Sorry about this. Real life getting in the way again. Until things get straightened out, I won't posting new stuff for awhile. Might last a week, maybe a month. Hard to say at the moment.
Until next time...
Friday, May 6, 2016
Friday, April 29, 2016
Dueling Works: Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter
I've always had a soft spot for the fighting genre of video games. Nothing is more pleasing than pulling off a super maneuver a long volley of button smashing. Then again, my talent isn't exactly 'competitive worthy', so its usually become a passing interest at the very least.
Still, two games have stood out from the pack thanks to their innovative systems, colorful characters and competitive features that have made them a recognized staple in today's video games:
The 'Mortal Kombat' and 'Street Fighter' series.
A brief summary for both, as usual:
First debuting back in 1987, the Capcom fighting game 'Street Fighter' didn't receive too much praise. It wasn't until 1991 with 'Street Fighter II' that the Japanese gaming company found its celebrated series. Featuring fighters from around the world, players fight with special attacks and super moves to declare themselves the greatest fighters to ever live. With a cast ranging from wandering martial artists to kung-fu interpol agents and mad dictators, the world of 'Street Fighter' still remains quite vibrant and colorful in design since its release.
Developed by the now-defunct Midway Games (now redeveloped into Netherrealm Studios), the Mortal Kombat series burst onto the gaming scene in 1992. Bringing in more violent combat and the creation of 'fatalities', the series has been lauded as one of the most successfully brutal fighting games in the world. Set in the background of realms under combat, you play from ninjas to demons, soldiers to sorcerers, in battles that can define the very fates of the realms themselves. Be cautious and calculating, as each strike may be your last.
Where is the rivalry?
Both 'Street Fighter II' and 'Mortal Kombat' are often the most recognized of the fighting game genre with stellar new features ahead of their times. Both feature a colorful cast of creative characters that combat each other for...well, anything. Stories were also a bit light at the start, not to mention their transitions to 3d platforms didn't work out so well until the mid-2000s. At that point, they both relied on 2.5d style of combat, where everything was properly 3d but on a more linear combat instead of in an arena (like 'Tekken' or 'Soul Calibur'). Both received wide acclaim for their new releases, though it became clear that the focuses for each series has changed from when they first started.
A reboot to revitalize
With the purchase of 'Mortal Kombat' by Warner Brothers Interactive and the creation of Netherrealm Studios, an attempt to bring life back into the popular franchise needed to be done. The release of 'Mortal Kombat 9' showed how the story took to a reboot of sorts, thanks to time traveling visions that ends up altering the events of the first three games of the series (Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, and Mortal Kombat Trilogy). With the change up in story, as well as the inclusion of new powers, old fan favorites and brutal new fatalities, the series was brought back up to prominence in the mainstream community. The success of the game became so great that it ended up making back all of the money that WB had paid for its purchase, as well as winning the award for 'Best Fighting Game' back in 2011. With the release and success of 'Mortal Kombat X' years later, it seems like Netherrealm Studios has found its firm ground in the fighting game genre.
Legit to be hardcore
Capcom and 'Street Fighter' had a different focus in mind. Making note of the many players taking part in tournaments with 'Street Fighter II', they started releasing new versions of the game. Either to speed up the fighting system or balance characters, it became the norm for them. At least, until it started becoming sort of a running gag for fans of the many versions that were released for a single game. Still, the company has managed to keep that focus for later games in the series, like the prequel 'Street Fighter Alpha' and 'Street Fighter III'. Even with a proper transition into 2.5d combat, Capcom couldn't help but release updated versions of 'Street Fighter IV' into full games instead of just improving through software upgrades and downloads. With their latest release of 'Street Fighter V', they've been attempting to better cater towards the casual fanbase along with the hardcore. Whether it will turn out for them in the future is still up in the air.
Who wins?
Once more, depends on your interests. Want a more technical game with a hardcore tournament following? Then 'Street Fighter' is the way for you. Want a more story-based game with violence that rivals 'Game of Thrones'? Then 'Mortal Kombat' it is.
Why the neutral answer?
This is probably something that a few readers have been thinking while reading these posts.
Well, much like anything else, it all comes back to your own personal tastes. You could like all these games or hate them. It all comes back to you, the buyer, the player. Plenty of people have already made their voices clear on what they like with these games.
What about you?
Until next time...
Still, two games have stood out from the pack thanks to their innovative systems, colorful characters and competitive features that have made them a recognized staple in today's video games:
The 'Mortal Kombat' and 'Street Fighter' series.
A brief summary for both, as usual:
Where is the rivalry?
Both 'Street Fighter II' and 'Mortal Kombat' are often the most recognized of the fighting game genre with stellar new features ahead of their times. Both feature a colorful cast of creative characters that combat each other for...well, anything. Stories were also a bit light at the start, not to mention their transitions to 3d platforms didn't work out so well until the mid-2000s. At that point, they both relied on 2.5d style of combat, where everything was properly 3d but on a more linear combat instead of in an arena (like 'Tekken' or 'Soul Calibur'). Both received wide acclaim for their new releases, though it became clear that the focuses for each series has changed from when they first started.
A reboot to revitalize
With the purchase of 'Mortal Kombat' by Warner Brothers Interactive and the creation of Netherrealm Studios, an attempt to bring life back into the popular franchise needed to be done. The release of 'Mortal Kombat 9' showed how the story took to a reboot of sorts, thanks to time traveling visions that ends up altering the events of the first three games of the series (Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, and Mortal Kombat Trilogy). With the change up in story, as well as the inclusion of new powers, old fan favorites and brutal new fatalities, the series was brought back up to prominence in the mainstream community. The success of the game became so great that it ended up making back all of the money that WB had paid for its purchase, as well as winning the award for 'Best Fighting Game' back in 2011. With the release and success of 'Mortal Kombat X' years later, it seems like Netherrealm Studios has found its firm ground in the fighting game genre.
Legit to be hardcore
Capcom and 'Street Fighter' had a different focus in mind. Making note of the many players taking part in tournaments with 'Street Fighter II', they started releasing new versions of the game. Either to speed up the fighting system or balance characters, it became the norm for them. At least, until it started becoming sort of a running gag for fans of the many versions that were released for a single game. Still, the company has managed to keep that focus for later games in the series, like the prequel 'Street Fighter Alpha' and 'Street Fighter III'. Even with a proper transition into 2.5d combat, Capcom couldn't help but release updated versions of 'Street Fighter IV' into full games instead of just improving through software upgrades and downloads. With their latest release of 'Street Fighter V', they've been attempting to better cater towards the casual fanbase along with the hardcore. Whether it will turn out for them in the future is still up in the air.
Who wins?
Once more, depends on your interests. Want a more technical game with a hardcore tournament following? Then 'Street Fighter' is the way for you. Want a more story-based game with violence that rivals 'Game of Thrones'? Then 'Mortal Kombat' it is.
Why the neutral answer?
This is probably something that a few readers have been thinking while reading these posts.
Well, much like anything else, it all comes back to your own personal tastes. You could like all these games or hate them. It all comes back to you, the buyer, the player. Plenty of people have already made their voices clear on what they like with these games.
What about you?
Until next time...
Friday, April 22, 2016
Dueling Works: Ratchet & Clank and Jak & Daxter
Platformer-style games have been around since the first Mario game (or back when it was called Jumpman). Since then, it has evolved from simple 2d platforming to the freeform 3d platforming. The genre has been pushed aside as other game-styles came to dominate the market, like RPG and FPS games.
Still, there have been the occasional series managing to pop back into the spotlight and thrive, though two franchises of the last decade have managed to not only survive, but also managed to be quite similar to one another.
This is where 'Ratchet & Clank' meet 'Jak & Daxter'.
For anyone unfamiliar with either series, a shorthand version:
Developed by 'Insomniac Games', 'Ratchet & Clank' is the sci-fi series involving Ratchet, a Lombax alien with a knack for technology, and Clank, a formerly faulty bot capable of turning into different gadgets. They both roam across the galaxy and protect from forces planing to conquer and/or destroy it, like mad scientists and politicians. Helping them out is not just a galactic defense unit, but also their vast arsenal of weapons and gizmos capable of taking down whole armies.
Developed by 'Naughty Dog', 'Jak and Daxter' is a science fantasy series involving the long-eared adventurer/warrior Jak and his companion-turned-ottsel Daxter. From far-flung futures to Precursor machinations, the pair work against combating the forces of darkness in the present and future. Along the way, they have gained allies that helped them not only cripple a totalitarian government, but also stop ancient evils that would corrupt their entire planet.
Where's the rivalry?
Both games feature big-eared protagonists (seriously, look at Rachet and Jak) that work alongside a smaller but still useful sidekick. They combat the forces of evil, ranging from evil dictators, mad scientists, alien creatures and sometimes their own species. They do so with a combination of platforming power and guns. Lots of guns. Also, throw in some time traveling and item collecting too.
Behind every good hero...
It is interesting seeing the character progression with main characters like Ratchet and Jak. Not just in looks, but also in personality. When they were both starting out, they had rather opposite personalities with each other. After so many games in each of their series, it still holds true. How is that? Well, Ratchet started off mostly as a selfish jerk before mellowing out over the course of several games and become the happy go lucky hero we know and love. Jak started out as a basic mime protagonist, before being tossed in the future and forcibly experimented on gave him a darker personality and proper speaking lessons. He has since mellowed out as well, but still holds a lot of edge to him, like a finely honed blade.
Their partners in crime, Clank and Daxter, haven't had as much personality growth in the games themselves. Clank has usually been the stoic, intelligent type to provide Ratchet with useful information and skills needed for missions at hand. Daxter has always been a bit of a clown, making light of the situation in order to brighten moods while also trying to prove how impressive of a fighter he is. Still, both characters have proven time and again that they can fight by themselves (to an extent anyway), but do their work better when fighting alongside their best friends.
...Lies a terrible villain
Their villains, surprisingly, run a similar gamut between the two series. On one end, you have the corrupt leaders/politicians trying to control their domain through any means necessary. Examples like this include Chairman Drek from "Ratchet and Clank" (who destroys other planets filled with people to make a new one for his own) and Baron Praxis from "Jak and Daxter" (who controls the city of Haven through soldiers and automated weaponry to keep all his subjects in one place). While some could argue that they do have somewhat noble goals (both wanting to help their people to a degree), their methodology and behavior certainly don't help in that regard.
Still, both include villains that are more about destruction of entire species rather than noble intentions. Such is the way of Dr. Nefarious from 'Ratchet and Clank' and Kore of the Metal Heads from 'Jak and Daxter'. Regardless of how charming or comical they may act, it is clear that they would like nothing more than the under destruction of their enemies.
Who wins?
With 'Naughty Dog' focusing on other properties like 'Uncharted' while Sony has just launched a 'Ratchet and Clank' reboot to the series, you could say the latter is still going. However, fans are still hoping for 'Jak' to make a return to the major consoles sooner or later.
After all, both series have teamed up a few times in crossover titles, like 'Playstation All-Stars', so there could still be a future for both of them.
Tune in next week, as I take a look at two series have been around about as long as I have.
Until next time...
Still, there have been the occasional series managing to pop back into the spotlight and thrive, though two franchises of the last decade have managed to not only survive, but also managed to be quite similar to one another.
This is where 'Ratchet & Clank' meet 'Jak & Daxter'.
For anyone unfamiliar with either series, a shorthand version:
Developed by 'Insomniac Games', 'Ratchet & Clank' is the sci-fi series involving Ratchet, a Lombax alien with a knack for technology, and Clank, a formerly faulty bot capable of turning into different gadgets. They both roam across the galaxy and protect from forces planing to conquer and/or destroy it, like mad scientists and politicians. Helping them out is not just a galactic defense unit, but also their vast arsenal of weapons and gizmos capable of taking down whole armies.
Where's the rivalry?
Both games feature big-eared protagonists (seriously, look at Rachet and Jak) that work alongside a smaller but still useful sidekick. They combat the forces of evil, ranging from evil dictators, mad scientists, alien creatures and sometimes their own species. They do so with a combination of platforming power and guns. Lots of guns. Also, throw in some time traveling and item collecting too.
Behind every good hero...
It is interesting seeing the character progression with main characters like Ratchet and Jak. Not just in looks, but also in personality. When they were both starting out, they had rather opposite personalities with each other. After so many games in each of their series, it still holds true. How is that? Well, Ratchet started off mostly as a selfish jerk before mellowing out over the course of several games and become the happy go lucky hero we know and love. Jak started out as a basic mime protagonist, before being tossed in the future and forcibly experimented on gave him a darker personality and proper speaking lessons. He has since mellowed out as well, but still holds a lot of edge to him, like a finely honed blade.
Their partners in crime, Clank and Daxter, haven't had as much personality growth in the games themselves. Clank has usually been the stoic, intelligent type to provide Ratchet with useful information and skills needed for missions at hand. Daxter has always been a bit of a clown, making light of the situation in order to brighten moods while also trying to prove how impressive of a fighter he is. Still, both characters have proven time and again that they can fight by themselves (to an extent anyway), but do their work better when fighting alongside their best friends.
...Lies a terrible villain
Their villains, surprisingly, run a similar gamut between the two series. On one end, you have the corrupt leaders/politicians trying to control their domain through any means necessary. Examples like this include Chairman Drek from "Ratchet and Clank" (who destroys other planets filled with people to make a new one for his own) and Baron Praxis from "Jak and Daxter" (who controls the city of Haven through soldiers and automated weaponry to keep all his subjects in one place). While some could argue that they do have somewhat noble goals (both wanting to help their people to a degree), their methodology and behavior certainly don't help in that regard.
Still, both include villains that are more about destruction of entire species rather than noble intentions. Such is the way of Dr. Nefarious from 'Ratchet and Clank' and Kore of the Metal Heads from 'Jak and Daxter'. Regardless of how charming or comical they may act, it is clear that they would like nothing more than the under destruction of their enemies.
Who wins?
With 'Naughty Dog' focusing on other properties like 'Uncharted' while Sony has just launched a 'Ratchet and Clank' reboot to the series, you could say the latter is still going. However, fans are still hoping for 'Jak' to make a return to the major consoles sooner or later.
After all, both series have teamed up a few times in crossover titles, like 'Playstation All-Stars', so there could still be a future for both of them.
Tune in next week, as I take a look at two series have been around about as long as I have.
Until next time...
Friday, April 15, 2016
Dueling Works: Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row
It isn't too hard to call out one series for being a copy or knock off of the other, especially when they play and act rather similar to one another. Then again, the creators of one series may take it upon themselves to stand out from the competition in a way that surprises the audience. This is especially true that, when you look at the series as a whole, you realize just how different it got from the first game to the last one released.
This is where today's pair of games come in: the 'Grand Theft Auto' and 'Saints Row' series.
For those unfamiliar with the games, here are the briefest of summaries for you:
'Grand Theft Auto' is a series that is developed and published by 'Rockstar Games' for the majority of its run. It has been around since 1997, with seven games as part of the 'main series' with different spinoffs. Your roll is that of a character trying to survive and thrive in the criminal underworld in their respective cities (which are similar, yet legally different from their real life counterparts).
'Saints Row' is the series developed by Volition in 2006 and was published under 'THQ' before they went bankrupt and the rights were bought up by 'Deep Silver' back in 2013. The games have you starting out as a low-ranking hood part of the gang 'Third Street Saints' that work to control the crime of Stillwater while combating other gangs and grabbing their territories. From the first game onward, the series gets...stranger.
Look, lets get into why these two game series have often been compared to one another.
Where is the rivalry?
Both game are open world 'sandbox' games, allowing the player a lot of freedom to do whatever they want in a city with little to no issues. While there are mission that follow the main storyline, it isn't hard for the player to forget about doing some of them for a time and try their fun doing other things. Want to drag race down from one end of the city street to the end of town? That can be done. Want to randomly toss grenades into a busy intersection and then fight off the full force of the police? Easy enough. What to parachute out of a flying plane, naked and trying to land in a swimming pool from an obscene height? Do you even have to ask at this point?
Yeah, this all seems pretty ridiculous to do in both games, but the main differences of them both come through the story and general approach of the games as done by the developers.
To denser and wackier we go!
'Saints Row' has taken the bigger stretch into making itself stand out from its counterpart of 'GTA'. Some of the changes involve the narrative, where it is this one continuous story of 'the Boss', the lowly grunt of the Third Street Saints becoming its leader and more by the end of the series. How strange can it get from there? Well, in the first game, you end up fighting what could be 'similar yet legally different' gangs based around the drug cartel of South America, vice criminals who hide behind a legitimate record company, and gangbangers who prefer racing and stealing cars more than anything else. By the second game, you end up leading the Saints to retake Stillwater after you were thought to be killed, this time fighting a thuggish gang of monster truck riders and extremists, drug dealers with a Caribbean flavor, and what could be considered extensions of the Yakuza ( Japanese criminal counterpart to the Mafia ).
Then it gets weirder into the third and fourth installments.
The Saints end up becoming celebrities and taking on an organization called the Syndicate, made up of gangs involving Eastern European arms dealers, tech-out cyber criminals and an army of Luchadores in heavy armor. In the game after, you get elected President of the United States and fight an alien empire in a cyber world, who also blew up the Earth and took almost all of the human population with it.
Yeah, 'Saints Row' founds it own voice by becoming more 'out there' in terms of a personality. While 'GTA' stuck to being more grounded in real life (to its story, in a sorts), 'Saints Row' embraced its more cartoonish aspects and made it more paramount. It certainly got its own popularity for the efforts, with people complimenting them for actually gaining its own voice rather than just relying on the style used by their counterparts. Question is whether or not it helped pay off for them by their latest game.
Keeping it grounded
This seemed to be a major focus behind the work of 'Grand Theft Auto'. Yes, there are Easter eggs within the games that can border on the comical, not to mention some game modes that can be very unrealistic (especially since the launch of 'Grand Theft Auto Online'). However, from the story, the characters and the environment, you can probably find it in common with crime drama tv shows and movies. It boils down pretty much to the main character becoming a criminal and such to survive, but it does change it up slighty with each game. Sometimes, you are an immigrant to the city using his criminal experience to try and make a living for himself. In another, you are a former gangbanger framed for the death of an officer and try to survive against criminals after you.
It changes up enough each game to keep the story interesting, yet doesn't undermine the main gameplay elements that helped make 'Grand Theft Auto' popular. Its longevity also helped it become a 'franchise' of sorts, scoring high with game critics and the public through its works.
Who comes out on top?
From a financial standpoint, 'Grand Theft Auto' has had the time and experience to chalk up more cash from their earnings that 'Saints Row'. However, both game series are recognized as favorites of many fans.
Tune in next time for games featuring our titular heroes, though half of them could be considered sidekicks. Try not to tell that to their faces.
Until next time...
This is where today's pair of games come in: the 'Grand Theft Auto' and 'Saints Row' series.
For those unfamiliar with the games, here are the briefest of summaries for you:
Look, lets get into why these two game series have often been compared to one another.
Where is the rivalry?
Both game are open world 'sandbox' games, allowing the player a lot of freedom to do whatever they want in a city with little to no issues. While there are mission that follow the main storyline, it isn't hard for the player to forget about doing some of them for a time and try their fun doing other things. Want to drag race down from one end of the city street to the end of town? That can be done. Want to randomly toss grenades into a busy intersection and then fight off the full force of the police? Easy enough. What to parachute out of a flying plane, naked and trying to land in a swimming pool from an obscene height? Do you even have to ask at this point?
Yeah, this all seems pretty ridiculous to do in both games, but the main differences of them both come through the story and general approach of the games as done by the developers.
To denser and wackier we go!
'Saints Row' has taken the bigger stretch into making itself stand out from its counterpart of 'GTA'. Some of the changes involve the narrative, where it is this one continuous story of 'the Boss', the lowly grunt of the Third Street Saints becoming its leader and more by the end of the series. How strange can it get from there? Well, in the first game, you end up fighting what could be 'similar yet legally different' gangs based around the drug cartel of South America, vice criminals who hide behind a legitimate record company, and gangbangers who prefer racing and stealing cars more than anything else. By the second game, you end up leading the Saints to retake Stillwater after you were thought to be killed, this time fighting a thuggish gang of monster truck riders and extremists, drug dealers with a Caribbean flavor, and what could be considered extensions of the Yakuza ( Japanese criminal counterpart to the Mafia ).
Then it gets weirder into the third and fourth installments.
The Saints end up becoming celebrities and taking on an organization called the Syndicate, made up of gangs involving Eastern European arms dealers, tech-out cyber criminals and an army of Luchadores in heavy armor. In the game after, you get elected President of the United States and fight an alien empire in a cyber world, who also blew up the Earth and took almost all of the human population with it.
Yeah, 'Saints Row' founds it own voice by becoming more 'out there' in terms of a personality. While 'GTA' stuck to being more grounded in real life (to its story, in a sorts), 'Saints Row' embraced its more cartoonish aspects and made it more paramount. It certainly got its own popularity for the efforts, with people complimenting them for actually gaining its own voice rather than just relying on the style used by their counterparts. Question is whether or not it helped pay off for them by their latest game.
Keeping it grounded
This seemed to be a major focus behind the work of 'Grand Theft Auto'. Yes, there are Easter eggs within the games that can border on the comical, not to mention some game modes that can be very unrealistic (especially since the launch of 'Grand Theft Auto Online'). However, from the story, the characters and the environment, you can probably find it in common with crime drama tv shows and movies. It boils down pretty much to the main character becoming a criminal and such to survive, but it does change it up slighty with each game. Sometimes, you are an immigrant to the city using his criminal experience to try and make a living for himself. In another, you are a former gangbanger framed for the death of an officer and try to survive against criminals after you.
It changes up enough each game to keep the story interesting, yet doesn't undermine the main gameplay elements that helped make 'Grand Theft Auto' popular. Its longevity also helped it become a 'franchise' of sorts, scoring high with game critics and the public through its works.
Who comes out on top?
From a financial standpoint, 'Grand Theft Auto' has had the time and experience to chalk up more cash from their earnings that 'Saints Row'. However, both game series are recognized as favorites of many fans.
Tune in next time for games featuring our titular heroes, though half of them could be considered sidekicks. Try not to tell that to their faces.
Until next time...
Friday, April 8, 2016
Dueling Works: Overwatch and Battleborn
It isn't too uncommon to find some movies, tv shows or even video games being compared to one another thanks to similarities. At times, some people may call out how one is copying the other, which is not often true (there might be a few cases, but I wouldn't know them off the top of my head).
For the rest of this month, I'll be looking at different video games that have often been compared to one another. First up is a pair of games that haven't even been released yet (just a little over a month for both), but are still being saddled up as being copies of each other to many people: "Overwatch" and "Battleborn".
It is a bit funny to compare the two like this, as both companies have been working hard to stand out amongst the scene. So, what exactly makes them different from each other?
Setting
'Overwatch' is a bit of a look into the future, decades after a violent war called the 'Omnic Crisis'. Thanks to the efforts of the organization 'Overwatch', peace was restored and the relationships between man and robots were holding. However, the organization grew corrupt from within and soon disbanded under heap of public outcry and sabotage. Now, those remaining try to protect the world as best they can against evil boths new and old.
'Battleborn' is set more into the far future, where a dangerous galactic army has been snuffing the light out in the universe. Survivors of several factions are banding together to stop the last start from being wiped out. While many of these characters have different ideologies and attitudes with one another, they do agree that they are the last hope to stop this evil. Live together, or die alone.
Art Design
'Overwatch's design has often been compared to the likes of Disney's Pixar animation and it isn't hard to see why. While the characters are very cartoony in design, many behavior wouldn't be too out of place out in real life. The heroes especially have 'feet of clay', having a more developed grounding in attitude that can be seen in their gameplay as well as released shorts by Blizzard.
'Battleborn' is easily comparable to a Saturday morning cartoon, something that Gearbox seems to revel in when it came to designing their story and characters. Their personalities are almost borderline exaggerations, but have enough pop in their look and feel to easily stand out from each other. It revels in the fact that it is a cartoony game, so it plays with it the best it can.
Gameplay
'Overwatch' focuses on six versus six team matches with different maps and objectives. Characters are seperated into groups depending on their main talent: Attack, Defense, Tank, and Support. The game helps players point what which they might be lacking in a team, as well as enable them to switch characters in the middle of fights to change up strategies. Each character as their own weapon and abilities to use, including an 'ultimate' that charges depending on the character's main stat (attack characters charge with dealing damage, while tank characters charge while taking damage).
'Battleborn' has characters that represent different factions, each with their own style of abilities fitting to their own factions: the nature-preserving Eldrid, the highly imperialist Jennerit, the military-focused Peacekeepers, the mechanically focused Last Light Consortium, and the rebellious Rogues. Players can form teams of fight to compete in story 'episodes' or player versus player combat. Majority of these characters are heavy damage based, with few being better tanks and even fewer being better support.
Final Thoughts
It certainly comes down to personal choice more than anything else. Are you more of a fan of cooperative play with fellow gamers in an environment looking straight out of a Pixar film? Then 'Overwatch' would be the game for you. Are you more into the Saturday-morning cartoon variety of action that allows you to solo a campaign mode as well as multiplayer? Then you'll look forward to 'Battleborn'.
Neither game will be out yet until next month, so it is hard to say who will be the true winner of this duel.
Next time, we'll be looking into a pair of video game series where one would almost be considered a copy of the other...if it didn't go off the deep end of 'dense' and 'wacky'.
Until next time...
For the rest of this month, I'll be looking at different video games that have often been compared to one another. First up is a pair of games that haven't even been released yet (just a little over a month for both), but are still being saddled up as being copies of each other to many people: "Overwatch" and "Battleborn".
The newest IP created by Blizzard Entertainment, 'Overwatch' is the online game where you play has former members of the organization Overwatch (as well as a few villains) and compete in different modes to capture points and protect cargo and the like.
"Battleborn" is developed by Gearbox Software, where you take part as a team of fighters to take on an evil empire to stop the heat death of the universe, while also fighting against each other in different modes as well.
Where is the rivalry?
This has mostly been brought up by the fans moreso than the creators, just be observations of released information like videos and news reports. Both games are first person shooters taking place in a rather cartoonish science fiction world set in the future. All the characters have a few select abilities as well as an 'ultimate', which they can use to help turn the tide in fights at the right time. You pair up with other players as characters competing for different objects, such as capturing points, attacking or defending escort items, or playing a 'king of the hill' match.
Setting
'Overwatch' is a bit of a look into the future, decades after a violent war called the 'Omnic Crisis'. Thanks to the efforts of the organization 'Overwatch', peace was restored and the relationships between man and robots were holding. However, the organization grew corrupt from within and soon disbanded under heap of public outcry and sabotage. Now, those remaining try to protect the world as best they can against evil boths new and old.
'Battleborn' is set more into the far future, where a dangerous galactic army has been snuffing the light out in the universe. Survivors of several factions are banding together to stop the last start from being wiped out. While many of these characters have different ideologies and attitudes with one another, they do agree that they are the last hope to stop this evil. Live together, or die alone.
Art Design
'Overwatch's design has often been compared to the likes of Disney's Pixar animation and it isn't hard to see why. While the characters are very cartoony in design, many behavior wouldn't be too out of place out in real life. The heroes especially have 'feet of clay', having a more developed grounding in attitude that can be seen in their gameplay as well as released shorts by Blizzard.
'Battleborn' is easily comparable to a Saturday morning cartoon, something that Gearbox seems to revel in when it came to designing their story and characters. Their personalities are almost borderline exaggerations, but have enough pop in their look and feel to easily stand out from each other. It revels in the fact that it is a cartoony game, so it plays with it the best it can.
Gameplay
'Overwatch' focuses on six versus six team matches with different maps and objectives. Characters are seperated into groups depending on their main talent: Attack, Defense, Tank, and Support. The game helps players point what which they might be lacking in a team, as well as enable them to switch characters in the middle of fights to change up strategies. Each character as their own weapon and abilities to use, including an 'ultimate' that charges depending on the character's main stat (attack characters charge with dealing damage, while tank characters charge while taking damage).
'Battleborn' has characters that represent different factions, each with their own style of abilities fitting to their own factions: the nature-preserving Eldrid, the highly imperialist Jennerit, the military-focused Peacekeepers, the mechanically focused Last Light Consortium, and the rebellious Rogues. Players can form teams of fight to compete in story 'episodes' or player versus player combat. Majority of these characters are heavy damage based, with few being better tanks and even fewer being better support.
Final Thoughts
It certainly comes down to personal choice more than anything else. Are you more of a fan of cooperative play with fellow gamers in an environment looking straight out of a Pixar film? Then 'Overwatch' would be the game for you. Are you more into the Saturday-morning cartoon variety of action that allows you to solo a campaign mode as well as multiplayer? Then you'll look forward to 'Battleborn'.
Neither game will be out yet until next month, so it is hard to say who will be the true winner of this duel.
Next time, we'll be looking into a pair of video game series where one would almost be considered a copy of the other...if it didn't go off the deep end of 'dense' and 'wacky'.
Until next time...
Friday, April 1, 2016
New Stories For April
Finally back from a bit of a hiatus, real life and all that taken care of for the moment.
Already got a theme for this month for the next few weeks: Dueling Video Games. I mean by this is how there are many video games out there with similar gameplay, design and aesthetics to them that make comparing them all the more prevalent (especially when they debut close to each other).
For the next several weeks, I'll be looking at two games that would fit into this little story and just show what makes them different and what makes them the same.
First up are a pair of new releases: 'Battleborn' and 'Overwatch'!
Until next time...
Already got a theme for this month for the next few weeks: Dueling Video Games. I mean by this is how there are many video games out there with similar gameplay, design and aesthetics to them that make comparing them all the more prevalent (especially when they debut close to each other).
For the next several weeks, I'll be looking at two games that would fit into this little story and just show what makes them different and what makes them the same.
First up are a pair of new releases: 'Battleborn' and 'Overwatch'!
Until next time...
Friday, March 4, 2016
No Review This Week
I do have to apologize for not having a review this week. Currently facing a family crisis that is taking the forefront of everything else.
Depending on how things go, I may be back to posting new stuff next week or by next month. Hard to say so far.
Until next time...
Depending on how things go, I may be back to posting new stuff next week or by next month. Hard to say so far.
Until next time...
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