Games: Rate and Discuss

[Samon]

We are rejuvenating the “Rate and Discuss” threads, with the intent of generating discussion and debate, in regard to your recent watch, playthrough, or read. For the music forum, this could be the last gig you attended or the latest albums you have been listening to. As a prerequisite of posting in this thread, you must expand upon your rating with, at the very least, a brief paragraph as to why you delegated it said rating. You must discuss, analyse, and critique – “I liked it” is not sufficient, and any posts that do not meet this criteria will be deleted.

There can, of course, be discussion and argument - but in the same way that "I liked it" does not constitute a post, neither does - and it pains me to say this - "You're stupid, shut up" though some of you clearly are.

An example of a suitable post:

Originally Posted by kupocake

Pinocchio - 4/5
With the Disney movies, it takes me a while to work out whether I've seen them before in my childhood. I'm still none the wiser here, since I'm pretty sure I would have repressed memories of seeing this if I was a child... but then, as an adult there's a whole extra dimension of sinister to it. Some of it's probably not intentional (why does Gepetto want a real boy in his house anyway, huh?) but some of it must be (the coachman who takes young boys to pleasure island, and they 'don't come back as boys'?!), and it's just generally as far from a stereotype of Disney as simple, tedious good versus evil as you're likely to find.

[Lucid]

Star Wars: Empire at War - 7.5/10...
Alright, the singleplayer campaign was decent enough but felt really short and skirmish is of course always great, you can do a land battle or a space battle and you have tons of maps and mods to download for it...
But, the one thing that they basically made such a big deal about was Galactic Conquest mode and I must say that it was an absolute chore to play for two reasons alone:
1) It's not turn-based, when it really should be... managing several planets in real time is extremely tough as anything can come and kick your ass at any second and you'd have no chance to properly defend yourself.
2) The AI cheats, seriously, I started a game as the Empire and about 5 minutes into it they had 2 Mon Calamari Cruisers and a huge fleet of frigates of varying types while I only had a few squadrons of tie fighters and bombers, consequently I got my ass beat.
Anyways, it just wasn't fun in any way shape or form... however, I played multiplayer with a friend and had a blast since we were both fairly new to the game and didn't quit have an idea of what expect and it was just really fun, it lasted about and hour until I built a Death Star and sufficiently whooped his ass.

All in all, don't go playing this if you want an indepth singleplayer campaign, the multiplayer and skirmish is really where it's at.
Also, do check out the moddb page for the game for tons of stuff to dl.

Going to be playing Forces of Corruption later on in the week.

edit: Also, going to be playing Beyond Good & Evil to see if it's really as phenomenal as Samon claims it is.

[Shakermaker]

Armed Assault 2 demo - 9/10

The best demo I have played in years. Lots of content for both singleplayer and multiplayer. As any BIS game it has its share of bugs but none were showstoppers imo. Getting this game as soon as it hits the shops.

[Rizzo]

Trap the cat
Satisfying to finaly trap the god damn thing. But doesn't really warant another play through. 5/10

[Dinnesch]

Flatout: Ultimate Carnage - 5/10

It's just the same game as Flatout 2, except it has some updated graphics effects, new cars and some new game modes.
The updated graphics are a nice add-on, but the other additional stuff is terrible.

The new cars feel very floaty, and the handling is actually worse than Flatout 2, I really have no idea how they achieved this considering the game uses the same engine/physics system.
The new gamemodes are something special I have never seen before, but they are no fun at all.

For someone who highly enjoyed Flatout 2 (like myself), I would recommend not to get this terrible game.

[PimpinPenguin]

Ghostbusters - 9/10

I was a bit apprehensive about buying it as movie to game adaptations usually end bad and i heard quite bad things about the PC port. Well, anyway i gave in and i'm glad i did. The script was great and retained the charm and wit from the movies, and the voice acting overall was superb. Gameplay was excellent the ghost trapping was fun if not a bit to easy, the AI can be dodgy and towards the end i spent more time reviving them than actually fighting the bosses. The additional modes to the proton pack seemed a bit unnecessary as the main mode you start with is pretty much the best and the one you'll use overall. The physics in the game really makes the game come alive, hitting objects with your proton stream causes the the smash up into little pieces and it's a great sight going into a luxury dining hall and smashing it to bits while trying to catch the ghost.
The PC port overall is decent, i've come across much worse. The main drawbacks are that there is no multiplayer and if you buy retail you get the SecuROM 5 installation limit. I did encounter a few issues, mouse acceleration can't be disabled and as such makes it that you must really push your mouse hard to get it to register any movement, also the game lags really bad in places where it really shouldn't although i fix this problem my setting the game priority to low

[Eejit]

Civilization IV: Colonization - 7/10

Despite the name it's a full game, simply using the same engine. Much narrower in scope than CIV which can be a pro or a con depending on your mood and what you're looking for.
The focus on economy and endgame warfare with a bare minimum of diplomacy or research works quite well. While I find it quite replayable I get burned out after a stretch more quickly than when playing vanilla CIV.
Fairly well balanced game, does what it wants to well, good graphics, good performance, great music. Some bugs need fixed and some balance tweaks should be done and it could do with some more scenarios though.

[stemot]

Originally Posted by PimpinPenguin

Ghostbusters - 9/10

I was a bit apprehensive about buying it as movie to game adaptations usually end bad and i heard quite bad things about the PC port. Well, anyway i gave in and i'm glad i did. The script was great and retained the charm and wit from the movies, and the voice acting overall was superb. Gameplay was excellent the ghost trapping was fun if not a bit to easy, the AI can be dodgy and towards the end i spent more time reviving them than actually fighting the bosses. The additional modes to the proton pack seemed a bit unnecessary as the main mode you start with is pretty much the best and the one you'll use overall. The physics in the game really makes the game come alive, hitting objects with your proton stream causes the the smash up into little pieces and it's a great sight going into a luxury dining hall and smashing it to bits while trying to catch the ghost.
The PC port overall is decent, i've come across much worse. The main drawbacks are that there is no multiplayer and if you buy retail you get the SecuROM 5 installation limit. I did encounter a few issues, mouse acceleration can't be disabled and as such makes it that you must really push your mouse hard to get it to register any movement, also the game lags really bad in places where it really shouldn't although i fix this problem my setting the game priority to low

That's how much I would have given the game had the PC port not been optimised really badly and the mouse implementation not been so poorly implemented. The camera etc work fine on gamepad and it's only when using the mouse it happens. I also found the island level to be really badly designed, especially the sewers which were awfully generic with bland textures and crappy layout.
The rest however is deserving of such a high score. The way it feels, when using a mouse, you trap a ghost. Having to really battle against the pull of the ghost simply doesn't have the same feel on a joypad.
The dialogue and voice acting from the main GB characters was spot on, even if Bill Murray could have been a little more enthusiastic. The story was also a worthy sequel to the movies with humour and tension in equal measure in all the right places.

Unfortunately, with the problems the PC version has these bring my score down and I still stick with my original 7.5/10 score.

[Shakermaker]

Originally Posted by stemot

even if Bill Murray could have been a little more enthusiastic.

How typical. He must be the most sarcastic actor ever.

[Saturos]

Mass Effect- 9/10

One of the most enjoyable modern RPGs I've ever played. Great blend of action and RPG elements that reminded me of Deus-Ex the first time I played it. I've heard some who said they feel like the dialogue wheel was pretty much just a gimmick though, but I liked the level of control it offered players in conversation and story, even if many decisions contrast a little too much. Above-average graphics, but nothing I've never seen before.

Above-all, a very enjoyable game. Can't wait for Mass Effect 2.

[Nibwoddle]

Prototype - 9/10

This is a highly rewarding and entertaining super - "hero" game. I've been spending a lot more time at it than I initially anticipated. The way it gets you to work towards powers is not tedious, and things become more fun, difficult and badass as it progresses. The massive amounts of moves and surprisingly good PC controls make me think I'll be playing this for some time.

[stemot]

Beyond Good And Evil - 5/10

I found the controls on a mouse and keyboard incredibly clunky and unresponsive, the stealth mechanics extremely badly implemented and the level design to be poor.
The story was mildly interesting and enough to make me finish the game but not really enough to be memorable.

[Samon]

Originally Posted by stemot

Beyond Good And Evil - 5/10

I found the controls on a mouse and keyboard incredibly clunky and unresponsive, the stealth mechanics extremely badly implemented and the level design to be poor.
The story was mildly interesting and enough to make me finish the game but not really enough to be memorable.

That is indeed unfortunate; I am quite at a loss at how a game of such genuine charm and ingenuity, and intelligent, wonderfully crafted gameplay and design could be so scorned by anyone.

Originally Posted by stemot

Tom Clancy's Hawx PC - 8/10

Originally Posted by stemot

F.E.A.R. 2 - Project Origin 9/10

Originally Posted by stemot

Mirrors Edge 9/10

Ah. Well.

[CyberPitz]

GRID - 9/10

I'd say this game is virtually flawless. The feel of the cars in a straight and turns feels pretty darned great. The way the speed looks in the game isn't exactly the most believable, but it works well for it's slightly arcadey style. The car selection is wonderful! They had the 787B 1991 ALMS winner! I kinda wish there was a different car selection, but to keep races balanced, I see why they did that. The damage is so fun. Makes those Instant Replays very satisfying when you're getting down the neck to your last one...

The only reason it doesn't get a 10/10 is lack of multiplayer with a person next to you.

[Kadayi]

Hitman: Blood Money 8/10

Hitman BM is a PoS of a game. The story (what there is) is utter bollocks, the look is fairly unremarkable, and the relationship between the controls and the game space schizophrenic to the extreme (I'd like to open that door in front of me to make my escape, but no I moved the mouse a millimetre and instead I've pulled out my gun in the middle of a police station during a presidential visit whilst on stage apparently...time to reload). If you look up 'exercise in frustration' in the dictionary, a picture of Hitman: Blood Money 8/10 looks back at you.

So what is it that despite these flaws makes me so addicted to playing this utterly frustrating life leeching time vampire? Two reasons, firstly a sense of a job well done. When a hit goes perfectly like clockwork (despite the constant battle you face with the games controls) and you make your escape like a shadow in the night with no one the wiser as to your nefariousness you know you are indeed 'The Daddy' of hitmen. Secondly and perhaps more importantly, is the fact that there is more than one way to skin a cat. The game is deceptive in this respect in that the introduction tutorial is very much an on rails affair and kind of lulls you into a sense of there only being one way to achieve a result, where as the reality is a lot different, and if you put your noggin into effect you can come up with interesting ways to achieve your goals. This multiple path approach greatly reminds me of Deus Ex in a lot of ways. Here is hoping that whatever IO choose to do next with Agent 47 just is a bit more considered when it comes to the controls.