dbsmith's Blogs

FarCry2:

Mission: blow up some railcar at an old railway station. Find Jeep. Driving, more driving, some more driving, deviate from path to run over a zebra. Its death saddens me. Then I wonder why I am sad since I chose to run it over. Maybe the bloodlust got to me? I find my in-game character bewildering. I must stop this arms-dealer from fueling the African war, yet my Machiavellian missions involve killing key leaders and blowing up a fair amount of stuff. I want to rebel. The game won't let me kill key characters. Just hordes of nameless goons that take 20 rounds to the stomach before dying. And zebras.

Fallout 3:

I am impressed. Yet, not impressed enough. All the promises of "consequences" and being good or evil having significant effects on the game kinda never eventuated for me. "But what about Megaton???" I hear you cry.

Well sure, you can blow it up or not. Then what? It's not like you have a whole lotta angst from other people in the world because of it. You should be hunted down in every single town you visit, not welcomed in the front door. I think game makers haven't quite got to the stage of long-lasting consequences of actions yet. Fair enough - the number of different strands of plot and dialogue and what-have-you that have to be created in order for this to happen is quite large. But they shouldn't keep promising it. Will have to play more Fable and see if they deliver. Oh, and why was it that my most favourite gun was given to me 5 minutes before the end of the game? Sigh.

Fable 2: Man I love my dog. The simple joys of just going for a run through the fields with Baxter at my side is unparalleled. I think its to do with having played so much Fallout 3, this is such a nice change for the eyes. And the combat is such a joy! Stab this guy, whirl around and shoot another in the head, spin and force push (yeah, im a fable jedi) a third away, then charge up lightning and roast them all! In the meantime, my dog has found me a condom. Alas somewhat like real life, I have yet to meet a woman that has interested me. Like with games, I guess I'll have to lower my standards.

Interlude: I'm beginning to spot a trend with my gaming patterns. I seem to be playing a lot of games that start with the letter F and end in some number. I vow not to play or watch anything to do with Fantastic Four.

Dead Space: Rented it. Only played for an hour. Got kinda bored. Everything looks and feels fantastic EXCEPT THE BLOODY DUDES LUMBERING TOWARDS YOU! i.e. the most important thing to get right.  Imagine if i raised my arms above my head, bent my wrists down and sloooowwwwwlllly shuffled towards you.  Oh the horror. Plus, they give you a timey-slowey-downey ability, just in case it was TOO fast! Sure its only the first enemy, but screw it, my gaming time is too precious for this. Why does this game make me think of ice-cream?

So there we are.

Game of year is probably Fable 2 for pure enjoyment factor. Haven't played GTA: IV or Left 4 Dead (more games with numbers in the title! Rejoice!). Don't want to play Little Big Planet. Why would I make levels for other people? Jeez, it would be like a job. Except you don't get paid. And the general masses (i.e. you lot) would rate you at your job and leave messages about it.

"carp level" they would say. Or "it waz okay but u shuld make it betta"  And people wonder why I try to stick to single player games...