Point of Contention: The PS Vita’s Failings (and Potential Redemptions)

 Analysis, Video Games  5 Responses »
Nov 282012
 

It’s funny to me that I spend so much of my writing space discussing handheld games, considering how little I used to care about that area of video games. Yet in the last year I have catapulted my playtime with both the 3DS and Vita to nearly eclipse that of home consoles and PC games. Several key games have helped contribute to my newfound fascination with gaming on the go, and it’s likely that my current college student lifestyle easily facilitates this form of play.

That being said, I am clearly the exception to the rule, the rise against the norm. While I may be enjoying my Vita wholeheartedly, there appears to be a vast majority who find themselves disappointed by its slim offerings or disinterested in buying one altogether. That’s really too bad, because the Vita was and still in many ways is a console with great potential. But what’s ultimately true is that the Vita faces a substantial uphill battle if Sony truly desires to see it succeed. Conservative implementation, marketing, and game development will not save it from its many visible woes. No, the Vita will have to see some great changes if it wishes to do even marginally well.

Continue reading »

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Objection! – Are Mainstream Video Games Bad for the Industry?

 Commentary, Video Games  1 Response »
Aug 162012
 

Judge: Welcome to this week’s “Objection!” Today, Kaushik and I will be discussing the current landscape of the video game industry. The big question we’ll be addressing is if “mainstream” games are an overall asset to the industry or not. Are there any opening remarks you’d like to make?

Kaushik: Well, I’d like to start off by saying I think mainstream games have done a lot for the industry these past several years. Due to those and a few other factors, the videogame industry is the strongest it’s ever been.

Is more of this good for the industry? Read more to find out!

Continue reading »

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LIFE Lessons: CoD Multiplayer – Is It dead, on Life Support, or Is It Still Kicking?

 Analysis, Commentary, Video Games  No Responses »
Jun 122012
 

Here we are on a Tuesday and what are we talking about? Call of Duty, yet again…I know I am kinda bored of it too but man oh man does it rule our lives sometimes. In this post I’ll attempt a dialogue with…myself.

Matt: So what are we talking about in terms of CoD today?

Matt: MULTIPLAYER.

Matt: What about multiplayer, Matt?

Matt: Ah good question Matt…we are gonna discuss if it CoD multiplayer is dead or not.

Matt: Lovely topic Matt. Please go on. Continue reading »

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LIFE Lessons: What Should We Do with Call of Duty Zombies (Black Ops 1+2, World at War)?

 Commentary, Video Games  1 Response »
May 222012
 

Hello, hello ladies and gents. I am back…yet again…and again? Ha just kidding…but for real…I really am back. Summer is here, finals are done, and I am chilling. So you’re thinking right now “I am reading an article to welcome back LIFE44? WTF!” NO YOU AREN’T! I am here to talk about something we all loved…or hated in the Call of Duty franchise (well for Treyarch at least) – zombies.

Now with the franchise coming out with another Call of Duty game produced by Treyarch (the proclaimed saviors of the franchise*) titled Black Ops 2 this November 13, 2012 we all have questions about the singleplayer, multiplayer, and what I think is the best part of Treyarch games – zombies.

So with the introduction done, let us begin. What do I think of Black Ops 2 Zombies from what we as a community have heard? I think it could be a huge failure. I loved the original World at War zombies because of the maps and the weapons…Black Ops Zombies seemed like they did too much for the game mode and from what we are hearing from this zombies I am not liking it. You are probably saying “rumored 8 player zombies? What you talkin’ bout fool, that’s awesome!” But if you are traditional guy like me (in terms of CoD zombies) then you don’t really want change for this game mode in CoD but more of a retake of the classical zombie maps, weapons, and feel for it.

I mean come on…gun glitching in Der Reise was awesome right? Gun glitching in the old maps made it thrilling. Not only gun glitching but the maps felt more…thought out and smoother. The maps had finesse and almost every part of the map could be used in some way as a strategy. In the second version of zombies, the maps seemed too big and the things they put in were too over the top and made the gameplay feel like you had some sort of timer or responsibility. I remember in the map Call of the Dead the game felt paced because of outside characteristics of the map (water, dude with the giant hammer, easter eggs becoming a huge part of the game). I want the original good old Der Reise feel of zombies and that is it.

From what I am seeing I want zombies – not multiplayer** – to be a more traditional style like World at War. Only time will tell what Treyarch actually does for the game mode but I have my doubts of it but also my hopes that the new additions (the little we know) will prove me wrong. Until then ladies and gents, I am out.

Cheers, Matt aka LIFE44

*I shall talk about this in another article.

**I’ll talk about this later as well ha.

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Review: Modern Warfare 3

 Review, Video Games  1 Response »
Nov 172011
 

Welcome Moar Powah! To the very first SIYM Double Feature! Or should I say . . . “Watch as SIYM1207 desperately tries to play it off like he didn’t just screw up the launch of his very own Project Warpath and SIYM friday last week!” Seriously though, I apologize to anyone inconvenienced by the series of unfortunate events that involved ridiculous error messages and some truly unforeseeable circumstances. Now, back to business! Hope you guys enjoyed the above video (if you haven’t, do it now!) as it was supposed to be last Friday’s SIYM and is now a part of today’s Moar Powah review. Right below is the official review of Modern Warfare 3, I hope you guys like it!

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Let’s do this . . .”

Modern Warfare 3 is the single greatest launch in video game history (#fact). Period. Nothing even comes close. I knew going into this review that it would be a challenge to properly formulate my opinion of this experience. Mainly because it’s so easy to let COD-rage wash over you and color your every opinion. If the introductory video above has made anything clear it should be this: Modern Warfare 3 is FRUSTRATING! Don’t believe me? Ask the critics. Despite the intense swelling of emotions that come from playing Call of Duty games, I present to you an objective take on the franchise’s latest and greatest! Continue reading »

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Horror Hoedown Showdown: Top 10 Zombie Games

 Analysis, Commentary, Video Games  12 Responses »
Nov 132011
 

In the last edition of “Horror Hoedown Showdown” (which did not appear last Friday and in fact appeared last Monday), I gave my opinions on why I loved zombies so much.  Today, I figured I’d list my top 10 zombies games.

10. The OneChanbara (and sequel)

This is probably one of the worst and quite possibly the stupidest game I’ve ever played.  For those of you interested, I recently wrote an editorial on sex in video games.  This game definitely fits the bill of “oversexualization.” An attractive girl in a bikini goes around killing zombies with samurai swords.  It’s so utterly stupid that it’s funny.  For a hack and slash game, it’s very standard.  Nothing too “wow” about it.  Provided me with a few hours of entertainment.  There’s a dress-up mode which will surely draw the ire of anti-sex people.  I’m sure there are some perverts out there; you can’t get rid of them.  I admit had a little fun with it.  It’s fantasy after all.  I’m not going to live out my real life hoping to dress up women in skimpy outfits.  Learn the difference between reality and fiction.  Parasite Eve and No More Heroes: Heroes’ Paradise had dress-up modes too.  Getting off topic here.  Anyways, if you want a mindless hack and slash game with zombies and bikinis, this game is for you.  There’s a movie too.   Continue reading »

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LIFE Lessons: Why I Am Buying MW3 over BF3

 Analysis, Preview, Video Games  1 Response »
Oct 042011
 

So, ladies and gents. I am here today to talk to you, the audience reading this, why I am buying Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 by Activision and Infinity Ward (with Sledgehammer and Raven Software) over the highly anticipated Battlfield 3 by Electronic Arts and DICE. There are various reasons and some of them might sound silly to you and some (the BF3 fans) will call me insane but I am willing to tell you and more importantly here to tell you why I believe MW3 will be the better game. So, let us begin. Continue reading »

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SIYM Presents: COD XP-losion!

 Video Games  No Responses »
Sep 022011
 

*NO CAMPERS ALLOWED*

Today was the official reveal of Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer at the Call of Duty XP event in Los Angeles, CA. For those of you out of the loop, the event is essentially every fanboy’s dream when it comes to living your gaming experience out in the real world. Everything from a built-to-scale replica of Burger Town to a Scrapyard-inspired paintball arena is out in full force right now on the Western side of our great (noob-tubing) nation. Regrettably, I was unable to attend the event; however, I managed to catch a live stream on the official website, and the following are a few of the many features and details revealed at the keynote that I found particularly noteworthy… Continue reading »

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SIYM Presents: Project Warpath

 Video Games  1 Response »
Aug 122011
 

Oh Google, you never let me down lol

Well oh well, back to work! I must say I had a wonderful family getaway in the beautiful waters of Me-he-co in the form of scuba and it was as calming as it was amazing. After last week’s insightful yet brief update with Mr. Robert Bowling and his prestigious self, I feel it necessary to follow up with a posting that one might consider . . . “substantial.” However, considering the sheer amount of talent that this site is currently intaking in the form of moar writers, I would be remiss to encourage anyone to think that my uploads could match the output of my fellow editors. Now, for the moment that you’ve had to wait an entire paragraph for, what is project warpath? In a sentence, it’s a six-set review-athon where certain games will be critiqued on both their own terms and against one another.  Let’s meet our contestants . . . Continue reading »

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SIYM Presents: MW3 Pre-Launch Item #???

 Random, Video Games  No Responses »
Aug 052011
 

Prestige Mode bitches ! ! !

Do not fear my fellow Powah players! I have ZERO intention of promoting Call of Duty through the medium of my “pre-launch” posts. However, I found this image to be mildly amusing and thought it would go along nicely with the topic at hand: Modern Warfare 3. As burned out of a former fan as I may be, I still look forward to the third installment of the Modern Warfare series and all the “balance” that is promised to come with it. Infinity Ward (or should I say Sledgehammer Games) have their work cut out for them which is not limited to reconciling with their fanbase after all the MW2 hooplah. Anyhoo, this is SIYM . . . on vacation . . . from the islands of Me-he-co . . . in all his 10th prestige glory . . . adios!

-Fifth Fleet Out-

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