May 31, 2013

Tony Ortale

2013, Articles

[05.31.13] PlayStation 4 vs. Xbox One: Who had the better reveal

May 31, 2013

Tony Ortale

2013, Articles

Now that both Sony and Microsoft have made their big reveals, it’s time to fanboy up and pick your sides! Sony beat Microsoft out of the gun by a couple months, but was the early reveal worth it? We’ll take a look strictly at the facts revealed in the conference, or perhaps what wasn’t revealed in the conference, and decide who did a better job making their announcement. Systems are bigger, stronger, and faster, accessories have been redesigned and improved, and games have been announced. But what does this information even mean and where should you put your money? Robert “RedgoateeRob” Nielsen and I will break down the conferences and give you the details you need to know, then deliver the final verdict on who was victorious.

The Game Consoles: Tony’s Take

Obviously both companies came out to announce their brand new systems. Each boast significantly more power, exceptional graphics, and state of the art technology to accompany it. The Xbox One looks amazing. Its shape has been streamlined and it has a bit of a retro throwback with its two-tone color scheme and very boxy, minimalistic design. The redesigned Kinect fits perfectly with the style of the new system, and the controller has been ever-so-slightly tweaked to match up as well.

As for the PlayStation 4, well… the controller looks… similar. It has also been streamlined, with the addition of a touchpad, it sports a more futuristic look, but that’s about all of the information we have. This raises the question, why would you have a conference about a console, and not actually bring your console? It was no surprise to anyone that it was coming, so Sony would have been much better off had they come prepared with something to show.

Winner: Xbox One

The Game Consoles: Rob’s Take

Sony caught some heat for not showing off their actual box during the conference; in fact, some gamers might have felt like showing off the controller alone was nothing more than a tease. But looking at it from Sony's perspective, you get a sense that they might be thinking in terms of the long game rather than an instant payoff. This isn't Sony's first rodeo; back during the PlayStation One era they faced off with Nintendo and Sega, who are by no means pushovers, and I can't help but think Sony wouldn't still be standing if they didn't have a firm grasp of how to build anticipation for their next product. Showing off the Dualshock 4 alone allowed gamers to get a sense of the physicality of the new console, while still allowing Sony to have an ace-in-the-hole for E3: the console itself. Plus, holding off on a reveal of the console allowed Sony to get a picture of what Microsoft had up their sleeve before they show off their own box. Overall, even if not having the console in the spotlight might have frustrated a few fans, I think it was a smart play in the long run.

But what of Microsoft? Despite their claims of looking forward to the future, the design of the Xbox One seems to indicate a focus toward the criticisms of the past. Just as the Xbox 360, with it's clean, concave surfaces, seemed designed to quiet gamers' criticism of the size of the original Xbox, the large rectangular footprint of the Xbox One seems intentionally designed to quell gamers' fears of the heating issues related to the design of the 360. Though it seems almost certain that Microsoft will install plenty of cooling under the Xbox One's huge hood, it doesn't change the fact that the boxy design of the system is most reminiscent of the Philips CDI- probably not what Microsoft wants gamers thinking of when they look at their new console.

Winner: Playstation 4

The Peripherals: Tony’s Take

Since the days of “Duck Hunt”, peripherals have been an integral part of any successful console. They’ve come a long way from the plastic guns and even the more recent pretend instruments. Now, consoles have the ability to see you, hear you, and actually track your body’s movements. Then, of course, there’s the controller – the most important asset, and the most important asset to get right. The majority of the time you’re gaming, you’re going to have the controller in your hand, so it needs to be comfortable.

Sony’s big reveal for its conference was the controller. That was actually all they had to show for the system. It looks very much like its PS3 counterpart, with a few minor upgrades. The touchpad will definitely give it a unique spin, and the idea of adding the PlayStation Move tracking light to it complements the six-axis design its predecessor had. They also briefly mentioned the PlayStation Move will be making a return, but didn’t go into any details as to how or if any improvements were to be made.

Microsoft’s controller has also been just slightly tweaked, and we’ll take their word on it that it really is more ergonomic. Their shining star, however, wasn’t the controller, but rather the upgraded Kinect. It’s become so much more accurate, and is directly integrated into the Xbox One’s design. Perhaps the most exciting part is the technology behind it and the vast improvements made there. Now, the Kinect instantly recognizes you, signs you in, and brings up your personalized home screen. Not only that, but it can all be done simply by saying “Xbox On” – the one thing that gamers had asked for out of the Kinect since its arrival. The usefulness of these voice commands goes leaps and bounds beyond anything motion, which anyone who has ever watched Netflix with friends knows to be true. There’s always that person who wants needs to take a bathroom break in the middle of the group movie, so being able to simply say “Xbox Pause” is a breath of fresh air, compared to digging around in the dark for a controller, waiting for it to power back on and connect before finally pressing the pause button.

Winner: Xbox One

The Peripherals: Rob’s Take

If there's one impression the conferences left, it's that user interaction with these consoles will be very different than their interaction with the 360 and PS3. From voice commands to motion tracking to facial recognition, Microsoft and Sony are discovering how to let gamers interface with their platform of choice in ways that would have seemed like science fiction even just a decade ago. It's difficult to imagine how these systems will be implemented across software titles, and it's even more difficult to assume with any certainty that their implementation will serve to enhance the software on the systems represented rather than get in the way of gameplay. Gamers have been getting burned by supposed innovations in control that proved intrusive and unwieldy for decades, even back to the days of the Power Glove and the Rolling Rocker. Though it's certain that the Kinect and the EyeToy will be better integrated into their respective consoles than those old control gimmicks were, they still could end up being showpieces that shovelware games are designed to promote rather than simple control methods that serve to enhance quality games. At this point, it's simply too soon to know.

Winner: Too early to call.

Multimedia: Tony’s Take

When it first came onto the scene, the PlayStation 3 boasted the ability to be the heart of your home entertainment center. The Xbox 360, on the other hand, was primarily a game system. As the Xbox 360 developed over its lifespan, it changed into your all-in-one entertainment box, paving the way for the Xbox One. The PlayStation 3, however, focused primarily on games and everything related.

The PlayStation 4 will have all of the same multimedia capabilities as its predecessor, and adds in a very large social component which focuses on sharing content. The controller has a “share” button on it, allowing you to instantly stream gameplay or easily create clips. Beyond that, Sony didn’t really even touch on the movies or music throughout their conference.

On the contrary, Microsoft spent almost all of their time gloating about the new capabilities the Xbox One will have. It will now be a Blu-Ray Player, Roku Box, Cable Box, and Game Console all rolled into one. The ability to quickly switch between every source is nice… but is it really necessary? Quite honestly, the inclusion of “live TV” really left everyone scratching their heads. Fortunately, the multimedia component didn’t stop there. The updated ESPN app has had a major overhaul, fully integrating fantasy sports directly into the broadcasts. As your players score points, you’ll receive pop-up notifications which will allow you to instantly jump to the leaderboards and check out how your team is doing. Fantasy sports have exploded in popularity, and this will definitely be something couch-athletes will take advantage of.

There was also the exhilarating announcement of the Halo TV series. Gamers have been begging for a Halo movie for years, and their appetite was teased with a surprisingly good web series, “Forward Unto Dawn”, which showed the possibilities and potential success of an actual TV series. Microsoft has backed it full force, and put up enough of a budget to have legendary director Steven Spielberg directing. There’s hardly anything that could go wrong here.

Winner: Xbox One

Multimedia: Rob’s Take

Fantasy football, cable tv, and ESPN; Microsoft seems to have an eye toward a very particular customer. The question becomes less one of utility and more one of appeal; if you dig fantasy football and the thought of controlling what shows you watch via your game console, Microsoft has you covered. Will the average gamer be interested in these services? Will the ability to watch ‘live TV’ when you already have a TV that plays TV live compel gamers to pick up the new Xbox? These things remain to be seen.

Of course, the announcement of a new, Xbox-exclusive, Halo TV series directed by film industry legend Steven Spielberg was the highlight of Microsoft's TV plans, and the new series will undoubtedly be welcomed by Halo fans with open arms. It might have been nice to have seen something of the upcoming series, though, even if it were just a scrolling shot of some storyboard sequences. During the presentation, both AMC’s “Breaking Bad” and HBO’s “Game of Thrones” were mentioned as benchmarks for the sort of quality the Halo TV show project is aiming to match; if it can live up to a fraction of the quality standards set by those programs, it will be a powerful force in Microsoft’s next-generation arsenal of reasons to pick up an Xbox One.

Sony, for its part, showed off a share button on the Dualshock 4 to allow gamers to upload footage of their gameplay to 'social networks'. The advertising benefits to Sony here are obvious, but it's unclear whether all gamers will be interested in sharing footage of themselves, and it's easy to see how the plan could backfire if a flood of mostly unremarkable amateur gameplay videos uploaded to social networks starts to annoy friends and family members browsing their newsfeeds for pictures of smiling grandchildren and cantankerous felines.

Winner: Steven Spielberg (and, by association, Xbox One).

Games: Tony’s Take

Despite not having an actual game console to show, Sony at least displayed the understanding of what a “game console” is. They spent roughly half their conference showcasing upcoming titles for their system. Most of the titles were expected, such as upcoming sequels “Killzone Shadowfall” and inFamous Second Son”; however, there were a couple of surprise titles as well. While “Driveclub” isn’t the most original of ideas, it looks like a solid title and you can tell the developers put a lot of heart into it. “The Witness”, the new title from the creators of “Braid”, looks interesting and extremely promising. The part everyone was waiting for, although they didn’t know it was the update, was the look at “Watchdogs”. This brand new IP thrilled gamers with its surprise announcement at E3 last year because it managed to blindside all of us, despite the fact that leaks are almost expected in this day and age.

Microsoft seemed to forget their roots with their conference, leaving many to question if the Xbox One was a game system that can do other things, or a multimedia box that can also play games. While a few developers did showcase their new engines, EA Sports brushed over 4 titles with very little detail. There was a new trailer for “Call of Duty: Ghosts” which also sports a new engine and is being redesigned from the ground up, but to no surprise, it was also leaked early in the year which made the reveal a lot less exciting, not to mention this whole “timed exclusive” thing is just getting annoying - it’s bad for the industry. The only glimmer of hope was Phil Spencer who promised 15 exclusive titles within the launch year, eight of which will be brand new franchises! Those numbers are astounding, and very promising, however there’s no idea what they may be, or if they’ll even be any good. We can only hope so.

Winner: Hands down, PlayStation 4

Games: Rob’s Take

Of course, since the early days of home game consoles, only one factor determines the winner of a particular console generation: which console has the best games? Sony showed off a flood of software in their press conference, from new iterations of first-party titles Infamous and Killzone, to Capcom's dungeon-crawler Deep Down, to a version of Bungie's new RPG shooter Destiny, and finally to the reveal of a seemingly-exclusive console version of Blizzard's Diablo 3. In a classy nod to their current customers, Sony also announced that both Destiny and Diablo 3 would be available for the Playstation 3 as well as the upcoming Playstation 4.

Xbox seemed, by comparison, to not have a great deal to offer. They showed off a new entry in the venerable Call of Duty franchise, and promised 15 more games would be revealed at their E3 conference, but one wonders what they expected gamers to discuss in the interim. Considering the confirmation that “Call of Duty: Ghosts” will not be exclusive to the Xbox One but will also be appearing on consoles by Sony and Nintendo as well as on PC, Microsoft's decision to showcase the title at their conference instead of a first-party exclusive game seems even more odd. Even a handful of titles for original IP’s announced in the abstract would have fueled fan speculation regarding their nature and could have built buzz for Microsoft to ride into their E3 press conference. As it stands, though, Xbox fans will just have to live with their curiosity regarding the nature of those 15 unannounced titles until E3 rolls around.

Winner: Playstation 4

Tony’s Wrap-Up Verdict:

It was a very close vote, and honestly, it’s not because both were so mind-blowing, but rather disappointing. Sony forgot to bring their console, and Microsoft forgot to bring their games. If you were to put them together, they would have had one solid conference. Unfortunately, this potential super-console doesn’t exist, and we’re left with two incomplete experiences. This was probably done to save content for E3 which is just around the corner, but nonetheless, it was still a little underwhelming. With a vote of 4-3-1, the Xbox One just barely edges out the competition and takes the crown. There’s still a lot to be learned about these consoles, and things could change. For the time being, the future is looking a little bleak for gamers. It might be the time to just hold on to what you’ve got and experience it to the fullest - that is, if you’re not ready for the always online, anti-used game, jack of all trades video game consoles we seem to be getting.

Also, be sure to check out RedgoateeRob's rant on everything that wasn't touched on during the conferences! It's up now!

Anthony Ortale writes news and reviews on behalf of Examiner.com. He does so much gaming in his spare time, it’s practically a full time job! If you like what you read here, please subscribe to his articles! You can also follow Tony on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook! If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to email Tony any time at ortale.anthony@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you

January 5, 2013

Tony Ortale

2013, Articles

[01.05.13] Sony files patent to block secondhand games

January 5, 2013

Tony Ortale

2013, Articles

By now, everyone has heard the rumors swirling around about the “next generation” of game consoles boasting unmatched power, no need for disc drives, and the ultimate DRM. The only lingering question was, “when?” Sources in the industry have pointed to fourth quarter of 2013 as the release date, and while many consumers have doubted that window due to lack of verifiable proof, suddenly signs are showing that perhaps the launch is closer than we may think.

According to a report on IGN from Thursday, Sony has apparently received a patent for technology which will block the use of “second hand” games on their consoles. The patent works by creating a blank tag on game discs that will be filled with information the first time it’s used. A disc ID and player ID will be permanently affixed to the game, and from that point on, every time the disc is booted, the system will check to verify that the two match. If they don’t, the game simply won’t start.

To a certain extent, this is an improvement over current DRM methods which require a constant internet connection or manual password input… but then again, an “improvement” isn’t necessarily always a good thing. If this technology was implemented into all future game consoles, it would destroy the used game market as well as any rental services. That’s a lot of money and jobs that would disappear overnight. Not to mention, there’s the consumer outcry over not being able to share or test games anymore.

Of course, more important than what’s going into the consoles is whether or not the consumer is even ready for it. Cody Weston, of Davenport, Iowa, certainly is. He never actually purchased a 360 or PS3. “I've been avoiding purchasing a console system due to the age of the current systems. Looking at historic data, we're more than overdue for a new batch of consoles.” He’s right. The launch of the Wii U back in November officially pushed us into what is now considered the eighth generation of consoles, but prior to its launch, the most recent system was the PlayStation 3, which launched back in 2006 – seven years ago. That’s one year more than the time span between it and the PlayStation 2 and three years longer than the gap between the Xbox and Xbox 360.

However, as he stated, Weston never jumped into the current generation of systems, so it makes sense he’s ready for something new. For those who did buy one, are any of them ready for an upgrade? Ryan Hingtgen, of Iowa City, Iowa, isn’t. “I won’t be buying a new console, I’m happy with my current one.” Rob Nielsen, author of “They Who Suffer” and owner of RedGoateeRob’s Horror Pages, feels the same way. “[I’m] pretty satisfied with my consoles. The Only next gen system I want is a 3DS, although I’m sort of interested in the Wii U and the future of PC as a platform.”

Lawrence Sheehy, of Iowa City, Iowa, feels that a new console isn’t the solution, but rather a change of development practices is needed. “I agree with Robert. I like that companies are pushing the ability of current gen systems, but I wish they would stop trying to push games out too soon just to have games on the market.” So perhaps the consumer is crying out for quality instead of quantity? “I'm satisfied with the consoles right now... I think that the next big step for gaming isn't necessarily graphics (colors, shading, resolution, lighting, polygon count, etc.) but physics,” said Andrew Sullivan, of Coralville, Iowa. “I'm tired of seeing hair and clothing glued to characters.” Ryan Swenka, of Iowa City agrees with him. “Yes, physics of things such as hair and clothing needs work. Smoother transitions between animations is always a thing, too. I dream for a game where you get multiple ways to customize your outfit/appearance and certain combinations don't lead to clipping of armor/etc. and being 'inside' one another.”

When asked about his intentions to buy a ‘next gen’ system, Swenka had this to say: “I am happy with my 360. Digital-only content is not something I support, and I only in rare cases have anything digital-only. If the game is available on disc, I buy it as such.” Which brings us back to the future of consoles. Is it that no one wants them, or that no one wants them because of what they are? Kevin Sammon, of Iowa City, Iowa, doesn’t like the rumors he’s heard. “I would rather keep my 360 and NEVER upgrade again than buy a system that restricts me from buying a used game. The first time you buy a game that turns out to be a total waste - see Duke Nukem - you can't even get credit to fix your mistake.”

(Check out my review for Duke Nukem Forever here)

Hingtgen, Sullivan, and Nielsen all agree with Sammon. Hingtgen stated that “Anything that is digital only will be an insta-no-buy; used games are very important to me.” Sullivan pointed out that it’s “not really a danger. If the next Xbox doesn't support used games, all Sony has to do is avoid that restriction and boom, they steal like 50% of Microsoft's console market share.” Which would also be true vice-versa, assuming this patent is utilized on the next PlayStation.

However, if both companies decide to implement something like this, it appears that the only one who will be hurt by the change is the companies themselves. Let’s hope, for their sake, they listen to the consumer and don’t do anything along these lines.

September 21, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

[09.21.12] Best horror games - Recent hits

September 21, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

Halloween is approaching rapidly, and what better way to celebrate than by experiencing the best horror video games out there? Over the next few days, we’re going to list off the best games to play no matter what mood you’re in. Whether you’re looking for the scariest, goriest, or most entertaining horror games, we’ll give you a few suggestions for every category. We will also touch on the best classics, and a few recent titles that are noteworthy as well. To help compile this list, we've enlisted the help of Rob Nielsen from RedGoateeRob ’s Horror Pages.

Horror games don’t have to be old to be good. Besides, not everyone has an NES on their shelf anxiously awaiting a cartridge. Newer gamers might not even have a PS2 or GameCube sitting around either, so today we’re going to stick strictly to the most recent generation of systems; or more specifically the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Sorry Wii, you didn’t quite make the cut. We’ve already scared you silly, grossed you out, given you some time to reminisce, and messed with your mind, but there’s a good variety of entertainment here. Things get a little frustrating, a little freaky, and, of course, a little fun.

‘Rise of Nightmares’

“Rise of Nightmares” brought horror to the Kinect for the first time, and it was quite the showing! Although it’s not as perfectly crafted as some of the other titles on this list, there’s no doubting that it is the horror experience for Kinect, and easily one of the best across all motion gaming platforms. It simultaneously showcases everything the Kinect is capable of while providing a surprisingly entertaining and interesting game. Needless to say, if you own a Kinect and are a fan of horror games, this is one title that absolutely should be a part of your collection. You won’t ever find yourself scared to death – due in part to the fact that you’re forced to play with the lights on – however there’s enough shocking moments to satisfy any horror fan.

‘Souls’ Series

Probably the best thing to come out of Japan this generation without the word 'Nintendo' attached to it, the Souls series is rapidly on its way to becoming legendary. Brutally difficult and unforgiving, the games in this series will test the resolve of any gamer brave enough to pop one of them into his console or download it to his PC. The first game in the series, “Demon's Souls”, set down the formula, and the second, “Dark Souls”, added to and expanded it. Debate over which of them is the better game rages across the internet and probably always will, but this much is sure: if you have the patience to face the challenge it poses, you'll find the Souls series to be some of the best games you'll ever play. They're also among the scariest; for instance, where some games ask you to fight a dragon, “Demon's Souls” will ask you to face the god of dragons - a behemoth of a thing with two sets of jaws and claws the size of a compact car. From the flocks of zombies to the other players invading your game to the Dragon God, the Souls series is a pit of terrors, each more deadly than the last.

‘F.E.A.R.’ Series

The “F.E.A.R.” series is interesting because it's sort of a chimera. Equally influenced by military shooters like “Call Of Duty”, survival horror games like “Resident Evil”, and Japanese horror films like “Ringu”, “F.E.A.R.” made psychological horror shooters a genre for the first time. Each game in the series approaches the horror from a different angle and uses its own unique mechanics to keep the series fresh. Much like 2010’s “Medal of Honor”, the AI in the series is some of the best you can find in any shooter. Just try sneaking away from behind cover when you're under heavy fire, and you'll hear the enemies yell "he's flanking!" and move to protect their exposed side. All of these elements serve to keep you on your toes when you're playing “F.E.A.R.”, reminding you constantly that no matter what you do, you're never, ever safe.

So that’s it! There’s tons of content here to get you prepped for Halloween, but this list is by no means exhaustive- there are plenty of other great titles that didn’t make the list, so get out there and find your favorite. Whatever you decide to play, just make sure you’ve got something spooky ready to go, because Halloween only comes once a year!

September 20, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

[09.20.12] Best horror games - Most entertaining

September 20, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

Alright, so we’ve made you feel nostalgic, sick to your stomach, and scared to death. Today, we’ll relax a little bit and talk about which games are just straight forward entertaining. There’s nothing too extreme here, just lots of guaranteed fun. If you feel like you need a laugh, want a great story, or want something that’s really going to make you think about what’s going on, we’ve got it all here.

‘Bioshock’

“Bioshock” has a fantastic story. We don’t want to spoil the end, or even subtly hint at it, because there are probably still quite a few people out there who haven’t played it yet, but rest assured you'll be very satisfied at the end of the game. The sequel, “Bioshock 2” is also fantastic; however the third title in the series looks a little like it may have lost its way. To be fair, though, it’s not out yet, so we can’t really pass judgment on it. Still, the “Bioshock” series is a nice survival horror title that focuses on telling a gripping story in a wonderful fantasy environment, and it’s definitely something worth experiencing - at least to witness the astounding water physics - because there’s not much else out there like it.

‘Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem’

The most entertaining survival horror game ever made? Probably. “Eternal Darkness” gets its jollies by screwing with your mind. To really go into detail about this game would be a disservice, since the game is best enjoyed when you dive into it without knowing what it has in store for you, so do yourself a favor and avoid reading of the many spoilers that have been posted online if you manage to find a copy of this increasingly-rare GameCube disc. This game is hard to find for good reason, because no one lucky enough to have it in their collection wants to part with his or her copy.

‘Lollipop Chainsaw’

“Lollipop Chainsaw” is an all-around outrageous game from start to finish. It’s guaranteed to have you laughing out loud and asking yourself “did that really just happen?”. It’s definitely a standout on this list because it’s less about scare-tactics or shock-value and strictly about an incredibly humorous story. It also pays homage to classic arcade hack-and-slash titles. If there was ever a title that fit the “grindhouse” category, this is it. The game’s website says it best, “Lollipop Chainsaw” is “bursting with Sex, Blood, and Rock ‘n’ Roll”.

So now that you’ve got a few laughs in, it’s time to get serious again. Sure, most of the games on the list so far have been older titles from previous generations, but “Lollipop Chainsaw” and “Bioshock” prove there are still some awesome horror titles out there from the current generation of systems. We’ve got an innovative title, and even a couple series that have completely established themselves across only the most recent platforms. If you aren’t fortunate enough to have the classic systems sitting around, fear not. Tomorrow we’ll have a few games that have all come out relatively recently in the gaming world.

September 19, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

[09.19.12] Best horror games - Scariest

September 19, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

We’ve looked at the classics, and we’ve given you the chance to test your limits with gore. Today is all about keeping you on the edge of your seat and scaring the pants off of you! These games are best experienced with the surround sound cranked and all the lights shut off. You might want to have a teddy bear nearby, or at least ready when you go to sleep... that is, assuming you’ll be able to sleep afterwards.

'Dead Space' Series

“Dead Space” is perhaps best known for the famous marketing campaign for the second title in the series, which involved setting 'moms' down in front of footage of the game being played and recording their reactions of horror and repulsion. The commercials are funny, until you find yourself holding the controller, squirming in your chair as you watch slobbering undead monsters with giant knives for limbs rip your protagonist's legs from his torso. Maybe that should be part of the marketing campaign for the next game in the series: 'Dead Space. It'll make you squirm'.

'Silent Hill' series

What can really be said about “Silent Hill” that has not already been said? “Silent Hill” is the gold standard of survival horror. Drawing its inspiration from the works of Stephen King (“The Fog”) and Dean Koontz (“Phantoms”), the original “Silent Hill” inspired many, many sleepless nights for its PS1 audience. Things only got more frightening in the sequel, which received a graphical upgrade when it made the jump to PS2, Xbox, and PC, making the horrors even more realistic. Though all the games in the “Silent Hill” series are worth playing, the first four games - called the 'canonical four' by some in the fan base - are easily the best and scariest. If you haven't played “Silent Hill”, you're missing out on the best survival horror has to offer.

'Fatal Frame' series

A sense of helplessness is integral to horror. In “Fatal Frame”, you'll find yourself alone, lost, and beset on all sides by poltergeists that are entirely capable of killing you. The only weapon you'll have is an old camera. Want to stop the ghosts? Just take a picture of one of them and he'll vanish. Snapping any old photo of the ghost won't do, though. You'll need to get right up close to it, just to the point where you start to feel its rotten breath and its cold arms enveloping you, shove the camera in its face, and snap off a frame. This game doesn’t just put you in the action- it dunks your head in the pool, holds you there, and pours an extra bucket of water over you for good measure. “Fatal Frame” has one mission: scaring the crap out of you, so it’s not recommended for the faint of heart.

Tomorrow we're going to sit back and relax a little. Instead of picking on the extremes of a category, we're going to take a look at which games are just pure entertainment. We have one that will have you laughing up a storm, and a couple games that will really make you think. Don't worry though, they're still most definitely horror games at heart.

September 18, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

[09.18.12] Best horror games - Most gore

September 18, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

The goriest horror games!

We’ve already covered the best classic titles in horror, but there’s one thing that older systems can’t do as well, and that’s gore. Gore is an integral part of horror; however, the systems of yesteryear just don’t have the power to deliver such, well, graphic graphics. As technology has progressed, games have been inching closer to realism, providing a better platform for developers to deliver that uneasy feeling. If you’re anxious to test your limits and like getting out of your comfort zone, these are the titles that will take you there.

‘Splatterhouse’

At the time of its 1988 release, the original “Splatterhouse” was one of the most absurdly violent games anyone had ever seen, and the 2010 reboot of the game ups the ante by being perhaps the single bloodiest game ever made. Retro-gaming purists will want to play the original on the Turbografx 16, and today's audience will want the remake on Xbox 360 or PS3, which comes with the original game too - but if you have a real lust for gore, either version of the game will suffice. The plot essentially involves a skinny kid who finds a mask that turns him into a hulking engine of death, and proceeds to wander into a haunted mansion and paint its interiors with the blood and entrails of its demonic inhabitants. Just think of these games as 'Interior Decorating for Gorehounds 101' and you'll be on the right track to understanding what “Splatterhouse” is all about.

‘Fallout 3’

“Fallout 3” doesn't get a lot of cred for being a bloody game, probably due to the strength of the game's plot, which outshined many of the game's other elements in reviews. Indeed, you might not really notice the gore-factor in this game either until you find yourself trapped in a derelict facility that used to be a fallout shelter/vault, with mutated monstrosities roaming the halls, their claws and tentacles covered in blood, the ceilings lined with bags containing the eviscerated bodies of the humans foolish to walk into the facility before you. Think you have a strong stomach? Reach inside one of the bloodbags and you might find a few stray bullets. Shoot one of the mutants with them and you'll see their head explode in a shower of gore. Yep, playing “Fallout 3” is kind of like going to a Gallagher show; make sure you bring a plastic tarp- you'll need it.

‘Doom’

Of course “Doom” was going to appear on the list somewhere; it is Halloween, after all. Nowhere does it fit better than here. You know you're in for some serious gore when a game gives you a chainsaw and says “See those demons over there? Go to town on them!” “Doom” was revolutionary when it first released and time has not served to dull its impact. Even today a lot of the shooters being released still don't match the pure, visceral horror of “Doom”. There was a reason the first part of this game was titled 'Knee Deep in the Dead' - because that's exactly where “Doom” will put you.

Alright, we’re going to give you a day to let your stomach settle. You’ll need it too, because tomorrow we’re all about the scares. We’ll get your heart racing and, hopefully, have you jumping out of your seat. If you think you’re brave enough to face these alone, give it a shot; but if you’re easily spooked, you might want to have a friend by your side. Either way, these scary games are worth the experience.

September 17, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

[09.17.12] Best horror games - The classics

September 17, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

The best classic horror games

To start it all off, we’ll revisit some classic horror titles that hopefully everyone has experienced already. If you haven’t, they’re definitely worth checking out, however getting your hands on a copy of the game as well as the necessary equipment to play it may prove to be a little more difficult. In the least, making yourself aware of these well-established classics is necessary for any horror fans or video game fans alike.

'Castlevania'

In the annals of horror gaming, “Castlevania” is perhaps the title that has best stood the test of time. The classic games in the series - generally considered the games from the original arcade release of “Haunted Castle” to “Symphony of the Night” on the PS1 - are not only some of the best games on the consoles they saw release on, they are amongst the best games ever made. Their legendary difficulty, the famous 'Castlevania Frustration Syndrome', kept a lot of gamers from ever seeing the end of one of the early games in the series, but for those who can stick it out, “Castlevania” offers some of the best gameplay ever.

Drawing equally from the classic Universal monster movies and from early video games, “Castlevania” puts you in the shoes of the legendary Belmont family and sends you against Dracula, who wants to destroy the world. To get to him though, you'll have to hack your way through just about every legendary movie monster you ever heard of, from the Wolf Man to the Mummy to Frankenstein. Sound epic enough for you?

‘Metroid’

Nothing conveys the feeling of absolute isolation quite like the low-toned, harmonic minor introductory music to the NES classic “Metroid”. It’s an appropriate introduction to “Metroid”, one of the few games that has ever managed to successfully convey the sense of desolate isolation that was perfected in progenitors of the genre like the classic sci-fi film “Alien”. Innovative in so many ways, perhaps most notably in being one of the first games to include a strong female protagonist, “Metroid” defined the experience of horror on the NES and solidified Nintendo as a company that could do more than simply ‘games for kids’.

Amazingly, Nintendo managed to not only match the quality of the original, but surpass it with the sequel, “Super Metroid”, a game many count as the best game ever. “Metroid” has appeared on many Nintendo platforms since, but the originals still stand as some of the best interactive horror ever produced; and they still have that haunting, lonely title theme.

‘Alone In The Dark’

A true underappreciated classic, “Alone In The Dark” appeared on the PC in 1992 and later, on the 3DO in 1994,to little fanfare. No one seemed to realize that not only was it an incredible game in its own right, it was the first game in what would become an entirely new genre. Simply put, survival horror owes its existence to “Alone In The Dark”. Setting forth most of the tropes that define the genre which would later produce “Resident Evil” and “Silent Hill”, “Alone In The Dark” pioneered gameplay concepts like static 3D backgrounds, providing the player with limited ammunition, environmental puzzles requiring the use of a specific item, and sound cues to tip off the player to approaching monsters. Heavily influenced by the work of horror icon H.P. Lovecraft, “Alone In The Dark” still scares the hell out of us.

Tomorrow, we’re going to take a look at the goriest games in the horror genre. These games will make you squirm in your seat while desperately pulling you in for more. You don’t want to look, but you just can’t help it. It’s ok, though, because this list of titles deserves your undivided attention, even if you have to fight to give it.

June 17, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

[06.17.12] 'Dead Space 3' secret footage ousted

June 17, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

As noted on RedgoateeRob's gaming blog, there is a full twenty minutes of "Dead Space 3" gameplay that has been posted on their YouTube channel. What’s unusual about it is the fact that the video is unlisted. This means that you can't find it by simply searching for it on YouTube or Google. Instead, you have to be given a direct link to the video to be able to view it.

The footage reveals a lot about the upcoming sequel. It shows off the gorgeous new snowy environments and there are even signs of daylight. Not only have some of the places you visit gotten considerably bigger, they're also not pitch black. Don't worry, though, there are still plenty of creepy close encounters that "Dead Space" fans are used to. That being said, a lot has changed as well.

Some new necromorphs shown off in the video, and they've gotten much harder to take down. As with other necromorphs, you definitely need to dismember them, but more so than ever before. One in particular shown during the video grows tentacles after being cut in half at the torso. You'll need to break him down into much tinier pieces by chopping all of those off and cutting the legs off for good measure too.

They're not the only new enemies though, for the first time, there will be human enemies in "Dead Space 3". Unitoligist soldiers will be attempting to stifle your efforts to find the Mark alongside the necromorphs. In comparison, they appear to be relatively easy to take down, so it's likely they won't add much to the difficulty; however they do add an interesting element to the game seeing ass you're taking a living, breathing human life now instead of just mowing down the necromorphs.

The biggest change coming to "Dead Space 3" is the addition of co-op gameplay, which they've implemented in a very fascinating way. There are three ways video games handle cooperative gameplay. The first is the easiest and belongs to games that have you fighting alongside a squad, such as "Rainbow Six Vegas", "Army of Two", "Gears of War", or "Kane and Lynch". When another player is added, they simply take control of one of the supplementary characters whenever you're playing. If, for whatever reason, that isn't possible, then developers usually have them join in as faceless, generic characters who often suddenly disappear during cut scenes. Likewise, when a game typically features a lone protagonist, developers will opt to add in faceless generics. The final option, which requires the most work, is to develop a completely unique co-op experience similar to what can be found in "Portal 2" or the "Spec Ops" mode of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare".

"Dead Space 3" has decided to blur the lines between the last two options by coming up with a very clever and unique twist. When a co-op partner is added in, they're not ignored. Although everything follows along the same path of the single player campaign, Isaac and his new found partner will carry on with conversation absent from the single player experience. The most exhilarating part comes from the cut scenes. Although again similar to the single player experience, they're altered to accommodate the additional person. This shows that it's not some last minute tacked on idea, but something they're really investing time into so the experience can be truly memorable.

To see all of the exciting new changes coming to "Dead Space 3", check out the video here.

Anthony Ortale writes news and reviews on behalf of Examiner.com. He does so much gaming in his spare time, it’s practically a full time job! If you like what you read here, please subscribe to his articles! You can also follow Tony on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook! If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to email Tony any time at ortale.anthony@gmail.com, he would love to hear from you

February 21, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

[02.21.12] Alan Wake’s American Nightmare hopes to change the gaming industry

February 21, 2012

Tony Ortale

2012, Articles

Alan Wake's American Nightmare, the second title in the Xbox Live House Party lineup, is set to release tomorrow and with it comes more than just a fancy new title. This game signifies a major shift in the video game industry. Technology has made some exceptional advancements over the last few decades and despite pioneering some major developments - such as the recent motion gaming craze - the gaming industry has also found ways to drag far behind.

Everybody knows what video games look like. Depending on their age, they might tell you it's a little plastic cartridge with a faded and slightly torn sticker on it that you have to blow into and wiggle around to get to work. The more recent generations will jump to a description featuring a shiny disc that comes in a rectangular plastic case of varying colors with movie-poster graphics showcasing the star of their favorite title. Although they will spend hours shouting about the golden age of gaming and the processing power of their new machine, their arguments are entirely in vein because they're both wrong. That's not what a video game looks like. In fact, video games are so unique and so different, there's simply no way you could throw a blanket statement over them. What they're wasting energy disputing is various forms of media the game is distributed on. Besides, they're not giving the floppy disc guy a fair chance to share his opinions anyway.

The very media they are discussing is exactly what has caused the gaming industry to lag behind. Most games are currently distributed on a compact disc via a retail outlet. This has become the standard and nobody really questions it... but should they. Take a look at the music industry. There's no doubt it's thriving, but when was the last time you listened to a CD? It's a lot more likely you're either using an MP3 player or even your smartphone to take care of the majority of your music needs. This is because the music industry has made the move to digital.

Whether you love it or hate it, that's the way things are now. Buying full records seems absurd to consumers who would prefer to just grab a single track for 99 cents. This is done online and the file is received immediately, ready to be put on an iPod, played from the computer, or stored on a USB flash drive. Another popular alternative is to pay a monthly fee and have unlimited access to streaming content, usually with certain restrictions of course. Regardless of the method, the music industry was quick to adapt while the gaming industry has barely dipped its toes in the water.

DLC is huge in the gaming industry; although it has come under heavy fire recently. DLC stands for ‘downloadable content’. It’s extra stuff for your game, whether it is more campaign for the story, extra maps or songs, or a new outfit for your character. What many consumers have been upset with is so called ‘on-disk DLC’ which has shown up recently. That is, the supposedly additional content is actually already packed away on the disk but had to be purchased at a later time for an additional fee in order to gain access to it. The reason so many consumers are upset with this is because they feel as if they’ve already paid for the content, seeing as it’s stored on the disk they already bought. Additionally, some feel as if it hurts the overall quality of the final product because if this DLC was made before launch, it must have cut into the development time for the original title. This means either something was cut out of the game –likely the ‘DLC’ they just paid for – or that the time could have been used to fine-tune the release before the game went gold. Some people think this ‘on-disk DLC’ suggests that the developers are hesitant to go all-digital. However, even if the DLC is true DLC, it still is really just a baby step forward. If you think about it, DLC isn’t really the same thing as buying a track off of iTunes. It’s more like purchasing an extra verse for your favorite song.

In order to catch up with the music industry, the video game industry really needs to step up its game. They’re definitely getting there, but it’s happening pretty slowly. You can certainly find downloadable versions of full games, however if you browse through the listings on your PS3 or Xbox 360, you’ll notice all the available titles have one thing in common – they’re a little out dated. To anyone who plays on PC, this is a bit of a head-scratcher. The success of all-digital stores, such as Steam or EA’s new Origin, is undeniable. “I love it,” said Rex VanDorpe of Iowa City. “I personally don’t know what I would do without Steam. I can buy and download games in an hour, and I don’t have to leave my house.” He also points out that these digital stores are an excellent tool for promotion. “I find out about games that way, when Steam offers deals.” Not only that, but the ease with which a game can be purchased is added incentive to purchase and play games. “I find myself buying games that I probably would not go to a store and buy. Also, there are good odds I will play digital games more because I don’t have to bother finding an actual disc.”

The thought of not being able to get a new title on day one downloaded straight to their computer just seems silly to PC gamers, however it’s a reality console gamers must face. But then again, is it really affecting them? “Maybe I like going to retail stores at midnight and standing in lines and conversing with other geeky gamers!” Kellie Pickering of Cedar Rapids said. These midnight releases are huge in the gaming industry too. For the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, arguably the biggest title of 2011, stores were opening as early as 9PM to prepare for the crowds. Pickering and Jessica Brierton, from Iowa City, also agree on another thing. “You can’t show off your game collection,” Brierton pointed out. She also made note of the fact that it’s horrible for the used games market, stating that it is “hurting retail companies like GameStop and consumers who like to buy slightly used new games for a good price.”

In 2010, GameStop posted record sales amounting to almost $10 billion. A large portion of this is, of course, their used games. If you’re tired of the game you bought or just flat out think it’s terrible, you can mosey on down to GameStop and trade that game in for some not so hard earned cash or maybe a little extra store credit to put towards another title you’re interested in. If you browse the used section, you can likely find the title you’re looking for at a nice discount. This is great for you and great for GameStop

So that’s a wrap. Everybody wins and everything is ok, right? Unfortunately, there’s one party that doesn’t win, and that’s the game developers. That’s because they get absolutely nothing from a single sale of a used game. “Digital is much more cost effective for game companies, encouraging cheaper prices and innovation,” said Ryan Hingtgen of North Liberty. “Honestly, Digital Distribution of games is good for the industry overall. If you need a good example of a game that has taken digital distribution to a whole new level, look at Minecraft.” He couldn’t be more right. Minecraft reached over one million units sold barely a month after going into the beta stages. This was ten full months prior to its official release and it has since sold over five million units. But this again just proves the success digital releases are having on the PC while developers for consoles are still hesitant to jump on board. That is, until now.

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare marks a big breakthrough for the gaming industry. The original Alan Wake came out in May of 2010 as an exclusive to the Xbox 360. It was highly anticipated, a great success, and it quickly developed a deep fan base. Alan Wake was such a unique title on so many levels. It was set up like a TV show with each chapter being a weekly episode. This allowed for the ease of additional ‘episodes’ being added on via the aforementioned DLC.

Unfortunately, this created a bit of confusion with the announcement of Alan Wake’s American Nightmare. Was this another chapter of DLC? No, it’s a full-featured follow-up title. So what’s the big deal with American Nightmare then? It’s taking the big leap. As part of Xbox Live's House Party, it’s going with an exclusively digital release tomorrow. It’s one of the first blockbusters to make the leap to an immediate and exclusive digital launch. There won’t be a single line outside of any store with people anxiously waiting to buy the game. Nobody is paying extra for a collector’s edition, and nobody will be filing the case away next to the other games in their collection. Outside of a minor gathering of fans that will wait up for the game to be published, most will probably go to sleep and buy the game whenever they get on Live next.

The big question is how is this going to affect the industry? Will GameStop and other local stores like Video Games Etc. or Gamers feel the pain of not being able to resell this title? That seems highly unlikely. There are so many other titles in circulation already, there’s absolutely no way one game could have a devastating effect on their sales; at least not immediately anyway. A lot is riding on the success or failure that American Nightmare is about to face. If it’s a massive hit, other developers will take notice and this could inspire many of them to go all-digital.

But then again, what if it doesn’t succeed? Things seem to be stacked in their favor, seeing as the digital format allows them to cut out the cost of the middle-man retail store, forgo paying the cost of materials for physical copies, and actually collect money from every single copy they sell… but at what cost? Its possible many gamers will choose not to purchase it since there’s no lower price option available. Sure that’s not a loss to the developers since they wouldn’t have collected money off the used sale anyway, but what about all of the other copies that would have inspired purchases? You can’t rent a digital copy and definitely won’t be able to loan yours out to a friend. All of those people may have been interested in buying it after they tried it, but now it’s likely they won’t purchase it at all.

There’s also the crowd that are boycotting digital distribution. Rob Nielsen, writer of the RedGoateeRob Horror Gaming Blog, is definitely not a fan.

“The thing that nobody seems to care about here is the impact on consumer rights. With a lot of these digital distribution services, I`m given to understand that if they go out of business or if someone accuses you of hacking or using a stolen credit card , they can revoke access to your entire game collection.”

He brings up valid points, many companies, even outside of the gaming industry, have taken hits for their insane and “intrusive” DRM. That hasn’t stopped companies from trying though because in the end, it always benefits them.

“The upshot is that digital distribution is great for the bottom line of the companies that are pushing it and utterly terrible for the consumer. I`ve never paid money for a digitally distributed game and I never will.”

His love of horror games isn’t enough to step away from his thoughts about digital distribution even for one day to try out this game, no matter how great it may end up being. That’s yet another lost sale that digital distribution has contributed to, and he’s not the only one that feels that way. There are many other gamers out there who loathe the idea of digital distribution. Perhaps what the companies need to do is find a happy medium.

Emily McKnight, from Iowa City, feels that way. “If the company offers it as a service alongside production of physical copies, that is probably useful to some people.” With the success the PC gaming market has found through side-by-side sales of both physical and digital copies; that really seems like the way to go. So maybe American Nightmare is a step too far, or maybe it’s not a step in the right direction at all. We won’t know until the initial sales numbers are released in the following weeks. So regardless of which side of the argument you fall on and whether or not you’re going to buy American Nightmare tomorrow, you’ll be speaking with your wallet and the entire gaming industry will be anxiously watching.

Anthony Ortale writes news and reviews on behalf of Examiner.com. He does so much gaming in his spare time, it’s practically a full time job! If you like what you read here, please subscribe to his articles! You can also follow Tony on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook! If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to email Tony any time at ortale.anthony@gmail.com, he would love to hear from you