The Full Circle: 360 News Report 08.21.07

Posted by Mike Minotti on 08.21.2007

It's BioShock week, which inspires a rant on the current state of the FPS genre. Also, the latest 360 news and Live Arcade releases are covered inside.



It's BioShock week!

Soon the Big Daddy will come crashing down the chimney, handing out copies of BioShock to all the good little girls and boys!

Ok, so maybe I'm taking it a bit far by comparing the launch of a game to Christmas, but I am pretty stoked.

News

Beautiful Katamari demo on Live..



You know, it's that game where you roll things into a giant ball. I've never really played it before, but somehow it became popular, so there must be something to it. Maybe the demo's worth checking out. I mean, I won't. I'm much too busy with more.... let's say "real" games.

Skate demo delayed.



It was supposed to come out this week. Now I'm not sure. I don't know how the demo can't be ready since the game itself is supposed to come out pretty soon.

I still have some big hopes for this game. Hopefully it will light a fire under Neversoft's ass and inspire them to create a great Tony Hawk game.

Too Human on track for 2008.



So says Silicon Knights head Denis Dyack. Of course, this game was supposed to come out on the GameCube, so don't give your hopes up. Just to be safe, you know? Anyways, he also said that new information and a demo are coming soon. Knowing how relative a term "soon" is in the gaming industry, I would also take that with a grain of salt.

You know, Dennis has a lot to prove with this game. After a poor showing at E3 2006, the game came under some criticism for not living up to the hype it was getting. Dyack eventually responded to that criticism on his blog by the gaming journalists for being so harsh to his game. Lately, he's has stated that the game has a come a long way since then. I'll be interested to play the demo and see for myself.

XBL Arcade Demo Reviews

I hope you like old games.

Hexic 2 - 800 points

Yes, this is the sequel to the puzzle game that came with your 360. So, you kind of already own this game. There are some new features, including new power ups and modes that I don't understand in the slightest. I just played a 20 minute game of Battle Mode against a computer player, in which I achieved nothing. Eventually everything blew up and a screen prompted me to buy the full game. For 800 points, no thanks.

Rating: Ignore it.

Ecco the Dolphin - 400 points

Here's another Genesis game. I've always admired Ecco for being such a moody and atmospheric game for it's time, but I can't say I have very much fun playing it. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but it's kind of a weird game where I swim around until I hit too many jelly fish and die. Still, at least it's 400 points. I don't know, maybe you're into this sort of thing.

Rating: Try it.

Weekly Releases

BioShock – 9/21
You've played the demo, right? Because if you did, you know that this is one of the most exciting 360 releases in some time. Buy it.

Two Worlds – 9/21
What the fuck is this game, and what the hell is it doing coming out on BioShock day?

Weekly Poll



Last week's results:

Have you preordered Halo 3?

Yep, just the normal version. 27%
Yes, special edition. 4%
Hells yeah, legendary edition! 12%
Nah, I'm just going to pick the game up without a preorder. 35%
No, I'm not getting Halo 3. 23%

Maybe more games should come out with $120 packages.

Weekly Trailer

Since I have nothing to say about Beautiful Katamari, maybe this trailer can show you what it's about.



Target Topic: Is the FPS genre finally going to evolve?



The FPS has been one of the most popular genres in gaming almost immediately after it was introduced to gamers in early games like Wolfenstein 3D and Doom. Of course, the genre has come a long way since then.

Right?

Well, sure, to an extent. Innovations like mouse looking and dual analog control greatly increased ease of control for the genre, and FPSs have always been graphical showcases. Online features have also created huge competitive scenes for FPSs. But has the genre really evolved?

When I look at modern FPSs (games like Prey, Resistance: Fall of Man, even upcoming games like Crysis and Haze), you find games that are still very much like their predecessors. You walk around and shoot things. Head shots always deal more damage. Shoot those exploding barrels! Reload, shoot, walk, crouch, shoot, crouch, snipe, walk, shoot. Sure, each game tries to add its own little flavor to the genre, either through supposed "unique weapons" or game design. The unique weapons thing was especially true of Resistance, whose "unique weapons" were celebrated by so many. You know what I thought? They were still weapons. I still shot at things. Oh sure, there was a gun that would home in on enemies, but you quickly discovered you were better off just mowing your enemies down with the standard, straight on firing method.

What's even worse is when an FPS thinks its weapons are unique because they are "biological". This was especially true of Prey. You know what I think? You can give my sniper rifle an ass and a mouth, but it's still a god damned sniper rifle.

Instead of innovation in the genres, we get gimmicks. Prey did it by having you walk on walls. Sure, it was neat, but besides occasionally shooting enemies upside down, it didn't really change gameplay. So many other FPSs, including the Call of Duty games, try to impress through over-the-top in game scripted events (the sort of thing made popular thanks to the Normandy Beach level from Medal of Honor: Allied Assault). Again, these look cool, but it's all bells and whistles. It doesn't really add anything to the gameplay.

The last FPS I really enjoyed was Half-Life 2, because that game actually changed the way I played FPSs. For the first time ever your environment was critical to gameplay thanks to the gravity gun. And it wasn't just a gimmick, since the physics engine in that game created unique opportunities for puzzles and combat, most of which could be approached from various methods.

That game came out in 2004. I have no idea why no other FPS in three years has been able to learn from the lessons of Half-Life 2. I'm also confused as to how the genre os still so popular. I'm bored of just shooting things anymore. Even games like Halo 2 couldn't keep my interest. For all its production values and supposed "epic" story, I was still just walking around and shooting things. I'm sick of it. Isn't anybody else?

So, why am I bringing this up now? Because BioShock is the first FPS in some time to have me excited. Like Half-Life 2, BioShock has an environment that factors into gameplay, and more importantly, BioShock gives the player options. It actually surpasses Half-Life 2 in that regard thanks to all the different methods of attack at your disposal, including the various weapons and genetic abilities. That doesn't even cover all the hacking and mind controlling. And while I was just knocking over-the-top presentation earlier, when its used to create mood like the events in BioShock do, I love. Actually, some of the best stuff in BioShock are the more subtle moments, like listening in on the deranged conversations splicers have with themselves.

I put my hopes onto you, BioShock. Please innovate a genre that is in desperate need of innovating. Please kick as much ass as I think you're going to.

The Other Guys

Fact or Fiction, once again features me, as well as 411's Dan Owen. In it we talk about BioShock, Metroid Prime 3, and video game boobies!

Nintendophiles' Theo Fraser has all your Nintendo info, including the all the latest on Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Working Title's Jordan Williams says the Virtual Boy was awesome, which I fully endorse.


Game Over

I am going to play a lot of BioShock. So should you. This will be a glorious, glorious time for our people.