Friday, December 31, 2010

2010 Review

Well another year has (almost) passed, and I have barely touched my blog in MONTHS, however, I thought that I’d post my annual yearly review for the hell of it...

Anyway, here goes:

Films

Top 3 films of 2010

Toy Story 3

It’s Pixar (again).

As has been the case for the last few years, a Pixar film is in my top 3 films of the year, and that is simply because Pixar make just damn fine films!

I must admit, however, I was slightly concerned towards the beginning of Toy Story 3. I found that the film was covering similar ground to the last two films a little too much, and I didn’t gel with it immediately, however by the time that the Toy’s were trying to escape from the playschool it all seems to click into place and the remainder of the film was simply brilliant. Amusing, scary, and very very moving.

I just hope that Pixar sees sense and doesn’t try to push things with a Toy Story 4... This simply isn’t needed, the ending was simply perfect and anything more just wouldn’t be needed.

Inception

A clever, dazzling and very moving film.

I popped over to Jersey to catch this at the cinema and I’m certainly glad that I did. I was expecting great things from this, seeing as it is from Christopher Nolan and I wasn’t disappointed in the least. I know that some viewers found it to be a confusing film, but so long as you watch closely and pay attention to the rules of the dream, it is relatively easy to follow.

What I love most about the film is that it doesn’t give you simple answers and leaves the viewer to interpret the ending.

Requiem for a Dream

Okay, now I’m cheating a little. This film did not come out in 2010, or anywhere near 2010. It is in fact around ten years only (I think), but I only got around to watching it this year, so I’m adding it for the hell of it! What the hell, this is my Blog, and next to nobody reads it!

Utterly, utterly fantastic – but dreadfully depressing at the same time.

Notable mentions (for good or bad)

[●Rec]2

A very good sequel, that ups the ante a little in a similar fashion to how Aliens built on Alien. Not quite as good as the original, but still very good.

Hierro

A clever Spanish film, that reminded me a bit of The Orphanage, but not quite as good as that.

Scott Pilgrim vs the World

Almost made it in my top 3, but whilst this was very good, I just don’t think that it deserves to be in the top 3, namely that why I cheated and added Requiem in the top 3.

Time Crimes

Another very clever Spanish film, this time addressing time travel.

Woah – just noticed that I have 3 Spanish language films in my notable mentions (for good reasons).

Games

Top 3 games on 2010

Super Mario Galaxy 2

The first game is without doubt the greatest 3D platforming game of all time (IMHO), and this sequel just builds on that. I felt that a little of the character of the first game was a little lacking, but you can’t fault the additional stages in the least.

Plus Yoshi’s return in 3D (he was rubbish in Super Mario Sunshine) is absolutely fantastic, it’s just a shame that he wasn’t used more.

Dragon Quest IX

I’ve sung a fair few hours into this one, and have also enjoyed co-op play with Elliot.

Very old-school JRPG, but after all the excess of Final Fantasy XIII, this was a welcome change. Quite simply, one of the finest games on the DS,

Red Dead Redemption

At times this has an element of GTA-Western feel to it (especially in the mission structure), but the open plains make this feel like a very different game. Definitely the best PS3 game I’ve played in the year.

I cannot fail to mention the Undead Nightmare DLC which was relatively recently added, which has to be my favourite DLC for any game. The tongue in cheek humour was very much appreciated.

I’ve just notices that my 3 top games of the year span the 3 platforms that I play on, namely Wii, DS and PS3... How about that (it wasn’t intended).

Notable mentions (for good or bad)

Rock Band 3

An excellent recent entry into the series. It’s just a shame that it isn’t selling as well as it should be. I’m still in 2 minds as to whether I’m going to buy myself a pro-guitar (Squire) in due course.

Borderlands

Very almost made it into my top 3 (even though it came out towards the end of 2009). A fantastic game.

Fallout: New Vegas

A fantastic, heavily detailed game that has had me gripped. It’s only failing is how buggy it is, which can be VERY frustrating, otherwise it probably would have been in my top 3!

Metroid: Other M

Dared to take the franchise in a slightly different direction, which while didn’t work all the time, still was a very interesting take. It also had some fantastic boss battles (especially Ridley).

Heavy Rain

A great storty lead adventure.

No More Hero’s 2: Desperate Struggle

I found this to be rather disappointing compared to the first game, lacking the character and likeability that made the first shine.

Final Fantasy XIII

Not the best Final Fantasy out there (but definitely the prettiest – if not the prettiest game on the PS3). I’d probably put this in a similar league to Final Fantasy X (namely likeable, but largely forgettable). Certainly nowhere need as good as it’s immediate predecessor (namely Final Fantasy XII), which was excellent.

Life

Okay, a few notable events in my life during 2010.

- Again I have enjoyed a relatively healthy year, which is always welcome.

- The fact that we have had numerous injuries with our cats springs to mind, and the fact that we have had to cage more than 1 of them for weeks on end (Flower was around 10 weeks if I remember correctly).

- Going to see Paul McCartney live in Cardiff was absolutely fantastic, and stands out as one of my highlights of 2010. The fact that I had Roz with me to enjoy the event made it all the better.

- I enjoyed a fantastic holiday away in Florida with Roz and Elliot. Much fun was had in Disney World and Universal, plus as a bonus I managed to catch Sheryl Crow live on stage at Universal Studios. It was also great to go up in a hot air balloon again, this time with Elliot as well.

Lastly.... A Happy New Year to everyone!

Okay then… Roll on 2011!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Happy Christmas

A quick note to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas :)


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

2011 most anticipated games

Only a few more days until Christmas.

As I have a fairly good idea what games I may be due to get this Christmas, and as some of the games I’d hoped to get for aren’t out until next year, I thought that it is about time that I gave some thought to my most anticipated games of 2011.

Following this, I’ll do my 2010 review (if I have time)

Anyway, counting down from 10 to 1:

10. Pilot Wings Resort 3DS (3DS)

I seems like an absolute age since the last Pilot Wings game (N64 days) and I think that the 3DS is an ideal fit for the next game in the series. I’m just hoping that a full game comes from the demo that was shown when the 3DS was first unveiled.

9. Kirby: Epic Yarn (Wii)

Due out year end in both Japan and the US, but annoyingly not due to come out until 2011 in Europe, otherwise this would have been likely at the top of my Christmas list!

How can you argue with something this cute? Well, how can you? My only slight concern is that it may be a little on the easy side, but otherwise this continues the resurgence in 2D platforming which seems to be blossoming at Nintendo of late.

8. Batman: Arkham City (PS3)

The first game was surprisingly great (I did not hold up too much hope for it until I played the demo) mixing both stealth and action superbly.

The next games hopefully builds upon this, plus has Catwoman, in her modern comic outfit in all its sexy glory... How can I possibly argue with this?

7. ICO / Shadow of the Colossus HD collection (PS3)

Yes I know that it is a rerelease, but my goodness what a rerelease! I seriously considered putting this higher in my list (possibly even at the top), but the fact that these are games that I’ve played already made me mark it lower.

Both running at a smooth 30fps (which trust me is good for SotC) and in HD.... sign me up.

6. Professor Layton v Phoenix Wright

Wow... Just wow.

This was totally unexpected and whilst no gameplay has been shown yet, I’m excited at the possabilities.

5. Mario Kart 3DS (3DS)

There’s no doubt that I’m looking forward to the 3DS, but the game I’m looking forward most on this system is Mario Kart.

I’ve been replaying both Mario Kart on the DS and also Wii recently with Elliot and Roz and have reached the opinion that the DS iteration of Mario Kart is probably the finest to date, it was only the snaking in it that spoilt online games a little. If the Mario Kart 3DS is just an enhanced version of this, I’ll be a happy man.

4. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)

I must admit that I was a little disappointed by the demonstration of this game at E3 2010, although I suspect that the demos on display were only there to show the control methods for the game and the story/meat of the game is still under wraps.

I just hope that it does the franchise justice!

3. Portal 2 (PS3)

I’ve recently replayed Portal and while it is undoubtedly a very short game, it is still IMHO one of the finest crafted games of all time.

I was overjoyed to hear that Portal 2 would be making its way to the PS3, as otherwise I likely would not have had the opportunity to play it. Whilst I have some concerns that the game may lose some of its magic if it is drawn out too much, I have trust in Valve, who are also of course responsible for the wonderful Half Life 2 (of which I’m still waiting for episode 3 – for the PS3)

2. The Last Guardian (PS3)

Well at the TGS 2010 it has finally been confirmed that this will be launching for Holiday 2011, which will hopefully mean both in Japan and Europe/America.

This game was actually at the very top of my “most anticipated game of 2010 list”, but it’s clear that this never came to fruition.

Both ICO and Shadow of the Colossus stand up as two of the finest games of all time, as well as being rather moving on an emotional level for games as well. As such, to say that I’m looking forward to this would be an understatement.

1. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deceipt (PS3)

Only very recently announced, and boy does it look good already. I cannot express how psyched I am at the thought of playing the further adventures of Nathan Drake. The Uncharted series is without a doubt the most thrilling series of adventure games out there and the third entry is already looing simply breathtaking! Best of all (fingers crossed), it should be out just in time for my birthday :)

Uncharted 2 was without doubt the best game so far for the PS3, so I have every hope that Uncharted 3 will continue at this high level.

Other games of significance (which didn’t quite make the top 10)

Ghost Trick (DS)

Little Big Planet 2 (PS3)

Kid Icarus 3DS (3DS)

Pokemon: Black/White (DS)

The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time 3DS (3DS)

Disgaea 4 (PS3)

Ni No Kuni (DS/PS3)

Killzone 3 (with sharpshooter) (PS3)