Apple's ads suck.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
have you seen Apple's "i'm a mac" ads? They're horrible.
Now look, as Microsoft themselves counters apple with their own ads.
which one is better, decide for yourself.
Microsoft. is pro.
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finally, a day out
Monday, March 30, 2009
Today was the date that was stated in the letter from ITE that I got. It said that I had to go to the admin office on 30/3/09, from 1PM to 5PM onwards. I had a weird feeling it wasn't going to be just paying the fees, and only that. My mum also had the same feeling. Actually, we were right the entire time.
lolzZzzZzzzZz
It's quite a long journey to school, actually. It isn't anything new to me. I was living in jurong, and had to face the endless stream of crowds everyday at boon lay interchange (boon lay interchange is the shitz. It pwns ur family). I always end up standing for 1 hour on both of the buses I take and transfer to because they're always full. So, travelling to school? isn't going to be something new I face. I'm really just used to taking long durations to reach a destination. It is, afterall, a destination.
I'm no longer living in jurong now (pity), but they now have a new bus service going to my flat back there in jurong, and the new extended MRT station, Pioneer, is really walking distance from the apartment.
Anyway, I calculated (sorta) that it takes an hour and forty-five minutes to reach school from my current place. People think that i'm crazy that I find such a long travel duration perfectly alright. Maybe I am.
At Boon Lay MRT station, I saw a malay girl and guy together. The girl had her hands over the guy's shoulder. For some reason, I thought she was someone I knew. Problem was, I couldn't see her face. Her head was down, and all I could see, was her nicely-dyed hair. The screen on the platform said the train would be arriving in 2 minutes.
I didn't look again, but I got restless after the 2 minutes shown on the display turned to 1. I started looking around, and this time, she had her head up. I was right, she was someone I knew back in school. It was a girl from 4/5. She probably didn't notice me.
I wondered to myself. So, this is what people do in the holidays huh. It made me realise one thing: more than anything, I really wished I had someone. Someone to spend the holidays with. Just for the sake of the spirit of free time. I'll probably never have such a long holiday ever in my entire life again. Even if I do have a long holiday again, I would probably not be in the age to enjoy it. This is the age to really enjoy. These are really the best days of our lives. The best. After we're all a little older, no more.
No more.
It was after we boarded the train she noticed me. I tried pretending that I didn't notice, but it didn't work, even for myself. It could have been a nice "OMGHAI" moment, but wait. She's spending the holidays with someone already. Everyone else, is made retarded in this context. It's always like this. So many people in school have lost touch because of this very reason. It's sad.
We got off clementi, and walked to the campus. The multi-purpose hall had different stations set up. One for submitting the student's particulars, one for paying the fees, another for taking the ez-link card photo, and lastly, purchasing the uniform.
We didn't pay the fees by cash as of our intention. The lady at the counter told us we could just use our edusave accounts. What did the letter state again?
I was horrified when I learnt that I had to take the photo for my ez-link card on-the-spot. I haven't cut my hair for ages, and I look horrible. My ez-link card photo is going to be really gay. At least my IC one isn't that bad. Come to think of it, why do they issue these cards anyway. Poly and ITE students don't get conesssion rates for travel, then why the cards?
The uniform bit has got to be the most interesting part. There were colors to chose from, and even different types of shirts for the uniform, you take your pick. I took one of each. You could chose maroon or white for the polo-tees and regular tees. The shirts had blue and grey. I was surprised at the freedom they gave with the uniform.
This has got to be the first time i've seen girls not dreading wearing uniform. Actually, I think they like it. Sure enough, the girl's uniform is really actually nice. Some girls squeled at the pictures at the uniforms (in a exited way), and a girl who tried on the uniform looked at herself in the reflection of the glass doors, and literally, jumped.
Hands-down, the uniform here is better than any JC's. I'm serious. Why haven't JC's adopted this yet anyway? We really are at the age of us wanting to wear what we actually want.
Then, we walked back to take the MRT. We took it to jurong east, and walked to IMM. Yeah, we walked alot. I wanted to go to IMM, because I wanted to use the best denki voucher which I won from IT club's 3d animation winning the gold award at SDMA (I got some cash also, but it's a puny amount. Whatever). My mum wanted a radio, and we nearly bought one, but then I walked around and got interested in table lamps. (the lighting here at my house sucks cock.) Then, my mum suggested that I got something I wanted for myself. We then headed over to the MP3 players section.
I got a creative zen! Ah, my first portable music player. My first thought was that it would come in handy on the long journey to school.
I wanna thank god for giving me this. No, srssly.
It's cheap, and it's pro. The earpiece that came with it still didn't beat my seperately purchased sony earpiece, so ima stick in the sony one for now. Come to think of it, most of the creative's zen players i've seen are all of affordable prices. I took this one, because the other prettier zen was out of stock, and was 2GB. This one's 4. The zen X-Fi, well, I don't like it. And, it's expensive. C'mon, it's X-Fi!
We needed a new iron, so my mum got one also. Thank god for that, because my dad bought a cheapo iron, which really, doesn't do it's job well. I spend wayy more time than usual just trying to iron my clothes. Annoying, and it's all because my dad bought a cheapo iron. lol@my dad's cheapness. Really, my dad is cheap.
We ate at long john slivers, because my mum doesn't like mcdonalds. Ah, I love enjoying what I eat. It makes me happy. I know, i know. I sound weird. I wanted to go cut my hair after going to IMM, but my mum really wanted me to follow her home. She didn't tell me that explicitly, but I could tell she didn't want to go home alone.
I showed the Zen to my sister the first thing she came back home. She went "WALAOOOOO!?". eheheheheheheheheh.
I'm going over to Chen Sing's place tommorrow. It's nice to have someone to talk to, no matter what the subject of the conversation is. Heard his MacBook Pro was fucked up around the edges, don't know howz it going.
Had a hearty chat with sankarsh after I reached home. It's nice when we get things to talk about, besides the usual SHIT. Signs of me moving on? finally, yes. Our chats somehow always date back in time, back when school was all pressure. It's nice to look back, but then again...the premise is wearing thin already.
kthxbai
P.S: the girls look kinda nice in uniform. Sorry, couldn't help but to say it.
P.P.S: Chelsea u rock
P.P.P.S Geok shan, you rock also.
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together we cry
Sunday, March 15, 2009
...2 weeks since the last post. I really killed this blog. I probably might be be better off in a emo corner. Then again, what the heck.
I do however, have a valid reason. My internet was down. Well, it's finally back up, and more than anything, i'm just relieved. In the meanwhile, i've been writing my beloved diary -again. I started this blog with the intention of replacing my diary slowly, but that might take a little longer to implement than I thought.
One major difference i've noticed between blogging and writing my diary is the honesty involved. I can write anything, anything at all in my diary, and even let someone read it. I'd be cool with it even. With this blog, it's hard to keep the same amount of honesty. It just is. It sucks, and it sucks bad. I feel horrible, looking at a blogpost and realizing that what I wrote wasn't exactly what was in my head.
It is said that people who Blog about thier lives are people who are proud of what they do, which is why they don't mind the entire world reading it. Maybe it's true, but I never really looked at it that way. To me, writing a blog or diary is just priceless self reflection. My counsellor told me that back then, but that was back then. Today, having a blog is nothing else but totally "in".
As usual, nothing much has happened at all. Everyone is getting laptops...except me, that is. It isn't helping how I feel, because I have always wanted a laptop for myself. I really, really, don't have anything that is truly mine. I expected myself to be going to a poly now, and yes, with a laptop. But I ruined that for myself. Sometimes, I wish I could just...die. It would solve alot of things around here. There's really no one I can blame anything on, except myself. I'm really a failiure. I can't tell myself it's ok-ay, because that is lying to myself. It isn't right, it isn't true. Nothing is okay. I see the entire world as red, I feel like smashing up things all the time. Then, i'd cry over it feeling sorry for myself.
Chen Sing got a MacBook Pro 15-inch. I wish I had one. He wanted me to help him out with things here and there I guess, so we decided to meet up early at Jurong Point. He wanted to eat lunch there.
With no school, my entire day-day routine is distorted. I don't even sleep at the correct times. Anyway, I decided to sleep early, to make sure I don't oversleep, and not to cause him to wait a long time for me. Actually, I would feel quilty if someone was waiting for me.
I reached early, and got more than I bargained for. I ended up waiting for him. He wanted to buy a Sound Recorder, to record some coversations or something. So, we got one at Sony Style. I don't remember us buying any other hardware besides that. We did, however, look at some cheapo laptop mice and some of the official Mac Hardware at the Apple shop in Jurong Point. Walking around, we decided kopitiam was too fucking crowded, and went to Long John Silvers. I didn't want to eat at all (wasn't feeling hungry, and my parents don't give me money anyway), but he insisted. It feels crappy, to get someone to pay for your food. I always end up like that, because I never get any money at all, besides topping up my bus fare. No, not a single cent.
I wonder why my parents are like that. Every single other parent I know are willing to spend -at least a little on thier kids. I know people who get to eat fast food everyday. I know parents ho give thier kids everything. Everysinglefuckingthing. As for me, I have to beg for $5. Even that, I couldn't get today. All they every say is that they don't have money. Yet, my dad invested $22,000 on machines to make yoghurt, and managed to fix up a broken down vehicle he had, left his office's air conditioning turned on even when he wasn't in, and all other shit. The entire month, I don't think i've even spent $20 at all. That's how stupid things are in my family. Teachers at school told me "some people are just born with more problems"....true, but...I really didn't know what to say. I know other people who easily spend above $100 in a week. Heck, I haven't even have been able to contact anyone on my handphone, because my parents don't want me to top up the prepaid value. They say I don't need it. My sister called my mum a 'monkey' behind her back when she was in india. When mum came back, my sister acts nice again. When I vent my anger and frustration over how many things are wrong, i'm hated. What kind of life is this.
As I left my house to meet Chen Sing, my mum came out and asked if I had money. I asked her to fuck off. My mum wouldn't do anything even if I gave a proper reply anyway, my father has reduced her to nothing but a chore housewife, and my mum has literally given up talking to my father about finances. The only thing my mum does is to cook. And only cook. Hell, she doesn't even sweep the house, because the farmhouse is dirty, and it always be no matter what. It's incredibly difficult to keep it clean. Also, she cooks crap anyway. why? because my father buys all the ingredients, and only buys what he likes. I'm sick and tired of eating rice over and over with the same mock meat curry. At least when we were living in the flat, my mum would ask us to run errands, just so that she could make something nice. Here, the nearest 7-eleven is an hour away.
Anyway, eating Long John Silvers after such a long time felt nice. Really nice. I suggested indirectly to CS that we move quick, because I spotted a group of people eyeing our table with empty trays.
It was off to CS's house after that, and he told me a funny incident of a drunken guy in a nightclub during his visit to indonesia. Sigh. I really wish I could know how is it like to sit on a areoplane. Anyway, I LOLed on the bus. CS has a way with his stuff: he really can accurately describe what he pictures in his head through words. If you don't believe me, you should go read his posts on the pebble fort. I can't remember vivdly about what exactly we talked about, but it was a whole bunch of things ranging from our non-consession bus fare rates to cars drifting. (part of a game trailer I sent him before)
CS told me his dad was good with hardware. I wish my dad was like that. My dad absuloutely hates the computer, part of why he forced us 3 people (me, my brother, my sister) to share one internet connection. Guess what. Our internet connection costs $25 per month. And he says he can't pay for it.
Anyway, Chen Sing's PC has really good specs. That's my point. I wish I has specs like that. Then, I wouldn't have to spend hours trying to do up this stupid PC just to make sure I can play the game at it's bare minimum. That isn't fun, and the hours wasted could be put into playing. This entire thing is yet another game to me as a whole, and it isn't fun.
Well, he got a MacBook Pro. Yes, Pro = good specs, again. I helped him hook unto his home's wireless network (HE DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD WIRELESS LOL), tried running some windows games natively on Mac, installed some shit, tweaked it to go faster, bla bla bla. While installing, we watched some Whose Line Is It Anyway? Chen Sing ROFLed at the end of the video. No kidding here, he was really Rolling On The Floor Laughing. Actually, it really was super duper funny. I couldn't control my laughter either. Expect that, I was on the chair.
He ended up having fun playing Team Fortress 2 on mac, while I tried launching steam on his PC so that I could play with him. Seriously, it didn't go any further than try. I tried launching it over and over again, it didn't work. It didn't work even after a restart. I ended up wasting 45 mins just trying to launch steam. I never got to play with him this day, sadly. That's just screwed up. Nose, wtf man. How do you even survive with that computer. I cleared out his entire game cache thereafter, and I ended up waiting for the computer to finish downloading/installing the game yet again. Then, Chen Sing asked me to go over to the Mac to help him setup bootcamp. It took a pretty fracking long time to get windowsXP to be fully set up on the Mac, but we did it, and in complete perfect condition too.
It was a long day, and I had fun.
Going home didn't feel good at all. I almost cried on the bus on the way back, with my mind still set on how i'm going to cope with my failiures in life and...i'll get a laptop. One day. All the fun I had today didn't manage to neutralize the depression in me.
I'll get a laptop. One day. Hopefully, it won't be too late. Getting a laptop when i'm older, when I have my own money isn't anything special at all. This are the best days of our lives, and a laptop really helps to top that.
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Review: Mirror's Edge
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Here we go, as I promised. A game review!
Mirror's Edge
When it comes to gaming, it's really all about new ideas. The very best of these new ideas are quickly picked up and then, just as quick, cannibalised into the culture. Ever single game made out there try to be different from each other by coming up with new ideas to attract players. A brand new art style for graphics, an original story and scriptwriting, raising the bar for sound effects, this and that. Anything.
Enter Mirror's Edge.
In a city where information is heavily monitored, agile couriers called Runners transport sensitive data away from prying eyes. In this seemingly utopian paradise, a crime has been committed and now you are being hunted. You are a Runner called Faith - and this innovative first-person action-adventure is your story.
It has been quite some time since EA, literally the largest game developer in the world, has actually delivered some quality franchise. EA is a company so huge, they can make crappy games such as the once-popular Need-for-speed series, and still make money. Why? It's because they've got so many other games they can make money off. That's how big they are. As a matter of fact, EA is so huge, they are actually split up into two different game developing studios: DICE and BlackBox. To me, the guys working at EA's BlackBox are the biggest idiots in the industry, because they are the ones who completely ruined the once-wonderful game: Need For Speed.
The guys at EA's DICE (Digital Illusions CE) are a little cleverer. The guys at DICE have been able to make games, which are of, at least, worth-playable quality. Thier more successful games include, Battlefield2, and the Unreal Tournament series.
EA, being the humongous company they are, they can make crappy games and still make money, as mentioned earlier. This may sound like a bad thing, but if you look at it from an angle, it might just be thier strength. EA is the ONLY game company out there, which can really, REALLY try something new for a game. Why? it's because EA doesn't have to worry about losing money over a crappy game they have made. They can always make yet another game with yet another new idea, or make money off other games that they have made previously which sell well. That's thier business, and face it. There is no other game developer out there who are as established as EA to treat their business like this.
I mean, come on. Criterion Games make their money off just one game. Yes, THEY MAKE MONEY OFF JUST ONE GAME. JUST ONE. That one game, is the hit racing series, Burnout. The guys at Criterion games created a racing game, which apparently became such a huge hit, Burnout was the only game they ever needed to make some serious cash. Problem is, they can't make money off the Burnout racing game series forever, right? They have got to change and come up with new ideas for different games, if they want to continue to be successful. I hope they will, because the premise for the burnout series is wearing thin already. Then, there is is another problem. Will the new idea work? Will the new idea work, and will it be just as good as thier burnout series?
What about Rockstar Games? Rockstar Games have been a little more experimental with themselves, making several titles, such as Manhunt and Midnight Club. However, none of these ideas actually managed to beat thier mega hit series, Grand Theft Auto. Grand Theft Auto 4 has been named the game of the year, and really, GTA is all they need to make money. All thier other ideas, such as Midnight Club and Manhunt...well, can be almost kissed goodbye.
EA, my friends, doesn't face this problem. They can have a crappy idea, make a crappy game, and still make money. Because of this, I appreciate what EA has brought into the industry. The newest and freshest ideas, are all from EA. The most experimental games, and surprises, are all probably from EA. While Criterion Games have taken up fresh new ideas for thier latest game, Burnout Paradise, it is still Burnout. And Burnout it will forever be. New ideas in the same game doesn't always work, but they sure as hell allowed Criterion Games to play it safe, because Burnout Paradise builds on experience from the previous Burnout games, and it created a solid foundation, even if new ideas were implemented. The result is a fresh new promising game, which is both solid and mature, and hell, people would buy it. It is still burnout, the same old game people like, but even better. HOWEVER, it isn't a brand new game.
If you're tired of this, tired of game companies coming up with sequel after sequel, afraid that their new idea might not work, afraid of losing business, then this is where EA comes in. While EA have created crappy games from crappy ideas, some of them actually work. One of these ideas, is Mirror's Edge.
Mirror's Edge is something new, really. I feel that EA should be admired and applauded for creating this game, because there's simply nothing like it out there. Mirror's Edge is essentially a game build upon the first-person platform. First person platforming is certainly nothing new. There are hundreds of first person shooters out there, and you can take your pick. However, an entire game built around the first person platform, is something new. Mirror's Edge isn't a First-Person shooter, it's a First-Person game, and it is the only one out there.
Mirror's Edge isn't a First-Person shooter, it's a First-Person game.
It is said that this game aimed to remove the shooter element from the first person platform. This isn't true. While the most part of the game is played with no importance given to guns, you still can actually pick up a gun in the game, and fire some shots. Just, don't expect the gun gameplay in this game to be good. It is afterall, not a first person shooter. Besides, the emphasis in this game not on gunplay, but on meele combat.
While an entire game built around the first person platform is new, I really have to say, the first person view in Mirror's Edge is really well-made. EA has done a good job, surprisingly. The feeling of pulling off all sorts of acrobatics and jumping from builing to building from such a personal perspective is fantastic, and it won't go unnoticed when you're playing.
pulling off acrobatics from such a personal perspective is fantastic, and it won't go unnoticed when you're playing.
of course, as fantastic as it feels, there are definately a few problems with the first person perspective, which some people may not like.
how 'bout you treat yourself to a FACE FULL OF WALL while climbing, eh?
i'd like to think of this as "an unfortunate by-product" of the first person view, so I don't blame the game here.
Don't expect much playtime from playing this game. The singleplayer mode (story mode) can be completed in less than half a day. There is some modicrum of multi-playability, but that too, isn't much. The story, sucks. Il'll say that. The story is about you discovering corruption in the heart of the city, and there's a little family drama mixed in, as your sister, a cop, was part of a plot, and therefore got involved. You, a runner, attempts to fix things up in the city, and try save your sister. The story gets unneseccarily complicated, and certainly isn't every enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, the game is fun. However, the story gets so complicated and serious, that, it actually manages to removes some of the fun from the game. It gets worse, the cutscenes between chapters are all flashy 2D animation, and is completely divorced from the 3D world, making the story really difficult to attach to the characters. The cutscenes do thier job of telling the story, but...there's flash, but not always substance.
you've seen how pretty the 3d shots of the city are like, yeah? now look at the cutscenes.
Therefore, the value and fun that you will get out of playing Mirror's Edge will be directly proportional to how much you enjoy the core gameplay. If you are like me, and enojoy pulling off first-person manuvers, then rest assured, you will not regret getting this game.
The game places alot of emphasis on momentum. You, as a runner, you are literally expected to be moving fast all the time. It won't be long before the guys in blue start chasing and coming after you. There is a optimal raceline for every level in the game, but be warned. Figuring out where to go while the cops are hot on your heels and shooting at you from various directions, can prove to be a chore. Becaue you're expected to be moving fast and to be able to asses a situation quickly, "hanging around" the same spot WILL get you killed.
When the cops are not around, Mirror's Edge is prety much a maze. You find a a way past obstacles by doing all sorts of acrobatics, like swinging on poles, wall-checking, wall-running, climbing poles, jumping from building to building, and yada yada taking your own sweet time. When the cops are around, it's basically the pressure of time. You have to asses the situation quickly with momentum moving forward all the time, or else, the cops will probably just shoot you dead. You can't take on groups of cops at once either, as you don't have a gun. As such, you can only take only one person at a time, punching, kicking, and then with the correct timing, disarming. You can take the disarmed gun for yourself, but the weapons in the game are disacrded easily as most moves can't be done while holding a gun in your hand, and also becaue they run out of ammo really fast. Due to this, the cops can feel annoying as time passes. They have a gun, and you don't. They are in large numbers, and you are just one person, and you have to go pick on one cop at a time to take them down. It can get fruststrating.
However, if you do manage to keep momentum moving forward, taking down the cops, successfully get past obstacles, you will enjoy the game. Hey, who doesn't enjoy winning?
While you're figuring out where to go and what to do in the game, you may find reaching some places incredibly difficult, and trying to pull off the same chain of moves correctly over and over again to get to a location can be difficult, but that is how the game is, by design. Point is, you will get the usual flares of anger as Faith plummages to her doom, again and again due a chain of moves done wrongly.
AHH HALP ME I'M FALLING OFF A 12-STOREY BULDING AGAIN AND AGAIN
Graphically, the city is really something that should be talked about. Although it's....strangely empty, there is a eerie charm to it's straight lines and colors. The distinctive art style and color scheme used in this game is absoultely outstanding, and really, I don't know why it hasn't recieved awards for it's art (maybe because its EA lololol). The only other game in know which uses such a distinctive art style like Mirror's Edge is Team Fortress 2. Other games don't even come close. Mirror's Edge, is serious eye candy.
Mirror's Edge uses a very distinctive art style and color scheme, and it's absoulutely impressive. I wonder why it hasn't won any award at all.
Team Fortress 2, just like mirror's edge, uses a very distinctive art style and color scheme. TF2 won awards for its art style, but Mirror's Edge didn't. Huh?
Although most of the highlight in Mirror's Edge comes across as being in the rooftops all the time jumping here and there, that isn't true. Be prepared to run through a dash of a variety of locations, such as sewers, shopping malls, subway stations, offices, and other interiors.
I was pretty surprised myself, the first time they asked me to jump unto the trains in the subway.
This brings my first game reiew to an end. It's not very good, but I'm just putting in my two cents. Overall, Mirror's Edge is very, very solid game which you should get. Like it or not, there is no other game that looks like it, or is like it. It is fresh ground up, and it is assured getting the game is a decision you'll regret. Just don't expect much out of it (especially playtime), as it may let you down here and there. I say, get this game. Not because it has a distictive art style, not because the story mode in the game is nice, no. It's because Mirror's Edge is one of those rare games which sides with innovation. There is no other game out there that asks you to do things like in Mirror's Edge.
I would give Mirror's Edge a 4/5. Not everyone will like it, but it is worth a playthrough, like it or not. This game, to me, sides with innovation.
Mirror's Edge
When it comes to gaming, it's really all about new ideas. The very best of these new ideas are quickly picked up and then, just as quick, cannibalised into the culture. Ever single game made out there try to be different from each other by coming up with new ideas to attract players. A brand new art style for graphics, an original story and scriptwriting, raising the bar for sound effects, this and that. Anything.
Enter Mirror's Edge.
In a city where information is heavily monitored, agile couriers called Runners transport sensitive data away from prying eyes. In this seemingly utopian paradise, a crime has been committed and now you are being hunted. You are a Runner called Faith - and this innovative first-person action-adventure is your story.
It has been quite some time since EA, literally the largest game developer in the world, has actually delivered some quality franchise. EA is a company so huge, they can make crappy games such as the once-popular Need-for-speed series, and still make money. Why? It's because they've got so many other games they can make money off. That's how big they are. As a matter of fact, EA is so huge, they are actually split up into two different game developing studios: DICE and BlackBox. To me, the guys working at EA's BlackBox are the biggest idiots in the industry, because they are the ones who completely ruined the once-wonderful game: Need For Speed.
The guys at EA's DICE (Digital Illusions CE) are a little cleverer. The guys at DICE have been able to make games, which are of, at least, worth-playable quality. Thier more successful games include, Battlefield2, and the Unreal Tournament series.
EA, being the humongous company they are, they can make crappy games and still make money, as mentioned earlier. This may sound like a bad thing, but if you look at it from an angle, it might just be thier strength. EA is the ONLY game company out there, which can really, REALLY try something new for a game. Why? it's because EA doesn't have to worry about losing money over a crappy game they have made. They can always make yet another game with yet another new idea, or make money off other games that they have made previously which sell well. That's thier business, and face it. There is no other game developer out there who are as established as EA to treat their business like this.
I mean, come on. Criterion Games make their money off just one game. Yes, THEY MAKE MONEY OFF JUST ONE GAME. JUST ONE. That one game, is the hit racing series, Burnout. The guys at Criterion games created a racing game, which apparently became such a huge hit, Burnout was the only game they ever needed to make some serious cash. Problem is, they can't make money off the Burnout racing game series forever, right? They have got to change and come up with new ideas for different games, if they want to continue to be successful. I hope they will, because the premise for the burnout series is wearing thin already. Then, there is is another problem. Will the new idea work? Will the new idea work, and will it be just as good as thier burnout series?
What about Rockstar Games? Rockstar Games have been a little more experimental with themselves, making several titles, such as Manhunt and Midnight Club. However, none of these ideas actually managed to beat thier mega hit series, Grand Theft Auto. Grand Theft Auto 4 has been named the game of the year, and really, GTA is all they need to make money. All thier other ideas, such as Midnight Club and Manhunt...well, can be almost kissed goodbye.
EA, my friends, doesn't face this problem. They can have a crappy idea, make a crappy game, and still make money. Because of this, I appreciate what EA has brought into the industry. The newest and freshest ideas, are all from EA. The most experimental games, and surprises, are all probably from EA. While Criterion Games have taken up fresh new ideas for thier latest game, Burnout Paradise, it is still Burnout. And Burnout it will forever be. New ideas in the same game doesn't always work, but they sure as hell allowed Criterion Games to play it safe, because Burnout Paradise builds on experience from the previous Burnout games, and it created a solid foundation, even if new ideas were implemented. The result is a fresh new promising game, which is both solid and mature, and hell, people would buy it. It is still burnout, the same old game people like, but even better. HOWEVER, it isn't a brand new game.
If you're tired of this, tired of game companies coming up with sequel after sequel, afraid that their new idea might not work, afraid of losing business, then this is where EA comes in. While EA have created crappy games from crappy ideas, some of them actually work. One of these ideas, is Mirror's Edge.
Mirror's Edge is something new, really. I feel that EA should be admired and applauded for creating this game, because there's simply nothing like it out there. Mirror's Edge is essentially a game build upon the first-person platform. First person platforming is certainly nothing new. There are hundreds of first person shooters out there, and you can take your pick. However, an entire game built around the first person platform, is something new. Mirror's Edge isn't a First-Person shooter, it's a First-Person game, and it is the only one out there.
Mirror's Edge isn't a First-Person shooter, it's a First-Person game.
It is said that this game aimed to remove the shooter element from the first person platform. This isn't true. While the most part of the game is played with no importance given to guns, you still can actually pick up a gun in the game, and fire some shots. Just, don't expect the gun gameplay in this game to be good. It is afterall, not a first person shooter. Besides, the emphasis in this game not on gunplay, but on meele combat.
While an entire game built around the first person platform is new, I really have to say, the first person view in Mirror's Edge is really well-made. EA has done a good job, surprisingly. The feeling of pulling off all sorts of acrobatics and jumping from builing to building from such a personal perspective is fantastic, and it won't go unnoticed when you're playing.
pulling off acrobatics from such a personal perspective is fantastic, and it won't go unnoticed when you're playing.
of course, as fantastic as it feels, there are definately a few problems with the first person perspective, which some people may not like.
how 'bout you treat yourself to a FACE FULL OF WALL while climbing, eh?
i'd like to think of this as "an unfortunate by-product" of the first person view, so I don't blame the game here.
Don't expect much playtime from playing this game. The singleplayer mode (story mode) can be completed in less than half a day. There is some modicrum of multi-playability, but that too, isn't much. The story, sucks. Il'll say that. The story is about you discovering corruption in the heart of the city, and there's a little family drama mixed in, as your sister, a cop, was part of a plot, and therefore got involved. You, a runner, attempts to fix things up in the city, and try save your sister. The story gets unneseccarily complicated, and certainly isn't every enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, the game is fun. However, the story gets so complicated and serious, that, it actually manages to removes some of the fun from the game. It gets worse, the cutscenes between chapters are all flashy 2D animation, and is completely divorced from the 3D world, making the story really difficult to attach to the characters. The cutscenes do thier job of telling the story, but...there's flash, but not always substance.
you've seen how pretty the 3d shots of the city are like, yeah? now look at the cutscenes.
Therefore, the value and fun that you will get out of playing Mirror's Edge will be directly proportional to how much you enjoy the core gameplay. If you are like me, and enojoy pulling off first-person manuvers, then rest assured, you will not regret getting this game.
The game places alot of emphasis on momentum. You, as a runner, you are literally expected to be moving fast all the time. It won't be long before the guys in blue start chasing and coming after you. There is a optimal raceline for every level in the game, but be warned. Figuring out where to go while the cops are hot on your heels and shooting at you from various directions, can prove to be a chore. Becaue you're expected to be moving fast and to be able to asses a situation quickly, "hanging around" the same spot WILL get you killed.
When the cops are not around, Mirror's Edge is prety much a maze. You find a a way past obstacles by doing all sorts of acrobatics, like swinging on poles, wall-checking, wall-running, climbing poles, jumping from building to building, and yada yada taking your own sweet time. When the cops are around, it's basically the pressure of time. You have to asses the situation quickly with momentum moving forward all the time, or else, the cops will probably just shoot you dead. You can't take on groups of cops at once either, as you don't have a gun. As such, you can only take only one person at a time, punching, kicking, and then with the correct timing, disarming. You can take the disarmed gun for yourself, but the weapons in the game are disacrded easily as most moves can't be done while holding a gun in your hand, and also becaue they run out of ammo really fast. Due to this, the cops can feel annoying as time passes. They have a gun, and you don't. They are in large numbers, and you are just one person, and you have to go pick on one cop at a time to take them down. It can get fruststrating.
However, if you do manage to keep momentum moving forward, taking down the cops, successfully get past obstacles, you will enjoy the game. Hey, who doesn't enjoy winning?
While you're figuring out where to go and what to do in the game, you may find reaching some places incredibly difficult, and trying to pull off the same chain of moves correctly over and over again to get to a location can be difficult, but that is how the game is, by design. Point is, you will get the usual flares of anger as Faith plummages to her doom, again and again due a chain of moves done wrongly.
AHH HALP ME I'M FALLING OFF A 12-STOREY BULDING AGAIN AND AGAIN
Graphically, the city is really something that should be talked about. Although it's....strangely empty, there is a eerie charm to it's straight lines and colors. The distinctive art style and color scheme used in this game is absoultely outstanding, and really, I don't know why it hasn't recieved awards for it's art (maybe because its EA lololol). The only other game in know which uses such a distinctive art style like Mirror's Edge is Team Fortress 2. Other games don't even come close. Mirror's Edge, is serious eye candy.
Mirror's Edge uses a very distinctive art style and color scheme, and it's absoulutely impressive. I wonder why it hasn't won any award at all.
Team Fortress 2, just like mirror's edge, uses a very distinctive art style and color scheme. TF2 won awards for its art style, but Mirror's Edge didn't. Huh?
Although most of the highlight in Mirror's Edge comes across as being in the rooftops all the time jumping here and there, that isn't true. Be prepared to run through a dash of a variety of locations, such as sewers, shopping malls, subway stations, offices, and other interiors.
I was pretty surprised myself, the first time they asked me to jump unto the trains in the subway.
This brings my first game reiew to an end. It's not very good, but I'm just putting in my two cents. Overall, Mirror's Edge is very, very solid game which you should get. Like it or not, there is no other game that looks like it, or is like it. It is fresh ground up, and it is assured getting the game is a decision you'll regret. Just don't expect much out of it (especially playtime), as it may let you down here and there. I say, get this game. Not because it has a distictive art style, not because the story mode in the game is nice, no. It's because Mirror's Edge is one of those rare games which sides with innovation. There is no other game out there that asks you to do things like in Mirror's Edge.
I would give Mirror's Edge a 4/5. Not everyone will like it, but it is worth a playthrough, like it or not. This game, to me, sides with innovation.
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