A_Morg's GameLogBlogging the experience of gameplayhttps://www.gamelog.cl/gamers/GamerPage.php?idgamer=365Goldeneye 007 (N64) - Fri, 16 Feb 2007 02:54:54https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1274Goldeneye 007's levels vary in terms of linearity. Some levels give the player a wide amount of freedom in where to go to, while others are pretty straightforward. In one of the levels I played, entitled Surface, I was able to travel pretty much anywhere in the level whenever I wanted to, without any limitations. Goldeneye keeps the player interested with a variety of weapons and environments in which to go to. Each level is just the right length that it does not seem too long or too short. The game also has a pretty interesting soundtrack, similar to the film version of Goldeneye. This selection of music gets the player more immersed into the world of Goldeneye, or at least if he or she has seen the movie.Fri, 16 Feb 2007 02:54:54 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1274&iddiary=2833Half-Life 2 (PC) - Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:15:16https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1273Half-Life 2's gameplay is pretty basic. The game uses the normal elements of any First Person Shooter. That is, you run around and shoot enemies. Probably one of the things most innovative in HL2 is the introduction of a well-designed physics engine. Many of the objects in the game, from bricks to cars to even enemy soldiers, can be manipulated in-game using the physics. A part I would change about HL@ is the AI system. Although the game features an impressive AI, the locations and ways enemies and allies show up is entirely scripted in order to ensure the climatic feel of the game. However, this makes the game very easy for the player if they have ever played before, since every event will be carried out in nearly the exact same way. My experience playing HL2 was very enjoyable. The game is very well-designed, with plenty of action, horror, and even comedy to keep players involved. There was never any part to the game where I grew frustrated and did not want to continue playing.Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:15:16 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1273&iddiary=2832Half-Life 2 (PC) - Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:00:10https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1273Half-Life 2 uses a relatively unique method of telling the player the plot. The storyline is never really told to the player, instead he or she needs to figure out themselves by clues in the game. This makes the narrative progression far more interesting, since it does not seem that the game is revolving around the player, but rather is a world in itself. The level design is pretty linear. A problem with Half-Life 2 is its graphics engine. The Source engine is able to deleiver nice looking visuals, but there were times when I was facing a new loading screen every five minutes. HL2 keeps the player interested by having a large variety of enemies and environments in which the player to do battle in and explore. HL2 uses only two cutscenes throughout the entire game: one as the game begins, and another one as it ends. This gives the player a greater appreciation of the game world, since the entire story and everything the player needs to know is located in it.Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:00:10 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1273&iddiary=2831Goldeneye 007 (N64) - Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:49:17https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1274Goldeneye 007 uses the same characters and basic plot as the Bond film Goldeneye. An unfortunate side effect of this is that there is very little character or plot development in the game. Sure, the player knows that he is playing as Bond and is probably trying to save the world, but apart from the brief text synopsis at the beginning of each mission, the plot is never told to the player. Although the graphics are considered very poor by todays standards, when the game was released in 1997 they were quite revolutionary. Probably the best feature of Goldeneye is the huge variety of weapons. There are over twenty weapons availible to the player in the game. In contrast, Gears Of War (a modern shooter, see other GameLog) has less than ten.Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:49:17 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1274&iddiary=2830Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) - Thu, 01 Feb 2007 23:35:38https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1013San Andreas has many innovative elements to it. The game uses a sort of "fog" to load and unload areas of the world. by doing this, the game eliminates the need of loading screens, which were present in all of the earlier games using the GTA III graphics engine. San Andreas expands on the ability to go inside of buildings, something that was first introduced in Vice City. Something that could be greatly improved on in San Andreas is the basics physics of the game. If a realistic physics engine was implemented, the reality of the game would greatly increase, giving the player a much more immersive experience. San Andreas adds an entire new social aspect to the GTA series. The main character is meant to come from ghetto areas similar to Compton, and his speach and a limited part of his actions accurately reflect the gangs there during the early 1990s.Thu, 01 Feb 2007 23:35:38 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1013&iddiary=2422Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) - Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:12:25https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1013GTA: San Andreas is a continuation of the GTA III games, and as such uses many of the same elements of gameplay. The player is given the freedom to explore a large world, although San Andreas takes this to an entirely new level. The player is capable of exploring three completely separate cities, as well as the land in between them. San Andreas keeps the player interested by giving him or her the freedom to do pretty much whatever they want, whenever they want. The mission system is very loosely based, so players have the freedom to play through the games storyline, or just explore the world. The game has a very limited amount of cutscenes, and the few that do exist can be easily skipped. The game keeps the player, as well as bystanders, interested by giving him the ability to do whatever he or she wants to do. For example, if a mission begins to get boring, the player can simply go on a rampage to blow off some steam.Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:12:25 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1013&iddiary=2412Gears of War (360) - Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:04:23https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=945After playing GoW for a longer period of time, there are several problems that I have with the game. First off, after beating the game for the first time, it becomes apparent how short the campaign is. I could probably beat it again in less than two hours. I believe that this is because although the game utilizes a complex A.I. system, the times and places where enemies appear are very scripted in order to add to the cinematic-like feeling of the game. Another problem is that there is a very limited variety of weapons. And nearly all of the enemy units behave in the exact same way as your allies. It makes the game seem more like a shooter taking place between two human armies rather than against aliens. In addition, the storyline of Gears of War is very lacking. Even though the game first appears to have a very in depth story, it later occurred to me that it is extremely lacking. For example, the game tells me that I am going to go and stop a train, but never mentions why I am trying to do this. Or that I am going to a house, but doesn’t say what the reason for going there it. The level design is relatively linear. That is, there is pretty much only one way to go. However, the game makes up for this by giving the player a choice of paths at several points. The game also utilizes the processing power of the 360 by making objects located even in the far distance appear just as realistic as those right next to the player's character. My overall view of GoW is that the game had an incredible potential, but was rushed so that the X-Box 360 could have a strong game to compete against the Playstation 3 with. The game introduces many new aspects to the shooter genre, and probably has the greatest graphics of any game to date, but the rushed feeling it has make the game not as great as it could have been. Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:04:23 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=945&iddiary=2175Gears of War (360) - Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:00:13https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=945The story in Gears of War seems to be pretty in depth. The main character serves as a sort of anti-hero, he was in prison for some reason before being released to help defeat the aliens which have invaded. However, the game has not mentioned yet why there is a war going on, or what exactly it is that I as the player am trying to accomplish. Gears of War has many innovative elements. The game introduces an entirely new aspect to the shooter genre. Unlike most shooters, where the best way to win is with gung-ho running in and killing everything, this game takes a much more realistic approach. The game is all about staying covered, and letting the enemy come to you. In addition, Gears of War takes into account the fact that in the real world, it is impossible to have perfect aim while running and jumping. In order to be able to target an enemy, your movement speed is cut down by quite a bit. This game creates very positive social reactions from bystanders, or at least from male bystanders. The game's extensive use of blood makes it seem very reminiscent of an action movie, making the game very appealing to men. Some examples include the clearly visible headshots, curb-stomping enemies, and the gun with an attached chainsaw. In addition, the use of swear words and the “gritty” feel of the game make it appeal strongly to the same audience that enjoys these sorts of movies. Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:00:13 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=945&iddiary=2174