Here are the games that have come out, and my opinions on them:
Team ICO Collection
Platforms: PS3
Release Date: 9/27/2011
Hype Level: High(Then)
*(Fake Cover art)*
What I said then:
"This is not announced, but heavily rumored. Still, an HD Shadow of the Colossus with no frame-rate problems along with an ICO with a camera mapped to the right joystick, padded both games with trophies.
That sounds like a dream come true.
I am still worried this will never surface, or wont include the above fixes..."
Well, it was announced, it includes optional 3D support, gameplay locked at 30FPS, 1080p, european ICO ending included, Trophies, ect. Sounds great to me!
What I say Now:
Pretty much exactly what I wanted, the 3D looks amazing too. :D Not much to say, other than these are classics that aged very well, and are just as amazing today as they were when they came out.
inFAMOUS 2
Platforms: PS3
Release Date: 6/7/11
Hype Level: Medium-High(Then)
What I said then:
"I liked the first game a lot, after playing the demo, it surprised me how much I enjoyed the game. I almost feel like playing it again, it's good stuff. The ending also made me excited for any other games in the series.
My wish was granted via the announcement recently.
Only worry is that there isn't much info yet, and it could end up being very different then the first."
Well, more information is released, and it's mixed in my opinion. I am not sold on the 2 people representing Cole's good and evil continence, or the new voice actor; but the mission editor alone makes it all sound worth it.
What I say now:
While I own this game, I haven't dived into it, but from what I saw, it has all the things that made the first game awesome. Main voice actor bothers me a little, but I can live with that.
Driver: San Francisco
Platforms: PS3, 360, PC, Mac
Release Date: 9/6/11
Hype Level: Medium(Then)
What I said then:
"I loved Driver 1-3, as gltichy and problematic as they were, I enjoyed 100s of hours on them, playing the mini games and free-roaming. The driving in driver spoiled me so much over every other free roaming game, in a way that nothing else has done driving wise.
Driver: Parallel Lines was a good game, but a very different one. Kinda not a direction I liked, truth be told, even if I did quite enjoy the game.
I am a bit worried as there is no info for the game yet, but as they announced the return of Tanner, I am quite happy. :)"
Well it was formally announced, finally, then delayed. I am kinda glad on the delay, since it seemed like it could use some more work.
The shift concept sounds like a ton of fun, but at the same time, I will miss walking around to explore the city enough that I am worried about this game.
(The shift is an ability to let you immediately shift into any car in the city, so if you are chasing someone, and you can't catch up, shift to a semi in oncoming, and crash into them. Or if you are just driving about, and suddenly you see a police chase, shift into a police car, and finish chasing the person down. Seems interesting, but can it hold the game?)
What I say now:
Another game I own, but haven't dived into. The split screen multiplayer is *amazing*, however. I look forward to jumping in at some point.
Rage
Platforms: PS3, 360, PC, Mac
Release Date: 10/4/11
Hype Level: Medium-High(Then)
What I said then:
"I've never really liked ID's games, sure they were influential, but not my style. However when I saw a game described to me as a mixture of Fallout 3 and MotorStorm, I was excited, and the visuals really back up the excitement.
I however, feel this has a large chance of turning out sour. Also, I've never liked ID's games before, this might just be really not my style."
As it draws closer to release, it's still hard to pin down exactly what the game will be like, but in the mean time, the trailers they've shown really seem pretty cool. Here's hoping for a demo.
What I say now:
While this game looks totally awesome, it, sadly, is one of the few games to ever give me motion sickness, so I cannot get into it. :(
Red Faction: Armageddon
Platforms: PS3, 360, PC
Release Date: 6/7/11
Hype level: Medium(Then)
What I said then:
"I loved Red Faction 1, RF2 was alright, kinda a step in the wrong direction, Red Faction: Guerilla was... Interesting, it was good in a different way, but didn't feel a lot like the old Red Factions.
Red Faction: Armageddon has a good chance of falling into genericy, with the direction they are taking it. At the same time, I wasn't sure Red Faction: Guerilla would be worth playing..."
Who knows, they aren't doing versus multiplayer, maybe they really are taking the time to make the single player better... Though, there was that downloadable RF game, ugg,
What I say now:
After playing the demo, I had no interest in buying or playing the full game. It just looked generic, and like none of the fun of the other games were kept. It felt like a shell of a game, with no soul. From the reviews, it seems like I wasn't the only one with this opinion, shame. Also, it effectively killed the series, double shame.
American McGee's Alice 2: Madness Returns
Platforms: PS3, 360, PC
Release Date: 6/14/11
Hype Level: High(Then)
What I said then:
"I only started playing American McGee's Alice (1) recently, and am loving it. I still haven't beaten it, but I can't even imagine how amazing a game in this world would be with modern technology. Seems like a Win to me.
Only thing that worries me, American McGee's last few games have been less than amazing, I hope he's not lost his touch."
I still haven't finished the first, but I am still excited just as much.
What I say now:
Having finished the first game in time, and having played through the second game, I loved it. I felt it improved in many ways on the first game, and stayed beautiful pretty much the entire game. I felt the graphical quality was inconsistent, the combat a little repetitive, and the ending abrupt, but I felt all these things about the first game, and still loved it. So I was happy.
Portal 2
Platforms: 360, PC, Mac, PS3
Release Date: 4/19/2011
Hype Level: High(Then)
What I said then:
"I absolutely loved the first. Great idea, great execution, amazing overall. I did feel like they could have done a little more with the concept, but it didn't distract me from enjoying it a lot.
I am a little worried that Portal 2, being a full length game might get old before you get to the end, and I don't know if they can pull off the quality of the first. I did however like the look of the game. I am kinda worried it wont be on PS3..."
The PS3 version is the definitive version, who'd have thunk it... Also, split screen, 2 campagins, sign me up. Though it feels weird listing this here, when it comes out tomorrow. :P
What I say now:
Having played through it, I really enjoyed my time with it, though, for some reason I didn't feel it had the staying power of the first game. Maybe it was the length, and feeling a little less focused. In the end though, I really enjoyed it, and would recommend it.
The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn
Platforms: PS3, 360, 3DS, iOS, PC, Wii
Release Date: 12/6/11
Hype Level: Waiting(Then)
What I said then:
"I love Tintin so much, I've read and own all the books, and have watched all the episodes of the show. I've read pages of info on the books online, read behind the scenes books, and listened to audio dramas.
While there have been Tintin games before, none of them were that notable, and I cannot wait to see if this new game breaks that.
I am worried as I've not seen what the movie will be like yet, and this is a movie game, it could end up being rushed. Also, it could end up being a puzzle game, or something that ends up being just not good. There are too many 'ifs' right now."
The first screenshots of the film are out, and I'm very excited, hopefully the game and movie turn out well.
What I say now:
Still have yet to play the game, but it looks like it could be a fun 2D platformer, that doesn't really do the movie justice, but could be fun none the less.
Diablo III
Platforms: PC, Mac
Release Date: 5/15/12
Hype Level: Medium(Then)
What I said then:
"I loved Diablo 2 very very much. I was in the top 20 scoreboard online for a short time, and played it a great deal. I've probably beaten in 7 or more times. I still go back and play Diablo 2 from time to time, in fact.
Diablo 3 looks... Different. I am leaning towards in a worse way. It looks much less dark, and more WoW-y. I hated the artstyle of WoW, and liked how dark the original 2 Diablo games were. I also don't like the look of the combat compared to the original games. Lastly, I am worried I wont be able to play it when it comes out."
I really wonder about some of the changes. Sure World of Warcraft is successful, but you don't need to turn Diablo into WoW: Hack 'n Slash Edition. Hopes are lower, but fingers are crossed.
What I say now:
Having played the beta, I was unimpressed, it felt very flat, and uninteresting to me. Maybe Diablo 2 and Torchlight spoiled me, but I just felt like the game was kinda generic. The Always online part sealed the 'not buy' for me.
Child of Eden
Platforms: PS3, 360
Release Date: 9/27/11
Hype Level: High(Then)
What I said then:
The spiritual sequel to REZ, Child of Eden is going with a much more vibrant and natural look, with music by the Genki Rockets, and overall awesomeness, the only issue I have is Kinect Control, but no Playstation Move support.
Alas, I will still get it. :)
What I say now:
I have played a few levels, and I have to say, it is not as good as I was expecting. It's not bad, but it's not the game I expected from the first trailer. The music is not used as well as it could be, and the overall style isn't as impressive. I have yet to try it in 3D though.
Still not horrible, I just had high expectations.
Journey
Platforms: PS3
Release Date: 3/13/12
Hype Level: High(Then)
What I said then:
A game by the company that made one of my favorite games ever, Flower, in the graphical style of Team Ico? Wowz.
The multiplayer component sounds very original and interesting too. You don't join games or anything, you just walk around, and run into other people. You never see who you are playing with, and you can't communicate with them in any way. Kinda like a magical ICO kinda Journey with real people.
What I say now:
This turned out better than I would have expected, and I found it to top Flower, in terms of beauty, and overall feeling. One of the finest games this generation as far as I am concerned.
Metal Gear Solid 3DS
Platforms: 3DS
Release Date: 2/21/12
Hype Level: Medium-Low(Then)
What I said then:
I am mostly interested in what they would do with this. I feel putting it on a system with 1 analog stick would be like taking steps backwards. Also, there was rumors for coops. hmm
I don't know how good MGS3 would be broken up like Peace Walker, and I also don't know how well the MGS3 levels are set up for coop.
And finally, where's my MGS3 online? Please don't tell me that the 3Ds will get the replacement for MGS3 PS2's online. D:
What I say now:
No Online, no Coops, pretty much very little new, the graphics were not redone as we were led to believe, in fact, the graphics are /worse/ than the PS2 version. Dispoint. I was considering buying a 3DS for it, but this is just sad. :(
MotorStorm: Apocalypse
Platforms: PS3
Release Date: 12/27/11
Hype Level: Medium-High(then)
What I said then:
I always liked MotorStorm, it's kinda like the spiritual successor to Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer.
This game however pulls out now stops, with the races taking place during the apocalypse, and everything changing all the time, maybe you will have a building falling on you, maybe you will fall through the ground into the subway, better think on your feet.
Also, split screen, 4 player split screennnn!
What I say now:
I sadly feel it didn't quite live up to what I was expecting. The only reason was I felt the control was degraded to more of an arcade feeling. If you explode, boom, you are back, already moving, and overall the game is a lot more forgiving. In the end though, I still would like to get it at some point.
Resistance 3
Platforms: PS3
Release Date: 9/6/2011
Hype Level: Medium-High(Then)
What I said then:
I wasn't a huge fan of Resistance 2, and the direction the series was going in. It seems Insomniac was listening, because they brought back the weapon wheel, health packs, campagin coop, and more.
I am still wary, but excited nevertheless.
Some things stand out to me, that are worrisome. Main character is an unlikable character from R2, graphics aren't very impressive, multiplayer looks like it's playing copycat, COOP RPG from Resistance 2 is missing. Who knows though.
What I say now:
Well now, this was unexpected. This game blew away my expectations, and turned into a surprise hit for me. Totally had a blast playing through it, and may have enjoyed it more than Resistance 1. It took inspiration from things like The Walking dead, instead of Call of Duty, to create a more unique and interesting game. Setting, feeling and gameplay are all great. Props!
