A Gaming Diary
Archive for February, 2008
MLB 07: The Show (PSP)
Feb 28th
This is now my life.
Evenings, lunchtimes, any spare moments.
I’m doing okay, too, but the Braves are so incredibly rubbish it hurts. I’ve got a good batting average, but barely any runs or RBIs.
MLB 07: The Show (PSP)
Feb 26th
After only a month in the minor leagues I got promoted to the majors. Fantastic. Playing for the Atlanta Braves felt very special, which wouldn’t have happened if I’d gone straight there.
I’m not doing as well as I did in the minors. I’m hitting about 0.300, which isn’t bad, and I’ve got a few runs, but my batting average was about 0.475 when I was playing for Richmond. I’m also getting fewer games and a lot of times I’m only being put in as a pinch runner or pinch hitter late in the game. (Which makes the load times even more unbearable.)
Still, I think I’m doing well enough to stay where I am. It would be most dispiriting to get shunted back to Richmond after a taste of the big time.
Railfan (PS3)
Feb 26th
I’ve now done all the Chicago missions. After the first seven short training missions, the final mission was an hour-long journey across Chicago. It was quite hard and I failed quite a few times, but luckily it just dumps you back at the last station you stopped at when that happens.
Really was very good fun, but I was exhausted at the end of it. I never realised being a real driver was so difficult. Trying to stick to all the different speed limits, stop in the right place at the station and keep on time requires a fair amount of skill.
MLB 07: The Show (PSP)
Feb 24th
Back to a career I started last summer with the Braves. I finished spring training and got offered a contract. Wasn’t good enough for the majors, but I’m now designated hitter for the Richmond Braves and doing really, really well… in terms of hit percentage. I can get on base. I still don’t understand the base running controls, though, and keep over- and under-running. I think I’ve only got one run myself so far this season, which isn’t good. Doesn’t help that the rest of my team is rubbish.
Still, having a good time with the game. If only the load times were less terrible. Hopefully 08 will be improved in that regard.
Railfan (PS3)
Feb 24th
This train simulator has been sitting on my shelf for many, many months.
My wife was asleep, so I thought it might be safe to play it. As soon as I put the disc in the drive she woke, came downstairs and laughed at me. I can’t say I didn’t deserve it.
Anyway, despite having controls that consist of a whole two – count ‘em! – buttons, this has actually been very good fun so far. Mainly, I think, because the instructions for each mission are in Japanese, turning even the easiest training mission into an intriguing puzzle.
There’s something very compulsive about it.
Riff: Everyday Shooter (PS3)
Feb 24th
Why is everything a twin stick shooter these days?
Anyway, this is Rez meets Geometry Wars, if you want a lazy comparison. Hampered slightly by only having eight-way shot control, but good fun.
Hot Shots Golf World Tour Demo (PS3)
Feb 24th
Hooray, an English-language demo! Now I can read the instructions for the new shot system. It’s actually very obvious and works very well.
I think I may need this game. I really don’t want to, but I do.
MLB 08: The Show Demos (PS3 & PSP)
Feb 24th
Both seem to play a decent game of baseball, but the PS3 version also has gorgeous graphics and presentation. Really very good stuff.
Hitman: Blood Money (360)
Feb 17th
A few more missions this morning. I’ve been doing some of them properly – Flatline I did much more quietly than I did on Expert – but I’ve also taken the opportunity to get some ratings that I’ve not seen before, like Deranged Slayer and Terrorist. (The latter got for killing 109 people on the paddle boat. I think that was all of them.)
