Red Faction to get the Syfy treatment sadly

Red Faction and Red Faction II are games I enjoyed yet never beat. Haven’t played Red Faction: Guerrilla save for the demo, which was fun, but I’m sure I’d have a great time not beating that game as well. Pew pew pew, explosion, explosion, save, accidentally forget to play again. That’s my process, at least. I enjoy them for the slow-paced shooters they are, and blowing holes in walls is always a party.

That said, I’m a little concerned about this news: THQ signed a deal with the Syfy channel that will allow them to produce a two-hour, direct-to-television movie based on Red Faction, the first game in the series which was about space mining and a rebel uprising.

And more so this news: In addition, Syfy will be involved with the next Red Faction game in some capacity.

Eep.

As well all know, videogame-movie adaptions never work out well. Yes, I know, I own Street Fighter: The Movie on DVD, but hush. The adults are talking. And just because Red Faction has all the makings of a Saturday afternoon Syfy “film” (let’s use that word sparingly)–mining colonies, slaves, futuristic weapons, bad voice-acting–that doesn’t mean it should be made. Alas, I don’t get the Syfy Channel anymore so I won’t be able to tell you all how this monkey-made movie turns out…

Happy 10th birthday, Playstation 2!

Sony released the Playstation 2 on March 4, 2000, in Japan. Thank the mighty stars they did. If they hadn’t, the North American release of the Playstation 2 on October 26, 2000, might never have happened. And then my life would be completely different.

See, I’m a part of the NES generation, but the first gaming system I ever sought out and bought on my own was the Playstation 2. I’d gotten its predecessor for Christmas some years back, and the fact that the latest system worked also as a DVD player and still ran PS1 games fine was all I needed to hear to have me shell out some hard-earned buckos. So I did, some time vaguely in 2002 or early 2003, and I picked up two games to keep me busy: Dark Cloud and Red Faction.

Both blew me away. I remember being extremely impressed building the town and dungeon crawling in Dark Cloud, as well as destroying entire walls in Red Faction. The system showed great promise early on, and my subscription to PSM only reminded me more of all the great games soon to come out.

The Playstation 2 was my college (and post-college) console. I supplied the videogaming fun for all my roommates, and too many fond memories strike me now: FIFA tournaments, learning together how to roll then jump in Jak and Daxter, borrowing Final Fantasy X from an upstairs neighbor and declaring it as “meh!” after 15 minutes, Grand Theft Auto III drinking games, and using the console as a comfort buddy during a relationship breakup (many collect-a-thons were completed during this era).

I only jumped into the latest generation of systems last April or so with an Xbox 360. That’s right. I’ve been playing my Playstation 2 (the same one, actually ::knocks on wood::) since I got it. About eight years. Same single memory card, too. There’s no reason not to play it. It’s a haven system, especially for RPG fans like myself, bloated with JRPGs and big-name ones like Final Fantasy XII and Dragon Quest VIII.

With a humongous library, there are still games out for the Playstation 2 I’ve yet to experience. The latest Jak/Ratchet games, God of War II, Ico, and many more. Games are still being released for the system ten years later, which I think says a lot.

It’s a great console all-in-all. Always is, always will be.

Top 10 Worst Silent Lead Characters

Silent protagonists, from a design perspective, are a device used to get the player to empathize more with other characters. Draw them in, make them feel like they’re right there with everyone, making decisions and demands. It’s also a rather tiring aspect of many RPGs, especially JRPGs, but they do occasionally pop up in other genres. They can mostly be broken down into the following:

Mutes: They are characters that do no speak at all. No text, no voice acting…nothing. They are mimes in a dark, dark room. They are empty husks you move with the directional pad and never grow to care for.

Reactive: These are characters that often don’t get speaking roles, but exist for other NPCs to bounce ideas off of and/or look to for assurance/disapproval. Sometimes get involved non-verbally.

The Roleplayer: Silent only in voice, this leading character is one that the player builds through dialogue options, morale choices, clothing and weapons, stats, and so on. They “speak” pre-determined lines, but only if you choose so.

Some silent protagonists are better than others. Click the “keep reading” link below to see my take on the Top 10 Worst Silent Lead Characters.

Comparing Dragon Age: Origins with Summoner, Not Completely Crazy

I’m going to do something here that might have folks scratching at their heads, but it has to be done: Dragon Age: Origins and Summoner are pretty similar games. Yes, they’re both third-person RPGs set in traditional epic fantasy worlds, focusing on party-based battles, twisting plotlines, and a constant sense of so much to do. But they also both eerily pace themselves in the same manner.

In 2000’s Summoner, after the introductory prologue to get things started, main character Joseph ends up in Lenele, the City of the Gods. It’s a huge city made up of at least ten areas, and Joseph will spend a good hour or so wandering around, speaking to locals, and picking up a ton of miscellaneous side quests before you can even begin the main one.

In 2009’s Dragon Age: Origins, after the introductory origins story and battle at Ostagar, main character Grey Warden ends up in Lothering, a small village that, while not made up of at least ten areas, offers just as many (or more) side quests before starting the real deal.

At both of these points, I began to feel overwhelmed. The main quest has barely begun, and already I have a honeydew list as long as a broadsword. Suffering from gamer OCD, this is problematic. Anyways, let’s also take a look at plot synopses…

Summoner: Joseph’s goal, achieved through his newly regained powers of summoning, is to defend Medeva from the Orenian invasion and to defeat the evil emperor, Murod, by using rings to summon the ultimate creature.

Dragon Age: Origins: After completing their character’s respective origin story, the player encounters Duncan, leader of an elite group known as the Grey Wardens. Duncan guides the player to their destiny of becoming a Grey Warden, a group who dedicate their lives to the destruction of the Darkspawn, a force of demonic creatures that live underground and have at various points in history swarmed the surface of Thedas in movements known as Blights.

So, one game is about stopping an invasion of evil creatures, and the other game is about…stopping an invasion of evil creatures.

And look, Morrigan’s in both games:

I’m really not trying to harp too much on Dragon Age: Origins. I do like it so far, and it’s definitely going to keep me busy for awhile. Just feels like I’ve played it before, recurring pitfalls and all.

P.S. Woah, I even managed to last this entire post without making the joke that both game’s graphics are interchangeable. Er, whoops. Zing!

FIRST HOUR REVIEW: Odin Sphere

You-hoo, down here. Right. My take on Odin Sphere‘s first hour of gameplay is now live over at The First Hour. Do check it out. I wrote it mostly as an excuse to post amazingly awesome cosplay pics, as shown above. Seriously, this game was made for cosplayers. I won’t be playing much more of it after a repetitive hour, but there’s no stopping me from loving the game’s art style and profound effect on the cosplaying culture.

Odin Sphere is Beautifully Bloated

Last night, I unplugged my Xbox 360, dusted off my Playstation 2, and popped in Odin Sphere. Then my eyes had multiple orgasms.

See, Odin Sphere is just about one of the prettiest games ever made. Feel free to quote me in fanboy rants or whatever. But it is. The game’s visuals are, irrefutably, its strongest feature, it’s reason for existing. Gameplay eventually falls into recurrent levels and tasks (and complex alchemy), but soldiering on is fine as wine for the mere fact of wanting to see more and more. A new location or character arriving–it’s all a treat in terms of eye-loving. Is this the case for everyone? Probably not. I am an artist (I draw webcomics and do illustration work), and that makes me biased, but I find it hard to believe that seeing these whimsical characters all colorful and beautifully animated won’t get some jaws a-dropping.

Anyways, not gonna say much more about the videogame because I’m doing a first hour review of it for…hmm, The First Hour. There’s no way to really phrase that sentence without sounding repetitive. Which is what Odin Sphere is all about! Hey-o!

But yeah…stay tuned.

November 2009 games releases that interest me

Hmm, it is now 10 days into November, and I realized I need to learn to plan better. For one thing, I should get this list going, ehh, more at the very beginning of the month.

Anyways, slim pickings this month. Oh sure, big name games like Dragon Age: Origins and Assassin’s Creed II are dropping, but who has the moolah for those creations. Surely not me. Besides, I’ve got Fallout 3 to keep me busy on the Xbox 360 for some time now, and there’s nothing really pulling at my heartstrings this month, save for a couple DS games out there, as well as a…PS2 game?! What is this, 2003?!

Nintendo DS

Phantasy Star Zero – released on 11/10/09 (that’s today, y’all!)

Having never played a Phantasy Star game before, this looks like an okay place to start. Action RPG, sci-fi elements, anime influence. Something about a war, but I bet there’s battles involved, as well as gaining XP. Should be enough for me.

Harvest Moon DS: Sunshine Islands – released on 11/10/09 (that’s today, y’all!)

I’ve been sort of getting into farming sims lately. I blame Facebook, naturally. And at least this game’s title doesn’t make me want to vomit and run away in tears. Yes, Harvest Moon DS Cute, I’m talking about you.

Playstation 2

Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier – released on 11/03/09

I love me some Jak and Daxter. Truly great platforming, with the occasional shooting/racing element. Never got to play any of the PSP adventures, having stopped at Jak 3 since a full-on racing game like Jak X left me feeling empty-chested. So it’s nice to see a release for the Playstation 2 even if Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier might be swollen with flying elements. Given the right price, this could be a good time.

Ho-ho-hope December is a little better than this for us casual, poor videogamers…

The Top Five Most Horrible Videogames I Own

That’s right: the top five most horrible videogames I own. You may interpret horrible as you please. But I’m putting it all out there, and while I’m almost certain there are worst games in existence (hello, Vampire Rain), these are just the ones I actually have in my collection.

Let the walk of shame begin…

5. Super Fruitfall (Nintendo DS)

Actually, my mother bought this game and then passed it along to me. I think she either beat it or hated it with the heat-passion of a thousand suns. I played for probably a total of six minutes and experienced my life’s quota of Super Fruitfall. Basically, all the player does is hit the directional button left or right to rotate the screen so that fruit will fall into a hole. That’s it. There is nothing else to do. In theory, this game could be played with one’s eyes shut tight. I recommend that.

4. American McGee’s Alice (PC)

Initially, I loved this game. But then again I also found the TV show “Ronin Warriors” to be kickass. I was young, I was stupid, and I was in “love”…see, I played this game with my then high school girlfriend, and it was an interesting experience. I directed and hit the jump button (space bar) while she walked Alice to and fro. Kinda fun, mostly lame. I went back to American McGee’s Alice a few years ago and found it horribly ugly, stiff, and no fun at all. The relationship died a long time ago, I guess.

3. Summoner (Playstation 2)

On paper, Summoner sounds pretty neat. In fact, let’s look at some key points from the back cover:

• Traverse a beautiful, completely original world spanning two continents
• Encounter hundreds of characters and battle in realtime with a 5-person party
• Summon red minotaurs, black imps, golems, and other powerful allies
• Cast spectacular spells, wield an arsenal of weapons, clad yourself in the armor of a warrior

Pretty standard stuff for a top-notch RPG, am I right? Lies. ALL OF IT LIES. The problem was, besides Summoner being flat and unsightly, the in-game worlds were almost too large, with a map as helpful as a cave drawing. I don’t believe I ever even got out of that first major city despite having acquired nine different quests. Combat was tame, and the only time I ever saw a summoning was when I looked one up on YouTube.

2. Mario Paint (Super Nintendo)

Mario Paint is actually an excellent and fun game…when you can play it. My dumb self picked this up at a garage sale without remembering that you need the special Super NES Mouse and Mouse Pad to enjoy life. I thought a controller would’ve been enough, but alas all I can ever do with it is turn it on and stare endlessly at the start screen.

1. Godai Elemental Force (Playstation 2)

SWEET HOLY CRAP ON A DISC THIS IS SWEET HOLY CRAP ON A DISC! I fear that describing this game in words would not do it justice so please, take a deep breath, and then watch this gameplay video. Did you see the part where the ninja sort of glides when he jumps down off the higher part of the level? Yeah, that’s how everyone jumps. The voice acting is a riot until you realize they are trying to be serious, the combat is a joke, and the graphics are as poor gets. I don’t remember how much I spent on this, but whatever it was…I WANT IT BACK, 3D0.

And this completes my very first list here at Grinding Down. Ta-da!

GAMES I REGRET PARTING WITH: Trap Gunner

I can’t even recall why this game is no longer in my collection. I must have, at some point during my climb from Playstation 1 to Playstation 2, traded it in along with a heap of others to help get some extra gaming funds. The young fool I was…the young, dumb, blind-as-a-barrel fool.

Of Trap Gunner, what I remember the most is that it was a hoot to play. Not the storyline, not the characters, not the graphics–just that it was a party every time. The premise revolved around your character and another character running around a battlefield, and as you went you planted all different types of traps to snare them in and drain their life-bar. You could use bombs, pitfalls, gas, mines, and force panels. Some worked well on their own, others had to be used in conjunction with other traps to really seal the deal.

Here’s a great example of something I’d do every round in Trap Gunner, no matter the stage:
1. Plant a force panel
2. Directly across from the force panel plant a pitfall
3. Next to the pitfall plant a switch detonator
4. Lure my opponent over to the force panel
5. Enjoy the domino effect

The best part is that traps you plant can’t be seen by your opponent (and vice versa), making running around a bit nerve-wrecking. You might not want to go up those stairs…so you can drop into a sneak mode to sniff out enemy traps.

There was a single player mode, as well as a two player split-screen if I recall correctly. The story mode did little, but open up new levels and secret characters. All in all, Trap Gunner was a fun mix of action and strategy, and is most certainly a game I miss from time to time.

Check out the anime-like intro as well:

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GAMES I REGRET PARTING WITH is a regular feature here at Grinding Down where I reminisce about videogames I either sold or traded in when I was young and dumb. To read up on other games I parted with, follow the tag.

XIII for $2.00–yes or no?

So, while browsing the bargain bin of PS2 games yesterday at my local GameStop, I found a copy of XIII…for $2.00. Yet I did not buy it. Instead, I came home and searched for some reviews. Talk about being scared of the Recession, eh?

Anyways, what do you think? Is XIII worth the $2.00 (plus tax)? Seems like a stylish FPS with a somewhat stereotypical plot.