The Meat Quarter

Genesis of a Gaming Sequel.

2010-03-01T22:05:00.000-08:00

Sequels are a finicky thing. When something original is released, although decent, the merit of its originality is usually enough to overcome a minority of flaws. Now, what if it were greater than decent? You’d have lightning and thunder. Somebody’s brainchild is being realized (read: "purchased") by a storm of audiences, and in the end, they realize that every medium is finite no matter how vast. And when there’s money involved, somebody will always want more.

Enter the sequel.

The definition of a sequel, according to a nearby dictionary, is “a literary work, movie, etc., that is complete in itself but continues the narrative of a preceding work.” (Author's Note: Notice the glaring omission of our precious interactive media.)

In film, a medium we should all be very familiar with, a sequel is usually identified as the continuation of the first story, incorporating the effect of past events. If not, the tale revisits familiar characters and puts them through new, more or less dire situations. Film at its most basic is a visual tale. Therefore, we are able to correlate the connection between two films through visual cues, such as a familiar setting or the return of your favorite heroes. It’s all an authoritarian and guided experience that will never deviate, no matter how many times it is viewed.

The problem with film sequels (and prequels, sidequels, or midquels for that matter) is that the further the universe is expanded, the more worn and contrived the overarching storyline begins to seem. What was once an original and exciting new world is now the exact opposite, as a result of oversaturation.

Sometimes, some sequels should just never be made.

Gaming, however, is a much different beast.

Unlike film, gaming is not driven by narrative. Occasionally, a young auteur will attempt otherwise, but what individualizes a gaming title is the level and types of interaction it offers you. If something new is created, or if something resonates or is done well within its genre, gold will be struck. And demand of the same will be made.

As games are not generally driven by narrative, story remains to be executed and told at an infantile level. Most the time, there indeed is a narrative behind our games, but audiences are either too immature or too engrossed by their interactions to care. So in video gaming, how do we identify sequels other than an often misplaced “2” in the title (or subtitle) without story? By the continuation of a concept. It can be narrowed down into two generalizations: Refinements and reinventions.

Refinements are the most common type of gaming sequels found in the medium. In a refinement, defining gameplay concepts and ideas are carried over and polished. The ideas are always somehow furthered. Whether it’s much more streamlined or a tad bit more complicated, what made the game work in the first installment will almost always make a return. Being a better playing game isn’t always enough, though. Usually, the creators will add an extra level of playability, whether it’s as subtle as Mass Effect 2’s interrupt feature, or as extensive as Assassin Creed II’s monetary system. These extra elements add individuality to the title, “selling” its existence, while keeping the skeletal structure of the first.

A refinements thrive on an idea, no matter how flawed they were originally executed.

Reinventions are a much more less commonly made, but its definition may be a lot more broadly interpreted. Usually reinventions are thematically similar to previous titles, and they redefine what characterizes that series while staying within the genre. As vague of a definition as it may be, the fact of the matter is that not all sequels are refinements. Some titles simply look to innovate themselves, such as Super Mario Galaxy. Other titles seek to mesh or question genres such as Mass Effect 2’s streamlined RPG elements and hardcore shooting mechanics. In reinvention, genre and signature gameplay still count, but the category’s own unique magic remains in execution. It can be thought of as a reinterpretation or reimagining of a series’ charm, such as Metroid: Prime or Shadow of the Colossus.

Do you remember how shocking it was that Mario still felt like Mario?

Both categories can be easily faulted, however. An annual franchise such as Call of Duty or Guitar Hero can be easily criticized for being overdeveloped, shortening the gap of refinement in between titles. Once a brand is oversold, the existence of each entry becomes tougher to justify. Also, sometimes it’s foolish to mess with a good thing. Reinventions can quickly segue to alienation, such as the minimalistic nature of 2008’s Prince of Persia and the gritty, realistic reinterpretation of sandbox gaming in Grand Theft Auto IV. Without citing an opinion as to the actual quality of these titles, reinvention may sometimes be quick to shut off a portion of an audience’s interest once a key tried-and-true ingredient is tampered with.

Now. What is the point of outlining the genesis of a gaming sequel? A simple need for articulation. In an industry dominated by franchises, and money-seeking corporations that will try their darndest to earn a profit off a name, gamers as a whole need to realize what renders their medium unique. An interactive art is driven by the dream of interacting, not imitating a film. While we stand in line at midnight for a much-anticipated sequel, we must be able to clearly sum to ourselves what it is we’re actually expecting and realistically align our perspectives. There is not – and there will never be – anything wrong with wanting more of the same. For the sake of the evolution of our games, let’s hope we’re never too demanding to wish for a change of pace. Sequels are a finicky thing. Or they seem to be for everybody but gamers.

Review: Bioshock 2.

2010-02-11T17:39:00.001-08:00

What's the purpose of a video game? The obvious and most widely accepted answer here is to entertain. This is usually the primary objective for the majority of developers in the business, and what the people that buy them seek; to have fun, whether it's found in an age-old genre or an innovative new play style. Occasionally though, there's a release that plants an inkling of wonder in a player’s mind: Is that all they're for? Are they destined to reach artistic heights, and we are entitled to demand it? In reality not every person that picks up a controller ponders that while watering the grass, but it's a question that was further leveled in the public eye with the 2007 release of Bioshock.

A runaway cult hit, the game told a tale that was truly unlike any other seen in the medium. You assumed the role of Jack, a survivor of a plane crash that happened to stumble upon a fallen underwater utopia. With its foundation based on the philosophies of Objectivism, capitalism, and the banning of all censorship and religious morality, the city eventually went into siege and befell civil war. Bioshock allowed players to explore the lost city long after its great incident, and it showcased an environment that was captivating and strangely serene in its rusted beauty. The story presented itself to be just as engaging, telling a plot with a tightly wound back story, laced with mental conditioning, hypnosis, espionage and deception. It had twists and turns that arguably rival some of the best Hollywood thrillers, marking itself as a masterpiece in gaming. And guess what? It made money too.

Sequel, bitches!

The announcement of Bioshock 2 was not unlike your reaction when first hearing about S. Darko. The first game's story was complete in itself; the actions of the main character seemed to have sealed Rapture's fate one way or another. It seemed impossible for a follow-up to have the same impact as before, and it was difficult to imagine a new protagonist being as tied in to the mythology as Jack's saga was.

It's 2010 and a sequel has been released. Here's how it fared:

Bioshock 2 for the most part, is a success. The developers seemed to really care for the subject matter and have crafted an experience that definitely feels like you've returned to Rapture. As a sequel, the gameplay is extremely consistent with the first one, with polish that was absent from previous title. This time around, you are assuming the role of a Big Daddy, the iconic diving suit-wearing giant we've all grown accustomed to seeing. While this may sound gimmicky to some, 2K Marin fleshed out what may sound like a seemingly bland character into something unique. You play as 'Subject Delta', a Big Daddy with free will, hailing from the first generation of the subterranean protectors. The developers went great lengths to implement little nuances and details that sell the idea brilliantly; your shadows casts a much heftier form, landing falls and jumps make satisfying thuds, the corners of the screen are shadowed by the shape of the diver's helmet, etc. But apart from aesthetic consistency, there is a story behind the silent protagonist that explains the reason of his adventuring in Rapture.

Bioshock 2's setting remains in Rapture obviously, but its events occur roughly ten years after the original. In the midst of Rapture's social and cultural disarray, political activist (and former rival of Andrew Ryan) Sofia Lamb has risen to power. Forming a cult known as the Rapture Family, Sofia has enlisted the aid of Splicers and various other political figures to do her bidding, uniting them in a communist-like state that rebels against Rapture's founding philosophies. The plot thickens when Subject Delta wakes up from a ten year nap, and comes to the realization that his Little Sister (who is grown up now) is missing. It doesn't help that she's Sofia's daughter. It also doesn't help that former Little Sisters are back under the sea, wreaking havoc as the dangerously fast Big Sisters. Here we go again.

Avoiding story specifics for the sake of the review being spoiler-free, it's already fairly well known that 2K Marin had the mammoth task of somehow crafting a story as engaging as the first Bioshock. Expectedly, it's one of the few aspects the deteriorated in their transition to the sequel. For the former half of the campaign, your actions and the reasoning for certain objectives remain unclear as to why they're being performed. Once again, shifty sounding characters ask for favors over your walkie-talkie, and the only reason you're helping them is because the game requires you to do so. If you're a fan of the first game, it begins to feel too familiar for a bit too long, before the formula is delightfully shattered halfway through. The existence of the game feels unnecessary for a large portion of your adventure until revelations begin to unveil five or six hours in. Despite this, the game is without a doubt worth experiencing if you're a fan of the lore.

What's most alienating about the plot is how forced the character of Sofia Lamb feels. Audio logs depict her as being a prominent character to Rapture's public, having her rival Ryan's power in what seemed to be a very demanding spat on both their parts. For being such an important figure in the fall of Rapture, her name and likeness is never presented in the previous Bioshock title, leaving behind an ugly taste of retroactive continuity. The story seems to be tailored to excuse the revisiting of Rapture. While it doesn't become at all engaging until the final act, the game does appear to be much better focused in telling its tale. Forgoing any explanation of the origins of Rapture, plasmids, Jack or Andrew, the story is much easier to comprehend although those new to the universe will indeed be lost.

But how does it play? The campaign is admittedly much more action oriented, with the majority of plasmids and weapons arriving early in your adventure. The guns seem weighty and organic with Subject Delta wielding them, whether they’re fused to his suit or not. Plasmids are back of course, and the ability to utilize them while unloading your firearm is now available. The game encourages experimentation, with nearly all the plasmids being available in the opening hours. Hacking also makes a return, and this time, it doesn’t require an entire menu to complete it. Whether it’s a turret, security bot or vending machine, hacking is an integral portion of the game that can reward you with health, store discounts or even a new way to fight enemies. The overall combat does feel familiar, but it’s touches such as dual-wielding and real-time hacking that propels it to new heights.

Morality choices is another familiar thing as well; and luckily it isn’t as contrived and simplistic as sparing or harvesting a Little Sister. While that same choice is once again found here, the story introduces moments that venture further than the pressing of one button or another. Optional objectives present themselves to you, allowing you to choose the focus of Subject Delta’s legacy. The repercussions of your choices are acknowledged through character dialogue and obviously up to the final cut scene. It’s a huge improvement over the ‘cut and paste’ ending found in the first game depending on your interaction with the Little Sisters.

Interaction with the Little Sisters has been deepened to a gratuitous extent. Since you assume the role of a Big Daddy, you may slaughter a fellow Daddy and gain the affection of his accomplice. Here, you have the choice to harvest her for any Adam (the currency required to purchase plasmids and their upgrades) she may be carrying, or you may adopt her and carry her on your shoulder until you find a Splicer corpse filled with enough Adam for her extract. These extraction sequences involve her plunging a syringe into the corpse for several minutes, with you there to protect the vulnerable child. These sequences are basically stationary escort missions, and there are as many as twenty five of these in the game. They indeed do become tiring to perform but the copious amount of Adam received for completing them is well worth it (even though it’s an artificial way of extending your playtime).

Rapture is Rapture. The environments you storm through in this game resemble the same environments you did from the first. Although they’re different areas and districts of Rapture, the awe and realization of exploring a dilapidated underwater utopia is largely gone. The setting is identical to the first, with the exception of brief, linear underwater treks you embark on every other hour. This is both a disappointment and positive aspect. It’s positive because what makes Bioshock such a compelling series is its environment alone. And disappointing because the general vibe this game evokes is that there were no risks taken in the conceptualization of the sequel. Bioshock 2 is largely the same experience, with more guns, better controls, a much more cohesively told story.

Liberties taken with the universe such as brief and intense confrontations with Big Sisters, the tragic origins of the Big Daddies, and the Aldous Huxley inspired ramblings of Dr. Lamb are much easier to appreciate considering that they’re one of the few unique characteristics that personalize Bioshock 2 into its own experience. The fact that the game is mostly the same is understandable when the prequel is largely considered a masterpiece among circles. Despite this, it still would have been interesting and bold to see a much more personal story told, without the writers attempting to interpret the first game’s events and causes to their own benefit. Despite these frustrations, I recommend this game to fans of the first. Rapture has been recreated and it’s as beautiful and tragic as ever. Big Daddies haunt the hallways of Rapture, moaning in a serene and hypnotic nature that will forever remain unique. In between the modern warfares, plastic instrument rhythm games, and co-op shooters, there truly is no other experience identical to the Bioshock name. And if that is something that intrigues you, I wholeheartedly encourage you to play this.

- Jules.

(Two fucking sittings. No, it's not short. It's really fun and I like making bloody messes with my drill.)

Sony Press Conference Gets Live Blogged.

2009-06-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Sony E3 2009 Press Conference

The SONY E3 Prediction List (UPDATE)

2009-06-01T23:29:00.000-07:00

Well, E3 is happening now, and Jules and I are throwing our two cents into the giant wishing well that is E3 Predictions. He tried his hand at Microsoft and I'm going to bite the bullet and cover the Sony shebang. It won't be long (tomorrow, actually) before we find out if we were right. Feel free to write in the comments section if you want to toss in your two cents as well. (ED's NOTE: Internet Conversion Ratios dictate that our two cents are worth more than yours. Please, keep that in mind.)

First a little background on the way SONY works. Imagine for me everything you want them to do or just plain announce. Now, imagine getting halfway there and being let down. That's how Sony handles it, and that's how I'm going to handle these predictions. And away we go.

UPDATE: You'll see lines like this after every prediction, where I tell you if I think I was right or not. (pro-tip: I'm always right.)

1. Playstation 3 becomes PS3 this year, just like the PSONE and the Slim PS2 before it (just not at this E3):

Have you seen those pics? It's happening. There's just no denying it. The question is, will it happen this week? I would say definitely not. I've been around for a number of system upgrades and new SKUs, and if there is one thing I've learned, it's this: those new SKUs that they simply cannot roll out softly don't get announced until the wells are dry at the retail level. If SONY were to announce a shiny new system, no one would buy the ones still in the stores, losing the company money, and completely defeating the purpose of rebranding the system. And let me assure you, the PS3 needs a rebranding. I guarantee we will get an official announcement this year... but not this week.

UPDATE: Indeterminate/Confirmed This one's hard to confirm since it predicts an announcement outside of the expo proper. However, in that I predicted SONY would be mum on the subject even though all signs point to a legitimate rumor, I'll call this one confirmed... for now.

2. No price cut on the original PlayStation 3

Now this is really where the SONY-never-does-precisely-what-you-want theory comes into mad effect. Every analyst in the history of ever thinks SONY should cut the price of their PS3. So that's exactly what they're not going to do. Oh, they'll announce something similar, sure enough, just like they always have. SONY doesn't do price cuts. They bundle more stuff in, give it a bigger hard drive, and keep the damn price exactly the same. Plus, with a newer system with cheaper parts, I'm sure they'd like to turn a profit for once, or something close to it. I'd love them to prove me wrong. Please.

UPDATE: Confirmed. Oh, look at that. No price cut, even though every financial expert said there would be one. Big fucking surprise.

3. Sony's new PSP is revealed.

This is all but confirmed by SONY as already happening. Also, much like with the PS3, a price point at the same $169.99 as the previous model would fit with SONY's MO. I believe they would actually announce it officially this week because QORE pretty much already did. A video prepped for release E3 week got bumped out a little too early and preempted any exciting announcement at the conference. Also, there really aren't many actual units left in stores at the moment, and at the very least, the ones that are left will move faster than any PS3 would, so there's no danger of announcing themselves out of sales.

UPDATE: Confirmed. Kinda shooting fish in a barrel here, but the question wasn't if it was coming but rather if it would be announced. Since QORE kinda already spilled the beans on this one, I won't brag too much.

4. Actual reason to visit HOME

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Wouldn't that be something?!

UPDATE: Indeterminate. Pretty much the only way this sarcastic bullet-point wasn't going to be labeled indeterminate is if they had a huge game-changing announcement or didn't talk about it at all, and there was no way either one of those were going to happen. So, really, I consider this confirmed.

5. Firmware update for both PS3 and PSP

Usually, when SONY updates it's firmwares, it's piddly little shit that no one really has any aspirations to use. "Oh, I can text chat with eight (8) people at the same time?! No way! I'm never going to use that!" It's about time for a larger, more important update (maybe fucking group-voice-chat?!) and what better time to impress the masses than when you have their attention, whether they want to be paying it or not.

UPDATE: Busted. Maybe, if you consider the PSP update they were talking about. Otherwise, totally wrong on this one. Wait.... if I'm always right... and I got this one wrong... Ow, my head...

6. Death of PS2 (no actual announcement)

Here's a quick release list of upcoming PS2 games: Secret Agent Clank, Ghostbusters, Harry Potter, Ice Age, Transformers, Tiger Woods, Bigs 2, NCAA, Madden, Beatles: Rock Band, Jak & Daxter... aaaaaaaaand, that's about it. Just ported PSP games, dumbed-down current gen ports, and sports titles. You won't hear anything about the death of the PS2 coming from SONY, but then again, you won't be hearing much about the PS2 coming from SONY anyway. Consider this the last you hear about the system in the future tense.

UPDATE: Indeterminate. I would give myself a confirmed on this this one except for two reasons. 1) It's kinda impossible to really say that we know today that a system will be dead by next year, mainly because 2) I wasn't clear on what I meant by dead. Just because you sold a crap-ton of systems, doesn't mean it's lively. It's the cheapest system (console or handheld) still sold new at retail, so of course you're still going to see sales, however, no one is making new dedicated games for it. What would you consider to more accurately signal death: it's unit sales or it's relevance? I could argue both ways, though I was referring in this instance to the latter. Since, however, I was unclear, I'll leave this one in the middle.

7. I swear! Gran Turismo is coming out! For both PSP and PS3! Trust us!

No, really. For certain, they're going to mention it. For certain, if it (by chance) does happen to come out this year, no one will care. Games like Forza have long ago made the wonder of GT obsolete. Oooooh, GT5 looks way better than any game made when it was first announced in 2006! Last year, they couldn't even pinpoint if it was going to make the end of this year. Usually, over a year out, that means it won't. As for the PSP version: it may have been silent for a long time, but it's more likely that a smaller, less expensive version will be able to rush to market by the holidays. And it is way more likely to help the PSP in SONY's big handheld push this year, than Gran Turismo is to help the PS3 in any way, especially with God of War III coming before the next E3.

UPDATE: Confirmed. Both were mentioned, both were... well, whatever. It should also be noted that Microsoft did announce a new Forza as well.

8. Oh, yeah, don't forget about God of War III, etc...

Gameplay, this time.
Oh, and possibly ICO 3 and definitely Twisted Metal are going to hit the PS3 booth if not the press conference. Count this all as one prediction.

UPDATE: Confirmed, confirmed, busted.

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Have you gotten an indication of how I think SONY works? Well, we'll find out if I'm wrong tomorrow. And if 1-5, 7 & 8 don't even happen in some capacity... I'm extra right. Can't you see?! I can't lose!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Anyway, thanks. And check back tomorrow to see if I was right at all.

UPDATE: So, I was right for the most part, even taking into account the nebulous predictions (still, I'm right on those, too). However, I did learn today that I can be wrong sometimes. However, if you read back a little bit, you can see that in those cases where my predictions are incorrect, this also makes my whole-hog assessment of SONY still accurate. I may have been wrong once or twice, but I still didn't lose! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Still. It was an amazing show for SONY, and it's been a while since I've been able to say that without sarcasm. GG.

The Pre-E3 Microsoft Prediction/Wishlist Word. (Updated.)

2009-05-28T20:39:00.001-07:00

A mere four days lie in between gamers and what may be the biggest mind-fuck of an annual media frenzy. Not really. But it is to us.

It's no secret that I'm partial to Microsoft's console, though by no means do I step over the line of fanboy. That being said, it is understanding that I report to you my predictions of what may come of Microsoft's press conference on June 1st, not unlike some crazed sports lunatic holding a fantasy draft in the dreary confines of his garage.

Update: I suppose it's time to see if I was right, no?

I pledge to remain realistic and fair, friends:

1. (First, but by no means the most important.)
Halo: ODST.

Not since the February Game Informer have we heard anything new on this expansion pack, and I'll be damned if Microsoft doesn't choose to milk the hell out of this franchise even further on June 1st by releasing some sort of information.

A playable demo seems too pie-in-the-sky for the time being, but I have a feeling we'll definitely see something a tad longer than a snippet of gameplay during the conference.

A demonstration of the much spoken of, but never explained stealth system perhaps?

You better, Microsoft.

It's too early for Gears 3, and more Fable DLC won't fill the void of exclusive exclusivity, so if anything is golden, it's this.

Update: Yes, yes and yes. I was right. A demo was played during Microsoft's keynote showcasing flashback sequences, and the open world aspect of the campaign. This is starting to look like it's own game Probably explains why we'll be shelling out sixty smackers this fall.

2. (I'm ready to have my heart broken, okay?)

No Metal Gear Solid 4.

If this isn't it, which it probably isn't due to leaks, whispers and a gut feeling, than I have a feeling that it won't ever come.

It's the ripest of times for an announcement, and while something else Metal Gear Solid will be announced, it definitely won't be the further proving of the fact that nothing nowadays is truly exclusive.

So congrats Kojima. You're a moron.

Update: Yeah. I was right. BUT. We did get a Metal Gear Solid of sorts.

3. (Demographics widen, another attempt into the hearts of the casual.)
Microsoft's Motion... Thing.

Whether it's a souped up eye-toy or a wand of sorts, it most definitely will be revealed next week. This probably is Microsoft's worst kept secret concerning E3 announcements, and it's about time we wade through the bullshit and discover the truth ourselves.

I personally think that a motion wand may be too much of a rip-off of Nintendo's Wiimote, so I'm presuming it's just a sequel to the Xbox Live Vision Camera..

And when it is, I cannot wait to savor the face_palms.

Update: I was right-o. Project Natal is here, and it's blowing minds. Check it. And I'm double right-o for guessing exactly what kind of peripheral it would be. Oh lord, I'm awesome.

4. (This plays fairly well. I'll take two.)
Demos. Demos. Demos.. Some Gameplay.

Whether we actually do play them or not is up in the air.

Mass Effect 2 will probably unveil an unholy amount of itself to us (it's pretty much confirmed.)

Red Dead Redemption will make itself much more public. (We'll see what the previewers speak of with our own eyes.)

And DJ Hero will try it's damnest to make a splash.

(Oh. And Modern Warfare 2 will most likely make otakus and fratboys alike shit their pants.)

Update: For the most part, I was correct. This prediction was more of a generalization than anything, so it was a pretty safe bet. As for the specifics, Mass Effect 2 was present, along with DJ Hero. Rockstar, unfortunately was absent from E3, making Red Dead Redemption a no-show as well.

Oh, and Modern Warfare 2 was there, and we all definitely shat our pants in excitement. Arguably the most anticipated game at E3.

5. (The fusing of hipsters.)

Zune HD gets priced, dated.

Game related? No.

But the Zune itself might just be. There's a gut feeling that the Zune HD may sport some sort of Xbox LIVE applications, if not now, in the future.

But whether there is or not, why not show off a brand spanking new piece of hardware while you have the publics eye?

Update: I was wrong. The only Zune related news at E3 was the introduction of Zune Video coming to live, enabling the option to view high definition movies and television shows from the marketplace. But as for the Zune HD itself, it'll go public another day.

Makes sense to me.

6. (The first tentpole.)

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony

Me being a Grand Theft Auto enthusiast, am thrilled by the announcement that was made earlier this week.

It's exclusive for the 360, is a mini-sequel to one of the most critically acclaimed/best selling games of all time, and after the bang for our buck that we got with Lost & Damned, this sure as hell will be one of Microsoft's tentpoles for the day.

I'm expecting a trailer, at the very most.

What can I say? I'm a realist.

Update: Wrong again. As previously mentioned, Rockstar was absent from E3. Disappointment, indeed.

7. (The second tentpole.)

Gears of War 2: All Fronts

It's no secret. In fact it's been announced, described and dated.

But as for "Road to Ruin", the new single player chapter?

Mum's the word, if that's the correct saying..

This being Microsoft's baby, I'm sure that a milking will take place, in the forms of a trailer or any sort of gameplay footage.

I dunno about you, but seven new maps and an expansion of a single player experience for an exclusive title is a pretty darn big deal.

Update: Surprising, wrong again. Microsoft had enough on their plate to not have to focus on this exclusive franchise, which is actually a positive thing. Who know when further news will come forth.

The Simplest Story.

2009-05-07T12:58:00.000-07:00

Due to circumstances beyond my own control, life has entered an altercation with myself.

I punched life in the face.

Excuse the hiatus, few readers we do have, but the Meat Quarter is back, in a slaughtering sort of fashion.

As for our first post in a month, I'd like to share with you a small Flash game created by a Damiel Benmergui, who just may be a deconstuctive genius.

The object of the game is all in context; there is a brief sentence written ontop of the screen at all times, with a highlighted word or two in that same sentence. Around the screen there are highlighted words of the same color, and through the wonders of the drag and drop, a switcheroo is possible.

This affects the scenery below the sentence, changing the entire mood and color scheme of the level.

It complicates itself quite a bit, to it's benefit, so I encourage you spend several minutes with Today I Die.

Thanks, Kotaku.

Review: idSoftware's Wolf3D

2009-04-06T15:11:00.000-07:00

Well, this is The Meat Quarter's first review. Aaaaaaaaand... It's for an iPhone game -- a re-release, at that. Start small I suppose.

Jules and I are of the mind that game enjoyment is a personal and subjective experience. We'll talk more about this, like I promised, on our first podcast. As such, we don't feel games can really be qualified with a score. Our review structure may change, but our philosophy will not... unless we're douchebags -- which we very well may be. So expect us to tell you as varied details as possible. Figure out for yourself what kind of gamer you are, and our reviews will help you out a lot more. Expect a Review FAQ as soon as we can get it up.

idSoftware's Wolf3D (iPhone)

Guide ally spy William "B.J." Bazkowicz out of the Nazi castle, taking out a dictator on your way through the door. Then... go another three chapters...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My gaming heritage is decidedly split during the late eighties and early nineties between console (NES) and PC. One of my favorite games on PC was Wolfenstein 3D,realeased in '91 and most famous for popularizing the first-person shooter (before id's own Doom). No stairs, no crosshairs, no vertical aiming. Classic. No matter what I ended up moving on to, I always found my way back to Wolf3D.

This newest iteration was the free-time baby of popular game designer and rocket psuedo-scientist, John Carmack. So enamored with it was he that he first launched it for free to iPhone users with Cydia. Since then, and it's subsequent release some days later on the app store, I fear it has been forgotten, as so many shining gold needles do in such an overcultivated haystack.

This iteration is almost identical to the original, so what makes this one special?
++The GOOD++

Pick-Up-and-Playability
Clearly the most compelling feature for a premium gamer like myself is Wolf3D (W3D)'s autosave feature. How does it work? Don't worry about it. Every time the game closes (you get a call, receive a text, or just click the home button), it autosaves, remembering EVERYTHING - not that there's really that much to remember. Opening the game again is like you never left at all. This makes it really easy to get a quick few minutes while you're on the can or on a break at work. So, with 60 levels total and this amazing convenience, you're bound to get your money's worth.

Simple Controls
The biggest problem iPhone games encounter is their controls. Like with the Wii or the DS, too often developers are overly concerned with how to translate the controls to the new mechanics and not concerned enough with whether or not they should just start from scratch with a new control design. Fortunately, even with a control scheme as as seemingly simple as the original W3D, John Carmack (lead programmer on the original game) realized this and tried not to over-complicate things. I won't go into detail with the controls, but there are several options and one is bound to fit your play-style. He also gets rid of pointless controls like weapon select (they all fire the same ammo and the bigger guns sport no deficiencies) and interact controls (just walk up to the damn thing). There are virtually zero motion controls besides turning or strafing and they are off by default.

Nostalgia
Come on, really? It's fucking Wolfenstein 3D. If you've already played it, you know you'll love it packaged like this. If you haven't, $5 is not a terrible entry fee to carry it around on your person at all times.

Who Do You Have to Kill to Get a Map in This Castle?!
Apparently, no one. They just give it to you. Anyone who's played the maze level in episode 2 knows how pointlessly frustrating it is to be without one, and portable Wolf cannot be bogged down by aimless wandering.

--The BAD--

Oh, This Was the BOSS Level?
The game may have an autosave feature, but other than acting as a quicksave like in portable RPGs, where it only saves when you quit, it is pointless as a checkpoint system. If you die, you start the floor over again with none of the weapons or what have you; it doesn't put you back how you started the level. This can be really frustrating when you open the first door you see on the new level and and a giant syringe-throwing, maniac doctor flicks one right into your skull. You're first thought is, "Man, I won't do that next time! I'll unload my chaingun with 99 bullets as soon as I open the door!" Well, too bad. You only get a pistol and a dozen or so shots this next time. The bad news is that you probably won't beat the boss this time around unless you load a previous level and find all that stuff again. The good news is that you can just jump to the next chapter if you get too frustrated.

==The... WORTH MENTIONING...==

I'm a Wascally Wabbit
It should be noted that I got my hands on the free code hosted by ZoTTD on Cydia's installation platform for jailbroken iPhones (officially endorsed by the porter, [id co-founder and Technical Director] John Carmack). If you don't know what I'm saying here, move along, there's nothing to see. $5 is a great price and there are worse apps to get.

The Rub:

This is a great game to pick up for any old school FPS fans or new school fans looking to brush up on their ancient history. This isn't for the Perfectionist or Wholesale gamer, as, once you've beaten the game, there isn't much to perfect (beyond difficult "par times" that you can try your hand on besting) or any extra content to make it worth your extra time (i.e. no multiplayer). The convenient pick-up-and-play nature of the app and the likelihood of the console being on your person at those convenient times make this the PERFECT game for the Tourists out there that seemed intrigued by my above comments. Oh, and you Completionists will love the (very) limited stat-tracking at the end of every level. Did you find every secret? Collect every treasure? Kill every guard? Well, you would know if you did, since the game tells you the moment you've done it.

idSoftware's Wolf 3D was released March 2009 for the iPhone and iPod Touch (link will open iTunes) and can be found on Cydia ($0)or the Apple App Store ($5). The original PC version can be officially found here for everyone ($15).

The Brief Spark Between Droughts.

2009-04-05T10:52:00.001-07:00

In the driest of dry seasons, us gamers seem to be deprived of what seems to be called a "AAA" title, and are forced to replay older games such as Mass Effect, or finish what we told our friends we did some months ago.

And then, in a brief spark between droughts, titles like Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, Godfather II and Rhythm Heaven are released.

I find myself at a crossroads, with nothing but petty change in my pockets, unable to find myself loyal to any genre that the three convey.

I'll just pick up a used copy of Guitar Hero: Metallica or something. [tool/10.]

Born-Again DS lover.

2009-04-02T21:53:00.001-07:00

I sold some weed I picked up in Schottler today to a couple to college kids in lower Algonquin.

A couple of college kids, my usual tipster told me. Just looking for a good time during their visit to Liberty City.

I made a low, world-weary chuckle and hightailed it in my Banshee to the west-most borough with no regards as to social order, or traffic laws.

To my demise, a security camera happened to have filmed the entire unethical transaction, and before I could say "Compact Blista", the po-po were on my ass like fat on gravy. The uniformed denizens were already halfway to my newly stolen getaway vehicle while I was in the process of undoing the second screw of the car's dashboard, and I was tense.

A chase was about to go down.

But it was 6:27 and my break was over.

Born-again, I tell you.

Born again.

Look out for the Meat Quarter's first Meat-Cast coming soon.

moving in...

2009-04-02T00:33:00.000-07:00

Just filled in my profile here at the MQ HQ, and you can check it out by clicking on my name over to the right there in the "contributors" section. Within, you will find all the necessary information you will require in order to pass judgement on me, including my gamer self-classification. I promised in my first post that Jules and I would discuss gamer types in the future and you may expect that from our first podcast coming forthwith... Hopefully.

No matter. Update over with. Move along. You may pass your judgement at will.

A Warm, Formal, and Quasi-Official Welcome.

2009-03-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

.... And welcome to the Meat Quarter, folks!

There is no better way to understand the function of this joint than by reading Jason's mini-rant on Sony's recent price cut, or by reading the banner of this page.

So I'll keep things simple, nongrandiose-like and tell you exactly what you can expect from this place:

Brief thought trains that are probably going to be meaningless when we reach the next minute,
hopes and predictions that will probably not actually occur as often as we wish, reviews that will range from half-assed to Nobel-prize deserving pieces of constructed criticism and praise, taunt diaries of progression as we work through a recent title that manages to grip us, the occasional personal note regarding our forgotten lives, lists that please us for the sake of making lists, and talking about video games out of the love of talking about video games.

I enjoy looking at NPD data. I turn over the game case to get a look at the development studio behind the work of art they painstakingly created. Physic engines interest me like no other, and I always make sure to sit through every cut scene of every game.

As I daydream, I wonder: "When the hell is Alan Wake coming? Or Duke Nukem? Is Gamestop the devil..?"

Who would know? Who would listen? Who would wonder?

At least I can fucking talk about it.

-Jules.

Sony's "big" announcement...

2009-03-31T15:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Meat Quarter, people. I'll leave it up to Jules to issue the official welcome. Instead, I just wanted to rant a little bit.

Today, Sony went through with the big announcement they've been hyping through gaming sites like Kotaku. The rumor was that the PS3 would be getting a much needed price drop that would position the unit for sales to the hold-outs. The rumor carried weight since April 1st is the start of their new fiscal year and their previous price drop denials only extended as far as the end of fiscal '08, as well as various retailers taking turns giving out free gift cards with the purchase of the system.

But!

Sony had recently declared that their announcement had nothing to do with the PS3's price. So what, then?

Well, we've known about the PS2's price drop to $99 for months now (September, I think), and who cares about that, anyway? So, of course, it couldn't be that.

And, of course, it was.

Sony, I have a question for you: why the fuck would the denizens of gaming websites, arguably the hardcore (expect a discussion about that word on this site soon), give a rat's ass about how much the PS*2* costs? And even leaving that to the side, why is that even a big secret announcement, especially since you've been talking about it yourselves for months?

I understand why the Triple isn't getting a price cut. You feel the loss you are already taking on the system would be too greatly increased so as to not be compensated by the increase in your user base. I get it. But what happens if you do nothing? You have an amazing system on your hands that is barely treading water. Being third place in the market is meaningless, but third by such a wide margin is an unarguable shame. And what are you getting all excited about? Your nine-year-old system going from cheap to a little cheaper.

Please, Sony, for the sake of the amazing things you have on offer, pull your heads out of your asses.