Headshots & Friendly Fire: Round 6
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The gaming industry has gotten bigger and better with each passing year, but sometimes they just don’t do things right. Whether it’s game play, story, pricing, or business practice, sometimes the industry needs a little friendly fire from the gamers to keep it in line.
Other times, developers look down their sight and fire off a well placed bullet right into our unexpected head. This is Josh & Cameron, and this is Headshots & Friendly Fire.
A Bit of Friendly Fire
Blockbuster Video, not Games
I know that blockbuster has not really ever been relevant in the gaming side of things but when you as a retailer rent video games, its very frustrating when you barely have any stock. The bad thing is that there are very few options for a lot of people when wanting to rent games without going online. So for people looking to rent a game in between games from gamefly you are left hoping that Blockbuster carries it. Well I don’t think Blockbuster considers games a priority like they should, because even for the big games like Uncharted 2 and etc, they have maybe 2 or 3 copies per store. Now those 2 copies are gone by day one and kept by the people who rented them, so most of the time that stock is gone within the first week . I just fail to see why Blockbuster has never put more stock into the gaming industry seeing as it has been a very profitable industry. I know they put up GameRush stores that are supposed to deal more in games and while they may carry a few more titles and stock, they are few and far between so its sometimes a pain even finding one in my area. So wake up blockbuster, if you want to continue to be around then you will learn to better support the gaming industry and gamers who maybe don’t want to do Gamefly or who want a quick fix one weekend.
The Easy Way Out
Sometimes developers think that people don’t want even a bit of a challenge and they baby us the whole game long. A Perfect example of this is Prince of Persia. There is really no fear in this game because you can always rewind the game by bringing out Elika and using her special ability. This really just took all the risk and reward out of the game because for me it never felt like I really accomplished anything in the game. You missed a jump? Oh well just rewind it and try it again, who cares how many times you have to because there is no limit to it. Every game does not need to be the difficulty of Demon’s Souls but at the same time a game like Prince of Persia should have a bit more risk behind it.
Unnecessary Time Constraints
In puzzle or challenge games, time constraints are almost always a bad thing. Imagine if a game like Cuboid, Shatter, or N+ had a time constraint. Depending on the difficulty of the game, you might not be able to finish it, and it would be a huge annoyance under any circumstances. If a game developer is going to give me a set of levels to get through and give me a challenge, then there is no reason to expect me to finish it in a certain amount of time. I mean, a Rubix cube doesn’t have a time limit, and yet it remains one of the most popular puzzles.
Location Based Audio
Why does this keep happening? Some NPC starts talking to you, and you either look away or take a step or two, and all of a sudden, the NPC’s voice becomes inaudibly quiet. It happened to me in Killzone 2, inFamous, Metal Gear Solid 4, Brutal Legend, and Uncharted 2. I’ll admit it’s kind of a cool feature, and when implemented on optional dialogue it works very well. Like in the first level of Killzone 2, where the NPCs were having conversations with each other, and you could walk up to them, and the dialogue got louder as you approached. That was cool, and it felt very natural. However, when an NPC is expressing important plot information, I want their voice to sound like they are speaking through a megaphone, not like somebody stuck a box over my characters head. If God of War 3 comes out and I hear, “Kratos, I must tell you that (inaudible whisper)” there better be an unlockable costume with Kratos wearing ear muffs, or humming loudly.
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(4 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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October 30th, 2009 at 1:02 PM
I like the location based audio. It makes it immersive. It’s like NPC proximity chat, c’mon man.
October 30th, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Wow, complaining about time limits? What are you 10? You like a challenge, but the second you add speed into that challenge its a big middle finger to gamers? Man up. N+ does have a time limit doesn’t it? You collect the coins to extend time. Rubiks cubes have speed runs, adds to the challenge without making it impossible. And about PoP, you would complain about having to save time after dying wouldn’t you. Ok, you go ahead to the game over screen that takes 15 seconds, wait for the level to load again, and start off 2 puzzles back from where you died. You’re even forgetting that the games up until now gave you time control, you didn’t need elika to get back up on a ledge, you needed sand.
holy shit I didn’t think you would contradict yourself on the next page, quick restarts? You mean it’s only okay to save time if you’re bitching out before the end? Fuck this, i’m off to grow a beard and fight a shark.
October 30th, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Blockbuster is closing something like 960 stores, so there’s your answer. Lousy selection = less customers = massive store closings. I also hate anything that’s timed in a video game. It’s always some part of the game that’s a real pain in the a$$ to start with, and then they toss a time limit in and, well…screw it. Too many other really great games out to bother with that junk.
October 30th, 2009 at 1:41 PM
@Johnny
I personally did not like PoP and the fact that there was zero difficulty in the game because everything could be redone with the click of a button. I don’t find that to be a fun mechanic myself.
October 30th, 2009 at 2:10 PM
I was really disappointed with the lack of difficulty in the new PoP as well. The PS2 trilogy was some of my favorite games (besides GOW), and I loved the time rewind feature. Sure you could screw up a few times and fix it, which was usually cool looking, but it was limited. Eventually you had to do things right or die, and try all over again. There was still challenge in getting to the next save point. You had limited health and had to choose on the fly whether or not to accept a hit you take in battle, or rewind and block that hit, but risking getting hurt later with no rewind ability. It was dynamic and cool. With no challenge, theres no fun. Might as well turn the cheat codes on. Might as well read a strategy guide before you even play. I will never understand what they were thinking with that decision, and I’m glad other people feel the same way.
Timers… are debatable. Some games make them too restrictive, and yes thats irritating. But in many games, its just another level of challenge within the puzzle. This is something where you really can’t just say that they’re bad across the whole board. In some circumstances the timer is even hidden (Uncharted 2, several parts with traps, or escaping enemies), and you simply have to act quickly. That pressure adds to the intensity and excitement of the game. Its not a bad thing if its implemented properly.
Emotions = Heavy Rain. This is why I am really looking forward to that game. The trailer where the father talks about what would you do for love? (check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sqtch9jxRQ ) And then says that sometimes, you’d rather not know. That is an impressive question coming from a video game. I hope this game is chock full of emotional tweaks like that.
October 30th, 2009 at 2:52 PM
@Cameron
You didn’t like it because it didn’t give you the option to pause and restart when shit started to hit the fan. Whats the difference between restarting where you die and going back to a checkpoint? About 3 minutes of gameplay you JUST played. What if it takes you three or four times to get across that one point? You would really rather sit and watch a game over screen 4 times, and then go play something you’ve done multiple times just because it’s “difficult”?
“everything could be redone with the click of a button. I don’t find that to be a fun mechanic myself.” But one of your “Headshots” is being able to restart at the click of a button, so which is it?
@Bigwoop
I agree the sands were a better mechanic and added to the challenge, but no matter what gameplay mechanic if you die you start over from a point, I know you’ve gotten far past a checkpoint in a game only to die and go back 15 minutes, everyone has and it’s a piss off. Maybe after having to go to a game over scene every time you died in previous PoP’s they felt fans deserved a break. It’s not like they took the sands out JUST for the new mechanic, they just aren’t in the game, if elika wasn’t there you would be looking at a game over screen every 3 minutes.
October 30th, 2009 at 3:07 PM
@Johnny,
I personally would rather have some fear of death in a game. If you screw up then you should have to start back at a checkpoint and work your way back. You shouldnt be able to sit there all day and reverse time or be saved.. That is boring
On the quick reset, that was written by Josh, the PoP was written by me and we sometimes have varying opinions.
October 30th, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Bad Company had a great sense of humor running through it, and I remember getting pretty bummed out when Agro died in Shadow of the Colossus.
October 30th, 2009 at 3:28 PM
the only reason demons soul was difficult was because you loose all your money if you die. which made it harder to upgrade weapons to help you pass a stage. I fail to see your reason on using Demons soul as an example and saying you like challenge but than complaining about the actual exsistance of it. Than, scoring a game less based on “not appealing to everyone” even tho it was announced as a hard game by the developers. Maybe you guys should read multiple articles to get a better understanding since they tend to contradict the friendly fire articles.
Location based Audio…
are you guys for real? MGS4, UC2 and KZ2 are stealth games or made to be realistic.. whats the point of stealth if you can hear your enemy perfectly without having to get close, risk death and get the enemy information without approaching them (MG4/UC2)? whats the point of real audio when your already scaling a building while everyones talking down below (KZ2/UC2)? I cant speak fully for Brutal Legend because from my experiance with the demo, the Location based Audio was in your face..
when i was fighting the Boss of the demo and had to drop the gate on his head i didnt know what button to hit to trigger the scene. I ended up straying farther away from the girl who was talking and she spoke loud and clear as if i was next to her. (i walked to the far side of the arena and she still kept talking as if i was next to her). Location based Audio is rarly in games and i fail to see why this would be a negative on games that require you to be close.
Than game sites would complain its not real enough because you can hear what enemies are saying perfectly without using any stealth tactics. If you dont want to miss out on anything plot related, maybe you shouldnt run off into the next level before the stage starts. That just shows you could care less on whats going on.
Time constraints are very debatable.
if a bombs about to explode as a central plot device and you have to defuse it.. that adds to the core story. timers also add challenge. Heres another example: Bioshock 1 had the hacking system with vending machines, machines etc. it would have been very dull and practically given away if there was no timer added. You would be able to walk up to any machine and get free items, power ups, discounts and sometimes free health if there was no timer because you would never risk being damaged if not hacking it correctly. Puzzle games rarly have timers… how is this a bad? If there was a Rubix Cube video game.. you know how boring that would be if there was no timer?
Blockbuster…
you said it better: I know that blockbuster has not really ever been relevant in the gaming side of things but when you as a retailer rent video games, its very frustrating when you barely have any stock. Blockbuster primary goal is renting movies not stocking games.
Humor in games..
developers have already said adding comedy to games can make or break you because it may not flow correctly from a visual stand point. its a harder emotion to convey in games. the comedy aspect in Burnout Paradise were references to real world things but not 1 of them had dialog besides a made up announcer. Who had nothing comedic to say besides “welcome to paradise city” or warning you of drivers and a few billboards etc. The PSL and a few sites covered a developer/article that made a statment about comedy in games. while the one liners are welcomed, rarly does a game flow into it correctly. the reason it works well with uncharted 2 is because the dialog and lines are in the cut-scenes and your focused on there faces to convey the feeling.
I know it seams like im stoning you guys, but im not.. popular articles from the PSL or online tend to conflict with the friendly fire statements. maybe they should be written from an objective point of view instead of personal view. Like how news reports are taught to never look at news from there perspective but as a story and not mix personal feelings.
October 30th, 2009 at 3:38 PM
@Cameron
I guess i’m weird, I don’t usually need to be in fear for my life(videogame life included) to have some fun. You know, since this is entertainment and not 1939 germany or anything.
October 30th, 2009 at 4:03 PM
what are you talking about Johnny?
October 30th, 2009 at 4:14 PM
@johnnyTruant5
what the fuck are you talking about ? lmao!
I guess i’m weird, I don’t usually need to be in fear for my life(videogame life included) to have some fun.
this looks funnier from a cellphone than a computer…lol
October 30th, 2009 at 4:20 PM
You can enjoy a videogame without thinking “man if I die i’m gonna get sent way back there….” is what i’m saying. It’s entertainment, you don’t need to be afraid of it.
October 30th, 2009 at 4:51 PM
I cried the first time Crash (of Bandicoot fame) crushed a box. Those poor boxes.
October 30th, 2009 at 4:53 PM
In the full Ratchet and Clank ACIT, there is a “reset all” button on the Clank time puzzles.
October 30th, 2009 at 5:13 PM
I cried when I had to Kill Sweettooth (of twisted Metal fame) why couldn’t we hang out together and cruise the strip for life?
October 30th, 2009 at 5:21 PM
haha Mc187
October 30th, 2009 at 6:37 PM
l agree with the Unnecessary Time Constraints, l mean l want to take my damn time to solve a puzzle alright.
October 30th, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Ahh, spoilers!
October 30th, 2009 at 8:03 PM
I’d like to add that Shadowjin made some good points, you should be taking notes cam, not ignoring him.
October 30th, 2009 at 8:21 PM
@Johnny,
I have never ignored Shadow. I value his opinion, even if i don’t respond directly to him.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:16 PM
I did not cry when Aeris (otherwise called Aerith) died in Final Fantasy VII. I was down right pissed. I got her all the way up to her best weapon and top limit break and that bastard Sephiroth just jumped out from no where and killed her! That neo-nazi little twerp! I coulda killed him! And I did! Eventually.
October 30th, 2009 at 11:06 PM
@UberSilenus
lol that’s waht l was expecting from people about areis’s death. l’m pretty sure people were pissed about that especially when u were forced to have her in your party at the temple & had to level her up.
What Cameron Teague should have put was the ending of Crisis Core, now that made me cry
October 30th, 2009 at 11:36 PM
@wtGp,
oh yea Crisis Core was a very tear jerking ending.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:33 PM
agreed with ff7 remark- although i was told that barrett died, so i was waiting the whole game for the token black guy death… then aeris was stabbed.
crisis core…tear jerker indeed.
About blockbuster- Blockbuster, like family video, like hollywood video, like all movie rental places than rent games secondarily, have stopped carrying quite so many editions of a game because of the lack of demand. My friend worked there, and with the selection, and carrying each new game, multiple copies and then updating inventory as new releases hit shelves, they were losing much more money than bringing in- so they started carrying less. It’s not really blockbuster’s fault- what they really should do is just offer a competitive gamefly system with netflix pricing, availability, number of games allowed to be rented at once… ect.
Johnny why dont you back off of Cameron’s ass, ok? Good lord.