Sometimes, I need to take a break from medicine. Every once in a while, I get run down and burnt out and all I want to do is lounge around and play video games all day. I’ve been keeping my professional blog, Match Game, updated with my recent struggles writing my personal statement, deciding on a specialty change, and mulling an extra year of training. They’ve been some of my favorite posts I’ve done for Medscape. But I’m just going to use this post to get my thoughts down on the games I’ve been catching up with lately.
The majority of my gaming time has been spent finishing inFamous in preparation for the sequel. The open-world exploration had me hooked in the same way that Assassin’s Creed did, but the controls are abhorrent. Making tightly controlled movements during tense situations is next to impossible, and I’d get stuck on the roof of a building too often when my actual intention was to grind on a rail. Still, I really enjoyed the comic book style origin story, and I’m looking forward to inFamous 2.
I finally finished the co-op campaigns in Halo: Reach and Halo 3: ODST with my sister-in-law. Both were great, although I could have done without the dark interludes between levels in ODST. They had great atmosphere and an amazing monk-less musical score, but I don’t like shooting at highlighted outlines of characters that long. I’d love to try out the multiplayer, but I only play those games with people I know. Xbox Live is not exactly a great place to meet new people.
I’ve spent more time with the 3DS in the past couple of weeks than I have since the system launched. While Star Fox 64 3D is by no means an innovative or challenging game, it takes me back to my childhood in the same way Mario and Zelda do. It’s a perfect series to move to 3D, although I did have a bit of trouble with the controls. I distinctly remember using an inverted control scheme with the original Nintendo 64 version, but modern shooters have trained me differently. I had to readjust. I’ve also spent some time with Dead or Alive: Dimensions. I’ve always considered it more of a button-mashing game than a serious tactical experience like Street Fighter. And the way it animates the female fighters has been and always will be creepy and disturbing. But if you put those things aside, there’s a lot to like about the 3DS game. There’s nothing out for the system right now that’s worth the $40 asking price, but since I got both games for $20 each, I can’t complain.
I’ve also tried to get back into Cladun: This is an RPG! on the PSP. I find the 8-bit art style and retro soundtrack charming, but the mechanics still confuse me. I thought about skipping it and just trying the new sequel, but I can’t find information on either game anywhere. There are very few reviews, and I haven’t found a single FAQ online. It’ll take some work.
Currently Playing
PlayStation 3: inFamous 2
NDS: Kirby Mass Attack
3DS: Star Fox 64 3D
PSP: Cladun: This is an RPG!
I think you’ll really like Infamous 2. I thought it was better that the first game in every way. I couldn’t bring myself to care about the story or dickish characters (especially Cole) the first time. The second one makes them more likable, and the cutscenes are 100 times better. Also, go with the ice powers. The ice launch move makes zipping and soaring through the city so much more fun. There’s sadly no equivalent if you go with the other powers.
I have Halo Reach, and as I said on Twitter, I also have Gears 3. With your busy med schedule and my baby on the way, we’ll probably have to schedule a time to play. Just let me know when you’re available. Playing online with 12-year-olds really bums me out.
I’m about an hour into inFamous 2 and I agree with everything you said so far. It’s a bit weird going from one straight into the other because the change in voice actors for Cole is a bit jarring. The new one sounds less like he’s purposely trying to be pissed, though, so that’s better I guess.
I’ll let you know when I get back to Columbus next. I won’t have access to my 360 or PS3 on my next rotation.