156 031108 - Backtracking on video games
I said recently that I was bored of video games. I think that what I was actually bored of is the games I have. I rented two recently (Soul Calibur IV and Far Cry 2) and had loads of fun with them.
Soul Calibur is brilliant in short spurts, normally when someone’s been on your nerves and you want to bash the blood out of them with a katana. I’m told that it has online play, but I was too stupid to find it. Anyone who wants to pick up this game just to play as Darth Vader, don’t waste your time - this was the only part of the game I was underwhelmed by.
Far Cry 2 is great, too. All the reviews I’ve read said that the story was a bit transparent and seemed to be there for the sake of updating the Crysis engine and spinning some money, but the gameplay was good enough for me to not really care about the story. The way you never leave first person was executed with incredible attention to detail, and the way you don’t actually die, you just get really close and one of your buddies finds you was brilliant. This made it to my “games to buy” list and helped me realise that there definitely is a place for video games in my life. Sure, I don’t have as much time for them any more, but I have a PS3 and dammit, I’m going to do my best to justify that purchase!
I’ve just added Fallout 3 to my rental list as well. Watched the video review on gamespot and it looks excellent, too. It’s going to be my prize for my first client booked.
As you’ve probably spotted (unless you’re reading on RSS…yoohoo!), there’s been a total blog redesign. Following on from this, there’s about to be some extra pages added to give a little more substance to my online presence. Please let me know what you think of the design, unless you don’t like it - then I’ll know you’re lying.
There aren’t enough synonyms for “great” to keep my cycling through them all subtle.


Ash:
I too have just got Far Cry 2 (PC), but I too have not had much time to play on it at the moment, thanks to Bentleys super power of speeding up space time. Hours just seem to fly by now and before I know it it’s 10pm and we haven’t had dinner yet!
I like the site. Aways have liked large input areas. The only thiing you might want to look at, is your leading (the space between your lines (sorry if you know that)), it’s a bit tight on your excerpts.
Other than that good work on the minimalist design, not one that easy to pull off. (That’s what he said)
Jasper Tandy:
haha, yeah we’re like that with Amelie sometimes. Getting used to her magnificent ability to steal your attention away from something important just by lying on her back and swatting at imaginary things!
I’m particularly proud of the large input areas. I know what you mean about the leadings (been reading typography blogs, don’tcha know?!) on the excerpts but I kinda like them that way. I might increase it a little bit so that descenders aren’t interfering too much with ascenders, but Helvetica seems to be able to pull it off either way (that’s what she said)
Ash:
ooo get you, ascenders & descenders. Fancy
Jasper Tandy:
*courtsey*