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.

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

As the game went on there where more and more things I didn't look. The combat is utter bobbins. I don't normally mind QTEs but these seemed particularly harsh. The button flash that allows you to get up from the ground without being saved by the princess is ok.. But the ones during combat I very rarely got. Fortunately it's a very forgiving game. The other problem with combat is that all the bosses in the game need defeating five times each and they're all pretty much the same. Fairly soon into the game the bosses assume the same three states.. It's dull.

The AI on the princess could of done with a bit more polish as well.. She's often stood in the way. She's not always in the right place at puzzles either. If she can fly why does she need to be carried over the vined sections? It slows the prince down and often breaks up the flow of movement.

The camera is generally good and the right stick nearly always let's you see what you want.. But having the A button do pretty much everything means that often you'll be lining up a jump only to find the camera changes angles and thus you leap into space. Or you run vertically when you want to run up and vice a versa. Again very annoying when you want to wall run left and then leap. He'll instead run up the wall and then leap 180 degrees back into nothingness. It's less bad if you go more slowly make sure you've moved the camera and then waited for the prince's animation to see which way he's leaning but once again it slows the progress down.

My other two niggles are there weren't enough puzzles. In fact I can only think of three. All well done but there could've been more of them considering there wasn't much else too break up the action. After you've unlocked the green power plates the next three powers are all pretty much the same too.. The yellow was in particularly rubbish involving zooming from one plate to another but in a very disorientating flying style where you're supposed to dodge stuff but it's not always clear which way you're supposed to dodge.

Having said that, in an EDGE style, having dissed it constantly I absolutely loved the game. The art direction and style is fantastic. You genuinely want to see what else is around the corner. It felt a bit cheap making you do the levels twice too. But I really liked the transformation itself and then it was fun trying to get as many light seeds as you could (Although I was, in no way, compelled to find 'em all).

I also loved the growing interaction between the two leads.. I've read some complain about the end but for me it was perfect. As I already said it's not as good as Sands of Time but being the second best PoP ever made is no disgrace.

Purchase Power

So wandering through town on Friday I see darkSector for £35 in Game. It got a reasonable review in EDGE ( to sum up for non readers derivative action game that improves on the things it steals but becomes repetitive.) but at that price worth a punt.

Great Expectations

There's been a fair bit written about Little Big Planet . From EDGE to Eurogamer most recently and plenty in OPM on many occasions. It's starting to look very promising. Obviously the content creation has received a great deal of attention. I'm not a particularly creative person (if you couldn't tell from my awesome blog writing ability) but I am looking forward to being able to sample the stuff generated by people who are... And judging by the amount of time spent by some people decorating cars in Forza 2 there's plenty of people with the time and the talent (and the lack of sex life most probably) to make it very rewarding and extend it's life, possibly, for a long while.

Why do my hands sweat so much...

... when playing my Wii.. I should point out that I'm not a particularly sweaty person. I'm fair skinned and I'm only playing Super Mario Galaxy so it's not like I'm putting huge amounts of effort in either.. And yet half an hour or so in my hands are sweating like nobodys business. It's made the shiny surface of the Wii-mote and nunchuck rather mucky too.. I don't get this problem with my other consoles..

On the subject of SMG nice to see EDGE print 3 fanboy letters regarding it in this months issue (184) all pretty much raving about how it's re-ignited their love of gaming. I mean obviously I expected it to clean up at the awards (funny how it even wins best audio the day after I complain I can't turn it off) . Not sure what's meant by 'rim lighting' either. My favourite letter is the one where the guy compliments it on the cartoon style trees.. Apparently realisticly rendered trees are just getting in the way of good gaming..

After the EDGE message board went mental after lasts months PS3 cover story (mainly suspecting bungs or pro PS3 bias from EDGE) it'll be interesting to see if anything is said about this months Ninty love in. I'm not holding my breath