Gearheads Weekly Game Review Section

posted by Blankman

Wed Mar 12, 2008 at 11:03:53 PM EST

I've been giving this some thought.  We, Gearheads, definitely love the fact that we play well together (great camaraderie) and generally, have the same tastes in games.  Each week, I'll put up a diary to ask what your impressions of a few "AAA" games that are released for that given week.  I'll include a poll whether you plan to purchase the game or not.  I base a lot of my game-buying decisions on what my fellow gamers are playing (especially if the game has MP) & your opinions matter more than any game mag or review site has.  I've asked Grymmie & Robbins if Condemned 2:Bloodshot was worth a purchase because I absolutely loved the first game.  I texted them via XBL & we corresponded thru that medium.  It would be cool to just hit a diary here & read your takes on a given game rather than playing XBL-message tag. I know that a lot of us do not own a Wii (I don't have one & I really don't see myself picking it up either), but I didn't want to alienate our Gearhead brothers & sisters that want impressions of games for that console. 

So, here it goes for this week's games:

•Army of Two (360/PS3)
•Condemned 2:Bloodshot (360/PS3)
•Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
•House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return (Wii)
•Bully (360/Wii)

Poll

Planning on purchasing?

14%3 votes
33%7 votes
47%10 votes
0%0 votes
0%0 votes
4%1 votes
0%0 votes

| 21 votes | Vote | Results

Comments Disabled | 24 comments

  •  Um (none / 0)

    I have a 360.. so that minuses Brawl. and House.
    *Brawl btw is 'ok'
    I like shooting games so that's probably why i didn't enjoy playing it for 2 hours straight at my friends.

    ANYWAYS
    I rented Army of Two with my friend for his PS3. The single player > Multiplayer.
    Multiplayer has bots [where I was playing]
    and its sorta dull.
    The gameplay is like a cover system and more innovative version of Sega's 'The Club'

    Yawn. NTY

    PSN GamerTag : Gaming_Colt

    by GamingColt on Wed Mar 12, 2008 at 11:12:07 PM EST

  •  Heh, Blank, (none / 0)

    I was actually gonna do a sort of 'video review' of Condemned 2, and if I can get around to it, I'd like to put up a review of SSBB as well.



    "See? All I know is ball, and good... and rape."

    by Grymm on Wed Mar 12, 2008 at 11:29:26 PM EST

    •  Sweet, Grymmie! (none / 0)

      Sounds great.  I just picked up a copy of Condemned 2.  Thanks to you & Robbins!  I can't wait to crack into it!  As I was telling Robbins, I won't even think about popping that game into the 360 with my little girl still up.  The kind of gore & visions in the Condemned franchise in unlike killing monsters & aliens.  This crap will have you deeply disturbed & screaming like a little girl!

      I'm a Gears Fluffer!!! Wooohhh!!!

      by Blankman on Wed Mar 12, 2008 at 11:46:15 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

      •  Hey, from what I have gathered (none / 0)

        people who liked the first one are really enjoying the second. And yeah, it impresses me as one of those games that simply cannot be even briefly seen by the little ones - unless you want them screaming in the middle of the night and climbing into bed with you.

        Speaking of which, I was really disappointed that the other day, my youngest (6) happened upon the "attract mode" of CoD4, and his face went red when they lined up the people and shot them all down.  It was a total mistake on my part.  I had thrown in the disc and then got momentarily distracted and didn't take the game to the multiplayer screen right away.  Immediately, the attract mode kicked in and up pops the firing squad scene.  I blame nobody but myself, and I chatted with my little guy about it for a bit and he was ok, but still, I kinda blew it.  Anyway, that is why I support you in your decision not to even touch Condemned unless your daughter is tucked away, or out shopping with Mom. Even just the start-up screens can be horrifying.

        Gears is my porn.

        by 3Suns on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:14:24 AM EST

        [ Parent ]

        •  Don't be so hard on yourself, Suns. (none / 0)

          I know your son is only six years old, but in reality; this kind of stuff is happening around the world: Africa, Darfur, Iraq, Chad, etc.  If violence only existed in video games (a virtual world) where it wouldn't physically hurt anyone, the world definitely be a better place to live in.  Katie (5) understands that dad is killing monsters and aliens.  I still keep her away from the television screen when I'm playing.  Heck, she thinks I'm some sort of superhero!  Hahaha.  Just imagine the parents that subject their kids to rated PG-13, R, & porn, violence, etc. and don't even take the time to explain to their child that what they just saw is wrong.  Just imagine all of those kids that hear nothing but, "Shut up.  Be quiet.  Go to your room.  Go outside and play."  Coupled with the negative stuff that they're exposed to, no wonder this generation is severely at-risk?!?  We talk to our kids and take the time to nurture and educate them to be better people.  You're a teacher just like I am.  You & I deal with the loss of innocence on a daily basis.  It's a shame that what was and should still be considered taboo isn't the norm in this day and age.  I asked my fifth graders if any of them don't know what a naked woman looks like.  Absolutely none of my boys in the class raised their hand (and this wasn't due to peer pressure).  That fact alone led me on a bit of a tirade/lecture on the loss of innocence and what compels kids to act the way they do.  Disrescpect to your elders, no conscience, poor judgement, drugs, sex, you name it...  What a freaking shame.  You're doing great as a dad, Mike.  Being able to acknowledge & understand that you goofed is half the battle.

          I'm a Gears Fluffer!!! Wooohhh!!!

          by Blankman on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:40:01 AM EST

          [ Parent ]

          •  Agreed (none / 0)

            Suns is definitely being too hard on himself here.

            by papi blez on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 02:16:14 AM EST

            [ Parent ]

            •  Thanks Blank and papi (none / 0)

              It just kinda caught me off guard and it was just that he blushed.  We have watched Jurassic Park together and X-men (slice and dice), but those are much more comical, no pun intended, in their depiction of violence.  CoD4 is SO realistic in its depiction and in the actual content - and it wasn't two people fighting, it was the helpless people being lined up and shot, I think that is why he was surprised.

              Thanks, Guys.

              Gears is my porn.

              by 3Suns on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 03:08:19 AM EST

              [ Parent ]

          •  I agree with you here Blankman (none / 0)

            what we create is a reflection of our reality. If violence didn't exist in the real world, it wouldn't exist in art (games, movies. pictures etc)

            Don't be so hard on yourself Suns, yes it might be a little early, but at the same time you don't want to shelter your sun (:P pun intended) from some of the absolute catastrophes that are going on around the world, at the same time, he's still gotta be a kid ;)

            At least you said something and talked to him about it. Like my mom did, she never really shielded me completely from anything but, she always took the time to explain how, why, where, what and made sure i understood that, either it wasn't real (in the case of a movie or videogame) or why I shouldn't do it.

            Was it the most effective strategy? maybe not. Did it work for me? yep, sure did. Will it work for everyone? most definitely not. Both of you guys seem like you've got your heads on the right way, I'm sure your kids will grow up to be amazing people.

            by BoxinLeprechaun on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:06:30 PM EST

            [ Parent ]

            •  oh I forgot... (none / 0)

              I think one of the biggest problems with games movies and such, is the parents.

              Letting their kids see these things without explaining, or talking to their child. They expect the kids to learn themselves when really, when they're that young they really are just a blank canvas, if you don't take the time to take care of it, will stain quickly.

              Terrible metaphor I know, but I'm not sure how else to get my point across.

              by BoxinLeprechaun on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:11:03 PM EST

              [ Parent ]

        •  Yea (none / 0)

          I loved the first, and I'm loving 2 so far. The new forensics system IMO is awesome. And the environmental executions are always satisfying ;).

          by RoBBins0096 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:47:11 AM EST

          [ Parent ]

  •  Super Smash Brothers is AMAZING (none / 0)

    Buying Condemned 2 soon and renting Army of Two on PS3 to play through with my girlfriend.

    Not all who wander are lost

    by Zoso Fan on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:34:55 AM EST

  •  Don't buy Bully (none / 0)

    I've been playing it the last couple of days and it's frankly, a little boring.  I was going to write a whole post about this, but it isn't all that interesting to go through the high school years again.  I thought it was going to be more fun than it is.  

    I'm probably giving up on it already even though I'm not that far into it.  I just expect my games to be fun right off the bat.

    by papi blez on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:01:55 AM EST

  •  Blank (none / 0)

    This would be an awesome front page post.  You should put it there next time!  ;-)

    by papi blez on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 02:10:45 AM EST

  •  Blankman.... (none / 0)

    You know me personally now... (yes i fall asleep... ;-)

    Anyway here is what i have and purchasing:

    1.  Just got Rock Band today, yeah...

    Army of Two - Bought

    Condemned 2:Bloodshot - Coming in next Friday

    Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Bought

    House of the Dead 2 and 3 Return - Coming in this Friday.

    Bully - 360 version coming in next Friday.

    Rockband DLC- Grateful Dead Pack - Not sure

    Guitar Hero 3 DLC-No Doubt Pack - Got it....

    I also bought:

    Devil May Cry 4

    Frontlines Fuel of War

    Condemned Denied Ops

    Could be one or two more in there....

    Haven't been plaing much due to being sick but i'm on for Rock Band tonight.

    And based on this list i think i have a gaming problem.  

    I like your idea of posting a poll so i don't keep going out and buying games and then trading them in....

    Poland...

    PS.  Who thinks i have a gaming addiction now???

    You will meet your maker, the "chainsaw" and POLANDSTYLE

    by Polandstyle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 04:55:19 PM EST

    •  Don't waste your money on... (none / 0)

      Conflict: Denied Ops.  It's a piece of garbage from what I've experienced from the demo available on XBL.  I couldn't wait to quit the demo to delete it off of my harddrive.  I was afraid that if I didn't act fast enough, it would taint my other files on my box.  LOL  The A.I. is non-existent, character models & graphics look heinous, voice-acting is awful; just to name a few things that's going wrong with this title.  This is a bargain bin game at best.  Return it, Poland.  Save your money for better games.  You'll thank me for that little bit of advice.

      Devil May Cry 4 is awesome.  I've been a long time fan of the franchise & it's refreshing that they introduced the new character, Nero.  His Devil Arm really adds a new dimension the the spectacular guns & sword action.  

      I haven't personally tried Frontlines: Fuel of War, but I've read some positive reviews of it.  It's mostly in the multiplayer where it excels.  No lag can be detected due to THQ's dedicated servers is what's been touted.  CoD 4 just has me hook, line, and sinker & I just don't have the extra coin for another combat shooter.

      I almost pulled the trigger on Army of Two, but I chose Condemned 2 instead.  Again, I loved the first game & I just wanted more of it.  The Condemned franchise is tried and true.  I might wind up picking up Ao2 when I find it used, but an iffy single-player that's only about 6-7 hours just doesn't cut it.  I know that the MP is pretty good, but it was a 'this or that' decision.  

      You don't have an "addiction," you just have a hobby like the rest of us. ;)

      I'm a Gears Fluffer!!! Wooohhh!!!

      by Blankman on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:55:29 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

Comments Disabled | 24 comments

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Planning on purchasing?

14%3 votes
33%7 votes
47%10 votes
0%0 votes
0%0 votes
4%1 votes
0%0 votes

| 21 votes | Vote | Results

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