PixlBit

We went over Microsoft's mistakes. Its now to put Sony in the spotlight. They had started out with the PS1 to a strong start and didn't have any notable mistakes. The PS2 though was a difficult system to develop but it didn't play a big role but the PSP is when they started making hiccups.  I console like experience on the go. While it sounded great, a big problem is that it didn't have dual analog sticks and used proprietary software which received a lot of negativity. Get rid of UMDs and having harddrive only console a good idea? Not quite.The PSPGo, asking everyone to rid their existing PSP library with no consolation was asking a lot. It also came in a time frame where peoples' expectations was a true successor.

Now the Xbox One seemed like it was mounted with what have been many mistakes but Microsoft had made many with it prior to its release but before we get into that, let’s dwell in the past. Now this isn’t singling out Microsoft. I will get around to Sony and Nintendo as well in my next blogs. Let’s start with though with the original Xbox. There are two things that stand out. The first thing is the horrible controller that was ridiculously big. It was insane how large it was. It was nice the eventually got around to releasing a smaller one after all the criticism.  The second and last that I can recall is that they left the system in the dust when the 360 came out. They had nothing for it. All those Xbox fans had to switch over immediately to play anything new.

China is a massive country with lots of potential but its government holds its creativity back from what they can express and always been negative toward video games in various ways. It doesn’t help though that many cafes that host game sessions often result in violent clashes. It has on many occasions made the government step in to close gaming cafes and they put restriction on teens gameplay time. They are on the brink of making consoles legal to be sold there although they are sold already in public for years. This is could be considered a good jester but it also has economic incentives for the reasoning.

There is one title called Liege on Kickstarter that I read a bit about through an article on Gematsu. The game caught my interest since it was trying to get funding and was approved for a PS4/Vita port. I knew of course about Kickstarter for some other well-known developers who have gone to it and how it had become a huge thing for Indies. I didn’t pay much mind in checking it out and seeing how it’s structured. I am very intrigued and impressed more with it than Greenlight by the perks you can get for help funding it if it comes to fruition as well the goals that its set up to add things if it reaches a certain peak in funding. I plan on supporting a couple of games with some big money; well I wouldn’t say big money, but somewhere around 60 bucks to get something which could be considered special and more notably compared to collector’s editions that are sold by the thousands for AAA titles. This will be intimate and more personal to help out an Indie studio. It’s cool how the pledge gifts are set up and seem to get pretty crazy. It is impressive how someone would spend over a grand to help fund one game and people do and spent more.

The next generation of systems is adding some nice features in how you operate it and move around within its menu. I am happy the PS4 is making a change with a new menu called Playstation Dynamic Menu and Microsoft’s is supposedly built with advertising in mind. Not something I would boast about. I do like what Sony and Microsoft are doing with their new interfaces which I find important how complex gaming systems have become. As for what I like, its new additions like recording footage to show, the ability for others to watch as you play and able to help others or be helped by giving your game to someone else through that one hard segment.

Wow. Not only are we getting Tales of Xillia but they just announced that the sequel will be coming Stateside as well. That is great! We have had a great slew of titles that come over a long wait. What are others and unexpected...

The Last of Us was an incredible fun and unique experience that had a lasting story. I love creative and unique experiences. There is a lot more new IPs coming on current and next gen titles. Here are ten titles I am excited to play this year.

The next generation is exciting for new franchises but is also great to see the potential of what old franchises can do and how great they will look like by exploiting the new hardware. My list is a bit personal. I am sure to be more mainstream, Syphon Filter and Dark Souls by some might be replaced by Grand Theft Auto, Portal, or perhaps other peoples' own personal choices. We know we are getting a new Mirror's Edge now, Dragon Age is confirmed, and we know Mass Effect will be starting a new trilogy on next gen systems. My list is what hasn't been announced in any form yet.

I won't spoil anything. I will say though that the ending isn't what I was expecting. There were at least a couple of times I thought it would end but didn't. I have to say that this game was really incredible in how it kept a balance of being linear but still give you room to explore. It is also a fine example of direct storytelling without giving you choices. I think this game set a milestone personally for me than Uncharted ever had. I loved the adventure. I love how you didn't know just around a corner if there was going to be a big group of Clickers. It get things suspenseful. There are some interesting and crazy encounters with humans, especially one particular group. The game is many ways like The Walking Dead in how humans are just as ruthless if not more.

There is a lot I want to talk about. First I will say I am glad there is no DRM in the Xbox One now. I don't feel so dirty buying it anymore. I had pre-ordered it and the PS4 the moment they were on Amazon. I paid those suckers off with Amazon Gift Cards. Its great having those out of the way and concentrate on games. There is a lot I want on the Xbox One and PS4 so its good to focus on buying games for them. I will also add that Microsoft completely lied. I have a lot of resentment toward them now and their practices. They talk so much about their once a day connection and about the restrictions about used games. They spun it to make it necessary than done away with it. Its a joke. A lot of people will flock to the Xbox One now. Personally, if I could only get one system, there is no way I would take it over the PS4. No way. I say that even with Microsoft finally getting their act together with new IPs which is the number one thing they needed to do.