Hunting Game(s): Upcoming and Now Playing

I know I posted a bit about the Vita yesterday, but that was more of a random update that I found interesting. This week's rendition of "Hunting Game(s)" (which I'm thinking of re-branding. At first it was pun-ny, not I'm not enjoying it) is about upcoming items and what I've been playing.

Titles on my Radar
X-COM: Enemy Unknown


Yes, that is an hour of game play footage. And yes, it is awesome.

Pros: It looks like the perfect game for me. Literally, when I think of a dream game, it is apparently X-COM (which I've never played anything related to before). It is a gorgeous, interesting, story-oriented strategy game with SO. MANY. OPTIONS! I'm really looking forward to this title, which drops October 9th.
Cons: I'm torn between getting it for 360 or PC, and I've NEVER had that issue before...

Dishonored


Shorter video this time, but still awesome.

Pros: This looks like a mix between Bioshock and Assassin's Creed, and I love the idea. It has several different approaches to each mission, interesting abilities, potential for a good story, and is set in a steampunk world. It drops... on October 9th.
Cons: It comes out the same day as X-COM! I've cut back my gaming expenses in light of other things, and only one of these games will make the cut, the other will be something I avidly await a price drop for. I'm tempted to choose this one SIMPLY for the fact that the pre-order bonus is an actual set of Tarot Cards...

Maybe I'll play the lottery this month...

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

I'm not posting a video, check back to last week's post for a good one!

Pros:The release date is November 13th, which means it won't have any other competition (that I can think of) for a November purchase. I'm looking forward to the changes and it will be nice playing a game that I know most of my friends (who all live far away) will purchase as well.
Cons: As a series itself, I only like CoD for the multiplayer, and usually only when I'm playing with friends. I'm concerned that, for all its changes, it will just be more of the same old show we've seen before.

Now Playing
360: CoD: Modern Warare 2. I've been picking this up and playing it to scratch the FPS/multiplayer itch and it's one of the only games I have in common with my brothers (for now). As good as I remembered (knifing especially), though often frustrating due to NoobTubes and Campers.
Spider-Man: Edge of Time. Picked it up on super sale from Amazon awhile back with the intention of selling it. Apparently everyone and there mother bought it at the same time and wouldn't buy my copy. So now I'm replaying it to test out some of the new things release via HeroHQ (costumes and arena) while getting achievements (I played the PS3 version last time).

PS3: Nothing! My brothers (a couple states away) have it for now. Which is unfortunate, because I need to to download Final Fantasy VII to my Vita. CURSES!

PC: Nothing serious, atm. Interested that The Old Republic is going free to play -- I'll feel less guilty about not making much time for it -- I'm waiting for the next big expansion, then I'll try to navigate the new server I got moved to.

3DS: Picked up Devil Survivor 2 again, playing it here and there. Still not as good as the first one, but I was able to get past the level that was irking me. Will eventually finish it.

Vita: Still picking up and playing Mortal Kombat. Not too often, but I'm glad I have it for the next time I get a fighting game urge.

PS2: Speaking of fighting games, I've been thinking of playing through Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World again. Haven't started yet, but it's somewhere on my to-do list.

That's it for now, no clue what next week will bring!

Hunting Game(s): Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Below is the multiplayer trailer and my response to it!



First, I must say that this trailer has gotten me excited in a CoD game again. I know it's silly, seeing as how it's so short, but I've haven't really been interested in any of the previous releases (my first, to be honest, was MW2, and I picked it up only due to peer pressure -- and I'm glad I gave in).

My favorite thing throughout the video is the post apocalyptic looking art style. It almost reminds me of Brink with CoD graphics at times (and that's all I'll say about Brink, I promise!). It's a fresh look from the standard soldier, and is nice for people like me who don't care for accuracy or complete realism.

Dolphin diving is back. Can't say how useful it will be, but it looks damn cool and adds some flair to CTF.

I don't know how I feel about the Dragonfires (remote controlled drones). Depends how easy they are to get, I suppose, though they do look relatively easy to destory.

SHIELDS! YES! I know they are terrible in MW2, but I remember doing lobbies with friends and just having shield matches! Every now and then I'd try running them in multiplayer, but it was mostly just for laughs. These shields actually look interesting and I'm interested to see what kind of teamwork options they promote in a mostly lone-wolf style of game. And I'm pretty sure they shields are able to be planted and used as mobile cover -- this could have some interesting combos with the Wildcard system I've heard about, which includes one option to equip two primary weapons.

The remote controlled tank of doom doesn't interest me, but I didn't care for it in MW3, either.

Running animation looks MUCH improved, even if knifing looks like it requires you to be closer than ever. I won't be running any MLC variants (explained below in MW2 section), apparently, but that's probably for the best.

Shotguns look more overpowered than ever, which doesn't interest me.

All in all, I'm hoping to see some new (and new feeling) guns as well as some futuristic equipment -- hopefully more than just the few items shown in the trailer.

This YouTube Channel seems to have some good information on BOII and I'll be following up on that soon.

Final comment: I'll be picking this up on release, expect to see a first impression around then!


Other CoDs I've played:

CoD: 4 (MW1) I didn't enjoy much when I got around to playing it, but I did love the map Shipment.

WaW: I didn't play this one too seriously so I can't say much about it. I liked a few of the maps and would like to see them make it to other games. This and MW2 are the only campaigns I finished, so that's unique I suppose.

MW2 allowed you to make an over-powered knifing class (Marathon Pro, Lightweight Pro, and Commando Pro with a handgun/tac knife combo). Also had Favela, my favorite CoD map to date.

Black Ops was interesting because of the different game types that were instituted. Oh, and Dolphin Diving. Also, my favorite maps for CTF.

MW3 was interesting because of the updated graphics and some of the maps were interesting.