Feeling Stuck In Limbo

Uhhh...anybody there?

 Although it's not completely fair, I always lump Braid and Limbo into the same category because they're both artsy downloadable platformers that are given verbal falacio by the talking heads in the gaming business. Also, in both cases, I had to wait a year after their releases dates to actually play them because they were timed exclusives for XBLA and I'm a huge trophy whore. Be forewarned, spoilers coming.

The first proved well worth the wait because I really found Braid thought provoking as well as fun to play. The controlling time mechanic is fun and challenging without crossing into the realm of frustration while the story is, for the lack of a better description, fucking deep. Or at least gives the sense that its fucking deep. Not that I completely understood what the hell happened because, let's be honest, it wasn't that straight forward. But like a literary novel, the narrative in Braid had some great twists accompanied with great music and imagery that left a great feeling in my stomach like a plate of my momma's homemade veggie pizza.

Enter Limbo, a game cut from the same vein but with it's own soul. I was always dying to try it out, especially after it nabbed #26 on IGN's greatest modern games, beating Braid by a good twenty spots. But 3 hours later, after giving the game a run through, I'm torn about the experience. It definitely does some great things, but I can't decide if they are overshadowed by some headscratchers. I'm stuck, as some would say, in limbo...

See what I did there?

Anyway, the most immediate thing that stands out about the game is the black and white art style, with the entire landscape covered in shadows on top of fog while dabbling in something else grayish. It's definitely initially striking and unique, but after a hour or so, the novelty wears off. Not that it's bad, but I don't think it will be as memorable as a Braid or a Bioshock. Color just generally always beats no color.

Hey guys, nice stick ya got there!

 The gameplay is pretty simple: move your little boy from the left side of the screen to the right while trying not to die in the process. That isn't very easy most of the time - but more on that later. There is no story explicitly told, but you kind of piece together what's going on. Given the title, this little fella is dead and in limbo and he's looking for someone. I've read online that it's his sister, but I don't see the evidence. Could be his girlfriend. Could be just the only other person there not trying to kill him. Again.

Or is she???

It's not groundbreaking but it works, and the mood created by the setting, music and art style make you want to get to her. This world is scary and she is the light at the end of the tunnel. But to get to her, our little protagonist has to get through bear traps, giant spiders, industrial saws, crazy bug worms that control your movements, and a slew of other dangers. Playdead, the creators of Limbo, call the play style "trail and death" which is cheeky but apt because in Limbo you will die. Alot. It's not that the challenges are particularly hard. Actually, if you know what you're doing, its actually pretty easy. But the way the game is structured, you just need to die and die and die over and over and over again to just figure out how to proceed. There are countless dangers that you simply can't see until it's too late, either because they are hidden or off screen.

A prime example is towards the beginning when you need to make your way across three trees. Sounds simple enough. But when you reach the second one, a boulder comes flying out of nowhere and pummels you. Without exaggerating, it is impossible to dodge unless you know it's coming. It then took me a few lives of dying in different ways to figure out that I needed to time jump back to the first to make it through to the next section.

Yeah, this won't end well several times over

 I think this is my biggest issue with the game ultimately. Last time I checked, the trial and error game mechanic is not exactly highly regarded. Or particularly fun. Quite frankly, by this day in age, I thought moved passed it. The death sequences are shocking at first, but eventually I was just getting sick and tired of dying as a way to figure out a puzzle. Limbo doesn't shaft you in this regard thankfully, as the checkpoint system is extremely generous and you will often find yourself back just a few seconds before you died. While this did take away most of the frustration, I  felt rather stupid just going through puzzle by puzzle dying until I found the thing that didn't kill me, which is often what the solution is.

My other beef is that the story just freaking ends. Just like that. You reach the girl you've been chasing (or assume you've been chasing since you only see her twice in the game) and she perks up when you draw it close...and that's it. I actually enjoying the crashing through the glass the moments before more since I actually shared a connection with the boy. We've been through a lot together and I felt bad watching him burst through the glass in slow motion. When will he find peace?! I just wish Playdead gave us a bit more to go on for what happens next. Just a freaking hint. Not leave us twiddeling our thumbs, wondering if they'll live happily ever after or escape limbo or she tears his face off. I dunno, maybe there is more hints if I dig a little deeper with the hidden easter eggs in the game, which I plan to do now to get the rest of the trophies (except that play through the game dying only 5 times one because I know that won't end well) but I shouldn't need to dig to just understand the story.

And that story is a short one too. I've read online that it should take 5-6 hours, but I'll be damned if I didn't finish it in under 3. Not that I care about time if the product in that time is worth it. I would be cool with it if it was only 2 hours and I enjoyed every moment of those 2. But with Limbo, I'm just left like I wanted more. More hints of the story. More puzzles. More explanation of what the hell was going on. The game definitely stands out and I'm glad I finally got to experience it, but I'm left torn deciding if it was actually worth the wait.

UPDATE: I've found my way out of limbo and have decided, no, I do not like this game. I just played through the "bonus level" added to the PSN version and it is infuriating. A great majority of the level is completely dark and requires some serious trial and error to get through. Nothing says fun like fumbling in the dark and having to listen for approaching chainsaws. C'mon Playdead!

Aged Like A Fine Corpse

That's right, I don't have DD's!

 Beyond Good And Evil was one of those games I missed when it came out years ago hanks to a lack of marketing. Fast forward 8 years and, after a delayed release thanks to the PSN debacle, the hd version finally has found its way onto PSN. Despite it's conspicuous lack of a platnium trophy, I gave it a download and thought this hidden gem from the past would be a nice way to fill the gaming void summer often brings.

After giving it a run through, I find myself simply confused and am starting to wonder if this was a trendy pick by reviewers since it was so under the radar back in the day. No way is this, as PSXtreme called it, an "established classic." Be forewarned, spoilers are coming.

That's not to say that there is nothing to take away from Beyond Good And Evil, even back then. The world is interesting and the voice acting is pretty darn good for video game standards (granted, that's not a high bar). While Jade is a little bland, it's nice to see a female protagonist who isn't overly sexualized. Double HH has his moments and I appreciated his charm as he bonehead sidekick. The gameplay is also pretty varied, offering big set piece moments, stealth missions, hack and slash action, and even some racing. But overall, I can only admit that the ideas where there, but overall the game is poorly executed.

This is about to get awkward...

 The most notable offense that missed all the progress action games have made over the years is the camera, which is downright awful and really derailed the experience for me. Anytime Jade and I got into some close quarters actions, the dodge command would send things in flux and I found myself looking at a wall rather than the dude with the hammer who is pummeling me. The setup screams for a lock on system, but it's nowhere to be found.

Continuing the trend of awkwardness is the controls for the hovercraft, which you need to spend a lot of time in. Again struggling with the camera, trying to see where you are going to successfully maneuver around a canyon or dodge a torpedo feels like controlling a wet sponge on ice...while blind folded. This, along with some confusing level layouts was a recipe for disaster, especially in the Slaughterhouse area, where not only did I have no idea what to do, just getting about was a huge pain.

The story also really pales in comparison with the world it's set in. I liked the idea of trying to start a revolution by capturing incriminating photos, but in the last 10% of the game, suddenly too much is thrown at you too soon. Jade's whole "special power" felt completely out of the blue during the end sequence since there really wasn't any hint that anything made her stand out from the other rebels. And the whole reason the Alpha's were helping the Domz ( "So we can suck out their fluids to make us live longer!) made me laugh more than nod my head in understanding. For a game called Beyond Good and Evil, everything seemed pretty black and white.

Overall, I wouldn't feel as disappointed if things weren't so hyped up for me. I went into it expecting a lost classic from yesteryear that never got its due. What I played is an ambitious game wrapped in a solid concept that is plagued with fundamental control issues, despite the hd makeover. Beyond Good and Evil just feels like a game that missed the evolution in action adventure titles in the last 10 years, as expected.

Back to the World of VG Blogging

Hello, blog world! Wow, it’s been awhile. Between moving, work, and a bunch of other writing related projects I have neglected you, This Gaming Life :( My apologies. I'll try my best to make up for it.

So since I've last blogged, I have platinum-ed LA Noire and am putting the finishing touches on Infamous 2. LA Noire has been on my radar ever since the first trailer came out and while I definitely enjoyed the experience, it didn't live up to the hype.Spoiler alert!

Tell me the truth, bitch!!!

  

    The art of solving a crime is a slow and meticulous process that requires patience and attention to detail, so it makes sense that LA Noire goes along at a similar pace. It's different in an ocean of adrenaline rushed experience full of explosions. I really liked the setup of each crime and how you slowly compiled clues for each case. But for a game that "feels" so open and under your control, there were too many points where I felt like I was being pushed towards the conclusion regardless of what I wanted to do. Although I understand it would have taken so much more work, I wish there were multiple ways to solve a case rather than the player either finding all the clues or just stumbling through it, all leading to the same spot.

The interviews were an interesting mechanic that definitely could use some work as well. Like often with Mass Effect and other games that use the dialogue wheel, I often found Cole saying what I didn't want or expect. As exaggerated by the picture above, our boy wonder detective would often fly off the handle unnecessarily. I think there was just too much vagueness with the choices, as you weren't allowed doubt certain elements of what a suspect said. Interviews in general felt disjointed and ultimately ended up into watching to see if the suspect's eyes were moving or not more than anything else.

Cole himself was also just a missed opportunity, as I really didn't care for him that much. I thought it was a real head scratcher that his family life was so invisible through most of the game and then suddenly pushed to the forefront when he cheats on his wife. That was literally the first and only time she is shown. He had kids, what? Why is he so interested in this Russian chick? On the flip side, his war background was much more dissected and I was glad to see that he was far from the perfect soldier and just looking to prove himself.

My biggest worry going into the game with the case-by-case nature was the thought that the story was going to feel too disjointed and sadly, that's what it turned into. Other than the newspaper headlines, there was nothing really pulling things together. Cole's family life would have been a perfect way to fill in these points - maybe showing how each case was affecting his life as the memories of the war plagued him, but it all felt like pieces that followed each rather than linked together with some greater story arc.

   Overall, I won't crap all over Team Bondi's baby, even though the horrors of its development are now coming out, with hundreds of people who worked on the game being left out of the credits and insane working hours to get the game out on time. In the end, LA Noire is a stab at something different and there is more to like here than dislike.

No worries, I got dis

On the other hand the other Cole from Infamous 2 met my expectations. The first one was a load of fun and, while the story isn't as great, Sucker Punch's followup didn't disappoint.

Cole's new voice took me a little bit of getting used to, but after a few hours I felt back in control of an old friend. Cole and I kicked some ass and I was glad Zeke was still around to balance him out and make him feel really human with relationships. The scene where the two of them ignore their phones to relax with a few beers was one I'm gonna have on the back of my mind for a long time and is a perfect example on how to really round out a character.

Kuo and Nix are a nice evolution of Trish and Sasha, each adding their own personalities to the mix and lending Cole new powers that really take the game's combat up a notch. Sure, the morality system leaves little-to-no grey areas with decisions, but that really let me fall into the role of being the good vs. evil guy and created two playthroughs that feel distinct from each other. 

The city is also well done, full of people, neon signs, cars, etc. It's no GTA but it felts alive and ripe for the taking. I think I connected more to Empire City a bit more, but New Marais is a solid setting that stood out among the sea of other game locals, especially the flood town section.

My only grip is the world of Infamous is starting to feel a little far fetched. I liked how Cole was the by product of a freak ray sphere accident. Unique and seemingly chosen to stop the Beast. Now that there are so many new conduits, it waters things down a bit.

Given the ending, I'm very curious to see where things go from here. 3 seems to be the magic number for game series most of the time and, given the impressive week 1 sales, Infamous 3 seems like a foregone conclusion. I wouldn't mind seeing a new face lead the charge, but I would like Cole to make one last hurrah and find himself some peace.

Anyways, that's what I've been up to. Hopefully it won't be a month before my next update ;)

The Crag's E3 Preview - Microsoft

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You have more stuff coming besides Kinect stuff, right?

    Ah, Microsoft. The definite darkhorse in this E3 race. The past year has been pretty good for the boys in green. Sales in North America continue to be strong and Kinect has proven to be the upgrade for the Wii crowd rather than the Move, passing the 10 million mark in sales this month. But what's on the horizon? Things have been awfully quiet on the 360 front and Microsoft always likes to make a big showing at E3. They most likely have something up their sleeves, but what?

   New System - Can this be it? After the rumors of Project Cafe started to surface, similar but less founded murmurs began to arise about the 720 making an appearance at THIS E3. While it is certainly in the works, my gut says nay. The 360 still has wheels and they have nothing to really gain by going toe to toe with Nintendo in 2012, even if they are both targeting the same audience. The PS4 is also probably not coming until 2014, so they still have time if they want to keep a leg up on Sony.

  Kinect Games -   last year's Kinect lineup at E3 was...uh...how to say this nicely? Terrible? Horrendous? Abysmal? I guess they all apply. Sure Dance Central was a great use of the tech and the kids probably enjoyed Kinectamals, but they are part of a crowd that doesn't even know what E3 is. For the hardcore, Kinect has remained a frivolous piece of hardware that does nothing for them. 

   Until now.

   Microsoft has been hard at work creating experiences on Kinect that the hardcore Halo playing gamer that fills their coffers wants to play. Images of Ghost Recon with Kinect have already been leaked, adding to the wave of expectation that hardcore Kinect games are coming. The real question is can they pull it off. Can they enable Kinect to enhance the gaming experience rather that seeming gimmicky? Ideas like being able to throw a grenade if its near your feet or give commands to your squad seems intriguing, but can the tech really pull off such actions? We will certainly find out in 2 weeks. Microsoft is going to spend a large chunk of their press conference trying to convince gamers that Kinect is for everybody, not just the casual. I remain optimistic but cautious. 

Oh, and if they could bring this guy I would be pleased as well.

   Skype - Microsoft purchased the internet communication company for a cool 8.5 BILLION dollars and I'm sure they've been working on ways to incorporate it into the Xbox experience. But given the short amount of time, there will probably be nothing substantial but surely a mention of what their plans are in the future for it.

   360 Games - I like to give Nintendo crap for having no games on their systems but, honestly, if it wasn't for the third party support, this would be a dry year for the Xbox. Where are the exclusives? Gears of War will certainly get its spot and look awesome, but what else should make consumers buy a 360 over a PS3 this holiday? Mass Effect already went multi-platform and Valve has finally warmed up to Sony, so I'm sure the next Left 4 Dead will follow the same path as Portal 2. Bungie has moved on from Halo so even if another comes out, its sure to lack the same soul. I'm hoping that Microsoft isn't banking on Kinect and their superior online service to keep them ahead because it seems like a lot of eggs in one basket. Hopefully E3 will bring some big reveals for their core audience and not expect them buy a Kinect to get in on the fun.

   Price Cut - It's definitely remote, but I could see the mentions of a upcoming price cut to force Sony's hand. The 360 is just cheaper to produce and, if they really don't have any firepower to go against Sony this holiday in terms of software, they could announce a Kinect bundle(after revealing all their new Kinect games) and price it at $300. Not that exciting for current owners of slims, but it might be in the mix to keep them ahead of the curve.

   If any conference is going to hold some surprises, it's Microsoft. What do YOU think they have in store?

The Crag's E3 Preview - Sony

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We got PSN back online, yay!

   Although it sounds like a broken record this point, Sony really was gaining some momentum and it felt like "the year of the Playstation" was finally upon us. Sales were up. The exclusive line was as strong as ever. And then those pesky hackers had to come along and ruin everything. Sony's E3 press conference will be a big indication of their image going forward and, if they want to regain their speed, it has to start at E3.

   PSN - As much as Kaz and the gang would love to put the crash behind them, the PSN debacle must be addressed. Luckily, Sony has just the man for the job. Kevin Butler was a big hit last year with his rant on motion gaming and my gut tells me that this is where he will make his impact. Rather than making a big joke of it, I wouldn't be surprised to see the man himself come on stage and give a humorous but sincere apology that PSN is not only back, but will be bigger and better than ever. The network has dragged behind XBOX Live in almost every way since its incarnation, missing features such as cross game chat, better online performance, etc. Rumor has it though that, with the rebuilding of the network after the hack, such features were given room to be implemented. While this is all speculation, of course, it would be just what Sony needs to move on and put the PR nightmare behind them. If they actually handle it this way though, only time will tell.

NGP - Sony's portable is sure to be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, focal point of Sony's press conference. Although the PSP sought to be the portable system for hardcore gamers, the DS trounced it with less impressive specs but a more diverse lineup. Down, but not out, Sony is ready for round 2 and revealed the NGP.

From a cursory glance, it's easy to see that this thing is a beast of a machine. Housing dual analog sticks(FINALLY), a larger screen, faster processor, better graphics, 3G network support, and a back touch panel, this piece of hardware made nerds everywhere cream their pants at its sight. But what about the price? Odds are that e3 will be the spot for the big reveal on what this thing will cost. Sony has said that they had a competitive price in mind all along, but we all know that Sony's idea for a competitive price and the average consumer's are two very different things. If I had to guess, with the 3DS going for $250, my guess is somewhere in the $300-$400 range, which might be too expensive for most.

But in the end, regardless of muscles and price, it comes down to substance. It needs good games. Sony has seemingly gotten that squared away, with big names like Uncharted, Call of Duty, LittleBigPlanet, and Resistance all among the first batch to come out. The hardcore for the hardcore. The inclusion of the big name first person shooters intrigues me the most on the list. Call of Duty sells like crack because people love playing online. If the NGP can replicate that experience on the go...now that would be a selling point.

PS3 Lineup - Before the PSN hack, 2011 was looking to be the "Year of the Playstation" for one reason and one reason alone: the games. Aside from the dozens of AAA multi-platform games set to come out this year like Batman:Arkam City, Rage, Skyrim, Battlefield 3, Modern Warfare 3, etc. Sony had set themselves up with even more quality to just ice that cake of goodness up. Infamous 2, Uncharted 3, Twisted Metal, Resistance 3, and a slew of others will all make an appearance in some way on stage, showing off what is in store for PS3 owners. 2011 is surely the strongest year the PS3 has had to date and Sony is sure to point that out.

My wonder is what happens in 2012. The Last Guardian will hopefully show its face around then, but what does Sony have in store long term in terms of exclusives? My guess is there will be at least 1 big reveal. The next God of War could certainly make an appearance, or possibly an new IP from a big name. Over the past few months, Cliffy B, Gears of War creator, has changed his tune about the console, now being quoted to praise the PS3 as a "great console." Will he pull a Gabe Newell and announce something from Epic for Sony? It certainly would be interesting.

The Crag's E3 Preview - Nintendo

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Oh Baby...

   It's that time of year again! E3 2011 is just around the corner and the press conferences are starting to take shape. I'm extra pumped this year because I'm leaving my job and have a ton of sick days to take, so I'll actually get to watch the press conferences live this time around. But what will Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft talk about and reveal this year? Over the next week, I'm going to go through the big three's expected reveals and give my two cents on what it all means. First up is Nintendo.

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The Big N wants you back

   In terms of dollars, it's no question who walked away from this console generation the big winners. The Wii found its way onto the fad train and they haven't look back. However, let's be honest, it's impossible to call yourself a hardcore gamer and only own a Wii as, outside of a handful of 1st party titles, the machine has been a shovelware dispenser, capitalizing on a casual market that wanted the "Wii Sports player,' and not much else. Their motion controls have been one of the most innovative pieces of tech this generation but developers outside of Nintendo really couldn't do anything with them that didn't seem like a gimmick that quickly wore out its welcome. Nintendo knows this and is strolling into e3 with something to prove. And from what we've heard from their camp already, they are bringing the thunder.

   Project Cafe - Nintendo is sure to win the headlines since nothing grabs attention like a hardware reveal. Details about the new system to be released in 2012 have been trickling in and it appears that Nintendo, rather than relying on the casual market that helped them basically print money, are aiming their sights back at the hardcore and hope to win back the 3rd parties with hardware that will out perform the 360 and PS3. But there's got to be more to it than just a machine capable of great graphics, right? What's the catch? Well it appears that the controller will be their weapon that makes them stand apart from the crowd, which is both intriguing and a gamble.

   Although obviously it's all speculation, the word on the street is Nintendo's new console is going to utilize some sort of touch interface that will different than anything we have experienced thus far in gaming. There has to be something to this, as another set of rumors leaked that the system might be called the Nintendo Feel, playing off the controller interface. It's certainly an interesting idea. The two screen interface really worked for the DS and Nintendo knows how to innovate, but I keep asking myself what could it do that will improve gaming rather than just feel like a gimmick. I heard the idea that it could be almost like a portable that you play on your big screen and, when you're on the go, you can detach it and continue your game on the go. That certainly sounds awesome, but they just released the 3DS - wouldn't that cut into their own market? 

   The other thing to consider is price. A controller with a touch interface can't be cheap (Analyst Michael Pachter guessed about $100). Nintendo also doesn't like to sell their consoles at a loss since, unlike Sony and Microsoft, they are a gaming company and only a gaming company without profits from any other area. So with an expensive controller and top of the line hardware, this thing has got to be somewhere in the high 300s to low 400s to make. Although I'm sure they won't reveal the price at this e3, its definitely got to be something that should be cleared up come June. 

   I also find it curious that they are picking this time frame considering the market they are going after. It appears they want to win back the hardcore with these specs, and more power to them. But how long will it be before Microsoft and Sony come back with their own new systems? My guess is Microsoft will look for a 2013 launch date with the PS4 to follow in 2014. Can they really expect to compete with a system that will already be trailing tech wise that quickly? And what about all the casual gamers they converted, literally carving out an entirely new market? Are they just going to abandon the success they had there?

   3DS - As impressive as the tech is, the handheld's sales have been solid but not amazing, and it's clear that software is needed if they are going to move units.  3DS titles are sure to be a huge focus of Nintendo's press conference, rolling out Zelda, Resident Evil, and a bunch of other strong titles that will finally give gamers a reason to buy the thing. If they are smart, they should spread out the release dates and stop these dry spells that their hardware seems to go through. It feels like every time Nintendo hits a void of titles, especially this generation, they blow their load too quickly and leave their fanbase hungry shortly after.

   Wii - The Wii should finally get a must buy title with Skyward Sword, which is sure to be shown and playable. But is there anything else coming out? The system's price cut will certainly help sales, but I'm hoping Nintendo has at least one more ace up their sleeves to keep their fanbase happy until 2012. Honestly, my guess in no though unfortunately. Their developers seemed focused on the 3DS and Nintendo history has shown that they don't mind leaving the Wii stranded with titles.  Link's latest adventure will probably be the Wii's final horray before Cafe or whatever it will be called takes center stage.

 Think Nintendo has anything else up their sleeve?

Not So Fast

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Just when you thought it was over...

   Well...shit.

   Despite Sony's growing wave of optimism about the imminent return of PSN and the first bits of information of their "Welcome Back" rewards have come to light, another bear trap has been triggered and we're still at a stand still. Saturday has come and gone and the return of PS3's online functionality still sits in limbo. 

   From their latest blog post, Sony states: "As you may know, we’ve begun the process of restoring the service through internal testing of the new system. We’re still working to confirm the security of the network infrastructure, as well as working with a variety of outside entities to confirm with them of the security of the system. Verifying the system security is vital for the process of restoration. Additional comprehensive system checks and testing are still required, and we must complete that process before bringing the systems online."

 

   If indeed the case, I can't really blame them. If it ain't ready, don't send it out to the fire. I think I just feel so disappointed because it looked like the return was set for the week and I'm set in a little period of limbo with my gaming. Brink comes out this Tuesday and I'm all set to get that, but that leaves me two days of gaming with nothing to really sink my teeth into. I don't have enough time to really start something new, but it's enough time that I wish I just could be playing something, you know?

   What really sucks is that if PSN is still down by mid week, it will really hinder the functionality of Brink. I was really interested in seeing how well the game would meld the single and online portions of the game but, with the current state of things, that doesn't really seem possible. Hopefully it will be a non issue by then though. Hopefully. The wait continues...