Video games...what ya playing? And what are you looking forward to?

[SkyRattlers 197]

Portal was an intelligent puzzle game with a villian that immediately became one of the all time classics. What's not to like?

[Mad Cow 1,411]

Portal was an intelligent puzzle game with a villian that immediately became one of the all time classics. What's not to like?

[SlaX 495]

Splinter Cell: Conviction

To me, it felt like SC: Conviction sold out and went for the casual fps crowd while ditching what made the original games great. Also, the 3rd person view felt really clunky while they tried to get by it by placing a auto kill marking system. Might as well throw a easy button in the game.

It wasn't as good as Chaos Theory or the original SC, but I still think it was better than Double Agent. I did like the sped-up gameplay a little bit, but I didn't like that everything was shoot-first, although given the story, it's understandable. A lot of the game can still be done by playing stealthly and that's what I like. I still consider it a good game in the series.

[Apes with Guns 71]

Portal was an intelligent puzzle game with a villian that immediately became one of the all time classics. What's not to like?

other than being difficult; not much.THE CAKE IS A LIE!

[Mad Cow 1,411]

Portal was an intelligent puzzle game with a villian that immediately became one of the all time classics. What's not to like?

other than being difficult; not much.THE CAKE IS A LIE!

The song at the end =

[wazoo11 972]

check out limbo,portal fans.

great puzzle game.

[madshot31 180]

All I have to say is #### "Keep off the Sand" achievement in HL2.

[STEADYMOBBIN 22 3,697]

Portal was an intelligent puzzle game with a villian that immediately became one of the all time classics. What's not to like?

other than being difficult; not much.

THE CAKE IS A LIE!

The song at the end =

Again, I thought it was a cool idea, just wasn't for me. I sorta had a small gaming epiphany a few years ago when the Wii came out. I was playing The Legend of Zelda for the NES and it dawned on me, that there I was, at 30 years old, playing the same game I played in the fourth grade. It left me with bad feeling like I was wasting the little time on Earth I have, staying up late, to do something I already "accomplished" 20+ years ago.

The same thing goes for achievements. I used to spend hours and hours grinding out boring side-quests so I could get these points at don't actually mean anything at all.

So now I realized I just typed a long winded "I'm old, I don't waste my time playing games I don't enjoy or that consume too much time"

Shoot me now.

Edited July 28, 2010 by STEADYMOBBIN 22

[Mad Cow 1,411]

Portal was an intelligent puzzle game with a villian that immediately became one of the all time classics. What's not to like?

other than being difficult; not much.

THE CAKE IS A LIE!

The song at the end =

Again, I thought it was a cool idea, just wasn't for me. I sorta had a small gaming epiphany a few years ago when the Wii came out. I was playing The Legend of Zelda for the NES and it dawned on me, that there I was, at 30 years old, playing the same game I played in the fourth grade. It left me with bad feeling like I was wasting the little time on Earth I have, staying up late, to do something I already "accomplished" 20+ years ago.

The same thing goes for achievements. I used to spend hours and hours grinding out boring side-quests so I could get these points at don't actually mean anything at all.

So now I realized I just typed a long winded "I'm old, I don't waste my time playing games I don't enjoy or that consume too much time"

Shoot me now.

I kind of look at it like this, since my gaming time is very limited, as well. I get maybe a night or 2 a week if that. I never go for achievements and I generally play single-player games on regular difficulty. What do I gain trying to beat the games on insane difficulty? rep? I don't think so - just lost hours and more frustration followed by a few moments of glee when I beat it, only to look around and see no one there to congratulate me or slap it high. Give me easy mode to enjoy the game as a whole and let me move on.

Now, multi-player in games like BFBC2 is a completely different matter.

[Worm 1,893]

Bought UFC a month ago or so, and instantly regretted it... pretty sweet to get full, new game value for it from goozex.

Need to get back on the horse and work on some more RDR.

[Mad Cow 1,411]

As for my current gaming:

Current:

BFBC2

Borderlands

On the backburner forever:

Empire:TW

Mass Effect (for PC, about 1/2 way through the XB360 but figured go PC)

R6:V 2

Torchlight (almost finished 1st run through, likely all I will do, too)

On the horizon/I would love to have time for:

Fallout 3

Mass Effect 2

Starcraft 2

The Old Republic

ETA I would love to find time for Dragon Age, as well, since I have followed its development for a few years, but alas with my time.

I never finished GoW2 SP campaign for the 360, and so could always go back to that as well.

Edited July 28, 2010 by Mad Cow

[Arsenal of Doom 2,114]

As for my current gaming:Current:BFBC2BorderlandsOn the backburner forever:Empire:TWMass Effect (for PC, about 1/2 way through the XB360 but figured go PC)R6:V 2Torchlight (almost finished 1st run through, likely all I will do, too)On the horizon/I would love to have time for:Fallout 3Mass Effect 2Starcraft 2The Old RepublicETA I would love to find time for Dragon Age, as well, since I have followed its development for a few years, but alas with my time.I never finished GoW2 SP campaign for the 360, and so could always go back to that as well.

Dragon Age: Origins was really, really good. Awakenings was rushed an over-priced for what it added, IMO.

[jdoggydogg 2,012]

I heard they fixed some of the lag problems with Battlefield: BC2, so that was enough for me to pick up a used copy on eBay yesterday. I am trading in Just Cause 2 to recoup some of the cost.

[Todem 4,076]

operation sports is in full melt down mode on how bad madden '11 is:goodposting:

Wow these guys are taking it way to serious. I mean I am a long time Madden player. Since it's inception in 91 on Sega. Back then Tecmo Super Bowl was the gold standard. I had to endure Atari 2600 football and real sports football. Then we got something that resembled football in Intellevision football. Go back and play Madden 93 which me and my roomate played 8 hours a night for 6 months.Insane the complaints and whining I see about a friggin video game!!Anyway I always felt Madden hit it out of the park with the PS2 2005 silver anniversary edition (Ray Lewis cover). That was the pinnacle....until 2010. I purposely avoided the new Gen Maddens after enduring the crap fests of Madden 2000, and 2001 and even 2002. 2003 started the ascent and 2005 was the peak. I also really loved 2007. And that was the last time I had bought Madden. 2010 was not perfect but it was without question the best looking Madden ever and almost the best playing.I have a very good feeling 2011 will bring us the best one yet. If NCAA 2011 is any indication I have high hopes they improve upon the groundbreaking 2010 version.Most of the #####ing is regarding the strategy pad to make all your pre-snap adjustments. What I see is the online cheesers all having a hissy because they can't make their 65 pre-snap adjustments that cheese up the game big time when you play online.Whatever.I am very excited about game-flow and being able to construct a unique gameplan each week for my team based on matchups and have that gameplan called in via headset to keep the game flowing, and then also have the option to go tp the full playbook if things are not working to well.I play Madden mainly for franchise mode and hopefully we can get a great online league going here (last year was a fail).I hate reading pre release reviews on games, as most of the time when it comes to EA sports you get all haters and people still stating NFL2K5 as the gold standard. YOu know I played that game and presentation was amazing....but gameplay was not better than Madden 2005...not even close IMO. It's all presonal preference.But yeah I was cracking up on the meltdown.....80 pages plus of it.

[SlaX 495]

All I have to say is #### "Keep off the Sand" achievement in HL2.

Agreed. I tried it twice and I know I didn't touch the sand, but I still didn't get the achievement. I just said 'f it' and moved on.

[jamil 816]

Pretty much done with Borderlands for the time being and just ordered Fallout 3 GOTY, based mainly on what I've read here. Looking forward to it.

see you in about 3 months. game is well worth it.

[madshot31 180]

As for my current gaming:

Current:

BFBC2

Borderlands

On the backburner forever:

Empire:TW

Mass Effect (for PC, about 1/2 way through the XB360 but figured go PC)

R6:V 2

Torchlight (almost finished 1st run through, likely all I will do, too)

On the horizon/I would love to have time for:

Fallout 3

Mass Effect 2

Starcraft 2

The Old Republic

ETA I would love to find time for Dragon Age, as well, since I have followed its development for a few years, but alas with my time.

I never finished GoW2 SP campaign for the 360, and so could always go back to that as well.

Hit me up if you ever want to play the campaign. GT is Madshot II. I'm one of the better gears players that populates the thread here at FBGs and I can tell you from experience, the campaign is sooooooooo much easier when you have someone who knows what the hell he is doing. Same goes with R6:V2, I'm a big fan of the campaign and terrorist hunt.

[Steve Tasker 7,460]

I'm one of the better gears players that populates the thread here at FBGs

LOOK AT ME!!

[Mad Cow 1,411]

As for my current gaming:

Current:

BFBC2

Borderlands

On the backburner forever:

Empire:TW

Mass Effect (for PC, about 1/2 way through the XB360 but figured go PC)

R6:V 2

Torchlight (almost finished 1st run through, likely all I will do, too)

On the horizon/I would love to have time for:

Fallout 3

Mass Effect 2

Starcraft 2

The Old Republic

ETA I would love to find time for Dragon Age, as well, since I have followed its development for a few years, but alas with my time.

I never finished GoW2 SP campaign for the 360, and so could always go back to that as well.

Hit me up if you ever want to play the campaign. GT is Madshot II. I'm one of the better gears players that populates the thread here at FBGs and I can tell you from experience, the campaign is sooooooooo much easier when you have someone who knows what the hell he is doing. Same goes with R6:V2, I'm a big fan of the campaign and terrorist hunt.

I played through R6:V on the 360 when it first came out, then got R6:V2 on Steam but have not played it through. Heck, I think I even have R6:V2 for the 360 as well. Well done game, but with so many and a limited time, it just fell between the cracks.

I want to finish a playthrough of Borderlands and the DLC. I really want to play through ME and ME2, as well. I LOVED the Rome and Medieval/Med2 Total Wars so would like to try Empire, but we shall see there. I have a feeling I would love Fallout 3, but it is going to have to come after ME/ME2. Dragon Age, same thing.

I guess I just need the wife and kids to take like another week long vacation so I can waste the time on a couple of games.

[STEADYMOBBIN 22 3,697]

people still stating NFL2K5 as the gold standard. YOu know I played that game and presentation was amazing....but gameplay was not better than Madden 2005...not even close IMO. It's all presonal preference.

You lost me.

I have a very good feeling 2011 will bring us the best one yet. If NCAA 2011 is any indication I have high hopes they improve upon the groundbreaking 2010 version.

I agree with almost everything else you said. I expect a better version of last years game, which was really, really good. This is coming from a guy who nearly swore off the franchise. I do admit I don't like EA, but that has nothing to do with Madden. (They bought Origin, ran Ultima Online into the ground, then abandoned the entire franchise)

Most of the #####ing is regarding the strategy pad to make all your pre-snap adjustments. What I see is the online cheesers all having a hissy because they can't make their 65 pre-snap adjustments that cheese up the game big time when you play online.

Unfortunately making a video game of football is so challenging, you have to be able to do all those adjustments. There is so much going on, and the games have become so realistic, it's almost unfair to even think a computer can react like a human would. Knowing the game inside and out, using pre-snap adjustments, is literally 90% of the game. I don't like it, but it is the truth. If you don't know how to do them and you're playing a guy who does, you have ZERO chance of winning. While I disagree that if they took all that stuff out, it would cripple the game, like you, I would much rather just line em up and play, casually. I'm a competitive person. I don't enjoy having to do all that stuff, but if I have to learn it win, then I gotta do what I have to do. As long as it isn't cheese.I'll be interested to see how it plays out. Not so interested that I'm going to argue about it, but if it leads to the scoring fests from the Genesis/SNES days. To be honest, I think I'm going to pick up NCAA at some point. I never really like all the off season chores of Madden. I know I'm int he minority, but I have always found something charming about finding a go to TE or workhouse RB with a generic name. They sorta grow their own personality as the seasons go by. Edited July 29, 2010 by STEADYMOBBIN 22

[STEADYMOBBIN 22 3,697]

I'm one of the better gears players that populates the thread here at FBGs

LOOK AT ME!!

And just when I thought it wouldn't go to his head.

[madshot31 180]

I'm one of the better gears players that populates the thread here at FBGs

LOOK AT ME!!

And just when I thought it wouldn't go to his head.

By better I am talking the 10-12 regulars that can be spotted on gears that you can trust in game. Edited July 29, 2010 by madshot31

[Todem 4,076]

people still stating NFL2K5 as the gold standard. YOu know I played that game and presentation was amazing....but gameplay was not better than Madden 2005...not even close IMO. It's all presonal preference.

You lost me.

I have a very good feeling 2011 will bring us the best one yet. If NCAA 2011 is any indication I have high hopes they improve upon the groundbreaking 2010 version.

I agree with almost everything else you said. I expect a better version of last years game, which was really, really good. This is coming from a guy who nearly swore off the franchise. I do admit I don't like EA, but that has nothing to do with Madden. (They bought Origin, ran Ultima Online into the ground, then abandoned the entire franchise)

Most of the #####ing is regarding the strategy pad to make all your pre-snap adjustments. What I see is the online cheesers all having a hissy because they can't make their 65 pre-snap adjustments that cheese up the game big time when you play online.

Unfortunately making a video game of football is so challenging, you have to be able to do all those adjustments. There is so much going on, and the games have become so realistic, it's almost unfair to even think a computer can react like a human would. Knowing the game inside and out, using pre-snap adjustments, is literally 90% of the game. I don't like it, but it is the truth. If you don't know how to do them and you're playing a guy who does, you have ZERO chance of winning. While I disagree that if they took all that stuff out, it would cripple the game, like you, I would much rather just line em up and play, casually. I'm a competitive person. I don't enjoy having to do all that stuff, but if I have to learn it win, then I gotta do what I have to do. As long as it isn't cheese.I'll be interested to see how it plays out. Not so interested that I'm going to argue about it, but if it leads to the scoring fests from the Genesis/SNES days. To be honest, I think I'm going to pick up NCAA at some point. I never really like all the off season chores of Madden. I know I'm int he minority, but I have always found something charming about finding a go to TE or workhouse RB with a generic name. They sorta grow their own personality as the seasons go by.

NFL2K5 is a really good game don't get me wrong. I just felt Madden 2005 was better (it just feels better for me), plus I am an EA sports guy. There will always be those 2 camps. As far as the pre snap adjustments. I do them and I do agree they are an integral part of the game. But I did find in online play guys who would be able to make 4 adjustments every snap...it was insane. I think EA was looking to cut some cheese in that regard....or maybe they wanted to simplify the control scheme for casual gamers. Who knows. I will judge for myself AUG 10th. But in any case NCAA 2011 is a fantastic game and you should get it. Total blast to play and the dynasty mode is the deepest yet. I also think most of the complaints about Madden is the new control scheme for pre snap adjustments and I am sure more complaints will emerge about the franchise mode. I happen to feel they did not make a great franchise mode on 2010 and I hope they tweak it slightly. Also I hope the presentation gets kicked up a notch. Last year they did make some attempts at that with the Extra Point weekly show and the halftime highlights.Either way though as a video sports gamer since the Atari 2600 and having to use my imagination for years, there has never been a better time for sports games. My goodness with FIFA, NHL, MLB the Show, Fight Night, the games have been amazing. The one sport they can't seem to nail down is basketball. I have to never found a great simulation of NBA basketball. I hope NBA Elite takes the step. I tried NBA2K9 and it ended up being a dunk fest, and the rebounding was awful, and no defense. Every time I tried to truly lock down a guy it would not matter. The AI would hit 3 pointers at will. The game cheated bad. NBA LIve just got really bad too. Elite is making an all analog stick control scheme which should be really cool. Now a great basketball game I do have is NCAA 2K8. A great, deep and immersive game that also plays really well. The last really good NBA basketball game I played was NBA Live 2005.

[Todem 4,076]

Downloaded the MAdden 2011 demo for PS3. So far I have only played one game. It is the Colts and Jets. I took the Colts. Initial impressions are:

1) Absolutely love game flow - Just using the default game plan for the Colts it was very realistic as to the play book and calls. The game moved at a much brisker pace. It was kinda cool having my head set on and hearing the coach telling me we were looking to do. I can see that getting old but it is a decent presentation feature. I can;t wait to dive in and create my own game plans week to week based on matchups. I fooled around with that menu and it was very easy to plug plays in and take ones out. There is also a cut and paste feature so if you like to use the same package for 2nd and long for 3rd and long you can just cut and paste it instead of having to go through the pays again to put them in. YOu also can rate the plays you want to be called more. 5 star plays are you money plays while 2 star plays will be seldom called. You can also use the entire playbook anytime during the game.

2) Player animations - improved and cleaned up. Sideline catches are excellent and just like the improvements on NCAA 2011 you will find them here in Madden 2011 with the locomotion engine. I did not miss the sprint button at all and in fact prefer the auto sprint and strafe.

3) Passing game - much better this year. It was a cold day in hell to hit a deep ball in Madden 2010. On my very first play from scrimmage I hit Reggie Wayne for a 79 TD. Now that is the Madden I remember!!! Fun, fun, and more fun. Offense is back and it's for the better. Crossing routes were improved, screens actually work even better. Play Action is not as cheap as last year. The pocket is still there from last year but getting sacks are not a chore like last season. They seem to have found a good balance between offense and defense.

4) Running game - improved as well. It just flows and feels better

5) Controls - seem to be much tighter. It does not feel like canned animations and guys skating on ice anymore.

6) Strategy Pad - Ok here is the pimple on peoples asses thus far and the center of all the upheaval by some insane hard core players who live and breath this game (oh I remember being 19 and able to play 8 hours a day in college). Here is the lowdown. On offense it is a brezze and I love it. It is smooth and I got used to it pretty quick and since your on offense you have the time to make as many adjustments as you see fit before the play clock winds down. On defense it's another story. On average I was only able to shift my DL, LB and Safeties. I was never able to make a hot route adjustment for my LB and then adjust my DL and secondary. The AI snaps the ball much quicker than a human opponent. So when playing the AI you are getting a limit on your pres-snap adjustments. When playing a human it can or can not be a problem. If your a stout online player I can see why they are having a fit. But if you solo (like me 90% of the time) and are a devout franchise player this is pretty much a non issue. Do I think they needed to make this change? No. The traditional (classic) control scheme was just fine and it could have been left alone. I think EA is making an effort to simplify the game for casual gamers and draw in new players who are completely intimidated by the vast amount of controls to remember pre-snap. Yes it is daunting and yes I knew it all. I hope (not counting on it though) that they give you the option of classic controls if you want them. Who knows if they will patch that upon release after reading all the fire and venom over at Operation Sports.

Bottom line after just one game (I will play a bunch tonight) I really feel they improved upon the ground breaking 2010 in positive ways. The game is much smoother, feels better and tighter and the passing game is back. And the most important part of Madden for me was always having fun. More offense = more fun. I don't think they are going back to scoring fests but they have taken off the chains a little for the WR's breaking free of the lock down DB's of 2010. It was really a bummer never being able to go deep...almost never!

I played on ALL-Pro with no slider adjustments. 5 minute quarters (that is the only option in the demo as far as time in the quarters). I am sure i will be making adjustments to tweak it just right and get it as close to a sim as I can. But Madden has never been about SIM it as always been about a balance between sim and arcade action and I think they went back to their roots here in that regard.

Anyway I won the game 30- 21

If you want a sim pick up NFL Coach 2009 (awesome game BTW if your a fantasy junkie like we all are around here and don't need to control the players) that is the deepest console football experience you will ever play to date. I just recently picked it up for 6 bucks and also got the Prima guide (believe me you need it) and I am really having fun starting to rebuild my Miami Dolphins. Great stuff and underrated big time. Also it is a huge improvement from the clunky cumbersome original Head Coach which was a total bore.

Can't wait for the real release August 10th as this is just a demo and I am sure not the final product.

8.75 out of 10

Edited July 30, 2010 by Todem

[IvanKaramazov 18,642]

Picked up a copy of Rainbow 6: Vegas 2 for $16 yesterday at a going out of business sale. I've been replaying Demon's Souls the past few weeks, so hopefully this will hold me over for a little while after I finish my current playthrough.

[Iraqi Information Minister 6]

Mass Effect 2 is much more enjoyable than the first (and the first wasn't bad by any means).

It just feels more solid in terms of both gameplay and story. I wish I'd gone back and played the original through again before tackling this one though. I've forgotten some of the story that would have meade it even better.

[SlaX 495]

Downloaded the MAdden 2011 demo for PS3. So far I have only played one game. It is the Colts and Jets. I took the Colts. Initial impressions are:

1) Absolutely love game flow - Just using the default game plan for the Colts it was very realistic as to the play book and calls. The game moved at a much brisker pace. It was kinda cool having my head set on and hearing the coach telling me we were looking to do. I can see that getting old but it is a decent presentation feature. I can;t wait to dive in and create my own game plans week to week based on matchups. I fooled around with that menu and it was very easy to plug plays in and take ones out. There is also a cut and paste feature so if you like to use the same package for 2nd and long for 3rd and long you can just cut and paste it instead of having to go through the pays again to put them in. YOu also can rate the plays you want to be called more. 5 star plays are you money plays while 2 star plays will be seldom called. You can also use the entire playbook anytime during the game.

2) Player animations - improved and cleaned up. Sideline catches are excellent and just like the improvements on NCAA 2011 you will find them here in Madden 2011 with the locomotion engine. I did not miss the sprint button at all and in fact prefer the auto sprint and strafe.

3) Passing game - much better this year. It was a cold day in hell to hit a deep ball in Madden 2010. On my very first play from scrimmage I hit Reggie Wayne for a 79 TD. Now that is the Madden I remember!!! Fun, fun, and more fun. Offense is back and it's for the better. Crossing routes were improved, screens actually work even better. Play Action is not as cheap as last year. The pocket is still there from last year but getting sacks are not a chore like last season. They seem to have found a good balance between offense and defense.

4) Running game - improved as well. It just flows and feels better

5) Controls - seem to be much tighter. It does not feel like canned animations and guys skating on ice anymore.

6) Strategy Pad - Ok here is the pimple on peoples asses thus far and the center of all the upheaval by some insane hard core players who live and breath this game (oh I remember being 19 and able to play 8 hours a day in college). Here is the lowdown. On offense it is a brezze and I love it. It is smooth and I got used to it pretty quick and since your on offense you have the time to make as many adjustments as you see fit before the play clock winds down. On defense it's another story. On average I was only able to shift my DL, LB and Safeties. I was never able to make a hot route adjustment for my LB and then adjust my DL and secondary. The AI snaps the ball much quicker than a human opponent. So when playing the AI you are getting a limit on your pres-snap adjustments. When playing a human it can or can not be a problem. If your a stout online player I can see why they are having a fit. But if you solo (like me 90% of the time) and are a devout franchise player this is pretty much a non issue. Do I think they needed to make this change? No. The traditional (classic) control scheme was just fine and it could have been left alone. I think EA is making an effort to simplify the game for casual gamers and draw in new players who are completely intimidated by the vast amount of controls to remember pre-snap. Yes it is daunting and yes I knew it all. I hope (not counting on it though) that they give you the option of classic controls if you want them. Who knows if they will patch that upon release after reading all the fire and venom over at Operation Sports.

Bottom line after just one game (I will play a bunch tonight) I really feel they improved upon the ground breaking 2010 in positive ways. The game is much smoother, feels better and tighter and the passing game is back. And the most important part of Madden for me was always having fun. More offense = more fun. I don't think they are going back to scoring fests but they have taken off the chains a little for the WR's breaking free of the lock down DB's of 2010. It was really a bummer never being able to go deep...almost never!

I played on ALL-Pro with no slider adjustments. 5 minute quarters (that is the only option in the demo as far as time in the quarters). I am sure i will be making adjustments to tweak it just right and get it as close to a sim as I can. But Madden has never been about SIM it as always been about a balance between sim and arcade action and I think they went back to their roots here in that regard.

Anyway I won the game 30- 21

If you want a sim pick up NFL Coach 2009 (awesome game BTW if your a fantasy junkie like we all are around here and don't need to control the players) that is the deepest console football experience you will ever play to date. I just recently picked it up for 6 bucks and also got the Prima guide (believe me you need it) and I am really having fun starting to rebuild my Miami Dolphins. Great stuff and underrated big time. Also it is a huge improvement from the clunky cumbersome original Head Coach which was a total bore.

Can't wait for the real release August 10th as this is just a demo and I am sure not the final product.

8.75 out of 10

Here's a good explanation of the whole deal about the Strategy Pad situation - LINK. Since the developers created the game with the Playstation 3 in mind, it makes sense that you'd find it fine given that you use a PS3. Until console developers follow PC games to make all controls customizable to the player's choosing, there will always be people who complain.

editted to add the link.

Edited July 30, 2010 by SlaX

[saintfool 2,759]

Either way though as a video sports gamer since the Atari 2600 and having to use my imagination for years, there has never been a better time for sports games. My goodness with FIFA, NHL, MLB the Show, Fight Night, the games have been amazing. The one sport they can't seem to nail down is basketball. I have to never found a great simulation of NBA basketball. I hope NBA Elite takes the step. I tried NBA2K9 and it ended up being a dunk fest, and the rebounding was awful, and no defense. Every time I tried to truly lock down a guy it would not matter. The AI would hit 3 pointers at will. The game cheated bad. NBA LIve just got really bad too. Elite is making an all analog stick control scheme which should be really cool. Now a great basketball game I do have is NCAA 2K8. A great, deep and immersive game that also plays really well. The last really good NBA basketball game I played was NBA Live 2005.

this is very true. i have tried and tried to find a good bball game but it just hasn't happened. nba2k series has been better than the nba live series, historically, but it still sucks. they all start out sharp but quickly descend into the same old issues that you mentioned. no defense, rebounding stinks, dunk fests and with questionable AI's. i got sick of the nba2k series and tried nba live this year. it was better but hardly anything to celebrate. Edited July 30, 2010 by saintfool

[Apes with Guns 71]

Either way though as a video sports gamer since the Atari 2600 and having to use my imagination for years, there has never been a better time for sports games. My goodness with FIFA, NHL, MLB the Show, Fight Night, the games have been amazing. The one sport they can't seem to nail down is basketball. I have to never found a great simulation of NBA basketball. I hope NBA Elite takes the step. I tried NBA2K9 and it ended up being a dunk fest, and the rebounding was awful, and no defense. Every time I tried to truly lock down a guy it would not matter. The AI would hit 3 pointers at will. The game cheated bad. NBA LIve just got really bad too. Elite is making an all analog stick control scheme which should be really cool. Now a great basketball game I do have is NCAA 2K8. A great, deep and immersive game that also plays really well. The last really good NBA basketball game I played was NBA Live 2005.

this is very true. i have tried and tried to find a good bball game but it just hasn't happened. nba2k series has been better than the nba live series, historically, but it still sucks. they all start out sharp but quickly descend into the same old issues that you mentioned. no defense, rebounding stinks, dunk fests and with questionable AI's. i got sicks of the nba2k series and tried nba live this year. it was better but hardly anything to celebrate.

i've never been able to get an NHL game to feel "realistic", either. Thankfully, I got older and I don't really care anymore.

[Todem 4,076]

Either way though as a video sports gamer since the Atari 2600 and having to use my imagination for years, there has never been a better time for sports games. My goodness with FIFA, NHL, MLB the Show, Fight Night, the games have been amazing. The one sport they can't seem to nail down is basketball. I have to never found a great simulation of NBA basketball. I hope NBA Elite takes the step. I tried NBA2K9 and it ended up being a dunk fest, and the rebounding was awful, and no defense. Every time I tried to truly lock down a guy it would not matter. The AI would hit 3 pointers at will. The game cheated bad. NBA LIve just got really bad too. Elite is making an all analog stick control scheme which should be really cool. Now a great basketball game I do have is NCAA 2K8. A great, deep and immersive game that also plays really well. The last really good NBA basketball game I played was NBA Live 2005.

this is very true. i have tried and tried to find a good bball game but it just hasn't happened. nba2k series has been better than the nba live series, historically, but it still sucks. they all start out sharp but quickly descend into the same old issues that you mentioned. no defense, rebounding stinks, dunk fests and with questionable AI's. i got sicks of the nba2k series and tried nba live this year. it was better but hardly anything to celebrate.

i've never been able to get an NHL game to feel "realistic", either. Thankfully, I got older and I don't really care anymore.

Mmmm NHL 2009 was very very strong IMO. Scoring was a #####...great GM mode. I thought a deep take on Hockey.

[Glaven 0]

Either way though as a video sports gamer since the Atari 2600 and having to use my imagination for years, there has never been a better time for sports games. My goodness with FIFA, NHL, MLB the Show, Fight Night, the games have been amazing. The one sport they can't seem to nail down is basketball. I have to never found a great simulation of NBA basketball. I hope NBA Elite takes the step. I tried NBA2K9 and it ended up being a dunk fest, and the rebounding was awful, and no defense. Every time I tried to truly lock down a guy it would not matter. The AI would hit 3 pointers at will. The game cheated bad. NBA LIve just got really bad too. Elite is making an all analog stick control scheme which should be really cool. Now a great basketball game I do have is NCAA 2K8. A great, deep and immersive game that also plays really well. The last really good NBA basketball game I played was NBA Live 2005.

this is very true. i have tried and tried to find a good bball game but it just hasn't happened. nba2k series has been better than the nba live series, historically, but it still sucks. they all start out sharp but quickly descend into the same old issues that you mentioned. no defense, rebounding stinks, dunk fests and with questionable AI's. i got sicks of the nba2k series and tried nba live this year. it was better but hardly anything to celebrate.

Some of those issues are apparent in the EA's NCAA series, however it has other issues. It's pretty damn hard to pull off a dunk in NCAA 10; or even getting into the lane is hard. Defenders pretty well always get a body on you which results in there being very few dunks. I also found the rebounding to be pretty good in NCAA 10 as well. The major issue i have with the game is the AI. When you play on All-American (the hardest difficulty), they still aren't all that tough. They almost never take 3 point shots, which is pretty well the opposite of real life NCAA. The only time they take 3's is if they are wide open (even then they don't always shoot) or if they are behind and the game is almost over. Another problem is that in All-American the computer hits like .950% of it's free throw attempts. One recent game I had the opposition went 17/17 from the line.

Pretty well all the issues you mentioned are fixed, but the AI is still every bit as questionable.

[saintfool 2,759]

Some of those issues are apparent in the EA's NCAA series, however it has other issues. It's pretty damn hard to pull off a dunk in NCAA 10; or even getting into the lane is hard. Defenders pretty well always get a body on you which results in there being very few dunks. I also found the rebounding to be pretty good in NCAA 10 as well. The major issue i have with the game is the AI. When you play on All-American (the hardest difficulty), they still aren't all that tough. They almost never take 3 point shots, which is pretty well the opposite of real life NCAA. The only time they take 3's is if they are wide open (even then they don't always shoot) or if they are behind and the game is almost over. Another problem is that in All-American the computer hits like .950% of it's free throw attempts. One recent game I had the opposition went 17/17 from the line. Pretty well all the issues you mentioned are fixed, but the AI is still every bit as questionable.

i have avoided the NCAA games for a few years ow. the football games have been pretty ridiculous, imo, and i think the last time i tried a bball was 2003. i think for the nba games it's the same thing that i hate about madden. even with sliders, it's either too easy or too hard. all madden level means too often you're getting jobbed by the computer. they make you unable to complete a simple pass, run 5 yards or tackle. for the nba versions, you can't make a shot that isn't a dunk or you'll get out-rebounded by the smallest player over and over again. they tended to substitute players back on their ratings rather than their actually position (a favorite computer moment of nba2k a few years ago was having steve nash subbed out with Shaq playing PG for phoenix for some reason). it's just another version of the same AI syndrome on console sports games that irks me. the only sports games that don't entirely frustrate me are baseball and soccer. the AI's abilities and tendencies seem to be in line somehow.

[Apes with Guns 71]

Either way though as a video sports gamer since the Atari 2600 and having to use my imagination for years, there has never been a better time for sports games. My goodness with FIFA, NHL, MLB the Show, Fight Night, the games have been amazing. The one sport they can't seem to nail down is basketball. I have to never found a great simulation of NBA basketball. I hope NBA Elite takes the step. I tried NBA2K9 and it ended up being a dunk fest, and the rebounding was awful, and no defense. Every time I tried to truly lock down a guy it would not matter. The AI would hit 3 pointers at will. The game cheated bad. NBA LIve just got really bad too. Elite is making an all analog stick control scheme which should be really cool. Now a great basketball game I do have is NCAA 2K8. A great, deep and immersive game that also plays really well. The last really good NBA basketball game I played was NBA Live 2005.

this is very true. i have tried and tried to find a good bball game but it just hasn't happened. nba2k series has been better than the nba live series, historically, but it still sucks. they all start out sharp but quickly descend into the same old issues that you mentioned. no defense, rebounding stinks, dunk fests and with questionable AI's. i got sicks of the nba2k series and tried nba live this year. it was better but hardly anything to celebrate.

i've never been able to get an NHL game to feel "realistic", either. Thankfully, I got older and I don't really care anymore.

Mmmm NHL 2009 was very very strong IMO. Scoring was a #####...great GM mode. I thought a deep take on Hockey.

i only have up to 2008.

did they find a way to keep the number of shots down?

[Todem 4,076]

Either way though as a video sports gamer since the Atari 2600 and having to use my imagination for years, there has never been a better time for sports games. My goodness with FIFA, NHL, MLB the Show, Fight Night, the games have been amazing. The one sport they can't seem to nail down is basketball. I have to never found a great simulation of NBA basketball. I hope NBA Elite takes the step. I tried NBA2K9 and it ended up being a dunk fest, and the rebounding was awful, and no defense. Every time I tried to truly lock down a guy it would not matter. The AI would hit 3 pointers at will. The game cheated bad. NBA LIve just got really bad too. Elite is making an all analog stick control scheme which should be really cool. Now a great basketball game I do have is NCAA 2K8. A great, deep and immersive game that also plays really well. The last really good NBA basketball game I played was NBA Live 2005.

this is very true. i have tried and tried to find a good bball game but it just hasn't happened. nba2k series has been better than the nba live series, historically, but it still sucks. they all start out sharp but quickly descend into the same old issues that you mentioned. no defense, rebounding stinks, dunk fests and with questionable AI's. i got sicks of the nba2k series and tried nba live this year. it was better but hardly anything to celebrate.

i've never been able to get an NHL game to feel "realistic", either. Thankfully, I got older and I don't really care anymore.

Mmmm NHL 2009 was very very strong IMO. Scoring was a #####...great GM mode. I thought a deep take on Hockey.

i only have up to 2008.

did they find a way to keep the number of shots down?

Yeah the jucied up the goalies and it is not eacy to score. The puck physics are vastly improved and they went all analog controls. Left stick you skate right stick to pass, and shoot and use your stick. And dekes are sick on 2009. 2010 added board play...but I never bought it. 2009 is great. And be a Pro is addicting on NHL 2009. EA has got it down with Hockey and are driving 2K out of the building in that sport.

I think Football has been done really well with some games over the years.

Madden 1999 - PS

NFL 2K5 - PS2

Madden 2005 and 2007 - PS2

Madden 2011 will be a great one at least it seems so far.

NCAA 2007 - PS2

NCAA 2011 - PS3

I want to have a sim expereince but not at the cost of gameplay and fun so I think Madden found that balance with a few versions that I listed above.

Edited July 30, 2010 by Todem

[oneohh 0]

Anybody playing anything fun for the Wii?

[Apes with Guns 71]

Anybody playing anything fun for the Wii?

ALWAYS go back to Super Smash Brothers Brawl. lots of fun, and 4 can play.Also enjoying Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympics and MarioKart.My daughter loves Animal Crossing and My Sims: Kingdom.Monster Lab was fun to play with the kids as well.

[STEADYMOBBIN 22 3,697]

Mass Effect 2 is much more enjoyable than the first (and the first wasn't bad by any means).It just feels more solid in terms of both gameplay and story. I wish I'd gone back and played the original through again before tackling this one though. I've forgotten some of the story that would have meade it even better.

SOOO much better. One the best games I have played in years. I didn't make it more then 3 or 4 hours through the first one.

[Mad Cow 1,411]

Mass Effect 2 is much more enjoyable than the first (and the first wasn't bad by any means).It just feels more solid in terms of both gameplay and story. I wish I'd gone back and played the original through again before tackling this one though. I've forgotten some of the story that would have meade it even better.

SOOO much better. One the best games I have played in years. I didn't make it more then 3 or 4 hours through the first one.

Hmmm, so you are saying skip ME1 and importing your character and jump straight into ME2, huh?

[Iraqi Information Minister 6]

Mass Effect 2 is much more enjoyable than the first (and the first wasn't bad by any means).It just feels more solid in terms of both gameplay and story. I wish I'd gone back and played the original through again before tackling this one though. I've forgotten some of the story that would have meade it even better.

SOOO much better. One the best games I have played in years. I didn't make it more then 3 or 4 hours through the first one.

Hmmm, so you are saying skip ME1 and importing your character and jump straight into ME2, huh?

ME1 is a short enough game that I think it's worth it to play through at least once. And there are some cool elements.

[thecatch 2,083]

Mass Effect 2 is much more enjoyable than the first (and the first wasn't bad by any means).It just feels more solid in terms of both gameplay and story. I wish I'd gone back and played the original through again before tackling this one though. I've forgotten some of the story that would have meade it even better.

SOOO much better. One the best games I have played in years. I didn't make it more then 3 or 4 hours through the first one.

Hmmm, so you are saying skip ME1 and importing your character and jump straight into ME2, huh?

I thought the overall storyline was better in ME1. Maybe it was because the concept was brand new and more interesting at the time. ME2 is a little more formulaic from that standpoint, but the gameplay is definitely improved. I think it'd be worth it to at least run through ME1 and create a character that you have made some major decisions with and are somewhat invested in (as these decisions will all import into ME2). Don't bother with any of the ME1 side missions, as in your situation they will take far more time than they are worth.

[Iraqi Information Minister 6]

Don't bother with any of the ME1 side missions, as in your situation they will take far more time than they are worth.

[oneohh 0]

Anybody playing anything fun for the Wii?

ALWAYS go back to Super Smash Brothers Brawl. lots of fun, and 4 can play.Also enjoying Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympics and MarioKart.My daughter loves Animal Crossing and My Sims: Kingdom.Monster Lab was fun to play with the kids as well.

Cool! I'll check them out.

[madshot31 180]

Mass Effect 2 is much more enjoyable than the first (and the first wasn't bad by any means).

It just feels more solid in terms of both gameplay and story. I wish I'd gone back and played the original through again before tackling this one though. I've forgotten some of the story that would have meade it even better.

SOOO much better. One the best games I have played in years. I didn't make it more then 3 or 4 hours through the first one.

Hmmm, so you are saying skip ME1 and importing your character and jump straight into ME2, huh?

I thought the overall storyline was better in ME1. Maybe it was because the concept was brand new and more interesting at the time. ME2 is a little more formulaic from that standpoint, but the gameplay is definitely improved. I think it'd be worth it to at least run through ME1 and create a character that you have made some major decisions with and are somewhat invested in (as these decisions will all import into ME2). Don't bother with any of the ME1 side missions, as in your situation they will take far more time than they are worth.

Very true. I would also do a quick run through on easy in ME1. Many of the story/character elements that get imported to ME2 are not huge things that you would notice. But, when they do happen, quite often actually, you think to yourself how cool that is. When if you didn't play the first game, you would have no clue that something just connected between the games.

[madshot31 180]

Update:

Right Now

The Orange Box(Ep. 1 & 2), Gears of War 2(love/hate multiplayer relationship)

Up Next

Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind GotY, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion GotY

Back Burner

Tales of Vesperia, Dead Space, Eternal Sonata, Alan Wake, Dragon Age: Orgins, Rainbow 6 Vegas 2(ever present fallback game), Fatal Frame 1, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly, Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams, The Bard's Tale, Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance II, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic

Looking to Replay

Final Fantasy XIII, Bioshock 2, Borderlands(if we ever get 4 people again)

Excited For

Fallout: New Vegas, Gears of War 3, Diablo 3, Mass Effect 3, Portal 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Well my router/modem died two days ago. So, I ended up with lots of time to play The Orange Box since the internet and xbox live was down. I ended up beating Half Life 2 and would give it a solid 6.5 out 10. I enjoyed the game, but it was frustrating at times due to the first person camera and random tediousness that could have been bypassed. Also, I found the story to a bit lacking and it seemed more like a long dlc than a true stand alone game. About midnight last night I couldn't fall asleep and I hadn't bought a new modem router yet, so I fired up Portal for the first time. Next thing I knew their was no ####### cake and it 2:30 in the morning. I was so amped from the game I continued on and did the first three advanced missions until I fell asleep holding the controller. Awesome. AWESOME game! It was short and I'm not really a puzzle game fan, but this thing had me hooked and the narrative was absolutely classic. 9.1 out 10. From me, that means quite a bit since most good games I rate would land in the 6.0 to 8.5 range. That end song kicked ###

Edited July 30, 2010 by madshot31

[Adebisi 7]

I sorta had a small gaming epiphany a few years ago when the Wii came out. I was playing The Legend of Zelda for the NES and it dawned on me, that there I was, at 30 years old, playing the same game I played in the fourth grade. It left me with bad feeling like I was wasting the little time on Earth I have, staying up late, to do something I already "accomplished" 20+ years ago.

The same thing goes for achievements. I used to spend hours and hours grinding out boring side-quests so I could get these points at don't actually mean anything at all.

You and I seem to see eye to eye on practically everything when it comes to gaming.

[IvanKaramazov 18,642]

I wish there was an easy way to get a copy of Portal for the PS3 without having to track down a copy of the Orange Box. That game sounds awesome, and I would like to get up to speed prior to Portal 2, but I'm not interested in Half Life or Team Fortress.

[Mad Cow 1,411]

I wish there was an easy way to get a copy of Portal for the PS3 without having to track down a copy of the Orange Box. That game sounds awesome, and I would like to get up to speed prior to Portal 2, but I'm not interested in Half Life or Team Fortress.

You can get it for PC relatively cheaply.

[IvanKaramazov 18,642]

I wish there was an easy way to get a copy of Portal for the PS3 without having to track down a copy of the Orange Box. That game sounds awesome, and I would like to get up to speed prior to Portal 2, but I'm not interested in Half Life or Team Fortress.

You can get it for PC relatively cheaply.

Yeah, but my PC is 5+ years old and was a cheap "home office" machine when I bought it. I doubt any modern-gen games would play on it.

[Meat 0]

So, how did I not know Battlefield 3 was in the works????? BF 2 may have been my favorite game ever, and I'm an addict to BF:BC2. Even happier I started putting the new rig together today!

[Adebisi 7]

I wish there was an easy way to get a copy of Portal for the PS3 without having to track down a copy of the Orange Box. That game sounds awesome, and I would like to get up to speed prior to Portal 2, but I'm not interested in Half Life or Team Fortress.

The Orange Box is probably the best value out there because you can get it for under $20, which is probably about what you'd expect to pay for a game that's been out for a long time. Since you're getting the full Portal game that you want, just consider the Half Life games throw-ins.