6 out of 10
I only watched this because the idea of Kevin Costner playing a serial killer seemed so absurd. It turns out he does it pretty well. Not brilliant, but certainly better than I expected.
That goes for the whole film really. A low-key release that pretty much bypassed cinemas over here, it's actually not bad. Not exactly a thriller, it's more of a character study and despite some dodgy sub-plots it pretty much pulls it off.
The ending might disappoint some people but overall I came away pretty happy, which is the first time that's happened with a Kevin Costner film for 15 years!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
'BioShock' - Game review
10 out of 10
It turns out that lots of the things I was going to say about this game probably ought not to be mentioned. I don't want to draw your attention to things that are best witnessed for the first time while playing the game, with awe, wonder, curiosity...
One I thing I will say is that the world of Rapture, where this game is set, is utterly wonderful, both in concept and execution. This is the most atmospheric and consistent world I can remember playing in. Essentially a linear first-person shooter, the world and the story spun around it are so engrossing that it feels like much more.
A decaying place, the history of how it came into its current state is revealed largely through audio diaries that you find while playing. It's a brilliant piece of story telling. The voice acting is wonderful throughout and the recordings are much more evocative than a full cut-scene would be. Like reading a book, you build an image in your mind that actual pictures could never match.
This game is an incredible achievement. Not only is it long (I don't know how long, I was too busy having fun) but it is also deep and detailed, with many different gameplay systems to explore. Congratulations to the team that put it together. I raise my professional hat to you.
One example of the attention to detail in this game: When you have lots of money but few health packs, a little message pops up reminding you that perhaps you should spend some of the former to buy the latter. Simple, helpful and few other games would think of it.
If games can be art, then this is surely one of our greatest masterpieces.
It turns out that lots of the things I was going to say about this game probably ought not to be mentioned. I don't want to draw your attention to things that are best witnessed for the first time while playing the game, with awe, wonder, curiosity...
One I thing I will say is that the world of Rapture, where this game is set, is utterly wonderful, both in concept and execution. This is the most atmospheric and consistent world I can remember playing in. Essentially a linear first-person shooter, the world and the story spun around it are so engrossing that it feels like much more.
A decaying place, the history of how it came into its current state is revealed largely through audio diaries that you find while playing. It's a brilliant piece of story telling. The voice acting is wonderful throughout and the recordings are much more evocative than a full cut-scene would be. Like reading a book, you build an image in your mind that actual pictures could never match.
This game is an incredible achievement. Not only is it long (I don't know how long, I was too busy having fun) but it is also deep and detailed, with many different gameplay systems to explore. Congratulations to the team that put it together. I raise my professional hat to you.
One example of the attention to detail in this game: When you have lots of money but few health packs, a little message pops up reminding you that perhaps you should spend some of the former to buy the latter. Simple, helpful and few other games would think of it.
If games can be art, then this is surely one of our greatest masterpieces.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
'Lost: Via Domus' - Game review
3 out of 10
The less said about this "game" the better. A full-priced release, it takes less than 4 hours complete (including all secrets) and during that time contains very little gameplay. It looks lovely most of the time (characters look a bit weird close up) and I certainly can't criticise it technically. But it is utterly bereft of challenge or longevity.
It has one or two promising ideas that never get developed. The only reason anybody could like this is if they're a rabid fan of the TV program it is based on and desperate to know everything about it. I like the TV show (although not enough, it would seem) and I like point-and-click adventures (which is the genre this most closely approaches) but was utterly bored by this.
As a budget title it would be a rip-off. At full price, you should definitely avoid it.
The less said about this "game" the better. A full-priced release, it takes less than 4 hours complete (including all secrets) and during that time contains very little gameplay. It looks lovely most of the time (characters look a bit weird close up) and I certainly can't criticise it technically. But it is utterly bereft of challenge or longevity.
It has one or two promising ideas that never get developed. The only reason anybody could like this is if they're a rabid fan of the TV program it is based on and desperate to know everything about it. I like the TV show (although not enough, it would seem) and I like point-and-click adventures (which is the genre this most closely approaches) but was utterly bored by this.
As a budget title it would be a rip-off. At full price, you should definitely avoid it.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
April Fools
The best April Fool I've seen, a supposed trailer for a Legend of Zelda film put together by IGN. Very impressive.
Update: Ubisoft and Konami have got together to do a Fool that deserves some credit - Assassin's Creed meets Metal Gear. And Brand New, the web site about brand identity, has a nice effort regarding a new logo for Ford.
Update: Ubisoft and Konami have got together to do a Fool that deserves some credit - Assassin's Creed meets Metal Gear. And Brand New, the web site about brand identity, has a nice effort regarding a new logo for Ford.
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