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
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Killzone 2
WET
Halo 3: ODST - (Legendary)
DiRT 2 - 100%
Halo 3* - (Legendary)
Mario Kart Wii
CoD: Modern Warfare 2 - (Normal)
Uncharted 2: Amongst Thieves
Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time

Completed this over the weekend, Mostly during a marathon session on Sunday. I'd say it was probably a touch shorter than ToD. It's mostly more of the same. There are some changes. Some good, Some bad.

The biggest change was the Clank levels. ToD's Clanks levels saw him control the 'Zoni' to over come puzzles and obstacles but where mostly dull. The story of CiT see time manipulation come to the fore and the puzzles that Clank faces here have a Braid style inspiration. Suffice to say it was the part of the game I was least looking forward to and ended up enjoying most.. It's a pity there wasn't more of them. Just as I was enjoying the challenge they'd finished.

The Weapons, always a highlight of a R&C game where a bit weak this time. I ended up only using a handful. You've got to love a game where the missile launcher is called the 'Negotiator' but there wasn't the scope and variety of ToD and I didn't like the upgrade system as much either.

The space combat was improved, The bonus worlds had a sort of Super Mario Galaxy flavour to them and I enjoyed the ones I tried (at a certain point you need a certain amount of 'Zoni' to progress but I did the bear minimum of exploring side quests).

The cut scenes and story where up to the usual high standard and I found a lot of it laugh out loud funny. Especially the line 'I am your Father's Accountant.'

So overall a great end to this particular trilogy of Ratchet & Clank games but Insomniac needs to come up with something more for the next adventures.

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

After a second complete play through saw me stumble at the last boss once again I decided it was time to finally polish this bad boy off. A quick visit to GameFaqs suggested that finding all thirteen pieces of the Holo Plan and constructing the RYNO IV would help in the final boss battle. So one afternoon spent finding them and I finally beat the Boss on the second try. Can't wait for the next episode.

Currently Playing: Ratchet & Clank

Progress was going very smoothly until I reach a couple of really tough sections ON THE SAME PLANET.

A quick visit to a FAQ reveals that they're a couple of really tough sections and I'll have to practice lots.. Thanks for that Insomniac.. I'll send the bill for my broken SIXAXIS,

Currently Playing: Ratchet & Clank

I was up in the loft last night looking for my old X-Box games (Although that's another story) when I stumbled across a huge box of old PS2 and PSone games. Seeing as there's nothing on the horizon worth a purchase until inFamous at the end of the month I thought I'd have a search for something that might fill some gaming time.

I found a copy of Ratchet & Clank which I can remember not being overly impressed with at the time (I think I was expecting something more Jak & Daxter-y) but having enjoyed the PS3 sequels I thought it had to be worth a look.

Obviously as the first game in the series it's basically an origin story with Ratchet finding Clank and then having to find most of the equipment you take for granted in the later games. The first surprise was how good it looked. Compared to my last PS2 on PS3 experience (Silent Hill 2) it stands up very well with the same detailed character models and busy levels (if obviously a lot last generationy.. In fact it's when you go back that you realise how far things have moved forwards).

I'm assuming it's a side effect of running on a software emulation 60Gb PS3 but there's an awful lot of slow down when there's a lot moving on screen. Anyone whose played a Ratchet & Clank game will know there's nearly always a lot moving on screen too.. But it's not game ruining (yet anyway) and adds a kind of bullet time effect which suits my old man reactions.

As you might expect the games a little less refined all round than the sequels. Crucially for a gun based 3d platformer there's no strafe function which makes the combat a little less satisfying than ToD. Although there's plenty of nuts and bolts to collect and weapons to buy there doesn't appear to be any upgrading them either..

So far though it's just as enjoyable. I'll keep you updated.

The "Complete" List 2009

So a brand new year, A brand new list.

Resistance 2

First scalp of the year. It's very linear. Very old school and somehow a bit of a let down. As Insomniacs third PS3 outing I was expecting something jaw dropping. Something like Ratchet & Clank. What I got was more of the same really. Some dull boss fights and some annoying difficulty spikes.

What there's most of is annoying design decisions. Gone is carrying the huge arsenal of weapons in favour of a Halo style limit letting you to carry just two weapons. Which is dull. Most weapons spawn where you might need them but it stops you from experimenting with weapons and combat ... or even carrying a favourite. Next is the health system. The first game had four health sections each section would recharge in cover but you'd have to collect health packs to replace lost sections. That's been replaced by a Call of Duty style reddening of the screen when you're getting hit. Rubbish.

There's also a host of annoying enemies (Yes I know they're the bad guys and they're not supposed to be likeable). There's a 'Flood' like zombie sort that charge straight at you (even when you're in a squad they mostly home in on you) in huge numbers. It's not fun. There's a sort of invisible monster that doesn't appear until it's very close and charges straight at you. Most of the old bad guys reappear and they're fun.. There's some huge mofo's as well and, mostly, they're fun (as long as you find the hand heavy ordinance that will have been left conveniently about.. ). Other wise the combat is mostly as solid and fun as before. OH and there's no annoying vehicle section.

Story wise it's more of the same with a bit of globe trotting thrown in for fun. It's thoroughly average. Although not devoid of entertainment.

The "Complete" List

John Woo Presents Stranglehold
Portal
Test Drive: Unlimited ( ALL Gold in the SP challenges.)
Loco Roco*
The Darkness (Easy)
Lost: Via Domus
LEGO Indiana Jones - The Original Adventures (Story Mode)
Battlefield: Bad Company (Easy) & (Normal)
Ratchet & Clank : Quest for Booty

Having really enjoyed Tools of Destruction I was very much looking forward to this. It's basically an extended chapter of the game and plays very similarly to the last game. There's a limited selection of weapons to collect/upgrade along the way and it probably represents reasonable VFM for the outlay (I'd expected it to last maybe a little longer).

It's a great example though of downloadable media. I would be more than happy to download my games in quarter sections at £10 a pop if they maintained this level of quality.

Currently Playing Roundup

Well finally my PS3 based investment starts to pay off with some serious play time. I've actually completely replayed Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction spending a touch more time exploring and making sure I had a variety of weapons powered up to 5 experience levels as well as full developed with 'Raritarium' and still couldn't do the final boss. Gave up after two attempts because ... well lifes to short and I don't have the patience.

Started Gran Turismo 5:Prologue at the weekend. It has to be said it's beautiful to behold. The front end is excellent with a lovely menu interface and 'Live' info from the GT universe and real world stuff as well. It's a little clunky to actually use and somewhat long winded too (after finishing an event you have to go back through another 3 menu screens to choose the next event cos it takes you all the way back to the front end). Rather disappointingly the first track you play is the 'High Speed Ring' which has been featured in every GT game since the first one. Having said that it does show what a leap it is.. The replays are truly stunning the cars surpassing anything seen in PGR4 or Forza 2 for photo realism. Having switched to 'Professional handling' and turning all the driving aids off it has a very satisfying handeling model to.. It soon get's very challenging just to keep the cars on the road. It's tough too. I've got as far as class A cars and it's proper hard. Sadly you can't tune or buy parts for your chosen automobile at this point in the game (always one of the best and deepest parts of the GT experience) and for me this rather shows up the still poor-ish AI of the competition. I've yet to try the online mode. Overall though solid value rather than exceptional but a great chance to show what the PS3 can do.. Should sell some machines if you're worried about that sort of thing.

So Near, Yet So Far

Also known as the reverse 'Complete' List. A new list of games in which I will admit to having given up on them. I'll try and say how far I got and how why I gave up too.. Let's face it the failures are going to make for more regular posting.

Ratchet & Clank: ToD - Got as far as the very last boss. I hate boss battles. So I had a couple of bashes at it. Read a FAQ and promptly gave up intending to have another go when I was less 'fatigued'. I may have another run through the game now. And I'd probably call this a completion (but I'd only be cheating myself).

Assassin's Creed Got as far as the very last assignment that turns out to amplify all the things I'd found frustrating into a game breaking mess of a final level. Again I intended to go back to it when 'fresh' but ... As much as I wanted to like the game it was repetitive, dull and frequently annoying and the lure of those achievement points for finishing off an again all but completed game isn't enough for me. Not one I'll be having another go at.

Currently Playing : Quick Round Up.

A quick update on the games I have on the go at the minute.

Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction

I'm basically at the last boss and it just needs polishing off and adding to the list.. Probably followed by another play through trying to hoover up all the gold bots and plan pieces.

Uncharted: Drakes Fortune

Hit the last level (22 for those that want to know) only to find it's bastarding hard as nails even on easy and lacks a decent checkpoint.. Put to one side for the moment.

Assassin's Creed

I've done 7 of the nine assasinations and about 3/4 of the side quests.. It's a very frustrating game to play. Compounded by the 8th assassination being based in the harbour. Which has a number of walkways, some boats and some poles sticking out of the water. One wrong move and you're in the drink. Guess what? Altair can't swim. Very annoying. I'll probably try and battle through to the end having spent as much time as I have already on it.. But it's not fun.

Super Mario Galaxy

I now need 19 stars to provide enough power to get to the centre of the universe (or some such). It's like the Anti-sassin Creed. Can't say I'm putting in massive sessions a la the EDGE fan boys but it's fun to switch on, collect a couple of stars, and switch off again.

Currently Playing : Round Up

Another mixed weekend of gaming so another round up of what I've been playing to keep your all informed.

My 360 registered it's 50th day streak of continual play on Friday and it has indeed been a golden few months for M$ next gen hope... However with Assassin's Creed starting to dissappoint and annoy in equal measure now it's had its quietest weekend for a long while registering a big zero in play time for me.. Next stop PH's 360 offering mine advice on how to spend its down time.

The PS3 was the main beneficary of this as Rachet & Clank continues to be an absolute joy to play. It's also a pretty decent length. Reached the last boss last night after a two hour session and I didn't really have the patience for it so I'll try and polish it off tonight. Silent Hill 2 remained untouched this week but that may well change.

And so on the arrival of the Wii.. I set it up on Sunday afternoon. It eventually slotted in beside my Amp under the telly in it's up right position. The Sensor bar went on top of the Bravia and it's silver and black construction is an almost perfect match.

Having picked up Super Mario Galaxy I decided to try that first and leave the bundled Wii Sports for another day. I should also say that despite PH's recommendation of picking up a composite lead has been ignored for the moment. I'm using the bundled A/V connection as the only spare slot on the back of my TV is Scart one and so for convenience that'll do for now.

First impressions of the game where indeed favourable compared to my only other 3d Mario comparison SM Sunshine, Shaking the Remote to attack and smash is ok but so far I'm not finding it easy to move mario and pick up the starbits with remote. It does show a lot of promise though. I particularly enjoyed one level which was a glass cylinder with several floors.. the twist being that depending on the arrows on the core/wall the ceiling became the floor and vice versa. Very inventive. I reached the first bee level and had to call it a night. So far a cautious thumbs up for both game and Wii.

Purchase Power

So wandering around WHsmiths looking for Russell Brand (See below) I spied Ratchet & Clank: ToD for £39.99.. A quick look at Play.com when I got back confirmed that their price for it was the same....

After a moments contemplation I caved in ran back and purchased it with two crisp twenty pound notes... Justifying it thus: The PS3 needs a work out.. I can probably trade it in for Uncharted without losing to much money on it if I don't like it.