Clone Wars: Downfall of a Droid - First Impressions

I must say that the previews of Downfall of a Droid left me somewhat unimpressed. There didn't seem much to it except for 'Oh no, R2 has gone missing!' - and, to be perfectly honest, there wasn't really - but I was still left outstanded by the constant quality of the Clone Wars so far.

The first point I must make is regarding the growth of the suspension of belief in the series (Oh the irony of discussing the supsension of belief in a childrens Sci-Fi TV show!) - Clone Wars is meant to be a stylised version of the Star Wars universe; things that we think are cool are done, no matter what. The Skirmish (I refuse to call it a battle, because it wasn't!) of Bothawui came to a close with an assault by Captain Rex and a column of AT-TE's, positioned on the asteroid belt surrounding the planet, firing up Grievous's attack force. Infinitley cool sounding - It's clones, in space. But the niggling feeling of disbelief stifled my fanboy enjoyment of the moment - instead of my first thoughts being 'Wow, that's amazing!', I instead thought 'Now how the hell are they doing that!?' A closer fought space battle following Ahsoka's command on the bridge would have been much more realistic, and still as enjoyable. A minor complaint, but nonetheless I hope that this suspension of belief doesn't end up curtailing my enjoyment of the series as we soldier on through it.

Another minor niggle would be the essence of the story itself - R2-D2 is lost in the aftermath of the fighting, and Anakin must find him. Unlike situations explored in previous episodes of the series, very little emotion can be wrought from this scenario - because we already know that R2 will be fine! The episode may have fared better if, perhaps, it was Ahsoka who was captured - as we do not already know her fate as a character, we will feel more caring and emotionally connected to the story (infact, the second part of this story seems to toy with concept as Ahsoka duels Grievous on his secret listening post - more on that next week!). However, this plot point is overshadowed by some interesting elements sown in - the idea of Anakin's replacement Astromech, R3, as a seperatist saboteur is sown in, and I liked the idea that R2 isn't just being rescued because 'he's one of the main good guys', but it is instead logically explained that he holds important Republic tacitcal information in that lovable bonce of his. Also, Jedi vs. IG droids is always fun to watch - at first I didn't particularly like Ahsoka's 'reverse-wielding' fighting style, but as the series has progressed she becomes more and more interesting to watch in the show's many fight scenes - let's hope this is the case in her duel with General Grievous in next week's concluding episode.

Whilst Downfall is very much a first-of-two style episode, and although it is not the best entrance in the Clone Wars, it is still a very enjoyable episode and thankfully continues this series' entertaining run. Bring on Duel of the Droids next week!

Mirror's Edge Demo - First Impressions

The Mirror's Edge demo was out yesterday. You may wonder as to why I'm only writing this impression now, instead of last night. This is because, as a testament to the gaming (yes, I'm going to say it!) perfection that is Mirror's Edge, I've not had the time or wanted to use the computer because I've been re-experiencing this little gem of a demo. About 15 times

I spoke about the ingenuity and brilliance of an immersive gaming experience in my post about Fable II, and in Mirror's Edge, the same is very much at the forefront of DICE and EA's masterpiece. When Faith runs, when Faith jumps, when Faith fights, it feels natural and fluid, it feels like instead of the game just offering you a visual, it offers you something tangible, something that is so close to reality that it is sometimes truly scary at how immersive it feels.

Controls aren't just Mirror's Edge's only strong point in it's plan for fully immersive gameplay. The environs of the 'Mirror's Edge' - the rooftops of the sterile white and shining skyscrapers of the city that Faith and her runner friends call home - are truly breathtaking, and are worthy of a good few moments of you stopping to appreciate the crisp beauty. This is also tied in nicely with the gracful beauty and elegance in the way that Faith and Celeste move - their movements are so realistic and so brilliant that they must be fantasy at the same time that it makes them marvels to see. Mirror's Edge also has a stellar soundtrack as well - the stirring piano melody of Lisa Miskovsky's Still Alive (Itself a lyric remix of the Alcorus track, Shine) is used to maximum effect, transporting what is already a fantastic gaming experience into an unmissably perfect and wonderful one.

Quite ironically after these blocks of text, all that is left for me to say is that that the Mirror's Edge Demo left me speechless; 15 minutes or so of jawdropping gaming that just whets your appetite for more of Faith's remarkably beautiful story come this November (except for me, drat and damn, as, idiot I am, chose to wait till Christmas for it). If there has ever been a true cry for Video Games as art, then Mirror's Edge is that cry - A phenomenally beautiful and brilliant game.

The Tenth Doctor is Dead.

I was going to watch the national television awards. I like the sense of pride I feel when a series I love so much is appreciated officially by its Peers. And as usual, David Tennant's stunning acting as the doctor was recognised when he picked up the award for best actor.

I'm kind of glad I chose to go on Halo instead.

During his acceptance speech, live from Stratford, David Tennant announced that the 4 2009 specials would be his last. That quirky, eclectic, talented, funny, charming, unique and wonderful Doctor would leave our screens to make way for series 5 in 2010. I think a little part of me died at 7.30 this morning when I heard the news. Strangely, my first thought was 'What the hell am I gonna do with all these posters in my room??'

I can hardly say I grew up with the Tenth Doctor. I was 15 when Doctor Who returned to our screens, and it captivated me. I love that show. It inspired so many things in me - creativity, passion, love - in fact, I'd go as far as to say that the official magazine sparked my interest in journalism; I didn't know you could be paid to write about the things you love so much! Christopher Eccelston's departure didn't really shock me, I hadn't really developed a connection to him, but then Christmas 2005 came along, and the initial magic of Doctor Who was resparked in me through David Tennant. Here was a Doctor who was funny, smart, dangerously witty, charming, and just downright amazing. It was David Tennant that turned Doctor Who for me from an interest to a passion that has influenced the person I am, the person I would like to be.

So when he leaves, I'll be devestated. I've very successfully managed to ignore all bonds of masculinty when it comes to depatures in Doctor Who - Rose, Martha, Astrid, Donna, I've all wept rivers for (even in my revisits to the classic series, I wimpered as Sarah Jane was left in aberdeen by the 4th Doctor) - and they were bad enough. I don't feel as bad right now, knowing that he's leaving, maybe its like some sort of shell shock effect (Did I just compare a Doctor regenerating to a post traumatic stress disorder? Hell yes!), but when the time comes next year, in fact, Christmas 2009 (God, that's gonna be a bad Christmas), I'll probably be found the morning after in a ditch somewhere, clutching my posters, silently weeping.

But for now, we still have a year of brilliance to come from that funny man from Gallifrey, that man who has touched the heart of millions across the world. Thank you, David Tennant. And Goodbye.

Clone Wars: Rookies - First Impressions

The last four episodes of the Clone Wars have been very 'Jedi' focused - yes, shiny lightsabers and brilliant displays of prowress with the force are stupendously fun to watch, but these aren't the Jedi Wars: they're the Clone Wars - and it's about time that the troops of the republic stole the limelight from Anakin and Obi-Wan. And boy, do they do it in style!

Rookies is something quite unexpected in a series that promised nonstop action from the get-go: yes, there is action, and lots of it, but the story itself is an emotional tale of sacrifice and duty. The clone troopers we are introduced to at the Rishi Moon outpost are represented as individuals, each with their own personality - and as the body count begins to rise as they are assaulted by swathes of commando droids, you begin to feel a sense of loss for the clones, especially Heavy's self sacrifice to save the survivors at the end. If there had to be comparisons drawn, this is like a sci-fi Band of Brothers for kids.

Cody and Rex truly step up to the plate in this episode, and, unlike the feature film, they're very much established as a working pair - as the episode hints itself, there is something very 'Anakin and Obi-Wan' about the two Clones, something that not only highlights their bond with their respective generals but a sub-concious continuation of a theme that connects the series very well - brotherhood.

Story points aside, the fighting of the episode is another series of set-piece marvels - and also perhaps about as gratuitously violent as clone-vs-droid fighting can get: There are headshots, finishing barrages and bodies riddled with laser fire abound, with a monster-dragging-its-victim-to-their-doom moment thrown in to boot. The action is handled very well, and is not just shoved in - every fight happens for a purpose, and when they come, they come thick and fast and are a beauty to watch - Clones with Scatter-lasers are by far some of the coolest images Star Wars can deliver, and they deliver them plenty!

All in all, Rookies is once again another fantastic episode to continue the run of successes for the series. Let's hope that this continue in two weeks time with Downfall of a Droid!

Fable II - First Impressions

My hero has been through a pretty tough patch lately.

After a hard days blacksmithing, I left Bowerstone Square to venture into Old Bowerstone to visit my wife Alex - who I was introduced to by the ghost of her ex-fiance, who had incidentally tasked me with jilting her as she did to him, but I refused to and married her instead - and our newborn girl, Gwen. As I walked down the streets, donned in my finest Spartan Armour, a careless and accidental tap of B sent a magical spell flying through the window of the local potion shop. The watch were not pleased, and, being on hard times in my pockets (4-star blacksmithing doesn't bring in what it used to), I chose to do some community service - clearing up 5 bandits in Old Bowerstone shouldn't too tasking for a hero, and I was headed there anyway.

I arrived in Market lane at an unfortunate time though - before I could fire a shot from my blunderbuss in time, a bandit broke down the door of my martial home (which frankly pissed me off, as I'd spent ages saving gold for that place) and proceeded to place his pistol to my wifes head and pull the trigger, right in front of me. As my baby was taken in by Child protection, I avenged the loss of my family by incinerating the bandits to a cinder. As I stood over their burning remains, a thought struck me - All of this was my fault. A broken window lead to a broken family. What could be easily replaced lead to something irretrievable - I liked my wife, and I loved my child. But because of an innocent accident on my behalf, I had lost everything I fought for.

But at least I didn't have to pay her 50 gold a day in upkeep anymore. I rented out the house and moved into a bigger one in the Town square, and set off seeking adventure once more.

Fate and Destiny and their ability to change at a whim are key to the concept of Lionhead Studio's Fable series, and their latest offering, Fable II, is a highly polished and brilliantly shining example of this - literally every decision you make, from kicking chickens to shooting someone, has an effect on the world around you. For example, I was joined by a friend of mine last night, and when we returned to Old Bowerstone, he was suprised to see it so clean, bright, and generally still standing - turns out as a child in his world, he decided to affiliate with a criminal instead of with the Town Watch, meaning when he returned to Old Bowerstone, it was a hive of scum and villainy, with burning buildings to boot.

Fable II is more than just about decisions - the game is a truly wonderful thing to play. The visuals are lush and innovative, the world around you is rife with strong british humour (which is probably why it is a little less successful in the states, bless the poor things.), the combat, albeit simplistic, is fun to work with and better to watch, and the voice acting, especially Zoe Wanamaker's Theresa, your mentor and guide on the path to becoming a hero, is spot on and simply remarkable - The world is absolutely and fully immersive, it feels at some points that you are no longer playing a game - you are experiencing one.

I've found very little to bemoan of in this game - sure, as reported following the american release, there are a few bugs, but so far I've not come across anything that is potentially game ruining, but apart from that, Fable II is an outstanding game, and I heartily recommend its purchase.

Now if you excuse me, the sculptor in Oakfield wants me to pose for her latest work to be displayed in the village's square... all in a days work as a hero of Albion.

Fable II CE: The Unboxening

I've literally just cracked open my copy of Fable II's collectors edition (thankfully ferried to me from Birmingham by a very good friend) - and despite the fact it faced some severe cuts earlier this year, it still manages to impress.

It may just be me, but I prefer the new slimline box with a cover - not only am I a sucker for the amazing character art emblazoned on the cover, but the metal box it was originally coming in - akin to the CE boxes for Halo 3, Gears of War and Mass Effect - was initially a little off putting. I have the CE for Halo 3, and the box is really not at all good at safeguarding the disc (a friend of mine has had to change his copy of the game seveal times because of the box scratching the disc), whereas my mind is at rest more knowing that the game is secured in the standard casing, with minimal fear of it being scratched into disrepair.

The CE standard case takes a lovely twist on its cover - I expected the case to just be the same as the sleeve, but instead I was treated to a nice horizontal image of the 'good' hero on the front, contrasted with an image of the 'evil' hero on the other side: simple and perhaps blatantly obvious to do, but I thought it was nice Lionhead still put some effort into making the set different - and the theme is transfered nicely onto the two discs, the bonus one having the 'evil' hero on its cover.

The exclusive content is given on a small card, similar to the xbox live trial card (also included), with a little description of the content given and where to find it in the game world. I thought that this could have been made to look a little prettier, but at least, unlike some of my american bretheren, its there! I can't wait to use the Hal's outfit and Hal's sword (Fable II-styled recreations of Master Chiefs armour and an Energy Sword, for the unitiated).

Well, now to the actual playing of Fable II - Albion awaits the return of the hero! I'll check back tomorrow with my initial thoughts of what is promised to be a brilliant game.

Penny Arcade - On the rain-slick precipice of darkness: Episode 2 due out next week!

Why, Gabe and Tycho, why?

Another must have is added to the list of the fall releases in the form of the second episode of Penny Arcade's episodic series, On the Rain-slick precipice of Darkness. Initial trailers look absolutely brilliant - the charismatic style of the first game seems to have been improved upon, and according to the press release, its longer than the first (which was long enough for an XBLA game in my opnion).

Hell, I woul have brought this even if it was just the first one with a '2' scribbled on the logo with marker pen. I love the humour of tycho's writing, and of course Gabe's artistic style is so unique and beautiful. Tied to the confines of one of my favorite genres, the RPG, the series is an essential purchase. Damn, I'm going to have to somehow juggle this with Fable II...

Penny Arcade: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, is out on XBLA and PC October 29th, next Wednesday, priced 1,200 MS points or 15 USD.