Trailer Mashup: Star Wars - The Old Republic

Via gamebanshee.com comes this mashup of the three cinematic trailers for the upcoming Bioware MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Bioware is touting its entry into the MMO arena as one that doesn't sacrifice story in favor of grinding, looting, raiding, and levelling up. A good story has historically been very difficult to pull off in an MMO setting precisely because of the nature of MMO's. Persistent worlds require exactly that: persistence. However, persistence also makes telling a good story very, very difficult, as any good story always requires great change either personally for individual characters, or for the world as a whole, and oftentimes requires both.

Whether or not Bioware will be able to pull off a successful story through its next venture is yet to be seen, though the features they've implemented so far to support this claim do sound promising: voiced characters, dialogue choices, and multiple ways to resolve quests (light side or dark side).

Visit The Old Republic's website for more information or to catch the original three cinematic trailers, developed and animated by Blur studios. All three of them beat the prequel movies hands down.

What to Watch Out For: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2

Voldemort ponders how best to start eating Harry's face off.

Via traileraddict.com comes the final trailer for the second part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. An epic journey spanning 7 years of Hogwarts time and almost 10 years of real life time culminates in what appears to be a frenetic and action-packed finale July 15 2011.

Think about this - the first Harry Potter movie came out in late 2001.

Boy, I feel old.

Mass Effect 3 Going Mass-Effectedly Multiplayer? [Update 6-17-2011]

[UPDATE 6-17-2011]

Eurogamer reports that Bioware co-founder Ray Muzyka has confirmed Mass Effect 3 will not be the end of the franchise. "This is not the end of the Mass Effect franchise by any means," he affirms.

"We have more things planned. We're laser-focused on making sure Mass Effect 3 is awesome and epic and intense on a galactic scale, and we want to provide a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy ... But also it's a beginning on a brand new adventure," Muzyka continued. "The galaxy is at war. It's a beginning as well as a conclusion."

Not totally unexpected, given the wild success Mass Effect has showered upon Bioware and EA. I wonder what will come next though, after ME3 has been finished. Mass Effect Wars? Mass Effect Online (shudder)?

See the original story below:

Review - Child of Eden

Overview:

Developed by Q Entertainment and published by Ubisoft, Child of Eden is a first person shooter. But it's also a game unlike almost every other first person shooter out there. Dazzling visual and audio effects, brilliant level design, smooth controls, and a catchy technopop soundtrack form a solidarity with which Child of Eden rises to greatness.

Story:

If you haven't heard of Child of Eden, the game is essentially an on-the-rails first person shooter. The story is set in a distant yet near future, where space travel has been accomplished and the internet is referred to as "Eden." The first child to be born in space, Lumi, is saved into Eden's archives. Centuries later, scientists attempt to recreate Lumi from her record in Eden; to their dismay, Eden becomes corrupted (by futuristic spyware ads?). As the player, you are tasked with purifying Eden of this viral intrusion and saving the new Lumi from being destroyed.

Review - Green Lantern (2011)

WARNING: Minor Spoilers Follow

So ... lucky me, I have a friend who works at WB, and she graciously invited me to attend an early screening of Green Lantern. If you're like me and have been cautiously scanning rottentomatoes.com for early reviews, you'll know it hasn't exactly been impressing people as the best comic book movie adaptation. The general consensus is that it's quote "noisy, overly produced, and thinly written, squandering an impressive budget and decades of comics mythology."

I don't agree.

Yes, the background is laid on a bit thick; the opening narration bombards you with exposition meant to quickly catch non-comic book fans up to the setting. Sure, the story is befuddling at some points. There were 2 or 3 moments in the plot where I thought flat-out "this does not make sense." No, I can't deny that some of the characterization is a little weak and some of the plots are a bit derivative. Hal Jordan (played by Ryan Reynolds), for example, doesn't seem to know if he wants to be a wisecracking jackass or a soldier of honor and duty, fluctuating between the two just a little too quickly to be believable.



But who are we kidding? You're not going to a movie about a man who can create "hardlight" green energy with an alien ring for a thoughtful plot and deep characters. Green Lantern doesn't try to be anything other than what it is: a fun, action-packed and exciting adventure. And for the most part it succeeds.

Green Lantern is the story of Hal Jordan, a jet pilot whose prone to giving up for fear of failing (sorry, had to do it). When an alien spacecraft crashes onto earth and its occupant informs him that he has been chosen to be part of what is essentially an intergalactic police force, Hal rolls with the punches and joins up quickly. What he soon learns is that the personification of Fear, named Parallax, has escaped from its ancient prison and now threatens the universe. What follows is Hal's journey to discover the strength inside himself to overcome Fear, and save the cosmos.

Yes, it's corny. Yes it's sometimes hard to swallow. No, it's not completely faithful to the comic book origins. But is it fun to watch? Fosho.

Ryan Reynolds serves as a capable Hal Jordan. Mark Strong is absolutely what I envisioned Sinestro to look like in real life. I couldn't shake Blake Lively from her role on Gossip Girl though. Isn't she in high school? Why is she romantically involved with a 30+ year old Hal? Squick factor level increased.


I'll admit the plot is essentially a thin narrative device for us to see the action, but I have to say the action was pretty spectacular. As a Green Lantern, Hal Jordan is able to conjure up emerald energy into whatever shape or form he wishes, limited only by his imagination. He does so with spectacular bravado in the film, conjuring swords, machine guns, fighter jets, race cars and energy balls, all to different - but useful - effect. The visual and special effects are breathtaking; Oa, in particular, is a vibrant world rendered beautifully - simultaneous alien and still entrancing. Parallax is similarly animated.

I suspect had the film been released before Thor and X-Men: First Class, it might have garnered more forgiving reviews. I can't deny that Green Lantern doesn't quite capture the human and emotional aspect of cinematography as well as the two Marvel Comics blockbusters did earlier this year. Still, for what it was trying to be - a light-hearted action adventure sprinkled with just the right amount of humor - Green Lantern does a fine job.


Finally, I'll go ahead and admit right now that I may have gone into the screening with very low expectations. Do yourself a favor and do the same. Don't go in expecting the next entry in a deep, emotional film filled with social and political commentary. Go in expecting an easy-to-watch action-flick and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Recommended For:
+ Green Lantern Fans open to a few mythology changes
+ People who don't mind suspending disbelief
+ Like Stunning CG and Visual Effects? Watch it just for that.
+ Scifi/Fantasy Action Adventure Fans
+ Ryan Reynolds. Blake Lively. Need I say more?

Not Recommended For:
- Green Lantern Loyalists
- People expecting X-men: Second Class or for lord knows why, Schindler's List 2
- People who don't like Scifi, fantasy, comic books, or action movies - what are you even doing here?
- People without suspension. Suspension of disbelief, that is.
- Ryan Reynolds. Blake Lively. Need I say more?

Movie-goers be warned. The screening I attended was for 3D, but I hardly noticed any 3D effects at all. Save yourself a few dollars and go to a regular showing.


Green Lantern Feature Trailer From Trailerpulse

Some People Still Read - Dragon Age: Asunder

Yes, some people still read. Me included (though not as much as I probably should). Sometimes sitting back with a good novel can be more thrilling than watching a movie or playing a game; there's the advantage of being able to see into a character's mind instead of merely watching him do things on screen.

Dragon Age: Asunder is the third book in a series of novels set in Thedas (which btw, stands for The Dragon Age Setting). Yes, Bioware's David Gaider has been tapped to write a third entry in a series of Dragon Age novels. The previous two stories centered on the character of Maric, son of a Ferelden Queen who rebelled against an occupying Orlesian force. In the first title, DA: The Stolen Throne, Maric undergoes trials and tribulations to reclaim his home from the invaders. In DA: The Calling, Maric is given a taste of the Darkspawn threat, and is called upon by the famed Grey Wardens to help track down one of their own, a Grey Warden that has seemingly betrayed his duty.


If you didn't play Dragon Age and have no idea what I'm talking about, then these books are probably not for you. If you did play Dragon Age and are itching to find out just a little bit more about the stunning lore that Bioware has put together for their fantasy franchise, I definitely would recommend that you buy or borrow these books from your local library. The first two novels were set before the events of Dragon Age: Origins and provide an interesting perspective and backstory on some of the events that occur in the game. David Gaider (Lead Writer for Bioware on all the Dragon Age games) weaves an interesting and compelling plot in both stories and while they might not be as intricately woven or designed as "A Game of Thrones," they do a great job of quenching any thirst for fantasy literature you might have.


The plot of Dragon Age:Asunder will detail the separation of the Templar Order from the Chantry, and references events that occur in Dragon Age 2. According to Mr. Gaider, it's best if you play the game first, if you plan to play it at all, as there may be spoilers in the novel. According to a press release issued by Bioware, the story will center on an Orlesian Mage named Rhys, who is accused of various murders within the so-called "heart of Templar Power" within Orlais. If you played Dragon Age 2, you know that the mages and templars of the world do not exactly get along. I won't say much more for fear of spoiling anything, but if you want to know more, I've embedded a video interview with David Gaider (courtesy of Bioware Pulse), where he discusses this upcoming novel. He also shares a bit of advice for aspiring writers and game developers - but don't listen to that; I have enough competition as it is.

;)

You can purchase The Stolen Throne and The Calling via Amazon (Kindle editions available).

Watch live streaming video from biowaretv at livestream.com

What to Watch Out For: Kingdoms of Amalur - Reckoning

E3 has been abuzz with this eye-catching new title from Big Huge Games with storyworld designed by R.A. Salvatore. If you read or watch any of the previews of the game, it seems as if BHG is trying to combine the real time action combat of Fable with the open world and character development system of the Elder Scrolls series. We haven't been treated to much of the story yet, though we do know you'll be able to customize a character from a variety of races. You begin the game having just been resurrected from death with your memory wiped clean; one of the goals you'll pursue besides monster-slaying is finding out who killed you and why.

So far the story doesn't seem to be taking too many risks. The open-ended character development system and the action combat seem very promising though; You're never locked into one "class," but rather choose various talents and specialities as you level up, mixing and matching as you please. Warrior-Mage and Rogue-Mage Hybrids seem to be the popular choice among the video demos seen at E3.

I'm just looking forward to dual-wielding chakrams. Any game that lets you channel your inner Xena gets a plus in my book (See them in action at about 0:34 below, courtesy of gametrailers.com).

Tags: GameTrailers.com, Future Visions Trailer, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

See the E3 Debut Trailer below. Kingdoms of Amalur - Reckoning is slated for a Q1 2012 release.


Kingdoms Of Amalur: Debut Trailer - Watch more Game Trailers

First Impressions - Child of Eden (XBOX 360 with Kinect)

A first person shooter that makes your hands the weapons? Plus, dazzling visuals, a technopop soundtrack that's as addictive as it is catchy, and just a wonderful level of polish and and style.


Let's just say this game shows a lot of promise. Can you really blame me for being attracted to shiny pretty things?


Child of Eden is available today, June 14, 2011, on XBOX360 and supports the Kinect platform addition for motion sensing. PS3 owners can expect their versioN (compatible with Move) sometime in September of this year.

Review - Dragon Age 2 (DA2)

Overview:

It is perhaps impossible to review Dragon Age 2 without making comparisons to its predecessor. Dragon Age: Origins was a stunning achievement in late 2009, winning multiple game of the year awards and lauded as one of the best RPGs of the generation. Considering the daunting tasks that the game had to achieve and how well it succeeded - creating an immersive setting, establishing a fun and tactical gameplay system, and building a strong fanbase for future games to capitalize on - it's no wonder that the game took 5 years for the RPG veteran Bioware to complete.

Comparatively, Dragon Age 2 was released in March of 2011, less than 1.5 years from the release of the original in November of 2009.

That was probably the first clue that something was wrong.

Admittedly, a large part of the effort that went into making Dragon Age: Origins was completed with the first entry in the series: establishment of lore being the main part. Still, 1.5 years is a short turnaround for an epic RPG series, and I was worried that the brief development time might impact the quality of the sequel.

I was right to be worried.

Story:

Dragon Age 2 throws you back into the immersive and wonderfully-crafted world of Thedas, a world where perhaps only 1.5 years ago you were playing a Grey Warden fighting a seeming hopeless war against the Blight. While your warden's adventures took place mostly in the nation of Ferelden, Dragon Age 2 focuses on your character's life in Kirkwall, a coastal city to the north of the blight-stricken Ferelden. This time around, you're forced to play a human (gender and class selectable) named Hawke, and the story largely follows your escapades in becoming a champion of the city.


The overall plot of the game is told through a framed narrative: An NPC named Varric recounts your tale to an enigmatic Seeker trying to uncover how exactly Hawke rose to power in Kirkwall. The gimmick is an interesting one, though it's employed too sparsely to have any meaningful impact; essentially, the game is divided into three major acts and a brief prelude over a 10-year period, with Varric narrating the intermissions between each act. In a 40-50 hour game, the plot device seems tacked on at best, though it does boast excellent voicework and some good humor.

The individual acts succeed (for the most part) on their own storytelling merits, with some throwbacks to your previous decisions (and if you import a DAO save, your Warden's decisions in the first game). Where the story falls apart is trying to tie those loose threads together: Dragon Age 2 doesn't have the same epic feel that Origins so proudly bore; years pass between each act and it's difficult to see how exactly the pieces of the story fit together, largely because they don't. The end result is like playing through a disjointed sequence of events, rather than a tightly constructed tale. While the tale of Hawke's rise to power is still an interesting one, you realize Hawke rises to Champion not because you saved the city or amassed a fortune: Varric simply tells you it happened during the 3 year time jump.


Gameplay:

When Varric's not telling your story, you take control of Hawke and - depending on your class - maul, backstab, or blast your way through the multiple main and side quests. The core of the gameplay is combat, and here the sequel really shines. While DAO's combat was exciting, it also had a very plodding, almost lazy feel to it. When I watched Alistair slash enemies, he did so with such methodical slowness that it felt almost as if he was trying to move through molasses.

Dragon Age 2 has sped up combat significantly, and it really feels much more fast-paced and alive than its predecessor did. Combat animations are flashy and impressive, and no longer do enemies and allies suffer from "shuffling" syndrome - combat abilities are executed immediately and with ferocious intensity. The introduction of "cross-class combos" also adds a distinctive tactical flare to the game, and a critical element to take advantage of on the harder difficulties. All classes are able to use certain abilities that inflict various status effects on enemies, opening them up to receive further punishment from your allies. Pulling off a cross-class combo is deliciously satisfying, and this feature combined with all the other changes really improve the overall flavor of combat.


Leveling up is a fun experience too. Gone are the single-line of talent points from the first game: instead, players now use a tiered and chained set of talent trees. Various selections unlock new abilities and players can also choose to improve their existing abilities rather than to diversify. The improvements are significant, so no talent point feels like it's been wasted. By the end of the game, Hawke truly is a formidable master of his craft with dozens of spells and fighting talents at his disposal. The one questionable change from the original game is the removal of skills. Previously, skills such as persuasion and pickpocketing could be improved with each levelup: these skills have all vanished, for no apparent reason. Overall though, the game remains a lot of fun to play.

That said, there are a few changes from the original series that are baffling: first, the overuse of exploding enemies. Enemies vaporize into chunks of blood and gore at the mildest of whacks, smacks and tiffs, and it definitely removes the sense of gritty realness from a game that otherwise is deeply immersive (this has been remedied in a recent patch, to my knowledge). Second, and perhaps more glaring is the removal of the tactical camera present in the PC version of Dragon Age Origins. DAO's tactical camera on the PC version of the game was really a godsend, enabling players to get a wide view of the action and plan their battles accordingly. The removal of that camera is an inexplicable loss.


If only those changes were the only ones to mar Dragon Age 2's otherwise polish. Unfortunately, the short turnaround cycle shows very early on exactly the toll it took on DA2's presentation. First, the encounters - while the first Dragon Age was filled with hordes of evil monsters and darkspawn trying to devour your party, each encounter was carefully crafted and allowed room for tactics to make a difference. Dragon Age 2, unfortunately, relies on what has become infamous as the "wave" mechanic. You first encounter one wave of enemies and engage them; just as you defeat the last one, you realize that literally out of nowhere, new enemies have fallen from the sky or popped out from the earth to swarm you once again. Just as you think you're done mopping up the last of these, a third wave hits you. Mind you, these aren't flying birds or burrowing worms that are attacking you - bandits, undead, darkspawn, and even guards appear out of nowhere to ruin your careful positioning and artificially increase the difficulty of the battles. The result is always a battle of attrition, and a test to see which side can keep their health bars going the longest. Dragon Age 2 employs this tactic for almost every fight in the game. No, I'm not exaggerating; it almost ruins the fun from the new combat flow.

I suppose that the wave-system of enemy encounters might be chalked up to a poor design decision, and in no way related to the constrained time frame between game releases, but there can be no question about my next issue with DA2's design. Recycled Areas. Forums are ablaze with people lamenting Bioware's decision to reuse areas for quests that are supposed to represent different locales. The first Mass Effect also suffered from this problem, but it was a minor nuisance in that game at best: it only really impacted the smallest of sidequests in that game. In Dragon Age 2, the recycled areas cover not only sidequests, but main-plots as well. Every single cave, dungeon, sewer, or estate is literally an exact copy of the one before it. The effect is totally immersion-breaking and an unbelievable misstep for a developer that is lauded for its storytelling skill. Setting is an important part of storytelling; if the setting never changes on the screen, your story will suffer.


When you're not tackling the main quests or being assaulted by endless waves of enemies, Hawke can also pursue (in standard Bioware form) romances among the many companions he'll get to know along his journey. Gay and Straight options are both available, and there's even an option that is doomed (*cough* Aveline *cough). For the most part, these romances are deep, engaging, and have that poignant quality that makes you go "Aww" despite the fact that you're staring at fictional characters animated through lines of code.

Side quests litter the games multiple acts with various degrees of quality, though most are forgettable fetch and deliver quests. Interestingly enough, Bioware actually streamlined the fetch and deliver system so that you don't even need to be asked to find something anymore. Side Quest items are automatically marked for you and Hawke is magically able to identify trash without any knowledge of its significance or its owner. It's somewhat amusing to hear Hawke muse "I hear you've been looking for this," and then hand over random junk to an NPC he's never spoken to and has no connection with.

I suppose it does cut down on the backtracking though.

Graphics & Sound:

Dragon Age 2 features revamped art style, in an effort to distinguish the franchise from more generic fantasy tropes. For the most part, these art style changes have been a hit or miss. The race of Qunari, for example, have absolutely been improved from the original game, where they looked essentially human. Now, they have their own, unique look that easily identifies both the race as well as the Dragon Age game. Darkspawn, on the other hand, seem to have been dumbed down from the horrifying terrors they were in Origins to albino zombies.


From a technical standpoint, Dragon Age 2 serves competently (though it can't compete with games like the Witcher 2). On my average rig, I experienced no major bugs or glitches, and animations and models were done superbly. The environs were adequate, though they quickly became stale, especially with the recycling of maps mentioned previously.


DA2's voice work continues Bioware's tradition of excellent acting and cinematic storytelling. Every character and line was delivered with skill, and I really liked the way Hawke's tone would change based on your play style - Diplomatic Hawke was definitely different from Aggressive Hawke. Other characters are competently voiced as well, and the actor who plays Varric - as both the narrator and comic relief - does an excellent job.

Inon Zur returns to score the sequel to DA Origins and his soundtrack features more memorable tunes that are interesting in their composition and just fun to listen to. Several romantic scores wiggle their way into an otherwise combat-heavy musical experience.

Final Thoughts:

I can't help but feel Dragon Age 2 could have been so much more. Some of the design decisions are hard to question. If more time were spent developing new areas instead of redesigning the art style for one. Or if more time was spent implementing unique encounters rather than dumping loads of forgettable side quests onto the player. Hindsight is 20/20, I guess.

It's interesting to see Metacritic's score for the game - professional reviewers average out around 80 while user reviews average at 45 (PC version). Is there some sort of professional conspiracy happening? Not really - Dragon Age 2 by itself is really a good game. It's just that in comparison to the glow of its predecessor, good just doesn't cut it.



Recommended For:
+ Fans of Dragon Age willing to be open-minded about some of the more obtuse design choices.
+ Fans of RPGs
+ Gamers who Don't mind Deja Vu (Recycled Maps, Forgetabble Side quests)
+ Fans of Bioware Storytelling
+ Gay Romance Points

Not Recommended For:
- Dragon Age Loyalists
- Baldur's Gate Loyalists
- People who think other people talk too much
- Homophobes

*This game was reviewed on the PC. Dragon Age 2 is also available on Mac, XBOX360 and the PS3.

Review - The Witcher 2 (TW2)

It's been four years since the first Witcher game opened to warm reception in 2007. The PC exclusive action-RPG featured a new combat style, deeply evolving and open-ended paths, and a powerful protagonist with some brutal decisions to make.

Overview:

The Witcher 2 has proven CDProjekt as a powerhouse developer in the RPG arena. This fledgling developer has improved upon the original Witcher in almost every way possible, bringing us a climactic and thrilling adventure that both action and RPG fans alike will appreciate.

Gameplay:

Geralt returns in the Witcher 2 to a world rife with political intrigue and itching for some tumultous revolutions. As he explores the world around him, Geralt will often be required to employ deadly attacks and flashy manuevers that are nothing short of awesome. Geralt's two swords also make a welcome return: for newcomers, our badass protagonist uses a steel sword against human enemies, and a silver sword against the supernatural critters he inevitably runs across. Both swords as well as Geralt's armor are upgradable by applying runes and armor enhancements. Further, CD Projekt has added the option to craft almost all of Geralt's equipment.


Leveling up is a fun affair, requiring you to be out of combat and enter into a coolly-animated meditation. Upon level up, Geralt can put points into one of three specializations: physical combat, magic, or alchemy. The game encourages you to specialize, as it's impossible to achieve the maximum level of proficiency in all three specializations. Each point is spent on either a new ability, or an upgrade to an existing ability - none of the points ever feel wasted. Each levelup provides a dramatic increase in Geralt's fighting capacity, and it's a satisfying system overall.

One of the first things you'll notice when playing the Witcher 2 is its new combat system. TW2 has forgone the quirky system of timed button presses of the original game in favor of a more standard light & heavy-combo based combat. On a XBOX360/PC Compatible gamepad, the x button produces a light and quick attack, while the Y button causes Geralt to swing wide and heavy. The buttons can be sequenced together to form devastating chains of flourishes and ripostes that are both fun to watch and punishing to Geralt's victim.

Apart from physical sword slashes, Geralt is also armed with a series of awesome spells. None of them are over the top, but all can end up being pretty deadly. I opted to go through the magic route, which included the always-fun ability to blast enemies with telekinetic energy, often resulting in bodies flying off cliffs and walls, all to a very gravitational death. Geralt is also equipped with spells that absorb damage, fireballs that can be upgraded to do more damage and affect more enemies, a spell that ensnares enemies when they cross its boundaries, and a Jedi mind trick that forces the many mobs you encounter to attack each other.

Fans of the first game may also remember that alchemy played an important role: Geralt could craft potions that would augment his strength, grant him a night-vision, or close up his wounds. Alchemy returns in TW2, though this time can only be used out of combat (more on this in a bit). Minigames including dice, boxing, and arm-wrestling also make a return, which make for a fun diversion in the midst of all the hack and slash.


Overall the gameplay is highly improved over the original, lending itself to a far more visceral and action-packed feel than the somewhat awkward design of the original. There are a few minor hiccups in this presentation however. First, while leveling up eventually results in Geralt becoming an unstoppable juggernaut of raw power, the first few levels are punishingly difficult. Multiple standard fights forced me to load a saved game as Geralt was often overwhelmed by sheer numbers. This wasn't helped by the fact that some abilities (such as the ability to block, dodge effectively or attack multiple enemies at once) didn't come until later in the game.

Further, while the original Witcher allowed you to use potions during battle, TW2 does not allow you to do so. Logically speaking, it makes sense that Geralt wouldn't be able to search his pack and quaff a potion on the fly; however, the potion durations are short and when playing through the game for the first time, this gimick almost forces the player to guess when boss battles are going to come. This is especially frustrating in the first half of the game, when boss battles are so difficult, potions literally could be the difference between victory and a painful reload. Some boss battles also rely too much on quicktime gimicks to up the challenge. Limited onscreen instructions also make a certain boss battle more frustrating than fun.


The targetting system is unreliable at best: if you don't manually lock onto an opponent, the game will often send you spiralling into a horde of enemies when you only intended to attack someone on the fringes. Needless to say, getting Geralt surrounded at all sides is not a good idea if you want to survive, at least during Geralt's first few levels.

Surprisingly, this insane challenge level does not translate well throughout the game. You reach a sweet spot just before about halfway through the plot where the challenge level is just right; after that, Geralt becomes so powerful that you wonder why the first half of the game spent so much time training you to play so cautiously. Certain spells when upgraded become overwhelming, to the point where Geralt could literally walk into a dozen enemies barehanded and still survive health fully intact.


Even with these problems, however, the Witcher 2's gameplay is still somehow addictive - the action is intense and satisfying, and there's nothing more fun than slaying a whole horde of enemies with all the tools you have at Geralt's disposal.

Graphics & Sound:

The Witcher 2 is absolutely stunning in its visual design, detail, and effects. Every aspect of the game is animated smoothly and crisply, from light sources and shadows to Geralt's hair and clothing. It's easy to tell there was an amazing effort put into the visual presentation of TW2. Facial expressions and combat animations and flourishes alike are pleasing to the eye. You'll need a top-rate PC to run the Witcher 2 at its highest settings, but even with most options set to medium the Witcher 2 is gorgeous (outstripping Dragon Age 2 easily).

The game also boasts a stirring and epic soundtrack, filled with just the right sweeping melodies and scores. The voice-acting is for the most part competent. Geralt's voice actor does a great job selling the rough and battle-hardened warrior that the character is. Various other characters are also masterfully voiced, including all the beautiful sorceresses of the realm. A few lines do end up sounding a bit forced, but those are few and far between.

Story:

The Witcher 2 continues the tale from the original game, still following Geralt's adventures protecting kings, tracking down assassins, parlaying with an elven rebellion, and dealing with the numerous sorceresses of the land. Geralt's travels takes him across the realm inspired by polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. As he undertakes quests from these kings and witches, Geralt also begins to slowly unravel the mystery of how he lost his memory and the fate of the woman Yennifer, to whom Geralt seems to have some past relationship with.


Along the way, Geralt also has the option to pursue various sidequests and romances. Rather than the lewd playing cards the player earned from the first Witcher, CD Projekt decided to animate several cutscenes for those occasions when Geralt managed to woo a member of the fairer sex (sorry gay friends - there is sadly no gay option available). Some of them are pure fanservice, although a few are quite tastefully done. Then again - it is just polygons moving on a screen.

All in all, the story does not break too much new ground, but its execution is simply superb. The intricacies of a multiple-nation peace treaty are brought to the foreground with multiple sides all pulling at the strings, and Geralt has to decide how best to resolve the situation. Further, the Witcher 2 allows players to greatly impact the narrative of the game, just as the original Witcher did. Certain decisions Geralt makes irrevocably changes the plot, and these decisions are apparent both in the immediate future, as well as the long term. Multiple branching paths lead to several different endings, and offers the opportunity for multiple playthroughs.


Final Thoughts:

The Witcher 2 is an absolute must-have for any RPG fan. A few minor hiccups do not detract from what is otherwise a masterful piece of video entertainment and I can not recommend this game more. It will not disappoint.

Recommended For:
+ Fans of the Witcher
+ Fans of action RPGs with meaningful character development
+ Fans of intricate plots with multiple branching paths based on your decisions
+ PC Gamers who don't mind being a little lonely (PC Single player Only)

Not Recommended For:
- MMO'ers need not apply
- Gamers who get frustrated easily - the first few hours of the game are pretty brutal
- Console Gamers (XBOX360 Players might get a port soon, Nothing mentioned for PS3)

Review System Change

Although I haven't reviewed anything in a long while, I have decided to change my reviewing system. I previously used a 1-10 scale, where the belltower curved at 7.0 out of 10. I then changed to a 5 point scale, where an average game would get a 3. I have decided - after 3 years of not reviewing anything - that neither of these review systems are any good.

I know it's the practice of most game-reviewing websites to give games a numeric score, ostensibly to provide an easy way for gamers to compare the quality of games. However, after reading countless reviews of this sort, I've come to the conclusion that number and numeric scales are incapable of fully presenting the game in a fair and objective light. Numeric scores are skewed to be similar to educational grades, and the point value difference between different reviews are at best subjective and at worst arbitrary. Reviewers who are not a fan of a particular genre may score a game lower than what it might deserve. Conversely, a fan of RPGs might tend to give higher scores on roleplaying games, simply because he prefers that type of game.

Videogames have, over the last decade or so, proven themselves more and more worthy of being called "art." No more are they simple mediums for mindless entertainment. Videogames now have the capacity to express ideas, to tell new stories, to make the gamer think. Of course, not all games do this, but I believe a significant number of them do. Critics don't go around assigning numeric values to Rembrandt or Picasso, and neither will I assign numbers to games. Instead, I will highlight particularly noteworthy (good and bad) aspects of the game. Instead of a final score, I will be listing groups of people that I believe I can recommend the game to.

Art is in the eye of the beholder. So are videogames. That's also why I will never review a game from a genre that I have no interest in (Madden? NBA2kXX? Barf.) A critic who hates modern art has no business critiquing modern art. I firmly believe that.

And yes, this does mean I will be tryin to review more games soon. Expect Dragon Age 2, The Witcher 2, Outland. I'm still deciding whether to even try to touch the backlog (Dragon Age Origins, Mass Effect 1 & 2, Final Fantasy XIII).

What to Watch Out For: Best and the Brightest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22vWC57k38w

Upcoming movie boasting a promising cast including personal favorites of Neil Patrick Harris, Kate Mulgrew, and Bridget Regan (which only makes me wish Legend of the Seeker was still on).

Reblogging

I have more time on my hands now =).

New shows to watch in 2011:

1. Law & Order: Los Angeles

It launched with the rest of the regular tv lineup, but after airing a few episodes, the show went under heavy retooling. Half the cast was cut (one of them in a graphic way on the show), and the setup of the characters was changed. The revamped version is better, I would say on par with the recently ended original Law & Order. It helps that Alana de la Garza has joined the cast, though her character's transfer from New York to LA is not explained.

Alfred Molina makes a great District Attorney-turned-Detective, and Terrence Howard makes for a capable DA (though his recent appearance on SVU did not do his character any favors in terms of getting an audience to like him). The show follows the typical Law & Order format, with a cold open - usually where someone gets killed - followed by the detectives' investigation and eventually the DA's prosecution of the criminal. Not quite as good as SVU, but only because I haven't had the chance to really connect with the main characters, given the shows casting changes and limited episode run.

It remains to be seen whether NBC will pick up this series for a second season. I'm going to throw my hat in with the people who hopes that the network does.

2. Happy Endings


Sadly, everytime I mention this show's title, my roommate snickers with unadulterated glee. Fie upon you roommate!

In the vein of How I Met Your Mother, and a slew of new sitcoms that have made their way into the 2010-2011 broadcast season, Happy Endings brings us into the lives of six late-twenty somethings: a couple, an ex-couple, and two wacky single people , all of whom are friends.

As of today, four episodes have been broadcast, and I have been pleasantly surprised with both the comedy, the character development, and how quickly I have grown attached to the characters in this show. Comparisons will doubtlessly be made to the countless number of sitcoms that have saturated TV these days, and admittedly Happy Endings doesn't breach much new ground in terms of comedy (although it does feature an interracial couple and an openly gay man in the main cast).

Still, I would say this show errs more on the side of "Friends" than it does "Joey." And that's definitely a plus. The series hasn't been confirmed for a second season yet, though I certainly hope it will be.

3. Game of Thrones

The television adaptation of the thrilling book series "A Song of Ice & Fire" by George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones airs on HBO and attempts to bring to life the first book (of the same name). As of 4/25/2011, two episodes have aired. The series boasts stunning production values and a wonderful cast (of which there are literally dozens of actors), each of whom has stepped into their roles admirably. Particular props go to the young actress who plays Arya, with just the right amount of spunk and daring that made her chapters so fond to read.

The story is set in the fictional setting of Westeros, a land whose seasons last for indefinite periods of time, and war is a common thing. Events prior to the series have seen the continent of Westeros united under the rule of Robert Baratheon, but that is about to change. As the motto of the series goes: When you play the Game of Thrones, you either win or you die.

After the airing of the first episode, HBO has already picked Game of Thrones up for a second season. I'll see if I can manage a full review once the first season's 10-episode run is complete.

Review - Neverwinter Nights 2

Neverwinter Nights 2 is the second game to be developed by Obsidian Entertainment, a group with a highly reputable flair for roleplaying games. Much like Knights of the Old Republic 2 (Obsidian's first game), Neverwinter Nights 2 is a sequel to a highly successful Bioware game of the same name (you know, without the 2 after it). For the most part, Obsidian does a good job of making a game that lives up to its predecessor's caliber, but technical issues and a confusing story blemish what could have been a spectacular roleplaying experience.

If you've played the original Neverwinter Nights, everything should be pretty familiar here. The game is based on Dungeons and Dragons' 3.5 edition, which incorporates some new rules or whatnot. What matters is the game makes the pen and paper dynamic transition smoothly into a semi-realtime computer game. Neverwinter Nights 2 features updated graphics, updated party and influence system, and an all new epic tale with which you use as an excuse to get super powerful and beat everybody else up. Oh, and don't forget the roleplaying. Every choice you make has consequences.

Gameplay - 4/5

For the most part, Neverwinter Nights 2 was great fun to play. If you're at all familiar with the Dungeons and Dragons system, it's pretty much fully implemented in all its glory here. Choose a gender, race, and class to start off with from over a dozen possibilities for each option (except gender, that would just be weird). Gain levels by completing quests and defeating monsters, and once you're powerful enough, new prestige classes open up to you. Find and purchase powerful equipment, blast down your foes with powerful spells, learn specialized feats that give you new fighting tricks...just about everything a good RPG needs is here.


NWN2 seamlessly transitions the pen and paper rules to the computer screen, much as the original did. Combat is in semi-realtime as the computer rolls hidden dice behind the screen to determine your success and failure in everything from basic attacks to the success of your spells. While this might sound dull, it ends up being a pretty exciting experience, especially once you hit the later levels when you get 3+ attacks every six seconds or five enemies are swarming on your position just as you get off that defensive spell.

Graphics & Sound - 3.5/5


Here's where things start to disappoint a little. Neverwinter Nights wasn't known for its revolutionary graphics, and neither will Neverwinter Nights 2 be. While the environments are nice enough to look at, they're certainly nothing special - not even close to Oblivion's quality. Further, all of the character models are pretty much just downright UGLY. Maybe it's my shallowness, but playing an ugly character just makes me sad. I'm ugly enough in real life, I'd like to think the people I play in games could be a tad nicer-looking. The in-game cinematics (of which there are maybe one or two) are also rather sloppy-looking. While the introduction movie was impressive to watch, the actual in-game movies are basically powerpoint presentations with narration. Spell effects were probably the only thing that was satisfying visually in the game.

The sound in NWN2 was disappointing. I was expecting an all-new epic score for the game, but instead I found that the developers had decided to just reuse the old soundtrack. Frankly, I'm pretty sick of hearing that music (which, in my opinion, is some of Jeremy Soule's less inspiring work). There are a few new tracks here and there which overall are pretty good, but the fact that most of the music was recycled...

Perhaps the only thing redeeming about the sound would be the great voice-actors for the game. Every line spoken by major characters is fully-voiced over and most characters have an effective and competent voice actor to bring new life to their personalities.

Story - 3.5/5

...and then there's the story. You can tell that the developers tried real hard to make a good story...it just doesn't flow as well as it should have. Obsidian really seems to have trouble making a coherent and complete story in its games (KotOR 2 was similarly plagued by a confusing and rushed storyline). Basically, an ancient evil is awakening (guh, not again), and you are destined to stop it (guh!). The storyline sounds generic enough, but one of Obsidian's few successes is to manage to make this foundation expand into something much, much more interesting. Along the way of saving the world, you'll tango with dangerous assassins, stand trial, discover ancient secrets, and so much more. Where these things all connect is where the game kind of falls apart, but that doesn't mean the individual parts weren't good.


The character interaction in the game is truly the shining point here. Your party will eventually consist of around ten companions, each with a distinct personality, and each unafraid to speak their mind - and they may even betray or abandon you if they don't like the way you're treating them. Your interaction with your companions is really one of the best parts of the game, as you get closer to them, they'll spill their life secrets, and new side-quests will open up for you. Not only that, but your companions will interact amongst themselves. One of the most memorable scenes is a tavern scene where your companions start trading insults at one another. It's a hilarious and well-scripted event, and it's things like this that give Neverwinter Nights 2 its own unique touch.


Unfortunately, the story as a whole is weak in comparison, especially towards the end. Going through main quest felt very...deja-vu. Often times you will be forced to ask the same questions to different plot-important characters, even if you don't care or already know what they're going to say. Further, the entire treatment of the story is confusing and hard to follow at times. While the main story arcs are satisfying in themselves, it's hard to see how it all comes together - rather, it feels more like you're using the same character to play through random events strung together with yarn.

The ending was abysmal. I don't want to ruin anything, but it was a complete cop-out. Not only that, but the ending narration sounded like they had a random executive producer come out of his hole in the dirt and start reading. Hugely disappointing, especially considering the high quality of the voice-acting in the rest of the game.

Still, overall Neverwinter Nights 2 was a great gaming experience. I know I had a lot of criticism for the game, but it's only because I had such high hopes for it. After all, it is the sequel to a fantastic game, and was developed by a reputable game developer. But don't get me wrong - NWN2 has its shortcomings, but I can not deny that I didn't enjoy it while it lasted.

Overall Score: 4/5

Beep...Boop...Beep...Boop

Oh my god.

That is about all that I can say about 24's latest season. The first four episodes...oh my god. Oh my god.

Oh my god.

Suffice it to say that 24 has not lost its touch. Its predisposition for almost unbelievable plot twists and tense, pounding dramatic action is still there. And so is Jack, in all his holy glory.

But oh my god.

I knew I should have started to suspect something when things were going a little too swimmingly. And then the last 5 minutes of the 4th episode happened. My mind was completely blown. I could not believe that what happened had just happened.

That is the best part of 24, of course. The show isn't afraid to set off bombs, depict gruesome torture, or kill off main characters. It's not afraid to make huge world-changing gestures for story. And that's what makes it so compelling, and riveting, and sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat-pee-all-over-yourself good.

Not that I did that of course.

...heh.

Review - Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI

First, a shout out to Concord who has started his very own movie/tv/games review blog. Visit his blog at: http://armodons.blogspot.com/


Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI (San Guo Zhi 11) is Koei's latest installment of its long-running and highly successful historical simulation turn-based strategy games. Combining a revamped graphics engine and all-new tactical gameplay, San Guo 11 is by far the best in the series (that I have played - I didn't actually manage to find copies of 9 or 10). Set in historical China, the game follows the epic story of the Three Kingdoms era. Players can choose to conquer China from the perspectives of various warlords, play specific scenarios and famous historical battles, or even create their own generals and officers to introduce into the dramatic saga.


If you've played any of these games before, however, you'll know that those features I just listed are pretty much staples of the San Guo series. What sets San Guo 11 apart from its predecessors is its stylized graphics engine, and the introduction of new units, tactics, and general strategy. Add that to streamlined gameplay and engaging tactical battles, and Koei has really created the best San Guo game in a decade.

Gameplay - 4.5/5

Like its predecessors, San Guo 11 has gameplay that is basically separated into two parts: managing one's cities and managing battlefields. City Management this time around is now much more similar to Age of Empires, where specific buildings need to be constructed in order to provide cities with various resources. For example, markets are needed to provide cities with income, while farms are needed to supply food and rations. Build a barracks to recruit troops, build a blacksmith to forge various weapons, and build a shipyard to allow for sea travel. This new take on city management is much more appealing than in the previous versions of the game, where you basically assigned officers to improve "invisible" aspects of each city. Amidst all the construction, you also have to take into consideration the level of unrest in your city, train your troops, and manage your officers' loyalty. All these factors really force you to plan out your strategy for defeating enemies - Are you going to spend that last reserve of gold for more troops? Or will you spend it on building more markets to increase income in the future?


San Guo's turn-based battles have been hit and miss in the past. 11 is definitely a hit. There are three main types of troops you can deploy, who share a rock-paper-scissors relationship. Spearmen defeat Cavalry, while Cavalry defeat Axemen, and Axemen defeat Spearmen. Further, there are various other units including archers, battering rams, trebuchets, all of which have their own set of unique tactics that can be used on the battlefield. Not only that, but each unit type can eventually be upgraded to have even more abilities. For example, Cavalry can be upgraded to be able to equip bows, making for a deadly combination of speed and range. Spearmen can learn to steal enemy rations when attacking, decreasing morale. Add to that the option of using subterfuge and the ability to have your generals duke it out in one-on-one duels, this game is littered with strategic options and depth. Well planned out strikes are extremely satisfying, as you watch your forces push back significantly larger armies with special tactics and carefully positioned strikes.


Graphics & Sound - 4/5

The series' greatest weakness has always been its graphics, but San Guo 11 has broken through the stereotype by having a very appealing and stylized presentation. The interface is easily accessible and bordered by chinese-style clouds and architecture. Further, the game uses a cel-shaded graphics engine that manages to suit the atmosphere very well. There really is a sense of ancient China as you watch hundreds of little cavalry and spearman units charging at each other. Duels and Debates in the game are similarly impressive-looking. Rather than the static sprites or bland art from the previous series, San Guo 11 opted to flesh out its cel-designs to have very detailed armor and animations for these specific battles. The end result is impressive and almost cinematic.


Sound is standard. The music is fitting, with sweeping orchestral melodies during times of peace that switch to pounding and tense drums during war. As the player conquers more and more of China, the overland tune becomes more and more dramatic and invigorating.

Story - 4/5


Of course, the main core of the story is taken from the actual San Guo novels, but the execution here is very well done. Each scenario is preceded by a nice cinematic, and players have the option of watching actual events in the novels unfold during gameplay. Stand back and watch as the tyrannical Dong Zhuo is betrayed by his most powerful general, the insidious Lu Bu. Watch as the blood-brothers Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei court the most revered of tacticians, Zhuge Liang. Regardless of which warlord you play as, events unfold as you begin to establish a major foothold in China. Choose to either support the last of the Han Dynasty, or to crush it and establish a new empire of your own. Form alliances with like-minded warlords, or break them to seize new territory. However you choose to conquer China - As the people's liberator or the merciless dictator - your name will be forever etched in the minds of all its citizens.

Overall Score: 4.5/5

San Guo 11 has exceeded my expectations for the series by a huge leap. Its one weakness is inherent to all San Guo games - the length. It takes a long time to conquer China, and if you don't have the patience to sit down and spend a good chunk of your life to do it, you probably shouldn't waste your time trying. This is not for the casual player. But for those of you who enjoy deep and engrossing tactical gameplay, I can not recommend this enough to you. English players, expect a port to the PS2 in early February 2007!


...Oh, and did I mention if you beat the game you can unlock special abilities for your generals? There's nothing quite like raining down lightning from the sky to smite your enemies. :)

Oblivion: Knights of the Nine Review

Knights of the Nine is the first "expansion-like" material for Bethesda's critically acclaimed Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. Featuring an all new quest-line and armor-set, Knights of the Nine promises additional hours of immersion in a game that is already loaded with content. Unfortunately, while KoN does possess more of the great gameplay and some nifty new content, it is brought down by a decidedly weak storyline - even more so than the first. And the $10 pricetag doesn't help matters much either.

The basic plot of Knights of the Nine revolves around the return of an ancient Ayleid tyrant named Umaril. You are charged with the task of recovering seven ancient relics and defeating Umaril once and for all. *YAWN* Um...excuse me, Bethesda, but hasn't this happened before already?! I mean, how many ancient evils can awake and return to threaten Tamriel in the course of one game? The very concept is generic enough already, but to use it twice as the "main quest" is really pushing it.

"What's this? ANOTHER bad guy has woken up and wants to wreak havoc?! *Sigh* Better get out the fly swatter."

The storyline further suffers from a blatant lack of any sort of interesting characters. At least in the original Oblivion, Martin and Jauffre had some personality. Knights of the Nine has some interesting characters; but none of them are ever developed to any notable degree, and the big bad boss (excuse the alliteration) is very poorly described. The threat that he poses never seemed like such a big deal. Besides launching a few poorly planned attacks on a few temples, Umaril doesn't play much of a part until the very end of the quest - and that's only so the player can kill him. Which, by the way, wasn't as hard as you might think. I've fought tougher bears.

"I don't know what everyone's all worried about. I mean, you're not even HALF the size of that last guy I beat."

Does Knights of the Nine have anything going for it? Well, if you've done absolutely everything possible in Oblivion and you're still looking for a fix, then it provides a few hours of generic storyline. But hey, that's a chance for you to show off the battle prowess you've gained since the end of the original. And the new set of armor isn't half bad - new design and some nice enchantments that bestow powers on the wearer. As usual, the people of Oblivion will chat you up on all your recent exploits in KoN, so the immersion is definitely there.

Still, ultimately Knights of the Nine is a disappointing experience. In terms of additional content, it only offers a substandard quest coupled with some new armor and weaponry - definitely not worth the 10 dollars I paid for the download. PC players can probably just as easily fine a similar quality mod online, and 360 players needn't bother at all.

"Ten bucks for this set of armor?! I wouldn't pay more than...six."

Final Score: 6/10 - Mildy entertaining, but definitely not worth the pricetag.

Now is the Winter of Our Discontent

Random ramblings.

I haven't updated in a while. Guess why I'm doing it now?

...give up?

It's because I don't want to study! Whee!

Facebook is taking over everything. I almost wanted to abandon this blog to facebook (which, by the way blogspot, lets me put captions underneath my pictures instead of forcing me to do weird formatting that doesn't carry over when facebook uploads these posts - that was a really long thought). But then, I've already been posting for over a year...it'd be a shame to let it die now.

Mmm...I have a job! I will be working in PricewaterhouseCoopers' Tax department. I relish the opportunity to go to their socials and start talking down to all those juniors looking for internships. Now, I get to be the one answering awkward questions and making forced conversation with people who don't really care about me and only want job opportunities. Here's some advice - either be really smart, or kiss ass like your life depends on it...because it just might.

Finals are depressing. As are my plans for winter break (anyone want to help me work on funding proposals or take tax tests with me? ...didn't think so). But I can really use a good break from school. I just know VITA and BAY are going to kill me next quarter.

Some of my funky floormates have declared poke wars on me, and I have retaliated by changing my facebook picture to that of a chimp/human woman on steroids/abomination so that everytime they poke me, their eyes will suffer the wrath of a thousand suns! And just for your viewing pleasure, here it is again:

See, this is actually supposed to be the caption, but when facebook imports this post it'll just show up as normal text, totally RUINING the flow of my essay-style writing. BLEARGH. Haha, wow I have anger issues.

What did I tell you? :)