Blogging the experience of gameplayhttps://www.gamelog.cl/gamers/GamerPage.php?idgamer=1521https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=4910I just now finished my third session with this game and found soem new interesting things. I am across a speech that Bill Clinton gave regarding the shootings and now I am more confused than ever. The developers put you in the shoes of these killers, which at first makes you feel terrible. Then, as the killings are very rudimentary and simplistic, they devalue the lives of those you kill. But, as I'm attempting to find my way to the library, which I'm told, via wikipedia, is where the kids committed suicide and I assume the game will end, I'm given a speech this clip which makes the whole thing come off cheesy. I know this was a terrible occurance. I just think the developers should decide whether or not they want to take away the power these kids had or display the horror. They don't do a great job of either, that's for sure. Also, it must've taken 10 tries to get into the library because the game kept sending me back to the parking lot with Vodka (who I can't stand). I do like that the incorporate the story behind these guys, but I just feel that it was done lazily. "Don't be a p*ssy" repeated like 20 times. C'mon. After you kill yourself, though, you end up fighting demons in hell, or something along those lines which just completely throws off the rest of the game, which I actually tried to take seriously. Again it brings up my point, that you never really know how the developers want you to take the game: serious, or not, informative, or shocking. Kinda happy this game is over, though.Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:29:23 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=4910&iddiary=9102https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=4910So I started playing again today and noticed a few things that were somewhat surprising. These insane teenagers had some insane weapons. I find myself using automatic guns, bombs, grenades (i think) and am somewhat astounded at the fact there is so much detail put into this. Next I've realized that the developers have actually made this game so that you feel senseless when playing. I've encountered a few specific characters in the game, and for whatever reason, had no problem killing them. After stopping the game, I did however realize that these were real people that were killed, so it kind of became unsettling for me. For instance, there was a goody girl, a couple jocks, etc. It does kind of make sense to have the game desensitize you a bit, because you realize just how lost those boys were. The developers have done a good job at tying in the story, though. I'll give them credit for that. Initially I thought this game would be used to put this tragedy into perspective, but now it seems like these developers really just wanted to recreate the mayhem and allow you to take the wheel. I've kiled about 10-15 people by now. Later I'll try to wrap up the game...Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:30:03 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=4910&iddiary=9097https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=4910This was definitely a game that was hard to get into at first. Knwoing what we know about the columbine situation, and after having disucssed the No Russian mission in COD MW2, I already had some preconceived notions about the game. After having planted bombs and avoided what I perceive to be cameras, the flashbacks started. I understand this game is really made for the user to really understand the horror, and the sick mindset of the participants of what happened in Boulder, but the flashbacks made this somewhat of a tough task. After having killed a few people in the game, I definitely had a some issues with seeing the dead bodies on the floor and whatnot. So far, I find it unappealing, maybe tomorrow will turn out better...Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:01:25 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=4910&iddiary=9089https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=4862As I continue playing GTA:SA I've noticed sevral things i find interesting. The interactive nature of the game contiues to expand. I've encountered a mission where you can actually sky dive out of a plane and fly threw the air. The mechanics seemed spot on, as you oould catch more air to slow down or lean forward to speed threw the air. At the end of the mission you must deploy your parachute and land safely. Honestly, this is the first time in a game that you can do this. Also, the games presents some great features such as th3e ability to buy a casino and run it. By doing so you will make yourself more money, which is a nice alternative to shooting civilians and robbing them. By buying the casino, you open a whole new branch of missions to accomplish which will unlock more weapons, areas, and options as you continue. The open-ended nature of the game allows for you to make "mistakes" which will affect how easily you can defeat the game.Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:06:23 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=4862&iddiary=9012https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=4862This morning I turned on GTA:SA and picked up where I left off. The gameplay just keeps getting more and more involved. For example, today I came across a mission where I needed to enter a low-rider "switch-hitting" competition. essentially, the game used the joy sticks and button in combinatuions similar the DDR series and forced me to time out my movements according to cadence. It was actually very interactive and something you never get to do in past versions of Grand Theft Auto. One thing that strikes me about the game is the attention to detail. For example, Driving between cities (Los Santos to San Fierro) you come across several small towns, rest stops, etc. This is incredible because it essentially gives you an entire state to roam around in. The game definitely has a very dark storyline which would normally put most people at a moral crossroads. You begin to dea with dirty cops and are forced to work with some drug dealers. In most cases, it doesn't matter if these characters are shot, killed, or left behind, but you do come across a mission where their health is being monitored just like your own. This does give you the sense of gameplay with consequences, but it doesn't seem to carry over mission to mission. (This entry has been edited1 time. It was last edited on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:41:10.)Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:39:42 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=4862&iddiary=9009https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=4862I started playing San Andreas and it is an incredible game. The story is extremely compelling. You get out of jail and thrown into a world in which you learn your mother has been murdered and you need to avenge her death. You're reaquainted with your brother and your crew and are faced with some pretty basic challenges. The gameplay is great because you can do so many things that you can do in real life, except without the consequences. For instance, you can lift weights without soreness, get in a gun fight without fear of injury or death, or steal cars without fear of being arrested. It raises the question of ethics that we discussed with Bioshock. One aspect I found very cool, was the inclusion of some RPG style elements like character development. For example, when you lift weights, the muscle actually builds and your character CJ gains respect, which you'll need to arrange a gang. You are raised with some moral issues that are brought up through narration. In one case, you must kill a drug dealer who is flooding your neighborhood, so it actually does pay off to utilize some of the less socially accepted aspects of gameplay. The narration is awesome too because its all perpetuated by what you do in the game. (This entry has been edited1 time. It was last edited on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:43:22.)Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:48:07 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=4862&iddiary=8998