MOVIE REVIEW: WRECK-IT-RALPH, 2012

Recently given the spotlight by buying the Star Wars name, Disney releases a movie about gaming. Fortunately, Disney was able to give a gaming movie, which was not a pile of tacked on gaming references. 

GOOD

1.       Gaming + Disney

Combining Disney’s undeniably masterful animation skills with gaming, produces a movie that many productions could not do. Make an actual good gaming movie. The main reason to why Wreck-It-Ralph succeeds, where others fail was simply due to the medium. Games are made through animations, so naturally an animated movie on games would be great. Additionally, Disney went all out on the gaming references with appearances of iconic characters, ranging from Pacman to Ryu. Disney integrated gaming culture so effectively, that one bad thing that can be said is that there simply wasn’t enough time to see it all. (Making the movie a must buy on disc!)

2.       Emotional Investment

Although Wreck-It-Ralph is animated, Disney did not fail to ensure that the audience develop emotions throughout the movie. A clear and easy to understand moral is portrayed as in the end, you are left with the lesson that looks and labelling others are deceiving. 

BAD

1.       Voice Acting

The only bad thing that may be an issue is the voice acting. I personally do not find anything wrong; however I would imagine that the high pitch voice of the main female role (Sarah Silverman) can be irritating to others. Nevertheless, I personally found that the voice acting was great; one in particular was of Jane Lynch (Gym teacher from Glee), as she brought extra comedic relief. 

Ultimately, I can confidently recommend this movie to everyone, as it represents how gaming related content can be entertaining. On a final note, I personally believe that Disney has the experience and skill to produce great movies and that Star Wars are in capable hands. (Lets be honest, LucasArts have not done that great so far.)

GAME REVIEW: Hitman Absolution (PC)

Once again you play as the great hitman, Agent 47. Forced to eliminate your former handler, Diana, you are left protecting a young girl targeted by The Agency, called Victoria. Hitman: Absolution brings a new layout to the franchise in a more linear storyline and arcade-like competitive modes.

GOOD

1.       Replay Value

Hitman: Absolution introduces a more arcade layout by providing a scoring system and in-game achievements that can be completed during each level. The many achievements available and score rankings allows for great replay value, as you compete against other players in your country and the entire world. 

Additionally, the ‘multiplayer’ aspect consists of player-made contracts. These individually made contracts enable the player to set their own targets and methods of assassination, which can then be completed by other players. 

2.       Shooting Mechanics

The bullet time mechanic is integrated into the ‘instinct’ meter that allows you to mark out multiple targets for a few seconds as the ‘instinct’ meter depletes. This makes for quick and easy assassinations, when outnumbered.  Additionally, the cover system enables fluent movement between cover and the wide shooting range while leaning, makes taking the stealthier solutions more enjoyable. 

3.       AI Response 

The A.I demonstrates responsive noise and motion detection, as they actively search and follow you, if detected or under suspicion. The responsive-ness of the A.I further encourages the stealth approach of the game. 

BAD

1.       Storyline

Due to the arcade-like layout of the game, the storyline is abruptly interrupted as every mission ends with a menu. This menu displays overall score, unlocks, achievements, and the option to replay the mission. Having played a little of the previous Hitman games, I found that this new edition is quite different and regrettably less fun, in terms of embracing the freedom to make your own fun. 

2.       Uninspiring Characters

The characters introduced throughout the game are quite poorly written as they seem tacked on with inefficient background story. Not having a justifiable reason to eliminate these villains simply makes them card-board cut-outs that needed to be eliminated. However, an exception is the main villainous cowboy that is wonderfully voiced and well written with devilish humour. 

3.       Strict Stealth-orientated

Accustomed to a more Rambo style, I initially was irritated as the game constantly refuses to let me divert from the stealth-orientated approach. If you choose to gun your way out of a situation, the game harshly punishes you by sending numerous, heavily armoured backup that almost guarantees you to die. Additionally, negative scores are clearly displayed if you choose to play anyway other than the stealthiest approach. However, when I finally accepted the stealth approach, the game became quite complex and exciting. Planning and waiting multiple approaches to eliminate your target becomes slightly addictive. 

Initially annoyed how the game harshly punishes me for diverting from the stealth-orientated gameplay, I soon appreciated the amount of fun and replay value that the game provides. Nevertheless, I do find myself slightly sad that Absolution decided to become more arcade-like, as it does not seem to be as fun as the previous games. However, as a game on its own, Hitman: Absolution does provide accessible replay value, which can be played at a more casual pace.

GAME REVIEW: Dishonored (PC)

“Winner of over 50 E3 awards”, Dishonored is the product of the collaboration between Arkane Studios and Bethesda and in my opinion one of the best games of 2012. Playing a former royal bodyguard, the main character is driven to become an assassin to seek revenge and rescue the next heir to the throne.

GOOD

1.       Setting

The alternative post-apocalyptic, steam punk inspired setting ravaged by the plague is a new and wonderful environment that makes roaming around a must. Players who do not enjoy finding nooks and crannies will have the urge to wander around simply due to the well-designed areas and the fact that the game allows you to go almost anywhere.

2.       Combat

Being in the first player perspective, the melee combat is surprisingly fluent and enjoyable. Combined with the various supernatural abilities available, ensures you can play however way you want. 

3.       Game freedom

A major factor that made me enjoy this game so much is that Dishonored truly does allow you to play however you want. Besides, providing moral pathways through various optional objectives, the types of weaponry enables you to choose how you want to seek your revenge as an assassin. You want to be the stealthiest and a non-lethal assassin? You can. Dishonored can be completed without killing a soul. For me though, it was equally as fun going hand to hand with enemies, one by one. Another mechanic that the game does to provide the sense of freedom is the use of the supernatural ability to blink from one spot to another at a certain distance (vertically and horizontally). This ability is available very early on and it encourages world exploration as you blink across roofs and into hard to reach windows. 

4.       Ending Scene + Credit

The ending surprised me, as I was left convinced experiencing the journey of a true assassin. Instead of being praised as the ‘hero of the land’ with grand parades, the game portrays a more realistic ending fit for a killer. The ending portrayed me as a ‘dark knight’, a protagonist that not necessarily brought a bright future, but a shadow that did the dirty deeds that needed to be done.  

BAD

1.       Graphics

This could be an instant good for some, but the water colour styled scenery and models was disappointing at first glance. Textures and other graphical options must be on high, as I found that anything less made environmental models, such as boats, simple blurred models. However, the artistic hand drawn style soon grew on me as I viewed the game as “paintings in motion”. 

2.       Voice acting

As a personal opinion, I initially found the voice acting slightly odd with the American accents, as I initially saw the world as a more Victorian London setting. Nevertheless, the voice of granny rag and the sound effects of the moaning weepers (those infected by the plague) honestly made my hairs straighten. The unexpected thrill down my spine, gave an extra layer of fun to the overall gameplay.

  

Even with the initial grimes towards the game, I soon was lost in the world with a grin on my face, as Dishonored truly gave an epic assassin experience. When it comes to making your own fun, Dishonored is a game that must be recommended to everyone.

NOOB REEL: Max Payne 3

Just a quick post, since today’s my graduation and all the busy stuff that goes with it. I’ll just post a quick noob reel of my shenanigans during Max Payne 3. 

What happens when you provide bullet time effect as good as the one in Max Payne? 

All you get is Neo moves at every turn. 

YouTube REVIEW: The Game Station (TGS) Podcast

The Game Station podcast is a gaming podcast hosted by YouTube personalities: TotalBiscuit, JesseCox and Dodger, who is accompanied by a guest host each session. The reason why I think that the TGS podcast is worth watching is for the informative, as well as the undeniably entertaining and comedic moments created by the unique personalities of each host. There is the realistic and cynical leader (TotalBiscuit), the adorable and talented youngster (Dodger) and the comedian (JesseCox).  

Although the podcasts are approximately 3 hours long, it rarely seems that long as the podcast follows a structure of gaming topics and news, complimented with random digressions of hilarious content. So, here are very brief descriptions of each host:

TotalBiscuit (TB):

Channel: TotalHalibut

What makes TB enjoyable to watch is that he is critical towards the games he plays. His honest and unsugared analyses provide informative approaches to your favourite games. Whether or not you agree to his videos, his cynical ego and British accent creates hilarities nonetheless. 

Dodger:

Channel: Presshearttocontinue, DexterityBonus

Dodger is the female gamer of the group. However do not underestimate her, as she is equally as informative when it comes to gaming. Her warm-hearted and open-minded perspective represents the neutral centre of the group. 

JesseCox:

Channel: OMFGcata

JesseCox is a clear avid gamer as his comedic personality is one that seems to only grow through the interaction of gaming communities. Although he is usually the one that is in the centre of trolls, JesseCox retaliates with his many voices from his voice acting skills, which provides hilarious moments throughout the podcast. 

If you want to watch an entertaining and informative gaming podcast, the TGS podcast is one of the best that I have seen so far. However, if you are intimated by the 3 hour long video, each host provides their own entertaining videos that consist of gameplay commentaries, gaming news and reviews. 

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCRNvyqfyJw)