Ben's Week In Review: May 13
Assassin's Creed IIIBuncha games coming...looks like a break from the drought after April.
Assassin's Creed III gameplay...good golly, me want
Admittedly, Assassin's Creed is one of my favorite franchises of the generation, so I might be a little biased. But after seeing the debut gameplay, I'm convinced ACIII is a legitimate Game of the Year contender. I saw a great many things in that trailer that encouraged me; it went beyond the epic atmosphere and the combat. It seems the core of the series is definitely intact and both the freedom and story-based feel will remain a staple as well. I'm always worried about developers changing my favorite franchises (being a die-hard Final Fantasy fan, can you blame me?), but thus far, I've been happy with each AC entry.
Granted, last year's Revelations wasn't the standard elite installment we had come to expect, but that was mostly because they tried to implement new ideas that simply didn't work very well. I see ACIII as being a complete and total return to form; a true sequel to ACII, and one that is almost guaranteed to deliver on all fronts.
With no Bioshock Infinite, I look to Dishonored
I'm usually not too annoyed at delays; they're a part of the industry and besides, I usually have more then enough to play. In truth, I'm often happy to hear about a delay because it gives me more time to catch up. But the news of the Bioshock Infinite delay hit me surprisingly hard, probably because there's no guarantee we'll see the other titles I want so desperately to launch in 2012: Grand Theft Auto V and The Last Of Us. But the fact that Dishonored landed a launch date helped a great deal; that game looks potentially amazing and if done correctly, it could be a freakin' masterpiece.
I'm not saying it will be masterful, mind you; all the pieces have to come together perfectly for that to happen. But I think all the pieces exist, and that's awfully encouraging. Here's hoping Arkane and Bethesda hand us a definitive, absorbing experience.
Personal gaming update
I had some fun with the highly intriguing and original Datura, despite its mechanical shortcomings. As for Starhawk, I stand by my score, and I reiterate: If you're going to advertise a campaign, then give us a campaign. And if that "campaign" isn't up to snuff, don't expect me to ignore that failing just because the multiplayer is great. Yes, if the campaign wasn't there, the game would've scored higher. It's simple, really; there was a major part of the production that was mediocre. In no way should that ever be ignored.
Now, I've got Sorcery and Gravity Rush sitting here but don't get too antsy. They've got embargoes until May 21 and 24 respectively, but at least you know you'll see prompt reviews for both. ;) I also expect to see Max Payne 3 on Monday. In other news, I hope people enjoyed the Amanda MacKay interview; yes, there was advertising involved but I can't really do anything about that. I just think it was great to have a video for it. Also stay tuned for more interviews.
Lastly, remember that you have until Sunday night to get your reviews in for the ongoing So You Think You Can Review Video Games contest. If you'd rather write about why you hate Call of Duty, feel free. Next week, we'll give the CoD fans a chance to defend their stance. :)
5/12/2012 Ben Dutka
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Comments (25 posts)
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, May 12, 2012 @ 10:47:18 PM
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Sir Shak
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 12:43:38 AM
Also, from what I've heard, a single player mode that's essentially a glorified tutorial was actually a good idea for something like Starhawk, to prepare people for the multiplayer, which can get overwhelming due to its scale and tactical aspect.
Last edited by Sir Shak on 5/13/2012 12:48:49 AM
2 up, 2 down
frylock25
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 5:09:24 AM
2 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 9:03:12 AM
2 up, 0 down
Axe99
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 5:45:33 PM
(Speaking of which, I'd have _so_ had a crack at that if I wasn't getting over a nasty flu - great idea :)).
1 up, 0 down
iwillbetheone
Saturday, May 12, 2012 @ 10:05:45 PM
Reply
Last edited by iwillbetheone on 5/12/2012 10:06:54 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, May 12, 2012 @ 10:47:29 PM
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Lawless SXE
Saturday, May 12, 2012 @ 10:34:39 PM
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I dunno about Dishonored. I kind of need to keep my spending down this year and I'm already signed up for Hitman: Absolution, Sly 4, R&C Collection, Max Payne, Sleeping Dogs and X-COM, while tossing up a couple of others for consideration... I'm super disappointed that Infinite got pushed. Now I'm not going to be able to play it until the Gods know when as I'm not going to be anywhere near my PS3 next year. Very sad indeed.
Personal Update:
Still reading Sherlock Holmes. Not sure why that is, exactly. It's a great set of stories, but I think I find it so difficult to get invested in them because they're quite disjointed. There's very little carry over in the events and makes it hard to want to keep reading (for me, anyway).
Aside from that, I finished the DMC Collection. Pretty cool compilation, aside from the second entry which was seven shades of crud. Now playing KZ2 and I'll a PSXE review for that :)
Other than that, I just realised that Max Payne is next week. I'm excited.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, May 12, 2012 @ 10:58:59 PM
Netflix, torrent, purchase or do whatever you need to do but get ahold of "Sherlock" the BBC series.
It's set in the modern day with Watson as an Afghanistan War Vet who starts a blog on his new roommate Sherlock Holmes. He then becomes an internet phenomenon. The original stories are updated in every possible way including different solutions and endings more attuned to the modern day. There's only 6 so far in the 2 seasons but each is movie length at 90 minutes.
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Lawless SXE
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 1:31:29 AM
Going travelling. I plan to take close to a full year to just travel around Australia, working as I go. I'll absolutely have to pick up a Vita though :).
1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 11:40:33 AM
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Axe99
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 5:42:51 PM
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frylock25
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 1:02:47 AM
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i hope to hear good things about gravity rush and sorcery.
yesterday i finally got my 4th platinum trophy for portal 2. the last trophy i had to get was still alive and it turned out to be a pain in the ass. i really hope the release the user generated levels and level creator for the ps3.
rented homefront a few days ago from the library and i had a blast with it. thought the campaign was really well done. hope to see a second game. now i am renting skyrim again and just killed my second dragon tonight. i enjoy playing skyrim but it just makes me want to go back to the fallout games.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 2:41:14 AM
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AshT
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 2:51:59 AM
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PGU: Finally got my platinum on inFamous and started my evil playthrough on inFamous 2.
waiting for Sorcery, i'll be finally able to fully utilize the Move controller.
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___________
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 5:35:06 AM
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its a shinning example of why ubisoft is one of the best companies in the industry!
EA, antivision, most would of been happy releasing another same old sequel like revelations.
but no, ubisoft had to completely reinvent the series, i mean seriously look how much new stuff they added to it!
you wonder why so many people hate antivision?
THATS EXACTLY why!
i was really disappointed that infinite got delayed.
simply because it was one of my most anticipated titles of the year!
i mean bioshock is one of the best new IPs this generation!
and really the only game to have such a memorising environment and story.
heaps of games have had a beautiful environment to roam around in, AC for example the reconstruction of the middle east and italy, turkey, has been amazing!
but nothing holds a candle to rapture, i still get shivers running down my spine every time i replay the original.
than the story, weve had so many great stories this gen, but NONE have had such a shock and twist as bioshock!
i mean most stories and their plot twists are pretty predictable, play 2 hours of the game and you can already tell how the story is going to end.
AC2 for instance, it was pretty obvious ezios family was in allot of trouble and that would not end well.
but bioshock, i mean seriously no one ever saw that coming!
best story ever!!!!!!!!!!!
which is why i am so excited for it, NO game out there delivers the mix of awesome gameplay, awesome story, unpredictable story, and awe inspired environments!
in other words PERFECT!
then to add insult to injury ken says oh yeah by the way we wont be showing up at the big shows this year.
:(
gee thanks, as if chopping my legs of was not bad enough you have to kick me when im down!
as for dishonoured im on the fence with that.
its got a awesome concept and i really believe it could be easily GOTY!
but thats what im worried about.
almost every game this gen has been awesome concept, poorly executed.
cough prototype 2.
only time will tell if it turns out to be one of the very few that reaches its potential, or one of the rest who dont.
i really hope it turns out awesome its got such a brilliant original idea, we need more of them!
im playing through trials evolution now, god such a awesome game!
anyone who says games cant make you feel emotions needs to play this!
every time you pick up some speed and go rolling around the loops, flying through the air, im ducking quincing closing my eyes.
its freaking awesome its like your on a roller coaster yourself!
i wish ubisoft would bring it to IOS it would do so well there!
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cLoudou
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 7:15:30 AM
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___________
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 8:59:25 AM
it is suspicious however, all ill say is if the next we hear of infinite is that it has MP ken better have a bunker in the middle of the desert somewhere because hes going to have one hell of allot of flaming pitchforks heading his way!
FAR too many games this gen have been delayed, then MP was announced.
ME3 anyone?
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gray_eagle
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 8:15:45 AM
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game before (just not my thing). but the trailer for ACIII has really
peaked my interest.
pgu:
while waiting for MP3 to arrive (D1P), i've been switching back and forth
between two of my favorite RPGs, Fallout 3 & Fallout: New Vegas.
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Kealan94
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 4:04:25 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 4:42:06 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 6:53:07 PM
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Reply
Saturday, May 12, 2012 @ 9:53:25 PM
I'm looking to Dishonored as well (Steampunk fans must unite), but in the mean time I'm enjoying Minerva's Den for Bio2 as a tide over treat.
Not sure if I'll make either of those contests unfortunately, there's stuff on my plate but ya never know when creativity will strike.
My temporary avatar is my rendition of myself in Two Worlds II, still playing that and Tales of Graces F. I bought Singularity again, this time for the collection because the first one I bought froze up in the intro and endings. Oh yeah and Plus had Trine 2 for free and I just tested that out and it's really neat. Soboteur will have to wait until I pare down these other games.
Soul Calibur V and Silent Hill Downpour are games I'm on the lookout for but still cost too much.