PixlBit

I can see how annoying this change potentially will be for owners of the older PS3 units, though folks who own the slim model won't even notice a difference since they never had it to begin with. Having only had a PS3 since the beginning of this year, I'm not going to miss it but if I had a linux-running PS3 I'd be peeved.

A number of sources seem to think (and I am inclined to agree) that this is the direct result of the PS3 being semi-hacked earlier this year, by the same guy who hacked the iPhone. It's just as much a security concern as it is, if not more so, revenue concern with regard to potentially pirated games.

I think that the last few years, Square Enix has gradually been trying to find new ways to remain fresh and relevant in its Final Fantasy series. From what you wrote Nick, it seems there's a good possibility that this is the new standard for what Final Fantasys will be in the future. I'll be interested in picking this up sometime in the future, if anything to experience how they've shaken things up a bit.

I agree with about 90% of what you said, with a few exceptions. I'll definitely agree on the chuggy-ness of the controls from time to time mostly in regards to grabbing/throwing enemies (some of the dodge animations were also a little odd). Camera, in my opinion, proved to not be an issue with one major exception in the first part of one of the earlier boss fights. People who played 2 will have an odd sense of deja vu to the Barbarian fight, where his massive size blocks the camera. While I don't see an over-the-shoulder camera really working in the God of War series, having a camera that swivels at the very least would have been nice.

And what I found funny was how while enemies themselves are definitely a bit on the hardier side, that God (normal) mode seemed somewhat easier. Or, at least, seemed easier for that first playthrough compared to the first playthrough of GoW 1 or 2, for reasons I can't fully articulate. Perhaps it's because there are no huge jumps in enemy difficulty. I don't think it's so much an issue with puzzles, which I think were much better in 3... puzzles in 1 and 2 seemed thrown in for the sake of having puzzles. GoW3 puzzles are better integrated into the environment and for that flow better.

All in all, God of War 3 did what most trilogies do: everything literally has been building to this point and Kratos is finally able to take his revenge on the large scale. For that, the over-arching plot is predictable... but I'm disappointed in the lack of mention to the subplot of this game. Kratos, the gloriously unrepentant bastard he is, also finally has to really face his past actions not as a war machine (though everyone you encounter in the game will inform you of how much you're really screwing everyone over) but as a character. Kratos major rage trigger in this game involves family. There are really moments where you go, "seriously, this is Kratos normally... you don't want to see him pissed off." It adds a bit more flavor to the game beyond revenge.

I agree to the rating and the recommendation - if you didn't particularly enjoy the other God of Wars, this won't change your mind.

3D handheld? Without glasses? It must be the future.

For the sake of Chessa's sanity: Harold and the Purple Crayon.

Additional information - Sony blog claims a patch will be out in 24 hours. Hang tight for a bit folks!

Glad you made a post about this Lukasz. Only additional information I can add to this is some owners of older PS3 models seem to not be getting new trophies recorded when they are obtained, so you folks with the older models who trophy hunt may want to lay off playing your PS3s for a few days until some kind of patch is made.

I'll tell you: I played this with a friend, and in time, we were screaming and bickering at each other in frustration, before we figured out how the "puzzle" worked. And I agree: a super anti-climatic experience, not helped at all by the end (topped off by stock footage you already see in the normal game, how fun!). Definitely if you have reservations about picking it up: don't bother.

THAT SAID: while the expansion fails with, well, expanding, I think it succeeds in actually creating a more horror-like atmosphere, particularly in the first part. People who complained at the lack of horror-element in RE5 would probably appreciate this expansion for creating a far more tense atmosphere than the main game proper. And, of course, the nostalgia element should appeal to the longtime Resident Evil fans.

Super solid? No. God, I wish that the final fight was something more than what it was, as it would have dramatically improved the expansion immensely. But I think the expansion overall was to appease the fanbase that's been around for awhile.

Funnily enough Jason, I had a biology teacher in high school whose name was Janice Rogers... we called her J-Ro. It's a name I can stand behind pretty easily.

I'd like to correct myself slightly about some of the character redesigns: I just saw some newly released footage today, and apparently Cybil Bennett's design will also vary through the game between apparently either the one we know and love or the more practical updated version.

Also, I neglected to mention that Harry Mason is a resident of Silent Hill in Shattered Memories. A minor point, if you are unfamiliar with the series but in the original, he's there on vacation (this was naturally back before we knew this was a horrible idea) and therefore completely has no idea what's going on to the town at the game's beginning. It'll be interesting to see how this is justified in the upcoming game.