Rogue

Well we are finally there, that joyous time of the year when the most titanic game releases start to hit shelves just prior to the massive christmas holiday push (my local supermarket is already putting up christmas decorations).

We've got F.E.A.R., Quake 4, and Oblivion will be out by the end of November. Once again it's a good time to enjoy games.

I do think i'm playing a completely different game to other people when they talk about Quake 4 though. Seriously it just not that good! Do people just remove their brain when they boot it up and then pop it back in once their done, to be left with a giddy feeling of actually enjoying themselves. It has to be one of the most over-hyped boring games of recent times, it didnt deliver on ANY front. DOOM3 was better than Q4, HL2 was better than Q4, FEAR is better than Q4, Q3 is better than Q4. And I think I'm right because I'm yet to actually hear anyone say why they think Quake4 is good. Not just "Great graphics and fun!" I mean what makes it fun, how is it any different from the last 3 games in the series. Bah! It's going to sell well and Id/Raven are going to think they now have a right to keep making such sub-standard games.

I only hope that if FEAR doesn't show them the light then maybe STALKER will.

Speaking of FEAR it really is just a perfectly executed triple-A game title. Superb level design allowing for some totally memorable combat engagements with AI that perform fantastically. They are so good sometimes that it can occassionally feel like a multiplayer match, it really is brilliant. And the combat itself is a really visceral experience with a heaped helping of eye-candy on top. The story (which a few people say does nothing for them) is compelling and brilliantly paced, as it unravels leaving the player wanting more.

Playing FEAR at the same time as I'm forcing myself to finish Quake4 just magnifies the gulf of quality between the two.

And now we wait for Oblivion.