a PS3/PSP you're only getting part of the story. Sorry that doesn't work with the need to be on top of gaming info, but that's just how it is.
As for their titles just for PS3/360, I personally enjoyed everyone except Lost Planet 2. (Super)Street Figher 4 reinvigorated fighing games with an absolute flawless online, bringing back that old arcade feeling. We'll find out in a week if they can do the same for Marvel vs. Capcom. Bionic Commando and Dark Void weren't great, but the were enjoyable , especially, Bionic commando. Has their ability to be cutting edge faltered? Yes. But, with that we can only blame the gaming community itself because last gen they were pumping out fantastic games Killer 7, Okami, Shadow of Rome, Viewtiful Joe, God Hand, Darkwatch, Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams, Maximo: Army of Zin, no one bought them. Now people want great graphics, which cost alot of money. It really sucks that they can't pump out like they used too. I have high hopes for Ashura's Wrath, though. Looks crazy and fun.
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 3:12:38 AM
Reply
I have been on the fence about how much I should pay for it. Get it at $40 or wait until it's uber cheap. I really want to try it, but I must at least read 1 honest review before I can make up my mind.
Metacritic can be used to get a basic idea most of the time, but it's never a sure thing.
I just borrowed GTA4 from a friend with all dlc and have played it about 6-8 hours. So far, I'm surprised at how bad it is. The controls are terrible, the main characters and the cars graphics are good, but everything else is almost detail free.
It seems Rockstar hired an entire crew of people just to record foul language. I realize all the GTA games have a lot of language, but it seems, 4 has nothing but.
I was excited to play it, even after some people said it wasn't that great. I know I'm only just getting started, but so far it feels like a huge step down from San Andreas. It doesn't even let you listen to music off your hard drive, San Andreas on xbox did that, why doesn't 4?
Ok enough ranting, does it get better?
0 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 3:54:19 AM
Not to mention the characters: Intensively uninteresting. I do not WANT to be Nico. He's a humorless, grey nobody that annoys the shit out of me.
It's crazy that I bought a PS3 just for this game only (seriously). And that's the only good thing I have to say about GTAIV: It got me the ps3.
If only San Andreas got an overhaul and was released for ps3, that'd be awsome...
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/6/2011 3:59:57 AM
0 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 4:18:03 AM
1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 4:32:05 AM
One cool thing in GTAIV (imo) was the comedy club and theatre. Especially the theatre. Also I liked the car handling - but then again I've always liked the car handling in GTA so that's nothing special for IV. The graphics are sluggish, it's *always* raining, the nights are too long, the days are too short, some of the missions are just plain annoying, most of them are just uninteresting and a tad too hard, and there are no good club/techno music to be found at all. Even Nico's brother annoyed me, I actually tried to kill him several times without ending the game, just to get one lesser annoyance.
It should also be mentioned that I've not played the expansions. They got different characters so maybe that'd make a difference for me.
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/6/2011 4:37:53 AM
0 up, 0 down
Geobaldi
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 4:49:44 AM
If you happen to have a PC, you can pick it up brand new for $29, + $20 for the collector's edition, like I did. If not, I'd say it all depends on how much you're into RPG's; whether or not you enjoyed the first one; and/or how many games you have lined up now. It's received mostly positive reviews to this point. And the online co-op is really fun.
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 6:13:07 AM
Wouldn't have even been that hard, it's not like there are very many building you can enter in GTA4 anyway. Plus the city on midnight club looked better. On GTA4 you can only turn the corner if you're going less than 5 mph it seems.
Nico is about the only character I don't want to kill, he's not great, but at least he's not Roman.
@Geobaldi
Currently I only have a laptop that would not be able to run Two Worlds II, so ps3 is what I'll be getting it on. I'm fine with waiting, but I'm very curious to see what Ben or Arnold give it. Not sure who's handling it, but I psx always has the most honest reviews, they don't pull punches or play favorites.
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 3:18:30 PM
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 2/6/2011 3:19:34 PM
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 5:09:31 PM
0 up, 0 down
Wrote
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 5:16:04 PM
also I have faith in 2 worlds 2.. super bowl ftw!
peace
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 6:49:20 PM
In San Andreas if you had a bunch of cops it wasn't really a problem because the aiming and walking mechanic wasn't broken like it is on gta4. If you have auto aim on, it only aims at the chest which does almost nothing, and Nico walks like a broken transformer. I turned off the auto aim, but with it turned off, you aim from cover, but when you pull the trigger he steps out and shoots about 2 feet next to where you were aiming. Terrible controls, just awful.
0 up, 0 down
Geobaldi
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 4:41:08 AM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 4:52:36 AM
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 6:14:41 AM
This tends to be the reason I get into MMO's, some of them have crafting systems rarely found in a console game, and I do so love to craft.
1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 6:35:21 AM
Oh the pride of slaying a beast with the weapon crafted from your own two hands! :D
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/6/2011 6:36:19 AM
1 up, 0 down
kraygen
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 6:53:37 PM
He'd ask if I wanted to go kill some stuff, but I'd be in the basement of my house crafting like a mad scientist. Never seen a crafting system quite like it since. I miss that crafting system.
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 6:57:22 PM
1 up, 0 down
sunspider13
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 7:41:29 PM
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, February 07, 2011 @ 12:56:04 AM
A couple of times tho it told me there was a network error and I had been disconnected from the network, but I was still online. Not sure what that was about, but wasn't a biggie.
0 up, 0 down
hadouken
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 11:03:18 AM
Reply
I been trying to find time to play GT5, Ac brother hood, and Mass effect 2. I need to hurry before KZ3 comes out.
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 6:56:59 PM
1 up, 2 down
PorkChopGamer
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 11:52:12 PM
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, February 07, 2011 @ 10:19:06 AM
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 12:39:37 PM
Reply
WKC grind....
That is all.
::blinks::
3 up, 0 down
sirbob6
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 2:35:48 PM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
Radiohead
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 5:47:46 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
MadKatBebop
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 5:54:13 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
tlpn99
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 6:29:23 PM
Reply
I keep on jumping when things pop out at you brilliant game and I love it.
0 up, 0 down
Danny007
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 7:13:39 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 8:33:26 PM
0 up, 0 down
sunspider13
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 8:10:39 PM
Reply
Waiting for my brother to lend me ME2 so I can get into it. I'm on the fence about buying it so if it grabs me I will. Also have been spending some time with the KZ3 beta and from what I've seen I like it so far so I can't wait to get into the single player part of it. It seems like they're going to top some of the moments form KZ2 and I'm so ready for that.
Also got the Bulletstorm demo and it was interesting. I'll wait for it to come down in price alot but I'll give it a go then. It looks like a popcorn game and I'm all for those from time to time.
Will be getting Castlevania:LoS sometime in the next week or two after incessant nagging by my brother. It's been on my list of games I wanted to play along with inFamous 2 though.
I'm on chapter 14 of my second playthrough of Dead Space 2 and all I can say is Stick A Needle In My Eye! I do agree with some that it is a little bit more action oriented than the first, but I don't think it handicaps the game at all. In my opinion with the new setting I think it makes sense. The scares and the anticipation of something popping out to eat your face is still there. I also like the new types of necromorphs. First time meeting the stalkers was a fun experience. I also liked the way they reworked moving in zero G. And the ending was a nice nod to the end of the first game which made me lol. All in all a great experience, good job Visceral, can't wait for the next DS.
Well that's it people, happy gaming.
Last edited by sunspider13 on 2/6/2011 8:11:42 PM
0 up, 0 down
TheShadow
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 8:16:20 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
just2skillf00l
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 8:33:15 PM
Reply
I don't know if I'm gonna be too into the multiplayer but I kinda want to get it for the singleplayer. K2 was pretty epic in my eyes and I'm ecstatic to see what new awesome guns they bring in. And as a personal favor for me Guerilla, no more unnecessary swearing!
The most interesting games on my radar right now are Crisis 2, Ni no Kuni, Portal, Deus Ex, is a Mirror's Edge sequel afoot, that'd be pretty awesome! Oh and also that No More Heroes game, I loved the first one for the Wii. It was freakin insane!
0 up, 0 down
TheShadow
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 8:53:40 PM
And when is it coming out?
Last edited by TheShadow on 2/6/2011 8:55:34 PM
0 up, 0 down
just2skillf00l
Monday, February 07, 2011 @ 3:04:46 PM
0 up, 0 down
Lairfan
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 8:49:31 PM
Reply
Also, I'm glad RPGs are making a comeback. I'm not too big into them (Fallout and Mass Effect are the only ones I play really), but I'm still glad for the people who are fans of the genre. Besides, there's just far too many FPSs coming out, and the fewer there are, the better. IMO the only shooters we really need are Resistance and Killzone, but that's a bit off-topic now isn't it?
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 9:22:06 PM
0 up, 0 down
PorkChopGamer
Sunday, February 06, 2011 @ 10:50:51 PM
1 up, 2 down
MadPowerBomber
Monday, February 07, 2011 @ 3:07:04 AM
Reply
RPGS are a bit of a sour note with me as of late and it's by no means a fault of the games, the "genre", or the development teams. It's the result of my HDD getting wiped and losing all the work I put into Dragon Age: Origins, FFXIII and Fallout 3. Have to start over on all three. Poop. Although, I'm loving Mass Effect 2 to death.
PGU:
New televisions! Bought a 47" LCD for the living room, and a 42" LEDLCD for my bedroom. Yay! Gaming has never looked prettier. Neither have blu-rays. Finished my third and fourth playthroughs of Dead Space 2. Played a lot of Fist of the North Star, some Super SFIV, some Vanquish and now I'm in deep with Mass Effect 2. I love it.
0 up, 0 down
SmokeyPSD
Reply
Saturday, February 05, 2011 @ 9:55:34 PM