Herp de derp, I completely forgot about this. Gonna need to start soon so I can get the rust off and get something really good made. Or, at least, I hope so. Don't expect my tile for a week or two, I expect. Herp de derp, I completely forgot about this. Gonna need to start soon so I can get the rust off and get something really good made. Or, at least, I hope so. Don’t expect my tile for a week or two, I expect.

2009-11-19T21:28:00-08:00

true

1478572

112

64090

2009-11-19T21:28:00-08:00

132339

No Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited? I am a sad Warforged. :( Easily one of the better games out on the market. No Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited? I am a sad Warforged. :( Easily one of the better games out on the market.

2009-11-19T11:29:32-08:00

true

1476788

65341

2009-11-19T11:29:45-08:00

132339

<blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href='/forums/3/topics/65400?page=1#posts-1475514'>FuzzyBacon</a>:</cite> It’s actually more than minor upgrades. This feels complete in a way L4D never really did. I agree, though, wait till the price falls, and more importantly, the balance is fixed (right now, it’s really too difficult).</blockquote> I guess I'm not seeing it. What's wrong with the balance? I like the how the game as a whole is harder, for the most part. . . When the AI isn't bugging out. (Chargers walking up to us and meleeing? Spitters missing? Bleh.) I really can't say much of the game, as I've only done Dead Center one and a half times with friends. I'm waiting for my friend to get Steam working before I explore anything else and learn the game. From what I've played, though, it's still fun. The level designs seem much more balanced, in co-operative and competitive aspects, though other campaigns I've yet to experience may say otherwise. The lengths are also fairly good, though the mall map leaves a bit to be desired, as it feels a bit bland and tunnel-ish. Glad I went with some friends to save a good deal (Like, $25?) on the game. I still think the sequel came way too soon, and after seeing quite a few little bugs or annoyances that add up, feel it's a tad rushed. . . But as a whole, I can't really complain or approve of it yet until I play more. <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href="/forums/3/topics/65400?page=1#posts-1475514">FuzzyBacon</a>:</cite> It’s actually more than minor upgrades. This feels complete in a way L4D never really did. I agree, though, wait till the price falls, and more importantly, the balance is fixed (right now, it’s really too difficult).</blockquote> I guess I’m not seeing it. What’s wrong with the balance? I like the how the game as a whole is harder, for the most part. . . When the AI isn’t bugging out. (Chargers walking up to us and meleeing? Spitters missing? Bleh.) I really can’t say much of the game, as I’ve only done Dead Center one and a half times with friends. I’m waiting for my friend to get Steam working before I explore anything else and learn the game. From what I’ve played, though, it’s still fun. The level designs seem much more balanced, in co-operative and competitive aspects, though other campaigns I’ve yet to experience may say otherwise. The lengths are also fairly good, though the mall map leaves a bit to be desired, as it feels a bit bland and tunnel-ish. Glad I went with some friends to save a good deal (Like, $25?) on the game. I still think the sequel came way too soon, and after seeing quite a few little bugs or annoyances that add up, feel it’s a tad rushed. . . But as a whole, I can’t really complain or approve of it yet until I play more.

2009-11-18T19:12:55-08:00

true

1475615

65400

2009-11-18T19:14:37-08:00

132339

<blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href='/forums/5/topics/56002?page=9#posts-1473603'>JohannasGarden</a>:</cite> I’m proud and impressed of all of you who have gotten to 30K. I’m still working on 10K, but I’m hoping to do that before the weekend. I’m thinking about making my goal a 1/2 nano—25K. That would still involve a lot of catch up since it’s past 1/2 way and I don’t have 12,500 either.</blockquote> I'm gonna echo the impressed part, and give a nod to the 1/2 NaNo thing. Every other year I've done this, I've never gotten past 5,000 words. I usually just give up. Having other people's progress to watch really helped a bit. I think my problem, however, is I didn't plan this out well enough, so that's where the lack of motivation is coming from for me. But if I can hit 25,000 words, or maybe 30,000 if I find the inspiration, I'll be proud; that's five or six times as much as I usually write for this. <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href="/forums/5/topics/56002?page=9#posts-1473603">JohannasGarden</a>:</cite> I’m proud and impressed of all of you who have gotten to 30K. I’m still working on 10K, but I’m hoping to do that before the weekend. I’m thinking about making my goal a 1/2 nano—25K. That would still involve a lot of catch up since it’s past 1/2 way and I don’t have 12,500 either.</blockquote> I’m gonna echo the impressed part, and give a nod to the 1/2 NaNo thing. Every other year I’ve done this, I’ve never gotten past 5,000 words. I usually just give up. Having other people’s progress to watch really helped a bit. I think my problem, however, is I didn’t plan this out well enough, so that’s where the lack of motivation is coming from for me. But if I can hit 25,000 words, or maybe 30,000 if I find the inspiration, I’ll be proud; that’s five or six times as much as I usually write for this.

2009-11-18T10:06:24-08:00

true

1473864

203

56002

2009-11-18T10:06:46-08:00

132339

I gave the colored version a 5 as well. I liked it. The limbs look a bit weird to me, as they look a bit blockish. But as a whole, I like the coloring and the pose you attempted, so that more than makes up for it. Plus, it's a Lizardfolk, and from D&D, which is a plus. ;D I gave the colored version a 5 as well. I liked it. The limbs look a bit weird to me, as they look a bit blockish. But as a whole, I like the coloring and the pose you attempted, so that more than makes up for it. Plus, it’s a Lizardfolk, and from D&D, which is a plus. ;D

2009-11-16T10:01:01-08:00

true

1467910

64964

2009-11-16T10:01:11-08:00

132339

I don't really know if I can finish it, to be honest. I've pretty much lost interest in it. I don't think there's a way to "jumpstart" myself into catching up; I'm 6,000 words behind, and I just don't think I can do that. Part of that is my fault, of course -- I've painted myself into a corner. I can't introduce new characters, I've somehow managed to write the characters into a way they can't exactly proceed. . . I'm stuck. And that's a huge morale killer. I've been trying to draw silly inspiration from playing Angband, as well. That little @ symbol has to do something interesting eventually that would be usable in my story. I suppose I could move them down a tunnel or something, and then just go from there but. . . Ugh. Yeah. I'm not fond of what I've got, and my muse is just dead. EDIT: I may have found an idea. Throwing in a flashback. Describing a war scene should be able to net me a good amount of words. I didn't want to bomb this much character background/development in one sitting, but if it'll help me get on track again. . . Whatever. I don’t really know if I can finish it, to be honest. I’ve pretty much lost interest in it. I don’t think there’s a way to “jumpstart” myself into catching up; I’m 6,000 words behind, and I just don’t think I can do that. Part of that is my fault, of course — I’ve painted myself into a corner. I can’t introduce new characters, I’ve somehow managed to write the characters into a way they can’t exactly proceed. . . I’m stuck. And that’s a huge morale killer. I’ve been trying to draw silly inspiration from playing Angband, as well. That little @ symbol has to do something interesting eventually that would be usable in my story. I suppose I could move them down a tunnel or something, and then just go from there but. . . Ugh. Yeah. I’m not fond of what I’ve got, and my muse is just dead. EDIT: I may have found an idea. Throwing in a flashback. Describing a war scene should be able to net me a good amount of words. I didn’t want to bomb this much character background/development in one sitting, but if it’ll help me get on track again. . . Whatever.

2009-11-16T09:55:45-08:00

true

1467903

199

56002

2009-11-16T11:46:56-08:00

132339

3 to 5 hours is accurate. I have 6 hours on Veteran, missing only Intel and Ghost (achievement), so 5 hours on Hardened, 4 on Normal, 3 on Recruit (taking into account how accurate they are and how fast you die since your teammates are stupid)? Sounds about right. And that's great that X-Play gave it a 5/5. . . Now ignore them, because critics should be something no one should reference, use, read, or listen to in formulating an opinion of a game. No one knows "more" about video games than anyone else, as well. Someone can build the world's largest LEGO sculpture in the world, and then formulate the opinion that LEGOs suck. . . But dangit, I still love LEGOs. If you've touched the game at all, or even just watched someone play, that's all the experience you need to accurately argue for or against a game. 3 to 5 hours is accurate. I have 6 hours on Veteran, missing only Intel and Ghost (achievement), so 5 hours on Hardened, 4 on Normal, 3 on Recruit (taking into account how accurate they are and how fast you die since your teammates are stupid)? Sounds about right. And that’s great that X-Play gave it a 5/5. . . Now ignore them, because critics should be something no one should reference, use, read, or listen to in formulating an opinion of a game. No one knows “more” about video games than anyone else, as well. Someone can build the world’s largest LEGO sculpture in the world, and then formulate the opinion that LEGOs suck. . . But dangit, I still love LEGOs. If you’ve touched the game at all, or even just watched someone play, that’s all the experience you need to accurately argue for or against a game.

2009-11-15T15:26:18-08:00

true

1465979

64488

2009-11-15T15:32:18-08:00

132339

Where did Hokage get messed up in here? Yes, he trolled here a bit, but making the connection between him and deleting Canopy Art's thread. . . I don't see it. Joking or not about hokage deleting it, the best thing you guys can do is move on. It's a shame it happened, sure, but do you really want the first who-knows-how-many pages of the new thread being a circle of being sad or complaining that it happened, or pointing fingers with or without evidence? I'm not even part of the group, yet I'm sad that it happened. But it's a thread -- the people within it are still okay, right? Let it go, and try to make the next thread better, I say. Where did Hokage get messed up in here? Yes, he trolled here a bit, but making the connection between him and deleting Canopy Art’s thread. . . I don’t see it. Joking or not about hokage deleting it, the best thing you guys can do is move on. It’s a shame it happened, sure, but do you really want the first who-knows-how-many pages of the new thread being a circle of being sad or complaining that it happened, or pointing fingers with or without evidence? I’m not even part of the group, yet I’m sad that it happened. But it’s a thread — the people within it are still okay, right? Let it go, and try to make the next thread better, I say.

2009-11-15T13:19:54-08:00

true

1465162

64980

2009-11-15T15:42:39-08:00

132339

I think you're better off actually buying the 60 minute segments. You save a bit of cash in the long run, while getting the most EXP gain in one sitting (provided you don't close the game, of course). I think you’re better off actually buying the 60 minute segments. You save a bit of cash in the long run, while getting the most EXP gain in one sitting (provided you don’t close the game, of course).

2009-11-15T09:01:31-08:00

true

1463735

32729

2009-11-15T09:01:31-08:00

132339

Mario Kart Wii. I appreciate the addition of online play, which gives the game a lot more life than the series normally has. I like being able to play against opponents that have the ability to use strategy, not just drive mindlessly. . . Well, okay, most of the time. ;P I'll give a nod to Twilight Princess, though I do hate the game. While I don't think it's fun, it definitely seemed to be one of the better made Zelda games when I watched my brother play. The whole wolf-transform thing turns me away, though. Will be picking up New Super Mario Bros. Wii today, too. Looks to be good. Hoping it will get as much playtime as Mario Kart Wii does for me. Mario Kart Wii. I appreciate the addition of online play, which gives the game a lot more life than the series normally has. I like being able to play against opponents that have the ability to use strategy, not just drive mindlessly. . . Well, okay, most of the time. ;P I’ll give a nod to Twilight Princess, though I do hate the game. While I don’t think it’s fun, it definitely seemed to be one of the better made Zelda games when I watched my brother play. The whole wolf-transform thing turns me away, though. Will be picking up New Super Mario Bros. Wii today, too. Looks to be good. Hoping it will get as much playtime as Mario Kart Wii does for me.

2009-11-15T08:57:28-08:00

true

1463706

64711

2009-11-15T08:57:28-08:00

132339

It was interactive only in the sense there were more little toys to play with. Otherwise, at times it was easier to let the vehicles or your own allies clear out everything while you hid behind a bush, since many times people would spawn magically to take each one that fell over dead. Actually many times it was easier. . . Well, until your team-mates start throwing grenades at walls and acting like the enemy threw it back or something. You can only pull the same stunt so many times before the game gets boring. And the game pulled many attempts to rev up the action with enemies coming from helicopters, enemies coming in for ambushes, etc. By the end of the campaign, you know it's coming, and it should have ended hours ago. I can understand why it didn't, though -- the campaign is a pathetic 6 hours. But even then, it felt two times too long. And yes, there was plenty of story. Plenty of story that didn't get explained well at all. I can write a story like that too, but it'd be 50 times better if I wrapped up loose ends, or didn't pull plot twists and things that make no sense and are only there to attempt to make the story look good. (Spoiler, I guess:) I didn't appreciate the whole, "Hey guys, third game could be coming!" jab either right at the end. That's no excuse for a bad story. It was interactive only in the sense there were more little toys to play with. Otherwise, at times it was easier to let the vehicles or your own allies clear out everything while you hid behind a bush, since many times people would spawn magically to take each one that fell over dead. Actually many times it was easier. . . Well, until your team-mates start throwing grenades at walls and acting like the enemy threw it back or something. You can only pull the same stunt so many times before the game gets boring. And the game pulled many attempts to rev up the action with enemies coming from helicopters, enemies coming in for ambushes, etc. By the end of the campaign, you know it’s coming, and it should have ended hours ago. I can understand why it didn’t, though — the campaign is a pathetic 6 hours. But even then, it felt two times too long. And yes, there was plenty of story. Plenty of story that didn’t get explained well at all. I can write a story like that too, but it’d be 50 times better if I wrapped up loose ends, or didn’t pull plot twists and things that make no sense and are only there to attempt to make the story look good. (Spoiler, I guess:) I didn’t appreciate the whole, “Hey guys, third game could be coming!” jab either right at the end. That’s no excuse for a bad story.

2009-11-14T14:55:35-08:00

true

1460698

64488

2009-11-14T14:59:21-08:00

132339

<blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href='/forums/3/topics/64488?page=1#posts-1460659'>PlatypusMan</a>:</cite> You buy the game for 80-90% multiplayer.</blockquote> Which begs the question of why the campaign is so dreadfully long, boring, and bad, and why there was a Spec Ops that was thrown in like a little side attraction. If it's built for multiplayer, institute better multiplayer with each new rendition of the game. Don't re-hash, which is what Modern Warfare 2 is at the end of the day. Re-hashed for more money. <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href="/forums/3/topics/64488?page=1#posts-1460659">PlatypusMan</a>:</cite> You buy the game for 80-90% multiplayer.</blockquote> Which begs the question of why the campaign is so dreadfully long, boring, and bad, and why there was a Spec Ops that was thrown in like a little side attraction. If it’s built for multiplayer, institute better multiplayer with each new rendition of the game. Don’t re-hash, which is what Modern Warfare 2 is at the end of the day. Re-hashed for more money.

2009-11-14T14:50:18-08:00

true

1460669

64488

2009-11-14T14:50:18-08:00

132339

I'm gonna be talking about the game as a whole. There are campaign spoilers in here. A lot of them. I'm basically voicing my unhappiness with the campaign one thing at a time. I'll let you know once I'm done with the campaign stuff. TL;DR version at end of post. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not saying it's entirely bad. There are some redeeming qualities to the game. Breaching doors was a little fun, death streaks seemed to be a nice addition, and riot shield were fun to poke around with if not insanely easy-mode for campaign. However, those are the only good things I can think of regarding the game; otherwise, I would be lying through my teeth. I did not enjoy the game at all. Happy to be done with Veteran campaign so I wouldn't have to touch the thing again save for one achievement I may go back for. If you've played Modern Warfare 1, you know what to expect in Modern Warfare 2's story, and that's probably where my biggest gripe comes in. I'm not saying that they share qualities, or that they share characters. I'm talking that, at the core, the skeleton, Modern Warfare 2's story is Modern Warfare 1's story. I didn't realize it at first, but about halfway through the story, you get a slap in the face in the form of a "I've played this before", and another slap in the face by the game saying, "I'm making the story confusing with a little meaningless twist that isn't explained from here to the end." Like the first game, they're going to ask you to control multiple characters, which is fine and dandy. We did that in the first game. Soap returns with a silly looking mohawk, and Shepard gets to pretend to play general or some crap. That's nice. Like Modern Warfare 1, you run through a pit, and then do a little mission that doesn't really have any bearing at all on the story other than to ease you in (the boat level from the first game). Airport level is thrown in for two reasons, it seems -- One, it "sets the war off" though later you're similarly told the two armies have been at unease for awhile, so it really lessens the impact of the level, and two, for Infinity Ward to stand up and go, "Look what we did!" The level is nice and all, and introduces you into the concept of the riot shield at one point as well. But beyond being a controversial level, we could have completely done without this, which makes me a bit upset, and only serves to draw out the campaign to an even longer degree (and believe me, it drags ooooooon.). Makarov is the terrorist in this game that everyone's after, but the funny thing is that in Modern Warfare 2, unlike the first game, we completely forget to see Makarov through the rest of the game, which is complete crap. Some stuff happens in Brazil, and it turns out Captain Price is Makarov's most prized prisoner or something. This is never really explained either, making the story more diluted and confusing than it needs to be. But everyone's happy, so you're expected to smile, nod, and move on with Captain Price and the gang back together. Yay for them. Not for the player. A little bit of an explanation would be nice beyond "lol prisoner!!1", but Infinity Ward decides to blow up the castle thing Price was being held in. So, no explanation for you. Oil rig gets taken. Serves no purpose. Boring level that just goes, "lol thermal sights!" By this point, the whole game feels like they're saying, "Look at all this cool crap you'll never see reason to use!" Example: Holographic sight, red dot sight, ACOG sight. They all are a version of a scope with a dot that says, "Bullet goes here!" Why do we need them? To dilute the gun drops so ammo becomes a little scarce, I get. It seems at times I couldn't pick up AK47 ammo, though I needed it, because the gun had a different scope. Bullcrap; all I want are the magazines. Not the whole thing. Nuke goes off. Looks familiar. Flies towards USA. Looks familiar. It goes off in space. Oh noes, spaceman dies. Now you get to walk through DC in its whole destroyed look, to get to the white house. The whole beginning of the level reeks of "Guys look! It's like the nuke level where you crawl for a few minutes and then pass out!" Absolutely un-needed, really. Just put us at the damned White House so we can keep going. Oh, and Ramirez, one of your characters, dies along the way I think. I don't even remember why -- no one really cares, because the character has no emotion, just like everyone else you play as. Yay. Now we kill off Ghost, who I guess was important to the story since he's the "mascot" when you're in the campaign menu, and Roach, the character you play as. Shepard ends up betraying you for. . . Some reason, I guess. He wants to write history, I suppose. He'll be a "war hero". For completely destroying the East Coast and stuff. I know I totally want to be a war hero in a country I just helped destroy. They cover you two in gasoline, flick a cigarette in the thing. I guess you're suppose to feel sad, but you don't, because at this point the campaign feels like it should be over, but it drags on. Moving on. And once again, we come full circle to Soap, because Infinity Ward has such a hard-on for the guy. You go through this big chase scene thing, except this time in a boat instead of a car like the first game, you almost get him like in the first game, stuff blows up like in the first game, you go through a scripted scene like in the first game, you watch people fight like in the first game. . . The whole ending is nearly a copy-paste. The only difference here is that one, you don't die, though you and Price get really injured (I wish Soap would have died), and you kill Shepard by throwing a knife at the guy's head. A knife that was in your stomach that Shepard put there. A knife that asks you to mash X for at least a minute, if not more, acting all melodramatic as Soap sloooooowly pulls the thing out, even having to use two hands at one point like it's the heaviest knife in the world. But once again, you play hero, getting to throw a knife. And, unfortunately, the bomb is dropped that Modern Warfare 3 is a possibility. . . . If. I. Wanted. To. Play. Modern. Warfare. 1's. Story. . . I would load up Modern Warfare 1. It had less holes at least. Where's Makarov? Why are we acting like the war's over? What happened at the White House? Who the hell was Ghost? Does anyone even care why Shepard even betrayed the whole US? What was the motive besides wanting to somehow be famous for betraying your own country, yet being glorified by the people in that country? I could go on. What the hell? Now for the AI. I really don't have as big a complaint here, because the AI is absolutely shoddy as usual. Soldiers doing grenade dances over grenades instead of throwing them back. Soldiers throwing grenades at walls for them to bounce back at us. Soldiers shooting enemies that are hundreds of feet away instead of the guy right in their face that's turning and shooting me. Which brings me to my complaint of one level in particular. You're asked to run through two warring armies -- Shepard's army and Makarov's army. I don't know why they're fighting, 'cause they're supposed to be working together I guess. But on Veteran, enemies are scripted to go after you. See the problem yet? You get two armies that drop what they're doing to target you instead. What should have been a stealthish level becomes just Soap shooting two armies to death. If the AI was smart and focused on what they're supposed to be doing, or even just acted a little better, the game might be more fun because the whole war isn't thrust on your shoulders. But again, it is. Oh, and protip for a few levels: If you get a Riot Shield, keep it. Seriously. Just melee everyone as they come to you, which they will. I literally flew through the first half of the final level using it, until they asked me to steer a stupid boat. I think I'm done with the campaign. Moving on to Spec Ops and Multiplayer now. You can read past this point. I poked my head into Spec Ops to see what the hubbub was about as well. I was greeted with some different categories, each requiring a certain amount of stars to reach. Understandable, I guess -- you want me to grind out this stuff to be able to access it all. Fine. I went into the first section, only to find missions from the story, asking me to do them in a certain way or in a certain difficulty. This brought me back to something Infinity Ward said about not being able to do co-op in the campaign. Yet the first mission is asking you and a friend to work together through the time trial pit thing. Really? No co-op? 'Cause I see it right here. I guess it "ruined the experience", but whatever. I didn't see any experience ruined if I had done the pit or something else with a friend. That's really all I have to say about Spec Ops -- Infinity Ward used it to make the game look like it had more content. So, I ditched it after getting a paltry achievement for doing the stupid pit and just completing it. One star. Weeeeeee. Anyways, I poked my head into Multiplayer shortly after. Right away, you're greeted with the familiar screen, just cleaned up a bit. Everything seems locked until level 3 to 10, so I ignored the menu and hopped into a Team Deathmatch. Apparently, you can get a Riot Shield in Multiplayer -- whether or not it's useful, I don't know, but I'm assuming no, because everyone seemed to be using either a P90 or some MP40-looking thing. Oh yeah, there was customization for sure, which I guess was nice. But, yet again, a lot of the stuff seemed useless. I looked between a red dot sight and a holographic (I think those are what they were. Don't quote me.), wanting to see if there was a difference. Well, one, there is none. Two, don't do that during a match. (Heheh. I should have moved into an alley. Not stand in the open.) It feels a bit like an arcade game, like PlatinumIce said. I thought it was a nice nod to include things like Payback, Killjoy. . . Little EXP bonuses for just playing and stopping other players or something. Death streaks were also a bit of an appeal, allowing me to steal someone's class. . . Though it made me wondered what the deal was, considering everyone had Stopping Power Pro, an automatic weapon, and some sort of sight. Oh yeah. Totally useful. Once you get past the little display things that try to make the game feel fresh, you hit the brick wall of having done the grind for the prestige again. We did it in MW1, WaW, and now MW2. It's old, and no matter how much you try to pretty it up, it's still the same thing. It's absolutely boring. Made even worse by the large maps, yet limit to 6 v 6. There was literally a moment or two where you couldn't hear gunfire -- everyone was just running around trying to find an enemy. It wasn't exciting at that point, so I left, because I knew that joining another game would bear the same result. (On a side note, I have 87.50% accuracy. Hah. Friend is gonna be nuts that he can't beat that.) JamesBond225, if you're even still reading this, I don't doubt that there is "crap" in Mario. We've done this all before: Peach gets taken. Bowser took her. Stomp the koopalings, get her back, be the hero of the Mushroom Kingdom. But you know, at least at the end of the game, I'm not left wondering what the point of it all was. There's no grind to Mario. There's simple level hopping, 1-up collecting, box smashing fun. I don't want to grind Mario to the 10th prestige of koopa stomping -- I just want to have some fun. And that's exactly what I'll be getting tomorrow when I pick up New Super Mario Bros Wii. I value your opinion that you like Modern Warfare 2 a lot, but I also realize that many people are fawning over the game because 1) It's new and 2) It says Call of Duty. I'm being very blunt here and looking past that to see the mediocre game that it is, the holes that are abundant in the story, and the grind that Infinity Ward managed to shove into every aspect of its game. TL;DR version: I respect that people may like this game. Look past the hype and find a mediocre game, however. There is grind in the multiplayer, copy-paste in the Spec Ops, and a campaign that has more holes than a strainer, yet lasts longer than a spaghetti noodle. I'm aware the game will sell ten times better than Mario; of that, I have no doubt. However, I play games to have fun. And Modern Warfare 2 does not deliver that at any point in its content. Hindsight EDIT: Wow, I, uh. . . I really typed a lot, didn't I? . . . Oh well. I don't think I rambled, but. . . I'll leave it. I'm gonna be talking about the game as a whole. There are campaign spoilers in here. A lot of them. I'm basically voicing my unhappiness with the campaign one thing at a time. I'll let you know once I'm done with the campaign stuff. TL;DR version at end of post. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not saying it's entirely bad. There are some redeeming qualities to the game. Breaching doors was a little fun, death streaks seemed to be a nice addition, and riot shield were fun to poke around with if not insanely easy-mode for campaign. However, those are the only good things I can think of regarding the game; otherwise, I would be lying through my teeth. I did not enjoy the game at all. Happy to be done with Veteran campaign so I wouldn't have to touch the thing again save for one achievement I may go back for. If you've played Modern Warfare 1, you know what to expect in Modern Warfare 2's story, and that's probably where my biggest gripe comes in. I'm not saying that they share qualities, or that they share characters. I'm talking that, at the core, the skeleton, Modern Warfare 2's story is Modern Warfare 1's story. I didn't realize it at first, but about halfway through the story, you get a slap in the face in the form of a "I've played this before", and another slap in the face by the game saying, "I'm making the story confusing with a little meaningless twist that isn't explained from here to the end." Like the first game, they're going to ask you to control multiple characters, which is fine and dandy. We did that in the first game. Soap returns with a silly looking mohawk, and Shepard gets to pretend to play general or some crap. That's nice. Like Modern Warfare 1, you run through a pit, and then do a little mission that doesn't really have any bearing at all on the story other than to ease you in (the boat level from the first game). Airport level is thrown in for two reasons, it seems -- One, it "sets the war off" though later you're similarly told the two armies have been at unease for awhile, so it really lessens the impact of the level, and two, for Infinity Ward to stand up and go, "Look what we did!" The level is nice and all, and introduces you into the concept of the riot shield at one point as well. But beyond being a controversial level, we could have completely done without this, which makes me a bit upset, and only serves to draw out the campaign to an even longer degree (and believe me, it drags ooooooon.). Makarov is the terrorist in this game that everyone's after, but the funny thing is that in Modern Warfare 2, unlike the first game, we completely forget to see Makarov through the rest of the game, which is complete crap. Some stuff happens in Brazil, and it turns out Captain Price is Makarov's most prized prisoner or something. This is never really explained either, making the story more diluted and confusing than it needs to be. But everyone's happy, so you're expected to smile, nod, and move on with Captain Price and the gang back together. Yay for them. Not for the player. A little bit of an explanation would be nice beyond "lol prisoner!!1", but Infinity Ward decides to blow up the castle thing Price was being held in. So, no explanation for you. Oil rig gets taken. Serves no purpose. Boring level that just goes, "lol thermal sights!" By this point, the whole game feels like they're saying, "Look at all this cool crap you'll never see reason to use!" Example: Holographic sight, red dot sight, ACOG sight. They all are a version of a scope with a dot that says, "Bullet goes here!" Why do we need them? To dilute the gun drops so ammo becomes a little scarce, I get. It seems at times I couldn't pick up AK47 ammo, though I needed it, because the gun had a different scope. Bullcrap; all I want are the magazines. Not the whole thing. Nuke goes off. Looks familiar. Flies towards USA. Looks familiar. It goes off in space. Oh noes, spaceman dies. Now you get to walk through DC in its whole destroyed look, to get to the white house. The whole beginning of the level reeks of "Guys look! It's like the nuke level where you crawl for a few minutes and then pass out!" Absolutely un-needed, really. Just put us at the damned White House so we can keep going. Oh, and Ramirez, one of your characters, dies along the way I think. I don't even remember why -- no one really cares, because the character has no emotion, just like everyone else you play as. Yay. Now we kill off Ghost, who I guess was important to the story since he's the "mascot" when you're in the campaign menu, and Roach, the character you play as. Shepard ends up betraying you for. . . Some reason, I guess. He wants to write history, I suppose. He'll be a "war hero". For completely destroying the East Coast and stuff. I know I totally want to be a war hero in a country I just helped destroy. They cover you two in gasoline, flick a cigarette in the thing. I guess you're suppose to feel sad, but you don't, because at this point the campaign feels like it should be over, but it drags on. Moving on. And once again, we come full circle to Soap, because Infinity Ward has such a hard-on for the guy. You go through this big chase scene thing, except this time in a boat instead of a car like the first game, you almost get him like in the first game, stuff blows up like in the first game, you go through a scripted scene like in the first game, you watch people fight like in the first game. . . The whole ending is nearly a copy-paste. The only difference here is that one, you don't die, though you and Price get really injured (I wish Soap would have died), and you kill Shepard by throwing a knife at the guy's head. A knife that was in your stomach that Shepard put there. A knife that asks you to mash X for at least a minute, if not more, acting all melodramatic as Soap sloooooowly pulls the thing out, even having to use two hands at one point like it's the heaviest knife in the world. But once again, you play hero, getting to throw a knife. And, unfortunately, the bomb is dropped that Modern Warfare 3 is a possibility. . . . If. I. Wanted. To. Play. Modern. Warfare. 1's. Story. . . I would load up Modern Warfare 1. It had less holes at least. Where's Makarov? Why are we acting like the war's over? What happened at the White House? Who the hell was Ghost? Does anyone even care why Shepard even betrayed the whole US? What was the motive besides wanting to somehow be famous for betraying your own country, yet being glorified by the people in that country? I could go on. What the hell? Now for the AI. I really don't have as big a complaint here, because the AI is absolutely shoddy as usual. Soldiers doing grenade dances over grenades instead of throwing them back. Soldiers throwing grenades at walls for them to bounce back at us. Soldiers shooting enemies that are hundreds of feet away instead of the guy right in their face that's turning and shooting me. Which brings me to my complaint of one level in particular. You're asked to run through two warring armies -- Shepard's army and Makarov's army. I don't know why they're fighting, 'cause they're supposed to be working together I guess. But on Veteran, enemies are scripted to go after you. See the problem yet? You get two armies that drop what they're doing to target you instead. What should have been a stealthish level becomes just Soap shooting two armies to death. If the AI was smart and focused on what they're supposed to be doing, or even just acted a little better, the game might be more fun because the whole war isn't thrust on your shoulders. But again, it is. Oh, and protip for a few levels: If you get a Riot Shield, keep it. Seriously. Just melee everyone as they come to you, which they will. I literally flew through the first half of the final level using it, until they asked me to steer a stupid boat. I think I'm done with the campaign. Moving on to Spec Ops and Multiplayer now. You can read past this point. I poked my head into Spec Ops to see what the hubbub was about as well. I was greeted with some different categories, each requiring a certain amount of stars to reach. Understandable, I guess -- you want me to grind out this stuff to be able to access it all. Fine. I went into the first section, only to find missions from the story, asking me to do them in a certain way or in a certain difficulty. This brought me back to something Infinity Ward said about not being able to do co-op in the campaign. Yet the first mission is asking you and a friend to work together through the time trial pit thing. Really? No co-op? 'Cause I see it right here. I guess it "ruined the experience", but whatever. I didn't see any experience ruined if I had done the pit or something else with a friend. That's really all I have to say about Spec Ops -- Infinity Ward used it to make the game look like it had more content. So, I ditched it after getting a paltry achievement for doing the stupid pit and just completing it. One star. Weeeeeee. Anyways, I poked my head into Multiplayer shortly after. Right away, you're greeted with the familiar screen, just cleaned up a bit. Everything seems locked until level 3 to 10, so I ignored the menu and hopped into a Team Deathmatch. Apparently, you can get a Riot Shield in Multiplayer -- whether or not it's useful, I don't know, but I'm assuming no, because everyone seemed to be using either a P90 or some MP40-looking thing. Oh yeah, there was customization for sure, which I guess was nice. But, yet again, a lot of the stuff seemed useless. I looked between a red dot sight and a holographic (I think those are what they were. Don't quote me.), wanting to see if there was a difference. Well, one, there is none. Two, don't do that during a match. (Heheh. I should have moved into an alley. Not stand in the open.) It feels a bit like an arcade game, like PlatinumIce said. I thought it was a nice nod to include things like Payback, Killjoy. . . Little EXP bonuses for just playing and stopping other players or something. Death streaks were also a bit of an appeal, allowing me to steal someone's class. . . Though it made me wondered what the deal was, considering everyone had Stopping Power Pro, an automatic weapon, and some sort of sight. Oh yeah. Totally useful. Once you get past the little display things that try to make the game feel fresh, you hit the brick wall of having done the grind for the prestige again. We did it in MW1, WaW, and now MW2. It's old, and no matter how much you try to pretty it up, it's still the same thing. It's absolutely boring. Made even worse by the large maps, yet limit to 6 v 6. There was literally a moment or two where you couldn't hear gunfire -- everyone was just running around trying to find an enemy. It wasn't exciting at that point, so I left, because I knew that joining another game would bear the same result. (On a side note, I have 87.50% accuracy. Hah. Friend is gonna be nuts that he can't beat that.) JamesBond225, if you're even still reading this, I don't doubt that there is "crap" in Mario. We've done this all before: Peach gets taken. Bowser took her. Stomp the koopalings, get her back, be the hero of the Mushroom Kingdom. But you know, at least at the end of the game, I'm not left wondering what the point of it all was. There's no grind to Mario. There's simple level hopping, 1-up collecting, box smashing fun. I don't want to grind Mario to the 10th prestige of koopa stomping -- I just want to have some fun. And that's exactly what I'll be getting tomorrow when I pick up New Super Mario Bros Wii. I value your opinion that you like Modern Warfare 2 a lot, but I also realize that many people are fawning over the game because 1) It's new and 2) It says Call of Duty. I'm being very blunt here and looking past that to see the mediocre game that it is, the holes that are abundant in the story, and the grind that Infinity Ward managed to shove into every aspect of its game. TL;DR version: I respect that people may like this game. Look past the hype and find a mediocre game, however. There is grind in the multiplayer, copy-paste in the Spec Ops, and a campaign that has more holes than a strainer, yet lasts longer than a spaghetti noodle. I'm aware the game will sell ten times better than Mario; of that, I have no doubt. However, I play games to have fun. And Modern Warfare 2 does not deliver that at any point in its content. Hindsight EDIT: Wow, I, uh. . . I really typed a lot, didn't I? . . . Oh well. I don't think I rambled, but. . . I'll leave it.

2009-11-14T10:49:25-08:00

true

1459745

64488

2009-11-14T14:47:57-08:00

132339

I usually run with Bowser. Not the best guy, of course, but he's one of my favorite characters in the game. Partnered with someone who's able to get an enemy's percentage up quickly, he shines the best, I think. I also like to play around as Yoshi. But at that point, I'm not actually trying. . . I just want to be Yoshi. Heheh. I've been meaning to actually learn how to play him, though. . . A heavyweight with such weird characteristics could be fun to play as. I usually run with Bowser. Not the best guy, of course, but he’s one of my favorite characters in the game. Partnered with someone who’s able to get an enemy’s percentage up quickly, he shines the best, I think. I also like to play around as Yoshi. But at that point, I’m not actually trying. . . I just want to be Yoshi. Heheh. I’ve been meaning to actually learn how to play him, though. . . A heavyweight with such weird characteristics could be fun to play as.

2009-11-13T21:45:08-08:00

true

1458390

64654

2009-11-13T21:45:40-08:00

132339

Ugh. I have no time to write today, and now I'm gonna be behind when I was just ahead. D: I'm not sure I'll be able to catch up. I know I'm not behind by much, but every bit seems like a huge load at this point. D: Ugh. I have no time to write today, and now I’m gonna be behind when I was just ahead. D: I’m not sure I’ll be able to catch up. I know I’m not behind by much, but every bit seems like a huge load at this point. D:

2009-11-13T13:07:33-08:00

true

1456584

193

56002

2009-11-13T13:07:33-08:00

132339

So, after trading in some games, I found that I had a lot more money than I thought I would. So, for kicks, I grabbed Modern Warfare 2 to see how it is, knowing that if nothing else, you get $40 back if you trade it in by a certain date. . . I may actually do that and use the money on New Super Mario Bros. Wii. At least I'd know, then, that I'd be having fun. I haven't touched multiplayer, because I've played multiplayer on the first Modern Warfare, and let's be fair -- there's nothing new there. I haven't tried Spec Ops, but all I hear from people is it being copy-paste, so that doesn't sound like it'll end well. Campaign so far is terribly uninteresting, and still has the problem of the first game where the AI does diddly-squat, leaving everything on your shoulders. I'm sorry, but I don't think a highly trained soldier would yell, "Tangos coming from the north!", and then rush at them on his own, only to be mowed down. The AI is awful, the story is meh, the multiplayer is stale. . . Gods, what was I thinking, grabbing this? Part of me wants to keep it, so I can play with my friend at the very least. The other half is ready to go back to the store on Sunday to go get Mario instead. I'm not even exaggerating that. And yes, the little kid in me is excited at this idea that Mario comes out Sunday. Mario is more appealing than Modern Warfare so far. Heh. I'm a bit surprised at myself for that one, but it's looking like a good option. So, after trading in some games, I found that I had a lot more money than I thought I would. So, for kicks, I grabbed Modern Warfare 2 to see how it is, knowing that if nothing else, you get $40 back if you trade it in by a certain date. . . I may actually do that and use the money on New Super Mario Bros. Wii. At least I’d know, then, that I’d be having fun. I haven’t touched multiplayer, because I’ve played multiplayer on the first Modern Warfare, and let’s be fair — there’s nothing new there. I haven’t tried Spec Ops, but all I hear from people is it being copy-paste, so that doesn’t sound like it’ll end well. Campaign so far is terribly uninteresting, and still has the problem of the first game where the AI does diddly-squat, leaving everything on your shoulders. I’m sorry, but I don’t think a highly trained soldier would yell, “Tangos coming from the north!”, and then rush at them on his own, only to be mowed down. The AI is awful, the story is meh, the multiplayer is stale. . . Gods, what was I thinking, grabbing this? Part of me wants to keep it, so I can play with my friend at the very least. The other half is ready to go back to the store on Sunday to go get Mario instead. I’m not even exaggerating that. And yes, the little kid in me is excited at this idea that Mario comes out Sunday. Mario is more appealing than Modern Warfare so far. Heh. I’m a bit surprised at myself for that one, but it’s looking like a good option.

2009-11-12T18:01:54-08:00

true

1455139

64488

2009-11-12T18:02:03-08:00

132339

<blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href='/forums/5/topics/64393?page=1#posts-1453598'>Pivotman99</a>:</cite> Shit. One of the only people on the whole internet who I actually look up to. Shoots himself</blockquote> And yet you have only yourself to blame -- tsk tsk. Should have thought this through more! I desperately want to make a finger joke, but for the life of me, I can't word it in a way that won't backfire and embarrass me. . . Curse you, fingers. D: (Seriously. I sat here for 5 minutes. No good joke that won't backfire. Gwargh. I am disappoint in self.) I like the gerbil, the "Random Painting", and the avatar. The finger ones. . . Eh. I'm not entirely sure on those. Nice looking and all, but I think it stems from the hands themselves looking a bit odd, like the first one with the strange looking fingers, or the third one where the thumb is coming out of the knuckle. As a whole, though, I think they look good. :) <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href="/forums/5/topics/64393?page=1#posts-1453598">Pivotman99</a>:</cite> Shit. One of the only people on the whole internet who I actually look up to. Shoots himself</blockquote> And yet you have only yourself to blame — tsk tsk. Should have thought this through more! I desperately want to make a finger joke, but for the life of me, I can’t word it in a way that won’t backfire and embarrass me. . . Curse you, fingers. D: (Seriously. I sat here for 5 minutes. No good joke that won’t backfire. Gwargh. I am disappoint in self.) I like the gerbil, the “Random Painting”, and the avatar. The finger ones. . . Eh. I’m not entirely sure on those. Nice looking and all, but I think it stems from the hands themselves looking a bit odd, like the first one with the strange looking fingers, or the third one where the thumb is coming out of the knuckle. As a whole, though, I think they look good. :)

2009-11-12T12:15:22-08:00

true

1453638

64393

2009-11-12T14:00:21-08:00

132339

Much, much better now. No longer looks like a mess of red/bit of a floating head. Heheh. No problem. :) Looking forward to seeing more stuff/updates! Much, much better now. No longer looks like a mess of red/bit of a floating head. Heheh. No problem. :) Looking forward to seeing more stuff/updates!

2009-11-12T11:28:05-08:00

true

1453570

53426

2009-11-12T11:28:30-08:00

132339

Ack! Sorry about not seeing these; you seem to post them every time I'm busy. Glad I caught this one. :D I like the ability to look around -- that helped for a little leap-of-faith part. I forgot about it once or twice; might be worth it to put a tiny little button reminder in the HUD, or at least the map key reminder if nothing else, so players don't feel like they have to jump randomly if they forget about it. I really only had one instance of a leap of faith (I didn't know about L at the time, though) -- the level seems pretty well made otherwise. :D For the NPC conversations, I would maybe "zoom out" Dreg's picture. You can see a bit of Pendy's body, but Dreg looks kind of like a mess of red -- seeing a bit of his shoulders, or at least his shirt, might help a bit. Had no problem interacting with him otherwise. Also, about the animation -- awesome. No other word to describe it. Very cool. :D Ack! Sorry about not seeing these; you seem to post them every time I’m busy. Glad I caught this one. :D I like the ability to look around — that helped for a little leap-of-faith part. I forgot about it once or twice; might be worth it to put a tiny little button reminder in the HUD, or at least the map key reminder if nothing else, so players don’t feel like they have to jump randomly if they forget about it. I really only had one instance of a leap of faith (I didn’t know about L at the time, though) — the level seems pretty well made otherwise. :D For the NPC conversations, I would maybe “zoom out” Dreg’s picture. You can see a bit of Pendy’s body, but Dreg looks kind of like a mess of red — seeing a bit of his shoulders, or at least his shirt, might help a bit. Had no problem interacting with him otherwise. Also, about the animation — awesome. No other word to describe it. Very cool. :D

2009-11-12T10:28:39-08:00

true

1453486

53426

2009-11-12T10:30:26-08:00

132339

Green blob guy is obviously an enemy -- Metal Gear Solid taught me exclamation points are bad. Intimidate the green blob, challenging him to a duel. . . Or just talk to him friendly-like. Either one works. :D Green blob guy is obviously an enemy — Metal Gear Solid taught me exclamation points are bad. Intimidate the green blob, challenging him to a duel. . . Or just talk to him friendly-like. Either one works. :D

2009-11-11T20:11:53-08:00

true

1452640

64428

2009-11-11T20:12:16-08:00

132339

Can't wait! Gonna go pre-order tomorrow! Gonna be best in the series. Love the Onion. :D Can’t wait! Gonna go pre-order tomorrow! Gonna be best in the series. Love the Onion. :D

2009-11-11T17:21:41-08:00

true

1452227

64306

2009-11-11T17:21:41-08:00

132339

A lot of the words we have nowadays are thanks to the Internet and huge leaps in science, aren't they? That's what I was told in a class a year ago; whether or not that's got any foundation to it, I don't know, of course. As for the language itself, I don't think 20 years is enough time, to be fair. At that time, you'll still have people talking with "should have", or other "proper" ways. If people continue to learn "should of" instead, then I could see it changing in possibly 40 or so (when we're all on porches, telling people to get off our lawns, and the youngins won't listen to their elders. :P), but so long as there is still the strong use of either one, the language won't change much. That's what I'd like to believe, anyway. 20 years, and professors using that? I could see it happening, especially if the professor has made it a habit of talking like that his entire life. A lot of the words we have nowadays are thanks to the Internet and huge leaps in science, aren’t they? That’s what I was told in a class a year ago; whether or not that’s got any foundation to it, I don’t know, of course. As for the language itself, I don’t think 20 years is enough time, to be fair. At that time, you’ll still have people talking with “should have”, or other “proper” ways. If people continue to learn “should of” instead, then I could see it changing in possibly 40 or so (when we’re all on porches, telling people to get off our lawns, and the youngins won’t listen to their elders. :P), but so long as there is still the strong use of either one, the language won’t change much. That’s what I’d like to believe, anyway. 20 years, and professors using that? I could see it happening, especially if the professor has made it a habit of talking like that his entire life.

2009-11-11T11:01:57-08:00

true

1450595

64362

2009-11-11T11:02:48-08:00

132339

I have two weeks worth of food stored in my attic. I climb up and pull up the ladder with me. As for what happens at the end of the two weeks? Oh, I'm keeping that to myself! I don't want to risk you all turning into zombies and knowing what I'm up to. <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href='/forums/9/topics/64300?page=1#posts-1449374'>E123_Omega</a>:</cite> I head to Alaska,</blockquote> You still doin' Alaska? You'll never make it, Omega. The major freeways will be choked with stalled cars when people try to flee the major population centers. It's gonna be nothing but a tasty, flesh bottleneck! I have two weeks worth of food stored in my attic. I climb up and pull up the ladder with me. As for what happens at the end of the two weeks? Oh, I’m keeping that to myself! I don’t want to risk you all turning into zombies and knowing what I’m up to. <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href="/forums/9/topics/64300?page=1#posts-1449374">E123_Omega</a>:</cite> I head to Alaska,</blockquote> You still doin’ Alaska? You’ll never make it, Omega. The major freeways will be choked with stalled cars when people try to flee the major population centers. It’s gonna be nothing but a tasty, flesh bottleneck!

2009-11-11T09:07:42-08:00

true

1450294

64300

2009-11-11T09:07:42-08:00

132339

It might be related to being on a "different" version (GotY instead of Original) of the game? The only thing I can think of is make a throwaway character, and see if it'll give you the quests then. . . I'm at a loss, really, for what could be causing something like that to happen, but it may be worth a shot. It might be related to being on a “different” version (GotY instead of Original) of the game? The only thing I can think of is make a throwaway character, and see if it’ll give you the quests then. . . I’m at a loss, really, for what could be causing something like that to happen, but it may be worth a shot.

2009-11-10T23:22:42-08:00

true

1449748

64310

2009-11-10T23:22:57-08:00

132339

How are you trying to access them? If I recall right, each one of those expansions can only be done in the main game, and only once you leave Vault 101. Upon leaving you should, unless GotY edition gives them to you automatically, get a bunch of messages talking about stuff like strange broadcasts, a letter you got, or something. That means you have the starting quest for that specific expansion. Set it as active, and then walk to the waypoint to begin that expansion's content. (If you've never done these before, I suggest doing Anchorage as your first one, especially if you intend to wear Power Armor. It will set the rest of the game up to be much easier. That one starts with a broadcast, I believe.) Though, then again, you may have already done this and this doesn't help. Just going off your original post, which sounds like you may be trying to just access them from the Dashboard/Main Menu? How are you trying to access them? If I recall right, each one of those expansions can only be done in the main game, and only once you leave Vault 101. Upon leaving you should, unless GotY edition gives them to you automatically, get a bunch of messages talking about stuff like strange broadcasts, a letter you got, or something. That means you have the starting quest for that specific expansion. Set it as active, and then walk to the waypoint to begin that expansion’s content. (If you’ve never done these before, I suggest doing Anchorage as your first one, especially if you intend to wear Power Armor. It will set the rest of the game up to be much easier. That one starts with a broadcast, I believe.) Though, then again, you may have already done this and this doesn’t help. Just going off your original post, which sounds like you may be trying to just access them from the Dashboard/Main Menu?

2009-11-10T22:18:37-08:00

true

1449649

64310

2009-11-10T22:23:09-08:00

132339