I picked up a copy of Braid for Xbox Live Arcade a few days ago. It seems that every single gaming journalist has written a huge spiel about this game, seems like it’s the next portal. The game is amazing, taking traditional and simple platforming elements then adding a layer of mind boggling time puzzles over the top. I’ve completed the game, something when first playing I didn’t think I would. I thought the game was too smart for me, but it turns out the game just needs perseverance.
The games story is perhaps trying a little too much. It’s the sort of story a couple of literature students get cosy with some lattes and analyse. Perhaps it isn’t necessary, though it does add to the dream like and ‘conceptual’ feeling of Braid.
I’ve read some interviews with the creator, Jonathan Blow and he does come off as somewhat pretentious… But seeing what the guy did, the fact that he designed some of the most intelligent puzzles I have ever played, gives him the right to be. I’m sure Einstein was pretentious too.
Team Fortress 2 Heavy Update
Tf2 has just had a Heavy Update. The heavy now has his own set of achievements and 3 new unlockable weapons. Some rad boxing gloves that when a punch is landed the next few hits are crits, a new version of Sasha the mini gun called Natascha which does less damage but pushes players back and the Sandvich… a consumable item that replaces the shotgun which makes you idle for 4 seconds while you eat but heals 120 health. There is also a new game type called Arena, which is an awesome addition and I hope will make TF2 competitive play more intense. It is similar to Counter Strike that when you die you have to wait for the next round. The maps are also smaller and better for smaller tighter teams. There is also a beautiful new environment set called Lumberyard that is high in the green forestry mountains.
Oh and a new payload map similar to gold rush but apparently bigger. SO you pay a small sum for the best online game out there and then for the next year or more get HEAPS of regular and awesome content. This is exactly how online games should be. One thing though, the new weapons are awesome but SO hard to get so the average player will never take a bite of the Sandvich.
Lavalevel will have an exciting ‘look’ at the TF2 update soon.
New Warhammer Online Cinematic
Go check this out; it is now probably one of my favourite game Cinematics ever!!! Up there with the Dawn of War one. Both by the amazing Blur Studios.
New Warhammer Online Cinematic
Also, I am currently downloading the 10 gig Warhammer Online client. For the open Beta and maybe free invite weekend. I’m really keen!
New Headphones
I’m also about to order in some new headphones. For gaming, ipodin’ and everything else! I spent like 3 hours last night doing research on headphones; I never knew they were so interesting! Hopefully I won’t look like a tit wearing these out and about.
Nitpick time! ;-)
“Sascha” and “Natascha” is how they’re spelt! Looking at the Sandvich reminds me that it’s lunch time. Om nom nom nom!
I’m really looking forward to the Heavy update. I’m predominantly a Heavy player, it’d be cool to try them out. But I’m in a bit of a pickle- I was playing TF2 the night before the update. The next day, my Steam app tells me that TF2 is not installed. For some reason, it’s uninstalled itself. The files are still in SteamApps folder, but… grr!!! Short of reinstalling TF2, there hasn’t been a way to kick Steam in the pants - “LOOK STEAM, IT’S INSTALLED *RIGHT THERE*!!!”
1 | Anthony August 21st, 2008 at 2:02 pmOh cheers, fixed the spelling. Try uninstall and re-install?
2 | Simon August 21st, 2008 at 3:16 pmNitpick time #2
According to http://www.steamgames.com/tf2/heavy/natascha.htm:
“…Unfortunately, Natascha is slightly weaker than Sasha, so she takes longer to finish off a victim…”
It looks like “Sasha” is right, according to Valve.
3 | rj August 21st, 2008 at 10:57 pm@ spelling - OMG!
4 | Simon August 22nd, 2008 at 5:07 pm/me shakes fist at rj…
ROOOOOBOT HOOOOOUUUUUUSEEEE!!!
5 | Anthony August 22nd, 2008 at 8:47 pmHahaha futurama!
Let me know how the headphones are, i’ve been looking into purchasing some nice ones like that for a while now aswell. Not sure I can get them in England but we shall see.
6 | Continental Drift August 22nd, 2008 at 9:21 pm