Mos Def - The Ecstatic

If there's a better hipperty hopperty album released this year I've not heard it.

I always think when listening to a rap album how the music would sound sans lyric. If this album where an instrumental it would probably still be stunning. The fact that Mos is a deft and interesting lyricist is an added bonus. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Let the Silly Season Begin!

As September start we see the usual glut of software being readied for release for everyones christmas cash.. Having had a browse through Play.com's coming soon pages there's an overwhelming amount of new software about to be released.

Perhaps though less triple A must have titles than last year.. I think some of that's down to some good stuff being delayed until Q1 2010. That's not to say that this year is going to be any easier on my bank balance. Even discounting some of the optimistic release dates on Play.com I count at least 18 games that I'm interested in and at least 12 (across all five platforms that I own) that are essential purchases.

First out of the blocks is Colin McRae: DiRT 2 in early september, then in date order we have: Scribblenauts, Uncharted 2, Brutal Legend, Forza 3, GTA: Episodes from Liberty City, Ratchet & Clank: Crack in Time, Blur, CoD:Modern Warfare 2, No More Heroes 2, Gran Turismo 2 and Legend of Zelda:Spirit Tracks making the essential list.

Need for Speed:Shift, Wet, Halo 3:ODST, Pilot Wings Wii, Gran Turismo PSP and Assassin's Creed II making the wait and see list.

The "Complete" List

Resistance 2
Mirror's Edge - 360
Quantum of Solace - 360
House of the Dead: Overkill - Story & Directors Cut
Fable 2 - Story Mode
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot - (Liquid Easy)
Wario Ware: Smooth Moves
Saints Row
Race Pro - Career Mode
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (Easy) - 360
Conan (Easy) - PS3
GTA IV - 360
Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Manhunt 2
Prince of Persia
No More Heroes - Real Ending
GTA: Chinatown Wars
Silent Hill 2 - (4 star rating, Leave ending)
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga - DS
Silent Hill 3 - (5 star rating)
Little Big Planet - Story Mode
Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass

The last power I received actually made me laugh with joy. No spoilers here for anyone who hasn't played it but it was a great game and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Even all the Boss battles. An essential DS purchase

Purchase Power

I think Batman: Arkham Asylum is only the second new game I've picked up on day of release this year.. I ended up plumping for the 360 version despite the PS3 version having exclusive content. Mainly because 360 versions of 3rd party games tend to be superior and secondly cos there might be some fun achievements.

I also spied Killzone 2 has finally reached the magic sub £20 price point in Game. So I picked that up as well. Never played the first one but I having cleared Little Big Planet last night I've not got anything PS3 related..

I had a new set of questions today in Game.. Did I know the PS3 slim was coming and the Elite has been reduced? Did I want either for increased storage? Suffice to say I'm happy with my launch PS3 and its backward compatibility and I already have three 360s at home so no.. I don't want any more consoles at the moment.

The "Complete" List

Resistance 2
Mirror's Edge - 360
Quantum of Solace - 360
House of the Dead: Overkill - Story & Directors Cut
Fable 2 - Story Mode
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot - (Liquid Easy)
Wario Ware: Smooth Moves
Saints Row
Race Pro - Career Mode
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (Easy) - 360
Conan (Easy) - PS3
GTA IV - 360
Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Manhunt 2
Prince of Persia
No More Heroes - Real Ending
GTA: Chinatown Wars
Silent Hill 2 - (4 star rating, Leave ending)
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga - DS
Silent Hill 3 - (5 star rating)
Little Big Planet - Story Mode

Really amazing game.. The story mode is lots of fun and really well done.

It's had plenty of time for user generated content and so I had a little browse through that. You can see what levels your friends have played and liked and it's a really good way of finding some fun stuff.

One level, a re-imagining of Jack and the Beanstalk was awesome with a giant beanstalk and a giants castle and a chase and a golden egg and everything.. It must of taken hours.

The "Complete" List

Resistance 2
Mirror's Edge - 360
Quantum of Solace - 360
House of the Dead: Overkill - Story & Directors Cut
Fable 2 - Story Mode
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot - (Liquid Easy)
Wario Ware: Smooth Moves
Saints Row
Race Pro - Career Mode
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (Easy) - 360
Conan (Easy) - PS3
GTA IV - 360
Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Manhunt 2
Prince of Persia
No More Heroes - Real Ending
GTA: Chinatown Wars
Silent Hill 2 - (4 star rating, Leave ending)
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga - DS
Silent Hill 3 - (5 star rating)

I think I actually enjoyed this more than Silent Hill 2. It's graphically superior. Although a lot shorter (It took me just over 6 hours to complete according to my save file compared to over 12 for the second game) it's more focused and there's less aimless wandering of the town.

I preferred the main protagonist, Heather, as well. She's feisty and I think playing a girl added to the scare factor. This game actually made me jump more. I also felt the 'nightmare' alternate realities where more in keeping with the first game and genuinely disturbing. The bit where the bath over flowed with blood whilst the bloody tendrils expanded over your reflection was horrible. The monsters too where more menacing and yet you couldn't help feeling sorry for the split head dogs when they yelped and ran off after a good battering with the pipe.

The story itself wasn't as strong echoing the first games hokey 'God summoning' and I thought it was cheeky to reuse a chunk of Silent Hill 2's level. There was also a bit too much instant death for my liking. Especially when the controls are still a bit clunky.

Overall though another enjoyable experience. I intend to move straight onto Silent Hill 4: The Room now.

Currently Playing: Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

Me and Zelda have a history of never really seeing eye too eye. I really couldn't get on with the SNES port on the GBA.. It's just too old school. I famously managed to get stuck on the tutorial of Wind Waker and whilst I made more progress on Orcarina of Time I don't think it aged well.

However I'm currently flush with enthusiasm for all things DS and having spotted a copy of the Phantom Hourglass for a tenner it didn't seem like a huge risk.

When I heard that Links control mechanism was to be with the stylus I imagined some kind of rubbish point and click style effect that would be vague and annoying. In fact it's a stroke of genius. The game pretty much does away with the face buttons almost entirely (there's one button that switches the screens but more on this later) and is all the better for it. Link is a joy to control and deft movement is soon second nature.

For me though the main improvement is in the structure. Underneath the pretty Wind Waker-ish cell shaded graphics (there's one windy Isle where Link has to run against the wind and the animation is almost too cute.) it's pretty much still the top down levels of Zelda of old. But here the story and your progress are much more focused.. There's a steady progression of islands, dungeons and items that your receive that make progress possible and it's nearly always clear where you should be going next.

That's not too say exploration is out. There's plenty of islands not on the map to find and explore and sunken treasures to find.. But it's rare also when you're not entirely sure where to go next.

Even returning to the same central dungeon repeatedly isn't too much of a chore. You can switch the top map screen down to the lower screen and write notes to yourself on where switches and items (and anything else that takes your fancy) are straight onto the screen. This combined with the new items and abilities mean that levels of the dungeon that took all your time and powers of lateral thinking become easier.

Hopefully I'll be able too see the adventure all the way to the end. I'm even thining of giving The Wind Waker another whirl.

It ain't over until..

Here's a quick round up of games I still have too finish.

I've completed the last mission on Ninja Blade upto the last boss battle. It's a bit of tough one even compared to some of the earlier ones.. Plus with out saveable checkpoints the whole thing needs to be done in one sitting.. I still have hopes of completing this though because I really did enjoy the game.

I ground too a halt on Little Big Planet's story mode on the last but one world.. The five lives per checkpoint get a bit annoying on some of the tougher sections. On this particular bit there's a series of circles rotating within each other and I couldn't seem to time the jumps for the last section. I'm sure a bit of practice would see me through but I just don't have the patience at the moment.

FUEL's career mode is probably about half way completed.. My excuse here is that I've been obsessed with the Silent Hill boxset. I must really polish this one off before the glut of racing games arrive later in the year.

Assassin's Creed is also a last mission boss battle waiting too happen. I don't think there's any spoilers here by saying the last bit is a pitched battle and I got annoyed with it. However a friend on a forum has given me a few hints for completing it and with the sequel on it's way this is one game I should really polish off too.

The "Complete" List

Resistance 2
Mirror's Edge - 360
Quantum of Solace - 360
House of the Dead: Overkill - Story & Directors Cut
Fable 2 - Story Mode
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot - (Liquid Easy)
Wario Ware: Smooth Moves
Saints Row
Race Pro - Career Mode
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (Easy) - 360
Conan (Easy) - PS3
GTA IV - 360
Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Manhunt 2
Prince of Persia
No More Heroes - Real Ending
GTA: Chinatown Wars
Silent Hill 2 - (4 star rating, Leave ending)
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga - DS

The Force is strong in this one.

I was trying to decide, whilst playing it all day yesterday, why it was better than Lego Indiana Jones. Was it just because it was the original concept? Was the source material more suitable? Did it simply suit the DS better than the 360?

I've come to the conclusion that it's all those things. The iconic Star Wars universe has been captured perfectly. The sound is fantastic. Obviously the theme musics are a given but hearing a Wookie wail or a startled droid never gets dull. Little things like Yoda moving slowly until he gets his lightsaber out when he tumbles and rolls about just like in the film.

Of course it's fairly simple, chunky graphics based on Lego weren't stressing the 360 but here on the DS it looks really good. There's not the kind of DS focused use of the hardware that Zelda and GTA: Chinatown Wars managed but what is there is good. The force push is very easy to use with a thumb while your using the conventional controls.

There's also some inspired vehicle levels. Pod racing is fun but taking down AT-ATs with your tether wire by frantically whizzing your thumb around it is inspired.

If just a pity other developers cant seem to capture this amount of magic without the Lego-ness.

I think it'll be a cartridge a keep with the DS so that I can have a dip into the Free Play mode and try and find all the secrets. (completing story mode apparently only counts towards 40% of total completion.)

First Look: Silent Hill 3

First off! Why would you swap the function of the 'select' and the 'start' button between direct sequels? What paused the game and what brought up your inventory are now on opposite buttons! Confusing!

While I'm complaining... Why does the map now not default to the zoomed in view that is more helpful? Now the heroines head is attracted to just about everything not only does she now resemble Regan but it's less helpful.

The "Complete" List

Resistance 2
Mirror's Edge - 360
Quantum of Solace - 360
House of the Dead: Overkill - Story & Directors Cut
Fable 2 - Story Mode
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot - (Liquid Easy)
Wario Ware: Smooth Moves
Saints Row
Race Pro - Career Mode
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (Easy) - 360
Conan (Easy) - PS3
GTA IV - 360
Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Manhunt 2
Prince of Persia
No More Heroes - Real Ending
GTA: Chinatown Wars
Silent Hill 2 - (4 star rating, Leave ending)

I seem to remember the original game being much more Resident Evil inspired with it's odd puzzles and general, town gone bad, story line. This sequel is a much more mature journey into guilt and relationships. It took me just over 12 hours to complete and I only came a croper on a couple of puzzles (Although I did have riddles set too easy cos that kind of thing frustrates my poor brain). I really enjoyed the prison section. I couldn't find a map and ended up producing my own which ended up much like the in game versions.

The scares are more subtle and mature too. There's none of the cheap shocks of Resi instead it's much more atmospheric and in some cases just plain weird. There's also great use of sound.. childish whimpering, breaking glass and weird moans can all be heard at certain points and yet never mature into a physical threat. There's a lot of creeping dread..

Suffice to say I've moved straight on to number three.

The " Complete" List

Resistance 2
Mirror's Edge - 360
Quantum of Solace - 360
House of the Dead: Overkill - Story & Directors Cut
Fable 2 - Story Mode
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot - (Liquid Easy)
Wario Ware: Smooth Moves
Saints Row
Race Pro - Career Mode
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (Easy) - 360
Conan (Easy) - PS3
GTA IV - 360
Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Manhunt 2
Prince of Persia
No More Heroes - Real Ending
GTA: Chinatown Wars

I really hated GTA on PSP. It pushed the machine to breaking point to try and bring the PS2 experience to the handheld and ended up pretty much unplayable.

For this brand new DS based story Rockstar have designed it from the ground up for Nintendos handheld machine. Out go flashy graphics, Cutscenes and endless UMD access. In comes a cracking top down cell shaded look that has a hint of 3D and looks brilliant. Cutscenes are replaced with comic style panels and witty dialogue.

They've managed to capture the very essence of what makes GTA fun and lost none of the scale. Liberty City is huge. Almost everything you'd want to do from it's bigger brother is possible. The driving and shooting are hugely fun. Even long journeys are entertaining with all the vehicles feeling different. There's a wide range of chunky weapons and a great lock-on system that nearly always picks the right target (well it wouldn't be GTA if it didn't occasionally leave you high and dry). Everything is run from your PDA with missions and purchases regularly being messaged to you.

There's also great use of the touch screen to do also sorts of fun stuff and plenty of variety in the missions too.

Barring a couple of difficulty spikes and the usual annoying lack of checkpoints the game is pretty much perfect for on the go fun. A great welcome back to the DS. Essential.

P.s. That's 18 titles completed and that matches last years total!

Purchase Power

A couple of DS purchases to update you all on.

I got Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for £10 in Game second hand. Which seemed like a bargain. I know my history of Zelda games isn't great but I'm looking forward too it.

I also got Lego Star Wars for £15 in HMV brand new. Having had a lenghty gap between my original DS and this new DS lite there seems to be a fair bit of cheap software to catch up on.

Currently Playing: Silent Hill 2

In what's probably the biggest gap between a First Look and a Currently Playing I once again make a start on Silent Hill 2 (in fact such a long gap there wasn't even a 'First Look' feature on this blog back then).

I figured I might as well start from the beginning again. This time I switched to the 2d control scheme which is much more comfortable to the modern gamer making James walk in the direction your pushing the stick rather than that 3d moonwalking/tank like default controls.

The long walk into Silent Hill itself is still a bit on the dull side but at least the graphics are atmospheric. I don't know what I was thinking before. However after a bit of exploration I got to the first appartment block and the real meat of the game shows itself.. working my way around the spooky appartment block, radio crackling, torch still unfound is genuinely creepy. The map works well illuminating points of interest and I was soon digging out a note book. Although the in game one does a decent job!

My first sighting of pyramid head from within a cupboard while he did unspeakable things to two horrible flesh monsters had me desperately trying to turn my torch off even though it was a cutscene and beyond my control.

Whilst I can't say my visit has been nice I'm very glad I went back.

The "Complete" List

Resistance 2
Mirror's Edge - 360
Quantum of Solace - 360
House of the Dead: Overkill - Story & Directors Cut
Fable 2 - Story Mode
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot - (Liquid Easy)
Wario Ware: Smooth Moves
Saints Row
Race Pro - Career Mode
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (Easy) - 360
Conan (Easy) - PS3
GTA IV - 360
Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Manhunt 2
Prince of Persia
No More Heroes - Real Ending

Was there ever a game where the saying "You get what you give" was more true? The game is basically 12 boss battles in a row. As Nish hinted there's a couple of surprises along the way but there's an awful awful lot more busy work to be done.

So what makes it such a work of genius? The story is great, The cut scenes and the bosses themselves are all really interesting and humourus. There's lot of lovely little incidental touches as well. Answering the phone by listening to the little speaker in the Wii-mote was brilliant. Playing with the cat. Collecting T shirts. Treasure hunting with Beam Katana.. All great.

But what it really boils down to is getting into the vibe of the game. Visiting the gym between every mission and going for the burn, Earning enough cash to have the best Katana available and upgrading it, Searching for the balls so the drunk russian guy shows you special abilities, Buying the videos and trying to get Golds in all the part time jobs and Assassins missions.

The combat never gets boring despite being very repetitive. I loved the fourth Katana. When Travis unsheathed it just like a Samari I was laughing with joy. Nevermind when I found out I could beat my previous best score of 104 kills by another 16 with it on Assassin mission 17. Brilliant.

There was a lot of things I learnt on the fly. Suddenly finding the bike had a boost button helped me get gold on the bike jump part time job. Wiggling the nunchuck stick when being hit allows you to enter a kind of black mode that was cool.

There was a couple of things I didn't like. I could've done without having to skip through the same conversations everytime I applied for a new job or went in a shop.. and I would've liked the option to restart when I'd failed without having to ride back to the shop and re-apply.. but that's about it.

All the boss battles where memorable and fortunately I already had the Tsubaki III so I could go straight to the final boss battle and see the amazing end... Can't wait for the sequel now.

Great Expectations: Batman: Arkham Asylum

This has been on my Bat Radar for sometime.. Initially hopes obviously weren't high. Comic Book licences and Video games not normally making comfortable bed fellows. However as the (delayed) development has gone along it's started to look more and more promising. The previews have gone from cautious optimism to enthusiasm...

The World Exclusive review from OPM is in and it's scored a healthy 9 out of 10. The demo is out on Friday so we'll be able to have a little look-e-see for ourselves..

Suffice to say this could be my first new day one purchase for some time. I may even pre-order it. Fingers crossed that I'll feel as much like Batman as I did aged 7 when I came second in the local fancy dress contest! (apparently I would've won but the judges thought the costume was shop bought! (It wasn't, My mum was just awesome with a sewing machine.))