Time for a change?

Now that the opposition has increased their stakes, let's see some proper debates and not just bitching for the sake of bitching (something that goes on far too well in Malaysia's political landscape).

1. Complete abolishment of fuel subsidies for the majority.
2. Invest in public transportation.
3. Introduce anti-discrimination laws. Not only racial, but also social background, gender, political leanings and sexual preferences.
4. Stop blaming shit on foreigners. Without them, the country will fail.
5. Pour much more money into the health service.
6. No more public investments into shit like Formula One, ugly apartments and woeful footballers.
7. Guarantee people the freedom FROM religion.

Internet Explorer 8 beta impressions

The first public beta of Internet Explorer 8 was released a couple of days ago. I downloaded it (14.4MB), but only just remembered to install it today.

The copy was installed on my Windows XP SP2 ThinkPad. Installation went fine without a hitch, albeit a bit slow (10 minutes) and it does require a restart. This suggests that IE8 does tie itself deeply with the OS like past Internet Explorers. It was a one-off restart that was expected and since I had to restart my PC anyway for a completely different matter, it didn't bother me one bit. Though I am sure some of you may take issue with it, so feel free to bitch about it.


A quick test through Acid2 revealed that IE 8 beta completely passed the test, which rendered the page perfectly. However it did fail the Acid3 test, but don't fret Microsoft, even Firefox 2 failed - though it did achieve a higher score. Enough about theoretical tests though, the most important thing in choosing web browsers is the speed. Thankfully IE 8 beta seems to run a quick browser rendering engine. A couple of sites that works with IE 7 breaks (like Eurogamer) but this is still good news because IE 8 will now follow web standards by default, and hopefully this will force the web masters at Eurogamer to redesign their recently redesigned glitchy frontpage. On the other hand IE 8 beta also comes with a built-in IE 7 engine which you can use if you prefer Microsoft's interpretation of CSS.


A new feature that I do fancy is called Activities. When a user highlights a body of text within a web page, a pop up with a little green arrow will appear. By selecting it a menu will appear which gives the user the option to search the text highlighted through the search engine of their choice. More search engines can be added via the IE 8 website such as eBay and Live Search Maps. It isn't just search engine. Activities includes option to send the text through e-mail, or translate them via Windows Live. Right now the choices of Activities are a bit sparse, but I hope to see more include in the future like the option to blog through Blogger or to translate via Babelfish.

IE 8 seems to be a huge step for Microsoft as it will be a change of web browsing philosophy, with the company finally embracing web standards. Firefox still has the upper hand in terms of customisation, though the ever increasing bloatedness of the browser (even without add-ons) is something I hope try to sort. And Opera is still the most nimble browser ever created. Either way, with the release of IE 8 beta, an increase in developer competition should be expected. This will hopefully lead to a better web browsing experience for everyone.

Killzone Liberation review

I was never a fan of Killzone. It was hyped by the gaming media and blogs that when it arrived, it was disappointedly average. But I never truly enjoyed playing FPS games via dual analog anyway, so no harm done. Thankfully Guerrilla Games to design the game around the PSP's more limited hardware by using a completely different gameplay approach. As a result, what we have in Killzone: Liberation is one of the most satisfying tactical-based shooter available on a portable console. Seriously, I have tried a couple of PSP action games, and many that I have to return or resell, no thanks to developers wishing to shoehorn the fixed console experience on a handheld game.


In Killzone Liberation, the most obvious change over its console cousin is the inclusion of the overhead camera. This actually provides the same immersion level provided by FPS titles and third person games like Portable Ops, but at the same time allows for greater flexibility in a game designed around a single analog pad. It is so simple, yet so effective that you have to wonder why on earth didn't games like Portable Ops ship with such a camera mode. The top down perspective also allows for a more tactical approach within the gameplay, though not on the same level as Commandos or SOCOM. One such approach is having the ability to lob grenades over, and another being able to order your team mate around. For example your AI buddy can provide cover support while you busy yourself planting a C4. Multiple pathways also awaits to be unearthed. Controls are well integrated with the only problem being the buttons switching functions depending on the types of weapons equipped or the actions required. Seriously, there can never be too many buttons. Phil Harrison and Peter Molyneux are both so wrong (this is fact).


The difficulty can be harrowing as the intensity is pretty unforgiving especially when the difficulty spikes infinitely during the second half and during boss battles. Well placed checkpoints should keep you from hurling stamping your PSP in frustration. Enemy combatants around that dumb either. They don't just run at you, but hide and duck as well, and occasionally ambushes you into skirmish that will frighten even the most hardened gamer. It isn't Contra 4 but it does provide a significant challenge and will provide at least 5-8 hours (depending on skills) of mission based single player campaign, in addition to multiplayer via ad-hoc and Infrastructure (via a downloadable patch). A fifth campaign is also available via download which should increase the playtime by an additional 1-2 hours.


Visually Killzone: Liberation is one of the most technically impressive title created for a portable console and it shows well. While the colour palette is limited, graphically the game is top tier with its gritty visuals and detailed architecture, though no where near the level exhibited by the upcoming God of War: Chains of Olympus game. Humans are well animated and the rag doll physics of Helghast soldiers being gunned down is downright pleasing. With the environment designed to be as gorgeous as possible, the frame rate never once stuttering even under heavy load of special effects. Sadly the same level of care can not be said for sound effects. Team mates will occasionally quip and Helghast will do their usual Gnome soldier impression. Sound wise, nothing special is offered and the limited voice over is something you have learnt to expect from a game like this anyway.


Despite some flaws, Killzone: Liberation is a well presented game high in production value, even if it is lacking in content and innovation. The 2006 title is now available as a budget and as thus well worth checking out, or at least a rent.

Likes:
Graphically very impressive
Substantial amount of content
Gameplay tailored around the PSP

Gripes:
Difficulty rockets through the second half
Soundtrack is lacking and voice acting a bit meh

8/10

You can import Killzone: Liberation from Play-Asia. Euro gamers are probably far better off with the cheaper Platinum title though.

Yo! Sushi monday offer

Here is something for Yo! Sushi lovers. Their swanky original chain store in Soho is having a 'Blue Monday' offer where you get to enjoy the dishes on the conveyor belt for only £2.20 (the price of normal blue plates) each. The offer is valid until 28 April (except Easter Monday), so make sure you get there if you like paying for bland sushi and rubbing shoulders with yuppies who enjoys expensive fast food masquerading as authentic Japanese cuisine.

Play.com Live

The first ever Play.com Live exhibition will be held next weekend at the rather new and expensive Wembley Stadium, where thousands of teenage gamers will be allowed to spoil the pitch therefore providing England FA an excuse to why they keep losing in their shit brand of international football. Tickets are divided into morning and afternoon slots and will cost six quid for adults and three for little gamers. Among the games promised to be shown are Street Fighter IV, Resident Evil 5 and Ninja Gaiden 2, all of which are unlikely to be playable but who knows?

Konami will also be there refereeing the PES2008 tournament final. Like real professional football, the game is riddled with cheaters and even today news has reached this blog that one of these so-called leading PES gamer has been barred from the £50k competition. Also promising to wow the band of chavs is the actual Aston Martin DBS that will be featured in Quantum of Solace, the second crap James Bond film in three years.

You can get your tickets right here, but seriously, why on earth would you ever want to do that? Oh wait, LittleBigPlanet will be playable? I am so there.

Echochrome demo impressions

I have been waiting to play echochrome since Sony unveiled the title at last year's E3 presser. Thankfully a demo of echochrome for PSP was released on the Japanese PlayStation store today. The demo is very short and only last a couple of minutes worth of puzzles, but gave at least gave me a good impression on how well the game works on the PSP.

The idea of the game is difficult to put into words. It is far easier to watch a video, but I will still try my best. You can always refer to the illustrations and video below. echochrome's gameplay revolves around a mannequin figurine walking on geometrical planes. In order to guide the figurine through planes that may seem impossible to traverse because there is a gap, or a black hole etc., you rotate the camera to change the perspective. For example if you require a figurine to cross a gap you simply rotate the camera so that an adjacent vertical panel would hide the gap. Because we couldn't see the gap any longer, meant that the rules has changed and it simply doesn't exist for the figurine, and is allowed to continue its journey through. This set of rules were developed based on OLE Coordinate System engine.


A gap blocks the path for our simple fellow.


But a simple change of perspective 'erases' the gap through an optical illusion.


Figurine survives the walk, thanks to you.

The illustration above is nicked of the OLE site and actually features in the demo as the second tutorial. While the visuals are similar, the PSP's figurine is much more detailed. Not that it matters anyway for a game like this. Supplementing the demo's string solo was a calming English voice over that provides encouragement. The figurine walks at a short pace giving you enough time to think ahead. It can also be stopped if you require the additional time, or speed up. The important camera is solely controlled via the analog pad. Here lies the biggest problem. As you may know the PSP's analog pad isn't the greatest iteration of analog sticks. Being a pad and all, it isn't particularly accurate. It isn't a problem with the demo, but I can imagine it being a liability with later more complex puzzles. This should not be a problem with the PlayStation 3 version though as I have always found Dual Shock analog sticks to be pretty good.



The PSP version is rumoured to actually cost more than the PS3 PSN version, but it will also come with double the amount of puzzles. The PSN version however include a level-editor, if rumours are true, so that may be a more appealing purchase. Either way echochrome has a potential to be a great, engaging and addictive game, if Sony would give it a chance and market it well. Sending great games like Patapon out to die doesn't inspire confidence that they will. And whether or not echochrome will appeal to a fast changing video games market remains to be seen, but I hope it will.

You can download the Eboot file here and copy them onto your Memory Stick. Alternatively you can also download the PSP demo directly from your PSP's web browser through here, then later pre-order from your favourite importer. :) The Asian version (known as echochrome plus) has dual language: Mandarin and English.

Gary Gygax RIP

Gary Gygax, the co-creator of role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons has passed away. Without him the computer and console role playing genre would not have existed. I hardly play D&D, but appreciate his contribution to a still growing industry. RPG franchises like Baldur's Gate, Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and Ultima would never have entertained the millions if it wasn't for this man.

Nip/Tuck ad too racy for London commuters

As a perfect example that the UK is slowly but inevitably trasforming itself into a bleak version of prudish Americana, this relatively lame and restrained advertising campaign for Nip/Tuck has apparently been banned from going up around TfL's London Underground advertising slots. This follows the banning of the Fat Christ promotion, which features a man in pink boxer shorts being crucified. Sad. But at least this news does remind me that I really ought to catch up with season four, considering that season five is almost upon us.

Anyway does Julian McMahon look haggard in that poster or what? Time for another botox shot Dr. Troy.