Category: Videogames

Coffee Talk #205: Games You Hate Because of Their Writing

The other day we talked about games we loved because of their writing. Now it’s time to enter the bitter barn and drink some Haterade, because we’re going to talk about games we loathed because of their writing! A bad story can ruin an otherwise excellent interactive experience. In my opinion, game writing has been getting better and better. Even games that are essentially mindless exercises in action are using top-quality writers. Still, there are plenty of dark episodes of the past to discuss.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Chad Ochocinco’s expensive tweeting, whether Ochocinco should start using foursquare, or the joys of jet lag, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

The other day we talked about games we loved because of their writing. Now it’s time to enter the bitter barn and drink some Haterade, because we’re going to talk about games we loathed because of their writing! A bad story can ruin an otherwise excellent interactive experience. In my opinion, game writing has been getting better and better. Even games that are essentially mindless exercises in action are using top-quality writers. Still, there are plenty of dark episodes of the past to discuss.

As for me, I’m going to cast a vote for Superman 64. Not only was it a crap game that set a new (and horrific) standard for crap games, but the plot somehow made it okay for the Man of Steel to fly through rings like an idiot. That particular activity is just fine for dolphins, seals, and killer whales. Superman jumping through hoops?!? Preposterous, lame, mind-jarringly awful — too many negative descriptors come to mind. I feel worse just for thinking about Superman 64 and it’s stupid story.

Now it’s your turn! What games did you hate based on their writing?

This Week’s Videogame Releases

The biggest release this week is, by far, 2K’s Mafia II for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The buzz on the game is strong and I’m expecting some cool things from this one. Hopefully it lives up to the hype. Hockey fans can hit the virtual ice…on the Wii with NHL 2K11. Last, and definitely least, is Grease for Wii. Yes, it’s a game based on that crap musical. I’m hoping one of you plays it just so you can regale me with stories (that are much more entertaining than the actual game…in my head, anyway).

As always, let me know if you guys and dolls are picking up any new games this week.

Coffee Talk #204: Mobile Gaming is About to Erupt

Mobile gaming is about to get huge. Yeah, I know it’s a pretty big deal now and one of the fastest growing segments of the entire gaming industry, but it’s going to get super huge. More importantly, it’s going get super huge in a way that you care about. Why do I say this? Two reasons: Epic Games’ Unreal Engine and id Software’s id Tech 5.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the three hottest MILFs you can think of, why Christina Aguilera did/didn’t make your MILF list, or that crazy red stuff my Chinese clients made me drink last night, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Mobile gaming is about to get huge. Yeah, I know it’s a pretty big deal now and one of the fastest growing segments of the entire gaming industry, but it’s going to get super huge. More importantly, it’s going get super huge in a way that you care about. Why do I say this? Two reasons: Epic Games’ Unreal Engine and id Software’s id Tech 5.

At the end of last year, Epic was showing off Unreal Engine for iPhone. At the recent QuakeCon event, id showed off an iPhone engine that uses some of same technology as id Tech 5. In both cases the demos were extremely impressive — way better graphics than what you see in the vast majority of mobile games. Developers are already doing a much better job of making fun games that utilize a touch interface. With tools like Unreal Engine and id Tech, mobile games are going to get even better.

What do you think of the mobile gaming market? Do you think it’s set for a huge boom in 2011? Do you think Epic and id can kickstart a graphics race on the iOS and Android platforms? I know that a few of you just aren’t into mobile gaming at all. Will sharper graphics change your mind?

Playing Games on United Airlines’ In-Flight Entertainment Center

Here are a bunch of photos of the gaming options in United Airlines’ in-flight entertainment centers (business class). Sure, it’s not the same as playing on your Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable, but these games can help kill a few hours on a long flight. I’m pretty sure I spent two hours on poker alone. Ha!

Check out the games and let me know which games you would play.

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Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Videos: Amatera, Viewtiful Joe, Dormammu

The latest batch of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds videos feature Amatera (Okami), Viewtiful Joe, Dormammu, and more. It’s slick stuff. I love that an obscure Dr. Strange villain like Dormmamu is included in the mix, but using characters like that always makes me chuckle. Similar to Silver Surfer in Marvel Ultimate Alliance, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense — these characters are way too powerful for the situations at hand. Silver Surfer could destroy any MUA level in seconds. Dormammu could obliterate almost every character in MVC3 in a snap.

Yeah…I’m probably being too much of a fanboy if I’m trying to bring comic-book logitc into the mix. Ha!

Coffee Talk #203: Games You Love Because of Their Writing

Here’s a Coffee Talk request from RPadholic bsukenyan. He thought it would be a great idea to discuss games we love because of their writing. That’s a fantastic idea! Obviously you’re all huge fans of the last two Smackdown vs. Raw games due to outstanding storylines that are better than what WWE comes up with, but let’s be fair and talk about other games.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the Hanson brothers vs. the Jonas brothers, the last time Eric Roberts played someone that wasn’t himself, or Entourage’s cocaine/porn angles, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Here’s a Coffee Talk request from RPadholic bsukenyan. He thought it would be a great idea to discuss games we love because of their writing. That’s a fantastic idea! Obviously you’re all huge fans of the last two Smackdown vs. Raw games due to outstanding storylines that are better than what WWE comes up with, but let’s be fair and talk about other games.

Y’all know that I’m a huge BioWare mark. One of the biggest reasons for my BioWare fandom is that the company emphasizes quality writing. From storytelling to characterization, BioWare’s writers are among the best in the business. Take Shale from Dragon Age for example [possible spoilarz ahead!]. Most people would agree that she’s one of the funniest RPG characters in years. In addition to the laughs, the writers got you to care about her plight, which made the search for her past more meangingful. Hell, finding out Shale was a “she” was an excellent twist on its own! Sure, it’s not the Shawn Michaels or Mickie James storylines from Smackdown vs. Raw 2010, but this is outstanding stuff from one of the best storytellers in the business. I’m just amazed that the writers made a moody, pigeon-stomping golem that millions of gamers could enjoy and empathize with.

How about you guys and dolls? What are some games you love based on their excellent writing?

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

This weekend I’m going to decide between my DS Lite and PSP. You see, I’m going to Asia on Sunday for another super secret project. I only want to bring one system. I can fill a lot of time with excellent DS RPGs like Glory of Heracles, Pokemon SoulSilver, and Dragon Quest IX. Then again the PSP’s power adapter will definitely work in the various countries I’m hitting (DS is 11o only) and I can download lots of great games for my trip (carrying physical media is stupid). Hmmmm, Final Fantasy IX on a trans-Pacific flight sounds like a great idea….

Anyway, what’s on your weekend playlist?

DanceMasters Gamescom 2010 Screens Are Frickin’ Hilarious!

Considering that most of you weren’t nearly as excited as I was with Dance Central at E3 2010, I’m guessing that most of you will not care about DanceMasters for Xbox 360. Stay with me though. This Kinect game is being made by the Dance Dance Revolution people and those peeps know rhythm games. More importantly (for the purposes of this post), the screens are awesomely hilarious! I might have to ironically like this game similar to how I loved Britney’s Dance Beat for PlayStation 2.

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Dead Space 2 Gamescom 2010 Screens

I was very impressed with Dead Space 2 when I saw it at E3 2010 for Shacknews. The game appears to retain the creepy atmosphere and sense of helplessness that made the original so cool while adding new features that round out the gameplay. Check out the latest screens and let me know if you’re interested in this thriller from Visceral.

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