Double Tap Dash

Change of plans…

Well looks like I was a bit slow with my demos, seeing as how the games are already out now. So much for the demo round-up then. I’ll have an actual review up some time this week hopefully. Been thinking about picking up GTA: Chinatown Wars on the DS, so if I do I’ll probably write about that.

In other news, I’m an uncle now!

Demo Round-Up part 1

So I’ve had a few demos sitting on the harddrive of my Xbox360, I finally got around to playing them so I figured I would share what I thought about them.

First up is Wanted: Weapons of Fate. This game I had some hopes for, I enjoyed the movie in a shut your brain off and go for the ride sort of way. It wasn’t a bad film, it was just an action movie where you ohhh and ahhh and just take in what it throws at you. Naturally with the over the top moves and abilities in the movie, such as the bullet curve, its no wonder this title was made into a game.

Right off the bat it is obvious that this game benefited from not being rushed to be released concurrently with the movie. All in all the game looks good and feels solid. The controls and gameplay are very much like Gears of War with a few tweaks. The cover system is much more heavy on advancing and flanking your enemies. Blind fire is used to suppress enemies and slow them down so you can get around them faster rather than use it to get a lucky headshot or wound them. The only abilities you are given to play with are a slow-mo move from cover to cover were you can fire multiple rounds at several enemies during the dash, and also the bullet curve. The bullet curve is done with a simple press to lock on and while the button is held a red line goes between you and the enemies, you then use the right analog to move the line at a curve until it turns white which then it will hit. A simple move but gradifying when it makes a lethal hit and the camera follows the bullet through it’s path.

Reall the only gripe I found with Wanted was the enemy A.I. they were just dumb at times and it seemed like they were just lined up to be killed never posing a real threat. Sure they would take cover but they never tried to advance and pin you down or use it strategically. Whenever an enemy was behind something where they couldn’t be shot even with the bullet curve after a few minutes of waiting they conviently would wander across the aisle to the piece of cover where I could curve a bullet into their skull. Granted the demo only let me play on the easiest difficulty so perhaps this is remedied on the higher difficulties.

After playing through the demo Wanted: Weapons of Fate is a game I’m mixed on. At face value it seems like Gears of War with a gimmick. But seems to have the style that it may be able to stand on its own. I would say to check it out, but its probably a rental first to see how long it is and then go from there if its worth a purchase or not.

Next up:

Guitar Hero: Metallica

Hadoukens all around

I’m sure as many know already, Street Fighter is back. It has been back with fists and lariats flying for just over a month now. Its probably safe to say that a lot of those that were interested in this game have already went out and purchased it. Its not a bad idea to do so, if you like Street Fighter then you will like this one hands down.

The gameplay is just as solid as ever, if not better. There doesn’t seem to be one tactic that can beat all, everything can be countered if you have the know how to do so. The new characters seem out of place at first but after giving them a chance they each seem to find their nook to fill in the roster. Be it El Fuerte’s spastic wrestling maneuvers, C. Viper’s gadgets and combos, Abel’s judo like throws, or Rufus’ jiggling, each fighter adds a new experience that can be appreciated by someone. The new boss character, Seth, is a mixed bag. On one hand he suffers from slight SNK Boss Syndrome, and the other hes just silly. He really doesn’t bring anything to the series. Was there really anything wrong with Bison trying to rule the world again? Dr. Wily does it all the time and no one seems to mind.

Controls may be an area where there may be some problems. It really just depends on what the player prefers. It by no means is the fault of the game, more the controller. The 360 controller is adequate, I myself find no problem with it, but for those that are more hardcore in their Street Fighter may want to invest in one of the arcade sticks.

The online mode’s lifespan will also varies depending on the player. People who are new to the world of Street Fighter may not get as much fun out of it, since eventually it boils down to players who are quite good at bashing in faces with various styles of pain. Although if you have some friends to beat up on then let the fun begin. One glaring omission to the online though is the lobby system, also know as quarters mode, where you can play with more than one person and the winner keeps going till they lose. Hopefully this mode will be added at some point, then the online with friends will truly be perfect.

Street Fighter IV is what most will consider the premiere Street Fighter experience, and in that light is. Right now it is at the top of the fighting game mountain, and looks to remain there for awhile. Veterans of the series will eat this up and if they haven’t yet then they will soon. New players will enjoy it if they enjoy fighters, although expect to get beat up a lot online, but there is still much fun to be had with friends. So grab some friends, start charging back for two seconds and release the sonic boom upside someone’s face.

Pango’s Rating: 9/10

So it begins…

So at long last I have a blog, a place to put up some reviews of games, movies, and well whatever else I guess I want to. I’ve got some game reviews lined up so far, Street Fighter IV, House of the Dead: Overkill, Madworld. A couple movies I’ve recently watched as well. I plan to do some old game for the heck of it as well. Also if anyone has a request I will welcome those too.

So for those that read this, I hope you enjoy it and I’ll try to get things up in a timely manner.

~Pango