My Top 6 Most Frustrating Games
As all gamers are well aware, some games are overly frustrating. This affliction is shared by good games and bad games alike, old and new. Some titles are ridiculously frustrating in places, yet excellent in others. Other titles are frustrating throughout, and just plain shite. Said frustration isn’t only due to insane levels of difficulty, but can also stem from poor level design, repetitive gameplay, characters who you want to smother, glitches and also the inability of the gamer. What follows are six of the games that, for one reason or another, have caused me the most frustration.
The Ninja (SEGA Master System)
This is my original frustrating game. A port of the arcade game, Sega Ninja, I played it on the Master System when I was about 10 years old. No matter how hard I tried, nor how fast I threw my shuriken, I could not get past the first level for love nor money. I haven’t returned to this game since my childhood, so I have no idea if it’s really all that difficult. No matter, it remains my first memory of video game frustration.
Policenauts (SEGA Saturn)
This has been a source of frustration of an entirely difficult kind. By all accounts, Policenauts is a very good game. Developed by Hideo Kojima, it’s a cinematic adventure that was first released in 1994 but has never seen the light of day outside of Japan. A Western release was planned for the SEGA Saturn, but it never came to fruition. I have a JPN Saturn copy, complete with its jet black slip case, art book and stickers, but for the life of me I cant play it. I have spent hours trying to navigate the text heavy screens, but to no avail. My Japanese is simply nowhere near good enough. I’m stuck at the main characters desk, unsure of what exactly I am supposed to do to get outside. The light gun sequences are always just out of reach, promising a legitimate reason to adorn my light gun with the provided Policenauts stickers!
However, there is hope. A team of dedicated fans have painstakingly put together a translated patch of the game, which was finally released a few days ago. However, I will be fluent in Japanese by the time I figure out how exactly I utilize the patch.
Street Fighter IV (PS3)
I have written about this before (link), so I will keep it brief. I’m terrible at fighting games, and SFIV is terribly hard, especially the final boss, Seth, who appears to be no easier on the very easy setting than he is on normal. I’m getting angry just thinking about it. Don’t even get me started on my multiplayer experience.
NBA Live ’97 (SEGA Saturn)
This game ranks both as one of my most frustrating games, as well as one of my all time favourites. The PAL release date was constantly being postponed and I had all but given up on having the opportunity to play it on my beloved Saturn. I remember calling game shops every week to confirm when exactly the game was coming. I wanted so much to play as my favourite team, the Phoenix Suns, and further enjoy the sport which I had first discovered only a year previously. I had all but given up and resigned myself to the fact that NBA Live would never grace the Saturn in the UK. Then one day, when perusing the shelves of my local HMV, there was Mitch Richmond, the cover star, staring back at me. I almost lost control of my bowels. Even the £44.99 price tag didn’t dampen my spirits. I proceeded to play the game non stop for the next year. Frustration over.
Prince of Persia – Warrior Within (PS2)
Aside from not being particularly good, there are some deeply fundamental problems with this game. For example, from a developer’s stand point, you would think it would be advantageous to remove a glitch that turns your character into the games main antagonist for no particular reason, rendering the game save useless and forcing the player to restart from the very beginning. This happened to me 2 times, on 2 different copies of the game! It would also constantly freeze, playing the annoying metal in-game music on loop.
Call of Duty - World at War (PS3)
During a recent lull in enticing new releases, I decide to revisit COD WAW for some trophying (a new verb), and decided to have a shot at a play-through on very hard. Of course, it was very hard, so no surprises there. However, frustration lay in the sheer number of grenades that are constantly lobbed at your feet, making the game inexplicably difficult, as well as making some levels overly dependant on luck. Whether or not you survived the grenade gauntlet to the next checkpoint was often due to how many grenades the game decided to chuck at you. I got half way through, found myself openly questioning why I was bothering, and put it back on the shelf, never to be touched again. Ever.
This Week’s Purchases – SEGA Retail Therapy
Friday was a tiring end to a busy week. I started work at 7.30am and didn’t get home until 8pm. During almost all of that time I was working or commuting. However, I had a small window of free time in the afternoon, so of course I headed to Akihabara for some video game retail therapy. And look what happened –
I bought a Game Gear. I’m not exactly sure why I need one, but it was really cheap. And blue. I believe it’s the sports version that was released alongside World Series Baseball. The Game Gear is something that I remember wanting as a kid, so I couldn’t resist. I also had never played one so I was a little curious, and I was left quite impressed. The screen was adequately bright and the sound quality was a lot better than I was expecting. From what I understand, they are region free, so I can also play English games if the mood takes me.
It’s more than a little bulky, especially when placed aside portables of today. It also requires 6 (!) batteries. My fiancé looked on in horror as I took 6 batteries from the drawer, and she seemed even less impressed when I informed her that I would need another half dozen in about 2 hours.
As for the games, I gave myself a very limited budget, and was able to stay well within it. Outrun is the obligatory racer needed when picking up a new console, and was the most expensive of the bunch. NBA JAM never fails to entertain, and this copy was unopened dead stock. Columns and Puyo Puyo, which I seem to have accumulated across a number of consoles, are my puzzlers. I picked up Battle Toads as I remembered hearing that it is notoriously difficult. As for Sonic 2, no SEGA console is complete without a Sonic game.
I doubt I will be expanding my collection of GG games beyond a couple more titles, but now I have another platform I can shop and rummage for, and that’s half the fun.
OTHER NOTES
During the same shopping trip, I resisted picking up a copy of Arkham Asylum. I do really want to play it, but with a handful of other games waiting to be played and a hefty import price tag (¥8000) I decided to pass. For now.
I’m one trophy away from platinum on Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. Unfortunately, the final trophy requires you to collect $1,000,000 in online multiplayer, which is very frustrating and time consuming to achieve. For all the great things I have said about the single player campaign, the online is a bit of a disgrace. Terrible lag, upwards of 20 minutes waiting to get a game underway, and games that suddenly crash have many a gamer seething. It’s a shame, because the multiplayer game modes are actually rather good and well thought out.
I bought a Game Gear. I’m not exactly sure why I need one, but it was really cheap. And blue. I believe it’s the sports version that was released alongside World Series Baseball. The Game Gear is something that I remember wanting as a kid, so I couldn’t resist. I also had never played one so I was a little curious, and I was left quite impressed. The screen was adequately bright and the sound quality was a lot better than I was expecting. From what I understand, they are region free, so I can also play English games if the mood takes me.
It’s more than a little bulky, especially when placed aside portables of today. It also requires 6 (!) batteries. My fiancé looked on in horror as I took 6 batteries from the drawer, and she seemed even less impressed when I informed her that I would need another half dozen in about 2 hours.
As for the games, I gave myself a very limited budget, and was able to stay well within it. Outrun is the obligatory racer needed when picking up a new console, and was the most expensive of the bunch. NBA JAM never fails to entertain, and this copy was unopened dead stock. Columns and Puyo Puyo, which I seem to have accumulated across a number of consoles, are my puzzlers. I picked up Battle Toads as I remembered hearing that it is notoriously difficult. As for Sonic 2, no SEGA console is complete without a Sonic game.
I doubt I will be expanding my collection of GG games beyond a couple more titles, but now I have another platform I can shop and rummage for, and that’s half the fun.
OTHER NOTES
During the same shopping trip, I resisted picking up a copy of Arkham Asylum. I do really want to play it, but with a handful of other games waiting to be played and a hefty import price tag (¥8000) I decided to pass. For now.
I’m one trophy away from platinum on Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. Unfortunately, the final trophy requires you to collect $1,000,000 in online multiplayer, which is very frustrating and time consuming to achieve. For all the great things I have said about the single player campaign, the online is a bit of a disgrace. Terrible lag, upwards of 20 minutes waiting to get a game underway, and games that suddenly crash have many a gamer seething. It’s a shame, because the multiplayer game modes are actually rather good and well thought out.
I’m Useless at Beat-em-ups - Marvel vs Capcom 2
Marvel Vs Capcom 2
Street Fighter IV
Fighting Vipers
Virtua Fighter 2
Mortal Kombat
X Men Vs Street Fighter
Those are just a small sample of the fighting games that I currently have in my video game collection. And I’m terrible at all of them. Absolutely, and utterly hopeless.
Every time a new, acclaimed beat-em-up comes along, I get sucked in and conveniently forget that I can’t play fighting games for the life of me. Marvel Vs Capcom 2 is the latest game to subtly remind me that I have no talent for beat-em-ups. I play, get unbelievably frustrated and swear to the high heavens that I will never touch it again. Two hours later and I’m trying again. Rinse and repeat. I must be a glutton for punishment.
I haven’t even tried it online yet, for fear of bursting into tears. I have limited myself to an “easy” run-through of the single player mode as well as playing against my fiancé. My current record is 2-9, yet control-wise she doesn’t know what she is doing either. She is just bashing the pad. I try taking a more strategic approach, and I lose. I bash the controller until my fingers ache, same result.
Earlier this year, Street Fighter IV gave me a fat lip. I’m usually a very calm and collected individual, but after my 50th odd attempt at downing Seth, I chucked my controller at the cushion next to me, only for it to bounce back up into my face. It was probably the only combo I pulled-off all day.
I think that deep down I want to enjoy fighting games. The promise that a bit of practice and dedication could transform me into a legitimate player, keeps me coming back for more. But I just don’t know how to go about it, especially in multiplayer games. In single player, I can get to the point where I know enough about the opponent’s technique to squeak past them. But when it comes to multiplayer, I have no bloody idea.
So, to all those fighting pros out there; am I missing something?
For now, I will go and move that damn cushion in preparation for my next session.
If Only my Life Were Patched for Trophies - A day in Tokyo with trophy (PS3) support
Wouldn’t life be so much more interesting if it were patched for trophies, just like a PS3 game (Xbox360 - Achievements)? You do something successfully, and “ping” a shiny trophy appears over your right hand shoulder. Think of all the extra motivation it would provide to complete those mundane day to day tasks. My average summer day in Tokyo might look a little like this-
Bronze Trophies
Assist – Help those tourists staring blankly at the Tokyo subway map.
Ass – Pretend you don’t see those tourists staring blankly at the Tokyo subway map.
Mainichi Otaku – Go to Akihabara and buy something that you don’t need.
Join Us – Play your DS on the train
Party of One – Sing Muse’s “Knights of Cydonia” at karaoke.
Broken Record – Tell everyone about your recent gaming exploits, especially people who don’t care.
Silver Trophies
Master of Restraint – Don’t go to Akihabara today.
King of the Beer Garden – Prove you worth by foolishly out-drinking everyone else at 5pm.
What a Porker – Go to a shabu shabu all-you-can-eat-and-drink restaurant three times in one week (This one isn’t me. You know who you are!)
Short Circuit – Try to robot dance. Fail.
Gold Trophies
Musical Chairs – Secure the only remaining seat on the 6.46am train to Shinagawa.
One in a million – Play the Virtual Boy on the train.
Last Man Standing – Miss the last train home, but resist the urge to get a taxi instead.
Platinum Trophy
What a Dandy – Successfully wear a suit all day in overbearing humidity.
BTW, I haven’t gone mad. Just a very quiet week here in Japan (Obon), with very little else to do!
Bronze Trophies
Assist – Help those tourists staring blankly at the Tokyo subway map.
Ass – Pretend you don’t see those tourists staring blankly at the Tokyo subway map.
Mainichi Otaku – Go to Akihabara and buy something that you don’t need.
Join Us – Play your DS on the train
Party of One – Sing Muse’s “Knights of Cydonia” at karaoke.
Broken Record – Tell everyone about your recent gaming exploits, especially people who don’t care.
Silver Trophies
Master of Restraint – Don’t go to Akihabara today.
King of the Beer Garden – Prove you worth by foolishly out-drinking everyone else at 5pm.
What a Porker – Go to a shabu shabu all-you-can-eat-and-drink restaurant three times in one week (This one isn’t me. You know who you are!)
Short Circuit – Try to robot dance. Fail.
Gold Trophies
Musical Chairs – Secure the only remaining seat on the 6.46am train to Shinagawa.
One in a million – Play the Virtual Boy on the train.
Last Man Standing – Miss the last train home, but resist the urge to get a taxi instead.
Platinum Trophy
What a Dandy – Successfully wear a suit all day in overbearing humidity.
BTW, I haven’t gone mad. Just a very quiet week here in Japan (Obon), with very little else to do!
Review - Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
Western themed video games are somewhat few and far between. Those games that have emerged from the genre have largely been greeted with mixed reviews and consumer indifference. However, with Rockstar’s high profile Red Dead Redemption on the way, maybe things are changing. And If Call of Juarez – Bound in Blood is anything to go by, then things are already-a-changing partner.
I have just got through playing the single player campaign of Call of Juarez – Bound in Blood on the PS3, and I was suitably impressed. From the setting, to the combat, to the outstanding story and lead characters, this game is very easy to recommend.
The McCall brothers are the stars of COJ, and the game succeeds because of them. Ray and Thomas are the playable brothers. Ray is the bad tempered, profanity spewing gun slinging older brother. Thomas is slightly quieter but equally as violent, and deadly with a rifle. The third brother, William, is a man of the Church. Although not playable, he is central to the game, narrating the story and his vain attempts to save his brothers from sin. And they do a lot of sinning! All of the three brothers are perfectly voiced and their complicated relationship and constant banter is believable throughout. One second Ray will be threatening to kill Thomas, the next he will be putting his life on the line to protect what family he has left. The complications of the McCall family relationship is what makes things so engrossing.
We follow the brothers from Civil War ravaged Georgia to the vast landscapes of Mexico and Arizona, as Ray and Thomas dessert from the Confederate army to protect their home, only to embark upon a journey fuelled by greed and lust. And the game isn’t afraid to include some of the grizzly truths of the lives of men like the McCalls. Talk of massacres, rape, slavery and the prevalent racist attitudes of the era constantly simmer under the surface.
Thanks to the strong characters and well crafted atmosphere, the story is extremely engaging. This is the first game I have played in awhile where I was genuinely interested in seeing what was going to happen next. These days, I’m usually content if the story simply doesn’t get too much in the way of the gameplay. But with COJ, the story was just as much a reason to play on as the fluid gameplay. At times I was racing through levels just to find out what turn the plot would take next.
Developers Techland have milked the western setting for all its worth. You fight in corn fields, saloons, a ghost town and an Apache village, and exciting set pieces abound. One of my favourite parts of the game involves a Comanche ambush when one of your wagons gets stuck during a river crossing. It culminates with you chasing down a group of Comanche before they reach and kill one of your fleeing companions. This sequence is well executed and perfectly captures the sense of fear felt by the group as they venture deeper into un-travelled territory.
The combat is very gratifying, and although it borrows many aspects from the Call of Duty series, it plays out in a rather unique way. During most missions, you are free to select which brother you want to use. Each has different skills, and approaches problems in a different manner, adding a degree of replay-ability to proceedings. The guns feel suitably antique, lacking the power and accuracy of modern day weapons but still packing enough punch to get the job done. Killing a certain number of enemies triggers the “concentration mode” which slows done time, giving you a short window to line up a number of shots with your dual pistols. It works really well, adding further to the cinematic feel of the game. The “Showdown” mode accurately recreates the gun-slinging duels of spaghetti westerns. This game of quick-draw is very frustrating at first, but once you get the hang of keeping you foe in the centre of the screen and inching your hand towards your revolver, it becomes very satisfying.
However, it’s not all roses. Whilst your brother’s AI is rather impressive, the same cannot be said about the enemy. They will stand out in the open, have no concept of flanking manoeuvres or working together, and will at times just randomly run into you. The other problem is that it can be very difficult to figure out from where exactly you are being shot at. On a number of occasions I died without being any the wiser as to where my killer was shooting from.
There are a few open world sections where you are encouraged to do side quests for money. They range from hunting down outlaws, to protecting railroad workers from Apache. Whilst these sections are fun, they don’t really add much to the game. The music is also a mixed bag. You do get the obligatory whistles in the wind and the sounds you expect to hear in any good Western. But when the action heats up, you are greeted by the screeching of electric guitars. Few things take away from a game’s atmosphere more than a bit of ill-placed metal. I really wish developers would stop doing this.
I haven’t really had a chance to get into the multiplayer as of yet. However, from what I have seen it offers a nice mix of character types across a decent amount of modes. One glaring omission though is a co-op mode, online or otherwise, that would have fit perfectly with the brother’s story.
These few gripes aside, Call of Juarez – Bound in Blood is a refreshing break from your standard FPS setting, and an excellent take on a genre that has so much untapped potential. Graphically, it’s highly polished and the combat is smooth and offers a well-balanced challenge. But it’s the characters, their struggles and interactions with each other which will keep you coming back for more. When 2009 draws to a close, I’m confident that Call of Juarez will rank as one of my outstanding titles of the year.
I have just got through playing the single player campaign of Call of Juarez – Bound in Blood on the PS3, and I was suitably impressed. From the setting, to the combat, to the outstanding story and lead characters, this game is very easy to recommend.
The McCall brothers are the stars of COJ, and the game succeeds because of them. Ray and Thomas are the playable brothers. Ray is the bad tempered, profanity spewing gun slinging older brother. Thomas is slightly quieter but equally as violent, and deadly with a rifle. The third brother, William, is a man of the Church. Although not playable, he is central to the game, narrating the story and his vain attempts to save his brothers from sin. And they do a lot of sinning! All of the three brothers are perfectly voiced and their complicated relationship and constant banter is believable throughout. One second Ray will be threatening to kill Thomas, the next he will be putting his life on the line to protect what family he has left. The complications of the McCall family relationship is what makes things so engrossing.
We follow the brothers from Civil War ravaged Georgia to the vast landscapes of Mexico and Arizona, as Ray and Thomas dessert from the Confederate army to protect their home, only to embark upon a journey fuelled by greed and lust. And the game isn’t afraid to include some of the grizzly truths of the lives of men like the McCalls. Talk of massacres, rape, slavery and the prevalent racist attitudes of the era constantly simmer under the surface.
Thanks to the strong characters and well crafted atmosphere, the story is extremely engaging. This is the first game I have played in awhile where I was genuinely interested in seeing what was going to happen next. These days, I’m usually content if the story simply doesn’t get too much in the way of the gameplay. But with COJ, the story was just as much a reason to play on as the fluid gameplay. At times I was racing through levels just to find out what turn the plot would take next.
Developers Techland have milked the western setting for all its worth. You fight in corn fields, saloons, a ghost town and an Apache village, and exciting set pieces abound. One of my favourite parts of the game involves a Comanche ambush when one of your wagons gets stuck during a river crossing. It culminates with you chasing down a group of Comanche before they reach and kill one of your fleeing companions. This sequence is well executed and perfectly captures the sense of fear felt by the group as they venture deeper into un-travelled territory.
The combat is very gratifying, and although it borrows many aspects from the Call of Duty series, it plays out in a rather unique way. During most missions, you are free to select which brother you want to use. Each has different skills, and approaches problems in a different manner, adding a degree of replay-ability to proceedings. The guns feel suitably antique, lacking the power and accuracy of modern day weapons but still packing enough punch to get the job done. Killing a certain number of enemies triggers the “concentration mode” which slows done time, giving you a short window to line up a number of shots with your dual pistols. It works really well, adding further to the cinematic feel of the game. The “Showdown” mode accurately recreates the gun-slinging duels of spaghetti westerns. This game of quick-draw is very frustrating at first, but once you get the hang of keeping you foe in the centre of the screen and inching your hand towards your revolver, it becomes very satisfying.
However, it’s not all roses. Whilst your brother’s AI is rather impressive, the same cannot be said about the enemy. They will stand out in the open, have no concept of flanking manoeuvres or working together, and will at times just randomly run into you. The other problem is that it can be very difficult to figure out from where exactly you are being shot at. On a number of occasions I died without being any the wiser as to where my killer was shooting from.
There are a few open world sections where you are encouraged to do side quests for money. They range from hunting down outlaws, to protecting railroad workers from Apache. Whilst these sections are fun, they don’t really add much to the game. The music is also a mixed bag. You do get the obligatory whistles in the wind and the sounds you expect to hear in any good Western. But when the action heats up, you are greeted by the screeching of electric guitars. Few things take away from a game’s atmosphere more than a bit of ill-placed metal. I really wish developers would stop doing this.
I haven’t really had a chance to get into the multiplayer as of yet. However, from what I have seen it offers a nice mix of character types across a decent amount of modes. One glaring omission though is a co-op mode, online or otherwise, that would have fit perfectly with the brother’s story.
These few gripes aside, Call of Juarez – Bound in Blood is a refreshing break from your standard FPS setting, and an excellent take on a genre that has so much untapped potential. Graphically, it’s highly polished and the combat is smooth and offers a well-balanced challenge. But it’s the characters, their struggles and interactions with each other which will keep you coming back for more. When 2009 draws to a close, I’m confident that Call of Juarez will rank as one of my outstanding titles of the year.
Drunken Gaming - Games to Play After a Night on The Town
Every once in a while I will stumble back home inebriated, and invariably I want to play video games. Usually, I'm with it enough to know that there are certain games that I can, and can’t play in said state. Some games lend themselves to shit-faced sessions, whereas others (the Metal Gear Solid series, RPG’s and any game which has a storyline that I care for) are better left until the next day.
So here are some perfect titles for those Saturday nights when you are sober enough to do something constructive, but drunk enough not to realise that you should probably just go to bed.
Rez – It’s just like clubbing. Only on your own, and with a trance vibrator. And it makes me far less angry than being in a real club. Definitely a winner.
Shatter – Great soundtrack and easy to pick up. A perfect nightcap for any drinking session. At such a low price, it’s an absolute bargain and shouldn’t be missed.
Battlefield 1943 – I discovered something strange last weekend. I’m much better at this game when I’m drunk. Normally, I’m a pretty average player. I’m clued-in enough to know what I should be doing (i.e. not play it like it’s an FPS) yet my skill level leaves me firmly in the middle of the pack. However, after a few beers I’m stealing bases and racking up kills like a pro.
Wii Sports Resort – Especially good with friends. Though Mii creation usually takes far longer than actually playing anything.
Virtua Cop 2 - Check out my two light-gun wielding moves! Guaranteed to impress, or not. Still, it’s as playable as it was the first time I pointed my blue plastic light gun at the screen, and it remains one of many great reasons to own a Saturn.
Flower – A perfect game for the tail end of a late night. That a game so easy to play has the ability to impress on so many different levels is rather impressive. It’s a game that exudes charm whilst demanding so little from the player, thus making it a compulsory entry for this list.
So here are some perfect titles for those Saturday nights when you are sober enough to do something constructive, but drunk enough not to realise that you should probably just go to bed.
Rez – It’s just like clubbing. Only on your own, and with a trance vibrator. And it makes me far less angry than being in a real club. Definitely a winner.
Shatter – Great soundtrack and easy to pick up. A perfect nightcap for any drinking session. At such a low price, it’s an absolute bargain and shouldn’t be missed.
Battlefield 1943 – I discovered something strange last weekend. I’m much better at this game when I’m drunk. Normally, I’m a pretty average player. I’m clued-in enough to know what I should be doing (i.e. not play it like it’s an FPS) yet my skill level leaves me firmly in the middle of the pack. However, after a few beers I’m stealing bases and racking up kills like a pro.
Wii Sports Resort – Especially good with friends. Though Mii creation usually takes far longer than actually playing anything.
Virtua Cop 2 - Check out my two light-gun wielding moves! Guaranteed to impress, or not. Still, it’s as playable as it was the first time I pointed my blue plastic light gun at the screen, and it remains one of many great reasons to own a Saturn.
Flower – A perfect game for the tail end of a late night. That a game so easy to play has the ability to impress on so many different levels is rather impressive. It’s a game that exudes charm whilst demanding so little from the player, thus making it a compulsory entry for this list.
How do Sony and Microsoft Keep Swear Words Out of Online IDs?
Whilst going for a jog earlier, my mind started to wander as it usually does. Today's internal discussion - "How on earth do Sony and Microsoft prevent people from using rude user names?"
Is there some sort of continuously updated database that weeds out unsavoury words? And if so, is there someone whose sole purpose it is to scour the world for inappropriate words? And how on earth do they keep track of slang terms that are peculiar to every different country and language?
Whatever the case, they must be doing a good job, as I cant remember seeing any controversial names whist playing online.
I'm sure any sort of insight into this topic would be fascinating!
Is there some sort of continuously updated database that weeds out unsavoury words? And if so, is there someone whose sole purpose it is to scour the world for inappropriate words? And how on earth do they keep track of slang terms that are peculiar to every different country and language?
Whatever the case, they must be doing a good job, as I cant remember seeing any controversial names whist playing online.
I'm sure any sort of insight into this topic would be fascinating!
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