VampireG’s Blog

Ok a bit of a cock up took place when I ordered my Assassins Creed. I originally ordered the Xbox 360 version, and then on hearing a rumor that the PS3 version was going to be better I cancelled the Xbox 360 version and ordered the PS3 version. Well I was a little slow in my order cancellation and low and behold yesterday Assassin Creed for the XBox 360 arrived on my lap.

The interesting point is today Assassins Creed for the PS3 has also landed on my lap, so I think what I will do over the weekend is play them both and give you a honest review of both versions.

However here are my initial thoughts on the Xbox 360 version of the game:

What I like so far:

• Graphics are absolutely gorgeous
• Control system is very fluid and easy to use
• The city crowds actually seem alive
• The sheer size and scale the game portrays is amazing
• I actually like the “twist” as people are calling it

What I don’t like so far:

• The fighting mechanics are a little clunky
• The “Blend in” mode makes the game too easy as you may as well be invisible

Ok so the list of don’t likes currently is not too long, but I have only really played the game for about 3 hours. The really stand out thing for me is the graphics engine, it is amazing the level of detail you get with the distance the game draws. As for the objects that are right up close to you the textures are very detailed indeed.

The character moves very fluidly and I think is a triumph as it could easily have been complicated and impossible to get your assassin to leap from roof to roof.

So far I have arrived in Damascus and I am collecting information for my first contract so to speak. Currently this is new and pretty fun, although I can imagine having to do this over and over again is going to get a little boring but we will have to see.

Overall at present I am impressed with the game. I know you may feel these thoughts are a little thin, but I don’t want to give too much of the game away as it is so new. Lets just say I will share some more thoughts soon and also share my thoughts on how the XBox 360 and PS3 versions sit side by side.

Yup that’s right finally at the end of this week we can get our hands on Assassins Creed. A game I was not too excited about but the excitement has grown after seeing the game-play footage available on the net.

The graphics look great on both PS3 and Xbox360, there has been some rumours that the PS3 version is going to be better than the 360 version? I guess we will wait and see, I have opted to purchase my copy on the PS3.

If you have any comments on whether the graphics are better on the PS3 post them here as I would be interested to hear your opinions to why etc.

Well they say if you complain enough then things will change. Well obviously a lot of European gamers where very unhappy with the US only release of the demo for Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.

Well someone listened somewhere…. you still need to log onto the US store, but the 1.2GB file I downloaded the other night I downloaded again after a tip off from a mate, and low and behold it now works on a PAL machine!!! Hooray for complaining hey!

So if you have a US account, and lets face it any respective Euro gamer will have, then get yourself the Uncharted Demo as to be honest folks I think we may have a PS3 game that actually is really quite good!

I got home from work last night in a pretty good mood and remembered seeing that a demo for Uncharted: Drakes Fortune was going to be available on the PlayStation Network for download. I fired up my PS3 and downloaded the 2.0 firmware patch which is 2.o, everything is looking good and my mood is still positive.

I go into the PS3 Store and could not find the Uncharted Demo anywhere, not to worry I thought I will log out and log back in with my US Account, as I have downloaded many a thing from the US PlayStation Store all with success.

PS3 Network at this point is running very slowly…..

Ok finally got into the US Store and finally managed to get the demo downloaded to my PS3. After I install the downloaded demo, I go to run it…. “Please insert the game disk” is the message I get and nothing else.

What does this mean, well here is the real rant…

It means that European PS3 owners are shafted as we don’t get a great new demo to play, I mean lets face it when a demo is released we get excited and there is nothing else for the PS3 worthy of looking at.

It also means that the PS3 Network is a bag of shite and can’t handle the release of a fricking demo! Because the PS3 network was down for a number of hours, and when it was up it took over 10 mins to load a page.

Uncharted is coming out in Europe also so why don’t we get this demo?

Actually if you compare the US and European PlayStation Stores their is probably 5 times more content and games on the US site. 

How do Sony think they are ever going to compare with Xbox Live? All you PS3 fan-boys will be shouting right now ”Well the PS3 network is free, blah blah blah”, I would rather pay my money to be honest for an online network that does not grind to a halt when a fricking demo comes out, and before again all you PS3 fan-boys say well loads of people are downloading it!!

Do you not think that the Xbox 360 with double the install base of the PS3 has demos that everyone will want to download? So more 360 owners online that PS3 owners, Xbox Live can handle the load, where as the first good demo to download on the PS3 network brings it down.

For a company the size of Sony it is shoddy and amateurish.

Lets not forget also that I am pissed that I can’t play this demo. I want to point out that I have not purchased a game for my PS3 since Launch in the UK????? Says a lot for the quality of games out for the PS3, I have a choice you see and I buy my games for the 360 as 10 times out of 10 they are better of the 360 anyways.

So back to Uncharted, well for the first time since the Launch I have seen something I am very interested in, a game on the PS3 that looks like it was meant to be on the PS3.

Also what is it with downloading a PS3 demo, and then having to fricking install it??? Xbox 360, download demo, play it! Sony you need to learn and it pains me to say learn from Microsoft on how to do online properly.

Now the demo did not work, and I am left with a “Why do a bother” feeling.

COD4 (Xbox 360), Assassins Creed (Xbox 360) and Mass Effect (Xbox 360) these are the games for me now this month. Sod the PS3, and screw Sony for once again shafting us European PS3 owners.

A bit of a rant sorry, but it really pissed me off that something this big (the PS3) has such a lame online network and lame support for the people who stupidly bought one!

NOTE:

Sony have annouced that a European version of the demo will be available on November 22nd 2007. SO only 2 weeks away!! Tut. Shocking.

Ok so there has been rumours that there is a 40% failure rate on the new 40GB PS3. So it looks after-all that Sony are no better than Microsoft with faulty consoles! Sony did respond to this and their press release is below:

“We are very proud of the quality and reliability of PLAYSTATION 3 and are disappointed that such extremely sloppy journalism has resulted in this totally inaccurate story,” said David Reeves, President, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “Since launching the 40GB PS3, we have experienced a fantastic jump in sales and the failure rates have remained at the very low level that we not only strive for, but have been achieving since the launch of PS3.”

Hmm what does the PS3 do when it fails? If you have screens or you are in the know let me know, I wonder if it has it’s own version of the “Red Rings of Death”.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced today the availability of the latest version of the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) system software. Version 2.00 features the ability to turn a PS3 system on and off remotely, using a PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system via the Remote Play1 function, allowing for a truly mobile partnership between the two systems.

Building on the success and potential of the Remote Play functionality, Version 2.00 will cement the partnership between PS3 and PSP and create a truly global experience. With the ability to turn your PS3 on and off from Wi-fi connection, there is now the opportunity to listen to the music, look at the photos and watch the videos saved on the PS3 Hard Disk Drive, anywhere in the world.

To further enhance the PS3 offering, Version 2.00 allows for the creation of personalised playlists in both the music and photo sections. This simple to use function gives users an opportunity to create unlimited music playlists for all occasions, as well as sharing favourite photos in glorious high definition.

Continuing with the idea of a personalised PS3, Version 2.00 allows for customisation of the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) menu screen. Change the colour and brightness with the greatest of ease or have something completely different by setting a custom theme. With the potential for new backgrounds to become available on PLAYSTATION®Network in the future, Version 2.00 truly opens up a whole raft of options.

A host of other enhancements includes the addition of an Information Board on XMB to keep people up to date on the latest PlayStation® news, the inclusion of a new PLAYSTATION Network category and logo for easier navigation and Trend Micro Web Security, a free2, state of the art internet security system, designed to give parents peace of mind.

Ok heart attack moment last night, my Xbox 360 decided to display a single red light and an error message of E74! I have already had one Xbox 360 display the three red lights of death and this is the replacement. Now would you say this is sods law, I have actually had my PS3 on over the last couple of weeks and more so than the Xbox 360. I come back to the 360 and low and behold it starts to play up, my guess this is either one jealous console who is warning me that it needs to be played or it is aware that November is a good month for games.

November we have Call of Duty 4 (out in 2 days), then we have Assassins Creed (out in about a week and a bit), and then we have the game which I have had on pre-order for over a year now which is Mass Effect. Sods law would tell me that my console is bound to pack up on the month Mass Effect is out!!! So far it seems to be working… but I am watching this closely!

Incidentally the E74 error message can be displayed for one of the following reasons: 

• There is a 90% chance it’s a scaler chip problem (the “ANA” or “HANA” chip near the AV cable connection) #
• Can be caused by a faulty AV cable.
• In rare cases it is a problem with the GPU

 (The above information was found at Xbox-Scene.com)

Gamecock Media Group announced today that Blazing Lizard’s Pirates vs. Ninjas™ Dodgeball will debut on Xbox LIVE™ Arcade on Xbox 360™ in early 2008. The title looks to answer the age-old question of which much-revered profession is better, by settling the score…with (dodge)balls.

“It is no secret that Pirates and Ninjas have beef,” stated Chris Stockman, Studio Director of Blazing Lizard. “But it turns out both have a great love for dodgeball and unique skills when it comes to playing the game. We are bringing together sworn enemies for what I can guarantee will be explosive dodgeball action.”

Pirates vs. Ninjas™ Dodgeball will have sea-faring thieves squaring off against stealthy martial artists in beautiful environments. The game will allow for up to eight players and offer five teams, including pirates and ninjas and three more that will announced soon. Each team has their own unique style and techniques and is hell-bent on destroying the opposition.

Look for Pirates vs. Ninjas™ Dodgeball to hit an Xbox near you in early 2008.

Metal Gear Solid 4 has been delayed. Yes that is right another game which to be honest most people who own a PS3 are looking forward to has now been delayed to possibly Q2 of 2008.

Disappointing for us and disappointing for Sony who are struggling at the moment to try and persuade people to buy a PS3, this is not the first title to be delayed until next year.

I hope Sony have a bumper 2008 or we could actually see a real turn in market dominance.

Could this mean that another Knights of the Old Republic game is actually in the making. It has been rumoured for some time now that BioWare are actually doing another KOTOR game, maybe this is a real hint it is actually happening. Read the press release below:

LucasArts and BioWare Corp. today announced that they have entered into an agreement to create an interactive entertainment product. The product, details of which will be unveiled at a later date, will be developed and published by BioWare and LucasArts, and will push the boundaries of the gaming market by utilizing the strengths of both companies to deliver an innovative, high-quality experience.

“LucasArts has a deep commitment to developing compelling stories and characters for the unique medium of interactive entertainment, and we have been searching for a developer that shares this value. We found this in BioWare,” said Jim Ward, president of LucasArts. “Through our previous collaborations, we know that BioWare has an impressive ability to blend gripping stories with technological advancements, and we believe that our upcoming product will deliver an experience that will span the traditional boundaries of video game entertainment.”

“BioWare’s mission is to deliver the best story and character-driven games in the world, delivering powerful emotional experiences to our fans.” said Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer, BioWare Corp. Added Greg Zeschuk, president of BioWare Corp., “The collaboration with LucasArts allows us to combine our passion for creating high quality and innovative experiences with those of a company dedicated to bringing only the finest games to market.”