PlayStation Move: The Good, The Bad, and the Most Wanted – Part 2
We looked at the good, now it’s time to check in to see what we should not be playing with a Move controller and what is to come for the the toy every lady should buy…yea we went there.
All perversion and immaturity aside, it never excites any of us to express negativity towards a video game. Despite the end result, each game is the product of a hard working development team – unfortunately just not every game out there can blow us away like Sonic the Hedgehog 2 back in the heyday of the Genesis. Too mainstream? Alright, how about not every game can blow us away like the inaugural entry of Formula One did on the PlayStation (RIP Bizarre Creations, but hello Lucid Games).
One can not help but to compare the Move to the Wiimote; it’s obvious of the inspiration. With this inspiration it was inevitable that developers would begin to push out “shovelware” for the Move – games that are considered gimmicky and just blatantly are used to market the accessory without any real devotion of making a great game. Seven months in, the Move has its fair share of…well there really is no other way of putting it – crap. These are the games that may have been developed to help sell the Move, but in all reality are just a waste of our times as either the controls themselves are terrible, the game has no real purpose, or a combination of both.
It gives us no joy to call a game crap, but when you ask for $40-60 for each of these titles and we buy them because there is nothing else out there – I call foul. I’m just a cheap stubborn prick when it comes to playing a game that I wanted to turn off after ten minutes. Here we go:
The Worst of the Worst – The Do Not Buy List for the PlayStation Move
As of April 2011
TV Superstars
A compilation game with unique personality – TV Superstars gets credit for trying something different. With America’s ever growing love for reality TV (of which I despise immensely), why not try to bring reality TV/game show spoofs to the video game arena? This is not to say the game offers anything new and original – game show video games have been around forever. TV Superstars allowed players to put themselves into the game via facial recronstruction with the PlayStation Eye. My ugly dome can now be seen on TV. Unfortunately, the technology hasn’t improved much from the last game that I played to offer this – Rainbow Six Vegas via the Xbox Live Vision Camera.
Where TV Superstars fails is simply there is little reason to play it for more than a few minutes. The games are fun the first time through, but after the initial rush you find them tedious and boring. The loading times are long, the controls aren’t exactly the most accessible (depending on the game), and just the overall presentation lacks. This is suppose to be a fast paced, thrilling atmosphere – yet it feels like you are testing these games out for the real show that never occurs. There is little to no reason to play this game by yourself, you will find yourself bored in no time.
In short, TV Superstars took an interesting concept but it was just slapped onto a mediocre compilation game. Pass.
Kung Fu Rider
Here’s the problem with Kung Fu Rider – it was an average mini-game that had its flaws but given that it was a launch product for the Move, we can offer it some leeway. New product; trying to find that niche market – ok, we’ll allow Kung Fu Rider that. Unfortunately, Kung Fu Rider is one short mini-game packed inside a $40 retail package. What should have been a $5-10 PlayStation Network download turned out to be the excrement of the Move launch.
The controls were iffy, the game lacked any kind of substance, the humor wasn’t there; the presentation in general was absent. It just wasn’t a fun game, and it hurt even more especially that we shoveled out $40 on launch for it. Props to SCEA for releasing Move-only games for $40, it’s a nice discount from $60, but a $20 savings won’t make us like this $10 mediocre PSN game any better.
Every product/console launch has their negative counterparts – Kung Fu Rider is that for the Move. Hey, it’s not too late to re-release it as a $5 game on PSN, I would buy it. It is currently available for $15 on Amazon…still too much.
Brunswick Pro Bowling
Face it – the best part of the Wii launch was Wii bowling. Hours, days, weeks, heck even months were spent playing Wii bowling off of Wii Sports. I’m not guilty to this – I’ll admit that I skipped many days of college just for Wii Sports (well, that and I just didn’t want to drive 40 minutes to hear some ten minute lecture). With the Move being more intuitive and requiring more than a flick of the wrist for proper movement, bowling looked to be a bit more fun on Sony’s device. Low and behold – IT IS – but Brunswick Pro Bowling won’t be the game to showcase it.
Brunswick Pro Bowling is the same game you played on the Wii – only with minor graphical updates and a *cough* brand new control scheme. Accuracy is terrible, the flow of the game is too slow, calibration breaks, and the presentation just ruins it. We liked the up beat tempos from Wii Sports. Understandably Brunswick aims for a more simulation-like experience, but sim or no sim, the game just isn’t that much fun. There are better experiences to be had with the Move, the PSN-exclusive High Velocity Bowling being one of them.
A sequel to Sports Champions will happen in due time, and it best be sure to include a bowling segment. Do not take to the lanes of Brunswick, you’ll likely not come out of it alive (suicide).
Don’t let the negativity steer you down. The Move is just getting started. Killzone 3 proved the accessory can work in blockbuster franchises and not feel like a tacked on gimmick for marketing purposes. Tumble proves that even the most simplistic of games can be even more addicting with motion control. As the Move matures into the market, more games will take great use of it.
Remember PlayStation Home? The private beta was empty, and when it first went public the reception was, “wait, this is what we all waited for?” It took time for it to find its niche and now look at it – populated as all get out (CtrlAltKill’s very own Sami Benson is featured in the Home Theater), fun mini-games, new and original games, and it’s actually worthwhile logging into every now and then. There are still some things needed to be worked out but PlayStation Home has come a long way. The Move will do the same. Without further ramblings, let us proceed to the games you should be anticipating for your Move controller in the future:
Anticipating the Climax – The Future-Proof Gold of the PlayStation Move
At least, we hope they strike gold
Virtua Tennis 4
2K recently released Top Spin 4 with Move support, and from the demo perspective the controls seemed to be decent. I can’t judge the full game as I haven’t played it, but it will be interesting to see how Sega and co. differentiate from Top Spin‘s control scheme. Virtual Tennis 4 was revealed with Move support back at the Tokyo Game Show last year, and Sega promoted it quite heavily. The franchise remains to be one of the strongest sports franchises to come out of the house of Sonic, starting from its days on the Dreamcast to being resurrected on the PS3, 360, and Wii.
The original Top Spin was at its time the king of volleys, but Virtua Tennis 3 quickly took back its title and continued its strength with Virtua Tennis 2009. Now Top Spin is playing catch up. Top Spin 4 is out, how will VT4 compare? The game is due out May 10 of this year, so we’ll know then.
Tennis, like bowling, was considered to be one of those gimmicky games for a motion controller. It works perfect for it. Where tennis games have failed us previously with motion controllers is the lack of complete control. Either swing controls were too easy, or the gamer couldn’t control the player on screen. Top Spin 4 features full control, let us hope Virtua Tennis 4 can show us what real tennis is all about. Until then, how is Top Spin 4 – for the folks who bought it this week?
PlayStation Move Heroes
I had the pleasure of demo-ing this game a few weeks ago (it just became available yesterday for the public), and is easily one of the more anticipated games for the Move currently. Featuring three different platform families on the PlayStation with Ratchet/Clank, Jak/Daxter, and Sly/Bentley – this is the ultimate collaboration. Not to mention this would be Jak & Daxter’s first appearance on the PS3.
Originally titled Heroes on the Move (a title of which I found more favorable), PlayStation Move Heroes allows players to embark on a variety of different arcade games featured in the worlds of all three franchises. From demo impressions, the game felt quite solid, albeit a few camera issues here and there. The controls are responsive, the various games are fast paced and fun; it is to be one of those games where leaderboard domination seems to be key.
In my eyes, this is a crucial release for the Move; not only as a first-party title but whenever franchises intermingle with one another, fans get all the more critical. This is more than just a compilation, this is three of our most beloved PS2/PS3 franchises all in one. The demo gave us a positive impression of the game, but as mentioned camera issues were present. It will also be interesting to see how fans will respond to a title name like PlayStation Move Heroes; to me, it lacks any kind of meaning. ”Heroes on the Move” seemed to have a better zing to it.
PlayStation Move Heroes releases next week! Are you digging the demo?
SOCOM 4
Fans have been pretty mixed on SOCOM: Confrontation – the online-only PS3 debut of the franchise back in 2008. It was a game with the SOCOM name, but many felt that it lacked the SOCOM feel and dedication we were accustomed to on the PS2, and heck even the PSP. SOCOM 4 is the first full-game in the franchise for the PS3, with Zipper back in the developer’s chair after their 2010 release of MAG. Zipper is no stranger when it comes to making a great online experience – SOCOM was the most played franchise online on the PS2, now with a more organized internet infrastructure with the PlayStation Network, the possibilities are limitless for SOCOM 4.
Focusing on teamwork over going rogue, SOCOM 4 is a game about communication, strategy, and sharpshooting. With a single player campaign that can be replayed in variations, a handful of different online modes, co-op support, clans, and now Move support – SOCOM 4 is not holding back from being accessible to any and all gamers. Like Killzone 3, SOCOM 4 was developed with the Move in mind; not a last minute feature. It is the other game to be developed for the Move Sharpshooter accessory, and as I type this a private beta is underway over the PSN to test out the servers. For more details on the beta, click here.
It’s great to see SOCOM back on the PS3 again, this time in a complete package that appeals to those who enjoy playing through a tactic-heavy single player campaign. The real meat to the game is obviously the multiplayer. SOCOM 4 is due out April 19, just under two months from the release of Killzone 3. With that and Call of Duty: Black Ops dominating the shooting arena on the PS3, can SOCOM 4 hold its own? We’ll have to wait and see.
Tempting the Foreplay – The Games That Tease Us
Titles that have been announced/rumored but where are they now?
Sorcery
One of the earliest games to be shown off for the Move has pretty much gone MIA since E3 2010. We haven’t heard much about it since the demo, which for the most part received positive reception amongst critics. The game is still in development and hopefully we’ll learn more about when it will release at E3 2011.
Sorcery put you in the footsteps of a sorcerer’s apprentice, in a Harry Potter-inspired world. You can use spells and potions against your enemies, unleash various attacks with the use of the Move controller, and solve puzzles in-between. Sony has been completely mum on the details; so the only profound statement we can make about the game is that, either they want this game to be a total secret and surprise us all…or perhaps it was mysteriously canned.
Star Wars
I draw a fine line when the Kinect has been given a go-ahead on a Star Wars-themed game but the Move has been left in the dark thus far. We got a controller that can easily be faced as a lightsaber – hell it’s got a glowing ball – even more the reason for a Star Wars title! Granted, we haven’t heard a peep about the Star Wars project for the Kinect since that Circue du Soleil disaster from E3 2010. Both motion controllers would fare well in the galaxy far, far away, but LucasArts has yet to reveal their next project past LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars.
Both the Kinect and PlayStation Eye can read hand movements, so both can utilize force powers well. The Move controller is an obvious lightsaber fixture; where as Kinect users can just mimmick one (or heck just hold onto a pipe). I know what you are thinking perverts – no, that “tool” shall not pass as a lightsaber. Though, it would make for a fun co-op game with a lady partner. Hm…
If push came to shove though, we would much rather LucasArts just fess up and announce that Star Wars: Battlefront III is official – we want it!
Gladiator
Russell Crowe or not, the Move begs for a full fledged Gladiator-inspired game. We have the gladiator mode in Sports Champions, but we need to go outside of being part of a compilation and be a Ridley Scott-directed, Academy Award-winning title! Paging Capcom, remember Shadow of Rome? Well here you go, Shadow of Rome 2: Move Over Your Foes (please don’t use that title).
Initially I was hoping for Move support in Soul Calibur V, and honestly, I still want that but I don’t see it working well with the Move – especially with a character like Voldo. A gladiator-themed game though, that can work. Gladiator Begins on the PSP is a real gem for the handheld (in this author’s eyes), a much under-appreciated game and a franchise that I hope continues. Here you go, Gladiator Begins – on the PS3 w/Move support.
I’m on to something here, are you reading this development heads?
What titles are you most looking forward to on the Move? What unannounced games/franchises do you want with Move support? Insomniac is still mum on whether or not Resistance 3 will feature it, it’s doubtful we’ll see it Uncharted 3 or inFamous 2. If PlayStation Move Heroes is a hit, will we finally get the next installment of Jak & Daxter?
