Marco Ortega

Halo 2 update!

April 25, 2005

Bungie.net has released the update for Halo 2 that should fix a lot of the problems that people are having when playing online. For example, cheating and map glitches. Also the ranks and stats are being reset and other online stuff is being fixed. Thank God for all those things being fixed, maybe now I can hop back on to play.

In other news, Pandemic released a few new screens for Star Wars Battlefront 2, new maps, improved gameplay, and now you can fight in massive space battles. Should be cool with new improved graphics and more Episode III maps as well. I also heard you can play as Jedi. Cheers!!

ACTION!!

April 4, 2005

News / by Marco Ortega /

Just read an update from Peter Molyneux’s next game titled “The Movies”. Being a movie lover and somewhat of a semi-indi filmmaker , this new game should really change things a bit in the industry. You can literally create any type of film, with any type of story you want. They are also talking about letting famous film festivals accept entries from “The Movies”. The screenshots look very cool! Anything that allows you to build a small time extra into a huge star is also very cool. One thing that took me by surprise is being able to import a picture of yourself and having “The Movies” mapping it into a character. This is not a game that will play like The Sims with all the management of taking care of each individual person. You manage your studio and your films. The Movies is slated to be released in August.

In other news, Battlefield 2 is upon us, so the crew is gearing up for some really intense gaming. Upgrade your rigs guys, this game is going to be awesome.

A message to you online gamer!

March 22, 2005

News / by Marco Ortega /

First off, I want to say thank you for ruining my online gaming experience on Xbox Live. I didn’t think there could be a way to cheat but you found one. You know I loved Halo, I really did. Because of you I hate it and really have no desire of playing that horrifying game. You know I should’ve listen to my comrade Pickle. He was right in saying that Halo 2 sucks! You have definitely comfirmed that online gamer. You have ultimately ruined my Halo experience and have wasted my time and money. I honestly believed that online gamer only existed in PC gaming. Oh boy was I wrong! My question to you is, What do you get out of cheating? Does it make your balls grow? Do you think chicks will want you because you beat people by cheating? Does cheating give your pathetic lives meaning? Pickle I want to apologize for being blinded by the truth, you were right Halo sucks!

P.S. Bungie can kiss my ASS!!

Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30

March 15, 2005

Reviews / Xbox / by Marco Ortega /

[floatleft]http://www.snackbar-games.com/images/reviews/brothersinarms/cover.jpg[/floatleft]FPS games have come a long way since the good ole days of [i]Castle Wolfenstein[/i] and [i]Goldeneye[/i]. FPS games are slowly evolving into more in-depth character involvement that almost transforms it into role-playing games. They’re not quite there yet as fully immersed role-playing games, but they’re definitely heading towards that direction. The squad-based FPS games are becoming a popular hit with combat-based games. For example, [i]Rainbow Six[/i] set the tone for squad-based FPS games on console systems. With the release of [i]Star Wars: Republic Commando[/i], the newly released [i]Brothers in Arms[/i], and the soon-to-be-released [i]Rainbow Six: Lockdown[/i], squad-based shooters are making their place in the FPS world. But what separates [i]Brothers in Arms[/i] from other squad-based FPS games?

On June 6[sup]th[/sup] , 1944, the United States, along with Canada and Great Britain, launched a major offensive against The Third Reich. [i]Brothers in Arms[/i] puts you into the boots of Sergeant Matt Baker of the 502[sup]nd[/sup] Army Paratroopers. Unlike other games, this game is a real account of Matt Baker who is a real war hero. Some of the men were based upon real men in his squad. You must command your squad in the most effective way possible and destroy your enemies. This is definitely not your regular run and gun FPS game. This is in a totally different column than [i]Halo 2[/i] or even [i]Republic Commando[/i]. Using military tactics will be the only effective way of taking your enemies out and ensuring the survival of you and your men. You will find yourself breaking your controller at times out of frustration. As you begin the game, you are given notes in order to use your military tactics in combat. As you progress, you are shown how to issue orders, how to use your squad to flank the enemy, and maneuver around enemy strongholds.

Issuing your unit orders is basic point-and-click with the use of your left trigger. The orders you can give your unit are suppressing fire, secure a location, or assault a location. By holding the left trigger and pointing to a certain location where an enemy is located, you are issuing the order to give suppressing fire. To assault an enemy unit is basically the same process, only you’re pressing the right trigger as well. In order to know if the enemy is being suppressed and undercover, you are given indicators over the enemy’s location. These indicators are circles which are one of two colors: orange which means they are not suppressed and are firing, and gray which means they are undercover. Positioning your team to give you suppressing fire will allow you or your assault team to flank the enemy and attack them. Using your cover is very crucial to you and your men in [i]Brothers in Arms[/i]. Without the proper cover, you will be killed instantly or you will suffer casualties within your unit. The controls in [i]Brothers in Arms[/i] are very user friendly and are similar to that of your regular FPS.

[floatright]http://www.snackbar-games.com/images/reviews/brothersinarms/ss02_thumb.jpg[/floatright]The development team at Gearbox did an amazing job in capturing the environment. Taking old WWII aerial reconnaissance photos and other WWII photos from towns within Normandy, they recreated towns and locations to be exact in [i]Brothers in Arms[/i]. The graphics teams wanted to make [i]Brothers in Arms[/i] to be historically accurate in every aspect of the game. Usually, console games don’t have the best graphics, but I must say that the graphics are gorgeous and realistic here. The lush green grass and foliage, the towns and buildings, and the vehicles and weapons are very attractive. Looking at the men face to face is fascinating, yet freaky as well. Not to mention this game looks spectacular on a high-definition TV.

The graphics aren’t the only thing that make this game authentic and genuine. The sound used in the environments is just stunning. The WWII weapons actually sound like real weapons. Firing the M1 feels so real in [i]Brothers in Arms[/i]; the sound makes it so authentic that it’s unbelievable. It’s amazing, but every single weapon in [i]Brothers in Arms[/i] has its own very unique sound unlike other WWII games. Using submachine guns are much more effective for close combat situations, and rifles are better for ranged combat. The sound effects in [i]Brothers in Arms[/i] are so amazingA

Star Wars Republic Commando

March 10, 2005

Reviews / Xbox / by Marco Ortega /

[floatleft]http://www.snackbar-games.com/images/reviews/republiccommando/cover.jpg[/floatleft]It was sometime late last year when I first saw a preview for this game. Seeing the in-game footage and the concept behind this game just took me by surprise, and I wanted in. Before I start, we here at Snackbar Games are huge Star Wars fans but have been let down by LucasArts in the past with crappy games. Once [i]Knights of the Old Republic [/i]was released, LucasArts got smart and began to release a couple of games that kept them from sliding down the sucking column. Just to mention a few, [i]KOTOR II[/i], [i]Star Wars: Battlefront[/i], and now [i]Republic Commando[/i]. And it seems that the Star Wars Legos have caught the interest of some in our forums lately.

[i]Republic Commando[/i] throws you into the shoes of a clone squad commander trained especially for covert and tactical missions. The game’s setting take place between [i]Episodes II[/i] and [i]III[/i] of the [i]Star Wars[/i] saga. Just like the game’s catchline says, “The squad is your weapon!” In this high-action FPS, you must learn how to you use your squad in order to be effective. If you dismiss your squad, you will find yourself breaking your controller time and time again. You are Delta three-eight, or what the squad calls you as “Boss,” and you are commanding a unique squad of clones to go behind enemy lines and carry out impossible missions. I know what your thinking, “A unique squad of clones? How can clones be unique?” I don’t know-this is how they made the game. Within your squad, you have Delta four-oh or “Fixer,” who is your hacker and will slice into any security system and computer program you need. Next up is Delta oh-seven or “Sev,” who is a battle-hungry clone who can snipe anything from miles away. And finally you have Delta six-two or “Scorch,” who is your demolition expert who can pretty much blow anything up. As part of the Republic, you are sent on missions that require you to take on countless odds and infiltrate enemy strongholds.

Controlling your squad has never been easier. As you progress through each mission, certain areas will appear with ghostly images of your squad. Just point with your reticle and press the A button to command your squad to move to that location. Each of these commands is carried out in the same fashion. Just point and click. These commands go from manning turrets to taking sniping positions, slicing into security devices, planting explosives, healing your squad, etc. Holding down the A button and using the directional pad will allow you to carry out your orders to secure a certain location, search and destroy, or reform your squad. Hitting your directional pad once allows you to change from weapon to weapon. Weapons come in the form of attachments to your original weapon. Movement, shooting, zooming, and switching grenades have a similar controlling to that of [i]Halo[/i]. It’s safe to say that LucasArts made a very controller-friendly game.

[floatright]http://www.snackbar-games.com/images/reviews/republiccommando/ss02_thumb.jpg[/floatright]I still haven’t beaten this game, but I have put enough time into it to say that the graphics are well done-not spectacular, but well done. There are very few things in the environment that are interactive and destructive. It’s always very entertaining to look at how other artists design characters from [i]Star Wars[/i]. Seeing the droids and different species come to life in a much-up-close-and-personal setting was cool to experience. The heads-up display really gives you a since of being a clone soldier. When in close combat, you will tend to find enemy blood and guts being sprayed all over your facemask. Also, your HUD will contain squad information and mission objectives.

[i]Star Wars[/i] isn’t [i]Star Wars[/i] without the music and sound effects. The sound of the environments, the droids, the gun blasts, and the voices all have a huge part in [i]Republic Commando[/i], immersing you into this world. The music is always a plus, especially in a heated battle or an intense moment of anticipation. The music is most definitely a sweet addition to the whole commando experience.

The multiplayer of [i]Republic Commando[/i] allows you to customize your clone’s outfit or become a Trandoshan. The multiplayer has a 16-player deathmatch, team deathmatch, capture the flag, and assault. The online multiplayer features split screen but no co-op mode, which in my opinion should’ve been added to the mix.

[floatleft]http://www.snackbar-games.com/images/reviews/republiccommando/ss05_thumb.jpg[/floatleft]I’m super excited about [i]Republic Commando[/i] and very pleased with what LucasArts has done with this FPS. If you’re looking for a friendly squad-based shoot’em up FPS, this will definitely be your game. Not to mention that it’s [i]Star Wars[/i] and you get blow things up and kill a bunch droids and odd creatures. This is a great game that will keep you entertained for a good while, and definitely is a good change of pace from [i]Halo 2[/i]. These is definitely one of the year’s top FPS games to hit stores, so do yourselves a favor and get this game.

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