What have robots ever done to us? From the early days of gaming with titles like Robotron through to recent releases like Binary Domain as gamers we seem to be in constant training to blow their little tin heads off.
Kris has been continuing that tradition this week with Shoot Many Robots a game which, to re-use an already overused meme, does exactly what it says on the tin. He tells me it’s very silly and quite good fun. When not shooting many robots he’s ensuring that the equally implausible situation of Brighton and Hove Albion being successful in their footballing endeavours continues in FIFA 12.
I have to hold my hands up and admit to not having played any Journey in the last few days. Even MotorStorm RC has been temporarily cast aside. All I have played except for my regular bout of Gran Turismo 5 online is Mass Effect 3.
Whenever I’ve been able to scare up a spare half hour I’ve put a couple of hours into saving the galaxy. The game, especially running on the PS3, isn’t flawless but it is brilliant. It’s great to be back with characters I’ve spent a couple of hundred hours with in a galaxy I’ve spent that time shaping.
Mass Effect 3 is not afraid of repeatedly dishing up little versions of Star Trek’s Kobayashi Maru test. Time and again the game presents you with decisions that have no happy outcome, you are essentially ordering or consigning one person or another, or one group or another to certain death.
There are already far too many names on my Normandy’s memorial wall that I would much rather not be on there. The game’s not an easy ride if you’re willing to invest emotionally in the characters and have done over the series’ previous two entries but what a ride it is.
Dan has also been playing “lots and lots” of Mass Effect 3. His three-word verdict: “I love it!” That’s despite, like me, stumbling across the game’s technical problems on PS3. He tells me that the only issue he has with the game is its “weird” ending. When not saving the galaxy he’s been soaring through Kid Icarus: Uprising for review.
Following his efforts, including three all-night stints, to write Mass Effect 3’s review for us as timely as he could considering our review code didn’t unlock until release day Blair understandably has nothing more to say on the game this week. He has found time since to have “a lot of fun” with MotorStorm RC’s “very good” new DLC and have a play around with the Hungry Giraffe minis title which “annoyingly doesn’t work on the PS Vita”.
Alex is still playing Journey. You’ve picked up on the subtle subtext that’s been running on TSA lately that he thinks it’s pretty good, right? When not surfing the dunes he’s been playing new old favourite Lumines on his PS Vita, completing the games Voyage mode. When those two games haven’t met his need for violence and destruction he’s been playing some Twisted Metal.
Putting forth the controversial viewpoint, at least among The Tower’s other residents, that Journey is simply “nice” Tuffcub has been using the plenty of non-Journey time has has to play X-Men Destiny, Super Stardust Delta, Frobisher Says, Blur, Killzone 3 and Uncharted: Golden Abyss.
If you think Chris has probably been playing nothing but Warhawk/Starhawk you’d only be a third right this week:
I’ve mainly been playing Starhawk beta, cramming in as much game time as possible before the beta ends at the end of the month. I’m loving the new map Planet Dust, it’s huge and allows you a lot more time away from the action to be even more tactical.
Civilization Revolution has also grabbed my attention again, I love this game so much. It’s a brilliant example of how the genre can work on consoles and the fact it’s been simplified slightly from it’s feature-laden PC cousins means there’s just less filler, and what’s left is all the good stuff.
Have been thoroughly astounded by Journey, Flower is one of the best games I’ve ever played and Journey is right up there too, I’ve played through it three times now and I can’t wait to play through it again.
Finding opportunity in another’s downfall Aran handed over £20 in GAME to pick up Bioshock 2, Homefront, Hawx, Alpha Protocol, Prince of Persia and Red Faction: Guerrilla. Hawx has singularly failed to produce the excitement necessary to induce metaphorical G-LOC. Alpha Protocol is “quite fun”. While Homefront’s “brutal story and atmosphere” did manage to “strike an emotional chord”.
The fun to be found in Red Faction: Guerrilla by driving through buildings to see what happens just doesn’t get old, nor does using remote charges to drop their edifices on unsuspecting EDF troops. His highlight of the games though, with Prince of Persia still unplayed, is Bioshock 2: the excitement of his return to Rapture leaving him “more excited for Bioshock Infinite than any teaser trailer has”.
Have you been Journeying, galaxy-saving or bargain-hunting?
The Lone Steven
Completed ME2 yesterday. Was surprised that Miranda and Zaeed lived as they weren’t loyal and i seem to have encounter a glitch that prevent me from unlocking the Paragon speech options despite me having a full Paragon bar. I only did one Rengade interrupt in the entire game.
I romanced Tali and noone died. Wish there was more conversations with the crew as i want to learn more or discuss more with every squad member. Plus, Garrus must be very obessed with calibrating the Normandy’s weapons. I messed up with leveling up as i forgot that the level cap was at 30 and thus only have maxed out 2 powers as well as the class.(Adept btw). Also did the Shadow Broker and was a bit disappointed by the lack of comments made by squad members. I was surprised when Grunt said nothing as i imagine that he would have said something about killing.
I’m going to stop that playthrough and start a new one as a Paragon only Shep and slowly do every mission before focusing on the main story. :) I tried playing as a fem shep and i can’t get past Jennifer Hale’s voice acting. It is in a monotone and lacks any emotion or effort imo. The male Shep’s voice is better imo and does seem to have more emotion and effort put into it. Will start it on Hardcore to spice things up and i’ve heard that it’s more tatical that way. But i really wish there was a ton of customisation options though.
PoorPaddy89
How dare you! Jennifer Hale is queen of gaming voiceovers!! :P I know what you mean though, she can be a little monotone at times, but I don’t think it’s too bad.
The Lone Steven
It’s surprsing considering she did a good job in KOTR. I just wish she would stop sounding miserable in ME.
RocketSOL
Just ME3 for me. About 25hrs into it and still got plenty to do. Love the single player, love the multiplayer. Once that’s complete I may start again on ME2 with femshep doing an insanity run…should be fun!
PoorPaddy89
It’s bloody tough! I only did a few missions on Insanity before I moved on for whatever reason. Will go back to it at some point, but it’s a ballache at times. Not the toughest game I’ve ever played, but it’s up there.
maneorix
I’d recommend the Sentinel class for an insanity run. The shield is wicked.
Shakugan
Been playing Tales of Graces F and FEAR 3… Offline :]
Dan Lee
Ooooh, what’s Tales of Graces F like?
aerobes
I’ve been really liking the look of that one too. Wish I had a few dollars spare because my need for a jrpg fix is getting serious.
Shakugan
@Dan Lee Tales of Graces f is an awesome JRPG that we have been loooong waited for PS3. Tales of _____ series have always been same style examples. Tales of Phantasia battle system is real time side scrolling while Tales of Graces f is same,but now in 3D environment with free roaming battle and this game is enjoyable even for newcomers and Tales veterans… i say GET IT NOW. Check it here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_%28series%29
Also remember to check the gameplay too. My explaining sucks BTW.
Shakugan
Oh…forgot to tell this too, they stay traditional and original unlikely Final Fantasy which feels different.
Sympozium
TONIGHT! I played a game, I played another game… and another!
ooh been busy downloading just to take advantage of the special offers and downloaded Shinobi which glady as lived up to the coolness of the demo and trailers and God Hand… oddly A-Train 6 I buyed too, had it ages ago weird controls but meh history was nice but nowhere near the Railroad Tycoon series but still a decent title.
Also… busy finding space for Shadow Of Colouss as I forgottne about Malicous.. so thats being downloaded.
Have added three new RPGs to my digital PSP collection in the form of Cladun: This is an RPG! GREAT game the one I was looking for as a sort of Zelda fix. Another is YS Seven its the first I’ve decided to try it since the price was steep and its a nice charming game really like the style and finally God Eater, really enjoyed it when I had it on UMD didn’t finish it so I’m going to this time on the Vita.
Past week been playing Armoured Core: Last Raven… really struggled at first but have gotten used to the gameplay and been suffering from playing Prinny 2: Operations Panties Dood, its really hard but so Beautiful with great humour. Highly recommend if you own a Vita.
Shakugan
Hehe what a coincident i almost bought YS Seven for PSP, but i can’t decide… should i choose Lunar: Silver Star Harmony or YS Seven?
aerobes
Been playing Motorstorm RC and struggling with the super car time trials. Just 5 left now! Then it’s on to lowering my aggregate times …
element666
Motorstorm RC trying to get my time below 40 mins,which is frustrating, uncharted GA on crushing which again is frustrating at times.I’ve also been playing the saboteur which i picked up cheap. Its pretty good once you get past the terrible accents !
colmshan1990
Motorstorm RC and Uncharted Golden Abyss had me until last night, when I took up Al’s challenge and went on a Journey.
And I liked it. :P
Kitch
I’ve got Dungeon Defenders for free off Steam. Then it’s half priced till Sunday. Other than that it’s UC3, Starhawk and Towns (my excellent prize from TSA)