Ben's Week In Review: July 3
Happy July 4th to all! Yes, I'm aware that it's tomorrow. :)
I confess...I'm a little concerned about The Last Guardian
As badly as I want the game, and as much faith I have in the developers, this project worries me. From a journalist standpoint, it's really showing all the signs of a game with development problems; we see very little in the way of updates and when we do, it's usually news of a delay. And even then, the information is vague. Now they're moving their base of operations and although one could be optimistic, I'm starting to wonder... That bit about a "major reformation of our development environment" could be interpreted in a number of ways but right now, I'm more inclined to believe that the lengthy design process has hit a snag or two. I dearly hope I'm wrong but projects on similar tracks have turned out poorly before.
They've either been delayed far too many times, or the end result is nowhere near the level of quality gamers expected. Now, I refuse to believe team TRICO will mess this up; I know Ueda is a perfectionist and anybody that can create ICO and Shadow of the Colossus deserves all the respect - and trust - in the world. But we're really going to need more progress reports. And a new estimated release date.
There should be more buzz about Media Molecule
You know, these guys created one of the most revolutionary pieces of interactive entertainment of the generation. Therefore, when we hear they're moving on to work on something new, you should probably pay attention. This team has extraordinary creative and artistic talent and just about any genre would benefit from that over-abundance of imagination. LittleBigPlanet wasn't really my thing and yet, I was always blown away by what those titles offered. And of course, because they're a Sony-owned studio, whatever they produce will be exclusive to the PlayStation brand. It could be for the PS3 or the Vita but either way, we should definitely be pumped. Personally, I'm hoping for an RPG...but I always hope for an RPG.
I do that more often now because the RPGs I actually want to play are few and far between, but I know I still have a love for the genre. Media Molecule could really do something pretty special, I think.
Personal gaming update
I'm still playing inFamous 2; savoring it, really. I'd also like to keep pushing through Final Fantasy IV: Complete Collection just because I've never played the Interlude or The After Years. Beyond that, I'm actually thinking of going all the way through Beyond Good & Evil HD. I never completed it the first time, although I came close, and I was struck by the game's originality and appeal when I played the high-definition version. I might want to finish up Shadows of the Damned, too.
We're sort of entering the summer lull now. The next game I'm interested in is Catherine, which won't be here until July 26 (although I might get it sooner). After that, another month until Deus Ex: Human Revolution. But it's nice to have a little break; might catch up on some downloadable reviews, including Puzzle Agent.
Lastly, many thanks to everyone who came to the Episode #2 debut of our PSXE Show in the PlayStation Home Community Theater. Episode #3 should be ready to go on July 21 and for the fourth episode, we're taking suggestions; it'll be a reader-driven show. I've already decided to do an old-school Final Fantasy segment because so many have asked for it, but we need three more segments. So if you have any ideas, let us know, and that idea just might get into the show. :)
7/2/2011 Ben Dutka
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Comments (81 posts)
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:10:36 PM
Temjin001
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:30:40 PM
Nickjcal
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:45:10 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:45:36 PM
Temjin001
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 11:03:41 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 11:08:33 PM
Qubex
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 12:48:38 AM
The "no news" concerning TLG doesn't concern me too much. I think Ueda is keeping a great surprise up his sleeve. I think we may see something at the TGS later in the year, with a full showing and near release visuals of the game at next years E3 :)
I am expecting we will be able to purchase The Last Guardian Holidays 2012, but not before everyone has been blown away by trailers and a demo of the game by E3 2012... I think all is ok; just excited to see what it is about...
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Dreno
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:06:12 PM
Reply
Ben, since the next psxe episode will have an old-school ff segment, perhaps you could make it a full blown tetro gaming episode of the psxe show.
Perhaps have a segment based on the chrono series, trigger and cross.
Maybe talk about what they respectively brought to the table at the time, where the story could possibly go if a 3rd were to be released, what it could include, and maybe whether a third installment would be a success and whether or not it would appeal to the fans of the series. Of course the original chrono team would have to do threequel.
But yeah, just an idea.
Dreno
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:07:54 PM
Danny007
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:08:02 PM
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I'm hoping that Media Molecule's next game is on both PS3 and PSV. And yes, I wouldn't mind an RPG. They're good developers, they can do it.
@Ben, it seems like in your review of Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood that you somewhat enjoyed that game. Are you at all interested in The Cartel as well?
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:11:09 PM
Danny007
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:49:53 PM
I had to look up what other games Techland developed and noticed that they are the ones working on Dead Island which looks promising in my opinion. So, now I'm a little bit more excited for The Cartel. Can't wait.
___________
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 3:04:53 AM
Clamedeus
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 12:13:34 PM
johnld
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:14:16 PM
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as for media molecule, i am interested in their next project. i just hope its not multiplayer centric. although i loved littlebigplanet 2, i kinda have buyers remorse with it. after beating it, i havent played the game at all, mostly because noone on my list is playing it. also, i'm not that creative concerning user generated content so i dont take part in it.
Personal gaming update:
i want to say that i'm playing mass effect 2 but i cant get that damn game to play. i get up to the part where the first EA logo comes out then i get stuck on an endless loading screen. i think i only made it to the main menu once and managed to download the cerberus pack. after that its the same damn loading screen. as i type this i am waiting on the EA help live chat. so far they havent helped at all. anyone have any idea how i can fix this? i thought getting it for 20 was a great deal but now i'm thinking i just paid 20 bucks to get pissed off everytime i put the game in.
aside from this, i platinumed infamous 2. great game and i'm glad i bought it right away instead of waiting which im trying to do with single player only games. also been playing uncharted beta and i love it so far. i like the fact that it seems like its on a little slower pace. that airstrip level is pretty crazy. if they have that on multiplayer, i cant wait to see what they do in single player. next game i'm picking up is white knight chronicles 2 then its straight to battlefied 3 and uncharted after that. i do hope i get enough money for resistance 3 and batman arkham city though but i still dont have a job. i knew i shouldnt have done mechanical engineering major.
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:24:08 PM
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johnld
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:56:13 PM
Lawless SXE
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:37:41 PM
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MM can do whatever the jolly hell that they like. LBP was downright fantastic, and their next project, while being a deprtaure should be just as good. I'd liken them to Insomniac. R&C was awesome, but then they changed it up with R:FoM which was just as good. Though I think that it'll definitely be a family friendly game. I mean... take a look at their website: if they go out of their way to make it that cutesy, I don't think that they're about to go and make Dead Space.
PU:
Still going on the Writings of Edgar Allan Poe, he has some really good stories in there, and I really love the style of horror.
I got probably halfway through Tools of Destruction while my niece and nephew were here, so I'll be going back to that series when I finish my evil playthrough of iF2. Also gone back to FFIV: Complete after KZ: Liberation just got on my nerves.
Peace.
sirbob6
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:55:04 PM
Temjin001
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:44:40 PM
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Media Molecule has achieved something special and great with LBP. I'm pretty curious what direction they'll go with their next secret project. The selfish side of me wants them to direct their talents towards something more to my specific tastes. But what the hey, I'm sure it'll be good whatever it is.
I never finished Beyond G&E either. I played it way back when and got stuck somewhere in a boat with my pig friend. The game had a real unique vibe. While it's an amalgamation of a lot of gaming styles it's all cooked together to make something that tastes yummy and especially distinct. Ill eventually grab the HD version.
PGU: Been living it up in Fallout 3. Man, I've been hooked at it, too. Took me a little while to acclimate to the Bethseda way of design. Which includes scrapping your character and restarting because you eventually realize that you put your points in the wrong spots. Dont bank on charisma guys. You might be able to talk smart to the locals, but you'll get your butt kicked by the Super Mutants and Crab Men. I don't understand why they let you screw yourself up like that right from the beginning. Maybe I'm just ignorant, but it seems the game pays off in dividends if you just sort of select 3 primary attributes of growth and concentrate on developing those. Because, like Oblivion, being a jack of all trades just gets you dead faster.
I decided to just become a mean slugging melee brute, who can tote around large guns and keep myself good and healed with meds.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 7/2/2011 10:45:52 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:58:22 PM
Excelsior1
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 12:35:11 AM
Beamboom
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 3:31:54 AM
mastiffchild
Monday, July 04, 2011 @ 11:29:03 AM
Don't get me wrong, it isn't a BAD game it's just an AWFUL Fallout game and most of the people who agree with me are also old time series fans and the biggest issue I have, and most of them, is that Bethesda totally miss the atmosphere of the originals which, to a tiny extent, is actually more easily found IN NV. I realise I'm in a tiny FO3 minority but it still amazes me how Bethesda got so many gamers on side with this. I actually really like them(despite their insistence in making us pay to play while doing their beta and QA testing with a supposed "final" product)as devs, love TES and loved Oblivion too-I just didn't expect so much of it to get coloured grey and stuck in FO3! Oblivion's great but it doesn't make a great fit when you feel half the next game is recycled from it.
Anyway, great that you guys like it so much but I couldn't pass it up as, to me, it really was a game I was beyond excited for and the mechanics and atmosphere (and the abrupt main story) just wrecked it for me-I felt it was actually a bit cruel!
gray_eagle
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 11:02:48 PM
Reply
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 2:50:22 AM
Lawless SXE
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 3:54:07 AM
Dreno
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 11:16:37 PM
Reply
I read its only about 30-40% contained.
The place that's on fire is called nixon, nevada.
Hell of a 4th of july weekend.
I hope evryones okay though.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 12:05:16 AM
Jawknee
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 3:19:52 AM
BikerSaint
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 10:11:05 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 12:05:30 AM
Riku994
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 12:47:37 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 12:11:10 AM
PS2:
Suikoden III, V
Wild ARMs 3
Dragon Quest VIII
Shadow Hearts: Covenant, SH: From the New World
Legaia 2: Duel Saga
Dark Cloud
Xenosagas
Valkyrie Profile 2
Champions of Norrath
Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance I, II
Rogue Galaxy
Kingdom Hearts I, II
Star Ocean: 'Til the End of Time
PS3:
Valkyria Chronicles
Eternal Sonata
White Knight Chronicles
Star Ocean: The Last Hope International
Nier
Dungeon Siege III
I didn't mention the more obvious ones, like Final Fantasy, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Fallout, etc.
Claire C
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 1:06:19 AM
Bloodedge
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 2:53:01 AM
cLoudou
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 3:21:38 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 7:17:51 PM
dmiitrie
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 12:32:16 AM
Reply
Also, in keeping with the fondness for RPGs, perhaps you could also include a segment on the divide between WRPG and JRPG
PGU: I'm still plugging away at inFamous after picking that up with the Welcome Back package. While it is worth every bit of the praise it gets, I have to admit that it's become a little tedious trying to pick up all the blast shards and dead drops from the Warren. But for the most part, I've been trying to get through another read of a Song of Ice and Fire before a Dance with Dragons hits later this month. Almost halfway through with Clash of Kings and this is just one of those series that I enjoy more every time I read it.
Jawknee
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 4:33:04 AM
Last edited by Jawknee on 7/3/2011 4:37:06 AM
BikerSaint
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 10:20:28 AM
****Spoiler alert****
I was inquisitive to see exactly how much damage was done to the city by the bomb blast & how widespread it was, so I climbed the very tip of the largest building to survey the area & boom there it was.
johnld
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 9:27:13 PM
in infamous 2, the most missable blast shard is on the top left corner of the train yard on a container thats mostly submerged in the water farthest from the train yard. that was the last one i found because it didnt show up on my radar.
Highlander
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 1:07:27 AM
Reply
Beamboom
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 7:47:13 AM
Other than that I've gotten a bit more grip of the gameplay now, but I do think I prefer first person view on multiplayer games like these.
Highlander
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 3:49:13 PM
Beamboom
Monday, July 04, 2011 @ 6:33:30 AM
Claire C
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 1:15:24 AM
Highlander
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 1:19:50 AM
leatherface
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 1:27:03 AM
Jawknee
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 2:31:21 AM
rogers71
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 8:11:15 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 2:56:53 AM
Reply
2 days ago we were plunged into the stone age for a mere day. The dark of the storm and lack of electricity even making it difficult to read. Happens to everyone now and again, but it reminds me that suddenly when your whole way of life simply does not function you appreciate things like internet sites and games quite a bit more. My heart goes out to the victims of the fires.
And, God willing, perhaps we will get more TLG info at the Tokyo Game Show.
___________
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 3:20:30 AM
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not exactly good signs when developers dont show off there games, and when they do there so protective and jumpy about it.
i remember a BBC journalist talking about a amazing game he had seen back in freaking 2005 which turned out to be TLG.
so its been in development for at least 6 freaking years!
what the bloody hells going on?
6 years in development, and we have almost seen nothing on it!
i think we have our new DNF.
the constant delays of the ico collection dont exactly strike confidence in me either.
i mean come on there freaking collections, all there doing us touching up the graphics!
how freaking long can that take!?
same for the splinter cell collection, i mean ubis delayed it 4 freaking times!
im really excited to see what MM have in store for us next.
i just hope they dont do a LBP2 on us and try to a melding of everything.
theres a reason why developers pick a genre and stick with it!
look at GT5 and infamous 2, they tried to do everything and what happened to them?
as ive said a million times, better to perfect one trade, then be mediocre at many.
give be 10 loafs of woollies bread, over 1 loaf of top of the line bakery bread.
just started the witcher 2.
what took so f*cking long?
no seriously?
why has it taken so long for a developer to have the balls to do this?
most developers these days hold back on things because there scared they will loose sales.
these guys say f*ck it, we want to do it, so were doing it, if that hurts the sales then so be it!
finally we have gamers making games for gamers, not developers making games just as a paycheck!
they made a game that needs such a high powered PC simply to show off what the latest hardware can do.
most developers would shy away from that because it would hurt there sales.
they dont care though, they would rather put out the best game they can and get decent sales, then put out a mediocre game and get fantastic sales!
hats off to them!
finally someone who has the balls to make such a old school style of action adventure RPG.
you have to think ahead, create potions and use them before battle because once in battle you cant use them.
most developers would say f*ck that were not doing that, just that alone will cut our sales in half!
bout bloody time we got someone who made the game they wanted to make, not the game that would sell well!
so nice to finally have a developer who does not flinch in the sight of sales, they soldier on and complete there vision.
if that means cutting there sales in half, well then so be it!
not to mention there strong stance against the DRM.
as they once said forcing DRM on your fans is like treating them like criminals!
these guys should be hailed, and be bought a castle!
hats off guys, a f*cking wonderful job!
now start on classes,and get more developers thinking your way, the way it should be!
first stop, crytek!
BikerSaint
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 10:25:26 AM
Geobaldi
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 11:42:13 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 7:18:51 PM
Beamboom
Monday, July 04, 2011 @ 2:09:08 AM
How interested are you in seeing a recording of a two week old news program, to put it that way.
To rephrase: Please put the episodes available for all at the same time. That's what I am suggesting.
Underdog15
Monday, July 04, 2011 @ 10:36:10 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, July 04, 2011 @ 10:50:11 AM
Highlander
Monday, July 04, 2011 @ 8:23:39 PM
gray_eagle
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 3:55:38 AM
Reply
Beamboom
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 6:58:26 AM
Reply
But oh man, I gotta say: Nothing, NOTHING beats storyline co-op. Makes me never want to play alone again.
NB: Good buddy required.
Also, bought one of those SMG models where you insert the Move controllers. Gotta get Killzone 3 someday soon to try the gun in that game!
Last edited by Beamboom on 7/3/2011 6:58:47 AM
Beamboom
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 7:10:34 AM
BikerSaint
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 10:32:10 AM
Reply
BikerSaint
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 11:47:31 AM
Reply
Just bought a few more games, adding to my already huge backlog.
For my PS3....
Medal Of Honor: Limited Edition.
And for my Move set-up, I picked up Kung Fu Rider, 2 pistols, a Nyko 3D Shot new for $4.99 at Gamestop(this week only) & a Eagl3 Precision Shot3. I also picked up the Eagl3 Move package that contains a sword & shield, a table tennis racquet, & a archery bow for only $9.99 brand new at Gamestop.
And I'm still hoping to find a great deal somewhere on that KZ/SOCOM rifle, plus a machine gun.
Plus I picked up the PSN Mini side-scroller, "Young Thor" on sale 50% this week, can't go wrong for only $1.25
BTW, after trying out the 30-day free Playstation Plus as part of Sony's Welcome Back gifts, I've decided to sign up for it.
I could only buy the 3 month deal due to lack of funds this week, and at least Sony's giving me an extra month free right now. But I'm also going to buy the 12 month(with 3 extra months free), which will give me a total of 19 months for the price of 15.
And if I get more funds soon enough, I'll probably buy 2-3 more 12 month deals just to jack up another extra 6 to 9 months free.
For my 360.....
UFC 2009 Undisputed
Metro 2033
Dead To Rights: Retribution
(I love ordering Shadow to take a bite out of crime, by way of extreme crotch-mauling)
Oyashiro
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 6:53:02 PM
Fane1024
Tuesday, July 05, 2011 @ 5:14:54 AM
Highlander
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 3:56:23 PM
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The production cost of games, is it necessary to spend $100,000,000 on producing a video game? Is it necessary to spend $50,000,000? What's a realistic cost of a game today, and what's simply over the top?
How many copies does a game need to sell to be a success? Does a game's genre decrease the number of copies sold needed to be considered a success? Is WKC (for example) a success despite selling only 5% of the number of copies sold by CoD Black Ops?
PS Home, Sodium 1 & 2, Conspiracy and other games, are they any good? Home virtual items, why do people buy them? What do people get out of Home, is it more than a glorified virtual doll house? Are our avatars more than virtual dolls? Where did the Home Trophy Room go?
Teddie9
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 5:22:05 PM
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PGU: Borrowed Vanquish the other day from a friend. Loved it but it was much too short. Spoiler: Shoulda been a small downtime/ shoot outs between Burns boss fight and the two flying slave units. The part where Elena rids you of your retraints against the blue one was awesome.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, July 03, 2011 @ 7:19:38 PM
Reply

The Last Guardian









WorldEndsWithMe
Reply
Saturday, July 02, 2011 @ 10:01:59 PM
I hope MM goes hardcore with their next title.
Oh man I've been sick and unable to game or write for the most part. I want to retry Two Worlds II, I've got Mirror's Edge, and I want to make a montage of Duke's antics but I'm still tryin to figure out how to do the damn EasyCap thing with my TV.