Note: This post was started on 3/4/08.... I've been horrendously slacking on the blog since then, due to finishing up college, moving from NY to CA, and starting a job. I plan to actually start updating this on a daily basis (hey... I hear laughter...). But seriously, I really want to try and create a habit out of updating, no matter how small. So stay tuned for actual updates!
I've finally finished Bioshock, after getting it the day it came out and playing it off and on since then. Here are my thoughts. (I don't want to call these reviews, since I don't really want to go into too much depth relating to sound and graphics like a typical review. They are just my thoughts regarding the games).
Bioshock is one of the best games I've played in a while. And by "a while" I mean that I haven't played a game since Metal Gear Solid 2 that so wonderfully entwines story and action (I never played MGS3, mind you, but since it didn't really further the MGS2 story, I don't count it in the MGS storyline). The setting of the game is such a high achievement of imagination, and Irrational Games/2K Boston/Marin did a wonderful job of drawing players in to an incredibly unique, and many times disturbing, landscape.
Another aspect of Bioshock is its intensity. Lately, shooters have really lacked the seat-of-your-pants, HOLY SHIT ITS CHASING ME-type feel that really makes a great experience. The Doom series really pulled this off well, especially Doom 3, and I really find that aspect of the game compelling. True, sometimes it forces you to take a break from the game for fear of having a heart attack, but it keeps you coming back. All of the enemy-AI technology in the world means nothing to me personally without the "fear" aspect, and I think that is what a lot of modern shooters lack as they look towards more realistic settings. Even Halo, with its sci-fi setting, seems a bit too "military" and formulaic. Of course, Halo has great sequences to break things up, but it never really gives you that fear of what's around the next bend. Bioshock has that, and its amazing. I tried to get Meghan playing a few times, but she kind of fell off due to the intensity of it. Hell, I almost did at times too, but I kept coming back because of the story, which is an aspect that Doom lacks. There were a bunch of great twists and turns, and an amazing story scene near the end that had my jaw dropping.
To cut this a bit short before you get bored... Bioshock is great, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a great game experience and who enjoys shooters with a sci-fi/fantasy/RPG twist. It will be on my list of great games for a long time to come....
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Naruto Arena
Ok, so I have been slacking on my new gaming blog (I've been meaning to post my thoughts on Bioshock, having recently beaten it). It's all because of a game. A fairly simple little game called Naruto Arena. It is a free online game created and maintained by some Naruto fans. It is incredibly addicting. I play it every possible moment I can.
Let me break down the basic premise of the game. You pick three characters from across the Naruto storyline (up to the end of the "real" storyline of the original series, they are actually working on adding Shippuuden content right now). You then start a game and you are matched up against another opponent's 3 person team. You are matched based upon your ranking (more on this later). The game is turned based, with each person getting 60 seconds to select abilities each round. The abilities you choose are based on the characters on your team. Each character has 4 total abilities, with 3 unique abilities, and the ability to go invulnerable for one round. Abilities cost chakra. There are 4 types of chakra (Red, White, Blue, Green), and each of the abilities requires some amount of specific chakra and/or random chakra. You get 1 chakra per person alive on your team per turn (i.e. 3 a turn if all characters are alive). Each character has 100 health and the game ends when all characters are dead. Abilities have various effects. Some do damage, while others disable/debuff the opposing team or buff your own team.
In short, it is a lot like Magic: The Gathering, the card game. Chakra is like land, abilities are like cards in your deck, and you have a three person team basically. And similarly to Magic, Naruto Arena is very strategy intensive. You need to know what everyone one your team can do, and what situations the abilities are useful in, as well as know the characters and abilities your opponent is using, and how to prepare for them. When Rock Lee opens his 5th gate, you better believe he is about the lay the hurtin on your characters, so you better do anything you can to prevent damage for the next two rounds, or two of your characters will be dead. So, you better make sure each turn you know what is happening in the game. With this combination of deep strategy and luck embedded within the game, it is incredibly engaging. At this point, I have played over 150 games and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.
This replayability is due to the Ninja Missions in the game, which are used to unlock characters. you gain the ability to complete missions as you move higher up the Ladder Rankings. The missions are things like "Win 4 games in a row with Naruto" or "Beat Gaara with Sasuke in your party 2 times" or any combination of these types of requirements. Some of the later missions require you to complete like 20 different objectives before the mission is complete. The missions basically follow the storyline of the series, and allow you to unlock powerful characters like Orochimaru and Jiraiya. There are a TON of missions, and you can be working on the objectives of all of them at once, as long as you meet the requirements. I want Kakashi!!
The only minor gripes I have with the game are the fact that is slightly buggy, and a bugged game can ruin a streak objective you have going, as you could automatically lose due to a bug or lag issue. Also, you are only allowed 60 seconds for your turn.
As I write this, there are over 3500 people logged in and playing Naruto Arena. It is really, really fun. So, if you are a fan of Naruto, or Magic, or any type of deep thinking game, I would suggest you give it a try. It is a ton of fun and a perfect distraction for class :-p.
Naruto Arena Enjoy!
Let me break down the basic premise of the game. You pick three characters from across the Naruto storyline (up to the end of the "real" storyline of the original series, they are actually working on adding Shippuuden content right now). You then start a game and you are matched up against another opponent's 3 person team. You are matched based upon your ranking (more on this later). The game is turned based, with each person getting 60 seconds to select abilities each round. The abilities you choose are based on the characters on your team. Each character has 4 total abilities, with 3 unique abilities, and the ability to go invulnerable for one round. Abilities cost chakra. There are 4 types of chakra (Red, White, Blue, Green), and each of the abilities requires some amount of specific chakra and/or random chakra. You get 1 chakra per person alive on your team per turn (i.e. 3 a turn if all characters are alive). Each character has 100 health and the game ends when all characters are dead. Abilities have various effects. Some do damage, while others disable/debuff the opposing team or buff your own team.
In short, it is a lot like Magic: The Gathering, the card game. Chakra is like land, abilities are like cards in your deck, and you have a three person team basically. And similarly to Magic, Naruto Arena is very strategy intensive. You need to know what everyone one your team can do, and what situations the abilities are useful in, as well as know the characters and abilities your opponent is using, and how to prepare for them. When Rock Lee opens his 5th gate, you better believe he is about the lay the hurtin on your characters, so you better do anything you can to prevent damage for the next two rounds, or two of your characters will be dead. So, you better make sure each turn you know what is happening in the game. With this combination of deep strategy and luck embedded within the game, it is incredibly engaging. At this point, I have played over 150 games and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.
This replayability is due to the Ninja Missions in the game, which are used to unlock characters. you gain the ability to complete missions as you move higher up the Ladder Rankings. The missions are things like "Win 4 games in a row with Naruto" or "Beat Gaara with Sasuke in your party 2 times" or any combination of these types of requirements. Some of the later missions require you to complete like 20 different objectives before the mission is complete. The missions basically follow the storyline of the series, and allow you to unlock powerful characters like Orochimaru and Jiraiya. There are a TON of missions, and you can be working on the objectives of all of them at once, as long as you meet the requirements. I want Kakashi!!
The only minor gripes I have with the game are the fact that is slightly buggy, and a bugged game can ruin a streak objective you have going, as you could automatically lose due to a bug or lag issue. Also, you are only allowed 60 seconds for your turn.
As I write this, there are over 3500 people logged in and playing Naruto Arena. It is really, really fun. So, if you are a fan of Naruto, or Magic, or any type of deep thinking game, I would suggest you give it a try. It is a ton of fun and a perfect distraction for class :-p.
Naruto Arena Enjoy!
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