Video Game Chatter

[1bigfan13]

People are now calling the new system XBox 180.

 

[EZ22]

Here is my official, highly anticipated by no one review of The Last of Us.

SPOILERS AHEAD















So I almost never buy games brand new. I usually wait for them to come down in price and then check them out, but every once in awhile I get caught in the hype machine and a game sounds so amazing that I have to buy it right away. To give you an idea of how rare this is, the last console game I bought on day one was LA Noire.

I first heard about The Last of Us on this site (Probably an extremely over the top love fest by Ace) and became interested. I followed it as things got leaked and I decided that it was a game I had to have immediately.

Overall, I am not disappointed that I bought it right away, though there are a few things that I didn't care for.

Just a heads up, whenever I play a game that is lauded for it's story line more-so than it's actual game play, I always play through the first time on the easiest mode available. I want to get immersed in the story and not get frustrated at the actual game play. If I'm into it enough I will go back and play it on a more challenging setting later.

I did this with the entire Mass Effect series, and I did it with The Last of Us, so I breezed through the game pretty quickly.

The things I didn't like:

1.) For a game that was praised for it's story, I didn't really get interested until the winter time part of the game (at least half way through), when Joel gets injured and Ellie has to go hunt for food. From the time she kills the deer and meets David, I was hooked. Before that it was just okay. The whole arc with the black guy (Henry) and his brother (Sam) was boring and felt rushed. They were both dead before you even gave a shit about them, but it was clear that they wanted you to be sad when those two died. Nah, wasn't feeling it. Didn't care.

2.) Maybe this was a misconception on my part, but I thought this was supposed to be some huge, open world game. It's not. It's actually very linear in both story line and game play. There aren't these vast open areas to explore, and I was a little bummed about that. Maybe Mass Effect ruined me, but I really like games where you are forced to make choices and live with the consequences and in this game, you don't make any choices that have any meaning at all. It's all scripted, and maybe that's not a bad thing because in the end it was a great story, but they could have done better there. Also, it would have been nice to be exploring part of a town or a country side and come across some stragglers that you can interact with and help out or fight or something. Mass Effect is great for this and even Red Dead Redemption was good at it.

3.) Speaking of Red Dead Redemption, it annoyed me a bit that they used the same voice actor for Joel that played John Marston in Red Dead Redemption. Especially when you have to ride horses, it felt like I was playing RDR all over again.

That's pretty much all I can complain about. Overall the story turned out to be great once it really got going. The scene where Joel shoots the Firefly dude in the stomach a few times demanding to know where Ellie was being held might be one of the best scenes in a game that I've ever seen. It was powerful and it was great.

Some people have complained about the ending, but I liked it. It starts outs as a story about a guy just escorting a girl he doesn't care about across the country and becomes a story of Joel refusing to lose another person he cares about, even if it means completely betraying and lying to that person to save them. It was great.

There are very, very few games that leave me wanting to play through again but this is one of them. I will definitely play through again and try to find all the artifacts and stuff.

I'll give it 4.5 FGFP's out of 5.

PS: It could have been a bit longer. I finished the game in less than 15 hours. Some side missions/encounters would have added a lot.

 

[EZ22]

PSS: It's really fucking annoying that Ellie can't swim.

 

[EZ22]

What a joke Microsoft looks like after all of this. Even a dumb unwashed laborer like myself knew that DRM was a horrid idea, yet they went with it. Reversing course now after all their righteous indignance is funny to me.

 

[Texas Ace]

Just beat the game.

Wow, it was great. I haven't enjoyed a game that much since maybe God of War 1.

EZ, I played the game on hard, and if you play it on hard while also exploring everything around you, I doubt that you'll beat it in less than 16 hours or so. Took me around 18.

Now, onto the spoilers:

Spoiler

I liked the story from the start, but like you, it took it to another level for me when it went to Winter. Getting to play Ellie as she struggles to keep Joel alive was great.

Taking you and putting you in the woods in the snow was a nice change of pace too. How awesome was the acting and writing? Joel's scenes where he tortured those 2 guys and the scene that you mentioned when he shoots the guy in the stomach were great. He was going to get to Ellie by any means necessary and he wasn't in the mood to fuck around. It was great to see that level of dedication in a gaming scene when you really only see it in movies.

As for the ending? I don't know what to think. On one hand, I'm happy because they both lived. What can I say? I'm a sucker for happy endings. But how happy was this really? They live, but he lied to her. And I can appreciate that he wasn't going to allow the only person in the last 20 years to truly tap into his soul to die. He was a hardened sonofabitch and he was pretty mean for most of the story. But he finally opened up and he began to love her like a daughter. So I get that he wanted to keep her in his life, but at what cost?

You can't help but feel there will be a sequel. You get the feeling that she is going to find out the truth somehow and Joel is going to have to explain himself. I think Marlene was right in that Ellie would have chosen to sacrifice herself to save mankind. A great story and an acceptable ending, but I think there will definitely be a sequel.

For me, this game was a 10 out of 10. One of the 3 best games of the entire PS3's history.

The gameplay was very good, but not incredible.....but it didn't have to be. This game was about the story and the experience, and the experience was definitely a 10.

There are other minor gripes I have, but I'll get around to those later.

It's been a long time since I played a game like this where I couldn't put it down unless I absolutely had to. Great stuff.

 

[Texas Ace]

What a joke Microsoft looks like after all of this. Even a dumb unwashed laborer like myself knew that DRM was a horrid idea, yet they went with it. Reversing course now after all their righteous indignance is funny to me.

They are still catching a lot of shit for this decision because everyone knows they are lying through their teeth about listening to the fans.

Just a few days ago, they were absolutely adamant that DRM and always online were the way to go and were also very smug in saying so. They told people that they would see this was the future once they got their hands on the system. And just a few days later they completely change their minds?

Bullshit.

What happened is that the PS4 was kicking their ass in preorders so they knew they had to make a change before it was too late. Going forward with the aforementioned restrictions would've made the XB1 DOA.

They'll recover some fans for this move, but I still think most are like 1big in that they have already chosen to switch and will not be switching back. The hard is done for a lot of gamers.

 

[Smitty]

EZ, maybe you were making a joke that they sound annoyingly similar, but John Marston and Joel are not voiced by the same person. John Marston was Rob Wiethoff and Joel was Troy Baker.

As far as the game, yeah, it definitely was not open world. A lot of the press was talking about balancing resources and ammo scrounging, so maybe that led you to believe it was a little more wide-open than it is, but this is the same studio that made Uncharted, and it basically flows just like Uncharted did... completely linearly. Their edge is telling an amazing story and making it as cinematic as possible. I think they accomplish that without resorting to Quick Time Events or too much "Push Button to Win Game" moments. The game mechanics I think work very well, you feel like you are controlling the character, and combat is very satisfying, even if it is linear.

But yeah, they'll never make an open-world game like Rockstar does with GTA and RDR, or like Bethesda does with Elder Scrolls and Fallout.

Still, I think the Last of Us was pretty amazing, even if it was just set-piece after set-piece. It's a great story, it's perfectly acted, I think even the cliches come off as original feeling and well done (yeah, every person they run into along the way is ripped straight out of some other movie or TV show that did that character first -- but then, Uncharted is basically a younger, hipper Indiana Jones, so that's Naughty Dog's M.O.). Most importantly, it's fun. I don't know if I can give it a 10/10.... I tend to like to reserve that for a game I could put obscene amount of hours into (Skyrim and Oblivion both would have received this score, Red Dead as well). It's hard for a single player game with a 10-20 hour campaign to get that from me.

But in thinking about it, I'd give Uncharted 2 a perfect grade (IMO, UC2 is the best of the series) and that was only about a 15 hour game. So if Last of Us doesn't get a 10/10, it gets a 9.5/10 instead. So it's right up there.

I think its a little too dark for me to want to go for the Platinum trophy like I did with UC2. So I think right now I'm leaning towards a 9.5.

Though technically.... I'm not done yet. I'm real close, I will finish tomorrow most likely.

 

[EZ22]

EZ, maybe you were making a joke that they sound annoyingly similar, but John Marston and Joel are not voiced by the same person. John Marston was Rob Wiethoff and Joel was Troy Baker.

Yeah, I read somewhere before I played it that they were voiced by the same guy, so I believed it because I basically believe everything I read on the interwebs. They do sound alike though.

 

[Texas Ace]

For those of you who definitely plan on getting a PS4 this year, I suggest you wait on the next-gen version of Madden (which I too am going to do).

Here's the impressions that operation sports came away with after playing both the current and next gen versions of Madden:

had a chance to play both the current-gen and next-gen versions of Madden NFL 25 at E3 2013. The current-gen version was fully playable, while the next-gen version gave us the opportunity to look at the improved pass blocking and running game on new console hardware. Early last week, I wrote about the next-gen version but had an opportunity to play with it a little more to provide a little more information.



Madden NFL 25 Current Gen

The running game has been vastly improved with the improved run blocking this season along with the new running game features. You will see players block who they should block, even at the next level. Players were blocking with a purpose, not just running to block the nearest defender to get a block in on the play. Running the ball was fun and it will probably change the game plan for some of you. You can finally be patient and wait for the blocks to setup before sprinting through the hole. Foot planting is better, so there is less sliding.

Everything just looks smoother overall.

Pressure from the defensive end position might be improved a little this year, although I haven't gotten enough playtime to really gauge whether this is the case or not. I recorded 2 sacks with Ware in my limited playing time, but it is still difficult to get decent pressure while controlling anyone on the defensive line in the game. The moves at your disposal are the same as last year. There might be a few new animations on the line, but you won't fully feel a huge difference.

It is disappointing to bull rush a QB and get stonewalled while using a spin move that keeps you in the same exact position as when you started -- which is, nowhere near the quarterback. I tried to get pressure with JJ Watt against a weak offensive line and wasn't having any luck. I did burst through on occasion, but this is still a bit concerning. Without a doubt, there is a definite improvement in run blocking. On the other end, there might be some improvement in pass blocking but it is not as noticeable.



Man alignment works better this year, especially when sending a blitz. Defenders will line up on the receiver and you will notice none of them will get a free release. Saw a few people try to streak their TE and bumping receivers worked there as well. I didn't see the ability to have your best corner follow the best WR, no matter where he lined up. It sure would be nice to be able to do that again.

There were batted balls at the line of scrimmage, some pop up and make you squirm a little hoping it doesn't get intercepted. I actually had one that popped up and landed in the hands of my running back in stride, over his shoulder for a touchdown. It was actually pretty damn cool to watch. QB's will also get their arm hit, which causes errant throws.

The AI will pitch on option plays even if they are 5 yards down the field. I saw RGIII pitch it to Alfred Morris when he saw the safety lining up on him. I liked what I saw when the AI ran the read option against me, but it didn't happen very often, so it is tough to really gauge how effective it really is.



Just a few "little things":

Interceptions have a very smooth transition and not only that, you will see players plant and change directions instead of automatically stopping on a dime to take the ball back the other way.

I saw celebrations from the following players: Dez Bryant, Alfred Morris, Clay Matthews and Arian Foster.

I am not sure how many others are in but celebrations work as they should this year,automatically playing after scores and/or sacks. Last year, there seemed to be issues triggering celebrations.

While controling Dez Bryant down the sidelines, I hit a crazy stiff arm and tight roped the sideline to gain an additional 5 yards.

I did not observe any close games, so I can't judge how the AI handle late game situations.

Believe it or not, pass interference was called a few times during my playtime.

One of the devs told me you can make your DE read the QB or the RB pre snap. I was told this after E3, so I wasn't able to test it out to assist in defending the read option.

Madden Next-Gen

Noticed later on in the show (or maybe I missed my opportunity) that users were using passing plays as well as running plays, which I initially thought were all that were available.

First and foremost: you need to stay in the pocket with your quarterback. If you don't, you will pay for it.

I saw a bunch of guys dropping back and wondering why they weren't getting the ball off, or wondering why they were sacked or throwing interceptions. Those that were staying in the pocket and stepping up when pressured had well timed throws. Those that ran outside the pocket or dropped back 15 to 20 yards deep were almost always getting sacked or throwing up horrible passes.

It was funny to see them get frustrated by it.

I saw quite a few different pass rushing animations used by the defensive line, probably the most impressive one was seeing a defensive end get low and explode up, knocking the arms away from the offensive lineman to get pressure on the QB. In the trenches, I saw more animations when players were engaged. I didn't see the patty cake animations that have seemed to hang around forever in the current gen game. I also noticed some defensive lineman sort of stutter step or slightly pause before making a move at the offensive linemen, not just always running right into the block.

You could see players really trying to slap and use their arms and hands to get away from a block. You could see the offensive lineman struggling to keep their man off the QB. During double team pass blocks, you would see offensive lineman shove a player they were doubling to pick up a blitz. Of course to top it off, the pocket forming is the icing on the cake with the next-gen line play.

Feather the left trigger to shuffle your feet, then dart into a hole. There is a precision modifier to spin moves, larger hurdles (for specific running backs, Adrian Peterson included) step backs, shimmy fakes, all sorts of different moves. In total, 40 moves are at your disposal as part of the new run game arsenal.

The running game is sick. I saw Adrian Peterson actually hurdle over a tackler that was trying to lower his head for the boom. It looked JUST LIKE HIM. Only saw that once, so don't get riled up thinking it will happen too often.

No foot sliding. Every plant, every cut looked good. Even spin moves, the slow ones and the modified quick spins were outstanding.

All features from current gen will make its way to next-gen. In addition to that, Next-Gen Madden will have smarter commentary than current gen with some other things up their sleeve that they will announce at a later date.

We hope to have more on each version of Madden very soon!

 

[Texas Ace]

One of my biggest pet peeves with this game has been the total lack of improvement with the d-line. Every year passes and there are always new features, but the d-line and pass rushing remains the same non-existent crap that it is every year.

It certainly appears that this may finally get corrected in the next-gen version. I certainly hope so, because it's pretty stupid that players like DeMarcus Ware have remained totally irrelevant in Madden games going on 15 years or so.

 

[Deuce]

I was planning on getting Madden this year since I didn't last year, but I have no idea when I'll be upgrading to the PS4 and I don't want to get the PS3 version only to have to trade it in for an upgraded version. Same with NCAA.

 

[mcnuttz]

I'm just about ready to get some PS3 Battlefield 2 going.

Who's game?

 

[Texas Ace]

I'm just about ready to get some PS3 Battlefield 2 going.

Who's game?

Not sure if serious.

 

[Texas Ace]

I was planning on getting Madden this year since I didn't last year, but I have no idea when I'll be upgrading to the PS4 and I don't want to get the PS3 version only to have to trade it in for an upgraded version. Same with NCAA.

I might get NCAA 14 since I doubt it'll be on next-gen for this year, and because I won't be playing Madden until Nov or so when it releases on PS4.

NCAA would be my only football game for about 4 months so it might just be worth the purchase.

 

[Smitty]

Beat the Last of Us.

Think I'm torn on the ending.

 

[EZ22]

Beat the Last of Us.

Think I'm torn on the ending.

Go ahead.

 

[EZ22]

As an aside, and this is just a pet peeve.... But one does not "beat" a game like The Last of Us. You "finish" it.

 

[1bigfan13]

Unfortunately Uncharted 3 is one of those games that makes me nauseous/dizzy when I play it. Probably from all the fast moving camera angles. I can only play for about 30 minutes at a time then I have to stop.

I'm going to power through this one 30-45 minutes at a time then I'm done with the series. I had to do that with the Godfather game back in '06. I loved playing it but I couldn't deal with the motion sickness.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Half-Life 1 &2 made me physically ill. I think it was the combination of the color scheme and the motion. It's the only game where I felt this way.

 

[Texas Ace]

Nobody downloaded the NCAA14 demo?