WTF?!

Sometimes we sit down and wonder why things seem to repeat themselves over and over again. But specifically in the video game universe, why does it feel like we've gone on this adventure before or gone through the steps. Well, as a G.N. representitive, I feel its essential for us to solo out some of the most OVERUSED storylines ever...

WTF?!

#5: Unlocking One's True Hidden Powers a.k.a The Chosen One

We see it all the time. Character is some regular farm boy or just your regular protagonist, but as we progress through their boring life we tend to see some subtle differences in who they are until, they TRANSFORM into the superhero we bought this game for. Link just rounded up cattle in Twilight Princess, but not until we brought all those bastards into the barn did we see his true strength!

#4: I Must Have Vengence!!!!

Kratos is the prime example of having some get killed that is close to you, then going on an outrageous quest to kill the ones responsible for their killing. But, must I honestly have to do this over and over again. Vengence tends to get a little stale after exacting it around 10 times. I mean I'm sorry you just walked into a room with dismembered family members, but how about you spice things up a little... save the world for once (and yes there were better pictures of Kratos, but I have one question... WHO WANTS LEGO God of War!?!?!?!)

#3: WWII

So Modern Warfare II is coming out? Good, because if Treyarch gets their hands on another Call of Duty game and I have to play as some grizzled, dirty, old WWII war veteran I swear to jesus I'm going to have to bayonette someone in their stomach. I still can't count on my fingers how many times I've apparently rewrote history with so many endings to WWII.

#2: Amnesia?

Yes, Amnesia. There is almost no plot device used more than amnesia.

As much as we love Japanese RPGs, the grand majority of them feature at least one character (usually a main character) with a troubled or forgotten past. In fact, "amnesia" is usually found as a featured item on the back of the box! Well, that's not true. But we wonder just how many games out there promote such rampant forgetfulness? Take Lightning from the upcoming Final Fantasy XIII for example. She has Amnesia... point made.

#1: World Ending...

Our world has some serious issues. After accurate scientific tests performed

by G.N. scientists... kinda... we've come to the conclusion that 99% of games at some point evolve into what would be considered an "End of the World" situation. Why can't the world take better care of itself... well one thing is for sure... the world may never know.

Underrated Game Review of the Week

A WHOLE ISLAND TO YOURSELF

Review for Wii Sports Resort

The Wii showed up on the market about 3 years ago and its shinning proof of its ability to incorporate wireless fun was Wii Sports. With only 5 games at the time, Wii Sports saw immediate success from fans all over the spectrum of video games. Parents, kids, tweens, mid-twenties, and even old people fell in love with the game that gave golf, tennis, boxing, bowling, and baseball a new way to play. Well its been 3 years, and finally Nintendo has come out with a "sequel" to Wii sports, Wii Sports Resort.

Wii Sports is a complete game more than it is a test for the new Wii Motion Plus. Nothing wrong with some improved play mechanics, but the feel is that Wii Sports Resort was built not from the past, but for the Wii Motion Plus specifically. The sports selected seem to be included to show up the Wii Motion Plus for what it is, a booster for the Wii-motes already crisp capabilities. Although, to my personal dismay, Baseball and Tennis were excluded from the list of games to reside on the island, the list of 13 sports are as follows: Swordplay, Wakeboarding, Frisbee, Archery, Basketball, Table Tennis, Wakeboarding, Golf, Bowling, Power Cruising, Canoeing, Cycling, and Air Sports. Although it seems like 12 sports wouldn't be enough, each sport is broken down into different playable games in that sport, leaving for over 40 activities to play which will lead to alot of play time for such a game.

Golf and Bowling make a reappearance, but not with alot of change. New scenery for Golf makes for a new visual experience and gives the new 18 hole option of play, along with the 3 and 9 hole play from the old game. Wii Motion Plus does refine the gameplay, giving you the control to pull or slice the ball depending on the position of the controller. Also, a new terrain view makes for easier putting in the way of seeing the surface and changes in leveling on the green. Bowling doesn't change too much, just an increase in the games ability to pick up wrist movement to make the throws more authentic feeling.

If there's a downfall in the game its that every activity in the game requires the Wii Motion Plus, leaving for players without the connection out of the fun, although its doesn't necessarily effect the games overall playability. Overall, with Wii Sports Resort, you're getting tons of fun in a small box. The included Wii Motion Plus is a definite plus, since soon Wii games will be exclusive with the Wii Motion Plus. But with 12 games, over 40 activities, and nothing but fun packed into this sequel... the money spent is the fun earned with this game. I just wish Baseball would've made it in the sequel... at least I have a reason to keep the original Wii Sports.

Overall Rating: 4.5*

*Out of 5

Top 5 Games to Almost Never Happen

Video games have become such a craze that the demand for good games is almost outweighed by the overall number of games to actually be released. Now, just because a game is released doesn't make it good, and it becomes a judgement call whether or not a game gets the American Idol chance or get the Assassin's Creed treatment. These 5 games teeter on the highwire of mediocrity and greatness and almost didn't make it through the tunnel to the light of day.


#5: TOMB RAIDER: LEGEND

Eidos has never been able to find the balance between a sexy Lara Croft and a good Tomb Raider game, one or the other has always presented itself in a game, but never at the same time. With the failure of Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, Eidos was minutes away from canning the whole Tomb Raider crew until Eidos gave it one more crack with Tomb Raider: Legend. The game would give fans a reason to fall in love with Lara's sexy .... well .... weapons thanks to development crew Crystal Dynamics.

#4: The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

The Legend of Zelda has been a heavy hitter for the nintendo company for years and with such success it was expected that it would return with another installment. But when wind of Wind Waker reached the ears of fans, mass criticism came to the forefront after Nintendo released a demo of a more darker, grittier Zelda that fans had looked forward to. This demo was in response to critics claiming that Nintendo had a become a child-first system and left older fans behind. Nevertheless, Nintendo stuck to what they knew best and released one of the better selling Zelda games in the franchise at the time. But who knows what would've happened if Nintendo had crumbled under the pressure.

#3: Fallout 3

Black Isles Studios had been the developer for the first two installments of the Fallout franchise and with the third game under development, parent company Interplay Entertainment encountered financial troubles. Like a lightswitch, Interplay Entertainment had disappeared and Fallout 3 sat in gaming purgatory. Unable to continue, Black Isles Studios dropped the project, until it was picked up Bethesda Games (The Elder Scrolls) and with Bethesda at the helm, Fallout 3 became one of the most successful selling games in history.

#2: Gran Turismo 2

One of the most successful driving simulation games of its era, Gran Turismo tried to top its success with Gran Turismo 2. Such a feat would require what Sony believed to be an increase in vehicles and tracks. But such a feat would require licenses for those vehicles and tracks and critics and gaming inquirers felt that could not be done. With the deadline for the games inspection coming up, Sony still had not reached the number of cars and tracks to gain success. But without powerhouse vehicles like Ferrari and Porsche in the game, its success grew and can now be seen with Gran Turismo 5 on the horizon.


And the #1 game to almost never have made it is....

#1: Grand Theft Auto IV

Controversy and cancellation threats are all that followed in the blazing trail that was the news of Grand Theft Auto IV's creation. The open-ended environment that would allow players to do what they want when they want made everyone from anti-racism groups, to politicans, to family violence lawyers, to conservatives, to Glen Beck condemn the games release and try to convice people to stop from the games creation. Well as history would tell us, the game was released, the game sold an all time high, the game received great reviews from gaming magazines everywhere, and the game still created a stir in the mind of parents and haters who still try to keep the game from corrupting the minds of the young.

Dear Mr. Miyamoto,

I don't think I'm the only one that's wondering where Star Fox is at the current moment. I mean the galaxy is quite the large place, but he couldn't have gone far. This isn't a rant, or a discussion, or a debate either. This is a plea, an S.O.S for help. Now, trust me, Nintendo doesn't need help with its gaming because its the highest selling system on the planet at the moment, but something feels missing. Something that reminds us of why we are gamers. Mario exemplifies what we love about adventures and what Mario does for the Mushroom Kingdom, I believe, Star Fox does for galaxies beyond. Yes, Star Fox did take a stab at "Adventures" and lets just say, I could've sworn Zelda thought it was halloween and decided to go as Fox McCloud.

Now, in April, Dylan Cuthbert (President of Q Games: assisted Nintendo in making the Star Fox series) in a statement to G4, stated that the chances of making another Star Fox game is "probably not going to happen in the next 10 years". Cuthbert also stated that Star Fox on the Wii would be a difficult project because, "it’d be a big project, like 100 people on the staff. It’s just not something we really want to do. I’m sure someone will make it. Maybe they’ll go back to Namco".

Now, although that news hurts the soul, I don't doubt that down the road, Star Fox will return to the skies again. Maybe not this year, but I believe that 2010 might be the year Star Fox returns to systems. It's been too long and Star Fox Command for the Nintendo DS is a horrible way to leave the franchise hanging out to dry. Star Fox is an original franchise that creates an authentic experience for gamers. Will there be another game like Star Fox 64, probably not. But, thankfully, Star Fox 64 is on the WiiWare so although it may not look pretty, saving the Galaxy from the clutches of Andross is just as fun as it was in '97. So, Mr. Miyamoto... Mr. Nintendo, I don't think I'm asking for much, nor do I think I'm the only one asking this: one more Star Fox adventure for the ages. It can be the last one you make, but you can't leave us with a gamecube version of Star Fox without giving him a next-gen opportunity. Please?

Thanks,

G.N.

WTF?!

Yet again we seem to reach this crossroad of things that make SAT questions feel like a breeze. Its another round of WTF?! And its time to set our sights on some of the worst character names in gaming history. Now some of these characters are in great games and are great characters, but its just something about saying their names that make it feel like they try to hard...

#5: Miles "Tails" Prower (Sonic the Hedgehog)

How long did you think it would take until one of Sonic's awkward friends made the list? I mean come on, I get it, Miles Per Hour. It honestly couldnt have been that good of a name when coming up with it... could it? Plus, I'm pretty sure when Tails was introduced, no one really gave a damn what his last name was. I called him Tails, oh God, what's Knuckle's last name?!?! Knuckles Fistface... now that's a name.

#4: Butz (Final Fantasy V)

Oh what the hell, this is just downright sad. Really? Butz is the best you could come up with at the time? I mean Square Enix usually has Sora, Vaan, Cloud, Leon and other exotic names to go with their characters... but Butz? Total disappointment on the behalf of square enix. No funny jokes for this guy, the name truly says it all.

#3 Alucard (Castlevania)

ITS DRACULA BACKWARDS FOR GOODNESS SAKE... if that's not ingenius than I dont know what would've been better! Butz is probably thinking to himself, "Why couldn't I have creative creators like Alucard does?"

#2 Jet Brody (Fracture)

Doesn't Jet Brody sound like a name that a stuck up college jock would give himself to hide the fact that his name is truly Eugene? Just a thought...

#1 Waluigi (Reject Mario Games)

I swear, you always find a way to mess up everything... and you aren't even good. I can understand Wario... flip the M and there you have it. But Waluigi doesn't even make any damn sense. Flip the L and you don't even have an existing letter in the alphabet! All you do is fill space in sports games and Mario Party. You disappoint me Waluigi...

Go ahead and argue all you want to, but these names are just down right bad... feel free to add fuel to the fire and remember that G.N. will always be here to spark the #1 debate that dentists tell you to floss with everyday... WTF?!?!

News and Notes

TIRED OF GTA IV DLC's ...?

Cheatcc.com has reported that GTA V has begun development. Matter of fact, according to Michael Pachter, its been in development for over a year now.


"Management declined to state when the game will launch, but has confirmed to us that the game is in development, has been for over a year, and is using the same game ‘engines’ as the last version," Pachter wrote. "Management also told us that the team at Rockstar North is highly motivated to get the game out, and that the team understands that its highest payday will come from working on GTA instead of any other game. When we do the simple math, we conclude that the next installment is likely to be completed by some time in 2010, although given the frequency of game delays, it is not clear that it will necessarily come before October 31, 2010." "However, it is clear to us that the next version of GTA will arrive before the end of [Fiscal Year 2011]," he added.


No word on any game details and Rockstar North is keeping a tight lid on information leaking to the public, but with this news hitting the slate, its clear that GTA isn't slowing down anytime soon and we at G.N. are proud to hear that.

STAYING ASLEEP

Why? Why is it always the good games that have to get pushed back. Well, it happened again, and to our good friend Bioshock 2: Sea of Dreams. Now there's nothing wrong with a pushback, but it leaves fans of the franchise a little salty, and since the game takes place deep in the ocean, the feeling isn't too suprising.

Take Two's Ben Feder stated, "The decision to push back a game is never a simple one. We felt it was necessary to invest additional time to ensure that this title will deliver what fans expect and deserve." Nothing wrong with that Mr. Feder, because that means 2010 is slated to be a big year for Take Two with Bioshock 2, Mafia 2, Max Payne 3, and Red Dead Redemption.

Underrated Game Review of the Week

BLAZE THE TRAIL
Review for BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

In a world with Street Fighter 4 and Tekken 6 coming soon, the fighting universe seems to be content with its gaming security at the moment. But, why settle for just 2 games when you can have something just as good, which is saying something. BlazBlue is a Japanese imported fighting game with everything its competitors has to offer: great 2D graphics, impressive combat mechanics, and great online play. But where does this game succeed where others have failed: an actual story worth playing.

BlazBlue takes place in a futuristic atmosphere after 6 warriors stopped the world from ending. These 6 warriors entered a world with different powers, each special in their own way. After saving the world, they shared their powers with the world, allowing for everyone to have the opportunity. But their knowledge was confined by the Novus Orbus Librarium, an organization trying to keep the secrets of these powers for their own fortune. After failed uprisings by the citizens of the city, a warrior by the name of Mr. Grim Reaper destroyed half of the Librarium and uses an unknown item known as the BlazBlue to restore order to the world.

Now, after such a complicated explanation of the backstory, what makes the story such a highlight of this game? Well, each character has their own backstory that is affected by the main plot, and each has different endings to their story, allowing for certain endings to affect the entire outcome of the game. After beating each characters story once, you'll only reach about %60 completion of the main story, so there is alot of single player playability in such a fighting game.

A great story in a fighting game is always fun, but the high selling point of this game is the robust combat system. Going through everything would be a pain, but here's the jist of it:

Combat is split into weak, medium, strong, and drive attacks. A combination of each of these attacks makes for one hell of a visual experience. The combo system is way too long to get into, but just starting the game and getting into training mode can be entertaining as each character has their own unique fighting style and can ultimately affect the games over speed. Final attacks can only be done in the final round with your opponent under %20 HP. But instead of a button mashing final attack, you will be subject to different cinematic finishes that will blow you away.

Each mode gives a different experience: Story mode, versus mode, training mode, special mode etc., but to go online with this bad boy is truly remarkable. Its quite simple: after connecting to the online server, you can join a quick match or start a custom match which will give you what other fighters haven't offered this millenium, a true arcade experience. You can join tournament modes with up to 6 players and the round robin tournament continues until a winner is found. This gaming experience entrigued me with its successful run time and great playability, as the other players talents affect the gameplay and not other aspects like powerups.

BlazBlue may not have had the notoriety of other fighters, may not have had the praise from other companies, and may not have had the opening day support, but out of all the fighters to come out this year: Street Fighter 4, Tekken 6, and King of Fighters XII, there is a high possibility that you wont experience anything like what you'll get with BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger. Its in stores now and if its a fight you want, its a fight you'll get with this bad boy.

Overall Rating 4.5*

*Out of 5