Playstation Plus

Playstation Plus and why I re-subscribe

I know that Playstation Plus is huge on discounts and earlier in its creation it wasn’t substantially heavy on the content, now it has more content and bonuses not seen for others. Recently, they had the God of War: Ascension multiplayer beta strictly for PS Plus members. I heard my own brother-in-law say how he didn’t get it (He’s not a PS Plus member). Along with the PS Cloud saves, I believe that PS Plus, is starting to produce the content promised from its inception. 

Let’s look into what PS Plus is: PS Plus has discounts, has full games for free, has timed trials for some of the hottest games, and adds in free add-on content. This is what PS Plus is all about. I for one have had it since it began. I have re-subscribed because the games are worth it. I have most of the games that are free, and a bunch of add-on content from being a PS Plus member. This may not be for everyone but I applaud Sony for making this optional and not enforcing it. 

The truth is Playstation Plus, has become a content filled service that only Sony can provide. I believe that they will continue to produce newer and brighter content for it that will only help propel it to newer and brighter heights. That is why I re-subscribe.

Uncharted 3 Review

Uncharted 3 review

When I played this game I was on the edge of my seat. It was intense from the opening cinematic till the end. It had some of the best story telling a game could possibly muster. This game played like a cinematic movie that pulled you into its world. My only gripe with the story was not knowing who Nathan Drake really is, it could have been a element that could flesh out Drake as a character. Naughty Dog still managed to build story elements and flesh out characters. Though there were a lot of mysteries yet to be solved. The mysteries can be a double edged sword sometimes as it doesn't demonstrate enough to solve the mysteries of the characters, but also can be a good thing for wanting more from the next title in the franchise.

This franchise has produced some of the best visuals of any game this generation. I was amazed at the graphics that was achieved in this game. The graphics were jaw dropping to look at and they immersed the experience. Some people think that graphics don't matter in a game, but I beg to differ. I think that graphics that are photo realistic can engage the mind and produce an experience like no other. I could really go on and on about the graphics.

The gameplay for the game was fun. It uses action combat mixed with platforming and puzzles. The blend they had for this game worked. Although, near the end I did begin to get less excited as it was gun fight after gun fight after gun fight. Now, I know some people like the action and thrive on seeing a bunch of gun fights. But, I thought it could have been toned down a bit. The free running aspects of this game were top notch. I loved running away and platforming when it was needed. It provided that extra spark of excitement (Though, this is slightly bias as I love parkour and free running). The controls of the game were easy to learn and pick up.

The audio of the game was top notch. It has some of the best music I have ever heard in a game. I also liked the way music would play in the background when there was an intense moment. The sounds of the guns were pretty realistic, though I am not a expert on gun sounds, they sounded good for me. The opening theme song of the game is one of the best. I love hearing that theme play over and over again. It's the same theme throughout all three games and it is one of the best. Metal Gear Solid and this game have the best themes.

The Replay ability for this game is pretty good. They have multi-player, co-op modes, and lots of things to do in the single player campaign as well. This is very important as more and more single player only games, are starting to incorporate the added bonuses of co-op or multi-player. 

The presentation in this game is done rather well. From the booming opening theme song. To the menus and everything in between. It presents itself rather well. Something most games lack. The opening menus are neat and crisp.

Graphics 10/10
Gameplay 9/10
Audio 10/10
Replay 9/10
Presentation 10/10
 9.6/10

PlayStation 4 (Orbis)

PlayStation 4

The rumors of a potential unveiling of the brand new console from Sony have been circulating more rapidly than any other console. My thoughts on the new PlayStation console from Sony are that it is much needed. There is a reason why no games have been announced past this year, 2013. This is not exactly clarified that the new console is coming, but it sure gives a good indication. The latest rumor going around is that Sony is prepared to let go of their DualShock controller, a staple for PlayStation.

What seems to be concrete is that most of the new technology within the new PlayStation will have AMD components, CPU and GPU. This leaves NVidia on the out in this next console race. Though from what they are doing with android and SHIELD, it may very well be quite prosperous as a handheld device. I am looking forward to the next PlayStation and I hope to have the PlayStation be synonymous with innovation, graphics, and of course Triple a titles (AAA titles are video games that are must haves).

The next console will more than likely not have backwards compatibility as it isn’t sounding like it will have the CELL architecture from the PS3, this I think is a bold move by Sony as many people would like to have that as a feature. With their recent acquisition of Gaikai, it seems more likely that the PS3 back catalog will be a feature of Gaikai and Sony. I just hope for the people that have PlayStation 3’s right now that they can find some way of integrating people’s own games into the PS4.

Though the PS4 or whatever it will be named is still not confirmed, it will be a console that I will look into purchasing, as long as the price is viable. I have pretty much always stood by Sony Products as they are innovative and they carry big dreams, pushing boundaries, but also I like that Sony makes great exclusive titles.

Best Music Soundtracks

This is the best audio sound tracks in games. The fighting music, the main overall theme, a hero theme. All of these I incorporated into my list. These are of course subject to interpretation but these next five are the ones I think are truly remarkable in audio.

5. Castlevania Symphony of the night This game not only was one of the best RPG's I've ever played, it was also one of the most influential in my life. This is one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard. In fact, I am humming some of the music from it. The audio tracks in this game were superb.

4. Marvel Vs Capcom 2 The music had a nice feel in it, now I know that not a lot of people like jazz but this soundtrack was one of the best. It was one of the most played arcade games, that grew in popularity. "I want to take you for a ride" Hehe

 3. Uncharted series I know that this is one of the more newer games on this list but it has some of the most memorable theme I have ever heard. It also has a great soundtrack when being attacked I sometimes hum the music even if I don't exactly know it. It truly is a remarkable game. Congrats Naughty Dog and I hope to wish you all future success.

 2. Final Fantasy series any of the songs from any of these wonderful RPG's were something memorable. The soundtracks for any one of these games is something that can carry a generation of music enthusiasts. This series has churned out more than 15 games and it is one of the best soundtracks I've heard.

1. Chrono trigger This game must have one of the most memorable soundtracks in all of games. I can still remember a lot of the music and I haven't even played Chrono Trigger in a long time. This game was also one of the best RPGs I've ever heard. It was a transcending game that truly inspired me.

Updates

Hello everyone,
I am writing this to let everyone know that I will do weekly updates on my blog. I will write reviews, I will write "best of" lists, I will talk about games, I will write about my experiences with games, and just continue to update this blog more often. I am sorry that I haven't been updating until very recently. But, I am committed to doing this blog and making it the best ever.

I have a list of topics and subjects for at least a month. I am going to update the blog every Friday, unless it's a holiday, then I will post it earlier. I made this blog to help out others and to continue to progress as a writer. I am very interested in the gaming industry. So, this is my message to all who read my blog, letting them know I will continue to write in this blog and will not abandon it.

-D

Top Hairstyles in games I thought that I would make a fun post. These are the top 5 hairstyles. A special thanks to my girlfriend who helped me with the banner and the pics. Thanks!

 5. Dante From Devil May Cry Franchise, Capcom. This character is one of the coolest characters in recent memory. His humor and his darkness are some of the reasons why lots of people cosplay as him.

 

4. Kyo Kusanagi King of Fighters franchise, Snk Playmore. This character defined what it meant to be cool, but also a great martial artist. He is also influenced many people that chose to cosplay as him. 

3. Geralt of Rivia, The Witcher Franchise, CD Projekt. This character when I first saw him I instantly looked at him as a pretty cool character. His hairstyle is one of the best in games. I was actually surprised to see that some people do cosplay as him which is great. 

 2. Jin Kazama. Tekken. Bandai Namco Games. This character has been a big influence. There is many people who cosplay as  him. He has great hair but he plays an anti-hero in the Tekken Franchise. His battle between his dark and light side brings the character depth.

1. Cloud Strife. Final Fantasy 7. Square-enix. This character has one of the coolest hairstyles in all of games. He defined a generation in his game. His struggle with his story, his love, his life, his ideals was one of the best story-telling in all of games. His hairstyles wasn't bad either. 

10 most epic villains (IMO)

So, I haven't been on my blog in a while, but I haven't been playing a lot of games recently. Now I am starting to play more games. I had just finished my post on Amazing Spider-Man, (if you haven't read it then I suggest you do), anyway, I had just saw a post about making a post of the top villains recommended by a very special person in my life. So, I thought I should make two posts today. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and Happy Holidays! Now for the post. All of these are in my opinion the top villains so far.

10. Reapers- I picked the Reapers because they are always in the background doing something devastating to the universe of Mass Effect. Their presence is always felt throughout the entire game. I think that to be a good villain you must be ever present in the world (universe, in this case)

9. Zeus- In the God of War franchise Zeus was always the one in the background. His presence was always known and I remember that I wanted to finish Zeus off. Not because he had done wrong by the character Kratos but because throughout the game it was felt that Zeus was the one behind everything. (Spoilers)
Nothing better than a Dad and Half-Son fighting.

8. Dracula- Before the Castlevania reboot (See: Castlevania; Lords of Shadow) the villain of the franchise was mostly Dracula. Something about Dracula in this franchise that made the hero, usually a Belmont until Castlevania Symphony of the Night, it made me want to finish the game and beat Dracula as the ultimate evil.

7. Liquid Ocelot- In the Metal Gear Solid series, this was one of the most epic fights I have had in all of games. In Metal Gear Solid 4 you have to fight your brother/Ocelot, in an epic fight that plays all the music of Metal Gear Solid franchise. It was one of the most amazing games and Liquid Ocelot was always the one that Snake was chasing. His prominence and presence in this game was always clear, but not just in this game but also other games.

6. Albert Wesker- Resident Evil has had Albert Wesker in their franchise for such a long time. He was always the one pulling the strings in the background and his presence was definitely felt. I remember when I played Resident Evil 5 I had this vision of the game finally ending. For the franchise to finally end with Wesker's death (It didn't) but I still feel that RE5 should have ended the Resident Evil Franchise.

5.  Heavy rain killer- This game was made epic by the search for the killer. I had wanted to kill the villain ever since the dad (Ethan) loses his child. There was nothing I wouldn't do to have the killer receive justice. I did literally go to hell to find out who the killer is and bring him to justice. Even though the killer is never really known till near the end. It was the chilling presence with origami, that always had his finger prints all over the game.

4. Xenahort-  In the Kingdom Hearts franchise it was always Xenahort in the background. He was always the villain in some way shape or form. This makes him a great villain because of how he was. Now, I don't know all of the story of this franchise as I have not played most of it, just 1 and 2. But, he was a great villain. He didn't do so much evil, didn't kill a loved one. The reason he's on this list is because I felt like I wanted to beat him. Just because of his evil presence.

3. The Joker- Batman has only really had one villain. This is because Joker is one of the most influential villains in not just games, but comics as well. Some of his acts (Like crippling a Bat-girl at home) is one of the most deadly, and dangerous villains. Of course, in the game he was also very evil. Some of the things he would do in the game made me want to bring him to justice. That I believe is a mark of a epic villain. One that causes the player to want to beat him. Some games don't have villains like this.

2. Shodan- Now I have not played this game much but I do know that Shodan from the System Shock series has been one of the most evil and psychotic villains in all of games. No list should be without her. Even if the franchise has turned to Bioshock, it still is missing a great villain. Shodan was that. The way she insults you and makes you run through hoops for her in System Shock 2 is just amazing. A lot of games have lost the art of the villain. This series did not. (Hoping it gets revived one day)

1. Sephiroth- Enough said...Okay, I will explain my reasoning for having him be number 1 on my list. Sephiroth had presence. Sephiroth had evil acts. Sephiroth was evil to the core. Sephiroth kills Aerith one of the most pure and innocent in all of games. This caused me to want revenge in a video game more than any other. No other game except maybe Heavy Rain has caused this in me. Even in Heavy Rain I did not want revenge like I did in FF7. When he killed Aerith I think that it made me want to finish the game to just give Sephiroth justice. No game has ever done that like Sephiroth. I hope developers realize that a strong good hero character is great. But a villain is epic.

I hope everyone enjoys the holidays. I promise all of you that whenever I become a developer I will always have a villain like the ones on this list. You have to hate the villain. You have to want to have revenge. You have to build a story for the villain and always have him be the focal point of why the hero wants to beat him. Because where there is good, there will always be evil.