A few weeks ago, I picked up Saint's Row 2, due to the numerous, though somewhat underground, recommendations from my more trusted sites. If there is one thing that stands out about SR2, it is that the game is fun. It knows what it is, knows what it wants to do, and it goes about doing it in a very straightforward, no nonsense, almost in-your-face (haven't seen that term since the 90's, have you? Poochie's dead!) manner. Could it be better, maybe bigger, and with more radio stations? Of course. Better graphics? Sure. And does it do anything you haven't seen before? Nope. In fact, it felt like I was playing GTA III all over again. And that's where the problems begin...

Stream of consciousness ramblings:

Home finally launched yesterday on the PS3, and while it is early, and rather spartan, I have to say I'm impressed with it, or at least its potential. The first thing that struck me was how smooth it seemed. The avatar's movements are very fluid, and feel right. The graphics work well, with your furniture and other "stuff" looking like they fit within your apartment; they could have easily looked forced or out of place. The harbor and outside world looked good, and made you want the big ol' yacht sitting there.

Communication, however, isn't easy. Using the controller to type has never been natural, but that's how most of the world is going to do it, at least in the near future. I did hear a couple of voice chatters, but that too will be the exception for now.

The mall is interesting, but there isn't much to buy yet. Plus, the prices are higher than I'm willing to pay. 99 cents for a new pair of pants? No thanks. Now, a quarter, that's possibility. We'll see how things go. Maybe a price tracking graph is in order.

Had the opportunity to play about an hour's worth of LBP online the other day with Bill. Reactions are a bit mixed, though they do sway towards the positive. Being the first PS3 game I've played online, I quickly discovered how much the 360's voice chat was missed during a game. When it works, it works very well, and becomes part of the experience. Not having it on the PS3 was glaring from the outset. However, it does lead to an interesting phenomenon: trying to silently work out the multiplayer sections of the various levels without talking. Using a bunch of trial and error, a few sackboy (never gonna get used to that) gestures, and the occasional jumping up and down in the same spot to signify importance, we were able to solve most, if not all, of the various challenges the game presented. Now, it doesn't hurt that Bill is super smart, what with his UVA physics degree and all. I just follow his lead. (Tip: find really smart people, and ride their coattails as long as possible!) Maybe Europeans are used to things like this, since everyone speaks their own version of the base language, but for us Americans, doing without talking just ain't natural.

Another ClapChat, this one on LBP:

Bill
that is interesting
oh, we also picked up LBP last night

Dib
thoughts?

Bill
well, first, it's absolutely amazing.
even my graphics-shmaphics fiance called it "gorgeous" which has never happened with any game ever.

Dib
it is pretty
graphics work in the setting, like WoW
but only better

Bill
the graphics work terrifically for the setting
secondly, in both of our opinions it thoroughly charming
*it's
the playful art design is brilliantly done
the facial expressions, and the way you can manipulate the character's body language... i was surprised at how evocative and expressive the result can be.
i expect people will connect with that
and third, i've only just unlocked the creative content, and am working my way through the tutorials for the various tools and materials.
so far, it seems like an incredibly powerful toolset.
and it's interesting to contrast it with Spore's.

Dib
i can see that
it is well designed

Bill
i of course intend to make a controllable AT-AT as soon as possible

Dib
of course
not the it isn't already out there somewhere

Bill
true... and after i do my little learning exercise i'll probably go find a much better one to play with

Dib
find the controls an issue?

Bill
yes, and no.

A couple of big hits this week: demo for the PS3 release of the critically acclaimed (on 360 and PC) BioShock, as well as for Eternal Sonata, both of which I've had my eye on. Anybody had time to check them out? I'll be out of town this weekend so won't be able to sit down with them until next week sometime.

Rock Band fans got a treat (depending on musical tastes) this week, with the release of the Chili Peppers' legendary Blood Sugar Sex Magik album. Considered by many the pinnacle achievement by a band that helped define alternative rock in North America in the late-80s-early-90s, I'm sure many people are excited. This, on the heels of the recent release of Moving Pictures, another rock subgenre-defining offering, from the mega-talented Rush, sets a pretty stage for the PS3 release of Rock Band 2 on Oct. 19.

Picking up MGS IV today at lunch. Anyone midnight it, and started playing through? Looking forward to the experience, but I'm not totally sure why. Most all of the reviews agree that if you are a Metal Gear fan, you will like this one, too (Tycho may have said it best.) I enjoyed the previous games enough, though not enough to play MGS 3. Think I'm more curious about the entire package, and how Kojima is molding the medium to his vision. If this truly is the end of the line for the series, you would expect he pulled out all the stops. Of course, now being free of the franchise, with it's restraints and expectations, perhaps his next project will encompass a purer form of what he believes can be done with a "video game".

We bring you another in our popular line of copied GoogleTalk chats. This time Bill and I address MGS IV, and gaming as an emerging art form, especially in popular culture. It is also presented as further proof of our "expertise". Enjoy! (as the discussion goes on, so shall the post)

Dib
can you resend the last thing you sent yesterday?

Bill
last chat?

Dib
yes

Bill
eh..
hang on
oh yeah
about games

Dib
yes

Bill
er, in response to the MGS4 fam score
one sec

Dib
yep

Bill
yeah
you said:
"boucaner: Japanese games mag giant Famitsu has rated Metal Gear Solid 4 and bestowed it with its highest honor: a score of 40/40. MGS4 is the first PS3 title to receive such high praise from the magazine's editors. It has already picked up similarly glowing scores from European and Western publications.

Famitsu has only handed out a 40/40 score to seven other games in its history: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64), Soulcalibur (DC), Vagrant Story (PS), The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (GCN), Nintendogs (DS), Final Fantasy XII (PS2), and Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii). We imagine Otacon is peeing his pants right about now."
i said:
whoa...
"are we seeing the advent of the post-pubescent years of the electronic game as a form of popular art?"