Crawling out of the woodworks for an obligatory video game review post.
It was Spring Break this week, and my one goal was basically to spend lots of time gaming, because that's something I have sadly little time for during school (except when we're required to play games for school, like we did with WoW, hahaha), and also because this month was actually the first time in like a year that games have come out that I actually wanted to play. (2010 was just a sad, sad year for video games.) And I got a nice, fat tax return, so it was basically a perfect combination of availability of time + money + games I wanted to play.
I guess I'll do Homefront first because it's shorter: So I've been a major supporter of this game since I first found out about it, because it's made by Kaos Studios, a pretty small company right here in NYC. The fact that they could pull off a major triple-A title like this, in a city that just doesn't really have the infrastructure for anything but casual/indie games because all of the funding for triple-A titles goes to studios in Canada and on the west coast, is pretty fucking awesome, and I totally want to support that. I met one of their game designers at a panel thing last semester and he was a cool guy and his passion for this project was so obvious. And I can't blame him: the concept for the game is great, in the sense that they manage to sell it so well. During the whole intro of the game and the first chapter, I kept getting chills because it was so real. I totally bought into it; I kept thinking, "This could be the future." And that future, of course, is absolutely terrifying, and the fact that I had such a visceral reaction to a game concept is a testament to how well they were able to execute this idea.
So I wanted to love it. I really, really did. But it was too short for me to ever feel that strongly engaged. Especially because compared to the development of the game world, the development of the story and the characters was weak. The main character had 0 personality, the supporting characters were flat and stereotyped, and the main character's story was kind of just a typical shooter story. It felt under-developed. Not because it ended on a cliffhanger; I didn't mind that because plenty of games and good stories do, and it makes sense for the story to be played out over multiple games rather than concluded in a single one. But it was under-developed in the sense that I felt like I wasn't given enough time and opportunity to grow to care about the characters and their stories. With a strong concept like this, Homefront should have been more of a story-driven and character-driven game than it was. Another way of putting it would be that the development of the narrative through the game (or the lack thereof) did a disservice to the rich game world they had created.
Which, ironically, is a perfect segue because the same could be said about Dragon Age II, the other game I played.
I was initially pretty unexcited about DA2 when they released the trailer and some of the gameplay and story previews. The lack of character customizability (compared to Origins) put me off, as well as the complete lack of relation to the story in Origins. But I was won over by the promise of shinier graphics and improved gameplay, and in the end I told myself, "It's BioWare. BioWare has never disappointed me before."
Well, I was wrong.
Okay, maybe not quite. I hesitate to use the word 'disappointed' because I actually had a lot of fun while I was playing the game. They really did iron out a lot of the kinks in the gameplay, so the battles just felt smoother and more active and engaging, and more appropriately challenging, too. (To use game design speak, the flow channel was really well-designed.) And the graphics were definitely a lot better, as were the facial customization options. I constantly found myself thinking during the cutscenes, "God, my Hawke is so hot. I bet nobody has a Hawke as hot as mine." (A sharp contrast with Origins, where I was constantly thinking, "God, my character is so ugly.")
But then there was the story. And that was kind of the deal-breaker for me. My misgivings, unfortunately, turned out to be justified. It just really paled compared to Origins, both because of lack of variety (like how in Origins every location had its own conflict that needed to be resolved) and just overall epic scale. I initially was intrigued by the storytelling in DA2 because I wasn't quite sure where the story was going to go, because when you think about it, Origins was very predictable from the beginning and had very few plot twists. Recruit help, stop Loghain, and slay the Archdemon; it's pretty much spelled out from the very start and there's no big surprises. But at least you were saving the world. And in that respect, knowing it the entire time helped because whenever you got bogged down in a long, grind-y mission, you could tell yourself, "But I've got to keep going. I need to save the world."
The story in DA2 was just never epic. Ultimately, that's what its major failing boils down to. The whole game is just a series of quests (with most of the main quests feeling like side quests — without the delineation in the quest log I might have never known the difference) and trivial decisions that never really let you feel like you're in control of the situation or accomplishing anything meaningful. And then it all sort of comes together in Act 3, and you start to feel like maybe what you've done to get to this point mattered a little bit, but even then, the major climactic moment that leads to the ultimate unraveling in the endgame was not your doing/not exactly your intention. And I do appreciate how you end the game by picking a side, unlike the endgame being about just beating one final boss regardless of how you have played the game up until that point, but the fact that you have to get through 30+ hours of gameplay before finally making ONE meaningful decision, when in Origins you were making meaningful decisions all the time... that really kind of killed the game for me.
( More spoilery thoughts and tl;dr stuff you probably don't care about unless you've also played it.Collapse )
One thing in DA2's favor, though: it's a lot more easily replayable. I played through Origins 3 times, and I often feel like I should play it again because I did start the other 3 backgrounds and do want to develop those characters, but the fact that some of the major quests are so incredibly long and annoying (ie. The Fade and Orzammar) discourages me from picking it up again. I really do get this strong feeling of dread when I think about those missions. So I definitely appreciate how the main quests in DA2 are more "bite-size". I don't want to replay it right this minute, but at least the thought of it doesn't fill me with dread.
And I guess I'll reserve my ultimate judgment until I've replayed DA2 at least one more time. I actually didn't quite grow to love Origins until I played through it more than once, either; that's when I really began to appreciate the nonlinear storytelling and the characters. But right now I would sum up my reaction with: "BioWare, what the HELL were you thinking?! Why follow up such a richly detailed and fully customizable game experience with such a linear and un-epic one?! WHY?!?!"
It was Spring Break this week, and my one goal was basically to spend lots of time gaming, because that's something I have sadly little time for during school (except when we're required to play games for school, like we did with WoW, hahaha), and also because this month was actually the first time in like a year that games have come out that I actually wanted to play. (2010 was just a sad, sad year for video games.) And I got a nice, fat tax return, so it was basically a perfect combination of availability of time + money + games I wanted to play.
I guess I'll do Homefront first because it's shorter: So I've been a major supporter of this game since I first found out about it, because it's made by Kaos Studios, a pretty small company right here in NYC. The fact that they could pull off a major triple-A title like this, in a city that just doesn't really have the infrastructure for anything but casual/indie games because all of the funding for triple-A titles goes to studios in Canada and on the west coast, is pretty fucking awesome, and I totally want to support that. I met one of their game designers at a panel thing last semester and he was a cool guy and his passion for this project was so obvious. And I can't blame him: the concept for the game is great, in the sense that they manage to sell it so well. During the whole intro of the game and the first chapter, I kept getting chills because it was so real. I totally bought into it; I kept thinking, "This could be the future." And that future, of course, is absolutely terrifying, and the fact that I had such a visceral reaction to a game concept is a testament to how well they were able to execute this idea.
So I wanted to love it. I really, really did. But it was too short for me to ever feel that strongly engaged. Especially because compared to the development of the game world, the development of the story and the characters was weak. The main character had 0 personality, the supporting characters were flat and stereotyped, and the main character's story was kind of just a typical shooter story. It felt under-developed. Not because it ended on a cliffhanger; I didn't mind that because plenty of games and good stories do, and it makes sense for the story to be played out over multiple games rather than concluded in a single one. But it was under-developed in the sense that I felt like I wasn't given enough time and opportunity to grow to care about the characters and their stories. With a strong concept like this, Homefront should have been more of a story-driven and character-driven game than it was. Another way of putting it would be that the development of the narrative through the game (or the lack thereof) did a disservice to the rich game world they had created.
Which, ironically, is a perfect segue because the same could be said about Dragon Age II, the other game I played.
I was initially pretty unexcited about DA2 when they released the trailer and some of the gameplay and story previews. The lack of character customizability (compared to Origins) put me off, as well as the complete lack of relation to the story in Origins. But I was won over by the promise of shinier graphics and improved gameplay, and in the end I told myself, "It's BioWare. BioWare has never disappointed me before."
Well, I was wrong.
Okay, maybe not quite. I hesitate to use the word 'disappointed' because I actually had a lot of fun while I was playing the game. They really did iron out a lot of the kinks in the gameplay, so the battles just felt smoother and more active and engaging, and more appropriately challenging, too. (To use game design speak, the flow channel was really well-designed.) And the graphics were definitely a lot better, as were the facial customization options. I constantly found myself thinking during the cutscenes, "God, my Hawke is so hot. I bet nobody has a Hawke as hot as mine." (A sharp contrast with Origins, where I was constantly thinking, "God, my character is so ugly.")
But then there was the story. And that was kind of the deal-breaker for me. My misgivings, unfortunately, turned out to be justified. It just really paled compared to Origins, both because of lack of variety (like how in Origins every location had its own conflict that needed to be resolved) and just overall epic scale. I initially was intrigued by the storytelling in DA2 because I wasn't quite sure where the story was going to go, because when you think about it, Origins was very predictable from the beginning and had very few plot twists. Recruit help, stop Loghain, and slay the Archdemon; it's pretty much spelled out from the very start and there's no big surprises. But at least you were saving the world. And in that respect, knowing it the entire time helped because whenever you got bogged down in a long, grind-y mission, you could tell yourself, "But I've got to keep going. I need to save the world."
The story in DA2 was just never epic. Ultimately, that's what its major failing boils down to. The whole game is just a series of quests (with most of the main quests feeling like side quests — without the delineation in the quest log I might have never known the difference) and trivial decisions that never really let you feel like you're in control of the situation or accomplishing anything meaningful. And then it all sort of comes together in Act 3, and you start to feel like maybe what you've done to get to this point mattered a little bit, but even then, the major climactic moment that leads to the ultimate unraveling in the endgame was not your doing/not exactly your intention. And I do appreciate how you end the game by picking a side, unlike the endgame being about just beating one final boss regardless of how you have played the game up until that point, but the fact that you have to get through 30+ hours of gameplay before finally making ONE meaningful decision, when in Origins you were making meaningful decisions all the time... that really kind of killed the game for me.
( More spoilery thoughts and tl;dr stuff you probably don't care about unless you've also played it.Collapse )
One thing in DA2's favor, though: it's a lot more easily replayable. I played through Origins 3 times, and I often feel like I should play it again because I did start the other 3 backgrounds and do want to develop those characters, but the fact that some of the major quests are so incredibly long and annoying (ie. The Fade and Orzammar) discourages me from picking it up again. I really do get this strong feeling of dread when I think about those missions. So I definitely appreciate how the main quests in DA2 are more "bite-size". I don't want to replay it right this minute, but at least the thought of it doesn't fill me with dread.
And I guess I'll reserve my ultimate judgment until I've replayed DA2 at least one more time. I actually didn't quite grow to love Origins until I played through it more than once, either; that's when I really began to appreciate the nonlinear storytelling and the characters. But right now I would sum up my reaction with: "BioWare, what the HELL were you thinking?! Why follow up such a richly detailed and fully customizable game experience with such a linear and un-epic one?! WHY?!?!"
- Current Mood:
disappointed
Bringing back an old meme to update people on what's going on with me. In case you still care. I wouldn't be upset if you don't, since I know I haven't been around...
( I'll spare you the first part which is probably tl;dr...Collapse )
3-5 THINGS GOING ON IN MY LIFE:
♥ How are you all?
You know how sometimes people on your friendslist post about stuff going on in their life, and all of a sudden you think "Wait a minute? Since when were they working THERE? Since when were they dating HIM/HER? Since when???" And then you wonder how you could have missed all that seemingly pretty standard information, but somehow you feel too ashamed to ask for clarification because it seems like info you should already know? It happens to all of us sometimes.
Please copy the topics below, erase my answers and put yours in their place, and then post it in your journal! Please elaborate on the questions that would benefit from elaboration. One-Word-Answers seldom help anyone out.
( I'll spare you the first part which is probably tl;dr...Collapse )
3-5 THINGS GOING ON IN MY LIFE:
- Grad school, obviously. It eats up my time, but I absolutely love it. I'm doing exactly what I wanted to do for the past 4 years in undergrad but never really found a community for. It helps that my program is crazy and unconventional and we get to do a lot of things you'd never think people would get to do in an academic setting and get away with it, but somehow we do. For example, I'm taking a class called "Big Games", for which we've had to play World of Warcraft. And this week we're playing Assassin, water guns and all. And I'm doing a presentation on LJ roleplaying and
campfuckudie. I'm having the time of my life, and it's awesome. ♥ - Did I mention that we had to play World of Warcraft for class? I may have put just a liiittle more time into that than was necessary for the class. But it helps that one of my best friends, Robin, and her husband both play. Although she roped me into the Refer-a-Friend
scamprogram and I upgraded my trial to a paid membership and now I feel obligated to keep playing even though it's no longer required for class. (But only until Dragon Age 2 comes out; then my gaming schedule will be occupied for a while. ;p) - 2010 was the year of sci-fi TV shows, but 2011 is turning out to be the year of historical k-dramas. It helps that so many of them are on Hulu now, I guess. As somebody said, though, they really are like crack... once you start a show, you just can't stop watching. So far I've watched 성균관 스캔들, 선덕여왕, 추노 and IRIS. Okay, IRIS wasn't a historical drama but the reviews were so good I wanted to know what it was all about. And they were right! So good!
- On a more serious note, a month ago today, I fractured my elbow slipping on an icy sidewalk in Manhattan. I was in a splint for a week, and since then I've been wearing this badass looking brace (although the novelty of the "robot arm" and "bionic woman" comments has kind of worn off and is becoming annoying). It's locked so I can't move my elbow at all, which, you can imagine, has made my life rather complicated and inconvenient and simple things can be quite difficult. I'm starting physical therapy today, which I heard will suck, but it's definitely necessary.
- ...I dunno, being single and living in New York? Life is good. I really can't complain. ♥
♥ How are you all?
- Current Location:New York, NY
- Current Mood:
okay
I was going to do this before the reveal and then thank everyone again afterwards, but I was sick with some sort of stomach flu thing most of last week so I didn't even spend much time online until today. So anyway! Here is my amazing loot from yuletide 2010:
Unforseen Circumstances was my main story, and it was basically exactly what I wanted for this request but was too embarrassed to ask for — a fic written like another episode of Stargate: Universe, complete with most of the cast and even a couple of cameos from SG-1! I love Jack and Daniel, and Rush being totally the way rush is, and Matt and Chloe and their love, and... oh, everything! ♥
Santa's Little Helper was a treat written for me by the same author. A cute little ficlet about Eli providing some holiday cheer for the people aboard Destiny. :) My writer totally spoiled me!
The Meanings of Dreams, by
glitterburn, is a gorgeously-written treat for my Chi Bi (Red Cliff) request for Zhuge Liang/Sun Quan slash. I was worried that I was the only one who shipped this pairing, but glitterburn wrote them pretty much exactly as I imagined them: cautious and insecure and avoiding direct confrontation by making their feelings known through letters, and it is wonderful and sexy and perfect!
One Phoenix After Another is yet another treat, for my Nikita (2010) request! I wanted some Michael/Nikita romance going beyond the obvious UST in the show, and I was treated to a beautiful, touching moment between the two of them that almost made me wipe away a tear. The writer perfectly captured their passionate yet doomed relationship, and I'm glad she managed to give this fucked up couple a moment's respite in their chaotic lives.
I R&Red all of those last week, and then I logged onto AO3 today and was confused because suddenly there was yet another story on my gift list...?! Apparently a kind participant fulfilled my long-shot request, which makes this not only the first year I got more than one story, but the first year all 4 of my requests were filled!
Endless Summer, bytangleofthorns, is John Isner/Nicolas Mahut tennis RPF slash based on their epic Wimbledon match this past summer that became the longest tennis match ever played, and it is heart-breaking and heart-warming all at the same time, and oh so hot! Not very explicit, but just enough to satisfy my slashy heart. Heehee!
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this awesome set of stories that I didn't even deserve! ♥ I promise to do better next year.
yuletide 2010:Unforseen Circumstances was my main story, and it was basically exactly what I wanted for this request but was too embarrassed to ask for — a fic written like another episode of Stargate: Universe, complete with most of the cast and even a couple of cameos from SG-1! I love Jack and Daniel, and Rush being totally the way rush is, and Matt and Chloe and their love, and... oh, everything! ♥
Santa's Little Helper was a treat written for me by the same author. A cute little ficlet about Eli providing some holiday cheer for the people aboard Destiny. :) My writer totally spoiled me!
The Meanings of Dreams, by
glitterburn, is a gorgeously-written treat for my Chi Bi (Red Cliff) request for Zhuge Liang/Sun Quan slash. I was worried that I was the only one who shipped this pairing, but glitterburn wrote them pretty much exactly as I imagined them: cautious and insecure and avoiding direct confrontation by making their feelings known through letters, and it is wonderful and sexy and perfect!One Phoenix After Another is yet another treat, for my Nikita (2010) request! I wanted some Michael/Nikita romance going beyond the obvious UST in the show, and I was treated to a beautiful, touching moment between the two of them that almost made me wipe away a tear. The writer perfectly captured their passionate yet doomed relationship, and I'm glad she managed to give this fucked up couple a moment's respite in their chaotic lives.
I R&Red all of those last week, and then I logged onto AO3 today and was confused because suddenly there was yet another story on my gift list...?! Apparently a kind participant fulfilled my long-shot request, which makes this not only the first year I got more than one story, but the first year all 4 of my requests were filled!
Endless Summer, by
tangleofthorns, is John Isner/Nicolas Mahut tennis RPF slash based on their epic Wimbledon match this past summer that became the longest tennis match ever played, and it is heart-breaking and heart-warming all at the same time, and oh so hot! Not very explicit, but just enough to satisfy my slashy heart. Heehee!Thanks to everyone who contributed to this awesome set of stories that I didn't even deserve! ♥ I promise to do better next year.
- Current Mood:
guilty
I just logged onto AO3 and apparently I'm getting FOUR stories for yuletide this year?!
Holy crap!
And I figured I was on the naughty list this year because I had to default because my project got into the winter show and I totally didn't have time to write and I felt awful and... I DON'T DESERVE THIS BUT THANK YOU ALL OF YOU WHOEVER YOU ARE!! ♥ ♥
I am going to be at my dad's all day so I probably won't get to read them until later, but I will as soon as I can!
And to all of you not involved inyuletide, Merry Christmas!! ♥ I know I've been totally absent these past few months, but please let's catch up on AIM or Gchat or something soon. :D
yuletide this year?!Holy crap!
And I figured I was on the naughty list this year because I had to default because my project got into the winter show and I totally didn't have time to write and I felt awful and... I DON'T DESERVE THIS BUT THANK YOU ALL OF YOU WHOEVER YOU ARE!! ♥ ♥
I am going to be at my dad's all day so I probably won't get to read them until later, but I will as soon as I can!
And to all of you not involved in
yuletide, Merry Christmas!! ♥ I know I've been totally absent these past few months, but please let's catch up on AIM or Gchat or something soon. :D...Wow. Interesting.
And I don't mean that in a bad way. It's just. This year is going to be very, very different.
Also, the first time I've matched a recipient on more than one request. I actually have options!! Crazy.
And I don't mean that in a bad way. It's just. This year is going to be very, very different.
Also, the first time I've matched a recipient on more than one request. I actually have options!! Crazy.
- Current Mood:
surprised
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masochisticorganized enough to take a stab at running a rare Asian fandoms version of yuletide this summer. (After 5 years! Doh!) No…