Saturday, May 07, 2005

I still don't get the 360 part

Check it:



An actual photo of the Xbox 360 from the set of the MTV special, posted on Engadget.com. Pretty damned unsexy if you ask me. I mean, I'm glad to see wireless controllers (which look very nice themselves), a headset that actually goes over your head, and what appears to be a hard drive peeking out the top of the system. The console itself just looks like a tree stump from i, Robot though. You'd think in these days of iPods, PSPs and grilled cheese sandwiches you'd see something a bit more pleasing to the eye, but besides being white it doesn't have much going for it. There's been talk of different 'skins' and customization options for the system, so hopefully this is just a bare-bones version that we'll rarely see under someone's TV. All will be revealed soon though, thanks to the magic power of the internets. I'm guessing screenshots of Perfect Dark Zero are next, as some details about the game have already leaked out (I won't post them in case Tom is trying to avoid all info until the real premiere). Word up.

Update:



As I said, the controller looks very nice. I'm just going to assume it's comfortable to hold, and focus on the other features. The little bauble in the middle (which is the logo for the system) is most likely a Live button, which will connect or pull up the Live menu within any game, since they'll all be enabled. And as you can see there are the number one through four placed around the bauble, which no doubt indicate which controller you've currently selected (a brilliant little feature if you ask me). The current rumors also indicate that you'll plug the controllers in to charge them, and can play while they're being charged (ensuring uninterrupted sessions of PD0). So far, I'm going to say that the controller is the nicest part of the package shown thus far.



A media center remote, no doubt used on the higher-end, Tivo-like model. All speculation of course, but it simply makes sense at this point. Anyhow, I'm sure there's even more to come very soon.

Friday, May 06, 2005

Like a certain group of dinosaurs

Aaaaand we're back! Well, at least our comment system is (vastly improved too, though all of the old comments are history), which gives us a lot more incentive to write. Usually this time of year is a pretty slow for gaming, but hell, it's never slow with Halo 2 around. I've don't even want to say how much I've played recently, because it's pretty egregious. Sure, I bought Jade Empire and Psychonauts, even played some of Psychonauts, but I always go back to Halo. And with all of the auto-updates and maps and new playlists finally out, it's pretty much the best it's ever been. I remember last October when Tom and I were wrapped up like crepes in the Halo hype, and would sit around and giddily discuss how we would never be at a loss for what to play whether alone or together once it came out; it didn't quite work out for him (the slightly different Warthog physics weren't to his liking), but it's held up shockingly well for me. And though it took them long enough, Bungie's support to keep things fun and refreshing is very much appreciated. Hell, just look at one of the rest of the new maps coming out late next month:



C'mon, Tom, you don't want to tool around in the Wathog on THAT?

Anyhow, beyond Halo 2 (and believe me, I'm striving for content here), Tom and I played some Culdcept for the first time last week. I picked it up a couple of months ago on a friend's recommendation, and having seen it raved about as a cult classic on every damn gaming forum this side of the Mason-Dixon. It's basically the lovechild of Monopoly and Magic: The Gathering, two games I've played regularly at different points of my life. Only, there's no one to teach it to you, just a 100-screen in-game manual. I'm sure it's simple as bundt cake once you figure it out, but with our powers combined we couldn't even summon a gas monster without questioning our motives. It was rough, but we played three or four games and still had fun despite. I can see how it would get incredibly addicting once you knew the rules through and through and are able to build your own deck and such. There are plenty of timeless mythological battles to behold, such as Giant Rat versus Wall of Flame, and every creature has a cute lil' avatar that inhabits the space you place it on. Anyhow, I'm looking forward to learning the game fully when I get some time (maybe Al can teach me while I'm staying at his place during E3), and I suggest picking it up if you can find it.

I have a feeling some new Xbox 360 info will be out later tonight, as the MTV special was filmed yesterday, so I'll be back with more info at some point this weekend.

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

RE: The talky talk

So, our comments system is dead, for good. Shed a tear for all of the old comments we'll never get back, and look forward to a brand-new system within the next 48 hours or so. And a regular schedule of posts again. Huzzah!

Sunday, May 01, 2005

God I hate EGM

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate EGM? How they are the main culprit in my ongoing rant against video game journalism? I know it's stupid to even complain about them since most people are aware that they are merely a corporate mouthpiece and can't be trusted anyway, but this latest tidbit was just too ridiculous for me to pass up. In last month's issue they had a piece designed to piss off its readers. Instead of doing an intelligent piece on, I don't know, the ramifications of Oddworld leaving the industry and whether Lorne might actually be right about the future of the industry, readers got a fluff feature called "The 10 Most Overrated Games."

I didn't write about this at the time because it is really one of the most embarrassing pieces of journalism I have ever seen. You can read the whole list here but I would advise against it. All you need to know is that Rare apparently kicked EGM's collective baby in the head because five of the top ten most overrated games of all time were Rare classics (well, three classics and two that were forgotten years ago).

Shockingly, I'm not here to write about the greatness that is Rare. The tenth most overrated game, according to EGM, was Ico. Now, I'm not a big fan of this game. It actually bored me so much I gave it back to Nick after a mere hour. But I understand why people like it and respect their opinion. Obviously, EGM doesn't. They wrote "This will upset the art school kids, but Ico hasn't really changed our lives. It's not that we don't appreciate the relationship between its characters and the understated themes, but the "games as art" folks need to get a grip. We've got a ways to go before the Louvre...."

Is EGM really the best source to define games as art?

Now check this out: in the latest issue they have a list of the Top 10 Cult Classics. Number 2 on that list? Ico.

EGM says "Despite the hyperbole, Ico is one of those remarkable experiences that are sadly in short supply these days. Critics adore Ico and its ardent fanbase cites it as an example of how gaming has the potential to be truly artistic."

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