So, hey! Another one of these blogs. Weird, eh? Anyway, I’m Epic and these are my opinions. A segment where I usually just talk about what the hell I think about videogames.

Apparently 2012 has been a rather high boiling point for Video Games. From what I’ve seen, it’s been just been a backlash at once respected devs to now be demoralized as trash. I have some thoughts about these things. Today, I’m going to discuss some problems in the industry that I believe should be focused on.

Localized game sales

Problem



Let’s begin with an example: Tales of Graces F. The game has released in North America on March 13th, 2012, so by now a month has passed. It’s total recorded sales estimate (and take this link with a grain of salt) so far is 180,000 copies sold. The Japanese version, expectedly, sold 200,000 within it’s first week.(1) Normally, this would be expected from localizations. But what worries and irks me is that Namco Bandai is virtually putting the future of localization of the Tales series in this game. What’s bad enough that there was no advertising from either gaming blogs (even Dtoid, surprisingly) or television, the fact that I had to make my retailer go back in stock to get a copy for me--a game that JUST came out, mind you., and it’s not a multiplatform title. I hate that. Namco Bandai has the resources to put Graces--no, any of their titles to all platforms, but for some reason they refuse, wether it be ‘fear of sales on consoles’ or Japanese devs approaching the common stereotype that 360/PC gamers DON’T play JRPGS. Which is just a misconception. Even if they don’t play or not, the game will still be somewhat supported in sales from even the PC fanbase.

Solution
Make it multiplatform.

Capcom



Problem
Ok, I really don’t want to spend time on this subject, because you all know where I stand on Capcom. I love em, love em to death. That being said, I know that they have a problem. On disc DLC, buggy game releases, neglect of other IPs to continue to shell out their stable franchises, and fucking insane Special Editions for games (I will /not/ spend 1800 dollars on fucking RE6.). These are problems I fully acknowledge. I want them to listen to what fans think, yet at the same time I don’t want them to cave to our expectations. But at this point, outside of me, this’ll be the best thing for them to do. There, I said it. I’m still buying the DLC for SFxT, I’m still buying DmC and Dragons Dogma. Suck it. Also, if you bought SFxT and you’re still complaining, to quote Kyousuke Nanbu: "What? Your game is glitchy and doesn't work right? Fuck you, you entitled bitch, you got the game, how DARE YOU demand a working product.”

Solution
Listen to the fans, Capcom. Please.

Bioware

*ahem*



Gamers are not entitled to have an ending to a videogame changed because they don’t like it. It’s /Bioware’s/ creation, not yours. End of discussion.


….Really? That’s all? Huh.

This is probably the worst idea ever.

Rayman Origins. GOTY 2011, obviously. It does everything right, which makes it a perfect game in every way and form. So, Ubisoft Montepiller are just in their offices, with Michel Ancel sitting in his chair made of valuable leathers from the Disney animator offices wearing a necklace of Bugs Bunny's tail. Just sitting there. Thinking. How can they make the best platforming game even better? I mean, they can't just copy/paste levels and call it 'Rayman Origins 2' and add online. While awesome, that'd make it way to easy. No no no, they need something better, something that not just represents Rayman, but the legacy (whether it be good or bad, and for the record DRM sucks ass, Ubisoft.) that Ubi left for 25+ years. So, what if we have a Rayman game, but with multiple Ubisoft stars?

We have Rayman and Friends.

The Story

About say, a week after the events of Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc and before Raving Rabbids, The Bubble Dreamer decides to host a party in celebration of Rayman defeating Andre the Hoodlum and Reflux. (for the record, they're all speaking in Gibberish and pig-latin in this game.) They're all having fun, eating cake and whatnot, while in the background, The Bubble Dreamer is blowing quite peculiar bubbles. Some that's showing portals into different worlds even. One specific bubble floats away, landing into the hands of a new, unnamed antagonist that is only known as "The Chaos." He grabs the bubble, and opens it up to release an evil plague of darkness that engulfing the glade of dreams. Ahriman from Prince of Persia 2008.

Then, the Glade of Dreams begins to freak the hell out, so to speak. Red lums changing into hoodlums, Hot Mama AND Mr. Dark are back, and to make it all worse, the Teensies are enslaved again along with the Darktoons. Naturally, Rayman and his bro Globox wants to go save the Glades. But they're two people short. Remember those bubbles with different worlds I was talking about? Well, those worlds are different Ubisoft titles. Assassin's Creed II, Beyond Good and Evil, PoP 2008, Splinter Cell, etc. Rayman needs the assistance to go stop "The Chaos." So him and Globox, along with the aid of Murfy and Betilla, head off into these new uncharted worlds to gather heroes like Desmond, Jade & Pey'J, Prince & Elika, etc.

How would it look>?



The UbiArt Framework engine would still be the main powerhouse for the game, seeing as it is still a 2D platformer. The Rayman characters will still have their offbeat and goofy designs and looks, so generally the only ideal new designs would be the other newer levels. I was imaging for the first world, the Assassin's Creed II stage, of a sorta formalized and colourful version of a bustling Florence, Italy, probably a year after the events of ACII and before ACBrotherhood. The characters would have great interaction with the worlds. Running through thick crowds of people would gain individual reactions from the background like confused looks and frightening glares. This is easily possible with UbiArt. As with Origins, jumping from different worlds will give great changes, like sneaking and jumping in dark corridors in the Splinter Cell world, to riding the winds and sand in Prince of Persia.

Gameplay?

In Origins, every character was the same. Same punches, same kicks, same jumps, etc. In Rayman and Friends, I want to see the characters with different abilities, which opens up newer ways to traverse levels. Example: Ezio. Ezio is a high flying and acrobatic assassin. He'd be a faster character than Rayman, and gets more momentum when jumping off of a standing platform, eventually sending him skyrocketing into the air. He has a few key weapons, like his hidden blades, his hidden pistol, and the hook-blade from Assassin's Creed Brotherhood. He can approach an enemy and--in a comedic fashion, of course--stab someone until they explode into a giant bubble. In the levels, there'd be different elements in the game that could allow Ezio climb/jump/hook-blade to, revealing an Eagle Vision perch. Activating his eagle vision, it's gives him the opportunity to spot more Skull Coins and other hidden Teensy cages that are permanently marked on screen. Then followed by a jump into a hay-barrel full of lums.



Then we have the Idea of companion characters, like Prince and Elika. They'd still act as one character, but they both have individual traits. Prince handles combat, Elika handles special platforming, and all of that can be controlled by simply pushing a face button. For isntance, since Ahriman is infecting the Glades, some stuff from PoP 2008 will return like the Ormazd plates. Elika can channel her energy into the plates, sending the duo flying to another part of the level--sometimes even fighting more enemies. As with 2008, If the prince were to fall, Elika can save him from death. Unlike their game, she only has three chances to do so. Again, we have another acrobatic character with Prince. He can jump over enemies gracefully, use his claw to wallrun over hazards, and his comedic stature returns as well. Of course, this is only the beginning. New ideas like Rayman getting his can abilites from Rayman 3 is one, Globox with his plum juice, and SAM FISHER CHOKING PEOPLE IN MIDAIR are a few as well.

This is the sequel to an amazing game that i've been dreaming of. It's virtually impossible for Ubi to do this, but if Origins is the long term seller that they say it is, then maybe the future is bright for this dream.

I bought Gotham City Impostors on Saturday. It’s safe to say that it isn’t the first time I've experienced the shooter at all. I’ve played the beta extensively for sometime, enjoying every aspect that the shooter provides (BEAR STALKER, SON) and some of the things that I've hated (Broken party system is broken.) After a good few days with the game, I’d like to give a solid look back on my thoughts of the game, and what I would like to see in the future to improve it.

I must warn you: I’m going to get hype.



Now to start off, let’s talk about the atmosphere a bit. Now when I play GCI, I am instantly reminded of The Adventures of Batman and Robin/Batman: The Animated Series. All of that charm that came from the cartoon series is perfectly emulated in this game. The environment (Specifically Amusement Mile and ACE Industries) just has that mixture of realistic and crude charm perfectly placed in the game. The characters’ seemingly infinite customizations gives me smiles--especially the Jokerz. You won’t believe how funny/infuriating it is to get sniped by a Bear Stalker (BEAR STALKER, SON) by a muscular man with a sultry Russian voice wearing nothing but a tutu. Or get stunned by a boomerang by a Bats character wearing nothing but leather. All of the quips and lines shot out by the Leader of Bats/Jokerz are equivalent to that of the administrator from Team Fortress 2. They’re /that/ well written and /that/ well expressed that gets me excited to play the game.

Now let’s talk about the weapons.



When you play Initiation, the leader of the Bats explains how Batman acts out his work through brute yet non lethal force. The Bats are the opposite, obivously. He also stresses how the gear Batman has is much more advanced from the weapons they ‘found.’ Crudely made Rocket Launchers, makeshift ninja smoke bombs, Slingshot grenades, pipe-bombs, Bow and Arrows (BEAR STALKER, NIGGA) a bearing ball assault rifle, a mr. freeze makeshift rifle, and among other things, the Gadgets. The Gadgets make the game stand out. The top Gadgets--The Spotting Goggles, Grappling gun, and The Bat-glider--shows how far the characters will go to emulate Batman and enforce his justice to the villains of Gotham.

But this game /does/ have it’s flaws.


It’s obvious that this game wanted to be a Free 2 Play shooter, what with the 200+ DLC releasing, and the Black Market system. I don’t want to focus on that, but I will give my final thoughts: The game does have 1000 levels for the person to rank through, and earning coins is difficult. If people want to buy the costumes, or double XP, let them. People are stupid. Aside from that, the game’s connectivity issues are a drag, especially when you use gadgets. The fact that the game has only three game modes and five maps are a bother too, considering it has so much more content for people to play on. Hopefully with the upcoming DLC (that’s free!), they’ll continue to stream in more content for the supporters, because I predict this game to stay afloat on the LIVE/PSN/PC servers.



GCI is a really great shooter. It has flaws, yes, but it takes that generic modern shooter formula (CoD) and spins it into something more enjoyable and original. I applaud Monolith and WB games for providing such a fresh take on the Batman franchise, and wish nothing but the best for this game.

also, BEAR STALKER, SON!

yup, failblog it.

God, do I love Rayman Origins. I just, really, really love it so fucking much. Obvious Game of the Year 2011, and if anyone says otherwise...well, that’s cool. You obviously haven’t played Rayman, of course. It just does ‘everything’ right. The controls, the atmosphere, the music (GOOD LORD THE FUCKING MUSIC HHHHNNNGGG), yes it would seem that this beautiful platformer is obiviously the perfect platformer.

...But, where the fuck is the online play?




Now see here, I’m all for those games that try to recreate that feel of four friends on the couch burning through levels and having fun. I support that 100% for certain games. Repeat: “certain” games. But for Rayman Origins, a game that consists of a four player co-op campaign and that EMPHASIZES that you should play this with friends, really dropped the ball by not adding online co-op. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “But Epic, you can still beat the game by yourself.” Yes. I know of this. I beat it myself multiple times. But you have to understand we live in this modern and social world consisting mostly of people on their asses typing on a computer or playing CoD. Not embracing the fact that most people play games online is really stupid, ESPECIALLY since this is Ubisoft we’re talking about. The same people that make online passes and DRM for their games FFS.



I’m not one of those people that require online for every single game, mind you. I know when a games does (Scott Pilgrim, NSMBWii, Kirby Wii) and doesn’t (Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood/Revelations. Mass Effect 3.) need it. It’s just tiresome to see developers who know they can make money by adding the feature don’t do it because of whatever belief that they have. They also have to accept that Rayman as a brand has been pretty much declining in popularity since removing him from the god awful Rabbids series. As much as you don’t like it, certain games need the online function to keep it afloat and relevant in today’s industry.

Like it or hate it, Online is essential for certain games. Unless you’re nintendo, don’t expect to release a full retail platformer w/ 4 player coop without online to get sales. It just doesn’t work for those games. I hope in the future--if Rayman Origins gets a sequel-- Ubi will go with their greedy gut and put online in the game, to appease both the fans and their accountants.

Now, go fucking buy Rayman Origins.

Oh hey. Been a while, huh? What was that last blog I wrote? The whole, “I am the Worst Gamer in the World” thing? Cool. Anyway, it’s 2012. I did things. Pretty cool things. Pretty stressful things. But you don’t want to know about the stressful stuff, let’s just talk about the cool things for now.


Herschel...

Dtoider Rammstein has an amazing taste in videogames. Whenever I would be stuck with what game I should buy, he comes out of nowhere with a game. He recommended me Bastion, Supergiant Games’ Action/RPG title. What can I say about the title that I haven’t shouted on my twitter before? It’s a solid action title with an amazing story, musical score, and gameplay. Unsuprisingly, the character Rucks (the narrator, i.e the only guy in the game that says a thing) is my most favorite character in the game. He puts in alot of personality and soul into the actions that The Kid makes. There’s little to be known of the man other than (SPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILER) He was a Mancer, and one of the folks who helped design the Bastion along with Zia’s father, Venn. (SPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILER). Hopefully, if they continue to make DLC, they go a bit more in depth in his character than just the Stranger’s Dream.


The War Mage: The manliest sounding name ever.

Another game Rammstein has recommended to me is Orcs Must Die!, which I think is just the greatest little tower defense of all time. It does Tower Defense well. I mean really fucking well. It’s an extremely challenging game and it’s only one of the few TD games that actually make me /think/ where to put my towers and traps instead of slapping them anywhere. I got it for free actually from a good friend of mine (who’s a total achievement whore), so there’s that. I would’ve gladly gave Robot Entertainment the $15 it deserves. An outstanding title.

So, Demos. I played 4 of them, and to save time on writing, here’s just a brief look at the games’ demos and my thoughts.


OH COME ON HE’S LIFTING A THUMB!

Asura’s Wrath--I honestly don’t see the problem with hating the demo. It’s an amazing demo that kept me smiling throughout both episodes. It does those cheesy 90s anime to justice, and does it /well/. I’m sold on the boss battles alone, but I would like to see how gameplay turns out. A solid purchase.


I hate Lightning.

Final Fantasy XIII 2-- I hated FFXIII. I really, really did. After playing this, it does give me a glimmer of hope on how this installment will turn out. They fixed the fucking Paradigms, for god’s sake. If that isn’t a start, I don’t know what is. I still don’t like the generic hero/heroines, but everything else I feel okay about. A solid rental.


Es-tah-cah-dough

The Darkness 2--Oh man, where to begin? This demo proved that Digital Extremes can handle what Starbreeze did. It’s still a tight, fun, and interesting shooter that gives the comic series a good name. The Darkling is fucking annoying though.


I love this concept art.


Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning-- This game does what Molyneux couldnt do, at the cost of being very generic fantasy setting. Still, im loving what i played of the demo, so there’s that.

So there are my updates! If you’ll excuse me, i have to burp away a stomach ache...

(also, Ico is a piece of shit. Totally unrelated.)