A security system analyst for some random company? What possible contacts could he have, and why does that title matter except to give a false sense of credibility? I'm not sure I buy it, certainly not just because Evan Wilson says so, even if he IS a great securities analyst for Pacific Crest themselves.
There's also the matter of the details. Bigger screens? As it stands those screens are as big as they can get without making the system bigger, and making it thinner at the cost of making it wider doesn't sit well with me. Removing GBA support? Aside from not being able to play GBA games on one any more, cutting into sales of GBA games that are still going fairly strong (though I do play the majority of my GBA games on my SP), that also removes support for the add-on packs Nintendo's been making for the DS, such as the rumble cart (supported by like 3 games and none in a good while actually), and more importantly the SD card slot. Would they just add native rumble to the thing and replace the GBA slot WITH an SD card slot? Further, doesn't the DS make use of the old GBA hardware as a secondary processor? It would essentially still be able to play GBA games but just lack the all important slot, which doesn't seem like that big a cost saver considering the money to be made from adding it through GBA game sales. Also, what's this "on-board storage" even supposed to do anyway? DS games don't tend to use memory cards as it is, and it seems like quite a bit to spend on a feature that games don't even use. Designing NEW games to access it would also segregate the market between older DS models and the new "hotness". Further, if the idea is to have it replace the SD card adapter, well it's pretty limited then because it would STILL have to have a slot to copy in data from an actual SD card to put pictures and MP3s and so on in there (if it's for stuff like some MP3 player software), and if you are going to plug in an SD card to copy anyway you might as well just USE that SD card.
The whole thing seems fishy to me. I mean the GB got two remodels (the pocket and the later "Lite" released only in Japan that was basically a Pocket system with a backlight), but generally they only remodel their systems once.
Seems like Nintendo is adding AAC format music support to the photo channel. Interesting. Also they are taking out MP3 support. Hmm? That's kinda dumb. I wonder why? Did they run out of space in the firmware rewritable flash or something? I was actually hoping they'd add a proper MP3 player mode to the thing instead of taking it out completely. In fact in my secret dreams I had hoped for XBox style music replacing in games with MP3s. Or, with level editing those could be imported into custom levels along with images for texture files. Those are the duller dreams though, because to be honest I almost never use that feature anyway, and I play my music on my PSP or PC, not my consoles.
All in all, a bit of a shame, and a kinda bizarre move on Nintendo's part, but really I never used MP3 playback in that form anyway. Partly because I never really use the photo channel... that thing looked a lot cooler in video but then I realized it isn't actually a game and moved on to Twilight Princess.
SUPER MARIO GALAXY, BRO! Can you believe it? I can't! And I've been playing it for the past hour and a half! I mean, seriously, Penguin Paradise, man! It's a river of water. In the sky!! What holding it up?! Magic? Dreams? Unicorn tears? I honestly don't know!
Seems so. Apparently there's going to be an update to the 360 store adding downloadable original XBox games, such as Halo for example, for about $15 a pop. Better get that 120GB hard disk :D.
You know, there's some good news here. Depending on how popular this store is and how much MS finds themselves expanding it (to non-MS published titles for example), it could really push them to get back to updating the BC support of the 360 again. Seriously that last update only "kinda" added support for Marvel vs Capcom 2, for example. The 3D backgrounds are fine but the main character's 2D sprites? That's levels of sprite corruption not even god has ever seen! Half the time the projectiles aren't even visible, and the other half they resemble TV static. MVC2 is a pretty popular game... among fighting game enthusiasts anyway, so you can bet some people will be wanting to buy it off that store. That, and Prince of Persia Warrior Within or Two Thrones, or maybe Lord of the Rings The Third Age. Basically I'm saying this store will sort of necessitate expanding BC support.
The thing is, I think Sony was originally planning on adding PS2 games to it's existing PS1 game lineup in their own online store. With the emotion engine chip taken out of the high end models (requiring emulation profiles like the 360 just to get old games running, meaning severely limited PS2 support compaired to before), and their new low end model taking out the OTHER major PS2 chip out (yes, that would mean a totally new emulator, except Sony said "screw it" and so this model has NO BC for PS2 games at all, though it still has PS1 game support), their store is affected. Essentially, the games on their store will only be available to their "premium" customers, Colbert Platinum, those who bought the one that still has software emulation and one of the PS2 chips. Further, they will be adding games perhaps more slowly than if it had the full compatibility, and at the very least they will only add games that also work in the PS2 emulator. That's on top of the fact that they have to basically code the system's firmware for 3 different hardware revisions at this point, which might not be that big a task considering the differences aren't too big, but still.
Also, there's this to consider. With those old chips in the system, it opened up coding possibilities for programmers to shunt smaller graphical tasks to the emotion engine to get some performance gains. They can't do that now of course, and Sony never really supported that in their development kit anyway, namely because not all systems would support such tricky coding. Come to think of it, they could have done similar multiprocessor tricks with the GBA, but I think that GBC processor is physically locked out unless that switch in the cartridge port is hit so they probably couldn't do that there either (plus, there's the micro and DS which has no GBC chip).
So yeah, I'm basically saying that sure Sony needed to save money, but after including full BC with those chips in the PS3, the biggest mistake they could make was taking it out. I mean sure there's the cost of those chips but couldn't that be majorly offset by the profits from selling, say, Ico and God of War on the PS network?
And while I know there's flack to be "gotten", Sony also needs to catch up to MS in terms of their online gaming network. They are a lot closer than Nintendo, but there are a few things missing, chief amongst those is friends list access in-game via that home menu of their's. Things like popping into it to recieve/send invites to your other friends and see who's online, small things like that that actually end up pretty big once you get addicted to them.
I guess I'm looking like an MS fanatic at this point. Let me kill those notions by just pointing out I have issues with all three companies (mainly Sony) at this point.
The 360's issues just don't lie in the interface (aside from a little lag in popping up the in-game home menu). Really, they have that pretty much nailed, aside from one thing. Their issues? Well it starts with the BC, which hasn't had an update in several months I'll note (again, this new addition could change that by forcing their hand). They may not have needed to emulate at all though had they put the old XBox GPU in there. That would have been at cost of course, but that COULD have been the selling point of their "Elite" model. The problem is, they can't even put it in their more expensive models as a bonus because it turns out MS didn't think ahead enough to buy the rights to the hardware designs of the original XBox. Had they done that, we might see the "Core" hard driveless model, their premium with a hard disk, and an Elite that actually is elite due to full on BC with XBox games.
More BC issues with them stem namely from the lack of save file tranfer support between the old and the new. There's a 3rd party kit but that only works with save files that can be put on the old XBox's memory card. Many games had files that were above 8 MB for one, and for two other games did the inexplicable action of "restricting" save files that WERE small enough so that they couldn't be copied/moved at all (think the occasional GC game that did the same thing). I can't think of any sort of reason they'd do that with anything other than purchasable downloadable content, but they did it with normal game save files. Another way to get those save files moved over is using a modded XBox and special software plus digging into the 360's hard drive to hook it up via SATA connection to one's PC (I think it's SATA anyway, I just know there's a standard hard disk in that odd looking lump you stick on the side of the 360). However, while I hacked my PSP to bejeesus and back, that was only using software exploits. I stop short of physical modification of my hardware, as that isn't so easy, or is sometimes impossible, to reverse, plus it can be detected and get me banned from XBox Live. I also intend on, for the moment anyway, still USING my original XBox since I pretty much have to due to these BC issues.
The problem, aside from the special cases with some files, stems from no support in the new system for the old memory cards. Now the thing is, Sony with the PS2 had new memory cards but their new slots looked like the old ones and were also designed to work with the old memory cards. MS could have done that, but didn't for some reason. Here's a reason I would have bought: their new memory card format is one of the existing standardized cards, say SD or Memory Stick. Hey I'm fully in support of standardized things like that. Rather, no, they instead just went to a new MS propriatary card that in no way is ever going to be used in anything but a 360. Further, it isn't even smaller. It's basically the same "won't fit in your game case" size as before. Heck, they couldn't even make it USB based (adding two more USB slots instead of these two propriatary card slots would not only allow more peripherals to be plugged in using those slots, but more memory cards to be plugged into the existing slots, it is win/win).
There IS a solution if MS cares to engage in it, though their BC support has been slipping lately. They COULD set up a file transfer service via SOFTWARE in the firmware of both the 360 and the original XBox. It would be a simple one time operation that would ignore file restrictions on original XBox files. Basically turn on the original XBox, wait while it detects an update and installs it and restarts, then go to "memory" and select the new "copy to XBox 360" option. The system will say "looking for 360...". Now turn your TV to your 360 however you normally do that, turn it on, update it's firmware, then go to it's memory management and select the new option "recieve files from original XBox" (or something like that) and it'll say "looking for original XBox... found, copying..." and after a while it'll say "complete" as the procedure started on the original will automatically start the second it finds one (to make it easier than switching TV inputs over and over again to confirm stuff). This update doesn't occur over Live, it occurs over the local network, so MS doesn't need to worry about server costs. Further, they can limit the types of data that are copied over. Namely, if they want it won't copy music files over (those can be re-ripped anyway), and if they want it won't copy downloaded content over (that stuff IS specifically marked as such in the file system so the original XBox CAN tell). That too can just be redownloaded in those games online, though purchasable content will need to be bought again due to MS's DRM... So there'll just be save files, and so long as the 360 supports reading and management of original XBox saved data (turns out it does according to that direct copy hack I mentioned above), it should work just fine.
Hey here's more. Expanding on above, MS's proprietary hardware is nuts. Sony and even Nintendo have embrased standardized stuff at this point. Both of them support an existing memory card standard instead of using a propriatary format, and both of them use bluetooth for their wireless controller access instead of some proprietary connection. They also both use USB for everything else but the 360 supports USB too so that's not a problem. I already covered their bizarre use of proprietary memory card tech, but there's also the hard disk. The Wii can stay out of this as it HAS NO HARD DISK SUPPORT, but Sony nailed it with using an existing standard (SATA based "laptop style" hard drives). This means you don't have to wait for Sony to update your storage space. All one need do is buy a new hard drive and replace the existing one in the system themselves, then format it using the PS3's own format tool. However, MS went with the odd need to make a totally exclusionary format of hard disk. The thing is, it isn't even that exclusionary. It's just a standard hard disk locked inside some ugly and less portable shell. Really now, locked? Sony doesn't seem to have any issues as they use their own partition on it, and MS uses a special partition setup too so security shouldn't be the issue. People can open up that thing anyway and mess around with that hard disk. The problem is you can't just replace it with another disk of your choosing due to some sort of hardware check going on. Shame really, as MS could have added another feature to it's feature set.
Oh yes, there's the issue of blue tooth. The 360 has wireless controller support but instead of using an existing standard, they have their own. It doesn't add anything to what bluetooth does, and as it is, it means I can't use my wireless controller with my PC (just my wired one). I have a bluetooth adapter, so I could use both my Wii remote and some PS3 controller with my PC if I wanted, but to use that wireless controller? Well, I have to buy a special piece of hardware now. Pfft, that's just nuts. This also kinda messes up some other things, as things like a special guitar controller have to come in two versions, one in bluetooth and the other in MS's crazy format. Oh, they have some strict liscensing over that wireless tech too, so that's helpful.
As it stands, it won't affect my PC experience too much should I pick up a 3rd controller. The key is I found out the PC bundles are the same price but now include that important wireless add-on. Since the controllers are otherwise totally identical, it is clear the PC package is the one to get. I guess the 360 package is just there to save MS some money from the rubes that don't know any better.
Well so yeah, MS has some issues they need to fix too, though admittedly some of those issues just can't reasonably be fixed. I guess those are just "issues" then.
So they are doing some more balancing of the gameplay. First I'm glad to hear they are making the harder to input moves easier to do on the controller. It is downright stupid that I should fight the controller while also fighting someone else. I'm not good at 360 rotations, but I can do pretty well at the actual combat. I shouldn't be punished for d-pad skills. This is a welcome change.
He also mentions a lot of tweaks to balance, namely leaving the "top" characters alone and bringing others up with some adjustments. That said, I hope they nerf Akuma a bit. Nerf him in some respect so that he's not some overpowering addition in tournament, then make it so I don't need to input that difficult button code just to pick him.
Anyway, this is really looking like the ultimate version of this eternally revised game. Seems like playing as "old" versions will still be allowed, though probably not in the ladder. Sounds good to me.
So Nintendo has a new Wii channel they hope to be all the rage, which allows you to post your Miis for others to view and enter contests to make a Mii according to a theme.
I have to say I really think Nintendo needs to stop with all these stupid things and get back to making stuff that actually has to do with games. Don't get me wrong, I know Nintendo is still making awesome games, like Twilight Princess and the upcoming Mario Galaxy, but really when I think of all the things they need to catch up on with the other consoles and I see them wasting time adding "features" like this, well it frustrates me. Really whatever team is making this American Idol stuff needs to be refocused on improving the online gaming experience. That's what is supposed to make Nintendo better than everyone else right? That's the thing all the Nintendo fanboys always use to defend the lack of this or that feature right? Nintendo just cares about GAMES? Well, what the heck does a Mii model runway have to do with games? I can already share my Miis and there's that Mii parade. I really don't care about a monthly contest considering that the Mii system doesn't really allow enough variation to really make those contests that interesting.
Really what Nintendo should do is try to reach, as Penny Arcade calls it, feature parity with MS. Nintendo coming up with original stuff beyond what MS is doing? That's fine, but we've given them ample time and instead of doing that, they give us Everybody Votes. No, that's not an online feature nor an online revolution. It's an online poll. They had their chance, and they aren't above copying people, so copy MS already!
I know I know, it's old news here and I keep bringing it up, but seriously it's getting a bit annoying to see that Nintendo is spending so much money on non-features when they have so much to catch up on in other departments. Next update I want to see is something, anything really, from the long list of XBox Live features on the 360. Persistant friends lists (same friends list no matter what game so you don't need to make a new one every time), for example, would be a start. Inviting from one game to another, that's good. Seeing what others are playing from anywhere in the interface, also good. Full voice chat in any game, that's fine too. Being able to invite anyone you match against to your friends list, that's a plus. And, so Nintendo has no excuses, parental controls that extend to the online experience (IE, turning off voice chat). There's more. Downloadable content for games, and also online game patching and autodetection of patches for games (they could have fixed the Zelda cannon room glitch without sending out new disks, for example). Matchmaking is something Nintendo can do so far, but they should allow users to have control, to make custom matches they set the parameters on. Ranked ladders, that's good, and the ranking should be used in matchmaking so you get matched against someone of your skill level.
Every single feature I listed up there is in XBox Live, every last one, and I'm sure I'm still forgetting some.
They don't need to bother with adding a movie download service. That's something MS does but that's not game related of course. I really don't care about something like that. Further, I really don't care about "custom themes" or "gamer icons". MS also provides those, or to be more accurate, they SELL those, for money. Yes, icons and "themes" for cash money. Ugh... I must confess I did spend some points on an icon set. In my defense I was just "getting rid" of 50 points I couldn't spend on anything else, though I did kick myself right afterwards when I realized I fell for such an obvious money trap. I wasn't ever going to use those icons and I could have saved those points, and oh yes, that reminds me how much I hate those "point" systems, making me spend more money than what the item actually costs in points is beyond annoying, it's fairly close to robbery.
Anyway back on topic, Nintendo should focus their Wii channel team on adding the features I talked about above. Do that, then I won't care if you spend your time adding virtual polls or catwalks for avatars.
Listen I'm not all negative, and you know that. I have nothing but praise for their motion sensing control innovation (my only criticism is some button placement issues on the main controller), and Zelda Twilight Princess is one of the best games I've played in a long time. I also have been nothing short of amazed by the upcoming Mario Galaxy, which looks not just fun but pretty creative, unlike Sunshine before it. I'll criticize when I see something lacking but I will lavish praise when I see somethin awesome.
I'll keep bringing up this online issue until it's resolved, and if they don't, then just prepare to be annoyed for a whole console generation :D, but if they DO resolve these issues, I WILL be the first to praise Nintendo for it. You can count on that. I probably won't stop that either. I mean you've seen how much I keep complimenting MS's system.
It makes computers cry. The (single-player) demo sure does, anyway. Amazing, amazing graphics, but awful framerates to match at High or Very High detail levels...
Am I so wrong for wanting to be able to play it at max settings on a six month old computer? It's playable at a mix of High and Very High (most settings on Very High except for a few that hurt the framerate the most) with no AA, but even then the framerate isn't exactly great. And I'm just using 1024x768.
Good:
- Awesome graphics! Best ever? Almost certainly.
- Large environments... this is an issue when you're running into rocks and stuff because of the framerate, and driving cars from inside them is suicidal, and it's not FULLY open -- you do have a path -- but they make it wide and varied enough that you usually don't feel too railed along... the level design is really well done, based on the demo level. The enemies also chase you for a while, so you can't let up your guard...
- Ingame maps, with both an onscreen minimap and of the whole area! They even mark enemies on them as well as objectives, and their threat level (not in the high difficulty though, of course).
- Plot seems good enough for a game of this type.
- Nice weapon variety
-You have a superpowered suit -- invisibility, super speed, super jumping... cool stuff.
- The enemies are North Korean and they speak with Korean accents or, in the hardest difficulty (which also minimizes your sight indicators) is Korean... nice touch.
Bad:
- Limited ammo -- are you supposed to avoid them all somehow? Just use the ammo you get off of the bodies, meaning you mostly fight with their guns? I did the latter...
- You can only hold a couple of guns of each type. More realistic, sure, but it's fun to be a walking arsenal... :D (you can carry two machine guns, several pistols, etc, so there is a decent amount you can hold at least)
- What's with every FPS these days having the Halo-style "stop moving and you heal" thing? Sure it makes things easier, but better? Not necessarily...
- The framerate (unless you turn the graphics way down) is bad with anything less than computers that won't be out for a year.
PC Gamer gave it a 98%, which ties it with Half-Life, Half-Life 2, and Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri for the highest scores they've ever given. Does it deserve it? I'm not sure... the game is good, sure, but it's the graphic engine that's the biggest star.
