Hey guys, it's been...what, almost three months, eh? Yeah, I kind of got a job working for a computer company called Canada Computers. I sold some stuff, helped customers through system builds, it was fun times. Now it's over. On the bright side, I have more time for Thrown Controllers again...so I guess I owe you all a review...I'll get around to Mass Effect, soon. I promise. I've already beaten it anyway.
So, that said, I guess it's time for an update. As you all know, I'm a huge fan of Fallout: New Vegas. So, I guess I should let you in on some opinions about the expansions.
Okay, so, the first one, Dead Money: Dead Money pissed a lot of people off, I can see. Probably because it was pretty GD hard. I actually rather enjoyed it because it was the only challenge I was pretty much getting without playing with the difficulty settings. The add-on was pretty good, but to be frank, the new waepons and whatnot were pretty mediocre.
Up next is Honest Hearts. What can I say about HH? Well, for starters, it's too short. It's maybe about 2 hours long, and if you finish it, it pretty much dries up the sidequests right then and there. Unlike DM, you can go back. Also, the weapons and items you get from HH are very, very awesome. A little too awesome, but great nonetheless.
Old World Blues is pretty much the best of the bunch. Not only because it's not two hours long, but it has an interesting story and most of the goodies are VERY awesome. HH awesome, but you'll actually need the firepower.
And finally, Lonesome Road. Lonesome Road is okay. It falls somewhere between DM and HH...more towards HH. There are some overly cheap encounters, and I really find that most of the equipment is inadequate for most of the later encounters.
Now, as an aside, I did also DL the Gunrunners' Arsenal Pack, and I have to say...It's an essential. It really is. Some of the stuff is just gear that Fallout players need to have, like the Bozar. I'm not saying it's amazing, just, you know, for continuity's sake (Fallout 2 fans know what I'm talking about).
The expansions themselves are also essential for people who care about loose ends; the expansions will do exactly that. Not sayin' which loose ends, but unlike Fallout 3, NV has far more loose ends to tie. If you have the game and the cash to burn, it can't do too much harm; it's another 20 or so hours of play. On the other hand, if you don't have the game, wait until the Game of the Year Ed. comes out; it's much better value.
So, what's new: Well, I caved and bought a PS3. I currently have Metal Gear Solid 4, Little Big Planet and the first two Resistance games.
I like MGS4 quite a bit. While still an inferior stealth title to Hitman: Blood Money and Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, it is still an excellent game. There are things about it that I don't like, though - namely stepping away from the item collecting to get around the environment. I'm at Chapter 3, and I'm not seeing anything like this. I really enjoyed this as it gave me a tangible sense of progress, and it really made you use your memory faculties. I'm not saying it's immaculate (Metal Gear on the NES is proof of this - but it's also like 18 years before MGS), but it certainly increases the depth of the game and gives it an adventure feel. This style of play is sadly lacking. I also dislike the 20 minute+ cutscenes. Kojima, you are a hack. Period. Luckily, the game doesn't suck.
Little Big Planet is very charming, and one thing I really like about it is there always seems to be something new about it. It was designed this way, I realise that, but few games that are deliver so well. And my girlfriend, K, absolutely loves being able to dress up Sack-Boy.
I've played the Resistance games for all of ten minutes each, so I can't really give them a thorough evaluation. However, they don't immediately impress me. They feel like something caught between Halo and Call of Duty, so I think a closer inspection is required.
Now, recently, I've been playing Skyrim, and anyone tracking me on Facebook or Raptr (Rabbi_Voody for those interested) will see this in spades. My initial impressions are fairly negative as far as RPGs go. Skyrim has done away with a lot of the stats that make TES a lot like DnD, which I know is a major piss-off to many fans. Regardless, it's actually a very good game. And that's all I'm going to say because I'm not going to spoil anything for you - which is why I'll be giving the Resistance games a fair go.
And yes, I did wait for it in line on the Midnight Release. Won't be doing that ever again; November plus sickness (which turned out to be strepthroat) equals really damned bad.
I also got a taste of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, and I have to say...it's alright. I can't figure out how to lean, though (only played it briefly), which is pretty major in tactical FPS's. It's pace is insane. I like that. I was introduced to it by way of my friend Jason D, who's more into wargames and such. And also competitive sports games. I can definitely see him getting NHL 2K12. Hopefully it's a lot better than 2K9, which has one hell of a learning curve (of course it is; the later ones always are, claimeth EA).
And finally, for all of the Halo fans, I have played Halo: Anniversary Edition. Didn't finish it - actually only did the first chapter. I'm saving that for a co-op playthrough with my friend Jason S; he bought it for me specifically for that purpose. And possibly playing on Live, which I did to see if it was old Halo redone. It's not. It's just Halo Reach, which actually caused me serious disappointment, but at least Halo Reach plays closer to classic Halo insofar as multiplayer is concerned, what with the shields and health. Halo CE with no shields is very, very, very, very fun to play. It's almost as fast - if not exactly as fast - as classic Doom.
And that is my gaming life over the past couple months in a nutshell. More like a busted nut.
Well, take care. I hope to see you all again soon.
