Uncharted is an interactive movie. That’s how I can most accurately describe it. The label interactive movies has been used often but I’ve seen nothing close to how Uncharted seamlessly integrates the elements of a game and movie into one. The gameplay, acting, cinematography, and direction is superb. It’s not perfect but it’s about the best there is.
Bioshock
I finally finished Bioshock today. It took some time because of two things. First, Michelle gave me Batman: Arkham Asylum for my birthday just as I was about to start. I’m a Batman fan. So it was no contest.
The other reason is that the game is so frustratingly difficult. And it has no checkpoint system common to newer games. There’s a resurrection mechanism called “vita-chambers” but it leaves you with less than what you started with. I had to resort to save-play-die-reload cycle so many times. In the more difficult sections, I was seeing the load screen more than actually playing. It didn’t help that the saved games take so long to load!
Just Cause 2 Demo Problem
So I just completed downloading the demo of Just Cause 2. I excitedly installed then started it. Directions said to press the Start button. I did and I got to another screen. Directions said to press O button. I did and… it didn’t work! I tried restarting the demo. Still didn’t work. I tried rebooting the PS3. Still didn’t work. I accidentally found the solution: Press O and X buttons at the same time. It worked! The same goes while inside the game, you need to press both together. What the heck?!? Definitely not a good sign for this title.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum is the the said to be the best superhero computer game so far. And I can see why. In the game, Batman must fight Joker and his henchmen who have taken over the Arkham Asylum. This is not an easy task since Batman is one of the few superheroes who don’t have superpowers. Instead, he relies on wits, stealth, his excellent martial art skills. And of course, it wouldn’t be complete without the utility belt and its plethora of gadgets. There’s the ever-present Batarang, grappling-hook gun, explosive gel gun, Bat-Claw, Ultra Bat-Claw (3 Bat-Claws), and Zip-line Thrower. Using all these in combination is required for your to succeed in the game.
Batman: Arkham Asylum Times Two
Michelle surprised me with a copy of Batman: Arkham Asylum aka Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth graphic novel for my birthday. That was awesome because aside from being an avid Batman fan (e.g. see this and this), I was also planning to buy and play the PS3 game of the same title. So reading the graphic novel would be a good start. I was about to open and read it when she sprung her second birthday surprise, Batman: Arkham Asylum the PS3 game! What more can you ask for? Thanks, babe! You sure know how to choose a birthday gift. I love you!