The Last of Us Review (spoiler-free)

Far too often in life, our opinions change with time. Critics review content and are usually swift in the consuming of said content. They put words to a page, throw on a score, and then publish for all the world to see. At times, these opinions remain unchanged throughout time, but they can also change. Perhaps a second play-through reveals a game not nearly as good as we thought originally or maybe a game isn't quite as bad as we remember.

When I beat Naughty Dog's The Last of Us this past weekend, I instantly thought it was one of the best games this year and a strong contender for Game of the Year. I wanted to sprint to my blog immediately and tell everyone about its greatness. Instead, I took a slightly different approach by waiting a few days. I wanted to see if my strong opinion altered as time passed. I can now say my opinion has indeed changed...for the better. The Last of Us isn't just the best game this year; it's the game of the generation and one of my favorite games of all-time.

The game is set in the United States where the country is ripped apart by a mysterious cordyceps fungus. That being said, this isn't your typical "zombie game." One of the key differences with The Last of Us is its emphasis on survival, which is accomplished with a variety of techniques. First and foremost, ammo is scarce. In many situations, you'd do just as well to sneak past a section of enemies rather than confront them head-on. Moving in close for a melee or stealth takedown are also options, but be cautious. Melee weapons will break over time.

Finally, you won't be able to pause and heal yourself or craft your next weapon while playing The Last of Us. Instead, all upgrades and healing are handled on the fly. If you're about to be attacked, you'll either have to fight the enemy off or retreat to a safe place where you can heal. This adds a sense of realism to the game as you must always be aware of your surroundings.

You'll have to deal with two primary enemy types throughout your journey: humans and the infected. Both pose unique challenges. Humans are smart and The Last of Us enemies have impressive artificial intelligence. They'll attempt to flank and even managed to sneak around and surprise me on occasion  The infected are slightly more predictable. For fear of spoilers, I won't get into each of the specific types, but let's just say you'll have to approach each situation differently.

Our society has placed such an emphasis on violence that many would scoff at certain scenes throughout the game. I would only ask they take a closer look at the entire context and understand what it really means within this world. Killing in a game like Call of Duty or even Grand Theft Auto is mindless killing. You kill enemies in waves, run over pedestrians (sometimes even by accident), launch air assaults, and mow-down foes with powerful assault rifles.

The Last of Us is absolutely brutal; yet in many situations, you feel bad about what you're doing as a player. It paints an incredibly depressing picture of a fallen world where finding anything good is a struggle. The violence isn't glorified. If anything, it helps you understand violence and its consequences on a grand scale. The few moments where you do experience peace, good, and quiet are only truly appreciated due to the brutality throughout the rest of the game.

All these techniques work seamlessly together, edifying the most important aspect of The Last of Us: its story (no spoilers here; don't worry). Let me just say you are in for a story that rivals, or even bests, series like The Walking Dead, Uncharted, Bioshock Infinite, and more. Joel and Ellie are both flawed, yet endearing characters. I related to both of them, but for drastically different reasons. In modern literature, film, and gaming, there's really no better praise than to say a character is "real." Joel and Ellie's actions throughout The Last of Us always stay true to the character. More importantly, you care about them and eagerly anticipate what will happen to them next.

If ever a game warranted a perfect score, it's The Last of Us, not for being a perfect game, but for being a game you couldn't possibly imagine being better. All my complaints seem minor when you consider everything Naughty Dog not only attempted, but accomplished with this new franchise. The story is a heart-wrenching roller-coaster, the characters real and memorable, the game mechanics are well designed, and the graphics are beautiful.

At the end of the day, there's really no higher recommendation I can give a game than to say that every adult who considers him/herself a gamer should play this game. It's uncomfortable and even hard to play at times. You'll laugh. You'll smile. You may even shed a tear. One thing, however, is certain: you will never forget playing The Last of Us.

10 out of 10

Tomb Raider Review

I had no intention of playing the latest Tomb Raider reboot from Crystal Dynamics. Despite all the hype and E3 awards, everything I saw seemed to indicate nothing more than a typical 3rd person action game. I never played the original (yes young gamers, this is a reboot) for more than a few minutes; therefore, I saw little appeal for me. Let's just say I was terribly misguided because Tomb Raider is easily the best game I've played in 2013 and an early contender for Game of the Year.

So what convinced me to actually play Tomb Raider? Reviews played a significant role, but the ultimate deciding factor was when I started hearing the game compared to titles like Batman: Arkham City, Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 4, and of course, Uncharted. We certainly expected the latter, but the other games surprised me. I was tempted to play the game simply to see it fall far short of these titles I consider among the best ever. Yet again, I was wrong.

Tomb Raider doesn't reinvent the genre, but it does perfect it. Younger gamers may not remember Lara's original adventures, games that clearly inspired Naughty Dog with the Uncharted series. I can't say that Tomb Raider is an all-around, better game than Uncharted 2, which recently made my list of top 5 games this generation, but I can say it goes toe-to-toe and even bests it in many categories. Consider this: Uncharted 2's main advantages are its graphics, story and characters, which are all slightly better than what you'll find in Tomb Raider. Aside from Lara, who's equally as interesting as Nathan Drake, the other Tomb Raider characters are largely forgettable. The storyline is predictable and most of the twists are telegraphed from a mile away; even so, the story is solid enough to hold you through to the end. The game looks beautiful, but it's still a step below Uncharted. 

Do young gamers remember this...at all?

As for Tomb Raider's strong points, its most significant advantage is in the game's pacing and overall flow. Let's be honest, with Uncharted, you're essentially playing through a movie, albeit, a very beautiful movie. You have to climb up this rock and you must explore this cave. Tomb Raider presents players with a very solid linear experience...if that's how you choose to play. For gamers, like me, who prefer a little exploration, Tomb Raider will appease you as well. The game differs drastically from Uncharted by offering tombs to raid, treasures/items to collect, money to earn, and weapons to upgrade.

Those comparisons to Arkham City, Prime, and RE 4? Completely valid. Crystal Dynamics borrows liberally from those classics, but everything makes sense. For example, you're stranded on an island and start out with a very limited arsenal, both in weaponry and tools. Over time, you gain new items that allow you to traverse new paths you couldn't access before, a la Metroid.

Enough with the comparisons. Tomb Raider stands as on its own as an amazing title that breathes new life into an age-old franchise. The gameplay is rock solid and you'll love getting to know Lara. I really want to applaud Crystal Dynamics for having a game with an incredibly strong female lead, who isn't hyper-sexualized. Yes, Lara is female and yes, she's attractive. But it's far from the focus. I wouldn't say the game deemphasizes any of these factors; however, it doesn't flaunt as so many other games (and movies) tend to do. Lara is a real person and you care about her motivations. You care if she rescues her friends. You care if she lives or dies.

A survivor is born...and a gaming legend reborn.

If you've been a consistent reader of my blog, you've no doubt heard me mention the mixture of fun and quality, a battle critics must consider when reviewing all forms of media. For Tomb Raider, it excels at both. The game is polished, yet incredibly fun. Tomb Raider offers further proof that games can deliver a polished, contained story, while still allowing ample room for exploration. I have no reservations highly recommending it with a score of 9.5/10.

Haven't bought Tomb Raider yet? You're in luck. For March 26, 2013, it's Amazon's Gold Box Deal of the Day, which you can nab for only $41.99. Enjoy!

Score: 9.5/10

Should Sony Release Gran Turismo 6 on the PS3?

According to a top Sony Executive, Gran Turismo 6 will launch this year...on the PlayStation 3. This would be a colossal mistake for Sony that would risk sabotaging the launch of Sony's next-generation PlayStation 4 right out of the gate.

Shortly after Sony's PlayStation 4 announcement back in February, rumors started to swirl about the next title in the illustrious Gran Turismo series. Michael Denny, senior vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's Worldwide Studios told Silicon Republic, "Look at the games coming out on the PlayStation 3 like The Last of Us, Beyond: Two Souls, GT6, and then on the third-party side..." Of course, the first two games Denny mentions have already been revealed with release dates announced.

It's entirely possible Denny simply misspoke; however, I believe it much more likely to be a slip of the tongue. The question now is why would Sony release Gran Turismo 6 on the PS3 rather than the PS4? The most likely answer is because there are far more PS3 users than there will be PS4 users this holiday, regardless of how well PS4 performs at launch. In theory, this would position GT6 to sell more copies.

Unfortunately, this would undoubtedly have an inverse affect on the PS4 launch. Sony is already showing significant support for the aging PS3 at the end of its life cycle. Both The Last of Us and Beyond: Two Souls are hotly anticipated titles releasing this year for PS3. If you throw GT6 into the mix, is there really any reason to upgrade to PS4 this year? Oh and there's also a little game called Grand Theft Auto 6 releasing this year on all current-gen and next-gen systems. Again, it begs the question: why upgrade with so many quality titles to play on PS3?

Make no mistake, GT6 is a system seller. The series has sold a staggering 67.89 million units. According to IGN's Colin Moriarty, "The best-selling Gran Turismo game of all-time is Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec on PlayStation 2, which has sold 14.89 million copies worldwide." The original Gran Turismo sold 10.85 million units on the PSone. These numbers easily make it Sony's best-selling franchise.

If Sony releases GT6 only for PS4, it would certainly have a positive affect on the launch. Quality racing titles tend to age well so although sales would initially be lower with a PS4-only launch, it would likely pay off in the long run. GT6 would continue to chart strongly throughout the PS4's life cycle and would also help Sony's new console start strong out of the gate.

But maybe this isn't the best solution. Why not pull a Nintendo and release the game on both systems? After all, it worked during the launch of the Wii with The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. The game sold better on Wii by a 5:1 margin, despite being developed on the GameCube. The Wii went on to have one of the most successful console launches of all-time (Wii Sports undoubtedly played a role in this alongside Twilight Princess).

Sony would still risk losing sales on PS4 by not giving users enough of a reason to buy early; however, it would keep from alienating PS3 owners and may convince a few to go ahead an upgrade when they consider GT6 would still be on the PS4 (likely with better graphics), much like many GameCube owners did with Twilight Princess. 

The console world has changed. Microsoft and Nintendo aren't the only competitors anymore. Mobile devices are surging, PC gaming is holding strong thanks to the likes of Steam, and even web-based games are having an impact on Sony's future. They can ill-afford to launch a system without an enticing hook. Killzone won't be enough on its own. The PS4 needs its Super Mario 64 or Halo. Why not launch the new PS4 with your best-selling franchise of all-time?

Trophy Tuesday: The Most Difficult Platinum Trophy

I've platinumed quite a few games, 41 to be exact. A few of those games, such as Trine 2, were rather easy and could be completed in just a few hours. Others took a great deal of time with Skyrim taking me over 100 hours to platinum. As I pondered this week's Trophy Tuesday blog entry, I considered my most difficult platinum trophy ever.

The contenders:

• Skyrim
• Batman: Arkham City
• Batman: Arkham Asylum
• Modern Warfare 2 
• Mass Effect 2 

Rather than basing it solely off my experience with each game, I decided to take a look at two factors: 1) Difficulty rating according to ps3trophies.org and 2) How many platinumed the game according to PSNProfiles.com.

Let's start with the difficulty rating. Here are the results going from most difficult (1) to least difficult (5).

1. Batman: Arkham City (7/10 TIE)
2. Batman: Arkham Asylum (7/10 TIE)
3. Modern Warfare 2 (6.5)
4. Mass Effect 2 (6/10)
5. Skyrim (4.5/10)

Next, let's rank them in order of the most rare platinum (1) to the most common platinum (5).

1. Batman: Arkham City (10,885)
2. Mass Effect 2 (10,955)
3. Skyrim (22,752)
4. Batman: Arkham Asylum (23,183)
5. Modern Warfare 2 (56,561)

Truth be told, I would have said Arkham City even before looking at these numbers. Not only did it prove to be the most challenging, it also ended up being the platinum trophy I treasure the most. You see, many trophies are simply a battle of attrition. Find this many items, defeat this many enemies, travel this far...Arkham City has its share of these trophies, but it's really the challenge maps and Riddler trophies that set it apart. 

Whereas other games require you to repeat tasks over and over to get a certain trophy, Arkham City's challenge maps require true skill. You have to practice your moves repeatedly and time your parries perfectly, that is if players wish to pursue the game's most difficult trophy, which requires you to use every move at your disposal (gadgets and all) in one continuous free-flow combo...without getting hit. 

One trophy requires you to utilize every
move in your arsenal without taking damage. 

Believe it or not, the combat challenges actually easy when compared to the predator and campaign challenges, which will take trophy hunters to the brink of insanity. For campaign challenges, you're given a 3 room combo where you must obtain all 3 medals on each challenge for a total of 9 medals. You must complete them in order and you're only allowed 3 continues. Fail more than 3 times and you'll be forced to start from the first challenge all over again.

Aside from the slew of skill-based trophies, there are a number of other trophies, unrelated to skill, that will drive you crazy. You'll have to play the entire game twice if the platinum is your ultimate goal. Arkham City features a New Game Plus mode, which must be completed to earn a silver trophy. You'll have to complete every Riddler challenge and find all the Riddler trophies. There's also the bronze Calendar Man trophy, which requires you to play the game on 12 specific dates throughout the year and speak with Calendar Man. You are able to adjust the time on your PS3 to obtain this trophy; however, it can get cumbersome to repeatedly save the game, quit game, restart game, talk to Calendar Man, etc.

In the end, I'm incredibly proud of this platinum trophy and encourage anyone who wants a challenge to go for it. It will take time, dedication, and practice, but in the end, Batman: Arkham City will be one of the rarest platinum trophies in your collection. For easy platinum trophies? Check out my previous two Trophy Tuesday entries on Sly and Far Cry 3. 

Trophy Tuesday: Far Cry 3

Last Friday, I posted a blog about Far Cry 3 and how everyone should play it. Turns out, it's also a great game for trophies. Truth be told, there are very few annoying trophies in the game. I've actually enjoyed seeking out each one to see everything this game has to offer.

PS3trophies.org rates the game's platinum trophy difficulty a 3 out of 10 and in my experience, this is accurate. There are only two missable trophies and those are actually quite difficult to miss. As long as you liberate at least two outposts without being detected, you should be fine. Difficulty does not affect any of the trophies so feel free to play on any level you prefer.

There is also a series of co-op trophies, which you can actually obtain on your own if you have a 2nd controller. Although not ideal, you do have the option if you have an aversion to playing co-op or just don't have any friends.

Don't do it!

Platinum trophies usually fall into three different categories: attainable/terrible game, attainable/fun game, or unattainable. Luckily, Far Cry 3 falls squarely into the 2nd category, much like Sly Cooper. My one piece of advice for trophy hunters? Don't give into the terrible games! It's a never ending cycle and you'll likely regret it completely. There are way too many quality titles with attainable platinums to waste your time on games like Terminator Salvation or Kung Fu Panda...believe me, I know. I've platinumed them both. Don't hate. Just go play Far Cry 3 and add another platinum to your trophy room.

Everyone Should Play Far Cry 3

The weekend is finally here and you know what that means...time for some hardcore gaming! I've been progressing through Far Cry 3 and hope to beat it this weekend. The game is fantastic and I regret not playing it sooner.

It's really not important to have played a Far Cry game before. This entry is its own story - and what a story it is. In fact, the game combines an incredible story with an open world not unlike that of Skyrim...with guns instead of swords and sharks, tigers, and komodo dragons instead of - well, regular dragons. Yes, this is is a game with komodo dragons. Yes, they'll attack you. Oh, and the game runs much better than Skyrim in terms of framerate.

I've always had a fascination with sharks and komodo dragons. They are two of nature's most fearsome predators. By fascination, I mean I'm terrified of them. I've yet to be attacked by a shark (in the game) and hope I can avoid it entirely (both in-game and in real life). As far as I have found, there's really no way to attack while underwater, which means you're incredibly vulnerable. At one point in the game, I needed sharkskin to craft a new item. I shot at the sharks from outside the water and then quickly dove in for the pelts. Luckily, no other sharks approached before I could return to the surface. I also had an untimely death at the hands of a crocodile that resulted in me throwing my controller and screaming like a little girl. My dog seemed rather annoyed that I woke her with my shout. My wife was also less than impressed.

In all seriousness, the game does a fantastic job of drawing you into the lush landscape of Bangkok. Each situation feels unique and what I love is how you can go about a mission in entirely different ways. You can be stealth or you can go in aggressively with your guns. But let's be honest, there's really nothing unique or innovative about offering you basic, cookie-cutter stealth and aggressive options. Fortunately, Far Cry 3 offers you hundreds of possibilities.

Get out of the way and watch the ensuing carnage. 

With Far Cry 3, your decisions are multilayered and you have a number of ways to be stealth or aggressive. For example, if you spot a caged animal right in the middle of an outpost, you can shoot off the door and watch from afar as a bear or leopard wreaks havoc on the enemy. Maybe you prefer a more aggressive approach, in which, one of my favorite options relies on the use of a vehicle. Depending on the outpost's layout, you may be able to take out everyone with your vehicle. If you want to be a little more creative, you can race straight for an outpost and allow the enemy to fire at your vehicle and eventually it will start smoking. Once you see the flames, you can bail out of what is now a very large explosion waiting to happen. If you time it just right, the vehicle will explode and take out a number of enemies.

This really just scratches the surface, but hopefully it's enough to whet your appetite. If you haven't already played Far Cry 3, I would highly recommend it. There's a ton to do, the story is engaging, and the gameplay is fantastic. I may also try and squeeze in some time with Link to the Past this weekend as well. How about you? What is everyone else playing this weekend?

Trophy Tuesday: Sly Cooper Thieves in Time

Sony's latest title featuring the thieving raccoon has been fairly well-received among critics. It's also a great game for trophy hunters out there...especially if you have the Vita version. 

PS3trophies.org rates the platinum difficulty a 3/10 for Sly Cooper Thieves In Time, and estimates approximately 10-15 hours to obtain every trophy. If you're really looking to skyrocket your PSN level, you can transfer your save to the Vita using the cloud save feature. Sly is actually part of Sony's cross-buy promotion, which means you'll receive a digital copy of the Vita version when you purchase for PS3. By utilizing cloud save, you only have to beat the game once. You then transfer that save to the Vita and load the game. Every trophy you've earned on the PS3 version will instantly pop on the Vita version. Alternatively, you can also continue transferring saves back and forth (as I did) to keep your game moving forward even on the go. 

Sly's most difficult (AKA- annoying) trophies involve a plethora of collectables. There are far more collectables in this entry of Sly over the previous three games. The clue bottles make a return, but you'll also be collecting specific treasures and sly masks. There are certain tasks you can complete to unlock a in-game maps for the clue bottles and treasures; however, there is no map for the masks. 

The Vita makes treasure hunting a breeze.

Fortunately for Vita owners, there's another added benefit to having both games. You can use the Vita's AR treasures mode to highlight every treasure, mask, and clue bottle in orange (make sure you go to options on the PS3 version to enable the AR server first). The rest of the screen appears in a green/night-vision-esque hue. I'm sad to admit it, I didn't even know about this feature until very late in the game. Even so, it proved invaluable for finding those last few masks. 

If you only have a few platinum trophies and are looking for a quick way to increase your level, look no further than Sly. Not only is it an attainable platinum, it's also a great game. 

PlayStation 4 Now Official, Releasing This Year

The PlayStation 4 is official and it's coming this year. If you're reading this blog, you undoubtedly knew this already as Sony formally unveiled the console this week. Actually...they didn't unveil it all! Although we saw games, tech demos, and the controller, we never saw the console itself. Earlier in the week, I posted a few recommendations for Sony on how they could have the best showing possible. Let's see if they earned a passing grade.

1.) Save Something For E3

Pass.

Sony definitely kept a number of details under wraps. While we know the console is set to release "Holiday 2013," we don't have a firm date. The company made no mention of price, other than to say it would be "affordable." What company doesn't say this? Still, let's hope they learned from the PS3's launch and manage to release the console for $399 or less.

And of course, we're all itching to know what the system itself actually looks like. It's a little pointless if you think about it. The console's shell serves no other purpose than to house the internals (which are incredible by the way). Even so, there's just something about a nice, sleek design sitting next to your television. We're almost assured to see the system at this year's E3.

2.) Show The Console And Show The Controller

Fail/Pass.

As mentioned above, we didn't get to see the console. Sony President of Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida told The Guardian, "Our focus here was to show some games and talk about the key principles - we wanted to save the unveiling of the actual console."

After the fact, I'm actually glad they didn't revel both. It definitely leaves us wanting more as we begin the wait for this summer's E3. After all, can we really complain considering they revealed a near-final version of...

...the dualshock 4! The leaks were mostly accurate; however, this version looks more polished overall. The new controller features a touchpad (similar to the Vita's backtouch), as well as new L1/L2/R1/R2 shoulder buttons, a share button, and semi-concave thumbsticks. The controller also appears more ergonomically pleasing than the dualshock 3. The company proved they care about fan response by making revisions to the thumbsticks and the triggers, two of the more popular criticisms regarding the dualshock 3.

3.) Show Real Gameplay

Pass!

I'm really happy about this one. We have to be at least nine months from release so I had reservations they'd actually show gameplay. We saw live demos of Killzone: Shadow Fall, a new title called Knack, and Watch_Dogs from Ubisoft. As expected, Killzone looks absolutely amazing and Watch_Dogs continues to impress.

4.) So Why Do I Need A New Console?

Incomplete.

I say incomplete not because Sony did a poor job of illustrating the need for a new console, but because the presentation was mostly packed with goals, ideas, and lofty expectations. We've yet to see if they'll actually deliver on cloud gaming for every generation through Gaikai (one of my previous predictions), remote play with the Vita on every PS4 game, how the new social features will work, and more.

Overall Grade? Pass

For this type of event so far in advance, Sony really hit it out of the park. We saw gameplay. We saw the new controller. We saw innovative ideas. We saw concepts. We even got a few surprises with Bungie showing Destiny and Blizzard announcing Diablo III for both PS3 and PS4.

I look forward to the news that will no doubt trickle out over the coming months leading up to E3. I'm also curious to see how Microsoft responds. Sony fired the first shot of the new console war and they definitely made it count.

Marketing For PlayStation Meeting Has Been Superb

Excited yet?

It would be an understatement to say Sony's recent marketing has been poor. From the early PlayStation 3 (PS3) commercials to the lack of any marketing push for certain titles (ex. Sly Cooper Thieves in Time), the company has struggled to get a grasp on how best to market many of its products. As I discussed last week, Sony has a unique opportunity on their hands with this week's Futre of PlayStation event and despite past struggles, the marketing for this meeting has been absolutely superb. 

Sony has released a video each day, starting with the history of the original PlayStation (PS1) this past Friday. Saturday night's video detailed the story and hype of the PlayStation 2 (PS2). Sunday's video focused on the PS3. Does this point to a PSP video for Monday and a PS Vita video for Tuesday, all leading up to the PS4 event this Wednesday? That remains to be seen, but of the videos released thus far, they will undoubtedly conjure up a number of memories about owning your first Sony console. This sense of nostalgia is exactly what Sony is hoping for with these videos. 

Geoff Keighley of GameTrailers.com tweeted out "Best PlayStation Meeting video yet coming to GT early next week." But even folks who aren't directly associated with the video game industry are taking notice. Mark Gurman of 9to5mac.com tweeted "Sony continues teasing the next PlayStation...they're setting ridiculously highly expectations us.playstation.com/meeting2013." 

So have they set the expectations too high? I suppose we won't know the answer until Wednesday, but the expectations themselves though are certainly high. As someone who works in marketing myself, I'm more intrigued by the why. Why are they releasing daily videos? Strictly just for hype? How do they relate to the PS4 event? Some answers are obvious. They want to ride a continuous stream of momentum leading up to Wednesday. They're focusing on their "past" while teasing the "future." But there's more than that; specifically, why is Sony attempting to draw on their past in hyping their future?

Does this still resonate with consumers?

Reason #1: Brand Loyalty

Sony currently holds the #1 and #2 spot for all-time home console sales with the PS2 and PS1, respectively. Each system sold more than 100 million units worldwide with the PS2 selling over 150 million (source). Those numbers are staggering. For comparison's sake, even the most optimistic estimates have the PS3 selling roughly 77 million units worldwide. That's nearly a 50% drop in user base from one generation to the next! Think about that for a second. Of those 150 million PS3 owners, roughly half of them purchased a PS3. And this is assuming that no one bought the PS3 as their first Sony console, which is highly unlikely.

With these videos, Sony is hoping to bring back those 150 million PS2 owners. They're attempting to remind you of the feelings you once held toward the brand, feelings that resulted in more sales than any home console ever. In a sense, they're conveying how they once had your full trust as a consumer. They were the go-to option for gamers, a pinnace they're boldly trying to reach again...with PS4.

The best-selling home console of all-time.

Reason #2: Brand Power

This could almost be included with reason #1, but I thought it different for a couple of reasons. Sony has often been described as an arrogant company. They once posited that gamers would get a second job to afford the insanely overpriced launch PS3. Aside from Nintendo though, I'm not sure anyone can claim to have changed the industry as much as Sony. And that certainly brings a sense of power and respect that Microsoft just doesn't have yet. These retrospective videos attempt to show Sony isn't a new kid on the block (Ouya) or the still relatively young but promising (Xbox). They are showing how they were (and still are?) the company that once toppled the almighty Nintendo for console supremacy back in the mid-90's. 

The home console that changed everything.

Reason #3: Gamers Can Relive That Past...While Enjoying The Future (theory)

It's entirely possible these videos were only designed and created for the reasons already mentioned. After all, a strong brand is an incredibly powerful tool. Perhaps I'm giving them too much credit, but I think there's more to it than the first two reasons I outlined.

Let's start with Sony's purchase of Gaikai, the streaming service. I think it comes full circle here with the announcement that every PS1, PS2, and PS3 game will be available from day 1 on the PS4 via cloud gaming. How is that any different from PS1 and PS2 classics currently offered on the PlayStation Store? Well for starters, it's every game. And second...it's going to be part of the PlayStation Plus subscription service. Users won't actually pay on a game by game basis. 

"Uhh...what?" - reaction of most when I mention Sega Channel

Anyone remember Sega Channel? No? Didn't think so. It was such a niche product, I don't know anyone else who had it.  My wonderful parents realized its awesomeness and gave it to me as a gift. For a monthly fee, I had unlimited access to roughly 35-50 games, which changed each month. Sound familiar yet? Personally, I think Sega was ahead of its time as this is almost exactly what Sony has created with the PlayStation Plus service and its Instant Game Library. More on Sega Channel here and here if you're thinking I'm a loon who created this with my imagination. How big a statement would it be if Sony announced that every game you grew up playing will be available on PS4 through a new Gaikai application?

These videos, while expertly crafted and resulting in rampant speculation, mean nothing if Sony's event flops on Wednesday. Although I'm clearly a zealous PlayStation fan, I think it accurate to say Sony has our attention for this week's PlayStation Meeting. The gaming world is watching; will Sony deliver? 

Trophy Tuesday

Oh to hear the satisfying little tone of a new trophy increasing my PSN score by a tiny fraction of a percentage point. To someone who isn't a gamer (and even to some who are), it's very difficult to explain the tenacity and dedication with which many Playstation, Xbox, and Steam gamers pursue these seemingly useless little trinkets. Just to get an idea of how far a gamer will go for these digital rewards, look no further than the 2010 Great IGN Trophy Whore War.

I must confess: I myself am a trophy addict. You see, it all started with Infamous. I really loved the title from Sucker Punch and thought it might be cool to go for the platinum trophy. I wanted to play through a separate time as Evil Cole. I wanted to collect all the power-ups. So, I played the game and searched every inch of Empire City for those little blast shards. Finally, I received this...

Unlock the platinum trophy by unlocking all other trophies.

Well, I say "received." It really just appeared in my PSN Profile, which I admittedly thought was cool. After that, I honestly didn't think anything else about it. That is...until a fellow gamer and friend commented on the platinum trophy. Then I suddenly realized that he too may pursue the Infamous platinum. Even worse, he may pursue more trophies and pass my level! I couldn't have that. And so began the great trophy war between myself and two of my closest friends.

Currently, we are all hovering around the level 19 mark. It's a never ending competition, not to see who's the best or the most talented, but to see who has the most dedication to push forward for a higher PSN score and the ever elusive platinum trophy. I'm currently 2nd in the trophy race, but my tally of 39 Platinum Trophies has long been the benchmark (at least for us...more on that later).

Sony's official PSN ID Badge.

The way PSN calculates points is quite unique. Bronze, silver, gold and platinum all have different weights depending on your current level. If you're a level 5 and you get three platinums, three days in a row, your level is going to skyrocket fast. For someone like me who sits at level 19, three platinums wouldn't even shift me a single level. My friends and I have each held a significant lead at some point during our trophy war, only to have the other two come storming back to even things up and eventually take the lead. You're never really out of the race.

Thanks to a wonderful little website called PSN Profiles, it's easier than ever to keep track of your trophies. You can see where you rank against other Playstation gamers, pinpoint your very first trophy, and even learn about the rarest trophy in your collection. My profile is featured at the bottom of this page. To the average gamer, a level 19 with nearly 3,000 trophies may seem like a lot. But take a look at PSN Profiles leader board here. I play a ton of video games. I can honestly say I have no idea how someone can have enough time to earn this many trophies. Beta tester? Game developer? Who knows! Even guys who play games for a living, such as IGN's Greg Miller , only come in at a level 22.

To be totally honest, I'm not sure if trophies/achievements are good for gaming or not. I can honestly say I've played some games just because they have easy trophies. Additionally, I have played a few games far more than I would have if they hadn't had obtainable platinum trophies. I enjoyed Assassin's Creed II, but without trophies, I would have stopped the game immediately upon beating the single player story. Then there are games that are so good, it doesn't really matter about the trophies. I platinumed both Mass Effect 2 and Skyrim (over 120 hours!)...but I loved every second of it.

The main downside to trophy hunting is when a gamer misses out on other quality titles. Maybe the trophies are too difficult that they don't even bother playing or maybe the player is too busy spending hours in another game just for one trophy. Recently,  I've made an effort to focus on quality instead of quantity. I pursue platinum trophies relentlessly with quality titles like Dishonored and Sly Cooper, rather than Kung Fu Panda or Megamind, which are notoriously easy platinums.

Trophies and achievements may be new, but accomplishing random tasks just for fun have been around since the days of Pac-Man and Mario. Only now, we have a record of completing these inane tasks. What would be really awesome is if Sony and Microsoft would work out a rewards program, similar to Club Nintendo (although it rewards purchases, not in-game achievements). Perhaps an Infamous platinum trophy earns you a poster or maybe a Skyrim platinum nets you $10 PSN store credit? The opportunities are endless for companies to further develop an already loyal fan base.

In a very weird way, I guess the trophies make it all seem worth it. No matter what happens to your saves, hard drives, or if you never pick up another title, your trophies and experiences with each game can never be taken away. Don't have a platinum trophy yet? Give it a shot. You just might become addicted.

The Last of Us Delayed?

It's looking more and more likely that the PS3 exclusive title from Naughty Dog has been delayed. I received this email from Best Buy yesterday saying my pre-order date had changed.

Today, Gamestop has updated their company listing to also reflect the 6/18 date.

The Last of Us was originally scheduled to release on May 7th. While delays are never preferable, it is likely Naughty Dog will use the extra month for further polishing and overall fine-tuning. It's clear Sony has marked this as their flagship PS3 title for 2013.

UPDATE: Sony has confirmed the delay; however, the title's new release date is June 14th, 2013 (not the 18th indicated in the Best Buy email). The 14th is a unique choice as it falls on the Friday after E3. Official Sony comment here: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2013/02/13/the-last-of-us-is-coming-in-june/

Journey Review (spoiler-free)

Year after year gamers spend millions and millions of dollars on titles like Gears of War, Call of Duty, and Madden. I've played each of these myself and have enjoyed all three at some point; however, I don't believe anyone out there would deem them original, especially after the countless sequels we see every year. Journey is one of the most unique titles I've ever played and it couldn't be more different from the aforementioned titles. In a few short paragraphs, I'd like to share with you a little about my experience with this title; however, I won't make you wait to learn exactly how I feel. If you own a Playstation 3, buy - this - game.

Journey is a Playstation Network exclusive from That Game Company, the very same folks who brought critically acclaimed titles such as FlOw and Flower to the Playstation 3. Journey blows them both away. Whereas those games were solely about the experience with very loose objectives, Journey offers clearer objectives with an even more emotional experience, spiritual even.

Breathtaking Visuals.

You control an unnamed traveler and must guide him (or her?) to the top of a mountain. That's it. That's the goal of Journey. What's amazing is how the game reveals objectives and gameplay mechanics with minimal information and no spoken voice whatsoever. The creators want you to feel totally engrossed in the experience. There is no HUD with a health bar cluttering the screen or even any text, aside from the very beginning when the game instructs you on how to control your character.

Chances are high you will come across a fellow traveler or two as you make the trek across the vast desert. No matchmaking. No connecting. Just there. You can choose to carry out your quest alone and ignore the traveler or you can stick together, side by side for the entire game. There are minor benefits to traveling with a companion yet they aren't significant enough to hamper your experience should you choose to go it alone.

Journey does a lot of things well. There are three particular components every video game needs and Journey does all exceptionally well: pacing, music, and visuals.

The game can be completed in two hours (or less if you're in a hurry), which may seem too short even with the game's $15 price tag. Trust me...it's worth it. First, this isn't a game you'll want to rush through. Pacing is everything and the sense of reward upon discovering a new locale or improving your character's ability will have you exploring every inch of this breathtaking desert. Secondly, you'll want to play through the game more than once. There are minor rewards for beating the game multiple times, which I won't spoil here. Because the game is so short, I didn't hesitate to jump back in for another play-through.

The score is fantastic and isn't just a complement to the game; it's part of the game. As great as the music is, the visuals round out the package with a graphical showcase rivaling even the finest looking Playstation 3 games. The gentle flutter of your cloak. A subtle path in the sand. Little details like this persist throughout your entire adventure.

I have never played a perfect game; yet, I can truthfully say any qualms one may have with Journey are guaranteed to be levied at the type of game rather than its actual execution. This isn't my favorite game of all time or even the best game I've ever played, but I can't think of a single change I would have made to this epic tale. I am fairly confident this will be a timeless classic we'll long to return to years from now. In an industry overrun with killstreaks and headshots, Journey is a breath of fresh air. Besides the fact it's wholly original and incredibly breathtaking, Journey will evoke feelings and emotions you've never felt in a video game before.

10 out of 10.

Mass Effect 3 Review (Minor Spoilers)

Upon completing Mass Effect 2, I instantly heralded Bioware's masterpiece as one of the best games I had ever played. The game combines RPG elements, 3rd person shooting, and adventure in a unique way, but I wouldn't call it "great" in any of those categories. No...it's the story that makes the Mass Effect series into such a beloved trilogy.The final installment of Commander Shepard's journey sends the series out in style by once again delivering one of the best games I've ever played.

As a whole, the series is one of the most ambitious projects I've ever seen in gaming. For those who have yet to play any of the games (seriously...what are you waiting for?), the most unique aspect of Mass Effect is the choices you make throughout each game. Bioware implemented a system that allows players to transport saves and characters over from Mass Effect 1, into Mass Effect 2, and again into Mass Effect 3*.  If you allow a character to die in Mass Effect 2, they won't appear in Mass Effect 3. Elect to destroy a certain place in one game and it will have repercussions in the following games. This creates an open system where a plethora of different scenarios can play out for a given player. Only Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain comes anywhere close to such a system...and it was done on a much smaller scale. Throughout each game, you'll be forced to make tough choices. Sure, many are black and white with a clear good and evil path in mind, yet there are a few decisions you'll agonize over. 

*Playstation 3 (PS3) gamers do not have the option of playing the original Mass Effect as it not available for the system; however, Bioware included an interactive comic with PS3 copies of Mass Effect 2 allowing players to learn the gist of the story and to even make a few important choices that impacts future games. 

Gamers around the world have been with these characters for quite some time so it's only natural to have such a strong attachment to many of the characters and locales. Mass Effect 3 strikes a particularly strong chord when the series prime antagonists begin to attack Earth. Commander Shepard must then navigate through political boundaries and take on age-old prejudices in an attempt to unite the galaxy. 

The overall mechanics and feel of the game receive minor improvements and fine-tuning. The shooting mechanics are drastically improved over Mass Effect 2 and it's one of the very first things I noticed. I played as an Adept in Mass Effect 2 and relied primarily on biotics (think "the force") to take out my foes. This time I went with a Sentinel and had the best of both worlds using a mixture of gunplay and biotics. Because of the improvement in gunplay, I strongly preferred playing as the Sentinel rather than the Adept. 

The story is once again top-notch and delivers in almost every way. The ending is where Mass Effect 3 has seemed to hit a snag with fans (as endings to beloved trilogies so often do). Quite a few fans have expressed their extreme displeasure with the series ending. Some have even went as far as starting a petition pleading with Bioware to alter the ending (which I find ridiculous). Others have come up with theories of their own attempting to cast the ending in a different light. I won't say much more for fear of spoiling things, but I must say I didn't have this reaction to the ending. In fact, I would argue most gamers won't take issue with the ending...until they view the other endings. I'll just leave it at that.

My one gripe with the ending centered around more of a design and gameplay issue rather than a story-driven issue. It should be no surprise that you are faced with yet another choice in the games final moments. Depending on how you played the game, there is potential for 3 different choices at the end. My issue isn't with the choices themselves; rather, it's how you choose the choices. Maybe I was so caught up in the moment, but the way to perform each action was honestly unclear to me. Upon making the choice, there is no "are you certain this the choice you want to make?" or "turn back now!" No...the choice is made and then you get to watch how things play out from that moment. 

Despite the issues with the ending, Mass Effect 3 is an incredibly ambitious piece of art that will be played for generations to come. Emotional moments stick and characters remain etched in your mind. Choices are debated and your decisions can prove costly. Everything (not hyperbole) hangs in the balance and falls on the shoulder of one man (or woman, depending on your character). As an avid gamer, I can offer Mass Effect 3 no higher compliment than to say it has earned a permanent spot on my video game shelf. 

9.5 out of 10.

Review: Heavy Rain (spoiler-free)

I've been playing video games for a long time and never have I played a game quite like Heavy Rain. Remember those old choose-your-own adventure books that were popular back in the 90's?  Heavy Rain is like a choose-your-own adventure video game...on steroids.  It is an adventure game at heart that features quick-time events, which have different outcomes depending on how many buttons you manage to hit. Although the game certainly has flaws, every adult PS3 owner should play this game.

I stress the word adult, because this a mature game in every sense of the word.  Where games like Grand Theft Auto receive the M rating for language and crazy amounts of violence, Heavy Rain gets the M rating for all those reasons combined with scenes of intense psychological decision-making that truly have you considering your own personal morals as a person.

Heavy Rain's main draw is the story and I have to say I was sucked in from the very beginning.  I'm not sure I've ever played a game that has literally had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. You really begin to develop a relationship with the characters as you progress and you'll find yourself striving to get the best possible ending for them.  Did I mention there's no game over screen?  That's right...you hold their very lives in your hands.  Miss a button sequence and a particular character may never be seen again.  The story will simply continue on without them.  This is partially why Heavy Rain manages to draw you in so quickly.  Every button and decision you make feels monumentally important.

One of the game's four main characters

The great thing about the decisions and quick-time button sequences is that you don't really know how much it will affect the overall story.  You might think that sounds like a disadvantage, but let me explain.  I played through the game with several friends playing along at the same time.  At times, we would make different choices and end up with the same result.  In other instances, one of us could miss a small detail and our story was totally changed.  One example is a particular fight scene where my friend missed a couple button presses during a quick-time sequence.  Although his character lived through the fight, he missed an extremely vital piece of information that came as a result of hitting all the buttons in that fight.  Because of the fact that you don't know if you are making a life or death decision, you feel the pressure with every button you press because it could totally change the game.  You just never know.

As I said earlier, the game truly had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.  I simply could not play the game while laying down.  The second I relaxed, a quick-time button sequence would pop up in the middle of an intense scene and I was forced to jolt myself into a position ideal for extreme focus.

Your satisfaction with the game's conclusion will result mostly from the decisions you've made throughout.  Some have noted that the last few chapters are a bit of a letdown and that there are several plot holes at the end.  I do agree with the the plot hole argument (although most of the major stuff is answered), but I absolutely loved the last few chapters.  Maybe it had to do with the particular characters I had living or dead, but I loved Heavy Rain's final chapters and my story's outcome.  Oh and for the record...I was completely and utterly floored when the Origami Killer's identity was finally revealed.

I highly recommend this game to any adult PS3 owner.  Heavy Rain is far from perfect, but it's just one of those games where you completely ignore the flaws.  I became so engrossed in the story that even the game's wonky control scheme felt second nature.  You'll be saying to yourself, "yes this game has flaws, but man it sure does get a lot of things right."  Unique, original games like Heavy Rain don't come around too often.  Buy it.  Now.

9/10