8 Mar 2015

Checkpoint: Winter Update Edition

by | posted in: Editorials & Features | 0

I lost an hour, it’s around 0 degrees Celsius and yet it’s still technically winter. And since it’s technically winter, this Battlefield 4 Winter Update is still relevant.

To say this is what Battlefield 4 should have been would be an understatement. They’ve fixed so much with this update. Everything from netcode, map fixes, weapon balance, new game modes and matchmaking tweaks were made in this update alone.

I’m amazed that DICE/DICE LA and/or Electronic Arts continues to update and fix Battlefield 4. They have Battlefield: Hardline coming and yet they’re still giving Battlefield 4 attention I guess it makes sense when they’re planning to issue more content this year. And all of this is a great idea when you consider not many Battlefield fans are keen on Hardline.

I’ve only played the post-Winter Update Battlefield 4 once and I enjoyed it. I still wish the framerate was consistently closer to 60FPS but it didn’t take long for me to forget about the framerate and get down to business. I hope to play more but with my FIFA 15 addiction and Wolfenstein: The New Order, I don’t know if I will.

10 Aug 2014

Checkpoint: Remastered Edition

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Checkpoint - Remastered Edition

We’re in the middle of “Remastered” fever. Here are just a handful of Remasters that are heading to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

  • Aug. 26: Metro: Redux
  • Oct 10: Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
  • Nov 11: Halo: The Master Chief Collection
  • Q4 2014: Grand Theft Auto V
  • 2015: Resident Evil Remake HD

And now for notable ones that were just released:

  • Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
  • The Last of Us: Remastered

We’re no stranger to HD collections and Remasters; many of us welcomed them during the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 era. But seeing these Remasters pop up so quickly this early in the new console generation is a bit concerning. Buying new $400 consoles to play better running versions of games that you may have played in the last couple of years isn’t an attractive proposition.

On the flip side, these HD remasters allow developers to quickly familiarize themselves with the latest console hardware without having to worry about designing a game. They already know how the game should play, they just need to worry about the technical side of things.

I’ve pre-ordered Grand Theft Auto V because I haven’t played it yet. I intend to pick up The Last of Us: Remastered to play the single player DLC and Metro: Redux to play Last Light but I’ll pick those up once they hit the $30 or $20 price range.

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It’s been a tough week of listlessness but I’m coming out of this funk with the aid of Battlefield 4 multiplayer, a bit of Mario Kart 8 and mobile stuff. I’m still working through Layton & The Miracle Mask and revisiting Plants vs Zombies 2 to do dailies.

But my go to thing to distract me is watching GiantBomb content. I’ve gone back and watched old Unprofessional Fridays, Quick Looks and other GiantBomb content that I missed the first time around. It’s been immensely helpful and entertaining.

31 Jul 2014

About that EA Access service for Xbox One

by | posted in: Game News | 0

ea-logo.pngIf you pay Electronic Arts $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year, you will gain access to some older Xbox One titles published by EA themselves. EA Access service members will also receive 10% discounts and 5-day early access to new EA titles.

It’s really about that Vault access but its appeal will depend heavily on what EA is offering at the time.

The beta will initially offer access to Battlefield 4, Peggle 2, Madden NFL 25 and FIFA 14. If this was coming for PlayStation 4, I’d pull the trigger right now. I’m still playing Battlefield 4 and my interest in FIFA games are at an all time high at the moment. I also wouldn’t mind trying Madden NFL 25 and I’m sure I’ll find enjoyment in more Peggle.

Unfortunately for me and other PlayStation centric players, this is an Xbox One exclusive. I don’t know if this an EA and Microsoft thing or if Sony actually denied EA access from entering their ecosystem but I’m bummed out by its absence. I actually want the titles being offered by EA unlike the ones that appear on Sony’s Instant Game Collection.

I can understand Sony wanting to put the kibosh on this if it means publishers will begin to withhold titles from their PlayStation Plus Instant Game Collection program though. If they allowed EA to start this service, what’s going to stop Ubisoft, Activision and other publishers from doing the same? It would be like every movie and TV studio having their own service instead of using all encompassing services like Netflix or Amazon Instant Video.

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