Hello again all!
We're back with our 2010 Awards podcast. Nick and Paul make up some categories, talk about it a bit, then realise that we've forgotten everything not released on the Xbox 360. Let the flaming begin!
We've also got a Competition to win stuff. Real stuff. Hurrah
Hopefully we'll be a bit more regular now, so look for a new episode roughly monthly.
Direct Download Link
TaTa!
Paul.
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Podcast 7 - The missing link
Yes, yes, we've been absent for too long.
BUT, we did manage to find, a previously thought lost, podcast, the infamous #7 (woo!).
Nick, Alex and I talk about some stuff that is probably hugely out of date by now, but there you go.
New podcast coming in the next few weeks with our Eurogamer impressions.
Download it here:
Alternate Endings - Podcast #7
See ya soon!
BUT, we did manage to find, a previously thought lost, podcast, the infamous #7 (woo!).
Nick, Alex and I talk about some stuff that is probably hugely out of date by now, but there you go.
New podcast coming in the next few weeks with our Eurogamer impressions.
Download it here:
Alternate Endings - Podcast #7
See ya soon!
Friday, 1 October 2010
Eurogamer Expo Impressions
Yes, we were lucky enough to go to the EuroGamer Expo, and below you will find my (largely unedited) thoughts about the games that we saw:
Enjoy!
---
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Multiplayer demo only available for play, which was a shame for a game, that, for me, has really stood out as an outstanding story based adventure. MP was interesting, with everyone appearing having a single target to kill (which means that you are being stalked as well!) and having to stealthily make your way to them to execute your mission without being spotted.
Cleverly done, and when the mark spots you, a chase sequence starts, similar to the ones in ACII.
Graphics were standard fare, looking very white and extremely lovely, but not really a massive step on from ACII, in my opinion, but extremely capable. No signs of any slowdowns or tearing, so very pleasant to play.
BulletStorm
Probably my standout title of the event. Graphics were head and shoulders the best at the entire show. The fluidity of movement, the weight and feel of the guns extremely impressive.
Combo kills are satisfying and humerous, but how long they will last in a full game has to be seen when we get review/real code to play with.
Dead Space 2
They were showing a section of gameplay from DS2 with some interesting new weapons and a scene set in a cryotank style piece. I found it quite tough, but extremely atmostpheric, even in the very noisy and lit environs of the expo, which is a huge testament to the quality of this title.
You are freed up from the confines of a space ship which has allowed the designers to go mad on building vistas and some amazing interactive cutscene style play (think God of War III style).
Oh, and you get to see Issac's face, briefly, which was a surprise.
Fable III
The playable game on the shop floor was verydefinitely a clear evvolution from Fable II. similar architecture and felt very organic growth from the last one. The graphics are a bit improved over FII, but I had all sorts of frame rate issues on the demo pod I was using. Others didn't seem to have the same issues, so it might have been th esection I was in, or the code or the 360, not sure, but it was concerning.
There is plenty of ambition here, but it's hard to get a feel for the scale of it in the expo floor - you just can't devote the required time to get a good feel, but one to watch for sure.
Gears of War 3
They were showing MP, but it seemed to be solo (you vs AI) rather than the games being linked. The mode shown was a horde style mode, but where you played as the Locust rather than as COG. This was interesting, but only 3 available locust to play as (boomer, ticker and gretch) it was hard to really get much of a feel for it, definitely felt like Gears 2, but this is veryearly code, so much time to fix and improve.
I liked the tickets solution here, where which Locust you spawned as cost a different amount of tickets, but you get tickets back for killing COG. Ticker was cheapest (1 ticket), so killing a few COG would get you back 2-5 tickets, depedning on how many you took out.
Very nice game mechanic and cansee that working really well.
Rock Band 3
I didn't get a go on RB3, but spent quite a time watching the keyboard and Mustang in use (192 buttons!). The squier was there, but I never saw anyone play it.
The mustang was veryimpressive and the biggest change, with guitar tab coming down the lanes, rather than specific notes. Seemed to work well with those who knew what to do, so can see this being a bit of a bridge for those learning guitar, but without fingers of steel!
Overall, improved from RB2 as far as I could see, but organic rather than revolutionary evolution from RB2. Keyboard looked awesome to play (I play piano), so can see this being a purchase for sure.
Vanquish
Bit of a surprise for me this one, didn't have any pre-conceptions, but looked incredible. Very Japanese in execution, could easily be a CapCom game from the style and gameplay. Lots of huge and insane bosses, over the top action sequences (very bayonetta-esq) and what felt like solid gunplay sections.
Weird moments: when you are stopped in cover the character often whips out a cigarette, and the boost move looks like a rockstar slide pose, which is quite odd, and terribly amusing (the first time).
Caslevania: Lords of Shadow
I really haven't enjoyed the recent castlevania games, they've been pretty unimpressive and a bit slavish to the 2d metroid style game of the heritage. Castlevania here has taken a huge leap forward, and is hugely inspired by God of War, with similar gameplay, but it was graphically very impressive, although the frame rate was pretty suspect at times. Love the bosses and the over the top nature of the game.
Very nearly my game of the show.
KINECT
Let me level with you all, I was super skeptical about Kinect. I thought it was too expensive, too pointless tech with lag and other technical issues.
Joyride
A racing game where you use your hands out in front of you to control the car. I found this extremely difficult to control as there seemed to be quite a noticable lag between input and stuff happening on the screen, especially compared to a controller.
The tracks were, on the demo unit, pretty simple to combat this, but still found myself careering from side to side due to lag.
the racing was pretty insipid, very reminiscent of Mario Kart, and really not all that engaging. It may be that more development time and retail hardware will help make this a better experience, but right now I am yet to be convinced on this title.
Kinect SportsThe standard wii-killer package of Bowling, table tennis et al.
Table tennis was pretty good with no apparent lag or other issues to report, but the standout title for me was bowling which just worked and picked up enough detail to allow a high level of control over what was going on. I enjoyed this immensely and can see other members of the house playing this one quite a bit.
Of course, if you've got and enjoy Wii Sports, there's not enough dfferent here to pull you over, especially with the high kinect cost.
Kinect Adventures
A mini-game collection (rafting, leak plugging, etc). We've seen the rafting being demoed elsewhere already, btu having had a go on it, I'm still on the fence as to whether this is a good set of games or not. All of the mini-games stuck me as being pretty simple and not particularly challenging (it may well have been on easy), and hugely reminescent of EyeToy from the PS2 days. It just needed a window wiping game to finish off.
No significant lag here, but it occasionally felt like it got a bit confused.
Watching other people play the game, it struck me that no-one remembers that you can move physically from side to side, or back and forward, which is required for all of the mini-games that I played, so a bit of space in your play area, definitely required.
Dance Central
Dance Central is the game to get for Kinect. There was no lag visible, the game is incredibly engrossing and amazingly fun to play. I managed to get three or four goes on it, and I had a huge blast, I was smiling and laughing the entire time.
The big huge standout feature? No calibration. You just stand in front and go. Move and WiiMote need to copy this, it's a huge technological plus for kinect.
Interestingly hardly anyone would have a go (it was on a stage I suppse), guess Gamers really are quite introverted!
Enjoy!
---
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Multiplayer demo only available for play, which was a shame for a game, that, for me, has really stood out as an outstanding story based adventure. MP was interesting, with everyone appearing having a single target to kill (which means that you are being stalked as well!) and having to stealthily make your way to them to execute your mission without being spotted.
Cleverly done, and when the mark spots you, a chase sequence starts, similar to the ones in ACII.
Graphics were standard fare, looking very white and extremely lovely, but not really a massive step on from ACII, in my opinion, but extremely capable. No signs of any slowdowns or tearing, so very pleasant to play.
BulletStorm
Probably my standout title of the event. Graphics were head and shoulders the best at the entire show. The fluidity of movement, the weight and feel of the guns extremely impressive.
Combo kills are satisfying and humerous, but how long they will last in a full game has to be seen when we get review/real code to play with.
Dead Space 2
They were showing a section of gameplay from DS2 with some interesting new weapons and a scene set in a cryotank style piece. I found it quite tough, but extremely atmostpheric, even in the very noisy and lit environs of the expo, which is a huge testament to the quality of this title.
You are freed up from the confines of a space ship which has allowed the designers to go mad on building vistas and some amazing interactive cutscene style play (think God of War III style).
Oh, and you get to see Issac's face, briefly, which was a surprise.
Fable III
The playable game on the shop floor was verydefinitely a clear evvolution from Fable II. similar architecture and felt very organic growth from the last one. The graphics are a bit improved over FII, but I had all sorts of frame rate issues on the demo pod I was using. Others didn't seem to have the same issues, so it might have been th esection I was in, or the code or the 360, not sure, but it was concerning.
There is plenty of ambition here, but it's hard to get a feel for the scale of it in the expo floor - you just can't devote the required time to get a good feel, but one to watch for sure.
Gears of War 3
They were showing MP, but it seemed to be solo (you vs AI) rather than the games being linked. The mode shown was a horde style mode, but where you played as the Locust rather than as COG. This was interesting, but only 3 available locust to play as (boomer, ticker and gretch) it was hard to really get much of a feel for it, definitely felt like Gears 2, but this is veryearly code, so much time to fix and improve.
I liked the tickets solution here, where which Locust you spawned as cost a different amount of tickets, but you get tickets back for killing COG. Ticker was cheapest (1 ticket), so killing a few COG would get you back 2-5 tickets, depedning on how many you took out.
Very nice game mechanic and cansee that working really well.
Rock Band 3
I didn't get a go on RB3, but spent quite a time watching the keyboard and Mustang in use (192 buttons!). The squier was there, but I never saw anyone play it.
The mustang was veryimpressive and the biggest change, with guitar tab coming down the lanes, rather than specific notes. Seemed to work well with those who knew what to do, so can see this being a bit of a bridge for those learning guitar, but without fingers of steel!
Overall, improved from RB2 as far as I could see, but organic rather than revolutionary evolution from RB2. Keyboard looked awesome to play (I play piano), so can see this being a purchase for sure.
Vanquish
Bit of a surprise for me this one, didn't have any pre-conceptions, but looked incredible. Very Japanese in execution, could easily be a CapCom game from the style and gameplay. Lots of huge and insane bosses, over the top action sequences (very bayonetta-esq) and what felt like solid gunplay sections.
Weird moments: when you are stopped in cover the character often whips out a cigarette, and the boost move looks like a rockstar slide pose, which is quite odd, and terribly amusing (the first time).
Caslevania: Lords of Shadow
I really haven't enjoyed the recent castlevania games, they've been pretty unimpressive and a bit slavish to the 2d metroid style game of the heritage. Castlevania here has taken a huge leap forward, and is hugely inspired by God of War, with similar gameplay, but it was graphically very impressive, although the frame rate was pretty suspect at times. Love the bosses and the over the top nature of the game.
Very nearly my game of the show.
KINECT
Let me level with you all, I was super skeptical about Kinect. I thought it was too expensive, too pointless tech with lag and other technical issues.
Joyride
A racing game where you use your hands out in front of you to control the car. I found this extremely difficult to control as there seemed to be quite a noticable lag between input and stuff happening on the screen, especially compared to a controller.
The tracks were, on the demo unit, pretty simple to combat this, but still found myself careering from side to side due to lag.
the racing was pretty insipid, very reminiscent of Mario Kart, and really not all that engaging. It may be that more development time and retail hardware will help make this a better experience, but right now I am yet to be convinced on this title.
Kinect SportsThe standard wii-killer package of Bowling, table tennis et al.
Table tennis was pretty good with no apparent lag or other issues to report, but the standout title for me was bowling which just worked and picked up enough detail to allow a high level of control over what was going on. I enjoyed this immensely and can see other members of the house playing this one quite a bit.
Of course, if you've got and enjoy Wii Sports, there's not enough dfferent here to pull you over, especially with the high kinect cost.
Kinect Adventures
A mini-game collection (rafting, leak plugging, etc). We've seen the rafting being demoed elsewhere already, btu having had a go on it, I'm still on the fence as to whether this is a good set of games or not. All of the mini-games stuck me as being pretty simple and not particularly challenging (it may well have been on easy), and hugely reminescent of EyeToy from the PS2 days. It just needed a window wiping game to finish off.
No significant lag here, but it occasionally felt like it got a bit confused.
Watching other people play the game, it struck me that no-one remembers that you can move physically from side to side, or back and forward, which is required for all of the mini-games that I played, so a bit of space in your play area, definitely required.
Dance Central
Dance Central is the game to get for Kinect. There was no lag visible, the game is incredibly engrossing and amazingly fun to play. I managed to get three or four goes on it, and I had a huge blast, I was smiling and laughing the entire time.
The big huge standout feature? No calibration. You just stand in front and go. Move and WiiMote need to copy this, it's a huge technological plus for kinect.
Interestingly hardly anyone would have a go (it was on a stage I suppse), guess Gamers really are quite introverted!
We are still alive!
Hi all,
Yes, we've been a bit quiet for a variety of reasons, but we're back from our summer break.
There are two podcasts coming in the next two/three weeks - one old (presumed lost!) and one detailing the stuff we did at the eurogamer expo!
Look for them next week!
Paul
Yes, we've been a bit quiet for a variety of reasons, but we're back from our summer break.
There are two podcasts coming in the next two/three weeks - one old (presumed lost!) and one detailing the stuff we did at the eurogamer expo!
Look for them next week!
Paul
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Podcast #6
Hello all,
It's been a while coming, but we are really pleased to present to you Podcast #6.
We're joined by newcomer Alex and his refusal to believe in games produced in the last 10 years, and we discuss E3 at length.
We hope you enjoy the episode!
Download Episode 6
Cheers,
Paul
It's been a while coming, but we are really pleased to present to you Podcast #6.
We're joined by newcomer Alex and his refusal to believe in games produced in the last 10 years, and we discuss E3 at length.
We hope you enjoy the episode!
Download Episode 6
Cheers,
Paul
Friday, 18 June 2010
No Disassemble Number Five!
Ladies & gentlemen, welcome to Alternate Endings Episode Five!
Download Alternate Endings Episode 5
Pete joins Mat, Nick and Paul this week (I was off on holiday in Italy; I know, total lack of commitment!).
Forgotten Favourites
I think Nick correclty pointed out in a previous show that the "Forgotten Favourites" section should more accurately be renamed "Remembered Favourites" (as if they were forgotten, we wouldn't be..... oh you get the idea).
So the guys sit back and fondly reminisce over their gaming past. Nick chose Mega-lo-Mania on the Sega Megadrive (pictured), while Pete went for Roll Cage Stage 2 on the Playstation. Paul went all the way back to his BBC B days and talks about Repton.
According to IGN, Matt's choice of Dreamcast game Shenmue cost an unprecedented $70 million to make. Every Dreamcast owner would have to have bought the game twice in order for Sega to turn a profit!!
As always, we hope you enjoy the show, and it would be great to read your comments, tweets or emails!
Download Alternate Endings Episode 5
Pete joins Mat, Nick and Paul this week (I was off on holiday in Italy; I know, total lack of commitment!).
- Pete talks about Miles Edgeworth Ace Attorney on the DS
- Pete and Paul have played Alan Wake. Matt has been playing, but he's still back in Episode 2 looking at the scenery
- Matt has been playing Sin and Punishment 2
- Nick, Pete and Paul have been playing Red Dead Redemption
- Nick's been playing with his iPad a bit - ooh shiny..
- Paul's been playing Frozen Synapse
- Paul's looking forward to Joe Danger
The guys talk about Episodic gaming a bit (and the incomplete episodic Stephen King book they mention is The Plant in case you're interested).
Forgotten Favourites
I think Nick correclty pointed out in a previous show that the "Forgotten Favourites" section should more accurately be renamed "Remembered Favourites" (as if they were forgotten, we wouldn't be..... oh you get the idea).
So the guys sit back and fondly reminisce over their gaming past. Nick chose Mega-lo-Mania on the Sega Megadrive (pictured), while Pete went for Roll Cage Stage 2 on the Playstation. Paul went all the way back to his BBC B days and talks about Repton.
According to IGN, Matt's choice of Dreamcast game Shenmue cost an unprecedented $70 million to make. Every Dreamcast owner would have to have bought the game twice in order for Sega to turn a profit!!
As always, we hope you enjoy the show, and it would be great to read your comments, tweets or emails!
Dan
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
I would prefer even to fail with honor than to win by cheating
Maybe old Sophocles was onto something. Woody Allen was, afterall, thrown out of college for cheating on his metaphysics exam; he looked into the soul of the boy sitting next to him.... so the Alternate Endings team use our first topic show to grapple with the thorny issue of "Cheating".
Download Alternative Endings #4
Of course, the first difficult task we have is actually defining what cheating is. From the days when we used to enter cheat codes for infinite lives, to buying game guides or looking at walkthroughs on GameFAQs - is it cheating if we're only cheating ourselves? Mat really relishes the satisfaction of completing a game completely unaided - whereas I'm quite happy to look things up online if I'm stuck. Am I actually cheating?
At one point, Nick's ponders whether it counts as cheating to elbow your mate in the ribs during a co-op play session.... and so of course we get to the idea of a level playing field in multiplayer, and the things people can do to stack the decks in their favour. We talk about PC client side hacks, wall hacks, auto aims and macros - though of course consoles are better protected than PCs. But what about console exploits and glitching then?
Here's some food for though while you download the podcast:
Anyway, we hope you enjoy the show. Now I'm just off to peel all the stickers off my rubics cube.....
Dan
Download Alternative Endings #4
Of course, the first difficult task we have is actually defining what cheating is. From the days when we used to enter cheat codes for infinite lives, to buying game guides or looking at walkthroughs on GameFAQs - is it cheating if we're only cheating ourselves? Mat really relishes the satisfaction of completing a game completely unaided - whereas I'm quite happy to look things up online if I'm stuck. Am I actually cheating?
At one point, Nick's ponders whether it counts as cheating to elbow your mate in the ribs during a co-op play session.... and so of course we get to the idea of a level playing field in multiplayer, and the things people can do to stack the decks in their favour. We talk about PC client side hacks, wall hacks, auto aims and macros - though of course consoles are better protected than PCs. But what about console exploits and glitching then?
Here's some food for though while you download the podcast:
- Is camping cheating? (In which case all snipers are cheats)
- Does hacking your achievements count as cheating, and does it really affect anyone else?
- Is quitting multiplayer when you're loosing cheating?
Anyway, we hope you enjoy the show. Now I'm just off to peel all the stickers off my rubics cube.....
Dan
Monday, 24 May 2010
Three is the magic number
Three, by a strange and wonderful coincidence, as well as being the magic number is also the number of this episode of Alternate Endings!!
Download Alternate Endings #3
I managed to battle back through volcanic ash to get to the Reading Bunker for this recording, and was once again joined by Mat, Paul and Nick. As well as congratulating Mat the arrival of his second baby boy (who contributed somewhat to the late recording of the show, but we'll forgive the little fellow), we embarked on an extended "What we're playing" show. For your listening pleasure, we disect Splinter Cell Conviction at some length, we delight in PopCap Games' iPhone/iTouch offerings, we dive briefly into BlueBlaze and Sin & Punishment 2, we dance around Mass Effect 2 momentarily, and deviate wildly from our planned schedule to comprehensively review everything Paul has ever played in his life ever (perhaps I exaggerate!). Anyway, here is the full list:
Until next time.... enjoy!
Dan
Download Alternate Endings #3
I managed to battle back through volcanic ash to get to the Reading Bunker for this recording, and was once again joined by Mat, Paul and Nick. As well as congratulating Mat the arrival of his second baby boy (who contributed somewhat to the late recording of the show, but we'll forgive the little fellow), we embarked on an extended "What we're playing" show. For your listening pleasure, we disect Splinter Cell Conviction at some length, we delight in PopCap Games' iPhone/iTouch offerings, we dive briefly into BlueBlaze and Sin & Punishment 2, we dance around Mass Effect 2 momentarily, and deviate wildly from our planned schedule to comprehensively review everything Paul has ever played in his life ever (perhaps I exaggerate!). Anyway, here is the full list:
- Final Fantasy XIII
- BlazBlue
- Splinter Cell: Conviction
- PopCap Games (Plants vs Zombies, Bejewelled 2, Peggle, Bookworm, etc)
- Mass Effect 2
- Wonder Boy
- Raystorm HD
- Canabault
- Edge
- Cross fingers
- Hell
- Castlevania Rondo of Blood
- Wave Race (because Paul is that cutting edge!)
- 2010 FIFA World Cup
- Heavy Rain (Taxidermist DLC)
Until next time.... enjoy!
Dan
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Pete's Very Sweary Review of Leisure Suit Larry
Due to popular demand, here's Pete's extended, directors cut, triple X review of Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust.
NOTE: This contains quite a lot of swearing and is Not Safe for Work - unless you work in the navy, with people suffering from Tourettes syndrome, or in the school round the corner from my house. Perhaps we mean that the show is less family friendly than usual - unless your kids happen to go to school round the corner from me! We had to take Pete outside afterwards and wash his mouth out with soap and water (by which I mean beer).
Download it here!
NOTE: This contains quite a lot of swearing and is Not Safe for Work - unless you work in the navy, with people suffering from Tourettes syndrome, or in the school round the corner from my house. Perhaps we mean that the show is less family friendly than usual - unless your kids happen to go to school round the corner from me! We had to take Pete outside afterwards and wash his mouth out with soap and water (by which I mean beer).
Download it here!
Monday, 12 April 2010
Alternate Endings Podcast #2 (08 April 2010)
Hello again!
We are back for our second show!
Dan is mysteriously replaced by Pete in this episode and he makes a fantastic first contribution!
We discuss some games:
God of War III
The Ballad of Gay Tony
Grand Theft Auto IV
Just Cause 2
Popcap Bookworm
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum - The Villain Challenge Map
Best of all (I'm biased) we have a guest reviewer of Dante's Inferno!
We talk about some news that's got us interested, and we review the terrible, terrible games that we picked for each other last time.. Lucky us!
Finally, you get a chance to choose what we talk about next time - get voting!
Thanks for listening.
Paul (& everyone!)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Subscribe to Alternate Endings via RSS:
Alternate Endings Podcast RSS
Or you can download here:
Download Alternate Endings Podcast #2 (MP3)
We are back for our second show!
Dan is mysteriously replaced by Pete in this episode and he makes a fantastic first contribution!
We discuss some games:
God of War III
The Ballad of Gay Tony
Grand Theft Auto IV
Just Cause 2
Popcap Bookworm
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum - The Villain Challenge Map
Best of all (I'm biased) we have a guest reviewer of Dante's Inferno!
We talk about some news that's got us interested, and we review the terrible, terrible games that we picked for each other last time.. Lucky us!
Finally, you get a chance to choose what we talk about next time - get voting!
Thanks for listening.
Paul (& everyone!)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Subscribe to Alternate Endings via RSS:
Alternate Endings Podcast RSS
Or you can download here:
Download Alternate Endings Podcast #2 (MP3)
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