IxianD

I went and watched the new Planet of the Apes movie last night, and I loved it! Nuff said.

Having just had a week free from working on the trains, I managed to spend the majority of my time at home with my spanking new Nintendo 3DS and copy of Pokemon White. That's right....Pokemon. With the 3DS launch games not being the most exciting thing to happen for me or Nintendo, I purchased a Pokemon game for two simple and rather logical reasons.

Firstly the game's play time. Having played almost all the Pokemon games since the brand was originally launched in the UK (Gameboy Pocket - happy memories) I have to say that they really do offer dozens of hours worth of gameplay, and offer enough features to keep you coming back even after you have your dream team of pocket monsters all maxed at level 100.

And secondly, well everything else on offer for the 3DS was (best posh British accent) not my cup of tea.

Now that's over with, does this latest offering of Poke ball throwing adventures actually offer anything new and different from previous versions? Well yes actually! Even though first impressions would make a seasoned pokemaniac groan at the thought of doing it all over again, the new graphic style, online functions and, naturally, new monsters help keep the game both familiar and fresh while maintaining all that was good (and some bad) from previous games in the series.

The story is the same as before only with new names and locations and, like before, the game holds your hands through the early stages to make sure you know what you need to get started and which direction to go. After that it's simply a case of search out the little beasties, catch them, train them, fight them with other trainers and move on to the next. Typical RPG exploration and patience is required to both grind the levels and search out the best hidden creatures. And although it's a rather simple formula it does what it does very very well. It's extremely easy to lose way many hours in this game without even noticing it.

I've not yet had a good play with the online modes, which are mostly for trading and online battles with friends or random trainers around the world (I tried random battle once and someone from Japan fed my arse his boot with just 1 Pokemon), but I look forward to exploring this part of the game a lot more in the near future.

My only real gripe with the game is that it has not evolved enough from the original game (1999-2001). Features that I think Game Freak SHOULD have included are 3D support for the 3DS, full 3D game engine, multiplayer co-op support and improved sound effects. Maybe the next games in the series will address this....but I would not hold your breath.

Please do not let my negative comments above put you off getting into this game, it really is the best of the series so far, and those of you who have never played a Poke game should really give it a try.

In short, Pokemon White/Black is a fantastic investment of money vs game time, and that is a HUGE selling point for me. It's also cute, fun, addictive and engrossing.

Go buy!

This month I have come to a crossroads in my life and have a big decision to make. Should I get a new graphics card so I can return to PC gaming or invest in the 3DS! Yes that's right....its a life changer!

Actually I jest, its a rather small dilemma and really does not warrant a rant, yet this is really tearing away at me for no good reason. I really want to get the PC back to full strength so I can play games again, however having a faulty graphic card that wont allow me to play games with a 3D engine has made me play on my underused PS3. And at the moment the PS3 is bloody good fun!

Aside from DC Universe (to which I'm taking a break after burning myself out on it) I've been rather hooked into the world of Assassins Creed II, Dungeon Hunter Alliance and a smidgin of PixleJunk Shooter 2. Also I have an eye on Portal 2 which I believe is released today on Steam and next week on PS3 (complete with cross platform multiplayer).

Sounds pretty straight forward really. Why spend £150+ on fixing something you managed to do without for the last few months and not really missed it? In short I want to return PC gaming for Star Wars: Old Republic (no confirmed release date yet other than late 2011).

Now I've put this in writing I can see the flaw in my thinking and logic dictates that the card can wait for another month, yet the mighty sin that is greed is still gnawing at me over it.

The second part of my sleep losing, life changing, problem is the 3DS from Nintendo. So far I had never really been attracted to the damn pocket sized thing until a couple of weeks back, when I walked into my local GameStation store, and withing 30 seconds a very enthusiastic crew member thrust one into my hand and said 'Seen this yet Sir?' The bast**d! A pox on you and your kind!!! Hissss!!!!

Looking at the 2D display, running a movie clip of various outdoor locations, I thought 'yeah okay that's nice'. But then, slowly, he moved the 3D display slider. The 3D kicked in and I was in a trance, much like a 'Podling' staring into the Dark Crystal shard while the 3DS drained my life essence. Standing in the store in a zombie like state all I could utter was 'Ohhhhhh Uhhhh we want's it, my precious!'.

When he eventually managed to wrestle the console from my grasp I went straight to the 3DS game section, drooled over the software on the wall and made some mental notes the games I should look into in order to see if any would be worth my money and my time. And that's when it happened. Disappointment! Sadly none of the release line up of games seemed to score anything other than average reviews, scores and comments.

So why do I still feel the 3DS calling to my soul? I have no idea. Maybe it's the street pass or AR features. The promised downloadable movie trailers or the prospect of returning to Legend of Zelda once again. Either way this adds to my already swollen brain being forced to make another choice over my gaming future.

So in closing, I have a choice to make. None of the items I want to get are of any real use to me at the moment, none are 'needed' or really important to the betterment of mankind or will solve the issue of global warming. Yet still I want them both, right now, together. Help me!

Let me start by saying that I LOVE playing video games, mostly RPG's mind you and not the mindless shooters either. However a few years ago I discovered the MMORPG or Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game. The reason I fell in love with this genre was two fold. Firstly these games offered almost total immersion in the game world over a long period of time, and secondly they offer far better value for money than the average off the shelf £40 game.

You see with an MMORPG you pay a monthly fee (normally around £9) just to play it, however that buys you regular game updates and content thus the game never ends. Compare that to a game that gives you, at best, 30-40 hours of game time.

The best example I can think of is the hugely popular World of Warcraft for the PC, which after 6 years is still going strong and supports millions of players around the world.

Over the past few months I've been spending a lot of time playing DC Universe Online on the PS3. This is the first true MMORPG experience for the Playstation console. (I even signed up for the Playstation + membership just so I could try the DCUO beta a full month before the games release).

I admit I'm not a huge comic book fan, but I know enough about the DC comic characters from the movies/TV to have an understanding about the background of the game and the people it revolves around. After all we've all heard of Superman and Batman right?

Sony Online Entertainment have created a game based on the worlds these heroes live in, and for the most part it is good. The story places you into the game as a civilian who has been infected with a 'nano virus' that has given you superpowers to defend the planet from a future attack by a super villain known as 'Braniac', who naturally wants to enslave Earth.

With your new powers, and support from other Heroes like Wonder Woman and The Flash, it's your job to save the world. Since this is a MMORPG you start by creating your ideal Super Hero. The character creation screen offers a huge amount of variety to build your character including powers like fire or ice, super speed or flying, costumes and hairstyles and a choice of weapon to fight the good fight. You can even choose if you want to be a Super Hero or Super Villain. Your choice will effect where you start in the game world, the story you follow and even the types of loot and gear rewarded for completing missions.

The game world is broken into 4 areas. The two main cities (Gotham City and Metropolis) are HUGE and full of places to explore, including landmarks from the DC comics and movies. Also hidden in the cities are small collectibles which require a lot of patience to find, but do offer unique rewards should you invest your time to finding them all.

The other areas in the game are the 'Head Quaters' for your faction. Heroes have the Watchtower, a massive space station in orbit, while the Villains have the Hall of Doom, an underwater city hidden from the world. Access to both locations are found in the cities via teleporters located in 'Safe houses'.

So we have the characters and locations, but we need something to do ie the games story and missions. Thankfully the missions get handed to you via communications from the heroes/villains from inside the game. Messages and information appear straight into your interface, a mini map with point you to the correction locations and your rewards for winning appear in your inventory. It's all nice and simple without making it over complicated.

Gameplay itself is fast and furious. In previous MMORPG's, gameplay would involve careful thought and strategy in order to win the day, however in DCUO SOE chose a more console friendly approach and thus the game is fast, action driven and intense. Perfect for a console joypad. Think of the main gameplay akin to 'God of War' or 'Bayonetta'. It all seems a little daunting at first but the game does a great job of easing you into it slowly.

Okay I admit this game is not perfect, it does have some problems. The interfaces are a little slow and tricky with a joypad, and in game communication is not perfected yet (even on a console I would recommend a keyboard and microphone) however SOE are aware and have been working hard to resolve any issues and problems.

DCUO also offers more traditional MMORPG elements including Dungeons (now called Alerts) and Raids, PVP areas and arenas, and solo/duo play instances to enhance your story. Each offers it own rewards and benefits and provides a lot of fun and re-playability.

As I mentioned earlier, and numerous times since, this is a MMORPG! But it really does not feel like one. More often than not I found myself with a stupid grin on my face while I was playing, losing hours flying around its locations and questing in its streets and on the roof tops but most importantly I was having a great time doing it.

Are you looking for a game that's a little different than your Call of Duties, but offers a long term play experience, with huge maps and numerous missions that offers an experience that is totally engrossing and rewarding? Then really I would recommend DC Universe Online, if only to relive those childhood dreams of saving the world!

These last few weeks my love of starwars has inspired me to reconsider getting into starwars costuming again. Managed to find an amazing jedi outfit for under £200 that makes me want to have a nerdgasm at the thought of wearing it. More to follow as to my dreams of owning it. Might even post some images one day.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Now i have got to grips with the games combat dynamics ive been making a few changes to my characters. First off i deleted that new alt i mentioned. I got all i needed from him, and I applied that knowledge to Gaunt'Lett (my main toon). Currently Gaunt is a Master Smuggler thanks to my free respec device (3 charges left). However after spending so many game years in Mos Eisley I had to have some kind of involvement so....

Liberace returns to the stage in the form of a Rodian Musician. Yes I really named my 2nd character after the great man himself. After just a couple of weeks he's become a familar face and is very popular with those seeking buffs.

Also ive dabbled into the games 'galactic civil war' with Liberace. Inspiring the troops on the front line like a true drummer boy. Viva la rebelion!

Gaunt however has yet to dip his toe into the GCW efforts, he's been too busy running contraband across the deserts of Lok, he has no time for war. The battle to get rich and stay alive keeps him far from the war efforts, though given a choice he would rather sit with a rebel general than an imperial agent over a mug of blue milk.

Other interesting discoveries include the return of camps, a collectable card game with a chance for awesome ingame loot (got Gaunt a smashing racing swoop than resembles a chopper) or new style player housing EG hangers, temples, spires, bunkers and barns. Oh and this week you can get a YT1300 house too!

Overall its a hell of a place to spend your free time still. Once adjusted to the new systems you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Highly recommended!

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Well here i am sat at home on a saturday, family is all out and its just me and the dog. What should be a great time for a good gaming session has turned into mind numbing boredom.

Its not that i lack any games to play, oh i wish it was that simple, its just i dont have the heart to commit to a game right now. I just cant get motivated!

Might be due to me feeling tired. Got 10 hours sleep last night and awoke with a bitch of a headache, or its due to the lack of mmo's on my HD.

Need a hobby or inspiration or something to lose myself in. Roll on eurogamer expo and/or DCUO.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Last week I decided to return to the Star Wars Galaxies game. I admit to being confused and noobish trying to get used to it all again. With my main still an entertainer buffer it didn't take long to get used to the buffing changes and soon I was several million credits better off. So far so good.

Next up was my alt character 'ixian' who didn't fair as well. I respeced him fairly quickly after finding out that combat was really tricky, made him a medic instead of a spy. This still presented me with issues with control and special abilities. Out of frustration I deleted him.

Harsh maybe but bear with me. Playing a game that's changed so much is bad enough but when you have no guide or idea what your character should be doing at his existing level is very tough. I have now rerolled a smuggler class at level 5, thus the games tutorial can now point me and guide my noobness and it's working a treat. Now at level 13 my smuggler is providing me with great joy. It's a fun game still though it will never be great.

This does not happen often, managed to get a couple of days off work in a row. So what did I do with my day? Played games of course!

Had a good day in STO, made a couple of friends, joined a fleet (guild) and traveled back in time and saved the Enterprise. All in a days work eh? I also watched Lost and episode 2 of Caprica! What a show that's going to be! Fraking amazing is an understatement.

With just hours to go before Star Trek Online 'launches' I have to admit I feel the tug of games addiction tugging my shirt sleeves once again, and it hasnt even started yet!

But for the moment I say 'sod it' I dont care! I love games and always loved them since I discovered them in 1978 (Dec 31st to be exact).

Since the open beta of ST:O I have really enjoyed my time there. It's not perfect but hugely enjoyable. Lucky for me, during beta, I joined up with Stridar and McBrian, long friends since SWG and JK2. This helped to make the game feel familar and friendly and create an online space I wanted to stay in.

Between us we learnt the basic game structure, had alot of fun playing away missions together, found some tweaks to make the game better and helped to set out some plans to make our future in ST:O allthe more balanced and fun.

For example, it was agreed that between us we should cover all styles for playing the game. Brian is planning on a career in Engineering, David is following the path to being a Tactical Officer while I'm going to practice all things tricorder and become a Science officer. This gives us all a Tank/Buffer class, a DPS class and finally a Healer/Debuffer class (me).

I even purchased and set up a TS3 voice chat server to make ingame RP and Combat all the more fluid. Why type when you can talk, thus freeing fingers to tweak your power levels.

Needless to say my inner nerd is thrilled and cant wait for the games to start @ 1800GMT.