Street Fighter V Review

I haven't played a Street Fighter game in quite a few years, after dabbling with one of Street Fighter IV's earlier installments (since you know, they made about seventy of them) I had no desire to play Street Fighter V. The change to the new art design was unappealing and the combat felt strange and heavy, but despite my massive dislike for one of the most widely adored fighting game franchises I decided to give Street Fighter V the good ole college try. One thing I will say, it was not a strong showing from Capcom to say the least, quite the opposite. For a fighting series that is not only one of the most competitive games at a tournament level, but one loved and followed by such a huge fan base, this was a truly dissapointing entry to the Street Fighter franchise.

Now don't get me wrong the gameplay is far from faulty, in fact it has to be one of the tightest and cleanest when it comes to mechanics that I have played in a fighting game. Even though I have been out of the series for an extended period of time, I found not many of the inputs have changed. Ryu still has the traditional Hadoken and Tetsumaki commands, and for the most part my moves came out exactly as I planned, where I would chalk the rest up to incorrect inputs, or miss timing on my part. The technical points of the game are also very precise. Spacing is important, and playing the footsie game to keep your opponent where you want them to be is vital to success. One thing I really like is how short stringed the combos are in this game, unlike Marvel Vs Capcom or Mortal Kombat X, you will never find yourself in a situation where a single combo will annihilate your health bar, nor will you find yourself stuck in a chain combo so long you can set the controller down, walk your dog, go grab some dinner with the family, and come back and still have time to contemplate how nice your TV would look impaled through the wall. Just because the combos aren't endless doesn't mean you are out of the woods, this game is far more aggressive then I remember Street Fighter IV being. You can easily find yourself comboed by your opponent only to get up and hit with an overhead or low attack mix up to another string. It's things like these that keep the combat fresh, and makes you constantly adapt to not just your opponents character, but their play style as well. This game also introduces a couple of unique features like the V trigger, a unique move specific to each character that adds an extra layer of depth. For example, Ken possesses a short distance sprint that you can close the gap on your adversary, or hold the button to do a kick afterwards. This can lead to 50/50's like running in for a rush attack, or faking them out with the run to get a quick grab to throw them in the corner, forcing your opponent to react to you and counter in turn. Each character also has a V guage which empowers your fighter to enhance their moves and mechanics. Ken ignites his feet with his signature flames to add fire damage and properties to each of his attacks, allowing you to truly capitalize off each combo with maximum damage. Every character feels unique and individual which is something I haven't seen in Street Fighter in a long time; but the character roster suffers for this. With only a measly sixteen characters to complete the roster at launch, there isn't much to choose from. I played every character I wanted to try in about ten minutes, repeating each several times. For a series with such an expansive roster, and against games like Super Smash Bros., Injustice, and Mortal Kombat X with much larger character options at launch this was a major disappointment. The diversity isn't an excuse I'll accept for this either.  Mortal Kombat X had a whopping twenty-five characters, with almost half of them brand new entries, all with completely different play styles and stances to augment their gameplay, but Street Fighter V can only muster sixteen. I may sound jaded or spoiled but in the year 2016 I expect a healthy choice of options to choose from, or I'll take my business elsewhere.

This installment is not only lacking on characters, but on content as well. Opting out of a standard arcade mode which has become a staple for all fighting game single player content, and replaced it with a sub-par story mode.  Not only are they short and can be completed in a ten minute sitting per character, but god awful to get through. Not many people play this genre for the lore or story, but if you are going to slap the word "Story" on it, I expect it to have some resemblance of what you titled it. Other than whatever that story mode atrocity is, you have a survival mode, versus, and a training mode.  Standards in fighting games where you can test your endurance, play against your pals, or nail down those sweet combos and conversions we must all perfect to become titans in the arena. This however is all you have in terms of offline mode.  To say it is sparse on content is putting it mildly. A free update will be coming in March to add in more but I would have rather them push the game back and sold it when it was what they wanted it to be, rather than giving me half a product now, and a IOU due in a month after. The online is fairly stable and the search method is very useful. You create a fighter ID that is universal across Capcom’s network, but separate from your PSN ID or Steam ID to label yourself and establish your legacy. You can then jump into Ranked matches to claw your way up on the leaderboards, as well as pit you against fighters of increasing skill to truly test your own skills and abilities.  To Casual matches where you can just relax and exchange blows with random players, without risk of affecting your player ranking. This also earns you currency which you can use to purchase future DLC instead of paying real money, thereby rewarding players who invest their time with new content. You have a variety of search options that you can narrow down from connection strength and platform played on, to even character selection and rule sets if you are searching for lobbies. This feature allows you to set up the perfect online experience for you, and outside of minor latency issues and slightly longer than average wait times the servers were very consistent and stable, until you tried to play with a friend. I don't know if this is a glitch or a patch update scheduled in March with the rest, but at the moment it is impossible to invite a friend to play a game online. You are supposed to make a battle lounge first, set rules, character preferences, and a password if you only want friends in your VIP slug fest, then enter in your companions fighter ID. Simple enough right? Wrong.  My friend and I spent an HOUR AND A HALF last night trying to get into the same room to play, searching each other’s IDs, checking forums, and trying to figure out if we were doing something wrong.  Just for me to search for his room repeatedly until I found it and joined. This is the most absolutely ridiculous part of this game to me.  The fact that something this crucial was either overlooked, or just flat out ignored at launch despite numerous beta tests is inexcusable. Even Smash Bros. for the Wii U and 3DS have better lobbies for playing with friends online and they just got serious about online this generation. This is a major studio, with a major fighter franchise, making a fighting game centered around online play.  This should not be happening and shows that Capcom’s priorities are more about pushing a game out the door rather than giving us a completed product.  If you are going to charge me sixty dollars for your product and I don't enjoy the game fine, that's on me. But don't take my money, give me half a game, and not even let me invite my friend to play a game. You might as well spit in my face while you’re at it, at least I'd see that coming.

Capcom states they are putting the player first with the new currency system essentially giving free DLC, but punishes us at launch with lack of content and non-existent invite systems to play with friends. The exceptional gameplay and variety to strategy isn't enough to justify the price tag, especially seeing as how much they are withholding until next month. I wasn't a Street Fighter fan last generation, and Street Fighter V did nothing to justify its presence in my library of games.  Especially with far superior fighters stacked next to it. This topic could be revisited next month when they finish the product they sold already, but until then, unless you’re a hardcore Street Fighter fanatic, don't waste your time or money.

-Frankie

Firewatch Review With Big O and Rory

Firewatch is one of those rare games to come along that really makes you appreciate all the work that went into it.  From the gorgeous sceneries, to the brilliant dialogue, and even the compelling story, you would be hard pressed to find no enjoyment from this game.  Rory and I both bought this game launch day and have since completed it. I though it would be fun to compare both our thoughts of the game.  We’ll start with Rory’s report and I’ll respond after.

Rory: Firewatch broke my heart.  Once in the first 5 minutes, and once in the last 10.  A tale of loneliness and grieving, Firewatch hits more emotional strings than any game I've played int he last few years.

Exploring the Wyoming forest as a fire lookout, a woman begins talking to you on your walkie-talkie. She runs another fire watchtower across the valley, and you spend the whole summer with only her voice as your only companion. Your character, Henry, and her have an instant chemistry. They have some of the best banter I've experienced in a video game.

They get to know each other on a more personal level as the summer goes on, as mysteries begin to unravel in the woods around you.

The artstyle is beautiful. A minimalist almost cell shaded look makes the vistas look fantasic. Unfortunately the PS4 version of the game runs very poorly. Texture pop-up and frame rate dips are the main culprits, but the game did freeze at one point and forced me to close the app. The game is also very short, being able to be run through in 3-5 hours. That being said, Firewatch uses it's short time wisely and does not feel cheapened by the short run time.

Regardless of those few qualms, Firewatch is a must play for anyone who loves a great story. I had a hard time putting it down to do anything else. Firewatch has found a place in my heart, even if it had to break it to get there.

Big O: I have to agree with Rory about he intro to this game.  It can be heart wrenching.  The biggest comparison I’ve heard is the intro to Up (spoiler for first 5 minutes of Up I guess).  I was playing it with Panda and we actually had a difficult time getting through it.  At the same time, this sequence is vital to understand the mindset that your character is in when he decided to take this job away from anyone.  I didn’t find the ending upsetting, more I felt empty once it was done.  I had just gone on this amazing journey over the past few hours and now it was over. 

I’ll say that the game felt a little short.  I clocked in around 3.5 hours from start to finish.  I’ve been discussing this with some people online and others have been saying it has taken them around 5.  So, I guess that comes down to how you play.  I find this funny because I defiantly didn’t speed through this game.  Truth be told, I got lost a couple times.  I agree with Rory about there being graphical hiccups, but at the same time it was nothing game breaking and I feel these things can easily be patched out later.  I had the game freeze on me once and I’m almost curious if it was the same place where Rory had his.  None of these inconveniences were enough to take me out of the experience.  I was still thoroughly engaged and didn’t want to put the controller down. 

I’ve already mentioned how strong the narrative is, but I find this particularly interesting considering almost the entire story is told between Henry and Delilah.  The game really makes you feel the isolation as the relationship between these two develops.  The two characters share witty quips back and forth.  I grew so dependent on this banter that I actually felt lonely when Delilah wasn’t speaking to me. 

This game is a buy for me, however you should consider the game length when determining whether you wish to spend $20 on the final product.  For some of you, it might be better to wait for it to go on sale sometime over the next year.  Whatever you decide, I highly recommend this journey into the wilderness. 

Life is Strange Full Review

A few weeks ago I posted my review of the first episode of Life is Strange, an episodic point and click adventure game that was released by Square-Enix in 2015.

Since then, I have had the chance to play the rest of the game (episodes 2-5).  Do I love the direction this game took or do I wish I could reverse time and unplay it?

So, a quick refresher.  In Life is Strange you play as Max, a young girl attending Blackwell Academy, either a fine arts high school or a college (it's never really established).  After a rather traumatic event, Max realizes she has the ability to rewind time (that clever line from the last paragraph is paying off).   She uses her powers to save a mysterious blue haired girl who turns out to be Max's estranged childhood best friend Chloe.   After reconnecting, Max and Chloe decide to team up and investigate the strange happenings around Blackwell Academy as well as discover the secret of a local missing girl Rachel Amber.

The charm of Life is Strange revolves around the interaction with the characters.  Blackwell Academy and the local town of Arcadia Bay is full of eclectic and interesting people.  Life is Strange is what I like to call a narrative driven game.  Basically the emphasis is on the story and experiences you have rather than action set pieces.  I'm a big fan of this style of gameplay but if you prefer a faster pace, this may not be the adventure for you.

As I said before, the characters are where this game shines.  Your typical cast is present and accounted for.  You have the friend/love interest (depending on what choices you make) in Warren.  The popular/rich advisories in Victoria and Nathan.  A mentor, Mr. Jefferson and many many more.  There are countless dialogue options in the games and you can use your time altering powers to reverse decisions that don't sit right with you.  But remember, sometimes all you have are bad choices and you still have to choose.  

In typical point and click action, the majority of the gameplay revolves around exploring locations and finding the item to you need to make the thing work.  In this case, usually involving time shenanigans.  Again, this style of play can be a little slower for some people, so keep that in mind.  In the first episode of the game, Max has a vision of an impending storm that will devastate the town.  So while her and Chloe are playing amateur sleuth, they must also devise a way to save Arcadia Bay in the process.

So now, the reason you're all here.  What did I think of the game?  In case it wasn't completely obvious yet, I loved the writing and characters.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't perfect.  As I said in my last review, it was obvious the game was written by adults.  There are times you hear teenage girls say lines that would have been out of touch in the 80s.  Despite some minor hiccups, the story is well told and I was generally interested in what people had to say.  There were quite a few occasions where I found myself rewinding time just so I could hear the dialogue options that I missed.  The story was engaging and took some unexpectedly dark turns at times.  I always found myself interested in the progression of the plot and wanted to know what would happen next.  

The puzzles all seemed fairly intuitive.  The only times I would find myself frustrated was when I forgot I have my time manipulation abilities.  After I remembered that, it was generally smooth sailing.  When I first started the game I was nervous that being able to rewind all of my choices would make the game too easy.  Luckily, the choices are more of a tool to facilitate the story.  Basically what I mean by that is there will be negative consequences from any choice you make.  It is up to you as the player to decide which road you want to travel.  There is one pivotal moment where the game takes away your abilities and you are forced to fly without a safety net.  This was one of the most stressful and heart wrenching moments in the game for me.  One of the most vital points and you don't get a second try.  

Overall I thought this was an amazing experience that is certainly worthy of a Platinum Spirit.  There is a ton of buzz on the internet with people calling this their game of the year for 2015.  After experiencing it, I can see why.  I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Quantic Dream or Talltale Games.  Even if you're not, I would recommend branching out and taking a stab at it.  Many places offer the first episode free or discounted so there is relatively little risk.  The soundtrack alone is a great experience.  I found myself sitting on the title screen more than once while browsing Facebook and responding to texts just I could listen to the music.  

You had one job game!

-Big O

Reviving the 3D Platformer

Reviving the 3D Platformer

12/4/2015 

"IT'S ALIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!"

With the announcement of Psychonauts 2, the long dormant genre of 3D mascot platformers has a pulse. Trail-blazed by Mario 64, the 3D platformer dominated the very late 90s and the early 2000s. Spearheaded by the likes of Banjo-Kazooie, Jak and Daxter, Rachet and Clank, Sly Cooper, and of course Psychonauts, the powerhouse genre eventually collapsed due to poor gameplay decisions and over-saturation. Developers began hastily shipping these games packed with too many collectibles that lead to nothing, and watered down their brands with too many sequels and bad spinoffs (see Jak X). 

Look how edgy we are, we put "X" in the title!

But hope has returned. At the Video Game Awards last night, Psychonauts creator Tim Schafer announced plans for Psychonauts 2 to be released in 2018. The game has gone to crowdfunding site Fig for investors to get the game made. In 14 hours it has already made 1.1 million of it's 3.3 million dollar goal, so it's looking like a safe bet to reach it's funding. This is good news for gamers. The old team who made Banjo-Kazooie also crowdfunded a spiritual successor to their series earlier this year, called Yooka-Laylee (see what they did there?!). Clearly there is a large group of people who still want these games and will pay to see them returned to our lives.

3D platformers bring back fond memories to those of us who grew up during this genre's renaissance. Their colorful worlds and cartoon protagonists would be a welcomed palate cleanser in a world of hyper realism and violence in most mainstream games. But please, lets go a little easier on the collectibles this time (I'm looking at you, Donkey Kong 64), and not flood the market with trash that is hastily scrapped together for a quick buck. Lately the first person shooter has seemingly been falling into this trap, with Call of Duty sales down overall, and mixed reception for Halo 5. 

Also maybe less of your terrible family... thanks

But Psychonauts 2 and Yooka-Laylee don't have to pull the weight on their own. The Sly Cooper collection was released last year to critical acclaim. The Jak and Daxter HD collection dropped a few years ago and was met with great reviews. And a Rachet and Clank movie and game remake are on the horizon in 2016, so the future is getting even brighter for this long dimly lit sector of the gaming world. I don't know about you guys, but a future where I'm jumping around with these guys again, is a future I want to live in.

-Rory

WCNC GAME OF THE YEAR: 2015 Edition

WCNC Game of the Year: 2015 Edition

12/2/2015

The nominees are dressed for the occasion

Hello game fans, the end of the year is upon us which means it's time for the first annual WCNC game awards! It's been a fantastic year for games so the competition is very close, but we have a few caveats to get out of the way before we dive in. First, my decisions here don't represent the opinions of all the members at WCNC. Unfortunately due to time constraints I wasn't able to get a full discussion with everybody, but I'll try to represent their views as best I can. Secondly, there's a few huge game of the year candidates I haven't played including Mario Maker, MGSV, and The Witcher 3 so if they fall short of where you would like them, sorry but that's just the way it is. Without further ado, let the games begin...

Honorable Mentions:

Batman Arkham Knight- I really liked this game, but it just hasn't stuck with me the way Asylum or City did.

Destiny: The Taken King- I know it's technically DLC but the Taken King is what finally got me to cave on Destiny.

Evolve- This game gets so many points for creativity. It oozes atmosphere and is full of intense moments. But in the end, it's multiplayer only style just left it without much staying power.

Super Mario Maker- Boy, Big O and Beef are going to string me up for this one....

Now onto our winners:

#3. Metal Gear Solid: V

"Okay everyone, look cool"

This game boasts a huge open world, with endless ways to play its many missions. I personally haven't had a chance to play this one yet, but with the way Big O talks about it, I can't wait to sink my teeth (and time) into this world. 

#2. Fallout 4

Vault Boy is crying behind those lenses

Not giving game of the year to Fallout 4 was easily the hardest decision of this list for me. This is the game that has taken the most time from me this year (about 120 hours and counting) and I've loved every second of it. This is the most hyped up I've been for a game in a long while, and it has delivered in spades. From the improved combat, to the power armor system, to building the perfect bastion for society out of trash picked up around the world, everything is firing on all cylinders here except maybe the frame rate at times. Any other year Fallout 4 would have walked right to the front of my game of the year list, but this year it was stopped in it's tracks by this BLOODY masterpiece...

#1. Bloodborne

"Hello, is it me you're looking for?"

Yes, the fromsoftware hit is taking home the gold this year! I've adored every entry into the "souls" series, but they hit on something special with Bloodborne. It attracted people that have never been into this punishing world of games and turned them into badass hunters capable of battling anything in their path. The macabre streets are Yarnham set a grim tone that seeps throughout all of the bosses and foes. Slaying each hideously malformed beast is a challenge, but man does it feel good when they finally fall. So from all of us, thank you Bloodborne, you big, beautiful, blood soaked bastard.  

-Rory 

A Walk in My Irradiated Shoes: Chapter 2

A Walk in my Irradiated Shoes: Chapter 2
12/02/2287

Goodneighbor. A suburb of Diamond City filled with ghouls and chem addicts with a serious attitude problem. That's where I find myself on this particularly dark day in the ruins of Boston. After a run-in with a thug at the main gate I find myself conversing with the mayor of Goodneighbor, Hancock. He's a ghoul wearing old colonial attire, and to be fair he is the biggest badass I've had the pleasure to meet since leaving Vault 111. After the pleasantries are out of the way (which involved him stabbing the aforementioned thug to death in the middle of the town), I ask him if he has any extra work for me. He tells me of a place called Pickman Gallery that he needs a status report on, so I gear up and head out.

Hell yes I added him as my companion at first chance!

Art is in the eye of the beholder...I guess.

I arrive at the Gallery to be greeted by a small band of raiders at the door. I switch out my sniper for my silenced 10mm pistol and clear them out quickly and quietly. I enter the building to more raiders who are arguing about finding the aforementioned Pickman. After picking off the raider scum, I start to realize just how freaky this house really is. Creepy paintings cover the walls. People are beheaded and impaled on spikes. Bodies are chained to tables. All the corpses have calling cards on them with the words "Find Me- Pickman" signed in blood. I see a hole in the wall and follow it under the house.

"I love what you've done with the place!"

How many raiders does it take to change a lightbulb?

The tunnels are filled with radiation and raiders. It's tight quarters down here so it's time for my trusty combat shotgun. After blowing through several bands of raiders, and navigating many twists and turns, I come upon a scene of three raiders surrounding a man in a classy suit. They tell him this is the end of the line, but the man doesn't seem concerned. The raiders open fire. In a split second I decide to help the man in the classy suit. Two of the raiders go down with easy headshots, but the leader is a tough S.O.B. After a few shotgun blasts to his ugly mug, the raider is on his last legs. Out of the corner of my eye I see the man in the suit run behind the raider and finish him off with a clean stab to the back.

As the smoke cleared, the man in the suit turns to me. He thanks me for the help although he's kind of a creep. Looking over at his name it all becomes clear, I just helped the serial killer Pickman get a fresh kill. He explains that although his methods are brutal, he only kills raiders. Since the only good raider is a dead raider, I decide to let him leave to continue his bloody streak across the wasteland. I find a lockpicking bobblehead on the floor of the room and head for the door. But something on the table catches my eye...

"Ohhhh comic!"

"IN SOVIET RUSS... Oh nevermind."

-Rory

A Walk in My Irradiated Shoes

A Walk in my Irradiated Shoes

11/27/2287

I wake up in my house in Sanctuary Hills, ready to greet the wasteland. Well rested bonus in hand, I head outside to see what’s in store for me next. I trade a few things with Trashcan Carla, then head over to Preston Garvey to see who needs help from the Minutemen today. He tells me of a settlement named Greygarden that is requesting assistance as soon as possible. I scrap a few things, mod my sniper rife for more damage, then I’m on my way.

What do robots need with all this fruit?

Having not been to Greygarden before, I fast travel to the Corvega Assembly Plant just a few minutes away. It’s a pretty smooth walk there, other than some Mole Rats that I quickly dispose of. Cresting over a hill, Greygarden comes into full view and I’m taken aback by what I see. The whole place is run by Mr. Handy’s, under the watchful mechanical eye of Supervisor White. The robot leader tells me that the facility was finished being built mere days before the bombs dropped 200 years ago. But it isn’t all idol chitchat, White gets down to business and tells me of a water treatment plant down the hill that is needed to keep the garden alive. Only one problem, the place is crawling with super mutants. Of course it is.

"I have ALL of my eyes on you."

It looks so innocent from here

After climbing down the hill to the plant, I post up a good distance away to figure out my plan of attack. Through my sniper scope I count around ten mutants, with a mirelurk a safe distance away from them. I line up my first shot on a super mutant brute’s cranium. Bang. Watching their leader go down in one shot clearly pissed them off, because they all start charging and shooting my direction. My explosive indicator pops up pointing to my left. I narrowly avoid becoming charred bits flying around the wasteland, then enter V.A.T.S. to find the culprit. The targeting system lands on a super mutant wearing a tire on his head, who is aiming a missile launcher in my direction. I think we have our guy. So I line up a shot with a 54% chance of hitting. I use my critical strike to change that to a 100% chance. Better save than sorry. Bang.

After thinning a few more out of the herd of monsters, there are just a couple of stragglers left. I get charged by a mutant using a 2x4 as a weapon. It’s too close for the sniper, so I switch to the shotgun. Bang. He SPLINTERS into a million pieces thanks to the Bloody Mess perk. A horrible sound cuts through the chaos, and I quickly change to my sniper. It’s the beeping sound from a mini-nuke being held by a super mutant suicider. He begins his death charge at me. I pull up V.A.T.S to aim for his explosive, but the mirelurk has decided that now is a good time to come attack me. Not cool. I can’t aim at the bomb through the mirelurk, so I use V.A.T.S. to quickly drop him. Bang. Having no AP left, I realize I’m going to have to shoot this bomb unassisted. I look down my scope as the beast closes in. Take aim at the mini-nuke. BOOM. He’s gone in a dark mushroom cloud. That was too close.

They won't be needing this stuff anymore.

Now that the mutant problem is dealt with, time to steal all their stuff. Desk fans, guns, armor, ammo, it’s all up for grabs. I spot a tool case in a shack across the yard. As I cross the threshold of the building, I hear the sound of a wire snap. My explosive indicator points straight down.

Bang.

-Rory