Archive for the ‘Games’ Category

Just got myself into the beta of StarCraft II last night. I was all ready to sink my teeth into some single-player storyline but unfortunately it is not available in the beta. So I went looking for some intel on what single-player will be like. Found this article that covers a lot of the aspects of the single-player mode, and it is looking like more than I would have ever hoped for!

The amount of content and the ambition of StarCraft 2 is unique. A competition-level multiplayer experience. A single-player game featuring all new game mechanics and units, now playable in the multiplayer mode. A detailed hub system, along with mercenaries, upgrades, and research options to add to replayability. And all this on top of the improved Battle.net that will allow the easy sharing of content and online play. It’s rare that a company gets one of these things right, and Blizzard is shooting for all of them… at the same time.

[Ars technica]

Well I can’t say finally because it isn’t out yet, but the game SpyParty is exactly what I have been hoping games would end up like. Most “spy” games give you a couple options; either you need to stay undercover to get your mission complete or you could just use the thousands of bullets at your disposal to destroy everything in your path, which tends to be the route most taken.

This is not how SpyParty works thank goodness. Instead you are either a spy or a sniper. The spy has specific objectives such as meeting with a double agent, and you must do so without looking suspicious. If you start walking in circles then you will be caught. On the other hand you have the role of sniper who’s sole purpose is to shoot the spy with a single bullet. If you happen to miss your target then game over. The sniper must figure out who the spy is by paying attention to who might be acting suspicious.

This truly is the strategic game play that I have been waiting for ever since Metal Gear Solid on the original Playstation. Unfortunately I must wait as this is simply a prototype right now and won’t be ready for some time. Hopefully it comes out with a better name by then.

Head over to Destructoid where there is a full review of the game based on the author’s experience playing the prototype.

Even in the early build I played with just one map and only four possible spy objectives, no two rounds ever played out the same way. Far as I can tell, SpyParty isn’t a game about memorizing map layouts or nailing an optimum strategy. It’s about improvisation, and reaction, and reading your opponent, and behaving unpredictably. Despite being two years away from completion, the early version I saw still remains one of the most subtle, enjoyable, and surprisingly playful multiplayer games I’ve yet played

[Destructoid]

Do you love Halo 2? Do you despise Halo 3? Well I’m sorry to say that now you must toss your beloved Halo 2 in the trash. But wait! Don’t get all bent out of shape because you don’t want to play Halo 3, because you don’t have to. That’s right folks, you can skip Halo 3 and go straight to the BETA of Halo: Reach!

Microsoft has deemed you Halo 2 users worthy enough to train your skills on a game that is still in BETA, though in turn cares little to keep allowing you to play your precious Halo 2. So congratulations! You now can stop playing the game you loved and gain 400 MS points and a three-month Xbox Live membership to spend on a still-buggy game that might be comparable to the always-buggy Halo 3 which you hate. Thank you Microsoft for being so generous!

Disclaimer: I do not play any Halo, the only knowledge I have about it is from other articles. Nor do I have Xbox Live, though I was paying for it for a year without realizing it…

On April 15, 2010, we will discontinue the Xbox LIVE service for original Xbox games playable on Xbox v1 and Xbox 360. In our continuing efforts to evolve the service, we need to make changes to the LIVE service that are not compatible with original Xbox v1 games.

What does this change mean for you?

• It does not affect your ability to play original Xbox v1 games offline, but does remove LIVE connectivity and support for online multiplayer, leader boards, and other online features of these games.
• We realize that you are an avid Halo 2 fan. Unfortunately, with this change, you will not be able to play Halo 2 on Xbox LIVE going forward.

[Microsoft via Engadget]

The below video clips are game play footage covering an entire battle of Starcraft II. The narrators on this video sound as if they are sports announcers covering a hyped up football game. It’s a bit strange to hear this type of announcing for a video game, though it surprisingly is very effective. It certainly helped me understand what was going on in the game better.

Actually now that I think of it (and I could be wrong cause I do not watch sports) they did a better job than sports announcers as they concentrated on the game that is being played versus the people playing it, so that means no meaningless conversations. Don’t be surprised if they start talking so fast that all you start to hear is a high-pitch sound, because they do talk fast in this.

Anyways, back to the point, if you are wondering how Starcraft II will be played, this is an excellent way to find out. It’s just as if you were watching someone’s computer while they played the game. From the looks of it Starcraft II will be very similar to the original, except with some supped-up graphics and new units. Some may say this is bad, but I am glad it is essentially the same, it means that I will actually want to play it! Unlike Warcraft III where they added “heroes” that you must level up and whatnot, that got tiresome quickly. Or World of Warcraft where it switches game genre. (On a side note, I recently tried WoW, and wow, I thought there were better graphics in it? Graphics are about equal to the *browser based* game: RuneScape). View full article for the videos.

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