Posted

Dec 8th 2009

Mood

Quantum Theory update – in depth interview
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/10/tgs-2009-quantum-theory-update/

Very cool in depth interview about this game




Ion Assault – LA Demo

Basically this is a giant extrapolation of an experiment with an advanced particle engine. It’s a 2D-based gameplay with you being in a box full of space dust. You suck up the dust and shoot it out in powerful beams at the asteroids and aliens that inhabit the box with you. It looks pretty cool, but the particle effects can be distracting and hard to see through. Ultimately it isn’t that fun though, since it’s like asteroids, except you have to charge all your shots to kill anything. =\ So boo on that.





Darkest of Days – Demo

This is very unusual, there’s only one good aspect of the game (the writing and base concept) but everything in regards to execution is truly bad. HOWEVER … I really want to see this company make a sequel and improve. Anyhoo, the core premise of this game is that you work for a future company that deals with policing the timelines and make sure that time bandits don’t screw up the continuity too much. Fortunately it plays by the loosey goosey set of rules where it’s perfectly ok to go nuts and kill a bunch of people in the civil war with a plasma rifle, ‘cause hey, it’s war. Yeah, graphics are horrible, sound is somewhat bad, the gameplay and level designs are REALLY bad (horrible check point placements and several compeletely on-rails sections where control is rested from you for up to a minute). Buuuuuut, they were willing to experiment and try different things, which is rare for ANY shooter nowadays.

Like I said, the writing is great. It hampers with gameplay, frequently, but the dialogue itself is actually refreshingly nice. I.e. the guide talking about a particular battle of the civil war that you’d be heading into: “basically, you’re going into a colossal goat f***, this patch of ground was traded 11 times during the war and all regiments involved lost over half their men. Not a single stalk of corn was left standing by the end of it.”

So yeah, it’s definitely a sophomore trial for the team and might have worked better as an LA episodic title … but regardless I hope the team survives, gets new members, and makes a better executed game next time.





Last Flight
http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2009/10/08/last-flight-resurfaces-as-an-episodic-game/

Vampires on an airplane? Sweeeet




Wii Airport Securitii? … no, seriously
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/balance-board-used-in-experimental-airport-screening-study/

An experimental program to measure fidgeting.