A Gaming Diary
Archive for September, 2007
Colin McRae DiRT (360)
Sep 15th
While the wife had a quick shower, I took the opportunity to do a couple of quick events and had a very, very good time indeed.
It seems this game really is excellent when it comes to cars and right now I’m glad it escaped the trade in pile when I went into town today.
Chili Con Carnage (PSP)
Sep 15th
Well, I got past the boss. Not sure how. I got her death cut scene when her health bar still seemed to be about a third full. Random.
This game is really is rough as heck. It’s great fun, but it keeps glitching and I get an error message (which it recovers from eventually) when I turn the PSP on. Could be issues with the shiny new PSP hardware or new firmware, I suppose, though it could just be the low budget.
It’s a good game, though, despite anything, if you ignore that first boss. I get the impression that I’ll be giving up when I get to the next one, unless I can somehow glitch past it.
Chili Con Carnage (PSP)
Sep 15th
Oh, wait, I’ve got to a boss. A horribly annoying boss.
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
Gnnnng.
Chili Con Carnage (PSP)
Sep 15th
I’m not very good at this one, either. I’m all right at surviving and getting through levels, but I’m terrible at scoring and racking up combos. It’s still fun, but it’s depressing to get through a level and then be way off even a bronze medal. Hopefully I’ll be able to come back later when I’ve got a bit better.
Gradius Collection (PSP)
Sep 15th
Specifically, Gradius Gaiden, which I’ve never played before. I’ve yet to get off the first level, but I have managed to reach the boss. Once.
Yeah, I’m not very good. For some reason I’m much better at vertically scrolling shooters than horizontally scrolling ones. No idea why.
Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels (Wii)
Sep 14th
Not released in the UK before now (as a standalone game) because it’s too hard for us supposedly.
And, well, yes, it’s too hard for me. Not made it off 1-3 yet.
Tamagotchi Party On! (Wii)
Sep 14th
The Internet doesn’t have a kind word to say about this game, so I guess it’s up to me to lead the defence force.
Tamagotchi Party On! isn’t completely rubbish. There are annoyances, yes. Having to play with four players, two of which were controlled by the CPU when my wife and I played, is a pain. Sometimes the Wiimote doesn’t quite seem to do what you’re telling it to. And it’s all a bit random – though the fact that this is the electronic equivalent of Game of Life or Snakes and Ladders means I don’t think that’s really a problem.
What you’re left with is a deeply cynical view of the political process in incredibly cute clothing. (And odd. Don’t forget odd. You can lose popularity with the voters by pissing off a library.) Play mini games, take a chance on random event squares, meet other Tamagotchis, buy things to make your home more attractive (and thus make you more popular with the voters), etc.
I bought the game for my wife on eBay for a fraction of the high street price, not expecting to enjoy it at all, yet I suggested a second game when the first was over. And it is not the best game in the world, but it’s not a bad board game to waste time with if you can get it at a budget price and have a Tamagotchi fan in the house. Whether it beats Game of Life I don’t know, not having played that one since I was ten, but it beats the living daylights out of Snakes & Ladders.
Call of Duty 4 Beta (360)
Sep 13th
After some more Free-For-All, I decided to try some Team Deathmatch. I was comfortably the worst person in my team in all the rounds I played, but I wasn’t way down below the next-worst person, which… is… some… comfort.
Gnng.
Colin McRae DiRT (360)
Sep 12th
You know how sometimes you get game series that do one thing very well, then add in other stuff which is rubbish? Like when the Rogue Squadron games added on-foot sections?
Well, that’s DiRT for you. Rally stages, hill climbs, great. Pick-up truck circuit racing? Not so much. No unbearably bad, not at all, but they’re not as fun as the core racing and suffer from some terribly offputting framerate issues.
I’m thinking a part-exchange for Sega Rally Revo may be in this game’s future.
