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Are There No More Bad Games Being Made?

October 17th 2008 05:56
fallout 3


The latest copy of PC Powerplay has reviewed a raft of new games, many of which are the big name releases for the coming holiday season. And lets face it, games that are acrsoss platforms these days are pretty much the same. Startling, these games, of which there are eleven, average out at a score of 7.9/10. It's easy to say that most of these titles are flagship IP's for the publishers, but in an age where smaller developers are being consumed by the EA's and Activision Blizzard's of the world, it seems to indicate that blockbuster titles are becoming the norm, designed with low risk and huge amounts of community feedback along the way.

Perhaps you put these remarkably high scores down to the reviews themselves... The question has been raised in the past as to the legitimacy of game reviewers scores, with many tarred with the gamespot brush, but this magazine has long had a reputation for quality and impartiality and there has been no reason to think otherwise.

The actual list of games looks like this:

Fallout 3 : 9
Far Cry 2 : 10
Warhammer Online : 7
Dead Space : 7
Crysis: Warhead : 7
Civilisation 4 : 8
Brothers In Arms HH: 8
Mercs 4 WIF : 7
Pro Evolution 9 : 7
X2 : 8
Falcon 4 : 9

Production values in games are at Hollywood levels now, with professional writers and directors involved. Gameplay mechanics are being improved through the boot camp of expos, media and community events held showing early builds of their games. It's a smart system, allowing hard core fans the opportunity to let the developers know where they are doing well or screwing up and giving them the chance to fix it before launch. And a system that seems to be resulting in monotonously predictable review scores.

The upside is that we are getting higher quality product, it's becoming gamers paradise. The downside... Too many to choose from? Or is it the new ways in which games are selling and marketing themselves through DLC and micro transactions? Like those changes or not, the fact is that consistancy seems to be the word of the season, with something of quality for every genre fan. And in the year to come there can only be more of the same, as developers get to grips with console technology and the emerging engines.

And the reason for the picture? I suppose it's because the moral of the story is that we can now pretty much have our cake and eat it too.

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fracture lucasarts xbox


Our predictions for Fracture are, thankfully, still looking hopeful thanks to the early review of Fracture from Kotaku.

Opinions are divided about the game, but I still hold firm on the idea that it's in multiplayer that the unique features will shine, and it sounds like others are agreeing. In fact, those that don't mention multiplayer are the ones panning the game. Sure, a compelling single player experience would be nice, but lets face it, nobody was expecting it. LucasArts are arguably making a habit of weak storyline... Ahem Force Unleashed...

Mike Fahey runs through the entire game and lays it out pretty simply. The single player doesn't cut it, but the terrain deformation in multiplayer makes for a fun and replayable battleground. The weapons come across as being well balanced, with the right mix of ass kick and graph-gasm to turn on hard core gaming fans.

So it sounds like the variety and fun in the game is up to you, dear reader. Through creative use of the terrain deformation many enjoyably bone crunching deaths can be created. I can't wait to see this played in touraments, it will be an extremely enjoyable contest of brain snapping strategy and slaughter.

Us mere mortals can get our hands on the game now.
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dead space


EA are letting you choose which console will be the better for the upcoming space horror shooter Dead Space.

With a pre-prder through EA, codes will be given to these space cadets that allows the downloading of extra content.
The big deal here is that the content will be unique for each console. And non existant for PC owners...

In the Xbox 360 corner will be the Elite suit, while in the blue corner shall be some blue-neon Obsidian suit goodness.

You'll have to make sure you get in quickly though, as the codes will be valid for two weeks after the games release.


It's out on October 24 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

Thanks to CVG for the news.
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Cliff Bleszinski


It doesn't sound like Gears Of War will be heading PS3-side anytime soon


[ Click here to read more ]
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Microsoft: 360 Outselling PS3 Two To One

September 30th 2008 23:15
xbox 360 sales


Marketing and sales information company no. 573556, Chart Track, have released figures showing that Microsoft have shot ahead in sales across Europe. Up 214 per cent in the past two weeks, the recent price cuts have catapulted the 360 well into the lead


[ Click here to read more ]
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PS3 Left For Dead By Valve

September 24th 2008 05:30
valve


Valve are among the most respected and successful game developers of recent history. With a string of uber-successful titles franchises such as Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal and in the future the highly anticipated Left 4 Dead. Add to that what is arguably the most used and reliable digital distribution system, Steam, and you have a very desirable business partner


[ Click here to read more ]
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Fallout MMO Hot On The Heels Of Fallout 3?

September 24th 2008 00:17
fallout 3 MMO

The pre-release hype machine is building Fallout 3 to almost unachievable proportions, with any possibility of more Pip-goodness being lapped up like water for a thirsty canine companion. Interplay has supplied one more ration for Fallout starved fans with the hint at a Fallout MMO currently being worked on at their new Orange County office.

[ Click here to read more ]
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quantum of solace


Bond. James Bond. I am a fan, always have been. I've even dabbled in a Martini or two based on nothing more than that they are the drink of choice in the movies. They're good by the way


[ Click here to read more ]
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tunnel rate 1968 uwe boll


I don't want to like it. I have even found myself watching one of his movies without even knowing it was his and feeling that there was no hope for the future of Hollywood or gaming


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fracture


It looks crazily hectic and a load of laughs. Check out the world mangling fun of Fracture mutliplayer in the clip below


[ Click here to read more ]
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guitar hero rock band


Guys who run gaming companies are the kind of people who don't like to let you die wondering. In a classic piece of schoolyard pouting, Activision boss Bob Kotick would like to let you know that Guitar Hero is doing well. So well that Rock Band can go suck eggs because it has girls germs


[ Click here to read more ]
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Activision Blizzard


Activision have made a healthy business out of yearly updates to their gaming franchises. So the news that the Call Of Duty series, one of it's most successful, is taking a year off would seem like an odd decision. But following it is the news that there will be plenty of DLC to fill the void - all of which, if the current titles are anything to go by, will be thrown away when COD 6 finally lands


[ Click here to read more ]
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console design


The role of the killer AAA title has for some time been recognised as one of the most important features of a new console. And according to the likes of Activision CEO Robert Kotick, Epic Games president Mike Capps and Crytek CEO and President Cevat Yerli, the influence of the developer will go beyond mere software to shape the next generation of consoles


[ Click here to read more ]
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Which Console Is Right For You?

September 15th 2008 01:45
xbox 360 ps3 wii


An article that will be written every three months until the sun sputters for a final time before extinguishing forever and draining the life from the Earth, the opressive, souless darkness punctuated only by the impossibly distant pin pricks of hope from distant stars, is that of the guide to choosing a console


[ Click here to read more ]
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