This year Sony showed up to the New York Comic-Con in a big way. Bringing almost all of their big-name hits, the company was showing off new builds and slightly improved versions of the games that we last saw at Gamescom in Germany. Killzone 3 was in attendance with Sony Move support and jet packs ready to go.
The level we sunk our teeth into took place on a series of floating platforms and ships floating just off shore of a frozen coastline. The elements beatdown on environment with swirling snow and wind-blown particles filling the screen. At points it appeared as though there couldn't possibly be more visual effects fit onto one screen.
As we plowed through Helghan troops in the tight corridors of the ships the hallways swayed with the choppy water below us. It was reminiscent of first level of the original Modern Warfare, where the level seems to bob rotate around the player. You can get motion sick just watching it play out, so imagine what its like with Move drawing you further into the experience.
The rollercoster ride continued when we picked up one of the claw like jet packs worn by one of the Helghast. It doesn't so much allow players to torpedo through the air, as it boosts them upwards for short periods of time. The vertical platforms of the structures popping out of the water were the perfect setting to use this new toy.
As platforms exploded and collapsed in the heat of battle, we had to boost up and over the wreckage to the next firefight while somehow avoiding incoming fire all levels of the structure. The jet pack had claw like mandibles that hang down in front of the player, and these are equipped with jets. This means you can see when the jet pack is firing, giving players something to visual focus and helping them to keep their bearings.
Haters gonna hate... then die.
We already know that Move works, but its inclusion in Killzone 3 gives it a draw not unlike seeing a racing game in 3D. The screen bounces and twists with the action, and as you gesture and point at the screens feelings of vertigo and excitement are all the more palpable.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 review - PES is back!
The new version of Pro Evolution Soccer threatens to redress the balance in the battle to be King of football games. Disappointed with poor showings in the last couple of versions, many PES fans have turned their back on the series in favor of the slicker FIFA titles. If you’re a Pro Evo fan then take note, it’s safe to come back now.
Having been glued to the demo of Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 this morning, I can safely say that it’s recaptured the feel-good factor of previous releases (i.e. anything before PES 2008). Rather than dithering around with silly little changes, Konami has ripped apart the tired gameplay of the last few iterations of Pro Evo and essentially started from scratch.
Defending is not as automated as it was, and now you really have to have your wits about you because the defenders no longer automatically trail the opposing attack. Attacking too has been revitalized by a new passing system and the inclusion of assignable flicks and tricks. Graphically, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 looks better than ever, more game modes and leagues are included, and extras like the stadium editor and special content provided added value.
The key date for your diaries now is September 15th. This is not only when the PC demo of Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 is released but, not-so coincidentally, is also the day when you can download the FIFA 11 demo and see how to the two match up. For now, go check out my review of PES 2011 on Softonic and let me know what you think if you’ve already tried the demo on the PS3 Network.
Update: You can now download the demo of Pro Evolution Soccer 2011. Let me know your thoughts, and check back soon for my post about how it compares with FIFA 11.
Having been glued to the demo of Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 this morning, I can safely say that it’s recaptured the feel-good factor of previous releases (i.e. anything before PES 2008). Rather than dithering around with silly little changes, Konami has ripped apart the tired gameplay of the last few iterations of Pro Evo and essentially started from scratch.
Defending is not as automated as it was, and now you really have to have your wits about you because the defenders no longer automatically trail the opposing attack. Attacking too has been revitalized by a new passing system and the inclusion of assignable flicks and tricks. Graphically, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 looks better than ever, more game modes and leagues are included, and extras like the stadium editor and special content provided added value.
The key date for your diaries now is September 15th. This is not only when the PC demo of Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 is released but, not-so coincidentally, is also the day when you can download the FIFA 11 demo and see how to the two match up. For now, go check out my review of PES 2011 on Softonic and let me know what you think if you’ve already tried the demo on the PS3 Network.
Update: You can now download the demo of Pro Evolution Soccer 2011. Let me know your thoughts, and check back soon for my post about how it compares with FIFA 11.
NBA 2K11 Review
It's fitting that NBA 2K11 prominently features Michael Jordan. After all, His Airness is the greatest basketball player of all time and NBA 2K11 is the greatest basketball game ever made.
2K Sports has delivered the most finely polished and fully featured sports game I've ever played -- and I've played a lot of sports games. The amount of work put into 2K11 is staggering -- perfect recreations of Jordan's historic games, streamlined controls, NBA teams that play and feel like their real-life counterparts, a franchise mode that includes sensible GM logic and intelligent team building.
This is one of the most incredible year-over-year improvements of a game imaginable. Madden, EA's NHL series, MLB 2K, and just about everyone else has been served notice. There are no more excuses for half-assed annual updates. Bring it every year or you will get booed out of the building.
NBA 2K11 is where amazing happens. When you first start the game, you get a slick visual treat hyping the greatness of Michael Jordan. And then the game transports you into the tunnel of Chicago Stadium for Game 1 of the 1991 NBA Championship. Jordan turns to look into the camera, right at you, and asks, "Are you ready?" Then he turns, runs out onto the court and the magic of NBA 2K11 begins. Before you ever see a menu, ever create a franchise, ever even get a whiff of all that 2K11 has to offer, you're playing in the finals with the Bulls, battling Magic Johnson and ushering in a new era in NBA history.
Unquestionably, the highlight of NBA 2K11 are the Jordan Challenges. MJ's greatest games are legendary and you get to relive them, tasked with equaling his stat lines. Can you average 11 assists in the '91 series against the Lakers? Or drop six treys and score at least 35 points in the first half against Drexler and the Trail Blazers to earn the famous Jordan shrug? Or light up the Knicks for 55 points in Jordan's return from retirement?
2K Sports created each of these 10 memorable moments with a surprising level of detail. The commentary for every game is custom-fitted with discussions on Jordan's potential in "The Arrival" game and talk of how much John Starks has frustrated Jordan in the "Double Nickel" game in Madison Square Garden. Each game is a window into NBA history and won't just give you an appreciation for No. 23's greatness but the quality of teams he went up against. Magic, Ewing, Dominque -- they play as they did in their prime. No opponent is a chump, even if Michael is destined to beat them all.
Complete all 10 Jordan Challenges and you can play a special version of the My Player career mode, bringing a rookie Michael Jordan into the current League to develop his talent and see how he stacks up against today's greats. Put him on the Heat if you want to be really unfair to the rest of the League.
The quality presentation continues outside of the Jordan-specific elements. There's a slick half-time show that accurately sums up the game and a really hot Player of the Game presentation when the final buzzer sounds. My favorite, though, is a fairly hidden (but awesome) feature you can find at the end of games called Pressbook. This is a slideshow gallery of photos (usually around 50) from the game. These snapshots often pick the best moments at compelling angles and can be uploaded for others to see. Posterize someone online? You've got a snapshot of it waiting for you at the end of the game.
More importantly, most of the NBA has been accurately captured. There are hundreds of unique animations for players and so many nice little touches that a big-time hoops fan like myself couldn't have loved the experience more. I was playing against the Lakers, and Kobe threw down a slam but landed off-balance. As he regained his balance, he extended his arms and did his little airplane move he throws out on very rare occasions. I watched Greg Oden shuffle down the court like an old man who'd lost his cane. I'm not trying to knock on Oden, but that's exactly how he checks out of plays when he's crashed the boards on the other end!
This isn't the first hoops game to throw in some flair on marquee players, but the unique traits extend to the bench. I know we toss around the phrase, "It looks like a real game" too often, but this time I mean it -- I watch probably a hundred NBA regular-season games a year (I'm hardcore, baby), and 2K Sports got this right.
Sure, there are a few mishaps along the way. Don Nelson looks like a melted marshmallow and Kobe looks like an alien, but the good far outpaces the bad. Add to the mix dynamic crowds that slowly fill in during the first quarter or don't even show for a Bobcat's game and you have the most accurate portrait of the NBA to date. And that 2K Sports got not only the current era but a decade's worth of MJ's history right is pretty impressive.
2K Sports has delivered the most finely polished and fully featured sports game I've ever played -- and I've played a lot of sports games. The amount of work put into 2K11 is staggering -- perfect recreations of Jordan's historic games, streamlined controls, NBA teams that play and feel like their real-life counterparts, a franchise mode that includes sensible GM logic and intelligent team building.
This is one of the most incredible year-over-year improvements of a game imaginable. Madden, EA's NHL series, MLB 2K, and just about everyone else has been served notice. There are no more excuses for half-assed annual updates. Bring it every year or you will get booed out of the building.
NBA 2K11 is where amazing happens. When you first start the game, you get a slick visual treat hyping the greatness of Michael Jordan. And then the game transports you into the tunnel of Chicago Stadium for Game 1 of the 1991 NBA Championship. Jordan turns to look into the camera, right at you, and asks, "Are you ready?" Then he turns, runs out onto the court and the magic of NBA 2K11 begins. Before you ever see a menu, ever create a franchise, ever even get a whiff of all that 2K11 has to offer, you're playing in the finals with the Bulls, battling Magic Johnson and ushering in a new era in NBA history.
Unquestionably, the highlight of NBA 2K11 are the Jordan Challenges. MJ's greatest games are legendary and you get to relive them, tasked with equaling his stat lines. Can you average 11 assists in the '91 series against the Lakers? Or drop six treys and score at least 35 points in the first half against Drexler and the Trail Blazers to earn the famous Jordan shrug? Or light up the Knicks for 55 points in Jordan's return from retirement?
2K Sports created each of these 10 memorable moments with a surprising level of detail. The commentary for every game is custom-fitted with discussions on Jordan's potential in "The Arrival" game and talk of how much John Starks has frustrated Jordan in the "Double Nickel" game in Madison Square Garden. Each game is a window into NBA history and won't just give you an appreciation for No. 23's greatness but the quality of teams he went up against. Magic, Ewing, Dominque -- they play as they did in their prime. No opponent is a chump, even if Michael is destined to beat them all.
Complete all 10 Jordan Challenges and you can play a special version of the My Player career mode, bringing a rookie Michael Jordan into the current League to develop his talent and see how he stacks up against today's greats. Put him on the Heat if you want to be really unfair to the rest of the League.
The quality presentation continues outside of the Jordan-specific elements. There's a slick half-time show that accurately sums up the game and a really hot Player of the Game presentation when the final buzzer sounds. My favorite, though, is a fairly hidden (but awesome) feature you can find at the end of games called Pressbook. This is a slideshow gallery of photos (usually around 50) from the game. These snapshots often pick the best moments at compelling angles and can be uploaded for others to see. Posterize someone online? You've got a snapshot of it waiting for you at the end of the game.
More importantly, most of the NBA has been accurately captured. There are hundreds of unique animations for players and so many nice little touches that a big-time hoops fan like myself couldn't have loved the experience more. I was playing against the Lakers, and Kobe threw down a slam but landed off-balance. As he regained his balance, he extended his arms and did his little airplane move he throws out on very rare occasions. I watched Greg Oden shuffle down the court like an old man who'd lost his cane. I'm not trying to knock on Oden, but that's exactly how he checks out of plays when he's crashed the boards on the other end!
This isn't the first hoops game to throw in some flair on marquee players, but the unique traits extend to the bench. I know we toss around the phrase, "It looks like a real game" too often, but this time I mean it -- I watch probably a hundred NBA regular-season games a year (I'm hardcore, baby), and 2K Sports got this right.
Sure, there are a few mishaps along the way. Don Nelson looks like a melted marshmallow and Kobe looks like an alien, but the good far outpaces the bad. Add to the mix dynamic crowds that slowly fill in during the first quarter or don't even show for a Bobcat's game and you have the most accurate portrait of the NBA to date. And that 2K Sports got not only the current era but a decade's worth of MJ's history right is pretty impressive.
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