To start this off, how in the hell did this game ever get a metacritic rating of 90? The game was unplayable at launch without constantly going in and deleting files to keep it from crashing. I had bought this the day it came out and had returned it to Gamestop within a week. Being a steam game though, I still had access to it, not getting the urge to download until recently.
While most of the crashes have been removed from the game, the game is still lackluster. I loved the original Medieval: Total War and enjoyed the Medieval 2, but cannot get into this game in the least bit. I'm not really sure what it is that is putting me off either. The game is sluggish on my computer when it shouldn't be, which contributes to my frustration.
I guess the problems lies in the lack of control I feel over my empire. I've been playing a lot of Civ 4 recently and in comparison, Empire is severely lacking. No peaceful means of expansion, minimal control over territories, and not much city control. I know Empire is more a war game, but a little variety would be nice. The only advantage that Empire theoretically has over Civ 4 is in actually playing out the battles. If only it were true in practice. Shoddy camera controls and overall lackluster AI makes it more enjoyable to auto-resolve every battle. Random point: why the fuck can't troops move quicker on the campaign map. Dear lord it takes forever for them to move.
Another peeve of mine is in regards to the DLC. Really, unit packs? You are going to charge people a couple of dollars for non-placeholder units? It is a big rip to me, as I have no problems with DLC for a game when it actually adds to the playtime. In the old days, this type of stuff would have been free content patch or combined up with a new campaign or something in a full blown expansion. Now they feel they can just nickle and dime us. Needless to say, I don't plan on purchasing any of the DLC.
Showing posts with label what i'm playing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label what i'm playing. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
What I'm Playing: Team Fortress 2
The WAR update for the game that came out a couple weeks ago effectively killed my playtime down to only five hours in the last two weeks. Before that, it had enjoyed a long stretch of 10-20 hours a week, only being broken up by Dragon Age.
There are two main issues that I had with the update. The first is the classes. I absolutely loathe the playstyles of both demomen and soldiers, my two least played classes. Spamming projectiles on the cart and around corners doesn't take much in the way of skill. So of course, the new update makes everyone choose the classes to play with, leaving teams of sometimes 10 soldiers and demomen combined. I know this will balance out again, as I have already seen it steadily waning, but until it gets back to the old breakdowns, I end up frustrated more often than not.
The second issue is in regards to achievements. I like achievements that you get by going on a lucky streak or just doing what you are supposed to a bunch of times. I absolutely loathe achievements that make me change my playstyle, like taunt kills and taunting after kills. Let me just focus on killing and be pleasantly surprised as a window occassionally pops up saying "Achievement Unlocked: Yada Yada." It wouldn't be so annoying if the easiest way to get the new weapons was through the milestones. You can get to the first milestone pretty quickly, but end up having to change playstyles to get to the last one.
TF2 will continue to be on the backburner for at least a little while longer.
There are two main issues that I had with the update. The first is the classes. I absolutely loathe the playstyles of both demomen and soldiers, my two least played classes. Spamming projectiles on the cart and around corners doesn't take much in the way of skill. So of course, the new update makes everyone choose the classes to play with, leaving teams of sometimes 10 soldiers and demomen combined. I know this will balance out again, as I have already seen it steadily waning, but until it gets back to the old breakdowns, I end up frustrated more often than not.
The second issue is in regards to achievements. I like achievements that you get by going on a lucky streak or just doing what you are supposed to a bunch of times. I absolutely loathe achievements that make me change my playstyle, like taunt kills and taunting after kills. Let me just focus on killing and be pleasantly surprised as a window occassionally pops up saying "Achievement Unlocked: Yada Yada." It wouldn't be so annoying if the easiest way to get the new weapons was through the milestones. You can get to the first milestone pretty quickly, but end up having to change playstyles to get to the last one.
TF2 will continue to be on the backburner for at least a little while longer.
Monday, January 4, 2010
What I'm Playing: Portal
In a continuation of what I've been playing, we arrive at Portal. I saw this game on the steam holiday sale for $5 and jumped on the bandwagon. While the game overall is good, I am glad I didn't spend anymore money on it.
The game does a good job of getting players slowly adjusted to the game mechanics, introducing them one at a time. The puzzles were overall pretty easy to complete, requiring only minimal retries with no need of searching for outside help. I liked the fact that even the jumps that required placing a new portal in mid-jump were decently easy to pull off. Nothing gets me madder than having to do a jump twenty times in a row to get it just right.
The storyline, while minimal, was just intriguing enough to keep me interested. The frosted glass windows high above left me feeling like someone was always above watching, even though in reality there wasn't. Glados provided comical voice overs, as I really enjoyed the ones involving the companion cube and it talking to you.
The light combat, with the turrets in the android training course, was just dangerous enough to keep you on your toes. The easiest way to beat them being portal in behind and kick them over was a little disappointing. This is counter balanced by the ability to get them to kill each other which was a fun way to do it.
The game only lasted about three hours for me, another two added on by playing through again with developer commentary on. This is the main reason for me not wanting to spend more than five bucks on the game. Hopefully Portal 2 will include a longer game and possibly some multiplayer co-op.
The game does a good job of getting players slowly adjusted to the game mechanics, introducing them one at a time. The puzzles were overall pretty easy to complete, requiring only minimal retries with no need of searching for outside help. I liked the fact that even the jumps that required placing a new portal in mid-jump were decently easy to pull off. Nothing gets me madder than having to do a jump twenty times in a row to get it just right.
The storyline, while minimal, was just intriguing enough to keep me interested. The frosted glass windows high above left me feeling like someone was always above watching, even though in reality there wasn't. Glados provided comical voice overs, as I really enjoyed the ones involving the companion cube and it talking to you.
The light combat, with the turrets in the android training course, was just dangerous enough to keep you on your toes. The easiest way to beat them being portal in behind and kick them over was a little disappointing. This is counter balanced by the ability to get them to kill each other which was a fun way to do it.
The game only lasted about three hours for me, another two added on by playing through again with developer commentary on. This is the main reason for me not wanting to spend more than five bucks on the game. Hopefully Portal 2 will include a longer game and possibly some multiplayer co-op.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
What I'm Playing: L4D2
I figured I would start a series of posts chronicling what I've been playing for the last couple of weeks. The short is a decent number of games, but nothing too in depth. I'll start with one I received for Christmas, Left 4 Dead 2.
Team-Based Gameplay
Not having played the original other than a demo, I can't comment on whether it was too soon after the first or if enough of an upgrade. I can only say that I've been having an overall good time with it. My main complaint with the game (which is also a positive depending on the time) is the over reliance of team based gameplay. I have no problems playing on teams having participated in CAL matches and a tournament for Battlefield 2, but random pick-up teams leaves you wondering what kind of game you are in for.
I have had plenty of great games where the team was clicking and people were communicating and we would end up steamrolling on Versus or Scavenge. But I've had plenty more experiences with utterly horrible teams that wouldn't talk and wouldn't even work together, having one member go running off ahead of the group and leaving us to fend off the four infected players. This leaves a Jekyll and Hyde effect as the good teams were some of the most fun I've ever had in a co-op game while the bad ones have left me rage quitting in frustration.
Levels
The levels in the game are really a mixed bag. Some are just god awful to play through even when you are a good team. The bridge and plantation come to mind in this regard. Fighting a non-ending stream of zombies for a couple minutes straight with no break just gets on my nerves. The best round of plantation I had was when the gate glitched and immediately opened after talking on the radio for the second time, letting us escape to the boat, ignoring the whole climax of the battle.
For the bad ones, there are some definite winners. Hard Rain comes to mind for the interesting storm mechanic. Fumbling around in the howling wind and pouring rain was quite exhilarating and improved an otherwise drab level design. Also, I like the daylight levels as opposed to the screenshots of the mostly nighttime first game. Something about broad daylight gets me more interested.
Weapons
I can't imagine having to play through the campaigns without melee weapons as you would have to in the original. Being surrounded by enemies is easy to clear away with a couple swings of a baseball bat or machete, rather than spinning around shooting with a shotgun or assault rifle. Heck, probably a fifth to a quarter of my kills are with melee weapons.
Overall
Overall, I would recommend this game to people, though I find myself slowly getting to the point of playing when I see friends on. Maybe I just have a lower tolerance for stupid than most, but the bad teammates can kill a round a for me.
Team-Based Gameplay
Not having played the original other than a demo, I can't comment on whether it was too soon after the first or if enough of an upgrade. I can only say that I've been having an overall good time with it. My main complaint with the game (which is also a positive depending on the time) is the over reliance of team based gameplay. I have no problems playing on teams having participated in CAL matches and a tournament for Battlefield 2, but random pick-up teams leaves you wondering what kind of game you are in for.
I have had plenty of great games where the team was clicking and people were communicating and we would end up steamrolling on Versus or Scavenge. But I've had plenty more experiences with utterly horrible teams that wouldn't talk and wouldn't even work together, having one member go running off ahead of the group and leaving us to fend off the four infected players. This leaves a Jekyll and Hyde effect as the good teams were some of the most fun I've ever had in a co-op game while the bad ones have left me rage quitting in frustration.
Levels
The levels in the game are really a mixed bag. Some are just god awful to play through even when you are a good team. The bridge and plantation come to mind in this regard. Fighting a non-ending stream of zombies for a couple minutes straight with no break just gets on my nerves. The best round of plantation I had was when the gate glitched and immediately opened after talking on the radio for the second time, letting us escape to the boat, ignoring the whole climax of the battle.
For the bad ones, there are some definite winners. Hard Rain comes to mind for the interesting storm mechanic. Fumbling around in the howling wind and pouring rain was quite exhilarating and improved an otherwise drab level design. Also, I like the daylight levels as opposed to the screenshots of the mostly nighttime first game. Something about broad daylight gets me more interested.
Weapons
I can't imagine having to play through the campaigns without melee weapons as you would have to in the original. Being surrounded by enemies is easy to clear away with a couple swings of a baseball bat or machete, rather than spinning around shooting with a shotgun or assault rifle. Heck, probably a fifth to a quarter of my kills are with melee weapons.
Overall
Overall, I would recommend this game to people, though I find myself slowly getting to the point of playing when I see friends on. Maybe I just have a lower tolerance for stupid than most, but the bad teammates can kill a round a for me.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
What I'm Playing
I know I haven't updated this blog in awhile, but it's part of my November goals to get it started again, along with taking part in NANOWRIMO. So I'll be keeping this blog update with my progress and also my journeys in Dragon Age.
Part of the reason for my hiatus is the reason that I haven't really been playing anything substantial the last few months. That will all change come November 3rd though.
On to what I have been playing:
1) Torchlight Demo
Not sold on it even with all the good word of mouth out in the blogosphere. Seems like going to Diablo 1 from Diablo 2, a step backwards. I miss the free roaming aspect that has been replaced with the railroad tracks approach. The story is just plain missing and loot drops way too fast.
2) NCAA Football 09
Yep, going back a year and replaying this. Not really sure why other than as a way to kill time until Dragon Age comes out.
3) Jade Empire
After reading comments that Bioware wanted to come back and visit this IP, I got the urge to play again. It is progressing quite slowly as I am just about to go to the fortress of Death's Hand. Combat really starts to drag and I'm lacking the motivation to really push myself forward.
Part of the reason for my hiatus is the reason that I haven't really been playing anything substantial the last few months. That will all change come November 3rd though.
On to what I have been playing:
1) Torchlight Demo
Not sold on it even with all the good word of mouth out in the blogosphere. Seems like going to Diablo 1 from Diablo 2, a step backwards. I miss the free roaming aspect that has been replaced with the railroad tracks approach. The story is just plain missing and loot drops way too fast.
2) NCAA Football 09
Yep, going back a year and replaying this. Not really sure why other than as a way to kill time until Dragon Age comes out.
3) Jade Empire
After reading comments that Bioware wanted to come back and visit this IP, I got the urge to play again. It is progressing quite slowly as I am just about to go to the fortress of Death's Hand. Combat really starts to drag and I'm lacking the motivation to really push myself forward.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
What I'm Playing
Not much really. Currently stuck in the school grind waiting for new games to come out.
World of Warcraft
I now have 4 horde characters in the level 10-16 range that I'm slowly working up. Problem is I lose interest in the game every Friday when SWTOR updates come out. Damn you Bioware!
Blood Bowl
My go-to game of late. Created a skaven team and having a blast. I've got a gutter runner who has scored 18 touchdowns through 6 games, including 6 in one. Trying to up my offense a bit more by adding 2 more gutter runners (to a total of 4), but worried about protecting the thrower while they get open. Usually takes 2 turns to score on offense and am playing some stifling defense.
Company of Heroes
Installed this recently on a whim and am working my way through the second mission (destroying the AA guns). I love this game and is one of the few campaigns in an RTS that I've actually finished. I play really tactically, for example I built two sandbag walls on either side of the road for destroying the patrol with mines a bit further down the road. This is so the first two motorcycles would go through and blow up while I ran 4 paratrooper squads to the sandbag walls to take out the half tracks.
World of Warcraft
I now have 4 horde characters in the level 10-16 range that I'm slowly working up. Problem is I lose interest in the game every Friday when SWTOR updates come out. Damn you Bioware!
Blood Bowl
My go-to game of late. Created a skaven team and having a blast. I've got a gutter runner who has scored 18 touchdowns through 6 games, including 6 in one. Trying to up my offense a bit more by adding 2 more gutter runners (to a total of 4), but worried about protecting the thrower while they get open. Usually takes 2 turns to score on offense and am playing some stifling defense.
Company of Heroes
Installed this recently on a whim and am working my way through the second mission (destroying the AA guns). I love this game and is one of the few campaigns in an RTS that I've actually finished. I play really tactically, for example I built two sandbag walls on either side of the road for destroying the patrol with mines a bit further down the road. This is so the first two motorcycles would go through and blow up while I ran 4 paratrooper squads to the sandbag walls to take out the half tracks.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
What I'm Playing
Blood Bowl - Currently only playing a game or so a night but am still enjoying it. I have an orc team that I am taking through the single player campaign. It has been a while since they last lost a game though a Skaven team (always my bane) nearly ended that streak in the last game. Luckily killing their gutter runner and running the ball in on turn 15 saved me a draw.
World of Warcraft - My gnome mage is up to 10, shaman is still at 14, and the death knight is 74. Haven't played too much of late.
Diablo 2- Started up another playthrough with a friend. Currently going as a dual-axe wielding barbarian. Finished the first act and ran the sewers at the start of the second.
Warcraft 3 - Having played the first two, but never the third, I finally borrowed the disc and am working through a campaign. Currently on the 3rd or 4th mission with the humans.
That is pretty much where I'm at at the moment. Nothing holding my attention for too long and a wide variety of games on the hard drive. My guess is it's the anticipation of the upcoming fall release season. Sure many games have been pushed back already, but it is still looking solid.
World of Warcraft - My gnome mage is up to 10, shaman is still at 14, and the death knight is 74. Haven't played too much of late.
Diablo 2- Started up another playthrough with a friend. Currently going as a dual-axe wielding barbarian. Finished the first act and ran the sewers at the start of the second.
Warcraft 3 - Having played the first two, but never the third, I finally borrowed the disc and am working through a campaign. Currently on the 3rd or 4th mission with the humans.
That is pretty much where I'm at at the moment. Nothing holding my attention for too long and a wide variety of games on the hard drive. My guess is it's the anticipation of the upcoming fall release season. Sure many games have been pushed back already, but it is still looking solid.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
What I'm Playing and Future Possibilities
Right now, I'm definitely in a gaming rut. I find myself looking more to the future than playing what is currently sitting on my hard drive. I have a partially finished Oblivion game going and need to get a Mass Effect play through finished (reformatted old computer without copying saved game files).
So right now, the only game that I am able to get myself to load up is Blood Bowl. This is a game I would highly recommend to someone looking for a new game to play. I'll have a review up shortly, but it is a blast to play and I'm just getting started with online play.
It's probably easier to just put a list of games that coming out that I am look forward to rather than describing each one.
So right now, the only game that I am able to get myself to load up is Blood Bowl. This is a game I would highly recommend to someone looking for a new game to play. I'll have a review up shortly, but it is a blast to play and I'm just getting started with online play.
It's probably easier to just put a list of games that coming out that I am look forward to rather than describing each one.
- Tropico 3
- Scribblenauts
- Dragon Age Origins
- Alpha Protocol
- Diablo 3
- Starcraft 2
- Star Wars: The Old Republic
- Mass Effect 2
- Battlefield 1943
Yeah, definitely a lot to look forward to at the moment.
I've also had a hankering to get back into a MMO recently, but the thought of getting my Death Knight or Rogue to 80 in WoW isn't very appealing. I only have low levels in LotRO after playing the alpha/beta so long that I never got into it at release. Those are only the 2 currently out MMOs that would I go to, as I won't go back to any of the others I've played (including my first love SWG).
So I have been looking at Champions Online and Aion lately. The CO Open Beta starts Monday so I'm going to try it out then and Aion currently requires you to pre-order it, which I won't do. Maybe one of these two will catch my attention, but I highly doubt it.
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