Welcome to this episode of the ever exciting, ever fantastic, ever controversial gaming blog - the one and only place to get your fix of everything related to PC Gaming.
In Review: Mirror's Edge
Running is the new gunning
Very rarely does a game come along where Art actually meets reckless fun - Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, Starcraft, Half Life (all of them)...each had their own distinct style, and each has the same standard of fun taken to the extreme. Mirror's Edge is a lot like that, in a very literal sense.
The art style is incredible - the only game that actually has better graphics is Crysis (keep in mind that's a year and a half old) and the sterilized-looking oppressively bleached white cityscape is absolutely breathtaking, especially when you're running through it at breakneck speeds. But when you actually get a chance to get your bearings and take a look around while you're outside (something that doesn't happen often when you're outside, but a little too much when you're INSIDE, thanks to some very complex jumping puzzles) it's amazing.
The actual running responds VERY well to a mouse and keyboard - because there's NO HUD, this game is incredibly immersive, and takes the words FIRST PERSON to the max, meaning that a mouse and keyboard are much better than analog sticks. The controls are also VERY responsive. Speaking of the running, though, it's the best part of the game, when there's no combat involved (my way of saying that the Time Trial mode is the best mode - it's a variety of scenes from the campaign with the enemies removed, allowing you to bypass the awkward combat and just get straight to the running). While running, to cut down on the few precious seconds you have to make that jump, wall-run that...wall, you'll have to think on your feet and improvise. One of the great things about the level design is that (in the main campaign, at least) there's generally a few different directions you can go. Not always, but often enough to give some variety. It's really great - having to think that fast while RUNNING that fast is incredible.
BUT, the combat and puzzles pretty much drag down the main game. And however renowned DICE is for being a PC Exclusive developer (and for holding out for so long, up until Bad Company, shows they've still got a pair, and I still respect them for it) it just feels like it was designed for consoles, and I'm pretty sure it was. But overall, the game is really good. A much better-than solid, incredibly UNIQUE first person action game, and definitely a right step in the direction for novel game ideas.
An 8.9/10. Short, but very sweet.
THE WALKING DEAD
The zombies have finally come. And, they've probably killed your family and almost killed you. Life is hard, food is scarce, and half those that survived are crazy, starving, cannibals, or thieves, making the living dead the least of your worries. This is the universe and atmosphere upon which what is probably one the greatest comic book series ever has been built upon.
I just picked up the first hardcover book, and although I knew to expect a good time from it, I was not expecting how emotionally deep the story runs. The character interactions and conflicts between characters are pretty much the entire basis of the first of (I think four or five?) the books, which might seem odd for a zed apocalypse book, but it succeeds ADMIRABLY. The zombie-killing part of the book is fantastic, with an overall sense of desperation and intensity, while the "calm" parts of the book are dominated by just as tense character interactions. It's great.
The main character couldn't've been a better choice (you'll see what I mean). It's just all so perfect...except for the writing. This is still being written as a regular, episodic comic, and as such they have to have the mandatory "this is what happened in the last few comics" dialogue. However, you can easily get past that when you realize just how much CONTENT there is to the story. This is really very far up there with my favorites like Watchmen and Arkham Assylum. If there was anything besides a GTX 280 that it was worth spending a lot of money on, it's this. You will not forget The Walking Dead.
I'm going to have to cut it a little short, but I'll run through my must-play playlist right now:
Top of the list: Crysis. I just upgraded, and can play this soul-crushingly high-end requirements heavy masterpiece at nearly 40 FPS on High settings and 1600x1200 with 2x AA. There's nothing like it - it's AMAZING.
Second: Far Cry 2. I realize a lot of people didn't like this game, but the whole Open World thing in a first person game really appeals to me. I mean, it's finally been done right. Also, on the whole "repetitious" thing, it's not (only the side missions, but they were designed that way so that you know what to expect). The game actually provides a decent variety of weapon loadouts, tactics, and challenges. I'd just like to remind people that when it comes to open world games like Crysis and STALKER, you get out of it what you PUT INTO it. As in, if you play it like a dope, it's going to suck. Play it INTELLIGENTLY, and you'll have a helluva good time with it.
Third: Left 4 dead. I can't get enough of this ****.
Fourth: Bioshock. I just got it off of Swaptree (swaptree.com - check it out) and the atmosphere is absolutely unrivalled by ANYTHING except maybe Dead Space or Half Life. The gunplay is good, Rapture is a decently creepy place, the story is also way above the standard, and the whole "two dozen ways to kill everything" mindset is really good. I really like it a lot. Not as good as the critics made it sound, but its fantastic nevertheless.
And, ladies and gentlemen, that about does it for today. For questions, comments, ranting insults, and the defense of console gaming, toss me a PM, I'm always open to some witty banter. Until next time:
IMaBIOHAZARD: the official superhero of PC Gaming, signing off.