Saturday, September 20, 2008
Hello people. Today I was still slacking, but at least I studied a little bit. My mother woke me up at about 10am, because my family was going to Toa Payoh since my brother and sister had Chinese tuition.I played Grand Theft Auto for 3 hours, and I didn't do a single mission. I was hunting some Achievements, and I was also working on my relationships with all my friends in the game. I managed to get two Achievements, 10 points each. I also managed to get all my friends to like me above 90%. I just need to maintain this and I'll be getting another Achievement which requires all remaining friends at the end of the game to like you above 90%.
The first part of the Xbox 360 exclusive downloadable content will be coming soon [About Fall...which is this month!!]. This is the first of about 3 expansion packs for GTA IV. Each will feature new main and secondary characters, a new story arc, as well as new cities [It is not confirmed yet, but the rumour is that each DLC will have an entire city, rather than new Liberty City islands].
Each DLC pack adds on about 10 hours of gameplay, as well as new achievements, vehicles, clothes, weapons and of course, Easter Eggs [A secret the developers delibrately put into the game]. I hope there is an achievement for completing the game without even cheating once, because that's what I'm going to do. Each pack will probably cost between 1200-2400 Microsoft Points [about S$24-S$48], and these are Xbox 360 exclusive, meaning they will only be on the 360 and not on the PS3.
After that I studied for about 1 hour, then I had to go for tuition. During tuition I found out that Art is actually very difficult. At first it may seem easy, but I don't think it is. For example, if you have a topic like Sales, you must draw something that represents sales. Difficult man. How do you represent something you cannot see? It blows my mind. :0
After tuition I went home and ate my dinner, after that I started using my computer to surf the net a bit, and then I decided to type this post. Since I have nothing better to do, I'm going to tell you about the various [main] genres of games, and what I think of each of them.
Genre: Action.
The Wikipedia Definition: An action game requires players to use quick reflexes and timing to overcome obstacles. They are perhaps the most basic of gaming genres, and certainly one of the broadest. Action games tend to have gameplay with emphasis on combat.
My Definition: Action games are fun game which require little to no intellect to play them. Occasionally there will be a puzzle or two that require minimal brain power to solve. These games are basically full of testosterone fueled action, usually with sick, over the top combos and lots of violence. Good genre.
Examples: Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry
Genre: Action-Adventure [Adventure by itself is almost extinct, so I didn't bother to include it]
The Wikipedia Definition: Action-Adventure games combine elements of their two component genres, typically featuring long-term obstacles that must be overcome using a tool or item as leverage (which is collected earlier), as well as many smaller obstacles almost constantly in the way, that require elements of action games to overcome. Action-adventure games tend to focus on exploration and usually involve item gathering, simple puzzle solving, and combat.
My Definition: These games require more thinking to play because they are usually puzzle heavy. Any single level in these games usually play out like this: Run, Kill enemy, Solve puzzle, Run, Kill more enemy, Solve final puzzle, Boss fight. These games are also full of secrets hidden throughout the level, encouraging the player to explore. By finding all the secrets, the player will be rewarded with a bonus, like an uber powerful weapon, infinite energy, or even better, God mode. Fun to play if you like to explore.
Examples: Tomb Raider, Prince of Persia
Genre: Fighting.
The Wikipedia Definition: Fighting games emphasize one-on-one combat between two characters, one of which may be computer controlled.These games are usually played by linking together long chains of button presses on the controller to use physical attacks to fight. Many of the movements employed by the characters are usually dramatic and occasionally physically impossible.
My Definition: It's like, FIGHTING. What do you think it's about? Seriously, take a guess. Fighting games are good party games [meaning they are fun to play when your friends are over at your house] but if you are a solo gamer, fighting games do not last long. Sure, it's cool to see your character pull of some insane move, but how fun will it be after you've seen that move hundreds of times? Good when there are friends to play with.
Examples: Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat
Genre:Music
The Wikipedia Definition: Music games most commonly challenge the player to follow sequences of movement or develop specific rhythms. Some games require the player to input rhythms by stepping with their feet on a dance pad, or using a device similar to a specific musical instrument, like a replica drum set.
My Definition: Music games rock. Almost anyone will be tempted to play these [Even my mother and sister, who never play games, gave Guitar Hero a try when I first bought it. These have become the ultimate party games, especially in recent years, when Rock Band was released. Guitar Hero took the world by storm when it came out. Rock Band took social gaming to a whole new level with the inclusion of a drum kit and microphone along with guitar and bass. These games have a gradual learning curve, so no matter how noobish you are, you can slowly get used to it. Some songs on Expert are still impossible though. Awesome genre.
Examples: Rock Band, Guitar Hero
Genre:Racing
The Wikipedia Definition: Racing games typically place the player in the driver's seat of a high-performance vehicle and require the player to race against other drivers or sometimes just time.
My Definition: So it's racing. Everything except the Burnout series sucks.
Examples: Burnout, Need for Speed
Genre: Role Playing Game [RPG]
The Wikipedia Definition: Role Playing Games draw their gameplay from traditional RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons. Most cast the player in the role of one or more "adventurers" who specialize in specific skill sets (such as combat or casting magic spells) while progressing through a predetermined storyline. Many involve maneuvering these character(s) through an overworld, usually populated with monsters, that allows access to more important game locations, such as towns, dungeons, and castles.
My Definition: My favourite genre of games. RPGs split up into several smaller categories: Action RPG, traditional RPG and Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game [MMORPG].
Action RPGs are my favourite types of games. These put you in the shoes of the character and usually have heavy emphasis on exploration and story.
Traditional RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons usually allow 4 players to play in a team, with each character having different abilities. These usually take place in mythical settings, and characters can level up. As characters level up, their stats improve. Character's stats also increase depending on the type of weapon they are wielding and clothes they are wearing. Items like healing potions and mana potions also play a big part in these games.
MMORPGs are for no life people. These are online, and players [a few thousand per server] can join clans and do quests. Sounds interesting, but in reality, it'll only make you spend a billion hours in front of your computer and you'll lose all your friends.
Examples: Action RPG-Dead Rising, Oblivion; Traditional RPG-Dungeons and Dragons, Final Fantasy, MMORPG-World of Warcraft, Age of Conan
Genre: Real Time Strategy [RTS]
The Wikipedia Definition: The moniker "Real Time Strategy" (RTS), usually applied only to certain computer strategy games, indicates that the action in the game is continuous, and players will have to make their decisions and actions within the backdrop of a constantly changing game state. Real-time strategy gameplay is characterised by obtaining resources, building bases, researching technologies and producing units.
My Definition: My least favourite genre of games. If I want to play games, I don't want to think. If I played a game actually force me to think, I'd rather spend the time on Maths or something. I'm gonna get a migraine either way.
Examples: Command and Conquer, Starcraft
Genre: Simulation
The Wikipedia Definition: Simulation games involve living or controlling one or more artificial lives. A simulation game can revolve around individuals and relationships, or it could be a simulation of an ecosystem.
My Definition: Probably one of the most boring genres. Unless it lets you be a god, with a ferocious beast that can kill people who disobey you, like in Black and White. This is seen as more of a casual genre and you know my views on casual
Examples: The Sims, [f***ing] Spore
Genre: Sports
The Wikipedia Definition: Sport games emulate the playing of traditional physical sports. Some emphasize actually playing the sport, while others emphasize the strategy behind the sport.
My Definition: You will only like sports games if you like the sport. And if you like the sport so much, why don't you just play it yourself? I dunno why people like sports games. Is it because they have the opportunity to play as their sport idol? Or is it because they ACTUALLY ENJOY the game? Hmm. I'm not getting something here. Only wrestling games are fun when 4 people are playing because the stuff you can do in it are crazy. You can also hit some one's head until it bleeds and that is a definite plus.
Examples: Pro Evolution Soccer, WWE Smackdown VS RAW
Genre: Shooter
The Wikipedia Definition:A shooter game focuses primarily on combat involving projectile weapons, such as guns and missiles. They can be divided into first-person and third-person shooters, depending on the camera perspective.
My Definition: Well, well, we finally come to the Shooter genre. Dear, beloved shooter. This is probably the most whored genre in gaming history. Everywhere you look, there's a new shooter game just screaming for you're attention, but unfortunately for this poor shooter game, its voice is drowned out by the cries of the thousands of other shooters calling out for that same attention.
Seriously, that is the situation now. After Halo: Combat Evolved's mad success, everything just went BAM. Every developer wanted to make shooter. Until now, I, a fan of shooter games, must admit that it is getting old. Every time I see another shooter game, I just ignore it. Because there are a thousand other games just like it. Of course, once in a while a solid shooter like Call of Duty 4 comes along, but that is really once in a blue moon. Poor over abused genre.
Examples: Halo, Call of Duty
Wow, that was tiring. Ok, ending off this post with this picture. See you tomorrow.
posted @ 10:37 PM
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