We want more than 3D

The year of 2010 in gaming will be remembered for the year that motionless controlling and 3D changed the way we game for years to come. Now I think that motion controls are a wonderful 'gimmick' that are fun, interesting and can extend a consoles life span by a considerable amount. Also, 3D is looking to change the way we view games, giving us an extra layer of skill needed to complete the normally so easy games. But with 3D, and Sony, for that matter, I have a little thing bothering me.

When reading into the future releases intended for PS3 exclusivity, one main point that the developers are trying to push is that it is in 3D. At E3 this year, games like Killzone 3 and Motorstorm Apocalypse were all shown in 3D and that was its sort of main feature. I love the idea of 3D, but I feel its being stuffed down our throats a bit to much. I wish, instead of just showing us how awesome the 3D looks, the developers would show us what differences, updates and tweaks they have made to the game which will set it apart from the previous instalment.

Look at Killzone 3. Geurilla did an amazing job with Killzone 2, it was stunning, immersive and had the best graphics ever (until Uncharted 2 that is)! And it was a huge step up for the FPS genre, as it basically was the best of the best. It may of suffered some critiscim for its controls, which I personally loved, and its predictable story, but overall, I believe it was the best shooter of 2009. However, looking at the new videos of Killzone 3 from E3 and Gamescon, it doesnt look really different. I like similarity in games, but I like change and risks more. Apart from new settings and a couple of new guns, what else has been crafted in to change the experience? Instead of just talking about the future with 3D and Move compatibility, the developers need to show the gamers what they really want, the knowledge of something new and revitalising to the series.

Same can be said with the new Motorstorm. The first two were all out adeniline filled action racing games that got the heart pumping. The change from the first game to the second game brought along some new changes. It wasnt just a new setting but new slow motion cameras, screenshots, online play etc. It was a great instalment to the amazing series. Nevertheless, the new one just doesnt look that different. Yes it is once again in a new setting, and a very nice one it is, and yes the 3D is meant to be spectacular, but anything else Evolution Studios? I just hope we were given more information on really big, new direction changing changes, not a new setting or gimmick.

The year of 2010 will be revolutionary in my eyes, it is bringing many new changes into the medium but I wish that developers dont get too caught up with it. I know 3D will be a hit, and I will almost certainley buy a 3DTV in the next couple of years, but I just hope that the people who make the games dont get to carried away with the new things to forget about the old things that have made the excitement and intrigue that new games bring us. Bring on 3D.

James

The other day whilst I was reading through some old reviews from around the web, I stumbled across the IGN review for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. I watched the video version and about half way through, my mouth fell to the floor with a look of disgust on it. The reviewer for MW2 claimed that its graphics were on par with the incredible Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Now, I know its a bit of fanboyism, but really IGN? Have you even compared them? Let me give you the low down;

Uncharted 2 is a PS3 exclusives, which already compared to MW2 is an advantage, as the Playstation is much better looking than the Xbox when considering graphics.
Uncharted 2 runs in 720p, whilst MW2 runs at a mere 600p.
Uncharted 2 runs at 60fps, and, although Infinity Ward claimed that MW2 runs at 60fps, some nerds discovered that it runs at 30-40fps.

I can take into account that Modern Warfare is a multiplatform game, so it has to accommodate for everyone, but I still think the claim is a bit stupid. There is also the arguement that MW is a FPS whilst Uncharted 2 is a third person, and yes it is true that Uncharted 2 doesnt have to spin around and move as quick as a FPS, but, well you get my point.

Comparison pictures


Now to me MW2 looks a little flat and undetailed, while Uncharted looks sharp, crisp and detailed. Dont get me wrong that some parts of Modern Warfare are gorgeous, I mean look at the gun and hands, very nice. But to me Uncharted is just overall much better, its bolder, crisper, smoother, and just out of this world. (Sorry about the picture positioning)

       

Attacks on Medal of Honour

Ok, so its in the newspapers and on tv at the moment that UK Defence Secretary is against the idea that you can play as the Taliban in Medal of Honour. Yes, I understand that many people have lost family and friends and that there are people risking their lives to protect us from the Taliban, but I mean, its only a game. If you think you will get offended by the game, dont buy it. EA aren't portraying the Taliban as these gods or idols, they portray them as what they are, and just because you can play as one doesnt mean that EA are advertising the Taliban. Its an 18 game, and if people moan at young children for seeing these sort of games and messages, they are looking at the wrong people. It is the parents fault in my view. If you buy your child an 18 game when they are 6, and they get scared or offended, its not the games company's fault, they have told you and warned you that it may contain violence, swearing etc.

But going back to the Medal of Honour issue, I fully understand that people could find this offensive, but EA do not mean to hurt people and portray war as a softy easy going, bit of fun. I wish that before the people moan about gaming, read into it. If the UK Defence Secretary read about the campaign mode of MoH, they would realise that it tells real life stories form soldiers with past experiences. So before the non-gaming community blame developers for being offensive, senseless or heartless, look further into it, and you will see that there are many reasons for the developers to use these things, and not everyone aims to offend people.

Thanks,
James

Hi guys!

Hi guys,

now I'm new to this whole blogging thing so I thought I'd give it a try. My blog will be about my passion and hobby, I am of course talking about gaming. I love gaming and I find it really fun, new and interesting. I'll just be talking about general stuff on here, probably like my views on games, future releases or events. I will try to get at least one new post a week and I hope all of you enjoy it. Feel free to comment and discuss because I love talking to fellow gamers! Just to warn you in advance, I'm quite a big Sony fanboy!