Monday, June 30, 2008

XMB and Trophies Announced for Wednesday's Update

Gamespot reported today that the much anticipated in-game XrossMediaBar (XMB) functionality and trophy system for the PS3 will be made available after the launch of Sony's 2.4 firmware update on Wednesday.

However, details of these new functions show that Sony's attempt to mimic Microsoft's Xbox Live content is lackluster.

Included is the introduction of the new trophy system which acts as accomplishments that players achieve while playing various titles. This will include bronze, silver, gold, and platinum awards for various accomplishments at various levels of difficulty on select Playstation 3 titles.

There will be some sort of obscure numeric value given to each trophy that will be unknown to the player, but accumulates into an overall rating/ranking.

Sounds like you receive "experience" points and "level up."

Sadly, you will not receive any retroactive trophies for games you have already played and Sony's list of supported titles is incredibly thin: PixelJunk Eden, Super Stardust, Warhawk, BioShock, LittleBigPlanet, MotorStorm: Pacific Rift, NBA 09, Resistance 2, and SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Confrontation.

The additional update involves in-game usage of the XMB.

As of now, players have to exit their game in order to access video, music, picture, internet, and game content.

With this update you should be able to chat with friends while in-game, check your trophy status, and integrate personalized soundtracks to select games from the system's music on the hard drive.

No word on any games with be customizable with this option.

Nevertheless, this sounds just as lame as the trophy system.

There is no incentive to attain trophies other than to brag about your level rating and the in-game XBM doesn't seem to serve any revolutionary purpose.

It feels like Sony is trying to mimic the Xbox Live system, but only doing half of the job.

This content should have been made available at the systems launch.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Sonic Week: Top 5 Sonic Games

To conclude our week long celebration to all things Sonic, we take a look at the top five titles in Sonic history.

Not all too surprising, four of the top five come from the original Genesis series because the classic style of Sonic play is really what Sonic is - and always should be.

With no further ado, enjoy:

Sonic > Super Sonic > Hyper Sonic

#5
Sonic Adventure - Dreamcast










After years of wondering when Sonic would return, he reappeared in his first truly three-dimensional game. Debuting with the launch of the Dreamcast, Sonic Adventure was able to synthesize the fast-paced action of the classic Sonic titles with a 3D graphics engine. The story was okay, but the voice acting was very good and Sonic's speed levels were fantastic. Too bad they diverged from that winning formula in Sonic Adventure 2.


#4
Sonic the Hedgehog - Genesis











The original has to be a part of the list of top five titles. The capability of the Genesis rendering movement that quickly was a shear shock and hailed as a technical achievement at its time. Level designs were fantastic and there was nothing like it on the market aside from Super Mario Bros. However, you were unable to save your game which made the game's difficulty nearly unmanageable and incredibly frustrating after you had already played the game for over an hour.


#3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - Genesis











This Sonic title brought more Sonic action to hungry gamers. What was so shocking about this game was that fact that you could actually save your game so it was possible to actually complete the game. Also, some of the gameplay elements were expanded to create unique platforming elements and cool new items such as the fire and lighting power-ups.


#2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - Genesis











Pretty much the only fault in this game is...the introduction of Tails. Sonic 2 was bundled with the Genesis so everyone owned and played this game. The difficulty was reduced slightly from its predecessor and integrated more fast-paced action as well. It basically took the best elements from the previous game and integrated it into the entire title. Pure classic!


#1
Sonic & Knuckles - Genesis











Picked by YOU as your favorite Sonic title, Sonic & Knuckles introduces a decent Sonic character and develops him well with his own unique actions such as flying and climbing. The design of the levels, bosses, and even music surpass the previous Sonic titles with creating a nearly perfect synthesis within the genre that the series itself created. The imagination and renovation of this title makes this the best Sonic game, of which the spirit should be re-created in a three-dimensional form.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Sonic Week: Fun with Sonic Titles

Sometimes you need to take a moment sit back and enjoy a series for what it is and have a little fun with it.

So in order to continue our week long celebration to Sonic, here is a compilation of fun videos and cheats from across the Sonic franchise:

Lightning Shield

Tails Abuse
Sound like you could go to jail for that.



Super Mario Bros. Z
Why mix Mario, Sonic, and Dragon Ball Z? It's actually kind of cool.



Sonic 2 Cheats and Glitches
Caution: it looks like its a sure-fire way to harm your Genesis or cartridge if you try these.




What's Up With Knuckles?
I always thought he was cool too, oh well.



Sonic Music Top Ten
Groove out to some class Sonic tunes.



Mario Trapped in Sonic Title
Something doesn't seem right.



The Things We Learn From Playing Sonic Games
We've all been there before.



Sonic 2 Speed Run
If you've spent this much time watching these videos you might as well check out a cheat-assisted speed run of all of Sonic 2.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Sonic Week: Strange Sonic "Spin"-offs

Shadow RunAs inevitable as lame supporting characters are to a successful series, so are spin-off games.

Too bad Sonic has not been as successful as his tube-traveling, Nintendo counterpart.

So we take a look at some notable spin-off games in the Sonic series:


Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball (1993) - Genesis, Game Gear











Sega's attempt at making a Sonic title into a pinball game wasn't the most successful. Although the game had a witty title, the gameplay seemed sluggish and the visuals were not as crisp as Sonic's legitimate counterparts. The controls were as sluggish as the gameplay, which proved some difficulty in a game that relies on reflexes.


Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (1993) Genesis, Game Gear











Three years after the release of Dr. Mario for the Nintendo, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine emerges. Taking a slightly different spin on the puzzle genre, players must connect groups of four beans of the same color together in any way possible. The beans will congeal together and differing colors will fall apart. Throughout the game you battle Dr. Robotnik's minions has he plots to remove the world of happiness and fun. This was a relatively innovative change in the genre.


Sonic Drift (1994) - Game Gear









Surprisingly, Sonic Drift is a kart racing game that was released two years after Super Mario Kart for the Super Nintendo. Sonic Drift is very similar to Super Mario Kart by gathering all of the characters of the Sonic universe for a go-kart racing title. This game also featured the debut of Amy Rose, Sonic's possible love interest. Another installment of the series was released in 2005 for the Game Gear. Sonic later reprised his role in a racing title with Sonic R for Sega Saturn.


Knuckles' Chaotix (1995) - Genesis 32x











For some reason they wanted to develop a Sonic title without Sonic. Knuckles' Chaotix involves the same formula as games in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, but consisted of only supporting characters. The only notable difference was the ability to play a two-player cooperative game using either a split screen or a single screen with one dominate character progressing the movement on-screen.


Tails' Skypatrol (1995) - Game Gear








Here's an idea, everyone hates Tails - lets make a game with just him! Tails' Skypatrol was a title where you were suspended in the air while the screen automatically moved. Sounds easy. Plus you simply couldn't hit anything on the screen or you would die. Easy right? Wrong. Apparently that caused some issues. Hailed by many as on the worst Sonic titles ever created, Tails' Skypatrol was also one of the hardest with an insane difficulty level. Stupid idea and poor design - gaming gold.


Shadow the Hedgehog (2005) - Gamecube, Playstation 2, Xbox










Shadow the Hedgehog tried to take the series in a more mature direction. Did it work? I haven't heard of Shadow the Hedgehog 2 quite yet. This title took some of the more enjoyable gameplay elements of the Sonic Adventure series, added gun play, and paired it with a decent supporting character. The game received mediocre reviews, but seems to be an interesting spin-off choice.


Mario & Sonic at the Olympics (2008) - Wii, DS












Yes, the first showdown between Sonic and rival Mario in a spin-off for both series and what did they choose for the cover - them running. I wonder who would win that race? Anyway, this title features various summer olympic-style games for characters from both series' to compete. Nevertheless, the gameplay seems pretty lame when you finally get over the fact that both Sonic and Mario are in the same game together...besides Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Flying

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Sonic Week: The Lamest Sonic Characters

We all love Sonic, what's not to like? He's super fast, has a cool attitude, and will spin over anyone who gets in his way - plus, he's blue!

However, as with all great franchises, developers feel a need to expand their line-up of characters.

That often provides some horrible and awful monsters known by terms as "sidekicks" and "supporting characters."

Take a look at the list below to see just why Sonic games should only have...Sonic.


RingMiles "Tails" Powers
Easily one of the worst and most annoying video game characters, and that was established in his debut of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and he didn't have a voice yet. Tails simply followed you around everywhere you went in Sonic 2 by trailing behind Sonic and providing no help whatsoever other than the amazing ability to fall off of every platform imaginable only to return with his helicopter tails. Then they gave him a small child's voice in later games and that tipped the scale. No thanks, I'll take Sonic any day.






Ring
Big the Cat

This stupid looking purple is in-fact stupid and purple - and that's the extent to how interesting he is. He debuted in Sonic Adventure for the Dreamcast and is usually seen with a fishing pole. He had appeared in cameo roles in other Sonic titles such as Sonic Adventure 2 - however - he was removed in all of his cameo scenes in Sonic Adventure 2: Battle for the Gamecube for some reason. Probably because he is lame.







RingRouge the Bat

This oddly sexual character was first seen in Sonic Adventure 2 as a "treasure hunter" in some of the lamest levels in the game. Her sass and interesting choice in clothing made her an awkward counterpart to Knuckles - who also liked to star to horrible levels. Regardless, she is a pretty uninteresting character who adds little to nothing to the series.











Ring
Cream the Rabbit
Seen with her aptly named companion "Cheese" - a chao - Cream is helplessly captured by Dr. Robotnik/Eggman but it playable after Sonice resues her in Sonic Advance for the GBA. Her ability to fly with her ears is both too cute and too lame for a game that should be Sonic and only Sonic. A prime example of a lame character that takes gameplay way from the reason you bought the game in the first place.








Ring

Mighty the Armadillo

It took some looking to find him, but Mighty the Armadillo is truely lame. First appearing in SegaSonic the Hedgehog, the arcade title, Mighty is a pretty beefy looking guy...but is secretly a hippie! Wikipedia describes him best and is only second in lameness to his friend Ray the Flying Squirrel:

Mighty is a gentle and caring pacifist, only using his strength and fighting abilities when there is no other option. He loves to travel, and his dream is to journey to all places of the world. According to the Japanese booklet of Chaotix, Mighty enjoys forest bathing, likes peace and nature, and detests violence.




Ring
Ray the Flying Squirrel
You know you are a pretty lame character when your very name is laughable. Ray the Flying Squirrel appeared with Mighty in SegaSonice the Hedgehog and is one of the biggest wusses in video game history - yes, even worse than Tails. Once again, Wikipedia explains it all:

Ray is very timid, often stuttering when nervous, and when he was captured by Robotnik, he was depicted huddling in his "cell" in a traumatized, fetal position. Despite his insecurities, he has become more confident since he met Mighty, and the two share a sort of big brother/little brother relationship. Ray is also quite kind and polite. He is an anthropomorphic, yellow squirrel, who was depicted for a long period only in the attire of shoes and gloves. In more recent appearances, he wears a blue jacket and blue tennis shoes.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Sonic Week: History of Sonic

WaitingHello everyone and welcome to Sonic Week at VGF!

This week is dedicated to the fastest and coolest blue member of the video game community - Sonic the Hedgehog.

We will take a look at various Sonic topics this week all closing with a list of the top 5 Sonic titles coming on Friday. I'm looking for your input as well so be sure to vote for your favorite on the poll and if it is not on the list, be sure to comment and I'll put it up there just for you.

Anyway, to start things off we will be looking at a progressive history of "notable" Sonic games with several spin-offs and appearances elsewhere:

Sonice the Hedgehog (1991) - Genesis












Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) - Genesis












Sonic the Hedgehog 3(1993) - Genesis












Sonic CD (Genesis w/Sega CD attachment) - 1993












Sonic & Knuckles (1994) - Genesis












Sonic 3D Blast (1996) - Genesis, Saturn











Sonic Adventure (1999) - Dreamcast, Gamecube










Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - Dreamcast, Gamecube











Sonic Heroes (2003) - Playstation 2, Gamecube, Xbox












Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) - Xbox 360, Playstation 3












Sonic and the Secret Rings (2007) - Wii











Sonic Unleashed (Fall 2008) - Playstation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 2

The upcoming installment in the Sonic series will include both 3D side-scrolling and 3D adventure gameplay. The official website seems to hint at Sonic "racing against time" to save the world and some sort of warewolf alter-ego. Lets hope this is Sonic's grand rebirth!Thumbs Up

Review - Wii Fit

9.0 out of 10








There has been some talk about how the Nintendo Wii has "revolutionized" the gaming industry by appealing to a whole new demographic and in different ways.

First, the Wii amazed everyone with its unique functionality using the Wii-mote and nuncuk attachments, then they incorporated that technology with Nintendo fans' favorite franchies, and now Nintendo is expanding their innovation even further with "Wii Fit."

This exercise-based game featuring a Wii "balancing board" has been hard to come by in stores with limited supply and high demand that is strangly reminiscent of the Wii console's initial launch.

Nevertheless, Wii Fit is yet another step away from hardcore gamers and one step closer to a more general market, because who doesn't like to workout?

Hardcore gamers, that's who.

You begin the game by intergrating your personalized "Mii" into the game and stepping on the Wii Balancing Board for an initial calculation of the your Body Mass Index (BMI).

Yes, this does calculate your weight and how fat you really are, so you might want to do this in private at first. In fact, you might want to play the game in private.

When the game calculates if you are "normal," "overweight," or "obese," you promptly cry in sorrow for the fact that a video game has officially called you fat.

I never knew I was "obese," thank you Nintendo. Which would somewhat make sense because what incentive is there to play it if you have the perfect weight, but I am pretty sure there are a few more factors in determining your BMI, but who is going to argue with a plastic pad?

After calculating your BMI, the game shows your center-of-balance and generously helps you to readjust it to an appropriate location.

The greatest irony: a game calling a gamer both fat and unbalanced.

With your self-esteem reaching a new low, you are given the option to set a goal for yourself to reduce your BMI a certain amount of points and within a designated time frame.

After you're all set, the game lets you perform different activities focused on various elements of your balance, posture, strength, and flexibility.

These yield options to do some yoga, aerobics, strength training, and balancing games.

The first three options are performed with an on-screen male or female trainer and the balancing games are actual games such as the infamous hoola-hoop game and a dance-dance-esque stepping exercise.

Also, the game rewards you with additional exercises and games for spending time exercising.

Nearly all of the exercises prompt you to maintain your balance which you can follow via an on-screen display and from instruction from your virtual trainer.

The game's virtual trainer is very responsive and clear in their directions and will even critique you and provide direction if your balance is slightly. This is one of the most impressive elements of the game.

The Wii Balancing Board is an impressive piece of technology as well as it seems to accurately measure your stance, balance, and pressure. However, it does take some getting used to and may not seem as effective at first.

Also, when the exercises load and calibrate to you personally, the game likes to make an "oh?" type of noise when you step on it...which is a little creepy and makes you wonder if it is making that noise to flatter you or if your weight is proving too much strain on the poor little battery powered device.

That's an interesting obsession that Nintendo seems to have - batteries.

The Wii Balancing Board takes 4-AA batteries as does the Wii-mote and every other device for the console.

With the Wii Balancing Board being a standalone and not very mobile unit, why coouldn't they supply let you plug the thing in?

Overall, Wii Fit is a surprisingly fun and interactive way to burn some calories.

The game tracks the amount of time you play and provides tips and suggestions to take a breaks around the one hour mark.

Your progress is tracked in the game with a wide variety of statistical data to help you meet your goal.

However, one question still remains, it it effective?

Well I haven't had a chance to play it for multiple days at a time, but you do feel it.

The game does a wonderful job of helping you to tone your muscles and you will noticeably feel the strain on your muscles when you are done playing.

Therefore, I would have to say that Wii Fit will be effective at losing weight if you stick with it.

This is a game that could appeal to anyone who wants to shed a few pounds and provides a fun and personalized way of doing so.

You just might want to exercise alone for a while if you are a little embarrassed at looking a little odd exercising in-front of the TV for a change.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Metal Gear Database Coming to PSN

To help you in the endless confusion of the Metal Gear Solid series, Gamasutra reported today that an update to the Playstation store on the Playstation Network will include a database of Metal Gear info.

The interactive information will include info on plot outlines, character profiles, relationship diagrams, and other info.

That will be coupled with additional downloadable content such as new camouflage and music for the in-game iPod.

So get downloading and get caught up in the series...or take a look at our series recap below.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Preview-Review: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

9.5 out of 10










Here is the VGF Preview-Review of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Click below for the podcast or take a look at a brief synopsis below:



Visuals

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is hands-down the most impressive Playstation 3 title visually. This is a shear graphical and technical triumph with gorgeous and fantastic cinematics that blends seamlessly with gameplay. Nothing short of superb.


Gameplay

Unfortunately, gameplay can be sparse at times and is not the star of the production. Controls are difficult at times - especially for fans of the series - and usually include some combination of buttons to perform a certain, even something as specific as firing your weapon. Thankfully, camera controls are fully customizable because they are difficult to begin with.

Sound

The sound of MGS4 is as outstanding as the visuals. This is another element of the bar-shattering presentation that makes this an outstanding title. Sounds and music are crisp and appropraite, plus you can use your in-game "ipod" to listen to classic tracks from previous games in the series.


Mutliplayer

Metal Gear Online feels like a valiant attempt to piece together good online content, but falls short in their first attempt. Typical deathmatch and stealth gameplay doesn't function the way you think and you have to sign-up for two separate accounts online because they want you to purchase content such as an additional character - you get one. I would suggest playing Call of Duty 4 online and ignore the money-grabbing online content here, which is upsetting in and of itself because you already paid $60 for the game, you deserve all of their online content. Boo to Konami.


Overall

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots seems to be an outstanding game thus far (I am about 5-6 hours in). However, it is not a perfect game. In fact, if you haven't ever played a Metal Gear Solid game before, don't play this game and look for why in the podcast. If you are a Metal Gear Solid fan it should prove to be an amazing experience that has to be taken as such rather than merely a video game, but a full presentation. Mastery in storytelling and technically, but with some flaws in gameplay.

Metal Gear Solid Series Recap

If you are playing Metal Gear Solid 4 and you are all little confused or fuzzy on how the Metal Gear Solid series has gone down thus far, fear not because we've got ya covered.

Here is a compilation of plot outlines for the games in the Metal Gear Solid series as present on Wikipedia.

Click the game titles to see the complete Wikipedia page.

Enjoy!


In 2005,[25] FOXHOUND and a genetically enhanced Next-Generation Special Forces unit, lead an armed uprising on a remote isle in Alaska's Fox Islands called Shadow Moses. It is the site of a nuclear weapons disposal facility.[20] They have acquired the nuclear-capable walking tank Metal Gear REX, and have threatened the U.S. government with a nuclear reprisal if they do not receive the remains of the "legendary mercenary" Big Boss within 24 hours.[26]

As the game begins, Solid Snake is dispatched at the request of Colonel Roy Campbell to penetrate the terrorist defenses and neutralize the threat.[27] Snake is also ordered to locate hostages Donald Anderson, the DARPA chief, and ArmsTech president Kenneth Baker. After finding the DARPA chief, he informs Snake of the new Metal Gear REX unit housed at the facility, but then suddenly dies of what appears to be a heart attack.[28] Snake then finds the other hostage, Kenneth Baker. Revolver Ocelot challenges Snake to a gunfight, which is interrupted by a mysterious cyborg ninja. Baker briefs Snake on the Metal Gear project and, like the DARPA Chief; he suddenly dies of a "heart attack".

Snake then contacts Meryl via Codec, and agrees to meet her in the base's warhead disposal area on the condition that he contacts Metal Gear's designer, Hal "Otacon" Emmerich. Snake locates Otacon in his lab. The ninja reappears, and Snake realizes that it is actually his former ally Gray Fox, whom he believed he had killed years earlier. Otacon agrees to aid Snake remotely, using special camouflage to procure information and supplies while he remains invisible. Snake meets with Meryl and agrees for her to accompany him on his mission. Meryl gives Snake a PAL key and they head for the underground base. Part way through the base, Sniper Wolf ambushes them, wounds Meryl, and captures Snake.

While imprisoned, Liquid confirms Snake's suspicion that they are twin brothers.[29] Snake is tortured by Ocelot[30] and the player can choose to give in to this torture, or not. Eventually Snake is able to escape.

Snake descends into the bowels of the Shadow Moses facility. He discovers that the DARPA Chief who Snake encountered was actually FOXHOUND member Decoy Octopus in disguise.[31] Shortly after, Master Miller calls and reveals that Dr. Naomi Hunter, a support agent, has given Snake the genetically engineered virus "FoxDie" during his mission preparations, and is sending coded messages into the facility. Campbell swiftly orders her arrest. The virus, designed to kill people with particular genetic markers via cardiac arrest,[32][33] was responsible for the deaths of Octopus and the ArmsTech president.[34] Naomi contacts Snake and confesses that she joined the mission to sabotage it. But upon learning of Snake's own past, she no longer had the heart to kill him directly having reprogrammed the virus.[35]

Infiltrating Metal Gear's hangar, Snake overhears Liquid and Ocelot preparing the launch sequence for Metal Gear REX. Thinking he is deactivating it, using the PAL key, Snake activates Metal Gear REX.[36] Master Miller then reveals himself to be Liquid in disguise. He informs Snake that his entire mission was manipulated by the renegades to allow the launch of the nuclear weapon.[37] Liquid explains that they are the product of the Les Enfants Terribles project, a government sponsored effort to clone Big Boss, that was conducted during the 1970s. Solid received all of Big Boss' dominant alleles while Liquid received all the recessive alleles.[38][39]

Snake destroys Metal Gear REX and then defeats Liquid in a fistfight. He is then reunited with Meryl or Otacon, depending on the player's actions (see next paragraph). They escape, while being chased by Liquid, in a jeep. Liquid dies from the FoxDie virus.[40] Colonel Campbell, briefly ousted from command of the mission, calls off a nuclear airstrike intended to obliterate the evidence of the day's events and officially declares Snake killed in action to stop the US Government's search for him in the future.

There are two possible endings, depending on the player's actions during the torture sequence. If the player gives in to the torture, Snake finds Meryl dead and escapes with Otacon. If the player does not give in to the torture, Meryl survives and escapes with Snake while Otacon volunteers to stay behind and sacrifice himself to help Snake and Meryl get out not knowing that the nuclear strike intended to hit the disposal facility would never come.

After the end credits the player finds out Snake is actually genetically inferior to Liquid[41] and has an indeterminate amount of time left before FoxDie kills him. Ocelot is revealed to be a double agent for the President of the United States (the third Snake, Solidus). His intention was to obtain Baker's disk containing Metal Gear's specifications and deliver it to the President, and kill whomever knew of his true motives, the reason for his "accidental" killing of the DARPA chief.[42]


Sons of Liberty opens on a dark, foreboding George Washington Bridge in New York City,[27] in 2007, two years after the Shadow Moses Island incident (the events of the original Metal Gear Solid). Solid Snake and Otacon, now members of the NGO Philanthropy, are investigating the development of a new Metal Gear[28] consistently described as being amphibious and having been designed as a counter-Metal Gear unit to "wipe the floor with all the other models"[29] which have been built since Metal Gear REX's design was leaked.[30] Shortly after Snake's arrival on the disguised oil tanker U.S.S. Discovery, a group of Russian terrorists under the command of Russian nationalist Sergei Gurlukovich attack the ship.[31] After sneaking up to the bridge, Snake encounters Olga, Sergei's daughter, who has refused to leave the tanker despite being pregnant.[32]

After he successfully tranquilizes her in combat, he sneaks his way down to the holds in order to record pictures of the new Metal Gear, RAY, an amphibious anti-Metal Gear prototype.[33] Matters rapidly escalate as Revolver Ocelot betrays and murders Sergei Gurlukovich[34] It is revealed that Ocelot has received a new arm following Metal Gear Solid, that of the late Liquid Snake, which via unknown means causes a change in Revolver Ocelot's demeanor and behavior, with Liquid somehow 'possessing' him.[35] Under Liquid's control he sinks the tanker,[36] and escapes with RAY before regaining command of his body.[37]

The player finds himself in control of Raiden, supposedly operating under a reformed FOXHOUND two years after the Tanker Chapter on April 29,[38] 2009. Initially referred to as "Snake",[39] his orders are to rescue hostages, including the US President, from the terrorist group Sons of Liberty (backed up by the rogue anti-terror training unit, Dead Cell), who are also threatening to destroy the Big Shell Clean-Up Facility they have seized.[40] Raiden infiltrates the Shell via sea while SEAL Team 10 enters by air.[41] He joins forces up with SEAL Lieutenant Junior Grade Iroquois Pliskin[42][43] and bomb specialist Peter Stillman to disable explosives planted on the Shell by Stillman's former pupil, Fatman, now a member of the terrorists. While Raiden successfully eliminates Fatman, Stillman is killed as a result of one of Fatman's traps.

With the assistance of a mysterious cyborg ninja calling itself Mr. X,[44] Raiden locates the President, and discovers that the Big Shell is actually a disguise built right on top of a new Metal Gear. Known as Arsenal Gear, it houses a powerful AI supercomputer, "GW", capable of controlling information transmitted digitally. The President also claims the democratic process is a sham, and the true rulers of the United States are an organization known as the Patriots.[45] Revolver Ocelot kills him soon after, and Raiden proceeds to his final objective: disabling Arsenal Gear and thus halting a nuclear strike. Pliskin, having revealed himself as the true Solid Snake, and Emma Emmerich, an Arsenal Gear engineer, assist Raiden in attempting to destroy the "GW" AI by uploading a virus. On the way to the computer room, Vamp attacks Emma. The virus transfer is still installed, but aborts partway through; Emma dies due to a fatal knife wound from the attack from Vamp. Snake and Raiden are left with no choice but to disable Arsenal physically. As Snake's partner Otacon escapes with the surviving hostages by helicopter,[46] Mr. X returns, revealing itself to be Olga Gurlukovich,[47] and knocks Raiden unconscious by hitting him in the back with her sword.

Awakening naked in an Arsenal torture chamber, Raiden is probed by Solidus Snake, the true terrorist leader. Solidus reveals that he once adopted Raiden, a former child soldier, as his son during the Liberian civil war[48] and that Raiden is now a Patriot agent. Olga, working as a Patriot double-agent within the Sons of Liberty, helps Raiden escape, and he locates Snake within Arsenal Gear. As they fight through the mammoth vessel, Raiden's commanding officer begins to act extremely erratically. It becomes apparent that the "Colonel" that Raiden has been taking orders from is actually a creation of the GW super-computer, pieced together from information about Colonel Roy Campbell coupled with Raiden's own expectations in order to manipulate him. The erratic behavior of the simulation is the result of the virus uploaded earlier beginning to damage GW's systems.

With Snake holding off a vengeful Fortune,[49] Raiden is forced into battle with the battalion of 25 Metal Gear RAY units guarding the Big Shell. Olga intervenes to protect him, but is restrained by one of Solidus' robotic tentacles. Olga explains that 2 years ago, right after giving birth to her child, the Patriots took her away and have been holding her child hostage ever since. Olga continues to explain that the Patriots blackmailed her, ordering her to become a double-agent and make the S3 plan a success or her child would be killed. After explaining, Solidus shoots Olga in the head and throws her corpse out of the way. Her last words are: "Live, you have to!" The RAY units begin to malfunction, attacking each other and Solidus as the virus tears through the GW AI's program.[50] Arsenal begins an emergency ascent,[51] and Snake- now restrained by Fortune,[52] Solidus, and Raiden are carried to the roof of the fortress as it surfaces. To Solidus' increasing rage, Ocelot reveals that he too is a Patriot agent, the entire episode of the day was a carefully coordinated attempt to reenact the events of the Shadow Moses Incident; what Ocelot describes as the 'S3 Plan', or Solid Snake Simulation, designed to turn Raiden into the perfect soldier.[53] He kills Fortune and boards the prototype Metal Gear RAY stolen from the Tanker two years previous, and attempts to finish off the survivors of the exercise. However, Liquid possesses him, and announces his plan to hunt down the Patriots based on his host's knowledge.[54] Setting Arsenal on a collision-course with New York, Liquid-Ocelot launches RAY into the ocean, followed by Snake.[55]

Arsenal comes to a halt in downtown New York, launching Raiden and Solidus onto the roof of Federal Hall.[56] Solidus reveals to Raiden his reasons for trying to steal Arsenal: a nuclear electro-magnetic pulse would take down Manhattan's digital infrastructure and allow Solidus to lead it as a republic against the Patriots, a nation of "Sons of Liberty".[57] Likewise the Patriots, via another AI, contact Raiden to reveal the truth of their actions, the AIs being programmed to becoming "digital censors", removing trite and needless information from the electronic world in what they call "Selection for Societal Sanity", or "S3 Plan". The information fed to Ocelot was another part of this plan.[58] However, with such a control over the flow of digital information, they could as easily be manipulating perceived history for the Patriot's needs. Believing the only option available is to track down the Patriots using the information in Raiden's neural implants, Solidus offers his son one final duel.[59]

Raiden defeats Solidus, and as crowds descend upon the wreckage of Arsenal Gear, Snake and Raiden meet one last time, where his mentor informs him that only he can choose what to believe in, and that he must pass on what he believes to be true.[60] Having planted a tracking device on Liquid-Ocelot's Metal Gear, he and Otacon plan to follow him, and to hunt down the Patriots, whose details were hidden in the GW computer virus disc.[61] As Snake disappears into the crowd, Raiden is finally reunited with Rose, on April 30, 2009 - the 220th anniversary of George Washington's inauguration as President of the United States, and the anniversary of Rose and Raiden's first meeting.[62]

In a brief epilogue, Otacon and Snake discuss the decoding of the virus disc, which reveals that all 12 members of the Wisemen's Committee (the Patriots' high council) have been dead for approximately 100 years, and that one of them is a major sponsor of Philanthropy.[63]


Metal Gear Solid 3 is set during the Cold War in 1964, where Naked Snake is sent to the jungles of the Soviet Union.[12] Aided over radio by Major Zero, Para-Medic, and his former mentor The Boss,[20] his mission is to rescue a defecting Soviet scientist named Sokolov who is secretly developing an advanced nuclear-equipped tank called the "Shagohod."[20][12] The mission goes smoothly until The Boss defects and provides her new benefactor Colonel Volgin with two Davy Crockett miniature nuclear shells.[21] Sokolov is captured by the Cobra Unit and Snake is heavily injured in combat by The Boss, allowing Volgin and his cohorts to escape with Sokolov. Volgin detonates one of the nuclear shells to cover up its theft,[22] which is subsequently blamed on The Boss.[23]

Having detected the US aircraft which deployed Snake flying over Soviet soil, the Soviet Union declares the United States responsible for the atomic attack, tipping both nations to the edge of a nuclear war. In a secret conference between US President Lyndon Johnson and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, a deal is hatched to prove the US's innocence and restore peace.[24] The United States agree to stop Volgin's renegade faction, destroy the stolen Shagohod and eliminate the American defector, The Boss.[25]

A week after being rescued from the region, Snake is redeployed into the Soviet jungle as part of Operation Snake Eater,[25] to fulfill the United States' promises. During the mission, he gains the assistance of another American defector, ex-NSA agent EVA, who defected a few years earlier.[26] After numerous encounters with the elite Ocelot Unit (led by a young Ocelot), and defeating every member of the Cobra Unit, Snake succeeds in locating Sokolov and the stolen Shagohod, only to be captured in Volgin's military fortress, Groznyj Grad. After witnessing the apparent death of Sokolov, Snake is tortured and has his eye injured when Ocelot shoots to kill EVA; Snake ultimately escapes.

When he returns to the facility to destroy the Shagohod, Snake learns of The Philosophers. Made up of the most powerful men in the United States, Soviet Union, and China, they are an Illuminati-like organization who control the world behind the scenes.[27] However, after the end of World War II, they began to fight amongst themselves, and the organization broke down. The Philosopher's Legacy, a fund the organization had jointly amassed to finance their wars ($100 billion, about $1 trillion today when adjusted for inflation) was divided up and hidden in banks all over the world.[28] Volgin had illegally inherited this money,[29] and Snake learns that the US is attempting to retrieve it.

Snake continues his mission, destroying the facility and the Shagohod tank, while engaging Volgin, who is killed by a bolt of lightning during the battle. Snake and EVA travel to a lake, where a ground effect vehicle is hidden. Before they use it to escape the region, Snake confronts his old mentor, The Boss, whom he must kill to complete his mission. During this time a cut scene is shown stating that The Boss gave birth to a child (the father being The Sorrow) during a battle. Before this time however, during a radio call, EVA tells Snake that the reason Ocelot achieved the rank of major at such a young age was due to the fact that his parents were legendary soldiers. She also tells Snake that Ocelot's mother needed to cut Ocelot out during the birth, leaving a snake-like scar. This scar is seen on The Boss, which proves that she is Ocelot's mother.[25] After an emotional battle, Snake overcomes his feelings and defeats her. He and EVA escape to Alaska, and spend the night together. During the night EVA disappears, and leaves behind a tape revealing herself to be a Chinese spy sent to steal the Philosophers Legacy for China.[30] The tape continues, and EVA reveals that The Boss did not defect to the Soviet Union; rather, she was under orders to pretend to defect so she could infiltrate Volgin's ranks and find the location of the Legacy, which could be brought back to America.[31] The final part of her mission was to sacrifice her honor and die at the hands of Snake, under the guise of a traitor, to prove the US's innocence in Volgin's nuclear attack from the beginning of the game.[32]

Snake is awarded the title of "Big Boss" and given the Distinguished Service Cross for his efforts.[33] Later, he arrives at an anonymous grave, The Boss', just one of thousands in the huge military cemetery he visits. Laying down The Boss' gun and a bouquet of lilies upon the nameless gravestone, he scans the endless rows before him, salutes, and sheds a single tear.

After the credits roll, Ocelot is heard talking (a telephone conversation), and reveals that the microfilm containing the information on the Philosopher's Legacy given to EVA was a fake, that Ocelot himself was ADAM, that half of the real legacy is in the hands of the US Government thanks to Snake, and that he was working for the CIA.[34]

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Great Games to Play with Dad

Happy Fathers Day everyone!!!

To commemorate the day designed to honor all of the Dads out there, we take a look at some great games that will be a lot of fun to enjoy with your loved ones regardless if you are Dad or his loving son or daughter.

Check out the games below and spend some quality time:

Call of Duty 4









If your Dad is a fan of first-person shooters or war movies, sit him down with a nice round of Call of Duty 4. This is simply the best multiplayer game on the market with plenty of options and to top it all off and you can play with him online if you are unable to be together on his special day.


Wii Sports









With the plethora of different sports games, it's just like playing catch - only in the 21st century. Challenge each other in a nice game of baseball or perhaps go bowling. These games never get old and make for a great day of fun for the whole family.


Army of Two








Checkout this 3rd-person shooter for a fun experience in two-player, cooperative action. You definitely work as a team in this title. It didn't receive the best of reviews, but it should be fun for an afternoon of enjoyment.


Guitar Hero I, II, III









If you think your Dad is a rock star treat him as such. The Guitar Hero series is a lot of fun with various modes of play for two players depending on the title you own. I would suggest Guitar Hero II or III due to the fact that you can play cooperatively rather than competitively. If you want to rock out with alternative instruments, don't forget Rock Band as well.


Madden 08/NCAA 08










Lets be honest, a lot of Dad's love football so you can test to see just how good of a coach he claims to be. Throwing the old pigskin will brighten almost any Dad's day, just go easy on him.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Metal Gear Solid 4 Reviews

Just days after the release of Metal Gear Solid 4 for the Playstation 3, critics have hailed the title as one of the best of the year.

Could this be what PS3 owners have longed for?

Checkout the video reviews below, however, they have warned that spoilers exist, so be weary.

I have not even watched any of these since I want to experience this game all for my own and I will have a preview-review available in a few days.

Until then, enjoy:

Gamespot - 10 out of 10


Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is the most technically stunning video game ever made. It's also a fine example of storytelling prowess within its medium, combining gameplay and narrative so slickly and beautifully that it's impossible to extricate one from the other. It's likely you will emerge awestruck from your first play-through, wishing the experience would continue yet nonetheless satisfied with its conclusion. It's difficult not to sound hyperbolic when discussing MGS4 because every part of its design seemingly fulfills its vision, without compromise. There is no halfway.




1up - A-


So, yes, MGS4's heritage is at once its greatest strength and most damning shortcoming. Perhaps these compromises in the name of closure are for the best, though -- after all, now that Metal Gear is over, Kojima Productions is free to give these phenomenal gameplay concepts a fresh start, free from 20 years of continuity. But only if they choose to, of course. That's the whole point.




IGN - 10 out of 10


Indeed, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots shatters the proverbial bar, becoming a technical, cinematic and gaming standard that future action and stealth titles will be judged by. It's been a long time coming, but this game is a true classic and a masterpiece from Hideo Kojima, Kojima Productions and Konami.




GamePro - 5 out of 5

Metal Gear Solid 4 is a masterpiece, an unforgettable game that shines like a beacon amidst a sea of mediocrity. It is not only the best Metal Gear game, but one of the best games ever made, period. If you own a PS3, put this at the top of your to-buy list. If you don't own a PS3, well, chances are you will buy one soon just to play this game.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Top 5 "Mature" Titles for Nintendo Consoles

For as long as anyone can remember, Nintendo has had the rap as the "kiddy" console regardless if it is the SNES, GBA, or Wii.

Perhaps it came with Nintendo's philosophy of creating a family console with bloodless "Mortal Kombat" titles or even the SNES version of Disney's "Aladdin" where you threw apples instead of the "incredibly violent" Genesis version with...a sword.

Nevertheless, the historic home of Marios, Links, and Pikachus alike has had a few titles that are certainly "not for kids."

Some are much better than others, but one thing can be certain, they tried their hardest to please hardcore gamers who wanted something a little edgy from their Nintendo console:

Perfect Dark (N64)







First and foremost, Perfect Dark is simply the best mature title on any Nintendo console. Following the hugely popular GoldenEye 007, Rare developed what has to be known as one of the best first-person shooters ever created. The visuals, gameplay, controls, and multiplayer were all nearly perfect and gave hungry N64 owners something to chew on in the wanning years of the console.

Why was it Mature: The ESRB gave the title an "M" rating due to "Animated Violence" and "Animated Blood" although the game itself was relatively tame. Surprisingly, GoldenEye 007 was given a "T" rating for the same reasoning. I would have to think that Perfect Dark would receive a "T" these days.


Resident Evil 4 (Gamecube)











Just as Perfect Dark was a last glimpse of hope for the N64, Resident Evil 4 was a last-ditch effort to bring some mature action in the final years of the Gamecube. Thankfully they pulled it off. Debuting on the Gamecube, Resident Evil 4 was a beautiful and horrifying shift in the series with it's re-imagined camera scheme which yielded even more terrifying gameplay. This was an amazing title that later found itself on other consoles including the Wii, but don't forget that it was on the Gamecube first.

Why was it Mature: Resident Evil 4 rightly received a mature rating for its "Blood and Gore" and "Intense Violence." This was one rating that was well earned and incredibly terrifying.


Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (Gamecube)











With the soon-to-be-released Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots arriving in just a few days, we have to mention Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes for the Gamecube. Six years after the release of the classic Playstation game, the updated version made its way to a Nintendo console. Twin Snakes took a complete graphical and control overhaul from the classic with newly rendered cinematics and control elements that were similar to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty for the Playstation 2. What yielded was a title that is more well-known for being an excellent game rather than its "Mature" rating.

Why was it Mature: The ESRB noted "Blood and Gore," "Suggestive Themes," and "Violence" as its reasoning for the "M" rating. However, they could have also noted that the storyline was so complex and bizarre that it would be wasted on a small child anyway.


Conker's Bad Fur Day (N64)







This was a title that looked similar to Super Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie, but definitely was not for kids. Rare's 3D-plateformer ran on the Banjo-Kazooie graphics engine, but its suggestive themes and rather provocative humor made this a title not suitable for children, which made it an instant classic with them anyway.

Why was it Mature: The ESRB went to town on this one: "Strong Language," "Mature Sexual Themes," and "Animated Violence" as well as a warning on the front of the box stating "Advisory: This Game Is Not For Anyone Under Age 17."


Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (Gamecube)











Personally, I did not like this game, but critics disagreed. Gamespot gave it a 9.4! This psychological-horror title was a time-traveling mix of visual cues and hack-and-slash action. You had a sanity meter and if you let it get to low, the game would play strange tricks on you like pretending to shut itself off or remove the sound. That was all fun - and little bit like Metal Gear Solid - but it didn't happen very often or at all if you played the game decently. Without the psychological gags, the story was uninteresting, the gameplay was boring, and the controls were difficult. There were three different endings, but I don't think you would want to play the game three times to see them all. Oh well, I guess everyone was so excited that there was a mature title exclusively on a Nintendo console that they forgot that it had to be good too.

Why was it Mature: "Blood and Gore" and "Violence." However, I think that they forgot "boredom" as well.


Well there you have it, 5 titles that have brought some more maturity to Nintendo's "kiddy" consoles. With the release of "MadWorld" for the Wii we will see what direction Nintendo will take its hardcore gaming image. Will it be a turn toward more mature titles or simply one mature title in a sea of "Animal Crossings," "Pikmin," and "Pokemon?"

Monday, June 9, 2008

Call of Duty 5 Revealed: "World at War"

In typical VGF fashion, gamespot.com recently reported that Xbox 360: The Official Magazine has world-exclusive info on the next installment of the Call of Duty series.

Call of Duty: World at War is the title and the game will return to the old WWII formula, but this time it will focus on the Pacific Theater.

That's right, the series is venturing to the land of the rising sun by focusing on battles between the American and Japanese forces.

However, the new title will also delve into the Russian army's iron curtain as it falls on Berlin.

It seems as though Call of Duty 4's magnificent multiplayer interface will return to "World at War" and will include some additional perks, vehicles, and a new "leader system."

The article also confirmed that the new title will include a 4-player co-op mode via Xbox Live or 2 split-screen consoles.

Also, there will be new tactics characteristic of the Japanese army such as ambushes, surprise flanks, etc.

No word on any additional information for other consoles although it is likely to be available for the Playstation 3 as well.

Although this is all fine and dandy, I think Call of Duty 4 was such a great game because it brought combat from the history books to today's news.

That was revolutionary and refreshing to see from the series, but now they are returning to the same, tired genre that gamers are just plain sick of.

Am I right?

For me, this just feels like another "Medal of Honor: Rising Sun" and I am tired of playing the same game, with the same weapons, and the same cities over and over again.

What do you think?

Friday, June 6, 2008

1up.com - Metal Gear's Top 5 Awkward Moments

Checkout this pretty good list of the Top 5 most awkward moments from the Metal Gear Solid series from 1up.com.

Here is a recap below:

#5


#4


#3


#2


#1

New Soulcalibur IV Trailer - Vader Apprentice is the new character

The newest trailer for the highly-anticipated installment of the Soulcalibur series from Namco reveals Darth Vader's "secret" apprentice to be an additional character.


You may recognize the unnamed apprentice from LucasArt's "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" which is due out this September for every active console under the sun including the Playstation 2 who seems to still be holding on.

Nevertheless, Soulcalibur IV will hit selves for the Xbox 360 and Playstion 3 July 29. But first, here is the full trailer below:

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

New Wii Title Not For Kids

For all of you Wii owners who are sick of feeling like you are playing "a console for Mom's," there may be some hope on the horizon.

Enter: MadWorld.

The gory and artistically stunning slasher title from Sega developer Platinum Games looks to take a "Sin City" twist into what may be the Wii's darkest title yet.

Not much is known about the title aside from the unique black and white color palette that has a slight hint of red for what else - blood.

Based on the debut video and screen shots that I have seen it looks like a "Max Payne"- esque film noir title where you can use various items at your disposal.

Be on the lookout for more info at E3.










Check out the debut trailer to see one game that is a little different from Wii Fit:

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Capcom Shows Off

Last week it was Ubisoft, this week it is Capcom's turn to wow gamers with new info on their most highly anticipated games.

Lets cut to the chase and look at some previews:

Street Fighter IV

I was hoping that the gameplay was going to look better. I looks like Capcom is going with an artistic, cell-shaded look for the newest edition of their fighting classic. Too bad there is still no definite release date.


Resident Evil 5

Finally we see some definitive gameplay. It looks amazing and we can only hope that it is as good as its predecessor. Once again, no solid release date.


Bionic Command0 - Online Gameplay

The classic returns and it looks fantastic. Lets just hope that the rest of this game looks and plays just as smoothly. Nevertheless, its release is to be announced.

Be sure to checkout the revamped tracks that will be in the game on the Bionic Commando website by following this link.



With Ubisoft and Capcom teasing with some of their big titles we can only hope that we will see much more, and with project release dates, at E3 this July.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Podcast - Review: New Super Mario Bros.

9.0 out of 10

Listen to the podcast below






Pros
Classic Mario Action
Amazing graphics
Great Sound
Awesome mini games

Cons
Tad short
Cumbersome saving options









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