Dvader said:

I started Alan Wake today. I love the setting and vibe it sends out. At first I was enjoying simply exploring, looking at the amazing vistas. The combat is pretty cool, simple but works as a bit of a gimmick to not just be like every TPS. As the hours went by though repetition has set in, there really needs to be great moments to break up this monotomy.

The claims that it has a gripping story to keep you hooked but wow its bad. If the game did not take itself seriously maybe it can get by as a sort of parody but I dont think that is what they were going with.

I loved Alan Wake...its more of an old school Resident Evil/Silent Hillish game. It seems like, ironically enough, you don't enjoy games like this anymore. You've developed an action brain over the past 5 years.

I am now playing Red Dead Redemption, Borderlands and 999.

Red Dead is highly enjoyable, a little too easy by Rockstar standards, but that's nice for a change.  Between the GTA4 side stories, LA Noire and this, I'm completely turned around about Rockstar.

Many parts of the game are very authentic (like the cattle herding techniques), but it is also funny to notice small errors like why are all the cattle cows (they shoudl be steers)?  Why are the brand new telephone poles so old looking? Why are they using 20th century phrases like "vicious circle".

Nit picking for sure, I think I only notice these things because all the other details are so well executed.  So far, I am completely loving it. Also, the need for higher performing consoles is clear with this game. It's pretty and detailed, but there are glaring graphical issues throughout.

999 I am on my second try with the game and have gotten further than the first time around. I think it is kicking into gear right now, it's been slow going so far.  The save anywhere feature is most appreciated.

aspro said:

I am now playing Red Dead Redemption, Borderlands and 999.

999 I am on my second try with the game and have gotten further than the first time around. I think it is kicking into gear right now, it's been slow going so far.  The save anywhere feature is most appreciated.

Dvader said:

No I do love games like that. Alan Wake is nothing like those games. There are no puzzles, there is no meaningful exploration. There is no managing of weapons, no strategy on how to approach a level. You just walk down a path and shoot shit that pops up. Occasionally stray off a path and get a coffee thormos or read a page. There isnt much to this game it seems. Please dont ever compare this simplistic game to old RE or SH.

If you say so Vader.

I just finished Ghost Recon Future Soldier, of which you can read my in depth, definitive review right here on the VG Press, so I am now playing:

I'm up to Episode 2 of The Walking Dead series, and its a great old school adventure game, kind of a mix of something like a point & click game and something like Heavy Rain. Very cool for what it is. You constantly have to make key choices that can change the outcome.

Also still playing the mighty Diablo 3...kind of lost interest halfway through due to playing other games, so I need to get back to it.

aspro said:

^Yeah, it's really amazing, I'm about 3-4 hours into it and have no real complaints at all. Funny thing, I bought RDR new about a month ago, and the label doesn't say GOTY edition or anything, but it has Undead Nightmare on the disc!  Might be an anomoly of the Australian pressing, but a total score for me.

I need to play the DLC...still really wish they would release the game on the PC. No idea what Rockstar's issue is with that.

Hey, on Steam, Borderlands is in my library and says next to it (20 hours left).  Did they give it away as a promotion?

aspro said:

^Yeah, it's really amazing, I'm about 3-4 hours into it and have no real complaints at all. Funny thing, I bought RDR new about a month ago, and the label doesn't say GOTY edition or anything, but it has Undead Nightmare on the disc!  Might be an anomoly of the Australian pressing, but a total score for me.

Glad to hear you're finally getting around to playing it. I've been playing a lot of RDD's multiplayer and and the post ending/freeplay content for the past few days while I debate if I want to replay it or not. Like many of Rockstar's games visually it isn't aging well, but aside from that it's excellent and one of my top 3 games of this gen. Undead Nightmare is a great grab with it too. Turning the gameplay into survial horror really changes the way you have to play the game and makes for a much bigger challenge than you'd think.

edgecrusher said:

Those just reminded me that I finally started watching Mad Men. I'm about I'm 8 episodes in. It's a good enough show,  I appreciate the length they go to for the setting, and Don Draper is the fucking man.  That aside, I don't quite get the hype. Has anyone else watched it? Is there a point where it gets award winningly good?