Bring The Noise Gaming

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Steam Game Review: Eron

Since the blowup of the "Indie Dev" scene there have been many successes, many mediocres, and plenty of flops. In this "BTN Gaming Review" we are going focus on "Eron" by Red Splat Games which, unfortunately, falls into the category of mediocre at best.

This game called "Eron" really strives to add a new perspective on Platform games. It does a pretty good job for the most part. It uses a feature that makes the player have to shift between realms in order to complete the levels. The controls are rather simple as it uses the keyboard arrows, space bar to jump and Shift to well... shift. Now upon first glance, it's easy to see that it is inspired by the olden times of Atari and that is a wonderful starting point. It makes the player almost feel like they are holding that oblong, awkward controller as they make their way through the levels. The "shifting" aspect of Eron is unique and it really makes the player think on how to approach each obstacle. Each movement needing to be calculated and precise, otherwise the poor tribesman of the planet is sent right back to the beginning to try it once more. Although this can be frustrating, it pays a certain homage to the games of old, which is also a nice touch.

The overall challenge of Eron can be described as both irritating and satisfying. Games today seem to be drifting to the edge of boringly tired in order to reach out to a broader crowd. Eron, although simple, is in fact a challenge to work through and though it may get more than frustrating at times, it's exceedingly rectifying when a level is finally conquered. Combine the simple controls with this fact and there is so much potential for Eron to become a truly great game.

Now, on to the reasons why this little game can't quite make the cut. For starters, there is very little story. The only story that the player gets is in the Steam store page and even then, it's just a little snippet. There is no true development. This is sorely detrimental because although the environment tells a little bit of that story, there's no real element of purpose as to why the protagonist needs to carry on. It slowly becomes a mundane challenge of overthinking levels and dealing with the frustrations of failing more than succeeding. By no means should the game be easier, but there should be some sort of motivation put in place for the player to feel like there is progress being made.

While story would add some motivation to the overall gameplay, the idea of adding some sort of "enemy" or even active ability to compliment the "realm shifting" would add so much more depth to the interaction between player and environment. This in turn would help the levels fortify a story as well. From the Steam store page, the story snippet explains that Eron is being destroyed, but destroyed by what? Is it self-imploding? Is it an invasion? Is it an infestation of a nuisance gone out of control? There is nothing in the levels that clarifies this. That is why a hostile element would a welcome addition.

The final reason as to why Eron falls short of a stellar review is the simple fact that there are numerous glitches or bad environment interactions. The idea of causing the black spheres to rocket jump the player is great, but sometimes, even though hit perfectly, there is a disconnect between the jumping player and the sphere. Add to this the fact that there are places in the game where the player can be stuck in "permajump," unable to move whatsoever makes it difficult to play without the need to add that frustration.

Given all of the information above, Eron has so much room to grow, and Red Splat Games has a great idea. All they need to do is expound on it and show Eron a little more love. Work out the kinks, the glitches and bugs. Try adding some sort of story-driven concept and/or possible a "hostile" environment aspect. Once those are in place and perfected, there is no doubt that Eron could be all that it was intended to be: a modern day homage to Atari Platform games.

For more information on Eron, or to buy it for yourself, please visit:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/356880

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PC Gaming Equipment Review: XBOX 360 Controller

PC Gaming Equipment Review:

XBOX 360 Controller

In this "BTN Gaming Review" we are going to shed some light on the wireless XBOX 360 Controll hookup for the PC. Now while this review will be pretty straightforward, there are some pros and cons that I would like to talk about when it comes to this product and its operation on the PC.

While some things are obvious about the XBOX 360 Controller, there are some very real points of value to choosing this type of gamepad for those computer games that just simply require a gamepad to use. The first and foremost valuable reason that a 360 Controller can be so useful is: Steam. The reason why Steam ranks as number one on the list for the fact that any game in the Steam library that supports gamepads, automatically supports the XBOX 360 Controller. Even those games that say "Partial Gamepad Support" mean that they only support the XBOX 360 Controller. This is extremely helpful because within the realm of Steam games there are several that simply just require the use of this option.

The second main reason why an XBOX 360 Controller is a great choice for PC gaming is the simple fact that since it is made my Microsoft, it will automatically be compatible with the operating system without little or no configuration/calibration. There might be some drivers that need to be downloaded, but once those drivers are installed (and this usually happens automatically when plugging in an XBOX 360 Controller to the usb port) you are on your way and ready to duke it out with your weapon of choice. It's actually as simple as that.

The only major drawback to using an XBOX 360 Controller is that although it is convenient, it can be hard to discern what games would be best played with it vs. using the keyboard. Now while this might seem menial and insignificant, it is worth pointing out. Sometimes the convenience of using a controller can overshadow the utility and advanced, more precise usage of the keyboard and mouse. This problem of course is easily corrected by simply experimenting with both options on the games in question and making the decision from there.

Again, this review is really quite straightforward, and some things might be obvious to most, but for those of you out there who are looking for a great, convenient option for PC gaming, I hope I was able to shed some light on this otherwise Dark Horse.

For driver information or to purchase an XBOX 360 controller for yourself, please visit the links below:
https://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/d/xbox-360-controller-for-windows (Drivers)
https://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/p/xbox-360-controller-for-windows (Store)

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Monday, September 14, 2015

Multi-Platform Game Review: Titanfall

While EA (Electronic Arts) is known mostly for their sports games and their quite successful "Sims" series, they have quite a few other blockbusters that they have cranked out. Among these titles is that of "Titanfall," which will be the focus for this BTN Gaming Game Review.

Titanfall, upon it's release, was a refreshing change to the fast-paced and competitive FPS scene. The idea that the player could rack up points to summon a giant robot from the orbits of space is without a doubt an intriguing idea. In fact, that's what makes Titanfall so much fun in the first place... Well that and the fact that the player can run and gun with a jetpack, as well as some crazy wall climbing maneuvers. Add that to the fact that the player can also climb on to a Titan and "rodeo" it, all in the hopes of ultimately bringing the multi-ton beast to its knees, and there is a game that presents itself as big and as epic as the Titans themselves.

To go into a bit more depth on Titanfall's gameplay style, it packs a bit more punch than the average "team deathmatch" of pretty much any other FPS out there. The player is given the option to either engage enemy "Pilots" (aka other human players) or take the fight the game's A.I. counterparts, whether it's "grunts" or "spectres." Granted, Pilots grant the player more points towards the spawn of their Titan, but the grunts and spectres provide a bit more cannon fodder for those times when pinning down an enemy pilot is sluggish. Another great addition in the gameplay (and possibly the BEST addition to combat) is the fact that the player can hop up into their gigantic steel beast of carnage and go toe-to-toe with the enemy titans, which can lead to some pretty messy fights. Ultimately, it's this concept that makes Titanfall what it is: absolutely crazy and unpredictable.

As mentioned above, the point system and the actual concept of calling down a metal behemoth is exciting, but the next point of focus is the wall-running, double-jumping, frenzy-causing idea of the anti-gravity suit. This idea pretty much adds a whole new depth to the way the player is allowed to fight. Now instead having to worry about just running and gunning, the player is given the privelage to perfomr some highly skilled maneuvers. The options are endless and the maps provided in Titanfall give an extremely large "arsenal" of buildings and surfaces to exploit for every advantage thinkable and/or unthinkable.

Titanfall also offers two different types of in-game currency: "credits," which can be used to purchase icons and other goodies from the black market; and "burn cards" which are a combat currency that amp up the player's abilities in various ways. The player can use the credits earned to also buy more burn cards, or even sell burn cards to the black market to get more credits. Everybody can get rich in one way or another!

While the Titans make for intense battles, and the combat system makes for an immersive and creative way to make that money, there is one aspect of Titanfall that EVERYBODY should be concerned with: The Smart Pistol. This one item, this very miniscule detail, is absolutely detrimental to the gameply of Titanfall. Why? Because it takes the idea that "skill is required to play" and chucks it right out the window. This one weapon (although I'm sure intended to be a good tool for beginners) completely trashes the skillcap aspect of the game. Sure, there are ways to get around it and even minute ways that one can use the smart pistol to their advantage, but all it seriously takes about three seconds of steady aiming and anybody is dead to rights. Again... This weapon was probably intended to guide "noobs" through the game until they could get the hang of running and gunning, but it's become more of a hindrance, than a help. For crying out loud, it doesn't take ANY skill whatsoever to just wait a few moments for the pistol to lock on to a target and pull a trigger. Anybody can do that, including my year and a half old rabbit who doesn't know a controller from a head of lettuce. EA made a huge mistake catering to the "FPS handicapped" with this weapon and in my honest opinion ruined the maximum potential that Titanfall could have had.

All in all, Titanfall is a great game and the action is so fast paced that it will cure the average adrenaline-junkie's fix. The game is definitely worth adding to your game collection if you are in the market for a unique competitive FPS. Buyer-Be-Warned, however, because the smart pistol with make quick work of ruining the game if you let it get to you.

P.S. If you use the smart pistol... GET A REAL GUN! :P

For more information on Titanfall, please visit:
http://www.titanfall.com/

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Sunday, September 13, 2015

Steam Game Review: Dirty Bomb

With the rise of the MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) gaming genre, the FPS seems to have taken a backseat and this has caused some adverse effects on major titles such as Halo or Call of Duty. These adverse effects have caused these mainstream titles to fall from glory because the developers feel as if they must change the mechanics and overall feel of these once heavy hitters of the gaming industry. That said, Dirty Bomb tries to deliver where most other FPS games can't.

First off, the graphics of Dirty Bomb are absolutely gorgeous, especially for a free-to-play game. The graphics are also quite easy to read, even in the heat of battle. On that note, Dirty Bomb deserves credit for this because for the general player (nowadays) if a game isn't aesthetically pleasing, nine times out of ten it will fall to the bottom of the barrel, never to be looked at again. So thank you Nexon/Splash Damage for noticing this particular detail and expounding on it.

While good graphics may get the player hooked and intrigued, it takes a combination of gameplay and decent features to keep the attention of the gamer. This is where Dirty Bomb is both unique and shining in some aspects, but also where it seems to fall short. Before this review hashes anything out, I would like to point out that this is not about the rumored "hackers" of the game or the presumed "Pay-to-Win" model. Rather though, Dirty Bomb's objective system is somewhat muddled. In some situations, it's incredibly easy to win, while in other scenarios it is just seemingly impossible to get even a leg up on the competition. Now understandably, there is a certain amount of experience or teamwork that makes these situations present themselves. That's great! That's wonderful, but there are also some points on every map that can be exploited and in some cases abused for the advantage that they give. One such "point of exploitation" is on the map Chapel where the defending team must prevent the EV from reaching it's destination. Countless times, I've seen this map won right within the hanger where EV must park. All it takes is a Proxy player standing right inside the hangar where they are completely sheltered from every possible angle, and then all the player has to do is drop mines continuously on the front end of the EV which in turn decimates the chances of the offensive team's victory. While small, this is quite significant.

Another critical point that really sways the gameplay is the actual classes that are offered to the player. Granted, while some of these classes are quite unique and others are simple in playstyle, it's these exact differences that make it hard to play certain classes. The example chosen for this review is the Fire Support Merc, Skyhammer. Skyhammer is without a doubt fun to play. His run and gun style mixed with his airstrike special ability makes for quite a fun experience, however, when it comes to actually achieving anything for the team, he really falls off. Other than hanging around in the back with a rifle and just chucking out air support strikes, he just doesn't deliver the "aggressive" playstyle one would expect. On the other hand, Proxy, who is an Objective Specialist, can be considered absolutely overpowered. Proxy is a force to be reckoned with and can single-handedly win an entire match by herself. This is all due to the fact that she is an engineer, and can therefore build fortifications, or destroy them, and her speed mixed with her mines make her efficient at holding said objectives. As far as the mercenary classes, there could be some work done to make things a bit more balanced.

While the gameplay does need some work in the areas of exploitation and actual mercenary class power, the objective system that Dirty Bomb offers is wonderful. It feels almost as if the developers took the feel of the typical RTS MOBA and mixed it with the high-paced action of FPS games. This is a great combo as it makes the player feel like there is in fact a time crunch. The "Stopwatch Mode" is a shining example of this. In "Stopwatch Mode" both teams are given the opportunity to defend and attack, and the team that does this in the fastest time is the winner. What makes "Stopwatch Mode" so unique is the fact that it requires the team to come together as one and actually strategize in order to win the game. In some cases, the game can be won in a matter of 20 minutes, and other times it takes a whopping hour just to get past the second objective. On that note, Splash Damage/Nexon must be commended because it really focuses on the need for strategy and teamwork, rather than running around and dummy-gunning just hoping you get a kill.

The final stop for this review on Dirty Bomb is the unique shop system that it has in place. The player is able to gain battle cards from cases (which are won in matches or can be bought for a certain amount of in-game currency) and these battle cards give your mercenaries certain "upgrades" to their abilities. Whether it's faster run speed, a special knife, cooldown reduction on abilities (and so much more) the battle cards are the icing on the proverbial cake for Dirty Bomb. This card system has stirred up much controversy in the idea that it makes the game "Pay-to-Win" but there is very little evidence to support this theory. At least in my own experience, I've noticed that it's not about the card you are holding, but rather, about the skill it takes to play.

Overall, Dirty Bomb offers a unique experience, and it does have it's gameplay flaws. However, it is also still in Open Beta, so these flaws are to be expected. Once the map exploitations get fixed and the mercenary classes become a bit more balanced, there's no reason why Dirty Bomb shouldn't be at the top of the list when it comes to competitive FPS games.

For more information on Dirty Bomb, please visit:

http://dirtybomb.nexon.net/

Monday, August 31, 2015

Multi-Platform Game Review: Call of Duty - Black Ops

Multi-Platform Game Review:

Call of Duty Black Ops

The Call of Duty series is no stranger to revolutionizing gameplay, especially when it comes to multiplayer. With that said, it should come as no surprise that "Call of Duty: Black Ops" furthered the Call of Duty legacy, and in a big way.

First on the agenda is the single-player campaign. The reason why this is such a big deal is because it sets the scene for the player; the understanding that the main character of the story is in fact "Black Ops" during the Vietnam War. So what does it mean to be "Black Ops" exactly? Well to give a rather brief definition: "covert military or political operations that may employ measure not generally authorized." (Google Definition) Basically the long and short of "Black Operations" is the simple fact that the enacting government will deny any and all involvement, no matter the outcome. This is a HUGE factor when it comes to the storyline of Call of Duty: Black Ops. Why? Because throughout the entire story our main character, Alex Mason, is undergoing extreme measure to pick his brain of what happened during his time in the Black Operations. From mission in Cuba, to covert sabotage of Russian bases, and discovery of biochemical weapons, Mason is forced to relive the cruel and harsh realities of his employ. Without spoiling too much more of the story, it should be suffice to say that campaign does a great job when it comes to painting the Vietnam war for the Hell that it was.

If single-player campaigns aren't exactly your thing, there are a couple more options that might suit you. Okay, let's face it, most people buy the Call of Duty brand name for the multiplayer aspects. So first up, we have the "Nazi Zombies" game-mode. This particular game-mode can be played solo or with friends (up to a maximum of 4) and it's essentially a "survival" mode that dishes out plenty of baddies that increase in difficulty as the waves tick higher. There are plenty of weapon upgrades strewn about the premises as well as sections that require a certain amount of points to be unlocked. Points can be accumulated by either building up fortifications or slaughtering the zombie hordes by any means necessary. There are also some neat little upgrades/drops that appear at random after slaying the undead that will favor the forces of good in various ways.

So the single player campaign paints the picture, and "Nazi Zombies" offers a great way to just mindlessly blow away the "not-quite-dead" bodies of Nazis, however, where Call of Duty: Black Ops really shines (as every Call of Duty game does) is in the true multiplayer aspect. With game-modes ranging from the nitty gritty Deathmatch style, to objective-based, team-focused play, there is no doubt that Black Ops has something for everybody. Not only are there plenty of game-modes to choose from, but the highlight of the multiplayer experience is absolutely, positively, the "black market" style of the unlock/level system. Unlike it's predecessors, "Black Ops" allows the player to rack up a type of currency, be it through grinding or contracts, that in turn offers the freedom of being able to buy any weapon/class/upgrade/etc. at any point in time. There are even "Classified" weapons that require the player to achieve a certain goal before becoming available to purchase. With all of that to take in, it become abundantly clear why "Call of Duty: Black Ops" was as successful after it's launch, and still is to this very day.

"Call of Duty: Black Ops" is a title that is most definitely worth picking up or downloading, or what have you. If you are a fan of the series, or even just looking for a unique take on multiplayer competitive gaming, "Black Ops" absolutely lives up to it's reputation and is worth the 20 dollar bill that it demands on store shelves.

For more information on "Call of Duty: Black Ops" or to purchase the game for yourself, please visit:

https://www.callofduty.com/blackops/home

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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Multi-Platform Game Review: Borderlands

So... what happens when you take the "hair-on-fire, guns-blazing" gamestyle of Doom, mix it with "treasure chest" concept of dungeon crawlers, add just a sprinkle of Mad Max "gone wrong," and wrap it up with a simple (yet effective) customization/leveling system, courtesy of the RPG genre? The facemelting "First Person Roleplaying Shooter" known simply as Borderlands is born.

Borderlands was an absolutely ground-breaking game when it made it's first appearance in the world of video games, and in all honesty, it still is. Let's face it... with it's high-octane gameplay style that pits the player in the middle of an apocalyptic, cannibal-ridden paradise; the world of Pandora delivers much, much more than anyone could have anticipated. At first glance, it looks pretty much like any other FPS out there (minus the graphics, but we'll get there soon enough). There's the seemingly mundane "run and gun" playstyle with the casual "smash and open" mechanic of various containers that are strewn about the terrain. However, once one is simply able to get past the cover and first few pages of our proverbial book, Borderlands becomes so much more.

The world of Borderlands is so immersive, in every way, that it becomes almost a chore to try and become disenchanted with it. Sure... the very beginning of the game can be somewhat draggy and like any "RPG" (I use this term quite loosely) it's bound to have it's lulls. That is just to be expected. Borderlands compensates for these very minute "flaws" by offering a treasure system that titillates the player to drive deeper and deeper into the darkest and farthest reaches of Pandora. Item drops and troves of weapons with seemingly limitless abilities are not the only thing that is sure to retain the attention of the gamer, but also the long list of baddies that are just waiting for their, and I quote, "Pound of Flesh." From cannibals, to enormous bug-like creatures, to some seriously messed up "dogs," (and the list goes on) there is always a fresh challenger, or challengers, ready to sink their teeth (or weapon of choice) right into you.

Tons of weapons? Check. Bodies upon bodies to slaughter? Double-check. So what else can Borderlands offer? How about a leveling system that is unique on it's own, but also implemented to enhance the FPS aspect of the game. Each of the four playable character-classes come equipped with a set of skill trees that compliment various playstyles. These skill trees include abilities like damage amplification, treasure-finding, defense amplification, and so much more. The player is able to unlock these abilities upon leveling up; each level granting a skill point. Needless to say, this is a fresh take on the FPS genre as it gives the player a sense of freedom and customization that makes that particular character powerful, but in their very own way. Like the leveling up system adds a sort of "flare" to combat mechanics, the exploration aspect of Borderlands is kicked up a notch as well. The player is able to traverse forwards, backwards, and side-to-side through all of the areas previously traversed. This means that the player can go find that "newly" found secret location or find a potentially mortal enemy and slaughter them for that "phat lewt" that they have been craving.

With gameplay covered, it's time to focus on the other aspects of the game that make this an absolute must-have for any gamer. First, there's the graphics. The cell-shading concept adapted by Borderlands adds a whole new look and feel to the FPS genre. It enhances the overall environment and not to mention, it is quite easy to identify interactive objects versus environmental effects. That said, there should be some caution taken when playing Borderlands for copious amounts of time, as the visual effects of cell-shading can make one feel "dizzy" or "woozy" at times. So just use some caution when it comes to this. It does happen!

Graphics are a key component to a game for various reasons, but now it's time to discuss the absolute biggest factor (in my own opinion) when it comes to ANY video game. That's replay value; and Borderlands passes that test with flying colors. Not only are there four playable characters, but there is also so much DLC for this game that it will become harder and harder to simply become "bored" with the game.

Overall, Borderlands is a title that delivers it all from gameplay, to graphics, to replay value and so much more. It's almost certain to keep you entertained for hours, days, weeks, and months without even batting an eye.

For more information on Borderlands, please visit:

http://borderlandsthegame.com/index.php/agegate?ref=%2F%2F

Steam Game Review: Caster

As many avid gamers out there know, Steam is an absolute must have when it comes to buying and/or sharing games and gaming experiences. There is an innumerable amount of content on Steam that can tickle the fancy of pretty much anybody out there. Among these games, is that of "Caster."

First, let's start with the basics. Pretty much any sale that Steam advertises on their 'Store' page, features this game. It's no more than a quarter (25 cents) every time a sale happens, so with that said, there really isn't too much reason NOT to get it. Let's face it, 25 cents really doesn't get you a whole lot nowadays as it is... You're lucky if you can get a giant gumball for that price at your local grocery store.

Caster is a neat little game that was developed by Elecorn, who is in turn an indie developer. With this said, one should definitely take into consideration the fact that the graphics won't be up to "par" as say a major developer's game (Bethesda, 2K Games, Activision, etc) would be. That's not to say that graphics are everything, however. The game does a great job of launching the player into this world that could be described as styled after an old Nintendo 64 3D platformer, much like Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie. Keeping this in mind, a controller adds to this nostalgic feel as the camera angles and movement work in much the same manner. Once the player goes through a brief tutorial mission, explaining how things work, the game then takes the player on a journey through a very outlandish world. It incorporates a rough combat system that puts a slowly unlocked arsenal of various lasers at the player's disposal. Each of these weapons serves a purpose on each level, and it's up to the player to use that noggin of theirs to figure out how each weapon applies to the current mission.

With the mention of weapons, and missions, there is a neat little "leveling up" system that happens as well. With each mission the player can destroy enemies and shoot trees to gain an in-game currency, which in turn let's the player upgrade various abilities as well as the lasers. These abilities include the ability to run faster or jump higher, for instance. Cool right? In fact, once some of these abilities are upgraded, the missions become a flatout breeze to go through in some instances. This could be looked at as a good thing, or a bad thing, depending on who the player is. That said, I'll leave that up to interpretation.

While nostalgia, loads of money to grab, and fun ways to outsmart the enemy are fun... This game falls short, and detrimentally so, in a few other, more crucial areas. First off, there is no real "story." This is absolutely key when it comes to immersing the player. Without a story... there's very little that will actually make the player feel as though anything is getting accomplished.

Another big problem with this game is the fact that the enemies are almost static in a sense. They have no real movement styles and the ability to decimate them by the thousands is absolutely comical. There's no real combat mechanics that the player needs to acquire in order thwart the enemy and whatever threat they pose in this distant place where nobody seems to know what's going on. This, in and of itself, can absolutely destroy the experience.

So... we have lots of guns, a "leveling" system, nostalgia that is offset by lack of story and no real challenge. The bad can offset the good, or vice versa. And maybe it wouldn't be all that bad if that was all there is to the story, however, it's not. Speaking of "all there is to the story," this game, above all things, is NOT COMPLETE. Judging by the looks of things, it won't ever be completed by the developer. This poor little gem of a game has been left incomplete for quite some time now (years, in fact) and the developer has yet to blink an eye at it. It's really quite a shame too, because there is so much potential here. All it needs just a little TLC and just a bit of polishing and this game could turn out to get the recognition that it (potentially) deserves. But don't hold your breath.

On a sidenote, however, I would like to include the fact that the developer was courteous enough to include an actual mission editor and level designer that allows players to fill in holes or create a whole new world. I have tried the editor out, and while it is somewhat wonky at first, I am highly appreciative that Elecorn allowed for the followers of the game the ability to take things into their own hands, if need be. In fact, there is also a section on the Caster/Elecorn website that allows for community submissions to be downloaded by the public to play. So... at least the "DLC" is free.

Taking ALL of this into account, I enjoyed my time with the game. And for only 25 cents, I enjoyed it even more. Given that it might take some imagination on the player's part to keep things going, it's well worth the small donation to try. That is... if you are willing to overlook the terribly awful state the game was left in.

(Here's to hoping that at some point in time Elecorn revisits this 'pound puppy' of video games gives it the attention that it deserves.)

For more information on Caster or download the game, please visit:

http://www.elecorn.com/caster3d/index.html