I'll start this off by doing the non-spoiler review, followed by the spoiler riddled side. I shall note when the spoiler side kicks in.
So, first off I have been a comic fanboy for many many years. X-Men of course being one of the ones I identified with rather quickly, especially once I was diagnosed with cancer. So I have a pretty strong knowledge of the history of the X-Men. When watching the trailers, I was a bit confused by the presence of one X-Men in particular. Mainly due to the the story's time frame. During the Cuban missile crisis, in the 60's. This character is the young Alex Summers. Who in the comics is the younger brother of famous Scott Summers, ie Cyclops. Now how is he in the 1960's, if he's the younger brother, of a character who in later (time wise) is barely born yet.. Okay so they decided to take some liberties. This is of course my biggest fear when it comes to comic to movie translations.
Given the overt amount of liberties that were taken in the previous X-Men movies. Jubilee being replaced with Rogue, Iceman, Kitty Pryde, Pyro all being teenagers in the time settings of the movies. Okay moving past those issues. There were more issues I had just visually with the trailers of the movie. The way Beast looked, the fact that Emma Frost's clothes would alter when she would change forms, but then magically return as she reverted. I set these all aside when I actually sitdown in the theatre to watch the movie.
It opens with a reminder of previous movies, but then takes off into it's own story. I must say watching the storyline progress from beginning to end, was done quite well. The actors were all great in their roles, they did a goodjob casting. The storyline is even decently accurate to the real-life timeline. Everything was done very well, I caught everyone in the theatre not talking, with eyes affixed to the screen. I rarely even saw a hand grab for popcorn, save my own.
Despite being based off the X-Men movies, that seriously went down the drain after the second movie. This movie made me quite happy, enthralled, and good about the series again. I am truly hoping they just relaunch the whole deal from here on. Ignoring the previous trilogy.
Summary, Go see this movie, it's a great movie.
SPOILERS AHEAD, TURN BACK NOW IF YOU DON'T LIKE SPOILERS.
SERIOUSLY SPOILERS.
Turn back now, here there be Monstars!... er Mutants!!
Alright then, there were MANY great cameos from actors and even characters. Story begins in a Nazi camp, recreating the scene in X-Men where we see a young Erik Lehnsherr, bending an irongate after being separated from his parents. It is immediately after that we get introduced to the main bad guy for the rest of the story. Kevin Bacon, won't use the name he goes by during the Nazi segment, as it changes soon after. Than we get introduced in the same year to a very young Charles Xavier, who finds a very young Raven Darkholm aka Mystique. This begins an interesting storyline between Charles and Raven, growing up together. Don't know if this happened in the comics, but, it did create a rather interesting relationship.
Most of the rest of the storyline takes place during the Cuban missile crisis, as previously stated. However, we findout that the whole crisis is being created and manipulated by the Hellfire Club, fans of the series during the 80's and more recently during Emma Frost storylines in the comics know this name. Lead by Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon), seconded by Emma Frost aka the White Queen, played by January Jones (very sexy woman in this movie). From here we get introduced to Moira MacTaggart (Rose Byrne) followed by the rest of the characters. I won't go through the entire plot.
There is a spot where we get introduced to a group of mutants Charles and Erik are recruiting. At one point they walk into a bar that seems like it's possibly in japan, china, or just a restaurant of said. Walking up to the bar, they begin to introduce themselves to a seemingly grumpy individual in plaid, with dogtags and a peculiar haircut who says to "Fuck off". Ie, say hello to Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman. Further in Michael Ironside even drops in, and says his legendary line "It was a pleasure to serve with you.".
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Bethesda, Fail?
Buddy of mine was interested in the game Hunted The Demon's forge. It was a game, I'd not looked into much. It's published by Bethesda, which would make one hope it would be good. Well, had that issue with Fallout NV, and Brink. Two games not MADE by Bethesda, but published by. Hunted is the same way, it was made by iNXile, Bard's tale was their doing. Again this game seems to have failed in the same way that New Vegas and Brink failed. They needed just a bit more time to finish up and get more fully polished.
Now I have not actually played Hunted, but reading over 15 other critic's reviews of it, they all said about the same thing. Which is pretty much what was also said about Fallout NV. It is a fun game, but bogged down by some seemingly small, yet numerous amount of issues that should have been found and tweaked. I have seriously begun to wonder why Bethesda, a company who has made many a good game. Is allowing their names to be attached to games that are not finished, and thusly not "good" games.
I am wondering if it is either Bethesda themselves, or their parent company ZeniMax that is possibly pushing these games out before the developer's can fully finish the game. Making the developer stick to a static time frame window. Fallout New Vegas, Brink and now apparently Hunted, all have the same problem. They needed a few more months of actual out of house beta testing. Meaning needing someone or a group of someones who did not make the game play it through to find the bugs developers wouldn't notice.
This is making me quite worried for future games coming out of Bethesda, published by and developed by. The next upcoming games Rage and Skyrim are being made by more experienced companies. Although Obsidian is decently experienced, just not that old. Rage is being developed by ID, makers of Doom. Rage is a brand new IP for them, which already looks amazing, and all previews have shown it to be this as well. So here's hoping a 4th time.
Then of course we have Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This is actually being made BY Bethesda this time so, if the issue lies with Bethesda pushing the other developer's to know their time frames better, then we shouldn't worry. But again who knows, letting games come out that need help like the previous three. Really makes many on the fence or tight fisted gamers rather nervous.
Now I have not actually played Hunted, but reading over 15 other critic's reviews of it, they all said about the same thing. Which is pretty much what was also said about Fallout NV. It is a fun game, but bogged down by some seemingly small, yet numerous amount of issues that should have been found and tweaked. I have seriously begun to wonder why Bethesda, a company who has made many a good game. Is allowing their names to be attached to games that are not finished, and thusly not "good" games.
I am wondering if it is either Bethesda themselves, or their parent company ZeniMax that is possibly pushing these games out before the developer's can fully finish the game. Making the developer stick to a static time frame window. Fallout New Vegas, Brink and now apparently Hunted, all have the same problem. They needed a few more months of actual out of house beta testing. Meaning needing someone or a group of someones who did not make the game play it through to find the bugs developers wouldn't notice.
This is making me quite worried for future games coming out of Bethesda, published by and developed by. The next upcoming games Rage and Skyrim are being made by more experienced companies. Although Obsidian is decently experienced, just not that old. Rage is being developed by ID, makers of Doom. Rage is a brand new IP for them, which already looks amazing, and all previews have shown it to be this as well. So here's hoping a 4th time.
Then of course we have Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This is actually being made BY Bethesda this time so, if the issue lies with Bethesda pushing the other developer's to know their time frames better, then we shouldn't worry. But again who knows, letting games come out that need help like the previous three. Really makes many on the fence or tight fisted gamers rather nervous.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Pre-E3 2011, Hopes and expectations.
With E3 coming up very shortly. The rumor mill has been blazing along quite insanely. Will we get a real Nintendo Console, will Sony ownup to the failing of the PSn network being hacked so hard, will we see a new Xbox console, so on and so on.
I do not like to get into spreading rumors or starting them. So all I shall rant about is what we SHOULD see at E3 this year.
Microsoft
I certainly think we may see a new console coming from Xbox this year. If it will be the successor to the 360, I do not know. It was only last year they announced the Slim. Which Didn't work as well as they toted it too, but still is a decent machine. Traditionally when a "slim" version of a console comes out, is quite often right before a new console comes out. Often due to tech and mechanical upgrades that were found via creating the new system. Some sort of handheld would not be too shocking, that is if Microsoft wants to get into that pool.
Kinect; I certainly hope they announce some updates to the full workings of the Kinect. I have one, and what they actually have controllable via the Kinect, is no where near as fantastic as they kept claiming it too be. Netflix is fail with Kinect, most of the rest of the system is all still only controlled via the controller, which is supposed to be us now. So there should definitely be some updates to Kinect, not to mention a load of REAL games for the Kinect. So far we just have Kinect versions of games the Wii made work. Although Kinect Bowling is sad.
Nintendo
Given the strangely high numbers of the 3DS, I expect to see many games for this handheld I shall never own. As for this new console they are saying will be there. This Project Cafe as it's been tagged online as. Highly unlikely to be a followup to the Wii, ie Wii 2 seems very unlikely. It will for sure have a better graphics system, just for the main reason that the Wii lost so many people, of the hardcore gamer to that alone. I would certainly hope that they will announce a decent amount of games for it's launch. Mario, Zelda, are for sure needed to launch a new console. Even though they failed with that for the 3DS launch. I personally don't know how it sold so well. I think I only know ONE person who bought it.
Sony; Duh duh dun. They used to be the big dog, now they've been shown to really only be a chihuahua with a large bark. Sony did a great job on developing the PS3. But failed utterly on making a pool of games that made people need to get it. With all the fails it has gone though, the ApocalyPS3, the recent Hack and downfall of the PSN network. Sony will be very shiny and most likely have Kevin Butler doing most of the talking. In an attempt to sidestep the Hack issue, via humor. Their show will be very glitzy and ostentatious. I had begun to seriously think about getting a PS3, right before the hack, now my want has gone from 89 of 100, to 10. Which is less then when it first came out. If they announce some new console, or even just a revamp of the PS3, which offers backwards compatibility, some sort of overall password protection, a much more fluid and fleshed out menu. I could see myself getting one in 2 years. haha.
Now as for developers. We will obviously see many of the games we currently know about. Such as Skyrim, Mass Effect 3, Rage, many others. So I won't be going into any of those. Although I do certainly hope for many reveals from Bioware about Mass Effect 3, especially since it was delayed to next year.
Bioware; I expect very greatly we shall see some working footage, if not a demo of Dragon Age 3. Why, because Dragon Age 2, while not being a bad game. Was clearly a setup for the next game. It was truly sad how much if anything was actually transferred from Origins/Awakenings. My hope is that data was stored during the transfer, to make a bigger impact later on. I among with many others who had been looking forward to a Sequel to what is easily one of the best Roleplaying games in a long awhile. Were expecting a bit more. Bioware even said they were going to deliver, much more than they did. That being said, the sequel to Dragon Age 2, should be out that much sooner. Either by the end of the year, or beginning of next year. I do not know what else we shall see from Bioware, possibly a hint or cutscene of a spinoff to something from the Mass Effect universe. I personally would love to play as Garrus, even possibly from the beginning of his career, to past the ending of Mass Effect 3.
Bethesda; I would hope for something related to the Fallout franchise gets let known is in the works. I am hoping for some sort of war between the east and the west coast versions of Fallout. Bethesda tends to take their time on games, so I don't know if anything much will be shown beyond what most of us already know about. Prey 2, Skyrim, and Rage. A new IP would be cool, but given the failings of Brink, I am also doubtful they will do anything until any new IP's in development are more fleshed to let be known.
Rockstar; Given the overt success of LA Noire, they will very likely announce that a sequel is being made, but it won't be done for quite some time. A Sequel to Red Dead Redemption would be very cool. A sequel to the Grand Theft Auto series, is almost a given.
Konami and Kojima; Given the fact Kojima will not be at E3 this year. It is unlikely we will see anything related to the Metal Gear franchise. Unless it's a lie to make us all shocked when the lights go down and Kojima walks out with Snake or something. Otherwise, I expect some Castlevania game is very likely.
Otherly than those developers. I do expect to see something from Namco, probably not much, something from Capcom related to the Megaman Universe MMO deal is likely. Won't see much out of Blizzard, since they do their own deal Blizzcon. Atlus while my favorite Japanese developer/publisher, they are always a bit random on upcoming games. I would love to see a sequel to Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne though, easily the best SMT ever. Which we haven't heard much from on consoles for awhile.
In summation, E3 will always be gamer Mecha. It will be shiny, epic and many games will be announced, and demoed. I would love to go sometime, but that is not the case this year. I shall however be watching it on G4TV, as well as on Gametrailers.com.
Keep one thing in mind though always. If they don't show gameplay footage, only cutscenese or FMV's. Do not think a game will actually look like that later on. Square taught us all that one pretty hard, many times.
I do not like to get into spreading rumors or starting them. So all I shall rant about is what we SHOULD see at E3 this year.
Microsoft
I certainly think we may see a new console coming from Xbox this year. If it will be the successor to the 360, I do not know. It was only last year they announced the Slim. Which Didn't work as well as they toted it too, but still is a decent machine. Traditionally when a "slim" version of a console comes out, is quite often right before a new console comes out. Often due to tech and mechanical upgrades that were found via creating the new system. Some sort of handheld would not be too shocking, that is if Microsoft wants to get into that pool.
Kinect; I certainly hope they announce some updates to the full workings of the Kinect. I have one, and what they actually have controllable via the Kinect, is no where near as fantastic as they kept claiming it too be. Netflix is fail with Kinect, most of the rest of the system is all still only controlled via the controller, which is supposed to be us now. So there should definitely be some updates to Kinect, not to mention a load of REAL games for the Kinect. So far we just have Kinect versions of games the Wii made work. Although Kinect Bowling is sad.
Nintendo
Given the strangely high numbers of the 3DS, I expect to see many games for this handheld I shall never own. As for this new console they are saying will be there. This Project Cafe as it's been tagged online as. Highly unlikely to be a followup to the Wii, ie Wii 2 seems very unlikely. It will for sure have a better graphics system, just for the main reason that the Wii lost so many people, of the hardcore gamer to that alone. I would certainly hope that they will announce a decent amount of games for it's launch. Mario, Zelda, are for sure needed to launch a new console. Even though they failed with that for the 3DS launch. I personally don't know how it sold so well. I think I only know ONE person who bought it.
Sony; Duh duh dun. They used to be the big dog, now they've been shown to really only be a chihuahua with a large bark. Sony did a great job on developing the PS3. But failed utterly on making a pool of games that made people need to get it. With all the fails it has gone though, the ApocalyPS3, the recent Hack and downfall of the PSN network. Sony will be very shiny and most likely have Kevin Butler doing most of the talking. In an attempt to sidestep the Hack issue, via humor. Their show will be very glitzy and ostentatious. I had begun to seriously think about getting a PS3, right before the hack, now my want has gone from 89 of 100, to 10. Which is less then when it first came out. If they announce some new console, or even just a revamp of the PS3, which offers backwards compatibility, some sort of overall password protection, a much more fluid and fleshed out menu. I could see myself getting one in 2 years. haha.
Now as for developers. We will obviously see many of the games we currently know about. Such as Skyrim, Mass Effect 3, Rage, many others. So I won't be going into any of those. Although I do certainly hope for many reveals from Bioware about Mass Effect 3, especially since it was delayed to next year.
Bioware; I expect very greatly we shall see some working footage, if not a demo of Dragon Age 3. Why, because Dragon Age 2, while not being a bad game. Was clearly a setup for the next game. It was truly sad how much if anything was actually transferred from Origins/Awakenings. My hope is that data was stored during the transfer, to make a bigger impact later on. I among with many others who had been looking forward to a Sequel to what is easily one of the best Roleplaying games in a long awhile. Were expecting a bit more. Bioware even said they were going to deliver, much more than they did. That being said, the sequel to Dragon Age 2, should be out that much sooner. Either by the end of the year, or beginning of next year. I do not know what else we shall see from Bioware, possibly a hint or cutscene of a spinoff to something from the Mass Effect universe. I personally would love to play as Garrus, even possibly from the beginning of his career, to past the ending of Mass Effect 3.
Bethesda; I would hope for something related to the Fallout franchise gets let known is in the works. I am hoping for some sort of war between the east and the west coast versions of Fallout. Bethesda tends to take their time on games, so I don't know if anything much will be shown beyond what most of us already know about. Prey 2, Skyrim, and Rage. A new IP would be cool, but given the failings of Brink, I am also doubtful they will do anything until any new IP's in development are more fleshed to let be known.
Rockstar; Given the overt success of LA Noire, they will very likely announce that a sequel is being made, but it won't be done for quite some time. A Sequel to Red Dead Redemption would be very cool. A sequel to the Grand Theft Auto series, is almost a given.
Konami and Kojima; Given the fact Kojima will not be at E3 this year. It is unlikely we will see anything related to the Metal Gear franchise. Unless it's a lie to make us all shocked when the lights go down and Kojima walks out with Snake or something. Otherwise, I expect some Castlevania game is very likely.
Otherly than those developers. I do expect to see something from Namco, probably not much, something from Capcom related to the Megaman Universe MMO deal is likely. Won't see much out of Blizzard, since they do their own deal Blizzcon. Atlus while my favorite Japanese developer/publisher, they are always a bit random on upcoming games. I would love to see a sequel to Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne though, easily the best SMT ever. Which we haven't heard much from on consoles for awhile.
In summation, E3 will always be gamer Mecha. It will be shiny, epic and many games will be announced, and demoed. I would love to go sometime, but that is not the case this year. I shall however be watching it on G4TV, as well as on Gametrailers.com.
Keep one thing in mind though always. If they don't show gameplay footage, only cutscenese or FMV's. Do not think a game will actually look like that later on. Square taught us all that one pretty hard, many times.
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