Half-Life: Ten Years Later

Ten years ago today, Half-Life was released.  And things haven’t been the same since then.

First seen in 1997, Half-Life was made by a group of former Microsoft employees who were given a shot by Sierra after being turned down by other publishers.  The end result is one of the most significant games to be released, and not limited to just the first person shooters.

Fallout 3

Fallout and Fallout 2 are usually regarded as some of the best RPG’s to ever grace the PC, often without mention of genre.  While not without some issues, the first two games in the franchise are an expert blend of action, strategy and atmosphere that have earned their praise. 

It was unknown whether Fallout 3 would ever see the light of day.  Black Isle began working on Fallout 3 under the name of Van Buren, but the game was cancelled in 2003 and Black Isle employees were laid off.  Bethesda acquired the rights to Fallout and began development in 2004.

After four years, the results are here for us to see.

Games I’m Looking Forward To: Part Two

Some more games I’m looking forward too.  Again, there’s a lack of PS3 and Wii games on this list.  I still haven’t really seen anything for those consoles that I must play.  Maybe that’ll change some time later.

Games I’m Looking Forward To: Part One

Now that E3 and QuakeCon are over with, I figured I’d make up a list of some of the games that I have an eye or three on.  You may notice a lack of Playstation 3 games and Wii games on this list. Why? None of them have really captured my attention.

I don’t keep track of games like I used to. I don’t usually get a chance to play new games, and when I do have the extra money, my choices are limited. In reading stuff online or watching stuff on TV, there haven’t been any PS3 or Wii games where I’ve said “I want to play this game” or “I need to get this game”. I know that there’s a bunch of good games for those consoles and I’m probably missing out on a lot of great stuff, but it’s been that way for me for a long time. I don’t have the time or the money to keep up with everything in gaming. As far as the consoles go, the 360 has more of what I want to play than the Wii or PS3. That’s not to say I won’t be getting those consoles and some games at some point, but I’m sticking with the 360 and the PC for now.

Upcoming Stuff

Just a few upcoming releases that I have my eye on…

Judas Priest – Nostradamus [June 17]

Ordered the Deluxe version.  I almost went for an import version with the album on 3 LP’s, but couldn’t justify the cost (just over triple the price).  Yet.  Not sure when it’s coming, but I don’t think it’ll arrive this Tuesday.  At least I can still go listen to it over at VH1’s The Leak until my copy arrives.  I like it so far, so I’m looking forward to hearing it in better quality.

Or so I thought.  The stream has been taken down and when I checked last, my order with Nostradamus is lurking somewhere in Ohio and isn’t expected to get here for at least a few more days.  *sigh*

Metallica – Death Magnetic [September]

Not so keen on the title, but I’m going to give it a shot anyway.  Haven’t ordered it yet, but I will.  I’m not delusional enough to believe that it’s going to be a return to their early days, but I’m hopeful that it’s a step in the right direction again.  We shall see.  Hey, solos are back, as is the old Metallica logo.

Stargate: Continuum [July 26]

Since it’s unlikely that Stargate SG-1 will be picked up again to continue its run, we have to settle for the direct to DVD releases, which isn’t so bad.  Stargate: Atlantis can only offer so much, and I don’t know when Stargate: Universe is starting up.  The Ark Of Truth was pretty good; the bigger budget and longer shooting schedule certainly helped, making it better than the majority of the last two seasons of the series.

Fallout 3 [October?]

A game I’ve been looking forward to for a while.  The change to Bethesda (the maker of the Elder Scroll series) may seem a put-off to some, but I think they can pull it off.  I haven’t decided what version to get yet, but I don’t think I’ll settle for just the standard edition.  I might have to upgrade a couple parts of the computer (if not get a replacement and use this one for other tasks), but I’ve wanted/needed to do that anyway.  I don’t get to play games when they’re released very often, but I think I’ll make the effort to change that for Fallout 3.

Video Games On The Big Screen

It came up in my previous post, so I figured I’d take a few minutes to go over the crappy video game based movies, and take a second to mention the only good one – although my verdict may not be the same as everyone else.

The Good:

Mortal Kombat

The Bad:

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Alone In The Dark, BloodRayne, BloodRayne II, Doom, Wing Commander, House Of The Dead, Double Dragon

The Ugly:

Street Fighter (the last movie Raúl Juliá did – not counting the made for TV movie, Down Came a Blackbird) , Super Mario Bros.

Undecided:

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life, In The Name Of The King, Resident Evil, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Resident Evil: Extinction, Silent Hill

There’s more, but these are the only ones that come to mind.  And there will be plenty more to place in the Crap-O-Meter.

I didn’t add any of the Final Fantasy movies, since The Spirits Within has nothing to do with any of the games, while Advent Children, Last Order and Legend Of The Crystals are sequels or prequels to what went on in their respective games.

Now, the anime/cartoon adaptations may fare better.  I haven’t put them here – I don’t think they should be compared side by side with their live action cousins.  That said, the Final Fantasy movies might be better off being in an anime/cartoon/CG list instead.

Signs Of The Apocalypse: Board Games At The Movies

Apparently, Universal Studios has a deal with Hasbro to bring some of its properties to the big screen.  Monopoly, Magic: The Gathering, Candy Land, Clue, Ouija, Battleship and Stretch Armstrong have been mentioned.

We’ve had Clue before and a Ouija Board has been involved in more than one movie.  Magic: The Gathering could end up being a CG fest of fantasy.  Might as well get Uwe Boll on board for that one.

But Monopoly?  Candy Land?  Stretch Armstrong?

BATTLESHIP?!?

What’s next?  Pictionary?  Operation?  Hungry Hungry Hippos?  Connect Four?  Rubik’s Cube?  Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots?

Oh wait, that last one was Transformers, wasn’t it?  And yes, I do know there was a Rubik’s Cube cartoon on Saturday during the 80’s (Rubik, the Amazing Cube) - I remember watching it a couple times.

Milking The Franchise: Guitar Hero

It should come as no surprise that there’s more Guitar Hero on the way.  There are at least four new Guitar Hero games (or maybe add-ons) coming our way.

The next one?  Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.  You get to follow the band’s career from its start to the present day.  However, I’m guessing that the game will probably skip past the years they were without Brad Whitford or Joe Perry.

Just wait, Guitar Hero: KISS has got to be coming soon, too…