Working out.....beats not working out.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Then the NBA turned down an exclusive deal and said, "we want competition in our video games." And boy am I glad they did. I can't imagine what it would've been like being stuck with Live only for the last 5 years or so. Because admittedly, Live has not measured up.
Well, well along comes Peter Moore and the "new EA direction." And by the look of things, the Live team is no longer taking it lying down.
Now this is not a blog about which NBA game is going to be better come this fall. Because honestly guys, I don't think it matters which one you prefer. I'm just glad that Live is looking good enough for us to even argue about it.
Just look around these OS boards. Guys are going back and forth about 2K and Live. Each game trying to one up the other. Come October 6th, I think whichever game you choose, you'll still miss out on a great game in the other.
Since I'm a PS3 guy I get to choose in baseball too. But I think The Show is the best sports game period so there's no decision to be made there. Other than that basketball and hockey are the only two sports I play where I get to choose between games. And this year Live, NHL 10, NBA 2K, and NHL 2K are all looking very good and making things tough. Just when I think I'm leaning toward one, I read something good about the other.
At least for me, this is tough guys. In a good way. And I love it.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
That said...every July I'm on tip-toe anticipation for NCAA Football.
Then this year came. I recently got Fight Night 4 and its had me hostage ever since I popped it in. I never thought "boxing" could win me over again like this, but it has. Even to the point that I haven't played the NCAA demo any more since I downloaded it. In fact, I forgot I had it. What? Me? Normally I run that thing over and over until the real thing comes hits.
With NCAA 10 just about a week away, I honestly have to say it has not been on the brain. And trust me, for me that's saying a WHOLE lot. Heck, I go way back with EA when they first made Bill Walsh College Football on Sega Genesis.
Now I'm kinda wondering... How in the world could I of all people forget I had the NCAA demo?
Is it that Fight Night 4 is just THAT super?
Is it that Madden has overshadowed with the upgrades that NCAA didn't get?
Or I'm I not admitting to myself that the demo was a disappointment?
Any thoughts?
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Months ago when I started reading bout how they were going to improve Fight Night, I thought...WOW! And the same goes for UFC. Except it wasn't really an "improvement" because this was really the first next-gen edition of MMA.
Now after getting both games and enjoying the heck out of 'em, I can say the hype was well deserved. No, they're not perfect. But I really, really like 'em both. On both career modes I wish I could fight any fight I want, and I wish FN had title matches in exhibition. But that's another story.......
What I'm here to talk about is the "other" form of fighting that's now lacking severely due to these two games being so well put together.... wrestling.
OK, OK its not really a form of fighting since its scripted, I know. But we're talking about video games so who cares?
This past year was the first time in about eight years that I didn't buy a wrestling game. Did I stop liking wrestling? Of course not. I still haven't missed an episode of Raw or SmackDown in about ten years.
What turned me off was the feeling that the game was just not getting better. I waited a long time to see what the new hype would be and the best thing they could promote was....hot tags??? I'm sorry, but tag team matches are the weakest part of the real show. Its the time you go to the restroom if you're there live.
In comparison, both the FN4 and the UFC games look AND feel like they're the best game ever seen in the respective sports. Even though there aren't many editions to compare as far as next-gen goes. But isn't that the way it should be?
They are both very deep. UFC has 80 and FN4 has 48 fighters. But what makes that even better is that all these guys fight like they really fight. No two guys on UFC fight alike. And that increases the replay value of the games. Not even to mention DLC and boxer share.
Anybody that watches wrestling will tell you that what really makes the show fun to watch is the storylines. This is where THQ needs to kick this series in the rear-end. Only having a hand full of wrestlers available for career mode is a major, major crutch for this game. It needs to be available for all of 'em. Even if it means less voice-over. Heck...I'd do without the voice-over if it meant a better and deeper story mode. Go back to text for all I care (except commentary).
I remember running career mode over and over and over again years ago with Here Comes The Pain. The music, the twist, the record keeping, it was just simply immersing. But whats worse is not only did they change that, they starting taking other popular things away from the game too.
What I miss is the GM mode. BUT....... I wish the GM mode had the storylines played out on screen. That way you have all the control, you can play whatever matches you want, you can watch the drama unfold like on TV, and maybe mix in a few random items just to keep the suspense. Then you could deal with things on-the-fly like a GM should. Or have a CPU-control option where you could carry on and not have to make all the matchups and all that stuff. To keep it fresh.
I thought the Madden team did a good thing this year. By picking the game most talked about from the past (NFL 2K5) and saying "OK enough, here's what we're trying to top." Now how many years have we been saying that wrestling games aren't living up to No Mercy or Here Comes The Pain? Too many!
Sometimes to move forward you gotta go back. I know it can be done. Besides, isn't THQ the same ones that made UFC? Or is wrestling just not a priority sports game anymore? Will wrestling catch up? Or are we simply stuck with memories?
What do you guys think? Post comments.
click here
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/987/987456p1.html
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Now some of you have been next-gen longer than I have. And I think its safe to say that some sports are on the way up. While some others...seem to be stuck in neutral.
Neutral meaning not that its not making a gigantic leap year-after-year. That's unrealistic. But neutral meaning its not much better than...or in some cases worse than...when I was playing with a much weaker PS2.
Now this is just my humble opinion, but let's take a look at where each sport stands in sports gaming:
1. Pro Basketball... NBA games continue to improve. The NBA 2K series is one of the most popular sports games out. EA's NBA Live made big leaps last year and continues to improve. And while Sony's NBA game doesn't quite measure up, I wouldn't be surprised if they re-made their game in the wake of strong competition. Condition: Very Good
2. Baseball... MLB games are probably in the best shape. While MLB 2K was a disappointment to many last year, its looking pretty good for the coming year. Sony's MLB The Show is maybe the best sports game period. Nothing against the X360 but I wouldn't be without The Show. I'm glad I'm PS3. But even if The Show wasn't phenomenal, I'd scoop 2K in a flash. Its a good thing 2K hasn't used its third party license to keep Sony from making baseball games. Where there's competition, there's better games.
Condition: Excellent
3. Pro Football... With Madden being the only NFL game there is really no need for them to push the envelope. With that said, even though the game DID improve last year, compared to other sports it has been a major disappointment for many years. Especially next-gen. Is Madden as terrible as many say? Of course not. But imagining where it SHOULD be by NOW is indeed frustrating. Condition: Average
4. Hockey... EA's NHL series right now is one of the top 2 or 3 sports franchises in video games. You can credit that to their knowing that 2K was coming out with their own game as well. While NHL 2K isn't among the best, its at least there to compete. Condition: Good
5. Soccer... PES Soccer is a decent game; and some even like it more. But once again EA has one of the best in sports games with their FIFA series. With PES around, there is no telling how good FIFA will get. Condition: Very Good
6. Nascar... Only one Nascar game. That being from EA. I happen to like it. But I do think it would be better off with another game on the market. Condition: Average (no choices)
7. Tennis... Top Spin from 2K might've been missing alot but it was a good looking game. Sega's coming out with another Virtua Tennis which I think will put a little pressure on 2K. Speaking of pressure...I hear the big dawg EA is getting into tennis. Now that's a game I wanna see. Condition : Rising
8. Wrestling... Another exclusive deal (as far as WWE). When THQ announced their proudest new feature for SmackDown vs. Raw 09 was tag teaming??? Hot tags??? ....... WHAT??? Needless to say, this is the first time in 7 years I didn't buy a wrestling game. Because I also hear TNA was terrible. We have got to do better. Condition: Falling Fast
9. Boxing... Not a lot of talk either way due to the falling stock of the sport itself. But at least there is a couple of games to choose from. EA's Fight Night and 2K's Prizefighter. But sometimes great games can increase interest in a real life sport. Hopefully that'll happen this summer with Round 4. Can't say its too good at this point. Condition: Below Average
10. Golf... EA's Tiger Woods is the only PGA game. Not sure if its an exclusive deal or not. But honestly, its been declining. Question: Isn't TV presentation what companies are shooting for now days? What the world was the deal with changing to that terrible lady commentator? Condition: Good but declining
It just seems to me that the sports where companies are competing are in better shape. Don't get me wrong...I don't hate the evil empire that is EA Sports. I just think they are a better company when they have competition.
The last REAL good Madden to me was Madden 05...which was the same year as NFL 2K5.
Coincidence?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Posted on February 17, 2009 at 02:53 PM.
Many are calling Sony's MLB The Show the best sports game franchise of today. While that point can be argued, it is indeed at least ONE of the very best games out. What really sets it apart is the attention to small detail which, combined...really brings the game to life.Excluding gameplay, here are ten of those small details I hope we'll see (in some fashion) in Madden 10:
1. Better Crowd... The crowd really seems to understand the moment (in The Show). They stand and get loud in key situations. Plus, you can see fans and vendors walking around. I've never been to a stadium where everyone was always at or in their seats like Madden in recent years.
2. Replay Angles... Anyone who's played the demo will know what I mean. The replays sometime show from this wide view that gives you a great look at the stadium. Its a lot better than zooming in to the player who made the play. Sometimes the replay angle is from the outfield, which is a great angle as well. Wider views and better angles.
3. Lighting... The Show may have the best lighting of any sports game ever. Sunlight or stadium light. The shadows in the stadium and the way the sun looks on the field are just incredible.
4. Coaches presence... I know the coaches are in Madden, yes. But the only time I see them is after a replay review. And thats brief. Other than that it seems like they aren't even there. I wanna see Andy Reid (or any coach) holding his play sheet over his mouth so nobody can read his lips. And get a quick shot of him in-between plays. For example, after a bad at-bat with the Rays I saw Joe Maddon giving my guy the business! In The Show, the managers are there...and you know it!
5. Stadium Feel... After the fly-bys, sometimes its hard to distinguish a difference between the stadiums in Madden. No they don't all "look" the same I know. But in The Show...the wide angle replays, fly-bys in-between plays, attendance variations and all that stuff work together to separate the stadiums. Playing at Fenway feels like....Fenway. And no other stadium does.
6. Players Talking... I don't have to hear what they're saying, but there is just something cool about watching the players in The Show talking to each other. Whether its to the other team (probably trash) or to teammates or coaches. Especially coaches! They seem "alive" because they aren't just zombies playing baseball. I can't hear 'em in real life either, so what they're saying doesn't matter.
7. Everyone celebrates... I love it when I hit a homerun and when the batter comes around somebody's waiting at the plate to celebrate with him. On the flip side, its annoying when I score a touchdown and my guy is the only one celebrating. Other than maybe one other player who might come over. The other players are walking or standing around like they don't realize what just happened. The sidelines should come alive too. Just like the dugout cut scenes during the homerun replay in The Show.
8. Better quarter end transitions... Watching me play The Show, at the end of an inning my girlfriend asked: "do they show commercials?" That might sound comical but actually its a good question for someone watching for the first time that doesn't play games. Because the combination of relative replays, a fly-by, music, the boxscore on screen and the fade out really do give it the "feel" that they are going to a commercial. NBA 2K's the same way. I hope Madden 10 is too.
9. Stat overlay highlights... Its so cool when my batter comes up in-season and his stat overlay comes up and maybe something like his home run total is in yellow. And at the bottom it says "leads the AL." Or even the same if its a batter I'm facing. Its just cool to be reminded of where this player stands in my current season.
10. Live and active officials... I like when a runner is sliding into 2nd base and its close. Once the ball is there all you can do is...WATCH the umpire!!! Just like you would on TV. I would like to see that on sideline catches and close calls in football. The commentator should be in suspense just like the rest of us...until the official comes in! Fumbles, first downs, whats the flag for? All that stuff. Certain things shouldn't be announced until the official makes his signal. The officials should be on the field and active!
I have a feeling Madden 10 will be the best one yet. I just hope they don't neglect the small details.
Gameplay is first, yes. But the "extras" are what really bring any game ALIVE.
That feeling that its more like TV than just another game.....thats ALIVE.
The Show feels Alive! Its like its breathing.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
If you read around the forums here on OS you'll find a lot of gamers wishing that Madden would grab at least some of the ideas from either NFL 2K5 or MLB The Show.
Yes, football and baseball are different we know. But people normally are refering to the presentation, the super deep commentary, the great cutscenes, stadium atmosphere, lighting, and things like that.
And now I hear MLB The Show's demo will be out this Thursday???? Even though release is still almost a month away.
Wow! A super early demo for what may be the best sports game today.
I'm just saying....... wouldn't football be ALOT better off if Sony were competing in the sport and their football game was as impressive as their baseball???
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Here's the link:
http://sports.ign.com/articles/950/950344p1.html
Friday, January 23, 2009
So fast-forward to the future. Now that I basically play every sport in video games; I was stuck in that mindset when it comes to gaming too. There are some other sports that have some really cool games, I know (Fifa, Nascar). But TO ME..... it was still football and basketball first and second.
Basketball eventually took over first place every since I feel in love with 2K a few years ago. Now I'm not a Madden or EA hater but its just not up to NBA 2K's level, I don't care WHAT the sales numbers say. Its just true.
Then came last year, my first year getting The Show instead of MLB 2K. I was immediately blown away. BUT, in my "mind" I tried to convince myself that baseball could be no higher than 3rd on my priority list, mostly because I'm not a huge baseball fan in real life.
But you know what guys? Forget it, I give up. I never thought I would see the day I'd say this or feel this way. But I am anticipating MLB: The Show 09 more than I have ANY other game in recent years. So yes....of all the sports I play as a gamer, BASEBALL is indeed my favorite game. I'm no longer in denial.
What the heck's going on in the world?
The Cardinals are in the Super Bowl
The Rays won the American League
The Celtics are good again
And BASEBALL is my favorite video game.
The Show is the best thing to happen to sports games in about 10 years.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
I read in several magazines and even saw screenshots of how they were going to take Madden and other sports games to a whole new level...off the field. I saw some shots of the Fox studio set and the whole works. The article was saying how we were going to see something very similar to what we see on Sundays at halftime of our games. Needless to say, that never happened. (And yes the interview was with EA people too)
OK, maybe once they got into the PS2 system they realized those things wouldn't be possible after all. That's cool. BUTTTTT.......several years later (2004 to be exact), somebody figured it out. ESPN NFL 2K5 had the coolest thing with Chris Berman in-studio before the game. Then he'd come back at halftime and break down the first half, one big play at a time...in order...with highlights. Same for post-game.
Then to make things even better, they had a full blown SportsCenter that you could watch each week in your season. They had scores AND highlights, standings, injury news, milestones, and next weeks' key match-ups. MAN DID THIS MAKE YOUR NFL SEASON EXPIERIENCE FUN AND COMPLETE. Now keep in mind...I'm talking Playstation....TWO!!!!
Now on to the future, or maybe I should say present. Now that we have these dynamic systems in PS3 and 360, I don't think I'm alone in being highly disappointed that this has only been used in ONE game. That being College Hoops 2K. They had the College Hoops Tonight with Greg Gumbel and Clark Kellogg. And it was nice. Very in-depth. Also during games: pre-game, halftime with break-down, and post-game with "so-long from our studio" and all that extra stuff.
I see people requesting it on wishlists for EVERY sports game, every year. So there's no doubt there's a lot of gamers interested in the media/entertainment/off-field part of sports.
I just hope some-one's listening.
To my favorites: EA, 2K, Sony......Nudge!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Of any of the sports games out right now...Who do you guys think is the best overall? Meaning, the least robotic, gets excited at the right time, sounds like its really him talking, doesn't repeat AS MUCH, good phrases, teaches, all the above.
Let's separate play-by-play, color commentators, and then announce team.
Here's my choices:
Play-by-play : Matt Vasgersian (MLB The Show)
Color Commentator : Chris Collingsworth (Madden)
Team : Vasgersian, Hudler, Campbell (MLB THe Show)
*also like Dick Vitale in NCAA Basketball but sometimes timing a little off.
and Kevin Harlan NBA 2K9 but repeats a lot. Brad Nessler's good in both his games too.
Monday, November 24, 2008
The post like this : "(it) has already been posted if you look through the threads."
Well here's a quick note off subject: I've got better things to do than flip through all those pages to see if I'm the first one to post something. Its won't hurt to look over it. You'll live.
Anyways, back to my point. This screen save feature on EA's college football and basketball is a fantastic yet little talked about feature. Over the last 2 years i have save some of the coolest screenshots from my own games. Its nice to see screenshots on OS or IGN. But its really cool to have a screen shot thats ACTUAL game footage of your own. And be able to remember what was happening at that point in the game.
I just got NCAA Basketball over the weekend. I didn't even know they were including this feature. I've already saved a really nice shot of Earl Clark making a falling away shot off the glass to win the game. At CAL.
I can't wait to create more screenshots. Then have 'em to look back at for a long time. Anybody else like this alot?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Whats cool is that all these other sets of commentators are different guys. And there are a lot of 'em.
Now this is wishful thinking. But man it would be ULTRA cool if Madden or NCAA offered options or add-ons for different sets of commentators. If you wanted your game to have a Fox Sports feel, you could use Joe and Troy. Or maybe Jim Nance and Phil Sims for CBS.
See, I would probably download all four of the top announce teams, Joe and Troy (Fox), Jim and Phil (CBS), Al and John (NBC), and the Monday Night crew. This way I could give my NFC, AFC, Sunday night and Monday night games an even MORE realistic feel.
(I didn't leave out NFL Network on accident. Don't see their games, don't care. I like my cable.)
Friday, November 21, 2008
Posted on November 21, 2008 at 10:33 PM.
Apparently UFC is running into a little trouble with some naming rights.Gamespot article :
http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_bl...ic_id=26681640
Most every fight is on pay per view. And alot of people including myself choose not to pay 50 bucks a pop to watch what'll probably be garbage. As a result, huge fight goes on, nobody knows so nobdoy sees and nobody cares.
With the recent signing of the BCS contracts to ESPN starting in 2010, I'm hoping that the major team sports in this country aren't headed the same way. God forbid if the Super Bowl or the NBA Finals were on pay television. I know its not the same as PPV, but the bottom line is....not everyone will see it. Many of which will be kids who'll find other interest.
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