Making Gunplay Outstanding
By TetsuoTrunks on 04.29.08 at 07:07 PM CST [permalink] |
I've just finished selecting my weapons of choice (silenced Pistol, concussion grenades and an FN P90 submachine gun...pricey but worthwhile) when my squadron begins to move out. I quickly link up with one of my fellow soldiers and he does so with me. A blue flash descends over my field of vision, giving me unrestricted visuals on the location of my entire squad. I follow suit behind one or two other soldiers, staying low, running while crouched. We keep our weapons primed, ready, but not right in front of our faces. Someone spots tracks in the mud, but we realize that these belong to a comrade, not the enemy. We split up to try and cover more ground. Moving by myself, I suddenly notice a reticle aimed right at me, with a targeting sight line drifting back over my left shoulder. Without thinking, I spin around and open fire...
Its not the best game I've ever played, and I'd much rather be delving into the single player campaign, but damn if the multiplayer isn't fun. Metal Gear Online in the vein of a more subtle type gameplay setting;rather than overly hectic constant action, its much more subdued with stealthy movement. When the shots do get fired though, players still go all out. For the game modes, there is every man for himself, team deathmatch, capture the flag and territories. I've played in 2 of the maps;one is Groznyj Grad, the setting from the end of MGS3, and the other is an industrial area filled with multiple levels including a defense tower, and many small stone barricades to hide behind (and occasionally shoot through). An additional map (the war-torn city shown in many trailers) and additional play mode (a sneaking mode involving Old Snake as a playable character) have been released, but I haven't had a chance to check them out yet. So below are some of my impressions of what I have played. Minor spoilers to follow.
I've just finished selecting my weapons of choice (silenced Pistol, concussion grenades and an FN P90 submachine gun...pricey but worthwhile) when my squadron begins to move out. I quickly link up with one of my fellow soldiers and he does so with me. A blue flash descends over my field of vision, giving me unrestricted visuals on the location of my entire squad. I follow suit behind one or two other soldiers, staying low, running while crouched. We keep our weapons primed, ready, but not right in front of our faces. Someone spots tracks in the mud, but we realize that these belong to a comrade, not the enemy. We split up to try and cover more ground. Moving by myself, I suddenly notice a reticle aimed right at me, with a targeting sight line drifting back over my left shoulder. Without thinking, I spin around and open fire...
Its not the best game I've ever played, and I'd much rather be delving into the single player campaign, but damn if the multiplayer isn't fun. Metal Gear Online in the vein of a more subtle type gameplay setting;rather than overly hectic constant action, its much more subdued with stealthy movement. When the shots do get fired though, players still go all out. For the game modes, there is every man for himself, team deathmatch, capture the flag and territories. I've played in 2 of the maps;one is Groznyj Grad, the setting from the end of MGS3, and the other is an industrial area filled with multiple levels including a defense tower, and many small stone barricades to hide behind (and occasionally shoot through). An additional map (the war-torn city shown in many trailers) and additional play mode (a sneaking mode involving Old Snake as a playable character) have been released, but I haven't had a chance to check them out yet. So below are some of my impressions of what I have played. Minor spoilers to follow.
Read more... |
Busy Weekend
By TetsuoTrunks on 04.26.08 at 06:13 AM CST [permalink] |
So its not totally gaming related, but those of you keeping up with my other blog know that I'm building myself a new computer. That and I'm writing this during a very brief break I'm taking from Metal Gear Online.
I'm not gonna sleep at all, but this weekend's gonna ROCK! |
A converted soul
By iamaredmage on 04.24.08 at 06:35 PM CST [permalink] |
So, still feeling crappy, but less crappy with each passing day. I really think school stress is getting to me too much. However, this is my last semester of school, so only 3 weeks to go, then I'm FREE!
...until Cold Stone and IT deskwork owns my life for the summer...
Anyway, on to the topic which needed time for me to do, and illness prevented such a review, so this is more of a "First Impressions" article.
So, still feeling crappy, but less crappy with each passing day. I really think school stress is getting to me too much. However, this is my last semester of school, so only 3 weeks to go, then I'm FREE!
...until Cold Stone and IT deskwork owns my life for the summer...
Anyway, on to the topic which needed time for me to do, and illness prevented such a review, so this is more of a "First Impressions" article.
Read more... |
Today's blog post will be made tomorrow.
By iamaredmage on 04.23.08 at 05:47 PM CST [permalink] |
Hey, guys. My string of unfortunate events continue for me as I got some sort of sickness that got me Monday and bedrode me Tuesday. I'm feeling better (still sick, but can at least move around), so I'll be using today to catch up on schoolwork I missed Monday and Tuesday. I've got the blog post topic all set up and at least started, but it's not done yet, and I don't have the time to finish it now.
Sorry for just about every inconvienence that's hit me in the past 2-3 weeks and I'll see you guys tomorrow.
~Red Mage |
Snake, stop Mailing the Fission
By TetsuoTrunks on 04.22.08 at 04:12 AM CST [permalink] |
Just a quick one tonight. The title's a tribute to a friend of mine. Yes Ian, I did mail the fission. But at least I mailed it on European Extreme. None of that baby 'Normal' crap for me, thank you very much.
Why do people keep underestimating the internet? I don't mean the intelligence level of the people who use it, I mean the internet as a whole. As a tool. As a means of complex communication between electronic devices across the globe. Or, more accurately, in terms of something IMPERFECT, that can and will fail if we test it enough.
Just a quick one tonight. The title's a tribute to a friend of mine. Yes Ian, I did mail the fission. But at least I mailed it on European Extreme. None of that baby 'Normal' crap for me, thank you very much.
Why do people keep underestimating the internet? I don't mean the intelligence level of the people who use it, I mean the internet as a whole. As a tool. As a means of complex communication between electronic devices across the globe. Or, more accurately, in terms of something IMPERFECT, that can and will fail if we test it enough.
Read more... |
Wii're hardcore?
By TetsuoTrunks on 04.18.08 at 10:05 PM CST [permalink] |
Its a bit of a shameless plug, but head on over to IGN when you guys get a chance. They've got an interview with High Voltage Software, a developer who thinks its about high time that Nintendo's little white box got some blood on its hands. To that end, they've begun development of "The Conduit" a title that looks to buck trend when it comes to Wii. The concept is simple enough, a 'futuristic FPS' which isn't anything special by itself. The Wii setup is perfect for FPS games (the aiming part anyway) and the 'futuristic' setting just allows for more creativity in the weapons themselves. But what really impressed me are the companies stated goals, which are two fold.
Also worth mentioning is that IGN has a video of High Voltage's "Quantum3" Engine. For most of us, it'll just be a bunch of terms flying around, some of which you may have heard of before, such as bump and normal mapping, dynamic lighting, etc. But you can see it running on what they claim is realtime Wii hardware. Its obviously not going to be on par with something like MGS4, but in all honesty, it really doesn't look too different than some early 360 titles (Kameo, for example). Granted, its a short demo, in a dark room of mostly stationary objects, but it runs smoothly and there is definite potential. The lighting effects in particular impressed me, emanating from lit torches and a swinging lanterns, covered in a pattern box that shows up wonderfully across the gothic room's ceiling. But lets look at the game, and not the tech demo.
Its a bit of a shameless plug, but head on over to IGN when you guys get a chance. They've got an interview with High Voltage Software, a developer who thinks its about high time that Nintendo's little white box got some blood on its hands. To that end, they've begun development of "The Conduit" a title that looks to buck trend when it comes to Wii. The concept is simple enough, a 'futuristic FPS' which isn't anything special by itself. The Wii setup is perfect for FPS games (the aiming part anyway) and the 'futuristic' setting just allows for more creativity in the weapons themselves. But what really impressed me are the companies stated goals, which are two fold.
Also worth mentioning is that IGN has a video of High Voltage's "Quantum3" Engine. For most of us, it'll just be a bunch of terms flying around, some of which you may have heard of before, such as bump and normal mapping, dynamic lighting, etc. But you can see it running on what they claim is realtime Wii hardware. Its obviously not going to be on par with something like MGS4, but in all honesty, it really doesn't look too different than some early 360 titles (Kameo, for example). Granted, its a short demo, in a dark room of mostly stationary objects, but it runs smoothly and there is definite potential. The lighting effects in particular impressed me, emanating from lit torches and a swinging lanterns, covered in a pattern box that shows up wonderfully across the gothic room's ceiling. But lets look at the game, and not the tech demo.
Read more... |
Importing new ways around a system
By iamaredmage on 04.17.08 at 02:55 AM CST [permalink] |
Ok, I'll be honest: I really enjoyed what I did last week. For those who might've figured it out, it's taken after Mark Kriegel's On The Mark articles, in which has 1-2 main parts, then several small bits, normally a line or 2. I really like how it layed out for me and my sense of humor, so unless I have a major article or not-so-happy segment, I plan to do these "Random Thoughts" from now on.
That said, on to today's segment.
Ok, I'll be honest: I really enjoyed what I did last week. For those who might've figured it out, it's taken after Mark Kriegel's On The Mark articles, in which has 1-2 main parts, then several small bits, normally a line or 2. I really like how it layed out for me and my sense of humor, so unless I have a major article or not-so-happy segment, I plan to do these "Random Thoughts" from now on.
That said, on to today's segment.
Read more... |
Gonna put a stop to this
By TetsuoTrunks on 04.16.08 at 04:51 AM CST [permalink] |
I'm a bit cranky today. So i've decided I'm going to list a few trends that I've never liked in the gaming industry. Things that feel sneaky, that were clearly just designed to make extra money, or something that has NO business being in gaming. So, here in no particular order, is my 'lets put a stop to this' list. And yes, this is just a 'let me complain about things' rant. If there was good news worth noting, I'd do just that. Since there isn't, this is all I have to work with.
I'm a bit cranky today. So i've decided I'm going to list a few trends that I've never liked in the gaming industry. Things that feel sneaky, that were clearly just designed to make extra money, or something that has NO business being in gaming. So, here in no particular order, is my 'lets put a stop to this' list. And yes, this is just a 'let me complain about things' rant. If there was good news worth noting, I'd do just that. Since there isn't, this is all I have to work with.
Read more... |
Under the Weather
By TetsuoTrunks on 04.15.08 at 03:13 AM CST [permalink] |
| Hey guys, nasty cold is knocking me out of commission for the evening. I was a zombie all through work today, and there's a chance I won't even go in tomorrow. One way or the other, I'll get the post up then though. |
A week of stress...relieve it by ranting
By iamaredmage on 04.11.08 at 10:22 PM CST [permalink] |
First off, I have to, once again, say sorry to everyone from appearing as if I dropped off the face of the earth this week. I've just been going under alot of stress, and nearly turning my computer into a George Foreman Grill didn't exactly help that stress.
Moving on, this is one of my longer articles, as I saw many things this week worth ranting about, the first being just about 10 minutes ago.
First off, I have to, once again, say sorry to everyone from appearing as if I dropped off the face of the earth this week. I've just been going under alot of stress, and nearly turning my computer into a George Foreman Grill didn't exactly help that stress.
Moving on, this is one of my longer articles, as I saw many things this week worth ranting about, the first being just about 10 minutes ago.
Read more... |
iPlayer on Wii - it's the thought that counts.
By CloudANDTidus on 04.09.08 at 08:05 PM CST [permalink] |
As you may have already heard, the BBC announced that the iPlayer video catch-up service (which streams many of their most popular shows from the last week of TV airings) was today made fully compatible with the Wii's Opera browser, following in the footsteps of many other gimmick websites that think people will use the Wii to browse anything other than YouTube. When I first heard this news I thought the BBC was really on to something. From experience with the PC version of the service, I have been pretty impressed by both the quality and speed of iPlayer videos and find it to be a great tool for catching up on missed episodes.
The implementation of iPlayer on Wii however, is less than impressive. In fact, the so called "optimisation" for Wii actually removes what I consider to be a key feature of iPlayer, or any streaming video player for that matter. As the above picture shows, the iPlayer on Wii loses the ability to display full screen, defeating a lot of the reasons I would ever want to use this service away from the PC.
As you may have already heard, the BBC announced that the iPlayer video catch-up service (which streams many of their most popular shows from the last week of TV airings) was today made fully compatible with the Wii's Opera browser, following in the footsteps of many other gimmick websites that think people will use the Wii to browse anything other than YouTube. When I first heard this news I thought the BBC was really on to something. From experience with the PC version of the service, I have been pretty impressed by both the quality and speed of iPlayer videos and find it to be a great tool for catching up on missed episodes.
The implementation of iPlayer on Wii however, is less than impressive. In fact, the so called "optimisation" for Wii actually removes what I consider to be a key feature of iPlayer, or any streaming video player for that matter. As the above picture shows, the iPlayer on Wii loses the ability to display full screen, defeating a lot of the reasons I would ever want to use this service away from the PC.
Read more... |
Gamer Identity
By TetsuoTrunks on 04.08.08 at 07:46 PM CST [permalink] |
I apologize for this being late. I've got no excuse this time, I just plain forgot to do a post until this morning. I was too busy tinkering around with Windows to remember to do a post.
Are you proud of being a gamer? Does self-identifying with this group of people bring you joy? Comfort? Shame? Are there people in your life from whom you keep this aspect of your personality? It seems silly and self-important to say that gaming contributes to an identity, but the truth is, any time you choose to identify in a group, it can be used to either build you up or knock you down.
I apologize for this being late. I've got no excuse this time, I just plain forgot to do a post until this morning. I was too busy tinkering around with Windows to remember to do a post.
Are you proud of being a gamer? Does self-identifying with this group of people bring you joy? Comfort? Shame? Are there people in your life from whom you keep this aspect of your personality? It seems silly and self-important to say that gaming contributes to an identity, but the truth is, any time you choose to identify in a group, it can be used to either build you up or knock you down.
Read more... |
Going back to go forward?
By TetsuoTrunks on 04.05.08 at 06:42 AM CST [permalink] |
Sorry, but the story isn't finished yet. Want it to be in perfect condition before I release the end. So, as a cop out, here's a blog post.
I was browsing through Youtube and I came across some OoT videos, and decided to check those out. After watching the EARLY trailers (Link with brown hair, anyone?), I came across something called OoT2D. Its a fan made project where someone took the Link to the Past graphics engine and made (or started to) the world and gaming of Ocarina of Time in it. So, its as if Ocarina was made for the SNES, same gameplay, but just toned down visuals. You simultaneously ask yourself two questions: Why would they do this? and Why the hell do I want to play this? Cause the thing is, I don't know about you, but I really would want to give it a shot.
Sorry, but the story isn't finished yet. Want it to be in perfect condition before I release the end. So, as a cop out, here's a blog post.
I was browsing through Youtube and I came across some OoT videos, and decided to check those out. After watching the EARLY trailers (Link with brown hair, anyone?), I came across something called OoT2D. Its a fan made project where someone took the Link to the Past graphics engine and made (or started to) the world and gaming of Ocarina of Time in it. So, its as if Ocarina was made for the SNES, same gameplay, but just toned down visuals. You simultaneously ask yourself two questions: Why would they do this? and Why the hell do I want to play this? Cause the thing is, I don't know about you, but I really would want to give it a shot.
Read more... |
The OV
By iamaredmage on 04.03.08 at 03:44 AM CST [permalink] |
So, I read this article today about a gamer, ignored by the cops, who went to his fellow gamers for help when his 360, Powerbook, and TV got stolen. Boy, did he get help. Not only did this band of gamers find the thief, they got everything you could think of: Online photos, his video on YouTube, and all of his contact information. Once the info was gathered, gamers, in bulk, pressured the crook into returning the stolen goods.
Seeing thieves get nailed (truth be told, the crook was an idiot for using 360 GamerTags to contact the gamer) is all well and good, and justice is served, but Ronnie Polaneczky made a good point in the article: Is mass online vigilantism good or bad for our society?
So, I read this article today about a gamer, ignored by the cops, who went to his fellow gamers for help when his 360, Powerbook, and TV got stolen. Boy, did he get help. Not only did this band of gamers find the thief, they got everything you could think of: Online photos, his video on YouTube, and all of his contact information. Once the info was gathered, gamers, in bulk, pressured the crook into returning the stolen goods.
Seeing thieves get nailed (truth be told, the crook was an idiot for using 360 GamerTags to contact the gamer) is all well and good, and justice is served, but Ronnie Polaneczky made a good point in the article: Is mass online vigilantism good or bad for our society?
Read more... |
Change of Plans
By TetsuoTrunks on 04.02.08 at 09:24 PM CST [permalink] |
I'm holding off on the end of my dramatic episode since I'd rather not upstage Nick. Suffice it to say 'I won', since the site was changed back as I planned.
In the meantime,check this out. |
RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE
By TetsuoTrunks on 04.01.08 at 11:03 PM CST [permalink] |
Hello, this is Doctor Phlavio Phega, first name Doctor, Middle name Phlavio, last name Phega, posting on behalf of Tetsuo. For the record, the full title of this blog post was actually Resident Evil: Radical Elephant: Round Egg: Really Ecdemic: Red Ecophobia: Rubbish Ectopia: Ruby Ego: Round Electrode: Rabbit Eleutheromania: Reality Explode: Rocking Enzyme: Regime Expunge: Radiomicrometer Experiment: Ryot Edition", but that didn't fit, so we shortened it to the title you see above. Now, I know what you're thinking, why the odd name? Well, my parents decided to name me "Doctor" in the hopes that I would become one. Instead, I became a drug abusing anarchist. Ironic, I know. Anyway, we're not here to discuss me or my habits involving monkeys and canned corn, I'm here posting because Tetsuo's off on a wild adventure and hasn't quite come back yet. However, he asked me to report his findings, so I'll do the best I can.
"So, like most of you, I too was confused by this so called 'Conform Day' that Joshie had. At first, I thought it was a silly rip off of Emergence Day, and that Joshie had secretly been working on a new game. But, when I asked him if he wanted me to transcribe my last Brawl match so he had something to masturbate to (a frequent ritual, sadly), he was absolute in turning me down, and only would repeat over and over 'Rope and Jam! Rope and Jam'. Clearly, his mind had been eaten, and with no one else being able to tell the difference, it was up to me to get it back. So, I set out to cross the Atlantic and rescue him. Unfortunately, my first stop was somewhere less than British.
Hello, this is Doctor Phlavio Phega, first name Doctor, Middle name Phlavio, last name Phega, posting on behalf of Tetsuo. For the record, the full title of this blog post was actually Resident Evil: Radical Elephant: Round Egg: Really Ecdemic: Red Ecophobia: Rubbish Ectopia: Ruby Ego: Round Electrode: Rabbit Eleutheromania: Reality Explode: Rocking Enzyme: Regime Expunge: Radiomicrometer Experiment: Ryot Edition", but that didn't fit, so we shortened it to the title you see above. Now, I know what you're thinking, why the odd name? Well, my parents decided to name me "Doctor" in the hopes that I would become one. Instead, I became a drug abusing anarchist. Ironic, I know. Anyway, we're not here to discuss me or my habits involving monkeys and canned corn, I'm here posting because Tetsuo's off on a wild adventure and hasn't quite come back yet. However, he asked me to report his findings, so I'll do the best I can.
"So, like most of you, I too was confused by this so called 'Conform Day' that Joshie had. At first, I thought it was a silly rip off of Emergence Day, and that Joshie had secretly been working on a new game. But, when I asked him if he wanted me to transcribe my last Brawl match so he had something to masturbate to (a frequent ritual, sadly), he was absolute in turning me down, and only would repeat over and over 'Rope and Jam! Rope and Jam'. Clearly, his mind had been eaten, and with no one else being able to tell the difference, it was up to me to get it back. So, I set out to cross the Atlantic and rescue him. Unfortunately, my first stop was somewhere less than British.
Read more... |
The flying monkeys have gotten me!
By TetsuoTrunks on 04.01.08 at 04:48 AM CST [permalink] |
Ok....I'm on a secret mission to save Fantasy World...I can't tell you about it all now, but check back tomorrow, as I've had my assistant, Dr. Phlavio Phega corresponding with me, and he'll be uploading my story. Dr. Phega was also responsible for assisting me with last Friday's update. Until then, I'm under deep cover, and be in touch once...oh crap! They found me!
....."I hear it's amazing when the famous purple stuffed worm in flap-jaw space with the tuning fork does a raw blink on Hara-kiri rock. I need scissors! 61!" |
