Welcome to the City in the Sky

Infinite begins as the original Bioshock did. A light tower in the midst of the ocean that whisks you away into a gorgeous oasis, only this time it’s in the sky, and splicers are now crazy radicals, and Andrew Ryan is replaced with Father Comstock, the leader of those crazy radicals. Your task? To go to the city in the sky and bring back a girl named Elizabeth to wipe away some debt you have. That should be enough for those who don’t know what Infinite is.

Right from the start I was blown away from the sheer amount of detail Infinite throws at you. I fully believed this City existed and enjoyed taking in its vistas and crazed citizens. Mixing Religious themes with political ones and some Quantum Mechanics, Infinite isn’t short on raising and answering questions, all the while blowing you away throughout its wonderful narrative.

It so Prettttttyyyyyyyy

After taking in the scenery I eventually found myself knee deep in bad dudes ready to kill me. This is part one of Infinite’s beautiful disaster. Combat just doesn’t feel as tight as I thought it would. The use of an over-shield is partly to blame for this. Enemies seem to fire upon you from all over, in order to counter that pesky shield you have, and not only can you never figure out where everyone is, you CAN’T FIGURE OUT WHERE EVERYONE IS! Seriously, it was very annoying to be running around in circles in almost every battle, that had a group of baddies, just so I could figure out who was shooting me, or discover where that one last enemy was so that I could kill them and be able to pick my next lock.

On top of awareness issues, the enemy AI at times was just awful. Granted I was playing it on the standard difficulty, I found at times, all the game could ever manage to do was spawn a huge group of dudes as if to overwhelm me. Anytime there was just a handful, I could easily use bucking bronco and run to each one, melee them, and move onto the next. This never really changed throughout the entire game. Option A lots of bad guys shooting from all over the place, option B just a few bad guys, enjoy walking up to each one and hitting them on the head.

On the plus side the powers and weapons are a blast to use. Combining vigors was very rewarding to watch. I only wish there was more of a tactical aspect to the combat to reward using a combo of skills, rather than the run and gun game-play I found myself doing nine times out of ten.

Pow Pow.. Bang Bang…. Repeat!

There I was shooting, running, shooting, powers, shooting, and then bam! Mission complete. Only not, because in order to make Infinite the fifteen hour game it is, I now have to find three things in order to do the one thing, or go save one person to move forward. This was part 2 of the beautiful disaster that is Bioshock Infinite. Mission structure that screams “Oh this is just to make the game long.” Infinite managed to do that on a few occasions.

Heads or Tails?

 On the other side of that coin though is experimentation. Infinite tried to use these segments to give you a chance to explore more of the wonderfully realized world and set up some helpful exposition. I just couldn’t fully appreciate it though, since I was so annoyed by what I needed to do in order to progress the main story-line  Where I had been content to take everything in during the first moments, I found myself rushed and annoyed just wanting to move forward.

In the end Bioshock Infinite was the most annoyingly great game I have ever played. The narrative and world are so well realized it is a true testament to the greatness Irrational Games. Future developers should strive to release their games so bug free and hope to reach the extents to which the Bioshock games have in terms of narratives. It is because of this I think Infinite is the most over hyped game of the year. It really shows how many games fail where Infinite succeeds. Story and quality are strengths every dev should look to Bioshock for, however gameplay and quest structure were  flawed and lacking. In the end though, when I finally put down my controller, I was blown away by what is a great, albeit slightly flawed experience.

Bioshock Infinite is worth a RENT

Episode 12

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Episode 11

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Nothing but a flesh wound.

Tomb Raider kicks off with Lara Croft as green as you can get. Her first expedition, no dual pistols, new hair fx (Oh yeah, nothing beats realistic Croft hair floating in the wind), and more! In perfect TR fashion things go wrong, very wrong. Before you or Lara can get comfortable you crash land on an unknown island, are captured, hung upside down among other dead bodies, and forced to fight or die. That is the reoccurring theme throughout TR. Lara is constantly forced to make hard choices, and those choices are what come to define her as a person. Emotionally charged is an understatement for this game. You and Lara will both be exhausted by the time you beat the campaign.

 Tomb Raider’s greatest strength, and weakness, is the amount of time spent defining Lara as a real person, and what she has to go through to become the Tomb Raider we know. This is done with perfection, but at the cost of taking away from the other characters featured in this story. However, this wasn’t their story anyways so it doesn’t take too much away from your experience.

 Lara’s journey takes you from her first kill to becoming the worlds greatest human hunter. This transition, as it usually is, happens in just mere seconds, but I felt it was handled better here than in other titles such as Far Cry 3. After escaping captivity, killing your very first human, and getting the crap beat out of you, TR sets you free on a island full of mystery and dark secrets.

Flowing hair… check…. sad face check…. ready to kick ass…… oh yeah!

Tomb Raider takes notes from Batman Arkham City when it comes to exploring this island. Certain areas will be off limits until you have acquired a new piece of gear, such as a climbing axe, rope arrows, etc. There is a lot to see here and the progression of the story does a great job offering you chances to back track in new ways. This was the only game I have ever ended up back where I started and without even realizing it.

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Thanks to plane crashes, helicopter crashes, and intense “on rail” sequences you will probably never realize you’re back at the same camp you started at. Just like Lara, this island constantly changes throughout the game. Anything that happens in the game’s cut sequences will be left over somewhere on the island afterward. The developers did a great job really bringing to life the island and it’s inhabitants. Stopping by a campfire to upgrade Lara and her weapons also offers you a chance to fast travel. Traversing this island is so cool (seriously best use of zip lining ever!) that i never onced used the option to fast travel. With so much to see and discover you can easily find plenty to do here.

You will hate dogs….

Keeping up with the trend right now in gaming, Lara’s “go-to” weapon is a bow. From fire arrows, to rope arrows, to using arrows to jam into bad guys’ eyes, Lara Croft’s bow is the finest use of the weapon in a game yet. Headshots with this thing are perfectly executed, they’re even complimented with a subtle and perfect sound cue. This won’t be the Lara you remember, but it’s not supposed to be. Crouch down, take in each segment with a sense of stealth, and you’ll find yourself having more fun with that bow than you did in Crysis 3 or Far Cry 3.

Tomb Raider redefines who Lara Croft is and how she becomes a survivor. Layered in a mix of Uncharted-esque climbing, with some solid stealth mechanics, and some highly mature sequences (every death sequences to Lara is a tough one to watch) Tomb Raider is well worth your money and I cannot wait to see where Crystal Dynamics take my favorite Croft yet.

TOMB RAIDER is a worth your hard earned cash, it gets a BUY!

SXSW Interactive was an experience I wish I would have attended much earlier. Sitting in and listening to the Developers of Gears of War Judgment talk about their upcoming game was amazing. Talking with the minds behind the sound in Tomb Raider, equally great. I have always said I wanted to create a Video Game blog and get big, just so I could go to E3. Never knowing I had a little mini E3 in my backyard. The best part, it’s free.

I don’t have any previous experience in any other conferences, this was my first. I can say without a doubt that I will be back year after year and I couldn’t have asked for a better “first time.”

The Interactive section of SXSW this year featured indie developers from Austin as well as San Francisco and more. The games they’re creating for mobile devices and the arcade side of console gaming, look to be a great way to kill time wherever you are. From strategy based games that you can play on your browser, to puzzles, and more, this year will be full of possibilities to just game.

Most of my time at the conference was spent sitting at the Geek Stage taking in the latest from comics, to the future of games, the upcoming Gear Of War game, and how Tomb Raider found it’s sound. For all those who listen to Gamers1st podcast then you’ll get to hear about everything I experienced. For anyone reading this article, I thought I  would share some highlights.

Seriously who doesn’t like Baird. Said no one EVER!

GOW Judgement looks to be bringing back everything we love from the series with an emphasis on intensity. They hope to have your “palms sweating” and “knuckles white” in both the campaign and multiplayer. Through adding “tower defense” sections in the single player, new modes that mimic that of King of the hill in multiplayer, and adding Free for all, GOW Judgment, looks to be making that idea a reality. Judgement is certainly shaping up to be a solid entry in the long running series. I look forward to playing it in the coming weeks.

Sound in video games doesn’t get the credit it deserves. That is exactly what I got from Tomb Raiders conference, on how they used music to aid in telling Lara Croft’s emotional story. This was one of the best moments for me throughout the conference. Learning how they created an 8ft contraption that created the unique sounds in TR was eye opening. The device itself was oddly beautiful. Everything was covered during their forty five minute conference, from how they wanted to make you feel alienated and alone, to how they introduced simple techniques when you needed to feel comfortable and aware.  Truly an entertaining and great little lesson in game sound design.

MECHSSSSSS

Outside of the Geek stage I dabbled in some games hitting the free to play market. Hawken looks to be something for every mech lover. I am not one of those, so playing just one round was enough to let me know this game will be great for anyone looking to go to war against other mechs online.

Yeah… It is that awesome.

The standout for me was Loadout. A free to play game from Edge of Reality. This game was a blast, I waited numerous times in line to get multiple play throughs and each time rocked. With a style that feels like Team Fortress, only crazier, and the opportunity to customize and create to your hearts desires. I can say without hesitation, I look forward to spending countless hours with this one in the near future.

Eventually my time with the Interactive section of SXSW came to an early, albeit sad close. I was able to spend a section of my weekend immersed in something I had never experienced before, which is insane seeing how I blog about games and am madly in love with them, but nevertheless it was my first time and  great one at that. I look forward to attending as many conferences I can from here on out and waiting another year to do it all again at SXSW.

Journey is a game about, well, a journey. You are a wanderer, working your way towards a mountain in the distance for reasons that you as the player figure out for yourself. You see, there is undoubtedly a story being told in Journey, but that story really takes shape based on how you, the player, perceive it. Journey’s story can mean many things to many people–like any other form of art with which you can interact.

Just as a movie, a song, or a painting can speak to the audience, Journey speaks to the player on a variety of levels. With no words, ambient music, and a vast, beautiful, yet simple landscape, Journey’s setting opens itself up to a multitude of interpretations. Gameplay consists mainly of you moving your wanderer through the level and towards the mountainous goal, it is very simple and elegant and will keep you moving forward.

The gameplay is also shared with another player. You meet players in Journey, yet you are not aware of who you are meeting. Instead you are seamlessly matched up with another player and the two of you work through the “chapters” of the story together. You help each other find the way, and there are a few nuances to be discovered of how your wanderer can interact with your companion. It is only after the credits that Journey lets you in on who it was that accompanied you through your journey.

I definitely understand how my personal experiences and knowledge shaped what I took away from this game, and that is what makes it such a masterpiece. It has the power to truly move the player and really bring out an emotional reaction. At the same time, playing the game is fun, simple, and the short length (around 2 hours) means that you could play it over and over if you so choose, or simply play a single chapter, perhaps to help a stranger through a difficult part of the journey.

I would love to hear from everyone who has played this game. What was your experience? What was the goal toward which you believe you were working? What does this game say to you?

I think me wanting to know the answers to these questions speaks volumes about the game and the conversation it creates. ThatGameCompany truly has something special here, and if you haven’t played this game already, you simply must.

I understand our scale sort of breaks down with games that can only be purchased, but long story short, I cannot recommend this game any more highly, and with a pricetag of only $15 (plus the discounts often run on it and the PS Plus discount for it) you are really missing out if you choose to let this one pass you by without tagging along.

Journey is worth a BUY

Episode 10

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No better way to heal!

Rising is an intense game to say the least. It is in no way like any other Metal Gear game you’ve played. This is a good thing. Platinum Games took cues from their recent title Vanquish in bringing Raiden to life on screen. The speed, timing, and intensity of the game is reminiscent of Vanquish.

Don’t let this discourage you if you’re a huge fan of the Metal Gear series. There really is a continuation here with a “Solid” effort at throwing nods to fans while offering something for newcomers. At the same time though, the story is convoluted. In true Metal Gear fashion it’s full of political corruption, satire, and something about it all relates to war and humanity’s need for it…. I think. Needless to say, it’s all a bit nonsensical. That’s not why you’re picking this up. Raiden and how indestructible and ridiculous he was in Metal Gear 4 with that sword, is the reason you want to play Rising.

Grab the Left Arm!!!

Raiden is presented just as you remember-fast, indestructible, angry, and lethal. Breaking into numerous combos, while building your “Blade Mode” gauge, is a blast. Then right before that bad guy explodes you initiate “Blade Mode” where time slows and you cut. Everything. At one point I’m pretty sure I diced a dude into like 100 pieces then ripped out his spinal cord for some health, all while perfectly chopping off his left arm for battle points. Why his left arm, I have no idea, just because that’s what the good ole “docktor” said to do. That reason alone is what makes Rising a blast. How you move through the battlefield isn’t as much about stealth now, but about how you utilize this sickening, beautiful mechanic (Blade Mode) created for everyone looking to chop a bad guy in half in epic slow motion.

Ouch…..

Rising pulls from previous games such as DMC, during boss battles. Requiring you to counter, study, and repeat, in every encounter. Platinum does the Metal Gear series right and continues the long line of memorable boss fights and even throws in their own style of ridiculous, especially in the end. Be warned for reasons beyond me, no dodge mechanic is implemented here. Only Ninja Run which allows you to, well, run around with some lightning under your feet and deflect bullets. Countering is the name of the game, and it’s complicated. Once you get the hang of it though, you’ll be the perfect killing machine.

Who you’re mowing your way through, is the ultimate bad something or another team called Desperado. They are evil, I think, led by someone else evil, and war is for profiting. Nonsense! Seriously I don’t even know where to begin to explain this story, it is such a mess. Again just remember Raiden is the star. Throughout the constant massacring, you obtain battle points to use on upgrades and new weapons that unlock after completing boss fights. These new devices of death never really clicked as well as Raidens sword. Each one offers it’s own tactical advantage, but in the end it always slowed down the action. Just like Kratos’ famous Blades of Chaos, nothing ever really feels as good as Raiden’s sword.
Coming in around 5-6 hours Metal Gear Rising works well enough and doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. If you’re a fan of Metal Gear just because of the stealth then stay away. If you ever wanted some hardcore action, jump in and hang on. I don’t know if Solid Snake would want you to buy this game, but I bet he wouldn’t mind if you borrowed it.

Metal Gear Rising is good enough to justify a RENT.

Episode 9

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Younger is indeed better!

Uncovering Dante’s history was a great move by Capcom. Dante is much more relatable this time around as a scarred and angry young man, who doesn’t know who he is, or where he came from. From the opening moments DMC introduces you into a fully realized and well adapted world. As you embark on your demon killing journey, unlocking countless amounts of combos, nothing stands out more than the very ground you’re fighting on.

When Dante is pulled into Limbo, it is simply breathtaking. Watching the real world tear apart right in front of you, twisting and turning into a terrifying version of itself, never gets old. The use of platforming pays off through the level design here and makes for some great pre-boss encounters that force you to use all of the skills you have learned up to that point. It’s taken even further on the boss fights themselves, with a trippy take on a night club and a very “big brother” feel to a news station, the designs do a fantastic job breathing life into the battles.

Limbo ROCKS!

DMC’s world is made even better when it is crowded with demons for you to rack up the highest combo score you can imagine.  In true Dante fashion the combo system will have you upgrading, experimenting, and repeating over and over again.

Dante is as skilled as ever, loaded with his iconic pistols and sword, the wide range of attacks are sure to keep you busy for hours. Include the weapons you unlock throughout the game and you’ll find more than one reason to keep coming back. Perfection is key in DMC, especially in the harder difficulties. Simply button mashing will only go so far, as the boss fights are designed so that you utilize all of your skill set.

So much time was spent on making Dante as fun as he is to both play and watch, that side characters take a major hit. Virgil, Dante’s brother, is very calculated and never really seems like he is doing anything but complaining or giving orders. Kat, a witch who aids Dante, really felt flat and was just added to give Dante someone to flirt with. It’s really too bad more wasnt offered for their development, but it also doesn’t hinder the game.

Prepare to be FACE PUNCHED!

Don’t expect much here out of the plot either. The origin story is so good that the latter half of the game feels a little underwhelming, especially the ending. Boss fights also suffer from the same shortcomings. Nothing feels quite as good as just kicking multiple demon asses in a crazed out limbo with Dante’s weapons.

DMC really came together as a solid prequel to past games and as a stand alone game in itself. Dante might look different but once you get behind the controls, you’ll see he is just as great as you remember. I wouldn’t travel into limbo myself to get this one, but I would ask the devil if i could rent it.

Find a redbox, go to gamefly, or borrow from a friend.

DMC is RENTABLE.