APB Review Embargo

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/06/17...-after-release/

Oh dear. Now I cannot find an APB thread anyway, but this probably deserves a separate thread. I cannot really add anything the article doesn't already say. Other than putting me head in my hands and laughing. I know some embargos are for the date of release. Apparently Activision do it for all games (the latest Transformers game had one for today, but by all accounts it isn't a bad game) for ten days after release?

We can post about it all we like but game sites won't be able to. I just cannot get my head around it. By all accounts the game is going to tank quite spectacularly if this is an indication of quality.

Transformers: War For Cybertron

Disclaimer: I'm such a Transformers geek I've been rewatching some episodes of the series, and saw the movie again. As such, take any future comments from someone who's base response to Transformers is SSSSSQQQQQQUUUUUUEEEEEE!

Only played a little bit of it, and so far it is a relatively by the numbers shooter. If you haven't played the multiplayer demo then the controls will be fairly complicated. It doesn't have an actual tutorial, you just get thrown straight in the action. You can access explanations from the in-game menu. As a result, no faffing around to begin with but as I spent some time on the multiplayer your mileage may vary.

It really is very average so far. Everything looks the same, generic enemies and environments. Generic weapons (sniper, shotgun, rocket launcher) and generic health system. It operates like...well I cannot place which game but health will only recharge for a segment. So if you have 4 segments, lose two, then you'll only have a max of those two until you get a health cube. Another point is that ammo is limited. You cannot just go around blasting stuff as there isn't a massive amount of it around. I'm not a fan, it isn't like having one super powered weapon with limited ammo as I seem to struggle with all of them.

On the other hand, the Transformers themselves handle very well. They have a heft to them but are still relatively agile (though this changes depending on the class you pick, more on that in a bit). The double jump handles well and you can really fling your character around. Transforming works well when you get the hang of it. If you are good enough you can boost over someone as a plane, transform, turn around then muller them.

It is okay so far. Not fantastic but a solid straight shooter. Ignore the 3rd person perspective as this is no GoW. More like a 3rd person no-nonsense shooter with added turning-into-a-tankness.

However, if you like Transformers then it will increase your enjoyment by a margin. The game is divided into two parts. Ideally you should start as Decepticons (the game shows their campaign as chapter I, with Autobots as V) but you can start with the goodies if you so wish. It gave me a choice of characters to pick to play with. Barricade (a scout who turns into a car), Barrage (a soldier who turns into...something - I cannot remember) and Megatron (who turns into a tank). Each has various different abilities, one recharging and one that requires you pick up shards dropped from enemies. Of course, you pick Megatron to play - it is just the done thing. As a side note the game also supports 3 player co-op.

The 2nd chapter lets you pick from three jets (including Starscream). One of the other guys was a medic type - the AI actually healed me when I needed it which was a surprise. I think multiplayer is based on 4 classes but I haven't had a pop at that yet, I shall be finishing single player mode first.

So it has had an okay start, I'm just waiting for the proper fanservice to kick in. Then again I've already had Soundwave doing his voice, so it is a good start on that end

Yakuza 4 Gets US Release

http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/06/08/yakuz...ced-for-the-us/

AWWWWW YYYYEEAAAAAHHH.

I don't have anything more to add, other than utter amazement. Sega in doing something right shocker.

A Tale Of Internet Woe

I've been using ADSL24 as my ISP for ages now. They used to be an Enternet reseller. No real problems, internet alright apart from random PSU disconnects as we got to a boss. They then switched to MurphX.

Oh dear.

I was switched in March. It took them two months for me to be able to access to usage allowance and other stuff like tickets and so on. This also coincided with losing the ability to log into my email and webspace. So all those lovely Forza 'incidents' got fucked. This took another month or so to fix. Luckily I had nothing vital email wise. A few weeks ago it got better. A lot better. By that I mean...



MMMRRRGGHHHHH.

Upload fine, download fucked. I have been on dial-up for around two weeks. Doesn't help when the tech support types like this...



Oh hi, capital letters here. I was asked to do the usual stuff (plug into main socket, test connections/microfilters, power cycle router etc) with no luck. Did the BT speed test which was the same as the above. Showed them my router status...



Attenuation has always been dire due to length of cabling from the main socket. Cue usual response...



Note date, I first logged problem on 30th May after a few days of it. Which resulted in some great Split Second races where I finished in a good position, but the game decided my connection was too shit so on results screen punted me back into last. Even better, on the Thursday my router connected at normal speeds again, but following morning went back to slow uselesness. I did not tell them this. So...



So, they want me to get a BT engineer out who may charge me all my monies if something is wrong at may end. At that point, I got Hank to do me a line test via the internet. He now knows my mobile, but E3 is next week - I'm willing to pay the price. No problems at that end. I called to ask for an IP profile reset - bloke sounded like he had no idea what the fuck I was talking about. I left it a few hours, no luck. As such I requested MAC, knowing this would be a cheaper option to try first.



Amazingly enough, here is a test of my internet today.



And my router says...



Even I can tell the noise has dropped substantially. If anyone had half a brain I'm guessing they would have spotted the noise problem and maybe told someone about it. In short, I still haven't got my MAC code yet.

Dicks.

New Mortal Kombat...thing

MORTAL KOMBAT!

People have been talking about what they hope for at E3. I just want an explanation for the vid in the above link. If it is to promote a game, it is good. If it is an actual movie, then good lord it looks wonderful.