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.