Speculative Ops

I decided I’m going to give Spec Ops: The Line a try on my PS3 this week. Sort of left field, I guess, but during IGN’s spate of personal “top ten” lists a couple weeks ago, one of the editors listed Spec Ops and it got me intrigued. It was an interesting look into the game, bereft of the usual grandstanding found in a review. Just a person talking about a video game that had a personal impact on them.

I remember when Spec Ops came out, a big controversy that sprang from it was how online multiplayer was shoehorned in against the developers’ wishes. Lead designer Cory Davis went so far as to decry the addition as a “cancerous growth”. Ouch. Honest, though, which is something that just about any medium of entertainment could stand to see a little bit more of, these days.

In this maddening “me too” era of desperate Call of Duty wannabes, Spec Ops was a victim of not being ambitious enough in terms of head shots and leaderboards. Where Spec Ops did push the envelope was its brutal narrative. It’s disappointing that any developer should try to say something more in a shooter and be ignored, and worse still that the message be buried by its own publisher. Of course, if the game isn’t fun, I guess there’s no point in defending Spec Ops as much as I am, but I think the principle here is more important than the gameplay.

Don’t get me wrong, though; it’s important (paramount, even) that a game is as playable as it is inventive or trend setting. Going in a different direction for a moment, given Spec Ops storyline, and its overall message about the permanence and consequences of a soldier’s actions in battle, it’s tough to determine how much fun a player was even supposed to be having. The mechanics of a video game are supposed to impart some sort of satisfaction, after all, so if Spec Ops wants the player to feel every shot, it seems contradictory to make shooting fun.

Games like Modern Warfare 2 found a decent balance between engaging gameplay and communicating a deeper message. The “No Russian” mission was very hot-button when the game launched, but having played it myself, I thought it was a potent and surreal moment of gameplay. Suddenly, all the fun I’d been having taking out enemy troops was replaced with feelings of guilt as the crowd of innocent people and cops crumpled before my eyes. It was a small part of MW2, as opposed to an entire campaign like Spec Ops, but it demonstrates how the message can be communicated if done right.

So, Spec Ops, here I come, and whether you rock or suck, I hope that more devs can take a page from your playbook and try something different. Shooters should be able to do something more than amass a digital body count, after all. Video games in general should be able to play against stereotype more often than they do, too.

The Money Barrier

Joystiq has been doing regular updates on a PBS program called Game/Show, and today touched on the most recent episode, where the definition of the word “gamer” was debated. The Joystiq writer’s thoughts on the meaning of gamer were interesting, but what caught my attention more was his take on inclusion within the gaming community. I’m not going to debate how welcoming gamers are when new people enter into the fold, but video games themselves remain more exclusive than people seem to realize. It’s the initial buy-in that remains the single, greatest obstacle for most folks, and makes the video game club tougher to get into than it should be.

People complain about video game prices now, but they’ve never been cheap. That’s not even taking into consideration the hundreds of dollars for a system and controllers. Growing up, I knew plenty of kids who’s families weren’t able to get a game system in the house because there were bills to pay. My family was by no means wealthy, but we were always lucky enough to be in a position to have systems and games. I’d feel guilty talking with friends who could only dream of owning even a Game Boy. It’s the same story today for many people everywhere.

Stores like GameStop (loathed though they might be) stepped up and became equalizers in the marketplace, allowing for poorer families and individuals to get in on the action with a tighter budget. Sadly, as digital sales become the standard and physical media slowly slips away, the viability of the secondhand market dwindles. Whereas for years now it’s been easy to slip into a GameStop and snag a game for a few bucks, when digital takes over, those players will be left out in the cold.

There’re a lot of folks here in the US alone who still don’t have easy access to the internet. The more technologically advanced our consoles become, the more the little guy is going to be left in the dust. That’s not to say that buying an XBox One should be the life goal of anyone, but where books and movies are very accessible, games continue to not be, and move further away year by year. The lack of diversity in this industry is created in no small part by the more limited demographics who form its customer base. There might be people of different genders and ethnicities playing, but money has drawn a big, fat line in the sand that’s not easy to step over.

There’s not an easy way of fixing this problem, either. Game consoles can’t stop evolving simply to placate consumers who aren’t able to keep up. This digital-only future that I alluded to is still only the future, after all, so it’s not like GameStop and stores like it will be shuttering anytime soon, either. Still, it’s a problem. Not enough people get to join in the fun with all of us who are lucky enough to play. There is some light at the end of the tunnel, though. The Android and iOS platforms have certainly expanded things with an abundance of cheap titles, letting more people experience games who never have. So who knows, maybe we’re headed for some kind of new form of console that exists at a lower price point with cheaper games than we’re used to. Until then, be grateful that you get to play video games, because there are a lot of folks who aren’t able to.

The PlayStation Platforming Treasure Trove

I’ve said it before, but I can be late to the party. Like, really, really late. Like, the janitor is gone late. Case in point; Sly Cooper, Jak and Daxter, and Ratchet & Clank are some amazing platformers that I never had bothered to get into before. I’ve been having a lot of fun playing LittleBigPlanet and Tearaway (more on that in the future) on my Vita these past couple weeks, but I wanted something a bit different. I’ve been staring at the Sly Collection sit on the shelves in my local GameStop for eons now, and I figured, what the heck, time to give it a try.

Wow. Not perfect, mind you, but the Sly games are just so dang pleasant. The controls are solid, the graphics are pleasing, and the characters are fun. It feels very much like the antithesis of what Nintendo does so well with its Mario platformers, but it still works. Playing Sly made me realize I had to be misjudging Ratchet and Jak, so I quickly snatched up the respective HD collections of those, too, and was even further surprised by their quality.

I know a lot of people enjoy the three of these series, but it feels like they’re deserving of more praise than they’ve received. I’m loving the look and feel of all three franchises, and I’m only getting into their PS2 origins. Outside of Ratchet, it’s a shame that Sly and Jak didn’t get more exposure in the PS3 era. I know that demographics and players’ tastes have changed over the years, but, well, these games are fun! Fun should be embraced, fun should get sequels. If you have yet to try any of these games, please go pick them up; you won’t be disappointed.

Nintendo Direct 02/13/14

With a gloomy little cloud of doubt and anxiety hovering over Nintendo as of late, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Iwata as he hosted this latest Nintendo Direct. Didn’t he seem just a bit down, as opposed to his usual self? Iwata should feel good about today’s broadcast, though, as more than a few of the games on display have me excited for the next couple of months!

NES Remix 2

More of the excellent mashups of the first game, this time featuring Super Mario Bros. 3, Punch Out!!, and more. The first game was great, but with the pedigree of this one, I have high hopes. Launches April 25th.

Yoshi’s New Island

The curtain was peeled back a bit more, as Iwata showcased the two new types of giant eggs Yoshi can throw. IGN is claiming this game is too easy, but it looks like it’s shaping up to be another admirable sequel. Not totally sold on the graphics, but it looks fun.

Mario Kart 8

All of the Koopa KIds are playable racers in this game. Nothing else needs to be said here, lol. Yours on May 30th.

Weapon Shop de Omasse

On February 20th, we’ll all be able to rhythm tap a whole slew of weapons into being for would-be RPG heroes. The premise is unique and the gameplay looks solid. This is why the eShop on 3DS is second only to iOS, though these days it’s getting dang close to being on equal footing.

Pokemon: Battle Trozei

Pokemon puzzle strategy game coming to 3DS eShop. A spin on the fun puzzle game Pokemon Trozei that was on DS. Get battling March 20th.

Bayonetta 2

Not much to say, other than some cool new footage shown (in-game and cinema scenes) and reaffirmation that the game will launch 2014. Better hurry up with that Bayonetta port before then!

Wii U Game Boy Advance Virtual Console Titles

Starting in April, Wii U players will be able to download Metroid Fusion, Yoshi’s Island, and Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga. Now, if only they’d hurry up and launch the GBA Virtual Console on 3DS…

Inazuma Eleven

Tactical RPG meets soccer. Yes, you read that right, and yes, it looks dang fun. Out now.

X

Details on the Xenoblade sequel remain vague, though today’s battle demo confirmed that the title will be using a modified version of the beloved Wii game’s combat system.

Mario Golf World Tour

May 2nd we can finally hit the greens, after like a year’s wait. Considering how incredible last year’s 3DS lineup was, it’s saying something that Nintendo could just decide to hold off on this game. Sweet looking swing, so far.

Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball and Steel Diver Sub Wars

Nintendo’s first free-to-play games are heading to 3DS, with Steel Diver out now and Real Deal coming soon. Both allow for paid content purchases, but Real Deal takes an approach I’ve never heard of; you can haggle over the price of add-on games with an in-game character! Trippy, and cool.

Kirby Triple Deluxe

People are spoiled; never begrudge HAL for making a “traditional” Kirby game, because they’re always freaking fun. This one looks to be no exception, and the new Street Pass feature of unlocking 8-bit digital keychains looks way too cool. Out May 2nd.

Little Mac Coming to Brawl Wii U/3DS

Now that’s what I’m talking about. Get Lolo and Lala in there and I will be a happy man. Cloud wouldn’t hurt either!

Donkey Kong Country Topical Freeze

Another trailer, though if you need more incentive to buy this game, there’s something wrong with you.

In case I missed anything, and because you should be checking out the awesome trailers anyway, be sure to watch the actual broadcast as soon as you can! Until next time, thanks for reading!

Finding Solace

Sometimes life sucks. You’re going along, doing your thing, when suddenly, a kick to the groin from lady fate hits you square and sends you to the ground. Things have been tough lately, but one thing that always helps me through is playing video games. I was tempted to say that’s cliched, but really, what’s cliched about the soul-saving sanctity of immersing yourself in a game? To me, it’s no different than a book or TV show, in that you get to escape from the gnawing white noise at the back of your head.

So, no, not cliched; healing. Last night was especially awful, but I made it through with a little Mario & Luigi: Dream Team. Everything I was struggling with was momentarily compartmentalized and I could finally have a little peace. That is magic. That is why I love video games, and sitting here, writing about them for all ten of you out there to read. No matter who you are, video games aren’t judgmental. Take New Leaf, for example; as down as I might ever feel, my good buddy Tex is there with a smile. Is he real? No, and I know that. But it makes me feel a little better, and I think that’s a good thing.

So when you’re getting kneed in the face by the world around you, find comfort in your favorite game. Don’t lose yourself to that festering darkness that tries to get the best of all of us. Go for a race, or a game of hoops, or bounce your head into some coin blocks, instead. Just don’t ever let it become game over for yourself.

Toy Box 15-Nintendo DSi Promo Keychain and Magnet

Released: 2009 | Manufacturer: Nintendo

My favorite video game memorabilia is always the promotional stuff. Places like GameStop and Toys R Us, just to name a couple, are always bombarded with oddball little items to push new hardware and software, things that you can’t get outside of being an employee, or knowing someone who is!

When Nintendo released DSi back in 2009, this keychain and magnet were its way of drumming up excitement. I love the way Nintendo used the DSi’s interface icons on both. I still think that the DS Lite is my favorite of the console’s four iterations, but the DSi was definitely notable for pushing Nintendo’s hardware in a new direction. Till next time, dear readers!

Bravely Embarking

It’s been a long wait, but Bravely Default is finally in my home. I paid the extra amount to get the Collectors Edition, and it was worth every penny. The box itself is a handsome, matte black, while the interior is packed with a wealth of goodies. I loved Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light on DS, so when I heard that Bravely was going to be its spiritual successor, my hopes soared. It’s not every day that a Final Fantasy spinoff gets a spinoff, after all!

All joking aside, I’m going to do this right and crack into the demo before getting into the main game. It’s not often that I find myself anticipating a game that isn’t part of a series or franchise that I already love a great deal, which I think speaks strongly to Bravely‘s concept. 4 Heroes was an unabashed love letter to fans of the old school FF games, and to see that it was enough of a success to warrant another iteration is heartening. Variety is the spice of life and something the video game industry always needs more of. Expect a review in the next week or so, but in the meantime, I’ll be digging into what I hope is a great RPG experience.

Overlooked Games of Last Gen

It’s easy to overlook that backlog of games many of us have with Wii U, PS4, and XBox One providing a whole new assortment of titles to play. Even easer, though, is to forget the games that weren’t spotlight stealers even when Wii, XBox 360, and PS3 were in their prime. Let’s look back on some great, overlooked titles that many people might have missed back in the day!

Spyborgs | Wii | 2009

Brawlers can be a tricky nut to crack, and not everyone’s idea of the perfect slugfest is always going to mesh with other people, but I really had fun with Spyborgs. The graphics were polished and vibrant on Wii, and the controls were solid. Pummeling foes was smooth and satisfying, as the best beat ’em ups should be, and I had a soft spot for the over the top heroes Clandestine, Bouncer, and Stinger. It’s also a good co-op game for those wanting some buddy time on Wii!

Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger VS Darkdeath Evilman | PSP | 2010

PSP might not have quite the library of games that Nintendo’s DS does, but that doesn’t mean the system is devoid of overlooked gems. Unlosing Ranger is one of them, a sort of cooky tactical RPG filled with character and excellent combat. A lot of common convention of the RTS subgenre of RPGs were thrown out of the window for this game, making it much more accessible to a wider variety of players. Plus, it’s pretty and funny! At the same time! Nice.

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands | PS3/XBox 360 | 2010

The aptly-named Forgotten Sands remains an under-sung highpoint of the franchise.  Excellent play mechanics complemented the game’s immersive, sweeping visuals, and, with its engaging story, made it a real can’t-miss experience. Except, quite a few people did, and the Prince has been MIA ever since. Don’t let this collect dust when you pass it in a GameStop; it’s easily worth your time if you enjoyed The Sands of Time.

Alice: Madness Returns | PS3/XBox 360 | 2011

This is a title that was really failed by reviewers. The narrative was creepy, dark, and gripping, which isn’t easy for a lot of games. It didn’t hurt that combat was a blast and the psychedelic, intricate visuals were wonderful eye candy. This is a game that has to be played to be appreciated. Keep your eyes peeled for shout outs to other video game series while you play!

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective | Nintendo DS | 2011

It’s absolute murder that this game didn’t sell better. Ghost Trick remains at the very least an equal to the Phoenix Wright series, with clever writing, beautiful visuals, and a nice twist ending. The play controls put a wonderful spin on the visual novel genre, while the character animations are something else. People who complain that the video game industry doesn’t experiment enough should slap themselves if they never picked this one up.

Honorable Mention- Klonoa: Door to Phantomile | Wii | 2009

The Klonoa games in general don’t get enough love, but this Wii remake of the PlayStation original was a standout experience. Its 2.5D gameplay is as fun now as it was when it debuted, mixing 2D platforming with 3D environments. It’s cutesy, but that’s no crime, and shouldn’t be a deterrent to anyone who wants a solid platformer. Seek out the Game Boy Advance titles, too!

There are lost of overlooked games waiting to be played; go get your hands on some today!

A (Nintendo) License to Steal

When Nintendo’s Satoru Iwata outlined his company’s plans to begin licensing its characters and franchises to more developers, my mind started racing thinking about the different possibilities. We’ve already gotten a bit of a preview of this with the announcement of Hyrule Warriors and Shin Megami X Fire Emblem, so playing off of those examples, lets think about what else might be coming our way in the future. I’ve put together some dream team combinations of developers and franchises; let’s hope they actually happen!

5) Star Fox by Treasure

Anyone who played either of the Sin & Punishment games knows just how intense developer Treasure’s shooters can be. While the stories in Treasure’s titles can be a bit on the… zany side, the gameplay itself never disappoints. Letting them go nuts with Star Fox seems like a perfect match, as the series has always been at its best when the screen is littered with enemies and explosions. With a more focused, Star Fox-centered narrative in tow, this could be the pinnacle of Treasure’s offerings to date. Just no thigh high white boots for Fox, please; that was scary enough in Star Successor.

4) Metroid by Bethesda

While a return to first-person for the Metroid series would be more than welcome, it would be amazing to see Bethesda setting up shop behind Samus’s HUD. A Metroid game taking cues from the Elder Scrolls and Fallout titles has a lot of potential to push the series farther than ever. A grittier romp through Samus’s universe would be a welcome change of pace from Other M‘s polarizing third-person adventure.

BONUS-Metroid by Konami

Hey, why not? The company that created the Metroidvania subgenre of platformers would be perfect to helm Samus’s return to 2D! Koji Igarashi has surely dreamt of what he’d do with the franchise he so lovingly imitated. so I see no reason for Nintendo to not let him take a crack at Metroid for real!

3) Golden Sun by SquareEnix

While I was a fraction of an inch from attaching Fire Emblem to Square, I think that the company behind Final Fantasy could do wonders with Nintendo’s underutilized RPG series. The blistering production values Square is known for would bring Golden Sun to life like never before. Adapting the series play mechanics to a game as pretty as Final Fantasy XIII, and I can’t wait to see what this pairing might yield.

2) Kid Icarus by Platinum

The high thrills and kinetic action of Kid Icarus Uprising would fit developer Platinum like a glove. Its mixture of melee combat, aerial shooting, and huge personalities would only be pushed to 11 under Platinum’s guidance, especially if Hideki Kamiya was attached to the project. The resurrection of the Kid Icarus franchise was too wonderful to let slip to the back burner; in the hands of a quality developer like Platinum, Pit could walk on the sun if he wanted, not just fly close to it.

1) Zelda by Capcom

I’m just going to say it; Capcom can make a Zelda game as engaging as Nintendo itself. I think that argument can be made with Oracle of Ages and Seasons alone, but it’s really cemented by the wonderful work the company did with Minish Cap. I’m excited by Hyrule Warriors, but I see no reason why there can’t be more than one marquee Zelda adventure developed at the same time. If there’s any company that can be trusted with Zelda, it’s Capcom.

REVIEW-Chibi-Robo Photo Finder

One of the things I love about the eShop is that it allows under-loved franchises to get back in on the action. Chibi-Robo, which got its start on GameCube back in 2006, is one such series. Chibi-Robo Photo Finderreunites players with the lovable robot janitor, this time with an emphasis on using the 3DS camera to bring real world objects into the game. While a bit rough around the edges, Photo Finder does a good job of capturing the quirky spirit of the previous games.

Chibi-Robo himself is an adorable little automaton tasked with playing janitor to an eccentric museum curator.Photo Finder is reminiscent of the Pikmin games, in that the player’s perspective is shrunk down to the diminutive size of a small toy. Chibi interacts with rolls of toilet paper and laptops that dwarf his miniature stature, which adds a certain whimsy to the experience. What would normally be mundane environments, like a garage, for instance, become sublimely fascinating by virtue of their new sense of grandeur. Graphically,Photo Finder is a bit shaky, primarily due to its hit or miss framerate, but for the most part, I found the visuals to be immersive and rich.

Photo Finder revolves around collecting items called NostalJunk, which would truly be junk in the real world, but are seen as museum pieces in the game. The cast is cute, though some of the dialogue was a bit overlong, in my playthrough. Not horrible, mind you, but a touch too heavy handed here and there. Chibi’s tasks boil down to basic household chores for most folks, but in the context of a video game (and being only a few inches tall), they become entertaining. That’s not to say Chibi’s objectives are all vanilla, as there’s plenty of weird on display, too. Let’s just say I didn’t expect I’d take orders from a sponge!

Mixed in between chores are some light platforming challenges and plenty of exploration. I never thought it would be so entertaining to wander around the top of a desk, but Photo Finder makes it work. Chibi can’t operate limitlessly, though, and must be charged from time to time. I found recharging cumbersome at first, but quickly realized that by completing objectives in the game, Chibi’s power cells could be charged further, extending my time traversing the different environments. There’s no denying that not all of the tasks given to Chibi are winners, though, with some genuine snoozers interspersed throughout the adventure.

My biggest problem with Photo Finder is the mediocre camera implementation. The idea is sound, as the player must snap pictures of real world objects that will fit within mysterious silhouettes. To get these outlines, the player must purchase something called Silhouette Film in order to take the necessary snapshots. The actual picture-taking is where things go wrong, however. The game ranks the player’s photos based on how well the object they’ve found matched the silhouette in question. Photo Finder is simply way too inconsistent and shaky about this process. Some of my pics randomly were awarded higher scores than others, despite being framed and shot the same way. It’s the weakest part of the whole game and a true missed opportunity.

Photo Finder is a decent adventure stuffed with charm and fun. The concept of cleaning and doing chores is as novel and interesting as it was when Chibi first bowed. While the actual picture-taking is a bit wonky, and some of the chores overly tedious, I found myself  sucked right into Photo Finder‘s tiny world. Nintendo is also supporting the game with additional content via WiFi, so be sure to hook your game to the internet for additional fun! Definitely consider Photo Finder for a download if you’ve been wanting for a fresh title on 3DS.

Score: 7.8/10

+ Charming cast; photo premise unique; solid controls; engaging gameplay.

– Photos too hard to take, inconsistent ranking system; some chores a bit bland.