Steam + Bargain Bin

So, I haven't written a blog in a very, very long time. I figured I'd write one about my current gaming activities. What have I been playing lately? I was obsessed with Aika for a while; it's a pretty good WoW clone. I won't go into too much detail as the game's been thoroughly covered, and the nature of the quests mean that everyone follows the exact same path.

However, a couple of weeks ago I booted up Steam, and boom, an update for a game I hadn't touched in quite a long time:

Yes, I picked it up a few months ago when it was five bucks, played it for a couple weeks, and then got distracted by something, I forget. Anyways, I gave it another go. It's been a struggle adjusting to the physics, especially the gun physics. It works very differently (and I suspect more realistically) than any other game I play. Spraying is simply not an option unless you're at point blank range. Aim at the feet, and let recoil take care of the rest. When I'm on, I'm on. I'm just as good in CSS as I am in any other FPS. 8-0, 13-2, etc. The problem is that in order for me to be "on," I need to 1)Know the map, 2)Not be on a team that is getting absolutely dominated. That is not standard. I know about 5 maps out of the 12 or so that are common. Otherwise, I'm wandering around blind.

CSS also has a much higher population of quality players, which is great in terms of challenge. However, this also means you run into devastatingly good guys pretty frequently. The type who HS you with a Scout mid jump while flashed or come around the corner and dominate you with a Deagle before you even get a shot off. It's pretty frustrating when one guy going Rambo can get rid of a whole team. I guess this is to be expected for a game that's been out so long and that I've had so little experience with.

With my interest in Valve renewed, I went back to finish playing a game I'm ashamed I ever put down:

Half Life 2. I finished the first about six months ago. Great game. For those of you who aren't really into the genre, it's kind of like Ocarina of Time of FPSs. I got about 10 hours through HL2 and then exams came and I never picked it back up. First off, let me say Ravenholm is scary as SHIT. Screw Resident Evil and Silent Hill, this is where it's at. The environment was perfect, and the varying use of the slow, creeping Headcrab Zombies and Fast Headcrab Zombies that climb gutters, soar from roof to roof, and then come hurtling towards you at impossible speeds in packs is very nicely done.

Anyways, I'm well past that now, and enjoying my play through. I plan to finish HL2, and Episodes 1 and 2 before the summer ends. Gravity gun is great fun as usual.

My next source of gaming fun came from my favorite place ever:

The Bargain Bin

I picked up 3 games for $10!

Project Gotham Racing 2

I love cars, especially racing cars, so this was awesome. Singe player consists of a chain of challenges for different classes like Street Race (obvious), Hot Lap (Complete one lap in a certain amount of times), Time Trial (Complete multiple laps in a certain amount of time), One on One (Race one other car), Cone Challenge (you have to go through the cones around the track, and pass through each set no less than 2 seconds apart), and Speed Camera (reach a certain speed by a certain spot). Classes range from Sport Compact (Mini Cooper S, VW R32, etc.) to Track Cars (Caterham 7, various Lotuses, an old Shelby kit car, etc.) to Super Cars (Ferrari F430, Porsche 996 Turbo, Dodge Viper, etc.) to Hypercars (Pagani Zonda F, Ferrari Enzo, Porsche Carrera GT, etc.)

Of course, each of these classes contain very different cars that must be driven in entirely different manners if you want to do well. The nice thing about the game is it lets you play at your level. There are a variety of difficulty settings that modify time or the cars you're competing against to make it anywhere from mind numbingly easy or mindfuckingly hard. I spent my time in platinum and gold (the two hardest), and it's a real challenge. I spent an hour yesterday trying to complete a hot lap challenge. The lap time was under a minute (53:50 to pass), but it took forever to figure out the best way to attack the track. If you don't know anything about racing, don't expect to complete the challenge on anything higher than silver (medium). My one complaint is that the default set up uses triggers for acceleration, and the triggers are analogue, as opposed to digital. This means they work at an on, off level as opposed to sensing different amounts of pressure. Trail braking (slowly letting off the brake as you go from the entry of a corner to the apex) and proper acceleration is impossible because you can't control the throttle/brakes. They're either full on or off.

Regardless, I'm having a blast playing the game even if it is taking me forever to complete.

Battlefront

I rented this game and beat it LONG ago. However, that was on medium. I picked it up again because a) it was cheap, b) multiplayer is still fun, and c) I wanted to give hard a try. Hard is like a whole different game. You have to be on top of your game throughout an entire battle, and focus on what needs to be done (not just killing enemies) or you're going to lose. I've put about 5 hours into the game and I'm still on the fourth battle.

Jet Set Radio Future

XBox got a remake of the iconic Dreamcast game, but I'd never seen one in stores, until a few weeks ago. Snatched it up for cheap, and I've thoroughly enjoyed what I've played so far. I'm only a couple of hours in (mostly because PGR2 is so damn addicting), but I've got to say, this game oozes style. Hell, it's got enough style for it and ten other games. I could rock out to the music alone for hours. Absolutely love it. It's a shame I love cars so much. Otherwise I'd have experienced the whole game by now.

That does it for my video game roundup blog. I might do an IRL blog shortly. Dunno. Lots going on in my life, but I'm very lazy when it comes to writing about it. Hope you enjoyed your read.