Deus Ex Human Revolution Review

When it was released in 2000, the original Deus Ex quickly became perceived as a landmark in PC gaming history. Not so much for its graphics, or even story, but rather for its immersion and open gameplay combined with a futuristic setting full of deceit and conspiracies.
One can understand that the stakes were pretty high for this title. Combine the open game, with the stunning graphics that were hinted at in the trailers, and you've got a mouthwatering cup of ambrosia in your hands. But where does Deus EX: HR come out precisely?

The gameplay is what you would expect, and in my opinion it even excells the standards that were set down by its predecessor eleven years ago. There are so many different paths and methods available that exploration is a reward in itself.  The e-books, well-detailed graphics, and e-mails shape the game into a vibrant and stunning setting. They're also not just thrown in there right in your face. The game really rewards you for scouting and exploring. In fact by snooping around and hacking terminals it is possible to slowly start unravelling the game's mysteries. One hack at a time.

Unfortunately its biggest flaw is the formulaic and archaic story. The game is not without many plot-holes, and even cliches. That's easily forgiven however when put that next to the outstanding dialogue and the many social and ethical quandaries that the game poses to you. That latter part alone I see way too rarely in so-called modern RPG's.
The biggest game design error though, is its implementation of the archetypical bossfight. You know the one where each chapter ends with a boss-fight? And of course you know the ones that are really just henchmen and a prelude to the real boss fight.
Sounds familiar? Yeh that's pretty much what you can find in most games. So why is it such an abashment in Deus Ex:HR? Because it just seems so out of place compared to the game itself. Kind of like a naked uncle at your Christmas dinner.
It's a point seriously hindering the game, because Deus Ex: HR allows you to approach any mission at your own leisure. You can adapt to the situation, kill anything insight, or you can even resort to a non-violent action.
But all that becomes completely obsolete once you've passed the cut scene and are thrown into the arena as it were. Because at that point you are met with only one course of action: Violence

Not to mention every three poses that Adam Jensen, the main protagonist takes, is one folding his arms while leaning backwards. What is he? Captain Passive Agressive? You can pretty much switch half his lines with the single statement: "O RLY?"

And as detailed as the main characters in the game may be. The difference becomes striking when you meet a certain secretary whose animation makes her look like an epileptic patient who's had so many fizzy drinks, she must be peeing out tonic water.
This is me only nitpicking on minor details though. I'm neurotic and in all fairness still awestruck with how the game is visually a true masterpiece. The black-yellow futuristic colour scheme works well, reminiscing of Blade Runner in plenty of ocassions. And visually the game is packed with so many minute but important details. For example how many personal references they snuck into your apartment. To even the common blue-screen-of-death easter egg:

Overall the game was of an exceptional quality. The fact I didn't encounter a single bug or error alone is praiseworthy in nowadays' games. Together with Portal 2 this tops the list so far in 2011's best games, and Deus Ex: HR has already become a modern classic in my eyes.

Get this!

Space Marine Preview

For those not yet in the knowing, Relic has shifted this chapter in its Warhammer 40k games to what plays like a complete third-person action game.
The demo itself was a bloody nuisance to get. Whoever's responsible for this, I hope you get torn apart by a flock of Squigs. Once procured however it felt like a proper and meaty main course where you could really get a good impression of the game.

Unfortunately as for gameplay, Space Marines still felt like a console-port at the surface-level but luckily only slightly, and I can see it being better on those platforms. Although after a while you can definitely get used to the controls. Once that's the case the combat feels extremely fluid and oh-so-delightfully visceral, especially as you can execute goons to regain health. With that gory effect that feels right in place.

Coincidence or not but the combat has many striking similarities to that of THQ's other game: Darksiders. The melee is simple with a few combos thrown in, and the combat itself fuels an extra ability called Fury which can be unleashed to deadly result.
On top of that it's incredible how seamless the switch between melee and ranged and vice-versa is.

Graphic-wise the game is good, although nothing exceptional, and in the option-screen it had a few options to alter the graphics, but again nothing exceptional in my opinion. That is of course if these options will remain unaltered in the final version.
The sound however is where the game really shines, the weapons sound as they should, and Mark Strong delivers an enticing voice-over for the game's main protagonist.
My only beef soundwise is that I'm not a 100% sure on the Ork sounds. I can't really pinpoint it, but they don't sound completely Warhammer-y to me.

Overall the game was a mindless and incredibly fun gorefest. If the entire game continues on this level, we are sure to have a top game here. So stay tuned for the complete review once the game is released.

EA vs. Steam

A few days ago I read an article in PC Gamer which got me in full ranting mode. You'll find the article in question here.
For anyone not in the loop. There has been a bit of a covert and at times open warfare between EA and Valve concerning Valve's digital distribution platform Steam.
It started with EA taking Crysis 2 off of Steam, and then later Dragon Age 2 as well. The latest precedent was the announcement that Battlefield 3 would be available on multiple digital retailers except for, yep, you got it, Steam.
Now I'm not here to shed any light on the whole matter. Franky, there's not anyone around apart from the concerned parties because this battle is fought through ... press releases.

I wish gaming journalists would stop with regurgitating the PR-bullshit that they are being fed by the publishers. It's even worse than a Japanese Fetishist gone wild. Because that's what press releases about conflicts usually are: nice but essentially empty words, .... aka perfumed bullshit.
And just like million dollar companies like EA and others play the safe card with many rushed (console-ported) games, so have many gaming magazines retreated to "safe" reviews and reporting.
For example, how was Dragon Age 2 lauded with 80/100 in PC gamer? Or how was a crap game like Duke Nukem Forever punched down the gutter? (And yes, the game was bad, but I still enjoyed it enough)
The answer is simple: money. There's too much at stake nowadays and for that reason not many risks are taken.

Still I would love to hear some opinions from insiders, or otherwise more thorough and intelligent cross-fire questions. If EA says games from steam are removed because Valve has a restricted contract regarding DLC, then why has nobody mentioned or referred to This?
Going from EA's recent trackrecord though, they really do need to start getting their testosteron level back in check. Someone seriously needs to calm them down and explain the point of publicity through one's own merits, instead of beating the dead horse that is Call of Duty.

So why the rant? Because like always in life, there's only going to be losers if this issue is not resolved. Both companies will likely hemorrhage money because of this. But the biggest loser of them all is bound to be the average gamer.

Space Marine demo announced

Relic has announced on the official site that there will be a Space Marine demo available on August the 23d.
Although the Warhammer 40k games have always had a decent potential and quality, the series from Relic always played more like a hybrid that's not really sure of what it is. RTS, RPG, action?  As a result of that the last game in the series felt like it still needed some fine-tuning. Adding on top of that some of the RPG elements were still quite poor. You can't come up with a story that is as your average B Hollywood film and expect it to be engaging, m'kay?

Still as a strategy game the Dawn of War series has really shined through, and its foregoing of a base in its gameplay is both refreshing and fitting. It also helps that the franchise has a deep and rich lore, not to mention crazy Orks like this fellow here:

The latest news and trailers also showcase a much more seamless game with a fluid combination of ranged and melee damage. And us gamers like nothing more than ripping through opponents with bolt guns and chainswords. Mmm-hmm...
Not to mention, you'll get the chance to fight off a frigging Ork Horde in the demo.

You can see more about the game in the following video here, and let me know what you think!






This post is sponsored by THQ, and by no means am I being held at gunpoint by a crazy Ork.


"WAAAAAGH from Above"

Games are too expensive?

Recently came upon this interesting CVG article

I'm not sure whether it's pure arrogance or some sort of twisted irony that a developer here complains about other games being too expensive except for his own (hah).
And on a sidenote here mr. Howard, how are your thoughts on 130£ collector's editions exactly? *cough*

Still, there's a deeper issue behind that and that's the fact if maybe the game market isn't becoming a bit too saturated with the current price system. There is a cartload of AAA titles to be expected this autumn and I can easily imagine gamers making a tough decision on which ones to buy, and which ones to forego. Especially seeing as how new games are easily between 30-60£, depending on platform and retailer.

Is this a developer anticipating lower sales? Perhaps a bit although I can't see Skyrim's sales anywhere except sky-high.
In essence Tod Howard  is right, some triple A titles are demanding the same money, but for a lot less content than in the past. I'd like to present to you exhibit number A: Dragon Age 2, which has already become the red-headed stepchild of the franchise. Clairvoyantly even before DA3 has to come out.
And as we have seen, those AAA-games are not necessarily a product that is slick and span and QA-assured. Exhibit number B your honour: Brink A game that managed to have more bugs on release than the usual infested restaurant from Gordon Ramsey's show. Oh, and gameplay that turned us in the vocal replica of aformentioned chef.

And as stated in the article, this is where some new indie titles have crept into our heart by offering us almost unlimited play from a sandbox-type gameplay for as little as often 5-15£.

And if you don't mind, I think I'll send the rest of my evening playing Terraria now :)



Written by Brecht Debels

Greed Corp Review

As of writing this review the game is on Steam for £2.66.

Greed Corp can be defined as an RTS game entirely based on resource management. To win the game it requires you to drain resources in the map, but by doing so you inadvertently start a race against the clock of your own demise. This alone adds a feature quite unique in a landscape of RTS that is otherwise getting rather bloated.
The gameplay reminded me a lot of the Everlands game, which also featured a hexagonic turn-based strategic gameplay, and which also devoured quite a bit of hours of my life.Even though being a simple game, it's extremely fun with a great variety of tactics that keeps the game open for multiple playing sessions, however I can see it becoming boring after a while.

Overall I'd say this is a casual and charming little game well worth its money.

And not to forget, it has some absolutely amazing artwork that mixes up steampunk with cuteness. A combobreaker that reeks of pure awesomeness, in my opinion. But check for yourself!

See the Steam game at: http://store.steampowered.com/app/48950/
and the website at: http://www.mistbound.com/index.php?id=2

London Riots

Many Londoners will agree that on Monday it felt awkward and eerie looking around and seeing the damage that was inflicted in only one-tops-two hours.
My bus was on diversion last Monday and I was forced to walk down the main road. There was always a lot of traffic but this time not a single car was to be seen apart from the Met cars.
There was a police officer standing on-guard roughly each three shops with each window having been smashed-in. Most of the shop alarms were still ringing.

It felt extremely awkward, especially because unlike the scenes from 28 Days Later (Pardon my exaggeration here), there were lots of people in the street at that time, almost as if things were normal.

For some pictures from the rioting in our street see: http://www.demotix.com/news/783018/riot-and-looting-walworth-road-london

The strange part? There's a police station only one street away from this, and you can see them coming in full force here in this video:

But by that time, the damage was done. So how did this come to pass? That's a question on many people's mind but I'm sure the politicians won't be answering that one. Cracking down with arrests are needed sure. But as long as the bigger picture remains left out then the tension that purveyed the entire drama will only cause more harm. And that bigger picture has much to do with London growing in two opposite directions, and the poorer burroughs slowly slipping further away.


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