UG - Mobile Games and Mobile Gaming Devices

First off, I must give credit to pg as him and I talked this out so some of the ideas are his as well. Whether he actually wants to claim credit for this crazy talk is up to him.

This started out as an Angry Birds for Android review, but as I started ranting it changed into what it is now. I will say Angry Birds is an entertaining game, drains my battery, but it is great time-killing game. However, I think at times the Android community goes crazy for anything that gets ported from the iPhone community and thinks it must be the greatest thing ever. I downloaded the game to see what all the talk was about and I have played it quite a bit since then. Like I admitted at the beginning, the game is fun. But, it is just a game where I slingshot birds around, this is nothing ground breaking, this isn't God of War. This thought path got me thinking about all the mobile game talk and the fights between Nintendo, Apple, and Sony.

There are lots of articles out there about mobile gaming and the iPhone is always at the center of the attention, mainly because it does sell a lot of games and Steve Jobs chants about it any chance he gets and always compares it to the PSP and Nintendo DS. While the numbers show the iPhone does sell lots of games, I would like to create new categories for these games. The iPhone (and Android and Blackberry, and Windows Phone 7 …) is really good at time-killing games. These are games I want to play while sitting on a toilet, or waiting in a doctor's office, or waiting for my plane to begin boarding, etc. The PSP and Nintendo DS games are different. These are more involved games that are long and draw the player in and really do have superior graphics and do require more controls. These are games I want to play at night while on my couch and my wife is watching a TV show, or while I am actually on a long flight, or while I am on a long road trip, or while I am visiting my in-laws, or getting a prostate exam (some doctors really like to take their time). Anyways, my point is that there are different game categories in my mind for the mobile arena. You sure as hell couldn't try to sell Angry Birds to a PS3 or Xbox 360 gamer.

Now, what I would really like to see is a mobile phone that by default would include the time-killing games, but let it also have the capability to do true mobile gaming. There have been rumors about a Sony upcoming phone that will include a PSP capability. This sounds awesome to me, but I immediately think of the issues like cost, controls, size, screen resolution, battery life, storage capacity, and all other reasons it shouldn't work. So pg and I were talking about some of this and sort of came up with what I would love to see in a device like this. BTW – there will be no image of what I am describing because I am not breaking out Gimp to mock this up. Please, use your imagination.

So first there is the phone and it is a touchscreen device, something in the 4” range and it runs the latest version of Android. It also needs to have some kick-ass hardware specs and screen resolution. It will need to include all the other normal things like front/rear camera, b/g/n wireless, and all the other tech in current devices.

For the PSP capability, I say go with a case for it. The phone will just slide into the case in landscape position. The case will include all the gaming controls (pg really wants two analog sticks) and it will hold a battery inside it to help with battery life while gaming. Sony and third party hardware makes can even sell different types of cases. Some cases can offer bigger batteries, or more storage, or a UMD reader (awesome idea pg), or theme them out, and anything else people can think of. People might complain about carrying something else with them, but the times I want to play a PSP would be when I was traveling with things already like luggage or at least some sort of bag that I am sure could handle the extra case.

This device could be marketed to both gamers and non-gamers. That is where the hardware and screen comes in outside of games. There are people who won't care about gaming, but will want the phone because it is one of the best hardware devices out there. And then gamers will want the phone because they will want real gaming. The phone can be sold separately or in a bundle with a case. I think this design can take care of most of the issues that could be presented by this except for the cost. In the end, the price will be high, but if it could truly be this great of a device and let me do it all, I will pay for it.

Update: This isn't what I was hoping for.

UG - Halo: Reach Review

I have played all the other Halo titles except for ODST. I have always enjoyed the series, but I haven't been a die hard fan. I find them to be fun, but that is about it. Well, the same friend that came to visit who brought some really dumb games, also brought this game. We played co-op and beat the game in a day and I had a blast doing it. The game is in line with the rest of the series for fun and entertainment. While the game is fun, there were a few issues that I think would be highlighted harder in other reviews if it weren't a Halo game that gets it a free pass. The fact that I can shoot a wall and there is no damage is pretty weak. If another game didn't have this graphic effect, it would get panned. My other complaint is the co-op isn't drop in or drop out like Gears of War made popular. That should be a standard feature for games like this. However, overall the game was a complete blast and I enjoyed playing all of it.

Spoiler: You die in the end :).

UG - Mass Effect 2 Review

I will admit it from the start that I am not a fan of RPG and really my tastes stick to FPS, sports, and action games. I had a friend recently that visited and introduced me to Mass Effect 2 to see if maybe I could be converted to at least appreciate RPG style games. After playing it for a bit, I have to say, this game sucks. Here is what I got out of the game:

•  My character, among others, talk like a computer similar to something from xtranormal.com
•  I have glowing scars so whatever they fixed me up with is probably running down a battery that must be in me somewhere
•  The conversation is choose your own adventure style where the character actually doesn't say what I tell him to say
•  The cut scenes are long no matter how fast I push the buttons; I'm here to play a game, not watch a movie (didn't anybody learn anything from the last Metal Gear Solid)
•  I still don't like RPGs

Thanks, but no thanks, I will stick with good games.

pg - Slashdot's "72% of US Adults Support Violent-Game Ban For Minors"

They say it's because adults don't want minors playing violent or sexually mature video games... Let me tell you the real reason why.

Minors are ANNOYING. They absolutely ruin the mature on-line experience of games like Modern Warfare 2 to the point that I feel the need to use private chat with my friends and mute everyone else. I feel like I can't make mature jokes in a mature game and I feel like they sound absolute idiots when they try to talk smack.

Tirade.

Reference: 72% of US Adults Support Violent-Game Ban For Minors

UG - Madden 11 (Full game)

Ok, EA ended up getting my $60 for Madden 11. I have played it a few times and I am happy with my purchase. Some of my complaints from the demo are fixed like the replays at the end of quarters are actually good plays. The running is still awesome, but the passing can get a little weird with some receivers watching the ball go right by them while others grab passes about 5 yards too far. The jerkiness/parkinson's disease still exists when players are in the huddle and quarterbacks can still get off amazing passes no matter how much pressure I hit them with. But overall, the game feels like a greatly enhanced version over past years. Now, I just hope for easy ways to update rosters in my franchise mode when Brett Favre signs and he is added to the Vikings roster.

UG - Madden 11 (Demo)

Don't call it a comeback, I've been here ... just the other week ... saying I would be back ... screw it. Like my previous post said, I was going to compare the demo of Madden to NCAA to decide which one I would want to buy. I have now had the chance to play both and must say that NCAA has proven to once again be the red-headed stepchild.  Even with NCAA receiving improvements, Madden still just feels like it is further ahead in mechanics, graphics, attention to detail, and on and on.

The first thing that scared me was I found out that Chris Collinsworth is one of the announcers and my first thought was holy schnikes, I hate that guy. After playing many games, I came to the realization that I might have been too quick to judge and I changed my mind about him...I despise him. However, the other announcer (some new guy) spoke the most often and he wasn't that bad so I will call this an improvement over previous years; however, I will still mute them.

The graphics are improved again with better use of lighting and shadowing to give a more realistic feel, but if you read my previous post you will know how I feel about graphical improvements (hint: those are supposed to happen). However, there were some issues with the graphics still. For example, when your players are in the huddle and they have their hands on their knees, they look like they have Parkinson's disease with their hands being all jumpy and vibrating.

UG - NCAA 11 (Demo)

Now mind you, this is just a review of the demo. Yes, I know the full game is out and this demo was released awhile ago so you might be thinking it is retarded of me to review this demo, well I'm going to do it anyways so shut up. See I am cheap and I only want to buy either this game or Madden and the Madden demo isn't released until next week. So I thought I would check out this demo and then that demo and then choose.

The graphics looked pretty good in the game and the new lighting effects do help make the characters look more real. Overall, every aspect of the game feels improved from last year; however, that is what I expect. If it wasn't improved, why the hell would you release a new game. The tackling felt much better and the running game is improved. I think they give too much credit to quarterbacks though and rushing the quarterback is a little too easy. In some of the games I played, I was able to get to the quarterback about 75 percent of the time, but only ended up with a few sacks and even when I crushed the QB as he was throwing it, his throws were still excellent. This got a little tiresome after awhile. And just because it is improved, I don't think that should instantly give the game a higher ranking than the same game last year or make you think you have to buy it to replace last year's version if you are happy with it. These are the sort of improvements that always makes me think of the Chris Rock skit where he talks about the father that brags about taking care of his kids and Rock yells, you're supposed to take care of your kids, what do you want, a cookie. And that is my sentiment on this as well, I don't see bragging rights in making minor improvements during the one year of coding time.

UG - Space Physics for Android

Space Physics by Camel Games for Android is a great puzzle game. I used to be a big fan of The Incredible Machine and had been looking for something similar on Android and this is the closest I have found. The premise of the game is to get the ball to hit the star. You do this by drawing lines, wheels, swirly crap that was your attempt at a wheel, some sort of bike that works by drawing two wheels and a connecting line, pivot points, joints, etc. It is sort of like finger painting with a purpose. I love this game and find myself playing a level or two whenever I get a chance. It is a great bathroom time killer, just make sure your fingers are clean.

pg - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Let me get this out in the open first. I SUCK at first person shooters. There have been a variety of PS3 FPS's that I've become acquainted with. I deeply enjoyed Resistance 2's campaign and co-op play, but disliked the team deathmatch. I found Killzone 2's campaign to be fun but un-memorable and hated the online multiplayer aspect.

MW2's campaign is fun, high energy, diverse, and definitely a challenge for me so far. The co-op special ops play mode is a hell of a lot of fun but would be SO much better if it wasn't limited to two people. I wish MW2 took some of the ideas from R2 co-op play like allowing more than 2 people to participate. No matter how hard the special ops mode gets ANYONE can beat the missions. Why? They're predictable. You can play them over and over again and they're nearly exactly the same. Don't get me wrong... so let me re-iterate; special ops mode is FUN!

Two words. Team Deathmatch. This is where MW2 excels. It's freaking awesome! The controls work seamlessly, the maps are diverse, and you can get awards for dieing more often than anyone else (that's me)! Now that I'm familiar with MW2's game play; I definitely have to say this is where it's at. Leave your ego at the door and no matter how bad you suck and how often you die this multiplayer game is still freaking awesome.

"But what if he shot you in the face?" - Dumb and Dumber

(8.5/10)

pg - Assassin's Creed II

Ever feel like stabbing someone in the face? Ever want to be a medieval version of Rico Suave? Want to play an action game that feels like it's becoming an RPG? Want to cut off your ring finger? No? Well, in Assasin's Creed II you can do all these things AND keep your ring fingers!

AC2 is exactly like AC1 except you can now distract guards with courtesanes(hookers), thieves, and money. Yes, you now have money and you can choose to use it... or not. You can totally deck yourself out with armor and boost your health or you can play through the game without this perk. It really is kind of useless because you can also purchase healing potions(rpg?) but you can look totally bad ass like my character decked to the hilt with armor and some sweet green robes. That's right. I said green robes. You can dye  your clothing. I'm still trying to figure out the benefit of this since it costs money. I thought, maybe, like GTA if you paint your car your warning level goes down that maybe if you dye your robes your alert level would go down. Nope. Purely cosmetic. I think they're trying to appeal to chicks and RPG gamers. I prefer to think of my self as an RPG gamer but by no means a LARPer. I can buy art too. I can buy maps of all the hidden treasure -- doesn't this negate the need for purchasing a guide book? Hit all the vantage view points, buy the treasure maps, and now I fail to see the need to buy a book. Yes, there are still a boatload of vantage view points.

This time around, I find myself skipping all the side quests that I felt like I already played in the first AC. Which, is probably 80% of the game.  My town is totally built out. Yes, you have a town. If this doesn't make sense to you, then I assure you -- it doesn't make sense to me.

You can now swim, and cities now have country-sides you can explore. Either way, the game still feels exactly like AC1. Yet.... I'm still drawn to playing this game. I can't help it. I love jumping and running from rooftop to rooftop and stabbing people. I can't put the damn controller down.

"O'Doyle Rules!" - Billy Madison

(8.5/10)

UG - Joe Danger

This game is just good ole fashion family fun. I find it a great way to kill some time; however, I still find the game eating up large chunks of my time because I just keep trying to score more points. I have always enjoyed games with great gameplay that allowed me to play as long or as short as I wanted (someone please bring back Carmageddon) so this works well for that niche (except there isn't any killing in it). Granted the graphics are about as advanced as the Super Nintendo, but it doesn't matter in this game.

UG - Red Dead Redemption

I have to think that everyone else reviewing this game is giving Rockstar a free pass because it is Rockstar. I got this game and was very excited after all the excellent reviews. After playing it for hours, I have to say holy schnikes this game is boring. I got tired of riding the horse back and forth between towns by about the third time. I can't even tell at what aspect this game is hoping to excel. I guess it is most likely more entertaining then more recent western cowboy entertainment options, like Brokeback Mountain. Then again I never saw that movie so who knows.

UG - Assassin's Creed II

What better way to write your first post then to review a game over eight months old.

Ever want to be an assassin?? Ever want to be an assassin who looks like he could be part of new kids on the block?? Did you play AC and enjoy it and think, damn I wish I could play that same game over again, but with a new character? Then this game is for you. Here is my spoiler alert on how the game goes. Track down someone, kill them, cut scene saying that you were wrong or you don't know the truth ... repeat.

Wait I forgot about the other cool missions. One of them involves a city that you try to rebuild. To do this, there is a chest that collects money as the city makes a profit and then you spend that money to rebuild the city. The awesome thing about this chest is that it can only hold a certain amount of money. What a magical chest? I would love to go buy a whole new entertainment system and have the cashier tell me it is free because their cash register is full.

pg - Red Dead Redemption

After a long day of drinking 4 manly beers of differing geographic locations(diverse), I decided to give Red Dead Redemption a rental spin.



Here's my initial take:

1. There's a lot of desert.
2. There's a lot of horse riding.
3. Shooting someone leads to my imminent death.
4. I like the mini-stories that involve going to a remote location and looking at a spot of blood on the ground.
5. Shooting the train conductor and jumping off the train and down a cliff is a mortally bad idea.
6. Riding the horse into the middle of a hanging can lead to your death.
7. Whenever I try to take cover, I end up taking cover on the side of the boulder instead of behind it. Death ensues.
8. Inverted camera is the only real way to play.
9. I'm amazed that this cowboy either has GPS or an amazing sense of direction.
10. Skinning an animal isn't nearly as violent or cool as other reviews made it out to be. I was expecting something wicked cruel - like something Hannibal Lector might do.

Besides being set in the "Old West", I don't think there's anything new here that GTA IV didn't already offer. Just a different theme. Maybe I should play GTA IV so that I could give a better take on this. Oh well.

I wish I had a chance to play co-op or multi-player, but I didn't. Maybe it's worth it just for that. The concept of a lone vigilante is cool. Westerns have never really been my thing.

(7/10)