On the trail of the Origami Killer

It strikes me that David Cage's new game may be more at risk of plot spoilers and reveals than most video games... of course I guess we've all read the previews and hands on so far and thus are aware of the four main characters and the general style of gameplay.

I was about a page into the OPM review when, for the first time I can remember, I decided that I couldn't finish reading the five page, cover story, review of a must buy game. There where two reasons for this. Firstly I had the aforementioned feeling that anything I learnt about the plot or even the game mechanics (I wont pass on anything here but even thumbstick movements) could spoil things. Secondly I didn't like the almost Carry On way they where dealing with the sex scenes...

I'd decided an information black out was require until release. I don't need to read any other reviews since I've decided it's a launch purchase for me come what may. Having said that I couldn't help reading the EDGE preview (the fact that EDGE arrived with it's preview after OPM arrived with it's review you can read into what you want) because I knew they wouldn't let me down. They didn't.

I wonder why a game that features as much graphic, adult, content as GTA IV requires nipple tassles over the strippers breasts.. not that I want to see badly drawn 3D boobs (I've got access to the internet right?) but I wonder what message it sends out to our younger viewers that it's ok to go on rampages of violence and revenge, kill hookers and steal their cash but heaven forbid that one of them should get a naked boob out??

But is the industry and, let's face it, The Daily Mail ready for interactive sex and HD nudity? I'm really not sure. As a nearly 40 year old gamer that's been gaming since I was about 11 I feel I'm ready for whatever Cage has in store. I'm also willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until I get my hands on it (F'nar F'nar).. but I still have reservations.

Great Expectations - 2010 Special

Thanks to the Modern Warfare 2 effect the next few months are a 'bit packed' with big name titles so I thought I'd have a quick look ahead to what I'm excited about.

Mass Effect 2

A bit of unlikely first choice for me. Also the first game I've pre-ordered in absolutely ages. (Shopto.net by recorded delivery to work address). If, as they claim, they tightened up the shooting then more of the same in pretty much every other area will do me just fine. I'm excited at the prospect of being able to spend a lot more time in the universe this time.

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle

Another game whose prequel I came to late in it's life and not expecting much from that I absolutely loved. I'm not sure what to make of the sequel dropping the open city. It wasn't great in the first game, being a bit quiet and dull, but I liked riding around on the massive bike. Having said that they seem to have turned up the bonkersness to 11 for the sequel and I'm looking forward to making Jeane lean almost as much as cutting a swathe through dozens of henchman with my beam katana on the way to another set of outstandingly crazy boss battles.

Heavy Rain

PS3 really does seem to have the strongest list of exclusives for the early part of the year. The game certainly looks amazing. I'm intrigued with David Cage's attempt to tell a weighty, emotional and mature story via the medium of video games. I've no idea how it'll actually play (Despite Cage's claims to the contrary the nay sayers claims of a Dragons Lair QTE fest do worry me) but I'll certainly throw my £40 at him in the name of innovation.

God of War 3

There's been a lot of plagarism and pretenders to Kratos's throne since he's been gone but I've every hope that this will raise the bar, on what's become it's own little genre, and show Dante's Inferno and the rest how it's really done.

Just Cause 2

The first game seemed to be begging for a sequel to realise it's full potential and everything I've read about this makes it sound like this is going to be an absolute riot to play.

Purchase Power

Wandering around town today I happened upon a small selection of discounted PS3 games in WHSmiths. Lego Batman caught my eye at £21.00 and marked as 'Half Marked Price' as did Street Fighter IV for the same princely sum. Not that I need any more games at the moment but at a tenner a pop you'd be silly to miss them. However just to check that that was indeed the correct price I started with Lego Batman which, to be fair, Is the one I'm more likely to play.

In a handy Lego themed update, and in an effort to get more use out of my Guitar Hero Axe I also purchased Lego Rock Band for £22.50 from Shopto.Net because of it's excellent track listing.

Currently Playing: Darksiders

Following some what in BAYONETTA's shadow we come to my second purchase of last friday. If you where asked to explain the difference between the two to a non-gamer you'd probably struggle. Both contain super natural main characters, both feature combo heavy combat against angels and demons (at least I think they're angels and demons in BAYONETTA)and both have shops for upgrades.

Dig deeper though and where BAYONETTA is like a fine souffle Darksiders is a bit more like a substantial gaming pie (if you'll excuse the laboured metaphor). Just as nice in it's own way but there's a lot more too it.

One of the fun things is spotting the homages (or down right stolen ideas) from other games. Obviously there's a huge dollop of God of War even down to breaking open chests that fill up you're health, magic and spending points. They've borrowed the dungeons from Zelda where huge levels full of puzzles and locked doors need to be completed with a new power/item before facing off against a boss and then unlocking new areas with said power/item. You even get an extra health bar.

Dig deeper and you've got the throwing star from darkSector, the claw glove for sliding down surfaces from the last Prince of Persia there's the opening section where you're fully powered before being stripped of everything that apes Castlevania and more besides..

However it pulls it altogther. The combat is meaty and fun. The exploration and level design keeps you wanting to see whats next and the dungeons are pitched (for me at least) just the right side of frustration where I keep getting genuine eureka moments when I finally work out the solution to a puzzle or how to take down a boss.

My only complaint is perhaps the UI is a little busy (the pause/stat screen has four seperate screens showing items and abilities and weapons) and the pad is crammed a little full. Every button apart from pushing down the left stick is used, and sometimes for multiple things. It regularly asks you to press up to three buttons and sticks at a time as well as swapping between multiple items of equipment.

Overall though it's a very good game.

First Look: Bayonetta

Where DMC 4 felt like a souless effort by a team ticking all the franchises boxes to keep the fans and company directors happy this feels like a labour of love by a team at the peak of its powers. The attention to detail is stunning.

The first half hour is probably a little cutscene heavy but once you've done the prologue and you're into the game proper it's a stunning mix of awesome graphics, smooth combat and some light puzzles, exploration and collection. I'm really enjoying it. Even the boss battles. I even decided to play on Easy and not Very Easy although I can see it getting multiple play throughs.

Purchase Power

So the first decent releases of 2010 (possibly the first releases of 2010) hit the shelves today. I actually had a gift voucher for christmas from GAME although I had no idea how much was actually on it and I wanted to trade in Assassin's Creed 2. Mainly because I was annoyed when I found out the DLC (it turns out it's the 'corrupted files' in the game) was originally to be included in the game. The guy in GAME complimented me on getting the best price for it (£20) whilst telling me there was no way he'd trade it. Cannily over looking how many copies of the original game where clogging up his shelves at £10 a throw now.

Anyhow I ended up getting Bayonetta and Darksiders.

The "Complete" List - 2010

Left 4 Dead 2 - (All Campaigns)
Mass Effect

So I know there was supposed to be a review of the year 2 but in the end I couldn't be bothered.

I picked up Mass Effect for a tenner ages ago because friends have been badgering me to try it. I wasn't sure I'd like it. When I started it I was even more sure. It has a terrible opening few hours. There's conversations with people you don't know about things you don't know anything about.

However after a few hours the plot kicks in and the game gets a whole lot more exciting. Being a bit of RPG noob I let the game take care of my XP, which I kind of regretted later, and set it to easy, which of course I didn't regret later. There's a lot to take in early on and not a lot of clear instruction on what to do (of course I didn't read the manual but I'm reliably informed it's rubbish.)

Anyhow once it does kick in it's a great game. The various plot missions mostly involve blowing everything to bits but they're done in a very Hollywood style. The Mass Effect universe is very convincing as well with as good a cast of ships and aliens as you're likely too see outside of Star Wars.

Suffice to say I've already pre-ordered the sequel which I intend to dedicate a lot more time to and play in a more thorough fashion.. Possibly not on Easy.