Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Preview (1 year ago)

"accessible to just about all gamers" - this little snippet makes my skin crawl.

I am so sick of developers trying to make their games accessible (especially RPG's). Like the dreaded "S" word (streamlined) - It's just another word for "dumbed down".

Re: PALGN Game of the Year Awards 2011 (1 year ago)

Well, I'm with some other commenters here. I'm simply dumbfounded that Dark Souls doesn't even appear on anyone's list.

Denny called it in the comments section of his review: "simply THE greatest game of this generation". I think pretty much anyone who's played it would have to agree.

Dark Souls (and it's predesessor) are so far ahead of anything else released this year (or indeed the previous half-decade) - it really is no contest.

Re: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Review (1 year ago)

I couldn't give a rats ass about this console crap - where's the PC review?

Re: Dark Souls Preview (1 year ago)

Game's been out for a week - where the hell is the review?

Re: F1 2011 Review (1 year ago)

quote="Cian"]No I didn't use a steering wheel, I'm too much of a tight arse to fork out on one. Seems well suited for it though.[/quote]

Cian, with all due respect, but seriously?

You review a racing sim without a wheel? That's like... I dunno... playing a Kinect game without a Kinect.

Anyone who even considers playing a game like this with a controller and/or KB/M is just wasting their money and you do a disservice to your readers by reviewing it that way.

Re: Star Fox 64 Australian release date announced (1 year ago)

Jeezz... $70 for a mobile game.

I wonder how long this can continue, when you can buy new release iPhone/iPad/Android games of similar quality for $5 or less??

Re: Epic Games release 'Duty Calls' (2 years ago)

Haha..Funny. The single player campaing in MW4 will be only be 4mins long as well.

Re: Mass Effect 2 Review (2 years ago)

FFS, stop calling this an RPG! It's a squad based cover shooter with a few stats. It may be a good game, but as a long time RPG gamer, it really upsets me to see the dumbed down rubbish they're calling RPG's these days.

If this is an RPG then so is COD.

Re: James Bond 007: Blood Stone Review (2 years ago)

Aww man - where's the Goldeneye review? No one gives a crap about this POS.

Re: Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Review (2 years ago)

Hmm... This is the first Spiderman game I've played, so I can't compare it to previous iterations, but I'm having and absolute blast with this game!

While the controls took a bit of getting used to, now I'm not having any problems whatsoever - so can't agree with Gamesta either, they seem fine to me.

It seems to be getting mixed reviews around the traps, some (like this one) average and others raveing. One reviewer even gave it a 10/10 and called it the game of the year so far. While I wouldn't quite go that far (also haven't finished it yet), I'm really having a lot of fun with it - can't put the controller down.

Re: ModNation Racers Review (2 years ago)

[quote="Gamesta"
I'm not that creative and don't have the patience to make my own things (with the exception on Timesplitters 3)[/quote]

Holy crap man - you made Timesplitters 3!!! Well done

Re: Alan Wake Review (2 years ago)

Hmm. I picked this up and played it for a couple of hours and really thought it was well below average and pretty boring, so I swapped it for RDR. A bit creepy perhaps, but in no way scary and the combat was beyond ordinary.

Maybe I just needed to give it more time?

Re: PALGN Weekly Releases - 10/05/10 (3 years ago)

Man, if RDR is as good as all the videos and previews suggest, it could give ME2 a run for it's money as GOTY!

Re: New 250GB Hard Drive for Xbox 360 (3 years ago)

Two hundred bucks!!! F**k that, I picked one up on eBay for $79 + postage. Probably not genuine (though it looks identical) - works perfectly.

Re: R18+ public consultation status report released (3 years ago)

What concerns me is the fact that, even knowing that the overwhelming majority of the public don't want internet filtering, the Government still wants to push it through.

Which just shows that they still think they know best, regardless of public opinion.

Re: Dante's Inferno Review (3 years ago)

Well said. I aslo can't stand the "relax - it's just a game" attitude. People that talk like that are what I would call casual gamers. It's good to see someone with as much passion for video games as I do.

I disagree with you about Darksiders though, I thought it was great fun. Personally, I don't give a rats ass how much a game "takes" from other games or how original it is, as long as it does it well.

On another note, I noticed you mention BBC2 "demo", which I take to mean you played it on the 360. If you have a choice, get the PC version, it is far superior (I've tried both). As with all cross-platform FPS's, get the PC version if you have a PC capable of running it. Better graphics and of course mouse and keyboard beats a controller with "targeting assistance" every time.

Re: PALGN Game of the Year Awards 2010 - Part 1 (3 years ago)

Well it was reviewed here so it should be eligable.

It's nothing short of a tragedy that Demon's Souls hasn't had a PAL release because it's not only the best game of the year across all platforms - it's the best game released on the PS3 so far - Uncharted 2 be damned!

BTW - I loved Uncarted 2 also - but Demon's Souls just takes gaming to a new (old?) level imho.

Re: Demon's Souls Review (3 years ago)

Oh...My...God - What a game!

I received my copy of Demon's Souls about a week ago and have been playing it non-stop ever since. I'll just reitterate what Denny and other's have said, this game is incredible.

This is not just game of the year for me (and I game on all platforms including PC) it's also the best game on the PS3 so far (yes I've played and beaten Uncharted 2). You definately have to love a challange though.

It's one of those games you'll still be talking about in years to come, they just don't make'em like this anymore - highly recommended!

Re: Life bans for pirates (3 years ago)

Man there's a sh*tload of crap in this thread.

Contrary to what some have said - this a very black and white issue.

1. Why would I pay $90-$120 for a new release game when I can just download it for nothing? Because it's the right thing to do? Piss off. See, black and white.

2. Do I know it's the wrong thing to do? Sure. Do I care - nup. See, black and white.

This has been going on for 30 odd years now and they still have no idea what to do about it, except as been stated - punish the ligitimate users.

What gets me is all the hypocrits taking the high ground here. There's no doubt in my mind that every single one of you as been guilty of piracy at some time - probably ever other day.

Every time you download an mp3, or duplicate a CD, or record a TV program, you are infringing copyright and commiting piracy. What in gods name makes you think games are any different?

It's human bloody nature people - why pay for something if you don't have to? Because it's illegal or imoral - give me a break. How many of you have over stated your deductions on your tax return? Oh that's right - it's ok to steal from the government right?

Re: PC Sim Racing Games/ Car Games (4 years ago)

Bit late to the party here, but if you really want to get into simracing you should definately check out iRacing. It's a subscription based online service with great graphics and the best physics model yet seen in a racing simulator.

It's made and run by ex-Papyrus (GP Legends etc.) developers and they've just teamed up with Aussie race driver Marcus Ambrose to promo the game in Australia and NZ with a view to launching some servers here. Check out www.iRacing.com.

rFactor is also woth checking out.

Re: The PALGN Podcast, Episode 52 (4 years ago)

Wow - great podcast guys. Brought back a lot of memories.

Some of us do still play the oldies though. Although I have a current beefy gaming rig for playing the latest titles, as well as all the current gen consoles, I collect retro consoles and am heavily into the emulation scene.

I firmly believe video games are a major modern art-form - more so even than films. Hopfully, one day they'll get the recognition by the general public they deserve.

One thing though - I can't believe through the entire podcast, nobody mentioned the greatest gaming machine/PC that has ever existed - the mighty Commodore Amiga!!! I remember the first time I layed eyes on the miggy - around 1985 in a Myer store in Brisbane (giving away my age here lol), I literally almost fainted! In the days of mono screen Apples and at best DOS/CGA PC's, here was a computer with a full blown multi-tasking 32bit OS complete with GUI and able to display 4096 colours at once! It took Microsoft and Apple a full decade to match it - it was like science fiction.

I currently have 2 working Amigas in my collection - an A2500 and an A1200 and thousands of miggy games - still my favorite and fondest gaming machine of all time.....

Apple IIGS - humf, what a joke lol.

Good work, enjoyed the podcast....

Re: PotW: Before the Fallout (4 years ago)

OMG Brett. I really hope that's either because you're very young, or just a casual gamer lol.

The Fallout franchise is one of the most legendary in all gaming. You'll find Fallout's 1&2 on many/most top 10 games of all time lists. Most hard-core RPG fans will put them at the very top of the best RPG ever list.

They are still awesome fun to play through, I highly recommend you give'em a go.

Now, having said all that, I have very grave concerns regarding Fallout 3 (aka Oblivion with guns). Contrary to popular consensus, Bethesda games are not very highly regarded in the RPG gaming community. They are loved by 'casual' gamers not really used to playing 'true' RPG's. There's never any real C&C (Choice & Consequence) or branching storylines. The player really can't influence anything in the game world - it's all pre-ordained (scripted).

I'll still buy F3 and I think casual gamers (the majority) will love it, but as an RPG, like all Bethesda games, it's probably gonna suck. That doesn't necessarily mean it wont still be fun of course. (well, for a while at least)

Re: This Week's Releases - 29/9/08 (4 years ago)

Oh man, I loved the original Sacred + expansions, once it was all patched up of course. I thought it was a better Diablo clone than...well Diablo II lol.

I've just spent a couple of hours playing the Sacred II demo and let me tell you - this game is gonna ROCK!!! At least it will ease the pain of waiting for Diablo III. If you're in doubt, I highly recommend you check out the demo, it's beautiful...

Re: Xbox 360 accessory prices cut (4 years ago)

Yeah, propably should've mentioned that it will void your warranty.

But yeah, it's just a standard laptop sata hard drive and once it's imaged as described, it works just like the standard drive, DLC, demos, XBLA etc....

Worth the risk for me 500gb, mmmmmmmm

Re: Xbox 360 accessory prices cut (4 years ago)

Guys - you can just buy any laptop 2.5" hard drive (I got a 250gb for $99) and use an imaging tool like ghost.exe to image the original 20gb 360 drive across to the new one.

Of course this requires you to plug the 360's drive into you PC's sata port, image it across to the new drive and then plug the new drive back into the 360.

I've done this and it works great - in fact I'm upgrading to a 500gb soon for about $200.

Re: The R-rating: Release or Restriction? (5 years ago)

Man this stuff always raises my shackles.

I'm a 48 y.o. hard core gamer and collector and have been for over a quarter of a century now. Games are by far my favourite 'art form' - and they definitely are an art form (when done right, or like any other form of art - 'in the eye of the beholder').

Even today, it really makes me angry when other parents or so-called 'adults' look down their noses at me when I tell them my favourite passtime is video games.

And this, my friends is the crux of the matter. The general non-gaming public still DO believe video games are 'just for kids' and the mere suggestion that they may be a legitimate adult pastime - or god forbid 'art form', to them is utter nonsense. It's just pure bloody ignorance, and unfortunately the people who decide what you and I as adults can and cannot watch or play - the politicians, are the most ignorant of all.

Re: Mass Effect available today in Australia (5 years ago)

Hey man I know where you're coming from. I would've felt exactly the same way a couple of years ago. For the life of me I couldn't see the appeal of RPG's. Much preferred linear action games and FPS's.

However, when Oblivion first came out and was getting such awesome reviews, I decided to give RPG's another try. This time I made sure I stuck with it - no matter how boring I found it to be early on (and believe me I was bored sh**less for the first 10 hours or so). But then something happened - it just clicked! I found myself actually enjoying levelling up - distributing stats, trying stuff out - different armours and equipment, exploring etc....and being fully engrossed in the world. Hell I was roleplaying! - and I was lovin' it.

Since then, I've played all the well-known RPG's (and some lesser knowns) on pretty much all platforms and now RPG's are by far my favourite genre. I still play action games when I can fit them in (Crysis is still sitting on my shelf un-oppened - too busy with ME and 'The Witcher') - but really the're just kinda 'Meh..payed one - played'em all' now.

So - looooong story short - don't give up, give it another shot. Only be prepared to really commit some time and effort into it - you'll get a lot more out of it in the long run.

Re: Mass Effect Preview (5 years ago)

[quote="ObsoletE"]Yeah - what's with the 'Update' on the news item too - re: Microsof telling EB not to sell till the 22nd? I didn't have any problems picking up ME on Friday....

I'ts ridiculous really - if it's in stock - sell it!! What the hell difference does it make?

Anyway, I love every minute I've spent with ME so far (around 20hrs)...

Re: Neverwinter Nights 2 Review (6 years ago)

While i pretty much agree with a lot of the points regarding bugs and the "not quite finished" state NWN2 was released in (though the already released patches fix a lot of these issues), I do have a problem regarding a couple of the gameplay points raised.

Regarding your party - did you ever play Baulder's Gate 1 & 2? - NWN2 is much more a sequel to the BG series than it is to NWN1. And as any BG vet will tell you, the first thing you do is turn OFF all party AI, so you have total control over all members of your party. It's what makes the gameplay great for me - I love the ability to fully control my whole paty and is a VAST improvement to the henchmen in NWN1. How that defeats the purpose of playing a D&D game is beyond me. Besides, it's not D&D - it's a CRPG that just hapens to implement the D&D 3.5 ruleset and be set in the Forgotten Realms, just as the BG series was.

I'm also not having too many problems with the story either, though admittedly it starts off pretty slow and boring - as one other poster stated, it improves greatly the deeper into the game you go and really picks up after around the half-way point, I'm enjoying it. Funnily enough, most other reviews are also making it down for bugs (as they should) but finding it redeemed somwhat for a having a great and compelling single player campain - how far into it did you get?

Of course reviews, like reader posts are just personal opinions - you don't like the party system, some (most) love it - you don't like the story, I think it's pretty good (and much MUCH better than NWN1's OC). While I wholehartedly agree with the points regarding the games beta-like release state, things have already improved greatly and will contiue to do so. Remember NWN2 is both a game AND an engine and the future looks bright indeed.....

Re: WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw 2006 Review (7 years ago)

Hi Brendan...yeah as I said, I havn't played it so I trust your judgement. My previous post was more just an observation of how different people (reviewers included) see things in and get different things out of the same game. Or indeed in some cases there may be other more commercial reasons involved.

I'm glad I came upon your review, it seems a bit more ballanced and 'genuine' than the ones I mentioned. Keep up the good work....