Found the only 2 objects I still own that represent hundreds of hours of my life from 10 years ago. Maybe I’ll take a look and see what I was playing back then. It’s like finding my own personal time capsule.
E3 2011 - Take My Money!
Coming up on June 7 2011 is this years E3. Looking through the lists of what’s going to be there I realized that there’s not much I’m actually looking forward to in the coming year but what I AM looking forward to looks AMAZING!
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Planned Release Date: August 23, 2011
Developer: Eidos Montreal | Platform: PC/PS3/Xbox 360
Deep story dealing with transhumanism, warring classes, technophobes and technophiles all wrapped up in a conspiracy theory? Yes please! Looks like a fantastic blend of FPS and RPG with different ways to accomplish each objective that actually affect the gameplay and story but what really has me gripped here is the story.
Gears of War 3
Planned Release Date: September 20, 2011
Developer: Epic Games | Platform: Xbox 360 Exclusive
One of the best multiplayer shooters on the Xbox that while falls pretty short in the story department definitly appeals to the hardcore bro “let’s blow some shit up” kinda guy in me. I’m excited to see how the trilogy wraps up although if it ends on a cliff hanger of the CoGs and the Locust joining forces to face a bigger threat I’ll be dissapointed.
Mass Effect 3
Planned Release Date: Q1 2012
Developer: Bioware | Platform: PC/PS3/Xbox 360
My favorite scifi video game series is finally getting a conclusion. I came in to the series late but never the less I cannot wait for this one. Bioware had better have something spectacular planned because this game will need to contain the best multiple story conclusions and gameplay mechanics ever created.
Prey 2
Planned Release Date: 2012
Developer: Human Head Studios | Platform: PC/PS3/Xbox 360
Prey was one of the most suprising FPS’s I’ve ever played. I was lucky enough to go in to it not knnowing what to expect at all and was happily suprised when I found a deep story, unique characters, unique environments and gameplay elements. Knowing all this the developers of Prey 2 have gone in an almost COMPLETELY different direction than the first. I’ll admit when I heard about the setting I was worried but the more I hear about it the more exciting and enticing it sounds. Sure none of the gameplay elements that made the first so special are back but an open world FPS on a Blade Runner themed alien planet sounds too good to pass up!
From Dust
Planned Release Date: Q3 2011
Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier | Platform: PC/PS3/Xbox 360
Reshape the world to ensure the survival of the inhabitants which all live and die as the world ages and changes naturally. The sheer scale of this game makes this the first “god” game I’ve been excited about since Sim City. Bonus Video Here
The Last Guardian
Planned Release Date: 2012
Developer: Team Ico | Platform: PS3 Exclusive
Team Ico have yet to dissapoint with any game they have ever made. Their games are what people talk about when they refer to video games as art. The Last Guardian has you in the shoes of a young boy who befriends a gigantic eagle-cat called Trico. Bond with the animal, help each other to escape from the ruins you’re trapped in. Trico reacts realistically with how you treat him and the environment you’re in making you have to work together and actually gain each others trust if you want to survive. I am fully expecting to cry like a baby at this game. I cannot wait.
Just beat Hector: Badge of Carnage. Picked up this game on a whim and I think it’s the best Telltale game that I’ve ever played. Great art style that is VERY reminiscent of Curse of Monkey Island or Kings Quest 7. The humor is adult but still funny and VERY dry. If you enjoy British comedy or just adventure games in general it’s definitely worth checking out!
Best games I’ve played in 2011 (so far)
All of the below games don’t come in any particular order and hell some weren’t even released over the last 4 months! That doesn’t mean they aren’t the best games I’ve played this year so far. Know up front that I’ll play any game for a good story. To me video games are modern day books, and my favorite form of entertainment. I’m willing to suffer through broken game play or bad voice acting as long as the story is enthralling.
Superbrothers: Sword & Sorcery EP - iPhone
This is a small iPhone game that I picked up on a whim that I found to be one of the sleekest well designed games I’ve ever played. The simple touch screen controls, fantastic writing and sound design coupled with the fantastic fighting mechanic make this gem the best iPhone game I’ve played this year.
Portal 2 - PC/PS3
For me Portal 1 was the best part of the Orange Box easily beating out other Triple A games such as Half Life Ep2 and Team Fortress 2. I’ve played through the original 5 times at this point across 3 different platforms and enjoy myself every time. When the sequel was announced I was concerned that it would not live up to the hype I had built up in my head over the past 4 years. Valve proved me wrong. The new game is superior in every way. It’s challenging, funny, the puzzles are more mind bending than ever but what really makes this shine is the story. Totally worth your time and money.
Alpha Protocol - Xbox 360
I know I’m late to the party on this one (2008 release) but this Sega made Spy RPG looked to every one, including myself when it was first released, as a run of the mill action shoot-em up affair. The game went on sale for $9.99 and I scooped it up on a whim and even then it took me nearly 2 months of owning it before I even put it in. Let me say that I’ve never felt the weight of my decisions affect me more than in this game. For example; if you treat a character in the first mission a certain way (say with aggression) word may get back to his boss 3 chapters later that I’m a prick and he won’t help me or may even try to kill me. The game is FULL of consequences to your actions and once they’re made there’s no real going back. The best part is that as you play the game in your mission summary screen the game will tell you what has changed based on your what you did. Literally showing you EVERYTHING you have done that has affected your story and the outcome. The combat is not the greatest being over powered after you level your sneaking up but it never stops being fun. Treat this as a stealth game and you will love it for what it is.
Yakuza 4 - PS3
What can I say, I’m a Yakuza fan boy. This game fixes basically every problem I had with the previous titles in the series and introduces 4 new characters that each have their own fighting styles. The story line is amazing; full of twists and turns that can get a little confusing at times but all come to one AMAZING ending. The side stories have been streamlined and unlike Yakuza 3 there’s no real super hard challenge to unlock the next one. The map has been expanded and everything looks prettier than ever. The amount of sub stories may have been cut down but I feel like each one is memorable in some small way. The mini games have all been included this time and things such as Fighter Trainer have given me more fun than I would have expected. This game has a TON of things to do in it. I’ve sunk 58 hours in to and I’m only 32% complete. If you want a game that will give you a value for money this is it. It’s a completionists wet dream (or nightmare).
Ghost Trick - NDS
The game is almost a visual novel with a puzzle element. The puzzles can get a little frustrating at times and the difficulty curve seems to just randomly go from super easy to crazy hard. Luckily it has one of the best, most touching stories in a game I’ve ever played. It’s kind of expected from the guys who wrote and designed the Phoenix Wright series but this gem is totally worth your time. The ending and “holy shit” moments nearly brought me to tears especially the end game revelations. I realize the DS may be winding down but this one is too good to pass up.
The week to come
Ok my wife is going away for a week to visit her dad with the kids which means I’ve got free range of the house and my time!
I’m taking stock of the games I have and am trying to think of what to play first and not just fall in to the trap of lounging around the house accomplishing nothing.
So I’ve decided the following:
- Podcasts all day while I’m working.
- Play 1 hour of every game I own that I’ve never touched (at least 2 per day).
- Play 2 hours of a game I am currently playing every day from the following selection:
- Dead Space (Probably play it while the sun is still up)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan (God Help Me)
- Lost Odyssey
- Stacking
- Jet Set Radio Future (Yeah REALLY late to the party I know)
- De Blob (In preparation for De Blob 2 on 360!) - Get back to the gym every afternoon.
- No take out.
- No soft drink. (This may kill me)
- Healthy eating.
- Try new recipes that Erika wouldn’t like. (Mostly seafood, maybe some lamb)
- Visit my friends at some stage. I don’t see them very often. :-(
- .. and if there’s time play some Assassins Creed Multiplayer with my brother.
This post started out as a list of games I wanted to play while Erika and the kids are away but It’s turned in to a “Turn life around” kind of week. I will be interested if I can lose any weight and on top of that keep it off/keep up the routine after they get back.
Experimental!
What to put on here?
I’m considering doing some “I’ll make this game awesomer” screenshots or some “mspaint the last 2 games I played together” stuff. For example here’s an old one I did.
Can you guess what I was playing?
Rock Band 3 - They’re playing my songs
The Rock Band 3 Set List was just announced. Here’s what you’ll be able to hear up and down my street for a week after release. You can find the full list here.
The B-52s – “Rock Lobster”
The Beach Boys – “Good Vibrations” (Live)
David Bowie – “Space Oddity”
Golden Earring – “Radar Love”
Huey Lewis and the News – “The Power of Love”
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – “I Love Rock ‘n Roll”
Marilyn Manson – “The Beautiful People”
Primus – “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver”
Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Rammstein – “Du Hast”
Smash Mouth – “Walkin’ on the Sun”
T. Rex – “20th Century Boy”
The Vines – “Get Free”
War – “Low Rider”
Warren Zevon – “Werewolves of London”
The White Stripes – “The Hardest Button to Button”
T. Rex – “20th Century Boy”
