Game On

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Call of Duty: Ghosts


Game On's - At A Glance
CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS
(published by Activision, developed Infinity Ward)
platform played - XBOX 360


The gunplay in video games gets better and better.  GHOSTS may not have been as well received as BLACK OPS II, but its new and numerous multiplayer formats should have made for greater waves in the gaming community. 


The campaign is short and pushes the sense of 'special tactics awe' that most combat gamers thirst for to the limits.  Who can resist the spec ops mystical stories of phantom fighters and their deep behind enemy line reports, chasing the suicidal assignments with such gusto.  Missions run from living through earthquakes to space combat to taking down enemy in first/third person view as a dog.  Gotta like designers trying to be original.  Also, the campaign AI works well in firefights - your comrades are not useless, actually contributing to the fray without overzealous butchering.

The multiplayer aspects push the boundaries in options.  This helps reach out to each individual's preference, whether a crazed combat junky who likes collecting player kills or the introverted, soft-handed team member working with AI teammates.  You get to choose from many flavors (...take that Baskin Robbins).  Sure, you will find the ones that appeal to you most, but the journey and taste tests will keep you hungry for more.

GHOSTS one weakness for me was in the campaign.  I would have enjoyed more freedom and non-linear combat setups.  You do get the opportunity to try different methods of completing a stage, kills or no kills and such, but it seemed like you were being spoon fed the progressive encounters.  But hey, it happens in games like this. 

Overall, I can assure you that developers are only getting better at these projects.  The bar continually gets raised and the need for unique material a tougher quest.  The COD storylines are among the best out there.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning


Game On's - At A Glance
KINGDOMS OF AMALUR: RECKONING
(published by 38 Studios and Electronic Arts, developed by 38 Studios and Big Huge Games)
platform played - XBOX 360


Finally taking a look back (2 years back that is... so I'm a little slow) and getting a chance to wander the Amalur countryside.  I prefer the free-realm style games, and this one gets close to one of the better.  Sorry, I have to gauge all similar products by the standards established by THE ELDER SCROLLS.  This maybe no SKYRIM, but AMALUR does have the elegance in story and character that makes for a good game.



This role-playing game carries the R. A. Salvatore signature all over it.  Well, he was the executive designer, so no surprise.  If you didn't know, Salvatore is one of the most prolific fantasy writers, creating one of the top fantasy characters, of our time - Drizzt Do'Urden.  I will admit my dismissiveness that has grown after the insatiable thirst for dark elves by most shallow gamers, so find a slight repulsion to ever being around his work as of late.  But I am working through my issues. 

Coupled with the visual artistry of Todd McFarlane (yes, THE Todd McFarlane), this power duo is like a rock-n-roll Supergroup.  The imagery has a stylistic artistry of its own, a comic book-come-to-life approach (but not as much as the BORDERLANDS phenomenon).  The people and scenery have a vivid presentation but also carry a subtle malaise woven in. 

I did have some trouble spots with game-play style.  The over-the-shoulder viewpoint works to some degree (and can see the merit in the choice) but it does take away from the personal experience.  I appear to be spoiled with the first-person viewpoint.   But I will say the controller layout was simple and quick to manipulate.

Anyways, AMALUR has a richness and strength in plot that most games wish they had.  The character creation choices, the adventuring opportunities and decision making, and the rich interactive mechanics for character building with the setting made for a complete game.  Two years later, doesn't seem game developers took note of this remarkable piece of digital crafting.  Shame.