Want another all-consuming, fascinating, and fun game. IANAHG (hardcore gamer) - the last two games I played were Bioshock and Fallout 3. And those were the first games I played since Halo 2 (not 3, 2).
But I loved both Bioshock and FO3.
What I’m looking for:
[ul]
[li]Something more “alternative universe”. e.g., sci-fi, zombies, future, fantasy, mysterious worlds. I have GTA IV, but never got into it.[/li][li]First-person oriented (whether it’s a mystery-wander-through-the-world-figuring-things-out), or an FPS. I guess I could deal w/ third-person if it were NOT primarily a shooter.[/li][li]Am in the mood for something really engrossing - and potentially scary.[/li][li]Non-multiplayer (it can have multiplayer as part of it, but primarily must be a great solo game[/li][li]No “squad-based”. I suck managing other characters. In FO3, I had Dogmeat for probably 10 minutes before he got killed. The other followers I got, I just told them to stay where they were - forever[/li][/ul]
Basically, I want to be able to sit down at 9 or 10pm in my totally dark living room, turn on my 46" LCD, and plug in a game that will totally absorb/intrigue/scare me. Let me escape for a few hours, until I look up and it’s 3am and I know my wife will be pissed at me tomorrow for sleeping late
F.E.A.R. 2. It’s a FPS survival-horror title. It has many elements of both typical FPS titles and action titles, as well as some elements of survival horror and exploration titles.
The first had some very creepy moments. Mind you, I was playing in a well lit room in the middle of the afternoon, and was still on the edge of my seat. The sequel should be no less hair-raising.
Problem is, it’s not being released for another two weeks. Keep it in mind, though
First think that came to mind was Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.
Resident Evil 5 is due soon - believe the demo on 2/2.
I think Ratchet and Clank meets all of your requirements, with the exception of “scary.” The environments are fanciful and overwrought cartoonish, but fun to explore. And the weapons rock.
You may enjoy Resistance/Resistance 2 as well, but both are very FPS shooter types.
Far Point 2 is pretty engrossing, but not very scary or other-worldly.
Resistance: Fall of Man 2 sounds like it might be right up your alley. However, I found it too linear – only one way out of any situation, only one path to go down, that sort of thing.
There’s another one I’ve heard good things about, but I can’t quite remember the name – Deep Space or something like that – it’s a first person shooter set on a disabled starship, I believe.
That was Dead Space, which would be totally up my alley - except that I downloaded the demo (“Dismemberment”) and found it very difficult. It’s not first-person. It’s freaking great looking, but I could not figure out the controls very well, and the “over-the-shoulder” view very disorienting. Maybe if I had it and got used to it…
I downloaded the demo, and while interesting a pretty big drawback (at least in the demo) is that it was incredibly linear. I mean, there is one and only one path to take, period. Basically follow this corridor/alley/whatever. Maybe I’m spoiled by having only played Bioshock and Fallout 3 (yes, some might say Bioshock is linear, but there are multiple avenues to wander within any given scene).
On the plus side (again, just judging from the demo)
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[li]Very very spooky and disturbing at times. With a couple ‘made you jump’ moments[/li][li]I like the very limited amount of weapons/ammo/health you can carry. Big problem with FO3 is the vast amount of stuff you can pack with you.[/li][li]the power armor sequence was pretty fun, for the short time it lasted[/li][/ul]
Drake’s Fortune is otherwise known as Dude Raider.
It’s very platform-y. Pretty good storyline and the control mechanics are fun and pretty intuitive. For me. A lifelong player of Tomb Raider. Hubby wasn’t too comfortable with it (he’s not a platformer so much) and handed it off to me shortly after. I loved it.
If you’ve played and like Tomb Raider, I highly recommend it. If you hated Tomb Raider, even with Lara’s juicy juicy bottom, I’d probably suggest it’s not going to be right up your cup of tea.
I’d second the recommendations for Dead Space and F.E.A.R 2 TBH. If I had spare money for PS3 games at the moment (over $100 a pop over here :() they’d be the next 2 I’d buy.
Except for Resident Evil 5. I covet that and hubby WILL be getting that for me for my Birthday.
If you want a good atmosphere and an interesting story, you should try Folklore.
It’s a third-person game, but it’s an action RPG where you enter the Netherworld and help the ‘Folks’ (fae and monsters) while figuring out your characters’ personal mystery. There are two main characters, and you can play as both during the story.
Here’s a good review with some pictures - the most amazing part of the game is the art direction and use of color and lighting in the environments. Definitely a game with an otherworldly feel.
I’ve never heard anyone saying anything bad about Valkyria Chronicles, which should meet your criteria. It is, technically ‘squad based’ but not in the sense of “manage your teammates in realtime lest they die”. YMMV though.
I liked this game at first, but it became pretty dull and repetitive after awhile. The atmosphere was really captivating; it kind of reminded me of Pan’s Labyrinth. Also, the scarecrow character was super creepy! So, while it had great graphics and an interesting storyline, the actual gameplay ruined it for me.
You might want to spend some more time getting used to the controls. 3rd person games typically (for me, at least) take an adjustment period of at least 30 minutes.
I’m starting to get a hankering for a new PS3 game as well. I had been kicking around the idea of picking up an older game that I may have missed (Orange Box comes to mind) or getting one of the new games that are going to be released in the next couple of weeks. (Specifically Killzone 2 and/or Street Fighter 4).
Yeah, probably I just hope that the game isn’t as difficult from the get-go as the damn demo was. I couldn’t get out of the first room, tripping all over myself, shooting randomly into the floor as the incessant march of the zombies (? creatures? mutants?) finally smothered me.
