Coming Attractions 10.04.08: Fractured Meniscus Edition

Posted by Drew Robbins on 10.04.2008

This week's releases sees a trifecta of NBA games, a game where you deform terrain, and a bunch of other garbage that no one cares about. Which NBA game is worth your money, well 411's Drew Robbins has the answer.

s that time of week again, the time where the leaves turn brown, the temperature outside gets a bit colder, and the time where you join your hero, Drew Robbins, in his quest to preview every horrible title coming out next week. Warning, for those with weak hearts, this week of releases is pretty lousy. This very well might be the last week of lousy releases, as the fall gaming season is upon us. In fact, in as little as 2 weeks, I'll be previewing Little Big Planet (which I'm getting less excited about as the days go by), Far Cry 2, Rock Band 2 (again...), Fable 2, and Spiderman Web of Shadows. Now THAT will be a loaded week. *Another Warning* - Today's column might be a little lousy, so if it turns out bad I apologize.

- Considering that each week I tell you what games to buy, I figure that sometimes you guys do listen to me. After having played Sonic Chronicles, I really hope you didn't listen to me. First of all, the music is just god awful. It sounds like something a fourth grader could compose, and when you compare it to the other Sonic games…the music just doesn't stack up. The combat, despite its EBA-inspired power-ups, is pretty bland. I like Bioware because they make RPGs that give me an illusion of not being an RPG, but when I played Sonic, I could tell that I was playing just another turn-based action game. No thanks.

- Speaking of games I didn't particularly enjoy, let us talk about Fallout 1. Gametap has it listed as a free game at the moment, so if you go and download the player right now, you can enjoy this classic. However, if you are anything like me, you won't enjoy this classic. The cut-scenes got me really pumped up, I thought it was going to be something awesome. Then I got into combat and…well I don't think I've ever uninstalled a game quicker. Definitely not for me.

- I rented Mercenaries 2 this week, and unlike the other two games I mentioned, I didn't hate this one. There are good reasons for the scores it got, but I don't care, the game's just so fun I can overlook all of the glitches. The reason I like GTA and Mercenaries is that you get a mission and can choose how you want to go about completing it, and there are many different ways. Though, most of those ways end in calling in airstrikes…

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Coming Attractions – Week 13

There was going to be a new banner here, as well as a couple of banners for my other sections, but my Photoshop is not working at the moment. So it will have to wait.

Crash Mind over Mutant (Multi) - Remember when Sonic, Spyro, and Crash were relevant? What the heck happened? Sonic has become a joke in the industry, releasing one glitchy game after the next. Spyro left Insomniac and instantly fell off the face of the earth with his ill-received "Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly." Last, but certainly not least, was Crash Bandicoot. Crash delighted owners of the original Playstation with some great platformers, but once he moved to the next gen, and away from Naughty Dog, things got ugly. I don't think there has ever been such a gap in the quality of games quite like the one between Crash Bandicoot 3 and Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex. On one hand you have one of the all-time great platformers, on the other hand you have a…monstrosity. Wrath of Cortex took a full two years to load any level, and once it loaded you were just out of the mood to play a Crash game all together. Even if you still had that urge to jump over boxes and collect fruit, the levels in this game couldn't possibly satisfy you.

Now we are here, several years removed from when Crash actually mattered, and another Crash game is on its way. This time it is being developed by, and I didn't think it could possibly get worse, Activision. The lords of overexposing mediocre games are taking the helm of the latest entry in the Crash game, and there is no doubt in my mind that this is the worst combination ever thought up. You want to know the worst part? Free-roaming. Ok, Jak and Daxter made some sense, and they made that work pretty well, but Crash? No, oh sweet lord no.

My Opinion: Two thumbs down - I liked the original Crash games, but the newer ones are among some of the worst abominations ever created.


- Sorry Crash, that tribal tattoo only makes you look like a douche.

Fracture - I feel like a jerk when I comment on a game I've never even heard of. So, I'll give you a little excerpt from Joe Roche's(writer of the Full Circle) Fracture preview, which was based off of the recent demo.

"I'm not ready to comment on the full story behind Fracture because the demo doesn't do a very good job of fleshing anything out. So until I get a better feel for the entire setting I'll hold off on a final opinion. However, what the demo lacks in background clarification it makes up for in giving a satisfying introduction to the futuristic weapons of Fracture. By now I'm sure most people are aware that Fracture features the Terrain Deformation technology, which gives Mason Briggs the opportunity to change the surrounding landscape at a whim.

To give you an idea of what I mean, if you're standing on a patch of dirt next to a wall and you want to get to the other side but you don't see a door or a ladder, relax because the terrain deformation technology gives you the power to turn a flat surface into a mountain, which you can then climb to scale the wall. This new weapons technology works in the opposite manner as well, if you're trying to get through a blocked tunnel you can use your weapons to cause a depression in the land opening up a hole big enough for you to travel through.

Each weapon that you get to experiment with throughout the demo has a different terrain deformation power. The tectonic grenades allow you the chance to toss the grenade onto a flat surface only to see it explode skywards to give you access to an otherwise unreachable point, or create a barrier between you and your enemies. That's the other major advantage to this new weapons technology, and something that adds a level of strategy to Fracture. The terrain deformation creates a natural barrier between you and the Pacifican Army members trying to do your harm. At various points throughout the demo I was able to create a wall of land in front of me to absorb some of the gunfire and keep myself alive. Of course as they continue to fire on the mound of dirt it begins to fall away so you're not protected forever, but it'll give you a chance to regroup and reload."

Sounds pretty cool, I must say. Terrain deformation is something I'd like to see more of in games, but NOT the way it was done in SPORE. I'm sorry that my idea of fun isn't flying around in a tiny spaceship terraforming planets with creatures I'll never get to see up-close our outside of my ship. Anyways, better stop talking about it before I punch someone in the face. My nearest victim is my dog so…yeah I don't want to punch my dog in the face.

My Opinion: Thumbs Up - Pretty unique concept, I hope it works well.



NBA 09: The Inside (Sony only) - When it comes to sports games, surprisingly enough, basketball has been the only one that has been able to constantly satisfy me. Of course, the basketball games I like are made by 2K and not EA/Sony…but I'll talk about that later.

NBA 09 is a Sony game, and these games are usually somewhat enjoyable. I was addicted to MLB the Show a few years ago, before they screwed it up with long load times and whatnot. Of course, with MLB: The Show having a gimmick mode, you bet your bippy that NBA 09 has one as well. In the NBA games, it is called "The Life," and it is a story-driven mode. Stories in my basketball games? Last time a game featured a story with a basketball character, that game was called Shaq-Fu. I own Shaq-Fu and let me tell you…it is not so good.

My Opinion: Ehhh - NBA 2K9/Live 2009 is the better choice, but that is my opinion. A lot of people probably like the Sony games though, so I can't give it a thumb down.

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This Week's #1 Pick

NBA 2K9/NBA Live 2009 (Multi) - First up is the latest in the EA franchise, NBA Live 2009. I'm not too big on the EA sports division as a whole, so it shouldn't come as any surprise that I dislike the NBA Live series. Graphically, things have definitely picked up, but the gameplay has been so much more flawed than the 2K series. However, this year it appears that they are spicing things up, with the new 365-mode. This links the goings-on of the real NBA with your game to make what is going on seem connected, as well as giving weekly roster updates. Quite frankly, this sounds pretty awesome.

There isn't much to say about NBA 2K9. Year after year it has proven to be the best basketball game out there. To change things up, in a move that I'm sure I was stolen from EA, 2K9 features five-on-five online play. It must be said that his concept is awesome, and I throw my full support behind it. Speaking of awesome online modes, I still want to check out NHL 09, from what I hear the online in that is incredible, and it also has six-on-six online play. Maybe in a few years Madden will have eleven-on-eleven online play.

Oh wait, that would force them to actually change the game, ha!

My Opinion: Thumbs Up - I'll probably be getting this game, not too soon but by the end of the year it will probably be in my PS3. My ID is Kikind, just in case.

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Quick Previews

Game Party 2 (Wii) - From the makers of Game Party 1…
My Opinion: Thumbs Down - And you thought Mario Party was bad?

Ten Pin Alley 2(Wii) - Oh yeah, these games. I think this launched with the N-Gage a long time back.
My Opinion: Two thumbs down - You are competing with a bowling game that is FREE, it comes with the system. You aren't going to make a ton of sales.

Army Men: Soldiers of Misfortune (Wii) - They still make this garbage?
My Opinion: Dear lord.. - I thought they were bad before, these don't even look like they are about toy soldiers!

Imagine: Babysitters (DS) - Alright, I put my foot down here…
My Opinion: ??? - Holy crap, let me tell you everything that is wrong about this game. The Imagine series is for little girls, and most of them revolve around jobs that most people don't get. Like maybe a rockstar, or an actor. So now they are making one about…BABYSITTING?! It isn't exactly a glamorous job, and I highly doubt any girl grows up wanting to be a pro at watching children. Unless of course they are pedophiles, which could very well be the case.

What is next, Imagine tax collector? Imagine Fast-food employee? Imagine: Imagine Video Game Designer? Man, I'd be surprised if this game sells one copy. Of course, knowing the direction of gaming, this will sell a bajillion copies. Actually, now that I think of it, these games are funding Prince of Persia, Assasssin's Creed, Beyond Good and Evil.

…Be right back, buying this game…


- My new logo for shovelware! Just look at his face…doesn't it just scream the impending doom of gaming?

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Yesterday's Attractions

Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly - After the PS1 died, Spyro and Crash both switched developers. For their first outings away from "mommy and daddy," Vivendi picked up the publishing rights. What we got were two of the worst excuses for platformers I've ever seen.

Spyro starts off with an annoyingly voiced Spyro who must…save the dragonflies from Ripto. Eventually Spyro gains all kinds of new abilities, such as lighting breath, as well as other different breath attacks that have no business being in the game. Spyro isn't supposed to learn new basic attacks, he is supposed to head-butt and breathe fire. Sure, he can learn a ground pound, but ice breath? Heck no, that just ruins the whole game. Much like with Crash, the level design here was poor, and that is being generous. I think I finished all of two levels before throwing my Gamecube controller down and quitting this game forever.
Related To - Crash Mind over Mutant
My Rating - * out of 5.

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The Mailbag

There is going to be a logo for this…and trust me, if my idea turns out like I imagine it, it will rock your world.

David R. is angry at my lack of downloadable games…

*HUGE GLARE*

Wipeout HD? Burnout Paradise?

You're suspended from using any Futurama quotes in your articles. You are grounded!

(silently) I hope they delay Rock Band 2 until Christmas (or later).

Yeah I'm really bad on downloadable game release dates, since they aren't as set in stone as normal box games. Though I'm not sure why you care that I left out a racing game that can't, and will never, compare to the greatness of F-Zero. F-Zero X and GX are the best racing games ever, period.

By the way, if any of you lovely readers (who are awesome, by the way), want to share your downloaded Burnout with me…the ID is Kikind ; )

Fduk liked the list, but disagreed a little…

Great list. The only difference on my list would be between 2 and 3. 2 was the first game I ever played on a Nintendo System so it holds a special place in my heart but 3 build on everything 2 did, just as 2 had build on MM1, and made it that much better. After MM3 there was no where else they could take it and thats why it started to go downhill. Not saying the others were bad, but after the first 3 it hard to go any further.

Not a big fan of the sliding addition in Mega Man 3, so I might actually agree with Derek that I should've put 9 above it. However, I can see why 3 is so well liked, it certainly turned up the difficulty a notch.

Mark Salmela isn't too pleased with last week's column…

First off, how dare you include a trailer to a crappy RPG while responding to my comment.

Second of all, seriously? Sonic Chronicles? You must have slept through the years 2001 - 2007 because Sonic has been shit, and Bioware is highly overrated. You heard me right, Mass Effect = overrated bore fest. And mixing shit with an overrated company = ???

And last, stop trying to rip me off with the 10th Hour. It's not cool when you and your brother do it. Original 10th Hour writer for life!

Well Chrono Trigger is hardly a crappy RPG, I mean, it doesn't say Final Fantasy on it…does it?

I was wrong about Sonic Chronicles. Never played Mass Effect, but I think that has actual real-time combat…so I might try it one of these days.

Ninth hour for life.

Josh Rumsey gets his Mega Man's mixed up…

Derek gave me Mega Man 2 when lauren broke up with me, so naw naw Drew!! I will sell it to you for $500!!

There are some problems with this, we didn't own Mega Man 2. Ever. The only Mega Man we owned on the NES was Mega Man 3, and its absence in my NES box is now explained. Excuse me while I kill Derek.

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The 411

This week there are a few new columns, courtesy of Tommy Coloma and returning 411 writer Chris Vicari.

The 10th Hour by Derek Robbins. Derek returns to sarcasm with his latest column, ranking the top 10 best level clichés. I personally dislike all of these levels, so I guess I hate video games now.

The Full Circle by Joe Roche. Joe gives us his own Top 10 list of most anticipated 360 games. I'm pretty surprised that Fable 2 is only 10 on his list.

Nintendophiles by Theo Fraser. It figures that Theo misses Nintendo's biggest news day by about one day…Punch-Out Wii holy crap.

Achievement Unlocked by Rod Oracheski. Rod is warning me about Little Big Planet…unlike Spore, I might actually listen to the warnings.

Working Title by Jordan Williams. Anyone who likes Big Bang Theory is good in my books.

The PC Spotlight by Chris Vicari. Chris makes his triumphant return with a poem about Duke Nukem. Always bet on the Duke!

The Import Scene by Tommy Coloma. There is a DS WWII game coming out in Japan…they really like that?

The Hall of Shame by Vincent Chiucchi. Oh man, the Gizmondo was so bad. The easiest way to tell a crappy portable is the buttons, if they are anything besides shapes or letters, avoid. Phone buttons or "play" buttons are never good.

The PC Centric Extravaganza by Chris Evans. I can run Left 4 Dead…CAN YOU?!

Fact or Fiction starring Owain J. Brimfield and Dan Hirsch. Sackboy will not be as big as Sonic or Mario. End of story.

B3yond the Report by Derek Robbins. Kojima tells you what went wrong with MGS4, let me tell you. Remove the scene after the credits and replace it with something that doesn't ruin the most epic boss fight of all time.

The Select and Start New Report by Vincent Chiucchi. Jack Thompson disbarred? Nananana, nananana, hey-ey-ey, good bye…

So long, until next week, leave me comments below or you can drop me an email at [e-mail]