Wednesday, October 1, 2014

FIFA 15 Review

What's New

  • FIFA's crown jewel has long been the fact it holds the rights to the English Premier League, the world's biggest and most popular annual football license. But FIFA 15 is the first year EA has actually doubled down on that property, and it's fantastic. All 20 Premier League teams have their own stadiums in the game, there are custom match intros and more expansive commentary. It's taken years but, so long as you're playing an EPL game, FIFA 15 can finally meet the matchday presentation of American sports games.

What's Changed

  • Goalkeepers have had a significant upgrade, and it makes a big difference. Not necessarily when it comes to their behaviour - though I have seen a few more instances of "sweeper keeping" than usual - but their construction. In terms of your shots finding the back of the net, goalkeepers used to be a giant hitbox. You either got it past them or you didn't. This year their stance and movement really makes a difference. I've scored a lot of goals where the ball has dipped under the keeper's butt, or deflected off an extended shin, and likewise I've seen some terrific saves be made with shoulders and knees. It really helps make shooting and scoring (or not scoring) a lot more realistic.
  • A big complaint I've had with FIFA over the years has been its fear of counter-attacking football. Through-balls rarely found open space, and even when they did, defenders could easily run down attackers. Not this year. EA have done a complete 180, with through-balls cutting easily into wide open pastures and attackers able to bolt through onto goal once they've got the ball. Some people will complain this throws out balance, but as someone who enjoys this style of football - and let's not forget, a lot of teams score a lot of goals like this - I love it.
  • Ball movement has been drastically changed, and while it doesn't grab headlines or dominate back-of-box marketing, it's the biggest alteration (and improvement) to this year's game. Both shots and crosses have a lot more fluidity and variety in their delivery, meaning you don't just see balls come in along the same handful of predictable trajectories. Crossing in particular feels a lot punchier than it used to, and long passes along the deck don't feel like they're stuck in the mud.

What Needs to Change

  • The way the game has opened up attacking football is welcome, but only in terms of passing. There's a weird tendency with AI-controlled players to take the ball and run, regardless of who they are of where they are on the pitch, which at times can get ridiculous. Steve Sidwell is not Lionel Messi, but FIFA 15 thinks he is.
  • EA's roster of licensed international teams is a joke. While it boasts loads of teams from all over the world, few are using their actual logos and kits, which makes international tournaments/games look strangely low-rent for a series that otherwise prides itself on its licensing and presentation.
  • I get what EA was trying to do with the global scouting network in career mode. Make it a more organic process, stop people simply poaching the best players on the planet at the click of a thumbstick. But what they've got here is too slow and too cumbersome. I can understand having to scout unknown 18 year-old kids from the Bundesliga, but do I really need to assign a scout to tell me how Jack Wilshere plays?
  • We know, Ultimate Team is now the cornerstone of not just the game, but EA's business surrounding the game. So it's top priority. But I wish elements like Be A Pro and Manager mode were given a similar level of attention. They haven't seen any real changes in years, and while series like NBA2K forge unique sports game experiences - turning them into a commercialised RPG - FIFA lags well behind for those who game mostly on their own.

What Doesn't Need to Change

If you don't play FIFA, know that FIFA's loading screens give you all these little mini-games to play while the code crunches in the background. I wish every game did this. It really helps kill the time, and when you jump from FIFA to a game like Madden, it just crushes you that you have to sit and watch a static screen instead of trying a few passes.
FIFA has the best menu system in video games. Seriously. I don't know how long they spent designing it, or how much money, but it's clear, simple, intuitive and fast.
Look, I like FIFA. I've liked it for a long time, and even when the game has an off year, I've stuck by it and enjoyed my time with it. This year is no different. The EPL presentation is fantastic, and the changes to attacking and shooting really open the game up.
But...I'm starting to get a little restless. After Pro Evo's technical strides last year (its 2013 game looks and animates better than EA's 2014 game), my willingness to sit down and devote dozens/hundreds of hours year-in, year-out to FIFA is no longer guaranteed. This year, for example, once I'd tested out all the new stuff and explored the stuff that had changed, I had little interest in playing for fun. It just all felt too familiar, too similar to the FIFA I'd only stopped playing a couple of months ago.
EA will tell us that their "Ignition" engine was a massive change, but long-time FIFA fans will know better. The animation has gotten a little smoother, the shirt textures a little more detailed, but deep down, in how the players move on the pitch and how everything feels through your controller, the bones of this series haven't seen a total overhaul since FIFA 07. And it's all starting to feel a bit stale.
Hopefully, with the transition between console generations a little less painful by next year, we'll be able to play something fresher when FIFA 16 comes around. That or we could all take a much closer look at Pro Evo when it's out later in the year, since last year's overhaul promised so much...
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Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Apple iOS 7 Drops today.

Apple iOS 7 could be a bigger change than iPhone 5s and 5c

The question is whether iOS 7 will reinvigorate iPhone demand or will frustrate users and developers as they try to learn the software's interface.

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September 18, 2013, 5:00 a.m.
SAN FRANCISCO — While Apple's new iPhones have hogged the spotlight in recent days, a seemingly more mundane software update may be far more crucial to the tech giant.
On Wednesday, Apple will make available for free a radically redesigned iOS 7 mobile operating system that Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook described as the biggest change to the iPhone since the device's introduction in 2007.
Indeed, some analysts say the iOS 7 represents a bigger departure for users and developers in terms of the experience than the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c that go on sale Friday.
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The question now is whether iOS 7 will reinvigorate the gadget that launched the smartphone revolution — but has seen growth slow this year — or will frustrate users and developers as they try to learn the software's interface.
"I think people aren't anticipating how big of a deal the new iOS 7 will be," said Carl Howe, a Yankee Group analyst. "The software is very different than where they've been. And the thing that is going to blow people's mind is that it's going to make it feel like they're getting a new phone."
For that reason, some analysts have even speculated that iOS 7 could damp new iPhone sales this weekend. Will people put off an iPhone purchase because the software makes it feel like they just got a new phone for free?
Analysts will be watching closely for reactions. Some time on Wednesday, iOS 7 will be available as a free download for most Apple mobile devices: the iPhone 4 or later; the iPad 2or later; the iPad Mini; and the 5th generation iPod Touch.
The iOS 7 software arrives almost a year after Cook announced a management overhaul that saw Scott Forstall, who had been in charge of iOS for years, pushed out.
The development of iOS 7 was overseen by his replacement, Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering. The interface of the new software was created by a team led by Jonathan Ive, Apple's senior vice president of design, who saw his role expand last year to include software as well as hardware designs.
"We're going to witness an event almost unprecedented in our history when overnight virtually hundreds of millions of people download iOS 7 and begin a fantastic new experience with their new devices," Federighi said last week during Apple's iPhone press event.
The new iOS ditches some familiar elements, such as designs meant to mimic real-world equivalents like bookshelves with wood grain. These types of tricks were intended to create a feeling of familiarity when Apple was introducing a revolutionary new device.
But now that smartphones are commonplace, Apple is introducing a new interface with what is being called a more modern look and feel.
On iOS 7, the home screen has a more three-dimensional look, with the apps appearing to float far above the background wallpaper image. The apps have what is described as a "flatter look," losing some of the fake lighting effects that made them appear to be rounded.
Apple has also added new swipe gestures to allow quicker access to control settings. There is a translucent look that lets a user see through different apps that might be running simultaneously. Apps will automatically update as new versions become available. And iOS 7 also includes iTunes Radio, Apple's new streaming music service.
If all goes well, Apple projects that iOS 7 will be used by more people than any single version of the rival Google Android operating system.
"Since we make updates easy, and make them available to as many customers as possible, iOS 7 will quickly become the world's most popular mobile operating system," Cook said at the unveiling of the new iPhones last week.
Still, this has created a big challenge for developers who have been scrambling in recent months to rework their apps for iOS 7.
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How To Install GTA V On Xbox 360 Without Hurting Performance

How To Install GTA V On Xbox 360 Without Hurting Performance

Today, Rockstar support advised Xbox 360 players not to install Grand Theft Auto V's second "play disc" to their hard drives. Doing so, they suggested, would affect performance.P
The 360 version of GTA V comes on two DVDs. One is an 8GB "install disc" that you must install, and a second one is a "play disc" that you use to play the game. (The PS3 version comes on a single Blu-Ray.) As you can see in this video up top from Digital Foundry, the 360 version with the play disc installed to the hard drive is noticeably laggy compared to the off-disc version. It's not a huge deal, but the lag is present.P
Fortunately, the same folks at Digital Foundry have already found a solution: If you want to play GTA V on Xbox 360 without the noise of a spinning DVD, install the first disc on your 360 hard drive like you normally would, then install the play disc to a USB thumb drive. They're sure to point out that your your mileage may vary depending on your thumb drive, but say that the approach made their lag problems go away.P
See a demonstration here:P

LDiscuss
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Tips for Playing GTA V

 

Grand Theft Auto V is a very good game. It's also really large and complex. Tons of things to do. Many sights to see. Lots of options. Think of it as a vacation. Can we give you some advice? Here are some tips for getting the most of out of GTA V. No spoilers, just some tips to make your play time as pleasant as possible.P

Get a Physical CopyP

Downloading games is cool and all, but you can't download the big fold-out, two-sided map that comes with GTA V. You need a boxed copy for that. Not only is it nice to have a map of Los Santos and Blaine County, but it's also occasionally useful. See, as good as the in-game map is, one string of sidequests that require you to figure out the locations shot in overhead, satellite "photographs" is easier if you have a nice big map to unfold and peruse.P

Make Sure You Have 8GB Free1P

You're going to need it for the game's mandatory installation on Xbox 360 and PS3. (For 360, the game comes on two discs, but Rockstar recommends that you don't install the second disc. Doing so seems to increase graphical pop-in.)P

Be Mindful of Who Is Nearby When You're Playing This Game2P

(Parents, please pay attention to all of this!) Not only does GTA V vie for the world record of use of the n-word in video games—used casually and cordially among several of its black characters—but it's plenty violent. Potentially more disconcerting for the sensitive and young is the amount of raunch in the game. Interactive violence is, for better or worse, old hat. But sexy, interactive lapdances presented in a first-person view are unusual for games and just might make things awkward if you're playing the game in front of the wrong people or if you're handing the game off to someone who maybe you'd rather not have experience that.3P

Don't Panic If You Missed Some On-Screen TipsP

GTA V continues one of the series' more annoying traditions of constantly popping up little tutorial and help messages in the margins of your TV while you are playing. Blink or stay focused on the in-game action and you'll miss them. Don't worry about it. You can read all of the game's recent notifications in the pause menu. Just pause the game, select "Brief" and flip down to both "Help" and "Notifications." Note that the option to read recent dialogue truncates the script, so if you find yourself missing what people are saying, turn on subtitles.P

Play The Missions However You'd LikeP

There are no wrong steps in GTA V. You can play the game's quests in any order, as soon as they become available. In short order, you'll have multiple missions to choose from. Pursuing one will never lock off the others. Even the heist missions, which require you to choose how you want to approach them, can be easily replayed so that you can try a different approach. Nothing will ever be locked off from you. And once you finish the game's main campaign, you can go back into the world and do any quests you haven't done yet, play any mini-games you want more of. It'll all still be there.P

Switch Characters a Lot P

Most of the major missions in the game can only be triggered by one of the game's lead characters, so you'll frequently feel the need to change from one to the next. Thankfully, the character-switches are swift. ...some have specific missions, but, more importantly, this keeps things fresh and also shows you cool transitional sequences that add some color to your characters.P

If You're Color-Blind, Pay Attention To The Size of Your Map's Icons45P

Each character's missions are color-coded on the map. That's great if you can see the difference between orange, teal and navy blue. But what if you can't? Then take note of the size of the mission icons on the map. If they're big, the character you're controlling can trigger them. If they're small, they can't.P
Tips for Playing GTA VSEXPAND

Keep An Eye Out For Blue Dots On Your Mini-MapP

Opportunities to start the game's major quests pop up on your map and mini-map as capital letters. The well-made "strangers and freaks" sidequests pop up as question marks. These are all missions you can easily replay from the game's mission replay menu. But you'll just have to find the blue-dot missions in the world. These are smaller missions, but they too have some scripted lines of speech and even some entertaining little storylines.P
They can even have long-term consequences, like adding a henchman to your available partners for your next heist or providing you a good tip for playing the game's stock market. Some of these blue-dot missions will appear in set locations of the map. Others (the less important and interesting ones) can appear anywhere. To help catch your eye, the mini-map will flash when a blue dot appears. Stop what you're doing and check it out. Also: the one involving the construction site appears to be one of the few things in the game that you can't re-try if you fail it. You've been warned!P

Listen For Stock TipsP

You can make a lot of money in GTA V. Each character pulls in a haul from various crime missions and maintains a separate bank account that they can tap into to buy vehicles, guns and property. Each character can also buy and sell stock. It may sound boring, but you should try it. Go into any of the characters' cell phones, navigate to the finance part of the web and start scanning the available lists of stocks. There are two stock markets—the Liberty City National Exchange and the BAWSAQ. You can buy and sell stock in either. The former is controlled internally by the game. The latter is affected by how other players are playing GTA V.It pulls data from the playerbase through the Rockstar Social Club, Rockstar's online service that connects all their games. If, say, a certain make of car is being wrecked a lot in the game, then its manufacturer's stock value will decline.P
What you want to listen for are the game's numerous hints and prompts regarding the value of stock in both markets. The game's fake radio newscasters will mention the highs and lows of various companies. Use that intel. Some random missions that you come across may introduce you to people who will give out stock tips. Most clearly of all, a series of "assassination" missions provided by the character Lester always explicitly tell you how some company stock will be affected if you carry out the mission to, say, assassinate a rival CEO. Listen to Lester closely! And then invest before you assassinate... always a wise strategy.P

But You'll Have Plenty of Money, RegardlessP

Don't care about the stock market? Don't worry! You will rarely be short on money in GTA V. If you just play with whatever money you get from missions, you'll have plenty to take taxis, buy guns and armor and modify your car. You won't have enough money to buy the game's most expensive properties and vehicles, but that's not the end of the world. 6P
Tips for Playing GTA VSEXPAND

Connect to the Rockstar Social ClubP

Do this and you'll be able to play the online stock market (see above). You'll also be able to store and check the photos you've taken with any of the game's three main characters. Nothing life-changing here, but some nice perks. The Social Club will likely be way more meaningful onceGrand Theft Auto Online is added to GTA V in early October.P

Don't Worry About Grinding Your Stats... Except For DrivingP

Each character has several stats that will upgrade based on how you use your character. Drive a lot and your driving stat improves. Get into fights or go running and your strength or stamina should increase. Most of this will come naturally. You're not going to run into a mission that you can't clear because your shooting skills aren't good enough (even though Michael does keep asking Franklin to go to the practice range!).P
The only skill that seems important to upgrade is the driving one, as it will make cars easier to handle. Get better at driving by... driving! That's handy, because it means that if you keep screwing up at driving, you'll get better. Also: learn to use Franklin's driving skill, which you trigger by pressing in on both thumbsticks. It'll slow down time and let you make hairpin turns. Hit the sticks again to turn it off so that you don't spend all of it in one go.P

Reply To Your E-mails P

You'll get a lot of e-mails on your in-game cellphones. Texts, too. You can't reply to texts, but you can reply to a lot of the e-mails. You'll know you can do this if your phone illuminates a reply button (a green one on the Xbox 360) while you're reading a specific e-mail. Press the reply button and you'll be given a prompt to reply.P
There's actually no choice, just one reply option. Select it. This will push you through a few e-mail chains with some of the game's supporting characters. All of them flesh things out. They're a small but useful touch for immersing yourself in the lives of Franklin, Michael and Trevor. P

Stick Around To Listen To ConversationsP

Lots of characters in GTA V like to talk. Lots of these characters have a lot of lines—more lines than you'd expect. If you hear someone talking, whether you're in a mission or just wandering through the game world, hang back and listen. You'll be surprised how far some conversations go.P

Do the Dom SidequestsP

There are a lot of good sidequests in the game. Most of the strangers and freaks missions are well worth doing. One particularly good batch is tied to a character named Dom. Do his mission and you'll wind up doing some of the most extreme things in the game. No spoilers. See for yourself! P

And Try To Meet Characters As Different PeopleP

You may get in a groove of visiting certain characters as Trevor, Michael or Franklin. What you may not realize right away, though, is that you can meet some mission-givers as different characters. Some of the sidequest folks will actually dole out one mission per lead character. These are some of the most interesting missions in the game, because they show you how differently our three leads react to the same people. Seek them out.P

Grab a Tank Or Fighter Jet Early, If You'd Like

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