reviews and things

Hey, so this is just going to a spot for my reviews and opinions on the many ways I'm wasting my life, so games, books and whatever may be.

[cold-kees]

Just a quick thought on Assassin’s Creed, but it has already been stated that Desmond has a kid, so what if they grew up?

Kid spend life unaware of who they are, but always watched by the templars and the assassins and juno, and they have to juggle with themselves as reincarnated what-his-name.

This would be a perfect character to bring the whole line and convoluted plot together.  He would be able to re-live memories as all the major characters, and all the sages, learning skills, choosing their path, running around in the not too distant future as well as all the historical ages.  Until, ultimately, they can re-live memories from the first civilization, watch uprising of adam and eve and the whole collapse of civilization.  Then finally put this age old war to an end, and hopefully slap juno.

Dunno, but that could be pretty exciting.  (and also avoid having to create another origin story for another unique historical figure who just happens to be in the middle of everything, instead just using all the pre-existing assassins)

[cold-kees]

Punch Satan

Like a Gat out of hell, I’ll be gone when the morning comes

     Hey look, I actually finished another game, well standalone DLC, and already I know it’s going to be hard to beat.

     Sure, this small installment of the Saints Row franchise is nowhere near anything new or challenging, but that doesn’t really matter.  A few hours of gameplay and you get to run wild in Hell, meet up with deceased characters, witness a disney-like musical moment, meet god, and do as a good Saint does (i.e. murdertime funtime).

     You get similar weapons and powers as the last game, although with some new features and abilities.  One notable feature is the change from gliding to flying on satanic wings, this method of transport is difficult to master but when you do is so satisfying and fun.  And after these few hours, I have an even greater appreciation for Gat and Kinzie, hope we get to see them again soon.

     Don’t go expecting a long romp like the previous game, it is a standalone DLC, but terribly fun nonetheless and I mean who doesn’t want to punch Satan.

[cold-kees]

If (New 52) Batman killed (New 52) Joker in the Bat Mobile after a series of events lead him to do it and then later, turned himself in unmasked, what would your reaction(s) be? And for that matter, what would the Bat Family's reactions be if they knew what happened?

I think it would be an interesting series of events.  

In my opinion, the bat family would be supportive of him and would keep up the work which he wold be unable to do from prison.  All the Robin’s and Batgirl’s would be brought closer due to his absence, despite their differences they always had the Bat and without him there would be a massive hole in their worlds. Maybe one of them will take up the hood, but I highly doubt.

We’d also have the League and their reactions, tears, support, public press release, one of the more interesting visitor days at Blackgate.  But also the disappointment that Batman broke his one creed, even if it was the Joker.

Then there would also be the reaction from Gotham, the joy at the Joker finally being gone forever, but the sadness that so to has the Batman,  There would be the surprise at Mr Wayne’s revelation, and of course the sad, knowing, smile of a certain Police Commissioner.  In the aftermath groups who idolize Mistah J would riot at his murder, at a city that would condone such actions, and at the Bats who did it.

Then there would be the reactions of the villains. I think it would be a strange eclectic mix of despair and elation, and many, such as the Court of Owls, would be pleased at the result and may try to recruit Wayne and his new found killing side.

And also, they the whole shebang about whether joker is dead in the first place. If he actually stays dead or if that whole shtick about the immortal pale man comes into play and the lazurus fluids bring him back to torment his fallen foe, as even in death he still gets the last laugh, he made batman kill.

Finally, my own opinion of such a turn of events would be grateful curiosity.  There’s always the argument against Batman’s reluctance to kill, and many cite the Joker as the perfect subject to bend the rules a little.  In most cases when he does stop the maddening laughter it’s as the final part of an arc, a nice bow to wrap up the story.  I can only think of a few cases where it isn’t, which is the days of Injustice: Gods Among Us, but in that Bruce took the fall for Superman in the hope to keep Clark’s untarnished reputation (and it was a dream), and in the Arkham game/comics where the Arkham Knight (among other things) spring up.  So, to have a story within the main continuity would be a great exploration of the character and his reliance on his polar opposite, and would be a study of the immortality of the Joker, as a villain, as a man, and as a nightmare.

[cold-kees]

BattyBadBlood

“cause baby, now we got bat blood”

     Can’t deny that it isn’t the first thing you think of when you hear about the new DC animated film.  And what a film it is.  Not only does it start out with the man himself missing and considered AWOL, but it has a potentially complex villain in the Heretic against the new misfit Bat family.  And by the time there’s a church of assassin nuns (nun-jas, if you will), you’ve given into the film.

    Admittedly the evil world domination scheme could have been better thought out, and despite the Bat’s pacifist tendencies none of the B-class villains walk away from this adventure.  Though for a fun, comic-book, inspired romp with all these characters it certainly delivers, with even the immaculate Alfred getting his hands dirty and ultimately saving the day.

     Finally, as the third installment of the New 52 Batman films, it makes a great addition to the series, with references to all of them and the extended universe, making it fun for both old and new fans.  If you’ve got some time, give it a watch, it’s not all bad (blood).

[cold-kees]

AC: Unity and... well, that’s about it.

After having played this wreck of a game, after the overall feeling of disappointment it left me with, it took me a while to figure out what was wrong.  It wasn’t the “innovative” mechanics which just made everything more confusing (and that was if they worked in the first place).  It wasn’t quite the poorly written narrative with two dimensional characters and minimal plot progression.  The wide, sweeping, bustling, populace was nice. It added a feel of life to the city, even though that didn’t really do much more than push up the specs.  

It was the fact that everything about this game felt half done. It was like someone had jotted down a few ideas, the barest thoughts about what could be an interesting idea to look at, then someone else strung it all together and turned it into this half-done nonsense.  Ties to both sides, fantastic!  Fractured animus eras, great!  Customization, beautiful!  Conflict of nobles and masses, thrilling!  Individual choice in completing assassinations, exciting!  ...and yet, none of it worked to it’s fullest.

Don’t get me wrong, it did have it’s moments.  The co-op missions had a good feel and needed planning and team work, the equipment was a nice change with customization the other games never had.

But they missed some amazing opportunity for exploring complex issues.  I mean the main guy had two dads, one a templar and one an assassin fOR PETE’S SAKE!  Some conflict of interest, some emotional dilemma, some collaboration between these ancient rivals, even some Romeo and Juliet fluff would have had more gravity than anything that was in this.  Not to mention that the actual Revolution doesn’t happen until around sequence 10 of 12, and again doesn’t really do anything but add more crowds and make your tech work for it’s life.

And at the end of it all, I still have no idea what was the point of the assassins or templars in this game. Neither faction had any apparent development or motivation, aside from getting snarky comments from our dear, thick, protagonist or occasionally interrupting from the present day.

A game of amazing, lovely, beautiful potential... and sad, hollow, disappointment.

[Amendment] It has occurred to me that one way they can redeem this mess of a game, is to create a sequel around the rise of Arno and the reforming of the Templars, possibly linked to the fact he has a SWORD OF EDEN.  Because this whole game feels like it’s just one part of something bigger, like it’s a tutorial or just another mission (like the Pazzi Conspiracy sequence from ACII)

[cold-kees]

100% and Why its Destroying games

Now don’t get me wrong, I like nothing more than playing a game and watching the numbers climb up as you get closer and closer to completion. What I do hate is how many big games have been treating these lately.

The player is given all these challenges to complete, often for an insignificant in-game reward or just to complete that nice round 100.  Lately I’ve noticed how all too often these additional challenges serve no purpose within the game from a narrative perspective or from a player perspective, by appearing to be randomly scattered throughout the game necessitating backtracking to find another stupid little thing.

Take the Assassin’s Creed games. Number 2 had Ezio taking revenge for the murder of his family, aside from a very well constructed story, the game gave the player little snippets into the character, such as contracts, tombs and feathers.  Now these things didn’t need to be completed, but they gave the player a nice challenge and unique rewards at the end (money, no notoriety, and armour, respectively) but with a narrative reason (his job, for his mother, for the order).   

Now in Rogue similar things were tried but they had no rhyme nor reason.  Shay randomly stumbled on templar maps, viking swords and native pillars. Not only were these given no narrative reason why they should exist, not one gave the player a challenge, and every single ultimate reward was a new outfit with only minor differences between them all. So it never mattered if you got one or all of these little tidbits, the only thing they ultimately added up to was that nice big 100%.

And I hate that. They give you these little things for no other reason than taking the time out of actually enjoying the game, as you go back and forth finding another little glowing dot.

[cold-kees]

If you haven't played Saints Row now is always a good time to start.  It's beginning as another GTA clone are nothing to talk about, but the development *whew* that's something else. No. 3 and IV are a couple of the most fun games I've played in a long while.  There's no moral dilemmas no complicated plots, just a couple of gangsters, ridiculous weapons, and a city to call you own. Oh! and zombies, aliens, furries and sentient soda can.

I can't emphasie enough how refreshing it is to play a game where you begin with a bunch of crazy weapons (dubstep gun) and proceed to get given more AND super powers.  To be spoilt for choice and to play through some ridiculous scenarios (becoming the prez of the US by averting a nuclear crisis, only to be invaded by aliens and trapped inside a matrix-like simulation) with absolute nothing serious about it.  Just pure unadulterated mayhem and fun, or rather "murder time fun time".

[cold-kees]

Let me tell you about one of better written characters, the White Wolf, the Butcher of Blaviken, the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia.

Not only are the games one of the few where the consquences of your actions are only revealed much later, when it's far too late to change them. But the written character is such a jaded and practical person.  He isn't a knight in shining armour to swoop down and heroically save the damsel in distress.  He's a paid monster slayer, and will stick to his neutrality.  If a damsel is saved, that's a pleasant reward to add on top of the gold, but that isn't what he's about.  If the attractive woman is trapped in the magical tower there may be a reason for it, and you shouldn't go sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong.  And that is why he is so good, his neutrality and sense.

[cold-kees]

One of the worst, but best films I've seen lately is (finally) The Fifth Element. With Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovovovovoich as a couple of people in a great sci-fi scenario. This begins almost with some level of seriousness, but quickly degrades into a some fun tongue-in-cheek humour. Shape shifting aliens, gunfights and a giant death ball about to destroy the earth. This is one of the definitions of popcorn movies, no great work of art but a thoroughly enjoyable film, best accompanied with snacks.

[cold-kees]

Hey, so let me tell you about the most surprising game I've picked up this year.  It looked to be the unholy thought-child of William Gibson and J.R.R. Tolkien and, man, was I wrong.  Let me tell you about Shadowrun: Dragonfall (Director's Cut).

Based on a tabletop RPG, Shadowrun takes you into an anarchistic cyber Berlin inhabited by humans and a range of mythical creatures (Elves, Orcs, Dwarfs, and more) and in an age of futuristic technology but also magic.  As if that doesn't sound good already.  But wait, it gets better.

Your character joins up with a team of Shadowrunners (people paid to do the stuff corporations don't want tied to them) for a milk-run, and soon enough all hell breaks loose.  You've got mystery, murder, the matrix and a goddamn dragon at the centre of it.

Even though it's a small game, I've found the character development to be extraordinary. Never before have I felt so connected with my character, that I could understand them more than just in the small window of the game.  It sucks you right in, then spits you out gasping for air and crying out for more.

Sure, the graphics and interface feel a little old school (think Diablo II meets tactics) but once you get used to it, there's no other way it could be.  The story is short and leaves a bit to the imagination, but that only makes me so more eager for whatever is next install.

A definite must play for all fans of cyber-punk, fantasy or just cool ideas.

[cold-kees]

So, been playing Devil May Cry, and let me tell you it's crazy. Story aside, the game is truly a great hack and slash. With a small arsenal at your disposal, and each enemy with their own best method of destruction. It makes for a quick thinking, yet complicated play. But the world, the mythos, and those freaking monster are so cool. Giant baby face mannequin tanks, screeching teleporting ninja mummies, everything is so satisfying to smash an axe into its face. The plot is nothing too complicated, with little to surprise, but the places it takes you in the bizarre and twisted Limbo certainly make for it.

[cold-kees]

My lastest game was Child of Light It looks to be for kids, but do not take fright. A new media fairy tale of a princess in a dream, With magical creatures and an evil step-queen. Seems easy enough, until you run out of luck, and you’re left to fight a monster and start screaming “fuck”. It all looks like watercolours that are beautiful, and a lovely adventure that is fruitful. But its all written in a rhyming pattern, And soon you start to think in the same way and try to find the right word so the verse… doesn’t look too fatten? Overall the game is simply ‘charming’ and fun that is not demanding.

[cold-kees]

Not going to go into the large of it, yet, but to skim the surface I'll talk about the Mass Effect Novels.

Revelation, Ascension and Retribution are three entertaining and well written stories. They give you the story and even more reason to love the galaxy's favourite BAMF Admiral Anderson, and of course more to his relation with Kahlee Sanders (of Grissom Academy fame).  

As an avid fan of the games, these three stories, though not needed, are an immense addition to the Mass Effect universe.  Also making the appearance of Kai 'sudden-evil-cyber-ninja' Leng, not so much out of the blue and instead an actual character with actual back-story and connection to past events.

For any who like the games, these are a well likable supplement to the world, expanding on things only mentioned in the game and telling a story that isn't all about the illustrious Shepard.  Of a similar vein I would recommend most of the Mass Effect comics as well.

But for the sake of your sanity and taste, do not, I repeat DO NOT, read the fourth book "Deception" as it is full of so many errors and fuck-ups that it's a far stretch to believe it has anything to with Mass Effect, other than the name. I mean for gods sake, sexuality changes, lore is all but forgotten and Leng is reduced from a cold calculating killer to a camper pissing in a vase. But hey, it made them money so why bother with something as ridiculous as fact checking.

[cold-kees]

Ever wanted to newly piss yours pants in fright? How about running down darkened corridors with the sound of your oncoming death? Why not an amorous madman who wants to cut the man out of you to turn you into his lovely bride? Outlast, and the Whistleblower DLC, are the closest you can get without reality getting in the way. This game has such a wider variety of horror and fear inducing monsters, and the best part, they're all men. I'm not quite sure why this asylum/lab house only men but they are all three ways fucked up. As an intrepid (and rather stupid) reporter you scrabble, run and hide in this house of insanity. To get to the bottom of what is going on, and why everything wants to kill you. Very fun game, but has a tendency to leave you with sleepless nights.

[cold-kees]

Alright want to know what I just finished, a Dragon Age marathon. Sort of as a refresher for when Inquisition is released, but also just ‘cause I haven’t done that before. After playing one after the other, you can really appreciate the subtle differences and aside jokes between them. Origins had a much better exploration and variety, with so many more things to do and see, while 2 was so much more enthralling and better written. Sure, they were both slow at times and watching the same basic pattern for dungeons and combat over and over again got a little tiring. Personally, I found I came for the story and stayed for the characters. But that last set of missions, it blew me away. I kept on having to consciously close my mouth as my jaw was hanging open like an idiot. Purely gobsmacked. Plot twist, plot twist, big reveal, fucking batshit (not literally, in case you were worried) Having it told as as a story is a great effect, and so is an unreliable narrator. In 2 the sarcastic dialogue option added a nice slight, change from all the black/white, good/bad, Mage/Templar decisions, but it would be so much more enjoyable if they had more grey options were you would walk out and have no idea whether you just made the right decision or not. And so many times I just wanted to punch a character right in their digital face and scream fuck you you fucking cocksplat… but that wasn’t a dialogue option, so make a joke and hope to get the chance later. Fun games, prone to having slow moments, but thoroughly engaging story and amazing characters.

But no post-game, which is kinda annoying, though I guess there’s nothing to say once a story has been told.

[cold-kees]

And now for something a little different, Tumblr Followers.

As this is a relatively young blog, the followers are few and far between. But the worst part is that the majority of them (yes, you) are either virus laden sites consisting the same three images in the naive hopes that someone will click on it. I mean seriously, how much a dick can you be to set up a blog for the sole purpose of hurting others.  

Yet the worst part, are the specialized fetish porn blogs. Some of these things I've never (and never thought anyone else could) considered to be erotic even the slightest, yet someone has gone to the trouble and effort of creating and continuing a blog catering to this. And the content has to come from somewhere, so is there this movement of people who are so turned on by this weirdness that is gets produced and proliferated.

And then you come on to my blog and click "Follow"?! Really?!

[cold-kees]

Continuing with the comic-y theme, I've got to say my appreciation for Grifter (Cole Cash) in the New 52.

Initially from the Wildstorm, then during the Flashpoint he became the leader of the resistance movement. And now integrated into the continuity, the blood-stained bandanna is a former member of the notorious Team 7 (which included other well known names like Amanda Waller and Slade Wilson), turned conman.  Until (of course) aliens! and it goes FUBAR.

The character of Grifter is a great mix of light humour, violence and his unfolding new powers.  The only real gripe I have with it, is his uncanny ability to keep on losing women, like seriously, there's at least three of them in the fridge.  But other than than, it's fun to follow his self-discovery towards becoming one of the central characters in the main Future's End series.

Can't wait to see where this goes.