Gran Turismo 5
December 2010
While I’m admittedly not a racing-game expert, I did manage to take some time with Sony’s highly anticipated Gran Turismo 5 in both standard and 3d formats. I did not have the opportunity to play this game with a regular pS3 controller, mind you, but a steering wheel.
Gran Turismo is a car racing simulation game. The first thing I noticed, when I got into the game, was that there was a racing line that you could follow, similar to the one in Microsoft’s Forza series – it indicates to you when you should slow down and speed up, so it helps teach newcomers how to properly race on each track.
I was only able to try a handful of cars and tracks, so it’s difficult to get a feel for what the whole game will look like. The 3d in this game was more apparent than in games like Killzone 3; however, it felt less necessary. The game’s exquisite graphics were enjoyable enough on their own.
- (Courtesy of Sony)
Tron: Evolution
December 2010
While it might have the stigma of being a movie-licenced game, which historically tend to be not all that great, Tron: Evolution is more than a decent action-adventure game.
The demo started with me fighting my way out of a city inside the game world. The combat revolves around the laser disk you have with you at all times. You can use the disk to melee and throw it to defeat enemies.
Along with different super attacks to break an enemy’s block, you can use the laser disk to shoot a stun blast, and then go in for the kill, giving the combat system some depth. Overall, the controls were a bit hard to get used to, but eventually became satisfying. Between these fighting arenas are platforming elements like traversimg a vast, digital landscape.
The last element to Tron: Evolution is the popular light cycles. If you never watched the first Tron film, light cycles are similar to motorcycles but, leave a solid wall trailing behind them in case someone is trying to follow you. The driving portions of the game were some of the best parts of the demo.
- (Courtesy Of Disney Interactive)
LittleBigPlanet 2
January 2011
I recently played the first LittleBig- Planet, and the sequel felt pretty much like the exact same game. The issue many people had with the first game is back, the game’s controls: the jumping in this 2d-platforming game – which is mostly jumping – was not precise enough.
Although the controls lack efficiency, the level designs are as brilliant as ever. The most striking levels occured in space, riding in a spaceship complete with attacking enemies.
After a bit of combat a cracked hull caused a loss of gravity, making jumps making jumpse feel even more loose and floaty.
Traversing for a bit I came across a device that resembled a Segway used for switching gravity. When activated, the segway would get stuck to the ceiling.
These features offered only a sample of what they had to offer, and I didn’t even have a chance to look at all the level-making and customization options.
- (Courtesy of Sony)
Killzone 3
February 2011
The Killzone 3 demo was shown in 3d, a feature Sony seems to be pushing with their new games. While admittedly it looked fantastic it was difficult to notice any depth and it was hard to even tell that the 3d technology was in effect.
The mission shown saw protagonist Sev on top of a flying vehicle, charged with protecting the ship from incoming enemies with a large minigun. It felt extremely similar to the previous title, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Like Killzone 2, the controls stayed sharp, and pristine graphics still made for some tasty eye candy.
- (Courtesy of Sony)
