Resident Evil 6 – A Return to the Original and Best Zombie Philosophy?

Little over a week ago, a site was created and began filling the entertainment world with speculation over what the videos could be for. “No Hope Left” was the name of the website and also the slogan for the videos, which quickly became viral. As many rumours began to grow larger by the minute on the internet, an announcement was made that would reveal the intention behind the website and videos on the 19^th of January 2012, at 10pm (UK time). With the Biohazard logos also being used in the videos along with “No Hope Left”, many figured that the next instalment of the original Zombie survival game, Resident Evil, was back and ready for action…

…They were right.

 As promised, the trailer hit the Internet like a punch from Nemesis and was spread around the web quicker than Wesker can move. The trailer revealed important parts of the games story, main characters, storyline and locations were all revealed to some extent from the trailer and the aftermath also. With the rumour mill now turning furiously, what will the next game bring? How will some of the rumoured gameplay mechanics blossom? The time has come for me to keep on turning the rumour mill with speculation which has already been started on the internet.

 In the mid 90’s, Resident Evil became a cult classic by combining refreshing gameplay mechanics and almost unplayable camera angles which made the game scary and also a landmark for the growing Video Game society to follow. From the first we soon had a sequel, which added more dangers than just zombies in Raccoon City. The third title saw Jill Valentine constantly battling a fierce monster in Nemesis. Code Veronica was the last of the ‘classic’ zombie in which the camera angle would have you running around in circles trying to pull off a better shot. The re-launch of the game in Resident Evil 4 saw a change of gameplay, location and, more importantly, zombies. This was still an amazing game which will no doubt be remembered as one of the defining games of the 2000’s but the formula which made RE such a hit, had been altered slightly and although it was still very good, the zombies were no longer ‘zombies’. They were village people gone mad. It was the same for game number 5 also. The main characters were still present in 4 & 5, with Leon and Chris respectively, but the zombie magic was nowhere to be seen.

 Now with the imminent release of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City and, more importantly, Resident Evil 6 in November, is it possible that original is best and Capcom are hitting home to the zombie lovers amongst gamers? It has seemed to be such a long time since Capcom released Code Veronica and with all the different zombie themed titles these days, are they merely entering an overcrowded market?

The Trailer for those who have yet to see it for RE: 6:

The beginning of the trailer shows Leon Kennedy being faced a problem in that his close friend, the President of the United States, has become infected after a Bioterrorism attack. This seems certain to involve Leon killing the President but I believe this would just be the start of something bigger. Meanwhile, Chris Redfield has been deployed in China which has also been hit by a Bioterrorism attack. With the world on its knees thanks to the infection, it seems as though the experienced Leon and Chris will have a tough task against this global threat. The setting which the trailer has set and the circumstances seem reminiscent of previous Resident Evils, older titles as well as the more recent 4 & 5 as they were in Europe and Africa. The gameplay itself though, I believe, will return to the modern view from 4 & 5 but the enemies will be that of the older generations. The game seems to be a great mixture of good solid gameplay with enemies which are scary but also more intimidating that the ‘crazy village people’.  

 With so much hype around zombies these days, I felt it was time for the original and best creators of the zombie to revert back to what make the game series what it is today. So many games these days have embraced the zombie or scary culture:

·         Left 4 Dead 1 & 2

·         Dead Space 1 & 2

·         Rise of Nightmares

·         Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare

·         Dead Rising 1 & 2, OTR, C0 & CW

 These games, to some degree, have all taken inspiration from Resident Evil, one thing which Resident Evil done better than anyone else was the fact that the game always kept you on your toes. Those savage dogs would jump through windows to foil your calm walk through a quiet corridor. This is one thing which has continued through every Resident Evil, the sense that nothing is as it should be. The Dogs in one, Lickers in two, Nemesis in three, the Regenerators in four and the Lickers again in five. I’m sure six will see a return of the frightening and atmospheric gameplay.

 As I have mentioned before, many fans of the series craved for a return to the classic zombie. With this return however, I am certain there will be newer enemies to face as well. This is set 10 years after the original outbreak and within the story, as well as location, the variety of enemies will be improved. Of course in rival zombie titles, Left 4 Dead for example has a Boomer, Spitter, Smoker, Hunter, Witch, Charger, Jockey and the Tank, as well as common infected. Obviously, Left 4 Dead is more of a fun zombie game rather than horrifying but for other games, the variety of enemies is brilliant as you never know what to expect.

  With so many zombie themed games being released ever since the last Resident Evil, I believe the time is right to revert back to the old style of zombies as well as a new setting and the highly acclaimed third person view in RE 4 and 5. With the game only being announced last week there will be a lot more to come from Capcom as to details of Resident Evil 6. Lets hope that the ultimate Zombie franchise will  continue successful build up after the viral videos... Hopefully we will see it if the zombie apocalypse doesn't come before then.

@SimonMarshall6

GTA V – The Evolution of a Cult Classic

 Little over 7 years ago, Rockstar let loose a game that would not only capture gamer’s admiration for an already successful series, but defined a genre by becoming the bestselling game on the PS2. With the typical rags to riches story came freedom and custom options which made you feel like you were Carl Johnson. While some things were unrealistic, the game never felt too “Arcade like” and the replay value of the game was second to none. You could spend a whole day doing the same thing and it would not get tiresome. For me personally, it is my favourite game of all time. The next release from the GTA series, GTA IV, took more of a more series approach to the sandbox genre. Now, with GTA V being revealed in November and a possible release this year, I will be taking a look at how GTA has changed from having jetpacks and rolling down a mountain in an Ambulance to blending into society and becoming an undercover criminal (almost).

 As I’m sure many of you have seen the trailer and if not, here it is:

Definitely a feeling of Deja Vu with the Vinewood sign, the beach workouts, Mount Chiliad, crop fields and running through the ‘hood’ from ‘Five-0’.

 With many details being speculated after the trailer, we can only take so much from the trailer but based on GTA’s past, we can guess what the beginning of the game will be. In both GTA: SA and GTA IV, the main story was about a ‘rags to riches’ story about average people who want to live the American Dream. At the beginning of each game, both main characters seem to be of poor background. CJ is a gang member who is nothing more than a street thug and Niko Bellic who is a veteran of a war in Eastern Europe. Both characters pretty much came from the gutter to make their name. As has been speculated in GTA V, the new character could be a middle aged gentleman, possibly a family man. He appears several times in the trailer, but then again, this could put us off of other things which involve people in the trailer:

·         A civilian turning down drugs

·         The man in the car folding the roof back then later being chased by the police

·         The criminal fleeing from the law on foot

 All players are possibilities. But the with the way in which Rockstar have brought GTA IV down to Earth, it seems likely that the middle aged man who is seen to rob the bank, look out onto the city and drive the blue convertible. This may seem the more realistic choice but hopefully it won’t be him. I feel as though past GTA characters such as Tommy Vercetti amd CJ had far more charisma around them. Niko just seemed dull and not too fun at all. Incidentally, this leads me onto my next point about ‘fun’.

 From GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas, the series gradually built itself up to allow the player to play the game how they wanted it to be played. In 3 you couldn’t jump out of a moving car or swim but by the time SA was released, you could fly jets, cruise around in jetpacks and have CJ workout at the gym. GTA IV was a slight let down in this sense. Of course you could eat from take-away diners, fly helicopters and gun anything down but the game itself felt… different. The large open world of Vinewood, as well as the jets and planes in the trailer, suggest that the aeroplanes could be making a comeback for GTA V. An all new cover system for the 4^th game was introduced which partially seen an end to the hysterical shootouts while being chased down by the Police and then eventually the Army. The multiplayer aspect to GTA IV was a major plus point for the most recent release as players, to this day are still getting their fix from the GTA multiplayer and is still quite popular. Rockstar seem to be quite the masters with multiplayer, as seen with Red Dead: Redemption.

In San Andreas, you could personalise your version of CJ to exactly how you wanted him to be. You could make him fat, lean, skinny or any way you wanted him to be (almost). The customising options were brilliant. With GTA IV though, there wasn’t as much freedom and this was a bit of a let-down. The custom abilities you could create in SA eclipsed the mere clothes swap in GTA IV. No matter who the main character will be in GTA V, you can only hope that Rockstar’s return to Los Santos includes all the custom options that were available 8 years ago!

 Since the last instalment, there have been several games released which have used GTA’s past formula to score success. Games such as:

·         Saints Row 2 and The Third

·         True Crime (although you play as a cop)

·         Crackdown 1 and 2

·         Driv3r

·         The Mercenaries series

 Some of these games have sold well, especially Saints Row and Crackdown, but none of the titles can touch the complete feeling that ‘old school’ GTA gives you while taking on the dullest of missions. This is why I feel GTA needs to go back to the previous method of utter mayhem and great story mode. No other game can even come close to creating a game the way in which GTA creates GTA. That is why each release is similar to that of a Blockbuster movie, it is guaranteed success.

  Will the next GTA revert to the old style of carnage? Or maintain the newer, more realistic style of modern day criminality? To be honest, Rockstar knows how to make a gaming success. Anything with the big black R with an orange background knows how to make a successful game. I think that the Grand Theft Auto series has turned a corner from the San Andreas days with GTA IV. The more serious approach was an angle which some didn’t take to it immediately. The trailer for the next release looks to follow similar suit.

My head is telling me one thing but my heart is telling me another.

@SimonMarshall6

The PS Vita - Why It Will Fail

 With the imminent release of the Playstation Vita, games shops, websites, blogs and forums have been lighting up with features and videos of Sony’s latest handheld gaming device. Sony has promised great new graphics, new Sony apps, fresh games and the intention to revolutionise an already crowded market. With the failure of Sony’s last handheld device, the PSP, still fresh in the public’s mind, I ask, will the Vita be accepted by the public and embraced like the Playstation? Or, will it merely be an insignificant failure in the gaming world? That is why I am writing this on my blog.

 The PSP, in the public’s eye, will always be seen as a failure. Like many other ‘fads’ prior to the 2005 release, its success was short lived and never lived up to the hype. It could do most things. You could watch movies, TV shows, listen to your songs, surf the web and of course, play PSP games. Aside from the PSP game part, the handheld system was merely an iPod which by this time was gaining momentum to take over the world. Personally, I spent my first ever months wage on a Sony PSP and loved the fact that you could do all these things (as I didn’t have an iPod). The games I bought at the time were Ridge Racer and Fifa 06 (I think). I must have owned the PSP system for around 3 months until I sold it. It was far too big to carry around in your pocket, the graphics were poor (Fifa as I recall was very pixelated) and was more of an inconvenience than a gaming revolution. Soon after the hype had calmed down, the sales had calmed and the games were getting worse. The PSP had had its day, not long after being released. Different models being released which claimed improvements and I haven’t even mentioned the monumental catastrophe which was the PSP Go. All in all the PSP was a failure and I fear the same for Vita, as Sony hasn’t learnt lessons from the past.

 These days, everything can be done from Smart Phones. Gaming, internet, music, TV and movies can all be utilised in some way on Smart Phones. As I have mentioned before, Apple have created a new era for gaming which HTC, Samsung and Motorola have all embraced, while Sony have not. As well as the fact most people already own a Smart Phone, the games are substantially cheaper. The RRP of a brand new Playstation Vita is around £39.99. The most successful gaming app ever on Smart Phones is Angry Birds which started out as a budget app on i-Tunes and has now became a global phenomenon. Merchandise, several varieties of the game available and now every handset wishes to have this addictive game on its phones. Of course there will always be a place for big budget games but for this low cost, addictive type of gaming, it seems to be much more appealing to the masses. The type of people who are willing to pass the time playing games while travelling to work or school as well as surfing the web, texting and watching TV shows. All of which is available on Smart phones. Most is available on the Vita, but not all. This is definitely the biggest problem with the Vita. Where does it stand in the market? The handheld console generation is dying in my point of view with the exception of one company and product, Nintendo with the 3DS.

 The masters of handheld consoles have yet again captured the public’s hearts after a more than shaky start with the 3DS. As much as the console is an evolution for gaming with the 3d technology, early sales suggested that it was due to falter. After releases of Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D World as well as numerous Zelda titles, Nintendo was back on track as more and more 3DS’ were selling out. This is the major difference between the Vita and the 3DS, blockbuster game titles with Mario, Zelda and Star Fox. Mario and Zelda both have millions of fans who would buy any game that is released and not even how often a Mario or Zelda game is released, it will still receive great press and loved by the public. This is something I feel which Sony cannot replicate in fact, no-one can replicate. Mario is appealing to kids today and adults who grew up with him in the 80’s and 90’s. The charm of Nintendo is priceless which appeals to everyone. Even if you are a Sony or Microsoft “Fan-boy”, you can’t help but appreciate Nintendo’s continued success in the gaming market.

 The one thing I feel which the Vita has above any of its competitors, whether its Smart phone or 3DS, is the technology which is integrated in the system. The touch sensitive back seems to be the most impressive evolution of the handheld which the Vita offers. You can control the on screen action, without your fingertips getting in the way.

Kotaku explained how it will be implemented with Fifa 12:

"One of the features they can up with is touch-panel shooting, where you use the rear panel to aim and kick. When you tap, the ball goes to the spot that corresponds to wherever your fingertip is."

This is certainly something to look forward to because of all the touch screen gameplay and mechanics these days; it will be refreshing to feel as though you are controlling everything with your fingertips, without them getting in the way.

 Playstation 3 fans may be excited to hear that you can play PS3 games on your Vita as well. Although all in all the cost of a PS3 and Vita would be well in excess of £400. The powerful graphic system is produced by a Quad Core Power VR Graphics Processer. Most of the games too will be available to download as well as some larger sized titles being available to physically purchase. A neat system called “Near” will let you know if any of your friends are nearby and if so, you can challenge them to a game wirelessly.

 All in all, I feel as though the Playstation Vita has several promising features. The graphics, advanced controls and ability to play titles from its big brother. In a crowded market of portable gaming, I feel as though the Vita will have an initial buzz, or maybe when the price is dropped (similar to the 3DS). Although this buzz will be short lived and will go the same way as the PSP and other handhelds have gone before it. Another victory for the smart phones!

Top Games Being Released Early 2012

 Ever since E3 this year (2011), and more recently the VGA’s, many in the games industry has been looking towards 2012. Many exciting games have been revealed for 2012, as well as consoles too. The Playstation Vita and Nintendo Wii-U will both be launched next year. Much like 2011, next year has several great games which will be released earlier in the year, with the blockbuster titles to be revealed at E3 in June. With an old friend coming to the current generation, updated graphics for classic games and two rivals come together to settle their differences in one game.

This ladies and gentlemen is the top games to be released in, early, 2012.

UFC Undisputed 3

  After the huge success of UFC Undisputed 2009, THQ followed the game up by releasing UFC Undisputed 2010. Little over a year has passed since 2010 was released and now UFC will be back on your consoles with UFC Undisputed 3. The game is pencilled for a 27^th January release date for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

THQ will be looking to build on a solid single player game with good online and offline multiplayer functions. With all the hype surrounding UFC at the moment with everyone seeming to jump on the UFC bandwagon with T-shirts that they wear to the gym or baseball caps. One thing is for sure, it seems the game has stepped up from 2010.

 From the outside, the game has improved viewing of the fights with TV camera style which gives each match a feeling of real UFC action. Highly anticipated entrances have now also been added which hopefully won’t turn the game into WWE, not that there’s anything wrong with WWE.

 New fight mechanics have improved an already strong control system. You can now use complex feints (which are easier than they sound!) to mislead your opponents and score bigger blows. Submissions have also been revamped as well. New submissions have been added to the game so you can use the Octagon to your advantage, with certain moves being used in different areas of the ring.

 With a solid single player, career and multiplayer in the next game, UFC Undisputed 3 looks like it could be a brutal start to the year, with an adrenaline filled game.

Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection

 The classic Konami titles are now being released in updated HD graphics for Xbox 360 and PS3, excluding the first game. The Metal Gear Solid game series is definitely up there with one of the best game series of all time. MGS 2: Sons of Liberty, MGS 3: Snake Eater and MGS: Peace Walker will all be released on two discs on the 3^rd February.

  I’m sure I’m not the only one in being delighted that these great games from a fantastic series will finally be released this generation. As much as the HD fad seems to be in full flow at this time, MGS was badly needed. Personally, I never played Snake Eater because I was glued to my original Xbox nor did I play Peace Walker because I owned a PSP for 4 weeks when they were first released, until I got bored of it.

 This game has already been released in the US and has proven popular amongst fans of the original games as well as appealing to a new generation. I have very fond memories of battling bosses such as Vamp, Fatman and Olga Gurlukovich to name but a few. Then there’s the cardboard box which you could hide in like some sort of lame Transformer. This is why I love the game. It is so serious and yet charming at the same time. I loved MGS 2 when it was released on PS2, I’m sure I will also love MGS3 & MGS Peace Walker. Could it possibly be the best HD package yet to be released? Only time will tell.

The Darkness 2

 The original Darkness was an understated success. The story drew you in right from the start and kept you on a rollercoaster ride from start to finish, where you felt different emotions towards the main character Jackie. After an eventful time with his family, Jackie returns 3 years later as head of his ‘mob’ family. In that time he has managed to conceal and hide the Darkness but an event happens which releases the Darkness once more and this time the Darkness is different. Having been concealed for 3 years, the Darkness wants to take total control of Jackie and this again leads him into sticky situations.

 New features for the game include grabbing enemies and utilising the Demon Arms while shooting. This is a great feature as in the last game you were restricted to old fashioned gun controls and only being able to use The Darkness. You can now create twice as much chaos in the one move! The idea of staying in the dark has returned, with the Darkness themselves thriving on the lack of light with strategic gameplay required to get the best out of the Demon Arms and the Darklings.

On top of the new features for the story itself, 4 player co-op has been added as well, which seems to be a regularity in modern gaming. The other co-op players don’t have the Darkness powers, only the guns which they use are powered by the Darkness… If that makes sense?

 I am a major fan of the first game after picking it up back in 2009. I felt it was understated and hopefully the second game can be the popular title which the first game deserved to be. The Darkness 2 will be released 10th February.

Mass Effect 3

 The final part of the highly acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy will come to an end when Mass Effect 3 is released on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on 9^th March. The only real details which have been released at the moment are that the humans are clinging to existence by taking the last stand on earth (with the first trailer showing a soldier sniping from Big Ben in London).

 The much customisable Captain Shepard returns with his crew including his right hand man/ beast Garrus ready to take on the life threatening enemy which are the Reapers.

Much like Mass Effect 2, how you play the game is completely up to the player. You can interact with your friends/ enemies however you wish by choosing what to say to them, who to kill and what planets to visit.

 This series has been a major success on the Xbox 360 and more recently the PS3. I’m sure this will be an early contender for game of the year. Of course other major games will be released later in the year when fall arrives.

Street Fighter X Tekken

 In 2010, soon after the release of Super Street Fighter 4, Capcom and Namco announced that they would be making two games combining Street Fighter and Tekken. Street Fighter would bring the Tekken characters to Street Fighter for a face off and Namco would do vice versa. This is the first time ever that two rival companies from a fighting game genre have teamed up. The games will see Ryu fighting Jin Kazama, Guile fighting Paul Phoenix and E. Honda facing King. Of course this is Capcom’s attempt at merging the two games.

 Like mass Effect 3, the game will be released on 9^th March and development of the game should be interesting leading up to the games impending release. The game will be available on Xbox 360 and PS3.

Max Payne 3

 March 16^th sees the return of one of gaming’s most revengeful characters in Max Payne. Max has been on hiatus ever since 2003 when the last game, Max Payne 2 was released. There have been rumours of the game being cancelled but those turned out to be false and we are nearing the release date 9 years later. In that time however a film has been made which, I have not seen yet but hopefully it didn’t hurt Max’s reputation too much.

 The game will see the return of the highly acclaimed “Bullet time” which games like Stranglehold got influences to slow time down and use your senses to make vital shots. Anything Rockstar seem to touch these days sell extremely well and with Grand Theft Auto 5 announced recently, the public will be eager to see how Max Payne has evolved into this generation.

 The game sees Max travel to Brazil and he begins a new life protecting a family in Sao Paulo when he is forced to clear his name and he has to fight his way through the underground of Sao Paulo to do so.

 Rockstar will have been working long and hard on this game to bring it to this generation. It looks as though Max has changed a lot since we last seen him but hopefully the anger he distributes still rages on in this title.

 The game will be released on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

Prototype 2

 The first Prototype game was built up to be a huge success but game flaws plagued a promising title. I bought the game day one and was looking to cause destruction to New York and battle through enemies with my ever changing arm. This was great to start with but once I got about half way through it, the controls were unbearable. This is just my personal experience but I did not enjoy it. Hopefully the sequel lives up to expectations this time round. Prototype 2 is released 30^th March and the game sees you playing as James Heller and the main aim of the game is to destroy Alex Mercer, the main character in the first Prototype title.

  Activision has said that a new dodging system will be introduced as well as improved AI.

 The game sees you having the same tricks as the first game but with added weapons, ways to move around and able to morph into certain characters and stealing their identities.

How this game will unfold, I don’t know. But it does look promising like the first game. Hopefully this lives up to expectations and is not flawed and is the game it deserves to be.

Prototype will be available on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC

Aliens: Colonial Marines

 With the thoughts of Aliens vs Predator almost extinguished from our thoughts, having been released early 2010. Sega has now returned with Aliens: Colonial Marines and will be released 30^th March. This title has been in development for some time but looks impressive each time I see a trailer or gameplay, which I viewed via Inside Xbox.

  The description for the game has been said to be a “Tactical squad based shooter”. Weapons include a flamethrower, pulse rifle, pistol, smartgun, RPG and a variety of grenades. The player can switch to another soldier in the squad at any time. It may be necessary to fend off Aliens by using turrets or mounted machine guns if the Aliens attack in numbers.

 For the Aliens themselves, they are the original Aliens who attack in numbers and use their stealth and speed to have you on your toes round every corner. Quick time events will also be triggered when a player is confronted with a face hugger… Nice.

 Multiplayer has been revealed for the game. Two players can play online or split screen co-op, 4 players can also play through the campaign mode and there will be competitive online multiplayer. Although Sega haven’t revealed much but it has been rumoured that the multiplayer will take on the format of the “Gloom” mod in Quake 2.

 However this game turns out, I’m sure both Aliens fans and gamers alike would wish finally for an excellent Aliens game. It is such a great platform to build an excellent game. Just need to hope that Sega have used the experience of AVP wisely and improved the game but what I have seen of the game so far, it looks promising.

That’s all for the first quarter of 2012. Hopefully as the year develops, we will have a chance to see what games are in development in Fall of 2012 as we don’t have many yet confirmed. All I know so far is that it will be a busy first 3 months to 2012!

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Review

 It has been little over 10 years since the genre defining Halo: Combat Evolved was released. In that time since its release, the Halo collection has expanded from the original trilogy onto sequels, prequels and a strategy game, Halo Wars. At E3 this year, 343 Industries, who are taking over from Bungie, revealed that another Halo trilogy would be released from themselves. Starting with Halo 4 next year. As well as revealing Halo 4, 343 Industries also revealed that a HD version of Halo: Combat Evolved would be released on its 10th anniversary. Hence the title, Halo Combat Evolved: Anniversary. I have played the game, almost exactly as I did 10 years ago and it brings back many good memories. So lets see if Master Chief has aged like a fine wine or merely out of date like flares in the modern age.

From the start, even before you buy the game, you can tell that this is not going to be a total revamp of the classic game. The game is RRP at £29.99 (in Britain at least) whereas new retail games RRP at £49.99. When the campaign begins, the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up as I was reunited with the moment when the Chief is released from the cryogenic chamber. I still get this feeling of excitement, even 10 years on.

 The only criticism I have of the game early on is that to begin with there are no tutorials like you have with so many other games. Like "Press A to jump," or "RT to shoot," etc. A lot of other games do it to begin with so you are comfortable with the controls. Unless you know the game, I can imagine that it will take some time to master the controls.

 Of course the graphics are the main, and only, update that 343 had made to the game. The same enemy spawns, the same difficulty and the same level designs. All the same. It's like putting on an old pair of gloves on a winters day. Fits perfectly! You can press the back button at any time (apart from during cut scenes) and see the difference between todays updated HD graphics and the graphics from 10 years ago. The difference is amazing.  It looks like night and day compared to the classic graphics, which 343 were aiming for.

As I have mentioned, the start of the campaign has not lost its edge and this epic campaign has not lost its touch. Personally, I was playing the game on Heroic, which I don't think I played it on that difficulty when I was younger, and it is quite challenging at times. If you die sometimes, you have to take another route to get past certain enemies. I welcome the challenge though as not enough games these days create such a real challenge. Aside from the likes of Dark Souls. From the normal Covenant enemies to the Flood, they all pose as definite threats and the Grunts are as cute as ever. The Flood, not so much.

 As developments in the campaign go, 4 player Co-op has been added and adds great teamwork into the game, which makes Legendary difficulty manageable. The element of Co-op makes the appeal to team based players all that bit more tempting. Single player is still as great as ever.

 I, like many others, feel let down by the games multiplayer. Halo began the multiplayer revolution on Consoles but this has not impressed me at all. I remember Halo: ODST merely used Halo 3's multiplayer and it was just like playing Halo 3 online, instead of a new experience. Halo: CEA however, has used Halo Reach's multiplayer format and you can play the Anniversary maps with Reach players who have purchased the Anniversary Map Packs. Reach's multiplayer was okay, but nothing revolutionary. I just wish that they had stuck to the same format which made Halo: CE such a hit. 

Right to the Verdict...

This new look Halo has certainly delivered what it intended to do. 343 Industries has given the classic game a new look which updates a great game for the modern era. None of the gameplay in the campaign has really changed and is as challenging as ever. Personally, I would say that this game has aged well as it does not feel out-dated with all the shooters who have made their name since 2001. The only let-down I feel is in the players competitive multiplayer option. Co-op is great, no questions asked. But competitive multiplayer is lack-lusture and doesn't WOW me enough to be a success.

8/10

Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary available now on Xbox 360

A Lookback at 2011

 Now that 2011 is almost drawn to a close, in terms of the gaming world, we can reminisce over hits and misses, surprises, exciting announcements and a busy period at the tail end of a promising year in gaming. New heroes were created, some were recreated in new titles and some were merely classic games, re-released with HD graphics. Now, let’s take a look back to the start of the year which started off brightly… Or Dark I mean.

Dead Space 2

  The sequel to the popular Xbox 360, PS3 and PC title arrived in January of 2011. To be honest, this was a title I had been anticipating for a while. The first game encapsulates you in this surreal world which, sometimes, frightening you into switching the game off as it gives you the sense that you are never safe and it was the same in the second game. The setting for the game was completely different to that of the first, which some were disappointed in, but the game maintained the creepy and dark style throughout the sequel. With multiplayer added, which this game did not need at all. It seemed as though Dead Space 2 had everything anyone could ask for.

Those who were new to the game and had not played the first, were immediately intrigued to find out more about the storyline and also played the first game.

The story of the game itself makes the game worthwhile on so many levels. The demise of the main character Isaac, the struggle to survive in a crazy world and the excitement as you plough through enemies with the Plasma Cutter. A third Dead Space has been announced and I for one cannot wait.

LA Noire

  As soon as this game was announced, the public eye could see that this game wore the Rockstar Games badge, which usually spells success for any game title. These people know how to make games. The setting of the game takes place in an era when America, like the rest of the world, is recovering after WW2 (1947).

  A “successful” war veteran who had gained medals in the war for bravery and serving his country becomes a LA cop who works his way up within the LAPD. Investigating murders, arson cases, theft and drug charges, lead character Cole Phelps has to endure them all.

  But this open world game opens out to be more than about crime-fighting, Phelps’ personal battle to overcome the memories of the war and also his own personal actions immerse the player into the game, like a book or a movie would. The slick and unusual gameplay makes LA Noire stand out from the crowd, where it belongs.

 In addition to the standard edition being released earlier this year, LA Noire: Complete Edition is out now for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. This includes the full game as well as all DLC content that was released.

E3

 The yearly event which gets the whole of the industry talking and speculating, E3 once again caused much excitement and applause from fans and the media alike. New games were revealed, new franchises were introduced and one announced made everyone look ahead to the future.

Wii U

  The major announcement of the event was the next generation of gaming for Nintendo. After a stuttering start to the 3DS’ lifespan, Nintendo followed up the release of the handheld device with the announcement of the next major console, the Wii U.

 Many have criticised Nintendo however over the release of the Wii U and the idea of it’s new controller. Many argue that this is “not as innovative as the original Wii remote” and “may be too expensive for the average person to own”. Nintendo seem unfazed by this however and have already announced launch titles in the shape of Super Smash Bros, Pikmin 3 and Lego City Stories.

 A huge relief for all of those gamers who owned a Wii and all of its peripherals, all of the Wii hardware will be functional with the Wii U. This means that the remote, nun-chuck, classic controller and the Wii balance board that would have been used during the Wii Fit-Mania.

 It will be interesting to see how development and the build up to the console’s release will play out. I’m sure that one way or another, it will be a huge success… just as long as it isn’t rivalling Microsoft and Sony price wise.

Microsoft Reveals…Halo?

 With many Xbox fans/ members craving for more exclusives coming to Xbox, I don’t know if this is what many had predicted. Master Chief will be back in another trilogy of games. The production of the game has now been handed down from Bungie to 343 Industries. The first glimpse we would see (or have seen) of their potential is the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary was released earlier this month. New HD graphics show how the fantastic campaign would look today and it plays like it did 10 years ago.

 Back to 4 though, a trailer was revealed and it shows Master Chief and Cortana escaping the crashing ship which was the end of Halo 3. We can only hope that 343 can maintain the Halo franchise for what it should be remembered for and not ODST. Halo 4 will be released November 2012.

 Kinect exclusives were revealed by Microsoft as well, which many feel let down by but one announcement they made, which is out next week, is the new dashboard update. Released on the 6^th of December looks very pretty and reminds me of my Windows 7 Phone. I hope that Kinect is integrated well into the system.

Sony Gets Vita

  As well as Nintendo unveiling their latest console, Sony too revealed their follow up to the mediocre PSP, the Playstation Vita. The handheld gaming device has been slated for a 22^nd February 2012 release date and comes with a price tag of £229.99, which seems pretty steep. The Vita has a 5 inch screen with multi touch, twin cameras, twin speakers, a microphone and the battery lasts from 4-5 hours. The rear of the console also features a touch sensitive back which means you can control the on screen action without obstructing the screens view. Even more unbelievable, you can play PS3 games on the Vita. Very impressive.

 Vita also includes GPS which means you can communicate to other Vita users nearby and prompt them to location related games. God only knows what that means. The graphics on the Vita seem very promising as they feature a lot of colour, very sharp and bubbly colours. Should be one to watch… Maybe after the price drop.

Games which have already been confirmed are Modnation Racers, Assassin’s Creed, Street Fighter X Tekken and Uncharted: Golden Abyss.

Busy, Busy, Busy Fall

The time of year was once again upon us and the lead up to the busiest period in gaming of the year, every year! This year was no exception with title after title after title severely draining our bank balances. Literally, a great game would come out every week. The fall period began with one of the highest anticipated releases of the year with Gears of War 3.

The final game in the highly popular trilogy was well received by media and fans alike. Rounding the story off well and building on a solid multiplayer which was featured in Gears of War 2. Horde mode, nonetheless, was the big hit in the new game, as it proved so popular in the last instalment. With new upgrades to the solid gameplay, this is one I personally cannot put down. Beast mode was introduced to the game as well which sees you control the Locust and try to defeat waves of humans. One of my favourite games of the year.

 The football season at this point is not long underway and this gets better when you realise that the yearly release of EA Sports’ Fifa is about to hit shelves, Fifa 12. This year builds on a platform from Fifa 11 which seen it claim multiple awards for Sports game of the year.  Ultimate Team, an all-new Career mode and an online function entitled ‘head 2 Head’ seasons which pits players of similar ability, with similar teams to overall see which team is best and making you a better player in the process (see my review on this also in my blog).

 The big hitters were up against each other this year. Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 had been battling for months over who would take the first person shooter crown. To be honest, judging by history, there would only be one winner. And there was.

 Call of Duty MW3 broke all sorts of records with $775 million sold in just 5 days. Unbelievable. Gameplay for the game hasn’t changed since Call of Duty 4 and it seems millions of people cannot get enough of the franchise.

 Battlefield 3 did sell a few copies also but it wasn’t even close to reaching the heights of the COD Rocket. Battlefield broke EA’s records by recording $300 million sales in its first week. It was a great rivalry but in essence there was only going to be one winner and COD has officially walked away with the crown (Not that I am a fan of the series).

 Another series which I am not a fan of is Elder Scrolls. They have never been my type of game. However, Skyrim seems to have taken the world by storm, Even though it was released just after MW3. The game has been seen as game of the year by many fans of the game who claim that the 5 year wait was well worth it. With so many quests, challenges and puzzles to solve. It seems as though Elder Scrolls fans patience has finally paid off.

  Saints Row the Third has been given rave reviews as well by the media who like the games ‘arcade’ feel and the freedom you have, as any sandbox game should let you have. Even the advertising campaign behind this speaks volumes to the effort the producers and developers have put into the game. Freedom to fly helicopters, planes, tanks and drive all sorts of vehicles, it seems as though Saints Row the Third has it all. This is a great fun game to break up all of the serious war/ roleplaying games.

 On top of the ground-breaking games, the following games have been released:

Forza Motorsport 4, Assassins Creed Revelations, Uncharted 3, Batman Arkham City, Rage, Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary, Mario Kart 3D and WWE 12.

From what has been a busy year in gaming, we can only hope that promises made at E3 can be fulfilled and that next year can be a good a year as this one. Whether or not these promises can be kept, only time will tell. But it is looking as though 2012 can be as strong, or stronger than this years effort.

Batman: Arkham City Review

 Since it was revealed last year, many of you have been counting down the days until the sequel to 2009’s smash hit game Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City was released. The number of awards and praise the first game received from critics and the media alike was always going to be hard to live up to. As more trailers were released, excitement grew and grew about the Dark Knight’s second release. Now, the sequel has hit the stores and with numbers in its opening week looking impressive, it’s up to me to decide if Batman: Arkham City is more Christian Bale or Adam West. This Game of the Year contender has got everyone talking.

 Right from the very beginning, you can tell this is a new game. Set after the exciting events of Arkham Asylum, Gotham City has allowed the criminals to live in a closed off area of Gotham, ingeniously titled Arkham City. This area of Gotham is at least 3 times the size to that of Arkham Island and this new area is full of problems with assault, robbery and murder. All of which happen to be the Caped Crusaders speciality.

 The first piece of gameplay you interact with is Bruce Wayne being taken prisoner and having to find his way out of a tough and brutal situation, where it leads to Wayne donning the suit for the first time. Accompanying Batman in the game is some of Gotham’s worst villains. The Joker makes a harrowing return as Batman’s main nemesis. As well as “Mr Jay” making an appearance from the first game, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, The Riddler, Zsasz and Jokers leading lady Harley Quinn. Making their debuts as interactive characters in Arkham City are Penguin, Two Face, Clay-face, Mr Freeze, Rhas Al Ghul, Deadshot, Bane and calendar Man to name all but a few. 

 I personally feel that this variety of enemies in which to face is part of the games overkill. Of course the Joker is the main villain but in the midst of all this he doesn’t fell as important as he does in Arkham Asylum. Many may feel that this variety of characters adds longevity to the game but I for one don’t agree, far too over clouded. In the first game there was Killer Croc, Joker, Scarecrow, Zsasz, The Riddler, Harley Quinn and that was all really. At least you knew who you were up against instead of constantly chopping and changing enemies. I have no idea why Rocksteady added Catwoman as a playable character, she adds next to nothing to the story.

 The combat system is pretty much a carbon copy of the original game. This is a bonus as the combat in Arkham Asylum was outstanding, one of the greatest combat systems I would say. Sometimes though, it seems as though when you go to counter an enemy’s attack, he continues to attack the enemy he is focused on rather than counter which is a bit annoying but that may be down to me and not the game. Takedowns from a distance are also as fun as ever as well. You can glide kick, drop attack or the fan favourite Inverted takedown, where you actually feel like Batman. Gadgets too have had an update with the new game including the Remote Electrical charge, Smoke Pellet and Line Launcher (with the option to walk on a rope). Sometimes you have to be ingenious and work out certain ways in which to take out tougher enemies.

 The story itself is of course all about ultimately defeating the Joker, as well as any other villain who stands in Batman’s way. As I have mentioned before, the enemies feel far too varied in terms of numbers and I feel this makes the story less than the story in the previous instalment. And this is ultimately why I am not as impressed with this game as I was with the last one. Once you have used the grapple hook a few times, beaten several enemies to a bloody pulp and glided through the air, I feel that the game tires a bit. Usually after finishing a game, I would have no problem doing side quests and missions which you can leave til later but I am not impressed with this, as I was with Arkham Asylum.

Right to the Verdict...

 With all the hype surrounding this game, I for one am not won over by it. It seems to me that it is the same thing time and time again. I admit, some of the greatest features that were in Arkham Asylum are still in the game. But the games story, Character "overkill" and overall feel of the game (in regards to gliding, grappling and evading enemies), the story based missions feel as though you are just biding your time until the ending to be honest. I feel it is lacking something. A certain va va voom, something which I can't put my finger on. It's not as if I don't want to love this game as I always thought it had the potential. But with all these blockbuster titles coming out leading up to Christmas, I will be sticking to my "Pow", "Zap" and "Smash" Batman, rather than the updated version. A letdown for me. 

A generous score from me in all honesty.

8/10 

Batman Arkham City is available now on Xbox 360 and PS3

 

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