Video Games – Page 2 – Colin McMahon

Console Buying Guide for the 2014 Holiday Season

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Well it’s that time of year again. Yes, November: where everyone is thankful for what they have and no one wants anything more than to spend time with their family and enjoy a nice meal together.

Look at those wonderful artificial smiles! What a - wait, are those french fries on the table? What is even going on here? — Look at those wonderful artificial smiles! What a – wait, are those french fries on the table? What is even going on here?

Nah, I’m kidding. Christmas is around the corner and I live in America. It’s time to buy sh*t.

Specifically, let’s talk video game consoles. It has been a year since the release of the Sony PlayStation 4 and the Microsoft Xbox One. It has been two years since the release of the Nintendo Wii U. The eighth generation of home video game consoles is officially upon us. So which one should you buy? Every fanboy out there will tell you why “their” console is the best. But let’s take a serious and unbiased look at what each console currently has to offer and what their near future plans are.

Let’s start with the big dog, the current best-seller.

PlayStation 4

How much: 400 bucks. Get it, it’s like a hundred for each generation of PlayStation!

Is that Price likely to fall: Possibly. Right now the PS4 is selling like hot cakes so do not expect a price drop in the next three months. That said, the Xbox One just lowered its price (again) so you never know. If fortunes change for Sony, expect that price to drop.

Games: Current exclusive titles are Basement Crawl, Driveclub, Infamous (First Light and Second Son), Killzone Shadow Fall, Knack, Resogun, and that’s it. Not kidding, those are the full list of true exclusives (not out on any other platform) that the consumer can currently purchase for the PS4. This is the best-selling console in the world right now.

There’s More Coming, Right: Yes, if you sell that many units, developers will make games for your system. The PlayStation 4 may have a lackluster exclusive library at the moment but that is going to change. The question is: will it change before the system hits $350?

There’s Other Games to Play: Sure, the PS4 gets most large AAA releases and has an impressive independent library as well. There are games to play, most of them can just be played on other, cheaper, hardware.

I own a PS3, does that matter: Not really. The PS4 is not backwards compatible. There is talk of a streaming service to play certain titles but at the moment, it is not close to completion.

Not sure how they're doing it but it is hard to argue against Sony's success. — Not sure how they’re doing it but it is hard to argue against Sony’s success.

Xbox One

How much: Currently, it is $350. That said, this system was released for $500 only a year ago.

Is that Price likely to fall: Less than impressive sales numbers have fueled the rapid decrease in price. Who is to say that Microsoft is done cutting the cost? Do not expect it to drop again before Christmas.

Games: Current exclusive titles are Crimson Dragon, D4, Dance Central Spotlight, Fighter Within, Forza Motorsport 5, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Killer Instinct, Powerstar Golf, Shape Up, Sunset Overdrive, Xbox Fitness, and Zombie Driver. That is the current lineup of true exclusives available to the Xbox One.

There’s More Coming, Right: Yeah, the Xbox One is far from dead. Sure, the system has not had a great first year but Microsoft is a very large company with a lot of money to spend. Do not count them out yet.

There’s Other Games to Play: The Xbox One gets the same library of large releases that the Ps4 and other systems enjoy. They do not have the same level of indie development however, at least not yet.

I own a 360, does that matter: No. The Xbox One is not backwards compatible. Do not hold your breath for Microsoft to change this.

Wii U

How Much: $350.

Is that Price likely to fall: The Wii U has yet to have a major price drop. I would not expect this to change before Christmas. That said, with the Xbox One price drop, it is likely that Nintendo will lower the Wii U price tag within the next year.

Games: Current Wii U exclusives include (but are not limited to) Bayonetta 2, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Hyrule Warriors, The Legend of Zelda: the Wind Waker HD, Pikmin 3, Mario Kart 8, and ZombiU. This system has been out the longest, so a full title list is here.

There’s More Coming, Right: It is Nintendo so you can expect their continued support and library of famous franchises.

There’s Other Games to Play: Here is Nintendo’s Kryptonite zone. The company has long-held strained relationships with many third-party developers. While the Wii U has a strong library of first-party titles, expect to miss out on many of the larger releases.

I own a Wii, does that matter: Yes. The Wii U can play every Wii game in existence. You can also keep using your old wiimotes for certain titles.

Super Smash Bros for Wii U is the big holiday title this year from Nintendo. — *Super Smash Bros for Wii U* is the big holiday title this year from Nintendo.

3DS

Please see my article on the New 3DS to know my thoughts on whether or not you should buy one this holiday season.

3DS has a huge game library and is backwards compatible with regular DS games.

PlayStation Vita

What the heck is a Vita: It is the Sony portable system.

How Much: At least $215.

For a Portable: Yeah, they’re not kidding.

Is that Price Likely to fall: The PlayStation Vita has not sold well since launch, selling roughly only 4 million units since launch. Sony may very well drop the price further if they continue support.

Games: Vita exclusives include Army Corps of Hell, Bullet Girls, Killzone: Mercenary, LittleBigPlanet PS Vita, Phantasy Star Nova, Silent Hill: Book of Memories, and Touch my Katamari.

There’s More Coming, Right: Sony has not discontinued plans for the PlayStation Vita so expect a sprinkling of games to come in the future.

There’s Other Games to Play: A full list of all titles playable on the PS Vita can be found here

I own a PSP, does that matter: Yes, so long as the title was downloaded and not physically purchased, it can be played on Vita.

Sony is trying to keep the Vita alive by integrating more with other hardware.

A Gaming PC

How Much: A good PC can be built for as little as $300. Completed models usually run between $500 and $1000.

Is that Price Likely to fall: As newer and better PCs are released, prices fall accordingly.

Games: Pretty much everything you can think of, from now back through the last twenty years, provided it has been updated on services like Steam and Good Old Games.

There’s More Coming, Right: The PC will receive pretty much every major release going forward.

There’s Other Games to Play: The system also has an unmatched selection of Indie games. Provided you ever finish reliving the nostalgia of a back catalog that spans decades. Oh, there is also modding.

I already own a PC: Keep it upgraded and in working order and you can play anything.

Yeah, it is tough to argue against that library of classics old and new.

So there you have it. As a non-PC gamer, I will say that I believe a gaming PC is by far the best option out there for those looking to play the most games and spend the least amount of money. Yes, the system itself may cost more initially but thanks to services like Steam, games are available at a fraction of the cost. For a gamer looking to play every major release out there, I recommend a gaming PC and a Wii U. Nintendo’s series are the only thing guaranteed to skip the PC market.

For those out there not tech savvy and not wanting to spend a ton: the 360 and PS3 are still supported systems. They receive practically all the same big releases as their next-gen counterparts.

How to Make a Hallway Scary: the Silent Hills P.T.

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Colin McMahon

There is a real question with video games: can they be terrifying? Those that have played know that yes, they really can. Such an experience is not central to the video game world. Practically all major releases have nothing to do with “fear” per say, an adrenaline rush from simulated combat is not the same as a truly dread-inducing experience. Video games, like films and stories, relay on simulating the senses. This goes against the normal adjectives one associates with gaming. Words like freeing, relaxing, and in-control cannot be applicable (at least to a large extent) in successfully scary games. To scare the player, a developer needs to remove the sense of freedom, keep a tension-filled environment, and make the player feel anything but in full control. The playable teaser to the upcoming Silent Hills accomplishes all of this… by making the player walk down an unending hallway.

I’m not joking. It is terrifying.

Like all of the best scares, the Silent Hills P.T. (short for playable teaser) goes for a simple concept. The most successful horror films have done this. Think of Jaws making people afraid of what could be in the water, and Paranormal Activity asking “what happens after you go to sleep?” The Playable Teaser asks this question: “what happens when you’re helpless in a very hostile and creepy environment?” But let’s break it down further. Here is the introduction to the hallway in question:

I am not sure if you can tell just by looking but there is a turn at the far end of the corridor. This is essential and comes into play later. First things first though… does it look at all familiar to another famous horror hallway?

Nothing at all creepy about a boy riding his bike down a completely deserted hotel hallway.

Yes, the good folks over at Kojima Productions have invoked the spirit of Stanley Kubrick it seems, at least as far as visual setting is concerned. As Silent Hills is one of the more famous game series in the horror genre (only Resident Evil has more immediate recognition), it is to be expected that most of its hardcore fans would be familiar with The Shining. The use of an already famous horror setting aside, there is something much more important about the look of the game. Take a look at the difference in these two shots. One features an actor, a conduit for the audience. The other… is just you.

Previous entries in the series have always been in third person.. for however much that helps.

The Playable Teaser breaks from a long tradition in previous entries and goes first-person. There is no conduit, nothing between the player and the experiences. This helps greatly for two reasons. One: everything is seen without a player character standing in the way. Two: this use of first-person greatly restricts the freedom of the camera. Remember that turn at the end of the corridor? There is no way to see around it without taking those terrifying steps.

Well, just a few steps – what’s the big deal?

The player is not as alone in this hallway as they would like. Throughout every walk down the happy hallway, players see things. Some, like the above image, are directly in front of you. That said, the vast majority of jarring sequences occur off to the side. This is a corridor full of many doors and many odd little angles to look around.

Now obviously, visuals can only do so much with horror. Many would actually argue that sound actually plays a greater role in creating fear. Personally, I agree with this, and it is clear the developers felt that sound was essential as well. While the music in the Playable Teaser is not particularly memorable, another use of sound is: the radio. While walking down the endless wonder of the corridor, the player hears different snippets of a radio broadcast.

But none so directly engaging as:

“I said look behind you” might be the most creepy line to ever come out of a video game radio. ever. As you no doubt heard, the weird distorted guttural cries of the creature(s) in the hallway are also audible and numerous points during the game.

This visual and audio construction are two of three key blocks that allow the Playable Teaser to be effectively scary. The last comes in terms of the player’s ability to interact. In short – they cannot. The player is only able to move and zoom the camera in to more closely examine objects. There are no weapons, no ability to attack at all. The lack of options takes away any real feeling of control. The only defiance the player can do against the game is to stop moving, but even then – that hallway is still creepy as hell.

This is the actual menu screen for the game. Kinda misleading... isn't it? — This is the actual menu screen for the game. Kinda misleading… isn’t it?

The Silent Hills P.T. creates dread. The dread of environment, the dread of enemies, the dread of vulnerability. It is a perfect exercise in simulated scares. Not since Silent Hill 2 has the series so immediately created an impact like that. Hopefully the full game can measure up to the Playable Teaser. I’ll let you know… assuming I am feeling brave enough to play it.

10 Video Game Universes that Telltale Should be Exploring that Would be More Interesting than Borderlands

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Telltale Games might be the equivalent of HBO in the video game series. That analogy could be a little poor, I do not think Telltale has the money or the fame of HBO, but they do have the best stories. Their game, the Walking Dead Season One is the best adventure game in recent times and could be a contender for the best ever. And Telltale has not stopped there. Since their explosion back into fame (after the abysmal Jurassic Park: the Video Game, which will be seen very soon), Telltale has expanded. They are currently producing two story games with two more on the way. The Wolf Among Us( from the Fables universe) is currently unfolding like an excellent crime novel with the player joyfully inhabiting a sheriff who happens to also be the Big Bad Wolf, and the Walking Dead Season Two continues all the gut-wrenching, no-winning scenarios that made the first game have such an impact. Later this year, Telltale will expand with a Game of Thrones adventure that will no doubt be filled with the sex, betrayal, and political intrigue that makes the show worth watching and the books worth reading… Telltale is also making a Borderlands adventure game…

Now I’ve never played either of the Borderlands games but I have seen enough of them to gleam that that is not a series known for its story. It is known for quirky characters and quirky guns and shooting said quirky characters with said quirky guns. Fun, to be sure, I look forward to playing them one day (I love the song that begins Borderlands 2), but I feel that Telltale is wasting their potential in terms of source material. The following are ten video game universes that would make for better fodder for choice-driven adventure games:

10. Earthbound

I’m not going to say much more about this one since I already touched upon it in an earlier article. Needless to say, Earthbound is one of the most charming role-playing game experiences to be found in earlier gaming, and it is a sad fate that it has vanished from the modern video gaming world. Since Nintendo seems to rather suicide to revival, I wish they would give the license to Telltale. At least we could finally hear Ness and Lucas brought to life, outside of punching noises.

Imagine how rich this universe would look in 3D.

9. Jade Empire

That’s right, forget Mass Effect and Dragon Age, Bioware’s worst original series would still make for better story fodder than Borderlands. If I were to describe the Jade Empire universe, I would liken it to a poor man’s Avatar: the Last Airbender. Nevertheless, there is sufficient mystery and mythology to make a worthwhile game. Heck, maybe Telltale could finally make the “philosophy” system into actual philosophy, as opposed to light side versus dark side.

Two philosophies: in one, you help an old lady cross the street, in the other you murder her and her family. Sounds like legit life perspectives.

8. Star Wars

Speaking of light side and dark side: come on. I know this is technically cheating (Star Wars is a film universe first) but there is such a rich history of Star Wars games that I feel it counts. From Knights of the Old Republic to the adventures of Kyle Katarn, Telltale could pick any time period they wished without impairing the story options. They could even set it during the prequels and give audiences the first good prequel plot (that’s right, I went there – go cry, George Lucas).

It has been too long since the last Jedi Knight game. — It has been too long since the last *Jedi Knight* game.

7. Warcraft

I’m going to blow your minds real quick: Blizzard already made a Warcraft adventure game. No, I’m not talking about World of Warcraft, I’m talking Warcraft Adventures. Never heard of it? That’s cause it was never released. Now, Blizzard games are great in every area except one: story. What’s the one thing Telltale excel at: story. Sounds like a happy marriage to me.

Man, the art design for Warcraft Adventures looked amazing. — Man, the art design for *Warcraft Adventures* looked amazing.

6. Prince of Persia

Assassin’s Creed has replaced Prince of Persia in terms of gameplay, no question. However, if one were to play the first modern Prince of Persia game again, one thing would become apparent: there’s a story there. Not just that but it’s great, it has compelling characters and a time travel mechanic that would be very interesting to incorporate into a choice-driven adventure game. Prince of Persia has no future against Assassin’s Creed, but maybe if the series were to change its identity, it could re-attract its fan base.

5. Wolfenstein

What better backdrop for an adventure game than World War II? What better World War II series than Wolfenstein? What better name for a main character than B.J. Blazkowicz? I’m not kidding, that’s his name. It’s supposed to be a serious game. Awesome.

Mecha Hitler cannot be in enough video games.

4. Dungeon Keeper

EA has done wrong by Dungeon Keeper. This newly released mobile game: they can go fornicate themselves with an iron stick. Dungeon Keeper, the first game in particular, was one of the most in-depth sandbox games ever made. Despite the fact that none of your minions talked, they all had a personality. Imagine if they did talk and you played a wonderful adventure game as the bad guy?

3. Saint’s Row

I know, you’re saying what? Let me explain: this would be the parody game, the game to mock all other adventure games. Saint’s Row has already established itself as the parody series, have you seen the intro to Saint’s Row IV (it’s amazing). Telltale is at the height of the adventure game market, meaning they have earned the right to poke fun at themselves and the industry. No better way to do that then getting personal with the Third Street Saints.

I feel that this could be the title for the game.

2. Oregon Trail

Think about it, think about what made the first Oregon Trail game so amazing. Anything could happen: someone in your party could get sick, bit by a snake, or drowned in a river crossing. You could lose the trail for a few days or get helped by Native Americans. You could shoot so many animals (SO MANY). Now imagine an Oregon Trail game where you got more direct control of your party and they were all flushed out characters. Oh, and your choices dictate if you survive or not: bitchin’.

Shoot all the buffalo. How fun (and sadly historically accurate).

1. Bioshock

Why should Ken Levine get to have all the fun? Irrational Games is gone but Bioshock can live on. It was the story that made those game so memorable in the first place. Who better to continue the legacy than Telltale Games?

Maybe Telltale will prove me wrong and Tales From the Borderlands will be riveting. I hope it is. They will be able to take all the credit (or all the blame) for whatever story they come up with though. Maybe that was the point of it all along.