Dust 514

For those that don't know what Dust 514 is it is a new mmofps coming from the creators of Eve Online.  Now some may say that this game is just another mmo that is going to hit a market full a mmos that fade within months. You are then missing the bigger picture.  This game could be potentially groundbreaking on multiple levels.  One this game will be coming out for the PS3 and the vita.  Now they have brought mmos to the PlayStation before such as DC Universe and the Final Fantasy mmos before, but nothing like Dust.  What Dust has over all others previously stated is the scope of the game.  Dust is going to be able to work with the Eve Online on the PC.  Both games will be on one server.  This one server will able to hold all players at one time from both games.  In Dust the player will be in control of Dust marines which will be fighting over control over planets.  Players will be able to create corporations just like in Eve.  Corporations will be fighter over planetary control all times for themselves to make money or the will be being paid as mercenaries through Eve corporations.  Now when the game hits release planets will hold 64 player action with the intent of being able to hold 128 or more.  During the battle Dust marines will be able to purchase guns and vehicles to use to take over control points. The planets these battle will taking place will only be the earth like planets.  The Developers stated that the will try their best to generate as much unique terrain as they can.  The best part is that this game will be free to play.  I think the reasoning behind is that Dust will be great awareness to Eve Online to bring new customers that want to see the other side of the game.  This is definitely a game to keep tabs on.

Street Fighter X Tekken... Oh! I Play This Game!

Street Fighter and Tekken are two of the most well known fighting games in the world. First released as an arcade game in 1987, Capcom's Street Fighter featured 12 characters in total and 6 who would proceed into the following games. Of those characters the two friendly rivals, Ken and Ryu, have captured the spotlight of the series. As the popularity of arcade fighting games increased Namco joined the party with Tekken, released in 1994. Tekken had 5 more characters than Street Fighter's original title upon release. Though the Tekken franchise was less popular than Street Fighter, it still kept a large fan base through out the years.

Street Fighter X Tekken, also known as Street Fighter Cross Tekken, sets the most popular characters of both games against each other. It was released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and will be released for the PC on May 11th, and on the PlayStation Vita in fall 2012. Having followed both games off and on over the years this crossover caught my attention. At first I thought that the different styles of each series would lower the quality of the game, but I found the two to mesh quite well. New innovations in online fighting have also been added, but how does the cross over stand up to it's parent games?

Visual- 9

Street Fighter X Tekken has very stylized graphics. All the character and stage designs follow the cell shaded style of Street Fighter 4. Namco is currently working on their own version of the game called, Tekken X Street Fighter, which will change the style to look more like Tekken. The game takes advantage of the current generation's graphics with strong high definition visuals. With smooth transitions from intro cinematic to gameplay, as well as smooth graphics through gameplay, SFxT stands out among fighting games.

As you can see from this cinematic trailer, there is a lot of stylized graphics using water. This is due to part of the story, which I will address later. This style is overused however throughout the game and is somewhat unappealing. Although the graphics are good they still don't take advantage of the full potential of the game due to the style of the game. The stylized graphics are both a plus and a minus to the visuals.

Audio- 8

Though there's nothing really special in the sound department of the game, Street Fighter has some excellent voice actors. Both the English and Japanese dubs of the game have big name voice actors like, Kyle Hebert, Fumiko Orikasa, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, and Unsho Ishizuka. The music and sound effects however are nothing to write home about. They simply follow the generic fighting game sound effects and bring back classic background music from both series. Overall the music and sound effects aren't bad, just nothing special. The voice acting is really where the talent lies, even though there isn't all that much actual speech through out the game.

Story-7

Street Fighter X Tekken's story revolves around a mysterious cube that falls to Earth in a meteor. Researchers flock to the unknown object to study it and determine its purpose. Soon conflict arises over the cube. When the fights break out the cube reacts, releasing a liquid that makes the nearby combatants stronger. Because of this, it is named "Pandora". Soon more conflict arises, due to the cube's nature. Who will end up in control of this wondrous power?

Most fighting games are lacking in the story department, Street Fighter X Tekken is no different. Though the story has potential, it isn't well executed. As mentioned earlier, the water special effect is caused by the "Pandora Mode", which is similar to "X-Factor" in Marvel vs Capcom.

Gameplay-8.5

Combos, Super Combos, Ultra Combos, Hyper Combos, almost every fighting game has them, as does Street Fighter X Tekken. But this crossover brings some new elements to the table, as well as some familiar ones from a different title. One of the key features is tag team gameplay. Similar to other games like Marvel vs Capcom and Tekken Tag, Street Fighter X Tekken allows you to switch between two fighters in a fight. This also allows for special "cross" combinations, which involve both members of your team. Also, your character in reserve will gradually recover a set amount of health over time. However, if one of your fighters gets knocked out, you will lose the fight.

Another new feature is the Gem system. It allows you to customize your fighter to fit your playing style. You can have up to five gems equipped at one time. Gems have special conditions for use, and are activated instantly in combat when those conditions are met. Yet another new feature is the ability to play cooperatively as a team. One person can control one member of the tag team, and the other character can be controlled by another player. Still, only one character can be used at a time. The Exception is when you use a "Cross Assault". This expends 3 special bars and allows both characters to be used simultaneously.

The final addition to Street Fighter X Tekken is "Pandora Mode". To utilize it you sacrifice your partner and gain a number of bonuses: multiplied damage, decreased damage taken, and an unlimited special bar. The downside is, you lose a partner, and your health decreases over time. So, if you're in the middle of a super combo and your health reaches zero because of Pandora mode, you will lose the fight, even if the super combo would have finished your opponent. Pandora mode seems to be just a gimmick. Though interesting, it doesn't really seem worth using. If I were to use it, it would be as a last ditch effort to finish my opponent, but overall it doesn't add much to the gameplay. Here's a video explaining the new gameplay features in a bit more depth.

In the end Street Fighter X Tekken is a good game, and a new and interesting fighter. It does a good job at combining the two classic arcade series into one game. I love seeing some of my favorite characters like Heihachi and Yoshimitsu or Ken and Ryu face off against each other. Also the new features like multiplayer tag teams is definitely a welcome innovation to online fighting games. I look forward to seeing Namco's side of things later. Overall I give the game a personal score of 8.5, and a quality score of 8. I like the game, but I probably give it more credit than it is due.

Are you looking forward to Tekken X Street Fighter? What do you think of Pandora Mode? Do you think that fighting games need to try and make more newer innovations, or do you think that classic style fighters are better? Once again, leave your answers, questions, and comments below! And don't forget to subscribe for notices when new articles are posted!

NEXT TIME ON: OH! I Play This Game! - Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13, Will it be a hole in one, or leave you twenty over?

Author's note:

I will be writing reviews weekly now on weekends. Check back weekly or subscribe for new reviews! Also, from time to time I will post special "episodes" of Oh! I Play This Game! reviewing older games, board games, card games, or any other kind of game I can think of! Hope you find my reviews helpful and enjoyable!

Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception... OH! I Play This Game!

Uncharted has been a series to follow since the beginning. In the first game, "Drake's Fortune", the story was very compelling but the gameplay was somewhat lacking. The following game, "Among Thieves", did a very good job at keeping the story interesting while working the kinks out of the prior game. But how does the third installment in this trilogy measure up? Very well, but not nearly as I had hoped.

Visual-9.5

Drake's deception definitely makes use of current generation's graphics. The graphics are crisp and and defined. During my play through of the game I noticed very few problems with the graphics. On one or two occasions there were terrain pieces in the distance that weren't completely rendered. Sometimes an enemy or even yourself when killed would land in such a way that parts of their body would be inside terrain fixtures. Though these are easily overlooked.

Cut-scenes are very well animated, as is the overall gameplay. Uncharted 3 has really mastered making a character look real, not just by making them look realistic, but making them move realistic. Here's some gameplay supplied by game trailers, enjoy.

Editing Note: Sorry for the lack of audio in this video, it isn't uploading well for some reason.

Audio-10

The voice acting for the Uncharted franchise has always been superb. With Nolan North (Deadpool in Marvel vs Capcom 3, Desmond in Assassin's Creed) leading as Drake himself, there's not much that can go wrong. But no talent was spared selecting the rest of the cast. Other main voices are played by Richard McGonagle, Emily Rose, Claudia Black, and Graham McTavish.

The voice acting talent is not the only thing that makes the sounds of Uncharted 3 stand out for me. The sound effects and soundtrack is also very well done. The music adds to the game significantly. It amplifies the intensity of shoot outs, and raises the emotions of touching or trying moments within the game. The sound effects are extremely realistic and add a feel of immersion to the gameplay. Where there's fire you hear fire. Where there's raging waters, you can definitely tell. All around Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception is not lacking in the sound department.

Story-9

Uncharted has always had a good storyline. Similar to movies like Indiana Jones, it is a treasure hunting adventure. The story starts out with Scully and Drake meeting with a new character about selling Sir Francis Drake's ring, a personal treasure of Drake's. Their buyer tries to cheat them using counterfeit bills and a fight breaks out. After fighting through thugs and running into an ally only to fall into the hands of the game's main antagonist, Kathleen Marlowe. Apparently Marlowe, Scully, and Drake have a bit of a history. Kathleen reveals that Drake may not be who he is, then shoots them both and takes Drake's ring.

How do they make it out of this one? Well, You'll just have to play the game to find out. The story focuses on finding the lost city of Ubar, the "Atlantis of the Sands". Through out the game you experience flashbacks to Drake's childhood to help provide some backstory to his relationship with Scully and Marlowe, and help his character development. Drake's Deception features a lot of development in Drake's personal relationships, specifically between Scully, and Elena (Drake's love interest). It seems that through the game he learns that his relationships with who he considers his family are more valuable than any treasure in the world.

Sappy comment aside, the storyline is well rounded, but falls short compared to the other games. Where the previous games have used the story to keep the player on the edge of their seat, and leaving your jaw hanging wide open as you watch the death defying stunts and twists unfold before your eyes, Uncharted 3 seems to piggyback off of them. The story is not bad, but it wasn't as good as I had hoped.

Gameplay-9.5

A game can have better visuals, audio, and story than anything else in the industry, but without gameplay, it's just a movie. Uncharted supplies good gameplay, but like its story, it is lacking in new developments. Overall the game hasn't changed much since Uncharted 2. The only new improvements are an update to the melee system to streamline hand to hand combat more efficiently, and a better stealth system. Other than that there wasn't much done to freshen up the game.

However, Drake's Deception does offer a better multiplayer experience than its predecessor. It adds a new buddy system allowing you to spawn with a friend or other player and use him as a spawn point. It also allows for treasures to be collected by either you or your buddy and it still counts for both of you. If that's not enough, it gives you a nice buddy taunt option, like a fist bump, or secret handshake when you take down an opponent. The multiplayer also allows you to create and customize your own character and load out to allow each player to have their own personalized online experience. Finally, the multiplayer allows for two players to participate in the same online match, on the same console, using split screen. This split screen function is often lost in current generation games and it is nice to see it return.

Uncharted 3 also provides built in co-op missions, unlike in Uncharted 2 where they were only available as downloadable content. I myself have not played the co-op missions, so I don't have much to comment on it. I will say how once again, split screen is allowed for co-op allowing 2 players to play without needing an internet connection.

In conclusion, the gameplay for Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception is still good, but it didn't get any fresh new changes. The multiplayer however received the most attention and is definitely a highlight of the game.

Drake's Deception is a great game, though it did disappoint me a little. I had hoped and expected for something better then Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, but I found that this 3rd game was about the same. There were a few intense moments in it, but nothing that had me almost falling off my chair like climbing across the top of a train or jumping out of a building that was crumbling to the ground. Even the ending of Uncharted 3 felt a little lacking. Overall it's still a great game, I had just hoped for more. Personally, I'd give it an 8, but that's just based on my own expectations and disappointments with the game. Overall I'd give the real quality of the game a 9.5.

I hope you found my review helpful. Would you like to see the series continue with an Uncharted 4, or do you think it should stop before it ends up beating a dead horse? Did you find yourself somewhat disappointed like I did, or do you think this is the best Uncharted yet? Leave your answers, questions, or overall comments below!

NEXT TIME ON: OH! I Play This Game! - Street Fighter X Tekken, will it measure up or get Ultra K.O.ed?

Any Spyro fans out there?

So I recently just found two interesting things about Spyro that intrigue some people.  I was randomly server the web and I came across a Spyro movie poster. I though since when was Sypro going to be a movie? I then proceeded to research into this and did indeed find that it was going to be made.  I also found to the plot to my dismay. A special dragon egg was hidden in a woodland full of dragonflies by Ignitus to save it from evil forces that were hunting it. Brought up alongside Sparx, Spyro is led to believe that he himself is a dragonfly who just happens to be slightly bigger and purpler than the other dragonflies.Until one day when the village is attacked and Spyro is found. Instinctively using his unknown powers, Spyro realizes just how different he is. Confused and upset, he learns that he is not in fact a dragonfly, but a dragon who carries the role of being part of a great prophecy that will bring peace to all the land. Spyro, along with his trusty sidekick Sparx, pursue this epic adventure and attempt the impossible; the demise of the deadly Dark Master. However, between them stands Cynder, a very powerful black dragon powered by the red crystal around her neck, which enslaves her to the Dark Master.  The film was then cancelled based of Activision's decision. They had other plans which ended up being Skylanders the second reboot of spyro. Which in my opinion is just a cash making scheme aimed at kids. That's a different story for another post.  The second bit of information I found out was Sypro was set to be a rated m game around 2009.  Yet again cancelled after conception to be transformed into Skylanders by a toy company aim at kids to make hordes of cash.  Maybe one day the series will see the true love it deserves.  That love is I hope in the form of Insomniac taking back it's first love.


I would like to use the Spyro wiki as a reference for the Spyro plot as it came directly from there.

Hi, My Name is... OH! I Play This Game!

Hi, I Play This Game here,

Some of you may read gaming reviews before buying a game. You go to Gamestop.com and look at what people are rating it as... Or you look the game up on a site like IGN or Gamefaqs. Some of you may look forward to when someone like Ben "Yatzee" from the Escapist's "Zero Punctuation" releases a video harshly criticizing games. I'm not here to do that, I just play games.

I wouldn't consider myself a hardcore gamer, just an objective gamer. I look at the pros and cons of a game and weigh why a game is good based on quality, not sales. Honestly, let's face it, people are sheep. If a lot of people start playing a game, then more people will follow. So I'm going to review games based on the quality of the visuals, sound, and gameplay. Then add my own personal spin on things. So I'll be piggybacking off of Nerdking's blog to share my own views on gaming, and review newer games, and sometimes older ones. Hope you enjoy.

Elder Scrolls MMO???

So there is some rumors going around that there is a mmo in the works down in Bethesda.  Now this inevitable due to Bethesda making an online division in ZeniMax dubbed ZeniMax Online funded with millions of dollars.  So they have to be up to something.  Since the legal fallout with Interplay over the Fallout mmo it was safe to assume Bethesda would continue to work on it or do something with it.  Maybe they will, but as the rumors say just not now.  This information about the mmo is coming out of Tom's Guide. Which is a website that publishes news articles that pertains to anything that involves electronics. Now the information they could give us from the article states that the setting will be thousands of years before skyrim and hundreds before any of the other titles.  Even though that doesn't really gives much of anything.


 It does tell us that it's in the second era based on that time frame in which the game will exist in.  The article also tells us there is going to be 3 factions represented by 3 animals. A dragon, lion, some type of bird like an eagle falcon or a phoenix.  Yet again this doesn't tell us much of anything.  For anyone that does know Elder Scrolls lore they can take a great guess as to what these factions are.  Lets break it down.  The dragon is pretty good indicator that this means the Akavir.  Now for anyone that doesn't know what Akavir is it means dragon continent which is east of Tamriel.  Within that land there are four nations called Kamal, Tsaesci, Tang Mo and Ka Po' Tun. 


 That dragon could also mean the faction under Talos which would be the empire that would usher in the 3rd era.  For those that don't know who Talos is.  Talos is the greatest human hero ever to have lived and the only that ascended to god status making it the nine divine rather than eight.  He was also a dragonborn being able to speak the language of the dragons. The sign of Talos is a dragon which also appears on one of statues in oblivion on his shield.  This will lead into the 3rd faction which I believe would be making an appearance,Aldmeri Dominion.  This logically makes sense as the 3rd faction based on the fact from the time frame given is the second era.


 Also they were a promidnet force during this time along with the other factions I mentioned. Plus the fact that Talos used  The Numidium to destroy the elves.  Given the information which was given and all the lore I know the second era makes absolute sense to make this mmo. It's before any of the other titles so it gives the writers room to work with.  The major factions and peoples have lots of conflict, mystery, and intrigue that all the Elder Scrolls titles give.  Overall I am very excited to hear this news and I have complete faith that Bethesda will not screw this up.

Syphon Filter

Does anyone remember this memorable franchise out of 989 studios for the ps1?  I know I sure do.  I turned of my psp started playing syphon filter 2.  Wow this brought back memories.  For anyone that doesn't know the overall plot of the series.  It's centered around a virus called syphon filter.  You play agents Gabriel Logan and Lian Xing trying to uncover the conspiracy behind this bio weapon.  What makes this series stick in my mind? Well I played this as a child, but more importantly the story and mechanics was just amazing.  The game was a 3rd person shooter stealth with action missions and stealth missions.  Both types of missions were pretty hard at times especially when enemies had flak jackets on.  Why was that hard? Well because of the aiming system was like golden eye.  You could lock on and fire but if you wanted head shots you had to manual aim.  Which was a pain if enemies were swarming you and had to find cover try to manual aim.  Also I just loved the characters and their voice actors.  I feel the story was well done and just a great time to sit back and game. The series has a lasting influence in many other games like splinter cell and hitman. The both have similar conspiracy like stories going on and very heavily emphasized stealth elements.  I would highly recommend brushing of the dust if you haven't play the game in a while or pick this up on the psn ps classic store. To end on a light note look at this clip above.  To me this is what make syphon filter 2, the Russian disco club.  To the game developers Russia thought disco was alive and well circa late 90's

Guild Wars has puzzles

So apparently guild wars has jumping platformer puzzles.  These puzzles described by Total Halibut are out of the way explorable areas that promote wondering around.  Now these aren't pushovers. From what I saw in the video from Total these puzzles are quite challenging.  He died multiple times from spike traps and fire traps.  When he did get to the end there was a boss to kill that was levels ahead of him.  When you complete it you get rewards such as loot. So if you like exploring in the mmoverse and like a challenge the Guild Wars 2 is the game for you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYj2QMEPRT0 That is a link to Total Halibut video that I was describing. The video up top is another example.

Sim City 5 Rumored

There has been a few pictures floating around the internet at a new sim city game.  These pictures were in a German gaming magazine.  These few pictures can tell us a lot. From the art of the game to some of the features that will be appearing.  Dissecting this video of pictures the new art gives off a Sim City 3 feeling combining with the new graphics engine maxis is making.  The biggest feature I am looking forward is the fact you can finally curve roads without a mod.  With that I hope that means building a bridge that is diagonal again without a mod that makes your cities water disappearing.  With the placement of the buildings I get the impression that style of city building is more free and less restrictive. Multiplayer was also mentioned, I believe it would be something like Cities XL.  Resources would be traded between players most likely in a generated region.  The best part with no monthly fee which was the down fall to that game.   Also rumored was that the game is 30% done and will be released next year. Assuming we all survive an ending calender.  Next week in San Francisco in the Games Developers Convention EA will have a big announcement so cross your fingers.