Sorry for the delayed post. Was running EVERYWHERE while in LA and couldn't find time to get this posted with links and pics.




Now that the second and third day of the convention has passed, I’ll give you more highlights from the nerdgasm fest. The best times were spent with Nintendo where I made whoopee with Umbrella Chronicles, after which I headed over to THQ and messed with innovative and potentially dirty Drawn to Life.

Umbrella Chronicles is one of the stronger games of the show, as was expected. Unfortunately, Nintendo made the critical error of throwing the controllers into the new Wii Zapper when it was clearly meant to be played old skool, at least with that button setup, in your left and right hand. With that being said I don’t think I can give the best representation of how the game play felt since I didn’t get a chance to work with it outside of the Zapper. The Zapper made it awkward and nearly impossible at times to pick up objects, reload, and perform basic functions. Had they had these laid out the original way every button would have felt natural rather than strained and none of the problems that I was dealing with while playing through would have actually been a problem.

One trouble I found with Umbrella Chronicles that was not controller caused was in multiplayer. In the heat of things, it was almost too easy to get your reticule confused with the person next to you resulting in sometimes thinking that you are the best emm-effing shot with this game when in fact you are shooting the wall. It’s an odd ego booster, for a moment, that is followed by pure ego stompage. I’m sure if I had a little more time with the game this would not have been a problem. And I think it is fair to say that if this is it’s weakest point, we have a winner on our hands!


Overall, Umbrella Chronicles had solid gameplay (minus the wrong peripheral) the sound was instant, clear and vivid, and the graphics looked and felt like the Resident Evil games we know and love; dark, detailed, and sometimes a little too much going on at once between the freaky baddies and the wicked environments. Resident Evil fans will want to get their hands on this one. New to Resident Evil? You will still probably enjoy the storyline and solid gameplay.

Honorable Wii mention that made excellent usage of the Wii Zapper was Ghost Squad; a favorite arcade rails shooter being ported to the Wii. Hats off to Nintendo for saving me time and cash at the downtown arcade! If you are a time crisis or arcade rail shooter fan in general, this game kicks toosh…yeah I said it.


Across from Nintendo was the standoffish THQ displays that at first glance seemed unappealing since all I could see was Smackdown vs. Raw 2008. No offense to you wresting game fans out there, but I really wasn’t looking for a wrestling game to peak my interest at the event while surrounded by innovation and new ideas. I was able to push through the anticipation of same-old-same-old feel and get into the middle were a lone display stood of the low flying Drawn to Life. Instantly intrigued, having heard of this game before, I immediately made the mistake of starting a new game. Now before you go off thinking that this game is craptastic, let me explain in three words why starting from the beginning was a mistake. I got hooked. Though the actual gameplay itself reminded me of a mix between Sword of Mana, Mario Sunshine, and New Mario Bros, it was the ability to draw giant bewbs, long legs, and no arms (WTF!?) and a SW33T head only to watch each limb come to life as the playable main character in your quest for the game “god’s” restoration of their planet.

I only played for about fifteen minutes or so which left me a little worried to the average platforming the game presented. Luckily, I can’t remember a platformer that I haven’t been amused with through the end. And the ability to draw your well blessed hero makes the game even more appealing. If you subscribe to GameFly, put this on your list, other wise buy at your own risk. Cereal, when was the last time a decent 2D platformer combined with some RPG/Action Adventure elements and stylus controls went sour? I’m a sucker for platformers so I know I will be adding this to my X-mas list.

All in all, day two at the convention was pretty spectacular (given what they had) with exciting new games, but what topped the day was our visit to Video Games Live.

VGL was an experience unlike any other. Though I have to admit that I would have preferred it to be straight music with smooth transitions from piece to piece and game to game, from a broader perspective, the concert was completely big titties (that means good). The orchestra was well rehearsed, the video was timed well with the sound, the music itself was amazing, and the dick-toe-chat (see: pictochat) that ensued before, mid, and after the concert was hilarious. I think it goes without saying that if you even consider yourself a gamer, find out when they will be near you and GO!!!! I'm going to cut this a little short and talk about it a little more in the next blog.

Laters.


Also, cocks.