I've just finished the 3rd season of Lost...
Well now even more than ever, I just sit there and think "how can they be so good?".
There is a serie like that once in a while that sucks me in and never let me go. Lost is one of them. Sometime I even wonder how I can be so into it. Yet there's no point asking.
So far (and 3 seasons in I hope it's not going to change), I love everything about this series. The atmosphere, the characters, the ever renewed twists and turns...
It's a series where everything can happen. It's in the middle of so many genres that it's become one in itself... Therefore, you're always on your toes. Nobody's safe. Actually not quite but you can never be sure and that's the whole point. You care, you're afraid...
I so love the fact also that they took time in the 1st season especially to make it ABOUT the characters. They're not numbers. You care for them. It makes everything outside the "main" story (i mean about the Island) interesting and it's therefore not too much a big deal when the story stops a bit to develop some characters interactions.
Plot-wise, you could argue that it's fabricated to throw the audience off into another direction every episode or so, yet they alwasy manage to go back to stuff they have left for a while. Identifying a body you saw a season earlier for example. That tends to lead me thinking they have a plan. Maybe they haven't. Yet why should I care, as long as they manage to fool me? All I want is being fooled. That's what the moving pictures are all about.
As much as I would like answers, I still wish it could never end...
Now let's tackle the 4th season...
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Transformers: Revenge of the fallen
I feel a bit bad, because I couldn't get myself to the cinema to watch Drag Me To Hell, but I did for Transformers 2. As an excuse, I woul say that in my current state I prefer to become deaf than being scared shitless... Anyway.
So I enjoyed the 1st one very much, funny bits included, strangely enough...
In true Bay style, this one takes things to 11. It's a far bigger movie. Unfortunately, it means that if the good things have become better, the faults have gone worse...
The humour is the main point of complaint. Sure, I said I enjoyed it in the 1st one. I did. It managed to walk that fine line for me that delimits what I find funny and justified in the context of the movie and what's not (from my point of view). Here it does cross the line. Humping dogs seen once might be just about OK, by the 3rd time, it's a bit tiring. Farting Decpticons? No thanks. Balls on Devastator? No thanks.
I read an interview of Bay where he said that he was surprised how people likes the humour of the 1st one. I guess it took this as an incentive to go further. Well it didn't work for me.
Also, no cliche is forgotten. You get those "Team America" moments. Mimes in France, to name but 1. Only here it's not Team America, so you can be sure it hasn't been done on purpose. So that makes so laughs, but that's in spite of the movie. Never a good sign...
Having said that it all happens in such a sensorial aggression that in a good mood (and with beers), you might just forgive all that (with clearer ideas, I'm not sure though).
And that's because apart from this, Bay brings the shit. And when he brings the shit, he brings the shit.
The action as some pretty awesome moments. The fights between robots are much clearer, longer (although still too short!) and more choreographed. It's seriously cool.
And it's very VERY good looking (especially Megan Fox ;) )...
On the robots, 1 thing that's cool is that you get some Megatron/Starscream bickering. So you get a bit of "character development" on that side. I only wish they did the same for the autobots, which bareloy have anything to say through the movie. The focus seems a bit too much on the humans... Come on, this is a TRANSFORMERS movie!!!
On a similar level, during the final set piece, Bay clearly unleashes his military fetish and almost seems to forget there are robots involved...
It's strange, but when coming straight out of the movie, I was feeling quite good, you know this feeling like you're walking with a power stance and a camera is filming you with a low-angle shot (I call that the Bay effect). I did enjoy myself.
And then I thought really about what I saw and felt a bit cheated.
I would think that somewhere in there cutting nearly 1h (I mean it lasts 2h30!!), there's a pretty strong (and "respectable") blockbuster. As it stands, because of all these annoyances and despite the much better action, it scores lower than the 1st...
So I enjoyed the 1st one very much, funny bits included, strangely enough...
In true Bay style, this one takes things to 11. It's a far bigger movie. Unfortunately, it means that if the good things have become better, the faults have gone worse...
The humour is the main point of complaint. Sure, I said I enjoyed it in the 1st one. I did. It managed to walk that fine line for me that delimits what I find funny and justified in the context of the movie and what's not (from my point of view). Here it does cross the line. Humping dogs seen once might be just about OK, by the 3rd time, it's a bit tiring. Farting Decpticons? No thanks. Balls on Devastator? No thanks.
I read an interview of Bay where he said that he was surprised how people likes the humour of the 1st one. I guess it took this as an incentive to go further. Well it didn't work for me.
Also, no cliche is forgotten. You get those "Team America" moments. Mimes in France, to name but 1. Only here it's not Team America, so you can be sure it hasn't been done on purpose. So that makes so laughs, but that's in spite of the movie. Never a good sign...
Having said that it all happens in such a sensorial aggression that in a good mood (and with beers), you might just forgive all that (with clearer ideas, I'm not sure though).
And that's because apart from this, Bay brings the shit. And when he brings the shit, he brings the shit.
The action as some pretty awesome moments. The fights between robots are much clearer, longer (although still too short!) and more choreographed. It's seriously cool.
And it's very VERY good looking (especially Megan Fox ;) )...
On the robots, 1 thing that's cool is that you get some Megatron/Starscream bickering. So you get a bit of "character development" on that side. I only wish they did the same for the autobots, which bareloy have anything to say through the movie. The focus seems a bit too much on the humans... Come on, this is a TRANSFORMERS movie!!!
On a similar level, during the final set piece, Bay clearly unleashes his military fetish and almost seems to forget there are robots involved...
It's strange, but when coming straight out of the movie, I was feeling quite good, you know this feeling like you're walking with a power stance and a camera is filming you with a low-angle shot (I call that the Bay effect). I did enjoy myself.
And then I thought really about what I saw and felt a bit cheated.
I would think that somewhere in there cutting nearly 1h (I mean it lasts 2h30!!), there's a pretty strong (and "respectable") blockbuster. As it stands, because of all these annoyances and despite the much better action, it scores lower than the 1st...
Saturday, June 13, 2009
No More Heroes
Writing about the Force Unleashed and realising, as I wrote, that I was mentionning a passable (yet enjoyable) game while I hadn't mentionned another (others in fact) that was truly great finally made me take the decision to finally repair this obvious anomaly.
I bought No More Heroes by chance. It did have raving reviews and seemed to be bound to be of my taste, but somehow the screenshots I saw didn't really appeal to me. But when I saw it at budget price, I just couldn't resist to take the chance.
And I'm glad I did.
Your usual good (to very good) game will usually rely on a solid gameplay. Not something especially original but solid and very enjoyable. And then you have the excellent game that manage to break out of the mould and take that gameplay further, including it in an atmosphere, a story, a world. To me that's when a game becomes an "experience". Big word, but still.
And to me No More Heroes just does that and some.
At its core it's a very well designed brawler. The controls are tight and make good (and parcimonious) use of the motion control: you control your stance (high or low) and carry out wrestling moves with it. Your foes will also take stances so you have to adapt yours to hit them (high beats low, low beats high), bringing a bit of strategy in the mix. And you get to wield a lightsaber!! :)
Graphics are very cool, at least in my opinion. They have character. Actually they remind me of Interstate 76, in their (wanted) polygonal look. The thing is that it's what didn't catch me in the screenshots, but it takes another shape when it all starts to move.
The game itself is linear. The designers tried to create a pseudo-GTA in which you move freely around the city to gather money and other power ups. But the things you can do outside the missions is pretty limited, which is OK, because it's not what the game is about.
It's the story and characters that won me over. It's like being in a crazy anime. And there's a sort of postmodernist touch, the game knowing it is just a game, that takes the whole thing as a joke. You have this feeling that anything can happen. You never know where it's going to go next. I think it's genius.
So here's an example where various excellent bits come together and adds up to actually more than their expected sum...
And to me that amounts to one of the best games I've ever played.
I bought No More Heroes by chance. It did have raving reviews and seemed to be bound to be of my taste, but somehow the screenshots I saw didn't really appeal to me. But when I saw it at budget price, I just couldn't resist to take the chance.
And I'm glad I did.
Your usual good (to very good) game will usually rely on a solid gameplay. Not something especially original but solid and very enjoyable. And then you have the excellent game that manage to break out of the mould and take that gameplay further, including it in an atmosphere, a story, a world. To me that's when a game becomes an "experience". Big word, but still.
And to me No More Heroes just does that and some.
At its core it's a very well designed brawler. The controls are tight and make good (and parcimonious) use of the motion control: you control your stance (high or low) and carry out wrestling moves with it. Your foes will also take stances so you have to adapt yours to hit them (high beats low, low beats high), bringing a bit of strategy in the mix. And you get to wield a lightsaber!! :)
Graphics are very cool, at least in my opinion. They have character. Actually they remind me of Interstate 76, in their (wanted) polygonal look. The thing is that it's what didn't catch me in the screenshots, but it takes another shape when it all starts to move.
The game itself is linear. The designers tried to create a pseudo-GTA in which you move freely around the city to gather money and other power ups. But the things you can do outside the missions is pretty limited, which is OK, because it's not what the game is about.
It's the story and characters that won me over. It's like being in a crazy anime. And there's a sort of postmodernist touch, the game knowing it is just a game, that takes the whole thing as a joke. You have this feeling that anything can happen. You never know where it's going to go next. I think it's genius.
So here's an example where various excellent bits come together and adds up to actually more than their expected sum...
And to me that amounts to one of the best games I've ever played.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Polygonal fury
This is a time warp.
I started it and then I stopped 1h later.
Understandably, those chainreaction games are stupid. You just play with chance. Yet they are strangely addictive...
This one, with its 3 objects and a point system to enhance them, adds a (little) strategy, which tends to make it even more compelling...
Try it at your own risk.
Polygonal fury.
To say how sick I am, I had another go and had to finish the game... (^_^;
Another hour gone.
I'd prefer not think about all the better things I could have done in that time (including sleeping...).
Original link from Ecrans.fr
I started it and then I stopped 1h later.
Understandably, those chainreaction games are stupid. You just play with chance. Yet they are strangely addictive...
This one, with its 3 objects and a point system to enhance them, adds a (little) strategy, which tends to make it even more compelling...
Try it at your own risk.
Polygonal fury.
To say how sick I am, I had another go and had to finish the game... (^_^;
Another hour gone.
I'd prefer not think about all the better things I could have done in that time (including sleeping...).
Original link from Ecrans.fr
Monday, June 08, 2009
The Force Unleashed.
I was watching that one when it was announced, but lost interest whe I saw it had bad reviews. Anyway a good soul was kind enough to lend it to me so now I can make my own mind.
So was the critical bashing legitimate?
Well I have to admit that it was...
There are so many annoyances with this game.
Graphics come first. There not specially poor, but they seem like they try too hard. Wii can do beautiful. Just look at Zelda. Not flash, not HD, but who cares? It's good looking. Here, there are good moments, but at some others you'll see some clipping, some stuff that doesn't look like it really fits in the landscape, or a character that moves in a strange way... And that kind of spoils it.
Regarding gameplay, one thing that I find infuriating is that your character can get stuck. Like in a corner, or on something sticking out. It's VERY annoying, especially when you're fighting a massive Rancor.
And there's the light saber fighting mechanics, entirely dealt with waggling, which I don't find responsive. Doing combos is a real pain. At first I thought I didn't have the timing right, but after a few hours playing, I still didn't have it... Maybe I haven't tried hard enough, but when the easiest way to play is to waggle in any direction praying you'll do something awesome, there's something a bit broken...
It's a shame when you think about it because a game like No More Heroes (of which I haven't talked about because I didn't take the time to but I should because it gave one of the best gaming experience I ever had, yep that good) completely nailed it. 1 button, 2 stances controlled by Wiimote and off you go! So it can be done...
Anyway. They didn't here.
So straight to the trash then?
Well... No.
Because among all those annoyances, 1 thing stands out: the force powers.
They did nail that.
And it feels incredible!
For this they got the right balance between motion control and button pushing (which makes the light saber control even more of a shame... Anyway). After just a few minutes you just force push, hold, throw lightning to get rid of your foes in the most natural way. The destructible evironment make plenty of material available for throwing and taking out dozens of stormtroopers in the most brutal way is just great.
And with the upgrades to your powers, you get some very spectacular effects...
And just that would almost convince me of buying the game!
Because sure, Jedi Knight 2 still stands for me as the pinnacle of the Star Wars games, as far as story, level design (etc) go.
But this one, as broken as it is, even if the level design is uninspired, get you to play a baddy, with the force, like no other games ever have.
I wish they could make a sequel to this, learning from the first.
That could be truly awesome...
So was the critical bashing legitimate?
Well I have to admit that it was...
There are so many annoyances with this game.
Graphics come first. There not specially poor, but they seem like they try too hard. Wii can do beautiful. Just look at Zelda. Not flash, not HD, but who cares? It's good looking. Here, there are good moments, but at some others you'll see some clipping, some stuff that doesn't look like it really fits in the landscape, or a character that moves in a strange way... And that kind of spoils it.
Regarding gameplay, one thing that I find infuriating is that your character can get stuck. Like in a corner, or on something sticking out. It's VERY annoying, especially when you're fighting a massive Rancor.
And there's the light saber fighting mechanics, entirely dealt with waggling, which I don't find responsive. Doing combos is a real pain. At first I thought I didn't have the timing right, but after a few hours playing, I still didn't have it... Maybe I haven't tried hard enough, but when the easiest way to play is to waggle in any direction praying you'll do something awesome, there's something a bit broken...
It's a shame when you think about it because a game like No More Heroes (of which I haven't talked about because I didn't take the time to but I should because it gave one of the best gaming experience I ever had, yep that good) completely nailed it. 1 button, 2 stances controlled by Wiimote and off you go! So it can be done...
Anyway. They didn't here.
So straight to the trash then?
Well... No.
Because among all those annoyances, 1 thing stands out: the force powers.
They did nail that.
And it feels incredible!
For this they got the right balance between motion control and button pushing (which makes the light saber control even more of a shame... Anyway). After just a few minutes you just force push, hold, throw lightning to get rid of your foes in the most natural way. The destructible evironment make plenty of material available for throwing and taking out dozens of stormtroopers in the most brutal way is just great.
And with the upgrades to your powers, you get some very spectacular effects...
And just that would almost convince me of buying the game!
Because sure, Jedi Knight 2 still stands for me as the pinnacle of the Star Wars games, as far as story, level design (etc) go.
But this one, as broken as it is, even if the level design is uninspired, get you to play a baddy, with the force, like no other games ever have.
I wish they could make a sequel to this, learning from the first.
That could be truly awesome...
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Just a bit more E3 now it's done...
It's raining FPS on the Wii!
That's more like it! :)
I do hope it's going to start a trend and show devs what's possible...
Anyway, today's subject is The Grinder: http://kotaku.com/5278379/the-grinder-e3-trailer
There's an enthousisatic interview of the devs at IGN and I really hope they pull it out... They do promise lots of things...
But man, a Left 4 Dead like, crossing over to John Carpenter's Vampires with as hint of Starship Troopers (for the swarm of monsters, hoping 60 at the same time on screen!)...
That's something to dream about...
That's more like it! :)
I do hope it's going to start a trend and show devs what's possible...
Anyway, today's subject is The Grinder: http://kotaku.com/5278379/the-grinder-e3-trailer
There's an enthousisatic interview of the devs at IGN and I really hope they pull it out... They do promise lots of things...
But man, a Left 4 Dead like, crossing over to John Carpenter's Vampires with as hint of Starship Troopers (for the swarm of monsters, hoping 60 at the same time on screen!)...
That's something to dream about...
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
E3 hype...
I love my Wii, but I've been a bit disapointed lately as I hadn't any game I was really looking forward to. The Conduit might be good, but it won't be ground breaking...
Anyway that done now I've seen this:
1) Red Steel 2 demo - In style and gameplay concept, that looks like something anyone has dreamed of to do with a Wiimote... I'm just disappointed there will be no multiplayer.
2) Metroid: Other M trailer - Metroid is cool by otself. But with a touch of Ninja Gaiden? YEAH! I'm not sure how the alternance of 2.5D, 3rd person, 1st person might turn out, but this trailer sure rocks...
Now that's more like it...
I like to be excited.
Anyway that done now I've seen this:
1) Red Steel 2 demo - In style and gameplay concept, that looks like something anyone has dreamed of to do with a Wiimote... I'm just disappointed there will be no multiplayer.
2) Metroid: Other M trailer - Metroid is cool by otself. But with a touch of Ninja Gaiden? YEAH! I'm not sure how the alternance of 2.5D, 3rd person, 1st person might turn out, but this trailer sure rocks...
Now that's more like it...
I like to be excited.
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