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Gaming – 2008 Holiday Gift Guide

November 28, 2008 — Leave a comment

Originally published in The Daily Toreador.

It’s the start of the holiday season. Time to plan trips home, study for finals, and most importantly: figure out what awesome video games you’re going to ask to receive as gifts.

This is made increasingly difficult by the fact that more games were released in the past couple of months than Santa could possibly fit in his sleigh – and December promises at least a few more.

But never fear! With this guide, it is my intention to at least help get your greedy gaming hands started.

Ignoring most games that came out much earlier in the year – really, people, you should have bought “Grand Theft Auto 4” and “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” already – here are some of the biggest and best games this holiday season, separated by categories better to suit your playing style.

The Action Gamer

“Call of Duty: World at War”: Unlike “Call of Duty 4,” which brought the series into modern warfare, “Call of Duty: World at War” goes back to the battles of World War II. However, it uses the same engine that made “CoD4” immensely fun and popular, delivering great gameplay and a fantastic online experience. For the 360, PS3, Wii and PC.

“Far Cry 2”: Set in Africa, this open-world first-person shooter is packed with action, mercenaries, guns and wildfires. While the plot may be lacking, players have a lot of choices as to which directions they will take in any given scenario. For the 360, PS3 and PC.

“Gears of War 2”: “Bigger, better, and more badass” than the original, “Gears of War 2” combines adrenaline laced gameplay with excellent graphics, a great story, and outstanding multiplayer modes. For the Xbox 360.

“Prince of Persia”: Coming in early December, “Prince of Persia” promises to build on everything that made the “Prince of Persia: Sands of Time” trilogy on the last generation of consoles such a success. With a new, cel-shaded art style, insane acrobatic feats have never looked this good. For 360 and PS3.

“Resistance 2”: The alternate-history war with the monstrous Chimera isn’t over. This sequel to the best-selling first-person shooter is more hectic than ever, with 60 player online deathmatch eight player online cooperative play.

The Horror Fan

“Dead Space”: Taking the best aspects of classics like “Bioshock” and “Resident Evil 4,” “Dead Space” is an extremely good – and immensely terrifying – survival horror game in which you have to cut off the limbs of undead aliens and discover the shocking fate of the Planet Cracker class ship USG Ishimura. For the 360, PS3 and PC.

“Left 4 Dead”: It’s zombies vs. humans in this multiplayer gore fest. A band of four human players must work together to survive hordes of human-controlled undead with explosive results. The game is a blast when played with others, but avoid it if you never intend to play online with others. For the 360 and PC.

The Sports Enthusiast

“Motorstorm: Pacific Rift”: Continuing in the tradition of the gorgeous visuals of the PlayStation 3’s launch title original, “Pacific Rift” takes things out of the desert and somewhat more lush scenery. With twice as many tracks as the original and great multiplayer, off-road racing fans should enjoy this one. For the PS3.

“Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff”: Remember “Tecmo Bowl” back from your old Nintendo days? It’s back, and provides the beloved over-the-top, all-American football experience you would want. Easy to pick up and play – both alone and with friends, online and off – it’s a football title that can be enjoyed by more than just “Madden” fans. For the DS.

The Role-Player

“Chrono Trigger”: On the downside, this is the same adventure that you enjoyed on the SNES 13 years ago. On the upside, this is the same adventure you enjoyed on the SNES 13 years ago. It’s got the same amazing plot and timeless gameplay that fans remember and love. Tons of extras and refinements make this the definitive version of the classic. For the DS.

“Fable 2”: This fantasy epic lets you become the world of Albion’s greatest savior … or its most feared villain. In addition to a main story featuring open-world gameplay and 3rd person combat, you’re given a large variety of side activities and choices. You can hang out at the pup, buy houses, slaughter villagers, get married (to more than one woman, if you so choose) and even choose whether to have protected or unprotected sex. The world is yours to play in. For the 360.

“Fallout 3”: In this post-apocalyptic open-world RPG, players are given absolute freedom to do whatever they want – even if they never want to follow the game’s main storyline. Impactful decisions between good and evil are present, giving you choices that not only affect the story or individual lives, but even whether or not an entire town will be saved or nuked. A rich story and potentially over 100 hours of gameplay await. For 360, PS3 and PC.

“The Witcher: Enhanced Edition”: When “The Witcher” was released last year, it was welcomed with high acclaim and was heralded as one of the best PC RPGs in years. But a lot of people ignored the experience. Now, “The Witcher: Enhanced Edition” is the definitive “Witcher” experience, with a rewritten script and rerecorded voice acting, as well as upgraded visuals and fewer bugs. If you missed out on this dark fantasy epic before, don’t make that mistake again. For the PC.

“World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King”: If you’re already a “World of Warcraft” addict, then you probably already have its second expansion pack, “Wrath of the Lich King.” But if you’ve been holding back, don’t miss out on the chance to explore the icy realm of Northrend, or explore the intricacies of the new Death Knight class. For the PC.

The Strategists and Puzzle Solvers

“Professor Layton and the Curious Village”: Exercising your brain is rarely as fun as it is when solving mysterious with Professor Layton. In a great, stylish murder mystery in which players have to solve over 100 touch-screen puzzles, this game should be on the wish list of anybody who likes to use their brain. For the DS.

“Spore:” From the creator of “The Sims,” “Spore” gives you the task of creating a creature and guiding it through all the stages of evolution – from simple organism to space-faring powerhouse. The creature creator alone will be enough to satisfy some people, as it allows for near-limitless creativity. For the PC.

“World of Goo”: As a $10 downloadable title, there’s an outstanding value in “World of Goo,” which has players using their Wii remotes to build crazy goo structures in order to help goo blobs reach their goal and escape imprisonment from an evil corporation. For the Wii.

The Toe Tappers

“Guitar Hero World Tour”: The “Guitar Hero” name is a little less appropriate now, as “World Tour” follows in “Rock Band’s” footprints and adds drums and vocals to the mix. Along with a song creator, fans of the series will find a lot to love with this new addition. For PS2, PS3, 360 and Wii.

“Lips”: If you’re a karaoke fan, this is the game for you. With a variety of songs out of the box as well as the ability to add songs from your own music library off of your MP3 player or Xbox hard drive, there’s a lot of enjoyment to be had here. Wireless microphones included. For the 360.

“Rock Band 2”: More than just a song pack, “Rock Band 2” addresses a lot of the problems that fans had with the original, making it even more of an absolute blast to play both alone and with friends. For the PS2, PS3, 360, and Wii.

Fun for All Ages

“Animal Crossing: City Folk”: While the newest game in the “Animal Crossing” series doesn’t change much and adds little, it’s still just as addictive as ever. Players live in a town full of animal residents where they catch bugs, fish, interact with neighbors, decorate a house and try to escape a never-ending debt to Tom Nook. Perfect for today’s economy. For the Wii.

“Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts”: Gaming’s most popular bird and bear duo are back in a new adventure that has them jumping less and building more. Players complete a vast and varied number of challenges by building different vehicles in order to drive, fly, and float your way to collecting puzzle pieces. The results are an absolute blast. For the 360.

“de Blob”: Paint the town. Literally. “de Blob” puts you in the role of a blob of pain that has to bring color back to a colorless world in this stylized platformer. For the Wii.

“LittleBigPlanet”: Play. Create. Share. In this cutesy side-scrolling platformer, players can play alone or with up to three friends to work their way through innovative levels – or make some of their own to share online. For the PS3.

In Columns, Gaming
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Column – Twilight objectifies men

November 15, 2008 — Leave a comment

Last semester, I wrote a column defending the video game “Mass Effect,” which includes a possible “sex scene” between your male or female character and a female character of your choosing.

After the column was published, I recall one commenter on the Daily Toreador website berating me for defending video games, which “objectify women.”

Now, this is an argument we hear all the time from various groups, including feminists. We hear that all media objectifies women by putting more emphasis on the ones with great bodies. Bigger boobs, thinner thighs, and usually less and less clothing.

While these people can certainly make a good, strong case, I find it funny that they always focus on the women portrayed on screen (be it in a show, movie or video game), outraged that all men are apparently being trained to only expect “perfect” women.

Enter “Twilight’s” Edward Cullen.

He’s an older man (I hear many women are into that kind of thing) who has everything. Strength, money, nice cars, large intellect and of course good looks.

And he has a heart of gold … it just doesn’t beat.

He doesn’t have to sleep or even breathe, and he’ll always know how to satisfy your needs, because unless your name is Bella Swan, he can read your mind.

Sure, movies might make our girlfriends worry we’re falling for the sexy side of Angelina Jolie or Scarlett Johansson, but really, ladies … how the hell are we guys supposed to compete with a vampire who literally sparkles in the sunlight?

Sure, there’s a good story there – yes, I’ll admit that I’m a male reader of the “Twilight series – but how many girls and women are going to see the “Twilight” film later this week purely to see how actor Robert Pattinson stacks up to their imagined version of Edward Cullen?

My guess is quite a few.

This isn’t an entirely new thing. I’m always hearing about girls watching “Pirates of the Caribbean” for Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom, or sitting down for a night of the “Bourne” movies just to ogle Matt Damon.

And this isn’t a phenomenon limited to any age. I think the primary reason my mom watched “Michael Clayton” was that it starred George Clooney.

And yet, some (though not all) women want to slap us for walking out of a theater thinking that Megan Fox made “Transformers” worth the price of admission, while they essentially do the same thing we do.

What gives?

Yes, I agree, it’s dangerous and unhealthy to only ever show women in any medium who have the look of a goddess, but that street should run both ways. And if your girlfriend is going to swoon over the ripped body of Zac Efron, she should understand if you have a slight crush Keira Knightley.

Now, understand that this definitely has the potential to go too far. Relationships, of course, should be about far more than physical attraction and good looks. It will always serve you well to remember this the next time you start wishing your girlfriend looked more like Jessica Biel, or your boyfriend like Ashton Kutcher.

But as long as that’s kept in check, there’s no reason guys and girls can not only accept the results of such “objectification,” but also laugh and grow closer over it.

So girls, it’s true, no guy may ever be able to measure up to Edward Cullen. For starters, we still have to breathe. But keep in mind that it’s us – not a vampire – that can keep you warm at night. Also, we won’t try and suck your blood. Probably.

Guys, remember that while the fictional “Tomb Raider” Lara Croft might provide one crazy night, she’s not going to stay at your side and take care of you when you need her to.

If you go see “Twilight” with a date this week, don’t obsess over the characters on-screen, hot as they may be. Love the person you’re with. They may surprise you by being worth more than any vampire or werewolf could ever be.

In Columns
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Review – Gears of War 2

November 9, 2008 — Leave a comment

Originally published in The Daily Toreador.

When the original “Gears of War” was released two years ago in 2006, it quickly found its way into many an action gamer’s heart, winning multiple awards, including Game of the Year from several publications.

Now, Epic’s “Gears of War 2” has arrived, and in the words of lead designer Cliff Bleszinski, it’s “bigger, badder, and more badass.”

While it doesn’t bring with it the myriad of innovations that the original did, “Gears of War 2” is an improvement in every single way.

Perhaps one of the greatest improvements is in the story – something that was practically non-existent in the original game. While “Gears of War” gave you a war, an enemy, and a goal, there was very little substance to the plot.

“Gears of War 2,” however, doesn’t fall into that trap. From the very beginning, you start caring about these characters, these battles, and this war. There’s a surprising amount of emotion to be found over the course of the game, and as one of the game’s taglines says, “hope runs deep.”

While the story answers a lot of questions and definitely leaves you satisfied, it also seems to ask a lot more than it tells, setting things up well for at least one more epic installment in the franchise.

But the story isn’t the only thing that was given a boost. The graphics in “Gears of War 2” set a new benchmark on the Xbox 360, sporting gorgeous visuals and even more action on screen than ever before.

Multiplayer has also seen vast improvements, both in competitive modes and in co-op.

Cooperative play for two people is just as much fun as ever, allowing a second player to drop in and out of the action at any time during the game. Now, though, each player can select his or her own difficulty level.

Want to play on the “Hardcore” difficulty, but your dad/friend/girlfriend isn’t up to your skill level? Not a problem. Let them play on “Casual” and they’ll practically have to try in order to be killed.

There’s also a new cooperative multiplayer mode for up to five players online, in the form of “Horde.”

Horde mode pits a group of COG soldiers against wave after wave of Locust enemies. It has a somewhat arcade feel in its pacing and scoring system, and is a unique and highly addicting take on the “Gears” formula.

Working together is the key to survival, and only teams who can successfully communicate and cooperate are going to succeed.

Competitive multiplayer is also here, and it’s sure to please the millions of fans who enjoyed the original “Gears.”

Certain game types now allow for up to five players on each team (as opposed to four), and all modes are spiced up with new maps, weapons, and execution moves.

There are also entirely new modes to enjoy, such as “Meat Flag,” a take on “capture the flag” in which the flag is a living person that you must capture and bring back to your base before the opposing team does.

Problem is, the meat flag wields a shotgun, and isn’t afraid to use it.

All of these improvements combined with the traditional “stop-and-pop” gameplay that made the original game a success are sure to delight anybody who’s just itching for more “Gears.”

But there have also been enough tweaks made that may entice new players to join the war against the Locust.

It’s the kind of brutal, bloody, and outright badass experience that no action game fan will want to miss.

In Gaming
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Column – Heroes makes mistakes, is still good show

November 9, 2008 — Leave a comment

Originally published in The Daily Toreador.

When “Heroes” first premiered on NBC, I was stoked.

My inner (and, let’s face it, outer) nerd was a large factor in my excitement. A show that would be entirely about superheroes, told and shot in a style very similar to comic books.

Season 1 of the show was a breathtaking ride, but unfortunately the season’s finale left me a bit wanting – though still very hopeful of the show’s future.

Season 2 had its high spots, but it also had a lot of low ones. Did we really want to follow two Hispanic super humans on an attempt to escape to America in a chase that was hard to care about? How long would we put up with Hiro’s potentially god-like ability hitting bizarre snags that catapult him into bizarre places and times?

To top it all off, the writer’s strike essentially cut the season in half.

Now, this potentially wasn’t a bad thing. The season was already planned to be cut into two “chapters,” and so chapter two supposedly ended exactly where it was supposed to. However, the somewhat awkward and unsatisfying end to that chapter – as well as the long, looming wait for new episodes – really hurt the pacing of the show, and made some of the fan base wander.

Cue season three, chapter three: “Villains.”

The season started with a two-hour bang, answering tons of questions about season 2’s finale, while providing plenty of “Oh my gosh!” moments for loyal fans.

We found out who shot Nathan Petrelli before the title sequence had rolled. Sylar – one of the baddest villains in all of television – got what he had been trying to obtain throughout the course of the whole show. And we caught a glimpse of a future that needs to be stopped at all costs.

Throughout the season so far, many things that have needed to happen have happened. Claire is becoming much more than just a whiny cheerleader that can’t die. Limits to Hiro’s time-travelling are being more firmly established. Peter and Sylar are changing and developing in interesting ways – and interacting with each other in ways that are almost mind-blowing.

The show has given twists, turns, questions and answers in a way that has me fully back on board. Season three is my favorite yet.

But when I decided to go online to share my excitement, I saw a different opinion from a lot of viewers.

Ratings of the show are dropping fast, and many popular Web sites and publications – such as Variety and TV.com – say the show is “struggling.”

NBC has in turn fired co-executive producers Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb, and series creator Tim Kring has promised to simplify the series’ storylines.

Now, don’t get me wrong. “Heroes” isn’t a perfect show, and can certainly improve. Focusing more on one or two characters at a time – as opposed to the entire, large cast – could really help the pacing and storytelling.

Also, while it can get away with a lot by imitating comic books, reducing the number of plot holes, contradictions and, “Wait, huh?” moments could only help the series as a whole.

Former series writer and “Pushing Daisies” creator Bryan Fuller might potentially return to the show as well, which is something that many fans have been clamoring for.

So yes, all signs point to the series improving, which is a great thing.

But I still wonder why so many people have lost interest.

So while the “Villains” storyline starts to wind down, I’m going to sit on the edge of my seat, dying to know what happens to Peter, Sylar, and Claire. There’s sure to be mystery, intrigue, special effects and battles of good vs. evil on epic proportions.

I guess the rest of you can continue watching “Dancing With the Stars.”

In Columns
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