PLAG End of the Year Round-Up

So it's been forever and a day, but Lynsey and I have just wrapped up another podcast detailing our selections for the best and the worst games of 2010. Listen below or check us out on iTunes!

Also, we bought our tickets to PAX East tonight - are you going?

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Issac . . . Where Are You Going?

So I just got my first taste of Sprawl.

The “Dead Space 2” demo has been released on Xbox Live and after closing the curtains, shutting off the lights and strapping on an adult diaper I summoned up my courage and dove in.

Oh man – let me tell you what.

The first thing I noticed about the controls were that they were exactly the same as the first game. Not that I expected them to be any different but it was really nice sliding right back into that control scheme. Anything that can help give you a sense of control in the world of “Dead Space” is a big bonus. There were some slight visual changes such as the electronic “bread crumbs” taking on a more curvy appearance in lieu of a rigid line and, of course, changes to Isaac’s RIG.

The second thing I noticed was how much more responsive the melee attacks were. In the previous game, Isaac’s punch and leg stomp seemed really sluggish and not very satisfying. That is not the case in “Dead Space 2” - the attacks are violent and precise with brutal results. Enemies even drop items now after you stomp on them, not after simply dying.

My favorite new gun is by far the spear gun that impales enemies and sends them sticking to a concrete surface behind them. It works seamlessly and can even aid in setting up traps. For instance, I had a lot of fun pinning those Necomorphs with the exploding arm sacks to the wall and then blowing them up as others approached.

Very, very, very satisfying.

The new levitation mechanic is crazy fun and very simple to use. By clicking the left stick you can easily push Isaac upwards, steer him with the right stick and then gently bring him back down with another click of the left. That is going to be great fun to use although I suspect it will get me lost more than a few times.

But what of the big question: is “Dead Space 2” scary?

Well folks, if I could share my sweaty palms and sore throat with you I would but go ahead and download the demo for yourself. Just . . . put a towel under you. The only thing that bothered me was that every time I got frightened in the game it was the result of a jump scare. However, it is only a demo and hopefully the atmosphere of the actual game will be more varied.

Regardless, I'm excited.

Cut Off The Limbs, Lara!

Okay people, first and foremost: I promise this blog is still alive. Things have just been very, very busy for Lynsey and me these last few months but there will most certainly be an effort to update more in the near future. Please know that even though we may not always respond we very much appreciate every comment and reader we get.

Truly <3

Now, on to business.

There were two pieces of news that came out today that are definitely worth mentioning. First were two new videos posted by GameInformer showing new footage from the upcoming, "Dead Space 2". The first (and most interesting) shows the game's art developer, Ian Milham, explaining some footage from the multiplayer which I admit I was really indifferent toward and now, having seen it I'm . . . well, I'm still pretty apathetic. The original "Dead Space" was so intensely effective largely due to the overwhelming sense of isolation; I'm still really not sure what the purpose of "Dead Space" multiplayer is and I can't help but notice the pretty glaring similarities to "Left 4 Dead 2". I'm certainly not saying I won't give it a shot but I really just don't understand the appeal.

The second video is more footage of the Milham explaining what players can expect in terms of scares in the sequel. It's nothing we haven't heard before - less cheap, jump scares and more atmosphere - but it's still exciting to watch.

For me though, the biggest surprise today came from Crystal Dynamics and the surprise announcement of a re-boot to the Tomb Raider series:

Despite the series hit-or-miss history, I've always had a soft spot for Ms. Croft and considered "Tomb Raider: Underworld" to be the most overlooked game of last year. This re-boot of the series which promises a young and experienced Lara as she struggles to develop her sense of adventure - and self - has me really, really excited.

It may also seem like a superficial thing - mainly because it is - but this cover also has me more hopeful for a more realistic, gritty Lara. It's silly but I'm honestly dying to see a muscle flex in her arm as she pulls herself up a rock face.

That, and less jiggle-action.

I suppose time will tell.

Welcome a new member to the family

Finally having finished a large chunk of homework that really needed to get done, I find myself finding the time to post to you lovely folks about some exciting video game things headed my way.

First of all, can we talk about the new Dead Space 2 Lullaby gameplay trailer? Let's.

Cary and I are really, really, really excited. I mean... really excited. This is a franchise that gets more and more awesome each month, it seems like. And the dudes at Visceral are all so great (I will never forget the panel at PAX East) who really have the fans of the games in mind.

Switching to another video game topic: my Xbox is, basically, sort of, no more. The other day, Cary and I were watching a video on it, the picture went funny (which it had done once before) so I turned it off, then turned it back on to an E74 error. Now, about a year ago, I had to take it somewhere for an overheating repair and I've decided that I'm not willing to throw another $100 into a piece of equipment with which I've already had so many issues. So I've decided it's time for...

No, you are not hallucinating. That is a PS3.

Now, let's be clear. Cary and I have never railed against the PS3. We believe it's a great system but Cary started out with an Xbox and when I got back into gaming, I wanted to play online with her. Things, since then, have changed.

I've spent a great deal of time weighing the pros and the cons of switching platforms and the pros heavily outweigh the cons. After trading in all my Xbox games and accessories, the money I'll put into a new PS3 won't be much at all. And let's talk about how Microsoft just jacked up the price of the Xbox Live Gold subscription... I can't even say how much it irritates me that you have to pay to watch Netflix (a service you already pay for, separately) on a console you've already paid for -- isn't paying for my own internet enough?

But I digress. Point being, I'm making some sacrifices in this move but another large reason for it is this blog/podcast/etc. Cary and I like the idea that we'll have two platforms on which we can game and have discussions. And if I ever want to play Left 4 Dead, I can always shark her Xbox for an hour or two... or maybe invest in it on my computer. Who knows.

This purchase, with a bit of luck and determination, will be happening tonight. So get ready. get excited. Better late than never, we'll be able to discuss Heavy Rain and other games we never thought we'd have a chance to play let along chat about on our blog. I hope this gets everyone else as excited as it has gotten me... Holy crap.

Jingle, Jangle, Jingle

With high hopes of an open, exciting world, catchy music, intriguing quests and fun combat I picked up my copy of Fallout: New Vegas day one and eagerly jumped back into the irradiated wasteland I’d missed so much.

This game had a lot to live up to and let’s just say that I wasn’t terribly optimistic when it was revealed that Obsidian Entertainment (the developers behind the ultra glitchy Alpha Protocol) would be releasing it. Still, I remained very enthusiastic and optimistic about this game.

Now, approximately 15 hours in, I want to share my thoughts so far.

Fallout: New Vegas begins in a very different way than Fallout 3. Instead of beginning your life within the safety of a vault you are instead captured and shot in the head for a platinum chip you’ve been tasked with delivering to the New Vegas strip. When you recover, you set out to find your assailants and, wouldn’t you know it, an entire complicated world soon envelops you.

Well, maybe not “soon”.

While the plot to Fallout 3 gripped me from the very beginning, I would say it was a good 8 hours – when I finally reached The Strip - before I really started to get into the groove of New Vegas. I think before I got to The Strip I’d done maybe 6 mundane quests and found a few locations but once I made it to Sin City all of a sudden I had dozens of options. So many in fact that at times it was a bit overwhelming.

Who do I work with? How will this affect my relationship with the other bigwigs in New Vegas?

There are three major factions who you have the option of allying yourself with: Mr. House, Caesar’s Legion and The New California Republic. In a massive quest called “Wildcard” you pick your side and once you’ve completed 4 quests or so for that one side you’re considered enemies of the other. Unless of course you decided to do small missions for them all but never really align yourself with one.

And that’s one of the greatest things about New Vegas: your impact on the world.

This game takes the karma system from Fallout 3 and gives it a little oomph. No longer are you just “good” or “evil” but rather feared, hated, and honored. It’s certainly a great case for re-playing the game since you will literally get locked out of certain quests once you declare your allegiance.

Now, for the only bad remarks I have which all goes back to my initial concern with Obsidian taking this project over: Fallout: New Vegas is glitchy as hell.

In the first few hours I fell through the world, had my gun repeatedly pull itself out of its holster, had VATS target objects instead of enemies and several lock-ups. It was never enough to make me want to stop playing but it was certainly bad enough to irritate me at times. I feel that had this game been delayed it could have been noticeably more smooth.

There has however already been a patch for the 360 and the game does seem to be performing better. Or I could just be getting used to it.

Either way, I am very much enjoying my time in New Vegas and hope you all are too.

All Good Things Don't Always Flow Into The City

Yesterday I received an automated call from Gamestop telling me that because I'd pre-ordered "Dead Space 2" I could stop in and pick up a code which would entitle me to a free download of a new arcade game called, "Dead Space: Ignition".

The mini-game based, comic book style DLC is meant to bridge the gap between "Dead Space" and "Dead Space 2" specifically by showing how the Necromorphs ended up in Sprawl.

Sounds really interesting.

Too bad the only way I'll find out about it is to read the story on-line.

You see, after sitting through the first poorly animated panel I was presented with a mini-game which consisted of me attempting to maneuver a red beam of light through a panel of obstacles faster than the blue beams of light trying to get ahead of me:

Not exactly as fun as strategically dismembering a Slasher with a line gun now, is it?

After failing the race twice, I said, "Nope. Dumb" and exited out to the dashboard.

It's really a shame that a neat idea like this had to be ruined with such an ill-thought out, elementary design. No one wants to sit through irritating mini-games but especially not those who are attempting to play it to feed their excitement for what's bound to be an incredible and exciting release come early next year.

Hurry up and get here, Isaac. I miss you.

Going Out Like a BAMF

In three mere days Left 4 Dead players (ME ME ME!!) will have "The Sacrifice" - the DLC that details how the original survivors made it down South and how they lost one of their own. If you've been reading the comic (or played "The Passing") then you know which survivor will be one no longer but this DLC is still bound to be full of surprises.

In addition to both "The Sacrifice" and "No Mercy" coming with the Left 4 Dead 2 version, we'll also be getting 5 new mutations with this download. Including one where apparently in versus everyone on the infected side plays as a Tank.

I think part of me likes that - the part of me that hates life.

Anyway, for now, head on over to the official site for "The Sacrifice" and check out the new trailer!