games

My 2013 top 5 wanted games

TOP5JEZZA

 

In response to NekkedSnakes top 5 list, I thought I’d formulate my own and share the 5 games I am most looking forward to playing from here on in. Two of my picks are actually the same as Nekked’s, but, we do share similar tastes. So without anymore delay, and by order of release date, (or projected) here are my top 5 games for 2013.

A: Tomb Raider Reboot
I guess you can call this a more modern, more PC maybe, version of the classic series. Lara looking a bit more realistic, rather than the big chested, daisy duke wearing of old, and she looks more vulnerable than ever before.
Early trailers suggest that the story will be taking place well before the event’s of the previous games.
I’ve been eyeing this game since it’s announcement for a few reasons.
1. it’s being developed by Square Enix, one of my favorite developers. While they don’t always make the best games, they do know how to not make them crappy, and with a pretty well known IP, it should turn out pretty good.
2. The genre has been grabbing my attention more and more than any other genre at the moment. It was sparked by Naughty Dog‘s Uncharted series, the genre has a lot of potential, in terms of long term playability, and a complete sense of accomplishemnt when finished, and also, if done right, a very good potential in being very cinematic, and very well making you, the player a part of the game.
3. Have you seen the character models of young Lara? 😉

I have pre-ordered this game, the Limited Edition to be exact, and it arrives in stores next week, March 5th, and look forward to our usualy battery of our thoughts on the game as we play.

 

2: Sim City 5
Yes, the classic city building, wannabe mayor game is finally getting it’s 5th iteration after a 10 year hiatus. To be honest, I haven’t followed this game much, but all I know is that it looks awesome, and I cannot wait to start budgeting and city planning.
I have been in love with this city series of the Sim games since the very first one was released oh so many many moons ago. I just cannot get enough of seeing my city grow, and making my Sim’s happy as larks. i actually recently re-purchased Sim City 4 just to play it again. (it was on clearance at Target, I got it for $2.50)
Now with my newly built PC, and another shiny new game to install in it, I’m going to be as happy as my future Sim’s.
The game releases on March 5th (same day as Lara)

 

C: Army of Two: Devils Cartel
I’m really more after the co-op play on this game than anything else really. I first played AOT with my cousin from Florida, and it was fun. Well, playing with my cousin was, but the game itself left something to be desired.
Fast forward to AOT: 40th Day, and my Cheesecake is finally old enough to play this sort of game, and we had a blasty playing. Again, the game left something to be desired, but, it was playable and enjoyable enough that my cousin and I beat it a few times.
Now a new version comes out, and I am a bit saddened that it does not have the first 2 games protagonists, Alex and Rios, but 2 new characters, Alpha and Bravo. (seriously, can you get more generic than that, they shoud’ve named them Bob and Steve). I sure hope Salem and Rios make an appearance somewhere in the game.
Apparently you can alternately play as B.o.B and Big Boi if you pre-order the game. (not sure from what retailer) They collaborated on the game’s official theme song Double or Nothing.
The game releases on March 25

 

4: Last of Us
It’s a game made by Naughty Dog, makers of the hugely epic Uncharted Series, ’nuff said. They practically made the PS3 their bitch, and squeezed out every bit of performance from the Uncharted games. Now they release a new IP, and it just looks even more amazing than Uncharted 3, which I thought was not possible, but then again, this is Naughty Dog.
The game releases on May 7th

 

D: Grand Theft V

Not much to say about this game really, we all know the series, we all know Rockstar does no wrong when it comes to these games, or any of their games really.
I will say this though, the game looks impressivly amazing. I love the series, I love them so much, that my other other OG interweb handle is actually based on the game.
This series sure has come a long way, from the good old day’s of top down, Spy Hunter style perspective, to the 3-D world that was introduced in Grand Theft Auto 3, to how we see it today. This game personally makes me tingle all over thinking about it.
Projected release date is Spring of this year, but Rockstar is known for delaying, mostly so they can perfect the game.

 

The list above, as well as Nekked’s list is just the tip of the tip of the iceberg. There are a few games we didn’t even list such as God Of War: Ascension, and Bio Shock Infinite, 2 games of which can easily be candidates for Game of the Year. Each year, it seems like the crop of A+ games are getting bigger and bigger, and this makes our wallet smaller and smaller.

I won’t even touch on the fact that the next gen consoles are slated to be released this holiday season, and who know’s what they will bring on the table.
And seeing as January has come and gone already, and we are on the last week of February, a few games has already been released (one of wich was on my want list, Fire Emblem: Awakening), and it does not look like it’s going to let up anytime soon.

 

 

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance update

Metal Gear Solid: Rising

 

After my blaring recommendation yesterday, I might have to pull it back some.  I played a bit more today, and the camera system on this game is just horrendous.  For a game with such a high pace and fast action, the camera can’t seem to keep up.  I’ve had unnecessary deaths due to the camera not being able to decide on where to place itself.  It’s probably one of the worst camera system’s I have played with so far.  It totally detracts from everything else that is so good with the game, and just ruins the whole experience.  Maybe I need to play with some settings as what NekkedSnake suggested, but at this point, I just need to put the controller down, and take a breather.

Yes I may be over reacting right now, but hopefully my tune will change tomorrow once I come to terms with taming this camera issue

 

 

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance – Initial impressions

metal-gear-rising-revengeance-pic-2

 

I just got done playing through the first chapter of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, and one word that comes to mind to describe it is intense.  The way the game feel’s with it’s sword play, and the way it connects to the NPC’s, feels superbly satisfying.  Hit after hit,  gives you a sense of joy when each slash connects.  The graphics so far are top notch, some of the best I’ve seen on the PS3.  The voice acting so far seems to be very good.  Now for some downsides, the camera, is a bit busy.  There were times it was angling too low, and as always when there’s a tight space, it get’s confused, and kind of just gives up all together on where to go, thus giving you a bad angle, which equates to getting hit and eventually dying.  The music, sad to say sounds too much like generic rock.  It just didn’t seem fitting, at all.

This looks like it’s going to be a very fun week or so trying to get through this game.  I know I have only played about 30 minutes of the game, but It’s left me with a good enough impression that I can stand behind this game and fully recommend it.  If you are a fan of the Metal Gear series, or the genre, do yourself a favor, and pick it up.

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op8mjKZxccM]

 

 

Related articles

New Toys

So, I’ve been on the market for a new mouse, gaming mouse, since my regular mouse hurt my hand after a good amount of  playing, and well, it wasn’t just up to par playing MMO’s.  It’s a nice idea to have some buttons within thumbs reach on one hand, just to get an attack or a heal out in the thick of things.  I almost bit the bullet last week on a Mad Catz R.A.T. 7, with full customization’s on the shape and feel of the mouse, the only downside was, that it was wired.  It was also on sale at Best Buy for $79.99 and I had some Best Buy Rewards money, so it would’ve cost me well under what it normally sells for out of pocket.

Mad Catz R.A.T. 7 Gaming Mouse

Mad Catz R.A.T. 7 Gaming Mouse

Well, I ended up procrastinating, and the wired-ness of it turned me off a bit.  I ended up going back to BB today, and check out if it was still on sale, and it wasn’t, BUT the Logitech G700 wireless gaming mouse was, and for a lot cheaper, $59.99.  So I jumped on it.  I just finished installing it, and it is a lot nicer to hold than my previous mouse, and more closer to feel to my old Logitech MX Revolution laser mouse.  (I loved that thing).  I haven’t had a chance to try it on SWTOR yet, maybe later.

Logitech G700 Gaming Mouse

Logitech G700 Gaming Mouse

 

While I was at Best Buy, I decided to pre-order the next Tomb Raider, due out next week.  I have been keeping my eye out for this game, as it’s a reboot, and they made Lara Croft more, realistic per-say.  I also picked up Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance on the recommendation of NekkedSnake.  I’m gonna go eat dinner and try this out real quick, and will post up an initial thought’s segment, and let you know how the first few minutes or first hour is of the game.  I want to get it done by next week, so I can have more time to dedicate on Tomb Raider.

My new items

My new items

My game’s list is quickly filling, with SWTOR, Fire Emblem: Awakening, and now Metal Gear Rising, I won’t have much time to do anything else.  I can’t even list the other games I have pending, and I won’t even mention the fact that myself and Cheesecake are still playing RE 6.  But this will provide more content for you, our readers.

My latest addiction…

in gaming has been Star Wars: The Old Republic, or SWTOR for short.  Picked it up right after I built my PC, since it’s been changed to Free To Play.  We’ll I’ve played it for about a week, then ended up paying for a subscription.  It’s been about a month, I have since created 5 total characters, and I have been playing every chance I get.  This is my first MMO game experience, and I have to say, I have been missing out.  I know the defacto standard is World Of Warcraft, but I just never really was into that franchise.  I want to get into Guild Wars 2 also, but maybe after my addiction to SWTOR dies down a bit.

If anyone is on the Ebon Hawk Server look me up, my Jedi is Vamentha (pictured below), and my Bounty Hunter is Gerta’k

My SWTOR Jedi Knigh

My SWTOR Jedi Knight

 

My Bounty Hunter Gerta'k

My Bounty Hunter Gerta’k

 

One month down, and an Earworm: Bangarang – Skrillex

We now head into the 2nd month of the 2013, I cannot believe January just came and went.  It was quick a busy month, with work and all.  I finally got to build a new PC and so far it’s been just a peach to use.  I will do a quick write up on it probably this month.  It will cover the selection process, and why I picked the parts I picked.

Also, our very very late review on Resident Evil 6 is being finished.  I know it’s been a while since it’s been released, but it’s gonna be done through the eyes of casual gamer‘s, and fans of the series. We might start putting together our retro review section.  A lot of exciting things in the works, but also, my project list is filling up.  I have another website project in the works to be launched in the coming weeks, as well as my photography, and the return of WIGN.

I apologize if we cannot provide you guys with new content everyday, it’s tough with work and school, the best we can do is fill up our folders with stuff, then just post them as we get them done.  Hoping you can stick it out with us.

And lastly, an Earworm.  It’s by Skrillex, and it’s been stuck in my head for the past 2 days.  I am not much into dubstep, but this one I kinda enjoy.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJVmu6yttiw]

Grand Theft Auto V – Trailer 2

Seeing this new trailer makes me want this game badly!  I never got around to playing GTA 4 as much as I wanted to.  At the time, I was going through some personal problems, and even now, I can’t seem to pick it up and play it again.  I played the PS2 variants, and played them thoroughly, and in the process, had a good time in doing so.  Seeing GTA 5 and the way it looks graphically, and thinking back to when I first played GTA back in the 90’s show’s you how much the industry has jumped leaps and bounds in the last decade and a half.

This is a Rockstar game, and they rarely make duds, (in fact, I can’t think of a game that they made that totally sucked ass) and I can already foresee this game being totally awesome.

The Sess resurfaces!

Former G4TV personality, and editor in chief of games content, Adam Sessler has joined Revision3.  It’s nice to see him back in action, and frankly, since his sudden departure on X-Play, I stopped watching it pretty much. I guess the timing was right for him since now, X-Play is gonna be cancelled at the end of the year, and G4TV is switching gears.

To be honest, it’s been just 2 original shows, and a lot of re-runs of Cops.  Anyway, here’s the Adam’s announcement below.

 

http://revision3.com/rev3gamesoriginals/adam-sessler-joins-rev3games

 

Good to see you back Adam!

Wii U very quick initial impressions.

This was the first time I’ve really seen the Wii U up close.  I haven’t really paid much attention to it since they announced it.  I have to say though, I was quite impressed.  The controller wasn’t as bulky to hold at it sseems, and it’s not as heavy as it looks either, BUT, I can see how after an hour or so, it might be problematic.

I played a few moments of Rayman: Legends (which I stated Rayman: Wii U edition in the video), and the graphics are up to par with the PS3, and XB 360.  We’ll see how it holds up once Sony and MS bring out their new systems.  Anyway enjoy the video’s I was able to take.

 

 

 

RE6

Resident Evil 6 – Initial Thoughts
RE6

Finally a new game to waste time on with Cheesecake.

It has finally come, RE6, a game Cheesecake and I have been eagerly awaiting since it’s announcement.  We’ve played countless hours of RE5, Practically getting everything that there is to get in the main games campaign.

We’ve tried other co-op games, but none gave us the satisfaction that RE5 provided us with.  I actually forgot that today was the release date for RE6. I  thought it was another week or so away.  I just happen to stop by a Best Buy during my lunch hour, and, there it was.  I picked it up on my way home, and not too long ago, I just finished playing through the ‘tutorial’ stage.

My first impressions? It still somewhat feels like RE5, controls wise, although now I can aim AND move.  Also during the tutorial stage, there was a lot of my ever so favourite quick time events.  (sarcasm)  Not a fan of them in any shape or form in any game, BUT it does keep you on your toes.  The graphics look gorgeous.  Textures look a lot better than they did of RE5.  Voice acting and sound effects were just as good as it was from RE5.

Initial response to the game by the media is really mixed.  Some gave it really great reviews, some gave it extremely bad reviews, and most gave it ‘meh’ reviews.  [Read snippets of some reviews from CVG].  The same was said about RE5, and RE:ORC.  They were both decent games that provided hours of frustrations and entertainment.  And that in my book is a win.

This weekend, Cheesecake and I will be playing it co-op style (not Gangnam…..yeah, I went there) and we’ll give you our semi-in depth take on it. You know what, maybe we might just go blog about it after each play session.  We’ll see if this is worthy of losing the game.

Stay tuned!