GTA IV vs Red Dead Redemption

Rockstar are incredible. Don't try and be cool by denying it, (nearly) every game they have released has been amazing. They revolutionised gaming and introduced 3D worlds, and for that they deserve uttermost praise. However, which pinnacle of Rockstar's creative genius is the best. Grand Theft Auto IV, one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time, or Red Dead Redemption, the wannabe cowboys wet dream? Both are beautiful experiences, but which one rides off into the sunset with the prestigious prize of best sandbox game? Lets find out.............

Protagonists

          Niko Bellic                                                     John Marston















    
OK, this is a controversial one. I would like to remind people that this is only my opinion, with my explanations why. I personally find Niko Bellic better here, more interesting and a cooler guy. Im not saying that Mr Marston is a boring character, oh no, but in games I prefer the angrier people, look at Kratos! I also prefer putting a little bit of me into the character and with Niko I feel you can make him more you than Marston. Both have contradicting aims in their stories, but both are a pure master-class in character design, showing a wonderful and believable array of emotions. But, in my eyes, GTA IV takes the early lead here.


               GTA IV 1               Red Dead Redemption 0

Settings

                         
                  Liberty City                                  West America (3 states)





This one is slightly easier. When GTA IV finally arrived in 2007 we were all blown away by how alive it felt, streets bustled and there was a certain buzz. However, last year, Liberty City looked like a dead cat compared to Red Dead. The feeling as you rode around the beautiful vistas is truly outstanding. Although it is very barren compared to the metropolis Liberty City, America seems to be so much more alive. The random encounters create an every changing world and being attacked by a wild cougar really added to the authenticity. After playing GTA IV after Red Dead, it made me realise just how much love Rockstar poured into Red Dead. The best game world ever.


          GTA IV 1               Red Dead Redemption 1

Stuff

Stuff, the true nature of an open world game. When I say 'stuff' I actually mean all the extra time wasting activites that you can get up to besides the narrative. Both games have a huge amount of activities that you can spend hours on, whether it be poker or snooker. GTA's city setting means it can offer up past times such as bowling, darts, or even going to a cheeky strip club for a while (I lost sooo much money), but Red Dead's wild west setting offers poker, shoot outs and flower picking (YAY!). The winner of this round though is Red Dead, just though. I had great fun playing snooker with Little Jacob on GTA, but after spending over an hour on one game of poker, I think that this round has to go to Red Dead!


                 GTA IV 1               Red Dead Redemption 2

Sound

      Booming Radios                                             Classic Western tunes



The man under Red Dead's name is artist Jose Gonzalez, and he is responsible for Far Away, the song that plays during the Mexico crossing. There, could finish it here. Red Dead Redemptions music is once again loving reminiscent of the classic Western films. Strange, floating sounds that offer as much to the experience as Mr Marston himself. Whilst Red Dead wins hand down, GTA's radio stations are brilliant too, offering the very best of the best from each genre. Some of the chat shows are hilarious, one chats about a 6 year old boy that has been lost in a mall for 4 years. However, Jean Michelle Jarre is just pipped to the line by Jose Gonzalez, its just so damn emotional!




          GTA IV 1               Red Dead Redemption 3

Enjoyment

Whilst both games have some of the best stories in gaming, both are just generally enjoyable games. For example, Heavy Rain was a really good game, but it wasn't exactly 'fun'. With that in mind, I think the final round should go to GTA IV. Red Dead is fun, very fun. Running around with the old guns and hog tying random people is awesome, but the general aura around Red Dead is a little more serious. This is probably due to the settings, as GTA allows helicopter rides and RPG killing sprees. I spent much more time playing GTA IV after I finished the main story than I did with Red Dead. The physics engine with the cars is pure comedy gold. Both are great games, but GTA is just a little more 'fun'.


      GTA IV 2                 Red Dead Redemption 3

Verdict

Here we are then. After playing GTA IV after Red Dead, it is clear to see what Rockstar have done. All of the baselines for Red Dead are ever present in GTA, the world is good, but not great, the time wasting activities are fun, but slightly tedious and the actual story is a little flat. However, Red Dead Redemption takes this template and adds to it. Many people were calling Red Dead 'GTA with horses', but they were wrong. The template was there, but Rockstar built around it, carving out a unique game that stands alone. Both are astonishing games and I love both, but there has to be one winner, and that winner is Red Dead Redemption. ITS SO GOD DAMN MEMORABLE!

Winner

                                                                                                        

Are the classics really better?

More than any other type of entertainment, gaming has been the one that is seen to have developed and evolved the most over the past decade or so. Much like technology, as time advances, so do the games. Its not always like it in films though and music though, look at Twilight and N-Dubz. So whilst we all sit down with a beaming smile on our faces due to the latest blockbuster game that implements some crazy tech, gaming develops and changes into something new, something better.

However, I, young Mr James disagree here. If you are friends with me on the Facebook then you will know that I have recently started playing Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2. I downloaded it onto my iPod not that long ago and after destroying the single player, I decided to put this masterpiece into my PS3. I was blown away. Over 10 years after its original release, Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2 still amazed me. Its just so perfect. There is no stupid faffing around with online deathmatches or stupid peripheral that gets you wearing a space suit or something, no, THPS2 is pure, balls out gaming bliss. Whilst the majority of games now are more focused on having gorgeous graphics and a silky frame rate, back in 2000 the made do with what they had, which was basically nothing! I know that their are still brilliant games that care about gameplay, look at Portal or Fallout, but some games nowadays only really care about looking good (COUGH BLOODY COUGH KILLZONE 3).

Casually ollieing into a stair grind into a manual into a nosegrab 360 is still brilliant. The controls are so simple but deep, R1 isn't shoot and the levels are beautifully designed. THPS is a game that no matter what your skill level, whether it be Tony Hawk veteran or complete noob, it made you feel like a god. Few games are this accessible now days. Think Rust or Rainbow Road get you thinking tactically? Try nailing a run on Marseilles skate park! But, although the game has much better gameplay due to the concentration being fully on creating the best experience, the developers at Neversoft crammed their game with so many extras that it puts anything these days to shame. From Spider Man to the classic Horse mode, every aspect of it is amazing, not beautiful or polished, but fun.

I may be being biased as it holds many memories for me, but after playing Tony Hawks, I'm starting to think, have we really moved on as much as we think? Story has been a major turning point in gaming, steering games away from a random run around to a story driven engrossing narrative. I do enjoy the deep game, I love them, but occasionally I like to let loose of all intelligence, leave the mind bending twists behind and play games for the real reason we play them, for fun. Sadly, the Tony Hawks franchise has gone into a very large decline, but the second instalment has partially changed my views on gaming as a whole. I still want to remind you guys that I dont hate modern games now, I love them, hence me having a blog about them, but it just surprised me how a game from 10 years ago can still compete against the latest blockbuster. Fancy facial animation that 'picks up every single detail to the nearest millimetre'? Give me a board, an abandoned hanger and a legendary skater any day!

Why 2011 is already the best year in gaming

We all predicted that this year the games industry would grow and grow, releasing quality release after quality release and we would all be treated to the best year in gaming ever. But, in my opinion (not that it really matters), 2011 has already shown its self to be one of, if not the greatest year in gaming history. And before all you oldies start shouting at screaming at me for being ignorant or just god damn stupid, I urge you to hear me out.

In December of each passing year we all like to look back at what the previous 12 months bought to us. Thousands upon thousands of features are posted each with a list of the top 10 or so games that really shook them and were just simply brilliant. However, sometimes, a year should be judged on what happened in that year, how much it affected the future and why it was unique. In terms of an impact year, I personally would claim that 2001 would be the most 'achieving' year, if I can use that phrase, due to the release of GTA III, the Citizen Kane of gaming. 

However, 2011 has already shown us what a beast this year will be. Only a mere 5 months in and we have already witnessed great gaming experiences such as the terrifying Dead Space 2, the adorable but deep LittleBigPlanet 2, the brutal and brash Killzone 3 and my personal favourite, the astonishing Portal 2. The year is already seeping with quality and most people would be able to create a GOTY list already, only 5 months in! Usually, the start of each year is a little less quiet compared to the November release surge, but each month we have seen at least one top quality 9/10 game that oozes quality be rleased. Furthermore, the list for later this year continues on and on, with awesome releases such as Skyrim, Uncharted 3 and Dead Island. The list of top notch games is constantly growing, so much so that us poor ol' gamers are having to meticulously plan our monthly budgets in hope of purchasing our latest and most anticipated games. Top 10 GOTY lists? May have to be extend to Top 20's this year.

'Wait James!' I hear you painfully cry. 'You are contradicting yourself if I may say so myself!'. And yes, that is true. I do believe that to give a year the title of 'best year ever', you do need more than a constant flow of incredible games, and this brings me onto my next point. 2011 has already bombarded us with more original ideas than 2010 and 2009 combined. There is no denying that the gaming circuit is starting to become overcrowded with the modern day FPS's with unoriginal design and CoD copied gameplay. Many gamers consider this to be a virus, so it feels great to see a few developers fighting back this infection and clawing back the originality that games once bought. My first example of a game trying new things would be the much hated Mindjack. I know it was slated at release but I don't care, at least it tried to bring something new to the table without sticking to the boring formula that we see each and every day now. Next is WWE All Stars, yes its a wrestling game but THQ somehow managed to inject some originality into the every rotting genre with its oversized bronzed up wrestlers and colourful and crazy moves. 

However, the best example of new innovations and breaking the mould this year has to be to the balls-out Bulletstorm. People Can Fly studios were not at all afraid to try a different approach to things and it worked beautifully. The never ending combos and freedom to kill how you wanted to kill surprised every one of us and it will remain as one of the all time dark horses. Before Bulletstorms release, a CoD parody was released named Duty Calls. It was fantastic and one of the funniest videos this year. Bulletstorm didn't back down from the big daddies and hopefully, more developers will see this as a sign that they don't have to follow the boring same old formula. This has resulted in 2011 becoming the year that stood up to gaming and kicked its shins, stole its money than ran away chuckling to itself. Innovation and originality is what we all want to see, and 2011 has brought it in great quantities 

So, 2011 best year ever? I cant truly say, but from what the previous 5 months have shown us, I bloody well think that 2011 will deliver more than we predicted. The endless string of quality titles being released later this year will make this year a gamers wet dream. Hopefully we will see some truly innovative games being released alongside the bust'n sequels. Only 7 more months until we can see if my prediction is right, but who cares? No one. This makes this whole article completely void and pointless. There we go, forget everything you just read. Idiots.

Kick to the heart! And you're to blame.......
You give games, a bad name......

Gaming Clichés- Exploding Barrels

Stuck in the middle of a fire fight, red screen pulsating in your face, 5 bullets left in your clip with no grenades. You're surrounded, this is it, your final push for glory. Oh wait, there's a wonderfully placed barrel full of some explosive that will ignite when I shoot a piece of metal through it, and BAAM!!! FREEDOM!!

What is it these days that shooters like to pride themselves on? Call of Duty, Battlefield and Medal of Honour all like to base themselves around making a realistic game that has a fair portrayal of war. Well they're obviously wrong. Why would some intelligent terrorist' A, have a barrel of extremely lethal gas or liquid lying around, B, put it in a conveniently placed choke hold and C, all stand around it in a fight? They wouldn't! I am not a huge master on chemistry but I do not think that there is a widely available liquid or gas that would explode when a slightly hot, small piece of metal penetrates it. Some may say it is propane but I happen to believe that propane is stored in longer cylinders, not bright red barrels. Also, why make them bright red? If there is a risk of your base being stormed and you know that you have very dangerous barrels, why make them stand out? Silly, silly games

But, its not just the bland, generic games that use this awful gaming cliché, masterpieces also have been forced to utilise this reality plot hole. Half Life 2, widely considered to be the greatest game of all time, it reinvigorated the whole of gaming, but sadly it still has fallen into the trap of conveniently placed barrels. However, firing an exploding barrel at a combine with a gravity gun is pretty fun I suppose! Another game, Uncharted 2. As you know its my favourite game ever, but for some reasons the enemies decide to stand round a barrel that is very lethal and full of unstable matter. Why? Surely there must be a heat source somewhere else, ever heard of a thing called a bloody radiator?

Sorry for that horrible rant at an extremely serious matter that, to tell you the truth, is holding back games from developing into something worthy of credit. I can guarantee thought that the next CoD will have glowing barrels of some nuclear device that when shot explodes and melts everyone's face, or that the so called 'magical' Battlefield 3 will be completely spoilt when you have the opportunity to shoot a huge barrel in super slow mo to kill the leader of the evil Nazi space cooperation lead by Darth Vader.

When games decide to drop the barrels, then the games balls will start to drop.

Portal 2 Review

Film buffs have Citizen Kane, music lovers have Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, artists have the Mona Lisa, and us gamers had Portal. Every spanning medium has a certain masterpiece that is loved by everyone, looked upon and set as the pure pinnacle of the skill. The gaming community were blown away when the original Portal was silently released in the Orange Box, and now, Valve have created a full blown sequel to what is considered to be one of the best puzzle games ever. Have they delivered? In short, yes, and damn well!

Whilst the extremely short running time of about 2 hours may have restricted the story in the original Portal, we were still treated to hilarious characters, strange mystery's and an intriguing back story, however, due to the sequel being a stand alone release, Valve have stepped up the story to enormous heights. You play as Chell and at the beginning of the tale you are introduced to a blightly little fella called Wheatley. Loving voiced by Stephen Merchant (The Office), Wheatley guides you through the first few chambers (of which veterans will easily sail through) until you reach the destroyed head quarters of evil robot GLaDOS.We learn that after her demise at the end of the original, Aperture science lab has fallen into chaos. Out of control panels and over grown weeds really give a sense of this previous, living world.

 Later through the story the player encounters new, wider open expanses that require precision shots and more unique solutions. The atmosphere in these areas are simply incredible, mixing together mystery, sadness and intrigue. Along with the newer spaces we are introduced to Aperture founder Cave Johnson, voiced by JK Simmons (Spider Man) who voices the founder with impeccable enthusiasm and passion. Overall, the story is amazing and a real work of art. There are twists and turns which will have you guessing every time this roller-coaster dips. Portal 2 steps up the story from the original from a simple back story, to a full blown narrative which flesh's out the game in such a way that the original Portal feels like a concept demo.

The introduction of the new characters such as Wheatley and Cave Johnson assist the story along, but the voice acting is out of this world. Each of Stephen Merchants lines are read with intelligence and wit, resulting in Wheatley becoming the main source of comedy, another aspect which Portal 2 should pride itself on. Portal 2 is the funniest game ever. Its a bold claim but never have I actual laughed out loud so frequently. The humour may be dark and some lines are simply immature ('Just goes to show that people with brain damage are the real heroes') , but the overall tone of the humour is great and allows a more light hearted side of Aperture to come through, especially with Wheatley's friendly west country accent.

But, James I here you ask, what about the puzzles? Well, calm down, I'm about to explain, god! The basic portal gun is your best friend once again (but this time, with an increased bass). For me, the novelty of having the ability to create endless portals never grows old, but the implementation of the portals, buttons and blocks is wonderful. Moreover, as your progress your arsenal increases. We are shown how to use repulsion gels, acceleration gels, faith plates and excursion tunnels. You are taught how to use and combine the new features slowly and steadily, guiding you by the hand for the first few examples and then by the end letting you experiment with them.

This is what Portal does best. The tests may first feel easy and simple but what we don't realise is that it is slowly guiding and teaching us the basics whilst leading us up to the more challenging puzzles that require deep thought. The learning curve and pacing is pitch perfect, much like the original. Towards the end chambers, you will find yourself ripping your hair out and crying as the solutions are never present, but strangely, the puzzles are never too hard and have the knack to revealing the solution a split second before you snap and storm away. Somehow, Valve manage to make you feel like Gordon Freeman every time you complete a test chamber, gleaming away at how intelligent you feel. If you want a game to cheer you up and make you think you could challnge Einstein in an IQ-off in unexpected ways, Portal 2 is that game.

Sadly, I completed the single player campaign in 7 hours, but I truly believe that Portal (original and sequel) are the perfect examples of quality over quantity. However, the sequel has arrived with a brilliant co-op mode which requires 2 players to solve ever growing harder puzzles, but this time with 4 portals instead of 2. The co-op is a treat as we are given another 7 hour story with another 50 or so test chambers. In spite of the fun aspect, I like to think that in 3 or 4 years time, we will look back at Portal 2 and realise the affects which the co-op has had. I have thrown around the word 'unique' quite a lot this review, but the co-op is one of a kind. It encourages team work like no other game available and it may be the making of new relationships (or breaking, depends how patient you are). Really, the co-op is a must try experience and if you do not have any fun, then you have no soul. Sadly, I have not been able to try out the online offering as the PSN has been down since release day, but from what I have heard, it is lag free and extremely streamlined.

Portal 2 is a beautiful game. Much like my argument with Vanquish, I would much rather pay a full price for a 5 hour game that offers the pinnacle of gameplay and new ideas than buying into a 40 hour campaign that is dull and distilled. Whilst the loading times are poor for a current gen game, once the game has loaded up, the wait will be worth it, and although there is a lack of a new engine, the Source engine still provides Portal 2 with the style and graphical power it needs. Somehow Valve have created yet another masterpiece. Leave the Portal franchise here please, on this beautiful final note.

Funny, clever, intelligent and feel good, Portal 2 is a true masterpiece. Better than Half Life? I'll let you decide.

10/10

Killzone 3 Review

Here it is, Sony's big shooter which will apparently set the standard for FPS shooters to follow. Introducing Move support and of course 3D, Sony have been pushing Killzone 3 down gamings throat for quite a while now, and as it arrives and astounds me in many ways, I cant help but feel that Guerilla games have forgotten what Killzone was all about, instead aiming for a game to fit in comfortably with other FPS' this generation.


In 2009 I was a little naive boy who knew nothing about the wonders of gaming. I had just been given a PS3 and I was one of those people who would buy a game because it looked 'cool' or had lightsabers (darn you Force Unleashed!), so when I saw all the adverts and trailers for a game called Killzone 2, I was intrigued. To cut a long story short, Killzone 2 introduced me into as I like to call 'real' gaming, so Killzone 3 was a huge prospect for me.


Single Player
Here it is. Killzone 3 sits in my Playstation, tempting me in like a beautiful but evil siren. Talking of beauty, the first point I will make and clarify is that Killzone 3 is the best looking game ever to exist. The ruined landscapes stretch for miles and the character animations are almost uncanny. Whilst the last game was heavily criticised for the same old urban, grey settings, Killzone 3 really puts the PS3 to strain with lovely colourful jungles and gorgeous blinding white snowy mountains. Although graphics aren't everything in a game, Killzone 3 is made a all round better experience due to the wonderful scenery and graphics, especially when the same standards are transferred over to multiplayer.


I will admit it, the story is, excuse my French, absolute bull. Some great voice work from Malcom McDowell (Clockwork Orange) and the one and only hard man Ray Winstone are violently dignity-raped by a crap narrative. Some may see it as tongue-in-cheek but to me, it seemed way to serious for my liking. You play as Tomas "Sev" Sevchenko, an empty protagonist with as much personality as a rock. Followed by Mr F-Bomb Rico, you follow the pair through the recently destroyed planet of Helghan. With some reviews you struggle to summarise the plot and not give anything away, but the story is so weak that it doesn't really matter here.


 However, for all the story's down falls, there are some brilliant set pieces and stand out moments that will be in some Top Ten lists by the end of the year. Ranging from an assault on an oil rig or a fight against a huge walking MAWLR, Killzone 3 is more of a compilation of awesome set pieces than an actual involving journey. This feeling is only increased because every time you are meet with a new cut scene, the screen fades into black, completely drawing you out of the experience. However, as soon as the action starts again you are thrown straight back into the intense battles, shame they only last for a maximum of 20 mins before you are unwillingly dragged into another tedious cut scene. Sometimes, I wished I could just leave the cut scenes and just play, but sadly you cant. Overall though, the gameplay and pacing is above par, it is possibly the most intense FPS I have ever played as you are pulled into each level thanks to the outstanding atmosphere and are surrounded by the chilling gargles and glowing red eyes of the Helghast. Add the intense gun battles to full surround sound and a dark room, and you have yourself an unmatchable experience.

The guns on range are pretty good too. You have the classic ISA rifle and then the Shotgun, but the real star is the new Laser Cannon. This gun shoots out weird balls of green energy, making your enemies explode, hilarious. Also, the introduction of the new brutal melee kills means that each time your go for a hand to hand fight, a new animation will appear, usually involving a knife to the face or Kratos thumbs to the eyes. These are great and really satisfying to pull off. Moreover, the inclusion of jet packs for one level seems more like a cheap gimmick, much like the exo-skeletons and ice truck thing. The atmosphere here is top notch as well, at some points you truly believe these people are stuck on a strange planet with no means of escape, but sadly Guerilla haven't used this to create an involving story. Still, the guns and atmosphere are amazing.



But, for all its action and beauty, Killzone just seems to lack something. I don't know exactly what it is, but it just doesn't seem unique any more. Maybe that's because of the new lighter controls. Condemned by most people, Killzone 2 had an incredible sense of weight behind it, setting it apart from the quick fire COD and creating a more involved experience; at least that's what I thought! Guerilla have tweaked the weight considerable and whilst still being heavy, the controls make Killzone 3 feel more like the average shooter, losing part of its original identity. This can also be related to the short campaign as well and awful story. I finished the campaign in 5 hours, a time that is well below satisfactory from the Killzone franchise.



In the end, Killzone 3 is into exactly a let down, but a too-average shooter. Yes the battles are intense and the gameplay is pitched perfectly, but that's not all what a game is. The game has lost its original charm, instead collapsing in to the peer pressure from bigger, similar franchises out there. In spite of the huge push behind it from Sony, Killzone is seeming to slip by quietly as all the fans dig in, but the public by pass it as they wait for the new instalment of CoD. I love it, some people don't, it is a very Marmite game now, and although it hurts me to say it, if you really enjoyed Killzone 2, you may not enjoy Killzone 3, not one for the fans. It just goes to show that by making everything bigger and flasher doesn't always make a game better


Multiplayer
You may be wondering why I have split this review up into two different sections, but like most shooters on the market, it is a very separated game. With a short campaign that delivers in excitement, but not story, Killzone 3 follows the trend which is sadly plaguing this generation. However, saying that, Killzone 3's online mode is near fantastic and certainly able to stand up to the big daddies.


Many people complained about the levelling up system is Killzone 2, and I agreed, it was very slow and the amount of freedom it offered was extremely closed, fortunately, Guerilla have listened to the fans and have delivered a stellar experience with enough choice for chopping and changing that it should satisfy the most OCD players out there. Following in the steps of Battlefield, Killzone introduces the class system. Players can choose between the classic classes; medic, engineer, marksman etc. each offering their own unique abilities. I my self am a medic. Even from this one class I have been able to switch my load-out and buy perks with my upgrade points (like a money system each time you level up) which really add depth to the initial outline of online.


You thought the fights in Cod or Battlefield were intense? Wait till Killzone. I have found myself being outnumbered by millions (slight exaggeration) of enemies or surround by grenades and random explosions, Killzone really gets your heart racing. There is a great balance between all the classes and there is a very steady growth within the community, teams work together most of the time. The gameplay is mainly similar to the campaign bar the lack of cover, but great moves like the brutal melee kills still linger online. Running up to a sniper and giving them a face full of sharpened steel is one of the most satisfying feelings in any online game ever. The graphics are great and I haven't encountered any lag yet, so the online component is certainly strong. 



Overall, whilst the campaign may be a bit short lived, Killzone 3 makes up for it with an incredible online counterpart that will add legs to the game. A wonderful package that, in terms of graphics, is next gen stuff. Killzone 3 is an intense, crazy, manic shooter that deserves a play, even if you are a Halo whore!

7/10

I'm an exclusive whore!

No, its not what you think.

When I say that I am an 'exclusive whore' I don't mean, well, you know what I mean. I am of course talking about the partially dreaded, mainly loved idea of exclusives within gaming. Since game consoles where first introduced, each different iteration has somehow prided its self in a certain game, or even a franchise. Whether it be Super Mario for Nintendo or Halo for Xbox, each console has a certain exclusive that is almost certain to draw in customers and sell the console in huge quantities.

Now, I'm not going to lie; I love exclusives. The one thing that makes me happy on this earth is rubbing the beauty of Uncharted 2 or the size of Gran Turismo into a fellow gamers face. 'Just look at Drake, how the water drips from his curves'. Alright, maybe that's a bit exaggerated, but it is true. The main aspect of any console war will be the exclusives, no doubt.

But, is it all a good thing? In my opinion, although I hate to say it, exclusives are the bane of gaming and without them, we would all live a happy life in harmony. My point is this; when an amazing exclusive is released to wide critical acclaim, such as Halo Reach or Heavy Rain, the critics imply that it is a must buy and a masterpiece in gaming, an opinion that surely means we should all play it. But, what if we cant? As we lock horns in the flaming console war, we have forgotten why we got involved in gaming in the first place, the games. We all love games and that's why we live are lives by them, who cares if it is Xbox or Playstation. Gaming is like films, a magical film deserves all the attention it can get, but unlike gaming, it is open to everyone. I wont deny that I want to play Halo or Alan Wake, and I imagine many of the 'others' will want to play Uncharted or LBP, but we cant, we just cant.

So, surely exclusivity is getting in the way. Companies that fork out millions of pounds for an exclusive franchise are destroying what gaming is all about, it should be a friendly community who all want to experience the best things that gaming has to offer. Take Heavy Rain for example. It was a magical game that showed me what games could achieve. I felt it deserved GOTY in many categories, but it had one major fall back. It was  only on PS3. In my opinion, everyone needed to experience this game, everyone needed to see how games have developed into something close to an art form, but this damn exclusivity is getting in the way. Same can be said for Mass Effect 2. When originally released, it was hugely praised and received some of the highest scores ever seen, but only a select few could play it, even though everyone deserved and needed to play it.

And here we are, gone in a full circle. This generation have forgotten why we love gaming in the first place. Instead of discovering and playing the all round greatest gaming experiences, we just fight that our game is better than yours. The whole gaming community need to open their eyes as we have all become a little to close minded and tunnel visioned on beating our rivals, when really, there shouldn't be any. 2011 see's the arrival of The Last Guardian from Team Ico. I know it will be incredible and a must play experience, but I fear that it will be simply shunted by others and abused by PS3 fanboys. Its sad to see where we have got to.

I will keep repeating it. We need to remember that gaming is about the games, not about which console is better, Instead of creating an experience that would only benefit one pack of wolves, why not open it up and show the whole world what can be achieved, and give everyone the chance to play it? We need to stop the silly fighting and realise that gaming is a real art form, and until we do that, gaming will forever be seen as an immature place for squabbling. If we take ourselves seriously, others will too.