Holy crapsticks! Did I ever walk into a wagon full of news! This will definitely be more than 2 stories, so let’s dive in!
God of War Tease Levels Up Again
If you haven’t been paying attention, it turns out that God of War III gives players a “secret” URL after they Platinum the title. “Secret” was in quotes because the website is obviously public knowledge now. The website depicts a rainy scene with occasional lighting flashes revealing a figure (potentially a reflection) that looks suspiciously like Kratos. The interesting thing about this site is that there is an icon in the top right corner that has been filling up slowly since the website was discovered. So far there has been an update to the site each time the icon fills up another corner in the circle.
Initially on March 18, when the bar was a quarter full, it was a similar scene, but it was barely raining, and there was no figure on the left. Then, on March 28, it was half full and the weather incorporated heavy thunderstorms. Finally on April 28th, it reached its current state with the figure on the left and the mysterious figure appearing in the water. The going theory is that the gauge fills a bit every time somebody obtains a platinum trophy in the game. I’m a little curious why every update has ended with an “8″. The former is a cooler idea though.
(IGN)
Activision Bungies Back
Despite analysts saying that Infinity Ward is essentially done for (big surprise), Activision has stayed in the headlines for a different reason. Legendary Halo creator, Bungie, has singed a 10-year exclusive publishing deal with the big bad Activision giant. Community manager for Bungie, Brian Jarrard confirmed that they are “looking at a multi-platform release,” although he didn’t give specifics on which platforms or what type of game. At this point we can assume that it will not be Halo and it very likely won’t involve the Wii.
Also, despite Bungie stating that this has been in the works for years, and analysts speculating that this is good for gamers in general, the announcement does seem a little timely with the mass exodus of Infinity Ward employees. I can’t imagine the timing of this announcement doesn’t have everything to do with Activision wanting to save face.
(IGN)
Linux? Seriously?
Remember when Linux support was ousted out of the PS3 Slim? And then 3 people cried? Well in March, Sony released a firmware update that included removing the “other OS” support from all consoles and 3 more people cried. Apparently one of those people cried a lot because Anthony Ventura of California has filed a class action lawsuit against Sony on “behalf of himself and all others similarly situated. The lawsuit basically says “you promised us Linux! You promised! And now you’ve left me all alone! I thought we’d be together forever! You promised!”
If you have absolutely nothing better to do with your life, you can read the whole filing here.
(IGN)
Not actually from the game, but I wouldn't be surprised.
The Japan only 360 title “My Wife: A Wife Just For You”, isn’t such a surprise in itself. Dating sims are popular in Japan, and the ability to create your wife (within the game’s choices) and go through various stages of romancing her isn’t so surprising or new. Why this game’s announcement caught my eye wasn’t the concept or even the “Sleep Together Mode” so much as some of the descriptions of your wife. Two of her personality options are “big sister type” and “little sister type”. Yup. I’m not joking.
(IGN)
Well that’s it! More than last time, ‘eh? DOUBLE to be factually accurate. Riddles may wank to Kotaku, but at least I balance that with my IGN masturbation. Anyway, the battery is low on my compy, and I have dishes and laundry and showering and washing the bathroom and playing Patapon 2 to do! Later!
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Unlike the first two games, God of War III attempts to adopt a more emotional, character-driven approach to its storytelling. If that sounds completely and utterly out of left field, that’s because… it is. It’s not all bad, really; for the first half of the game, it almost works. Kratos’ interactions with supporting characters such as the deranged Hephaestus come across fairly well, and some of the Gods you encounter during your journey actually succeed in being marginally interesting characters. Unfortunately, though, God of War III goes a little too far in this approach. When playing God of War I or II, did you ever stop and think, “wow, I’d really like to see a more human side of Kratos.” No? Me neither. Unfortunately, Santa Monica seems to think that we did. As a result, all cutscenes and dialog for the last quarter of the game range from painful to excruciating. One would think, if Santa Monica really wanted to tell a more human tale, they would have hired some better writers. And voice actors. They didn’t. God of War III tries to make Kratos more than just a bloodthirsty badass. And, unfortunately, all God of War III ends up proving is that Kratos is nothing more than a bloodthirsty badass. Or, at least, that’s all he should be.
As we’ve come to expect, God of War III is unabashedly huge, epic, and violent. The oft-discussed opening sequence of the game deserves all the accolades it receives, because it really is one of the most grandiose videogame setpieces ever created. God of War III will make your jaw drop more than once, be it due to the magnitude of the events on the screen, or their sheer brutality. As if the first two weren’t gory enough, God of War III ups the ante in some occasionally shocking ways. But despite this, I never thought the game “crossed the line,” as it were – every bloody, remorseless murder you commit manages to feel in-line with the general feel of the experience, and with Kratos as a character. Call me sadistic, but the violence level was actually one of my favorite things about the game.
God of War has always featured a variety of alternate weapons, but God of War III is the first time they’ve ever actually been worth a damn. I actually found myself switching weapons to adapt to specific combat situations, and in fact the game makes you use alternate weaponry from time to time. Additionally, magic attacks are now mapped to specific weapons, which makes alternates that much more useful. Throw in the ability to switch weapons mid-combo, and you’ve got the deepest, most enjoyable combat the franchise has ever seen.
Graphically, God of War III is one of the best-looking games ever released. While it can’t quite match the artistic vision and direction of games such as Uncharted 2, it’s easily on the same technical level. Textures and lighting effects are mind-blowing. Character and enemy design is nearly unparalleled; Kratos in particular looks amazing. Environments are huge, gorgeous, and always a joy to explore. All graphics are in-engine, too, which makes it that much more impressive when viewing the game’s fantastic movie scenes. Kudos also must be given to the camera work, which is often gorgeous – key sequences, be they bloody boss battles or simple platforming scenarios, are complimented by a dynamic camera that captures the action in a suitably epic fashion.
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Speaking of tearing enemies to shreds, God of War III is the most brutal game I’ve played. Granted, I never played Manhunt, but I like to think I have a fairly strong stomach and I turned my head in a few instances. But beyond occasionally going a bit too far, it does mean that the series retains its badass status. There are new ways to rip apart the bad guys, and even use them as battering rams, which is very satisfying. It was also nice to see fewer doors requiring button mashing and Quick Time Events streamlined to be noticeably less stupid; although still stupid.
Well…most of the time. There is a section in the end that uses it in gameplay, and while it looks fantastic, it’s during a low point for the series. God of War III tries to place emphasis on perspective, occasionally letting you look through Kratos’ eyes or the eyes of his victims. The gimmick looks fine, but the focus was a bad idea. Kratos is a badass, but that’s where his strength of character stops. God of War III tries to introduce more story and themes than ever before, and while the personal approach works for a time, it is ultimately a definitive dud. Kratos is not a sympathetic character, and his arc in this game makes absolutely no sense and it makes for a very anti-climatic finish including a disappointing boss fight. In fact, excluding two incredible examples, the boss battles are disappointing in general. To compound the disappointment, none of the environments are really that interesting. After the sequel upped the ante, God of War III fails to introduce the same level of beautiful and intriguing environments, it just feels like a step backward.
Silly Paranoid Riddles. We all know Scatter Storming is better.
Bayonetta 
God of War
Devil May Cry