I Caved or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love Rock Band

After seeing, and covering, Rock Band at a few industry events and never being tempted to play the damn game I thought there would be no chance for the title to sneak its way into my collection.

I was wrong.

After watching drones of my friends list flock to the game I became more and more tempted to check it out.  The initial song list for the game isn’t terribly exciting.

While they have a few staples (for me at least) Weezer, Queens, The Who… good tracks to rock out to- it wasn’t enough for me to throw down the $170.

Also, another reason?  I’m not very good at these fucking games… I admit it.  I play the guitar for reals and Guitar games (Guitar Hero specifically) always made me feel like a chooch.

I can play the shit in real life, why can’t I figure it out in the game?!  I used to be a pretty proficient drummer too… so you’d see why I would be worried about throwing another $170 into the fire.

So why did I pick it up?

It’s the downloadable content that sealed the deal for me.

As promised during an interview I conducted with a Harmonix rep back in October, the track list has DOUBLED since the games release with fresh and fairly priced content.

Wolfmother?  CCR (albiet fake CCR)?  I’m gonna go with HELLS YEAH.

Having sat down with the guys at Harmonix and hearing them pitch these grand plans for new content and actually seeing it happen has made them one of the most respectable devs in the industry (in my eyes).

Having the game for one night, and only playing guitar and vocals, has already got me excited to delve deeper into the action.

Also, it affords me the rare chance to use the band name I’ve been keeping under my sleeve for a rainy day:

NOTES ON YOUR FACE.

Rock on bitches and/or pimps.

(Ed. Note: I really hit the hot button topic of November 2007 with this post)
Aforementioned Rock Band Interview

Internal Conflict: Issue 1 – Mass Effect (X360)

This has happened to nearly everyone visiting this or any gaming site; a game is released to so much admiration that you fear any issue you might have with it and ultimately don’t “get it.”

Such was the case for my first game in a series I’m calling; Internal Conflict.

Now, this column isn’t to say that I think these games are actually bad… this is me playing devil’s advocate in a way I’m not able to while I write reviews; so read it all before you call me a douche (or just call me a douche).

Tonight’s whipping boy/girl is BioWare’s Mass Effect.

THREE REASONS WHY MASS EFFECT IS CRAP

#1. SOMEONE SAVE ME!
While the industry has evolved in various areas, one area was only perfected in the last generation (on consoles at least); saving. When developers realized we were competent enough to dictate when we should save ourselves the balance was restored (although arguments can be made that this dumbs down all difficulty).

In order to control the pace and the difficulty of encounters in Mass Effect, BioWare has decided to use the Checkpoint system along with the Save Anywhere function. But, as other Splinter Cell veterans would refer to it as, this trial and error checkpoint system is horribly dated. The major issue comes when you realize that the checkpoints in the game are so few and far between you are likely to die before reaching the next invisible wall.

Implementation of checkpoints can work, but when you break the system you force gamers to take themselves out of the game to save out of fear every five minutes you lose everything that’s been done to immerse your audience. Mass Effect can be so beautiful and addictive in moments you might forget to save before a battle and when you make that realization it’s too late.

#2. IS IT CHOICE OR IS IT FATE?
While The Matrix sequels were disappointing they do provide a core philosophical concept to viewers; does choice really exist? BioWare is known as the morality developer, allowing gamers to shape the story around the choices made in the role as the lead character. While games like Knights of the Old Republic re-introduced this convention to the gaming world, BioWare has somehow broken their own perfected formula. More then ever you realize that the choices you make in the game don’t matter because ultimately you’ll either be good or bad. Decide which way you want to go, but as soon as you make that choice the entire game is based on fate.

Sheppard is destined to be evil or, Sheppard is destined to be good. Add to this that every morally sound choice is in the upper right quadrant of the speech tree and all the asshole-ish ones are the bottom-right (with the glowing blue or red ones for really good or bad speech thrown in for good measure) and the touted conversation system falls apart.

Sure you do decide as a gamer to go either way, but as Sheppard… your fate is sealed.

#3. PADDING IS FOR ASYLUMS
When Mass Effect was announced, the good doctors told us that we’d be able to visit a seemingly open-ended galaxy with a huge variety of side-quests that add to the story of the game. What we weren’t told is that every planet would essentially house the same quest, time and time again.

While it’s understandable that not every quest in the game can disclose the entire story of the series (it is a trilogy, right) it would be nice if these missions didn’t feel like they were added to pad the length of gameplay.

Here’s the best way to describe it:
Getting from Point A to Point B is really fun, but it’s only a 5 minute ride; to enrich the experience someone decides that in the middle of the trip from A to B you need to solve math equations in a timed sequence where failure results in getting fiercely kicked in the genitals. Sure it adds some time to the journey, but who the fuck wants that shit?

If Portal taught us anything, it’s that games need to deliver on the experience from Point A to Point B with the entire vision in tact without worrying about the ultimate value attached to the product. If that becomes an issue, lower your prices.

And, the second part of INTERNAL CONFLICT…

THE CORE REASON I’M COMPLETELY WRONG ABOUT MASS EFFECT

Besides coming from one of the most trusted game developers in the world (on both consoles and PC no less), BioWare has created a rich world that really demands our attention.

With wonderful writing and tried-and-true gameplay that keeps gamers glued to their screens, it is no wonder Mass Effect has been as successful at retail as it has been on Metacritic. Nit-picking aside, Mass Effect is one of the best exclusive titles available for the Xbox 360 and anyone remotely interested in role-playing games, strong story lines and compelling characters must own it today.

Just be weary; controlling the vehicle in the game is like trying to control a fat person’s direction by dangling a cheese burger on a stick in front of them to go right and an apple on a stick to go left…

Top Ten Games of 2007

1. BioShock (PC/X360)
Not since the release of the original Half-Life in 1998 has gameplay meshed so cohesively with its story creating an environment so surreal that it becomes its own character. BioShock, from the minds at 2K Boston, places gamers in the underwater city of Rapture; a safe haven for scientific experiments, war-time pettiness and questionable morality. Taking its cues from such classic literature as The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, BioShock melds interesting biotic powers with tight gun-play in a beautiful claustrophobic world. While the ending only creates more questions for the world then it answers, BioShock is one of the best told tales the video game industry has every had the pleasure of featuring. Whether you play it on the Xbox 360 or the PC, BioShock is an incredible artistic achievement this industry rarely produces and is truly the best game of 2007.

2. Portal: The Orange Box (PC/X360)
When creating my top ten list I decided that I would only feature one aspect of The Orange Box on my list and Portal won, and for good reason. Answering the question, that many people still don’t understand, that games don’t need to be epic adventures in order to show its value; Portal is one of the best experiences gamers will have regardless of its platform (Notice: At the time of this writing the PS3 version of The Orange Box is not available). With its incredible sense or humor and solid gameplay mechanics, Portal captures the attention (and hearts) of gamers faster then any other game this year and is paced so well we hold on until the very last slice of cake is revealed (and sung about).

3. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
While the platforming genre hasn’t exactly lit up the sales charts in recent years, one plumber can always be called upon to reignite the flames of old-school gaming conventions and it’s-a-him, Mario. Super Mario Galaxy, coveted as the one true sequel to the N64 classic Super Mario 64, combines elements from previous titles into a artistically gorgeous playground. Perfect 3D exploration, multiple power-ups and Bower’s air fleet are just a few homages to the red and blue bomber’s heyday that will keep fans glued to their seat; but the perfectly tuned control and difficulty will bring in gamers of all generations. While Super Mario Galaxy is easily one of the years best, it will arguably go down as one of Mario’s greatest adventures ever told.

4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC/PS3/X360)
Sometimes a title comes along that showcases how creative a developer can be when they have a passion for their craft, Infinity Ward has done just that with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Leaving behind the age-old World War II setting and adopting a ‘ripped from today’s headlines’ campaign, COD4 shines through as one of the most impressive shooters of the year with an engrossing single-player experience and one of the strongest multiplayer components available on any game ever released.

5. Halo 3 (X360)
While a never-ending stream of hype since the release of its last successful title would cripple some sequels (sup, Devil May Cry 2), Bungie’s Halo 3 was an overall package truly accepting of a game of the year nomination. While the short campaign left something to be desired in the end (namley having it end at all), Halo 3 stands out as one of the best values of the year with its multiple included bonuses, such as: Forge, saved films, shared files and always popular multiplayer. Leaving sales records shattered in its wake, Halo 3 has taken the mainstream batton away from other console mascots and left them spinning in the wind. While we might not agree with the marketing push behind the franchise, Bungie has closed off one of the most compelling stories told in the last decade and left the gaming world salavating for more.

6. Forza Motorsport 2 (X360)
Taking its cues from its critically and commercially successful predecessor, Forza Motorsport 2 raises the bar for customization in the simulation racing genre. With hundreds of licenced cars, over a dozen tracks and millions of options to customize your vehicle, Forza 2 skyrocketed to popularity when it released in North America and overseas. Including both the simulation and arcade modes any racing fan is sure to be drawn in by its incredible detail and perfect performance. Unleashing your creative side by designing your vehicles make-up (with over 4,000 layers available to customize per ride) and auctioning off reveals the meta-game experience as close to what J. Allard promised gamers would have from the Xbox 360 at the outset. With the release of Forza Motorsport 2, developer Turn 10 has solidified itself as one of the most impressive racing teams in the industry.

7. Everyday Shooter (PS3)
Solely developed by Canadian Jonathan Mak originally for PC and then later released on PlayStation’s online network, Everyday Shooter is half Lumines and half Geometry Wars. Mixing the standard formula of a dual-stick shooter and the music puzzle genre, Everyday Shooter is light years beyond any other independent downloadable title available on any platform. While some would argue that a downloadble title doesn’t belong on a “Best of the Year” list, Everyday Shooter is a text-book example of how molding various ideas can shape a timeless experience. For the bargain basement price of $9.99 Everyday Shooter is one of the best values available and is as relevant to the PS3 now as Geometry Wars was to the Xbox 360 at launch.

8. Crysis (PC)
Sometimes a title for the PC comes out that seriously makes your consider a new mortgage to update your gaming rig, Crysis is the latest title to give me the thought. With its incredible production values from German developer Crytek (Far Cry), Crysis was touted as the future-proof game of the decade; promising to be a relevant gaming option years from today. Lower then expected sales figures have forced EA to scale the title back recently, but this will only allow more gamers to experience the title for everything it offers. An incredible array of weapons and abilities are at your finger tips in this title, which is by far the most visually stunning game ever released.

9. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (PS3)
Touted by many as one of the best reasons to own Sony’s latest home console, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune comes from renowned developer Naughty Dog – the team behind the Jak & Daxter series. As Nate Drake gamers will explore a beautiful world of hidden treasures, exotic locales and detailed conspiracy that promises to suck them in for the entire 6-8 hour experience. What the game lacks in post-completion longevity it more then makes up for in smart storytelling, interesting characters and finely tuned game play. While the Tomb Raider-esque exploration is wonderfully executed, the title does suffer mediocre combat – however, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is an overall experience so entertaining any action fan would be hard pressed not to spend time with.

10. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii)
Samus’ first-person foray into the deep space began nearly eight years ago and Corruption marks the final chapter in the series. Doing away with conventional Metroid basics and allying Ms. Aran with her fellow bounty-hunter brethren adds a new layer to the storyline and shows gamers just how important the heroine is to the fate of the galaxy. Throw in Wii controls, that only Nintendo could perfect for the world to emulate, and soon-to-be classic encounters and it becomes obvious that Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is one of this years best.