Bad Company for Xbox 360 is a standard shooter, with a destructive twist. The controls and mechanics are similar to most other shooting games, and the enemy AI is moderately challenging. A 3D map in the pause menu is helpful to get perspective on the land and stay immersed in the battlefield. Along with the variey of weapons you will collect along the way, the player can cut through doors and barbed wire with a knife.
This game's main feature: environmental destruction. The ground, trees, buildings are realistically affected by varying intensities of explosion.
The one noticeable weakness is the game's health management system. The player always has an Adrenaline Injector, an auto-refilling item that heals your character. This means the you have infinite health when out of combat
The witty and cheesy banter among the soldiers of Bad Company feels more like a ragtag adventure, rather than a serious war setting. It is a niche in the shooter market, in both its options for destructibility as well as light humor. If I had to fight in a war, I can only hope I'd end up in B Company.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Midevil 2: Total War: Presentation Review
Midevil 2: Total War is a real time strategy game for the computer. It's main objectives include managing resources (income, public order, religion, population growth) and constructing buildings (barracks, roads, grainery, church). Your family members are Generals (they have their own traits like chivalry, piety, loyalty) who must be carefully managed through marriages and diplomatic action. Losing them costs you loyalty, and there can be civil unrest.
Currency is necessary to produce everything in the game. Allies, enemies, and vassals are all managed through diplomacy offers with other countries. Allies can allow trade rights and access to map information.
If the player belongs to the Catholic regions, he/she can accept missions (join the Crusades) from the Pope to gain his favor. With enough of the Pope's favor granted, the Papal States can band together in allegiance to the player. The player's Cardinals can graduate from college and possibly become the next Pope. Depending how pious your General is, the current Pope will find favor with you.
Battle Deployment is a different game dynamic. Before the battle starts, a famous General can give a rousing battle speech to increase the troops' morale. There is real time environmental damage, and much more camera control. You can strategize attacks based on your units, weaponry, and the environment available. There are various actions available in battle (withdraw, run, guard, formations, fire bows, use swords, special ability). If a General is captured in battle, they can be ransomed/executed/released.
Midevil 2: Total War is a mammoth game with engaging music, a massive interface, unique animations, varied character models, good quality graphics, and multiplayer options. In the end, it makes Age of Empires look like a baby's toy.
My Question: When do you beat this game? How long do you spend playing until you actually finish a campaign?
My Answer: There is WAY too much to learn about this game because of its enormous scale.
Currency is necessary to produce everything in the game. Allies, enemies, and vassals are all managed through diplomacy offers with other countries. Allies can allow trade rights and access to map information.
If the player belongs to the Catholic regions, he/she can accept missions (join the Crusades) from the Pope to gain his favor. With enough of the Pope's favor granted, the Papal States can band together in allegiance to the player. The player's Cardinals can graduate from college and possibly become the next Pope. Depending how pious your General is, the current Pope will find favor with you.
Battle Deployment is a different game dynamic. Before the battle starts, a famous General can give a rousing battle speech to increase the troops' morale. There is real time environmental damage, and much more camera control. You can strategize attacks based on your units, weaponry, and the environment available. There are various actions available in battle (withdraw, run, guard, formations, fire bows, use swords, special ability). If a General is captured in battle, they can be ransomed/executed/released.
Midevil 2: Total War is a mammoth game with engaging music, a massive interface, unique animations, varied character models, good quality graphics, and multiplayer options. In the end, it makes Age of Empires look like a baby's toy.
My Question: When do you beat this game? How long do you spend playing until you actually finish a campaign?
My Answer: There is WAY too much to learn about this game because of its enormous scale.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Shadow of the Colossus: Review
SOTC is a platforming action game for the PS2. It contains many elements that make it stand out from most high-intensity action games. It offers simple controls, high quality graphics (for its time), and a grand scale; all of the monsters you face are gigantic bosses, found in a world of vast and beautiful scenery. Epic orchestral music sets the mood for these legendary encounters.
SOTC is definitely minimalist in its execution. There is a limited HUD; only in a battle situation does it display your health, weapon, the collussus' health, and the power you place into stab. Otherwise, the screen remains a picture frame to capture the player character's picturesque journey.
The presentation in class had a definite bias; he really didn't like this game, and offered much negative feedback about things he did not like. The game is admittedly repetitive: the player must find a colossus by using their sword's divine Light to narrow down a location, then ride horse there.
Then que the epic battle with the colossus. Though slightly varied in presentation for each of the unique 16 colossi, the process remains the same; hold on to the boss' fur, climb to the top, and stab the weak point (a glowing glyph on their head). Do this enough times and the mammoth will collapse. Their soul will violently penetrate the player, and then you appear back at the abandoned temple to challenge the next boss.
Map has no direct reference on where to go, and it only reveals areas that you have explored. This makes finding your destination somewhat tricky. Also, your health will automatically regenerate over time, so if you are getting destroyed in a fight, simply run away for a few minutes and you will recover.
I find that, despite the simplicity of the game, SOTC offers players a more zen experience than most games. There is a balance between the two extremes; the calm, contemplative search for your objective, then the majestic, emotional struggle to defeat an enemy which seems overwhelming at first sight. I wouldn't pay full price for a such a short game, but I appreciate the brevity it offers. Definitely a bargain bin deal worth snagging!
Shadow of the Colossus- Wiki
Gameplay Video
SOTC is definitely minimalist in its execution. There is a limited HUD; only in a battle situation does it display your health, weapon, the collussus' health, and the power you place into stab. Otherwise, the screen remains a picture frame to capture the player character's picturesque journey.
The presentation in class had a definite bias; he really didn't like this game, and offered much negative feedback about things he did not like. The game is admittedly repetitive: the player must find a colossus by using their sword's divine Light to narrow down a location, then ride horse there.
Then que the epic battle with the colossus. Though slightly varied in presentation for each of the unique 16 colossi, the process remains the same; hold on to the boss' fur, climb to the top, and stab the weak point (a glowing glyph on their head). Do this enough times and the mammoth will collapse. Their soul will violently penetrate the player, and then you appear back at the abandoned temple to challenge the next boss.
Map has no direct reference on where to go, and it only reveals areas that you have explored. This makes finding your destination somewhat tricky. Also, your health will automatically regenerate over time, so if you are getting destroyed in a fight, simply run away for a few minutes and you will recover.
I find that, despite the simplicity of the game, SOTC offers players a more zen experience than most games. There is a balance between the two extremes; the calm, contemplative search for your objective, then the majestic, emotional struggle to defeat an enemy which seems overwhelming at first sight. I wouldn't pay full price for a such a short game, but I appreciate the brevity it offers. Definitely a bargain bin deal worth snagging!
Shadow of the Colossus- Wiki
Gameplay Video
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)