The Next Generation is Here…

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Well… It finally happened. I said I would wait for a title that would compel me to buy it, but I didn’t, I got impatient and jealous of other early adopters. I scoured in retail stores and supermarkets for stock a week after launch and was eventually lucky enough to join the next gen revolution. I have been so excited since the announcement at E3 that I stare at that sexy black box beneath my TV in near disbelief. And which sexy black box is it that I own I hear you ask? For me there was only one choice to make and that choice was the Playstation 4.

THE REASON:

“PS4 – For the players”. That tag line says it all. At E3 when both sony and Microsoft lay all their cards on the table and revealed what they would be offering, the PS4 appealed to me so much more. Microsofts focus on media content and their 180 on proposed DRM policies didn’t fill me with confidence. While the gamer focused, pro indie ethos that Sony projected spoke to me more as a long time video game enthusiast.

THE CONSOLE:

The PS4 isn’t much bigger than previous generation consoles and it’s angular, unassuming design doesn’t upset my girlfriend because it looks like it belongs in the living room when it sits under the TV (what does upset my girlfriend is me staying up until three in the morning playing Battlefield 4 because I can’t pull myself away). My only criticism of the console is the buttons used to power on the console and eject a disk. They are embedded in the slanted face of the console but they don’t seem to be very responsive or I don’t know how they work properly, either way, they aren’t very obvious.

THE CONTROLLER:

Having not owned a Sony console since the Playstation 2, I was surprised and delighted when I got my hands on the Dualshock 4. It felt so familiar in my hands while being so much more significant than it had been before. The controller is larger to accommodate the new touch pad interface and the extra size makes the symmetrical thumb sticks feel more ergonomic than on previous iterations. The touch pad interface is responsive and is implemented in Killzone: Shadow Fall well for issuing orders and it’s clickable so it offers an extra button in other games I have played like Battlefield 4.

Another major evolution of the controller is the built in speaker which I have seen used for audio logs in Killzone and notifications in Resogun. Both uses of the controllers speaker that I have witnessed have felt very natural (albeit surprising when you aren’t expecting it) and have only enhanced the overall gaming experience creating a much more immersive gaming experience.

THE INTERFACE:

The PS4 involved a simple setup process and my first experience of the Playstation Network has been a favourable one. Two free titles for upgrading to Playstation Plus is a great way to sugar the pill that is the £40 a year subscription charge.

As a former Xbox live user I must admit that the Playstation menu interface feels and looks nicer. There aren’t any ads on screen from powering on the console which is a welcome change. Everything just feels a lot more subtle and intuitive with the PS4 from the menus to the way the store Is set out.

One of the most impressive things about the PS4’s interface is the speed and ease switching between applications and multi tasking; While I’m playing a game I can have 2 or 3 other files downloading in the background, come out my game instantly back to the home screen, seamlessly switch to watching something on netflix and when I go back to playing my game, it picks me up right where I left off with zero load times or hassle. This aspect of the consoles interface is what really makes me realise I am playing a next gen console.

One of my favourite features of the PS4 is the voice control functionality that can be activated with the in box headset or from the mic on the Playstation eye camera peripheral for an extra £50. Activating voice commands by saying “Playstation” and then being prompted with commands that you can use once the mode is active. The voice commands at this early stage are limited to naming games, switching in an out of the home screen and taking screenshots and the like but I am excited to see how Sony will implement this feature with future updates (I would love to be able to set up parties with the voice commands)

THE GAMES:

In the first week of owning a PS4 I have managed to play the following games; Killzone Shadow fall, Battlefield 4, Resogun, Madden 25. Of these titles the only groundbreaking experience for me was while playing Resogun, the other titles look and play like really polished versions of their previous generations counterparts. While Resogun really gives the player a chance to see what the PS4 is capable of doing with so many particles independently moving on screen at any one time but this isn’t even making the console break a sweat and I can’t wait to see some more PS4 exclusive titles that can really show off what the hardware can do.

THE VERDICT:

Overall, I am delighted with my next generation purchase. The improvement to graphics and performance for cross gen games is very welcome while I wait for more next gen exclusive titles. The more powerful hardware enables a more seamless end user experience that really feels like I have entered the next generation of gaming. But if you’re planning on buying a PS4 before 2014 expecting a mass quantity of mind blowing next gen content then you may be left wanting until the new year. But what a new year it is going to be.

Going into the new year I would love to hear from readers about games they like and what they wanna hear about. Get in touch via Twitter @Andrewisplaying or email gamesimplaying@gmail.com

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Resistance Fall of Man. Then and Now

games i’m playing

Resistance Fall of Man

With the dawn of the next generation just around the corner i thought it would be a good idea to play through some launch titles that where released day one on the ps3. The games in question, Resistance fall of man. A playstation exclusives this games would hopefully of convinced you to pick u a system on day one. How well has Resistance aged over the PS3 lifetime and what should we expect from a day one releases on the PS4.

After a delayed release for those in the pal territories i managed to pick up a 60gb ps3 at my local woolworths. the console came with two games, Resistance and Motorstorm. super excited i rushed home, closed all the curtains, lit some candles and unboxed the beast. Within about 10 minutes i sat transfixed at the television screen as Resistance loaded up……

Resistance Fall of man.

Then

This was the (hopeful) killer app that was there to challenge the Gears of War of the xbox. for me it was my first taste of “next generation”. Gameplay was smooth, graphics where solid and the game was massive. I had sunk about 10hrs in to the story and there where still new levels ahead. this was a great introduction to next gen. Now i must say that at this time i didn’t have a hdtv so graphically it didn’t look as good as it could of. It still had the blurry line of the previous generation.

The game was developed by the creators of the ratchet and clank series Insomniac Games. It carried across all of the charm of the studio. weapons where diverse and interesting and levels where again diverse and interesting. The story was unique enough to keep me playing all the way through the game; you could tell that the story would not be contained to the one release.

Levels where varied. Set in 1951 you fought through towns, woods, snow covered destroyed cities and spaceships. In short this game felt like my investment was the right one; this game would keep me going till MGS4 is released.

Now

All of the novelty of next gen has been washed away by 6 years of quality gaming. Worried would be a word id use to describe playing Resistance again. Putting the disc in it starts up well but as the developer/publisher titles appear it starts to look a little dated. menus in games today are dynamic with a real polish that you can only get on a hdtv.  The resistance menu looks like a game menu for the PS2. Its all very big and chunky; sure it does the job; theres just no next gen sparkle. Quickly moving on from the menu I’m straight in to the intro cutscene, then straight in to the game. Game play and graphics are solid. levels are detailed and it kind of holds up well. What i have noticed is enemy AI movement and the way they interact with me and the environment. They are powerful but a little stupid. An observation I’ve made over this generation is the development of enemy AI. the ps2/xbox generation gave us shooting galleries of enemies to gun through. they seemed to work individually; there only objective is to kill you regardless is they die. Through out this generation we have seen enemies who will protect themselves; forcing you out of cover, work with others or even run away if they believe they are gonna loose. F.E.A.R was a game changer with enemy AI and a great introduction to what can be achieved with the next generation.

Resistance overall feels old. It feels like a launch title. On the surface it feels like a next gen title but underneath i wouldn’t be surprised if it was a game built from a ps2 engine.

Its incredibly interesting playing a launch title game at the end of a consoles production life. Games this generation have taken a tremendous leap forward from those early launch titles. massive worlds with rich content to small indie games that challenge the big *cough treyarch/infinityward cough* developers. Im expecting the games i invest in at the beginning of PS4 launch will not be a true reflection of the next 6-8 years but will be a warm welcome to the new generation. What will be possible with the next 6-8 years in gaming?. Thats a perfect title for another blog. and a question i will leave this post on.

Thomas

Half Life 2

Games I’m playing; half life 2.

 This isn’t going to be a review of the game. its been out for 9 years and according to google  it has about 547,000,000 results relating to the search “half life 2 review”. this is totally going to be my opinions during the play through of the game.

So my first impressions as Mr Freeman enters a strange new town are “wow this looks great”. For an older game it sure has aged well. character models are good, textures are as you would expect and it kind of flows well at 30fps (I am playing the ps3 version) but the stand out from the get go is the sound. the sounds of the train, propaganda voice over, guards passing by and the creatures creeping up on you is awesome. totally put my headphone on for this one. Why do game developers neglect the sound department. 

 So far i have spent most of the game running away from the place that i arrived at to begin with. using various modes of transport i have arrived at a place i was simply meant to teleport too. if it was as simple as teleporting then it wouldn’t be a fun game but sadly the running away isn’t so fun. Okay (here come a slight rant), whats is it with fps and the not so great automobile controls/mechanics. the airboat was an absolute pain. totally reminded me of halo’s last level with the warthog. any level in halo with the warthog to be fair. In my opinion the airboat section could of been shorter as some sections didn’t need the boat between loads. Just a note to the reader, this is my second play through of the game. the first time i gave up just before you get the gun on your airboat. Also at this time of my life i had  Call of duty modern warfare and i had just got internet connected to my house. needles to say, i was pleased to see the back of the airboat once i had made it to the end of that section, something tells me il be seeing it again. Also i can see a future blog where i look at automobile transport within the first person shooter genre.

 Moving on from the not so good we i’m treated to amazing puzzles, solid gameplay and the gravity gun. I’ve not had this much fun with a weapon since Turok 2 and the cerebral bore. I get huge levels of joy when taking down the zombies with a circler saw blade/ gravity gun combo. I just wish i could stock them like ammo for every occasion. nearly everything in the game can be interacted with the so this gives you loads of possibilities and options during game play. Question; what did you most enjoy using with the gravity gun?. 

Half lives 2’s main mechanic is the physics engine. and its used in a really natural way. puzzles so far haven’t felt like they where put there for the sake of it. They are well placed apart and not repetitive. Im enjoying getting to a section and finding a few boxes and block placed around. in my mind I’m thinking that there must be a puzzle to do but no, they are just there to fill the world around me. Why do i enjoy this? well because it immerses you more in to the world your playing in. It feels more real. Why wouldn’t there just be some blocks over there minding there own business. 

So far i’m up to the british rocket specialist who has happily volunteered Gordon for the next mission. Im unsure why as I’ve only just met the guy. Sure Gordon is a scientist but i have yet to see or hear any proof on the matter. I don’t know if it was the british accent or everyone trying to kill me but as soon as he said Gordon Freeman i thought Harry Potter. Maybe its because most of the characters refer to Gordon by his full name. id totally play a mod if they changed Gordon’s name to Harry Potter. All the enemies could be death eaters and the awful airboat section could be awful broomstick section. 

Have you played it? What did you think of Mr Freeman’s second adventure?.

by Thomas 

The Wolf Among Us

In an age where substance has largely been replaced by style, mainstream video games have found it increasingly difficult to breakaway from the mediocre storytelling that has dogged the industry since it’s conception. Don’t get me wrong, there is a myriad of fantastically written games out there, but a jaunt down to your local video game retailer will reveal that a large proportion of games that claim a seat in the charts are far from story driven. This isn’t to say that there is no place for the quintessential handholding that only a big budget FPS can provide, but where is the character development? Where are the feels? Games like Call Of Duty are great fun, but when I’m old and decrepit, will I really look back to my youth and think ‘You know what, Aliens: Colonial Marines was freaking tits!’ Probably not. The Wolf Among Us however, now that is a game that will stay with me for a long time.

Telltale Games must have felt like they could do no wrong after the success of ‘The Walking Dead’. They had manage to revitalise what was a dying genre, not by pandering to its stereotypes but by changing preconceptions. The Walking Dead was not a point and click adventure game that threw you into a mire of puzzles and mini-games. It focused its effort on character development and hard hitting emotional content, I’m man enough to admit it made me cry, so what? It’s this magnificent formula that Telltale have used to construct The Wolf Among Us.

Based on Bill Willingham’s ‘Fables’ comic book series, The Wolf Among Us sees us follow protagonist ‘Bigby Wolf’ as he moderates a suburb of displaced mythical characters in New York. Anyone who expects an innocent fairytale will be in for a shock as within the first 5 minutes Mr Toad from Toad-hall was lambasting me with every curse word under the sun. Joining Mr Toad is a host of well known and well loved characters from folklore, each with a new twist as they struggle to cope with living normal lives in a mundane society.

Artistically the game looks incredible, it retains much of the style and character from Telltales last game whilst making its own mark on proceedings. Graphically it seems more stable too with glitches pulling you out of the immersion impressively infrequently.

The gameplay varies from L.A. Noire style investigating and clue finding to Telltales trademark conversation and consequence. Combat is also impressively fluid, and incredibly non-linear. The fighting is made up of various quick time events that guide you through the scene. What is most remarkable about this however is that a failed input when requested may take the fight in a direction you have never seen before. On three separate occasions I found the same fight head in three different directions due to my successes or failures at dodging or attacking.

Overall The Wolf Among Us is not a game tailored for everyone, but neither should it be. Whilst bigger budget games are pandering to the majority market a space is emerging for smaller developers to create a comfortable little niche. A niche they can use to enrich lives with characters we care about and stories which we can’t live without.

Oh and incase you aren’t totally convinced, this photo may sway you.

Feel free to check back once the series has run it’s course through episodes 1 to 5, there will be a review on the game in its entirety swiftly after it’s conclusion.

Tom Watson.

Mount Your Friends

Hi, I’m Andrew, one of the bloggers here at gamesimplaying. Follow me on Twitter @Andrewisplaying

 

One area of intense interest to me is the future of video game development and the recent rise of indie developers; at a friends house I played a game I’d never heard of from the XBLA indie store (an often under exposed source of indie talent) that I wanted to share called Mount Your Friends.

Mount Your Friends is a “simulated sports like experience” that has two teams of banana hammock clad men (with insanely realistic physics for the bulging genitalia) battle it out to see who can mount their team member highest on the ever growing human pyramid; sounds weird right?

The game is every bit as strange as it sounds, but at the same time you are compelled to best your friends in a battle of limb flailing glory. Each turn gives you 30 seconds to mount your friend higher than the friend mounted by the opposing player. Controls are easy to learn and difficult to master, with each button activating a limb that you move with the left analogue stick and limbs will automatically attach themselves to the tower when close enough, allowing for some hilariously compromising positions.

The real fun of this game is the fine detail which is what really adds depth to the potentially shallow QWOP-like experience. The artistic style is basic and comic but with lots of polish and some of the expressions on the “friends” faces can be priceless depending on how they are positioned on the tower. Each “friend” has their name and nationality displayed at the bottom of the screen while the player flails them (some of which can sound hilarious after a few beers). The game has several different game modes to spice things up as well, (as if a tower of practically naked guys with their junk swinging round wasn’t spicy enough for you), there’s a 5 minute time trail as well as the competitive tower building and challenge modes all available locally and with online play.

My first experience of Mount Your Friends was the perfect way to be introduced to the game, lots of people gathered around a TV in the living room with plenty of drinks consumed, girls (and guys) shrieking at those dangly bits swinging as frustrated gamers shake their controllers in an effort to further flail the limbs of their characters. Local party play is definitely the best way to play this game in my opinion. I downloaded the game for a single player/online session at home a few days after the party and that frustratingly exciting experience when on a team of fellow human players just turned into me being frustrated watching alone as Ismael Farwell swung his dick at me in defiance as I failed to coordinate his limbs.

This game was developed by Daniel Steger, indie vet with other titles on the XBLA indie store from his development label “The Stegersaurus” (www.stegersaurus.com). Mount Your Friends is also recently available on Steam through their green light platform and according to Daniel’s blog there are plenty of updates planned to keep the mounting fresh. Including (but not limited to); a sandbox mode, customisable climbers and the ‘safe for work’ version which allows players to mount teams of fully clothed, suited friends with giant zips where their junk should be.

I will be watching this game closely on Steam and XBLA, the XBLA version is 69p in the UK and I urge anyone who has a quid to spare to give it a go. As previously mentioned this is a great game to play with friends, not so fun for me by myself but I guess it just depends how much you love building a human pyramid of naked men with swinging willies on your own.

Whats this blog all about?.

Here is a blog about games that myself and friends are playing at the moment. 

The team consists of Tom, Andrew and tom. 

ENJOY!