Morning Discussion

Earlier this morning I was playing Mafia 2. I'm a huge fan of the look and feel of the world. The classic era of mobsters is right up my alley. Oh, and that licensed music? Outstanding. For the most part, I really enjoy it. (Note: I'm only a few hours deep.)

But then I show moments of red-hot hatred toward the game. In one early mission I was driving around town trying to sell gas vouchers to various stations in the world before time ran out. The mission combines my two least favorite things in "open--world" games: Driving in (what is essentially) a third-person shooter and time restrictions.

There's a reason I don't complete race sidequests in open world games. For the most part the driving is competent at best and mind numbingly atrocious at worst. I haven't driven enough to decide where Mafia 2 lies, and when I do I'm usually maintaining the speed limit to steer away from the platoon of cops on every corner.

After quite some time driving from point-to-point to rid myself of the gas coupons, I had one final stop. Since my time was almost up, I hit the gas and flew toward my objective. Rounding a corner at top speed I spotted a cop car and swerved to avoid it, crashing into a pole and killing my character. When the game told me to restart the mission from the beginning I turned it off. No thanks.

Xav de Matos was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    August 25, 2010 5:03 AM

    So many good XBLA and regular games out in the next two months.

    Filing for bankruptcy.

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      August 25, 2010 5:03 AM

      Shank is out today. im gonna check that out when i get home!

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        August 25, 2010 6:03 AM

        Dito

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        August 25, 2010 6:08 AM

        Ars says its kickass.

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        August 25, 2010 6:11 AM

        Gonna wait. It looked too repetitive. I got bored of the combat from the trailers alone.

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          August 25, 2010 7:01 AM

          Did you like Castle Crashers? There's a lot of similar elements outside of the general beat-em-up aspects like gaining better weapons, etc.

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      August 25, 2010 5:05 AM

      I'm having a blast with the top down Tomb raider game. Limbo was kind of a letdown.

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        August 25, 2010 5:10 AM

        Wait until you get the rocket launcher...

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        August 25, 2010 5:12 AM

        i agree with limbo, it was good. only worth the money they are asking if you have money to literally burn.

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      August 25, 2010 5:09 AM

      What is coming up that is good? After this week, isn't the summer of arcade over?

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        August 25, 2010 5:13 AM

        shank today (not seen reviews yet), sonic4 should be in a month or 2, crazy taxi can't be that far off, deathspank2.... few others that dont come to mind.

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        August 25, 2010 6:34 AM

        Scott Pilgrim and Shank both come out today. Deathspank 2 comes out next month.

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        August 25, 2010 6:51 AM

        Dead Rising 2: Zero Case on August 31.

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      August 25, 2010 5:15 AM

      it really is god to be behind the curve for about 4-6 months. the initial overhype and bug shit is over, there are lots of guides and how to's, the games are way cheaper and you can pick and choose between those that came through as really good. of course you can pick games like starcraft up at release as well (though i sure as hell wouldnt have paid more than the 40 bucks that i did).

      i have a purchase hierarchy that goes something like real pc game,indie game/small developer game that needs support > overhyped AAA giantass drm'd blockbuster port. i'd rather "overpay" for a gem like world of goo or endure some of the less polished aspects of the witcher/stalker/the void or modern adventures than buy a game like borderlands.

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      August 25, 2010 5:17 AM

      Seriously. Spent a ton on XBLA titles lately.

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      August 25, 2010 6:02 AM

      [deleted]

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        August 25, 2010 6:08 AM

        what's the cheapest way to buy them?

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          August 25, 2010 6:27 AM

          Look for deals on slickdeals/etc. A month or so ago I got a 12mo gold sub + 4000pts for $63 (usually $100) from Dell.

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        August 25, 2010 6:08 AM

        Or just make an MS Points Key Generator.

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          August 25, 2010 6:25 AM

          I'd prefer not to risk getting my acct banned but thanks

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            August 25, 2010 7:00 AM

            Then do not want this money printing machine I have here?

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