Medal Of Honor Multiplayer BETA Impressions
As we all know and heard from E3 this year, EA has released a multiplayer beta for the PC, PS3, and the Xbox 360. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the beta for the PS3, and honestly I was quite impressed on what I’ve played. After 4 hours or so of play time, I am ready to give my impressions of EA’s Medal of Honor, which could be its last chance to redeem itself.
As soon as I started my first match, I said to myself this reminds me a lot like Battlefield Bad Company. Well that should come as no surprise considering DICE is doing the multiplayer aspect of the game, while EA LA works on the singleplayer. It was obvious EA wanted to get potentially the best of the best when they went after DICE for the online, as I’m sure they know as well that they have to keep up with the big boys this holiday season.
The game starts off with you as a Level 1 Regular. As you progress through the game you will level up and unlock different weapons, attachments, and armored piercing bullets, among other things. You have the option before each match to pick from a list of three classes. Rifleman, Special Ops, or a Sniper, and will either be selected as the Coalition (good guys) or the Insurgents (bad guys). Each side has a different setup of weapons that you can select in the gear section before each game. It is a good enough mix between the weapons and unlockables in each class that you might want to experiment a little and feel out which class is best for you.
The most important part obviously is the gameplay. You can have 100 classes and 200 weapons but without solid gameplay does any of that matter? I am a pretty hardcore Call of Duty player so a lot of times when I go into new shooters I have a certain expectation of what that game should give me. The gameplay is very different then most shooters and you will pick that up pretty quick after being gun down a number of times before you have to stop and realize whats going on. Only a few shots will put you down for the count, so I must say that there is a pretty high learning curve in the beginning. You really do not want to stand or camp in one place for too long, but you also don’t want to run and gun like a Halo, or a Call of Duty style match. So basically what I am saying is the game is not very forgiving.
Each game mode has its own map. With Team Assault (team deathmatch) placing you on the Kubel City Ruins map. This map takes place in a broken down war torn area with a lot of high ground to take out enemies from below. The map has a very c0ol look to it and has a pretty good amount of detail that adds to the feeling of being in a war. It’s not a huge map but its a nice size to accommodate the 12 on 12 matches. Combat Mission is your objective game mode on the Helmand Valley map. Combat Mission is your typical attack and defend this area depending on what group you are, the Coalition or the Insurgents. I didn’t play this game type as much considering there really weren’t many people playing it at first, but it’s similar to Battlefield Bad Company’s Rush mode. Helmand Valley however is a pretty impressive map which is more open then Kubel City Ruins with not as many places to take cover except for some trees and rocks. Both maps I was very happy about and I look forward to the others that the game will bring upon release.
Some other gameplay elements introduced to Medal of Honor are killstreaks. These work a little bit different than your Call of Duty style killstreaks considering they are not really based upon how many kills you get but how many points you earn for doing different things. Kills, assists, and earning ribbons (challenges) will all give you points towards your killstreaks. I have only had the pleasure of using Mortar Strikes and UAV’s but from I know there are a ton of different things you can use that will help your team succeed.
All these elements of the game I mentioned are great, but that doesn’t mean the game in any way is perfect. The most annoying thing is before you die, there’s quite a big of lag in between you getting shot and right before you die. It happens really quick and might not be bothersome at first, but after some time it can get frustrating. Also respawn points is something they need to work on, I’ve been in a lot of games where I would get spawn killed right away and vice versa. It would be nice if they gave you an option where to spawn like in Killzone or if its possible to spawn on a player that your in a party with. That I’am not sure of considering I always played alone. One last thing I would like to see is some kind of killcam or a quick camera view of where you got shot from before you die. Sometimes everything is happening so fast and you can get gunned down pretty quickly. Without any knowledge or idea where those bullets come from on top of the bad spawn points can get tiresome. Again this is just a beta so it’s going to have its problems. I have confidence that DICE will fix these small problems before the release date.
With all that said, I was very happy with my experience with the Medal of Honor beta. The question is will it have the long lasting appeal of a Call of Duty multiplayer? It’s good that there are releasing the game in October which would be a month before Black Ops and I think the game definitely has potential to hang around to form a good online community. It’s gameplay is different enough if you want to take a break from other shooters and can even be more challenging and rewarding at times than other games. I know it will be a day one purchase for me.
Medal of Honor will be in stores October 12th 2010 for the PC, Xbox 360, and PS3.
Patrick’s 15 Must-Have iPhone Games
With so many crappy iPhone games out there it’s hard to know which ones are worth buying. This list was created to help you decide what to spend your pretty pennies on. Some of the games on the list are free so it looks like we all win. Check out my 15 must-have iPhone games in order.
15. 2079 Tilt! – This game has to be the closest game on the market to the XBLA title Geometry Wars. It’s a very simple but impressive dual-stick shooter, and it’s only $0.99 so that’s awesome. iTunes Link
14. Sudoku Unlimited – I was never really into Sudoku until I got an iPhone. This version is one of the best I’ve played so far. I like how you can customize the look by changing the background. This game will run you $2.99. iTunes Link
13. Touch Hockey: FS5 - This is a simple but very polished air hockey game that lets you play vs. a computer, another person on the same phone, or another person over wi-fi. Oh, and it’s free. iTunes Link
12. Harbor Master – Maybe it’s a rip-off of Flight Control (with ships) but it’s a pretty great rip-off. With regular updates this game doesn’t get old. Direct the boats to their ports by drawing a line. Harbor Master is a steal at $0.99. iTunes Link
11. Flight Control – I think everyone knows about this game. You direct the airplanes to their landing strips by drawing a line with your finger. The object is to make sure they don’t crash into each other. FC is only $0.99. iTunes Link
10. Modern Combat: Sandstorm – This game is kind of like Modern Warfare on your iPhone. It’s the first FPS that really caught my eye out of the whole bunch. MC:S is currently $4.99. iTunes Link
9. Sol Free – This is a simple solitaire app that is free, hence the name. It’s the best looking and playing free solitaire app that I’ve seen so far. iTunes Link
8. Stone Loops! of Jurrassica – Even though it’s temporarily unavailable due to a copyright complaint it’s the best match-three zuma clone in the appstore. It’s very polished and quite lengthy.
7. Peggle – I’m sure you’ve played Peggle on just about every gaming console you own but this is the most intuitive version. The touch controls work great and the screen resolution makes the game look super sharp. Peggle on the iPhone is the cheapest you’ll see it on any console at $2.99. iTunes Link
6. Eliss – I can’t even explain this game but it’s one of the my favorite because it breaks the mold of your typical iPhone game and brings multi-touch into the picture. Eliss is only $2.99. iTunes Link
5. Edge – I would consider Edge to be one of the classics but it still outshines so many of the current iPhone games out there. The object is to roll the cube from point A to point B in a certain amount of time. It’s not as easy as you think. Edge is temporarily unavailable due to the stupid “edge” name copyright issues.
4. Labyrinth 2 – Labyrinth 2 is probably one of the most polished iPhone games I have come across so far. With the option to download user-made labyrinth levels as well as create your own this game really brings the concept of a labyrinth to the next level. Labyrinth 2 is $4.99. iTunes Link
3. iDracula – Minigore? I don’t think so. iDracula is easily the best survival game on the iPhone. It’s full-featured and highly addictive. This is the only game on the list that made me sweat while playing it. It’s currently $2.99. iTunes Link
2. Star Defense – I’m a sucker for tower defense and Star Defense is the best TD offering on the market if not one of the best TD games I’ve ever played. Forget Fieldrunners. Star Defense is beyond a steal at $0.99 (originally $9.99). iTunes Link
1. N.O.V.A. – This was an easy pick. NOVA is a Halo clone for the iPhone and it’s easily the best game available. If you want a solid, highly-polished FPS that isn’t a struggle to play then NOVA is the way to go. It’s also great for making your non-iPhone/iPod Touch friends jealous. NOVA is currently $6.99. iTunes Link
Honorable Mentions: GTA: Chinatown Wars & Guerrilla Bob – At the time of this writing I hadn’t had a chance to play either of these games. I did play the DS version of Chinatown Wars so I know how great of a fit it would be on the iPhone. As for Guerrilla Bob, it’s the dual-stick shooter in where you have to get from point A to point B. GTA is currently $9.99 while Guerrilla Bob is $2.99. GTA Link. Guerrilla Link.
There you have it, my 15 must-have iPhone games. Don’t agree with the list? Think there is a game that I forgot? Express your opinion in the comments section below.
Patrick’s 15 Must-Have iPhone Apps
There is so many junkie iPhone/iPod Touch apps to sift through these days I decided it would be best to help you guys out and give you my 15 personal favorite iPhone apps. I am very picky about keeping my iPhone organized so I am always deleting apps that I don’t use, these apps are applications that pretty much never leave my phone. I’m limiting this list to just applications because I am also working on a “15 must-have iPhone games” article which should be posted in the near future. Just so you know, this list is in order. Enjoy!
15. TV Forecast – Just add your favorite TV shows and this app will tell you how many days until the next episode airs. If you have trouble keeping track of days this app is perfect.
14. The Weather Channel – This app is the one to download if you don’t think the included weather app is enough. It gives you an hour-by-hour, 36-hour, and 10-day forecast.
13. YP Mobile – This is the official Yellow Pages app. Anytime I need a number for a store I just open this app and I am ready to go. It also gives you direction to the place just by tapping on the address.
12. Movies – This app shows you the lastest movies currently showing in theaters as well as upcoming movies. Watch trailers, rate movies, list movies you want to see and share them with people on Facebook.
11. IMDb – I’ve been waiting for this app for a while and it’s finally here. The complete Internet Movie Database on your iPhone. Search by actor, film, etc. This is a must-have for any film buffs.
10. Shazam – Here a great song on the radio or in the store? Just open Shazam and it will tell you what the song, artist, and album is. It even let’s you buy the song off iTunes if you’re that impatient.
9. Facebook – This app is a mobile version of Facebook. You can’t do everything that you can do in the browser version but I wouldn’t be surprised if you could by the time the next update comes out.
8. RedBox – RedBox is a rental service where all rentals are $1. This app let’s you reserve the movie right from the phone, then all you have to do is pick it up at the designated redbox.
7. Awesome Note (+Todo) – This application is the ultimate notes and todo list app. Categorize your lists, pick different paper styles, font styles, add photos, etc. This app does it all.
6. NewsRack – Don’t be tricked into buying any other RSS reader. NewsRack is the best. Just trust me and go buy it. At the time of this writing Newsstand is currently not available in the appstore.
5. Giant Bomb – As you already probably know Giant Bomb is the Wikipedia of video games. If you love video games as much as I do then you need an app like this on your iPhone.
4. TextNow – My current texting plan has a limit of 200 texts a month so this app really comes in handy for me. If you are in the same boat as me I’d suggest you check this app out, it’s the best alternative texting app I’ve seen so far.
3. Amazon Mobile – I am addicted to Amazon.com. It’s the only place I ever buy anything these days. This app is a mobile version of it which makes it easy to spend more money than you currently have in your bank account. My advice: Be careful with the one-click purchasing.
2. Bible – This Bible app by LifeChurch.tv is by far the best Bible app on the market. You can read the Bible in any translation you want. Tap on a verse and you can email it to a friend, bookmark it, and even tweet it. You can also start a reading plan like I have which makes it very easy to stay on top of reading the Bible everyday. The app even syncs with the browser version which is located at http://youversion.com.
1. Tweetie 2 – I hate to have to put this one before the Bible app but the truth is, I am checking this app the most throughout the day. Tweetie 2 is in my opinion the best Twitter application for the iPhone. There are a lot of choices out there and I have tried them all. I was using Twitterrific for a long time but decided to switch to Tweetie 2 after learning about all the awesome features.
So there you have it, my top 15 must-have iPhone apps. Do you agree? What are some apps that you think should have made the list? Let your thoughts out in the comments section below.
2010: The Future of Gaming
2009 graced us with many great titles, but 2009 is gone. Let’s take a look at what 2010 has in store for us. The writers of Everyday Gamers have each made a list of their top 6 most anticipated titles of 2010.
Laren Hawkins:
MGS: Peace Walker – Being the proud new owner of a PSP Go, I am really looking forward to Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. I have played the demo and while it is challenging, it is very good. I have to admit though, this is the first time I have played anything MGS. The graphics are amazing controls work very well. I like how you can choose to use stealth or just run-in and gun. The current release date is set to 3/18/10!
Pokemon: Heart Gold and Soul Silver – This is the most anticipated DS game I have for this year so far. Yes, I am a pokeaddict and I can not wait for these games. The graphics seem improved, and I like how your partner Pokemon can walk around with you. I may be about to turn 16 but, I can not help but, love these games. The current release date is set to 3/14/10
Lead and Gold: Gangs of The Wild West – This game looks absolutely amazing. I do not many details about this game however, I do know its from Paradox and they have a pretty good track record.
Lost Planet 2 – I really liked the first Lost Planet and found it original and refreshing. The graphics were pretty good and it had a solid story. I am greatly looking forward to see what Capcom has up their sleeves with this one!
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep – I heard about this release recently and am excited for two reasons. 1: it is on the PSP. 2: I have NEVER played a Kingdom Hearts game before. It is also an action-RPG. I have seen some screenshots and it looks amazing! The release dates are as follows: Japan: January 9th, 2010 US: TBA 2010
Mod Nation Racers – We first got a glimpse of this game back at E3’09 and I have to say , I was very impressed. It is the product of taking LittleBigPlanet and merging it with Mario Kart. Not only is is coming to the PS3 but, it is supposed to be released for the PSP ( as per a Gamestop listing).
Chris Maeurer
Mass Effect 2 – After finally finishing the first game, I can’t wait for the sequel, it’s easily my most looked forward to game of 2010. The conversations, the combat, the universe created stands out as one of the best new IP’s of late, and with Bioware pushing the limits for the sequel, anticipation couldn’t be higher!
Assassin’s Creed 2 – No, Ladies and Gents, that’s not a typo. While the console release has picked up quite a bit of steam, the PC iteration of this hopeful title will not hit until March 16th, and once again anticipations are high. From all accounts, it would seem Ubisoft took gamer’s criticisms of the first game into consideration and made this second installment a better, more evolved game, and I can’t wait to take it for a spin on the PC!
Alpha Protocol – Mix Mass Effect and Modern Warfare, and you will have gamer’s chomping at the bit! This game gets more amazing the more I see about it, and I worry if it will live up to the hype, but I am still on for the ride. Take a solid shooter, and infuse the story-telling and conversations from Mass Effect and I am so sold on this game. Not to mention the three ‘classes’ offered to the player sound intriguing, and may just be the icing on the cake if this title delivers. Who says revenge is a dish best served cold? I want it piping hot, and that’s what Alpha Protocol is shaping up to be!
Aliens Vs. Predator – What’s not to love about this franchise? The two previous PC iterations garnered lots of praise, and the Jaguar game was easily a system seller, so there’s a lot to love about the universe and characters if Sega and Rebellion can pull this off. Solid Single and Multiplayer with next-gen graphics and this is a must win for 2010.
Tron : Evolution – I know, I of all people should know how licensed games turn out, but I can’t help holding out hope for Tron. The first movie was beloved, the second is anything but rushed, and I am praying this game gets the attention it deserves to cater to the fans. Set between the upcoming film and the original, this game has me intrigued to see if it can break away from the monotonous junk pile of licensed games. It has amazing potential, so I will hope against hope that Disney Interactive can make this game better than a light cycle ride!
Metro 2033 – Everything I’ve seen from THQ’s new IP has me waiting with baited breath for a game I never knew existed. With elements of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Fallout, with maybe a sprinkle of Hellgate, it is really going to be interesting to see if this game can turn out to be great or if it will jsut be a bad knock-off of any of the titiles I’ve just mentioned. So far the screenshots and previews are looking good, and the game is set to ship in March, so we won’t have to wait long to see how the apocalypse looks in Russia.
Eric Bouchard
Mass Effect 2 – This has been on my list since I finished the first Mass Effect. I cannot wait to continue the adventures of Commander Sheapard and his team. New characters new environments and a storyline that appears to be shaping up to be even better than the first have made this the fist game I have pre-ordered in a long time. Add a revised combat system, smarter teammate AI and controls, new weapons and the intereupt feature…. Well, I could go one forever listing why I am looking forward to this game, but you are all probably tired of hearing about it buy now.
Alpha Protocol – First read about this game in Game Informer, and it is one I have looked forward to ever since. A spy RPG that lets you take the main character along 3 unique training paths, shaping your spy in the mold of Bond, Bourne or Bauer. This shooter meshed with an RPG is one that hopefully hasn;t fallen off too many people’s radars. Oh, and don’t let issues you may have had with Knights of the Old Republic II scare you off this game. Obsidian was never given the opportunity to finish the sequal to Bioware’s RPG. Given a chance to take the time to build its own game, Obsidian has all the makings of a hit.
Alan Wake – I am generally not much of one for survival horror games, but this thriller from Remedy, the makers of Max Payne, has really caught my eye. The game follows Alan wake, a horror novelist who is facing writer’s block. His wife takes him to a small town to help get the creative juices flowing, but everything starts to fall apart as he losses his manuscript, and his story starts to come to life. Alan’s only real weapon against these “creatures” is light, and from what Remedy has shown, the studio intends to use that rather creatively. The story is being told in mini series style, with the chapters being broken up with flashbacks of what happened on the “last episode.” What was shown at E3 really piqued my interest, and I cannot wait to play it.
Puzzle Quest 2 – Puzzle Quest is one of my top 10 games of all time, but D3 Publishers has not done a good job with the games following it. Galactrix was a disapointment, and Puzzle Kingdoms came and went without much fanfare. With that in mind, you may be wondering why I so looking forward to Puzzle Quest 2. It’s because D3 is returning to the franchise and formula it just about perfected with the first one. As long as the company does that, I can see myself once again spending a lot of time with this puzzle based RPG.
Just Cause 2 – I have to admit, this one snuck up on me. It was not until I saw the video of the demo of the game done at E3 that I developed any kind of interest. Even if the storyline ends up being completely forgetable, there is just something about the gameplay combinations of the grappling hook and parachute that will make this a game worth playing. Imagine using the two in combination to rise above enemies, grapling them to exploding barrels and finding other creative ways to take on entire armies. Just watch some gameplay footage; you will want to play it as well.
Star Craft 2 – Many of you may be thinking my listing of this game in my 2010 most anticipated is wishful thinking, and maybe it is. Still, Blizzard has said it intends to get the Terran campaign for Star Craft 2 out by the end of 2010, and if that happens, I will probably be forced to buy a new computer just to play it. Star Craft is hands down the best Real Time Strategy game I have ever played, and the sequel looks to be ever bit better than its predecessor. New units, improvements to an already top-notch multiplayer and the continuation of Star Craft’s incredible story makes this game and absolute must own.
Patrick Adams
Crackdown 2 – This is easily my most anticipated game of 2010. I was a major fan of the first one and I am totally siked that Microsoft decided to keep this franchise alive. I know that this game will be pure fun.
BioShock 2 – Whether you are skeptical about this one or not you can’t hide the fact that the first one was one of the best games you ever played (well at least it is in my book). My fingers are crossed that the second one is just as great but it has a lot to live up to. None-the-less it’s still going to be a day one purchase.
Red Steel 2 – Why not? I am one of the few people out in the world that thought the first Red Steel was fun. I’m not sure what it was exactly about the game but I liked it. With WiiMotion Plus out now I think that the developer will be able to fix all the problems the first one had and they will finally be able to achieve the quality first person shooter that they’ve wanted to since the beginning.
Splinter Cell: Conviction - The first look at this game that we got a while back had everyone worried but now it looks to be the best yet. I think as long as it sticks with the core gameplay that made the Splinter Cell series so awesome I’m sure it won’t dissapoint.
Halo: Reach – I’m not the biggest Halo fan but I appreciate a good shooter, especially after playing crap like Rogue Warrior. Halo Reach has huge potential. I expect Microsoft will milk this one as much as they can with a lot of commercials, themes, controllers, limited edition consoles, etc.
Fallout: New Vegas – If New Vegas is Fallout 3 with a new setting them I’m sure to love it. The only problem is that we don’t really know what New Vegas will be. Either way it’s still one of my most anticipated games of 2010. I absolutely loved the first and I trust Obsidian’s ability to make a great game.
Honorable Mentions: Fable III, EyePet, HL2: Episode 3 (maybe?), ModNation Racers, and DeathSpank.
Jordan de Boer
Mass Effect 2 – I don’t know what is harder, counting down the days to the release of Mass Effect 2…or trying to avoid the spoilers while doing so. The internet is absolutely bursting at the seams with hype and excitement for this game, and for good reason. I don’t question whether or not I will be playing this game through to completion; I just question how many times and in how short a period of time.
Heavy Rain – I can confirm that my jaw is still firmly in place on the floor from the original 2006 teaser video for this game. The visuals, the voice acting and the facial animation..even back then they were amazing. The grand promises of arching story paths and heavy in-game consequences in reaction the players choices has me at full attention.
Splinter Cell : Conviction – Yes, the last Splinter Cell game was a mess, I’ll be the first to admit that. They stepped in it big time. I don’t, however, want to let that cloud my judgment of what has been shown so far of Conviction. Ubisoft Montreal is behind the wheel now and things are looking up in a major way. Just watching this new (less emo) version of Sam Fisher flawlessly combining stealth and action has many people drooling, including myself.
Ghost Recon 4 – We don’t exactly know what this game is going to be, but if it’s anything like the previous Ghost Recon games, it’s going to be awesome. The title “Ghost Recon : Future Soldier” was recently trademarked by Ubisoft and 2010 is floating around as the release date. I’m all ears.
I Am Alive – My dark horse of the bunch. The preposed post-disaster survival story set in Chicago originally got me interested and what little we have seen of the game visually also has had a funny way of drawing me in. Some troubling news about development issues has contributed to an overall lack of excitement for this game, but the year is young.
Honorable Mentions: Mirror’s Edge 2. Make it happen!