Bits and Bytes: Good and bad picks
With the PS3 gaining a little
strength in 2008 (mostly thanks to
Metal Gear Solid 4 — which was an
amazing game experience), Sony
has decided to start releasing
Greatest Hits titles for $30 a pop.
I'm going to go through a couple
of them and let you know if they're
worth it.
Warhawk
I bought the retail version of this because I thought was an excellent bargain considering (at the time) you got a Bluetooth headset packed in with it for $40. At $30 with no headset, I wouldn't bother myself. I can count how many times I've played this game — four. When it was released, it was plagued by online hiccups, headset/ online communication problems and leaderboard errors. I didn't go back and I don't plan to. Yeah, there's a niche market for this game, but I didn't find enough there for me.
MotorStorm
Although there weren't many game modes and simple online options, this was, and still is, a showcase of what the PS3 could do graphically. With the promise of more features (on and offline) I say save the $30 and use it towards Motorstorm 2 this fall and pick this up used in a couple of months for $20 somewhere.
Resistance: Fall of Man
When you look at this game now (and even when I tried it after playing Gears of War), the graphics aren't that good. I didn't even finish this game because it bored me, and I like first person shooters. Resistance 2 looks promising, so I'd save my money for that one, too and perhaps rent this one if you haven't experienced it yet.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
This game was the electronic version of crack for me two years ago when I played it on the Xbox 360 (got all 1000 achievement points before the expansion packs hit). With this version featuring the two expansion packs included and at least 60 hours of gameplay, this one is an easy buy. Say goodbye to your life.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
Another instant buy here. Considering that the PS3 isn't going to get the stellar sequel, this is the next best thing. Make sure that you have a second controller because if you've never experienced the challenge that is Gaiden, you'll be throwing your controller. At least this version has an “easy” mode — which still isn't that easy. You'll get your money's worth here...and it looks good, too. Don't forget that you can play as the voluptuous Rachel here. Her missions aren't really that great, but making her jump all the time and watching the graphics make for a good laugh.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
I played through this one on the Xbox 360 and it was ok. Would I spend $30 on it? Nope. When I was about 1/2 through the game the first time around, I wanted it to end. The story was too slow and the environments/enemies were too repetitive. I guess multiplayer was a big hit for this, but after the main mission, I had no ambition to take it online even if it meant grabbing some achievements.
Warhawk
I bought the retail version of this because I thought was an excellent bargain considering (at the time) you got a Bluetooth headset packed in with it for $40. At $30 with no headset, I wouldn't bother myself. I can count how many times I've played this game — four. When it was released, it was plagued by online hiccups, headset/ online communication problems and leaderboard errors. I didn't go back and I don't plan to. Yeah, there's a niche market for this game, but I didn't find enough there for me.
MotorStorm
Although there weren't many game modes and simple online options, this was, and still is, a showcase of what the PS3 could do graphically. With the promise of more features (on and offline) I say save the $30 and use it towards Motorstorm 2 this fall and pick this up used in a couple of months for $20 somewhere.
Resistance: Fall of Man
When you look at this game now (and even when I tried it after playing Gears of War), the graphics aren't that good. I didn't even finish this game because it bored me, and I like first person shooters. Resistance 2 looks promising, so I'd save my money for that one, too and perhaps rent this one if you haven't experienced it yet.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
This game was the electronic version of crack for me two years ago when I played it on the Xbox 360 (got all 1000 achievement points before the expansion packs hit). With this version featuring the two expansion packs included and at least 60 hours of gameplay, this one is an easy buy. Say goodbye to your life.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
Another instant buy here. Considering that the PS3 isn't going to get the stellar sequel, this is the next best thing. Make sure that you have a second controller because if you've never experienced the challenge that is Gaiden, you'll be throwing your controller. At least this version has an “easy” mode — which still isn't that easy. You'll get your money's worth here...and it looks good, too. Don't forget that you can play as the voluptuous Rachel here. Her missions aren't really that great, but making her jump all the time and watching the graphics make for a good laugh.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
I played through this one on the Xbox 360 and it was ok. Would I spend $30 on it? Nope. When I was about 1/2 through the game the first time around, I wanted it to end. The story was too slow and the environments/enemies were too repetitive. I guess multiplayer was a big hit for this, but after the main mission, I had no ambition to take it online even if it meant grabbing some achievements.
