A Gaming Diary
Archive for February, 2008
Wipeout Pulse (PSP)
Feb 10th
Wow, but I’m out of practice.
When I first played this last night I was so bad that I could even bothered to write an entry about it. Every race saw me coming last, if I lasted to the end.
This evening started like that, too, but after about fifteen minutes I started to get back into the Wipeout swing of things. Turn into corners, use (but don’t overuse) air brakes, all that. I’m not getting very many gold medals, but I’m getting a few silvers and a few bronzes. Usually takes me a few tries in races against opponents, but when I’m racing the clock I can normally get something first time.
Anyway, there’s a bit of tearing, but apart from that it looks lovely. Seems to be a fair amount of game there, too. Can’t comment on the sound, as I play the PSP with the sound off.
Pity about the expansion packs for this one. Wipeout Pure’s were free. The ones for Pulse cost actually money – and you can’t download them if you’ve got a Mac, anyway, Bloody Sony, etc.
Ghost Squad (Wii)
Feb 10th
Today I used the gun I unlocked yesterday, the SAW24. And very interesting it is, too. Unlike all the other guns I’ve used so far, you don’t need to reload it. It’s got infinite ammo. And, to add to the fun, it’s the first fully automatic weapon I’ve unlocked. So, what’s the catch? Well, it overheats. Fire it quickly and your Wiimote will start beeping furiously and you’ll be left defenceless for several seconds.
I think, on the whole, I prefer the guns you have to reload.
The Club (360)
Feb 9th
Blimey! I’m number ten on the leaderboard for the “Run of the Mill” event on Reckless difficulty.
I’ve never been in the top ten before. Ever. On anything.
Ghost Squad (Wii)
Feb 9th
I am now level fifteen, a Chief Warrant Officer and I’ve unlocked a new costume and gun.
Hooray.
Didn’t manage to defeat the boss of the third mission today, though.
The Club (360)
Feb 9th
You know you’ve got something slightly special on your hands when it keeps you up until two in the morning and then gets you up at half seven because you’re itching to get back to it.
Horribly compulsive, that’s what it is.
This morning I went through the tournaments I’d not yet done. Just on Casual difficulty. I was only really playing to unlock everything.
Since then I’ve been testing out different characters and doing the first two levels on Reckless difficulty. On the second level – I can’t remember the name, but it’s a steel mill sprint – I’m currently seventeenth in the world. Not bad, eh?
(Okay it’s probably because all the real players are playing on Insane or Real difficulty, but let me have my moment of glory, please.)
It’s funny how wrong my first impressions of the game were, looking back. I’m so very glad I gave the demo a second chance.
The Club (360)
Feb 8th
Oh yes. Number 66 in the world for the first single event on Reckless difficulty. That’s just about the highest I’ve ever been on a leaderboard, ever.
The Club (360)
Feb 8th
This is excellent. Short bursts of shooty fun. I’m very much looking forward to unlocking everything and going for high scores.
And, as luck would have it, I checked a leaderboard and was 364th in the world, which meant I got two Achievements. Hooray for getting games on release day!
Ghost Squad (Wii)
Feb 8th
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve played through this game now. I could check, I suppose.
Anyway, today I saw lots of new bits. They were all good, but the very best thing was a new option to avoid the sniping bit at the start of the third mission and do some more standard shooting instead.
All good fun.
I failed the second boss (you have a single shot which must be a head shot, if you miss, you fail) but managed to defeat the other two. It’s worth noting that all the bosses use weapons given to you at the time – you never use the weapon you choose to take into the game. This is a good thing – especially as today I was using another handgun. The laser sight and 15-shot magazine should have made things easier, but I didn’t do very well at all. The only bit that was really improved by the laser sight was the mine clearing section in the third mission.
At the end I got up to level thirteen and was promoted to Warrant Officer. No new guns or outfits, though.
Ghost Squad (Wii)
Feb 7th
I got the leaderboards to work. I’m 16409th in the world. I guess this hasn’t sold as well as it should have done, or no Wii owners have their consoles online.
Ghost Squad (Wii)
Feb 7th
Hooray! Today I beat all three bosses in one play through of the game. That’s the first time I’ve ever beat the boss in the Third Mission.
I also got a new high score, which would be more fun if the online rankings would work. My Wii can get online without a problem, but I’ve never been able to use the online stuff in Ghost Squad. I wish I knew why.
