Metal Gear Solid 4: First Impressions
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
I'm reviewing this game for Den of Geek this week - so be sure to look out for the review when it goes online.
Anyway, I got home tonight and I've been playing on the game for an hour or so and, so far, I'm pretty impressed.
It does get off to an odd start, but you're thrust into the action pretty soon. It's incredibly cinematic, switching from intricate, gorgeously animated cut-scenes to gameplay without missing a beat. However, there's been plenty of controversy about various aspects of MGS4 - namely the cut-scenes and the installation - that have generated plenty of heat on forums.
I think fussing about the installation is a little bit silly. People seem to complain that it's not in the spirit of consoles etc, but I think they're fussing over nothing. Set the game installing and watch TV for 10 minutes; then come back, it's done, and you're ready to go. It's only got to install once and, as far as I can see, it's a miniscule price to pay for one of the most cinematic and, as far as I can tell, effecting experiences of the millennium so far.
The cut-scene issue is, in my mind, less clear-cut. I've only played for around an hour, but there's an awful lot of narrative exposition and an awful lot of cut-scene. There's no doubt that these parts of the game are splendid: full of film-quality, well, everything. However, from what I've seen of the game so far, it's just as good. It leaves me wanting to play more, rather than playing in short, tense spurts in between the plot.
Time will tell. Look out for my review soon!
Anyway, I got home tonight and I've been playing on the game for an hour or so and, so far, I'm pretty impressed.
It does get off to an odd start, but you're thrust into the action pretty soon. It's incredibly cinematic, switching from intricate, gorgeously animated cut-scenes to gameplay without missing a beat. However, there's been plenty of controversy about various aspects of MGS4 - namely the cut-scenes and the installation - that have generated plenty of heat on forums.
I think fussing about the installation is a little bit silly. People seem to complain that it's not in the spirit of consoles etc, but I think they're fussing over nothing. Set the game installing and watch TV for 10 minutes; then come back, it's done, and you're ready to go. It's only got to install once and, as far as I can see, it's a miniscule price to pay for one of the most cinematic and, as far as I can tell, effecting experiences of the millennium so far.
The cut-scene issue is, in my mind, less clear-cut. I've only played for around an hour, but there's an awful lot of narrative exposition and an awful lot of cut-scene. There's no doubt that these parts of the game are splendid: full of film-quality, well, everything. However, from what I've seen of the game so far, it's just as good. It leaves me wanting to play more, rather than playing in short, tense spurts in between the plot.
The Dangers of WoW
Sunday, 15 June 2008
I have a friend.
Surprising, I know. But that's not the point of this story.
As far as I can tell, she's a total and utter World of Warcraft addict and, as far as I can tell, it's having a detrimental effect on her life.
We used to talk quite a lot - either on the phone, or on msn, or via text message - and were really good friends. We've known each other for a long time and get on really well. Except she got this game a few months ago and, well, she's been getting more and more distant since she's been playing it. The first signs of trouble were so minor that I didn't really pay them much attention. MSN screen-names containing her character class and level; that sort of thing.
She even tried to get me to play it. I've dabbled in MMORPG's before - Guild Wars and Tabula Rasa are my favourites - but have no desire to play a standard RPG that has, luckily, very high production values. I've told her this in several emails that I was bombarded with at work, and also said that I don't have the time to play WoW enough to justify paying for a subscription every month. I have work, freelance work, books to read, other games to play, whiskey to drink. 'I never thought I'd have time to play it either', the lady doth protested, 'but I started and then I managed to find time anyway!'
That, ladies and gentlemen, sounds a bit like addiction.
It all got a little surreal last week. As far as I know, the level cap is 70, and she was on 68. She was also on Windows Live Messenger in the daytime, which is unusual as she's normally at work. So I asked, and was told that she'd booked the day off.
'Oh, for a special occasion?' I asked. Then, the answer that I'd been dreading came back.
'Yeah, I'm getting to level 70 today!'
Oh dear.
I haven't had a conversation with her for, literally, months. I can't make any inroads on MSN because I don't get past the initial greeting before she's back in fantasyland, and I'm not really in the mood to go ringing her. I'm too angry to speak, anyway. She texted me at the end of last week with an apology and, while I'm tempted to say it's fine and try to go back to normal, I know that won't be the case. She's ignored me - after saying that I'm her best friend - before and, when I've made issue with it, has promised that it won't happen again. Except it does, time and time again.
So now I'm left waiting. If she'd like to chat and talk and have a real conversation - which I really do miss, actually - then I'm here. If not, then I hope she's happy killing orcs and stuff.
Surprising, I know. But that's not the point of this story.
As far as I can tell, she's a total and utter World of Warcraft addict and, as far as I can tell, it's having a detrimental effect on her life.
We used to talk quite a lot - either on the phone, or on msn, or via text message - and were really good friends. We've known each other for a long time and get on really well. Except she got this game a few months ago and, well, she's been getting more and more distant since she's been playing it. The first signs of trouble were so minor that I didn't really pay them much attention. MSN screen-names containing her character class and level; that sort of thing.
She even tried to get me to play it. I've dabbled in MMORPG's before - Guild Wars and Tabula Rasa are my favourites - but have no desire to play a standard RPG that has, luckily, very high production values. I've told her this in several emails that I was bombarded with at work, and also said that I don't have the time to play WoW enough to justify paying for a subscription every month. I have work, freelance work, books to read, other games to play, whiskey to drink. 'I never thought I'd have time to play it either', the lady doth protested, 'but I started and then I managed to find time anyway!'
That, ladies and gentlemen, sounds a bit like addiction.
It all got a little surreal last week. As far as I know, the level cap is 70, and she was on 68. She was also on Windows Live Messenger in the daytime, which is unusual as she's normally at work. So I asked, and was told that she'd booked the day off.
'Oh, for a special occasion?' I asked. Then, the answer that I'd been dreading came back.
'Yeah, I'm getting to level 70 today!'
Oh dear.
I haven't had a conversation with her for, literally, months. I can't make any inroads on MSN because I don't get past the initial greeting before she's back in fantasyland, and I'm not really in the mood to go ringing her. I'm too angry to speak, anyway. She texted me at the end of last week with an apology and, while I'm tempted to say it's fine and try to go back to normal, I know that won't be the case. She's ignored me - after saying that I'm her best friend - before and, when I've made issue with it, has promised that it won't happen again. Except it does, time and time again.
So now I'm left waiting. If she'd like to chat and talk and have a real conversation - which I really do miss, actually - then I'm here. If not, then I hope she's happy killing orcs and stuff.
Thank you HP!
Thursday, 5 June 2008
I've just got home from an HP-hosted pub quiz with prizes - we won pint glasses - and a free bar. Eight double whiskys later and I'm back, so it's all good.
Work's good too. Products are arriving and things seem to be arriving on schedule so, touch wood, everything's going to plan.
I've got a new laptop! It's a Dell XPS M1330 and I'm delighted with it. It's been bought as a tool to work on the train and, while that is the case - I can review a lot more now, which is good for Gamersinfo.net, Computer Buyer, Den of Geek and my bank balance - and I've picked up work on my novel again. It's been months since I've written any of Gargantua and it's good to disappear into that world for forty minutes every morning.
As well as that, though, it's a superb piece of machinery. Build quality is almost without reproach for a £550 laptop - my only qualm so far is the slightly flimsy wireless switch - and the screen is lovely and bright. The keyboard is, obviously, crucial, and it's solid and comfortable. It extends to the edges of the base and so there's room for full-size keys. I plumped for a larger-celled battery too. It doesn't add much weight or size to the machine but means it can last almost 5 hours if you're careful, which is ample for my regular train journeys.
It's only got Intel's integrated X3100 graphics, but they're surprisingly good - I could have paid £50 extra for a dedicated GeForce 8400M chip but it's really not worth it. I can play plenty of games on here and it's given me a chance to dig out some old classics - Age of Empires II, Rollercoaster Tycoon 2, Trackmania, Football Manager and Red Alert 2 have all had outings.
In short, it's brilliant. We've never reviewed it on Pro, though, which is a shame. But now I have to go as I have work in the morning.
Work's good too. Products are arriving and things seem to be arriving on schedule so, touch wood, everything's going to plan.
I've got a new laptop! It's a Dell XPS M1330 and I'm delighted with it. It's been bought as a tool to work on the train and, while that is the case - I can review a lot more now, which is good for Gamersinfo.net, Computer Buyer, Den of Geek and my bank balance - and I've picked up work on my novel again. It's been months since I've written any of Gargantua and it's good to disappear into that world for forty minutes every morning.
As well as that, though, it's a superb piece of machinery. Build quality is almost without reproach for a £550 laptop - my only qualm so far is the slightly flimsy wireless switch - and the screen is lovely and bright. The keyboard is, obviously, crucial, and it's solid and comfortable. It extends to the edges of the base and so there's room for full-size keys. I plumped for a larger-celled battery too. It doesn't add much weight or size to the machine but means it can last almost 5 hours if you're careful, which is ample for my regular train journeys.
It's only got Intel's integrated X3100 graphics, but they're surprisingly good - I could have paid £50 extra for a dedicated GeForce 8400M chip but it's really not worth it. I can play plenty of games on here and it's given me a chance to dig out some old classics - Age of Empires II, Rollercoaster Tycoon 2, Trackmania, Football Manager and Red Alert 2 have all had outings.
In short, it's brilliant. We've never reviewed it on Pro, though, which is a shame. But now I have to go as I have work in the morning.
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