The Game's The Thing #4 (15th October 2011)

Hello and welcome to this week's TGTT, where we once again look at the news and releases in the week that was. Sequels aplenty this week, with only one brave and original title sheepishly making it's out onto shelves. Though, as usual, I've rather foolishly taken it upon myself to trawl through the lot in an attempt to offer some discerning comments for you, my sweet and dearest reader. Criticism, appraisal, opinion and more, all so that you might save your well earned dollar for those releases that really matter. I'm Jim Cross, winter is coming, big releases are on their way €“ there's whispering of it beyond the wall €“ but rest assured, this is TGTT. A spattering of offerings from the gaming deities this week. Some sequels, some retreads, some even covered in pigs blood €“ let's have a poke about.

Forza Motorsport 4 (Xbox 360)

Like it's long standing rival 'Gran Turismo' over at Sony, the 'Forza' series carries a lot of clout. Now 'Clout', for our friends across the pond, is shorthand for prestige and with said prestige come 'fans'. Fans, followers, the pious, the devout €“ call them what you will, when a product gains a reputation so come the devotees. Video games are certainly no different. What is interesting though about these video game fans (as in 'fanatics', quite literally) is that they come in all shapes and sizes, drivingsimulator fans being no different. But what all driving sim fans have in common with all fans of anything anywhere is one thing. They, like those you may be more aware of: say the Starcraft' screen-glued click freaks or the super human 'Halo' headshot monkeys, is that they are utterly and unreservedly mad. Mad, obsessive, meticulous and most importantly very pissy when things get changed. Indeed video game fans know what they want to such a degree that they are more than happy to make one unholy ruckus when they don't get it (see the 'Silent Hill 2 voice actor scandal' below). What 'Forza 4' then proves is that the opposite action (i.e. giving fans exactly what they want) evokes the opposite response: utter love and servitude. A series does not need to change the world to make a buck. No, it really doesn't have to change that much at all in fact, all it needs is an audience. Forza has that audience and it knows what they want: more finesse, more realism, more tracks and more cars. 'Forza 4' delivers these, incrementally innovating, sharpening the graphics as it goes, and quietly making an absolute bomb. See Forza's got it just right. It doesn't make a fuss, it doesn't try and add a Horde mode because €œthat's really popular and lucrative atm guys€, it just stick to what it knows. It pleases it's fans, clocks up another digit and yet in a way it's the same as it ever was €“ a game where you drive around cars you'll never own. Well fair play, if it ain't broke don't fix it. (For a more comprehensive dissection, read Simon's review here)

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon (Xbox 360 & PS3)

At some point, a man (or perhaps woman) wearing a suit, dead behind the eyes as he or she is, used a sentence something like this: €œIt's got to be Call of Duty . . . in the air€. Ace Combat is a Japanese arcade/simulator hybrid series that has been known in the past for slightly melodramatic plots and a slightly other wordly setting. Things have changed though as Ace Combat quite literally comes down to earth. Fictionalised cities are eschewed in favour of Miami, Paris and other locales this side of the imagination barrier. Sad though it is to see a series ditch part of it's personality in favour of shadowing a more lucrative one the lasting effect is not a terrible one. This new, more cinematic take may alienate the core fanbase (looking for a more realistic experience) but for the new comer this one's pitched pretty much right.

Dead Rising 2: Off The Record (Xbox 360, PC & PS3)

So I had this crazy thought: what would 'Dead Rising 2' be like if it featured the protagonist from the first game? No, no it's crazy €“ no one would want to see that. What possibly could be gained from such an experiment? Surely it'd be essentially the same game with only minor cosmetic differences? It's not financially viable, there's no market for it, no one's that crazy. . . . 'Dead Rising 2: Off the Record' €“ like last time, only different . . . well sorta different.

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster (Kinect)

'Once Upon a Monster' fills my heart with joy. Bless legendary designer Tim Schaffer and Double Fine Productions for not only making this endearing chunk of kid friendly goodness, but also taking the limping cash cow, that is the Kinect, and using it for some genuine good. The marketing for the game tells us that this is some kind of 'interactive storybook' but all you need to know is that you have young children this charming game mixes the sweet Sesame lore with the expert game design that the Double Fine pedigree stands for. If you have young children dive in and enjoy. If you don't, spawning children is advised before consumption.

Pro Evolution Soccer 12 (Xbox 360, PC & PS3)

So when 'Fifa 12' came out I said that if you were a fan of the series you probably already owned it. What then is the differences between 'Fifa 12' and 'PES 12'? No idea, but it's out so if you do or are interested in finding out then be my guest.

Might & Magic Heroes VI (PC)

The sixth outing in the strategy series lands on your PC plate this week. Strategy, factions, fantasy, orcs, resource management and a strictly PC affair. If this sounds like your cup of tea (and why wouldn't it) then the adventure awaits.

Spider-Man: Edge of Time (Xbox 360, PS3 & Handhelds)

Every generation of console has it's defining Spider-Man game. This is not one of them. Thinking back to the PS One era, the unlockable costumes and polygonal japes of those games inspired by the animated series, a nostalgic tear jerks into my unsuspecting eye. Then the thinking forward to the PS2 era of movie licensed games and swinging gayly (yes I will use that word) around a virtual New York, I'm strick by another salty globule pestering the cornea. €œThems was the days, eh kid€. Well that was then and this is now. Speaking of time 'Spider-Man: Edge of Time' is here, downgrading from last years four Spidey's in 'Shattered Dimensions' to just two . . . Great, just great. Now I am aware that TGTT is fast becoming a catalogue of my disapproval for cheap cash in sequels and licensed games, but frankly with efforts like this there is no way this week can be any different. 'Edge of Time' is a limply threaded together brawler with little room for exploration or that acrobatic traversal magic that made past games so liberating. Alas it sinks my heart to say it but unfortunately 'Edge of Time' is a tired and uninspired affair, lacking any unique Spidey flair. Don't get me wrong I do understand that the kids must have their quota of Spider-Man funsies. I understand that, I really do. I too was a kid once and I personally felt that need very strongly, but surely we can do these kids better than this? Must they have an outing yearly or can they not wait for a more concentrated and refined dose of web spinning, say once every other year? I know it's not the lucrative option but with 'Arkham City' out next week doesn't it become a question of what's good for the industry? Licensed games will just have to start competing out of sheer embarrassment surely? They'll soon start looking around at each other in defeat and mutter earnestly €œtime to pull the finger out boys?€ We live in hope. News now, because apparently things still happen in a post Steve Jobs world. Who knew? Gabe says Apple will conquer consoles Gabe Newell, founder of Valve software, in an interview with The Seattle Times this week rocked the boat with a contentious statement on the future of gaming. The Valve big wig remarked that although he thinks consoles are going to be around for a while longer, they're not here to say, postulating that Apple: "will launch a living room product that redefines people's expectations really strongly and the notion of a separate console platform will disappear." We can only assume that this is an extension of the way phones have already changed the gaming landscape and although not big news, it's interesting to see what the people who bought us Steam think about the future. Especially considering Job's unfortunate death last week, as many think that Apple may see a decline without it's bengin dictator, but not so according to this industry stalwart. Mass Effect 3 has Co-Op So it seems that Mass Effect 3's secret killer feature is Co-Op after all. This new mode called 'Galactic War' allows you and three friends to create new, non-Shepard characters, and follow a parallel story campaign in the Mass Effect universe. This campaign is apparently very combat focused, allowing players to create a character of any race or class. Intruiging. What is particularly interesting though is that the 'Galactic War' co-op campaign progress you make goes toward your single player progression. That's to say your ability to achieve the perfect ending becomes easier if you've completed the co-op campaign, though never fear, you can still achieve this ending if you never go anywhere near the co-op (phew). Bioware usually get things very right, but knowing you don't have to go near the co-op is good for us hermit solo players. Silent Hill 2 Voice Actor Scandal The Silent Hill games, like so many classics nowadays, are due for HD updates but interestingly (and perhaps stupidly) Konami made the decision to replace all the original voice cast with new talent for contract reasons. Fans, being fans, however were not happy to say the least, and after a long battle with the games company things have been resolved. Having contacted the original voice cast and stirring the debate through forums online, fans have actually managed to get their old cast back. That's right you/us/we the people managed to change the development of a game in a serious and meaningful way. The ins and outs of the debacle are long and somewhat tedious, but what is worthy of note is the veracity of the fans and their power for change. The games industry is one of the very few places where the consumer have such power, the only medium where the opinion of the fan is taken seriously. I mean just imagine if George Lucas ever took into account what Star Wars fans wanted, 'The Phantom Menace' might have been a very different film to say the very least. Good news then in an industry that is seemingly otherwise become increasingly corporate and inpersonal. Score one for the little guys. ---- Until Next Time There you have it folks, another notch for the bed post. Until next time keep posted to What Culture for all your entertainment news needs.