A Radical New Form of Plastic and Rage

Crackdown – 2007

Written by vanlandw on February 13, 2010 — 3 Comments

After finishing the extent of what I’m going to play of Crackdown the game as a whole plays a lot like what I would imagine being on Crack is like.

According to Wikipedia the primary psychological effects of cocaine include euphoria, supreme confidence, increased energy, and a craving for more cocaine.

Look at this explosion.

The game plays much like how I wish Grand Theft Auto games would ‘play’ more like.  In Crackdown you are a super hero police officer who’s only task is to level up, collect orbs, jump around, kill people and take a bite out of crime. You don’t go on dates, you don’t play pool, you don’t have to try to make Little Jacob ‘like’ you so he can sell you guns. In Crackdown you just obliterate waves of evil enemies, take their guns, then scale a 100 story building to jump roof top to rooftop.

I played much of this game coop and sadly I was not the “host” of those games. In return that means any progress made on killing the Generals and Kingpins was lost. My level progress was saved and after reaching level 3 agility co-op going back and killing all the Generals and Kingpins took an afternoon.

Most of my frustration came from almost instant spikes of difficulty and some confusion on mission objectives. Playing co-op I was always trying to play catch up with my partner and in doing so I wasn’t able to fully access my situaion thus I would end up dying quite a bit.  I would need to “Regenerate” at a location many times far away from the objective. An option to spawn in the general area of your co-op partner would have helped.

After a shipping Snafu I ended up getting Crackdown for free but many places have it between $10-$15 dollars. After defeating all the Generals thus ‘beating’ the game and completing a few choice Achievements I got 380g on one play though. I got 380′ish Agility Orbs and 100′ish Hidden Orbs. The package is a good deal. There are a series of weapons I didn’t even bother to try. I never completed any of the rooftop missions or the driving missions and a series of Achievements I didn’t even try to get.

If living in the mundane of GTA4 makes you sluggish take some illegal drugs and play Crackdown. Using jja’s undecium rating sytem I would give Crackdown a 2.

Posted in General, Video Games

Google Buzz – One Step Closer To The Edge

Written by vanlandw on February 11, 2010 — 5 Comments

Recently Google thought it was a good idea to migrate social tools directly to users email with a new feature called Google Buzz.

Go beyond status messages

Share updates, photos, videos, and more.
Start conversations about the things you find interesting.

This is absolutely the LAST feature I would want tied to my personal email. Clearly I’m not a “status update” kind of guy. Nobody cares what I’m doing anyway.

I opted out. I made sure I was sharing nothing then on the bottom of your gmail there is a link “turn off buzz”. It took so much work to migrate towards one personal email account years ago. I came close to switching today after Buzz. It bugged me in one day I could have something “social” being tied to my “personal” email. Sadly I believe I can’t “stop” anybody from following me. I fully understand that many google services are tied to your google profile but still this one is a pill I didn’t want to swallow.

I would say this is required reading for anybody using Buzz.

There is already a lot of insanity on the web it’s impossible to catch up, keep track of everything and be apart of every conversation. Right now I’m swimming in Google Reader items as I have been for months.

1000+

I’m drowning in web projects I can’t even find the time to start or even clean up abandoned ideas. Google Buzz is just another hopeless distraction I can’t be apart of.

Really I would love to know how everybody deals with this problem I can’t imagine I’m the only one. Honestly it frustrates me and could use any tips, rules, or methods anybody employs.

Update: Looks like things are getting better at least I can block people I don’t want following me. Time to go back and make sure to block everybody.

Update 2: I love this story. Well it’s serious in nature but still it’s the truth. Seriously Buzz is just a nightmare. Buzz assumes that everybody lives these glorious lives where ones entire social circle  integrated and loves one another.

Update 3: Yeah just hitting the “turn off buzz” icon is not enough. Quote from Google Help documents…

Disabling Buzz

If Buzz isn’t for you, you can turn it off it by clicking the turn off buzz link at the bottom of your Gmail (it’s near the basic HTML link). Please note that this will only remove the Buzz label from your Gmail account.

To completely stop using Google Buzz, you also need to block all followers and delete your Google profile (which will delete all of your posts and connected sites) before clicking the turn off buzz link.

Abysmal…

Update 4: New York Times puts everything together here. Hopefully more people read this and hopefully massive changes are done to Buzz. A single click “opt out” would be nice. Also I’m unsure if “blocking all followers” means I lose everybody on Google Reader? I might need to get a hotmail account.

Posted in General, Irate

Lost Odyssey – 2008

Written by vanlandw on February 10, 2010 — 2 Comments

Never have I been an overly opinionated person. More times then not I’ll seek out the opinions of others on many decisions and hold that key. I’m also not a person that will push my opinions on someone and more likely then not have a hard time recommending almost anything to anybody. Something I don’t take lightly is recommending either a game, book, movie, restaurant or even a website if I truly don’t believe a person will enjoy it.

I have these thoughts because recently I’ve been playing a game called “Lost Odyssey“.

I don’t think I know a single person I could possibly recommend this game to.

I beat it and put at least 50+ hours into it.

The game is a plays like a traditional JRPG with all the pros and cons that come along with it’s given genre. Bulleted list time.

  • The FMV’s are in beautiful 720p HD.
  • The incessant loading screens are borderline unbearable.
  • The main storyline, the idea of immortality, is truly interesting till the end.
  • Inconsistent boss checkpoints standard/ save point system blows.
  • Voice acting is above standard.
  • For average RPG players grinding will occur to be able to complete the game.
  • A Thousand Years of Dreams sequences are a strong mechanic and have interesting, emotional stories.
  • Battle pace is very slow.
  • For Turn Based Combat there are some interesting twists Final Fantasy old schoolers will appreciate.
  • I hate having children (Cooke/Mack) in my Party (See Palom and Porom).
  • As expected the soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu is fantastic.
  • Having to watch the entire ending sequence plus credits to unlock the final achievement sucks.

This could go on for ages.

I originally got into this game in a  lonely mans hunger of a more traditional RPG experience after playing Mass Effect 1 last April. Only recently have I gotten back into the game after originally losing interest and recently working hard on finishing previously purchased games rather then continually buying new ones.

A few weeks ago I actually attempted to battle the final boss. This includes fighting two bosses  that during many unexpected scripted elements  on top of requiring a large amount of time to work though my first attempt ended when the final form does “Stone” on my entire party and I die. This is very late into the fight and I lost at least over an hour of time including watching cut scenes. One skill I didn’t equip my team was a block to Stone and I lose unable to fight anymore. This is 3am in the morning and I was utterly demoralized. I felt I deserved to win I put in more then enough time into this game and I screwed up one thing and I had to try again. My brain hurt I was furious. And I wanted my 125g.

Yesterday I plotted a plan to tackle Gongora one more time.

Leveled my characters, went to the auction house, learned new skills and equipped the right ones.

Though this frustration I understood why JRPG’s  still attracts me. Even though the combat isn’t as exhilarating as so called “Modern Combat” these games never attempt to give the fake gamey feeling of ‘balance’.  Lost Odyssey absolutely requires you to understand the game mechanics to excel. It’s not trial and error, it’s not the game cheating you. At times things are hard for a reason and mostly it’s your own damn fault.

There has been discussion on the internet (recommended – nobody is going to listen/read ect Part 1 Part 2) of why the popularity of JPRG’s has diminished. Honestly I feel the same way to a degree mostly saddled by my memories of previous titles I’ve enjoyed a lot more then recent offerings. Also I don’t know a single person I would even come close to recommended a JRPG to anymore where as in High School I had a series of friends that shared a similar zest for this type of entertainment. Tastes change I see mostly around time constraints and that is understandable.

It’s sad to a degree. Recently I’ve been playing in small doses for over six months Final Fantasy XII and it’s very well put together. Action oriented and built for smaller one hour dose play times. I would love to see people play it and be able to discuss it but knowing so many people turned off after Final Fantasy X I don’t blame them.

Thankfully nobody was around last night when I beat the game. Seriously I did a David Draiman fist pump and overall my mood is lightened.

Posted in General, Video Games

The Joys of a Blu-Ray Netflix User

Written by vanlandw on January 21, 2010 — 7 Comments

The top six in my DVD queue on Netflix.

Regardless the service is still 100% worth it. According to feedflix.com.

…$203.88/year you spend on Netflix

Your cost: $1.64 per DVD | With IW: $0.58

Yeah it’s a downer that new Blu-Ray releases take forever to get to you but with the increase quality of Instant Watch and being able to catch up on content while I wait for the new stuff it doesn’t bother me that much. Also with so much out there this is infinitely cheaper then cable television and attempting to see everything I want in the theater.

Posted in Movies

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) : Veteran Complete Follow Up

Written by vanlandw on January 14, 2010 — 7 Comments

As noted in my previous post about COD4 I played the game my first time around on the Veteran difficulty setting on the 360. Below is irrefutable proof that I did conquer the game on it’s hardest setting.

On Google Reader I commented to a friend thinking about replaying the game on veteran the following…

…if you cherish your sanity don’t even attempt playing that game on Veteran on the 360. You have to be able to predict the future have uncanny reactionary time and be able to perfectly wield the 360 controller to be able to survive. If I could I would record the choke point I’m on now seriously you have to play perfectly to advance it’s awful.

I might not be the worlds best game player but I have been around the block a few times with hard games. I’ve defeated Ninja Gaiden, God of War 1/2 on it’s hardest difficultly and the list goes on. Not that Half-Life 1 is “hard” but I don’t think I know another person that has beat it due to it’s confusing lack of  direction.

I’ve done it twice.

Hell I grew up in the Contra Era. As a freshman in college I remember me and vanberge sitting for an epic co-op session defeating Contra five times in a row. For ages me and vanbergs would play Contra: Shattered Soldier and that game requires a pure learning process of enemy patterns and deciplne I’ve never seen in another game for two players to progress. Oddly enough that game only made it feel like your own fault for pershing.

Call of Duty 4 is just another beast all together.

This is the only game where I  watched videos online of people beating the levels to find a plausible strategy to beat choke points. The two hardest areas are both timed and I believe will continually throw enemies at you. The game requires you to learn where enemies are placed (sometimes) and also be able to continue quickly.

“You will not survive” is correct.

Watch this video.

This is the final checkpoint of the mission “Heat“. This checkpoint took me FOREVER to beat. The guys can kill you almost instantly and you have to be very quick using the air strikes and forward progression. A few AI exploits and a little luck and I was able to get past this after countless attempts.

Watch this video.

This is a middle checkpoint for the mission “No Fighting in the War Room“. The first flashbang I was able to throw flawlessly. If you don’t do this part fast there will be two guys instead of the first guy to the right. In this level there is at the least two parts where guys are cross firing so it’s almost impossible to get past a section. The next video will display this better. Let me make a picture of this.


As you can see the red dots are bad guys. The green dot is “Soap“. As modern as warfare has become Infinity Ward twice on this level has designed guys to pretty much cross fire upon one another in attempts to kill you. These points the guys are pretty much standing there waiting for you to come around the corner and kill you instantly and friendly firing upon one another.


Ugh

Watch this video.

There is an “epilogue” mission called “Mile High Club“. I tried this mission haphazardly multiple times and was only able to get to the stairs. Watching this video you have to be an amazing shot and have a little bit of luck to complete. There might be a possiblility I’ll keep trying to beat it but really it’s so freaking hard. Your flashbangs have to be perfect and your shot just as much on veteran.

As much as I wanted this post to be the “end all” of Call of Duty 4 really it’s not. I haven’t defeated all the challenges and I’m not an “expert” at the game by any means. This all started as a quest to understand why these games are so popular. I do have more of an understanding and honestly I did find some enjoyment in COD4. Beating this game on Veteran is one of my highest gaming achievements but not even close to what I would say was an”enjoyable” experience…and it’s entirely my own fault. What in the world was I thinking playing this game right off the bat on it’s hardest difficulty (hint ‘G’)? This was the first game I’ve ever done that with.

As a “van” I’m a stubborn SOB. I had to beat this game but really I didn’t “want” to.

Thinking about maybe that is testament to the game?

Posted in Humor, Irate, Video Games

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

Written by vanlandw on December 17, 2009 — 12 Comments

Playing Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare gives me a feeling that I loath having in real life.

Pressure

The game is so grossly overscripted and pressure the player to act along with how the designers want the game to be played.

I’m pressured to continue moving forward. I’m pressured to not play how I want to.

Sadly I believe many people enjoy this type of gaming.  The feeling the designer wants the player to have is that of fear and the overbearing burden of “Modern Warfare” but as a game it just feels cheap. Your character is constantly pushed towards the “next checkoint”.

Go here do this and do it this way.

On veteran difficulty these feelings are amplified to an un-recommendable state. There are choke points where fleets of enemies will CONTINIOUSLY keep going to hiding spots and be able to kill you practically instantly.  For max enjoyablilty I would highly suggest normal difficulty where it plays more like Halo because using a controler has alot more room for error over a mouse and keyboard. CoD4 on Veteran has NO room for error. None…

There are highspots and even the constrictions of the experience do bring out. Noted here by Mitch Krpata the the sequence helming the AC-130 in Modern Warfare really is indistinguishable from documentary footage of the same gunship. Behind the rifle shooting does feel responsive and quick. With the game engine attempting to hit 60fps, action  is fluid and but sadly at a cost at sub HD graphics at 600p. There are other plusses but in the matter of keeping things short I have to agree with they.misled.us the game is “Average for medium”.

If I had the power to influence…

  • Migrate away from nameless/faceless player avatars that can aim and fire. The scripted deaths would be much more powerful if the player had a larger connection the playable solider and their deaths would hold more weight.
  • Allow the game to properly slowdown. The game does this once (All Ghillied Up mission with Captain MacMillan) well but sadly is a follow the leader sequence and the pace is again frantic. Stress is good and all but that doesn’t feel “Modern” at all it feels like WW2.
  • Rouge sections. Lone Wolf. Lack of supplies. As a character the world is littered with weapons and being able to regen health honestly doesn’t make any sense.
  • I could go on for years

The sequel made sales of $550 milion dollars with five days. People enjoy these types of games. For me Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare  feels like having your hand held though a shit storm.

Posted in Irate, Video Games

gaming vanlandw hits 10,000

Written by vanlandw on November 13, 2009 — Leave a Comment

Well 10,055 to be exact.

My first 360 Achievement gained back in Feb 2009. Actually this achievement if I remember correctly was earned for me by enfuego.  This was when I first setup my 360 when all I owned was Lego Indiana Jones and Kung Foo Panda.

Last night after another epic co-op session with jjafuller I earned this achievement in Borderlands. While traversing the wastelands I should have wrote a post about the game but in google reader I shared and posted enough thoughts on this for anybody that cares. This is maybe the first game that I have played that I highly enjoyed but really wouldn’t safely be able to  recommend to anybody I know who doesn’t already have it. For peak enjoyment it requires friends to play with and not everybody is lucky enough to have two other  people to complete an entire play though with like I did. The thing is anybody reading this will have at least one because if you ask me I would play this game anytime so consider yourself lucky.

Posted in Video Games
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