Ben's Week In Review: August 14
Final Fantasy XIII-2Very pleasant weather. Took advantage of it to shoot Episode #5 of the PSXE Show today. :)
Square Enix should let US gamers test FFXIII-2 early
You know, it would go a long way to allaying lingering fears. When I saw that Square Enix would give 40 lucky gamers a chance to play Final Fantasy XIII-2, I knew immediately we should have that same opportunity in other regions. You may notice that they're calling it a "fan meeting." Well, isn't that what this company has desperately needed over the past decade? I mean, I think Japanese gamers are just gonna love FF no matter what, but it seems to me as if old-school Western fans have had a bone to pick with S-E. And if you gave these fans a chance to play FFXIII-2 early, it'd be fantastic. Why?
Because if they did it early enough, they could seriously consider fan feedback and implement any changes and fixes before the game arrives. Can you imagine if they had done this for FFXIII? We're not talking about a demo; we're talking about letting gamers in on the development process. I doubt they'll take criticism from Japanese fans during that FFXIII-2 preview but what if they did? And what if they did it here?
More people should be pumped for the new Joe Danger
Come on. I know we don't have all the details just yet, but nowhere near enough people are psyched for the new Joe Danger. I still say the original is arguably the greatest downloadable game of the generation, despite the fact that digital competition gets stiffer by the day. It was pretty, endlessly fun, lengthy, and besides, the concept of an Excitebike for a new generation...? It's just so perfect. And I was wondering if Hello Games would do a sequel, or if they'd choose a different concept entirely. I wouldn't have minded a new IP from such a talented developer but in truth, I wanted another Joe Danger.
If you haven't tried it yet, I would strongly suggest downloading it ASAP. You really won't find a better digital experience. And I hope more people get excited for this sequel in the future.
Personal gaming update
I haven't been playing much besides Catherine and Limbo but the summer drought is already ending. We've got Deus Ex: Human Revolution in a few weeks, and Resistance 3 and Dead Island a few weeks after that. Speaking of the latter, I should be involved in a Q&A with the developers later this month. Also, speaking of interviews, I'll be chatting with PlayStation Home boss Jack Buser later this week; evidently, he has something significant to discuss. Might not be able to reveal it immediately, though.
Oh, and now that Episode #4 of our PSXE Show is in the books, we're looking forward to the fifth. Topics include the unfortunate fate of L.A. Noire developer Team Bondi, the great Resistance series, and the intended consumer base for HD collections. Also, expect to see Episode #3 up on our YouTube Channel soon, just in case you don't go into Home.
8/13/2011 Ben Dutka
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Comments (44 posts)
Victor321
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 9:59:05 PM
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I'd still like it to be exclusive though, but that's my bias speaking =P and it doesn't have to necessarily be 2012 or 2013 either, I want this generation of consoles to last!
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Excelsior1
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 9:55:52 AM
1 up, 2 down
Lawless SXE
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 10:17:12 PM
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PU:
Started and finished Lady Susan... was different, but I enjoyed it. I'm now reading a compilation of some of Lovecraft's work.
I went to start back on FFIV last night, but discovered that I'd turned the system off rather than putting it into standby, so I've taken that as a cue to take a break from it, and instead I've played a bit of The 3rd Birthday. Aside from Aya being a bit docile, it's good so far.
And I finished R&C:ACiT about two hours ago, which means that R:FoM hits the PS3 for the first time in four years either tomorrow or later tonight if I can get everything that I want written in time.
Peace.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 11:57:54 PM
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Lawless SXE
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:07:08 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:14:35 AM
The only good film adaptation I've seen is for Call of Cthulhu and is a silent film made in 2005. I think Netflix has it if you haven't seen it.
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth will always be my fave Xbox1 game :)
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sirbob6
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 1:15:29 AM
Last edited by sirbob6 on 8/14/2011 1:16:45 AM
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Oxvial
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 10:23:38 PM
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Hope they rush XIII-2 asap I want Versus not the sequel of the multi-platform game.
Meh a sequel of XIII wasn't even necessary and their characters weren't enough iconic in order to make all the FF fandom want to know more about them, stupid game not gonna have my money.
I prefer to buy the new CoD game 10 times before this.
Last edited by Oxvial on 8/13/2011 10:26:21 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 11:59:26 PM
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PasteNuggs
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:08:02 AM
2 up, 0 down
Oxvial
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 11:09:04 AM
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Claire C
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 10:38:51 PM
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Last edited by Claire C on 8/13/2011 10:39:53 PM
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PasteNuggs
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:07:05 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:11:19 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:09:31 AM
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I suggest we all just forget about Versus, SE can't stop themselves from retasking everyone to other projects and I hope it grates Nomura enough to get him to start his own studio. SE is finished as a developer if they keep this up.
I'm finishing up Saint's Row 2 and trying to muddle through Vanquish. I really wish Platinum would commit themselves to something with substance but what can you do? A shmup is a shmup I guess and people do need their high-tech shooting galleries.
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JMO_INDY
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:14:19 AM
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Beamboom
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 4:42:20 AM
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JMO_INDY
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 3:20:37 PM
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burnedknight
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:16:03 AM
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___________
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 2:41:41 AM
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hmmmmmmmmmm.........
hope so, i gotta get my banana cream pies ready!
$E being $E i doubt they would change anything even if they let allot of people test it, and everyone says the same thing.
there in this mindset that they have to westernize the game otherwise its not going to sell well.
not even jesus f*cking christ could convince them out of that mindset!
not only $E, but all asian developers!
tis why $E, sega, crapcom, have gone from the ps2 era being the best publishers out there, to the ps3 era being the worst publishers out there!
amazing how much six years can change!
im playing through deus ex human revolution again this time going in guns blazing to see how that changes the story.
that and trying to finish saints row 2, and gears 2.
up to the giant worm level, forgot how much fun that game is!
i wish more games would be like gears, just in the visceral sense.
just the gore, i mean i love blowing enemies up, or blowing them into 2 with my shotgun, and seeing flesh and blood going flying all over the place!
thats something resistance 3 needs!
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Excelsior1
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 2:54:41 AM
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6 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:43:12 PM
1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 3:58:06 PM
And that "something" is up to us, the gamers, to make happen.
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Claire C
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 7:10:22 PM
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Beamboom
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 3:59:51 AM
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I've beaten Fear 3 and started on two new games: Dead Space 2 and Killzone 3.
Fear 3: Omg what an ending. There was none. The entire game builds up to this one particular event that we chase throughout the entire game... And then it just ends, just like that. The final chapter is the shortest of them all, it's like they said "ok this game is long enough now, let's wrap it up guys!".
That being said... I shall get Fear 4 too. They do *so* much right in these games! It's just that last, small push over the bump to enter awesomeness. A better 3D engine and a *much* better writer, and we are there!
(WorldEndsWith42: Think the F2 ending was bad? That's *epic* compared to this. :D )
Dead Space 2: The production quality caught me completely by surprise. I should have expected so from a game with a metascore of ~90, but I didn't. But damn it's scary, and I am such a chicken. I shall continue cause I can't let go of it, but I will not enjoy it... :D
Killzone 3: Well, we've already discussed the rails in Killzone 3. And with me being allergic to rails, it was pretty much doomed from the start. I can not understand how I could have missed that from the reviews back when it was released.
I'll probably keep playing it, at least some of the visuals are cool. Love that second alien planet. If only... If only I could explore it just a *little* bit. Or give me at least *one* alternative way of solving a map. Just one tiny one. Please... I even have to kill the mobs in a particular order, why do they make games like these anymore!?
Usually I finish off the game sessions with a round of Crysis 2 multiplayer. That game is one solid mp package. And hard. But in a good way.
It's so intense that I can't keep going for long. I look forward to get better and thus able to play longer sessions.
Last edited by Beamboom on 8/14/2011 4:19:51 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:45:05 PM
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Beamboom
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 3:47:18 PM
But boy, there are some great *scenes* in F3. Just like F2, there was some locations that I really enjoyed. It felt like I was exploring a real movie set while the cameras were rolling. And those kind of maps were more frequent and generally better looking than F2.
Last edited by Beamboom on 8/14/2011 3:54:25 PM
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Fox hounder
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 4:44:33 AM
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Last edited by Fox hounder on 8/14/2011 4:51:24 AM
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SolidFantasy
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 7:48:21 AM
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Finally got my hands on Crysis 2. It's nice. It really is. I don't think the graphics are better than KZ3, but they are pretty slick. The story could use some more depth but that's all compensated by the open world feel to the level design.
Can't wait for Deus Ex!
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Qubex
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 8:13:46 AM
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That mix of stealthy gameplay and first person shooter mechanic. It could work quite well. Just wondering though if Deus Ex: Human Revolution is age restricted?
I was surprised to not see any significant gore when the player got up close to the enemy and pumped it with bullets. Didn't see anything in the way of blood close up... weird or maybe I missed something.
PGU: Playstation is still bust :(
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
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Ultimate_Balla
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 10:54:33 AM
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I'll see if I can get JD when I can get vouchers @ my store once more, but school's getting hectic again so. . .
PGU; Done did everything in Spiderman:SD and now i'm lookin' forward to playing Heavy Rain(finally), Portal 2 and the Sly Collection. Not a lot'a free time though.
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Lotusflow3r
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 11:31:28 AM
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How wrong was i?
Yakuza 4 is without doubt, one of the best games i have played this whole generation.
MUCH better than the western release of Yakuza 3.
Completely addicted to it and i find it a better joy than WKC2. It's taken me by storm!
Brilliant story, unbelievably detailed gameplay with a seemingly infinite amount of things to do and a brilliant battle system that never gets old.
The atmosphere, the look, the characters...everything! It puts most western games to shame.
Never will i put Yakuza on the back-burner again.
Im hoping Catherine will also offer me an experience beyond the rehash games made here.
Yakuza 4, for me, best game this year so far.
I got ya back Kiru lol.
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Oxvial
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:43:51 PM
Last edited by Oxvial on 8/14/2011 12:46:23 PM
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Claire C
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 5:29:55 PM
I'm gonna have to look into this Yakuza series. I dig RPGs and open world games so this looks like a fit. =)
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Oxvial
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 5:42:35 PM
Okay I say pass on Yakuza 3 that's the worst, my faves are 2 and 4.. 1 is just okay.
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Lotusflow3r
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 7:11:51 PM
It's just another reason why mainstream "critics" aren't important this generation.
2 and 4 are by far the best. However, although 3 has flaws, it developed the character of Kazuma in such unpredictable and brilliant ways with the orphanage plot etc. Got major Shenmue feelings during them scenes. It's only when he got back to Kamurocho that it took a turn for the worst with samey gameplay and mundane plot.
Yakuza 4 is just an absolute joy through and through.
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Teddie9
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:26:04 PM
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PGU: Finished Catherine and got the good ending (YAY :D). That was a helluva journey night after night even on normal difficulty. >.> looking foward to Deus Ex.
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Stabs88
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:40:35 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 12:46:04 PM
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Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 8/14/2011 4:59:51 PM
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Claire C
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 5:27:22 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 7:33:22 PM
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Temjin001
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Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 9:58:02 PM
I like Joe Danger, too. I still have a lot to do in the original game. I'm glad there's a sequel coming, either way. I think my fav download games have been Tekken 5 and WipEout HD. I've played those two the most anyway.
PGU: I haven't been playing too many games. I've been trying to get some solid art time in before school hits hard here soon. But, even then, I've managed to get some great 'pick-up and play' Tekken 6 and Street Fighter 4 matches in. I've been trying to bring my Nina skills up to Heihachi's snuff. I really like Nina's versatility. She's something of a 'jack of all trades' in technique and requires some pretty intensive practice to become proficient with. But all that effort pays off when you start kicking the crap. Heihachi and Nina will probably be my lead duo for TTT2. I like SF4. I can't say I'm real good at it, but I can usually put up a good fight with 'gief.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/13/2011 9:58:31 PM