Did you notice how in #5, they bitch at Luke for listening to Obi-wan?

I mean, they make targeting systems for a reason, Luke—and chances are, the Rebel's would prefer to trust your X-Wing's highly sophisticated on-board computer than a mystical power you spent a few hours learning yesterday afternoon.

Of course, the few hours of force training was more than he got from the Rebel Alliance.  I mean, the guy had never flown a X-Wing before and they made him Red Leader.  If the bad guys couldn't catch these rebels, then they deserved to have their death star blown up.

Spore is a definate.  Viva Pinata will come later as my son and I had fun with the first one.

I'm not getting the joke...  it's a Christian rock knockoff of Guitar Hero.  So what?

You're no fun.

The problem (for me) is that the idea of "rocking out" and it being "gospel" are incompatible.  Sex, drugs and rock and roll!  Doesn't quite fit.  That and most of the Christian Rock I've listened to (not all, but most) has completely sucked ass.

I think it would have been a better idea if the game was compatible with RB and GH guitars (if possible), rather than having another guitar set up. 

I play quite a bit (have 300 hours in medic).  You're always welcome to come to my clan's server (||AOD House of Frag  74.63.67.190:27017).  It's based in Chicago.  So if you're east coast or midwest, you should get a good ping.  We have people who play from west coast that also get a good ping (Seattle), but it becomes very dependent on the quality of the service provider.

We do have an engie limit on the server (2 engies).  We've had too much sentry spam and had to put a cap on it.  I'm AOD Space Herpes on the server.

PC, TF2 on XBL is a ghost town.  In addition, all the updates are free on the PC and don't yet exist on XBL.  Valve is being forced to charge for them by MS so they are waiting to make it worth the price.  But really, no one plays on XBL any way.

That's what I was thinking.  PC it is.

The game seems overwhelming at first, with no tutorial or anything.. is there a better way to learn the game?

Start your own server, password it and then run around a map.  Try out the different classes without any pressure and see how they work.  Once you figure out which classes you want to try, go find a map you practiced on and play.  There are some newbie friendly servers out there (I've seen ones that specificaly say they are "noob" friendly).

Have a think skin.  Most people are pretty cool.  However, you could run into a jerk or two.  Sometimes there will be a clan of jerks that travel around in packs (this is very rare, but I've seen it.  I play a whole lot so I end up seeing a lot of different stuff).  I play (and moderate) on the AOD servers (based in Chicago).  If you come on our servers, we like friendly banter, but we kick out and out jerks. 

Actually, I think the 360 will have a permanent increase in sales in Japan, if only because RPGs will be coming steadily to the system.  It won't be dramatic, but it will be a significant number.

Meanwhile, with the PS3 focusing on action games and shooters here in America and Europe, it'll probably grab more gamers here.  So, it's a pretty interesting reversal that should happen towards the end of the year.

No kidding.  So far, I find it very amusing that the "big 2" are having to duke it out over 2nd place.  I also hope that they realize that games and gameplay are what should take priority with a game console.  That might be too much to hope for, though.

If "games and gameplay" are what should take priority, then explain the success of that friggin' Wii. It damn sure doesn't have anything remotely close to the quality of the PS3 and 360 library, and the gameplay itself is so bastardized in some games that it's a joke.

The Wii is cheap and the only thing going for it is gameplay.  It's not a multimedia center or even a DVD player.  It has some great games on it and some really awful games on it.  Of course, I'd can't think of a successful console that didn't have crap games on it.  The interface is very new and I think devs are still coming to grips with it.  So far it seems people are buying games and having fun.  Isn't that the point of a gaming console?

ok, so who's up for posting the yearly rant about companies releasing all of their games during a 3 month window?  Right now I'm counting 5 games that I am interested in coming out during a 2 week period:

I'll rant along with you.

Spore (especially for my son.  We had a great time with the creature creator.)
Left 4 Dead
Rock Band 2
Mirror's Edge (pending reviews)
Fallout 3
Farcry 2
Star Wars Force Unleashed
Dead Space
Fable 2

I wonder if this sandwich concept is meant to reduce the Heavy's need for a medic, allowing the medic to try other strategies beyond staying with the heavy.

That was their goal.  From what I hear, he will get five sandwiches.  Not sure if ammo will replenish them or he only gets five and that's it.  Of course, given the average life expectancy of almost any character in the game, it might not matter if it replenishes.

Some how the heavy is supposed to get sandwiches (one of the achievements is eating 100 sandwiches).  The rumor I heard was the sandwich would give the heavy a 100 hp boost.  I think it's supposed to replace the shotgun.  Not sure if that's a good idea or not.

Plus Aerosmith sucks. 

You saying it doesn't make it so, but I can agree that it is a band that probably doesn't appeal to the main video gaming demographic.   I happen to like them a great deal and my wife does as well, which is why we bought it, but I also predicted it wouldn't do well because it wasn't the type of band that could pull it off and it could be that no band has that potential.  It could be that people want a mix.

I have to agree there.  You're going to be playing the same songs over and over to get practice on them (or you just like them).  Having to play (mostly) the same band over and over isn't necessarily appealing.  The release also had fewer songs, yet at full price.  Not really a good combination.  It would have been better at an add-on price ($30 or 40 instead of $60).

Actually, I think the 360 will have a permanent increase in sales in Japan, if only because RPGs will be coming steadily to the system.  It won't be dramatic, but it will be a significant number.

Meanwhile, with the PS3 focusing on action games and shooters here in America and Europe, it'll probably grab more gamers here.  So, it's a pretty interesting reversal that should happen towards the end of the year.

No kidding.  So far, I find it very amusing that the "big 2" are having to duke it out over 2nd place.  I also hope that they realize that games and gameplay are what should take priority with a game console.  That might be too much to hope for, though.

The Japanese uptick will only be interesting if it sticks around.  Historically it will go right back to basement levels in the next week or two. 

Likely, but it is interesting that the Japanese public haven't written off the 360.  If MS gives them games they like, the games (and systems) will sell.  JRPGs seem like a win-win for MS.  It boosts sales in Japan and are reasonable sellers elsewhere (if they're good games). 

There's just no way I could own this game.  Between my wife and my daughter, I just couldn't play a game where the heroine runs around in her Victoria's Secret underwear (I don't care what they call it, that is NOT a bikini she is wearing).

But Kratos can run around in a loincloth?

Who?

Edit:  Ah... I don't have a PS3, so no Kratos.

Or a PS2?

Not one of those either.

I'm a little surprised this game hasn't garnered more interest (positive or negative).

There's just no way I could own this game.  Between my wife and my daughter, I just couldn't play a game where the heroine runs around in her Victoria's Secret underwear (I don't care what they call it, that is NOT a bikini she is wearing).

But Kratos can run around in a loincloth?

Who?

Edit:  Ah... I don't have a PS3, so no Kratos.

Mechwarrior 5 (Oh, sorry, make that Mechassault 2 )

I'm right there with ya.  I liked Mechassault, but I loved Mechwarrior.
Interstate '76
Battlezone (the action/strat hovertank game)
Freespace
Flashback (cool side shooter from many years ago)
Alien vs Predator
Shadowrun (more like the Sega Gensis game)
Second Sight

There's just no way I could own this game.  Between my wife and my daughter, I just couldn't play a game where the heroine runs around in her Victoria's Secret underwear (I don't care what they call it, that is NOT a bikini she is wearing).

It looks interesting.  I just can't help but think, "how did a Wii game get on the PS3?"

Might want to check your area for locally owned gaming stores.  I live in a fairly small town (40k) and we have a Game Stop and a Video Games Etc (locally owned).  I was able to pick up a used copy of Rock Band for 30 and a used guitar for 30 (the store guaranteed it for 90 days).

!!  Fingers crossed.  Cedar Rapids has two Video Games Etc. stores so with luck I could find a guitar and game.

Your in Cedar Rapids!?  I'm in Coralville.  They still have used guitars in my local store.  VGE will ship equipment from one store to another, if you don't feel like making the trip down.

EDIT: They sold out of used RB guitars.  They still have used GH guitars.

I enjoyed the demo very much.  I do think there should be wasd movement controls.  However, it wasn't a problem.  It plays a lot like Diablo.  Also, the game does not play itself.  Didn't have to drink potions constantly or whatever.  Again, it wasn't any worse than the potion drinking in Diablo.  I liked the different upgrades that were available.  I have to say, it was fun.  Shooting and dodging enemy fire.  Throwing grenades and using special powers when surrounded.  It was pretty cool over all.  Camera angle wasn't a problem for me.  I wasn't all that interested in the game before, but I just might pick it up now.

Twice as expensive?  The Guitar Hero 3 game + guitar bundle looks like it's still $90-100, buying standalone RB + the standalone RB guitar is $110-120.  FYI it looks like the RB drum/mic/guitar bundle is only $150 right now on Amazon.

Ebames didn't list a RB set for less that $150.  I assume that was with drums.  I didn't think about buying RB and the guitar alone.  That would save money.

Might want to check your area for locally owned gaming stores.  I live in a fairly small town (40k) and we have a Game Stop and a Video Games Etc (locally owned).  I was able to pick up a used copy of Rock Band for 30 and a used guitar for 30 (the store guaranteed it for 90 days).

I played GH3 (on the Wii) and Rock Band on the 360.  I got through easy and medium on GH3, but stalled at the hard level.  The difficulty curve for a new player ramps up very quickly after medium.  Rock Band, on the other hand, has been extremely fun on the hard level.  It provided me with, what I think, was the actual next step after medium difficulty.  So far, I have had to work on some songs, but none of them have felt out of reach with a little practice.  GH3, on the other hand, was way too much.  Maybe after I get through RB, I'll go back to GH3 and see if I can play the songs without getting frustrated.

Also, I agree that RB isn't just about being a group or party game.  It has everything, single player wise, that GH has.  It also has additional instruments, if you choose to use them.  I found that I could use the microphone that came with my 360 for the singing portion (though, it certainly isn't the best quality).  There is also an incredible amount of downloadables for RB.  You should check out the lists of songs and see which provides the most songs you'll like.

As to the boss fights - I agree completely that they were a horrible decision and completely un-fun, but they were at least skippable after you suffered through them a couple of times. I am mystified at how stubborn they are about leaving them in despite the almost universal derision of them by the games' fans. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

My guess is that Activision thinks the boss battles are the only way they can reel in the big rock names like Slash, Tom Morello, etc..   i personally think there's plenty of other ways they could integrate the stars without the boss battle mechanic, but who am I to argue.  Maybe it was a stipulation of Slash's contract that he had to be called "mid-boss". 

A better idea, I think, would be unlockable guitar duets.  Instead of battling, you get to simply play an instrumental with a rock legend.

I am also curious to see if RB1 will be DLC for RB2 if you don't already have RB1. But I figure RB's Hard will be the easiest way for me to get over the learning curve that I haven't had much patience for in GH2 or GH3.

Let me also say how lame it is that the 360 version of GH2 (or 3) can't get the GH1 songs via DLC. Doesn't this seem like an easy way for all parties involved to make money?

I'm not sure why you would need RB1 songs as downloadable content.  DLC is 1-2 dollars (80-160 XBP).  Most of the songs are $2, so that's 15 songs for $30.  I'm betting you could buy the disk for cheaper than $30 when RB2 comes out.  Since RB1 has been released on all platforms, it's not the same as GH1.  Now, if you only wanted a handful of songs from RB1, then I could see it.

I hope it winds up like neither. People hated the mutagens in Far Cry just as much as the Aliens in Crysis. Ubisoft has promised no mutagens or aliens. The guy at Tom's hardware played FC2 on a 360 at E3 and was underwhelmed. Still looks great to me.

Well, the 360/PS3 is no longer cutting edge hardware since neither can do DX10.  I suspect the game will look really good on PCs that can handle it.

PC
Fallout 3
Left 4 Dead
Spore
Farcry 2

360
Rock Band 2 (Possibly w/ Ion Drums)
Fable 2
Force Unleashed
Ghost Busters

Thanks for the update.  I was hoping for more HD content   

That would require some pretty serious bandwidth (I would think) to stream all those movies and shows.  Might not be do-able for Netflix at this time.

At this point anything short of GH4 exclusive Beatles and/or Pink Floyd and I'll just stick to RB2 regardless of song choices on GH4.  GH3 was such a huge mistake in the direction of the game design that combined with the look of their GH:WT, I'm out.

You know, had that Metallica deal not been announced, I'd be in the same boat as you.  That, and the fact that GH: Metallica is/should be coming out next Spring, and those are pretty much must-haves for me.

Considering just how difficult GH3 was for me (my first guitar game), I will definately be passing on GH Metallica.  Even on Rock Band I find Metallica songs challenging (but do-able on hard... eventually).  I'm wondering just how much of the casual audience has been turned off my GH because of the difficulty (I am, but I don't really consider myself a casual gamer). 

I still think it is a bit telling that the Wii has the lowest game attachment rate, but Nintendo is making money hand over fist, so I doubt they really care.

With 4 top 10 titles, this will change.

Indeed.  I think people are simply looking for a chink in Nintendo's armor.  "Sure the Wii sells, but the games don't!"
Well.  360 and 2 titles in the top 10.  The PS3 had 1.  Guess they must have crappy attach rates based on that (at least, according to the NY Times, it's a sign).  At first the Wii was playing catch up.  Now it's beginning to dominate the top 10 for home consoles.  Considering it has roughly the same number of consoles out as the 360, I think this isn't what I would call good news for MS.  Sony's biggest game to date, along with a big sale at Walmart still couldn't touch the Wii.  They usually have only 1 game in the top 10.  Sony can't be pleased.  Even the PS2 game sales are now dropping off (expected since the numbers new of titles is dwindling). 

It seems Sony and MS still think the Wii is a gimick and are waiting for the buyers to wake up and smell the cool consoles as they seem to be battling with each other rather than looking at the Wii.  (MS is trying new things like Avatars to be more "Wii like" I suspect.  I don't think that's really going to do it, though.)

Thanks for all the replys.  I ended up getting a great deal on a Rock Band Guitar (half price sale).  So far, I prefer my Guitar Hero 3 controller (for the Wii, unfortunately).  However, I do like the strum bar for the RB controller.  I just don't like the flush bottons (so far).  It's harder to keep track of where my fingers are on it and I sometimes hit two keys at once, since there is no spacing between.  I'm getting used to it, though.

Again, thanks for the info.  I think I might look for a different guitar in the future.

For those that have one or the other, do you like your guitar?  If you have both, which guitar do you think is better and why?

I'm going to be picking up Rock Band (game only) for the 360 and was trying to decide which guitar to get.  I like the look of the Rock Band guitar more, but functionality is more important.  On the other hand, Guitar Hero's axe is compatible with both games.  Decisions, decisions.

I'm an excited new 360 owner. 

The #1 thing all new 360 owners need - an extended warranty.

Indeed.  Got a warranty through Best Buy.

Something else I'd like to ask.  Store clerk said that Guitar Hero's guitar will work with Rock Band.  Is this true?  Does it matter which guitar I get (Hero 2 or Hero 3)?

Thanks for the stuff so far!

I'm an excited new 360 owner.  I've got Halo 3, Viva Pinata: Party Animals and Dead Rising.

Need Advice on some games stuff, though.  First, I want to know if there are any good 3rd party guitars that work with both Guitar Hero 2 and Rock Band?

Also, I'd like to play some games with my wife.  Need something that won't induce motion sickness.  First person games are the worst.  Also, if it's fairly easy that would be a bonus.

Finally, are there any games really good for kids (ages ?

Thanks!

I've only just started playing again, so I cannot tell you the exact info on the flare gun (Haven't unlocked it yet), but ten minutes of playing will teach you how Backburner has fundamentally changed the game.  The Pyro now has the second best health in the game, and pretty much auto-crits during ambushes.  It's obscene.  The new feature to the Pyro class is the 'compressed air blast' - right clicking while using a regular flamethrower will rebound incoming projectiles.  Sadly, I've really sucked trying to get it to work, and frankyl, as every person switches to the Backburner as soon as it becomes available, it's not making that much of an impact.

The air blast has it's uses.  On maps with drop offs, I've seen pyros kill people by throwing them off.

The Kritskrieg (replacement medigun for the medic) is basically worthless.  Since ubers are primarily used to enable fire against overwhelming incoming fire (ie sentries), the 100% crits rat means nothing since you'll be dead the first few seconds you use it.  In theory it would be good situationally, but in none of the situations it would be useful is it necessary.

Pub play is different than competition play.  I've seen the Kritskrieg used with great effect in competition play.  Team goes in and has enemy medics blow their ubers.  Then a heavy/medic combo with Krits kills everyone.

That article says it will come out on the Wii this year?? 

Why on earth would I buy RB1 now then?  I think I will wait!

Chris

I won't buy the Wii version with it being gimped and all.  Once I get a 360 or PS3, I'd get RB, maybe.  GHWT might fit the bill, though.

Zombie walls... plagues... exploding pets....  I want to play a witch doctor.  Game looks awfully refined.  I have to wonder how far they are into development.

I was just ranting.  I just posted it as a warning to other who might want to trade the game.  All the talk of Stardock being cool for not using copy protection.  However, games with copy protection don't stop themselves from being traded.  Even Bioshock with it's limited installs can be traded.  I don't find it particularly friendly policy.

Also, I find the ULA (I know what it is) annoying  because the way the Stardock guys said I agreed to it at time of purchase, not at time of install.

So I'm trading a Stardock game.  However, the game's registration code is logged under my account.  So, I contact Stardock to see if they will remove the game from my account so someone else can use it.  The reponse I get is
"Hi,

My apologies but according to the ULA you cannot resell or transfer the game after purchase. Sorry for the trouble in this. Please let me know if you have further questions."

So, I'm not even allowed to give away a game?  Some how I agreed to a ULA at the time of purchase?  Doesn't that mean people are not allowed to give the game as a gift (according to their ULA)?  Right now I'm really turned off by Stardock.  There's a way around it.  However, I find this kind of crap annoying as hell. 

I'm looking for the PC versions of
Crysis
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warefare
Assassin's Creed

I'm considering buying a new console sometime this year (not exactly sure when).  I already have a Wii (and enjoy it).  I haven't decided on the 360 or PS3. 

I know that people seem to be very happy with the 360's online component.  The one strike against is the fee.  It's not a big fee, granted.  However, it's still a little annoying.  So, I wanted to know about the PS3 online.  How well do games play on it?  How is the voice component?  How easy is it to use and to find your friends?  Anything else?

I certainly agree with the notion that the 360 is far more attractive to code for (from a dev perspective).  However, to half ass code a PS3 game, sell it, and then throw your hands up and say 'it's the console's fault!' is inexcusable in my opinion.  It's clearly not entirely the console's fault.  Other people can make it dance, you just can't.  Take some of the blame.

gellar

To simply blame developers is a bit disingenuous.  How many developers actually have a choice when a game ships and how much polish it gets?  Making it harder to code for means taking longer and costing more money.  That makes it less attractive from a publisher's point of view.  As far as working harder goes, that gun can be pointed at Sony for turning lose a developers kit that is less than attractive.  If they worked harder at it, then maybe it would be a much more attractive kit.  I think the kit sucks because of Sony's hubris.