Archive for the ‘Features’ Category
The New Avatar Marketplace - Is It Worth It?
Tuesday saw the release of a new Xbox 360 dashboard update, although some people (including myself) already had the new update due to a beta preview that you could join a few weeks before the official release. The update included a number of improvements and new features; which included the ability to buy and download games, Netflix parties (US only), user ratings and more streamlined navigation (for the full list of updates see here). However, one of the biggest new features and also one of the most controversial was the new Avatar Marketplace.
The Avatar Marketplace allows you to buy new clothes and props for your Xbox Live avatars. Up until now every new piece of clothing released for the avatars has been free, although it has always been a bit limited in terms of what you can dress your virtual persona in. Now there are themed clothes; such as Star Wars or Gears of War clothing, and even props that your avatar interacts with; such as guitars and pom-poms. Over the next few months we should see a vast increase in content for your avatar, but is it really worth paying for?
The main argument, as you’d expect, is why spend money on content for a virtual avatar? What you have to remember is that this trend isn’t knew, Playstation Home and Second Life have done it, as have hundreds of websites that allow kids to dress up their virtual creations. What links all these products? They sell, and they sell for so little that people have no qualms about buying a few items every now. It’s also a good source of profit, so no-one can really blame Microsoft for moving into this area when it’s already proven that it works.
The only criticism I have is that some of the items are priced a little high. 400 points for a lightsaber is a bit over the top (you can buy some Xbox Live Arcade games for that), but it’s understandable that branded content is going to cost a little more – just like in real life. I don’t have a problem with content being priced, since it was inevitable that Microsoft wasn’t going to be releasing free content forever. So, before you complain that content is no longer free you have to remember that people and companies often want to make money off their creations. It’s crazy right? This damn capitalism! In all seriousness though, wouldn’t you? I know we pay for a gold subscription already, but we don’t get the majority downloadable content for free so why would this be any different? Microsoft isn’t getting all the profit; it also goes to the content creators.
People have the right to choose what they spend their money on. Some like spending £1.36 (160 Microsoft Points, the price of the guitar I bought) on snacks, while others like dressing up a virtual doll. We don’t have to right to criticise what people choose to spend their money on just because you might not like what they’re spending it on. If you don’t like the new Avatar Marketplace then don’t buy anything on it, it’s really that simple. Maybe I wouldn’t buy some MS Points just to buy clothes, but it’s a good way to get rid of those 300 points I had left from buying Fallout 3: Broken Steel and Castle Crashers.
We have to learn to accept that micro transactions are only going to get more prevalent, and they will continue to sell by the bucket load. Some people may not like it, but I think it’s a good way to get rid of the spare change in my pocket. Maybe I’m also admitting that I like to dress up dolls, but we all have our secrets, right?
Posted on Thursday, August 13th, 2009 The New Avatar Marketplace - Is It Worth It? by tom
Christmas Buying Guide - Wii.
I am now about to present you with a shocking fact…
There are only 14 shopping days left until Christmas.
Scared yet? I know I am. I haven’t even bought one Christmas present yet, and I have no idea what to buy for half of my family. I usually go under the mantra of “If in doubt, buy a DVD” because clothing is a no-go, especially when it comes to picking something I think a woman would wear.
Anyway, don’t fret, here’s some help with what to buy for any Wii loving friends.
Mario Kart Wii (with Wii Wheel)
Mario Kart Wii may not come on in leaps and bounds over its predecessor - Mario Kart 64 - but it’s still a fun package for all the family. The Wii version does - for some strange reason - add motorbikes into the mix. Plus, you’ve also got the online mode; unfortunately marred by Nintendo’s stone age friend codes, meaning that you’ll have more fun with local multiplayer. Where’s the fun in racing if you can’t trash talk with random strangers online?
Take Mario on a trip around the galaxy in one of the Wii’s best games and - yes, that word again - a pure essential. The Wii Remote works perfectly with this entry into the Super Mario series, and the glorious graphics ups the charm to maximum. Did I forgot that you can also become a bee? Well, yes, you can!
Ok, I promise that this is going to be the last game on the list that Mario appears in. Still, this entry absolutely needs to be mentioned. Take Mario on an RPG style adventure with a humorous storyline and oodles of bizarre characters. It won’t be the hardest game you’ve ever played, but it will surely entertain you over the Christmas period.
Ok, I lied in the last entry. Mario does appear in this game, but thankfully you can beat the living daylight out of him. This excellent fighting game is a blast to play with friends, even if the game includes an online mode. Nothing can beat trash talking with people in the same room, but try to keep flying Wii Remotes at a minimum. There’s also a horde of your favourite characters appearing in this game; including Pikachu, Donkey Kong, Kirby, Link and even Solid Snake.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Wii launch title (it also came out for the Game Cube) is still the best RPG the Wii has to offer, but there’s not really much in the way of competition. Until Nintendo get around to creating another Link adventure this game will have to do, but that’s by no means a bad thing. It’s also pretty long, so you can save some pennies in the long-run by not completing it too quick. Is that the best thing I could come up with? Sigh, it’s absolutely brilliant anyway.
Animal Crossing: City Folk
While it may not be that much different from the DS version, Animal Crossing: Wild World, it’s still a pretty great way to waste hours of your life. For those new to Animal Crossing then this is a Wii essential, but don’t blame me when it comes with a completely pointless WiiSpeak microphone. Oh, you may also want to skin Tom Nook alive - but who doesn’t? As for me, I’m still addicted to the DS version.
My Sims Kingdom
If your kids have become bored of Animal Crossing then this is an excellent alternative. Not only does it bear the name of one of the most successful franchises of all time, it’s also a pretty entertaining game to boot. The aim is to help the king rebuild is kingdom, so you’ll be doing a lot of re-building of objects like in the inferior predecessor, MySims. If you’re short on pennies then the first game in the series isn’t awful, but you’ll be missing out on a king, damn it!
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
It’s pretty much the first Resident Evil re-told, but on rails and plays best with a light gun. This is pretty much one of the only games (bar the game below, and House of the Dead) where the Wii Zapper is actually worth paying for, simply because you get to shoot zombies in the face. I’m a great critic, eh?
Link’s Crossbow Training (with Wii Zapper)
This game was pretty much created solely for the Wii Zapper, so you’ll be thankful to know that the game actually comes with the peripheral. This is one addictive arcade shooter, and perfect for kids who aren’t old enough to shoot zombies in the face (”…but!” they cry “how will they defend themselves against the inevitable zombie apocalypse?” I’ll tell you how - not with a plastic gun!).
Yes, Steven Spielberg helped create this game; but don’t buy the game solely for that fact as you’ll be seriously confused as to why Steven Spielberg is helping create a game about knocking over blocks. Forget Saving Private Ryan, this is the highlight of Steven’s career! Anyway, this will keep you tremendously busy as there’s 300 levels to play through in four different modes (single-player, multiplayer, co-op and competitive). Plus, you get a level editor.
The aim of de Blob is to guide your ‘blob’ around and re-paint and barren dull city. It doesn’t sound like much, but it’s tremendously fun and you’ll waste hours trying to paint every last thing. There’s also a split-screen multiplayer so a friend can help you paint the city when you really should be re-painting the bedroom.
If you missed this on PS2 then you missed one of the most beautiful games available. Thankfully the Wii version allows us all to experience the wonderments of Okami in the present day. The motion controls work great with the in-game painting mechanic, and there’s around 40 hours of this. You’ll never love a wolf more than this, unless you’re into that kind of thing. If you are then, well, ew…
Last but not least is Goichi Suda’s totally crazy but deeply enthralling No More Heroes. I’d like to say that this is pretty much the only Wii title with lashings of gore (until MadWorld comes out) but, for some reason, the censors decided to censor the blood over here in Europe. It was a strange decision, but, thankfully, it doesn’t take any enjoyment away from the game
While compiling this guide I noticied that there was a Pimp My Ride Wii game. I also wondered why the hell anyone would want to play such a game, but I guess we are talking about the Wii here. I suppose you learn something new everyday, but I didn’t necessairly want to learn that!
Posted on Monday, December 8th, 2008 Christmas Buying Guide - Wii. by tom
Christmas Buying Guide - Playstation 3.
I covered what to buy for the Xbox 360 gamer this Christmas the other day, so now it’s the Playstation 3’s turn. I’ve tried to choose games that don’t appear on the Xbox 360 (apart from one), as it is important to note that the PS3 also has its fair share of decent exclusive content.
Here’s ButtonSmasher’s christmas buying guide to for the Playstation 3.
Although the game has been getting a lot of flak recently for over-zealous level moderation LittleBigPlanet is still a PS3 essential. While the platforming aspect of the game is relatively simple, it’s the creative tools that really make the game shine. With these tools you can create and share any level that you can imagine, providing it isn’t copyrighted of course!
Resistance 2
The follow-up to PS3 launch title, Resistance: Fall of Man, is easily the best first person shooter game available for the PS3. An epic storyline is made all the better when you consider that up to 8 players can play through the game on co-op. If you get bored of that then there’s always the 60 player multiplayer to play around with.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
This is one of those ‘essentials’ that I keep talking about, but really now - a PS3 owner has absolutely no excuse not to own this game. In fact, this is the game that many people bought a Playstation 3 for, and it easily gets the most out of the most powerful console on earth. Plus, there’s Solid Snake with a moustache.
BioShock
Xbox 360 owners got to enjoy the experience that PS3 owners are only just getting, and what an experience it is! The PS3 version includes the same great game that appeared on the Xbox 360; but it will also have downloadable content in the form of ‘challenge rooms’ that should be with us in time for Christmas.
What better way to spend Christmas then playing a TV style quiz game in your living room? The pack comes with four wireless buzzers to give you that TV quiz feel, and you’ll also be able to create your own quizzes to confuse the rest of your family. Just make sure that you were adequate protection to protect yourself from the inevitable buzzer being thrown at you.
Singstar has long been proving that you don’t need to be in your local pub filled up with alcohol to show the rest of the world just how bad your singing is. The PS3 version won’t fix your horrible singing, but it will provide hours of quality party entertainment and ridicule from your family and friends.
This is the PS3’s very own version of Indiana Jones, with more explosions (if that’s even possible). Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is easily the best third-person action game available for the PS3, and while you may think that there’s not much competition to begin with you’d still be a fool for not having this one in your collection.
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
Visually stunning and frantically fun, Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction showcases just what the PS3 can do when it comes to sprawling platforming games. It’s also perfect for the young ones in your life - but any true gamer would probably appreciate it as well!
Valkyria Chronicles
Lovingly crafted in a hand-sketched graphical style, Valkyria Chronicles an epic storyline and more than 100 customisable characters to keep players busy. It’s also a testament to the fact that some of the very best RPG’s appear exclusively on the Sony consoles, something that Xbox 360 owning RPG fans (like myself) are slightly envious of.
As mentioned in the Xbox 360 guide Grand Theft Auto IV and Fallout 3 are also excellent additions to any gamers PS3 library, so check out that guide for why you should buy them.
Wii is coming up next!
Posted on Friday, December 5th, 2008 Christmas Buying Guide - Playstation 3. by tom
Christmas Buying Guide - Xbox 360.
Christmas is just around the corner and you’re constantly worrying about what to buy your gamer-minded partner/daughter/son/friend. Well, fear not my friends, for I have come up with a series of Christmas guides that point you towards some of the best games available today.
We kick things off with a personal favourite of mine, the Xbox 360, which surely has something for everyone.
An epic single-player mode combined with one of the best console multiplayer experiences out there means that you can’t really go wrong with buying this as a bift. As we shall see from the following game you’ll be giving the gift of months of extra gameplay, but unfortunately you’ll probably be seeing a lot less of whoever you buy this for. Plus, did I mention that this game had zombies? I don’t think you should be considering to buy this as a gift, there should be no question about it!
If you actually know someone who likes shooters, owns an Xbox 360 and doesn’t own this game then ask them what cave they’ve been hiding in. If you do manage to find someone then this game is a much cheaper version of the game above. In fact, this is the game that spawned the excellent multiplayer that the game above uses, and you’ll easily still be able to find thousands of players enjoying this game. This is really a must-buy, and anyone who plays World at War before Modern Warfare is missing out on a great deal of fun, and maybe missing out on a game that actually surpasses it’s follow-up.
While it’s not the best FPS game on the market right now it’s still a good substitute for those that already own the above games. The single-player mode is a lengthy experience, packing enough in there for well over 20 hours of zooming around Africa before setting everything on fire. There’s also a pretty decent multiplayer mode, and while it’s not up to the standard of the above two games the in-built (and incredibly detailed) map editor means that there’s enough originality to keep people for a long time to come.
Left 4 Dead
I’ve always said that you can’t really go wrong with zombies, and Left 4 Dead isn’t about to buck the trend. Taking on the hordes of randomly generated zombies (and a bunch of other ’special’ zombies) with three other friends is where this game shines, and you can’t really beat the sheer hilarious terror when players see a tank barrelling towards them and scatter.
This is yet another ‘must own’, and if you know someone who owned the first Gears of War then you owe it to them to buy them the sequel. The sequel is packed with twice as much action, which means twice as much gory chainsaw kills. The multiplayer mode also returns, along with the addictive ‘Horde’ mode where players have to defend against increasing waves of enemies.
Here’s yet another ‘must own’ (the 360 tends to have a lot of these) and, damn, is this game epic or what? I’m a storyline guy, so I loved the concentration on Niko’s struggle to make something of himself in Liberty City (the games fictionalised recreation of New York City). Others were disappointed at Rockstar for removing things like jet packs and planes, but there’s still a pretty fun multiplayer mode in there for those that aren’t big on story. Regardless of your tastes the city is the real star here, and gamers just have to experience it if only to simply see just how far gaming environments have come.
As I said above, Grand Theft Auto IV is more about the story and a living breathing incredibly detailed city. Saints Row 2, while still having a somewhat interesting story, retains all the whacky and hilarious fun that can come with sandbox environments. From streaking around the city streets to firing raw sewage and pedestrians this game pretty much has everything. It also arguably has a more enjoyable multiplayer mode than GTA, and does trump GTA by allowing you to play through the main game with a friend. This isn’t an alternative, it should be bought with GTA IV so players can experience both sides of the fence.
Possibly the best fantasy role-playing game the 360 has right now, Fable II will never allow a gamer to utter the words ‘there’s nothing to do!’. Whether it’s raising a family and then setting them on fire, or adventuring around the world of Albion with a dog that you’ll fall in love with there’s plenty for gamers to do here. Everything the player does has a consequence, and to top it all off you can fret about your sins with a friend.
Although this is the 3rd game in the post-apocolyptic RPG series Fallout 3 will probably be most gamers first introduction to the world. The first time you step out of the vault and see the sprawling wasteland ahead of you may actually scare you with the realisation that, for once, you have a choice of where to go and what to do. Thirty hours on and you still won’t have seen everything this game has to offer, and some of it won’t actually tie into the main game. So, yes, you have a choice of whether or not you want to see this content, which makes it all the more exciting.
Square-Enix (makers of the hugely successful Final Fantasy series) are no strangers to long RPG’s, and Infinite Undiscovery is no exception. This is for those gamers that enjoy hefty RPG’s crammed full of story all wrapped up in that unique Japanese style. The story takes a while to get going, but once it does it’s pretty entertaining, and there’s some great fast paced action sequences in there too. Perfect for those that love their JRPG’s.
Burnout Paradise presents excellent value for money. Not only to you get a superb racer with absolutely stunning crashes, but you also get constant content updates from Criterion. Toy cars? Check! Floating cars? Check! Motorbikes? Check! Seamless multiplayer modes? Check! This is one racer that you have absolutely no excuses for not owning - unless you don’t like racers of course!
Dead Space
What better way to spend Christmas then watching your significant others jumping out of their skin every five seconds? I’m not going to lie, Dead Space is an absolutely terrifying game but this is why it’s so enjoyable. Combine this with some absolutely horrendous enemies, a decent storyline and enough puzzles to keep your brain ticking while you constantly watch your back and you’re on to a winner. Terrifying? Yes! Worth the price or new pants? Easily!
If you have any other suggestions then feel free to post them in the comments. I couldn’t put every good game for the Xbox 360 on the list, so I chose to post the games I thought were the best. Feel free to rip into my decisions!
Up next - Playstation 3 game buying guide.
Posted on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 Christmas Buying Guide - Xbox 360. by tom
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