HotChops

ditto. Day 13: Almost every game I own.

When you watch or play a fantasy film/game obviously there is a required suspension of disbelief, one that is usually established early on, for example we are asked to imagine someone has made an underwater city, or a floating one in this case, but there still has to be rules to this world. Imagining that someone could build the technology to make a floating city is a lot different from believing that a normal human could travel along a rail at high speed, hanging by one arm, then leap off somehow and fall massive distances before again catching onto a rail without tearing his arm out it's socket. Plus it makes no sense how the hook connects to the rail. I don't think I explained that very well, basically unless Irrational establish that this is a world where everyone has impossibly strong left arms, then it's not OK for everyone to have impossibly strong left arms. And I know it's not a massive thing, but it's something that really annoys me, especially in films. Like I said, if the gameplay actually merits it, and if it feels natural then hopefully it won't annoy me so much. You must love that part in Star Wars: Episode II when Anakin randomly free falls onto a moving speeder.

But the Tea Party is simply about low taxes and less government spending. Why would they be upset about a game that criticizes racist nationalists and paranoid gun owners?

I don't understand how it throws out the laws of physics. The rail functions a bit like a roller coaster. Yes, I'm sure it bends physics a bit, but then I gave up on the idea of absolute realism when I saw that the game involves a city held up by hot air balloons.

... are people just not that into Bioshock here? How many of you non-US people are familiar with the Tea Party? Did anyone enjoy the first game? I really loved the first one, but I was turned off by the quick-profit vibe of the second game. Once I actually played the second game's single player, I was pleased to see that it wasn't bad. It simply didn't add anything to the original story. It was more of a reproduction of the first game. BTW, how awesome is the reveal trailer for Bioshock Infinite? If you watch that trailer along with the original Bioshock trailer, they are very similar in nature. I also like the cartoonish humor thrown into the Bioshock Infinite trailer.

Day 12 I don't know anymore. I ask myself this question all the time. I've frequently looked for that "Citizen Kane of gaming" that can reach nearly everyone and make almost anyone who plays it respect gaming as a legitimate entertainment medium. I used to think it was Mass Effect (the first one,) now I think it's Heavy Rain -- which is ironic considering I haven't actually played it. But the truth is that I don't believe there is or ever will be one game that appeals to almost everyone. For starters, there are simply too many different ideas about what gaming ideally is. I chose Mass Effect and Heavy Rain because they are more like interactive films than challenge-based tests of skill. However, not everyone wants that in a game. Generally, I stick to my answers. Mass Effect and Heavy Rain provide deep stories, strong emotional experiences and characters that are not easily forgotten. Almost every game could use a little more of that.

(slightly NSFW) God bless Deviantart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_DSfjAdhlU This is definitely a first day purchase for me. I wasn't very big on Bioshock 2, but I love what I've seen and heard of Bioshock Infinite. I'm particularly interested in what the game will show about rabid nationalism. With the game being released during an election year in the US, I can't help but wonder if the game will garner criticism -- particularly from the Tea Party.

Day 11 At the moment, I'm all Xbox 360. I have a DS and iPhone, but I rarely play anything on them.

I'd say the physics need work; when he uses the grenade launcher, the concussive force seems very last gen. Some of the character animations are a bit clunky -- such as when the enemies die or attack. Or maybe it all just seems assy compared to the gorgeous cutscenes

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/three-ways-deus-ex/712111 It kinda looks like it needs more polish.

Day 10 Batman: Arkham Asylum or Prince of Persia (2003) Both have simplified and responsive controls.

On Garrus:

But a brick doesn't have a personality, it's just a ... oh, I get it really though, I don't think RDR was too sad and here's why:

Day 9 At first, I was going to say the ending of Read Dead Redemption, but when I really thought about it, I realized that I felt more proud than sad during that game's end. So I'm going with Aeris's death in FFVII. The main reason being that she was such an innocent and sweet character, and her death is depicted in such a sad, poignant way. It's a little bit in slow motion, like when you witness a tragic event. I also feel like this scene stands out from similar character deaths in games in that it's not followed immediately by some rage-fueled fight, but instead Sephiroth gets away and we're left instead with the process of grieving and burial.

Day 7 man... It's really hard for me to choose. To be fair, I kind of break it down into categories. For example, I think Mega Man 2 had great music for the NES. F-Zero had the best on SNES. I think Mass Effect 1 has seriously badass music that was perfect for that particular game. Contrast that with Assassin's Creed II's music which is perfect for that game.

awww... I got all excited for a moment; I was hoping for some new info. What was the previous thread title? ... I don't remember now. I'll hopefully get to play Skyrim at this year's Quakecon! I'll get a free T-shirt too.

Day 7 Shepard and Tali. The love story between my Shepard and Tali trumps any other romantic affair in Mass Effect. Ashley was a bigot and Liara was an Asari ditz, but Tali always provided good conversation. She'd talk about the Flotilla and her father. I always wanted to be with Tali. Two years later, we're reunited. I comforted her when she was going through some really hard times and we formed an emotional bond.

I've been thinking about Mass Effect 3 lately... I think this is the first time I've thought about it objectively since my initial joygasm over the announcement trailer during the VGA. I HATE THE ME3 TRAILER. I imagine there are two distinct possibilities: - the trailer is simply a marketing approach that makes the game look like Halo, or - the game actually does have a strong "war for Earth" focus. I'm dying for Mass Effect to return to roots. I want to explore another Prothean planet like Ilos. I want to visit the Turian homeworld. I want the codex to be full of new primary entries. It's probably just some momentary pessimism, but I'm worried that ME3 will just be ME 2.5; a lot of combat and ugly ruined worlds. I think it's time for Bioware to show us a trailer that actually involves space.

Day 6 Kendra from Dead Space 1. All she does is complain and talk shit to Hammond. I wanted to stomp on her corpse sooo bad.

I guess I'm in the sucker grouping. And I will say Guerrilla is kicking my ass. I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to be mean to anyone. It's just that for the last two years I've spent a lot of money paying full price for games that wound up being $40 or less within a couple of months. It got bad enough that it became my New Year's resolution to be more patient and wait for better deals later. Even something I'm psyched for like L.A. Noire is likely to be on sale a couple of months down the line. The game will probably be awesome, but is your average Call of Duty-Madden gamer going to be interested in lining up for it?

I know that we've had entire threads on the subject, so I shouldn't go into it much here; I think that's unofficially how it is now. Homefront was dropped to $40 within the first week, and soon it'll be in the $20-30 range. This seems to happen with all B games the last couple of years. I imagine there had to be at least some people at THQ who were prepared for this. It seems like the original $60 price tag is just for the hardcore fans (or suckers) who preorder and simply can't wait a week or two to play the game.

No! Over the years, I've come to realize that I've been wrong about everything in my life, and I draw the line here! This time, I'm not changing. I'm an American, damnit! I'm pretty sure the Bill of Rights includes a right to be willfully ignorant! Goddamndibly blinding light of information! I'm going back to Plato's metaphorical cave!

Pop up video! (you know, "pop up video" could easily have a negative connotation in the 21st century.)