CLICK THIS LINK to go to IGN.com and see the new upcoming innovative game from 5th Cell (the company where, to my knowledge, Our Lady of Lourdes graduate Steve Chiavelli works).
It's called "Scribblenauts," and where 5th Cell's previous title "Drawn to Life" invites players to drawn their own characters and vehicles, this game supposedly will let us write down any tool we can think of to solve a problem, and the tool will come to our player.
In the trailer, the examples shown range from using a ladder to get a star out of a tree to using a Beaver to cut the tree down to using a donut to lure a cop to get the star down for you.
How cool does this sound (in theory)? The game is set for a Fall 2009 release.
I e-mailed Chiavelli tonight and I'm hoping that he A) Is working on this game and B) can give us an inside interview. We'll see!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Buy Pile Report: Secret Invasion
Again, I apologize for the tardiness, but I did want to make sure to get on here and weigh in on Secret Invasion #8.
Coming into this event, I was burnt toast when it came to Marvel's events. "House of M" was a miserable failure that took entirely too long. "Civil War" felt rushed, overly theatrical and miniscule in scope. And could "World War Hulk" be anymore anti-climactic? All the while, Marvel has pumped tie-in issue after tie-in issue onto the market.
And my biggest problem with all of these tie-ins was that while the stories took 10 minutes to read, all told, none of them had a true ending, opting instead of roll the end of the story into the upcoming Marvel books — which I would be OK with, if Marvel then took some time to explore the world those consequences had created.
After "Civil War," Marvel only took a year or so (which is about two weeks in comic time nowadays) to explore this Registered World. After "World War Hulk," just about nothing was changed.
Which brings us to "Secret Invasion," a tie-in which I simply could not resist, despite how burned-out I was, just because the potential of this Skrull inserection was endless.
Eight issues and countless tie-ins later, I am more then underwhelmed. Brian Bendis successfully established a tone of mistrust (I refuse to use the tagline Marvel shoved down our throats) and, in the first couple of issues and tie-ins, established a tone of hopelessness.
But then Marvel refused to live in that world. Suddenly Reed Richards showed up, fresh off of his torture, with a magic gun to show who is a skrull and who is a human. What luck! Suddenly Tony Stark, fresh off being drugged and sick as a dog, had a backup suit and he was magically cured of his ills.
It all just wrapped up way too easily. And instead of being wrapped up in a blaze of glory, all of this issue was a setup for Marvel's next big thing "Dark Reign." The whole issue was narrated past-tense in order to set up the "Dark Reign" reveal.
Is it too much to ask for a contained story that actually fulfills its promise?
All this series was was a good setup and one good battle, followed by a promotion to spend more money. Say what you will about DC's events, but at least they FEEL over, even if plotlines carry over from one event to the next. Marvel just refuses to pay anything off, even when it has a GREAT idea.
No, check that, Brian Bendis refuses to pay anything off. No wonder the only thing he writes that I can stomach is "Ultimate Spider-man." The man has milked more money out of comic book readers and has given less in return than any writer in history.
Coming into this event, I was burnt toast when it came to Marvel's events. "House of M" was a miserable failure that took entirely too long. "Civil War" felt rushed, overly theatrical and miniscule in scope. And could "World War Hulk" be anymore anti-climactic? All the while, Marvel has pumped tie-in issue after tie-in issue onto the market.
And my biggest problem with all of these tie-ins was that while the stories took 10 minutes to read, all told, none of them had a true ending, opting instead of roll the end of the story into the upcoming Marvel books — which I would be OK with, if Marvel then took some time to explore the world those consequences had created.
After "Civil War," Marvel only took a year or so (which is about two weeks in comic time nowadays) to explore this Registered World. After "World War Hulk," just about nothing was changed.
Which brings us to "Secret Invasion," a tie-in which I simply could not resist, despite how burned-out I was, just because the potential of this Skrull inserection was endless.
Eight issues and countless tie-ins later, I am more then underwhelmed. Brian Bendis successfully established a tone of mistrust (I refuse to use the tagline Marvel shoved down our throats) and, in the first couple of issues and tie-ins, established a tone of hopelessness.
But then Marvel refused to live in that world. Suddenly Reed Richards showed up, fresh off of his torture, with a magic gun to show who is a skrull and who is a human. What luck! Suddenly Tony Stark, fresh off being drugged and sick as a dog, had a backup suit and he was magically cured of his ills.
It all just wrapped up way too easily. And instead of being wrapped up in a blaze of glory, all of this issue was a setup for Marvel's next big thing "Dark Reign." The whole issue was narrated past-tense in order to set up the "Dark Reign" reveal.
Is it too much to ask for a contained story that actually fulfills its promise?
All this series was was a good setup and one good battle, followed by a promotion to spend more money. Say what you will about DC's events, but at least they FEEL over, even if plotlines carry over from one event to the next. Marvel just refuses to pay anything off, even when it has a GREAT idea.
No, check that, Brian Bendis refuses to pay anything off. No wonder the only thing he writes that I can stomach is "Ultimate Spider-man." The man has milked more money out of comic book readers and has given less in return than any writer in history.
Heroes Report (finally): The Eclipse Part 2
I haven't had very much time this week (as the tardiness of this post shows), but what I really wanted to do for this post is go into Microsoft Paint and put together a little image of Hiro on a motorcycle jumping over a shark tank.
You get what I mean.
As if this third season has not been shaky enough, I believe television historians (yes, they exist) will look back on this past Monday's episode of "Heroes" as the classic "Jump the Shark" moment.
Honestly, folks, Seth Green and Brecken Meyer as comic book geeks guiding Hiro on his way? Is this honestly what we've come to? Two comic book shop workers reading "9th Wonders" to tell the audience that powers will return at the end of the eclipse? Really?
I mean, it's bad enough that these plot-device issues of "9th Wonders" should not exist, and it's even worse that somehow This Issue is suddenly the new last issue of the series and there's this ridiculous storyline of finding this bike messenger, that's bad enough, but did these writers honestly felt the need to pander to the fanboys out there with this comic book shop meta-moment instead of moving the plot along in a meaningful manner?
Look down, Hiro, there's a shark below!
And on the topic of bad writing, for the sake of argument, let's go along with the idea that eclipses cause powers, and let's go along with the idea eclipses can likewise take away powers, and let's even go along with the idea that an eclipse can happen simultaneously everywhere on the planet... you're trying to tell me in all these years of people having powers, they've never noticed they are powerless during eclipses? What about Adam Monroe? The guy shriveled to dust as soon as Daddy Petrelli took his powers... shouldn't Monroe have turned to dust at the first eclipse after he turned the age of, oh, 200 or so?
If you shut your brain off this week, there were certainly some fun moments. Unfortunately, upon ANY examination, these moments don't hold up.
1) Bennett had a kill shot on Sylar at the end of last episode, and instead he apparently watched Sylar and Elle do the deed before taking his shot? And when Bennett finally did kill Sylar, he didn't cut out the back of his head (the only truly vulnerable part on a healer)?
2) The whole Sylar killing his girlfriend Elle bit was cool and all, but she had YET ANOTHER change of personality right before that, trying to tell him he could be a good guy again. Wasn't she just encouraging him to be bad?
3) Sure, the idea of Claire having no immune system is cool, but since she supposedly got her powers from the eclipse, shouldn't she have built up like 17 years of an immune system before the eclipse?
4) Peter takes a gun and looks like a pro... with what experience, exactly? Isn't he a nurse?
5) Nathan watches a man with powers turn a country into slaves... he then decides the only answer to the world's problems is giving more people powers. I like the whole idea of him being used by people left and right, but he's not THAT STUPID.
And now this coming Monday's episode is being touted as the major climax. Of What? If anybody would like to give me an answer, be my guest, because right now I feel like there has been absolutely no cohesive build up to anything worth paying off in this supposed big important episode.
I may be done with this show very very soon, and I don't think I'm the only one, if my Shark friend has anything to say about it.
You get what I mean.
As if this third season has not been shaky enough, I believe television historians (yes, they exist) will look back on this past Monday's episode of "Heroes" as the classic "Jump the Shark" moment.
Honestly, folks, Seth Green and Brecken Meyer as comic book geeks guiding Hiro on his way? Is this honestly what we've come to? Two comic book shop workers reading "9th Wonders" to tell the audience that powers will return at the end of the eclipse? Really?
I mean, it's bad enough that these plot-device issues of "9th Wonders" should not exist, and it's even worse that somehow This Issue is suddenly the new last issue of the series and there's this ridiculous storyline of finding this bike messenger, that's bad enough, but did these writers honestly felt the need to pander to the fanboys out there with this comic book shop meta-moment instead of moving the plot along in a meaningful manner?
Look down, Hiro, there's a shark below!
And on the topic of bad writing, for the sake of argument, let's go along with the idea that eclipses cause powers, and let's go along with the idea eclipses can likewise take away powers, and let's even go along with the idea that an eclipse can happen simultaneously everywhere on the planet... you're trying to tell me in all these years of people having powers, they've never noticed they are powerless during eclipses? What about Adam Monroe? The guy shriveled to dust as soon as Daddy Petrelli took his powers... shouldn't Monroe have turned to dust at the first eclipse after he turned the age of, oh, 200 or so?
If you shut your brain off this week, there were certainly some fun moments. Unfortunately, upon ANY examination, these moments don't hold up.
1) Bennett had a kill shot on Sylar at the end of last episode, and instead he apparently watched Sylar and Elle do the deed before taking his shot? And when Bennett finally did kill Sylar, he didn't cut out the back of his head (the only truly vulnerable part on a healer)?
2) The whole Sylar killing his girlfriend Elle bit was cool and all, but she had YET ANOTHER change of personality right before that, trying to tell him he could be a good guy again. Wasn't she just encouraging him to be bad?
3) Sure, the idea of Claire having no immune system is cool, but since she supposedly got her powers from the eclipse, shouldn't she have built up like 17 years of an immune system before the eclipse?
4) Peter takes a gun and looks like a pro... with what experience, exactly? Isn't he a nurse?
5) Nathan watches a man with powers turn a country into slaves... he then decides the only answer to the world's problems is giving more people powers. I like the whole idea of him being used by people left and right, but he's not THAT STUPID.
And now this coming Monday's episode is being touted as the major climax. Of What? If anybody would like to give me an answer, be my guest, because right now I feel like there has been absolutely no cohesive build up to anything worth paying off in this supposed big important episode.
I may be done with this show very very soon, and I don't think I'm the only one, if my Shark friend has anything to say about it.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
This week's comic book release list
OK, it's been another monster week for me, so I apologize again for being tardy and uninformative. I promise, starting tomorrow (it's Wednesday night at 3 a.m. right now), I will get back on the ball with not only the Buy Pile Report, but also the tardy Heroes Report (come on, with as horrible an episode as we got on Monday, could I not weigh in?).
For now, check on THIS LINK to the list of this week's comic book releases.
Here are the Highlights:
1) Batman #682: The Beginning of "Batman Last Rites" ... don't you need an explanation as much as I do?
2) Justice Society #21: The penultimate issue of the "Kingdom Come" sequel. Will the JSA worship GOG?!?
3) Secret Invasion #8: The big throwdown finishes, but who will survive? And, will the skrulls stay on Earth for the foreseeable future?
4) X-Infernus #1: My favorite crossover of all-time gets the sequel treatment 20 years later. I didn't need to read the horrible 14-page preview online a few days ago to know I am VERY uncertain about this one ... still can't turn away, though.
For now, check on THIS LINK to the list of this week's comic book releases.
Here are the Highlights:
1) Batman #682: The Beginning of "Batman Last Rites" ... don't you need an explanation as much as I do?
2) Justice Society #21: The penultimate issue of the "Kingdom Come" sequel. Will the JSA worship GOG?!?
3) Secret Invasion #8: The big throwdown finishes, but who will survive? And, will the skrulls stay on Earth for the foreseeable future?
4) X-Infernus #1: My favorite crossover of all-time gets the sequel treatment 20 years later. I didn't need to read the horrible 14-page preview online a few days ago to know I am VERY uncertain about this one ... still can't turn away, though.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Funeral for a Friend
CLICK THIS LINK for the full epic tale of one fan's Xbox 360 funeral service, one of the funnier bi-products of the Three Red Lights plague sweeping the world. Here's one of the pics, to give you a taste:
I think my favorite part of all of this are the captions. "Master Chief was strong and supportive the entire funeral, but when all systems said their final goodbyes and left, Master Chief couldn't keep his composure any longer."
I think my favorite part of all of this are the captions. "Master Chief was strong and supportive the entire funeral, but when all systems said their final goodbyes and left, Master Chief couldn't keep his composure any longer."
Sunday, November 30, 2008
NBA teams using 'NBA Live' for scouting
Get a load of THIS LINK!
It's an LA Times story that says NBA general managers and scouts are using "NBA Live 09" and the "Dynamic DNA" feature to accurately research a player's tendencies and a team's strategy.
The only thing more remarkable than the story itself is that NOBODY at the LA Times realizes "NBA Live 08" is NOT the latest edition of the series. In fact, "09" is the first game in the series to feature the story's topic, "Dynamic DNA." Silly Rabbits.
It's an LA Times story that says NBA general managers and scouts are using "NBA Live 09" and the "Dynamic DNA" feature to accurately research a player's tendencies and a team's strategy.
The only thing more remarkable than the story itself is that NOBODY at the LA Times realizes "NBA Live 08" is NOT the latest edition of the series. In fact, "09" is the first game in the series to feature the story's topic, "Dynamic DNA." Silly Rabbits.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Recent Gaming in the Journal
If you haven't been reading the Poughkeepsie Journal in the last couple of days, you've missed A LOT! We not only ran our normal Saturday Gaming page today, we also ran one yesterday special for Friday's paper.
Two Gaming pages in Two Days! KA-KOW!
If you head over to www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/gaming you can see all the stories we ran in the last couple of days:
1) A review of "Sonic Unleashed," half of a great game.
2) A review of "Shaun White Snowboarding," which I didn't play, mostly because Shaun White grates on me, but another writer in the Gannett Family did play it, so I got his review on our special super-duper Gannett Wire.
3) A column on how game publishers are trying to curb used-game sales.
4) A column on how the Wii really needs more hardcore games.
5) The weekly Fantasy Football column.
Whew!
Two Gaming pages in Two Days! KA-KOW!
If you head over to www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/gaming you can see all the stories we ran in the last couple of days:
1) A review of "Sonic Unleashed," half of a great game.
2) A review of "Shaun White Snowboarding," which I didn't play, mostly because Shaun White grates on me, but another writer in the Gannett Family did play it, so I got his review on our special super-duper Gannett Wire.
3) A column on how game publishers are trying to curb used-game sales.
4) A column on how the Wii really needs more hardcore games.
5) The weekly Fantasy Football column.
Whew!
Friday, November 28, 2008
DC Without Superman and Batman
I don't know where I've been that I missed this, but apparently it's already common knowledge that 2009 in DC will feature a World Without a Superman. Apparently, that will be the title of James Robinson's stories in "Superman," while Geoff Johns is off of "Action Comics," which will feature Flamebird and Nightwing. It's all HERE in this Newsarama interview.
And remember, with the happenings of "Batman R.I.P." and "Final Crisis," DC is also going to be without Bruce Wayne for some time.
Here's my question: Is DC happy with being second in sales?
The Superman world had just become relevant — and even good — again. Johns' "Action" was a must-read book every month, James Robinson brought another big name to "Superman," and the inclusion of "Supergirl" into that world had even made Kara relevant for really the first time. And now DC is turning the world on its ear.
The Batman world shakeup felt organic. Granted, I wasn't the biggest fan of "R.I.P.," but Robin, Nightwing and Spoiler were all put into the necessary places for the next steps, and I find myself excited for the "Battle of the Cowl" story. I don't know, maybe when "New Krypton" is over, Clark Kent's absence will feel organic as well, but for now, it feels out of left field.
But the bigger problem here is, does DC really want two of their three heavy hitters out of the picture while the company trails Marvel by such a margin? These upcoming tales of the DC Universe without Supes and Bats may be fantastic, I'm all for going along for a ride, but from a sales standpoint, how many casual fans are going to pickup a Superman book without Superman, or a Batman book without Bruce Wayne?
I give DC credit for pursuing good stories, I just don't think DC necessarily needed these changes to tell good stories, and I don't think it will translate to sales.
And remember, with the happenings of "Batman R.I.P." and "Final Crisis," DC is also going to be without Bruce Wayne for some time.
Here's my question: Is DC happy with being second in sales?
The Superman world had just become relevant — and even good — again. Johns' "Action" was a must-read book every month, James Robinson brought another big name to "Superman," and the inclusion of "Supergirl" into that world had even made Kara relevant for really the first time. And now DC is turning the world on its ear.
The Batman world shakeup felt organic. Granted, I wasn't the biggest fan of "R.I.P.," but Robin, Nightwing and Spoiler were all put into the necessary places for the next steps, and I find myself excited for the "Battle of the Cowl" story. I don't know, maybe when "New Krypton" is over, Clark Kent's absence will feel organic as well, but for now, it feels out of left field.
But the bigger problem here is, does DC really want two of their three heavy hitters out of the picture while the company trails Marvel by such a margin? These upcoming tales of the DC Universe without Supes and Bats may be fantastic, I'm all for going along for a ride, but from a sales standpoint, how many casual fans are going to pickup a Superman book without Superman, or a Batman book without Bruce Wayne?
I give DC credit for pursuing good stories, I just don't think DC necessarily needed these changes to tell good stories, and I don't think it will translate to sales.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Buy Pile Report
Well, I didn't get a chance to go to my normal place to pick up comics, so I had to settle for somewhere a little closer to home, which orders mostly for their regulars and only has a small number of titles ordered in abundance... but, I still managed to get my mitts on both of the issues I was really itching for, Batman #681 and JSA: The Kingdom.
And I've just got to say, while I thought this conclusion to "Batman R.I.P." was effective in painting Bruce Wayne in an almost indomitable light (even where Joker is concerned), with plenty of good scenes for every member of the supporting cast, what it doesn't do is Conclude "Batman R.I.P.!" What, exactly was ended by the issue? In hindsight, knowing Grant Morrison, this shouldn't be a surprise. But still, do we know Dr. Hurt is not Thomas Wayne? Do we know where the organization started or where Dr. Hurt first felt the need to break the bat? Do we even know if Batman is still alive? Morrison has said the Batman we see in "Final Crisis" is Bruce, and that "Final Crisis" takes place after "R.I.P.," but still, why the lack of a resolution? Why the lack of an epilogue? And if he still is alive, then why do we flash forward six months at the end?
Later on tonight, if I have time, I am actually going to go back and re-read this whole set in hopes of gaining some insight... but I kind of doubt it. If anyone would like to help explain what I'm missing, I'd be happy to learn. Otherwise, I guess I'll just have to keep reading.
JSA was a much stronger read, meaning all three of the JSA specials this month failed to disappoint, something you don't normally see from one special, let alone a string of them. This issue centers around the question of the nature of Gog's Miracles, spending a good deal of time on Damage and his new face. The kid has quickly lost sight of all he learned with Liberty Bell and Hourman, and that's especially evident in his actions here. The issue also slightly advances Starman's storyline, something I am eagerly learning more about.
All in all, these specials were a great idea. Where they altogether necessary? No, but in every issue, more was fleshed out about a key player in this game, first Supes, then Magog, and now Damage. More importantly, I feel like Geoff Johns finally has the JSA back up to the momentum he established in the opening months of this series. In two issues, this whole "Kingdom Come" business will be behind us, and while I am just as excited as anyone to move on from the lengthy storyline, I have a feeling history will look back favorably on this dozen-plus issue run.
And I've just got to say, while I thought this conclusion to "Batman R.I.P." was effective in painting Bruce Wayne in an almost indomitable light (even where Joker is concerned), with plenty of good scenes for every member of the supporting cast, what it doesn't do is Conclude "Batman R.I.P.!" What, exactly was ended by the issue? In hindsight, knowing Grant Morrison, this shouldn't be a surprise. But still, do we know Dr. Hurt is not Thomas Wayne? Do we know where the organization started or where Dr. Hurt first felt the need to break the bat? Do we even know if Batman is still alive? Morrison has said the Batman we see in "Final Crisis" is Bruce, and that "Final Crisis" takes place after "R.I.P.," but still, why the lack of a resolution? Why the lack of an epilogue? And if he still is alive, then why do we flash forward six months at the end?
Later on tonight, if I have time, I am actually going to go back and re-read this whole set in hopes of gaining some insight... but I kind of doubt it. If anyone would like to help explain what I'm missing, I'd be happy to learn. Otherwise, I guess I'll just have to keep reading.
JSA was a much stronger read, meaning all three of the JSA specials this month failed to disappoint, something you don't normally see from one special, let alone a string of them. This issue centers around the question of the nature of Gog's Miracles, spending a good deal of time on Damage and his new face. The kid has quickly lost sight of all he learned with Liberty Bell and Hourman, and that's especially evident in his actions here. The issue also slightly advances Starman's storyline, something I am eagerly learning more about.
All in all, these specials were a great idea. Where they altogether necessary? No, but in every issue, more was fleshed out about a key player in this game, first Supes, then Magog, and now Damage. More importantly, I feel like Geoff Johns finally has the JSA back up to the momentum he established in the opening months of this series. In two issues, this whole "Kingdom Come" business will be behind us, and while I am just as excited as anyone to move on from the lengthy storyline, I have a feeling history will look back favorably on this dozen-plus issue run.
This week's comic book expectations
I'm likely not going to have time tonight to get the weekly expectations written up tonight, but HERE IS THE LINK to the release list.
Heroes Report on 'The Eclipse: Part 1'
I am back from quite the busy week. I apologize for neglecting this blog so much, but I figured it would be a good time to get back into the groove of things now that I just got a chance to watch Monday night's new episode of "Heroes."
Unfortunately, though, I am getting to the point where I don't know if anyone or anything can save this show. I say this because there was definitely excitement to be had here. Parts of it were downright entertaining. But, it was all wrapped in a grossly ill-conceived package.
For starters, since I haven't had a chance to get on here and rant about it, since when did the Eclipse give these people their powers? I'll tell you when -- when they PROMOTED IT on a COMMERCIAL. Now, for a while now I've felt that was bad enough, to spoil a MAJOR plot point with a commercial, but I've since realized there is a worse infraction to be seen here... how, exactly would an eclipse do this? And how can an eclipse magically take away something it magically granted? Even if you buy that "eclipse as a catalyst" stuff, how can a catalyst also be a cure?
And I'm not the only one wondering this. Get a load of THIS BLOG POST from director/producer Greg Beeman's official blog:
Even he realizes his show isn't making sense anymore!!!
Frankly, I'm just starting to think this whole "taking away powers" thing was just an elaborate way to remove Mohinder's scales. He's in a cocoon one minute, naked the next, and -- BAM -- he's a pretty boy again! Does anything set up in the first episode make sense anymore?
That doesn't even begin to go into how LAZY this whole Elle/Sylar pairing is. "Oh no, they've always had this connection, since we just showed you the past. See, that's the past, there they are together, it makes sense." And what the hell is up with her trying to make him good, then she's making him bad, then she's begging his forgiveness, now she wants to be Bonnie to his Clyde? Way to RUIN Elle, a great character set up in season two as actually being three-dimensional. And now Sylar is back to being Mr. Bad Guy? After he was a Momma's boy and Daddy's little man he's neither again? What the hell is going on from week to week???
That said, I did enjoy the Parkman/Daphne segments this week. It was nice to see him first overuse his powers to go into her head for info, and then struggle to do a basic human thing like fight for a girl without the use of his powers. And her past is one of the best ideas this show has had this year. It was almost made up for the fact that she just met this guy and she's acting like he's the most pivotal part of her life.
And while that great writing was being acted out, we go back to crap with Ando and Hiro. While I've kind of liked this whole "Hiro as a child" thing, I really want to know where they are finding these new issues of "9th Wonders." Since when is Issac alive? The writers couldn't have thought of a better way for Hiro and Ando to see the future? Oh, and did we really need cameos from Seth Green and Brecken Meyer? (Though I did love the "Freshmen" T-Shirt on Meyer...)
Meanwhile, Peter and Nathan were off in the jungle acting like they aren't constantly sacrificing themselves for each other... why? And if that idea wasn't annoying enough, I just want to know how Nathan planned on getting the Haitian back to New York...
And was I the only one who felt like that scene between Claire and HRG just fell flat seeing as all us fans have been wondering why the hell Claire, who was so close with HRG in Season One, kept acting like an irrational brat? It was a nice scene and all, but I never felt like she should have been mad at him, so I didn't feel a need for their reconciliation.
It all led up to that final cliff-hanging scene, which would have been awesome if anything was actually going to come of it. But, "Heroes" has a HORRIBLE track record for killing off popular characters, so I sincerely doubt Sylar is going to die there. More likely, I'd guess HRG fails to pull the trigger.
Either way, I'm starting to lose any hope this show will get any better, ever. Even in this episode with so much excitement, there were just TOO MANY problems to get around.
Unfortunately, though, I am getting to the point where I don't know if anyone or anything can save this show. I say this because there was definitely excitement to be had here. Parts of it were downright entertaining. But, it was all wrapped in a grossly ill-conceived package.
For starters, since I haven't had a chance to get on here and rant about it, since when did the Eclipse give these people their powers? I'll tell you when -- when they PROMOTED IT on a COMMERCIAL. Now, for a while now I've felt that was bad enough, to spoil a MAJOR plot point with a commercial, but I've since realized there is a worse infraction to be seen here... how, exactly would an eclipse do this? And how can an eclipse magically take away something it magically granted? Even if you buy that "eclipse as a catalyst" stuff, how can a catalyst also be a cure?
And I'm not the only one wondering this. Get a load of THIS BLOG POST from director/producer Greg Beeman's official blog:
In real life there would never be a full eclipse visible from all these places on Earth at the same time. Eclipses also never last for this kind of duration. (Hey – I’m dubious about the whole premise that the eclipse would take our Heroes powers away at all. I don’t think the Pilot’s eclipse gave powers… But others disagreed and that ship had sailed.)
Even he realizes his show isn't making sense anymore!!!
Frankly, I'm just starting to think this whole "taking away powers" thing was just an elaborate way to remove Mohinder's scales. He's in a cocoon one minute, naked the next, and -- BAM -- he's a pretty boy again! Does anything set up in the first episode make sense anymore?
That doesn't even begin to go into how LAZY this whole Elle/Sylar pairing is. "Oh no, they've always had this connection, since we just showed you the past. See, that's the past, there they are together, it makes sense." And what the hell is up with her trying to make him good, then she's making him bad, then she's begging his forgiveness, now she wants to be Bonnie to his Clyde? Way to RUIN Elle, a great character set up in season two as actually being three-dimensional. And now Sylar is back to being Mr. Bad Guy? After he was a Momma's boy and Daddy's little man he's neither again? What the hell is going on from week to week???
That said, I did enjoy the Parkman/Daphne segments this week. It was nice to see him first overuse his powers to go into her head for info, and then struggle to do a basic human thing like fight for a girl without the use of his powers. And her past is one of the best ideas this show has had this year. It was almost made up for the fact that she just met this guy and she's acting like he's the most pivotal part of her life.
And while that great writing was being acted out, we go back to crap with Ando and Hiro. While I've kind of liked this whole "Hiro as a child" thing, I really want to know where they are finding these new issues of "9th Wonders." Since when is Issac alive? The writers couldn't have thought of a better way for Hiro and Ando to see the future? Oh, and did we really need cameos from Seth Green and Brecken Meyer? (Though I did love the "Freshmen" T-Shirt on Meyer...)
Meanwhile, Peter and Nathan were off in the jungle acting like they aren't constantly sacrificing themselves for each other... why? And if that idea wasn't annoying enough, I just want to know how Nathan planned on getting the Haitian back to New York...
And was I the only one who felt like that scene between Claire and HRG just fell flat seeing as all us fans have been wondering why the hell Claire, who was so close with HRG in Season One, kept acting like an irrational brat? It was a nice scene and all, but I never felt like she should have been mad at him, so I didn't feel a need for their reconciliation.
It all led up to that final cliff-hanging scene, which would have been awesome if anything was actually going to come of it. But, "Heroes" has a HORRIBLE track record for killing off popular characters, so I sincerely doubt Sylar is going to die there. More likely, I'd guess HRG fails to pull the trigger.
Either way, I'm starting to lose any hope this show will get any better, ever. Even in this episode with so much excitement, there were just TOO MANY problems to get around.
Monday, November 17, 2008
This week's video game release list
Believe it or not, folks, we've reached the beginning of the end of the busiest time of the year. The "Holiday" video game season is actually October to mid-November, and if you take a look at the week's releases at THIS LINK, you'll see this isn't exactly the jam-packed week we've been growing accustomed to.
Still, some good stuff to choose from, including "Mortal Kombat vs. DC" and "NCAA Basketball."
Still, some good stuff to choose from, including "Mortal Kombat vs. DC" and "NCAA Basketball."
Friday, November 14, 2008
No Gaming Saturday in the Journal
So, if you read the previous post, you know there is no Gaming page in Saturday's Poughkeepsie Journal. It's a space issue, my hands are tied.
To make up for it, I've uploaded a fresh review of "FIFA Soccer 09" for Wii, which is just finished writing. Look for the Review on Saturday at www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/gaming
(I know, I know, that "Spider-man: Web of Shadows" review is long overdue, it will be online by Monday, I promise!)
Hopefully next week we'll have more space in the paper to get a full page in.
To make up for it, I've uploaded a fresh review of "FIFA Soccer 09" for Wii, which is just finished writing. Look for the Review on Saturday at www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/gaming
(I know, I know, that "Spider-man: Web of Shadows" review is long overdue, it will be online by Monday, I promise!)
Hopefully next week we'll have more space in the paper to get a full page in.
"Resistance 2" review
I was planning on running this in Saturday's Journal Gaming page, but since we have no room for Gaming this week, here's the Associated Press' quick review of "Resistance 2":
“Resistance 2,” U.S. Army Ranger Nathan Hale helped England fight off the Chimera, whose most effective weapon is a virus that can turn humans into monsters. As “Resistance 2” begins, the Chimera have crossed the pond, so Hale returns home to resume the battle — even though he shows symptoms of a Chimera infection himself.
Insomniac, the studio behind this series, has also greatly expanded its size and scale, leaping from the urban crush of London to more wide-open American spaces. (The devastated Chicago here is almost as jaw-dropping as the ruined Washington in “Fallout 3.”) The enemies are bigger and smarter; fortunately, your computer-controlled squadmates are more helpful as well. And a major twist — Hale has just 19 hours to live — adds breakneck momentum to the plot.
Naturally, you get some powerful new weapons, most of which have two uses; for example, the Magnum can fire normal bullets or remote-controlled explosives. A healthy multiplayer menu includes the manic Skirmish mode, in which as many as 60 players can battle to complete ever-changing objectives. Add in its satisfying cooperative play and you have one of the most full-bodied adventures on the PS3.
Three-and-a-half stars out of four.
“Resistance 2,” U.S. Army Ranger Nathan Hale helped England fight off the Chimera, whose most effective weapon is a virus that can turn humans into monsters. As “Resistance 2” begins, the Chimera have crossed the pond, so Hale returns home to resume the battle — even though he shows symptoms of a Chimera infection himself.
Insomniac, the studio behind this series, has also greatly expanded its size and scale, leaping from the urban crush of London to more wide-open American spaces. (The devastated Chicago here is almost as jaw-dropping as the ruined Washington in “Fallout 3.”) The enemies are bigger and smarter; fortunately, your computer-controlled squadmates are more helpful as well. And a major twist — Hale has just 19 hours to live — adds breakneck momentum to the plot.
Naturally, you get some powerful new weapons, most of which have two uses; for example, the Magnum can fire normal bullets or remote-controlled explosives. A healthy multiplayer menu includes the manic Skirmish mode, in which as many as 60 players can battle to complete ever-changing objectives. Add in its satisfying cooperative play and you have one of the most full-bodied adventures on the PS3.
Three-and-a-half stars out of four.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
