Top Ten of 2012, Day 3

8. XCOM: Enemy Unknown

They struck hard and without warning one night, taking all of humanity by surprise. Aliens... ruthless killing machines with an unknown agenda. It falls on your shoulders as the head of XCOM to exterminate this extra-terrestrial threat, and save the world... or at least, what's left of it.

And with that, you're thrown into the deep end of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a reinvention of the classic strategy series. Developed by Firaxis, of Civilization fame, Enemy Unknown remains true to the decades-old originals while at the same time bringing the series into the modern world of gaming. At it's core, the title is a turn-based strategy game where you lead a squad of alien-hunting soldiers out into the unknown of one randomly-generated map after the next. On top of that, there's a resource managment aspect to the game in the form of your headquarters, where between missions you must perform autopsies, research new weapons, train soldiers, and maintain peace with your many diplomatic relations.

Keeping these many plates spinning is difficult throughout the entire game, but as least a few hours in you manage to get a better handle and understanding of how they each function and relate to each other. It's at this point you realize that even if you master all the different elements that comprise Enemy Unknown, it will still always present a tough challenge. This is because Enemy Unknown is an asshole of a game. The stakes are high, and it stays that way from start to finish. The aliens are cold-blooded and ruthless, taking out members of your squad with no remorse or hesitation.

That Firaxis manages to make you feel a connection to what are essentially disposable members of your squad, despite the fact that none of them have any spoken lines or individual characteristics, is a testament to how solid the leveling system is. These men and women literally go through the ringer at your command, and seeing them level up, progressively becoming stronger and more powerful, brings a sense of pride and satisfaction. That they can so easily be ripped away from you seems almost cruel on the part of the developers.

Despite it's several bugs, glitches, and frame-rate issues, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a smart, user-friendly, modern day RTS. Even if you're not a fan of the genre, it is still very much worth your time.

Top Ten of 2012, Day 2

9. Dust: An Elysian Tail

If ever there was truth to the idea of a work being more than the sum of it's parts, you could find that in Dust: An Elysian Tail. Although, truth be told, the individual parts that comprise Dust are just as impressive as the collective whole. Even more so when you realize that each of those individual parts were mainly designed by one person.

The first game from Humble Hearts studio, which is in fact just first-time developer Dean Dodrill, Dust sets out to acomplish several goals, and achieves them all masterfully. At it's core, the game is a hack-and-slash adventure in the style of Vanillaware's output, but that's far from all. Dust is basically everything Dean likes about video games all rolled up into one- there's a Metroidvania element, rpg mechanics, a combo system, a crafting system... I could go on.

Story-wise, Dust plays with the biggest trope used in both anime and rpg's- the mysterious hero with amnesia- but does so without it feeling tired and stale. This is mostly done through the pure charm of the storytelling and character designs- the world of Dust, despite it's sometimes-heavy subject matter, is a warm one... a place you enjoy inhabiting.

The combat and exploration all feel buttery-smooth, fun, and enjoyable. The combo system keeps the numerous battles from ever growing boring or repetitive, and there's just enough collectables, upgrades, and side-quests to keep you curious and uncovering different parts of the map.

In a time when over-the-top violence seems to dominate the medium, a select few games are reminding us that a game doesn't need blood by the bucket to be enjoyable. Dust: An Elysian Tail is one of them, and it's one of the best of the year.

Top Ten of 2012, Day 1

10. Mass Effect 3

On the surface, ME3 is the ultimate refinement of everything we've come to love about the series, but digging into the meat of the beast, EA's influence over Bioware becomes readily apparent.

From a marketing campaign focusing on the "sexy" and "new user friendly" aspects of the title, to the bigger emphasis on combat and multiplayer, it's easy to spot where a higher up within the company piped in with a "Well, what if we added..." This isn't to say that a game should be judged by the behind the scenes antics of it's production, but if the end result is a bad taste left in your mouth, you have to call a spade a spade.

So, looking past all that, what's left?

Well, what we're given is a title that does its best to wrap up years worth of A plots and B plots (and C,D, and E plots for that matter). Sometimes it all comes off a bit too convenient and tidy, but overall the resolutions are satisfying. One area where the game is sorely lacking is with the supporting cast. Major players from part 2, whom you assumed would be with you until the end, are benched for just about the entire game, despite having vital roles previously. One has to wonder why new characters are being introduced this late in the story while other characters that you're already invested in are literally stand around a waiting room for the entire game, as if there's nothing better to do.

What the benching of these characters does, whether it was Bioware's intent or not, is it places the focus of the narrative more on Shepard than the cast. The problem with focusing on the one instead of the many is that Shepard him or herself is only as interesting as the company they keep. Sure, you can build a story up around your individual version of Shepard, but we've spent hours and hours with these crew members, and our attachment to them is just as deep, if not deeper, than our investment to Shepard. That they are absent, or only minor players at best in this grand finale, makes it a lesser tale.

Regarding the tale, I wish I could tell you why it begins the way that it does, but seeing as I didn't purchase the last piece of DLC for ME2, I was left totally in the dark, and completely confused. I had to play catch-up, both online, and within the narrative, just to get a basic grasp of what had happened in the time between parts 2 and 3. Again, you have to call a spade a spade, Bioware/EA.

Once you're off and running (for reals- you flee Earth), the game gets to telling its story, and does so mostly competently. Mass Effect 3 is a war movie with a controller. The wide-eyed spectacle of the first game, and the down and dirty black ops nature of the second are traded in for Saving Private Ryan in space. The tone and level design fit with what they're doing with the narrative, but this leads to several sections of the game that just feel repetitive (which, seeing as some of these levels were built for multiplayer, they are) and lacking when compared to the high notes of the first two games.

Where Mass Effect 3 shines is it's one on one moments, and character resolutions. When it's just Shepard and someone that he's forced to put in harms way, those conversations are pure gold, and remind you that when they bring their a-game, Bioware are second to none. These scenes can be gut-wrenching at times, and I wished there were more of them in the final product. As it stands, the bulk of the game has weight and depth, but most of that is undermined by how everything plays out in the end.

As for the games ending, and how we get there, that's a whole different conversation. The end of Mass Effect 3 breaks the series in several ways, and is compounded by the addition of the extended cut material. At least with the original ending, you could say it was a definitive poor ending. Now, it's just muddy and reactionary. I've heard the Leviathan DLC fleshes out what comes in the ending further, and sets you up to be more accepting of it, but honestly if that's the case, then it should have been in the game. Just like the From Ashes DLC.

Mass Effect 3 is a mostly-enjoyable conclusion to the trilogy, but it should have been better. It should have been game of the year. And it's not.

Max Payne's Sunset

Max Payne 3 is far from a perfect game, but it's a memorable experience, and one that I'd say was needed for Max himself for several reasons.

First and foremost, the game keeps Max around and in people's minds. He's a character that should never be idle for too long in the landscape of gaming or pop culture. In an age where the gritty anti-hero has become passe, Max endures as both representation and caricature.

Second, and most importantly, part 3 evolves Max in a few key ways. Up until now, Max was a creature of New York. The folly of sequels is usually they end up being more of the same- setting characterization, etc. With Max no longer in the hands of his creators- Remedy- it would be easy for just any studio to make another one of those games. Luckily, Rockstar aren't just any studio. What Rockstar did with 3 is move Max forward. He's no longer a creature of New York- he's now an avenging angel. One that belongs to the whole world. He's a pulp hero who can be anywhere he's needed.

So regardless of whatever iffy choices you may feel Rockstar made in terms of gameplay, or story, or whatever, realize that Max is in a better place now than he has been since the credits on part 2 started rolling.

Criminals the world over had better watch out. And if you haven't played Max Payne 3 yet, I strongly suggest you change that. It's a dark, bleak, and worthwhile experience.

Redefining Survival Horror

Two episodes in, and Telltale's The Walking Dead is proving to be something of a trans-formative, revelatory title for not just the company, but for an entire genre.

First off, despite the studio's pedigree, don't think of The Walking Dead as an adventure game. It's not. It's something much more- a true evolution of survival horror.

The fact is, survival horror as a genre has been at best stalled, and at worst dead in the water since Silent Hill 2. After the release of that monumental title, it's almost like no one knew what to do with the genre. We had Resident Evil 4 move the series into action game territory, Dead Space refine what Res4 started, and Silent Hill itself lose it's footing and stumble over the course of a decade. There were other contenders who came close- the Siren's and Fatal Frame's of the world, but all of these titles made the same mistake:

Survival Horror shouldn't be about the combat.

What The Walking Dead accomplishes is it puts you in a character's shoes, and doesn't let you out of them no matter what. You make the decisions that no one else can. You have to live with the consequences of those choices. For context, imagine if the revelation of your wife in Silent Hill 2 was your decision to make. Imagine if you had to do the blood test in The Thing, or pull the trigger at the end of The Mist. These are the situations you find yourself in when playing The Walking Dead, and the result is a pitch-perfect blend of jump scares, psychological horror, and devastating fallout.

As long as they stick the landing with episodes three through five, Telltale will have produced a masterpiece- one that several will try to replicate and improve upon for years to come, just as others have done with Silent Hill 2.

This is quickly shaping up to be my game of the year.

Hopes and Dreams

Nothing major today, just some stuff that's been on my mind...

-Eternal Darkness HD

-Along those same lines, I hope Silicon Knights can get their act together. I'd really like to See Eternal Darkness 2 and Too Human... 2.

-Snatcher 3DS remake

-Half-Life3, L4D3, TF3, and Portal 3... THE ORANGE BOX 2! I know this will never happen, but the articles called hopes and dreams.

Thoughts on E3 2012 Day 1

Let's start at the top, and work our way down.

The best reveals of the day obviously went to Watch Dogs, The Last Of Us, and Assassin's Creed 3, in that order.

Watch Dogs took me completely by surprise. I'd heard nothing about it, and watching the game in action, I was floored. This is the stealth/espionage action game I've been waiting my whole life for. Fingers crossed the final product lives up to the expectations that come from this demo...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FcMRkyoHKeA
Traffic Accidents! Eavesdropping! Splode! Oh, my!

I've been down with Last Of Us from the start, and this walk-through just got me even more excited. All the dramatic tension that was absent from Uncharted is overflowing here, and it's wonderful. Every step is tense. You feel every blow- the sound design is amazing. And last but not least, let's not forget what they've managed to pull off with Ellie... this is no escort mission. She can handle herself, and she's more likely to clock a fool with a brick than cry out for help. Excellent, Naughty Dog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8ZYkj0glnqs
You got knocked the fuck out!

Ubisoft took things to the next level with this naval battle reveal. I don't know how much stuff like this is going to factor into Assassin's Creed 3 as a whole, but that it's in there at all is commendable. This is warfare on the seas like I've never seen in a game before. Could not be looking forward to it's release more than I already am now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8ZYkj0glnqs
Big ship go boom...

Next up, let's talk about surprises. And by that I mean stuff I knew existed, but didn't think would get my attention as much as it did.

I'm a big fan of Cage and Quantic- played through both Indigo Prophecy and Heavy Rain. Not fully done cooking, as ideas or games, but still excellent attempts at pushing the medium forward. So, here we are with his next major release: Beyond. I knew his new title would be announced, but I wasn't prepared to feel much more for it than "yeah, I'll play it." Instead, I found myself invested and wanting to know more. It's amazing what his team is able to pull out of the PS3. Here's a look...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8ZYkj0glnqs

I had less than no interest in Lost Planet as a franchise. I gotta admit, though- this trailer for part 3 is getting me a little tingly. We'll see how the final product turns out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8ZYkj0glnqs

I usually hold out little to no hope for both film tie-ins and Spidey games. But... maybe?

http://www.allgamesbeta.com/2012/06/amazing-spider-man-game-trailer.html

And here are my honorable mentions. Looking forward to these, but they didn't light my world on fire...

http://www.allgamesbeta.com/2012/06/splinter-cell-blacklist-e3-2012.html

http://www.allgamesbeta.com/2012/06/far-cry-3-step-into-insanity-trailer.html

http://www.allgamesbeta.com/2012/06/halo-4-trailer-and-gameplay-demo.html

http://www.allgamesbeta.com/2012/06/dead-space-3-trailer.html

http://www.allgamesbeta.com/2012/06/tomb-raider-e3-direct-feed-footage.html

http://www.allgamesbeta.com/2012/06/resident-evil-6-gameplay-walkthrough.html

http://www.allgamesbeta.com/2012/06/south-park-stick-of-truth-trailer.html

http://www.giantbomb.com/e3-2012-xcom-is-mankinds-last-stand/17-6082/

http://www.giantbomb.com/e3-2012-gears-aint-heroes/17-6065/

The Best News To Come From The Big Huge Scandal

http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6380047/laid-off-reckoning-devs-landing-at-epic-games

This makes me happy. Glad to hear some of those affected will be landing on their feet. My best to all others.

The Hell Was That?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Yb_Gpqoc1wQ

I liked it, I think. Wha?

Here's to 38 Studios and Big Huge Games. I'm enjoying Reckoning for what it is, and I really do hope everyone employed there lands on their feet.

Dragon's Lair

With the release of Dragon's Lair on XBLA, it's become clear that unless Bluth plans on riding his classic title into the sunset, it's time for the equally revered and despised series to get a Heavy Rain-ish makeover.

Imagine a new installment with gorgeous hand-and-computer-animated graphics that controls like an iteration of everyone's favorite current-gen choose-your-own-adventure Serial Killer tale.

I'm just saying, that'd be pretty sweet. Come on, people- I'm straight up giving these ideas away!

My Favorite Video Features Online

Podcasts are great background noise for making comics, but sometimes you want to look up. These are the best game-centered video features online...

Obviously, the kings of video game features online are clearly the guys at Giant Bomb. Four years and counting, they've kept me entertained. http://www.giantbomb.com/videos/

Replay is a feature that Game Informer has been running over two years now, and I sadly just discovered it a few months ago. There's a huge archive, and every episode is hilarious and entertaining. http://www.gameinformer.com/p/replay.aspx

Dodger, and her short video segment, Press Heart To Continue, is a great way to catch up on news in the industry that you may have missed. She's cute, smart, funny, engaging, and manages to bring a personal, succinct spin to what would other times be bland, uninteresting bits of information. http://www.youtube.com/user/PressHeartToContinue

While I often find myself disagreeing with the opinions of the hosts of Invisible Walls, I still value their insight as veterans of the industry who know a thing or two about a thing or two. http://www.gametrailers.com/show/invisible-walls

So there you go- tons of content to keep your eyes and ears occupied while writing, drawing, or whatever. Get to it.

Thoughts on the Future of Dragon Age

Bioware has announced that they're looking for monthly feedback on what people are looking for in a future installment of Dragon Age. Rather than get lost in a sea of fans crying out for answers about fill-in-the-blank, I thought I'd post here my thoughts as short and to the point as I could make them. Obviously, without going too in-depth, as I don't think it's a fan's job to do a creator's job (and, not to mention, I come up with ideas for a living, so call me, Bioware).

Ok, here we go...

As a fan of the series, here's what I'm looking for...

-Consistency. I was one of those that loved DA2 despite it's many flaws. One of the things I couldn't stand, however, was the vastly-different feel of the world and it's design as opposed to DA:O. The Kunari, the Darkspawn, etc... the entire look and design of the world seemed to have gotten a face-lift, with little to no explanation as to just how and why things had changed.

When world-building, you can show us more and let us discover further the how's and why's of a race or location, but what was established in the previous story has to remain true. The player shouldn't have to go digging through an obscure codex entry to understand why, for example, the Kunari "pulled a Klingons" between the first and second games. As great as the design work felt in part 2, so much of it seemed just wrong or contradictory to what had been established.

-Closure. I know it's EA's business to make and sell more games, but a franchise can live on while still bringing finality to a story. There are too many sloppy, dangling plot threads from the first two games for Bioware to repeat their mistakes with Mass Effect 3 when it comes to plot and resolution.

Without giving away spoilers, what happened after Witch Hunt, the war between the two sides in DA2, and Flemyth's ultimate plans and goals are all things that should be addressed. Also, as every character is someone's favorite, each and every one of them deserves their own "final sentence," so to speak. You don't need a party roster of 40 characters, but they each deserve better than what most characters in ME3 got.

-The best of both worlds. The Hero and The Champion. The meeting of these two, and the decisions they make together and separately, should be at the core of of DA3. And this should be reflected in the game itself.

DA3 should take the epic scope of the first game, the combat of the second, and hybridize them into something new and equally unique. A vast and epic tale that manages to retain the intimate, personal drama people have come to expect from the brand.

I doubt anyone from Bioware will actually ever see this, but regardless, I had thoughts I had to get written down. I really do love the studio, and everything they produce. I wish and hope for nothing but the best from this third installment of Dragon Age. Now get to work, guys!

This Shit Is Crazy

Aside from putting an entire state $75 million in the hole... potentially... this is horrible exposure for games. I hope 38 and the state are able to make an arrangement, and I also hope Amalur is able to start turning some kind of profit. It's not a mind-blowing title, but it's enjoyable none-the-less. May even end up on my GOTY list somewhere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BZ_6PkeO_g8#!

Best Thing I've Seen Today 5/15/12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ShP5xn9Tz90#!

I'm normally not one to get hyped by a cinematic trailer, but both that they've released so far for The Last Of Us are looking really incredible. Let's hope we get a look at actual game play soon, and that it lives up to the potential of these great trailers.

Back At It

So, I'm freelance again when it comes to talking about and reviewing games.

But, before we look ahead, I want to take a minute to link some of my favorite posts during my time at PN. It was a great experience, and I wish the best to all involved.

In the coming weeks and months, I'll be posting mostly editorials and reviews. My day job may get in the way from time to time, but I'll post as often as I'm able. Also, I'll spruce the look of the page up. Right now I just wanted to get something off the ground.

And now, on with the trip down memory lane...

One of my last editorials, and the one I got the most shit for. Gotta love keyboard courage: http://www.platformnation.com/2012/02/27/when-is-epic-too-epic/

My favorite time of the year was December, because I loved compiling my GOTY lists. Here's my 2010 and 2011 entries:
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/01/03/a-personal-best-of-the-year-list-2010-part-1/
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/01/04/a-personal-best-of-the-year-list-2010-part-2/
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/12/30/a-personal-best-of-the-year-list-2011-part-1/
http://www.platformnation.com/2012/01/02/a-personal-best-of-the-year-list-2011-part-2/

I handled a lot of reviews. Here are some of the better write-ups:
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/11/07/rocketbirds-hardboiled-chicken-review-psn/
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/10/21/dark-souls-review-360/
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/09/14/warhammer-40000-space-marine-review-360/
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/09/09/bloodrayne-betrayal-review-psn/
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/06/23/duke-nukem-forever-review-xbox-360/

The best thing about video games:
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/07/04/dude-video-games/

There were times I thought the loss of a person important to the entertainment industry should be mentioned, even if not strictly related to gaming:
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/02/22/a-voice-that-mattered/
http://www.platformnation.com/2010/08/26/a-place-where-life-and-all-its-joys-are-revered/
http://www.platformnation.com/2010/07/13/heres-our-guy/

An article I feel is still relevant, especially in today's climate where mid-tier releases are becoming extinct:
http://www.platformnation.com/2010/07/22/when-did-average-become-a-bad-thing/

My favorite type of editorial is one that sheds light on something that's lacking. It's sad that a lot of these are still applicable:
http://www.platformnation.com/2010/06/11/the-lost-art-of-instruction-manuals/
http://www.platformnation.com/2010/08/20/a-decline-in-horror/
http://www.platformnation.com/2010/11/02/pieces-of-a-whole/
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/03/01/whos-that-masked-man/
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/03/07/an-ode-to-jank/
http://www.platformnation.com/2011/07/25/needs-more-spy/

Thanks again for the good times, PN. And to those who are along for this new ride, thanks for hanging out. I'll do my best to make it entertaining.