Archives for category: Game

Red Dead Redemption (Multiplayer)

June 7, 10 //

Normally I would edit my last post and fill in my new experiences, but RDR multi is SO fun, that it warrants it’s own post.

The day started by me loading up RDR and thinking that I would try multi for a few minutes before I resumed the single player. 8 hours and 2 hotpockets later, I was still playing the multiplayer, having an absolute blast. The free roam is SUPER fun and the different mutliplayer modes are awesome as well.

Free roam, is essentially, world PVP; where you can level up, complete challenges, start groups (posses, they’re called), complete missions (gang hideouts) or just be a jerk running around killing people ( many hours I’ve spent doing this). While leveling up, you unlock new characters (a la Goldeneye), mounts and weapons.

The free roam function the way Rockstar has implemented it really is a revolutionary feature for the console, and I think we’ll see many other games attempt to follow suit in the future with this sudo MMO genre.

Two things I can say for certain: (1) If they converted this into an full function P2P MMO, they’d have a cash cow on their hands. (2) I’ll be spending A LOT of time with this one.

Red Dead

June 5, 10 //

I spent about the last 6ish hours playing Rockstar’s new powerhouse title Red Dead Redemption.

My first cruise through GTA4′s Liberty City left me with amazement (as it still does today) due to the technological marvel of creating such a vast and visually stunning game. Red Dead Redemption pairs this wonderful engine with improved combat mechanics and throws it into the wild west. I’ve been saying for a while that Rockstar should create a GTA in a 1940-1950′s mob setting (which I still want to see), but this is just as cool.

The story in RDR is far richer than that of GTA4; and despite being set roughly 100 years before GTA4, it seems like there is much more to do in this new world. Rockstar has a habit of creating lackluster protagonists, however John Marston (although still a bit awkward) is a HUGE step in the right direction.

Bottom Line: Rockstar’s best story yet (which unfortunately, doesn’t say a whole lot). The game is a blast and I suspect good long-term success for this one (although I haven’t jumped in multiplayer yet).

Starcraft TWO!

March 7, 10 //

I got beta invite a day or two ago and have been playing every chance I get. SUPER fun so far!

They’ve basically taken SC1 and perfected it by enhancing unit function and doing an obvious UI makeover. As far as balance concern I have no doubt Blizzard will pull it off. I’ve only played a few games, all of which were against fairly easy opponents so it’s hard to say where balance stands at the moment.

As stated, they’ve increased the unit count AND unit function in really innovative ways that open up the game to a whole new world of strategy compared to SC1. Bottom line, I’m having a blast with this one. I’ll keep you updated on my experience and maybe post some replays/videos.

For those of you in beta my name is ~~bananatron.com~~ tavulol.com (com is the suffix thing)

EDIT: For those of you here from SC2B or are just interested in my SC2 hooplah, go to the new and improved TAVULOL.com.

Bioshock 2: DRM

February 11, 10 //

So last night I was so fed up with Bioschock 2′s DRM that I wrote 2KGames the following ranting email:

Dear 2KGames,

Bioshock 1 is my one of (if not THE) best games I’ve ever played. My wife and I have purchased any Bioschock related swag we can find, and genuinely think it’s an amazing work. So naturally, I preordered Bioshock 2 for my wife and I to play. I ordered it for the PC so we could install it on 2 computers and play at the same time (you know, like how you’ve been able to do it since the beginning of PC gaming). My first issue: Windows live forces you to sign on before you can SAVE YOUR GAME?! Not only that, but it appears as though you MUST be connected to Xbox Live while you’re playing (which means you MUST have an internet connection) and can only sign into an Xbox live profile on one computer at a time (I give that more leeway due to the nature of multiplayer).

Now look, I don’t expect to be able to give the game to all my friends who can install it to give it back and I wouldn’t expect you to be able to play online on multiple computers under one gamertag, I get that. But to force GFWL AND an active internet connection in order to play single player content is absolutely ludicrous.

The game (aside from the install/gameplay bugs that we experienced, and should have been caught before release) seems great so far, and meets all my expectations, however the experience of managing this ridiculous DRM has soured my experience to a point extreme frustration. Anyone involved in writing/designing/programming the Bioshock series I give two thumbs up and a pat on the back, no knock to them. But whoever makes the decisions about DRM just doesn’t get it! When it’s more convenient to pirate your content rather than pay for it, YOU’VE GOT A PROBLEM!

I would gladly cut these artists a check for a job well done and leave Microsoft and the 2K execs out of it. I love Civ, Bioshock, etc but clearly you guys are out of touch. I’ve already purchased Bioshock 2 so there’s not a whole lot I can do about it, however I CAN assure you that I will not purchase another 2KGames title that has such ridiculous DRM.

I will be expecting a meaningful response to this email. I hope this helps your future endeavors, feel free to contact me anytime.

Thank you,
Spenser Coke

Fallout 3

February 2, 10 //

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the Capital Wasteland recently. Ends up (as usual) I’m late to the party for Fallout 3 but I’m glad I’ve put some time into it. I see a theme with recent games continuing to come back to the alternate reality/post apocalyptic themes. I site mainly Bioshock and Fallout (although to be fair, Fallout 1 was created like a million years ago). I think Borderlands has that going as well (Don’t know, haven’t played).

Both Bioshock and Fallout are extremely enjoyable and inspiring. Games can really effect you on a deep level much like a great movie or piece of music (I would even argue that they effect you MORE than other forms of entertainment). Both Fallout and Bioshock are on alternate time lines and have a real ‘big picture’ thing going for them which I enjoy. Bioshock, for example, has handed me heavy interest into a period of time (50-60s) that I otherwise would probably care less about. The music, culture, art is all influenced throughout both games, and has given me some insight, which breeds interest.

I think in the end it comes down to us wishing there was something more than the world we’ve been given. These games allow you to emerse yourself in a different world with a fantastic story. The truth is, these are not worlds that would even be desirable in reality (violence, poverty, filth, hardship) but for whatever reason it’s refreshing to experience something so different in a meaningful way (more meaningful than watching a screen for 2 hours or reading a book at least). The strange thing is, I have no complaints about the REAL life I live, so I’m not sure what really grasps me about these other worlds. It must be the sheer fact that it’s different.. I’ll have to think more about it.

ALSO Bioshock 2 is on it’s way! I can’t wait but part of me feels it won’t be able to stand up to the original. We can cross our fingers…

DEMO (TF2: Defense and Support)

December 15, 09 //

I’ve had some time the past few days to record some pug gameplay demos for fun. If you need trouble watching, check out the post on how to record/watch TF2 demos. Enjoy.

BT_defensive.DEM
PLAYER: BA[N]ANATRON
ROLE: Defense/Support
MAP: Badwater

BT_2fort_support.DEM
PLAYER: BA[N]ANATRON
ROLE: Support
MAP: 2Fort

BT_2fort2_support.DEM
PLAYER: BA[N]ANATRON
ROLE: Support
MAP: 2Fort

SOURCE: Record and View Demos

December 15, 09 //

I want to start posting some TF2 demos so I figured I would put up a quick how-to on recording and viewing source demos. This is mainly geared towards TF2, but the rules apply to every source game.

Enable developer console must be enabled. (Options > Keyboard > Advanced >Enable Developer Console)

Install demos in your TF folder (Typically C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\steamusername\team fortress 2\tf)

Use the console (~) to use the demo command.
Use the command demoui and select “Load”

playdemo demoname.dem will play an existing demo (which must be loaded into your TF2 directory as stated above)

record desireddemoname will record a demo while you’re playing

Easy peasy lemon squeezy

Left 4 Dead

November 30, 09 //

left-4-dead-characters I got my computer up and running (more detail about later) so I bought Left 4 Dead on Steam yesterday (maybe the day before) for $7 for their 5 day sale ($14 both both Robyn and I). I know I’m late to the game here (considering the sequel is out) but it is FUN. Fun in a real solid way that I don’t feel for most games. (Q3 status) Although it uses the source engine, there are some differences that give it a uniquely different feel from any other source game I’ve played.

The gameplay is super solid, although I feel it was a missed opportunity not to create a killer single player campaign (w/ story), but I get that isn’t what keeps people coming back. It’s strange because, normally I’m the type of person to skip the single player almost entirely (haven’t, after 3 years of playing it, ever started a WC3 single player campaign), but here I kind of crave it.

I’ll probably snag the second one cheap for XMAS and love it too (although wish it was an expansion instead of standalone). Haven’t felt this way about a game in a long while (TF2 didn’t come close) and expect to continue enjoying it for a LONG while.

(An aside note: I should make a separate category for these old ass review/write-ups, because surely there are more to come… maybe later. ALSO hit me up on Steam and say you read the blog)