UrbanPrankster
“Urban Prankster covers pranks, hacks, participatory art, flash mobs, and other creative endeavors that take place in public places in cities across the world.”
Grid // Xbox 360
Grid is basically Toca vs Dirt, cleverly combining both arcade and simulation elements to create a very solid, incredible looking racer. The game offers a number of different racing disciplines; GT, pro-tuned races, demolition derby and even a full (real time) 24-hour Le Mans, if you can hack it. There’s loads of tracks and cars as well as a whole host of multiplayer options. And it’s a game that’s blessed with incredible attention to detail, like the fact that the menu woman actually calls me Nathan (which is my name, obviously).
But it’s not any of those things that make this a stand out game. The thing that does that is the unrivaled sensation of speed that Codemasters’ Neon engine spits out. It’s faster and more exhilarating than any other racer I’ve played on any of the next gen consoles. The action moves at an eye-watering pace and there are some well implemented touches, such as camera tilt as you take corners at speed, that serve only to enhance the experience.
It’s a great progression for both it’s parents, and although not offering quite the level of customisation available in Forza 2, the seriousness of GT5 or the on-line options of PGR4 - in my book it gives all a fair run for their money. A fine achievement and I’d say a good bet in the race for 2008’s best driving game.
You Adventube
This YouTube user has made a sort of first ‘interactive’ YouTube experience. It’s a game (a tiny bit like those adventure book choice games that were a ‘craze’ in the early 80’s), the goal of which is to find a lost cat. It’s home made (as you’d probably expect), so the quality is a bit crappy - but I guess that’s not the point.
The embedded video doesn’t work (as you need the related videos bit), so you’ll have to click through to play. It’s an interesting use of ‘responses’ as a way to create an adventure, add interactivity and enable the viewer to decide what happens next.
I like things that are a ‘craze’, maybe this might be one.
Or not.
Spools Of Steel
Is this for real..?
Roadkill
“Roadkill is a new designer toy boutique, creating original toy characters. We make toys with a twist. Toys as dark as the inside of a heifer. And they all have one thing in common. They’ve been run over. We’re calling it Squash-Plush.”
“Our macabre range of collectibles started with Twitch the Raccoon. But now there’s a new not-so-cuddly toy in town. His name is Grind. Like his buddy Twitch, he’s a teddy that’s been squished flat. His blood and guts are made of squidgy plush material. He comes in a made-to-measure body-bag. He also has an identity tag. And for the first 1000 Grind characters we’re doing limited edition tags. If you like roadkill, then you’ve come to the right place.”
Everyday Shooter
Everyday Shooter available on Steam. Well worth $8.99 (PC required obviously)
God Of War // PSP
God of War on the PSP is a triumph.
I find myself comparing it to the PS2 versions, which is pretty good considering the comparative power of my tiny handheld. It’s hard to believe this is a portable game. It looks brilliant, whether you’re hacking your way through massive areas, jam-packed with enemies, or out in a vast open space battling enormous monsters. I’d say Chains Of Olympus looks better than anything else ever on PSP.
Add to that fantastic playability, smart puzzles, good combat, a story, and a camera that works well given the fixed perspective, and you’ve got yourself a PSP killer app.
If this was a PS2 game then it might be slightly lacking, but it’s not, and the fact I am comparing it should be testament to it’s quality.
Frankly; it’s fecking brilliant.
Time Crisis 4 // PS3
Firstly, can I say that any game that comes bundled with a Light Gun has a distinct advantage over those that don’t (even if it’s bright orange and it has a stupid cable).
Secondly, this is an arcade game that I can do from the comfort of my sofa.
On the down side the story line is predictably pointless (although I can’t say that’s really why I bought the game), and there’s actually very little depth or style. They’ve tried to add some padding with the addition of the a new (crappy) FPS bit, which admittedly I haven’t bothered with yet, because it looks so bad.
Basically, Time Crisis 4 is lazy, dated, shallow and not worthy of it’s £65 price tag; until you sit down on your sofa and point the Light Gun at the screen and start shootin’.
Awesome.
Magic Pen
Low rent Little Big Planet.
Nice.
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue // PS3
The Gran Turismo series has always been famed as a driving simulator, which is kinda funny when you think about how many people actually know what it’s like to drive a DB9 around the Suzuka Circuit, or even an Suzuki Cappuccino in London for that matter (present company excluded of course). Plus, how can siting on my sofa with a controller in one hand, and a piece of cake in the other, pertain to being any kind of driving simulation?
Anyways, I think what they mean by driving simulator is that GT games have good physics - which they undoubtedly do. The difference in the handling of each vehicle is certainly unique and solid, although the same may be argued about arcade racers, but I guess that’s a whole different subject.
As we all know, realness can reduce excitement, fortunately that’s not the case here; GT5 Prologue is an excellent, enjoyable and at times (dare I say it), exciting game. It’s slicker than pretty much every racer before it (with the possible exception of PGR4 and Forza 2) and graphically it’s quite simply stunning.
The car models are definitely the best I’ve seen, thanks (mostly) to the wonderful (see above) lighting engine. Races now have 16 cars and the AI seems smarter; no longer appearing to just be playing bumper cars. The online, although limited in this release, is robust, and although not quite as polished as Xbox Live, it works very well.
My major gripe is the fact that after I fired up the disc, I had to install a system update, which meant I had to wait around 40 minutes before I could play..?
I don’t think GT5 / GT5 Prologue is for everyone, and yes this is only a demo really (one that costs £25), however, I’ve already got more out of this than I ever did from Need For Speed Pro Street.
Super, super slick.
Zoo Keeper
Rocks.
PAIN // PS3 / PSN
PAIN is kinda like the crashing bit in Burnout 3, only with a man and not a car. And you know what, that’s brilliant, as I miss the crashing bit from Burnout 3, now it’s been replaced by the seemingly inferior ‘Showtime’ (more on that another time).
Anyway, to play PAIN you’ve basically got to catapult a man from an ultra-powerful slingshot into an active environment. Not just any environment, but one filled with precarious and potentially ‘humorous’ objects and danger. By doing this catapulting, and subsequently stringing together collisions (that should result in chaos descending upon the initially peaceful environments), you score points.
And what do points make?
Well, there are multiple (unlockable) characters and modes, such as Spank the Monkey, Mime Toss, PAIN Bowling, Fun With Explosives, with more to come via PSN. Plus there’s the obligatory online community that enables you to compete with other players around the world or, more importantly, track your friend’s scores.
PAIN is a funny, uber-playful, addictive and brilliant multiplayer game, that I am loving. It’s not perfect, but at £4.99, it’s well worth its relatively tiny pricetag.
If you have a PS3 download it, tell me, and I’ll try beat your scores.
Bet you can’t guess what my profile name is…
Riff : Everyday Shooter // PS3 / PSN
Riff // Everyday Shooter is a kinda cell shaded Geometry Wars // Rez // Lumines type thing (all of which I’d highly recommend of course). Homage to several classic ‘shumps‘ and described by it’s creator as an abstract shooter, this game is a joy to both play and watch.
There are 8 wonderfully designed levels, each has it’s own rules, enemies and soundtrack; the left stick moves your craft and right streams a hail of bullets in any selected direction. All you have to do is survive.
It’s simple, yet as with all the above, it’s very effective.
If you have a PS3 and you like beautifully designed ‘old skool’ shumups, then I suggest you stop reading and go download it right now (it’s just £4.99).
Go.
Guitar Hero // Nintendo DS
Guitar Hero is making the jump from the home to DS this summer.
Featuring the Guitar Grip (above), and apparently a specialized stylus guitar pick as well as microphone integration, it looks set to rock. ‘Guitar Heroes’ will be able to wirelessly link up with other players and there’ll be co-op and battle modes available.
Artists including Nirvana, OK Go and No Doubt have already been announced.
PDC World Championship Darts -Wii
Graphics 7 / Sound 35 / Controls 127 / Gameplay 160
Overall 140
Also rated here by I Rate Everything.