I can’t stop thinking of Heavy Rain when I first saw this trailer for L.A. Noire. Of course, this game is not surprisingly similar to GTA since it is developed by Rockstar Games. I am glad that Rockstar moved away from GTA IV. The novelty of an open world concept whereby you can commit all sorts of vices is dying off. Personally, I find that chasing cars, killing people and racing on GTA is getting mundane and repetitive with GTA IV. I stopped at the 20th mission when I keep failing to chase down a car and having to repeat it all over again.
So now Rockstar wants you to be the good guy. In L.A. Noire, you play as Cole Phelps, an LAPD officer in the turbulent time of 1947 Los Angeles. Instead of having mission to kill a certain gang leader or to fight off some gangster, you are now presented with cases. As a detective, it is your job to interrogate suspect, interview witness and gather evidences to bring justice to L.A.
Tech
The facial express is really sophisticated and the level of details is simply amazing. Compared to GTA IV, this is definitely a giant step forward. I had to compare this with Quantic Dream’s Heavy Rain.
The level of details seen in Heavy Rain, published about a year ago, managed to achieve fairly realistic facial expression as well. However, the two technologies used by Quantic and Rockstar are slightly different. In Rockstar implementation, there is a mix of 3D video with mesh animation whereas in Quantic Dream is purely mesh animation. In other words, what you see on Rockstar is essentially a 3D video of the facial expression captured by the cameras.
Gameplay
In this game, you have to solve crimes ranging from homicide to arson. While interrogating suspect and gathering evidence is part of a case itself, Rockstar also dishes out the regular high-action shooting and chasing mission. A fresh game compared to the usual GTA. And yes, this game is also having the same open world concept. You are free to explore the city. Check out the review by IGN below.
Michael Jackson: The Experience for PS Move and Kinect is due middle of this month! Personally, while I am excited about this game, I will probably not get the game immediately when it is released.
First of all, for the PS Move version, I am suspecting that the experience is going to be similar to the Wii version released in November last year. With only the capability to track the movement of an arm, I doubt the PS3 version will be any difference from the Wii where the player can perform the ‘dance’ with just a a controller in their hand. For a dancing game, this is unacceptable. The PS3 version would definitely has a better graphics. Till this stage, it is also not known if the PS3 version will support the karaoke-like feature as seen in the Kinect version. My bet is that the Move version of the game is going to be pale in comparison to its Kinect counterpart
Yes the Kinect version! As a disclaimer, I should point out that I am not a fan of Xbox nor do I play the Halo series. I have both the PS3 and Xbox 360 system. But to be honest, this game may look a lot better for Kinect than for PS Move. After the success of Dance Central (Harmonix is working on the second Dance Central as we are speaking), gamers like me are confident of what Kinect can deliver as a platform for dance game. However, we can’t assume that Ubisoft can deliver the same quality as Harmonix which after all is a veteran in making such games.
The Kinect version includes a karaoke feature whereby you will sing a portion of MJ’s song during the performance. While this maybe a bane to some who don’t like singing, this could probably be an option that can be turned off. For those who are into getting special editions of game, MJ: The Experience has a Collector’s Edition which features MJ T-shirt, poster and a microphone.
Have the gaming population of Singapore surveyed on their Top 5 games and this is the likely outcome:
COD : Black Ops
Halo Reach
FIFA 11
Uncharted 2
Mass Effect 2
As you can see, FIFA is a mainstay in any Top 5 List around. Which is why it’s good to voice my opinion on what I want for FIFA 12 and what EA will do.
What I want: Improved Commentary
With Andy Gray’s contract cancelled due to his shenanigans. It is the perfect time to update the aged commentary. In FIFA 11, the commentary was competant at telling you what is happening but failed to provide proper in-dept analysis and , in manager mode, the general status of the league/cup during the match. They also failed to talk about the biggest transfer news.
What EA will do: Improved Commentary
Delete Andy Gray’s recordings and just play Martin Tylers’
What I want: Improved Overall Presentation
Comparing the presentation of NBA 2K11 and FIFA 11 is like comparing a Simmons Bed to a pigs sty. This has to change.
Year after year they promise improvements for manager mode but all they do is change the layout. They need to include A “Pre-Kick off Show”, A “Half-time Show” and A ” Post-Match Show”. This would make the player feel like he is actually managing a football club.
Also allow a interface like Mass Effect’s conversation system where the player uses this to talk to his Teammates/Footballers, the Press and the Board. Allow Aggressive, Neutral and relaxed options. Also allow for specific options when negotiating contracts or asking for transfer funds.
Allow the player to design his character from the top to the bottom. Allow the players to walk through the training grounds, Stadium and various shops where the player will be able to interact with all the staff of the club and gauge whether he is popular with the fans by talking to the Club Merchandise Shop Owner or talk to the Tea Lady to find out what she has overheard.
Allow the player a sandbox like feel to the game where he can drive around as player /manger to pubs and shops and is greeted according the his status and popularity or what event happened in the previous game(Scored Winning goal, Defeat to local rivals)
Allow customisation of the club buildings. When a player spends money to upgrade the club training grounds for instance, he can visit the area and see the spanking new gym equipment and added training field. He can then talk to his players to gauge their response.
Improve the personality of the footballers, some are brave, flamboyant, shy, hardworking not just in the way they play but their character too. Show this when you talk to the players.
Allow the player at the start of the game to choose his main Mangering style and add 1-3 perks in relation to his style. Allow the player to add more as he levels up. This can be applied to your created player as well.
Include 2-3 newspapers with different views so the player can see his approval rate. Also include a weekly show which reviews the league’s action.
Allowing the players to include their custom chants was a brilliant idea but trying to upload the chants into the Xbox 360 was a pain in the ***.
EA should research chants for the top leagues in Europe and South America, Country National Anthems should be there by default.
The Crowd really needs to be improved, with the power of the consoles nowadays there is no excuse for wooden looking spectators.
Show the crowd standing up as one as the striker bears sown on goal. Let the crowd raise the hands in hope as the shot flies of the striker’s boot, before resting on the heads as the ball hits the post. Their faces showing a brief flash of disappointment before admiration and hope as they applaud the striker’s efforts.
Change the crowds reactions in relation to the margin of victory or lose or the type of game whether it may be A derby, Cup final or celebratory match after both teams have fought off relagation.
Allow for boos to ring out after a visiting team’s flair player does a few tricks, or when he takes a free kick. Allow for us to hear applause when the opposing player goes of in a stretcher after an injury or boos when he takes to long to get off the pitch after being substituted.
Allow for different volumes of crowd noise, Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium is always louder than Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium
Finally, allow for quick throw-ins.
If it happens in real life why not in game? It would speed up gameplay and those players who are smart enough to notice a gap and take a quick throw-in will gain an opportunity which may not occur had they not been able to take the quick throw-in
What EA will do: Improve Overall Presentation
Honestly? None of the above
What I want: Improved Referees
The handing out of Yellow and Red cards is nonsense. You can get a yellow for jockeying as the winger runs past you while the opposition can be the last man and not get a red. Since the offside decisions are never wrong why should the handing out of yellow cards
What EA will do: Improved Referees
I believe that they will improve it this time
What I want: A separate FIFA Street mode
Since The FIFA Street series is dead, why not bring it back in FIFA 12?
Just a simple kick-off mode will do, also you should be able to import your “Be-a-pro” Player into the game.
What EA will do: A separate FIFA Street mode
Include it in a costly DLC
What I want: Removal of the Online Pass code
Yes. I can understand the reasoning behind this venture (pay for employees).
But the reason I buy second hand games most of the time is because buying them new ($70) is too much when the resale value of the game drops to $40 and below so quickly, and considering I am already paying $88 a year to play online, it is madness.Furthermore, how much are they getting paid if they have to earn money from second-hand buyers? Its time they tune down the pressure and just include the code for added features like Mass Effect 2.
What EA will do: Removal of the Online Pass code
Nothing, as usual.
What I want: Inclusion of Classic teams (Ten of them?)
Its about time they did this, nothing like match-ups like : Manu 1999 against Arsenal 2004 or Brazil 1970 against Holland 1974
What EA will do: Inclusion of Classic teams
Well that brings us to the end of my Preview/Rant on FIFA games.
To those who are interested my Xbox 360 Gamertag is Rad1oAct1ve9145
Editor’s note: Check out what others want to see in Fifa 12.
Good games definitely deserve to have their sequels release. And this year, we mark out five sequel titles that are creating hype in the gaming industry.
Why do developer make sequel?
Sales
Making a sequel for a game is similar to making a sequel for a movie. Most of the time, gamers who like the previous title will enjoy the sequel as well. Therefore, it is almost like the developers can ensure the sales of the sequel even before making it. A game with a good storyline coupled with a cliffhanger at the end of the game should be able to attract gamers to spend their money on the next title. However, in games such as Final Fantasy, each sequels aren’t really a continuation of the previous title but a new one. Only Final Fantasy X has a sequel called Final Fantasy X-2. Final Fantasy XIII on the other hand is rumoured to have a direct sequel too apart from the already announced Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Final Fantasy Agito XIII. Sequel can thus be seen as a form of insurance, of course, that is only true if the first game is good enough to have a strong fanbase.
Speed
Creating an entire new universe isn’t an easy job. It requires much work from graphic artist, 3D modeler, creative director etc. to completely generate the landscape, environment, physic engine etc. seen in the games. By creating a sequel, developers can build on the existing arsenal of 3D models they already have. While there is still a need to come out with new environment and perhaps characters, time is saved from creating everything from scratch.
Next Mario?
We all know how much revenue gaming franchise can bring in. From its humble beginning on the NES, Super Mario is now a widely known household name. Talk about Pikachu, the cute furry yellow creature from Pokemon. Producing sequel will allow the gamers to better associate with the character in games. Money from the derived product of game franchises are easier to make than creating the game itself.
LIST OF UP-COMING SEQUELS TO LOOK OUT FOR
[Prototype 2] – Release date: 2012
Trailer video
In first installment of the prototype franchise, you’ve played as the protagonist, Alex Mercer. Now, in this sequel, the roles are reversed and the player controls James Heller who is on a quest to find the one responsible for the death of his family. And he is none other than Alex Mercer. Expect more mutant-slashing fun and more military arsenal at your disposal in 2012.
[Infamous 2]– Release date: 2011
Trailer video
When Infamous 2 was announced, it didn’t come as a surprise to many of the gamers. Infamous 2 picks off nicely after the ending of Infamous where Cole MacGrath (the main protagonist) knew of a new enemy from his future counterpart, known as the Beast. So you can pretty much guess that a sequel for Infamous 2 is coming out given such ending in Infamous.
Gameplay video
From the gameplay video above, the graphic of the game has improved over its predecessor. But what is with that lightning rod Cole is carrying? Sucker Punch could be thinking of adding more combat dynamic as they have thought of almost every possible way for Cole to fight with his infused lightning powers in Infamous. The lightning tornado is pretty cool. Since when did they infuse him with Storm‘s power?
[Little Big Planet 2]– Release date: Jan 2011
Not so long ago, I have written a review on LBP2’s demo. With this sequel, LBP is now not only restricted to the platform world that we are all familiar with. Players can experience different genre of game such as racing, shooter and many more. Just wondering whether they can do first-person-shooter? This game is coming out real soon! Expect more Sackboy fun! Woohoo!
[Killzone 3]– Release date: Feb 2011
For those who like futuristic FPS, Killzone 3 is a title that you will like to look out for. If you have yet to play Killzone 2, starting looking for a copy at GameTrader.SG before this sequel comes out. Killzone 2 has set a pretty high standard for this upcoming sequel. Killzone 3 is one of the few new games that supports stereoscopic 3D viewing for PS3. Got a 3DTv? Then this game is a must!
[Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception]– Release date: November 2011
The superb graphics of Uncharted 2 is by far one of the best among all console games. Will Uncharted 3 push the PS3 further? Co-op and multi-player features will be included in this sequel and yes, it will also be available in stereoscopic 3D.
Little Big Planet 2 (LBP 2) demo was available for download at Playstation Store about a month or two ago. Trust that some of you might have already downloaded it and tried out the much anticipated title. The demo features three playable levels which demonstrated the various tools that are unique to LBP 2.
In the beginning of the first level, you might not feel that you are playing LBP2 but LBP 1 since the level outlook, physic and controls are almost the same as its predecessor. However, you soon get to try your hands on the new Grappling Hook which allows you to swing around. For those who played Worms 2 before, it is the same as the ninja rope in that game. Nothing amazing in my opinion.
For the second level in the demo, you are introduced to several of these robots that you can control. The first robot you get to ride on is a rabbit. Controlling the robo-rabbit does pose some challenge and you might lose control of it as times. Will be fun if you are playing with your friends and family seeing how they lose control of their robo-rabbit and get electrocuted when they touches those electrified pads.
After jumping your way around the first part of this level, you are presented with another robot. This time it is a dog that can emit ultrasonic wave. The waves emitted by the dog can push away movable platform making path for you to cross.
Finally, the last creature that you can ride on is a furry hamster that in my opinion looks kind of mutated. The ‘robo-hamster’ can charge in the direction it is facing much like Sonic. This part of the level is also designed to be a bit ‘Sonic-like’. Ok so much for my reminiscence. It can be inferred in some of the trailers I have seen that you might be able to create your own robot to ride on.
After playing through level two, you should have a basic idea of how sackboy can now ride on different kinds of robots. Until this point, I feel that LBP2 still lacks of something innovative, something that can really deliver the punch to make our money worth while buying this sequel. Basically, I feel that the first two level can be easily done with a patch to LBP 1.
In the last level, Media Molecule (the company who made LBP) included a multiplayer head-on level. Unlike traditional platform level, players are now thrown into a small area where the sackboys are equipped with a rocket launcher on their head. The objective of the game is to shoot each other and gain points. I think the developers have learnt the importance of multiplayer from LBP1 and are trying to provide a new competitive ways that players can compete with each other in LBP2.
This is kind of new compared to LBP1 but honestly, I think that players would want more than shooting rockets at each other. The demo ends with this playable level. However, if you have been following news on LBP2, you would know that there is more that this title can offer compared to the demo. In some of the videos I have seen, you can play shooter, racing and even real-time strategy games on LBP2. And it supports PS Move as well! You can also compose your own musical track this time!
LBP2 is coming to you this month! Look out for it!
Not so long ago, I’ve written an article on how Kinect might change the way rhythm game is currently. And with Kinect coming to Singapore’s shore on the 18th of November 2010, I am really excited about this new gaming device. Out of the few pioneer games for Kinect, Michael Jackson: The Experience draws the most attention out of me.
So the above is a video of a lady trying out the latest Kinect version of Michael Jackson: The Experience. After watching the video, I realised how messy the dance is! I don’t blame the lady at all. Looking at the interface of the game, what I think is missing is that the game did not provide good cue to the beat of the game. The tester in the video is just trying frantically to repeat the moves of the little icon man that appears on the screen. Totally off beat for a song called ‘Beat it’! Seriously, I think she is dying from all the singing and dancing! Notice how she starts to catch her breath when she is singing in the later part of the video.
And to be honest, MJ’s dance move is not easy at all. Just look at this picture above, one of MJ’s signature move. I can imagine how some gamers will lose their balance trying to perform this move and smack their face directly onto the floor. A great video for Failblog.org! After playing the game, some might think that it might be as well renamed to “Michael Jackson: the Painful Experience”. Or it can be “Michael Jackson: the Tiring Experience”, and well, basically you can fit in any adjective you want.
Hmmm, that really makes me re-think whether Kinect can revolutionalize music games. The essence of music or rhythm game is about following the beat. This game seems to miss this point. Ok maybe it is just this game. Until Kinect is out and we get more review of this genre of games, I shall stay on the sideline and stick to my trusty old controller first.
5313 km away an exciting party for gamers is ending today. It is the Tokyo Game Show 2010 which runs from 16 September to 19 September . Like a child left out of a party, I cannot get first hand news from the TGS 2010 and had to look through the net for any updates. Some interesting upcoming games were showcased at the show. I will now provide a run through of these titles:)
1. Ni no Kuni
This game is a team-up between Studio Ghibli producer and Level-5, a Japan based game developer. There is a PS3 as well as a Nintendo DS version for this game. Studio Ghibli is well known for creating wonderful animated films such as Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. Ni No Kuni has a rather sad story line. It follows the adventure of a 13-year old boy who mother died suddenly. In order to revive her, he heeds the advice of a fairy and enter a parallel world called “Ninokuni”. For any who had watched Ghibli Studio’s production, the scene of the game has an uncanny resemblance to other Studio Ghibli’s film. As a matter of fact, the studio has been employing computer 3D graphic technology in some scenes of their animated film for some years. This may explain why some of the scenes of Ni no Kuni has flavours of Studio Ghibli’s animated film. The DS version is scheduled to be released this holiday season while the PS version will only be out next year.
2. The Last Guardian
This beautiful game about the friendship between a boy and a giant creature (that looks like a dog and eagle) named Trico is set to warm the heart of the player. Hmmm, but I do wonder what kind of game can the developer made that surround just these two characters. While it is announced that this game is going to be an action-adventure puzzle game, I hope that this game will not just be a level of puzzle after another. We will have to wait till late 2011 for this game to be released.
3. Metal Gear Solid Rising
Snake has retired but can Raiden bring new life to the MGS series? In MGS: Rising we get to slash enemies playing as ‘Ninja’ Raiden. The ‘free slicing’ mode allows the player to cut through space freely. The physics seen in the video above is really cool! For all you MGS fans out that, this game is due 2011 on Xbox 360 and PS3.
4. Deus ex:Human Revolution
For those who prefer the English version, here is the link.
This game is the third part of the action game series Deus Ex by British video game developer Eidos Interactive (it was later bought over by Square-Enix). Just watching the video makes me wonder whether this is a game or movie. This title is available on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
5. Final Fantasy Versus XIII
This is a video leak from TGS 2010 for Final Fantasy Versus XIII. In this video, we can only have a very vague idea of what this Action-RPG game is going to be like. A scene of the player slashing a behemoth was shown in this trailer. It gives us a rough idea of the kind of slash and kill game play that FF versus XIII is going to be. Instead of the usual turn-based attack of FFXIII, now I really get to cut down a real behemoth! Cool!
6. God of War: Ghost of Sparta
GOW is now on PSP! We don’t have to wait long for this one, it is going to be released this coming year end holiday.
7. Gran Turismo 5
More video released for TGS 2010. Get ready to be blown off by the new stunning visual effects! GT5 is out end of this year.
8. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
A revive of the Castlevania franchise, this new title has Hideo Kojima’s input as an advisor. Looking to be a cross between Devil May Cry and God Of War, we will see soon whether this game can indeed revive the Castlevania series around October of this year when it is released.
Going 3D?
Sony who is pushing for 3D gaming in TGS 2010 even had a 3D panel at TGS 2010. Currently, Xbox 360 is unable to serve 3D content to players unlike PS3. But wearing a pair of glasses and the need to burn a hole in your pocket to get that 3D TV may put off players who are thinking of going into 3D gaming. Especially with the ‘glasses-less’ Nintendo 3Ds coming out probably before next April, players will be spoilt. Wearing glasses to play game? No way! Well, it might be still too early to see whether 3D gaming to kick off. But until the price of 3D TV drops, it is likely to be a barrier for most gamers to go 3D.
So that’s it. A round-up of the games featured in TGS 2010. Of course there are games that I have not covered. Among them we have, Asura’s Wrath, Yakuza: Of the End, Fable III, Killzone III, Monster Hunter Portable, Patapon 3, Tokyo Jungle, Dance Evolution and many more. Darn…they should have a Singapore Game Show too. I guess our gaming industry is just not matured enough.
By now, most of you should know about Dance Central. This latest game belongs to the genre of rhythm games, also known as rhythm action, and is developed by Harmonix Music System (the same guys who brought you Rock Band and Guitar Hero). Dance Central is the perfect game that utilized the full-motion capture capability of the Kinect. Unlike previous dancing games like Para Para Paradise and the older Dance Dance Revolution, your full body movement is captured by the system and your moves will be evaluated by the game.
I simply cannot hide my excitement for Dance Central. But alas, the uniqueness of the Kinect System makes the game possible only on Xbox 360. So PS3 owners like me can either get a Xbox 360, or wait for the PS3 version which could be coming out according to Kotaku.com. I do wonder how I am supposed to dance with the PS Move motion controller. I think the experience will still be better with Kinect controller-less system.
I remember the very first rhythm-action game I had played was PaRappa the Rapper. It was on Playstation One and I really enjoyed the music with its’ weird but funny lyrics. Oh I still remember the master of the Dojo, Chop Chop Master Onion! Hayatatatacha! Kick! Punch!
Then came the time when Dance Dance Revolution started sprouting at arcades all over the place. I bought a PS Dance mat with the game and started dancing my way at home. It was so addictive that I played for many long hours straight sweating like a dog after each session. Who says gaming makes you fat? And I think Dance Central will be a perfect ‘slimming game’ that can easily beat the Wii Fit.
After the success of Dance Dance Revolution, we see the rise of another dance machine, Para Para Paradise. I am, however, no fan of this game. I have seen youngsters flaunting their dance skills in front of the machine but I simply couldn’t get the beat and mechanism right. I failed terribly during my first and last try on the Para Para machine. But I do really have to admit that some of the Para Para-ers were really great dancers. With Para Para Paradise, dancing in front of a machine is one step closer to the real dance.
More rhythm-action games soon followed such as Beat Mania, Drum Mania, Rock Band, Guitar Hero and my favourite Taiko Drum Master! I am now waiting eagerly for the release of Dance Central and hoping to see it soon on PS3. This would probably be a game that all gamers can play with their girlfriends or wifes. Perfect!:)
1. Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood (16 November 2010)- Assassin’s Creed’s plot is captivating and the gameplay is simply awesome. Looking at the demo of the multiplayer for Brotherhood, this game looks promising! The previous installment brought us to the renaissance period in Europe. The non-linear, open-style gameplay makes it one of the highest rated game. But what is exciting about this upcoming Brotherhood could be the multiplayer mode. Check out the video below:)
2. Marvel VS Capcom 3 (Spring 2011): Fighting games have been given a new live since SF4 which introduced 3D characters (and background) with the nice retro two-dimensional fight. No more irritating strafing or rolling. Marvel VS Capcom 3 looks like it is going to be a hit with the gathering characters which we love in this game such as Dante from Devil May Cry 3. Too bad we may not get to play it by end of the year.Oh btw, wouldn’t it be great to have a Square-Enix VS Street Fighter? And throw in Solid Snake with his CQC. Surely that will be a game-of-the-year!
3. Little Big Planet 2 (16 November 2010): The cute little sack boy is back exclusively again for PS3! But LBP2 is trying to push beyond the boundary of a platform game. User can now create racing, shooting and even Real-Time-Strategy game! Wow! I just hope that the game developer will not focus too much on simply just expanding the breadth of the game but pay attention to the depth of the game such as improving the physics (which is already very good) and the gameplay. I would still like to jump around platforms dodging fireball and falling rocks like in LBP. But would definitely like to see improvement for the platform game in LBP2.
That’s it folks! Any upcoming games which you feel deserves GameTrader.SG to mention, please add in the comment! We are always looking out for nice games to buy!
