What we’ve been playing: Week of 19/6/2011

What the hell is going on in that ad? Doesn’t matter.

Either way it’s time to read what the Sega Addicts writers were playing recently. Man isn’t reading boring? Wouldn’t it be better if you could hear what they’ve been playing? Actually not all of them. How about just a few? How about just what me, Josh and John have played recently? And how about if after that we jabbered on about Sega news together? Man that would be good to listen to. Maybe as a podcast. Oh well, too bad that will never happen.

So yeah, hit the jump.

Stevie Grant- Writer of Top 10 Worst and Boss Attack:
I forgot to tell you last week that I played Links Awakening! Well I did! And it was awesome thanks. Speaking of Zelda I also have Ocarina of Time 3D. I can see why people love it, but I just don’t think it’s the best game I’ve ever played. Sorry everyone. Still really, really amazing though.

I finally completed Rez, as well as Child of Eden. So strange. So good.

But also, this was my penultimate week of Same and Max. All these episodes every week has finally culminated in the Series 3 finale which I will play on Wednesday. I’m kind of excited, but sad at the same time. It’s been an experience, this experiment in episodic games and I would definitely recommend playing a series of games each week to whoever is reading this now. You kind of get into a neat groove with it. Like you do with a TV series I guess. So i shall talk to you next week when Sam and Max is finished. Go me.

Sven Wohl- Sexy new writer:
I have been playing ‘Alice: Madness Returns’ and I’ve been enjoying that quite a lot. While not being a perfect game by any means, it sure has a very unique artistic style going for it and the story is quite interesting too. Besides that, I’ve also been replaying Sonic 4: Episode 1 and I will write a feature on that for Sega-Addicts, so look out for it, if it isn’t out yet when this comes out. So, yeah, didn’t have that much time to really play a lot, since I have a lot of work for university going on…

Wow! I wonder when Sven’s article will be out to read with your eyes? Wait! You can already read it here? Wow! Amazing! This is the future!

Alexander Sargeant- Writer of Retro Reviews:
Kara no Shoujo’s release is coming fast, so trying to get Demonbane out of the way before then. The trial is available to download immediately, and the temptation is there, but I can fight it. For now. Also Child of Eden, which is simultaneously Rez 2 and a huge Genki Rockets fap-fest in all the right ways. Short and suffers from a pretty stupid way to try and artificially increase the length (looking at you, Star Requirements) but that asides it’s good.

Been toying around with the idea for a feature too about Arcade games that never received a console release, which will require a bit of research before I try it out, but Planet Harrier is certainly going to be the début piece if I do it. Dungeon Siege III is alright, but has awakened in me the RPG lust it cannot hope to sate alone, so I’m nipping into the back catalogue of Gust releases and trying to tuck into Atelier Iris 3 again.

John Doherty- Writer of Take Cover:
I’ve been playing a lot of Alive Madness Returns, which is awesome. I’m really enjoying plat-forming through these twisted takes on Wonderland. The game is also gorgeous. It is easily the best looking game I’ve seen all year. It may be a bit repetitive at times, and some late texture load times can be a little annoying, however I think the game is still really solid and absolutely worth the purchase. I also did get to watch Alice get punched in the face by a pimp, so there’s that.

I downloaded Spiral Knights as well. I have only played about 15 minutes, but it’s simple control scheme and impressive art direction really haves me intrigued. I hear it’s a little light, but good for a casual MMO experience.

Pat Reddick- Community Manager/ Writer of Forum News:
Remember last summer around August when I started playing Bayonetta? Well I finally finished it. It was really good, but the final boss was a pain in the ass. I really enjoyed finishing it though.

I also finished Final Fantasy 13. Dear God that game. I don’t think I liked it or hated it. It was just ridiculously mediocre in every possible way. Anyway, now that I’m all caught up to March 2010 I think I’m going to start Splatterhouse within the next 24 hours. I’ll let you know how that goes next week.

Alex Riggen- Editor in Chief and Podcast Host:
After finishing Viking: Battle for Asgard, I’ve moved onto Alan Wake. I love it. It’s easily one of my favorite horror games this generation and the Twin Peaks vibe doesn’t hurt. It’s not quite as quirky as Twin Peaks, but the small town with weird things going on is an obvious inspiration. The gameplay itself is incredibly fun (something I don’t say too often regarding horror games) and the contrast between the daytime adventure segments and the nighttime survival horror makes the game very dynamic. The gun play itself is quite fun. I’m looking forward to my future hours with the game.

I’ve also started Child of Eden this week and it has completely topped my expectations. It’s an obvious sequel to Rez but I personally find everything about it to be an improvement. It’s amazing to look at, listen to, and play. I do agree with Alexander that the star requirements are completely unnecessary. You shouldn’t force people to replay levels to get further in the game. Let that decision be up to the player.

Oh, and I think I’m done with Sonic Chronicles. After many hours I’ve realized I’m not having fun and there’s better ways to spend my time. I don’t think I’ll be picking it up again.

Kris Knigge- Reviewer and Podcast Co-host:
Speaking of Twin Peaks… I just started Deadly Premonition (a friend is lending it to me) and I adore it. You know how Snatcher is essentially a copyright-toeing ode to Terminator and Blade Runner (albeit one with a lot of Kojima charm)? Deadly Premonition is exactly the same thing, but for Twin Peaks. Great stuff, but I’ve only played about an hour so far.

I also played a ton of fighters, since it’s summer vacation. Marvel vs Capcom 3, SSFIVAE, and even Arcana Heart 3 have all received pretty heavy rotation this week. I also purchased Dead Rising since I had so much fun with “Off the Record” at E3. Frank West is… kind of a jerk, actually, but awesome at the same time. I also gave Child of Eden a go. I’m not really a Rez fan, but it’s quite pretty, and the music isn’t bad.

Oh yeah, and The Dishwasher Vampire Smile and TACTICS OGRE. So good. Probably my favorite two games of 2011 so far. (although I’m enjoying InFamous 2 quite a bit right now too…)

Tom Kyzivat- Artist and Podcast Co-host:
I played a bit of Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition, which definitely doesn’t have a long enough title. I haven’t touched SFIV in a while, so I was a bit rusty (that’s my way of saying Mike kicked my ass), but I did enjoy trying out Evil Ryu and Oni. I was never a big fan of Yun or Yang from III, so it was more of a novelty than anything to play as them. I would have much rather seen Necro and Twelve return!

I also visited Stern Pinball, Inc., this week (I used to freelance for them and Mike still does), so I played my fill of the pinball games they had in their game room: their newest, Tron, as well as Rolling Stones, Big Buck Hunter and NBA. I totally suck at pinball, but they are really fun–particularly when, by the grace of Knuckles’ pimp cane, I actually manage to start modes like multiball. I recommend checking them out if you’re ever lucky enough to find an arcade, and if those arcades are actually lucky enough to have pinball games.

And that was this week’s article. Good, wasn’t it? Yes it was. Oh and for those wondering, what I listen to as I do these articles this week it was ‘Wannabe’ by the Spice Girls. And I am sorry to inform you that, no. I do not want to be your lover and I will certainly not get with your friends thank you very much.

What the hell am I on about? Don’t worry. I’ll see you next week for more out of date random pop references.