Cigol

I don't think the films are perfect renditions of the source material, more accurately a very good adaptation I would say. In this new film they need to lower the homosexual tension, reduce the frequency of spinning aerial shots and include a bit more irreverent dialogue (that either isn't plot specific or loaded with emotional overtones). I'm looking forward to seeing the hobbit, it's a different kind of story that's well worth telling before the borrower posing as a hobbit pops his clogs

It never felt level-based to me. I still feel as though I've been to Black Mesa years later...

Half-Life 1 is a classic, but it's loved even more for the lasting community it spawned. Obviously looking back we can pick it apart but that doesn't diminish what it was and what it became. It also had the best exhibition of AI in your typical first person shooter. Saying that I found Half-Life 2 to be severely overrated. At the time it came out the FPS genre had moved on, everything HL2 did well was to be expected and it didn't do much else beyond implement some contrived physics engine. Level loads were a bitch and the AI seemed prefunctory (as if we were now facing endless streams of stormtroopers for no apparent reason other than to shoot). Looking back, having recently played Episode 2 (and loved it to bits), I can now appreciate what they were originally gunning for in terms of an FPS experience - but it took them until Episode 2 to actually nail it... Episode 1 was Half-Life 2 marginally improved. I enjoyed it, as I did HL2 for that matter, but it never made any lasting impression. Ep2 on the other hand is the best in the franchise and strikes the perfect balance. I don't think I've ever been 'bored' by the HL games, they are first person shooters after all and there's not a whole lot to them. I'm not sure what you were expecting exactly?

I'm not sure which version I've seen but I thought as a one off experience it was well worth sitting through. It starts off slow and is very dialogue heavy but I felt my patience paid off in the end - it was suspenseful and in places pretty horrific (when Rose McGowan takes centre stage, and when Quentin graces the screen). Have you seen Planet Terror yet? I thought that was fucking hilarious on the and can see myself watching that over and over until my eyes bleed. Not so much with Death Proof I admit.

Lovefilm is top quality btw - great service

In retrospect perhaps, it didn't feel like that at the time.

I personally enjoyed the game as nothing more than a shooter with nice graphics and some genuinely creepy moments (for a game). I don't watch Japanese horror or any psychological horror films for whatever that's worth - so it felt fresh enough for me. Word. When I ask people 'why' their usual response relates to how they behave (jumping over or through things and so on) but I honestly believe that's the result of scripted sequences (and not dynamic in the slightest).

That's one criticism yes. For me personally the most pressing matter regards the dialogue and freedom of choice in the game. Now as much as I thought Oblivion was an enjoyable romp it fails spectacularly on both those fronts and to think that Fallout 3 will be employing similar mechanics makes my heart sink. The original point of the analogy, I thought, was to show it was in 'good hands', that the people taking it on would be showing a good deal of respect to the franchise and the communities that continue to foster most of the interest. Something Bethesda can hardly be commended on. I have no doubt they will make a 'good game', but it won't be FALLOUT 3

It may well end up being a good game, but indications are that it doesn't honour the Fallout franchise beyond the superficial. Check the previews, read between the lines, and take into account how Oblivion would have been a completely different game had it bore any resemblence to the image its hype built prior to release. Bethesda have done it before - and they can do it again. I'm not a fuddy-duddy but all the things that made the Fallout franchise great are all the things Bethesda do poorly - and it doesn't bode well when it's being built upon the Oblivion framework. It's a poor analogy as the backlash clearly demonstrates.

When I first played Deus Ex I thought it was pretty lame. Then some months later I'm talking to friends online who think it's the shit and they eventually convince me to give it another go - I now consider Deus Ex one of the best games ever. You really need to get into it (and beyond the first few missions) after which its charm should become more apparent and appreciable.Saying that, I wasn't playing it so many years after release so I've no idea how it will feel as a virgin experience today.

Fallout 3 is shaping up to be a disappointment for existing Fallout fans, particularly those who were hoping for a worthy successor (and not an Oblivion spin-off). It's not a good analogy at all. ...and yeah there's not much to go on here. They could make a Deus Ex type game under any moniker so the fact they are leeching from an IP that already has an existing fanbase is more of a turn-off than a turn-on. Colour me a sceptic.

Wait one minute; both Toblix and myself have praised the singleplayer portion - it's brilliant fun and hugely cinematic. I'm not sure there's anyone here who's said any different. Objections relate to the level of difficulty in this one area and how it negatively impacts upon ones perception of the game. If it was intended that you hide in the ticket booth then presumably they would usher you there? As it is you're expected to take up position and snipe them from a distance like your comrade in arms. Remember he's immobile without you so it makes sense that you take up a defensive position that supports him. The ticket booth is completely out of left field and feels more like an exploit (which I'm 99% certain it is given the scripted routes of the enemy). Perhaps on easier difficulty levels the ticket booths provide places of cover for short periods of time while you're traversing the area picking off enemies - but there's is no way in hell that the level and all of it's paraphernalia (helicopter rappelling, cars for cover and so forth) was designed purely so you could lay prone in a ticket booth for what feels like an age before jumping out and saving you're disabled friend. Having said all that I'm not surprised by this level. Call of Duty had these same sorts of levels as well and they were just as frustrating and banal back then as they are now. It's a shame because the game was running along at a nice pace and then BANG it pulls this out of the bag. There's little payoff for eventually surviving either thanks in large to it being a flashback - it's quite jarring to spend so much time and energy on this one portion and then be jolted straight back into the present day without any reflection on what just transpired. To say it has affected the narrative and my overall enjoyment is an understatement. ...but that isn't to say I think COD4 as a whole is shit, just that level and the decision to make it like that.

Sounds a lot like KOTOR in that respect. What are the more traditional RPG elements like? When you say a lot of dialogue is there much freedom of choice? I certainly enjoyed the KOTOR games so if it's anything like that I'll look forward to a Mass Effect port (in 1 or 2 years ).

Oh I tried that, and AMAZINGLY it worked - but I was so disorientated that I had no idea what was going on outside and by the time I realised I had to haul ass to the chopper before its 30 seconds of fuel were used up I had lept up in a panic and got killed in a hail of random chaotic gunfire. I tried it again thinking my increased knowledge of how the scenario unfolds would serve me well. Unfortunately no matter how many grenades I threw out, one or two would somehow find their way in and destroy my frail , fragile corpse. For some reason the prone in the ticket boot no longer worked - causing me to hurl insults to my monitor (knowing full well it didn't care, which in turn made it all the more infuriating). So a new strategy was hatched - RUN TOWARDS THE ENEMY - because they are clearly scripted to run towards the ticket booth area they might then pass me by if I can infiltrate a position behind them. With the added benefit that they'll stop throwing an endless supply of grenades in my direction. ...and lo and behold, I was right! Running towards the area past where you initially jumped down there is a deadend allyway, and in here you can hide and eat down the clock. SUCCESS! The helicopter is now here and I've got 30 seconds to haul ass and make my way past the other troops. Thankfully the chinooks crew lay down some covering fire which provides enough of a distraction for me to wind my way past the wrecks and debris and dive into the back. "I'VE DONE IT!!!" I cry out loud as I board the helicopter, tears streaming down my face and a smile emerging from where there was once a frown. But I hadn't done it at all. I'd left my comrade in arms sat twiddling his thumbs on the sidelines. OH ME GODS. Give me a hand I shout to the several chinook members who are now putting away their weapons and boarding the helicopter. I'll just be a minute I gesture to the pilot as he starts up the engine and increases the throttle. I'M COMING I scream at the top of my lungs as the chinook takes off overhead and leaves me and Cpt. McDickhead to our certain doom. But I didn't get too disheartened. This'll work I tell myself (repeatedly). I just need to perfect the strategy and get lucky. Unfortunately no matter how many fucking times I tried I couldn't save myself AND my disabled mentor. ...am I smiling. Oh you betcha!

I'm playing on hardened and ffs I don't even want to imagine this level on veteran mode. It's insane and totally frustrating to boot. A chinook with only 30 seconds of spare fuel... oh fuck off honestly! I've probably spent about 4 hours on this map alone and I want to kill myself. It's destroying my perception of the game, one death after the other. You'd think they'd have learnt that people (generally) don't enjoy these parts of the Call of Duty franchise - but seemingly not. What was turning out to be a great experience ended in defeat and dissatisfaction. It's when you play shit like this you appreciate how Valve holds your hand. *fume* !!!!GAWD!!!!! unngg....

I have a retail version of the game laying around (yas, I actually bought it!) but I don't think it's the best FPS in the world (for me that mantle falls to Deus Ex). Looking back I wish I could change some things like the respawn and the difficulty. It was a very frustrating game to play and the weapons did have a criminal tendency to break if you so much as glanced in their direction. The combat too wasn't very satisfying - I can't remember what engine it used but it was pretty clunky. It felt as if it was perfect for rendering a desolate spaceship but once populated with characters it had trouble convincing you of their presence - if that makes any sense (which I'm sure it frikin doesn't ) Comparisons to Bioshock are also unfair as has been said because if you're playing a game that old you have to be in a frame of mind to appreciate it came before such uninspiring titles () A remake (with a different premise) would be cool - but no streamlining for god sake.

For those playing the game - where does Kristen Bell of Veronica Mars fame come into the equation? She's supposedly in the game?

I'm enjoying the singleplayer experience and anyone put off by the demo shouldn't be concerned. Whilst the gameplay hasn't improved significantly the enjoyment factor is very high. I personally like the lack of having an opinion so far as well. I only played multiplayer for about fifteen or twenty minutes so I'm in no position to judge that just yet. Two games, one in headquarters mode and one in team deathmatch. The headquarters game was unforgiving in that I spawned into a war zone and everyone was dying all around me. Was difficult to make out enemies from friendlies and in the chaos no one would tell me what we were supposed to be doing (aside from getting killed ). Team deathmatch game was much easier in contrast and I was first on the leaderboard at the end. Comparisons to Counter-Strike are apt - but not really had a chance to soak any of it in. Still, early days and it looks to be a good purchase (if expensive on Steam).

...that's so cool. I died there several times as it happens - just driving the car and whoompf right into the bottom of the river. I think I did it about 3 or 4 times before deciding on a different avenue of approach (so I probably account for much of that death radius )

Doesn't look half bad at a glance. Although looking at the teaser it does appear to be old ghostbusters material and locations so I'm not sure what we should be expecting exactly?

I dreamed of one day making this game, glad to see someone got there before me It's actually quite good but the concept should be extended beyond simple move the ball mechanics to be truly enjoyable. I'd never played 'line rider' before either but that's a genuinely fun freebie.

Couldn't you have just said it sucks Seriously, now I'm going to have to check it out for myself

Crysis won't be the game I upgrade my machine for. I enjoyed strolling around in the demo but the gameplay was rather Artificial Intelligence was strategically poor at the best of times. I appreciate the touches like them calling in for backup and so on but I was less impressed with stationary vehicles and your ability to just walk up to said driver and deck him in the head. Things like that shouldn't be in a game like this. With better AI Crysis would be the ultimate FPS in sandbox mode - but as it is I have to dream and continue playing Operation Flashpoint (lamenting the non-FPS control scheme) I enjoyed the sound effects - and the music in particular. I didn't realise it was dynamic (?) but it lends a good sense of drama and elevates even the most irelevant of skirmishes. Well it got my blood pumping when I wandered into an enemy encampment and hid in the huts like a little girl. Nice array of vehicles, physics and impressive graphics.... but would I sacrifice 100fps for all of that if I can get a solid singleplayer experience like Episode Two for example? I dunno, if you're going to push the boundries of hardware you're going to have to give me a reason for it. Operation Flashpoint was the last game to do that for me and Crysis hasn't captured my imagination.

...they probably have like little ghostbuster kids! It could work, trust me I'm a doctor.

[geniune question] What's so great about COD4's multiplayer? [/end question] I played the singleplayer demo not long ago and it didn't appear to be anything more than the previous COD in modern clothing. Apparently the scripting and singleplayer package as a whole is a lot more impactful but I didn't get a sense that the underlying gameplay had changed one bit. I used to play COD online but what does this new version offer (beyond superficial changes to weapons)? Obviously if it's too difficult to substantiate then I understand - but I'd appreciate it as I haven't got the cash spare to buy it just yet and people are talking about the multiplayer as though it's something worth looking into.